Aplicación de la cura en ambiente húmedo en la gangrena simétrica periférica asociada a fármacos vasoactivos para evitar amputación. Caso clínico / Healing in humid environment in symmetric peripheral gangrene associated with vasoactive drugs to avoid amputation. Clinical case

Objetivo: Exponer un abordaje terapéutico conservador para el abordaje de lesiones necróticas periféricas secundarias a la administración de fármacos vasoactivos. Metodología: A través de un caso clínico se describe el planteamiento de curas realizadas. Resultados: El caso se resolvió en 28 semanas y se evitó la amputación de todos los dedos de manos y pies, a excepción de 1 dedo de la mano y 2 dedos del pie, lo que minimizó las secuelas al paciente y se preservó su estado funcional. Conclusión: La aplicación en ambiente húmedo en este tipo de lesiones necróticas secundarias a fármacos vasoactivos, resultó efectiva en este caso clínico y evitó tratamientos más agresivos que pudieran repercutir negativamente en la calidad de vida del paciente (AU)

Objective: To present a conservative therapeutic approach for the approach of peripheral necrotic lesions secondary to the administration of vasoactive drugs. Methodology: Through a clinical case, the approach to cures carried out is described. Results: The case was resolved in 28 weeks avoiding the amputation of all fingers and toes except for 1 finger and 2 toes, minimizing the sequelae to the patient and preserving their functional status. Conclusion: The application of most environment treatment in this type of necrotic lesions secondary to vasoactive drugs was effective in this clinical case and avoided more aggressive treatments that could negatively affect the quality of life of the patient (AU)

[Algorithm for balloon angioplasty in patients with critical limb ischemia with diabetic foot syndrome]. / Algorytm do angioplastyki balonowej u pacjentów z krytycznym niedokrwieniem z zespolem stopy cukrzycowej.

Currently, there is no reliable and ideal criterion for assessing the level of tissue viability in critical limb ischemia in patients with diabetic foot syndrome, which does not allow the selection of patients for revascularization. AIM: The aim is to investigate the microcirculation of the lower extremities before and after balloon angioplasty and to develop an algorithm for its implementation depending on the characteristics of purulent-necrotic complications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was performed in 67 patients with neuroischemic form of diabetic foot syndrome. 3 groups of research were created: the first group included 18 patients with dry gangrene of one toe, several toes or distal foot; in group II - 35 patients with wet gangrene with signs of purulent arthropathy of the toes, phlegmon of the foot and with chronic wounds on the feet and legs; Group 3 - 14 patients diagnosed with purulent-necrotic complications, which were observed in both the 1st and 2nd groups, where patients refused to perform balloon angioplasty. Such patients underwent conservative treatment of lower extremity ischemia. RESULTS: It was shown that all patients have low levels of TcpO2- less than 30 mm Hg. The change in the value of TcpO2 during treatment turned out to be interesting: Group I indicator before revascularization was - 15.0±1.31 mm Hg, after the restoration of blood flow for 5- 7 days - 35.53±2.92 mm Hg. after 6 months - 36.67±2.35 mm Hg; Group II before revascularization - 10.35±0.74 mm Hg, for 5-7 days - 25.06±1.13 mm Hg, after 6 months - 34.43±1.97 III group at admission to the hospital - 12.14±0.86 mm Hg, for 5-7 days - 17.14±0.9 mm Hg, after 6 months - 13.71±2.2 mm Hg. CONCLUSIONS: After revascularization, there is a reperfusion syndrome, the severity of which depends on the number of revascularized vessels of the lower extremity. Balloon angioplasty is one of the priority methods of surgical treatment of limb ischemia with lesions of the shin-foot segment.

COVID-19 and peripheral arterial complications in people with diabetes and hypertension: A systematic review.

AIMS: Identify the prevalence, risk factors and outcomes of lower extremity ischemic complications. METHODS: A systematic review was conducted by searching PubMed and SCOPUS databases for SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19 and peripheral arterial complications. RESULTS: Overall 476 articles were retrieved and 31 articles describing 133 patients were included. The mean age was 65.4 years. Pain and gangrene were the most common presentation. Hypertension (51.3%), diabetes (31.9%) and hypercholesterolemia (17.6%) were associated co-morbidities. Overall, 30.1% of patients died and amputation was required in 11.8% patients. CONCLUSIONS: COVID-19 patients with diabetes or hypertension are susceptible for lower limb complications and require therapeutic anti-coagulation.

Recovery of Symmetrical Peripheral Gangrene of Limbs in a Patient After Performing Hemoadsorption in Septic Shock.

We report a 42-year-old patient who had Hodgkin lymphoma and developed bilateral symmetrical peripheral gangrene (SPG) in the feet and hands, which occurred during septic shock after autologous hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation. SPG is a rare but severe complication of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) and is frequently associated with sepsis. The pathophysiology of SPG includes DIC-mediated intravascular thrombosis and thrombotic occlusion of microcirculation, resulting in low blood flow. Sepsis-induced hypotension has been suspected as one of the other causes of SPG, and it is thought to be aggravated by vasopressor treatments given for hypotension. Our patient first experienced coldness, paleness, and cyanosis in his body's acral parts, and then SPG later developed in both his feet and hands. Septic shock management was performed with cytokine hemoadsorption, broad-spectrum antibiotics, and massive fluid replacement rapidly. The patient fully recovered without the need for amputation. Hemoadsorption is an extracorporeal cytokine-adsorption method for removing excess cytokines. Prompt management of septic shock and early monitoring of peripheral ischemia are essential to avoid SPG.

Managing breast gangrene during the COVID-19 pandemic.

At the onset of the COVID-19 crisis, a 63-year-old woman with multiple life-limiting comorbidities was referred with a necrotic infected left breast mass on a background of breast cancer treated with conservation surgery and radiotherapy 22 years previously. The clinical diagnosis was locally advanced breast cancer, but four separate biopsies were non-diagnostic. Deteriorating renal function and incipient sepsis and endocarditis resulted in urgent salvage mastectomy during the peak of the COVID19 pandemic. The final diagnosis was infected ischaemic/infarcted breast (wet gangrene) secondary to vascular insufficiency related to diabetes, cardiac revascularisation surgery and breast radiotherapy.

Giant mucinous cystadenoma: a case report.

INTRODUCTION: Giant ovarian cysts are rarely described in the literature, owing to the availability of advanced imaging technologies in developed countries leading to early treatment. In resource-limited settings, various factors lead to late presentation. CASE PRESENTATION: We present a case of a 48-year-old black African woman with a giant mucinous cystadenoma who presented to a tertiary hospital with massive abdominal distention 5 years after being referred from a district hospital for the same problem. Surgical management resulted in fatal complications. CONCLUSIONS: The surgical management of these huge tumors is associated with many life-threatening complications. Transvaginal ultrasound should be used in resource-limited settings to delineate ovarian masses. Community health workers must be involved in scouting and follow up of community members with unusual abdominal swellings in developing countries to avoid delays in care.

Autoimmune heparin-induced thrombocytopenia and venous limb gangrene after aortic dissection repair: in vitro and in vivo effects of intravenous immunoglobulin.

BACKGROUND: Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is a prothrombotic disorder characterized by heparin-dependent antibodies that activate platelets (PLTs) via PLT FcγIIa receptors. "Autoimmune" HIT (aHIT) indicates a HIT subset where thrombocytopenia progresses or persists despite stopping heparin; aHIT sera activate PLTs strongly even in the absence of heparin (heparin-independent PLT-activating properties). Affected patients are at risk of severe complications, including dual macro- and microvascular thrombosis leading to venous limb gangrene. High-dose intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) offers an approach to interrupt heparin-independent PLT-activating effects of aHIT antibodies. CASE REPORT: A 78-year-old male who underwent cardiopulmonary bypass for aortic dissection developed aHIT, disseminated intravascular coagulation, and deep vein thrombosis; progression to venous limb gangrene occurred during partial thromboplastin time (PTT)-adjusted bivalirudin infusion (underdosing from "PTT confounding"). Thrombocytopenia recovered with high-dose IVIG, although the PLT count increase began only after the third dose of a 5-day IVIG regimen (0.4 g/kg/day × 5 days). We reviewed case reports and case series of IVIG for treating HIT, focusing on various IVIG dosing regimens used. RESULTS: Patient serum-induced PLT activation was inhibited in vitro by IVIG in a dose-dependent fashion; inhibition of PLT activation by IVIG was much more marked in the absence of heparin versus the presence of heparin (0.2 U/mL). Our literature review indicated 1 g/kg × 2 IVIG dosing as most common for treating HIT, usually associated with rapid PLT count recovery. CONCLUSION: Our clinical and laboratory observations support dose-dependent efficacy of IVIG for decreasing PLT activation and thus correcting thrombocytopenia in aHIT. Our case experience and literature review suggests dosing of 1 g/kg IVIG × 2 for patients with severe aHIT.

Scrotal necrosis and no Fournier's in sight: a rare case of juvenile gangrenous vasculitis.

Juvenile gangrenous vasculitis of the scrotum is a rare entity, of which to our knowledge we describe the first documented case in the UK. It follows a typical disease course, demonstrated by an 18-year-old male who presented with three necrotic scrotal lesions; proceeded by 3 days of fever, pharyngitis and lethargy. Previous cases have been managed successfully with systemic steroids. On this occasion, surgical debridement was made of the necrotic areas under antibiotic cover and complete resolution was achieved with excellent wound healing and no evidence of recurrence. This case report discusses the importance of disease recognition and the merits of surgical management. We also add to the debate as to whether this disease is a variation of pyoderma gangrenosum or a distinct entity itself within the pantheon of scrotal gangrene.

Microvascular Thrombosis and Ischaemic Limb Losses in Critically Ill Patients.

Relatively little scientific attention has been given to the small subset of critically ill patients with circulatory shock who develop ischaemic limb losses (symmetrical peripheral gangrene [SPG]). The clinical picture consists of acral (distal extremity) tissue necrosis involving lower limbs in a largely symmetrical fashion and with detectable arterial pulses; in one-third of patients the upper extremities are also affected (potential for four-limb amputations). The laboratory picture includes thrombocytopenia, coagulopathy, and normoblastemia (circulating nucleated red blood cells). The explanation for limb losses is microvascular thrombosis caused by disseminated intravascular coagulation usually secondary to cardiogenic or septic shock. A common myth is that vasopressors cause the ischaemic limb injury. However, the more likely explanation is failure of the natural anticoagulant systems (protein C and antithrombin) to downregulate thrombin generation in the microvasculature. This is because more than 90% of patients with SPG have preceding 'shock liver', which occurs 2 to 5 days (median, 3 days) prior to ischaemic limb injury, with impaired hepatic production of protein C and antithrombin.

Acute Cardiac Events in Patients With Severe Limb Infection.

Recent studies have shown an association between infections, such as influenza, pneumonia, or bacteremia, and acute cardiac events. We studied the association between foot infection and myocardial infarction, arrhythmia, and/or congestive heart failure. We analyzed the records of 318 consecutive episodes of deep soft tissue infection, gangrene, and/or osteomyelitis in 274 patients referred to a vascular surgery service at a tertiary center. We identified 24 acute cardiac events in 21 of 318 (6.6%) episodes of foot infection or foot gangrene. These 24 events included 11 new myocardial infarctions (3.5%), 8 episodes of new onset or worsening congestive heart failure (2.5%), and 5 new arrhythmias (1.6%). Tachycardia and systemic inflammatory response syndrome were associated with acute cardiac events ( P < .05 for each). The 1-year survival of patients with acute cardiac events was 50.4%, significantly lower than the 91.7% 1-year survival of patients without acute cardiac events ( P < .0015). Acute cardiac complications are not uncommon among patients presenting with severe foot infection and are associated with a high 1-year mortality. Primary care physicians, cardiologists, and vascular and orthopedic surgeons must keep a high index of suspicion for the occurrence of an acute cardiac event.

Determinants of Long-Term Outcomes and Costs in the Management of Critical Limb Ischemia: A Population-Based Cohort Study.

Background The optimal treatment for critical limb ischemia remains controversial owing to conflicting conclusions from previous studies. Methods and Results We obtained administrative claims on Medicare beneficiaries with initial critical limb ischemia diagnosis in 2011. Clinical outcomes and healthcare costs over 4 years were estimated among all patients and by first treatment (endovascular revascularization, surgical revascularization, or major amputation) in unmatched and propensity-score-matched samples. Among 72 199 patients with initial primary critical limb ischemia diagnosis in 2011, survival was 46% (median survival, 3.5 years) and freedom from major amputation was 87%. Among 9942 propensity-score-matched patients (8% rest pain, 26% ulcer, and 66% gangrene), survival was 38% with endovascular revascularization (median survival, 2.7 years), 40% with surgical revascularization (median survival, 2.9 years), and 23% with major amputation (median survival, 1.3 years; P<0.001 for each revascularization procedure versus major amputation). Corresponding major amputation rates were 6.5%, 9.6%, and 10.6%, respectively ( P<0.001 for all pair-wise comparisons). The cost per patient year during follow-up was $49 700, $49 200, and $55 700, respectively ( P<0.001 for each revascularization procedure versus major amputation). Conclusions Long-term survival and cost in critical limb ischemia management is comparable between revascularization techniques, with lower major amputation rates following endovascular revascularization. Primary major amputation results in shorter survival, higher risk of subsequent major amputation, and higher healthcare costs versus revascularization. Results from this observational research may be susceptible to bias because of the influence of unmeasured confounders.

De novo assembly and comparative transcriptome characterization of Poecilobdella javanica provide insight into blood feeding of medicinal leeches.

Leeches (family Hirudinidae) are classic model invertebrates used in diverse clinical treatments, such as reconstructive microsurgery, hypertension, and gangrene treatment. The blood-feeding habit is essential for these therapies, yet the molecular mechanisms underlying the process are poorly understood. In the present study, the transcriptome of Poecilobdella javanica from five time points (days 0, 1, 10, 20, and 30 separately) of blood feeding was sequenced with short paired-end reads. After stringent quality control, ∼380 million high-quality reads were assembled using SOAPdenovo-Trans with optimal parameters into a non-redundant set of 48 784 transcripts (≥100 base pairs), representing about 38 Mb of unique transcriptome sequence. The average length of the transcripts was 570 bp with N50 lengths of 5751 to 7413 bp among different time points. We have assessed the effect of sequence quality and various assembly parameters on the final assembly output. Functional categorization revealed the conservation of genes involved in various biological processes, such as basal transcription factors and ribosome biogenesis in eukaryotes. In addition, we found that DNA/RNA related pathways were predominantly expressed in the starving state while fatty acid metabolism, the anticoagulant pathway, and amino acid biosynthesis were activated during blood feeding. The leech transcriptome provides a resource for gene discovery and development of functional molecular markers during clinical applications.

Treatment of Nonreconstructable Critical Limb Ischemia With Ischemic Wounds Utilizing a Noninvasive Intermittent Pneumatic Compression Device Monitored With Fluorescence Angiography.

INTRODUCTION: Critical limb ischemia (CLI) is a leading cause of lower extremity amputation. When CLI is identified, revascularization should be performed if possible. When options for revascularization do not exist, use of a noninvasive intermittent pneumatic compression device (NPCD) can be considered. OBJECTIVE: Presented here are 2 cases of patients with nonreconstructable CLI at risk for limb loss who were serially assessed with indocyanine green fluorescence angiography (ICGFA) to determine the effects of NPCD use on local tissue perfusion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Both patients were treated with the NPCD for 1 hour, 3 times per day, for 4 weeks. Serial ICGFA utilizing a ICGFA device was performed at various time points to monitor the effects of NPCD use on tissue perfusion. RESULTS: The treatment of both patients with serial ICGFA provided limited objective evidence of increased local tissue perfusion which expedited wound resolution. CONCLUSIONS: Larger randomized control trials of this modality of perfusion assessment and NPCD use are recommended.

ULTRASTRUCTURAL CHANGES OF WOUND MACROPHAGES UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF INTRAVENOUS OZONE THERAPY IN PATIENTS WITH DIABETES AND INFLAMMATORY PROCESSES OF SOFT TISSUES.

Investigation of ultrastructural peculiarities of morpho-functional changes of macrophages have been studied with the purpose of determining the dynamics and thrust of destructive-necrotic processes in these cells when the ischemic-gangrenous form of diabetic foot syndrome develops show what under the influence of intravenous ozone therapy stimulant effect on functional activity and beneficial effect on elimination, mainly due to genetically programmed cell death (apoptosis), playing a significant role in the regulatory mechanisms of the inflammatory process. The stimulation of macrophages functional activity under the influence of ozone, as well as the presence of destructive changes in such cells without necrotizing lesions, is explained by the inclusion of the mechanism of apoptosis as a positive factor in the regulation of local homeostasis at the completion of the inflammatory (exudative) stage of the wound process.

Acute Compartment Syndrome of the Foot Due To Frostbite: Literature Review and Case Report.

Acute compartment syndrome of the foot and ankle is a relatively rare clinical finding. Lower extremity compartment syndrome is customarily due to vascular or orthopedic traumatic limb-threatening pathologic issues. Clinical correlation and measurement of intracompartmental pressure are paramount to efficient diagnosis and treatment. Delayed treatment can lead to local and systemically adverse consequences. Frostbite, a comparatively more common pathologic entity of the distal extremities, occurs when tissues are exposed to freezing temperatures. Previously found in military populations, frostbite has become increasingly prevalent in the general population, leading to more clinical presentations to foot and ankle specialists. We present a review of the published data of acute foot compartment syndrome and pedal frostbite, with pathogenesis, treatment, and subsequent sequelae. A case report illustrating 1 example of bilateral foot, atraumatic compartment syndrome, is highlighted in the present report. The patient presented with changes consistent with distal bilateral forefoot frostbite, along with gangrenous changes to the distal tuft of each hallux. At admission and evaluation, the patient had increasing rhabdomyolysis with no other clear etiology. Compartment pressures were measured in the emergency room and were >100 mm Hg in the medial compartment and 50 mm Hg dorsally. The patient was taken to the operating room urgently for bilateral pedal compartment release. Both pathologic entities have detrimental outcomes if not treated in a timely and appropriate manner, with amputation rates increasing with increasing delay.

Utility of perioperative skin perfusion pressure measurement for treatment of ulcers caused by arteriovenous access ischaemic steal.

Arteriovenous access ischaemic steal is a serious complication following arteriovenous fistula (AVF) construction. The aim of treatment is to improve distal circulation without impairing the function of the fistula. Therefore, any repair should be performed with intraoperative monitoring. We report 2 cases of this disorder treated using perioperative measurement of skin perfusion pressure (SPP) for preoperative surgical planning and intraoperative guidance. A 73-year-old woman with a left cubital AVF developed gangrene of the tip of the left little finger. Arteriovenous access ischaemic steal was suspected. The SPP of the little finger was 18 mm Hg, which increased to 65 mm Hg after manual occlusion of the fistula. A 58-year-old woman with a left antebrachial AVF had gangrene of the tip of the left middle finger. The SPP was 19 mm Hg, and steal syndrome was suspected based on angiography and the SPP with manual occlusion of the fistula. In both cases, serial plication of the fistula was performed based on intraoperative perfusion pressure monitoring, leading to the successful resolution of the ischaemic steal syndrome. In both cases, haemodialysis could be continued through the repaired fistula.