Citations

Abstract Aims We evaluated the impact of echocardiographic epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) on cardiovascular haemodynamics, metabolic profile and prognosis in heart failure (HF) using combined cardiopulmonary‐echocardiography exercise stress. Methods and results We analysed EAT thickness of HF patients with reduced (HFrEF, n = 205) and preserved (HFpEF, n = 188) ejection fraction, including 44 controls. HFpEF patients displayed the highest EAT, while HFrEF patients had lower values than controls. EAT showed an inverse correlation with natriuretic peptides, troponin T and C‐reactive protein in HFrEF, while having a direct association with troponin T and C‐reactive protein in HFpEF. EAT was independently associated with peak oxygen consumption (VO 2 ) and peripheral extraction (AVO 2 diff), regardless of body mass index. EAT was inversely correlated with peak VO 2 and AVO 2 diff in HFpEF, while a direct association was observed in HFrEF, where lower EAT values were associated with worse left ventricular systolic dysfunction. In HFpEF, increased EAT was related to right ventriculo–arterial (tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion/systolic pulmonary artery pressure) uncoupling. After 21 months of follow‐up, 146 HF hospitalizations and 34 cardiovascular deaths were recorded in the HF population. Cox multivariable analysis supported an independent differential role of EAT in HF cohorts (interaction P = 0.01): higher risk of adverse events for increasing EAT in HFpEF [hazard ratio (HR) 1.12, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.04–1.37] and for decreasing EAT in HFrEF (HR 0.75, 95% CI 0.54–0.91). Conclusion In HFpEF, EAT accumulation is associated with worse haemodynamic and metabolic profile, also affecting survival. Conversely, lower EAT values imply higher left ventricular dysfunction, global functional impairment and adverse prognosis in HFrEF.

Abstract Background and study aims Anticoagulation (AC) and antiplatelet (AP) therapy may increase the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding after double balloon enteroscopy (DBE); however, limited data are currently available regarding the incidence. The aim of this study was to assess the incidence and clinical characteristics of post-DBE bleeding in patients on AC and AP therapy. Patients and methods The medical records of patients who underwent DBE between 2009 and 2013 at Mayo Clinic, Florida, were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were divided into three groups: 1) continued AP therapy; 2) AC therapy; and 3) neither AP nor AC at the time of DBE. Follow-up data were collected at 60 days and 1 year. Results A total of 683 patients were identified; 43 on AC, 183 on AP and 457 not on AP or AC therapy. The most common indication for DBE was obscure gastrointestinal bleeding in the groups on and not on AP (85.3 % vs 70.9 %, P < 0.0001). There was no statistical difference in post-DBE bleeding rates in patients on AP vs not on AP at 60 days (11.5 % vs 7.5 %, P = 0.12) or 1 year (19.9 % vs 15.7 %, P = 0.23). Rates of bleeding in patients on AC were 11.6 % within 60 days and 22.5 % within 1 year. Multivariate analysis reflected American Society of Anesthesiologist > 3 and indication for DBE of GI bleeding were independent risk factors for post-DBE bleeding within 1 year. Conclusions Continued antiplatelet use at the time of DBE was not an independent risk factor for bleeding post-DBE at 60 days or 1 year of follow up.

The NCCN Guidelines for Wilms Tumor focus on the screening, diagnosis, staging, treatment, and management of Wilms tumor (WT, also known as nephroblastoma). WT is the most common primary renal tumor in children. Five-year survival is more than 90% for children with all stages of favorable histology WT who receive appropriate treatment. All patients with WT should be managed by a multidisciplinary team with experience in managing renal tumors; consulting a pediatric oncologist is strongly encouraged. Treatment of WT includes surgery, neoadjuvant or adjuvant chemotherapy, and radiation therapy (RT) if needed. Careful use of available therapies is necessary to maximize cure and minimize long-term toxicities. This article discusses the NCCN Guidelines recommendations for favorable histology WT.

Background/Aims: Barrett’s esophagus (BE), defined by the presence of intestinal metaplasia (IM) on histology, is thought to be the only identifiable precursor lesion for esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC). Recent studies have suggested the possibility of an alternate, non-IM associated EAC that is a more aggressive form of EAC with worse survival. Among EAC patients, we aimed to compare survival of patients with and without IM at the time of diagnosis. Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study of all patients with histologic confirmed EAC evaluated at a tertiary care center from 2013 to 2019. Cases were categorized according to the presence or absence of IM on histologic specimens (Group I—IM-EAC and Group II—non-IM-EAC). We compared demographic characteristics, clinical stage, therapy, and survival between the 2 groups using the Chi-square and ANOVA tests (for categorical and continuous variables, respectively). We used Cox proportional hazards regression to determine the association of IM with overall survival, adjusting for sex, age at diagnosis, tumor location, histologic grade, and clinical stage. Results: A total of 475 patients were included in this analysis (mean age 64.8 years [SD 10.8], 89% white) and 109 (23.0%) had no evidence of IM. Compared with IM-EAC (Group I), individuals in the non-IM-EAC group were younger ( P = .01) and had a greater proportion of patients diagnosed with advanced disease (49.5 vs 20.2% for stage 4, P < .001). These patients were less likely to undergo endoscopic therapy alone (0.92% vs 29.78%, P < .001) or surgery alone (0 vs 9.84%, P = .001). On multivariable analysis, the presence of IM-EAC was associated with improved overall survival compared to non-IM-EAC (HR 0.69, 95% CI 0.49-0.96). Additional factors associated with poor survival was increasing stage of diagnosis (HR 6.49: 95% CI 3.77-11.15 for stage 4, HR 2.19: 95% CI 1.25-3.84 for stage 3, HR 2.04: 95% CI 0.98-4.25 for stage 2 compared to stage 1) and more advanced histologic stage (HR 2.00, 95% CI 1.26-3.19) for poorly/undifferentiated compared to well differentiated). Conclusions: EAC without the presence of IM on histology was associated with worse survival compared to those with IM. Future prospective studies with detailed molecular sequencing are required to clarify if 2 separate phenotypes of EAC exist (IM-EAC and non-IM-EAC). If confirmed, this may have significant implications for screening and management strategies.

Background: Myocarditis is an inflammatory heart disease caused by viral infections that can lead to heart failure, and occurs more often in men than women. Since animal studies have shown that myocarditis is influenced by sex hormones, we hypothesized that endocrine disruptors, which interfere with natural hormones, may play a role in the progression of the disease. The human population is exposed to the endocrine disruptor bisphenol A (BPA) from plastics, such as water bottles and plastic food containers. Methods: Male and female adult BALB/c mice were housed in plastic versus glass caging, or exposed to BPA in drinking water versus control water. Myocarditis was induced with coxsackievirus B3 on day 0, and the endpoints were assessed on day 10 post infection. Results: We found that male BALB/c mice that were exposed to plastic caging had increased myocarditis due to complement activation and elevated numbers of macrophages and neutrophils, whereas females had elevated mast cell activation and fibrosis. Conclusions: These findings show that housing mice in traditional plastic caging increases viral myocarditis in males and females, but using sex-specific immune mechanisms.

BACKGROUND: Several markers of oxygenation are used as prognostic markers in acute hypoxemic respiratory failure. Real-world use is limited by the need for invasive measurements and unreliable availability in the electronic health record. A pragmatic, reliable, and accurate marker of acute hypoxemic respiratory failure is needed to facilitate epidemiologic studies, clinical trials, and shared decision-making with patients. F IO 2 is easily obtained at the bedside and from the electronic health record. The F IO 2 trajectory may be a valuable marker of recovery in patients with acute hypoxemic respiratory failure. METHODS: This was a historical cohort study of adult subjects admitted to an ICU with acute hypoxemic respiratory failure secondary to community-acquired pneumonia and/or ARDS. RESULTS: Our study included 2,670 subjects. F IO 2 and S pO 2 were consistently more available than was P aO 2 in the electronic health record: (F IO 2 vs S pO 2 vs P aO 2 : 100 vs 100 vs 72.8% on day 1, and 100 vs 99 vs 21% on day 5). A worsening F IO 2 trajectory was associated with reduced ventilator-free days. From days 2 to 5, every increase in F IO 2 by 10% from the previous day was associated with fewer ventilator-free days (on day 2: adjusted mean –1.25 [95% CI –1.45 to –1.05] d, P < .001). The S pO 2 /F IO 2 trajectory also provided prognostic information. On days 3 – 5, an increase in S pO 2 /F IO 2 from the previous day was associated with increased ventilator-free days (on day 3: adjusted mean 2.09 (95% CI 1.44–2.74) d; P < .001). S pO 2 /F IO 2 models did not add predictive information compared with models with F IO 2 alone (on day 2: adjusted F IO 2 vs S pO 2 /F IO 2 R2 0.122 vs 0.119; and on day 3: 0.153 vs 0.163). CONCLUSIONS: F IO 2 and S pO 2 /F IO 2 are pragmatic and readily available intermediate prognostic markers in acute hypoxic respiratory failure. The F IO 2 trajectory in the first 5 d of ICU admission provided important prognostic information (ventilator-free days). Although the S pO 2 /F IO 2 trajectory was also associated with ventilator-free days, it did not provide more information than the F IO 2 trajectory alone.

Background: The number of soft-tissue filler injections performed in the United States is constantly increasing and reflects the high demand for enhanced facial and body attractiveness. The objective of the present study was to measure the viscoelastic properties of soft-tissue fillers when subjected to different testing frequencies. The range of tested frequencies represents clinically different facial areas with more [lips (high frequency)] or less [zygomatic arch (low frequency)] soft-tissue movement. Methods: A total of 35 randomly selected hyaluronic acid–based dermal filler products were tested in an independent laboratory for their values of G′, G″, tan δ, and G* at angular frequencies between 0.1 and 100 radian/second. Results: The results of the objective analyses revealed that the viscoelastic properties of all tested products changed between 0.1 and 100 radian/second angular frequency. Changes in G′ ranged from 48.5 to 3116 percent, representing an increase in their initial elastic modulus, whereas changes in G″ ranged from −53.3 percent (i.e., decrease in G″) to 7741 percent (i.e., increase in G″), indicating both an increase and a decrease in their fluidity, respectively. Conclusions: The increase in G′ would indicate the transition from a “softer” to a “harder” filler, and the observed decrease in G″ would indicate an increase in the filler’s “fluidity.” Changes in the frequency of applied shear forces such as those occurring in the medial versus the lateral face will influence the aesthetic outcome of soft-tissue filler injections.

AbstractThe Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions (SCAI) Think Tank is a collaborative venture that brings together interventional cardiologists, administrative partners, and select members of the cardiovascular industry community annually for high‐level field‐wide discussions. The 2021 Think Tank was organized into four parallel sessions reflective of the field of interventional cardiology: (a) coronary intervention, (b) endovascular medicine, (c) structural heart disease, and (d) congenital heart disease. Each session was moderated by a senior content expert and co‐moderated by a member of SCAI's Emerging Leader Mentorship program. This document presents the proceedings to the wider cardiovascular community in order to enhance participation in this discussion, create additional dialog from a broader base, and thereby aid SCAI, the industry community and external stakeholders in developing specific action items to move these areas forward.

Abstract IntroductionCurrently, one of the commonly used methods for disseminating electronic health record (EHR)-based phenotype algorithms is providing a narrative description of the algorithm logic, often accompanied by flowcharts. A challenge with this mode of dissemination is the potential for under-specification in the algorithm definition, which leads to ambiguity and vagueness. MethodsThis study examines incidents of under-specification that occurred during the implementation of 34 narrative phenotyping algorithms in the electronic Medical Record and Genomics (eMERGE) network. We reviewed the online communication history between algorithm developers and implementers within the Phenotype Knowledge Base (PheKB) platform, where questions could be raised and answered regarding the intended implementation of a phenotype algorithm. ResultsWe developed a taxonomy of under-specification categories via an iterative review process between two groups of annotators. Under-specifications that lead to ambiguity and vagueness were consistently found across narrative phenotype algorithms developed by all involved eMERGE sites. Discussion & ConclusionOur findings highlight that under-specification is an impediment to the accuracy and efficiency of the implementation of current narrative phenotyping algorithms, and we propose approaches for mitigating these issues and improved methods for disseminating EHR phenotyping algorithms.

AbstractBackgroundUnderstanding the mobility of the midface and the separate contributions of the superficial and deep fat compartments is essential for natural esthetic outcomes following soft tissue filler or fat grafting procedures. A study was designed that used ultrasound imaging to demonstrate in vivo visualization and quantification of distances and movements in the midface.MethodsA total of 48 midfaces of 24 healthy Caucasian volunteers, all naïve of esthetic procedures, (22 females; 46.85 (9.8) years; 22.83 (3.1) kg/m2) were scanned using 18 MHz ultrasound imaging. Distances between bony landmarks (inferior orbital rim, infraorbital foramen) were used as markers to measure the cranial movement of the superficial (superficial nasolabial and superficial medial cheek fat compartment) and the deep (deep pyriform space, deep medial check fat compartment, deep lateral cheek fat compartment) midfacial fat compartments between resting and smiling facial position.ResultsThe superficial midfacial fat compartment moved, on average, 3.7 mm (p < 0.001) cranially, whereas the deep midfacial fat compartments moved, on average, 0.1 mm (p > 0.05) during smiling. No gender differences in mobility were identified (p > 0.05).ConclusionThe results obtained are in line with previous cadaveric investigations and revealed, in a highly statistically significant fashion, that the superficial midfacial fat compartments move in cranial direction whereas the deep fat compartment did not display similar positional changes. These results help to guide facial injectable treatments and to understand why, in the midface, a deep supraperiosteal approach should be favored when augmenting the deep midfacial fat compartments.