Variations in Site-Specific Costs for Infants Born Extremely Preterm in Canadian Neonatal Intensive Care Units.

OBJECTIVE: To quantify site-specific costs and their association with survival without major morbidity (SWMM) in Canada for neonates <28 weeks of gestation admitted to large tertiary neonatal intensive care units. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis of infants born at <28 weeks of gestation and admitted to Canadian Neonatal Network sites from 2010 through 2021. Sites that cared for at least 50 eligible infants by gestational age in weeks over the study period were included. Using a validated costing algorithm that assessed physician, nursing, respiratory therapy, diagnostic imaging, transfusions, procedural, medication, and certain indirect costs, we calculated site and resource-specific costs in 2017 Canadian dollars (CAD) and evaluated their relationship with SWMM. RESULTS: Seven sites with 8180 (range 841-1605) eligible neonates with a mean (SD) gestation of 25.4 [1.3] weeks were included. Survival to discharge or transfer was 85.3% with a mean (SD) length of stay of 75 (46) days. The mean (SD) total and daily costs per neonate varied between $94 992 ($60 283) and $174 438 ($130 501) CAD and $1833 ($916) to $2307 ($1281) CAD, respectively. Between sites, there was no relationship between costs and SWMM. CONCLUSIONS: There was marked variation in costs and SWMM between sites in Canada with universal health care. The lack of concordance between both outcomes and costs among sites may provide possibilities for outcomes improvement and cost containment.

Variations in care of neonates during therapeutic hypothermia: call for care practice bundle implementation.

BACKGROUND: Therapeutic hypothermia (TH) is the gold-standard treatment for moderate and severe neonatal encephalopathy (NE). Care during TH has implications for long-term outcomes. Outcome variability exists among neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) in Canada, but care variations are not understood well. This study examines variations in care practices for neonates with NE treated with TH in NICUs across Canada. METHODS: A non-anonymous, web-based questionnaire was emailed to tertiary NICUs in Canada providing TH for NE to assess care practices during the first days of life and neurodevelopmental follow-up. RESULTS: Ninety-two percent (24/26) responded. Centres followed national guidelines regarding the use of the modified Sarnat score to assess the initial severity of NE, the need to initiate TH within the first 6 h of birth, and the importance of follow-up. However, other practices varied, including ventilation mode, definition/treatment of hypotension, routine echocardiography, use of sedation, use of electroencephalogram (EEG), MRI timing, placental analysis, and follow-up duration. CONCLUSIONS: NICUs across Canada follow available national guidelines, but variations exist in practices for managing NE during TH. Development and implementation of a consensus-based care bundle for neonates during TH may reduce practice variability and improve outcomes. IMPACT: This survey describes the current HIE care practices and variation among tertiary centres in Canada. Variations exist in the care of neonates with NE treated with TH in NICUs across Canada. This paper Identifies areas of variation that are not discussed in detail in the national guidelines and will help to set up quality improvement initiatives. Elucidating the variation in care practices calls for the creation and implementation of a national, consensus-based care bundle, with the objective to improve the outcomes of these critically ill neonates.

Twenty-seven-gauge vitrectomy: a consecutive, single-centre case series with exclusive use over a 4-year period.

BACKGROUND: To assess the safety and effectiveness of the exclusive use of 27-gauge instruments for all vitreoretinal diseases requiring vitrectomy. METHODS: In this retrospective study, 1020 consecutive surgeries were performed on 958 eyes of 848 patients using 27-gauge instruments from March 2017 to June 2021. Patients with a minimum follow-up of 3 months were included. Surgical case-mix, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), intraocular pressure (IOP), intra- and post-operative complications, and surgery times were recorded. RESULTS: The study patients were followed up for averagely 11 months. Of the 1020 vitrectomies, 958 were primary procedures. Of the 148 retinal detachment (RD) cases, 138 (93%) required a single vitrectomy. Primary macular hole closure was achieved in 143 of 145 (99%) cases. The average surgical times were 55 and 38 min for RD surgeries and for all other indications, respectively. BCVA improved significantly at the final visit (20/49) compared with the pre-operative visit (20/78) (p < 0.01). IOP was similar at the pre-operative (14.8mmHg) and final (14.3mmHg) visits. Complications recorded include transient hypotony in 39 eyes, iatrogenic retinal breaks in 2 eyes, and a vitreous bleed in 1 other eye. CONCLUSION: This study revealed that 27-gauge vitrectomy instruments can be used for a wide range of indications, with exclusive use in certain settings. The outcomes were similar to other gauges, including for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment, with minimal complications.

A prospective randomised controlled trial evaluating prophylactic Floseal, a gelatin and thrombin-based haemostatic matrix, in postoperative drain output and blood transfusion in transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion surgery.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the prophylactic use of Floseal in reducing postoperative blood loss in patients undergoing Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion (TLIF). TLIF is a lumbar spine decompression and fusion procedure with potential for postoperative blood loss. Prophylactic application of Floseal, a gelatin and thrombin-based haemostatic matrix to the surgical wound before closure was shown to be effective in reducing postoperative drain output in anterior cervical discectomy and fusion. This study postulated that prophylactic use of Floseal before wound closure would reduce postoperative blood loss in patients who underwent TLIF. METHODS: Randomised controlled trial comparing prophylactic use of Floseal and control in patients undergoing single level or two-level TLIF. Primary outcomes included postoperative drain output within 24 h and postoperative transfusion rate. Secondary outcomes included days of drain placement, length of stay and haemoglobin level. RESULTS: A total of 50 patients was recruited. Twenty six patients were allocated to the Floseal group and 24 were allocated to the control group. There were no baseline characteristic differences between the groups. There were no statistically significant differences in primary outcomes which included postoperative drain output within 24 h and postoperative transfusion rate between patients who received prophylactic Floseal and control. There were no statistically significant differences in secondary outcomes which included haemoglobin level, days of drain placement and length of stay between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Prophylactic use of Floseal was not shown to reduce postoperative bleeding in single level or two-level TLIF.

Neurodevelopmental Outcomes of Infants at <29 Weeks of Gestation Born in Canada Between 2009 and 2016.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate changes in mortality or significant neurodevelopmental impairment (NDI) in children born at <29 weeks of gestation in association with national quality improvement initiatives. STUDY DESIGN: This longitudinal cohort study included children born at 220/7 to 286/7 weeks of gestation who were admitted to Canadian neonatal intensive care units between 2009 and 2016. The primary outcome was a composite rate of death or significant NDI (Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, Third Edition score <70, severe cerebral palsy, blindness, or deafness requiring amplification) at 18-24 months corrected age. To evaluate temporal changes, outcomes were compared between epoch 1 (2009-2012) and epoch 2 (2013-2016). aORs were calculated for differences between the 2 epochs accounting for differences in patient characteristics. RESULTS: The 4426 children included 1895 (43%) born in epoch 1 and 2531 (57%) born in epoch 2. Compared with epoch 1, in epoch 2 more mothers received magnesium sulfate (56% vs 28%), antibiotics (69% vs 65%), and delayed cord clamping (37% vs 31%) and fewer infants had a Score for Neonatal Acute Physiology, version II >20 (31% vs 35%) and late-onset sepsis (23% vs 27%). Death or significant NDI occurred in 30% of children in epoch 2 versus 32% of children in epoch 1 (aOR, 0.86; 95% CI, 0.75-0.99). In epoch 2, there were reductions in the need for hearing aids or cochlear implants (1.4% vs 2.6%; aOR, 0.50; 95% CI, 0.31-0.82) and in blindness (0.6% vs.1.4%; aOR, 0.38; 95% CI, 0.18-0.80). CONCLUSIONS: Among preterm infants born at <29 weeks of gestation, composite rates of death or significant NDI and rates of visual and hearing impairment were significantly lower in 2013-2016 compared with 2009-2012.

Remote ischemic conditioning in necrotizing enterocolitis: study protocol of a multi-center phase II feasibility randomized controlled trial.

PURPOSE: Remote ischemic conditioning (RIC) is a maneuver involving brief cycles of ischemia reperfusion in an individual's limb. In the early stage of experimental NEC, RIC decreased intestinal injury and prolonged survival by counteracting the derangements in intestinal microcirculation. A single-center phase I study demonstrated that the performance of RIC was safe in neonates with NEC. The aim of this phase II RCT was to evaluate the safety and feasibility of RIC, to identify challenges in recruitment, retainment, and to inform a phase III RCT to evaluate efficacy. METHODS: RIC will be performed by trained research personnel and will consist of four cycles of limb ischemia (4-min via cuff inflation) followed by reperfusion (4-min via cuff deflation), repeated on two consecutive days post randomization. The primary endpoint of this RCT is feasibility and acceptability of recruiting and randomizing neonates within 24 h from NEC diagnosis as well as masking and completing the RIC intervention. RESULTS: We created a novel international consortium for this trial and created a consensus on the diagnostic criteria for NEC and protocol for the trial. The phase II multicenter-masked feasibility RCT will be conducted at 12 centers in Canada, USA, Sweden, The Netherlands, UK, and Spain. The inclusion criteria are: gestational age < 33 weeks, weight ≥ 750 g, NEC receiving medical treatment, and diagnosis established within previous 24 h. Neonates will be randomized to RIC (intervention) or no-RIC (control) and will continue to receive standard management of NEC. We expect to recruit and randomize 40% of eligible patients in the collaborating centers (78 patients; 39/arm) in 30 months. Bayesian methods will be used to combine uninformative prior distributions with the corresponding observed proportions from this trial to determine posterior distributions for parameters of feasibility. CONCLUSIONS: The newly established NEC consortium has generated novel data on NEC diagnosis and defined the feasibility parameters for the introduction of a novel treatment in NEC. This phase II RCT will inform a future phase III RCT to evaluate the efficacy and safety of RIC in early-stage NEC.

Guidelines for surfactant replacement therapy in neonates.

Surfactant replacement therapy (SRT) plays a pivotal role in the management of neonates with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) because it improves survival and reduces respiratory morbidities. With the increasing use of noninvasive ventilation as the primary mode of respiratory support for preterm infants at delivery, prophylactic surfactant is no longer beneficial. For infants with worsening RDS, early rescue surfactant should be provided. While the strategy to intubate, give surfactant, and extubate (INSURE) has been widely accepted in clinical practice, newer methods of noninvasive surfactant administration, using thin catheter, laryngeal mask airway, or nebulization, are being adopted or investigated. Use of SRT as an adjunct for conditions other than RDS, such as meconium aspiration syndrome, may be effective based on limited evidence.

The evaluation and management of neonatal brachial plexus palsy.

Neonatal brachial plexus palsy presents at birth and can be a debilitating condition with long-term consequences. Presentation at birth depends on the extent of nerve injury, and can vary from transient weakness to global paresis, with active range of motion affected. Serial clinical examination after birth and during the neonatal period (first month of life) is crucial to assess recovery and predicts long-term outcomes. This position statement guides the evaluation of neonates for risk factors at birth, early referral to a multidisciplinary specialized team, and ongoing communication between community providers and specialists to optimize childhood outcomes.

L'évaluation et la prise en charge de la paralysie néonatale du plexus brachial.

La paralysie néonatale du plexus brachial, qui se manifeste à la naissance, peut être débilitante et avoir des conséquences prolongées. La présentation à la naissance dépend de l'importance de la lésion nerveuse et peut varier entre une faiblesse transitoire et une parésie globale qui touche l'amplitude active des mouvements. Il est essentiel de procéder à des examens cliniques sériels après la naissance et pendant la période néonatale (jusqu'à l'âge d'un mois) pour évaluer le rétablissement et prédire le pronostic à long terme. Le présent document de principes décrit l'évaluation des facteurs de risque des nouveau-nés à la naissance, l'orientation précoce vers une équipe multidisciplinaire spécialisée et les communications entre les intervenants communautaires et les spécialistes pour optimiser le pronostic pendant l'enfance.

Preterm Premature Rupture of Membranes in Twins: Comparison of Rupture in the Presenting Versus Non-presenting Sac.

OBJECTIVE: This study sought to compare the latency from membrane rupture to delivery and subsequent neonatal outcomes in twin gestations complicated by preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM) of the presenting versus non-presenting sac. METHODS: This was a retrospective study of twin pregnancies over a 7-year period diagnosed with PPROM between 12 and 37 weeks gestation with a latency period to delivery of >24 hours. The ruptured sac was identified by ultrasound scan. The study compared the latency period from PPROM to delivery and subsequent neonatal morbidity and mortality resulting from rupture of the presenting versus non-presenting sac. Obstetric and neonatal outcomes were evaluated using a matched-cohort subset analysis (Canadian Task Force Classification II-2). RESULTS: During the study period, 77 twin pregnancies diagnosed with PPROM satisfied the inclusion criteria. The mean latency periods from PPROM to delivery were 10.1 days (n = 7) when the presenting sac ruptured and 41.3 days (n = 10) when the non-presenting sac ruptured (P < 0.05). Neonatal death was higher with PPROM of the presenting than the non-presenting sac (21.4% vs. 0%, respectively; P = 0.05). Neonates were more likely to be affected by retinopathy of prematurity (57% vs. 19%; P < 0.05) but less likely to have persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (0% vs. 25%; P < 0.05) when the rupture occurred in the presenting sac. The rates of other neonatal adverse outcomes were similar between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: In twin gestations there is a longer latency from PPROM to delivery and fewer neonatal complications when rupture occurs in the non-presenting rather than the presenting sac.

A national survey of the enteral feeding practices in Canadian neonatal intensive care units.

AIM: Nutrition affects the growth and neurodevelopmental outcomes of preterm infants, yet controversies exist about the optimal enteral feeding regime. The objective of this study was to compare enteral feeding guidelines in Canadian neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). METHOD: The research team identified key enteral feeding practices of interest. Canadian Neonatal Network site investigators at 30 Level 3 NICUs were contacted to obtain a copy of their 2016 to 2017 feeding guidelines for infants who weighed less than 1,500 g at birth. Each guideline was reviewed to compare recommendations around the selected feeding practices. RESULTS: Five of the 30 NICUs did not have a feeding guideline. The other 25 NICUs used 22 different enteral feeding guidelines. The guidelines in 40% of those NICUs recommend commencing minimal enteral nutrition (MEN) within 24 hours of birth and maintaining that same feeding volume for 24 to 96 hours. In 40% of NICUs, the guideline recommended that MEN be initiated at a volume of 5 to 10 mL/kg/day for infants born at <1,000 g. Guidelines in all 25 NICUs recommend the use of bovine-based human milk fortifier (HMF), and in 56% of NICUs, it is recommended that HMF be initiated at a total fluid intake of 100 mL/kg/day. Guidelines in only 16% of NICUs recommended routine gastric residual checks. Donor milk and probiotics are used in 76% and 72% of the 25 NICUs, respectively. CONCLUSION: This study revealed substantial variability in recommended feeding practices for very low birth weight infants, underscoring the need to establish a national feeding guideline for this vulnerable group.

Predictors of Severe Neurologic Injury on Ultrasound Scan of the Head and Risk Factor-based Screening for Infants Born Preterm.

OBJECTIVE: To identify risk factors for severe neurologic injury (intraventricular hemorrhage grade 3 or greater and/or periventricular leukomalacia) diagnosed by ultrasound scan of the head among infants born at 300-326 weeks of gestation and compare different screening strategies. STUDY DESIGN: This was a retrospective cohort study of infants born at 300-326 weeks or >326 weeks of gestation with a birth weight <1500 g admitted to neonatal intensive care units in the Canadian Neonatal Network from 2011 to 2016. Stepwise logistic regression analysis was used to identify significant risk factors and calculate aORs and 95% CIs. Risk factor-based screening strategies were compared. RESULTS: The rate of severe neurologic injury was 3.1% among infants screened (285/9221). Significant risk factors included singleton birth (aOR 1.96, 95% CI 1.35-2.85), 5-minute Apgar <7 (aOR 1.81, 95% CI 1.30-2.50), mechanical ventilation on day 1 (aOR 2.65, 95% CI 1.88-3.71), and treatment with vasopressors on day 1 (aOR 3.23, 95% CI 2.19-4.75). Risk categories were low (no risk factor, 1.2%, 25/2137), moderate (singleton with no other risk factor: 1.8%, 68/3678), and high (≥1 risk factor among 5-minute Apgar <7, receipt of vasopressors or mechanical ventilation on day 1: 5.6%, 192/3408). Screening moderate- to high-risk infants identified 91% (260/285) of infants with severe neurologic injury and would require screening fewer infants (1647 infants per year) than screening all infants <33 weeks of gestation (2064 infants screened per year, 93% [265/285] of cases identified). CONCLUSIONS: Risk factor-based ultrasound scan of the head screening among infants born at 30-32 weeks of gestation could help optimize resources better than gestational age based screening.

Sustained quality improvement in outcomes of preterm neonates with a gestational age less than 29 weeks: results from the Evidence-based Practice for Improving Quality Phase 3 1.

Quality improvement initiatives in neonatology have yielded positive results; however, few programs have demonstrated sustainability. We evaluated an ongoing, national quality improvement initiative (Evidence-based Practice for Improving Quality Phase 3 (EPIQ-3)) on outcomes of preterm neonates with a gestational age (GA) of 220-286 weeks (i.e., from 22 weeks and 0 days of gestation to 28 weeks and 6 days of gestation). Data from 7459 neonates admitted to 25 Canadian centers between 2013 and 2017 were studied. Trends in mortality and major morbidities were evaluated. The number of neonates with a GA of 220-236 weeks increased from 90 in 2013 to 139 in 2017 without a significant change in any other GA categories. In the entire cohort, the odds of composite outcome of mortality or any major morbidity (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 0.72, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.61-0.84) and of necrotizing enterocolitis (AOR 0.66, 95% CI 0.49-0.89) were lower in 2017 than in 2013. When calculated per year, the odds of composite outcome (AOR 0.93, 95% CI 0.89-0.97) and odds of necrotizing enterocolitis (AOR 0.89, 95% CI 0.82-0.96) decreased significantly. Among the subgroup of neonates with a GA of 260-286 weeks, the odds of composite outcome (AOR 0.63, 95% CI 0.51-0.79), necrotizing enterocolitis (AOR 0.44, 95% CI 0.26-0.73), and nosocomial infection (AOR 0.64, 95% CI 0.49-0.84) were reduced. The collaborative, multidisciplinary, nationwide EPIQ-3 program improved outcomes of preterm neonates, and the improvement was sustainable over 5 years.

Optimizing gentamicin conventional and extended interval dosing in neonates using Monte Carlo simulation - a retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Although aminoglycosides are routinely used in neonates, controversy exists regarding empiric dosing regimens. The objectives were to determine gentamicin pharmacokinetics in neonates, and develop initial mg/kg dosing recommendations that optimized target peak and trough concentration attainment for conventional and extended-interval dosing (EID) regimens. METHODS: Patient demographics and steady-state gentamicin concentration data were retrospectively collected for 60 neonates with no renal impairment admitted to a level III neonatal intensive care unit. Mean pharmacokinetics were calculated and multiple linear regression was performed to determine significant covariates of clearance (L/h) and volume of distribution (L). Classification and regression tree (CART) analysis identified breakpoints for significant covariates. Monte Carlo Simulation (MCS) was used to determine optimal dosing recommendations for each CART-identified sub-group. RESULTS: Gentamicin clearance and volume of distribution were significantly associated with weight at gentamicin initiation. CART-identified breakpoints for weight at gentamicin initiation were: ≤ 850 g, 851-1200 g, and > 1200 g. MCS identified that a conventional dose of gentamicin 3.5 mg/kg given every 48 h or an EID of 8-9 mg/kg administered every 72 h in neonates weighing ≤ 850 g, and every 24 and 48 h, respectively, in neonates weighing 851-1200 g, provided the best probability of attaining conventional (peak: 5-10 mg/L and trough: ≤ 2 mg/L) and EID targets (peak:12-20 mg/L, trough:≤ 0.5 mg/L). Insufficient sample size in the > 1200 g neonatal group precluded further investigation of this weight category. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides initial gentamicin dosing recommendations that optimize target attainment for conventional and EID regimens in neonates weighing ≤ 1200 g. Prospective validation and empiric dose optimization for neonates > 1200 g is needed.

Circulating biomarkers are not associated with endoleaks after endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms.

OBJECTIVE: Endoleak is a common complication of endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) but can be detected only through prolonged follow-up with repeated aortic imaging. This study examined the potential for circulating matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9), osteoprotegerin (OPG), D-dimer, homocysteine (HCY), and C-reactive protein (CRP) to act as diagnostic markers for endoleak in AAA patients undergoing elective EVAR. METHODS: Linear mixed-effects models were constructed to assess differences in AAA diameter after EVAR between groups of patients who did and did not develop endoleak during follow-up, adjusting for potential confounders. Circulating MMP9, OPG, D-dimer, HCY, and CRP concentrations were measured in preoperative and postoperative plasma samples. The association of these markers with endoleak diagnosis was assessed using linear mixed effects adjusted as before. The potential for each marker to diagnose endoleak was assessed using receiver operating characteristic curves. RESULTS: Seventy-five patients were included in the study, 24 of whom developed an endoleak during follow-up. Patients with an endoleak had significantly larger AAA sac diameters than those who did not have an endoleak. None of the assessed markers showed a significant association with endoleak. This was confirmed through receiver operating characteristic curve analyses indicating poor diagnostic ability for all markers. CONCLUSIONS: Circulating concentrations of MMP9, OPG, D-dimer, HCY, and CRP were not associated with endoleak in patients undergoing EVAR in this study.

Transradial Approach for Aortoiliac and Femoropopliteal Interventions: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: To present a systematic review and meta-analysis comparing the transradial approach for aortoiliac and femoropopliteal interventions to the traditional transfemoral access. METHODS: A search of the public domain databases MEDLINE, SCOPUS, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library Databases was performed to identify studies related to the use of the transradial approach for infra-aortic procedures. Meta-analysis was used to compare the transradial to the transfemoral route in terms of procedure success, complications, procedure parameters, and hospital length of stay. Results are presented as the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). RESULTS: Nineteen studies containing 638 patients with transradial access for lower limb interventions were selected. Lesions were treated from the aortic bifurcation down to the popliteal artery. The mean technical success rate was 90.9%, conversion to a transfemoral approach was necessary in 9.9%, and complications were reported in 1.9%. The meta-analysis included 4 comparative studies involving 114 transradial and 208 transfemoral procedures. There was no significant advantage of either approach in terms of procedure success (OR 5.0, 95% CI 0.49 to 50.83, p=0.17), but the risk of developing a complication was significantly lower (OR 0.25, 95% CI 0.07 to 0.86, p=0.03) with the transradial approach. CONCLUSION: Transradial access for lower limb endovascular interventions can be performed with comparable technical success and a lower overall complication profile compared to transfemoral access.

Position Statement: Guidelines for vitamin K prophylaxis in newborns: A joint statement of the Canadian Paediatric Society and the College of Family Physicians of Canada.

Newborns are at risk for vitamin K deficiency bleeding (VKDB) caused by inadequate prenatal storage and deficiency of vitamin K in breast milk. Systematic review of evidence to date suggests that a single intramuscular (IM) injection of vitamin K at birth effectively prevents VKDB. Current scientific data suggest that single or repeated doses of oral (PO) vitamin K are less effective than IM vitamin K in preventing VKDB. The Canadian Paediatric Society and the College of Family Physicians of Canada recommend routine IM administration of a single dose of vitamin K at 0.5 mg to 1.0 mg to all newborns. Administering PO vitamin K (2.0 mg at birth, repeated at 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 weeks of age) should be confined to newborns whose parents decline IM vitamin K. Health care providers should clarify with parents that newborns are at increased risk of VKDB if such a regimen is chosen. Current evidence is insufficient to recommend routine intravenous vitamin K administration to preterm infants undergoing intensive care.Keywords HDNB; Newborn; Prophylaxis; Vitamin K; VKDB.

Forty hours with a traumatic carotid transection: A diagnostic caveat and review of the contemporary management of penetrating neck trauma.

Although penetrating neck trauma (PNT) is uncommon, it is associated with the significant morbidity and mortality. The management of PNT has changed significantly over the past 50 years. A radiological assessment now is a vital part of the management with a traditional surgical exploration. A 22 years old male was assaulted by a screwdriver and sustained multiple penetrating neck injuries. A contrast CT scan revealed a focal pseudoaneurysm in the left common carotid artery bulb. There was no active bleeding or any other vascular injuries and the patient remained haemodynamically stable. In view of these findings, he was initially managed conservatively without an open surgical exploration. However, the patient was noted to have an acute drop in his hemoglobin count overnight post injury and the catheter directed angiography showed active bleeding from the pseudoaneurysm. Surgical exploration 40 hours following the initial injury revealed a penetrating injury through both arterial walls of the left carotid bulb which was repaired with a great saphenous vein patch. A percutaneous drain was inserted in the carotid triangle and a course of intravenous antibiotics for five days was commenced. The patient recovered well with no complications and remained asymptomatic at five months followup.

Guidelines for vitamin K prophylaxis in newborns.

Newborns are at risk for vitamin K deficiency bleeding (VKDB) caused by inadequate prenatal storage and deficiency of vitamin K in breast milk. Systematic review of evidence to date suggests that a single intramuscular (IM) injection of vitamin K at birth effectively prevents VKDB. Current scientific data suggest that single or repeated doses of oral (PO) vitamin K are less effective than IM vitamin K in preventing VKDB. The Canadian Paediatric Society and the College of Family Physicians of Canada recommend routine IM administration of a single dose vitamin K at 0.5 mg to 1.0 mg to all newborns. Administering PO vitamin K (2.0 mg at birth, repeated at 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 weeks of age), should be confined to newborns whose parents decline IM vitamin K. Health care providers should clarify with parents that newborns are at increased risk of VKDB if such a regimen is chosen. Current evidence is insufficient to recommend routine intravenous vitamin K administration to preterm infants undergoing intensive care.

Paclitaxel-coated balloon reduces target lesion revascularization compared with standard balloon angioplasty.

OBJECTIVE: Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a highly prevalent condition that contributes significantly to the morbidity and mortality of affected patients. PAD creates a significant economic burden on health care systems around the world. We reviewed all available literature to provide a meta-analysis assessing the outcome of patients treated with drug-eluting balloons (DEBs) compared with percutaneous transluminal balloon angioplasty (PTA) through measuring the rate of target lesion revascularization (TLR). METHODS: An electronic search of the MEDLINE, Scopus, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases was performed. Articles reporting randomized controlled trials that compared treatment with DEBs vs PTA were selected for inclusion. A meta-analysis was performed by pooling data on rates of TLR, binary restenosis (BR), and late lumen loss (LLL). RESULTS: The 10 included articles comprised a sample size of 1292 patients. Meta-analysis demonstrated the rate of TLR in DEB-treated patients was significantly lower compared with patients treated with PTA at 6 months (odds ratio [OR], 0.24; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.11-0.53; P = .0004), 12 months (OR, 0.28; 95% CI, 0.13-0.62; P = .002), and 24 months (OR, 0.25; 95% CI, 0.10-0.61; P = .002). Decreased LLL and BR was demonstrated at 6 months in patients treated with DEBs compared with patients treated with PTA (mean difference, -0.74; 95% CI, -0.97 to -0.51; P = .00001; OR, 0.34; 95% CI, 0.23-0.49; P = .00001). CONCLUSIONS: This meta-analysis demonstrates that treatment with DEBs compared with PTA results in reduced rates of reintervention in patients with PAD. Comparison of DEBs to other emerging treatments to determine which method results in the lowest reintervention rates and in the greatest improvement in quality of life should be the focus of future trials.