Uso y complicaciones del cateterismo urinario en salas de cuidados moderados de un hospital universitario

Introducción: El cateterismo urinario es un procedimiento frecuente y en ocasiones es utilizado por fuera de las indicaciones aceptadas para el mismo. Esto aumenta el riesgo de complicaciones vinculadas a su uso, por lo que pueden ser prevenibles. El objetivo del estudio es conocer las características del uso de cateterismo urinario en pacientes ingresados en salas de cuidados moderados de un hospital universitario del tercer nivel de atención, determinar la frecuencia, duración e indicaciones más frecuentes, así como evaluar la presencia de complicaciones asociadas al mismo Metodología: Estudio de corte transversal, realizado en salas de cuidados moderados de un hospital terciario y universitario de Montevideo, Uruguay, el 21 de diciembre de 2022. Se incluyeron pacientes hospitalizados que presentaban o presentaron catéter vesical en la presente internación y se completó la recolección de variables mediante la revisión de la historia clínica. Resultados: De 155 pacientes ingresados en salas de cuidados moderados, a 26 (16,7%) les fue colocado un catéter urinario. La mediana de edad fue 61 años, 80% eran de sexo masculino. La mediana de internación fue de 22 días. En todos los pacientes se utilizó sonda vesical y el 54% fue colocado en el Departamento de Emergencia. En el 46% de los pacientes no se encontró indicación escrita de colocación en la historia clínica. En 50% de los casos no está especificado el motivo de indicación de sonda vesical, mientras que las indicaciones identificadas más frecuentes fueron el control de diuresis (27%) y la desobstrucción de vía urinaria baja (23%). La duración de cateterismo fue de una mediana de 13,5 días, mientras que el 27% de los pacientes la usaron más de 30 días. 35% de los pacientes presentaron complicaciones vinculadas a la sonda vesical, en su mayoría no infecciosas (27%) y 15% presentaron infección urinaria. Estos pacientes tuvieron una duración de cateterismo mayor a los que no presentaron complicaciones (23 vs 10 días, p=0,411). Conclusiones: El catéter vesical fue utilizado en un porcentaje no despreciable de pacientes ingresados en salas de cuidados moderados, de forma prolongada y frecuentemente sin indicación precisa, lo cual expone a un riesgo aumentado de complicaciones vinculadas.

Introduction: Urinary catheterization is a frequent procedure and is sometimes used outside of its accepted indications. This increases the risk of complications related to its use, so they may be preventable. The objective of this study is to know the characteristics of the use of urinary catheterization in patients admitted to moderate care wards of a tertiary care university hospital, to determine the frequency, duration and most frequent indications, as well as to evaluate the presence of associated complications. Methodology: Cross-sectional study, carried out in moderate care wards of a tertiary care and university hospital in Montevideo, Uruguay, on December 21, 2022. Hospitalized patients who present or presented a bladder catheter during the present hospitalization were included, and the collection of variables was completed by reviewing the medical history. Results: Of 155 patients admitted to moderate care wards, 26 (16.7%) had a urinary catheter placed. The median age was 61 years, 80% were male. The median hospitalization was 22 days. In all patients a bladder catheter was used and 54% were placed in the Emergency Department. In 46% of the patients, no written indication for placement was found in the clinical history. In 50% of cases, the reason for indicating the bladder catheter is not specified, while the most frequent indications identified were diuresis control (27%) and lower urinary tract obstruction (23%). The duration of catheterization was a median of 13.5 days, while 27% of the patients used it for more than 30 days. 35% of the patients presented complications related to the bladder catheter, mostly non-infectious (27%) and 15% presented urinary tract infection. These patients had a longer duration of catheterization than those without complications (23 vs 10 days, p=0,411). Conclusions: The bladder catheter was used in a non-negligible percentage of patients admitted to moderate care wards, for a long time and often without a precise indication, which exposes them to an increased risk of related complications.

Introdução: O cateterismo urinário é um procedimento frequente e às vezes é usado fora de suas indicações aceitas. Isso aumenta o risco de complicações relacionadas ao seu uso, portanto, podem ser evitáveis. O objetivo deste estudo é conhecer as características do uso do cateterismo urinário em pacientes internados em enfermarias de cuidados moderados de um hospital universitário terciário, determinar a frequência, duração e indicações mais frequentes, bem como avaliar a presença de complicações associadas ao mesmo. Metodologia: Estudo transversal, realizado em quartos de cuidados moderados de um hospital terciário e universitário em Montevidéu, Uruguai, em 21 de dezembro de 2022. Foram incluídos pacientes que apresentaram ou apresentaram sonda vesical durante a internação atual e a coleta de variáveis ​​foi concluída .revisando o histórico médico. Resultados: Dos 155 pacientes admitidos em enfermarias de cuidados moderados, 26 (16,7%) tiveram um cateter urinário colocado. A idade média foi de 61 anos, 80% eram do sexo masculino. A mediana de internação foi de 22 dias. Em todos os doentes foi utilizada sonda vesical e 54% foram internados no Serviço de Urgência. Em 46% dos pacientes, nenhuma indicação escrita para colocação foi encontrada na história clínica. Em 50% dos casos não é especificado o motivo da indicação da sonda vesical, enquanto as indicações mais frequentes identificadas foram controle da diurese (27%) e desobstrução do trato urinário inferior (23%). A duração do cateterismo foi em média de 13,5 dias, enquanto 27% dos pacientes o utilizaram por mais de 30 dias. 35% dos pacientes apresentaram complicações relacionadas ao cateter vesical, em sua maioria não infecciosas (27%) e 15% apresentaram infecção urinária. Esses pacientes tiveram uma duração mais longa de cateterismo do que aqueles sem complicações (23 vs 10 dias, p=0,411). Conclusões: A sonda vesical foi utilizada em percentual não desprezível de pacientes internados em quartos de cuidados moderados, por tempo prolongado e muitas vezes sem indicação precisa, o que os expõe a um risco aumentado de complicações associadas.

Coil embolization of a celiac artery pseudoaneurysm under balloon-assisted flow control: A case report.

Coil migration can occur when coil embolization is used for treating pseudoaneurysms associated with large arteries. The double microcatheter technique is useful for preventing coil migration; the balloon catheter can reduce blood flow and active bleeding upon balloon inflation, and can also compress the bleeding point and arrest bleeding temporarily. We report a case describing the management of a pseudoaneurysm with coil embolization using double microcatheters and a balloon catheter to control blood flow and prevent coil migration. A 73-year-old male patient presented with a pseudoaneurysm of the celiac artery arising from the splenic artery stump following surgery. Coil embolization of the pseudoaneurysm using a double microcatheter embolization technique with a balloon catheter was considered. A balloon catheter was inserted into the celiac artery and active bleeding was temporarily arrested with the inflated balloon. First, a microcatheter was inserted into the balloon catheter, and another microcatheter was placed in the celiac artery. An electrical detachable coil was inserted into the proximal common hepatic artery just distal to the pseudoaneurysm. The second electrically detachable coil was inserted while the first coil remained attached. After detachment of the second coil, additional electrically detachable coils were inserted for similar embolization. The balloon was gradually deflated. Finally, the first coil was detached and we confirmed absence of the bleeding. Our case report demonstrated that a balloon catheter can control the flow vessels, and the double microcatheter embolization technique with a balloon catheter is useful for coil embolization in high-flow or large vessels.

The difficulties of recanalization in chronic superior cava vein obstruction by penetrating diagnostic catheter, PTA, and stenting: A case report.

Superior vena cava obstruction is caused by a blockage in its blood flow; one of its few causes can be device related. This case follows a patient presented with superior vena cava obstruction following a septal cardiac implant. Endovascular intervention has been associated with more rapid, complete symptom relief and lower complication rates. The use of stenting as first-line therapy has gathered popularity to become standard practice in the past 2 decades. This paper illustrates a successful recanalization with penetrating diagnostic catheter, followed with percutaneous transluminal angioplasty stenting in order to preserve the patency superior vena cava.

Predictive utility of the impedance drop on AF recurrence using digital intraprocedural data linked to electronic health record data.

Background: Local impedance drop in cardiac tissue during catheter ablation may be a valuable measure to guide atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation procedures for greater effectiveness. Objective: The study sought to assess whether local impedance drop during catheter ablation to treat AF predicts 1-year AF recurrence and what threshold of impedance drop is most predictive. Methods: We identified patients with AF undergoing catheter ablation in the Mercy healthcare system. We downloaded AF ablation procedural data recorded by the CARTO system from a cloud-based analytical tool (CARTONET) and linked them to individual patient electronic health records. Average impedance drops in anatomical region of right and left pulmonary veins were calculated. Effectiveness was measured by a composite outcome of repeat ablation, AF rehospitalization, direct current cardioversion, or initialization of a new antiarrhythmic drug post-blanking period. The association between impedance drop and 1-year AF recurrence was assessed by logistic regression adjusting for demographics, clinical, and ablation characteristics. Bootstrapping was used to determine the most predictive threshold for impedance drop based on the Youden index. Results: Among 242 patients, 23.6% (n = 57) experienced 1-year AF recurrence. Patients in the lower third vs upper third of average impedance drop had a 5.9-fold (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.81-21.8) higher risk of recurrence (37.0% vs 12.5%). The threshold of 7.2 Ω (95% CI 5.75-7.7 Ω) impedance drop best predicted AF recurrence, with sensitivity of 0.73 and positive predictive value of 0.33. Patients with impedance drop ≤7.2 Ω had 3.5-fold (95% CI 1.39-9.50) higher risk of recurrence than patients with impedance drop >7.2 Ω, and there was no statistical difference in adverse events between the 2 groups of patients. Sensitivity analysis on right and left wide antral circumferential ablation impedance drop was consistent. Conclusion: Average impedance drop is a strong predictor of clinical success in reducing AF recurrence but as a single criterion for predicting recurrence only reached 73% sensitivity and 33% positive predictive value.

Drivers and recent trends of hospitalisation costs related to acute pulmonary embolism.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The socio-economic burden imposed by acute pulmonary embolism (PE) on European healthcare systems is largely unknown. We sought to determine temporal trends and identify cost drivers of hospitalisation for PE in Germany. METHODS AND RESULTS: We analysed the totality of reimbursed hospitalisation costs in Germany (G-DRG system) in the years 2016-2020. Overall, 484 884 PE hospitalisations were coded in this period. Direct hospital costs amounted to a median of 3572 (IQR, 2804 to 5869) euros, resulting in average total reimbursements of 710 million euros annually. Age, PE severity, comorbidities and in-hospital (particularly bleeding) complications were identified by multivariable logistic regression as significant cost drivers. Use of catheter-directed therapy (CDT) constantly increased (annual change in the absolute proportion of hospitalisations with CDT + 0.40% [95% CI + 0.32% to + 0.47%]; P < 0.001), and it more than doubled in the group of patients with severe PE (28% of the entire population) over time. Although CDT use was overall associated with increased hospitalisation costs, this association was no longer present (adjusted OR 1.02 [0.80-1.31]) in patients with severe PE and shock; this was related, at least in part, to a reduction in the median length of hospital stay (for 14.0 to 8.0 days). CONCLUSIONS: We identified current and emerging cost drivers of hospitalisation for PE, focusing on severe disease and intermediate/high risk of an adverse early outcome. The present study may inform reimbursement decisions by policymakers and help to guide future health economic analysis of advanced treatment options for patients with PE.

Presumed post-traumatic subdural hygroma in a 2.5-year-old spayed female Chihuahua.

A 2.5-year-old spayed female Chihuahua dog was presented with chronic cervical pain and exhibited a "prayer-like position" following a history of a 4-meter fall. CT and MRI revealed a moderate right-sided enlargement of the subdural space with cerebrospinal fluid, consistent with a subdural hygroma, appearing connected to a quadrigeminal cistern dilation. Percutaneous transfontanellar external drainage of the subdural fluid accumulation did not prevent its re-accumulation, and the dog was managed medically, leading to the complete resolution of clinical signs. The subdural hygroma was suspected to be secondary to the previous trauma.

Predictors of low-voltage zones in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation eligible for catheter ablation: An observational study.

INTRODUCTION: The presence of low-voltage zones (LVZs) in the left atrium (LA) is associated with the recurrence of atrial fibrillation (AF) following pulmonary vein isolation (PVI). However, there is variability and conflict in the data regarding predictors of LVZs as reported in previous studies. The objective of this study was to identify predictors for the presence of LVZs in a cohort of patients with persistent AF. METHODS: The study prospectively enrolled 439 patients with persistent AF who were scheduled for ablation. Voltage map of the LA was collected using a multipolar catheter. An LVZ was defined as an area of ≥3 cm2 exhibiting a peak-to-peak bipolar voltage of <0.5 mV. RESULTS: The mean age of the cohort was 65.3 ± 8.6 years and 26.4% were female. Additionally, 25.7% had significant LVZs, most frequently located in the anterior wall of the LA. Multivariable analysis identified the following independent predictors for LVZ: advanced age (OR [odds ratio] = 1.08, 95% CI [confidence interval] = 1.03-1.13, p = .002); female sex (OR = 4.83, 95% CI = 2.66-8.76, p < .001); coronary artery disease (CAD) (OR = 3.20, 95% CI = 1.32-7.77, p = .01) and enlarged LA diameter (OR = 1.10, 95% CI = 1.04-1.17, p = .001). The area under the curve (AUC) of the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve for the final model was 0.829. CONCLUSION: Approximately 25% of the patients with persistent AF had LVZs. Advanced age, female sex, CAD, and a larger LA were independent predictors for LVZs with the model demonstrating a very good AUC for the ROC curve. These findings hold the potential to be used to tailor the ablation procedure for the individual patient.

The Effects of Inspiratory Flows, Inspiratory Pause, and Suction Catheter on Aerosol Drug Delivery with Vibrating Mesh Nebulizers During Mechanical Ventilation.

Background: Some experts recommend specific ventilator settings during nebulization for mechanically ventilated patients, such as inspiratory pause, high inspiratory to expiratory ratio, and so on. However, it is unclear whether those settings improve aerosol delivery. Thus, we aimed to evaluate the impact of ventilator settings on aerosol delivery during mechanical ventilation (MV). Methods: Salbutamol (5.0 mg/2.5 mL) was nebulized by a vibrating mesh nebulizer (VMN) in an adult MV model. VMN was placed at the inlet of humidifier and 15 cm away from the Y-piece of the inspiratory limb. Eight scenarios with different ventilator settings were compared with endotracheal tube (ETT) connecting 15 cm from the Y-piece, including tidal volumes of 6-8 mL/kg, respiratory rates of 12-20 breaths/min, inspiratory time of 1.0-2.5 seconds, inspiratory pause of 0-0.3 seconds, and bias flow of 3.5 L/min. In-line suction catheter was utilized in two scenarios. Delivered drug distal to the ETT was collected by a filter, and drug was assayed by an ultraviolet spectrophotometry (276 nm). Results: Compared to the use of inspiratory pause, the inhaled dose without inspiratory pause was either higher or similar across all ventilation settings. Inhaled dose was negatively correlated with inspiratory flow with VMN placed at 15 cm away from the Y-piece (rs = -0.68, p < 0.001) and at the inlet of humidifier (rs = -0.83, p < 0.001). The utilization of in-line suction catheter reduced inhaled dose, regardless of the ventilator settings and nebulizer placements. Conclusions: When VMN was placed at the inlet of humidifier, directly connecting the Y-piece to ETT without a suction catheter improved aerosol delivery. In this configuration, the inhaled dose increased as the inspiratory flow decreased, inspiratory pause had either no or a negative impact on aerosol delivery. The inhaled dose was greater with VMN placed at the inlet of humidifier than 15 cm away the Y-piece.

Outcomes With Hybrid Catheter-Directed Therapy Compared With Aspiration Thrombectomy for Patients With Intermediate-High Risk Pulmonary Embolism.

PURPOSE: Intermediate-high-risk pulmonary embolism (IHR PE) is a challenging form of embolism obstruction that causes right ventricular (RV) dysfunction. The optimal management of IHR PE has not been established. This single-center prospective, observational study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of complex catheter-directed therapy (CDT) - catheter-directed mechanical aspiration thrombectomy (CDMT) supplemented with catheter-directed thrombolysis (hybrid CDT) in comparison to CDMT alone for IHR PE. METHODS: A propensity score based on the pulmonary embolism severity index class and Miller obstruction index (MOI) was calculated, and 21 hybrid CDT cases (mean age 54.8 (14.7) years, 9/21 women) were matched with 21 CDMT cases (mean age 58.8 (14.9) years, 13/21 women). The baseline demographics, clinical, and treatment characteristics were analyzed. RESULTS: No significant differences were detected regarding baseline demographics and PE severity parameters. Hybrid CDT demonstrated a higher reduction in mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP) (hybrid CDT: median mPAP reduction 8 mmHg (IQR: 6-10 mmHg) vs CDMT: median mPAP reduction 6 mmHg (IQR: 4-7 mmHg); P = 0.019), MOI score (hybrid CDT: median change - 5 points (IQR: 5-6 points) vs CDMT median change - 3 points (IQR: 3-5 points); P = 0.019), and median RV: left ventricular ratio (hybrid CDT: median change 0.4 (IQR: 0.3-0.45) vs CDMT median change 0.26 (IQR: 0.2-0.4); P = 0.007). No major bleeding was observed. Both the hybrid CDT and CDMT alone treatments are safe and effective in managing IHR PE. CONCLUSIONS: Hybrid CDT is a promising technique for the management of IHR PE with insufficient thrombus load reduction by CDMT. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT0447356-registration date 16 July 2020.

Single-procedure 8Fr rheolytic pharmacomechanical thrombectomy for treatment of acute iliofemoral deep venous thrombosis.

PURPOSE: We hypothesize that single-procedure venous-specific rheolytic thrombectomy for treatment of acute iliofemoral deep venous thrombosis (DVT) will result in improved clinical symptoms as measured by the venous clinical severity score (VCSS), as well as durable venous patency, with decreased hemorrhagic risks and costs associated with conventional catheter-directed therapy and prolonged lytic exposure. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-three consecutive patients with symptomatic, unilateral, iliofemoral DVT who were treated with single-procedure therapy using the 8Fr rheolytic thrombectomy catheter were retrospectively analyzed from 2012-2021. Abstracted data included technical success (> 95% clearance of acute thrombus), adverse events (AEs), and clinical and imaging outcomes at 1-month and 1-year. RESULTS: Technical success was achieved in all 33 patients. Mean pre-procedure VCSS was 7.5 with mean edema and pain sub-scores of 2.6 and 1.8, respectively. Post-procedural total mean VCSS at one month was significantly improved (mean post-procedure VCSS = 0.3, mean reduction of 7.2, P < 0.01). Clinical improvement was sustained at 1-year (mean total VCSS = 0.2, P < 0.01). Primary patency was achieved in all patients at 1-month and 30 (91%) patients at 1-year. Among the 3 patients in which primary patency was not achieved at 1-year, primary-assisted patency was achieved in 2 patients. Secondary patency was achieved in the remaining patient at 1-year. No hemorrhagic AEs occurred in this study. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that single-procedure venous-specific rheolytic thrombectomy for treatment of acute iliofemoral DVT is safe and effective, resulting in durable clinical and radiographic results at one year, while also limiting hemorrhagic risks, mitigating costs of admission, and expediting patient discharge.

Successful Removal and Replacement of a Stuck Hemodialysis Catheter via Thoracotomy: Report of Two Cases and Literature Review.

Introduction: Stuck tunneled central venous catheters (CVCs) have been increasingly reported. In rare cases, the impossibility of extracting the CVC from the central vein after regular traction is the result of rigid adhesions to the surrounding fibrin sheath. Forced traction during catheter removal can cause serious complications, including cardiac tamponade, hemothorax, and hemorrhagic shock. Knowledge and experience on how to properly manage the stuck catheter are still limited. Case Presentation: Here, we present two cases that highlight the successful removal of the stuck tunneled CVC via thoracotomy through the close collaboration of multidisciplinary specialists in the best possible way. Both patients underwent an unsuccessful attempt at thrombolytic therapy with urokinase, catheter traction under the guidance of digital subtraction angiography and intraluminal balloon dilation. And we reviewed the literature on stuck catheters in the hope of providing knowledge and effective approaches to attempted removal of stuck catheters. Conclusion: There is no standardized procedure for dealing with stuck catheters. Intraluminal percutaneous transluminal angioplasty should be considered as the first-line treatment, while open surgery represents a second option only in the event of failure. Care must be taken that forced extubation can cause patients life-threatening.

An unusual case of recurrent haemoptysis after ablation for atrial fibrillation requiring pneumonectomy: a case report.

Background: Pulmonary vein (PV) stenosis is a rare complication after catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF). While there have been reported anecdotal cases of complete PV stenosis requiring pulmonary lobectomy, only one case of pneumonectomy has been documented so far. Case summary: A 42-year-old man was referred to our Thoracic Surgery Unit for recurrent haemoptysis and exertional dyspnoea over the past 4 years and a recent finding of left PV occlusion. He suffered of relapsing AF that had almost five recurrences and that underwent a total of two percutaneous catheter ablations within a 7-year period. He also experienced a hospitalization for multifocal lobar pneumonia. Two attempts of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) were unsuccessful. Due to the severity and the duration of PV occlusion, the previous PTA failure, the patient's age, and his symptoms, a left pneumonectomy was performed. During the postoperative period, the patient experienced only mild anaemia effectively managed with blood transfusions. Five months after surgery, he has no recurrence of symptoms. Discussion: When the PV stenosis is complete, PTA may face high failure and recurrence rates. In this setting, anatomical pulmonary resections may represent a valid option to allow symptom relief and resolution.

A Case Report of Caudal Migration of a Lumbar Epidural Catheter Confirmed by Doppler Ultrasound: Ultrasound to the Rescue!

Combined spinal-epidural anaesthesia is an excellent technique for providing intraoperative and postoperative analgesia in patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty. Epidural catheters threaded through a Tuohy needle with a cephalad needle bevel orientation follow a winding pattern within the epidural space. Caudal or downward migration of an epidural catheter may lead to unsatisfactory anaesthesia and epidural failure. Colour flow Doppler sonography is emerging as an effective technique to determine the epidural catheter tip position. We report an interesting case of caudal migration of a lumbar epidural catheter confirmed by colour flow Doppler ultrasound.

Point of care ultrasonography as the new "Laennec Sthetoscope".

Point of care ultrasonography (POCUS) has evolved to become the fifth pillar of the conventional physical examination, and use of POCUS protocols have significantly decreased procedure complications and time to diagnose. However, lack of experience in POCUS by preceptors in medical schools and nephrology residency programs are significant barriers to implement a broader use. In rural and low-income areas POCUS may have a transformative effect on health care management.

Predictors and Incidence of Health Status Deterioration in Patients with Early Atrial Fibrillation.

BACKGROUND: Various treatment approaches for atrial fibrillation (AF) have demonstrated improved health status, yet the significance of these therapeutic interventions in individual patients remains unclear. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate health status changes in patients with early AF, focusing on those who experience clinically significant deterioration following treatment initiation. METHODS: We analyzed data from a multicenter, prospective registry of newly diagnosed patients with AF. One-year changes in health status across different treatment strategies were assessed using the Atrial Fibrillation Effect on QualiTy-of-life Overall Summary (AFEQT-OS) score. Clinically relevant deterioration and improvement in health status were defined as ≥5-point decrease and increase in AFEQT-OS score, respectively; no change was -5 to 5 points. RESULTS: Overall, 1,960 patients with AF were evaluated. Mean AFEQT-OS score at baseline and 1-year follow-up were 76.7±17.7 and 85.4±14.8, respectively. Although most patients (53.9%) experienced clinically important improvement, a considerable proportion had no change (28.7%) or deterioration (17.4%) in their health status. Proportions of patients with no change or deterioration varied by treatment strategy: 59.9, 53.9, and 32.0% in rate control, antiarrhythmic drug, and catheter ablation groups, respectively. Multivariable model identified older age, female sex, heart failure, coronary artery disease, and higher baseline AFEQT-OS score as independent predictors of worsening health status, regardless of treatment strategy. CONCLUSION: Many patients with early AF experience worsening or no change in health status irrespective of treatment strategy. Standardizing patients' health status assessment, especially for patients with comorbidities may aid in patients' selection and their outcomes.

A retrospective study comparing pharmacomechanical thrombectomy with catheter-directed thrombolysis for acute deep venous thrombosis.

PURPOSE: This study aims to conduct a comparative analysis of the clinical efficacy and safety between pharmacomechanical thrombectomy (PMT) and catheter-directed thrombolysis (CDT) in the context of acute lower-extremity deep venous thrombosis (LEDVT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review of our institution's patient database spanning from February 2011 to December 2019 was performed to identify cases of acute LEDVT. The patients were categorized into two distinct groups based on the thrombolytic interventions administered: the PMT group, specifically denoting PMT with AngioJet in our investigation, and the CDT group. Comprehensive data sets encompassing patient demographics, risk factors, procedural specifics, thrombolysis grading, and complications were collected. Subsequent follow-up evaluations at the two-year mark post-treatment included assessments of post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS) and the quality of life (QOL). RESULTS: Among the 348 patients identified (mean age: 50.12 ± 15.87 years; 194 females), 200 underwent catheter-directed thrombolysis (CDT) during the early stage (2011 to 2017), while 148 received pharmacomechanical thrombectomy (PMT) between 2017 and 2019. Baseline data between the two groups exhibited no statistically significant differences. Thrombus scores significantly decreased in both cohorts post-therapy (each p < 0.001).Patients subjected to PMT demonstrated higher thrombolysis rates (77.35±9.44% vs 50.85±6.72%), reduced administration of the thrombolytic agent urokinase [20(20-20) vs 350(263-416), p < 0.001], larger limb circumference differences (above the knee: 6.03±1.76cm vs 4.51±1.82cm, p < 0.001; below the knee: 2.90±1.16cm vs 2.51±0.90cm, p < 0.001), and shorter lengths of stay (7.19±3.11 days vs 12.33±4.77 days, p < 0.001). However, the PMT group exhibited a higher decline in hemoglobin levels (13.41±10.59 g/L vs 10.88±11.41 g/L, p = 0.038) and an increase in creatinine levels [9.58(2.32-15.82) umol/L vs 4.53(2.87-6.08) umol/L, p < 0.001] compared to the CDT group. No statistically significant differences were observed in the numbers of balloon angioplasty, stent implantation (each p > 0.050), and minor and major complications between the two groups. At the 1-year follow-up, post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS) occurred in 13.51% of the PMT group compared to 26% of the CDT group (p = 0.025), with a higher incidence of moderate-severe PTS in the CDT group (8% vs 2.7%, p = 0.036). At the 2-year follow-up, PTS was observed in 16.2% of the PMT group and 31.5% in the CDT group, p = 0.004. Preoperative and postoperative D-values of SF-36 PCS and SF-36 MCS showed no statistically significant between-group differences. CONCLUSION: In our institutional experience, both pharmacomechanical thrombectomy (PMT) and catheter-directed thrombolysis (CDT) have proven to be effective and safe therapeutic approaches for managing acute lower-extremity deep venous thrombosis (LEDVT). PMT, in particular, demonstrated superior efficacy in achieving thrombosis resolution and mitigating the risk of post-thrombotic syndrome, affirming its role as a favorable intervention in this clinical context.

Managing External Urinary Catheters.

This narrative review explores the use of external urinary catheters. These devices are available in various types and materials for male and female patients. The indications for the use of external urinary catheters include managing incontinence linked to overactive bladder and neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction. Contraindications to the use of external urinary catheters include urinary obstruction. Proper skin care and proactive infection control measures are necessary to prevent complications. The collection of a urine specimen for culture requires a standardized technique to prevent contamination. Clinician-led patient education on catheter management plays a important role in ensuring patient comfort and safety.

Perioperative complications of minor and major reinterventions for peripheral arterial disease.

INTRODUCTION: Patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) frequently require reinterventions after lower-extremity revascularization (LER) to maintain perfusion. Current Society for Vascular Surgery guidelines define reinterventions as major or minor based on the magnitude of the procedure. While prior studies have compared primary LER procedures of different magnitudes, similar studies for reinterventions have not been performed. The objective of this study is to compare perioperative outcomes associated with major and minor reinterventions. METHODS: Patients undergoing LER for PAD at a tertiary care center from 2013 to 2017 were included. A retrospective review of electronic medical records was performed, and reinterventions were categorized as major or minor based on the procedure magnitude. Minor reinterventions included endovascular procedures and open revision with patch angioplasty, while major reinterventions were characterized by open surgical or endovascular LER with catheter-directed thrombolysis (CDT). Perioperative outcomes following LER were captured and compared for major and minor reinterventions. An additional subgroup analysis was performed comparing outcomes associated with major reinterventions stratified into open major surgical reinterventions and CDT. RESULTS: This study included 713 patients over a mean follow-up of 2.5 years. A total of 291 patients underwent 696 ipsilateral reinterventions (range = 1-12 reinterventions). Most reinterventions were minor (72.1%, N = 502) and 27.9% (N = 194) were major. Patients receiving reinterventions had an average age of 67.2 ± 11.5 and most were white (73.5%) males (60.1%) initially treated for claudication (58.2%) and CLTI (41.8%). There was significantly higher post-operative bleeding (9.8% vs 3.4%, p = .001), arterial thrombosis (3.1% vs 1.0%, p = .047), and acute renal failure (6.2% vs 2.4%, p = .014) after major reinterventions than minor. Additionally, major reinterventions had significantly higher return to the OR (17.0% vs 11.3%, p = .046) and longer hospital stays (7.5 vs 4.3 days, p = <.0001). Overall, major reinterventions were associated with significantly increased perioperative morbidity (37.6% vs 19.7%, p ≤ .001) with no difference in perioperative mortality. In the subgroup analysis, open reinterventions resulted in significantly longer hospital stays (8.6 days vs 5.5 days, p ≤ .001) and more wound infections than CDT (11.0% vs 0%, p = .017). However, there was no other significant difference in morbidity or mortality following treatment with open surgical reinterventions or CDT. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, major reinterventions after LER were associated with greater perioperative morbidity than minor reinterventions, with no difference in mortality. Major reinterventions performed via open surgery and CDT had similar morbidity and mortality.

Narrow QRS ectopy with concealed connections from a para-Hisian origin to the proximal left fascicles.

INTRODUCTION: Catheter ablation of ectopy originating from the vicinity of the His bundle can be challenging. METHODS AND RESULTS: We report a case of a 33-year-old man with narrow QRS ectopy with preferential conduction from a para-Hisian origin to the proximal left fascicles, which was successfully eliminated by radiofrequency ablation in the right coronary cusp, guided by ultrahigh-resolution mapping of the His bundle, bundle branch, and fascicular electrograms. CONCLUSION: Some narrow QRS ectopy may originate from the vicinity of the conduction system, instead of the "true" conduction system, and have concealed connections from its origin to the conduction system.

Computational Investigation of Vessel Injury Due to Catheter Tracking During Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement.

Catheter reaction forces during transcatheter valve replacement (TAVR) may result in injury to the vessel or plaque rupture, triggering distal embolization or thrombosis. In vitro test methods represent the arterial wall using synthetic proxies to determine catheter reaction forces during tracking, but whether they can account for reaction forces within the compliant aortic wall tissue in vivo is unknown. Moreover, the role of plaque inclusions is not well understood. Computational approaches have predicted the impact of TAVR positioning, migration, and leaflet distortion, but have not yet been applied to investigate aortic wall reaction forces and stresses during catheter tracking. In this study, we investigate the role that catheter design and aorta and plaque mechanical properties have on the risk of plaque rupture during TAVR catheter delivery. We report that, for trackability testing, a rigid test model provides a reasonable estimation of the peak reaction forces experienced during catheter tracking within compliant vessels. We investigated the risk of rupture of both the aortic tissue and calcified plaques. We report that there was no risk of diseased aortic tissue rupture based on an accepted aortic tissue stress threshold (4.2 MPa). However, we report that both the aortic and plaque tissue exceed a rupture stress threshold (300 kPa) with and without the presence of stiff and soft plaque inclusions. We also highlight the potential risks associated with shorter catheter tips during catheter tracking and demonstrate that increasing the contact surface will reduce peak contact pressures experienced in the tissue.