A Pilot Study Using Machine Learning Algorithms and Wearable Technology for the Early Detection of Postoperative Complications After Cardiothoracic Surgery.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether a machine learning algorithm (i.e. the "NightSignal" algorithm) can be used for the detection of postoperative complications prior to symptom onset after cardiothoracic surgery. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Methods that enable the early detection of postoperative complications after cardiothoracic surgery are needed. METHODS: This was a prospective observational cohort study conducted from July 2021 to February 2023 at a single academic tertiary care hospital. Patients aged 18 years or older scheduled to undergo cardiothoracic surgery were recruited. Study participants wore a Fitbit watch continuously for at least 1 week preoperatively and up to 90-days postoperatively. The ability of the NightSignal algorithm-which was previously developed for the early detection of Covid-19-to detect postoperative complications was evaluated. The primary outcomes were algorithm sensitivity and specificity for postoperative event detection. RESULTS: A total of 56 patients undergoing cardiothoracic surgery met inclusion criteria, of which 24 (42.9%) underwent thoracic operations and 32 (57.1%) underwent cardiac operations. The median age was 62 (IQR: 51-68) years and 30 (53.6%) patients were female. The NightSignal algorithm detected 17 of the 21 postoperative events a median of 2 (IQR: 1-3) days prior to symptom onset, representing a sensitivity of 81%. The specificity, negative predictive value, and positive predictive value of the algorithm for the detection of postoperative events were 75%, 97%, and 28%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Machine learning analysis of biometric data collected from wearable devices has the potential to detect postoperative complications-prior to symptom onset-after cardiothoracic surgery.

Perceptions of Mobile Health Technology in Elective Surgery: A Qualitative Study of North American Surgeons.

OBJECTIVES: To explore the surgeon-perceived added value of mobile health technologies (mHealth), and determine facilitators of and barriers to implementing mHealth. BACKGROUND: Despite the growing popularity of mHealth and evidence of meaningful use of patient-generated health data in surgery, implementation remains limited. METHODS: This was an exploratory qualitative study following the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research. Purposive sampling was used to identify surgeons across the United States and Canada. The Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research informed development of a semistructured interview guide. Video-based interviews were conducted (September-November 2020) and interview transcripts were thematically analyzed. RESULTS: Thirty surgeons from 8 specialties and 6 North American regions were interviewed. Surgeons identified opportunities to integrate mHealth data pre- operatively (eg, expectation-setting, decision-making) and during recovery (eg, remote monitoring, earlier detection of adverse events) among higher risk patients. Perceived advantages of mHealth data compared with surgical and patient-reported outcomes included easier data collection, higher interpretability and objectivity of mHealth data, and the potential to develop more patientcentered and functional measures of health. Surgeons identified a variety of implementation facilitators and barriers around surgeon- and patient buy-in, integration with electronic medical records, regulatory/reimbursement concerns, and personnel responsible for mHealth data. Surgeons described similar considerations regarding perceptions of mHealth among patients, including the potential to address or worsen existing disparities in surgical care. CONCLUSIONS: These findings have the potential to inform the effective and equitable implementation of mHealth for the purposes of supporting patients and surgical care teams throughout the delivery of surgical care.

Efficacy and Safety of Supraclavicular Thoracic Outlet Decompression.

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to report efficacy, safety, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) outcomes of a multidisciplinary treatment approach including supraclavicular thoracic outlet decompression among patients with thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS). BACKGROUND: TOS is a challenging condition where controversy remains in diagnosis and treatment, primarily given a lack of data exploring various treatment approaches and associated patient outcomes. METHODS: Patients who underwent unilateral, supraclavicular thoracic outlet decompression, or pectoralis minor tenotomy for neurogenic, venous, or arterial TOS were identified from a prospectively maintained database. Demography, use of preoperative botulinum toxin injection, and participation in multidisciplinary evaluation were measured. The primary endpoints were composite postoperative morbidity and symptomatic improvement compared with baseline. RESULTS: Among 2869 patients evaluated (2007-2021), 1032 underwent surgery, including 864 (83.7%) supraclavicular decompressions and 168 (16.3%) isolated pectoralis minor tenotomies. Predominant TOS subtypes among surgical patients were neurogenic (75.4%) and venous TOS (23.4%). Most patients (92.9%) with nTOS underwent preoperative botulinum toxin injection; 56.3% reported symptomatic improvement. Before surgical consultation, few patients reported participation in physical therapy (10.9%). The median time from first evaluation to surgery was 136 days (interquartile range: 55, 258). Among 864 patients who underwent supraclavicular thoracic outlet decompression, complications occurred in 19.8%; the most common complication was chyle leak (8.3%). Four patients (0.4%) required revisional thoracic outlet decompression. At a median follow-up of 420 days (interquartile range: 150, 937) 93.3% reported symptomatic improvement. CONCLUSION: Based on low composite morbidity, need for very few revisional operations, and high rates of symptomatic improvement, a multidisciplinary treatment approach including primarily supraclavicular thoracic outlet decompression is safe and effective for patients with TOS.

The Risk of Postoperative Complications After Major Elective Surgery in Active or Resolved COVID-19 in the United States.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the association between the timing of surgery relative to the development of Covid-19 and the risks of postoperative complications. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: It is unknown whether patients who recovered from Covid-19 and then underwent a major elective operation have an increased risk of developing postoperative complications. METHODS: The risk of postoperative complications for patients with Covid-19 undergoing 18 major types of elective operations in the Covid-19 Research Database was evaluated using multivariable logistic regression. Patients were grouped by time of surgery relative to SARS-CoV-2 infection; that is, surgery performed: (1) before January 1, 2020 ("pre-Covid-19"), (2) 0 to 4 weeks after SARS-CoV-2 infection ("peri-Covid-19"), (3) 4 to 8 weeks after infection ("early post-Covid-19"), and (4) ≥8 weeks after infection ("late post-Covid-19"). RESULTS: Of the 5479 patients who met study criteria, patients with peri-Covid-19 had an elevated risk of developing postoperative pneumonia [adjusted odds ratio (aOR), 6.46; 95% confidence interval (CI): 4.06-10.27], respiratory failure (aOR, 3.36; 95% CI: 2.22-5.10), pulmonary embolism (aOR, 2.73; 95% CI: 1.35-5.53), and sepsis (aOR, 3.67; 95% CI: 2.18-6.16) when compared to pre-Covid-19 patients. Early post-Covid-19 patients had an increased risk of developing postoperative pneumonia when compared to pre-Covid-19 patients (aOR, 2.44; 95% CI: 1.20-4.96). Late post-Covid-19 patients did not have an increased risk of postoperative complications when compared to pre-Covid-19 patients. CONCLUSIONS: Major, elective surgery 0 to 4 weeks after SARS-CoV-2 infection is associated with an increased risk of postoperative complications. Surgery performed 4 to 8 weeks after SARS-CoV-2 infection is still associated with an increased risk of postoperative pneumonia, whereas surgery 8 weeks after Covid-19 diagnosis is not associated with increased complications.

Smartphone-based Assessment of Preoperative Decision Conflict and Postoperative Physical Activity Among Patients Undergoing Cancer Surgery: A Prospective Cohort Study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of clinically significant decision conflict (CSDC) among patients undergoing cancer surgery and associations with postoperative physical activity, as measured through smartphone accelerometer data. BACKGROUND: Patients with cancer face challenging treatment decisions, which may lead to CSDC. CSDC negatively affects patient-provider relationships, psychosocial functioning, and health-related quality of life; however, physical manifestations of CSDC remain poorly characterized. METHODS: Adult smartphone-owners undergoing surgery for breast, skin-soft-tissue, head-and-neck, or abdominal cancer (July 2017-2019) were approached. Patients downloaded the Beiwe application that delivered the Decision Conflict Scale (DCS) preoperatively and collected smartphone accelerometer data continuously from enrollment through 6 months postop-eratively. Restricted-cubic-spline regression, adjusting for a priori potential confounders (age, type of surgery, support status, and postoperative complications) was used to determine trends in postoperative daily physical activity among patients with and without CSDC (DCS score >25/100). RESULTS: Among 99 patients who downloaded the application, 85 completed the DCS (86% participation rate). Twenty-three (27%) reported CSDC. These patients were younger (mean age 48.3 years [standard deviation 14.2]-vs-55.0 [13.3], P = 0.047) and more frequently lived alone (22%-vs-6%, P = 0.042). There were no differences in preoperative physical activity (115.4 minutes [95%CI 90.9, 139.9]-vs-110.8 [95%CI 95.7, 126.0], P = 0.753). Adjusted postoperative physical activity was lower among patients reporting CSDC at 30 days (difference 33.1 minutes [95%CI 5.93,60.2], P = 0.017), 60 days 35.5 [95%CI 8.50, 62.5], P = 0.010 and 90 days 31.8 [95%CI 5.44, 58.1], P = 0.018 postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: CSDC was prevalent among patients who underwent cancer surgery and associated with lower postoperatively daily physical activity. These data highlight the importance of addressing modifiable decisional needs of patients through enhanced shared decision-making.

Surgeons' Coaching Techniques in the Surgical Coaching for Operative Performance Enhancement (SCOPE) Program.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate coaching techniques used by practicing surgeons who underwent dedicated coach training in a peer surgical coaching program. BACKGROUND: Surgical coaching is a developing strategy for improving surgeons' intraoperative performance. How to cultivate effective coaching skills among practicing surgeons is uncertain. METHODS: Through the Surgical Coaching for Operative Performance Enhancement (SCOPE) program, 46 surgeons within 4 US academic medical centers were assigned 1:1 into coach/coachee pairs. All attended a 3-hour Surgical Coaching Workshop-developed using evidence from the fields of surgery and education-then received weekly reminders. We analyzed workshop evaluations and audio transcripts of postoperative debriefs between coach/coachee pairs, co-coding themes based on established principles of effective coaching: (i) self-identified goals, (ii) collaborative analysis, (iii) constructive feedback, and (iv) action planning. Coaching principles were cross-referenced with intraoperative performance topics: technical, nontechnical, and teaching skills. RESULTS: For the 8 postoperative debriefs analyzed, mean duration was 24.4 min (range 7-47 minutes). Overall, 326 coaching examples were identified, demonstrating application of all 4 core principles of coaching. Constructive feedback (17.6 examples per debrief) and collaborative analysis (16.3) were utilized more frequently than goal-setting (3.9) and action planning (3.0). Debriefs focused more often on nontechnical skills (60%) than technical skills (32%) or teaching-specific skills (8%). Among surgeons who completed the workshop evaluation (82% completion rate), 90% rated the Surgical Coaching Workshop "good" or "excellent." CONCLUSIONS: Short-course coach trainings can help practicing surgeons use effective coaching techniques to guide their peers' performance improvement in a way that aligns with surgical culture.

Enhancing Patient-Centered Surgical Care With Mobile Health Technology.

From smartphones or wearables to portable physiologic sensors and apps, healthcare is witnessing an exponential growth in mHealth-digital health tools used to support medical and surgical care, as well as public health. In surgery, there is interest in harnessing the capabilities of mHealth to improve the quality of patient-centered care delivery. Digitally delivered surveys have enhanced patient-reported outcome measurement and patient engagement throughout care. Wearable devices and sensors have allowed for the assessment of physical fitness before surgery and during recovery. Smartphone-based digital phenotyping has introduced novel methods of integrating multiple data streams (accelerometer, global positioning system, call and text logs) to create multidimensional digital health footprints for patients following surgery. Yet, with all the technological sophistication and 'big data' mHealth provides, widespread implementation has been elusive. Do clinicians and patients find these data valuable or clinically actionable? How can mHealth become integrated into the day-to-day workflows of surgical systems? Do these data represent opportunities to address disparities of care or worsen them? In this review, we discuss experiences and future opportunities to use mHealth to enhance patient-centered surgical care.

Feasibility and performance of smartphone-based daily micro-surveys among patients recovering from cancer surgery.

AIMS: Daily micro-surveys, or the high-frequency administration of patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs), may provide real-time, unbiased assessments of health-related quality of life (HRQoL). We evaluated the feasibility and accuracy of daily micro-surveys using a smartphone platform among patients recovering from cancer surgery. METHODS: In a prospective study (2017-2019), patients undergoing cancer surgery downloaded a smartphone application that administered daily micro-surveys comprising five randomly selected items from the Short Form-36 (SF-36). Micro-surveys were administered without replacement until the entire SF-36 was administered weekly. The full-length SF-36 was also administered preoperatively and 4, 12, and 24 weeks postoperatively. We assessed response and completion rates between the micro-surveys and full-length SF-36, as well as agreement of responses using Bland-Altman (B&A) analyses. RESULTS: Ninety-five patients downloaded the application and were followed for a mean of 131 days [SD ± 85]. Response rates for the full-length SF-36 and micro-surveys was 76% [95%CI 69, 83], and 34% [95%CI 26, 39]. Despite lower response rates, more SF-36 surveys were collected using the daily micro-surveys compared to the intermittent full-length SF-36 (9.9 [95%CI 8.4, 12.6] vs. 3.0 [95%CI 2.8, 3.3], respectively). B&A analyses demonstrated lack of agreement between micro-surveys and SF-36. However, agreement improved with higher micro-survey completion rate. Eighty-five percent of participants reported that daily micro-surveys were not burdensome. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that collection of daily micro-surveys among patients recovering from cancer surgery is feasible using smartphones in the early postoperative period. Future implementation of daily micro-surveys may more granularly describe momentary HRQoL changes through a greater volume of self-reported survey data.

Smartphone Global Positioning System (GPS) Data Enhances Recovery Assessment After Breast Cancer Surgery.

PURPOSE: We sought to determine whether smartphone GPS data uncovered differences in recovery after breast-conserving surgery (BCS) and mastectomy, and how these data aligned with self-reported quality of life (QoL). METHODS: In a prospective pilot study, adult smartphone-owners undergoing breast surgery downloaded an application that continuously collected smartphone GPS data for 1 week preoperatively and 6 months postoperatively. QoL was assessed with the Short-Form-36 (SF36) via smartphone delivery preoperatively and 4 and 12 weeks postoperatively. Endpoints were trends in daily GPS-derived distance traveled and home time, as well as SF36 Physical (PCS) and Mental Component Scores (MCS) comparing BCS and mastectomy patients. RESULTS: Thirty-one patients were included. Sixteen BCS and fifteen mastectomy patients were followed for a mean of 201 (SD 161) and 174 (107) days, respectively. There were no baseline differences in demographics, PCS/MCS, home time, or distance traveled. Through 12 weeks postoperatively, mastectomy patients spent more time at home [e.g., week 4: 16.7 h 95% CI (14.3, 19.6) vs. 11.0 h (9.4, 12.9), p < 0.001] and traveled shorter distances [e.g., week 4: 52.5 km 95% CI (36.1, 76.0) vs. 107.7 km (75.8-152.9), p = 0.009] compared with BCS patients. There were no significant QoL differences throughout the study as measured by the MCS [e.g., week 4 difference: 7.83 95% CI (- 9.02, 24.7), p = 0.362] or PCS [e.g., week 4 difference: 8.14 (- 6.67, 22.9), p = 0.281]. GPS and QoL trends were uncorrelated (ρ < ± 0.26, p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Differences in BCS and mastectomy recovery were successfully captured using smartphone GPS data. These data may describe currently unmeasured aspects of physical and mental recovery, which could supplement traditional and QoL outcomes to inform shared decision-making.

Surgical Coaching for Operative Performance Enhancement (SCOPE): skill ratings and impact on surgeons' practice.

BACKGROUND: Evidence for surgical coaching has yet to demonstrate an impact on surgeons' practice. We evaluated a surgical coaching program by analyzing quantitative and qualitative data on surgeons' intraoperative performance. METHODS: In the 2018-2019 Surgical Coaching for Operative Performance Enhancement (SCOPE) program, 46 practicing surgeons in multiple specialties at four academic medical centers were recruited to complete three peer coaching sessions, each comprising preoperative goal-setting, intraoperative observation, and postoperative debriefing. Coach and coachee rated the coachee's performance using modified Objective Structured Assessment of Technical Skills (OSATS, range 1-5) and Non-Technical Skills for Surgeons (NOTSS, range 4-16). We used generalized estimating equations to evaluate trends in skill ratings over time, adjusting for case difficulty, clinical experience, and coaching role. Upon program completion, we analyzed semi-structured interviews with individual participants regarding the perceived impact of coaching on their practice. RESULTS: Eleven of 23 coachees (48%) completed three coaching sessions, three (13%) completed two sessions, and six (26%) completed one session. Adjusted mean OSATS ratings did not vary over three coaching sessions (4.39 vs 4.52 vs 4.44, respectively; P = 0.655). Adjusted mean total NOTSS ratings also did not vary over three coaching sessions (15.05 vs 15.50 vs 15.08, respectively; P = 0.529). Regarding patient care, participants self-reported improved teamwork skills, communication skills, and awareness in and outside the operating room. Participants acknowledged the potential for coaching to improve burnout due to reduced intraoperative stress and enhanced peer support but also the potential to worsen burnout by adding to chronic work overload. CONCLUSIONS: Surgeons reported high perceived impact of peer coaching on patient care and surgeon well-being, although changes in coachees' technical and non-technical skills were not detected over three coaching sessions. While quantitative skill measurement warrants further study, longitudinal peer surgical coaching should be considered a meaningful strategy for surgeons' professional development.

We Asked the Experts: The WHO Surgical Safety Checklist and the COVID-19 Pandemic: Recommendations for Content and Implementation Adaptations.

BACKGROUND: As surgical systems are forced to adapt and respond to new challenges, so should the patient safety tools within those systems. We sought to determine how the WHO SSC might best be adapted during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: 18 Panelists from five continents and multiple clinical specialties participated in a three-round modified Delphi technique to identify potential recommendations, assess agreement with proposed recommendations and address items not meeting consensus. RESULTS: From an initial 29 recommendations identified in the first round, 12 were identified for inclusion in the second round. After discussion of recommendations without consensus for inclusion or exclusion, four additional recommendations were added for an eventual 16 recommendations. Nine of these recommendations were related to checklist content, while seven recommendations were related to implementation. CONCLUSIONS: This multinational panel has identified 16 recommendations for sites looking to use the surgical safety checklist during the COVID-19 pandemic. These recommendations provide an example of how the SSC can adapt to meet urgent and emerging needs of surgical systems by targeting important processes and encouraging critical discussions.

Third-time ("redo-redo") anti-reflux surgery: patient-reported outcomes after a thoracoabdominal approach.

BACKGROUND: Approximately 3-6% of patients undergoing anti-reflux surgery require "redo" surgery for persistent gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Further surgery for patients with two failed prior anti-reflux operations is controversial due to the morbidity of reoperation and poor outcomes. We examined our experience with surgical revision of patients with at least two failed anti-reflux operations. METHODS: Adults undergoing at least a second-time revision anti-reflux surgery between 1999 and 2017 were eligible. The primary outcomes were general and disease-specific quality-of-life (QoL) scores determined by Short-Form-36 (SF36) and GERD-Health-Related QoL (GERD-HRQL) instruments, respectively. Secondary outcomes included perioperative morbidity and mortality. RESULTS: Eighteen patients undergoing redo-redo surgery (13 with 2 prior operations, 5 with 3 prior operations) were followed for a median of 6 years [IQR 3, 12]. Sixteen patients (89%) underwent open revisions (14 thoracoabdominal, 2 laparotomy) and two patients had laparoscopic revisions. Indications for surgery included reflux (10 patients), regurgitation (5 patients), and dysphagia (3 patients). Intraoperative findings were mediastinal wrap herniation (9 patients), misplaced wrap (2 patients), mesh erosion (1 patient), or scarring/stricture (6 patients). Procedures performed included Collis gastroplasty + fundoplication (6 patients), redo fundoplication (5 patients), esophagogastrectomy (4 patients), and primary hiatal closure (3 patients). There were no deaths and 13/18 patients (72%) had no postoperative complications. Ten patients completed QoL surveys; 8 reported resolution of reflux, 6 reported resolution of regurgitation, while 4 remained on proton-pump inhibitors (PPI). Mean SF36 scores (± standard deviation) in the study cohort in the eight QoL domains were as follows: physical functioning (79.5 [± 19.9]), physical role limitations (52.5 [± 46.3]), emotional role limitations (83.3 [± 36.1]), vitality (60.0 [± 22.7]), emotional well-being (88.4 [± 8.7]), social functioning (75.2 [± 31.0]), pain (66.2 [± 30.9]), and general health (55.0 [± 39.0]). CONCLUSION: An open thoracoabdominal approach in appropriately selected patients needing third-time anti-reflux surgery carries low morbidity and provides excellent results as reflected in QoL scores.

Global Survey of Perceptions of the Surgical Safety Checklist Among Medical Students, Trainees, and Early Career Providers.

BACKGROUND: The Surgical Safety Checklist (SSC) has been shown to reduce perioperative complications across global health systems. We sought to assess perceptions of the SSC and suggestions for its improvement among medical students, trainees, and early career providers. METHODS: From July to September 2019, a survey assessing perceptions of the SSC was disseminated through InciSioN, the International Student Surgical Network comprising medical students, trainees, and early career providers pursuing surgery. Individuals with ≥2 years of independent practice after training were excluded. Respondents were categorized according to any clinical versus solely non-clinical SSC exposure. Logistic regression was used to evaluate associations between clinical/non-clinical exposure and promoting future use of the SSC, adjusting for potential confounders/mediators: training level, human development index, and first perceptions of the SSC. Thematic analysis was conducted on suggestions for SSC improvement. RESULTS: Respondent participation rate was 24%. Three hundred and eighteen respondents were included in final analyses; 215 (67%) reported clinical exposure and 190 (60%) were promoters of future SSC use. Clinical exposure was associated with greater odds of promoting future SSC use (aOR 1.81 95% CI [1.03-3.19], p = 0.039). A greater proportion of promoters reported "Improved Operating Room Communication" as a goal of the SSC (0.21 95% CI [0.15-0.27]-vs.-0.12 [0.06-0.17], p = 0.031), while non-promoters reported the SSC goals were "Not Well Understood" (0.08 95% CI [0.03-0.12]-vs.-0.03 [0.01-0.05], p = 0.032). Suggestions for SSC improvement emphasized context-specific adaptability and earlier formal training. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical exposure to the SSC was associated with promoting its future use. Earlier formal clinical training may improve perceptions and future use among medical students, trainees, and early career providers.

Correction to: Global Survey of Perceptions of the Surgical Safety Checklist Among Medical Students, Trainees, and Early Career Providers.

In the original version of the article, Dominique Vervoort's last name was misspelled. It is correct as reflected here. The original article has been updated.

Gallstone Pancreatitis and Choledocholithiasis: Using Imaging and Laboratory Trends to Predict the Likelihood of Persistent Stones at Cholangiography.

BACKGROUND: Patients with gallstone pancreatitis (GP) or choledocholithiasis (CDL) may have common bile duct (CBD) stones that persist until cholangiography. The aim of this study is to evaluate pre-cholangiogram factors that predict persistent CBD stones. METHODS: Multiple logistic regression analyses were performed to identify demographic, laboratory, and radiologic predictors of persistent CBD stones and non-therapeutic cholangiography among adults with GP or CDL. RESULTS: In 152 patients from 2010 to 2015, preoperative diagnosis, presence of a CBD stone on US, and age ≥ 60 years were associated with persistent CBD stones. Two risk factors alone had a PPV of 88% and the absence of all risk factors had a NPV of 94%. Age < 60 years and the absence of a CBD stone on US were most predictive of non-therapeutic cholangiography. CONCLUSION: Age, LFTs, and US help predict persistent CBD stones in patients initially presenting with GP or CDL and help minimize non-therapeutic preoperative cholangiography.

Left Atrial Enlargement and Anticoagulation Status in Patients with Acute Ischemic Stroke and Atrial Fibrillation.

BACKGROUND: Despite anticoagulation therapy, ischemic stroke risk in atrial fibrillation (AF) remains substantial. We hypothesize that left atrial enlargement (LAE) is more prevalent in AF patients admitted with ischemic stroke who are therapeutic, as opposed to nontherapeutic, on anticoagulation. METHODS: We included consecutive patients with AF admitted with ischemic stroke between April 1, 2015, and December 31, 2016. Patients were divided into two groups based on whether they were therapeutic (warfarin with an international normalized ratio ≥ 2.0 or non-vitamin K oral anticoagulant with uninterrupted use in the prior 2 weeks) versus nontherapeutic on anticoagulation. Univariable and multivariable models were used to estimate associations between therapeutic anticoagulation and clinical factors, including CHADS2 score and LAE (none/mild versus moderate/severe). RESULTS: We identified 225 patients during the study period; 52 (23.1%) were therapeutic on anticoagulation. Patients therapeutic on anticoagulation were more likely to have a larger left atrial diameter in millimeters (45.6 ± 9.2 versus 42.3 ± 8.6, P = .032) and a higher CHADS2 score (2.9 ± 1.1 versus 2.4 ± 1.1, P = .03). After adjusting for the CHADS2 score, patients who had a stroke despite therapeutic anticoagulation were more likely to have moderate to severe LAE (odds ratio, 2.05; 95% confidence interval, 1.01-4.16). CONCLUSION: LAE is associated with anticoagulation failure in AF patients admitted with an ischemic stroke. This provides indirect evidence that LAE may portend failure of anticoagulation therapy in patients with AF; further studies are needed to delineate the significance of this association and improve stroke prevention strategies.

Left Atrial Appendage Morphology and Embolic Stroke of Undetermined Source: A Cross-Sectional Multicenter Pilot Study.

BACKGROUND: The left atrial appendage (LAA) is the main source of thrombus in atrial fibrillation, and there is an association between non-chicken wing (NCW) LAA morphology and stroke. We hypothesized that the prevalence of NCW LAA morphology would be higher among patients with cardioembolic (CE) stroke and embolic stroke of undetermined source (ESUS) than among those with noncardioembolic stroke (NCS). METHODS: This multicenter retrospective pilot study included consecutive patients with ischemic stroke from 3 comprehensive stroke centers who previously underwent a qualifying chest computed tomography (CT) to assess LAA morphology. Patients underwent inpatient diagnostic evaluation for ischemic stroke, and stroke subtype was determined based on ESUS criteria. LAA morphology was determined using clinically performed contrast enhanced thin-slice chest CT by investigators blinded to stroke subtype. The primary predictor was NCW LAA morphology and the outcome was stroke subtype (CE, ESUS, NCS). RESULTS: We identified 172 patients with ischemic stroke who had a clinical chest CT performed. Mean age was 70.1 ± 14.3 years and 51.7% were male. Compared with patients with NCS, the prevalence of NCW LAA morphology was higher in patients with CE stroke (58.7% versus 46.3%, P = .1) and ESUS (58.8% versus 46.3%, P = .2), but this difference did not achieve statistical significance. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of NCW LAA morphology may be similar in patients with ESUS and CE, and may be higher than that in those with NCS. Larger studies are needed to confirm these associations.