Risk factors of infected pancreatic necrosis secondary to severe acute pancreatitis

BACKGROUND： Severe acute pancreatitis（SAP） remains a clinical challenge with considerable morbidity and mortality.An early identification of infected pancreatic necrosis（IPN）, a life-threatening evolution secondary to SAP, is obliged for a more preferable prognosis. Thus, the present study was conducted to identify the risk factors of IPN secondary to SAP. METHODS： The clinical data of patients with SAP were retrospectively analyzed. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were sequentially performed to assess the associations between the variables and the development of IPN secondary to SAP. A receiver operating characteristic（ROC） curve was created for each of the qualified independent risk factors. RESULTS： Of the 115 eligible patients, 39（33.9%） progressed to IPN, and the overall in-hospital mortality was 11.3%（13/115）.The early enteral nutrition（EEN）（P=0.0092, OR=0.264）, maximum intra-abdominal pressure（IAP）（P=0.0398, OR=1.131）and maximum D-dimer level（P=0.0001, OR=1.006） in the first three consecutive days were independent risk factors associated with IPN secondary to SAP. The area under ROC curve（AUC） was 0.774 for the maximum D-dimer level in the first three consecutive days and the sensitivity was 90% and the specificity was 58% at a cut-off value of 933.5 μg/L; the AUC was 0.831 for the maximum IAP in the first three consecutive days and the sensitivity was 95% and specificity was 58%at a cut-off value of 13.5 mm Hg. CONCLUSIONS： The present study suggested that the maximum D-dimer level and/or maximum IAP in the first three consecutive days after admission were risk factors of IPN secondary to SAP; an EEN might be helpful to prevent the progression of IPN secondary to SAP.

Clinical features and risk factors of acute hepatitis E with severe jaundice

AIM:To compares the clinical features of patients infected with hepatitis E virus(HEV) with or without severe jaundice.In addition,the risk factors for HEV infection with severe jaundice were investigated.METHODS:We enrolled 235 patients with HEV into a cross-sectional study using multi-stage sampling to select the study group.Patients with possible acute hepatitis E showing elevated liver enzyme levels were screened for HEV infection using serologic and molecular tools.HEV infection was documented by HEV antibodies and by the detection of HEV-RNA in serum.We used χ2 analysis,Fisher's exact test,and Student's t test where appropriate in this study.Significant predictors in the univariate analysis were then included in a forward,stepwise multiple logistic regression model.RESULTS:No significant differences in symptoms,alanine aminotransferase,aspartate aminotransferase,al-kaline phosphatase,or hepatitis B virus surface antigen between the two groups were observed.HEV infected patients with severe jaundice had significantly lower peak serum levels of γ-glutamyl-transpeptidase(GGT)(median:170.31 U/L vs 237.96 U/L,P = 0.007),significantly lower ALB levels(33.84 g/L vs 36.89 g/L,P = 0.000),significantly lower acetylcholine esterase(CHE) levels(4500.93 U/L vs 5815.28 U/L,P = 0.000) and significantly higher total bile acid(TBA) levels(275.56 μmol/L vs 147.03 μmol/L,P = 0.000) than those without severe jaundice.The median of the lowest point time tended to be lower in patients with severe jaundice(81.64% vs 96.12%,P = 0.000).HEV infected patients with severe jaundice had a significantly higher viral load(median:134 vs 112,P = 0.025) than those without severe jaundice.HEV infected patients with severe jaundice showed a trend toward longer median hospital stay(38.17 d vs 18.36 d,P = 0.073).Multivariate logistic regression indicated that there were significant differences in age,sex,viral load,GGT,albumin,TBA,CHE,prothrombin index,alcohol overconsumption,and duration of admission between patients infected with acute hepatitis E with and without severe jaundice.CONCLUSION:Acute hepatitis E patients may naturally present with severe jaundice.

Risk factors of posttraumatic cerebral infarction in patients with severe and extremely severe head injury

Objective To explore pathogenesis and risk factors for posttraumatic cerebral infarction (PTCI) in patients with severe and extremely severe head injuries for the purpose of providing clues for reducing occurrence of PTCI and case-fatality. Methods Gender,age,Glasgow coma scale (GCS) ,the presence or absence of basicranial fracture,cerebral hernia or infection,surgical modality,hypotension,and the use of diuretics

QT DISPERSION: A RISK INDICATOR FOR SEVERE VENTRICULAR ARRHYTHMIA IN PATIENTS WITH ISCHEMIC AND IDIOPATHIC CARDIOMYOPATHY

Increased QT dispersion in the surface ECG (QTd = QTmax minus QTmin) is considered as an indicator of electrical inhomogeneitv and a useful predictor for severe ventricular arrhythmia and sudden cardiac death in patients with different heart diseases. Patients with ischemic and idiopathic cardiomyopathy have a very high incidence of severe ventricular arrhythmia and sudden cardiac death. We compared QT, QTc. JT and JTc dispersion in ischemic (ICMP) and idopathic (CCMP) cardiomyopathy patients with and without severe ventricular arrhythmia and normal controls.