Sex-stratified outcomes of primary percutaneous coronary intervention: A tertiary care experience

Background ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is an acute cardiac manifestation that requires immediate revascularization preferably through primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). This study aims to describe gender stratified outcomes and epidemiological profile of STEMI patients undergoing treatment at a tertiary care hospital in Karachi, Pakistan. Methods A 5-year, retrospective analysis of hospital records was undertaken on confirmed STEMI patients admitted between 2010 and 2014, undergoing primary PCI. Information was retrieved on demographic variables, risk factors, total ischemia time, door to balloon time, angiographic findings, and treatment strategy and in-hospital outcomes. Results A total of 603 patients were available for analysis. Mean age of the participants was 58 ± 11 years, with 78.6% being males. The most common risk factors were hypertension (48.1%), diabetes (37%), and smoking (22.2%). Gender stratified analysis revealed poorer clinical presentation and prolonged ischemia time among women when compared to men (410 vs. 310 min, respectively). Total in-hospital mortality was 9.6% and was higher in women (19.3%), patients with non-anterior infarction (12%), Killip class >2 (39%), advanced age (14.6%), and multi-vessel disease (12%). Conclusion Our study describes the common risk factors and treatment outcomes for STEMI patients undergoing primary PCI at a tertiary care hospital in Karachi. In-hospital mortality and total ischemia time were higher among women compared to men in our study. Moreover, the risk profile, treatment related complications, and outcomes were poorer in women compared to men. We suggest further research to investigate the effect of prolonged ischemia time on long-term clinical outcomes.

Blunt popliteal artery injury following tibiofemoral trauma: vessel-first and bone-first strategy

Purpose Blunt popliteal artery injury (BPAI) is a potentially limb-threatening sequela of tibiofemoral (knee) dislocations and fractures. Associated amputation rates for all popliteal artery (PA) injuries range between 10 and 50%. It is unclear whether PA repair or bone stabilization should be performed first. We analyzed (long-term) clinical outcomes of BPAI patients that received initial PA repair (vessel-first, VF) versus initial external stabilization (bone-first, BF). Methods Retrospectively, all surgically treated BPAI patients between January 2000 and January 2019, admitted to two level 1 trauma centers were included. Clinical outcomes were determined, stratified by initial management strategy (VF and BF). Treatment strategy was determined by surgeon preference, based on associated injuries and ischemia duration. Primary outcomes (amputation and mortality) and secondary outcomes (claudication and complications) were determined. Results Of 27 included BPAI patients, 15 were treated according to the VF strategy (56%) and 12 according to the BF strategy (44%). Occlusion was the most frequently encountered BPAI in 18/27 patients (67%). Total delay and in-hospital delay were comparable between groups (p = 1.00 and p = 0.82). Revascularization was most frequently performed by PA bypass (59%). All patients had primary limb salvage during admission (100%). One secondary amputation due to knee pain was performed in the BF group (4%). During a median clinical follow-up period of 2.7 years, three PA re-interventions were performed, two in the BF group and one in the VF group. None suffered from (intermittent) claudication. Conclusion Blunt popliteal artery injury (BPAI) is a rare surgical emergency. Long-term outcomes of early revascularization for BPAI appear to be good, independent of initial management strategy. The BF strategy may be preferred in case of severe orthopedic injury, if allowed by total ischemia duration.

Clinical case of heart transplantation in the conditions of «the recipient-to-donor» transportation

The main factor limiting the number of heart transplants in Ukraine is the small number of potential donors. In cases when the delivery time of the donor organ is more than 4 hours, the risks of the donor organ ischemic injury are multiplied. Transportation of the recipient to the location of the potential donor in such cases is a forced measure, as it increases the risk of adverse cardiovascular events in the recipient during transportation. Providing medical care to a recipient in such circumstances may be difficult. However, these measures are fully justified by the reduced risk of postoperative complications associated with the time of graft ischemia. The article describes a case of heart transplantation in the conditions of transporting the recipient to the donor. Heart transplantation was performed in a patient with NYHA functional class IV heart failure, refractory to conservative therapy. The postoperative period was uneventful. The time of cardiopulmonary bypass was 90 minutes, the total ischemia time was 180 minutes. On the 3rd day, the patient was transported to the specialized centre to continue treatment and rehabilitation. On the 21st day the patient was discharged in satisfactory condition for outpatient treatment. Key words: heart transplantation, cardiomyopathy, heart failure.

Digit Replantation Practice: A Comparison of Three Rat Models

Digit replantation is a complex surgery that nearly always needs to be done as an emergency. As such it is often difficult to teach. Several models have been developed to train surgeons in this procedure. We compare three rat models of replantation with the aim of ascertaining which most simulates the digit replantation. Inbred albino rats were selected and divided into three groups of 13 each, tail, penile, and hind replant groups. Three rats in each group were anesthetized, the specific amputation injury is created and is replanted for the anatomic component of the study. For the comparative section, 10 animals were anesthesized and the amputated parts were replanted under standard conditions. The parameters measured included weight, vessels and nerve diameters, method of fixation, total ischemia and replant times, the patency rates (after operation and at one week post surgery), as well as postoperative complications. All rats survived in the procedure. There was patency in all groups immediately. Rat tail group had 90%, penile group 100%, and hind limb group 90% survival 1 week after the replantation. There was one mortality in the hind limb group. The penile replant group was the shortest (p < 0.001), and all vessel sizes were comparable except the central artery of the tail which was significantly smaller (p < 0.001). The processes of the hind limb group most simulated the human digit replant procedure, though the ischemia and total replant times are significantly longer (p < 0.005). Though the immediate and 1 week patency rates were similar in all three groups, the hind limb replantation model involved steps most similar to human digit replant surgery and is recommended as the preferred teaching model.

“Door-In to Door-Out” Delay in Patients with Acute ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction Transferred for Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in a Metropolitan STEMI Network of a Developing Country

Routine performance measures of primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) within an ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) network are needed to improve care.We evaluated the door-in to door-out (DI–DO) delays at the initial hospitals in STEMI patients as a routine performance measure of the metropolitan STEMI network.We retrospectively analyzed the DI–DO time from 1,076 patients with acute STEMI who were transferred by ground ambulance to a primary PCI center for primary PCI between 4 October 2014 and 1 April 2019. Correlation analysis between DI–DO times and total ischemia time was performed using Spearman's test. Logistic regression analyses were used to find variables associated with a longer DI–DO time.Median DI–DO time was 180 minutes (25th percentile to 75th percentile: 120–252 minutes). DI–DO time showed a positive correlation with total ischemia time (r = 0.4, p < 0.001). The median door-to-device time at the PCI center was 70 minutes (25th percentile to 75th percentile: 58–88 minutes). Multivariate analysis showed that women patients were independently associated with DI–DO time > 120 minutes (odds ratio 1.55, 95% confidence interval 1.03 to 2.33, p = 0.03).The DI–DO time reported in this study has not reached the guideline recommendation. To improve the overall performance of primary PCI in the region, interventions aimed at improving the DI–DO time at the initial hospitals and specific threat for women patients with STEMI are possibly the best efforts in improving the total ischemia time.

Anatomical and Microsurgical Implications in Total and Midarm Transplantation

Background Arm transplantations are performed less frequently than forearm and hand transplantations. We present the surgical and microsurgical technique and its relationship with the clinical results in a patient with bilateral arm transplantation. Methods A 51-year-old male patient underwent bilateral arm transplantation in October 2015. The right arm was transplanted at the glenohumeral joint. The vascular repair was at the axillary level, and the nerves were repaired at their origin. The total ischemia time was 3 hours and 48 minutes. The left arm was transplanted at the midhumeral level; all muscles were completely transplanted. The nerves were repaired at the distal third of the arm. Additionally, terminolateral neurorrhaphy was performed from the donor musculocutaneous nerve to the recipient radial nerve. The total ischemia time was 6 hours and 35 minutes. Results At 15 months posttransplantation, the right shoulder had an abduction of 90 degrees and muscle strength of M4; flexion of 100 degrees and M4; internal and external rotation of M1; elbow flexion of 120 degrees and M3; elbow extension of M5; pronosupination of M2; and wrist extension of M2. There was no mobility in the fingers. The left transplanted limb had total elbow flexion and extension of M5, pronosupination of M2, wrist extension of M4, and finger flexion of M2. Both extremities had thermal sensitivity that allowed discrimination of cold and heat with residual deep pressure. Conclusion Although the functional results of arm transplantation are so far unknown, they may be considered beneficial compared with the devastating disability caused by arm amputation.

Degree of Vascular Encasement in Sphenoid Wing Meningiomas Predicts Postoperative Ischemic Complications

BACKGROUND: Sphenoid wing meningiomas (SWMs) can encase arteries of the circle of Willis, increasing their susceptibility to intraoperative vascular injury and severe ischemic complications. OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate the effect of circumferential vascular encasement in SWM on postoperative ischemia. METHODS: A retrospective review of 75 patients surgically treated for SWM from 2009 to 2015 was undertaken to determine the degree of circumferential vascular encasement (0°-360°) as assessed by preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). A novel grading system describing “maximum” and “total” arterial encasement scores was created. Postoperative MRIs were reviewed for total ischemia volume measured on sequential diffusion-weighted images. RESULTS: Of the 75 patients, 89.3% had some degree of vascular involvement with a median maximum encasement score of 3.0 (2.0-3.0) in the internal carotid artery (ICA), M1, M2, and A1 segments; 76% of patients had some degree of ischemia with median infarct volume of 3.75 cm3 (0.81-9.3 cm3). Univariate analysis determined risk factors associated with larger infarction volume, which were encasement of the supraclinoid ICA (P &lt; .001), M1 segment (P &lt; .001), A1 segment (P = .015), and diabetes (P = .019). As the maximum encasement score increased from 1 to 5 in each of the significant arterial segments, so did mean and median infarction volume (P &lt; .001). Risk for devastating ischemic injury &gt;62 cm3 was found when the ICA, M1, and A1 vessels all had ≥360° involvement (P = .001). Residual tumor was associated with smaller infarct volumes (P = .022). As infarction volume increased, so did modified Rankin Score at discharge (P = .025). CONCLUSION: Subtotal resection should be considered in SWM with significant vascular encasement of proximal arteries to limit postoperative ischemic complications.

Penile Self-amputation

Background A 24-year-old man was urgently transferred from an outside institution after self-amputating his penis. Methods The patient was suffering from a paranoid schizophrenic delusional episode. Voices told him to amputate his own penis with a utility knife. He was taken emergently to the operating room by urology and plastic surgery. Cystoscopy was performed and a 14F percutaneous suprapubic catheter was placed. The amputated distal penis and the proximal stump were debrided. The urethra, dorsal artery, and neurovascular bundles were mobilized. The distal urethra was spatulated dorsally and the proximal urethra was spatulated ventrally. The urethra was reanastomosed over a 16F Foley catheter with interrupted, 4–0 absorbable, monofilament suture. The corpora were reanastomosed with interrupted, 2–0 and 3–0, absorbable, monofilament suture. The arteries and nerve were reanastomosed. Total ischemia time was between 4 and 5 hours. Results The patient initially developed edema, ecchymosis, and mild incisional skin necrosis from the resulting reperfusion injury. However, the penile graft successfully maintained perfusion. He was discharged 2 weeks after his injury in stable psychiatric condition. His Foley catheter and suprapubic tube remained in place for 10 weeks. A voiding cystourethrogram (VCUG) demonstrated a patent urethra without evidence of urinary leakage or stricture. At the time of his VCUG, he experienced return of distal penile sensation and partial erections. Conclusion Penile reimplantation after self-amputation is successful if ischemic time is minimized and a multidisciplinary approach with plastic surgery and microvascular anastomosis is performed.