Ertugliflozin for Functional Mitral Regurgitation Associated With Heart Failure: EFFORT Trial.

BACKGROUND: The morbidity and mortality rates of patients with heart failure (HF) and functional mitral regurgitation (MR) remain substantial despite guideline-directed medical therapy for HF. We evaluated the efficacy of ertugliflozin for reduction of functional MR associated with HF with mild to moderately reduced ejection fraction. METHODS: The EFFORT trial (Ertugliflozin for Functional Mitral Regurgitation) was a multicenter, double-blind, randomized trial to examine the hypothesis that the sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor ertugliflozin is effective for improving MR in patients with HF with New York Heart Association functional class II or III, 35%≤ejection fraction<50%, and effective regurgitant orifice area of chronic functional MR >0.1 cm2 on baseline echocardiography. We randomly assigned 128 patients to receive either ertugliflozin or placebo in addition to guideline-directed medical therapy for HF. The primary end point was change in effective regurgitant orifice area of functional MR from baseline to the 12-month follow-up. Secondary end points included changes in regurgitant volume, left ventricular (LV) volume indices, left atrial volume index, LV global longitudinal strain, and NT-proBNP (N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide). RESULTS: The treatment groups were generally well-balanced with regard to baseline characteristics: mean age, 66±11 years; 61% men; 13% diabetes; 51% atrial fibrillation; 43% use of angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitor; ejection fraction, 42±8%; and effective regurgitant orifice area, 0.20±0.12 cm2. The decrease in effective regurgitant orifice area was significantly greater in the ertugliflozin group than in the placebo group (-0.05±0.06 versus 0.03±0.12 cm2; P<0.001). Compared with placebo, ertugliflozin significantly reduced regurgitant volume by 11.2 mL (95% CI, -16.1 to -6.3; P=0.009), left atrial volume index by 6.0 mL/m2 (95% CI, -12.16 to 0.15; P=0.005), and LV global longitudinal strain by 1.44% (95% CI, -2.42% to -0.46%; P=0.004). There were no significant between-group differences regarding changes in LV volume indices, ejection fraction, or NT-proBNP levels. Serious adverse events occurred in one patient (1.6%) in the ertugliflozin group and 6 (9.2%) in the placebo group (P=0.12). CONCLUSIONS: Among patients with functional MR associated with HF, ertugliflozin significantly improved LV global longitudinal strain and left atrial remodeling, and reduced functional MR. Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors may be considered for patients with functional MR. REGISTRATION: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT04231331.

The Efficacy and Tolerability of Irbesartan/Amlodipine Combination Therapy in Patients With Essential Hypertension Whose Blood Pressure Were not Controlled by Irbesartan Monotherapy.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of irbesartan (IRB) and amlodipine (AML) combination therapy in patients with essential hypertension whose blood pressure (BP) was not controlled by IRB monotherapy. METHODS: Two multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase III studies were conducted in Korea (the I-DUO 301 study and the I-DUO 302 study). After a 4-week run-in period with either 150 mg IRB (I-DUO 301 study) or 300 mg IRB (I-DUO 302 study), patients with uncontrolled BP (ie, mean sitting systolic BP [MSSBP] ≥140 mmHg to <180 mmHg and mean sitting diastolic BP <110 mmHg) were randomized to the placebo, AML 5 mg, or AML 10 mg group. A total of 428 participants were enrolled in the 2 I-DUO studies. In the I-DUO 301 study, 271 participants were randomized in a 1:1:1 ratio to receive either IRB/AML 150/5 mg, IRB/AML 150/10 mg, or IRB 150 mg/placebo. In the I-DUO 302 study, 157 participants were randomized in a 1:1 ratio to receive IRB/AML 300/5 mg or IRB 300 mg/placebo. The primary endpoint was the change in MSSBP from baseline to week 8. Tolerability was assessed according to the development of treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) and clinically significant changes in physical examination, laboratory tests, pulse, and 12-lead electrocardiography. FINDINGS: In I-DUO 301, the mean (SD) changes of MSSBP at week 8 from baseline were -14.78 (12.35) mmHg, -21.47 (12.78) mmHg, and -8.61 (12.19) mmHg in the IRB/AML 150/5 mg, IRB/AML 150/10 mg, and IRB 150 mg/placebo groups, respectively. In I-DUO 302, the mean (SD) changes of MSSBP at week 8 from baseline were -13.30 (12.47) mmHg and -7.19 (15.37) mmHg in the IRB/AML 300/5 mg and IRB 300 mg/placebo groups, respectively. In both studies, all combination groups showed a significantly higher reduction in MSSBP than the IRB monotherapy groups (P < 0.001 for both). TEAEs occurred in 10.00%, 10.99%, and 12.22% of participants in the IRB/AML 150/5 mg, IRB/AML 150/10 mg, and IRB 150 mg/placebo groups, respectively, in I-DUO 301 and in 6.33% and 10.67% of participants in the IRB/AML 300/5 mg and IRB 300 mg/placebo groups, respectively, in I-DUO 302, with no significant between-group differences. Overall, there was one serious adverse event throughout I-DUO study. IMPLICATIONS: The combination of IRB and AML has superior antihypertensive effects compared with IRB alone over an 8-week treatment period, with placebo-like tolerability. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT05476354 (I-DUO 301), NCT05475665 (I-DUO 302).

Effects of intensive blood pressure control on left ventricular hypertrophy in aortic valve disease.

BACKGROUND: Hypertension adds to the pressure overload on the left ventricle (LV) in combination with aortic valve (AV) disease, but the optimal blood pressure (BP) targets for patients with AV disease remain unclear. We tried to investigate whether intensive BP control reduces LV hypertrophy in asymptomatic patients with aortic stenosis (AS) or aortic regurgitation (AR). METHODS: A total of 128 hypertensive patients with mild to moderate AS (n = 93) or AR (n = 35) were randomly assigned to intensive therapy, targeting a systolic BP <130 mm Hg, or standard therapy, targeting a systolic BP <140 mm Hg. The primary end point was the change in LV mass from baseline to the 24-month follow-up. Secondary end points included changes in severity of AV disease, LV volumes, ejection fraction and global longitudinal strain (GLS). RESULTS: The treatment groups were generally well balanced regarding the baseline characteristics. The mean (±SD) age of the patients was 68 ± 8 years and 48% were men. The mean BP was 145 ± 12/81 ± 10 mm Hg at baseline. Medication at baseline was similar between the 2 groups. The 2 treatment strategies resulted in a rapid and sustained difference in systolic BP (P < .05). At 24-month, the mean systolic BP was 129 ± 12 mm Hg in the intensive therapy group and 135 ± 14 mm Hg in the standard therapy group. No patient died or underwent AV surgery during follow-up in either of the groups. LV mass was changed from 189.5 ± 41.3 to 185.6 ± 41.5 g in the intensive therapy group (P = .19) and from 183.8 ± 38.3 to 194.0 ± 46.4 g in the standard therapy group (P < .01). The primary end point of change in LV mass was significantly different between the intensive therapy and the standard therapy group (-3.9 ± 20.2 g vs 10.3 ± 20.4 g; P = .0007). The increase in LV mass index was also significantly greater in the standard therapy group (P = .01). No significant differences in secondary end points (changes in severity of AV disease, LV volumes, ejection fraction and GLS) were observed between the treatment groups. CONCLUSIONS: Among hypertensive patients with AV disease, intensive hypertensive therapy resulted in a significant reduction in LV hypertrophy, although progression of AV disease was similar between the treatment groups. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: http://ClinicalTrials.gov (Number NCT03666351).

Impact of right atrial enlargement on clinical outcome in patients with atrial fibrillation.

Background: Left atrial (LA) remodeling is associated with adverse cardiovascular events, including heart failure (HF) and stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). However, there are limited data on the value of right atrial (RA) remodeling in this population. We investigated the prognostic role of RA enlargement in patients with non-valvular AF. Methods and results: We analyzed 254 consecutive patients (age = 69 ± 12years, male:female = 165:89, mean left ventricular ejection fraction = 58.0 ± 7.2%) with non-valvular AF who underwent two-dimensional echocardiography from a single center. RA and LA volumes were measured from apical views and indexed to the body surface areas (right atrial volume index [RAVI] and left atrial volume index [LAVI]) and RAVI > 30mL/m2 and LAVI > 34mL/m2 were considered as enlarged. The relationship between RA enlargement and composite clinical outcome of hospitalization for HF (HHF), stroke, systemic embolism, or death from any cause was assessed. Right atrial (RA) enlargement was associated with older age and more frequent prevalence of persistent or permanent AF. During a median follow-up of 47.1 months, 77 patients (30%) had experienced primary composite outcome. In a multivariable model, RA enlargement, but not LA enlargement, was independently associated with adverse clinical outcomes even after adjusting for clinical and echocardiographic factors {adjusted hazard ratio [HR], 1.90 [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.14-3.18], p = 0.014 for primary composite outcome; adjusted HR, 2.70 [95% CI, 1.27-5.67], p = 0.001 for HHF or all cause death}. Conclusion: RA enlargement was independently associated with an increased risk of HF, stroke, systemic embolization or death in patients with non-valvular AF, suggesting that RA volume can be helpful in assessing future cardiovascular risk in this population.

PRE-OPerative ECHOcardiograhy for prevention of cardiovascular events after non-cardiac surgery in intermediate- and high-risk patients: protocol for a low-interventional, mixed-cohort prospective study design (PREOP-ECHO).

BACKGROUND: Cardiac evaluation using transthoracic echocardiography before noncardiac surgery is common in real-world practice. However, evidence supporting preoperative echocardiography is lacking. This study aims to evaluate the additional benefit of preoperative echocardiography in predicting postoperative cardiovascular events (CVE) in noncardiac surgery. METHODS: This study is designed as a multicenter, prospective study to assess the utility of preoperative echocardiography in patients undergoing intermediate- or high-risk noncardiac surgery. This trial comprises two studies: (1) a randomized controlled trial (RCT) for patients undergoing intermediate-risk surgery with fewer than three clinical risk factors from the revised cardiac risk index (intermediate-risk group) and (2) a prospective cohort study for patients undergoing intermediate-risk surgery with three or more clinical risk factors, or who undergo high-risk surgery regardless of the number of clinical risk factors (high-risk group). We hypothesize that the use of preoperative echocardiography will reduce postoperative CVEs in patients undergoing intermediate- to high-risk surgery through discovery of and further intervention for unexpected cardiac abnormalities before elective surgery. A total of 2330 and 2184 patients will be enrolled in the two studies. The primary endpoint is a composite of all-cause death; aborted sudden cardiac arrest; type I acute myocardial infarction; clinically diagnosed unstable angina; stress-induced cardiomyopathy; lethal arrhythmia, such as sustained ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation; and/or newly diagnosed or acutely decompensated heart failure within 30 days after surgery. DISCUSSION: This study will be the first large-scale prospective study examining the benefit of preoperative echocardiography in predicting postoperative CVE. The PREOP-ECHO trial will help doctors identify patients at risk of postoperative CVE using echocardiography and thereby reduce postoperative CVEs. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The Clinical Research Information Service KCT0006279 for RCT and KCT0006280 for prospective cohort study. Registered on June 21, 2021.

Association of Left Atrial Structure and Function With Heart Failure in Older Adults.

BACKGROUND: Limited data exist to characterize novel measures of left atrial (LA) structure and function in older adults without prevalent heart failure (HF). OBJECTIVES: The aim was to assess reference range of LA measures, their associations with N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic-peptide (NT-proBNP) and the related risk for incident HF or death. METHODS: We analyzed LA structure (LA maximal [LAViMax] and minimal volume indexed by body surface area) and function (LA emptying fraction, LA reservoir, conduit, and contraction strain) in 4,901 participants from the ARIC (Atherosclerosis Risk In Communities) study (mean age 75 ± 5 years, 40% male, and 19% Black) without prevalent HF. We assessed sex-specific 10th and 90th percentile ARIC-based reference limits in 301 participants free of prevalent cardiovascular disease, and related LA measures to NT-proBNP and incident HF or death (median follow-up of 5.5 years) in the whole ARIC cohort. RESULTS: Approximately 20% of the overall population had LA abnormalities according to the ARIC-based reference limit. Each LA measure was associated with NT-proBNP and, except for LAViMax, with incident HF or death after multivariable adjustment (including left ventricular function and NT-proBNP). Results were consistent in participants with normal LAViMax (P for interaction > 0.05). LA measures were prognostic for both incident HF with preserved ejection fraction or death and incident HF with reduced ejection fraction or death. When added to HF risk factors and NT-proBNP (baseline C-statistics = 0.74) all LA measures, except for LAViMax, significantly enhanced the prognostic accuracy. CONCLUSIONS: Novel measures of LA structure and function, but not standard assessment by LAViMax, are associated with increased risk of incident HF or death regardless of measures of left ventricular function and NT-proBNP.

Correlation of heart rate recovery and heart rate variability with atrial fibrillation progression.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the combination of heart rate recovery (HRR) and heart rate variability (HRV) in predicting atrial fibrillation (AF) progression. METHODS: Data from patients with a first detected episode of AF who underwent treadmill exercise testing and 24-h Holter electrocardiography were retrospectively analysed. Autonomic dysfunction was verified using HRR values. Sympathetic and parasympathetic modulation was analysed by HRV. AF progression was defined as transition from the first detected paroxysmal episode to persistent/permanent AF. RESULTS: Of 306 patients, mean LF/HF ratio and HRR did not differ significantly by AF progression regardless of age (< or ≥65 years). However, when the LF/HF ratio was divided into tertiles, in patients aged <65 years, the mid LF/HF (1.60-2.40) ratio was significantly associated with lower AF progression rates and longer maintenance of normal sinus rhythm. For patients aged <65 years, less metabolic equivalents were related to higher AF progression rates. For patients aged ≥65 years, a low HRR was associated with high AF progression rates. CONCLUSION: In relatively younger age, high physical capacity and balanced autonomic nervous system regulation are important predictors of AF progression. Evaluation of autonomic function assessed by age could predict AF progression.

The Association between Korean Clinical Nurses' Workplace Bullying, Positive Psychological Capital, and Social Support on Burnout.

Recurring shortages of nursing peoplepower in recent Korean society have impacted nursing organizations with burnout accounting for a major part of nursing staff turnover. Thus, we studied the associations between workplace bullying, positive psychological capital, and social support and whether they predict nursing burnout. We used hierarchical regression analysis to observe changes in influencing factors by sequentially entering general traits, workplace bullying, positive psychological capital, and social support from 166 clinical nurses at two hospitals. The analysis showed that being female (ß = 0.18), working three shifts (ß = 0.40), workplace bullying (ß = 0.24), and positive psychological capital (ß = -0.28) were predictors of burnout (F = 11.25, p < 0.001), explaining 44.5% of the variance. An analysis of the correlations between burnout, workplace bullying, positive psychological capital, and social support revealed that workplace bullying was positively correlated with burnout (r = 0.36, p < 0.001), and positive psychological capital (r = -0.49, p < 0.001) and social support (r = -0.37, p < 0.001) were negatively correlated with burnout. Thus, the higher positive psychological capital within an organization, the lower the level of burnout, suggesting that organizations should consider education programs to promote positive psychological capital. In addition, healthy organizational culture should be promoted by monitoring workplace bullying.

A Path Model for Burnout in Community Mental Health Professionals.

The purpose of this research is to identify a path model to explain burnout in community mental health professionals based on the compassion satisfaction-compassion fatigue (CS-CF) model. A total of 125 mental health professionals, including nurses, social professionals, and psychologists working in mental health welfare centers in various regions across South Korea were surveyed using a structured questionnaire. A path analysis was conducted using SPSS 24.0 and AMOS 24.0. The results showed that compassion satisfaction and compassion fatigue are significant predictors of burnout (ß = -0.20, p = 0.011; ß = 0.40, p < 0.001, respectively). The indirect pathways associated with burnout included occupational stress (ß = 0.21, p = 0.021) and experience with aggressive behavior in the workplace (ß = 0.33, p = 0.004) through maladaptive cognitive emotion regulation and compassion satisfaction. The total effect of the variables on burnout via compassion fatigue and compassion satisfaction explained 62.5% of burnout among mental health professionals. These findings indicate that providing nursing interventions might reduce compassion fatigue and increase compassion satisfaction to reduce burnout. Furthermore, intervention programs that help to reduce the use of maladaptive cognitive emotion regulation strategies are necessary to effectively reduce burnout in mental health professionals.

Prognostic Value of Minimal Left Atrial Volume in Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction.

Background Maximal left atrial (LA) volume is reported by most echocardiography laboratories and is associated with clinical outcomes in patients with heart failure (HF). Recent studies suggest that minimal LA volume may better reflect left ventricular filling pressure and may be more prognostic than maximal LA volume. This study assessed the prognostic value of indexed minimal LA volume (LAVImin) in patients with HF with preserved ejection fraction. Methods and Results We assessed the relationship of LAVImin with a primary composite end point of cardiovascular death, aborted cardiac death, or HF hospitalization in 347 patients with HF with preserved ejection fraction enrolled from the Americas region in TOPCAT (Treatment of Preserved Cardiac Function Heart Failure With an Aldosterone Antagonist Trial). We compared LAVImin with indexed maximal LA volume with respect to their prognostic values. In addition, we assessed if LA functional parameters provide additional prognostic information over LAVImin. During a median follow-up of 2.5 years, 107 patients (31%) experienced a primary composite end point. LAVImin was associated with increased risk of a primary composite outcome (hazard ratio [HR], 1.35; 95% CI, 1.12-1.61) and HF hospitalization alone (HR, 1.42; 95% CI, 1.17-1.71) after adjusting for clinical confounders and ejection fraction. In contrast, indexed maximal LA volume was not related to the primary composite outcome, but related to HF alone (HR, 1.25; 95% CI, 1.02-1.54). In comparison with indexed maximal LA volume, LAVImin was significantly more prognostic for primary composite outcome (P for comparison=0.032). Both LA emptying fraction and LA strain were prognostic of primary outcome independent of LAVImin (all P<0.05). Conclusions In patients with HF with preserved ejection fraction, LAVImin was more predictive of cardiovascular outcome than indexed maximal LA volume, suggesting this measure may be more physiologically relevant and might better identify patients at high risk for cardiovascular events. LA functional parameters provide prognostic information independent of LAVImin. Registration URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT00094302.

Epidemiology of Venous Thromboembolism and Treatment Pattern of Oral Anticoagulation in Korea, 2009-2016: a Nationwide Study Based on the National Health Insurance Service Database.

BACKGROUND: The annual incidence of venous thromboembolism (VTE) is increasing, and the treatment pattern of oral anticoagulants (OACs) has changed with introduction of new oral anticoagulants (NOACs). The aims of this study were to assess the annual incidence of VTE in a Korean population and the change of treatment pattern with availability of NOACs using a population-based database. METHODS: Using the Korean National Health Insurance Services database, we identified patients diagnosed with VTE between 2009 and 2016. The annual prevalence of VTE and clinical characteristics and treatment pattern were investigated. The annual incidence of VTE was calculated using direct and indirect methods using the estimated Korean population in 2009 as the reference. RESULTS: The annual incidence of VTE in Korean has increased yearly from 23.9 per 100,000 in 2009 to 42.2 in 2016. The overall rate of OAC prescription for VTE treatment increased from 55.9% to 68% in the same time period. The rate of initiation of NOAC treatment greatly increased, particularly from 2013 onwards, with a 20-fold increase from 2009 to 2016 (2.1% vs. 54.3%). CONCLUSIONS: The annual incidence of VTE in Korea increased by almost two-fold from 2009 to 2016. The rate of initiation of NOAC treatment has increased substantially since 2013, and these agents have surpassed VKAs as the anticoagulant of choice for VTE. This temporal pattern of OAC prescription is consistent with the current clinical guidelines, which indicate NOACs over the warfarin in patients with VTE.

Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio at Emergency Room Predicts Mechanical Complications of ST-segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction.

BACKGROUND: The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) has been proven to be a reliable inflammatory marker. A recent study reported that elevated NLR is associated with adverse cardiovascular events in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). We investigated whether NLR at emergency room (ER) is associated with mechanical complications of STEMI undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). METHODS: A total of 744 patients with STEMI who underwent successful primary PCI from 2009 to 2018 were enrolled in this study. Total and differential leukocyte counts were measured at ER. The NLR was calculated as the ratio of neutrophil count to lymphocyte count. Patients were divided into tertiles according to NLR. Mechanical complications of STEMI were defined by STEMI combined with sudden cardiac arrest, stent thrombosis, pericardial effusion, post myocardial infarction (MI) pericarditis, and post MI ventricular septal rupture, free-wall rupture, left ventricular thrombus, and acute mitral regurgitation during hospitalization. RESULTS: Patients in the high NLR group (> 4.90) had higher risk of mechanical complications of STEMI (P = 0.001) compared with those in the low and intermediate groups (13% vs. 13% vs. 23%). On multivariable analysis, NLR remained an independent predictor for mechanical complications of STEMI (RR = 1.947, 95% CI = 1.136-3.339, P = 0.015) along with symptom-to balloon time (P = 0.002) and left ventricular dysfunction (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: NLR at ER is an independent predictor of mechanical complications of STEMI undergoing primary PCI. STEMI patients with high NLR are at increased risk for complications during hospitalization, therefore, needs more intensive treatment after PCI.

Suicidal Ideation of Men with Alcohol Use Disorder in South Korea: A Structural Equation Modeling Analysis.

South Korea's suicide rate has been ranked second among OECD countries, and the rate of suicidal ideation is the highest among men with alcohol use disorder. To test a hypothetical model of men with alcohol use disorder based on O'Connor's integrated motivational-volitional model, a study was conducted at a psychiatric outpatient clinic, a community addiction management center, and an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting in South Korea, comprising 203 men with alcohol use disorder. Data were collected using the Scale for Suicide Ideation, Barratt Impulsiveness Scale-11, Childhood Trauma Questionnaire-Short Form, Survey of Recent Life Experiences-Short Form, Defeat Scale and Entrapment Scale. The final model was a good fit to the data (χ2/df = 1.51, comparative fit index = 0.97, normed fit index = 0.92, incremental fit index = 0.97, Tucker-Lewis index = 0.96, and root mean square error of approximation = 0.05). The structural model explained 34.0% of the variance in suicidal ideation; and it validated that impulsivity, stress, defeat, and entrapment were the key factors affecting suicidal ideation. To prevent suicide among men with alcohol use disorder, it is necessary to develop a suicide prevention program that includes men's feelings of defeat and entrapment.

Correlations Between Stress, Depression, Body Mass Index, and Food Addiction Among Korean Nursing Students.

This study examined the relationships between stress, depression, body mass index, and food addiction in South Korean nursing students. Data from 323 nursing students in Seoul, Gangwon-do, Jeollanam-do, Gyeongsangnam-do, and Jeju-do were collected via self-report questionnaires and analyzed using chi-square tests, Mann-Whitney U tests, logistic regression analyses, and the receiver operating characteristic curve using SPSS 21.0. Overall, 7.1% of students were classified as having a food addiction. Stress and depression affected food addiction, and food addiction influenced obesity. Depression and stress combined were predictors of food addiction. These findings suggest that effective stress management and interventions for depression prevention may be beneficial to prevent food addiction in nursing students.

Effect of Soft Silicone Foam Dressings on Intraoperatively Acquired Pressure Injuries: A Randomized Study in Patients Undergoing Spinal Surgery.

The use of prophylactic dressings to help prevent intraoperatively acquired pressure injuries (IAPIs) merits further study. PURPOSE: To examine how the use of a soft silicone foam dressing affects the development of IAPIs in patients undergoing spinal surgery to obtain baseline data supporting evidence-based nursing care. METHODS: Using a self-controlled study design, 64 patients requiring thoracic or lumbar surgery on a Wilson frame at a hospital in Seoul, South Korea, were recruited between February 12 and September 1, 2018; 50 patients were eligible. Basic demographic, health, and surgical data were obtained. Before surgery, the left or right side chest and iliac crest areas were randomly assigned to be covered with a soft silicone foam dressing. The areas were assessed at 2 time points: immediately after and 30 minutes after surgery. If an IAPI was present at 30 minutes after surgery, all sites were reevaluated after 7 days. RESULTS: The majority of participants were male (26 participants, 52%). Average patient age was 62.54 (± 13.83) years, with a body mass index of 24.32 (± 4.23) kg/m2. Average length of surgery was 218.4 (± 137) minutes. Immediately after surgery, 26 IAPIs were observed and there was a significant difference between dressed and non-dressed chest areas for the number of IAPIs (4% vs. 28%; P = .002). After 30 minutes, the total number of IAPIs was 20 and the difference between IAPIs in the iliac crest area was significant between dressed and non-dressed areas (0% vs. 14%; P = .012). After 1 week, there were no chest or iliac crest IAPIs in the areas that had been covered by a dressing; however, 8 chest (61.5%) and 4 iliac crest (30.8%) area IAPIs remained when no dressing had been applied. The majority of IAPIs were stage 1 at all assessment times. After 1 week, 1 IAPI had evolved into a stage 3 injury. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study show that many stage 1 IAPIs do resolve over time and that use of soft silicone foam dressings during spinal surgery can significantly reduce IAPI rates. Additional longitudinal studies are needed to help guide postoperative skin assessment intervals and increase the understanding about the evolution of stage 1 IAPIs.

Ivabradine-Induced Torsade de Pointes in Patients with Heart Failure Reduced Ejection Fraction.

Ivabradine is a selective inhibitor of the sinoatrial node "funny" current, prolonging the slow diastolic depolarization. As it has the ability to block the heart rate selectively, it is more effective at a faster heart rate. It is recommended for the treatment of heart failure reduced ejection fraction in the presence of beta-blocker therapy for the further reduction of the heart rate. However, previous reports have shown the association of Torsade de pointes (TdP) with concurrent use of ivabradine and drugs resulting in QT prolongation or blockage of the metabolic breakdown of ivabradine. In this article, we report two cases of patients with heart failure reduced ejection fraction who developed TdP after ivabradine use. Our report highlights the need to exercise caution with the administration of ivabradine in the presence of a reduced repolarization reserve, such as QT prolongation or metabolic insufficiency.