Analysis of Plasma Products for Cellular Contaminants: Comparing Standard Preparation Methods

BACKGROUND

Recent reports suggest that component plasma products contain significant quantities of cellular contamination. We hypothesized that leukoreduction of whole blood before preparation of derived plasma is an effective method to prevent cellular contamination of stored plasma.

STUDY DESIGN

Samples of never-frozen liquid plasma prepared by standard methods (n = 25) were obtained from 3 regional blood centers that supply 3 major trauma centers. Samples were analyzed for leukocyte and platelet contamination by flow cytometry. To determine if leukoreduction of whole blood before centrifugation and expression of plasma prevents cellular contamination of liquid plasma, 1 site generated 6 additional units of liquid plasma from leukoreduced whole blood, which were then compared with units of liquid plasma derived by standard processing.

RESULTS

Across all centers, each unit of never-frozen liquid plasma contained a mean of 12.8 ± 3.0 million leukocytes and a mean of 4.6 ± 2 billion platelets. Introduction of whole blood leukoreduction (LR) before centrifugation and plasma extraction essentially eliminated all contaminating leukocytes (Non-LR: 12.3 ± 2.9 million vs LR: 0.05 ± 0.05 million leukocytes) and platelets (Non-LR: 4.2 ± 0.3 billion platelets vs LR: 0.00 ± 0.00 billion platelets).

CONCLUSIONS

Despite widespread belief that stored plasma is functionally acellular, testing of liquid plasma from 3 regional blood banks revealed a significant amount of previously unrecognized cellular contamination. Introduction of a leukoreduction step before whole blood centrifugation essentially eliminated detectable leukocyte and platelet contaminants from plasma. Therefore, our study highlights a straightforward and cost-effective method to eliminate cellular contamination of stored plasma.

Zero Preventable Deaths by 2020: Analysis of Prehospital and Emergency Department Deaths Following Penetrating Trauma Stratified by Anatomic Location

INTRODUCTION

Preventable deaths following trauma are high and unchanged over the last two decades. The objective of this study was to describe the location of death in patients with penetrating trauma, stratified by anatomic location of injury, in order to better tailor our approach to reducing preventable deaths from trauma.

METHODS

This retrospective analysis of a prospectively maintained trauma registry included consecutive adult trauma activations with penetrating trauma at a level 1 trauma center between 07/2012 and 03/2018. Injuries were categorized as extremity, junctional, and torso. Head and neck injuries were excluded. Patients injured in >1 defined location were categorized as "multiple." Location of death was defined as on-scene, emergency department (ED), or hospital. Two-sided χ² tests were used to compare groups. Multivariate analysis was performed using logistic regression.

RESULTS

A total of 1024 patients were included with an overall case fatality rate (CFR) of 7.8%. The CFR following extremity injury (3.0%) was significantly lower than all other injury sites (P = .02).There were no significant differences in CFR for junctional (10.4%), torso (8.3%), or multiple injuries (9.6%). Forty percent of fatalities following junctional injury occurred on-scene and an additional 20% occurred in the ED.

DISCUSSION

To our knowledge, this is the first study to describe location of death stratified by anatomic location of injury. There was no difference in the CFRs of junctional and torso injuries, and a large proportion of deaths occurred prior to reaching the hospital or in the trauma bay. These findings support reevaluating the classical algorithms and care pathways for patients with proximal penetrating trauma.

1126 Relationship Between Headache and Sleep: A Longitudinal Study from the Population of Sao Paulo City (Brazil)

Introduction

The complaint of nocturnal awakening with headache (NAH), was prevalent (8.4%) in the São Paulo population and was associated with sleep disturbances, as demonstrated in a study conducted in 2007 (EPISONO). Indeed, this relationship between sleep and headache is well documented in the literature. Objective: To assess the incidence and evolution of NAH and to associate sleep-related variables in an eight-year prospective study.

Methods

From 1042 volunteers enrolled in the baseline, 712 agreed to participate in the follow-up. Questionnaires and scales were applied and polysomnography and actigraphy performed. The complaint of NAH was analyzed according to a frequency questionnaire and separated into frequent or occasional.

Results

At follow-up, 110 volunteers reported NAH, of which 82 were the same as those from the baseline, but only 38 had frequent complaints. Comparing with volunteers whose headache has become occasional, we have as a difference the insomnia severity index which is significantly higher in the group with frequent NAH (8.40 ± 5.10 vs 11.20±6.40 p:0.03) and worse sleep quality as measured by the Pittsburgh questionnaire (7.25±3.60 vs 10.25±4.60 p:0.002). In addition, these volunteers had higher anxiety (10.40±9.30 vs 12.00± 10:00 p: 0.008) and depression (10.60±9.90 vs 12:00±9.90 p:0.005) from Beck’s questionnaires and greater fatigue (4.85±3.10 vs 9.75±5.55 p:0.001). The associations of NAH with insomnia, nightmares, and bruxism observed in the baseline continued, but no difference was observed between those who had frequent or occasional complaints at follow-up.

Conclusion

Our study showed that NAH was highly prevalent in the Sao Paulo population in both the baseline and follow-up studies, but this frequency had a reduction in follow-up. Volunteers who persisted with the frequent complaint showed greater severity of insomnia, higher anxiety and depression and greater fatigue.

Support

Associação Fundo de Incentivo à Pesquisa (AFIP) and São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP)

Outcomes in patients with gunshot wounds to the brain

Introduction

Gunshot wounds to the brain (GSWB) confer high lethality and uncertain recovery. It is unclear which patients benefit from aggressive resuscitation, and furthermore whether patients with GSWB undergoing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) have potential for survival or organ donation. Therefore, we sought to determine the rates of survival and organ donation, as well as identify factors associated with both outcomes in patients with GSWB undergoing CPR.

Methods

We performed a retrospective, multicenter study at 25 US trauma centers including dates between June 1, 2011 and December 31, 2017. Patients were included if they suffered isolated GSWB and required CPR at a referring hospital, in the field, or in the trauma resuscitation room. Patients were excluded for significant torso or extremity injuries, or if pregnant. Binomial regression models were used to determine predictors of survival/organ donation.

Results

825 patients met study criteria; the majority were male (87.6%) with a mean age of 36.5 years. Most (67%) underwent CPR in the field and 2.1% (n=17) survived to discharge. Of the non-survivors, 17.5% (n=141) were considered eligible donors, with a donation rate of 58.9% (n=83) in this group. Regression models found several predictors of survival. Hormone replacement was predictive of both survival and organ donation.

Conclusion

We found that GSWB requiring CPR during trauma resuscitation was associated with a 2.1% survival rate and overall organ donation rate of 10.3%. Several factors appear to be favorably associated with survival, although predictions are uncertain due to the low number of survivors in this patient population. Hormone replacement was predictive of both survival and organ donation. These results are a starting point for determining appropriate treatment algorithms for this devastating clinical condition.

Level of evidence

Level II.

Apalutamide and overall survival in non-metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer

BACKGROUND

In the SPARTAN study, compared with placebo, apalutamide added to ongoing androgen deprivation therapy significantly prolonged metastasis-free survival (MFS) and time to symptomatic progression in patients with high-risk non-metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (nmCRPC). Overall survival (OS) results at the first interim analysis (IA1) were immature, with 104 of 427 (24%) events required for planned final OS analysis. Here, we report the results of a second pre-specified interim analysis (IA2).

METHODS

One thousand two hundred and seven patients with nmCRPC were randomized 2 : 1 to apalutamide (240 mg daily) or placebo. The primary end point of the study was MFS. Subsequent therapy for metastatic CRPC was permitted. When the primary end point was met, the study was unblinded. Patients receiving placebo who had not yet developed metastases were offered open-label apalutamide. At IA2, pre-specified analysis of OS was undertaken, using a group-sequential testing procedure with O'Brien-Fleming-type alpha spending function. Safety and second progression-free survival (PFS2) were assessed.

RESULTS

Median follow-up was 41 months. With 285 (67% of required) OS events, apalutamide was associated with an improved OS compared with placebo (HR 0.75; 95% CI 0.59-0.96; P = 0.0197), although the P-value did not cross the pre-specified O'Brien-Fleming boundary of 0.0121. Apalutamide improved PFS2 (HR 0.55; 95% CI 0.45-0.68). At IA2, 69% of placebo-treated and 40% of apalutamide-treated patients had received subsequent life-prolonging therapy for metastatic CRPC. No new safety signals were observed.

CONCLUSION

In patients with nmCRPC, apalutamide was associated with a 25% reduction in risk of death compared with placebo. This OS benefit was observed despite crossover of placebo-treated patients and higher rates of subsequent life-prolonging therapy for the placebo group.

Is Time of the Essence: A Retrospective Analysis of Operating Room Procedure Length for First Phase Damage Control Trauma Surgery

Background:The concept of Damage Control Surgery (DCS) consists of a truncated surgical intervention with main focus on hemorrhage and contamination control. Traditionally,DCS involves limiting operating room (OR) time for patients with multiple life-threatening injuries and coagulopathy who are reaching physiologic exhaustion. However, in the modern era of hemostatic resuscitation, there is a paucity of evidence to support a survival benefit with shorter OR times. The objective of this study was to determine the practice habits of trauma surgeons in the modern era of DCS and to determine if operation length affects mortality in trauma patients with abdominal injuries. Methods:An 8-year retrospective review of consecutive adult patients with DCSfor penetrating abdominal trauma at a Level I trauma center was conducted. Patient demographics, injury severity score (ISS), and penetrating abdominal trauma index (PATI) scores were obtained. Average operating room times for initial DCS were determined. Patient outcomes were analyzed with a t-test for univariate analysis and a Cox proportional hazard ratio modeling was used to predict factors for survival.  Results:A total of 193 patients were included in the study.  The overall patient mortality was 14.0% (n=27/193). Median OR time was 157 minutes (range, 59-573 min). Patients were stratified into short OR group (SHORT, n=95) and long OR group (LORT, n=98) based on the median operative time. Only one patient had an initial DCL less than 60 minutes.  The SHORT group received more blood transfusions (52.6% vs. 35.7%, p=0.02) in the ICU. Average operative room time was almost twice as long in the LORT group (214.6+6.2 vs. 121.4+2.6 minutes, p<0.0001). The average hospital length of stay (22.8+2.3 vs. 31.0+3.5 days, p=0.05) and ICU length of stay (10.6+1.2 vs. 12.6+1.4 days, p=0.28) were both lower in the LORT group compared to the SHORT group. The SHORT group had 22 patients with unplanned return to the OR compared to 3 in the LORT group (p<0.0001). On multivariate analysis, OR time was not an independent risk factor for mortality (OR 1.0, 95% CI 0.98-1.0, p=0.48). Conclusions: Modern damage control practices should focus on early and effective surgical hemorrhage control in combination with effective intra-op hemostatic resuscitation efforts and not on how time limitations. These findings suggest that OR time restrictions in the era of effective hemostatic resuscitation in combination with DCS does not impact mortality.

Plasma Transfusion Products and Contamination with Cellular and Associated Pro-Inflammatory Debris

BACKGROUND

Stored plasma products are widely regarded as being functionally acellular, obviating the need for leukoreduction. We tested the hypothesis that donor plasma is contaminated by leukocytes and platelets, which, after frozen storage, would release cellular debris in quantities sufficient to elicit significant pro-inflammatory responses.

STUDY DESIGN

Samples of never-frozen liquid plasma from 2 regional Level I trauma centers were analyzed for leukocyte and platelet contamination. To determine if the cellular contamination and associated debris found in liquid plasma were at levels sufficient to evoke an innate immune response, known quantities of leukocytes were subjected to a freeze-thaw cycle, added to whole blood, and the magnitude of the inflammatory response was determined by induction of interleukin-6.

RESULTS

Units of never-frozen plasma from 2 regional Level I trauma centers located in Alabama and Louisiana contained significant amounts of leukocyte contamination (Louisiana, n = 22; 17.3 ± 4.5 million vs Alabama, n = 22; 11.3 ± 2.2 million) and platelet contamination (Louisiana, n = 21; 0.86 ± 0.20 billion vs Alabama, n = 22; 1.0 ± 0.3 billion). Cellular debris from as few as 1 million leukocytes induced significant increases in interleukin-6 levels (R² = 0.74; p < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

Stored plasma units from trauma center blood banks were highly contaminated with leukocytes and platelets, at levels more than 15-fold higher than sufficient to elicit ex vivo inflammatory responses. In light of paradigm shifts toward the use of more empiric plasma for treatment of hypovolemia, this study suggests that new manufacturing and quality-control processes are needed to eliminate previously unrecognized cellular contamination present in stored plasma products.

Unstable Without a Source: The Non-Diagnostic Triad in Hypotensive Blunt Trauma Victims

Background: Current algorithms for resuscitation in blunt trauma patients rely on chest x-ray, FAST, and pelvic x-ray to quickly elicit a source of major bleeding in the trauma bay.  There are currently no good recommendations for the patient in whom all three of these imaging studies are negative.  Methods:  We identified blunt trauma victims who presented with a systolic blood pressure below 100mmHg.  Chest x-ray, FAST, and pelvic x-ray obtained in the trauma bay were reviewed, and patients who had all three studies negative underwent thorough chart review and characterization of injuries.   Results:  Of the total hypotensive blunt trauma victims (n=649), we found 47 who had a “non-diagnostic triad” (NDT).  Of the NDT group, 31.9% (n=15) were found to have a major injury contributing to hypotension, while 61% (n=29) were not diagnosed with a severe injury that could have contributed to hypotension.  Of the NDT group with severe injury, 40% (n=6) were found to have retroperitoneal bleeding, 40% (n=6) were found to have intraperitoneal bleeding despite negative fast, 13% (n=2) were thought to have spinal shock, and one patient had a blunt cardiac injury.    Conclusions:  Most of the NDT group patients in this study were not diagnosed with a serious injury.  However, a significant minority (31%) were found to have a major injury contributing to hypotension.  Of these patients, retroperitoneal and/or intra-abdominal bleeding were found in 80%, with neurogenic and cardiogenic shock less common.  We feel these sicker NDT patients may benefit from REBOA, although more study is warranted before formal algorithms and recommendations are made. 

WNT-activated bone grafts repair osteonecrotic lesions in aged animals

The Wnt pathway is a new target in bone therapeutic space. WNT proteins are potent stem cell activators and pro-osteogenic agents. Here, we gained insights into the molecular and cellular mechanisms responsible for liposome-reconstituted recombinant human WNT3A protein (L-WNT3A) efficacy to treat osteonecrotic defects. Skeletal injuries were coupled with cryoablation to create non-healing osteonecrotic defects in the diaphysis of the murine long bones. To replicate clinical therapy, osteonecrotic defects were treated with autologous bone graft, which were simulated by using bone graft material from syngeneic ACTB-eGFP-expressing mice. Control osteonecrotic defects received autografts alone; test sites received autografts treated ex vivo with L-WNT3A. In vivo µCT monitored healing over time and immunohistochemistry were used to track the fate of donor cells and assess their capacity to repair osteonecrotic defects according to age and WNT activation status. Collectively, analyses demonstrated that cells from the autograft directly contributed to repair of an osteonecrotic lesion, but this contribution diminished as the age of the donor increased. Pre-treating autografts from aged animals with L-WNT3A restored osteogenic capacity to autografts back to levels observed in autografts from young animals. A WNT therapeutic approach may therefore have utility in the treatment of osteonecrosis, especially in aged patients.

Liver transplantation in New Orleans: parity in a world of disparity?

BACKGROUND

Racial disparity in access to liver transplantation among African Americans (AA) compared to Caucasians (CA) has been well described. The aim of this investigation was to examine the presentation of AA liver transplant recipients in a socioeconomically challenged region.

METHODS

680 adult liver transplant candidates and 233 resultant recipients between 2007 and 2015 were analyzed using univariate and multivariate analyses to evaluate factors significant for transplantation.

RESULTS

Percentages of wait list patients transplanted were similar between CA and AA (34.9% vs. 32.2%, p = 0.5205). AA were younger (50.4 ± 1.8 vs. 56.3 ± 0.7 yrs, p = 0.0003) with higher average MELD scores (22.9 ± 1.6 vs. 19.4 ± 0.7, p = 0.0230). Overall patient mortality was similar (AA 22.7% vs. CA 26.3%, p = 0.5931). A multiple linear regression showed that male gender was strongly associated with transplantation.

CONCLUSIONS

Equal access to liver transplantation remains challenging for racial minorities. At our institution, AA were accepted and transplanted at an equivalent rate as CA despite a higher AA population, HCV rate and diagnosed HCC. AA were younger and sicker at the time of transplant, but overall had similar outcomes compared to CA. Our study highlights the need for studies to delineate the underpinnings of disparity in transplantation access.

Retroperitoneal Hematoma Causing Peritoneal Dialysis Catheter Malfunction

BACKGROUND

We present the unusual complication of peritoneal dialysis catheter dysfunction in a patient who developed a retroperitoneal hematoma following an endoscopic procedure and review the existing literature regarding this rare complication.

CASE REPORT

A 60-year-old male with end stage renal disease presented with PD catheter dysfunction. A computerized tomography scan of his abdomen showed a large left retroperitoneal hematoma. He underwent a diagnostic laparoscopy and PD catheter revision. The retroperitoneal hematoma had ruptured into the peritoneum with clots clogging the catheter. Clots were evacuated and the catheter was flushed. He restarted on low--volume PD three days after surgery and increased to full-volume within a week with no further issues.

CONCLUSIONS

This case summarizes the unusual complication of a retroperitoneal bleed from an endoscopic procedure which manifested as PD catheter dysfunction. The increasing utilization of PD catheters requires surgeons remain aware of potential complications.

Repeated immunostaining of the same tissue section using alkaline phosphatase as a reporter

One can determine the best dilution of a primary antibody for immunohistochemistry that uses horseradish peroxidase conjugated to a secondary antibody by testing increasing concentrations sequentially on the same tissue section. When the same tissue section is incubated repeatedly with increasing concentrations of primary antibodies to epithelial membrane antigen, smooth muscle α-actin, or vimentin using alkaline phosphatase conjugated to a secondary antibody as the reporter, the best staining was obtained with a less concentrated primary antibody than was optimal for a single staining test. The best concentration of primary antibody for single run staining using an alkaline phosphatase reporting system is usually four times the best concentration for staining with multiple runs. The optimal concentration can be determined by denaturing the residual alkaline phosphatase and extracting residual stain by incubating the section in 4:1 diglyme:phosphate buffered saline for 20 min at 80(o) C between tests of primary antibody concentrations. I tested the method for four chromogens from one supplier and one chromogen from a different supplier.

Retroperitoneal Hematoma Causing Peritoneal Dialysis Catheter Malfunction

BACKGROUND

We present the unusual complication of peritoneal dialysis (PD) catheter dysfunction in a patient who developed a retroperitoneal hematoma following an endoscopic procedure and review the existing literature regarding this rare complication.

CASE REPORT

A 60-year-old man with end stage renal disease presented with PD catheter dysfunction. Computed tomography scan of his abdomen showed a large left retroperitoneal hematoma. He underwent a diagnostic laparoscopy and PD catheter revision. The retroperitoneal hematoma had ruptured into the peritoneum with clots clogging the catheter. Clots were evacuated and the catheter was flushed. He restarted on low volume PD three days after surgery and increased to full volume within a week with no further issues.

CONCLUSIONS

This case summarizes the very unusual complication of a retroperitoneal bleed from an endoscopic procedure that manifested as PD catheter dysfunction. The increasing utilization of PD catheters requires that surgeons remain aware of potential complications.

Accuracy of ultrasonography performed by examiners with varied training and experience in predicting specific pathology of adnexal masses

OBJECTIVES

To assess the diagnostic performance of subjective assessment by Level II ultrasound examiners in predicting the specific histology of adnexal masses.

METHODS

The women included in this prospective multicenter cross-sectional study were older than 16 years of age and had at least one adnexal mass. They underwent transvaginal sonography (TVS) performed by Level II examiners, all of whom were familiar with the International Ovarian Tumor Analysis (IOTA) group definitions of ultrasound features of ovarian masses. The final outcome was histology. Specific diagnoses were categorized into 16 groups. Agreement between subjective assessment and final histology was measured using unweighted kappa coefficients. Sensitivities and specificities were obtained for subjective assessment.

RESULTS

Of the 1279 women who underwent TVS, 313 were included in the final analysis. Overall agreement (16 × 16 table) between subjective assessment and histology was moderate, with a Cohen's kappa coefficient of 0.59 (95% CI, 0.53-0.65). The specificity of subjective assessment ranged between 91% and 100% for all histological subgroups. Highest sensitivities were achieved in the diagnosis of simple cysts (100% (95% CI, 61-100%)), hydrosalpinges (100% (95% CI, 34-100%)), mature teratomas (88% (95% CI, 74-96%)), endometriomas (75% (95% CI, 61-85%)), ovarian fibromas (88% (95% CI, 47-100%)), tubo-ovarian abscesses (88% (95% CI, 47-100%)) and serous cystadenocarcinomas (82% (95% CI, 66-93%)). Serous cystadenomas were misdiagnosed most commonly (40.5%). The sensitivity of subjective assessment in diagnosing adnexal torsion was 54% (95% CI, 25-81%); the 17 confirmed and/or suspected cases of adnexal torsion were not included in the 313 cases examined and analyzed for diagnostic performance.

CONCLUSION

Overall, subjective assessment by Level II examiners was good for the detection of simple cysts, endometriomas, mature teratomas, hydrosalpinges, fibroma, tubo-ovarian abscess and serous cystadenocarcinomas.

Multiscale analyses of the bone-implant interface

Implants placed with high insertion torque (IT) typically exhibit primary stability, which enables early loading. Whether high IT has a negative impact on peri-implant bone health, however, remains to be determined. The purpose of this study was to ascertain how peri-implant bone responds to strains and stresses created when implants are placed with low and high IT. Titanium micro-implants were inserted into murine femurs with low and high IT using torque values that were scaled to approximate those used to place clinically sized implants. Torque created in peri-implant tissues a distribution and magnitude of strains, which were calculated through finite element modeling. Stiffness tests quantified primary and secondary implant stability. At multiple time points, molecular, cellular, and histomorphometric analyses were performed to quantitatively determine the effect of high and low strains on apoptosis, mineralization, resorption, and collagen matrix deposition in peri-implant bone. Preparation of an osteotomy results in a narrow zone of dead and dying osteocytes in peri-implant bone that is not significantly enlarged in response to implants placed with low IT. Placing implants with high IT more than doubles this zone of dead and dying osteocytes. As a result, peri-implant bone develops micro-fractures, bone resorption is increased, and bone formation is decreased. Using high IT to place an implant creates high interfacial stress and strain that are associated with damage to peri-implant bone and therefore should be avoided to best preserve the viability of this tissue.

Cell viability after osteotomy and bone harvesting: comparison of piezoelectric surgery and conventional bur

The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the influence of a piezoelectric device versus a conventional bur on osteocyte viability and osteoblast and osteoclast activity using an in vivo mouse model. Osteotomies were created and bone grafts were harvested using either a conventional bur or a piezoelectric device; the resulting injuries and bone grafts were evaluated over an extended time-course using molecular and cellular assays for cell death (TUNEL assay), cell viability (4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) staining), the onset of mineralization (alkaline phosphatase activity), and bone remodelling (tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase activity). Osteotomies created with a piezoelectric device showed greater osteocyte viability and reduced cell death. Bone grafts harvested with a piezoelectric device exhibited greater short-term cell viability than those harvested with a bur, and exhibited slightly more new bone deposition and bone remodelling. The difference in response of osteocytes, osteoblasts, and osteoclasts to bone cutting via a bur and via a piezoelectric device is negligible in vivo. Given the improved visibility and the margin of safety afforded by a piezoelectric device, they are the instrument of choice when cutting or harvesting bone to preserve soft tissue.