Management of Sternal Wound Infection-Determinants of Length of Stay and Recurrence of Infection after Muscle Flap Coverage.

AIM: The aim of this study was to define determinants of length of hospital stay (LOS) longer than mean and recurrence of infection (ROI) after complete healing of patients with deep sternal wound infections (DSWI). PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this observational study, we included 303 patients (155 females and 148 males, with mean age of 68 years) treated from 2016 to 2020 at the Department of Plastic Surgery of the HELIOS Klinik Krefeld, Germany. All patients received extensive necrosectomy, repetitive negative pressure therapy periods, and final transplantation of a pectoral musculocutaneous flap. In the German diagnosis-related group (DRG)-system, the mean inpatient LOS depends on the number of surgical procedures and is longer in those with four or more surgical procedures (DRG IO2B) and shorter in those with fewer procedures (DRGs I02C and I02D). The determinants which have a significant effect on LOS longer than mean and ROI after complete healing were identified by estimating a logistic regression model. The effect of the different calculated determinants was quantified as odds ratio. To measure the discriminant ability of the model between patients, we determined a receiver operating characteristic curve. The fit of the model was quantified by comparing predicted probabilities of the model with empirical probabilities of the data. The goodness of fit was then measured by applying the Hosmer-Lemeshow test. RESULTS: Among patients in DRG IO2B (n = 246), the variable clopidogrel and therapeutic anticoagulation was the most important determinant for a longer LOS, with an odds ratio of 5.83 (95% CI = 0.83/40.80). Female sex and renal insufficiency also prolonged LOS. Applying this analysis to the patients with group DRG groups I02C and I02D (n = 57), none of these parameters were predictive. The variable immunosuppression was the most important determinant for ROI (n = 49) (OR = 4.67; 95% CI = 1.01/21.52). Body mass index also played a role, but with a much smaller influence. CONCLUSION: There are specific risk factors for LOS longer than mean and ROI in patients with DSWI that can be identified on admission. Addressing these risk factors, if possible, could reduce the rate of patients with LOS longer than mean and ROI.

In-hospital outcome of re-attempted percutaneous coronary interventions for chronic total occlusion.

BACKGROUND: With the advent of novel recanalization techniques and emerging devices, percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) has become a promising leading treatment option for patients with chronic total occlusions (CTO). The present study aims to evaluate the acute outcomes of PCI in previously failed re-attempted vs. first-attempted CTO-lesions. METHODS: Between 2012 and 2019, 619 patients were included and treated with PCI of at least one CTO. 253 patients were re-attempted lesions, while 366 were initially attempted lesions. RESULTS: Re-attempted lesions were more complex, including higher Japanese-CTO (J-CTO) score and the need for a retrograde approach. The procedure time and fluoroscopy time were longer in this group. Nevertheless, overall success rates were comparable between both groups of patients. In-hospital events were rare and without significant differences. CONCLUSIONS: Re-attempted CTO lesions are more complex than first-attempt lesions and are associated with longer procedural times. However, they can be safely intervened by experienced operators with a similar success rate.

The atherogenic index of plasma and its impact on recanalization of chronic total occlusion.

BACKGROUND: The plasma-derived atherogenic index (AIP) is associated with an increasing risk for cardiovascular diseases. Whether an increased AIP may predict the complexity of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) of chronic total occlusion (CTO), according to available research, has never been investigated before. METHODS: Three hundred seventeen patients were included prospectively and treated with PCI for at least one CTO between 2012 and 2017. High-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and triglycerides (TG) plasma levels were measured 24 h before PCI. All patients were stratified into tertiles of AIP (defined as 0.11, 0.11-0.21, > 0.21) based on their TG/HDL-C (AIP) levels. RESULTS: Mean AIP of all patients undergoing CTO-PCI was 0.53 ± 0.29. The majority of patients were male (82.6%), and mean age was 61 ± 10.4 years. Increased AIP > 0.21 was associated with longer occlusion length (statistical trend p = 0.082) and stent routes (p = 0.022) and with a higher number of implanted stents (n > 4) (statistical trend p = 0.072). Success rates were similar in all AIP categories (p = 0.461). In-hospital PCI-related complications were rare and not statistically different (p = 0.852). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates for the first time that an increased AIP may predict the complexity of CTO-PCI and additionally may help to improve planning and quality of CTO-PCI.

Impact of body mass index on acute outcome in percutaneous coronary intervention of chronic total occlusion.

BACKGROUND: Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) of total chronic total occlusion (CTO) still remains a major challenge in interventional cardiology. There is only insignificant knowledge reported in the literature about the influence of body mass index (BMI) on acute outcome, including success rates and complications in CTO-PCI. METHODS: Between 2012 and 2017, we included 508 patients. They underwent PCI for at least one CTO. Antegrade and retrograde CTO techniques were applied. The retrograde approach was used only after failed antegrade intervention. BMI was calculated according to the definitions of the World Health Organization. It was subdivided as normal weight (18.5-24.9 kg/m2), overweight (25-29.9 kg/m2), obese (30-34.9 kg/m2), and very obese (≥35 kg/m2). The Shapiro-Wilk test was used to test for normality of distribution. Continuous variables were tested for differences with Kruskal-Wallis or Mann-Whitney U test as appropriate. Categorical variables were tested with Fisher exact test. RESULTS: Out of the 508 patients, 77 (15.2%) had normal weight, 286 (56.3%) were overweight, 106 (20.9%) obese, and 39 (7.7%) very obese. Radiation dose and examination time increased with elevated BMI categories (p < 0.001, p = 0.026). Success rates were similar in all BMI categories (p = 0.645). In-hospital procedural complications were rare and showed no statistically significant difference (p = 0.185). CONCLUSIONS: Our retrospective study suggests that there exists no significant association between overweight and acute outcome in patients undergoing CTO-PCI. It is safe and feasible to perform.

Trends in Atrial Fibrillation and Prescription of Oral Anticoagulants and Embolic Strokes in Germany.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to compare trends in frequency of atrial fibrillation (AF) with the prescription rates of oral anticoagulants (OAC) and the incidence of embolic stroke (ES) from 2005 through 2014. METHODS: Annual numbers of hospitalized patients with AF and ES were extracted from the Federal Bureau of Statistics. Defined daily doses (DDD) of prescribed OAC among outpatients were extracted from the insurance drug information system. RESULTS: The number of cases hospitalized with the diagnosis AF increased continuously by 78.3% (1.25 Million in 2005 to 2.19 Million in 2014, p < 0.001), likewise frequency of ES increased by 89.0% (from 46,068 to 87,050, p < 0.001) and the number of prescribed DDD of OAC almost doubled by 105.4% (from 271,328 to 557,281, p < 0.001). There is an almost linear correlation between occurrence of AF and ES (R2 = 0.9683). In contrast association between prescription rate of OAC and incidence of ES is not linear as there was a disproportional increase in OAC prescriptions beginning in the year 2010 that is not accompanied by a reduction of cases hospitalized with ES. CONCLUSIONS: Our analysis of drug treatment rates for OAC in outpatients and hospitalization rates for ES revealed a disproportional increase in prescription of OAC beginning in the year 2010 that does not affect the number of cases hospitalized with ES.

Clinical application of transcutaneous oxygen pressure measurements during exercise.

Exertional lower limb pain is a frequent diagnostic issue in elderly patients. Arterial claudication results from the mismatch between the oxygen requirement of, and oxygen delivery to the exercising muscles. Non-invasive vascular investigations (ultrasound imaging, plethysmography or segmental pressure) are used in routine at rest or following exercise, but none can be used during walking or to directly monitor cutaneous oxygen delivery to the limb. Here, we review the methods, tips and traps of the transcutaneous oxygen pressure measurement technique and potential applications. Transcutaneous oxygen pressure measurement is largely used in vascular medicine for patients with critical limb ischemia. It can also detect regional blood flow impairment at the proximal and distal limb simultaneously and bilaterally during exercise. Exercise-oximetry can also analyze systemic oxygen pressure changes on a reference area on the chest, to screen for occult pulmonary disease. As a surface technique, it does not directly measure muscle oxygen content but provides a reliable estimation of regional blood flow impairment. With the use of a recently reported index that is independent of the unknown transcutaneous gradient for oxygen, exercise-oximetry provides some accurate information compared to classical non-invasive vascular investigations to argue for a vascular or non-vascular origin of exertional lower limb pain during exercise. Although a time consuming technique, it is a simple test and it is progressively spreading among referral vascular centers as a useful non-invasive diagnostic tool for patients suspected of arterial claudication.

[Recommendations for the Use of Indirect and Direct Anticoagulants for Long-Term Prophylaxis after Venous Thromboembolism]. / Empfehlungen zur Anwendung der indirekten und direkten Antikoagulanzien zur langfristigen Sekundärprophylaxe nach venösen Thromboembolien.

In routine clinical work, the dosage of direct oral anticoagulants for long-term maintenance therapy after acute deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism is often made on an individual basis. As two doses are available for the preparations apixaban and rivaroxaban and no separate indication spectra have been specified. The working group of practising vascular physicians and surgeons in Germany has therefore developed this position paper. Patients with a clearly identified and temporary trigger factor for venous thromboembolism (e.g. trauma, operation, acute internal disease, oral contraception or pregnancy or isolated thrombosis of veins in the lower leg have a lower risk of recurrence and are generally not given permanent anticoagulation. If there is a high risk of recurrence with unchanged trigger factor (e.g. active malignancy, unambiguous antiphospholipid syndrome or deficiency of a clotting factor, such as Protein C, Protein S or antithrombin with a positive family history of venous thromboembolism, first occurrence of a pulmonary embolism, multiple recurrence of VTE) prolonged maintenance therapy is indicated, unless this is contraindicated by a very high risk of bleeding. For all patients with former VTE and whose anticoagulation phase has in principle been completed, prolonged prophylaxis can be continued, as these patients too are at increased risk of VTE.

The GuideLiner catheter: A supportive tool in percutaneous coronary intervention of chronic total occlusion.

BACKGROUND: Failure of delivering a stent or a balloon across the target lesion during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) of chronic total occlusion (CTO), especially in arteries with calcified tortuous anatomy, is often due to insufficient backup support from the guiding catheter. The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility of the GuideLiner (GL) catheter use. METHODS: We examined 18 patients and used the GL catheter to overcome poor support and excessive friction in standardized antegrade and retrograde CTO procedures. The GL is a coaxial, monorail guiding catheter extension delivered through a standard guiding catheter and is available in different sizes. RESULTS: Almost all lesions were classified as severely calcified (94.4 ± 0.24%). The Japanese CTO score reflecting lesion complexity was 3.56 ± 0.78. All procedures were performed femorally; the retrograde approach was used in 27.8 ± 0.46% of cases. The overall success rate was 88.9 ± 0.32%; there were no relevant complications. CONCLUSIONS: The GL catheter is an adjunctive interventional device which enhances and amplifies CTO-PCI. Its use is indicated in cases in which back-up force needs to be strengthened to pass a CTO despite advanced calcification. It can be recommended as an important additional tool in advanced interventional cardiology such as antegrade and retrograde CTO-PCI if other techniques like anchor balloon or anchor wire are not possible.

[Antiembolic Stockings - Great Effects in Edoxaban Approval Studies]. / Medizinische Thromboseprophylaxestrümpfe ­ große Wirkung in Zulassungsstudien von Edoxaban.

In this age of evidence-based medicine, the use of medical thrombosis prophylaxis stockings (AES) as a physical strategy for the prevention of lower limb venous thrombosis has been questioned. The current German S3 guidelines even state that their non-application is, in the vast majority of cases, explicitly covered by the recommendations of this guideline. Low molecular weight heparins (NMH) and direct oral anticoagulants (DOAK) have received approval for thrombosis prophylaxis in elective knee and hip joint replacement, but the use of AES is absent from these approval studies. The results of the additional effects of the AES in the approval studies of Edoxaban were published for the first time. According to these results, the incidence of venous thromboembolism was 6.0% when AES were worn and 13.0% when AES were not worn. Since the approval studies of NMH and the DOAKs did not control for the use of AES, the impact of AES on the overall results remains unclear. Therefore the study results are only valid in the context of the general application of AES. Guidelines commissions should take this into account in their recommendations.

Cost-effectiveness of treating vascular leg ulcers with UrgoStart(®) and UrgoCell(®) Contact.

Although chronic wounds have a high socio-economic impact, data on comparative effectiveness of treatments are rare. UrgoStart(®) is a hydroactive dressing containing a nano-oligosaccharide factor (NOSF). This study aimed at evaluating the cost-effectiveness of this NOSF-containing wound dressing in vascular leg ulcers compared with a similar neutral foam dressing (UrgoCell(®) Contact) without NOSF. Cost-effectiveness analysis from the perspective of the German statutory health care system was performed using a decision tree model for a period of 8 weeks. Cost and outcome data were derived from the clinical study 'Challenge' suggesting a response rate (≥40% wound size reduction) of UrgoStart(®) of 65·6% versus 39·4% for the comparator. In the treatment model, effect-adjusted costs of €849·86 were generated after 8 weeks for treatment with UrgoStart(®) versus €1335·51 for the comparator resulting in an effect-adjusted cost advantage of €485·64 for UrgoStart(®) . In linear sensitivity analyses, the outcomes were stable for varying assumptions on prices and response rates. In an 8-week period of treatment for vascular leg ulcers, UrgoStart(®) shows superior cost-effectiveness when compared with the similar neutral foam dressing without any active component (NOSF). As demonstrated within a randomised, double-blind clinical trial, UrgoStart(®) is also more effective in wound area reduction than the neutral foam dressing. Wound healing was not addressed in this clinical trial. Follow-up data of 12 months to allow for reulceration assessment were not generated.

Prevention of pressure ulcer: interaction of body characteristics and different mattresses.

We analysed the effect of different body features on contact area, interface pressure and pressure distribution of three different mattresses. Thirty-eight volunteers (age ranged from 17 to 73 years, 23 females) were asked to lie on three different mattresses in a random order: I, standard hospital foam mattresses; II, higher specification foam mattresses (Viscorelax Sure® ); III, constant low pressure devices (CareMedx® , AirSystems). Measurements were performed in supine position and in a 90° left- and right-sided position, respectively, using a full-body mat (pressure mapping device Xsensor X2-Modell). Outcome variables were contact area (CA) in cm(2) , mean interface pressure (IP) in mmHg and pressure distribution (PD) estimated as rate of low pressures between 5 and 33 mmHg on each mattress in percent. Mean CA was lowest in the standard hospital foam mattresses and increased in the higher specification foam mattresses and was highest in the constant low pressure device (supine position: 491 ± 86 cm(2) , 615 ± 95 cm(2) , 685 ± 116 cm(2) ). Mean IP was highest in the standard hospital foam mattresses and lower but similar in the higher specification foam mattresses and the constant low pressure devices (supine position: 22·3 ± 1·5 mmHg, 17·6 ± 1·7 mmHg, 17·6 ± 2·2 mmHg). Models were estimated for CA, IP and PD including the independent variables height, weight and waist-to-hip-ratio (WHR). They show that body morphology seems to play a minor role for CA, IP and PD, but very thin and tall patients and very small and obese people might benefit from different mattresses. Our data show that CA increases with increasing specification of mattresses. Higher specification foam mattresses and constant low pressure devices show similar IP, but constant low pressure devices show a wider pressure distribution. Body morphology should be considered to optimise prevention for single patients.

Whole-body 3D MR angiography of patients with peripheral arterial occlusive disease.

OBJECTIVE: We assessed the diagnostic performance of whole-body 3D contrast-enhanced MR angiography in comparison with digital subtraction angiography (DSA) of the lower extremities in patients with peripheral arterial occlusive disease. SUBJECTS AND METHODS. Fifty-one patients with clinically documented peripheral arterial occlusive disease referred for DSA of the lower extremity arterial system underwent whole-body MR angiography on a 1.5-T MR scanner. Paramagnetic gadobutrol was administered and five contiguous stations were acquired with 3D T1-weighted gradient-echo sequences in a total scanning time of 72 sec. DSA was available as a reference standard for the peripheral vasculature in all patients. Separate blinded data analyses were performed by two radiologists. Additional vascular disease detected by whole-body MR angiography was subsequently assessed on sonography, dedicated MR angiography, or both. RESULTS: All whole-body MR angiography examinations were feasible and well tolerated. AngioSURF-based whole-body MR angiography had overall sensitivities of 92.3% and 93.1% (both 95% confidence intervals [CIs], 78-100%) with specificities of 89.2% and 87.6% (both CIs, 84-98%) and excellent interobserver agreement (kappa = 0.82) for the detection of high-grade stenoses. Additional vascular disease was detected in 12 patients (23%). CONCLUSION: Whole-body MR angiography permits a rapid, noninvasive, and accurate evaluation of the lower peripheral arterial system in patients with peripheral arterial occlusive disease, and it may allow identification of additional relevant vascular disease that was previously undetected.

[Autoantibodies and peripheral arterial occlusive disease]. / Humorale Vaskulitisdiagnostik bei peripherer arterieller Verschlusskrankheit.

BACKGROUND: In patients with early manifestation of peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAOD) and a less classical atherosclerotic risk profile, vasculitis is presumed to be the underlying disease. We performed a prospective study of the importance of determination of autoantibodies used for the diagnosis of vasculitis and collagen diseases in patients with symptomatic PAOD. PATIENTS AND METHOD: 698 consecutive patients (mean age +/- SD: 68 +/- 10 years) were included who were referred from 1998 to 1999 for interventional treatment of PAOD. In 121 PAOD-patients (61 +/- 12 years) with a less pronounced atherosclerotic risk profile, or rarefied distal arteries without sclerosis of the media, or elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) or C-reactive protein (CRP) independent from the stage IV of PAOD, the following autoantibodies were investigated: antinuclear antibodies (ANA), antibodies against extractable nuclear antigens (ENA): SCL 70, RNP, SS-A, SS-B, Jo-1, SM), double-stranded DNA antibodies (ds-DNA), antineutrophil cytoplasmatic antibodies (c- and p-ANCA), antiphospholipid antibodies [phosphatidylserine (APSA) and beta(2)-glycoprotein], smooth (SMA) and striated muscle (StrMA). ANA, SMA and StrMA were estimated by indirect immunofluorescence technique, ENA by Western-blot and the others by enzyme linked immunoassay. RESULTS: 38 PAOD-patients (35%) had increased autoantibody concentrations. The rate of different PAOD stages and localization did not differ between the group of patients with increased autoantibody concentrations and the group of patients without. But the group of patients with increased autoantibody concentrations had higher rates of elevated ESR [p-value of 0.0043, odds ratio of 7.1 (95% CI: 1.49-33.81)]. ANA were the most frequent autoantibodies detected in 17 (14%) of the 121 patients followed by APSA and autoantibodies directed against beta(2)-glycoprotein. During follow-up of 24 +/- 6 months no vasculitis or collagen diseases associated with the elevated autoantibody concentrations became clinically manifest in the 38 patients. Two patients died due to coronary heart disease. Four patients had a worsening of their PAOD but no amputation was performed. Out of the 83 patients without elevated concentrations of autoantibodies, eight patients died and three amputations were carried out. CONCLUSION: All in all, increased autoantibody concentrations in patients suffering from peripheral atherosclerosis are not a rare finding. A systematic determination of autoantibodies, especially in patients with a low atherosclerotic risk profile, does not increase the number of manifest or developing vasculitis of collagen disease.

Percutaneous suture-mediated closure of femoral access sites deployed through the procedure sheath: initial clinical experience with a novel vascular closure device.

The objective of this study was to assess the initial safety and feasibility of a novel suture-mediated device for closure of femoral access sites immediately after diagnostic or interventional cardiac catheterization. In a prospective study, 150 patients (mean age, 61.5 years; 109 male) underwent femoral access closure with a novel suture closure device (Superstitch, Sutura) immediately after diagnostic (n = 106) or interventional (n = 44) catheterization procedures, independently of the coagulation status. All patients were monitored for 24 hr after the procedure. The closure device was successfully deployed in 92% of patients. Immediate hemostasis was achieved in 77% of patients with no differences between patients undergoing diagnostic catheterization or coronary interventions (79% vs. 73%; P = 0.659). After 2 min of additional light manual compression, hemostasis was achieved in 92% of patients. There was one major complication requiring vascular surgery (0.7%). The novel suture closure device is a safe and effective device that allows for immediate closure of femoral puncture sites after both diagnostic and interventional procedures with a low rate of major complications.

Systematic use of a collagen-based vascular closure device immediately after cardiac catheterization procedures in 1,317 consecutive patients.

Despite recent advances in interventional cardiology, vascular access complications continue to be a significant problem. Conventional manual compression of the femoral access site is associated with prolonged immobilization and significant patient discomfort. We investigated the performance of a collagen-based closure device applied immediately after catheterization and its complication rate in 1,317 consecutive patients undergoing cardiac catheterization or coronary angioplasty. Patients undergoing coronary angioplasty (n = 644) received more heparin than patients with diagnostic cardiac catheterization (n = 673; 9,675 +/- 1,144 IU vs. 6,419 +/- 2,211 IU; P < 0.0001). Deployment success rates of the closure device were comparable for patients undergoing diagnostic vs. interventional procedures (95.8% vs. 96.7%; P = 0.46). Complete hemostasis immediately after deployment of the device was achieved in > 90% of all patients, but was lower in the interventional group (93.7% vs. 90.6%; P = 0.05). Major complications including any vascular surgery, major bleeding requiring transfusion, retroperitoneal hematoma, thrombosis or loss of distal pulses, groin infections, significant groin hematoma, and death were observed in 0.53% of all patients, with no differences between diagnostic or interventional patients (0.62% vs. 0.45%; P = 0.953). Subgroup analysis revealed female gender as a predictor of access site complications. Systematic sealing of femoral access sites after both diagnostic and interventional procedures allows for immediate sheath removal with reliable hemostasis. The use of a collagen-based closure device is associated with a low rate of clinically significant complications.