OCTA changes following loading phase with intravitreal aflibercept for DME.

OBJECTIVE: To quantify changes in optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) parameters following intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor treatment for diabetic macular edema (DME), and to assess associations between pretreatment OCTA parameters and visual outcomes. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. METHODS: Twenty-nine patients with DME received 5 monthly intravitreal injections of aflibercept. OCTA data obtained at baseline and at 6 months were compared using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. OCTA parameters were foveal avascular zone (FAZ) area, FAZ perimeter, FAZ circularity, vessel density in the superficial vascular plexus (segmented into central, inner, outer, and full Early Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy Study [ETDRS] map regions. Subanalysis divided patients into treatment responders (reduction of central subfield thickness >50 µm over treatment) and nonresponders. Associations between pretreatment OCTA parameters and visual acuity outcomes were analyzed using multivariable linear and logistic regression. RESULTS: A total of 29 patients were included: 25 patients (86.2%) had nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy, and 4 patients (13.8%) had proliferative diabetic retinopathy. Vessel density was reduced in the central (p = 0.004) and inner (p = 0.013) ETDRS map regions. This effect was significant only among treatment responders (central p = 0.002; inner p = 0.017). Pretreatment OCT and OCTA parameters were not associated with final visual acuity outcomes. CONCLUSION: Following intravitreal aflibercept treatment for DME, there was a significant decrease in vessel density of the superficial vascular plexus at the central and inner ETDRS map regions. This was seen only among treatment responders. Observations here are likely to represent the limits of OCTA technology itself, where pretreatment vessel density may have been artifactually overestimated by suspended scattering particles in motion. Pretreatment OCTA parameters did not serve as biomarkers for visual outcome following anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy.

Impact of trainee involvement on patient radiation exposure and contrast volumes during invasive cardiac procedures.

PURPOSE: The impact of cardiology fellows (CFs) and interventional cardiology fellows (ICFs) on patient radiation and contrast exposure during diagnostic coronary angiography and percutaneous coronary intervention is unknown. METHODS: Between 2011 and 2014, 16,175 cases were retrospectively assessed involving 27 CFs, 22 ICFs and 24 staff as primary operators. RESULTS: During diagnostic coronary angiography, ICFs administered the lowest radiation dose (5,648±5,523 cGy*cm2; 1.30 ± 1.27 mSv)-achieving 22% less radiation than the staff (6,889±4,294 cGy*cm2; 1.58 ± 0.99 mSv) and 36% less than CFs (7,700±6,751 cGy*cm2; 1.77 ± 1.55 mSv) (p<0.01). When adjusted for access site, CFs administered more radiation than either the ICFs or staff. However, differences between ICFs and staff were exclusively observed during transradial procedures (p<0.01). With regards to contrast administration, ICFs administered less contrast (126.3 ± 57.6 mL) than either CFs (130±52.4 mL) or staff (132.7±47.6 mL) (p<0.01)-again, a finding isolated to the transradial cohort. Of the 6,751 percutaneous coronary intervention cases, no significant differences existed between the ICFs or staff cardiologists in patient radiation exposure-but a CF as the primary operator resulted in an 18% increase in radiation exposure. Notably, contrast use was not different amongst the types of operators (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: In conclusion, having a cardiology fellow as primary operator during invasive cardiac procedures increases patient radiation exposure and minimally increases contrast administration. Strategies to minimize patient radiation exposure while maintaining trainee involvement should be evaluated.

Trends in Glaucoma Filtration Procedures: A Retrospective Administrative Health Records Analysis Over a 13-Year Period in Canada.

BACKGROUND: Glaucoma surgical management has evolved significantly with the introduction of minimally invasive glaucoma surgery. Our aim was to evaluate trends in Canadian glaucoma surgery billing code usage as a surrogate index of the current impact of this new technology in Canada's publicly funded health-care system. METHODS: Retrospective administrative health records analysis of all patients who underwent a publicly funded glaucoma filtration procedure from January 2003 to December 2016 in the 6 largest Canadian provinces. The frequency of glaucoma-related procedures was adjusted against primary open-angle glaucoma prevalence data. Frequency of all glaucoma filtration procedures with and without implantation of a drainage device in each province per year is reported. RESULTS: Nationwide, glaucoma filtration procedures per 1000 primary open-angle glaucoma patients per year remained constant, with increased drainage device implantation over time (P<0.0001). Ontario and Nova Scotia mirrored the overall population. British Columbia and Saskatchewan showed increased rates of glaucoma filtration surgery, with increased drainage device implantations. In Quebec, overall filtration surgery decreased, while the rate of device implantation increased (p<0.0001). Alberta showed a decline in filtration surgery and device implantations from 2003 to 2008, and then increased thereafter. CONCLUSION: Over the study period, there was a distinct trend towards billing code usage for implanted devices. Challenges encountered during this investigation highlight the need for identifiers in provincial health databases to accommodate the introduction of novel technologies. The absence of specific billing codes for newer technologies prevents accurate analyses of impact, utilization, efficacy and cost implications in contemporary patient management.

Outcomes of Using Sutureless, Scleral-Fixated Posterior Chamber Intraocular Lenses.

Background. Implantation of sutureless, scleral-fixated posterior chamber intraocular lenses (SSFIOL) is a promising option in the surgical management of patients unable to undergo standard cataract surgery due to insufficient capsular support. The purpose of this study was to describe the indications, visual outcomes and complications of SSFIOL implantation.Methods. Retrospective, investigational cohort study of 112 consecutive SSFIOL implantations between July 2013 and August 2017. Pre-operative ocular morbidity, operative indications, postoperative outcomes, complications, and reinterventions were summarized. Visual and refractive outcomes were compared between the pre- and latest postoperative visit using Wilcoxon signed-ranked test.Results. Mean follow-up: 13.0 ± 10.4 months. Primary surgical indication was dislocated IOL due to zonular weakness (77 eyes (68.8%)). At latest follow-up, there was improvement in uncorrected visual acuity (1.3 ± 0.8 to 0.64 ± 0.60 logMAR, p < .01), best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) (0.6 ± 0.5 logMAR to 0.36 ± 0.40 logMAR, p < .01). Postoperative complications included transient IOP elevation >30 mmHg (26.8%), cystoid macular edema (CME) (14.3%), transient hypotony (13.4%), iris capture (12.5%), uveitis-glaucoma-hyphema (UGH) syndrome (11.6%), vitreous hemorrhage (VH) (6.3%). Operative reinterventions included SSFIOL exchange (3.6%), SSFIOL repositioning (5.4%), SSFIOL removal (2.7%). Ten (8.9%) patients required multiple re-interventions.Conclusion. SSFIOL implantation is a reasonable option for eyes with inadequate capsular support, resulting in visual improvement in most patients. Many of the surgical complications were related to a floppy iris-lens diaphragm (UGH syndrome, iris capture), which were predisposed in eyes with complex pathology. Surgical modifications can be made to minimize the iris-related complications.

Variability in aneurysm sac regression after endovascular aneurysm repair based on a comprehensive registry of patients in Eastern Ontario.

BACKGROUND: Although the absence of aneurysm-related mortality, postimplantation rupture, and reintervention after endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) is desirable, it may not necessarily reflect successful aneurysm sac exclusion. Sac regression may be a more sensitive marker for EVAR success and may be influenced by factors beyond the presence or absence of an endoleak. The objective of this study is to determine the rate of overall long-term sac regression after EVAR and the influence of nonanatomic factors, and endograft devices used at our center. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study included all EVARs performed for intact and ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) at a university teaching hospital. Preoperative, operative, and follow-up data were collected using clinical and radiologic institutional databases. Preoperative and post-EVAR sac diameters were determined by a blinded observer in accordance with Society for Vascular Surgery guidelines. Absolute and relative sac regression was determined at the following intervals: 0 to 6 months, 6 to 12 months, 12 to 18 months, 18 months to 2 years, 2 to 5 years, 5 to 10 years, and more than 10 years. RESULTS: From 1999 to 2015, 1060 patients underwent EVAR for an AAA at the Ottawa Hospital. Procedures were performed using a total of nine unique endograft devices, with five devices (Cook Zenith, n = 398; Medtronic Endurant, n = 375; Medtronic Talent, n = 183; Cook Zenith LP, n = 52; and Terumo Anaconda, n = 23) used in 97% of the procedures. The mean preoperative AAA diameter was 61.2 mm, with no detectable differences between endograft devices with respect to age, preoperative AAA diameter, or rupture diagnosis. Overall mean sac regression increased from -1.3 mm at 6 months, to -14.9 mm beyond 10 years. The majority of sac regression was achieved within 2 years. Only 90 of the 1060 patients (8.5%) experienced sac expansion of greater than 5 mm at some point during their follow-up period. Kaplan-Meier analyses revealed statistically significant device-specific variability in sac regression rates, even in the absence of an endoleak. Cox proportional hazard modeling demonstrated that age less than 75 years (hazard ratio [HR], 1.4; P = .001), female sex (HR, 1.4; P = .003), absence of type I endoleak (HR, 4.6; P < .0001), AAA greater than 70 mm (HR, 1.6; P < .0001), and both the Zenith (HR, 2.0; P < .0001) and Endurant (HR, 1.7; P = .001) devices were associated with shorter time to more than 5 mm sac regression. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated a pattern of sac diameter change after EVAR, with the majority of sac regression occurring within the first 2 years. Variability in sac regression was influenced by nonanatomic variables including age, sex, original AAA diameter, and specific endograft device, even after controlling for the presence or absence of an endoleak. The biophysical relationship between specific endograft design and materials, and sac regression is yet to be determined.

Secondary surgical intervention after primary glaucoma filtration surgery: an Ontario population-based study.

OBJECTIVE: To identify factors associated with secondary surgical intervention after glaucoma filtration surgery. DESIGN: Population-based retrospective cohort. METHODS: Patient records with billing claims for a primary glaucoma filtration surgery occurring between April 2003 and March 2015 were identified. Each identified record was examined for instances of secondary glaucoma surgeries within the patient's first postoperative year. Baseline characteristics of patients who required secondary surgical intervention were compared with those who did not. A multivariable Cox proportional hazards model was used to calculate hazard ratios. RESULTS: Within a cohort of 10,097 patients, 349 (3.46%) underwent a secondary surgical intervention within the first postoperative year. Interventions were less frequent after surgeries that included an indwelling drainage device (HR=0.58 95% CI, 0.37-0.89), phacoemulsification (HR=0.33, 0.21-0.52), or both (HR=0.09, 0.03-0.31). Patients with preoperative aminoglycoside and mydriatic exposure had significantly increased risk of secondary surgical intervention (HR=3.19, 1.89-5.36) and (HR=2.32, 1.49-3.61). Patients who underwent surgery on their contralateral eye experienced secondary surgical interventions more frequently: 7.44 per 10,000 person-days (versus 1.18 per 10,000 person-days, p < 0.0001). No significant differences in the rates of secondary surgical intervention were observed for patients taking different classes of glaucoma medications or those exposed to higher amounts of benzalkonium chloride. CONCLUSIONS: In Ontario, the overall rates of secondary surgical interventions in the first postoperative year are low but significantly higher in certain patient populations. Further work is required to address the higher rate of secondary surgical intervention in patients with a history of certain perioperative eye drop medications and those who require sequential-bilateral procedures.

Neural network and logistic regression diagnostic prediction models for giant cell arteritis: development and validation.

PURPOSE: To develop and validate neural network (NN) vs logistic regression (LR) diagnostic prediction models in patients with suspected giant cell arteritis (GCA). Design: Multicenter retrospective chart review. METHODS: An audit of consecutive patients undergoing temporal artery biopsy (TABx) for suspected GCA was conducted at 14 international medical centers. The outcome variable was biopsy-proven GCA. The predictor variables were age, gender, headache, clinical temporal artery abnormality, jaw claudication, vision loss, diplopia, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, and platelet level. The data were divided into three groups to train, validate, and test the models. The NN model with the lowest false-negative rate was chosen. Internal and external validations were performed. RESULTS: Of 1,833 patients who underwent TABx, there was complete information on 1,201 patients, 300 (25%) of whom had a positive TABx. On multivariable LR age, platelets, jaw claudication, vision loss, log C-reactive protein, log erythrocyte sedimentation rate, headache, and clinical temporal artery abnormality were statistically significant predictors of a positive TABx (P≤0.05). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve/Hosmer-Lemeshow P for LR was 0.867 (95% CI, 0.794, 0.917)/0.119 vs NN 0.860 (95% CI, 0.786, 0.911)/0.805, with no statistically significant difference of the area under the curves (P=0.316). The misclassification rate/false-negative rate of LR was 20.6%/47.5% vs 18.1%/30.5% for NN. Missing data analysis did not change the results. CONCLUSION: Statistical models can aid in the triage of patients with suspected GCA. Misclassification remains a concern, but cutoff values for 95% and 99% sensitivities are provided (https://goo.gl/THCnuU).

Interocular Axial Length and Corneal Power Differences as Predictors of Postoperative Refractive Outcomes after Cataract Surgery.

PURPOSE: To determine whether differences between eyes in axial length (AL) and corneal power (K) on optical biometry are predictive of refractive outcomes. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 729 patients (1458 eyes) who underwent bilateral phacoemulsification at TLC (Mississauga, Ontario, Canada) from September 2013 to August 2015. METHODS: We compared the proportion of patients having >0.5 diopters (D) of refractive error from target stratified by interocular axial length differences (IALDs) and interocular K differences (IKDs) between eyes as measured by optical biometry (IOL-Master, Carl Zeiss Meditec, Oberkochen, Germany). Analysis was repeated for 0.25 D or 1.0 D targets and for patients with uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) >0.3 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) postoperatively. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Proportions, odds ratios (ORs), and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were computed using generalized estimating equations to account for within-patient correlation. RESULTS: Some 79.1% of eyes were ≤0.5 D of refractive target, 47.0% were ≤0.25 D, and 97.2% were ≤1.0 D. The OR of having a refractive outcome >0.5 D from target for IALD cutoff of 0.2 mm was 1.4 (1.1-1.8), of 0.3 mm was 1.6 (1.2-2.1), and of 0.4 mm was 1.8 (1.3-2.5). This translates to 70.0% (63.5-75.7) within target for IALD of ≥0.4 mm versus 80.7% (78.4-82.9) for <0.4 mm. For a given patient with IALD, the chance of being off target was similar for the shorter and longer eye. Eyes outside of target were twice as likely to be <-0.5 D than >0.5 D. Interocular K difference was largely not associated with prediction error, yet larger IKD-flat, steep, and average were associated with increased odds of UCVA >0.3 logMAR postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: Interocular axial length difference of as little as ≥0.2 mm is associated with a higher chance of >0.5 D of refractive error from target and worse UCVA. Interocular K difference was not associated with worse refractive error from target, although a difference of ≥0.4 D was associated with worse UCVA. These cutoffs should be considered in preoperative planning and discussion with patients. Future study is required to assess whether repeating measurements, using adjunctive measurement devices, or attempting to separate true differences from artifact based on preoperative refractive characteristics reduces residual refractive error.

Characterization of serological markers of healed/healing arteritis and giant cell arteritis.

OBJECTIVE: Temporal artery biopsy (TAB) is the gold standard for confirming the diagnosis of giant cell arteritis (GCA) when positive. However, the clinical significance of healed/healing (HH) arterial injury on TAB is not well understood. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical significance of this finding on TAB by determining its association with seromarkers typically predictive of GCA. DESIGN: Single-centre, retrospective, investigational cohort study. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 385 consecutive TABs for clinical suspicion of GCA between January 2009 and January 2016. METHODS: Elevations in erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, and platelet count were compared between patients with negative TAB, GCA-positive TAB, and HH arterial injury using statistical trend testing. Odds ratios of seromarker elevations for HH arterial injury versus GCA were calculated. RESULTS: Seventy-six GCA-positive, 69 HH, and 240 negative TABs were identified. Mantel-Haenszel tests of trend indicated that platelets >400 000/µL (p < 0.01), erythrocyte sedimentation rate ≥50 mm/hr (p < 0.01), and C-reactive protein ≥24.5 mg/L (p < 0.01) occurred with intermediate frequency in the HH TAB group. The odds of HH TAB were 3.6 times greater (95% CI 1.5-8.5) with platelets >400 000/µL. CONCLUSION: HH arterial injury is a heterogenous group that requires treatment in the appropriate clinical setting. From our study, we found that the HH group is intermediate between GCA-positive and GCA-negative biopsy with respect to serology markers only. Thrombocytosis is an independent predictor of HH TAB. With further studies, this marker may be considered when making treatment decisions. Further studies are required to better understand this entity.

Optical coherence tomography for glaucoma diagnosis: An evidence based meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: Early detection, monitoring and understanding of changes in the retina are central to the diagnosis of glaucomatous optic neuropathy, and vital to reduce visual loss from this progressive condition. The main objective of this investigation was to compare glaucoma diagnostic accuracy of commercially available optical coherence tomography (OCT) devices (Zeiss Stratus, Zeiss Cirrus, Heidelberg Spectralis and Optovue RTVue, and Topcon 3D-OCT). PATIENTS: 16,104 glaucomatous and 11,543 normal eyes reported in 150 studies. METHODS: Between Jan. 2017 and Feb 2017, MEDLINE®, EMBASE®, CINAHL®, Cochrane Library®, Web of Science®, and BIOSIS® were searched for studies assessing glaucoma diagnostic accuracy of the aforementioned OCT devices. Meta-analysis was performed pooling area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) estimates for all devices, stratified by OCT type (RNFL, macula), and area imaged. RESULTS: 150 studies with 16,104 glaucomatous and 11,543 normal control eyes were included. Key findings: AUROC of glaucoma diagnosis for RNFL average for all glaucoma patients was 0.897 (0.887-0.906, n = 16,782 patient eyes), for macula ganglion cell complex (GCC) was 0.885 (0.869-0.901, n = 4841 eyes), for macula ganglion cell inner plexiform layer (GCIPL) was 0.858 (0.835-0.880, n = 4211 eyes), and for total macular thickness was 0.795 (0.754-0.834, n = 1063 eyes). CONCLUSION: The classification capability was similar across all 5 OCT devices. More diagnostically favorable AUROCs were demonstrated in patients with increased glaucoma severity. Diagnostic accuracy of RNFL and segmented macular regions (GCIPL, GCC) scans were similar and higher than total macular thickness. This study provides a synthesis of contemporary evidence with features of robust inclusion criteria and large sample size. These findings may provide guidance to clinicians when navigating this rapidly evolving diagnostic area characterized by numerous options.

Editor's Choice - Late Open Surgical Conversion after Endovascular Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair.

INTRODUCTION: Late open surgical conversion following endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) may occur more frequently after performing EVAR in anatomy outside the instructions for use (IFU). This study reviews predictors and outcomes of late open surgical conversion for failed EVAR. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study reviewed all EVARs performed at the Ottawa Hospital between January 1999 and May 2015. Open surgical conversions >1 month post EVAR were identified. Variables analysed included indication for conversion, pre-intervention AAA anatomy, endovascular device and configuration, operative technique, re-interventions, complications, and death. RESULTS: Of 1060 consecutive EVARs performed, 16 required late open surgical conversion. Endografts implanted were Medtronic Talent (n = 8, 50.0%), Medtronic Endurant (n = 3, 18.8%), Cook Zenith (n = 4, 25.0%), and Terumo Anaconda (n = 1, 6.2%). Eleven grafts were bifurcated (68.8%), five were aorto-uni-iliac (31.2%). The median time to open surgical conversion was 3.1 (IQR 1.0-5.2) years. There was no significant difference in pre-EVAR rupture status (1.4% elective, 2.1% ruptured, p = .54). Indications for conversion included: Type 1 endoleak with sac expansion (n = 4, 25.0%), Type 2 endoleak with expansion (n = 2, 12.5%), migration (n = 3, 18.8%), sac expansion without endoleak (n = 2, 12.5%), graft infection (n = 3, 18.8%), rupture (n = 2, 12.5%). Nine patients (56.2%) underwent stent graft explantation with in situ surgical graft reconstruction, seven had endograft preserving open surgical intervention. The 30 day mortality was 18.8% (n = 3, all of whom having had endograft preservation). Ten patients (62.5%) suffered major in hospital complications. One patient (6.5%) required post-conversion major surgical re-intervention. IFU adherence during initial EVAR was 43.8%, versus 79.0% (p < .01) among uncomplicated EVARs. CONCLUSIONS: Open surgical conversion following EVAR results in significant morbidity and mortality. IFU adherence of EVARs later requiring open surgical conversion is markedly low. More data are required to elucidate the impact of increasing liberalisation of EVAR outside of IFU.

Prognostic value of vasodilator response using rubidium-82 positron emission tomography myocardial perfusion imaging in patients with coronary artery disease.

BACKGROUND: Prognostic value of positron emission tomography (PET) myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) is well established. There is paucity of data on how the prognostic value of PET relates to the hemodynamic response to vasodilator stress. We hypothesize that inadequate hemodynamic response will affect the prognostic value of PET MPI. METHODS AND RESULTS: Using a multicenter rubidium (Rb)-82 PET registry, 3406 patients who underwent a clinically indicated rest/stress PET MPI with a vasodilator agent were analyzed. Patients were categorized as, "responders" [increase in heart rate ≥ 10 beats per minute (bpm) and decrease in systolic blood pressure (SBP) ≥10 mmHg], "partial responders" (either a change in HR or SBP), and "non-responders" (no change in HR or SBP). Primary outcome was all-cause death (ACD), and secondary outcome was cardiac death (CD). Ischemic burden was measured using summed stress score (SSS) and % left ventricular (LV) ischemia. After a median follow-up of 1.68 years (interquartile range = 1.17- 2.55), there were 7.9% (n = 270) ACD and 2.6% (n = 54) CD. Responders with a normal PET MPI had an annualized event rate (AER) of 1.22% (SSS of 0-3) and 1.58% (% LV ischemia = 0). Partial and non-responders had higher AER with worsening levels of ischemic burden. In the presence of severe SSS ≥12 and LV ischemia of ≥10%, partial responders had an AER of 10.79% and 10.36%, compared to non-responders with an AER of 19.4% and 12.43%, respectively. Patient classification was improved when SSS was added to a model containing clinical variables (NRI: 42%, p < 0.001) and responder category was added (NRI: 61%, p < 0.001). The model including clinical variables, SSS and hemodynamic response has good discrimination ability (Harrell C statistics: 0.77 [0.74-0.80]). CONCLUSION: Hemodynamic response during a vasodilator Rb-82 PET MPI is predictive of ACD. Partial and non-responders may require additional risk stratification leading to altered patient management.

The effect of endograft device on patient outcomes in endovascular repair of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms.

Objective Endovascular aneurysm repair for ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm is being increasingly applied as the intervention of choice. The purpose of this study was to determine whether survival and reintervention rates after ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm vary between endograft devices. Methods This cohort study identified all ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms performed at The Ottawa Hospital from January 1999 to May 2015. Data collected included patient demographics, stability index at presentation, adherence to device instructions for use, endoleaks, reinterventions, and mortality. Kruskal-Wallis test was used to compare outcomes between groups. Mortality outcomes were assessed using Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, and multivariate Cox regression modeling. Results One thousand sixty endovascular aneurysm repairs were performed using nine unique devices. Ninety-six ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms were performed using three devices: Cook Zenith ( n = 46), Medtronic Endurant ( n = 33), and Medtronic Talent ( n = 17). The percent of patients presented in unstable or extremis condition was 30.2, which did not differ between devices. Overall 30-day mortality was 18.8%, and was not statistically different between devices ( p = 0.16), although Medtronic Talent had markedly higher mortality (35.3%) than Cook Zenith (15.2%) and Medtronic Endurant (15.2%). AUI configuration was associated with increased 30-day mortality (33.3% vs. 12.1%, p = 0.02). Long-term mortality and graft-related reintervention rates at 30 days and 5 years were similar between devices. Instructions for use adherence was similar across devices, but differed between the ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm and elective endovascular aneurysm repair cohorts (47.7% vs. 79.0%, p < 0.01). Notably, two patients who received Medtronic Talent grafts underwent open conversion >30 days post-endovascular aneurysm repair ( p = 0.01). Type 1 endoleak rates differed significantly across devices (Cook Zenith 0.0%, Medtronic Endurant 18.2%, Medtronic Talent 17.6%, p = 0.01). Conclusion Although we identified device-related differences in endoleak rates, there were no significant differences in reintervention rates or mortality outcomes. Favorable outcomes of Cook Zenith and Medtronic Endurant over Medtronic Talent reflect advances in endograft technology and improvements in operator experience over time. Results support selection of endograft by operator preference for ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm.

Abnormal self-schema in semantic memory in major depressive disorder: Evidence from event-related brain potentials.

An overly negative self-schema is a proposed cognitive mechanism of major depressive disorder (MDD). Self-schema - one's core conception of self, including how strongly one believes one possesses various characteristics - is part of semantic memory (SM), our knowledge about concepts and their relationships. We used the N400 event-related potential (ERP) - elicited by meaningful stimuli, and reduced by greater association of the stimulus with preceding context - to measure association strength between self-concept and positive, negative, and neutral characteristics in SM. ERPs were recorded from MDD patients (n=16) and controls (n=16) who viewed trials comprising a self-referential phrase followed by a positive, negative, or neutral adjective. Participants' task was to indicate via button-press whether or not they felt each adjective described themselves. Controls endorsed more positive adjectives than did MDD patients, but the opposite was true for negative adjectives. Patients had smaller N400s than controls specifically for negative adjectives, suggesting that MDD is associated with stronger than normal functional neural links between self-concept and negative characteristics in SM.