Barriers to attendance at a tertiary hospital's perinatal mortality meeting.

BACKGROUND: Perinatal mortality multi-disciplinary team meetings (PM-MDTMs) offer a forum for multi-disciplinary discussion of poor perinatal outcomes. They ensure a thorough understanding of individual cases and present an important learning opportunity for healthcare professionals (HCPs). Attendance at PM-MDTMs in this tertiary maternity hospital has been low. AIMS: We aimed to identify barriers which may be targeted to improve attendance and engagement. METHODS: An anonymous questionnaire was developed, and all HCPs invited to participate. Demographic data on respondents was collected, as was knowledge of PM-MDTMs, their purpose and relevance to clinical practice, and barriers to attendance at meetings. A total of 78 responses were obtained and analysed. RESULTS: Self-reported understanding of the purpose and format PM-MDTMs was high (84.6% (66/78) and 65.4% (51/78), respectively), while only 50% (39/78) of respondents provided an accurate description of either. Only 50% (39/78) reported having attended a meeting in the hospital, of whom 61.5% (24/39) described the correct meeting. Of these, 37.5% (9/24) reported attending regularly and 70.8% (17/24) found the meeting relevant to their clinical practice. Of the 33.33% (26/78) who reported attending a PM-MDTM in another hospital, 73.1% (19/26) accurately described the meeting, 63.1% (12/19) of these attended regularly, and 100% (19/19) found it relevant. Three main qualitative themes emerged as barriers to attendance and were areas for suggested improvements: workload and staffing levels, meeting logistics, and lack of communication and education regarding PM-MDTMs. CONCLUSIONS: Communication regarding PM-MDTMs and their learning opportunities needs to improve. Lack of engagement is likely compounded by high workloads and staffing levels, but these issues should be surmountable.

Optimal Cerebral Perfusion Pressure During Delayed Cerebral Ischemia After Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage.

OBJECTIVES: The recommendation of induced hypertension for delayed cerebral ischemia treatment after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage has been challenged recently and ideal pressure targets are missing. A new concept advocates an individual cerebral perfusion pressure where cerebral autoregulation functions best to ensure optimal global perfusion. We characterized optimal cerebral perfusion pressure at time of delayed cerebral ischemia and tested the conformity of induced hypertension with this target value. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data. SETTING: University hospital neurocritical care unit. PATIENTS: Thirty-nine aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage patients with invasive neuromonitoring (20 with delayed cerebral ischemia, 19 without delayed cerebral ischemia). INTERVENTIONS: Induced hypertension greater than 180 mm Hg systolic blood pressure. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Changepoint analysis was used to calculate significant changes in cerebral perfusion pressure, optimal cerebral perfusion pressure, and the difference of cerebral perfusion pressure and optimal cerebral perfusion pressure 48 hours before delayed cerebral ischemia diagnosis. Optimal cerebral perfusion pressure increased 30 hours before the onset of delayed cerebral ischemia from 82.8 ± 12.5 to 86.3 ± 11.4 mm Hg (p < 0.05). Three hours before delayed cerebral ischemia, a changepoint was also found in the difference of cerebral perfusion pressure and optimal cerebral perfusion pressure (decrease from -0.2 ± 11.2 to -7.7 ± 7.6 mm Hg; p < 0.05) with a corresponding increase in pressure reactivity index (0.09 ± 0.33 to 0.19 ± 0.37; p < 0.05). Cerebral perfusion pressure at time of delayed cerebral ischemia was lower than in patients without delayed cerebral ischemia in a comparable time frame (cerebral perfusion pressure delayed cerebral ischemia 81.4 ± 8.3 mm Hg, no delayed cerebral ischemia 90.4 ± 10.5 mm Hg; p < 0.05). Inducing hypertension resulted in a cerebral perfusion pressure above optimal cerebral perfusion pressure (+12.4 ± 8.3 mm Hg; p < 0.0001). Treatment response (improvement of delayed cerebral ischemia: induced hypertension+ [n = 15] or progression of delayed cerebral ischemia: induced hypertension- [n = 5]) did not correlate to either absolute values of cerebral perfusion pressure or optimal cerebral perfusion pressure, nor the resulting difference (cerebral perfusion pressure [p = 0.69]; optimal cerebral perfusion pressure [p = 0.97]; and the difference of cerebral perfusion pressure and optimal cerebral perfusion pressure [p = 0.51]). CONCLUSIONS: At the time of delayed cerebral ischemia occurrence, there is a significant discrepancy between cerebral perfusion pressure and optimal cerebral perfusion pressure with worsening of autoregulation, implying inadequate but identifiable individual perfusion. Standardized induction of hypertension resulted in cerebral perfusion pressures that exceeded individual optimal cerebral perfusion pressure in delayed cerebral ischemia patients. The potential benefit of individual blood pressure management guided by autoregulation-based optimal cerebral perfusion pressure should be explored in future intervention studies.

Implementation and Outcomes of a Difficult Airway Code Team Composed of Anesthesiologists in a Korean Tertiary Hospital: A Retrospective Analysis of a Prospective Registry.

BACKGROUND: In 2017, we established an airway call (AC) team composed of anesthesiologists to improve emergency airway management outside the operating room. In this retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data from the airway registry, we describe the characteristics of patients attended to and practices by the AC team during the first 4 years of implementation. METHODS: All AC team activations in which an airway intervention was performed by the AC team between June 2017 and May 2021 were analyzed. RESULTS: In all, 359 events were analyzed. Activation was more common outside of working hours (62.1%) and from the intensive care unit (85.0%); 36.2% of AC activations were due to known or anticipated difficult airway, most commonly because of acquired airway anomalies (n = 49), followed by airway edema or bleeding (n = 32) and very young age (≤ 1 years; n = 30). In 71.3% of the cases, successful intubation was performed by the AC team at the first attempt. However, three or more attempts were performed in 33 cases. The most common device used for successful intubation was the videolaryngoscope (59.7%). Tracheal intubation by the AC team failed in nine patients, who then required surgical airway insertion by otolaryngologists. However, there were no airway-related deaths. CONCLUSIONS: When coupled with appropriate assistance from an otolaryngologist AC system, an AC team composed of anesthesiologists could be an efficient way to provide safe airway management outside the operating room. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinical Research Information Service Identifier: KCT0006643.

Challenges of Pediatric Anesthesia Services and Training Infrastructure in Tertiary Care Teaching Institutions in Pakistan: A Perspective From the Province of Sindh.

BACKGROUND: Pakistan is a lower middle-income country located in South Asia with a population of nearly 208 million. Sindh is its second largest province. The aim of this survey was to identify the current setup of pediatric services, staffing, equipment, and training infrastructure in the teaching hospitals of Sindh. METHODS: The survey was conducted between June 2018 and September 2018. A questionnaire was designed with input from experts and pretested. One faculty coordinator from each of 12 of the 13 teaching hospitals (7 government and 5 private) completed the form. Information was exported into Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22. Frequency and percentages were computed for all variables. Confidentiality was ensured by anonymizing the data. RESULTS: Anesthesia services are provided by consultants with either membership or fellowship in anesthesia of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Pakistan (CPSP). All drugs on the World Health Organization (WHO) essential medication list were available, although narcotic supply was often inconsistent. Weak areas identified were absence of standardization of practice regarding premedication, preoperative laboratory testing, pain assessment, and management. No national practice guidelines exist. Pulse oximeters and capnometers were available in all private hospitals but in only 86% and 44% of the government hospitals, respectively. Some training centers were not providing the training as outlined by the CPSP criteria. CONCLUSIONS: Several gaps have been identified in the practice and training infrastructure of pediatric anesthesia. There is a need for national guidelines, standardization of protocols, provision of basic equipment, and improved supervision of trainees. One suggestion is to have combined residency programs between private and government hospitals to take advantage of the strengths of both. Recommendations by this group have been shared with all teaching hospitals and training bodies.

Prevalence and epidemiological profile of celiac disease in children with type 1 diabetes mellitus: Experience from a tertiary care center of India.

BACKGROUND: The HLA associations of celiac disease (CD) in north Indians differ from that in Europeans. Our dietary gluten is among the highest in the world. Data on CD in people with diabetes (PWD) in north India is scant. OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence and clinical profile of CD in children with type 1 diabetes (T1D). RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Retrospective review of case records of PWD with onset ≤18 years of age, registered between 2009 and 2020, having at least one anti tissue-transglutaminase (anti-tTG) serology report. RESULTS: Of 583 registered PWD, 398 (68.2%) had celiac serology screening. A positive report was obtained in 66 (16.6%). Of 51 biopsied people, 22 (5.5%) were diagnosed to have CD, 12 in the first 2 years of diabetes onset. Symptomatic CD at diagnosis was seen in 63% (14/22). Age at diabetes onset (median [IQR] age 5.5 years, [2-12]) was lower in PWD and CD compared to PWD alone (10 years, [7-14], p < 0.016). Of 36 biopsied children with anti-tTG >100 au/ml, 20 (55.5%) had CD, while 2 out of 15 (13.3%) of those with lower anti-tTG titer had histopathology suggestive of CD. Of 23 seropositive children not diagnosed with CD, 5 of 8 with anti tTG >100 au/ml, and all 15 with lower anti-tTG, had normalization of titers over the 24 (10-41) months. CONCLUSIONS: Our prevalence of CD is comparable to international data. Celiac disease was common with younger age at onset of T1D and higher titer of celiac serology. A high proportion was symptomatic of CD at diagnosis.

Neonatal Outcomes of Pregnant Women With Confirmed Coronavirus Disease 2019: One-Year Experience of a Tertiary Care Center.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic became an important public health problem affecting all age groups. The aim of this study was to evaluate clinical and laboratory findings of newborns born to mothers with COVID-19. Thirty pregnant women with COVID-19 were admitted to Turgut Ozal University Hospital for delivery. Fourteen pregnant women had at least one symptom associated with COVID-19. Positive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) results were seen in only 3 (9.7%) of 31 newborns. A statistically significant difference was observed between PCR-positive and PCR-negative newborns in terms of any adverse pregnancy outcomes. Neonatal lymphocyte count and partial arterial oxygen pressure were significantly lower in the PCR-positive group. Results were also compared according to the interval from the maternal diagnosis time to delivery. Hemoglobin and hematocrit levels in newborns born to mothers diagnosed more than 7 days before delivery were significantly lower. Neonates born to mothers with COVID-19 had mild clinical symptoms and favorable outcomes.

Midlevel Providers Focusing on Geriatrics Improve Care and Outcomes of Fall-Related Injuries Among the Elderly.

BACKGROUND: A rural level 1 trauma center underwent a consolidation to level III status in a new trauma network system. A dedicated group of midlevel practitioners emphasizing early mobilization, a geriatric care model, and fall prevention replaced surgical residents in the level 3 center. We hypothesized that outcomes of elderly fall-related injuries may be enhanced with midlevel providers using a geriatric-focused care model. METHODS: An IRB-approved trauma registry review of patients over 65 years of age with a fall-related injury admitted to a rural trauma center 1 year prior to and 1 year following a trauma center consolidation from level 1 to level III designation evaluated demographics, anticoagulant use, comorbidities, and clinical outcomes. Statistical analysis included t-test and regression analysis. RESULTS: 327 patients injured by falls were seen over a 2-year study period. The number of patients admitted with a fall-related injury and the injury severity were similar over the study period. Increasing age and anticoagulant use increased length of stay and mortality (both with P < .05). Mortality rates and patient level of independence on discharge were improved in the later period involving midlevel practitioners (both with P < .05). DISCUSSION: Trauma centers and trauma system networks face increasing challenges to provide resources and providers of care for patients injured by falls, especially for the growing elderly population. Midlevel providers focusing on geriatric clinical issues and goals may enhance care and outcomes of elderly fall-related injuries.

Use of the Molecular Adsorbent Recirculating System in Acute Liver Failure: Results of a Multicenter Propensity Score-Matched Study.

OBJECTIVES: The molecular adsorbent recirculating system removes water-soluble and albumin-bound toxins and may be beneficial for acute liver failure patients. We compared the rates of 21-day transplant-free survival in acute liver failure patients receiving molecular adsorbent recirculating system therapy and patients receiving standard medical therapy. DESIGN: Propensity score-matched retrospective cohort analysis. SETTING: Tertiary North American liver transplant centers. PATIENTS: Acute liver failure patients receiving molecular adsorbent recirculating system at three transplantation centers (n = 104; January 2009-2019) and controls from the U.S. Acute Liver Failure Study Group registry. INTERVENTIONS: Molecular adsorbent recirculating system treatment versus standard medical therapy (control). MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: One-hundred four molecular adsorbent recirculating system patients were propensity score-matched (4:1) to 416 controls. Using multivariable conditional logistic regression adjusting for acute liver failure etiology (acetaminophen: n = 248; vs nonacetaminophen: n = 272), age, vasopressor support, international normalized ratio, King's College Criteria, and propensity score (main model), molecular adsorbent recirculating system was significantly associated with increased 21-day transplant-free survival (odds ratio, 1.90; 95% CI, 1.07-3.39; p = 0.030). This association remained significant in several sensitivity analyses, including adjustment for acute liver failure etiology and propensity score alone ("model 2"; molecular adsorbent recirculating system odds ratio, 1.86; 95% CI, 1.05-3.31; p = 0.033), and further adjustment of the "main model" for mechanical ventilation, and grade 3/4 hepatic encephalopathy ("model 3"; molecular adsorbent recirculating system odds ratio, 1.91; 95% CI, 1.07-3.41; p = 0.029). In acetaminophen-acute liver failure (n = 51), molecular adsorbent recirculating system was associated with significant improvements (post vs pre) in mean arterial pressure (92.0 vs 78.0 mm Hg), creatinine (77.0 vs 128.2 µmol/L), lactate (2.3 vs 4.3 mmol/L), and ammonia (98.0 vs 136.0 µmol/L; p ≤ 0.002 for all). In nonacetaminophen acute liver failure (n = 53), molecular adsorbent recirculating system was associated with significant improvements in bilirubin (205.2 vs 251.4 µmol/L), creatinine (83.1 vs 133.5 µmol/L), and ammonia (111.5 vs 140.0 µmol/L; p ≤ 0.022 for all). CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with molecular adsorbent recirculating system is associated with increased 21-day transplant-free survival in acute liver failure and improves biochemical variables and hemodynamics, particularly in acetaminophen-acute liver failure.

Inpatient consultations with the vascular and endovascular surgery team at an academic tertiary hospital / Interconsultas realizadas pela equipe de cirurgia vascular e endovascular em um hospital universitário terciário

ABSTRACT Background Inpatient consultations are a fundamental component of practice in tertiary care centers. However, such consultations demand resources, generating a significant workload. Objectives To investigate the profile of inpatient consultations requested by other specialties and provided by the Vascular and Endovascular Surgery team at an academic tertiary hospital. Methods Prospective observational study. Results From May 2017 to May 2018, 223 consultations were provided, representing 2.2% of the workload. Most consultations were requested by Oncology (16.6%), Hematology (9.9%), Nephrology (9.0%), and Cardiology (6.3%). The leading reasons for inpatient consultation were: need for vascular access (51.1%) and requests to evaluate a vascular disease (48.9%). Acute venous diseases accounted for 19.3% of consultations, chronic arterial diseases for 14.8%, acute arterial diseases for 7.2%, diabetic feet for 5.4%, and chronic venous diseases accounted for 2.2%. Surgical treatment was performed in 57.0%, either conventional (43.9%) or endovascular (13.0%). Almost all (98.2%) patients' issues were resolved. Conclusions Inpatient consultations with the Vascular and Endovascular Surgery team in a tertiary academic hospital accounted for 2.2% of the team's entire workload. Most patients were elective and underwent low-complexity elective surgical procedures. There may be an opportunity to improve healthcare, redirecting these patients to the outpatient flow.

RESUMO Introdução Interconsultas são um componente fundamental da prática clínica em centros de atendimento terciários. No entanto, esse tipo de consulta requer recursos, resultando em uma alta carga de trabalho. Objetivo Investigar o perfil das interconsultas solicitadas por outros departamentos e realizadas pela equipe de Cirurgia Vascular e Endovascular em um hospital universitário terciário. Métodos Estudo observacional prospectivo. Resultados De maio de 2017 a maio de 2018, foram realizadas 223 consultas, correspondendo a 2,2% da carga de trabalho. A maioria das consultas foram solicitadas pelos departamentos de Oncologia (16,6%), Hematologia (9,9%), Nefrologia (9,0%) e Cardiologia (6,3%). As principais razões das interconsultas foram a necessidade de acesso vascular (51,1%) e de avaliação de doenças vasculares (48,9%). As doenças venosas agudas corresponderam a 19,3% das avaliações; as doenças arteriais crônicas, a 14,8%; as doenças arteriais agudas, a 7,2%; o pé diabético, a 5,4%; e as doenças venosas crônicas corresponderam a 2,2%. Foi realizado tratamento cirúrgico em 57,0% dos casos, tanto convencional (43,9%) quanto endovascular (13,0%). Foram resolvidos os problemas de quase todos os pacientes (98,2%). Conclusão As interconsultas realizadas pela equipe de Cirurgia Vascular e Endovascular em um hospital universitário terciário corresponderam a 2,2% da carga de trabalho total. A maioria dos pacientes eram eletivos e foram submetidos a procedimentos cirúrgicos eletivos de baixa complexidade. O redirecionamento desses pacientes para o atendimento ambulatorial poderia auxiliar na melhoria dos serviços de saúde.

A ten-year review of indications and outcomes of obstetric admissions to an intensive care unit in a low-resource country.

INTRODUCTION: Obstetric intensive care unit admission (ICU) suggests severe morbidity. However, there is no available data on the subject in Ghana. This retrospective review was conducted to determine the indications for obstetric ICU admission, their outcomes and factors influencing these outcomes to aid continuous quality improvement in obstetric care. METHODS: This was a retrospective review conducted in a tertiary hospital in Ghana. Data on participant characteristics including age and whether participant was intubated were collected from patient records for all obstetric ICU admissions from 1st January 2010 to 31st December 2019. Descriptive statistics were presented as frequencies, proportions and charts. Hazard ratios were generated for relations between obstetric ICU admission outcome and participant characteristics. A p-value <0.05 was deemed statistically significant. RESULTS: There were 443 obstetric ICU admissions over the review period making up 25.7% of all ICU admissions. The commonest indications for obstetric ICU admissions were hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (70.4%, n = 312/443), hemorrhage (14.4%, n = 64/443) and sepsis (9.3%, n = 41/443). The case fatality rates for hypertension, hemorrhage, and sepsis were 17.6%, 37.5%, and 63.4% respectively. The obstetric ICU mortality rate was 26% (115/443) over the review period. Age ≥25 years and a need for mechanical ventilation carried increased mortality risks following ICU admission while surgery in the index pregnancy was associated with a reduced risk of death. CONCLUSION: Hypertension, haemorrhage and sepsis are the leading indications for obstetric ICU admissions. Thus, preeclampsia screening and prevention, as well as intensifying antenatal education on the danger signs of pregnancy can minimize obstetric complications. The establishment of an obstetric HDU in CCTH and the strengthening of communication between specialists and the healthcare providers in the lower facilities, are also essential for improved pregnancy outcomes. Further studies are needed to better appreciate the wider issues underlying obstetric ICU admission outcomes. PLAIN LANGUAGE SUMMARY: This was a review of the reasons for admitting severely-ill pregnant women and women who had delivered within the past 42 days to the intensive care unit (ICU), the admission outcomes and risk factors associated with ICU mortality in a tertiary hospital in a low-resource country. High blood pressure and its complications, bleeding and severe infections were observed as the three most significant reasons for ICU admissions in decreasing order of significance. Pre-existing medical conditions and those arising as a result of, or aggravated by pregnancy; obstructed labour and post-operative monitoring were the other reasons for ICU admission over the study period. Overall, 26% of the admitted patients died at the ICU and maternal age of at least 25 years and the need for intubation were identified as risk factors for ICU deaths. Attention must be paid to high blood pressure during pregnancy.

[Telemedicine and epilepsy: healthcare experience of a national reference center during the COVID-19 pandemic]. / Telemedicina y epilepsia: experiencia asistencial de un centro de referencia nacional durante la pandemia de COVID-19.

INTRODUCTION: Countries worldwide are having to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2. The burden on their national health systems is currently at unprecedented levels. Telemedicine care was initiated at an early stage in our centre. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We conducted a descriptive and retrospective study to evaluate the usefulness of telemedicine during lockdown in our centre. Patients included in the study had a clinical diagnosis of epilepsy, with two visits via telemedicine, who had been followed up for at least six months during the normal situation prior to the COVID-19 pandemic and two face-to-face consultations during the same period. RESULTS: A total of 115 patients were included. The average age was 29 years, 53% were males, 52.2% had focal epilepsy, 58.3% with a structural causation and 57.4% had difficult-to-treat epilepsy. The mean number of seizures prior to lockdown was 9.73/month and 6.54/month during lockdown. The number of patients who were seizure-free when lockdown ended was higher than that observed in the phase before it began: 54 versus 45 out of 115. CONCLUSIONS: Telemedicine is a very useful strategy for monitoring the course, progress and therapeutic changes in epileptic patients in the short and medium term. The reduction in the seizure frequency can be sustained in the medium term, not only in the short term as corroborated in previous studies. Telemedicine allows access to virtually all patients and closer monitoring.

TITLE: Telemedicina y epilepsia: experiencia asistencial de un centro de referencia nacional durante la pandemia de COVID-19.Introducción. El mundo entero está afrontando la pandemia por COVID-19 causada por el SARS-CoV-2. Los sistemas de salud nacionales están sometidos a niveles de sobrecarga sin precedentes. En nuestro centro se inició de forma temprana la asistencia a través de telemedicina. Pacientes y métodos. Es un estudio descriptivo y retrospectivo para evaluar la utilidad de la telemedicina durante el confinamiento en nuestro centro. Se incluyó a los pacientes con diagnóstico clínico de epilepsia, con dos asistencias a través de telemedicina, que tuvieran seguimiento durante al menos seis meses durante la situación de normalidad previa a la pandemia por COVID-19 y dos consultas presenciales durante ese mismo período. Resultados. Se incluyó a 115 pacientes. La media de edad fue de 29 años, el 53% fueron varones, el 52,2% con epilepsia focal, el 58,3% de etiología estructural y el 57,4% presentaba epilepsia de difícil control. La media de crisis preconfinamiento fue de 9,73/mes y de 6,54/mes durante el confinamiento. El número de pacientes libres de crisis fue mayor al final del confinamiento respecto a la fase preconfinamiento, 54 frente a 45/115. Conclusiones. La telemedicina es una estrategia de mucha utilidad en la monitorización de la evolución, el control evolutivo y los cambios terapéuticos en pacientes epilépticos a corto y medio plazo. La reducción de la frecuencia de crisis puede mantenerse a medio plazo, no sólo a corto plazo como se corroboró en estudios previos. La telemedicina permite acceder a prácticamente la totalidad de los pacientes y realizar un seguimiento más cercano.

Uterine adhesion: Is luteal phase prior to follicular phase in uterine adhesiolysis?

ABSTRACT: To compare the patients' outcomes of Asherman syndrome who underwent uterine adhesiolysis in luteal phase or follicular phase.A retrospective cohort study.A tertiary hospital in China.Four hundred sixty-four women suffered intrauterine adhesion who underwent monopolar adhesiolysis from March 2014 to March 2017 were analyzed. One hundred seventy-eight patients underwent operations in follicular phase (OFP) and 286 underwent operations in luteal phase (OLP).Hormone therapy was accompanied with an intrauterine device and a second-look hysteroscopy was performed postoperatively.Endometrial thickness in women was analyzed by a transvaginal 3-dimensional ultrasound examination. Re-adhesion was confirmed by a second-look hysteroscopy 3 months after hysteroscopic adhesiolysis. Pregnancy rate was acquired by questionnaires 3 months after a second-look hysteroscopy.OLP has advantages with thicker luteal endometrium (P = .001), higher pregnancy rates (P < .001), and lower re-adhesion rates (P = 0015) compared to these values of OFP.For Asherman syndrome, our study showed that OLP is more feasible than OFP in intrauterine adhesiolysis.

Time from first tumor manifestation to diagnosis in patients with GEP-NET: Results from a large German tertiary referral center.

ABSTRACT: Patients with neuroendocrine tumors (NET) often go through a long phase between onset of symptoms and initial diagnosis.Assessment of time to diagnosis and pre-clinical pathway in patients with gastroenteropancreatic NET (GEP-NET) with regard to metastases and symptoms.Retrospective analysis of patients with GEP-NET at a tertiary referral center from 1984 to 2019; inclusion criteria: Patients ≥18 years, diagnosis of GEP-NET; statistical analysis using non-parametrical methods.Four hundred eighty-six patients with 488 tumors were identified; median age at first diagnosis (478/486, 8 unknown) was 59 years; 52.9% male patients. Pancreatic NET: 143/488 tumors; 29.3%; small intestinal NET: 145/488 tumors, 29.7%. 128/303 patients (42.2%) showed NET specific and 122/486 (25%) patients other tumor-specific symptoms. 222/279 patients had distant metastases at initial diagnosis (187/222 liver metastases). 154/488 (31.6%) of GEP-NET were incidental findings. Median time from tumor manifestation (e.g., symptoms related to NET) to initial diagnosis across all entities was 19.5 (95% CI: 12-28) days. No significant difference in patients with or without distant metastases (median 73 vs 105 days, P = .42).A large proportion of GEP-NET are incidental findings and only about half of all patients are symptomatic at the time of diagnosis. We did not find a significant influence of the presence of metastases on time to diagnosis, which shows a large variability with a median of <30 days.

Outpatient Follow-up Care After Hospital Discharge of Children With Complex Chronic Conditions at a Rural Tertiary Care Hospital.

OBJECTIVE: To determine factors associated with completion of recommended outpatient follow-up visits in children with complex chronic conditions (CCCs) following hospital discharge. METHODS: We retrospectively identified children aged 1 to 17 years diagnosed with a CCC who were discharged from our rural tertiary care children's hospital between 2017 and 2018 with a diagnosis meeting published CCC criteria. Patients discharged from the neonatal intensive care unit and patients enrolled in a care coordination program for technology-dependent children were excluded. RESULTS: Of 113 eligible patients, 77 (68%) had outpatient follow-up consistent with discharge instructions. Intensive care unit (ICU) admission (P = .020) and prolonged length of stay (P = .004) were associated with decreased likelihood of completing recommended follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Among children with CCCs who were not already enrolled in a care coordination program, ICU admission was associated with increased risk of not completing recommended outpatient follow-up. This population could be targeted for expanded care coordination efforts.

Aerodigestive Clinics as Emerging Pediatric Care Model: The First 100 Patients in Israel.

BACKGROUND: Aerodigestive clinics are run by interdisciplinary medical and surgical teams, and provide complex care coordination and combined endoscopies. OBJECTIVES: To describe the design and patient population of the first pediatric aerodigestive center in Israel. METHODS: A retrospective single-center cohort study was conducted describing patients followed in the aerodigestive clinic of Schneider Children's Medical Center of Israel, a tertiary pediatric hospital, between its inception in January 2017 and June 2020. RESULTS: During the study period, 100 patients were seen at the combined respiratory and digestive (NoAM) clinic, with a total of 271 visits. Median age at first assessment was 29.5 months (range 3-216). Fifty-six patients (56%) had esophageal atresia and tracheoesophageal fistula. Thirty-nine patients had an identified genetic disorder, 28 had a primary airway abnormality, 28 were oxygen dependent, and 21 were born premature. Fifty-two patients underwent triple endoscopy, consisting of flexible bronchoscopy, rigid bronchoscopy, and gastroscopy. In 33 patients, esophageal dilatation was necessary. Six patients underwent posterior tracheopexy at a median of 6 months of age (range 5 days to 8 years) all with ensuing symptom improvement. The total mean parental satisfaction score on a Likert-type scale of 1-5 (5 = highest satisfaction) was 4.5. CONCLUSIONS: A coordinated approach is required to provide effective care to the growing population of children with aerodigestive disorders. The cross fertilization between multiple disciplines offers a unique opportunity to develop high quality and innovative care. Outcome measures must be defined to objectively measure clinical benefit.

Lung ultrasound in a tertiary intensive care unit population: a diagnostic accuracy study.

BACKGROUND: Evidence from previous studies comparing lung ultrasound to thoracic computed tomography (CT) in intensive care unit (ICU) patients is limited due to multiple methodologic weaknesses. While addressing methodologic weaknesses of previous studies, the primary aim of this study is to investigate the diagnostic accuracy of lung ultrasound in a tertiary ICU population. METHODS: This is a single-center, prospective diagnostic accuracy study conducted at a tertiary ICU in the Netherlands. Critically ill patients undergoing thoracic CT for any clinical indication were included. Patients were excluded if time between the index and reference test was over eight hours. Index test and reference test consisted of 6-zone lung ultrasound and thoracic CT, respectively. Hemithoraces were classified by the index and reference test as follows: consolidation, interstitial syndrome, pneumothorax and pleural effusion. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative likelihood ratio were estimated. RESULTS: In total, 87 patients were included of which eight exceeded the time limit and were subsequently excluded. In total, there were 147 respiratory conditions in 79 patients. The estimated sensitivity and specificity to detect consolidation were 0.76 (95%CI: 0.68 to 0.82) and 0.92 (0.87 to 0.96), respectively. For interstitial syndrome they were 0.60 (95%CI: 0.48 to 0.71) and 0.69 (95%CI: 0.58 to 0.79). For pneumothorax they were 0.59 (95%CI: 0.33 to 0.82) and 0.97 (95%CI: 0.93 to 0.99). For pleural effusion they were 0.85 (95%CI: 0.77 to 0.91) and 0.77 (95%CI: 0.62 to 0.88). CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, lung ultrasound is an adequate diagnostic modality in a tertiary ICU population to detect consolidations, interstitial syndrome, pneumothorax and pleural effusion. Moreover, one should be careful not to interpret lung ultrasound results in deterministic fashion as multiple respiratory conditions can be present in one patient. Trial registration This study was retrospectively registered at Netherlands Trial Register on March 17, 2021, with registration number NL9344.

Antenatal screening of small for gestational age: Impact on obstetrical management and neonatal outcomes in case of trial of labor after 37 weeks.

OBJECTIVE: Antenatal screening of small fetuses for gestational age (SGA) is a public health challenge. The aim of this study is to assess the obstetrical management and the immediate neonatal outcomes, according to the antenatal screening of the SGA fetuses. METHODS: We performed a retrospective study in a French tertiary care hospital between January 1, 2016 and December 31, 2018. Women were eligible if they had a monofetal pregnancy with a fetus in head presentation and a trial of labor after 37 weeks. A fetus was considered SGA when the estimated fetal weight was less than the 10th percentile at the third trimester ultrasound. A newborn was considered hypotrophic when the birthweight was less than the 10th percentile. RESULTS: 8 153 newborns were included and 948 of the newborns were hypotrophic (308 were suspected for SGA, 640 were not suspected for SGA) and 7205 were eutrophic. Among the hypotrophic neonates, we observed no significant difference regarding the immediate neonatal outcomes between the two groups of fetuses suspected and not suspected for SGA. Among the fetuses not suspected for SGA, the rate of arterial umbilical cord pH below 7.10 was significantly higher in the hypotrophic newborns compared to the non hypotrophic newborns (4.7% vs 3.1%, p = 0.041). CONCLUSION: In our population, unsuspected fetal hypotrophy may be associated with an increased risk of neonatal acidosis. These results emphasize the benefit of improving prenatal screening to identify the SGA fetuses.

Factors associated with a latency < 7 days after preterm premature rupture of membranes between 22 and 32 weeks of gestation in singleton pregnancies.

OBJECTIVE: To identify factors at admission associated with a latency < 7 days after Preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM) between 22 and 32 weeks of gestation in singleton pregnancies. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective comparative study of all women with singleton pregnancies admitted for PPROM to an academic tertiary center during the 5-year period of 2015-2019. Women who gave birth < 7 days and ≥ 7 day after PPROM were compared. We determined risk at admission associated with a latency < 7 days after PPROM by logistic regression and identified high-risk subgroups by classification and regression tree (CART) analysis. RESULTS: Among 174 eligible births, 76 (44%) women gave birth < 7 days after PPROM and 98 (56%) later. The two groups had similar maternal baseline and obstetric characteristics. In multivariate analysis, the following variables reported at admission were independently associated with a latency < 7 days: painful uterine contractions (aOR 3.9, 95%CI 1.1-7.4), cervical length < 20 mm (aOR 2.4, 95%CI 1.2-4.8), and C reactive protein ≥ 10 mg/L (aOR 2.4, 95% CI 1.3-4.8). Women with painful uterine contractions and cervical length at admission < 20 mm were at highest risk of latency < 7 days (rate: 91%). Conversely, the women at lowest risk were those without uterine contractions, with a cervical length ≥ 20 mm, and C-reactive protein < 10 mg/L at admission (rate: 22%). CONCLUSION: Our results may be helpful in determining criteria at admission for selecting women eligible for outpatient care after an initial hospitalization.

Clinical predictors of long COVID-19 and phenotypes of mild COVID-19 at a tertiary care centre in India.

A variable proportion of patients develop persistent/prolonged symptoms of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection (long COVID). We aimed to study the clinical predictors of persistent symptoms in patients with mild COVID-19 at 30 days post discharge (long COVID-19). We also tried to identify symptom clusters among mild COVID-19 patients. Fifty-seven patients admitted at a tertiary care centre after a positive RT-PCR report over a period of 2 months, were enrolled in the study. Details of presentation, history of illness, laboratory investigations and disease outcomes were recorded from documented medical records and discharge slip. The patients were contacted (telephonically) at 30 days after discharge and enquired regarding persistent symptoms, if any. Follow up data at 30 days post-discharge was available for 53 patients. Among them, the most common persistent symptom was fatigue (22.6%), followed by cough (9.4%) and myalgias (7.5%). There was a significant association of persistent symptoms with diarrhoea at presentation [OR 14.26 (95% CI 2.30-142.47; p = 0.009] and gap between symptom onset and admission [OR 1.40 (95% CI 1.08-1.93; p = 0.020] on multivariate logistic regression analysis. On cluster analysis, three phenotypes of mild COVID-19 were identified, which may have implications on monitoring and management. There appears to be a positive association of diarrhoea as a presenting manifestation and gap between symptom onset and admission with the persistence of symptoms classified as long COVID-19, even in mild illness. We also identified multiple phenotypes of mild COVID-19 illness, which warrant further exploration.