The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the outcome of patients on the liver transplantation (LT) waitlist in 2020 in France, in particular, the ...incidence of deaths and delisting for worsening condition, depending on the allocation score component. The 2020 cohort of patients on the waiting list was compared with the 2018/2019 cohorts. 2020 saw fewer LTs than in either 2019 or 2018 (1128, 1356, and 1325, respectively), together with fewer actual brain dead donors (1355, 1729, and 1743). In 2020, deaths or delisting for worsening condition increased significantly versus 2018/2019 (subdistribution hazard ratio 1.4, 95% confidence interval CI 1.2-1.7), after adjustment for age, place of care, diabetes, blood type, and score component, although COVID-19-related mortality was low. This increased risk mainly concerned patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (1.52, 95% CI 1.22-1.90), with 650 MELD exception points (2.19, 95% CI 1.08-4.43), and especially those without HCC and MELD scores from 25 to 30 (3.36 95% CI 1.82-6.18). In conclusion, by significantly decreasing LT activity in 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic increased the number of waitlist deaths and delisting for worsening condition, and significantly more for particular components of the score, including intermediate severity cirrhosis.
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IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UL, UM, UPUK
Heme oxygenase (HO)-1 is a stress response enzyme which presents with cardiovascular protective and anti-inflammatory properties. Six-month chronic overcirculation-induced pulmonary arterial ...hypertension (PAH) in piglets has been previously reported as a model of right ventricular (RV) failure related to the RV activation of apoptotic and inflammatory processes. We hypothesized that altered HO-1 signalling could be involved in both pulmonary vascular and RV changes. Fifteen growing piglets were assigned to a sham operation (n = 8) or to an anastomosis of the left innominate artery to the pulmonary arterial trunk (n = 7). Six months later, hemodynamics was evaluated after closure of the shunt. After euthanasia of the animals, pulmonary and myocardial tissue was sampled for pathobiological evaluation. Prolonged shunting was associated with a tendency to decreased pulmonary gene and protein expressions of HO-1, while pulmonary gene expressions of interleukin (IL)-33, IL-19, intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1 and -2 were increased. Pulmonary expressions of constitutive HO-2 and pro-inflammatory tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α remained unchanged. Pulmonary vascular resistance (evaluated by pressure/flow plots) was inversely correlated to pulmonary HO-1 protein and IL-19 gene expressions, and correlated to pulmonary ICAM-1 gene expression. Pulmonary arteriolar medial thickness and PVR were inversely correlated to pulmonary IL-19 expression. RV expression of HO-1 was decreased, while RV gene expressions TNF-α and ICAM-2 were increased. There was a correlation between RV ratio of end-systolic to pulmonary arterial elastances and RV HO-1 expression. These results suggest that downregulation of HO-1 is associated to PAH and RV failure.
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DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
In France, the pre-hospital field triage of trauma patients is currently based on the Vittel criteria algorithm. This algorithm was originally created in 2002 before the stratification of trauma ...centers and, at the national level, has not been revised since. This could be responsible for the overtriage of trauma patients in Level I Trauma Centers. The principal aim of this study was to evaluate the correlation between each Vittel field triage criterion and trauma patients' Injury Severity Score.
Our Level I Trauma Center receives an average of 300 trauma patients per year. Demographic and physiological data, along with the entire trauma patient management process and Vittel field triage criteria, are recorded in a local trauma registry. The Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) and Injury Severity Score (ISS) are calculated after a complete assessment of the trauma victim during their in-hospital management. Results were concerned with the presence of an ISS of greater than 15, which defined a major trauma patient; mortality within 30 days; and admission to the intensive care unit. This study is a registry analysis from January 2013 to September 2017.
Of the 1373 patients in the registry, 1151 were included in the analysis with a mean age of 43 years (± 19) and a median ISS of 13 (IQR = 5-22), where 887 (77%) were male. Nine of the 24 Vittel criteria were associated with an ISS > 15. In a multivariate analysis, no criterion related to kinetic elements was significantly correlated with an ISS > 15, mortality within 30 days, or admission to intensive care. Three algorithm categories were predictive of a major trauma patient (ISS > 15): physiological variables, pre-hospital resuscitation, and physical injuries, while kinetic elements were not.
Criteria related to physiological variables, pre-hospital resuscitation, and physical injuries are the most relevant to predicting the severity of a trauma patient's condition. A revision of the VCA could potentially have beneficial effects on the over and undertriage phenomena, which constitute ongoing medical and financial concerns.
Before total body computed tomography scan, an initial rapid imaging assessment should be conducted in the trauma bay. It generally includes a chest x-ray, pelvic x-ray, and an extended focused ...ultrasonography assessment for trauma. This initial imaging assessment has been poorly described since the increase in the use of ultrasound. Therefore, our study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy and therapeutic impact of this initial imaging work-up in severe trauma patients. A secondary aim was to assess the therapeutic impact of a chest x-ray according to the lung ultrasonography findings.
Patients with severe trauma who were admitted directly to our level 1 trauma center were consecutively included in this retrospective single center study. The diagnostic accuracy, therapeutic impact, and appropriate decision rate were calculated according to the initial assessment results of the whole body computed tomography scan and surgery reports.
Among the 1315 trauma patients admitted, 756 were included in this research. Lung ultrasound showed a higher diagnostic accuracy for haemothorax and pneumothorax cases than the chest x-ray. Sensitivity and specificity of the abdominal ultrasound to detect intraperitoneal effusion were 70% and 96%, respectively. The initial assessment had a therapeutic impact in 76 (10%) of the patients, including 16 (2%) immediate laparotomies and 58 (7%) chest tube insertions. The pelvic x-ray had no therapeutic impact, and when the lung ultrasound was normal, the chest x-ray had a therapeutic impact of only 0.13%. Combining the chest x-ray and lung ultrasound allowed adequate management of all the pneumothorax and haemothorax cases. Only one of the 756 patients had initial management that was judged as inappropriate. This patient had a missed pelvic disjunction with active retroperitoneal bleeding, and underwent an inappropriate immediate laparotomy.
In our cohort, the initial imaging assessment allowed appropriate decisions in 755 of 756 patients, with a global therapeutic impact of 10%. The pelvic x-ray had a minimal therapeutic impact, and in the patients with normal lung ultrasounds, the chest x-ray marginally affected the management of our patients. The potential consequences of abandoning systematic chest and pelvic x-rays should be investigated in future randomized prospective studies.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZRSKP
Guidelines recommend a ticagrelor loading dose (LD) before PCI or a prasugrel LD at the time of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in intermediate and high-risk non–ST-elevation acute coronary ...syndrome (NSTE-ACS). However, achieving an optimal PR inhibition at the time of PCI is critical to prevent adverse events and depends on the timing of LD intake in relation to PCI. We aimed to compare the rate of myonecrosis related to PCI in patients with NSTE-ACS receiving ticagrelor pretreatment versus prasugrel at the time of intervention. We prospectively randomized 213 patients with NSTE-ACS to a 180 mg of ticagrelor LD given as soon as possible after admission and before PCI or to a 60 mg LD of prasugrel given at the time of PCI. The primary end point was the rate of periprocedural myonecrosis as defined by an increase of >5 times the ninety-ninth percentiles in troponin-negative patients or a 20% increase in troponin-positive patients. The 2 groups were similar regarding baseline characteristics including clinical setting (p = 0.2). Procedural characteristics were also identical including the number of treated vessels and stenting procedures. Patients in the prasugrel group more often required emergent PCI (p = 0.001). Patients in the ticagrelor group had less periprocedural myonecrosis compared with those in the prasugrel group (19.8% vs 38.3%; p = 0.03). The rate of major adverse cardiovascular events and Bleeding Academic Research Consortium ≥2 at 1-month follow-up was low and similar between the 2 groups. In conclusion, a ticagrelor LD as soon as possible before PCI is superior to prasugrel at the time of PCI to prevent periprocedural myonecrosis in NSTE-ACS.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK
Acute transient pulmonary hypertension may induce a state of persistent right ventricular (RV) failure. We hypothesized that this could be related to an activation of inflammatory processes and ...reduced by prostacyclin therapy.
Sixteen dogs were assigned to a 90-minute pulmonary artery banding (n = 8), or to a sham operation (n = 8). Hemodynamic variables were measured 30 minutes after banding release. This was repeated in 7 dogs with pulmonary artery banding-induced RV failure, followed by a 60-minute epoprostenol infusion. After euthanasia of the animals, myocardial tissue was sampled.
Persistent RV failure was associated with increased myocardial expression of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, monocyte chemoattractant protein 1, pro-inflammatory IL-6/IL-10, and neutrophil and macrophage infiltration, whereas heme oxygenase 1 expression was decreased. These changes were observed in RV and to a lesser extent in the left ventricle (LV). In the RV only, expressions of prostacyclin synthase and anti-inflammatory IL-10 and IL-33 decreased and vascular cell adhesion molecule expression increased, whereas macrophage inflammatory protein-1α and intercellular adhesion molecule 1 expressions remained unchanged. After epoprostenol infusion, there was decreased expression of IL-1β, macrophage inflammatory protein-1α, and vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 and increased IL-10 expression in the RV and the LV, whereas monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 decreased in the RV only. Epoprostenol infusion resulted in decreased RV IL-6/IL-10 and pro-apoptotic Bax/Bcl-2, together with decreased RV neutrophil and RV and LV macrophage infiltration. The RV ratio of end systolic-to-pulmonary arterial elastances was inversely correlated to RV IL-6/IL-10, macrophage, and neutrophil infiltration, and to RV heme oxygenase-1 and IL-33 expression.
Acute afterload-induced persistent RV failure is associated with an activation of inflammatory processes, which are limited by epoprostenol.
Three-month chronic systemic-to-pulmonary shunting in growing piglets has been reported as an early pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) model with preserved right ventricular (RV) function. We ...sought to determine whether prolonged shunting might be associated with more severe PAH and RV failure.
Fourteen growing piglets were randomized to a sham operation or the anastomosis of the left innominate artery to the pulmonary arterial trunk. Six months later, the shunt was closed and the animals underwent haemodynamic evaluation followed by tissue sampling for pathobiological assessment. Prolonged shunting had resulted in increased mean pulmonary artery pressure (22 ± 2 versus 17 ± 1 mmHg) and pulmonary arteriolar medial thickness, while cardiac output was decreased. However, RV-arterial coupling was markedly deteriorated, with a ~50% decrease in the ratio of end-systolic to pulmonary arterial elastances (Ees/Ea). Lung tissue expressions of endothelin-1, angiopoietin-1, and bone morphogenetic protein receptor-2 were similarly altered compared with previously observed after 3-month shunting. At the RV tissue level, pro-apoptotic ratio of Bax-to-Bcl-2 expressions and caspase-3 activation were increased, along with an increase in cardiomyocyte size, while expressions in voltage-gated potassium channels (Kv1.5 and Kv2.1) and angiogenic factors (angiopoietin-2 and vascular endothelial growth factor) were decreased. Right ventricular expressions of pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-1α, IL-1β, tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and natriuretic peptide precursors (NPPA and NPPB) were increased. There was an inverse correlation between RV Ees/Ea and pro-apoptotic Bax/Bcl-2 ratios.
Prolonged left-to-right shunting in piglets does not further aggravate pulmonary vasculopathy, but is a cause of RV failure, which appears related to an activation of apoptosis and inflammation.
1 Laboratory of Physiology, Free University of
Brussels, B-1070 Brussels; 2 Department of Intensive
Care, Erasme Hospital, B-1070 Brussels; 3 Department of
Cardiac Surgery, Brugmann Hospital, ...B-1020 Brussels; and
4 Department of Anesthesiology, Bordet Institute,
B-1000, Brussels, Belgium
Assessement of right ventricular (RV)
contractility from end-systolic pressure-volume relationships (ESPVR)
is difficult due to problems in measuring RV instantaneous volume and
to effects of changes in RV preload or afterload. We therefore
investigated in anesthetized dogs whether RV ESPVR and contractility
can be determined without measuring RV volume and without changing RV preload or afterload. The maximal RV pressure of isovolumic beats (P max ) was predicted from isovolumic portions of RV
pressure during ejecting beats and compared with P max
measured during the first beat after pulmonary artery clamping. In RV
pressure-volume loops obtained from RV pressure and integrated
pulmonary arterial flow, end-systolic elastance
( E es ) was assessed as the slope of
P max -derived ESPVR, pulmonary artery effective elastance
( E a ) as the slope of end-diastolic to
end-systolic relation, and coupling efficiency as the
E es -to- E a ratio
( E es / E a ). Predicted
P max correlated with observed P max
( r = 0.98 ± 0.02). Dobutamine increased
E es from 1.07 to 2.00 mmHg/ml and
E es / E a from 1.64 to 2.49, and propranolol decreased
E es / E a from 1.64 to 0.91 (all P < 0.05). After adrenergic blockade, preload
reduction did not affect E es , whereas hypoxia and arterial constriction markedly increased E a
and somewhat increased E es due to the Anrep
effect. Low preload did not affect
E es / E a and high afterload
decreased E es / E a . In
conclusion, in the right ventricle 1 ) P max can
be calculated from normal beats, 2 ) P max can be
used to determine ESPVR without change in load, and 3 ) P max -derived ESPVR can be used to assess ventricular
contractility and ventricular-arterial coupling efficiency.
contractility; preload; afterload; pulmonary hypertension; hypoxia
ABSTRACT
Background
This national multicentre retrospective cohort study aimed to assess the long-term outcomes of dual kidney transplantation (DKT) and compare them with those obtained from single ...kidney transplantation (SKT).
Methods
Our first analysis concerned all first transplants performed between May 2002 and December 2014, from marginal donors, defined as brain death donors older than 65 years, with an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) lower than 90 mL/min/1.73 m2. The second analysis was restricted to transplants adequately allocated according to the French DKT program based on donor eGFR: DKT for eGFR between 30 and 60, SKT for eGFR between 60 and 90 mL/min/1.73 m2. Recipients younger than 65 years or with a panel-reactive antibody percentage ≥25% were excluded.
Results
The first analysis included 461 DKT and 1131 SKT. DKT donors were significantly older (77.6 versus 74 years), had a more frequent history of hypertension and a lower eGFR (55.1 versus 63.6 mL/min/1.73 m2). While primary nonfunction and delayed graft function did not differ between SKT and DKT, 1-year eGFR was lower in SKT recipients (39 versus 49 mL/min/1.73 m2, P < 0.001). Graft survival was significantly better in DKT, even after adjustment for recipient and donor risk factors. Nevertheless, patient survival did not differ between these groups. The second analysis included 293 DKT and 687 SKT adequately allocated with donor eGFR and displayed similar results but with a smaller benefit in terms of graft survival.
Conclusions
In a context of organ shortage, DKT is a good option for optimizing the use of kidneys from very expanded criteria donors.
Uterus transplantation is a new possibility for women suffering from absolute uterine infertility to become pregnant and have children. In the case of a deceased donor, a list of exclusion criteria ...is defined to ensure the high quality of the uterus graft. This study evaluates the number of potentially available uterus grafts based on the pre-defined exclusion criteria in a national deceased donor multi-organ donation program in France. We analyzed the data reported in the CRISTAL database regarding all women aged 18 to 60 on whom organ procurement was performed between 2014 and 2019. Potential deceased women donors were classified into three categories: very ideal donor, ideal donor, and expanded criteria donor. Between 2014 and 2019, 4544 women underwent organ procurement. Using the very ideal donor, ideal donor, and expanded criteria donor classification, we found that, respectively, only 124, 264, and 936 donors were potentially eligible for UTx. This represents 2.8 per million people (PMP) very ideal donors, 3.8 PMP ideal donors, 8.6 PMP expanded criteria donors (ECDs). The restricted number of grafts requires a complementary strategy of living and deceased donors to meet the demand of all women with AUI.
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