Milic Veljovic

Cytokine profile in severe gram-positive and gram-negative abdominal sepsis

Sepsis is a principal cause of death in critical care units worldwide and consumes considerable healthcare resources. The aim of our study was to determine whether the early cytokine profile can discriminate between Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteraemia (GPB and GNB, respectively) and to assess the prognostic value regarding outcome in critically ill patients with severe abdominal sepsis. The outcome measure was hospital mortality. Blood samples were obtained from 165 adult patients with confirmed severe abdominal sepsis. Levels of the proinflammatory mediators TNF-α, IL-8, IL-12 and IFN-γ and the anti-inflammatory mediators IL-1ra, IL-4, IL-10 and TGF-β1 were determined and correlated with the nature of the bacteria isolated from the blood culture and outcome. The cytokine profile in our study indicated that the TNF-α levels were 2-fold, IL-8 were 3.3-fold, IFN-γ were 13-fold, IL-1ra were 1.05-fold, IL-4 were 1.4-fold and IL-10 were 1.83-fold higher in the GNB group compared with the GPB group. The TNF-α levels were 4.7-fold, IL-8 were 4.6-fold, IL-1ra were 1.5-fold and IL-10 were 3.3-fold higher in the non-survivors compared with the survivors.

Desarterialización hemorroidal transanal, un procedimiento seguro y eficaz para el tratamiento ambulatorio de la enfermedad hemorroidal

INTRODUCTIONnThis prospective, observational study evaluated transanal dearterialization (THD) efficacy and safety in grade 2-4 hemorrhoids (HD).nnnMETHODSnTHD was performed under sedation-locoregional anesthesia in 402 outpatients. Patients had follow-up evaluation 3 days, 2 weeks, 1, 6 and 12 months postoperatively. Postoperative complications and recurrence of symptoms at 12 months were analyzed. The relationship between the learning curve and the number of postoperative complications was studied.nnnRESULTSnMean patient age was 46.4 (range 20-85) years. A total of 268 patients (66.6%) were male. Sixteen patients (4.0%) had grade 2 HD, 210 (52.2%) had grade 3 and 176 (43.8%) had grade 4 HD. Surgery lasted 23 (17-34) min. A total of 67 patients had complications: bleeding in 10 patients (2.5%), hemorrhoidal thromboses in 10 (2.5%), perianal fistulas in 5 (1.2%), fissures in 14 (3.5%), urinary retention in 3 (0.8%), residual prolapse in 19 (4.7%), severe anal pain in 3 (0.8%), and perianal abscess in 3 patients (0.8%). Recurrent HD occurred in 6.3% (1/16) of grade 2 HD patients, 5.8% (12/210) of grade 3 patients and 9.7% (17/176) of grade 4 patients. Twelve months after THD, bleeding was controlled in 363 patients (90.5%), prolapse was controlled in 391 (97.3%) and pain markedly improved in 390 patients (97%).nnnCONCLUSIONnTHD appears safe and effective for grade 2-4 HD, and the number of complications decreased with increasing surgeon experience. THD advantages include mild pain, fast recovery, early return to daily activities and low incidence of complications.

Prognostic Value And Daily Trend Of Interleukin-6, Neutrophil CD64 Expression, C-Reactive Protein And Lipopolysaccharide-Binding Protein In Critically Ill Patients: Reliable Predictors Of Outcome Or Not?

Summary Background: Severe sepsis and/or trauma complicated by multiple organ dysfunction syndrome are the leading causes of death in critically ill patients. The aim of this prospective single-centre study was to assess the prognostic value and daily trend of interleukin-6 (IL-6), neutrophil CD64 expression, C-reactive protein (CRP) and lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (LBP) regarding outcome in critically ill patients with severe trauma and/or severe sepsis. Outcome measure was hospital mortality. Methods: One hundred and two critically ill patients admitted to the intensive care unit of a tertiary university hospital were enrolled in this prospective study. Blood samples were collected on admission (day 1), days 2 and 3. Results: CD64 index was 1.6-fold higher on day 1 and 1.78-fold higher on day 2 in non-survivors (p<0.05). The area under the curve (AUC) for the CD64 index on day 1 for outcome was 0.727. At a cut-off level of 2.80 sensitivity was 75% and specificity was 65%. Patients with CD64 index level on day 1 higher than 2.80 had 2.4-fold higher probability of dying. Odds ratio is 2.40; 95% CI 0.60–9.67. Conclusions: CD64 index on day 1 is a fairly good predictor of outcome. AUCs for IL-6, CRP and LBP were < 0.55, suggesting these biomarkers failed to predict outcome.