Citations

Background Delirium is a frequent and serious complication in critically ill patients and associated with adverse outcomes. Automated pupillometry has emerged as a potential diagnostic tool for the detection of delirium. However, pupillometric parameters are also influenced by pain, potentially confounding their relationship to delirium. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between automated pupillometry parameters and delirium in patients with high risk of pain (surgical patients) admitted to intensive care units (ICU). Methods This prospective multicenter observational study included adult surgical patients admitted to an ICU between April 2023 and August 2025. Delirium was assessed every 6 h after admission using CAM-ICU. Automated pupillometry together with pain intensity scores (VAS, CPOT, BPS) were performed concurrent with CAM-ICU. To account for repeated measurements within individual patients, a generalized linear mixed-effects model (GLMM) with patient as a random effect was used to evaluate the association between pupillometric parameters and diagnosed delirium. Results Forty-nine patients were included, yielding 417 measurements, of which 48 (12%) were done in patients who were simultaneously CAM-ICU positive. Among pupillometric variables, only average pupillary latency (LAT avg) was significantly shorter in patients with delirium ( p = 0.01). In the mixed-effects model adjusted for sedation depth, level of consciousness, and pain intensity, LAT avg. was independently associated with delirium (OR 1.55 per 0.01; 95% CI 1.13–2.13; p = 0.007). Conclusion In surgical ICU patients, shortened pupillary light reflex latency is associated with delirium. Automated pupillometry may serve as a useful tool for detection of delirium in this population. Clinical trial registration https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/ Identifier: NCT05811208.

Abstract Asthma is a chronic inflammatory condition marked by episodic airway narrowing, with exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB) a common trigger. Up to 70% of athletes experience EIB-related symptoms, yet current management relies on reactive treatment rather than early physiological monitoring. This study presents a proof-of-concept multimodal wearable platform integrating impedance pneumography (IPG), electrocardiography (ECG), and inertial measurement unit (IMU) sensing to detect early physiological signatures of EIB. Candidate biomarkers include elevated heart rate, increased respiratory rate, and reduced thoracic impedance amplitude. Real-time embedded algorithms perform on-device feature extraction and threshold-based decision logic without cloud dependence, while IMU data provide posture context for signal interpretation. The system was evaluated through subsystem validation and a resistive-breathing protocol simulating bronchoconstriction. Results demonstrate reliable detection of characteristic cardiorespiratory changes, establishing the feasibility of real-time wearable detection of early EIB markers and supporting future large-cohort validation and form-factor refinement.

Background: The economic burden associated with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is not well understood, especially since the approval of antifibrotic medications to treat IPF in 2014. Objective: This study assessed healthcare resource utilization (HCRU) and costs for patients with and without IPF among insured patients in the United States. Methods: This retrospective study used claims data from the Optum Research Database from 01 January 2016 through 31 December 2023. The IPF cohort included patients with at least 2 claims for IPF within 365 days. A comparator cohort was exact matched to the IPF cohort in a 4:1 ratio on demographic characteristics. Follow-up all-cause and respiratory-related HCRU and costs were collected. Outcomes were presented as weighted per-patient per-month (wPPPM) to account for variable follow-up. Descriptive results were reported by cohort, overall, and stratified by insurance type. All-cause and respiratory-related wPPPM costs were modeled using generalized linear models and time to all-cause and respiratory-related inpatient visits were modeled using Cox proportional hazards regression models, adjusted for baseline comorbidities. Results: A total of 7582 patients were included in the IPF cohort; 10.4% were commercially insured and 89.6% insured by Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug (MAPD) plans. The comparator cohort included 30 328 demographically matched controls. Overall, mean all-cause wPPPM counts of HCRU during follow-up were significantly higher in the IPF cohort than the comparator cohort for all categories (all P < .001). Similarly, mean (SD) follow-up all-cause wPPPM total healthcare costs were higher for the IPF cohort than the comparator cohort ($4667 [$8252] vs $1196 [$2114], P < .001). After adjustment, the cost ratio for all-cause total healthcare costs between the IPF and comparator cohorts was 3.4 (95% confidence interval [CI], 3.10-3.64), and patients in the IPF cohort were 2.1 times (95% CI, 1.97-2.15) more likely to be hospitalized for all causes than the comparator cohort. For both HCRU and costs, similar patterns were observed in both the commercial and MAPD populations. Conclusion: Patients with IPF incurred substantially higher HCRU and costs than the demographically matched comparator cohort. Study results suggest the need for treatment options to improve management of IPF and reduce costly HCRU.

Abstract Background Machine perfusion represents the most significant breakthrough in liver transplantation (LT) since the discovery of cyclosporin. Yet, the optimal perfusion strategy remains unsettled. Randomized trials demonstrate that hypothermic oxygenated perfusion (HOPE) improves graft survival and function and reduces ischemic cholangiopathy, whereas normothermic machine perfusion (NMP) decreases post-transplant injury. Real-world comparisons are lacking and challenging due to heterogeneity in donor-recipient risk profiles and regional differences. Aims To compare real-world outcomes of HOPE and NMP in LT. Methods We analyzed consecutive NMP-preserved LTs from seven North American centers between 2021 and 2024. We compared NMP to the European HOPE-REAL cohort, comprising HOPE-treated LTs from 22 centers between 2012 and 2021. Analyses were stratifyied by graft type and risk category and adjusted for donor age, donor risk index, and balance of risk score using entropy balancing. Results A total of 470 NMP and 1202 HOPE-treated grafts were analyzed, revealing major differences in risk profiles (Figure 1). In NMP, death-censored graft survivals at 1, 2, and 3 years were &gt;95% in donation after brain death (DBD) and &gt;94% in donation after circulatory death (DCD) grafts. Comparable outcomes were observed in the HOPE cohort with &gt;93%, in DBD, and &gt;87% in DCD after up to 3 years, despite significantly higher donor age and longer functional warm ischemia in the HOPE DCD cohort (Figure 2). After risk adjustment, death-censored graft survival remained similar between both modalities (Table 1). Non-anastomotic biliary stricture rates after DCD-LT were comparable (8.5% vs. 12.4%), independent of whether continuous or end-ischemic NMP was performed. Conclusion This first transatlantic real-world report demonstrates excellent outcomes with both NMP and HOPE despite higher graft risk in Europe. Machine perfusion is the new standard of care in LT, while further understanding is needed regarding the distinct benefits of each modality across risk profiles.Figure 1.Graft risk in NMP and HOPE stratified by graft type. Benchmark case was defined as primary transplant with MELD &lt;20 and BAR score &lt;9, extended criteria as either BMI &gt;30kg/m2, donor age &gt;65 years, CIT &gt;12h. DCD grafts were categorized as definedFor image description, please refer to the figure legend and surrounding text. Figure 2.Death-censored graft survival in liver transplantation following NMP and HOPE stratified by graft type. Abbreviations: NMP (Normothermic Machine Perfusion), HOPE (Hypothermic Oxygenated Perfusion), DBD (Donation after Brain Death), DCD (Donation after circulatory death)For image description, please refer to the figure legend and surrounding text. Table 1.Risk-adjusted comparison of death-censored graft survival between NMP and HOPE.For image description, please refer to the figure legend and surrounding text.

Abstract Background and Aims A simple diagnostic method able to reliably exclude left main (LM) coronary artery disease (CAD) or LMCAD-equivalent would expand implementation of an initial non-invasive strategy in patients with chronic coronary syndrome (CCS). This study assessed the diagnostic utility of an approach using clinical and ECG stress testing (EST) variables in excluding LMCAD/LMCAD-equivalent in CCS patients. Methods In a multicentre case-control study, CCS patients undergoing invasive coronary angiography (CAG) after a maximal EST were evaluated. Cases were patients with angiographic ≥ 50% LM stenosis or ≥70% stenosis of both proximal left anterior descending and proximal circumflex arteries, matched with similar patients without them (controls) in a 1:3 ratio. A risk model developed through logistic regression was internally and externally validated. Results Three hundred and thirty-five cases were matched with 797 controls. The model area under the curve (AUC) was .78. Assuming LMCAD prevalence of 5% and a misclassification cost ratio of 1:100 (ratio of cost of performing CAG in a control to cost of not performing CAG in a case), negative predictive value was 98.2%. Thus, CAG could be safely avoided in 41% of patients, missing one LMCAD/LMCAD-equivalent diagnosis for every 58 CAGs safely spared in patients without them. Conclusions Among CCS patients, LMCAD/LMCAD-equivalent can be excluded with high negative predictive value through a model based on clinical and EST parameters, allowing initial non-invasive management of most patients able to exercise. This approach is potentially useful particularly in communities where access to computed tomography coronary angiography is limited.

ABSTRACT Introduction/Aims Patients with cervical spinal cord injury (SCI) prioritize recovery of upper extremity function. Upper extremity reconstruction can restore function in carefully selected individuals. Infralesional cord damage, observed below the neurological level of injury (NLI), may affect postoperative outcomes. We characterized the extent of infralesional lower motor neuron (LMN) injury in patients with traumatic cervical SCI. Methods Each patient underwent electromyography (EMG) of potential donor and recipient muscles based on preoperative clinical evaluation and specific candidacy for nerve and/or tendon transfers. The presence of infralesional pathologic insertional activity (IA), reduced motor unit potential (MUP) recruitment and/or neurogenic MUPs was assessed. The caudal‐most segment with infralesional LMN injury was determined. Inclusion criteria were patients with (1) traumatic cervical SCI; (2) injury ≥ 3 months duration; (3) preoperative planning EMG for nerve and/or tendon transfers. Results Forty‐eight upper extremity EMGs in 25 patients (68% male; mean age 39.5 years at injury) with traumatic cervical SCI were included. The NLI was at C7 or above in each patient, and 64% of SCIs were motor complete. Infralesional EMG abnormalities (median time from injury to EMG 466 days) were found a median of 3.0 (IQR 3.0–4.0) segments below the NLI. Three patients with an NLI as rostral as C1–C2 exhibited LMN injury seven segments below the NLI. Discussion In persons with traumatic cervical SCI, evidence of LMN injury may be observed several segments below the NLI. Defining the true extent of LMN involvement directly informs timing and selection of reconstructive procedures to maximize functional recovery.

Donation after circulatory death (DCD) livers increasingly use machine perfusion (MP). This study evaluates MP’s impact on older DCD livers based on data from the United Network for Data Sharing, covering all first adult DCD liver transplants (2016–2025). The cohort, divided into pre-MP and MP eras (separated by the FDA approval of the first normothermic MP platform in 2021), showed accelerated growth in DCD liver transplants during the MP era. Donors ≥60 rose 7.8-fold, including donors ≥70 (a USA first). By 2025, DCD livers accounted for 43.2%, with 61.35% from donors ≥50. Normothermic regional perfusion (NRP) (3.0%–21.7%), NMP (2.3%–35.6%), and sequential NRP-NMP (0.1%–19.2%) increased significantly (p &lt; 0.001). The MP era was associated with a decrease in median waitlist time from 112 to 62 days (p &lt; 0.001). Early graft survival was similar across ages. For ages 50–59, 1- and 3-year survivals were 87.9%/78.4% pre-MP and 90.1%/78.8% in the MP era. For 60–69, survival was 85.0%/80.6% pre-MP and 90.0%/71.3% in the MP era. DCD LTs for ≥70 were limited to the MP era with 87.8% 1-year survival. Multivariable Cox regression showed that static cold storage (HR = 1.19), donor age 50–69 versus 18–49, and recipient age (HR = 1.04) increased the risk of graft loss after adjustment. MP is associated with an increased number of older DCD liver transplants and acceptable early graft survival.

TPS8124 Background: Immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI)–based regimens are standard first-line therapy for metastatic non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) without actionable driver mutations; however, most patients experience disease progression within 12 months. A subset develop oligoprogression, defined by progression at a limited number of metastatic sites with otherwise controlled disease. Oligoprogression represents a therapeutic window in which local ablative therapy could be used to prolong disease control. In the prior phase II CURB trial, SBRT was shown to significantly prolong progression-free survival (PFS) in patients with oligoprogressive NSCLC. Methods: CCTG-BR38 is an international, multicenter, open-label, randomized phase III trial conducted through the NCI National Clinical Trials Network. Adults with stage IV NSCLC receiving first-line ICI ± chemotherapy who develop ≤5 extracranial oligoprogressive lesions are randomized 1:1 to: (1) switch to second-line standard systemic therapy or (2) SBRT (30 Gy in 3 fractions) to all oligoprogressive sites followed by continuation of the same first-line systemic therapy. Randomization is stratified by type of first-line systemic therapy (ICI alone vs ICI + chemotherapy), number of oligoprogressive lesions (1–2 vs 3–5), and ECOG performance status (0-1 vs 2). Patients with treated, stable brain metastases are eligible. Primary Endpoints: Dual primary endpoints are PFS and overall survival (OS). Secondary endpoints include safety (CTCAE v5.0), patient-reported adverse events (PRO-CTCAE), quality of life (EORTC QLQ-C30/LC13), and cost-effectiveness (EQ-5D-5L; Canadian sites). Optional blood and tissue collection for exploratory biomarker analyses are planned. Statistical Considerations: A total of 320 patients (160 per arm) will be enrolled. The sample size is based on detecting a HR of 0.7 for OS (an improvement in median OS from 10 to 14.3 months) with 80% power using a 1-sided 2% level test (the overall 1-sided 2.5% type I error will be assigned 2% to OS and 0.5% to PFS). Interim analyses for futility and efficacy are planned. Current Status: The trial was centrally activated on April 3, 2025. Accrual is ongoing across Canadian and US NCTN sites. Clinical trial information: NCT06686771 .

TPS7101 Background: Patients with high-risk CLL/SLL not achieving a complete response (CR) after ≥ 12 months of BTK inhibitor (BTKi) monotherapy remain at risk for early progression due to residual disease and BTKi resistance. A BCL-2 inhibitor (BCL-2i) introduces a complementary, BCR-independent apoptotic mechanism that may deepen responses and prolong progression-free survival (PFS). Lisaftoclax, a selective oral BCL-2i with a short half-life (4-6 h), enables once-daily dosing and is approved in China as second-line CLL therapy. Lisaftoclax monotherapy has demonstrated overall response rates (ORRs) of 67% in relapsed/refractory CLL and 62.5% in BTKi-refractory disease, including del(17p)/ TP53 -mutated cases. Lisaftoclax combined with acalabrutinib achieved ORRs >97% with favorable tolerability. This study evaluates whether lisaftoclax plus BTKi (acalabrutinib, zanubrutinib, or ibrutinib) improves PFS and/or overall survival (OS) (vs continued BTKi monotherapy) in patients with CLL/SLL and residual disease after prolonged BTKi treatment. Methods: This study will enroll approximately 440 patients randomly allocated to receive lisaftoclax plus BTKi or BTKi alone. Eligible patients have CLL/SLL and, after ≥12 months of BTKi monotherapy (lines 1-3), have achieved neither CR nor progressive disease (PD). Randomization is stratified by del(17p)/ TP53 status. Key inclusion criteria include age ≥18 years, ECOG PS 0-2, and residual disease with either high-risk features (del(17p)/ TP53 mutation, unmutated IGHV , or complex karyotype [≥5 abnormalities]), or measurable residual disease with lymph nodes ≥2.5 cm in the absence of high-risk features. Exclusion criteria include prior BCL-2i therapy or Richter transformation. Patients in the investigational arm will undergo a 5-day oral lisaftoclax ramp-up to 400 mg once daily plus physician's choice of BTKi in 28-day cycles until progression or toxicity. Control patients continue their current BTKi monotherapy. Safety and disease assessments (CT/MRI) will occur regularly. The primary endpoint is PFS by independent review committee (iwCLL 2018); key secondary endpoint OS; and other secondary endpoints, PFS by investigator, ORR, duration of response, MRD negativity, and safety. Enrollment is ongoing across 126 sites in 18 countries (ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT06104566). Clinical trial information: NCT06104566 .

TPS4642 Background: Although first-line (1L) EV + pembrolizumab has improved outcomes for patients with la/mUC, most experience disease progression, highlighting an unmet need for novel therapies. TROP2 is a glycoprotein highly expressed in several epithelial tumors, including UC. Dato-DXd is a TROP2-directed antibody–drug conjugate comprising an anti-TROP2 monoclonal antibody, a tetrapeptide-based cleavable linker, and a topoisomerase I inhibitor payload (DXd), designed to induce selective tumor-cell death and reduce systemic exposure to the payload. Dato-DXd has demonstrated durable efficacy and a manageable safety profile in patients with la/mUC both as monotherapy (TROPION-PanTumor01 [NCT03401385]) and in combination with immunotherapy (TROPION-PanTumor03 [NCT05489211]). We describe a Phase 2/3 trial comparing the efficacy and safety of Dato-DXd + platinum CT (carboplatin or cisplatin) vs gemcitabine + platinum CT in participants with la/mUC with disease progression on or after EV + pembrolizumab. Methods: TROPION-Urothelial03 (NCT07129993) is a global, multicenter, randomized, open-label, Phase 2/3 trial. In Part A (Phase 2), ~60 participants will be randomized 1:1 to receive Dato-DXd 4 or 6 mg/kg + platinum CT. In Part B (Phase 3), ~570 participants will be randomized 1:1 to receive Dato-DXd at the recommended Phase 3 dose (determined using Part A data) + platinum CT vs gemcitabine + platinum CT. Randomization in Part A is stratified by assignment of platinum CT (carboplatin vs cisplatin), and in Part B, by assignment of platinum CT, presence vs absence of liver metastasis at screening, and time to progression on 1L EV + pembrolizumab (<6 vs ≥6 months). Study treatment continues until disease progression, unacceptable toxicity, withdrawal of consent, death, loss to follow-up, or other reasons per protocol. Radiographic tumor assessments occur every 6 weeks for 54 weeks, then every 12 weeks. The primary endpoint of Part A is objective response rate (ORR) by investigator per Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumours, version 1.1 (RECIST 1.1). The dual primary endpoints of Part B are progression-free survival (PFS) by blinded independent central review (BICR) per RECIST 1.1 and overall survival (OS). Secondary endpoints include duration of response by investigator per RECIST 1.1 (Part A), and PFS by investigator per RECIST 1.1 and ORR by BICR and investigator per RECIST 1.1 (Part B). In Part A, ORR will be summarized with 2-sided 95% exact confidence intervals using the Clopper–Pearson method by trial group. In Part B, PFS and OS will be compared between trial groups using a log-rank test stratified by randomization stratification factors, with hazard ratios from the stratified Cox regression model. Clinical trial information: NCT07129993 .