High prevalence of abdominal aortic aneurysms in patients with lung cancer.

BACKGROUND: Lung cancer and abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) possess multiple shared risk factors. Whereas both have screening guidelines in place, they vary in methodology despite having significant overlap in populations of patients screened. METHODS: Our hospital system's Lung Cancer Program database was used to identify patients diagnosed with primary lung cancer within the past 15 years. Demographic and risk factor data were obtained, and patients' original positron emission tomography-computed tomography scans were re-read for measurements of the abdominal aorta (aortic diameter ≥3.0 cm). A cancer-free control group was obtained for comparison. Multilinear regression modeling was used to evaluate the independent associations of multiple variables on the presence of AAA. RESULTS: Among 814 patients with primary lung cancer, 90 (11.1%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 8.9%-13.3%) had AAA compared with 4 of 200 (2%; 95% CI, 0.1%-3.9%) in the control group (P = .0001). Patients who smoked were more likely than nonsmokers to have AAA (11.9% [95% CI, 9.8-14.6] vs 2.2% [95% CI, 0.1-8.1]; P = .0021). In patients with AAA, 12% (11/90) had aneurysms that required treatment, and 76.6% had early-stage lung cancer. Women in our study also had a high prevalence of AAA (4.6%). Logistic regression analysis showed male sex (odds ratio [OR], 3.70; P <.001), increasing age (OR, 1.07 per year; P <.001), smoking amount (OR, 1.01 per pack-year; P = .004), and hypertension (OR, 2.30; P = .020) to be independent risk factors for AAA. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with lung cancer have a high prevalence of AAA. If future studies can demonstrate a reduction in AAA mortality by screening for AAA and lung cancer simultaneously, it may prove worthwhile to extend the low-dose computed tomography scan through the lower abdomen in select patients.

Nesidioblastosis with delayed diagnosis and post-operative complications in a patient with complex psychiatric history.

Nesidioblastosis is a rare condition of organic persistent hyperinsulinaemic hypoglycaemia, with fewer than 100 cases since it was first recorded. However, an increasing prevalence suggests previous underdiagnosis due to poor knowledge and awareness. This case describes the presentation, clinical decision-making and unique challenges in diagnosis and care of a 21-year-old female with nesidioblastosis and extensive psychiatric comorbidities. She was repeatedly misdiagnosed until 2021, despite having presented to emergency departments with hypoglycaemic symptoms for over 7 years. Her symptoms were often misattributed to behaviours secondary to restrictive anorexia nervosa and borderline personality disorder. Even after appropriate diagnosis and management, she suffered a complicated post-operative course. Patients with psychiatric comorbidities are at higher risk of distress, communication difficulties and inadequate social support, all of which could be better managed with increased multidisciplinary collaboration between endocrine, surgery, psychiatry, pain management and social work. This study highlights the importance of well-rounded patient care that addresses all facets of patient health. This approach not only improves quality of care, but also reduces overall readmissions, revisions, morbidity and mortality.

Morphologic Severity of Atypia Is Predictive of Lung Cancer Diagnosis.

In cytologic analysis of lung nodules, specimens classified as atypia cannot be definitively diagnosed as benign or malignant. Atypia patients are typically subject to additional procedures to obtain repeat samples, thus delaying diagnosis. We evaluate morphologic categories predictive of lung cancer in atypia patients. This retrospective study stratified patients evaluated for primary lung nodules based on cytologic diagnoses. Atypia patients were further stratified based on the most severe verbiage used to describe the atypical cytology. Logistic regressions and receiver operator characteristic curves were performed. Of 129 patients with cytologic atypia, 62.8% later had cytologically or histologically confirmed lung cancer and 37.2% had benign respiratory processes. Atypia severity significantly predicted final diagnosis even while controlling for pack years and modified Herder score (p = 0.012). Pack years, atypia severity, and modified Herder score predicted final diagnosis independently and while adjusting for covariates (all p < 0.001). This model generated a significantly improved area under the curve compared to pack years, atypia severity, and modified Herder score (all p < 0.001) alone. Patients with severe atypia may benefit from repeat sampling for cytologic confirmation within one month due to high likelihood of malignancy, while those with milder atypia may be followed clinically.

Cardiac Surgery Exposure in General Surgery Residency-A Survey of General Surgery Residency Program Directors.

BACKGROUND: Little is known regarding how much exposure general surgery residents have to cardiac surgery, despite cardiothoracic (CT) surgery being an offered postresidency fellowship and career. Exposure to a subspecialty is important in shaping residents' interests and career decisions. METHODS: A survey was sent to all general surgery program directors via the Association of Program Directors in Surgery examining cardiac surgery exposure during training. The survey examined the presence of operative rotations in cardiac surgery and cardiac critical care, portions of cases residents were permitted to perform, cardiac surgery mentorship and education, and perceived biases in applying to cardiac surgery. Differences between programs with and without cardiothoracic training programs were analyzed. RESULTS: In total, 44% (102/230) of program directors responded to the survey. Residents were involved in operative cardiac and cardiac ICU rotations in 61 programs (69.8%) and 39 programs (38.2%), respectively. Twenty programs (19.6%) had a dedicated cardiothoracic surgery training program and these programs had significantly more graduates who aspired to be cardiac surgeons (M = 2.75, SD = 2.47) compared to hospitals with no CT programs (M = 1.43, SD = 1.41; p = 0.031). 35.3% of program directors reported resident concern over family life. CONCLUSIONS: There is a notable heterogeneity in general surgery resident exposure to cardiac surgery, cardiac ICU, and cardiac surgery mentorship. Increased exposure, mentorship and mitigating resident concern over the impact of social factors on cardiac surgical careers should be key areas of focus to ensure continued encouragement of future trainees and surgeons.

Developing & integrating a mobile application tool into a survivorship clinic for esophageal cancer patients.

Esophageal cancer (EC) patients are living longer due to enhanced screening and novel therapeutics, however, the post-esophagectomy long-term management remains challenging for patients, caregivers, and providers. Patients experience significant morbidity and have difficulty managing symptoms. Providers struggle to manage symptoms, affecting patients' quality of life and complicating care coordination between surgical teams and primary care providers. To address these patient unique needs and create a standardized method for evaluating patient reported long-term outcomes after esophagectomy for EC, our team developed the Upper Digestive Disease Assessment tool, which evolved to become a mobile application. This mobile application is designed to monitor symptom burden, direct assessment, and quantify data for patient outcome analysis after foregut (upper digestive) surgery, including esophagectomy. It is available to the public and enables virtual and remote access to survivorship care. Patients using the Upper Digestive Disease Application (UDD App) must consent to enroll, agree to terms of use, and acknowledge use of health-related information prior to gaining access to the UDD App. The results of patients scores can be utilized for triage and assessment. Care pathways can guide management of severe symptoms in a scalable and standardized method. Here we describe the history, process, and methodology for developing a patient-centric remote monitoring program to improve survivorship after EC. Programs like this that facilitate patient-centered survivorship should be an integral part of comprehensive cancer patient care.

Clinical Implications of "Atypia" on Biopsy: Possible Precursor to Lung Cancer?

BACKGROUND: It is common for biopsies of concerning pulmonary nodules to result in cytologic "atypia" on biopsy, which may represent a benign response or a false negative finding. This investigation evaluated time to diagnosis and factors which may predict an ultimate diagnosis of lung cancer in these patients with atypia cytology on lung nodule biopsy. METHODS: This retrospective study included patients of the Stony Brook Lung Cancer Evaluation Center who had a biopsy baseline diagnosis of atypia between 2010 and 2020 and were either diagnosed with cancer or remained disease free by the end of the observation period. Cox Proportional Hazard (CPH) Models were used to assess factor effects on outcomes. RESULTS: Among 106 patients with an initial diagnosis of atypia, 80 (75%) were diagnosed with lung cancer. Of those, over three-quarters were diagnosed within 6 months. The CPH models indicated that PET positivity (SUV ≥ 2.5) (HR = 1.74 (1.03, 2.94)), nodule size > 3.5 cm (HR = 2.83, 95% CI (1.47, 5.45)) and the presence of mixed ground glass opacities (HR = 2.15 (1.05, 4.43)) significantly increased risk of lung cancer. CONCLUSION: Given the high conversion rate to cancer within 6 months, at least tight monitoring, if not repeat biopsy may be warranted during this time period for patients diagnosed with atypia.

SAVE score with lactate modification predicts in-hospital mortality in patients with ongoing cardiac arrest during VA-ECMO cannulation.

The survival after veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation score and its lactate modification predict in-hospital mortality in patients based on pre-extracorporeal membrane oxygenation variables. Cardiac arrest history is a significant variable in these scores; however, patients with ongoing cardiac arrest during cannulation were excluded from these models. The goal of this study is to validate the survival after veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation score with a lactate modification among patients with ongoing cardiac arrest. In our study, the survival after veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation score predicted mortality in all patients, but did so with higher discrimination among ongoing cardiac arrest patients with a lactate modification.

Survival and Outcomes After Cardiac Arrest With VA-ECMO Rescue Therapy.

BACKGROUND: Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) use in patients with cardiac arrest is increasing. Utilization remains variable between centers using ECMO as a rescue therapy or early protocolized extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation. METHODS: Single-center, retrospective evaluation of cardiac arrest with cardiopulmonary resuscitation and rescue ECMO support from 2011 through 2019. Study objectives included survival, non-neurologic, and neurologic outcomes; validation of the SAVE and modified SAVE (mSAVE) scores for survival and favorable neurologic outcome; and predictive factor identification in cardiac arrest with ECMO rescue therapy. RESULTS: Eighty-nine patients were included. In-hospital survival was 38.2% and median CPC score was 2. Survivors had lower BMI (27.9 ±â€Š4.2 kg/m2 vs. 32.3 ±â€Š7.5 kg/m2, P = 0.003), less obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2) (26.5% vs. 49.1%, P = 0.035), shorter CPR duration (35.5 ±â€Š31.7 m vs. 58.0 ±â€Š49.5 m, P = 0.019), more tracheostomy (38.2% vs. 7.3%, P < 0.001), and less renal replacement therapy (RRT) (17.6% vs. 38.2%, P = 0.031). Patients with a favorable neurologic outcome had lower body weight (86.2 ±â€Š17.9 kg vs. 98.1 ±â€Š19.4 kg, P = 0.010), lower BMI (28.1 ±â€Š4.5 kg/m2 vs. 33.9 ±â€Š7.9 kg/m2, P < 0.001), and less obesity (29.7% vs. 56.3%, P = 0.026). mSAVE score predicted in-hospital survival (OR 1.11; 95%CI 1.03-1.19; P = 0.004) and favorable neurologic outcome (OR 1.11; 1.03-1.20; P = 0.009). Multivariate analysis for in-hospital survival included mSAVE, BMI, CPR-time, tracheostomy, and RRT (c-statistic: 0.864). Favorable neurologic outcome included mSAVE and BMI (c-statistic: 0.805). CONCLUSIONS: mSAVE, BMI, RRT, and tracheostomy are predictors of in-hospital survival and mSAVE and BMI are predictors of favorable neurologic outcome in cardiac arrest with ECMO rescue therapy.