Transcatheter Closure of Postinfarct VSD With the Amplatzer PIVSD Occluder: Results of a US Study.

Background: A postinfarct ventricular septal defect (PIVSD) is associated with high mortality and morbidity, particularly in patients with hemodynamic instability who are not suitable candidates for surgical repair. The Amplatzer PIVSD Occluder (Abbott) is indicated for transcatheter PIVSD closure in patients who are not satisfactory candidates for surgical repair. The objective of this study was to evaluate associated clinical outcomes. Methods: A total of 131 patients underwent transcatheter PIVSD closure using the Amplatzer PIVSD Occluder between 2011 and 2021 as part of a postapproval, multicenter, retrospective, observational study. The patients were analyzed in 2 cohorts. Cohort 1 included 99 patients (age 68.6 ± 11.9 years) implanted from 2011 to 2016 and evaluated technical success, procedure survival, and 6-month survival. Cohort 2 included 32 patients (age 66.4 ± 10.9 years) implanted from 2012 to 2021 with postprocedure echocardiograms and evaluated 24-hour closure, 6-month closure, and 6-month survival. Results: Technical success was achieved in 76.8% (76/99), procedure survival in 84.3% (75/89), and 6-month survival was observed in 37.2% of cohort 1 patients. Twenty-four-hour closure and 6-month closure were achieved in 53.1% (17/32) and 66.7% (4/6) of cohort 2 patients, respectively. Six-month survival was 46.4% of cohort 2 patients. Of the 16 deaths in cohort 2, 11 were cardiac-related, 4 were noncardiac-related, and 1 was of unknown etiology. Conclusions: This study demonstrates high morbidity of patients undergoing PIVSD closure using the Amplatzer PIVSD Occluder and that the device continues to be a safe alternative to medical therapy in patients who are not satisfactory candidates for surgical repair of a PIVSD.

3-year follow-up of a prospective, multicenter study of the Amplatzer Piccolo™ Occluder for transcatheter patent ductus arteriosus closure in children ≥ 700 grams.

OBJECTIVE: This study describes 3-year follow-up of 200 infants weighing ≥ 700 grams who underwent transcatheter patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) closure with the Amplatzer Piccolo™ Occluder. STUDY DESIGN: Between June 2017 and February 2019, 200 children were enrolled in this U.S. study (NCT03055858). PDA closure, survival, and device- or procedure-related events were evaluated. A total of 156 of the available 182 patients (86%) completed the study. RESULTS: The implant success rate was 95.5% (191/200). At 3 years, PDA closure was observed in 100% (33/33) of patients. Survival was >95% with 9 reported deaths. No deaths were adjudicated as device- or procedure-related. Notable events included aortic obstruction (2) requiring stent placement and tricuspid regurgitation (5), for which no interventions were required. CONCLUSIONS: This follow-up study demonstrates high rates of PDA closure, low serious complication rates, and survival > 95% at 3 years. The Amplatzer Piccolo™ Occluder is a safe and effective therapy for PDA treatment in premature infants. CLINICALTRIALS: gov identifier: NCT0305585.

Multimodal imaging reveals a unique autofluorescence signature of Randall's plaque.

Kidney stones frequently develop as an overgrowth on Randall's plaque (RP) which is formed in the papillary interstitium. The organic composition of RP is distinct from stone matrix in that RP contains fibrillar collagen; RP in tissue has also been shown to have two proteins that are also found in stones, but otherwise the molecular constituents of RP are unstudied. We hypothesized that RP contains unique organic molecules that can be differentiated from the stone overgrowth by fluorescence. To test this, we used micro-CT-guided polishing to expose the interior of kidney stones for multimodal imaging with multiphoton, confocal and infrared microscopy. We detected a blue autofluorescence signature unique to RP, the specificity of which was also confirmed in papillary tissue from patients with stone disease. High-resolution mineral mapping of the stone also showed a transition from the apatite within RP to the calcium oxalate in the overgrowth, demonstrating the molecular and spatial transition from the tissue to the urine. This work provides a systematic and practical approach to uncover specific fluorescence signatures which correlate with mineral type, verifies previous observations regarding mineral overgrowth onto RP and identifies a novel autofluorescence signature of RP demonstrating RP's unique molecular composition.

Differential diagnosis of psychosis in a deaf inpatient with language dysfluency: a case study.

This case report demonstrates challenges diagnosing psychosis in language dysfluent deaf patients. Treatment of a 34-year-old deaf man on an inpatient psychiatric unit is described. He had a history of physical aggression and possible symptoms of paranoia and thought disorganization, in addition to learning difficulties and minimal language skills. The patient was placed on a combined hearing/deaf inpatient unit, received specialized programming for deaf patients and was prescribed risperidone and divalproex sodium to treat his aggressive behavior and possible psychosis. Uncertainty if the patient were having psychotic symptoms remained throughout his hospitalization, although he improved behaviorally and was discharged after 13 months of treatment. The patient's pre-existing language deficits made accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment challenging. It is important for clinicians to be aware of the frequency of language dysfluency in the deaf inpatient population and have a strategy for evaluating and treating this complex subgroup of deaf people.

Assessment and treatment of deaf adults with psychiatric disorders: a review of the literature for practitioners.

Many deaf individuals comprise a unique cultural and linguistic minority group. This article reviews the current research literature related to the evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of culturally deaf individuals suffering from mental disorders. Appropriate psychiatric assessment and treatment requires that clinicians be sensitive to issues of language and differences in social norms and cultural values. Emerging trends in research indicate greater diagnostic specificity and a broader range of diagnoses being assigned in services that are specialized for the treatment of deaf people with mental health issues. Culturally sensitive evaluation and treatment involves a thorough assessment of language modality and language fluency, deafness/audiological history, and cultural identification. Failure to consider these factors during the mental status exam can lead to misdiagnosis. Important issues that confound differential diagnosis and psychiatric treatment of the deaf population are highlighted and discussed. Recommendations for the provision of culturally and linguistically appropriate care are provided.