Outcomes and Resource Utilization in Robotic Mitral Valve Repair: Beyond the Learning Curve.

BACKGROUND: After the initial learning curve associated with mastering a robotic procedure, there is a plateau where operative time and complication rates stabilize. Our objective was to evaluate one surgeon's experience with robotic mitral valve repairs (MVRep) beyond the learning curve and to compare its effectiveness against the traditional open approach. METHODS: Data from Ronald Reagan University of California, Los Angeles Medical Center was prospectively collected from January 2008 to March 2016 to identify adult patients undergoing robotic MVRep. Operative times, complication rates, and cost for robotic versus open MVRep were compared using multivariate regressions, adjusting for comorbidities and previous cardiac surgeries. RESULTS: During the study period, 175 robotic (41%) and 259 open (59%) MVRep cases were performed at our institution. As the surgeon performed more robotic operations, there was a decrease in room time (554-410 min, P < 0.001), surgery time (405-271 min, P < 0.001), and cross-clamp times (179-93 min, P < 0.001). After application of a multivariate regression model, robotic MVRep was associated with lower odds of complications (odds ratio = 0.42, P = 0.001), shorter length of stay (ß = -2.51, P < 0.001), and a reduction of 11% in direct (P = 0.003) and 24% in room costs (P < 0.001), but a 51% increase in surgery cost (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: As the surgeon gained experience with robotic MVRep, operative times decreased in a steady manner. Robotic MVRep had comparable outcomes to open MVRep and lower overall cost. The observed difference in costs is likely related to shorter length of stay and lower room cost with the robotic approach.

Reasons for using traditional and complementary care by people living with HIV on antiretroviral therapy and association with interrupted care: a mixed methods study in Eswatini.

The use of traditional, complementary, and alternative medicine (TCAM) can lead to delays and interruptions in the HIV continuum of care. This study explores reasons for TCAM use in people living with HIV on antiretroviral therapy (ART) in Eswatini and compares interrupted care between different types of TCAM users. Data were collected using surveys in the MaxART study (a test-and-treat trial) between 2014 and 2017 to assess the exposure, namely visiting a TCAM provider. Additionally, visit dates were retrieved from clinic records to assess the outcome, interrupted care. Open-ended questions were analysed with qualitative content analysis (n = 602) and closed questions with bivariable and multivariable analysis (n = 202). Out of 202 participants, 145 (72%) never used TCAM, 40 (20%) ever used, and 17 (8%) is currently using TCAM (diviners, herbalists, and religious healers). No differences in interrupted care were found comparing never (reference category), past (Odds Ratio: 1.31, 95% confidence interval: 0.63-2.72), and current users (1.34, 0.47-3.77), while adjusting for gender, time since HIV diagnosis, and time on ART. Contextual factors affecting the choice for TCAM were the influence of family, advice from the health facility, and religious beliefs. Individual factors include trust in biomedical care, type of illness, no need for additional care, and practical reasons such as financial means. In conclusion, individual and contextual factors influence the choice for TCAM. Interrupted care does not differ between never, past, and current users.

Effect of Availability of Transcatheter Aortic-Valve Implantation on Survival for all Patients With Severe Aortic Stenosis.

Clinical outcomes for the overall severe aortic stenosis (AS) patient population are not well described because those medically managed are not included in procedural registries, and AS severity is not identifiable from administrative data. We aim to assess whether transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) availability has been associated with overall changes in survival for the whole AS patient population. This is important because patients with AS in real-world practice may differ from those included in randomized controlled trials, potentially attenuating the purported treatment efficacy estimated in trials. Classic severe AS patients (mean gradient ≥40 mmHg) were identified from an echocardiography database. Survival was defined as time since severe AS diagnosis until death. We first compared survival among all patients before and after TAVI availability in 2008. To further understand mechanism, we then assessed whether any survival changes were attributable to TAVI with extended Cox regression models comparing survival among TAVI, surgical aortic valve replacement, and medically managed patients. 3663 classic severe AS patients were included in the study. Median survival years for all patients were greater during the TAVI-era than Pre-TAVI-era (>11.5 vs 6.8, 5-year-HR = 0.8, time-varying effect p <0.0001), and increased median survival was greatest for patients age 65 to74 (>11.5 vs 9.5, 5-year-HR = 0.7, time-varying effect p = 0.045). TAVI patients age 65 to 74 had the lowest risk of death compared to medically managed patients (HR = 0.2, 95% CI = [0.1, 0.3], p <0.0001). In conclusion, in the TAVI-era, overall survival for patients with severe AS has doubled. This improvement is most marked for patients 65 to 74 years of age.

Early access to antiretroviral therapy versus standard of care among HIV-positive participants in Eswatini in the public health sector: the MaxART stepped-wedge randomized controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION: The WHO recommends antiretroviral treatment (ART) for all HIV-positive patients regardless of CD4 count or disease stage, referred to as "Early Access to ART for All" (EAAA). The health systems effects of EAAA implementation are unknown. This trial was implemented in a government-managed public health system with the aim to examine the "real world" impact of EAAA on care retention and viral suppression. METHODS: In this stepped-wedge randomized controlled trial, 14 public sector health facilities in Eswatini were paired and randomly assigned to stepwise transition from standard of care (SoC) to EAAA. ART-naïve participants ≥18 years who were not pregnant or breastfeeding were eligible for enrolment. We used Cox proportional hazard models with censoring at clinic transition to estimate the effects of EAAA on retention in care and retention and viral suppression combined. RESULTS: Between September 2014 and August 2017, 3405 participants were enrolled. In SoC and EAAA respectively, 12-month HIV care retention rates were 80% (95% CI: 77 to 83) and 86% (95% CI: 83 to 88). The 12-month combined retention and viral suppression endpoint rates were 44% (95% CI: 40 to 48) under SoC compared to 80% (95% CI: 77 to 83) under EAAA. EAAA increased both retention (HR: 1·60, 95% CI: 1·15 to 2·21, p = 0.005) and retention and viral suppression combined (HR: 4.88, 95% CI: 2.96 to 8.05, p < 0.001). We also identified significant gaps in current health systems ability to provide viral load (VL) monitoring with 80% participants in SoC and 66% in EAAA having a missing VL at last contact. CONCLUSIONS: The observed improvement in retention in care and on the combined retention and viral suppression provides an important co-benefit of EAAA to HIV-positive adults themselves, at least in the short term. Our results from this "real world" health systems trial strongly support EAAA for Eswatini and countries with similar HIV epidemics and health systems. VL monitoring needs to be scaled up for appropriate care management.