Uso de vasopresina en el postoperatorio de cirugía de Fontan: inferencias sobre morbimortalidad / Vasopressin use in postoperative Fontan surgery: implications for morbidity and mortality

Introducción: Se ha postulado que el uso de vasopresina tendría efectos beneficiosos en el postoperatorio de cirugía cardiovascular. Objetivo: Evaluar la respuesta a la vasopresina en el postoperatorio (POP) de cirugía de Fontan de nuestra población. Métodos: Estudio de casos y controles anidados en una cohorte retrospectiva. Se incluyeron pacientes con cirugía de Fontan entre 2014 y 2019. Se registraron variables demográficas, datos del cateterismo pre-Fontan, días de asistencia respiratoria mecánica (ARM), necesidad de inotrópicos, diuréticos, diálisis, dieta hipograsa, octreotide, sildenafil y nutrición parenteral total (NPT); balance de fluidos al primer y segundo día POP, necesidad de cateterismo en el POP, días de permanencia de tubo pleural, días de internación, necesidad de reinternación y mortalidad. Se compararon los grupos con y sin vasopresina utilizando la prueba de Mann- Whitney-Wilcoxon test. Se consideró significativa una p < 0.05. Resultados: Del total analizado, 35 pacientes recibieron vasopresina. En el grupo control fueron 58 pacientes con características similares de gravedad sin vasopresina. No se encontraron diferencias en la evolución postoperatoria entre ambos grupos. El grupo con vasopresina recibió en mayor proporción dieta hipograsa. Conclusiones: En nuestra serie el uso de vasopresina no marcó diferencias significativas en términos de morbimortalidad con relación al grupo control (AU)

Introduction: The use of vasopressin has been suggested to have beneficial effects in the postoperative period after cardiovascular surgery. Objective: To evaluate the response to vasopressin in the postoperative period (POP) of Fontan surgery in our population. Methods: Nested case-control study in a retrospective cohort. Patients who underwent Fontan surgery between 2014 and 2019 were included. Demographic variables, pre-Fontan catheterization data, days of mechanical ventilation (MRA), need for inotropics, diuretics, dialysis, low-fat diet, octreotide, sildenafil and total parenteral nutrition (TPN); fluid balance at first and second day POP, need for catheterization at POP, duration of chest tube drainage, days of hospitalization, need for readmission, and mortality were recorded. Groups with and without vasopressin were compared using the Mann-Whitney- Wilcoxon test. A p < 0.05 was considered significant. Results: Of all patients analyzed, 35 received vasopressin. The control group consisted of 58 patients with similar severity characteristics who did not receive vasopressin. No differences were found in the postoperative outcome between the two groups. The vasopressin group received a higher proportion of low-fat diet. Conclusions: In our series the use of vasopressin did not show significant differences in terms of morbidity and mortality compared to the control group (AU)

Performance measures of surgeon-performed colonoscopy in a Veterans Affairs medical center.

BACKGROUND: Quality indicators are increasingly emphasized in the performance of colonoscopy. This study aimed to determine the standard of care rendered by surgeon-endoscopists in a Veterans Affairs (VA) medical center by evaluating the indications for colonoscopy and outcome performance measures according to established quality indicators for colonoscopy. METHODS: A prospective standardized computer endoscopic reporting database (ProVation MD) was retrospectively reviewed. All colonoscopies performed by attending surgeons at the San Diego VA medical center between 1 January 2004 and 31 July 2007 were included in the study. Patients with charts that had incomplete reporting were excluded. The quality indicators used included the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES) criteria for colorectal cancer screening, the American Cancer Society (ACS) guidelines for postcancer resection surveillance, and the American Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopists (ASGE) quality indicators for colonoscopy. RESULTS: The data for 558 patients (96% men) were analyzed. The average patient age was 63 years (range, 25-93 years). Almost all the colonoscopies (99%) were performed in accordance with established criteria. The most common indications for colonoscopy were screening (n = 143, 26%), non-acute gastrointestinal bleeding (n = 127, 23%), polyp surveillance (n = 100, 18%), postcancer resection surveillance (n = 91, 17%), abdominal pain (n = 19, 4%), and anemia (n = 14, 3%). Postcancer resection surveillance colonoscopies were performed according to recommended criteria in 98% of the cases. The cecal intubation rate was 97%, and the overall adenoma detection rate was 26%. Two patients (<1%) experienced complications requiring intervention. CONCLUSION: The study data indicate that surgeon-performed colonoscopies meet standard quality criteria for indications and performance measures. The authors therefore conclude that surgeon-endoscopists demonstrate proficiency in the standard of care for colonoscopy examinations.

Optical coherence tomography: advanced technology for the endoscopic imaging of Barrett's esophagus.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: Endoscopic optical coherence tomography (OCT) is an emerging medical technology capable of generating high-resolution cross-sectional imaging of tissue microstructure in situ and in real time. We assess the use and feasibility of OCT for real-time screening and diagnosis of Barrett's esophagus, and also review state-of-the-art OCT technology for endoscopic imaging. MATERIALS AND METHODS: OCT imaging was performed as an adjunct to endoscopic imaging of the human esophagus. Real-time OCT (13-microm resolution) was used to perform image-guided evaluation of normal esophagus and Barrett's esophagus. Beam delivery was accomplished with a 1-mm diameter OCT catheter-probe that can be introduced into the accessory channel of a standard endoscope. Different catheter-probe imaging designs which performed linear and radial scanning were assessed. Novel ultrahigh-resolution (1.1-microm resolution) and spectroscopic OCT techniques were used to image in vitro specimens of Barrett's esophagus. RESULTS: Endoscopic OCT images revealed distinct layers of normal human esophagus extending from the epithelium to the muscularis propria. In contrast, the presence of gland- and crypt-like morphologies and the absence of layered structures were observed in Barrett's esophagus. All OCT images showed strong correlations with architectural morphology in histological findings. Ultrahigh-resolution OCT techniques achieved 1.1-microm image resolution in in vitro specimens and showed enhanced resolution of architectural features. Spectroscopic OCT identified localized regions of wavelength-dependent optical scattering, enhancing the differentiation of Barrett's esophagus. CONCLUSIONS: OCT technology with compact fiberoptic imaging probes can be used as an adjunct to endoscopy for real-time image-guided evaluation of Barrett's esophagus. Linear and radial scan patterns have different advantages and limitations depending upon the application. Ultrahigh-resolution and spectroscopic OCT techniques improve structural tissue recognition and suggest future potential for resolution and contrast enhancements in clinical studies. A new balloon catheter-probe delivery device is proposed for systematic imaging and screening of the esophagus.

Incidence of lateral meniscus injury in professional basketball players.

We reviewed National Basketball Trainers Association data over a 6-year period to determine the incidence of lateral meniscus injury among professional basketball players. Our results indicated that 58% of all injuries involved the lateral meniscus, while 42% involved the medial meniscus. This differs from what other authors have reported for basketball players. The lateral meniscus may be vulnerable to chronic injury and subject to microtrauma from repetitive submaximal stresses associated with cutting or changing direction while running, or from pivoting. A professional player is at more risk of injury during a game than practice, and thus is exposed to injury more than a collegian because the professional season has three to four times as many games. Also, magnetic resonance imaging may aid the physician in accurately diagnosing some tears that would otherwise have gone undetected or required arthroscopy for diagnosis. In addition, injury to the lateral meniscus could produce secondary symptoms such as instability or patellofemoral pain to structures other than the lateral meniscus.

The chief information officer--capturing healthcare's rare bird.

While we occasionally conducted MIS executive searches during the 1970s, the recent pace has quickened substantially. Healthcare corporations need the MIS executive or CIO to keep the organization technologically and managerially current. Downsizing of acute-care facilities, expansion of outpatient services and creation of new programs have put a premium on current, computer-generated data. Skilled managers must rely on an efficient, flexible data processing department to evaluate options and make decisions about corporate strategy and program development. A presentable, articulate, personable MIS executive is a key ingredient in a successful management team. The position will continue to grow in importance and prominence in the fast-changing healthcare delivery industry.