The "Lightbulb" Sign: A Novel Echocardiographic Finding Using Ultrasound Enhancing Agent in Fulminant COVID-19-Related Myocarditis.

We report a case of fulminant COVID-19-related myocarditis requiring venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation where the use of an ultrasound-enhancing agent demonstrated a previously undescribed echocardiographic finding, the "lightbulb" sign. This sign potentially represents a new area for the use of an ultrasound enhancing agent in the echocardiographic diagnosis of myocarditis.

The Hospital at Home Model vs Routine Hospitalization for Acute Heart Failure: A Survey of Patients' Preferences.

Background: Patients with heart failure (HF) experience recurrent hospitalizations and may prefer a Hospital at Home (HaH) model over routine hospitalization. Methods: We administered a 9-item questionnaire on perceived effectiveness, safety, convenience, and acceptability of a HaH model among patients hospitalized for HF at 2 academic hospitals in Ontario. The primary outcome was HaH care acceptability, defined as a preference for or neutrality to HaH care over routine hospitalization. We used partial Spearman rank correlations (ρ) and multivariable logistic regression analyses to explore associations with outcomes. Results: Of 297 eligible patients, 269 (90.6%) completed the questionnaire. The mean age was 76.2 (standard deviation, 12.3) years; 48.3% were female; and 70.5% lived in their own home, commonly with a relative or caregiver (67.9%). As many as 211 patients (78.4%; 95% confidence interval [CI] 73.0%-83.2%) found HaH care acceptable, with 169 (62.8%; 95% CI, 56.8%-68.6%) preferring HaH care over routine hospitalization. Perceived convenience (ρ, 0.57; P < 0.001) and safety (ρ, 0.37; p < 0.001) were associated with HaH acceptability, whereas perceived effectiveness was not (ρ, 0.14; P = 0.021). A college (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 5.96; 95% CI, 2.01-17.62; P = 0.001) or university (aOR, 3.58; 95% CI, 1.07-12.06; P = 0.039) education was associated with greater odds of HaH acceptability, whereas residing in a caregiver's home was associated with lower odds (aOR, 0.34; 95% CI 0.14-0.84; P = 0.019). Conclusions: A majority of patients with HF perceived HaH care to be an acceptable alternative to routine hospitalization, prioritizing perceived convenience and safety over effectiveness. Postsecondary education and living independently without caregiver support were associated with HaH acceptability.

Introduction: Puisque les patients atteints d'insuffisance cardiaque (IC) sont hospitalisés à répétition, ils peuvent préférer le modèle d'hospitalisation à domicile (HAD) à l'hospitalisation habituelle. Méthodes: Nous avons fait passer un questionnaire de neuf items sur l'efficacité, la sécurité, la commodité et l'acceptabilité perçues du modèle d'HAD aux patients hospitalisés atteints d'IC de deux hôpitaux universitaires de l'Ontario. Le critère de jugement principal était l'acceptabilité des soins en HAD, définie par la préférence ou la neutralité à l'égard des soins en HAD plutôt qu'à l'égard de l'hospitalisation habituelle. Nous avons utilisé les corrélations partielles sur les rangs de Spearman (ρ) et les analyses multivariées de régression logistique pour examiner les associations avec les résultats. Résultats: Au sein des 297 patients admissibles, 269 (90,6 %) ont rempli le questionnaire. L'âge moyen était de 76,2 (écart type, 12,3) ans; 48,3 % étaient des femmes et 70,5 % vivaient dans leur propre maison, généralement avec un parent ou un soignant (67,9 %). Jusqu'à 211 patients (78,4 %; intervalle de confiance [IC] à 95 %, 73,0 %-83,2 %) trouvaient les soins en HAD acceptables : 169 (62,8 %; IC à 95 %, 56,8 %-68,6 %) préféraient les soins en HAD à l'hospitalisation habituelle. La commodité (ρ, 0,57; P < 0,001) et la sécurité perçues (ρ, 0,37; p < 0,001) étaient associées à l'acceptabilité de l'HAD, tandis que l'efficacité perçue ne l'était pas (ρ, 0,14; P = 0,021). Une formation collégiale (ratio d'incidence ajusté [RIAa], 5,96; IC à 95 %, 2,01-17,62; P = 0,001) ou universitaire (RIAa, 3,58; IC à 95 %, 1,07-12,06; P = 0,039) était associée à une plus grande probabilité d'acceptabilité de l'HAD, tandis que le fait de vivre au domicile du soignant était associé à une plus faible probabilité (RIAa, 0,34; IC à 95 %, 0,14-0,84; P = 0,019). Conclusions: Une majorité de patients atteints d'IC considéraient que les soins en HAD étaient une alternative acceptable à l'hospitalisation habituelle, et accordaient la priorité à la commodité et à la sécurité perçues plutôt qu'à l'efficacité. La formation postsecondaire et le fait de vivre de façon indépendante sans l'aide d'un soignant étaient associés à l'acceptabilité de l'HAD.

Comparative effectiveness of transitional care services in patients discharged from the hospital with heart failure: a systematic review and network meta-analysis.

AIMS: To compare the effectiveness of transitional care services in decreasing all-cause death and all-cause readmissions following hospitalization for heart failure (HF). METHODS AND RESULTS: We searched PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, and Cochrane Clinical Trials Register for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published in 2000-2015 that tested the efficacy of transitional care services in patients hospitalized for HF, provided ≥1 month of follow-up, and reported all-cause mortality or all-cause readmissions. Our network meta-analysis included 53 RCTs (12 356 patients). Among services that significantly decreased all-cause mortality compared with usual care, nurse home visits were most effective [ranking P-score 0.6794; relative risk (RR) 0.78, 95% confidence intervals (CI) 0.62-0.98], followed by disease management clinics (DMCs) (ranking P-score 0.6368; RR 0.80, 95% CI 0.67-0.97). Among services that significantly decreased all-cause readmission, nurse home visits were most effective [ranking P-score 0.8365; incident rate ratio (IRR) 0.65, 95% CI 0.49-0.86], followed by nurse case management (NCM) (ranking P-score 0.6168; IRR 0.77, 95% CI 0.63-0.95), and DMCs (ranking P-score 0.5691; IRR 0.80, 95% CI 0.66-0.97). There was no significant difference in the comparative effectiveness of services that improved each outcome. Nurse home visits had the greatest pooled cost-savings (3810 USD, 95% CI 3682-3937), followed by NCM (3435 USD, 95% CI 3224-3645), and DMCs (245 USD, 95% CI -70 to 559). Telephone, telemonitoring, pharmacist, and education interventions did not significantly improve clinical outcomes. CONCLUSION: Nurse home visits and DMCs decrease all-cause mortality after hospitalization for HF. Along with NCM, they also reduce all-cause readmissions, with no significant difference in comparative effectiveness. These services reduce healthcare system costs to varying degrees.

ATP stimulates Ca(2+)-waves and gene expression in cultured human pulmonary fibroblasts.

Given that extracellular ATP is markedly elevated in inflammation and is known to modulate fibroblast function, we examined the effects of exogenously added ATP on Ca(2+)-handling and gene expression in human pulmonary fibroblasts. Cells were loaded with the Ca(2+)-indicator dye fluo-4 and studied using confocal fluorimetry. Standard RT-PCR was used to probe gene expression. ATP (10(-5)M) evoked recurring Ca(2+)-waves which were completely occluded by cyclopiazonic acid (depletes the internal Ca(2+)-store) or the phospholipase inhibitor U73122. Pretreatment with ryanodine (10(-5)M), however, had no effect on the ATP-evoked responses. Regarding the receptor through which ATP acted, we found the ATP-response to be mimicked by UTP or ADP but not by adenosine or alpha,beta-methylene-ATP, and to be blocked by the purinergic receptor blocker PPADS. The ATP-evoked response was greater and longer lasting within the nucleus than in the non-nuclear portion of the cytosol. RT-PCR showed that ATP also rapidly and dramatically increased gene expression of P2Y(4) receptors, the cytokine TGF-beta (an important modulator of wound repair) and two matrix proteins (collagen A1 and fibronectin) approximately 4-5 times above baseline: this increase was not significantly affected by ryanodine but was abolished by PPADS. We conclude that, in human pulmonary fibroblasts, ATP acts upon P2Y receptors to liberate internal Ca(2+) through ryanodine-insensitive channels, leading to a Ca(2+)-wave which courses throughout the cell and modulates gene expression.