Short-Term Effects of Ankaferd Hemostat for Renal Artery Embolization: An Experimental Study

Purpose

Renal artery embolization (RAE) is a minimally invasive therapeutic technique that is utilized in a number of disorders. Ankaferd is a novel hemostatic agent with a new mechanism of action independent of clotting factors. We used Ankaferd for RAE in a sheep model.

Methods

Seven adult female sheep were included in the study. Selective renal arteriogram using 5-F diagnostic catheter was performed to make sure that each kidney was fed by a single renal artery and the animal had normal renal vasculature. Coaxial 2.7-F microcatheter was advanced to the distal main renal artery. Under fluoroscopic guidance, 2 mL of Ankaferd mixed with 2 mL of nonionic iodinated contrast agent was slowly injected. Fluoroscopy was used to observe the deceleration of flow and stagnation. Control renal angiograms were performed just after embolization. After the procedure, the animals were observed for 1 day and then sacrificed with intravenous sodium thiopental.

Results

The technical success was observed in seven of the seven animals.. After embolization procedure, none of the animals died or experienced a major systemic adverse event. On macroscopic examination of the embolized kidneys, thrombus at the level of main renal artery formed after Ankaferd embolization was more compact compared with the thrombi that was not Ankaferd-associated, which was observed elsewhere. Microscopically, majority of the renal tubular cells (80–90 %) were necrotic, and there was epithelial cell damage in a small portion of the cells (10–20 %).

Conclusions

RAE was safe and effective in the short-term with Ankaferd in studied animals. Further studies should be conducted to better delineate the embolizing potential of this novel hemostatic agent.     

Computer-generated Automatic Alerts of Respiratory Distress after Blood Transfusion

Transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI), the leading cause of transfusion-related death, is underreported by clinicians. For TRALI research, a clinician-independent, computerized system has been developed to detect patients with acute respiratory distress posttransfusion. A computer system generates an alert when a blood gas result indicated a PaO₂:FiO₂ ratio below 300, within twelve hours of blood issued from the blood bank for a patient. The system was prospectively compared to conventional daily rounds in intensive care units (ICUs). We found that ICU rounds detected 9 of 14 patients (64%), while the computer system detected 13 of 14 patients (93%), p = 0.125. ICU rounds took two to three hours per day, while the computer system took one to one and one-half hours per day of investigator time. In conclusion, an automatic computer alert system was more efficient, and was as effective as conventional daily ICU rounds, in detecting patients with posttransfusion acute respiratory distress.     

Organizational Facilitators and Barriers to Medication for Opioid Use Disorder Capacity Expansion and Use

Medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) is a key strategy for addressing the opioid use disorder crisis, yet gaps in MOUD provision impede this strategy’s benefits. The research reported here sought to understand what distinguishes low- and high-performing organizations in building and using capacity to provide MOUD. As part of a mixed methods MOUD implementation trial, semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted with personnel from low- and high-performing MOUD-providing organizations. Seventeen individuals from 17 organizations were interviewed. Findings demonstrate the importance of individual, organization, and community-level factors in supporting the building and use of MOUD capacity. Low- and high-performing organizations showed different patterns of facilitators and barriers during the implementation process. The key difference between low- and high-performing organizations was the level of organizational functioning. A better understanding of an organization’s assets and deficits at the individual, organizational, and community levels would allow decision-makers to tailor their approaches to MOUD implementation.

     

Acute and transient decrease in neutrophil count in transfusion-related acute lung injury: cases at one hospital

BACKGROUND: Transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI) is a rare but serious complication of blood transfusion. The syndrome is characterized by new acute lung injury developing during or within 6 hours of blood transfusion. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: The study design was observational in nature. RESULTS: All three cases of TRALI were associated with acute but transient decrease in the white blood cell (WBC) count. Implicated donors had HLA antibodies that matched the recipients' HLA antigens. The implicated units were a plateletpheresis in one case and fresh frozen plasma units in the other two. All implicated donors were multiparous women. The implicated antibody specificities were anti-HLA Class I and Class II in one case and anti-HLA Class II in the other two cases. Interestingly, patient neutrophil counts decreased by 80 to 90 percent in all three cases, including the two cases associated with HLA Class II antibodies. CONCLUSION: An acute and transient decrease in WBC count may be a previously underrecognized feature of TRALI. A drop in the neutrophil count can occur even when the implicated antibodies have specificities to HLA Class II antigens, although they are expressed only on stimulated neutrophils. Based on the observations in these cases, it is recommended that a complete blood count and differential be obtained when TRALI is suspected. Further investigations into the mechanisms of the decrease in circulating neutrophils that is associated with infusion of HLA Class II antibody may yield new insights into the mechanism of TRALI.     

应用简明健康测量量表评估美沙酮维持治疗患者生活质量

目的:对比接受与未接近美沙酮维持治疗的海洛因依赖者健康相关生活质量。方法:①选择2004-04/05在云南省个旧市美沙酮维持治疗门诊接受美沙酮维持治疗的海洛因依赖者作为治疗组(95例)。纳入标准:符合美国精神障碍诊断与统计手册第4版中海洛因依赖诊断标准;至2004-11时尚未脱失;采用滚雪球方法,于2004-11在该市社区内寻找从未接受过美沙酮维持治疗的海洛因依赖者作为对照组(37例),均符合美国精神障碍诊断与统计手册第4版中海洛因依赖诊断标准。纳入对象均对调查项目知情同意。②根据患者的日常海洛因使用量、使用方式、末次使用量决定美沙酮首次剂量,一般<40mg;导入期则根据患者的戒断症状控制情况逐渐加量。维持期的剂量差异较大,5～160mg/d,多超过60mg/d。同时根据治疗组患者的需求,每月定期开展心理干预小组活动。对照组患者未接受美沙酮维持治疗或任何戒毒措施、干预活动,评估期间时仍然在使用海洛因。③治疗组于治疗刚开始及治疗8个月后,对照组于治疗组治疗8个月后同期采用简明健康测量量表对两组对象进行健康相关生活质量评估。该量表包括躯体功能、躯体角色、肌体疼痛、总健康状况、生命力、社会功能、情绪角色及心理健康8个维度,评分越高表明生活质量越好。④计量和计数资料差异比较分别采用t检验和χ2检验。结果:治疗组95例和对照组37例均进入结果分析。参加美沙酮维持治疗8个月后,治疗组简明健康测量量表中6个维度躯体角色、总健康状况、生命力、社会功能、情绪角色及心理健康的评分分别为(6.59±1.48),(15.54±3.97),(16.20±3.91),(8.39±2.29),(4.72±1.17),(20.19±2.68)分,高于治疗刚开始时和对照组[(5.54±1.51),(13.37±3.58),(13.19±3.81),(7.17±2.21),(3.94±1.11),(17.05±4.24)分;(5.43±1.29),(11.83±3.84),(12.89±3.79),(6.71±2.12),(4.06±1.08),(15.77±4.45)分,t=3.02～7.03,P<0.01];躯体功能得分也较治疗前有了明显提高[(27.16±3.24),(26.48±3.34)分,t=1.96,P<0.05],但与对照组比较,差异不明显[(26.31±2.78)分,P>0.05]。治疗组肌体疼痛评分与治疗刚开始时和对照组相近(P>0.05)。结论:美沙酮维持治疗可有效提高海洛因依赖者的健康相关生活质量,但短期的维持治疗对肌体疼痛改善不明显。     

Improving Rates of Early Entry Prenatal Care in an Underserved Population

Introduction Early prenatal care can improve pregnancy outcomes, reduce complications, and ensure a healthier pregnancy. Unfortunately, many pregnant women do not seek early care. This research provides a framework for improving prenatal care in a low income community-based obstetrics clinic. Methods A multi-disciplinary quality improvement initiative was implemented at a large federally qualified health clinic in Houston, Texas to improve the rate of early entry into prenatal care by identifying barriers through patient surveys, focus groups, stakeholder feedback, and improving processes to reduce these barriers. Results A significant increase in early prenatal care was achieved by redesigning operational and clinical processes to improve access to care, expand patient education and outreach, increase resources, extend hours of operation, and increase presumptive insurance eligibility. Three months post implementation, an increase of 44.5% (p?<?0.001) occurred in patients who had a prenatal visit in the first trimester. Patients with early prenatal care had better obstetrical and neonatal outcomes; however, the results were not statistically significant likely due to the small sample size. Discussion This quality improvement project provides various strategies and resources for other community-based clinics to consider when seeking improvement in their rates of early prenatal care.     

Low Rates of Adverse Events Following Ambulatory Outpatient Total Hip Arthroplasty at a Free-Standing Surgery Center

Background

We proposed to determine the complication and hospital admission rates for patients with total hip arthroplasty (THA) done by a single surgeon in a stand-alone ambulatory surgical center with same-day discharge. Given the recent emphasis on bundled payments for a 90-day episode of care, this same time frame after surgery was chosen to determine patient outcomes.

Influence of Maternal Depression on WIC Participation in Low-Income Families

Maternal and Child Health Journal - Objectives To date, little is known regarding the impact of maternal depression on participation in public benefit programs. This study examines whether maternal...