Shiari, Aryan

Abstract Background Human granulocytic anaplasmosis (HGA) can cause severe illness requiring intensive care, but factors associated with critical illness among hospitalized patients are incompletely described. Method We performed a retrospective multicenter cohort study of adults hospitalized with PCR-confirmed HGA at Mayo Clinic Rochester and affiliated Mayo Clinic Health System sites in Minnesota and Wisconsin from 2014 through 2024. Patients who required ICU-level care were compared with those managed on general medical wards using exploratory univariate analyses (Fisher exact and Kruskal–Wallis tests). Results Among 101 hospitalized patients, 12 (12%) required ICU-level care. Symptoms documented at hospital presentation/admission were more frequent in ICU patients, including vomiting (64% vs 30%) and abdominal pain (55% vs 26%). On admission, ICU patients had lower sodium (mean 128.8 vs 132.3 mmol/L) and higher total bilirubin (mean 1.3 vs 0.8 mg/dL). Platelet nadir during hospitalization was lower in ICU patients (mean 54.8 × 109/L vs 84.1 × 109/L). Peak ferritin, measured in a subset, was markedly higher in ICU patients (median 21 666 vs 961 µg/L). The composite endpoint of HGA-related complications or serious treatment-related adverse events occurred more often in ICU patients (75% vs 17%); one death occurred in the ICU group. Conclusions In hospitalized adults with HGA, ICU-level care was associated with gastrointestinal symptoms at presentation/admission, admission hyponatremia and hyperbilirubinemia, lower platelet nadir, and marked hyperferritinemia when measured. Because these findings were derived from univariate group-level comparisons with substantial overlap between groups, they should be viewed as hypothesis-generating rather than individually predictive or sufficient as stand-alone triage criteria.

Abstract Background Outcomes of patients with acute pyelonephritis (AP) treated in a hospital-at-home setting have not been comprehensively evaluated in the United States. Methods We performed a multicenter, retrospective cohort study of adults diagnosed with and managed for AP in Mayo Clinic's Advanced Care at Home (ACH) program between July 2020 and January 2025. Collected data included demographics, Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI), genitourinary comorbidities, severity of illness (SOI), and risk of mortality (ROM) scores, as well as pyelonephritis-related complications. Outcomes included length of stay (LOS), escalation of care, and 30-day postdischarge emergency department (ED) visits, readmissions, and mortality. Results A total of 165 patients met inclusion criteria. Median age was 67 years; SOI scores were moderate in 33.3%, major in 52.1%, and extreme in 8.5%. ROM scores were moderate in 30.3%, major in 38.2%, and extreme in 6.7%. Median CCI score was 5, and all patients had preexisting genitourinary conditions. On admission, 30.9% met sepsis criteria, acute kidney injury was present in 47.3%, and bacteremia developed in 33.3%. Median LOS in the ACH program was 3.1 days. Only 4.8% required escalation to a brick-and-mortar hospital. Readmission occurred in 17.0%, and 4.8% had ED visits. No in-program deaths occurred. Conclusions This multicenter retrospective study shows that AP, including cases with high illness severity and complex comorbidities, can be managed safely and effectively in a hospital-at-home setting with careful patient selection and robust infrastructure to support timely escalation when needed.

Background: Oscillation and pulmonary expansion (OPE) therapy can decrease postoperative pulmonary complications in a general surgical population, but its effect after cardiac surgery has not been reported, to our knowledge. We hypothesized that using an OPE device after cardiac surgery before extubation would decrease pulmonary complications. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included adults undergoing elective open cardiac surgery at our institution from January 2018 through January 2019, who had an American Society of Anesthesiologists score of 3 or greater. For mechanically ventilated patients after cardiac surgery, a new OPE protocol was adopted, comprising an initial 10-min OPE treatment administered in-line with the ventilator circuit, then continued treatments for 48 h after extubation. The primary outcome measure was the occurrence of severe postoperative respiratory complications, including the need for antibiotics, increased use of supplemental oxygen, and prolonged hospital length of stay (LOS). Demographic, clinical, and outcome data were compared between patients receiving usual care (involving post-extubation hyperinflation) and those treated under the new OPE protocol. The primary outcome measure was the occurrence of severe postoperative respiratory complications, including the need for antibiotics, increased use of supplemental oxygen, and prolonged hospital length of stay (LOS). Demographic, clinical, and outcome data were compared between patients receiving usual care (involving post-extubation hyperinflation) and those treated under the new OPE protocol. Results: Of 104 patients, 54 patients received usual care, and 50 received OPE. Usual-care recipients had more men (74% vs. 62%; p = 0.19) and were older (median, 70 vs. 67 years; p = 0.009) than OPE recipients. The OPE group had a significantly shorter hospital LOS than the usual-care group (mean, 6.2 vs. 7.4 days; p = 0.04). Other measures improved with OPE but did not reach significance: shorter ventilator duration (mean, 0.6 vs. 1.1 days with usual care; p = 0.06) and shorter LOS in the intensive care unit (mean, 2.7 vs. 3.4 days; p = 0.06). On multivariate analysis, intensive care unit LOS was significantly shorter for the OPE group (mean difference, −0.85 days; 95% CI, −1.65 to −0.06; p = 0.04). The OPE group had a lower percentage of postoperative complications (10% vs. 20%). Conclusions: OPE therapy after cardiac surgery is associated with decreased intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital LOS.

Abstract Background Mechanical ventilation (MV) management is an essential skill for pulmonary and critical care medicine (PCCM) fellows to master during training. The unprecedented emergence of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic highlighted the need for advanced operator competency in MV to improve patients’ outcomes. Objective We aimed to create a standardized case-based curriculum using a blended approach of high-fidelity simulation, rapid-cycle deliberate practice, video didactics, and hands-on small group sessions for rapid accumulation of knowledge and hands-on skills for PCCM fellows before caring for critically ill patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods The MV curriculum consisted of the following steps: 1) baseline written knowledge test with 15 multiple-choice questions covering MV, the latest evidence-based practices, and pathophysiology of COVID-19; 2) baseline confidence survey using a 5-point Likert scale; 3) a one-on-one session using a high-fidelity simulation manikin, a lung simulator, and a mechanical ventilator to test baseline competencies; 4) a structured debriefing tailored per fellow’s 50-point competency assessment checklist from the simulation using rapid-cycle deliberate practice; 5) video didactics; 6) a hands-on session in small groups for basic knobology, waveforms, and modes of MV; 7) a one-on-one simulation reassessment session; 8) a written knowledge posttest; and 9) a post-training confidence survey using a 5-point Likert scale. Results Eight PCCM fellows completed the training. The mean multiple-choice question score increased from 7.4 ± 2.9 to 10.4 ± 2.4 (P < 0.05), and the simulation scores increased from 17.1 ± 4.4 to 30.8 ± 3.7 (P < 0.05). Comparing the simulation reassessment to the baseline, fellows showed significant improvement (P < 0.05) in assessing indications for MV; implementing rapid sequence intubation for patients with COVID-19; initiating MV and ventilator bundle per best practices; recognizing and managing mucous plugging, ventilator dyssynchrony, and evidence-based treatments for acute respiratory distress syndrome; and developing a care plan for proning. The post-training survey revealed improved learner confidence in all competencies. Conclusion This pilot MV curriculum using a blended approach was feasible and allowed PCCM fellows to significantly improve their knowledge and hands-on skills, allowing for the appropriate use of MV during the pandemic. Self-reported improvement scores further reinforced this. The emergent need for novice learners may again be necessary for future pandemic settings where standard training models requiring extensive training time are limited.