Perioperative, Oncological, and Functional Outcomes Between Robot-Assisted Laparoscopic Prostatectomy and Open Radical Retropubic Prostatectomy: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

PURPOSE: Limited high-quality studies have compared robot-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy (RALP) vs open retropubic radical prostatectomy. We sought to compare their postoperative outcomes in a randomized setting. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a single center, 354 men with newly diagnosed prostate cancer were assessed for eligibility; 342 were randomized (1:1). The primary outcome was 90-day complication rates. Functional outcomes and quality of life were assessed over 18 months, and oncological outcomes, biochemical recurrence-free survival, and additional treatment over 36 months. RESULTS: From 2014 to 18, 327 patients underwent surgery (retropubic radical prostatectomy = 156, RALP = 171). Complications occurred in 27 (17.3%) vs 19 (11.1%; P = .107). Patients undergoing RALP experienced lower median bleeding (250.0 vs 719.5 mL; P < .001) and shorter hospitalization time. Urinary EPIC (Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite) median scores were better for RALP over 18 months, with higher continence rate at 3 months (80.5% vs 64.7%; P = .002), 6 months (90.1% vs 81.6%; P = .036) and 18 months (95.4% vs 78.8%; P < .001). Sexual EPIC and Sexual Health Inventory for Men median scores were higher with RALP up to 12 months, while the potency rate was superior at 3 months (23.9% vs 5.3%; P = .001) and 6 months (30.6% vs 6.9%; P < .001). Quality of life over the 18 months and oncological outcomes over 36 months were not significantly different between arms. CONCLUSIONS: Complications at 90 days were similar. RALP showed superior sexual outcomes at 1 year, improved urinary outcomes at 18 months, and comparable oncological outcomes at 36 months. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Prospective Analysis of Robot-Assisted Surgery; NCT02292914. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02292914?cond=NCT02292914&draw=2&rank=1.

Predictors of in-ICU length of stay among congenital heart defect patients using artificial intelligence model: A pilot study.

Objective: This study aims to develop a predictive model using artificial intelligence to estimate the ICU length of stay (LOS) for Congenital Heart Defects (CHD) patients after surgery, improving care planning and resource management. Design: We analyze clinical data from 2240 CHD surgery patients to create and validate the predictive model. Twenty AI models are developed and evaluated for accuracy and reliability. Setting: The study is conducted in a Brazilian hospital's Cardiovascular Surgery Department, focusing on transplants and cardiopulmonary surgeries. Participants: Retrospective analysis is conducted on data from 2240 consecutive CHD patients undergoing surgery. Interventions: Ninety-three pre and intraoperative variables are used as ICU LOS predictors. Measurements and main results: Utilizing regression and clustering methodologies for ICU LOS (ICU Length of Stay) estimation, the Light Gradient Boosting Machine, using regression, achieved a Mean Squared Error (MSE) of 15.4, 11.8, and 15.2 days for training, testing, and unseen data. Key predictors included metrics such as "Mechanical Ventilation Duration", "Weight on Surgery Date", and "Vasoactive-Inotropic Score". Meanwhile, the clustering model, Cat Boost Classifier, attained an accuracy of 0.6917 and AUC of 0.8559 with similar key predictors. Conclusions: Patients with higher ventilation times, vasoactive-inotropic scores, anoxia time, cardiopulmonary bypass time, and lower weight, height, BMI, age, hematocrit, and presurgical oxygen saturation have longer ICU stays, aligning with existing literature.

Financial Impact of Deep Sternal Wound Infections After Coronary Surgery: A Microcosting Analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Deep sternal wound infections (DSWI) are so serious and costly that hospital services continue to strive to control and prevent these outcomes. Microcosting is the more accurate approach in economic healthcare evaluation, but there are no studies in this field applying this method to compare DSWI after isolated coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). This study aims to evaluate the incremental risk-adjusted costs of DSWI on isolated CABG. METHODS: This is a retrospective, single-center observational cohort study with a propensity score matching for infected and non-infected patients to compare incremental risk-adjusted costs between groups. Data to homogeneity sample was obtained from a multicentric database, REPLICCAR II, and additional sources of information about costs were achieved with the electronic hospital system (Si3). Inflation variation and dollar quotation in the study period were corrected using the General Market Price Index. Groups were compared using analysis of variance, and multiple linear regression was performed to evaluate the cost drivers related to the event. RESULTS: As expected, infections were costly; deep infection increased the costs by 152% and mediastinitis by 188%. Groups differed among hospital stay, exams, medications, and multidisciplinary labor, and hospital stay costs were the most critical cost driver. CONCLUSION: In summary, our results demonstrate the incremental costs of a detailed microcosting evaluation of infections on CABG patients in São Paulo, Brazil. Hospital stay was an important cost driver identified, demonstrating the importance of evaluating patients' characteristics and managing risks for a faster, safer, and more effective discharge.

Eltrombopag for Adults and Children with Immune-Refractory Thrombocytopenic Purpura: A Systematic Review.

Eltrombopag is an agonist that binds to the membrane-bound domain of the thrombopoietin receptor used in immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). We conducted a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials to assess the efficacy and safety of eltrombopag in adults and children with refractory ITP. Adults who received eltrombopag had a significantly better platelet response (relative risk [RR], 3.65; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.39-5.55), but there were no differences in the incidence of bleeding (RR, 0.8; 95% CI, 0.52-1.22) and adverse effects (RR, 0.99; 95% CI, 0.55-1.78) compared with the placebo. In children, there was no difference between eltrombopag and placebo for a platelet response >50,000/mm3 (RR, 3.93; 95% CI, 0.56-27.79) and the number of adverse events (RR, 0.99; 95% CI, 0.25-1.49); however, a lower incidence of bleeding was observed (RR, 0.47; 95% CI, 0.27-0.83). Treatment with eltrombopag protected adults and children from severe disease and death.

Immunothrombosis and COVID-19 ‒ a nested post-hoc analysis from a 3186 patient cohort in a Latin American public reference hospital.

OBJECTIVE: COVID-19 is associated with an elevated risk of thromboembolism and excess mortality. Difficulties with best anticoagulation practices and their implementation motivated the current analysis of COVID-19 patients who developed Venous Thromboembolism (VTE). METHOD: This is a post-hoc analysis of a COVID-19 cohort, described in an economic study already published. The authors analyzed a subset of patients with confirmed VTE. We described the characteristics of the cohort, such as demographics, clinical status, and laboratory results. We tested differences amid two subgroups of patients, those with VTE or not, with the competitive risk Fine and Gray model. RESULTS: Out of 3186 adult patients with COVID-19, 245 (7.7%) were diagnosed with VTE, 174 (5.4%) of them during admission to the hospital. Four (2.3% of these 174) did not receive prophylactic anticoagulation and 19 (11%) discontinued anticoagulation for at least 3 days, resulting in 170 analyzed. During the first week of hospitalization, the laboratory most altered results were C-reactive protein and D-dimer. Patients with VTE were more critical, had a higher mortality rate, worse SOFA score, and, on average, 50% longer hospital stay. CONCLUSION: Proven VTE incidence in this severe COVID-19 cohort was 7.7%, despite 87% of them complying completely with VTE prophylaxis. The clinician must be aware of the diagnosis of VTE in COVID-19, even in patients receiving proper prophylaxis.

Use and misuse of biomarkers and the role of D-dimer and C-reactive protein in the management of COVID-19: A post-hoc analysis of a prospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is associated with high mortality among hospitalized patients and incurs high costs. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection can trigger both inflammatory and thrombotic processes, and these complications can lead to a poorer prognosis. This study aimed to evaluate the association and temporal trends of D-dimer and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels with the incidence of venous thromboembolism (VTE), hospital mortality, and costs among inpatients with COVID-19. METHODS: Data were extracted from electronic patient records and laboratory databases. Crude and adjusted associations for age, sex, number of comorbidities, Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score at admission, and D-dimer or CRP logistic regression models were used to evaluate associations. RESULTS: Between March and June 2020, COVID-19 was documented in 3,254 inpatients. The D-dimer level ≥4,000 ng/mL fibrinogen equivalent unit (FEU) mortality odds ratio (OR) was 4.48 (adjusted OR: 1.97). The CRP level ≥220 mg/dL OR for death was 7.73 (adjusted OR: 3.93). The D-dimer level ≥4,000 ng/mL FEU VTE OR was 3.96 (adjusted OR: 3.26). The CRP level ≥220 mg/dL OR for VTE was 2.71 (adjusted OR: 1.92). All these analyses were statistically significant (p<0.001). Stratified hospital costs demonstrated a dose-response pattern. Adjusted D-dimer and CRP levels were associated with higher mortality and doubled hospital costs. In the first week, elevated D-dimer levels predicted VTE occurrence and systemic inflammatory harm, while CRP was a hospital mortality predictor. CONCLUSION: D-dimer and CRP levels were associated with higher hospital mortality and a higher incidence of VTE. D-dimer was more strongly associated with VTE, although its discriminative ability was poor, while CRP was a stronger predictor of hospital mortality. Their use outside the usual indications should not be modified and should be discouraged.

Improving preoperative risk-of-death prediction in surgery congenital heart defects using artificial intelligence model: A pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Congenital heart disease accounts for almost a third of all major congenital anomalies. Congenital heart defects have a significant impact on morbidity, mortality and health costs for children and adults. Research regarding the risk of pre-surgical mortality is scarce. OBJECTIVES: Our goal is to generate a predictive model calculator adapted to the regional reality focused on individual mortality prediction among patients with congenital heart disease undergoing cardiac surgery. METHODS: Two thousand two hundred forty CHD consecutive patients' data from InCor's heart surgery program was used to develop and validate the preoperative risk-of-death prediction model of congenital patients undergoing heart surgery. There were six artificial intelligence models most cited in medical references used in this study: Multilayer Perceptron (MLP), Random Forest (RF), Extra Trees (ET), Stochastic Gradient Boosting (SGB), Ada Boost Classification (ABC) and Bag Decision Trees (BDT). RESULTS: The top performing areas under the curve were achieved using Random Forest (0.902). Most influential predictors included previous admission to ICU, diagnostic group, patient's height, hypoplastic left heart syndrome, body mass, arterial oxygen saturation, and pulmonary atresia. These combined predictor variables represent 67.8% of importance for the risk of mortality in the Random Forest algorithm. CONCLUSIONS: The representativeness of "hospital death" is greater in patients up to 66 cm in height and body mass index below 13.0 for InCor's patients. The proportion of "hospital death" declines with the increased arterial oxygen saturation index. Patients with prior hospitalization before surgery had higher "hospital death" rates than who did not required such intervention. The diagnoses groups having the higher fatal outcomes probability are aligned with the international literature. A web application is presented where researchers and providers can calculate predicted mortality based on the CgntSCORE on any web browser or smartphone.

Financial Impact of Deep Sternal Wound Infections After Coronary Surgery: A Microcosting Analysis

ABSTRACT Introduction: Deep sternal wound infections (DSWI) are so serious and costly that hospital services continue to strive to control and prevent these outcomes. Microcosting is the more accurate approach in economic healthcare evaluation, but there are no studies in this field applying this method to compare DSWI after isolated coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). This study aims to evaluate the incremental risk-adjusted costs of DSWI on isolated CABG. Methods: This is a retrospective, single-center observational cohort study with a propensity score matching for infected and non-infected patients to compare incremental risk-adjusted costs between groups. Data to homogeneity sample was obtained from a multicentric database, REPLICCAR II, and additional sources of information about costs were achieved with the electronic hospital system (Si3). Inflation variation and dollar quotation in the study period were corrected using the General Market Price Index. Groups were compared using analysis of variance, and multiple linear regression was performed to evaluate the cost drivers related to the event. Results: As expected, infections were costly; deep infection increased the costs by 152% and mediastinitis by 188%. Groups differed among hospital stay, exams, medications, and multidisciplinary labor, and hospital stay costs were the most critical cost driver. Conclusion: In summary, our results demonstrate the incremental costs of a detailed microcosting evaluation of infections on CABG patients in São Paulo, Brazil. Hospital stay was an important cost driver identified, demonstrating the importance of evaluating patients' characteristics and managing risks for a faster, safer, and more effective discharge.

Immunothrombosis and COVID-19 ‒ a nested post-hoc analysis from a 3186 patient cohort in a Latin American public reference hospital

Abstract Objective COVID-19 is associated with an elevated risk of thromboembolism and excess mortality. Difficulties with best anticoagulation practices and their implementation motivated the current analysis of COVID-19 patients who developed Venous Thromboembolism (VTE). Method This is a post-hoc analysis of a COVID-19 cohort, described in an economic study already published. The authors analyzed a subset of patients with confirmed VTE. We described the characteristics of the cohort, such as demographics, clinical status, and laboratory results. We tested differences amid two subgroups of patients, those with VTE or not, with the competitive risk Fine and Gray model. Results Out of 3186 adult patients with COVID-19, 245 (7.7%) were diagnosed with VTE, 174 (5.4%) of them during admission to the hospital. Four (2.3% of these 174) did not receive prophylactic anticoagulation and 19 (11%) discontinued anticoagulation for at least 3 days, resulting in 170 analyzed. During the first week of hospitalization, the laboratory most altered results were C-reactive protein and D-dimer. Patients with VTE were more critical, had a higher mortality rate, worse SOFA score, and, on average, 50% longer hospital stay. Conclusion Proven VTE incidence in this severe COVID-19 cohort was 7.7%, despite 87% of them complying completely with VTE prophylaxis. The clinician must be aware of the diagnosis of VTE in COVID-19, even in patients receiving proper prophylaxis.

Reverse shoulder arthroplasty: clinical results and quality of life evaluation.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical and radiological results and the impact on quality of life of the reverse shoulder arthroplasty. METHODS: Retrospective case series evaluating 13 patients undergoing reverse shoulder arthroplasty with at least two years of clinical follow-up. Clinical evaluation was performed before and after surgery with the ASES and VAS scales and hand-mouth, hand-neck, and hand-head functional tests. Quality of life was measured with the SF-12 questionnaire. The rate of complications and radiographic postoperative findings were recorded. RESULTS: The patients improved from 23.1 ± 15 to 82.7 ± 15 according to ASES scale (p < 0.001). The physical component of the SF-12 increased from 31.7 ± 6.9 to 47.1 ± 8.6 (p < 0.001), while the emotional increased from 48 ± 12.3 to 55.5 ± 7.5 (p = 0.061). The pain reduced from 7.9 to 1 according to the VAS (p = 0.002). The performance on the hand-mouth, hand-neck, and hand-head functional tests showed significant improvement (p = 0.039, p < 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively). Complications occurred in 15% of patients and notching, in 31%. CONCLUSION: Reverse shoulder arthroplasty led to a significant clinical improvement according to the ASES and VAS scales. The quality of life has improved according to the physical aspect of the SF-12, and showed a trend of improvement in the emotional aspect. The complication rate was 15%, and notching occurred in 31%.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar os resultados clínicos e radiológicos e o impacto na qualidade de vida da artroplastia reversa do ombro. MÉTODOS: Série de casos retrospectiva que avaliou 13 pacientes submetidos à artroplastia reversa do ombro com seguimento clínico mínimo de dois anos. Foi feita avaliação clínica antes e após a cirurgia com as escalas da American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) e escala visual analógica (EVA) e as manobras funcionais mão-boca, mão-nuca e mão-cabeça. A qualidade de vida foi aferida com o questionário 12-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-12). Registramos o índice de complicações e o aspecto radiográfico pós-operatório. RESULTADOS: Os pacientes evoluíram de 23,1 ± 15 para 82,7 ± 15 pela escala da ASES (p<0,001). O componente físico do SF-12 passou de 31,7 ± 6,9 para 47,1 ± 8,6 (p < 0,001) enquanto o emocional de 48 ± 12,3 para 55,5 ± 7,5 (p = 0,061). A dor regrediu de 7,9 para 1 de acordo com a EVA (p = 0,002). As manobras funcionais mão-boca, mão-nuca e mão-cabeça apresentaram melhorias significativas (p = 0,039, p < 0,001 e p < 0,001, respectivamente). Complicações ocorreram em 15% dos pacientes e notching, em 31%. CONCLUSÃO: Os pacientes submetidos à artroplastia reversa do ombro tiveram melhoria significativa de acordo com as escalas da ASES e EVA. A qualidade de vida melhorou significativamente de acordo com o aspecto físico do SF-12 e demonstrou tendência de melhoria no aspecto emocional. O índice de complicações foi de 15% e notching ocorreu em 31%.

QUALITY OF LIFE IN PATIENTS WITH ROTATOR CUFF ARTHROPATHY.

OBJECTIVE: To compare quality of life (according to the SF-12) in patients with rotator cuff arthropathy with controls paired by sex and age. Secondary objectives are to compare the groups according to the ASES and VAS scales. METHODS: This cross-sectional study with controls paired by sex and age compared patients with rotator cuff arthropathy with surgical indication for reverse shoulder arthroplasty. The groups were compared according to the SF-12, ASES, and VAS scales. RESULTS: The groups consisted of 38 individuals, 28 women. The SF-12 demonstrated a significant difference in the physical component, with the cases scoring 31.61 ± 6.15 and the controls 49.39 ± 6.37 (p<0.001). For the mental component, the difference was not significant, with the cases scoring 44.82 ± 13.18 and the controls 48.96 ± 8.65 (p=0.109). The cases scored 7.34 ± 2.11 on the VAS and 31.26 ± 15.12 on the ASES, while the controls scored 0.55 ± 1.31 and 97.53 ± 6.22, respectively (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Patients with rotator cuff arthropathy had poorer results for the physical component of the SF-12 than the controls. They also had poorer functional results according to the ASES scale, and more pain according to the VAS. Level of Evidence III, Case Control Study.

OBJETIVO: Comparar a qualidade de vida, de acordo com o SF-12, entre pacientes com artropatia do manguito rotador e controles pareados por sexo e idade. É objetivo secundário a comparação dos grupos de acordo com as escalas ASES e EVA. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal com controles pareados por sexo e idade, que comparou pacientes com artropatia do manguito rotador e indicação de artroplastia reversa do ombro com indivíduos sadios. Os grupos foram comparados quanto às escalas SF-12, ASES e EVA. RESULTADOS: Os grupos foram formados por 38 indivíduos, sendo 28 do sexo feminino. O SF-12 apresentou diferença significativa no componente físico, tendo os casos registrado 31,61 ± 6,15 e os controles 49,39 ± 6,37 (p < 0,001). Para o componente mental, a diferença não foi significativa, tendo os casos apresentado 44,82 ± 13,18 e os controles 48,96 ± 8,65 (p=0.109). Os casos apresentaram EVA de 7,34 ± 2,11 e ASES de 31,26 ± 15,12, enquanto os controles apresentaram 0,55 ± 1,31 e 97,53 ± 6,22, respectivamente (p < 0,001). CONCLUSÃO: Os pacientes com artropatia do manguito rotador apresentam piores resultados no componente físico do SF-12 quando comparados aos controles. Têm, ainda, piores resultados funcionais pela escala da ASES e mais dor pela EVA. Nível de Evidência III, Estudo de Caso-Controle.

Use and misuse of biomarkers and the role of D-dimer and C-reactive protein in the management of COVID-19: A post-hoc analysis of a prospective cohort study

OBJECTIVE: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is associated with high mortality among hospitalized patients and incurs high costs. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection can trigger both inflammatory and thrombotic processes, and these complications can lead to a poorer prognosis. This study aimed to evaluate the association and temporal trends of D-dimer and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels with the incidence of venous thromboembolism (VTE), hospital mortality, and costs among inpatients with COVID-19. METHODS: Data were extracted from electronic patient records and laboratory databases. Crude and adjusted associations for age, sex, number of comorbidities, Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score at admission, and D-dimer or CRP logistic regression models were used to evaluate associations. RESULTS: Between March and June 2020, COVID-19 was documented in 3,254 inpatients. The D-dimer level ≥4,000 ng/mL fibrinogen equivalent unit (FEU) mortality odds ratio (OR) was 4.48 (adjusted OR: 1.97). The CRP level ≥220 mg/dL OR for death was 7.73 (adjusted OR: 3.93). The D-dimer level ≥4,000 ng/mL FEU VTE OR was 3.96 (adjusted OR: 3.26). The CRP level ≥220 mg/dL OR for VTE was 2.71 (adjusted OR: 1.92). All these analyses were statistically significant (p<0.001). Stratified hospital costs demonstrated a dose-response pattern. Adjusted D-dimer and CRP levels were associated with higher mortality and doubled hospital costs. In the first week, elevated D-dimer levels predicted VTE occurrence and systemic inflammatory harm, while CRP was a hospital mortality predictor. CONCLUSION: D-dimer and CRP levels were associated with higher hospital mortality and a higher incidence of VTE. D-dimer was more strongly associated with VTE, although its discriminative ability was poor, while CRP was a stronger predictor of hospital mortality. Their use outside the usual indications should not be modified and should be discouraged.

Evidences in the treatment of idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus.

INTRODUCTION: idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (INPH) is characterized by gait apraxia, cognitive dysfunction and urinary incontinence. There are two main treatment options: ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS) and endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV). However, there are doubts about which modality is superior and what type of valve should be applied. We are summarizing the current evidence in INPH treatment. METHODS: an electronic search of the literature was conducted on the Medline, Embase, Scielo and Lilacs databases from 1966 to the present to obtain data published about INPH treatment. RESULTS: the treatment is based on three pillars: conservative, ETV and VPS. The conservative option has fallen into disuse after various studies showing good results after surgical intervention. ETV is an acceptable mode of treatment, but the superiority of VPS has made the latter the gold standard. CONCLUSION: well-designed studies with a high level of appropriate evidence are still scarce, but the current gold standard for treatment of INPH is conducted using VPS.

Cardiac surgery costs according to the preoperative risk in the Brazilian public health system.

BACKGROUND: Heart surgery has developed with increasing patient complexity. OBJECTIVE: To assess the use of resources and real costs stratified by risk factors of patients submitted to surgical cardiac procedures and to compare them with the values reimbursed by the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS). METHOD: All cardiac surgery procedures performed between January and July 2013 in a tertiary referral center were analyzed. Demographic and clinical data allowed the calculation of the value reimbursed by the Brazilian SUS. Patients were stratified as low, intermediate and high-risk categories according to the EuroSCORE. Clinical outcomes, use of resources and costs (real costs versus SUS) were compared between established risk groups. RESULTS: Postoperative mortality rates of low, intermediate and high-risk EuroSCORE risk strata showed a significant linear positive correlation (EuroSCORE: 3.8%, 10%, and 25%; p < 0.0001), as well as occurrence of any postoperative complication EuroSCORE: 13.7%, 20.7%, and 30.8%, respectively; p = 0.006). Accordingly, length-of-stay increased from 20.9 days to 24.8 and 29.2 days (p < 0.001). The real cost was parallel to increased resource use according to EuroSCORE risk strata (R$ 27.116,00 ± R$ 13.928,00 versus R$ 34.854,00 ± R$ 27.814,00 versus R$ 43.234,00 ± R$ 26.009,00, respectively; p < 0.001). SUS reimbursement also increased (R$ 14.306,00 ± R$ 4.571,00 versus R$ 16.217,00 ± R$ 7.298,00 versus R$ 19.548,00 ± R$935,00; p < 0.001). However, as the EuroSCORE increased, there was significant difference (p < 0.0001) between the real cost increasing slope and the SUS reimbursement elevation per EuroSCORE risk strata. CONCLUSION: Higher EuroSCORE was related to higher postoperative mortality, complications, length of stay, and costs. Although SUS reimbursement increased according to risk, it was not proportional to real costs.

The economic effect of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation to support adults with severe respiratory failure in Brazil: a hypothetical analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the cost-utility of using extracorporeal oxygenation for patients with severe acute respiratory distress syndrome in Brazil. METHODS: A decision tree was constructed using databases from previously published studies. Costs were taken from the average price paid by the Brazilian Unified Health System (Sistema Único de Saúde; SUS) over three months in 2011. Using the data of 10,000,000 simulated patients with predetermined outcomes and costs, an analysis was performed of the ratio between cost increase and years of life gained, adjusted for quality (cost-utility), with survival rates of 40 and 60% for patients using extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. RESULTS: The decision tree resulted in 16 outcomes with different life support techniques. With survival rates of 40 and 60%, respectively, the increased costs were R$=-301.00/-14.00, with a cost of R$=-30,913.00/-1,752.00 paid per six-month quality-adjusted life-year gained and R$=-2,386.00/-90.00 per quality-adjusted life-year gained until the end of life, when all patients with severe ARDS were analyzed. Analyzing only patients with severe hypoxemia (i.e., a ratio of partial oxygen pressure in the blood to the fraction of inspired oxygen <100 mmHg), the increased cost was R$=-5,714.00/272.00, with a cost per six-month quality-adjusted life-year gained of R$=-9,521.00/293.00 and a cost of R$=-280.00/7.00 per quality-adjusted life-year gained. CONCLUSION: The cost-utility ratio associated with the use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in Brazil is potentially acceptable according to this hypothetical study.

Heart surgery programs innovation using surgical risk stratification at the São Paulo State Public Healthcare System: SP-SCORE-SUS study.

Cardiovascular diseases represent the greatest burden of morbidity and mortality for the health system and cardiac surgery has an important impact on their resolutivity. The association and correlation of patients' demographic and clinical relevant information with the resources required for each stratum represent the possibility to adapt, improve and innovate into the healthcare programs. This project aims to remodel the "InsCor" risk score for the formulation of the SP-SCORE (Sao Paulo System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation) in order to better reflects the complexity of cardiac surgical care. The participating hospitals include the Health Technology Assessment Centers in of the Health Secretariat' HTA Network of São Paulo State (HTA-NATSs / SES-SP). The SP-SCORE will use 10 variables of the InsCor model and others 8 variables with presumed influence in Brazil. The primary endpoints are morbidity and mortality. Bootstrap technique besides automated selection of variables (stepwise) will be used to develop a parsimonious model by multiple logistic regression. This project will contribute for the SUS-SP regionalized health-care (RRAS) sustainability and financing of the CABG and/or heart valve surgery programs promoting equitable allocation, increasing access and effectiveness, as well as characterizing the magnitude of available resources and its impact.

Reverse shoulder arthroplasty: clinical results and quality of life evaluation / Artroplastia reversa do ombro: avaliação dos resultados clínicos e da qualidade de vida

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical and radiological results and the impact on quality of life of the reverse shoulder arthroplasty. METHODS: Retrospective case series evaluating 13 patients undergoing reverse shoulder arthroplasty with at least two years of clinical follow-up. Clinical evaluation was performed before and after surgery with the ASES and VAS scales and hand-mouth, hand-neck, and hand-head functional tests. Quality of life was measured with the SF-12 questionnaire. The rate of complications and radiographic postoperative findings were recorded. RESULTS: The patients improved from 23.1 ± 15 to 82.7 ± 15 according to ASES scale (p < 0.001). The physical component of the SF-12 increased from 31.7 ± 6.9 to 47.1 ± 8.6 (p < 0.001), while the emotional increased from 48 ± 12.3 to 55.5 ± 7.5 (p = 0.061). The pain reduced from 7.9 to 1 according to the VAS (p = 0.002). The performance on the hand-mouth, hand-neck, and hand-head functional tests showed significant improvement (p = 0.039, p < 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively). Complications occurred in 15% of patients and notching, in 31%. CONCLUSION: Reverse shoulder arthroplasty led to a significant clinical improvement according to the ASES and VAS scales. The quality of life has improved according to the physical aspect of the SF-12, and showed a trend of improvement in the emotional aspect. The complication rate was 15%, and notching occurred in 31%.

RESUMO OBJETIVO: Avaliar os resultados clínicos e radiológicos e o impacto na qualidade de vida da artroplastia reversa do ombro. MÉTODOS: Série de casos retrospectiva que avaliou 13 pacientes submetidos à artroplastia reversa do ombro com seguimento clínico mínimo de dois anos. Foi feita avaliação clínica antes e após a cirurgia com as escalas da American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) e escala visual analógica (EVA) e as manobras funcionais mão-boca, mão-nuca e mão-cabeça. A qualidade de vida foi aferida com o questionário 12-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-12). Registramos o índice de complicações e o aspecto radiográfico pós-operatório. RESULTADOS: Os pacientes evoluíram de 23,1 ± 15 para 82,7 ± 15 pela escala da ASES (p < 0,001). O componente físico do SF-12 passou de 31,7 ± 6,9 para 47,1 ± 8,6 (p < 0,001) enquanto o emocional de 48 ± 12,3 para 55,5 ± 7,5 (p = 0,061). A dor regrediu de 7,9 para 1 de acordo com a EVA (p = 0,002). As manobras funcionais mão-boca, mão-nuca e mão-cabeça apresentaram melhorias significativas (p = 0,039, p < 0,001 e p < 0,001, respectivamente). Complicações ocorreram em 15% dos pacientes e notching, em 31%. CONCLUSÃO: Os pacientes submetidos à artroplastia reversa do ombro tiveram melhoria significativa de acordo com as escalas da ASES e EVA. A qualidade de vida melhorou significativamente de acordo com o aspecto físico do SF-12 e demonstrou tendência de melhoria no aspecto emocional. O índice de complicações foi de 15% e notching ocorreu em 31%.

Quality of life in patients with rotator cuff arthropathy / Qualidade de vida nos pacientes com artropatia do manguito rotador

ABSTRACT Objective: To compare quality of life (according to the SF-12) in patients with rotator cuff arthropathy with controls paired by sex and age. Secondary objectives are to compare the groups according to the ASES and VAS scales. Methods: This cross-sectional study with controls paired by sex and age compared patients with rotator cuff arthropathy with surgical indication for reverse shoulder arthroplasty. The groups were compared according to the SF-12, ASES, and VAS scales. Results: The groups consisted of 38 individuals, 28 women. The SF-12 demonstrated a significant difference in the physical component, with the cases scoring 31.61 ± 6.15 and the controls 49.39 ± 6.37 (p<0.001). For the mental component, the difference was not significant, with the cases scoring 44.82 ± 13.18 and the controls 48.96 ± 8.65 (p=0.109). The cases scored 7.34 ± 2.11 on the VAS and 31.26 ± 15.12 on the ASES, while the controls scored 0.55 ± 1.31 and 97.53 ± 6.22, respectively (p<0.001). Conclusion: Patients with rotator cuff arthropathy had poorer results for the physical component of the SF-12 than the controls. They also had poorer functional results according to the ASES scale, and more pain according to the VAS. Level of Evidence III, Case Control Study.

RESUMO Objetivo: Comparar a qualidade de vida, de acordo com o SF-12, entre pacientes com artropatia do manguito rotador e controles pareados por sexo e idade. É objetivo secundário a comparação dos grupos de acordo com as escalas ASES e EVA. Métodos: Estudo transversal com controles pareados por sexo e idade, que comparou pacientes com artropatia do manguito rotador e indicação de artroplastia reversa do ombro com indivíduos sadios. Os grupos foram comparados quanto às escalas SF-12, ASES e EVA. Resultados: Os grupos foram formados por 38 indivíduos, sendo 28 do sexo feminino. O SF-12 apresentou diferença significativa no componente físico, tendo os casos registrado 31,61 ± 6,15 e os controles 49,39 ± 6,37 (p < 0,001). Para o componente mental, a diferença não foi significativa, tendo os casos apresentado 44,82 ± 13,18 e os controles 48,96 ± 8,65 (p=0.109). Os casos apresentaram EVA de 7,34 ± 2,11 e ASES de 31,26 ± 15,12, enquanto os controles apresentaram 0,55 ± 1,31 e 97,53 ± 6,22, respectivamente (p < 0,001). Conclusão: Os pacientes com artropatia do manguito rotador apresentam piores resultados no componente físico do SF-12 quando comparados aos controles. Têm, ainda, piores resultados funcionais pela escala da ASES e mais dor pela EVA. Nível de Evidência III, Estudo de Caso-Controle.