scholarly journals A selective antibiotic prophylaxis policy for laparoscopic cholecystectomy is effective in minimising infective complications

2013 ◽  
Vol 95 (5) ◽  
pp. 345-348 ◽  
Author(s):  
F Yanni ◽  
P Mekhail ◽  
G Morris-Stiff

Introduction It has been demonstrated previously that the identification of bactibilia during cholecystectomy is associated with the presence of one or more risk factors: acute cholecystitis, common duct stones, emergency surgery, intraoperative findings and age >70 years. Current evidence-based guidance on antibiotic prophylaxis during laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is based on elective procedures and does not take into account these factors. The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of a selective antibiotic prophylaxis policy limited to high risk patients undergoing LC with the development of port site infections as the primary endpoint. Methods One hundred consecutive patients undergoing LC under the care of a single consultant surgeon during a one-year period were studied prospectively. Data collected included patient demographics (age, sex) as well as details of the history of gallstone disease to determine those with complex disease and risk factors for bactibilia. A single dose of antibiotics (second generation cephalosporin and metronidazole) was administered on induction to patients with a risk factor present. Information relating to all radiologically or microbiologically confirmed infections was documented. Results Eighty-four of the patients were female and the mean age was 47.7 ±16.0 years. Nineteen LCs were performed as emergencies and the remainder were elective procedures. A risk factor for bactibilia was present in 35 patients. A wound infection was identified in four cases, two of which were Staphylococcus aureus (one methicillin resistant), one was a coagulase negative Staphylococcus and one wound cultured a mixed anaerobic growth. Three of the infections occurred in patients receiving prophylaxis (2 staphylococcal and 1 anaerobic) at intervals of 7, 14 and 19 days respectively. One patient with a body mass index of 32kg/m2 in the ‘no prophylaxis’ group developed a coagulase negative staphylococcal infection at 10 days. No intra or extra-abdominal abdominal infections were identified. Conclusions This study has demonstrated that restricting antibiotic prophylaxis to high risk patients has no detrimental effects in terms of increasing the rate of infections in those with no risk factors. Furthermore, the act of not prescribing to low risk patients will limit costs and the risk of adverse events. It will also reduce the risk of resistance and clostridial infections in this cohort.

Author(s):  
Phillip M. Kleespies ◽  
Justin M. Hill

This chapter illustrates the mental health clinician’s relationship with behavioral emergencies. The chapter begins by distinguishing the terms behavioral emergency and behavioral crisis, and underlying themes among all behavioral emergencies are identified. Given that most clinicians will face a behavioral emergency in their careers, the importance of enhancing the process of educating and training practitioners for such situations far beyond the minimal training that currently exists is highlighted. The chapter continues by exploring various aspects of evaluating and managing high-risk patients (i.e., those who exhibit violent tendencies toward themselves or others, and those at risk for victimization). It includes a discussion of the benefits and limitations to estimating life-threatening risk factors and specific protective factors. The chapter concludes by discussing the emotional impact that working with high-risk patients has on clinicians, and an emphasis is placed on the importance of creating a supportive work environment.


2020 ◽  
pp. 1358863X2097973
Author(s):  
Fabrizio Losurdo ◽  
Roberto Ferraresi ◽  
Alessandro Ucci ◽  
Anna Zanetti ◽  
Giacomo Clerici ◽  
...  

Medial arterial calcification (MAC) is a known risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity. The association between vascular calcifications and poor outcome in several vascular districts suggest that infrapopliteal MAC could be a risk factor for lower-limb amputation (LLA). This study’s objective is to review the available literature focusing on the association between infrapopliteal MAC and LLA in high-risk patients. The PubMed and Embase databases were systematically searched. We selected original studies reporting the association between infrapopliteal MAC and LLAs in patients with diabetes and/or peripheral artery disease (PAD). Estimates were pooled using either a fixed-effects or a random-effects model meta-analysis. Heterogeneity was evaluated using the Q and I2 statistics. Publication bias was investigated with a funnel plot and Egger test. The trim-and-fill method was designed to estimate the possibly missing studies. Influence analysis was conducted to search studies influencing the final result. Test of moderators was used to compare estimates in good versus non-good-quality studies. Fifteen articles satisfied the selection criteria ( n = 6489; median follow-up: 36 months). MAC was significantly associated with LLAs (pooled adjusted risk ratio (RR): 2.27; 95% CI: 1.89–2.74; I2 = 25.3%, Q-test: p = 0.17). This association was kept in the subgroup of patients with diabetes (RR: 2.37; 95% CI: 1.76–3.20) and patients with PAD (RR: 2.48; 95% CI: 1.72–3.58). The association was maintained if considering as outcome only major amputations (RR: 2.11; 95% CI: 1.46–3.06). Our results show that infrapopliteal MAC is associated with LLAs, thus suggesting MAC as a possible new marker of the at-risk limb.


2012 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 415-419
Author(s):  
J K Mitra

Hypotension during spinal anaesthesia for caesarean section remains a common scenario in our clinical practice. Certain risk factors play a role in altering the incidence of hypotension. Aortocaval compression counteraction does not help to prevent hypotension. Intravenous crystalloid prehydration has poor efficacy; thus, the focus has changed toward co-hydration and use of colloids. Phenylephrine is established as a first- line vasopressor, although there are limited data from high-risk patients. Ephedrine crosses the placenta more than phenylephrine and cause possible alterations in the foetal physiology.http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/kumj.v8i4.6242 Kathmandu Univ Med J 2010;8(4):415-19   


2016 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
pp. 117-122 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brenda J. Weigel ◽  
Elizabeth Lyden ◽  
James R. Anderson ◽  
William H. Meyer ◽  
David M. Parham ◽  
...  

Purpose Patients with metastatic rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS), except those younger than 10 years with embryonal RMS, have an estimated long-term event-free survival (EFS) of less than 20%. The main goal of this study was to improve outcome of patients with metastatic RMS by dose intensification with interval compression, use of the most active agents determined in phase II window studies, and use of irinotecan as a radiation sensitizer. Patients and Methods Patients with metastatic RMS received 54 weeks of therapy: blocks of therapy with vincristine/irinotecan (weeks 1 to 6, 20 to 25, and 47 to 52), interval compression with vincristine/doxorubicin/cyclophosphamide alternating with etoposide/ifosfamide (weeks 7 to 19 and 26 to 34), and vincristine/dactinomycin/cyclophosphamide (weeks 38 to 46). Radiation therapy occurred at weeks 20 to 25 (primary) but was also permitted at weeks 1 to 6 (for intracranial or paraspinal extension) and weeks 47 to 52 (for extensive metastatic sites). Results One hundred nine eligible patients were enrolled, with a median follow-up of surviving patients of 3.8 years (3-year EFS for all patients, 38% [95% CI, 29% to 48%]; survival, 56% [95% CI, 46% to 66%]). Patients with one or no Oberlin risk factor (age > 10 years or < 1 year, unfavorable primary site of disease, ≥ three metastatic sites, and bone or bone marrow involvement) had a 3-year EFS of 69% (95% CI, 52% to 82%); high-risk patients with two or more risk factors had a 3-year EFS of 20% (95% CI, 11% to 30%). Toxicity was similar to that on prior RMS studies. Conclusion Patients with metastatic RMS with one or no Oberlin risk factor had an improved 3-year EFS of 69% on ARST0431 compared with an historical cohort from pooled European and US studies; those with two or more risk factors have a dismal prognosis, and new approaches are needed for this very-high-risk group.


2019 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 402-407
Author(s):  
Daphne M Stol ◽  
Monika Hollander ◽  
Ilse F Badenbroek ◽  
Mark M J Nielen ◽  
François G Schellevis ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Early detection and treatment of cardiometabolic diseases (CMD) in high-risk patients is a promising preventive strategy to anticipate the increasing burden of CMD. The Dutch guideline ‘the prevention consultation’ provides a framework for stepwise CMD risk assessment and detection in primary care. The aim of this study was to assess the outcome of this program in terms of newly diagnosed CMD. Methods A cohort study among 30 934 patients, aged 45–70 years without known CMD or CMD risk factors, who were invited for the CMD detection program within 37 general practices. Patients filled out a CMD risk score (step 1), were referred for additional risk profiling in case of high risk (step 2) and received lifestyle advice and (pharmacological) treatment if indicated (step 3). During 1-year follow-up newly diagnosed CMD, prescriptions and abnormal diagnostic tests were assessed. Results Twelve thousand seven hundred and thirty-eight patients filled out the risk score of which 865, 6665 and 5208 had a low, intermediate and high CMD risk, respectively. One thousand seven hundred and fifty-five high-risk patients consulted the general practitioner, in 346 of whom a new CMD was diagnosed. In an additional 422 patients a new prescription and/or abnormal diagnostic test were found. Conclusions Implementation of the CMD detection program resulted in a new CMD diagnosis in one-fifth of high-risk patients who attended the practice for completion of their risk profile. However, the potential yield of the program could be higher given the considerable number of additional risk factors—such as elevated glucose, blood pressure and cholesterol levels—found, requiring active follow-up and presumably treatment in the future.


2018 ◽  
Vol 22 (11) ◽  
pp. 1903-1910
Author(s):  
Xiaoyu Kang ◽  
Liyue Zheng ◽  
Wei Zeng ◽  
Shengye Yang ◽  
Hao Sun ◽  
...  

Circulation ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 129 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
David M Kern ◽  
Sanjeev Balu ◽  
Ozgur Tunceli ◽  
Swetha Raparla ◽  
Deborah Anzalone

Introduction: This study aimed to compare the demographic and clinical characteristics of patients with different risk factors for CHD as defined by NCEP ATP III guidelines. Methods: Dyslipidemia patients (≥1 medical claim for dyslipidemia, ≥1 pharmacy claim for a statin, or ≥1 LDL-C value ≥100 mg/dL [index date]) aged ≥18 y were identified from the HealthCore Integrated Research Environment from 1/1/2007-7/31/2012. Patients were classified as low risk (0 or 1 risk factor): hypertension, age ≥45 y [men] or ≥55 y [women], or low HDL-C), moderate/moderately high risk (≥2 risk factors), high risk (having CHD or CHD risk equivalent), or very high risk (having ACS or other established cardiovascular disease plus diabetes or metabolic syndrome). Demographics, comorbidities, medication use and lipid levels during the 12 months prior, and statin use during the 6 months post-index date were compared across risk groups (very high vs each other risk group). Results: There were 1,524,351 low-risk (mean age: 47 y; 45% men), 242,357 moderate-risk (mean age: 58 y; 59% men), 188,222 high-risk (mean age: 57 y; 52% men), and 57,469 very-high-risk (mean age: 63 y; 61% men) patients identified. Mean Deyo-Charlson comorbidity score differed greatly across risk strata: 0.20, 0.33, 1.26, and 2.22 from low to very high risk (p<.0001 for each). Compared with high-risk patients, very-high-risk patients had a higher rate of ischemic stroke: 5.4% vs 4.1%; peripheral artery disease: 17.1% vs 11.6%; coronary artery disease: 8.5% vs 8.2%; and abdominal aortic aneurysm: 2.3% vs 2.0% (p<.05 for each). Less than 1% of the total population had a prior prescription for each non-statin lipid-lowering medication (bile acid sequestrants, fibrates, ezetimibe, niacin, and omega-3). Very-high-risk patients had lower total cholesterol (very-high-risk mean: 194 mg/dL vs 207, 205, and 198 mg/dL for low-, moderate-/moderately-high-, and high-risk patients, respectively) and LDL-C (very-high-risk mean: 110 mg/dL vs 126, 126, and 116 mg/dL for the other risk groups; p<.0001 for each); higher triglycerides (TG) (very-high-risk mean: 206 mg/dL vs 123, 177, and 167 mg/dL for the other groups; p<.0001 for each); and lower HDL-C (very-high-risk mean: 45 mg/dL vs 57 [p<.0001], 45 [p=.006], and 51 mg/dL [p<.0001]). Statin use was low overall (15%), but higher in the very-high-risk group (45%) vs the high- (29%), moderate-/moderately-high- (18%), and low- (12%) risk groups (p<.0001 for each). Conclusions: Despite a large proportion of patients having high lipid levels, statin use after a dyslipidemia diagnosis was low: ≥80% of all patients (and more than half at very high risk) failed to receive a statin, indicating a potentially large population of patients who could benefit from statin treatment. Prior use of non-statin lipid-lowering medications was also low considering the high TG and low HDL-C levels among high-risk patients.


Stroke ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 45 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael F Waters ◽  
Brian L Hoh ◽  
Michael J Lynn ◽  
Tanya N Turan ◽  
Colin P Derdeyn ◽  
...  

Background: The SAMMPRIS trial showed that aggressive medical therapy was more effective than stenting for preventing stroke in high-risk patients with symptomatic intracranial stenosis. However, 15% of patients in the medical group still had a primary endpoint (any stroke or death within 30 days of enrollment or stroke in the territory beyond 30 days) during a median follow-up of 32.7 months. We sought to determine baseline risk factors that were associated with a primary endpoint in the medical arm of SAMMPRIS. Methods: Data on 227 patients randomized to the medical group in SAMMPRIS were analyzed. Baseline demographic features, vascular risk factors, qualifying event, brain imaging and angiographic features were analyzed. The hazard ratio and p-value from a Cox proportional hazard regression model relating time until a primary endpoint to each factor were calculated. Results: Female gender, diabetes, stroke as the qualifying event (especially non-penetrator stroke), old infarct in the territory of the stenotic artery, and > 80% stenosis were associated (p < 0.10) with a higher risk of the primary endpoint on univariate analysis (see accompanying table) (multivariate analysis will be available by the time of ISC). Variables not associated with a higher risk of a primary endpoint in the medical arm included: age, race, antithrombotic therapy at the time of a qualifying event, time from qualifying event to enrollment (< 7 days vs. > 7 days), and location of stenosis. Conclusions: Several features were associated with an increased risk of the primary endpoint in the medical group in SAMMPRIS. On univariate analysis, the most important risk factors were an old infarct in the territory of the stenotic artery and stroke (especially non-penetrator stroke) as the qualifying event. These features will be useful for identifying particularly high-risk patients who should be targeted for future clinical trials testing alternative therapies to aggressive medical management.


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