Srinivas Bollineni

Clinical presentation and predictors of outcome in patients with severe acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease requiring admission to intensive care unit

BackgroundSevere acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AE-COPD) is a common reason for emergency room (ER) visit about which little has been documented from India.MethodsProspective study of the clinical presentation and predictors of outcome in 116 patients presenting with severe AE-COPD requiring admission to the medical intensive care unit between January 2000 and December 2004.ResultsTheir mean age was 62.1 ± 9.8 years. There were 102 males. Mean duration of COPD was 7.2 ± 5.8 years. All males were smokers (22.3 ± 11.2 pack years); 35.2% smoked cigarettes and 64.8% smoked bidis. All women were exposed to domestic fuel. Associated co-morbid illnesses were present in 81 patients (69.8%); 53(45.7%) had one co-morbid illness and the remaining 28 (54.3%) had two or more co-morbid illnesses. Evidence of past pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) was present in 28.4% patients; 5 patients who also had type II diabetes mellitus had active PTB. Arterial blood gas analysis revealed respiratory failure in 40 (33.8%) patients (type I 17.5% and type II 82.5%). Invasive mechanical ventilation was required in 18 patients. Sixteen (13.7%) patients died. Stepwise multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed need for invasive ventilation (OR 45.809, 95%CI 607.46 to 3.009;p < 0.001); presence of co-morbid illness (OR 0.126, 95%CI 0.428 to 0.037;p < 0.01) and hypercapnia (OR 0.114, 95%CI 1.324 to 0.010;p < 0.05) were predictors of death.ConclusionCo-morbid conditions and metabolic abnormalities render the diagnosis of AE-COPD difficult and also contribute to mortality. High prevalence of past PTB and active PTB in patients with AE-COPD suggests an intriguing relationship between smoking, PTB and COPD which merits further study.

Hospital length of stay after lung transplantation: Independent predictors and association with early and late survival

BACKGROUND Duration of index hospitalization after lung transplantation (LTx) is an important variable that has not received much attention. We sought to determine independent predictors of prolonged hospital length of stay (LOS) and its association with early and late outcomes. METHODS The United Network of Organ Sharing database was queried for adult patients undergoing LTx between 2006 and 2014 (N = 14,320). Patients with dual organ or previous transplantation and patients who died during the first 25 days after LTx were excluded (n = 12,647, mean age 55.2 years ± 13.1). Primary outcome was prolonged LOS (>25 days) (3,251/12,647; 25.7%). Donor, recipient, and procedure-related variables were analyzed as potential predictors of prolonged LOS. Association of prolonged LOS with 1-year and 5-year survival was evaluated using Cox proportional hazards analysis. RESULTS Independent predictors of prolonged LOS included serum albumin, lung allocation score, functional status, and need of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation or ventilator support at the time of transplant; donor age >40 years; gender mismatch (female donor to male recipient); donor body mass index; African American ethnicity; ischemic time >6 hours; and double LTx. Prolonged LOS was independently associated with increased mortality at 1 year (hazard ratio, 3.96; 95% confidence interval, 3.48-4.50; p < 0.001) and 5 years (hazard ratio, 2.00; 95% confidence interval, 1.79-2.25; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS A significant proportion of patients have a prolonged LOS after LTx, and several recipient, donor, and procedure-related variables are independent predictors of this outcome. Patients with prolonged LOS after LTx have significantly increased risk of death at 1 year and 5 years.

Contemporary analysis of incidence of post-operative atrial fibrillation, its predictors, and association with clinical outcomes in lung transplantation

BACKGROUND Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common complication after lung transplantation (LT). Since the lung allocation score (LAS) was implemented in 2005, there has been significant evolution in the practice of LT, necessitating re-evaluation of this arrhythmia. METHODS One hundred thirty-one patients undergoing LT between January 2011 and April 2013 were reviewed retrospectively to assess the occurrence of AF and its outcomes (mortality, morbidity measures, treatment strategies). Uni- and multivariate logistic regression models were constructed to ascertain predictors of AF. RESULTS Forty-six patients (35.1%) developed post-operative AF at 4.65 ± 3.68 days post-LT. The AF group was older (60.07 vs 54.48 years, p = 0.01), and had higher rates of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) (73.33% vs 43.53%, p = 0.001). There was no difference in mortality, ICU length of stay (LOS) and ventilator days; however, the AF group had a significantly higher mean hospital LOS by 8.43 days (17.09 vs 25.52, p = 0.04). Age (OR = 1.04, p = 0.03) and CPB (OR = 3.68, p = 0.002) were identified as predictors of AF by stepwise logistic regression after adjusting for gender, history of AF, type of LT, pulmonary hypertension and LT indication. In the AF group, 78.26% of patients required combination therapy. Anti-arrhythmics were used in 52.17% of patients. Dofetilide/ibutilide use was not associated with increased mortality. A total of 97.82% were in sinus rhythm at discharge. CONCLUSIONS To our knowledge, this is the first study to examine post-operative AF exclusively in the post-LAS era. Incidence of AF after LT is 35%. It increases hospital LOS, but not mortality. Management of AF is challenging and dofetilide/ibutilide serve as effective adjuncts to current therapy.

Predictors of outcome among patients on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation as a bridge to lung transplantation

There is a lack of data regarding clinical variables associated with successful bridge to lung transplantation (LT) using extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support.

Association of pretransplant kidney function with outcomes after lung transplantation

There is a lack of data regarding the independent association of pretransplant kidney function with early and late outcomes among lung transplant (LT) recipients.

Left Ventricular Dysfunction After Lung Transplantation for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

BACKGROUND Lung transplantation (LT) is the final treatment option for patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Perioperative challenges after LT are unique and commonly include excessive bleeding, arrhythmias, and primary graft dysfunction. Transient left ventricular dysfunction (LVD) is a known postoperative complication, but not fully explored. We describe our experiences at a single institution. METHODS We reviewed our database for patients with PAH who underwent LT from July 2008 to July 2012. The data were analyzed for preoperative inotrope use, intravenous prostacyclin, cardiac catheterization, and imaging. Also measured were perioperative ischemic time, bypass time, primary graft dysfunction, ventilator days, length of stay, and mortality. LVD is defined as acute cardiopulmonary compromise (acute worsening of hypoxia with new bilateral infiltrates on imaging) with a drop in LV systolic function of 15% from baseline. We compared data between patients with LVD and without LVD. RESULTS Sixteen patients met the criteria, the majority of patients (10) with World Health Organization (WHO) group 1 PAH. Thirteen received intravenous prostacyclin therapy, and 6 required inotropes before surgery. Five patients (31%) developed LVD after transplantation. Average time to onset of LVD was 4.2 days. Preoperative vasopressors were required in 60% of those developing LVD. Patients with LVD had lower right and left ventricular ejection fraction with higher left ventricular end diastolic volume before surgery. All patients recovered from LVD within 4 months after LT. CONCLUSIONS LVD is a phenomenon observed mostly in patients with WHO group 1 PAH receiving LT. Prompt recognition and treatment of this condition reduced morbidity.

Predicting mortality in critically ill obstetric patients requiring intensive care unit admission in India.

Starting with the intensive coronary care units (ICCUs) in the early 1970s and the respiratory care units in the mid 1970s critical care medicine has come a long way in India to emerge as a specialty in its own rights. Presently several centers provide critical care facilities not only in large metros but also in smaller cities and even small towns; these are run by the corporate sector charitable institutions/societies and the government sector. However only a few of these centers are accessible to pregnant women. Even then pregnant and postpartum women form up to 7% of admissions in Indian intensive care units (ICUs) especially in public hospitals. Even though obstetric patients constitute a considerable proportion of patients admitted to intensive ICUs sparse data are available from developing countries regarding the critical care perspective of pregnant women. Critical care in obstetrics still remains a neglected area especially in developing countries like India. (excerpt)

Characteristics and outcomes among patients with need for early dialysis after lung transplantation surgery

With the introduction of lung allocation score (LAS), increasingly sicker patients are undergoing lung transplantation (LT). This study was conducted to determine the time trends in need for dialysis after LT, identify variables independently associated with need for dialysis, and evaluate its association with 1‐ and 5‐year mortality.

Catheter-Directed Pharmacologic Thrombolysis for Acute Pulmonary Embolism Immediately Following Lung Transplantation

device. The StarClose device is another valid option to close femoral artery defects up to 12-F (3). In each case, the combination of PSA neck catheterization via the contralateral CFA and foreign body retrieval techniques allowed flossing wire placement through the original arteriotomy and subsequent treatment using a closure device. This inside-out technique avoided the perceived risk of thrombin and offers another possible method of sealing damage after catheterization without surgery.

Evaluation of Current Strategies for Surveillance and Management of Donor Specific Antibodies: Single Center Study.

Although the presence of donor‐specific antibodies (DSA) is known to impact lung allograft, limited data exist regarding DSA management.