A novel calcium scoring system accurately predicts likelihood and location of post-TAVI paravalvular leak

AIM

Sclerosis distribution, topography and morphology in aortic stenosis may have an impact on the localisation of post-procedural paravalvular leakage (PVL) following transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI).

METHODS

Between 05/2005 and 03/2011 a total of 208 patients underwent either transapical (TA) or transvascular (TV) TAVI using the Edwards-SAPIEN(TM), or CoreValve(TM) system. Aortic cusp and annular sclerosis distribution and aortic valve sclerosis symmetry were evaluated by preoperative transesophageal echocardiography (TOE). Mild, moderate and severe PVL after TAVI (group 1, N.=117) were analysed and compared to those patients with no signs of postprocedural PVL (group 2, N.=91). Commercial available image processing and analysing software were used to evaluate all relevant calcific sections (aortic sclerosis score 0-66; symmetry score 0-5) and were matched with the localization of the PVLs.

RESULTS

A total of 117 patients (83±6 years, mean logistic EuroSCORE 20.1±12.7%) were identified with a mild-moderate PVL (TV, N.=102; TA, N.=15). Mean aortic sclerosis score was 38.7±7.6 in group 1 compared to 33.7±8.3 in group 2 (P<0.001) showing highest calcification in the non-coronary part for both groups. The mean symmetry score was 1.9±1.0 group 1 compared to 1.7±1.0 in group 2 (P=0.12). Regression analysis showed a significant relation of preoperative cusp localisation to the corresponding paravalvular leakage (P<0.001).

CONCLUSION

The present study shows that a aortic sclerosis score constructed by TOE enables prediction of postoperative PVL and moreover, the localisation of PVL after TAVI correlates with the corresponding preoperative amount of sclerosis for each cusp.

[Outbreak with Ralstonia pickettii caused by contaminated magnesium vials]

HISTORY

In February 2013, 5 patients in an intensive care unit (ICU) were found to have positive blood cultures with Ralstonia pickettii within one week. Because all patients got intravenous therapy, improper work of a staff member was suspected. Some days later, a 6th patient was found with a positive blood culture of Ralstonia pickettii in another department of the hospital.

INVESTIGATIONS

Hygienic investigations showed no evidence of failures in preparation of intravenous therapy. All patients were on different intravenous drugs, but every patient had received glucose 5 % and magnesium. We examined samples of glucose and magnesia as well as samples from environment. RESULTS AND COURSE: Glucose and magnesium samples were examined by membrane filter method. Ralstonia pitteckii was detected in some Magnesium vials. We concluded, that contamination of Magnesium vials might have been the reason for blood stream infection of patients. Pharmacists and authorities were informed and all vials were collected and replaced by vials from another company. Later a nationwide recall of Magnesium vials was performed by the producing company. No further Ralstonia pickettii was found in blood cultures in our hospital.

CONCLUSION

Unusual pathogens in blood cultures should lead to reflection of rarer causes such as contamination of medicines.

The genetics of teratocarcinoma transplantation: tumor formation in allogeneic hosts by the embryonal carcinoma cell lines F9 and PCC3

Two cultured lines of murine embryonal carcinoma, F9 and PCC3, have been grafted to a variety of allogeneic hosts. The host strains have been classified by their resistance or sensitivity to these carcinomas. Resistance seems to be immunological in nature.Allograft rejection does not correlate withH-2 haplotype, and seems to be controlled by a limited number of recessive factors, presumably histocompatibility genes. We infer that these factors have limited polymorphism in the mouse species. Recombinational analysis of strain A/He has revealed the presence of a recessive factor linked to theH-2 locus. Tumor resistance of strains C57BL/6 and AKR appears to result from the interaction of dominant or semi-dominant factors in theH-2 region with other recessive elements in the genetic background.Though F(1) hybrids between resistant mouse strains and the syngeneic strain 129 are largely tumor-sensitive, a low level of hybrid resistance to F9 has been observed and shown to be eliminated by X-irradiation.

Thrombin-activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor (TAFI) is enhanced in major trauma patients without infectious complications

BACKGROUND

Infectious complications frequently occur after major trauma, leading to increased morbidity and mortality. Thrombin-activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor (TAFI), a procarboxypeptidase in plasma, plays a dual role in regulating both coagulation and inflammation. Activated TAFI (TAFIa) has broad anti-inflammatory properties due to its inactivation of active inflammatory mediators (anaphylatoxins C3a and C5a, bradykinin, osteopontin).

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to determine if TAFI plays a role in the development of inflammatory complications after major trauma.

PATIENTS/METHODS

Upon arrival at the emergency department (ED), plasma levels of TAFI and TAFIa were measured in 26 multiple traumatized patients for 10 consecutive days. Systemic levels of inflammatory mediators, including interleukin-6 (IL-6), procalcitonin (PCT), C-reactive protein (CRP) and leukocytes were determined.

RESULTS

Fifteen patients developed pneumonia and/or sepsis (compl) and 11 had no complications (wo compl). Overall injury severity and age were comparable in both groups. Complications occurred approximately 5 days after trauma. IL-6 increased on day 5, whereas CRP, PCT and leukocytes started to increase on day 6 in the compl-group. Upon arrival at the ED and on days 1 and 4, TAFI levels were significantly lower in the compl-group compared to the wo compl-group (p=0.0215). Similarly, TAFIa was significantly lower on day 4 in the compl-group than in the wo compl-group (p=0.049).

CONCLUSIONS

This pilot study shows that TAFI levels are inversely correlated with inflammation-associated development of complications after major trauma.

[Malperfusion in aortic dissection: diagnostic problems and therapeutic procedures]

Malperfusion of the thoracoabdominal aorta and its side branches is a common complication of aortic dissection, often proving fatal. Vital organ malperfusion accompanying acute aortic dissection is a major cause of mortality and morbidity and requires timely reperfusion of the ischemic organs as well as adequate management of the aortic dissection. Ischemic damage to vital organs supplied by the thoracoabdominal aorta greatly increases the overall risk of aortic dissection. As initial symptoms may be subtle, malperfusion tends to be recognized late, and therefore accounts for a considerable percentage of fatalities.Effective reperfusion is not readily achieved by central aortic surgery alone in a certain number of patients. Various strategies have been used, including entry closure by central aortic surgery or stent grafting, surgical or catheter fenestration, bypass grafting and percutaneous stenting.Endovascular bare-metal stent placement is an attractive and promising treatment option since it is readily available, is less invasive and presents fewer risks to the patient.

[Treatment costs for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: procedure related cost analysis in an university hospital]

BACKGROUND

Complex procedures in knee surgery, such as anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction with the double bundle technique are not specially recognized within the German diagnosis-related groups (G-DRG) system. Hence, the goal of the present study was to perform a cost unit calculation and evaluate how ACL reconstruction in single versus double bundle techniques is remunerated.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In 30 patients ACL reconstruction was performed with the single bundle technique (group A) and in 21 an anatomic double bundle reconstruction (group B) was performed. All costs including those for human resources, implants and materials, as well as general costs for administration and facilities were calculated.

RESULTS

All cases entered one DRG category, the I30Z "complex procedures at the knee joint". Thus, the revenue in 2008 was 2,996.65 euro per case and in 2009 3,120.35 euro per case. Calculating all costs, the profit contributions in 2008 and 2009 were 592,42 euro and 716,12 euro, respectively for group A. However, in group B the profit contributions were 314,68 euro and 438,38 euro, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Performing the double bundle technique for ACL reconstruction in a university hospital setting, significant cost reductions are needed to achieve the revenue generated by the single bundle technique. Additional changes of the relative weighting in the DRG are also necessary.