The traditional approach to treatment of posttraumatic hypotension generally follows the principle of aggressive fluid resuscitation espoused by the American College of Surgeons in its Advanced Trauma Life Support course. A number of reports published in the last decade however, have questioned the safety and clinical appropriateness of this traditional approach, with recent data demonstrating support for delayed or limited resuscitation. This review discusses the controversies and presents recommendations for the ideal resuscitation strategy for the Filipino trauma patient with hypotension. (Author)

Human ; Advanced Trauma Life Support Care ; Resuscitation ; Fluid Therapy ; Hypotension ; Aggression ; Surgeons

OBJECTIVE: Preliminary studies done at the Philippine General Hospital have documented the reliability of pericardial ultrasound in the diagnosis of occult penetrating cardiac injury. This study sought to validate a protocol formulated from these studies in a larger trauma patient population at a high-volume center.

METHODS: Over a 2-year period, all hemodynamically stable patients with penetrating injury to the precordial area were managed according to the occult penetrating cardiac injury protocol. Patients with a negative result on pericardial ultrasound were admitted for 24-hour observation. Those with minimal fluid or equivocal findings underwent a subxiphoid pericardiotomy. Patients with moderate to large amounts of fluid on ultrasound, as well as those with positive results on subxiphoid pericardiotomy, underwent definitive surgery. Demographic data, wounding patterns, and clinical course were studied.

RESULTS: Three hundred forty patients were analyzed. Majority (91%) had negative ultrasound results, and where either discharged after 24-hour observation, or were treated for other associated injuries. None developed signs or symptoms of cardiac tamponade on follow-up. Twenty-six patients (8%) had either minimal fluid or equivocal findings. These underwent subxiphoid pericardiotomy, of which 10 had positive cardiac injury while nine had serous fluid. Three had moderate amount of fluid on ultrasound and underwent immediate thoracotomy; all had significant cardiac injury. There were no late complications noted.

CONCLUSION: Our data provides further validation that subxiphoid pericardial ultrasound is effective as an initial tool in ruling out cardiac injury. Because of a significant number of false positives in Filipino patients, those with minimal fluid should undergo subxiphoid pericardiotomy. The finding of moderate fluid is an indication for definitive surgery.

Human ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; Young Adult ; Adolescent ; Pericardiectomy ; Cardiac Tamponade ; Thoracotomy ; Hospitals, General ; Follow-up Studies ; Philippines ; Reproducibility Of Results ; Heart Injuries ; Pericardium ; Wounds, Penetrating ; Demography

Central venous occlusive disease is commonly seen in patients undergoing hemodialysis and can threaten the viability of the arteriovenous access. Majority of cases are related to central venous catheter placement. This paper reports on three patients on chronic hemodialysis who presented with signs and symptoms of upper extremity venous hypertension and underwent three different therapeutic modalities, all with successful relief of symptoms. A review of the existing literature on past and current treatment options is done.
Renal Dialysis

Repair of complex aortic aneurysms such as those involving the thoracoabdominal and pararenal aorta presents a formidable challenge for surgeons with significant perioperative morbidity and mortality. A hybrid procedure combining renovisceral debranching with endovascular aneurysm exclusion has been developed as an alternative approach for high-risk patients. This paper reports our initial experience with hybrid repair for these complex aortic diseases in three high-risk patients.
Human ; Male ; Aged: 65-79 yrs old ; Middle Aged: 45-64 yrs old ; aorta ; aortic aneurysm ; endovascular procedures

Objectives: To describe the treatment outcomes of patients who underwent open repair of infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) and to determine the risk factors affecting morbidity and mortality. Methods: Data were obtained from patients with infrarenal AAAs who underwent open surgical repair at the University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital (UP-PGH) from January 2013 to October 31, 2023. These patients’ demographic and clinical profile, and treatment outcomes were evaluated using frequencies and percentages. Student’s t-test and chi-square test were used for the inferential analysis. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with in-hospital mortality and morbidity. Results: In this study, 131 patients underwent open surgical repair of AAA. 82.4% of the patients were males, and 45.8% were between 61-70 years old. The majority of them had hypertension (81.4%) and were smokers (75%). The mortality rate was 17.6%, while the morbidity rate was 35.9%. For elective operations, the mortality was 8.9%, and for ruptured aneurysms, it was 56.5%. Eleven factors associated with mortality included ruptured aneurysm (OR=11.5, 95%CI=4.1 to 32.2), decreased hemoglobin (OR=1.1, 95%CI=1.05 to 1.2), decreased hematocrit (OR=1.1, 95%CI=1.06 to 1.4), emergency surgery (OR=10.3, 95%CI=2.9 to 36.3), higher volume of blood loss (OR=1.5, 95%CI=1.5 to 1.9), higher red cell transfusion (OR=1.3, 95%CI=1.1-1.5), intraoperative cardiopulmonary (CP) arrest (OR=15.9, 95%CI=1.6 to 159.2), need for multiple inotropes (OR=2.7, 95%CI=1.5-4.8), intraoperative hypotension (OR=3.6, 95%CI=1.4-9.7), juxta-renal location (OR=5.0, 95%CI=1.2 to 10.0), and presence of any complication (OR=5.7, 95%CI=2.1-15.1). Seven factors associated with morbidity included ruptured aneurysm (OR=3.9, 95%CI=1.5 to 9.8), decreased preoperative hemoglobin (OR=1.2, 95%CI=1.1 to 1.4), decreased preoperative hematocrit (OR=1.5, 95%CI=1.1 to 1.7), elevated preoperative creatinine (OR=1.1, 95%CI=1.06 to 1.9), higher intra-operative blood loss (OR=1.4, 95%CI=1.1 to 1.6), higher red cell transfusion (OR=1.6, 95%CI=1.3-2.1), and preexisting chronic renal disease (OR=3.3, 95%CI=1.4 to 7.5). Other preoperative and intraoperative factors did not show a significant association with mortality or morbidity. Conclusion The open repair of an infrarenal AAA is linked to high overall mortality (17.6%) and morbidity (35.9%). The mortality rate for elective repair was 8.9%, but it significantly increased to 56.5% in cases of ruptured aneurysms. Factors with very high Odds Ratio such as emergency surgery, ruptured aneurysm, cardiac arrests during surgery, complex juxtarenal anatomy, and postoperative complications can lead to a high chance of mortality. Healthcare professionals should be vigilant and focus on early detection and repair of abdominal aneurysms to prevent emergency surgery, rupture, and mortality. It is crucial to prevent acute kidney injury, acute respiratory failure, and pneumonia, as these are common complications of open repair.
morbidity ; mortality

OBJECTIVE

To describe the treatment outcomes of patients who underwent Percutaneous Transluminal Angioplasty (PTA) for Central Vein Occlusive Disease (CVOD) in end-stage kidney disease and determine the association between patient profile and treatment outcomes.

METHODS

A single-institution, retrospective review of patients aged 18 and above with end-stage kidney disease who underwent PTA for CVOD in the University of the Philippines - Philippine General Hospital (UP-PGH) from January 1, 2013, to December 31, 2022, was performed. These patients’ demographic and clinical profiles were evaluated using means, frequencies, and percentages. The relationship between patient profile and success of PTA was assessed using Chi-square and Mann-Whitney U tests.

RESULTS

One hundred one patients were included in the study. Eighty-two had a first intervention, and 19 had a recurrent first intervention. The mean age was 49.8 years, with forty-six (45.5%) males and fifty-five (54.5%) females. The most common comorbidity was hypertension (59.4%). This was followed by diabetes (35.6%), chronic glomerulonephritis (18.8%), and NSAID nephropathy (4.9%). Other comorbidities include lupus nephritis, urate nephropathy, and polycystic kidney disease. The interval between symptoms and intervention ranged from two weeks to ninety-six weeks. Eleven patients (10.9%) had an arterio-venous fistula (AVF) before initiating dialysis and did not have a history of dialysis catheter use. Temporary catheters comprise most of the central vein catheters (CVC) (84.2%), while tunneled catheters were a minority (8.9%). The overall central line insertions of one hundred one patients were one hundred fifty-five, most via the right internal jugular vein (86%). There was a total of one hundred twenty-seven lesions seen during venography. Most of these lesions were in the left Innominate vein (38.6%, 39/101) and the right innominate vein (32.7%, 33/101). The most common type of lesion was stenosis (47.5%), followed by abrupt occlusions (31.7%) and tapered occlusions (20.8%). The overall success rate of PTA was 74.2%. In the second intervention for recurrence (n=19), the success rate was 78.9% (15/19). Third-time intervention in three patients was all successful. The success rate in stenotic, tapered, and abrupt lesions were 100%, 85.7%, and 28.1%, respectively. Symptomfree intervals ranged from twelve to one hundred ninetytwo weeks. After a failed intervention, a new fistula or graft was the most common access option (50%). This was followed by central catheter (38.5%), venous bypass (7.7%), and peritoneal dialysis catheter (3.8%). Morbidity was 0.99%. The in-hospital mortality was zero.

CONCLUSION

Overall PTA success rate for non-recurrent and first operation of recurrent patients with CVOD was high (74%). Stenotic type of lesions were the best vessels to dilate. Failure of PTA was directly related to previous right subclavian catheter insertion, multiple central vein catheter insertions, lesions in the right innominate vein, and an abrupt type of central vein occlusion. The current strategy of PTA for CVOD is both safe and effective. Early AVF creation can prevent patients from requiring multiple catheter insertions and developing CVOD. The right internal jugular vein is the optimal choice for access, while subclavian vein access should be avoided.

Human ; End-stage Kidney Disease ; Kidney Failure, Chronic ; Percutaneous Transluminal Angioplasty ; Angioplasty

Repair of complex aortic aneurysms such as those involving the thoracoabdominal and pararenal aorta presents a formidable challenge for surgeons with significant perioperative morbidity and mortality. A hybrid procedure combining renovisceral debranching with endovascular aneurysm exclusion has been developed as an alternative approach for high-risk patients. This paper reports our initial experience with hybrid repair for these complex aortic diseases in three high-risk patients.

Human ; Male ; Aged: 65-79 Yrs Old ; Middle Aged: 45-64 Yrs Old ; Aorta ; Aortic Aneurysm ; Endovascular Procedures

OBJECTIVES

To describe the treatment outcomes of patients who underwent open repair of infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) and to determine the risk factors affecting morbidity and mortality.

METHODS

Data were obtained from patients with infrarenal AAAs who underwent open surgical repair at the University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital (UP-PGH) from January 2013 to October 31, 2023. These patients’ demographic and clinical profile, and treatment outcomes were evaluated using frequencies and percentages. Student’s t-test and chi-square test were used for the inferential analysis. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with in-hospital mortality and morbidity.

RESULTS

In this study, 131 patients underwent open surgical repair of AAA. 82.4% of the patients were males, and 45.8% were between 61-70 years old. The majority of them had hypertension (81.4%) and were smokers (75%). The mortality rate was 17.6%, while the morbidity rate was 35.9%. For elective operations, the mortality was 8.9%, and for ruptured aneurysms, it was 56.5%. Eleven factors associated with mortality included ruptured aneurysm (OR=11.5, 95%CI=4.1 to 32.2), decreased hemoglobin (OR=1.1, 95%CI=1.05 to 1.2), decreased hematocrit (OR=1.1, 95%CI=1.06 to 1.4), emergency surgery (OR=10.3, 95%CI=2.9 to 36.3), higher volume of blood loss (OR=1.5, 95%CI=1.5 to 1.9), higher red cell transfusion (OR=1.3, 95%CI=1.1-1.5), intraoperative cardiopulmonary (CP) arrest (OR=15.9, 95%CI=1.6 to 159.2), need for multiple inotropes (OR=2.7, 95%CI=1.5-4.8), intraoperative hypotension (OR=3.6, 95%CI=1.4-9.7), juxta-renal location (OR=5.0, 95%CI=1.2 to 10.0), and presence of any complication (OR=5.7, 95%CI=2.1-15.1). Seven factors associated with morbidity included ruptured aneurysm (OR=3.9, 95%CI=1.5 to 9.8), decreased preoperative hemoglobin (OR=1.2, 95%CI=1.1 to 1.4), decreased preoperative hematocrit (OR=1.5, 95%CI=1.1 to 1.7), elevated preoperative creatinine (OR=1.1, 95%CI=1.06 to 1.9), higher intra-operative blood loss (OR=1.4, 95%CI=1.1 to 1.6), higher red cell transfusion (OR=1.6, 95%CI=1.3-2.1), and preexisting chronic renal disease (OR=3.3, 95%CI=1.4 to 7.5). Other preoperative and intraoperative factors did not show a significant association with mortality or morbidity.

CONCLUSION

The open repair of an infrarenal AAA is linked to high overall mortality (17.6%) and morbidity (35.9%). The mortality rate for elective repair was 8.9%, but it significantly increased to 56.5% in cases of ruptured aneurysms. Factors with very high Odds Ratio such as emergency surgery, ruptured aneurysm, cardiac arrests during surgery, complex juxtarenal anatomy, and postoperative complications can lead to a high chance of mortality. Healthcare professionals should be vigilant and focus on early detection and repair of abdominal aneurysms to prevent emergency surgery, rupture, and mortality. It is crucial to prevent acute kidney injury, acute respiratory failure, and pneumonia, as these are common complications of open repair.

Human ; Morbidity ; Mortality