Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Completely Steroid-Free Immunosuppression In Liver Transplantation: A Randomized Study., Carlo B. Ramirez, Md, Cataldo Doria, Md, Phd, Adam M. Frank, Md, Stephen T. Armenti, Ignazio R. Marino, Md

Adam M. Franks, MD

INTRODUCTION: Corticosteroids (CS) have been standard immunosuppression to prevent and treat rejection. However, CS are associated with increased risk of infection, obesity, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, and accelerated hepatitis C virus (HCV) recurrence post-orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). This study assesses the safety and efficacy of CS-free immunosuppressive regimen in adult OLT.

METHODS: A two-yr, prospective, randomized study of CS with delayed withdrawal (CS) or CS-free regimen with basiliximab, tacrolimus, and enteric-coated mycophenolate sodium (EC-MPS) was performed in 39 patients (CS=20; CS-free=19). CS group received intra-operative methylprednisolone weaned by six months. HCV patients had HCV PCR pre-OLT and 0.5, one, three, and …

The Position Of The Eastern Association For The Surgery Of Trauma On The Future Of Trauma Surgery., Michael F Rotondo, Thomas J Esposito, Patrick M Reilly, Philip S Barie, J Wayne Meredith, Virginia A Eddy, Reuven Rabinovici, Lenworth M Jacobs, Paul R G Cunningham, Eric R Frykberg, Michael Rhodes, Michael D. Pasquale Md, Facs, Fccm, Blaine L Enderson, John J Locurto, Nabil A Atweh, Rao R Ivatury

Michael D Pasquale MD, FACS, FCCM

No abstract provided.

Utility Of Chest Radiographs After Guidewire Exchanges Of Central Venous Catheters., P Frassinelli, Michael D. Pasquale Md, Facs, Fccm, M D Cipolle, M Rhodes

Michael D Pasquale MD, FACS, FCCM

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether chest radiographs are warranted after uncomplicated guidewire exchanges of central venous catheters in patients admitted to a Level I trauma intensive care unit.

DESIGN: Prospective study performed in two phases.

SETTING: Intensive care unit in a Level I trauma center.

PATIENTS: Patients admitted to a Level I trauma center intensive care unit who required central venous catheter guidewire exchanges.

INTERVENTIONS: Criteria for uncomplicated guidewire exchanges were established and followed. A catheter exchange checklist was completed at each procedure, and a chest radiograph was performed after each guidewire exchange. The complications followed were catheter malposition, pneumothorax, hemothorax, …

Outcome After Decompressive Craniectomy For The Treatment Of Severe Traumatic Brain Injury., Jerry Lee Howard, Mark D Cipolle, Meredith Anderson, Victoria Sabella, Daniele Shollenberger, P Mark Li, Michael D. Pasquale Md, Facs, Fccm

Michael D Pasquale MD, FACS, FCCM

BACKGROUND: Using decompressive craniectomy as part of the treatment regimen for severe traumatic brain injury (STBI) has become more common at our Level I trauma center. This study was designed to examine this practice with particular attention to long-term functional outcome.

METHODS: A retrospective review of prospectively collected data was performed for patients with STBI admitted from January 1, 2003 to December 31, 2005. Our institution manages patients using the Brain Trauma Foundation Guidelines. Data collected from patients undergoing decompressive craniectomy included: age, Injury Severity Score, admission and follow-up Glasgow Coma Score, timing of, and indication for decompressive craniectomy, and …

Use Of Greenfield Filters In Renal Transplant Patients--Are They Safe?, Michael D. Pasquale Md, Facs, Fccm, J H Abrams, J S Najarian, F B Cerra

Michael D Pasquale MD, FACS, FCCM

No abstract provided.

Massive Hematochezia Secondary To Graft-Versus-Host Disease And Cytomegalovirus., M Shabahang, Michael D. Pasquale Md, Facs, Fccm, P Bitterman, E Cirenza, T Spitzer, S R Evans

Michael D Pasquale MD, FACS, FCCM

No abstract provided.

Multicenter Study Of Noninvasive Monitoring Systems As Alternatives To Invasive Monitoring Of Acutely Ill Emergency Patients., W C Shoemaker, H Belzberg, C C Wo, D P Milzman, Michael D. Pasquale Md, Facs, Fccm, L Baga, M A Fuss, G J Fulda, K Yarbrough, J P Van Dewater, P J Ferraro, D Thangathurai, P Roffey, G Velmahos, J A Murray, J A Asensio, K Eltawil, W R Dougherty, M J Sullivan, R S Patil, J Adibi, C B James, D Demetriades

Michael D Pasquale MD, FACS, FCCM

BACKGROUND: Recent reports showed lack of effectiveness of pulmonary artery catheterization in critically ill medical patients and relatively late-stage surgical patients with organ failure. Since invasive monitoring requires critical care environments, the early hemodynamic patterns may have been missed. Ideally, early noninvasive hemodynamic monitoring systems, if reliable, could be used as the "front end" of invasive monitoring to supply more complete descriptions of circulatory pathophysiology.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the accuracy and reliability of noninvasive hemodynamic monitoring consisting of a new bioimpedance method for estimating cardiac output combined with arterial BP, pulse oximetry, and transcutaneous PO2 and PCO2; we compared this …

Making The Case For A Paradigm Shift In Trauma Surgery., Thomas J Esposito, Michael Rotondo, Philip S Barie, Patrick Reilly, Michael D. Pasquale Md, Facs, Fccm

Michael D Pasquale MD, FACS, FCCM

No abstract provided.

Elective Colostomy Closure In An Aids Patient., Michael D. Pasquale Md, Facs, Fccm, J M Kenkel, R W Holt

Michael D Pasquale MD, FACS, FCCM

This article describes a 27-year-old patient with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) who underwent emergency sigmoid colostomy, Hartmann's pouch, and presacral drainage for rectal perforation. Three months later, he underwent uneventful elective colostomy closure, a procedure previously unreported in an AIDS patient. He remained without gastrointestinal symptoms for 14 months after colostomy closure until he died from central nervous system toxoplasmosis. A diagnosis of AIDS alone should not preclude colostomy closure in AIDS patients.

Multicenter, Randomized, Prospective Trial Of Early Tracheostomy., H J Sugerman, L Wolfe, Michael D. Pasquale Md, Facs, Fccm, F B Rogers, K F O'Malley, M Knudson, L Dinardo, M Gordon, S Schaffer

Michael D Pasquale MD, FACS, FCCM

OBJECTIVES: Determine the effect of early (days 3-5) or late (days 10-14) tracheostomy on intensive care unit length of stay (ICU LOS), frequency of pneumonia, and mortality, and evidence of short-term or long-term pharyngeal, laryngeal, or tracheal injury in head trauma, non-head trauma, and critically ill nontrauma patients.

STUDY DESIGN: Randomized, prospective.

SETTING: Five Level I trauma centers.

METHODS: Data were obtained prospectively and included Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation III score (AIII), Glasgow Coma Scale score, Emergency Room Trauma Score, Injury Severity Score, Acute Injury Score, type of endotracheal tube or tracheostomy, level of positive end-expiratory pressure, and …

Impact Of Cirrhosis On Outcomes In Trauma., Dale A Dangleben, Omid Jazaeri, Thomas Wasser, Mark Cipolle, Michael D. Pasquale Md, Facs, Fccm

Michael D Pasquale MD, FACS, FCCM

BACKGROUND: Cirrhosis as an independent predictor of poor outcomes in trauma patients was identified in 1990. We hypothesized that the degree of preinjury hepatic dysfunction is, by itself, an independent predictor of mortality.

STUDY DESIGN: The trauma registry at our Level I trauma center was queried for all ICD-9 codes for liver disease from 1999 to 2003, and patients were categorized as having Child-Turcotte-Pugh (CTP) class A, B, or C cirrhosis. Data analyzed included age, mechanism of injury, Abbreviated Injury Score (AIS), Injury Severity Score (ISS), Glasgow Coma Score (GCS), hospital length of stay, ventilator days, procedures performed, transfusion of …

Defining "Dead On Arrival": Impact On A Level I Trauma Center., Michael D. Pasquale Md, Facs, Fccm, M Rhodes, M D Cipolle, T Hanley, T Wasser

Michael D Pasquale MD, FACS, FCCM

OBJECTIVE: To determine the potential impact of defining criteria for "dead on arrival" (DOA) on a Level I trauma center.

METHODS: From 1990 to 1994, trauma patients having cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) performed by certified prehospital personnel were reviewed for time of CPR, outcome, and costs to determine whether any benefit would have been realized had DOA criteria been followed.

RESULTS: A total of 106 patients had prehospital CPR; 20 did not meet DOA criteria and underwent resuscitation, three survived (15%). Eighty-six patients met DOA criteria; 16 were pronounced dead without further resuscitative efforts (in-hospital costs of $200/patient), while 70 (81%) …

Bilateral Renal Artery Thrombosis Secondary To Blunt Trauma: Case Report And Review Of The Literature., P Frassinelli, Michael D. Pasquale Md, Facs, Fccm, C Reckard, J Goodreau, G Sherwin

Michael D Pasquale MD, FACS, FCCM

No abstract provided.

The Role Of Surveillance Duplex Scanning In Preventing Venous Thromboembolism In Trauma Patients., Mark D. Cipolle, Randolph Wojcik Md, Elizabeth Seislove, Thomas E. Wasser, Michael D. Pasquale Md, Facs, Fccm

Michael D Pasquale MD, FACS, FCCM

BACKGROUND: This study was performed to determine the role of duplex scanning in preventing pulmonary embolism (PE), the correlation of venous thromboembolism (VTE) risk score with the incidence of deep venous thrombosis (DVT), and patients who may benefit from surveillance duplex scanning.

METHODS: Age, sex, Injury Severity Score (ISS), VTE score, length of stay, diagnoses, and bleeding risk were recorded from the trauma registry in patients who had a duplex scan from 1995 to 2000.

RESULTS: There were 1,513 duplex scans obtained (10,141 trauma admissions), 253 (2.5%) cases of DVT (52% above-knee, 8% upper extremity), and 30 cases of PE …

Outcome Of Blunt Thoracic Aortic Injury In A Level I Trauma Center: An 8-Year Review., E J Frick, M D Cipolle, Michael D. Pasquale Md, Facs, Fccm, T E Wasser, M Rhodes, Raymond L. Singer Md, S A Nastasee

Michael D Pasquale MD, FACS, FCCM

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate our experience with blunt thoracic aortic injury and identify factors predictive of outcome.

METHODS: Hospital charts, trauma registry data, and autopsies of 64 patients with blunt thoracic aortic injury from 1988 to 1995 were reviewed.

RESULTS: Patients were identified and segregated based on admission physiology. Group 1 patients (n = 19) arrived in arrest. Group 2 patients (n = 10) arrived in shock with systolic BP 90. Group 3 patients (n = 35) arrived with systolic BP>90. All patients in groups 1 and 2 expired. Injury Severity Scores for nonsurvivors …

Cannulation Of The Axillary Artery For Cardiopulmonary Bypass: Safeguards And Pitfalls., Michael C Sinclair, Raymond Singer, Norman J Manley, Ralph M Montesano

Raymond L Singer MD

BACKGROUND: The ascending aorta is the customary site for arterial cannulation for cardiopulmonary bypass. Favorable experience at our institution and elsewhere using axillary artery cannulation in treating type A aortic dissections has caused us to broaden our indications for using this site for arterial cannulation for cardiopulmonary bypass.

METHODS: Medical records, operative notes, and perfusion records were reviewed in all patients in whom the axillary artery was cannulated directly or by a graft for cardiopulmonary bypass from January 1, 2000 through August 30, 2002.

RESULTS: Seventy-five patients underwent axillary artery cannulation during the 32-month interval. Eleven patients had ascending aortic …

The Effect Of Low-Dose Heparin On The Prevention Of Venous Thrombosis In Patients Receiving Short-Term Parenteral Nutrition., J A Macoviak, G Melnik, G Mclean, A Lunderquist, Raymond Singer, L Forlaw, J L Rombeau

Raymond L Singer MD

No abstract provided.

Complications From Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia In Patients Undergoing Cardiopulmonary Bypass., Raymond Singer, J D Mannion, T L Bauer, F R Armenti, R N Edie

Raymond L Singer MD

The purpose of this study was to evaluate retrospectively the incidence and severity of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT)-related complications in patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass. We reviewed the records of 1,500 consecutive patients who underwent cardiopulmonary bypass between August 1987 and December 1991 at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital. During this period of time, there were 1,155 coronary artery bypass graft operations (77 percent); 225 valve replacements and repairs, or both (15 percent); 60 combination coronary artery bypass graft or valve operations, or both (4 percent); and 60 miscellaneous procedures (4 percent). Although not all patients with postoperative complications were tested for the …

Thoracoscopic Excision Of A Malignant Schwannoma Of The Intrathoracic Vagus Nerve., Raymond Singer

Raymond L Singer MD

Malignant schwannomas of the intrathoracic vagus nerve are rare tumors. A patient underwent resection of a mediastinal malignant schwannoma of the vagus nerve using video-assisted thoracoscopy, with no recurrence at 18 months.

Extra-Anatomic Redo Of Midcab And Opcab: An Early Experience., M C Sinclair, M Leboutillier, W Gee, Theodore Phillips, Raymond Singer

Raymond L Singer MD

BACKGROUND: Eighteen patients with unstable angina underwent repeat myocardial revascularization without cardiopulmonary bypass using saphenous vein grafts from either the left (13) or right (2) axillary arteries or the descending thoracic aorta (3). Patients' ages ranged from 53 to 85 years. Left ventricular ejection fractions ranged from 15% to 60%. METHODS: In 14 patients, the heart was exposed through an anterior thoracotomy, a minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass (MIDCAB) technique. In 3 patients a left posterolateral thoractomy (lateral MIDCAB) was performed. One patient underwent repeat sternotomy (off-pump coronary artery bypass: OPCAB). In MIDCAB and lateral MIDCAB patients, the "target" …

Outcome Of Blunt Thoracic Aortic Injury In A Level I Trauma Center: An 8-Year Review., E J Frick, M D Cipolle, Michael Pasquale, T E Wasser, M Rhodes, Raymond Singer, S A Nastasee

Raymond L Singer MD

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate our experience with blunt thoracic aortic injury and identify factors predictive of outcome. METHODS: Hospital charts, trauma registry data, and autopsies of 64 patients with blunt thoracic aortic injury from 1988 to 1995 were reviewed. RESULTS: Patients were identified and segregated based on admission physiology. Group 1 patients (n = 19) arrived in arrest. Group 2 patients (n = 10) arrived in shock with systolic BP 90. Group 3 patients (n = 35) arrived with systolic BP>90. All patients in groups 1 and 2 expired. Injury Severity Scores for nonsurvivors …

Male Gender Is Associated With Increased Risk For Postinjury Pneumonia., Christopher J Gannon, Michael Pasquale, J Kathleen Tracy, Robert J Mccarter, Lena M Napolitano

Michael D Pasquale MD, FACS, FCCM

Nosocomial pneumonia in trauma patients is a significant source of resource utilization and mortality. We have previously described increased rates of pneumonia in male trauma patients in a single institution study. In that study, female trauma patients had a lower incidence of postinjury pneumonia but a higher relative risk for mortality when they did develop pneumonia. We sought to investigate the hypothesis that male trauma patients have an increased incidence of postinjury pneumonia in a separate population-based dataset. Prospective data were collected on 30,288 trauma patients (26,231 blunt injuries, 4057 penetrating injuries) admitted to all trauma centers (n = 26) …

Clinical Clearance Of The Cervical Spine In Blunt Trauma Patients Younger Than 3 Years: A Multi-Center Study Of The American Association For The Surgery Of Trauma., Rafael Pieretti-Vanmarcke, George C Velmahos, Michael L Nance, Saleem Islam, Richard A Falcone, Paul W Wales, Rebeccah L Brown, Barbara A Gaines, Christine Mckenna, Forrest O Moore, Pamela W Goslar, Kenji Inaba, Galinos Barmparas, Eric R Scaife, Ryan R Metzger, Douglas L Brockmeyer, Jeffrey S Upperman, Joaquin Estrada, David A Lanning, Sara K Rasmussen, Paul D Danielson, Michael P Hirsh, Heitor F X Consani, Steven Stylianos, Candace Pineda, Scott H Norwood, Steven W Bruch, Robert Drongowski, Robert Barraco, Michael Pasquale, Farheen Hussain, Erwin F Hirsch, P Daniel Mcneely, Mary E Fallat, David S Foley, Joseph A Iocono, Heather M Bennett, Kenneth Waxman, Kelly Kam, Lisa Bakhos, Laurie Petrovick, Yuchiao Chang, Peter T Masiakos

Michael D Pasquale MD, FACS, FCCM

BACKGROUND: Cervical spine clearance in the very young child is challenging. Radiographic imaging to diagnose cervical spine injuries (CSI) even in the absence of clinical findings is common, raising concerns about radiation exposure and imaging-related complications. We examined whether simple clinical criteria can be used to safely rule out CSI in patients younger than 3 years. METHODS: The trauma registries from 22 level I or II trauma centers were reviewed for the 10-year period (January 1995 to January 2005). Blunt trauma patients younger than 3 years were identified. The measured outcome was CSI. Independent predictors of CSI were identified by …

3d Thoracoscopic Ultrasound Volume Measurement Validation In An Ex Vivo And In Vivo Porcine Model Of Lung Tumours, V. Hornblower, E. Yu, A. Fenster, J. Battista, R. Malthaner

Richard A. Malthaner

The purpose of this study was to validate the accuracy and reliability of volume measurements obtained using three-dimensional (3D) thoracoscopic ultrasound (US) imaging. Artificial "tumours" were created by injecting a liquid agar mixture into spherical moulds of known volume. Once solidified, the "tumours" were implanted into the lung tissue in both a porcine lung sample ex vivo and a surgical porcine model in vivo. 3D US images were created by mechanically rotating the thoracoscopic ultrasound probe about its long axis while the transducer was maintained in close contact with the tissue. Volume measurements were made by one observer using the …

Is Extended Volume External Beam Radiation Therapy Covering The Anastomotic Site Beneficial In Post-Esophagectomy High Risk Patients?, Edward Yu, Rashid Dar, George Rodrigues, Larry Stitt, Gregory Videtic, Pauline Truong, Anna Tomiak, Robert Ash, Ed Brecevic, Richard Inculet, Richard Malthaner, Mark Vincent, Ian Craig, Walter Kocha, Michael Lefcoe

Richard A. Malthaner

Background and purpose: To assess the impact of extended volume radiation therapy (RT) with anastomotic coverage on local control in high risk post-operative esophageal cancer patients.

Patients and methods: This is a retrospective study of high risk (T(3), T(4), nodes positive, with or without margin involvement) post-operative esophageal cancer patients treated at London Regional Cancer Centre from 1989 to 1999. After esophagectomy, all patients received adjuvant combined modality therapy consisting of four cycles of fluorouracil-based chemotherapy, and loco-regional RT with or without coverage of the anastomotic site. RT dose ranged from 45 to 60 Gy at 1.8-2.0 Gy/fraction with treatment …

Management And Prognosis In Synchronous Solitary Resected Brain Metastasis From Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer, Alexander Louie, George Rodrigues, Brian Yaremko, Edward Yu, A. Dar, Brian Dingle, Mark Vincent, Michael Sanatani, Richard Malthaner, Richard Inculet

Richard A. Malthaner

Background: Reports in the medical literature have described cases of extended survival of patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with solitary metastatic disease who have received aggressive treatment both to the brain metastasis and to the local/regional disease. The objective of this research is to analyze prognostic factors that predict for outcome in this unique patient population.

Patients and methods: A single-institution, retrospective chart review was performed on 35 patients with NSCLC and a synchronous solitary brain metastasis (SSBM) treated with craniotomy and whole-brain radiation therapy. Eight patients (22.9%) had chest surgery, 24 (68.6%) had chemotherapy, and 14 (40%) had …

Neoadjuvant Or Adjuvant Therapy For Resectable Esophageal Cancer: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Richard Malthaner, Rebecca Wong, R. Rumble, Lisa Zuraw

Richard A. Malthaner

Background: Carcinoma of the esophagus is an aggressive malignancy with an increasing incidence. Its virulence, in terms of symptoms and mortality, justifies a continued search for optimal therapy. The large and growing number of patients affected, the high mortality rates, the worldwide geographic variation in practice, and the large body of good quality research warrants a systematic review with meta-analysis.

Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis investigating the impact of neoadjuvant or adjuvant therapy on resectable thoracic esophageal cancer to inform evidence-based practice was produced.MEDLINE, CANCERLIT, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, and abstracts from the American Society of Clinical Oncology and the …

Neoadjuvant Or Adjuvant Therapy For Resectable Esophageal Cancer: A Clinical Practice Guideline, Richard Malthaner, Rebecca Wong, R. Rumble, Lisa Zuraw

Richard A. Malthaner

Background: Carcinoma of the esophagus is an aggressive malignancy with an increasing incidence. Its virulence, in terms of symptoms and mortality, justifies a continued search for optimal therapy. A clinical practice guideline was developed based on a systematic review investigating neoadjuvant or adjuvant therapy on resectable thoracic esophageal cancer. Methods: A systematic review with meta-analysis was developed and clinical recommendations were drafted. External review of the practice guideline report by practitioners in Ontario, Canada was obtained through a mailed survey, and incorporated. Final approval of the practice guideline was obtained from the Practice Guidelines Coordinating Committee. Results: The systematic review …

Cyclosporin Versus Tacrolimus For Liver Transplanted Patients, Elizabeth Haddad, Vivian Mcalister, Elizabeth Renouf, Richard Malthaner, Mette Kjaer, Lise Gluud

Richard A. Malthaner

A systematic review of randomized clinical trials (RCT) was undertaken to evaluate the beneficial and harmful effects of immunosuppression with cyclosporin versus tacrolimus for liver transplanted patients. MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Central and Hepato-Biliary Group Controlled Trials Registers were searched. Using fixed and random effects model, relative risk (RR), values <1 favoring>tacrolimus, with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated. Of 717 potentially relevant references, 16 RCTs were eligible for inclusion. Mortality and graft loss at 1 year were significantly reduced in tacrolimus-treated recipients (Death: RR 0.85, 95% CI 0.73-0.99; graft loss: RR 0.73, 95% CI 0.61-0.86). Tacrolimus reduced the number of recipients …

3d Thoracoscopic Ultrasound Volume Measurement Validation In An Ex Vivo And In Vivo Porcine Model Of Lung Tumours, V. Hornblower, E. Yu, A. Fenster, J. Battista, R. Malthaner

Richard A. Malthaner

The purpose of this study was to validate the accuracy and reliability of volume measurements obtained using three-dimensional (3D) thoracoscopic ultrasound (US) imaging. Artificial "tumours" were created by injecting a liquid agar mixture into spherical moulds of known volume. Once solidified, the "tumours" were implanted into the lung tissue in both a porcine lung sample ex vivo and a surgical porcine model in vivo. 3D US images were created by mechanically rotating the thoracoscopic ultrasound probe about its long axis while the transducer was maintained in close contact with the tissue. Volume measurements were made by one observer using the …