Myoelectrical activity and intraluminal flow in human sigmoid colon

Myoelectric spike bursts were recorded in the sigmoid colon by means of an intraluminal silastic tube equipped with 3 Ag–AgCl ring electrodes fixed 15 cm apart on the tube that was introduced by flexible sigmoidoscopy. In six subjects, the tube was also equipped with three catheters whose tip opened 1 cm aborad from each electrode, for pressure recordings. In six other subjects, the tube was equipped with both electrodes and a catheter opening at the tip of the probe for infusing fluids at a rate of 12 ml/min into the colonic lumen. The fluid was collected with another tube inserted in the rectum and the volume was measured at 1-min intervals. Colonic spiking activity was made of rhythmic stationary bursts (RSB) and of sporadic bursts that were either propagating (SPB) or not propagating (SNPB). All sporadic bursts were associated with intraluminal pressure waves whose amplitude was significantly higher than that associated with rhythmic bursts. In the infusion experiments, the volume of fluid collected did not change significantly whether rhythmic bursts were present or not (3.9±1.7 ml/min and 3.3±1.9 ml/min respectively) (mean±sd). However, the volume was significantly higher when sporadic nonpropagating bursts were present (9.4±4.1 ml/min), and even higher when the sporadic bursts were propagating (21.6±8.8 ml/min). These results indicate that (1) the occurrence of sporadic bursts, particularly when propagating, is associated with intraluminal pressure waves that lead to significant propulsive movements; and (2) rhythmic bursts do not seem to be involved in colonic propulsive activity.This work was supported by the grant DG282 from the Medical Research Council of Canada.     

Alternative smoking cessation aids: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

BackgroundAcupuncture, hypnotherapy, and aversive smoking are the most frequently studied alternative smoking cessation aids. These aids are often used as alternatives to pharmacotherapies for smoking cessation; however, their efficacy is unclear.MethodsWe carried out a random effect meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials to determine the efficacy of alternative smoking cessation aids. We systematically searched the Cochrane Library, EMBASE, Medline, and PsycINFO databases through December 2010. We only included trials that reported cessation outcomes as point prevalence or continuous abstinence at 6 or 12 months.ResultsFourteen trials were identified; 6 investigated acupuncture (823 patients); 4 investigated hypnotherapy (273 patients); and 4 investigated aversive smoking (99 patients). The estimated mean treatment effects were acupuncture (odds ratio [OR], 3.53; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.03-12.07), hypnotherapy (OR, 4.55; 95% CI, 0.98-21.01), and aversive smoking (OR, 4.26; 95% CI, 1.26-14.38).ConclusionOur results suggest that acupuncture and hypnotherapy may help smokers quit. Aversive smoking also may help smokers quit; however, there are no recent trials investigating this intervention. More evidence is needed to determine whether alternative interventions are as efficacious as pharmacotherapies.     

2018 Focused Update of the Canadian Cardiovascular Society Guidelines for the Management of Atrial Fibrillation

The Canadian Cardiovascular Society (CCS) Atrial Fibrillation Guidelines Committee provides periodic reviews of new data to produce focused updates that address clinically important advances in atrial fibrillation (AF) management. This 2018 Focused Update addresses: (1) anticoagulation in the context of cardioversion of AF; (2) the management of antithrombotic therapy for patients with AF in the context of coronary artery disease; (3) investigation and management of subclinical AF; (4) the use of antidotes for the reversal of non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants; (5) acute pharmacological cardioversion of AF; (6) catheter ablation for AF, including patients with concomitant AF and heart failure; and (7) an integrated approach to the patient with AF and modifiable cardiovascular risk factors. The recommendations were developed using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) standards. Individual studies and literature were reviewed for quality and bias; the literature review process and evidence tables are included as Supplementary Material and are available on the CCS Web site. Details of the updated recommendations are presented, along with their background and rationale. This document is linked to an updated summary of all CCS AF guidelines recommendations, from 2010 to the present 2018 Focused Update, which is provided in the Supplementary Material.     

Basis for Sex-Dependent Outcomes in Acute Coronary Syndrome

This review aims to provide new insights into the basis for sex differences in acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Sex differences in mortality after ACS depend on age and the type of ACS, with the greatest gap being observed among younger adults and patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). The sex gap diminishes with increasing age and does not appear to exist to the same extent among patients with non–STEMI or unstable angina. Although it is clear that younger women with acute myocardial infarction have higher mortality than do men in the short term; whether this difference is present in the long term remains unclear. Furthermore, women with ACS face delays in diagnosis and treatment, undergo less invasive management, have more bleeding complications, and receive less evidence-based medical therapy than do their male counterparts. Finally, women with ACS consistently report lower health-related quality of life than do men. To date, our understanding of the sex differences in ACS remains limited. The impact of biological factors and nonbiological factors (especially gender roles) need to be explored to elucidate the disparities in health outcomes between men and women.     

Hospital Readmissions Following Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair

In-hospital outcomes associated with abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair are well described. However, little is known about post-discharge readmission rates, lengths of stay, associated mortality, and costs. We examined 206 consecutive patients who underwent AAA repair at two American hospitals between 1998 and 2000. Index hospitalization and 6-month readmission data were extracted from a resource and cost accounting system used by both hospitals. Among the 206 patients, 183 survived until discharge (mortality rate 11.2%). Among the surviving patients, 38 (21.0%) were readmitted within 6 months. Half of the readmissions occurred within two weeks of discharge, with patients presenting with a diverse array of complications. Nonelective repair and diabetes mellitus were independent predictors of hospital readmission (OR=2.83, 95% CI=1.25-6.40, p=0.01; OR=6.60, 95% CI=1.02-42.4, p=0.047, respectively). For each readmission, the mean length of stay was 10.7±2.5 days and the mean cost was $13,397±3,381. The cumulative number of hospital days during the 6 months post-discharge was 17.7±3.5 days for each readmitted patient and the mean per-patient total cost was $23,262±5,478. The mortality rate among readmitted patients was 13.2%. Overall, readmissions following AAA repair accounted for a cost >50% over and above the cost of the readmitted patients index hospitalization. Hospital readmissions are common during the 6 months following AAA repair. Patients who are readmitted experience long lengths of stay and high mortality rates, and their care incurs high costs.Dr. Eisenberg is a Physician-Scientist of the Quebec Foundation for Health Research. Dr. Pilote is a Physician-Scientist of the Canadian Institutes for Health Research.     

In-hospital cost of abdominal aortic aneurysm repair in Canada and the United States

BACKGROUND: Global health care costs in Canada and the United States have been examined on a macroeconomic level. However, to our knowledge, comparative costs of specific procedures in the 2 countries have not been closely studied. METHODS: To perform a microeconomic comparison of costs of open abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair, we examined the costs of treating 1057 consecutive patients from 4 Canadian (n = 552) and 6 US (n = 505) hospitals. Participating hospitals used the same cost accounting system that provided demographic, clinical, and cost data (excluding physician's fees) for each patient. Canadian dollar costs were converted to US dollar costs using purchasing power parities. RESULTS: Compared with patients who underwent AAA repair in the United States, Canadian patients were significantly younger (mean +/- SD, 70.2 +/- 10.5 vs 73.3 +/- 8.5 years; P<.001) and were less likely to undergo elective repair (48.5% vs 73.3%; P<.001). The median length of hospital stay was longer in Canada (9.0 vs 7.0 days; P<.001), and mortality rates were similar (12.0% [Canada] vs 9.9% [United States]; P =.29). The mean +/- SEM cost of AAA repair was dollars 15 852 +/- dollars 790 in Canada compared with US dollars 23299 +/- US dollars 1410 in the United States. CONCLUSIONS: The cost of AAA repair is substantially higher in the United States compared with Canada, despite shorter lengths of stay and similar clinical outcomes. The difference in total treatment costs between Canadian and American hospitals was partially attributable to differences in direct costs, but was largely due to differences in overhead costs.