Do left atrial spontaneous echo contrast in asymptomatic patients with a mechanical valve prosthesis?
There was a relatively high prevalence of SEC and thrombi in patients with a mechanical valve prosthesis. Patients with a valve prosthesis may not have clinical symptoms. Anticoagulation intensity was not associated with the occurrence of SEC and thrombi. Patients with the mitral valve prosthesis and atrial fibrillation were identified as a high-risk of subgroup for the development of SEC and thrombi.
Almost half of the ICU trauma patients had MOF. While single organ failure had no impact on long-term outcomes, the presence of MOF greatly increased mortality and the risk of impaired functional status. MOF expressed by SOFA score may be used to define trauma patients at particular risk for poor long-term outcomes.