Serratia marcescens prosthetic joint infection: two case reports and a review of the literature

BACKGROUND

Despite some studies on Gram-negative bacteria as difficult to treat pathogens in periprosthetic joint infections, there are no detailed analyses on Serratia periprosthetic joint infections. As such, we present two cases of Serratia periprosthetic joint infections and summarize all known cases to date in the course of a PRISMA criteria-based systematic review.

CASE PRESENTATION

Case 1: a 72-year-old Caucasian female with Parkinson's disease and treated breast cancer developed periprosthetic joint infection caused by Serratia marcescens and Bacillus cereus, following multiple prior revisions for recurrent dislocations of her total hip arthroplasty. Two-stage exchange was performed, and the patient remained free of Serratia periprosthetic joint infection recurrence at 3 years. Case 2: an 82-year-old Caucasian female with diabetes and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease presented with a chronic parapatellar knee fistula after undergoing multiple failed infection treatments at external clinics. After performing two-stage exchange and gastrocnemius flap plastic for combined Serratia marcescens and Proteus mirabilis periprosthetic joint infection, the patient was released without any signs of infection, but was subsequently lost to follow-up.

REVIEW

a total of 12 additional Serratia periprosthetic joint infections were identified. Merged with our two cases, the mean age of 14 patients was 66 years and 75% were males. Mean length of antibiotic therapy was 10 weeks with ciprofloxacin most commonly used (50%). Mean follow-up was 23 months. There was a total of four reinfections (29%), including one case of Serratia reinfection (7%).

CONCLUSIONS

Serratia is a rare cause of periprosthetic joint infection affecting elderly with secondary diseases. While the overall reinfection rate was high, the risk of Serratia periprosthetic joint infection persistence was low. Treatment failure in patients may be attributable to the host, rather than the Serratia periprosthetic joint infection itself, thus challenging current concepts on Gram-negatives as a uniform class of difficult-to-treat pathogens.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Therapeutic level IV.

Two-stage exchange for PJI with co-existing cerclages for fracture: higher rates of early re-infections and difficult to treat microbes

INTRODUCTION

Periprosthetic joint infections (PJI) with osteosynthesis material for contemporaneous fractures are a challenging, yet poorly described condition. This study will analyze PJI with co-existing fractures treated with cerclages and two-stage exchange.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients with and without cerclages for coexisting periprosthetic fractures, undergoing two-stage exchange for PJI of hip or knee, between 06/2013 and 02/2016, were compared concerning baseline characteristics and re-infection rate in the course of a 2 year follow-up. All patients were treated with a standardized two-stage protocol. A PJI was defined according to the EBJIS criteria. All foreign material, including cerclages, was sent in for sonication for microbiological analysis.

RESULTS

Ninety-six patients treated with two-stage exchange for PJI could be included. Co-existing fractures treated with cerclage were identified in nine patients (9.3%, study group). Diaphyseal femoral simple in five cases (AO2A3) and proximal intertrochanteric in three cases (AO1A3) were the leading fracture locations. In one patient, cerclage implantation was performed prior to prosthesis explantation, in six, during prosthesis explantation, and in two, in the course of prosthesis reimplantation. The study group showed a significantly higher rate of difficult to treat microbes (44.4%; 8.0%; p = .001), Charlson Comorbidity Index (5.4; 3.7; p = .033), relapse infections with the same microbe (22.2%; 1.1%; p = .001), and early-onset infections (< 30 days) (11.1%; 1.1%; p = .046), than the comparison two-stage exchange group without fractures. In contrast, age (72.5 study group; 68.2 comparison group; p = .224), rate of revisions for PJI in the past (55.5%; 51.7%; p = .827), and total re-infection rate (22.2%; 10.3%; p = .287) did not show a difference.

CONCLUSION

PJI with co-existing cerclages for fractures were associated with multi-resistant microbes, relapse by the same microbe and early-onset re-infections. Cerclages might be considered a potential source of re-infection during a two-stage exchange. However, statistical weaknesses and a small study group must be considered limitations of the study.

Association of age and spinopelvic function in patients receiving a total hip arthroplasty

Restricted spinopelvic mobility received attention as a contributing factor for total hip arthroplasty (THA) instability. However, it is still unknown, how the spinopelvic function is influenced by age. In identifying the patients at highest risk for altered spinopelvic mechanics the study aimed to determine the association of age on the individual segments of the spinopelvic complex and global spinal sagittal alignment in patients undergoing THA. 197 patients were included in the prospective observational study conducting biplanar stereoradiography (EOS) in standing and sitting position pre-and postoperatively. Two independent investigators assessed C7-sagittal vertical axis (C7-SVA), cervical lordosis (CL), thoracic kyphosis (TK), lumbar lordosis (LL), pelvic incidence (PI), sacral slope (SS), anterior plane pelvic tilt (APPT), and pelvic femoral angle (PFA). Key segments of the spinopelvic complex are defined as lumbar flexibility (∆ LL = LL_standing - LL_sitting), pelvic mobility (∆ SS = SS_standing - SS_sitting) and hip motion (∆ PFA = PFA_standing - PFA_sitting). Pelvic mobility was further defined based on ∆ SS = SS_standing - SS_sitting as stiff (∆ SS < 10°), normal (∆ SS ≥ 10°-30°) and hypermobile (∆ SS > 30°). The patient collective was classified into three groups: (1) < 60 years (n = 56), (2) ≥ 60-79 years (n = 112) and (3) ≥ 80 years (n = 29). Lumbar flexibility (∆ LL) was decreased with increasing age between all groups (36.1° vs. 23.1° vs. 17.2°/p₁₊₂ < 0.000, p₂₊₃ = 0.020, p₁₊₃ < 0.000) postoperatively. Pelvic mobility (∆ SS) was decreased in the groups 2 and 3 compared to group 1 (21.0° and 17.9° vs. 27.8°/p₁₊₂ < 0.000, p₂₊₃ = 0.371, p₁₊₃ = 0.001). Pelvic retroversion in standing position (APPT) was higher in group 2 and 3 compared to group 1 (1.9° and - 0.5° vs 6.9°/p₁₊₂ < 0.000, p₂₊₃ = 0.330, p₁₊₃ < 0.000). Global sagittal spinal balance (C7-SVA) showed more imbalance in groups 2 and 3 compared to group 1 (60.4 mm and 71.2 mm vs. 34.5 mm/p₁₊₂ < 0.000, p₂₊₃ = 0.376, p₁₊₃ < 0.000) postoperatively. The preoperative proportion of patients with stiff pelvic mobility in group 1 was distinctly lower than in group 3 (23.2% vs. 35.7%) and declined in group 1 to 1.8% compared to 20.7% in group 3 after THA. Changes after THA were reported for groups 1 and 2 representing spinopelvic complex key parameter lumbar flexibility (∆ LL), pelvic mobility (∆ SS) and hip motion (∆ PFA), but not for group 3. This is the first study to present age-adjusted normative values for spinopelvic mobility. The subgroups with increased age were identified as risk cohort for altered spinopelvic mechanics and enhanced sagittal spinal imbalance and limited capacity for improvement of mobility after THA. This valuable information serves to focus in the preoperative screening on the THA candidates with the highest risk for abnormal spinopelvic function.

Does obesity affect acetabular cup position, spinopelvic function and sagittal spinal alignment? A prospective investigation with standing and sitting assessment of primary hip arthroplasty patients

Background

Total hip arthroplasty (THA) instability is influenced by acetabular component positioning, spinopelvic function and sagittal spinal alignment. Obesity is considered as a risk factor of THA instability, but the causal relationship remains unknown. This study aimed to investigate the influence of BMI on (1) spinopelvic function (lumbar flexibility, pelvic mobility and hip motion), (2) sagittal spinal alignment pre- and postoperatively and (3) acetabular cup position postoperatively in primary THA patients in a prospective setting.

Methods

One hundred ninety patients receiving primary total hip arthroplasty were enrolled in a prospective cohort study and retrospectively analysed. All patients received stereoradiography (EOS) in standing and relaxed sitting position pre-and postoperatively. C7-sagittal vertical axis (C7-SVA), lumbar lordosis (LL), pelvic incidence (PI), pelvic tilt (PT), anterior plane pelvic tilt (APPT), and pelvic femoral angle (PFA) were assessed. Key parameters of the spinopelvic function were defined as lumbar flexibility (∆ LL = LL_standing − LL_sitting), pelvic mobility (∆ PT = PT_standing − PT_sitting) and hip motion (∆ PFA = PFA_standing − PFA_sitting). Pelvic mobility was further defined based on ∆ PT as stiff, normal and hypermobile (∆ PT < 10°; 10°–30°; > 30°). The patients were stratified to BMI according to WHO definition: normal BMI ≥ 18.5–24.9 kg/m² (n = 68), overweight ≥ 25.0–29.9 kg/m² (n = 81) and obese ≥ 30–39.9 kg/m² (n = 41). Post-hoc analysis according to Hochberg's GT2 was applied to determine differences between BMI groups.

Results

Standing cup inclination was significant higher in the obese group compared to the normal BMI group (45.3° vs. 40.1°; p = 0.015) whereas standing cup anteversion was significantly decreased (22.0° vs. 25.3°; p = 0.011). There were no significant differences for spinopelvic function key parameter lumbar flexibility (∆ LL), pelvic mobility (∆ PT) and hip motion (∆ PFA) in relation to BMI stratified groups. The obese group demonstrated significant enhanced pelvic retroversion compared to the normal BMI group (APPT − 1.8° vs. 2.4°; p = 0.028). The preoperative proportion of stiff pelvic mobility was decreased in the obese group (12.2%) compared to normal (25.0%) and overweight (27.2%) groups. Spinal sagittal alignment in C7-SVA and PI-LL mismatch demonstrated significantly greater imbalance in the obese group compared to the normal BMI group (68.6 mm vs. 42.6 mm, p = 0.002 and 7.7° vs. 1.2°, p = 0.032, respectively) The proportion of patients with imbalanced C7-SVA was higher in the obese (58.5%) than in the normal BMI group (44.1%).

Conclusions

The significantly increased spinal sagittal imbalance with altered pelvic mechanics is a potential cause for the reported increased risk of THA dislocations in obese patients. Consequently, the increased spinal sagittal imbalance in combination with normal pelvic mobility need to be taken into account when performing THA in obese patients.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13018-021-02716-8.

Is transverse screw fixation really necessary in PAO?-A comparative in vivo study

The optimal fixation technique in periacetabular osteotomy (PAO) remains controversial. This study aims to assess the in vivo stability of fixation in PAO with and without the use of a transverse screw. We performed a retrospective study to analyse consecutive patients who underwent PAO between January 2015 and June 2017. Eighty four patients (93 hips) of which 79% were female were included. In 54 cases, no transverse screw was used (group 1) compared with 39 with transverse screw (group 2). Mean age was 26.5 (15–44) in group 1 and 28.4 (16–45) in group 2. Radiological parameters relevant for DDH including lateral center edge angle of Wiberg (LCEA), Tönnis angle (TA) and femoral head extrusion index (FHEI) were measured preoperatively, post-operatively and at 3-months follow-up. All patients were mobilized with the same mobilization regimen. Post-operative LCEA, TA and FHEI were improved significantly in both groups for all parameters (P ≤ 0.0001). Mean initial correction for LCEA (P = 0.753), TA (P = 0.083) and FHEI (P = 0.616) showed no significant difference between the groups. Final correction at follow-up of the respective parameters was also not significantly different between both groups for LCEA (P = 0.447), TA (P = 0.100) and FHEI (P = 0.270). There was no significant difference between initial and final correction for the respective parameters. Accordingly, only minimal loss of correction was measured, showing no difference between the two groups for LCEA (P = 0.227), TA (P = 0.153) and FHEI (P = 0.324). Transverse screw fixation is not associated with increased fragment stability in PAO. This can be taken into account by surgeons when deciding on the fixation technique of the acetabular fragment in PAO.

Clostridium difficile septic arthritis and periprosthetic joint infection in a patient with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, T-/B-lymphocytopenia and hypogammaglobulinemia - a case report and review of the literature

To the best of our knowledge, we report the first Clostridium difficile infection in a native hip joint with subsequent prosthetic joint infection in a patient at a state of hypogammaglobulinemia. The infection developed following chemotherapy for B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (BCP-ALL). After chemotherapy, hip arthroplasty was performed for destructive septic arthritis. However, infection in the hip persisted with several failing revisions for more than 3 years, until ultimately hypogammaglobulinemia and T-/B-lymphocytopenia were diagnosed, and supplementation with i.v. immunoglobulins was able to achieve infection control.

Are women appropriately represented and assessed in clinical trials submitted for marketing authorization? A review of the database of the European Medicines Agency

OBJECTIVE

There is concern that patients included in trials do not represent the true patient population and women in particular may selectively be excluded. We looked at trial data submitted to the European Medicines Agency (EMEA) by drug companies to achieve marketing authorization in Europe between 2000 and 2003.

METHODS

We reviewed the EMEA database and included the main studies for the risk/benefit assessment (pivotal trials) submitted between 2000 and 2003.

RESULTS

In pivotal trials submitted to the EMEA there was no, or generally clinically negligible, evidence for gender bias; however, women were underrepresented in hypertension, diabetes and hepatitis B trials, and overrepresented in rheumatoid arthritis and allergic conjunctivitis.

CONCLUSIONS

In trials submitted for marketing authorization to the EMEA gender bias was not a serious problem.

Bed rest for acute uncomplicated myocardial infarction

BACKGROUND

Bed rest is prescribed to all patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI), but to a variable extent. Current guidelines (American College of Cardiology/ American Heart Association) recommend at least 12 hours bed rest in patients with uncomplicated ST-elevation myocardial infarction, however the basis for this recommendation is unclear.

OBJECTIVES

To compare the effects of short versus longer bed rest in patients with uncomplicated AMI.

SEARCH STRATEGY

We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (The Cochrane Library, Issue 2, 2005), MEDLINE (January 1966 - August 2005), EMBASE (January 1988 - August 2005), PASCAL BioMed (January 1996 - August 2005); PsycINFO (January 1966 - August 2005) and BIOSIS Previews (January 1990 - August 2005).

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomised and quasi-randomised controlled trials of short versus longer bed rest in patients with uncomplicated AMI were sought.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Study selection was performed independently by at least two investigators according to the predefined inclusion criteria. Data were extracted by two investigators independently and in duplicate. Authors were contacted to obtain missing information.

MAIN RESULTS

We found 15 trials with 1487 patients assigned to a short period of bed rest (median 6 days) and 1471 patients assigned to longer bed rest (median 13 days). Generally the studies were outdated and appeared to be of moderate to poor methodological reporting quality. There was no evidence that shorter bed rest was more harmful than longer bed rest in terms of all cause mortality (RR=0.85 (95%CI 0.68 to 1.07), cardiac mortality (RR=0.81 (95%CI 0.54 to 1.19), or reinfarction (RR=1.07 (95%CI 0.79 to 1.44)).

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

Bed rest ranging from 2 to 12 days appears to be as safe as longer periods of bed rest. The quality of most trials is unsatisfactory. Current bed rest recommendations are not supported by the existing evidence as the optimal duration of bed rest is unknown. The lack of adequate trials is surprising, considering the large size of several studies to compare effectiveness of drugs on people with AMI.

Immunoadsorption in severe C4d-positive acute kidney allograft rejection: a randomized controlled trial

Antibody-mediated rejection (AMR) frequently causes refractory graft dysfunction. This randomized controlled trial was designed to evaluate whether immunoadsorption (IA) is effective in the treatment of severe C4d-positive AMR. Ten out of 756 kidney allograft recipients were included. Patients were randomly assigned to IA with protein A (N = 5) or no such treatment (N = 5) with the option of IA rescue after 3 weeks. Enrolled recipients were subjected to tacrolimus conversion and, if indicated, 'anti-cellular' treatment. All IA-treated patients responded to treatment. One death unrelated to IA occurred after successful reversal of rejection. Four control subjects remained dialysis-dependent. With the exception of one patient who developed graft necrosis, non-responders were subjected to rescue IA, however, without success. Because of a high graft loss rate in the control group the study was terminated after a first interim analysis. Even though limited by small patient numbers, this trial suggests efficiency of IA in reversing severe AMR.

Impact of parathyroidectomy on neutrophil cytosolic calcium in chronic kidney disease patients: a prospective parallel group trial

OBJECTIVES

Polymorphonuclear leucocytes (PMNs) of chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients display elevated basal cytosolic calcium concentrations (iCa(2+)). As parathyroid hormone is considered to substantially contribute to the inappropriate cellular entry of calcium in uraemia, we hypothesized that parathyroidectomy lowers PMN iCa(2+).

DESIGN AND SETTING

Prospective parallel group trial at a tertiary care centre. SUBJECTS, INTERVENTION AND MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Two patient cohorts (cohort 1: 14 CKD patients; cohort 2: 14 renal transplant recipients) underwent parathyroidectomy for uncontrolled secondary hyperparathyroidism. We assessed PMN iCa(2+) (primary objective) spectrofluorimetrically 1 day before and 20 days after intervention (secondary objective: PMN glucose uptake). Data were compared with those of 16 matched maintenance haemodialysis patients (cohort 3), and to 15 healthy subjects (cohort 4), by generalized estimating equations.

RESULTS

PMN iCa(2+) of cohort 1 decreased over time and was significantly higher than that of cohort 3 before but not after parathyroidectomy [mean difference before/after parathyroidectomy: 19.1 nmol L(-1) (95% confidence interval: 9.4-22.4), P =0.0003/-3.2 (-20.9-14.5), P = 0.71]. PMN iCa(2+) of cohort 2 decreased over time, but we found no significant difference in comparison with cohort 3 [mean difference before/after parathyroidectomy: 6.5 nmol L(-1) (-9.4-22.4), P = 0.4/-15.8 (-43.6-12.0), P = 0.25]. PMN iCa(2+) of all CKD patients was substantially higher in comparison with that of healthy subjects [cohort 4 vs. 3: -35.3 (-48.9-21.6), P < 0.001]. PMN glucose uptake increased significantly in both interventional cohorts in comparison with cohort 3.

CONCLUSIONS

Parathyroidectomy lowers, but does not normalize PMN iCa(2+) of CKD patients. Further variables, possibly uraemic retention solutes, control both PMN iCa(2+) and functional responses.

Effect of pretreatment with statins on the severity of acute ischemic cerebrovascular events

OBJECTIVE

Treatment with statins reduces the risk of ischemic stroke among patients at increased risk for vascular disease. Recent experimental data suggest neuroprotective properties of statins in acute cerebral ischemia. We investigated whether a premedication with statins is associated with a better outcome in patients with acute ischemic cerebrovascular events.

METHODS

Within a cross-sectional study, nested in a cohort we identified 1691 patients with a recent ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack. Clinical severity of the vascular event was evaluated by the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) after 1 week. By means of multivariate logistic regression modeling, we determined the influence of prior statin use on stroke severity with adjustment for potential confounding factors.

RESULTS

Severe stroke, defined as a modified Rankin Scale of 5 or 6 (n=231; 14%), was less frequent in patients receiving statin treatment before the event (6% vs. 14%, OR=0.37; 95% CI 0.19 to 0.74; p=0.004). This association remained significant after adjustment for confounding factors. We found a significant interaction between the presence of diabetes and the effect of pretreatment with statins on stroke outcome. Of the patients with diabetes, none of those on statin treatment but 16% of those without a statin had a bad outcome. After exclusion of the group of diabetic patients with prior statin medication, the protective effect was reduced and not statistically significant anymore.

CONCLUSIONS

Pretreatment with statins seems to be associated with reduced clinical severity in patients with acute ischemic cerebrovascular events, particularly in patients with diabetes.

Vasopressors for shock

BACKGROUND

Besides reversing the underlying cause, the first line treatment for the symptoms of shock is usually the administration of intravenous fluids. If this method is not successful, vasopressors such as dopamine, dobutamine, adrenaline, noradrenaline and vasopressin are recommended. It is unclear if there is a vasopressor of choice, either for the treatment of particular forms of shock or for the treatment of shock in general.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the efficacy of vasopressors for circulatory shock in critically ill patients. Our main aim was to assess whether particular vasopressors reduce overall mortality. We also intended to identify whether the choice of vasopressor influences outcomes such as length-of-stay in the intensive care unit and health-related quality of life.

SEARCH STRATEGY

We searched MEDLINE, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, EMBASE, PASCAL BioMed, CINAHL, BIOSIS, and PsychINFO:all from inception to November 2003; for randomized controlled trials. We also asked experts in the field and searched meta-registries for ongoing trials.

SELECTION CRITERIA

We included randomized controlled trials comparing various vasopressors, vasopressors with placebo or vasopressors with intravenous fluids for the treatment of any kind of circulatory failure (shock). Mortality was the main outcome.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two reviewers abstracted data independently. Disagreement between two reviewers was discussed and resolved with a third reviewer. We used random effects models for combining quantitative data.

MAIN RESULTS

We identified eight randomized controlled trials. Reporting of methodological details was for many items not satisfactory: only two studies reported allocation concealment, and two that the outcome assessor was blind to the intervention. Two studies compared norepinephrine plus dobutamine with epinephrine alone in patients with septic shock (52 patients, relative risk of death 0.98, 95% confidence interval 0.57 to 1.67). Three studies compared norepinephrine with dopamine in patients with septic shock (62 patients, relative risk 0.88, 0.57 to 1.36). Two studies compared vasopressin with placebo in patients with septic shock (58 patients, relative risk 1.04, 0.06 to 19.33). One study compared terlipressin with norepinephrine in patients with refractory hypotension after general anaesthesia but there were no deaths (20 patients).

REVIEWERS' CONCLUSIONS

The current available evidence is not suited to inform clinical practice. We were unable to determine whether a particular vasopressor is superior to other agents in the treatment of states of shock.

Major bleeding complications after cardiopulmonary resuscitation: impact of thrombolytic treatment

OBJECTIVE

The risk of bleeding complications caused by thrombolysis in patients with cardiac arrest and prolonged cardiopulmonary resuscitation is unclear. We evaluate the complication rate of systemic thrombolysis in patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest caused by acute myocardial infarction, especially in relation to duration of cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

DESIGN

The study was designed as retrospective cohort study, the risk factor being systemic thrombolysis and the end-point major haemorrhage, defined as life-threatening and/or need for transfusion. Over 10.5 years, emergency cardiac care data, therapy, major haemorrhage and outcome of 265 patients with acute myocardial infarction admitted to an emergency department after successful cardiopulmonary resuscitation were registered.

RESULTS

We observed major haemorrhage in 13 of 132 patients who received thrombolysis (10%, 95% confidence interval 5-15%), five of these survived to discharge, none died because of this complication. Major haemorrhage occurred in seven of 133 patients in whom no thrombolytic treatment had been given (5%, 95% confidence interval 1-9%), two of these survived to discharge. Taking into account baseline imbalances between the groups, the risk of bleeding was slightly increased if thrombolytics were used (odds ratio 2.5, 95% confidence interval 0.9-7.4) but this was not significant (P = 0.09). There was no clear association between duration of resuscitation and bleeding complications (z for trend = 1.52, P = 0.12). Survival was not significantly better in patients receiving thrombolysis (odds ratio 1.6, 0.9-3.0, P = 0.12).

CONCLUSIONS

Bleeding complications after cardiopulmonary resuscitation are frequent, particularly in patients with thrombolytic treatment, but do not appear to be related to the duration of resuscitation. In the light of possible benefits on outcome, thrombolytic treatment should not be withheld in carefully selected patients.

Acute phase reactants in patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm

BACKGROUND

There is increasing evidence that an inflammatory process is present in abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) to varying degrees. The aim of this study was to compare acute phase reactants in patients with asymptomatic AAA, symptomatic AAA without rupture and ruptured AAA.

METHOD

Two hundred and twenty-five consecutive patients treated because of AAA were included in this case-control study. Polynomial logistic regression analysis was applied to compare admission C-reactive protein (CRP) and white blood count (WBC) measured in 111 asymptomatic outpatients, 52 symptomatic patients without rupture and 62 patients with rupture of the aneurysm. We adjusted for the potentially confounding effect of age, sex, haemoglobin levels and aneurysm diameter.

RESULTS

Patients with symptomatic AAA and patients with ruptured AAA had significantly elevated CRP (p=0.002) and WBC (p<0.0001) levels compared to asymptomatic patients. There was no statistically significant difference in CRP and WBC between patients with symptomatic AAA and ruptured AAA. Median CRP values of asymptomatic, symptomatic and ruptured AAA were <0.5 (interquartile range (IQR) <0.5-0.85), 1.1(IQR <0.5-4.0) and 2.4 mg/dl (IQR 0.65-8.6), respectively, and median WBC values were 6.5 (IQR 5.5-8.0), 8.7 (IQR 6.8-11.2) and 13.2 (IQR 10.5-17.0), respectively.

CONCLUSION

A significant elevation of CRP and WBC could be found in patients who presented with symptoms or rupture of an AAA. These indicators of inflammation were not observed in asymptomatic patients with AAA.

Current strategies of secondary prevention after a cerebrovascular event: the Vienna stroke registry

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Oral anticoagulation (OAC) and antiplatelet drugs are effective in the secondary prevention of ischemic cerebrovascular events. Only few data exist about the factors influencing the choice of a specific therapy for secondary prevention in patients with a recent stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA).

METHODS

Within a cross-sectional study, nested in a cohort we identified 931 patients with a recent ischemic stroke or TIA who were discharged with OAC or with one of the antiplatelet medications aspirin, clopidogrel, or the combination of aspirin and extended-release dipyridamole. By means of multivariate logistic regression analysis, we determined the influence of several clinical variables on the decision between OAC and overall antiplatelet therapy as well as on the decision between different antiplatelet therapies.

RESULTS

A cardioembolic etiology of the index event and atrial fibrillation were independently associated with the use of OAC. Age was inversely associated with the use of OAC. Different estimations of contraindications to OAC were the main reason for the considerable variability among the participating centers. The most important factor promoting the use of clopidogrel was therapy with aspirin before the index event. Patients with large- or small-vessel disease received clopidogrel more often than those with an event of undetermined etiology. We found an extremely high interhospital variability for the use of the combination of aspirin with extended-release dipyridamole.

CONCLUSIONS

Current recommendations are applied in clinical practice, but great variability between different centers remains. More clearly defined guidelines for indications for, as well as contraindications against, a specific therapy are necessary.

Does bed rest after cervical or lumbar puncture prevent headache? A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Headache after cervical or lumbar puncture has long been attributed to early mobilization; however, there is little evidence for this. We performed a systematic literature review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials to assess whether longer bed rest is better than immediate mobilization or short bed rest in preventing headache.

METHODS

We searched EMBASE (1988 to March 2001), MEDLINE (1966 to May 2001), Pascal Biomed (1996 to February 2001), Current Contents (1997 to September 1999), PsycINFO (1966 to May 2001), the Cochrane Controlled Trial Register (last search May 15, 2001), textbooks and references of the papers selected. Studies were eligible if patients underwent cervical or lumbar puncture for any reason and were randomly assigned to either a long or a short period of bed rest. Data were abstracted independently by 2 investigators to a predefined form.

RESULTS

We found 16 randomized controlled trials involving 1083 patients assigned to immediate mobilization or a short period of bed rest (up to 8 hours) and 1128 patients assigned to a longer period of bed rest (0.5 to 24 hours). Puncture was performed for anesthesia (5 trials), myelography (6 trials) and diagnostic reasons (5 trials). None of the trials showed that longer bed rest was superior to immediate mobilization or short bed rest for preventing headache after puncture. When pooling the results of the trials in the myelography group and the diagnostic group, the relative risks of headache after puncture were 0.93 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.81-1.08) and 0.97 (95% CI 0.79-1.19) respectively. We did not pool the results from the trials in the anesthesia group because of clinical heterogeneity, but shorter bed rest appeared to be superior.

INTERPRETATION

There was no evidence that longer bed rest after cervical or lumbar puncture was better than immediate mobilization or short bed rest in reducing the incidence of headache.

Diamond stents for palliation of malignant bile duct obstruction: a prospective multicenter evaluation

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS

Various types of self-expandable metal stents have been introduced for biliary drainage in patients with malignant jaundice, showing prolonged patency compared with plastic endoprostheses. However, there has only been prolonged experience with a meaningful number of patients using the Wallstent. We evaluated the Diamond stent, a self-expanding uncoated biliary metal stent, in a prospective uncontrolled multicenter setting.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The eligibility criterion was obstructive jaundice due to inoperable malignant disease. Between August 1995 and January 2000, 126 patients, who received a total of 134 Diamond stents in four European centers, were followed prospectively.

RESULTS

Technical and clinical success rates were 96 % and 98 %, respectively. No major procedure-related complications occurred. The 30-day mortality rate was 13 %. Stent occlusion occurred in 28 patients (22 %). Overall median stent patency was 477 days; overall median survival was 173 days. Stent occlusion, confirmed by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, was successfully treated with plastic stents in all patients. Cost analysis revealed estimated costs of 3440 euros per patient for palliative treatment with the Diamond stent.

CONCLUSIONS

The Diamond stent compares favorably with other biliary metal stents for patients requiring biliary drainage of malignant jaundice.

Acute renal failure after successful cardiopulmonary resuscitation

OBJECTIVE

To assess the frequency and independent predictors of severe acute renal failure in patients resuscitated from out-of-hospital ventricular fibrillation cardiac arrest.

DESIGN

A cohort study with a minimum follow-up of 6 months.

SETTING

Emergency department of a tertiary care 2200-bed university hospital.

PATIENTS AND PARTICIPANTS

Consecutive adult (> 18 years) patients admitted from 1 July 1991 to 31 October 1997 after witnessed ventricular fibrillation out-of-hospital cardiac arrest and successful resuscitation.

MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS

Acute renal failure was defined as a 25% decrease of creatinine clearance within 24 h after admission. Out of 187 eligible patients (median age 57 years, 146 male), acute renal failure occurred in 22 patients (12%); in 4 patients (18%) renal replacement therapy was performed. Congestive heart failure (OR 6.0, 95% CI 1.6-21.7; p = 0.007), history of hypertension (OR 4.4, 95% CI 1.3-14.7; p = 0.02) and total dose of epinephrine administered (OR 1.1, 95% CI 1.0-1.2; p = 0.009) were independent predictors of acute renal failure. Duration of cardiac arrest, pre-existing impaired renal function and blood pressure at admission were not independently associated with renal outcome.

CONCLUSIONS

Severe progressive acute renal failure after cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is rare. Pre-existing haemodynamics seem to be more important for the occurrence of acute renal failure than actual hypoperfusion during resuscitation.

Clinical application of rapid quantitative determination of cardiac troponin-T in an emergency department setting

OBJECTIVES

We analysed the clinical use of Troponin-T compared to creatine kinase MB in a non-trauma emergency department setting.

BACKGROUND

A newly established single specimen quantitative Troponin T assay allows the clinical application of this parameter. METHODS. Five-hundred Troponin T tests were provided for use by emergency physicians who could combine them with the routine laboratory tests without restriction as to the indication or number of tests per patient. The number of tests per patient, time frame, final diagnosis and additional clinical information gained were recorded. All patients were followed for at least 6 months to verify the diagnosis and to assess the occurrence of cardiac events (nonfatal AMI or cardiac death). The ability of Troponin T and creatine kinase MB tests to predict cardiac events within 6 months were compared.

RESULTS

The 500 Troponin T tests were used in 249 patients (median two tests per patient (range 1-5)) within 41 days. The final diagnosis revealed coronary heart disease in 85, non-coronary heart disease in 39, non-cardiac chest pain in 86 and other diagnoses in 39 of the patients. In 14 patients with an elevated creatine kinase MB, myocardial damage could safely be ruled out by a negative Troponin T, in six patients with a normal creatine kinase MB minor myocardial damage could be detected by a positive Troponin T. During follow up 28 cardiac events were recorded. Troponin T had a significantly higher specificity, positive predictive value and proportion of correct prediction for cardiac events within 6 months compared to creatine kinase MB.

CONCLUSIONS

Troponin T has proved to be an useful method for diagnosing myocardial damage in routine clinical use in the non-trauma emergency department.

Intravenous immunoglobulin application following immunoadsorption: benefit or risk in patients with autoimmune diseases?

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate infection rates, side-effects and autoantibody resynthesis after immunoadsorption with and without intravenous immunoglobulin substitution.

METHODS

Thirty-five patients with autoimmune diseases who were on long-term immunoadsorption therapy participated in a prospective, randomized study. Results and conclusions. Infections were rare but similar in frequency in patients receiving combined immunoadsorption and intravenous immunoglobulins (intervention group, n=17, 1.3 infections per patient-year) and in a control group (n=18, 0.9 infections per patient-year) treated by immunoadsorption alone. The reduction in IgG achieved with two immunoadsorptions within 3 days was 95.0+/-2.5%. The extent of removal of pathogenic autoantibodies was similar to the removal of IGG: Substitution of immunoglobulins was not associated with an increased circulating IgG level before the following immunoadsorption. Infusion of immunoglobulins at a dose of 0.14 g/kg (interquartile range 0.12-0.16) body weight in patients in whom circulating immunoglobulins had been depleted was associated with a high incidence of serious side-effects; these necessitated the termination of treatment in 24% of the patients. No evidence was found that immunoglobulin administration had any beneficial effect with respect to autoantibody resynthesis after immunoadsorption.

Different patterns of angioedema in patients with and without angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor therapy

BACKGROUND

There is convincing evidence for a causal relationship between angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) therapy and angioedema, but the clinical features of the patients remain unclear. The aim of the study was to compare patterns of angioedema in patients under ACEI therapy and those without ACEI therapy.

METHODS

One hundred and seventeen consecutive patients with angioedema treated in the emergency department of a 2000-bed tertiary care university hospital were included. A retrospective cohort study was performed, the exposure being ACEI therapy. The pattern of location of angioedema was the primary outcome measure.

RESULTS

Of 117 patients with angioedema, 25 (21%) received ACEI therapy. In a multivariate logistic regression model, angioedema of the cheeks, eyelids or nose was independently negatively associated with ACEI therapy [adjusted odds ratio 0.13 (95% confidence interval 0.03 to 0.49), p = 0.003]. Higher age was also significantly associated with ACEI therapy [adjusted odds ratio 1.85 (95% confidence interval 1.23 to 2.80), p = 0.003]. Furthermore, a trend towards an independent negative association between a history of allergies and angioedema under ACEI therapy was seen.

CONCLUSION

Patients with angioedema under ACE inhibitor therapy differ significantly from those receiving no ACEI therapy in terms of patterns of angioedema and age. The applicability of this observation as a tool for deciding whether to continue or terminate ACEI therapy requires prospective evaluation.

Comparison of prone positioning and continuous rotation of patients with adult respiratory distress syndrome: results of a pilot study

OBJECTIVE

To compare prone positioning and continuous rotational therapy with respect to oxygenation and hemodynamics in patients suffering from adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).

DESIGN

Randomized, prospective pilot study.

SETTING

Intensive care unit at a university hospital.

PATIENTS

Twenty-six mechanically ventilated patients with ARDS from nontraumatic causes.

INTERVENTIONS

Twelve patients were turned prone (group 1), 14 patients underwent continuous axial rotation from one lateral position to the other with a maximum angle of 124 degrees in specially designed beds (group 2). All patients had received inhaled nitric oxide (NO) therapy before positioning.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Gas exchange and hemodynamics were assessed using a pulmonary artery catheter. In both groups, an improvement in PaO2/RFIO2-ratio and intrapulmonary shunt fraction occurred after initiation of NO as well as during the first 72 hrs of positioning therapy. During the study period, seven patients died in group 1 and nine patients in group 2 (p = NS). Comparing the areas under the curve during the first 72 hrs, no significant differences with respect to PaO2/FIO2-ratio, PaCO2, positive end-expiratory and peak inspiratory pressure levels, intrapulmonary shunt fraction, the alveolar-arterial oxygen difference, and oxygen delivery and consumption, as well as cardiac index, pulmonary and arterial blood pressures, and pulmonary arterial occlusion pressure could be detected between the groups. Prone positioning was tolerated well, continuous rotational therapy had to be modified according to hemodynamic instability in three patients.

CONCLUSIONS

In severe lung injury, continuous rotational therapy seems to exert effects comparable to prone positioning and could serve as alternative when prone positioning seems inadvisable.

[Bed rest after lumbar puncture: a nation-wide survey in Austria]

BACKGROUND

Recommendations in medical textbooks concerning bed rest after lumbar puncture to prevent postpunctional headache vary between immediate mobilisation and 24 hours bed rest.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The aim of the study was to evaluate the current practice in neurological departments.

METHODS

We contacted all neurological departments in Austria by fax and asked about standards concerning bed rest after lumbar puncture and about the number of punctures per month.

RESULTS

28 out of 32 departments replied (88%). Fifty percent (n = 14) of the departments recommend 24 hours bed rest after lumbar puncture, recommendations of the other departments vary between immediate mobilisation (one department) and 16 hours bed rest.

CONCLUSION

Current practice concerning bed rest after lumbar puncture varies widely in Austria and most patients are confined to bed for several hours. Even though there is evidence that bed rest does not prevent post lumbar puncture headache, there is so far no systematic review published in the medical literature.

[Birth rate, stillbirth rate and infant mortality of legitimate and illegitimate newborn infants in Austria 1987-1996: an ecological study]

BACKGROUND

The infant mortality in babies of single mothers in Great Britain is 33% higher than in babies of married mothers. There exists hardly any recent publication on infant mortality and stillbirth rate in association with the marital state of the mother from other European countries.

METHODS

From 1987 to 1996 birth weight, stillbirth rate and infant mortality of all Austrian legitimate and illegitimate births were registered by the Austrian Central Statistical Office. Differences between the legitimate and illegitimate newborns were analysed.

RESULTS

Within the observation period there was a clear overall reduction (48%) of infant mortality from 9.8 to 5.1 per 1000. Overall stillbirth rate remained stable at 3.7 per 1000 births. The birth weight of illegitimate infants was significantly lower and their weighted average stillbirth rate was 20.4% higher (range -10% to +48%) over the ten year observation period. The weighted average infant mortality during the observation period was 24% higher (range 0% to +44%) for illegitimate infants.

CONCLUSION

In Austria illegitimate birth was associated with lower birth weight, higher stillbirth rate and increased infant mortality between 1986 and 1997.

Admission for syncope: evaluation, cost and prognosis

BACKGROUND

Despite extensive in-hospital evaluation the cause of syncope remains unexplained in up to 40% of patients.

AIMS

To determine the application and cost of diagnostic tests, cost of hospital stay, success of evaluation and prognosis of patients admitted via the emergency department after syncope.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study including all consecutive patients admitted via the emergency department for evaluation of syncope between 1 January 1994 and 31 December 1998. The findings obtained from clinical history, physical examination and diagnostic tests were reviewed systematically. The costs of specific tests and hospital stay were analysed. Patients were followed until 31 December 1998.

RESULTS

127 patients underwent a median of 4 diagnostic tests (interquartile range, 3 to 6) over 12 days (IQR 8 to 17). The overall median cost of syncope evaluation was 106,728 ATS/7,756 EUR (IQR 70,860 to 143,583 ATS) per patient; the cost of diagnostic tests per patient was 6,863 ATS/499 EUR (IQR 3,345 to 11,969 ATS); hospital maintenance and in-hospital care accounted for the major part of these costs [median 97,680 ATS/7,099 EUR (IQR 65,120 to 138,380 ATS)]. At the time of hospital discharge, syncope remained unexplained in 48 patients (38%). The strength of agreement between the emergency department diagnosis and the discharge diagnosis was moderate (kappa = 0.49, 95% confidence interval 0.36 to 0.61). None of the patients had recurrent syncope or died during the hospital stay. Within the first 30 days after the index event 2 patients (2%) died due to known pre-existing diseases.

CONCLUSION

The emergency department diagnosis markedly influenced the work-up of syncope, but not the cost of evaluation. The moderate diagnostic yield, high cost of in-hospital evaluation and good short term prognosis indicate the need for alternative strategies of in-hospital evaluation.

Use of an age-adjusted Doppler E/A ratio in patients with moderate to severe hypertension

OBJECTIVE

To assess the ratio of early (E) to late atrial (A) mitral Doppler peak flow velocity (Doppler E/A ratio) before and after adjustment for age in patients with moderate to severe hypertension, in whom left ventricular diastolic dysfunction is an early finding. Mitral flow patterns can be used to assess diastolic filling characteristics, and the Doppler E/A ratio is the parameter most commonly used, although it is known to be strongly age dependent. There are no established normal values for this ratio.

DESIGN

Retrospective data analysis.

SETTING

A 2000-bed tertiary-care teaching hospital.

PATIENTS

We studied 190 patients (99 women and 91 men; ages 55 +/- 13 years) with moderate to severe hypertension.

INTERVENTIONS

The ratio of early (E) to late atrial (A) mitral Doppler peak flow velocity was measured. As this ratio depends on age, a Z score was calculated to control for this influence. The Z score is the standardized normal deviation of the mean, with a normal value of 0 +/- 2.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Sensitivities and specificities for detecting an age-dependent reduction in Doppler E/A score (Z score less than -2) with a non-age-dependent Doppler E/A ratio (less than 1) were calculated.

RESULTS

In 106 of the patients (56%) the Doppler E/A ratio was less than 1.0. Only nine patients (4.7%) had a Z score less than -2. The sensitivity of the Doppler E/A ratio threshold of 1.0 for detecting a Z score less than -2 was 0.89 and the specificity was 0.46. A Z score less than -2 was found only in patients younger than 45 years.

CONCLUSIONS

The Doppler E/A ratio was reduced in a large proportion of our patients. However, after correction for age it was decreased in only 4.7% of these patients. The use of a single Doppler E/A ratio threshold value has a weak diagnostic power to detect age-independent changes in mitral flow patterns.

Prevalence and relevance of thyroid dysfunction in 1922 cholesterol screening participants

Controversy persists about the role of subclinical hypothyroidism in hypercholesterolemia. This study aimed to assess in a clinically healthy, middle-aged population of employees the prevalence of thyroid function disorders and their relation to demographic variables and cardiovascular risk factors. 1922 (former) employees were screened with follow-up of newly identified cases of undiagnosed (subclinical) hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism. Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), prevalence and course of (subclinical) hypo- and hyperthyroidism and their relation to cardiovascular risk factors (cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, smoking, systolic and diastolic blood pressure) were assessed. The prevalence of newly diagnosed subclinical hypothyroidism (cut-off TSH concentration: 4.0 mU/L) was 1.1% (17 women and 5 men) with a mean TSH concentration of 7.37 (95% CI 5.18-9.56) mU/L. No case of overt hypothyroidism could be diagnosed. Elevated levels of antibodies to microsomal or thyroglobulin antigens were detected in six subjects with subclinical hypothyroidism (27.3%). Fifteen subjects (0.8%, 13 women and 2 men) had TSH concentrations below 0.1 mU/L. The cardiovascular risk profile of subjects with mild subclinical hypothyroidism was not different from subjects with normal TSH levels. The prevalence of subclinical hypothyroidism was 0.8% in normocholesterolemic (cholesterol <5.2 mmol/l) and 1.4% in hypercholesterolemic subjects (n.s.). One woman each with the subclinical form of the disease developed hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism after 21 and 11 months of follow-up, respectively. Subclinical hypothyroidism and subclinical hyperthyroidism were rarely observed in a target group for coronary heart disease prevention. Mild subclinical hypothyroidism was not associated with any adverse cardiovascular risk profile. These results argue against indiscriminate measurements of TSH concentrations in clinically healthy subjects either with normocholesterolemia or hypercholesterolemia.

Outcome and prognostic factors in critically ill cancer patients admitted to the intensive care unit

OBJECTIVE

To assess survival in cancer patients admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU) with respect to the nature of malignancy, cause of ICU admittance, and course during ICU stay as well as to evaluate the prognostic value of the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) III score.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

SETTING

ICU at a university cancer referral center.

PATIENTS

A total of 414 cancer patients admitted to the ICU during a period of 66 months.

INTERVENTIONS

None.

MEASUREMENTS

Charts of the patients were analyzed with respect to underlying disease, cause of admission, APACHE III score, need and duration of mechanical ventilation, neutropenia and development of septic shock, as well as ICU survival and survival after discharge. Mortality data were compared with two control groups: 1362 patients admitted to our ICU suffering from diseases other than cancer and 2,776 cancer patients not admitted to the ICU.

MAIN RESULTS

ICU survival was 53%, and 1-yr survival was 23%. The 1-yr mortality rate was significantly lower in both control groups. Patients admitted after bone marrow transplantation had the highest mortality. In a multivariate analysis, prognosis was negatively influenced by respiratory insufficiency, the need of mechanical ventilation, and development of septic shock during the ICU stay. Admission after cardiopulmonary resuscitation yielded high ICU mortality but a relatively good long-term prognosis. Admission after surgery and as a result of acute hemorrhage was associated with a good prognosis. Age, neutropenia, and underlying disease did not influence outcome significantly. Admission APACHE III scores were significantly higher in nonsurvivors but failed to predict individual outcome satisfactorily. All patients with APACHE III scores of >80 died at the ICU.

CONCLUSION

A combination of factors must be taken into account to estimate a critically ill cancer patient's prognosis in the ICU. The APACHE III scoring system alone should not be used to make decisions about therapy prolongation. Admission to the ICU worsens the prognosis of a cancer patient substantially; however, as ICU mortality is 47%, comparable with severely ill noncancer patients, general reluctance to admit cancer patients to an ICU does not seem to be justified.

The association between C-reactive protein on admission and mortality in patients with acute myocardial infarction

OBJECTIVE

In patients presenting with acute myocardial infarction the pathophysiologic and prognostic value of serum C-reactive protein is not well defined. This study assessed the association between serum C-reactive protein levels on admission and mortality in patients admitted because of acute myocardial infarction.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

SETTING

Tertiary care centre.

PATIENTS

A total of 729 patients with acute myocardial infarction admitted within a period of 3 years.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

C-reactive protein levels on admission, cardiovascular risk factors and survival within the observational period.

RESULTS

Within the 3-year observational period, 118 patients died of a cardiovascular cause. With increasing serum C-reactive protein levels (<0.5, 0.5 to <2, 2 to <5, 5-10 and >10 mg dL-1) mortality also increased (14%, 19%, 20%, 39% and 28%, respectively). When controlling for the confounding effect of age, thrombolytic treatment, the time interval between onset of pain and admission, smoking, diabetes mellitus, hypercholesterolemia, hypertension, and elevated creatine kinase on admission in a multivariate Cox regression model, there was only a weak and nonsignificant association between increased serum C-reactive protein and the risk of death.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with elevated concentrations of serum C-reactive protein admitted to the hospital because of acute myocardial infarction are at an increased risk of dying. This association is however, largely explained by other baseline variables, in particular by an estimate of the duration of myocardial ischaemia. If C-reactive protein measured by means of an ultra-sensitive assay is more suitable for risk stratification of unselected patients with acute myocardial infarction, needs further study.

Impairment of renal function in patients resuscitated from cardiac arrest: frequency, determinants and impact on outcome

OBJECTIVE

To assess frequency, determinants, and impact on outcome of impaired renal function in cardiac arrest survivors.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In a retrospective analysis 87 patients admitted after cardiac arrest to an emergency department between 1 March 1994 and 31 October 1995 were evaluated; patients were followed until 31 December 1998 or death. Serum creatinine was measured on arrival, 24 hours, 3 and 7 days after cardiac arrest. Impaired renal function was subclassified according to severity differentiating in between cases with an elevation of serum creatinine level > 1.4 mg/dl to 2 mg/dl and > 2 mg/dl. We examined the association between prearrest history and CPR data, collected according to the "Utstein Style", and renal function.

RESULTS

Patients were followed for a median of 1199 days (IQR 16 to 1427). Impaired renal function (serum creatinine level > 1.4 mg/dl) was found on admission in 36 patients (41%), at 24 hours in 24 (31%), at 3 days in 13 (19%) and on day seven in 9 patients (16%) respectively. History of congestive heart failure and duration of low flow state (from the beginning of basic and/or advanced life support until restoration of spontaneous circulation) were significantly associated with elevated serum creatinine (> 1.4 mg/dl) at 24 hours after the event. The occurrence of impaired renal function was also more frequent in patients with diabetes mellitus and hypertension, but this did not reach statistical significance. The relative risk for death was 2.8 (95% confidence interval 1.3-5.8) for a serum creatinine level of > 1.4 mg/dl to 2.0 mg/dl and 5.4 (95% confidence interval 2.4-12.1) for values > 2 mg/dl.

CONCLUSION

Transient impaired renal function is common in patients surviving cardiac arrest. Congestive heart failure and low flow time are independent predictors for the development of impaired renal function. There is a positive association in between increased serum creatinine levels and risk of death.

Hypertension in patients presenting with epistaxis

STUDY OBJECTIVE

We sought to evaluate whether patients with epistaxis in the emergency department have a higher arterial blood pressure compared with patients with other medical emergencies and to study the association of elevated blood pressure during epistaxis with sustained arterial hypertension.

METHODS

In a prospective, cross-sectional, prevalence study we compared arterial blood pressure on admission in the ED in 213 consecutive patients treated for epistaxis with that of 213 sex- and age-matched control subjects. In 33 of those patients with elevated blood pressure during epistaxis, we evaluated the prevalence of sustained arterial hypertension. Main outcome measures were arterial blood pressure during epistaxis and evidence of sustained arterial hypertension, as determined by 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure measurement.

RESULTS

Patients with epistaxis had significantly higher blood pressure values compared with those of control patients (systolic blood pressure 161+/-30 versus 144+/-22 mm Hg, P<.001; diastolic blood pressure 84+/-19 versus 75+/-15 mm Hg, P <.001). Of 33 (30%) of 108 patients with elevated blood pressure during epistaxis who were further evaluated, 26 (79%) patients were classified as having sustained arterial hypertension. Nine (27%) patients with sustained arterial hypertension were unaware of a history of hypertension. Patients with sustained arterial hypertension had significantly more episodes of epistaxis compared with patients with elevated blood pressure during epistaxis and no sustained arterial hypertension (mean 5 versus 1; P=.004).

CONCLUSION

Patients with epistaxis have a higher blood pressure compared with that of control patients. Twenty-six (79%) of 33 patients with elevated blood pressure during epistaxis had sustained arterial hypertension. Nine (27%) of these patients were unaware of a history of hypertension. Continued management of patients with epistaxis and high blood pressure should include confirmation or exclusion of sustained arterial hypertension by 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure recording.

Mild resuscitative hypothermia to improve neurological outcome after cardiac arrest. A clinical feasibility trial. Hypothermia After Cardiac Arrest (HACA) Study Group

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Recent animal studies showed that mild resuscitative hypothermia improves neurological outcome when applied after cardiac arrest. In a 3-year randomized, prospective, multicenter clinical trial, we hypothesized that mild resuscitative cerebral hypothermia (32 degrees C to 34 degrees C core temperature) would improve neurological outcome after cardiac arrest.

METHODS

We lowered patients' temperature after admission to the emergency department and continued cooling for at least 24 hours after arrest in conjunction with advanced cardiac life support. The cooling technique chosen was external head and total body cooling with a cooling device in conjunction with a blanket and a mattress. Infrared tympanic thermometry was monitored before a central pulmonary artery thermistor probe was inserted.

RESULTS

In 27 patients (age 58 [interquartile range [IQR] 52 to 64] years; 7 women; estimated "no-flow" duration 6 [IQR 1 to 11] minutes and "low-flow" duration 15 [IQR 9 to 23] minutes; admitted to the emergency department 36 [IQR 24 to 43] minutes after return of spontaneous circulation), we could initiate cooling within 62 (IQR 41 to 75) minutes and achieve a pulmonary artery temperature of 33+/-1 degrees C 287 (IQR 42 to 401) minutes after cardiac arrest. During 24 hours of mild resuscitative hypothermia, no major complications occurred. Passive rewarming >35 degrees C was accomplished within 7 hours.

CONCLUSIONS

Mild resuscitative hypothermia in patients is feasible and safe. A clinical multicenter trial might prove that mild hypothermia is a useful method of cerebral resuscitation after global ischemic states.

Multiple organ failure and prognosis in adult patients with diabetic ketoacidosis

OBJECTIVE

Evaluation of prognostic factors of patients presenting with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) at an emergency department.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

SETTING

The Emergency Department of the Vienna General Hospital, a 2000-bed tertiary care hospital.

PATIENTS AND PARTICIPANTS

Patients with DKA admitted from January 1, 1994 to September 30, 1998.

INTERVENTIONS

Treatment of DKA in accordance with a predefined regimen.

MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS

History, clinical findings, biochemical parameters, blood gas analysis, multiorgan failure score (MOF) and treatment modalities were assessed. Patients were followed until death or hospital discharge. For group comparison the Mann Whitney U-test was used. Within the study period 21 patients were admitted because of diabetic ketoacidosis (female: 10, median age: 42 years; 31 to 58). All patients suffered from insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and were treated according to a standardised protocol. Six patients (29%) died in hospital. The non-survivors had significantly higher MOF-scores on admission (5 vs. 2, p < 0.001) and after 24 hours (4 vs. 0, p < 0.01) of intensive care treatment. Additionally, non-survivors had significantly higher levels of GOT (64 vs. 8 U/l), GPT (28 vs. 11 U/l), BUN (34.63 vs. 12.14 mmol/l), creatinine (291.7 vs. 150.3 mmol/l), amylase (315 vs. 78 U/l) and lipase (573 vs. 122 U/l) on admission than did survivors (p < 0.05), and also had a significantly higher net positive fluid balance after 24 hours (8.0 vs. 4.75 l, p < 0.05). All other parameters were not significantly different between the groups.

CONCLUSION

Multiple organ failure may develop in patients with diabetic ketoacidosis and is associated with poor prognosis.

Causes and outcome of syncope

BACKGROUND

Little is known about the frequency of patients presenting to the emergency department with syncope. Regarding mortality and predictors of outcome the literature remains inconclusive.

AIMS

The aims of the study were to determine the frequency of patients presenting with syncope to an emergency department, to assess mortality among these patients and to determine potential predictors of poor outcome.

METHODS

Data of all consecutive patients who were treated at our emergency department between January 1st 1994 and September 1st 1997 following syncope were collected retrospectively. The presumptive causes of syncope were classified into six categories (cardiogenic, neurogenic, autonomic dysfunction, psychiatric, toxic/alcoholic, idiopathic/unexplained). Patients were followed until December 31st, 1997.

RESULTS

701 patients (0.35% of all emergency department visits) were treated for this reason. 507 patients were eligible for the study. During follow-up 8% (n = 38) of the patients died. Three patients died within the first 28 days, all with a known severe underlying disease (congestive heart failure, malignancy, ischemic cerebral infarction). Non-survivors more frequently had a cardiogenic (34%) or neurogenic (13%) cause of syncope (p < 0.01). Age > 60 years, syncope due to neurogenic cause and abnormal ECG findings were independent predictors of increased mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with syncope only comprise a small proportion of those seen at the emergency department. Mortality among these patients is 8%. Clinical history and ECG findings are major determinants of risk stratification: Age > 60 years, syncope due to neurogenic causes and abnormal ECG are independent predictors of poor outcome.

Primary PTCA versus thrombolysis with tPA in acute myocardial infarction: a formal cost-effectiveness analysis

AIMS

Information concerning the cost-effectiveness of primary percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) compared to thrombolytic treatment with tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) for the management of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is limited. The existing data are derived from studies using a wide range of intervention, re-intervention and a high rate of mortality. The present study examined the cost-effectiveness of primary PTCA compared to thrombolytic treatment with tPA in the setting of AMI by applying data from published prospective randomised studies.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We performed a formal cost-effectiveness analysis. As estimates for "cost" of therapy we applied the reimbursement paid by the public health insurance organisations in Austria. Coronary intervention rates and re-intervention rates were extracted from published studies. Assuming a moderately reduced in-hospital mortality for patients treated with primary PTCA (4.8%) compared to tPA (6.6%) on the basis of AMI in a 60-year-old male, the estimated additional cost per life saved was 274.-ECU (95% confidence interval 231.- to 318.-ECU). However, the cost per life saved was sensitive to the given range of intervention and re-intervention rates (range 2,518.-ECU gain to 9,560.-ECU additional cost).

CONCLUSIONS

Assuming a moderate in-hospital survival benefit from treatment with primary PTCA in patients with AMI, PTCA seems to be cost effective in comparison to treatment with tPA--at least from the perspective of cost reimbursement by public health insurance organisations.

Successful automatic external defibrillator operation by people trained only in basic life support in a simulated cardiac arrest situation

OBJECTIVE

To show whether in an in-hospital cardiac arrest, early defibrillation can also be performed by hospital staff trained only in basic life support.

BACKGROUND

The International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation (ILCOR) endorses the concept that in many settings non-medical individuals should be allowed and encouraged to use defibrillators.

METHODS

Five different groups of hospital staff were evaluated whether they were able to correctly operate an automatic external defibrillator in a simulated sudden cardiac arrest situation without any prior instruction. The participants were assigned either to the 'basic life support-trained' group (BLS, n = 40, or to the 'advanced life support-trained' group (ALS, n = 40).

RESULTS

All persons of the 'only BLS-trained' group delivered the three sequential ('stacked') shocks with the automatic external defibrillator when persistent ventricular fibrillation was simulated. The 'ALS-trained' persons successfully delivered the three shocks with the automatic external defibrillator in 98% of the cases. When this group used a conventional defibrillator, only 88% were able to deliver the three shocks, however they were able to do it significantly more quickly.

CONCLUSION

Using an automatic defibrillator without any prior instruction, even persons trained only in BLS were able to deliver three sequential shocks in a simulated persistent ventricular fibrillation cardiac arrest.

Measurement of myocardial contractility following successful resuscitation: quantitated left ventricular systolic function utilising non-invasive wall stress analysis

After successful resuscitation from cardiac arrest, prolonged contractile failure has been demonstrated in animal experiments. No systematic evaluation of myocardial contractility following successful resuscitation after human cardiac arrest exists. The aim of this study was to assess left ventricular contractility following human cardiac arrest with successful resuscitation. In 20 adult patients after cardiac arrest and in four control patients, the relation between meridional wall stress (MWS) and rate-corrected mean velocity of circumferential fibre shortening (Vcf(c)), a load independent and rate corrected index of left ventricular contractility was measured within 4 h after return of spontaneous circulation and after 24 h by means of transoesophageal echocardiography. As the normal values of Vcf(c) depend on MWS, a normal deviate (z) was calculated. A normal z-score is defined as 0+/-2, < -2 indicates reduced contractility, > + 2 increased contractility. Data are presented as median and the interquartile range (IQR). For the comparison of related samples the Wilcoxon sign test was used. In most patients after cardiac arrest contractility was severely impaired within 4 h after successful resuscitation [z - 7.0 (IQR - 8.9 - (-2.5))]. Contractility did not significantly improve within the observational period [z after 24 h - 3.7 (IQR - 7.9 - (-1.8))] (P = 0.3). The four control patients had normal left ventricular contractility on arrival (z 0.0, range - 0.9-0.8) and after 24 h (z 0.7, range - 1.5-2.7). In conclusion non-invasive wall stress analysis can be applied to quantitate systolic left ventricular function, which was severely compromised in most patients within the first 24 h after successful resuscitation. Whether depression of left ventricular function is caused by cardiac arrest itself or by the underlying disease remains speculative.

Cumulative epinephrine dose during cardiopulmonary resuscitation and neurologic outcome

BACKGROUND

Epinephrine is the drug of choice in advanced cardiac life support, but it can have deleterious side effects after restoration of spontaneous circulation.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the association between the cumulative epinephrine dose used in advanced cardiac life support and neurologic outcome after cardiac arrest.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

SETTING

University hospital.

PATIENTS

Adults admitted to the emergency department with witnessed, nontraumatic, normothermic ventricular fibrillation cardiac arrest and unsuccessful initial defibrillation.

MEASUREMENTS

Functional neurologic outcome was regularly assessed by cerebral performance category (CPC) within 6 months after cardiac arrest. A CPC of 1 or 2 was defined as favorable recovery.

RESULTS

Among 178 enrolled patients, the median cumulative epinephrine dose administered was 4 mg (range, 0 to 50 mg). In 151 patients (84%), spontaneous circulation was restored; 63 of these 151 patients (42%) had favorable neurologic recovery. Patients with an unfavorable CPC received a significantly higher cumulative dose of epinephrine than did patients with a favorable CPC (4 mg compared with 1 mg; P < 0.001). This finding persisted after stratification by duration of resuscitation. After possible cofounders were controlled for, the cumulative epinephrine dose remained an independent predictor of unfavorable neurologic outcome.

CONCLUSIONS

The results indicate that an increasing cumulative dose of epinephrine administered during resuscitation is independently associated with unfavorable neurologic outcome after ventricular fibrillation cardiac arrest.

Poor diagnostic value of colonic CD44v6 expression and serum concentrations of its soluble form in the differentiation of ulcerative colitis from Crohn's disease

BACKGROUND

Increased expression of CD44v6 on colonic crypt epithelial cells in ulcerative colitis has been suggested as a diagnostic tool to distinguish ulcerative colitis from colonic Crohn's disease.

AIMS

To investigate colonic CD44v6 expression and serum concentrations of soluble CD44v6 (sCD44v6) in patients with ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease.

METHODS

Colonic biopsy samples were obtained from 16 patients with ulcerative colitis, 13 with ileocolonic Crohn's disease, and 10 undergoing polypectomy. Serum samples were obtained from 15 patients with active ulcerative colitis, 20 with active Crohn's disease, and 20 healthy donors. Colonic CD44v6 expression was evaluated immunohistochemically by monoclonal antibody 2F10 and the higher affinity monoclonal antibody VFF18. Serum sCD44v6 concentrations were measured by ELISA.

RESULTS

2F10 stained colonic epithelium of inflamed ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease samples in 80% and 40% of cases, respectively, and VFF18 in 95% and 87%, respectively. Both monoclonal antibodies displayed a sensitivity and specificity of 60% and 87% to differentiate ulcerative colitis from colonic Crohn's disease. Serum concentrations of sCD44v6 were lower in patients with ulcerative colitis (median 153 ng/ml; interquartile range (IQR) 122-211) compared with Crohn's disease (219; IQR 180-243) and healthy donors (221; IQR 197-241 (p = 0.002)). Its sensitivity and specificity to discriminate ulcerative colitis from Crohn's disease was 75% and 71%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Colonic CD44v6 and serum sCD44v6 concentrations do not facilitate reliable differential diagnosis between ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease.

Accuracy and impact of presumed cause in patients with cardiac arrest

BACKGROUND

International guidelines recommend differentiation between cardiac and noncardiac causes of cardiac arrest. The aim of this study was to find the rate of agreement between primarily postulated and definitive causes of cardiac arrest.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We retrospectively analyzed the primarily presumed cause of cardiac arrest as determined by the emergency room physician on admission in all patients admitted to the emergency department of one urban tertiary care hospital. This was compared with the definitive cause as established by clinical evidence or autopsy. Within 4 years, the initially presumed cause was unclear in 24 (4%) of 593 patients. In the remaining 569 patients, the presumed cause was correct in 509 (89%) and wrong in 60 (11%) cases. Cardiac origin was presumed in 421 (71%) and the definitive cause in 408 (69%) cases. Noncardiac origin was presumed in 148 (25%) and the definitive cause in 185 (31%) patients. Presumed cardiac cause was sensitive (96%) but less specific (77%). Noncardiac causes such as pulmonary embolism, cerebral disorders, or exsanguination were those most frequently overlooked. Asystole occurred significantly more often in patients in whom presumed cause remained undetermined or differed from the definitive cause.

CONCLUSIONS

Cause of cardiac arrest is not as easily recognized as anticipated, especially when the initial rhythm is different from ventricular fibrillation. This might affect comparability of study results, therapeutic strategies, prognosis, and outcome. Patients in whom the presumed cause was confirmed as being correct had significantly better survival and neurological outcome.

The influence of chest compressions and external defibrillation on the release of creatine kinase-MB and cardiac troponin T in patients resuscitated from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest

OBJECTIVES

This study sought to determine the influence of resuscitative procedures, such as chest compressions and external defibrillation, on the release of creatine kinase (CK)-MB and cardiac troponin T (cTnT).

METHODS

In 87 patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest and successful cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), the initial ECG rhythm, the duration of cardiac arrest and CPR, and the number of defibrillations were assessed on arrival in the hospital. The serum CK-MB and cTnT were measured 12 h after the event. We also assessed whether the patient developed cardiogenic shock within 12 h, and if the patient had acute myocardial infarction (AMI), which was confirmed or eliminated by of typical ECG findings, thallium-201 myocardial scintigraphy, or autopsy within the hospital stay. A backward stepwise linear regression model was applied to assess the association between the markers of myocardial injury (CK-MB and cTnT) and the above clinical variables.

RESULTS

CK-MB concentrations were independently associated with the presence of AMI [B 68.5 (SE 28.5, P = 0.018)], the duration of CPR (as a measure of trauma to the chest by means of chest compressions) [B 2.07 (SE 1.01, P = 0.045)] and cardiogenic shock [B 52.3 (SE 23.4, P = 0.03)]. The remaining clinical variables listed were excluded by the model. Cardiac troponin T concentrations were only associated with the presence of AMI [B 4.86 (SE 1.34, P = 0.0005)]. There was a non-significant association between increasing serum cTnT concentrations and the presence of cardiogenic shock [B 2.51 (SE 1.46, P = 0.09)]. The remaining clinical variables were excluded by the model.

CONCLUSION

The release of CK-MB appears to be influenced by the duration of resuscitation and the presence of cardiogenic shock. This has to be considered when interpreting serum CK-MB concentrations after CPR. The release of cTnT seems to be only associated with acute myocardial infarction, but not with the duration of chest compressions, or with the number of defibrillations administered.

[Experiences with inhalative nitric oxide in internal medicine intensive care patients with adult respiratory distress syndrome]

Inhalative nitric oxide (NO) has recently been included in the therapeutic armament for the treatment of ARDS. We evaluated the effect of inhalative NO on hemodynamic and oxygen transport parameters in 30 internal intensive care patients suffering from ARDS. All patients received a pulmonary artery catheter. Hemodynamics were assessed prior to NO therapy and after 1, 6, 12, and 24 h. 80% (n = 24) of the patients were classified as therapy responders. The median NO dose was 15 ppm (range 5 to 40 ppm). The PaO2/FiO2--ratio increased significantly after initiation of NO (p = 0.0002) while the pulmonary shunt fraction (Qs/Qt) decreased significantly (p = 0.0019). All other measured or calculated parameters including arterial and pulmonary arterial blood pressure remained unchanged. No negative effects of the therapy could be observed. Inhalative NO improves oxygenation in most intensive care patients with ARDS and thus offers the possibility to reduce invasiveness of mechanical ventilation.