Impact of Surgical Positioning on the Occurrence of Postoperative Ipilateral Shoulder Pain After Lung Resection by Video-Assisted Thoracoscopy: A Randomized Trial.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of the ipsilateral arm position on ipsilateral shoulder pain after lung cancer resection by video-assisted thoracic surgery. DESIGN: A prospective randomized controlled trial. SETTING: A single academic center study. PARTICIPANTS: Patients undergoing video-assisted thoracic surgery pulmonary resection for cancer at the Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et de Pneumologie de Québec from May 2020 to May 2022 were included. INTERVENTIONS: Patients randomly were assigned with a 1:1 ratio to a supported or suspended ipsilateral arm position. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Ipsilateral shoulder pain incidence, pain score, and opioid use were recorded in the postanesthesia care unit (PACU) on postoperative days 1 and 2. One hundred thirty-three patients were randomized, 67 in the suspended-arm group and 66 in the supported-arm group. Of the patients, 31% reported ipsilateral shoulder pain in the PACU with no difference between groups (19/67 [28.4%] v 22/66 patients (33.3%), p = 0.5767). There was no significant difference between the pain score in the PACU (3 [0-6] v 4 [0-6], p = 0.9055) at postoperative day 1 (4 [2-6] v 3 [2-5], p = 0.4113) and at postoperative day 2 (2 [0-5] v 2 [1-4], p = 0.9508). Ipsilateral shoulder pain score decreased rapidly on postoperative day 2. There was no statistical difference in opioid and gabapentinoid use between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Ipsilateral arm position seems to have no impact on ipsilateral shoulder pain.

Post-pneumonectomy patients undergoing cardiac surgery: A case series.

BACKGROUND: Data regarding post-pneumonectomy patient assessment for cardiac surgery is scarce. This retrospective study was conducted to define early and late outcomes in these patients, and to identify risk factors for poor outcomes. METHODS: This study included patients with a previous history of pneumonectomy undergoing on-pump cardiac surgery with median sternotomy. The institutional database was reviewed from 1992 to 2018. RESULTS: Sixteen post-pneumonectomy patients (all lung cancer) were identified. The age range was 53-81 years. The mean FEV1/FVC was 69%. The mean EuroSCORE II was 11.6%. Four patients had heart failure symptoms in the 2 weeks before surgery. Seven patients had isolated coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and six patients had CABG + aortic valve replacement (AVR). The major perioperative events affecting the ease and outcomes of the surgical procedures were structural shifts (5), extensive adhesions on heart and vessels (5), and extensive calcification of heart components (5). Important postoperative complications were respiratory (7), infections (5), and acute kidney injury (5). The median hospital length of stay was 7 days. Five patients died in hospital (none with isolated CABG) with a preoperative New York Heart Association classification (NYHA) of III-IV, a cardiopulmonary bypass time of 175.2 min and an aortic cross-clamp time of 104.0 min. The long-term survival data were recorded with a mean follow-up of 7.3 ± 7.1 years (range from 0 to 19). The overall, 5-year survival, was 50% for all cardiac surgeries, 71% for isolated CABG surgeries, and 17% for CABG + AVR surgeries, respectively. CONCLUSION: Post-pneumonectomy patients have acceptable postoperative outcomes and survival. Simple and short surgeries with careful planning can yield favorable outcomes for this high-risk subgroup of patients.

Transitioning to Del Nido cardioplegia for all-comers: the next switching gear?

BACKGROUND: Exclusive use of Del Nido cardioplegia administration in all adult patients undergoing cardiac surgery has been studied for operative, postoperative and myocardial protection outcomes. METHODS: From November 2016 to October 2017, Del Nido cardioplegia was used in 131 consecutive patients (DN group). Using a propensity score, DN group was compared to 251 patients having received intermittent cold blood cardioplegia (CB group). RESULTS: Preoperative characteristics were similar in DN and CB groups. Operative outcomes were statistically different (p < 0.0001): cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) time (DN 105.9 ± 46.5, CB 131.2 ± 38.8); aortic cross-clamp time (DN 80.8 ± 35.5, CB 102.2 ± 31.3); operative time (DN 203.1 ± 65.0, CB 241.5 ± 54.7); total cardioplegia volume (DN 1328 ± 879, CB 3773 ± 1226); and peak glycemia on CPB (DN 8.2 ± 2.3, CB 9.0 ± 1.8). No statistical differences were noted in intensive care unit stay, hospital stay and hospital death. Myocardial protection outcomes were similar: discharge left ventricular ejection fraction (DN 52 ± 11, CB 51 ± 10); Troponin levels at the end of the surgery (DN 871 ± 1623, CB 1958 ± 854), day 1 (DN 853 ± 1139, CB 993 ± 8234) and day 4 (DN 442 ± 540, CB 463 ± 317). CONCLUSION: Del Nido cardioplegia use in all adult cardiac surgeries is associated with improved surgical efficiency. The design of larger trials including adults combined cardiac procedures and emergencies is needed.

Evaluation of hyperoxia-induced hypercapnia in obese patients after cardiac surgery: a randomized crossover comparison of conservative and liberal oxygen administration.

PURPOSE: Recent studies on patients with stable obesity-hypoventilation syndrome have raised concerns about hyperoxia-induced hypercapnia in this population. This study aimed to evaluate whether a higher oxygen saturation target would increase arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO2) in obese patients after coronary artery bypass grafting surgery (CABG). METHODS: Obese patients having CABG were recruited. With a randomized crossover design, we compared two oxygenation strategies for 30 min each, immediately after extubation: a peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2) target of ≥ 95% achieved with manual oxygen titration (liberal) and a SpO2 target of 90% achieved with FreeO2, an automated oxygen titration device (conservative). The main outcome was end-of-period arterial PaCO2. RESULTS: Thirty patients were included. Mean (standard deviation [SD]) body mass index (BMI) was 34 (3) kg·m-2 and mean (SD) baseline partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PCO2) was 40.7 (3.1) mmHg. Mean (SD) end-of-period PaCO2 was 42.0 (5.4) mmHg in the conservative period, compared with 42.6 (4.6) mmHg in the liberal period [mean difference - 0.6 (95% confidence interval - 2.2 to 0.9) mmHg; P = 0.4]. Adjusted analysis for age, BMI, narcotics, and preoperative PaCO2 did not substantively change the results. Fourteen patients were retainers, showing an elevation in mean (SD) PaCO2 in the liberal period of 3.3 (4.1) mmHg. Eleven patients had the opposite response, with a mean (SD) end-of-period PaCO2 decrease of 1.8 (2.2) mmHg in the liberal period. Five patients had a neutral response. CONCLUSION: This study did not show a clinically important increase in PaCO2 associated with higher SpO2 values in this specific population of obese patients after CABG. Partial pressure of carbon dioxide increased with liberal oxygen administration in almost half of the patients, but no predictive factor was identified. TRIAL REGISTRATION: www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT02917668); registered 25 September, 2016.

Lung cancer resection and postoperative outcomes in COPD: A single-center experience.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) increases postoperative morbidity and is associated with diminished long-term survival after lung cancer resection. Whether this is also true for mild-to-moderate COPD is uncertain. We conducted a retrospective analysis of all the patients who underwent lung cancer surgery between 2002 and 2012 in a university-affiliated hospital. The severity of airflow limitation was stratified according to the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) from stage 1 to 4. Data from 1456 cases of lung cancer surgery were reviewed and 1126 patients were included in the study: 672 (59.7%) patients had COPD (GOLD 1, n = 340; GOLD 2, n = 282; GOLD 3, n = 50) and 454 patients had a normal spirometry (controls). Following lung cancer resection, patients with COPD had a higher rate of postoperative morbidities of any kind (p < 0.0001), in particular, pneumonia (7.0% vs. 3.7%; p = 0.0251) and prolonged air leak (17.0% vs. 8.2%; p < 0.0001) than controls. In-hospital mortality was increased in GOLD 3 COPD but the incidence of other postoperative complications was not influenced by COPD severity. Neither COPD nor its severity influenced long-term survival in this population. To conclude, patients with COPD undergoing lung cancer surgery were at higher risk of postoperative complications than patients with normal respiratory function but the procedure was considered safe. The presence of COPD itself did not influence long-term survival. The results of our study apply mainly to patients with a GOLD 1 and 2 COPD since only a small number of patients with GOLD 3 COPD were involved.

Adherence to long-term oxygen therapy in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Long-term oxygen therapy (LTOT) has beneficial effects on survival in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and severe hypoxemia at rest. Two landmark trials suggested that these benefits depend on the time of exposure to oxygen. Patients are usually prescribed LTOT for at least 15-18 hours/day. The primary objective of this study was to determine the average daily exposure to supplemental oxygen in patients with severely hypoxemic COPD who were newly prescribed LTOT and the proportion of patients who were adherent to their prescription. The secondary objective was to identify predictors of compliance to LTOT. We performed a retrospective observational study of patients newly registered in a regional home oxygen program in Quebec, Canada, between July 1, 2013, and December 31, 2014. Daily exposure to oxygen was objectively measured from the concentrator's counter clock. From 196 patients registered in the program during the study period, 115 contributed to the analysis. Most patients ( n = 84; 73%) were prescribed oxygen for ≥18 hours/day. Overall, the 115 patients were exposed to home oxygen for 17.8 hours/day; 60% of the patients were compliant according to our definition. Increasing age and ambulatory oxygen utilization predicted adherence to oxygen therapy. Adherence to home oxygen therapy is suboptimal. Behavioral and psychological interventions to improve compliance to LTOT should be investigated.

Warfarin Dose Adjustment After Biliopancreatic Diversion/Duodenal Switch Bariatric Surgery.

BACKGROUND: The absorption of drugs and fat-soluble vitamins is impaired after bariatric surgery on which intestinal length and function are altered. In this context, the anticoagulant effect of warfarin is difficult to predict in the postoperative period. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed at describing the average weekly warfarin dose required to maintain a therapeutic international normalized ratio (INR) before and up to 1 year after sleeve gastrectomy with biliopancreatic diversion and duodenal switch (BPD/DS). Secondary end points included the number of patients requiring a minimal 20% reduction in their weekly dose of warfarin following the BPD/DS. METHODS: This descriptive and retrospective longitudinal population study included 20 patients using warfarin who underwent BPD/DS. An INR was considered nontherapeutic if it was below or above 15% of the targeted therapeutic range for any given patient. RESULTS: One month after the surgery, the median weekly dose of warfarin was 55% lower than the preoperative dose ( P < 0.0001). In the 9 patients with full follow-up data, the warfarin dose at 1 year was still 39% lower than the preoperative dose ( P < 0.05). At that time, all patients presented a minimal dose reduction of 20%. CONCLUSIONS: BPD/DS robustly reduced the requirement of warfarin, which resulted in lower doses after surgery. This persisted over the first year after the surgery, likely because of enhanced sensitivity. The mechanisms for this effect remain multifactorial, and the exact extent of change in dose cannot be predicted.

Effects of High-Flow Nasal Cannula on the Work of Breathing in Patients Recovering From Acute Respiratory Failure.

OBJECTIVES: High-flow nasal cannula is increasingly used in the management of respiratory failure. However, little is known about its impact on respiratory effort, which could explain part of the benefits in terms of comfort and efficiency. This study was designed to assess the effects of high-flow nasal cannula on indexes of respiratory effort (i.e., esophageal pressure variations, esophageal pressure-time product/min, and work of breathing/min) in adults. DESIGN: A randomized controlled crossover study was conducted in 12 patients with moderate respiratory distress (i.e., after partial recovery from an acute episode, allowing physiologic measurements). SETTING: Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et de Pneumologie de Québec, QC, Canada. SUBJECTS: Twelve adult patients with respiratory distress symptoms were enrolled in this study. INTERVENTIONS: Four experimental conditions were evaluated: baseline with conventional oxygen therapy and high-flow nasal cannula at 20, 40, and 60 L/min. The primary outcomes were the indexes of respiratory effort (i.e., esophageal pressure variations, esophageal pressure-time product/min, and work of breathing/min). Secondary outcomes included tidal volume, respiratory rate, minute volume, dynamic lung compliance, inspiratory resistance, and blood gases. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Esophageal pressure variations decreased from 9.8 (5.8-14.6) cm H2O at baseline to 4.9 (2.1-9.1) cm H2O at 60 L/min (p = 0.035). Esophageal pressure-time product/min decreased from 165 (126-179) to 72 (54-137) cm H2O • s/min, respectively (p = 0.033). Work of breathing/min decreased from 4.3 (3.5-6.3) to 2.1 (1.5-5.0) J/min, respectively (p = 0.031). Respiratory pattern variables and capillary blood gases were not significantly modified between experimental conditions. Dynamic lung compliance increased from 38 (24-64) mL/cm H2O at baseline to 59 (43-175) mL/cm H2O at 60 L/min (p = 0.007), and inspiratory resistance decreased from 9.6 (5.5-13.4) to 5.0 (1.0-9.1) cm H2O/L/s, respectively (p = 0.07). CONCLUSIONS: High-flow nasal cannula, when set at 60 L/min, significantly reduces the indexes of respiratory effort in adult patients recovering from acute respiratory failure. This effect is associated with an improvement in respiratory mechanics.

Decisional conflict in asthma patients: a cross sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed at determining the level of decisional conflict in asthmatic individuals facing recommendation-based decisions provided to improve asthma control. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study performed on a convenience sample of 50 adults aged between 18 and 65 years with a diagnosis of asthma. They completed a decisional conflict scale (possible range of 0-100%), asthma knowledge and control questionnaires (both 0% and 100%), and a general questionnaire on socio-demographic characteristics. A decisional conflict was considered clinically significant with a score greater than 37.5%. Simple descriptive statistics were used to investigate associations with decisional conflict. RESULTS: Participants were mainly women (76%) and diagnosed with mild asthma (72%). The median age (1st and 3rd quartile) was 25 years (22 and 42). The median score (1st and 3rd quartile) of decisional conflict was 33% (24 and 44). A clinically significant score (>37.5%) was obtained in 36% of subjects. A statistically significant negative correlation between the knowledge score and the decisional conflict score (r(p) = -0.38; p = 0.006) was observed. The level of knowledge was the only statistically independent variable associated with the decisional conflict score (p = 0.0043). CONCLUSIONS: A considerable proportion of patients with asthma have a clinically significant level of decisional conflict when facing decisions aimed at improving asthma control. Patients with poor knowledge of asthma are more at risk of clinically significant level of decisional conflict. These findings support the relevance of providing asthmatic patients with relevant information in decision aids.

Influence of cardiac dysfunction and systemic inflammation on pulmonary function and airway responsiveness in obese subjects.

PURPOSE: Obesity is associated with left ventricular diastolic dysfunction and altered heart rate variability, as well as pulmonary dysfunction. The relationship between asthma and cardiac dysfunction in severely obese subjects is unknown, although it has been hypothesized that cardiac dysfunction may contribute to increase airway hyper-responsiveness (AHR). This study aimed to determine if AHR is associated with left ventricular diastolic dysfunction and heart rate variability in severely obese subjects. METHODS: Sixty-one subjects with severe obesity (BMI ≥35 kg/m2 with comorbidities) completed this study. All subjects completed respiratory questionnaires, spirometry, lung volume measurements, methacholine inhalation test, 24hour Holter monitoring and a complete echocardiography evaluation. Blood samples were obtained for measurement of metabolic markers. Subjects with AHR, defined by a provocative concentration of methacholine inducing a 20% fall in FEV1 (PC20) < 8 mg/ml, were compared with those with no AHR (PC20 ≥8 mg/ml). RESULTS: According to these criteria, 32 subjects had AHR and 29 had no AHR(mean PC201.70 mg/ml and 15.3 mg/ml respectively, p < 0.001). The groups were similar for anthropometric data and comorbidities. Fasting glucose, Hb1Ac, total cholesterol, LDL, triglycerides, Apo-B, C-reactive protein (CRP) and pro-BNP levels were also comparable between groups (p > 0.05). CRP level correlated with PC20 (AHR, r=0.38, p=0.03). Indices of heart rate variability and overall cardiac function were similar in subjects with or without AHR but grade 2 left ventricular diastolic dysfunction was more prevalent in subjects with AHR (p=0.037). CONCLUSIONS: Altered cardiac function, dysglycemia and dyslipidemia do not seem to be significantly associated with AHR in severely obese subjects in contrast to systemic inflammation.

Preoperative physical frailty assessment among octogenarians undergoing cardiac surgery: Upgrading the "eyeball" test.

OBJECTIVES: There are many well-described, but as yet unproven, physical ability tools to assess frailty. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of 4 preoperative physical tests in predicting mortality, morbidity, and functional outcomes among octogenarians undergoing cardiac surgery. METHODS: Between 2016 and 2019, 200 patients aged 80 years or more undergoing elective cardiac surgery were prospectively recruited. Four physical tests were performed preoperatively: 5-m walk time, timed up-and-go, 5 time sit-to-stand, and handgrip strength tests. The primary end point was a composite of in-hospital mortality, neurologic, and pulmonary complications. Multivariate analysis was performed. RESULTS: In-hospital mortality was 1.5%. Slow performance on the 5-m walk test (time ≥6.4 seconds) was the only independent predictor of the composite end point among the tests evaluated (odds ratio, 2.70; 95% confidence interval, 1.34-5.45; P = .006). At follow-up, patients with a slow 5-m walk test had a significantly lower midterm survival compared with patients with a normal test result (1-year survival 91.5% vs 98.7%, log-rank P = .03). Mean Physical and Mental Component Scores of the 12-item short form survey were 47.2 ± 8.3 and 53.6 ± 5.9, respectively, which are comparable to those of a general population aged more than 75 years. CONCLUSIONS: The 5-m walk time test is an independent predictor of a composite of in-hospital mortality and major morbidity, as well as midterm survival. This test could be used as a simple adjunctive preoperative tool for octogenarians undergoing cardiac surgery.

Accuracy of Multiple Pulse Oximeters in Stable Critically Ill Patients.

BACKGROUND: An accurate SpO2 value is critical in order to optimally titrate oxygen delivery to patients and to follow oxygenation guidelines. Limited prospective data exist on real-world performance of pulse oximeters in critically ill patients. The objective of this study was to assess accuracy and bias of the SpO2 values measured by several oximeters in hospitalized subjects. METHODS: We included stable adults in the ICU with an arterial catheter in place. Main exclusion criteria were poor SpO2 signal and SpO2 > 96%. In each subject, we simultaneously evaluated 4 oximeters: Nonin (Plymouth, Minnesota) embedded in the FreeO2 device (OxyNov, Québec City, Québec, Canada), Masimo (Radical-7, Masimo, Irvine, California), Philips (FAST, Philips, Amsterdam, the Netherlands), and Nellcor (N-600, Medtronic, Minneapolis, Minnesota). Arterial blood gases were drawn and simultaneously each oximeters' SpO2 values were collected. SpO2 values were compared to the reference (arterial oxygen saturation [SaO2 ] value) to determine bias and accuracy. The ability for oximeters to detect hypoxemia and the impact of oximeters on oxygen titration were evaluated. RESULTS: We included 193 subjects (153 male, mean age 66 y) in whom 211 sets of measurements were performed. The skin pigmentation evaluated by Fitzpatrick scale showed 96.2% of subjects were light skin (types 1 and 2). One oximeter overestimated SaO2 (Philips, +0.9%), whereas the 3 others underestimated SaO2 (Nonin -3.1%, Nellcor -0.3%, Masimo -0.2%). SaO2 was underestimated with Nonin oximeter in 91.3% of the cases, whereas it was overestimated in 55.2% of the cases with Philips oximeter. Moderate hypoxemia (SaO2 86-90% or PaO2 55-60 mm Hg) was detected in 92, 33, 42, and 11% of the cases with Nonin, Nellcor, Masimo, and Philips, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: We found significant bias and moderate accuracy between the tested oximeters and the arterial blood gases in the studied population. These discrepancies may have important clinical impact on the detection of hypoxemia and management of oxygen therapy.

High tidal volumes in mechanically ventilated patients increase organ dysfunction after cardiac surgery.

BACKGROUND: High tidal volumes in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome and acute lung injury lead to ventilator-induced lung injury and increased mortality. We evaluated the impact of tidal volumes on cardiac surgery outcomes. METHODS: We examined prospectively recorded data from 3,434 consecutive adult patients who underwent cardiac surgery. Three groups of patients were defined based on the tidal volume delivered on arrival at the intensive care unit: (1) low: below 10, (2) traditional: 10-12, and (3) high: more than 12 ml/kg of predicted body weight. We assessed risk factors for three types of organ failure (prolonged mechanical ventilation, hemodynamic instability, and renal failure) and a prolonged stay in the intensive care unit. RESULTS: The mean tidal volume/actual weight was 9.2 ml/kg, and the tidal volume/predicted body weight was 11.5 ml/kg. Low, traditional, and high tidal volumes were used in 724 (21.1%), 1567 (45.6%), and 1,143 patients (33.3%), respectively. Independent risks factors for high tidal volumes were body mass index of 30 or more (odds ratio [OR] 6.25; CI: 5.26-7.42; P < 0.001) and female sex (OR 4.33; CI: 3.64-5.15; P < 0.001). In the multivariate analysis, high and traditional tidal volumes were independent risk factors for organ failure, multiple organ failure, and prolonged stay in the intensive care unit. Organ failures were associated with increased intensive care unit stay, hospital mortality, and long-term mortality. CONCLUSION: Tidal volumes of more than 10 ml/kg are risk factors for organ failure and prolonged intensive care unit stay after cardiac surgery. Women and obese patients are particularly at risk of being ventilated with injurious tidal volumes.

Monitoring of Heated Wire Humidifier Hygrometric Performances With Heater Plate Temperature.

BACKGROUND: Under-humidification and associated complications may occur with heated humidifiers. Hygrometric performances of heated wire humidifiers are reduced by high ambient and high outlet ventilator temperatures. Currently, there is no reliable monitoring tool to evaluate humidification performances of heated wire humidifiers in the daily practice. We sought to demonstrate the relation between humidity delivered by heated wire humidifiers and different parameters that could be used to monitor humidity of gas delivered to subjects. METHODS: On a bench test, we measured heater plate temperature, inlet chamber temperature, and delivered humidity with MR850 system. Temperature displayed on the humidifier was also recorded. The measurements were performed at different ambient temperatures and five minute ventilation levels (5, 7.5, 10, 12.5, 15 L/min). Inlet chamber temperatures varied from 20-40°C. In each condition, hygrometric measurements with the psychrometric method were performed at steady state. RESULTS: We performed 279 measurements at steady state including all conditions. We found a good correlation between heater plate temperature and absolute humidity delivered (R2 = 0.82). This relationship was hardly affected by ambient temperature, but minute ventilation had more effect. For different minute ventilations, the correlation between heater plate temperature and absolute humidity delivered was very good with coefficient of determination R2 from 0.87-0.98. Heater plate temperature > 62°C was a good predictor of absolute humidity delivered > 30 mg H2O/L (area under the curve = 0.96, sensibility 79%, specificity 94%). No correlation existed between humidity delivered and the outlet chamber temperature (displayed on the humidifier). CONCLUSIONS: In this bench study, we have shown a good correlation between heater plate temperature and humidity delivered with a heated wire humidifier. This means that a "hidden" hygrometer is built into the heated wire humidifier. Heater plate temperature should be used as a surrogate of humidity to improve the humidification monitoring.

Diagnosis and management of sleep apnea by a clinical nurse: a noninferiority randomized clinical trial.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: References for the evaluation of obstructive sleep apnea often exceed the sleep clinic's capacity. We aimed to assess the noninferiority of a nurse-communicated model compared with a traditional physician-led model for the initial management of uncomplicated obstructive sleep apnea in the sleep clinic. METHODS: In this noninferiority, open-label randomized controlled trial, patients referred for the evaluation of uncomplicated obstructive sleep apnea (home sleep apnea test with respiratory event index ≥ 20 events/h) were randomized to a nurse-communicated or a physician-led management. The primary endpoint was noninferiority in the mean change from baseline of the Epworth Sleepiness Scale score at 3 and 6 months, assuming a noninferiority margin of -2.0 points. Secondary outcomes included quality of life (Quebec Sleep Questionnaire) and positive airway pressure adherence. RESULTS: Two hundred participants were randomized to a nurse-communicated (n = 101) or physician-led management (n = 99). Overall, 48 participants were lost at follow-up (27.7% and 20.4% in the nurse-communicated and physician-led groups, respectively). Most participants were treated with positive airway pressure (78.2% and 80.6% in the nurse-communicated and physician-led management groups, respectively). There was substantial missing data for the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (33% and 58% at 3 and 6 months in the nurse-communicated group and 29% and 55% in the physician-led group) and Quebec Sleep Questionnaire (86% and 91% at 3 and 6 months and 79.6% and 85.7% in the physician-led group). The difference in mean change between groups for the Epworth Sleepiness Scale was -0.71 (95% confidence interval -2.25 to 0.83) at 3 months and -0.21 (95% confidence interval -1.85 to 1.45) at 6 months. For each domain of the Quebec Sleep Questionnaire at 3 and 6 months, the lower bound of the 95% confidence interval was greater than the prespecified noninferiority margin. Positive airway pressure adherence was similar between groups. CONCLUSIONS: Among patients with uncomplicated obstructive sleep apnea, nurse-communicated management was noninferior to physician-led management in terms of sleepiness, quality of life, and positive airway pressure adherence at 6 months. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: Registry: ClinicalTrials.gov; Name: Management of Sleep Apnea Patients by a Clinical Nurse (Supernurse), URL: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03455920; Identifier: NCT03455920. CITATION: Lajoie AC, Privé A, Roy-Hallé A, Pagé D, Simard S, Séries F. Diagnosis and management of sleep apnea by a clinical nurse: a noninferiority randomized clinical trial. J Clin Sleep Med. 2022;18(1):89-97.

Wait Times and Survival in Lung Cancer Patients across the Province of Quebec, Canada.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death worldwide, with a five-year survival of 22% in Canada. Guidelines recommend rapid evaluation of patients with suspected lung cancer, but the impact on survival remains unclear. We reviewed medical records of all patients with newly diagnosed lung cancer in four hospital networks across the province of Quebec, Canada, between 1 February and 30 April 2017. Patients were followed for 3 years. Wait times for diagnosis and treatment were collected, and survival analysis using a Cox regression model was conducted. We included 1309 patients, of whom 39% had stage IV non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Median wait times were, in general, significantly shorter in patients with stage III-IV NSCLC or SCLC. Surgery was associated with delays compared to other types of treatments. Median survival was 12.9 (11.1-15.7) months. The multivariate survival model included age, female sex, performance status, histology and stage, treatment, and the time interval between diagnosis and treatment. Longer wait times had a slightly protective to neutral effect on survival, but this was not significant in the stage I-II NSCLC subgroup. Wait times for the diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer were generally within targets. The shorter wait times observed for advanced NSCLC and SCLC might indicate a tendency for clinicians to act quicker on sicker patients. This study did not demonstrate the detrimental effect of longer wait times on survival.

Neck circumference is a better correlate of insulin resistance markers than other standard anthropometric indices in patients presenting severe obesity.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have demonstrated stronger associations between metabolic alterations and neck circumference (NC) than with body mass index (BMI) or waist circumference (WC). However, most of these studies were performed in individuals presenting overweight or mild obesity. OBJECTIVE: To determine which adiposity index among BMI, WC, NC and fat mass (FM) can best predict metabolic alterations in men and women presenting severe obesity. METHODS: Anthropometric and plasma biochemical parameters were measured in 81 participants presenting severe obesity (19 men, 62 women; age: 44.5 ± 8.9 years; BMI: 43.5 ± 4.1 kg/m2). Multiple linear regressions were used to determine the best predictors of metabolic alterations among each adiposity index. RESULTS: NC was positively correlated with fasting insulin concentrations, C-peptide concentrations and HOMA-IR values and negatively correlated with HDL-C concentrations. NC was the best predictor of glucose homeostasis indices and HDL-C concentrations in models also including sex, BMI, WC, and FM. The ROC curve analysis indicated that a NC ≥ 37.8 cm best predicted type 2 diabetes. CONCLUSIONS: NC seems a better predictor of insulin resistance and lower HDL-C concentrations in patients presenting severe obesity compared to other standard anthropometric indices, and particularly in women. The small sample size in men prevent us to draw clear conclusions. NC could be useful in targeting patients with metabolic alterations who could benefit from medical or surgical treatment of obesity.

Echocardiographic Variables Associated with Transvalvular Gradient After a Transcatheter Edge-To-Edge Mitral Valve Repair.

BACKGROUND: Transcatheter edge-to-edge mitral valve repair may lead to a reduction in mitral valve area (MVA) and elevated mean transmitral gradient (TMG). The objectives of this study were to assess the value of baseline MVA by different imaging methods and to explore the associations between MVA indexed to body surface area or left ventricular forward stroke volume and postprocedural TMG. METHODS: Preprocedural echocardiographic images from 76 consecutive patients were retrospectively reviewed. MVA planimetry from two-dimensional (2D) transthoracic echocardiography (MVATTE), 2D transesophageal echocardiography in the transgastric view (MVA2D TEE), and three-dimensional (3D) transesophageal echocardiography (MVA3D) were measured. Postprocedural TMGs were assessed at 1 to 3 months and all-cause mortality at 1 year. RESULTS: Postprocedural mean TMG > 5 mm Hg was associated with a 3.42-fold (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.08-10.87; P = .04) increased risk for 1-year all-cause mortality. Patients with postprocedural TMG > 5 mm Hg (25% [19 of 76]) had significantly smaller preprocedural MVA3D (3.9 ± 0.8 vs 5.2 ± 1.3 cm2, P < .01) and MVATTE (4.9 ± 1.1 vs 5.8 ± 1.5 cm2, P = .01) compared with patients without elevated TMG. No significant difference was found for MVA2D TEE (P = .20). The best threshold values for MVA3D and MVATTE to be associated with postprocedural TMG > 5 mm Hg were, respectively, 3.9 cm2 (area under the curve [AUC] = 0.80; 95% CI, 0.66-0.94; sensitivity 62%, specificity 87%) and 4.6 cm2 (AUC = 0.68; 95% CI, 0.54-0.82; sensitivity 53%, specificity 80%). MVA3D indexed to body surface area and to stroke volume showed overall the best associations with postprocedural mean TMG > 5 mm Hg, with optimal thresholds, respectively, of 2.5 cm2/m2 (AUC = 0.88; 95% CI, 0.77-0.98; sensitivity 92%, specificity 74%) and 95 cm2/L (AUC = 0.87; 95% CI, 0.77-0.97; sensitivity 85%, specificity 82%). CONCLUSIONS: Elevated TMG following transcatheter edge-to-edge mitral valve repair was associated with increased mortality. The present results indicate that MVA3D, MVA3D indexed to body surface area, and MVA3D indexed to stroke volume may be considered potential predictors of postprocedural TMG > 5 mm Hg and could help optimize patient selection, while the use of 2D methods for valve area were poorly associated with TMG.

Acute care for patients exposed to a chemical attack: protocol for an international multicentric observational study.

INTRODUCTION: The use of weapons of mass destruction against civilian populations is of serious concern to public health authorities. Chemical weapons are of particular concern. A few studies have investigated medical responses in prehospital settings in the immediate aftermath of a chemical attack, and they were limited by the paucity of clinical data. This study aims to describe the acute management of patients exposed to a chemical attack from the incident site until their transfer to a medical facility. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This international multicentric observational study addresses the period from 1970 to 2036. An online electronic case report form was created to collect data; it will be hosted on the Biomedical Telematics Laboratory Platform of the Quebec Respiratory Health Research Network. Participating medical centres and their clinicians are being asked to provide contextual and clinical information, including the use of protective equipment and decontamination capabilities for the medical evacuation of the patient from the incident site of the chemical attack to the moment of admission at the medical facility. In brief, variables are categorised as follows: (1) chemical exposure (threat); (2) prehospital and hospital/medical facility capabilities (staffing, first aid, protection, decontamination, disaster plans and medical guidelines); (3) clinical interventions before hospital admission, including the use of protection and decontamination and (4) outcomes (survivability vs mortality rates). Judgement criteria focus on decontamination drills applied to any of the patient's conditions. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The Sainte-Justine Research Centre Ethics Committee approved this multicentric study and is acting as the main evaluating centre. Study results will be disseminated through various means, including conferences, indexed publications in medical databases and social media. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT05026645.

Antimicrobial Resistance in the Environment: Towards Elucidating the Roles of Bioaerosols in Transmission and Detection of Antibacterial Resistance Genes.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is continuing to grow across the world. Though often thought of as a mostly public health issue, AMR is also a major agricultural and environmental problem. As such, many researchers refer to it as the preeminent One Health issue. Aerial transport of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria via bioaerosols is still poorly understood. Recent work has highlighted the presence of antibiotic resistance genes in bioaerosols. Emissions of AMR bacteria and genes have been detected from various sources, including wastewater treatment plants, hospitals, and agricultural practices; however, their impacts on the broader environment are poorly understood. Contextualizing the roles of bioaerosols in the dissemination of AMR necessitates a multidisciplinary approach. Environmental factors, industrial and medical practices, as well as ecological principles influence the aerial dissemination of resistant bacteria. This article introduces an ongoing project assessing the presence and fate of AMR in bioaerosols across Canada. Its various sub-studies include the assessment of the emissions of antibiotic resistance genes from many agricultural practices, their long-distance transport, new integrative methods of assessment, and the creation of dissemination models over short and long distances. Results from sub-studies are beginning to be published. Consequently, this paper explains the background behind the development of the various sub-studies and highlight their shared aspects.