The American Association for Thoracic Surgery (AATS) 2022 Expert Consensus Document: The use of mechanical circulatory support in lung transplantation

ObjectiveThe use of mechanical circulatory support (MCS) in lung transplantation has been steadily increasing over the prior decade, with evolving strategies for incorporating support in the preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative settings. There is significant practice variability in the use of these techniques, however, and relatively limited data to help establish institutional protocols. The objective of the AATS Clinical Practice Standards Committee (CPSC) expert panel was to review the existing literature and establish recommendations about the use of MCS before, during, and after lung transplantation.MethodsThe AATS CPSC assembled an expert panel of 16 lung transplantation physicians who developed a consensus document of recommendations. The panel was broken into subgroups focused on preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative support, and each subgroup performed a focused literature review. These subgroups formulated recommendation statements for each subtopic, which were evaluated by the entire group. The statements were then developed via discussion among the panel and refined until consensus was achieved on each statement.ResultsThe expert panel achieved consensus on 36 recommendations for how and when to use MCS in lung transplantation. These recommendations included the use of veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) as a bridging strategy in the preoperative setting, a preference for central veno-arterial ECMO over traditional cardiopulmonary bypass during the transplantation procedure, and the benefit of supporting selected patients with MCS postoperatively.ConclusionsAchieving optimal results in lung transplantation requires the use of a wide range of strategies. MCS provides an important mechanism for helping these critically ill patients through the peritransplantation period. Despite the complex nature of the decision making process in the treatment of these patients, the expert panel was able to achieve consensus on 36 recommendations. These recommendations should provide guidance for professionals involved in the care of end-stage lung disease patients considered for transplantation.     

Pediatric emergency nurses’ workplace violence experiences: A qualitative study

IntroductionWorkplace violence is a crucial problem experienced by health workers who serve at the emergency service. The identification of emergency nurses’ workplace experiences is of importance to the prevention of violence and the development of solutions.PurposeThis study was performed to identify the workplace violence experiences of the nurses working for the pediatric emergency units.MethodA total of 20 nurses who experienced violence at the emergency service participated in the study that was conducted as qualitative research. The data were collected with the semi-structured interview form and were evaluated by using thematic analysis.ResultsFive themes, namely, “the characteristics of violence”, “the causes of violence”, “the approach during/after the violence”, “the consequences of the violence for the person”, and the “consequences of the violence for the profession”, were identified. Nurses stated that they often experienced verbal violence due to patient relatives’ unmet expectations, the failure of patient relatives to understand treatments and practices, and the heavy workload, they endeavored to eliminate violence by trying to communicate with perpetrators of the violence, calling the security staff, and reporting the violence to their managers, and they were individually and professionally affected by the violence.ConclusionNurses are negatively affected by workplace violence. Pediatric emergency nurses should be supported with training programs and policies to be developed for the prevention and solution of violence.     

Robust antibody response after a third BNT162b2 vaccine compared to the second among immunocompromised and healthy individuals,a prospective longitudinal cohort study

PurposeAs protection from COVID-19 following two doses of the BNT162b2 vaccine showed a time dependent waning, a third (booster) dose was administrated. This study aims to compare the antibody response following the third dose versus the second and to evaluate post-booster seroconversion.MethodsA prospective observational study conducted in Maccabi Healthcare Services. Serial SARS-CoV-2 Spike IgG tests, 1,2,3 and 6 months following the second vaccine dose and one month following the third were obtained. Neutralizing antibody levels were measured in a subset of participants. Per individual SARS-CoV-2 Spike IgG titer ratios were calculated one month after the booster administration compared to titers one month following the second dose and prior to booster.ResultsAmong 110 participants, 56 (51%) were women. Mean age was 61.7 ± 1.9 years and 66 (60%) were immunocompromised. One month after third dose, IgG titers were induced 7.83 (95 %CI 5.25–11.67) folds and 2.40 (95 %CI 1.90–3.03) folds compared to one month after the second, in the immunocompromised and immunocompetent groups, respectively. Of the 17 immunocompromised participants who were seronegative after the second dose, 4 (24%) became seropositive following the third. Comparing the titers prior to the third dose, an increase of 50.7 (95 %CI 32.5–79.1) fold in the immunocompromised group and 25.7 (95 %CI 19.1–34.7) fold in and immunocompetent group, was observed.ConclusionA third BNT162b2 vaccine elicited robust humoral response, superior to the response observed following the second, among immunocompetent and immunocompromised individuals.     

风险管理在儿科急诊护理工作中的应用研究

目的研究风险管理在儿科急诊护理工作中的应用。方法选取2021年10月至12月间来我科室就诊的100例患儿作为研究对象,将其分为研究组、对照组两组,每组各50例患儿。运用常规护理模式护理对照组患儿,运用风险管理模式,为研究组患儿给予护理干预,分析二组发生不良护理事故的情况并统计护理满意度。结果研究期间,研究组不良护理事件发生率为2.0%,对照组不良护理事件发生率为12.0%；研究组对护理工作的满意度为98.0%,对照组对护理工作的满意度为84.0%,P<0.05,组间差异具统计学意义。结论将风险管理应用于儿科急诊护理工作,可降低不良事件发生几率,保障患儿安全,具有推广应用价值。     

IN.PACT AV Access Trial: Economic Evaluation of Drug-Coated Balloon Treatment for Dysfunctional Arteriovenous Fistulae Based on 12-Month Clinical Outcomes

PurposeTo study, from a U.S. payer’s perspective, the economic consequences of drug-coated balloon (DCB) versus standard percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) use for the treatment of stenotic lesions in dysfunctional hemodialysis arteriovenous fistulae.Materials and MethodsCost differences between DCBs and PTA at year 1 and beyond were calculated via 2 methods. The first approach used the mean absolute number of trial-observed access circuit reinterventions through 12 months (0.65 ± 1.05 vs 1.05 ± 1.18 events per patient for DCBs and PTA, respectively) and projected treatment outcomes to 3 years. The second approach was based on the trial-observed access circuit primary patency rates at 12 months (53.8% vs 32.4%) and calculated the cost difference on the basis of previously published Medicare cost for patients who maintained or did not maintain primary patency. Assumptions regarding DCB device prices were tested in sensitivity analyses, and the numbers needed to treat were calculated.ResultsUsing the absolute number of access circuit reinterventions approach, the DCB strategy resulted in an estimated per-patient savings of $1,632 at 1 year and $4,263 at 3 years before considering the DCB device cost. The access circuit primary patency approach was associated with a per-patient cost savings of $2,152 at 1 year and $3,894 at 2.5 years of follow-up. At the theoretical DCB device reimbursement of $1,800, savings were $1,680 and $2,049 at 2.5 and 3 years, respectively. The one-year NNT of DCB compared to PTA was 2.48.ConclusionsEndovascular therapy for arteriovenous access stenosis with the IN.PACT AV DCB can be expected to be cost-saving if longer follow-up data confirm its clinical effectiveness.     

Inferior Vena Cava Filters: Aligning Practice With Evidence to Improve Patient Outcomes

BackgroundDespite indications for the removal of temporary inferior vena cava (IVC) filters, many filters are unintentionally left in place, predisposing patients to adverse outcomes.ObjectiveThis quality improvement study set out to determine the impact of an IVC filter retrieval protocol on filter retrieval rates and patients lost to follow-up for patients who had undergone placement of a temporary IVC filter.MethodsFollowing a quasi-experimental design, data of all consecutive patients who underwent insertion of a temporary IVC filter for a period of 24-month preprotocol and 12-month postprotocol were compared.ResultsFilter retrieval rates of eligible filters increased from 64.2% to 100%; patients lost to follow-up decreased from 35.9% to 0% (p < .01, both outcomes).ConclusionAdoption of a comprehensive IVC filter protocol by the service that implants these devices can improve filter retrieval rates and decrease patients being lost to follow-up.     

老年人生命晚期获知疾病信息意向及影响因素CSCD

目的了解老年人生命晚期获知疾病相关信息意向及影响因素。方法2016年10月至2017年6月,采用生命晚期疾病信息意向问卷,利用方便抽样法对福州市中心城区7所养老机构及15个社区的414例年龄≥60岁的老年人进行横断面调查,采用单因素分析、多元线性回归与有序多分类logistic回归分析老年人对疾病相关信息的需求水平、获知程度意向及其影响因素。结果414例老年人疾病相关信息需求得分为(17.1±4.9)分;48.8%(202/414)希望详尽知晓,30.7%(127/414)希望选择性了解,20.5%(85/414)不想知道任何信息;多元线性回归分析显示,年龄、文化程度、是否接受/见过其他生命维持治疗(LSTs)是影响老年人疾病相关信息需求水平的主要因素(标准化回归系数分别为-0.141、0.116、0.115,均P<0.05);有序多分类logistic分析显示,年龄(以60~69岁为参照,70~79岁:OR=0.544,95%CI:0.310~0.957;80~89岁:OR=0.526,95%CI:0.289~0.956)、文化程度(以小学及以下为参照,大专及以上:OR=2.166,95%CI:1.093~4.290)、主要生活费来源(以其他补贴为参照,家人支持:OR=7.303,95%CI:1.157~46.108;退休金:OR=9.288,95%CI:1.502~57.415;公积金/储蓄:OR=15.676,95%CI:2.122~115.793)、是否接受/见过其他LSTs(以是为参照,OR=1.985,95%CI:1.150~3.425)是影响老年人疾病相关信息获知程度意向的主要因素。结论老年人生命晚期获知疾病相关信息的意向程度较高,年龄、文化程度、主要生活费来源、是否接受/见过其他生命维持治疗等是其主要影响因素。