Colonoscopy Versus Catheter Angiography for Lower Gastrointestinal Bleeding After Localization on CT Angiography

PurposeThe aim of this study was to compare catheter angiography (CA) and colonoscopy outcomes after successful CT angiographic (CTA) localization for patients with overt lower gastrointestinal bleeding (LGIB).MethodsSeventy-one consecutive patients from two institutions between 2010 and 2020 had both contrast extravasation on CTA imaging in the lower gastrointestinal tract and subsequent CA or colonoscopy. The primary outcome was confirmation of active bleeding during CA or colonoscopy (defined as confirmation yield). The secondary outcomes were to determine therapeutic yield (hemostatic therapy), time to procedure, rebleeding rate, and adverse outcome rates (defined as surgery, acute kidney injury, initiation of dialysis, and overall mortality). Univariate analyses and multivariable analyses with P < .05 were used to determine statistical significance.ResultsForty-four patients underwent CA and 27 underwent colonoscopy. CA had higher overall confirmation yield (55% vs 26%, P = .026), whereas therapeutic yields were similar (70% vs 56%, P = .214). Time to procedure was 5.1 ± 3.4 hours for CA and 15.5 ± 13.6 hours for colonoscopy (P < .001). On multivariable analysis, shorter time to procedure was the only statistically significant predictor of confirmation yield (P = .037) and therapeutic yield (P = .013), whereas procedure, hemoglobin, transfusions, and hemodynamic instability were not. Adverse events and rebleeding were not statistically different between patients who underwent CA and colonoscopy (P > .05).ConclusionsShorter time to procedure was the only statistically significant predictor of confirmation and therapeutic yield after CTA localization of LGIB. Because CA can be performed sooner than colonoscopy without increased rates of adverse outcomes or rebleeding, CA may be a reasonable first-line treatment option in patients with CTA localization of LGIB.     

超声及应变式弹性成像预测超声引导下腘静脉置入血管鞘用于治疗下肢深静脉血栓形成成功与否

目的 分析超声及应变式弹性成像预测超声引导下置入腘静脉血管鞘治疗下肢深静脉血栓形成(DVT)成功与否的价值。方法 回顾性分析103例接受超声引导下置入患侧腘静脉血管鞘的DVT患者的术前超声资料,比较置入血管鞘失败与成功病例腘静脉超声及应变式弹性成像表现差异;绘制差异有统计学意义超声参数的受试者工作特征曲线,获得其预测血管鞘置入失败的阈值,对每个参数阈值赋值1分,得到联合超声评分,以实际置入结果为标准,评价超声单一参数及联合评分的预测效能。结果 103例中,对100例行单侧、3例行双侧腘静脉置入血管鞘,包括左侧腘静脉71支、右侧35支,共106支腘静脉;对其中95支腘静脉置入血管鞘成功(成功组),11支失败(失败组)。相比成功组,失败组腘静脉内径及腘静脉与腘动脉内径比值均较小,血栓为等或高回声,与血管壁边界模糊,腘静脉应变式弹性评分为硬。以超声单一参数及联合评分预测置入血管鞘成功与否的曲线下面积分别为0.909、0.926、0.865、0.899、0.958及0.940(P均＜0.001)。结论 患侧腘静脉超声及应变式弹性成像能有效预测对下肢DVT患者行超声引导下置入腘静脉血管鞘成功与否。     

Patients' expectations,experience and acceptability of postoperative analgesia: a nested qualitative study within a randomised controlled trial comparing rectus sheath catheter and thoracic epidural analgesia

Adequate postoperative analgesia is a key element of enhanced recovery programmes. Thoracic epidural analgesia is associated with superior postoperative analgesia but can lead to complications. Rectus sheath catheter analgesia may provide an alternative. In a nested qualitative study (within a two-year randomised controlled trial) focussing on the acceptability, expectations and experiences of receiving the interventions, participants (n = 20) were interviewed 4 weeks post-intervention using a grounded theory approach. Constant comparative analysis, with patient and public involvement, enabled emerging findings to be pursued through subsequent data collection. We found no notable differences regarding postoperative acceptability or the experience of pain management. Pre-operatively, however, thoracic epidural analgesia was a source of anticipatory fear and anxiety. Both interventions resulted in some experienced adverse events (proportionately more with thoracic epidural analgesia). Participants had negative experiences of the insertion of thoracic epidural analgesia; others receiving the rectus sheath catheter lacked confidence in staff members' ability to manage the local anaesthetic infusion pump. The anticipation of the technique of thoracic epidural analgesia, and concerns about its impact on mobility, represented an additional, unpleasant experience for patients already managing an illness experience, anticipating a life-changing operation and dealing with concerns about the future. The anticipation of rectus sheath catheter analgesia was not associated with such anxieties. Patients' experiences start far earlier than the experience of the intervention itself through anticipatory anxieties and fears about receiving a technique and its potential implications. Complex pain packages can take on greater meaning than their actual efficacy in relieving postoperative pain. Future research into patient acceptability and experience should not focus solely on efficacy of pain relief but should include anticipatory fears, anxieties and experiences.     

连续性血液净化治疗患儿静脉留置导管感染风险预测体系的构建及应用

目的:探讨连续性血液净化治疗患儿静脉留置导管感染风险因素,据此构建风险预测体系,并检验其实际应用效果,以期为临床预防护理提供依据。方法:选取医院2018年4月—2020年4月收治的400例连续性血液净化治疗患儿,按两组基础资料具有匹配性原则将其分为构建组300例、验证组100例,统计构建组中静脉留置导管感染患儿例数,通过单因素分析、多因素Logistic回归分析筛选静脉留置导管感染的独立危险因素,据此构建风险预测体系,并检验其在验证组中的应用效果。结果:经统计得到,构建组中静脉留置导管感染患儿共66例,感染发生率为22.00%;单因素分析得到,连续性血液净化治疗患儿静脉留置导管感染风险因素有穿刺部位、导管留置时间、插管次数、血流速度、血红蛋白、遵医依从性、抗生素使用时间、操作人员手卫生(P<0.05);多因素Logistic回归分析得到,连续性血液净化治疗患儿静脉留置导管感染独立风险因素有股静脉置管、导管留置时间>7 d、血流速度>180 mL/min、血红蛋白<100 g/L、遵医依从性差、抗生素使用时间>7 d(P<0.05);构建得到连续性血液净化治疗患儿静脉留置导管感染风险预测体系为P=1/[1+e^(-(-1.935+1.635×股静脉置管+1.740×导管留置时间>7 d+1.725×血流速度>180 mL/min+2.241×血红蛋白<100 g/L+2.089×遵医依从性差+1.331×抗生素使用时间>7 d))],ROC曲线分析显示,曲线下面积AUC=0.881,灵敏度为86.67%,特异性为97.14%,准确率为94.00%。结论:连续性血液净化治疗患儿静脉留置导管感染风险大,且风险因素复杂,研究构建的静脉留置导管感染风险预测体系灵敏度高、特异性强,评估准确率高。     

Resuscitative Endovascular Balloon Occlusion of the Aorta: A Review for Emergency Clinicians

BackgroundNon-compressible torso hemorrhage (NCTH) is difficult to control and associated with significant mortality. Resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA) utilizes an infra-diaphragmatic approach to control NCTH and is less invasive than resuscitative thoracotomy (RT). This article highlights the evidence for REBOA and provides an overview of the indications, procedural steps, and complications in adults for emergency clinicians.DiscussionTraumatic hemorrhage can be life threatening. Patients in extremis, whether from NCTH or exsanguination from other sites, may require RT with aortic cross-clamping. REBOA offers another avenue for proximal hemorrhage control and can be completed by emergency clinicians. The American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma and the American College of Emergency Physicians recently released a joint statement detailing the indications for REBOA in adults. The evidence behind its use remains controversial, with significant heterogeneity among studies. Most studies demonstrate improved blood pressure without a significant improvement in mortality. Procedural steps include arterial access (most commonly the common femoral artery), positioning the initial sheath, balloon preparation and positioning, balloon inflation, securing the balloon/sheath, subsequent hemorrhage control, balloon deflation, and balloon/sheath removal. Several major complications can occur with REBOA placement. Future studies should evaluate training protocols, the role of simulation, and which target populations would benefit most from REBOA.ConclusionsREBOA can provide proximal hemorrhage control and can be performed by emergency clinicians. This article evaluates the evidence, indications, procedure, and complications for emergency clinicians.     

Cardiac Denervation for Arrhythmia Treatment with Transesophageal Ultrasonic Strategy in Canine Models

Stellate ganglion (SG) modification has been investigated for arrhythmia treatment. In this study, transesophageal SG imaging and intervention were explored using a homemade 30F integrated focused ultrasonic catheter in healthy mongrel canines in vivo. Anatomic details of SGs were ultrasonically imaged and evaluated. SG had a heterogeneous echoic structure and characteristic profiles sketched by hyper-echoic outlines in an ultrasonogram. Left SGs in the experimental group were successfully ablated through the esophagus under ultrasonic guidance provided by the catheter itself. Two weeks after the ablation, the QT and QTc of the experimental group decreased compared with those of the sham group and at baseline (both p values < 0.001). Histologic examination revealed that left SGs were destroyed. No major complications were observed. This approach may be further explored as a method for ganglia remodeling evaluation and as a strategy of ganglia modification for arrhythmia and for other diseases.     

Indwelling Urinary Catheter for Total Joint Arthroplasty Using Epidural Anesthesia

BackgroundThe objective of this study was to evaluate if not placing an indwelling urinary catheter leads to a higher potential for adverse genitourinary (GU) issues after total joint arthroplasty (TJA) under epidural anesthesia.MethodsThree hundred thirty-five consecutive patients who underwent primary TJA using epidural anesthesia were retrospectively reviewed. The initial 103 patients received a preoperative urinary catheter, which was maintained until the morning of postoperative day 1. The subsequent 232 patients did not receive a preoperative urinary catheter. Demographics, medical complications, GU complications, and length of stay were compared between groups.ResultsCompared between catheter and noncatheter groups, there were no differences in demographics including age, gender, or laterality of surgery. There was a difference in type of surgery (total knee arthroplasty vs total hip arthroplasty) (P = .008). There was no difference in American Society of Anesthesiologists score, but with a difference in body mass index (P = .01). There were no differences in GU complications among patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia or prostate cancer. However, among patients with a history of prostate disorders (benign prostatic hyperplasia or prostate cancer), urinary tract infection rate was higher in catheter group (P = .023). Postoperative GU complications were associated with increased median age in years and increased average length of stay in days.ConclusionPatients undergoing TJA under epidural anesthesia demonstrate no increased risk of postoperative urological complications without the placement of preoperative indwelling urinary catheter. The routine use of preoperative catheters can be reconsidered for this mode of anesthesia.Level of EvidenceLevel II, retrospective comparative study.     

Utilization and Complications of Central Venous Access Devices in Oncology Patients

Purpose: To describe how central venous access devices (CVADs) are utilized for ambulatory oncology patients and to evaluate the rate of complications. Method: Single institution retrospective study of oncology patients with CVADs who received systemic treatment at the Walker Family Cancer Centre (WFCC) between 1 January and 31 December 2018. Results: A total of 480 CVADS were placed in 305 patients, of which 408 (85%) were peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) and 72 (15%) were implanted vascular access devices (PORTs). The incidence of early and late complications was 9% and 24%, respectively. For the entire cohort, the rate of venous thromboembolism (VTE) was 16%, of which 9% were CVAD-related thrombosis (CRTs) and 7% were distant VTE. The CRT rates were similar for PICCs and PORTs (9% vs. 7%). A total of 6% of CVADs were complicated by infection (i.e., localized infections and bacteremia), with a total infection rate of 0.43 and 0.26 per 1000 indwelling days for PICCs and PORTs, respectively. The incidence of central line associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI) was greater for PICCs than PORTs, at a rate of 0.22 compared with 0.08 per 1000 indwelling days, respectively. The premature catheter removal rate was 26% for PICCs and 18% for PORTs. PORTs required more additional hospital visits. Conclusions: PICCs were utilized more frequently than PORTs and had a higher rate of premature removal. The rates of VTE and CRT were similar for both CVAD types. PORTs had a lower rate of infection per 1000 indwelling days. However, the management of PORT related complications required more visits to the hospital and oncology clinic.