The association between vascular access type and depressive symptoms in geriatric hemodialysis population.

OBJECTIVES: A well-functioning vascular access is crucial for hemodialysis treatment, and arteriovenous fistula is the recommended vascular access type. Arteriovenous fistula is superior to other vascular access types in many aspects, but the effect of arteriovenous fistula on patients' psychiatric state is not well described yet. The aim of this study is to determine whether there is an association between vascular access type and depression scores. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted at two hemodialysis centers. Geriatric Depression Scale-15 was administered to geriatric hemodialysis patients, using ≥5 score as the cut-off value for the presence of depressive symptoms. Descriptive tests, Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, Pearson's Chi-square test, Mann-Whitney test, Kruskal-Wallis test, Spearman's rank correlation calculation, and multiple logistic regression analysis were performed accordingly to analyze the data. RESULTS: Of 75 participants, 34 (45.3%) were female and the mean age was 73.4 ± 5.9 years (range: 65-92). The prevalence of depressive symptoms in the geriatric hemodialysis population was 53.3%. Central venous catheter, hypertension, and increased time on hemodialysis have been found to be risk factors for higher depression scores (aOR 10.505 (95% CI 1.435-76.900), p = 0.021; aOR 9.783 (95% CI 2.508-38.169), p = 0.001; aOR 1.019 (95% CI 1.003-1.035), p = 0.017, respectively). Among patients with arteriovenous fistula, those with hypertension had higher depression scores (p = 0.008). CONCLUSIONS: Geriatric hemodialysis patients were found to have depressive symptoms commonly, and central venous catheter, hypertension, and increased time on hemodialysis have been found to be risk factors for presence of depressive symptoms. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study highlighting that arteriovenous fistula is associated with lower depression scores and lower prevalence of depressive symptoms.

A New Method for Determining the Level of the Carotid Artery Bifurcation.

Exact localization of the bifurcation of the common carotid artery using skin surface landmarks is important for various diagnostic and therapeutic purposes, including emergency cases. Traditional methods have confirmed their accuracy in only a certain percentage of cases and there are inconsistencies among various publications. The cervical computed tomography-angiographic examinations for any diagnostic purpose between June 2017 and December, 2017 in the authors' hospital were examined. Measurements were performed for (MT-CB) and (MT-SE) distances and the results were recorded [MT = The tip of the mastoid process; CB = common carotid artery bifurcation; SE = sternal extremity of the clavicle]. Cervical computed tomography angiography was found in the records of 91 patients in the 6-month period between June 2017 and December 2017. After exclusion criteria were applied, a total of 116 carotid bifurcation levels on the right and left sides were measured in 58 patients. The mean MT-CB distance was 6.29 ±â€Š0.9 cm (range: 2.9-8.4 cm). The mean distance between MT and SE was 15.3 ±â€Š1.7 cm (range: 9.9-19.0 cm). The (MT-CB): (MT-SE) ratios ranged from 29% to 51% with a mean of 41 ±â€Š4.2% (95% CI: 39.88%-42.10%) and a median of 41.1% (P < 0.05) (Kolmogorov-Smirnov test). The distance ratio values did not change significantly according to age and gender (respectively P = 0.341, P = 0.093). These results show that the CB is usually located at two-fifths of the distance from the mastoid tip to the sternal extremity of the clavicle and closer to the mastoid tip.

The Predictive Value of Admission Fragmented QRS Complex for In-Hospital Cardiovascular Mortality of Patients with Type 1 Acute Aortic Dissection.

BACKGROUND: Fragmented QRS (fQRS) arises from impaired ventricular depolarization due to heterogeneous electrical activation of ischemic and/or infarcted ventricular myocardium. The short- and long-term prognostic values of fQRS have been reported for myocardial infarction, heart failure, fatal cardiac arrhythmias, and sudden cardiac death. The aim of this study was to investigate the predictive value of admission fQRS complex for in-hospital cardiovascular mortality of patients with type 1 acute aortic dissection (AAD). METHODS: In this retrospective study, 203 consecutive patients with type 1 AAD who had been admitted to either of two large-volume tertiary hospitals between December 2008 and October 2013 were included. The patients were divided into two groups according to the presence or absence of the fQRS complex on admission. RESULTS: In-hospital cardiovascular mortality (P < 0.001), major adverse cardiovascular events (P < 0.001), acute renal failure (P = 0.022), multiorgan dysfunction (P < 0.001), and acute decompensated heart failure (P < 0.001) were observed to be significantly more frequent in the fQRS-positive group than in the fQRS-negative group. fQRS (odds ratio [95% confidence interval]: 4.184 [1.927-9.082], P < 0.001), operation duration (4.184 [1.927-9.082], P = 0.001), and Killip class IV (3.900 [1.699-8.955], P = 0.001) were found to be significant independent predictors of in-hospital cardiovascular mortality after adjustment of other risk factors in the multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: fQRS is a simple, inexpensive, and readily available electrocardiographic entity that provides an additional risk stratification level beyond that provided by conventional risk parameters in predicting in-hospital cardiovascular mortality in type 1 AAD.

Stroke after coronary bypass surgery is mainly related to diffuse atherosclerotic disease.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to investigate the risk factors for postoperative stroke and analysis of outcome after coronary bypass surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass. METHODS: Between 1999 and 2008, 3248 consecutive patients who underwent isolated coronary surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass were prospectively enrolled in the study. Demographic and perioperative data were analyzed. Postoperative stroke was defined as severe adverse neurological events including permanent deficits or cerebral lesions with radiological demonstration of cerebral infarction within the first postoperative month. RESULTS: In total, 32 patients (0.9%) were determined with stroke. Univariate risk factors for postoperative stroke were determined as preoperative unstable angina (P = .006), Canadian Class of Angina (CCA) ≥ 3 (P = .001), preoperative creatinin level >1.2 mg/dL (P = .001), left main coronary artery disease (P = .04), chronic obstructive lung disease (P = .04), peripheral arterial disease (P < .001), New York Heart Association (NYHA) Class ≥ 3 (P = .004), preoperative renal insufficiency (P = .001), age > 65 years (P = .04), preoperative hypothyroidism (P = .02), postoperative low cardiac output state (P < .001), severe coronary artery disease requiring distal anastomosis ≥ 4 (P = .05), non-elective operation (P = .02), and body mass index ≥ 25 (P = .02). Multivariate analysis revealed peripheral arterial disease (odds ratio [OR], 5.2; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.9-14.0; P = .001), severe coronary artery disease (OR, 3.1; 95% CI, 1.1-8.5; P = .02), and postoperative low cardiac output state (OR, 5.1; 95% CI, 1.4-18.2; P = .01) as the independent risk factors. CONCLUSIONS: Stroke after coronary bypass surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass is mainly related to diffuse atherosclerotic disease.

Retrosternal Deformations after Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery Using Statistical Shape Analysis.

INTRODUCTION: In this study, we aimed to evaluate the anatomical deformations of the major vascular structures in the retrosternal area caused by adhesions following coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). METHODS: This single-center, retrospective study included a total of 40 patients with a previous CABG who were admitted to our emergency unit for any reason and underwent a contrast-enhanced chest computed tomography (patient group) and 40 patients without previous cardiac surgery (control group) between January 2018 and November 2019. The retrosternal area was compared between the groups using the statistical shape analysis method. The distance between the sternum and the ascending aorta and pulmonary artery was measured and anatomical deformations of the retrosternal area were examined. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant difference in the anatomical structures of the retrosternal area between the patient and control groups (P<0.001). The distance from the midsternal line to the highest point of the pulmonary artery was statistically significantly shorter in the patient group, compared to the control group (P=0.013). The distance from the sternum to the ascending aorta was also shorter in the patient group, although it did not reach statistical significance (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our study results showed narrowing of the retrosternal area following CABG and a shorter distance from the sternum to the pulmonary artery than the ascending aorta. Based on these findings, surgeons should be cautious about possible injuries in patients requiring cardiac surgery with repeated median sternotomy.

Comparison of pharmacomechanical and surgical interventions for thrombosed native arteriovenous fistulas.

BACKGROUND: This study aims to compare success and patency rates of pharmacomechanical thrombectomy versus open surgical thrombectomy for thrombosed native arteriovenous fistulas. METHODS: A total of 96 patients (56 males, 40 females; mean age 61±11.7 years; range, 26 to 82 years) with a thrombosed native arteriovenous fistula between January 2016 and December 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into two groups as pharmacomechanical thrombectomy (n=42) and open surgical thrombectomy (n=54). Primary failure rate and primary patency rate at 6 and 12 months were recorded. RESULTS: Of 42 patients in the pharmacomechanical thrombectomy group, 41 (98%) had additional interventions, and primary failure occurred in four patients (10%). Primary failure was seen in 15 (28%) patients in the surgical group. The primary patency rates at 6 and 12 months were significantly higher in the pharmacomechanical treatment group than the surgical group (85% vs. 67% and 78% vs. 55%, respectively; p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Pharmacomechanical thrombectomy procedure yields higher primary patency rates than open surgical thrombectomy for thrombosed native arteriovenous fistula.

A retrospective comparison analysis of results of drug-coated balloon versus plain balloon angioplasty in treatment of juxta-anastomotic de novo stenosis of radiocephalic arteriovenous fistulas.

BACKGROUND: Juxta-anastomotic stenosis is a common issue of arteriovenous fistulas. We aimed to evaluate the results of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty with drug-coated balloon versus plain balloon for the treatment of juxta-anastomotic stenoses of mature but failing distal radiocephalic arteriovenous fistulas. METHODS: A total of 80 patients with a juxta-anastomotic stenosis of distal radiocephalic arteriovenous fistula in our clinic between January 2016 and September 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into two groups according to the type of treatment as drug-coated balloon - percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (n = 44) and plain balloon - percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (n = 43). Intra- and post-procedural data were recorded. Target lesion primary patency rate was evaluated at 6 and 12 months. Of all patients, 48 were females and 39 were males with a mean age of 56.3 ± 10.4 (range, 24-75) years. Both groups had mature fistulas, and the mean age of fistula was 11.3 ± 9.1 months in the drug-coated balloon - percutaneous transluminal angioplasty group and 10.3 ± 8.8 months in the plain balloon - percutaneous transluminal angioplasty group (p = 0.24). RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the target lesion stenosis rate and the median lesion length between the groups. Technical and clinical success were achieved in both groups. Target lesion primary patency was similar at 6 months between the two groups (93.1% vs 81.3%, respectively; p = 0.14) but significantly higher for the drug-coated balloon - percutaneous transluminal angioplasty group at 12 months (81.8% vs 51.1%, respectively; p = 0.01). CONCLUSION: Our study results suggest that the use of drug-coated balloon combined with percutaneous transluminal angioplasty is an effective treatment for juxta-anastomotic stenoses of mature but failing distal radiocephalic arteriovenous fistulas with significantly improved target lesion primary patency rates and reduced need for juxta-anastomotic reinterventions.

The characteristics of the patients in mass public shootings among coup attempt in Turkey: A single-center hospital response.

BACKGROUND: Turkey is an experienced country for both military and civilian mass casualties that arise from explosions and shootings by various terrorist groups. In this study, we aimed to investigate the characteristics of patient flow admitted to our hospital caused by primarily gunshot wounds during the coup attempts on the 15th of July. METHODS: This descriptive, retrospective study included a total of 50 patients who were injured during a coup attempt on the date of July 15, 2016, and admitted to our emergency department (ED). Demographic characteristics, anatomical injury sites, postoperative clinical outcomes, and hospitalization settings were recorded. The Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), Trauma and Injury Severity Score (TRISS), Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS), Revised Trauma Score (RTS) and Injury Severity Score (ISS) were used to measure the severity of injuries. RESULTS: A total of 63 medical personnel voluntarily reached the ED within two hours. Extremity injuries were the most common injuries. The mean RTS, GCS, and TRISS scores did not differ significantly between the patients discharged from the ED and the patients who were hospitalized (p>0.05). However, there was a statistically significant difference in the ISS scores (p<0.001, independent t-test). There was no statistically significant difference in the GCS and RTS scores between the discharged and hospitalized patients, although the ISS scores were higher in hospitalized patients (p>0.05 and p<0.001, respectively). A total of 33 patients (66%) were admitted to the hospital for follow-up and/or surgical intervention. Five (10%) of the patients were hospitalized for more than 14 days. CONCLUSION: The management of each disaster is unique. Armed conflicts result in gunshot wounds, and preparations must be focused on surge capacity and a prolonged hospital stay of the patients. In our study, the length of stay in the hospital decreased after the arrival of volunteer staff to the ED, but we should note that the ISS increased. Hospital disaster plans should be reorganized not only for ED but also for the whole hospital.