RWMAs in critically ill patients with non-obstructed coronary arteries

Introduction

Left ventricular (LV) dysfunction is estimated to occur in 10%–25% of the general intensive care unit (ICU) population and is frequently seen as regional wall motion abnormalities (RWMAs). Although RWMA is mostly attributed to myocardial ischemia or infarction, some studies have suggested that nonischemic RWMA might also be prevalent. We sought to establish that RWMA can be seen in critically ill patients with normal coronary arteries and to explore reasons for RWMA in this population.

Methods

In this retrospective study, data from the hospital angiography register and the ICU register were collated between 2012 and 2019. Patients were identified who underwent angiography in conjunction with their ICU stay and had RWMA on echocardiography. Patients were divided into either those with non-obstructed or those with obstructed coronary arteries. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (cMRI) examinations were reviewed if they had been performed on patients with non-obstructed coronaries.

Results

We identified 53 patients with RWMA and non-obstructed coronary arteries and 204 patients with RWMA and obstructed coronary arteries. Patients with non-obstructed coronary arteries were more often female, younger, and had fewer cardiovascular risk factors. They less commonly had ST elevation, but more frequently had T-wave inversion or serious arrhythmias. Troponin levels were higher in patients with obstructed coronary arteries, but NT-proBNP was similar between the groups. There were no differences in risk-adjusted 90-day mortality between patients with non-obstructed versus obstructed coronary arteries (OR 1.21, [95% CI 0.56–2.64], p = .628). In those with non-obstructed coronary arteries, follow-up echocardiography was available for 38 patients, of whom 30 showed normalization of cardiac function. Of the 14 patients with non-obstructed coronary arteries on whom cMRI was performed, 7 had a tentative diagnosis of Takotsubo syndrome or myocardial stunning; 4 had a myocardial infarction (preexisting in 3 cases); 1 patient had acute myocarditis; 1 patient had post-myocarditis; and 1 patient was diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy.

Conclusion

RWMA can be seen to occur in critically ill patients in the absence of coronary artery obstruction. Several conditions can cause regional hypokinesia, and cMRI is useful to evaluate the underlying etiology.     

重庆市万州区274家用人单位职业病危害项目申报现况分析

[摘要]　目的　分析新型冠状病毒肺炎疫情（新冠疫情）暴发前、后2个年度，安庆市流行性感冒（流感）流行的强度和特征。方法　在“中国流感监测信息系统”中选取安庆市2019—2021年度监测数据，分析我市新冠疫情发生前、后的流感样病例就诊百分比、病原学阳性率和聚集性疫情的变化。结果　新冠疫情前、后2个年度，流感样病例就诊百分比分别为4.17%和3.78%，差异有统计学意义（χ2=56.652，P=0.000）；病原学阳性率分别为23.43%和1.15%，差异有统计学意义（χ2=538.694，P=0.000）。新冠疫情前的流感病毒活动呈现双峰分布，新冠疫情后全年仅检出27份流感病毒阳性样本。结论　新冠疫情中采取的严格非药物预防措施，对流感的季节性特征有重要影响。应通过疫苗接种和非药物预防等措施，做好流感防控工作。     

安庆市新型冠状病毒肺炎疫情暴发前后流行性感冒流行特征分析

[摘要]　目的　分析新型冠状病毒肺炎疫情（新冠疫情）暴发前、后2个年度，安庆市流行性感冒（流感）流行的强度和特征。方法　在“中国流感监测信息系统”中选取安庆市2019—2021年度监测数据，分析我市新冠疫情发生前、后的流感样病例就诊百分比、病原学阳性率和聚集性疫情的变化。结果　新冠疫情前、后2个年度，流感样病例就诊百分比分别为4.17%和3.78%，差异有统计学意义（χ2=56.652，P=0.000）；病原学阳性率分别为23.43%和1.15%，差异有统计学意义（χ2=538.694，P=0.000）。新冠疫情前的流感病毒活动呈现双峰分布，新冠疫情后全年仅检出27份流感病毒阳性样本。结论　新冠疫情中采取的严格非药物预防措施，对流感的季节性特征有重要影响。应通过疫苗接种和非药物预防等措施，做好流感防控工作。     

Policy Analysis for Prevention and Control of Influenza in Aged Care

ObjectiveThis study aimed to analyze national influenza infection control policy documents within aged care settings by identifying the consistencies, inconsistencies, and gaps with the current evidence and by evaluating methodological quality. Aged care providers can use these findings to identify their policy documents' strengths and weaknesses.DesignA quality and content analysis of national level policy documents.Setting and ParticipantsAged care settings rely on national agencies' policy recommendations to control and prevent outbreaks. There is limited research on the effectiveness of control measures to prevent and treat influenza within aged care settings. Because of the complexities around aged care governance, the primary responsibility in developing a comprehensive facility-level, infection-prevention policy, falls to the providers.MethodsThe analysis was conducted using the (1) International Appraisal of Guidelines, Research and Evaluation assessment tool, containing 23 items across 6 domains; and the (2) Influenza Related Control Measures in Aged Care settings checklist, developed by the authors, with 82 recommendations covering: medical interventions, nonmedical interventions, and physical layout.ResultsThere were 19 documents from 9 different high-income countries, with a moderately high methodological quality in general. The quality assessment's average score was 40.2% (95% CI 31.9%–44.7%). “Stakeholder involvement” ranked third, and “Editorial independence” and “Rigor of development” had the lowest average scores across all domains. The content analysis' average score was 37.2% (95% CI 10.5%–21.5%). The highest scoring document (59.1%) included term definitions, cited evidence for recommendations, and clear measurable instructions. “Physical Layout” had the least coverage and averaged 21.9% (95% CI 4.2%–37.5%), which shows a substantial gap in built environment recommendations.Conclusions and ImplicationsExisting policy documents vary in their comprehensiveness. The higher scoring documents provide an ideal model for providers. The checklist tools can be used to assess and enhance documents. Further research on document end-user evaluation would be useful, as there is room for improvement in methodological quality and coverage of recommendation coverage, especially related to physical layout.     

Variability in non-core vaccination rates of dogs and cats in veterinary clinics across the United States

Vaccination guidelines for dogs and cats indicate that core vaccines (for dogs, rabies, distemper, adenovirus, parvovirus; for cats, feline parvovirus, herpes virus-1, calicivirus) are essential to maintain health, and that non-core vaccines be administered according to a clinician’s assessment of a pet’s risk of exposure and susceptibility to infection. A reliance on individual risk assessment introduces the potential for between-practice inconsistencies in non-core vaccine recommendations. A study was initiated to determine non-core vaccination rates of dogs (Leptospira, Borrelia burgdorferi, Bordetella bronchiseptica, canine influenza virus) and cats (feline leukemia virus) in patients current for core vaccines in veterinary practices across the United States. Transactional data for 5,531,866 dogs (1,670 practices) and 1,914,373 cats (1,661 practices) were retrieved from practice management systems for the period November 1, 2016 through January 1, 2020, deidentified and normalized. Non-core vaccination status was evaluated in 2,798,875 dogs and 788,772 cats that were core-vaccine current. Nationally, median clinic vaccination rates for dogs were highest for leptospirosis (70.5%) and B. bronchiseptica (68.7%), and much lower for canine influenza (4.8%). In Lyme-endemic states, the median clinic borreliosis vaccination rate was 51.8%. Feline leukemia median clinic vaccination rates were low for adult cats (34.6%) and for kittens and 1-year old cats (36.8%). Individual clinic vaccination rates ranged from 0 to 100% for leptospirosis, B. bronchiseptica and feline leukemia, 0–96% for canine influenza, and 0–94% for borreliosis. Wide variation in non-core vaccination rates between clinics in similar geographies indicates that factors other than disease risk are driving the use of non-core vaccines in pet dogs and cats, highlighting a need for veterinary practices to address gaps in patient protection. Failure to implement effective non-core vaccination strategies leaves susceptible dogs and cats unprotected against vaccine-preventable diseases.     

Impact of Adding Oseltamivir to Usual Care on Quality-Adjusted Life-Years During Influenza-Like Illness

ObjectivesThe ALIC⁴E trial has shown that oseltamivir reduces recovery time while increasing the risk of nausea. This secondary analysis of the ALIC⁴E trial aimed to determine the gain in quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) associated with adding oseltamivir to usual primary care in patients presenting with influenza-like illness (ILI).MethodsPatients with ILI were recruited during the influenza season (2015-2018) in 15 European countries. Patients were assigned to usual care with or without oseltamivir through stratified randomization (age, severity, comorbidities, and symptom onset). Patients’ health status was valued with the EQ-5D and visual analog scale (VAS) for up to 28 days. Average EQ-5D and VAS scores over time were estimated for both treatment groups using one-inflated beta regression in children (<13 years old) and adults (≥13 years old). QALY gain was calculated as the difference between the groups. Sensitivity analysis considered the value set to convert EQ-5D answers to summary scores and the follow-up period.ResultsIn adults, oseltamivir gained 0.0006 (95% confidence interval 0.0002-0.0010) QALYs, whereas no statistically significant gain was found in children (14-day follow-up, EQ-5D). QALY gains were statistically significant in patients aged ≥65 years, patients without relevant comorbidities, or patients experiencing symptoms for ≤48 hours. Using VAS and accounting for 28-day follow-up resulted in higher QALY gain.ConclusionsQALY gain owing to oseltamivir is limited compared with other diseases, and its clinical meaningfulness remains to be determined. Further analysis is needed to evaluate whether QALY gain and its impact on ILI treatment cost render oseltamivir cost-effective.     

扶正法治疗精神疾病的心悟

慎察精神疾病患者之症象,准确辨证,若系正气虚匮或不足,予相应之扶正方药、针灸等主治或辅治之,收效颇佳。反之,审证不清,“实而误补,固必增邪”(《顾氏医镜》)。同时,宜鼓励患者多做活动锻炼,增强体质,提高正气,亦可谓一种较好的扶正辅助疗法。