Mortality from gastrointestinal congenital anomalies at 264 hospitals in 74 low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries: a multicentre, international, prospective cohort study

Summary Background Congenital anomalies are the fifth leading cause of mortality in children younger than 5 years globally. Many gastrointestinal congenital anomalies are fatal without timely access to neonatal surgical care, but few studies have been done on these conditions in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). We compared outcomes of the seven most common gastrointestinal congenital anomalies in low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries globally, and identified factors associated with mortality. Methods We did a multicentre, international prospective cohort study of patients younger than 16 years, presenting to hospital for the first time with oesophageal atresia, congenital diaphragmatic hernia, intestinal atresia, gastroschisis, exomphalos, anorectal malformation, and Hirschsprung’s disease. Recruitment was of consecutive patients for a minimum of 1 month between October, 2018, and April, 2019. We collected data on patient demographics, clinical status, interventions, and outcomes using the REDCap platform. Patients were followed up for 30 days after primary intervention, or 30 days after admission if they did not receive an intervention. The primary outcome was all-cause, in-hospital mortality for all conditions combined and each condition individually, stratified by country income status. We did a complete case analysis. Findings We included 3849 patients with 3975 study conditions (560 with oesophageal atresia, 448 with congenital diaphragmatic hernia, 681 with intestinal atresia, 453 with gastroschisis, 325 with exomphalos, 991 with anorectal malformation, and 517 with Hirschsprung’s disease) from 264 hospitals (89 in high-income countries, 166 in middleincome countries, and nine in low-income countries) in 74 countries. Of the 3849 patients, 2231 (58·0%) were male. Median gestational age at birth was 38 weeks (IQR 36–39) and median bodyweight at presentation was 2·8 kg (2·3–3·3). Mortality among all patients was 37 (39·8%) of 93 in low-income countries, 583 (20·4%) of 2860 in middle-income countries, and 50 (5·6%) of 896 in high-income countries (p<0·0001 between all country income groups). Gastroschisis had the greatest difference in mortality between country income strata (nine [90·0%] of ten in lowincome countries, 97 [31·9%] of 304 in middle-income countries, and two [1·4%] of 139 in high-income countries; p≤0·0001 between all country income groups). Factors significantly associated with higher mortality for all patients combined included country income status (low-income vs high-income countries, risk ratio 2·78 [95% CI 1·88–4·11], p<0·0001; middle-income vs high-income countries, 2·11 [1·59–2·79], p<0·0001), sepsis at presentation (1·20 [1·04–1·40], p=0·016), higher American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score at primary intervention (ASA 4–5 vs ASA 1–2, 1·82 [1·40–2·35], p<0·0001; ASA 3 vs ASA 1–2, 1·58, [1·30–1·92], p<0·0001]), surgical safety checklist not used (1·39 [1·02–1·90], p=0·035), and ventilation or parenteral nutrition unavailable when needed (ventilation 1·96, [1·41–2·71], p=0·0001; parenteral nutrition 1·35, [1·05–1·74], p=0·018). Administration of parenteral nutrition (0·61, [0·47–0·79], p=0·0002) and use of a peripherally inserted central catheter (0·65 [0·50–0·86], p=0·0024) or percutaneous central line (0·69 [0·48–1·00], p=0·049) were associated with lower mortality. Interpretation Unacceptable differences in mortality exist for gastrointestinal congenital anomalies between lowincome, middle-income, and high-income countries. Improving access to quality neonatal surgical care in LMICs will be vital to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 3.2 of ending preventable deaths in neonates and children younger than 5 years by 2030

Common to Internal Iliac Artery Stent to Increase Collateral Flow to Lower Extremity in Context of Occluded External Iliac Artery

Iliac artery atherosclerosis is a common vascular pathology and has been treated increasingly with endovascular intervention. Described here is a case of a patient with ari extensive history of prior failed external iliac interventions facing high-morbidity procedures. The decision was made to deploy a stent in the internal iliac artery. Increased flow to the lower extremity via collaterals was achieved showing that internal iliac artery stenting can be utilized for chronic limb ischemi

A ruptured mycotic aortic aneurysm in a patient with urinary retention: A case report.

Symptomatic abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a diagnosis that is a true emergency. Since AAAs are typically asymptomatic prior to rupturing, they can easily be missed. When an abdominal aortic aneurysm becomes symptomatic and ruptures, the ramifications can be catastrophic for the patient. We present a case of a 55-year-old male who presented with urinary retention and suprapubic pain. Computerized tomography demonstrated a rapidly expanding AAA and signs of impending rupture. Emergent vascular surgical repair was performed successfully. There was concern for mycotic nature of the AAA with recent COVID-19 infection and possible bacteremia. This case demonstrates the need for maintaining a wider differential when examining patients and avoiding anchoring bias and serves as a point of discussion for potential complications of COVID-19 infection

Chronic common femoral vein occlusion secondary to endometriosis.

Venous occlusion is sometimes caused by external compression due to adjacent masses. Endometriosis, the presence of functioning endometrial tissue outside the uterine cavity, is a rare cause of venous occlusion. We report a case of chronic common femoral vein occlusion due to endometrioma causing severe leg edema and groin pain that was treated with resection and venous bypass

Carotid Web as an Embolic Source of Acute Ischemic Stroke.

INTRODUCTION: Carotid webs are shelf-like projections of the carotid bulb lumen associated with ipsilateral ischemic stroke in young patients. Given its rarity, a limited number of studies have evaluated the optimal management of symptomatic carotid webs to prevent further ischemic stroke. CASE REPORT: A 40-year-old Caucasian man presented with a sudden onset of left-sided facial droop, hemiparesis, and dysarthria. Computed tomography angiography revealed occlusion of the distal M1 and proximal M2 segments of the right middle cerebral artery and a small intimal flap at the right internal carotid artery origin. Intravenous alteplase was administered without clinical improvement. The patient underwent successful mechanical thrombectomy with complete revascularization of the middle cerebral artery and no residual neurologic deficits. Magnetic resonance angiography confirmed a curvilinear, shelf-like projection from the right carotid bulb posterior wall, consistent with a carotid web. The patient underwent carotid endarterectomy with no complications and was discharged home with no residual deficits or recurrence of stroke. CONCLUSION: No randomized, controlled prospective studies have compared the efficacy of endarterectomy to carotid artery stenting in patients with symptomatic carotid web. This case emphasizes the importance of considering carotid web as an embolic source of stroke in the young and provides support for revascularization as a safe and effective mean of secondary stroke prevention