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BACKGROUND: Numerous studies have indicated that increased obesity in patients with established peripheral artery disease (PAD) is inversely associated with disease prognosis, a phenomenon coined as the "obesity paradox". A major cause of criticism in studies investigating the obesity paradox is the use of body mass index (BMI) as a surrogate marker in defining and quantifying the degree or severity of obesity. We conducted a retrospective review to verify whether the obesity paradox persists in patients with PAD when using body surface area (BSA) as an alternative anthropometric measure. METHODS: Patients undergoing surgery (open or endovascular) for PAD between January 2009 and March 2020 were identified from the Vascular Quality Initiative (VQI) national database. The association between BSA or BMI and risk of postoperative complications was evaluated using logistic regression and restricted cubic spline analysis, both of which were adjusted for demographic and comorbid risk predictors. When analyzing BSA and BMI as categorical variables, patients were grouped according to BSA quintiles and the World Health Organization (WHO) BMI categories. RESULTS: A total of 130,428 patients were included based on our eligibility criteria, of which 85,394 (65.5%) were men. Patients were typically hypertensive (87.8%), diabetic (50.4%), and overweight (63.0% over 25 kg/m2). Patients with a high BMI or BSA typically presented at a younger age and with greater preoperative administration of drugs (statin, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor, anticoagulant, and beta blocker). Our results indicate that BSA and BMI are inversely associated with postoperative risk of all-cause morbidity, mortality, and cardiac complications. This finding was displayed when analyzing BMI or BSA as a continuous variable or when indexing patients into BMI or BSA groups. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggests that the obesity paradox persists in patients with PAD when using either BMI or BSA as anthropometric measures. Future studies with a prospective design and utilizing newer anthropometric indices should be conducted to fully verify the presence of this phenomenon.
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Invasive procedures are associated with adverse events that are both hazardous to patients and expensive to treat. A trainee is expected to perform complex sterile invasive procedures in a dynamic environment under time pressure while maintaining patient safety at the highest standard of care. For mastery in performing an invasive procedure, the automatism of the technical aspects is required, as well as the ability to adapt to patient conditions, anatomic variability, and environmental stressors. Virtual reality (VR) simulation training is an immersive technology with immense potential for medical training, potentially enhancing clinical proficiency and improving patient safety. Virtual reality can project near-realistic environments onto a head-mounted display, allowing users to simulate and interact with various scenarios. Virtual reality has been used extensively for task training in various healthcare-related disciplines and other fields, such as the military. These scenarios often incorporate haptic feedback for the simulation of physical touch and audio and visual stimuli. In this manuscript, the authors have presented a historical review, the current status, and the potential application of VR simulation training for invasive procedures. They specifically explore a VR training module for central venous access as a prototype for invasive procedure training to describe the advantages and limitations of this evolving technology.
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Treinamento por Simulação , Realidade Virtual , Humanos , Simulação por Computador , Treinamento por Simulação/métodosRESUMO
Transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER) of the mitral valve is a complex procedure requiring continuous image guidance with 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography. In this context, the role of the echocardiographer is of paramount importance. Training in interventional echocardiography for procedures such as TEER requires comprehending the complicated workflow of the hybrid operating room and advanced imaging skills that go beyond traditional echocardiography training to guide the procedure. Despite TEER being more commonly performed, the training structure for interventional echocardiographers is lagging, with many practitioners not having any formal training in image guidance for this procedure. In this context, novel training strategies must be developed to increase exposure and aid training. In this review, the authors present a step-wise approach to training for image guidance during TEER of the mitral valve. The authors have deconstructed this complex procedure into modular components and have incremental stages of training based on different steps of the procedure. At each step, trainees must demonstrate proficiency before advancing to the next step, thus ensuring a more structured approach to attaining proficiency in this complex procedure.
Assuntos
Procedimentos Cirúrgicos Cardíacos , Implante de Prótese de Valva Cardíaca , Insuficiência da Valva Mitral , Humanos , Valva Mitral/diagnóstico por imagem , Valva Mitral/cirurgia , Insuficiência da Valva Mitral/diagnóstico por imagem , Insuficiência da Valva Mitral/cirurgia , Cateterismo Cardíaco/métodos , Ecocardiografia , Implante de Prótese de Valva Cardíaca/métodos , Resultado do TratamentoRESUMO
PURPOSE: To evaluate the research trends and underlying motivations that shape intentions for the future uptake of an academic career among medical students. Further, to investigate the barriers and sought-after interventions which may optimise research outcomes in a resource-limited setting. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 294 undergraduate (UG) medical students in Karachi, Pakistan. A self-administered questionnaire was employed to assess current research practices and future intentions, and to evaluate related motivations, barriers, and sought-after interventions. RESULTS: Almost two-thirds of medical students reported some form of involvement in medical research and expressed positive attitudes towards the same. However, intentions to pursue research at a professional level not only remained low (19.7%) but were found to decrease with each passing year of study (p<0.01). The most commonly expressed motivation for pursuing research was "admission into a residency program" (71.8%), and was associated with a decreased likelihood of pursuing research professionally. The most cited barriers to conducting UG research were a "lack of time" (72.4%), "lack of supervisors" (50.3%) and a "lack of opportunities in the university" (48.3%). A dichotomy in sought-after interventions was observed among research-naïve and research-experienced students. CONCLUSIONS: Despite promising trends in UG medical research, the intentions for uptake of an academic career remain low. Research practices driven by career enhancement alone may be detrimental. Interventions to increase research output must promote the capacity building of research-naïve students and facilitate the ongoing practices of research-experienced students.