The impact of alcohol use on the quality of cardiopulmonary resuscitation among festival attendees: A prespecified analysis of a randomised trial.

BACKGROUND: Cardiac arrests often occur in public places, but despite the undisputed impact of bystander CPR, it is debated whether one should act as a rescuer after alcohol consumption due to the perceived adverse effects. We provide the first objective data on the impact of alcohol levels on CPR-skills. METHODS: Pre-specified analysis of a randomised study at the Lowlands music festival (August 2019, the Netherlands) on virtual reality vs face-to-face CPR-training. Participants with an alcohol level ≥ 0.5‰ (WHO-endorsed cut-off for traffic participation) were eligible provided they successfully completed a tandem gait test. We studied alcohol levels (AL, ‰) in relation to CPR-quality (compression depth and rate) and CPR-scenario performance. RESULTS: Median age of the 352 participants was 26 (22-31) years, 56% were female, with n = 214 in Group 1 (AL = 0‰), n = 85 in Group 2 (AL = 0-0.5‰) and n = 53 in Group 3 (AL ≥ 0.5‰). There were no significant differences in CPR-quality (depth: 57 [49-59] vs 57 [51-60] vs 55 mm [47-59], p = 0.16; rate: 115 [104-121] vs 114 [106-122] vs 111 min-1 [95-120], p = 0.19). There were no significant correlations between alcohol level and compression depth (Spearman's rho -0.113, p = 0.19) or rate (Spearman's rho -0.073, p = 0.39). CPR-scenario performance scores (maximum 13) were not different between groups (12 (9-13) vs 12 (9-13) vs 11 (9-13), p = 0.80). CONCLUSION: In this study on festival attendees, we found no association between alcohol levels and CPR-quality or scenario performance shortly after training. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Lowlands Saves Lives is registered on https://www. CLINICALTRIALS: gov (NCT04013633).

Predicting the likelihood of successful medical treatment of early pregnancy loss: development and internal validation of a clinical prediction model.

STUDY QUESTION: What are clinical predictors for successful medical treatment in case of early pregnancy loss (EPL)? SUMMARY ANSWER: Use of mifepristone, BMI, number of previous uterine aspirations and the presence of minor clinical symptoms (slight vaginal bleeding or some abdominal cramps) at treatment start are predictors for successful medical treatment in case of EPL. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY: Success rates of medical treatment for EPL vary strongly, between but also within different treatment regimens. Up until now, although some predictors have been identified, no clinical prediction model has been developed yet. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION: Secondary analysis of a multicentre randomized controlled trial in 17 Dutch hospitals, executed between 28 June 2018 and 8 January 2020. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS: Women with a non-viable pregnancy between 6 and 14 weeks of gestational age, who opted for medical treatment after a minimum of 1 week of unsuccessful expectant management. Potential predictors for successful medical treatment of EPL were chosen based on literature and expert opinions. We internally validated the prediction model using bootstrapping techniques. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE: 237 out of 344 women had a successful medical EPL treatment (68.9%). The model includes the following variables: use of mifepristone, BMI, number of previous uterine aspirations and the presence of minor clinical symptoms (slight vaginal bleeding or some abdominal cramps) at treatment start. The model shows a moderate capacity to discriminate between success and failure of treatment, with an AUC of 67.6% (95% CI = 64.9-70.3%). The model had a good fit comparing predicted to observed probabilities of success but might underestimate treatment success in women with a predicted probability of success of ∼70%. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION: The vast majority (90.4%) of women were Caucasian, potentially leading to less optimal model performance in a non-Caucasian population. Limitations of our model are that we have not yet been able to externally validate its performance and clinical impact, and the moderate accuracy of the prediction model of 0.67. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS: We developed a prediction model, aimed to improve and personalize counselling for medical treatment of EPL by providing a woman with her individual chance of complete evacuation. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S): The Triple M Trial, upon which this secondary analysis was performed, was funded by the Healthcare Insurers Innovation Foundation (project number 3080 B15-191). TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT03212352.

Right atrial and ventricular strain detects subclinical changes in right ventricular function in precapillary pulmonary hypertension.

Right ventricular (RV) ejection fraction (EF) by cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) correlates to outcome in precapillary pulmonary hypertension (pPH) patients, but is insensitive to early changes. Strain might provide incremental information. In this study, we compare right atrial (RA) and RV strain in pPH patients to healthy controls, and evaluate the prognostic value of strain in pPH. In this cross-sectional study, 45 pPH patients and 20 healthy controls underwent CMR, and feature-tracking derived RA and RV strain were evaluated. pPH patients had impaired RA reservoir and conduit strain, and RV longitudinal strain (LS), compared to healthy controls. In pPH patients with preserved RVEF (≥ 50%, n = 18), RA reservoir (35% ± 9 vs. 41% ± 6, p = 0.02) and conduit strain (16% ± 8 vs. 23% ± 5, p = 0.004), and RV-LS (-25% ± 4 vs. -31% ± 4, p < 0.001) remained impaired, compared to healthy controls. The association of strain with the primary endpoint (combination of all-cause death, lung transplantation, and heart failure hospitalization) was evaluated using a multivariable Cox regression model. RV-LS (HR 1.18, 95%-CI 1.04-1.34, p = 0.01) and RA strain (reservoir: HR 0.87, 95%-CI 0.80-0.94, p = 0.001; conduit: HR 0.85, 95%-CI 0.75-0.97, p = 0.02, booster: HR 0.81, 95%-CI 0.71-0.92, p = 0.001) were independent predictors of outcome, beyond clinical and imaging features. In conclusion, pPH patients have impaired RA strain and RV-LS, even when RVEF is preserved. In addition, RA strain and RV-LS were independent predictors of adverse prognosis. These results emphasize the incremental value of RA and RV strain analyses, to detect alterations in RV function, even before RVEF declines.

Long-term efficacy and safety of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in patients with chronic kidney disease, on dialysis or after kidney transplantation: a national prospective observational cohort study.

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 is associated with increased morbidity and mortality in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) stages G4-G5, on dialysis or after kidney transplantation (kidney replacement therapy, KRT). SARS-CoV-2 vaccine trials do not elucidate if SARS-CoV-2 vaccination is effective in these patients. Vaccination against other viruses is known to be less effective in kidney patients. Our objective is to assess the efficacy and safety of various types of SARS-CoV-2 vaccinations in patients with CKD stages G4-G5 or on KRT. METHODS: In this national prospective observational cohort study we will follow patients with CKD stages G4-G5 or on KRT (n = 12,000) after SARS-CoV-2 vaccination according to the Dutch vaccination program. Blood will be drawn for antibody response measurements at day 28 and month 6 after completion of vaccination. Patient characteristics and outcomes will be extracted from registration data and questionnaires during 2 years of follow-up. Results will be compared with a control group of non-vaccinated patients. The level of antibody response to vaccination will be assessed in subgroups to predict protection against COVID-19 breakthrough infection. RESULTS: The primary endpoint is efficacy of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination determined as the incidence of COVID-19 after vaccination. Secondary endpoints are the antibody based immune response at 28 days after vaccination, the durability of this response at 6 months after vaccination, mortality and (serious) adverse events. CONCLUSION: This study will fulfil the lack of knowledge on efficacy and safety of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in patients with CKD stages G4-G5 or on KRT. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study protocol has been registered in clinicaltrials.gov ( NCT04841785 ). Current knowledge about this subject COVID-19 has devastating impact on patients with CKD stages G4-G5, on dialysis or after kidney transplantation. Effective SARS-CoV-2 vaccination is very important in these vulnerable patient groups. Recent studies on vaccination in these patient groups are small short-term studies with surrogate endpoints. Contribution of this study Assessment of incidence and course of COVID-19 after various types of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination during a two-year follow-up period in not only patients on dialysis or kidney transplant recipients, but also in patients with CKD stages G4-G5. Quantitative analysis of antibody response after SARS-CoV-2 vaccination and its relationship with incidence and course of COVID-19 in patients with CKD stages G4-G5, on dialysis or after kidney transplantation compared with a control group. Monitoring of (serious) adverse events and development of anti-HLA antibodies. Impact on practice or policy Publication of the study design contributes to harmonization of SARS-CoV-2 vaccine study methodology in kidney patients at high-risk for severe COVID-19. Data on efficacy of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in patients with CKD will provide guidance for future vaccination policy.

Traumatic Cerebral Microbleeds in the Subacute Phase Are Practical and Early Predictors of Abnormality of the Normal-Appearing White Matter in the Chronic Phase.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: In the chronic phase after traumatic brain injury, DTI findings reflect WM integrity. DTI interpretation in the subacute phase is less straightforward. Microbleed evaluation with SWI is straightforward in both phases. We evaluated whether the microbleed concentration in the subacute phase is associated with the integrity of normal-appearing WM in the chronic phase. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty of 211 consecutive patients 18 years of age or older admitted to our emergency department ≤24 hours after moderate to severe traumatic brain injury matched the selection criteria. Standardized 3T SWI, DTI, and T1WI were obtained 3 and 26 weeks after traumatic brain injury in 31 patients and 24 healthy volunteers. At baseline, microbleed concentrations were calculated. At follow-up, mean diffusivity (MD) was calculated in the normal-appearing WM in reference to the healthy volunteers (MDz). Through linear regression, we evaluated the relation between microbleed concentration and MDz in predefined structures. RESULTS: In the cerebral hemispheres, MDz at follow-up was independently associated with the microbleed concentration at baseline (left: B = 38.4 [95% CI 7.5-69.3], P = .017; right: B = 26.3 [95% CI 5.7-47.0], P = .014). No such relation was demonstrated in the central brain. MDz in the corpus callosum was independently associated with the microbleed concentration in the structures connected by WM tracts running through the corpus callosum (B = 20.0 [95% CI 24.8-75.2], P < .000). MDz in the central brain was independently associated with the microbleed concentration in the cerebral hemispheres (B = 25.7 [95% CI 3.9-47.5], P = .023). CONCLUSIONS: SWI-assessed microbleeds in the subacute phase are associated with DTI-based WM integrity in the chronic phase. These associations are found both within regions and between functionally connected regions.

Estimated glomerular filtration rate and risk of poor outcomes after stroke.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The relationship of the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) with complications after stroke has not been fully characterized for the entire clinical spectrum of eGFR and for the fluctuation in eGFR during hospital stay. METHODS: Data from the Norfolk and Norwich Stroke Registry recorded between January 2003 and April 2015 were analysed. eGFR was categorized into six clinically relevant categories as per the Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes guidelines. The change in eGFR during acute admission was categorized into the following: within 5% change (reference), 5%-20% decline, >20% decline, 5%-20% increase and >20% increase. All-cause mortality, recurrent stroke, incident myocardial infarction, prolonged hospital stay and stroke disability at discharge were outcomes of interest. RESULTS: In all, 10 329 stroke patients (mean age 77.8 years) were followed for a mean of 2.9 years (30 126 person-years). Multivariable adjusted hazard ratios (95% confidence interval) for all-cause mortality were 0.91 (0.80-1.04), 0.96 (0.83-1.11), 1.23 (1.06-1.43), 1.54 (1.31-1.82) and 2.38 (1.91-2.97) for eGFR levels 60-89, 45-59, 30-44, 15-29 and <15 respectively, compared to eGFR ≥ 90 ml/min/1.73 m2 . The hazard ratios (95% confidence interval) for eGFR change were 1.56 (1.36-1.79), 1.17 (1.05-1.30), 1.47 (1.32-1.62) and 1.71 (1.55-1.88) for >20% decline, 5%-20% decline, 5%-20% increase and >20% increase, respectively, compared to change within 5%. Results were similar for other outcomes except recurrent stroke. CONCLUSIONS: Stroke patients with eGFR < 45 ml/min/1.73 m2 at hospital admission and >5% decline or increase in eGFR during hospital stay were at substantially higher risk of poor outcomes, particularly all-cause mortality, myocardial infarction, prolonged hospital stay and disability at discharge.

Feasibility of measuring renal blood flow by phase-contrast magnetic resonance imaging in patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease.

OBJECTIVES: Renal blood flow (RBF) has been shown to predict disease progression in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD). We investigated the feasibility and accuracy of phase-contrast RBF by MRI (RBFMRI) in ADPKD patients with a wide range of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) values. METHODS: First, we validated RBFMRI measurement using phantoms simulating renal artery hemodynamics. Thereafter, we investigated in a test-set of 21 patients intra- and inter-observer coefficient of variation of RBFMRI. After validation, we measured RBFMRI in a cohort of 91 patients and compared the variability explained by characteristics indicative for disease severity for RBFMRI and RBF measured by continuous hippuran infusion. RESULTS: The correlation in flow measurement using phantoms by phase-contrast MRI was high and fluid collection was high (CCC=0.969). Technical problems that precluded RBFMRI measurement occurred predominantly in patients with a lower eGFR (34% vs. 16%). In subjects with higher eGFRs, variability in RBF explained by disease characteristics was similar for RBFMRI compared to RBFHip, whereas in subjects with lower eGFRs, this was significantly less for RBFMRI. CONCLUSIONS: Our study shows that RBF can be measured accurately in ADPKD patients by phase-contrast, but this technique may be less feasible in subjects with a lower eGFR. KEY POINTS: Renal blood flow (RBF) can be accurately measured by phase-contrast MRI in ADPKD patients. RBF measured by phase-contrast is associated with ADPKD disease severity. RBF measurement by phase-contrast MRI may be less feasible in patients with an impaired eGFR.