Further experience with the free soleus perforator flaps using CT-angiography as a planning tool – A preliminary study

IntroductionThe soleus perforator flap is a soft tissue flap with minimal donor site morbidity however is not frequently utilised due to the unpredictability of the perforating vessel to serve as the vascular pedicle. We have trialed the use of CT-angiography as a planning tool to predict location, length, course, and calibre of the pedicle to make this a more reliable choice.MethodsTwenty consecutive patients with intraoral squamous cell carcinomas were assessed with CT-angiography to examine the peroneal perforators before considering soleus flap raising. If a sizeable perforator could be visualised at the upper half of the lower leg, flap raising was carried out, and the result of the CT-angiography was compared with the intra-operative findings.ResultsCT-angiography allowed for visualisation of perforators measuring 1 mm in diameter and could predict location, length and course of the vessel. Accordingly, eight of the 20 patients had to be excluded from flap raising due to missing, too fine or too far distally located perforators. Intra-operative findings corresponded well with the results of the CT-scans.ConclusionCT-angiography is a useful tool for planning the soleus perforator flap and allows selection of the most suitable perforator making the use of this flap more reliable.     

Effect of cerium chloride application on fibroblast and osteoblast proliferation and differentiation

ObjectiveThis study investigated effects of cerium-chloride on fibroblast and osteoblast differentiation and proliferation.MethodsMC3T3-E1 cells were plated for an alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity test. On day 3, CeCl₃-solutions (1, 5 or 10, w/v%) were added. After 10 s, the solutions were aspirated and washed to remove residual CeCl₃. On day 6 ALP activity was determined. Cell activity and proliferation was assessed by thiazolyl blue tetrazolium dye reduction assay (MTT-test) also 3 days after exposure to the CeCl₃-solutions. Calcium deposition by preosteoblastic cells was determined 4 weeks after the exposure of the cells by alizarin red staining. Furthermore, in all experiments the influence of adding rhBMP-2 was tested. Statistical analysis was performed by repeated-measures ANOVA using the post hoc Fisher least significant difference (LSD) test. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.ResultsExposure to a Ce-solution of 1% or higher reduced ALP activity significantly. The addition of rhBMP-2 was able to elevate ALP activity above control level. MTT-test showed a significant decrease in cellular activity by 5% Ce or higher. The addition of rhBMP-2 had no positive effect. For human foreskin fibroblasts, exposure to even 10% Ce yielded a significant increase in cellular activity. Ce reduced calcium deposition to a level of below 50% of the control. The addition of rhBMP-2 restored mineral deposition to control levels for all Ce concentrations.ConclusionCeCl₃ had a stimulating effect on fibroblasts but a depressing influence on osteoblasts. However, adding rhBMP-2 could compensate the latter influence.     

Bath-water PUVA therapy with 8-methoxypsoralen in mycosis fungoides

PUVA therapy is widely used for early stage mycosis fungoides. While the efficacy of PUVA with oral 8-methoxypsoralen (8-MOP) is well documented, the use of its topical variation, bath-water PUVA therapy with 8-MOP has not been studied. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of 8-MOP bath-water PUVA therapy in adult patients with early stage mycosis fungoides. We retrospectively evaluated the outcomes of bath-water delivery of 8-MOP (1 mg l(-1)) in 16 patients with early stage mycosis fungoides. In all patients complete response was achieved after a mean duration of 63 days requiring 29 treatments and a mean cumulative UVA dose of 33 J cm(-2). The time to relapse after complete clinical clearance was 45.6 (+/-9.2) weeks. In comparison, oral PUVA therapy with 8-MOP resulted in complete response after 64.5 days (25.8 treatments) with a mean relapse-free period of 30 (+/-3.5) weeks. We conclude that bath-water PUVA therapy with 8-MOP is a valuable photo-therapeutic alternative, which should be considered for patients in whom systemic psoralen cannot be used.     

Plasma sRAGE is independently associated with increased mortality in ARDS: a meta-analysis of individual patient data

Purpose

The soluble receptor for advanced glycation end-products (sRAGE) is a marker of lung epithelial injury and alveolar fluid clearance (AFC), with promising values for assessing prognosis and lung injury severity in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Because AFC is impaired in most patients with ARDS and is associated with higher mortality, we hypothesized that baseline plasma sRAGE would predict mortality, independently of two key mediators of ventilator-induced lung injury.

Methods

We conducted a meta-analysis of individual data from 746 patients enrolled in eight prospective randomized and observational studies in which plasma sRAGE was measured in ARDS articles published through March 2016. The primary outcome was 90-day mortality. Using multivariate and mediation analyses, we tested the association between baseline plasma sRAGE and mortality, independently of driving pressure and tidal volume.

Results

Higher baseline plasma sRAGE [odds ratio (OR) for each one-log increment, 1.18; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.01–1.38; P?=?0.04], driving pressure (OR for each one-point increment, 1.04; 95% CI 1.02–1.07; P?=?0.002), and tidal volume (OR for each one-log increment, 1.98; 95% CI 1.07–3.64; P?=?0.03) were independently associated with higher 90-day mortality in multivariate analysis. Baseline plasma sRAGE mediated a small fraction of the effect of higher ΔP on mortality but not that of higher V_T.

Conclusions

Higher baseline plasma sRAGE was associated with higher 90-day mortality in patients with ARDS, independently of driving pressure and tidal volume, thus reinforcing the likely contribution of alveolar epithelial injury as an important prognostic factor in ARDS. Registration: PROSPERO (ID: CRD42018100241).

     

Left-Atrial Appendage Thrombosis in Patients With Severe Aortic Stenosis Undergoing Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation

BackgroundData about the impact of left-atrial appendage thrombosis (LAAT) on early safety and mortality in patients undergoing transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TF-TAVI) are scarce. We aimed to investigate the prevalence and predictors of LAAT and the outcome associated with this condition in patients treated by TF-TAVI.MethodsRetrospective data analysis was derived from a prospective single-centre registry comparing patients with and without LAAT regarding early safety at 30 days, according to Valve Academic Research Consortium-2 (VARC-2) and 2-year mortality.ResultsLAAT was found in 7.6% of the whole cohort (n = 2527) and in 16.6% in those patients with known pre-existing atrial fibrillation (AF cohort, n = 1099). Compared with controls, patients with LAAT were sicker, indicated by a higher Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) score and burden of comorbidities. Neither VARC-2–defined early safety at 30 days nor the rate of stroke was different between LAAT and controls in both the whole (early safety: 29.2% vs 24.2%, P = 0.123; stroke: 5.9% vs 4.7%, P = 0.495) and AF cohort (early safety: 29.1% vs 22.9%, P = 0.072; stroke: 5.6% vs 3.3%, P = 0.142). Evaluating the whole cohort in a univariate analysis, the 2-year mortality was significantly higher in LAAT compared with controls (hazard ratio, 1.41; 95% confidence interval, 1.07-1.86; P = 0.014). However, multivariate analysis of the whole cohort and the AF cohort revealed no association between LAAT and 2-year mortality.ConclusionsLAAT was frequent in patients undergoing TF-TAVI— in particular, in patients with histories of AF—but it was not associated with an increase in periprocedural complications and did not predict 2-year mortality.     

Sports-Related Sudden Cardiac Arrest in Germany

BackgroundKnowledge about causes of sports-related sudden cardiac arrest (SrSCA) may influence national strategies to prevent such events. Therefore, we established a prospective registry on SrSCA to estimate the incidence and in particular describe the etiologies of SrSCA in the general population in Germany.MethodsThe registration of SrSCA based upon 4 pillars: a web-based platform to record SrSCA cases in competitive and recreational athletes, media-monitoring, cooperation with the German Resuscitation Registry, and 15 institutes of forensic medicine.ResultsAfter an observation period of 6 years, a total of 349 cases was recorded (mean age 48.0 ± 12.7 years); 109 subjects survived. Most of the cases occurred during nonelite competitive or recreational sports. Bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was initiated in 262 cases (75%); however, rhythm analysis and defibrillation (if indicated) was mainly performed by medical services. In patients ≤ 35 years of age, premature coronary artery disease (CAD) and sudden arrhythmic death syndrome (SADS) prevailed, followed by myocarditis. In athletes ≥ 35 years of age, CAD predominated.ConclusionsCountry-specific registries are necessary to define the national screening and prevention strategy optimally. In Germany, premature CAD, SADS, and myocarditis are the leading causes of SrSCA in young athletes, reinforcing the great disparity of the prevalence of cardiac diseases among different countries. Extension of on-site SCD-prevention campaigns, with training of CPR and explanation of the efficient use of automated external defibrillators (AEDs), may decrease the burden of SrSCD.     

The effect of hydroxychloroquine on platelet activation in model experiments

Journal of Thrombosis and Thrombolysis - Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) is an antimalarial agent with pleiotropic effects and now represents a cornerstone in the management of patients with autoimmune...