A meta-analysis of the utility of pre-operative brain natriuretic peptide in predicting early and intermediate-term mortality and major adverse cardiac events in vascular surgical patients

We conducted a meta-analysis of the utility of pre-operative B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and N-terminal-pro B-type natriuretic peptide in predicting early (< 30 days) and intermediate (< 180 days) term mortality and major adverse cardiac events (cardiac death and nonfatal myocardial infarction) in patients following vascular surgery. A Pubmed Central and EMBASE search was conducted up to January 2008. Of 81 studies identified, seven prospective observational studies were included in the meta-analysis representing five patient cohorts: early outcomes (504 patients) and intermediate-term outcomes (623 patients). A B-type natriuretic peptide or N-terminal-pro B-type natriuretic peptide above the optimal discriminatory threshold determined by receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was associated with 30-day cardiac death (OR 7.6, 95% CI 1.33-43.4, p = 0.02), nonfatal myocardial infarction (OR 6.24, 95% CI 1.82-21.4, p = 0.004) and major adverse cardiac events (OR 17.37, 95% CI 3.31-91.15, p = 0.0007), and intermediate-term, all-cause mortality (OR 3.1, 95% CI 1.85-5.2, p < 0.0001), nonfatal myocardial infarction (OR 2.95, 95% CI 1.17-7.46, p = 0.02) and major adverse cardiac events (OR 3.31, 95% CI 2.1-5.24, p < 0.00001). B-type natriuretic peptide and N-terminal-pro B-type natriuretic peptide are potentially useful pre-operative prognostic tests in vascular surgical patients.     

Dexmedetomidine and cardiac protection for non-cardiac surgery: a meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials

We conducted a systematic review of the effects of dexmedetomidine on cardiac outcomes following non-cardiac surgery. We included prospective, randomised peri-operative studies of dexmedetomidine that reported mortality, cardiac morbidity or adverse drug events. A PubMed Central and EMBASE search was conducted up to July 2007. The reference lists of identified papers were examined for further trials. Of 425 studies identified, 20 were included in the meta-analysis (840 patients). Dexmedetomidine was associated with a trend towards improved cardiac outcomes; all-cause mortality (OR 0.27, 95% CI 0.01–7.13, p = 0.44), non-fatal myocardial infarction (OR 0.26, 95% CI 0.04–1.60, p = 0.14), and myocardial ischaemia (OR 0.65, 95% CI 0.26–1.63, p = 0.36). Peri-operative hypotension (26%, OR 3.80, 95% CI 1.91–7.54, p = 0.0001) and bradycardia (17%, OR 5.45, 95% CI 2.98–9.95, p < 0.00001) were significantly increased. An anticholinergic did not reduce the incidence of bradycardia (p  =  0.43). A randomised placebo-controlled trial of dexmedetomidine is warranted.     

Microalbuminuria post-renal transplantation: relation to cardiovascular risk factors and C-reactive protein

Abstract:  Microalbuminuria predicts graft loss and all-cause mortality in renal transplant recipients. In the general population, it clusters with both traditional cardiovascular risk factors and elevated C-reactive protein (CRP). Our objective was to define the relationship between microalbuminuria and these risk factors in stable renal transplant recipients. We identified 222 stable recipients who were minimum two months post-transplant and provided three urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR) measurements, excluding those with recent illness and proteinuria. Microalbuminuria was defined as averaged ACR ≥ 2.0 in men and 2.8 mg/mmol in women (Canadian Diabetes Association 2003). Risk factors associated with microalbuminuria were determined by multivariate logistic regression analysis. Averaged ACR correlated to CRP (R = 0.21, p = 0.001). Prevalence of microalbuminuria was 48% (108/222). Patients with microalbuminuria had higher CRP (7.01 ± 8 vs. 3.21 ± 3 mg/L, p < 0.0001) and systolic BP (129 ± 17 vs. 123 ± 12 mmHg, p = 0.004). Microalbuminuria was associated with increasing CRP [odds ratio 1.129 per 1 mg/L (95% CI 1.058–1.204), p = 0.0002], SBP [1.248 per 10 mmHg (1.023–1.522), p = 0.029] and smoking [1.938 (1.023–3.672), p = 0.042]. Post-transplant microalbuminuria is prevalent and is associated with elevated CRP, elevated BP, and smoking. Its relationship to these factors suggests it may be an indicator of graft and patient health.     

Acquired hypernatraemia is an independent predictor of mortality in critically ill patients

This study reports the incidence and associated mortality of acquired hypernatraemia (Na > 150 mmol.l⁻¹) in a general medical/surgical intensive care unit. Patients admitted over a 5-year period with normal sodium values were eligible for inclusion; exclusions were made for burn/neurosurgical diagnoses and for hypertonic saline therapy. From 3475 admissions (3317 patients), 266 (7.7%) episodes of hypernatraemia were observed. Hospital mortality was 33.5% in the hypernatraemic group and 7.7% in the normonatraemic group (p < 0.001). Acquired hypernatraemia was an independent risk factor for in-hospital mortality (OR 1.97, 95% CI 1.37–2.82, p < 0.001). Intermediate sodium levels (145–150 mmol.l⁻¹) were associated with increased mortality (OR 1.42, 95% CI 1.02–1.98). Uncorrected sodium at discharge (p = 0.001) and peak sodium (p = 0.001) were better predictors of mortality than time to onset (p = 0.71) and duration of hypernatraemia (p = 1.0). Hypernatraemia avoidance is justified, but determinants of hypernatraemia and benefits of targeted treatment strategies require further elucidation.     

Renal dysfunction as a risk factor for mortality and cardiovascular disease in renal transplantation: experience from the Assessment of Lescol in Renal Transplantation trial

BACKGROUND: Renal-transplant recipients have shortened life expectancy primarily because of premature cardiovascular disease. Traditional and nontraditional risk factors for cardiovascular disease are prevalent in renal patients. In renal-transplant recipients, immunosuppressive therapy can be nephrotoxic and aggravate cardiovascular disease risk factors. Renal dysfunction has been established as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease and mortality in different populations. We evaluated the effects of baseline renal-transplant function on mortality and cardiovascular and renal endpoints in 1,052 placebo-treated patients of the Assessment of Lescol in Renal Transplantation trial. METHODS: All renal-transplant recipients were on cyclosporine-based immunosuppressive therapy. Follow-up was 5 to 6 years, and endpoints included cardiac death, noncardiovascular death, all-cause mortality, major adverse cardiac event (MACE), stroke, nonfatal myocardial infarction, and graft loss. RESULTS: Baseline serum creatinine was strongly and independently associated with increased cardiac, noncardiovascular, and all-cause mortality, as well as MACE and graft loss. Serum creatinine was not a risk factor for stroke or nonfatal myocardial infarction. CONCLUSIONS: Elevated baseline serum creatinine in renal-transplant recipients is a strong and independent risk factor for all-cause, noncardiovascular and cardiac mortality, MACE, and graft loss.     

Pre-operative forced-air warming as a method of anxiolysis

We tested the hypothesis that pre-operative forced-air warming is as effective for anxiolysis as intravenous midazolam, using a blinded, placebo controlled factorial design. One hundred and twenty patients were randomly assigned to cotton blanket and saline injection ( n  =   30), forced-air warmer and saline injection ( n  =   30), midazolam 30 μg.kg⁻¹ and cotton blanket ( n  =   30), and forced-air warmer and midazolam 30 μg.kg⁻¹ ( n  =   30). Patients completed visual analogue scales for anxiety and thermal comfort, and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, at baseline and after 20 min. The estimated effect of midazolam on visual analogue scores for anxiety was −10 (95% CI −3 to −18; p = 0.007) and on state anxiety was −5 (95% CI −7 to −4; p = 0.03). Warming had no influence on visual analogue scores for anxiety (p = 0.50) or state anxiety (p = 0.33), but its estimated effect on thermal comfort was +23 (95% CI 19–27; p < 0.0001). There was no interaction between midazolam and warming. Pre-operative warming was not equivalent to midazolam for anxiolysis and cannot be recommended solely for this purpose.     

Outcomes in vascular surgical patients with isolated postoperative troponin leak: a meta-analysis

Although peri-operative myocardial infarction remains a significant cause of morbidity and mortality following vascular surgery, the significance of an isolated troponin leak is uncertain. This is an elevation of troponin below the diagnostic threshold for a peri-operative myocardial infarction, without symptoms or ischaemic electrocardiography changes or echocardiography signs such as new regional wall motion abnormalities. This meta-analysis aimed to determine the early (< 30 days) and intermediate (< 180 days) outcomes of vascular surgical patients with an isolated troponin leak. A full literature search up to December 2010 identified 593 studies, of which nine (consisting of eight distinct patient cohorts) underwent analysis. An isolated troponin leak was strongly predictive of all-cause mortality at 30 days (OR 5.03, 95% CI 2.88-8.79, p < 0.00001). The associated 30-day mortality in patients with no troponin elevation, an isolated troponin leak or peri-operative myocardial infarction was 2.3%, 11.6% and 21.6%, respectively (p = 0.000001). Insufficient data were available to analyse intermediate-term outcomes. An isolated troponin leak following vascular surgery is strongly associated with short-term mortality.     

椎管内阻滞对心脏事件高危患者行非心脏手术后心肌梗死影响的Meta分析

目的采用Meta分析比较椎管内阻滞[包括硬膜外阻滞(epidural anesthesia,EA)和蛛网膜下腔阻滞(spinal anesthesia,SA)]复合全身麻醉(general anesthesia,GA)对非心脏手术后心肌梗死的影响。方法检索中文数据库(中国生物医学文献服务系统、中国知网、万方、维普)和英文数据库(Medline、PubMed、EBSCO、Springer、Ovid、Cochrane Library、Google scholar);收集椎管内阻滞对非心脏手术患者术后心肌梗死及死亡率影响的随机对照试验(RCT),并采用RevMan 5.3软件进行统计分析。结果共纳入10篇RCT(n=21 859)。Meta分析结果显示:EA复合GA与单纯GA非心脏手术术后7d内(OR=0.44,95%CI 0.13~1.46,P=0.18)和30d内(OR=1.49,95%CI 0.89~2.49,P=0.13)内心肌梗死发生率差异无统计学意义;EA复合GA与单纯GA术后30d内(OR=1.26,95%CI 0.84~1.88,P=0.26)全因死亡率差异无统计学意义。SA与GA术后7d内心肌梗死发生率(OR=1.14,95%CI 0.31~4.17,P=0.84)和术后30d内全因死亡率(OR=0.88,95%CI 0.43~1.79,P=0.73)差异无统计学意义。结论椎管内阻滞并未降低心脏事件高危患者行中高危非心脏手术后心肌梗死发生率及死亡率。     

Use of remifentanil as a sedative agent in critically ill adult patients: a meta-analysis

This meta-analysis examined the benefits of using remifentanil as a sedative agent in critically ill patients. A total of 11 randomised controlled trials, comparing remifentanil with another opioid or hypnotic agent in 1067 critically ill adult patients, were identified from the Cochrane controlled trials register and EMBASE and MEDLINE databases, and subjected to meta-analysis. Remifentanil was associated with a reduction in the time to tracheal extubation after cessation of sedation (weighted-mean-difference −2.04 h (95% CI −0.39 to −3.69 h); p = 0.02). Remifentanil was, however, not associated with a significant reduction in mortality (relative risk 1.01 (95% CI 0.67–1.52); p = 0.96), duration of mechanical ventilation, length of intensive care unit stay, and risk of agitation (relative risk 1.08 (95% CI 0.64–1.82); p = 0.77) when compared to an alternative sedative or analgesic agent. The current evidence does not support the routine use of remifentanil as a sedative agent in critically ill adult patients.     

Higher tacrolimus trough levels on days 2–5 post-renal transplant are associated with reduced rates of acute rejection

Abstract:  We analyzed the association between whole-blood trough tacrolimus (TAC) levels in the first days post-kidney transplant and acute cellular rejection (ACR) rates. Four hundred and sixty-four consecutive, deceased-donor kidney transplant recipients were included. All were treated with a combination of TAC, mycophenolate mofetil and prednisolone. Patients were analyzed in four groups based on quartiles of the mean TAC on days 2 and 5 post-transplant: Group 1: median TAC 11 ng/mL (n = 122, range 2–13.5 ng/mL), Group 2: median 17 ng/mL (n = 123, range 14–20 ng/mL), Group 3: median 24 ng/mL (n = 108, range 20.5–27 ng/mL) and Group 4: median 33.5 ng/mL (n = 116, range 27.5–77.5 ng/mL). A graded reduction in the rates of ACR was observed for each incremental days 2–5 TAC. The one-yr ACR rate was 24.03% (95% CI 17.26–32.88), 22.20% (95% CI 15.78–30.70), 13.41% (95% CI 8.15–21.63) and 8.69% (95% CI 4.77–15.55) for Groups 1–4, respectively (p = 0.003). This study suggests that higher early TACs are associated with reduced rates of ACR at one yr.     

C-reactive protein and mortality in mild to moderate chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

BACKGROUND: Although C-reactive protein (CRP) levels are increased in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), it is not certain whether they are associated with adverse clinical outcomes. METHODS: Serum CRP levels were measured in 4803 participants in the Lung Health Study with mild to moderate COPD. The risk of all-cause and disease specific causes of mortality was determined as well as cardiovascular event rates, adjusting for important covariates such as age, sex, cigarette smoking, and lung function. Cardiovascular events were defined as death from coronary heart disease or stroke, or non-fatal myocardial infarction or stroke requiring admission to hospital. RESULTS: CRP levels were associated with all-cause, cardiovascular, and cancer specific causes of mortality. Individuals in the highest quintile of CRP had a relative risk (RR) for all-cause mortality of 1.79 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.25 to 2.56) compared with those in the lowest quintile of CRP. For cardiovascular events and cancer deaths the corresponding RRs were 1.51 (95% CI 1.20 to 1.90) and 1.85 (95% CI 1.10 to 3.13), respectively. CRP levels were also associated with an accelerated decline in forced expiratory volume in 1 second (p < 0.001). The discriminative property of CRP was greatest during the first year of measurement and decayed over time. Comparing the highest and lowest CRP quintiles, the RR was 4.03 (95% CI 1.23 to 13.21) for 1 year mortality, 3.30 (95% CI 1.38 to 7.86) for 2 year mortality, and 1.82 (95% CI 1.22 to 2.68) for > or =5 year mortality. CONCLUSIONS: CRP measurements provide incremental prognostic information beyond that achieved by traditional markers of prognosis in patients with mild to moderate COPD, and may enable more accurate detection of patients at a high risk of mortality.     

The effects of different analgesic regimens on transcutaneous CO2 after major surgery

Ventilatory impairment may be detected by a rise in transcutaneous carbon dioxide levels (PtcCO₂). This observational study assessed the clinical utility of PtcCO₂ monitoring in the postoperative period, and quantified the effect of different peri-operative analgesic regimens on postoperative respiratory function. Following pre-operative baseline PtcCO₂ recording, continuous PtcCO₂ monitoring was performed in 30 patients after major colorectal surgery for up to 24 h. Mean postoperative values of PtcCO₂ were 1.3 kPa (95% CI 1.0–1.5) higher than pre-operative values (p < 0.001). Patients receiving intravenous opioid patient controlled analgesia had a significantly higher elevation in postoperative PtcCO₂ compared to patients receiving epidural infusion analgesia, 1.8 kPa (CI 1.5–2.1) vs 0.7 kPa (CI 0.5–0.9) respectively (p < 0.001). The mean rise in PtcCO₂ following a single intravenous bolus of morphine delivered via PCA was 0.05 kPa (SEm 0.01), peaking at 12 min post-dose. The transcutaneous capnometer successfully recorded data for 98% of the total time it was applied to patients.     

Preoperative C-reactive protein is predictive of long-term outcome after coronary artery bypass surgery

Background: Increased levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) are associated with the presence and severity of atherosclerosis, and with increased risk of coronary events as well as of cardiac events after coronary percutaneous intervention. Methods: We have investigated whether preoperative CRP had an impact on the long-term outcome of 843 patients who underwent on-pump coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG). Results: Among operative survivors, patients with preoperative CRP <1.0 mg/dL had significantly better 12-year overall survival rate (74.1% vs 63.0%, p = 0.004) and survival freedom from fatal cardiac event (86.7% vs 78.1%). Multivariate analysis including patients’ age, extracardiac arteriopathy, urgent/emergent operation, recent myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure, left ventricular ejection fraction, atrial fibrillation, transient ischemic attack/stroke, number of distal anastomoses, diabetes, and preoperative CRP ≥1.0 mg/dL or <1.0 mg/dL, showed that the latter was an independent predictor of late all-cause mortality (p = 0.017, RR 1.60, 95% CI 1.09–2.35). Its impact on overall survival was particularly evident in patients with left ventricular ejection fraction <50% (CRP < 1.0 mg/dL: 58.7% vs CRP ≥ 1.0 mg/dL: 43.7%, p < 0.00001). Conclusions: Increased preoperative levels of CRP are associated with significantly decreased overall survival after primary on-pump CABG.     

Inadvertent hypothermia and mortality in postoperative intensive care patients: retrospective audit of 5050 patients

We proposed that many Intensive Care Unit (ICU) patients would be hypothermic in the early postoperative period and that hypothermia would be associated with increased mortality. We retrospectively reviewed patients admitted to ICU after surgery. We recorded the lowest temperature in the first 24 h after surgery using tympanic membrane thermometers. We defined hypothermia as < 36 °C, and severe hypothermia as < 35 °C. We studied 5050 consecutive patients: 35% were hypothermic and 6% were severely hypothermic. In-hospital mortality was 5.6% for normothermic patients, 8.9% for all hypothermic patients (p < 0.001), and 14.7% for severely hypothermic patients (p < 0.001). Hypothermia was associated with in-hospital mortality: OR 1.83 for each degree Celsius (°C) decrease (95% CI: 1.2–2.60, p < 0.001). Given the evidence for improved outcome associated with active patient warming during surgery we suggest conducting prospective studies of active warming of patients admitted to ICU after surgery.     

The effects of volatile anesthetics on cardiac ischemic complications and mortality in CABG: a meta-analysis

PURPOSE: Coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) is associated with cardiac complications, including ischemia, acute myocardial infarction (AMI), and death. Volatile anesthetics have been shown to have a preconditioning-like effect. This systematic review assesses the effects of volatile anesthetics on cardiac ischemic complications and morbidity after CABG. METHODS: Data were obtained, without language restriction, from searches of MEDLINE, Science Citation Index, PubMed, and reference lists. We included only prospective randomized controlled trials evaluating volatile anesthetics during CABG. Two reviewers independently abstracted data on myocardial ischemia, acute myocardial infarction (AMI), and death. Treatment effects were calculated as odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) for binary data, and weighted mean difference (WMD) with 95% CI for continuous data. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Thirty-two studies (2,841 patients) were included. In comparison with iv anesthesia, volatile anesthetics were associated with reduced all-cause mortality (OR, 0.65; 95% CI, 0.36-1.18; P = 0.16). Enflurane was associated with increased AMI (OR, 1.34; 95% CI, 0.68-2.64; P = 0.40), whereas sevoflurane and desflurane reduced cardiac troponin I (cTnI) at six hours, 12 hr, 24 hr [WMD, -1.45; 95% CI (-1.73, -1.16); P < 0.00001], and 48 hr after operation. CONCLUSION: This meta-analysis demonstrates sevoflurane and desflurane reduce the postoperative rise in cTnI. Sevoflurane-mediated reduction in cardiac troponin was associated with improved long-term outcomes in one study. This meta-analysis was not able to show that these positive effects on troponin were translated into improved clinical outcomes. Well-designed large randomized control trials are needed to further elucidate the differential cardio-protective effects of volatile anesthetics.     

Five-year cardiovascular and all-cause mortality, and myocardial infarction in all subjects referred for exercise testing in two Danish counties

OBJECTIVE: To examine the association between exercise test results and the 5-year cardiovascular and all-cause mortality, and myocardial infarction, in patients referred for exercise testing because of known or suspected coronary heart disease. DESIGN: A study of all patients (N = 2763) who in 1996 had an exercise test in two Danish counties (900000 inhabitants). Data and follow-up were based on medical records and general administrative healthcare and population registries. RESULTS: Abnormal tests, compared with normal ones, were associated with an increased adjusted cardiovascular mortality ratio of 1.77 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.19-2.63), all-cause mortality ratio of 1.46 (95% CI: 1.11-1.93), and myocardial infarction ratio of 1.71 (95% CI: 1.28-2.28). Inconclusive tests, compared with normal ones, were associated with an increased adjusted all-cause mortality ratio of 1.52 (95% CI: 1.05-2.20) and myocardial infarction ratio of 1.67 (95% CI: 1.12-2.56). A history of myocardial infarction increased the cardiovascular death ratio by 1.51 (95% CI: 1.05-2.16) and the myocardial infarction ratio by 2.39 (95% CI: 1.84-3.10). CONCLUSION: Over a 5-year period, the result of the bicycle exercise test was clearly associated with both mortality and risk of myocardial infarction. An inconclusive test may deserve special attention.     

Systematic review and meta-analysis of sex differences in outcomes after endovascular aneurysm repair for infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm

ObjectiveWomen face distinctive challenges when they receive endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) treatment, and according to the previous studies, sex differences in outcomes after EVAR for infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) remains controversial. This study aimed to compare the short-term and long-term outcomes between women and men after EVAR for infrarenal AAA.MethodsWe conducted a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis of all available studies reporting sex differences after EVAR for infrarenal AAA, which were retrieved from the MEDICINE, Embase, and Cochrane Database. The pooled results were presented as odds ratios (ORs) for dichotomous data and hazard ratios for time-to-event data using a random effect model.ResultsThirty-six cohorts were included in this meta-analysis. The pooled results showed that women were associated with a significantly increased risk of 30-day mortality (crude OR, 1.67; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.50-1.87; P < .001; adjusted OR, 1.73; 95% CI, 1.32-2.26; P < .001), in-hospital mortality (OR, 1.90; 95% CI, 1.43-2.53; P < .001), limb ischemia (OR, 2.44; 95% CI, 1.73-2.43; P < .001), renal complications (OR, 1.73; 95% CI, 1.12-2.67; P = .028), cardiac complications (OR, 1.68; 95% CI, 1.01-2.80; P = .046), and long-term all-cause mortality (hazard ratio, 1.23; 95% CI, 1.09-1.38; P = .001) compared with men; however, no significant sex difference was observed for visceral/mesenteric ischemia (OR, 1.62; 95% CI, 0.91-2.88; P = .098), 30-day reinterventions (OR, 1.37; 95% CI, 0.95-1.98; P = .095), late endoleaks (OR, 1.18; 95% CI, 0.88-1.56; P = .264), and late reinterventions (OR, 1.05; 95% CI, 0.78-1.41; P = .741). In the intact AAA subgroup, women had a significantly increased risk of visceral/mesenteric ischemia (OR, 1.85; 95% CI, 1.01-3.39; P = .046) and an equivalent risk of cardiac complications (OR, 1.64; 95% CI, 0.85-3.17; P = .138) compared with men.ConclusionsCompared with male sex, female sex is associated with an increased risk of 30-day mortality, in-hospital mortality, limb ischemia, renal complications, cardiac complications, and long-term all-cause mortality after EVAR for infrarenal AAA. Women should be enrolled in a strict and regular long-term surveillance after EVAR.     

Expanding the donor pool: use of renal transplants from non-heart-beating donors supported with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation

Abstract:  In response to organ shortage, we used the renal grafts from non-heart-beating donors (NHBDs). Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) was used to maintain NHBDs before organ procurement. We compared the results of renal transplantation from different donors, including heart-beating donors (HBDs), living-related donors (LDs), and NHBDs supported with ECMO. From February 1998 to June 2003, we recruited 219 patients receiving renal transplantation at National Taiwan University Hospital. Among them, 31 received kidneys from NHBDs supported with ECMO, 120 from HBDs, and 68 from LDs. Multiple organ transplant recipients were not included in this study. We compared the graft survival, serum creatinine levels, and estimated glomerular filtration rates of the three groups. The rate of delayed graft function was higher in NHBD recipients (41.9%) than in HBD recipients (27.0%) and LD recipients (10.9%) (p = 0.003). In the NHBD group, the recipients of grafts with delayed function had significantly longer ECMO runs (63.1 ± 3.0 min) than those without delayed function (53.7 ± 2.5 min) (p = 0.024). Estimated glomerular filtration rate (p = 0.472) and mean serum creatinine level (p = 0.286) were not significantly different between the three groups using a longitudinal approach. The 5-yr graft survival rates for NHBD (88.4%, 95% CI: 0.680–0.962), HBD (83.2%, 95% CI: 0.728–0.899), and LD transplant recipients (89.3%, 95% CI: 0.619–0.974) were not significantly different (p = 0.239). The 5-yr patient survival rates for NHBD, HBD, and LD transplant recipients were 100, 93.0 (95% CI: 0.859–0.966) and 100% respectively. The long-term allograft survival and function of kidneys from NHBDs supported by ECMO, HBD, and LD did not differ significantly. Long ECMO running time tended to delay graft function.     

Serum globulin levels in predicting the extent of hepatic fibrosis in patients with recurrent post-transplant hepatitis C infection

Abstract:  The progression of HCV-related disease is particularly aggressive in the post-transplantation setting. Recipients with recurrent HCV infection undergo repeated liver biopsies in order to estimate disease progression. A strong association was found between serum immunoglobulins levels and hepatic fibrosis in non-transplanted patients with chronic HCV infection. The aim of this study was to determine if serum globulin and immunoglobulins levels can predict the extent of fibrosis in patients with recurrent HCV infection. The records of 45 patients (mean age 51.6 ± 10.5 yr; 53.3% men) with biochemical, serologic, virologic, and histological evidence of recurrent HCV infection were reviewed. Recurrence developed after a median interval of 11.7 months (range: 3–106); in 14 patients (31.1%), the recurrent infection was severe. The mean duration of follow-up was 51.4 ± 35.4 months. A total of 96 liver biopsies were performed. The mean fibrosis score increased significantly with an increase in the number of biopsies (p < 0.0001, r = 0.44). On multivariate analysis, the only predictors of severe fibrosis were serum levels of globulin (OR: 5.97, 95% CI: 1.82–19.53; p = 0.0004) and IgG (OR: 1.003, 95% CI: 1.001–1.006; p = 0.018). On linear regression analysis, for each 0.5-g/dL increase in serum globulin level, there was a 0.22-point increase in fibrosis stage. In conclusion, serum levels of globulin and IgG can serve as a noninvasive marker of the extent of hepatic fibrosis in patients with post-transplant recurrent HCV infection, thus avoiding the need for repeated liver biopsies. These findings, if confirmed, have important implications for the prevention and treatment of fibrosis in this patient group.     

The use of mandibular nerve block to predict safe anaesthetic induction in patients with acute trismus*

Acute trismus can be caused by pain, muscle spasm, swelling or mechanical obstruction. Unfortunately, the cause is not always obvious during pre-operative airway assessment. In this pilot study, we prospectively evaluated mandibular nerve block as a pre-operative tool to identify patients with reversible causes of trismus, namely pain or spasm, in order to allow safe anaesthetic induction. Six patients with unilateral fractured mandibles and trismus received a mandibular nerve block before induction of general anaesthesia. There was an increase in maximal inter-incisor gap after the blocks (median (range) distance: pre-block 16.5 (14–30) and post-block 34 (32–35) mm; p = 0.027), and no further improvement after induction of general anaesthesia (post-induction 37 (30–40) mm; p = 0.276 compared with post-block). There was an improvement in pain scores (p = 0.027), and no side-effects were detected. Pre-operative mandibular nerve blockade appears to reverse trismus caused by pain and muscle spasm, allowing the anaesthetist to decide whether awake intubation is genuinely indicated.