Unmasking Myocardial Dysfunction in Patients Hospitalized for Community-Acquired Pneumonia Using a 4-Chamber 3-Dimensional Volume/Strain Analysis

Lower respiratory infection was reported as the most common fatal infectious disease. Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) and myocardial injury are associated; yet, true prevalence of myocardial injury is probably underestimated. We assessed the rate and severity of myocardial dysfunction in patients with CAP. Admitted patients diagnosed with CAP were prospectively recruited. All the patients had C-reactive protein (CRP), brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), and high-sensitivity cardiac troponin (hs-cTnl) tests added to their routine workup. 2D/3D Doppler echocardiography was done on a Siemens Acuson SC2000 machine ≤ 24 h of diagnosis. 3D datasets were blindly analyzed for 4-chamber volumes/strains using EchobuildR 3D-Volume Analysis prototype software, v3.0 2019, Siemens-Medical Solutions. Volume/strain parameters were correlated with admission clinical and laboratory findings. The cohort included 34 patients, median age 60 years (95% CI 55–72). The cohort included 18 (53%) patients had hypertension, 9 (25%) had diabetes mellitus, 7 (21%) were smokers, 7 (21%) had previous myocardial infarction, 4 (12%) had chronic renal failure, and 1 (3%) was on hemodialysis treatment. 2D/Doppler echocardiography findings showed normal ventricular size/function (LVEF 63 ± 9%), mild LV hypertrophy (104 ± 36 g/m²), and LA enlargement (41 ± 6 mm). 3D volumes/strains suggested bi-atrial and right ventricular dysfunction (global longitudinal strain RVGLS =  − 8 ± 4%). Left ventricular strain was normal (LVGLS =  − 18 ± 5%) and correlated with BNP (r = 0.40, p = 0.024). The patients with LVGLS >  − 17% had higher admission blood pressure and lower SaO₂ (144 ± 33 vs. 121 ± 20, systolic, mmHg, p = 0.02, and 89 ± 4 vs. 94 ± 4%, p = 0.006, respectively). hs-cTnl and CRP were not different. Using novel 3D volume/strain software in CAP patients, we demonstrated diffuse global myocardial dysfunction involving several chambers. The patients with worse LV GLS had lower SaO₂ and higher blood pressure at presentation. LV GLS correlated with maximal BNP level and did not correlate with inflammation or myocardial damage markers.     

Cost-effectiveness of teaching hospitals for the operative management of hip fractures

Hospitals with lower costs are not necessarily superior to those that are more expensive, because the more costly institutions might offer better outcomes. The purpose of this study was to consider prices and outcomes in an integrated model and thereby determine if teaching hospitals are cost-effective for the care of hip fractures. We analyzed the claims data of a sample of 18,908 Medicare patients who were admitted to one of 190 acute care hospitals for surgical treatment of a hip fracture. For each hospital, we assessed the relationship between the total per capita Medicare payments over a 6-month period following admission and the 30-day and 6-month mortality. The data were analyzed as a function of hospital type: teaching vs nonteaching. The mean adjusted costs were $5910 per patient higher at teaching hospitals compared to nonteaching hospitals (approximately $24,000 vs $18,000) However, the adjusted 6-month mortality was 1.4% lower at major teaching hospitals. The adjusted incremental cost-effectiveness for teaching hospitals was $422,143 per life saved. By that measure, each life saved would have to yield nearly 8.5 additional quality-adjusted life years (QALY) to attain the $50,000/QALY standard thought to represent cost-effective spending, an unlikely target given the age of the typical hip fracture patient. Nonetheless, because teaching hospitals are more expensive than non-teaching hospitals, a relatively small cut in the overall cost of care at teaching hospitals could dramatically decrease the marginal cost of each life saved. The elements of teaching hospital care that improve survival might be identified in further studies and instituted, perhaps, at non-teaching hospitals without greatly increasing their cost structure.     

Delayed resolution of extensive T2-weighted intramedullary signal changes after oblique corpectomy for cervical spondylotic myelopathy

We report two cases of cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) with extensive T2-weighted intramedullary changes noted on preoperative imaging extending far beyond the level of compression. A delayed resolution 2 years after cervical oblique corpectomy was noted in both cases. This short report cautions against diagnosing this unusual magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) finding as an intramedullary tumour, demyelination or an inflammatory process.     

Dual mobility cups in primary total hip arthroplasties: trend over time in use,patient characteristics,and mid-term revision in 3,038 cases in the Dutch Arthroplasty Register (2007–2016)

Background and purpose — We noticed an increased use of dual mobility cups (DMC) in primary total hip arthroplasty (THA) despite limited knowledge of implant longevity. Therefore, we determined the trend over time and mid-term cup revision rates of DMC compared with unipolar cups (UC) in primary THA.

Patients and methods — All primary THA registered in the Dutch Arthroplasty Register (LROI) during 2007–2016 were included (n = 215,953) and divided into 2 groups — DMC THA (n = 3,038) and UC THA (n = 212,915). Crude competing risk and multivariable Cox regression analyses were performed with cup revision for any reason as primary endpoint. Adjustments were made for sex, age, diagnosis at primary THA, previous operation, ASA score, type of fixation, surgical approach, and femoral head size.

Results — The proportion of primary DMC THA increased from 0.8% (n = 184) in 2010 to 2.6% (n = 740) in 2016. Patients who underwent DMC THA more often had a previous operation on the affected hip, a higher ASA score, and the diagnosis acute fracture or late posttraumatic status compared with the UC THA group. Overall 5-year cup revision rate was 1.5% (95% CI 1.0–2.3) for DMC and 1.4% (CI 1.3–1.4) for UC THA. Stratified analyses for patient characteristics showed no differences in cup revision rates between the 2 groups. Multivariable regression analyses showed no statistically significantly increased risk for revision for DMC THA (HR 0.9 [0.6–1.2]).

Interpretation — The use of primary DMC THA increased with differences in patient characteristics. The 5-year cup revision rates for DMC THA and UC THA were comparable.     

High-flow via a tracheostomy tube and speaking valve during weaning from mechanical ventilation and tracheostomy

Background

Weaning from mechanical ventilation and tracheostomy after prolonged intensive care consume enormous resources with optimal management not currently well described. Restoration of respiratory flow via the upper airway is essential and early cuff-deflation using a one-way valve (OWV) is recommended. However, extended OWV use may cause dry airways and thickened secretions which challenge the weaning process. High-flow therapy via the tracheostomy tube (HFT-T) humidifies inspired air and may be connected via an in-line OWV (HFT-T-OWV) alleviating these problems. We aim to provide clinical and experimental data on the safety of HFT-T-OWV along with a practical guide to facilitate clinical use during weaning from mechanical ventilation and tracheostomy.

Methods

Data on adverse events of HFT-T-OWV were retrieved from a quality register for patients treated at an intensive care rehabilitation center between 2019 and 2022. Benchtop experiments were performed to measure maximum pressures and pressure support generated by HFT-T-OWV at 25–60 L/min flow using two different HFT-T adapters (interfaces). In simulated airway obstruction using a standard OWV (not in-line) maximum pressures were measured with oxygen delivered via the side port at 1–3 L/min.

Results

Of 128 tracheostomized patients who underwent weaning attempts, 124 were treated with HFT-T-OWV. The therapy was well tolerated, and no adverse events related to the practice were detected. The main reason for not using HFT-T-OWV was partial upper airway obstruction using a OWV. Benchtop experiments demonstrated HFT-T-OWV maximum pressures <4 cmH₂O and pressure support 0–0.6 cmH₂O. In contrast, 1–3 L/min supplemental oxygen via a standard OWV caused pressures between 84 and 148 cmH₂O during simulated airway obstruction.

Conclusions

Current study clinical data and benchtop experiments indicate that HFT-T-OWV was well tolerated and appeared safe. Pressure support was low, but humidification may enable extended use of a OWV without dry airway mucosa and thickened secretions. Results suggest the treatment could offer advantages to standard OWV use, with or without supplementary oxygen, as well as to HFT-T without a OWV, for weaning from mechanical ventilation and tracheostomy. However, for definitive treatment recommendations, randomized clinical trials are needed.     

雌性猪尿道的显微组织结构与空间形态学研究

目的描述正常雌性猪尿道的显微组织结构及其空间构象，为正确理解其控尿机制提供形态学资料。方法取6头正常成年未生育雌性猪的完整尿道，常规固定包埋切片后做Masson’s trichrome染色，观察和描述尿道的显微组织结构和空间构象特点，并运用计算机图像分析系统对尿道各组织成分进行定量分析。结果在全尿道标本的切面上可以清楚地识别尿道横纹肌、平滑肌、致密结缔组织和黏膜等4种基本成分及其特殊的空间构象。横纹肌纤维层呈马蹄形覆盖80％的尿道最外层，在中、远段尿道明显增厚，具有括约肌形态。平滑肌从内到外共有3层，分别是内纵层、中间环形层和外纵层。致密结缔组织分布广泛，并在尿道壁内形成尿道独特空间构象的基本框架和一些特殊结构。结论从尿道独特的空间构象可以看出横纹肌和平滑肌的收缩将使尿道腔缩窄和关闭，致密结缔组织构成尿道括约肌特殊空间构象的基本框架，黏膜层犹如橡胶衬垫具有密封尿道腔隙的作用。     

Survey of US Correctional Institutions for Routine HCV Testing

To ascertain HCV testing practices among US prisons and jails, we conducted a survey study in 2012, consisting of medical directors of all US state prisons and 40 of the largest US jails, that demonstrated a minority of US prisons and jails conduct routine HCV testing. Routine voluntary HCV testing in correctional facilities is urgently needed to increase diagnosis, enable risk-reduction counseling and preventive health care, and facilitate evaluation for antiviral treatment.There are an estimated 4 to 7 million persons in the United States infected with HCV.1,2 Morbidity and mortality from HCV are increasing and in 2007, death from HCV exceeded that from HIV infection for the first time.3,4 Persons who inject drugs are at increased risk for HCV infection and for being incarcerated. Multiple studies have demonstrated high HCV prevalence rates among persons behind bars.5–7 In 2010, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) called for the development of comprehensive viral hepatitis services for incarcerated populations including offering testing, hepatitis B virus vaccination, education, and medical management in partnership with community providers.8Despite the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) releasing HCV testing recommendations in 1998 and subsequent recommendations for prevention and control of viral hepatitis within correctional facilities in 2003,9-10 recent studies estimate that 50% of persons infected with HCV are unaware of their infection,11–14 thus reducing opportunities for risk-reduction counseling and treatment. In response to this, the CDC updated HCV testing recommendations for the US general population in 2012, which added at least 1-time testing among persons born between 1945 and 1965, now commonly referred to as the “birth cohort” screening recommendations.15 However, the 2012 recommendations did not provide a specific testing recommendation for incarcerated individuals. Given the increased prevalence of HCV among criminal justice populations, we conducted a survey among US prisons and jails to gain a better understanding of current HCV testing practices within correctional facilities.     

Utilization of acute gout prophylaxis in the real world: a retrospective database cohort analysis

Clinical Rheumatology - Determine the real-world incidence of acute gout prophylaxis (AGP) prescribing when a xanthine oxidase inhibitor (XOI) is initiated and describe characteristics of AGP...