Impact of repaired aortic coarctation in left ventricular myocardial work

AimsMyocardial strain analysis enables more precise assessment of cardiac performance but is relatively load dependent. New tools have been developed with afterload adjustment. Our objective was to assess myocardial work (MW) in patients with repaired aortic coarctation (rACo).MethodsProspective study of consecutive patients with rACo who underwent a routine transthoracic echocardiogram in 2018 and 2019 at our center. Patients with significant aortic valve disease, pacemaker, or other congenital heart diseases (except for mild bicuspid aortic valve disease) were excluded. Global longitudinal strain with two dimensional speckle tracking analysis and MW were obtained (GWI:Global Work Index; GCW: Global Constructive Work; GWW: Global Wasted Work; GWE: Global Work Efficiency). Blood pressure was measured in the patient's right arm.ResultsWe included 42 patients in the analysis, mean age of 37±10 years, 38% males. In this group, 52% had hypertension and 64% had a concomitant bicuspid aortic valve. In comparison to previously published reference values, patients with rACo had significantly lower GWI (1807 vs. 1896 mmHg%) and GCW (2173 vs. 2232 mmHg%) (p<0.001), particularly in males. Systolic blood pressure is an independent predictor for GWI (β=0.432) and for GCW (β=0.534) and GLS an independent predictor of all MW parameters (β>0.594). Neither age nor gender were independent predictors.ConclusionsIn patients with rACo, there are some signs of left ventricular dysfunction with a reduction in GCW and GWI and with preserved GWE, despite normal ejection fraction and strain.     

Reacreditación o recertificación de los cirujanos generales en España: esa es la cuestión. Resultados de una encuesta nacional

IntroductionThe Law for the Regulation of Health Professions (LOPS) indicates that health professionals will carry out continuous training throughout their professional life, and will regularly prove their professional competence. The objective of the study was to carry out a national survey to find out the opinion of Spanish surgeons and thus be able to prepare a recertification project by the Spanish Association of Surgeons (AEC).MethodsCross-sectional observational study carried out in June-July 2020, through a survey sent to the members of the AEC.ResultsThe survey had a total of 1230 visits and an overall completion rate of 784 responses (67.3%). 69.6% were unaware of the LOPS forecasts and 83.4% were unaware of similar initiatives in other specialties and 95.5% agreed to demand adequate information. 71.4% believed it necessary but only 57% believed that it should be mandatory. 82.9% would agree that it should be regulated through an objective and predictable official procedure.ConclusionsThe concept of re-accreditation is not well known in our specialty and in view of the results obtained, adequate and reliable information seems necessary. Therefore, it would be pertinent to propose by the AEC a specific project to assess activities and skills.     

Higher Preimplantation Opioid Doses Associated With Long‐Term Spinal Cord Stimulation Failure in 211 Patients With Failed Back Surgery Syndrome

ObjectiveSpinal cord stimulation (SCS) is an effective treatment in failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS). We studied the effect of preimplantation opioid use on SCS outcome and the effect of SCS on opioid use during a two-year follow-up period.Materials and methodsThe study cohort included 211 consecutive FBSS patients who underwent an SCS trial from January 1997 to March 2014. Participants were divided into groups, which were as follows: 1) SCS trial only (n = 47), 2) successful SCS (implanted and in use throughout the two-year follow-up period, n = 131), and 3) unsuccessful SCS (implanted but later explanted or revised due to inadequate pain relief, n = 29). Patients who underwent explantation for other reasons (n = 4) were excluded. Opioid purchase data from January 1995 to March 2016 were retrieved from national registries.ResultsHigher preimplantation opioid doses associated with unsuccessful SCS (ROC: AUC = 0.66, p = 0.009), with 35 morphine milligram equivalents (MME)/day as the optimal cutoff value. All opioids were discontinued in 23% of patients with successful SCS, but in none of the patients with unsuccessful SCS (p = 0.004). Strong opioids were discontinued in 39% of patients with successful SCS, but in none of the patients with unsuccessful SCS (p = 0.04). Mean opioid dose escalated from 18 ± 4 MME/day to 36 ± 6 MME/day with successful SCS and from 22 ± 8 MME/day to 82 ± 21 MME/day with unsuccessful SCS (p < 0.001).ConclusionsHigher preimplantation opioid doses were associated with SCS failure, suggesting the need for opioid tapering before implantation. With continuous SCS therapy and no explantation or revision due to inadequate pain relief, 39% of FBSS patients discontinued strong opioids, and 23% discontinued all opioids. This indicates that SCS should be considered before detrimental dose escalation.     

Atrial fibrillation after cardiac surgery: A systematic review and meta-analysis

ObjectiveNew-onset postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) after cardiac surgery is common, with rates up to 60%. POAF has been associated with early and late stroke, but its association with other cardiovascular outcomes is less known. The objective was to perform a meta-analysis of the studies reporting the association of POAF with perioperative and long-term outcomes in patients with cardiac surgery.MethodsWe performed a systematic review and a meta-analysis of studies that presented outcomes for cardiac surgery on the basis of the presence or absence of POAF. MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library were assessed; 57 studies (246,340 patients) were selected. Perioperative mortality was the primary outcome. Inverse variance method and random model were performed. Leave-one-out analysis, subgroup analyses, and metaregression were conducted.ResultsPOAF was associated with perioperative mortality (odds ratio [OR], 1.92; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.58-2.33), perioperative stroke (OR, 2.17; 95% CI, 1.90-2.49), perioperative myocardial infarction (OR, 1.28; 95% CI, 1.06-1.54), perioperative acute renal failure (OR, 2.74; 95% CI, 2.42-3.11), hospital (standardized mean difference, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.53-1.07) and intensive care unit stay (standardized mean difference, 0.55; 95% CI, 0.24-0.86), long-term mortality (incidence rate ratio [IRR], 1.54; 95% CI, 1.40-1.69), long-term stroke (IRR, 1.33; 95% CI, 1.21-1.46), and longstanding persistent atrial fibrillation (IRR, 4.73; 95% CI, 3.36-6.66).ConclusionsThe results suggest that POAF after cardiac surgery is associated with an increased occurrence of most short- and long-term cardiovascular adverse events. However, the causality of this association remains to be established.     

儿童颌面部骨折诊疗研究进展

儿童处于生长发育特殊阶段，其颌面部解剖结构、牙列情况及心理状态与成年人有明显区别。颌面部骨折患儿常出现面部发育畸形、张口受限、咬合关系紊乱等，严重影响患儿的日常生活。因此，儿童颌面部骨折的诊疗一直是临床上的难题，也是国内外的研究热点。颌面部骨折好发于青少年，损伤原因多为意外跌倒、交通伤及运动伤。近年来，数字化外科技术为儿童颌面部骨折提供精确的诊断及微创的治疗。国内外学者对于儿童颌面部骨折治疗理念逐渐倾向于手术治疗，选择可吸收材料对儿童颌面部骨折进行固定，降低对儿童面部发育的影响。长期随访对于儿童颌面部骨折患儿具有重要意义，有助于监测患儿面部发育情况。此外，临床医生应注意患儿的心理状态。对于创伤较重或发现有心理问题的患儿，应尽早干预治疗。文章就近年儿童颌面部骨折流行病学特点、诊断、治疗原则及伴发的心理问题做一综述。