Serum C-reactive protein on the prognosis of oncology patients with acute renal failure: an observational cohort study

We undertook this study to evaluate the significance of the C-reactive protein level (CRP) as a prognostic factor in oncology patients with acute renal failure (ARF) during nephrology consultation. METHODS: The study was comprised of a cohort of 375 consecutive oncology patients who had been admitted to a university-affiliated hospital between March 1998 and April 2006 and had been diagnosed with ARF. One hundred and fifty nine patients with ARF who matched at least one of the RIFLE criteria on increased serum creatinine were included for subsequent analysis. We used a Cox proportional hazard model. RESULTS: Clinical pathological variables were compared among patients with serum CRP levels > or =8 mg/dL (exposed group; cut-off point: median) and patients with serum CRP level <8 mg/dL (control group). In-hospital mortality rates associated with CRP levels were 53.8% for > or =8 mg/dL and 21.5% for <8 mg/dL (p <0.001). After adjusted analysis, the presence of a CRP level > or =8 mg/dL was significantly associated with an increased in-hospital mortality (HR 2.10; 95% CI: 1.17-3.78) than in those patients with similar Liano scoring, the same RIFLE classes, and the same treatment for ARF. In addition, each increment of 1 mg/dL of serum CRP was associated with an adjusted 4% increment of in-hospital mortality (HR 1.04, 95% CI: 1.01-1.06). CONCLUSIONS: CRP levels at nephrology consultation were an independent predictor of death in this cohort of oncology patients with ARF. Patients with levels > or =8 mg/dL may be considered at higher risk of death

Dysautonomia in COVID-19 patients: a narrative review on clinical course, diagnostic and therapeutic strategies

IntroductionOn March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization sounded the COVID-19 pandemic alarm. While efforts in the first few months focused on reducing the mortality of infected patients, there is increasing data on the effects of long-term infection (Post-COVID-19 condition). Among the different symptoms described after acute infection, those derived from autonomic dysfunction are especially frequent and limiting. ObjectiveTo conduct a narrative review synthesizing current evidence of the signs and symptoms of dysautonomia in patients diagnosed with COVID-19, together with a compilation of available treatment guidelines. ResultsAutonomic dysfunction associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection occurs at different temporal stages. Some of the proposed pathophysiological mechanisms include direct tissue damage, immune dysregulation, hormonal disturbances, elevated cytokine levels, and persistent low-grade infection. Acute autonomic dysfunction has a direct impact on the mortality risk, given its repercussions on the respiratory, cardiovascular, and neurological systems. Iatrogenic autonomic dysfunction is a side effect caused by the drugs used and/or admission to the intensive care unit. Finally, late dysautonomia occurs in 2.5% of patients with Post-COVID-19 condition. While orthostatic hypotension and neurally-mediated syncope should be considered, postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) appears to be the most common autonomic phenotype among these patients. A review of diagnostic and treatment guidelines focused on each type of dysautonomic condition was done. ConclusionSymptoms deriving from autonomic dysfunction involvement are common in those affected by COVID-19. These symptoms have a great impact on the quality of life both in the short and medium to long term. A better understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms of Post-COVID manifestations that affect the autonomic nervous system, and targeted therapeutic management could help reduce the sequelae of COVID-19, especially if we act in the earliest phases of the disease

Laparoscopic radical hepatectomy and lymphadenectomy for incidental gallbladder cancer. Surgical technique with ICG fluorescence enhancement

Background: Radical re-resection has been demonstrated beneficial in incidental gallbladder cancer (iGBC) stages ≥ pT1b [1]. Anatomical resection (AR) of segments IVb-V is recommended, particularly for iGBC and liver-sided tumors [2]. Laparoscopically, this is a challenging procedure, as well as the regional lymphadenectomy, since inflammation from previous surgery can hinder identification of extrahepatic bile ducts. This difficult minimally invasive procedure, facilitated with indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescence enhancement [3] is herein didactically demonstrated. Methods: A 73 y. o. female patient underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy for cholelithiasis. An iGBC -pT2b with positive cystic node-was found. Completion radical surgery was decided. Before surgery, 1.5mg of ICG was intravenously administered. A regional lymphadenectomy (stations 5-8-9-12-13) was safely performed: ICG allowed for bile duct visualization despite scarring from previous procedure. AR (IVb-V) was performed based on a glissonian-pedicle approach. After completing the procedure, a new dose of ICG was administered to discard ischemic areas in the remnant. Results: Total operative time was 359 min. Intermittent Pringle maneuver resulted in <50 ml bleeding. Hospital stay was 3 days. Pathological examination revealed no residual tumor in the liver bed. Ten lymph nodes were resected; 3 of them (2 retroportal and 1 common hepatic artery) showing tumoral invasion. After surgery, 6 cycles of adjuvant chemotherapy (Gemcitabine-Oxaliplatin) was administered. Conclusions: Laparoscopic radical surgery (AR of segments IVb-V plus regional lymphadenectomy) for iGBC is feasible and safe [4]. ICG fluorescence can be of help to identify hilar structures and rule out areas of ischemia

Laparoscopic radical hepatectomy and lymphadenectomy for incidental gallbladder cancer. Surgical technique with ICG fluorescence enhancement

Background: Radical re-resection has been demonstrated beneficial in incidental gallbladder cancer (iGBC) stages ≥ pT1b [1]. Anatomical resection (AR) of segments IVb-V is recommended, particularly for iGBC and liver-sided tumors [2]. Laparoscopically, this is a challenging procedure, as well as the regional lymphadenectomy, since inflammation from previous surgery can hinder identification of extrahepatic bile ducts. This difficult minimally invasive procedure, facilitated with indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescence enhancement [3] is herein didactically demonstrated. Methods: A 73 y. o. female patient underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy for cholelithiasis. An iGBC -pT2b with positive cystic node-was found. Completion radical surgery was decided. Before surgery, 1.5mg of ICG was intravenously administered. A regional lymphadenectomy (stations 5-8-9-12-13) was safely performed: ICG allowed for bile duct visualization despite scarring from previous procedure. AR (IVb-V) was performed based on a glissonian-pedicle approach. After completing the procedure, a new dose of ICG was administered to discard ischemic areas in the remnant. Results: Total operative time was 359 min. Intermittent Pringle maneuver resulted in <50 ml bleeding. Hospital stay was 3 days. Pathological examination revealed no residual tumor in the liver bed. Ten lymph nodes were resected; 3 of them (2 retroportal and 1 common hepatic artery) showing tumoral invasion. After surgery, 6 cycles of adjuvant chemotherapy (Gemcitabine-Oxaliplatin) was administered. Conclusions: Laparoscopic radical surgery (AR of segments IVb-V plus regional lymphadenectomy) for iGBC is feasible and safe [4]. ICG fluorescence can be of help to identify hilar structures and rule out areas of ischemia

Dosis bajas de haloperidol en combinación con ondansetrón no son eficaces para la profilaxis de náuseas y vómitos postoperatorios en pacientes propicios a esta complicación

Introducción El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar la eficacia y los efectos secundarios de distintas combinaciones de antieméticos para la profilaxis de náuseas y vómitos postoperatorios (NVPO) en pacientes propicios a presentarlos tras cirugía muy emetógena. Métodos Tras revisar retrospectivamente las historias clínicas de pacientes sometidos a cirugía electiva muy emetógena bajo anestesia general durante el periodo 2009 a 2011, seleccionamos 368 mujeres con puntuación de Apfel ≥3 y que recibieron una combinación de 2 antieméticos como profilaxis. Analizamos la incidencia de NVPO a las 2, 6, 12 y 24 h del postoperatorio, rescates antieméticos, patrón de aparición de NVPO, efectos secundarios y nivel de sedación. Valoramos la respuesta completa como ausencia de NVPO en las primeras 24 h. Resultados Ondansetrón 4 mg i.v. en combinación con dexametasona 8 mg i.v. (O&Dex), haloperidol 1 mg i.v. (O&Hal1), haloperidol 2 mg i.v. (O&Hal2) o droperidol 1,25 mg i.v. (O&Dro) fueron las combinaciones más empleadas. La respuesta completa fue mayor en los grupos O&Dex: 68,5% (IC: 58-78); O&Hal2: 64,1% (IC: 53-74) y O&Dro 63% (IC: 52-73) que en el grupo O&Hal1: 41,3% (IC: 31-52) (p < 0,01). La máxima incidencia de NVPO ocurrió entre las 2 y 6 h del postoperatorio. La incidencia de efectos secundarios fue mayor en el grupo O&Hal2. Conclusiones En pacientes con elevado riesgo de NVPO sometidos a cirugía muy emetógena, la eficacia de dosis bajas de haloperidol (1 mg) en combinación con ondansetrón es escasa. Dosis mayores (2 mg) son altamente eficaces, pero se asocian a una alta incidencia de efectos secundarios.Background In this observational study we reviewed the efficacy and side effects of different antiemetic combinations used in our hospital for postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) prophylaxis in high-risk women undergoing highly emetogenic surgery. Methods After reviewing retrospectively the medical records of patients undergoing highly emetogenic elective surgeries under general anaesthesia, we selected 368 women whose Apfel risk score was ≥ 3 and receiving a combination of 2 antiemetics for PONV prophylaxis. We analysed the incidence of PONV at 2, 6, 12 and 24 h after surgery, antiemetic rescue requirements, pattern of occurrence of PONV, side effects and level of sedation were also assessed. The main goal was complete response defined as no PONV within 24 h after surgery. Results Ondansetron 4 mg i.v. plus dexamethasone 8 mg i.v. (O&Dex), haloperidol 1 mg i.v. (O&Hal1), haloperidol 2 mg i.v. (O&Hal2) or droperidol 1.25 mg i.v. (O&Dro) were the combinations most frequently used. The complete response was better in groups O&Dex: 68.5% (CI: 58-78), O&Hal2: 64.1% (CI: 53-74) and O&Dro 63% (CI: 52-73) than in group O&Hal1: 41.3% (CI: 31-52) (p < 0,01). Peak incidence of PONV occurred within the 2-6 h period. The incidence of side effects was higher in group O&Hal2. Conclusion In high risk patients for PONV who underwent highly emetogenic surgeries, the efficacy of low-dose haloperidol (1 mg) in combination is limited. Higher doses (2 mg) are more effective but its use is associated with a high incidence of side effects

Full laparoscopic vascular reconstruction for portal tumoral invasion during a right hepatectomy using the caudal approach

Background: Laparoscopic liver surgery has progressively evolved. Consequently, liver procedures are increasingly performed laparoscopically, particularly in experienced centers. However, vascular resection and reconstruction still are considered a limitation for laparoscopy1 due to the risk of bleeding and the technical difficulty. Methods: A 72-year-old woman with a history of colorectal cancer had a 10 cm metastasis diagnosed in the right hemiliver with tumoral invasion of the right portal branch and tumor thrombus advancing to the portal confluence. After adjuvant chemotherapy and with stable disease, surgical resection was planned.2,3 Tips to avoid portal stenosis were carefully followed. Results: The operation was performed with a fully laparoscopic procedure. To minimize manipulation, an in situ right hepatectomy was performed.4 The right hepatic artery was dissected and ligated. The liver transection was guided with a caudal approach of the middle hepatic vein.5 The right biliary duct was then divided, achieving an excellent exposure of the portal bifurcation. The main and left portal trunks were occluded with vascular clamps, and the right portal vein was sharply divided with scissors. The stump was sutured to minimize backflow bleeding and to cover the tumor thrombus. Then, the portal opening was transversally sutured with a 5/0 running suture. The clamps were released, and the authors observed no bleeding and an adequate caliber with no stenosis. The procedure was completed in the standard fashion. The postoperative course was uneventful, and the woman was discharged on postoperative day 3. No early or late complications were observed.6 CONCLUSIONS: In selected cases, patients who require vascular resection and reconstruction during hepatectomies can benefit from the advantages of a laparoscopic approach

Randomized comparison of three transducer orientation approaches for ultrasound guided internal jugular venous cannulation

Background: Ultrasound-guided internal jugular venous access increases the rate of successful cannulation and reduces the incidence of complications, compared with the landmark technique. Three transducer orientation approaches have been proposed for this procedure: short-axis (SAX), long-axis (LAX) and oblique-axis (OAX). Our goal was to assess and compare the performance of these approaches. Methods: A prospective randomized clinical trial was conducted in one teaching hospital. Patients aged 18 yr or above, who were undergoing ultrasound-guided internal jugular cannulation, were randomly assigned to one of three intervention groups: SAX, LAX and OAX group. The main outcome measure was successful cannulation on first needle pass. Incidence of mechanical complications was also registered. Restricted randomization was computer-generated. Results: In total, 220 patients were analysed (SAX n=73, LAX n=75, OAX n=72). Cannulation was successful on first needle pass in 51 (69.9%) SAX patients, 39 (52%) LAX patients and 53 (73.6%) OAX patients. First needle pass failure was higher in the LAX group than in the OAX group (adjusted OR 3.7, 95% CI 1.71–8.0, P=0.002). A higher mechanical complication rate was observed in the SAX group (15.1%) than in the OAX (6.9%) and LAX (4%) groups (P=0.047). Conclusions: As OAX showed a higher first needle pass success rate than LAX and a lower mechanical complications rate than SAX, we recommend it as the standard approach when performing ultrasound-guided internal jugular venous access. Further clinical studies are needed to confirm this conclusio