Real-World Surgical and Endoscopic Recurrence Based on Risk Profiles and Prophylaxis Utilization in Postoperative Crohn's Disease.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Preoperative risk stratification may help guide prophylactic biologic utilization for the prevention of postoperative Crohn's disease (CD) recurrence; however, there are limited data exploring and validating proposed clinical risk factors. We aimed to explore the preoperative clinical risk profiles, quantify individual risk factors, and assess the impact of biologic prophylaxis on postoperative recurrence risk in a real-world cohort. METHODS: In this multicenter retrospective analysis, patients with CD who underwent ileocolonic resection (ICR) from 2009 to 2020 were identified. High-risk (active smoking, ≥2 prior surgeries, penetrating disease, and/or perianal disease) and low-risk (nonsmokers and age >50 y) features were used to stratify patients. We assessed the risk of endoscopic (Rutgeert score, ≥i2b) and surgical recurrence by risk strata and biologic prophylaxis (≤90 days postoperatively) with logistic and time-to-event analyses. RESULTS: A total of 1404 adult CD patients who underwent ICR were included. Of the high-risk factors, 2 or more ICRs (odds ratio [OR], 1.71; 95% CI, 1.13-2.57), active smoking (OR, 1.73; 95% CI, 1.17-2.53), penetrating disease (OR, 1.41; 95% CI, 1.02-1.94), and history of perianal disease alone (OR, 1.99; 95% CI, 1.42-2.79) were associated with surgical but not endoscopic recurrence. Surgical recurrence was lower in high-risk patients receiving prophylaxis vs not (10.2% vs 16.7%; P = .02), and endoscopic recurrence was lower in those receiving prophylaxis irrespective of risk strata (high-risk, 28.1% vs 37.4%; P = .03; and low-risk, 21.1% vs 38.3%; P = .002). CONCLUSIONS: Clinical risk factors accurately illustrate patients at risk for surgical recurrence, but have limited utility in predicting endoscopic recurrence. Biologic prophylaxis may be of benefit irrespective of risk stratification and future studies should assess this.

Suboptimal Guideline Adherence and Biomarker Underutilization in Monitoring of Post-operative Crohn's Disease.

BACKGROUND: Crohn's disease recurrence after ileocecal resection is common. Guidelines suggest colonoscopy within 6-12 months of surgery to assess for post-operative recurrence, but use of adjunctive monitoring is not protocolized. We aimed to describe the state of monitoring in post-operative Crohn's. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study of patients with Crohn's after ileocolic resection with ≥ 1-year follow-up. Patients were stratified into high and low risk based on guidelines. Post-operative biomarker (C-reactive protein, fecal calprotectin), cross-sectional imaging, and colonoscopy use were assessed. Biomarker, radiographic, and endoscopic post-operative recurrence were defined as elevated CRP/calprotectin, active inflammation on imaging, and Rutgeerts ≥ i2b, respectively. Data were stratified by surgery year to assess changes in practice patterns over time. P-values were calculated using Wilcoxon test and Fisher exact test. RESULTS: Of 901 patients, 53% were female and 78% high risk. Median follow-up time was 60 m for LR and 50 m for high risk. Postoperatively, 18% low and 38% high risk had CRPs, 5% low and 10% high risk had calprotectins, and half of low and high risk had cross-sectional imaging. 29% low and 38% high risk had colonoscopy by 1 year. Compared to pre-2015, time to first radiography (584 days vs. 398 days) and colonoscopy (421 days vs. 296 days) were significantly shorter for high-risk post-2015 (P < 0.001). Probability of colonoscopy within 1 year increased over time (0.48, 2011 vs. 0.92, 2019). CONCLUSION: Post-operative colonoscopy completion by 1 year is low. The use of CRP and imaging are common, whereas calprotectin is infrequently utilized. Practice patterns are shifting toward earlier monitoring.

Test Characteristics of Cross-sectional Imaging and Concordance With Endoscopy in Postoperative Crohn's Disease.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Postoperative Crohn's disease (CD) surveillance relies on endoscopic monitoring. The role of cross-sectional imaging is less clear. We evaluated the concordance of cross-sectional enterography with endoscopic recurrence and the predictive ability of radiography for future CD postoperative recurrence. METHODS: We performed a multi-institution retrospective cohort study of postoperative adult patients with CD who underwent ileocolonoscopy and cross-sectional enterography within 90 days of each other following ileocecal resection. Imaging studies were interpreted by blinded, expert CD radiologists. Patients were categorized by presence of endoscopic postoperative recurrence (E+) (modified Rutgeerts' score ≥i2b) or radiographic disease activity (R+) and grouped by concordance status. RESULTS: A total of 216 patients with CD with paired ileocolonoscopy and imaging were included. A majority (54.2%) exhibited concordance (34.7% E+/R+; 19.4% E-/R-) between studies. The plurality (41.7%; n = 90) were E-/R+ discordant. Imaging was highly sensitive (89.3%), with low specificity (31.8%), in detecting endoscopic postoperative recurrence. Intestinal wall thickening, luminal narrowing, mural hyper-enhancement, and length of disease on imaging were associated with endoscopic recurrence (all P < .01). Radiographic disease severity was associated with increasing Rutgeerts' score (P < .001). E-/R+ patients experienced more rapid subsequent endoscopic recurrence (hazard ratio, 4.16; P = .033) and increased rates of subsequent endoscopic (43.8% vs 22.7%) and surgical recurrence (20% vs 9.5%) than E-/R- patients (median follow-up, 4.5 years). CONCLUSIONS: Cross-sectional imaging is highly sensitive, but poorly specific, in detecting endoscopic disease activity and postoperative recurrence. Advanced radiographic disease correlates with endoscopic severity. Patients with radiographic activity in the absence of endoscopic recurrence may be at increased risk for future recurrence, and closer monitoring should be considered.

Evaluating bowel enterotomy closures in simulated deep body cavities using the reversing half-hitch alternating post and square knots: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Square knots can be difficult to construct in deep body cavities. The reversing half-hitch alternating post (RHAP) surgical knot has noninferior tensile strength and performance characteristics in deep body cavities. We compared the enterotomy repairs of novice learners in simulated deep body cavities using RHAP versus square knots after proficiency-based training. Methods: Undergraduate students were randomized to RHAP (n = 10) or square knot (n = 10) groups and trained to defined proficiency. They then performed hand-sewn enterotomy repairs of cadaveric porcine small bowels on flat surfaces and in simulated deep body cavities. We recorded time to knot-tying proficiency and to enterotomy repair, and burst pressures for the repair. Results: Mean time-to-proficiency in knot tying was equivalent between the RHAP and square knot groups (23 [standard deviation (SD) 3] v. 21 [SD 2] min, p = 0.33). Mean time for enterotomy repair in deep cavities was shorter for the RHAP group (16 [SD 2] min v. 21 [SD 1] min, p = 0.02). Mean burst pressures for enterotomy repair were equivalent on flat surfaces (128 [SD 41] v. 101 [SD 36] mm Hg, p = 0.31), and were significantly higher for the RHAP group in simulated deep body cavities (32 [SD 13] v. 105 [SD 37] mm Hg, p = 0.05). Conclusion: The RHAP knots appear to have superior performance versus square knots when tied in a deep body cavity by novice learners. Future work should focus on demonstrating the clinical relevance and broad utility of the RHAP knot in abdominal surgery. Both knot types should be taught to novice learners.

Contexte: L'exécution de noeuds plats peut être difficile dans les cavités corporelles profondes. Les noeuds de type demi-clé inversée alternée (RHAP, pour reversing halfhitch alternating post) ont une résistance à la traction et un rendement semblables à ceux des noeuds plats dans ces cavités. Nous avons comparé l'efficacité des noeuds plats et des noeuds de type RHAP réalisés par de nouveaux apprenants dans des cavités profondes simulées, après leur avoir enseigné les compétences nécessaires. Méthodes: Les étudiants de premier cycle ont été aléatoirement répartis en 2 groupes, soit le groupe RHAP (n = 10) et le groupe noeud plat (n = 10), et ont reçu une formation pour développer des compétences prédéfinies. Ils ont ensuite suturé à la main un intestin grêle provenant d'un cadavre de porc, sur une surface plane et à l'intérieur d'une cavité profonde simulée. Nous avons mesuré le temps nécessaire à l'exécution du noeud et à la suture complète de l'incision, de même que la pression que pouvait subir cette suture sans se rompre. Résultats: Le temps moyen d'exécution du noeud était semblable entre les groupes RHAP et noeud plat (23 min [écart type (E.T.) 3 min] c. 21 min [E.T. 2 min]; p = 0,33). Le temps moyen nécessaire à la suture de l'incision dans la cavité profonde était plus court dans le groupe RHAP (16 min [E.T. 2 min] c. 21 min [E.T. 1 min]; p = 0,02). La pression moyenne que pouvait subir la suture sans se rompre était comparable pour les sutures effectuées sur une surface plane (128 mm Hg [E.T. 41 mm Hg] c. 101 mm Hg [E.T. 36 mm Hg]; p = 0,31), mais était significativement plus élevée dans le groupe RHAP pour les sutures faites dans la cavité profonde (32 mm Hg [E.T. 13 mm Hg] c. 105 mm Hg [E.T. 37 mm Hg], p = 0,05). Conclusion: Les noeuds de type RHAP semblent avoir un rendement supérieur à celui des noeuds plats lorsqu'ils sont réalisés dans une cavité profonde par de nouveaux apprenants. Des études ultérieures devraient se pencher sur la pertinence clinique et l'utilité générale de ces noeuds en chirurgie abdominale. Les 2 types de noeuds devraient être enseignés aux nouveaux apprenants.

Developmental origins of pregnancy-induced cardiac changes: establishment of a novel model using the atrial natriuretic peptide gene-disrupted mice.

Pregnancy evokes many challenges on the maternal cardiovascular system that may unmask predispositions for future disease. This is particularly evident for women who develop pregnancy-related disorders, for example, pre-eclampsia and gestational diabetes or hypertension. Such pregnancy-related syndromes increase the risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) postpartum. As a result, pregnancy has been termed as a cardiovascular stress test and an indicator or marker to predict the development of CVD later in life. In addition, pregnancy-related disorders impact the development of offspring also placing them at a higher risk for disease. Utilizing pregnancy as a physiological stressor, the current investigation sought to determine whether the cardiovascular system of offspring exposed to gestational hypertension in utero would respond adversely to the stress of pregnancy. Heterozygous atrial natriuretic peptide gene-disrupted (ANP+/-) offspring were generated by either crossing male wildtype ANP+/+ with female knockout ANP-/- to produce ANP+/-KO mice or crossing female wildtype ANP+/+ with male knockout ANP-/- to produce ANP+/-WT mice. To study the cardiovascular stress induced by pregnancy, female ANP+/-WT and ANP+/-KO mice were mated with male wildtype ANP+/+ mice to initiate pregnancy. Cardiac size and molecular expression of the renin-angiotensin (RAS) and natriuretic peptide systems (NPS) were compared between offspring groups. Our data demonstrate that gestational hypertension and lack of maternal ANP did not significantly impact the progression and regression of pregnancy-induced cardiac hypertrophy over gestation and postpartum in ANP+/- offspring. Additionally, the molecular cardiac expression of the RAS and NPS did not differ between offspring groups. Future investigation should assess potential differences in cardiac function and the impact of fetal-programming on offspring cardiovascular adaptations during pregnancy in more severe models of pregnancy-related hypertensive syndrome such as angiotensin II or isoproterenol infusion.

Speckle tracking carotid artery circumferential strain is a marker of arterial sclerosis but not coronary atherosis.

PURPOSE: Circumferential speckle tracking carotid artery strain is a novel method of quantifying vessel wall stiffness. We hypothesized that carotid wall stiffness would be associated with carotid intimal medial thickening (a medial process associated with risk factors), but not coronary artery disease (an intimal process). METHODS: Bilateral carotid artery ultrasound was conducted on outpatients who had previously undergone elective coronary angiography. Mean carotid artery far wall circumferential strain (FWCS) was assessed for correlations with coronary angiographic stenosis, cardiac risk factors, carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT), and carotid plaque. RESULTS: One hundred and sixty five (165) patients were studied. No significant association was found between the presence of coronary artery disease on angiography and mean FWCS. FWCS was higher in current tobacco smokers. In addition, carotid strain was found to decrease with increased age (r = -0.33, P < 0.001). When adjusted for pulse pressure (PP), FWCS/PP was negatively correlated with mean CIMT (r = -0.29, P = 0.002) and bulb maximum plaque height (r = -0.27, P = 0.004). Hypertension and diabetes were associated with decreased FWCS/PP (increased wall stiffness). CONCLUSIONS: While no clear relationship between carotid strain and coronary artery disease was observed, increased CIMT, carotid plaque, and cardiac risk factors were associated with decreased carotid strain. Further work is required to explore the relationship between carotid strain and cardiovascular events.

Intracardiac Venous Stent Migration: Emergency Department Presentation of a Catastrophic Complication.

BACKGROUND: Venous stents are commonly placed to ensure patency in patients with chronic peripheral venous insufficiency. Although serious complications are uncommon, peripheral venous stent placement can have some potentially life-threatening complications. One of the most feared, and certainly the most dramatic, complication is stent migration. CASE REPORT: We report on a 55-year-old woman with transvenous migration of an infrarenal inferior vena cava stent into the right atrium and through the intra-atrial septum. The patient expired in the emergency department (ED). WHY SHOULD AN EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN BE AWARE OF THIS?: There are several potentially life-threatening post-surgical complications after an endovascular procedure, some of which occur shortly after the patient is discharged from the recovery unit. Frequently, these patients present to the ED for initial evaluation. Although details of the procedure performed and the surgical intervention might not be available immediately, emergency physicians should consider stent migration when a patient presents in extremis shortly after an endovascular procedure.

Onset and Regression of Pregnancy-Induced Cardiac Alterations in Gestationally Hypertensive Mice: The Role of the Natriuretic Peptide System.

Pregnancy induces cardiovascular adaptations in response to increased volume overload. Aside from the hemodynamic changes that occur during pregnancy, the maternal heart also undergoes structural changes. However, cardiac modulation in pregnancies complicated by gestational hypertension is incompletely understood. The objectives of the current investigation were to determine the role of the natriuretic peptide (NP) system in pregnancy and to assess alterations in pregnancy-induced cardiac hypertrophy between gestationally hypertensive and normotensive dams. Previously we have shown that mice lacking the expression of atrial NP (ANP; ANP(-/-)) exhibit a gestational hypertensive phenotype. In the current study, female ANP(+/+) and ANP(-/-) mice were mated with ANP(+/+) males. Changes in cardiac size and weight were evaluated across pregnancy at Gestational Days 15.5 and 17.5 and Postnatal Days 7, 14, and 28. Nonpregnant mice were used as controls. Physical measurement recordings and histological analyses demonstrated peak cardiac hypertrophy occurring at 14 days postpartum in both ANP(+/+) and ANP(-/-) dams with little to no change during pregnancy. Additionally, left ventricular expression of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) and NP system was quantified by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Up-regulation of Agt and AT(1a) genes was observed late in pregnancy, while Nppa and Nppb genes were significantly up-regulated postpartum. Our data suggest that pregnancy-induced cardiac hypertrophy may be influenced by the RAS throughout gestation and by the NP system postpartum. Further investigations are required to gain a complete understanding of the mechanistic aspects of pregnancy-induced cardiac hypertrophy.

Stable Encapsulated Air Nanobubbles in Water.

The dispersion into water of nanocapsules bearing a highly hydrophobic fluorinated internal lining yielded encapsulated air nanobubbles. These bubbles, like their micrometer-sized counterparts (microbubbles), effectively reflected ultrasound. More importantly, the nanobubbles survived under ultrasonication 100-times longer than a commercial microbubble sample that is currently in clinical use. We justify this unprecedented stability theoretically. These nanobubbles, owing to their small size and potential ability to permeate the capillary networks of tissues, may expand the applications of microbubbles in diagnostic ultrasonography and find new applications in ultrasound-regulated drug delivery.

American Gastroenterological Association-Proposed Fecal Calprotectin Cutoff of 50 ug/g is Associated With Endoscopic Recurrence in a Real-World Cohort of Patients With Crohn's Disease Post-ileocolic Resection.

Background: Fecal calprotectin (FC) is a reliable predictor of active bowel inflammation in postoperative Crohn's disease (CD), but cutoffs vary between studies. Recent guidelines recommend a cutoff of <50 ug/g to avoid routine endoscopy in patients at low pretest probability for CD recurrence. We evaluated the performance of this threshold in a real-world CD cohort after ileocolic resection (ICR). Methods: In this retrospective study, patients with CD post-ICR between 2009 to 2020 with FC > 60 days but < 1 year of surgery were included from a multicenter database. Established risk factors and/or biologic prophylaxis (biologic within 90 days of surgery) defined pretest probability. Those without postoperative colonoscopy were excluded. Rates of endoscopic recurrence, defined as Rutgeerts score ≥ i2b at any time after surgery, were compared between FC < 50 versus  ≥ 50 ug/g. Student's t-test and Fisher's exact test were utilized for statistical analysis. All postoperative FCs were matched to closest colonoscopy within 1 year to calculate sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV). Results: Thirty-seven patients categorized as either low-risk or high-risk and received biologic prophylaxis and had postoperative colonoscopy were included. Median time to first FC was 217 days (IQR 131-288). 15 (41%) patients had initial FC < 50 ug/g versus 22 (59%) ≥50 ug/g. Median time to first colonoscopy was 234 days (IQR 189-369). Compared to initial FC ≥ 50 ug/g, FC < 50ug/g experienced less endoscopic recurrence (0% vs. 36%, P = .005). Median time to first endoscopic recurrence in FC ≥ 50 ug/g was 145 days. There were 39 matched pairs of FC and colonoscopy. At an FC cutoff of 50 ug/g, calculated sensitivity was 90% and NPV was 93%, whereas specificity and PPV were 48% and 38%, respectively. Conclusions: In this real-world cohort, FC < 50 ug/g is a useful cutoff to exclude endoscopic recurrence in a post-ICR CD population that is at low pretest probability of recurrence.

Early Initiation of Antitumor Necrosis Factor Therapy Reduces Postoperative Recurrence of Crohn's Disease Following Ileocecal Resection.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative recurrence (POR) of Crohn's disease (CD) is common after surgical resection. We aimed to compare biologic type and timing for preventing POR in adult CD patients after ileocecal resection (ICR). METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort study of CD patients who underwent an ICR at 2 medical centers. Recurrence was defined by endoscopy (≥ i2b Rutgeerts score) or radiography (active inflammation in neoterminal ileum) and stratified by type and timing of postoperative prophylactic biologic within 12 weeks following an ICR (none, tumor necrosis factor antagonists [anti-TNF], vedolizumab, and ustekinumab). RESULTS: We identified 1037 patients with CD who underwent an ICR. Of 278 (26%) who received postoperative prophylaxis, 80% were placed on an anti-TNF agent (n = 223) followed by ustekinumab (n = 28, 10%) and vedolizumab (n = 27, 10%). Prophylaxis was initiated in 35% within 4 weeks following an ICR and in 65% within 4 to 12 weeks. After adjusting for factors associated with POR, compared with no biologic prophylaxis, the initiation of an anti-TNF agent within 4 weeks following an ICR was associated with a reduction in POR (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.61; 95% CI, 0.40-0.93). Prophylaxis after 4 weeks following an ICR or with vedolizumab or ustekinumab was not associated with a reduction in POR compared with those who did not receive prophylaxis. CONCLUSION: Early initiation of an anti-TNF agent within 4 weeks following an ICR was associated with a reduction in POR. Vedolizumab or ustekinumab, at any time following surgery, was not associated with a reduction in POR, although sample size was limited.

Postoperative recurrence of Crohn's disease is common after ileocecal resection. In this dual-center study, early initiation of an anti-TNF agent within 4 weeks following an ileocecal resection was associated with a reduction in postoperative recurrence of Crohn's disease.

Management of adult tuberous sclerosis complex-related angiomyolipoma: A single-center experience.

INTRODUCTION: Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is a rare, multi-system, genetic disease. A significant cause of TSC-related morbidity is potential bleeding from renal angiomyolipoma (AML). To pre-emptively decrease AML bleeding, mTOR inhibitors can be used; however, thresholds for initiating and maintaining everolimus therapy remain uncertain. Recent literature suggests not triggering active treatment of AMLs based on size thresholds alone. We evaluated the appropriateness of initiating everolimus therapy in asymptomatic patients after considering AML size, rate of growth, and other factors. METHODS: Diagnostic criteria developed by the 2012 International TSC Consensus Group and presence of AML were used as inclusion criteria. Medical and imaging reports of 11/20 TSC patients from a single center were reviewed. RESULTS: Mean age was 40.55 (±16.27) and 11 patients were female. Eight asymptomatic patients at high risk for complications underwent everolimus therapy, of which seven (88%) demonstrated decreased AML size, but multiple side effects were reported. Four high-risk asymptomatic patients did not undergo therapy due to side effect concerns, while four low-risk asymptomatic patients had stable AMLs under active surveillance. Four patients had reduced AMLs through local therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Everolimus treatment was effective for managing AML size in most high-risk, asymptomatic patients with tolerable side effects. AML size can remain relatively stable for asymptomatic, low-risk patients despite not receiving intervention(s). Patients with TSC-related AML can be safely managed with mTOR inhibitors like everolimus with shared decision-making, including factors such as bleeding risk, AML growth rate, and number and absolute size of AMLs.

Maximum plaque height in carotid ultrasound predicts cardiovascular disease outcomes: a population-based validation study of the American society of echocardiography's grade II-III plaque characterization and protocol.

The presence of carotid arterial plaque by ultrasound enhances cardiovascular risk stratification beyond traditional risk factors. However, plaque quantification techniques require further outcomes-based investigation. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the utility of a focused carotid ultrasound protocol and novel plaque grading system developed by the American Society of Echocardiography (ASE). A retrospective analysis of 514 outpatients who were referred for coronary angiography between 2011 and 2014 was performed using a province-sponsored health database. All participants prospectively received a focused carotid ultrasound. Maximum plaque height (MPH) of arterial carotid plaque was quantified, using the Grade II-III plaque definition of MPH ≥ 1.5 mm for stratification, according to recent ASE recommendations. Participants were followed for 1.33-5.11 years (average follow-up = 3.60 ± 1.65 years) to identify the occurrence of cardiovascular events. Major events (death, myocardial infarction [MI], stroke, and transient ischemic attack [TIA]) were correlated to MPH. Participants with MPH ≥ 1.5 mm were more likely to experience stable angina, coronary artery bypass grafting, and stress testing at both 1-year and total follow-up. After adjusting for cardiac risk factors, increased MPH was shown to be predictive for TIA (odds ratio [OR] = 1.33, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.01-1.75); p = 0.04), whereas the odds of non-ST-elevation MI (OR = 1.55, 95% CI = 0.99-2.43; p = 0.06) approached significance. Using Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, MPH ≥ 1.5 mm demonstrated good separation for the composite outcome of death, MI, stroke, and TIA over total follow-up (p = 0.02). This rapid, office-based quantification of MPH in carotid ultrasound may serve as a stratification tool for predicting major cardiovascular events.

Dynorphin activates quorum sensing quinolone signaling in Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

There is now substantial evidence that compounds released during host stress directly activate the virulence of certain opportunistic pathogens. Here, we considered that endogenous opioids might function as such compounds, given that they are among the first signals to be released at multiple tissue sites during host stress. We tested the ability of various opioid compounds to enhance the virulence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa using pyocyanin production as a biological readout, and demonstrated enhanced virulence when P. aeruginosa was exposed to synthetic (U-50,488) and endogenous (dynorphin) kappa-agonists. Using various mutants and reporter strains of P. aeruginosa, we identified involvement of key elements of the quorum sensing circuitry such as the global transcriptional regulator MvfR and the quorum sensing-related quinolone signaling molecules PQS, HHQ, and HQNO that respond to kappa-opioids. The in vivo significance of kappa-opioid signaling of P. aeruginosa was demonstrated in mice by showing that dynorphin is released from the intestinal mucosa following ischemia/reperfusion injury, activates quinolone signaling in P. aeruginosa, and enhances the virulence of P. aeruginosa against Lactobacillus spp. and Caenorhabditis elegans. Taken together, these data demonstrate that P. aeruginosa can intercept opioid compounds released during host stress and integrate them into core elements of quorum sensing circuitry leading to enhanced virulence.

Creating an Asynchronous Curriculum for Your Emergency Medicine Residency.

This article was migrated. The article was marked as recommended. Background An asynchronous curriculum is one in which residents complete structured learning assignments outside of the traditional Emergency Medicine conference day. As educators are challenged with filling the time in the traditional didactic classroom setting with appropriate content while maintaining the interest of learners, asynchronous learning is becoming an essential component of Emergency Medicine resident curricula. While many residencies are investigating best practices to design and implement asynchronous education, relatively little guidance exists on the creation of such a curriculum. Methods Our goal was to create an asynchronous curriculum using only a chief resident and a core faculty member. Our module-based asynchronous curriculum was formulated based on recommendations from the Council of Emergency Medicine Residency Directors (CORD) ( Sadosty et al. 2009). We focused on using free open access medical education (FOAMEd) as primary content. Results Our residency program has successfully implemented an asynchronous curriculum for two years, and it is still ongoing. We achieved an assignment completion rate of 77.0% in the first year of implementation and 88.6% in our second year. Conclusions The creation and implementation of an asynchronous curriculum is manageable and well-received by Emergency Medicine residents.

Presence of Calcium-Like Tissue Composition in Carotid Plaque is Indicative of Significant Coronary Artery Disease in High-Risk Patients.

BACKGROUND: Grayscale pixel ranges from ultrasound images, indicating differences in atherosclerotic plaque echogenicity, have been shown to represent different tissue types. Our objective was to determine whether carotid plaque composition was correlated with severity of coronary artery disease (CAD) and risk of cardiovascular (CV) events. METHODS: A focused carotid ultrasound was performed in 522 participants who had recently undergone coronary angiography. In 468 participants found to have atherosclerotic plaque in at least one carotid artery, plaque composition was assessed for tissue-like types: grayscale ranges 0-4 (blood), 8-26 (fat), 41-76 (muscle), 112-196 (fibrous), and 211-255 (calcium). Logistic regression was used to evaluate correlations with significant CAD (≥50% stenosis). Cox proportional hazards models were used to determine risk for 5-year CV outcomes. RESULTS: Carotid plaque percent fibrous and percent calcium increased with severity of CAD (P < .02). When adjusted for age, sex, body mass index, estimated glomerular filtration rate, and traditional cardiac risk factors, maximum plaque height and percent calcium remained independent contributors of significant CAD (P < .01). Plaque height (≥2.74 mm), percent calcium (≥0.11%), and percent fat (11.6%) were associated with increased risk for CV events. Combined plaque height and percent fat gave the highest risk for events (risk ratio = 2.02; CI, 1.41-2.94, P = .0002). CONCLUSIONS: Carotid plaque fibrous and calcium-like tissues are correlated with increased CAD. Increased percent fat or percent calcium is associated with risk for CV events; however, a combination of plaque height, percent calcium, and/or percent fat increases risk for CV events. Incorporating ultrasound carotid plaque composition into screening practice may improve patient risk stratification for heart disease.

The Heart and Kidney: Abnormal Phosphate Homeostasis Is Associated With Atherosclerosis.

CONTEXT: Phosphate has gained recognition as a risk factor for adverse cardiovascular outcomes, potentially due to accelerated vascular calcification. Fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF-23) is a counter-regulatory hormone that increases renal phosphate excretion to maintain normal levels. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the study was to determine the association of phosphate and FGF-23 to atherosclerosis. DESIGN AND SETTING: A prospective cohort study (n = 204) of outpatients referred for coronary angiography over of a 1-year recruitment period at the Kingston General Hospital. INTERVENTION: Blood was collected, and a focused carotid ultrasound was performed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Degree of angiographic coronary artery disease was scored. Carotid maximum plaque height, total area, grayscale median, and tissue pixel distribution were measured. Plasma phosphate was assessed by mineral assay and FGF-23 by ELISA. RESULTS: Carotid plaque burden [total plaque area (TPA)] was associated with higher levels of phosphate (TPA, r = 0.20, P < 0.01) and FGF-23 (r = 0.19, P < 0.01). FGF-23 was associated with increased plaque % calcium-like tissue. Participants with no coronary artery disease had significantly lower phosphate levels. Phosphate was associated with higher grayscale median (GSM) in male subjects but with lower GSM in female subjects. FGF-23 was associated with increased plaque % fat in male subjects but increased plaque % calcium in female subjects. CONCLUSIONS: Phosphate was independently associated with the severity of atherosclerosis in terms of plaque burden and composition. FGF-23 was associated with plaque calcification. These findings suggest that abnormal phosphate homeostasis may play an under-recognized but potentially modifiable role in cardiovascular disease.

Circulating Gas6 is associated with reduced human carotid atherosclerotic plaque burden in high risk cardiac patients.

OBJECTIVE: Pre-clinical studies suggest that growth arrest-specific protein 6 (Gas6), a member of the vitamin K dependent family of proteins, is implicated in atherosclerosis. A role for Gas6 in stabilizing atherosclerotic plaque has been suggested. Our aim was to determine the association between Gas6 and measures of carotid artery atherosclerosis in humans undergoing elective coronary angiography. Secondary aims were to determine the association between Gas6 and sex, diabetes, and obesity. METHODS: In 204 outpatients referred for coronary angiography, EDTA plasma was collected and a focused carotid ultrasound performed. Degree of angiographic coronary artery disease was scored. Carotid intima media thickness as well as maximum plaque height, plaque area, and grayscale median were measured by vascular sonography. Gas6 was assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: We found that Gas6 concentrations were lower in males and were associated with diabetes, obesity, and lower kidney function. After adjustment for age, sex, kidney function, BMI and traditional cardiac risk factors; diabetes was associated with higher levels of Gas6, whilst there was a significant inverse relationship between Gas6 and total plaque area. Gas6 was inversely associated with maximum plaque height and total plaque area in adjusted multi-variable models. CONCLUSIONS: We observed higher levels of Gas6 in participantswith adverse cardiovascular risk profiles (e.g. diabetes, obesity) yet Gas6 was independently associated with reduced plaque height and total plaque area. These findings suggest that Gas6 may play a role in human atherosclerotic plaque remodeling.

Relationship between carotid artery atherosclerosis and bulb geometry.

The carotid bifurcation is a common site of atherosclerotic plaque. Plaque development is thought to occur preferentially at geometrically predisposed areas such as arterial branch points. The aim of this study was to investigate the geometric and anatomical variables that contribute to the development of carotid plaque using three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound. Sixty-seven consecutive outpatients referred for elective coronary angiography underwent 3D carotid ultrasound scans for the purpose of carotid plaque quantification. Geometric quantification of the left and right carotid bulbs were performed retrospectively on this study population. Geometric values such as angle, area and length of the carotid bulb and the bifurcation were determined using QLAB software (Philips Healthcare). Plaque volume within the carotid bulb and artery branches was quantified using the stacked contour method. Pearson's correlation and linear regression analysis were used to determine the relationship between anatomical variables and plaque volume. The mean age for the total patient population was 65.9 ± 11.5 years. Carotid bulb inflow area (BIA) (r = 0.28, p = 0.001), bulb volume (BV) (r = 0.21, p = 0.01) and bifurcation angle (BifA) (r = 0.18, p = 0.04) showed a positive linear relationship with plaque volume. In contrast, internal carotid artery angle (ICAA) (r = - 0.18, p = 0.04) and bulb flare (r = - 0.20, p = 0.02) displayed a negative linear relationship with plaque volume. When adjusting for age and sex, only the BIA remained significant (ß = 0.18, p = 0.04). Geometric variables were identified as potential risk factors associated with plaque volume in the carotid bulb. Further analysis of the evolution of the BIA as well as the relationship to other geometric variables could create a stronger predictive model of atherosclerosis as well as assist in preoperative planning.