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Langenbeck's Archives of Surgery Dec 2023Para-aortic lymph node metastasis associated with colorectal cancer is a very rare occurrence, but at the same time an important predictor of survival. Despite its... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION AND AIM
Para-aortic lymph node metastasis associated with colorectal cancer is a very rare occurrence, but at the same time an important predictor of survival. Despite its importance, there is still no gold standard management strategy, particularly for lymph nodes detected during follow-up, after resection of the primary tumour. Therefore, this review was undertaken to examine the evidence available on the surgical and non-surgical management of metachronous para-aortic lymph node metastasis (m-PALNM) in colorectal cancer treatment.
METHODS
This is a systematic review using the patient, intervention, comparison, outcome and study strategy. The literature search was undertaken using Cochrane, MEDLINE, EMBASE and PubMed databases with the following MeSH terms: lymph node excision, para-aortic lymph node, metastasis, metachronous and colorectal neoplasms.
RESULTS
Five original papers met the study criteria including 188 patients in total (55.3% male, 44.7% female). Surgical resection of the m-PALND was the management of choice in 64% of patients. Reporting styles on survival outcomes were heterogeneous. However, patients undergoing surgical management for m-PALNM had longer disease-free survival and overall survival rates.
CONCLUSION
There is significant paucity in the evidence available on the management of m-PALNM. However, the evidence reported by this review suggests that surgical management should be considered whenever possible, with the aim of prolonging survival. Future randomised trials are needed in order to provide further high-level evidence on m-PALNM management.
Topics: Humans; Male; Female; Lymphatic Metastasis; Lymph Node Excision; Lymph Nodes; Disease-Free Survival; Colorectal Neoplasms; Retrospective Studies
PubMed: 38091090
DOI: 10.1007/s00423-023-03185-9 -
Annals of Cardiothoracic Surgery Nov 2023Recent reports on sex differences in long-term outcomes after surgery for acute type A aortic dissection (ATAAD) are conflicting. We aimed to aggregate updated data on...
BACKGROUND
Recent reports on sex differences in long-term outcomes after surgery for acute type A aortic dissection (ATAAD) are conflicting. We aimed to aggregate updated data on long-term survival and reoperation stratified by sex.
METHODS
A literature search was conducted using Medline, Embase, and Cochrane Central. Studies reporting sex-stratified long-term survival and/or reoperation following surgery for ATAAD between January 1, 2000, to March 15, 2023 were included. Preoperative characteristics, intraoperative variables, and early perioperative outcomes were meta-analyzed using a random effects model and pooled risk ratio (RR) with men as the reference group. Individual patient-level data for long-term outcomes was reconstructed to generate sex-specific pooled Kaplan-Meier curves to assess long-term survival and freedom from reoperation.
RESULTS
A total of 15 studies with 7,608 male and 3,989 female patients were included in this analysis. Female patients were older, had higher rates of hypertension, and had less previous cardiac surgery. Intraoperatively, women received less extensive repairs with lower rates of aortic valve replacement and total arch replacement, and higher rates of hemiarch replacement. There were no sex differences for in-hospital/30-day mortality [risk ratio (RR), 1.18; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.96, 1.45; P=0.12], stroke (RR, 1.07; 95% CI: 0.90, 1.28; P=0.46), and early reoperation (RR, 0.90; 95% CI: 0.75, 1.09; P=0.28). Female patients had lower long-term survival overall (P<0.001) and amongst survivors at 1-year (P=0.014). Overall survival at 5-year was 82.4% in men and 78.1% in women, and at 10-year was 68.1% for men and 63.4% in women. Male patients had higher rates of long-term reoperation (P<0.001). Freedom for reoperation at 5-year was 88.4% in men 93.1% in women.
CONCLUSIONS
Though perioperative early outcomes have equalized between the sexes following surgery for ATAAD, differences remain in long-term survival and reoperation.
PubMed: 38090347
DOI: 10.21037/acs-2023-adw-0098 -
Monaldi Archives For Chest Disease =... Sep 2023CHARGE syndrome (CS) is a rare genetic disease that affects many areas of the body. The aim of the present systematic review was to evaluate the prevalence and types of...
CHARGE syndrome (CS) is a rare genetic disease that affects many areas of the body. The aim of the present systematic review was to evaluate the prevalence and types of congenital heart diseases (CHDs) in CS and their impact on clinical outcome. A systematic review from 1981 to September 2022 was conducted. Clinical studies that reported the association between CS and CHDs were identified, including a case report of a rare congenital anomaly of the aortic arch (AA) with persistent fifth aortic arch (PFAA). Demographic, clinical and outcome data were extracted and analyzed. Sixty-eight studies (44 case reports and 24 case series; n=943 CS patients) were included. The prevalence of CHDs was 76.6%, patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) 26%, ventricular (VSD) 21%, atrial septal defects (ASD) 18%, tetralogy of Fallot 11%, aortic abnormalities 24%. PFAA has not been previously reported in CS. Cardiac surgery was performed in more than half of CS patients (150/242, 62%). In-hospital mortality rate was about 9.5% (n=86/900) in case series studies and 12% (n=5/43) in case reports, including cardiovascular (CV) and non-CV causes. CHDs and feeding disorders associated with CS may have a substantial impact on prognosis. CHDs were usually associated with CS and represent important causes of morbidity and mortality. PFAA, although rare, may also be present. The prognosis is highly dependent on the presence of cardiac and non-cardiac developmental abnormalities. Further studies are needed to better identify the main causes of the long-term outcome of CS patients.
PubMed: 37675914
DOI: 10.4081/monaldi.2023.2661 -
Journal of Clinical Medicine Jul 2023Due to an ever-increasing ageing population and limited available data around the use of thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) in elderly patients, investigating... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
Due to an ever-increasing ageing population and limited available data around the use of thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) in elderly patients, investigating its efficacy and safety in this age cohort is of vital importance. We thus reviewed the existing literature on this topic to assess the feasibility of TEVAR in elderly patients with severe thoracic aortic pathologies.
METHODS
We identified all original research studies that assessed TEVAR in elderly patients published up to 2023. Morbidity, as assessed by neurological and respiratory complications, endoleaks, and length of stay, was the primary endpoint. Short-term mortality and long-term survival were the secondary endpoints. The Mantel-Haenszel random and fixed effects methods were used to calculate the odds ratios for each outcome. Further sensitivity and subgroup analyses were performed to validate the outcomes.
RESULTS
Twelve original studies that evaluated elective TEVAR outcomes in elderly patients were identified. Seven studies directly compared the use of TEVAR between an older and a younger patient group. Apart from a shorter hospital stay in older patients, no statistically significant difference between the morbidity outcomes of the two different cohorts was found. Short-term mortality and long-term survival results favoured the younger population.
CONCLUSIONS
The present meta-analysis indicates that, due to a safe perioperative morbidity profile, TEVAR should not be contraindicated in patients based purely on old age. Further research using large patient registries to validate our findings in elderly patients with specific aortic pathologies and both elective and emergency procedures is necessary.
PubMed: 37568406
DOI: 10.3390/jcm12155001 -
European Journal of Vascular and... Jan 2024Fenestrated and branched thoracic endovascular aortic repair (F/B-TEVAR) of the aortic arch is a viable approach in patients unsuitable for open repair. The aim was to... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
OBJECTIVE
Fenestrated and branched thoracic endovascular aortic repair (F/B-TEVAR) of the aortic arch is a viable approach in patients unsuitable for open repair. The aim was to summarise the published results of manufactured F/B-TEVAR devices for partial and total repair of the aortic arch, and to compare fenestrated with branched configurations.
DATA SOURCES
PubMed, Scopus and The Cochrane Library were searched for articles (2018 - 2021) about patients with elective, urgent, or emergency aortic requiring a proximal landing zone in the aortic arch (zone 0 - 1 - 2) and treated by F/B-TEVAR.
REVIEW METHODS
The systematic review and meta-analysis were performed according to the PRISMA guidelines. Open repair, supra-aortic trunk (SAT) debranching + standard TEVAR, and in situ physician modified and parallel grafts were excluded. Primary outcomes were technical success and 30 day mortality rate. Secondary outcomes were 30 day major adverse events, and overall survival and procedure related endpoints during follow up.
RESULTS
Of 458 articles screened, 18 articles involving 571 patients were selected. Indications for intervention were chronic dissections (50.1%), degenerative aneurysms (39.6%), penetrating aortic ulcers (7.4%), and pseudoaneurysms (2%). F-TEVAR, B-TEVAR, and F+B-TEVAR were used in 38.4%, 54.1%, and 7.5% of patients, respectively. Overall, technical success was 95.9% (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.93 - 0.97; I = 0%; p for heterogeneity (Het) = .77) and the 30 day mortality rate was 6.7% (95% CI 0.05 - 0.09; I = 0%; p Het = .66). No statistical differences were found comparing fenestrated with branched endografts, except for a higher rate of type I - III endoleaks in F-TEVAR (9.8% vs. 2.6%; p = .034). The overall survival rate and freedom from aortic related death at the one year follow up ranged between 82 - 96.4% and 94 - 94.7%, respectively. Thirteen and five studies were considered at moderate and high risk of bias, respectively.
CONCLUSION
F/B-TEVAR for the treatment of the aortic arch, according to experience in dedicated centres, now enjoys a satisfactory level of technical success together with a progressively reduced early mortality rate. There are several limitations, and further studies are needed to reach clearer conclusions.
Topics: Humans; Blood Vessel Prosthesis; Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic; Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation; Treatment Outcome; Risk Factors; Endovascular Procedures; Postoperative Complications; Prosthesis Design; Retrospective Studies
PubMed: 37536517
DOI: 10.1016/j.ejvs.2023.07.048 -
Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics Dec 2023We conducted this systematic review and meta-analysis to summarize the prevalence of sarcopenia and its impact on mortality in patients undergoing TAVI. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
OBJECTIVE
We conducted this systematic review and meta-analysis to summarize the prevalence of sarcopenia and its impact on mortality in patients undergoing TAVI.
METHOD
Medline, EMBASE, and PubMed were searched from inception to October 14, 2022 to retrieve eligible studies that assessed sarcopenia in patients undergoing TAVI. Pooled sarcopenia prevalence was calculated with 95% confidence interval (CI), and heterogeneity was estimated using the I test. Associations of sarcopenia with mortality of post-TAVI were expressed as hazard ratio (HR) or odds ratios (OR) and 95% CI.
RESULTS
13 studies involving 5248 patients (mean age from 78.1 to 84.9 years) undergoing TAVI were included. There were eleven studies defined sarcopenia based on loss of skeletal muscle mass index (SMI), while only two studies used low muscle mass plus low muscle strength and/or low physical performance. Overall, the pooled prevalence of sarcopenia in patients undergoing TAVI was 49% (95% CI 41%-58%). Sarcopenia was associated with an increased risk of long-term (≥1 year) mortality in patients after TAVI (HR 1.57, 95% CI 1.33-1.85, P < 0.001), with similar findings in the subgroups stratified by follow-up time, definition of sarcopenia, study location, and study design. Furthermore, the 1-, 2-, and 3-year cumulative probabilities of survival in patients with sarcopenia were significantly lower than non-sarcopenia (74.0% vs 91.0%, 68.3% vs 78.0%, and 72.6% vs 79.8%, all P < 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
Although there are substantial differences in diagnostic criteria, sarcopenia is highly prevalent in patients undergoing TAVI and its linked to increased long-term mortality after TAVI.
Topics: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Humans; Aortic Valve Stenosis; Prognosis; Risk Factors; Sarcopenia; Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 37481845
DOI: 10.1016/j.archger.2023.105125 -
Diagnostics (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2023(1) Background. The anatomical variations of the vertebral arteries (VAs) have a significant impact both in neurosurgery and forensic pathology. The purpose of this... (Review)
Review
(1) Background. The anatomical variations of the vertebral arteries (VAs) have a significant impact both in neurosurgery and forensic pathology. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the variational anatomy of the vertebral artery. We evaluated anatomical aspects regarding the V1 and V2 segments of the VA: origin, course, tortuosity, hypoplasia, and dominance, and established the prevalence of each variation. (2) Methods. We conducted a systematic search in PubMed and Google Scholar databases, up to December 2022. Sixty-two studies, comprising 32,153 vessels, were included in the current meta-analysis. We used a random-effects model with a DerSimonian-Laird estimator. The confidence intervals were set at 95%. The heterogeneity between studies was assessed using I. The funnel plot and Egger's regression test for plot asymmetry were used for the evaluation of publication bias. Statistical significance was considered at < 0.05. (3) Results. The most common site for the origin of both VAs was the subclavian artery. The aortic arch origin of the left VA had a prevalence of 4.81%. Other origins of the right VAs were noted: aortic arch (0.1%), right common carotid artery (0.1%), and brachiocephalic trunk (0.5%). Ninety-two percent of the VAs entered the transverse foramen (TF) of the C6 vertebra, followed by C5, C7, C4, and least frequently, C3 (0.1%). Roughly one out of four (25.9%) VAs presented a sort of tortuosity, the transversal one representing the most common variant. Hypoplasia occurred in 7.94% of the vessels. Left VA dominance (36.1%) is more common, compared to right VA dominance (25.3%). (4) Conclusions. The anatomy of the VA is highly irregular, and eventual intraoperative complications may be life-threatening. The prevalence of VA origin from the subclavian artery is 94.1%, 92.0% of the VAs entered the TF at C6, 26.6% were tortuous, and 7.94% were hypoplastic.
PubMed: 37370931
DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics13122036 -
Scandinavian Journal of Trauma,... Jun 2023Civilian public mass shootings (CPMSs) are a major public health issue and in recent years several events have occurred worldwide. The aim of this systematic review was... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Civilian public mass shootings (CPMSs) are a major public health issue and in recent years several events have occurred worldwide. The aim of this systematic review was to characterize injuries and mortality after CPMSs focusing on in-hospital management of hemorrhage and vascular injuries.
METHOD
A systematic review of all published literature was undertaken in Medline, Embase and Web of Science January 1st, 1968, to February 22nd, 2021, according to the PRISMA guidelines. Literature was eligible for inclusion if the CPMS included three or more people shot, injured or killed, had vascular injuries or hemorrhage.
RESULTS
The search identified 2884 studies; 34 were eligible for inclusion in the analysis. There were 2039 wounded in 45 CPMS events. The dominating anatomic injury location per event was the extremity followed by abdomen and chest. The median number of operations and operated patients per event was 22 (5-101) and 10.5 (4-138), respectively. A total of 899 deaths were reported with a median mortality rate of 36.1% per event (15.9-71.4%) Thirty-eight percent (13/34) of all studies reported on vascular injuries. Vascular injuries ranged from 8 to 29%; extremity vascular injury the most frequent. Specific vascular injuries included thoracic aorta 18% (42/232), carotid arteries 6% (14/232), and abdominal aorta 5% (12/232). Vascular injuries were involved in 8.3%-10% of all deaths.
CONCLUSION
This systematic review showed an overall high mortality after CPMS with injuries mainly located to the extremities, thorax and abdomen. About one quarter of deaths was related to hemorrhage involving central large vessel injuries. Further understanding of these injuries, and structured and uniform reporting of injuries and treatment protocols may help improve evaluation and management in the future. Level of Evidence Systematic review and meta-analysis, level III.
Topics: Humans; Hemorrhage; Retrospective Studies; Vascular System Injuries; Wounds, Gunshot
PubMed: 37337265
DOI: 10.1186/s13049-023-01093-x -
Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics Jan 2024Fetal growth restriction (FGR) management and delivery planning is based on a multimodal approach. This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the prognostic accuracies of the... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
PURPOSE
Fetal growth restriction (FGR) management and delivery planning is based on a multimodal approach. This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the prognostic accuracies of the aortic isthmus Doppler to predict adverse perinatal outcomes in singleton pregnancies with FGR.
METHODS
PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, ClinicalTrials.gov and Google scholar were searched from inception to May 2021, for studies on the prognostic accuracy of anterograde aortic isthmus flow compared with retrograde aortic isthmus flow in singleton pregnancy with FGR. The meta-analysis was registered on PROSPERO and was assessed according to PRISMA and Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. DerSimonian and Laird's random-effect model was used for relative risks, Freeman-Tukey Double Arcsine for pooled estimates and exact method to stabilize variances and CIs. Heterogeneity was quantified using I statistics.
RESULTS
A total of 2933 articles were identified through the electronic search, of which 6 studies (involving 240 women) were included. The quality evaluation of studies revealed an overall acceptable score for study group selection and comparability and substantial heterogeneity. The risk of perinatal death was significantly greater in fetuses with retrograde Aortic Isthmus blood flow, with a RR of 5.17 (p value 0.00001). Similarly, the stillbirth rate was found to have a RR of 5.39 (p value 0.00001). Respiratory distress syndrome had a RR of 2.64 (p value = 0.03) in the group of fetuses with retrograde Aortic Isthmus blood flow.
CONCLUSION
Aortic Isthmus Doppler study may add information for FGR management. However, additional clinical trial are required to assess its applicability in clinical practice.
Topics: Female; Humans; Pregnancy; Aorta, Thoracic; Fetal Growth Retardation; Fetus; Stillbirth; Ultrasonography, Doppler; Ultrasonography, Prenatal; Pregnancy Outcome; Fetal Death
PubMed: 37072584
DOI: 10.1007/s00404-023-06963-4 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Apr 2023Aortic aneurysms occur when the aorta, the body's largest artery, grows in size, and can occur in the thoracic or abdominal aorta. The approaches to repair aortic... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Aortic aneurysms occur when the aorta, the body's largest artery, grows in size, and can occur in the thoracic or abdominal aorta. The approaches to repair aortic aneurysms include directly exposing the aorta and replacing the diseased segment via open repair, or endovascular repair. Endovascular repair uses fluoroscopic-guidance to access the aorta and deliver a device to exclude the aneurysmal aortic segment without requiring a large surgical incision. Endovascular repair can be performed under a general anesthetic, during which the unconscious patient is paralyzed and reliant on an anesthetic machine to maintain the airway and provide oxygen to the lungs, or a loco-regional anesethetic, for which medications are administered to provide the person with sufficient sedation and pain control without requiring a general anesthetic. While people undergoing general anesthesia are more likely to remain still during surgery and have a well-controlled airway in the event of unanticipated complications, loco-regional anesthesia is associated with fewer postoperative complications in some studies. It remains unclear which anesthetic technique is associated with better outcomes following the endovascular repair of aortic aneurysms.
OBJECTIVES
To evaluate the benefits and harms of general anesthesia compared to loco-regional anesthesia for endovascular aortic aneurysm repair.
SEARCH METHODS
We used standard, extensive Cochrane search methods. The latest search was 11 March 2022.
SELECTION CRITERIA
We searched for all randomized controlled trials that assessed the effects of general anesthesia compared to loco-regional anesthesia for endovascular aortic aneurysm repairs.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
We used standard Cochrane methods. Our primary outcomes were: all-cause mortality, length of hospital stay, length of intensive care unit stay. Our secondary outcomes were: incidence of endoleaks, requirement for re-intervention, incidence of myocardial infarction, quality of life, incidence of respiratory complications, incidence of pulmonary embolism, incidence of deep vein thrombosis, and length of procedure. We planned to use GRADE methodology to assess the certainty of evidence for each outcome.
MAIN RESULTS
We found no studies, published or ongoing, that met our inclusion criteria.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
We did not identify any randomized controlled trials that compared general versus loco-regional anesthesia for endovascular aortic aneurysm repair. There is currently insufficient high-quality evidence to determine the benefits or harms of either anesthetic approach during endovascular aortic aneurysm repair. Well-designed prospective randomized trials with relevant clinical outcomes are needed to adequately address this.
Topics: Humans; Anesthesia, Conduction; Anesthesia, General; Anesthetics, General; Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal; Endovascular Procedures; Prospective Studies; Quality of Life
PubMed: 37052421
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD013182.pub2