Monitored Anesthesia Care Is Associated With a Decrease in Morbidity After Endovascular Angioplasty in Aortoiliac Disease.

OBJECTIVES: Few studies have evaluated the association between anesthesia type and outcomes after endovascular angioplasty/stents for aortoiliac occlusive disease. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the association between primary anesthesia type and postprocedural complications for endovascular angioplasty of aortoiliac occlusion. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: Multi-institutional. PARTICIPANTS: The study comprised 3,110 patients undergoing endovascular angioplasty of aortoiliac occlusive disease, with 1,974 and 1,136 patients who underwent monitored anesthesia care (MAC) and general anesthesia (GA), respectively. The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database for the years 2012 to 2016 was used for the present study. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The final analysis included 3,110 patients, 63% of whom received MAC and 37% of whom received GA. The mean age was 64 years among the GA group, of whom 57.2% were male. The mean age among that MAC group was 65 years, 55.8% of whom were male. After adjusting for demographic factors and preoperative comorbidities, there was a statistically significant lower odds of postoperative complications (ie, pulmonary complications, infection, intraoperative/postoperative transfusion, reoperation, and amputation) and shorter length of stay in the MAC group compared with the GA group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Although larger observational studies and randomized controlled trials are needed to further evaluate the potential effect of MAC versus GA, MAC anesthesia should be considered for patients undergoing endovascular angioplasty for aortoiliac occlusion.

Evaluation of reported fatality data associated with workers using respiratory protection in the United States (1990-2012).

OSHA revised the 1971 respiratory protection standard in 1998 to add guidance for selecting and maintaining respirators. Fatality reports from 1990 to 2012 were used to characterize historical trends in fatalities associated with respirators. Industry- and time-specific trends were evaluated to determine the effect of the revision to the standard on respirator-related fatalities; 174 respirator-related deaths were reported. The majority of fatalities were associated with using an airline respirator (n = 34) or the absence of using a respirator in required spaces (n = 38). Overall, 79% of fatalities were associated with asphyxia. Fatalities were associated with improper employee use or lack of employer compliance. Reductions in fatality rates over time appeared to be associated with the revisions to the respirator standard, although other variables may influence rates (eg, controls). Recommendations for employers and employees regarding maintaining safe use of respirators are provided.

Carotid Plaque Characterization, Stenosis, and Intima-Media Thickness According to Age and Gender in a Large Registry Cohort.

Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) is a well-established predictor of cardiovascular disease events. Not well described, however, is the prevalence of plaque and stenosis severity and how this varies according to extent of CIMT, age, and gender. We evaluated the extent of carotid plaque and stenosis severity according to CIMT, age, and gender in a large CIMT screening registry. We studied 9,347 women and 12,676 men (n = 22,023) who received carotid ultrasound scans. The presence and severity of both carotid plaque and stenosis was compared according to extent of CIMT (≥1 mm vs <1 mm), age, and gender using the chi-square test of proportions. Among those aged <45 to ≥80 years, the prevalence of CIMT ≥1 mm ranged from 0.13% to 29.3% in women and 0.6% to 40.1% in men, stenosis ≥50% from 0.1% to 14.9% in women and 0.1% to 13.2% in men, and mixed and/or soft plaque from 7.1% to 66.5% in women, and 9.2% to 65.8% in men (all p <0.001 across age groups). Even when CIMT levels were <1 mm, >30% of patients demonstrated mixed or soft plaque potentially prone to rupture. Of those with CIMT ≥1 mm, more than 70% had such mixed or soft plaque and more than 40% demonstrated stenoses of 30% or greater. In conclusion, we describe in a large CIMT registry study a substantial age-related increase in both men and women of increased CIMT, plaque presence, and severity, and stenosis. Even in those with normal CIMT, mixed or soft plaque was common, further demonstrating the value in assessing for plaque when doing carotid ultrasound.