Clinical Presentation and Management of the Cervical Aortic Arch in the Adult Population: A Review of Case Reports.

The cervical aortic arch (CAA) is an uncommon congenital anomaly in aortic development, characterized by an elongated aortic arch extending at or above the medial ends of the clavicles. Our objective was to examine the clinical and surgical characteristics of this infrequent condition in the adult population. PubMed, ScienceDirect, SciELO, DOAJ, and Cochrane Library databases were searched until December 2023 for case reports describing the presence of a cervical aortic arch in patients aged ≥18 years. Case reports and series were included if the following criteria were met: (1) description of the cervical aortic arch, (2) age ≥18 years, and (3) English language. The literature search identified 2,325 potentially eligible articles, 61 of whom met our inclusion criteria and included a combined number of 71 patients. Mean age was 38.6 ± 15.4 years, with a female prevalence of 67.1% (47/70). Two-thirds of the CAA were left-sided (48/71, 67.6%), and 62.0% (44/71) of patients presented a concomitant arch aneurysm. Asymptomatic patients were 45.7% (32/70), while of those that were symptomatic, 60.5% (23/38) had symptoms related to vascular-induced compression of trachea and esophagus. Surgery was performed in 42 patients (62.7%) among 67 cases that reported the patient's treatment, and 5 patients (11.9%) among those surgically treated underwent the procedure through an endovascular approach. CAA is an uncommon congenital abnormality that presents challenges in diagnosis and treatment due to its high anatomical variability, diverse clinical manifestations, and presence of concomitant diseases. Surgery seems to be a safe and effective option for the resolution of symptoms.

Individual Prediction of Optimal Treatment Allocation Between Electroconvulsive Therapy or Ketamine using the Personalized Advantage Index.

Introduction: Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and ketamine are two effective treatments for depression with similar efficacy; however, individual patient outcomes may be improved by models that predict optimal treatment assignment. Here, we adapt the Personalized Advantage Index (PAI) algorithm using machine learning to predict optimal treatment assignment between ECT and ketamine using medical record data from a large, naturalistic patient cohort. We hypothesized that patients who received a treatment predicted to be optimal would have significantly better outcomes following treatment compared to those who received a non-optimal treatment. Methods: Data on 2526 ECT and 235 mixed IV ketamine and esketamine patients from McLean Hospital was aggregated. Depressive symptoms were measured using the Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology (QIDS) before and during acute treatment. Patients were matched between treatments on pretreatment QIDS, age, inpatient status, and psychotic symptoms using a 1:1 ratio yielding a sample of 470 patients (n=235 per treatment). Random forest models were trained and predicted differential patientwise minimum QIDS scores achieved during acute treatment (min-QIDS) scores for ECT and ketamine using pretreatment patient measures. Analysis of Shapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) values identified predictors of differential outcomes between treatments. Results: Twenty-seven percent of patients with the largest PAI scores who received a treatment predicted optimal had significantly lower min-QIDS scores compared to those who received a non-optimal treatment (mean difference=1.6, t=2.38, q<0.05, Cohen's D=0.36). Analysis of SHAP values identified prescriptive pretreatment measures. Conclusions: Patients assigned to a treatment predicted to be optimal had significantly better treatment outcomes. Our model identified pretreatment patient factors captured in medical records that can provide interpretable and actionable guidelines treatment selection.

Surgical repair of severe dysphagia lusoria.

This case report describes a case of severe dysphagia lusoria secondary to an aberrant right subclavian artery causing compression of the esophagus. Our 62-year-old female patient presented with severe dysphagia and underwent right carotid-subclavian bypass with uncovered thoracic endovascular aortic repair and coil embolization of the aberrant right subclavian artery. This case is unique in that an uncovered dissection stent graft was used to avoid occluding the anatomic left subclavian artery and, therefore, avoid a left carotid-subclavian bypass. This case highlights a unique anatomic variant, its surgical repair, and the long-term improvement in the patient's quality of life.

Neurocognitive effects of repeated ketamine infusion treatments in patients with treatment resistant depression: a retrospective chart review.

BACKGROUND: Ketamine has emerged as a rapid-acting antidepressant in treatment-resistant depression (TRD) increasingly used in non-research, clinical settings. Few studies, however, have examined neurocognitive effects of repeated racemic ketamine infusion treatments in patients with TRD. In an effort to identify potential effects after serial infusions, we conducted a retrospective chart review to identify statistically significant changes in cognition in patient undergoing serial intravenous infusions; concomitantly, we examined baseline cognition as potential predictor of anti-depressant potential. METHODS: Twenty-two patients with TRD were examined after they finished the induction phase of 8-10 repeated intravenous ketamine infusions and completed the assessments of their depressive symptoms (measured by the 16-item Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology-Self Report Scale: QIDS-SR16) and cognitive function (measured by the Montreal Cognitive Assessment: MoCA) before the first and the last ketamine treatments. RESULTS: Repeated ketamine infusions administered through an escalating dose protocol with 8-10 infusion sessions produced a 47.2% reduction response in depression; there was no evidence of impairment as reflected in MoCA testing. There was a moderate association between baseline cognition and antidepressant response with a Pearson correlation of 0.453. CONCLUSION: In this naturalistic sample of patients with TRD in our clinical service, repeated ketamine infusions significantly decreased depression symptoms without impairing cognitive performance. The baseline cognition may positively predict antidepressant responses of repeated ketamine treatment.

Bedside Tunneled Hemodialysis Catheter Placement in Patients with COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: COVID-19, the syndrome caused by the novel SARS-CoV2, is associated with high rates of acute kidney injury requiring renal replacement therapy (RRT). It is well known that despite the ease of bedside insertion, the use of nontunneled dialysis catheters (NTDCs) is associated with increased complications compared to tunneled dialysis catheters (TDCs). Our objective was to develop a strategy for TDC placement at the bedside to provide effective dialysis access, conserve resources and decrease personnel exposure at our medical center in an epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: A technique for bedside TDC insertion with ultrasound and plain radiographs in the intensive care unit was developed. Test or clinically COVID-19-positive patients requiring RRT were evaluated for bedside emergent NTDC or nonemergent TDC placement. Patients who underwent NTDC placement were monitored for ongoing RRT needs and were converted to TDC at the bedside after 3-5 days. We prospectively collected patient data focusing on complications and mortality. RESULTS: Of the 36 consultations for dialysis access in COVID-positive patients from March 19 through June 5, 2020, a total of 24 bedside TDCs were placed. Only one patient developed a complication, which was pneumothorax and cardiac tamponade during line placement. In-hospital mortality in the cohort was 63.9%. CONCLUSIONS: Bedside TDC placement has served to conserve resources, prevent complications with transport to and from the operating room, and decrease personnel exposure during the COVID-19 pandemic. This strategy warrants further consideration and could be used in critically ill patients regardless of COVID status.

Hybrid Aortic Arch Repair Using a Ministernotomy.

Hybrid thoracic endovascular aortic repair with surgical arch debranching is an accepted method for total arch reconstruction. Although off-pump arch debranching is increasingly used as a prophylactic adjunct to endovascular arch repair extending into landing zone 0, this technique is seldom performed with a ministernotomy due to a steep learning curve among surgeons. Herein, we report our standard technique for off-pump hybrid total aortic arch repair using a ministernotomy.

Acute Phase Treatment Outcomes of Electroconvulsive Therapy in Adolescents and Young Adults.

OBJECTIVE: Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a highly efficacious, well-tolerated treatment in adults. Little is known, however, about its effectiveness in adolescents and young adults. Our objectives were to assess clinical outcomes after acute phase ECT in adolescents and young adults and determine whether screening positive or negative for a substance use disorder (SUD) is associated with differences in treatment outcomes. METHODS: Study sample consisted of all patients 16 to 25 years old who received ECT from May 2011 to August 2016 and who completed self-reported SUD screens and the Behavior and Symptom Identification Scale-24 (BASIS-24) initially and completed the BASIS-24 again after the fifth ECT treatment. For 5 BASIS-24 domains, longitudinal changes in mean domain scores were assessed; mean changes by SUD screening status were also examined using linear mixed models. RESULTS: One hundred ninety adolescents and young adults, with mean age 21.0 ± 2.6 years, met inclusion criteria. Electroconvulsive therapy was associated with significant clinical improvement (score decreases) in all 5 BASIS-24 domains during the acute phase treatment (P < 0.001). Sixty-four percent (122/190) screened positive for SUD. Compared with adolescents and young adults screening negative for SUD, those screening positive for co-occurring SUD had greater improvement in depression/functioning (-0.37 ± 0.14, P = 0.009), interpersonal relationships (-0.27 ± 0.13, P = 0.045), and emotional lability (-0.27 ± 0.14, P = 0.044) domains after the fifth ECT treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Electroconvulsive therapy in adolescents and young adults was associated with significantly improved clinical outcomes during acute phase treatment. Adolescents and young adults screening positive for SUD had better acute phase ECT outcomes in self-reported depression/functioning, interpersonal relationships, and emotional lability than those screening negative. More research is needed to clarify adolescents and young adult patient characteristics that may be associated with differential ECT outcomes.

Review of indications and practices of vena caval filters at a large university hospital.

BACKGROUND: Vena caval filter (VCF) use has been increasing in recent years. Prophylactic VCF placement has been applied liberally in high-risk patients. METHODS: Consecutive patients with VCF placement over a 2-year period at a university hospital were reviewed. RESULTS: A total of 244 patients underwent VCF placement in 2 years. Of all, 54% of the patients had the VCF placed for an absolute indication, 14% for a relative indication, and 32% for prophylaxis. Only 14 (9%) of the retrievable filters were removed. Eight patients had a complication of VCF placement; there were no complications of filter retrieval. Vena caval filter placement for prophylaxis alone was 57% from the division of trauma and surgical critical care, 18.3% from interventional radiology department, and 5.2% from the division of vascular surgery. CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates that many VCFs are placed for prophylaxis. A low percentage of VCFs was retrieved. This may be the practice at many other large university-based hospitals, necessitating strategies for reducing their placement.

Improving retrieval rates of temporary inferior vena cava filters.

PURPOSE: Most studies have shown that the rate of inferior vena cava filter (IVCF) retrieval rarely exceeds 30%. A review of practices in our own institution revealed similar results (18%). Within the last year, few centers have demonstrated improved retrieval rates. Our hypothesis was that developing a dedicated program would improve IVCF retrieval. We report the results of an ongoing study following the development of this program. METHODS: This is a cohort of nontrauma consecutive patients who had an IVCF placed by the vascular service over a 12-month period (January 2010-January 2011) and were followed prospectively. A dedicated nurse practitioner was responsible in developing a database, maintaining contact with all the patients, and ensuring that arrangements were made for retrieval when indications for IVCF protection were no longer present. Demographics, indication for filter placement, timing to filter retrieval, and complications during placement and retrieval were prospectively collected. Retrieval rate was compared to the baseline institution data. RESULTS: During the study period, 42 patients had an IVCF placed. There were 27 men and 15 women with a mean age of 58 (25 to 88 years old). Two patients were excluded (one due to mortality and one had multiple filters) leaving 40 patients in the study. Indications for IVCF placement were absolute in 23 of 40 patients (58%), relative in 10 of 40 patients (25%), while seven patients (17%) had an IVCF placed for prophylaxis as they were considered high risk for pulmonary embolism (PE) and could not receive any chemical regimen. During follow-up, five filters were converted to permanent. Therefore, retrieval was successful in 19 of 22 patients with an 86% success rate and no complications. Median time to retrieval was 21 days ranging from 4 to 140 days. Retrieval rate for IVCFs designated as temporary at the time of placement was 70% (19 of 27), which was significantly higher compared to our baseline data of 18% (P < .001). CONCLUSION: Initial data show that a dedicated program that closely monitors patients with temporary IVCFs for ongoing need of filter prophylaxis can result in high retrieval rates. The endurance and long-term success of such a program needs to be further validated.

Management of true aneurysms of hemodialysis access fistulas.

OBJECTIVES: This study was designed to determine the clinical presentation, characteristics, and management of true aneurysms in dialysis access fistulas. METHODS: Patients presenting with symptoms or functional arteriovenous fistula (AVF) problems and aneurysmal enlargement of the outflow vein were evaluated with duplex ultrasound scans. Dilatation to more than three times the native vessel diameter was considered aneurysmal. Pseudoaneurysms were excluded from the study. Patients' demographics, aneurysm characteristics (diameter, location, thrombus, association with stenosis, and outflow obstruction), symptoms, type of treatment, and follow-up were recorded. RESULTS: Twenty-three patients with a mean age of 55 years were found to have 29 upper extremity aneurysms of the outflow vein on duplex ultrasound scan. Nine patients (39%) had radiocephalic, 11 patients (48%) had brachiocephalic, 2 patients (9%) had brachiobasilic, and 1 patient (4%) had radiobasilic arteriovenous fistula. The average aneurysm size was 3.3 cm and the mean time from fistula placement to treatment was 47.1 months. Four patients (17%) were asymptomatic and were repaired due to technical and mechanical problems with AVFs, including stenosis and lack of normal vein for cannulation, compromising continued use. Nineteen patients (83%) presented with symptoms, including pain (48%), skin changes (30%), venous hypertension (22%), steal syndrome (22%), and high output failure (9%). Four patients (17%) were found to have outflow vein stenosis, 2 patients (9%) had central venous stenosis, and 2 patients (9%) had central venous occlusion. In 13 patients (56%) who had a functioning kidney transplant, the fistula was ligated with or without aneurysm excision. Three of the 13 patients developed superficial phlebitis with 1 patient requiring surgical evacuation of a clot; the other 2 patients were managed conservatively. Two of the 13 patients required creation of new access due to renal transplant failure. In the remaining 10 patients, the aneurysm was treated and the fistula salvaged due to a persistent need for hemodialysis. The median follow-up of these patients was 19 months ranging from 8 to 25 months. Seven patients (30%) underwent excision and repair with the great saphenous vein and 3 patients (13%) had excision and repair with prosthetic material, 2 of which underwent central venous angioplasty and stenting. Two patients developed thrombosis of their repair requiring new access in the contralateral arm. Three patients needed secondary percutaneous interventions for anastomotic stenosis. CONCLUSION: Although true aneurysms in patients with dialysis access are uncommon, significant complications may occur as a consequence of their presence. These complications can be treated and the fistulas can usually be salvaged.

Management of non-giant cell arteritis disease of the superficial temporal artery.

Non-giant cell arteritis disease of the superficial temporal artery (STA) is rare, appearing only as case reports in the literature. There were nine patients with STA pathology. STA aneurysm (n = 1), pseudoaneurysm (n = 4), thrombosis (n = 1), and arteriovenous malformation (n = 3). Four patients had ligation and excision, three had percutaneous interventions and one had a combination of both. All patients had immediate technical success and eight of the nine total patients had follow-up. We present a variety of ways to approach these unusual pathologies with percutaneous and open techniques demonstrating very good early outcome.

Recurrent popliteal vein aneurysm.

A 28-year-old female presented with a soft mass in the left popliteal fossa. She had a popliteal vein aneurysm repair 4 years ago. Magnetic resonance venography and ultrasound revealed a recurrent saccular aneurysm on the site of the repair. It measured 3 x 4 cm and had no thrombus. The aneurysm was resected, and as the vein had adequate length, it was primarily repaired with an end-to-end anastomosis. She was placed on coumadin for 3 months. At follow-up, the vein was competent and free of thrombosis.

Vaccine preparedness: lessons from Lyantonde, Uganda.

To explore how to better educate rural Africans about preventive HIV/AIDS vaccine trials, 15 semi-structured, open-ended interviews were conducted with villagers in Lyantonde, Rakai District, Uganda. This study reports on the findings by focusing on the attitudes, knowledge and questions the rural villagers had about HIV/AIDS-preventive vaccine testing. While several interviewees confused preventive vaccines with therapeutic vaccines, most were clear about the distinction and about key questions to ask about vaccine testing. In addition, some subjects manifested high levels of trust in the likely effectiveness of preventive vaccines, even in the testing stages, most subjects demonstrated the potential to be intelligently inquisitive about the likely effects. In sum, these villagers show the potential to be reliable subjects, motivated for appropriate reasons, and willing to play a role in advancing the progress of HIV/AIDS vaccine development in Africa.