Mechanical ventilation modulates Toll-like receptors 2, 4, and 9 on alveolar macrophages in a ventilator-induced lung injury model

Objective

To investigate the role of Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2), TLR4, TLR9 and myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88) on alveolar macrophages in ventilator-induced lung injury (VILI).

Methods

Male, adult pathogen-free Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 300-350 g were used in this study. Animals were tracheotomized and allowed to breathe spontaneously for 4 h or mechanically ventilated for 4 h with low or high tidal volume (7 or 40 mL/kg). TLR2, TLR4, and TLR9, MyD-88 and NF-κΒ of alveolar macrophages’ expression under the different ventilation conditions were detected. Pulmonary permeability, lung inflammatory, IL-6 and IL-1β were assessed as well.

Results

Rats subjected to high tidal volume showed significantly greater pulmonary permeability and lung inflammatory than the control rats. Alveolar macrophages from rats subjected to high tidal volume also showed significantly higher protein expression of TLR2 (0.59±0.049 vs. 0.35±0.036 and 0.36±0.031, both P<0.001), TLR4 (0.845±0.0395 vs. 0.401±0.026 and 0.403±0.020, both P<0.001), TLR9 (0.727±0.074 vs. 0.383±0.039 and 0.367±0.043, both P<0.001), MyD-88 (1.01±0.060 vs. 0.485±0.045 and 0.507±0.046, both P<0.001) and NF-κΒ (0.776±0.067 vs. 0.448±0.043 and 0.481±0.047, both P<0.001), as well as significantly higher concentrations of IL-6 (7.32±0.24 vs. 2.42±0.13 and 2.44±0.32, both P<0.001) and IL-1β (139.95±9.37 vs. 53.63±5.26 and 53.55±6.63, both P<0.001) than the control and low tidal volume group.

Conclusions

The overexpression of TLR2, TLR4, and TLR9 on alveolar macrophages and release of pro-inflammatory cytokines play a role in VILI.     

Effect of a neutrophil elastase inhibitor on ventilator-induced lung injury in rats

Objective

We hypothesized that pretreatment with sivelestat therapy could attenuate ventilator-induced lung injury (VILI) and lung inflammation in a rat model.

Methods

The neutrophil elastase inhibitor was administered intraperitoneally 30 min before and at the initiation of ventilation. The rats were categorized as (I) sham group; (II) VILI group; (III) sivelestat group; (IV) early sivelestat group. Wet-to-dry weight ratio, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) neutrophil and protein, tissue malondialdehyde (MDA) and histologic VILI scores were investigated.

Results

The ratio of wet-to-dry weight, BALF neutrophil and protein, tissue MDA and VILI scores were significantly increased in the VILI group compared to the sham group [3.85±0.32 vs. 9.05±1.02, P<0.001; (0.89±0.93)×10⁴ vs. (7.67±1.41)×10⁴ cells/mL, P<0.001; 2.34±0.47 vs. 23.01±3.96 mg/mL, P<0.001; 14.43±1.01 vs. 36.56±5.45 nmol/mg protein, P<0.001; 3.78±0.67 vs. 7.00±1.41, P<0.001]. This increase was attenuated in the early sivelestat group compared with the sivelestat group [wet-to-dry ratio: 6.76±2.01 vs. 7.39±0.32, P=0.032; BALF neutrophil: (5.56±1.13)×10⁴ vs. (3.89±1.05)×10⁴ cells/mL, P=0.021; BALF protein: 15.57±2.32 vs. 18.38±2.00 mg/mL, P=0.024; tissue MDA: 29.16±3.01 vs. 26.31±2.58, P=0.049; VILI scores: 6.33±1.41 vs. 5.00±0.50, P=0.024].

Conclusions

Pretreatment with a neutrophil elastase inhibitor attenuates VILI in a rat model.     

Linking soluble vascular adhesion molecule-1 level to calcific aortic stenosis in patients with coronary artery disease

BACKGROUND:

Calcific aortic stenosis (AS) is an atherosclerosis-related process and the most common cause of valve disease requiring surgery.

OBJECTIVE:

To assess the association of inflammatory markers with AS in advanced atherosclerosis.

METHODS:

Consecutive patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) associated with AS were prospectively identified (mean transvalvular aortic gradient of 30 mmHg or greater). Subjects with aortic sclerosis (mean transvalvular aortic gradient of 10 mmHg or less) served as controls. All patients underwent clinical evaluation, echocardiography and coronary angiography.

RESULTS:

One hundred twenty-two patients with AS (85 men) and 101 with aortic sclerosis (76 men) of similar CAD severity were enrolled. The AS patients were older (mean [± SD] 71±7 years versus 66±7 years; P<0.001), had higher soluble vascular adhesion molecule-1 (s-VCAM-1) levels (1533±650 μg/L versus 1157±507 μg/L; P<0.001), but lower soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (s-ICAM-1) (254±81 μg/L versus 293±84 μg/L; P<0.01) and soluble E-selectin (53±28 μg/L versus 62±29 μg/L; P<0.05) levels. The two groups did not differ with respect to C-reactive protein level (3±2.9 mg/L versus 3.4±2.6 mg/L; P not significant). Higher s-VCAM-1 (OR 1.09, 95% CI 1.04 to 1.14; P<0.001) and lower s-ICAM-1 (OR 0.82, 95% CI 0.72 to 0.94; P<0.001) levels were associated with AS after adjustment for age.

CONCLUSION:

Increased s-VCAM-1 levels were associated with calcific AS in patients with significant CAD.     

Comparative study of systematic thoracoscopic lymphadenectomy and conventional thoracotomy in resectable non-small cell lung cancer

Objective

To assess the feasibility and safety of the video-assisted thoracoscopy surgery (VATS) systematic lymph node dissection in resectable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Methods

The clinical data of patients with NSCLC who underwent VATS or thoracotomy combined with lobectomy and systematic lymphadenectomy from January 2001 to January 2008 were retrospectively analyzed to identify their demographic parameters, number of dissected lymph nodes and postoperative complications.

Results

A total of 5,620 patients were enrolled in this study, with 2,703 in the VATS group, including 1,742 men (64.4%), and 961 women (35.6%), aged 59.5±10.9 years; and 2,917 in the thoracotomy group, including 2,163 men (74.2%), and 754 women (25.8%), aged 58.5±10.4 years. Comparing the VATS with the thoracotomy groups, the mean operative time was 146 vs. 157 min, with a significant difference (P<0.001); and the average blood loss was 162 vs. 267 mL, with a significant difference (P<0.001). Comparing the two groups of patients data, the number of lymph node dissection: 18.03 in the VATS group and 15.07 in the thoracotomy group on average, with a significant difference (P<0.001); postoperative drainage time: 4.5 days in the VATS group and 6.37 days in the thoracotomy group on average, with a significant difference (P<0.001); postoperative hospital stay: 6.5 days in the VATS group and 8.37 days in the thoracotomy group on average, with a significant difference (P<0.001); proportion of postoperative chylothorax: 0.2% (4/2,579) in the VATS group and 0.4% (10/2,799) in the thoracotomy group, without significant difference (P>0.05).

Conclusions

For patients with resectable NSCLC, VATS systematic lymph node dissection is safe and effective with fewer postoperative complications, and significantly faster postoperative recovery compared with traditional open chest surgery.     

Severe intraoperative complications during VATS Lobectomy compared with thoracotomy lobectomy for early stage non-small cell lung cancer

Background

Video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) lobectomy has been proved to have shorter hospital stay, less perioperative complications and less pain compared with lobectomy by thoracotomy, but severe intraoperative complications during VATS lobectomy is rare reported. We compared intraoperative safety between VATS lobectomy and lobectomy by thoracotomy.

Methods

659 patients with postoperative stage I and IIa non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who underwent lobectomy in China-Japan Friendship Hospital from February 2008 to June 2012 were analyzed retrospectively, in which 277 were performed by thoracotomy, 357 performed by VATS, and 25 performed by VATS converted to open. Outcomes were analyzed to compare the incidence of significant bleeding, with conversion cases were included into VATS group.

Results

Ten severe intraoperative complications were identified in 10 patients (6 in VATS, 4 in open), with no intraoperative deaths. The incidence of severe intraoperative complications was similar between VATS group and thoracotomy group [1.57% (6/382) vs. 1.44% (4/277), P=1.0]. Most severe intraoperative complications were related to the injury of major pulmonary vessels (9/10), and most of these complications occurred during upper lobectomy (8/10). There was no statistically significant difference in blood loss (242.85±220.47 vs. 240.43±144.36, P=0.865), and operative time (198.00±75.24 vs. 208.05±61.97, P=0.061) between the open and VATS groups, respectively, but blood loss and operative time are significant different after elimination of conversion cases (214.34±151.85 vs. 240.43±144.36, P<0.01; 193.24±72.64 vs. 208.05±61.97, P<0.01).

Conclusions

Our preliminary study demonstrated that the incidence of severe intraoperative complication during VATS lobectomy was low and similar to open lobectomy. The severe intraoperative complications during VATS lobectomy are manageable and the surgeons need to take proper caution in performing VATS lobectomy.KEY WORDS : Lung cancer surgery, lobectomy, bleeding, surgery complications     

Comparison of outcomes of open and minimally invasive esophagectomy in 183 patients with cancer

Background and objectives

Only few randomized trials or comparative studies with large number of patients have been reported on the outcomes of thoracoscopic and laparoscopic esophagectomy (TLE) with cervical anastomosis and open 3-field esophagectomy (OE) for patients with esophageal cancer. The objective of this study is to compare the safety, feasibility, and short-term outcomes between TLE and OE (via right throax, abdomen, and left neck) for esophageal cancer.

Methods

Clinical and surgical data of patients with esophageal cancer who underwent either TLE or OE between February 2011 and December 2013 were retrospectively analyzed. Demographic characteristics, pathological data, operative procedures, and intraoperative and postoperative outcomes and survival in patients were compared between both groups.

Results

Of the 183 patients included in this retrospective analysis, 94 underwent TLE and 89 underwent OE. Demographics, pathologic data, inpatient mortality, and overall surgical morbidity in both cohorts were almost identical. A significant difference was observed in blood loss (182.6±78.3 vs. 261.4±87.2 mL, P<0.001), hospital stay (13.9±7.5 vs. 17.1±10.2 days, P=0.017), overall surgical morbidity (25.5% vs. 46.1%, P=0.004), and rate of pulmonary and cardiac complication (9.6% vs. 27.0%, P=0.002; 4.1% vs. 12.4%, P=0.046) between TLE and OE groups; however, no difference in survival period was observed between the groups.

Conclusions

The procedure of TLE for esophageal cancer possesses advantages in intraoperative and postoperative outcomes compared with OE. The TLE procedure results in similar or potentially better outcomes.     

Initial synchronized intermittent mandatory ventilation versus assist/control ventilation in treatment of moderate acute respiratory distress syndrome: a prospective randomized controlled trial

Background

Assist/control (A/C) ventilation may induce delirium in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). We conducted a trial to determine whether initial synchronized intermittent mandatory ventilation with pressure support (SIMV + PS) could improve clinical outcomes in these patients.

Methods

Intubated patients with moderate ARDS were enrolled and we compared SIMV + PS with A/C. Identical sedation, analgesia and ventilation strategies were performed. The co-primary outcomes were early (≤72 h) partial pressure of arterial oxygen to fraction of inspired oxygen (PaO₂/FiO₂) and incidence of delirium. The secondary outcomes were all-cause in-hospital mortality, dosages of analgesics and sedatives, incidence of patient-ventilator asynchrony, and duration of mechanical ventilation and hospital stay.

Results

We screened 2,684 patients and 40 patients were enrolled in our study. In SIMV + PS, early (≤72 h) PaO₂/FiO₂ was greater improved than that at baseline and that in A/C (P<0.05) with lower positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) (8.7±3.0 vs. 10.3±3.2, P<0.001) and FiO₂ (58%±18% vs. 67%±19%, P<0.001). We found more SIMV + PS success (defined as SIMV + PS successfully applied without switching to A/C) (100.0% vs. 16.7%, P<0.001), less male (46.3% vs. 85.7%, P=0.015) and pulmonary etiology of ARDS (53.8% vs. 92.9%, P=0.015), and lower PEEP (9.1±3.1 vs. 10.3±3.3, P=0.004) and FiO₂ (58%±19% vs. 71%±19%, P<0.001) in survival patients. However, there were no significant differences in incidence of delirium and mortality, dosages of analgesics and sedatives, incidence of patient-ventilator asynchrony, duration of mechanical ventilation and hospital stay (P>0.05).

Conclusions

In patients with moderate ARDS, SIMV + PS can safely and effectively improve oxygenation, but does not decrease mortality, incidence of delirium and patient-ventilator asynchrony, dosages of analgesics and sedatives, and duration of mechanical ventilation and hospital stay.     

Increased QT dispersion and P wave dispersion in major depressive disorder

BACKGROUND:

QT and P wave dispersion parameters can indicate abnormalities in autonomic nervous system and cardiac functioning.

OBJECTIVES:

To determine QT and P wave dispersion in patients with major depressive disorder compared with healthy volunteers.

METHODS:

Fifty newly diagnosed patients with major depressive disorder and 50 age- and sex-matched healthy volunteers underwent 12-lead electrocardiography. QT interval, QT dispersion, heart rate-corrected QT dispersion and P wave dispersions were calculated manually by a blinded specialist.

RESULTS:

Groups were comparable in terms of age, sex, body mass index, smoking status, metabolic diseases and left ventricular ejection fraction. The major depressive disorder group had significantly higher QT dispersion (58.5±9.9 versus 41.7±3.8; P<0.001), heart rate-corrected QT dispersion (62.5±10.0 versus 45.2±4.3; P<0.001) and P wave dispersion (46.9±4.8 versus 41.5±5.1; P<0.001).

CONCLUSION:

Increased QT dispersion, heart-rate corrected QT dispersion and P wave dispersion in major depressive disorder patients may be indicative of autonomic imbalance and increased risk of cardiac morbidity and mortality.     

High-dose atorvastatin pretreatment could diminishes microvascular impairment in patients undergoing elective percutaneous coronary intervention

Objectives High-dose statins pretreatment is reasonable before percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) to reduce the risk of periprocedural myocardial injury. However, the mechanism underlying this protective effect has not been elucidated. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of high-dose atorvastatin pretreatment on microvascular function and myocardial injury after elective PCI. Methods Eighty four patients underwent elective PCI were randomly assigned to high-dose atorvastatin (40 mg/d) and low-dose atorvastatin (20 mg/d) treatment for 7 days before PCI. The index of microcirculatory resistance (IMR) was measured by an intracoronary ressure/temperature sensor-tipped guidewire at maximal hyperemia after PCI. Fractional flow reserve (FFR) was measured before and after procedure. Troponin I levels were obtained at baseline and 20–24 h after procedure. Results IMR values were significantly lower in high-dose group when compared to low-dose group (16.5 ± 6.1 vs. 31.2 ± 16.0, P < 0.001). Pre-PCI troponin I levels between the two groups were similar (0.028 ± 0.05 vs. 0.022 ± 0.04, P = 0.55). However, post-PCI troponin I levels in high-dose group were significantly lower than low-dose group (0.11 ± 0.02 vs. 0.16 ± 0.09, P < 0.001). Multivariate analysis identified maximum inflation pressure > 20 atm as an independent predictor of IMR > 32 (Odds ratio (OR): 3.3, 95% confidence intervals (95%CI): 1.3–8.5, P = 0.02). High-dose atorvastatin was the only independent protective factor of IMR > 32 (OR: 0.29, 95%CI: 0.11–0.74, P = 0.01). Conclusions The present study confirmed that diminishing microvascular impairment is one of the mechanism underlying protecting effect of high-dose statins pretreatment from myocardial injury during PCI. These suggest that high-dose statin pretreatment is reasonable in patients undergoing elective PCI.     

Should the cut-off value of D-dimer be elevated to exclude pulmonary embolism in acute exacerbation of COPD?

Objective

The aim of this study was to evaluate the D-dimer levels in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbation with and without pulmonary embolism (PE) and to attempt to define a new cut-off value for D-dimer to exclude the diagnosis of PE in patients with COPD exacerbation.

Methods

This cross-sectional study was performed between the June 2012 and January 2013. The COPD patients who were admitted to the emergency department with acute exacerbation were consecutively included. D-dimer levels were measured upon admission. All patients underwent computed tomography angiography (CTA) and Doppler ultrasonography (US) of the lower extremities.

Results

A total of 148 patients were enrolled. Fifty-three patients (36%) who did not have PE had higher than normal (>0.5 pg/mL) D-dimer levels. The D-dimer levels of the COPD patients with PE were significantly higher than those of the patients without PE (2.38±2.80 vs. 1.06±1.51 pg/mL) (P<0.001). The cut-off value for D-dimer in diagnosing PE in the COPD patients was 0.95 pg/mL. The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was 0.752±0.040 (95% CI: 0.672-0.831) (P<0.001).

Conclusions

This study showed that the D-dimer concentrations of COPD patients who are in the exacerbation period may be higher than normal, even without PE. The cut-off level for D-dimer was 0.95 pg/mL (sensitivity 70%, spesificity 71%) for the exclusion of PE in the patients with COPD exacerbation. The D-dimer cut-off value that is used to exclude PE in patients with acute exacerbation of COPD should be reevaluated to prevent the excessive use of further diagnostic procedures.KEY WORDS : Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), D-dimer, pulmonary embolism (PE)     

Redo aortic valve surgery versus transcatheter valve-in-valve implantation for failing surgical bioprosthetic valves: consecutive patients in a single-center setting

Background

Due to a considerable rise in bioprosthetic as opposed to mechanical valve implantations, an increase of patients presenting with failing bioprosthetic surgical valves in need of a reoperation is to be expected. Redo surgery may pose a high-risk procedure. Transcatheter aortic valve-in-valve implantation is an innovative, less-invasive treatment alternative for these patients. However, a comprehensive evaluation of the outcome of consecutive patients after a valve-in-valve TAVI [transcatheter aortic valve-in-surgical aortic valve (TAV-in-SAV)] as compared to a standard reoperation [surgical aortic valve redo-operation (SAV-in-SAV)] has not yet been performed. The goal of this study was to compare postoperative outcomes after TAV-in-SAV and SAV-in-SAV in a single center setting.

Methods

All SAV-in-SAV and TAV-in-SAV patients from January 2001 to October 2014 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients with previous mechanical or transcatheter valves, active endocarditis and concomitant cardiac procedures were excluded. Patient characteristics, preoperative data, post-procedural complications, and 30-day mortality were collected from a designated database. Mean values ± SD were calculated for all continuous variables. Counts and percentages were calculated for categorical variables. The Chi-square and Fisher exact tests were used to compare categorical variables. Continuous variables were compared using the t-test for independent samples. A 2-sided P value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

A total of 102 patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria, 50 patients (49%) underwent a transcatheter valve-in-valve procedure, while 52 patients (51%) underwent redo-surgery. Patients in the TAV-in-SAV group were significantly older, had a higher mean logistic EuroSCORE and exhibited a lower mean left ventricular ejection fraction than patients in the SAV-in-SAV group (78.1±6.7 vs. 66.2±13.1, P<0.001; 27.4±18.7 vs. 14.4±10, P<0.001; and 49.8±13.1 vs. 56.7±15.8, P=0.019 respectively). Postoperative pacemaker implantation and chest tube output were higher in the SAV-in-SAV group compared to the TAV-in-SAV group [11 (21%) vs. 3 (6%), P=0.042 and 0.9±1.0 vs. 0.6±0.9, P=0.047, respectively]. There was no significant difference in myocardial infarction, stroke or dialysis postoperatively. Thirty-day mortality was not significantly different between the two groups [TAV-in-SAV2 (4%) vs. SAV-in-SAV0, P=0.238]. Kaplan-Meier (KM) 1-year survival was significantly lower in the TAV-in-SAV group than in the SAV-in-SAV group (83% vs. 96%, P<0.001).

Conclusions

The present investigation shows that both groups, irrespective of different baseline comorbidities, show very good early clinical outcomes. While redo surgery is still the standard of care, a subgroup of patients may profit from the transcatheter valve-in-valve procedure.     

Intermediate-term mortality and incidence of ICD therapy in octogenarians after cardiac resynchronization therapy

Background Clinical outcomes of cardiac resynchronization therapy （CRT） in patients over the age of 80 have not been well de-scribed.MethodsWe retrospectively identified 96 consecutive patients≥ 80 years old who underwent an initial implant or an upgrade to CRT, with or without defibrillator （CRT-Dvs. CRT-P）, at our institution between January 2003 and July 2008. The control cohort consisted of 177 randomly selected patients 〈 80 years old undergoing CRT implant during the same time period. The primary efficacy endpoint was all-cause mortality at 36 months, assessed by Kaplan-Meier time to first event curves.Results In the octogenarian cohort, mean age at CRT implant was 83.1 ± 2.9 yearsvs. 60.1 ± 8.8 years among controls （P 〈 0.001）. Across both groups, 70% were male, mean left ventricular ejection fraction （LVEF） was 24.8% ± 14.1% and QRS duration was 154 ± 24.8 ms, without significant differences between groups. Octo-genarians were more likely to have ischemic cardiomyopathy （74%vs. 37%,P 〈 0.001） and more likely to undergo upgrade to CRT instead of an initial implant （42%vs. 19%,P 〈 0.001）. The rate of appropriate defibrillator shocks was lower among octogenarians （14%vs. 27%,P = 0.02） whereas the rate of inappropriate shocks was similar （3%vs. 6%,P = 0.55）. At 36 months, there was no significant difference in the rate of all-cause mortality between octogenarians （11%） and controls （8%,P = 0.381）.ConclusionAppropriately selected octogenarians who are candidates for CRT have similar intermediate-term mortality compared to younger patients receiving CRT.     

A comparison of short-term outcomes between Ivor-Lewis and McKeown minimally invasive esophagectomy

Background

Only few comparative studies have been reported on the outcomes of minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE) with intrathoracic anastomosis (MIE Ivor-Lewis) and MIE with cervical anastomosis (MIE McKeown) for patients with mid and lower esophageal cancer. The objective of this study is to compare the safety, feasibility, and short-term outcomes between two groups.

Methods

Clinical and surgical data of patients with esophageal cancer who underwent either MIE Ivor-Lewis or MIE McKeown between January 2013 and October 2014 were retrospectively analyzed. Demographic characteristics, pathological data, operative procedures, and perioperative outcomes and survival in patients were compared between both groups.

Results

Of the 72 patients included in this retrospective analysis, 32 underwent MIE Ivor-Lewis and 40 underwent MIE McKeown. Demographics, pathologic data, inpatient mortality, and surgical morbidity in both cohorts were almost identical. A significant difference was observed in Pulmonary complication (18.8% vs. 42.5%, P=0.032), Anastomotic leakage (9.4% vs. 30%, P=0.032), Anastomotic stenosis (12.5% vs. 35%, P=0.028), recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) injury (6.3% vs. 22.5%, P=0.034) between MIE Ivor-Lewis and MIE McKeown groups; however, no difference in operative time (312.6±82.0 vs. 339.4±80.0, P=0.249), blood loss (246.3±82.4 vs. 272.9±136.3, P=0.443), lymph nodes harvested (19.3±8.1 vs. 20.2±7.2, P=0.655) and 90-day mortality (3.1% vs. 5%, P=0.692) was observed between two groups.

Conclusions

The procedure of MIE Ivor-Lewis for esophageal cancer possesses advantages in perioperative outcomes and less complications compared with MIE McKeown.     

The relationship between hypertension and anxiety or depression in Hong Kong Chinese

BACKGROUND:

Psychosocial stress can be the cause or the consequence of hypertension.

OBJECTIVE:

To study the association between hypertension and anxiety or depression in adults from Hong Kong, China.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS:

Patients with diagnosed hypertension (n=197) were recruited to complete the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) questionnaire. The control group comprised 182 normotensive subjects recruited using random telephone numbers.

RESULTS:

The score in the anxiety subscale (HADS-A) of the HADS correlated with age (r= −0.23, P<0.001) and sex (r=0.11, P=0.042), and was found to be higher in women. The score in the depression subscale (HADS-D) correlated with age (r=0.17, P=0.003) and hypertension (r=0.12, P=0.039), but not with sex (r=0.02, P=0.68). When the control subjects were matched for sex and age with the subjects with hypertension, the mean HADS-A score was 5.51±0.41 in 113 hypertensive subjects and 4.38±0.39 in 113 normotensive subjects (P=0.047). The mean HADS-D score was 5.56±0.39 in the hypertensive and 4.76±0.32 in the normotensive subjects (P=0.11). Multiple regression analysis using data from both groups indicated that the HADS-A score was related to the HADS-D score (β=0.49, P<0.001), age (β= −0.25, P<0.001) and sex (β=0.12, P=0.01) (R²=0.28), whereas the HADS-D score was related to the HADS-A score (β=0.48, P<0.001), age (β=0.30, P<0.001), positive smoking status (β=0.13, P=0.004) and lack of exercise habit (β=0.12, P=0.008) (R²=0.31). Hypertension was related to waist circumference, history of parental hypertension and age (R²=0.38, P<0.001). Anxiety and depression scores were rejected as independent variables.

CONCLUSIONS:

Hypertension was associated with anxiety but not depression; however, age, history of parental hypertension and central obesity appeared to have a stronger association with hypertension in adults from Hong Kong.     

Patient blood management in orthopaedic surgery: a four-year follow-up of transfusion requirements and blood loss from 2008 to 2011 at the Balgrist University Hospital in Zurich,Switzerland

Background

The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of the introduction of a Patient Blood Management (PBM) programme in elective orthopaedic surgery on immediate pre-operative anaemia, red blood cell (RBC) mass loss, and transfusion.

Materials and methods

Orthopaedic operations (hip, n=3,062; knee, n=2,953; and spine, n=2,856) performed between 2008 and 2011 were analysed. Period 1 (2008), was before the introduction of the PBM programme and period 2 (2009 to 2011) the time after its introduction. Immediate pre-operative anaemia, RBC mass loss, and transfusion rates in the two periods were compared.

Results

In hip surgery, the percentage of patients with immediate pre-operative anaemia decreased from 17.6% to 12.9% (p<0.001) and RBC mass loss was unchanged, being 626±434 vs 635±450 mL (p=0.974). Transfusion rate was significantly reduced from 21.8% to 15.7% (p<0.001). The number of RBC units transfused remained unchanged (p=0.761). In knee surgery the prevalence of immediate pre-operative anaemia decreased from 15.5% to 7.8% (p<0.001) and RBC mass loss reduced from 573±355 to 476±365 mL (p<0.001). The transfusion rate dropped from 19.3% to 4.9% (p<0.001). RBC transfusions decreased from 0.53±1.27 to 0.16±0.90 units (p<0.001). In spine surgery the prevalence of immediate pre-operative anaemia remained unchanged (p=0.113), RBC mass loss dropped from 551±421 to 404±337 mL (p<0.001), the transfusion rate was reduced from 18.6 to 8.6% (p<0.001) and RBC transfusions decreased from 0.66±1.80 to 0.22±0.89 units (p=0.008).

Discussion

Detection and treatment of pre-operative anaemia, meticulous surgical technique, optimal surgical blood-saving techniques, and standardised transfusion triggers in the context of PBM programme resulted in a lower incidence of immediate pre-operative anaemia, reduction in RBC mass loss, and a lower transfusion rate.     

Correlation of fluid balance and postoperative pulmonary complications in patients after esophagectomy for cancer

Background

To investigate the association between fluid balance and postoperative pulmonary complications in patients after esophagectomy for cancer in a high volume cancer center.

Methods

Data of patients who admitted to intensive care unit (ICU) after esophagectomy at Cancer Hospital of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS) and Peking Union Medical College (PUMC) between September 2008 and October 2010 were retrospectively collected and reviewed.

Results

There were 85 males and 15 females. Among them, 39 patients developed postoperative pulmonary complications and hospital death was observed in 3 patients (3.0%). Univariable analysis showed that patients who developed postoperative pulmonary complications had more cumulative fluid balance in day 1 to 2 (2,669±1,315 vs. 3,815±1,353 mL, P<0.001; and 4,307±1,627 vs. 5,397±2,040 mL, P=0.014, respectively) compared with patients who did not have postoperative pulmonary complications. Multivariable regression analysis demonstrated that only more cumulative fluid balance in day 1 (P=0.008; OR =1.001; 95% CI, 1.000-1.002) was independent risk factor for postoperative pulmonary complications.

Conclusions

Positive fluid balance in postoperative day 1 is predictive of pulmonary complications in patients after esophagectomy for cancer.     

Accidental invisible intrathoracic disseminated pT4-M1a: a distinct lung cancer with favorable prognosis

Objective

In the 7^th edition of the TNM classification of malignant tumors, the prognosis for pT4-M1a stage IV lung cancer is better than for stage pIIIB. Subgroups of lung cancer patients who underwent incomplete resection (R1/R2) have a favorable prognosis. This study compares the prognosis between cases of invisible local residual disease and intrathoracic disseminated pT4-M1aIV.

Methods

Patient characteristics and histological and molecular profiles were retrospectively collected for lung cancer patients who underwent resection intended to be curative but were accidentally incomplete. All patients were divided into either a local residual group or an intrathoracic disseminated pT4M1a group. Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were evaluated by Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression models.

Results

In total, 1,483 consecutive lung cancer patients receiving thoracotomies at Guangdong Lung Cancer Institute were retrospectively analyzed. Fifty-eight patients receiving incomplete resections (R1/R2) were enrolled, including 38 patients with local residual cancer (2.6% of all patients) and 20 patients with disseminated pM1a (1.3%). Patient characteristics, and histological and molecular profiles of the two groups were different. Compared to the local residual group, the disseminated pT4-M1a group contained more females (P=0.002), more patients younger than 60 years of age (P=0.028), more non-smokers (P=0.037), more adenocarcinomas (20/20 vs. 20/38, P<0.001), more adenocarcinomas with lepidic pattern (11/20 vs. 4/38, P<0.001), higher carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels (P=0.06), higher epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation rates (16/20 vs. 7/38, P<0.001), a higher R2/R1 resection ratio (P=0.013), a higher advanced stage IV/IIIB ratio (P<0.001), but fewer lymph node metastases (P=0.013). Median PFS for the local residual and disseminated pT4-M1a groups was 9.0 and 18.0 months, respectively [95% confidence interval (CI), 5.285-16.715; P =0.099]. Median OS was 15.0 and 45.0 months, respectively (95% CI, 18.972-39.028; P=0.001). Cox regression analysis revealed that group (local residual vs. disseminated pT4-M1a) was the only independent prognostic factor (P=0.044) for OS.

Conclusions

Accidental invisible intrathoracic disseminated pT4-M1a may be a distinct lung cancer subtype with a favorable prognosis. The prolonged PFS and OS might reflect the natural history of this distinct subtype, together with a favorable response to EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKI). For asymptomatic and slow-growing accidental pT4-M1a disease, the role of a wait-and-see strategy and the appropriate timing of systemic treatment require further investigation.     

Ambulatory Recording of Wave Reflections and Arterial Stiffness during Intra- and Interdialytic Periods in Patients Treated with Dialysis

Background and objectives

Wave reflections and arterial stiffness are independent cardiovascular risk factors in ESRD. Previous studies in this population included only static recordings before and after dialysis. This study investigated the variation of these indices during intra- and interdialytic intervals and examined demographic, clinical, and hemodynamic variables related to arterial function in patients undergoing hemodialysis.

Design, setting, participants, & measurements

Between February 2013 and May 2014, a total of 153 patients receiving maintenance hemodialysis in five dialysis centers of northern Greece underwent ambulatory BP monitoring with the newly introduced Mobil-O-Graph device (IEM, Stolberg, Germany) over a midweek dialysis session and the subsequent interdialytic period. Mobil-O-Graph is an oscillometric device that records brachial BP and pulse waves and estimates, via generalized transfer function, aortic BP, augmentation index (AIx) as a measure of wave reflections, and pulse wave velocity (PWV) as an index of arterial stiffness.

Results

AIx was lower during dialysis than in the interdialytic period of dialysis-on day (Day 1) (mean±SD, 24.7%±9.7% versus 26.8%±9.4%; P<0.001). In contrast, PWV remained unchanged between these intervals (9.31±2.2 versus 9.29±2.3 m/sec; P=0.60). Both AIx and PWV increased during dialysis-off day (Day 2) versus the out-of-dialysis period of Day 1 (28.8%±9.8% versus 26.8%±9.4% [P<0.001] and 9.39±2.3 versus 9.29±2.3 m/sec [P<0.001]). Older age (odds ratio [OR], 1.09; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.02 to 1.15), female sex (OR, 7.56; 95% CI, 1.64 to 34.81), diabetic status (OR, 8.84; 95% CI, 1.76 to 17.48), and higher mean BP (OR, 1.17; 95% CI, 1.09 to 1.27) were associated with higher odds of high AIx; higher heart rate was associated with lower odds (OR, 0.71; 95% CI, 0.63 to 0.80) of high AIx. Older age (OR, 2.04; 95% CI, 1.61 to 2.58) and higher mean BP (OR, 1.15; 95% CI, 1.05 to 1.27) were independent correlates of high PWV.

Conclusions

This study showed a gradual interdialytic increase in AIx, whereas PWV was only slightly elevated during Day 2. Future studies are needed to elucidate the value of these ambulatory measures for cardiovascular risk prediction in ESRD.     

Homocysteine and markers of inflammation in acute coronary syndrome

BACKGROUND:

An elevated level of homocysteine (Hcy) has been shown to be a cardiovascular risk factor in the majority of research studies. Recently, it was found to be associated with new risk factors such as inflammatory markers.

OBJECTIVES:

To investigate the distribution of plasma total Hcy (tHcy) and the levels of inflammatory markers in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS), and to evaluate the association between these parameters and the severity of the disease.

METHODS:

A total of 122 patients with ACS and 80 control subjects were recruited from the cardiac intensive care unit of the Military Hospital of Tunis, Tunisia. Lipid profile and the levels of tHcy, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (HsCRP), interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, IL-1β and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα) were determined for all participants. The distribution of these parameters were compared between groups and according to the number of diseased vessels in patients with ACS.

RESULTS:

ACS patients had significantly elevated levels of tHcy (P<0.01), HsCRP (P<0.001), IL-6 (P<0.001), TNFα (P<0.001), folates (P<0.05) and vitamin B₁₂ (P<0.001), but lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (P<0.05) levels. The analysis of the association between these parameters and the number of diseased vessels showed significant differences in tHcy, HsCRP, IL-6 and TNFα, with positive correlations. Significantly negative correlations were found between the number of diseased vessels and folate (r=−0.34; P<0.01), and vitamin B₁₂ (r=−0.22; P<0.01).

CONCLUSION:

Elevated levels of tHcy, IL-6, TNFα and HsCRP appear to be associated with a greater number of diseased arteries and, consequently, the severity of coronary artery disease.     

The Bleeding Risk Score as a Mortality Predictor in Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome

Background

It is well known that the occurrence of bleeding increases in-hospital mortality in patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS), and there is a good correlation between bleeding risk scores and bleeding incidence. However, the role of bleeding risk score as mortality predictor is poorly studied.

Objective

The main purpose of this paper was to analyze the role of bleeding risk score as in-hospital mortality predictor in a cohort of patients with ACS treated in a single cardiology tertiary center.

Methods

Out of 1,655 patients with ACS (547 with ST-elevation ACS and 1,118 with non-ST-elevation ACS), we calculated the ACUITY/HORIZONS bleeding score prospectively in 249 patients and retrospectively in the remaining 1,416. Mortality information and hemorrhagic complications were also obtained.

Results

Among the mean age of 64.3 ± 12.6 years, the mean bleeding score was 18 ± 7.7. The correlation between bleeding and mortality was highly significant (p < 0.001, OR = 5.296), as well as the correlation between bleeding score and in-hospital bleeding (p < 0.001, OR = 1.058), and between bleeding score and in-hospital mortality (adjusted OR = 1.121, p < 0.001, area under the ROC curve 0.753, p < 0.001). The adjusted OR and area under the ROC curve for the population with ST-elevation ACS were, respectively, 1.046 (p = 0.046) and 0.686 ± 0.040 (p < 0.001); for non-ST-elevation ACS the figures were, respectively, 1.150 (p < 0.001) and 0.769 ± 0.036 (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Bleeding risk score is a very useful and highly reliable predictor of in-hospital mortality in a wide range of patients with acute coronary syndromes, especially in those with unstable angina or non-ST-elevation acute myocardial infarction.