Treatment of hemorrhagic complications of percutaneous nephrolithotomy in Galdakao position

OBJECTIVE

Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy (PCNL) is a technique with good results for the treatment of kidney stones, however, bleeding complications derived can be serious if not diagnosed and treated effectively. The aim of this study is to assess bleeding complications resulting from PCNL in Galdakao position and therapeutic management.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Retrospective-longitudinal study of 172 PCNL performed in La Ribera Hospital between January 2005 and December 2011, analyzing their bleeding complications and the treatment provided for resolution.

RESULTS

Had bleeding complications 20 patients (11.6%). The need for transfusion in this series was 8.1% and the most common cause of blood transfusion the presence of postoperative retroperitoneal (7.5%). There were 6 arterial injuries (3.5%), 5 of them successfully treated with angiography and arterial selective embolization.

CONCLUSIONS

The arterial injuries following PCNL are rare but can be serious. The possibility of an urgent arteriography and selective embolization to the diagnosis permits an effective and safe treatment of bleeding without risk to the affected renal unit.

Crataegus laevigata decreases neutrophil elastase and has hypolipidemic effect: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

Crataegus laevigata is a medicinal plant most commonly used for the treatment of heart failure and psychosomatic disorders. Based on previous experimental findings, this double-blind placebo-controlled study was aimed at finding beneficial effects of C. laevigata on biomarkers of coronary heart disease (CHD). The study included 49 diabetic subjects with chronic CHD who were randomly assigned to the treatment for 6 months with either a micronized flower and leaf preparation of C. laevigata (400 mg three times a day) or a matching placebo. Blood cell count, lipid profile, C-reactive protein, neutrophil elastase (NE) and malondialdehyde were analyzed in plasma at baseline, at one month and six months. The main results were that NE decreased in the C. laevigata group compared to the placebo group. In the C. laevigata group, baseline figures (median and interquartile range) were 35.8 (4.5) and in the placebo group 31 (5.9). At the end of the study, values were 33.2 (4.7) ng/ml and 36.7 (2.2) ng/ml, respectively; p<0.0001. C. laevigata, added to statins, decreased LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) (mean±SD) from 105±28.5 mg/dl at baseline to 92.7±25.1 mg/dl at 6 months (p=0.03), and non-HDL cholesterol from 131±37.5 mg/dl to 119.6±33 mg/dl (p<0.001). Differences between groups did not reach statistical significance at 6 months. No significant changes were observed in the rest of parameters. In conclusion, C. laevigata decreased NE and showed a trend to lower LDL-C compared to placebo as add-on-treatment for diabetic subjects with chronic CHD.

Prognostic factors for response to systemic treatments carried out in patients with advanced renal carcinoma

369

Background: The analysis of predictive factors of response could help to select those patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) who would be good candidates for systemic treatments

Methods: The expression of several biomarkers was retrospectively analysed by immunohistochemistry (IHC), as well as 2 analytical variables: thrombocytosis and neutrophilia, in 135 patients with advanced RCC treated with cytokines (CK) and/or biological agents and was correlated to the response.

Results: 67 patients were treated only with biological agents and 68 with CK (23 treated also with biological agents). Univariate statistical analysis: HIF-1alpha did not correlate significantly with the response to these drugs. The overexpression of ACIX was associated to a larger response (%) to biological agents such as sunitinib (65.9 vs. 16.7 p<0.001) or sorafenib (61.9 vs 0 p=0.007), and CK (22.6 vs. 0 p=0.038). PTEN showed a predictive value for response (%) to sunitinib (70.8 vs. 34.1 with PTEN negative p=0.005). p21 was associated to a lower response (%) with sunitinib (35.9 vs. 65.4 with p=0.025). Thrombocytosis was not significantly associated with the response (%) to biological agents, although it was associated to CK (0 vs. 20 without thrombocytosis p=0.017). Neutrophilia correlated with a smaller response to biological agents (29.6 vs. 57.5 without neutrophilia, p=0.045), although it did not associate with a response to CK. In the multivariate analysis, overexpression of ACIX was an independent predictor of a larger response to biological agents and CK with an OR of 8,773 (p<0.001).

Conclusions: Our findings prove the usefulness of ACIX to select patients with advanced RCC candidates to receive systemic treatment. PTEN and p21 could be important in the prediction of response to sunitinib. Thrombocytosis and neutrophilia appear to relate to the response to CK and biological agents respectively.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Prognostic factors in patients with advanced renal carcinoma

391

Background: A retrospective cohort of 135 patients with advanced RCC treated with biological agents and/or cytokines (CK) was analysed between July 1996 and February 2010.

Methods: The expression of several biomarkers by immunohistochemistry and 2 analytical variables: thrombocytosis and neutrophilia were analysed and were correlated with prognosis.

Results: 67 patients were treated only with biological agents and 68 with CK (23 received also biological agents). The univariate statistical analysis showed that the enhanced expression of HIF-1alpha correlated with a poor prognosis in patients treated with sunitinib (PFS was 5.4 vs. 13.4 months in those with low expression, p=0.001). The overexpression of ACIX was associated to a better prognosis in patients that received biological agents (PFS was 18.3 vs. 5.2 months in those with decreased expression, p<0.001; OS was 32.1 vs. 7.8 months, p<0.001), including sunitinib (PFS was 16.8 vs. 5.5 months, p<0.001), sorafenib (PFS was 8 vs 3.5 months, p<0.001)) and CK (PFS was 6.3 vs. 2.7 months, p=0.003; OS was 32.9 vs. 5.9 months, p=0.001). Positive PTEN was related to a good prognosis in patients treated with sunitinib (PFS was 15.1 vs. 6.5 months, p=0.003) and CK (PFS was 7.5 vs. 3.8 months, p=0.037, OS was 13.7 vs 7.9 months, p=0.039). The increased expression of p21 was related to a poor prognosis in patients that received biological agents (PFS was 5.9 vs. 16.8 months with high expression, p=0.024), including sunitinib (PFS was 6.2 vs 18.9 months, p<0.001), sorafenib (PFS was 4 vs 9 months, p=0.013) and CK (PFS was 3.9 vs. 7.5 months, p<0.001). Thrombocytosis was related to a poor prognosis in patients treated with CK (PFS was 2.6 vs. 5.1 months p=0.017; OS was 5.9 vs. 14.3 months p=0.010). Neutrophilia was related to a poor prognosis in patients that received CK (PFS was 2.6 vs. 5.7 months, p=0.019; OS was 5.9 vs. 12.8 months, p=0.035). In the multivariate analysis, the overexpression of ACIX was a favorable prognostic factor independent of PFS with a HR of 0.107 (p<0.001) and OS with a HR of 0.055 (p<0.001).

Conclusions: Our experience has suggested the utility of de HIF-1alpha, ACIX, PTEN, p21, thrombocytosis and neutrophilia as prognostic factors in patients with advanced RCC. ACIX has shown to be an independent prognostic factor.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Randomized phase III trial comparing adjuvant paclitaxel/gemcitabine/cisplatin (PGC) to observation in patients with resected invasive bladder cancer: Results of the Spanish Oncology Genitourinary Group (SOGUG) 99/01 study

LBA4518

Background: Approximately half of patients with resected invasive bladder cancer will die within the first three years after surgery due to disease relapse, most of the recurrences being systemic. We have studied in a randomized phase III trial the role of 4 courses of the PGC triplet as compared to observation in this clinical setting.

Methods: Eligibility criteria included: (1) resected high-risk muscle invasive bladder carcinoma (pT3-4 and/or pN+), (2) ECOG PS 0-1, (3) adequate renal function (CrCl > 50 ml/min), (4) ≤ 8 weeks post-cystectomy, (5) no relevant co-morbidities, and (6) signed informed consent. Eligible patients were assigned to observation or 4 courses of PGC (P 80 mg/m2 d1 and 8, G 1000 mg/m2 d1 and 8 and C 70 mg/m2 d1) q21 days. The primary objective was overall survival (OS).

Results: The study was open in July 2000 and prematurely closed due to poor recruitment in July 2007, with 142 patients randomized (74 to observation and to 68 to PGC treatment). Baseline characteristics were well balanced among study arms. Median age was 63 yrs, pT3-4N0: 44%, anyTpN+:56%, PS 0: 59%, median time cystectomy-randomization: 48 days (14-91). In the PGC arm 76% of pts completed all 4 courses of therapy. Main Gr 3-4 toxicities were neutropenia 41%, febrile neutropenia 8%, thrombocytopenia 14%, anemia 5%, fatigue 14%, alopecia 10%, vomiting 8%, renal 5%. There was one toxic death (sepsis). At a median follow up of 30 months (range 1-95), 69 patients have died (45 in control arm and 24 in PGC arm). OS (ITT population) was significantly prolonged in the PCG arm (median NR; 5yr OS: 60%) compared to observation (median 26m; 5yr OS: 31%) (p<0.0009). DFS (p<0.0001), TTP (p<0.0001) and disease specific survival (p<0.0002) were also superior in the PGC arm.

Conclusions: The results of this study strongly suggest that adjuvant PGC improves OS and DFS following cystectomy in high risk invasive bladder cancer. As the study was prematurely closed, the power for firm conclusions is however limited.

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Long-term effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of antiviral treatment in hepatitis C

We systematically reviewed the evidence for long-term effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of antiviral treatment in patients with chronic hepatitis C. We performed a systematic literature search on the long-term effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of AVT in hepatitis C (1990-March 2007), and included health technology assessment (HTA) reports, systematic reviews, long-term clinical trials, economic studies conducted alongside clinical trials and decision-analytic modelling studies. All costs were converted to 2005euro. Antiviral therapy with peginterferon plus ribavirin in treatment-naïve patients with chronic hepatitis C was the most effective (3.6-4.7 life years gained [LYG]) treatment and was reasonably cost-effective (cost-saving to 84 700euro/quality adjusted life years [QALY]) when compared to interferon plus ribavirin. Some results also suggest cost-effectiveness (below 8400euro/(QALY) of re-treatment in nonresponders/relapsers. Results for patients with persistently normal alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels or with special co-morbidities (e.g. HIV) or risk profiles were rare. We conclude that antiviral therapy may prolong life, improve long-term health-related quality-of-life and be reasonably cost-effective in treatment-naïve patients with chronic hepatitis C as well as in former relapsers/nonresponders. Further research is needed in patients with specific co-morbidities or risk profiles.

[Treatment of lacrimal duct obstruction with a Tear-Leader stent]

PURPOSE

To compare the effectiveness and patency of the TearLeader stent (PBN) for treatment of lacrimal system obstruction.

METHODS

A prospective study of 68 patients referred from the ophthalmology department with suspicion of lacrimal system obstruction. We placed 74 TearLeader PBN stents. Inclusion criteria were: complete obstruction of lacrimal duct with canalicula and lacrimal puncta patency, and absence of acute infection. We studied the clinical improvement by means of an opinion survey, and the patency of stents was evaluated with Kaplan-Meier survival curves.

RESULTS

Follow-up of patients was two years. A painful procedure was reported in 10% of cases. Minor dacryocystitis appeared in 18.9% of cases, while complete resolution of epiphora was confirmed in 77% of cases (23% of cases showed grade I epiphora). Patency of stents: median patency 490 days (15 months), range 11 to 730 days; 1 year after stent placement patency was 0.51 and long term patency rate for 2 years was 0.31. Opinion survey of the 68 patients: satisfaction with the technique, the procedure and prosthesis placement was 41%; satisfaction whilst the stent remained patent was 60.8%.

CONCLUSION

Tearleader stent placement is easy to perform and comfortable for patients. TearLeader placement gave a patency outcome similar to other stents (Arch Soc Esp Oftalmol 2009; 84: 515-522).

Arsenic- and mercury-induced phytotoxicity in the Mediterranean shrubs Pistacia lentiscus and Tamarix gallica grown in hydroponic culture

Hg and As resistance and bioaccumulation were studied in hydroponically grown Pistacia lentiscus and Tamarix gallica plants. Both elements caused growth inhibition in roots and shoots, with mercury showing greater phytotoxicity than arsenic. Accumulation of both elements by plants increased in response to element supply, with the greatest uptake found in T. gallica. Both elements affected P and Mn status in plants, reduced chlorophyll a concentration and increased MDA and thiol levels. These stress indices showed good correlations with As and Hg concentration in plant tissues, especially in the roots. Toxic responses to mercury were more evident than for arsenic, especially in shoot tissues. T. gallica showed higher resistance to both Hg and As than P. lentiscus, as well accumulating more As and Hg.