Background: Postoperative infectious pneumonia (PIP) is a common and serious complication following cardiothoracic surgery, including coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), valve interventions, and thoracic oncologic procedures. It is associated with increased morbidity, prolonged intensive care unit (ICU) stay, and healthcare burden.
Methods: We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis according to PRISMA 2020 guidelines.
Vasodilatory shock that does not respond to high-dose catecholamine vasopressors remains a life-threatening condition and is characterized by severe hypotension and high mortality. Angiotensin II, a non-catecholamine vasopressor that activates angiotensin type 1 receptors, has emerged as a potential therapeutic agent for restoring vascular tone in this setting. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and hemodynamic effects of intravenous angiotensin II in adult patients with vasodilatory shock unresponsive to catecholamines, with a focus on data from the Angiotensin II for the Treatment of High-Output Shock (ATHOS-3) randomized trial and related studies.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObstructive mechanical mitral valve thrombosis is a life-threatening emergency requiring urgent intervention. Surgery is often first-line; thrombolysis may be considered in high-risk cases. A multidisciplinary approach is essential to balance thromboembolic and bleeding risks, emphasizing early recognition, optimized anticoagulation, and improved strategies for prevention and postoperative management.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFTracheostomy tube migration is a rare but potentially life-threatening complication. We present the case of a 66-year-old male with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, dual-chamber pacemaker implantation for chronic ischemic cardiomyopathy, and supraglottic squamous cell carcinoma. The patient developed respiratory distress due to intrabronchial migration of the tracheostomy tube.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAcute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a malignant hematologic disorder characterized by bone marrow failure and an increased risk of hemorrhagic complications due to thrombocytopenia, coagulopathy, and hyperfibrinolysis. While AML is associated with bleeding tendencies, massive spontaneous hemothorax (SH) is an exceedingly rare and often fatal manifestation. We report the case of a patient who presented with acute chest pain, dyspnea, and hemodynamic instability, ultimately diagnosed with AML-associated hemothorax.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFInfectious myocarditis (IM) and infective endocarditis (IE), sometimes associated with infection of the surrounding mediastinal tissue or embolic complications caused by residual implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) lead material embedded in the ventricle, present a significant challenge for cardiac surgeons due to the difficulty of precisely locating the old intracardiac pacing lead remnants because of the heart's continuous movement. We present the case of successful two-stage elective sternotomy extraction of two residual defibrillator leads, one trapped in the left innominate vein, easily removed after veinotomy without cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), and the other embedded intramyocardially in the inferior wall of the right ventricle, successfully removed under CPB after fluoroscopic guidance. The patient was discharged four weeks post-operation without complications.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntraoperative cardiac arrest presents a significant challenge in surgical settings, particularly in patients with undiagnosed cardiac conditions. This report details the case of a 62-year-old male patient who experienced cardiac arrest during elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy, attributed to previously undiagnosed hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). The patient exhibited no prior cardiac symptoms and was assessed as low risk preoperatively.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThis retrospective study, conducted over five years, aimed to assess the bacteriological profile of nosocomial pneumonia, the antibiotic resistance of isolated bacteria, and changes in these parameters over time. The analysis reviewed 660 samples from the microbiology department at the Military Hospital of Avicenne in Marrakech, Morocco, covering the period from January 1, 2017, to December 31, 2021. Among these samples, 303 microorganisms were identified from 251 specimens, confirming diagnoses of nosocomial pneumonia.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMaxillofacial trauma is prevalent, particularly among the young population, often stemming from assaults, road accidents, or sports-related mishaps. Traditional intubation methods for managing these injuries can be challenging, especially with occluso-facial fractures requiring intermaxillary blocking for dental articulation restoration. Effective management requires interdisciplinary collaboration between emergency physicians, anesthetists, and maxillofacial surgeons.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFStaphylococcal scalded skin syndrom is a bullous dermatosis induced by exfoliating staphylococcal exotoxins. Children are most often affected. We report the case of a 6-month-old infant who had angina in the few days before leading up to bullous erythroderma and whose skin biopsy showed characteristic appearance of staphylococcal scalded skin syndrom.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntroduction: emergency surgery for pertrochanteric femoral fractures (PFF) in patients at high risk of anaesthetic complications is a real challenge for surgeons due to the increased intraoperative risk. We report our experience with combined lumbar plexus-sciatic nerve block as an alternative anesthetic technique for these fractures.
Methods: we conducted a three-year descriptive, single-center, cross-sectional study including patients with a history of recent pertrochanteric femoral fractures (PFF) at high risk anaesthetic complications.