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Objective: To study the aerobic and anaerobic microbiologic characteristics of superficial suppurative thrombophlebitis., Design: Retrospective review of microbiologic and clinical data., Setting: Navy Hospital in Bethesda, Md., Results: Sixty-one isolates, 36 aerobic and 25 anaerobic, were isolated from samples obtained from 42 patients. Aerobic bacteria only were found in 26 (62%) patients; anaerobic only, in 11 (26%); and mixed aerobic and anaerobic bacteria, in five (12%). The predominant aerobic bacteria were Staphylococcus aureus (n = 9), Escherichia coli (n = 7), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (n = 4), and Klebsiella sp (n = 3). The most frequently recovered anaerobic bacteria were Peptostreptococcus sp (n = 8), Propionibacterium acnes (n = 6), Bacteroides fragilis group (n = 5), Prevotella intermedia (n = 3), and Fusobacterium nucleatum (n = 3). Propionibacterium acnes and Peptostreptococcus sp were associated with cannula-related superficial suppurative thrombophlebitis; B fragilis and Enterobacteriaceae, with abdominal surgery or pathology; and S aureus and P aeruginosa and Citrobacter sp, with burns., Conclusion: These data illustrate the importance of anaerobic bacteria in superficial suppurative thrombophlebitis.

Objective: To determine the frequency of pulmonary embolism in patients admitted for treatment of deep venous thrombosis., Design: An open, multicenter, dose-ranging study to assess the safety and pharmacokinetic characteristics of tissue-type plasminogen activator in deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. Perfusion and ventilation lung scans, chest roentgenograms, and venograms (in deep venous thrombosis) or pulmonary angiograms (in pulmonary embolism) were obtained before and 24 hours after inception of therapy. Heparin therapy was then administered., Settings: Five tertiary-care hospitals., Patients: All patients with suspected deep venous thrombosis or pulmonary embolism seen from August 1987 through November 1988 entered the study if they met inclusion criteria and if the diagnosis was confirmed by venogram (deep venous thrombosis) or pulmonary angiogram (pulmonary embolism)., Interventions: All patients received tissue-type plasminogen activator followed by intravenous heparin therapy., Main Outcome Measures: The primary measure was the frequency of pulmonary embolism in patients with deep venous thrombosis who had no symptoms of pulmonary embolism. This was not the original purpose of the study but emerged as an important finding as the data were analyzed., Results: Nearly 40% of patients with deep venous thrombosis who had no symptoms of pulmonary embolism had evidence of pulmonary embolism based on ventilation-perfusion scan and chest roentgenogram findings., Conclusions: Because all of those considered to have embolism had so-called high-probability scan results, the frequency of embolism reported likely represents the minimum incidence of pulmonary embolism in patients with deep venous thrombosis who have no embolic symptoms. These data emphasize that venous thromboembolism is one disorder.

Transatrial placement of a Greenfield filter at the time of cardiac surgery was performed on three patients with recent femoral venous thrombosis and unstable angina, and at the time of pulmonary embolectomy on four others. The filter carrier was passed through the right atrial cannulation site under fluoroscopic guidance into the inferior vena cava. A preliminary venacavogram was performed through the carrier or a previously placed angiographic catheter. Two complications were encountered: the first was misplacement of a filter in the right renal vein before routine venacavography was employed; the second was caudal displacement of a filter by a right atrial venous drainage cannula that projected into the inferior vena cava. The latter complication can be prevented by the use of a right atrial "sump" drain that does not protrude into the inferior vena cava.

Infection of a central venous thrombus is a serious but rarely recognized complication of the use of central venous catheters in children. We report the cases of seven children with persistent bacteremia or fungemia in which central venous thrombosis was demonstrated by ultrasonography after removal of the catheter. All patients had signs and symptoms of infection, but only one had clinical evidence of central venous stasis. Bacteremia persisted from 6 to 35 days. Infection did not resolve in any patient prior to catheter removal, and five patients had positive blood cultures for 5 or more days after removal of the catheter. Six patients, including all who survived, were treated parenterally with antibiotics for more than 28 days. Two patients died; neither death was directly attributable to infection. Central venous thrombosis should be suspected in patients with persistent catheter-related bacteremia. Optimal treatment of this problem is not yet known.

To determine what physiologic changes might contribute to the development of the postthrombotic syndrome, venous outflow, venous refilling time, and valvular competence were assessed in 32 patients (39 limbs) with documented deep venous thrombosis. The follow-up ranged from nine to 144 months (mean, 41 months) after the acute deep venous thrombosis. Pain was noted by 49% of the patients, but more objective end points occurred less frequently (edema, 21%; pigmentation, 26%; ulceration, 3%). Venous outflow was lower in the affected limbs but was not a good indicator of those patients with or without symptoms. Venous refilling time after calf compression was markedly reduced in limbs with incompetent valves (mean +/- SD, 8.4 +/- 3.8 s v 25.3 +/- 12.1 s), as well as in those with edema, pigmentation, and ulceration. It appears that most of the sequelae of the postthrombotic syndrome can be attributed to the loss of valvular function.

One hundred thirty-two patients with ventricular aneurysm had cardiac catheterization, coronary anglography, and ventriculography. More than 50 percent of the patients, in addition to aneurysmectomy, had other procedures consisting of revascularization, mitral valve replacement, and closure of ventricular septal performation. The overall mortality was 10 percent. Aneurysmectomy alone had a higher mortality (9 percent) when compared with combined resection of the aneurysm and coronary bypass (5.4 percent). During a six-month to 4-1/2-year follow-up (mean, 21 months), seven patients died, representing a late mortality of 6 percent. This study confirms the importance of complete cardiac evaluation in patients with ventricular aneurysm and shows that, in spite of extensive combined operative procedures required in more than 50 percent of the patients, the results are favorable.

Recent data from randomized trials have provided a clear understanding of the effectiveness and safety of differing long-term anticoagulant therapies for proximal vein thrombosis. An issue that has not been addressed is their cost-effectiveness. We have performed a cost-effectiveness analysis to rank alternative approaches for long-term therapy. Less intense oral anticoagulant therapy using warfarin sodium is the most cost-effective approach and is preferred in the majority of patients.

To clarify the epidemiology of pulmonary embolism in adolescents, a retrospective analysis of adolescent admissions to a general hospital over a 15-year period was performed. Eighteen patients had 19 episodes of pulmonary embolism, an incidence of 78 per 100,000 hospitalized adolescents. There were twice as many female as male patients. Common complaints were chest pain, dyspnea, cough, and hemoptysis. Common findings were hypoxemia and deepvein thrombosis. Major risk factors were oral contraceptive use and elective abortion in 75% of female patients and trauma in 67% of male patients. Unlike its effect in adults, pulmonary embolism is rarely fatal in adolescents. Although clinical features in adolescents are similar to those in adults, there is a high incidence of both overdiagnosis and underdiagnosis. The early use of pulmonary arteriography in difficult diagnostic situations is suggested.

A prospective study of 6,527 hospitalized patients was performed to evaluate the effectiveness of multivariate analysis of risk factors to correctly designate risk for pulmonary embolism. History of previous pulmonary embolism was the single most important factor. In patients without prior history, five factors emerged: inactivity, congestive heart failure, Doppler ultrasound evidence of deep-vein occlusion, female sex, and black race. Used together, these factors permitted a discrimination of risk such that 68.7% of pulmonary embolization was found to occur in 32.2% of the population designated as showing increased risk. Multivariate analysis of clinical factors improved assessment of risk, compared to the use of lower extremity findings alone, and proved to be useful in identifying individuals at increased risk for pulmonary embolism.

The long-term sequelae of acute deep-vein thrombosis were examined prospectively in a series of 61 patients. The location and extent of the involvement were established by either contrast or isotope phlebography. The mean age of the patients was 47 years, with the duration of follow-up averaging 39 months (range, one to 144 months). Pain and/or swelling was noted in 67% of the patients. Pigmentation developed in 15 limbs (23%). Ulceration developed in three patients. The most important factor with regard to prognosis appeared to be the status of the distal deep veins. If these were found to be patent and competent by ultrasonic velocity studies, the long-term outlook was good, both with regard to symptoms and the development of pigmentation. Only 8% of those limbs with normal distal veins were found to have pigmentation during follow-up, as compared with 40% in those with either occlusion or incompetence of the valves.

The visual field defects in 20 consecutive patients who had branch retinal "vein" occlusions included arcuate nerve fiber bundle scotomas, central scotomas, paracentral scotomas, and segmental peripheral constriction. The role of retinal arteriolar insufficiency in the production of these field defects is discussed. The available evidence suggests that the term "branch retinal vascular occlusion" is a preferable term to describe such clinical findings.

Anterior and posterior motor compartment syndrome have been observed in four burn patients. Recognition was difficult because of multiple concurrent problems, including burns and thrombophlebitis of the involved extremities. Early fasciotomy was performed in one case, with good return of function. Muscle necrosis occurred in two patients in whom diagnosis was delayed. Electromyography is of benefit in confirming the diagnosis and providing follow-up management. It is important to maintain a high index of suspicion of this syndrome in patients with overlying burns.

We describe deep venous thrombosis and a circulating anticoagulant in a male adolescent with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The association of deep vein thrombosis with SLE in a pediatric patient has not, to our knowledge, been previously reported. The circulating anticoagulant was characterized as a lupus-type inhibitor. This was demonstrated by an abnormal partial thromboplastin time (PTT), the failure of the PTT to correct with the addition of an equal amount of normal plasma, and a positive tissue thromboplastin inhibitor test. Physicians should be aware that a circulating anticoagulant can be associated with SLE and that there may be a paradoxically increased incidence of thromboembolic phenomena in patients with this abnormality.

Nonsuppurative peripheral thrombophlebitis is a frequently recognized source of sepsis. Eleven patients cared for on general medical and surgical services had Gram-negative bacillary sepsis on this basis. Ten had isolation of organisms of the Klebsiella-Enterobacter group from the involved peripheral vein. All failed to respond to organism-sensitive antibiotics until the involved vein was excised. After local vein excision, all patients were afebrile within 48 hours and recovered. In seven of the 11 patients, the septic phlebitis source was associated with a standard intravenous needle, and none had cutdown procedures. It is strongly emphasized that this condition is a source of life-threatening sepsis that can be treated by vein excision at the bedside. The treatment in our patients resulted in no morbidity. A high index of suspicion is necessary to diagnose this occult source of sepsis because of the minimal local physical signs.

Mesenteric vein thrombosis is an abdominal emergency that is rarely diagnosed early. Review of the literature has shown that most cases have been treated by intestinal resection, a few by thrombectomy with or without resection. Three cases of mesenteric vein thrombosis were treated by resection, heparinization, and a second-look operation after 24 hours. When necessary, resection was carried out at the second surgical procedure followed by a third-look operation after 24 hours. After the last inspecting operation without further resection, full heparinization was continued and anticoagulation was ultimately maintained with warafin sodium (Coumadin) for at least three months. The authors believe that optimal treatment for mesenteric vein thrombosis should include anticoagulation with heparin sodium and a mandatory second-look operation.

Single or repetitive episodes of lower-extremity venous thrombosis may result in venous obstruction, valvular incompetence, and the postthrombotic syndrome. Seventy-seven patients with ileofemoral deep venous thrombosis diagnosed with biplane phlebograms received routine anticoagulant therapy and follow-up with clinical and noninvasive vascular examinations (reflux photoplethysmography, Doppler ultrasonography, and venous outflow plethysmography). The results of the final visit (mean, 25 months; range, three to 50 months) revealed that 53 patients (69%) had evidence of edema and/or hyperpigmentation and five patients (6%) had ulceration. Doppler ultrasonography was 77% sensitive (41 of 53 patients) and 95% specific (41 of 43 patients) at identifying patients with postthrombotic sequelae. We conclude that noninvasive testing throughout the rehabilitative period following acute deep venous thrombosis will identify patients at risk for postthrombotic symptoms. This information may alert the clinician toward initiating elastic compressive therapy in hopes of prolonging a disease-free interval.

This study was designed to answer the three following questions: (1) Are glucocorticoids as protective in Gram-negative bacteremic shock as they are in endotoxic shock? (2) Is there any difference in efficacy between a bacteriostatic and a bactericidal antibiotic in bacteremic shock? (3) Does the combination of glucocorticoid with antibiotic potentiate the individual protective effects of both? Bacteremia was induced in male Sprague-Dawley rats by a single intravenous injection of viable Escherichia coli. The results showed that dexamethasone sodium phosphate alone afforded significant protection against Gram-negative bacteremic shock up to eight hours after challenge. The choice of a bactericidal vs a bacteriostatic antibiotic did not influence the survival rates in this study. The survival rate was maximal when dexamethasone was used with both ampicillin sodium and gentamicin sulfate.

One hundred five patients over age 40 undergoing various major operations were randomly divided into control and treated groups; all were treated by subcutaneous injection containing either 5,000 international units aqueous heparin sodium or a placebo one hour prior to operation and every 12 hours thereafter for eight days. Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) was detected by daily -125I-fibrinogen injection and leg scanning, and confirmed by ascending phlebography. Both groups were comparably distributed by age, sex, variety of operation, incidence of previous thromboembolism, and myocardial and cerebrovascular disease. Blood loss was not increased in the treated group. Incidence of DVT was 8.6 percent for the total group, 7.5 percent in the heparin-tested group (four of 53), and 9.6 percent in the control group (five of 52), including one control patient with a normal scan (who later had a pulmonary embolus.

Propagating illofemoral venous thrombosis that occurs despite adequate anticoagulation can be detected by the serial fibrinogen uptake test. Twenty-three patients who were receiving heparin sodium for confirmed iliofemoral thrombophlebitis underwent the serial fibrinogen uptake test. There was an increasing percentage of isotope uptake at the groin and the upper part of the thigh in eight of these patients, three of whom subsequently developed clinical signs, perfusion, and ventiliation lung scan findings compatible with the occurrence of pulmonary embolism. The remaining 15 patients had decreasing serial fibrinogen uptake during heparin therapy and no sequelas indicative of pulmonary embolism. Progressive thrombosis in adequately heparinized patients indicates failure of anticoagulation therapy and, when this occurs, we believe that interior vena cava interruption should be considered before a first, but potentially lethal, pulmonary embolus develops.

Volvulus of the spleen in absence of malarious splenomegaly is rare. Most reported instances occur in young and middle-aged women and are related to a congenital abnormality of the mesogastrium, pregnancy, and multiparity. In this reported case of splenic volvulus in a young, multiparous woman, posterior mesogastrium malformation was the cause. Certain preoperative findings could suggest this infrequent diagnosis in future cases.