The Role of Telehealth in Sideline Management of Sports-Related Injuries

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the ability of the sports medicine physician to be present to participate in in-person sideline evaluation of the injured athlete. The purpose of this review is to assess existing literature regarding the utilization of telehealth for sideline evaluation and management of the injured athlete, as well as to identify further areas of research. With the rapid incorporation of telehealth visits, the utilization and capabilities of telemedicine continue to expand. A number of evidence-based resources are available to support medical providers to develop and utilize video evaluation for the sideline evaluation of sports-related injuries. Future research, including the development of validated, modified examination techniques and technologies, will allow for improved interactive physical examinations, which may be better utilized for sideline evaluation.     

Differences in patient perceptions of integrated care among black,hispanic, and white Medicare beneficiaries

ObjectiveThis study sought to identify potential disparities among racial/ethnic groups in patient perceptions of integrated care (PPIC) and to explore how methodological differences may influence measured disparities.Data SourceData from Medicare beneficiaries who completed the 2015 Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey (MCBS) and were enrolled in Part A benefits for an entire year.Study DesignWe used 4‐point measures of eight dimensions of PPIC and assessed differences in dimensions among racial/ethnic groups. To estimate differences, we applied a “rank and replace” method using multiple regression models in three steps, balancing differences in health status among racial groups and adjusting for differences in socioeconomic status. We reran all analyses with additional SES controls and using standard multiple variable regression.Data Collection/Extraction MethodsNot applicable.Principal FindingsWe found several significant differences in perceived integrated care between Black versus White (three of eight measures) and Hispanic versus White (one of eight) Medicare beneficiaries. On average, Black beneficiaries perceived more integrated support for self‐care than did White beneficiaries (mean difference = 0.14, SE = 0.06, P =.02). Black beneficiaries perceived more integrated specialists’ knowledge of past medical history than did White beneficiaries (mean difference = 0.12, SE = 0.06, P =.01). Black and Hispanic beneficiaries also each reported, on average, 0.18 more integrated medication and home health management than did White beneficiaries (P <.01 and P <.01). These findings were robust to sensitivity analyses and model specifications.ConclusionsThere exist some aspects of care for which Black and Hispanic beneficiaries may perceive greater integrated care than non‐Hispanic White beneficiaries. Further studies should test theories explaining why racial/ethnic groups perceive differences in integrated care.     

Stimulation of adenylate cyclase activity in cultured endothelial cells subjected to cyclic stretch

While vascular endothelial cells are repeatedly stretched by the pulsatile nature of cardiac output, in vitro models traditionally used to study vascular biology involve static culture techniques. We have recently shown that pulsatile stretching of endothelial cells in culture will increase their rates of proliferation and regulate their secretion of macromolecules. The aim of this study was to determine whether membrane adenylate cyclase is involved in intracellular signalling during pulsatile stress. Bovine aortic endothelial cells were seeded on flexible-bottomed culture wells (3 x 10(5) cells/25 mm well) and allowed to attach for 48 hours. The culture wells were placed in a vacuum-operated stress providing instrument and subjected to 0.5 s of 24% strain, 0.5 s relaxation (60 cycles/min) for 0, 1, 3, 5, 7, 10 and 15 minutes (N = 24 wells/time point). Cells were homogenized and a crude membrane preparation (27,000 x g) was assayed for adenylate cyclase under basal and forskolin (100 microM) stimulated conditions. The results indicate that there is a time-dependent increase in both basal and stimulated adenylate cyclase with cyclic deformation and suggest that there may be a "stretch receptor" coupled to adenylate cyclase which can modulate endothelial cell function with hemodynamic changes.     

Ventilation parameters and arterial blood gases as a prediction of hypoplasia in congenital diaphragmatic hernia

Attempts to predict the degree of pulmonary hypoplasia associated with congenital diaphragmatic hernia have been made by evaluating the ventilation parameters and the arterial blood gasses of these patients. A CO2 index as a predictor of outcome, which correlates the PaCO2 with the ventilation index, was recently proposed. However, in this study the postductal PaO2 was a better predictor of survival. And the so-called "honeymoon period" was a better indicator of the efficacy of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) than the CO2 index. Nineteen patients were evaluated; 11 were treated with ECMO, and eight were not considered suitable for ECMO.     

An evaluation of two methods for chronic central venous access device placement

BACKGROUND: Chronic venous access devices (CVADs), placed for phlebotomy and the administration of medications and nutrition, require fluoroscopy to confirm correct catheter position. Long-term central venous catheters placed using an electromagnetic catheter locating system (EMCLS) could result in decreased radiation exposure and decreased cost without compromising accuracy of position. METHODS: Charts of patients who underwent placement of CVADs at University of New Mexico (UNM) Hospital or UNM Cancer Center were reviewed. Inclusion criteria included age >20 years and placement of a central CVAD utilizing fluoroscopy (group 1) or the EMCLS (group 2). Radiation exposure, complications, cost, and accuracy of placement were determined for each technique. RESULTS: Between June 1996 and June 1998, 196 patients underwent placement of CVADs. Complete data sets were available for 46 patients in each group. There were no statistically significant differences in age, gender, complications, or operating room times (P = 0.26). Fluoroscopy and EMCLS were equally accurate for the correct placement of the tip of the line (P = 0.12). Mean patient radiation exposure was EMCLS, 30 mRem, and fluoroscopy, 771 mRem. EMCLS significantly decreased cost (P = 0.025) when compared with fluoroscopic assisted catheter placement. CONCLUSIONS: The use of EMCLS for CVAD placement reduces radiation exposure and cost without compromising the accuracy of placement when compared with standard fluoroscopic-assisted placement.     

Measurement of lumbar spine kinematics in incline treadmill walking

A study was undertaken to analyse and compare the pelvic (S1) and the trunk (T12) oscillations during level and uphill walking and to provide kinematic baseline data of the lumbar region in incline walking for future comparisons with pathological gait patterns. An ultrasonic movement analysis device (Zebris(R) CMS 50) was used to obtain three-dimensional kinematic data for the pelvis and thorax. Data from treadmill walking at 0 and 10% incline of 22 adults were used for within subject analysis. Crosscorrelation values ranged from r=0.76 to 0.98 (P<0.001) demonstrating a strong degree of agreement between the temporal patterns of angular displacement of the trunk and pelvis in the sagittal, transverse and frontal plane in incline compared to level ambulation. However, Student's t-tests revealed significantly (P<0.01) higher amplitudes for thorax displacements in the frontal and transverse plane in uphill walking. No significant differences were detected for amplitude parameters of the pelvis. It could be stated that the phasic patterns in level walking are not different from that obtained for incline walking. It is concluded that incline ambulation exerts the major influences in the thoracic region by increasing amplitudes of axial rotations.     

Less invasive surgical treatment of renal cell carcinomas extending into the right heart and pulmonary arteries: surgery for renal cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND: Radical resection using deep hypothermic circulatory arrest improves the survival of patients with transvenous intracardiac tumor extension of renal cell carcinomas. A less invasive surgical approach avoiding deep hypothermia, circulatory arrest, and cross-clamping of the aorta is presented. METHODS: Between 1987 and 1999, 12 patients (mean age 57+/-8 years) underwent resection of a renal cell carcinoma extending into the right atrium, right ventricle, or pulmonary arteries. After median sterno-laparotomy, normothermic cardiopulmonary bypass is used cannulating the ascending aorta, superior caval vein, and inferior caval vein below the renal veins. The tumor and the corresponding kidney are radically excised, including the renal vein. Tumor fragments from the inferior caval vein, the right heart, and pulmonary arteries are removed either on the fibrillating or beating heart. RESULTS: Operative mortality was 0%. Mean cardiopulmonary bypass time was 53+/-27 minutes (median 36; range 32-110 minutes). Mean blood loss per patient was 1200 mL. Mean duration of postoperative mechanical ventilation was 36+/-12 hours (median 36; range 30-77 hours), mean intensive care stay 5.5+/-5 days (median 3; range 1-48 days), and mean duration of hospitalization 22+/-12 days (median 21; range 10-58 days). All patients were discharged home. Patients with multiple tumor manifestations outside the cardiovascular systems died within 9 months after the operation. CONCLUSIONS: The use of normothermic cardiopulmonary bypass is a less invasive method for radical resection of renal cell carcinoma with intracardiac tumor extension. Radical resection does not improve survival in patients with multiple distant metastases.