Massive Transfusion Activations in Non-Trauma Patients.

INTRODUCTION: Massive transfusion activations (MTAs) are commonly used in the care of the trauma patient. However, MTA for trauma patients constitutes only a small fraction of MTA at our institution. The aim of this study was to characterize MTA in non-trauma patients to better understand how this strategy is employed at a larger tertiary hospital. METHODS: All MTA involving non-trauma patients from January 2017 to April 2019 were reviewed. Patients with unclear indications for MTA were excluded. Data collected included patient demographics, reason for MTA, transfusion ratios, use of adjunctive antifibrinolytics, use of viscoelastic testing, and vasopressor administration at the time of MTA. RESULTS: There were 328 patients and 353 MTA identified over the study period. The mean age was 52.0 years and 40.9% were male. Patients were most commonly under the care of a medical service (55.2%), while 25.3% were obstetric patients and 19.5% were surgical patients. Compliance with 1:1:1 transfusion ratios was low. Concomitant vasopressor use was high (70.8%), while antifibrinolytic agents (13.0%) and viscoelastic testing (19.0%) were used less commonly. The overall mortality of the study population was 56.1%. CONCLUSIONS: Massive transfusion activations are frequently used in non-trauma patients. There was a low rate of adherence to 1:1:1 transfusion ratios as well as utilization of adjuncts and tools that could allow for targeted resuscitation. Understanding practice patterns relating to MTA may allow for an opportunity for improvement.

Posttraumatic ascending myelopathy after spinal cord injury in a young man: A case report.

A 29-year-old man developed subacute posttraumatic ascending myelopathy 5 days after a spinal cord injury. He developed a fever and a blood culture showed an Alkaligenes spp. infection. Despite antibiotic and high-dose corticosteroid therapy, same neurological deficits persisted, and a follow-up MRI showed atrophy and swelling in the cervical cord.

Modified Deep Sclerectomy for the Surgical Treatment of Glaucoma.

PURPOSE: To report the short-term outcomes of modified deep sclerectomy (MDS) in the management of open angle glaucoma. METHODS: This prospective, non-randomized, controlled study included 105 eyes (105 patients) with open angle glaucoma. Eyes were categorized as follows: trabeculectomy (30 eyes), MDS (27 eyes), phacotrabeculectomy (28 eyes), and phaco-MDS (20 eyes). The MDS technique involved removal of a third scleral flap to expose the suprachoroidal space and excision of a trabecular block. A two-site approach was used for combined surgeries. Main outcome measures included intraocular pressure (IOP), number of glaucoma medications, and complications. Treatment success was defined as an IOP of 6-15 mmHg and/or a 30% reduction in IOP. RESULTS: All groups showed significant decrease in IOP and number of medications (both P s < 0.001). The MDS group had a higher IOP (13.9 ± 3.8 vs. 12.4 ± 2.5 mmHg, P = 0.080) and required more medications (P = 0.001) than the trabeculectomy group at 1 year. The MDS group had a higher baseline IOP than the trabeculectomy group (P = 0.004) and both the groups showed similar IOP reductions (33.3% vs. 25.7%, P = 0.391). The phaco-MDS and phacotrabeculectomy groups had comparable IOP (13.3 ± 3.1 vs. 12.4 ± 3.1 mmHg, P = 0.354), number of medications (P = 0.594), and IOP reduction (P = 0.509) at 1-year follow-up visit. The trabeculectomy and phacotrabeculectomy groups developed more wound leaks (P = 0.043) and required more bleb needling during the early postoperative period (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The MDS technique seems to be slightly inferior to trabeculectomy, but when combined with phacoemulsification, is safer and results in similar IOP outcomes.