INTRODUCTION: An  aorto-enteric  fistula  is  a  fistulous communication  between  the  duodenum  and  the  aorta. The  non-traumatic  form,  or  primary  aorto-enteric  fistula (PAEF), is rare and fatal if untreated.  This is a case of PAEF in a Filipino patient who presented with upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB).
CLINICAL PRESENTATION: A  62-year-old  Filipino  sought consult  for  hematemesis  and  melena.  He  had  just  been discharged the previous day and sent home on empiric H. pylori eradication therapy after a week of workup, which included an unremarkable esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD). He claimed to be hypertensive but was not taking any maintenance anti-hypertensive medication.
PHYSICAL FINDINGS: Blood  pressure  was  80/50  mmHg,and  cardiac  rate  of  94  bpm.  He  had  pale  palpebral  conjunctivae,  and  pale  nailbeds.Abdominal  exam  was  unremarkable.  Rest  of  physical  exam  was  normal.  Stat hemoglobin was 63 g/dL.
RESULTS: Exploratory  laparotomy  revealed  the  primary aortoduodenal  fistula  at  the  anterolateral  aspect  of  the fourth  segment  of  the  duodenum  (PADF).  Patient  was  started  on  metoprolol  and  atorvastatin.  Axillary  femoro-femoral  bypass,  ligation  of  aorta,  wedge  resection  of  aortoduodenal fistula, duodenorrhaphy, tube jejunostomy completed  was  done.  Post-operative  course  was  complicated by peritonitis and sepsis, and eventually went into arrest on his third week.
SIGNIFICANCE: This is the first case of PAEF in our institution,and possibly in the country. It is an extremely rare condition that has an annual incidence of 0.007 per million. Since its description in 1843, only 250 cases have been reported in literature.
RECOMMENDATIONS: A  high  index  of  suspicion  is  key  to  its diagnosis  and  management.Massive  UGIB,  a  negative  endoscopy, and known aortic aneurysm should raise the suspicion  for  PAEF,  as  prompt  surgical  intervention  is  the only chance for survival among these patients.

Human ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Melena ; Metoprolol ; Hematemesis ; Atorvastatin Calcium ; Aortic Aneurysm ; Duodenal Diseases ; Intestinal Fistula ; Aortic Diseases ; Aorta ; Peritonitis ; Sepsis ; Duodenum ; Hemoglobins

INTRODUCTION: Patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) exhibit a wide spectrum of early risk of death (one to 10 percent). High platelet counts may indicate a propensity for platelet-rich thrombi. Lymphocyte counts drop during ACS due to stress-induced cortisol release. Combining these two markers, recent studies have found that the platelet-tolymphocyte ratio (PLR) is associated with adverse cardiac events among patients with ACS, but local data is limited. The objective of this study is to determine if an elevated PLR taken on admission is associated with higher rates of adverse cardiac events.

METHODS: A retrospective cohort of adult patients with ACS admitted at the UP-Philippine General Hospital was analyzed. Leukocyte and platelet counts were measured by an automated hematology analyzer. The PLR values of these patients were computed, and they were stratified into two groups after determining the optimal cut-off from the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) curve. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. Secondary outcomes included development of heart failure, cardiogenic shock, reinfarction, and significant arrhythmias.

RESULTS: A total of 174 Filipinos with ACS were included. In-hospital mortality occurred in 30 patients (17%). These patients had a higher PLR compared to those who were discharged alive (p-value <0.0001). The optimal cutoff value of PLR to predict in-hospital mortality is 165, with a sensitivity of 77% and specificity of 70% (area under the ROC curve of 0.766). On multiple logistic regression analysis, a high PLR was an independent predictor of in-hospital mortality (RR 8.52; p 0.003) after controlling for the effect of other variables. The development of the predetermined secondary outcomes did not correlate with PLR on multivariate analysis.

CONCLUSION: Among Filipino patients with ACS, an elevated PLR taken within 24 hours of admission is a useful marker to predict in-hospital mortality, thus providing vital information for risk stratification and more aggressive management strategies.

Human ; Male ; Female ; Blood Platelets ; Acute Coronary Syndrome ; Shock, Cardiogenic ; Hospital Mortality ; Hydrocortisone ; Hospitals, General ; Philippines ; Lymphocyte Count ; Heart Failure ; Arrhythmias, Cardiac ; Leukocytes ; Hematology

INTRODUCTION: The coronary collateral circulation (CCC) is an alternative source of blood supply in coronary artery disease (CAD). The prognostic value of the presence of CCC at the time of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is undefined with regards to hard outcomes, particularly reduction in mortality. The study's aim is to determine if the presence of CCC demonstrated by coronary angiography during an ACS is associated with a reduction in mortality. 

METHODS: We conducted a systematic search of studies using MEDLINE, EMBASE, ScienceDirect, Scopus, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials databases in all languages and examined reference lists of studies. The inclusion criteria were 1) observational; 2) population included adults >19 years old with an acute coronary syndrome; 3) reported data on mortality in association with the presence or absence of CCC on angiography; and 4) should have controlled for confounders by using logistic regression analysis. Study quality was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale for observational studies. The outcome of interest was reduction in all-cause mortality, assessed using Mantel-Haenzel analysis of random effects to compute for risk ratios.

RESULTS: Pooled analysis from 11 identified trials with 8,370 subjects showed that among patients with ACS who underwent coronary angiography, the presence of CCC showed a trend towards benefit in terms of mortality, but was not statistically different from those without CCC [RR 0.65, (95% CI 0.38 to 1.12), p<0.0001, I2=74%]. In those ACS patients with CCC treated with PCI, a significant reduction in mortality was found [RR 0.43, (95% CI 0.29 to 0.64), p< 0.0001, I2=0%].

CONCLUSION: The presence of CCC during ACS showed a trend towards mortality reduction. Further, among patients treated with PCI, those with CCC had an incrementally significant reduction in mortality compared to those without CCC.

Coronary Artery Disease ; Collateral Circulation ; Coronary Angiography ; Acute Coronary Syndrome ; Odds Ratio ; Prognosis ; Language ; Medline ; Logistic Models ; Coronary Circulation ; Qualitative Research ; Cardiovascular System

Introduction. Coronary artery disease (CAD) remains a significant public health problem worldwide and in the Philippines. Adherence to guideline-directed therapy improves the quality of care (QOC).

Objective. We aimed to evaluate the QOC initially received by ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI) patients at our Emergency Room (ER), based on compliance to 2014 PHA CAD guidelines recommendations.

Methods. We reviewed the charts of adult patients with STEMI admitted at the ER who were not previously managed in a different hospital. The primary outcome was QOC assessed through quality indicators (QI) based on class I and IIa recommendations in the PHA CAD guidelines.

Results. Of the 29 patients included, all had ECG done upon admission, but only four were done within 10 minutes (QI: 13.79%). All eligible patients received antiplatelets (QI: 100%). Six eligible patients (QI: 100%) received nitrates, and four eligible patients (QI: 100%) received morphine. Of 16 eligible patients, only six were reperfused within the recommended 12 hours of ischemia (QI: 37.5%), two by thrombolysis and four by the primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Conclusion. The timely performance of initial ECG and reperfusion need improvement. Suitable performance measures for the provision of nitrates and morphine to eligible patients were met. Investigating intrinsic and extrinsic factors that lead to the time delays observed are also recommended.

ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction ; Emergency Service, Hospital

Introduction: Lowering levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) are proven to reduce cardiovascular risk. However, some individuals experience acute coronary events despite normal LDL-C levels. Recent studies have focused on modifiable lipoprotein targets, such as apolipoprotein B (apo-B) and apolipoprotein A-1 (apo A-1) and lipoprotein (a), as targets for therapy. Apo-B is the primary apolipoprotein of LDL-C representing total number of atherogenic particles. Apolipoprotein A-1 is the major component of HDL complex. This study will determine the prevalence of elevated apo-B and low apo A-1 among adult Filipinos with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Methods: This is a cross-sectional study involving 95 patients with ACS admitted in a tertiary hospital from November 2015 to May 2016. Levels of apo-B, apoA-1, lipoprotein (a), total cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL-C, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) were measured within 24 hours upon admission. Results: Forty-eight (48%) percent of patients was diagnosed with Non ST-Elevation-ACS, 39% with ST-Elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and 13% with unstable angina.Thirtytwo (32%) percent were on low- to high-intensity statin treatment. The mean LDL-C, non-HDL-C, and HDL-C levels were 109 mg/dL, 135 mg/dL, and 36.89 mg/dL, respectively. The prevalence of elevated apo-B (mean=103.79 mg/ dL; target:<80 mg/dL) was 82%, while that of low apo A-1 (mean=119 mg/dL; target: >120 mg/dL for males, >140 mg/dL for females) was 63%. Lipoprotein (a) levels are high (mean = 48.51 nmol/L; normal:<35 nmol/L) in 42% of patients. Among those on statin therapy, the mean LDL-C was 85 mg/dl, but the mean apo B and lipoprotein (a) levels were elevated at 87.57 mg/dL and 41 nmol/L, respectively. Conclusion Elevated levels of apo B and lipoprotein (a) and low level of apo A-1 are highly prevalent in patients with ACS. Apo-B and lipoprotein (a) levels are likewise elevated among patients with normal LDL levels.
Acute Coronary Syndrome ; Apolipoproteins

BACKGROUND

E-learning has emerged as a crucial technique that educators embrace and apply. Two effective e-learning materials are video-based learning (VBL) and e-book-based remote learning (EBRL). While several studies have proven their effectiveness, none have compared these e-learning materials, especially regarding caregivers’ knowledge of delirium, dementia, and depression (3Ds). Based on the extant literature, many caregivers are untrained and often lack the knowledge and skills to lessen the burden on delirious, demented, and depressed older adults. Hence, there is a growing need to explore how e-learning materials will address caregivers’ lack of knowledge about the 3Ds of geriatric psychiatry.

OBJECTIVES

This study ascertained the effects of e-learning materials on caregivers’ knowledge about the 3Ds of geriatric psychiatry and determined significant differences within and between groups.

METHODS

A three-arm, quasi-experimental study, which included 63 informal caregivers in Baguio City who met the inclusion criteria and were chosen through purposive sampling, was conducted. Data were gathered using the Delirium-related knowledge tool, the Bangladesh version of the Depression Literacy Questionnaire, and the Dementia Knowledge Assessment Tool version 2. Data collection was done face-to-face and was conducted from March to April 2023. Data were treated with descriptive and inferential statistics using means, paired t-test, one-way omnibus ANOVA, and the post hoc Scheffé’s test. Ethics approval was provided by the Saint Louis University Research Ethics Committee (SLU-REC-UG 2023-004).

RESULTS

All the pretest mean scores of respondents in the VBL, EBRL, and control groups increased in the posttest. Additionally, the paired t-test revealed that the VBL and EBRL materials significantly affected the caregivers’ knowledge about the 3Ds of geriatric psychiatry, evidenced by a t-statistic of -5.80 (p=0.00001) and -4.48 (p= 0.00023), respectively. Lastly, one-way ANOVA revealed that there was a statistically significant difference in mean scores between at least two groups (F(2,60) = [7.060], p=0.002). Post hoc analysis using Scheffé’s test for multiple comparisons found that the mean values significantly differed between the VBL and the waitlist control group (Scheffé=10.589), and between the EBRL and the waitlist control group (Scheffé=10.589). There was no statistically significant difference between the VBL and the EBRL groups (Scheffé=0).

CONCLUSIONS

This study suggests that informal caregivers in Baguio City are moderately knowledgeable about the 3Ds of geriatric psychiatry. Moreover, both VBL and EBRL materials showed effectiveness in improving caregivers’ knowledge about the 3Ds of geriatric psychiatry, highlighting the substantial equivalence of both materials. Lastly, caregivers’ knowledge about the 3Ds of geriatric psychiatry increases as they engage in e-learning materials. Thus, it is acknowledged that VBL and EBRL materials are valuable, cost-effective, and practical interventions in improving caregivers’ knowledge about the 3Ds of geriatric psychiatry.

Human ; Geriatric Psychiatry ; Delirium ; Dementia ; Depression