Mid-term clinical and health-related quality of life outcomes for the Trifecta bioprosthesis

BackgroundThe Trifecta valve has been reported to have excellent hemodynamics. Controversy exists on occurrence of patient-prosthesis mismatch (PPM) and data on mid-term outcome is sparse. Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) assessment for the Trifecta valve has not been reported before. The aim of this study was to report the mid-term clinical and HRQoL outcomes in patients undergoing Trifecta valve implantation at our institution.MethodsIn this prospective, observational study, patients undergoing an aortic valve replacement (AVR) using the Trifecta valve were included. Data collection was retrospective from prospectively collected institutional database. Clinical and echocardiographic data were collected prospectively during follow-up. Quality of life was assessed using the Short Form-36 (SF-36) questionnaire.ResultsForty-seven patients were included in the study of which 9 (19%) were women. Isolated AVR was carried out in 33 (70%) patients. In-hospital mortality and 30-day mortality were 1 (2.1%) and 2 (4.2%), respectively. With a mean indexed effective orifice area (iEOA) 0.96 ± 0.1, none of the patients had severe PPM. Moderate PPM was seen in 19%. The mean follow-up was 3 ± 1.7 years. The 5-year survival estimate was 83.2% in the overall cohort, 81.4% in the isolated and 87.5% in the concomitant procedure group. Freedom from re-operation and structural valve degeneration at 5 years was 95.7% and 97.8%. The mean physical health composite was 69.24 ± 2 and the mean mental health composite was 69.7 ± 25, indicating excellent mental and physical well-being among patients.ConclusionThe Trifecta valve provides satisfactory hemodynamics, survival and freedom from re-operation and excellent HRQoL at mid-term follow-up.     

Patient-related risk factors for urinary retention following ambulatory general surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

Postoperative urinary retention (POUR) is a source of avoidable patient harm. The aim of this review is to identify and quantify the role of patient-related risk factors in the development of POUR following ambulatory general surgery.

Methods

Studies published until December 2014 were identified by searching MEDLINE, EMBASE, and PsycINFO databases. Risk factors assessed in 3 or more studies were meta-analyzed.

Results

Twenty-one studies were suitable for inclusion consisting of 7,802 patients. The incidence of POUR was 14%. Increased age and the presence of lower urinary tract symptoms significantly increased risk with odds ratios [ORs] of 2.11 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.15 to 3.86) and 2.83 (1.57 to 5.08), respectively. Male sex was not associated with developing POUR (OR .96, 95% CI .62 to 1.50). Preoperative α-blocker use significantly decreased the incidence of POUR with an OR of .37 (95% CI .15 to .91).

Conclusions

Increased age and the presence of lower urinary tract symptoms increase the risk of POUR, while α-blocker use confers protection. Male sex was not associated with POUR. These findings assist in preoperative identification of patients at high risk of POUR.     

Evaluation of functional impairment in psoriasis

BACKGROUND: Psoriasis is a chronic disease, the course of which is punctuated by exacerbations and remissions. The impact of a chronic, relapsing, and disfiguring disease such as psoriasis on occupational, social, and other areas of functioning is substantial and needs attention. AIM: The purpose of this study was to assess the level and nature of functional impairment in psoriasis. METHODS: Forty-three consecutive patients attending the dermatology clinic of a rural hospital were studied for psychiatric comorbidity and the level of functioning, using a semistructured questionnaire. RESULTS: Psoriasis affected social functioning of 48% patients, led to decreased work efficiency in 51.1% and to subjective distress at work in 62.8% of patients. Stress in home environment and interpersonal relationships was reported by 69.8%. Social and occupational functioning worsened with increasing severity of psoriasis after 1-year duration of illness. Patients complaining of pruritis frequently had anxiety disorders. Psychiatric comorbidity was detected in 67.4% cases. CONCLUSION: Substantial proportion of patients suffered deterioration of functioning, especially with increasing duration of illness. Thus, timely attention by dermatologists is needed in order to limit the disability caused by psoriasis. To achieve this, liaison with psychiatrist would be crucial along with illness education and emotional support.     

A comparison of segmental vs subtotal/total colectomy for colonic Crohn''s disease: a meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE: Using meta-analytical techniques the present study evaluated differences in short-term and long-term outcomes of adult patients with colonic Crohn's disease who underwent either colectomy with ileorectal anastomosis (IRA) or segmental colectomy (SC). METHODS: Comparative studies published between 1988 and 2002, of subtotal/total colectomy and ileorectal anastomosis vs segmental colectomy, were used. The study end points included were surgical and overall recurrence, time to recurrence, postoperative morbidity and incidence of permanent stoma. Random and fixed-effect meta-analytical models were used to evaluate the study outcomes. Sensitivity analysis, funnel plot and meta-regressive techniques were carried out to explain the heterogeneity and selection bias between the studies. RESULTS: Six studies, consisting of a total of 488 patients (223 IRA and 265 SC) were included. Analysis of the data suggested that there was no significant difference between IRA and SC in recurrence of Crohn's disease. Time to recurrence was longer in the IRA group by 4.4 years (95% CI: 3.1-5.8), P < 0.001. There was no difference between the incidence of postoperative complications (OR = 1.4., 95% CI 0.16-12.74) or the need for a permanent stoma between the two groups (OR = 2.75, 95% CI 0.78-9.71). Patients with two or more colonic segments involved were associated with lower re-operation rate in the IRA group, a difference which did not reach statistical significance (P = 0.177). CONCLUSIONS: Both procedures were equally effective as treatment options for colonic Crohn's disease however, patients in the SC group exhibited recurrence earlier than those in the IRA group. The choice of operation is dependent on the extent of colonic disease, with a trend towards better outcomes with IRA for two or more colonic segments involved. Since no prospective randomised study has been undertaken, a clear view about which approach is more suitable for localised colonic Crohn's disease cannot be obtained.     

Foreign body in the pterygo-palatine fossa

Indian Journal of Otolaryngology and Head & Neck Surgery - Foreign body in Pterygo-Palatine Fossa is uncommon. An unusual case of Foreign body (Air Gun Pellets) is presented.     

Home and clinic blood pressure responses in elderly individuals with systolic hypertension

Home blood pressure (BP) monitoring may enhance assessment of BP control. In this 16-week study, men and women 70 years or older with systolic BP between 150 and 200 mm Hg were randomized to receive valsartan/hydrochlorothiazide (V/HCTZ) 160/12.5 mg (n = 128), HCTZ 12.5 mg (n = 128), or V 160 mg (n = 128) for 4 weeks. Participants whose BP was 140/90 mm Hg or higher at weeks 4, 8, or 12 were uptitrated to a maximum of V/HCTZ 320/25 mg. Participants were evaluated by home BP monitoring using an automated device weekly before taking daily study medication (n = 301). Baseline BP ± SD for clinic (165.5 ± 11.8/85.1 ± 9.5 mm Hg) was approximately 3/1 mm Hg greater than home readings (162.5 ± 15.8/84.3 ± 10.2 mm Hg). Reductions in BP ± SEM at week 4 were similar for clinic (12.6 ± 1.0/4.7 ± 0.5 mm Hg) and home (10.9 ± 1.1/3.8 ± 0.5 mm Hg) readings (P = .25/P = .23; clinic versus home); differences between V/HCTZ and HCTZ or V were also similar for both home and clinic readings and results by either technique correlated significantly (P < .0001). Home BP measurements confirm that treatment initiated with V/HCTZ versus monotherapy resulted in greater antihypertensive efficacy. Home BP monitoring, if done with proper technique, provides a reliable indicator of BP control in elderly patients and may help guide drug dosing and titration.