scholarly journals Can endovascular repair be the first-line treatment option in abdominal aortic aneurysms during COVID-19 pandemic?

2021 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 107-114
Author(s):  
Kaptanıderya Tayfur ◽  
Melih Ürkmez

Objectives: This study aims to investigate the effectiveness of endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) during the novel coronavirus-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Patients and methods: A total of 22 patients (17 males, 5 females; mean age: 76.7±7.1 years; range, 66 to 90 years) who underwent EVAR for AAAs in our center between March 2020 and December 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. All patients underwent reverse transcriptase- polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. All EVAR procedures were performed under spinal anesthesia in the elective setting in the angiography laboratory. Results: The RT-PCR test result was positive in six patients with asymptomatic infection. The mean AAA diameter was 74.7±5.5 (range, 68.50 to 85.60) mm. Stent-graft implantation was successfully performed in all patients. There was no significant relationship between the mean age and examined variables (p>0.050). The mean AAA diameter was 83.95 mm in the COVID-19-positive patients and 71.50 mm in the COVID-19-negative patients, indicating a significant difference (p=0.001). No mortality, stent migration or thrombotic events were observed during the first 30 days of follow-up. Conclusion: The operation can be delayed in patients requiring open surgical repair or in those with small AAAs. Based on our findings, the EVAR can be used as the first-line treatment option during the pandemic, as it does not require intubation and requires a low number of staff and is cost-effective with minimum necessity for intensive care unit stay and less use of healthcare resources.

ORL ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Sotiria Genetzaki ◽  
Evangelia Tsakiropoulou ◽  
Vasilios Nikolaidis ◽  
Konstantinos Markou ◽  
Iordanis Konstantinidis

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> There are limited treatment options for postinfectious olfactory dysfunction (PIOD). Olfactory training has recently been used in clinical practice, but no medical treatment is widely accepted. Although there is weak evidence for their value, some physicians use oral corticosteroids as first-line treatment. The aim of this study was to compare combined oral methylprednisolone and olfactory training with olfactory training alone in the management of PIOD. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> This prospective cohort study included 131 patients with PIOD over a 2-year period before the COVID-19 pandemic. Seventy-eight patients who were treated with oral methylprednisolone and olfactory training (group A) were compared with 53 patients who were treated with olfactory training only (group B). Olfactory function was evaluated with “Sniffin’ Sticks” at baseline and 2, 8, and 16 weeks after initial assessment. Patients who improved after steroid treatment underwent magnetic resonance imaging of the paranasal sinuses, skin prick tests, lung spirometry, and sputum eosinophil assessment. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Oral steroids improved 19.23% of patients (<i>n</i> = 15) of group A. History, clinical evaluation, imaging, and laboratory tests identified an inflammatory background in half of them (<i>n</i> = 8). The remaining 7 had no findings of nasal inflammation, and all had a short history of olfactory dysfunction. Both groups significantly improved in olfactory testing results at the end of the olfactory training scheme without significant difference between them. <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> The percentage of improved patients after oral methylprednisolone was relatively low to suggest it as first-line treatment. Half of the improved patients had an underlying upper airway inflammatory condition not related to the infection that caused the acute loss of olfactory function.


2021 ◽  
Vol 28 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
A Abdul Razzack ◽  
D Rocha Castellanos ◽  
A Lopez Mendez ◽  
M Fernando Perez Paz ◽  
S Pothuru ◽  
...  

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Background- Patients with small Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms are managed with surveillance as there is currently insufficient evidence to recommend surgical aneurysm repair. Hence, there is a dire need and interest in pharmacotherapy like tetracycline antibiotics to reduce the need for aneurysm repair. Purpose- To determine the efficacy and safety of doxycycline in the management of small abdominal aortic aneurysms. Methods- Electronic databases (PubMed, Scopus, Embase, Cochrane) were searched until 25th November 2020.The primary outcomes were the mean difference (MD) in aneurysm diameter and the odds ratio (OR) calculated to compare the number of individuals referred to Abdominal aortic aneurysm repair in each group. Results- A total of three studies with 572 participants (Doxycycline = 290; Placebo = 282 ) were included in our analysis. Average follow up was a period of 18 months. For AAA expansion, the combined results demonstrated a statistically significant mean difference in expansion rates favoring the placebo groups over the intervention (WMD-0.75, 95%CI 0.12-1.38; p = 0.02;I2 = 0%) There was no statistically significant difference in the efficacy and safety of doxycycline as opposed to placebo groups for referral to AAA surgery (OR 1.01, 95%CI 0.61-1.69; p = 0.96, I2 = 0%) and all-cause mortality(OR 0.51; 95%CI 0.18-1.43; p = 0.20, I2 =0%) Conclusion- Amongst patients with small abdominal aortic aneurysms, doxycycline did not significantly reduce aneurysm growth. Abstract Figure. A) AAA expansion B)Surgery C)Mortality


2018 ◽  
Vol 31 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 76-76
Author(s):  
Keat How Teoh ◽  
Kelvin Voon ◽  
Shyang Yee Lim ◽  
Premnath Nagalingam

Abstract Background Caustic injury remains the commonest cause of benign esophageal strictures in Asia. Others include gastroesophageal reflux, iatrogenic, radiation, autoimmune or idiopathic causes. Treatment goals are relief of dysphagia and prevention of recurrence. This study aims to evaluate the experience with benign esophageal stricture in Penang Hospital, a tertiary hospital in Northern region of Malaysia. Methods A retrospective review of 12 patients with benign esophageal strictures between year 2012 - 2017. Results The mean age was 53.5 and two thirds were female. Half of these patients were of Chinese ethnicity while the other half were Indian. The commonest cause was caustic ingestion (41.7%), followed by reflux stricture (25%) and anastomotic stricture (25%). There was one case of dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa. More than half of the patients had complex and multiple strictures. 41.7% of patients had proximal strictures that were located within 20cm from the incisors. Endoscopic dilatation was the first line treatment with either Savary Gilliard or balloon dilators. A total of 97 dilatation sessions were done with a mean dilatation frequency of 2.3 ± 1.5 times for anastomotic strictures, 8 ± 8.2 times for reflux strictures and 8.0 ± 6.6 times for corrosive strictures. The mean dilatation interval was 2.5 ± 1.2 weeks. 58.3% of patients had successful endoscopic treatment. The success rate was higher in non-corrosive stricture (83% vs 40%). There was one dilatation related complication in which the patient had pneumomediastinum without overt mediastinitis. This however, resolved with conservative management. 41.7% of patients had refractory strictures that failed endoscopic dilatation. Surgery including esophagectomy (40%), revision of anastomosis (20%) and gastrostomy (40%) were done for this group of patients. Proximal strictures, complex strictures and multiple strictures were associated with failed endoscopic dilatation (P < 0.05). Conclusion Endoscopic dilatation is the first line treatment for benign esophageal strictures. Surgery is reserved for refractory strictures with failed endoscopic treatment. Predictor scoring systems for refractory stricture and individualized approaches are the key to success. Disclosure All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.


2019 ◽  
Vol 56 (5) ◽  
pp. 993-1000 ◽  
Author(s):  
Enrico Gallitto ◽  
Gianluca Faggioli ◽  
Rodolfo Pini ◽  
Chiara Mascoli ◽  
Stefano Ancetti ◽  
...  

Abstract OBJECTIVES Our objective was to report the outcomes of fenestrated/branched endovascular aneurysm repair of thoraco-abdominal aortic aneurysms (TAAAs) with endografts. METHODS Between January 2010 and April 2018, patients with TAAAs, considered at high surgical risk for open surgery and treated by Cook-Zenith fenestrated/branched endovascular aneurysm repair, were prospectively enrolled and retrospectively analysed. The early end points were 30-day/hospital mortality rate, spinal cord ischaemia and 30-day cardiopulmonary and nephrological morbidity. Follow-up end points were survival, patency of target visceral vessels and freedom from reinterventions. RESULTS Eighty-eight patients (male: 77%; mean age: 73 ± 7 years; American Society of Anesthesiologists 3/4: 58/42%) were enrolled. Using Crawford’s classification, 43 (49%) were types I–III and 45 (51%) were type IV TAAAs. The mean aneurysm diameter was 65 ± 15 mm. Custom-made and off-the-shelf endografts were used in 60 (68%) and 28 (32%) cases, respectively. Five (6%) patients had a contained ruptured TAAA. The procedure was performed in multiple steps in 42 (48%) cases. There was 1 (1%) intraoperative death. Five (6%) patients suffered spinal cord ischaemia with permanent paraplegia in 3 (3%) cases. Postoperative cardiac and pulmonary complications occurred in 7 (8%) and 12 (14%) patients, respectively. Worsening of renal function (≥30% of baseline level) was detected in 11 (13%) cases, and 2 (2%) patients required haemodialysis. The 30-day and hospital mortality rates were 5% and 8%, respectively. The mean follow-up was 36 ± 22 months. Survival at 12, 24 and 36 months was 89%, 75% and 70%, respectively. The patency of target visceral vessels at 12, 24 and 36 months was 92%, 92% and 92%, respectively. Freedom from reinterventions at 12, 24 and 36 months was 85%, 85% and 83%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS The endovascular repair of TAAAs with fenestrated/branched endovascular aneurysm repair is feasible and effective with acceptable technical/clinical outcomes at early/midterm follow-up.


2018 ◽  
Vol 16 ◽  
pp. 74-80 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gabriel Tremblay ◽  
Vasiliki Chounta ◽  
James Piercy ◽  
Tim Holbrook ◽  
Shan Ashton Garib ◽  
...  

1997 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 299-306 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gioacchino Coppi ◽  
Roberto Moratto ◽  
Roberto Silingardi ◽  
Nicola Tusini ◽  
Roberto Vecchioni ◽  
...  

Purpose: To report the outcome of the prospective 11-center Italian Parodi Trial using straight and tapered endografts for the endovascular exclusion of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA). Methods: From April 1994 to July 1995, 27 patients were evaluated and selected for endovascular AAA exclusion. The Parodi devices were delivered through femoral arteriotomies using 18 to 22F introducers and deployed by balloon expansion of the terminal stents. Results: Of 27 cases attempted, 24 endografts (15 tube, 9 aortomonoiliac) were implanted (1 deployment and 2 access failures [11.1%] were converted). Three endoleaks (12.5%) were treated intraoperatively with covered stents, two successfully, and the third sealed within 30 days. Three (12.5%) of the 24 treated patients died in-hospital of device- (n = 2) and procedure-related (n = 1) causes; the remaining 21 patients were discharged within 8 days. Of the 8 aortomonoiliac grafts in follow-up, only 1 (12.5%) failed in the mean 23-month (range 18 to 30) follow-up; however, 4 (31%) of 13 tube graft patients were converted to surgery within 18 months. Of the 16 (66.7%) surviving endografts at 2 years, 6 (38%) showed no change in the AAA diameter, while 10 (62%) had shrunk. Conclusions: The tube graft was applicable in only about 5% of cases, and accurate endograft sizing and distal fixation were problematic. The aortomonoiliac design was not appealing to surgeons but fared better in the long term. Given the advent of newer endograft models, the Italian Parodi Trial has been terminated.


Blood ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 108 (11) ◽  
pp. 328-328 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edo Vellenga ◽  
Annelise Notenboom ◽  
Mars van ‘t Veer ◽  
Josée Zijlstra ◽  
Willem E. Fibbe ◽  
...  

Abstract A total of 239 patients with relapsed/progressive aggressive CD20+ NHL after/during adriamycin containing regimens, were recruited to the randomized HOVON-44 trial comparing DHAP-VIM-DHAP followed by BEAM and autologous stem cell re-infusion (ASCT)(“DHAP-arm”) with DHAP-VIM-DHAP in conjunction with Rituximab (375 mg/m2) and ASCT (“R-DHAP arm”). Of the included patients, 202 were evaluable and randomized to the DHAP arm (n=101) or R-DHAP arm (n=101). Only patients with CR/PR after two courses of intensive chemotherapy were eligible for ASCT. Patients were well balanced for risk factors. In both arms the majority of patients had not been exposed to Rituximab during first line treatment. As of July 2006, median follow-up of all patients still alive is 24.5 months. After two courses of chemotherapy PR/CR was obtained in 49 % of the patients in the DHAP arm and 77% in the R-DHAP arm (p=<.01;intention to treat analysis). Post-transplantation PR/CR was obtained in 41% and 58% of the patients respectively (p=.40). A significant difference between both arms was observed for failure free survival (FFS), disease free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) in favor of the Rituximab arm (p<.05, table 1). The less pronounced difference in OS between both arms is most likely due to the fact that non-responding or relapsing patients in the DHAP arm received salvage treatment with a Rituximab containing regimen. Additionally, a subgroup analysis was performed according to type of response to first-line treatment:1) Response duration more than 3 months (n=138); 2) Progression or response duration less than 3 months (n=64). Within both subgroups, the hazard ratio’s for the endpoints were of equal magnitude (.40–.60), indicating that the beneficial effect of Rituximab existed in both subgroups. In conclusion these results demonstrate that the addition of Rituximab to second line of chemotherapy followed by ASCT results in a significant improved FFS, DFS, and OS in patients with relapsed/progressive aggressive CD20+ NHL. Table 1 FFS DFS OS *: 2 years estimate DHAP-arm* 21% 46% 48% R-DHAP arm* 52% 82% 62% Hazard ratio .40 .32 .61 p-value log rank test <0.001 0.003 0.03


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