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Journal of Cardiac Surgery Jun 2021The frozen elephant trunk (FET) procedure became a popular entity for utilization in aortic arch aneurysm disease. However, its proper mortality and morbidities as well... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE STUDY
The frozen elephant trunk (FET) procedure became a popular entity for utilization in aortic arch aneurysm disease. However, its proper mortality and morbidities as well as the predictors of outcomes are poorly identified. This systematic review and meta-analysis explore FET outcomes and its predictors with a focus on zone aortic proximalization.
METHODS
We searched PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Scopus databases from their beginning to June 2020 to find studies reporting the outcomes of the FET procedure for the total arch replacement (TAR).
RESULTS
A total of 64 studies including 7967 patients were evaluated. The pooled estimates of cerebrovascular accidents, paraplegia, renal failure, and in-hospital mortality were 7.104 (95% confidence interval [CI], 5.691-8.661; I = 78.53%), 3.465 (95% CI, 2.852-4.136; I = 15.96), 14.969 (95% CI, 11.361-18.977; I = 91.26%), and 8.933 (95% CI, 7.128-10.919; I = 78.51%), respectively. Stratification by the geographical locations and by the aortic pathologies led to lower heterogeneity, but not for renal failure. The distal anastomosis in Zone 2 was associated with a lower rate of renal failure compared with Zone 3 (odds ratio, 0.54; 95% CI, 0.36-0.81; p = .003; I = 0%).
CONCLUSIONS
The FET procedure for TAR can be performed with acceptable mortality and morbidities among patients with complex aortic pathologies. Moreover, the distal anastomosis in Zone 2 was associated with lower renal failure compared to Zone 3.
Topics: Aortic Dissection; Aorta, Thoracic; Aortic Aneurysm; Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic; Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation; Humans; Retrospective Studies
PubMed: 33665866
DOI: 10.1111/jocs.15452 -
Journal of Vascular Surgery Aug 2020Endovascular treatment of thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms is becoming increasingly popular in clinical practice, mainly because of its reduced perioperative mortality... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Systematic review and meta-analysis of published studies on endovascular repair of thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms with the t-Branch off-the-shelf multibranched endograft.
BACKGROUND
Endovascular treatment of thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms is becoming increasingly popular in clinical practice, mainly because of its reduced perioperative mortality and morbidity. However, the custom-made stent graft platform that companies offer requires detailed preoperative planning and production time that can take up to 12 weeks. This may delay surgery in elective patients and is not an option for urgent or emergent cases. To surpass this limitation, the t-Branch (Cook Medical, Bloomington, Ind) was launched in 2012 in Europe as the first off-the-shelf standardized multibranched endograft for the endovascular treatment of thoracoabdominal aneurysms. Our aim was to systematically evaluate all published experience with this commercially available off-the-shelf thoracoabdominal stent graft.
METHODS
We performed a systematic inquiry of the medical databases to identify all published studies that reported on the outcomes of patients treated with the t-Branch stent graft and then conducted a qualitative synthesis and meta-analysis of the results. The main end points studied were technical success, mortality, major stroke, spinal cord ischemia, primary branch patency, and renal insufficiency during the first 30 days along with midterm mortality and reintervention rate. We estimated pooled proportions and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).
RESULTS
We identified seven retrospective studies published between 2014 and 2018, with a total of 197 patients (mean age, 72.3 ± 7 years; 70% male). Among 165 patients, 45% were symptomatic and 19% were treated for a ruptured aortic aneurysm. In 197 patients, pooled technical success was 92.75% (95% CI, 83.9%-98.7%), and in 10% of the cases, an early endoleak was detected (95% CI, 0%-43.7%). Early mortality was 5.8% (95% CI, 2.5%-10%), and major stroke was observed in 4% of the patients (95% CI, 0.96%-8.40%). The rate of spinal cord ischemia was 12.2% (95% CI, 4.1%-23.2%), with the rate of permanent paraplegia at 1.3% (95% CI, 0%-8.7%). Acute renal failure was 18.7% (95% CI, 9.1%-30.4%), whereas primary branch patency was calculated at 98.2% (95% CI, 96.7%-99.2%). Mean follow-up was 15 ± 7 months. During this time, midterm mortality (after 30 days) was 6.9% (95% CI, 2.44%-12.8%) and pooled reintervention rate was 5.7% (95% CI, 1.70%-11.4%).
CONCLUSIONS
This pooled analysis indicated good technical success rate after t-Branch endograft implantation, with acceptable mortality and neurologic complications despite a high rate of urgent procedures. Thoracoabdominal endovascular repair with the t-Branch endograft is a feasible and safe therapeutic option for elective and urgent patients.
Topics: Aged; Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic; Blood Vessel Prosthesis; Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation; Endovascular Procedures; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Postoperative Complications; Prosthesis Design; Risk Assessment; Risk Factors; Time Factors; Treatment Outcome; Vascular Patency
PubMed: 32247700
DOI: 10.1016/j.jvs.2020.01.049 -
Annals of Medicine and Surgery (2012) Sep 2022Thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms (TAAAs) are associated with significant comorbidities. The aim of our study is to compare the outcomes of open repair versus... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms (TAAAs) are associated with significant comorbidities. The aim of our study is to compare the outcomes of open repair versus endovascular repair of TAAAs.
METHODS
A thorough literature search was conducted on MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane Central databases. The analysis included observational studies comparing the outcomes of surgical vs endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) of TAAA. Mortality, spinal cord ischemia (SCI), renal failure, stroke, paraplegia, and respiratory and cardiac problems were all included in the studies. The results were provided as relative risks (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). These were then aggregated using an inverse variance weighted random-effects model, and the pooled analysis was displayed using forest plots.
RESULTS
This meta-analysis compromising of twelve studies revealed significant results, favoring endovascular repair versus open surgery for all-cause mortality (HR = 1.91; 95% CI: 1.68-2.18; P < 0.00001), SCI (HR = 1.62; 95% CI: 1.18-2.21; P = 0.003), respiratory complications (HR = 2.22; 95% CI: 1.78-2.77; P < 0.00001), and cardiac complications (HR = 1.66; 95% CI: 1.38-2.00; P < 0.00001). Upon subgroup analysis based on propensity matched, results were consistent and significant for the outcomes of all-cause mortality, cardiac complications, and respiratory complications. For the propensity unmatched subgroup, the incidence of all-cause mortality, SCI, respiratory complications, and cardiac complications were lower among endovascular repair cohort.
CONCLUSION
Current evidence supports the use of endovascular repair over open surgery. However, there is a need to conduct dedicated randomized controlled trials to effectively compare and determine the benefits and risk of both strategies.
PubMed: 36147154
DOI: 10.1016/j.amsu.2022.104477 -
Human Reproduction Update 2013BACKGROUND After spinal cord injury (SCI), most men cannot ejaculate without medical assistance. A major advance in the knowledge of the spinal control of ejaculation... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND After spinal cord injury (SCI), most men cannot ejaculate without medical assistance. A major advance in the knowledge of the spinal control of ejaculation has been achieved with the discovery of a spinal generator of ejaculation (SGE) in the rat. The aim of this report was to review studies about ejaculation after SCI in order to revisit the spinal control of ejaculation and especially to assess the existence of an SGE in man. METHODS Studies were identified from Embase, PubMed, EBSCOhost and Cochrane Library. Studies were eligible when they specify the occurrence of antegrade ejaculation as a function of the neurological characterization of SCI. Studies were excluded when ejaculation was elicited by rectal electrical stimulation or when ejaculation could not be discriminated from climax. Meta-analyses were performed to assess the reference ejaculation rates for each procedure used to elicit ejaculation, i.e. masturbation or coïtus, penile vibratory stimulation (PVS) or acetylcholine esterase (AchE) inhibitors prior to masturbation. Subgroup analyses were performed according to the procedure used to elicit ejaculation on (i) the completeness of the SCI and (ii) the upper and lower limits of the SCI. To assess the existence of an SGE, the effect of concurrent lesions of different spinal segments was assessed by means of a stratified bivariate analysis. RESULTS From 523 studies, 45 were selected (n = 3851). Ejaculation occurred in response to masturbation or coïtus, PVS or AchE inhibitors followed by masturbation in, respectively, 11.8% (n = 1161), 47.4% (n = 597) and 54.7% (n = 309) of patients with complete SCI and in, respectively, 33.2% (n = 343), 52.8% (n = 305) and 78.1% (n = 32) of patients with incomplete SCI. Ejaculation, in the case of complete lesion of the sympathetic centres (T12 to L2), of the parasympathetic and somatic centres (S2-S4) or of all spinal ejaculation centres (T12 to S5) occurred in response to PVS in none of the patients (respectively, n = 5, n = 4 and n = 21) and in response to AchE inhibitors followed by masturbation in 4.9% (n = 61), 30.8% (n = 26) and 0% (n = 16) of the patients, respectively. Ejaculation in response to PVS or AchE inhibitors prior to masturbation was rhythmic forceful in 97.9% (n = 48) of the patients with complete lesion strictly above Onuf's nucleus (segments S2-S4). Complete lesion of the S2-S4 segments precluded the occurrence of rhythmic forceful ejaculation (n = 5). Controlling for the number of the injured segments between T12 and L2, the ejaculation rate sharply decreased when the lesion extended to the L3 segment and below. CONCLUSIONS The results reinforce the crucial roles of the spinal sympathetic and parasympathetic centres for emission and the somatic centre for expulsion. The spinal segments between L2 and S2 is more than a pathway to connect the ejaculation centres and likely harbours an SGE in man located in the L3, L4 and L5 segments.
Topics: Animals; Coitus; Ejaculation; Humans; Male; Rats; Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological; Spinal Cord; Spinal Cord Injuries
PubMed: 23820516
DOI: 10.1093/humupd/dmt029 -
Journal of Vascular Surgery Jun 2024At present, open surgical aortic arch repair (OAR) and debranching hybrid surgical aortic arch repair (HAR) serve as significant therapeutic approaches for aortic arch... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
At present, open surgical aortic arch repair (OAR) and debranching hybrid surgical aortic arch repair (HAR) serve as significant therapeutic approaches for aortic arch aneurysm or dissection. It remains unclear which technique is preferable. Our study aimed to compare the short-term and long-term outcomes of these two procedures.
METHODS
To identify comparison studies of debranching HAR and OAR, a systematic search of the PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases was performed from January 2002 to April 2022. This study was registered on PROSPERO (CRD42020218080).
RESULTS
Sixteen publications (1316 patients), including six propensity score-matching (PSM) analysis papers, were included in this study. Compared with the HAR group, the patients who underwent OAR were younger (OAR vs HAR: 67.53 ± 12.81 vs 71.29 ± 11.0; P < .00001), had less coronary artery disease (OAR vs HAR: 22.45% vs 32.6%; P = .007), less chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (OAR vs HAR: 16.16% vs 23.92%; P = .001), lower rates of previous stroke (OAR vs HAR: 12.46% vs 18.02%; P = .05), and a lower EuroSCORE (European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation) score (OAR vs HAR: 6.27 ± 1.04 vs 6.9 ± 3.76; P < .00001). HAR was associated with less postoperative blood transfusion (OAR vs HAR: 12.23% vs 7.91%; P = .04), shorter length of intensive care unit stays (OAR vs HAR: 5.92 ± 7.58 days vs 4.02 ± 6.60 days; P < .00001) and hospital stays (OAR vs HAR: 21.59 ± 17.54 days vs 16.49 ± 18.45 days; P < .0001), lower incidence of reoperation for bleeding complications (OAR vs HAR: 8.07% vs 3.96%; P = .01), fewer postoperative pulmonary complication (OAR vs HAR: 14.75% vs 5.02%; P < .0001), and acute renal failure (OAR vs HAR: 7.54% vs 5.17%; P = .03). In the PSM subgroup, the rates of spinal cord ischemic (OAR vs HAR: 5.75% vs 11.49%; P = .02), stroke (OAR vs HAR: 5.1% vs 17.35%; P = .01), and permanent paraplegia (OAR vs HAR: 2.79% vs 6.08%; P = .006) were lower in the OAR group than that in the HAR group. Although there was no statistically significant difference in 1-year survival rates (HAR vs OAR: hazard ratio [HR]: 1.54; P = .10), the 3-year and 5-year survivals were significantly higher in the OAR group than that in the HAR group (HAR vs OAR: HR: 1.69; P = .01; HAR vs OAR: HR: 1.68; P = .01). In the PSM subgroup, the OAR group was also significantly superior to the HAR group in terms of 3-year and 5-year survivals (HAR vs OAR: HR: 1.73; P = .04; HAR vs OAR: HR: 1.67; P = .04). The reintervention rate in the HAR group was significantly higher than that in the OAR group (OAR vs HAR: 8.24% vs 16.01%; P = .01). The most common reintervention was postoperative bleeding (8.07%) in the OAR group and endoleak (9.67%) in the HAR group.
CONCLUSIONS
Our meta-analysis revealed that debranching HAR was associated with fewer perioperative complications than the OAR group, except for postoperative permanent paraplegia, reintervention, and stroke events. The OAR group demonstrated better 3-year and 5-year survivals than the debranching HAR group. However, patients in the OAR group had fewer comorbid factors and were younger than those in the HAR group. High-quality studies and well-powered randomized trials are needed to further evaluate this evolving field.
Topics: Humans; Endovascular Procedures; Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation; Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic; Treatment Outcome; Aorta, Thoracic; Postoperative Complications; Risk Factors; Aortic Dissection; Time Factors; Risk Assessment; Female; Aged; Male; Middle Aged; Aged, 80 and over
PubMed: 38122857
DOI: 10.1016/j.jvs.2023.12.025 -
The Journal of Pain Sep 2022Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) results in a permanent or temporary alteration of the motor, sensory and/or autonomic functions, frequently leading to neuropathic pain. To deal... (Review)
Review
Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) results in a permanent or temporary alteration of the motor, sensory and/or autonomic functions, frequently leading to neuropathic pain. To deal with this comorbidity, several non-pharmacological and non-surgical (NP-NS) interventions have been developed. However, their efficacy is still uncertain. The aim of this study was to systematically synthetize the available evidence assessing the efficacy of NP-NS interventions for treating neuropathic pain in people with SCI. Thus, an electronic search was conducted in five databases (Pubmed, Scopus, Cochrane Central, Web of Science and EBSCO) and trials registry databases, in addition to a manual search strategy to retrieve additional records. The review included randomized controlled trials with adults with SCI, in any stage of the condition. Data on the efficacy of the interventions was narratively synthetized. Once the research was completed, of 4853 identified references, 24 were included with a total of 653 participants with SCI and neuropathic pain, mostly male and with paraplegia. These studies investigated the effect of 13 types of NP-NS interventions with different protocols and methodological limitations. Seven different assessment scales were analyzed, with neuropathic pain being the primary outcome in 21 studies. Such high heterogeneity impaired the conduction of meta-analysis for any of the interventions. Although promising results were found regarding analgesic effect of NP-NS on neuropathic pain in people with SCI, it is not yet possible to safely state that these interventions are in fact effective. Further studies with homogeneous protocols and methodological quality are still needed. PERSPECTIVE: This article presents a review of existing studies on the effectiveness of NP-NS interventions in neuropathic pain in SCI. This synthesis could potentially alert and motivate clinicians to develop studies on this topic, so that interventions can be objectively evaluated and recommendations for an evidence-based practice be created.
Topics: Adult; Female; Humans; Male; Neuralgia; Spinal Cord Injuries
PubMed: 35417793
DOI: 10.1016/j.jpain.2022.03.239 -
Neurological Sciences : Official... Mar 2024
Review
Topics: Humans; Spastic Paraplegia, Hereditary; Mutation
PubMed: 37968432
DOI: 10.1007/s10072-023-07200-1 -
Asian Journal of Neurosurgery 2021The objective of this study was to provide an overview of acute disseminating encephalomyelitis, a potential and serious complication of COVID-19. (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to provide an overview of acute disseminating encephalomyelitis, a potential and serious complication of COVID-19.
METHODS
Three primary databases were used, PubMed, LitCovid, and WHO. The final review articles reported acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) in COVID-19-positive patients and were full-text, peer-reviewed articles. Articles which did not have patient data such as studies and articles with unclear inference were excluded.
RESULTS
Out of 21 cases of ADEM, the diagnosis of severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus 2 was confirmed in 18 and suspected in 3. Among the neurological symptoms, altered consciousness was most common (7/21), followed by anosmia (3), paraplegia (3/21), brain stem involvement (3/21), sphincter involvement (2/21), and quadriplegia (1/21). Raised inflammatory markers were most commonly seen in 9/17. Central nervous system imaging was abnormal in 19 cases and unavailable in 2 cases. Fifteen patients were treated with corticosteroids, 11 patients received intravenous immunoglobulin, while 3 patients received convalescent plasma. Two patients needed surgical intervention. Complications included seizures (1), acute kidney injury and septicemic shock (1), raised intracranial pressure (1), and supraventricular tachycardia secondary to hydroxychloroquine (1). One patient recovered completely and one had good recovery with mild deficits. Thirteen patients had incomplete recovery with residual neurological deficit while three patients died as the consequence of the disease.
CONCLUSION
The physicians and neurosurgeons should be diligent while treating the COVID-19 patients with neurological manifestations and include ADEM as a differential diagnosis and stress on early diagnosis and treatment to reduce mortality and achieve satisfactory clinical outcome.
PubMed: 34660355
DOI: 10.4103/ajns.AJNS_406_20 -
International Journal of Surgery... Nov 2020Current treatment approaches for acute type B aortic dissection (TBAD) are diversified. Thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) as an effective and convenient... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study Meta-Analysis
Comparison of the efficacy and safety of thoracic endovascular aortic repair with open surgical repair and optimal medical therapy for acute type B aortic dissection: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
BACKGROUND
Current treatment approaches for acute type B aortic dissection (TBAD) are diversified. Thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) as an effective and convenient intervention has been adopted extensively. However, the superior efficacy and safety of TEVAR have not yet been well evaluated. This meta-analysis was designed to comprehensively compare the efficacy and safety of TEVAR with open surgical repair and optimal medical therapy for acute type B aortic dissection.
METHODS
A systematic search of PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library and Web of Science up to April 1, 2020 was conducted for relevant studies that compared the efficacy of TEVAR and other conventional interventions in the treatment of TBAD. The primary outcomes were early mortality and midterm or long term survival. The secondary outcomes included early complications and other late outcomes. Two reviewers assessed trial quality and extracted the data independently. All statistical analyses were performed using the standard statistical procedures provided in Review Manager 5.2.
RESULTS
A total of 18 studies including 12,789 patients were identified. 30-day/in-hospital mortality was significantly lower in TBAD patients with TEVAR than open surgical repair (OSR), with a pooled OR of 0.54 (95% CI 0.43-0.68; P < 0.00001). Compared with optimal medical therapy (OMT), TEVAR experienced lower incidence of long-term death (≥5-yr mortality), with a pooled OR of 0.46 (95% CI 0.24-0.86; P = 0.02). However, no significant difference between TEVAR and OSR or OMT in long-term survival was found. Compared with OSR, lower incidence of cardiac and pulmonary complications as well as shorter length of stay were observed in TEVAR. Compared with OMT, TEVAR showed higher rate of paraplegia or paraparesis, higher complete thrombosis of the false lumen, as well as longer length of ICU stay.
CONCLUSIONS
Our analysis shows that TEVAR may be favorable in reducing 30-day/in-hospital mortality (than OSR) and long-term mortality (than OMT). TEVAR experienced equal efficacy with OSR and OMT in long-term survival. TEVAR showed higher rate of paraplegia or paraparesis, higher complete thrombosis of the false lumen, as well as longer length of ICU stay than OMT; and lower incidence of cardiac and pulmonary complications as well as shorter length of stay than OSR. However, TEVAR indicated similar incidence of other complications and outcomes with OSR and OMT. Further studies especially randomized clinical trials are needed to comprehensively compare the efficacy TEVAR.
Topics: Adult; Aged; Aortic Dissection; Aorta, Thoracic; Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic; Endovascular Procedures; Female; Hospital Mortality; Humans; Male; Middle Aged
PubMed: 32927144
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijsu.2020.08.051 -
Frontiers in Neurology 2017Non-traumatic myelopathy is common in Africa and there are geographic differences in etiology. Clinical management is challenging due to the broad differential diagnosis... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Non-traumatic myelopathy is common in Africa and there are geographic differences in etiology. Clinical management is challenging due to the broad differential diagnosis and the lack of diagnostics. The objective of this systematic review is to determine the most common etiologies of non-traumatic myelopathy in sub-Saharan Africa to inform a regionally appropriate diagnostic algorithm.
METHODS
We conducted a systemic review searching Medline and Embase databases using the following search terms: "Non traumatic spinal cord injury" or "myelopathy" with limitations to epidemiology or etiologies and Sub-Saharan Africa. We described the frequencies of the different etiologies and proposed a diagnostic algorithm based on the most common diagnoses.
RESULTS
We identified 19 studies all performed at tertiary institutions; 15 were retrospective and 13 were published in the era of the HIV epidemic. Compressive bone lesions accounted for more than 48% of the cases; a majority were Pott's disease and metastatic disease. No diagnosis was identified in up to 30% of cases in most studies; in particular, definitive diagnoses of non-compressive lesions were rare and a majority were clinical diagnoses of transverse myelitis and HIV myelopathy. Age and HIV were major determinants of etiology.
CONCLUSION
Compressive myelopathies represent a majority of non-traumatic myelopathies in sub-Saharan Africa, and most were due to Pott's disease. Non-compressive myelopathies have not been well defined and need further research in Africa. We recommend a standardized approach to management of non-traumatic myelopathy focused on identifying treatable conditions with tests widely available in low-resource settings.
PubMed: 29375458
DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2017.00618