Major Clinical Complications Research Articles

Bacterial Hydrogen Peroxide Contributes to Cerebral Hyperemia during Early Stages of Experimental Pneumococcal Meningitis

Alterations of blood flow contribute to major clinical complications in invasive infections such as sepsis and bacterial meningitis. As a unique feature streptococci -- in particular, Streptococcus pneumoniae, the most frequent pathogen in bacterial meningitis -- release hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) because of the absence of functional catalase. In a 6 h rat model of experimental meningitis, we studied the impact of bacterial H(2)O(2) production on regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) and intracranial pressure (ICP). Compared to wild-type D39 pneumococci, the increase of rCBF was diminished in meningitis induced by the H(2)O(2) defective SpxB(-) mutant (maximum increase, 135% +/- 17% versus 217% +/- 23% of the individual baseline; P<0.01) or after treatment of D39-induced meningitis with H(2)O(2)-degrading catalase or with tetraethylammonium (TEA), a blocker of calcium-sensitive potassium channels, which mediate H(2)O(2)-induced vasodilation. Catalase did not significantly reduce the remaining rCBF increase caused by SpxB(-), supporting the predominant role of bacterial H(2)O(2). We conclude that in addition to host-sided mediators, bacterial-derived H(2)O(2) acts as a potent vasodilator, which accounts for a certain proportion of the early cerebral hyperperfusion in pneumococcal meningitis.

A comparison of temporal bone fracture classification systems

To compare the traditional and otic capsule classification system of temporal bone fractures for clinical relevance. A retrospective review of all patients with a radiological diagnosis of a skull-base fracture over a 5-year period. All patients were seen at Beaumont Hospital, the national tertiary referral centre for Neuro-otology. Patients with a clinical diagnosis of skull fracture were identified from the hospitals in patient enquiry (HIPE) database. Of 338 patients, 31 (9%) were identified as having a temporal bone fracture on high-resolution CT scanning. The rate and distribution of each major clinical complications within each classification system to establish if either one was more clinically useful. Fractures were classified as mixed in 14 (45%), longitudinal in 9 (29%) and horizontal in 8 (26%). Alternatively, 2 (7%) were otic capsule violating and 29 (93%) were otic capsule sparing. Seventeen patients (54.8%) sustained a hearing loss. Seven patients (23%) sustained a facial nerve injury. Four (13%) developed a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak. Of all clinical findings only sensorineural hearing loss occurred significantly more often in the horizontal as opposed to the longitudinal group (P = 0.029) and in the otic violating as opposed to the otic sparing group (P = 0.013). We acknowledge that the relatively small size of our cohort diminishes the statistical power of our conclusions. However, we found that the otic capsule-based classification system was not significantly better than the traditional system in predicting the likelihood of sustaining specific injuries from fractures of the temporal bone.

Memory switched B cell percentage and not serum immunoglobulin concentration is associated with clinical complications in children and adults with specific antibody deficiency and common variable immunodeficiency

Although idiopathic humoral immunodeficiencies are arbitrarily classified into specific antibody deficiency (SAD) or common variable immunodeficiency (CVID), this distinction does not accurately predict the risk of the bronchiectasis, one of the major long-term clinical complications in these patients. In this study, clinical complications were compared with laboratory markers of cellular and humoral immunity in fifty-five consecutive patients (27 children and 28 adults) attending regional immunology clinics in Manchester, United Kingdom. Reduced CD19 +CD27 +IgD − B cell percentage but not serum immunoglobulin levels or classification of patients into SAD and CVID was associated with a significantly higher prevalence of bronchiectasis (OR 0.4 (0.2–0.8), P = 0.001), splenomegaly (OR 0.2 (0.1–0.5), P = 0.001) and autoimmunity (OR 0.4 (0.2–0.7), P = 0.003). We conclude that in patients with idiopathic humoral immunodeficiencies assessment of B cell switching more accurately predicts clinical prognosis than either classification of patients into SAD and CVID or serum immunoglobulin concentrations.

Thalassemia intermedia: Revisited

Thalassemia intermedia encompasses a wide clinical spectrum of beta-thalassemia phenotypes. Some thalassemia intermedia patients are asymptomatic until adult life, whereas others are symptomatic from as young as 2 years of age. A number of clinical complications commonly associated with thalassemia intermedia are rarely seen in thalassemia major, including extramedullary hematopoiesis, leg ulcers, gallstones and thrombophilia. Prevention of these complications, possibly with blood transfusion therapy, is ideal since they may be difficult to manage. Currently, many patients with thalassemia intermedia receive only occasional or no transfusions, since they are able to maintain hemoglobin levels between 7–9 g/dl; the risk of iron overload, necessitating adequate chelation therapy, is also a contributing factor. At present, there are no clear guidelines for initiating and maintaining transfusions in thalassemia intermedia for the prevention or treatment of complications. Here, we review the major clinical complications in thalassemia intermedia and suggest some therapeutic strategies based on retrospective clinical observations.

Molecular basis of the diagnosis and treatment of polycythemia vera and essential thrombocythemia

AbstractRecent insights into the molecular mechanisms of polycythemia vera (PV) and essential thrombocythemia (ET) are challenging the traditional diagnostic classification of these myeloproliferative disorders (MPDs). Clonality analysis using X-chromosome inactivation patterns has revealed apparent heterogeneity among the MPDs. The recently discovered single somatic activating point mutation in the JAK2 gene (JAK2-V617F) is found in the great majority of patients with PV, but also in many patients with phenotypically classified ET and other MPDs. In contrast to the acquired MPDs, mutations of the erythropoietin receptor and thrombopoietin receptor have been identified in familial forms of nonclonal erythrocytosis and thrombocytosis, respectively. The mechanisms of major clinical complications of PV and ET remain poorly understood. Quantitative or qualitative abnormalities of red cells and platelets do not provide clear explanations for the thrombotic and bleeding tendency in these MPDs, suggesting the need for entirely new lines of research in this area. Recently reported randomized clinical trials have demonstrated the efficacy and safety of low-dose aspirin in PV, and an excess rate of arterial thrombosis, major bleeding, and myelofibrotic transformation, but decreased venous thrombosis, in patients with ET treated with anagrelide plus aspirin compared to hydroxyurea plus aspirin.

Olanzapine Overdose in Children and Adolescents: Two Case Reports and a Review of the Literature

Although the atypical antipsychotic olanzapine is increasingly being used in child and adolescent psychiatry, reports of olanzapine overdose in this young population are scarce. We report on two cases of adolescents who attempted suicide with an overdose of olanzapine: (1) A 14-year-old female ingested 275 mg olanzapine, which produced the highest reported nonlethal serum level (1503 ng/mL) and caused somnolence, agitation (acutely), and extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS; after 54 hours) but no major clinical complications. The serum olanzapine level dropped to 129 ng/mL within 48 hours; and (2) a 17-year-old male ingested 400 mg olanzapine, the highest reported nonlethal dose of olanzapine in adolescents, which produced respiratory suppression requiring intubation and mechanical ventilation; he recovered after 3 days. Based on clinical monitoring and postmortem data, the 2 patients survived the ingestion of high doses of olanzapine. We also provide a review of the literature, encompassing all reported cases of olanzapine overdose in children and adolescents and discuss symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment options, based on pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic considerations.

Hemoclipping (CLIP) of Chronic Ulcers: A Randomized Prospective Study of Initial Success, Clip Retention Rates, and Ulcer Healing

Several types of CLIPS are marketed for hemostasis of bleeding ulcers. Which to choose depends on market forces now because there are no reports comparing hemostasis efficacy, success rates of CLIP deployment onto bases of chronic ulcers (GU's) where stigmata lie, CLIP retention rates, or their influence on ulcer healing or complications. Our purposes were: 1) to compare success rates of deployment & retention rates of 3 different CLIP types on chronic appearing GU's, 2) on weekly endoscopies after treatment, to contrast GU diameter & stigmata with control or multipolar electrocoagulation (MPEC) treated GU's, & 3) to describe whether retained CLIPS influence GU healing or cause complications. Methods: Seven adult dogs with prehepatic portal hypertension received daily proton pump inhibitors (PPI's) & had chronic GU's created by rubber band ligation.One week later, 10 ulcers in pairs were randomized to control or to 4 different treatments to the base of GU's: 3 to CLIPs (Olympus-Oly, Wilson Cook-WC, Boston Scientific Corp-BSC) or to MPEC coagulation. For 11-13 GU's treated with each, ease & time of treatments were recorded. Success rate of CLIP placement onto ulcer bases was also quantitated. Animals were monitored clinically for GI bleeding, obstruction, or perforation. At weekly endoscopies, stigmata, CLIP retention, & ulcer healing were quantitated. Results: ∗p < 0.05 vs. other CLIPS. There were no major clinical complications of retained or excreted hemoclips. For WC, Oly, & BSC respectively, initial CLIP success rates were 25/27 (92.5%), 29/36 (80.6%), & 30/30 (100%). For WC, Oly, & BSC hemoclips respectively, % CLIPs retained @ 1 week were 7.4%, 25%, & 60%∗ & @ 2 wks were 7.4%, 13.9%, 36.6%∗. See Table for ulcer healing @ 2 & 3 wks. Ulcer healing rates were 0% @ 1 wk & 100% @ 4 wks. Conclusions: For the 3 CLIP devices: 1) Similar experience & time were required for successful hemoclipping of chronic GU's. 2) Initial success rates varied from 100% (BSC) to 80.6% (Oly). 3) CLIP retention rates were significantly higher with BSC CLIPs than Oly or WC at 1 & 2 wks. 4) Retained CLIPs appeared to accelerate rather than delay GU healing relative to control or MPEC. & 5) There were no major complications of retained or excreted hemoclips.

Microstent-Assisted Coiling for Wide-Necked Intracranial Aneurysms

To describe the results, technical feasibility, efficacy and challenges encountered in our preliminary experience using a self-expandable microstent, optimized for intracranial use, as an adjunct in the endovascular treatment of wide-necked aneurysms. Only broad-necked aneurysms (dome-to-neck ratio < or = 2, or an isolated neck size > 4.5 mm) were treated with Neuroform microstent from July 2003 to May 2004. The techniques used for stent deployment were either parallel or sequential. Angiographic results were recorded immediately for all patients and classified as Class 1 (complete occlusion), Class 2 (neck remnant) or Class 3 (sac remnant) by three interventional neuroradiologists not involved in the procedure. Follow-up angiography at six months was obtained for one case. Modified Rankin Score scale was assessed for all patients. Seventeen intracranial aneurysms in a total of 18 patients were treated (mean age, 52.2 yr). Eight patients (44.4%) presented with acute subarachnoid hemorrhage. Eleven aneurysms (61.1%) were in the posterior circulation. Average dome size was 10.2 mm (range, 3.7-19.8 mm) and average neck size was 5.36 mm (range, 3.0-10.0 mm). Six out of seven aneurysms of the anterior circulation were approached with parallel technique. Eight aneurysms of the posterior circulation were approached with sequential technique. Average number of coils deployed was 9.64 (range, 4-23 coils). Eleven aneurysms (64.8%) resulted in Class 1 and/or Class 2. One technical failure was observed. Technical complications were recognized in four patients (23.5%), all of them with unruptured aneurysms in the anterior circulation. Two patients (11.7%) presented transient immediate clinical complications. One patient (5.8%) had minor permanent neurological complication. Neither major clinical complications nor death were encountered. Favorable clinical outcome (Modified Rankin Scale score 0-2) was observed in 88.2% of the patients (average follow-up time, 4.72 months). Absence of major permanent complications and satisfactory immediate obliteration degree in our preliminary experience indicates that microstent-assisted coiling technique is useful for the minimally invasive treatment of broad-necked complex aneurysms that are not ideal for conventional endovascular treatment and are at a high risk for conventional surgical treatment.

Plasma and Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid Levels of Endothelin-1 in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Pulmonary Hypertension

Background: Secondary pulmonary hypertension (PH) and cor pulmonale are the major clinical cardiovascular complications affecting prognosis in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It is also known that endothelin-1 (ET-1) is a potent vasoconstrictor peptide produced by the pulmonary vascular endothelium, and ET-1 may be implicated in the pathogenesis of PH. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the presence of ET-1 in patients with COPD and to assess the correlation of ET-1 levels in the plasma and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid (BALF) in COPD patients with or without PH. Methods: Twenty-two patients with COPD and 15 healthy controls were enrolled in the study. Peripheral venous blood samples were collected in all patients and controls. BAL was obtained in COPD patients, and ET-1 levels were measured by radioimmunoassay in all plasma and BALF samples. Results: Plasma ET-1 levels were 2.46 ± 0.55 and 1.70 ± 0.42 pmol/dl in patients with COPD and controls, respectively (p < 0.0001). Sixteen of the 22 patients with COPD (73%) had PH established by echocardiography. The ET-1 level in these patients amounted to 2.59 ± 0.50 pmol/dl, and it was 2.10 ± 0.54 pmol/dl in 6 patients with COPD without PH. In COPD patients with and without PH, BALF ET-1 levels were 0.19 ± 0.08 and 0.24 ± 0.01 pmol/dl, respectively (p > 0.05). Conclusions: These results suggest that ET-1 is detectable in both the peripheral blood and BALF of COPD patients, but the levels do not statistically differ between patients with and without PH.

Weaning from tracheotomy in long-term mechanically ventilated patients: feasibility of a decisional flowchart and clinical outcome.

To assess the feasibility of following a decisional flowchart to decide whether to remove tracheotomy in long-term mechanically ventilated patients. Prospective study in a respiratory intensive care unit, with beds dedicated to weaning from prolonged mechanical ventilation. 108 tracheotomized patients with respiratory failure of different causes (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, postsurgical complications, recovery from hypoxemic respiratory failure, neuromuscular disorders), 36 of whom died or could not be weaned from mechanical ventilation. We applied a decisional flowchart based on some simple clinical and physiological parameters aimed at assessing the patient's ability to remove secretions, swallowing function, absence of psychiatric diseases, possibility of reaching spontaneous breathing, and amount of respiratory space. Following our flowchart 56 of the remaining patients were successfully weaned from the tracheotomy cannula, with a reintubation rate at 3 months of 3%. The main reasons for not proceeding to decannulation were inability to remove secretions and severe glottic stenosis. No statistical differences were found between patients who received a surgical or percutaneous tracheotomy. Using a simple decisional flowchart we were able to remove tracheotomy cannula in almost 80% of the patients with spontaneous breathing autonomy without major clinical complications. Further larger prospective studies are needed to confirm this clinical approach in larger and different populations.

Optimal treatment of hypertension and cardiovascular risk reduction in African Americans: treatment approaches for outpatients.

African Americans have a higher prevalence and greater severity of hypertension compared with whites and therefore have a higher prevalence of many disease-related complications, such as coronary heart disease, stroke, and end-stage renal disease. Minorities have been, until recently, underrepresented in large clinical trials, leading to a lack of outcome data for these patient groups. However, accumulating data confirm the benefit of aggressive blood pressure-lowering therapy in this population. These studies also show that most patients require combination therapy to achieve adequate blood pressure reduction, particularly high-risk patient groups that have lower target blood pressure goals. All of the available antihypertensive agents are effective in African Americans. Recent studies suggest that regimens containing a thiazide-type diuretic are unsurpassed in blood pressure lowering and prevention of major clinical complications, and they cost less. Thus, while other agents may be required for selected clinical indications or for blood pressure control, diuretics should be drugs of first choice or included in most antihypertensive regimens especially in African American hypertensives.

Posterior Segment Approach for Subretinal Transplantation or Injection in the Canine Model.

A posterior segment approach for cell transplantation or injection into the subretinal space of the dog has been developed. Controlled penetration to the subretinal space was achieved using a 29-gauge injection cannula, either blunted or with a 30° sharpened bevel, and partially ensheathed with moveable plastic tubing. Depending on the injection volume used, the retina detached, and the fluid was reabsorbed within 1 - 3 weeks, although for smaller volumes the retina reattached within a matter of days. The optimal injection volume used was between 100 and 150 μl, or two injections of 55 μl each. By ophthalmoscopy following the surgery, it was possible to serially monitor the injection site and retinal bleb through fundus photography. Light microscopy demonstrates the distribution of stable, viable RPE cells in the subretinal space up to 6 months. The transplantation technique developed for the dog is atraumatic and free from any major surgical or clinical complications. It can be readily used to deliver cells or fluids to localized regions of the subretinal space.

Nonstandard and adjunctive medical therapies for systemic lupus erythematosus

Nonstandard and adjunctive medical therapies for systemic lupus erythematosus

Long-term follow-up of severely atrophic edentulous mandibles reconstructed with short Brånemark implants.

Oral implant treatment (Brånemark System) of edentulous mandibles has been presented in numerous studies. However, with regard to the severely atrophic lower jaw, no long-term follow-up studies with solely short implants are available. The purpose of the present investigation was to retrospectively follow the long-term treatment outcome of patients with severely resorbed edentulous mandibles being subjected to oral implant placement with short (6-7 mm) Brånemark implants. A total of 247 standard (7 mm long, Ø 3.75 mm) and 13 wide (6 mm long, Ø 5 mm) implants were inserted in 49 patients, all of whom exhibited severe resorption of edentate mandibles. Fixed implant-supported prostheses were manufactured for 45 patients, whereas 4 patients received overdentures. The patients were followed for a mean period of 8 years (range, 1-14 yr). Seventeen implants failed during the study period (cumulative implant survival rate 95.5% at 5-yr and 92.3% at 10-yr follow-up). Implant-supported constructions were worn continuously throughout the investigation by all study subjects. Marginal bone loss, measured after 1, 5, and 10 years of function, concurred with studies of Brånemark implants placed in more voluminous mandibles. No major clinical or construction complications occurred in the followed patients. The outcome of the present study showed that placement of short Brånemark implants without the use of bone grafting procedures for reconstruction of severely atrophic edentulous mandibles is a highly predictable treatment procedure.

Evolving experience with direct puncture therapeutic embolization for adjunctive and palliative management of head and neck hypervascular neoplasms.

The use of percutaneous, direct puncture therapeutic embolization (DPTE) of hypervascular head and neck neoplasms is a relatively new modality that may be used to supplement or supplant conventional endovascular transarterial embolization. Although the preliminary clinical experience reported by a single group has been favorable, extensive case series experience is lacking. This prompted us to review our recent clinical experience with these techniques to determine safety, efficacy, and emerging role in the overall neurointerventional therapeutic armamentarium. A retrospective analysis of the previous 34 consecutive cases of hypervascular tumors undergoing DPTE referred to our service for therapeutic devascularization was performed. Complete case record review was undertaken. Twenty-six of 34 cases involved DPTE of head and neck neoplasms. Conventional diagnostic angiography was performed for therapeutic planning and to assist in precise localization. When performed, standard microcatheter transarterial embolization techniques were used either before or after attempted DPTE. Cyanoacrylate embolic mixtures (n-butyl cyanoacrylate [NBCA], lipiodol, powdered tungsten) were used in 21 of 24 cases, and absolute ethanol in 3 of 24. Direct puncture angiography of the targeted tumor neovasculature was always performed before DPTE. Twenty-four of 26 cases had technically successful DPTE. Combined transarterial embolization with DPTE was used in 16 of 24 cases, although for the last 12 cases, 9 were treated predominantly or exclusively by DPTE. There were no major or minor clinical complications, and there was one asymptomatic technical complication. Total or near-total devascularization was achieved in all cases. All preoperative cases had excellent hemostasis within the resected tumor bed. Our results lend further support to the safety and efficacy of DPTE in the management of hypervascular neoplasms of the head and neck. With our increasing experience, this technique is evolving into a primary therapeutic modality for optimal tumor devascularization.

Peripheral hepatojejunostomy as palliative treatment for irresectable malignant tumors of the liver hilum.

To evaluate the concept of surgical decompression of the biliary tree by peripheral hepatojejunostomy for palliative treatment of jaundice in patients with irresectable malignant tumors of the liver hilum. Jaundice, pruritus, and recurrent cholangitis are major clinical complications in patients with obstructive cholestasis resulting from malignant tumors of the liver hilum. Methods for palliative treatment include endoscopic stenting, percutaneous transhepatic drainage, and surgical decompression. The palliative treatment of choice should be safe, effective, and comfortable for the patient. In a retrospective study, surgical technique, perioperative complications, and efficacy of treatment were analyzed for 56 patients who had received a peripheral hepatojejunostomy between 1982 and 1997. Laparotomy in all of these patients had been performed as an attempt for curative resection. Hepatojejunostomy was exclusively palliative in 50 patients and was used for bridging to resection or transplantation in 7. Anastomosis was bilateral in 36 patients and unilateral in 20. The 1-month mortality in the study group was 9%; median survival was 6 months. In patients surviving >1 month, a marked and persistent decrease in cholestasis was achieved in 87%, although complete return to normal was rare. Among the patients with a marked decrease in cholestasis, 72% had no or only mild clinical symptoms such as fever or jaundice. Peripheral hepatojejunostomy is a feasible and reasonably effective palliative treatment for patients with irresectable tumors of the liver hilum. In patients undergoing exploratory laparotomy for attempted curative resection, this procedure frequently leads to persistent-although rarely complete-decompression of the biliary tree. In a few cases it may also be used for bridging to transplantation or liver resection after relief of cholestasis.

The safety of reusing ablation catheters with temperature control and the need for a validation protocol and guidelines for reprocessing.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the safety of reusing ablation catheters with temperature control, which has not previously been reported. A review of previously conducted studies on the feasibility of reusing electrode catheters is also presented. From September 1994 to December 1997, 74 deflectable ablation catheters with temperature control (Cordis-Websters and Osypkas) were used during mean 7.6 +/- 8.0 ablation sessions. The catheter tests included visual inspection for surface defects using a magnification glass, impedance measurements, evaluation of the catheter deflection capability, and the integrity of the thermistor and thermocouple. The catheters were sterilized by Sterrad after each use. A total of 41 catheters were rejected after an average 9.1 +/- 8.8 uses (range 1-31). The main reasons for rejection were inaccurate temperature measurements by the thermistor or thermocouple (19%), breakage of or defect in the internal pulling wire (12%), loss or disturbance of electrogram (9%), and loss of deflection capability (8%). The reuse of the catheters has not resulted in any major catheter failures or any major adverse clinical complications. There were no local or systemic infections. It can be concluded that these types of ablation catheters will sustain repeated uses and resterilizations without untoward harm to the patient provided that a thorough validation protocol and guidelines for quality control and rejection of catheters are used. There seems to be no rational for setting a limit for the number of reuses, since most failures occurred at any time of reuse.

Cardiopulmonary effects of bilateral hemithorax ventilation and diagnostic thoracoscopy in dogs

Abstract Objective To describe alterations in respiratory and cardiovascular variables during diagnostic thoracoscopy, using bilateral hemithorax ventilation with sustained pneumothorax. Animals 7 adult dogs. Procedure Each dog was anesthetized and instrumented for 2 episodes of cardiopulmonary monitoring that were performed at an interval of more than 14 days. The first anesthetic episode served as a control procedure for the thoracoscopy treatment performed during the second anesthetic episode. Multiple cardiopulmonary variables were evaluated by comparing changes from baseline values within treatments and between treatments. Results Arterial oxygen tension decreased significantly from baseline values during thoracoscopy but was unchanged during sham treatment. Arterial carbon dioxide tension, clinical shunt fraction, and systemic mean arterial pressure increased during thoracoscopy. In contrast, these variables were unaffected by the sham treatment. Heart rate and cardiac index increased during sham and thoracoscopy treatments; however, the increase was significantly greater during thoracoscopy. Total peripheral vascular resistance significantly decreased from baseline values for both treatments, but the decrease was greater during thoracoscopy. Significant changes were not observed for oxyhemoglobin saturation or pulmonary vascular resistance during either treatment. Dogs recovered without major clinical complications. Conclusions Significant changes were found for several cardiopulmonary variables during bilateral hemithorax ventilation with sustained pneumothorax for diagnostic thoracoscopy of clinically normal dogs. Clinical Relevance Diagnostic thoracoscopy with bilateral hemithorax ventilation and sustained pneumothorax is well tolerated in clinically normal dogs and may provide a diagnostic modality enabling intrathoracic procedures with less morbidity than thoracotomy for dogs with intrathoracic disease. (Am J Vet Res 1998;59:1494–1498)

Directional Coronary Atherectomy in Acute Myocardial Infarction

Balloon angioplasty (percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty, PTCA) is an established common strategy in the treatment of acute myocardial infarction (MI) with high success rates but a 5–10% incidence of reclosure/reinfarction due to thrombus and/or intimal flaps. Directional coronary atherectomy (DCA) by removing plaque/thrombus and achieving larger postprocedural luminal diameter may further decrease the incidence of reclosure/reinfarction, with a resultant better in-hospital outcome in this setting. We analyzed the clinical, procedural and in-hospital outcome of patients who underwent DCA or PTCA within 48 h of MI. Long lesions (>20 mm), large angiographic intracoronary thrombus, lesions in a bend, heavy calcification, and vessel diameter <3.0 mm were excluded from the study. Although slow flow occurred more frequently during DCA (17 vs. 9% during PTCA, p = 0.04), procedural success (<50% final diameter stenosis with TIMI-3 flow) was achieved in 96% of DCA and 92% of PTCA group (nonsignificant). Acute closure occurred in 9% of the PTCA group versus 2% of the DCA (p = 0.05), and the composite endpoint of in-hospital reinfarction, reintervention, bypass surgery or death was present in 9% of PTCA cases versus none of DCA cases (p = 0.03). There were no major peripheral vascular complications requiring surgery in either group. Therefore, DCA appears safe and effective in selected patients with recent MI, and is associated with a low incidence of major clinical complications.

Clinical and Economic Impact of Diabetes Following Coronary Artery Bypass

Background.Diabetes has been shown to have a negative impact on mortality following coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. This analysis examines the impact of diabetes on additional clinical and economic outcomes.Material and methods.Between May and October of 1996, 312 consecutive patients undergoing isolated primary CABG were followed through hospital discharge. A total of 114 diabetics (37%) and 198 nondiabetics (63%) was evaluated. Among the diabetics, 62 (54%) were insulin requiring and 52 (46%) were treated with oral hypoglycemic agents or with diet alone.Results.The incidences of major clinical complications including death, renal failure, stroke, reexploration for bleeding, and mediastinitis or sternal dehiscence were not significantly different among insulin-requiring diabetics, noninsulin-requiring diabetics, and nondiabetics. However, insulin-requiring diabetics had a significantly longer (P< 0.01) total length of stay compared to both noninsulin-requiring diabetics and nondiabetics (10.7 ± 12.7 days vs. 5.6 ± 1.5 days vs. 6.8 ± 5.4 days, respectively), a significantly longer (P< 0.01) intensive care unit length of stay (5.3 ± 12.4 days vs. 1.4 ± 0.8 days vs. 2.0 ± 3.9 days, respectively), and significantly greater (P< 0.01) total hospital charges (48.7 ± 56.1 thousand dollars vs. 29.3 ± 4.3 thousand dollars vs. 32.9 ± 18.9 thousand dollars, respectively). There were no significant differences between the noninsulin-requiring diabetics and the nondiabetics with regard to these clinical and economic outcomes.Conclusions.Diabetics treated with oral hypoglycemic agents or with diet alone have clinical and economic outcomes similar to nondiabetics following CABG. Insulin-requiring diabetes, however, predicts significantly increased hospital resource utilization. Future outcome assessment and resource utilization analyses must stratify diabetes by treatment to be completely accurate.