Ber-Ming Liu

Transcatheter Arterial Embolization in the Emergency Department for Hemodynamic Instability Due to Ruptured Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Analysis of 167 Cases

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to analyze the prognostic factors associated with emergency transcatheter arterial embolization in the treatment of patients in hemodynamically unstable condition caused by rupture of hepatocellular carcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS An 8-year retrospective cohort study was conducted to evaluate emergency transcatheter arterial embolization in the treatment of 167 patients in unstable hemodynamic condition (systolic blood pressure < 90 mm Hg at presentation) due to rupture of hepatocellular carcinoma. The clinical, laboratory, and imaging findings of a group who died (survival period, < or = 30 days) were compared with those of a group who survived more than 30 days. RESULTS On arrival in the emergency department, the group who died (n = 52) were in significantly worse condition than the group who survived (n = 115). The group who died had a poorer Child-Pugh class, lower hemoglobin and serum albumin levels, higher demand for blood transfusion, higher incidence of acute respiratory failure, worse neurologic status (Glasgow Coma Scale score, < or = 12), greater prevalence of portal vein thrombosis, and higher serum total bilirubin and creatinine levels (p < 0.05, two-sample Students t test and Fishers exact or chi-square test). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that patients who did not have portal venous thrombosis (odds ratio, 0.241; p = 0.012) or a lower creatinine level (odds ratio, 0.458; p = 0.003) had better probability of survival. Successful hemostasis with transcatheter arterial embolization was achieved in 99% of patients (30-day mortality rate, 31%). Patients with coexistent acute respiratory failure or impaired neurologic status and marked hyperbilirubinemia (> 2.7 mg/dL) had exceptionally high mortality rate (> 70%). CONCLUSION Emergency transcatheter arterial embolization is effective for hemostasis of ruptured hepatocellular carcinoma in patients in hemodynamically unstable condition being treated in the emergency department. However, patients with portal venous thrombosis, a high serum creatinine level, acute respiratory failure, impaired neurologic status, and a high serum total bilirubin level continue to be at high risk of death.

Risk factors for the outcome of cirrhotic patients with soft tissue infections.

Goal The aims of this study were to identify risk factors that influence outcomes of cirrhotic patients with soft tissue infections and to describe specific management for such patients. Background Soft tissue infections account for 11% of infections overall in cirrhotic patients and the severe form of necrotizing infection carries a high mortality rate. It is essential that clinicians make an early diagnosis and start appropriate treatment to improve outcomes of cirrhotic patients with soft tissue infections. Methods Cirrhotic patients who had been admitted to our hospital with the diagnosis of soft tissue infection from June 1, 2003 to June 1, 2005 were included in this retrospective study. Clinical manifestations, laboratory data, and microbiologic results were recorded and compared between survivor and nonsurvivor groups. Results There was a total of 118 episodes of admission for soft tissue infection with 26 episodes resulting in mortality and 92 in survival. The following clinical parameters showed significant differences between the 2 groups: Child-Pugh grade C, pain, altered consciousness, emergence of hemorrhagic bullae, and local injury. The following laboratory data showed significant differences between the 2 groups: appearance of band form, serum creatinine, serum albumin below 2.5 g/dL, serum bilirubin above 3 mg/dL, and prothrombin time prolongation greater than 5 seconds. Gram-negative bacterial infection was predominant in the nonsurvivor group and was statistically significant. Multivariate analysis showed that the emergence of hemorrhagic bullae and Child-Pugh grade C were independent predictive factors for outcome. Conclusions When treating soft tissue infection in cirrhotic patients, especially in those with Child-Pugh C liver function or emergence of hemorrhagic bullae, it is essential to start surgical evaluation and specific broad-spectrum antibiotics early to reduce the high mortality associated with this disease.

Determining delayed admission to the intensive care unit for mechanically ventilated patients in the emergency department

IntroductionThe adverse effects of delayed admission to the intensive care unit (ICU) have been recognized in previous studies. However, the definitions of delayed admission vary across studies. This study proposed a model to define `delayed admission’, and explored the effect of ICU waiting time on patients’ outcome.MethodsThis retrospective cohort study included nontraumatic adult patients on mechanical ventilation in the emergency department (ED), from July 2009 to June 2010. The primary outcomes measures were 21-ventilator-day mortality and prolonged hospital stays (over 30 days). Models of Cox regression and logistic regression were used for multivariate analysis. The non-delayed ICU waiting was defined as a period in which the time effect on mortality was not statistically significant in a Cox regression model. To identify a suitable cutoff point between `delayed’ and `non-delayed’ subsets from the overall data were made based on ICU waiting time and the hazard ratio of ICU waiting hour in each subset was iteratively calculated. The cutoff time was then used to evaluate the impact of delayed ICU admission on mortality and prolonged length of hospital stay.ResultsThe final analysis included 1,242 patients. The time effect on mortality emerged after 4 hours, thus we deduced ICU waiting time in the ED of >4 hours as delayed. By logistic regression analysis, delayed ICU admission affected the outcomes of 21-ventilator-day mortality and prolonged hospital stay, with an odds ratio of 1.41 (95% confidence interval, 1.05 to 1.89) and 1.56 (95% confidence interval, 1.07 to 2.27) respectively.ConclusionsFor patients on mechanical ventilation in the ED, delayed ICU admission is associated with higher probability of mortality and additional resource expenditure. A benchmark waiting time of no more than 4 hours for ICU admission is recommended.

Appendicitis Complicated by Hemoperitoneum

Differential diagnosis of acute appendicitis in women of childbearing age is a challenge because of the range of gynecologic and obstetric problems with similar manifestations. We report a case of acute appendicitis with the rarely encountered complication of hemoperitoneum in a sexually active 32-year-old woman. The patient presented with right lower quadrant pain and a positive culdocentesis with non-clotting blood. Hemorrhagic corpus luteal cyst was the initial impression. Ruptured appendicitis with abscess formation and complicated hemoperitoneum was diagnosed later with the aid of abdominal computed tomographic scan, and was confirmed during operation. Hemoperitoneum may be a complication of appendicitis with abscess formation; a detailed medical history and physical examination are helpful in making the diagnosis.