PEG-J replacement for duodenal levodopa infusion in Parkinson’s disease patients: a retrospective study

Background Reducing percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomies with jejunal extension tubes (PEG-J) related complications is vital to the long-term preservation of duodenal levodopa infusion (DLI) in advanced Parkinson’s disease (APD). Here, we provide data on the frequency of complications for both the standard “pull” and the non-endoscopic, radiologic assisted, “push” replacement PEG-J techniques in APD. Methods We retrospectively identified all patients treated with DLI from October 2009 to January 2020 at the Movement Disorders Center. Patients features and demographics, PEG-J procedures, causes for any discontinuation, reported complications and mortality were collected. In this cohort, PEG-J replacements were performed using the standard “pull” procedure or the radiologic assisted “push” method. Descriptive statistical analysis, t-test and paired t-test with False Discovery Rate correction was performed. Results This retrospective study included 30 APD patients [median age 72 ± 5.6 years; mean disease duration 17.2 + 5.7 years]. Mean treatment duration was 35.6 (30.6) months. Overall, 156 PEG-J procedures were performed, and Nineteen patients (63.3%) had a total of 185 reported complications, 85 of which were peristomal complications. 17 (56.6%) underwent 100 replacement procedures due to complications. The most commonly reported complication for replacement was J-tube dislocation (36%). One patient discontinued treatment after 6 months, due to peripheral neuropathy. Six patients died for causes not related to DLI. PEG-J replacements performed with the “push” method had a higher turnover (5.6 vs. 7.6 mo.), but fewer reported complications (67 vs. 75%). Conclusion The overall rate of complications was lower for “push” technique. This result might have been due to a higher replacement turnover that acted as a protective factor.

Wellens Syndrome: A Review Article

Wellens syndrome is a pre-infarct stage of coronary syndrome and a clinical condition associated with left descending proximal anterior artery stenosis. Diagnostic criteria for Wellens syndrome include clinical history, ECG changes, and laboratory results. The pathognomonic ECG of Wellens syndrome is anterior inverted T-wave in precordial leads, which can be seen during pain-free period, accompanied by isoelectric or minimally elevated ST segment (<1 mm), no precordial Q waves, and normal or slightly elevated cardiac serum markers. Early diagnosis leads to early management and a better prognosis. Early management of Wellens syndrome involves maintaining an airway, breathing, circulation, monitoring vital signs, and medical management. Still, the only definitive management is urgent cardiac angiography to prevent further myocardial ischemia. The combination of early diagnostic and appropriate management will reduce complications and mortality rates. Keywords: Wellens Syndrome, Acute Coronary Syndromes, pre-Infarct MI.

History of Heart Failure in Patients Hospitalized Due to COVID-19: Relevant Factor of In-Hospital Complications and All-Cause Mortality up to Six Months

Background: Patients with heart failure (HF) are at high risk of unfavorable courses of COVID-19. The aim of this study was to evaluate characteristics and outcomes of COVID-19 patients with HF. Methods: Data of patients hospitalized in a tertiary hospital in Poland between March 2020 and May 2021 with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 were analyzed. The study population was divided into a HF group (patients with a history of HF) and a non-HF group. Results: Out of 2184 patients (65 ± 13 years old, 50% male), 12% had a history of HF. Patients from the HF group were older, more often males, had more comorbidities, more often dyspnea, pulmonary and peripheral congestion, inflammation, and end-organ damage biomarkers. HF patients had longer and more complicated hospital stay, with more frequent acute HF development as compared with non-HF. They had significantly higher mortality assessed in hospital (35% vs. 12%) at three (53% vs. 22%) and six months (72% vs. 47%). Of 76 (4%) patients who developed acute HF, 71% died during hospitalization, 79% at three, and 87% at six months. Conclusions: The history of HF identifies patients with COVID-19 who are at high risk of in-hospital complications and mortality up to six months of follow-up.

WAYS TO IMPROVE THE RESULTS OF TREATMENT OF PATIENTS WITH CHOLELITHIASIS AND MECHANICAL JAUNDICE.

Purpose. To create a personalized tactic of surgical treatment of patients with BSD and MJ considering the stage of the pathological process and thereby improve the results of treatment. Materials and methods. The experience of diagnosis and treatment of 537 patients with complications of cholelithiasis, manifested by mechanical jaundice, was analyzed. The first stage was 537 minimally invasive decompressions of the biliary tract, the second-500 different types of endosurgical interventions. Results. Depending on the tactical principles, all the subjects were divided into two groups. In one (control) group (n = 249), patients were admitted from 2010 to 2014. Their treatment was empirical: decompression of the bile tree was performed at different times, and surgery was performed without taking into account the stages of the pathological process and the severity of the patients. In the other analyzed group (n = 251), patients were admitted to the hospital from 2015 to 2019. Their treatment tactics were personalized: taking into account the stages of mechanical jaundice. individual terms of decompression of the bile ducts and the choice of surgical intervention were determined. When comparing the results obtained, the advantage of the personalized approach was established: a decrease in the percentage of postoperative complications and mortality was revealed. Conclusion. In patients with cholelithiasis and jaundice, the severity of the condition is due to hyperbilirubinemia. Stage 2 of mechanical jaundice-determined by the severity of cytolysis in hepatic insufficiency, manifested by hypertransaminasemia. The severity of cholangitis is determined by purulent-inflammatory, as well as septic signs of the disease, characterized by leukocytosis, circulating immune complexes and medium-weight molecules. In the cholestatic stage of jaundice development, treatment is planned, in the cytolytic stage — urgent, and in cholangitis-emergency. The use of personalized tactics for the treatment of patients with breast cancer has reduced the number of complications and mortality.

Direct Oral Anticoagulants (DOAC): Are We Ready for a Pharmacogenetic Approach?

Anticoagulants play an important role in reducing complications and mortality associated with thromboembolic disorders, and anticoagulant therapy has been progressively enriched over the last few years with numerous new options [...]

Challenges of single-stage pancreatoduodenectomy: how to address pancreatogastrostomies with robotic-assisted surgery

Introduction Establishing a sufficient pancreatico-enteric anastomosis remains one of the most important challenges in open single stage pancreatoduodenectomy as they are associated with persisting morbidity and mortality. Applicability on a robotic-assisted approach, however, even increases the requirements. With this analysis we introduce a dorsal-incision-only invagination type pancreatogastrostomy (dioPG) to the field of robotic assistance having been previously proven feasible in the field of open pancreatoduodenectomy and compare initial results to the open approach by means of morbidity and mortality. Methods An overall of 142 consecutive patients undergoing reconstruction via the novel dioPG, 38 of them in a robotic-assisted and 104 in an open approach, was identified and further reviewed for perioperative parameters, complications and mortality. Results We observed a comparable R0-resection rate (p = 0.448), overall complication rate (p = 0.52) and 30-day mortality (p = 0.71) in both groups. Rates of common complications, such as postoperative pancreatic fistula (p = 0.332), postoperative pancreatic hemorrhage (p = 0.242), insufficiency of pancreatogastrostomy (p = 0.103), insufficiency of hepaticojejunostomy (p = 0.445) and the re-operation rate (p = 0.103) were comparable. The procedure time for the open approach was significantly shorter compared to the robotic-assisted approach (p = 0.024). Discussion The provided anastomosis appeared applicable to a robotic-assisted setting resulting in comparable complication and mortality rates when compared to an open approach. Nevertheless, also in the field of robotic assistance establishing a predictable pancreatico-enteric anastomosis remains the most challenging aspect of modern single-stage pancreatoduodenectomy and requires expertise and experience.