Significant Difference In Mortality Research Articles

Polyuria in COVID-19 Patients Undergoing Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic caused an unprecedented number of patients requiring veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV ECMO) therapy. Clinical polyuria was observed at our ECMO center during the pandemic. This study aims to investigate the incidence, potential causes, and implications of polyuria in COVID-19 patients undergoing VV ECMO therapy. Methods: Here, 68 SARS-CoV-2 positive patients receiving VV ECMO were stratified into the following two groups: polyuria (PU), characterized by an average urine output of ≥3000 mL/day within seven days following initiation, and non-polyuria (NPU), defined by <3000 mL/day. Polyuria in ECMO patients occurred in 51.5% (n = 35) within seven days after ECMO initiation. No significant difference in mortality was observed between PU and NPU groups (60.0% vs. 60.6%). Differences were found in the fluid intake (p < 0.01) and balance within 24 h (p = 0.01), creatinine (p < 0.01), plasma osmolality (p = < 0.01), lactate (p < 0.01), urea (p < 0.01), and sodium levels (p < 0.01) between the groups. Plasma osmolality increased (p < 0.01) after ECMO initiation during the observation period. Results: Diuresis and plasma osmolality increased during VV ECMO treatment, while mortality was not affected by polyuria. Conclusions: Polyuria does not appear to impact mortality. Further investigations are warranted to elucidate its underlying mechanisms and clinical implications in the context of VV ECMO therapy and COVID-19 management.

Association of serum creatinine trajectories with one-year mortality after valvular heart surgery: a retrospective cohort study.

Acute renal dysfunction is defined by the maximum increase in serum creatinine (sCr) without considering the pattern of change in sCr. We aimed to identify longitudinal patterns (trajectories) of postoperative sCr concentrations and investigate their association with long-term outcomes in patients undergoing valvular heart surgery. In this retrospective review of 3,436 patients who underwent valvular heart surgery, we applied trajectory projection cluster analysis to identify the trajectories of sCr changes from baseline during the seven postoperative days. Primary and secondary endpoints were to investigate the associations of sCr trajectories with mortality using Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox proportional hazards regression analysis, and a composite of major adverse kidney events (MAKEs) at one year after surgery, respectively. Four clusters were identified: Clusters 1 and 2, a minimal change in sCr (90.1% of patients); Cluster 3, a significant and persistent increase in sCr (4.1% of patients); and Cluster 4, a significant but transient increase in sCr (5.8% of patients). The one-year postoperative mortality rate was higher in Cluster 3 (18.4%) and Cluster 4 (11.6%) than in Cluster 1+2 (2.7%). The Kaplan-Meier survival curve demonstrated significant differences in mortality rates among the clusters (log-rank test, P<0.001). In the multivariable Cox analysis, the sCr trajectory cluster was an independent prognostic factor for mortality. Cluster 3 had a higher prevalence of MAKEs (37.6%) compared with Cluster 1+2 (6.8%, P<0.001) and Cluster 4 (24.1%, P=0.045). The cluster was an independent prognostic factor for MAKEs. The sCr trajectory clusters exhibited significantly different risks of mortality and MAKEs at one year after surgery. Through these sCr trajectories, we confirmed that both the extent of sCr increase and its sustainability during the first seven postoperative days were closely associated with the long-term prognosis after valvular heart surgery.

Use of intraaortic balloon pump in cardiogenic shock patients.

The relevance of the use of intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) in cardiogenic shock (CS) has been discussed over the past years. The aim of this study is to describe asingle-centre 10-year experience with IABP and analyse the risk factors for 30-day mortality. The data for this single-centre, observational, retrospective study were drawn from records dated from January 2012 to May 2022 pertaining to patients presenting with CS, treated with IABP and hospitalised at the Department of Acute Cardiology, Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Prague. Among the patients included in the study, 87% patients presented with newly developed heart failure. The leading cause of CS was acute myocardial infarction accounting for 86% of cases. Hospital mortality was recorded at 39% and the 30-day mortality reached 43%. Upon multi-variable analysis, only the vasoactive inotropic score on day 5 emerged as astatistically significant predictor for 30-day mortality (p=0.0055). Cox regression analysis revealed that the presence of mechanical complications was the only variable identified as yielding astatistically significant impact on the 30-day survival (Log-rank p=0.014, HR 2.19, 95% CI: 1.15‒4.15). There was no statistically significant difference in the 30-day mortality across the SCAI classes. The main cause of CS was anewly developed acute heart failure secondary to acute myocardial infarction. Despite the implementation of mechanical circulatory support, both in-hospital and 30-day mortality rates remained high. Increased vasoactive inotropic score and presence of mechanical complications were identified as significant predictors the 30-day survival (Tab. 6, Fig. 1, Ref. 36). Text in PDF www.elis.sk Keywords: cardiogenic shock, IABP, risk factors, mortality, Czech Republic, AMICS.

Intracoronary thrombolysis in ST-elevation myocardial infarction: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BackgroundDespite restoration of epicardial blood flow in acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), inadequate microcirculatory perfusion is common and portends a poor prognosis. Intracoronary (IC) thrombolytic therapy can reduce microvascular thrombotic...

Long-Term Comparative Effectiveness of Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) Versus Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement (SAVR) in High-Risk Aortic Stenosis Patients: A Meta-Analysis

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has become an alternative to surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) for high-risk patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS). This meta-analysis aims to compare the long-term outcomes of TAVR and SAVR in this population. A systematic search of PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library was conducted up to December 2023. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies comparing TAVR and SAVR with a minimum follow-up of one year were included. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality. Secondary outcomes included cardiovascular mortality, stroke, myocardial infarction (MI), and rehospitalization. Twenty-three studies involving 15,482 patients (TAVR=7,785, SAVR=7,697) were included. The mean follow-up period was 3.2 years (range 1-5 years). There was no significant difference in all-cause mortality between TAVR and SAVR (Hazard Ratio [HR] 1.02, 95% CI 0.95-1.09, p=0.63). Similarly, there were no differences in cardiovascular mortality (HR 1.05, 95% CI 0.96-1.15, p=0.28), stroke (HR 0.98, 95% CI 0.87-1.10, p=0.75), or MI (HR 0.94, 95% CI 0.82-1.08, p=0.39). However, TAVR was associated with a lower rate of rehospitalization (HR 0.85, 95% CI 0.78-0.93, p=0.001). TAVR is a viable alternative to SAVR in high-risk patients with AS, demonstrating comparable long-term survival and safety outcomes. The reduced rehospitalization rate associated with TAVR may be an important consideration for these patients.

Routine Coronary Angiography and Functional Cardiac Tests before Resection of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm in Patients without Symptoms of Myocardial Infarction

INTRODUCTION: Cardiac complications are leaders in the structure of mortality of patients after resection of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA). In recent years more data have been obtained on the possibility of performing invasive coronary angiography (CAG) as a method of preoperative assessment of the condition of the coronary arteries. AIM: To assess the tactics of routine CAG and preventive revascularization of the myocardium in comparison with non-invasive functional tests in patients without clinical manifestations of coronary heart disease (CHD) from positions of the hospital outcomes of AAA resections. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study included 205 patients without clinical and instrumental signs of CHD who underwent AAA resection at National Medical Research Center of Surgery named after A. Vishnevsky in 2001–2021. Patients of the first group (n = 55) underwent CAG before AAA resection and, if significant stenosis of coronary arteries was detected, revascularization of the myocardium was performed. In patients of the second group (n = 71), only functional cardiac tests were conducted before the operation. Patients of the third group were operated on without additional evaluation of cardiac status. RESULTS: In 30.9% of patients of the first group, significant coronary lesions were detected, in 29.5% of them with the involvement of the left main coronary artery. This required 10 percutaneous coronary interventions and 5 coronary artery bypass surgeries, which made 27.0% of patients in this group. No cases of myocardial infarction were recorded in this group. In the second and third groups, one case of myocardial infarction in each group was recorded (p = 0.688). There was no significant difference in the postoperative mortality in all the groups (1.8%; 4.2%; 2.5%, respectively; p = 0.704). To this end, maximally invasive diagnostic tactics increased the average waiting time for AAA resection: 52.2 ± 6.0 days in groups without coronary angiography and myocardial revascularization versus 99.2 ± 13.0 days in the first group. CONCLUSION: In a cohort of patients without anamnestic and clinical manifestations of coronary artery disease, the tactics of routine coronary angiography followed by prophylactic myocardial revascularization did not improve the short-term results of AAA resection, while the waiting period for intervention on the abdominal aorta increased. Preoperative tactics with functional cardiac tests also did not affect the treatment results.

Efficacy analysis of mechanical thrombectomy combined with prolonged mild hypothermia in the treatment of acute middle cerebral artery occlusion: a single-center retrospective cohort study.

To determine the efficacy of mechanical thrombectomy combined with prolonged mild hypothermia compared with conventional treatment in managing acute middle cerebral artery occlusion, and to explore whether extending the duration of hypothermia can improve neurological function. From 2018 to June 2023, a retrospective analysis was conducted on 45 patients with acute middle cerebral artery occlusion treated at the NICU of Suzhou Kowloon Hospital, affiliated with Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine. After thrombectomy, patients were admitted to the neurological intensive care unit (NICU) for targeted temperature management. Patients were divided into two groups: the mild hypothermia group (34.5-35.9°C) receiving 5-7 days of treatment, and the normothermia group (control group) whose body temperature was kept between 36 and 37.5°C using pharmacological and physical cooling methods. Baseline characteristics and temperature changes were compared between the two groups of patients. The primary outcome was the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score at 3 month after surgery, and the secondary outcomes were related complications and mortality rate. Prognostic risk factors were investigated using both univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses. Among 45 patients, 21 underwent prolonged mild hypothermia, and 24 received normothermia, with no significant differences in baseline characteristics between the two groups. The duration of mild hypothermia ranged from 5 to 7 days. The incidence of chills (33.3% vs. 8.3%, p = 0.031) and constipation (57.1% vs. 20.8%, p = 0.028) was significantly higher in the mild hypothermia group compared with the control group. There was no significant difference in mortality rates between the mild hypothermia and the control group (4.76% vs. 8.33%, p = 1.000, OR = 1.75, 95% CI, 0.171-17.949). At 3 month, there was no significant difference in the modified mRS (0-3) score between the mild hypothermia and control groups (52.4% vs. 25%, p = 0.114, OR = 0.477, 95% CI, 0.214-1.066). Infarct core volume was an independent risk factor for adverse neurological outcomes. Prolonged mild hypothermia following mechanical thrombectomy had no severe complications and shows a trend to improve the prognosis of neurological function. The Infarct core volume on CTP was an independent risk factor for predicting neurological function.

Sodium Bicarbonate Treatment and Clinical Outcomes in Chronic Kidney Disease with Metabolic Acidosis: A Meta-Analysis.

In patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), impaired kidney acid excretion leads to the onset of metabolic acidosis (MA). However, the evidence is not yet conclusive regarding the effects of sodium bicarbonate in treating CKD with MA. Databases with PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library were used to search for randomized controlled trials from the inception until November 11, 2023 to identify randomized controlled trials investigating the effect of sodium bicarbonate in participants with CKD and MA. The primary outcome was the change in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). Secondary outcomes included hospitalization rates, change in systolic blood pressure (SBP), all-cause mortality, and mid-arm muscle circumference (MAMC). A random-effects model was applied for analysis, and subgroup, sensitivity analyses were also performed. Fourteen RCTs comprising 2,037 patients demonstrated that sodium bicarbonate supplementation significantly improved eGFR (standardized mean difference [SMD]: 0.33, 95% CI: 0.03 to 0.63, P = 0.03). The group receiving sodium bicarbonate had a lower hospitalization rate (odds ratio: 0.37, 95% CI: 0.25 to 0.55, P < 0.001). Higher MAMC was observed with sodium bicarbonate treatment compared with those without (SMD:0.23, 95% CI: 0.08 to 0.38, P = 0.003, I2 < 0.001). However, higher risk of elevated SBP was found with sodium bicarbonate treatment (SMD:0.10, 95% CI: 0.01 to 0.20, P = 0.03). No significant difference in all-cause mortality was noted. In patients with CKD and MA, sodium bicarbonate supplementation may provide potential benefits in preventing the deterioration of kidney function and increasing muscle mass. However, treatment may be associated with higher blood pressure. Due to the risk of bias stemming from the absence of double-blinded designs and inconsistencies in control group definitions across the studies, further research is crucial to verify these findings.

Evolution of Pulmonary Embolism Response Teams in the United States: A Review of the Literature.

Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a significant cause of cardiovascular mortality, with varying presentations and management challenges. Traditional treatment approaches often differ, particularly for submassive/intermediate-risk PEs, because of the lack of clear guidelines and comparative data on treatment efficacy. The introduction of pulmonary embolism response teams (PERTs) aims to standardize and improve outcomes in acute PE management through multidisciplinary collaboration. This review examines the conception, evolution, and operational mechanisms of PERTs while providing a critical analysis of their implementation and efficacy using retrospective trials and recent randomized trials. The study also explores the integration of advanced therapeutic devices and treatment protocols facilitated by PERTs. PERT programs have significantly influenced the management of both massive and submassive PEs, with notable improvements in clinical outcomes such as decreased mortality and reduced length of hospital stay. The utilization of advanced therapies, including catheter-directed thrombolysis and mechanical thrombectomy, has increased under PERT guidance. Evidence from various studies, including those from the National PERT Consortium, underscores the benefits of these multidisciplinary teams in managing complex PE cases, despite some studies showing no significant difference in mortality. PERT programs have demonstrated potentials to reduce morbidity and mortality, streamlining the use of healthcare resources and fostering a model of sustainable practice across medical centers. PERT program implementation appears to have improved PE treatment protocols and innovated advanced therapy options, which will be further refined as they are employed in clinical practice. The continued expansion of the capabilities of PERTs and the forthcoming results from ongoing randomized trials are expected to further define and optimize management protocols for acute PEs.

Celsior® vs. St Thomas® cardioplegia: analysis of myocardial protection and clinical safety in neonates.

To compare the effectiveness and safety of Celsior® crystalloid solution to St Thomas® solution as cardioplegia in pediatric arterial switch surgery. A retrospective study was conducted on 180 patients who underwent arterial switch operation (ASO) between 2005 and 2019. The patients were divided into two groups: the St Thomas group receiving St Thomas solution and the Celsior® group receiving Celsior® solution. The study aimed to assess myocardial protection while evaluating clinical outcomes of patients between groups. Baseline characteristics not different between groups. The postoperative troponin release trends and blood lactate levels were not different between groups. However, the Celsior® group had a significant lower incidence of delayed sternal closure (9.7% vs. 19.5%; p = 0.09) and mechanical circulatory support (ECMO) (4.9% vs. 24.7%; p < 0.001) compared to the St Thomas group. The length of stay in the intensive care unit (ICU) was significantly shorter in the Celsior® group (4.6 ± 3.36 days vs. 8.72 ± 5.08 days, respectively; p < 0.001). There was no significant difference in 30-day mortality between the two groups (2.9% vs. 2.6%; p = 0.147). The study suggests that Celsior® solution is effective and safe for myocardial protection in pediatric arterial switch surgery. It may offer potential benefits such as reduced need for delayed sternal closure and ECMO support, as well as shorter ICU stay. However, the study has limitations including its retrospective design and the use of different cardioplegic solutions during different time periods. Further prospective randomized trials are needed for confirmation. ClinicalTrials.gov, ID: NCT04616222.

Calcium supplementation during trauma resuscitation: a propensity score-matched analysis from the TraumaRegister DGU®

BackgroundIn major trauma patients, hypocalcemia is associated with increased mortality. Despite the absence of strong evidence on causality, early calcium supplementation has been recommended. This study investigates whether calcium supplementation during trauma resuscitation provides a survival benefit.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective analysis using data from the TraumaRegister DGU® (2015–2019), applying propensity score matching to balance demographics, injury severity, and management between major trauma patients with and without calcium supplementation. 6 h mortality, 24 h mortality, and in-hospital mortality were considered as primary outcome parameters.ResultsWithin a cohort of 28,323 directly admitted adult major trauma patients at a European trauma center, 1593 (5.6%) received calcium supplementation. Using multivariable logistic regression to generate propensity scores, two comparable groups of 1447 patients could be matched. No significant difference in early mortality (6 h and 24 h) was observed, while in-hospital mortality appeared higher in those with calcium supplementation (28.3% vs. 24.5%, P = 0.020), although this was not significant when adjusted for predicted mortality (P = 0.244).ConclusionIn this matched cohort, no evidence was found for or against a survival benefit from calcium supplementation during trauma resuscitation. Further research should focus on understanding the dynamics and kinetics of ionized calcium levels in major trauma patients and identify if specific conditions or subgroups could benefit from calcium supplementation.

Chemical Compositions and Fumigation Effects of Essential Oils Derived from Cardamom, Elettaria cardamomum (L.) Maton, and Galangal, Alpinia galanga (L.) Willd, against Red Flour Beetle, Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae).

This study explores the use of essential oils from cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum (L.) Maton) and galangal (Alpinia galanga (L.) Willd) as alternatives to synthetic insecticides for controlling the red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum (Herbst). The chemical compositions of these oils were analyzed using GC-MS, and their fumigation effects were tested in a vapor-phase bioassay. The experiment followed a factorial design with four types of essential oils, namely, those manually extracted from cardamom leaves (MCL) and galangal leaves (MGL) and those commercially produced from cardamom seeds (CCS) and galangal rhizomes (CGR), at seven concentrations (0, 50, 100, 150, 200, 250, and 300 µL/L air). The manually extracted oils yielded 0.6% from cardamom leaves and 0.25% from galangal leaves. MCL contained 28 components, with eucalyptol (25.2%) being the most abundant, while CCS had 34 components, primarily α-terpinyl acetate (46.1%) and eucalyptol (31.2%). MGL included 25 components, mainly caryophyllene (28.7%) and aciphyllene (18.3%), whereas CGR comprised 27 components, with methyl cis-cinnamate (47.3%) and safrole (19.8%) as the major constituents. The fumigation bioassay results revealed that CGR was the most effective, demonstrating the highest mortality rates of T. castaneum across all the tested periods and concentrations, achieving up to 96% mortality at 168 h with a concentration of 300 µL/L air. Statistical analyses showed significant differences in mortality based on the type and concentration of essential oil, particularly after 96 h. These findings highlight the potential of CGR, with its advantages and differences in chemical composition, as an effective biopesticide against T. castaneum, with increasing efficacy over time and at higher concentrations.

Upper gastrointestinal bleeding on veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support

IntroductionPatients on veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (V-A ECMO) support are at a high risk of hemorrhagic complications, including upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB). The objective of this study was to evaluate the incidence and impact of this complication in V-A ECMO patients.Materials and methodsA retrospective single-center study (2013–2017) was conducted on V-A ECMO patients, excluding those who died within 24 h. All patients with suspected UGIB underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) and were analyzed and compared to the remainder of the cohort, from the initiation of ECMO until 5 days after explantation.ResultsA total of 150 V-A ECMO cases (65 after cardiac surgery and 85 due to medical etiology) were included. 90% of the patients received prophylactic proton pump inhibitor therapy and enteral nutrition. Thirty-one patients underwent EGD for suspected UGIB, with 16 confirmed cases of UGIB. The incidence was 10.7%, with a median occurrence at 10 [7–17] days. There were no significant differences in clinical or biological characteristics on the day of EGD. However, patients with UGIB had significant increases in packed red blood cells and fresh frozen plasma needs, mechanical ventilation duration and V-A ECMO duration, as well as in length of intensive care unit and hospital stays. There was no significant difference in mortality. The only independent risk factor of UGIB was a history of peptic ulcer (OR = 7.32; 95% CI [1.07–50.01], p = 0.042).ConclusionUGIB occurred in at least 1 out of 10 cases of V-A ECMO patients, with significant consequences on healthcare resources. Enteral nutrition and proton pump inhibitor prophylaxis did not appear to protect V-A ECMO patients. Further studies should assess their real benefits in these patients with high risk of hemorrhage.

Clinical efficacy of different therapeutic strategies in patients with spontaneous rupture of the esophagus: a multicenter retrospective cohort study.

The therapeutic strategy for patients with spontaneous rupture of the esophagus includes surgical repair, endoscopic therapy, supportive care, and others. However, no evidence exists to direct clinical decision-making regarding the choice of operative and nonoperative management. The aim of this study was to determine the clinical efficacy of different therapeutic strategies in both general and stratified patients. This study retrospectively analyzed a consecutive cohort of 101 patients at nine tertiary referral hospital centers in China. Patients were divided into operative and nonoperative groups based on the initial treatment. Short-term outcomes, including 90-day mortality, length of hospital stay, and postoperative leakage were compared. Subgroup analysis was performed based on treatment timing and Pittsburgh perforation severity score (PSS). Of 101 patients, 60 (58.4%) underwent operative management. A significant difference of 90-day mortality between operative and nonoperative groups was observed (15.0% vs. 34.1%, P=0.031). Operative management tend to yield similar therapeutic benefits in timely (OR, 0.250; 95% CI, 0.05-1.14, P=0.073) and delayed (OR, 0.42; 95% CI, 0.12-1.47, P=0.175) treatment groups. Based on PSS stratification, operative management significantly decreased the risk of 90-day mortality (OR, 0.211; 95% CI, 0.064-0.701; P=0.011) for patients in low- and moderate-risk groups but may be detrimental for patients in high-risk group (OR, 1.333; 95% CI, 0.233-7.626; P=0.746). Operative management might be superior to nonoperative management for low- and moderate-risk patients with spontaneous rupture of the esophagus. However, for patients at high risks, operative management might not provide additional benefits compared with nonoperative management. Further research involving larger sample sizes is required for accurate patient stratification and conclusive evidence-based guideline.

Surgical treatment of atrial fibrillation in elderly patients undergoing high risk cardiac surgery

BackgroundEvaluating outcomes of concurrent Cox-Maze procedures in elderly patients undergoing high-risk cardiac surgery.MehodsWe retrospectively identified patients aged over 70 years with Atrial Fibrillation (AF) from 2011 to 2017 who had two or more other cardiac procedures. They were subdivided into two groups: 1. Cox-Maze IV AF ablation. 2. No-Surgical AF treatment. A propensity match score was used to generate a homogeneous cohort and to eliminate confounding variables. Heart rhythm was assessed from Holter reports or 12-lead ECG. Follow-up data was collected through telephone consultations and medical records.ResultsThere were 239 patients. Median follow up was 61 months. 70 patients had Cox-Maze IV procedures (29.3%). Demographic, intra- and post-operative outcomes were similar between groups although duration of pre-operative AF was shorter in Cox-Maze group (p = 0.001). There was no significant 30-day mortality difference in propensity matched cohorts (n = 84. P = 0.078). Sinus rhythm at annual and latest follow-up was 84.9% and 80.0% respectively in Maze group – 160 patients (66.9%) were alive at long-term follow-up with good survival outcomes in Cox Maze group. There was a high proportion of patients in NYHA 1 status in Cox-Maze group. No differences observed in freedom from stroke (p = 0.80) or permanent pacemaker (p = 0.33) between the groups.ConclusionsSurgical ablation is beneficial in elderly patients undergoing high-risk surgery - promoting excellent long-term freedom from AF and symptomatic / prognostic benefits, without added risk. Therefore, surgical risk should not be reason to deny benefits of concomitant AF-ablation.Clinical trial registrationNot required.

Congenital malformation in green turtle embryos and hatchlings.

Successful embryonic development depends on the interaction between genetic factors and environmental variables. Congenital malformations in sea turtles can result from extreme conditions during the incubation period, reducing hatching success and potentially impeding population recovery. We aimed to characterize the congenital malformations found in green turtle nests, determine their prevalence and severity, and understand their drivers during the 2022 nesting season on Samandağ beach on northern Mediterranean nesting beaches. A total of 2986 examples of congenital malformations were observed in 362 out of 907 green turtle nests. The prevalence of congenital malformations per nest was 39%, and the severity (the number of malformed individuals per nest) was 3.8%. Nests with congenital malformations exhibited a lower mean distance from the sea, a shorter incubation duration (a proxy for incubation temperature), lower hatching success, a larger clutch size, and higher mortality at late embryonic and hatchling stages than nests without congenital malformations. There was no significant difference in total mortality between these two nest types. A total of 52 different congenital malformations were recorded, 2 of which were observed for the first time in sea turtles and 28 for the first time in green turtles. The results suggest that congenital malformations may be related to nest temperature and clutch size, while overall mortality may be independent of malformations. Pigmentation disorders and craniofacial malformations typically coexist in cases of multiple malformations. Long-term monitoring of congenital malformations is crucial, as it can provide clues about the health status of the nesting beach and nesting colony.

Sedation with Ketamine-Propofol in Patients Undergoing Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation: A Comparative Retrospective Study on General Anesthesia.

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is used for patients with severe aortic stenosis who are at high risk for surgery. Since these patients are elderly and have comorbidities, their management is of great importance. This retrospective study compares two anesthesia techniques during TAVI: sedation (ketamine and propofol) and general anesthesia. Patients with severe aortic stenosis undergoing TAVI during 2021 in our hospital were retrospectively screened. Demographic data, comorbidities, anesthesia management, complications, and mortality of the patients were obtained from the records. There were 137 patients treated with TAVI; 74 (54%) patients had sedation and 63 (46%) had general anesthesia. When the anesthesia management was evaluated, no significant difference in mortality was observed between the patients who received general anesthesia and sedation. After univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to investigate factors having an impact on mortality, anemia (only in univariate analysis) in the whole study population was a statistically significant risk factor for mortality in patients undergoing TAVI (p<0.014). There was no significant difference in mortality in terms of anesthesia management. Anemia was a risk factor for mortality (only in univariate analysis) in the whole study population. We concluded that conscious sedation with ketamine and propofol is effective and safe for TAVI procedures compared to general anesthesia.

Efficacy and Safety of Azvudine in Patients With COVID-19 in China: A Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies.

Azvudine (FNC) is a novel small molecule antiviral drug for treating COVID-19 that is available only on the Chinese market. Despite being recommended for treating COVID-19 by the Chinese guidelines, its efficacy and safety are still unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the protective effect of FNC on COVID-19 outcomes and its safety. We followed the PRISMA 2020 guidelines and searched the PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) databases to evaluate studies on the effectiveness of FNC in treating COVID-19 in China, focusing on mortality and overall outcomes. Additionally, its impact on the length of hospital stay (LOHS), time to first nucleic acid negative conversion (T-FNANC), and adverse events was evaluated. The inclusion criterion was that the studies were published from July 2021 to April 10, 2024. This study uses the ROBINS-I tool to assess bias risk and employs the GRADE approach to evaluate the certainty of the evidence. The meta-analysis included 24 retrospective studies involving a total of 11 830 patients. Low-certainty evidence revealed no significant difference in mortality (OR = 0.91, 95% CI: 0.76-1.08) or LOHS (WMD = -0.24, 95% CI: -0.83 to 0.35) between FNC and Paxlovid in COVID-19 patients. Low-certainty evidence shows that the T-FNANC was longer (WMD = 1.95, 95% CI: 0.36-3.53). Compared with the Paxlovid group, low-certainty evidence shows the FNC group exhibited a worse composite outcome (OR = 0.77, 95% CI: 0.63-0.95) and fewer adverse events (OR = 0.63, 95% CI: 0.46-0.85). Compared with supportive treatment, low certainty shows FNC significantly reduced the mortality rate in COVID-19 patients (OR = 0.61, 95% CI: 0.51-0.74) and decreased the composite outcome (OR = 0.67, 95% CI: 0.50-0.91), and very low certainty evidence shows significantly decreased the T-FNANC (WMD = -4.62, 95% CI: -8.08 to -1.15). However, in very low certainty, there was no significant difference in LOHS (WMD = -0.70, 95% CI: -3.32 to 1.91) or adverse events (OR = 1.97, 95% CI: 0.48-8.17). FNC appears to be a safe and potentially effective treatment for COVID-19 in China, but further research with larger, high-quality studies is necessary to confirm these findings. Due to the certainty of the evidence and the specific context of the studies conducted in China, caution should be exercised when considering whether the results are applicable worldwide. PROSPERO number: CRD42024520565.

Does total hip arthroplasty in elderly patients with femoral neck fractures reduce complications? A Japanese DPC study

BackgroundThe global increase in femoral neck fractures due to aging and osteoporosis is a major clinical challenge. The debate on the optimal surgical intervention for femoral neck fractures remains unresolved. This large-scale study explores femoral neck fractures among the elderly, focusing on the comparative outcomes of Total Hip Arthroplasty (THA) versus Bipolar Hemiarthroplasty (BHA) in Japanese patients. MethodsUsing the Japanese National Administrative Diagnosis Procedure Combination (DPC) database, we studied cases of femoral neck fracture from April 2016 to March 2023, and after propensity score matching by age, sex, and comorbidities, we examined the association between THA, complications, and clinical outcomes, and the usefulness of THA for elderly patients with femoral neck fracture. ResultsOne-to-one propensity score matching identified 7741 pairs of THA and BHA cases. There was no difference in length of stay between the THA and BHA groups. Significantly more blood transfusions were required in the THA group. There was no significant difference in mortality between the THA and BHA groups, but there was a reduced risk of pneumonia in the THA group, with a ratio of 0.547 (95% CI: 0.418–0.715). On the other hand, the THA group had a higher risk of pulmonary embolism, with a ratio of 1.607 (95% CI: 1.379–1.874). The THA group shows improved discharge rates directly home from the facility where the operation was performed, with a ratio of 1.798 (95% CI: 1.675–1.929). ConclusionThe findings of this research indicate that THA is more effective than BHA in enabling elderly Japanese patients with femoral neck fractures to be discharged directly home and in preventing pneumonia, despite concerns about pulmonary embolism. These findings suggest that THA may improve functional prognosis in elderly patients with femoral neck fractures, although there is a trade-off with an increased risk of pulmonary embolism.

Short-term outcomes of robotic left ventricular patch ventriculoplasty for significant mitral annular calcification

ObjectiveSurgical management of mitral annular calcification remains challenging. Our institution pursued a strategy of total mitral annular calcification resection with pericardial patch reconstruction of the left ventricle when primary atrioventricular groove closure was not possible. We present the short-term outcomes derived after implementing this strategy. MethodsA single-institution retrospective analysis included patients with significant mitral annular calcification undergoing totally endoscopic robotic mitral valve surgery between October 2009 and August 2023. Mitral valve repair was performed in patients with sufficient posterior leaflet length. Patients requiring pericardial patch ventriculoplasty were compared with those in whom primary atrioventricular groove closure was possible (non–pericardial patch ventriculoplasty). ResultsOf 1441 patients who underwent totally endoscopic mitral valve surgery, 217 (15.1%) presented with significant mitral annular calcification. Pericardial patch ventriculoplasty was performed in 69 patients (31.8%). Patients undergoing non–pericardial patch ventriculoplasty were significantly younger than patients undergoing pericardial patch ventriculoplasty (63.4 vs 67.8 years, P = .01). Mitral valve repair was conducted in 145 patients (98.0%) in the non–pericardial patch ventriculoplasty group versus 56 patients (81.2%) in the pericardial patch ventriculoplasty group (P < .01). The median postoperative length of stay was significantly shorter in the non–pericardial patch ventriculoplasty group (3 vs 5 days, P < .01). There was no significant difference in postoperative stroke (0.7% vs 2.9%, P = .50) or 30-day mortality (1.4% vs 1.4%, P = 1.00). Three-year survival was comparable between the groups (97.4% vs 93.7%, P = .52). ConclusionsTotally endoscopic robotic mitral valve repair is a safe and feasible technique for the management of mitral annular calcification with promising results at 3 years. Patients who required atrioventricular groove pericardial patch reconstruction had similar outcomes to those in whom primary closure was possible.