OPTIKNEE 2022: consensus recommendations to optimise knee health after traumatic knee injury to prevent osteoarthritis.

The goal of the OPTIKNEE consensus is to improve knee and overall health, to prevent osteoarthritis (OA) after a traumatic knee injury. The consensus followed a seven-step hybrid process. Expert groups conducted 7 systematic reviews to synthesise the current evidence and inform recommendations on the burden of knee injuries; risk factors for post-traumatic knee OA; rehabilitation to prevent post-traumatic knee OA; and patient-reported outcomes, muscle function and functional performance tests to monitor people at risk of post-traumatic knee OA. Draft consensus definitions, and clinical and research recommendations were generated, iteratively refined, and discussed at 6, tri-weekly, 2-hour videoconferencing meetings. After each meeting, items were finalised before the expert group (n=36) rated the level of appropriateness for each using a 9-point Likert scale, and recorded dissenting viewpoints through an anonymous online survey. Seven definitions, and 8 clinical recommendations (who to target, what to target and when, rehabilitation approach and interventions, what outcomes to monitor and how) and 6 research recommendations (research priorities, study design considerations, what outcomes to monitor and how) were voted on. All definitions and recommendations were rated appropriate (median appropriateness scores of 7-9) except for two subcomponents of one clinical recommendation, which were rated uncertain (median appropriateness score of 4.5-5.5). Varying levels of evidence supported each recommendation. Clinicians, patients, researchers and other stakeholders may use the definitions and recommendations to advocate for, guide, develop, test and implement person-centred evidence-based rehabilitation programmes following traumatic knee injury, and facilitate data synthesis to reduce the burden of knee post-traumatic knee OA.

Patient eligibility for thrombectomy after acute stroke: Northern French Alps database analysis.

BACKGROUND: Since 2015, the emergence of mechanical thrombectomy as standard care in acute stroke has involved organizational changes not only for stroke centers, but also for entire emergency regional networks. The aim of our study was to assess the proportion of ischemic stroke patients, admitted to stroke units in the Northern French Alps within the first 6h of onset, eligible for thrombectomy. METHODS: This study retrospectively analyzed the clinical and radiological data of all acute stroke patients hospitalized at three stroke units of the Northern French Alps Emergency Network (RENAU) in 2014. Eligible patients had proximal arterial occlusions of the anterior and posterior cerebral circulation, as confirmed by brain imaging, which could be treated by thrombectomy within 6h of symptom onset. RESULTS: Of the 435 cases of acute ischemic stroke, 152 patients were treated by intravenous thrombolysis (IV rtPA). Of these patients, 83 (55%) had intracranial occlusions and were eligible for combined thrombectomy. Of the 283 patients not treatable by IV rtPA, 32 patients (11%) were eligible for primary thrombectomy. CONCLUSION: Thrombectomy could be performed in 26% of our acute ischemic stroke patients (n=115/435), and a large increase in endovascular procedures is expected over the next few years that will require close collaboration among all partners in the emergency networks. Using our RENAU stroke database, it will be possible to compare various factors contributing to effective activity.

Which determinants predict tibiofemoral and patellofemoral osteoarthritis after anterior cruciate ligament injury? A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury is an important risk factor for development of knee osteoarthritis (OA). To identify those ACL injured patients at increased risk for knee OA, it is necessary to understand risk factors for OA. AIM: To summarise the evidence for determinants of (1) tibiofemoral OA and (2) patellofemoral OA in ACL injured patients. METHODS: MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science and CINAHL databases were searched up to 20 December 2013. Additionally, reference lists of eligible studies were manually and independently screened by two reviewers. 2348 studies were assessed for the following main inclusion criteria: ≥20 patients; ACL injured patients treated operatively or non-operatively; reporting OA as outcome; description of relationship between OA outcome and determinants; and a follow-up period ≥2 years. Two reviewers extracted the data, assessed the risk of bias and performed a best-evidence synthesis. RESULTS: Sixty-four publications were included and assessed for quality. Two studies were classified as low risk of bias. Medial meniscal injury/meniscectomy showed moderate evidence for influencing OA development (tibiofemoral OA and compartment unspecified). Lateral meniscal injury/meniscectomy showed moderate evidence for no relationship (compartment unspecified), as did time between injury and reconstruction (tibiofemoral and patellofemoral OA). CONCLUSIONS: Medial meniscal injury/meniscectomy after ACL rupture increased the risk of OA development. In contrast, it seems that lateral meniscal injury/meniscectomy has no relationship with OA development. Our results suggest that time between injury and reconstruction does not influence patellofemoral and tibiofemoral OA development. Many determinants showed conflicting and limited evidence and no determinant showed strong evidence.

Diagnostic value of medical history and physical examination of anterior cruciate ligament injury: comparison between primary care physician and orthopaedic surgeon.

PURPOSE: Well-designed validity studies on the clinical diagnosis of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury are scarce. Our purpose is to assess the diagnostic value of ACL-specific medical history assessment and physical examination between primary and secondary care medical specialists. METHODS: Medical history assessment and physical examination were performed by both an orthopaedic surgeon and a primary care physician, both blinded to all clinical information, in a secondary care population. A knee arthroscopy was used as reference standard. A total of 60 participants were divided into an index group with an arthroscopically proven complete ACL rupture and a control group with an arthroscopically proven intact ACL. RESULTS: The orthopaedic surgeon recognized 94 % of the participants with an ACL rupture through a positive medical history combined with a positive physical examination; of the participants with an intact ACL, 16 % were misclassified by the orthopaedic surgeon. The primary care physician recognized 62 % of the participants with an ACL rupture and misclassified 23 % of the participants with an intact ACL. Physical examination appeared to have no additional value for the primary care physician. CONCLUSIONS: Combined medical history and physical examination have strong diagnostic value in ACL rupture diagnostics performed by an orthopaedic surgeon, whereas for the primary care physician, only medical history appeared to be of value. For current practice, this could mean that only orthopaedic surgeons can perform an ACL physical examination with accuracy. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

Are magnetic resonance imaging recovery and laxity improvement possible after anterior cruciate ligament rupture in nonoperative treatment?

PURPOSE: This study aimed to determine whether anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) features on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and knee laxity are improved 2 years after ACL rupture treated nonoperatively and to analyze the relation between changes in scores of ACL features and changes in laxity. METHODS: One hundred fifty-four eligible patients were included in a prospective multicenter cohort study with 2-year follow-up. Inclusion criteria were (1) ACL rupture diagnosed by physical examination and MRI, (2) MRI within 6 months after trauma, and (3) age 18 to 45 years. Laxity tests and MRI were performed at baseline and at 2-year follow-up. Fifty of 143 patients, for whom all MRI data was available, were treated nonoperatively and were included for this study. Nine ACL features were scored using MRI: fiber continuity, signal intensity, slope of ACL with respect to the Blumensaat line, distance between the Blumensaat line and the ACL, tension, thickness, clear boundaries, assessment of original insertions, and assessment of the intercondylar notch. A total score was determined by summing scores for each feature. RESULTS: Fiber continuity improved in 30 patients (60%), and the empty intercondylar notch resolved for 22 patients (44%). Improvement in other ACL features ranged from 4% to 28%. Sixteen patients (32%) improved on the Lachman test (change from soft to firm end points [n = 14]; decreased anterior translation [n = 2]), one patient (2%) showed improvement with the KT-1000 arthrometer (MEDmetric, San Diego, CA) and 4 patients (8%) improved on the pivot shift test. Improvement on the Lachman test was moderately negatively associated with the total score of ACL features at follow-up. Analyzing ACL features separately showed that only signal intensity improvement, clear boundaries, and intercondylar notch assessment were positively associated with improvement on the Lachman test. CONCLUSIONS: Two years after ACL rupture and nonoperative management, patients experienced partial recovery on MRI, and some knee laxity improvement was present. Improvement of ACL features on MRI correlates moderately with improved laxity. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level II, Prospective comparative study.

Phenotypic spectrum of the SMAD3-related aneurysms-osteoarthritis syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Aneurysms-osteoarthritis syndrome (AOS) is a new autosomal dominant syndromic form of thoracic aortic aneurysms and dissections characterised by the presence of arterial aneurysms and tortuosity, mild craniofacial, skeletal and cutaneous anomalies, and early-onset osteoarthritis. AOS is caused by mutations in the SMAD3 gene. METHODS: A cohort of 393 patients with aneurysms without mutation in FBN1, TGFBR1 and TGFBR2 was screened for mutations in SMAD3. The patients originated from The Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland and USA. The clinical phenotype in a total of 45 patients from eight different AOS families with eight different SMAD3 mutations is described. In all patients with a SMAD3 mutation, clinical records were reviewed and extensive genetic, cardiovascular and orthopaedic examinations were performed. RESULTS: Five novel SMAD3 mutations (one nonsense, two missense and two frame-shift mutations) were identified in five new AOS families. A follow-up description of the three families with a SMAD3 mutation previously described by the authors was included. In the majority of patients, early-onset joint abnormalities, including osteoarthritis and osteochondritis dissecans, were the initial symptom for which medical advice was sought. Cardiovascular abnormalities were present in almost 90% of patients, and involved mainly aortic aneurysms and dissections. Aneurysms and tortuosity were found in the aorta and other arteries throughout the body, including intracranial arteries. Of the patients who first presented with joint abnormalities, 20% died suddenly from aortic dissection. The presence of mild craniofacial abnormalities including hypertelorism and abnormal uvula may aid the recognition of this syndrome. CONCLUSION: The authors provide further insight into the phenotype of AOS with SMAD3 mutations, and present recommendations for a clinical work-up.

Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score or International Knee Documentation Committee Subjective Knee Form: which questionnaire is most useful to monitor patients with an anterior cruciate ligament rupture in the short term?

PURPOSE: To evaluate which questionnaire, the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) or the International Knee Documentation Committee Subjective Knee Form (IKDC subjective), is most useful to evaluate patients with recent anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) ruptures or those within 1 year of an ACL reconstruction. METHODS: Patients with recent (0-6 months) ACL ruptures or those with indications for ACL reconstruction were included. All patients completed the questionnaires shortly after trauma or preoperatively and again 1 year later. The KOOS has 5 subscales, each scored separately. The IKDC subjective consists of one total score. The following measurement properties of the KOOS and IKDC subjective were assessed: content validity (n = 45), construct validity (n = 100), test-retest reliability (n = 50), and responsiveness (n = 50). RESULTS: Regarding content validity, 2 KOOS subscales (Pain and Activities of Daily Living) were scored as nonrelevant. Two of the 18 questions on the IKDC subjective were assessed as nonrelevant. Only the KOOS subscale Sport and Recreation Function had acceptable construct validity (79% confirmation of the predefined hypotheses). None of the KOOS subscales had a sufficient score for responsiveness (<75% confirmation of the predefined hypotheses). The IKDC subjective scored acceptable for construct validity (84% confirmation of the predefined hypotheses) and responsiveness (86% confirmation of the predefined hypotheses). All KOOS subscales and the IKDC subjective had a reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC]) of 0.81 or higher. CONCLUSIONS: The IKDC subjective is more useful than the KOOS questionnaire to evaluate both patients with recent ACL ruptures and those in the first year after ACL reconstruction. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, prognostic validation study.

Protective effects of Syzygium cumini seed extract against methylmercury-induced sistemic toxicity in neonatal rats.

Syzygium cumini (L.) Skeels (Sc) belongs to the medicinal plants with an important source of phenolic compounds. Sc has been shown to possess antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Methylmercury (MeHg), a highly toxic environmental pollutant, induces oxidative stress and dysfunction in many cell types. This study was aimed to evaluate the effect of aqueous seed extract of Sc (ASc) on MeHg-induced toxicity in rats. Two-day-old rats (P2) received a single dose of MeHg (10 mg/kg) and two doses of ASc (0.9 mg/kg) per os. After two days, the effects of the treatment were investigated in the cerebral cortex, hippocampus, kidney, liver and urine samples. Our results demonstrated that N-acetyl-ß-D: -glucosaminidase (NAG) activity in the kidney and urine, the lipid peroxidation levels in the liver and kidney samples, as well as the adenosine deaminase (ADA) activity in the hippocampus, kidney and liver were higher in MeHg-group when compared to the control group. The administration of ASc reverted the toxic effects of MeHg. It is noteworthy to observe that the main compounds present in the ASc, as gallic acid (the major component), chlorogenic acid and rutin, might be the responsible for such benefit, since they were found to display antioxidant properties.

[Evaluation of rule out strategy for patients with non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome with single measurement of high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I from one sample tested beetween 3 and 6 hours after chest pain onset]. / Évaluation d'une stratégie d'exclusion d'un syndrome coronarien aigu non ST+ basé sur une unique mesure de troponine de haute sensibilité à partir d'un prélèvement effectué entre 3 et 6 heures après le début de la douleur.

BACKGROUND: Guidelines recommend to consider excluding non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) when high-sensitivity cardiac troponin is below the limit of quantification and a single blood sample is taken > 6 h after the onset of chest pain. The aim of our study was to assess such exclusion when a single blood sample was taken 3-6 h after the onset of permanent chest pain. METHODS: This observational study included consecutive patients admitted into the emergency room of our hospital with chest pain and suspected NSTEMI, with non-contributive electrocardiograms and a single high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I (hs-cTnI) blood sample taken 3-6 h after the onset of chest pain and hs-cTnI < 4 ng/l (Abbott Diagnostic). Clinical follow-up was undertaken 1 month after admission. RESULTS: The mean age of the 432 patients was 48.5 ± 5.6 years and 51% were male. Based on a clinical algorithm, the pre-test probability of NSTEMI was low in 70%, and intermediate in 21% of patients. Among 419 patients with available 1-month follow-up data, there were no myocardial infarctions or deaths. Thirty-eight patients (9%) were admitted into hospital but none for cardiac reasons. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that exclusion of NSTEMI in patients with a non-contributive electrocardiogram and a single "negative" troponin test in a blood sample taken 3-6 h after the onset of symptoms is valid.

Predictive Factors for Hamstring Autograft Diameter in Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction.

Multiple studies found hamstring tendon (HT) autograft diameter to be a risk factor for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction failure. This study aimed to determine which preoperative measurements are associated with HT autograft diameter in ACL reconstruction by directly comparing patient characteristics and cross-sectional area (CSA) measurement of the semitendinosus and gracilis tendon on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Fifty-three patients with a primary ACL reconstruction with a four-stranded HT autograft were included in this study. Preoperatively we recorded length, weight, thigh circumference, gender, age, preinjury Tegner activity score, and CSA of the semitendinosus and gracilis tendon on MRI. Total CSA on MRI, weight, height, gender, and thigh circumference were all significantly correlated with HT autograft diameter (p < 0.05). A multiple linear regression model with CSA measurement of the HTs on MRI, weight, and height showed the most explained variance of HT autograft diameter (adjusted R 2 = 44%). A regression equation was derived for an estimation of the expected intraoperative HT autograft diameter: 1.2508 + 0.0400 × total CSA (mm2) + 0.0100 × weight (kg) + 0.0296 × length (cm). The Bland and Altman analysis indicated a 95% limit of agreement of ± 1.14 mm and an error correlation of r = 0.47. Smaller CSA of the semitendinosus and gracilis tendon on MRI, shorter stature, lower weight, smaller thigh circumference, and female gender are associated with a smaller four-stranded HT autograft diameter in ACL reconstruction. Multiple linear regression analysis indicated that the combination of MRI CSA measurement, weight, and height is the strongest predictor.

Differences in Knee Shape between ACL Injured and Non-Injured: A Matched Case-Control Study of 168 Patients.

OBJECTIVE: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury prevention programs could be more effective if we could select patients at risk for sustaining an ACL rupture. The purpose of this study is to identify radiographic shape variants of the knee between patients with and patients without an ACL rupture. METHODS: We compared the lateral and Rosenberg view X-rays of 168 prospectively followed patients with a ruptured ACL to a control group with intact ACLs, matched for gender, after knee trauma. We used statistical shape modeling software to examine knee shape and find differences in shape variants between both groups. RESULTS: In the Rosenberg view X-rays, we found five shape variants to be significantly different between patients with an ACL rupture and patients with an intact ACL but with knee trauma. Overall, patients who had ruptured their ACL had smaller, flatter intercondylar notches, a lower lateral tibia plateau, a lower medial spike of the eminence, and a smaller tibial eminence compared to control patients. CONCLUSION: Patients with an ACL rupture have smaller intercondylar notches and smaller tibial eminences in comparison to patients with an intact ACL after knee trauma.

Complete Genome Sequences of Mycobacteriophages HarryOW and Peeb.

HarryOW and Peeb are Mycobacterium smegmatis mc2 155 Siphoviridae temperate phages with 52,935 and 41,876 base pairs in genome length, respectively. HarryOW belongs to the A1 subcluster and Peeb to the G1 subcluster. They were isolated and annotated by students from the SUNY Old Westbury Science and Technology Entry Program.

[Type A acute aortic syndromes: Assessment of the management delays in an emergency medicine network]. / Syndromes aortiques aigus de type A : évaluation des délais de prise en charge dans un réseau de médecine d'urgence.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the diagnostic delay (between first hospital medical contact and diagnosis) and the surgical delay (between diagnosis and incision) of type A acute aortic syndromes (AAAS) within the RENAU (REseau Nord Alpin des Urgences), organizing the management of emergency medicine care in the French North Alpine Arc. PROCEDURE: Multicenter retrospective study between 2012 and 2016 on the AAAS operated in the RENAU heart surgical centers (Annecy, Grenoble). Post-traumatic, iatrogenic or chronic lesions, incidental discoveries and deaths before surgery were excluded. RESULTS: One hundred and ninety-seven patients were included with a median age [IQR] of 65 years [58; 73] of which 67% were men. The median diagnosis delay was 88min [46;241] and the median surgical delay was 193min [146;249]. Initial management was performed by the SMUR for 102 patients (52%), 7% of whom received a pre-hospital transthoracic ultrasound. 52 patients (26%) presented themselves spontaneously to the emergency department. Patients were initially admitted in a center without cardiac surgery in 65% of cases. The CT scan was the diagnostic test in 81% of cases. The postoperative hospital mortality was 16%. CONCLUSION: Referring to IRAD data reporting a median diagnostic and surgical delay of 258min each, our study suggests that the RENAU organization may be associated with reduced diagnostic and surgical delays for patients with SAAA.

[Preventing anterior cruciate ligament injury in children is effective]. / Preventie van voorste-kruisbandletsels bij kinderen.

An anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in children is a devastating injury. After an ACL injury 1 in 3 children obtain a second injury of the ipsilateral or contralateral ACL. Children who suffer an ACL injury also have a ten times higher risk of osteoarthritis. Preventative training programmes can decrease the risk of acute knee injuries in young sportspeople; however, implementation of these prevention programmes is challenging, so it is important to inform associations, clubs, youth trainers and parents about the added value of these programmes. Children with ACL injuries must receive specialized guidance during rehabilitation, regardless of whether they have been treated conservatively or surgically. Because of the risk of a second ACL injury,we recommend that children should not to return to pivoting sports until at least 12 months after surgery for ACL.

[Evaluation of the management of low-risk pulmonary embolism diagnosed in an emergency department. HoPE study (Home treatment of Pulmonary Embolism)]. / Évaluation de la prise en charge des embolies pulmonaires à bas risque diagnostiquée aux urgences. Étude HoPE (Home Treatment of Pulmonary Embolism).

INTRODUCTION: Risk stratification allows outpatient management of low-risk pulmonary embolism (PE). Here, we carry out an evaluation of the professional practices on the emergency management of low-risk PE, after selection with the sPESI score. MATERIAL AND METHOD: All patients admitted to the emergency department of Chambéry hospital, with a final diagnosis of PE are analyzed. The PE of score sPESI at 0 are included, in the absence of contraindications. Ninety-day follow-up is done. The objective is to evaluate the proportion of ambulatory care for low-risk patients. RESULTS: Eighty PE were diagnosed in 2016, 28 with sPESI score at 0 and 3 patients excluded. Of the 25 inclusions, 6 patients had signs of right ventricular dysfunction and were therefore hospitalized. The remaining 19 were eligible for outpatient care but only 8 of them stayed less than 24hours in the hospital. DISCUSSION: The sPESI score is a decision support tool for outpatient management but should not be used alone. The search for right ventricular dysfunction seems important here.

[Evaluation of the incidence of radiodermatitis lesions in interventional cardiology]. / Évaluation de l'incidence des lésions de radiodermite en cardiologie interventionnelle.

PURPOSE: The percutaneous coronary interventions use large doses of ionizing radiation, particularly when treating complex lesions. The incidence of radio-induced skin lesions is poorly known. Our goal was to evaluate the frequency of occurrence of such lesions, as well as the factors that may contribute to a high radiation dose. The recommended DAP (dose-area product) cutoff for skin monitoring after percutaneous coronary interventions is 500Gy cm2. PATIENTS AND METHOD: We prospectively studied the incidence of acute (after 5-7 days) and subacute (after 7 days to 6 months) skin lesions following angioplasty with a dose-area product (DAP) ≥200Gy cm2 in patients who underwent coronary angioplasty in our center in 2013. RESULTS: Nine hundred and thirty three consecutive procedures were analyzed, of which 102 with a DAP ≥200Gy cm2. Three patients presented an acute lesion. Two of these three patients also had subacute lesions. Another patient presented only a subacute lesion. 4.82% (95% CI: [0-10]) of the patients with a DAP ≥200Gy cm2 developed radiodermitis lesions, or 0.47% (95% CI: [0-0.9]) of all the patients who underwent angioplasty. The Body Mass Index and the elective (as opposed to energy) procedures were independently associated with a procedure with a DAP ≥200Gy cm2. CONCLUSION: Radiodermatitis lesions occur for 4.82% of patients benefiting from procedures with a DAP ≥200Gy cm2. We suggest the establishment of a DAP threshold for dermal monitoring of patients of 200Gy cm2 per procedure instead of 500Gy cm2.

Quality of acute heart failure treatment in France: Data from REseau Nord-Alpin des Urgences (RENAU).

BACKGROUND: Although mortality due to acute heart failure has decreased, its prevalence in France is still high. The aim of this study was to examine the quality of acute heart failure treatment in French emergency departments (EDs) with reference to subsequently published European Society of Cardiology (ESC) recommendations. METHODS: The medical records of patients with acute pulmonary oedema (as a marker for acute heart failure) admitted to the EDs of 11 French hospitals in 2013 were reviewed retrospectively. RESULTS: A total of 834 patients were included (median [interquartile range] age 84 [78-89] years; 48.6% male). Rates of compliance of initial management in 2013 to subsequently published 2015 recommendations were as follows: (1) thoracic ultrasound was performed in 17.3%; (2) loop diuretics were given in 75.9%; at a correct dose (among those for whom this was calculable) in 40.0% (3); intravenous nitrates were given in 21.7% of patients with systolic blood pressure>110mmHg; (4) non-invasive ventilation was initiated in 22.0% of patients with respiratory distress. Discharge summaries most often lacked a scheduled cardiologist follow-up (89.4%) and discharge patient weight (78.9%). CONCLUSIONS: The early management of patients with acute pulmonary oedema (as a marker of acute heart failure) in France in 2013 was quite different to recommendations published in 2015. A programme to implement the new recommendations is in place, and a repeat evaluation will be conducted in 2017.

[Screening for familial hypercholesterolemia from low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels at admission in the coronary care unit]. / Dépistage de l'hypercholestérolémie familiale à partir du LDL cholestérol à l'admission en unité de soins intensifs cardiologiques.

BACKGROUND: Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is a frequent genetic disorder that leads to premature atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease. However, knowledge of FH by cardiologists is weak, and FH remains underdiagnosed in France. FH should be suspected when low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLc) levels exceed 1.9g/L (4.9mmol/L) without lipid lowering therapy. PURPOSE: This multicenter retro- and prospective observational study aimed at estimating the prevalence of high LDLc levels in patients admitted in coronary care units, and the impact for the personal and familial follow-up for lipid status. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of all plasma lipid measurements performed at admission in coronary care unit of 4 hospitals in 2017. Retrospective analyses of demographic, clinical, and coronary data of consecutive patients with LDLc levels≥1.9g/L. Prospective 1 year follow-up focused on lipid levels, treatments, and personal and familial screening for FH. RESULTS: Lipid measurement has been performed in 2172 consecutive patients, and 108 (5%) had LDLc level≥1.9g/L (mean age 64±14 years, men 51%). The primary cause of the hospitalisation was acute coronary syndrome (78%), and 22% of patients were free off coronary artery disease. Lipid lowering therapy was present in 9% of patients at admission, and 84% at discharge, with high statins regimen. At 1-year follow-up, control of LDLc level was not performed in 20% of patients, and statin dose was decreased (36%) or withdrawn (7%) in 43%. Lipid measurement has been performed in at least one first degree relative in 37% of patients, and genetic exploration has been done for 3 patients. CONCLUSIONS: Screening of FH in CCU should be routinely performed using the Dutch Score when LDLc is above 1.9g/L. Individual and familial management of patients at high risk for FH screened in CCU should be optimized, both for diagnosis and therapeutic purposes.

Reduction of radiation exposure associated with renewal of the radiologic systems in coronary interventions.

PURPOSE: Interventional coronary procedures are an important source of radiation. This study sought to evaluate the effect of the renewal of the radiologic system on patient exposure during diagnostic coronary angiography (DCA) and percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs). METHODS: DCA and PCIs were obtained from three centres, which renewed their radiologic systems during their participation in the multicentre prospective observational RAY'ACT-2 study. Data were analysed from the months before and after the radiologic system was changed. The primary outcomes were the dose reduction estimated by the kerma.area product (KAP in Gy·cm2) and the ratio of the KAP to fluoroscopy time (Gy·cm2·min-1). RESULTS: A total of 2148 patients underwent DCA (1575 before and 573 after the system change), and 1563 underwent PCI (1196 before and 367 after). A change in the radiologic system was associated with a KAP reduction of 43% for DCA (median [interquartile range]: 18.1Gy·cm2 [10.2-34.0] versus 31.5 [19.0-49.0], P<0.0001), and 38% for PCI (42.2Gy·cm2 [23.8-81.7] versus 70.1 [42.0-109.0], P<0.0001). Fluoroscopy time did not vary significantly, and the ratio KAP to fluoroscopy time significantly decreased by 54%. The dose reduction was homogeneous between the three centres and between different manufacturer's systems. CONCLUSIONS: In this multicentre study, the renewal of the radiologic system was associated with a highly significant 40%-50% reduction in radiation dose, irrespective of the manufacturer. A close interaction between manufacturers and operators is needed to optimise the use of new equipment and the effectiveness of radiation reduction tools and techniques.