Survey of ankle-brachial pressure index use and its perceived barriers by general practitioners in the UK.

BACKGROUND: Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is often undetected until complications arise, despite it being a major healthcare burden and an independent risk factor for cardiovascular death and systemic atherosclerosis. Appropriate diagnostic tools are as important as clinical knowledge and skill to investigate patients for PAD. Currently, the ankle-brachial pressure index (ABPI) is the recommended diagnostic tool for PAD. PURPOSE: We explore current opinions on ABPI by general practitioners (GPs) and the limitations to its implementation in primary care practice. METHODS: GPs attending a regional 1-day study event, were surveyed in October 2014. Survey questionnaires were placed at the top of each conference pack for each attendee. The survey questionnaire was modelled from the ankle-brachial index (ABI) usage survey questionnaire used in the PAD Awareness, Risk and Treatment: New Resources for Survival (PARTNERS) preceptorship study. RESULTS: All respondents were GPs, with a survey response rate of 77.1%. All respondents regarded ABPI as an important test, that is primarily performed by nursing staff (79.5%) in their respective GP surgeries. 70% and 97% of GPs found ABPI useful for the diagnosis of asymptomatic and symptomatic PAD, respectively. 69% of GPs regarded ABPI as a feasible test in primary care practice. Time constraints (84%), staff availability (89%) and staff training (72%) were cited as the main limitations to its use. CONCLUSIONS: Targeted training of nursing staff may improve ABPI usage, although a less time-consuming test for PAD may be another option.

Infrared cameras are potential traceable "fixed points" for future thermometry studies.

The National physical laboratory (NPL) requires "fixed points" whose temperatures have been established by the International Temperature Scale of 1990 (ITS 90) be used for device calibration. In practice, "near" blackbody radiators together with the standard platinum resistance thermometer is accepted as a standard. The aim of this study was to report the correlation and limits of agreement (LOA) of the thermal infrared camera and non-contact infrared temporal thermometer against each other and the "near" blackbody radiator. Temperature readings from an infrared thermography camera (FLIR T650sc) and a non-contact infrared temporal thermometer (Hubdic FS-700) were compared to a near blackbody (Hyperion R blackbody model 982) at 0.5 °C increments between 20-40 °C. At each increment, blackbody cavity temperature was confirmed with the platinum resistance thermometer. Measurements were taken initially with the thermal infrared camera followed by the infrared thermometer, with each device mounted in turn on a stand at a fixed distance of 20 cm and 5 cm from the blackbody aperture, respectively. The platinum thermometer under-estimated the blackbody temperature by 0.015 °C (95% LOA: -0.08 °C to 0.05 °C), in contrast to the thermal infrared camera and infrared thermometer which over-estimated the blackbody temperature by 0.16 °C (95% LOA: 0.03 °C to 0.28 °C) and 0.75 °C (95% LOA: -0.30 °C to 1.79 °C), respectively. Infrared thermometer over-estimates thermal infrared camera measurements by 0.6 °C (95% LOA: -0.46 °C to 1.65 °C). In conclusion, the thermal infrared camera is a potential temperature reference "fixed point" that could substitute mercury thermometers. However, further repeatability and reproducibility studies will be required with different models of thermal infrared cameras.

Are intra-gastric adjustable balloon system safe? A case series.

INTRODUCTION: Intra-gastric balloons have been in use as an aide to weight loss. Since its introduction, it has evolved from air filled to saline filled intra-gastric balloons. The SPATZ-ABS is a new adjustable saline filled balloon. PRESENTATION OF CASE: Three patients have presented to our hospital as emergencies due to complications arising from this balloon. Two of these patients required emergency laparotomy and resection of small bowel due to pressure necrosis effects of the anchoring device. One patient had migration of the device into the duodenum that was removed endoscopically. Of the 2 patients who underwent a laparotomy, one patient did not have any symptoms or signs that correlated with the intra-operative findings. DISCUSSION: The anchoring device meant to prevent the intra-gastric balloon from migrating distally has migrated in three patients. To our knowledge, there has been no reported incident of migration of this device. These serious complications pose a risk to patients having these balloons fitted. CONCLUSION: There is a need to study our experience with a larger population of patients who have had this device inserted. Its safety needs to be questioned and its design may need to be addressed.