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Journal of the American Academy of... Apr 2021When considering surgical fixation of acetabulum and pelvis fractures in patients with obesity, a thorough understanding of the risks of potential complications is...
BACKGROUND
When considering surgical fixation of acetabulum and pelvis fractures in patients with obesity, a thorough understanding of the risks of potential complications is important. We performed a systematic review to evaluate whether obesity is associated with an increased risk of complications after surgical management of acetabulum and pelvis fractures.
METHODS
We searched PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library for studies published through December 2020 that reported the effect of increased body mass index (BMI) or obesity on the risk of complications after surgical treatment of acetabulum and pelvis fractures.
RESULTS
Fifteen studies were included. Eight of the 11 studies that included infection or wound complication as end points found that increased BMI or some degree of obesity was a significant risk factor for these complications. Two studies found that obesity was significantly associated with loss of reduction. Other complications that were assessed in a few studies each included venous thromboembolism, nerve palsy, heterotopic ossification, general systemic complications, and revision surgery, but obesity was not clearly associated with those outcomes.
CONCLUSIONS
Obesity (or elevated BMI) was associated with an increased risk of complications-infection being the most commonly reported-after surgical management of acetabulum and pelvis fractures, which suggests the need for increased perioperative vigilance.
Topics: Acetabulum; Fractures, Bone; Humans; Obesity; Pelvic Bones; Pelvis
PubMed: 33872226
DOI: 10.5435/JAAOSGlobal-D-21-00058 -
Hand (New York, N.Y.) Mar 2023Reverse homodigital island flaps (RHIFs) are increasingly used to reconstruct traumatic fingertip injuries, but there is limited evidence on the efficacy of this...
BACKGROUND
Reverse homodigital island flaps (RHIFs) are increasingly used to reconstruct traumatic fingertip injuries, but there is limited evidence on the efficacy of this technique. We performed a systematic review of the literature to establish the safety and functional outcomes of RHIF for traumatic fingertip injuries.
METHODS
Electronic searches were performed using 3 databases (PubMed, Ovid Medline, Cochrane CENTRAL) from their date of inception to April 2020. Relevant studies were required to report on complications and functional outcomes for patients undergoing RHIF for primary fingertip reconstruction. Data were extracted from included studies and analyzed.
RESULTS
Sixteen studies were included, which produced a total cohort of 459 patients with 495 fingertip injuries. The index and middle fingers were involved most frequently (34.6% and 34.1%, respectively), followed by the ring finger (22%), the little finger (6.7%), and the thumb (2.6%). The mean postoperative static and moving 2-point discrimination was 7.2 and 6.7 mm, respectively. The mean time to return to work was 8.4 weeks. The mean survivorship was 98.4%, with the pooled complication rate being 28%. The pooled complication rate of complete flap necrosis was 3.6%, of partial flap necrosis was 10.3%, of venous congestion was 14.6%, of pain or hypersensitivity was 11.5%, of wound infection was 7.2%, of flexion contractures was 6.3%, and of cold intolerance was 17.7%.
CONCLUSIONS
Reverse homodigital island flaps can be performed safely with excellent outcomes. To minimize complications, care is taken during dissection and insetting, with extensive rehabilitation adhered to postoperatively. Prospective studies assessing outcomes of RHIF compared with other reconstruction techniques would be beneficial.
Topics: Humans; Prospective Studies; Finger Injuries; Surgical Flaps; Fingers; Necrosis
PubMed: 33834891
DOI: 10.1177/15589447211003179 -
European Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery... Jul 2021Tourniquet use in lower limb fracture surgery may reduce intra-operative bleeding, improve surgical field of view and reduce length of procedure. However, tourniquets... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
PURPOSE
Tourniquet use in lower limb fracture surgery may reduce intra-operative bleeding, improve surgical field of view and reduce length of procedure. However, tourniquets may result in pain and the production of harmful metabolites cause complications or affect functional outcomes. This systematic review aimed to compare outcomes following lower limb fracture surgery performed with or without tourniquet.
METHODS
We searched databases for RCTs comparing lower limb fracture surgery performed with versus without tourniquet reporting on outcomes pain, physical function, health-related quality of life, complications, cognitive function, blood loss, length of stay, length of procedure, swelling, time to union, surgical field of view, volume of anaesthetic agent, biochemical markers of inflammation and injury, and electrolyte and acid-base balance. Random-effects meta-analysis was performed. PROSPERO ID CRD42020209310.
RESULTS
Six RCTs enabled inclusion of 552 procedures. Pooled analysis demonstrated that tourniquet use reduced length of procedure by 6 minutes (95% CI -10.12 to -1.87; p < 0.010). We were unable to exclude increased harms from tourniquet use. Pooled analysis showed post-operative pain score was higher in tourniquet group by 12.88 on 100-point scale (95% CI -1.25-27.02; p = 0.070). Risk differences for wound infection, deep venous thrombosis and re-operation were 0.06 (95% CI -0.00-0.12; p = 0.070), 0.05 (95% CI -0.02-0.11; p = 0.150) and 0.03 (95% CI -0.03-0.09; p = 0.340).
CONCLUSION
Tourniquet use was associated with a reduced length of procedure. It is possible that tourniquets also increase incidence of important complications, but the data are too sparse to draw firm conclusions. Methodological weaknesses of the included RCTs prevent any solid conclusions being drawn for outcomes investigated. Further studies are required to address these limitations.
Topics: Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee; Blood Loss, Surgical; Humans; Lower Extremity; Pain, Postoperative; Quality of Life; Tourniquets
PubMed: 33792771
DOI: 10.1007/s00590-021-02957-7 -
Journal of Vascular Surgery. Venous and... Nov 2021Venous injury to the inferior vena cava or iliac veins is rare but can result in high mortality rates. Traditional treatment by repair or ligation can be technically...
OBJECTIVE
Venous injury to the inferior vena cava or iliac veins is rare but can result in high mortality rates. Traditional treatment by repair or ligation can be technically demanding. A relatively new treatment modality is the use of a covered stent to cover the venous defect. The aim of the present systematic review was to assess the techniques, results, and challenges of covered stent graft repair of traumatic injury to the inferior vena cava and iliac veins.
METHODS
The PubMed (Medline) and Embase databases were systematically searched up to September 2020 by two of us (R.R.S. and D.D.) independently for studies reporting on covered stenting of the inferior vena cava or iliac veins after traumatic or iatrogenic injury. A methodologic quality assessment was performed using the modified Newcastle-Ottawa scale. Data were extracted for the following parameters: first author, year of publication, study design, number of patients, type and diameter of the stent graft, hemostatic success, complications, mortality, postoperative medication, follow-up type and duration, and venous segment patency. The main outcome was clinical success of the intervention, defined as direct hemostasis, with control of hemorrhage, hemodynamic recovery, and absence of contrast extravasation.
RESULTS
From the initial search, which yielded 1884 records, a total of 28 studies were identified for analysis. All reports consisted of case reports, except for one retrospective cohort study and one case series. A total of 35 patients had been treated with various covered stent grafts, predominantly thoracic or abdominal aortic endografts. In all patients, the treatment was technically successful. The 30-day mortality rate for the entire series was 2.9%. Three perioperative complications were described: one immediate stent occlusion, one partial thrombosis, and one pulmonary embolism. Additional in-stent thrombus formation was seen during follow-up in three patients, leading to one stent graft occlusion (asymptomatic). The postoperative anticoagulation strategy was highly heterogeneous. The median follow-up was 3 months (range, 0.1-84 months). However, follow-up with imaging studies was not performed in all cases.
CONCLUSIONS
In selected cases of injury to the inferior vena cava and iliac veins, covered stent grafts can be successful for urgent hemostasis with good short-term results. Data on long-term follow-up are very limited.
Topics: Humans; Iliac Vein; Prosthesis Design; Stents; Vascular Surgical Procedures; Vena Cava, Inferior
PubMed: 33771733
DOI: 10.1016/j.jvsv.2021.03.008 -
Journal of the American College of... Jun 2021Delayed intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) after a negative initial head cat scan (CT) is a recognized complication after blunt trauma but the risk of this condition is... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
INTRODUCTION
Delayed intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) after a negative initial head cat scan (CT) is a recognized complication after blunt trauma but the risk of this condition is unknown. Due to theoretical increased risk in patients on direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) and inability to monitor degree of anticoagulation, there is a lack of consensus regarding need for additional observation or routine repeat head CT. We hypothesized that patients on DOACs would have a low risk of delayed ICH after blunt head trauma.
METHODS
In June 2020, an electronic literature search of MEDLINE (Ovid), Embase (Elsevier), and Cochrane Library was performed by a medical librarian (TH) using a combination of keywords and subject headings. Databases were searched from inception through June 2020. Included studies reported outcome data on trauma patients greater than 18 years old who were taking anticoagulants and were observed after initial normal head CT. A meta-analysis was performed using a random effects model. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) was utilized for assessing the quality of nonrandomized studies in meta-analyses.
RESULTS
Our electronic search returned 5719 papers and after removal of duplications, 72 underwent full review, and 12 met final inclusion/exclusion criteria. Four thousand eight hundred ninety one of 5289 (92%) patients suffered a ground level fall. Four studies reported routine repeat CT scans on all patients while the remaining only repeated CT scans for symptoms. Overall, 5289 patients were studied and 1263 (23.9%) were on a DOAC. Sixty-nine patients suffered delayed intracranial hemorrhage, 25 on DOAC and 44 on warfarin. The pooled weighted proportion for delayed ICH on DOAC was 2.43% (95% CI, 1.31 – 3.88%) compared to 2.31% (95% CI, 1.26 – 3.66%) on warfarin. Eighty six percent of patients (59/69) who suffered delayed ICH had no clinical consequences while 0.16% (2/1263) of those on DOAC and 0.48% (8/1788) of those on warfarin died from complications following delayed ICH. The overall crude risk of death from delayed ICH while on DOAC or Warfarin was 0.36% (11/3051).
CONCLUSIONS
The risk of delayed ICH following low energy blunt head trauma for patients on DOACs is low, and the risk of a clinically significant bleed is even lower. The practice of routinely observing or systematically repeating head CT in patients on DOACs after low energy blunt head trauma with initially negative head CT may not be warranted.
Topics: Administration, Oral; Anticoagulants; Atrial Fibrillation; Head Injuries, Closed; Humans; Intracranial Hemorrhages; Risk Assessment; Time Factors; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Venous Thromboembolism
PubMed: 33766725
DOI: 10.1016/j.jamcollsurg.2021.02.016 -
Canadian Journal of Surgery. Journal... Mar 2021Portal vein arterialization (PVA) is a possible option when hepatic artery reconstruction is impossible during liver resection. The aim of this study was to review the...
BACKGROUND
Portal vein arterialization (PVA) is a possible option when hepatic artery reconstruction is impossible during liver resection. The aim of this study was to review the literature on the clinical application of PVA in hepatopancreatobiliary (HPB) surgery.
METHODS
We performed a systematic review according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. We systematically searched the PubMed, Embase and Web of Science databases until December 2019. Experimental (animal) studies, review articles and letters were excluded.
RESULTS
Twenty studies involving 57 patients were included. Cholangiocarcinoma was the most common indication for surgery (40 patients [74%]). An end-to-side anastomosis between a celiac trunk branch and the portal vein was the main PVA technique (35 patients [59%]). Portal hypertension was the most common longterm complication (12 patients [21%] after a mean of 4.1 mo). The median followup period was 12 (range 1-87) months. The 1-, 3- and 5-year survival rates were 64%, 27% and 20%, respectively.
CONCLUSION
Portal vein arterialization can be considered as a rescue option to improve the outcome in patients with acute liver de-arterialization when arterial reconstruction is not possible. To prevent portal hypertension and liver injuries due to thrombosis or overarterialization, vessel calibre adjustment and timely closure of the anastomosis should be considered. Further prospective experimental and clinical studies are needed to investigate the potential of this procedure in patients whose liver is suddenly de-arterialized during HPB procedures.
Topics: Bile Ducts; Digestive System Surgical Procedures; Humans; Liver; Pancreas; Portal Vein
PubMed: 33739801
DOI: 10.1503/cjs.012419 -
International Angiology : a Journal of... Jun 2021Post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS) is the most common chronic complication of deep vein thrombosis. Recent studies suggested that iliac stenting in chronic obstructive...
INTRODUCTION
Post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS) is the most common chronic complication of deep vein thrombosis. Recent studies suggested that iliac stenting in chronic obstructive venous disease is safe and effective. However, systematic reviews focusing on mid-term efficacy of iliac stenting in post-thrombotic syndrome are lacking. This systematic review aimed to analyze mid-term stent patency rates and clinical outcomes of iliac stenting in post-thrombotic syndrome.
EVIDENCE ACQUISITION
Two databases were searched: Pubmed/Medline and Scopus. Articles published between January 2000 and July 2020 were selected and titles and abstracts were independently reviewed. Eighteen articles were included for the qualitative analysis. From this initial set of articles, fourteen articles were included for the quantitative analysis.
EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS
Overall, 1008 patients were included in this study. The pooled technical success rate was 96%. The pooled primary and secondary patency rates were 98.2% and 100% at 30 days, 78.1% and 94.5% at 12 months and 66.3% and 89.4% at 36 months, respectively. The rates of ulcer healing, pain and edema relief were 78.1%, 53.4% and 48.8%, respectively. The pooled rate of complications including intraoperative venous injury, back pain and stent fracture were 28%, 57.1%, and 5.9%, respectively.
CONCLUSIONS
Iliac venous stenting in PTS presents durable mid-term patency rates, as well as significant symptomatic improvement. Therefore, endovascular treatment should be considered in symptomatic patients with PTS.
Topics: Humans; Iliac Vein; Postthrombotic Syndrome; Stents; Treatment Outcome; Vascular Patency
PubMed: 33739078
DOI: 10.23736/S0392-9590.21.04659-9 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Mar 2021A small minority of people with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) develop a severe illness, characterised by inflammation, microvascular damage and coagulopathy,...
BACKGROUND
A small minority of people with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) develop a severe illness, characterised by inflammation, microvascular damage and coagulopathy, potentially leading to myocardial injury, venous thromboembolism (VTE) and arterial occlusive events. People with risk factors for or pre-existing cardiovascular disease may be at greater risk.
OBJECTIVES
To assess the prevalence of pre-existing cardiovascular comorbidities associated with suspected or confirmed cases of COVID-19 in a variety of settings, including the community, care homes and hospitals. We also assessed the nature and rate of subsequent cardiovascular complications and clinical events in people with suspected or confirmed COVID-19.
SEARCH METHODS
We conducted an electronic search from December 2019 to 24 July 2020 in the following databases: the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE, Embase, covid-19.cochrane.org, ClinicalTrials.gov and EU Clinical Trial Register.
SELECTION CRITERIA
We included prospective and retrospective cohort studies, controlled before-and-after, case-control and cross-sectional studies, and randomised controlled trials (RCTs). We analysed controlled trials as cohorts, disregarding treatment allocation. We only included peer-reviewed studies with 100 or more participants, and excluded articles not written in English or only published in pre-print servers.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
Two review authors independently screened the search results and extracted data. Given substantial variation in study designs, reported outcomes and outcome metrics, we undertook a narrative synthesis of data, without conducting a meta-analysis. We critically appraised all included studies using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) checklist for prevalence studies and the JBI checklist for case series.
MAIN RESULTS
We included 220 studies. Most of the studies originated from China (47.7%) or the USA (20.9%); 9.5% were from Italy. A large proportion of the studies were retrospective (89.5%), but three (1.4%) were RCTs and 20 (9.1%) were prospective. Using JBI's critical appraisal checklist tool for prevalence studies, 75 studies attained a full score of 9, 57 studies a score of 8, 31 studies a score of 7, 5 studies a score of 6, three studies a score of 5 and one a score of 3; using JBI's checklist tool for case series, 30 studies received a full score of 10, six studies a score of 9, 11 studies a score of 8, and one study a score of 5 We found that hypertension (189 studies, n = 174,414, weighted mean prevalence (WMP): 36.1%), diabetes (197 studies, n = 569,188, WMP: 22.1%) and ischaemic heart disease (94 studies, n = 100,765, WMP: 10.5%) are highly prevalent in people hospitalised with COVID-19, and are associated with an increased risk of death. In those admitted to hospital, biomarkers of cardiac stress or injury are often abnormal, and the incidence of a wide range of cardiovascular complications is substantial, particularly arrhythmias (22 studies, n = 13,115, weighted mean incidence (WMI) 9.3%), heart failure (20 studies, n = 29,317, WMI: 6.8%) and thrombotic complications (VTE: 16 studies, n = 7700, WMI: 7.4%).
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
This systematic literature review indicates that cardiometabolic comorbidities are common in people who are hospitalised with a COVID-19 infection, and cardiovascular complications are frequent. We plan to update this review and to conduct a formal meta-analysis of outcomes based on a more homogeneous selected subsample of high-certainty studies.
Topics: Arrhythmias, Cardiac; COVID-19; Cardiovascular Diseases; Comorbidity; Diabetes Mellitus; Heart Failure; Hospitalization; Humans; Hypertension; Incidence; Myocardial Ischemia; Obesity; Prevalence; Thrombosis
PubMed: 33704775
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD013879 -
Diabetes Therapy : Research, Treatment... Apr 2021Sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2is) are licensed for the treatment of type 2 diabetes (T2D) and more recently for heart failure with or without... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
Sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2is) are licensed for the treatment of type 2 diabetes (T2D) and more recently for heart failure with or without diabetes. They have been shown to be safe (from the cardiovascular (CV) perspective) and effective (in terms of glycaemia, and in some cases, in reducing CV events) in extensive randomised controlled trials (RCTs). However, there remain concerns regarding the generalisability of these findings (to those ineligible for RCT participation) and about non-CV safety. For effectiveness, population-based pharmacoepidemiology studies can confirm and extend the findings of RCTs to broader populations and explore safety, for which RCTs are not usually powered, in more detail.
METHODS
A pre-planned and registered ((International PROSPEctive Register Of Systematic Reviews) PROSPERO registration CRD42019160792) systematic review of population-based studies investigating SGLT2i effectiveness and safety, following Meta-analyses Of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (MOOSE) guidelines was conducted.
RESULTS
A total of 37 studies were identified (total n = 1,300,184 adults; total follow-up 910,577 person-years; exposures: SGLT2i class, canagliflozin, dapagliflozin and empagliflozin) exploring CV disease (CVD) outcomes, acute kidney injury (AKI), lower limb amputation (LLA), diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), bone fracture, urinary tract infection (UTI), genital mycotic infection (GMI), hypoglycaemia, pancreatitis and venous thromboembolism. For CV and mortality outcomes, studies confirmed the associated safety of these drugs and correlated closely with the findings from RCTs, which may extend to primary CVD prevention (major adverse cardiovascular events point estimate range (PER) hazard ratio (HR) 0.78-0.94; hospitalised heart failure PER HR 0.48-0.79). For safety outcomes, SGLT2i exposure was not associated with an increased risk of AKI (PER HR 0.40-0.96), fractures (PER HR 0.87-1.11), hypoglycaemia (PER HR 0.76-2.49) or UTI (PER HR 0.72-0.98). There was a signal for increased association for GMIs (PER HR 2.08-3.15), and possibly for LLA (PER HR 0.74-2.79) and DKA (PER HR 0.96-2.14), but with considerable uncertainty.
CONCLUSION
In T2D, SGLT2is appear safe from the CV perspective and may have associated benefit in primary as well as secondary CVD prevention. For safety, they may be associated with an increased risk of GMI, LLA and DKA, although longer follow-up studies are needed.
PubMed: 33665777
DOI: 10.1007/s13300-021-01004-2 -
Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine 2020Alpha2-antiplasmin (α2AP), the fast-reacting, serine protease inhibitor (serpin) of plasmin, was originally thought to play a key role in protection against...
Alpha2-antiplasmin (α2AP), the fast-reacting, serine protease inhibitor (serpin) of plasmin, was originally thought to play a key role in protection against uncontrolled, plasmin-mediated proteolysis of coagulation factors and other molecules. However, studies of humans and mice with genetic deficiency of α2AP have expanded our understanding of this serpin, particularly in disease states. Epidemiology studies have shown an association between high α2AP levels and increased risk or poor outcome in cardiovascular diseases. Mechanistic studies in disease models indicate that α2AP stops the body's own fibrinolytic system from dissolving pathologic thrombi that cause venous thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, arterial thrombosis, and ischemic stroke. In addition, α2AP fosters the development of microvascular thrombosis and enhances matrix metalloproteinase-9 expression. Through these mechanisms and others, α2AP contributes to brain injury, hemorrhage and swelling in experimental ischemic stroke. Recent studies also show that α2AP is required for the development of stasis thrombosis by inhibiting the early activation of effective fibrinolysis. In this review, we will discuss the key role played by α2AP in controlling thrombosis and fibrinolysis and, we will consider its potential value as a therapeutic target in cardiovascular diseases and ischemic stroke.
PubMed: 33426005
DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2020.608899