Citations

Purpose: To review outcomes of continuous motor/somatosensory-evoked potential (MEP/SSEP) monitoring, cerebrospinal fluid drainage, and selective use of iliofemoral conduits in patients undergoing endovascular repair of descending thoracic aneurysm (DTA) and thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms (TAAAs). Methods: The clinical data of 49 patients (mean age 75±8 years; 38 men) who underwent endovascular repair of DTA and TAAAs (2011–2014) were reviewed. All patients had cerebrospinal fluid drainage, permissive hypertension (mean arterial pressure ≥80 mm Hg), and MEP/SSEP monitoring. There were 44 (90%) patients with TAAAs and 5 (10%) with DTA. Types I and II TAAAs were repaired in staged procedures. Iliofemoral conduits were used for small iliac arteries and to minimize time of lower extremity ischemia in patients with difficult anatomy. In patients with changes in MEP/SSEPs, a standardized protocol was employed to optimize spinal cord perfusion and restore lower extremity blood flow. Endpoints were mortality, spinal cord injury (SCI), and lower extremity ischemic complications. Results: Sixteen (33%) patients had staged TAAA repair. A total of 163 visceral arteries were targeted by fenestrations and branches (mean 3.7±1.0 vessels/patient). Temporary iliofemoral conduits were used in 16 limbs/14 patients. A stable MEP/SSEP was achieved in all patients. Thirty-one (63%) patients had a ≥75% decrease in MEP/SSEP amplitude in 50 limbs starting on average 75±28 minutes after obtaining vascular access. MEP/SSEP amplitude improved with maneuvers in 12 (39%) patients and returned to baseline with restoration of lower extremity flow in all except 1 patient who developed immediate SCI. Thirty-day mortality was 4%. Three (6%) patients had SCI, 2 permanent and 1 temporary at 14 days. There were no lower extremity ischemic complications. Conclusion: Neuromonitoring predicted immediate SCI and allowed use of a protocol to optimize spinal cord and lower extremity perfusion during complex endovascular aortic repair. Larger clinical experience is needed to evaluate the efficacy of neuromonitoring to prevent SCI.

Purpose: To examine the impact of intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) utilization during lower limb endovascular interventions as regards postprocedural complications and amputation. Methods: The study cohort was derived from the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project Nationwide Inpatient Sample database between the years 2006 and 2011. Peripheral endovascular interventions were identified using appropriate ICD-9 procedure codes. Two-level hierarchical multivariate mixed models were created. The co-primary outcomes were in-hospital mortality and amputation; the secondary outcome was postprocedural complications. Model results are given as the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). Hospitalization costs were also assessed. Results: Overall, among the 92,714 patients extracted from the database during the observation period, IVUS was used in 1299 (1.4%) patients. IVUS utilization during lower extremity peripheral vascular procedures was independently predictive of a lower rate of postprocedural complications (OR 0.80, 95% CI 0.66 to 0.99, p=0.037) as well as lower amputation rates (OR 0.59, 95% CI 0.45 to 0.77, p<0.001) without any significant impact on in-hospital mortality. Multivariate analysis also revealed IVUS utilization to be predictive of a nonsignificant increase in hospitalization costs ($1333, 95% CI −$167 to +$2833, p=0.082). Conclusion: IVUS use during lower limb endovascular interventions is predictive of lower postprocedural complication and amputation rates with a nonsignificant increase in hospitalization costs.

Background: Postoperative incomplete reduction of the sesamoids has been identified as a potential risk factor for hallux valgus recurrence after proximal osteotomy. However, it is not known whether the postoperative sesamoid position is a risk factor in hallux valgus correction via distal chevron osteotomy with or without dorsal webspace release (DWSR). Methods: In this retrospective study, 169 patients who underwent distal chevron osteotomy with or without DWSR were reviewed. Preoperative and postoperative (6 weeks, 6 months, 12 months) weightbearing radiographs were evaluated. Functional hallux valgus angle (HVA), intermetatarsal angle (IMA), and the position of the tibial sesamoid were graded using the center of head method. Seventy-six radiographs were available for review at the 12-month follow-up. Of these, 41 patients underwent DWSR procedure and 35 did not. Results: In both groups, correction of all 3 parameters (HVA, IMA, tibial sesamoid position) were significant at the 12-month follow-up. Comparison of the postoperative results of the 2 groups showed no statistically significant differences. Four feet demonstrated displaced sesamoid position at the 12-month follow-up, with radiographic evidence of recurrence in just one. No significant relationship was found between postoperative sesamoid position and hallux valgus recurrence that occurred in 4 feet. Conclusion: Combining DWSR with a distal chevron osteotomy did not delay healing or increase risk of avascular necrosis, but it did not significantly improve angular measurements or sesamoid position. The concept that postoperative sesamoid position can be used to predict hallux valgus recurrence was not supported by our results when looking at distal chevron correction. Level of Evidence: Level III, retrospective comparative study.

ObjectiveInfantile spasms are seizures associated with a severe epileptic encephalopathy presenting in the first 2 years of life, and optimal treatment continues to be debated. This study evaluates early and sustained response to initial treatments and addresses both clinical remission and electrographic resolution of hypsarrhythmia. Secondarily, it assesses whether response to treatment differs by etiology or developmental status.MethodsThe National Infantile Spasms Consortium established a multicenter, prospective database enrolling infants with new diagnosis of infantile spasms. Children were considered responders if there was clinical remission and resolution of hypsarrhythmia that was sustained at 3 months after first treatment initiation. Standard treatments of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), oral corticosteroids, and vigabatrin were considered individually, and all other nonstandard therapies were analyzed collectively. Developmental status and etiology were assessed. We compared response rates by treatment group using chi‐square tests and multivariate logistic regression models.ResultsTwo hundred thirty infants were enrolled from 22 centers. Overall, 46% of children receiving standard therapy responded, compared to only 9% who responded to nonstandard therapy (p < 0.001). Fifty‐five percent of infants receiving ACTH as initial treatment responded, compared to 39% for oral corticosteroids, 36% for vigabatrin, and 9% for other (p < 0.001). Neither etiology nor development significantly modified the response pattern by treatment group.InterpretationResponse rate varies by treatment choice. Standard therapies should be considered as initial treatment for infantile spasms, including those with impaired development or known structural or genetic/metabolic etiology. ACTH appeared to be more effective than other standard therapies. ANN NEUROL 2016;79:475–484

Purpose To summarize characteristics and validity evidence of tools that assess teamwork in undergraduate medical education (UME), and provide recommendations for addressing the interprofessional collaboration competencies of the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC). Method The authors conducted a systematic review, searching MEDLINE, MEDLINE In-process, CINAHL, and PsycINFO from January 1, 1979, through April 1, 2014; they searched reference lists and national meeting abstracts. They included original research reports that described a quantitative tool used to assess teamwork in UME. They abstracted characteristics and validity evidence for the tools, plus study quality, according to established frameworks. Two authors independently abstracted 25% of articles and calculated agreement. Authors then applied predefined criteria to identify tools best suited to address the AAMC’s teamwork competencies. Results Of 13,549 citations, 70 articles describing 64 teamwork assessment tools were included. Of these 64 tools, 27 (42%) assessed teamwork in classroom, 31 (48%) in simulation, and only 7 (11%) in actual clinical settings. The majority (47; 73%) of tools assessed medical students’ teamwork in interprofessional teams. On the basis of content concordance, strength of validity evidence, generalizability of scores, and level of outcomes, four published tools were recommended to assess the AAMC’s teamwork competencies: the Collaborative Healthcare Interdisciplinary Relationship Planning Scale, Readiness for Interprofessional Learning Scale, Communication and Teamwork Skills assessment, and Teamwork Mini-Clinical Evaluation Exercise. Conclusions Substantial validity evidence supports the use of several UME teamwork assessments. Four tools have been appropriately designed and sufficiently studied to constitute appropriate assessments of the AAMC’s teamwork competencies.

AbstractBackgroundThe duration of anticytomegalovirus (CMV) prophylaxis after lung transplantation (LT) varies among transplant centers.MethodsA retrospective review of CMV donor‐seropositive/recipient‐seronegative (D+/R−) and CMV recipient‐seropositive (R+) LT patients between January 2005 and September 2012 was performed. Starting January 2007, valganciclovir prophylaxis was given for at least 12 months (often lifelong) for CMV D+/R− and extended from three to six months for R+ LT patients. Risks of CMV infection and CMV disease, and mortality after LT, were assessed.ResultsA total of 88 LT patients were studied, including 32 CMV D+/R−, and 56 R+ patients. During the follow‐up period, 11 (12.5%) patients had asymptomatic CMV infection, and nine (10.3%) developed CMV disease. CMV disease (HR, 4.189; 95% CI: 1.672–10.495; p = 0.002) and CMV infection and disease (HR, 3.775; 95% CI: 1.729–8.240; p = 0.001) were significant risk factors for mortality. Overall, no significant difference was observed in rates of CMV infection or disease among LT recipients who received shorter vs. extended CMV prophylaxis.ConclusionsDespite extended prophylaxis, LT patients remain at risk of CMV infection and disease. CMV remains associated with increased mortality after transplantation.

Key Points The neuronal marker UCH-L1 is induced in, and specifically augments the oncogene-induced transformation of, GCB cells. High levels of UCHL1 identify patients with GC DLBCL with an increased risk for poor outcomes.