scholarly journals The study of severe asthma in Latin America and Spain (1994-2004): characteristics of patients hospitalized with acute severe asthma

2009 ◽  
Vol 35 (7) ◽  
pp. 635-644 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gustavo Javier Rodrigo ◽  
Vicente Plaza ◽  
Jesús Bellido-Casado ◽  
Hugo Neffen ◽  
María Teresa Bazús ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Latin America ◽  
Severe Asthma ◽  
Latin American ◽  
Inhaled Corticosteroids ◽  
Pulmonary Function Tests ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Asthma Management ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Acute Severe Asthma ◽  
The Mean

OBJECTIVE: Studies assessing the characteristics and management of patients hospitalized with asthma have been limited to a small number of facilities and have evaluated short time periods. The present study evaluated long-term changes among hospitalized asthma patients at a large number of facilities. METHODS: This was a retrospective, hospital-based observational case series, designated the Study of Severe Asthma in Latin America and Spain, which was conducted in Spain and in eight Latin-American countries. We reviewed the hospital records of 3,038 patients (age range, 15-69 years) hospitalized with acute severe asthma at one of nineteen tertiary-care hospitals in 1994, 1999 and 2004. RESULTS: Over time, the use of inhaled corticosteroids and long-acting β2 agonists increased significantly, whereas the use of theophylline as a controller medication decreased. The utilization of pulmonary function tests also increased. There was a significant reduction in the mean hospital stay (8.5 days, 7.4 days and 7.1 days in 1994, 1999 and 2004, respectively, p = 0.0001) and a significant increase in the mean of the lowest arterial pH at hospital admission. In contrast, there was a significant decrease in the proportion of cases in which PEF was determined in the emergency room (48.6% in 1994 vs. 43.5% in 2004, p = 0.0001). We found the quality of asthma management and care to be generally better in Spain than in Latin America. CONCLUSIONS: Although there have been certain improvements in the management of asthma between severe exacerbations and during hospitalization, asthma management remains suboptimal in Spain and, especially, in Latin America.

Spinal Surgery During COVID-19 Pandemic in Saudi Arabia

2021 ◽  
pp. 12
Author(s):  
Faisal Konbaz ◽  
Taif Alqahtani ◽  
Nada Alharthi ◽  
Mohammad Baraja ◽  
Nazish Masud ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hospital Admission ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Medical Intervention ◽  
Care Hospital ◽  
Hospital Data ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Chi Square Test ◽  
The Mean ◽  
American Society

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has challenged the healthcare system’s capacities around the world. Due to the alarming situation, medical activities have been restricted to allocate resources to treat COVID-19-infected patients. However, medical emergencies still need urgent medical intervention. Considering the lack of reliable data regarding spinal surgeries during the COVID-19 pandemic, the present study sought to analyze the pattern of spinal surgeries in KSA. Methodology: A case series of patients who had urgent spine surgeries during COVID-19 pandemic was conducted in a tertiary care hospital. Data on patients’ demographics, COVID-19 test result, American Society of Anesthesia Score, SSS grade, diagnosis, and data related to surgery and postoperative findings were collected. All collected data were then processed and analyzed. Surgical outcomes based on source of admission were compared using Chi-square test. Result: A total of 63 patients who underwent spine surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic were included. The mean age of the patients was 53 ± 18 years and males were predominant (59%). The positive COVID-19 patients were 3%. Almost half of the patients were classified into ASA II. The majority were categorized into grade B (65%) according to SSS. The frequently diagnosed condition was fracture (33%), followed by spinal stenosis (18%) and metastatic (10%), while the most mentioned location was lumbar (61%). Postoperative complications were found in 11% of the patients. The readmission rate within 30 days, unplanned return to OR and ICU admission were 19%, 13%, and 11%, respectively. While the mean duration between admission and surgery was 8 ± 20 days, the mean duration of length of stay was 20 ± 29 days. Further, a significant association was seen between the admission source and the surgical procedure performed and surgical indication. Conclusion: It has been demonstrated that the surgical intervention was only provided to patients requiring immediate or urgent spinal management. However, the length of hospitalization and duration between hospital admission and surgery was substantially prolonged. Further studies are warranted to determine the factors leading to prolonged hospitalization and time between hospital admission and surgery.

scholarly journals Asthma Management at Discharge from the Emergency Department: A Descriptive Study

2005 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 219-222 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pascale Gervais ◽  
Isabelle Larouche ◽  
Lucie Blais ◽  
Anne Fillion ◽  
Marie-France Beauchesne
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Inhaled Corticosteroids ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Airflow Obstruction ◽  
Asthma Management ◽  
Descriptive Study ◽  
Management Plan ◽  
Oral Corticosteroids ◽  
Tertiary Care Hospitals

BACKGROUND: The management of asthma remains suboptimal despite the publication of Canadian asthma guidelines in 1999.OBJECTIVES AND METHODS: A descriptive study was conducted to estimate the proportion of patients admitted to the emergency department (ED) for an asthma exacerbation who received a management plan at discharge that was in accordance with seven criteria stated in the Canadian asthma guidelines. The present study took place in two tertiary care hospitals in Montreal, Quebec.RESULTS: A total of 37 patients were enrolled. Three (8%) patients received a management plan at discharge that was in accordance with all seven criteria. Inhaled corticosteroids and oral corticosteroids were prescribed at discharge for 29 (78%) and 35 (95%) patients, respectively. Minimal asthma education was provided for 29 (78%) patients and a medical follow-up was recommended to 22 (60%) patients. Airflow obstruction was evaluated at discharge for only 20 (54%) patients.CONCLUSION: Overall, asthma management at discharge from the ED was generally not in accordance with the 1999 Canadian asthma guidelines. A standardized management plan should be implemented in the ED to improve the care of patients with asthma exacerbations.

scholarly journals Autoimmune Encephalitis in Latin America: A Critical Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gabriel de Albuquerque Vasconcelos ◽  
Rodrigo Montenegro Barreira ◽  
Karmelita Emanuelle Nogueira Torres Antoniollo ◽  
Alina Maria Nuñez Pinheiro ◽  
Cíntia Fernandes Rodrigues Maia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Latin America ◽  
Latin American ◽  
World Literature ◽  
Case Reports ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Autoimmune Encephalitis ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Epidemiologic Factors ◽  
Nmda Receptor Encephalitis

Autoimmune encephalitis is an increasingly recognized cause of encephalitis. The majority of case series report patients residing in developed countries in the northern hemisphere. The epidemiologic features of autoimmune encephalitis in Latin America are still unclear. The aim of the study was to perform a review of the clinical presentation of autoimmune encephalitis in Latin America and compare to world literature. References were identified by an in-depth literature search and selected on the basis of relevance to the topic and authors' judgment. We selected clinical studies and case reports published from 2007 to July, 2020 including patients from Latin American countries. Of the 379 patients included, the majority were cases of anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis (93.14%), followed by anti-VGKC-complex encephalitis (N = 17; 4.48%), anti-GAD encephalitis (N = 9; 2.37%), anti-AMPA receptor encephalitis (N = 1; 0.26%), anti-GABA receptor encephalitis (N = 1; 0. 26%), anti-mGluR5 encephalitis (N = 1; 0. 26%), and anti-mGluR1 encephalitis (N = 1; 0. 26%). Reported cases of Anti-NMDA encephalitis in Latin-America had a very slight female predominance, lower prevalence of associated tumors and a lower incidence of extreme delta brush on electroencephalogram. Autoimmune encephalitis is possibly underdiagnosed in underdeveloped countries. Its outcome after treatment, however, appears to be similarly favorable in Latin American patients as has been reported in developed countries based on available case reports and case series. Regional specificities in the manifestation of autoimmune encephalitis could be related to epidemiologic factors, such as the presence of different triggers and different genetic and immunologic background, that need to be studied by future research.

Acute severe asthma (status asthmaticus)

2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (6) ◽  
pp. 406-409 ◽  
Author(s):  
Neha T. Agnihotri ◽  
Carol Saltoun
Keyword(s):  
Pulse Oximetry ◽  
Severe Asthma ◽  
Status Asthmaticus ◽  
Inhaled Corticosteroids ◽  
Airflow Obstruction ◽  
Forced Expiratory Volume ◽  
Beta Agonist ◽  
Medical Emergency ◽  
Acute Severe Asthma ◽  
Breath Sounds

Acute severe asthma, formerly known as status asthmaticus, is defined as severe asthma unresponsive to repeated courses of beta-agonist therapy. It is a medical emergency that requires immediate recognition and treatment. Albuterol in combination with ipratropium bromide in the emergency department (ED) has been shown to decrease the time spent in the ED and the hospitalization rates. The benefits of ipratropium are not sustained after admission to the hospital. Oral or parenteral corticosteroids should be administered to all patients with acute severe asthma as early as possible because clinical benefits may not occur for a minimum of 6 to 12 hours. Viral respiratory infections are a common trigger for acute asthma; other causes include medical nonadherence, allergen exposure (especially pets and mold [e.g., Alternaria species]) in individuals who are severely atopic, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory exposure in patients with aspirin allergy, irritant inhalation (e.g., smoke, paint), exercise, and insufficient use of inhaled or oral corticosteroids. The patient's history should focus on the acute assessment of asthma control and morbidity, including current use of oral or inhaled corticosteroids; the number of hospitalizations, ED visits, intensive care unit admissions, and intubations; the frequency of albuterol use; the presence of nighttime symptoms; activity intolerance; current medications; exposure to allergens; and other significant medical conditions. Severe airflow obstruction may be predicted by accessory muscle use, difficulty speaking, refusal to recline < 30°, a pulse of >120 beats/min, and decreased breath sounds. More objective measures of airway obstruction via peak flow or forced expiratory volume in 1 second and pulse oximetry before oxygen administration usually are helpful. Pulse oximetry values of >90% are reassuring, although CO2 retention and a low partial pressure of oxygen may be missed.

Over-under cartilage tympanoplasty: technique, results and a call for improved reporting

2020 ◽  
Vol 134 (10) ◽  
pp. 875-881
Author(s):  
I D Erbele ◽  
M R Fink ◽  
G Mankekar ◽  
L S Son ◽  
R Mehta ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Senior Author ◽  
Retrospective Case ◽  
Closure Rate ◽  
Hearing Results ◽  
Middle Ear Cholesteatoma ◽  
Cartilage Tympanoplasty ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Clinically Significant

AbstractObjectiveThis study aimed to describe the microscopic over-under cartilage tympanoplasty technique, provide hearing results and detail clinically significant complications.MethodThis was a retrospective case series chart review study of over-under cartilage tympanoplasty procedures performed by the senior author between January 2015 and January 2019 at three tertiary care centres. Cases were excluded for previous or intra-operative cholesteatoma, if a mastoidectomy was performed during the procedure or if ossiculoplasty was performed. Hearing results and complications were obtained.ResultsSixty-eight tympanoplasty procedures met the inclusion criteria. The median age was 13 years (range, 3–71 years). The mean improvement in pure tone average was 6 dB (95 per cent confidence interval 4–9 dB; p < 0.0001). The overall perforation closure rate was 97 per cent (n = 66). Revision surgery was recommended for a total of 6 cases (9 per cent) including 2 post-operative perforations, 1 case of middle-ear cholesteatoma and 3 cases of external auditory canal scarring.ConclusionOver-under cartilage tympanoplasty is effective at improving clinically meaningful hearing with a low rate of post-operative complications.

Polysomnography Outcomes after Supraglottoplasty in Children with Obstructive Sleep Apnea

2019 ◽  
Vol 161 (4) ◽  
pp. 694-698 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bharat Bhushan ◽  
James W. Schroeder ◽  
Kathleen R. Billings ◽  
Nicholas Giancola ◽  
Dana M. Thompson
Keyword(s):  
Obstructive Sleep Apnea ◽  
Sleep Apnea ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Apnea Hypopnea Index ◽  
Historical Cohort ◽  
Tertiary Care Medical Center ◽  
Obstructive Sleep ◽  
The Mean ◽  
The Impact

ObjectiveLaryngomalacia has been reported to contribute to the severity of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in children. It is unclear if surgical treatment of laryngomalacia improves polysomnography (PSG) outcomes in these patients. The objective of this study is to report the impact of supraglottoplasty on PSG parameters in children with laryngomalacia-related OSA.Study DesignRetrospective case series.SettingTertiary care medical center.Subjects and MethodsHistorical cohort study of consecutive children with laryngomalacia who underwent supraglottoplasty and who had undergone overnight PSG before and after surgery.ResultsForty-one patients were included in the final analysis: 22 (53.6%) were male, and 19 (46.3%) were female. The mean ± SEM age of patients at preoperative PSG was 1.3 ± 0.89 years (range, 0.003-2.9). In entire cohort, the mean obstructive apnea-hypopnea index score was reduced from 26.6 events/h before supraglottoplasty to 7.3 events/h after surgery ( P = .003). Respiratory disturbance index was reduced from 27.3 events/h before supraglottoplasty to 7.8 events/h after surgery ( P = .003). The percentage of REM sleep decreased from 30.1% ± 2.4 to 24.8% ± 1.3 ( P = .04). Sleep efficiency was improved ( P = .05).ConclusionOverall, supraglottoplasty significantly improved several PSG outcomes in children with laryngomalacia. However, mild to moderate OSA was still present postoperatively in most children. This suggested a multifactorial cause for OSA in this population.

Long-Term Hearing Outcomes following Total Ossicular Reconstruction with Titanium Prostheses

2019 ◽  
Vol 161 (1) ◽  
pp. 123-129 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Burton Wood ◽  
Robert Yawn ◽  
Anne Sun Lowery ◽  
Brendan P. O’Connell ◽  
David Haynes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Care Center ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Ossicular Chain ◽  
Tertiary Care Center ◽  
Ossicular Chain Reconstruction ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Hearing Outcomes

Objective(1) Characterize a large cohort of patients undergoing total ossicular chain reconstruction with titanium prosthesis. (2) Analyze long-term hearing outcomes of the same cohort.Study DesignCase series with chart review.SettingTertiary care center.Subject and MethodsThis study reviews patients who underwent total ossicular chain reconstruction (OCR) with titanium prostheses (TORPs) at a single tertiary care center from 2005 to 2015. Patient charts were reviewed for demographic data, diagnosis, and operative details. Patients were included in statistical analysis if length of follow-up was 2 years or more. Evaluation of hearing improvement was made by comparing preoperative air-bone gap (ABG) and ABG at follow-up at 2 years.ResultsIn total, 153 patients were identified who met inclusion criteria. The mean age of included patients was 40 years (range, 6-89 years). Sixty patients (39%) had a history of OCR, and 120 patients (78%) had a diagnosis of cholesteatoma at the time of OCR. Preoperatively, the mean ABG was 36 ± 12, whereas the mean ABG at 2-year follow-up improved to 26 ± 13. This was statistically significant ( P < .0001) using a Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed rank test. Twelve patients (8%) required revision OCR. Two revisions were performed due to prosthesis extrusion (<1%).ConclusionTitanium prostheses lead to significant improvement in hearing over long periods. The results are sustained as far out as 5 years following surgery. In addition, rates of revision surgery with titanium TORPs are low. Based on this series, there are no readily identifiable predictors for outcomes following total OCR.

Patient-related factors associated with severe heat-related illnesses in Karachi: A hospital perspective

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Saima Kanwal ◽  
Sara Sajid ◽  
Noreen Nasir ◽  
Syed Ahsan ◽  
Aysha Almas
Keyword(s):  
Hospital Mortality ◽  
Hospital Admissions ◽  
Tertiary Care Hospital ◽  
Heat Stroke ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Care Hospital ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Hospital Perspective ◽  
The Mean

Abstract In 2015, Karachi saw its first ever epidemic of severe heat-related illnesses that resulted in an extraordinary number of hospital admissions, especially in the intensive care, for fatal heat stroke within-hospital mortality of 3.7%.We conducted this study to elucidate the patient-related factors that lead to an increase in hospital admissions with heat-related illnesses in a tertiary care hospital. It was a descriptive case series conducted in the department of medicine at the Aga Khan University in June 2015. A total of 134 patients were admitted with heat-related illnesses of which 76(56.7%) were males. The mean age of the patients was 66 ±14.5 years. Heatstroke was present in 86 (64.2%) patients, followed by heat exhaustion in 48 (35.8%) and in-hospital mortality from heat-related illnesses was 5(3.7%). Continuous...  

Application of Proximal Lateral Leg Perforator Flaps for Head and Neck Reconstructions

2014 ◽  
Vol 151 (5) ◽  
pp. 791-796 ◽  
Author(s):  
Honda Hsu ◽  
Peir-Rong Chen ◽  
Sou-Hsin Chien ◽  
Jiunn-Tat Lee
Keyword(s):  
Head And Neck ◽  
Donor Site ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Functional Results ◽  
Donor Site Morbidity ◽  
Head And Neck Reconstruction ◽  
Complication Rates ◽  
Recipient Site ◽  
The Mean

Objective Analyze the reliability, complications, and donor site morbidity of the proximal lateral leg flap when applied to head and neck reconstruction. Study Design Case series and chart review. Setting Tertiary care teaching hospital. Subjects and Methods Nineteen patients who underwent reconstruction of various head and neck defects with this flap were analyzed. The patient demographics, flap characteristics, method of donor site closure, scars of the donor area, complication rates, as well as functional results at the recipient site were assessed. Results The flap size ranged from 4 × 4 cm to 11 × 8 cm. Vascular pedicle length ranged from 5 to 9 cm. The mean distance of the perforator from the fibula head was 9.2 cm. The mean thickness of this flap was 5.5 mm. All the donor wounds were closed primarily. The flap survival rate was 100%. Conclusion This flap has the advantages of thinness, short harvesting time, minimal donor site morbidity, and primary closure at the donor site when the flap width is less than 6 cm. This flap may be useful for reconstruction in selected patients with small and thin heads and neck defects.

scholarly journals Sedation for bronchoscopy: current practices in Latin America

2020 ◽  
Vol 46 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Pablo Rubinstein-Aguñín ◽  
Marco Antonio García-Choque ◽  
Alberto López-Araoz ◽  
Sebastián Fernández-Bussy
Keyword(s):  
Latin America ◽  
Latin American ◽  
Conscious Sedation ◽  
Fiberoptic Bronchoscopy ◽  
Rigid Bronchoscopy ◽  
Endobronchial Ultrasound ◽  
Public Facilities ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Do So ◽  
Current Practices

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate current practices in sedation for bronchoscopy in Latin America. Methods: This was an anonymous survey of select members of the Latin American Thoracic Association. The questionnaire, made available online from November of 2015 through February of 2016, was designed to collect data on demographic characteristics; type of facility (public or private); type/volume of bronchoscopies; type of sedation; and type of professional administering the sedation. Results: We received 338 completed questionnaires from 19 countries; 250 respondents (74.0%) were male. The mean respondent age was 36.0 ± 10.5 years. Of the 338 respondents, 304 (89.9%) were pulmonologists; 169 (50.0%) worked at public facilities; and 152 (45.0%) worked at teaching facilities. All of the respondents performed diagnostic fiberoptic bronchoscopy, 206 (60.9%) performed therapeutic fiberoptic bronchoscopy, 125 (37.0%) performed rigid bronchoscopy, 37 (10.9%) performed endobronchial ultrasound, and 3 (0.9%) performed laser therapy/thermoplasty/cryotherapy. Sedation for bronchoscopy was employed by 324 respondents (95.6%). Of the 338 respondents, 103 (30.5%) and 96 (28.4%) stated, respectively, that such sedation should “usually” and “never” be administered by a bronchoscopist; 324 (95.9%) supported training bronchoscopists in sedation. Sedation administered by a bronchoscopist was reported by 113 respondents, conscious sedation being employed by 109 (96.2%). The use of benzodiazepines, propofol, and opiates was reported, respectively, by 252 (74.6%), 179 (52.9%), and 132 (39.0%) of the 338 respondents. Deep sedation and general anesthesia were more common at private facilities. Conclusions: The consensus seems to be that a well-trained bronchoscopist can safely administer sedation for bronchoscopy. However, approximately 40% of bronchoscopists do not do so regularly.

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