The role of delayed aortic surgery in type A aortic dissection and mesenteric ischemia: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Approximately one third of patients with Acute Type A Aortic Dissection (ATAAD) present with pre-operative malperfusion syndromes (MPS). Of these, mesenteric malperfusion represents the greatest risk to patients with respect to increased short-term mortality. In select patients, it may be feasible to offer a staged approach by treating the mesenteric malperfusion first, optimizing the patient in the intensive care setting and then, following with a central aortic repair. The aim of this systematic review is to summarize cohort studies assessing the role of pre-operative interventions for mesenteric malperfusion. METHODS: An electronic literature search of five databases was performed to identify all relevant studies providing studies examining short-term mortality on patients who underwent either endovascular or open revascularisation of mesenteric ischemia prior to central aortic repair. The primary outcome was all-cause, short-term mortality. Secondary outcomes were comparative mortality between a delayed repair vs. aortic repair first strategy, rates of postoperative laparotomy, bowel resection, and mortality following delayed aortic repair. RESULTS: The search strategy identified 8 studies qualifying for inclusion, with a total of 180 patients who underwent delayed aortic surgery in the setting of mesenteric MPS. The weighted short-term mortality following a mesenteric revascularisation first, delayed aortic surgery strategy was 22.5%. This strategy was also associated with a significantly lower mortality than a central repair first strategy (OR 0.07, 95% CI 0.02-0.27), and a significantly lower rate of postoperative laparotomy/bowel resection (OR 0.05, 95% CI 0.02-0.14). If patients survive to receive central repair, the weighted short-term mortality postoperatively is low (2.1%). CONCLUSION: A summary of this evidence reveals a lower short-term mortality in hemodynamically stable patients with mesenteric malperfusion, along with a reduction in postoperative laparotomy/bowel resections. Of those patients who survive to receive central repair, short-term mortality remains very low in the select group of hemodynamically stable patients. Further high-quality studies with randomized or propensity matched data are required to verify these results.

Considerations in wound care of patients living with dementia.

The prevalence of wounds and comorbidities such as dementia increases with age. Given projected rises in population ageing and growth, the likelihood of encountering an overlap in these conditions in clinical practice has increased. Clinicians provide wound care for patients in a variety of settings, drawing on different evidence-based clinical guidelines. Most research into wound care has excluded patients with dementia. Therefore, the aim of this review is to provide safe strategies and methods of implementation in those patients living with dementia.

Repair of a late endoleak following complete proximal endograft fixation strut separation.

Introduced as an alternative endograft for those with unfavorable anatomy, bare metal suprarenal fixation barbs have been widely used for endovascular abdominal aortic repair. Type I endoleaks result in continued perfusion of the aneurysm sac and warrant prompt reintervention. We describe an unusual presentation and endovascular management of a late type IA endoleak secondary to complete separation of the suprarenal fixation struts in a Cook endograft after an uncomplicated, emergent infrarenal endovascular abdominal aortic repair 5 years earlier.

Accuracy of High-Resolution Manometry in Hiatal Hernia Diagnosis in Primary and Revision Bariatric Surgery.

PURPOSE: There is a complex association between obesity, hiatal hernia (HH), and reflux. There is a deficiency of literature on the accuracy of preoperative high-resolution manometry (HRM) in detecting HH before both primary and revision bariatric surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis of a prospective database of all HRM performed before bariatric surgery from 2014 to 2019. An electronic medical records review was conducted. Sensitivity, specificity, and global diagnostic test accuracy were calculated. RESULTS: Sixty-seven patients with HRM (mean age of 44.0 ± 11.3 years, body mass index 40.8 ± 6.9 kg/m2) were eligible. Intraoperative diagnosis of HH was made in 37 patients (55.2% prevalence). The HRM sensitivity was 48.7% (95% confidence interval (CI) 31.9-65.6%), specificity 90.0% (95% CI 73.5-97.9%), and accuracy was 67.2% (95% CI 54.6-78.2%). Comparing primary (28) and revision (39) surgery, the sensitivity (37.5% vs 57.1%), specificity (75.0% vs 100%), and diagnostic accuracy (54.3% vs 76.3%) were comparable, with overlapping 95% CI. Endoscopy performed in 30 patients had a sensitivity of 25.5% (95% CI 6.8-49.9%), specificity of 100% (95% CI 75.3-100%), and accuracy of 57.8% (95% CI 38.5-75.5%) and was comparable to HRM. CONCLUSION: High-resolution manometry for the detection of HH before bariatric surgery has a high specificity and maintains a high accuracy in both primary and revision bariatric surgery.

The role of nutrition in wound healing: an overview.

Wounds are a commonly encountered and complex entity in healthcare, and often require multidisciplinary involvement for their management. Wound care and healing are affected by a range of factors of which nutrition, a modifiable factor, plays an integral part. Familiarity with the phases of wound healing and the differing nutritional requirements at each stage is fundamental to managing wounds. Additionally, awareness of the signs of malnutrition, screening tools and educational resources for managing malnutrition in primary care settings are all vital to minimising malnutrition and its adverse effects on wound healing. This article reviews the phases of wound healing and the associated nutritional requirements required for optimal healing, the clinical signs of malnutrition and screening resources for identifying at-risk groups, as well as reviewing current guidelines for managing malnutrition in the inpatient and outpatient setting.

A systematic review of the effect of surgeon and hospital volume on survival in aortic, thoracic and fenestrated endovascular aneurysm repair.

BACKGROUND: Endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) is becoming a mainstay in vascular surgery, both in metropolitan and regional hospitals. This review aims to assess the impact of hospital and surgeon volume on perioperative mortality specific to this surgery type to support the use of this treatment modality extensively. METHODS: A literature search was performed on multiple dedicated medical databases using a detailed search strategy with terms focusing on hospital volume and EVARs. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were used to screen and evaluate suitable sources, focusing on operators and hospitals performing EVARs and the morbidity/mortality as outcomes. The results were then appraised using a PRISMA framework. RESULTS: We reviewed 45 articles. Twelve articles met inclusion criteria for complete review. There was no level 1 evidence, and only a single systematic review and meta-analysis. EVAR and thoracic EVAR perioperative mortality had no correlation with hospital volume. Limited evidence was presented for fenestrated EVAR, where a mortality risk based on hospital volume remains unanswered. Open procedures for aneurysm repair had perioperative mortality outcomes that grossly correlated with hospital volume, supporting their use in high-volume centers. CONCLUSIONS: With open aneurysm repairs having an increased mortality risk in low-volume centers, and endovascular treatment options gaining momentum, there is considerable support for the use of EVAR and thoracic EVAR in smaller regional centers safely and effectively. There is very limited evidence in the use of fenestrated EVAR, which remains unanswered, but presents a significant opportunity for research.

Accuracy of hiatal hernia diagnosis in bariatric patients: Preoperative endoscopy versus intraoperative reference.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Obesity is becoming increasingly prevalent in Asia. Bariatric surgery in the region is growing in popularity to reflect increasing demand. Hiatal hernia (HH) is common among the obese population. There is a lack of evidence comparing preoperative endoscopy against intraoperative findings as a standard of reference for HH diagnosis. METHODS: This was a retrospective analysis of a bariatric procedure database from a single tertiary teaching hospital and high-volume endoscopy center. Electronic medical records were reviewed. Endoscopy results were compared to intraoperative findings, and subgroup analysis of >2 cm hernias was performed. Sensitivity, specificity, predictive values, likelihood ratios, and global diagnostic test accuracy were calculated. RESULTS: A total of 434 patients were eligible for this study, of which HH was detected in 37 patients (prevalence rate 8.55%). Mean age was 41.51 ± 11.07 years, and body mass index was 39.37 ± 5.67 kg/m2. Endoscopy sensitivity was 75.68% (95% confidence interval, 58.80-88.23%) and specificity 91.44% (88.24-94.00%). Positive likelihood ratio was 8.53 (6.11-12.79) and negative likelihood ratio 0.27 (0.15-0.47). Positive predictive value was 45.16% (36.27-54.38%) and negative predictive value 97.58% (95.80-98.62%). Accuracy of endoscopy for preoperative HH diagnosis was 90.09% (86.89-92.74%). CONCLUSION: Endoscopy can have a high diagnostic accuracy of preoperative HH diagnosis in obese Asian patients using intraoperative diagnosis as the reference standard.

Management of an inflammatory abdominal aortic aneurysm causing ureteric obstruction: a case report.

Inflammatory abdominal aortic aneurysms (IAAAs) are rare large-vessel pathology, with potentially life-threatening complications including obstructive uropathy secondary to retroperitoneal fibrosis. Comprising a small proportion of all AAA, their pathogenesis remains unknown, with the hypothesis of infective and immunological aetiologies circulating in current literature. Management principles of IAAAs aim at prevention of aortic rupture and include open-surgical or endovascular therapies. Due to their involvement of other structures, additional considerations are needed when approaching their management for optimal patient outcomes. We present the case of a 53-year-old otherwise healthy male with a large IAAA complicated by adjacent ureteric obstruction, successfully treated with ureteric stenting and delayed endovascular aortic aneurysm repair.

Acute bilateral renal vein thrombosis diagnosis and management: a case report.

Undifferentiated abdominal pain accounts for a significant proportion of emergency presentations and often presents as a diagnostic dilemma. Renal vein thrombosis (RVT) has many aetiologies including nephrotic syndrome, malignancy, trauma, infection and hypercoagulable states. RVT should be considered in cases of persistent abdominal pain where other, more common, pathologies have been excluded. We present the case of a 42-year-old male with a delayed diagnosis of bilateral RVT after presenting with multiple episodes of intractable abdominal pain and adverse sequelae of this condition. This case report aims to emphasize the importance of prompt RVT recognition and the utility of bedside emergency department (ED) investigations, which can guide initial differential diagnoses of abdominal pain, reduce the delay in diagnosis as well as limit unnecessary investigations.

The management of malignant lower limb ulcers: clinical considerations.

Lower limb malignant ulcers are an uncommon finding, making diagnosis complex and their management costly. Yet, despite this, the increase in skin cancers over the past 30 years means that clinicians require an awareness and understanding of their existence, particularly in the primary care setting. Familiarity with common aetiologies and presentations is vital for prompt recognition, diagnosis and referral of wounds suspicious for malignancy. Lower limb malignant wounds often develop insidiously, with a wide variation in clinical presentation that overlaps between entities. Therefore, a fundamental algorithm for approaching lower limb ulcers that raise suspicion of malignancy should be possessed by all clinicians. This article reviews the clinical features of malignant wounds that should alert clinicians to the need for further evaluation, such as atypical location and appearance. The authors also highlight the various diagnostic and therapeutic modalities available and review current clinical guidelines for the referral and follow-up of suspicious lesions.

Direct transarterial embolization via the deep circumflex iliac artery for a type II endoleak using a novel Onyx™ mixture.

Internal iliac artery aneurysms (IIAA) can be associated with abdominal aortic aneurysms. We describe a technique of successful transarterial embolization using a mixture of Onyx™ formulations in a 72-year-old with previous open and endovascular aneurysm repairs of his abdominal aorta and a residual large left IIAA causing a Type II endoleak. We demonstrate that utilization of the deep circumflex iliac artery is a safe and viable alternate route to treating IIAA when direct access is not achievable.

RNAi modulation of placental sFLT1 for the treatment of preeclampsia.

Preeclampsia is a placentally induced hypertensive disorder of pregnancy that is associated with substantial morbidity and mortality to mothers and fetuses. Clinical manifestations of preterm preeclampsia result from excess circulating soluble vascular endothelial growth factor receptor FLT1 (sFLT1 or sVEGFR1) of placental origin. Here we identify short interfering RNAs (siRNAs) that selectively silence the three sFLT1 mRNA isoforms primarily responsible for placental overexpression of sFLT1 without reducing levels of full-length FLT1 mRNA. Full chemical stabilization in the context of hydrophobic modifications enabled productive siRNA accumulation in the placenta (up to 7% of injected dose) and reduced circulating sFLT1 in pregnant mice (up to 50%). In a baboon preeclampsia model, a single dose of siRNAs suppressed sFLT1 overexpression and clinical signs of preeclampsia. Our results demonstrate RNAi-based extrahepatic modulation of gene expression with nonformulated siRNAs in nonhuman primates and establish a path toward a new treatment paradigm for patients with preterm preeclampsia.

Placental Growth Factor Reduces Blood Pressure in a Uteroplacental Ischemia Model of Preeclampsia in Nonhuman Primates.

An imbalance in the angiogenesis axis during pregnancy manifests as clinical preeclampsia because of endothelial dysfunction. Circulating soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 (sFLT-1) increases and placental growth factor (PlGF) reduces before and during disease. We investigated the clinical and biochemical effects of replenishing the reduced circulating PlGF with recombinant human PlGF (rhPlGF) and thus restoring the angiogenic balance. Hypertensive proteinuria was induced in a nonhuman primate (Papio hamadryas) by uterine artery ligation at 136 days gestation (of a 182-day pregnancy). Two weeks after uteroplacental ischemia, rhPlGF (rhPlGF, n=3) or normal saline (control, n=4) was administered by subcutaneous injection (100 µg/kg per day) for 5 days. Blood pressure was monitored by intra-arterial radiotelemetry and sFLT-1 and PlGF by ELISA. Uteroplacental ischemia resulted in experimental preeclampsia evidenced by increased blood pressure, proteinuria, and endotheliosis on renal biopsy and elevated sFLT-1. PlGF significantly reduced after uteroplacental ischemia. rhPlGF reduced systolic blood pressure in the treated group (-5.2±0.8 mm Hg; from 132.6±6.6 mm Hg to 124.1±7.6 mm Hg) compared with an increase in systolic blood pressure in controls (6.5±3 mm Hg; from 131.3±1.5 mm Hg to 138.6±1.5 mm Hg). Proteinuria reduced in the treated group (-72.7±55.7 mg/mmol) but increased in the control group. Circulating levels of total sFLT-1 were not affected by the administration of PlGF; however, a reduction in placental sFLT-1 mRNA expression was demonstrated. There was no significant difference between the weights or lengths of the neonates in the rhPlGF or control group; however, this study was not designed to assess fetal safety or outcomes. Increasing circulating PlGF by the administration of rhPlGF improves clinical parameters in a primate animal model of experimental preeclampsia.

Evaluation of arterial grafts prior to coronary bypass in pseudoxanthoma elasticum.

Pseudoxanthoma elasticum is a rare, inherited connective tissue disorder associated with coronary and peripheral arterial disease and accelerated atherosclerosis in medium sized arteries. We describe 110-month symptom-free survival in a patient with pseudoxanthoma elasticum who underwent coronary bypass using the left internal mammary artery at 56 years of age. The vessel was evaluated pre-operatively with angiography to determine suitability, and he has not required further investigation or intervention due to lack of symptoms.

Evaluation of a bioresorbable polylactide sheet for the reduction of pelvic soft tissue attachments in a porcine animal model.

In an adult porcine model, the effectiveness of a bioresorbable film to minimize soft tissue attachment to the pelvic viscera was evaluated at 4-week and 12-week endpoints. Following a transperitoneal laparotomy through a midline incision, the bladder and uterus were abraded in all animals to promote soft tissue attachment to the viscera. Control animals received no further treatment. The experimental group animals were treated with bioresorbable polylactide (PLa) sheets, 0.02 mm thick, one between the bladder and the abdominal wall, and a second sheet between the bladder and the uterus. Quantitative assessment of the severity and location of soft tissue attachments, and qualitative histologic assessment were performed at 4 and 12 weeks post-operatively. Statistically significant differences in the quantitative soft tissue attachment scores were observed in comparing the PLa film treated animals versus the control animals, at both the 4-week and 12-week time points. In the control animals, the formation of numerous thick fibrous bands was observed at both time points. Histology revealed no adverse reaction to the bioresorbable PLa barrier film. The bioresorbable PLa sheet provided an effective barrier between adjacent anatomical structures and minimized soft tissue attachments to the device when in contact with the viscera as compared to the control groups. Surgical dissection planes between the abdominal wall and adjacent soft tissues were maintained with the use of the PLa sheet at both time points.

Traumatic pulmonary arteriovenous malformation presenting with massive hemoptysis 30 years after penetrating chest injury.

A 39-year-old man presented with massive hemoptysis requiring emergency double lumen endobronchial intubation, bronchial arteriography and embolization, and subsequent right lower lobectomy. He had suffered a shrapnel blast injury to the right chest as a 9-year-old boy. Pathology of the resected specimen revealed lodged metallic foreign body with traumatic arteriovenous malformation. We present this case to alert thoracic surgeons to this extremely rare clinical entity that can present itself many years after the penetrating trauma, which requires urgent surgery.

Pseudoxanthoma elasticum: is the left internal mammary artery a suitable conduit for coronary artery bypass grafting?

Coronary artery revascularization remains a feasible and beneficial treatment for coronary artery disease in patients with pseudoxanthoma elasticum. Careful angiographic evaluation of the left internal mammary artery and coronary arteries is required in patients with pseudoxanthoma elasticum with suspected coronary artery disease. A nonstenosed left internal mammary artery at angiography may be used as a conduit for coronary artery revascularization; however, both the effect of harvest and anastomosis on the disease process in the left internal mammary artery and the long-term patency of left internal mammary artery grafts remain unknown.