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Background: Postoperative pneumonia is a major cause of morbidity and mortality following cardiac surgery. The inflammatory response to cardiac surgery has been widely studied, but specific mechanisms for postoperative pneumonia have not been determined. Tranexamic acid is renowned for its effect on bleeding but can also modulate inflammatory processes. Cardiac surgery is known to release mitochondrial DAMPs (mtDAMPs) and is linked to postoperative inflammation and atrial fibrillation. We speculated that mtDAMPs might be related to postoperative pneumonia and that this might be modulated by tranexamic acid.
Methods: Forty-one (41) patients from the Aspirin and Tranexamic Acid for Coronary Artery Surgery (ATACAS) trial were studied. Levels of mitochondrial DNA, matrix metallopeptidase 9 (MMP-9) and neutrophil elastase (NE) were determined in plasma preoperatively, at 24 and 72 hours post-surgery and correlated with clinical outcome.
Results: mtDNA was significantly elevated postoperatively in the placebo and tranexamic acid (TXA) groups. Neutrophil elastase increased immediately postoperatively and at 24 hours. MMP-9 was elevated in the placebo group early postoperatively and in the TXA group at the immediate postoperative time point and after 24 hours. Six (6) of the 41 (14.6%) patients subsequently developed pneumonia. mtDNA levels were significantly increased at the early postoperative period and the 24-hour time point in patients with pneumonia.
Conclusions: Cardiac surgery releases mtDNA, increases MMP-9 and NE and this was not influenced by TXA. Inflammation postoperatively might be linked to pneumonia since mtDNA was further elevated in these patients. Due to the low number of individuals developing pneumonia, further studies are warranted to clearly identify whether TXA impacts on the inflammatory response in postoperative pneumonia.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.hlc.2021.08.008 | DOI Listing |
Laryngoscope
September 2025
Department of Otolaryngology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York, USA.
Objective: To compare postoperative outcomes of flap maturation (FMT) and conventional tracheotomy techniques in pediatric patients.
Methods: A retrospective cohort study was performed using data from the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program Pediatric database (2020-2021). Pediatric patients ≤ 18 years who underwent FMT (CPT 31610) or conventional tracheotomy (CPT 31600, 31,601) were included.
Infect Drug Resist
September 2025
Department of Infection Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, People's Republic of China.
This study presents a rare case of severe acute bacterial skin and soft tissue infection (ABSSSI) following freshwater fish spike injury in a 73-year-old man. Within 24 hours of sustaining the wound, the patient developed septic shock and progressive necrotizing fasciitis. Despite early administration of broad-spectrum antibiotics and intensive care, his condition deteriorated, necessitating below-the-elbow amputation on hospital day four.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective: Nebulized ciprofloxacin-dexamethasone represents an adjuvant medication utilized following airway surgery. However, minimal objective information exists on this treatment, especially over more extended periods. This study measured the safety, tolerability, and adherence to nebulized ciprofloxacin-dexamethasone utilized in the outpatient setting after endoscopic airway surgery for adult patients.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSurg Case Rep
August 2025
Department of Cardiac and Vascular Surgery, Dokkyo Medical University School of Medicine, Shimotsugagun, Tochigi, Japan.
Introduction: Prosthetic valve endocarditis following aortic root replacement (ARR) typically necessitates redo-ARR, which involves complete graft removal, extensive aortic root dissection, and coronary reimplantation. This highly invasive procedure carries substantial surgical risk, including high operative mortality. In select high-risk patients without evidence of prosthetic graft infection, alternative surgical strategies may reduce procedural complexity and improve outcomes.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFDEN Open
April 2026
Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Ibaraki Medical Center Tokyo Medical University Ibaraki Japan.
Background: We investigated whether the standardized "can-opener method" surgical technique is an adequate surgical procedure for hemispheric hepatectomy in segments 7 and 8.
Methods: Forty-two patients who underwent laparoscopic hemispheric liver resection for segments 7 and 8 using our standardized surgical technique were enrolled. To examine the effect of this standardized surgical procedure on short-term outcomes, patients were classified into two groups based on the timing of the standardization of their procedures (Group A, the first half of the cases, and Group B, the second half of the cases).