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Cureus Feb 2024To determine mortality and morbidity associated with coronary air embolism (CAE) secondary to complications of percutaneous lung biopsy (PLB) and illicit-specific risk... (Review)
Review
To determine mortality and morbidity associated with coronary air embolism (CAE) secondary to complications of percutaneous lung biopsy (PLB) and illicit-specific risk factor associated with this complication and overall mortality, we searched PubMed to identify reported cases of CAE secondary to PLB. After assessing inclusion eligibility, a total of 31 cases from 26 publications were included in our study. Data were analyzed using Fisher's exact test. In 31 reported cases, cardiac arrest was more common after left lower lobe (LLL) biopsies (n=4, 80%, p=0.001). Of these patients who suffered from cardiac arrest, CAE was found more frequently in the right coronary artery (RCA) than other locations but did not reach statistical significance (n=5, 62%, p=0.39). At the same time, intervention in the LLL was significantly associated with patient mortality (n=3, 60%, p=0.010). Of the patients who died, CAE was more likely to have occurred in the RCA, but this association was not statistically significant (n=4, 57%, p=0.33). LLL biopsies have a statistically significant correlation with cardiac arrest and patient death. More research is needed to examine the effect of the air location in the RCA on patient morbidity and mortality.
PubMed: 38558608
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.55234 -
Perfusion Oct 2023Catheter-directed thrombolysis (CDT) is one of the newest treatment options for submassive pulmonary embolism (sPE). This study will compare the efficacy and safety of...
A comparison of the efficacy and safety between anticoagulation alone and combined with catheter-directed thrombolysis for treatment of pulmonary embolism on outcome: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
BACKGROUND
Catheter-directed thrombolysis (CDT) is one of the newest treatment options for submassive pulmonary embolism (sPE). This study will compare the efficacy and safety of catheter-directed thrombolysis (CDT) combine with anticoagulation versus anticoagulation alone (AC) in patients with PE.
METHODS
A database search was conducted using PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and Clinicaltrials.gov for trials that compared CDT with AC in patients with pulmonary embolism. The primary outcomes was1-year mortality. The secondary outcomes were in-hospital, 30 days, 90 days mortality, in-hospital major and minor bleeding (Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) classification), length of hospital stay (LOS), reduction of pulmonary arterial systolic pressure (PASP) and RV/LV diameter ratio.
RESULTS
A total of 16 articles (3 RCTs and 13 non-RCTs) and 10595 patients were included in this study. 2237 patients were in the CDT group and 8358 patients were in the AC group. CDT group was associated with significantly lower in-hospital mortality (2.1% vs 6.2%,OR:0.36, 95%CI:0.26-0.51, < .00001,I = 0%), 30 days mortality (3.1% vs 8.6%,OR:0.39,95%CI:0.23-0.66, = .0005, I = 0%), 90 days mortality (3.8% vs 7.7%,OR:0.49,95%CI:0.29-0.80, = .005,I = 7%), 1-year mortality (6.1% vs 11%, OR:0.51, 95%CI:0.35-0.76, = .0008,I = 36%) compared to AC group, especially in ultrasound-assisted thrombolysis (USAT) subgroup. There were no differences on major bleeding between two groups (1.8% vs 2.2%, OR:1.10, 95%CI:0.61-1.98, = .75, I = 0%). Minor bleeding was significantly higher in CDT group than AC group (6.2% vs 3.8%, OR:1.93,95%CI:1.27-2.94.66, = .002, I = 1%). CDT group significantly reduced PASP (WMD:11.90,95%CI:6.45-17.35, < .0001, I = 72%) and RV/LV (WMD:0.17,95%CI:0.04-0.30, = .009, I = 69%) rapidly than AC group after treatment. LOS was similar between two groups (WMD:0.02,95%CI: -0.68-0.73, = .95, I = 51%).
CONCLUSION
Results thus confirmed that CDT reduced in-hospital, 30 days, 90 days and 1-year all-cause mortality in patients with sPE compared to AC, particularly in USAT subgroup. Nonetheless, CDT group was associated with a higher risk of minor bleeding.
PubMed: 37902217
DOI: 10.1177/02676591231211753 -
Critical Care (London, England) Jul 2023Iatrogenic cerebral arterial gas embolism (CAGE) caused by invasive medical procedures may be treated with hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT). Previous studies suggested... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Early hyperbaric oxygen therapy is associated with favorable outcome in patients with iatrogenic cerebral arterial gas embolism: systematic review and individual patient data meta-analysis of observational studies.
BACKGROUND
Iatrogenic cerebral arterial gas embolism (CAGE) caused by invasive medical procedures may be treated with hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT). Previous studies suggested that initiation of HBOT within 6-8 h is associated with higher probability of favorable outcome, when compared to time-to-HBOT beyond 8 h. We performed a group level and individual patient level meta-analysis of observational studies, to evaluate the relationship between time-to-HBOT and outcome after iatrogenic CAGE.
METHODS
We systematically searched for studies reporting on time-to-HBOT and outcome in patients with iatrogenic CAGE. On group level, we meta-analyzed the differences between median time-to-HBOT in patients with favorable versus unfavorable outcome. On individual patient level, we analyzed the relationship between time-to-HBOT and probability of favorable outcome in a generalized linear mixed effects model.
RESULTS
Group level meta-analysis (ten studies, 263 patients) shows that patients with favorable outcome were treated with HBOT 2.4 h (95% CI 0.6-9.7) earlier than patients with unfavorable outcome. The generalized linear mixed effects model (eight studies, 126 patients) shows a significant relationship between time-to-HBOT and probability of favorable outcome (p = 0.013) that remains significant after correcting for severity of manifestations (p = 0.041). Probability of favorable outcome decreases from approximately 65% when HBOT is started immediately, to 30% when HBOT is delayed for 15 h.
CONCLUSIONS
Increased time-to-HBOT is associated with decreased probability of favorable outcome in iatrogenic CAGE. This suggests that early initiation of HBOT in iatrogenic CAGE is of vital importance.
Topics: Humans; Cognition; Embolism, Air; Hyperbaric Oxygenation; Iatrogenic Disease; Linear Models; Observational Studies as Topic
PubMed: 37434172
DOI: 10.1186/s13054-023-04563-x -
SAGE Open Medicine 2023Virtual autopsy is a non-invasive/minimally invasive method for conducting an autopsy, with the assistance of imaging techniques. We aim to review the benefits of... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
Virtual autopsy is a non-invasive/minimally invasive method for conducting an autopsy, with the assistance of imaging techniques. We aim to review the benefits of virtual autopsy in detecting pathologies in the paediatric population.
METHOD
The procedure adhered to Institute of Medicine and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis guidelines. Seven databases including MEDLINE and SCOPUS were searched for articles published 2010-2020 worldwide in English. A narrative synthesis of the findings of included studies was carried out to discuss and summarize the results of the review.
RESULTS
From 686 studies on paediatric deaths, 23 met selection/quality criteria. Virtual autopsy was better than conventional autopsy in detecting skeletal lesions and bullet trajectory, thus a crucial tool in the investigation of traumatic and firearm deaths. Virtual autopsy was superior to conventional autopsy in identifying the point of bleeding in postoperative deaths and objectively quantifying air/fluid in body cavities. Virtual autopsy was a useful adjunct for detecting pulmonary thrombo-embolism, foreign body aspiration, drowning and metastatic malignancies. The use of non-contrast imaging in investigating natural paediatric deaths did not offer more information than conventional autopsy. Misinterpretation of normal post-mortem changes as pathological findings was another disadvantage of virtual autopsy leading to erroneous conclusions. But accuracy may be improved with contrast enhancement and post-mortem magnetic resonance imaging.
CONCLUSION
Virtual autopsy is a crucial tool in the investigation of traumatic and firearm deaths in the paediatric population. Virtual autopsy will be useful as an adjunct to conventional autopsy in asphyxial deaths, stillbirths and decomposed bodies. Virtual autopsy has limited value in differentiating antemortem and post-mortem changes with the added risk of misinterpretations, therefore should be used with caution in natural deaths.
PubMed: 37197019
DOI: 10.1177/20503121231172002 -
Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology... May 2023To quantitatively analyze the risk factors for air embolism following computed tomography (CT)-guided percutaneous transthoracic needle biopsy (PTNB) and qualitatively... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
To quantitatively analyze the risk factors for air embolism following computed tomography (CT)-guided percutaneous transthoracic needle biopsy (PTNB) and qualitatively review their characteristics. The databases of PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Wanfang Data, VIP information, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure were searched on January 4, 2021, for studies reporting the occurrence of air embolisms following CT-guided PTNB. After study selection, data extraction, and quality assessment, the characteristics of the included cases were qualitatively and quantitatively analyzed. A total of 154 cases of air embolism following CT-guided PTNB were reported. The reported incidence was 0.06% to 4.80%, and 35 (22.73%) patients were asymptomatic. An unconscious or unresponsive state was the most common symptom (29.87%). Air was most commonly found in the left ventricle (44.81%), and 104 (67.53%) patients recovered without sequelae. Air location ( < 0.001), emphysema ( = 0.061), and cough ( = 0.076) were associated with clinical symptoms. Air location ( = 0.015) and symptoms ( < 0.001) were significantly associated with prognosis. Lesion location [odds ratio (OR): 1.85, = 0.017], lesion subtype (OR: 3.78, = 0.01), pneumothorax (OR: 2.16, = 0.003), hemorrhage (OR: 3.20, < 0.001), and lesions located above the left atrium (OR: 4.35, = 0.042) were significant risk factors for air embolism. Based on the current evidence, a subsolid lesion, being located in the lower lobe, the presence of pneumothorax or hemorrhage, and lesions located above the left atrium were significant risk factors for air embolism.
Topics: Humans; Pneumothorax; Embolism, Air; Biopsy, Needle; Lung; Risk Factors; Lung Neoplasms; Hemorrhage; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Image-Guided Biopsy; Radiography, Interventional; Retrospective Studies
PubMed: 36994842
DOI: 10.4274/dir.2022.221187 -
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 -
The Journal of the Royal College of... Mar 2023We present a case of syncopal episode in emergency department (ED) and subsequent admission to the geriatric assessment unit. The patient presented with self-limiting...
We present a case of syncopal episode in emergency department (ED) and subsequent admission to the geriatric assessment unit. The patient presented with self-limiting central abdominal pain. Given a history of previous aortic aneurysm repair, a contrast CT angiogram was performed. With no evidence of leaking aneurysm, the patient was discharged from the ED. The syncopal episode happened while waiting for a taxi. A review of the earlier CT scan showed the presence of air in the venous circulatory system. In hindsight, it was thought the syncopal episode occurred due to air embolism introduced during or shortly after venous cannulation. We discuss the aetiology of venous air embolism and highlight the lack of evidence regarding tolerable amounts of air in the circulatory system. Physiological changes associated with age may suggest that elderly patients are uniquely maladapted to overcome sudden insults to their cardiovascular status.
Topics: Aged; Humans; Embolism, Air; Emergency Service, Hospital; Syncope; Syncope, Vasovagal; Tomography, X-Ray Computed
PubMed: 36642954
DOI: 10.1177/14782715221147969 -
Clinical Toxicology (Philadelphia, Pa.) Jan 2023Hydrogen peroxide ingestions cause significant morbidity and mortality due to oxygen gas emboli and are treatable with hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Recommendations for...
INTRODUCTION
Hydrogen peroxide ingestions cause significant morbidity and mortality due to oxygen gas emboli and are treatable with hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Recommendations for observation are based on small case series.
OBJECTIVES
The aim of this systematic review is to define the time of onset of embolic phenomena after hydrogen peroxide exposure and to describe the proportion of patients who received hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
METHODS
Cases from a systematic literature search were combined with those from a prior study that used data derived from the American Association of Poison Control Centers National Poison Data System. Air-gas emboli were defined as embolic phenomena (stroke, myocardial infarction, obstructive shock) potentially reversed with hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Simple counts, mean, and interquartile range were used for description and comparisons.
RESULTS
A total of 766 records were identified in the literature search. Three-hundred and eighty-three duplicate records were identified and removed. Of the 383 remaining records, 156 met inclusion criteria; 88 were excluded based on predetermined criteria yielding 68 records with 85 unique cases. Forty-one cases were extracted from the 2017 National Poison Data System study resulting in a total of 126 cases for analysis. We analyzed these 126 cases and documented 213 discrete clinical events, excluding deaths. There were 108 high-concentration exposures, 10 low-concentration exposures, and 8 were unknown. Thirty-five cases were intentional ingestions but not for self-harm, and 84 were unintentional or accidental. Only 4 cases were for self-harm, and there were 23 pediatric cases. There were 99 air-gas emboli reported in 78 patients. The time to onset of air-gas embolic was documented in 70/78. Time to symptom onset ranged from immediate to 72 h after hydrogen peroxide exposure. Over 90% of embolic symptoms occurred within 10 h of ingestion. A total of 54/126 cases received hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Of those 54 cases, 31 had primary portal venous gas while the remaining 23 had air-gas emboli. Of the 23 air-gas emboli cases treated with hyperbaric oxygen therapy, 13 made full recoveries while 10 had residual symptoms or died. Mean time from air-gas emboli symptom onset to hyperbaric oxygen therapy in the full recovery group was 9 h compared to 18.2 h in the partial recovery/death group. There were 63 total reported cases of portal venous gas. Forty-nine of these cases were primary portal venous gas, 13 were secondary findings in patients with air-gas emboli and one case was secondary to non-air-gas emboli symptoms. Twenty-seven of 49 patients with portal venous gas (55%) as the primary finding had gastrointestinal bleeding. Thirty of the 63 cases received hyperbaric oxygen therapy for portal venous gas without any documented air-gas emboli. Seventeen deaths occurred in the combined cohort. Of these, 13 were associated with high-concentration exposures. All deaths with reported time to symptom onset had symptoms within 1 h of exposure.
CONCLUSION
This review of hydrogen peroxide exposure cases suggests that clinically significant embolic phenomena occur within 10 h of exposure, although delayed air-gas emboli do happen and should considered when deciding duration of observation. It remains equivocal whether hyperbaric oxygen therapy is beneficial in cases of primary portal venous gas without systemic involvement.
Topics: Humans; Child; United States; Hydrogen Peroxide; Embolism, Air; Portal Vein; Accidents; Poisons
PubMed: 36440836
DOI: 10.1080/15563650.2022.2144745 -
Asian Cardiovascular & Thoracic Annals Oct 2022Lung sleeve resection is indicated for centrally located lung tumors, especially for patients who cannot tolerate pneumonectomy. With video-assisted thoracoscopic... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Lung sleeve resection is indicated for centrally located lung tumors, especially for patients who cannot tolerate pneumonectomy. With video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) being increasingly implemented for a wide variety of thoracic pathologies, this study aims to compare the intraoperative, postoperative, and long-term outcomes of VATS and open bronchial sleeve lobectomy for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
METHODS
The MEDLINE (via PubMed), Cochrane Library, and Scopus databases were searched. Original clinical studies, comparing VATS and open sleeve lobectomy for NSCLC were included. Evidence was synthesized as odds ratios for categorical and weighted mean difference (WMD) for continuous variables.
RESULTS
Our analysis included six studies with non-overlapping populations reporting on 655 patients undergoing bronchial sleeve lobectomy for NSCLC (229 VATS and 426 open). VATS sleeve lobectomy was associated with significantly longer operative time ((WMD): 45.85 min, 95% confidence interval (CI): 12.06 to 79.65, = 0.01) but less intraoperative blood loss ((WMD): -34.57 mL, 95%CI: -58.35 to -10.78, < 0.001). No significant difference was found between VATS and open bronchial sleeve lobectomy in margin-negative resection rate, number of lymph nodes resected, postoperative outcomes (drainage duration, length of hospital stay, 30-day mortality), postoperative complications (pneumonia, bronchopleural fistula/empyema, prolonged air leakage, chylothorax, pulmonary embolism, and arrhythmia), and long-term outcomes (overall survival, recurrence-free survival).
CONCLUSIONS
The limitation of our study arises mainly due to the heterogeneity of the included studies. Nevertheless, VATS bronchial sleeve lung resection constitutes a feasible and safe alternative to the open sleeve lung resection surgery for the management of centrally located lung tumors.
Topics: Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung; Humans; Lung Neoplasms; Pneumonectomy; Retrospective Studies; Thoracic Surgery, Video-Assisted; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 36154301
DOI: 10.1177/02184923221115970 -
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