Project description:BackgroundTo evaluate whether a quantitative curvature threshold can contribute to risk stratification of ductal stenting in patients with a duct-dependent pulmonary circulation (DDPC).MethodsA single-center retrospective analysis was performed. The ductal curvature index (DCI) was calculated in 71 patients with DDPC. The ducts were divided into four classes based on quartile thresholds of DCI: class I (≤0.12), class II (0.13-0.33), class III (0.34-0.44), and class IV (≥0.45). The primary outcome of this study was defined as free from all of the following: (I) intervention related death, (II) need of unplanned surgery (III) need of unplanned pulmonary valve (PV) perforation with stent in right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT), and (IV) intervention related permanent complications.ResultsEighty percent of patients in class IV (DCI ≥0.45) failed to achieve the primary outcome; odds ratio (OR) 9 and 95% confidence interval (CI): 3.7-21.4 compared to 26.6% in all classes with DCI <0.45. 66.7% of these patients needed unplanned surgery or PVP with RVOT stent; OR 12.4 (95% CI: 4-39). 80% of major complications were observed in class IV (P<0.01). Need of pulmonary arterioplasty was in class IV 53.3%; OR 3.3 (95% CI: 1.5-7.1).ConclusionsDCI can be useful to guide the clinical decision-making in patients with torqued ducts. Patients with a DCI ≥0.45 belong to a high-risk group, in which ductal stenting is associated with an elevated risk for early surgery or unplanned re-intervention.
Project description:Background and purposePrevious studies have assessed the relationship between cerebral vessel tortuosity and intracranial aneurysm (IA) based on two-dimensional brain image analysis. We evaluated the relationship between cerebral vessel tortuosity and IA according to the hemodynamic location using three-dimensional (3D) analysis and studied the effect of tortuosity on the recurrence of treated IA.MethodsWe collected clinical and imaging data from patients with IA and disease-free controls. IAs were categorized into outer curvature and bifurcation types. Computerized analysis of the images provided information on the length of the arterial segment and tortuosity of the cerebral arteries in 3D space.ResultsData from 95 patients with IA and 95 controls were analyzed. Regarding parent vessel tortuosity index (TI; P<0.01), average TI (P<0.01), basilar artery (BA; P=0.02), left posterior cerebral artery (P=0.03), both vertebral arteries (VAs; P<0.01), and right internal carotid artery (P<0.01), there was a significant difference only in the outer curvature type compared with the control group. The outer curvature type was analyzed, and the occurrence of an IA was associated with increased TI of the parent vessel, average, BA, right middle cerebral artery, and both VAs in the logistic regression analysis. However, in all aneurysm cases, recanalization of the treated aneurysm was inversely associated with increased TI of the parent vessels.ConclusionsTIs of intracranial arteries are associated with the occurrence of IA, especially in the outer curvature type. IAs with a high TI in the parent vessel showed good outcomes with endovascular treatment.
Project description:BackgroundWe sought to investigate the impact of stenting on native patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) length, curvature, and pulsatile deformations in patients with ductal-dependent pulmonary circulations.MethodsPatients with PDA stents who received contrast-enhanced 3-dimensional computed tomography with a view of the PDA, thoracic aorta, and pulmonary arteries were retrospectively included in this study. Geometric models of the prestented and poststented PDA were constructed from the computed tomography images, and PDA arclength, curvature, and pulsatile deformations were quantified.ResultsA total of 12 patients with cyanotic congenital heart disease were included, 10 of whom received 1 stent in the PDA and 2 received multiple overlapping stents. From prestenting to poststenting, the PDA shortened by 26 ± 18% (P = .004) and decreased in mean and peak curvature by 60 ± 21% and 68 ± 15%, respectively (both P < .001). Pulsatile deformations varied highly for the native PDA, stented PDA, and stents themselves.ConclusionsThe shortening and straightening of the PDA after stenting are significant and substantial, and their quantitative characterization will enable interventionalists to select stent lengths that span the entire PDA without encroaching on the aortic or pulmonary artery, which could cause hemodynamic interference, stent kink, and fatigue. Pulsatile PDA deformations can be used to design and evaluate devices tailored to congenital heart disease in neonates.
Project description:In our study we aimed to investigate whether the use of bispectral index (BIS) monitoring would decrease total propofol consumption during the transvaginal oocyte retrieval procedure. This was a prospective, randomized, controlled, parallel-group clinical trial. The study was conducted in the operating room, and postoperative recovery room. One hundred and thirty, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) I-II patients, over age 18, undergoing transvaginal oocyte retrieval were included in this study. All patients were administered 2 μg/kg fentanyl, and 2 mg/kg propofol for the induction of anesthesia. The patients were divided into two groups. Patients in the group bolus were given 0.5 mg/kg of propofol when necessary, according to the observer's range of motion. Patients in the group BIS were given 10 mg/kg/h propofol infusion adjusted to keep the BIS value between 40 and 60. The primary outcome was the total dose of propofol administered per patient. The secondary outcomes were the time to reach the value of 5 on the Modified Observer's Assessment of Alertness Sedation Scale (MOASs), the time to reach Post Anesthetic Discharge Scoring System (PADSS) ≥ 9 of the patients, satisfaction of the patient, and the gynecologist. The amount of total propofol was higher in the group BIS than in the group bolus administered according to the patient's clinic. There was no difference in the time to reach the value of 5 on the MOASs between the groups. The time to reach PADSS ≥ 9 was longer in the group BIS than in the group bolus. There was no difference between the two groups in terms of the satisfaction of the patient and the gynecologist. Administration of propofol as an infusion with BIS monitoring did not reduce the amount of propofol administered to patients during transvaginal oocyte retrieval.Clinical trial registration number: NCT05631925-30/11/2022.
Project description:BackgroundThis study aims to elucidate the significance of the preoperative fibrinogen to pre-albumin ratio (FPR) in predicting the prognosis of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), a correlation not extensively explored previously.MethodsA cohort of 563 patients diagnosed with PDAC and subjected to radical surgical resection was examined. We meticulously documented a range of inflammatory markers, clinical-pathological features, and oncological outcomes. The prognostic value of preoperative FPR was assessed using Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and Cox proportional hazards regression modeling. Furthermore, the predictive accuracy of FPR was evaluated through time-dependent receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and decision curve analyses (DCA).ResultsThe determined optimal threshold for FPR was 14.77, which facilitated the stratification of patients into groups with low and high FPR levels. Notably, patients in the high FPR cohort exhibited significantly reduced recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) rates compared to their low FPR counterparts. Multivariate Cox regression analysis underscored FPR as an independent prognostic indicator for both RFS and OS. In comparison to the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), FPR demonstrated superior prognostic accuracy and clinical utility.ConclusionThe preoperative fibrinogen to pre-albumin ratio serves as an independent prognostic marker for RFS and OS among PDAC patients undergoing radical resection. Our findings suggest that FPR could be a valuable addition to the current prognostic models, potentially guiding therapeutic decision-making and patient management strategies in PDAC.
Project description:It has been shown that external pancreatic ductal stenting (EPDS) can reduce the incidence of clinically relevant postoperative pancreatic fistula. Although studies have described EPDS in open pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD), EPDS in minimally invasive PD has not been reported yet. Thus, the objective of this study was to describe the technique of EPDS in minimally invasive PD. The procedure was performed either laparoscopically or using a robot. Once PD was completed, key steps included triple enterotomy, threading of silk-suture through all enterotomies and exteriorization, completing posterior layer of pancreaticojejunostomy (PJ), railroading stent through preplaced silk-suture, intubation of stent into the pancreatic duct, completion of PJ, followed by hepaticojejunostomy and parietalization of jejunum at the stent exit site. EPDS in PD through a minimally invasive approach can be performed safely in selected cases with either a small-sized pancreatic duct or a soft pancreas.
Project description:BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Hepatolithiasis is prevalent in south-east Asia and presents a difficult management problem. Intrahepatic strictures with or without awkward ductal angulation of the biliary tree are the main reasons for the reported high incidence of postoperative residual stones. Without proper treatment, biliary strictures and residual stones can lead to repeated episodes of cholangitis, liver abscess, secondary biliary cirrhosis, portal hypertension, and death from sepsis or hepatic failure. The purposes of our treatment strategy were to achieve complete clearance of the stones and relief of bile stasis. METHODS: From January 1991 to July 1992, 90 patients with residual postoperative hepatolithiasis and intrahepatic strictures were treated. Postoperative ductal dilatation with percutaneous transhepatic cholangioscopy tube stenting through a mature T tube tract was performed. Choledochoscopic electrohydraulic lithotripsy was applied when impacted or large stones were encountered. RESULTS: Complete clearance of stones was achieved in 78 patients (87%). Mild haemobilia occurred in five patients (5.5%) and fever developed in seven patients (7.7%), and these patients recovered after conservative treatment. The rate of stone recurrence after a mean follow up of 43 months was 8%. Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma developed in one patient (1.1%). CONCLUSION: Postoperative ductal dilatation and stenting, combined with endoscopic electrohydraulic lithotripsy when indicated, is an effective and safe treatment with a low recurrence rate for complicated residual hepatolithiasis with biliary stricture.
Project description:Pseudoaneurysms develop as a result of disruption of the arterial wall due to trauma or iatrogenic reasons such as catheterization, and it is important due to the high risk of bleeding and rupture. Until recently, the main treatment of pseudoaneurysms was surgical repair. However, in recent years, minimally invasive methods such as ultrasound-guided compression and percutaneous thrombin injection have been used more frequently. In this article, the clinical course and findings of three different cases who developed pseudoaneurysm as a result of stenting the ductus arteriosus via the axillary artery were discussed.
Project description:Because of the strong overreliance on p values in the scientific literature, some researchers have argued that we need to move beyond p values and embrace practical alternatives. When proposing alternatives to p values statisticians often commit the "statistician's fallacy," whereby they declare which statistic researchers really "want to know." Instead of telling researchers what they want to know, statisticians should teach researchers which questions they can ask. In some situations, the answer to the question they are most interested in will be the p value. As long as null-hypothesis tests have been criticized, researchers have suggested including minimum-effect tests and equivalence tests in our statistical toolbox, and these tests have the potential to greatly improve the questions researchers ask. If anyone believes p values affect the quality of scientific research, preventing the misinterpretation of p values by developing better evidence-based education and user-centered statistical software should be a top priority. Polarized discussions about which statistic scientists should use has distracted us from examining more important questions, such as asking researchers what they want to know when they conduct scientific research. Before we can improve our statistical inferences, we need to improve our statistical questions.