Citations

AbstractBackgroundComplications associated with cardiovascular implantable electronic devices may necessitate device and lead removal. An open approach to removal may be electively chosen in cases with high risk of complications or those requiring additional concomitant cardiac surgery. This study aimed to investigate outcomes of patients who underwent elective open lead extractions (OLE) at two large tertiary care centers.MethodsThe records of 29 patients undergoing elective OLE were analyzed through retrospective chart review.Results69 total leads were extracted from 29 patients (77% completely, 23% partially). The average age of the oldest leads was 13.3 ± 11.3 years. Infective endocarditis with severe valvular insufficiency requiring valvular intervention (41%)—an infectious etiology, and tricuspid valve intervention to correct RV lead‐related severe TR (38%)—a noninfectious etiology, were the most common reasons for OLE. 38% of the patients had additional co‐primary or secondary indications for open extraction, such as CABG and pericardiectomies. The rate of major complications and procedural failure was 3% each (1/29). 30‐day survival was 100%, and 1‐year survival was 92%. The average length of hospital stay was 15 days and higher among those undergoing OLE for infectious indications.ConclusionOpen lead extractions offered a similar clinical success rate (97%) to transvenous extractions in this cohort and may be a viable alternative for those necessitating valvular intervention or when the risk of complications from TLE is considered very high.

Abstract Aims The extravascular implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (EV ICD) has been shown to be safe and effective for patients at risk of sudden cardiac death, but little is known about EV ICD lead removal in humans. This analysis aimed to characterize the EV ICD lead removal experience thus far. Methods and results This was a retrospective analysis of lead removals from the EV ICD Pilot, Pivotal, and Continued Access Studies. Patients with a successful EV ICD implant who underwent lead removal were included. The main objective was lead removal success. Ancillary objectives included characterizing technique used, procedure complications, and reimplantation status. An EV ICD system was successfully implanted in 347 patients across the 3 studies (25.9% female; 53.4 ± 13.3 years; left ventricular ejection fraction: 39.7 ± 15.9). Of these patients, 29 (8.4%) underwent lead removal with a mean lead dwell time of 12.6 ± 14.3 months (0.2–58.4). The main reason for lead removal was lead dislodgement (n = 9, 31.0%). Lead removal was successful in 27/29 (93.1%) cases [100% (19/19) success rate <1 year and 80% (8/10) success rate >1 year post-implant]. Simple traction was used in 22/26 (84.6%) and extraction tools in 4/26 (15.4%) successful cases where technique was known. No complications were reported for any of the removal procedures. All 11 EV ICD reimplant attempts were successful. Conclusion Complete removal of the EV ICD lead was successful in 93.1% of cases, and simple traction was sufficient in most instances. Based on these results, lead removal from the substernal space was safe and achievable up to 3 years post-implant.

SummaryDespite the clinical and molecular heterogeneity of follicular lymphoma (FL), there remains a lack of biomarker‐directed therapeutic approaches in routine clinical practice, with the notable exception of the EZH2 inhibitor tazemetostat in EZH2‐mutant FL. Here we examined whether gene mutation status predicts response to clinical mTOR inhibitors (mTORi) in FL, by performing targeted mutational profiling of biopsies from 21 relapsed/refractory FL patients treated with mTORi everolimus or temsirolimus within clinical trials. We observed an enrichment of mutations within the catalytic histone acetyltransferase (HAT) domain of CREBBP in mTORi‐responders, and describe distinct transcriptional characteristics and co‐occurring mutations of FL harbouring these mutations; reinforcing the growing appreciation of CREBBPHAT mutation as a key biological determinant and its promise as a therapeutic biomarker in FL.

ABSTRACTIntroductionThis study examined simultaneous pancreas–kidney transplant (SPKt) in Black and White patients to identify disparities in transplantation, days on the waitlist, and reasons for SPKt waitlist removal.MethodsUsing the United Network for Organ Sharing Standard Transplant Analysis and Research file, patients between January 1, 2009, and May 31, 2021, were included. Three cohorts (overall, SPKt recipients only, and those not transplanted) were selected using propensity score matching. Conditional logistic regression was used for categorical outcomes. Days on the waitlist were compared using negative binomial regression.ResultsBlack patients had increased odds of receiving a SPKt (OR, 1.25 [95% CI, 1.11–1.40], p < 0.001). White patients had increased odds of receiving a kidney‐only transplant (OR 0.48 [95% CI, 0.38–0.61], p < 0.001), and specifically increased odds of receiving a living donor kidney (OR 0.34 [0.25–0.45], p < 0.001).ConclusionThis study found that Black patients are more likely to receive a SPKt. Results suggest that there are opportunities for additional inquiry related to patient removal from the waitlist, particularly considering White patients received or accepted more kidney‐only transplants and were more likely to receive a living donor kidney‐only transplant.

3020 Background: Radioligand therapy (RLT) use has been increasing with the approval of 177Lu-Dotatate for metastatic neuroendocrine tumors (NET) & 177Lu-PSMA-617 for metastatic castration resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). Therapy-related myeloid neoplasms [tMN, including myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) & acute myeloid leukemia, (AML)] have been reported after 177Lutetium (177Lu) for NET with rates of 2-20% & median time from first 177Lu to tMN of 2.8yrs [4-12]. Clonal hematopoiesis (CH) is a risk factor for tMN, with the spectrum of CH depending on selection pressures. To describe the prevalence of therapy selected CH & tMN, we performed a retrospective analysis of patients (pts) who had a bone marrow biopsy (BMB) post-177Lu. Methods: After IRB approval, we queried the electronic health record for pts with BMB post-177Lu. Pt demographics, treatment history, labs & BMB results were collected. Results: Fifty-seven pts met criteria, 41 (72%) with NET & 16 (28%) with mCRPC. . Median age at BMB was 68yrs (range, 28-85). Of the 57pts, prior treatments included: radiation (RT) in 21 (37%), temozolomide in 14 (25%), taxane in 15 (26%), & platinum agents in 10 (18%). The median number of 177Lu cycles was 4 (range, 1-11).Cytogenetics were available in 84% (n = 48) & were normal in 60% (n = 29). Of those with abnormal cytogenetics (n = 18, 38%), the most common abnormalities involved chromosome (chr) 7 (n = 12, 26%), chr 5 (n = 7, 15%), chr 20 (n = 5, 11%) and complex karyotypes in 7 (15%), with 3 (17%) of these patients having no mutations. Diagnoses were assessable in 49 (86%) pts: 15 (31%) with undefined cytopeniasand 16 (33%) with tMDS. Metastatic carcinoma was identified in 17 Fifty-one percent (n = 29), at a median of 0.5yrs (range, 0.04-2.6) after hematologic diagnosis. Conclusions: The enrichment of CH involving the DDR pathway in recipients of 177Lu underscores the impact of RLT on bone marrow progenitors.

Vitamin B12 is critical for hematopoiesis and myelination. Deficiency can cause neurologic deficits including loss of coordination and cognitive decline. However, diagnosis relies on measurement of vitamin B12 in the blood, which may not accurately reflect the concentration in the brain. Using programmable phage display, we identified an autoantibody targeting the transcobalamin receptor (CD320) in a patient with progressive tremor, ataxia, and scanning speech. Anti-CD320 impaired cellular uptake of cobalamin (B12) in vitro by depleting its target from the cell surface. Despite a normal serum concentration, B12 was nearly undetectable in her cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Immunosuppressive treatment and high-dose systemic B12 supplementation were associated with increased B12 in the CSF and clinical improvement. Optofluidic screening enabled isolation of a patient-derived monoclonal antibody that impaired B12 transport across an in vitro model of the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Autoantibodies targeting the same epitope of CD320 were identified in seven other patients with neurologic deficits of unknown etiology, 6% of healthy controls, and 21.4% of a cohort of patients with neuropsychiatric lupus. In 132 paired serum and CSF samples, detection of anti-CD320 in the blood predicted B12 deficiency in the brain. However, these individuals did not display any hematologic signs of B12 deficiency despite systemic CD320 impairment. Using a genome-wide CRISPR screen, we found that the low-density lipoprotein receptor serves as an alternative B12 uptake pathway in hematopoietic cells. These findings dissect the tissue specificity of B12 transport and elucidate an autoimmune neurologic condition that may be amenable to immunomodulatory treatment and nutritional supplementation.

Abstract Objective Intracranial complications of pediatric sinusitis are uncommon but are often associated with significant morbidity, especially when appropriate care is delayed. The present study aimed to identify commonalities for the development and progression of these complications in the pediatric population. Data Sources CENTRAL, CINAHL, Citation searching, ClinicalTrials.gov , Embase, Google Scholar, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and World Health Organization. Review Methods A comprehensive literature search was performed using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐analyses scoping review guidelines. Studies describing intracranial infections secondary to sinusitis in the pediatric population (age <18 years) were included. Studies in which adult and pediatric data were not separated and studies in which the pediatric cohort was fewer than 10 cases were excluded. Ultimately, 33 studies describing 1149 unique patient cases were included for data collection and analysis. Results Our analysis revealed intracranial complications were more common in adolescent males. Most children presented with over 1 week of vague symptoms, such as headache and fever. The majority of complications were diagnosed radiographically with computed tomography. Subdural empyema and epidural abscess were the most common intracranial complications reported. On average, patients were admitted for over 2 weeks. Most children were treated with a combination of antibiotics and surgical intervention. Complications were rare, but when present, were often associated with significant morbidity. Conclusion This scoping review of the available literature has provided insight into commonalities among pediatric patients who develop intracranial complications of sinusitis, providing a foundation for further study to inform medical and surgical decision‐making in this population.

Infective endocarditis (IE) poses a diagnostic challenge due to its diverse clinical presentations, especially among high-risk groups. Diagnosis relies on integrating clinical presentation, blood cultures and imaging findings. Advanced imaging techniques enhance diagnostic accuracy, particularly in complex cases. Treatment involves antimicrobial therapy and surgery in complicated cases, with early intervention crucial for optimal outcomes. Coordinated care by an Endocarditis Team ensures tailored treatment plans, prompt complication management and long-term monitoring after discharge. The authors present a case of subacute IE presenting initially with back pain in a patient with a complex medical history, highlighting diagnostic and management approaches.

AbstractObjectivesTo describe findings from an otolaryngology‐specific needs assessment tool in Zimbabwe.MethodsSurveys were developed and shared with Low‐Middle Income Country (LMIC) hosting institutions in Zimbabwe and to High‐Income Country surgical trip participants (HIC). Respondents were otolaryngologists identified online and through professional networks who had participated in a surgical trip.ResultsThe most common procedures Zimbabwe otolaryngologists reported treating were adenotonsillectomy (85.7%), chronic rhinosinusitis (71.4%), chronic otitis (57.1%), and head and neck tumor intervention (57.1%). The most common untreatable conditions that host physicians wanted to treat were skull base surgery (71.4%), flap reconstructions (57.1%), and laryngotracheal reconstruction (57.1%). The largest discrepancy between host desires and visiting team offerings were flap reconstruction (57.1%), nasal bone deformities (37.1%), and laryngotracheal reconstruction (17.1%). Perceptions of short‐term surgical trips (STST) were recorded for host and visiting teams, and important differences between the public and private sectors of care in Zimbabwe were also identified.ConclusionThe surveys utilized in this study served as a bidirectional needs assessment of the requirements and care goals of host institutions and visiting teams in Zimbabwe. Differences between public and private sectors of care, particularly regarding infrastructure, resources, and surgical goals, were revealed, and the results can be utilized as part of efforts to maximize efforts within global surgical partnerships.Level of EvidenceVI.

Mastocytosis is a heterogeneous group of disorders comprising cutaneous mastocytosis, systemic mastocytosis, and mast cell sarcoma. It is associated with a variety of symptoms related to the release of mast cell mediators and mast cell tissue infiltration. Referral to specialized centers with expertise in the management of mastocytosis and multidisciplinary collaboration with subspecialists (eg, allergists for the management of anaphylaxis and drug hypersensitivities, anesthesiologists for invasive procedures or surgery, high-risk obstetrician for pregnancy) is recommended. The NCCN Guidelines for Systemic Mastocytosis provide evidence- and consensus-based recommendations for the diagnosis and comprehensive care of patients with systemic mastocytosis. The multidisciplinary panel of experts convenes at least once a year to review requested changes to the guidelines from both internal and external entities as well as to discuss data on existing and new therapies. These NCCN Guidelines Insights focus on some of the recent updates to the guidelines.