The outcome of fundoplication in patients with GERD based on abnormal impedance testing.

INTRODUCTION: The role of impedance testing in selecting patients for antireflux surgery is poorly understood. The aim of this study was to compare the outcomes of patients that underwent antireflux surgery for GERD based on an abnormal pH/abnormal impedance test versus a normal pH/abnormal impedance test. METHODS: Records of patients who had an abnormal off-medication impedance test (≥ 48 total reflux events) who underwent antireflux surgery were reviewed and divided into two groups: normal [pH-] or abnormal [pH+] esophageal acid exposure (DeMeester score > 14.7). Symptom resolution was compared: scale 1 (no resolution) to 5 (complete resolution). RESULTS: Eighty-two patients met criteria: 44 [pH+] and 38 [pH-]. There were no differences in the demographics or indications for surgery. The frequencies of heartburn and regurgitation symptoms were significantly reduced by fundoplication in both groups. Complete resolution of heartburn was more common in the [pH+] group (90%) compared to the [pH-] group (67%) [p = 0.02]. Resolution of regurgitation was similar in both groups (90% in the [pH+] group vs 79% in the [pH-] group, p = 0.20). The mean dysphagia frequency score decreased for the [pH+] group, but increased in the [pH-] group. New-onset dysphagia was more common in [pH-] patients (23%) compared to [pH+] patients (5%), (p = 0.02). Continued use of PPI medications was significantly more likely in [pH-] group (42%) compared to the [pH+] group (21%). There was no difference in surgical satisfaction rates between groups. DISCUSSION: Patients with abnormal impedance and increased esophageal acid exposure had significantly better symptom resolution, less dysphagia, and less frequent PPI use with antireflux surgery versus those with normal pH. These findings urge caution in the use of abnormal impedance values with normal esophageal acid exposure for the selection of patients for an antireflux operation.

Timing of palliative care team referrals for inpatients receiving rapid response services: A retrospective pilot study in a US hospital.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Research indicates up to one-third of rapid response team calls relate to end-of-life symptoms. The CriSTAL criteria were developed as a screening tool to identify high risk of death within three months. The primary purpose of this pilot study was to investigate the timing of palliative care referrals in patients receiving rapid response team services, and patients' CriSTAL criteria score on admission. The potential feasibility of using the CriSTAL tool to stimulate earlier Palliative Care Team (PCT) referral served as an underlying goal, and investigation of a relationship between specific CriSTAL criteria and the prediction of in-hospital death was a secondary objective. DESIGN: A retrospective chart review of rapid response calls made in 2015 was used to identify patient risk of death on admission based on the CriSTAL criteria. The presence and timing of PCT referral as well as patient survival status to hospital discharge were documented for comparison. SETTING/PARTICIPANTS: A sample of 183 charts from 584 inpatients involved in over 600 RRT events recorded in 2015. The study was undertaken in a 676-bed teaching hospital in the Midwestern U.S. METHODS/RESULTS: Ninety-one patients died during the hospital stay while 92 patients from the 493 individuals who survived were randomly selected for full analysis. Applying CriSTAL criteria to the 141 individuals aged 50 years or older indicated that frailty (OR=1.43, 95%CI 1.08-1.89, p=0.012), being a male (OR=3.14; 95%CI 1.40-7.05, p=0.006), and the presence of two or more comorbidities (OR=3.71, 95%CI 1.67-8.24, p=0.001) were the most significant predictors of in-hospital death after adjusting for age. A CriSTAL score of 6 was the optimal cut-off for high-risk of in-hospital death. Palliative care consultations within the high-risk population occurred for 45.2% of the deceased and 40.4% of the survivors. Consultation often occurred within two days of the RRT event and many patients (46.8%) died within one day of the consultation. CONCLUSION: A positive relationship was found between the CriSTAL score, palliative care referral, and in-hospital mortality in patients who received RRT services. The study indicates a need for earlier PCT referral, showcases the potential to identify high risk of in-hospital death upon admission and supports the feasibility of using the CriSTAL criteria tool to encourage earlier PCT referrals.