Acceptance, experiences, and needs of hospitalized pregnant women toward an electronic mindfulness-based intervention: A pilot mixed-methods study.

Background: Anxiety disorders and depression during pregnancy are highly prevalent. Hospitalized pregnant women with high maternal or fetal risk represent a particularly vulnerable population often excluded from research samples. Screening for mental health disorders is not routinely offered for this particular patient group. Electronic mindfulness-based interventions constitute an accessible, convenient, and cost-effective mental health resource but have not yet been evaluated for acceptance in inpatient settings. To date, little is known about the needs and perceptions of this group of women. Objective: The aim of this study was to examine whether a brief electronic mindfulness-based intervention (eMBI) is accepted among hospitalized high-risk pregnant women. We assessed personal motivation and barriers, experiences, usability requirements, and overall acceptance of the eMBI, as well the specific needs and demands of patients with high-risk pregnancies regarding mental health services. Methods: An exploratory pilot study with a mixed-methods study design was carried out among 30 women hospitalized with a high obstetric risk. The study participants were given access to an eMBI with a 1-week mindfulness program on how to deal with stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with the 30 participants and analyzed using systematic content analysis. In addition, acceptance and usability were assessed via questionnaires. Results: Study findings showed a high level of acceptance of the eMBI. Most of the respondents were satisfied with the usability and considered the eMBI program to be helpful. The greatest barriers to using the eMBI were a general negative attitude toward using apps, preference for personal contact, or no current need for psychotherapy. Participants criticized the lack of awareness of mental health issues during pregnancy and expressed a need for low-threshold treatment offers, especially during hospitalization. Conclusions: There is a strong need for mental health services in pregnancy care, especially for pregnant women with risk profiles. An eMBI offers an acceptable means of providing mental health support for hospitalized women with a severe obstetric risk.

Effects of a Brief Electronic Mindfulness-Based Intervention on Relieving Prenatal Depression and Anxiety in Hospitalized High-Risk Pregnant Women: Exploratory Pilot Study.

BACKGROUND: Peripartum depression and anxiety disorders are highly prevalent and are correlated with adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes. Antenatal care in Germany does not yet include structured screening and effective low-threshold treatment options for women facing peripartum depression and anxiety disorders. Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) are increasingly becoming a focus of interest for the management of such patients. Studies have shown a decrease in pregnancy-related stress and anxiety in expectant mothers following mindfulness programs. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to explore the clinical effectiveness of a 1-week electronic course of mindfulness on prenatal depression and anxiety in hospitalized, high-risk pregnant women. We hypothesized that participating in a 1-week electronic MBI (eMBI) could alleviate symptoms of depression and anxiety during the hospital stay. METHODS: A prospective pilot study with an explorative study design was conducted from January to May 2019 in a sample of 68 women hospitalized due to high-risk pregnancies. After enrolling into the study, the participants were given access to an eMBI app on how to deal with stress, anxiety, and symptoms of depression. Psychometric parameters were assessed via electronic questionnaires comprising the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-S), and abridged version of the Pregnancy-Related Anxiety Questionnaire (PRAQ-R). RESULTS: We observed a high prevalence of peripartum depression and anxiety among hospitalized high-risk pregnant women: 39% (26/67) of the study participants in the first assessment and 41% (16/39) of the participants in the second assessment achieved EPDS scores above the cutoff value for minor/major depression. The number of participants with anxiety levels above the cutoff value (66% [45/68] of the participants in the first assessment and 67% [26/39] of the participants in the second assessment) was significantly more than that of the participants with anxiety levels below the cutoff value, as measured with the STAI-S. After completing the 1-week electronic course on mindfulness, the participants showed a significant reduction in the mean state anxiety levels (P<.03). Regarding pregnancy-related anxiety, participants who completed more than 50% of the 1-week course showed lower scores in PRAQ-R in the second assessment (P<.05). No significant changes in the EPDS scores were found after completing the intervention. CONCLUSIONS: Peripartum anxiety and depression represent a relevant health issue in hospitalized pregnant patients. Short-term eMBIs could have the potential to reduce anxiety levels and pregnancy-related anxiety. However, we observed that compliance to eMBI seems to be related to lower symptoms of pregnancy-related stress among high-risk patients. eMBIs represent accessible mental health resources at reduced costs and can be adapted for hospitalized patients during pregnancy.

Mortalidad operatoria y estratificación de riesgo en pacientes pediátricos operados de cardiopatía congénita: experiencia de 10 años / Surgical mortality and risk stratification in pediatric congenital heart surgery: 10-year experience

Introducción: La mortalidad operatoria en cirugía cardíaca de cardiopatías congênitas es utilizada como indicador de calidad, pero no incorpora la complejidad del procedimiento. La puntuación de riesgo "Risk Adjustment in Congenital Heart Surgery-1" agrupa las cirugías según riesgo de mortalidad. Objetivos: Determinar nuestra mortalidad operatoria de cirugía cardíaca en pacientes pediátricos con cardio-patías congénitas, analizar nuestros resultados aplicando esta puntuación de riesgo, determinar la evolución de la mortalidad y comparar nuestros resultados con los publicados. Métodos: Estudio de cohorte no concurrente (enero 2000-julio 2010). Las cirugías fueron estratificadas según puntuación de riesgo. La tendencia de mortalidad operatoria se evaluó dividiendo el período estudiado en tres subperíodos. Comparamos nuestros resultados con los publicados por las Sociedades de Cirujanos de Cardiopatías Congênitas y la de Cirujanos de Tórax. Resultados: Se realizaron 1658 cirugías con mortalidad operatoria de 5,9 por ciento. Mortalidad según categoría de riesgo fue: Categorías 1 y 2: 2,1 por ciento; Categoría 3: 6,2 por ciento; Categoría 4: 24,3 por ciento y Categoría 6: 20,7 por ciento (RT = 9,87 ; P<0,001). La mortalidad disminuyó a lo largo de los tres períodos (8,1 por ciento a 4,7 por ciento; RT = 1,72; P=0,031). La mortalidad operatoria global fue similar a la reportada por la Sociedad de Cirujanos de Tórax (4,7 por ciento vs. 3.9 por ciento), pero mayor a la Sociedad de Cirujanos de Cardiopatías Con-génitas (4,7 por ciento vs. 2,9 por ciento; RT = 1,65; P=0,013). Conclusión: Nuestra mortalidad operatoria de cirugía cardíaca es 5.9 por ciento, disminuye a lo largo del estudio y es comparable a la publicada por Sociedades Internacionales.

Background: Surgical mortality in congenital heart surgery has been commonly used to assess quality of care, but it doesn't take into account the complexity of the procedure performed. The risk score "Risk Adjustment in Congenital Heart Surgery-1" was developed to address this case mix. Objectives: To determine our institution surgical mortality in congenital heart surgery, assess mortality risk using the RACHS-1 score, evaluate our trend in surgical mortality and to compare our results with published data. Methods: Retrospective study of all congenital heart surgeries performed between January 2000 and July 2010. Heart surgeries were stratified according to the RACHS-1 score. The trend in surgical mortality was assessed across 3 consecutive periods. Our results were compared with published data from the Congenital Heart Surgeons' Society and the Society of Thoracic Surgeons. Results: 1658 congenital heart surgeries were performed with 5,9 percent surgical mortality . Stratified by RACHS-1 score surgical mortality was: Risk category 1 and 2: 2,1 percent; Risk category 3: 6,2 percent; Risk category 4: 24,3 percent and Risk category 6: 20,7 percent (RR = 9,87; P<0,001). Mortality decreased during the study period from 8,1 percent to 4,7 percent (RR = 1,72; P=0,031). Our surgical mortality was similar to that reported by the Congenital Heart Surgeons' Society (4,7 percent vs. 3.9 percent. respectively), but higher than that reported by the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (4,7 percent vs. 2,9 percent, respectively; RR = 1,65; P=0,013). Conclusions: Our surgical mortality of congenital heart surgery is 5.9 percent, it decreases along the study period and is comparable to the results of large international surgical databases.

Isquemia sintomática en accesos vasculares parahemodiálisis / Symptomatic ischemia of hemodialysis vascular access

El objetivo de este estudio es dar a conocer nuestra experiencia en el manejo de pacientes con isquemia sintomática severa asociada a los accesos vasculares para hemodiálisis (AVHD). Entre Enero de 2000 y Junio del 2005 se construyeron 1926 accesos vasculares para hemodiálisis en 1537 pacientes en el Servicio de Cirugía del Hospital Barros Luco Trudeau, seleccionando aquellos pacientes que fueron manejados por presentar elementos de isquemia sintomática severa. El grupo está constituido por 18 pacientes, 9 (50 por ciento) hombres y 9 (50 por ciento) mujeres, 14 (78 por ciento) diabéticos. La edad promedio fue de 61 años. El diagnóstico se hizo en base a la anamnesis, examen físico y laboratorio no invasivo. En algunos casos se realizó eco doppler y angiografía. La incidencia encontrada es 1,17 por ciento, correspondiendo 61,1 por ciento a diabéticos mayores de 60 años y 16,7 por ciento a no diabéticos menores de 60 años (p< 0,05). Se presentó en 1,1 por ciento de los pacientes con AVHD nativo y 1,93 por ciento con AVHD protésico (ns). Las manifestaciones aparecieron en el post operatorio inmediato en 7 (39 por ciento) pacientes y en forma tardía en 11 (61 por ciento). La etiología fue enfermedad arterial oclusiva en 13 casos (72,2 por ciento), mecanismo de robo arterial en 3 (16,7 por ciento) y estenosis funcional en 2 (11,5 por ciento). El manejo consistió en revascularización en 8 casos (44,5 por ciento) y cierre de la fístula mas instalación de catéter tunelizado en 10 (55,5 por ciento). Al término del seguimiento, 15 (83,3 por ciento) presentaban regresión completa de los síntomas y 3 (16,7 por ciento) presentaban secuelas. La isquemia sintomática es una complicación poco frecuente, que puede presentarse tanto en forma precoz como tardía especialmente en pacientes diabéticos mayores de 60 años o con enfermedad vascular periférica, pudiendo significar la pérdida del acceso o dejar secuelas invalidantes. Son importantes las medidas de prevención.

Background: Symptomatic ischemia occurs in 1 to 8 percent of hemodialysis vascular accesses and may result in its loss. Aim: To report our experience in the management of patients with severe symptomatic ischemia associated to a vascular access for hemodialysis. Material and methods: All patients operated for a severe ischemia associated to a hemodialysis vascular access, between 2000 and 2005, were included in this study. Results: Of a total of 1926 vascular accesses, symptomatic ischemia was diagnosed in 18 patients (9 males) aged between 27 and 84 years. Fourteen (78 percent) were diabetic. Thus, the incidence of severe ischemia was 1.2 percent. It appeared in 1.1 percent of native and 1.9 percent of prosthetic vascular accesses. Clinical manifestations appeared in the early postoperative period in seven patients (39 percent). In the rest, they appeared more than 30 days after the procedure. Surgical treatment consisted in revascularization in eight patients (45 percent) and closure of fistula and installation of a tunneled catheter in 10 (55 percent). At the end of follow up, 15 patients (83 percent) had a complete regression of symptoms and three (17 percent) had sequelae. Conclusions: Symptomatic vascular access ischemia occurs in 1.2 percent of procedures, is much more common among diabetics and can be successfully managed in 80 percent of cases.

[Prediction of the pressure ulcer development in elderly women using the Braden scale]. / Validez de la escala de Braden para predecir úlceras por presión en población femenina.

BACKGROUND: Pressure ulcers are a common complication among elderly patients confined to bed for long periods. The Braden scale is a commonly used risk assessment tool. AIM: To evaluate the use of Braden scale. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Seventy women aged 61 to 96 years, admitted to the Internal Medicine Service of Barros Luco-Trudeau Hospital, were studied. Their risk was evaluated using the Braden scale. The presence of pressure ulcer was diagnosed according to the National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel on admission, two weeks later and at discharge. RESULTS: On admission, mean Braden scale score was 16.6+/-2.8 and 34 women had a score of 16 or less, that is considered of risk. Twenty five women (20 with a score of 16 or less) developed pressure ulcers, mostly superficial. The odds ratio of a score of 16 or less for the development of ulcers was 4.2 (95% CI 1.8-11.7, p <0.001). The sensitivity and specificity of such score were 80 and 69% respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The Braden scale predicts the risk of developing pressure ulcers with a good sensitivity and specificity in female elderly patients.