Short-term Results and Return to Duty Following Hip Arthroscopy in Soldiers.

BACKGROUND: Over the past several years there has been a marked increase in the number of Israel Defense Forces (IDF) soldiers having hip arthroscopy based on magnetic resonance arthrography diagnosis of hip labral tears and/or impingement. OBJECTIVES: To detail characteristics of soldiers who underwent hip arthroscopy and assess outcomes and rate of return to duty. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was conducted of all soldiers who underwent hip arthroscopy 2018 to 2020, and soldiers referred for hip arthroscopy during 2021. Demographic, medical, and military service data were collected from the computerized patient record. RESULTS: Our study comprised 117 soldiers (29% combatants, 24% females) who underwent hip arthroscopy, mean age 22 ± 3 years, range 18-42; 45% had physiotherapy before surgery; 31% were diagnosed during or within 3 months of having back pain and 20% had been referred for psychological assistance (not related to the hip pain); 15.4% had serious adverse events. The mean time to return to any duty (including clerical work) was 8.0 ± 0.6 months; 56% of the soldiers never returned to service and were discharged from the military. During the one-year follow-up, only 6% returned to their full pre-symptom activity. CONCLUSIONS: The short-term results of IDF soldiers who underwent hip arthroscopy during the study period were much inferior to those reported among athletes. The lack of specificity of the diagnostic tools (history, examination, and imaging) used to determine whether surgery for hip pain is likely to be beneficial in this population may be contributing to over-diagnosis and over-treatment.

Where Did the Patients Go? The IDF Medical Corps Medical Services Experience during the COVID-19 Outbreak: Lessons Learned.

BACKGROUND: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) led to two nationwide lockdowns in Israel, reducing both supply and demand for medical services in the Israel Defense Force (IDF). IDF soldiers serve on bases within Israel, and most of them return home at the end of the day, similar to other armies in the world. OBJECTIVES: To analyze the health services provided by the IDF with regard to policy changes during lockdowns. METHODS: We compared medical encounters between different services provided by the IDF Medical Corps. We related them to specific time periods: pre-first lockdown, first lockdown (and corresponding timeframes of the previous 3 years), between lockdowns, second lockdown, and post-second lockdown. RESULTS: Compared to past periods, we found a similar reduction of 27-30% in primary care medical encounter rates during the two lockdowns: 42-43% in sick days and 50-54% in referrals to the emergency department. Referral rates to all specialist medical encounters and elective surgeries decreased significantly during the first lockdown period and increased 1.2-3.5 times during the second lockdown. CONCLUSIONS: A continuance of the shift to telehealth is required to withstand a future lockdown, with a full supply of secondary medical services attuned to core medical issues relevant for combat personnel. A liberal sick leave policy is required to eliminate unnecessary in-person visits, thus reducing the risk of infection.

Severe obesity and cardio-metabolic comorbidities: a nationwide study of 2.8 million adolescents.

BACKGROUND: Severe obesity is rising among adolescents, but data on the prevalence of metabolic abnormalities among this group are limited. We assessed the secular trend of severe obesity and its association with major cardio-metabolic morbidities. METHODS: A total of 2,785,227 Israeli adolescents (aged 17.2 ± 0.5 years) who underwent a pre-recruitment medical examination including routine measurements of weight, height and blood pressure between 1967 and 2015 were included. In all, 230,639 adolescents with abnormally excessive BMI were classified into overweight, classes I, II, and III (severe) obesity. Logistic regression was applied to determine the association between BMI groups and prehypertension, high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes (T2DM). RESULTS: There was 45-fold increase in the prevalence of class III obesity during study period. Severe obesity was recorded in 2060 males and 1149 females, in whom nearly 35 and 43% had prehypertension or high blood pressure, respectively. Compared with adolescents with overweight, the odds ratios (ORs) for high blood pressure in classes II and III obesity groups, respectively, were 2.13 (95% CI, 2.04-2.23) and 2.86 (2.60-3.15) in males, and 2.59 (2.43-2.76) and 3.44 (3.04-3.90) in females, whereas the ORs for T2DM were 19.1 (12.3-29.6) and 38.0 (22.6-64.0) in males, and 15.1 (11.4-20.0) and 24.8 (17.2-35.7) in females. Results persisted in extensive sensitivity analyses including a longitudinal follow-up (median: males, 3.4 years; females, 4.9 years). CONCLUSIONS: Severe obesity showed a marked secular increase and was associated with significantly higher risk for abnormal blood pressure and T2DM than lower degrees of obesity, in both males and females.

Sex-specific associations between adolescent categories of BMI with cardiovascular and non-cardiovascular mortality in midlife.

CONTEXT: Most studies linking long-term consequences of adolescent underweight and obesity are limited to men. OBJECTIVE: To assess the sex-specific association of adolescent BMI with cardiovascular- and non-cardiovascular-related mortality in young adulthood and midlife. SETTING: A nationwide cohort. PARTICIPANTS: 927,868 women, 1,366,271 men. INTERVENTIONS: Medical examination data at age 17, including BMI, were linked to the national death registry. MAIN OUTCOMES: Death attributed to cardiovascular (CVD) and non-CVD causes. RESULTS: During 17,346,230 women-years and 28,367,431 men-years of follow-up, there were 451 and 3208 CVD deaths, respectively, and 6235 and 22,223 non-CVD deaths, respectively. Compared to low-normal BMI (18.5-22.0 kg/m2), underweight women had a lower adjusted risk for CVD mortality (Cox hazard ratio (HR) = 0.68; 95% CI 0.46-0.98) in contrast to underweight men (HR = 0.99; 0.88-1.13). The latter were at higher risk for non-CVD mortality (HR = 1.04; 1.00-1.09), unlike underweight women (HR = 1.01; 0.93-1.10). Findings, which persisted when the study sample was limited to those with unimpaired health, were accentuated for the obese with ≥ 30 years follow-up. Both sexes exhibited similarly higher risk estimates already in the high-normal BMI range (22.0 ≤ BMI < 25.0 kg/m2) with overall no interaction between sex and BMI (p = 0.62). Adjusted spline models suggested lower BMI values for minimal mortality risk among women (16.8 and 18.2 kg/m2) than men (18.8 and 20.0 kg/m2), for CVD and non-CVD death, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Underweight adolescent females have favorable cardiovascular outcomes in adulthood. Otherwise the risk patterns were similar between the sexes. The optimal BMI value for women and men with respect to future CVD outcomes is within or below the currently accepted low-normal BMI range.

Can cardiovascular reserve index (CVRI) on arrival to the trauma unit detects massive hemorrhage and predicts developing hemorrhage? observational prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: The detection of haemorrhage in trauma casualties may be delayed owing to compensatory mechanisms. This study aimed to evaluate whether the cardiovascular reserve index (CVRI) on arrival detects massive haemorrhage and predicts haemorrhage development in trauma casualties. METHODS: This was an observational prospective cohort study of adult casualties (≥18 years) who were brought to a single level-1 trauma centre, enroled upon arrival and followed until discharge. Vital signs were monitored on arrival, from which the CVRI and shock index were retrospectively calculated (blinded to the caregivers). The outcome measure was the eventual haemorrhage classification group: massive haemorrhage on arrival (MHOA) (defined by massive transfusion on arrival of ≥6 [O+] packed cells units), developing haemorrhage (DH) (defined by a decrease in haemoglobin >1 g/dl in consecutive tests), and no significant haemorrhage noted throughout the hospital stay. The means of each variable on arrival by haemorrhage group were evaluated using the analysis of variance. The authors evaluated the detection of MHOA in the entire population and the prediction of DH in the remainders (given that MHOA had already been detected and treated) by C-statistic predefined strong prediction by area under the curve (AUC) greater than or equal to 0.8, P less than or equal to 0.05. RESULTS: The study included 71 patients (after exclusion): males, 82%; average age 37.7 years. The leading cause of injuries was road accident (61%). Thirty-nine (54%) patients required hospital admission; distribution by haemorrhage classification: 5 (7%) MHOA, 5 (7%) DH, and 61 (86%) no significant haemorrhage. Detection of MHOA found a strong predictive model by CVRI and most variables (AUC 0.85-1.0). The prediction of DH on arrival showed that only lactate (AUC=0.88) and CVRI (0.82) showed strong predictive model. CONCLUSIONS: CVRI showed a strong predictive model for detection of MHOA (AUC>0.8) as were most other variables. CVRI also showed a strong predictive model for detection of DH (AUC=0.82), only serum lactate predicted DH (AUC=0.88), while all other variables were not found predictive. CVRI has advantages over lactate in that it is feasible in pre-hospital and mass casualty settings. Moreover, its repeatability enables detection of deteriorating trend. The authors conclude that CVRI may be a useful additional tool in the evaluation of haemorrhage.

Myocarditis following COVID-19 vaccination - A case series.

There have been reports of myocarditis following COVID-19 vaccination. We surveyed all hospitalized military personnel in the Isareli Defense Forces during the period of the COVID-19 vaccination operation (12/28/2021-3/7/2021) for diagnosed myocarditis. We identified 7 cases of myocarditis with symptoms starting in the first week after the second dose of COVID-19 Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. One case of myocarditis diagnosed 10 days after the second dose of the vaccine was not included. These 8 cases comprise of all events of myocarditis diagnosed in military personnel during this time period. All patients were young and generally healthy. All had mild disease with no sequalae. The incidence of myocarditis in the week following a second dose of the vaccine was 5.07/100,000 people vaccinated. Due to the nature of this report no causality could be established. Clinicians should be aware of the possibility of myocarditis following Pfizer-BioNTech vaccination. True incidence rates should be further investigated.

Diagnostic utility of array-based comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) in a prenatal setting.

OBJECTIVE: Array-based comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) is a new technique for detecting submicroscopic deletions and duplications. There is limited information regarding its use in the prenatal setting. Here, we present our experience of 269 prenatal aCGHs between 2006 and 2009. METHOD: The indications for testing were fetal anomalies on ultrasound (U/S), advanced maternal age (AMA), family history of a disorder of unknown etiology, parental concern, abnormal routine karyotype and abnormal serum biochemical screening for common fetal aneuploidies. RESULTS: Of 15 cases with a known abnormal karyotype, 11 had a normal aCGH. This enabled us to reassure the families and the pregnancies were continued. The remaining four showed an abnormal aCGH, confirming the chromosomes were unbalanced, and were terminated. Of 254 cases with a normal karyotype, 3 had an abnormal aCGH and were terminated. Overall, new clinically relevant results were detected by aCGH in 18 cases, providing additional information for prenatal genetic counseling and risk assessment. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that prenatal aCGH should be offered particularly in cases with abnormal U/S. We found the rate of detecting an abnormality by aCGH in low-risk pregnancies was 1:84, but larger studies will be needed to expand our knowledge and validate our conclusions.

An advanced chronic heart failure day care service: a 5 year single-center experience.

BACKGROUND: Chronic heart failure is associated with excessive hospitalizations and poor prognosis. OBJECTIVES: To summarize the 5 year experience of a single-center CHF day care service, detect the cardiovascular and non-cardiovascular events, and evaluate the safety of the treatments provided. METHODS: We retrospectively studied all patients admitted to the CHF day care service of the Sheba Medical Center between September 2000 and September 2005. RESULTS: Advanced (New York Heart Association class III-IV) CHF patients (n = 190), mean age 65 +/- 12 years and left ventricular ejection fraction 25 +/- 11%, were treated for 6 hourly biweekly visits; 77% had ischemic and 23% had nonischemic cardiomyopathy. Treatment included: intravenous diuretic combinations (91%), intermittent low dose (< or = 5 microg/kg/min) dobutamine (87%), low dose (< or = 3 microg/kg/min) dopamine (38%), intravenous iron preparation and/or blood (47%), and intravenous nitropruside (36%). Follow-up of at least 1 year from initiation of therapy was completed in 158 of 190 patients (83%). Forty-six (29.3%) died: 23% due to CHF exacerbation, 5.7% from infection, 4.4% from sudden cardiac death, 3.8% from malignancy, 2.5% from malignant arrhythmias, 1.9% from renal failure, 1.3% from stroke, and 0.6% from myocardial infarction. There were only 0.68 rehospitalizations/patient/year; the most frequent cause being CHF exacerbation (16.5%). CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrates the safety and potential benefits of a supportive day care service for advanced CHF patients. Multidrug intravenous treatment, accompanied by monitoring of electrolytes, hemoglobin and cardiac rhythm, along with education and psychological support, appear to reduce morbidity in advanced CHF patients and may have contributed to the lower than expected mortality/ hospitalization rate.

Life-threatening events during endurance sports: is heat stroke more prevalent than arrhythmic death?

BACKGROUND: Two important causes of sudden death during endurance races are arrhythmic death and heat stroke. However, "arrhythmic death" has caught practically all the attention of the medical community whereas the importance of heat stroke is less appreciated. OBJECTIVES: The study sought to determine what percentage of life-threatening events during endurance races are due to heat stroke or cardiac causes. METHODS: This retrospective study examined all the long distance popular races that took place in Tel Aviv from March 2007 to November 2013. The number of athletes at risk was known. The number of athletes developing serious sport-related events and requiring hospitalization was known. Life-threatening events were those requiring mechanical ventilation and hospitalization in intensive care units. RESULTS: Overall, 137,580 runners participated in long distance races during the study period. There were only 2 serious cardiac events (1 myocardial infarction and 1 hypotensive supraventricular tachyarrhythmia), neither of which were fatal or life threatening. In contrast, there were 21 serious cases of heat stroke, including 2 that were fatal and 12 that were life threatening. One of the heat stroke fatalities presented with cardiac arrest without previous warning. CONCLUSIONS: In our cohort of athletes participating in endurance sports, for every serious cardiac adverse event, there were 10 serious events related to heat stroke. One of the heat stroke-related fatalities presented with unheralded cardiac arrest. Our results put in a different perspective the ongoing debate about the role of pre-participation electrocardiographic screening for the prevention of sudden death in athletes.

Atrial fibrillation, stroke, and mortality rates after transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is considered a suitable treatment for patients with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis and high operative risk. Our aim was to evaluate the effect of preprocedural and new-onset atrial fibrillation (NOAF) on mortality and stroke in patients who underwent TAVI. We performed a single-center study of 380 consecutive patients enrolled to a TAVI registry. NOAF was defined as postprocedural atrial fibrillation (AF) occurring within 30 days after the procedure. Patients were followed up for a mean of 528 ± 364 days. During follow-up, 19 (5%) new episodes of stroke occurred, of whom 6 and 18 cases occurred within 30 days and 1 year, respectively. Overall mortality during the follow-up was 68 (20%), of those 12 and 58 patients died within 30 days and 1 year, respectively. NOAF occurred in 31 (8.2%) patients and was not associated with higher stroke or mortality rates at 30 days or 1 year of follow-up. Notably, compared with patients without previous AF, patients with previous AF at baseline had increased rates of stroke and mortality at 1-year follow-up (2.1% vs 9.6%, p = 0.01, and 8.2% vs 34.9%, p <0.01; respectively). In multivariate analysis, AF at baseline but not NOAF was a significant predictor of mortality throughout the follow-up period (HR 2.2, 95% confidence interval 1.3 to 3.8, p = 0.003, and HR 1.5, 95% confidence interval 0.5 to 4.1, p = 0.390, respectively). In conclusion, previous AF at baseline but not NOAF significantly increases stroke and mortality rates after TAVI. The inclusion of AF into future TAVI risk stratification scores should be strongly considered.