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Volkmer I

Bio: Volkmer I is an academic researcher. The author has contributed to research in topics: Pneumonectomy & Extracorporeal circulation. The author has an hindex of 5, co-authored 7 publications receiving 188 citations.

Papers
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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: It is concluded that massive pulmonary embolism is a frequent early postoperative fatal complication after lung resections, which cannot be safely prevented by postoperative heparinization.
Abstract: Between 1975 and 1993, lung resections were performed in 1735 patients because of malignancies, with an early postoperative mortality of 7.2% (125 patients). Early postoperatively acute cardiorespiratory failure was experienced by 32 patients (1.85%), of whom 26 died despite immediate resuscitation measures. In 20/26 patients autopsy was performed revealing central pulmonary embolism as the cause of death in 19 of them. In one patient a rupture of the free posterior left ventricular wall following transmural myocardial infarction was found. Two patients who could be resuscitated successfully were operated on with extracorporeal circulation after pulmonary angiography had been performed to confirm the diagnosis; however they died 2 days later of right heart failure. Of the survivors three cases had myocardial infarctions, one patient had arrhythmias of unknown etiology. Immediate embolectomy with the use of extracorporeal circulation was performed in two patients, only on the ground of suspected pulmonary embolism and without further diagnostic measures. Both patients survived. Of the 23 cases, with proven pulmonary embolism 17 were still under postoperative prophylaxis with heparin. Six patients were already fully mobilized. We conclude that massive pulmonary embolism is a frequent early postoperative fatal complication after lung resections, which cannot be safely prevented by postoperative heparinization. The only successful life-saving measure in the case of central pulmonary embolism is immediate pulmonary embolectomy, if necessary without further diagnostic measures.

81 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The prognosis of carcinosarcoma of the lung is assessed to be comparable to that of patients with other pulmonary carcinoma: in this study survival times ranged from only 3 months (T2N3) to 4 years 6 weeks (T3N1).
Abstract: Objective. Bronchopul- monary carcinosarcoma is a very rare tumor and the prognosis of pa- tients with carcinosarcoma is as- sessed as unfavourable. The prob- lems concerning diagnosis, therapy, and prognosis after resection treat- ment are discussed with reference to our seven cases and with considera- tion of the pertinent literature. Methods. The retrospective data of seven patients with pulmonary car- cinosarcoma were analysed. All were staged postoperatively according to the international TNM staging system. The diagnosis was verified by immunohistochemical investiga- tion. The prognosis of the patients with carcinosarcoma was compared with the prognosis of patients with non-small cell carcinoma of the lung.

58 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the authors showed that bronchial stump fistulae can be treated successfully by the use of pectoral muscle flaps either combined with closure of the leak using sutures or as the only measure.
Abstract: Between 1975 and June 1992, pneumonectomy was performed in 594 patients, of whom 33 (5.6%) developed bronchopleural fistulae postoperatively. Until 1989 25 cases were reoperated: 5 patients were treated by thoracoplasty primarily, 20 by repair of the stump with sutures and by covering the stump with pericardial tissue or intercostal muscle, of whom 10 suffered from empyema. In 5/20 patients (25%) chronic fistulae developed making further interventions necessary. Since 1989 seven patients with bronchial stump fistulae have been reoperated with a delay of less than 12 h after diagnosis. Surgery consisted of reclosure of the stump with sutures in five patients. In addition, every patient was treated with the intrathoracic transposition of a petiolated ipsilateral pectoral muscle graft, which was the only treatment in two patients. Neither recurrence of the bronchopleural fistula nor empyema was seen in this group of patients (0%). We conclude that bronchial stump fistulae in patients after pneumonectomy can be treated successfully by the use of pectoral muscle flaps either combined with a closure of the leak using sutures or as the only measure. The method proved to be simple, safe and without major impairment of the patient. In combination with early reintervention, postpneumonectomy empyema including a disfiguring thoracoplasty can thereby often be avoided.

25 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In conclusion, interference with the thrombohemorrhagic balance induces hypercoagulability after the use of high-dose aprotinin, with elevated levels of thrombin-antithrom bin-III-complexes, d-dimers, and plasminogen and a decreased level of plAsminogen activator inhibitor.
Abstract: To determine a possible phase of hypercoagulability after the use of high-dose aprotinin, a prospective randomized double-blind study was performed. Twenty patients undergoing aortocoronary bypass surgery were investigated, a placebo group P (n = 10) was compared to an aprotinin group A (n = 10). Examining parameters of thrombin activation and fibrinolysis, we found during extracorporeal circulation--under continuous aprotinin infusion--a significant inhibition of thrombin activation and fibrinolysis in the aprotinin group (thrombin-antithrombin-III-complexes: 95 +/- 23 micrograms/l, d-dimers: 448 +/- 60 ng/ml, plasminogen activity: 33 +/- 3%, plasminogen activator inhibitor: 98 +/- 14 U/ml) compared to the placebo group (thrombin-antithrombin-III-complexes: 143 +/- 13 micrograms/l, d-dimers: 2755 +/- 430 ng/ml, plasminogen activity: 125 +/- 15%, plasminogen activator inhibitor: 10 +/- 4 U/ml). In contrast, after stopping the aprotinin infusion--from the end of extracorporeal circulation until the morning of the first postoperative day--strong thrombin activation took place in the aprotinin group (d-dimers increased from 472 +/- 90 to 1607 +/- 140 ng/ml), while in the placebo group a decrease could be registered. At this time, the fibrinolysis was still reduced in the aprotinin group (plasminogen activity: 48 +/- 6% vs 85 +/- 16% in the placebo group). In conclusion, interference with the thrombohemorrhagic balance induces hypercoagulability after the use of high-dose aprotinin, with elevated levels of thrombin-antithrombin-III-complexes, d-dimers, and plasminogen and a decreased level of plasminogen activator inhibitor. In our opinion, it is necessary to prevent this counter-regulation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

16 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: It is concluded that chordal preservation in MVR improvesleft ventricular function and reduces left ventricular diameters and volumes compared to resection of the mitral subvalvular appartus and that these beneficial effects can be maintained in the postoperative course.
Abstract: Mitral valve replacement (MVR) is still associated with a relatively high mortality. To investigate the influence of chordal preservation in MVR on left ventricular size and function, we studied a series of 82 patients who underwent MVR either with (group A n = 50) or without (group B n = 32) preservation of the subvalvular structures and compared the two groups. Echocardiography was performed preoperatively, and 7 days and 3 months postoperatively. Echocardiographic investigations included left atrial and ventricular diameters, right ventricular diameters and left ventricular length. Preoperatively there were no difference between the two groups of patients. Intraoperative and postoperative management was similar in the groups. Three months postoperatively echocardiographic examinations demonstrated that chordal preservation in MVR resulted in smaller left ventricular systolic and diastolic diameters (LVESD: gr. A 43.4 +/- 7.8 mm vs gr. B 48.8 +/- 9.2 mm P < 0.05, LVEDD: 57.3 +/- 7.8 mm vs 62.9 +/- 10.5 mm P < 0.05) and a significantly decreased left ventricular length (87.1 +/- 4.2 mm in gr. A vs 97.5 +/- 5.7 mm in gr. B P < 0.05). In addition, left ventricular ejection fraction in group A was significantly improved compared to group B (54.2 +/- 11.2% vs 48.1 +/- 12.4%, P < 0.05). We conclude that chordal preservation in MVR improves left ventricular function and reduces left ventricular diameters and volumes compared to resection of the mitral subvalvular appartus and that these beneficial effects can be maintained in the postoperative course.

14 citations


Cited by
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Journal ArticleDOI
01 Jun 2008-Chest
TL;DR: This article discusses the prevention of venous thromboembolism (VTE) and is part of the Antithrombotic and Thrombolytic Therapy: American College of Chest Physicians Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guidelines (8th Edition).

3,944 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
01 Feb 2012-Chest
TL;DR: In this article, the authors developed recommendations for thromboprophylaxis in nonorthopedic surgical patients by using systematic methods as described in Methodology for the Development of Antithrombotic Therapy and Prevention of Thrombosis Guidelines.

1,600 citations

Reference EntryDOI
TL;DR: Data from the head-to-head trials suggest an advantage of aprotinin over the lysine analogues TXA and EACA in terms of reducing perioperative blood loss, but the differences were small.
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Concerns regarding the safety of transfused blood have led to the development of a range of interventions to minimise blood loss during major surgery. Anti-fibrinolytic drugs are widely used, particularly in cardiac surgery, and previous reviews have found them to be effective in reducing blood loss, the need for transfusion, and the need for re-operation due to continued or recurrent bleeding. In the last few years questions have been raised regarding the comparative performance of the drugs. The safety of the most popular agent, aprotinin, has been challenged, and it was withdrawn from world markets in May 2008 because of concerns that it increased the risk of cardiovascular complications and death. OBJECTIVES: To assess the comparative effects of the anti-fibrinolytic drugs aprotinin, tranexamic acid (TXA), and epsilon aminocaproic acid (EACA) on blood loss during surgery, the need for red blood cell (RBC) transfusion, and adverse events, particularly vascular occlusion, renal dysfunction, and death. SEARCH STRATEGY: We searched: the Cochrane Injuries Group's Specialised Register (July 2010), Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (The Cochrane Library 2010, Issue 3), MEDLINE (Ovid SP) 1950 to July 2010, EMBASE (Ovid SP) 1980 to July 2010. References in identified trials and review articles were checked and trial authors were contacted to identify any additional studies. The searches were last updated in July 2010. SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of anti-fibrinolytic drugs in adults scheduled for non-urgent surgery. Eligible trials compared anti-fibrinolytic drugs with placebo (or no treatment), or with each other. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two authors independently assessed trial quality and extracted data. MAIN RESULTS: This review summarises data from 252 RCTs that recruited over 25,000 participants. Data from the head-to-head trials suggest an advantage of aprotinin over the lysine analogues TXA and EACA in terms of reducing perioperative blood loss, but the differences were small. Compared to control, aprotinin reduced the probability of requiring RBC transfusion by a relative 34% (relative risk [RR] 0.66, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.60 to 0.72). The RR for RBC transfusion with TXA was 0.61 (95% CI 0.53 to 0.70) and was 0.81 (95% CI 0.67 to 0.99) with EACA. When the pooled estimates from the head-to-head trials of the two lysine analogues were combined and compared to aprotinin alone, aprotinin appeared more effective in reducing the need for RBC transfusion (RR 0.90; 95% CI 0.81 to 0.99).Aprotinin reduced the need for re-operation due to bleeding by a relative 54% (RR 0.46, 95% CI 0.34 to 0.62). This translates into an absolute risk reduction of 2% and a number needed-to-treat (NNT) of 50 (95% CI 33 to 100). A similar trend was seen with EACA (RR 0.32, 95% CI 0.11 to 0.99) but not TXA (RR 0.80, 95% CI 0.55 to 1.17). The blood transfusion data were heterogeneous and funnel plots indicate that trials of aprotinin and the lysine analogues may be subject to publication bias.When compared with no treatment aprotinin did not increase the risk of myocardial infarction (RR 0.87, 95% CI 0.69 to 1.11), stroke (RR 0.82, 95% CI 0.44 to 1.52), renal dysfunction (RR 1.10, 95% CI 0.79 to 1.54) or overall mortality (RR 0.81, 95% CI 0.63 to 1.06). Similar trends were seen with the lysine analogues, but data were sparse. These data conflict with the results of recently published non-randomised studies, which found increased risk of cardiovascular complications and death with aprotinin. There are concerns about the adequacy of reporting of uncommon events in the small clinical trials included in this review.When aprotinin was compared directly with either, or both, of the two lysine analogues it resulted in a significant increase in the risk of death (RR 1.39, 95% CI 1.02, 1.89), and a non-significant increase in the risk of myocardial infarction (RR 1.11 95% CI 0.82, 1.50). Most of the data contributing to this added risk came from a single study - the BART trial (2008). AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: Anti-fibrinolytic drugs provide worthwhile reductions in blood loss and the receipt of allogeneic red cell transfusion. Aprotinin appears to be slightly more effective than the lysine analogues in reducing blood loss and the receipt of blood transfusion. However, head to head comparisons show a lower risk of death with lysine analogues when compared with aprotinin. The lysine analogues are effective in reducing blood loss during and after surgery, and appear to be free of serious adverse effects.

1,042 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A meta-analysis to compare aprotinin, ϵ-aminocaproic acid, and tranexamic acid with placebo and head to head on 8 clinical outcomes found all antifibrinolytic agents were effective in reducing blood loss and transfusion.
Abstract: Background— Since the 1980s, antifibrinolytic therapies have assisted surgical teams in reducing the amount of blood loss. To date, however, serious questions remain regarding the safety and effectiveness of these agents. Methods and Results— We conducted a meta-analysis to compare aprotinin, e-aminocaproic acid, and tranexamic acid with placebo and head to head on 8 clinical outcomes from 138 trials. Published randomized controlled trial data were collected from OVID/PubMed. Outcomes included total blood loss, transfusion of packed red blood cells, reexploration, mortality, stroke, myocardial infarction, dialysis-dependent renal failure, and renal dysfunction (0.5-mg/dL increase in creatinine from baseline). All agents were effective in significantly reducing blood loss by 226 to 348 mL and the proportion of patients transfused with packed red blood cells over placebo. Only high-dose aprotinin reduced the rate of reexploration (relative risk, 0.49; 95% CI, 0.33 to 0.73). There were no significant risks o...

302 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A review of the recent literature on treatment modalities of adult thoracic empyema was conducted in order to expose the controversies and verify where consensus exists to fit completely into the categories of evidence-based medical approach.
Abstract: A review of the recent literature on treatment modalities of adult thoracic empyema was conducted in order to expose the controversies and verify where consensus exists. Critical reading filtered through clinical experience was the method followed. The roles of surgical drainage, lavage techniques, debridement via VATS, decortication, thoracoplasty and open window thoracostomy were considered using the Oxford Center of Evidence Based Medicine criteria. The roles of the different therapeutical modalities were interpreted in the light of the triphasic nature of empyema thoracis. The randomised controlled trials came up with conflicting results. With two exceptions all of the papers reviewed provide level (2b) or below evidences. The lack of a single ideal treatment modality or policy reflects the complexity of the diagnosis and staging of this heterogeneous disease. Basic elements of intervention--drainage, different evacuation techniques, decortication, thoracoplasty and open window thoracostomy--are well-established technical modalities; however, neither a universally acceptable primary modality nor the gold standard of their sequence is available. Drainage remains to be the initial treatment modality in Phase I disease. Debridement via VATS is a safe, reliable and efficient method in the fibrinopurulent phase. Organised pleural callus requires formal decortication. Open window thoracostomy is a simple and safe procedure for high-risk patients and results in quick detoxication. Thoracoplasty kept its final role in pleural space management. Acute postoperative bronchial stump insufficiency requires immediate surgery. Evacuation of toxic material is mandatory. No single-stage procedure offers a solution. An optimised agressivity treatment modality should be tailored to the condition of the patient and to the potential of the persisting cavity. Decision-making involves a triad consisting of the aetiology of empyema (i.e. primary vs secondary), general condition of the patient and stage of disease, while considering the triphasic nature of development of thoracic empyema. The current attitudes show that the present concepts are based mainly on expert opinion. Flexibility and patience on behalf of the surgeon and nursing staff, the patient and the hospital management, as well as a good understanding of the complexity of this condition are the cornerstones of the treatment. No exclusive sequence of procedures leading to a uniformly predictable successful outcome is available. Individualised approaches can be recommended based on institutional practice and local protocols. Thoracic empyema in general seems to remain resilient to fit completely into the categories of evidence-based medical approach.

206 citations