The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic performance of all biomarkers studied to date for the early diagnosis of sepsis in hospitalized patients with burns. Background: Early clinical diagnosis of sepsis in burns patients is notoriously difficult due to the hypermetabolic nature of thermal injury. A considerable variety of biomarkers have been proposed as potentially useful adjuncts to assist with making a timely and accurate diagnosis. Methods: We searched Medline, Embase, Cochrane CENTRAL, Biosis Previews, Web of Science, and Medline In-Process to February 2020. We included diagnostic studies involving burns patients that assessed biomarkers against a reference sepsis definition of positive blood cultures or a combination of microbiologically proven infection with systemic inflammation and/or organ dysfunction. Pooled measures of diagnostic accuracy were derived for each biomarker using bivariate random-effects meta-analysis. Results: We included 28 studies evaluating 57 different biomarkers and incorporating 1517 participants. Procalcitonin was moderately sensitive (73%) and specific (75%) for sepsis in patients with burns. C-reactive protein was highly sensitive (86%) but poorly specific (54%). White blood cell count had poor sensitivity (47%) and moderate specificity (65%). All other biomarkers had insufficient studies to include in a meta-analysis, however brain natriuretic peptide, stroke volume index, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, and cell-free DNA (on day 14 post-injury) showed the most promise in single studies. There was moderate to significant heterogeneity reflecting different study populations, sepsis definitions and test thresholds. Conclusions:The most widely studied biomarkers are poorly predictive for sepsis in burns patients. Brain natriuretic peptide, stroke volume index, TNFalpha, and cell-free DNA showed promise in single studies and should be further evaluated. A standardized approach to the evaluation of diagnostic markers (including time of sampling, cut-offs, and outcomes) would be useful.
A 54 year old male with b-Thalassemia major developed ESRD and was managed with continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis. Although not able to be transfused due to high titre red cell antibodies he did require management of iron overload. Deferasirox (Exjade) was administered orally. There was concern that excretion of iron via the peritoneal dialysate may raise the risk of iron-dependent infections (Yersinia and Rhizopus).Whilst receiving Exjade 1000mg /day, a total collection of 12.7L of peritoneal dialysate was collected over a 24 hour period by the patient. The dialysate total iron levels were measured by ICP-MS at 0.46mmol/L which equates to 0.33mg of Fe in total. Over a 6 month period his serum ferritin fell from 3869μg/l to 1545μg/l. There were no episodes of peritonitis. Since only 7-8% of the deferasirox and iron complex is excreted through the urine, the amount of Fe seen in the patient's dialysate might be expected to be up to 1.5-1.6mg. Yet, the results of the Fe levels in the patient's PD fluid was a meagre 0.33mg, about five times lower than expected.Whilst only moderately effective at a dosage of 1000mg/day, deferasirox may be a safe agent for iron removal in iron overloaded peritoneal dialysis patients, as relatively low dialysate iron levels reduces the risk of Yersinia and Rhizopus infection.
Backgrounds: Despite numerous studies investigating the use of ultrasound (US) in assessing arteriovenous fistulas (AVF), there are no universally agreed threshold flow velocities in diagnosing significantly abnormal flow that are useful in predicting thrombotic flowrelated dysfunction. This study evaluates a predictive model using receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analyses to establish threshold velocities. Methods: Five hundred and eleven US scans were analysed. ROC curves were used to determine the optimal threshold time average mean velocity (TAMV), peak systolic velocity (PSV) and end diastolic velocity (EDV) of the brachial artery supplying the AVF in determining the need for intervention or thrombosis within 3 months of the scans. Estimated flow volume (FV) ROC was used as an evaluative comparison. Results: There were 356 negative and 155 positive scan results in relation to the need for intervention or thrombosis. Empirical flow velocity parameters of TAMV, EDV and PSV were analysed using ROC curves, yielding an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.95, 0.92 and 0.86, respectively. FV ROC analysis yields a comparative AUC of 0.90. A TAMV cut-off at 48.6 cm/s yielded the highest AUC. Subgroup analysis yielded an optimal TAMV cut-off of 45 cm/s for forearm and 49 cm/s for arm AVF. The EDV was also highly predictive of outcomes. PSV has the lowest accuracy. Conclusion:The TAMV of inflow brachial artery to AVF is highly predictive of outcomes of thrombotic flow-related dysfunction. Our study confirms TAMV cut-offs of 45 cm/s for forearm and 49 cm/s for arm AVF. These results require prospective validation.
Objectives: Successful haemodialysis is dependent on optimal arteriovenous (AV) access flow. Although 600 ml/min is frequently quoted as the critical level for functional flow volume (Qa) according to the National Kidney Foundation guideline, this may not be applicable for the different configurations of AV fistulas (AVF) or AV grafts (AVG). This study evaluates ultrasound derived Qa measurement in the inflow brachial artery to autologous AVF in the forearm radiocephalic and arm brachiocephalic/basilic configurations in relation to significant flow related AV dysfunction.Methods: Five hundred and eleven duplex ultrasound (DUS) scans were analysed in 193 patients. The end points were therapeutic intervention and/or thrombosis of AVF versus no complication within 3 months of the scan. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to determine the optimal threshold Qa of the brachial artery supplying the AVF.Results: Of the 511 scans, 155 scans were assigned to the intervention group, that is, AVF requiring intervention or thrombosing within 3 months of the DUS. Using ROC curve analysis, the area under the curve (AUC) for all AVF is 0.90 (CI: 0.88-0.93) with an optimal threshold Qa of 686 ml/min. In forearm AVF, the threshold Qa is 589 ml/min while in arm AVF the threshold Qa is 877 ml/min. Forearm Qa is statistically different from arm Qa. Conclusion:Forearm AVF Qa threshold at 589 ml/min is distinct from arm AVF Qa at 877 ml/min and these are predictive of the need for impending intervention or thrombosis due to flow-limiting stenosis.arteriovenous fistula, blood flow measurement, brachial diameter, dialysis vascular access, time averaged mean velocity ultrasonography Summary at a glanceDuplex ultrasound is the first line investigation for evaluating arteriovenous fistulas for haemodialysis. While a flow volume of 600 ml/min is the accepted threshold for a functioning fistula, this study demonstrates a significant difference in the optimal thresholds for arm versus forearm configurations at 877 and 589 ml/min, respectively for predicting impending dysfunction.
Introduction Early clinical diagnosis of sepsis in burns patients is notoriously difficult, and many biomarkers have been proposed as adjuncts to clinical assessment. We aimed to evaluate the diagnostic performance of all previously studied biomarkers for the early diagnosis of sepsis in hospitalized patients with burns. Methods We conducted a systematic literature search to February 2020 of Medline, Embase, Cochrane Central, Biosis Previews, Web of Science, and Medline In-Process. Only diagnostic studies utilising a sepsis definition of positive blood cultures or a combination of infection, systemic inflammation, and organ dysfunction were included. Where possible, contingency tables were used as reported or constructed from original data using a cut-off based on Youden’s index. Pooled sensitivity and specificity estimates were derived for each biomarker using random effects meta-analysis. Results We included 27 studies evaluating 56 different biomarkers. Procalcitonin was moderately sensitive and specific for sepsis in patients with burns (sensitivity 72%, specificity 74%). CRP was also moderately sensitive and specific (74% and 64% respectively). White cell count had poor sensitivity and specificity (46% and 59% respectively). All other biomarkers had insufficient studies to include in a meta-analysis, however cell free DNA, nuclear DNA, BDG, BNP, and SVI showed the most promise in single studies. There was considerable heterogeneity between studies reflecting different definitions and cut-offs. Conclusions The most widely studied biomarkers are poorly predictive for sepsis in burn patients. Several promising candidates have been reported which should be evaluated in further studies. A standardized approach to the evaluation of diagnostic markers (including time of sampling, approach to cut-offs and outcome) would be useful.
Patients presenting with diabetic foot ulceration (DFU) and associated complications often require revascularisation. Although current evidence advocates for an open bypass first strategy if patients are expected to live more than two years, this may not be appropriate in octogenarians. We sought to investigate the survival of patients aged over 70 years presenting with complicated DFU and chronic limb threatening ischaemia (CLTI) to clarify its prognosis and guide subsequent management. A database of patients admitted into a large tertiary service over the age of 70 years with DFU and CLTI between 2014 and 2017 were included. Survival data was obtained from medical records and public obituaries through to 2020. Patients were divided into three age groups: seventies (70-79 years), eighties (80-89 years) and nineties (≥90 years). Survival was evaluated using a stratified log-rank test and Kaplan–Meier methods. A total of 323 patients were included for analysis. Survival information was available for 225 patients (69%). Mean duration of follow-up was 19 months. There were 113 deaths recorded (35%). Mean survival for patients in their seventies, eighties and nineties was 63 months (95% CI 48.8-65.5), 37 months (95% CI 27.4-44.9) and 6 months (95% CI 2.3-19.2), respectively. In patients over 70 years of age presenting with DFU and CLTI, long-term survival decreases rapidly with increasing age, especially in the octogenarians. With recent technological advances and reduced morbidity, an endovascular approach may sufficiently treat acute presentations in octogenarians while reserving an open first strategy for younger patients with better long-term survival and adequate autologous conduit.
Background Ovarian vein thrombosis (OVT) often presents in the post-partum period and is associated with significant complications including inferior vena cava extension, pulmonary embolism, sepsis, and renal obstruction. Idiopathic OVT is rare, and no consensus has been agreed upon regarding its diagnosis and management. This case presents a patient who was diagnosed with idiopathic OVT and was treated with apixaban. A literature review was performed collating reported cases of idiopathic OVT to form a recommendation regarding optimal management and follow up. Case presentation A 42-year-old Chinese woman presenting with right lower quadrant pain underwent a CT abdomen after urinary tract obstruction was excluded on ultrasound. She was subsequently diagnosed with an idiopathic 35 mm ovarian vein thrombus (OVT) given no history of primary coagulopathy nor secondary aetiology. A literature review was performed collating 18 case reports with method of diagnosis and management summarized. Treatment alternatives included low molecular weight heparin, warfarin, rivaroxaban and apixaban. Most were diagnosed after work up for suspected renal calculus or appendicitis. Follow up imaging was performed from between 6 weeks to 6 months after initiation of anticoagulation. Conclusions Direct oral anticoagulants were an effective treatment for OVT, however warfarin should be commenced in those suspected of antiphospholipid syndrome awaiting confirmation or exclusion of the diagnosis.
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