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Risk Factors for Gastrointestinal Bleeding in Critically Ill Patients

Background The efficacy of prophylaxis against stress ulcers in preventing gastrointestinal bleeding in critically ill patients has led to its widespread use. The side effects and cost of prophylaxis, however, necessitate targeting preventive therapy to those patients most likely to benefit. Methods We conducted a prospective multicenter cohort study in which we evaluated potential risk factors for stress ulceration in patients admitted to intensive care units and documented the occurrence of clinically important gastrointestinal bleeding (defined as overt bleeding in association with hemodynamic compromise or the need for blood transfusion). Results Of 2252 patients, 33 (1.5 percent; 95 percent confidence interval, 1.0 to 2.1 percent) had clinically important bleeding. Two strong independent risk factors for bleeding were identified: respiratory failure (odds ratio, 15.6) and coagulopathy (odds ratio, 4.3). Of 847 patients who had one or both of these risk factors, 31 (3.7 percent; 95 percent confidence ...

Evaluation of A ventilation strategy to prevent barotrauma in patients at high risk for acute respiratory distress syndrome

BACKGROUND A strategy of mechanical ventilation that limits airway pressure and tidal volume while permitting hypercapnia has been recommended for patients with the acute respiratory distress syndrome. The goal is to reduce lung injury due to overdistention. However, the efficacy of this approach has not been established. METHODS Within 24 hours of intubation, patients at high risk for the acute respiratory distress syndrome were randomly assigned to either pressure- and volume-limited ventilation (limited-ventilation group), with the peak inspiratory pressure maintained at 30 cm of water or less and the tidal volume at 8 ml per kilogram of body weight or less, or to conventional ventilation (control group), with the peak inspiratory pressure allowed to rise as high as 50 cm of water and the tidal volume at 10 to 15 ml per kilogram. All other ventilatory variables were similar in the two groups. RESULTS A total of 120 patients with similar clinical features underwent randomization (60 in each group). The patients in the limited-ventilation and control groups were exposed to different mean (+/-SD) tidal volumes (7.2+/-0.8 vs. 10.8+/-1.0 ml per kilogram, respectively; P<0.001) and peak inspiratory pressures (23.6+/-5.8 vs. 34.0+/-11.0 cm of water, P<0.001). Mortality was 50 percent in the limited-ventilation group and 47 percent in the control group (relative risk, 1.07; 95 percent confidence interval, 0.72 to 1.57; P=0.72). In the limited-ventilation group, permissive hypercapnia (arterial carbon dioxide tension, >50 mm Hg) was more common (52 percent vs. 28 percent, P=0.009), more marked (54.4+/-18.8 vs. 45.7+/-9.8 mm Hg, P=0.002), and more prolonged (146+/-265 vs. 25+/-22 hours, P=0.017) than in the control group. The incidence of barotrauma, the highest multiple-organ-dysfunction score, and the number of episodes of organ failure were similar in the two groups; however, the numbers of patients who required paralytic agents (23 vs. 13, P=0.05) and dialysis for renal failure (13 vs. 5, P= 0.04) were greater in the limited-ventilation group than in the control group. CONCLUSIONS In patients at high risk for the acute respiratory distress syndrome, a strategy of mechanical ventilation that limits peak inspiratory pressure and tidal volume does not appear to reduce mortality and may increase morbidity.

Massive hiatus hernia: evaluation and surgical management.

OBJECTIVE Paraesophageal hernias represent advanced degrees of sliding hiatus hernia with intrathoracic displacement of the intraesophageal junction. Gastroesophageal reflux disease occurs in most cases, resulting in acquired short esophagus, which should influence the type of repair selected. METHODS Between 1960 and 1996, 94 patients with massive, incarcerated paraesophageal hiatus hernia were operated on at the Toronto General Hospital. The mean age was 64 years (39 to 85 years), with a female to male ratio of 1.8:1. Organoaxial volvulus was present in 50% of cases. Clinical presentation in these patients included postprandial pain in 56%, dysphagia in 48%, chronic iron deficiency anemia in 38%, and aspiration in 29%. Symptomatic reflux, either present or remote, was recorded in 83% of cases. All patients underwent endoscopy by the operating surgeon. In 91 of 94 patients, the esophagogastric junction was found to be above the diaphragmatic hiatus, denoting a sliding type of hiatus hernia. Gross, endoscopic peptic esophagitis was observed in 36% of patients: ulcerative esophagitis in 22% and peptic esophagitis with stricture in 14%. A complete preoperative esophageal motility study was obtained for 41 patients. The lower sphincter was hypotensive in 21 patients (51%), and the amplitude of peristalsis in the distal esophagus was diminished in 24 patients (59%). These abnormalities are both features of significant gastroesophageal reflux disease. In 13 recent, consecutive patients with paraesophageal hernia, the distance between the upper and lower esophageal sphincters was measured during manometry. The average distance was 15.4 +/- 2.33 cm (11 to 20 cm), which is consistent with acquired short esophagus. The normal distance is 20.4 cm +/- 1.9 (p < 0.0001). RESULTS All 94 patients were treated surgically: 97% had a transthoracic repair with fundoplication. A gastroplasty was added in 75 cases (80%) because of clearly defined or presumed short esophagus. There were two operative deaths, and two patients were never followed up. Among the 90 available patients, the mean follow-up was 94 months; median follow-up was 72 months. Seventy-two patients (80%) are free of symptoms (excellent result); 13 (13%) have inconsequential symptoms requiring no therapy (good result); and three patients (4%) are improved but have symptoms requiring medical therapy or interval dilatation (fair result). Two patients had poor results because of recurrent hernia and severe reflux. Both were successfully treated by reoperation with the addition of gastroplasty because of acquired shortening, which was not recognized at the first operation. CONCLUSIONS Most of these 94 patients had symptoms or endoscopic, manometric, and operative findings that were consistent with a sliding hiatus hernia. There was a high incidence of endoscopic reflux esophagitis and of acquired short esophagus. True paraesophageal hernia, with the esophagogastric junction in a normal abdominal location, appears rare. Our observations were supported by measurements obtained at preoperative endoscopy and manometry, and by findings at the time of surgical repair. These observations support the choice of a transthoracic approach for repair in most patients.

Use of silicone stents in the management of airway problems

We report the use of a silicone rubber T tube for the management of complex airway problems in 47 patients during the past 15 years. The tube has been used for palliation in 11 patients with malignant obstruction of the airway, and as the sole treatment or as an adjunct to operation in 36 other patients. Based on the satisfactory results with the use of these tubes, we have utilized silicone stents in the bronchus and bifurcation prostheses at the carina. In the past, we have inserted the T tubes through a tracheostomy stoma. More recently, we have used a technique for endoscopic placement of the T tubes in which the horizontal limb is pulled out through the tracheostomy stoma. This technique facilitates introduction of the tube and maintains the airway during insertion. The use of silicone stents provides an important tool in the management of complicated airway problems, and we anticipate their increased use in the future.

Adenoid cystic carcinoma of the airway: Thirty-two-year experience

METHODS We have reviewed our experience in 38 patients with adenoid cystic carcinoma of the upper airway seen between 1963 and 1995. The mean age was 44.8 years (15 to 80 years) with a male/female ratio of 1:1.1. Thirty-two of the 38 patients were treated by resection and reconstruction (primary anastomosis 28; Marlex mesh prosthesis 4). Twenty-six of the 32 patients undergoing resection received adjuvant radiotherapy. Six patients with unresectable tumors were treated primarily with radiotherapy only. RESULTS Pathologic examination revealed local invasion beyond the wall of the trachea in all patients. In a majority, microscopic extension was found in submucosal and perineural lymphatics, well beyond the grossly visible or palpable limits of the tumor. Lymphatic metastases were relatively uncommon, occurring in only five of 32 (19%) patients undergoing resection. Metachronous hematogenous metastases occurred in 17 of 38 patients (44%). Thirteen of these 38 patients (33%) had pulmonary metastases. Sixteen of 32 resections were complete and potentially curative. There were two deaths within 30 days of operation. The mean survival in the 14 patients undergoing complete resection was 9.8 years (12 months to 29 years). Sixteen of 32 resections were incomplete (residual tumor at the airway margin on final pathologic examination), with one operative death occurring in this group. The mean survival in the 15 surviving patients was 7.5 years (4 months to 21 years). Six patients were treated with primary radiation only and had a mean survival of 6.2 years (2 months to 14.3 years). In the patients with pulmonary metastases, mean survival was 37 months (4 months to 7 years) from the time of diagnosis of the pulmonary metastasis until their death. CONCLUSION Adenoid cystic carcinoma of the upper airway is a rare tumor, which is locally invasive and frequently amenable to resection. Although late local recurrence after resection is a feature of this tumor (up to 29 years), excellent long-term palliation is commonly achieved after both complete and incomplete resection. There was a small difference in survival between patients having complete and incomplete resection. Long periods of control can be obtained with radiotherapy alone. The best results, in this series of patients, were obtained by resection. Adjuvant radiotherapy is assumed to favorably influence survival.

Technique of successful clinical double-lung transplantation.

Lung transplantation has become a successful method in the therapy for end-stage pulmonary disease. While single-lung transplantation provides benefit to patients with pulmonary fibrosis, bilateral lung transplants are required for septic or emphysematous lung disease. We describe the technique employed in 6 patients to transplant en bloc both lungs with the recipient heart left in place. The lungs are connected by a left atrial cuff, main pulmonary artery, and trachea. The completed implantation has a tracheal anastomosis securely wrapped in omentum, a left atrial anastomosis posterior to the heart, and a pulmonary artery anastomosis anteriorly. Airway ischemia resulted in the death of 1 patient. This procedure allows complete excision of all diseased pulmonary tissue, retention of the recipients own heart, and separate excision of the donor heart for use in another recipient, thereby markedly increasing the supply of donor lungs for transplantation.

Significance of Metastatic Disease in Subaortic Lymph Nodes

Thirty-five patients underwent resection of primary bronchogenic carcinoma of the left upper lobe or left main bronchus in the presence of metastatic disease in subaortic lymph nodes. No patient had metastatic disease in other mediastinal node stations. There was 1 postoperative death. Complete follow-up is available on 34 patients. Three-year and five-year actuarial survival for the entire group is 44% and 28%, respectively. For 23 patients undergoing complete resection, five-year actuarial survival is 42%. Resection of primary bronchogenic carcinoma in the presence of subaortic nodal metastases is associated with improved survival relative to reports of survival following resection of metastatic disease in other mediastinal node stations. Resection should be undertaken in these patients especially when it is judged that the resection is likely to be complete.

The Timing of Tracheotomy: A Systematic Review

STUDY OBJECTIVE To examine the impact of the timing of tracheotomy on the duration of mechanical ventilation, the secondary changes to the trachea, and the clinical course of critically ill patients in the ICU. DESIGN A systematic review of the literature. METHODS Two independent reviewers conducted a MEDLINE search for relevant literature in the form of randomized or observational controlled clinical studies. Studies were selected for review by criteria determined a priori; and the methodologic quality of selected studies was evaluated by duplicate independent review, also using criteria determined a priori. RESULTS Five studies were identified, of which three were quasirandomized and none were blinded. Agreement between reviewers of methodologic quality was high (kappa=0.87). CONCLUSIONS There is insufficient evidence to support that the timing of tracheotomy alters the duration of mechanical ventilation or extent of airway injury in critically ill patients.

Long-term results in surgically managed esophageal achalasia

The long-term clinical results of surgical treatment for esophageal achalasia were reviewed in 35 patients having a minimum follow-up of 10 years. Group A (n = 22) are those patients whose first procedure (myotomy and Belsey partial fundoplication) was done at our hospital. Group B (n = 13) are those who had undergone one or more previous operations elsewhere. In group A good to excellent results occurred in 21/22 patients (95%) at 1 year, 17/22 (77%) at 5 years, 15/22 (68%) at 10 years, 11/16 (69%) at 15 years, and 6/9 (67%) at 20 or more years. Two patients underwent early reoperation (2 and 5 years) for dysphagia due to incomplete myotomy. Three patients underwent esophagectomy (7, 19, and 23 years) and one patient underwent an antrectomy and Roux-en-Y diversion (23 years) for late-onset complications of reflux. Three of 13 group B patients had had multiple prior operations and had severe reflux damage at presentation and underwent immediate esophagectomy. Ten patients had one or more conservative operations in our hospital, and 4 of these eventually required esophagectomy for disabling reflux. Therefore, there were 10 patients (groups A+B) who underwent esophageal resection, all but 1 of whom had endoscopically documented reflux and 5 of whom had peptic strictures. Six of the 10 esophagectomies were performed more than 10 years (13 to 23 years) after the first operation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Results of combined pulmonary resection and cardiac operation

BACKGROUND Concomitant lesions of the heart and lung are uncommon, but when present they pose a therapeutic challenge for thoracic surgeons. A combined procedure avoids the need for a second major thoracic procedure and may improve outcomes and provide economic benefit. However, cardiopulmonary bypass may adversely affect the natural history of pulmonary malignancies. METHODS The clinical records of 30 patients were reviewed who underwent simultaneous lung resection and cardiac operations between January 1982 and July 1995. Follow-up was obtained on all 30 patients (mean follow-up, 22 months; range, 1 to 100 months). RESULTS Twenty-four patients underwent coronary artery bypass grafting in conjunction with pulmonary resection. Six patients underwent aortic (n = 4) or mitral (n = 2) valve replacement. The pulmonary resections consisted of pneumonectomy (n = 3), lobectomy (n = 14), wedge excision (n = 12), and tracheal resection (n = 1). Twenty-one patients had pathologic findings that confirmed adenocarcinoma (n = 10), squamous cell carcinoma (n = 5), small cell carcinoma (n = 2), or other malignancy (n = 4). Tumor stage of primary lung cancers was stage I, n = 12; stage II, n = 3; and stage IIIa, n = 2. Pathologic examination revealed benign disease in 9 patients. There were two operative deaths, one due to aspiration and one due to stroke. There were three late deaths, two cardiac and one of metastatic disease. Overall late survival was 85% +/- 7% and 73% +/- 16% at 1 and 5 years, respectively. Actuarial survival for patients with malignant disease was 64% at 5 years. CONCLUSIONS Simultaneous cardiac operation and lung resection was not associated with increased early or late morbidity or mortality. Cardiopulmonary bypass does not adversely affect survival in patients with malignant disease. Cardiac valve replacement can be performed safely in conjunction with pulmonary resection.