Abstract Purpose The study purpose was to review the outcomes of patients treated for thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms using endovascular repair with fenestrated and branched stent-grafts in a ...single center. Methods We reviewed the clinical data of the first 185 consecutive patients (134 male; mean age, 75 ± 7 years) treated for thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms using fenestrated and branched stent-grafts. Graft design evolved from physician-modified endografts (2007-2013) to off-the-shelf or patient-specific manufactured devices in patients enrolled in a prospective physician-sponsored investigational device exemption protocol (NCT 1937949 and 2089607 ). Outcomes were reported for extent IV and extent I to III thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms, including 30-day mortality, major adverse events, patient survival, primary target vessel patency, and reintervention. Results A total of 112 patients (60%) were treated for extent IV thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms, and 73 patients (40%) were treated for extent I to III thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms. Demographics and cardiovascular risk factors were similar in both groups. A total of 687 renal-mesenteric arteries (3.7 vessels/patient) were targeted by 540 fenestrations and 147 directional branches. Technical success was 94%. Thirty-day mortality was 4.3%, including a mortality of 1.8% for extent IV and 8.2% for extent I to III thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms ( P = .03). Mortality decreased in the second half of clinical experience from 7.5% to 1.2%, including a decrease of 3.3% to 0% for extent IV thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms ( P = .12) and 15.6% to 2.4% for extent I to III thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms ( P = .04). Early major adverse events occurred in 36 patients (32%) with extent IV thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms and 26 patients (36%) with extent I to III thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms, including spinal cord injury in 2 patients (1.8%) and 4 patients (3.2%), respectively. Mean follow-up was 21 ± 20 months. At 5 years, patient survival (56% and 59%, P = .37) and freedom from any reintervention (50% and 53%, P = .26) were similar in those with extent IV and extent I to III thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms. Primary patency was 93% at 5 years. Conclusions Endovascular repair of thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms can be performed with high technical success and low mortality and morbidity. However, the need for secondary reinterventions and continued graft surveillance represents major limitations compared with results of conventional open surgical repair. Long-term follow-up is needed before the widespread use of these techniques in younger or lower-risk patients.
Background and Aims Gastric intestinal metaplasia (GIM) is a gastric cancer precursor. Narrow-band imaging (NBI) may improve detection of GIM. We compared detection of GIM with high-definition ...white-light (HD-WL) endoscopy, NBI, and mapping biopsies in a population with increased gastric cancer risk. Methods Patients undergoing upper endoscopy had HD-WL examination by 1 endoscopist, followed by an NBI examination by a second endoscopist blinded to HD-WL findings. The location of abnormalities detected by HD-WL and NBI were recorded by a research coordinator, and targeted biopsies of abnormal areas were performed after NBI. Subsequently, 5 mapping biopsies were performed per patient. Biopsy specimens were read by a pathologist blinded to mode of acquisition. The primary outcome was the proportion of patients with GIM. Results We enrolled 112 patients: 107 (96%) were Hispanic or Asian, and 34 (30%) had GIM. Higher proportions of patients with GIM were detected by NBI (22/34 65%) and mapping (26/34 76%) versus HD-WL (10/34 29%) ( P < .005 for both comparisons). GIM was detected by NBI in only 6 patients and only by mapping biopsy in 10 patients; no patient had GIM detected solely by HD-WL. Higher proportions of sites with GIM also were detected with NBI (30/57 53%) and mapping biopsies (38/57 67%) than HD-WL (16/57 28%) ( P < .005 for both comparisons). The median number of biopsies per patient with mapping biopsies (5) was significantly higher than with NBI (2) or HD-WL (1). Conclusions HD-WL endoscopy is insufficient for detection of GIM in patients at increased risk for gastric cancer. NBI-targeted biopsies plus mapping biopsies should be used. (Clinical trial registration number: NCT02197351 .)
Purpose: To investigate the influence of music therapy on the reduction of fatigue in women with breast or gynecological malignant neoplasia during radiotherapy, since it is one of the most frequent ...side effects of this type of treatment, and may interfere with self-esteem, social activities, and quality of life. Experimental Design: Randomized controlled trial (control group CG and music therapy group MTG) to assess fatigue, quality of life, and symptoms of depression in women undergoing radiotherapy using the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy: Fatigue (FACT-F) version 4, Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy–General (FACT-G) version 4, and Beck Depression Inventory in 3 separate times, namely, during the first week of radiotherapy, on the week of the intermediary phase, and during the last week of radiotherapy. Individual 30- to 40-minute sessions of music therapy with the presence of a trained music therapist were offered to participants. Results: In this study, 164 women were randomized and 116 (63 CG and 53 MTG) were included in the analyses, with mean age of 52.90 years (CG) and 51.85 years (MTG). Participants in the MTG had an average of 10 music therapy sessions, totaling 509 sessions throughout the study. FACT-F results were significant regarding Trial Outcome Index (P = .011), FACT-G (P = .005), and FACT-F (P = .001) for the MTG compared with the CG. Conclusions: Individual music therapy sessions may be effective to reduce fatigue related to cancer and symptoms of depression, as well as to improve quality of life for women with breast or gynecological cancer undergoing radiotherapy. Further well-designed research studies are needed to adequately determine the effects of music therapy on fatigue.
The ability to integrate echocardiographic for rheumatic heart disease (RHD) into RHD prevention programs is limited because of lack of financial and expert human resources in endemic areas. Task ...shifting to nonexperts is promising; but investigations into workforce composition and training schemes are needed. The objective of this study was to test nonexperts' ability to interpret RHD screening echocardiograms after a brief, standardized, computer-based training course. Six nonexperts completed a 3-week curriculum on image interpretation. Participant performance was tested in a school-screening environment in comparison to the reference approach (cardiologists, standard portable echocardiography machines, and 2012 World Heart Federation criteria). All participants successfully completed the curriculum, and feedback was universally positive. Screening was performed in 1,381 children (5 to 18 years, 60% female), with 397 (47 borderline RHD, 6 definite RHD, 336 normal, and 8 other) referred for handheld echo. Overall sensitivity of the simplified approach was 83% (95% CI 76% to 89%), with an overall specificity of 85% (95% CI 82% to 87%). The most common reasons for false-negative screens (n = 16) were missed mitral regurgitation (MR; 44%) and MR ≤1.5 cm (29%). The most common reasons for false-positive screens (n = 179) included identification of erroneous color jets (25%), incorrect MR measurement (24%), and appropriate application of simplified guidelines (39.4%). In conclusion, a short, independent computer-based curriculum can be successfully used to train a heterogeneous group of nonexperts to interpret RHD screening echocardiograms. This approach helps address prohibitive financial and workforce barriers to widespread RHD screening.
Background A simplified narrow-band imaging (NBI) endoscopy classification of gastric precancerous and cancerous lesions was derived and validated in a multicenter study. This classification comes ...with the need for dissemination through adequate training. Objective To address the learning curve of this classification by endoscopists with differing expertise and to assess the feasibility of a YouTube-based learning program to disseminate it. Design Prospective study. Setting Five centers. Participants Six gastroenterologists (3 trainees, 3 fully trained endoscopists FTs). Interventions Twenty tests provided through a Web-based program containing 10 randomly ordered NBI videos of gastric mucosa were taken. Feedback was sent 7 days after every test submission. Main Outcome Measurements Measures of accuracy of the NBI classification throughout the time. Results From the first to the last 50 videos, a learning curve was observed with a 10% increase in global accuracy, for both trainees (from 64% to 74%) and FTs (from 56% to 65%). After 200 videos, sensitivity and specificity of 80% and higher for intestinal metaplasia were observed in half the participants, and a specificity for dysplasia greater than 95%, along with a relevant likelihood ratio for a positive result of 7 to 28 and likelihood ratio for a negative result of 0.21 to 0.82, were achieved by all of the participants. No constant learning curve was observed for the identification of Helicobacter pylori gastritis and sensitivity to dysplasia. The trainees had better results in all of the parameters, except specificity for dysplasia, compared with the FTs. Globally, participants agreed that the program's structure was adequate, except on the feedback, which should have consisted of a more detailed explanation of each answer. Limitations No formal sample size estimate. Conclusion A Web-based learning program could be used to teach and disseminate classifications in the endoscopy field. In this study, an NBI classification for gastric mucosal features seems to be easily learned for the identification of gastric preneoplastic lesions.
Purpose To compare the prediction errors in residual astigmatism associated with new calculation methods for toric intraocular lenses (IOLs). Setting Hospital da Luz, Lisbon, Portugal. Design ...Retrospective case series. Methods In eyes having cataract surgery with toric IOL implantation (Acrysof IQ), the predicted residual astigmatism by each calculation method was compared with the manifest refractive astigmatism. The prediction error in residual astigmatism was calculated by vector analysis. Results The study evaluated 86 eyes (86 patients). All calculation methods resulted in overcorrection of with-the-rule astigmatism and undercorrection of against-the-rule astigmatism. For the original Alcon calculator, the centroid prediction error was 0.43 @ 170, which was reduced by the application of the Baylor nomogram (0.35 @ 169) or the Abulafia-Koch formula (0.34 @ 170). For the Holladay toric calculator, the centroid prediction error was 0.40 @ 168, which was reduced by the Baylor nomogram (0.35 @ 169), the Abulafia-Koch formula (0.25 @ 158), and the Goggin coefficient of adjustment (0.38 @ 170). The Barrett calculator and the newly introduced Alcon calculator yielded the lowest centroid prediction errors (0.17 @ 165 and 0.19 @ 164, respectively). The centroid prediction error of ray-tracing calculations (PhacoOptics) using real posterior corneal surface measurements was 0.32 @ 171. Conclusions The Barrett toric calculator and the new Alcon calculator yielded the lowest astigmatic prediction errors. Of the nomogram methods, application of the Abulafia-Koch formula achieved the best results. The outcomes of toric IOL implantation might be improved by using 1 of these calculation methods.
Objectives This study sought to determine the efficacy of low rate fluoroscopy at 7.5 frames/s (FPS) versus conventional 15 FPS for reduction of operator and patient radiation dose during diagnostic ...coronary angiography (DCA) and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) via the transradial approach (TRA). Background TRA for cardiac catheterization is potentially associated with increased radiation exposure. Low rate fluoroscopy has the potential to reduce radiation exposure. Methods Patients undergoing TRA diagnostic angiography ± ad-hoc PCI were randomized to fluoroscopy at 7.5 FPS versus 15 FPS prior to the procedure. Both 7.5 and 15 FPS fluoroscopy protocols were configured with a fixed dose per pulse of 40 nGy. Primary endpoints were operator radiation dose (measured with dosimeter attached to the left side of the thyroid shield in μSievert μSv), patient radiation dose (expressed as dose-area product in Gy·cm2 ), and fluoroscopy time. Results From October 1, 2012 to August 30, 2013, from a total of 363 patients, 184 underwent DCA and 179 underwent PCI. Overall, fluoroscopy at 7.5 FPS compared with 15 FPS was associated with a significant reduction in operator dose (30% relative reduction RR, p < 0.0001); and in patient's dose-area product (19% RR; p = 0.022). When stratified by procedure type, 7.5 FPS compared with 15 FPS was associated with significant reduction in operator dose during both DCA (40% RR; p < 0.0001) and PCI (28% RR; p = 0.0011). Fluoroscopy at 7.5 FPS, compared with 15 FPS, was also associated with substantial reduction in patients' dose-area product during DCA (26% RR; p = 0.0018) and during PCI (19% RR; p = 0.13). Fluoroscopy time was similar in 7.5 FPS and 15 FPS groups for DCA (3.4 ± 2.0 min vs. 4.0 ± 4.7 min; p = 0.42) and PCI (11.9 ± 8.4 min vs. 13.3 ± 9.7 min; p = 0.57), respectively. Conclusions Fluoroscopy at 7.5 FPS, compared with 15 FPS, is a simple and effective method in reducing operator and patient radiation dose during TRA DCA and PCI.
Abstract Purpose The aim of this study was to evaluate echocardiography-based indices of myocardial function and markers of vascular inflammation and endothelial dysfunction in the early phases of ...severe sepsis. Material and Methods Forty-five adult patients (67% women; age 51 ± 18 years; Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Disease Classification System II score, 23 ± 7) admitted to the intensive care unit up to 24 hours after fulfilling criteria for severe sepsis or septic shock were studied. Clinical, laboratorial (endothelin 1 ET1, vascular cellular adhesion molecule 1), and echocardiographic data were collected within the first 24 hours and again 72 hours and 7 days after admission. Results Intrahospital mortality was 33% (15 deaths). Left ventricular (LV) dysfunction (LV ejection fraction <55%) was identified in 15 (33%) patients, whereas right ventricular (RV) dysfunction (RV tissue Doppler peak systolic velocity RV-Sm <12 cm/s) was present in 14 (30%) patients. LogET1 was increased in patients with LV dysfunction (2.3 ± 0.6 vs 1.8 ± 0.4 pg/mL; P = .01) and RV dysfunction (2.5 ± 0.5 vs 1.8 ± 0.4 pg/mL; P < .001) and had negative correlations with LV ejection fraction ( r = −0.50; P = .002) and RV-Sm ( r = −0.67; P < .001). Left ventricular end-diastolic diameter, RV-Sm, and diastolic dysfunction were able to discriminate survivors from nonsurvivors, and the combination of these parameters identified groups of very low and high risk. Conclusion Both LV and RV systolic dysfunctions are prevalent in severe sepsis, being directly associated with markers of endothelial dysfunction. Left ventricular nondilation, RV dysfunction, and diastolic dysfunction seem related to poor prognosis in this scenario.
Summary Long-term central venous catheters (CVCs) are important instruments in the care of patients with chronic illnesses, but catheter occlusions and catheter-related thromboses are common ...complications that can result from their use. In this Review, we summarise management of these complications. Mechanical CVC occlusions need cause-specific treatment, whereas thrombotic occlusions usually resolve with thrombolytic treatment, such as alteplase. Prophylaxis with thrombolytic flushes might prevent CVC infections and catheter-related thromboses, but confirmatory studies and cost-effectiveness analysis of this approach are needed. Risk factors for catheter-related thromboses include previous catheter infections, malposition of the catheter tip, and prothrombotic states. Catheter-related thromboses can lead to catheter infection, pulmonary embolism, and post-thrombotic syndrome. Catheter-related thromboses are usually diagnosed by Doppler ultrasonography or venography and treated with anticoagulation therapy for 6 weeks to a year, dependent on the extent of the thrombus, response to initial therapy, and whether thrombophilic factors persist. Prevention of catheter-related thromboses includes proper positioning of the CVC and prevention of infections; anticoagulation prophylaxis is not currently recommended.
A 24-year-old housekeeper presented to hospital in Rio de Janeiro in June, 2014, with headache, fever, and a rash, 5 days after waking with a severe generalised headache, retro-orbital pain, ...weakness, and paraesthesia of the hands and feet. 2 days later she developed fever (axillary temperature 42°C), chills, and a pruritic rash on the face, abdomen, chest, and arms.
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