Early and late gastrointestinal complications after myeloablative and nonmyeloablative allogeneic stem cell transplantation

Upper and lower gastrointestinal symptoms are major and serious complications after stem cell transplantation. Their main causes are gastrointestinal graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), infections, toxicity, or preexisting gastrointestinal diseases. The clinical presentation of each disease is nonspecific. The diagnostic procedure for this study included physical exam, stool cultures, endoscopy with biopsies, and abdominal computed tomography (CT). The study was designed prospectively with consecutive patients and performed at our institution in a clinical stem cell transplantation setting. Between January 1996 and September 2001, we analyzed 42 consecutive patients who had been admitted at our institution for gastrointestinal complaints after allogeneic stem cell transplantation for hematologic diseases. Diagnostic procedures revealed in decreasing order: GVHD (62%), gastritis/esophagitis (19%), cytomegalovirus (CMV) enteritis (11%), bacterial enteritis (6%), and toxic mucosal damage (2%). CT showed unspecific findings. Gastrointestinal GVHD and infectious colitis accounted for the majority of gastrointestinal complications after allogeneic stem cell transplantation in our patient population. The diagnosis was mainly based on endoscopically obtained biopsies.Abbreviations SCT Stem cell transplantation - CT Computed tomography - GVHD Graft-versus-host disease - CMV Cytomegalovirus - GI Gastrointestinal - WHO World Health Organization - BM Bone marrow - PBSC Peripheral blood stem cells - G-CSF Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor - RBC Red blood cells - DNA Deoxyribonucleic acid - PBS Phosphate-buffered saline - HU Hounsfield unit - PCR Polymerase chain reaction     

二甲双胍与糖尿病心血管并发症

糖尿病心血管疾病是2型糖尿病(T2DM)的首要致死原因.近年的一些实验及临床观察表明,二甲双胍可降低T2DM合并心血管并发症患者的病死率,相关机制可能包括改善内皮和血小板功能,调节炎性反应和前血栓状态,改善脂质及细胞能量代谢,抑制晚期糖基化终末产物的产生等,因此二甲双胍对T2DM心血管并发症有独特的保护作用.     

Sedation-related complications in gastrointestinal endoscopy

Sedation practices for gastrointestinal endoscopic(GIE) procedures vary widely in different countries depending on health system regulations and local circumstances. The goal of procedural sedation is the safe and effective control of pain and anxiety, as well as to provide an appropriate degree of memory loss or decreased awareness. Sedation-related complications in gastrointestinal endoscopy, once occurred, can lead to significant morbidity and occasional mortality in patients. The risk factors of these complications include the type, dose and mode of administration of sedative agents, as well as the patient’s age and underlying medical diseases. Complications attributed to moderate and deep sedation levels are more often associated with cardiovascular and respiratory systems. However, sedation-related complications during GIE procedures are commonly transient and of a mild degree. The risk for these complications while providing any level of sedation is greatest when caring for patients already medically compromised. Significant unwanted complications can generally be prevented by careful pre-procedure assessment and preparation, appropriate monitoring and support, as well as post-procedure management. Additionally, physicians must be prepared to manage these complications. This article will review sedation-related complications duringmoderate and deep sedation for GIE procedures and also address their appropriate management.     

Early and late pulmonary complications of botulism

Pulmonary complications of botulism were studied in an outbreak of 34 cases of type A botulism in New Mexico in 1978. Hospital record review, standardized questionnaires, and pulmonary function tests were used to define pulmonary complications during the acute illness and the patient's status one year later. Pulmonary involvement was documented in 81% of patients. Ventilatory failure occurred in 11, aspiration pneumonia in nine, and death in two patients. Difficulties in the diagnosis of ventilatory insufficiency were identified. At one year, most patients had residual symptoms, including easy fatigability in 68% and exertional dyspnea in 46%. However, only minor pulmonary function abnormalities were present. This study confirms the generally favorable prognosis of botulism and provides clinical guidance for the diagnosis and management of pulmonary complications in botulism.     

The gastrointestinal complications of oncologic therapy

A spectrum of oncologic treatments including chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and molecular targeted therapies is available to combat cancer. These treatments are associated with adverse effects in several organ systems including the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. The immunocompromised state induced by oncologic therapy is also an important contributing factor underlying GI complications. This review discusses common GI complications that can result from cancer therapy. The pathologic mechanisms underlying each complication and the pharmacology of the agents used to treat these complications are discussed.     

糖尿病胃肠道并发症

糖尿病并发胃肠道疾病是糖尿病的常见并发症,与糖尿病自主神经痛变、内分泌功能失调、胃肠微血管病变、幽门螺杆菌易感及糖尿病代谢紊乱等因素相关．临床上表现为食道、胃、肠道病变．须行相关辅助检查排除消化道原发疾病以明确诊断．应在尽早防治糖尿病的基础上积极对症治疗．本文就此作一综述．     

Endoscopic repair of post-surgical gastrointestinal complications

Complications following gastrointestinal surgery may require re-intervention, can lead to prolonged hospitalization, and significantly increase health costs. Some complications, such as anastomotic leakage, fistula, and stricture require a multidisciplinary approach. Therapeutic endoscopy may play a pivotal role in these conditions, allowing minimally invasive treatment. Different endoscopic approaches, including fibrin glue injection, endoclips, self-expanding stents, and endoscopic vacuum-assisted devices have been introduced for both anastomotic leakage and fistula treatment. Similarly endoscopic treatments, such as endoscopic dilation, incisional therapy, and self-expanding stents have been used for anastomotic strictures. All these techniques can be safely performed by skilled endoscopists, and may achieve a high technical success rate in both the upper and lower gastrointestinal tract. Here we will review the endoscopic management of post-surgical complications; these techniques should be considered as first-line approach in selected patients, allowing to avoid re-operation, reduce hospital stay, and decrease costs.     

Infectious complications in gastrointestinal endoscopy and their prevention

Gastrointestinal endoscopes are medical devices that have been associated with outbreaks of health care-associated infections. Because of the severity and limited treatment options of infections caused by multidrug-resistant Enterobacteriaceae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, considerable attention has been paid to detection and prevention of these post-endoscopic outbreaks. Endoscope reprocessing involves cleaning, high-level disinfection/sterilization followed by rinsing and drying before storage. Failure of the decontamination process implies the risk of settlement of biofilm producing species in endoscope channels. This review covers the infectious complications in gastrointestinal endoscopy and their prevention and highlights the problem of infection risk associated with different steps of endoscope reprocessing.     

Acute complications of diabetes and the gastrointestinal tract

Acute metabolic decompensation of diabetes, hypoglycemia and gastrointestinal tract disease are often connected. Hyperglycemic crisis can be induced by an infectious disease of the gastrointestinal tract, ulcerative disease, gall bladder disease, pancreas disease, and gastrointestinal tract tumours. It can result from diabetic visceral neuropathy manifested especially by impaired patency of the gastrointestinal tract. Metabolic decompensation of diabetes is often accompanied by gastrointestinal symptoms and abnormal laboratory findings. Some of them (especially abdominal pain and increased levels of amylases in serum) can evoke diagnostic and therapeutic hesitation. Insufficient nutrition as a result of gastrointestinal tract disease or adverse reaction to drugs used for its treatment can induce both metabolic decompensation and hypoglycemia.     

Prevention of late complications with coverage agents in endoscopic resection of colorectal lesions: Current landscape in gastrointestinal endoscopy

Endoscopic removal of large (≥ 20 mm) non-pedunculated colorectal lesions (LNPCLs) may result in major adverse events, such as delayed bleeding (DB) and delayed perforation (DP), despite closure of the mucosal defects with clips. Topical application of a coverage agent refers to the creation of a shield with a biocompatible medical device (tissue or hydrogel) with proven bioactive properties. Coverage of the eschar after endoscopic resection provides shielding protection to prevent delayed complications. The aim of the present review was to systematically collect and review the currently available literature regarding the prevention of DB and DP with coverage agents after endoscopic mucosal resection or endoscopic submucosal dissection of LNPCLs.     

Organic acidurias in adults: late complications and management

Organic acidurias (synonym, organic acid disorders, OADs) are a heterogenous group of inherited metabolic diseases delineated with the implementation of gas chromatography/mass spectrometry in metabolic laboratories starting in the 1960s and 1970s. Biochemically, OADs are characterized by accumulation of mono-, di- and/or tricarboxylic acids (“organic acids”) and corresponding coenzyme A, carnitine and/or glycine esters, some of which are considered toxic at high concentrations. Clinically, disease onset is variable, however, affected individuals may already present during the newborn period with life-threatening acute metabolic crises and acute multi-organ failure. Tandem mass spectrometry-based newborn screening programmes, in particular for isovaleric aciduria and glutaric aciduria type 1, have significantly reduced diagnostic delay. Dietary treatment with low protein intake or reduced intake of the precursor amino acid(s), carnitine supplementation, cofactor treatment (in responsive patients) and nonadsorbable antibiotics is commonly used for maintenance treatment. Emergency treatment options with high carbohydrate/glucose intake, pharmacological and extracorporeal detoxification of accumulating toxic metabolites for intensified therapy during threatening episodes exist. Diagnostic and therapeutic measures have improved survival and overall outcome in individuals with OADs. However, it has become increasingly evident that the manifestation of late disease complications cannot be reliably predicted and prevented. Conventional metabolic treatment often fails to prevent irreversible organ dysfunction with increasing age, even if patients are considered to be “metabolically stable”. This has challenged our understanding of OADs and has elicited the discussion on optimized therapy, including (early) organ transplantation, and long-term care.     

Predictors of gastrointestinal complications in cardiac surgery

Gastrointestinal problems are infrequent but serious complications of cardiac surgery, with high rates of morbidity and mortality. Predictors of these complications are not well developed, and the role of fundamental variables remains controversial. In a retrospective review of our cardiac surgery experience from July 1991 through December 1997 we found that postoperative gastrointestinal complications were diagnosed in 86 of 4,463 consecutive patients (1.9%). We categorized these 86 patients into 2 groups--Surgical and Medical--according to the method of treatment used for their complications. In the Medical group, 9 of 52 patients (17%) died; in the Surgical group, 17 of 34 (50%) died. By logistic multivariate analysis, we identified 8 parameters that predicted gastrointestinal complications: age greater than 70 years, duration of cardiopulmonary bypass, need for blood transfusions, reoperation, triple-vessel disease, New York Heart Association functional class IV, peripheral vascular disease, and congestive heart failure. Postoperative re-exploration for bleeding was a predictor specific to the Surgical group. Use of an intraaortic balloon pump was markedly higher in the Gastrointestinal group than in the Control group (30% vs 10%, respectively), as was the use of inotropic support in the immediate postoperative period (27% vs 5.6%). Our results suggest that intra-abdominal ischemic injury is a likely contributing factor in most gastrointestinal complications. In turn, the ischemia is probably caused by hypoperfusion due to low cardiac output, hypotension due to blood loss, and intra-abdominal atheroemboli. The derived models are useful for identifying patients whose risk of gastrointestinal complications after cardiac surgery may be reduced by clinical measures designed to counter these mechanisms.     

Upper gastrointestinal complications induced by anti-platelet agents

Low-dose aspirin and thienopyridine are associated with gastrointestinal (GI) complications such as petechiae, erosion, ulcer, bleeding, and perforation. The incidence of GI bleeding in aspirin study groups was 0.82 % in the hypertension optimal treatment (HOT) study and 0.76 % in the primary prevention project (PPP) study. On the other hand, the incidence of GI bleeding by endoscopic evaluation was higher than in an observational study. In a study of 187 patients receiving low-dose aspirin for prevention of cardiovascular disease, the prevalence of endoscopically detected GI ulcers was 11 % (95 % CI 6.3–15.1 %). Several risk factors for GI bleeding (history of peptic ulcer or GI bleeding, high aspirin dose, concomitant use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and anti-platelet agents, advanced age and Helicobacter pylori infection) were reported for patients receiving aspirin. Prevention strategies for GI complications induced by anti-platelet agents are treatment with proton pump inhibitors, histamine-2 receptor antagonists, prostaglandin analogs, prostaglandin inducers and H. pylori eradication therapy. Further investigation is necessary to identify the strategies which are suitable for Japan.     

心脏外科胃肠并发症研究进展

胃肠并发症是心脏外科严重的并发症.由于其早期缺乏特异的临床症状,常常很难得到及时诊断,一旦发生常有很高的死亡率,显著增加医疗费用.术前和术中与体外循环心脏术后胃肠并发症发生相关的预测因素非常重要,这些因素可以使胃肠并发症得到早期识别,并通过有效而及早的干预降低胃肠并发症的死亡率.     

Determinants of gastrointestinal complications in cardiac surgery

We designed this study to define determinants of gastrointestinal complications after cardiac surgery. From January 1992 through December 2000, 11,058 patients underwent cardiac surgery on cardiopulmonary bypass at our institution. Data were prospectively collected and univariate and multivariate analyses conducted. A total of 147 gastrointestinal complications occurred in 129 patients (129/11,058; 1.2%) including gastroesophagitis (18, 12.2%), upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage (42, 28.6%), perforated peptic ulcer (7, 4.7%), cholecystitis (10, 6.8%), pancreatitis (13, 8.8%), intestinal ischemia (17, 11.5%), colitis (18, 12.2%), diverticulitis (5, 3.4%), intestinal occlusion (2, 1.1%), lower gastrointestinal hemorrhage (1, 0.7%), and mixed gastrointestinal complications (14, 9.5%). Patients with gastrointestinal complications were significantly older and had significantly higher comorbidity (unstable angina, chronic renal failure, and peripheral vascular disease), morbidity (prolonged mechanical ventilation, intraaortic balloon pumping, bleeding, acute renal failure, stroke, and infection), and mortality rates (22.5% vs 4%, P < 0.0001). They also had longer cardiopulmonary bypass times and higher valvular surgery rates. Multivariate analysis identified 6 independent predictors for gastrointestinal complications: prolonged mechanical ventilation (odds ratio [OR], 5.5), postoperative renal failure (OR, 4.2), sepsis (OR, 3.6), valve surgery (OR, 3.2), preoperative chronic renal failure (OR, 2.7), and sternal infection (OR, 2.4). Factors such as mechanical ventilation, renal failure, and sepsis are the stronger predictors for GI complications, causing splanchnic hypoperfusion, hypomotility, and hypoxia. Furthermore, excessive anticoagulation after valve replacement may lead to GI hemorrhage. Valve surgery, often requiring anticoagulation, increases bleeding. Monitoring mechanical ventilation and hemodynamic parameters, adopting early extubation and mobilization measures, preventing infections, and strictly monitoring renal function and anticoagulation may prevent catastrophic abdominal complications.