Uterine wall rupture in a primigravid patient with oligohydramnios as the first manifestation: A case report

Rationale:Spontaneous uterine rupture during pregnancy, occurring most often during labor in the context of a scarred uterus, is a serious obstetric complication. Perhaps even more serious because of its extreme rarity, spontaneous uterine rupture in a primigravid patient with an unscarred gravid uterus would be essentially unexpected. Clinical manifestations of unscarred uterine ruptures are nonspecific and can be confusing, making a correct early diagnosis very difficult.Patient concerns:A primigravid woman at 27 weeks of gestation presented to our hospital with acute oligohydramnios. Ultrasound examination at her local hospital revealed oligohydramnios that had not been present 1 week previously. A specific cause of the acute oligohydramnios, however, was not established.Diagnosis:Upon transfer to our hospital, the patient was hemodynamically stable without abdominal tenderness or peritoneal signs. Transabdominal ultrasound was repeated and confirmed oligohydramnios and seroperitoneum. The fetal heart rate was in the normal range, and blood tests revealed a low hemoglobin level of 91 g/L, which had been normal recently. A repeat sonogram after admission found that there was almost no amniotic fluid within the uterine cavity, and there was increased peritoneal fluid. Repeat hemoglobin showed a further decrease to 84 g/L. The combination of increased free abdominal fluid, lack of intrauterine fluid, and acutely decreasing hemoglobin strongly suggested uterine rupture with active intraperitoneal bleeding.Interventions:Emergent laparotomy was performed, and a male infant was delivered. Comprehensive abdominal exploration revealed a rupture in the right uterine cornua with ongoing slow bleeding, through which a portion of the amniotic sac protruded into the abdominal cavity.Outcomes:The laceration was repaired, the patient and neonate recovered without complications, and were discharged 5 days postoperatively.Lessons:An increased awareness of the rare but real possibility of spontaneous uterine rupture in a primigravid patient with no prior uterine scarring helped to establish an earlier diagnosis. Obstetricians should consider this possibility in pregnant females, even in the absence of risk factors and in early gestational age, when sudden unexplained clinical manifestations, such as acute oligohydramnios, are encountered.     

Rupture of the gravid uterus in Ile-Ife, Nigeria

To study cases of ruptured gravid uterus in Ile-Ife, Nigeria, medical records were examined. From January 1979 to December 1986, the records indicated 30,511 deliveries and 120 cases of ruptured uterus; the incidence rate was 0.4%. 112 patient records were studied. Findings included a mean patient age of 28.5 for 4.0 years, parity of 3-4 children (42%), 74% unbooked cases, and 29 booked cases. 41% of the booked cases had previous cesarean sections. 88% of the patients' labor started at home. Spontaneous uterine rupture occurred in 75% of the cases; 58% had complications of feto-pelvic disproportion and grand multiparity (30%). 15% of booked and unbooked patients had previous cesarean sections. Additional findings include iatrogenic rupture in 10% of the cases, involvement of lower uterine segment in 82%, lacerated urinary bladder (14%). Surgical procedures employed included uterine repair (50%), subtotal hysterectomy (25%), and total hysterectomy (24%). Patients receiving total hysterectomy had a mortality rate of 4% compared to 21% of all other groups. The most common maternal complications included maternal death (17%), prolonged hospital stay (58%), wound sepsis (32%), genital tract sepsis (26%), and septicemia (10%). The primary causes of death were septicemia and hemorrhagic shock. Booked patients had low mortality rates (10%) compared to unbooked patients (19%). The perinatal mortality rate was 94%. It is suggested that adequate, affordable antenatal and delivery care could decrease the complications involved with uterine rupture.     

Predictors of mortality in patients undergoing surgery for ruptured aortic aneurysm

BACKGROUND: A study was designed to determine significant variables that could be used to predict survival in patients with ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Data of 106 unselected consecutive patients with ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm undergoing operation between 1989 and 1998 were identified from a prospective hospital-based registry. A total of 32 variables were analyzed including demographic characteristics, vascular risk factors, coexisting conditions, preoperative findings, intraoperative variables, and postoperative complications. Preoperative and intraoperative variables related to vital status (alive, death) in the univariate analysis were subjected to stepwise linear regression analysis to determine whether a combination of variables would predict death. Of 99 evaluable patients, 48 died (mortality rate 48.5%). RESULTS: At univariate analysis, age, serum creatinine, hemoglobin, electrocardiographic ischemia, loss of consciousness on admission, preoperative shock, supra-renal rupture, and transfusion requirements were significantly associated with 30-day operative mortality. Postoperative complications except sepsis, mesenteric ischemia, and neurologic events were significantly associated with mortality. Electrocardiographic ischemia, shock, and supra-renal rupture appeared to be independent predictors of mortality in the multivariate analysis. The cumulative effect of 0, 1, and > or = 2 risk factors on mortality was 29%, 39%, and 90%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Electrocardiographic ischemia, preoperative shock, and supra-renal rupture were predictors of death in patients with ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm.     

Rupture of the myocardium. Occurrence and risk factors

The occurrence of myocardial rupture was studied in a well defined unselected population of patients with acute myocardial infarction, and the group of patients who died of rupture of the heart were compared with two control groups. Of a total of 3960 patients, 1746 (44%) fulfilled the diagnostic criteria for acute myocardial infarction. Rupture was defined solely on the basis of the presence of a pathological passage through part of the myocardium, either the free wall of the left ventricle or the septum, found at necropsy or during operation. Two controls were selected for each patient and matched for age and sex, one (control group A) with acute myocardial infarction having died in hospital but not of rupture (non-rupture cardiac death) and one (control group B) with acute myocardial infarction having survived the hospital stay. Necropsy was performed in 75% of all fatal cases with acute myocardial infarction. The total hospital mortality was 19%, the highest mortality being among women over 70 years (29%). Ruptures (n = 56) were found in 17% of the hospital deaths, or 3.2% of all cases of acute myocardial infarction. Women aged less than 70 had the highest incidence of rupture, 42% of deaths being due to rupture. The mean age for patients with rupture and controls was 70.5 years. The median time after admission to death was approximately 50 hours for patients and control group A. Thirty per cent of the patients with rupture occurred within 24 hours of the initial symptoms occurring. Angina and previous acute myocardial infarction were more common among control group A. Patients with rupture and control group B were mostly relatively free of previous cardiovascular or other diseases (chronic angina pectoris ( > 2 months) and previous myocardial infarction). Sustained hypertension during admission to the coronary care unit was more common in patients than in control group A. Hypotension and shock were more common among control group A. Most (79%) of the patients who subsequently ruptured did not receive any corticosteroids at all during the hospital stay. Severe heart failure and antiarrhythmic treatment were more uncommon among patients than among control group A. Patients with rupture received analgesics approximately three times a day throughout their stay. Control group B received analgesics mostly during the first 24 hours. Thus female patients, patients with first infarcts, and patients with sustained chest pain should be investigated for the possibility of rupture. As many as one third (32%) of ruptures may be subacute, and therefore time is available for diagnosis and surgery.     

Rupture of the myocardium. Occurrence and risk factors.

The occurrence of myocardial rupture was studied in a well defined unselected population of patients with acute myocardial infarction, and the group of patients who died of rupture of the heart were compared with two control groups. Of a total of 3960 patients, 1746 (44%) fulfilled the diagnostic criteria for acute myocardial infarction. Rupture was defined solely on the basis of the presence of a pathological passage through part of the myocardium, either the free wall of the left ventricle or the septum, found at necropsy or during operation. Two controls were selected for each patient and matched for age and sex, one (control group A) with acute myocardial infarction having died in hospital but not of rupture (non-rupture cardiac death) and one (control group B) with acute myocardial infarction having survived the hospital stay. Necropsy was performed in 75% of all fatal cases with acute myocardial infarction. The total hospital mortality was 19%, the highest mortality being among women over 70 years (29%). Ruptures (n = 56) were found in 17% of the hospital deaths, or 3.2% of all cases of acute myocardial infarction. Women aged less than 70 had the highest incidence of rupture, 42% of deaths being due to rupture. The mean age for patients with rupture and controls was 70.5 years. The median time after admission to death was approximately 50 hours for patients and control group A. Thirty per cent of the patients with rupture occurred within 24 hours of the initial symptoms occurring. Angina and previous acute myocardial infarction were more common among control group A. Patients with rupture and control group B were mostly relatively free of previous cardiovascular or other diseases (chronic angina pectoris ( > 2 months) and previous myocardial infarction). Sustained hypertension during admission to the coronary care unit was more common in patients than in control group A. Hypotension and shock were more common among control group A. Most (79%) of the patients who subsequently ruptured did not receive any corticosteroids at all during the hospital stay. Severe heart failure and antiarrhythmic treatment were more uncommon among patients than among control group A. Patients with rupture received analgesics approximately three times a day throughout their stay. Control group B received analgesics mostly during the first 24 hours. Thus female patients, patients with first infarcts, and patients with sustained chest pain should be investigated for the possibility of rupture. As many as one third (32%) of ruptures may be subacute, and therefore time is available for diagnosis and surgery.     

Neighbourhood deprivation and excess coronary heart disease mortality and hospital admissions in Plymouth, UK: an ecological study

BACKGROUND: Among primary coronary heart disease (CHD) risk factors, certain socioeconomic characteristics of individuals and living environments appear to play a central role.The objective of this study was to assess the burden of neighbourhood deprivation-associated excess in mortality and hospital admission from CHD in Plymouth. METHODS: A small area ecological study using indices of neighbourhood deprivation and coronary heart disease mortality and hospital admission data aggregated for 1991-2003 for CHD mortality and for 1997-2004 for CHD hospital admission. Locally defined community areas (n = 43) were classified according to the Townsend index, measuring material deprivation. RESULTS: CHD mortality and hospital admission increased with Townsend deprivation score in all ages and gender groups.The age-adjusted deprivation-associated excess CHD hospital admission was 15.4% in men and 27.9% in women higher for most compared to the least deprived group.The age-adjusted deprivation-associated excess CHD mortality was 31.5% and 18.9% for men and women, respectively. Excess mortality in the 13-year period studied accounted for more than 1380 and 670 deaths for men and women. Excess hospital admissions in the 7-year period studied accounted for more than 966 and 769 hospital admissions for men and women. A larger proportion of excess CHD deaths were found among men while excess CHD hospital admissions were found among women. The most deprived areas showed the highest mortality and hospital admission risk. CONCLUSION: Despite the existence of a system of universal health care, inequalities in CHD mortality and hospital admission persist and need to be taken into account when implementing intervention programmes.     

Surgical treatment of postinfarction rupture of the interventricular septum

Between 1975 and 1990, 28 patients at our institution underwent surgical repair for rupture of the interventricular septum after acute myocardial infarction. Of the infarctions, 16 (57%) were in the inferior wall, and 12 (43%) were in the anterior wall. The most consistent clinical indication of septal rupture after acute infarction was a systolic murmur heard over the left sternal border. This finding was followed by hemodynamic deterioration in all patients. At the time of admission, 18 (64%) of the patients were in cardiogenic shock or multiple organ failure. Twenty-one patients (75%) underwent left heart catheterization; multivessel coronary artery disease was present in 4 (19%) of these patients. In 26 (93%) of the patients, the septum ruptured within the 1st 10 days after the infarction. Emergency surgery for septal rupture was performed using standard techniques in 25 (89%) of the patients. The transatrial transtricuspid approach for septal repair, although used in only 3 (11%) of our patients, provided a good surgical alternative to standard techniques and warrants further research. Excluding 1 late death, the overall operative mortality was 57% (16 patients); the hospital survival rate was 43% (12 patients). Cardiogenic shock was the most common predictor of a poor prognosis. Therefore, in order to avoid this complication, we recommend immediate surgical repair of postinfarction interventricular septal rupture.     

Bacteriuria in non-catheterized elderly patients in the first eight days of hospital stay

One hundred and sixty-one non-catheterized consecutive acute geriatric admissions were screened for bacteriuria on the day following admission, both in the morning and in the afternoon and seven days later--morning and afternoon. The prevalence of bacteriuria was 29% on admission. A correlation between bacteriuria and leucocyturia was shown. The patients were admitted with a variety of medical illnesses but in no case was a diagnosis of urinary-tract infection made prior to admission. There was a significant relationship between incontinence and bacteriuria on admission; 12% of abacteriuric patients became bacteriuric between day 1 and day 7 following admission. Escherichia coli accounted for 51% of the isolates on admission to hospital. Bacteriuria was associated with increased mortality within 1 year following admission to hospital.     

Long-term mortality outcome associated with prolonged admission to the ICU

STUDY OBJECTIVES: Patients requiring prolonged admission to the ICU consume significant health-care resources and have a high rate of in-hospital death. The long-term mortality outcome of these patients has not been well defined in a nonselected cohort. The objective of this study was to describe the occurrence and factors predictive of prolonged ICU stay at admission, and to define the long-term (>/= 1 year) mortality outcome. DESIGN: Population-based cohort. SETTING: All adult multisystem and cardiovascular surgical ICUs in the Calgary Health Region (CHR) from July 1, 1999, to March 31, 2002. PATIENTS: Adult (>/= 18 years old) residents of the CHR admitted to regional ICUs. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: During the study, 4,845 patients had a median length of stay of 2 days (interquartile range, 1 to 4 days); 2,115 patients (44%) were admitted for < 2 days, 1,496 patients (31%) were admitted for 2 to 3 days; 1,018 patients (21%) were admitted from 4 to 13 days; and 216 patients (4%) had a prolonged (>/= 14 day) admission to the ICU. A higher severity of illness, the presence of shock, and bloodstream infection were independently associated with a prolonged ICU admission, and cardiovascular surgery was associated with a lower risk. Patients with prolonged ICU admissions were nearly twice as likely to die as patients with shorter ICU admissions: 53 of 216 patients (25%) vs 584 of 4,629 patients (13%) [p = 0.0001]. Among the 3,924 survivors to hospital discharge, the rates of mortality during the year following ICU admission were as follows: 59 deaths in 1,758 patients (3%) admitted < 2 days, 74 deaths in 1,267 patients (6%) with 2- to 3-day admissions, 78 deaths in 766 patients (10%) with 4- to 13-day admissions, and 10 deaths in 133 patients (8%) with admissions >/= 14 days. CONCLUSIONS: One in 25 critically ill patients will have prolonged ICU admission and higher ICU-related mortality. However, survivors of prolonged ICU admission have good long-term mortality outcome after acute illness.     

Spontaneous uterine rupture with receding of the visible fetal head

A case study of a 32 year old multiparous (para 6) female is presented. Spontaneous labor occurred at 39 weeks gestation. Upon admission her vital signs were normal, and contractions were 3 minutes apart. The fetal heartbeat was normal and the estimated weight was 3.1 kg. The patient's cervix was 80% effaced. After 3 hours of labor, the fetal head was visible at the vulva. Instructions were given to push with uterine contractions. However, the head retracted and was no longer visible. Examination indicated slight vaginal bleeding, increasing pulse rate, and decreasing blood pressure. No fetal heart rate could be detected. Surgery was performed, and 2.5 liters of hemoperitoneum was collected. The uterus had ruptured anteriorly from the fundus to the lower segment and laterally toward the left broad ligament. The male fetus was dead; its weight was 3.25 kg. A hysterectomy was performed. The patient received a blood transfusion of 3 units. 10 days later, the patient was in satisfactory condition and was discharged. The cause of spontaneous uterine rupture in this case study was attributed to grandmultiparity.     

Clinical characteristics and outcomes of obstetric patients requiring ICU admission

OBJECTIVES: To review a series of critically ill obstetric patients admitted to our ICU to assess the spectrum of disease, required interventions, and fetal/maternal mortality, and to identify conditions associated with maternal death. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort. SETTING: Medical-surgical ICU in a university-affiliated hospital. PATIENTS: Pregnant/postpartum admissions between January 1, 1998, and September 30, 2005. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: We studied 161 patients (age, 28 +/- 9 years; mean gestational age, 29 +/- 9 weeks) [mean +/- SD], constituting 10% of 1,571 hospital admissions. APACHE (acute physiology and chronic health evaluation) II score was 14 +/- 8, with 24% predicted mortality; sequential organ failure assessment score was 5 +/- 3; and therapeutic intervention scoring system at 24 h was 25 +/- 9. Forty-one percent of patients required mechanical ventilation (MV). ARDS, shock, and organ dysfunction were present in 19%, 25%, and 48% of patients, respectively. Most patients (63%) were admitted postpartum, and 74% of admissions were of obstetric cause. Hypertensive disease (40%), major hemorrhage (16%), septic abortion (12%), and nonobstetric sepsis (10%) were the principal diagnoses. Maternal mortality was 11%, with multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (44%) and intracranial hemorrhage (39%) as main causes. There were no differences in death rate in patients admitted for obstetric and nonobstetric causes. Fetal mortality was 32%. Only 30% of patients received antenatal care, which was more frequent in survivors (33% vs 6% nonsurvivors, p = 0.014). CONCLUSIONS: Although ARDS, organ failures, shock, and use of MV were extremely frequent in this population, maternal mortality remains within an acceptable range. APACHE II overpredicted mortality in these patients. Septic abortion is still an important modifiable cause of mortality. Efforts should concentrate in increasing antenatal care, which was clearly underprovided in these patients.     

Hospital Admissions for Wheezing and Asthma in Childhood—Are They Avoidable?

Hospital admission rates for asthma and wheezing are still high, especially in younger children. We performed a prospective study of children admitted for asthma or wheezing to Stavanger University Hospital during one year. Prehospital emergency treatment, prophylactic asthma treatment, and possible risk factors for hospital admission were registered. A total of 337 admissions for 288 children were included. Recommended inhaled emergency treatment was administered prior to only 33% of the admissions. Inhaled steroids had been prescribed before 43% of admissions for asthma, and symptomatic treatment with a β2-agonist prior to 74% of admissions. Parental smoking was frequent. There seems to be a high potential to prevent admissions for asthma and wheezing by improving prophylactic asthma care and prehospital emergency treatment, as well as avoiding parental smoking. An increased focus should be on education and implementation of guidelines.     

Effect of cotrimoxazole on causes of death, hospital admissions and antibiotic use in HIV-infected children

BACKGROUND: Cotrimoxazole prophylaxis reduces morbidity and mortality in HIV-1-infected children, but mechanisms for these benefits are unclear. METHODS: CHAP was a randomized trial comparing cotrimoxazole prophylaxis with placebo in HIV-infected children in Zambia where background bacterial resistance to cotrimoxazole is high. We compared causes of mortality and hospital admissions, and antibiotic use between randomized groups. RESULTS: Of 534 children (median age, 4.4 years; 32% 1-2 years), 186 died and 166 had one or more hospital admissions not ending in death. Cotrimoxazole prophylaxis was associated with lower mortality, both outside hospital (P = 0.01) and following hospital admission (P = 0.005). The largest excess of hospital deaths in the placebo group was from respiratory infections [22/56 (39%) placebo versus 10/35 (29%) cotrimoxazole]. By 2 years, the cumulative probability of dying in hospital from a serious bacterial infection (predominantly pneumonia) was 7% on cotrimoxazole and 12% on placebo (P = 0.08). There was a trend towards lower admission rates for serious bacterial infections in the cotrimoxazole group (19.1 per 100 child-years at risk versus 28.5 in the placebo group, P = 0.09). Despite less total follow-up due to higher mortality, more antibiotics (particularly penicillin) were prescribed in the placebo group in year one [6083 compared to 4972 days in the cotrimoxazole group (P = 0.05)]. CONCLUSIONS: Cotrimoxazole prophylaxis appears to mainly reduce death and hospital admissions from respiratory infections, supported further by lower rates of antibiotic prescribing. As such infections occur at high CD4 cell counts and are common in Africa, the role of continuing cotrimoxazole prophylaxis after starting antiretroviral therapy requires investigation.     

Risk factors and clinical outcomes of multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii bacteremia at a university hospital in Thailand

Multidrug-resistant (MDR) Acinetobacter baumannii has become a major cause of hospital-acquired infection worldwide. There are few papers regarding this particular subject. Our aim was to assess the incidence of bacteremia due to MDR Acinetobacter baumannii, factors associated with the infection, and clinical outcomes. We studied 49 cases of A. baumannii bacteremia in adult patients admitted to a university hospital in Northeast Thailand between 2005 and 2007. The incidence of MDR A. baumannii bacteremia was 3.6 episodes per 10,000 hospital admissions. Significantly independent factors associated with MDR A. baumannii bacteremia were previous: 1) ICU admission [odds ratio (OR) 10.01; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.39-72.20]; 2) use of beta-lactam/beta-lactamase inhibitor antibiotics (OR 8.06; 95%CI 1.39-46.64); and 3) use of a carbapenem antibiotics (OR 11.40; 95%CI 1.44-89.98). The overall mortality rate was significantly higher in the MDR group than in the susceptible group (91.7% vs 48%, respectively) (p=0.001). The significantly independent factors related to mortality were: 1) APACHE II score (OR 1.25; 95%CI 1.03-1.52) and 2) secondary bacteremia (OR 14.86; 95%CI 1.37-161.90). This study revealed the significantly independent factors associated with MDR A. baumannii bacteremia were prior ICU admission and prior use of broad spectrum antibiotics. This infection has a high mortality rate. Emphasis needs to be on prevention, strict application of infection control and appropriate use of antibiotics.     

Mechanical ventilation in children with severe asthma

Hospital admissions for childhood asthma have increased during the past few decades. The aim of this study was to describe the need for mechanical ventilation for severe asthma exacerbation in children in Finland from 1976 to 1995. We reviewed medical records and collected data retrospectively from all 5 university hospitals in Finland, thus covering the entire population of about 5 million. The endpoints selected were the number of admissions and readmissions leading to mechanical ventilation, duration of stay in the hospital, and mortality. Moreover, asthma medications prescribed prior to admission and administered in the intensive care unit (ICU), as well as the etiology of the exacerbation associated with mechanical ventilation were examined. Mechanical ventilation was required in 66 ICU admissions (59 patients). This constituted approximately 10% of all 632 admissions for acute asthma to an ICU. The number of admissions decreased from 1976 to 1995: 41 admissions between 1976 and 1985 vs. 25 admissions during the next 10-year period. The mean age at admission to the ICU was 3.6 years, and 46% of the patients were boys. Prior to the index admission, 70% of the patients had used asthma medication such as oral bronchodilator (50%), inhaled bronchodilator (20%), theophylline (38%), inhaled glucocorticoid (18%), oral glucocorticoid (5%), and cromoglycate (7%). Respiratory infection was by far the most common cause of all the exacerbations (61%), followed by food allergy (8%) and gastroesophageal reflux (3%). In 28% of cases the cause of the severe asthma exacerbation could not be identified. In the mechanically ventilated patients readmissions occurred 38 times between 1976 and 1985 vs. 5 times between 1986 and 1995. Five of the patients who received mechanical ventilation died, and in 3 of these patients asthma was the event causing death. In conclusion, there has been decrease in the number of first and repeat ICU admission for asthma requiring mechanical ventilation between 1970 and 1995. This trend occurred despite a simultaneous 5% yearly increase in hospital admissions for childhood asthma during these 2 decades.     

Impact on 30-d readmissions for cirrhotic patients with ascites after an educational intervention: A pilot study

BACKGROUND A low proportion of patients admitted to hospital with cirrhosis receive quality care with timely paracentesis an important target for improvement. We hypothesized that a medical educational intervention, delivered to medical residents caring for patients with cirrhosis, would improve quality of care.AIM To determine if an educational intervention can improve quality of care in cirrhotic patients admitted to hospital with ascites.METHODS We performed a pilot prospective cohort study with time-based randomization over six months at a large teaching hospital. Residents rotating on hospital medicine teams received an educational intervention while residents rotating on hospital medicine teams on alternate months comprised the control group. The primary outcome was provision of quality care-defined as adherence to all quality-based indicators derived from evidence-based practice guidelines-in admissions for patients with cirrhosis and ascites. Patient clinical outcomesincluding length of hospital stay(LOS); 30-d readmission; in-hospital mortality and overall mortality-and resident educational outcomes were also evaluated.RESULTS Eighty-five admissions(60 unique patients) met inclusion criteria over the study period-46 admissions in the intervention group and 39 admissions in the control group. Thirty-seven admissions were female patients, and 44 admissions were for alcoholic liver disease. Mean model for end-stage liver disease(MELD)-Na score at admission was 25.8. Forty-seven(55.3%) admissions received quality care.There was no difference in the provision of quality care(56.41% vs 54.35%, P =0.9) between the two groups. 30-d readmission was lower in the intervention group(35% vs 52.78%, P = 0.1) and after correction for age, gender and MELD-Na score [RR = 0.62(0.39, 1.00), P = 0.05]. No significant differences were seen for LOS, complications, in-hospital mortality or overall mortality between the two groups. Resident medical knowledge and self-efficacy with paracentesis improved after the educational intervention.CONCLUSION Medical education has the potential to improve clinical outcomes in patients admitted to hospital with cirrhosis and ascites.     

Ruptured infrarenal aortic aneurysm--a critical evaluation

BACKGROUND: Objective evaluation of the management of patients with ruptured infrarenal aortic aneurysm in emergency situations has been described rarely. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fifty-two consecutive patients with ruptured infrarenal aortic aneurysm (mean age, 70.3 years; range, 56-89 years; SD 7.8) were admitted between January 1993 and March 1998. Emergency protocols, final reports, and follow-up data were analyzed retrospectively. APACHE II scores at admission and fifth postoperative day were assessed. RESULTS: The time between the appearance of first symptoms and the referral of patients to the hospital was more than 5 hours in 37 patients (71%). Thirty-eight patients (71%) had signs of shock at time of admission. Ultrasound was performed in 81% of patients as the first diagnostic procedure. The most frequent site of aortic rupture was the left retroperitoneum (87%). Intraoperatively, acute left ventricular failure occurred in four patients, and cardiac arrest in two others. The postoperative course was complicated significantly in 34 patients. The overall mortality rate was 36.5% (n = 19). In 35 patients, APACHE II score was assessed, showing a probability of death of more than 40% in five patients and lower than 30% in 17 others. No patient showing probability of death of above 75% at the fifth postoperative day survived (n = 7). CONCLUSIONS: Ruptured aortic aneurysm demands surgical intervention. Clinical outcome is also influenced by preclinical and anesthetic management. The severity of disease as well as the patient's prognosis can be approximated using APACHE II score. Treatment results of heterogeneous patient groups can be compared.     

Coronary care unit utilization in Hamilton, Ontario, a city of 375,000 people

All cardiac admissions to coronary care unit (CCU) beds and all intensive care unit (ICU) overflow admissions in Hamilton, Ontario, a city of 375,000 people, were documented over a one-year period, 1979-80. There were 4180 such admissions, 89% of them to CCUs. In the CCUs, 22% of patients had acute myocardial infarction, 24% unstable angina and 21% other chest pain. For myocardial infarction, hospitalization rate was 224 per 100,000, hospital mortality 42 per 100,000 and 48% of all myocardial infarction deaths in the community occurred in hospital. Of all myocardial infarction patients admitted to the CCU, 69% were correctly diagnosed on admission (sensitivity) and of all the admission diagnoses of myocardial infarction, 72% were eventually found to be correct (positive predictive value). Mean values for CCU patients overall were age 62.5 years, CCU stay 2.88 days and hospital stay 9.7 days; and for acute myocardial infarction patients in CCUs, age 63.4 years, CCU stay 3.98 days and hospital stay 13.28 days. For myocardial infarction, CCU mortality was 10.9%, hospital mortality 15.2% and, with the inclusion of ICU overflow patients, hospital mortality was 17.6%. Age-specific mortality for myocardial infarction was 9.7% age 45 to 64 years, and 32.8% over 70 years.     

Treatment of spontaneous ruptured hepatocellular carcinoma.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Spontaneous rupture with bleeding is a potentially life-threatening complication of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We review our experience with treatments of ruptured HCC. METHODOLOGY: Between January 1988 and December 1997, 18 patients with ruptured HCC were admitted. The patients were divided into 4 groups according to the treatment type of ruptured HCC. Group 1 consisted of 10 patients treated by transarterial embolization (TAE) followed by elective hepatectomy. Group 2 consisted of 2 patients treated by only TAE. Group 3 consisted of 3 patients treated by emergency operation. Group 4 consisted of 3 patients who could not be treated by TAE or surgery. RESULTS: In Group 1, 4 of the 10 patients died; 3 from recurrent HCC and 1 from cerebral hemorrhage, and hospital mortality was absent. The 1-year survival rate was 87.5%. In Group 2, both patients recovered sufficiently well to be discharged. The 1-year survival rate was 50%. In Groups 3 and 4, hospital mortality rate was 100%. CONCLUSIONS: TAE followed by elective hepatectomy was an effective treatment in patients with ruptured HCC.     

Admission time and outcomes of patients in a medical intensive care unit

Studies have shown that weekend or night admissions to intensive care units (ICUs) are associated with increased mortality in critically ill patients. Our study aimed to evaluate the effects of admission time and day on patient outcomes in a medical ICU equipped with patient management guide-lines, and staffed by intensivists on call for 24 hours, who led the morning rounds on all days of the week but did not stay in-house overnight. The study enrolled 611 consecutive patients admitted to a 26-bed medical ICU in a university hospital during a 7-month period. We divided them into two groups, which we labeled as "office hours" (08:00-18:00 on weekdays) and "non-office hours" (18:00-08:00 on weekdays, and all times on weekends) according to their ICU admission times. The clinical outcomes were compared between the groups. The effects of admission on weekends, at night, and various days of the week on hospital mortality were also evaluated. Our results showed that there were no significant differences in ICU and hospital mortalities between patients admitted during office hours and those admitted during non-office hours (27.2% vs. 27.4%, p = 1.000; 38.9% vs. 37.6%, p = 0.798). The ICU length of stay, ICU-free time within 21 days, and length of stay in the hospital were also comparable in both groups. Among the 392 patients requiring mechanical ventilation, the ventilator outcomes were not significantly different between those in the office-hour group and the non-office-hour group. Multivariate logistic regression analyses showed that the adjusted odds of hospital mortality were not significantly higher for patients admitted to our ICU on weekends, at night, or on any days of the week. In conclusion, our results showed that non-office-hour admissions to our medical ICU were not associated with poorer ICU, hospital, and ventilator outcomes, compared with office-hour admissions. Neither were time of day and day of the week admissions to our ICU associated with significant differences in hospital mortality.