An evaluation of pelvic floor disorders in a public and private healthcare setting.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: The objectives were to determine whether a difference exists in the duration of pelvic floor disorder (PFD) symptoms among patients presenting to urogynecologists in two healthcare systems: private and county; and to elucidate differences in baseline characteristics, type of PFDs, symptom severity and management, stratified by healthcare plans. METHODS: A multi-center retrospective study was conducted including new patients presenting to three urogynecology clinics between March 2016 and May 2018: one private clinic (site A) and two public clinics in the same county healthcare system (sites B and C). Baseline data included age, race, BMI, parity, and comorbidities. Primary outcome was "time to presentation" defined as PFD duration in months. Secondary outcomes were symptom severity and PFD management, analyzed by healthcare setting and insurance type. RESULTS: A total of 1,055 private and 439 public patients were included. Patients in the public setting were younger (54 vs 61 years, p<0.001), largely Hispanic (76% vs 14%, p<0.001), of higher parity (4 vs 3, p=0.001), and had more comorbidities, with a predominance of county-funded healthcare plans. There was no difference in duration of symptoms between the public and private groups respectively (54 vs 56 months, p=0.94). Patients in the public setting had more severe urinary incontinence (3 vs 2 pads/day, p<0.001) and prolapse (stages 3-4, 71% vs 61%, p=0.004); however, they had lower rates of surgical management for stress incontinence and prolapse. Differences in fecal incontinence could not be evaluated owing to small sample size. CONCLUSIONS: Public patients presented younger with more severe symptoms but had lower rates of surgery for PFDs traditionally managed surgically.

Persistent or Recurrent Disease in Thyroid Cancer Survivors Who Have Elevated Serum Antithyroglobulin Antibodies.

OBJECTIVE: Detection of residual differentiated thyroid cancer is important but difficult. A variety of imaging modalities and biochemical markers has been used with moderately good success. We hypothesized that elevated perioperative serum antithyroglobulin antibody (TgAb) levels would also be a predictive marker for persistent or recurrent thyroid cancer. METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of 277 differentiated thyroid cancer survivors divided into 2 groups: (1) those with low or normal serum TgAb (TgAb-) and (2) those with elevated serum TgAb (TgAb+). All patients were seen at one major academic medical center. Patients were followed for a median of 7.54 years. RESULTS: Patients in the TgAb+ group were more likely to have positive lymph nodes at initial surgery, to be assigned to a higher American Joint Committee on Cancer stage, and to have significantly higher incidence of persistent/recurrent disease. The higher incidence of persistent/recurrent cancer was significant under univariable and multivariable (including TgAb status, age, and sex) Cox proportional hazards model analysis. CONCLUSION: We conclude that individuals with elevated serum TgAb at the outset should be followed with a higher index of suspicion for persistent/recurrent thyroid cancer.

Glomerular hyperfiltration is an independent predictor of postoperative outcomes: A NSQIP multi-specialty surgical cohort analysis.

AIM: While high estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) has been associated with increased overall mortality, its effect on postoperative outcomes is relatively understudied. We sought to investigate the association between high eGFR and 30-day postoperative outcomes using a multi-specialty surgical cohort. METHODS: Using the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database, we selected adult for whom eGFR could be calculated using the 2021 Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration equation. Based on sex-specific distributions of eGFR stratified by age quintiles, we classified patients into low (<5th percentile), normal (5-95th percentile) and high eGFR (>95th percentile). The primary outcome was a composite of any 30-day major adverse outcomes, including: death, reoperation, cardiac arrest, myocardial infarction and stroke. Secondary outcomes included 30-day infectious complications, venous thromboembolism (VTE), bleeding requiring transfusion, prolonged length of stay and unplanned readmission. After matching for demographic differences, comorbidity burden and operative characteristics, logistic regression models were used to evaluate the association between extremes of eGFR and the outcomes of interest. RESULTS: Of 1 668 447 patients, 84 115 (5.07%) had a high eGFR. High eGFR was not associated with major adverse outcomes (odds ratio [OR] 1.00 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.97, 1.03]); however, it was associated with reoperation (OR 1.04 [95% CI: 1.00,1.08]), infectious complications (OR 1.14 [95% CI: 1.11, 1.16]), VTE (OR 1.15 [95% CI: 1.09, 1.22]) and prolonged length of stay (OR 1.19 [95% CI: 1.16, 1.21]). CONCLUSION: Our findings support an association between high eGFR and adverse 30-day postoperative outcomes.

Clinical factors and association with treatment modalities in patients with breast cancer and brain metastases who develop leptomeningeal metastases.

PURPOSE: Leptomeningeal metastases (LM) are an aggressive complication of metastatic breast cancer (MBC) with brain metastases (BM), with a short survival of weeks to months. Studies suggest that surgical resection of BM may increase the risk of LM, especially in infratentorial metastases. In this retrospective study, we examine this and other factors which may be associated with increased risk of LM. METHODS: A database search at a single institution identified 178 patients with MBC and treated BM between 2007 and 2020. We collected demographic, clinical, radiographic, and other treatment data. LM was diagnosed by cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cytology, neuroimaging, or both. Cox proportional hazards model was used. RESULTS: After a median follow-up of 8.5 months, 41 out of 178 patients (23%) with BM developed LM. Median time to develop LM was 130 days. Mean age was 51.3 years. The number and size of the BM, hemorrhagic/cystic lesions, progressive/stable systemic disease, and extracranial metastases sites other than liver did not pose a higher risk of LM. Infratentorial lesions (HR = 5.41) and liver metastases (HR = 2.28) had a higher risk of LM. Patients who had any surgery did not have a higher risk for LM (HR 1.13). The LM group had a worse overall survival as compared to the non-LM group. CONCLUSION: Among MBC patients with BM, infratentorial BM and visceral liver lesions increase the risk of LM, whereas local treatment modalities such as surgery and radiation do not. These data imply that local treatment strategy should not differ based on potential risk for LM.

Association between isolated abnormal coagulation profile on transfusion following major surgery: A NSQIP analysis of individuals without bleeding disorders.

INTRODUCTION: Preoperative coagulation screening for patients without bleeding disorders remains controversial. The combinatorial risk of INR, aPTT, and platelet count (PLT) abnormalities leading to bleeding requiring transfusion is not known in these patients. We examined the association between abnormal coagulation profile and the risk of transfusion following common elective surgery in patients without bleeding disorders. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: We utilized the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) database from 2004 to 2018 to identify patients without a history of bleeding disorders undergoing common 23 major elective procedures across 10 specialties. Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess the association between coagulation profile and bleeding requiring packed red blood cell transfusion intra-/post-operatively. RESULTS: Of the 672,075 patients meeting inclusion criteria, 53.7% presented with normal coagulation profile preoperatively. Overall, 12.2% (n = 82,368) received transfusion. In the setting of normal aPTT/PLT, both Equivocal INR of 1.1-1.5 (aOR 1.41, 95% CI 1.38-1.44) and Abnormal INR of >1.5 (aOR 1.81, 95% CI 1.71-1.93) were significantly associated with an increased risk of transfusion. Equivocal (60-70) and Abnormal (>70) aPTT with normal INR/PLT did not demonstrate a comparable risk of transfusion. We observed a synergistic effect of combinatorial lab abnormalities on the risk of transfusion when both Abnormal INR/aPTT and Low PLT of <100,000 were present (aOR 5.18, 95% CI 3.04-8.84), compared to the effect of Abnormal INR/aPTT and normal/elevated PLT (aOR 1.90, 95% CI 1.48-2.45). DISCUSSION: The preoperative presence of abnormal findings in INR or PLT was significantly associated with the risk of bleeding requiring transfusion during intraoperative and postoperative periods.

Elevated hemoglobin A1c level and bariatric surgery complications.

INTRODUCTION: In cardiac and orthopedic surgery, elevated glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) is a modifiable risk factor for postoperative complications. However, in bariatric surgery, there is insufficient evidence to assess the effectiveness of preoperative HbA1c assessment and its association with postoperative complications. The objective of this study was to assess the impact of HbA1c on early postoperative outcomes in bariatric surgery patients. METHODS: Patients who underwent laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy and laparoscopic Roux-En-Y Gastric Bypass between 2017 and 2018 were selected for a retrospective review from the metabolic and bariatric surgery accreditation and quality improvement program (MBSAQIP) database. The study population of 118,742 patients was analyzed for our primary outcome which was defined as a composite of any postoperative complications occurring within 30 days. Two groups were defined by HbA1c cutoff: comparison point A (≤ 8% vs > 8%) and comparison point B (≤ 10% vs > 10%). Procedure-related complications were also examined on subgroup analysis. Propensity score matching (PSM) was used with one-to-one matching. The complication rates before and after PSM were calculated and assessed by Fisher's exact test and conditional logistic regression, respectively. RESULTS: After PSM, demographic and clinical characteristics were all balanced and elevated HbA1C was not associated with worse outcomes. After adjusting for underlying comorbidities, there was no statistically significant difference seen in the composite outcome for comparison point A HbA1C ≤ 8 and HbA1C > 8 (p = 0.22). For comparison point B, patients with HbA1C ≤ 10 had more composite complications compared to patients with HbA1C > 10 (p < 0.001). Also, on subgroup analysis after PSM for procedure-specific complications, patients above the cutoff threshold of 8 did not have worsened composite outcomes (p = 0.58 and 0.89 for sleeve and bypass, respectively). Again, at cutoff threshold of 10, patients in HbA1C ≤ 10 had more composite complications (p = 0.001 and 0.007 for sleeve and bypass, respectively). CONCLUSION: In this study of bariatric patients, elevated HbA1c > 8% or 10% was not associated with increased postoperative complications. HbA1c lower than 10% was associated with some types of adverse outcomes in this bariatric dataset. More studies are needed to investigate these findings further. A high HbA1c alone may not disqualify a patient from proceeding with bariatric surgery.

The feasibility and efficacy of the home-based exercise programs in patients with cognitive impairment: A pilot study.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the feasibility and efficacy of home-based aerobic and resistance exercise interventions for geriatric individuals with cognitive impairment. METHODS: Fourteen participants with cognitive impairment were allocated to either the aerobic group (n = 8) or the resistance group (n = 6), after which they implemented a two-month home-based training program. Feasibility and efficacy outcomes were evaluated. A semi-structured interview was performed after the intervention. RESULTS: All fourteen participants completed the two-month training program. The adherence rate was 0.94 for the aerobic group and 0.96 for the resistance group. No adverse events occurred. The results revealed a trend of group×time interaction effect on delayed recall. Significant group×time interaction effects were revealed on simple physical performance and body composition. Semi-structured interviews identified four motivators for participating in this program, four facilitators for and three barriers to keeping exercising, and some perceived benefits. CONCLUSION: Home-based aerobic and resistance exercise programs are feasible for geriatric individuals with cognitive impairment. The efficacy needs to be further examined.

Outcomes of optic nerve sheath fenestration from superomedial eyelid crease approach.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to report the safety and outcomes of optic nerve sheath fenestration (ONSF) performed via superomedial eyelid crease approach. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed on patients undergoing superomedial eyelid crease ONSF at a single institution between 2014-2019. Data obtained included preoperative visual acuity (VA), mean deviation (MD) on visual field (VF), papilledema grade, intraoperative time, estimated blood loss, intraoperative complications and optic nerve sheath biopsy results. Postoperative month 6 (POM6) data collected included VA, MD, papilledema grade, and lid contour. Outcome measures included overall change in VA, MD, and papilledema grade at POM6. Statistical analysis was performed using STATA version 16 statistical software. Data analysis was done comparing all patients pre- and postoperatively. Additional subgroup analysis was performed on patients undergoing ONSF for IIH vs other indications, and on the contralateral unoperated eye. RESULTS: A total of 31 eyes of 24 patients were identified, four of whom were excluded due to being lost to follow-up. At POM6, improvement was seen in VA (p<0.001) across all groups. There was improvement in POM6 median papilledema grade and MD, but these did not reach statistical significance. Additional subgroup analysis on patients with IIH showed statistically significant improvement in POM 6 VA (p=0.009), papilledema (p=0.009) and MD (p<0.001), as well as VA improvement in the contralateral unoperated eye (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Superomedial eyelid crease approach for ONSF is a safe and effective surgery in IIH and other conditions of excess pressure within the optic nerve sheath.

Measuring Ovarian Escape in Premenopausal Estrogen Receptor-Positive Breast Cancer Patients on Ovarian Suppression Therapy.

PURPOSE: This study evaluated the proportion of premenopausal women who experience persistent ovarian escape (OE) while receiving ovarian suppression (OS) therapy for estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancer treatment. The study also examined clinical factors that may predispose to higher risk of persistent OE. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective, "real-world" study to evaluate premenopausal women receiving adjuvant endocrine OS therapy. The primary objective was to measure the percentage of persistent OE within the first 3 months of OS injections (using either leuprolide or goserelin). The secondary objective was to associate baseline clinical data (age, body mass index [BMI], and previous chemotherapy) with the probability of OE. RESULTS: Of the 46 patients included in this analysis, 11 (23.9%) women did not achieve OS within 3 months. Three women (6.5%) remained in OE at 12 months. Older age (odds ratio, 0.86; confidence interval, 0.76-0.98, p = .024) was associated with lower chance of developing OE. BMI, previous chemotherapy, and drug used (tamoxifen versus aromatase inhibitor) did not correlate with the likelihood of OE in this patient cohort. CONCLUSION: Among the premenopausal women who did not attain complete ovarian suppression, young age was a significant risk factor for likelihood of OE. Although the clinical relevance of this finding is not yet known, it should prompt further studies to determine whether inadequate OS is associated with higher recurrence risk for patients with ER+ breast cancer. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Because up to a quarter of premenopausal women do not attain adequate ovarian suppression within the first 3 months of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist therapy, bloodwork should be checked to ascertain hormone levels prior to starting aromatase inhibitor therapy, and at regular intervals, for these women.

Dissecting the role of radical cystectomy and urinary diversion in post-operative complications: an analysis using the American College of Surgeons national surgical quality improvement program database.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize the contribution of the extirpative and reconstructive portions of radical cystectomy (RC) to complications rates, and assess differences between urinary diversion (UD) types. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study comparing patients undergoing UD alone or RC+UD for bladder cancer from 2006 to 2017 using ACS National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database. The primary outcome was major complications, while secondary outcomes included minor complications and prolonged length of stay. Propensity score matching (PSM) was utilized to assess the association between surgical procedure (UD alone or RC+UD) and outcomes, stratified by diversion type. Lastly, we examined differences in complication rates between ileal conduit (IC) vs. continent UD (CUD). RESULTS: When comparing RC + IC and IC alone, PSM yielded 424 pairs. IC alone had a lower risk of any complication (HR 0.63, 95% CI 0.52-0.75), venous thromboembolism (HR 0.45, 95% CI 0.22-0.91) and bleeding needing transfusion (HR 0.41, 95% CI 0.32-0.52). This trend was also noted when comparing RC + CUD to CUD alone. CUD had higher risk of complications than IC, both with (56.6% vs 52.3%, p = 0.031) and without RC (47.8% vs 35.1%, p=0.062), and a higher risk of infectious complications, both with (30.5% vs 22.7%, p< 0.001) and without RC (34.0% vs 22.0%, p=0.032). CONCLUSIONS: RC+UD, as compared to UD alone, is associated with an increased risk of major complications, including bleeding needing transfusion and venous thromboembolism. Additionally, CUD had a higher risk of post-operative complication than IC.

Decreasing Heart Failure Readmissions Among Older Patients With Cognitive Impairment by Engaging Caregivers.

BACKGROUND: Cognitive impairment is common in older patients with heart failure (HF), leading to higher 30-day readmission rates than those without cognitive impairment. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine whether increased readmissions in older adults with cognitive impairment are related to HF severity and whether readmissions can be modified by caregiver inclusion in nursing discharge education. METHODS: This study used prospective quality improvement program of cognitive testing and inclusion of caregivers in discharge education with chart review. Two hundred thirty-two patients older than 70 years admitted with HF were screened for cognitive impairment using the Mini-Cog; if score was less than 4, nurses were asked to include caregivers in education on 2 cardiovascular units with an enhanced discharge program. Individuals with ventricular assist device, transplant, or hospice were excluded. Measurements include Mini-Cog score, 30-day readmissions, readmission risk score, ejection fraction, brain natriuretic peptide, and medical comorbidities. RESULTS: Readmission Risk Scores for HF did not correlate with Mini-Cog scores, but admission brain natriuretic peptide levels were less abnormal in those with better Mini-Cog scores. Only for patients with cognitive impairment, involving caregivers in discharge teaching given by registered and advanced practice nurses was associated with decreased 30-day readmissions from 35% to 16% (P = .01). Readmission rates without/with cognitive impairment were 14.1% and 23.8%, respectively (P = .09). Abnormal Mini-Cog screen was associated with a significantly increased risk of 30-day readmission (odds ratio, 2.23; 95% confidence interval, 1.06-4.68; P = .03), whereas nurse documentation of education with family was associated with a significantly decreased risk of 30-day readmission (odds ratio, 0.46; 95% confidence interval, 0.24-0.90; P = .02). CONCLUSIONS: Involving caregivers in discharge education significantly reduced 30-day readmission rates for patients with HF and cognitive impairment. The Readmission Risk Score was similar between patients older than 70 years with and without cognitive impairment. We have hypothesis-generating evidence that identification of cognitive impairment and targeted caregiver engagement by nurses may be critical in the reduction of readmission rates for older patients with HF.

Optimal positioning of self-expanding valves before deployment decreases paravalvular regurgitation following transcatheter aortic valve replacement.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the association between measurements performed during Medtronic CoreValve (MCV) deployment and paravalvular leak (PVL). BACKGROUND: The MCV can be recaptured and repositioned, allowing the TAVR operator to implant at a more favorable position. The association between angiographic measurements of MCV position while the valve is recapturable and PVL post deployment has not been investigated. METHODS: 493 patients undergoing TAVR with MCV (January 2011-July 2017) were included. PVL was defined as intraprocedural aortic regurgitation that was judged clinically to require balloon postdilation. Depth of the valve at the left coronary cusp (LCC) and noncoronary cusp (NCC) were measured when the valve was 80% deployed. An optimal cutoff value for the ratio LCC/NCC for PVL was identified in 40 patients. Using this cutoff value, the association between LCC/NCC and PVL was then validated in 453 patients. RESULTS: The median LCC/NCC was 1.51 (interquartile range 1.06-1.89).The optimal cutoff value for LCC/NCC was 1.48 (93% sensitivity, 77% specificity, AUC0.85). In the validation group 112 (24.7%) patients had PVL. For LCC/NCC ≥ 1.48, the incidence of PVL was lower compared to LCC/NCC < 1.48 (9.58% vs. 41.78%, P < 0.0001). LCC/NCC of 1.48 had a sensitivity of 79.5% and specificity of 63.6% for PVL (AUC0.72). In a multivariate model, LCC/NCC < 1.48 independently predicted PVL (OR = 6.67, 95% CI 3.96-11.23, P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Positioning the MCV such that the LCC/NCC is ≥1.48 may result in less PVL.

Role of HPV genotyping in risk assessment among cytology diagnosis categories: analysis of 4562 cases with cytology-HPV cotesting and follow-up biopsies.

OBJECTIVE: Human papilloma virus (HPV) detection and genotyping are increasingly used in clinical risk assessment. We aimed to analyze HPV genotyping performance in risk stratification among cytology diagnosis categories. METHODS: Between January 1, 2015 and December 31, 2016, 4562 cases with cytology-HPV co-testing and biopsy follow-up were identified. HPV tests were performed on Cobas (n=3959) or Aptima (n=603) platforms. Of the biopsies, 669 demonstrated high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions or worse. RESULTS: Pooled high-risk HPV testing had high overall sensitivity (97%) but low specificity (20%) and positive predictive value (20%) for biopsy-confirmed high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions or worse. HPV16/18 genotyping had considerably improved specificity (81%) and positive predictve value (35%) in predicting high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions or worse, especially in atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance and low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion categories. Significantly more biopsy-confirmed high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions or worse were detected by Aptima than Cobas testing, as measured by HPV16/18 (48% vs 33%, p<0.001), non-16/18 high-risk HPV (18% vs 13%, p=0.029), or all high-risk HPV genotypes (27% vs 19%, p<0.001). Aptima genotyping showed a significantly higher positive predictive value than Cobas genotyping for biopsy-confirmed high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions or worse in the atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance category (47% vs 23%, p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: HPV genotyping was sensitive for biopsy-confirmed high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions or worse in all cytologic categories, and is particularly valuable in risk evaluation for women with atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance and low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions. The triaging role was greatly diminished in high-risk lesions (atypical glandular cells, atypical squamous cells, cannot exclude high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions and high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions) due to low specificity and positive predictive value. Aptima performance in risk management was superior to Cobas, with significantly higher positive predictive value for biopsy-confirmed high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions or worse. Our results highlight the importance of careful data interpretation from studies using different HPV testing methods and the need to incorporate HPV E6/E7-mRNA testing into management guidelines.

Aptima Human Papillomavirus E6/E7 mRNA Test Results Strongly Associated With Risk for High-Grade Cervical Lesions in Follow-Up Biopsies.

OBJECTIVE: Human papillomavirus (HPV) tests and genotyping (GT) have been used in clinical risk assessment. The purpose of this study was to analyze the performance of 2 common HPV testing platforms in risk evaluation for high-grade cervical lesions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between January 1, 2015, and December 31, 2016, a total of 4,562 Pap tests with follow-up biopsies in our laboratory database were analyzed along with HPV tests performed on Cobas (CHPV, n = 3,959) or Aptima (AHPV, n = 603) platforms. RESULTS: The sensitivity for biopsy-confirmed HSIL or worse lesions was 97% for both CHPV and AHPV (p = .75). AHPV showed significantly lower positive rates than CHPV in benign (56% vs 86%) or LSIL (66% vs 90%) biopsies, resulting in significantly higher specificity for HSIL or worse than CHPV (38% vs 12%, p < .001). AHPV demonstrated significantly higher positive predictive value for HSIL or worse (24% vs 16%, p < .001) and overall accuracy (48% vs 24%, p < .001) than CHPV. AHPV GT also had significantly higher specificity for biopsy-confirmed HSIL or worse than CHPV (88% vs 72%, p < .001) with comparable sensitivity (50% vs 51%, p = .75). Women with HPV 16 on AHPV were significantly more likely to have HSIL or worse on biopsies than those with HPV 16 on CHPV (likelihood ratio = 4.3 vs 2.0, p = .004). CONCLUSIONS: Although both AHPV and CHPV were highly sensitive for biopsy-confirmed HSIL or worse lesions, AHPV and GT demonstrated significantly higher specificity and positive predictive value than CHPV. The difference is probably related to E6/E7 overexpression after viral DNA integration in high-grade lesions. The significantly higher specificity and overall accuracy of AHPV and GT for HSIL or worse lesions may be useful in clinical risk management.

LOWER RATES OF RESIDUAL/RECURRENT DISEASE IN PATIENTS WITH INCIDENTALLY DISCOVERED THYROID CARCINOMA.

OBJECTIVE: Incidentally discovered thyroid cancers (IDTCs) have contributed to the rapid rise in thyroid cancer incidence over the past 20 years. Since death rates from thyroid cancer are not increasing, we hypothesized that IDTCs are less aggressive compared to clinically apparent thyroid cancer (CATC). METHODS: A retrospective study of patients and tumor characteristics of IDTCs and their rates of residual/recurrent (R/R) disease were determined at a median follow-up of 27 months in the setting of a large academic medical center. Patient analysis groups (IDTC [n = 46] and CATC [n = 126]) were based upon how the cancer was initially discovered. Patients were followed clinically and by biochemical testing and ultrasonography. We also compared time to progression between these groups. RESULTS: Patients in the two groups had similar demographic and tumor characteristics. At the close of the study, R/R status in the IDTC group was 6.7%, compared to 20.8% in the CATC group (P = .04). Of the 28 individuals in our overall cohort who had R/R disease, 3 were from the IDTC group and 25 were from the CATC group (P = .04). All three of the IDTC recurrences occurred within the first 6 months of follow-up. Using Kaplan-Meier analysis, there was a nonsignificant trend for longer progression-free survival in the IDTC group (P = .08). CONCLUSION: Compared to CATC patients, IDTC patients have a significantly less aggressive course and a trend toward longer progression-free survival. If confirmed by further studies, it may be reasonable to subject them to less intense surveillance and more conservative therapeutic approaches. ABBREVIATIONS: CATC = clinically apparent thyroid cancers CT = computed tomography HMH = Houston Methodist Hospital IDTC = incidentally discovered thyroid cancer MRI = magnetic resonance imaging PET = positron emission tomography PTMC = papillary thyroid microcarcinoma R/R = residual/recurrent RRA = radioiodine remnant ablation Tg = thyroglobulin TgAb = anti-thyroglobulin antibody TSH = thyroid-stimulating hormone US = ultrasonography.

Regadenoson provides perfusion results comparable to adenosine in heterogeneous patient populations: a quantitative analysis from the ADVANCE MPI trials.

BACKGROUND: Total and reversible left ventricular (LV) perfusion defect size (PDS) predict patient outcome. Limited data exist as to whether regadenoson induces similar perfusion abnormalities as observed with adenosine. We sought to determine whether regadenoson induces a similar LV PDS as seen with adenosine across varying patient populations. METHODS AND RESULTS: ADVANCE MPI were prospective, double-blind randomized trials comparing regadenoson to standard adenosine myocardial perfusion tomography (SPECT). Following an initial adenosine SPECT, patients were randomized to either regadenoson (N = 1284) or a second adenosine study (N = 660). SPECT quantification was performed blinded to randomization and image sequence. Propensity analysis was used to define comparability of regadenoson and adenosine perfusion results. Baseline clinical and SPECT results were similar in the two randomized groups. There was a close correlation between adenosine and regadenoson-induced total (r (2) = 0.98, P < .001) and reversible (r (2) = 0.92, P < .001) PDS. Serial differences in total (0.00 ± 3.51 vs -0.11 ± 3.46, P = .51) and reversible (0.15 ± 3.79 vs 0.07 ± 3.33, P = .65) PDS were also comparable in patients randomized to regadenoson vs adenosine, respectively, and irrespective of age, gender, diabetic status, body mass index, or prior cardiovascular history. By propensity analysis, regadenoson-induced total PDS was significantly larger than observed with adenosine. CONCLUSION: This is the first study to show that regadenoson induces similar, if not larger, perfusion defects than those observed with adenosine across different patient populations and demonstrates the value of quantitative analysis for defining serial changes in SPECT perfusion results. Regadenoson should provide comparable diagnostic and prognostic SPECT information to that obtained with adenosine.

Effects of spironolactone treatment in elderly women with heart failure and preserved left ventricular ejection fraction.

BACKGROUND: Although spironolactone has been shown to decrease morbidity and mortality in patients with heart failure and reduced left ventricular ejection fraction, its role in patients with heart failure and preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (HFpEF) is not well defined. In this study we investigated the mechanisms involved when elderly women with HFpEF are treated with spironolactone. METHODS AND RESULTS: Forty-eight women with HFpEF were enrolled in a randomized placebo-controlled trial and were assigned to 25 mg spironolactone daily (n = 24) or placebo (n = 24) for 6 months. Six-minute walk distance, clinical composite score, Doppler echocardiography, and biomarkers were determined at baseline and after 3 and 6 months of therapy. Six months of spironolactone treatment stabilized clinical symptoms, as demonstrated by significant worsening of the clinical composite score in the placebo group (P = .02). In addition, spironolactone treatment improved diastolic function by significantly increasing early diastolic tissue Doppler velocity of the lateral mitral annulus (lateral e'; P = .003) and significantly reducing the mitral peak E velocity to lateral e' ratio (lateral E/e'; P = .0001). Finally, spironolactone favorably affected remodeling through a reduction in myocardial fibrosis measured by a reduction in type III procollagen levels (P = .035). Six-minute walk distance did not significantly improve with spironolactone treatment compared with placebo. CONCLUSIONS: Spironolactone stabilizes functional capacity and symptoms and improves diastolic function, possibly through its ability to suppress type III procollagen synthesis.

Elevated Hb A1C level and revisional bariatric surgery complications.

BACKGROUND: Elevated Hb A1C is a modifiable risk factor for postoperative complications. However, in bariatric surgery, as published by our group and others, elevated preoperative Hb A1C may not be associated with increased postoperative complications. Previous literature has focused on primary bariatric surgery and has excluded the higher-risk revisional surgery cohort. OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of Hb A1C on early postoperative outcomes in patients requiring revisional bariatric surgery. SETTING: Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program database. METHODS: We undertook a retrospective review of patients undergoing revisional bariatric surgery between 2017 and 2018 from the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program database. Two groups were studied, defined by Hb A1C cutoff, ≤8% versus >8% and ≤10% versus >10%. Early postoperative complications were compared at each threshold, with the primary outcome defined as a composite of all complications. Propensity score matching (PSM) was used with one-to-one matching for covariates, and the complication rates before and after PSM were calculated and assessed by Fisher's exact test and conditional logistic regression, respectively. RESULTS: A total of 16,234 patients had undergone revisional bariatric surgery. After PSM, elevated Hb A1C was not associated with worse outcomes. No significant difference was seen in the composite outcomes for Hb A1C ≤8% versus Hb A1C >8% (P = .22) or for patients with Hb A1C ≤10% versus Hb A1C >10% (P < .46). There were no differences in individual outcomes such as surgical-site infections, cardiopulmonary complications, or readmissions/reinterventions. CONCLUSION: In this study of revisional bariatric patients, elevated Hb A1C >8% or >10% was not associated with increased postoperative complications. Prospective studies are needed to investigate this further.

Prevalence of Delirium After Abdominal Surgery and Association With Ketamine: A Retrospective, Propensity-Matched Cohort Study.

IMPORTANCE: Delirium is a common postoperative complication for older patients in the ICU. Ketamine, used primarily as an analgesic, has been thought to prevent delirium. OBJECTIVE: Determine the prevalence and association of delirium with low-dose ketamine use in ICU patients after abdominal surgery. DESIGN: Single-center, retrospective, propensity-matched cohort study. SETTING: Eight hospital academic medical center. PATIENTS: Cohort comprising 1836 patients admitted to the ICU after abdominal surgery between June 23, 2018 and September 1, 2022. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Propensity score matching (PSM) with a 3:1 ratio between no-ketamine use and ketamine use was performed through a greedy algorithm (caliper of 0.005). Outcomes of interest included: delirium (assessed by Confusion Assessment Method-ICU), mean pain score (Numeric Pain Scale or Critical Care Pain Observation Tool score as available), mean opioid consumption (morphine milligram equivalents), length of stay (d), and mortality. RESULTS: Prevalence of delirium was 47.71% (95% CI, 45.41-50.03%) in the cohort. Of 1836 patients, 120 (6.54%) used low-dose ketamine infusion. After PSM, the prevalence of delirium was 56.02% (95% CI, 51.05-60.91%) in all abdominal surgery patients. The ketamine group had 41% less odds of delirium (odds ratio [OR] = 0.59; 95% CI, 0.37-0.94; p = 0.026) than patients with no-ketamine use. Patients with ketamine use had higher mean pain scores (3.57 ± 2.86 vs. 2.21 ± 2.09, p < 0.001). In the subgroup analysis, patients in the ketamine-use group 60 years old or younger had 64% less odds of delirium (OR = 0.36; 95% CI, 0.13-0.95; p = 0.039). The mean pain scores were higher in the ketamine group for patients 60 years old or older. There was no significant difference in mortality and opioid consumption. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Low-dose ketamine infusion was associated with lower prevalence of delirium in ICU patients following abdominal surgery. Prospective studies should further evaluate ketamine use and delirium.

Perme ICU Physical Therapy Competency: Development of an ICU Knowledge and Skills Assessment Tool.

BACKGROUND: Physical therapy for patients in the ICU is advanced practice demanding specialized knowledge and skills. However, ICU physical therapy competency standards lack uniformity or defined processes. OBJECTIVES: To describe the development process of the Perme ICU Physical Therapy Competency and to assess its face and content validity. METHODS: Quantitative research study for the content validation of the Perme ICU Physical Therapy Competency using a panel of experts. The face validity assessment consisted of two informal surveys and discussions with clinicians representing various disciplines in ICU. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: A content validation survey included analysis of sufficiency, clarity, coherence, and relevance for items in the Perme ICU Physical Therapy Competency. For the quantitative analysis of content validity, the item-level content validity index (I-CVI) was used. Scale-level content validity index based on the universal agreement method (S-CVI/UA) was calculated as the proportion of items on the scale that achieve a relevance scale of 3 or 4 by all experts. Scale-level content validity index was calculated based on the average method (S-CVI/Ave). RESULTS: The sufficiency, clarity, coherence, and relevance of the Perme ICU Physical Therapy Competency items presented S-CVI/Ave greater than 80 % (97 %, 97 %, 99 %, 95 %, respectively). CONCLUSION: This study establishes that the Perme ICU Physical Therapy Competency has a satisfactory level of face and content validity. IMPLICATIONS FOR CLINICAL PRACTICE: The Perme ICU Physical Therapy Competency, with its solid framework, is a valuable assessment tool applicable for integration in any ICU competency program. It can be utilized as a self-assessment tool by individual therapists or in collaboration with mentors and evaluators to evaluate knowledge and skills effectively. This innovative tool not only enhances clinical practice but also presents an opportunity for advancing the physical therapy profession within the ICU setting.