Clinical and Economic Burden of Antibiotic Use Among Pediatric Patients With Varicella Infection in the Outpatient Setting: A Retrospective Cohort Analysis of Real-world Data in France.

BACKGROUND: Varicella infects 90% of children before age 9. Though varicella is self-limiting, its complications may require antibiotics, though how antibiotics are utilized for varicella in France is not well known. This study assessed antibiotic use and costs associated with varicella and its complications in pediatric patients managed in the outpatient setting in France. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study using the Cegedim Strategic Data-Longitudinal Patient Database, an electronic medical record database from general practitioners and office-based specialists in France, was conducted. Children <18 years old diagnosed with varicella between January 2014 and December 2018 with 3-month follow-up available were included. We used descriptive analysis to assess varicella-related complications, medication use, healthcare resource utilization and costs. RESULTS: Overall, 48,027 patients were diagnosed with varicella; 15.3% (n = 7369) had ≥1 varicella-related complication. Antibiotics were prescribed in up to 25.1% (n = 12,045/48,027) of cases with greater use in patients with complications (68.1%, n = 5018/7369) compared with those without (17.3%, n = 7027/40,658). Mean medication and outpatient varicella-related costs were €32.82 per patient with medications costing a mean of €5.84 per patient; antibiotics contributed ~23% to total costs annually. CONCLUSION: This study showed high antibiotic use for the management of varicella and its complications. A universal varicella vaccination program could be considered to alleviate complications and associated costs in France.

The Clinical and Economic Burden of Antibiotic Use in Pediatric Patients with Varicella Infection: a Retrospective Cohort Analysis of Real-World Data in England.

BACKGROUND: Varicella is a highly infectious disease, particularly affecting children, that can lead to complications requiring antibiotics or hospitalization. Antibiotic use for varicella management is poorly documented. This study assessed antibiotic use for varicella and its complications in a pediatric population in England. METHODS: Data were drawn from medical records in the Clinical Practice Research Datalink and Hospital Episode Statistics datasets. Patients <18 years old diagnosed with varicella during 2014-2018 with 3-month follow-up available were included. We described varicella-related complications, medication use, healthcare resource utilization, and costs from diagnosis until 3-month post-diagnosis. RESULTS: We identified 114,578 children with a primary varicella diagnosis. 7.7% (n = 8,814) had a varicella-related complication, the most common being ear, nose, and throat related (37.1%, n = 3,271). In all, 25.9% (n = 29,706/114,578) were prescribed antibiotics. A higher proportion of patients with complications than those without complications were prescribed antibiotics (64.3%, n = 5,668/8,814 vs. 22.7%, n = 24,038/105,764). Mean annualized varicella-related costs were £2,231,481 for the study cohort. Overall, antibiotic prescriptions cost ∼£262,007. CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights high antibiotic use and healthcare resource utilization associated with varicella management, particularly in patients with complications. A national varicella vaccination program in England may reduce varicella burden and related complications, medication use, and costs.

Comparison between Three-Dimensional Echocardiography and Computed Tomography for Comprehensive Tricuspid Annulus and Valve Assessment in Severe Tricuspid Regurgitation: Implications for Tricuspid Regurgitation Grading and Transcatheter Therapies.

BACKGROUND: Tricuspid valve imaging is frequently challenging and requires the use of multiple modalities. Knowledge of limitations and methodologic discrepancies among different imaging techniques is crucial for planning transcatheter valve interventions. METHODS: Thirty-eight patients with severe symptomatic tricuspid regurgitation were included in this retrospective analysis. Tricuspid annulus (TA) measurements were made during mid-diastole using three-dimensional (3D) transthoracic echocardiographic direct planimetry (TTE_direct) and transesophageal echocardiographic direct planimetry (TEE_direct). Moreover, a semiautomated software was used to generate two-dimensional (2D) and 3D perimeter and area on transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) images. Both methods were compared with direct computed tomographic planimetry (CT_direct) and cubic spline interpolation (CT_indirect). The different TA values were used to calculate the effective regurgitant orifice area and compared with 3D Doppler vena contracta area. For tricuspid valve area TEE_direct and CT_direct as well as CT_indirect were measured. RESULTS: Agreement between TEE and computed tomography (CT) for TA sizing was obtained using semiautomated methods (3D TEE_indirect and CT_indirect). TTE_direct was overall less reliable compared with CT. TA area quantified by TEE_direct was 25% (difference 305 ± 238 mm2, P < .001, R = 0.9) and 19% (166 ± 247 mm2, P < .001, R = 0.89) smaller compared with CT_direct and CT_indirect, respectively. TA perimeter measurements by TEE_direct differed by 11% compared with CT_direct (12 ± 11 mm, P < .001, R = 0.87) and 3D CT_indirect (12 ± 11 mm, P < .001, R = 0.88), and 9% compared with 2D CT_indirect (7 ± 11 mm, P = .002, R = 0.87). TEE_direct of the TA allows the most accurate calculation of effective regurgitant orifice area compared with 3D vena contracta area (-8 ± 62 mm2, P = .50, R = 0.85). Tricuspid valve area by CT_indirect best correlated with conventional TEE_direct (80 ± 250 mm2, P = .11, R = 0.80). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with severe tricuspid regurgitation, semiautomated indirect planimetry results in high agreement between TEE and CT for TA sizing and measurement of the tricuspid valve area. TEE_direct of the TA allows the most accurate measurement of diastolic stroke volume for the calculation of regurgitation severity compared with 3D vena contracta area.

Mortality risk after transcatheter aortic valve implantation: analysis of the predictive accuracy of the Transcatheter Valve Therapy registry risk assessment model.

AIMS: The risk assessment tools currently used to predict mortality in transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) were designed for patients undergoing cardiac surgery. We aimed to assess the accuracy of the TAVI dedicated risk score in predicting mortality outcomes. METHODS AND RESULTS: Consecutive patients (n=1,038) undergoing TAVI at a single institution from 2014 to 2016 were included. The ACC/TVT registry mortality risk score, the STS-PROM score and the EuroSCORE II were calculated for all patients. In-hospital and 30-day all-cause mortality rates were 1.3% and 2.9%, respectively. The ACC/TVT risk stratification tool scored higher for patients who died in-hospital than for those who survived the index hospitalisation (6.4±4.6 vs. 3.5±1.6, p=0.03, respectively). The ACC/TVT score showed a high level of discrimination, C-index for in-hospital mortality 0.74, 95% CI: (0.59-0.88). There were no significant differences between the performance of the ACC/TVT registry risk score, the EuroSCORE II and the STS-PROM score for in-hospital and 30-day mortality rates. CONCLUSIONS: The ACC/TVT registry risk model is a dedicated tool to aid in the prediction of in-hospital mortality risk after TAVI.