Systematic review and meta-analysis of elective and urgent late open conversion after failed endovascular aneurysm repair

Background: In this study, we systematically reviewed late open conversions after failed endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR), assessed the methodologic quality of the included studies, and performed a meta-analysis on the 30-day mortality rates for urgent and elective late conversions. Methods: Electronic databases were systematically searched for studies published up to June 2018 that focused on late open conversion of failed EVAR (ie, >30 days after the initial EVAR), reported the primary outcome of 30-day mortality rate, and distinguished the 30-day mortality rate between urgent and elective late conversions. Two independent reviewers assessed the methodologic quality of the included studies with the Methodological Index for Non-Randomized Studies. Data on baseline demographics, indication for conversion, surgical approach, and early and late mortality rates were recorded. Reported data correspond to the average or range of the means reported in the individual studies. A random-effects model was used to pool 30-day mortality rates for urgent and elective late conversion. Results: There were 27 retrospective studies with a total of 791 patients available for analysis, with 617 elective and 174 urgent late conversions. The methodologic quality was mostly poor (median, 6; interquartile range, 5-7). The mean time from primary EVAR to conversion was 35.1 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 30.4-39.8 months). The most commonly explanted endografts were Excluder (W. L. Gore & Associates, Flagstaff, Ariz) in 16.2%, Talent (Medtronic, Minneapolis, Minn) in 14.5%, and AneuRx (Medtronic) in 13.7%. Nineteen other types of endografts were used in 43.3%; the type of endograft was not reported in 12.3%. A transperitoneal approach was used in a mean 74.0% of conversions (95% CI, 70.9%-77.0%), and complete endograft explantation was performed in 478 (60.4%) patients (95% CI, 57.0%-63.8%). The complication rate was 36.7% (95% CI, 27.0%-46.4%). Temporary or permanent hemodialysis after conversion was required in 3.9% of patients (95% CI, 2.6%-5.2%). The pooled estimate for the 30-day mortality rate was 2.8% (95% CI, 1.5%-4.0%; P = .726) for elective late conversions and 28.1% (95% CI, 18.9%-37.3%; P <.001) for urgent late conversions. Conclusions: Type I endoleak and rupture are the most common indications for, respectively, elective and urgent conversions. A 10 times higher 30-day mortality rate was observed for patients treated with late open conversion in an urgent vs elective setting. The 30-day mortality rate of elective late open conversions is almost comparable to that of primary elective open abdominal aortic aneurysm repair procedures. For the interpretation of the outcomes of the review, however, the methodologic quality of the available literature should be considered

The effect of the introduction of the Amsterdam Trauma Workflow Concept on mortality and functional outcome of patients with severe traumatic brain injury

The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of the introduction of an all-in workflow concept that included direct computed tomography (CT) scanning in the trauma room on mortality and functional outcome of trauma patients with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) admitted to a level-1 trauma center. To this end, a retrospective comparison was made of a 1-year cohort prior to the implementation of the all-in workflow concept (Pre-CT in trauma room cohort [Pre-TRCT]) and a 1-year cohort after the implementation (Post-TRCT). All severely injured TBI patients aged 16 years or older that were presented in our level-1 trauma center and that underwent a CT of the head were initially included. Severe TBI was defined as an Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) score of >2 of the head region following trauma. Primary outcome parameter was TBI-related mortality during primary hospital admission. Secondary outcome parameter was the functional outcome based on GOS-Extended. A total of 59 patients were included in the Pre-TRCT and 49 in the Post-TRCT. Median age was 49 years in the Post-TRCT and 44 years in the Pre-TRCT (not significant [NS]). Median ISS was similar (ISS = 25). Median Head-AIS was higher in the Post-TRCT (5 vs. 4, NS). Initial CT scanning was completed faster in the Post-TRCT. There was a significant difference of 23% mortality in favor of the Post-TRCT for TBI-related mortality during primary hospital admission (p < 0.05). For acute neurosurgical interventions, time until intervention tended to be faster in the Post-TRCT (NS). Functional outcomes for survivors were higher in the Post-TRCT (6 vs. 5, NS

The Association of Mobile Medical Team Involvement on On-Scene Times and Mortality in Trauma Patients

Objectives: Mobile medical teams (MMTs) provide specialized care on-scene with the purpose to improve outcome. However, this additional care could prolong the on-scene time (OST), which is related to mortality. The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of MMT involvement on the mortality rate and on the OST, in a Dutch consecutive cohort of Level I trauma patients. Methods: All patients who required presentation in the trauma resuscitation room in an urban Level I trauma center were included in this prospective study during the period of November 2005 till November 2007. For data collection, we used both pre- and in-hospital registration systems. Outcome measures were 30-day mortality and OST. Results: In total, 1,054 patients were analyzed. In 172 (16%) patients, the MMT was involved. Mortality was significantly higher in the MMT group compared with patients treated without MMT involvement; 9.9% versus 2.7%, respectively (p <0.001). Significantly higher Injury Severity Scores, intervention rates, and a significantly lower Triage Revised Trauma Score were found in patients treated by MMT. After adjustment for patient and injury characteristics, no association could be found between MMT involvement and higher mortality (95% CI, 0.581-3.979; p = 0.394). In patients with severe traumatic brain injury (GCS score <= 8) in whom a MMT was involved, the mortality was 25.5%, compared with 32.7% in those without MMT involvement (p = 0.442). The mean OST was prolonged (2.7 minutes) when MMT was involved (26.1 vs. 23.4 minutes; p = 0.003). Conclusions: In this study, OSTs were long compared with PHTLS recommendations. MMT involvement slightly prolonged the OST. Trauma patients with MMT involvement had a high mortality, but after correction for patient and injury characteristics, the mortality rate did not significantly differ from patients without MMT involvemen