Prognostic Factors for Surgical Failure in Malignant Bowel Obstruction and Peritoneal Carcinomatosis

Introduction: Patients with peritoneal metastasis frequently develop malignant bowel obstruction (MBO). Medical palliative management is preferred but often fails. Conversely, the role of palliative surgery remains unclear and debated. This study aims to identify patients who could benefit from invasive surgical interventions and factors associated with successful surgical palliation. Materials and Methods: In this retrospective study, 98 consecutive patients who underwent palliative surgery for MBO over 5 years were reviewed. We evaluate as the primary outcome surgical failure to select patients who could benefit from palliative surgery, avoiding unnecessary surgery. A prognostic score was developed based on a logistic regression model to identify patients at risk of surgical failure. The score was evaluated for overall accuracy by receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. Results: Palliative surgery was achieved in 76 (77.5%) patients. The variables that were found to be significant factors for surgical failure are recurrent disease (P = 0.015), absence of bowel obstruction (P < 0.001), absence of bowel distension (P < 0.001), and mesenteric involvement (P = 0.001) and retraction (P < 0.001). The absence of bowel distension (P = 0.046) and bowel obstruction (P = 0.012) emerged as independent predictors of surgical failure. Carcinomatosis level assessment for peritoneum score, based on these factors, was built to evaluate the risk of surgical failure. Conclusion: Our proposed scoring system might help select patients most likely to benefit from palliative surgery

Frequency of left ventricular hypertrophy in non-valvular atrial fibrillation

Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is significantly related to adverse clinical outcomes in patients at high risk of cardiovascular events. In patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), data on LVH, that is, prevalence and determinants, are inconsistent mainly because of different definitions and heterogeneity of study populations. We determined echocardiographic-based LVH prevalence and clinical factors independently associated with its development in a prospective cohort of patients with non-valvular (NV) AF. From the "Atrial Fibrillation Registry for Ankle-brachial Index Prevalence Assessment: Collaborative Italian Study" (ARAPACIS) population, 1,184 patients with NVAF (mean age 72 \ub1 11 years; 56% men) with complete data to define LVH were selected. ARAPACIS is a multicenter, observational, prospective, longitudinal on-going study designed to estimate prevalence of peripheral artery disease in patients with NVAF. We found a high prevalence of LVH (52%) in patients with NVAF. Compared to those without LVH, patients with AF with LVH were older and had a higher prevalence of hypertension, diabetes, and previous myocardial infarction (MI). A higher prevalence of ankle-brachial index 640.90 was seen in patients with LVH (22 vs 17%, p = 0.0392). Patients with LVH were at significantly higher thromboembolic risk, with CHA2DS2-VASc 652 seen in 93% of LVH and in 73% of patients without LVH (p <0.05). Women with LVH had a higher prevalence of concentric hypertrophy than men (46% vs 29%, p = 0.0003). Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that female gender (odds ratio [OR] 2.80, p <0.0001), age (OR 1.03 per year, p <0.001), hypertension (OR 2.30, p <0.001), diabetes (OR 1.62, p = 0.004), and previous MI (OR 1.96, p = 0.001) were independently associated with LVH. In conclusion, patients with NVAF have a high prevalence of LVH, which is related to female gender, older age, hypertension, and previous MI. These patients are at high thromboembolic risk and deserve a holistic approach to cardiovascular prevention

A case of Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia in a severely malnourished, HIV-negative patient: a role for malnutrition in opportunistic infections?

Malnutrition increases the risk of infections.Here we report the first case of a non-HIV , severely malnourished woman who developed Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia.This report highlights the clinical relevance of malnutrition as a determinant of immune suppression, which in turn may also favor opportunistic infections

From palliation to cure: PIPAC for peritoneal malignancies

INTRODUCTION: Systemic chemotherapy offers poor control over peritoneal disease, maybe as a consequence of restricted drug availability within the abdominal cavity. Locoregional chemotherapy may overcome these shortcomings but its administration is limited to a few patients with confined peritoneal spread. Pressurized intraperitoneal aerosol chemotherapy (PIPAC) emerged in the last years as a novel method of intraperitoneal drug administration. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: We report a meta-analysis of published studies on PIPAC safety and pathological anti-tumoral efficacy on PC from various tumor entities, with the aim of providing more evidence to support further research. This systematic review and meta-analysis were designed, conducted and reported according to the PRISMA statement. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: An overall pathological response rate of 43.7% was calculated on a total of 668 patients who underwent 1480 PIPAC cycles across the 20 studies. Pooled severe adverse events rate (CTCAE grade 3-4) was 10% and seven deaths across all studies were reported, of which only four were related to PIPAC. CONCLUSIONS: PIPAC is a safe procedure which has a relevant anti-tumoral activity on peritoneal carcinomatosis. Further studies, even in the early stage of disease, are awaited to assess the clinical benefit of PIPAC. This review may serve as a reliable basis for future research

From palliation to cure: PIPAC for peritoneal malignancies

INTRODUCTION: Systemic chemotherapy offers poor control over peritoneal disease, maybe as a consequence of restricted drug availability within the abdominal cavity. Locoregional chemotherapy may overcome these shortcomings but its administration is limited to a few patients with confined peritoneal spread. Pressurized intraperitoneal aerosol chemotherapy (PIPAC) emerged in the last years as a novel method of intraperitoneal drug administration.EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: We report a meta-analysis of published studies on PIPAC safety and pathological anti-tumoral efficacy on PC from various tumor entities, with the aim of providing more evidence to support further research. This systematic review and meta-analysis were designed, conducted and reported according to the PRISMA statement.EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: An overall pathological response rate of 43.7% was calculated on a total of 668 patients who underwent 1480 PIPAC cycles across the 20 studies. Pooled severe adverse events rate (CTCAE grade 3-4) was 10% and seven deaths across all studies were reported, of which only four were related to PIPAC.CONCLUSIONS: PIPAC is a safe procedure which has a relevant anti-tumoral activity on peritoneal carcinomatosis. Further studies, even in the early stage of disease, are awaited to assess the clinical benefit of PIPAC. This review may serve as a reliable basis for future research

Risk factors for esophago-jejunal anastomosis leakage after total gastrectomy for cancer. A multicenter retrospective study of the Italian research group for gastric cancer

Background: Many Eastern reports attempted to identify predictive variables for esophago-jejunal anastomosis leakage (EJAL) after total gastrectomy for cancer. There are no definitive answers about reliable risk factors for EJAL. This retrospective study shows the largest Western series focused on this topic. Methods: This is a multicenter retrospective study analyzing patients\u2019 datasets collected by 18 Italian referral Centres of the Italian Research Group for Gastric Cancer (GIRCG) from 2000 to 2018. The inclusion criteria were pathological diagnosis of gastric and esophageal (Siewert III) carcinoma requiring total gastrectomy. The primary end point of risk analysis was the occurrence of EJAL; secondary end points were post-operative (30-day) morbidity and mortality, length of stay (LoS), and survival. Results: Data of 1750 patients submitted to total gastrectomy were collected. EJAL developed in 116 (6.6%) patients and represented the 26.3% of all the 441 observed post-operative surgical complications. EJAL diagnosis was followed by a reoperation in 39 (33.6%) patients and by an endoscopic/radiological procedure in 30 cases (25.9%). In 47 patients (40.5%) EJAL was managed with conservative approach. Post-operative LoS and mortality were significantly higher after EJAL occurrence (27 days versus 12 days and 8.6% versus 1.6%, respectively). At risk analysis, comorbidities (particularly, if respiratory), minimally invasive surgery, extended lymphadenectomy, and anastomotic technique resulted significant predictive factors for EJAL. EJAL did not significantly affect survival. Conclusions: These results were consistent with Asian experiences: the frequency of EJAL and its higher rate observed in patients with comorbidities or after minimally invasive approach were confirmed

Carotid plaque detection improves the predictve value of CHA2DS2-VASc score in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrilation: The ARAPACIS Study

Background and aims: Vascular disease (VD), as assessed by history of myocardial infarction or peripheral artery disease or aortic plaque, increases stroke risk in atrial fibrillation (AF), and is a component of risk assessment using the CHA(2)DS(2)-VASc score. We investigated if systemic atherosclerosis as detected by ultrasound carotid plaque (CP) could improve the predictive value of the CHA(2)DS(2)-VASc score.Methods: We analysed data from the ARAPACIS study, an observational study including 2027 Italian patients with non-valvular AF, in whom CP was detected using Doppler Ultrasonography.Results: VD was reported in 351 (17.3%) patients while CP was detected in 16.6% patients. Adding CP to the VD definition leaded to higher VD prevalence (30.9%). During a median [IQR] follow-up time of 36 months, 56 (2.8%) stroke/TIA eventswere recorded. Survival analysis showed that conventional VD alone did not increase the risk of stroke (Log-Rank: 0.009, p = 0.924), while addition of CP to conventional VD was significantly associated to an increased risk of stroke (LR: 5.730, p = 0.017). Cox regression analysis showed that VD + CP was independently associated with stroke (HR: 1.78, 95% CI: 1.05-3.01, p = 0.0318). Reclassification analysis showed that VD + CP allowed a significant risk reclassification when compared to VD alone in predicting stroke at 36 months (NRI: 0.192, 95% CI: 0.028-0.323, p = 0.032).Conclusions: In non-valvular AF patients the addition of ultrasound detection of carotid plaque to conventional VD significantly increases the predictive value of CHA(2)DS(2)-VASc score for stroke. (C) 2017 Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd

Carotid plaque detection improves the predictve value of CHA2DS2-VASc score in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrilation: The ARAPACIS Study

Background and aims: Vascular disease (VD), as assessed by history of myocardial infarction or peripheral artery disease or aortic plaque, increases stroke risk in atrial fibrillation (AF), and is a component of risk assessment using the CHA(2)DS(2)-VASc score. We investigated if systemic atherosclerosis as detected by ultrasound carotid plaque (CP) could improve the predictive value of the CHA(2)DS(2)-VASc score.Methods: We analysed data from the ARAPACIS study, an observational study including 2027 Italian patients with non-valvular AF, in whom CP was detected using Doppler Ultrasonography.Results: VD was reported in 351 (17.3%) patients while CP was detected in 16.6% patients. Adding CP to the VD definition leaded to higher VD prevalence (30.9%). During a median [IQR] follow-up time of 36 months, 56 (2.8%) stroke/TIA eventswere recorded. Survival analysis showed that conventional VD alone did not increase the risk of stroke (Log-Rank: 0.009, p = 0.924), while addition of CP to conventional VD was significantly associated to an increased risk of stroke (LR: 5.730, p = 0.017). Cox regression analysis showed that VD + CP was independently associated with stroke (HR: 1.78, 95% CI: 1.05-3.01, p = 0.0318). Reclassification analysis showed that VD + CP allowed a significant risk reclassification when compared to VD alone in predicting stroke at 36 months (NRI: 0.192, 95% CI: 0.028-0.323, p = 0.032).Conclusions: In non-valvular AF patients the addition of ultrasound detection of carotid plaque to conventional VD significantly increases the predictive value of CHA(2)DS(2)-VASc score for stroke. (C) 2017 Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd

Relationship between carotid intima-media thickness and non valvular atrial fibrillation type.

OBJECTIVE:Carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) is a surrogate marker of subclinical atherosclerosis and it is able to predict both coronary and cerebral vascular events. No data exist on the association between cIMT and non valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) type. We conduct this study with the aim to analyze the association between abnormal cIMT and NVAF type.METHODS:A cross-sectional study of the "Atrial fibrillation Registry for Ankle-brachial index Prevalence Assessment-Collaborative Italian Study (ARAPACIS)" has been performed. Among 2027 patients enrolled in the ARAPACIS, 673 patients, who underwent carotid ultrasound examination to assess cIMT, were included in the study.RESULTS:Among the entire population, 478 patients (71%) had cIMT > 0.90 mm. Patients with an abnormal cIMT (>0.90 mm) were significantly older and more likely hypertensive, diabetic and with a previous history of stroke than those with normal cIMT ( 640.90 mm). These patients had more permanent/persistent NVAF and CHA2DS2-VASc score 65 2 (p < 0.0001) compared to those with cIMT <0.90 mm. Excluding all patients affected by previous cardiovascular disease, logistic regression analysis showed that independent predictors of abnormal cIMT were: age class 65-74 yrs. (p < 0.001), age class 6575 yrs. (p < 0.001), arterial hypertension (p < 0.001), calcium-channel blockers use (p < 0.001) and persistent/permanent NVAF (p = 0.001).CONCLUSION:Our findings show a high prevalence of abnormal cIMT in NVAF patients, reinforcing the concept that NVAF and systemic atherosclerosis are closely associated. Abnormal cIMT was particularly evident in persistent/permanent NVAF suggesting a more elevated atherosclerotic burden in patients with long-standing NVAF

Relationship between carotid intima-media thickness and non valvular atrial fibrillation type

OBJECTIVE: Carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) is a surrogate marker of subclinical atherosclerosis and it is able to predict both coronary and cerebral vascular events. No data exist on the association between cIMT and non valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) type. We conduct this study with the aim to analyze the association between abnormal cIMT and NVAF type. METHODS: A cross-sectional study of the "Atrial fibrillation Registry for Ankle-brachial index Prevalence Assessment-Collaborative Italian Study (ARAPACIS)" has been performed. Among 2027 patients enrolled in the ARAPACIS, 673 patients, who underwent carotid ultrasound examination to assess cIMT, were included in the study. RESULTS: Among the entire population, 478 patients (71%) had cIMT > 0.90 mm. Patients with an abnormal cIMT (>0.90 mm) were significantly older and more likely hypertensive, diabetic and with a previous history of stroke than those with normal cIMT ( 640.90 mm). These patients had more permanent/persistent NVAF and CHA2DS2-VASc score 65 2 (p < 0.0001) compared to those with cIMT <0.90 mm. Excluding all patients affected by previous cardiovascular disease, logistic regression analysis showed that independent predictors of abnormal cIMT were: age class 65-74 yrs. (p < 0.001), age class 6575 yrs. (p < 0.001), arterial hypertension (p < 0.001), calcium-channel blockers use (p < 0.001) and persistent/permanent NVAF (p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: Our findings show a high prevalence of abnormal cIMT in NVAF patients, reinforcing the concept that NVAF and systemic atherosclerosis are closely associated. Abnormal cIMT was particularly evident in persistent/permanent NVAF suggesting a more elevated atherosclerotic burden in patients with long-standing NVAF. TRIAL REGISTRATION: http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01161251