Role of soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor in critically ill children with hospital-acquired pneumonia: an observational study in hospital with controls.

Background: Diagnosing hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP) (ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) and non-ventilator associated pneumonia (Non-VAP)) is still a hot issue. Soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR) is prognostic in critically ill children with sepsis regarding mortality prediction. Our aim was to evaluate suPAR levels in children with HAP.

Longer-term recurrence rate after low versus high dose radioiodine ablation for differentiated thyroid Cancer in low and intermediate risk patients: a meta-analysis.

Background: Regarding the longer-term recurrence rate the optimal activity for the remnant thyroid ablation in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) is discussed controversially. For the short-term ablation success rate up to 12 months there are already several meta-analyses. In this study we performed the first meta-analysis regarding the longer-term recurrence rate after radioactive 131-I administration.

Improved Remodeling With TEVAR and Distal Bare-Metal Stent in Acute Complicated Type B Dissection.

Background: The ASSIST (A multicentre Study in Survivors of type B aortic dissection undergoing Stenting) study compared both 1-year outcomes and evolution of true and false lumen (eg, remodeling) in patients with complicated type B aortic dissection subjected to thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) with distal true lumen scaffolding by self-expanding nitinol open stent in comparison with TEVAR alone.

Methods: The ASSIST study was a multicenter prospective single-arm study comparing clinical and imaging data from 39 consecutive patients (59.4 ± 13 years of age) who received TEVAR and the JOTEC E-XL open stent with data from matched control subjects treated with TEVAR alone based on 1:1 propensity score matching.

Mechanolytic management of transcatheter aortic valve thrombosis.

Data on the incidence, characteristics, and treatment of thrombosis of a transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) implant are scarce. We report a challenging case of a TAVI thrombosis occurring 6 months after the procedure. Initial anticoagulation using low-molecular-weight heparin followed by thrombolytic therapy failed to both relieve symptoms and alleviate thrombosis.

Predictors of colonization with Staphylococcus species among patients scheduled for cardiac and orthopedic interventions at tertiary care hospitals in north-eastern Germany-a prevalence screening study.

As methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) colonization and infection in humans are a global challenge. In Mecklenburg and Western Pomerania (Germany) 1,517 patients who underwent surgical interventions were systematically screened for MRSA and MSSA colonization on the day of hospital admission and discharge. Demographic data, risk factors and colonization status of the (i) nose, (ii) throat, (iii) groin, and (iv) thorax or site of surgical intervention were determined.

Thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) in proximal (type A) aortic dissection: Ready for a broader application?

Objective: Thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) has demonstrated encouraging results and is gaining increasing acceptance as a treatment option for aortic aneurysms and dissections. Yet, its role in managing proximal aortic pathologies is unknown-this is important because in proximal (Stanford type A) aortic dissections, 10% to 30% are not accepted for surgery and 30% to 50% are technically amenable for TEVAR. We describe our case series of type A aortic dissections treated by using TEVAR.

[Optical coherence tomography of coronary arteries--a novel intravascular imaging modality].

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is the latest intravascular imaging modality for the investigation of coronary arteries. It can be used in patients with stable coronary artery disease as well as in patients with acute coronary syndrome. Its almost microscope-like resolution of 10-20 μm (10-times greater than intravascular ultrasound) gives us the most detailed insight into the coronary artery wall in vivo so far.

[Risk evaluation of type B aortic dissection: importance for treatment of acute aortic syndrome].

Acute aortic syndrome (AAS) is a modern term used to describe interrelated emergency aortic conditions with similar clinical characteristics and challenges including aortic dissection, intramural hematoma (IMH) and penetrating aortic ulcer (PAU). Population-based studies suggest that the incidence of aortic dissection ranges from 2.6 to 3.