Intensive care unit (ICU) readmission after major lung resection: Prevalence, patterns, and mortality

Background

The aim of this study was to identify risk factors associated with mortality in patients re‐admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU) after initial recovery from major lung resection.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed the case records of all patients who underwent major lung resection between February 2011 and May 2013. A total of 1916 patients underwent major resection surgery for various lung diseases, 63 (3.3%) of which required ICU admission after initial recovery. We analyzed preoperative and perioperative data, including ICU factors and outcomes.

Results

The patient group included 57 men (90.5%) with a mean age of 65.3 years. Pathologic diagnosis was malignancy in 92.1% of patients, while 7.9% had benign disease. Open thoracotomy was performed in 84.1%, whereas minimally invasive approaches were performed in 15.9%. In‐hospital mortality occurred in 16 (25.4%) patients. Patients were classified as either survivors (n = 47, 74.6%) or non‐survivors (n = 16, 25.4%). The most common reason for ICU readmission was pulmonary complication (n = 50, 79.4%). Thirty‐one patients (49.2%) required mechanical ventilation, seven (11.1%) required extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, and three (4.8%) required renal support. Multivariate analysis showed that acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and delirium were independent risk factors for in‐hospital mortality. In addition, delirium frequently occurred in patients with ARDS.

Conclusion

ARDS and delirium were independent risk factors for in‐hospital mortality in patients who were readmitted to the ICU after major lung resection. Future studies are needed to determine if the prevention of delirium and ARDS can improve postoperative outcomes for patients with lung cancer.

The NEXT-1 (Next generation pErsonalized tX with mulTi-omics and preclinical model) trial: prospective molecular screening trial of metastatic solid cancer patients, a feasibility analysis

We conducted a prospective genomic screening trial with high throughput sequencing and copy number variation (CNV) assay, and immunohistochemistry array in metastatic solid cancer patients. We used Ion AmpliSeq Cancer Hotspot Panel v2 and nCounter Copy Number Variation Assay (21 genes) to identify molecular targets for potential matched therapy. Metastatic solid tumor patients were prospectively consented for molecular profiling tests. The primary outcome for this trial was the feasibility of molecular tests and response rate (matched vs non-matched treatment). Between November 2013 and August 2014, a total of 428 metastatic solid tumor patients were enrolled on to this study. The mutational profiles were obtained for 407 (95.1%) patients. CNV 21-gene assays were successfully performed in 281 (65.7%) of 428 patients. Of the 407 patients with molecular profiling results, 342 (84.0%) patients had one or more aberrations detected. Of the 342 patients, 103 patients were matched to molecularly targeted agents in the context of clinical trials or clinical practice. The response rate was significantly higher in the genome-matched treated group for gastrointestinal/hepatobiliary/rare tumors (matched vs non-matched treatment, 42.6% vs 24.3%, P = .009) and lung cancer cohort (matched vs non-matched treatment, 61.2% vs 28.6% < P = .001) when compared with the non-matched group. In this trial, we demonstrate that genome-matched treatment based on molecular profiling result in better treatment outcome in terms of response rate.

The Fast and Easy Way for Double-Lumen Tube Intubation: Individual Angle-Modification

To find the faster and easier way than the existing intubating technique for double-lumen tube, we modified the angle of double-lumen tube according to an individual’s upper airway anatomy and compared the time needed and the number of attempts for successful intubation between individually angle-modified and non-modified double-lumen tubes. Adult patients undergoing elective thoracic surgery were randomly allocated in either non-angle-modified (Group N, n = 54) or angle-modified (Group M, n = 54) groups. During mask ventilation in the sniffing position, angle-modification was performed in Group M as follows: the distal tip of the tube was placed at the level of the cricoid cartilage and the shaft was bent at the intersection of the oral and pharyngeal axes estimated from the patient’s surface anatomy. The time needed and the number of attempts for successful intubation and Cormack and Lehane (C-L) grade were recorded. Overall median intubation time (sec) was significantly shorter in Group M than in Group N [10.2 vs. 15.1, P<0.001]. In addition, Group M showed the shorter median intubation time (sec) in C-L grades I-III [8.2 vs. 11.1 in C-L grade I, (P = 0.003), 10.3 vs. 15.3 in II, (P = 0.001), and 11.8 vs. 27.9 in III, (P<0.001), respectively]. Moreover, all intubation was successfully performed at the first attempt in patients with C-L grades I-III in Group M (P = 0.027). Our study showed an individual angle-modification would be useful for the fast and easy intubation of double-lumen tube in patients with C-L grades I-III.

Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02190032

Prognostic factors after pulmonary metastasectomy of colorectal cancers: influence of liver metastasis

Background

Our objective was to evaluate the influence of liver metastasis on survival after pulmonary metastasectomy in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC).

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed a total of 524 patients and were classified into two groups based on the presence of liver metastasis. Group HM + PM (n = 106) included patients who previously received a hepatic metastasectomy and then received pulmonary metastasectomy. Group PM (n = 418) included patients who only received pulmonary metastasectomy with no liver metastasis.

Results

There were more male patients (70 vs. 57 %; P = 0.02) and more patients with colon cancer (60 vs. 42 %, P = 0.001) in group HM + PM than in group PM. Otherwise, there was no significant difference between the two groups in clinicopathologic characteristics and extent of surgery. The 5-year overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) rates were 58 and 31 %, respectively. There was no significant difference in OS (group HM + PM, 54 % vs. group PM, 59 %; P = 0.085) and in DFS (group HM + PM, 28 % vs. group PM, 32 %; P = 0.12). For the entire patient cohort, a multivariate analysis revealed that the presence of liver metastasis, CRC T and N stages, disease-free interval, and number and size of lung metastases were significantly associated with OS and DFS.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that previous or present liver metastasis should not exclude a patient from pulmonary metastasectomy. When lung metastasis is detected in patients with a history of hepatic metastasectomy, pulmonary metastasectomy is still a viable treatment option especially in patients with a long disease-free interval and a small number of lung metastases.

Comparative analysis of the efficacy of omega-3 fatty acids for hypertriglyceridaemia management in Korea

WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to compare the ability of statin monotherapy (ST group), omega-3 fatty acid monotherapy (OM_A group) and combination therapy with omega-3 fatty acids and a statin (OM_S group), to reduce triglyceride (TG) levels in patients with hypertriglyceridaemia.

METHODS

In this retrospective cohort study, we extracted data from the electronic medical records of patients initially prescribed either a statin or omega-3 fatty acids between January, 2009 and December, 2013. We performed a comparative analysis of the change in cholesterol levels between baseline and an average of 3 months later.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Data were extracted for 2071 patients. The average daily eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) ethyl ester and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) ethyl ester intake was 1689 mg, and 79-86% of the OM_A and OM_S groups were prescribed two omega-3 fatty acid capsules. At a baseline TG level of between 200 and 500 mg/dL, TG levels were reduced by 16 ± 2·8% in the ST group, 28 ± 2·8% in the OM_A group and 29 ± 2·3% in the OM_S group (P = 0·001 for ST group vs. OM_A and OM_S groups), with no difference between the OM_A and OM_S groups. At a baseline TG level ≥500 mg/dL, there was no difference in TG level reduction between the three groups (54 ± 7·3%, 55·8 ± 3·5% and 51·8 ± 6·8%, respectively, P = 0·851).

WHAT IS NEW AND CONCLUSION

Although omega-3 fatty acids are not considered the primary medication for hypertriglyceridaemia, the prescription of omega-3 fatty acids is justifiable if reduction in TG levels is judged to be necessary.

Abstract 2229: PD-L1 is expressed on CD11bhighCD14highHLA-DR+ myeloid cells in the tumor microenvironment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)

Understanding the immune system of cancer patients is essential for the development of optimal treatment. We analyzed tumor cells and infiltrating immune cells in tumor tissues of NSCLC to determine the type of cells which expressed immune checkpoint molecules and/or their ligands, and compared them to clinicopathological characteristics. To obtain a single cell suspension from the tumor tissues of lung cancer patients, each fresh tumor sample was chopped and treated with collagenase and DNase. The dissociated tumor tissue cells (DTCs) were stained with fluorochrome-labeled mAbs and the distribution of immune cell components and expression of surface markers in DTCs were determined by FACSuite analysis. The yield of DTCs was 5.87±4.73×10⁁7/gram. PD-L1, which is a ligand for immune checkpoint molecule PD-1, is expressed on CD11bhigh myeloid cells in the blood, regardless of HLA-DR expression. On the other hand, PD-L1 is expressed on CD11highCD14highSSClow myeloid cells in the tumor site. All PD-L1 expressing cells were positive for HLA-DR, a ligand for a T cell receptor of CD4 T cells. Furthermore, these cells also expressed both CD86 and CD124. Interestingly, most tumor cells expressed very low levels of the PD-L1 molecule. And we found that CD11highCD14+HLA-DR- myeloid cells did not express PD-L1. The proportion of CD11highCD14+HLA-DR-PD-L1- myeloid cells was higher in advanced stage patients than early stage patients. In conclusion, PD-L1 is expressed on CD11bhighCD14highHLA-DR+SSClow myeloid cells, but not CD11bhighCD14+HLA-DR- myeloid cells. We propose that the PD-L1+ myeloid cells are likely to play an important role in tumor immunity. Further functional studies will be necessary to determine how the interaction between the cells will affect immunity. code noagegendersmokingstagecell typePD-L1+HLA-DR+CD14highCD11bhigh cells (%)PD-L1-HLA-DR-CD14+CD11bhi cells (%)L-03257maleyesIAmucinous adenocarcinoma39.81.2L-05281maleyesIAadenocarcinoma19.44.1L-04849maleyesIIIAsquamous cell carcinoma4.09.0L-02471maleyesIIIAadenocarcinoma11.20.4L-03665maleyesIVadenocarcinoma11.45.3L-04273maleyesIVadenocarcinoma21.65.5L-04674malenoIAadenocarcinoma6.11.6L-02167femalenoIBlarge cell, adenocarcinoma14.72.3L-01976femalenoIBadenocarcinoma15.816.7L-27145femalenoIVadenocarcinoma11.217.2L-27245femalenoIVadenocarcinoma9.924.8

Citation Format: Chung-Hee Sonn, Yunji Oh, Tae Eun Kim, Jung Sun Ha, Hong Kwan Kim, Jong Ho Cho, Sumin Shin, Jhingook Kim. PD-L1 is expressed on CD11bhighCD14highHLA-DR+ myeloid cells in the tumor microenvironment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 107th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2016 Apr 16-20; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(14 Suppl):Abstract nr 2229.

UTE-ΔR2 -ΔR2 * combined MR whole-brain angiogram using dual-contrast superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles

The ability to visualize whole-brain vasculature is important for quantitative in vivo investigation of vascular malfunctions in cerebral small vessel diseases, including cancer, stroke and neurodegeneration. Transverse relaxation-based ΔR2 and ΔR2 * MR angiography (MRA) provides improved vessel-tissue contrast in animal deep brain with the aid of intravascular contrast agents; however, it is susceptible to orientation dependence, air-tissue interface artifacts and vessel size overestimation. Dual-mode MRA acquisition with superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPION) provides a unique opportunity to systematically compare and synergistically combine both longitudinal (R1 ) and transverse (ΔR2 and ΔR2 *) relaxation-based MRA. Through Monte Carlo (MC) simulation and MRA experiments in normal and tumor-bearing animals with intravascular SPION, we show that ultrashort TE (UTE) MRA acquires well-defined vascularization on the brain surface, minimizing air-tissue artifacts, and combined ΔR2 and ΔR2 * MRA simultaneously improves the sensitivity to intracortical penetrating vessels and reduces vessel size overestimation. Consequently, UTE-ΔR2 -ΔR2 * combined MRA complements the shortcomings of individual angiograms and provides a strategy to synergistically merge longitudinal and transverse relaxation effects to generate more robust in vivo whole-brain micro-MRA. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Predictors of survival in patients who underwent video-assisted thoracic surgery talc pleurodesis for malignant pleural effusion

Background

Patients with malignant pleural effusion have a limited life expectancy. An increase in pleural and oncological treatment options and more accurate prognostic evaluation may help individualize treatment strategies. The aim of this study was to identify the prognostic indicators of overall survival (OS) after video‐assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) talc pleurodesis for malignant pleural effusion.

Methods

We examined the medical records of all consecutive patients with malignant pleural effusion who underwent VATS talc pleurodesis from 2006 to 2008 at the Samsung Medical Center. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to identify predictors of OS after VATS talc pleurodesis.

Results

During the study period, 91 patients underwent VATS talc pleurodesis to treat malignant pleural effusion. Early (within 30 days) and late (within 90 days) postoperative mortality rates were 9.9% (9 patients), and 25.3% (23), respectively. Median survival time after VATS talc pleurodesis was 10.5 months. The postoperative respiratory complication rate was 11% (10 patients), and included pneumonia (9) and acute respiratory distress syndrome (4). Multivariate analysis revealed that preoperative chemotherapy (P = 0.012), preoperative radiotherapy (P = 0.003), and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance score 3 or 4 (P = 0.013) were independent risk factors of OS after VATS talc pleurodesis.

Conclusions

We identified previous chemotherapy or radiotherapy and poor performance status (ECOG 3 or 4) as significant predictors of OS after VATS talc pleurodesis. These prognostic factors can help surgeons select candidates for VATS pleurodesis for malignant pleural effusion.

Statin-related aminotransferase elevation according to baseline aminotransferases level in real practice in Korea

WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVE

Higher rate of statin-related hepatotoxicity has been reported for Koreans than for Westerners. Moreover, statin-related aminotransferase elevation for those who show borderline levels of aspartate transaminase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT) (≤×3 of UNL) at baseline has not been fully investigated.

METHODS

Post-statin changes AST/ALT levels during the first year for 21 233 Korean outpatients at two large academic teaching hospitals from January 2009 to December 2013 were analysed using electronic health record data. The date of the first statin prescription was set as baseline. We also performed a comparative analysis of statin-related AST/ALT elevations according to the type of statin, followed by an analysis of clinical risk factors.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The progression rate to abnormal AST/ALT values [>×3 the upper normal limit (UNL)] was significantly higher (2·4-16% vs. 0·3-1·7%, P < 0·001) in subjects with borderline (>×1, but ≤×3 of UNL) compared with normal AST/ALT values at baseline. Those with normal baseline AST/ALT did not show significantly different progression rate between different statin medications (P = 0·801). However, patients taking pitavastatin (HR = 0·76, P = 0·657) were least likely to develop abnormal AST/ALT, whereas those taking fluvastatin (HR = 2·96, P = 0·029) were the most likely to develop abnormal AST/ALT compared with atorvastatin for patients who were with baseline borderline AST/ALT. However, given the small sample sizes and the observational nature of our study, these need further study.

WHAT IS NEW AND CONCLUSION

It is advisable to regularly monitor AST/ALT levels even in patients with AST/ALT increases >×1. Future studies should aim to determine the possible risk factors for each specific statin type by analysing various confounding variables.

Anatomic and Functional Evaluation of Central Lymphatics With Noninvasive Magnetic Resonance Lymphangiography

Accurate assessment of the lymphatic system has been limited due to the lack of optimal diagnostic methods. Recently, we adopted noncontrast magnetic resonance (MR) lymphangiography to evaluate the central lymphatic channel. We aimed to investigate the feasibility and the clinical usefulness of noninvasive MR lymphangiography for determining lymphatic disease.Ten patients (age range 42-72 years) with suspected chylothorax (n = 7) or lymphangioma (n = 3) who underwent MR lymphangiography were included in this prospective study. The thoracic duct was evaluated using coronal and axial images of heavily T2-weighted sequences, and reconstructed maximum intensity projection. Two radiologists documented visualization of the thoracic duct from the level of the diaphragm to the thoracic duct outlet, and also an area of dispersion around the chyloma or direct continuity between the thoracic duct and mediastinal cystic mass.The entire thoracic duct was successfully delineated in all patients. Lymphangiographic findings played a critical role in identifying leakage sites in cases of postoperative chylothorax, and contributed to differential diagnosis and confirmation of continuity with the thoracic duct in cases of lymphangioma, and also in diagnosing Gorham disease, which is a rare disorder. In patients who underwent surgery, intraoperative findings were matched with lymphangiographic imaging findings.Nonenhanced MR lymphangiography is a safe and effective method for imaging the central lymphatic system, and can contribute to differential diagnosis and appropriate preoperative evaluation of pathologic lymphatic problems.

Management of post-pneumonectomy syndrome using tissue expanders

Background

Post‐pneumonectomy syndrome (PPS) is a rare syndrome characterized by trachea‐bronchial stenosis and severe dyspnea. In this study, we retrospectively evaluated the clinical outcomes in patients who underwent placement of tissue expanders for PPS.

Methods

Data from patients who underwent placement of tissue expanders for PPS were analyzed for preoperative characteristics, surgical techniques, and postoperative outcomes. Between 1997 and 2014, a total of 10 patients were treated for PPS by tissue expanders.

Results

The median age of the 10 patients was 45 years (range, 16–70). Four patients had undergone right pneumonectomy, three patients had undergone left pneumonectomy, and three patients had post‐pneumonectomy‐like syndrome. Preoperatively, seven patients initially received high oxygen therapy for hypoxemia but progressed to respiratory failure, and three patients required mechanical ventilator support. Among these three patients, one required intraoperative extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support because of sudden cardiac arrest during preparation for surgery. The median follow‐up was 59.5 months (range, 2–204). The median interval between pneumonectomy and repositioning was 13 months (range, 8–581). Two patients underwent placement of a single tissue expander, and two tissue expanders were placed in eight of the 10 patients. The median volume of tissue expanders inflated with saline was 450 cc (range, 60–850 cc) per tissue expander. There was no perioperative mortality in our study. Complications occurred in four patients (40%).

Conclusions

Repositioning of the mediastinum with placement of a saline filled tissue expander for PPS is very effective for the relief of symptoms, with low mortality.

Analysis and comparison of statin prescription patterns and outcomes according to clinical department

WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVE

There is a disparity between the Korean treatment guidelines and actual clinical prescription habits. This study was designed to evaluate the department-specific disparities and achievement rates for low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) targets, based on each department's specific statin prescription patterns.

METHODS

We retrospectively evaluated data from 31 718 patients who had been prescribed a statin at least once between January 2008 and June 2013 at our institution. Patients were classified into the high-risk (target LDL-C < 100 mg/dL) or moderate-risk (target LDL-C < 130 mg/dL) groups, according to the National Cholesterol Education Programme-Adult Treatment Panel III guidelines.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Statins were most commonly prescribed in the cardiology (32·0%) and endocrinology (26·6%) departments. For the high-risk group, 70% of patients in the cardiology, endocrinology and cardiac surgery departments achieved their target LDL-C levels (<100 mg/dL). However, the target achievement rates in most other departments were <70%. For the moderate-risk group, 79·2% of patients achieved their target levels. Departments that prescribed a greater number of high- or intermediate-potency statins were more likely to achieve their target LDL-C levels. The group that achieved their target LDL-C levels (<100 mg/dL) exhibited a significant positive relationship (Spearman's correlation coefficient = 0·8571, P = 0·0065), from low to high potency.

WHAT IS NEW AND CONCLUSION

Some departments tend to undertreat when prescribing statins. However, to reach to the target LDL-C levels, physicians must overcome their tendency to undertreat with statins. We believe that the target achievement rate will increase if doctors are more actively aware of a patient's individual status and related risk factors before prescribing statins.

Lung cancer in never-smoker Asian females is driven by oncogenic mutations, most often involving EGFR

The aim of this study was to determine the distribution of known oncogenic driver mutations in female never-smoker Asian patients with lung adenocarcinoma. We analyzed 214 mutations across 26 lung cancer-associated genes and three fusion genes using the MassARRAY® LungCarta Panel and the ALK, ROS1, and RET fusion assays in 198 consecutively resected lung adenocarcinomas from never-smoker females at a single institution. EGFR mutation, which was the most frequent driver gene mutation, was detected in 124 (63%) cases. Mutation of ALK, KRAS, PIK3CA, ERBB2, BRAF, ROS1, and RET genesoccurred in 7%, 4%, 2.5%, 1.5%, 1%, 1%, and 1% of cases, respectively. Thus, 79% of lung adenocarcinomas from never-smoker females harbored well-known oncogenic mutations. Mucinous adenocarcinomas tended to have a lower frequency of known driver gene mutations than other histologic subtypes. EGFR mutation was associated with older age and a predominantly acinar pattern, while ALK rearrangement was associated with younger age and a predominantly solid pattern. Lung cancer in never-smoker Asian females is a distinct entity, with the majority of these cancers developing from oncogenic mutations.

Decoding Tumor Phenotypes for ALK, ROS1, and RET Fusions in Lung Adenocarcinoma Using a Radiomics Approach

Quantitative imaging using radiomics can capture distinct phenotypic differences between tumors and may have predictive power for certain phenotypes according to specific genetic mutations. We aimed to identify the clinicoradiologic predictors of tumors with ALK (anaplastic lymphoma kinase), ROS1 (c-ros oncogene 1), or RET (rearranged during transfection) fusions in patients with lung adenocarcinoma.A total of 539 pathologically confirmed lung adenocarcinomas were included in this retrospective study. The baseline clinicopathologic characteristics were retrieved from the patients' medical records and the ALK/ROS1/RET fusion status was reviewed. Quantitative computed tomography (CT) and positron emission tomography imaging characteristics were evaluated using a radiomics approach. Significant features for the fusion-positive tumor prediction model were extracted from all of the clinicoradiologic features, and were used to calculate diagnostic performance for predicting 3 fusions' positivity. The clinicoradiologic features were compared between ALK versus ROS1/RET fusion-positive tumors to identify the clinicoradiologic similarity between the 2 groups.The fusion-positive tumor prediction model was a combination of younger age, advanced tumor stage, solid tumor on CT, higher values for SUV(max) and tumor mass, lower values for kurtosis and inverse variance on 3-voxel distance than those of fusion-negative tumors (sensitivity and specificity, 0.73 and 0.70, respectively). ALK fusion-positive tumors were significantly different in tumor stage, central location, SUV(max), homogeneity on 1-, 2-, and 3-voxel distances, and sum mean on 2-voxel distance compared with ROS1/RET fusion-positive tumors.ALK/ROS1/RET fusion-positive lung adenocarcinomas possess certain clinical and imaging features that enable good discrimination of fusion-positive from fusion-negative lung adenocarcinomas.

Pneumonectomy for Clinical Stage I Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer in Elderly Patients over 70 Years of Age

Background

Lobectomy is the generally accepted standard treatment for early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, especially in elderly patients, it is often necessary to perform pneumonectomy in order to maximize the likelihood of curative treatment, although pneumonectomy is a challenging procedure.

Methods

We analysed patients who were clinically diagnosed with stage I NSCLC and underwent pneumonectomy with curative intent from 2004 to 2011. The patients were divided into an elderly group (≥70 years) and a younger group (<70 years). We retrospectively analysed the outcomes of these groups of patients in order to characterize the role of pneumonectomy as a treatment for elderly patients with clinical stage I NSCLC.

Results

Thirty patients younger than 70 years of age (younger group) and fourteen patients 70 years of age or older (elderly group) who underwent pneumonectomy were enrolled in the present study. The median follow-up period was 35 months (range, 0 to 125 months). The perioperative mortality rate (within 90 days after the operation) was 7.1% in the elderly group and 6.7% in the younger group (p=0.73). No significant differences between the two groups were observed regarding the occurrence of pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, cardiac arrhythmia, bronchopleural fistula, and vocal cord paralysis. The overall five-year survival rate was 79.4% in the younger group and 35.7% in the elderly group, which was a significant difference (p=0.018). The five-year disease-free survival rate was 66.7% in the younger group and 35.7% in the elderly group, but this difference was not statistically significant (p=0.23).

Conclusion

Although elderly patients with early stage lung cancer showed a worse long-term survival rate after pneumonectomy than younger patients, the outcomes of elderly patients were similar to those of younger patients in terms of perioperative mortality and postoperative complications. Patients should not be denied pneumonectomy solely due to old age.

Clinical and demographic characteristics predictive of treatment outcomes for certolizumab pegol in moderate to severe Crohn's disease: analyses from the 7-year PRECiSE 3 study

BACKGROUND

Clinical factors were previously identified as predictors of short-term treatment efficacy in Crohn's disease (CD). The PRECiSE 3 (P3) 7-year trial provides an opportunity to study predictors of short- and long-term clinical remission among CD patients treated with certolizumab pegol (CZP).

AIM

To identify factors that influence long-term remission of CD with CZP treatment.

METHODS

Patients who had completed placebo-controlled studies (PRECiSE 1/PRECiSE 2, P1/P2) enrolled in P3 and received open-label CZP 400 mg every 4 weeks up to 7 years. Baseline predictors included, but were not limited to, smoking status, disease duration, prior inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) surgery, Harvey-Bradshaw Index (HBI), albumin, haematocrit and CZP exposure; association with time to initial remission (HBI ≤4) was tested for patients who received CZP in P1/P2; time to loss of remission/frequency of maintenance of remission was also tested. Univariate analyses and multivariate Cox or logistic regression models were used.

RESULTS

Predictors for initial remission (N = 377) included age, haematocrit, prior IBD surgery and entry HBI (P < 0.05 for all). Predictors for loss of remission (N = 437) included HBI, serum albumin concentration, haematocrit, smoking status and exposure. Predictors of maintenance of remission (N = 437) included haematocrit, IBD surgery, HBI, disease duration, serum albumin concentration and exposure. Significant predictors were confirmed with stepwise multivariate regression models.

CONCLUSIONS

These analyses identified several influential parameters for short-and long-term remission of Crohn's disease with certolizumab pegol treatment. The data yield valuable hypotheses regarding factors that influence certolizumab pegol treatment. More investigation is needed. (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT00552058).

The prognostic importance of the number of metastases in pulmonary metastasectomy of colorectal cancer

Background

The presence of multiple metastatic pulmonary nodules is a predictor of poor survival after pulmonary metastasectomy. However, there is a paucity of data addressing the exact number of pulmonary metastases over which prognosis becomes grave. The aim of our study is to investigate the prognosis of pulmonary metastasectomy from colorectal cancer (CRC) depending on the number of pulmonary metastases.

Methods

Patients who had undergone pulmonary metastasectomy for CRC between November 1994 and December 2013 were included. Survival and recurrence patterns were analyzed with regard to the number of pulmonary metastases. Patients were divided into three groups depending on the number of pulmonary metastases that were detected by the final pathologic report: group I—single metastasis; group II—2–3 metastases; and group III—4+ metastases.

Results

A total of 615 patients who had undergone pulmonary metastasectomy from colorectal cancer were included. The median follow-up period was 31 months (range 2–211 months). The median disease-free interval (DFI) from the time of the primary operation for colorectal cancer was 20 months (range 0–209 months). There were 414 patients in group I (single metastasis), 159 in group II (2–3 metastases), and 42 in group III (4+ metastases). The overall 5-year survival rate was 64.2 %. The 5-year survival rates in groups I, II, and III were 70.0, 56.2, and 33.7 %, respectively (group I vs. II, p < 0.001; group II vs. III, p = 0.012). The 5-year recurrence-free rates were 39.5, 30.6, and 8.5 % in groups I, II, and III, respectively (group I vs. II, p < 0.001; group II vs. III, p = 0.056). Multivariable analysis revealed that age, multiple pulmonary nodules, thoracic lymph node metastasis, and adjuvant chemotherapy are independent predictors of survival.

Conclusions

The overall survival and recurrence after pulmonary metastasectomy for CRC is dependent on the number of metastases. Surgical treatment can be offered to patients with three or fewer pulmonary metastases. However, more meticulous patient selection is required to decide whether a surgical approach is feasible in patients with four or more pulmonary metastases.

Lung Infarction due to Pulmonary Vein Stenosis after Ablation Therapy for Atrial Fibrillation Misdiagnosed as Organizing Pneumonia: Sequential Changes on CT in Two Cases

Pulmonary vein (PV) stenosis is a complication of ablation therapy for arrhythmias. We report two cases with chronic lung parenchymal abnormalities showing no improvement and waxing and waning features, which were initially diagnosed as nonspecific pneumonias, and finally confirmed as PV stenosis. When a patient presents for nonspecific respiratory symptoms without evidence of infection after ablation therapy and image findings show chronic and repetitive parenchymal abnormalities confined in localized portion, the possibility of PV stenosis should be considered.