Internal jugular, subclavian, and axillary deep venous thrombosis and the risk of pulmonary embolism.

The objective of this study was to investigate the risk of acute internal jugular, subclavian, and axillary deep venous thrombosis (upper torso DVT [UTDVT]) and pulmonary embolism (PE) and the role of anticoagulation in a cohort of hospitalized patients. A 2-year retrospective review of hospitalized patients who underwent upper torso vein duplex scanning was performed. Patient demographics, underlying comorbidities, indication for scanning, diagnostic tests, intensive care unit stay, length of stay, presence of a central line (current or within the last 2 weeks), malignancy (current or former), hypercoaguable condition, postoperative state, renal failure, mortality, and use of anticoagulation were recorded. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to investigate significant risk factors for acute UTDVT. The impact of an acute UTDVT and use of anticoagulation on hospital length of stay, survival to 30 days and 1 year, and PE rate were calculated. One hundred eighty-nine patients were scanned. Sixty-three patients (33%) were found to have an acute UTDVT. The internal jugular vein was the most common site of thrombosis. The presence of a central venous catheter was the only factor found to be a significant risk factor for an acute UTDVT (p = .03). Five patients (7.9%) with an UTDVT had a PE documented by computed tomographic angiography-pulmonary arteriography, and all had an internal jugular thrombosis (four isolated and one combined with an axillary-subclavian thrombosis). No PE was fatal. Thirty-eight (60%) patients with an acute UTDVT were treated with therapeutic anticoagulation; the remainder were observed. All patients with a PE received anticoagulation. Hospital length of stay, 30-day mortality, and 12-month survival were no different for patients with and without an UTDVT (p = .7). The use of anticoagulation had no observable effect on survival in patients with UTDVT (p = .1). An acute internal jugular, subclavian, or axillary DVT is a relatively common finding in the hospitalized patient. Patients with a central line (current or within the previous 14 days) were at greatest risk, with an internal jugular vein thrombosis being the most common source. The inconsistent use of anticoagulation therapy for UTDVT was associated with a moderate risk of PE. A survival benefit for anticoagulation could not be documented.

Objective indications for early tracheostomy after blunt head trauma.

BACKGROUND: Early tracheostomy has been shown to be beneficial after trauma; however, there are few objective data to identify early in the recovery period which patients will ultimately require tracheostomy after blunt head trauma. METHODS: The charts of all patients admitted to the surgical intensive care unit intubated at a level 1 urban trauma center, over a 5-year period with a primary admission diagnosis of blunt head trauma were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: Sixty-four patients met inclusion and exclusion criteria and were divided into two groups: those extubated and those that required tracheostomy. By day 3 the Glasgow Coma Scores for the two groups were significantly different and on day 4 the Simplified Acute Physiology (SAPS) Scores were significantly different. CONCLUSIONS: Calculating objective scores such as GCS and SAPS can aid in identifying those patients who will ultimately require a tracheostomy for prolonged airway protection after blunt head trauma with high positive predictive value.

The incidence of thromboembolism in the surgical intensive care unit.

The clinical diagnosis of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) is unreliable. Studies have been performed examining the utility of frequent duplex scans. However, these studies included patients outside of the intensive care unit. The incidence of venous thromboembolism and the effect of a less intense surveillance protocol was prospectively examined at a level-1 urban trauma center for a 6 month period. During the study period there were 726 admission to the surgical intensive care unit. Sequential compression devices (SCDs) were used for DVT prophylaxis in 93 per cent of the admissions. A total of 114 duplex scans were ordered: 42 per cent for surveillance and the rest for evaluation of a clinical indication. Twelve DVTs were discovered (11% overall DVT rate). No patient on subcutaneous heparin or low-molecular-weight heparin developed a DVT or pulmonary embolism (PE). Four patients suffered a PE; however, none were found to have a lower extremity DVT on duplex ultrasound and all received SCD prophylaxis. Overall, proper use of DVT prophylaxis for intensive care unit days 1-14 was 77 per cent. The incidence of venous thromboembolism in a group of patients at overall high risk was low. A program of DVT surveillance with duplex ultrasound was not cost-effective.

Outcome of elderly patients with appendicitis: effect of computed tomography and laparoscopy.

HYPOTHESIS: Elderly patients who have appendicitis have a greater morbidity and mortality rate when compared with younger patients. We hypothesized that recent changes in the diagnosis and management of appendicitis in elderly patients might affect the outcome. DESIGN: Retrospective review. SETTING: Large metropolitan teaching hospital. PATIENTS: All patients aged 70 years and older who underwent appendectomy for appendicitis between January 1, 1991, and December 31, 2000, were divided into groups 1 (those treated from January 1, 1991, through December 31, 1995) and 2 (those treated from January 1, 1996, through December 31, 2000). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Age, sex, preoperative evaluation, operative duration and findings, postoperative course, duration of hospital stay, and mortality rate. Continuous and categorical variables were analyzed using t and chi(2) tests, respectively. RESULTS: Ninety-five patients met inclusionary criteria. The mean age (78 years), sex, preoperative suggestion of appendicitis (group 1, 39 [83%] of 47 patients; group 2, 45 [94%] of 48 patients), and duration of the preoperative hospitalization over 24 hours (group 1, 11 patients [23%]; group 2, 9 patients [19%]) were similar in both groups. There was an increasing use of diagnostic computed tomography (group 1, 13 patients [28%]; group 2, 32 patients [67%]; P<.001) and laparoscopy (group 1, 14 patients [30%]; group 2, 23 patients [48%]; P =.02) between the 2 study periods associated with no significant difference in the duration of hospitalization, frequency of appendiceal perforation or abscess, occurrence of complications, or mortality. The length of operating time increased in the second period (ie, January 1, 1996, through December 31, 2000). CONCLUSIONS: Appendicitis in elderly patients continues to be a challenging surgical problem. While computed tomography may represent a useful diagnostic tool and laparoscopic appendectomy may be appropriate therapy for selected patients, neither has affected outcome when measured for morbidity and mortality rates. Overall results might improve with earlier consideration of the diagnosis in elderly patients with abdominal pain, followed by prompt surgical consultation and operation.