Survival following liver transplantation: A population-based nested case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Liver transplantation is the gold standard treatment for end-stage liver disease. This study evaluates post-transplantation survival compared with the general population by quantifying standardized mortality ratios in a nested case-control study. METHODS: Controls were noninstitutionalized United States inhabitants from the National Longitudinal Mortality Study. Cases underwent liver transplantation from 1990 to 2007 identified through the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network database. Propensity matching (5:1, nearest neighbor, caliper 0.1) identified controls based on age, sex, race, and state. The primary endpoint was 10-year survival. RESULTS: 62,788 cases were matched to 313,381 controls. The overall standardized mortality ratio was 2.46 (95% CI â€‹= â€‹2.44-2.48). The standardized mortality ratio was higher for males (2.59 vs. 2.25) and Hispanic patients (4.80). Younger patients and those transplanted earlier (1990-1995) had higher standardized mortality ratios. CONCLUSIONS: Liver recipients have a standardized mortality ratio 2.46 times higher than the general population. Long-term mortality has declined over time.

Evaluation of veteran community care outcomes after coronary artery bypass grafting: a retrospective pilot cohort.

For Veterans who cannot be seen in a timely fashion or must travel long distances to be seen, the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) offers funded care in the community. The use of this program has rapidly increased; however, there have been no systematic evaluations of surgery specific metrics such as perioperative complications, mortality and timeliness of care. To evaluate this in cardiac surgery patients, we compared veterans undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting in the community to those remaining within the VHA. We identified 78 patients during calendar year 2018 meeting inclusion criteria. 41 underwent surgery in the community versus 37 in the VHA. There were no significant differences in baseline demographics including age, sex, race, ethnicity, comorbidities and surgical risk scores. With regard to perioperative outcomes, veterans who underwent surgery within the VHA had lower infection rates (17% vs. 0%, p = 0.008) and 30-day emergency department utilization (22% vs. 5%, p = 0.04). A longer median postoperative inpatient stay was also seen within the VHA (8 days vs. 6 days, p < 0.001). These findings suggest that the VHA may better serve Veterans and prevent adverse events after CABG, at the expense of prolonged hospitalization. More study is needed to validate the findings of this pilot study.

The association between patient preoperative disposition and outcomes after diagnostic lung biopsy.

Background: Surgical diagnostic lung biopsy (DLB) is performed to guide the management of pulmonary disease with unclear etiology. However, the utilization of surgical DLB in critically ill patients remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to determine if patient preoperative disposition impacts complication rates after DLB. Methods: This was retrospective cohort study using electronic health record (EHR) data at one academic institution [2013-2021]. Patients who underwent DLB were identified using current procedural terminology (CPT) codes and cohorted based on preoperative disposition. The primary outcome was 30-day mortality; secondary outcomes were overall morbidity, individual complications, and changes to medical therapy. Complication rates were compared using chi-squared tests, Fisher's exact tests, or analysis of variance (ANOVA). Multivariable logistic regression was performed to generate risk-adjusted odds ratios (ORs) for each complication. Results: Of 285 patients, 238 (83.5%) presented from home, 26 (9.1%) from inpatient floor units, and 21 (7.4%) from intensive care units (ICUs). Patients requiring ICU had the highest 30-day rates of mortality, overall morbidity, and all individual complications (all P<0.05). After risk adjustment, non-ICU inpatients had higher odds of postoperative ventilator use, prolonged ventilation, and ICU need than outpatients (all P<0.05). Preoperative ICU disposition was associated with increased OR of 30-day mortality [OR, 70.92; 95% confidence interval (CI): 5.55-906.32] and overall morbidity (OR, 7.27; 95% CI: 1.93-27.42) compared to patients with other preoperative dispositions. There were no differences in changes to medical therapy between the cohorts. Conclusions: Patients requiring ICU before DLB had significantly higher risk-adjusted rates of mortality and postoperative complications than outpatients and other inpatients. A clear benefit from tissue diagnosis should be defined prior to performing DLB on critically ill patients.

Outpatient surgery postoperative ambulation and emergency department utilization.

BACKGROUND: The ability to ambulate is an important indicator for wellness and quality of life. A major health event, such as a surgery, can derail this ability, and return to preoperative walking ability is a marker for recovery. Self-reported walking measurements by patients are subject to bias, thus wearable technology such as activity monitors have risen in popularity. We evaluated postoperative ambulation using an accelerometer in outpatient general surgery procedures with the hypothesis that those patients with less postoperative ambulation were at risk for adverse outcomes. METHODS: A retrospective review of patients undergoing outpatient abdominal surgeries from November 2016 to July 2019 at a Veteran Affairs Medical Center. Patients wore an accelerometer preoperatively and postoperatively to measure their ambulation (steps/day). Outcome measures were 30-day readmissions and Emergency Department (ED) utilization. Postoperative ambulation was defined as daily percentages of their preoperative baseline. Patients without preoperative baseline data, > 3 missing days or any missing days prior to reaching baseline were excluded. RESULTS: One-hundred-six patients underwent outpatient abdominal surgery. Twenty-two patients were excluded. Patients stratified into adult (18-64 years, 44 patients, 52%) and geriatric (≥ 65 years, 40 patients, 48%) cohorts. Geriatric patients were less likely to meet their preoperative baseline by postoperative day 7, 35% vs 61%, p = 0.016. Adult patients who failed to meet their preoperative baseline in first postoperative week had higher ED utilization; 4 (24%) vs 1 (4%), p = 0.04. Geriatric patients who failed to meet their baseline trended toward increased ED utilization; 5 (19%) vs. 1 (7%), p = 0.31. CONCLUSION: Patients aged < 65 who fail to return to their preoperative daily step count within one week of outpatient abdominal surgery are 6× more likely to be seen in the ED. Postoperative ambulation may be able to predict ED utilization and recovery after outpatient surgery.

Importance of social vulnerability on long-term outcomes after heart transplantation.

The relationship between social determinants of health and outcomes after heart transplantation has not been examined. The social vulnerability index (SVI) uses United States census data to determine the social vulnerability of every census tract based on 15 factors. This retrospective study seeks to examine the impact of SVI on outcomes after heart transplantation. Adult heart recipients who received a graft between 2012 and 2021 were stratified into SVI percentiles of <75% and SVI of ≥75%. The primary endpoint was survival. The median SVI was 48% (interquartile range: 30%-67%) among 23 700 recipients. One-year survival was similar between groups (91.4 vs 90.7%, log-rank P = .169); however, 5-year survival was lower among individuals living in vulnerable communities (74.8% vs 80.0%, P < .001). This finding persisted despite risk adjustment for other factors associated with mortality (survival time ratio 0.819, 95% confidence interval: 0.755-0.890, P < .001). The incidences of 5-year hospital readmission (81.4% vs 75.4%, P < .001) and graft rejection (40.3% vs 35.7%, P = .004) were higher among individuals living in vulnerable communities. Individuals living in vulnerable communities may be at increased risk of mortality after heart transplantation. These findings suggest there is an opportunity to focus on these recipients undergoing heart transplantation to improve survival.

Conditional Survival in Lung Transplantation: An Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network Database Analysis.

Lung transplantation survival estimates are traditionally reported as fixed 1-, 5-, and 10-year mortality rates. Alternatively, this study aims to demonstrate how conditional survival models can provide useful prognostic information tailored to the time a recipient has already survived from the date of transplantation. Recipient data was obtained from the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network database. Data from 24,820 adult recipients over age 18 who received a lung transplant between 2002 and 2017 were included in the study. Five-year observed conditional survival estimates were calculated by recipient age, sex, race, transplant indication, transplant type ( i.e. , single or double), and renal function at the time of transplantation. Significant variability exists in conditional survival following lung transplantation. Each specific recipient characteristic significantly impacted conditional survival during at least one time point in the first 5 years. Younger age and double lung transplantation were the two most positive predictors of improved conditional survival consistently throughout the 5-year study period. Conditional survival in lung transplantation recipients changes over time and across recipient characteristics. Hazards of mortality are not fixed and need to be dynamically evaluated as a function of time. Conditional survival calculations can provide more accurate prognostic predictions than unconditional survival estimates.

Cardiac Surgeons Highlight the Need for Innovation Stewardship: Noteworthy in 2022.

Modern cardiac surgery has rapidly evolved to treat complex cardiovascular disease. This past year boasted noteworthy advances in xenotransplantation, prosthetic cardiac valves, and endovascular thoracic aortic repair. Newer devices often offer incremental design changes while demanding significant cost increases that leave surgeons to decide if the benefit to patients justifies the increased cost. As innovations are introduced, surgeons must continuously aim to harmonize short- and long-term benefits with financial costs). We must also ensure quality patient outcomes while embracing innovations that will advance equitable cardiovascular care.

Impact of advanced imaging techniques on preoperative planning in cardiac surgery.

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE STUDY: Review how advanced imaging techniques and a multidisciplinary heart team approach are used to evaluate complex cardiac structural pathology. METHODS: Single-center retrospective case series. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Cardiac computed tomography angiography in addition to transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography impacts pre-procedural planning and procedural success.

Survival following lung transplantation: A population-based nested case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Lung transplantation is the mainstay of treatment for patients with end-stage respiratory failure. This study sought to evaluate survival following transplantation compared to the general population and quantify standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) using a nested case-control study design. METHODS: Control subjects were nonhospitalized inhabitants of the United States identified through the National Longitudinal Mortality Study. Case subjects were adults who underwent lung transplantation between 1990 and 2007 and identified through the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network. Propensity-matching (5:1, nearest neighbor, caliper = 0.1) was utilized to identify suitable control subjects based on age, sex, race, and location of residency. The primary study endpoint was 10-year survival. RESULTS: About 14,977 lung transplant recipients were matched to 74,885 nonhospitalized US residents. The 10-year survival rate of lung transplant recipients was 28% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 27%-29%). The population expected mortality rate was 19 deaths/100 person-years while the observed ratio was 104 deaths/100 person-years (SMR = 5.39, 95% CI = 5.35-5.43). The largest discrepancies between observed and expected mortality rates were in females (SMR = 5.97), Hispanic (SMR = 10.70), and single lung recipients (SMR = 5.92). SMRs declined over time (1990-1995 = 5.79, 1996-2000 = 5.64, and 2001-2007 = 5.10). Standardized mortality peaks in the first year after transplant and decreases steadily over time. CONCLUSIONS: Lung transplant recipients experience a fivefold higher SMR compared to the nonhospitalized population. Long-term mortality rates have experienced consistent decline over time.

Appraisal of Donation After Circulatory Death: How Far Could We Expand the Heart Donor Pool?

BACKGROUND: the incidence of organ donation after circulatory death (DCD) is increasing; however, heart use has lagged behind other solid organs. Ex vivo perfusion devices are under United States Food and Drug Administration review for use in DCD heart recovery. This study sought to measure the potential increase in the donor pool if DCD heart donation becomes widely adopted. METHODS: DCD donor data were obtained from Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network database. Selection criteria included donor age 18 to 49 years, donors meeting Maastricht III criteria, warm ischemia time ≤30 minutes, and donation between 2015 and 2020. Exclusion criteria were coronary disease, prior myocardial infarction, ejection fraction <0.50, significant valve disease, bacteremia, pulmonary capillary wedge pressure >15 mm Hg, and history of HIV/hepatitis C virus infections. RESULTS: There were 12 813 DCD donors during this period, of which 3528 met study criteria, and 70 hearts (2%) were transplanted. The use of DCD hearts would represent an additional 48 heart transplants per month, which corresponds to a 21% (3458 of 16 521) increase across the country. Median warm ischemia was 23 minutes, with no difference between hearts that were or were not transplanted (23 vs 22.5 minutes, P = .97). The frequency with which other organs were successfully transplanted was kidney, 92%; liver, 44%; lung, 7%; intestine, 0%; and pancreas, 2%. CONCLUSIONS: Wide adoption of DCD heart transplantation could yield a substantial increase in the donor pool size, with approximately 580 additional organs being available each year across the United States. This would represent the largest increase in the donor pool in the modern era of heart transplantation.

Measuring the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on solid organ transplantation.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has uniquely affected the United States. We hypothesize that transplantation would be uniquely affected. METHODS: In this population-based cohort study, adult transplantation data were examined as time series data. Autoregressive-integrated-moving-average models of transplantation rates were developed using data from 1990 to 2019 to forecast the 2020 expected rates in a theoretical scenario if the pandemic did not occur to generate observed-to-expected (O/E) ratios. RESULTS: 32,594 transplants were expected in 2020, and only 30,566 occurred (O/E 0.94, CI 0.88-0.99). 58,152 waitlist registrations were expected and 50,241 occurred (O/E 0.86, CI 0.80-0.94). O/E ratios of transplants were kidney 0.92 (0.86-0.98), liver 0.96 (0.89-1.04), heart 1.05 (0.91-1.23), and lung 0.92 (0.82-1.04). O/E ratios of registrations were kidney 0.84 (0.77-0.93), liver 0.95 (0.86-1.06), heart 0.99 (0.85-1.18), and lung 0.80 (0.70-0.94). CONCLUSIONS: The COVID-19 pandemic was associated with a significant deficit in transplantation. The impact was strongest in kidney transplantation and waitlist registration.

Cavitary Pneumonia: A Complication of Antibiotic Noncompliance.

In this report, we present a complicated case of community-acquired pneumonia in a 5-year-old boy. The patient first presented to the pulmonology clinic with the diagnosis of asthma and a recent history of recurrent pneumonia. Poor compliance to two courses of outpatient oral antibiotics resulted in persistent pneumonia symptoms with unresolved radiographic findings warranting parenteral antibiotics. Despite 2 symptom-free weeks, the patient returned to the emergency department with recurrence of symptoms where imaging revealed a cavitary lesion requiring a prolonged course of parenteral antibiotics. This report further supports the detrimental impact of partially treated infections related to poor compliance to antibiotic regimens.

Self-sustaining charging of identical colliding particles.

Recent experiments have demonstrated that identical material samples can charge one another after being brought into symmetric contact. The mechanism for this charging is not known. In this article, we use a simplified one-dimensional lattice model to analyze charging in the context of agitated particles. We find that the electric field from a single weakly polarized grain can feed back on itself by polarizing its neighbors, leading to an exponential growth in polarization. We show that, by incorporating partial neutralization between neighboring polarized particles, either uniform alignment of dipoles or complex charge and polarization waves can be produced. We reproduce a polarized state experimentally using identical colliding particles and raise several issues for future study.