The prognostic value of elevated neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio for cardiac surgery-associated acute kidney injury: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

Patients undergoing cardiac surgery are at significant risk of developing postoperative acute kidney injury (AKI). Neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is a widely available inflammatory biomarker which may be of prognostic value in this setting.

Methods

We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies reporting associations between perioperative NLR with postoperative AKI. We searched Medline, Embase and the Cochrane Library, without language restriction, from inception to May 2022 for relevant studies. We meta-analysed the reported odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for both elevated preoperative and postoperative NLR with risk of postoperative AKI and need for renal replacement therapy (RRT). We conducted a meta-regression to explore inter-study statistical heterogeneity.

Results

Twelve studies involving 10,724 participants undergoing cardiac surgery were included, with eight studies being deemed at high risk of bias using PROBAST modelling. We found statistically significant associations between elevated preoperative NLR and postoperative AKI (OR 1.45, 95% CI 1.18–1.77), as well as postoperative need for RRT (OR 2.37, 95% CI 1.50–3.72). Postoperative NLR measurements were not of prognostic significance.

Conclusions

Elevated preoperative NLR is a reliable inflammatory biomarker for predicting AKI following cardiac surgery.     

Outcomes and risk management in type B aortic dissection patients with acute kidney injury: a concise review

PurposeType B aortic dissection is a rare but life-threatening disease. Thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) was widely used for Type B aortic dissection patients in the last decade due to the lower mortality and morbidity compared with open chest surgical repair (OCSR). AKI in type B aortic dissection is a well-recognized complication and indicates poor short-term and long-term outcome. The objective of this concise review was to identify the risk factors and the impact of AKI on type B aortic dissection patients.Methods and resultsA literature search was performed using PubMed, Embase, MEDLINE, and Cochrane Library with the search terms ‘type B aortic dissection’ and ‘acute kidney injury’ (AKI), and all English-language literatures published in print or available online from inception through August 2020 were thoroughly reviewed. Studies that reported relative AKI risks and outcomes in type B aortic dissection patient were included. Major mechanisms of AKI in type B aortic dissection included renal hypoperfusion, inflammation response, and the use of contrast medium. Type B aortic dissection patients with AKI significantly had increased hospital stay duration, need of renal replacement therapy, and 30-d and 1-year mortality.ConclusionsAKI in type B aortic dissection is a well-recognized complication and associated with poor short-term and long-term outcome. Early identification of high-risk patients, early diagnosis of AKI, stabilization of the hemodynamic parameters, avoidance of nephrotoxic drugs, and optimization of the use of contrast agents are the major strategies for the reduction of AKI in type B aortic dissection patients.     

早产儿消化道穿孔的病因及影响预后的危险因素分析

目的:探讨早产儿消化道穿孔的病因，分析影响早产儿消化道穿孔短期预后不良的危险因素。方法:回顾性分析山西省 儿童医院新生儿外科2015年1月—2021 年5月诊治的89 例早产儿消化道穿孔的临床资料。根据术后3 个月时结局分为生存 组和预后不良组。比较两组术前、术中及术后与早产儿消化道穿孔预后不良相关的因素，采用Logistic 回归分析筛选早产儿消 化道穿孔预后不良的危险因素。结果:早产儿消化道穿孔的病死率为25.84%，坏死性小肠结肠炎（NEC）和胃壁肌层缺损是早产 儿消化道穿孔常见的病因。单因素分析显示生存组患儿从发现气腹至手术时间在8 h 之内的比例显著高于预后不良组 （χ2=15.22，P＜0.01）。预后不良组合并脓毒性休克的比例显著高于生存组（χ2=33.19，P＜0.01）。预后不良组术后合并需非计划二次 手术的并发症比例显著高于生存组（χ2=7.24，P＜0.01）。Logistic 回归分析显示脓毒性休克（OR=0.06，95%CI:0.02~0.21，P＜0.01）和 气腹至手术时间大于8 h（OR=0.23，95%CI:0.07~0.81，P＜0.05）是早产儿消化道穿孔短期预后不良的危险因素。结论:NEC 和胃 壁肌层缺损是早产儿消化道穿孔的主要病因，脓毒性休克和从气腹发生至手术时间大于8 h 是早产儿消化道穿孔短期预后 不良的危险因素。     

Acute amebic appendicitis in early pregnancy

Parasitic infections of the intestine are a major health problem, which is found more prevalent in developing countries such as India. They are one of the important causes of morbidity and mortality among people all over the world. Acute amoebic appendicitis is a rare entity. We came across a case of acute appendicitis in a young pregnant woman, which revealed colonies of Entamoeba histolytica trophozoites in the mucosal epithelium and submucosal layer of the appendix with marked evidence of acute appendicitis. This report highlights acute appendicitis of amoebic origin and emphasises the importance of thorough examination of the appendix at various levels during histopathology and about the combined treatment of appendicectomy combined with antimicrobials as the treatment of choice. Appendicectomy removes the focus of infection, and antimicrobials reduce the incidence of septic complications.     

Prenatal Sonography in Suspected Proximal Gastrointestinal Obstructions: Diagnostic Accuracy and Neonatal Outcomes

BackgroundThe purpose of this study was to assess diagnostic accuracy and neonatal outcomes in fetuses with a suspected proximal gastrointestinal obstruction (GIO).MethodsAfter IRB approval, a retrospective chart review was conducted on prenatally suspected and/or postnatally confirmed cases of proximal GIO at a tertiary care facility (2012–2022). Maternal-fetal records were queried for presence of a double bubble ± polyhydramnios, and neonatal outcomes were assessed to calculate the diagnostic accuracy of fetal sonography.ResultsAmong 56 confirmed cases, the median birthweight and gestational age at birth were 2550 g [interquartile range (IQR) 2028–3012] and 37 weeks (IQR 34–38), respectively. There was one (2%) false-positive and three (6%) false-negatives by ultrasound. Double bubble had a sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value for proximal GIO of 85%, 98%, 98%, and 83%, respectively. Pathologies included 49 (88%) with duodenal obstruction/annular pancreas, three (5%) with malrotation, and three (5%) with jejunal atresia. The median postoperative length of stay was 27 days (IQR 19–42). Cardiac anomalies were associated with significantly higher complications (45% vs 17%, p = 0.030).ConclusionsIn this contemporary series, fetal sonography has high diagnostic accuracy for detecting proximal gastrointestinal obstruction. These data are informative for pediatric surgeons in prenatal counseling and preoperative discussions with families.Level of EvidenceDiagnostic Study, Level III.     

Management of upper gastrointestinal perforations

Perforation of the upper gastrointestinal (UGI) tract is a surgical emergency. Causes of oesophageal perforation include spontaneous (Boerhaave's), iatrogenic or foreign body ingestion. Perforation of the stomach and duodenum is most often caused by peptic ulcer disease. Management involves obtaining an accurate clinical diagnosis, through a combination of patient assessment, imaging and endoscopy. It is important to differentiate intramural from full thickness oesophageal perforations as this will guide the definitive surgical or endoscopic management. Perioperative care of these patients is as important as the definitive management step. This article will summarise an approach to managing perforation of the UGI tract; from initial assessment to postoperative care.