COVID-19 among workers of a comprehensive cancer centre between first and second epidemic waves (2020): a seroprevalence study in Catalonia, Spain.

OBJECTIVES: Patients with cancer are at higher risk for severe COVID-19 infection. COVID-19 surveillance of workers in oncological centres is crucial to assess infection burden and prevent transmission. We estimate the SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence among healthcare workers (HCWs) of a comprehensive cancer centre in Catalonia, Spain, and analyse its association with sociodemographic characteristics, exposure factors and behaviours. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study (21 May 2020-26 June 2020). SETTING: A comprehensive cancer centre (Institut Català d'Oncologia) in Catalonia, Spain. PARTICIPANTS: All HCWs (N=1969) were invited to complete an online self-administered epidemiological survey and provide a blood sample for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies detection. PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURE: Prevalence (%) and 95% CIs of seropositivity together with adjusted prevalence ratios (aPR) and 95% CI were estimated. RESULTS: A total of 1266 HCWs filled the survey (participation rate: 64.0%) and 1238 underwent serological testing (97.8%). The median age was 43.7 years (p25-p75: 34.8-51.0 years), 76.0% were female, 52.0% were nursing or medical staff and 79.0% worked on-site during the pandemic period. SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence was 8.9% (95% CI 7.44% to 10.63%), with no differences by age and sex. No significant differences in terms of seroprevalence were observed between onsite workers and teleworkers. Seropositivity was associated with living with a person with COVID-19 (aPR 3.86, 95% CI 2.49 to 5.98). Among on-site workers, seropositive participants were twofold more likely to be nursing or medical staff. Nursing and medical staff working in a COVID-19 area showed a higher seroprevalence than other staff (aPR 2.45, 95% CI 1.08 to 5.52). CONCLUSIONS: At the end of the first wave of the pandemic in Spain, SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence among Institut Català d'Oncologia HCW was lower than the reported in other Spanish hospitals. The main risk factors were sharing household with infected people and contact with COVID-19 patients and colleagues. Strengthening preventive measures and health education among HCW is fundamental.

Mapping potentials adjacent to the cavo-tricuspid isthmus ablation line during incremental pacing: A feasible and highly accurate maneuver to confirm complete CTI conduction block.

BACKGROUND: The diagnostic accuracy of incremental atrial pacing (IP) to determine complete cavo-tricuspid isthmus (CTI) block during typical atrial flutter (AFL) ablation is limited by both an extensive/nonlinear ablation and/or the presence of intra-atrial conduction delay elsewhere in the right atrium. We examined the diagnostic performance of an IP variant based on the assessment of the atrial potentials adjacent to the ablation line which aims at overcoming both limitations. METHODS: From a prospective population of 108 consecutive patients, 15 were excluded due to observation of inconclusive CTI ablation potentials precluding for a straight comparison between the IP maneuver and its variant. In the remaining 93, IP was performed from the low lateral right atrium and the coronary sinus ostium, with the ablation catheter positioned both at the CTI line and adjacent (<5 mm) to its septal and lateral aspect. The IP variant consisted of measuring the interval between the two atrial electrograms situated on the same side of the ablation line, opposite to the pacing site, a ≤10 ms increase indicating complete CTI block. RESULTS: The IP maneuver and its variant were consistent with complete CTI block in 82/93 (88%) and 87/93 (93%) patients, respectively. Four patients had AFL recurrence during follow-up: 2/4 and 4/4 had been adequately classified as incomplete block by the IP maneuver and its variant, respectively. Twenty-three patients (24%) had significant intra-atrial conduction delay elsewhere in the right atrium. The IP maneuver and its variant were suggestive of an incomplete CTI block in 11/23 and 4/23 in this setting (P = .028), with the later best predicting subsequent AFL relapses (2/12 vs 2/4, P = .01). CONCLUSIONS: The IP variant, which was designed to overcome the limitations of the conventional IP maneuver, accurately distinguishes complete from incomplete CTI block and helps to predict AFL recurrences after ablation.

Burning the Gap: Electrical and Anatomical Basis of the Incremental Pacing Maneuver for Cavotricuspid Isthmus Block Assessment.

INTRODUCTION: The incremental pacing (IP) maneuver is a highly specific technique that improves the ability to confirm complete CTI conduction block during typical atrial flutter (AFL) ablation, and reduces long-term AFL recurrences. The purpose of this study is to assess the performance of new catheters equipped with additional high precision bipoles (AHPB) to allow the visualization of the cavotricuspid isthmus (CTI) conduction gap and to compare them with the IP maneuver. METHODS AND RESULTS: Twenty consecutive patients undergoing catheter ablation of the CTI for AFL were included. The IP maneuver confirmed functional versus complete CTI block. Local electrogram analysis using AHPB was then used to assess the presence or absence of gaps across the CTI line. Mean age was 67 years and 80% were male. At the end of the procedure CTI block was achieved in all patients. A transient stage of functional CTI block was observed in 40%. In all cases a continuous fragmented electrogram was present between the double potentials in the CTI in the AHPB channels. In contrast, no electrogram was observed between the CTI double potentials in any of the 20 patients once complete block was confirmed by the IP maneuver. When both techniques were compared a significant association and correlation were observed (chi-square <0.01, Spearman's rho = 1, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Catheters equipped with AHPB can aid in the assessment of complete CTI block during AFL ablation procedures by detecting conduction gaps that correlate with incomplete functional block diagnosed by the IP maneuver.

Electro-acupuncture for treatment of knee pain from osteoarthritis and the possible endocrinology changes: a study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Osteoarthritis of the knee is a major cause of disability among adults. Electro-acupuncture is considered a potentially useful treatment for osteoarthritis. The purpose of this study is to assess the efficacy of electro-acupuncture on pain control, pain perception, plasma cortisol and beta-endorphin levels, patient-perceived quality of life, and pain medication use in patients with chronic knee pain. METHODS/DESIGN: This study is a placebo-controlled, randomized, double-blind, parallel design trial. One hundred sixty out-patients who are more than 50 years old and who have osteoarthritis of the knee will be recruited from the island of Mallorca, Spain. Each participant will be randomly placed into one of two groups: (sham) electro-acupuncture non-insertion technique and real electro-acupuncture. Acupuncture treatments will be the Traditional Chinese Medicine type. The patients will be evaluated after a period of 1 month (with two weekly sessions), 3 months (with one monthly session), 6 months (with one session every 45 days), and 1 year later with follow-up sessions at the end of the study (with one session every 2 months). The primary outcomes will be based on the observed changes from the baseline of the visual analogue scale (VAS) and the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) for pain measured at 12 weeks after the end of treatment. Also to be included in the study are the possible changes in the secondary efficacy variables from baseline as assessed by the Short Form 36 version 2 health survey (patient-perceived quality of life), patient plasma cortisol and beta-endorphin levels at the different treatment stages, the Goldberg Anxiety and Depression Scale, pain medication use, functional capacity and stiffness (WOMAC subscales), and a VAS. These variables will be assessed at 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year after study commencement. DISCUSSION: The findings from this study will help to determine whether electro-acupuncture is effective for chronic knee pain management in older people and whether electro-acupuncture can deliver results for the improvement of pain relief, stiffness, and disability. The study will therefore be a major step toward understanding the roles of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and the endogenous opioid system in the effectiveness of electro-acupuncture for chronic pain. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT02299713 (11 Nov. 2014).