Predictive value of factors affecting early results and complications in eight years of coronary artery bypass surgery

All cases of coronary bypass procedures without concomitant heart valve replacement occurring in a defined geographical area over a 8-year period (1980-1987) were reviewed and the 30-day mortality and complication rates associated with them were analyzed. The study comprised 3,484 patients with the diagnoses: stable (2477) or unstable (724) angina pectoris, angina pectoris combined with left ventricular aneurysm (165) or with an other complicating factor (96), postinfarction septal defect (13) and postinfarction mitral valve insufficiency (9). The total operative mortality during the study period was 3.1%. Persistent new Q waves in the electrocardiogram developed in 2.4% and increased enzyme release indicating myocardial injury (S-ASAT greater than 2.0 microkat/L and S-CKMB isoenzyme greater than 1.5 microkat/L) occurred in 15%. There were 478 complications in 378 patients (11%). Indication for surgery, year of surgery, NYHA class, congestive heart failure, age, sex, aortic cross-clamp time, and cardiopulmonary bypass time were significantly related to operative mortality (p less than 0.05). The same variables except sex were related to complications. Myocardial infarction (new persistent Q wave) was predictable by NYHA class, aortic cross-clamp time, and cardiopulmonary bypass time. The same variables and also year of surgery, regrafting procedure, congestive heart failure, and thromboendarterectomy were predictors of myocardial injury (enzyme release).     

特殊黏液分型的早期分化型胃型腺癌1例

黏液分型为胃型的早期胃癌具有内镜下易漏诊、病理诊断难、鉴别困难等特点。随着对胃型肿瘤认识的加深，临床上逐渐发现了一些未能分类的胃型早期胃癌。本文报道了1例较为特殊的近端胃早期分化型胃型腺癌，肿瘤长在正常黏膜表面，模拟小凹上皮分化，并伴随模拟胃底腺分化，最终经3家省级医院病理科讨论后考虑为未能分类的胃型早期胃癌。     

Immediate coronary artery bypass graft surgery for acute coronary syndrome – Outcomes and trends over the past eight years

BackgroundPatients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) who are indicated for an immediate cardiac procedure represent a high-risk population, burdened with an increased frequency of serious postoperative complications and higher mortality. In our study, we present the outcomes and trends within a group of patients who underwent a surgical procedure at our centre between 2006 and 2013.MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed data obtained from the National Registry of Cardiac Surgery for the period between 2006 and 2013; the patient population was further subdivided into two time periods, in order to facilitate the comparison: 2006–2009, n = 185; 2010–2013, n = 112. Furthermore, three groups were defined within each of the time periods, according to the main reason for performing the emergency surgery: unstable angina (UA), acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and cardiogenic shock (CS). Consequently, corresponding groups in both time periods were compared.The main observed parameter was the postoperative mortality within 30 days from the procedure. Other analyzed attributes included the overall length of stay, length of ICU stay, ventilation time and the number of postoperative complications (reoperation due to bleeding, infectious complications of the sternotomy, renal failure requiring haemodialysis, multiple organ failure, stroke).ResultsImmediate surgical procedures represented on average 6.45% (4.7-9.2%) of the total number of surgeries performed at our centre per year between 2006 and 2013. The number of this type of surgery manifests a downward trend: 7.7% (2006–2009) vs. 5.2% (2010–2013). We also noted changes in the trends of the number of patients undergoing surgery due to UA: 40% (2006–2009) vs. 25% (2010–2013), AMI: 50% (2006–2009) vs. 55% (2010–2013) and CS: 11% (2006–2009) vs. 20% (2010–2013). The thirty-day mortality in the whole patient group was 15.49%: 12.4% (2006–2009) and 20.5% (2010–2013).ConclusionsThe analysis of our patient file shows a decreasing trend in the number of patients undergoing emergency surgery due to ACS in our centre in the course of the last eight years. Between 2010 and 2013, the proportional representation of patients undergoing surgery due to UA decreased, while the percentage of patients undergoing surgery due to AMI and CS increased. Within the population of patients with ACS, we were also able to determine an increased frequency of some risk factors and increased thirty-day mortality among patients undergoing surgery.     

Metachronous early gastric adenocarcinoma presenting coinstantaneously with complete remission of stage IV gastric MALT lymphoma

Adenocarcinoma and lymphoma represent the two most common malignant tumours of the stomach, with both neoplasms being associated with infection by Helicobacter pylori. However, the presence of lymphoma and adenocarcinoma in the same patient is a rare entity with synchronous neoplasms being more common than metachronous types. We report a case of stage IV gastric MALT lymphoma of the gastric angle with infiltration of the bone marrow successfully treated with chemotherapy and the occurrence of metachronous early gastric adenocarcinoma of the fundus presenting 1 year after the diagnosis of the lymphoma.     

Prandial aspiration and pneumonia in an elderly population followed over 3 years

The purpose of our study was to prospectively determine pneumonia frequency and correlate it with prandial liquid aspiration and feeding status in frail elderly nursing home residents. Initially, 152 patients had video swallowing examinations (81 oropharyngeal dysphagia, 19 thoracic dysphagia, 52 without dysphagia). Those diagnosed with oropharyngeal impairment were subsequently managed with swallowing therapy or artificial feeding modalities. Patients were followed for 3 years (unless they expired earlier) and clinical courses were categorized according to the degree of prandial aspiration and feeding (PAF) status. Subjects with new lung infiltrates persisting for at least 5 days with appropriate clinical findings were diagnosed as having pneumonia and were classified according to the PAF status months in which these findings occurred. Fifty-six pneumonias were diagnosed during 4,280 months with the following frequencies: no aspiration months 0.6%; minor aspiration months 0.9%; major aspiration/oral feeding months 1,3%; major aspiration/artificial feeding months 4.4%, p<0.001. Our results indicate that there is not a simple and obvious relation between prandial liquid aspiration and pneumonia. Artificial feeding does not seem to be a satisfactory solution for preventing pneumonia in elderly prandial aspirators.     

Eight-year survival after advanced gastric cancer treated with S-1 followed by surgery

We report a case of advanced gastric cancer, with cervical, axillary, and abdominal paraaortic lymph node metastases, that was successfully treated with chemotherapy and surgery. The disease was initially considered unresectable, and the patient was treated with orally administered S-1. Chemotherapy was effective, and all lymph node metastases disappeared after 6 courses. After 27 mo of chemotherapy, the patient underwent curative surgery, with subtotal gastrectomy and lymph node dissection. Histopathologic...     

北京老年人认知功能对生存率影响的八年随访观察

目的 通过对北京市社区居住的老年人进行队列追踪，观察不同认知功能水平的老年人的预后和生存概率。方法 对1992年抽取的55岁以上老年前期和老年人2047例进行前瞻性研究。结果 1992年认知功能正常组8年累积死亡率31．6％，显著低于认知功能异常组(60．4％)。正常组中正常高分者的累积死亡率27．7％，明显低于正常低限者(53．3％)。分年龄计算的3组生存曲线明显不同。控制了年龄、性别、城乡、一般健康状况等影响因素的多因素分析也证实，认知功能水平低者死亡的危险高于功能水平高者0．85至1．7倍。结论 认知功能是独立于年龄、性别、健康等状况外的影响老年人存活的重要因素。加强对认知功能水平低的老年人的监护可能对降低老年人死亡率有帮助。     

Adult-onset Still's disease in a patient over 80 years old successfully treated with low-dose methotrexate therapy

We report on an 83-year-old Japanese woman with adult-onset Still's disease (AOSD), with marked hypercytokinemia (serum levels of ferritin (Fer) and interleukin (IL)-18 were markedly high). On seeing older patients with fever of unknown origin (FUO), particularly Asians, AOSD should be considered. Reduced doses of oral prednisolone following intravenous methylprednisolone (mPSL) therapy caused a flare-up of AOSD and led to Pneumocystis carinii (jeroveci) pneumonia. Low-dose methotrexate (MTX) therapy was administered as a steroid-sparing agent with good response. Our case suggests that in very elderly people, as in younger patients, MTX is useful for controlling AOSD with marked hypercytokinemia, and avoiding corticosteroid-induced adverse effects.     

A bilateral diaphragmatic paralysis due to Parsonage and Turner syndrome--its evolution over eight years

The diaphragmatic paralysis is a rare disease whose causes and evolving forms are numerous. We report the development to eight years of paralysis diaphragmatic bilateral attributed to a Parsonage-Turner syndrome: the lack of recovery is proved by respiratory functional follow-up. The therapeutic possibilities, limited, are discussed.     

Pre and perioperative factors determining early in-hospital mortality in patients over 75 years of age undergoing cardiac surgery

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: To know the in-hospital morbidity and mortality and the related factors in patients over 75 years old undergoing cardiac surgery. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis was carried out in 252 out of 2043 consecutive patients (129 female, 123 male) over 75 years of age (mean age 77.8 years; range 75 to 89 years) undergoing open heart surgery from january 1, 1994 to november 30, 1997. Isolated aortic valve replacement was performed in 128 patients, 78 underwent isolated coronary artery bypass grafting and 46 combined surgery. Preoperative determinants of morbidity and mortality were analyzed. RESULTS: The overall hospital mortality was 15.1%, 13.2% in the aortic group, 12.8% in the coronary group and 23.9% in the combined surgery group. The overall morbidity rate was 38.6% and 25.8%, 34.2% in the aortic and coronary groups, respectively. Preoperative risk factors were prior surgery (p < 0.0004) and emergency operation (p < 0.04). In aortic valve replacement, NYHA class IV (p < 0.05), prior operation (p < 0. 01) and emergency surgery (p < 0.01) were determinant. Perioperative factors of early mortality were: prolonged cross-clamping > 60 min (p < 0.02), cardiopulmonary bypass time > 90 min (p < 0.002), need for inotropic drugs (p < 0.005) and postoperative complications (p < 0.00001). Mean postoperative length of hospital stay was 12.8 +/- 8. 5 days. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the greater rate of early morbimortality in patients over 75 years of age, cardiac surgery may be performed avoiding emergency surgery, functional grade IV and prolonged length of surgery.     

Exercise and risk factors for arteriosclerosis in 42 married couples followed over four years

Forty-two married couples (30-69 years of age) were followed for 4 years with yearly measurements of risk factors for arteriosclerosis. Advice was given concerning relaxed, enjoyable exercise (mainly running at 10-13 km hr-1). Each person served as his own control by comparison of the first and the last yearly status. Both the group of women and the group of men significantly improved (two sided p less than 0.005) their maximum oxygen uptake, and reduced their blood glucose concentration (two-sided p less than 0.01). S-cholesterol (for the group of men) was reduced statistically significantly (two-sided p less than 0.01). At the first examination the groups of women and men with the lowest maximum oxygen uptake (group I) had higher average values for risk factors than the more active groups (group II). At the final examination almost all persons had improved their maximum oxygen uptake, so none of the other risk factor differences between groups I and II were statistically significant. Both the women and the men improved their well being and their health profile as evaluated in terms of risk factors for arteriosclerosis. Exhaustive exercise was not necessary for beneficial effects.     

Factors associated with early recurrence after curative surgery for gastric cancer

AIM: To characterize patterns of gastric cancer recurrence and patient survival and to identify predictors of early recurrence after surgery.METHODS: Clinicopathological data for 417 consecutive patients who underwent curative resection for gastric cancer were retrospectively analyzed. Tumor and node status was reclassified according to the 7th edition of the American Joint Committee on Cancer tumor-node-metastasis classification for carcinoma of the stomach. Survival data came from both the patients' follow-up records and telephone followups.Recurrent gastric cancer was diagnosed based on clinical imaging, gastroscopy with biopsy, and/or cytological examination of ascites, or intraoperative findings in patients who underwent reoperation.Predictors of early recurrence were compared in patients with pT1 and pT2-4a stage tumors. Pearson's χ 2 test and Fisher's exact test were used to compare differences between categorical variables. Survival curves were constructed using the Kaplan-Meier method and compared via the log-rank test. Variables identified as potentially important for early recurrence using univariate analysis were determined by multivariate logistic regression analysis.RESULTS: Of 417 gastric cancer patients, 80(19.2%)were diagnosed with early gastric cancer and the remaining 337(80.8%) were diagnosed with locally advanced gastric cancer. After a median follow-up period of 56 mo, 194 patients(46.5%) experiencedrecurrence. The mean time from curative surgery to recurrence in these 194 patients was 24 ± 18 mo(range, 1-84 mo). Additionally, of these 194 patients,129(66.5%) experienced recurrence within 2 years after surgery. There was no significant difference in recurrence patterns between early and late recurrence(P 0.05 each). For pT1 stage gastric cancer, tumor size(P = 0.011) and pN stage(P = 0.048) were associated with early recurrence of gastric tumors.Patient age, pT stage, pN stage, Lauren histotype,lymphovascular invasion, intraoperative chemotherapy,and postoperative chemotherapy were independent predictors of early recurrence in patients with pT2-4a stage gastric cancer(P 0.05 each).CONCLUSION: Age, pT stage, pN stage, Lauren histotype, lymphovascular invasion, intraoperative chemotherapy, and postoperative chemotherapy are independent factors influencing early recurrence of pT2-4a stage gastric cancer.     

Prognostic factors after surgery in patients younger than 50 years old with colorectal adenocarcinoma

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The factors predicting recurrence and survival were evaluated using a computer-generated database to identify the independent predictors of survival of colorectal cancer in patients under 50 years of age. METHODOLOGY: One hundred and two patients under the age of 50 years with colorectal cancer who had been admitted into our hospital during the 20-year period of 1980-1999 were identified from a computer database. The factors possibly predicting recurrence were compared by bivariate analysis and the predictors of long-term survival by both univariate and multivariate analysis. RESULTS: A family history of colorectal cancer was present in 14% of all patients and in 15% of the patients aged under 40 years. Overall 5-year survival after radical resection was 59% and median survival 47 months. The recurrence rate after radical resection was 40%, being 13%, 35%, 55% and 80% in Dukes classes A, B, C and D, respectively. The risk of recurrence was most closely related to lymphatic invasion, vascular invasion and Dukes stage. Kaplan-Meier estimates showed that Dukes stage, grade of tumor, venous invasion, lymphatic invasion, perineural invasion and radicality of resection were the best predictors of survival, but in multivariate analysis only the radicality of operation, venous invasion and tumor grade retained their significance. CONCLUSIONS: Young age is not a poor prognostic marker in colorectal cancer. In addition to radical operation, venous invasion and tumor grade are good predictors of survival in patients under the age of 50 years.