Severity of Prior COVID-19 Infection is Associated with Postoperative Outcomes Following Major Inpatient Surgery.

Objective: To determine the association between severity of prior history of SARS-CoV-2 infection and postoperative outcomes following major elective inpatient surgery. Summary Background Data: Surgical guidelines instituted early in the COVID-19 pandemic recommended delay in surgery up to 8 weeks following an acute SARS-CoV-2 infection. Given that surgical delay can lead to worse medical outcomes, it is unclear if continuation of such stringent policies is necessary and beneficial for all patients, especially those recovering from asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic COVID-19. Methods: Utilizing the National Covid Cohort Collaborative (N3C), we assessed postoperative outcomes for adults with and without a history of COVID-19 who underwent major elective inpatient surgery between January 2020 and February 2023. COVID-19 severity and time from SARS-CoV-2 infection to surgery were each used as independent variables in multivariable logistic regression models. Results: This study included 387,030 patients, of which 37,354 (9.7%) had a diagnosis of preoperative COVID-19. History of COVID-19 was found to be an independent risk factor for adverse postoperative outcomes even after a 12-week delay for patients with moderate and severe SARS-CoV-2 infection. Patients with mild COVID-19 did not have an increased risk of adverse postoperative outcomes at any time point. Vaccination decreased the odds of mortality and other complications. Conclusions: Impact of COVID-19 on postoperative outcomes is dependent on severity of illness, with only moderate and severe disease leading to higher risk of adverse outcomes. Existing wait time policies should be updated to include consideration of COVID-19 disease severity and vaccination status.

Vascular access-related infections in HIV patients undergoing hemodialysis: case description and literature review

Poor immune status, the use of a vascular access different from an AV fistula, and intravenous drug use (IDU) may favor increased rates of vascular access infections among HIV infected patients on hemodialysis. Staphylococcus spp. and Streptococcus spp. are the main cause of these infections, but Gram-negative rods and fungi have been found as well. Using an AV fistula when possible, and eliciting a history of IVDU on every visit may prevent this type of infection. When infections are present, coverage for both Gram-positive and negative organisms is recommended. Additional studies specifically addressing the issue of vascular access infection in HIV infected patients are required.

Vascular access-related infections in HIV patients undergoing hemodialysis: case description and literature review.

Poor immune status, the use of a vascular access different from an AV fistula, and intravenous drug use (IDU) may favor increased rates of vascular access infections among HIV infected patients on hemodialysis. Staphylococcus spp. and Streptococcus spp. are the main cause of these infections, but Gram-negative rods and fungi have been found as well. Using an AV fistula when possible, and eliciting a history of IVDU on every visit may prevent this type of infection. When infections are present, coverage for both Gram-positive and negative organisms is recommended. Additional studies specifically addressing the issue of vascular access infection in HIV infected patients are required.