TEM Classification of Aortic Dissection-The Evolving Scoring System: A Literature Review.

Aortic dissection is an acute presentation that, if unnoticed, poses a significant risk to life. Anatomically, it is defined as a tear in the intimal layer of the aorta, but management differs significantly based on the location of this tear. Traditionally the Stanford and DeBakey classifications have been used to distinguish tear types and thus guide the most favourable management option, be it medical optimisation or surgery. Recently, a new Type-Entry-Malperfusion classification has been proposed to more accurately define and thus risk stratify patients with aortic dissection. This review summarises the Type-Entry-Malperfusion classification and highlights its potential advantages and limitations compared to other classifications. Clinical insights and potential barriers to adopting this classification are also described in this review.

Spatio-temporal variations in dissolved trace elements in peat bog porewaters impacted by dust inputs from open-pit mining activities in the Athabasca Bituminous Sands (ABS) region.

Considerable volumes of dust are generated from open-pit bitumen mining operations in northern Alberta, Canada. The reactive mineral phases of these dust particles can potentially dissolve in acidic (pH < 4) bog waters. Their dissolution could release trace elements (TEs), which could eventually alter these bog ecosystems. The impact of dust dissolution on the abundance of TEs in the dissolved (<0.45 µm) fraction of porewaters from excavated pits (30-40 cm deep) in the ombrogenic zone of five peatlands was evaluated. Porewaters were collected from four bogs situated within 70 km of mines and upgraders in the Athabasca Bituminous Sands (ABS) region, Alberta, Canada, and from a reference bog situated 264 km away. Over two consecutive years, the dissolved concentrations of some conservative (Al, Th, Y) and mobile lithophile elements (Fe, Li, Mn, Sr), as well as the metals enriched in bitumen (V, Ni, Mo), all increased with proximity to the mining area, in the ABS region. These trends reflect the observed increase in dust deposition with proximity to the mining area from independent studies of snow, lichens, and Sphagnum moss. Contrarily, the impact of dust dissolution on the concentration of potentially toxic TEs (As, Cd, Pb, Sb, and Tl) was negligible. Thus, the elements which are more abundant in the porewaters near industry are either ecologically benign (e.g. Li and Sr) or essential micronutrients (e.g. Fe, Mn, Ni, and Mo). Manganese was the only element which was enriched by more than 10x at all sites near the mining area, compared to its concentration at the reference site. The enrichments of all other elements were <10x, indicating that anthropogenic dust emissions from mining areas have had only a modest effect on the TEs abundance in peat porewaters.

Pregnant theatre staff in orthopaedic operating rooms: An observational study.

PURPOSE: Trauma & Orthopaedic (T&O) surgery presents several occupational hazards to pregnant women and the unborn child. National bodies have produced guidelines to mitigate these risks as far as possible but individual trusts must be aware of them and implement them in their local policies. Our study aims to re-assess whether national guidelines for the protection of pregnant women are better adhered to nationally by providing a comparison to a previous study in 2018. METHODS: A national observational study of 146 NHS trusts in the UK was conducted. Each trust was asked to complete a freedom of information request regarding all orthopaedic guidelines relating to pregnant theatre staff, which specifically related to the protection of the mother and foetus from exposure to harmful activity in theatre. Compliance was ascertained by cross-checking local policies with national guidelines. RESULTS: 82/146 (52.0%) of NHS trusts responded to the Freedom of Information  request. 31/75 (41.3%) respondents followed Health and Safety Executive (HSE) guidance for New and Expectant Mothers with 17/75 (22.7%) following multiple national guidelines. 16/75 (21.3%) NHS trusts do not follow any national guidelines in protecting new and expectant mothers from occupational hazards in the orthopaedic theatre setting. CONCLUSIONS: Although an improvement has been made since 2018 in complying with national guidelines protecting new and expectant mothers from orthopaedic-related hazards, a sizeable proportion of NHS trusts do not comply with any national guidelines, putting employees at undue risk. There is a continued need for pregnant surgeons to be aware of and seek occupational health advice from dedicated professional bodies if the NHS trust does not provide specific guidance. Simultaneously, a sustained effort must be present to continue to inform NHS employers of their duty to protect new and expectant mothers and signpost them to relevant guidance.

Aortic Valve Replacement and Repair With or Without Concomitant Ascending Aorta Replacement: Impact on Outcomes: A Systematic Review.

Aortic valve surgery is a common procedure used to treat significant aortic valve stenosis or insufficiency. Some of these patients have coexisting pathology affecting the ascending aorta requiring ascending aorta replacement (AAR). Although the outcomes of these procedures are independently positive, it is proposed that concomitant AAR improves outcomes and minimizes the chances of future ascending aorta replacement. A comprehensive literature search for relevant studies published since 2010 comparing outcomes of aortic valve repair and replacement with or without concomitant ascending aorta replacement was undertaken using electronic databases PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase Ovid, and SCOPUS. Major exclusion criteria were (1) conference posters, literature reviews, editorials; (2) aortic root surgery, aortic arch surgery, or other surgeries (3) case series with less than 5 participants. A total of 1189 patients from 6 retrospective cohort studies were included in the final review, from which clinical outcomes such as mortality and complications were compared. Mortality rates were similar in both intervention groups. No significant differences were found between the 2 groups in reexploration rates due to bleeding, stroke, postoperative dialysis, and atrial fibrillation. Survival rates varied but had no significant difference between interventions. Both isolated aortic valve surgery and concomitant AAR procedures offer comparable favourable outcomes in terms of mortality, survival rates, and complication risks. However, the evidence is limited by the lack of randomized controlled trials. We recommend that future studies should standardize reporting on postoperative recovery, complications, long-term freedom from reoperations, and long-term changes to aorta dimensions.

COVID-19 and Multiorgan Response: The Long-Term Impact.

In late December 2019, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type-2 (SARS-CoV-2) was discovered following a cluster of pneumonia cases in Wuhan, China. During the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, it was unclear how this virus would manifest into a multiorgan impacting disease. After over 750 million cases worldwide, it has become increasingly evident that SARS-CoV-2 is a complex multifaceted disease we continue to develop our understanding of the pathophysiology of COVID-19 and how it affects these systems has many theories, ranging from direct viral infection via ACE2 receptor binding, to indirect coagulation dysfunction, cytokine storm, and pathological activation of the complement system. Since the onset of the pandemic, disease presentation, management, and manifestation have changed significantly. This paper intends to expand on the long-term impacts of COVID-19 on the cardiovascular, respiratory, urinary, gastrointestinal, and vascular systems of the body and the changes in clinical management. It is evident that the pharmacological, nonpharmacological and psychological management of COVID-19 patients require clearer guidelines to improve the survival odds and long-term clinical outcomes of those presenting with severe disease.

Transseptal vs Transapical Transcatheter Mitral Valve-in-Valve and Valve-in-Ring Implantation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Transcatheter mitral valve replacement has become a useful alternative for patients with failed mitral prosthesis or annuloplasty rings who are deemed high risk for redo surgery. We aimed to compare the clinical outcomes following transseptal (TS) and transapical (TA) approaches in transcatheter mitral valve-in-valve and valve-in-ring implantation (TMViV/R). Electronic databases PubMed, MEDLINE, and Embase were searched through November 2022. Both clinical trials and observational studies comparing patients undergoing TS and TA TMViV/R were eligible for inclusion. Primary outcomes were 30-day and 1-year mortality. Postoperative stroke, left ventricle outlet tract (LVOT) obstruction, mitral valve pressure gradient (MVPG), bleeding, and length of hospital stay were also evaluated. Seven observational studies were included comparing patients undergoing TS (n = 1875) and TA (n = 1120) TMViV/R. The TS group had significantly lower 30-day mortality (OR: 0.66; 95% confidence interval [CI] [0.47, 0.94]; P = 0.02, I²â€¯= 0%) and lower one-year mortality risk group (HR: 0.79; 95% CI [0.63, 0.99]; P = 0.04, I²â€¯= 0%) compared to the TA group. The TS group had consistent shorter in-hospital stay (MD = -3.79; 95% CI [-5.23, -2.34] days; P < 0.0001, I²â€¯= 75%). Postoperative stroke, bleeding and LVOT obstruction tended to be lower in the TS but the results did not reach statistical significance. Postoperative MVPG was similar between both groups. The TS approach has lower early mortality, lower 1-year death hazard, shorter in-hospital stay, and a trend toward lower complication rates when compared to TA TMViV/R. Further controlled trials may support the evidence and provide long-term outcomes.

What do people hospitalised with COVID-19 think about their care? Results of a satisfaction survey during the first wave of COVID-19 in Liverpool.

Despite huge advances in vaccines, testing and treatments for COVID-19, there is negligible evidence on the perceptions of people hospitalised with COVID-19 about the care they received. To address this, we developed a satisfaction survey for people with COVID-19 admitted to our hospital during the first COVID-19 wave in Liverpool. Of those invited, 98/160 (61%) responded, of whom 94/98 (96%) completed the survey. Respondents rated overall care highly (mean 4.7/5) and 89/94 (95%) reported that they would recommend the hospital to friends and/or family. Most respondents felt safe on the ward (94%), with privacy maintained (93%) and pain well managed (90%). Fewer than two-thirds (63%) of respondents considered themselves adequately consulted regarding medications and side effects. Sleep and food/drink quality were also highlighted as areas for improvement. To overcome the issues raised, we generated a 'COVID-19 practice pointers' poster within an integrated educational bundle on COVID-19 wards. The impact of the bundle on perceptions of people hospitalised with COVID-19 will be evaluated in people hospitalised with COVID-19 in Liverpool in 2021. Whether hospitalised for COVID-19 or other conditions, our survey results are a timely reminder of the importance of involving patients in shaping the care that they receive.

Why Have Immunization Efforts in Pakistan Failed to Achieve Global Standards of Vaccination Uptake and Infectious Disease Control?

Immunization is one of the most successful public health initiatives in recent times. It is, therefore, worrying to learn the level of under-vaccination in Pakistan. Diseases that have been successfully eliminated through the aid of vaccination in other countries have not been eliminated in Pakistan. The reasons for this vary and show the uniqueness of the economic, healthcare and environmental landscape of Pakistan, through which public health programmes need to be implemented. The "Expanded Programme of Immunization" (EPI) is the main programme through which routine immunization is provided to the public. Within Pakistan, it has encountered many problems since its inception. This includes logistical obstacles, inefficient health worker attitudes, parental and female awareness, and education, the influence of religious community leaders and the complications that accompany conflict. When compared to globally standardised targets for immunization, Pakistan is trailing behind. Not achieving these targets is worrying from both a global perspective and within the national healthcare landscape of Pakistan. Research is necessary to bring together findings on the failings of routine immunization and polio campaigns; there are many intersecting factors that global health bodies and the Department of Health in Pakistan must address in order to relieve the burden of vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs).