Delayed hemothorax after anterior vertebral body tethering in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: a case report.

PURPOSE: The aim of this case report is to report that delayed hemothorax is possible after anterior vertebral body tethering (aVBT) and to illustrate the course of treatment. METHODS: We present a 15-year-old boy with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis who underwent an anterior thoracoscopic assisted vertebral body tethering who developed a massive right-sided hemothorax 12 days post-operatively. A chest tube was placed to drain the hemothorax and later required embolectomy with tissue plasminogen activator (TPA) to drain the retained hemothorax. RESULTS: At 1 month follow up post discharge the patient was asymptomatic, and radiograph did not demonstrate evidence of residual hemothorax and scoliosis. We have followed this patient for 5 years postoperative and he continues to do well clinically and radiographically. CONCLUSIONS: Pulmonary complications are a known drawback of anterior thoracoscopic spinal instrumentation. Delayed hemothorax is possible after aVBT. In the case of a retained hemothorax, chest tube treatment with TPA is a safe and effective method of embolectomy.

Candida Tropicalis Endocarditis: A case report and literature review.

Fungi rarely cause infective endocarditis but when they do, they are often associated with poor outcomes. Candida tropicalis accounts for only 10% of Candida endocarditis cases. A case of a 30-year-old male with a history of intravenous drug abuse was reported to the emergency department in August, 2021 with right-sided leg pain and fever for 3 days. A trans-thoracic echocardiogram showed a vegetation on the aortic valve and a computed tomography angiogram showed complete nonopacification of the right-sided common iliac artery and the superficial femoral artery just distal to its branching of the right profunda femoris artery. An emergent right iliofemoral embolectomy was done. Candida tropicalis was isolated from tissue and blood cultures. The patient was successfully treated with aortic valve replacement and intravenous caspofungin. The other reported cases of Candida tropicalis were reviewed and findings were compared with those reported in patients with Candida albicans and Candida parapsilosis endocarditis.

High and intermediate risk pulmonary embolism in the ICU.

Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a common and important medical emergency, encountered by clinicians across all acute care specialties. PE is a relatively uncommon cause of direct admission to the intensive care unit (ICU), but these patients are at high risk of death. More commonly, patients admitted to ICU develop PE as a complication of an unrelated acute illness. This paper reviews the epidemiology, diagnosis, risk stratification, and particularly the management of PE from a critical care perspective. Issues around prevention, anticoagulation, fibrinolysis, catheter-based techniques, surgical embolectomy, and extracorporeal support are discussed.

Integration of Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation into the Management of High-Risk Pulmonary Embolism: An Overview of Current Evidence.

High-risk pulmonary embolism (PE) refers to a large embolic burden causing right ventricular failure and hemodynamic instability. It accounts for approximately 5% of all cases of PE but contributes significantly to overall PE mortality. Systemic thrombolysis is the first-line revascularization therapy in high-risk PE. Surgical embolectomy or catheter-directed therapy is recommended in patients with an absolute contraindication to systemic thrombolysis. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) provides respiratory and hemodynamic support for the most critically ill PE patients with refractory cardiogenic shock or cardiac arrest. The complex management of these individuals requires urgent yet coordinated multidisciplinary care. In light of existing evidence regarding the utility of ECMO in the management of high-risk PE patients, a number of possible indications for ECMO utilization have been suggested in the literature. Specifically, in patients with refractory cardiac arrest, resuscitated cardiac arrest, or refractory shock, including in cases of failed thrombolysis, venoarterial ECMO (VA-ECMO) should be considered, either as a bridge to percutaneous or surgical embolectomy or as a bridge to recovery after surgical embolectomy. We review here the current evidence on the use of ECMO as part of the management strategy for the highest-risk presentations of PE and summarize the latest data in this indication.

Surgical Interventions for Acute Limb Ischaemia (ALI).

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate presentations, aetiologies, interventions, and outcomes of patients presenting with acute limb ischaemia (ALI). STUDY DESIGN: An observational study. Place and Duration of the Study: Department of Surgery, The Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan, from January 2000 to December 2020. METHODOLOGY: Record of 104 patients who underwent surgical interventions for ALI was retrospectively evaluated. The diagnosis was confirmed on imaging (ultrasound / CTA / conventional angiography). Demographic characteristics, co-morbidities, aetiologies, and outcomes were analysed using descriptive statistics and logistic regression. RESULTS: The cohort's mean age was 58.89 ± 12.6 years, with (54.8%, n = 57) females and (45.2%, n = 47) males. Hypertension (54.8%, n = 57), diabetes (46.2%, n = 48), and atrial fibrillation (34.6%, n = 36) were common comorbidities. Thromboembolism (67.3%, n = 70) and thrombotic occlusion (32.7%, n = 34) were primary aetiologies, predominantly affecting the lower limb (66.3%, n = 58) and femoral artery (51.9%, n = 54). The majority of cases were classified as Rutherford classification 2A (53.8%; 56 cases) and 2B (44.2%; 46 cases); 58 (55.8%) patients were classified as ASA Class III, while 36 (34.6%) patients were categorised as ASA Class IV. Embolectomy (80.8%, n = 84) was the prevailing intervention, with an amputation rate (17.3%, n = 18) and a mortality rate (5.8%, n = 6). CONCLUSION: Most patients with ALI presented with Rutherford Class II and had thromboembolism aetiology. Embolectomy was the most commonly performed procedure with a high amputation rate and mortality. KEY WORDS: Acute limb ischaemia, Embolectomy, Amputation, Thromboembolism.

Ultrasound-assisted catheter-directed thrombolysis versus surgical pulmonary embolectomy for intermediate-high or high-risk pulmonary embolism: a randomized phase II non-inferiority trial.

OBJECTIVES: We hypothesized that ultrasound-assisted thrombolysis (USAT) is non-inferior to surgical pulmonary embolectomy (SPE) to improve right ventricular (RV) function in patients with acute pulmonary embolism (PE). METHODS: In a single-centre, non-inferiority trial, we randomly assigned 27 patients with intermediate-high or high-risk acute PE to undergo either USAT or SPE stratified by PE risk. Primary and secondary outcomes were the baseline-to-72-h difference in right-to-left ventricular (RV/LV) ratio and the Qanadli pulmonary occlusion score, respectively, by contrast-enhanced chest-computed tomography assessed by a blinded CoreLab. RESULTS: The trial was prematurely terminated due to slow enrolment. Mean age was 62.6 (SD 12.4) years, 26% were women, and 15% had high-risk PE. Mean change in RV/LV ratio was -0.34 (95% CI -0.50 to -0.18) in the USAT and -0.53 (95% CI -0.68 to -0.38) in the SPE group (mean difference: 0.152; 95% CI 0.032-0.271; Pnon-inferiority = 0.80; Psuperiority = 0.013). Mean change in Qanadli pulmonary occlusion score was -7.23 (95% CI -9.58 to -4.88) in the USAT and -11.36 (95% CI -15.27 to -7.44) in the SPE group (mean difference: 5.00; 95% CI 0.44-9.56, P = 0.032). Clinical and functional outcomes were similar between the 2 groups up to 12 months. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with intermediate-high and high-risk acute PE, USAT was not non-inferior when compared with SPE in reducing RV/LV ratio within the first 72 h. In a post hoc superiority analysis, SPE resulted in greater improvement of RV overload and reduction of thrombus burden.

Complicated retroperitoneal diverticulitis presenting with abscess and acute limb ischemia.

This case highlights a rare presentation of diverticulitis of the sigmoid colon with perforation into the retroperitoneum complicated by abscess, vertebral osteomyelitis and acute lower extremity ischemia. A late 40-year-old man presented to an emergency department with acute ischemia of his left lower extremity. He was tachycardic with a leucocytosis, an unremarkable abdominal exam and a pulseless, insensate and paralysed left lower extremity. Imaging revealed sigmoid thickening, an abscess adjacent to iliac vasculature and occlusion of the left popliteal artery. The abscess came in contact with prior spine anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF) hardware at L5-S1 vertebrae. The patient was taken urgently to the operating room for embolectomy, thrombectomy and fasciotomy. He was started on antibiotics and later underwent operative drainage with debridement for osteomyelitis. Non-operative management of the complicated diverticulitis failed, necessitating open sigmoidectomy with colostomy. 1 year later, he was symptom-free and the colostomy was reversed.

Trombolisis dirigida por catéter en paciente con oclusión arterial periférica aguda / Catheter-directed thrombolysis in patients with acute peripheral arterial occlusion

Introducción: Las oclusiones arteriales periféricas agudas de menos de 14 días y de causa embólica y trombótica están asociadas a una alta morbimortalidad. La trombólisis dirigida por catéter representa en la actualidad una modalidad de tratamiento efectivo para la oclusión de vasos distales infrageniculares, que históricamente ha tenido malos resultados mediante embolectomía convencional, debido a la oclusión preexistente de vasos colaterales y al daño mecánico al endotelio, que conlleva esta técnica tradicional. Se decidió presentar este caso por ser la primera vez que se practica esta modalidad de tratamiento en Cuba. Objetivo: Exponer los resultados obtenidos con la aplicación de la trombolisis fibrinolitica mediante catéter en un paciente afectado por trombosis arterial periférica aguda. Presentación del caso: Paciente masculino de 57 años de edad con diagnóstico de trombosis arterial aguda de la arteria poplítea del miembro inferior izquierdo, con más de 24 horas de evolución de la isquemia y del compromiso de la viabilidad de la extremidad. Se utilizó el tratamiento fibrinolítico, mediante infusión de 250 000 unidades de Heberkinasa® en tres horas y se logró la mejoría del nivel de amputación. Conclusiones: El tratamiento fibrinolítico con Heberkinasa® fue útil en el paciente tratado porque redujo el nivel de amputación en el paciente, que presentó isquemia irreversible y criterio inicial de amputación supracondílea alto, en la extremidad comprometida(AU)

Introduction: Acute peripheral arterial occlusions of less than 14 days and of embolic and thrombotic cause are associated with a high morbidity and mortality. Catheter-directed thrombolysis currently represents an effective treatment modality for the occlusion of infragenicular distal vessels, which has historically had poor results by conventional embolectomy, due to the pre-existing occlusion of collateral vessels and the mechanical damage to the endothelium, which this traditional technique entails. It was decided to present this case because it is the first time that this modality of treatment is practiced in Cuba. Objective: Present the results obtained with the application of fibrinolytic thrombolysis by catheter in a patient affected by acute peripheral arterial thrombosis. Case presentation: A 57-year-old male patient diagnosed with acute arterial thrombosis of the popliteal artery of the left lower limb, with more than 24 hours of evolution of ischemia and compromised viability of the limb. Fibrinolytic treatment was used, by infusion of 250,000 units of Heberkinase® in three hours and the improvement of the amputation level was achieved. Conclusions: Fibrinolytic treatment with Heberkinase® was useful in the treated patient because it reduced the level of amputation in the patient, who presented irreversible ischemia and initial criteria of high supracondylar amputation in the compromised limb(AU)

Comparison of different types of endovascular mechanical embolectomy in acute ischemic stroke

SUMMARY Background: To compare the treatment efficacy of different types of endovascular mechanical embolectomy in acute ischemic stroke (AIS). Material and Methods: A total of 89 patients with AIS were selected in our hospital from January 2014 to January 2016 and divided into tPA group (n=27), tPA+Trevo group (n=30) and tPA+Solitaire FR group (n=32) for different treatments. Treatment effectiveness was evaluated using NIHSS and mRS system. The NIHSS score, vascular recanalization rate and postoperative complications were compared among groups. Results: The NIHSS score of the tPA group was significantly lower than that of other two groups at 1 d after the operation (p < 0.05), but it was significantly higher than that of other two groups at 3 d and 3 w after the operation (p < 0.05). After the treatment, no significant difference in NIHSS score was found between the tPA+Trevo and tPA Solitaire FR groups. The revascularization rate was significantly higher, but the mortality rate in 90 d was significantly lower in the tPA+Trevo and tPA+Solitaire FR groups than that in the tPA group (p < 0.05), and no significant difference was found between the tPA+Trevo and tPA+Solitaire FR groups. The incidence rate of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage was significantly lower in the tPA+Solitaire FR group than that in tPA+Trevo group (p < 0.05) or tPA group (p < 0.01). Significantly more patients with mRS no higher than 2 points were found in the tPA+Trevo and tPA+Solitaire FR groups than those in tPA group (p < 0.05), and no significant difference was found between the tPA+Trevo and tPA+Solitaire FR groups. Conclusion: TPA+Solitaire FR is a type of thrombectomy that is superior to tPA and tPA+Trevo in the treatment of patients with AIS.

RESUMO OBJETIVO Comparar a eficácia do tratamento de diferentes tipos de embolectomia mecânica endovascular em acidente vascular cerebral isquêmico agudo (AIS). MATERIAL E MÉTODOS Um total de 89 pacientes com AIS foi selecionado em nosso hospital de janeiro de 2014 a janeiro de 2016, e os pacientes foram divididos em: grupo tPA (n = 27), tPA + grupo Trevo (n = 30) e grupo tPA + Solitaire FR (n = 32) para diferentes tratamentos. A eficácia do tratamento foi avaliada usando NIHSS e sistema mRS. Escore NIHSS, taxa de recanalização vascular e complicações pós-operatórias foram comparados entre os grupos. RESULTADOS A pontuação NIHSS do grupo tPA foi significativamente menor do que a dos outros dois grupos em um dia após a operação (p < 0,05), mas foi significativamente maior do que nos outros dois grupos em três dias e três semanas após a operação (p < 0,05). Após o tratamento, não houve diferença significativa no escore NIHSS entre o grupo tPA + Trevo e o grupo tPA Solitaire FR. A taxa de revascularização foi significativamente maior, mas a taxa de mortalidade em 90 dias foi significativamente menor nos grupos tPA + Trevo e tPA + Solitaire FR do que no grupo tPA (p < 0,05) e não houve diferença significativa entre os grupos tPA + Trevo e tPA + Solitaire FR. A taxa de incidência de hemorragia intracraniana sintomática foi significativamente menor no grupo tPA + Solitaire FR do que no grupo tPA + Trevo (p < 0,05) ou no grupo tPA (p < 0,01). Significativamente mais pacientes com mRS não maiores que 2 pontos foram encontrados no grupo tPA + Trevo e tPA + Solitaire FR do que no grupo tPA (p < 0,05), e nenhuma diferença significativa foi encontrada entre os grupos tPA + Trevo e tPA + Solitaire FR. Conclusão O tPA + Solitaire FR é um tipo de trombectomia superior ao tPA e tPA + Trevo no tratamento de pacientes com EIA.

Trombo aórtico primario como causa de embolia aguda en pacientes jóvenes / Primary aortic thrombus as a cause of acute embolism in young patients

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Dolor en miembro superior / Upper extremity pain

Presentamos el caso de una mujer de 25 años que consulta por dolor en miembro superior izquierdo de inicio súbito. La isquemia arterial periférica aguda es la interrupción brusca del aporte sanguíneo a una extremidad, caracterizado por la aparición de dolor intenso, palidez, frialdad cutánea, impotencia funcional, junto con ausencia de pulsos distales. Se trata de una urgencia vital que requiere tratamiento precoz de permeabilización de la arteria afectada. El diagnóstico de isquemia aguda se basa en la historia clínica y la exploración física. La gravedad del cuadro estará determinada por el grado de obstrucción, velocidad de instauración, localización y la existencia de circulación colateral. El síndrome de Horner (oculo-simpatoparesis) consiste en la clásica triada de ptosis palpebral, miosis pupilar y anhidrosis facial ipsilateral. El síndrome resulta tras la interrupción de la inervación simpática del ojo y de los anexos oculares a diferentes niveles, siendo una complicación poco frecuente de la cirugía cervical (AU)

We present the case of a 25-year-old woman with sudden onset pain in upper extremity. Acute peripheral arterial ischemia is the sudden interruption of the blood flow to an extremity, characterized by the appearance of intense pain, pallor, skin coldness, functional impairment, together with absence of distal pulses. It is a life-threatening emergency that requires early treatment of revascularization of the affected artery. The diagnosis of acute ischemia is based on clinical history review and physical examination. The severity of the clinical picture will be determined by the degree of obstruction, speed of onset, location, and presence of collateral circulation. Horner syndrome (oculosympathetic paresis) is characterized by the classic triad of palpebral ptosis, pupillary miosis and ipsilateral facial anhidrosis. The syndrome results from the interruption of sympathetic innervation to the eye and adnexa at various levels. It is a rare complication of cervical surgery (AU)

Tratamiento neuroquirúrgico de la isquemia cerebral / Neurosurgical treatment of cerebral ischemia

Introducción: El manejo actual de la isquemia cerebral aguda (IA) contempla el uso de r-tPA y terapia endovascular, mientrasque en la isquemia cerebral crónica (IC) la mejor terapia aún no está definida. La revascularización cerebral microquirúrgicaha sido descrita como tratamiento alternativo para pacientes con IA y contraindicación para r-tPA o terapia endovascular, asícomo para pacientes con IC en quienes la terapia médica ha fracasado. Objetivo: Comunicar la experiencia inicial en cirugíade revascularización cerebral, con énfasis en la utilidad de la embolectomía microquirúrgica y del bypass cerebral comoterapia de rescate en IA, así como del bypass cerebral en IC. Pacientes y Método: Serie prospectiva de 5 pacientes conisquemia cerebral tratados con cirugía de revascularización cerebral en el período 2013 a 2016. Se describe la técnica y resultadosquirúrgicos, así como el estado funcional a los 3, 6 y 12 meses de seguimiento según modified Rankin Scale (mRS)...

Background: Tissue Plasminogen Activator (t-PA) and mechanical thrombectomy are today the best treatment approachfor acute ischemic stroke (AIS). However, the best management for chronic cerebral ischemia (CCI) is still debated. Microsurgicalrevascularization has been described as alternative treatment for patients with AIS and contraindication for t-PA orendovascular therapy, and for patients with CCI and failure of maximal medical therapy. Aim: To describe the effectiveness ofmicrosurgical embolectomy and cerebral bypass as salvage therapy in AIS, as well as cerebral bypass in CCI. Methods: Fivepatients were treated by cerebral revascularization between 2013 and 2016. Surgical and functional results were analyzed.Neurological outcomes were assessed by modified Rankin Scale (mRS) at 3, 6 & 12 months...

Embolectomía tardía en isquemia aguda de miembros inferiores / Late embolectomy in acute lower limb ischemia

La isquemia aguda es la interrupción brusca del aporte sanguíneo a un determinado territorio del organismo. Su causa más frecuente, la embolia arterial, consiste en la oclusión también brusca de una arteria sana por material trombótico formado en un territorio proximal al del accidente y que desencadena un cuadro que, de no diagnosticarse y tratarse adecuadamente, puede comprometer la vida del paciente. Existe una estrecha relación entre la gravedad del cuadro isquémico y el tiempo transcurrido de manera que si no se toman medidas agresivas a tiempo raramente se resuelve de manera satisfactoria. La revascularización es considerada menos efectiva después de 8 a 10 h de isquemia, tiempo después del cual muchos se abstienen de operar debido al temido síndrome de reperfusión; sin embargo, algunos refieren éxitos con embolectomías tardías. Se presenta un caso de embolismo arterial a miembro inferior derecho por arritmia cardiaca, que llegó al servicio de Cirugía Vascular del Hospital Provincial "Dr. Antonio Luaces Iraola", con 72 h de evolución. Se le realizó embolectomía femoral con catéter de Fogarty con resultados satisfactorios, lo que apoya la hipótesis de que se debe intentar reperfundir la extremidad siempre que se demuestre viabilidad de los tejidos y no exista gangrena, independientemente del tiempo transcurrido(AU)

Acute ischemia is the sudden interruption of the blood flow in a specific area of the body. Its most common cause is arterial embolism consisting of abrupt occlusion of a healthy artery by thrombotic residues formed in an area near the stroke and unleashing a clinical picture that should be adequately diagnosed and treated to avoid death. There is close relationship between the severity of ischemia and the time elapsed because if no aggressive actions are taken in due time, the results are rarely satisfactory. Revascularization is considered less effective 8 to 10 hours after ischemia. After this time many surgeons refrain from performing surgery due to the frightening reperfusion syndrome. However some had documented successful results with late embolectomy. Here is a case of arterial embolism in right lower limb owing to cardiac arrhythmia. The patient arrived to the Vascular Surgery service after 72 hours of the event; he was performed femoral embolectomy with Fogarty catheter and the achieved results were satisfactory, which supports the hypothesis of trying to reperfusing the affected limb whenever tissue viability exists and gangrene is not present, regardless of time elapsed(AU)

Oclusión basilar pediátrica tratada mediante trombectomía con stents extractores / A paediatric case of basilar occlusion treated with mechanical thrombectomy using stent retrievers

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Carbon dioxide as a substitute for iodine contrast in arteriography during embolectomy / Uso de dióxido de carbono como substituto ao contraste iodado em arteriografia durante embolectomia

Acute limb ischemia can be potentially harmful to the limb and life threatening. Renal failure is a possible outcome associated with release of products of ischemic limb reperfusion. Some authors reported the benefit of performing angiography after embolectomy, even though iodine contrast is also nephrotoxic. We report a case of embolectomy on a patient with renal insufficiency in whom carbon dioxide was used as a substitute for iodine contrast.

A isquemia aguda de membro pode ser danosa para o membro e para a vida. A insuficiência renal é um desfecho possível associado à liberação dos produtos da reperfusão do membro isquêmico. Alguns autores relatam o benefício de realização de angiografia após embolectomia, apesar do contraste iodado também ser nefrotóxico. Relatamos um caso de embolectomia em uma paciente com insuficiência renal, em que o dióxido de carbono foi utilizado como substituto para o contraste iodado.

Trombosis aorto-ilíaca en relación con COVID-19: A propósito de un caso / Aortoiliac thrombosis related to COVID-19- A case report

Se presenta un caso de isquemia arterial aguda en extremidad inferior izquierda por trombosis aortoiliaca, en paciente diagnosticada de neumonía bilateral con compromiso respiratorio severo durante la infección por SARS-CoV-2. Se realiza angio TC abdominopélvico ante sospecha de afectación iliofemoral izquierda y femoropoplitea derecha sin factores de riesgo cardioembólicos ni clínica previa de claudicación. A pesar del mal estado general de la paciente con necesidad de aporte de oxígeno a alto flujo se realiza cirugía para salvamento de extremidad. La intervención se realizó bajo anestesia local y en posición anti-Trendelemburg para asegurar la saturación de oxígeno. Se realiza tromboembolectomía iliofemoral de la extremidad sintomática, consiguiendo la recuperación funcional de la extremidad

We present a case of acute arterial ischemia in left lower limb due to aortoiliac thrombosis in a patient with SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia with severe respiratory distress. Abdominal CT angiography was performed with high suspect of left iliofemoral and right femoropopliteal compromise without cardioembolic risk factors nor previous intermittent claudication. Despite patient's poor condition, who needed supplementation of high flow oxygen, a salvage surgery was performed in order to preserve the extremity. The intervention was performed under local anesthesia and reverse Trendelenburg position in order to keep appropriate oxygen saturation. The procedure consisted of mechanical iliofemoral thromboembolectomy of the symptomatic limb achieving functional recovery

Tratamiento endovascular del ictus isquémico agudo: en busca de la evidencia / Endovascular treatment for acute ischemic stroke: In search of evidence

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Hallazgo incidental de trombo en foramen oval permeable en un paciente con tromboembolismo pulmonar masivo / Incidental finding of thrombus in patent foramen ovale in patient with major pulmonary embolism

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