Preservation of pelvic perfusion with iliac branch devices does not decrease ischemic colitis compared with hypogastric embolization in endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair.

OBJECTIVE: Ischemic colitis is a rare but devastating complication of endovascular repair of infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysms. Although it is rare (0.9%) in standard endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR), the incidence increases to 2% to 3% in EVAR with hypogastric artery embolization (HAE). This study investigated whether preservation of pelvic perfusion with iliac branch devices (IBDs) decreases the incidence of ischemic colitis. METHODS: We used the targeted EVAR module in the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database to identify patients undergoing EVAR of infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm from 2012 to 2017. The cohort was further stratified into average-risk and high-risk groups. Average-risk patients were those who underwent elective repair for sizes of the aneurysms, whereas high-risk patients were repaired emergently for indications other than asymptomatic aneurysms. Within these groups, we examined the 30-day outcomes of standard EVARs, EVAR with HAE, and EVAR with IBDs. The primary outcome was the incidence of ischemic colitis. Secondary outcomes included mortality, major organ dysfunction, thromboembolism, length of stay, and return to the operating room. The χ2 test, Fisher exact test, Kruskal-Wallis test, and multivariate regression models were used for data analysis. RESULTS: There were 11,137 patients who had infrarenal EVAR identified. We designated this the all-risk cohort, which included 9263 EVAR, 531 EVAR-HAE, and 1343 EVAR-IBD procedures. These were further stratified into 9016 cases with average-risk patients and 2121 cases with high-risk patients. In the average-risk group, 7482 had EVAR, 411 had EVAR-HAE, and 1123 had EVAR-IBD. In the high-risk group, 1781 had EVAR, 120 had EVAR-HAE, and 220 had EVAR-IBD. There was no significant difference in 30-day outcomes (including ischemic colitis) between EVAR, EVAR-HAE, and EVAR-IBD in the all-risk and high-risk groups. In the average-risk cohort, EVAR-HAE was associated with a higher mortality rate than EVAR (2.2% vs 1.0%; adjusted odds ratio, 2.58; P = .01). Although EVAR-IBD was not superior to EVAR-HAE in 30-day mortality, major organ dysfunction, or ischemic colitis in this average-risk cohort, EVAR-IBD exhibited a trend toward lower mortality compared with EVAR-HAE in this cohort, but it was not statistically significant (1.0% vs 2.2%; adjusted odds ratio, 0.42; P = .07). CONCLUSIONS: Ischemic colitis is a rare complication of EVAR. HAE does not appear to increase the risk of ischemic colitis, and preservation of pelvic perfusion with IBDs does not decrease its incidence. Although HAE is associated with significantly higher mortality than standard EVAR in average-risk patients, the preservation of pelvic perfusion with IBDs does not appear to improve mortality over HAE.

Combination Treatment with Antibiotics and Glucocorticosteroids for Severe Ischemic Colitis.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Ischemic colitis (IC) is most common in the elderly and patients with multiple comorbidities. It carries significant mortality. As yet no evidence-based therapeutic management exists. Aim of the study was to test therapeutic efficacy of a combination of prednisolone and antibiotics. METHODS: Prospective cohort study with retrospective analysis performed in a single teaching hospital in Germany. Consecutive patients with strict diagnostic criteria of severe IC, including colonoscopy, histology, and laboratory tests, were recruited. Main outcome measures were in-hospital mortality and number of operations counted within the hospital stay. Severity scores were calculated and biomarkers determined during the course of the hospital stay. RESULTS: A total of 342 patients with an International Classification of Diseases of IC were identified. About 151 patients met the diagnostic criteria and a total of 44 patients fulfilled all inclusion and exclusion criteria of severe IC and constituted the group of patients eligible for analysis. Five out of 44 patients (11.4%) died (in-hospital mortality). Surgery was performed in 3 patients (6.8%), 2 patients survived. The hospital stay lasted 14.0 ± 8.5 day and was significantly correlated with comorbidity (rs = 0.314, p = 0.038). No serious adverse events were observed. CONCLUSION: This is the first prospective study on therapeutic efficacy and safety in severe IC. The combination of intravenous antibiotics and intravenous prednisolone turned out to be safe and revealed promising efficacy.

Inferior mesenteric artery replantation does not decrease the risk of ischemic colitis after open infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm repair.

BACKGROUND: Ischemic colitis after an open abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair remains a serious complication with a nationally reported rate of 1% to 6% in elective cases and up to 60% after an aneurysmal rupture. To prevent this serious complication, inferior mesenteric artery (IMA) replantation is performed at the discretion of the surgeon based on his or her intraoperative findings, despite the lack of clear evidence to support this practice. The purpose of this study was to determine whether replantation of the IMA reduces the risk of ischemic colitis and improves the overall outcome of AAA repair. METHODS: Patients who underwent open infrarenal AAA repair were identified in the multicenter American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program Targeted AAA Database from 2012 to 2015. Emergency cases, patients with chronically occluded IMAs, ruptured aneurysms with evidence of hypotension, and patients requiring visceral revascularization were excluded. The remaining elective cases were divided into two groups: those with IMA replantation (IMA-R) and those with IMA ligation. We measured the 30-day outcomes including mortality, morbidity, and perioperative outcomes. A multivariable logistic regression model was used for data analysis, adjusting for clinically relevant covariates. RESULTS: We identified 2397 patients who underwent AAA repair between 2012 and 2015, of which 135 patients (5.6%) had ischemic colitis. After applying the appropriate exclusion criteria, there were 672 patients who were included in our study. This cohort was divided into two groups: 35 patients with IMA-R and 637 patients with IMA ligation. There were no major differences in preoperative comorbidities between the two groups. IMA-R was associated with increased mean operative time (319.7 ± 117.8 minutes vs 242.4 ± 109.3 minutes; P < .001). Examination of 30-day outcomes revealed patients with IMA-R had a higher rate of return to the operating room (20.0% vs 7.2%; P = .006), a higher rate of wound complications (17.1% vs 3.0%; P = .001), and a higher incidence of ischemic colitis (8.6% vs 2.4%; P = .027). There were no significant differences in mortality, pulmonary complications, or renal complications between the two groups. In multivariable analysis, IMA-R was a significant predictor of ischemic colitis and wound complications. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that IMA-R is not associated with protection from ischemic colitis after open AAA repair. The role of IMA-R remains to be identified.

Acute vascular insufficiency of intestine: incidence highest in summer, outcomes worst in winter.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of acute vascular insufficiency of intestine (AVII) is on the rise in the USA and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Seasonal variations have been observed in the onset of several gastrointestinal diseases. It is thus far unknown whether the incidence, in-hospital mortality rates, and length of hospital stay (LOS) of AVII vary in different seasons. AIMS: The aims of this study were to study the seasonal variations in the (1) incidence, (2) in-hospital mortality, and (3) LOS of AVII in the USA. METHODS: We used the Nationwide Inpatient Sample to identify patients aged ≥ 18 years hospitalized from the years 2000-2014. We used the Edwards recognition with estimation of cyclic trend method to study the seasonal variation of AVII hospitalizations and z test to compare the seasonal incidences (peak-to-low ratio), mortalities, and LOS. RESULTS: A total of 1,441,447 patients were hospitalized with AVII (0.3% of all hospitalizations). Patients with AVII were older (69.0 ± 0.1 vs 56.9 ± 0.1) and more commonly females (65.4% vs 35.5%) than patients without AVII (p < 0.001). The incidence of AVII increased through the summer to peak in September (peak/low ratio 1.028, 95% CI 1.024-1.033, p < 0.001). Patients with AVII hospitalized in winter had the highest mortality (17.3%, p < 0.001) and LOS (9.2 ± 0.7 days, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of AVII in the USA peaks in late summer. The in-hospital mortality rates and LOS associated with AVII are the highest in winter. Physicians could be cognizant of the seasonal variations in the incidence, in-hospital mortality, and LOS of AVII.

Early Endoscopy Is Associated with Better Clinical Outcomes in Patients Hospitalized with Ischemic Bowel Disease.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Providing diagnostic and therapeutic interventions, lower gastrointestinal endoscopy is a salient investigative modality for ischemic bowel disease (IB). As studies on the role of endoscopic timing on the outcomes of IB are lacking, we sought to clarify this association. METHODS: After identifying 18-to-90-year-old patients with a primary diagnosis of IB from the 2012-2014 Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project-Nationwide Inpatient Sample, we grouped them based on timing of endoscopy into three: early (n = 9268), late (n = 3515), and no endoscopy (n = 18,452). We explored the determinants of receiving early endoscopy, the impact of endoscopic timing on outcomes (mortality and 13 others), and the impact of the type of endoscopy (colonoscopy vs. sigmoidoscopy) on these outcomes among the early group (SAS 9.4). RESULTS: Less likely to receive early endoscopy were Blacks compared to Whites (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 0.81 95% CI [0.70-0.94]), and individuals on Medicaid, Medicare, and uninsured compared to the privately insured group (aOR 0.80 [0.71-0.91], 0.70 [0.58-0.84], and 0.68 [0.56-0.83]). Compared to the late and no endoscopy groups, patients with early endoscopy had less mortality (aOR 0.53 [0.35-0.80] and 0.09 [0.07-0.12]), shorter length of stay (LOS, 4.64 [4.43-4.87] days vs. 8.87 [8.40-9.37] and 6.62 [6.52-7.13] days), lower total hospital cost (THC, $41,055 [$37,995-$44,361] vs. $72,598 [$66,768-$78,937] and $68,737 [$64,028-$73,793]), and better outcomes. Similarly, among those who received early endoscopy, colonoscopy had better outcomes than sigmoidoscopy for mortality, THC, LOS, and adverse events. CONCLUSION: Early endoscopy, especially colonoscopy, is associated with better clinical outcomes and decreased healthcare utilization in IB. Unfortunately, there are disparities against Blacks, and non-privately insured individuals in receiving early endoscopy.

Risk factors and outcomes of postoperative ischemic colitis in contemporary open and endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair.

OBJECTIVE: Postoperative ischemic colitis (IC) can be a serious complication following infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair. We sought to identify risk factors and outcomes in patients developing IC after open AAA repair and endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR). METHODS: The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database was used to examine clinical data of patients undergoing AAA repair from 2011 to 2012 who developed postoperative IC. Multivariate regression analysis was performed to identify risk factors and outcomes. RESULTS: We evaluated a cohort of 3486 patients who underwent AAA repair (11.6% open repair and 88.4% EVAR). The incidence of postoperative IC was 2.2% (5.2% for open repair and 1.8% for EVAR). Surgical treatment was needed in 49.3% of patients who developed IC. The mortality of patients with IC was higher than that of patients without IC (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 4.23; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.26-7.92; P < .01). The need for surgical treatment (AOR, 7.77; 95% CI, 2.08-28.98; P < .01) and age (AOR, 1.11; 95% CI, 1.01-1.22; P = .01) were mortality predictors of IC patients. Predictive factors of IC included need for intraoperative or postoperative transfusion (AOR, 6; 95% CI, 3.08-11.72; P < .01), rupture of the aneurysm before surgery (AOR, 4.07; 95% CI, 1.78-9.31; P < .01), renal failure requiring dialysis (AOR, 3.86; 95% CI, 1.18-12.62; P = .02), proximal extension of the aneurysm (AOR, 2.19; 95% CI, 1.04-4.59; P = .03), diabetes (AOR, 1.87; 95% CI, 1.01-3.46; P = .04), and female gender (AOR, 1.75; 95% CI, 1.01-3.02; P = .04). Although open AAA repair had three times higher rate of postoperative IC compared with endovascular repair, in multivariate analysis we did not find any statistically significant difference between open repair and EVAR in the development of IC (5.2% vs 1.8%; AOR, 1.25; 95% CI, 0.70-2.25; P = .43). CONCLUSIONS: Postoperative IC has a rate of 2.2% after AAA repair. However, it is associated with 38.7% mortality rate. Rupture of the aneurysm before surgery, need for transfusion, proximal extension of the aneurysm, renal failure requiring dialysis, diabetes, and female gender were significant predictors of postoperative IC. AAA patients who develop IC have four times higher mortality compared with those without IC. Surgical treatment is needed in nearly 50% of IC patients and is a predictor of higher mortality.

Outcome of emergency surgery for severe neuroleptic-induced colitis: results of a prospective cohort.

AIM: The study evaluated the outcome of severe acute antipsychotic (neuroleptic) drug related colitis requiring emergency surgery. METHOD: From 2009 to 2014, 20 patients underwent emergency surgery for acute and severe neuroleptic-related ischaemic colitis. Neuroleptic-induced colitis was defined as another cause besides inflammatory, infectious or ischaemic colitis with a relationship to treatment by antipsychotic drugs. RESULTS: The main drugs involved were cyamemazine (n = 9, 45%), loxapine (n = 5, 25%), haloperidol (n = 4, 20%) and alimemazine (n = 4, 20%). Most (n = 14, 70%) patients presented with haemodynamic instability requiring massive resuscitation and vasopressive drugs. CT signs of digestive impairment were found in 13 (65%) patients having emergency surgery. The lesions were pancolonic in 40%; transparietal necrosis was found in 45% and 15% had colonic perforation. Twelve (60%) patients had total or subtotal colectomy and eight (40%) a segmental colectomy with colostomy or ileostomy in all cases. The postoperative mortality was 15% and morbidity was 70%, necessitating surgical reintervention in two (10%) patients. Of the 17 surviving patients, 11 (64.7%) had restoration of intestinal continuity after a median delay of 103 days, with a postoperative morbidity rate of 36.3%. In the intent-to-treat population, the permanent stoma rate was 30%. CONCLUSION: The morbidity and mortality of surgery for neuroleptic-drug-induced colitis is higher than for colitis due to other causes. A better knowledge of this condition should lead to early diagnosis.

Ischemic Colitis as a Complication of Medication Use: An Analysis of the Federal Adverse Event Reporting System.

BACKGROUND: More than one decade ago, rising cases of ischemic colitis (IC) prompted the Federal Drug Administration to revoke alosetron's approval as treatment of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The aim of this study was to identify medical therapies associated with development of IC. METHODS: The Federal Adverse Event Reporting System was queried for the time between January 2004 and September 2015. We identified reports listing IC as treatment complication and extracted suspected causative and concomitantly administered drugs, indications for their use and outcomes. RESULTS: After eliminating duplicates, we found 2811 cases of IC (68.4 % women; 59.4 ± 0.4 years). Patients with IBS accounted for 3.9 % of the cases, mostly attributed to tegaserod or alosetron. Chemotherapeutic and immunosuppressive drugs, sex hormones, and anticoagulants were the most commonly suspected causes. Bisphosphonates, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, antipsychotics, triptans, interferon therapy, and laxative use prior to colonoscopy were among the more commonly listed treatments. In 8 %, the adverse event contributed to the patient's death with male sex and older age predicting fatal outcomes. CONCLUSION: Beyond confirming known risks of IC, the results identified several potential culprits of ischemic colitis. This information may not only explain the development of this serious adverse event, but could also guide treatment decisions, cautioning healthcare providers when considering these agents in persons with known risk factors or other drugs that may increase their risk of IC.

Histologic Features of Intestinal Thrombotic Microangiopathy in Pediatric and Young Adult Patients after Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation.

High-risk transplantation-associated thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) can present with multisystem involvement and is associated with a poor outcome after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), with < 20% 1-year survival. TMA may involve the intestinal vasculature and can present with bleeding and ischemic colitis. There are no established pathologic criteria for the diagnosis of intestinal TMA (iTMA). The goal of our study was to identify histologic features of iTMA and describe associated clinical features. We evaluated endoscopic samples from 50 consecutive HSCT patients for 8 histopathologic signs of iTMA and compared findings in 3 clinical groups based on the presence or absence of systemic high-risk TMA (hrTMA) and the presence or absence of clinically staged intestinal graft-versus-host disease (iGVHD): TMA/iGVHD, no TMA/iGVHD, and no TMA/no iGVHD. Thirty percent of the study subjects had a clinical diagnosis of systemic hrTMA. On histology, loss of glands, intraluminal schistocytes, intraluminal fibrin, intraluminal microthrombi, endothelial cell separation, and total denudation of mucosa were significantly more common in the hrTMA group (P < .05). Intravascular thrombi were seen exclusively in patients with hrTMA. Mucosal hemorrhages and endothelial cell swelling were more common in hrTMA patients but this difference did not reach statistical significance. Patients with hrTMA were more likely to experience significant abdominal pain and gastrointestinal bleeding requiring multiple blood transfusions (P < .05). Our study shows that HSCT patients with systemic hrTMA can have significant bowel vascular injury that can be identified using defined histologic criteria. Recognition of these histologic signs in post-transplantation patients with significant gastrointestinal symptoms may guide clinical decisions.

Natural history of outpatient-onset ischemic colitis compared with other lower gastrointestinal bleeding: a long-term cohort study.

PURPOSES: The long-term clinical course of outpatient-onset ischemic colitis remains unknown. Our aims are to elucidate the in- and out-of-hospital clinical outcomes of ischemic colitis and compare them with those of lower gastrointestinal bleeding (LGIB). METHOD: A cohort of 370 outpatients was hospitalized for ischemic colitis (n = 57) or other LGIB (n = 313). All patients had undergone colonoscopy. During hospitalization, the need for transfusion or interventions, further bleeding, mortality, and length of hospital stay were measured. After discharge, long-term recurrence and mortality were analyzed by the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: Colonoscopy revealed that 88% of ischemic colitis cases were left sided. Compared with other LGIB, ischemic colitis cases had significantly lower transfusion requirements (p < 0.01), further bleeding (p = 0.02), endoscopic intervention (p < 0.01), and shorter hospital stay (p = 0.03). No significant differences between the groups were noted in the need for surgery, angiographic procedures, or mortality during hospitalization. During a mean follow-up of 22 months, rebleeding was significantly lower (log-rank test; p < 0.01) in ischemic colitis cases (5.3%) than in other LGIB cases (19.4%) after discharge. During the mean follow-up period of 29 months, 1 patient (1.8%) with ischemic colitis and 18 patients (5.8%) with other LGIB died (log-rank test; p = 0.41). CONCLUSIONS: Outpatient-onset ischemic colitis patients usually had left-sided colitis, recovered with conservative short-term treatment and had lower transfusion requirements and further bleeding compared with other LGIB patients. After discharge, patients with outpatient-onset ischemic colitis had lower recurrence over the long term than other LGIB patients.

Colectomy in intensive care patients: operative findings and outcomes.

BACKGROUND: With a critical illness, intestinal complications are associated with high morbidity and mortality. METHODS: Operative findings and outcomes of 77 intensive care unit (ICU) patients treated with colectomy are described. RESULTS: Three conditions led to colectomy: sepsis (S group; n = 31), fulminant Clostridium difficile colitis (Cl group; n = 25), and cardiovascular surgery (CV group; n = 21). The median Acute Physiology and Chronic Health score was >25 in all groups. Thickening and distension of the colon was more frequent in the Cl group (p = 0.001), and ischemia was more frequent in the S and CV groups (p < 0.001). Widespread necrosis was more frequent in the CV patients (p = 0.001). The kappa value for ischemic operative findings and histologic necrosis was 0.64 (95 % confidence interval 0.49-0.79). Hospital mortality was 35 % without multiple organ failure (MOF) (n = 31) and 74 % with MOF (n = 46) (p < 0.001). Overall, 38 % were alive at the 1-year follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Although colectomy in ICU patients is associated with high hospital mortality, patients who survive beyond their hospital stay have a good 1-year outcome.

The value of routine flexible sigmoidoscopy within 48 hours after surgical repair of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms.

BACKGROUND: Left-sided colonic and rectal ischemia is commonly seen after surgery for ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms (rAAAs) and is associated with increased mortality. Earlier studies have shown that flexible sigmoidoscopy (FS) may detect ischemia when performed postoperatively, and suggestions have been made that patients can be selected for FS based on clinical and biochemical parameters. We sought to perform FS in all patients surviving the first 24 hours after surgery for rAAA and to compare the findings of FS to clinical and biochemical parameters. METHODS: All patients undergoing emergency surgery for rAAA and surviving the first 24 hours underwent FS to assess any degree of ischemia. RESULTS: During the study period, 41 patients survived the first 24 hours after surgery. In 9 (22%) patients, some degree of colonic ischemia was found. Segmental necrosis was only shown in 5% at first FS. Patients with ischemia received more blood transfusions intraoperatively than those with normal findings at FS. They also had longer periods with mean blood pressure <60 mm Hg postoperatively, and lower arterial pH on the first postoperative day. Blood lactate levels did not differ between the groups. None of the parameters were sufficiently discriminative to be used for distinguishing between patients with and without ischemia. CONCLUSIONS: Severe colonic ischemia was less common than previously reported. All cases of colonic ischemia were identified by early FS, but none of the clinical and biochemical parameters were sufficiently reliable to distinguish between patients with and without ischemia. It is suggested that all patients initially surviving surgery for rAAA should be offered FS to screen for colonic ischemia.

High mortality of cocaine-related ischemic colitis: a hybrid cohort/case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Isolated case reports describe bowel ischemia in cocaine users, and the optimal management of these patients remains uncertain. DESIGN: Case-control study. SETTING: Teaching hospitals. PATIENTS: Patients hospitalized for colonic ischemia related to cocaine compared with noncocaine-related ischemic colitis. Cases were identified by using ICD-9 codes and laboratory urine toxicology tests. Patients were included if they had a confirmed diagnosis of bowel ischemia by CT, colonoscopy, angiography, or, in the case of emergency exploration, a pathology report showing bowel ischemia and a urine toxicology test that was positive for cocaine. Controls were individuals who met the same criteria but had no history of cocaine use and a urine test negative for cocaine. Charts were individually audited for accuracy of coding. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Mortality and its risk factors. RESULTS: Patients with cocaine-related ischemia were significantly younger and had a significantly (P < .05) higher mortality rate than patients with ischemic colitis unrelated to cocaine (cocaine: 5/19 [26%] and noncocaine: 6/78 [7.7%]). The cause of death in all cases was septic shock caused by extensive bowel ischemia. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that cocaine-related ischemic colitis was a significant risk factor for mortality (odds ratio 5.77; 95% CI, 1.37-24.39) as was the need for surgical intervention (odds ratio 4.95; 95% CI, 1.22-20.12). LIMITATIONS: Retrospective design. CONCLUSIONS: Cocaine-related ischemic colitis has a high mortality. In young patients presenting with acute abdominal pain and/or rectal bleeding with evidence of bowel wall thickening or pneumatosis on imaging studies or colonoscopy, cocaine-related ischemia should be considered. Testing for cocaine use may help identify patients at high risk of sepsis and death.

Systematic review of the management of ischaemic colitis.

AIM: The study reviews the literature related to ischaemic colitis (IC) to establish an evidence base for its management and to identify factors predicting severity and mortality. METHOD: A systematic review of the English language literature was conducted according to recommendations of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) statement. MEDLINE, Embase and Cochrane Library databases were searched using the keyword search 'ischaemic colitis OR colon ischaemia OR colonic ischaemia OR management ischaemic colitis'. IC is often misdiagnosed so only studies where the diagnosis was supported by histopathology in every case were included. Critical appraisal was performed of included studies using predefined quality assessment checklists and narrative data synthesis. RESULTS: In all, 2610 publications were identified. Of these, eight retrospective case series and three case controlled studies describing 1049 patients were included. Medical management was used in 80.3% patients of whom 6.2% died. Surgery was required in 19.6% of whom 39.3% died. The overall mortality of IC was 12.7%. Lack of rectal bleeding, peritonism and renal dysfunction were commonly quoted predictors of severity; however, right sided IC appeared to be the most significant predictor of outcome. CONCLUSION: Most patients with IC can be managed conservatively. Right sided IC may be the most significant predictor of severity.

Clinical patterns and outcomes of ischaemic colitis: results of the Working Group for the Study of Ischaemic Colitis in Spain (CIE study).

BACKGROUND: There is a lack of prospective studies evaluating the natural history of colonic ischaemia (CI). We performed such a study to evaluate the clinical presentation, outcome, and mortality as well as clinical variables associated with poor prognosis. METHODS: An open, prospective, and multicentre study was conducted in 24 Spanish hospitals serving a population of 3.5 million people. The study included only patients who met criteria for definitive or probable CI. A website (www.colitisisquemica.org) provided logistical support. RESULTS: A total of 364 patients met criteria for inclusion. CI was suspected clinically in only 24.2% of cases. The distribution of clinical patterns was as follows: reversible colopathy (26.1%), transient colitis (43.7%), gangrenous colitis (9.9%), fulminant pancolitis (2.5%), and chronic segmental colitis (17.9%). A total of 47 patients (12.9%) had an unfavorable outcome as defined by mortality and/or the need for surgery. Multivariate analysis identified the following signs as independent risk factors for an unfavorable outcome: abdominal pain without rectal bleeding [odds ratio (OR) 3.9; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.6-9.3], non-bloody diarrhoea (OR 10; 95% CI = 3.7-27.4), and peritoneal signs (OR 7.3; 95% CI = 2.7-19.6). Unfavorable outcomes also were more frequent in isolated right colon ischaemia (IRCI) compared with non-IRCI (40.9 vs. 10.3%, respectively; p < 0.0001). The overall mortality rate was 7.7%. CONCLUSIONS: The clinical presentation of CI is very heterogeneous, perhaps explaining why clinical suspicion of this disease is so low. The presence of IRCI, and occurrence of peritoneal signs or onset of CI as severe abdominal pain without bleeding, should alert the physician to a potentially unfavorable course.

Prognostic factors of ischemic colitis after infrarenal aortic surgery.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative ischemic colitis (POIC) remains a frequent and extremely severe complication of infrarenal abdominal aorta surgery. However, its diagnosis and treatment are not always consensual because the incidence is very small. The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the prognostic factors of severe colitis after infrarenal aorta surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed peroperative and perioperative data of the patients who, between 1998 and 2004, underwent infrarenal abdominal aorta surgery and were presented with confirmed POIC. We set two distinct groups: acute colitis group (operated POIC, perioperative deaths, or evolution toward a colic stenosis secondarily operated on) and a moderate colitis group (recovery without aftereffects and no surgery). The main goal was to individualize the prognostic factors of acute colitis. Using the Student's t-test or the Fisher's exact test, the potential prognostic factors were compared between these two groups. RESULTS: Between 1998 and 2004, 679 patients underwent infrarenal abdominal aorta surgery. Among these patients, 28 POIC cases were confirmed: 20 patients had acute POIC and eight had moderate POIC. Demographic and peroperative data were similar in the two groups. Among the 20 patients with acute POIC, 17 were operated on with a postoperative mortality rate of 58.8%. All the patients had at least a left colitis. In 59% of the cases, Hartmann's procedure was performed with a mortality rate of 50%. Early digestive symptoms (p = 0.05), use of vasopressors (p = 0.0377), diagnosis in intensive care unit (p = 0.0095), and a pH <7.35 at D1 (p = 0.0261) were independently associated with acute ischemic colitis. Moreover, we could observe the important role of endoscopy aiming at making diagnosis and prognosis. CONCLUSION: This study highlighted significant prognosis factors of severe colitis. These factors could help take the decision to operate POIC, especially to lower the effect of multiple organ failure syndrome (MOFS).

[Ischemic colitis following AAA procedures]. / Ischemická kolitída po operáciách pre AAA.

INTRODUCTION: Bowel ischemia following the AAA operation is a rare complication. However, it is the most common reason of death after elective AAA operation with the incidence of 5-9% and 30-60% following RAAA operation with mortality rate around 60%. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of 207 patients undergoing elective and emergent AAA operation between 1st January 2007 and 31st July 2010 was made. We evaluated clinical and para clinical symptoms leading to the observed diagnosis. RESULTS: During the observed period we have treated 207 patients with the AAA. 174 (84%) patients were elective, 33 (16%) were urgent (RAAA). Postoperative mortality of the entire group was 19 patients (9.2%). The most common reason of death was found to be ischemic colitis--8 patients (42%). Ischemic colitis was diagnosed in 17 patients (8.2%) with the mortality 41.2%. Diagnosis was made by colonoscopy in 58.8% of patients, the rest was operated on following the clinical finding of an acute abdomen. In a group of patients with an early diagnosis and treatment of ischemic colitis (until the 4th post operative day) the mortality rate was 20%, increasing till 71.4% when the diagnosis was done later than on 4th postoperative day. DISCUSSION: Nevertheless the ischemic colitis is a rare complication following AAA operation the surgeon must be proactive regarding this severe complication especially in high risk patients. Clinical symptoms are not specific, most often too early peristaltic and diarrhoea with addition of blood is apparent. Procalcitonine and D-lactate seem to be promising among the blood markers. Colonoscopy is a method of choice if there is any doubt in postoperative process. The need of relaparotomy is given by colonoscopy finding together with clinical, biochemical symptoms, signs and the clinical status of the patient. The resection of diseased part of bowel with the colostomy is mandatory. CONCLUSION: The final diagnosis of ischemic colitis is difficult and the decision for reoperation is a matter of surgeons' experience despite of clinical and paraclinical findings. Only fast and adequate treatment can be successful. Any delay in diagnosis is fatal for the patients.

Anatomic patterns, patient characteristics, and clinical outcomes in ischemic colitis: a study of 313 cases supported by histology.

OBJECTIVES: Previous reports on the anatomic portions of colon involved in cases of supposed ischemic colitis (IC) have been limited by the absence of confirmation of the true nature of the disease. This is the first anatomic study to define the patterns of colon involvement in which only cases with biopsy-proven or -compatible IC and in which the entire colon had been visualized at surgery or at colonoscopy were included. The aims of this study were to re-examine patterns of colonic involvement in IC using only cases in which the diagnosis was biopsy proven or compatible, and to examine the clinical features and outcomes with regard to the segments of colon involved. METHODS: A retrospective study was undertaken of patients with IC who were hospitalized at Montefiore Medical Center from 1998 to 2009. Patients were identified using computerized searches of ICD-9 (International Classification of Diseases, ninth revision) codes for colon ischemia, and patterns of colon involvement were then tabulated and categorized into five major groups: right colon, transverse colon, left colon, distal colon, and pancolon involvement. Patterns were classified based on the most proximal location of injury. Major anatomic patterns were then subcategorized into more specific segments of involvement. Only biopsy-proven or -compatible cases of IC in which the entire colon had been visualized at surgery or at colonoscopy were used in this study. RESULTS: A total of 313 cases of biopsy-proven or -compatible IC were identified. Patterns and frequencies of involvement were: right colon, 25.2%; transverse colon, 10.2%; left colon, 32.6%; distal colon, 24.6%; and pancolon, 7.3%. Compared with all other patterns of IC, the right colon pattern was more likely to be associated with coronary artery disease (39.2 vs. 21.4%) or end-stage kidney disease requiring dialysis (20.3 vs. 7.7%), a longer hospitalization (median stay, 10 vs. 6 days), a greater need for surgery (44.3 vs. 11.5%), and the highest mortality rate (20.3 vs. 9%). Patients with a left colon pattern were less likely to be operated upon, and had a shorter length of stay than any other pattern of IC. Hyperthyroidism, stroke, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) were statistically significant independent predictors of mortality. CONCLUSIONS: IC is typically a segmental disease, flanked by normal colon on either side of the affected area. Comorbid disease associations and severity of disease as reflected by length of hospitalization, need for surgery, and mortality vary with the segment involved. IC isolated to the right side of the colon is a more severe disease than IC affecting any other segment of colon.

Male gender and renal dysfunction are predictors of adverse outcome in nonpostoperative ischemic colitis patients.

OBJECTIVE: Ischemic colitis (IC) spans a broad spectrum from self-limiting illness to intestinal gangrene and mortality. Prognostic factors specifically for nonpostoperative IC were not fully characterized. We aim to focus on nonpostoperative IC in patients with renal dysfunction and try to identify prognostic factors for adverse outcomes. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis at a university-affiliated tertiary medical center in Taiwan. From January 2003 to August 2008, 25 men and 52 women (mean age: 66 y) had colonoscopic biopsy-proven IC without prior culprit surgery. We estimated glomerular filtration rate with simplified Modification of Diet in Renal Disease equation. Nine patients with glomerular filtration rate below 30 mL per minute per 1.73 m were classified as renal dysfunction group (including 7 dialysis patients). Adverse outcomes were defined as need for surgery and mortality. Predictors for adverse outcomes were captured by univariate and multivariate analysis. Research ethical committee approved the study protocol. RESULTS: Patients with renal dysfunction more often had: diabetes mellitus (56% vs. 16%, P=0.02), prolonged symptoms (6.8 d vs. 3.5 d, P=0.01), lower hemoglobin (11.1 g/dL vs. 13.4 g/dL, P=0.01), and more often right colonic involvement (56% vs. 19%, P=0.03). Renal dysfunction patients also had longer hospitalization days (median 15 d vs. 4 d, P=0.045). However, there was no statistical significance in the rate of either surgery or mortality between these 2 groups (P>0.05). Univariate analysis showed that renal dysfunction, sex, emergency department referral, presentation with abdominal pain were significant for adverse outcome (P<0.1). Multivariate analysis revealed that male sex conveyed 9.5-fold risk (P=0.01) and renal dysfunction conveyed 8.5-fold risk (P=0.03) for adverse outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Nonpostoperative IC patients with concurrent renal dysfunction had distinct clinical profiles. Multivariate analysis showed that male patients had 9.5-fold and renal dysfunction patients had 8.5-fold increased risk for adverse outcomes. Although IC is often self-limited, our data warrants special attention and aggressive therapy in treating these patients.

Predictors of mortality following emergency open colectomy for ischemic colitis: a single-center experience.

BACKGROUND: Ischemic colitis (IC) is a severe emergency in gastrointestinal surgery. The aim of the present study was to identify the predictors of postoperative mortality after emergent open colectomy for IC treatment. Additionally, we compared postoperative outcomes of patients undergoing emergent colectomy due to aortic surgery-related IC (AS-IC group) vs. other IC etiologies (Other-IC group). METHODS: We analyzed records of consecutive patients who underwent emergency open colectomy for IC between 2008 and 2019. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify clinical and operative parameters associated with postoperative mortality. The AS-IC and Other-IC groups were compared for mortality, morbidity, ICU stay, hospital stay, and survival. RESULTS: During the study period, 94 patients (mean age, 67.4 ± 13.7 years) underwent emergent open colectomy for IC. In the majority of cases, IC involved the entire colon (53.2%) and vasopressor agents were required preoperatively (63.8%) and/or intraoperatively (78.8%). Thirty-four patients underwent surgery due to AS-IC, whereas 60 due to Other-IC causes. In the AS-IC group, 9 patients had undergone endovascular aortic repair and 25 open aortic surgery; 61.8% of patients needed aortic surgery for ruptured abdominal aortic aneurism (AAA). Overall, 66 patients (70.2%) died within 90 days from surgery. The AS-IC and Other-IC groups showed similar operative outcomes and postoperative complication rates. However, the duration of the ICU stay (19 days vs. 11 days; p = 0.003) and of the total hospital stay (22 days vs. 16 days; p = 0.016) was significantly longer for the AS-IC group than for the Other-IC group. The rate of intestinal continuity restoration at 1 year after surgery was higher for the Other-IC group than for the AS-IC group (58.8% vs. 22.2%; p = 0.05). In the multivariate model, preoperative increased lactate levels, a delay between signs/symptoms' onset and surgery > 12 h, and the occurrence of postoperative acute kidney injury were statistically associated with postoperative mortality. Neither IC etiology (aortic surgery vs. other etiology) nor ruptured AAA was associated with postoperative mortality. CONCLUSION: Emergency open colectomy for IC is associated with high postoperative mortality, which appears to be unrelated to the IC etiology. Preoperative lactate levels, > 12-h delay to surgery, and postoperative acute kidney injury are independent predictors of postoperative mortality.