Mental and physical health, and long-term quality of life among service members injured on deployment.

BACKGROUND: More than 52,000 casualties have been documented in post-9/11 conflicts. Service members with extremity injuries (EIs) or traumatic brain injury (TBI) may be at particular risk for long-term deficits in mental and physical health functioning compared with service members with other injuries. METHODS: The present study combined medical records with patient reports of mental health and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) for 2,537 service members injured in overseas contingency operations who participated in the Wounded Warrior Recovery Project. Combined parallel-serial mediation models were tested to examine the pathways through which injury is related to mental and physical health conditions, and long-term HRQOL. RESULTS: Results revealed that injury was indirectly related to long-term HRQOL via its associations with physical health complications and mental health symptoms. Relative to TBI, EI was associated with a higher likelihood for a postinjury diagnosis for a musculoskeletal condition, which were related to lower levels of later posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, and higher levels of physical and mental HRQOL. Similarly, EI was related to a lower likelihood for a postinjury PTSD diagnosis, and lower levels of subsequent PTSD symptoms, and therefore higher physical and mental HRQOL relative to those with TBI. Despite this, the prevalence of probable PTSD among those with EI was high (35%). Implications for intervention, rehabilitation, and future research are discussed.

Affections cardio-vasculaires et l'infection à VIH en milieu hospitalier universitaire au Burkina Faso : profil épidémiologique, clinique et évolutif, et implications en santé publique

Le Syndrome immunodéficitaire acquis (Sida) constitue l'une des épidémies les plus meurtrières de l'histoire de l'humanité. l'avènement des médicaments antirétroviraux(aRV) en modifiant l'histoire naturelle de la maladie, par l'amélioration de la survie des patients, les exposeraient à l'émergence des pathologies cardiovasculaires. Ce travail avait pour objectif de décrire les aspects épidémiologique, clinique, paraclinique et évolutif des affections cardio-vasculaires au cours de l'infection à Vih, et entrevoir les implications en santé publique. il s'est agi d'une étude rétrospective réalisée du 01 Janvier 2011 au 31 mars 2015, elle a inclus 91 patients Vih recrutés au Centre hospitalier universitaire Yalgado ouédraogo de ouagadougou, présentant des anomalies cliniques et/ou des facteurs de risque cardiovasculaires (FdRCV) évoquant une maladie cardiovasculaire. un bilan cardiologique était réalisé en vue d'une confirmation. l'âge moyen des patients ayant présenté une pathologie cardiovasculaire associant l'infection au Vih était de 45 ± 10 ans avec les extrêmes de 20 et de 83 ans. il y avait 53 femmes (58,24 %) pour un sexe ratio homme / femme de 0,7. les sujets du niveau socio- économique faible étaient les plus représentés avec une fréquence de 56 % des cas. le tableau clinique cardiovasculaire était dominé par l'insuffisance cardiaque globale (28,57 %). les signes majeurs étaient la dyspnée, la douleur précordiale, la toux, la tachycardie et la grosse jambe douloureuse. les manifestations cardiovasculaires étaient diverses, les maladies thromboemboliques (48,35 %) étaient les plus représentées. les atteintes myocardiques (17,59 %), les atteintes péricardiques (15,39 %) et les atteintes de l'endocarde (12,09 %) étaient notées en leurs proportions respectives. il est ressorti que 3,30 % des patients ont présenté un infarctus du myocarde chez des patients vivant avec le Vih (PVVih) sous traitement antirétroviral (aRV). la mortalité hospitalière était de 14,29 %. au vu de leur fréquence, de leur taux de décès et pour leur prise en charge précoce, les atteintes cardiovasculaires au cours de l'infection par le Vih seraient multiformes. une bonne connaissance de la question par le personnel médical et paramédical et une prise en charge précoce contribuerait à la réduction de létalité y afférente

Comentarios del Comité Español Interdisciplinario de Prevención Cardiovascular (CEIPC) a las guías europeas de prevención cardiovascular 2012 / Statement of the Spanish Interdisciplinary Cardiovascular Prevention Committee (CEIPC) on the 2012 European Cardiovascular Prevention Guidelines

Las guías europeas de prevención cardiovascular contemplan dos sistemas de evaluación de la evidencia (SEC y GRADE) y recomiendan combinar las estrategias poblacional y de alto riesgo, interviniendo en todas las etapas de la vida, con la dieta como piedra angular de la prevención. La valoración del RCV incorpora los niveles de HDL y los factores psicosociales, una categoría de muy alto riesgo y el concepto edad-riesgo. Se recomienda el uso de métodos cognitivo-conductuales (entrevista motivadora, intervenciones psicológicas), aplicados por profesionales sanitarios, con la participación de familiares de los pacientes, para contrarrestar el estrés psicosocial y reducir el RCV mediante dietas saludables, entrenamiento físico, abandono del tabaco y cumplimiento terapéutico. También se requieren medidas de salud pública, como la prohibición de fumar en lugares públicos o eliminar los ácidos grasos trans de la cadena alimentaria. Otras novedades consisten en desestimar el tratamiento antiagregante en prevención primaria y la recomendación de mantener la PA dentro del rango 130-139/80-85 mmHg en pacientes diabéticos o con RCV alto. Se destaca el bajo cumplimiento terapéutico observado, porque influye en el pronóstico de los pacientes y en los costes sanitarios. Para mejorar la prevención cardiovascular se precisa una verdadera alianza entre políticos, administraciones, asociaciones científicas y profesionales de la salud, fundaciones de salud, asociaciones de consumidores, pacientes y sus familias, que impulse las estrategias poblacional e individual, mediante el uso de toda la evidencia científica disponible, desde ensayos clínicos hasta estudios observacionales y modelos matemáticos para evaluar intervenciones a nivel poblacional, incluyendo análisis de coste-efectividad (AU)

Based on the two main frameworks for evaluating scientific evidence-SEC and GRADE-European cardiovascular prevention guidelines recommend interventions across all life stages using a combination of population-based and high-risk strategies with diet as the cornerstone of prevention. The evaluation of cardiovascular risk (CVR) incorporates HDL levels and psychosocial factors, a very high risk category, and the concept of age-risk. They also recommend cognitive-behavioural methods (e.g., motivational interviewing, psychological interventions, led by health professionals and with the participation of the patient's family, to counterbalance psychosocial stress and reduce CVR through the institution of positive habits such as a healthy diet, physical activity, smoking cessation, and adherence to treatment. Additionally, public health interventions-such as smoking ban in public areas or the elimination of trans fatty acids from the food chain-are also essential. Other innovations include abandoning antiplatelet therapy in primary prevention and the recommendation of maintaining blood pressure (BP) within the 130-139/80-85 mmHg range in diabetic patients and individuals with high CVR. Finally, due to the significant impact on patient progress and medical costs, special emphasis is given to the low therapeutic adherence levels observed. In sum, improving cardiovascular prevention requires a true partnership among the political class, public administrations, scientific and professional associations, health foundations, consumer associations, patients and their families. Such partnership would promote population-based and individual strategies by taking advantage of the broad spectrum of scientific evidence available, from clinical trials to observational studies and mathematical models to evaluate population-based interventions, including cost-effectiveness analyses (AU)

Prospective, multicenter study of ventricular assist device infections.

BACKGROUND: Ventricular assist devices (VADs) improve survival and quality of life in patients with advanced heart failure, but their use is frequently complicated by infection. There are limited data on the microbiology and epidemiology of these infections. METHODS AND RESULTS: One hundred fifty patients scheduled for VAD implantation were enrolled (2006-2008) at 11 US cardiac centers and followed prospectively until transplantation, explantation for recovery, death, or for 1 year. Eighty-six patients (57%) received HeartMate II devices. Data were collected on potential preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative risk factors for infection. Clinical, laboratory, and microbiological data were collected for suspected infections and evaluated by an infectious diseases specialist. Thirty-three patients (22%) developed 34 VAD-related infections with an incidence rate of 0.10 per 100 person-days (95% confidence interval, 0.073-0.142). The median time to infection was 68 days. The driveline was the most commonly infected site (n=28); 18 (64%) were associated with invasive disease. Staphylococci were the most common pathogen (47%), but pseudomonas or other Gram-negative bacteria caused 32% of infections. A history of depression and elevated baseline serum creatinine were independent predictors of VAD infection (adjusted hazard ratio=2.8 [P=0.007] and 1.7 [P=0.023], respectively). The HeartMate II was not associated with a decreased risk of infection. VAD infection increased 1-year mortality (adjusted hazard ratio=5.6; P<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: This prospective, multicenter study demonstrates that infection frequently complicates VAD placement and is a continuing problem despite the use of newer, smaller devices. Depression and renal dysfunction may increase the risk of VAD infection. VAD infection is a serious consequence because it adversely affects patient survival. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT01471795.

Usefulness of fluorine-18 positron emission tomography/computed tomography for identification of cardiovascular implantable electronic device infections.

OBJECTIVES: This study evaluated the usefulness of fluorodesoxyglucose marked by fluorine-18 ((18)F-FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) and computed tomography (CT) in patients with suspected cardiovascular implantable electronic device (CIED) infection. BACKGROUND: CIED infection is sometimes challenging to diagnose. Because extraction is associated with significant morbidity/mortality, new imaging modalities to confirm the infection and its dissemination would be of clinical value. METHODS: Three groups were compared. In Group A, 42 patients with suspected CIED infection underwent (18)F-FDG PET/CT. Positive PET/CT was defined as abnormal uptake along cardiac devices. Group B included 12 patients without infection who underwent PET/CT 4 to 8 weeks post-implant. Group C included 12 patients implanted for >6 months without infection who underwent PET/CT for another indication. Semi-quantitative ratio (SQR) was obtained from the ratio between maximal uptake and lung parenchyma uptake. RESULTS: In Group A, 32 of 42 patients with suspected CIED infection had positive PET/CT. Twenty-four patients with positive PET/CT underwent extraction with excellent correlation. In 7 patients with positive PET/CT, 6 were treated as superficial infection with clinical resolution. One patient with positive PET/CT but negative leukocyte scan was considered false positive due to Dacron pouch. Ten patients with negative-PET/CT were treated with antibiotics and none has relapsed at 12.9 ± 1.9 months. In Group B, patients had mild uptake seen at the level of the connector. There was no abnormal uptake in Group C patients. Median SQR was significantly higher in Group A (A = 2.02 vs. B = 1.08 vs. C = 0.57; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: PET/CT is useful in differentiating between CIED infection and recent post-implant changes. It may guide appropriate therapy.

Prevención en infecciones de la cirugía cardiovascular neonatal y pediátrica / Infections prevention in neonatal and pediatric cardiovascular surgery

Con la introducción de los principios de antisepsia, logró disminuir sustancialmente las infeccionespostoperatorias y la mortalidad. El riesgo de infección del sitio quirúrgico depende de una relación entre el número de bacterias, la virulencia y la susceptibilidad del huésped. La principal fuente de patógenos es la flora endógena del paciente y la flora exógena. Los factores de riesgo para las infecciones del sitio quirúrgico (ISQ) en cirugía cardiovascular pediátrico no están claramente definidos. Las ISQ se consideran asociadas al cuidado de la salud o antes llamadas intrahospitalarias si ocurren dentro de los siguientes 30 días luego del procedimiento quirúrgico independiente que el paciente se encuentre o no hospitalizado. En conclusión, las ISQ en cirugía cardiovascular pediátrica aumentan la morbilidad, la mortalidad y los costos.

With the introduction of the principles of antisepsis, possible to substantially reduce postoperativeinfections and mortality. The risk of surgical site infection depends on a relationship between thenumber of bacteria, virulence and host susceptibility. The main source of pathogens is the patient'sendogenous flora and exogenous flora. Risk factors for surgical site infections (SSIs) in pediatriccardiovascular surgery are not clearly defined. SSIs are associated with the health care or formerly known as nosocomial if they occur within 30 days after the independent surgical procedure the patient is hospitalized or not. In conclusion, the SSI in pediatric cardiovascular surgery, increased morbidity, mortality and costs.

Detection and serotype distribution of Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans in cardiovascular specimens from Japanese patients.

Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans, an important pathogen in periodontitis, has also been detected in cardiovascular tissues. Sixty heart valves were collected during valve replacement surgery from 60 patients (one from each), 10 were from patients with infective endocarditis (IE group) and 50 were from patients with other valvular diseases (non-IE group). In addition, 46 samples of aneurysmal tissue were taken from 46 patients with a thoracic or abdominal aneurysm (Aneurysm group, one from each). Dental plaque samples were taken from 54 of the patients, 31 in the IE and non-IE groups and 23 in the aneurysm group. First, the distribution of A. actinomycetemcomitans in all specimens was analysed using a polymerase chain reaction method, which resulted in a positive reaction in 33 (31.1%) of the cardiovascular specimens and 25 (46.3%) of the dental plaque samples. Next, using serotype-specific sets of primers, the serotype distribution of A. actinomycetemcomitans in the cardiovascular specimens and dental plaque samples was found to be significantly different compared to dental plaque samples from Japanese subjects reported previously.