Citations

Background: Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) with a rotating-hinge prosthesis is considered a salvage procedure. While excellent immediate stability is achieved, the historically high failure rate has tempered its use. The goal of this study was to determine clinical outcomes, radiographic results, and survivorship after TKA with contemporary rotating-hinge components. Methods: We identified 408 consecutive TKAs performed with rotating-hinge components for nononcologic indications from 2002 to 2012 at a single academic institution. Two hundred and sixty-four knees (65%) had rotating-hinge TKA components implanted for aseptic etiologies, while 144 knees (35%) were managed with the components in 2-stage reimplantation following infection. Rotating-hinge TKA implants were used for complex primary procedures in 74 knees (18%) and as a revision construct in 334 knees (82%). Clinical outcomes were assessed with the Knee Society scoring system, survivorship analyses, and cumulative incidence of revision. The mean age of the patients at the time of the index arthroplasty was 69 years, and the mean duration of follow-up was 4 years (range, 2 to 12 years). Results: At the most recent follow-up, the mean Knee Society knee score had increased from 51 points preoperatively to 81 points (p < 0.0001), and the mean Knee Society functional score had increased from 26 to 36 points (p < 0.0001). At a mean of 4 years, loosening of components was observed in 13 (3.7%) of 349 knees. At the most recent follow-up, 59 revision procedures and 25 reoperations had been performed. The cumulative incidence of any revision was 9.7% at 2 years and 22.5% at 10 years. The cumulative incidence of revision for aseptic loosening was 1.7% at 2 years and 4.5% at 10 years. Metaphyseal cones were used in 114 knees (28%). Survivorship analysis revealed a trend toward a lower risk of revision (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.69; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.39 to 1.22; p = 0.20) and reoperation (HR = 0.51; 95% CI = 0.22 to 1.19; p = 0.12) in patients with metaphyseal cones, despite their use in the most severe of bone defects. Conclusions: Contemporary rotating-hinge TKA implants had a low 10-year cumulative incidence of revision for aseptic loosening of 4.5%. Greater use of metaphyseal fixation has aided this improvement. Patients can expect substantial improvements in clinical outcomes with this revision strategy. Level of Evidence: Therapeutic Level IV . See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

AbstractObjectivesTo analyze the economic impact of testing for activated protein C resistance (APC-R) due to factor V Leiden (FVL) mutation with APC-R with reflexive FVL genotyping (algorithmic approach) or genotyping alone.MethodsOptumLabs Data Warehouse (OLDW) data were used to assess testing approaches. Insurance claims for APC-R and FVL in 2013 were compared with the Mayo Clinic database. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services diagnostic fee schedules were used to assign costs.ResultsOf 19.3 million OLDW-covered individuals, 74,242 (0.385%) received 75,608 tests: APC-R, 2,265 (2.9%); FVL genotyping, 70,619 (90.1%); and both APC-R and FVL, 2,724 (7.0%). In total, 1,317 tests were performed at Mayo Clinic: APC-R with reflex FVL (1,256; 95.4%) and FVL alone (61; 4.6%). Costs per evaluated individual and per total population (person/year) in OLDW and algorithmic approach were $83.77 vs $36.38 and $0.32 vs $0.14, respectively.ConclusionsThe cost-optimized algorithmic approach reduces health care costs.

Abstract Aims The presence of cancer can complicate treatment choices for patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) increasing both the risk of thrombotic and bleeding events. Methods and results Using data from Outcomes Registry for Better Informed Treatment of Atrial Fibrillation, we aimed to characterize AF patients with cancer, to describe their management and to assess the association between cancer and cardiovascular (CV) outcomes. Among 9749 patients, 23.8% had history of cancer (57% solid malignancy, 1.3% leukaemia, 3.3% lymphoma, 40% other type, and 2.2% metastatic cancer). Patients with history of cancer were older, more likely to have CV disease, CV risk factors, and prior gastrointestinal bleeding. No difference in antiarrhythmic and antithrombotic therapy was observed between those with and without cancer. Patients with history of cancer had a significantly higher risk of death (7.8 vs. 4.9 deaths per 100 patient-years follow-up, P = 0.0003) mainly driven by non-CV death (4.2 vs. 2.4 per 100 patient-years follow-up; P = 0.0004) and higher risk of major bleeding (5.1 vs. 3.5 per 100 patient-years follow-up; P = 0.02) compared with non-cancer patients; no differences were observed in risks of strokes/non-central nervous system embolism (1.96 vs. 1.48, P = 0.74) and CV death (2.89 vs. 2.07, P = 0.35) between the two groups. Conclusion A history of cancer is common among AF patients with up to one in four patients having both. Antithrombotic therapy, rates of cerebrovascular accident, other thrombotic events and cardiac death were similar in AF patients with or without a history of cancer. Patients with cancer, however, were at higher risk of major bleeding and non-CV death.

Abstract BACKGROUND: Despite many publications about cerebral cavernous malformations (CCMs), controversy remains regarding diagnostic and management strategies. OBJECTIVE: To develop guidelines for CCM management. METHODS: The Angioma Alliance (www.angioma.org), the patient support group in the United States advocating on behalf of patients and research in CCM, convened a multidisciplinary writing group comprising expert CCM clinicians to help summarize the existing literature related to the clinical care of CCM, focusing on 5 topics: (1) epidemiology and natural history, (2) genetic testing and counseling, (3) diagnostic criteria and radiology standards, (4) neurosurgical considerations, and (5) neurological considerations. The group reviewed literature, rated evidence, developed recommendations, and established consensus, controversies, and knowledge gaps according to a prespecified protocol. RESULTS: Of 1270 publications published between January 1, 1983 and September 31, 2014, we selected 98 based on methodological criteria, and identified 38 additional recent or relevant publications. Topic authors used these publications to summarize current knowledge and arrive at 23 consensus management recommendations, which we rated by class (size of effect) and level (estimate of certainty) according to the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association criteria. No recommendation was level A (because of the absence of randomized controlled trials), 11 (48%) were level B, and 12 (52%) were level C. Recommendations were class I in 8 (35%), class II in 10 (43%), and class III in 5 (22%). CONCLUSION: Current evidence supports recommendations for the management of CCM, but their generally low levels and classes mandate further research to better inform clinical practice and update these recommendations. The complete recommendations document, including the criteria for selecting reference citations, a more detailed justification of the respective recommendations, and a summary of controversies and knowledge gaps, was similarly peer reviewed and is available on line www.angioma.org/CCMGuidelines.