Rectus Sheath Hematoma: A Simplified Emergency Surgical Approach

Rectus sheath hematoma (RSH) is an uncommon clinical event usually associated with trauma or coagulation disorders. It can also occur spontaneously. RSH usually runs a benign course but it can present with hypovolemic shock. When conservative management fails, surgical exploration becomes mandatory. We propose a technique of emergency ligation of the inferior epigastric artery. This is a simple approach as this artery originates at the posterior rectus sheath above the inguinal ligament. This safe technique provides immediate hemodynamic stabilization

Multipotency and cardiomyogenic potential of human adipose-derived stem cells from epicardium, pericardium, and omentum

BACKGROUND: Acute myocardial infarction (MI) leads to an irreversible loss of proper cardiac function. Application of stem cell therapy is an attractive option for MI treatment. Adipose tissue has proven to serve as a rich source of stem cells (ADSCs). Taking into account the different morphogenesis, anatomy, and physiology of adipose tissue, we hypothesized that ADSCs from different adipose tissue depots may exert a diverse multipotency and cardiogenic potential. METHODS: The omental, pericardial, and epicardial adipose tissue samples were obtained from organ donors and patients undergoing heart transplantation at our institution. Human foreskin fibroblasts were used as the control group. Isolated ADSCs were analyzed for adipogenic and osteogenic differentiation capacity and proliferation potential. The immunophenotype and constitutive gene expression of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), GATA4, Nanog, and OCT4 were analyzed. DNA methylation inhibitor 5-azacytidine was exposed to the cells to stimulate the cardiogenesis. Finally, reprogramming towards cardiomyocytes was initiated with exogenous overexpression of seven transcription factors (ESRRG, GATA4, MEF2C, MESP1, MYOCD, TBX5, ZFPM2) previously applied successfully for fibroblast transdifferentiation toward cardiomyocytes. Expression of cardiac troponin T (cTNT) and alpha-actinin (Actn2) was analyzed 3 weeks after initiation of the cardiac differentiation. RESULTS: The multipotent properties of isolated plastic adherent cells were confirmed with expression of CD29, CD44, CD90, and CD105, as well as successful differentiation toward adipocytes and osteocytes; with the highest osteogenic and adipogenic potential for the epicardial and omental ADSCs, respectively. Epicardial ADSCs demonstrated a lower doubling time as compared with the pericardium and omentum-derived cells. Furthermore, epicardial ADSCs revealed higher constitutive expression of ALP and GATA4. Increased Actn2 and cTNT expression was observed after the transduction of seven reprogramming factors, with the highest expression in the epicardial ADSCs, as compared with the other ADSC subtypes and fibroblasts. CONCLUSIONS: Human epicardial ADSCs revealed a higher cardiomyogenic potential as compared with the pericardial and omental ADSC subtypes as well as the fibroblast counterparts. Epicardial ADSCs may thus serve as the valuable subject for further studies on more effective methods of adult stem cell differentiation toward cardiomyocytes

Coronary artery bypass grafting with minimal versus conventional extracorporeal circulation; an economic analysis

Background: This study aims to develop a methodological framework for the comparative economic evaluation between Minimal Extracorporeal Circulation (MECC) versus conventional Extracorporeal Circulation (CECC) in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in different healthcare systems. Moreover, we evaluate the cost-effectiveness ratio of alternative comparators in the healthcare setting of Greece, Germany, the Netherlands and Switzerland. Methods: The effectiveness data utilized were derived from a recent meta-analysis which incorporated 24 randomized clinical trials. Total therapy cost per patient reflects all resources expensed in delivery of therapy and the management of any adverse events, including drugs, diagnostics tests, materials, devices, blood units, the utilization of operating theaters, intensive care units, and wards. Perioperative mortality was used as the primary health outcome to estimate life years gained in treatment arms. Bias-corrected uncertainty intervals were calculated using the percentile method of non-parametric Monte-Carlo simulation. Results: TheMECC circuitwasmore expensive than CECC, with a difference ranging from 180 to _ 600 depending on the country. However, in terms of total therapy cost per patient the comparison favoredMECC in all countries. Specifically itwas associated with a reduction of _ 635 in Greece, _ 297 in Germany, _ 1590 in the Netherlands and _ 375 in Switzerland. In terms of effectiveness, the total life-years gained were slightly higher in favor of MECC. Conclusions: Surgery with MECC may be dominant (lower cost and higher effectiveness) compared to CECC in coronary revascularization procedures and therefore it represents an attractive new option relative to conventional extracorporeal circulation for CABG. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved