Utilization and consequences of CRP point-of-care-testing in primary care practices: a real-world multicentre observational study with 1,740 patient cases in Germany.

BACKGROUND: Point-of-care tests (POCTs) for C-reactive protein can support clinical decision-making of general practitioners (GPs) but are not widely used in German general practices. AIM: To investigate the utilization of semi-quantitative CRP-POCTs in routine primary care. DESIGN & SETTING: Prospective observational study in 49 general practices in Germany (Nov/2022 to Apr/2023). METHOD: GPs were provided with CRP-POCTs and collected data for each CRP-POCT use using standardized data collection sheets. RESULTS: Data from 1,740 CRP-POCT uses were recorded. GPs employed CRP-POCTs mainly for patients with respiratory tract infections (RTIs, 70.9% of all cases) and to a lesser extent for gastrointestinal infections (GIs, 10.3%). In RTIs, CRP-POCTs were frequently used to distinguish between bacterial and viral aetiology (60.8%) and to guide decisions on antibiotic prescribing (62.8%). In GIs, CRP-POCTs were mainly used to rule out severe disease progressions (53.2%) and for decisions on further diagnostic procedures (45.6%). In RTIs, CRP-POCTs influenced antibiotic prescribing in 77.5 % of the cases (32.3% in favour vs. 45.2% waiver). In GIs, CRP levels mainly affected decisions on further diagnostic procedures. GPs reported that CRP-POCTs were helpful in 88.6% of all cases. CONCLUSIONS: When available, German GPs predominantly use semi-quantitative CRP-POCTs to guide decisions on antibiotic prescribing in patients with RTI. CRP-POCT use improves clinical decision-making and increases the GPs' clinical confidence.

P1-xTa8+xN13 (x = 0.1-0.15): A Phosphorus Tantalum Nitride Featuring Mixed-Valent Tantalum and P/Ta Disorder Visualized by Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy.

We report on the synthesis, crystal, and electronic structure, as well as the magnetic, and electric properties of the phosphorus-containing tantalum nitride P1-xTa8+xN13 (x = 0.1-0.15). A high-pressure high-temperature reaction (8 GPa, 1400 °C) of Ta3N5 and P3N5 with NH4F as a mineralizing agent yields the compound in the form of black, rod-shaped crystals. Single-crystal X-ray structure elucidation (space group C2/m (no. 12), a = 16.202(3), b = 2.9155(4), c = 11.089(2) Å, ß = 126.698(7)°, Z = 2) shows a network of face- and edge-sharing Ta-centered polyhedra that contains small vacant channels and  PN6 octahedra strands. Atomic resolution transmission electron microscopy reveals an unusual P/Ta disorder. Mixed-valent tantalum atoms exhibit interatomic distances similar to those in metallic tantalum, however, the electrical resistivity is quite high in the order of 10­1 Ω cm. The density of states and the electron localization function indicate localized electrons in both covalent and ionic bonds between P/Ta and N atoms, combined with less localized electrons that do not contribute to interatomic bonds.

[Changes in the provision and utilization of health care in German primary care practices during the COVID-19 pandemic - A survey of patients in three federal states]. / Veränderungen in der Bereitstellung und Inanspruchnahme der Gesundheitsversorgung in deutschen Hausarztpraxen während der COVID-19-Pandemie ­ eine Befragung von Patient*innen in drei Bundesländern.

INTRODUCTION: During the COVID-19 pandemic general practitioners (GP) practice teams were temporally confronted with major challenges which were accompanied by changes in practice organization and service provision. So far, little has been known about the views of patients who visited the GP practice for other than COVID-related reasons with regard to provision and use of GP services, the adjustments in the practice and the work of the practice team members. METHODS: The patient survey is a sub-study of the mixed-methods study VeCo-Praxis (GP healthcare for patients not suffering from COVID during the Corona pandemic) of the research practice network RESPoNsE (Research Practice Network East), which was conducted in the federal states of Berlin, Brandenburg and Thuringia. The questionnaire-based survey was carried out among patients who visited their GP practice in November 2022. The topics covered in the survey were developed by two focus groups consisting of 13 members of the RESPoNsE patient advisory board. The questionnaire was developed and piloted in a participatory approach with the RESPoNsE Patient Advisory Board. The results were analyzed descriptively using SPSS and discussed with the advisory board. RESULTS: 1,405 questionnaires from 37 practices were analyzed. 97% of respondents felt that the treatment they received at their GP practice during the COVID-19 pandemic was good. For the vast majority, appointments and acute consultations, prescriptions, laboratory tests, discussions of diagnostic results, routine follow-up check-ups and health checks were available to a sufficient extent. From the patients' perspective, the practices have successfully adapted to the challenges caused by COVID-19. Overall, the patients' trust in and their appreciation of the work of the practice staff have increased since the pandemic. Patients stated that GP practices should continue hygiene procedures, such as wearing a mask or keeping physical distance, in the future. DISCUSSION: Despite multiple reports of a significant decline in both provision and utilization of standard care in GP practices during the pandemic, our survey showed that the majority of patients felt that they received adequate GP care and were highly satisfied. The results should be interpreted against the background of possible selection bias. CONCLUSION: In this survey, GP patients were predominantly appreciative of GP care during the COVID-19 pandemic. The patients' assessment of the provision and use of GP services during the pandemic complements the corresponding perspective of GPs and medical practice assistants.

[Feasibility of a screening instrument for adult attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ASRS-5) in general practice: A qualitative study]. / Anwendbarkeit eines Screening-Instruments für die Aufmerksamkeitsdefizit-/Hyperaktivitätsstörung bei Erwachsenen (ASRS-5) in der Hausarztpraxis ­ eine qualitative Studie.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to explore the subjective views of general practitioners on the applicability of the Adult ADHD Self-Report Screening Scale for DSM-5 (ASRS-5) as a screening tool for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults in general practice. METHOD: Eleven general practitioners, who had participated in the validation study of the German version of the ASRS-5, were interviewed. For this purpose, a semi-structured interview guide was designed using the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR). The interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using qualitative content analysis according to Kuckartz. RESULTS: The ASRS-5 seems to work well in general medical practice. But there is evidence for a lack of knowledge about ADHD in adults among general practitioners and a demand for further training in this area. Moreover, insufficient possibilities for subsequent treatment after a positive ADHD screening were claimed. DISCUSSION: In general medicine, the introduction of a screening using ASRS-5 in cases of clinical suspicion could be the first step towards improving the management of adult patients with ADHD. CONCLUSION: Optimizing the management of adults with ADHD requires additional information and training initiatives to support early diagnosis especially in the primary care setting, and to reveal treatment options and care concepts for adults with ADHD.

[Evaluation of electronic medical records from general practices using the example of the diagnosis of community-acquired pneumonia: A qualitative feasibility study]. / Nutzung von Daten aus dem Praxisverwaltungssystem eines großen hausärztlichen Verbundes medizinischer Versorgungszentren am Beispiel der Diagnosestellung einer ambulant erworbenen Pneumonie ­ eine qualitative Machbarkeitsstudie.

BACKGROUND: Data collected by general practitioners (GPs) may provide potential for health services research. In this study, we investigated if clinical questions can be answered with GPs' electronic medical records (EMRs) by means of diagnosing community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). METHOD: Patients diagnosed with CAP, defined as ICD code J18.9, were identified in the fourth quarter of 2021. The data were derived from the EMR system (Medical Office®) of a central German association of 30 general practices, using three different approaches: 1. The integrated statistic tool was used to record whether patients were referred for radiological diagnostic confirmation. 2. Retrospectively, EMRs were evaluated manually by a doctor familiar with the EMR. 3. The raw data of the EMR system were extracted by automated export. The information obtained through the three types of access was compared. For each patient case, detailed comments on problems and specifics were documented and evaluated by qualitative content analysis (QCA) according to Mayring. RESULTS: In total, 164 patients diagnosed with CAP were identified. The numbers of documented radiological diagnostic confirmations varied between data approaches: While the manual evaluation of the EMRs revealed 60 referred patients, the statistics tool identified 38 of these cases. The export of the raw data identified 58 referrals to radiography after adjustment. According to QCA, there was a high variation in applied diagnostics and time of diagnosis. Referrals for radiography were made both before and after coding of the diagnosis. In case of hospitalization, X-rays were usually performed during the inpatient stay. Laboratory tests were performed as an alternative to radiography. There was also a high variation in the documentation of risk factors and diagnostic certainty. DISCUSSION: The statistics tool integrated into the EMR system is a quick way to perform simple queries but proved to be impracticable for complex questions. The EMRs provide detailed information but need to be evaluated manually. An automated data export from the raw data offers both detailed information and access to large volumes of data but requires complex preparation and appropriate IT expertise. CONCLUSION: Based on the example of diagnosed CAP in a GP setting, the use of data extracted from an EMR system seems to be feasible to answer simple clinical questions. However, it is necessary to adapt the data export, and a comparison with a small number of manually evaluated cases is useful to achieve valid results.

Experiences of fatigued persons with multiple sclerosis with multimodal agility-based exercise training and the ReFEx study protocol: a qualitative extension of a feasibility study.

OBJECTIVES: (1) To explore experiences of fatigued persons with multiple sclerosis (pwMS) with a new multimodal agility-based exercise training (MAT) framework and (2) to investigate the demands of the Rehabilitation, Fatigue, and Exercise (ReFEx) study protocol, which compares high-frequency MAT and 'traditional' strength and endurance training (SET) to identify possible adaptations for a powered randomised controlled trial (RCT). DESIGN: A qualitative interview study nested within a feasibility RCT, comparing MAT and SET. SETTING: Neurological inpatient rehabilitation centre in Germany. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-two pwMS were recruited for the feasibility study. Six were selected from MAT and SET, respectively, for semistructured face-to-face interviews prior to discharge, following a purposive sampling strategy. Participants had low physical disability but were at least moderately fatigued. INTERVENTIONS: During inpatient rehabilitation (4-6 weeks) MAT participants attended group-based and manual-based MAT sessions in the gym (5×/week, 30 min) and the pool (3×/week, 30 min). SET participants exercised individually on a cycle ergometer (5×/week, 22 min) and on strength training machines (3×/week, 30 min). RESULTS: Three key categories emerged from the interviews: (1) facilitators regarding MAT were variety and playfulness, group setting and challenging exercises. Barriers regarding MAT were feeling overburdened, feeling pressured in the group setting and the wish to perform 'traditional' strength training (not part of MAT). (2) MAT benefits were of physical and psychological nature, with improved balance stated the most. (3) Demands described the perceived exertion during MAT and SET, reflecting that there is no accumulation of fatigue during the intervention. CONCLUSIONS: MAT is appreciated by pwMS and includes facilitators less attainable with 'traditional' SET. Evaluation of MAT in a powered RCT is indicated, if rest breaks postsession, and screening for negative self-evaluation and social comparison are considered. Future (qualitative) research should investigate the important factors of inpatient rehabilitation contributing to fatigue reduction in pwMS. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: DRKS00023943; German Clinical Trials Register.

Cr5.7Si2.3P8N24-A Chromium(+IV) Nitridosilicate Phosphate with Amphibole-Type Structure.

The first nitridic analog of an amphibole mineral, the quaternary nitridosilicate phosphate Cr5.7Si2.3P8N24 was synthesized under high-pressure high-temperature conditions at 1400 °C and 12 GPa from the binary nitrides Cr2N, Si3N4 and P3N5, using NH4N3 and NH4F as additional nitrogen source and mineralizing agent, respectively. The crystal structure was elucidated by single-crystal X-ray diffraction with microfocused synchrotron radiation (C2/m, a=9.6002(19), b=17.107(3), c=4.8530(10) Å, ß=109.65(3)°). The elemental composition was analyzed by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The structure consists of vertex-sharing PN4-tetrahedra forming zweier double chains and edge-sharing (Si,Cr)-centered octahedra forming separated ribbons. Atomic resolution scanning transmission electron microscopy shows ordered Si and Cr sites next to a disordered Si/Cr site. Optical spectroscopy indicates a band gap of 2.1 eV. Susceptibility measurements show paramagnetic behavior and support the oxidation state Cr+IV, which is confirmed by EPR. The comprehensive analysis expands the field of Cr-N chemistry and provides access to a nitride analog of one of the most prevalent silicate structures.

[Attitudes of general practitioners and medical practice assistants towards the delegation of medical services: Results of a survey in Berlin, Brandenburg and Thuringia]. / Einstellungen von Hausärzt:innen und Medizinischen Fachangestellten zur Delegation ärztlicher Leistungen ­ Ergebnisse einer Befragung in Berlin, Brandenburg und Thüringen.

INTRODUCTION: The delegation of tasks and responsibilities from general practitioners (GPs) to medical practice assistants (MPAs) can contribute to ensuring primary care in Germany. The aim of the study was to collect and analyze attitudes and procedures of GPs and MPAs regarding the delegation of physician-related tasks and activities. METHODOLOGY: A self-designed, piloted questionnaire was sent to all GPs listed within the regional Associations of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians (KV) in Thuringia, Berlin, and Brandenburg (n=5,516) and their MPAs. Participants were asked to indicate which physician-related activities were already delegated and on which occasions further delegations could be considered. RESULTS: 890 GPs (response rate: 16.1%) and 566 MPAs participated in the written survey. The participants were predominantly female and most of them worked in urban areas. Numerous activities, such as medical history taking, triage, Disease Management Program (DMP) controls, vaccinations and home visits, have already been delegated. The willingness to delegate further tasks (e. g., follow-up prescriptions and referrals, independent takeover of simple consultations, assessing the necessity of physician consultation) was high. CONCLUSION: The survey showed a high level of willingness of both occupational groups to delegate physician-related activities to MFAs. An expansion seems possible under certain conditions. Many activities have already been delegated to MPAs in primary care practices. Our survey provides suggestions regarding further tasks suitable for delegation, some of which go beyond the delegation agreement valid in Germany.

Patient perspective on task shifting from general practitioners to medical practice assistants - a quantitative survey in Germany.

INTRODUCTION: Various developments result in increasing workloads in general practices. New models of care and a restructuring of the division of tasks could provide relief. One approach is to extend the delegation of medical tasks from general practitioners (GPs) to medical practice assistants (MPAs). So far, there has been a lack of information about specific situations in which patients are willing to be treated exclusively by MPAs. METHODS: In three German federal states, patients who visited a general practice were surveyed exploratively and cross-sectionally with a self-designed, paper-based questionnaire. The data were analysed descriptively and multivariate. A mixed binary logistic regression model was calculated to account for cluster effects at practice level (random intercept model). The dependent variable was patients' acceptance of task delegation. RESULTS: A total of 1861 questionnaires from 61 general practices were included in the analysis. Regarding the current problem/request, a total of 30% of respondents could imagine being treated only by MPAs. Regarding theoretical reasons for consultation, more than half of the patients agreed to be treated by MPAs. According to the regression model, MPAs were preferred when patients were younger (10-year OR = 0.84, 95%-CI [0.75, 0.93]) or had a less complicated issue (OR = 0.44, 95%-CI [0.26, 0.8]). For four current problems/requests ("acute complaints" OR = 0.27, 95%-CI [0.17, 0.45], "routine health check" OR = 0.48, 95%-CI [0.3, 0.79], "new problem" OR = 0.13, 95%-CI [0.06, 0.28], "known problem" OR = 0.16, 95%-CI [0.1, 0.27]) patients prefer to be treated by GPs instead of MPAs. DISCUSSION: For the first time, statements could be made on patients' acceptance of task delegation in relation to current and theoretical reasons for treatment in general practices in Germany. The discrepancy in response behaviour on a theoretical and individual level could be explained by different contexts of questions and differences at practice level. Overall, patients seem to be open to increased delegation of medical tasks, depending on the reason for treatment. Selection and response biases should be considered in the interpretation. CONCLUSION: The results are not completely opposed to an extension of task delegation. Further interventional studies could provide information on the possible effects of expansion of delegable tasks.

Multimodal agility-based exercise training (MAT) versus strength and endurance training (SET) to improve multiple sclerosis-related fatigue and fatigability during inpatient rehabilitation: a randomized controlled pilot and feasibility study [ReFEx].

BACKGROUND: Multimodal agility-based exercise training (MAT) is a group-based exercise training framework for persons with multiple sclerosis (pwMS) with a potential to impact fatigue and fatigability. In a mixed-methods design, this study evaluated the feasibility of implementing MAT in an inpatient rehabilitation setting and the feasibility of a randomized controlled trial (RCT) study protocol with 'traditional' strength and endurance training (SET) as an active control condition. Secondarily, preliminary outcome data was acquired. METHODS: PwMS with low to moderate disability and self-reported fatigue were randomly allocated to either MAT or SET when starting inpatient rehabilitation (4-6 weeks). The MAT-participants exercised in a group following a MAT-manual (sessions were gym- (5x/week) and pool-based (3x/week)). SET-participants exercised individually 5x/week on a cycle ergometer, and 3x/week on strength training machines. Feasibility assessments focused on processes, resources, management, time, and scientific domains. Assessed clinical outcomes at admission and discharge included perceived fatigue, motor and cognitive fatigability, cognitive performance, motor function, and balance confidence. Perceived fatigue was reassessed 1, 4, and 12 weeks after discharge. Feasibility was determined regarding predetermined progression criteria. RESULTS: Twenty-two participants were randomized. Both groups performed the minimum number of sessions (> 18), and retention was adequate (73-91%). SET-participants performed more sessions than MAT-participants (30.8 vs. 22.7) and stayed longer in the facility (34.2 vs. 31.6 days). Non-eligibility of admitted pwMS was high (74% non-eligible), mainly due to high EDSS and inability to attend pool-based sessions. Consequently, recruitment (1.8/month) was slower than the predetermined progression criterium. Baseline assessments took longer than required (only 50% completed within 3 days). Short-term fatigue reduction was similar for both groups. Motor fatigability also improved in both groups, whereas cognitive fatigability deteriorated. In MAT, average improvement in walking endurance (43.9 m) exceeded minimal important change values for individuals (> 26.9 m). CONCLUSIONS: Progressing to a definitive RCT necessitates adaptation of eligibility criteria. In the present design it will also be difficult to attain similar dosing of interventions. A multicenter RCT focused only on gym-based MAT might be another option to assess the effect of MAT. The primary outcome measure should be able to measure change in perceived fatigue more robustly. TRIAL REGISTRATION: German Clinical Trials Register: DRKS00023943, date of registration: 23 September 2021.

The Current Use of Drug-Eluting Balloons and Stents in Peripheral Arterial Disease: An Online Survey by the Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiological Society of Europe (CIRSE).

PURPOSE: To assess the current use of drug-eluting devices for peripheral arterial disease (PAD) among interventional radiologists following the controversy caused by the 2018 meta-analysis suggesting an increased mortality risk for paclitaxel-eluting devices. METHODS: An anonymous survey was sent to 7035 CIRSE members via email; only complete responses were included and statistically analysed. RESULTS: Three hundred and seven members (4.4%) completed the survey. Among these, 95.8% indicated that they personally perform peripheral vascular procedures. Thirty-eight percentage of respondents did not see any change of practice since 2018, while 47% reported that the use of drug-eluting devices decreased; for 13%, the use stopped altogether, while it increased in 3% of responses. 45.6% of respondents also felt the impact of the controversy in terms of pricing, availability or directives from hospital administration. A large majority of respondents (83.7%) who perform peripheral vascular procedures consider the use of these devices as safe, 12.9% were undecided and 3.4% did not consider them as safe. Among the respondents who do not perform endovascular procedures, 77% considered these devices as safe and 23% were undecided. CONCLUSION: Although the 2018 meta-analysis had a disruptive impact on the use of drug-eluting devices in PAD, with the increasing body of evidence available, a majority of respondents continue to believe in the safety of these devices for use in femoropopliteal disease.

Evaluation of national institute for health and care excellence guidance for ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms by emulating a hypothetical target trial.

Objective: This retrospective study evaluates the performance of UK National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) Guidelines on management of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms in a "real world setting" by emulating a hypothetical target trial with data from two European Aortic Centers. Methods: Clinical data was retrospectively collected for all patients who had undergone ruptured endovascular aneurysm repair (rEVAR) and ruptured open surgical repair (rOSR). Survival analysis was performed comparing NICE compliance to usual care strategy. NICE compliers were defined as: female patients undergoing rEVAR; male patients >70 years old undergoing rEVAR; and male patients ≤70 years old undergoing rOSR. Hemodynamic instability was considered additionally. Results: This multicenter study included 298 patients treated for rAAA. The majority of patients were treated with rOSR (186 rOSR vs. 112 rEVAR). Overall, 184 deaths (68 [37%] with rEVAR and 116 [63%] with rOSR) were observed during the study period. Overall survival under usual care was 69.2% at 30 days, 56.5% at one year, and 42.4% at 5 years. NICE compliance gave survival outcomes of 73.1% at 30 days, 60.2% at 1 year and 42.9% at 5 years. The risk ratios at these time points, comparing NICE-compliance to usual care, were 0.88, 0.92 and 0.99, respectively. Conclusions: We support NICE recommendations to manage men below the age of 71 years and hemodynamic stability with rOSR. There was a slight survival advantage for NICE compliers overall, in men >70 years and women of all ages.

Unicompartmental Knee Arthroplasty Provides Superior Clinical and Radiological Outcomes Compared to High Tibial Osteotomy at a Follow-Up of 5-8 Years.

BACKGROUND: Knee Osteoarthritis (OA) is a debilitating disease. Initially, the medial compartments are affected in most cases. For this pathology, joint preservation is preferable. Two surgical procedures aim to meet this goal: high-tibial osteotomy (HTO) and unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA). The aim was to compare clinical and radiological outcomes of HTO versus UKA in patients with unicompartmental, medial OA. METHOD: Retrospective case series. A total of 86 (61 UKA, 25 HTO) patients that received either treatment at a single, specialized center were assessed pre-operatively and at a single follow-up examination at 77.13 months (±8.170). The Knee Society Score (KSS), range of motion (ROM), SF36 questionnaire and the Tegner score were used. The Kellgren-Lawrence score was assessed pre- and post-surgically. Survivorship with the endpoint "revision" was assessed. RESULTS: The UKA group showed significantly better improvements in KSS scores for pain (p < 0.006) and function (p < 0.001). OA progression (p < 0.02) and survivorship (p < 0.018) differed, significantly favoring UKA. ROM, SF36 and Tegner score did not differ significantly. CONCLUSIONS: The presented mid-to long-term data suggest that UKA provides superior results in selected outcomes. Nevertheless, significant differences in the demographics of treatments indicate the challenge of comparing these two treatments.

Physical activity is related to disease severity and fatigue, but not to relapse rate in persons with relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis - a self-reported questionnaire based study.

Introduction: Based on theoretical models, physical activity has been introduced as a promoting method to mitigate the disease severity, fatigue and relapse rate in multiple sclerosis. The primary objective of the study was to investigate the relation between self-reported physical activity level and disease severity, fatigue and relapse rate in persons with relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). Methods: A survey was offered to persons with RRMS from March 2019 to August 2021 (n = 253). Physical activity level, fatigue and disease severity were determined using the Godin Leisure-Time Questionnaire (GLTEQ), the Patient Determined Disease Steps (PDDS) scale and the Fatigue Scale for Motor and Cognitive Functions (FSMC). Additionally, participants' relapse rate was recorded. Results: Bivariate correlations revealed an inverse relation between physical activity level and PDDS (ρ = -0.279; p < 0.001) as well as between physical activity and FSMC (r = -0.213, p < 0.001), but not between physical activity and relapse rate (r = 0.033, p > 0.05). Multiple linear regression analyses explained 12.6% and 5.2% of the variance of PDDS and FSMC. Conclusion: Our findings confirm a relation between self-reported physical activity, disease severity and fatigue in persons with RRMS. However, self-reported physical activity level does not seem to affect the annualised relapse rate.

Comparing maximum diameter and volume when assessing the growth of small abdominal aortic aneurysms using longitudinal CTA data: cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Monitoring of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) is currently based on serial measurements of maximum aortic diameter. Additional assessment of aneurysm volume has previously been proposed to possibly improve growth prediction and treatment decisions. To evaluate the use of supplementing volume measurements, the authors aimed to characterise the growth distribution of AAA volume and to compare the growth rates of the maximum diameter and volume at the patient level. METHODS: Maximum diameter and volume were monitored every 6 months in 84 patients with small AAAs, with a total of 331 computed tomographic angiographies (with initial maximum diameters of 30-68 mm). A previously developed statistical growth model for AAAs was applied to assess the growth distribution of volume and to compare individual growth rates for volume and for maximum diameter. RESULTS: The median (25-75% quantile) expansion in volume was 13.4 (6.5-24.7) % per year. Cube root transformed volume and maximum diameter showed a closely linear association with a within-subject correlation of 0.77. At the surgery threshold maximum diameter of 55 mm, the median (25-75% quantile) volume was 132 (103-167) ml. In 39% of subjects, growth rates for volume and maximum diameter were equivalent, in 33% growth was faster in volume and in 27% growth was faster in maximum diameter. CONCLUSION: At the population level, volume and maximum diameter show a substantial association such that the average volume is approximately proportional to the average maximum diameter raised to a power of three. At the individual level, however, in the majority of patient's AAAs grow at different pace in different dimensions. Hence, closer monitoring of aneurysms with sub-critical diameter but suspicious morphology may benefit from complementing maximum diameter by volume or related measurements.

Early experience with bridging stent graft deployment without sheath support in branched and fenestrated endovascular aortic repair.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the early experience with modified version of simplified bare-wire target vessel (SMART) technique, implying delivery of bridging stent grafts without historically established sheath support, and to compare its outcome to standard endovascular aortic repair procedures with fenestrated/branched devices. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 102 consecutive patients treated with fenestrated/branched devices from January 2020 to December 2022 was undertaken. The study population was divided into three groups-a sheath group (SG), SMART group, and nonsheath group (NSG). Primary end points were radiation exposure (dose-area product), fluoroscopy time, dose of contrast agent, operation time, and incidence of intraoperative target vessel (TV) complications and additional procedures. Freedom from secondary TV related reinterventions at the three follow-up phases were defined as secondary end points. RESULTS: A total of 183 TVs (38.8% visceral arteries [VA]; 56.3% renal arteries [RA]) in the SG, 36 TVs (44.4% VA, 55.6% RA) in the SMART group, and 168 TVs (47.6% VA; 50% RA) in the NSG were accessed. The mean number of fenestrations and bridging stent grafts was equally distributed in all three groups. The SMART group only included cases treated with fenestrated devices. The dose-area product was significantly lower in the SMART (median, 203 Gy × cm2; interquartile range [IQR], 179-365 Gy × cm2) and NSG (median, 340 Gy × cm2; IQR, 220-651 Gy × cm2) groups vs the SG (median, 464 Gy × cm2; IQR, 267-871 Gy × cm2; P = .007). Operation time was also significantly lower in the NSG (median, 265 minutes; IQR, 221-337 minutes) and SMART (median, 292 minutes; IQR, 234-351 minutes) groups vs the SG (median, 326 minutes; IQR, 277-375 minutes; P = .004), respectively. Intraoperative TV-related complications were most frequently observed in the SG (9/183 TVs; P = .008). CONCLUSIONS: This study reports the outcomes of three currently available TV stenting approaches. Previously reported SMART technique, and its modified version (NSG) proved to be a safe alternative to historically established TV stenting technique with sheath support (SG).