Predicting postoperative hypertension among patients with ventricular septal defect in infants.

Background: Patients with strong pulmonary vascular occlusive lesions are at risk of developing postoperative pulmonary hypertension (PH). We aimed to evaluate preoperative right ventricular (RV) function in patients with ventricular septal defect (VSD) who required cardiac surgery during infancy and consequently developed postoperative PH and to determine whether we could preliminarily evaluate postoperative PH in these patients. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 55 infants with VSD who underwent cardiac surgery between March 2014 and April 2020. We evaluated the measurements of preoperative general function and 2D strain between these two groups: a group with postoperative PH (post-PH, n=10) and a group without postoperative PH (post-NPH, n=45). Results: Post-PH patients had a significantly lower tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) (11.1 mm), TAPSERA (the proportion of TAPSE due to right atrial (RA) contraction alone) (7.0 mm), RA ejection fraction (36.1 %) and RA expansion index (56.4 %) than the post-NPH patients. Furthermore, the post-PH group had a significantly lower peak RA longitudinal strain (PRALS) (32.0 %) than the post-NPH group (43.0%). Multivariate logistic regression model demonstrated that PRALS was independent echocardiographic parameters for the presence of post-PH (OR 1.18, 95% CI: 1.02 - 1.36, p = 0.03) . The sensitivity and specificity of predicting post-PH for ≤ 35 % of the PRALS were 88.9 % and 70.0 %, respectively, with an area under the curve of 0.85 (p < 0.01). Conclusion: RA parameters demonstrated preoperative RV diastolic dysfunction in the post-PH group. PRALS could be useful factors for predicting postoperative PH.

Predicting Postoperative Hypertension Among Patients With Ventricular Septal Defect in Infants

Purpose: Patients with strong pulmonary vascular occlusive lesions are at risk of developing postoperative pulmonary hypertension (PH). We aimed to evaluate preoperative right ventricular (RV) function in patients with ventricular septal defect (VSD) who required cardiac surgery during infancy and consequently developed postoperative PH and to determine whether we could preliminarily evaluate postoperative PH in these patients.Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 55 infants with VSD who underwent cardiac surgery between March 2014 and April 2020. We evaluated the measurements of preoperative atrial/ventricular general function and 2D atrial/ventricular strain between these two groups: a group with postoperative PH (post-PH) and a group without postoperative PH (post-NPH). Results: Post-PH patients had a significantly lower tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) (11.2 mm) and TAPSERA (the proportion of TAPSE due to RA contraction alone) (6.6 mm) than the post-NPH patients (14.1 mm, 8.5 mm). Furthermore, the post-PH group had a significantly lower peak right atrial (RA) longitudinal strain (PRALS) (31.0%) than the post-NPH group (43.0%). Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified that PRALS and TAPSERA were independent echocardiographic parameters for the presence of post-PH. The sensitivity and specificity of predicting post-PH for ≤38% of the PRALS were 83.0% and 100.0%, respectively, with an area under the curve of 0.94 (p < 0.01).Conclusion: Preoperative RA function and RV diastolic function decreased in the post-PH group. The RA strain and TAPSERA could be useful factors for predicting postoperative PH.

Asymptomatic Pheochromocytoma With Delayed Resection Due to Covid-19 and Persistent Postoperative Hypertension

Background: Pheochromocytoma is promptly treated by surgical removal and usually results in resolution of hypertension. This case discusses an asymptomatic patient with two new malignancies-breast cancer and pheochromocytoma- who had positive outcomes despite delayed resection of pheochromocytoma due to COVID-19, but with a persistence of postoperative hypertension. Clinical Case: A 60 year old woman with newly diagnosed breast cancer presented for workup of an adrenal mass found on PET scan. An abdominal contrast CT-scan demonstrated a left 3.2 cm indeterminant adrenal mass. Initial laboratory testing demonstrated positive 24 hour urine metanephrines (metanephrine 951 mcg/24hr, n &lt; 400 mcg/24hr for HTN and normetanephrine 1302 mcg/24hr, n &lt; 900 mcg/24h for HTN) and plasma metanephrines (normetanephrine 826 pg/mL, n &lt; 145 pg/mL and metanephrine 391 pg/mL, n &lt; 62 pgmL), suggestive of pheochromocytoma. An MIBG scintigraphy showed tracer uptake in the left adrenal gland, suspicious for pheochromocytoma. The patient was started on alpha then beta blockade with plan for removal, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, surgery was delayed. In the interim, breast cancer therapy was adjusted to avoid complications or symptoms from the possible pheochromocytoma. The patient had always been asymptomatic, even during the physical and emotional stress of cancer and chemotherapy. She only had a diagnosis of uncontrolled hypertension for four years prior to presentation, treated with Valsartan-Hydrochlorothiazide, with average systolic BP of 140–180, and diastolic BP of 80–100. With the addition of Doxazosin and Metoprolol, the patient’s BP improved, with all readings &lt; 120/90. A left adrenalectomy was performed nearly six months after initial presentation, with final pathology report demonstrating moderately differentiated pheochromocytoma, with clean surgical margins. The patient remained hypertensive for months after the procedure, with initial systolic (SBP) readings of 150–160, and diastolic (DBP) readings of 90–100. However, follow up plasma metanephrine levels were normal (normetanephrine 165 pg/mL n &lt; 191.8 pg/mL and metanephrine 22.1 pg/mL n &lt; 88 pg/mL). The patient was then started on Amlodipine and Valsartan, with most recent SBP readings in the 130s. Conclusion: This case demonstrated a clinically asymptomatic patient with persistent postoperative hypertension and normal plasma metanephrines, which has been demonstrated only in a minority of patients. Additionally, pheochromocytoma needs to be promptly removed if possible; this case demonstrated successful resection and clinical course despite the delay for this urgent surgery due to COVID-19.

Peritumoral Edema Is Associated With Postoperative Hemorrhage and Reoperation Following Vestibular Schwannoma Surgery

Background: Postoperative hemorrhage (POH) is a severe complication following vestibular schwannoma surgery that may require surgical treatment. The purpose of our study is to identify risk factors associated with POH and reoperation following the resection of vestibular schwannoma.Methods: We retrospectively recruited 452 vestibular schwannoma patients treated with retrosigmoid approach. The primary outcome was POH, and the secondary outcome was reoperation for POH. Clinical and radiographic data were compared by performing univariate analysis and logistic regression analysis.Results: Among the 452 patients, 37 patients (8.2%) presented with POH and14 patients (3.1%) required reoperation within a 30-day hospitalization period. The univariate analysis showed that peritumoral edema, tumor diameter &gt;30 mm, severe postoperative hypertension, and length of hospital stay were associated with POH and reoperation for POH. Logistic regression analysis showed that peritumoral edema [odds ratio (OR) 4.042, 95% confident interval (CI) 1.830–8.926, P = 0.001] and tumor diameter &gt;30 mm (OR 3.192, 95% CI 1.421–7.168, P = 0.005) were independent predictive factors for POH. Peritumoral edema (OR 7.071, 95% CI 2.342–21.356, P = 0.001) was an independent predictive factor for reoperation by using logistic regression analysis. Further analysis revealed that larger tumor and incomplete tumor resection were both associated with a higher incidence of peritumoral edema.Conclusion: Peritumoral edema and tumor size are independent risk factors for POH following vestibular schwannoma surgery. And larger hematoma occurs more commonly in tumors with peritumoral edema which may require reoperation. Tumor size and extent of tumor resection are associated with peritumoral edema. Close attention should be paid to high-risk patients especially for those who presented with severe postoperative hypertension.

Risk and Protective Factors Analysis for Postoperative Delirium in Elderly Critically Ill Patients: A Multicenter Retrospective Study

Objective: To study the incidence and risk factors of postoperative clinical delirium in critically ill elderly patients in order to devise strategies for prevention and treatment.Methods: We collected clinical data from 451 critically ill patients in the intensive care unit from four hospitals in Shanghai Pudong New Area. Postoperative delirium was measured using the Confusion Assessment Method for the ICU (CAM-ICU), and then the incidence of postoperative delirium was calculated. We used univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression analysis to determine the risk factors associated with postoperative delirium in critically ill elderly patients.Results: Among the 451 critically ill patients, 56 had delirium after operation. The incidence of postoperative delirium was 12.4%. Univariate analysis showed that the incidence of postoperative delirium was significantly higher (P <0.05) in patients who had a past history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), underwent emergency surgery, were not administered intraoperative Propofol, had postoperative hypertension, were administered postoperative methylprednisolone, and did not have postoperative analgesia. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that age (OR=1.111, 95% CI, 1.056-1.168), surgical timing (OR=1.154, 95% CI, 1.058-7.200), and use of methylprednisolone postoperatively (OR=8.030, 95% CI, 1.050-61.408) were risk factors. Use of Propofol intraoperatively (OR=0.315, 95%CI, 0.124-0.800) was protective factors for postoperative delirium in elderly critically ill patients.Conclusion: Adavanced age, COPD history, emergency surgery, postoperative hypertension, use of methylprednisolone, and no postoperative analgesia are risk factors for postoperative delirium in critically ill elderly patients. Medical staff should be educated in evaluating delirium in postoperative patients and conducting risk assessment in order to prevent and treat the disease earlier, and reduce the incidence of delirium.

Intraocular Pressure Rise Linked to Silicone Oil in Retinal Surgery: A Review

Silicone oil represents the main choice for intraocular tamponade in cases of complicated retinal detachment surgery. The intraocular pressure of an eye filled with silicone oil could increase, driven by a variety of different forces, according to several mechanisms. Two main conditions have been highlighted, depending on the onset: early hypertension or late glaucoma. The different types of silicone oils and their physico-chemical properties are varied and may play a role in the determination of intraocular pressure rise. The current body of literature allows for the illustration and categorization of the incidence and risk factors, as well as the pathogenesis and the management of the early postoperative hypertension subtended by an open- and closed-angle, along with the late onset silicone oil-induced glaucoma. Understanding the leading actors on the stage of ocular pressure elevation concurrently with silicone oil application for retinal surgery could help in guiding the timely and appropriate course of treatment.