Publications by authors named "Avgoustou C"

Background: Sepsis guidelines suggest immediate start of resuscitation for patients with quick Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (qSOFA) 2 or 3. However, the interpretation of qSOFA 1 remains controversial. We investigated whether measurements of soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR) may improve risk detection when qSOFA is 1.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: The validation of new biomarkers for the diagnosis and risk stratification of patients with sepsis at an early point is essential for successful treatment. Recent publications prompted us to investigate of heparin binding protein (HBP) for the emergency department (ED) admissions.

Materials And Methods: In this multicenter, cross-sectional study, HBP and procalcitonin (PCT) were measured within the first hour upon admission to the ED in plasma samples of 371 patients with signs of infection.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Macrophage activation-like syndrome (MALS) and complex immune dysregulation (CID) often underlie acute respiratory distress (ARDS) in COVID-19. We aimed to investigate the effect of personalized immunotherapy on clinical improvement of critical COVID-19.

Methods: In this open-label prospective trial, 102 patients with ARDS by SARS-CoV-2 were screened for MALS (ferritin >4,420 ng/mL) and CID (ferritin ≤4,420 ng/mL and low human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DR expression on CD14-monocytes).

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: It was studied if early suPAR-guided anakinra treatment can prevent severe respiratory failure (SRF) of COVID-19.

Methods: A total of 130 patients with suPAR ≥6 ng/ml were assigned to subcutaneous anakinra 100 mg once daily for 10 days. Primary outcome was SRF incidence by day 14 defined as any respiratory ratio below 150 mmHg necessitating mechanical or non-invasive ventilation.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Objectives: Gastrointestinal neuroendocrine carcinoma (NEC) is a lethal, uncommon, and understudied neoplasm. We present the efficacy and safety of first-line capecitabine (CP), oxaliplatin, irinotecan, and bevacizumab (CAPOXIRI-BEV) combination followed by pazopanib plus CP maintenance therapy in patients with advanced high-grade poorly differentiated gastrointestinal NEC.

Methods: This was a two-stage phase II study conducted at multiple institutions.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: A needs assessment for patients with hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) will support advancements in multidisciplinary care, treatment, research, advocacy, and philanthropy.

Objective: To evaluate unmet needs from the perspective of HS patients.

Methods: Prospective multinational survey of patients between October 2017 and July 2018.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Aim: The object of the present study was to assess results and document both the need for reoperations and the long-term outcomes.

Methods: Eight hundred patients with symptomatic grades II-IV hemorroidal disease (HD), mean age 52.3 years, were surgically managed from January 1999 to March 2013.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate safety and efficacy of the NiTi ColonRing™ for anastomoses on the colon or rectum.

Methods: During the period September 2008-June 2011, anastomosis using the NiTi ColonRing™ was scheduled to be performed on 60 patients (36 females, 24 males/mean aged 67 years), 53 of whom underwent colectomy for cancer and 7 reconstruction after Hartmann's procedure. Application of the device failed in one case due to anatomical reasons.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

The chest wall is a rare location of secondary hydatidosis, but secondary hydatidosis may occur from the rupture of a lung cyst, from a liver cyst invading the diaphragm into the pleural cavity, following previous thoracic surgery for hydatidosis, or by hematogenous spread. This report describes a case of chest wall hydatidosis, which was the primary disease site in the patient, who had no previous history or current disease (hydatidosis) at other sites. The cyst invaded and partially destroyed the 9th and 10th ribs and the 10th thoracic vertebra, and protruded outside the pleural cavity through the 9th intercostal space.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Rupture of the esophagogastric anastomosis is potentially lethal if untreated. We report a case of esophagogastrostomy disconnection after an upper partial gastrectomy for strangulated paraesophageal hernia. The patient, a 50-year-old woman, developed systemic sepsis due to rapid manifestation of suppurative mediastinitis followed by peritonitis and was admitted to the intensive care unit 8 days after the primary operation.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF