Unintended Perioperative Hypothermia and Surgical Site Infection in Children.

INTRODUCTION: Unintended perioperative hypothermia is associated with surgical site infection (SSI) in adults, prompting exhaustive efforts to maintain perioperative normothermia. Although these efforts are also made for pediatric patients, the association between hypothermia and SSI has not been demonstrated in children. We sought to determine whether perioperative hypothermia and other risk factors and clinical outcomes are associated with SSI in the pediatric population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This case-control study took place from January 2014 through December 2016 and included patients at a National Surgical Quality Improvement Program-participant academic children's hospital. All surgical patients were included in this retrospective analysis. SSI rates were determined. A univariate analysis was performed to determine clinical factors associated with SSI. A multivariate regression analysis was then performed to determine the predictive effect of minimum perioperative temperature for SSI. RESULTS: This study included 3541 patients, of which 92 (2.6%) developed SSI. A univariate analysis showed associations among SSI and higher perioperative temperatures, surgical specialty of otolaryngology and general surgery, and wound classification (American Society of Anesthesiologists [ASA] classification III and IV). A multivariate analysis determined the odds of SSI increased by a factor of 1.6 for every 1°C increase in minimum perioperative temperature. CONCLUSIONS: Unintended perioperative hypothermia in our pediatric patients was inversely associated with SSI. This finding suggests that pediatric SSI prevention may not require the efforts made for adult patients to maintain normothermia.

Homestead together: Pediatric palliative care telehealth support for rural children with cancer during home-based end-of-life care.

BACKGROUND: Children with terminal cancer and their families describe a preference for home-based end-of-life care. Inadequate support outside of the hospital is a limiting factor in home location feasibility, particularly in rural regions lacking pediatric-trained hospice providers. METHODS: The purpose of this longitudinal palliative telehealth support pilot study was to explore physical and emotional symptom burden and family impact assessments for children with terminal cancer receiving home based-hospice care. Each child received standard of care home-based hospice care from an adult-trained rural hospice team with the inclusion of telehealth pediatric palliative care visits at a scheduled minimum of every 14 days. RESULTS: Eleven children (mean age 11.9 years) received pediatric palliative telehealth visits a minimum of every 14 days, with an average of 4.8 additional telehealth visits initiated by the family. Average time from enrollment to death was 21.6 days (range 4-95). Children self-reported higher physical symptom prevalence than parents or hospice nurses perceived the child was experiencing at time of hospice enrollment with underrecognition of the child's emotional burden. At the time of hospice enrollment, family impact was reported by family caregivers as 46.4/100 (SD 18.7), with noted trend of improved family function while receiving home hospice care with telehealth support. All children remained at home for end-of-life care. CONCLUSION: Pediatric palliative care telehealth combined with adult-trained rural hospice providers may be utilized to support pediatric oncology patients and their family caregivers as part of longitudinal home-based hospice care.

Association of gravity drainage and complications following Whipple: an analysis of the ACS-NSQIP targeted database.

BACKGROUND: The optimal type of operative drainage following pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) remains unclear. Our objective is to investigate risk associated with closed drainage techniques (passive [gravity] vs. suction) after PD. METHODS: We assessed operative drainage techniques utilized in patients undergoing PD in the ACS-NSQIP pancreas-targeted database from 2016 to 2018. Using multivariable logistic regression to adjust for characteristics of the patient, procedure, and pancreas, we examined the association between use of gravity drainage and postoperative outcomes. RESULTS: We identified 9665 patients with drains following PD from 2016 to 2018, of which 12.7% received gravity drainage. 61.0% had a diagnosis of adenocarcinoma or pancreatitis, 26.5% had a duct <3 mm, and 43.5% had a soft or intermediate gland. After multivariable adjustment, gravity drainage was associated with decreased rates of postoperative pancreatic fistula (odds ratio [OR] 0.779, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.653-0.930, p=0.006), delayed gastric emptying (OR 0.830, 95% CI 0.693-0.988, p=0.036), superficial SSI (OR 0.741, 95% CI 0.572-0.959, p=0.023), organ space SSI (OR 0.791, 95% CI 0.658-0.951, p=0.012), and readmission (OR 0.807, 95% CI 0.679-0.958, p=0.014) following PD. CONCLUSIONS: Gravity drainage is independently associated with decreased rates of CR-POPF, DGE, SSI, and readmission following PD. Additional prospective research is necessary to better understand the preferred drainage technique following PD.

Incidence of Febrile Neutropenia in Autologous Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant (HSCT) Recipients on levofloxacin prophylaxis.

BACKGROUND: Autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) recipients are not uniformly considered as "high risk" enough to receive fluoroquinolone (FQ) prophylaxis. The risks versus benefits of FQ prophylaxis in autologous HSCT require further investigation. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of patients > 19 years old who received an autologous HSCT at Nebraska Medicine analyzed two time periods (period 1: no prophylaxis [2013-2015] versus period 2: levofloxacin prophylaxis [2015-2016]) to characterize the clinical impact of levofloxacin prophylaxis on autologous HSCT recipients. RESULTS: A total of 224 autologous HSCT were screened with 214 included. Febrile neutropenia (FN) developed in 101/113 (89%) versus 60/101 (59%) patients in the no prophylaxis (NPx) versus prophylaxis (Px) group (P < .01). Time to onset of FN was a median 6 versus 7 days (P = .01), and total bloodstream infections (BSI) were 33/113 (29%) versus 7/101 (7%) (P < .01) in NPx and Px groups, respectively. Gram-negative BSI were absent in the Px group. Viridans group streptococci were the most common Gram-positive BSI overall, with FQ-resistance more common in Px recipients. Rates of Clostridium difficile infections, length of hospital stay, or death at 100 days post-HSCT did not differ between the groups. CONCLUSION: Fluoroquinolone prophylaxis introduced into autologous HSCT care at our institution in 2015 resulted in prevention of Gram-negative BSI, decreased rates of FN, microbiologically documented infections, and a delay in time to onset of FN compared with the prior NPx. FQ prophylaxis in autologous HSCT recipients should be evaluated per individual institution.

Risk factors for anastomotic leak after esophagectomy for cancer: A NSQIP procedure-targeted analysis.

BACKGROUND: Anastomotic leak is the most common major complication after esophagectomy. We investigated the 2016 American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program esophagectomy targeted database to identify risk factors for anastomotic leak. METHODS: Patients who underwent esophagectomy for cancer were included. Patients experiencing an anstomotic leak were identified, and univariate and multivariable logistic regression was performed to identify variables independently associated with anastomotic leak. RESULTS: Of 915 patients included, 83% were male and the median age was 64 years. Patients with anastomotic leak more frequently had additional complications (87% vs 36%, P < .001). Rates of reoperation (64% vs 11%, P < .001) and mortality (8% vs 2%, P = .001) were higher in patients with anastomotic leak. After adjusting for patient and procedure characteristics, prolonged operative time (for each additional 30-minutes; adjusted odds ratios (AOR) 1.068, 95% CI, 1.022-1.115, P = .003), increased preoperative WBC count (for each 3000/µL increase; AOR 1.323, 95% CI, 1.048-1.670, P = .019), pre-existing diabetes (AOR 1.601, 95% CI, 1.012-2.534, P = .045), and perioperative transfusion (AOR 1.777, 95% CI, 1.064-2.965, P = .028) were independently associated with anastomotic leak. CONCLUSION: Both patient and procedure-related factors are associated with anastomotic leak. Though frequently non-modifiable, these findings could facilitate risk stratification and early detection of anastomotic leak to reduce associated morbidity.

Multi-institutional experience of stereotactic body radiotherapy for large (≥5 centimeters) non-small cell lung tumors.

BACKGROUND: Stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) is the standard of care for patients with nonoperative, early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) measuring < 5 cm, but its use among patients with tumors measuring ≥5 cm is considerably less defined, with the existing literature limited to small, single-institution reports. The current multi-institutional study reported outcomes evaluating the largest such population reported to date. METHODS: Clinical/treatment characteristics, outcomes, toxicities, and patterns of failure were assessed in patients with primary NSCLC measuring ≥5 cm without evidence of distant/lymph node metastasis who underwent SBRT using ≤5 fractions. Statistics included Kaplan-Meier survival analyses and univariate/multivariate Cox proportional hazards models. RESULTS: A total of 92 patients treated from 2004 through 2016 were analyzed from 12 institutions. The median follow-up was 12 months (15 months in survivors). The median age and tumor size among the patients were 73 years (range, 50-95 years) and 5.4 cm (range, 5.0-7.5 cm), respectively. The median dose/fractionation was 50 Gray/5 fractions. The actuarial local control rates at 1 year and 2 years were 95.7% and 73.2%, respectively. The disease-free survival rate was 72.1% and 53.5%, respectively, at 1 year and 2 years. The 1-year and 2-year disease-specific survival rates were 95.5% and 78.6%, respectively. The median, 1-year, and 2-year overall survival rates were 21.4 months, 76.2%, and 46.4%, respectively. On multivariate analysis, lung cancer history and pre-SBRT positron emission tomography maximum standardized uptake value were found to be associated with overall survival. Posttreatment failures were most commonly distant (33% of all disease recurrences), followed by local (26%) and those occurring elsewhere in the lung (23%). Three patients had isolated local failures. Grade 3 to 4 toxicities included 1 case (1%) and 4 cases (4%) of grade 3 dermatitis and radiation pneumonitis, respectively (toxicities were graded according to the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events [version 4.0]). Grades 2 to 5 radiation pneumonitis occurred in 11% of patients. One patient with a tumor measuring 7.5 cm and a smoking history of 150 pack-years died of radiation pneumonitis. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the current study, which is the largest study of patients with NSCLC measuring ≥5 cm reported to date, indicate that SBRT is a safe and efficacious option. Cancer 2017;123:688-696. © 2016 American Cancer Society.

Overall Survival and Prognostic Factors in Metastatic Triple-Negative Breast Cancer: A National Cancer Database Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Metastatic triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is aggressive with poor median overall survival (OS) ranging from 8 to 13 months. There exists considerable heterogeneity in survival at the individual patient level. To better understand the survival heterogeneity and improve risk stratification, our study aims to identify the factors influencing survival, utilizing a large patient sample from the National Cancer Database (NCDB). METHODS: Women diagnosed with metastatic TNBC from 2010 to 2020 in the NCDB were included. Demographic, clinicopathological, and treatment data and overall survival (OS) outcomes were collected. Kaplan-Meier curves were used to estimate OS. The log-rank test was used to identify OS differences between groups for each variable in the univariate analysis. For the multivariate analysis, the Cox proportional hazard model with backward elimination was used to identify factors affecting OS. Adjusted hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals are presented. RESULTS: In this sample, 2273 women had a median overall survival of 13.6 months. Factors associated with statistically significantly worse OS included older age, higher comorbidity scores, specific histologies, higher number of metastatic sites, presence of liver or other site metastases in those with only one metastatic site (excluding brain metastases), presence of cranial and extra-cranial metastases, lack of chemotherapy, lack of immunotherapy, lack of surgery to distant sites, lack of radiation to distant sites, and receipt of palliative treatment to alleviate symptoms. In the multivariate analysis, comorbidity score, histology, number of metastatic sites, immunotherapy, and chemotherapy had a statistically significant effect on OS. CONCLUSIONS: Through NCDB analysis, we have identified prognostic factors for metastatic TNBC. These findings will help individualize prognostication at diagnosis, optimize treatment strategies, and facilitate patient stratification in future clinical trials.

A Multicenter Phase II Trial of Ruxolitinib for Treatment of Corticosteroid Refractory Sclerotic Chronic Graft-Versus-Host Disease.

PURPOSE: Sclerotic chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) represents a highly morbid and refractory form of cGVHD, and novel therapies for sclerotic cGVHD are critically needed. This study aimed to determine the efficacy of ruxolitinib in patients with corticosteroid refractory sclerotic cGVHD. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In a single-arm multicenter phase II trial (N = 47), adults with sclerotic cGVHD refractory to corticosteroids and ≥one additional line of systemic therapy for cGVHD received ruxolitinib for ≥six months (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03616184). The primary end point was complete or partial response (PR) in skin and/or joint defined according to the 2014 National Institute of Health cGVHD Consensus Criteria. RESULTS: Following the use of ruxolitinib for a median of 11 months, PR in skin and/or joints was noted in 49% (95% CI, 34 to 64) at 6 months, with 45% having joint and fascia response and 19% having skin response. The duration of skin/joint response was 77% (95% CI, 48 to 91) at 12 months. Overall cGVHD PR was noted in 47% (95% CI, 32 to 61). Improvement in Lee Symptom Scale summary and skin subscale scores was noted in 38% of patients. With a cumulative incidence of treatment failure of 20.8% (95% CI, 10.0 to 34.1), nonrelapse mortality (NRM) of 2.2% (95% CI, 0.17 to 10.3), and no recurrent malignancy, failure-free survival (FFS) was 77.1% (95% CI, 61.3 to 87.0) at 12 months. Ruxolitinib was overall well tolerated with no new safety signals. CONCLUSION: The use of ruxolitinib was associated with relatively high rates of skin/joint responses and overall cGVHD responses, improvement in patient-reported outcomes, low NRM, and high FFS in patients with refractory sclerotic cGVHD. Ruxolitinib offers an effective treatment option for refractory sclerotic cGVHD.

Pediatric Ethics Consultation Services.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Although guidelines call for the presence of pediatric ethics consultation services (PECS), their existence in children's hospitals remains unquantified. This study determined the prevalence of PECS in children's hospitals and compared the practice environments of those with versus without PECS. METHOD: The Children's Hospital Association Annual Benchmark Report survey from 2020 and PECS data were analyzed for the association of PECS with domains of care. RESULTS: Two hundred thirty-one hospitals received survey requests, with 148 submitted and 144 reachable to determine PECS (62% response rate), inclusive of 50 states. Ninety-nine (69%) reported having ethics consultation services. Freestanding children's hospitals (28% of all hospitals) were more likely to report the presence of PECS (P <.001), making up 41% of hospitals with a PECS. The median number of staffed beds was 203 (25th quartile 119, 75th quartile 326) for those with PECS compared with 80 for those without (25th quartile 40, 75th quartile 121). Facilities with palliative care, higher trauma ratio, intensive care, and comprehensive programs were more likely to have PECS. Academic affiliation was associated with PECS presence (P <.001). Settings associated with skilled nursing facilities or long-term care programs were not more likely to have PECS. Hospitals designated as federally qualified health centers (P = .04) and accountable care organizations (P = .001) were more likely to have PECS. CONCLUSION: Although PECS function as formal means to clarify values and mitigate conflict, one-third of children's hospitals lack PECS. Future research is needed to understand barriers to PECS and improve its presence.

Induction of colonic aberrant crypts in mice by feeding apparent N-nitroso compounds derived from hot dogs.

Nitrite-preserved meats (e.g., hot dogs) may help cause colon cancer because they contain N-nitroso compounds. We tested whether purified hot-dog-derived total apparent N-nitroso compounds (ANC) could induce colonic aberrant crypts, which are putative precursors of colon cancer. We purified ANC precursors in hot dogs and nitrosated them to produce ANC. In preliminary tests, CF1 mice received 1 or 3 i.p. injections of 5 mg azoxymethane (AOM)/kg. In Experiments 1 and 2, female A/J mice received ANC in diet. In Experiment 1, ANC dose initially dropped sharply because the ANC precursors had mostly decomposed but, later in Experiment 1 and throughout Experiment 2, ANC remained at 85 nmol/g diet. Mice were killed after 8 (AOM tests) or 17-34 (ANC tests) wk. Median numbers of aberrant crypts in the distal 2 cm of the colon for 1 and 3 AOM injections, CF1 controls, ANC (Experiment 1), ANC (Experiment 2),and untreated A/J mice were 31, 74, 12, 20, 12, and 5-6, with P < 0.01 for both ANC tests. Experiment 2 showed somewhat increased numbers of colonic mucin-depleted foci in the ANC-treated group. We conclude that hot-dog-derived ANC induced significant numbers of aberrant crypts in the mouse colon.

Translating Pediatric Hospital Interpreters' Feedback From Difficult Conversations into Improved Communication.

Background: Medical interpreters are critical mediators in communication with pediatric subjects and families to include participation in difficult conversations. Objective: The objective of this pilot study was to provide suggestions from medical interpreters to palliative care teams as to how to effectively incorporate medical interpreters into end-of-life conversations. Methods: Participants included pediatric hospital-based medical interpreters who had interpreted for at least 1 end-of-life conversation in the pediatric hospital setting. A total of 11 surveys were completed by medical interpreters. The study consisted of a written 12-item survey with a follow-up focus group to further explore survey themes. Results: The translation of cultural contexts, awareness of the mixed messages the family received from health care teams, and the emotional intensity of the interactions were depicted as the most challenging aspects of the medical interpreter's role. Despite these challenges, 9 interpreters reported they would willingly be assigned for interpreting "bad news" conversations if given the opportunity (82%). Medical interpreters recognized their relationship with the family and their helping role for the family as meaningful aspects of interpreting even in difficult conversations. Medical interpreters shared 7 thematic suggestions for improved communication in language-discordant visits: content review, message clarity, advocacy role, cultural understanding, communication dynamics, professionalism, and emotional support. Conclusions: As experts in cultural dynamics and message transmission, the insights of medical interpreters can improve communication with families.

Palliative Care Programs in Children's Hospitals.

BACKGROUNG AND OBJECTIVES: This study determined the prevalence of PPC programs in the United States and compared the environment of children's hospitals with and without PPC programs. METHODS: Analyses of the multicenter Children's Hospital Association Annual Benchmark Report 2020 survey for prevalence of PPC programs and association with operational, missional, educational, and financial domains. RESULTS: Two hundred thirty-one hospitals received Annual Benchmark Report survey requests with 148 submitted (64% response rate) inclusive of 50 states. One hundred nineteen (80%) reported having a PPC program and 29 (20%) reported not having a PPC program. Free-standing children's hospitals (n = 42 of 148, 28%) were more likely to report the presence of PPC (P = .004). For settings with PPC programs, the median number of staffed beds was 185 (25th quartile 119, 75th quartile 303) compared with 49 median number of staffed beds for those without PPC (25th quartile 30, 75th quartile 81). Facilities with higher ratio of trauma, intensive care, or acuity level were more likely to offer PPC. Although palliative care was associated with hospice (P <.001) and respite (P = .0098), over half of facilities reported not having access to hospice for children (n = 82 of 148, 55%) and 79% reported not having access to respite care (n = 117 of 148). CONCLUSIONS: PPC, hospice, and respite services remain unrealized for many children and families in the United States. Programmatic focus and advocacy efforts must emphasize creation and sustainability of quality PPC programs in smaller, lower resourced hospitals.

Methylphenidate for apathy and functional status in dementia of the Alzheimer type.

OBJECTIVE: Apathy is the most common behavioral problem in persons with dementia of the Alzheimer type (DAT). Treatment of apathy in DAT is not systematically studied. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the response of apathy to methylphenidate treatment and to examine whether functional status improved. METHODS: The authors conducted a 12-week open-labeled study with immediate release formulation of methylphenidate. Twenty-three patients with DAT scoring >40 on the Apathy Evaluation Scale (AES) were recruited. Repeated measures analysis of variance and correlation analysis were performed. RESULTS: None of the patients dropped out of the study because of adverse events. Significant improvement in apathy was noted during 12 weeks. Significant improvement was also noted in depression, Mini-Mental State Examination score, and functional status. There was no correlation between changes in the AES and depression scores. CONCLUSIONS: Methylphenidate was well tolerated in these patients with DAT. Apathy improved with the use of methylphenidate.

Reliability of center of pressure measures for assessing the development of sitting postural control in infants with or at risk of cerebral palsy.

OBJECTIVE: To establish the test-retest reliability of linear and nonlinear measures, including intra- and intersession reliability, when used to analyze the center of pressure (COP) time series during the development of infant sitting postural control in infants with or at risk for cerebral palsy (CP). DESIGN: Longitudinal study. SETTING: University hospital laboratory. PARTICIPANTS: Infants with or at risk for CP (N=18; mean age ± SD at entry into the study, 13.7±3.6mo). INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Infant sitting COP data were recorded for 3 trials at each session (2 sessions for each month within 1 week) for 4 consecutive months. The linear COP parameters of the root mean square, the range of sway for both the anterior-posterior and the medial-lateral directions, and the sway path were calculated. In addition, the nonlinear parameters of approximate entropy, Lyapunov exponent (LyE), and the correlation dimension for both directions were also calculated. Intra- and intersession reliability was computed by the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). RESULTS: Regarding nonlinear measures, LyE showed high intra- and intersession ICC values in comparison with all other parameters evaluated. Intrasession and intersession reliability increased overall in the last 2 months of data collection and as sitting posture improved. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggested that the methodology presented is a reliable way of examining the development of sitting postural control in infants with or at risk for CP, and the reliability results generally parallel values found in sitting postural behavior in typical infants. Therefore, this methodology may be helpful in examining efficacy of therapy protocols directed at advancing sitting postural control in infants with motor developmental delays.

Towards Successes in the Management of Nonconvulsive Status Epilepticus: Tracing the Detection-to-Needle Trajectories.

PURPOSE: Data on the timeliness of emergent medication delivery for nonconvulsive status epilepticus (NCSE) are currently lacking. METHODS: Retrospective chart reviews (between 2015 and 2018) and analyses of all patients with NCSE were performed at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, a level 4 epilepsy center, to determine the latencies to order and administration of the first, second, and third antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). Recurrent NCSE cases were considered independently and classified as comatose and noncomatose. RESULTS: There were 77 occurrences of NCSE in 53 patients. The first, second, and third AEDs were delivered with substantial delays at median times of 80 (25%-75% interquartile range, 44-166), 126 (interquartile range, 67-239), and 158 minutes (interquartile range, 89-295), respectively, from seizure detection. The median times to the order of the first and second AEDs were 33 and 134.5 minutes longer in comatose NCSE patients compared with those with noncomatose forms, respectively (P = 0.001 and 0.004, respectively). The median times between the AED orders and their administration in these two groups were the same (P = 0.60 and 0.37, respectively). With bivariate analysis, the median latencies to administration of the first, second, and third AEDs were significantly increased by 33, 109.5, and 173 minutes, respectively, in patients who died within 30 days compared with those who survived (P = 0.047, P = 0.02, P = 0.0007, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The administration of the first, second, and third AEDs for NCSE was delayed. Slow initiation of acute treatment in comatose patients was caused by delays in the placement of the medication order.

Telehealth Acceptability for Children, Family, and Adult Hospice Nurses When Integrating the Pediatric Palliative Inpatient Provider during Sequential Rural Home Hospice Visits.

Background: Children in rural geographies are not universally able to access pediatric-trained palliative or hospice providers. Objective: Determine whether telehealth inclusion of a familiar pediatric palliative care provider during the first two home-based hospice visits was acceptable to children, families, and adult-trained home hospice nurses in rural settings. Design: Case series. Setting: Home hospice in rural Midwest. Participants: Patients <18 years of age enrolling in home hospice for end-of-life care. Measurements: The acceptability of telehealth inclusion of a hospital-based pediatric palliative care provider in home hospice visits to the family caregiver and home hospice nurse was measured using the Technology Acceptance Model Questionnaires with the inclusion of the child perspective when possible. Results: Fifteen patients mean age of seven years enrolled. Family caregiver included 11 mothers (73%), 2 grandmothers (13%), and 2 fathers (13%). Fifteen nurses from nine hospice agencies participated. Twelve families (80%) included additional relatives by telehealth modality. Home distance averaged 172 miles with mean eight hours saved by accessing telehealth encounter. Visit content was primarily caregiver support, quality of life, goals of care, symptom management, and medication review. Telehealth acceptability improved between time points and was higher in family caregivers (4.3-4.9 on 5-point scale; p = 0.001) than hospice nurses (3.2-3.8 on 5-point scale; p = 0.05). All children able to self-report stated a "like" for telehealth, citing six reasons such as "being remembered" and "medical knowledge and care planning." Conclusions: Pediatric palliative telehealth visits partnered with in-person hospice nurse offer acceptable access to services, while extending support.

Prevalence of Low Bone Density and Comorbid Hypogonadism in Patients With Chronic Pancreatitis.

OBJECTIVES: Patients with chronic pancreatitis (CP) are at increased risk of low bone mineral density (BMD), although the prevalence of low BMD in patients with CP in the United States is lacking. We aimed to determine the prevalence of low BMD and identify potential risk factors, including hypogonadism and use of opioid medications, in subjects with CP in the United States. METHODS: This was a prospective, observational study. Subjects with CP underwent dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry scan. Blood was assayed for vitamin D, sex hormones, and a metabolic panel. History was obtained for fractures, menopause, hypogonadal symptoms, and opioid medication doses. Low BMD was defined by both World Health Organization and the International Society for Clinical Densitometry criteria. RESULTS: Depending on criteria used, 37% to 55% of our cohort had low BMD. Subjects with low and normal BMD had similar vitamin D levels. Hypogonadism was present in 27% of nonmenopausal subjects and was associated with reduced lumbar spine BMD in subjects 30 years or older. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with CP are at increased risk of low BMD, which is likely multifactorial. Hypogonadism, possibly related to opioid pain medications, may be an independent risk factor for low BMD in CP.

Influence of intraoperative fluid volume on cardiopulmonary bypass hematocrit and blood transfusions in coronary artery bypass surgery.

A hematocrit (Hct) of less than 25% during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and transfusion of homologous packed red blood cells (PRBC) are each associated with an increased probability of adverse events in cardiac surgery. Although the CPB circuit is a major contributor to hemodilution intravenous (IV) fluid volume may also significantly influence the level of hemodilution. The objective of this study was to explore the influence of asanguinous IV fluid volume on CPB Hct and intraoperative PRBC transfusion. After Institutional Review Board approval, a retrospective chart review of 90 adult patients that had undergone an elective, isolated CABG with CPB was conducted. Regression analysis was used to determine if pre-CPB fluid volume was associated with the lowest CPB Hct and the incidence of an intraoperative PRBC transfusion. In separate multivariate analyses, higher pre-CPB fluid volume was associated with lower minimum CPB Hct (p < .0001), and higher minimum CPB Hct was associated with a decreased probability of PRBC transfusion (p < .0001). Compared to patients that received <1600 mL (n = 55) of pre-CPB fluid, those that received >1600 mL (n = 35) had a decreased mean low CPB Hct (22.4% vs 25.6%, p < .0001), an increased incidence of a CPB Hct <25% (74% vs. 38%, p = .0008) and PRBC transfusion (60% vs. 16%, p < .0001), and increased median PRBC units transfused (2.0 vs 1.0, p = .1446) despite no significant difference in gender, age, patient size, baseline Hct, or CPB prime volume. Patients that received a PRBC transfusion (n = 30) received a significantly higher volume of pre-CPB fluid than nontransfused patients (1800 vs. 1350 mL, p = .0039). These findings suggest that pre-CPB fluid volume can significantly contribute to hemodilutional anemia in cardiac surgery. Optimizing pre-CPB volume may preserve baseline Hct and help limit intraoperative hemodilution.

Predictive value and diagnostic accuracy of F-18-fluoro-deoxy-glucose positron emission tomography treated grade 1 and 2 follicular lymphoma.

F-18-fluoro-deoxy-glucose positron emission tomography (PET) is a powerful tool for the imaging of aggressive B-cell lymphomas. In contrast, there is relatively little data on PET in follicular lymphoma grade 1 (FL-1) and grade 2 (FL-2). In this manuscript, we present our findings utilizing PET in treated FL-1 and FL-2. A retrospective review of patients who underwent PET examinations at our institution produced 95 PET examinations among 31 patients with FL-1 and FL-2. PET was obtained at initial staging, mid-induction and post-treatment. Results were compared with clinical follow-up. PET had high sensitivity (95%) and specificity (88%) for lesion detection in treated FL-1 and FL-2. Abnormal foci in FL-1 and FL-2 had similar intensities. Post-induction PET positive patients had shorter mean progression free survivals compared with PET negative patients (p-value < or =0.001), post-salvage PET positive trended toward shorter mean response duration compared with negative patients (p-value: 0.09). Our results indicate that PET is accurate in the diagnostic assessment of treated FL-1 and FL-2 and, post-treatment PET positive patients are likely to relapse prior to PET negative patients.