Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) has been used for providing enteral access to patients who require long-term enteral nutrition for years. Although generally considered safe, PEG tube placement can be associated with many immediate and delayed complications. Buried bumper syndrome (BBS) is one of the uncommon and late complications of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) placement. It occurs when the internal bumper of the PEG tube erodes into the gastric wall and lodges itself between the gastric wall and skin. This can lead to a variety of additional complications such as wound infection, peritonitis, and necrotizing fasciitis. We present here a case of buried bumper syndrome which caused extensive necrosis of the anterior abdominal wall.

This highlights the varied presentation, necessity for urgent diagnosis and repair with a high operative mortality due to the late presentation. Aggressive diagnosis should be sought and consideration should be given to catheter-based interventions for initial treatment.

Left main coronary artery disease carries a poor prognosis. The etiology of isolated and significant left main coronary artery (ILMCA) disease is not well understood. Studies so far were limited by small numbers. The authors identified 46 patients with ILMCA disease from their database over 10 years (group I) and compared them with 83 consecutive patients undergoing catheterization (group II). They also compared patients with ostial vs distal ILMCA disease. Group I represented 0.1% of catheterization patients. The demographic profile and atherosclerotic risk factor profile of the 2 groups as well as ostial and distal ILMCA disease were compared. This is the largest study of ILMCA disease. Risk factors for atherosclerosis were commonly seen. Nonatherosclerotic causes of ILMCA disease were not seen. This study suggests coronary atherosclerosis as the predominant cause of ILMCA disease. ILMCA disease is more common in women. Diabetes is more commonly associated with distal ILMCA lesion. There is a trend suggesting that ostial ILMCA lesion is more common in smokers and women.

Indications regarding surgical pulmonary embolectomy for treatment of submassive/massive acute pulmonary embolism remain controversial. An institutional experience with pulmonary embolectomy for acute pulmonary embolism (APE) was reviewed. A retrospective analysis of all patients undergoing pulmonary embolectomy for APE from September 2004 to January 2007 was conducted. Demographic data, clinical presentation and outcomes were analyzed. Fifteen patients underwent surgery for APE over a period of 27 months [average age 59.6 (range 35-89) years, (seven male, eight female)]. Six (40%) patients were admitted with known APE and nine patients exhibited post admission APE (seven - after surgical procedures, two - after cerebrovascular accident). Clinical presentation included dyspnea (86.67%), hemodynamic instability requiring continuous vasopressor support (40%), echocardiographic evidence of right ventricular dilatation (80%). Ten patients undergoing early/expedient embolectomy all survived while delayed surgery in the other five patients (>24 h) was associated with 60% mortality. Expanding indications for early surgical pulmonary embolectomy has stemmed from reliable echocardiographic identification of right ventricular compromise and recognition of these findings as harbingers of subsequent hemodynamic embarrassment. Our series underscores the benefit of early consideration and performance of pulmonary embolectomy in these critically ill patients.

In a multicenter, retrospective analysis of 435 patients with refractory COVID‐19 placed on V‐V ECMO, cannulation by a single, dual‐lumen catheter with directed outflow to the pulmonary artery was associated with lower inpatient mortality.