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Cardiology 2022Atrial-esophageal fistula (AEF) is a rare but life-threatening complication of catheter ablation. The clinical presentation and mortality risk factors of AEF have not...
INTRODUCTION
Atrial-esophageal fistula (AEF) is a rare but life-threatening complication of catheter ablation. The clinical presentation and mortality risk factors of AEF have not been fully elucidated. The aim of this study was to systematically review the clinical characteristics and prognosis of AEF.
METHODS
PubMed was searched from inception to October 2020 following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement protocol.
RESULTS
A total of 190 AEF patients were included. The mean age was 59.29 ± 11.67 years, 74.21% occurred in males, and 81.58% underwent radiofrequency ablation. AEF occurred within 30 days after ablation in 80.82% of patients and occurred later in patients presenting with neurological symptoms compared with other symptoms (median of onset time: 27.5 days vs. 16 days, p < 0.001). Clinical presentation included fever (81.58%) and neurological symptoms (80.53%). Chest computed tomography (abnormal rate of 91.24%) was the preferred diagnostic test, followed by magnetic resonance imaging of the brain (abnormal rate of 90.91%). Repeated testing improved diagnostic evaluation sensitivity. Distinctive imaging results included free air in the mediastinum (incidence rate of 81.73%) and air embolism of the brain (incidence rate of 57.53%). The overall mortality was 63.16%, with worse nonsurgical treatment outcomes compared with outcomes of surgical treatment (94.19% vs. 33.71%, p < 0.001). Conservative or stent intervention was an independent risk factor for mortality. Age (adjusted odds ratio, 1.063, p = 0.004), presentation with neurological symptoms (adjusted odds ratio, 5.706, p = 0.017), and presentation with gastrointestinal bleeds (adjusted odds ratio, 3.009, p = 0.045) were also predictors of mortality.
CONCLUSIONS
AEF is a fatal ablation complication. AEF can be diagnosed using a combination of a clinical history of ablation, infection, or neurological symptoms and an abnormal chest CT. Our analysis supports that surgical treatment reduces the mortality rate.
Topics: Aged; Atrial Fibrillation; Catheter Ablation; Esophageal Fistula; Female; Heart Atria; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Risk Factors
PubMed: 34547757
DOI: 10.1159/000519224 -
Jornal Vascular Brasileiro May 2021The increase in duration and frequency of flights has led to an increase in the prevalence of venous thromboembolism among airline passengers. This study assesses the... (Review)
Review
Graduated compression stockings as a prophylactic measure in venous thromboembolism and edema of lower limbs triggered by air travel: a systematic review of clinical trials.
The increase in duration and frequency of flights has led to an increase in the prevalence of venous thromboembolism among airline passengers. This study assesses the efficacy of graduated compression stockings for prevention of venous thromboembolism triggered by flights lasting more than 3 hours. The design is a systematic review of clinical trials. The methodological quality of studies and the level of scientific evidence were evaluated using the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials and Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation standards. A total of 34 articles were identified, but only eight met the eligibility criteria. The outcomes incidence of venous thromboembolism and edema were assessed in 2,022 and 1,311 passengers, respectively. The studies presented high quality evidence demonstrating prevention of edema and moderate quality evidence of reduced incidence of venous thromboembolism associated with wearing graduated compression stockings during flights.
PubMed: 34093689
DOI: 10.1590/1677-5449.200164 -
Cardiology 2022The Amplatzer and Watchman left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) devices are the two most frequently used devices for LAAC devices worldwide. This meta-analysis aimed to... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
INTRODUCTION
The Amplatzer and Watchman left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) devices are the two most frequently used devices for LAAC devices worldwide. This meta-analysis aimed to compare the safety and efficacy of the two devices.
METHODS
We searched the PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library for studies up to February 6, 2022 that compared the safety and efficacy of the Amplatzer and Watchman devices.
RESULTS
Fifteen studies including 2,150 patients in randomized controlled trials and 2,526 patients in observational studies were included in the meta-analysis. Amplatzer device was associated with higher rates of major procedure-related complications (odds ratio [OR]: 1.99, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.45-2.74, p < 0.0001) and device embolization (OR: 1.99, 95% CI: 1.09-3.64, p = 0.03). However, Amplatzer device had lower rates of total peridevice leak (PDL) (OR: 0.48, 95% CI: 0.27-0.83, p = 0.009), significant PDL (OR: 0.27, 95% CI: 0.12-0.57, p = 0.0007) and device-related thrombus (DRT) (OR: 0.67, 95% CI: 0.48-0.95, p = 0.02). No statistical differences were observed between the two devices in other safety and efficacy endpoints, such as pericardial effusion, cardiac tamponade, air embolism, vascular complications, ischemic stroke/transient ischemic attack (TIA), hemorrhagic stroke, all-cause death, cardiovascular death, and bleeding.
CONCLUSIONS
Amplatzer LAAC device was associated with higher rates of major procedure-related complications, especially in device embolization. Watchman LAAC device was associated with higher rates of PDL and DRT. There were no significant differences between two devices in ischemic stroke/TIA, hemorrhagic stroke, all-cause death, cardiovascular death, and bleeding.
Topics: Atrial Appendage; Atrial Fibrillation; Hemorrhagic Stroke; Humans; Ischemic Attack, Transient; Ischemic Stroke; Stroke; Thrombosis; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 35468598
DOI: 10.1159/000524626 -
Meta-Analysis Comparing Watchman and Amplatzer Devices for Stroke Prevention in Atrial Fibrillation.Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine 2020For patients with atrial fibrillation who are at high risk for bleeding or who cannot tolerate oral anticoagulation, left atrial appendage (LAA) closure represents an...
For patients with atrial fibrillation who are at high risk for bleeding or who cannot tolerate oral anticoagulation, left atrial appendage (LAA) closure represents an alternative therapy for reducing risk for thromboembolic events. To compare the efficacy and safety of the Amplatzer and Watchman LAA closure devices. A meta-analysis was performed of studies comparing the safety and efficacy outcomes of the two devices. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale was used to appraise study quality. Six studies encompassing 614 patients were included in the meta-analysis. Overall event rates were low for both devices. No significant differences between the devices were found in safety outcomes (i.e., pericardial effusion, cardiac tamponade, device embolization, air embolism, and vascular complications) or in the rates of all-cause mortality, cardiac death, stroke/transient ischemic attack, or device-related thrombosis. The total bleeding rate was significantly lower in the Watchman group (Log OR = -0.90; 95% CI = -1.76 to -0.04; = 0.04), yet no significant differences was found when the bleeding rate was categorized into major and minor bleeding. Total peridevice leakage rate and insignificant peridevice leakage rate were significantly higher in the Watchman group (Log OR = 1.32; 95% CI = 0.76 to 1.87; < 0.01 and Log OR = 1.11; 95% CI = 0.50 to 1.72; < 0.01, respectively). However, significant peridevice leakages were similar in both the devices. The LAA closure devices had low complication rates and low event rates. Efficacy and safety were similar between the systems, except for a higher percentage of insignificant peridevice leakages in the Watchman group. A randomized controlled trial comparing both devices is underway, which may provide more insight on the safety and efficacy outcomes comparison of the devices.
PubMed: 32656246
DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2020.00089 -
Diving and Hyperbaric Medicine Mar 2023Breath-hold (BH) diving has known risks, for example drowning, pulmonary oedema of immersion and barotrauma. There is also the risk of decompression illness (DCI) from... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
INTRODUCTION
Breath-hold (BH) diving has known risks, for example drowning, pulmonary oedema of immersion and barotrauma. There is also the risk of decompression illness (DCI) from decompression sickness (DCS) and/or arterial gas embolism (AGE). The first report on DCS in repetitive freediving was published in 1958 and from then there have been multiple case reports and a few studies but no prior systematic review or meta-analysis.
METHODS
We undertook a systematic literature review to identify articles available from PubMed and Google Scholar concerning breath-hold diving and DCI up to August 2021.
RESULTS
The present study identified 17 articles (14 case reports, three experimental studies) covering 44 incidences of DCI following BH diving.
CONCLUSIONS
This review found that the literature supports both DCS and AGE as potential mechanisms for DCI in BH divers; both should be considered a risk for this cohort of divers, just as for those breathing compressed gas while underwater.
Topics: Humans; Barotrauma; Decompression; Decompression Sickness; Diving; Embolism, Air
PubMed: 36966520
DOI: 10.28920/dhm53.1.31-41 -
Journal of Medical Imaging and... Oct 2020To describe the chest CT features reported in children with confirmed COVID-19 infection, published in English literature. A systematic review was completed on PubMed,...
To describe the chest CT features reported in children with confirmed COVID-19 infection, published in English literature. A systematic review was completed on PubMed, Embase and Scopus databases on the 1st of June 2020 using the PICO strategy. The NIH Quality Assessment Tool was used to assess the quality of the selected articles. The systematic review was evaluated by Case Series Studies and the Preferred Reporting Items for a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Diagnostic Test Accuracy Studies (PRISMA). The extracted data were assessed and compared with those reported in the adult population. Seventy-two articles were retrieved from the database search and screened by the title, abstract and keywords. Eleven articles were deemed eligible for full-text assessment. Nine articles were included for the data extraction and in the final analysis. Chest CT features in children with COVID-19 differ from those in adults. 'Ground-grass opacities' (GGOs) are the most commonly described abnormalities, but closely followed by a combination of GGO and consolidation, not usual in adults. Children tend to have a more variable involvement than the subpleural and posterior and basal topography described in adults. Interlobular thickening and air bronchogram found in adults with COVID-19 are not frequent in children. Pulmonary embolism reported in up to 30% of adults has not been yet reported in children. Original articles describing chest CT features in children with COVID-19 in the English literature are limited to small populations of Chinese children. Chest CT imaging features are very diverse across the selected studies and globally different from those reported in adults. Data from children of different countries would provide a more comprehensive description of chest CT features in children with COVID-19.
Topics: Betacoronavirus; COVID-19; COVID-19 Testing; Child; Clinical Laboratory Techniques; Coronavirus Infections; Humans; Lung Diseases; Pandemics; Pneumonia, Viral; Radiography, Thoracic; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; SARS-CoV-2; Tomography, X-Ray Computed
PubMed: 33000560
DOI: 10.1111/1754-9485.13098 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Jul 2020Primary postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) is commonly defined as bleeding from the genital tract of 500 mL or more within 24 hours of birth. It is one of the most common...
BACKGROUND
Primary postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) is commonly defined as bleeding from the genital tract of 500 mL or more within 24 hours of birth. It is one of the most common causes of maternal mortality worldwide and causes significant physical and psychological morbidity. An earlier Cochrane Review considering any treatments for the management of primary PPH, has been split into separate reviews. This review considers treatment with mechanical and surgical interventions.
OBJECTIVES
To determine the effectiveness and safety of mechanical and surgical interventions used for the treatment of primary PPH.
SEARCH METHODS
We searched Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth's Trials Register, ClinicalTrials.gov, the WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP) (26 July 2019) and reference lists of retrieved studies.
SELECTION CRITERIA
Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of mechanical/surgical methods for the treatment of primary PPH compared with standard care or another mechanical/surgical method. Interventions could include uterine packing, intrauterine balloon insertion, artery ligation/embolism, or uterine compression (either with sutures or manually). We included studies reported in abstract form if there was sufficient information to permit risk of bias assessment. Trials using a cluster-RCT design were eligible for inclusion, but quasi-RCTs or cross-over studies were not.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
Two review authors independently assessed studies for inclusion and risk of bias, independently extracted data and checked data for accuracy. We used GRADE to assess the certainty of the evidence.
MAIN RESULTS
We included nine small trials (944 women) conducted in Pakistan, Turkey, Thailand, Egypt (four trials), Saudi Arabia, Benin and Mali. Overall, included trials were at an unclear risk of bias. Due to substantial differences between the studies, it was not possible to combine any trials in meta-analysis. Many of this review's important outcomes were not reported. GRADE assessments ranged from very low to low, with the majority of outcome results rated as very low certainty. Downgrading decisions were mainly based on study design limitations and imprecision; one study was also downgraded for indirectness. External uterine compression versus normal care (1 trial, 64 women) Very low-certainty evidence means that we are unclear about the effect on blood transfusion (risk ratio (RR) 2.33, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.66 to 8.23). Uterine arterial embolisation versus surgical devascularisation plus B-Lynch (1 trial, 23 women) The available evidence for hysterectomy to control bleeding (RR 0.73, 95% CI 0.15 to 3.57) is unclear due to very low-certainty evidence. The available evidence for intervention side effects is also unclear because the evidence was very low certainty (RR 1.09; 95% CI 0.08 to 15.41). Intrauterine Tamponade Studies included various methods of intrauterine tamponade: the commercial Bakri balloon, a fluid-filled condom-loaded latex catheter ('condom catheter'), an air-filled latex balloon-loaded catheter ('latex balloon catheter'), or traditional packing with gauze. Balloon tamponade versus normal care (2 trials, 356 women) One study(116 women) used the condom catheter. This study found that it may increase blood loss of 1000 mL or more (RR 1.52, 95% CI 1.15 to 2.00; 113 women), very low-certainty evidence. For other outcomes the results are unclear and graded as very low-certainty evidence: mortality due to bleeding (RR 6.21, 95% CI 0.77 to 49.98); hysterectomy to control bleeding (RR 4.14, 95% CI 0.48 to 35.93); total blood transfusion (RR 1.49, 95% CI 0.88 to 2.51); and side effects. A second study of 240 women used the latex balloon catheter together with cervical cerclage. Very low-certainty evidence means we are unclear about the effect on hysterectomy (RR 0.14, 95% CI 0.01 to 2.74) and additional surgical interventions to control bleeding (RR 0.20, 95% CI 0.01 to 4.12). Bakri balloon tamponade versus haemostatic square suturing of the uterus (1 trial, 13 women) In this small trial there was no mortality due to bleeding, serious maternal morbidity or side effects of the intervention, and the results are unclear for blood transfusion (RR 0.57, 95% CI 0.14 to 2.36; very low certainty). Bakri balloon tamponade may reduce mean 'intraoperative' blood loss (mean difference (MD) -426 mL, 95% CI -631.28 to -220.72), very low-certainty evidence. Comparison of intrauterine tamponade methods (3 trials, 328 women) One study (66 women) compared the Bakri balloon and the condom catheter, but it was uncertain whether the Bakri balloon reduces the risk of hysterectomy to control bleeding due to very low-certainty evidence (RR 0.50, 95% CI 0.05 to 5.25). Very low-certainty evidence also means we are unclear about the results for the risk of blood transfusion (RR 0.97, 95% CI 0.88 to 1.06). A second study (50 women) compared Bakri balloon, with and without a traction stitch. Very low-certainty evidence means we are unclear about the results for hysterectomy to control bleeding (RR 0.20, 95% CI 0.01 to 3.97). A third study (212 women) compared the condom catheter to gauze packing and found that it may reduce fever (RR 0.47, 95% CI 0.38 to 0.59), but again the evidence was very low certainty. Modified B-Lynch compression suture versus standard B-Lynch compression suture (1 trial, 160 women) Low-certainty evidence suggests that a modified B-Lynch compression suture may reduce the risk of hysterectomy to control bleeding (RR 0.33, 95% CI 0.11 to 0.99) and postoperative blood loss (MD -244.00 mL, 95% CI -295.25 to -192.75).
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
There is currently insufficient evidence from RCTs to determine the relative effectiveness and safety of mechanical and surgical interventions for treating primary PPH. High-quality randomised trials are urgently needed, and new emergency consent pathways should facilitate recruitment. The finding that intrauterine tamponade may increase total blood loss > 1000 mL suggests that introducing condom-balloon tamponade into low-resource settings on its own without multi-system quality improvement does not reduce PPH deaths or morbidity. The suggestion that modified B-Lynch suture may be superior to the original requires further research before the revised technique is adopted. In high-resource settings, uterine artery embolisation has become popular as the equipment and skills become more widely available. However, there is little randomised trial evidence regarding efficacy and this requires further research. We urge new trial authors to adopt PPH core outcomes to facilitate consistency between primary studies and subsequent meta-analysis.
Topics: Bias; Blood Transfusion; Female; Hemostasis, Surgical; Hemostatic Techniques; Humans; Hysterectomy; Postpartum Hemorrhage; Pressure; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Suture Techniques; Uterine Artery Embolization; Uterine Balloon Tamponade
PubMed: 32609374
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD013663 -
Journal of Emergencies, Trauma, and... 2019Missile embolism (ME) is a rare condition and was seen in 0.3% of gunshot wounds during the Vietnam War. It was first reported by Thomas Davis in 1834. ME occurs when a...
Missile embolism (ME) is a rare condition and was seen in 0.3% of gunshot wounds during the Vietnam War. It was first reported by Thomas Davis in 1834. ME occurs when a small caliber, slow velocity projectile penetrates a wall in the vasculature; loses its kinetic energy; and gets carried away along the bloodstream to occlude another vessel at a distant site. Civilian victims of low-velocity bullets account for 60% of such cases. ME can be arterial, venous, or paradoxical. Systemic arterial embolization accounts for 80% of published reports and occurs after the projectile penetrates the left chambers of heart, aorta, or very rarely pulmonary veins (PVs). There are only nine published reports of ME through PV till date. We report here, embolism of an air-gun pellet entering through the right thorax, into right PV, embolizing into right femoral artery, causing acute limb ischemia, in a young male. Emergency arteriotomy and removal of the embolic pellet saved the limb with good recovery. He did not require a thoracotomy. The clinical picture, radiological findings, operative details, and the management are presented and discussed with relevant literature. The purpose of this report is to highlight the unique presentation of ME through PV, as its management is different from other cases of arterial ME. Early diagnosis of the condition is imperative to prevent permanent ischemic damage of end organ and its sequelae. We present an analysis of all published reports of systemic ME through PV and also give our recommendations for its management.
PubMed: 31543646
DOI: 10.4103/JETS.JETS_59_19 -
Neurologia I Neurochirurgia Polska 2021Pneumocephalus is a clinical entity characterised by the presence of gas in the intracranial space. It can result from many different causes. The most common cause is...
INTRODUCTION
Pneumocephalus is a clinical entity characterised by the presence of gas in the intracranial space. It can result from many different causes. The most common cause is head or facial trauma. Other causes include neoplasms, infections, and surgical or diagnostic procedures. Spontaneous non-traumatic pneumocephalus is a rare condition caused by bone defects, malformations, infections, tumours, intravenous air injection, and other causes. This review, supplemented with a case presentation, aims to summarise the current state of knowledge regarding non-traumatic pneumocephalus.
METHODOLOGY
This review involved an electronic search (PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Web of Science) to identify studies regarding non-traumatic pneumocephalus. In addition, reference lists of identified articles were screened for other potentially relevant papers.
RESULTS
In total, 1,107 articles were retrieved by searching databases with the selected query. Based on the selection process, 134 articles were included. These articles were then classified into 'otogenic', 'bone defect', 'malformations', 'infectious', 'tumours', 'associated with intravenous air injection', and other categories.
CONCLUSION
Spontaneous non-traumatic pneumocephalus is a rare condition. Symptoms, clinical courses, and prognoses vary depending on the underlying cause of the disease. To the best of our knowledge, this review's example is the first case report of spontaneous pneumocephalus due to air embolism secondary to lung cancer.
Topics: Humans; Pneumocephalus
PubMed: 33543469
DOI: 10.5603/PJNNS.a2021.0014