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Left ventricular assist device (LVAD)–associated infections may be life-threatening and impact patients' outcome. We aimed to identify the characteristics, risk factors, and prognosis of LVAD-associated infections. Patients included in the ASSIST-ICD study (19 centers) were enrolled. The main outcome was the occurrence of LVAD-associated infection (driveline infection, pocket infection, or pump/cannula infection) during follow-up. Of the 652 patients enrolled, 201 (30.1%) presented a total of 248 LVAD infections diagnosed 6.5 months after implantation, including 171 (26.2%), 51 (7.8%), and 26 (4.0%) percutaneous driveline infection, pocket infection, or pump/cannula infection, respectively. Patients with infections were aged 58.7 years, and most received HeartMate II (82.1%) or HeartWare (13.4%). Most patients (62%) had implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) before LVAD, and 104 (16.0%) had ICD implantation, extraction, or replacement after the LVAD surgery. Main pathogens found among the 248 infections were Staphylococcus aureus (n = 113’ 45.4%), Enterobacteriaceae (n = 61; 24.6%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (n = 34; 13.7%), coagulase-negative staphylococci (n = 13; 5.2%), and Candida species (n = 13; 5.2%). In multivariable analysis, HeartMate II (subhazard ratio, 1.56; 95% CI, 1.03 to 2.36; P = .031) and ICD-related procedures post-LVAD (subhazard ratio, 1.43; 95% CI, 1.03-1.98; P = .031) were significantly associated with LVAD infections. Infections had no detrimental impact on survival. Left ventricular assist device–associated infections affect one-third of LVAD recipients, mostly related to skin pathogens and gram-negative bacilli, with increased risk with HeartMate II as compared with HeartWare, and in patients who required ICD-related procedures post-LVAD. This is a plea to better select patients needing ICD implantation/replacement after LVAD implantation.

Despite the growing use of temporary mechanical circulatory support (tMCS), little data exists to inform management and weaning of these devices. We performed an online survey among cardiac intensive care unit directors in North America to examine current practices in the management of patients treated with intraaortic balloon pump and Impella. We received responses from 84% of surveyed centers (n=37). Our survey focused on three key aspects of daily management: 1. Hemodynamic monitoring; 2. Hemocompatibility; and 3. Weaning and removal. We found substantial variability surrounding all three areas of care. Our findings highlight the need for consensus around practices associated with improved outcomes in patients treated with tMCS.

IntroductionThe Ellipse intragastric balloon (EIGB) is a new swallowable balloon that does not require endoscopy at insertion or removal. The aim of this study is to investigate the safety of EIGB and its efficiency in weight reduction even after 1 year of expulsion.MethodProspective study on our initial experience with a consecutive group of patients who underwent the insertion of EIGB in the period between September 2016 and February 2017. The patients were followed up to assess pain, nausea, and vomiting after procedure. As well as, the time of balloon extraction, route of extraction, and weight loss.ResultsTotal of 112 patients underwent EIGB placement. A 1-year follow-up was obtained on 85% of patients. Mean weight and BMI before the procedure 92.2 kg and 34.3 kg/m2, respectively. One patient had small bowel obstruction. Six patients did not tolerate EIGB and three patients had early deflation. Total weight loss % (TWL%) 10.7, 10.9, and 7.9% at 3, 6, and at date of last follow-up. When data were stratified according to BMI into two groups: group 1 (BMI 27.5–34.9) and group 2 (BMI 35–49), the TWL% for group 1 at 3 months, 6 months, and last day of follow-up are as follows: 10.2%, 10.6%, and 8.8%, while it was 11.5%, 11.2%, and 6.6% for group 2.ConclusionEIGB are effective, safe, and feasible non-invasive method for weight loss.

In the intensive care unit, invasive devices can be accidentally removed by the patient or by the operators, increasing workload, staff stress level and hospitalisation costs. Objective: to know the incidence of accidental removal of devices in critical patients, to identify their cause, when they occur and if they are repositioned. Retrospective observational study carried out in an academic, tertiary-level critical care department composed of three intensive care units. All adult patients recovered between 2011 and 2018 were enrolled. We calculated rates per 1000 device-years. In the study period 10514 patients (194372 device-days) were admitted to the intensive care units and the number of reported accidental removal of devices was 451, corresponding to a rate of 2.3 episodes per 1000 device-days (95% confidence interval: 2.1–2-5). The overall rates of accidental removals were as follows: gastric tubes 10.2 (n = 270), intracranial devices 3.9 (n = 9), endotracheal tubes 2.4 (n = 27), central venous catheters and arterial catheters 1.5 (n = 92), peripheral intravenous catheters 1.2 (n = 25), surgical drains 0.5 (n = 15), urinary catheters 0.4 (n = 11), Extra Corporeal Membrane Oxygenation cannulas 0.4 (n = 1), tracheostomy cannulas 0.1 (n = 1). Compared to the literature, this study shows fewer incidents of accidental removal of devices. The number of accidental removals could be an indicator of the quality and safety of the care.

In women with a multiple pregnancy, spontaneous preterm delivery is the leading cause of perinatal morbidity and mortality. Interventions to reduce preterm birth in these women have not been successful. We assessed whether a cervical pessary could effectively prevent poor perinatal outcomes. We undertook a multicentre, open-label randomised controlled trial in 40 hospitals in the Netherlands. We randomly assigned women with a multiple pregnancy between 12 and 20 weeks' gestation (1:1) to pessary or control groups, using a web-based application with a computer-generated list with random block sizes of two to four, stratified by hospital. Participants and investigators were aware of group allocation. For women in the pessary group, a midwife or obstetrician inserted a cervical pessary between 16 and 20 weeks' gestation. Women in the control group did not receive the pessary, but otherwise received similar obstetrical care to those in the pessary group. The primary outcome was a composite of poor perinatal outcome: stillbirth, periventricular leucomalacia, severe respiratory distress syndrome, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, intraventricular haemorrhage, necrotising enterocolitis, proven sepsis, and neonatal death. Analyses were by modified intention to treat. This trial is registered in the Dutch trial registry, number NTR1858. Between Sept 21, 2009, and March 9, 2012, 813 women underwent randomisation, of whom 808 were analysed (401 in the pessary group; 407 in the control group). At least one child of 53 women (13%) in the pessary group had poor perinatal outcome, compared with 55 (14%) in the control group (relative risk 0·98, 95% CI 0·69–1·39). In unselected women with a multiple pregnancy, prophylactic use of a cervical pessary does not reduce poor perinatal outcome. The Netherlands Organisation for Health Research and Development.

Although many ureteral stents are commercially available, the actuality of encrustation is yet to be elucidated in humans. This study compared the Tria Ureteral Stent with PercuShield and the Polaris Ultra Ureteral Stent with HydroPlus Coating for short-term encrustation formation. Eighty-four patients, who required ureteral stent placement after ureteroscopy, were randomized into two stent groups. After stent removal on postoperative day 14, the encrustation volume on the stent surface was measured by micro-computed tomography. The primary outcome was the inner luminal encrustation volume. Secondary outcomes were encrustation volume on the outer or total surfaces and occurrence of adverse events. Clinical factors related to encrustation were also assessed as a post-hoc analysis. Finally, of the 82 patients analyzed, 75 (91.5%) had encrustation in the inner lumen of the stent. The difference in median inner encrustation volume between the Tria and Polaris Ultra stents was comparable (0.56 vs. 0.37 mm 3 , P  = 0.183). There was no difference observed in the encrustation volume on the outer/total surfaces and stent-related adverse events. In both ureteral stents, the shaft body showed significant inner luminal encrustation compared to the proximal or distal loop (all, P  < 0.05). Dyslipidemia ( P  = 0.027), elevated urine pH ( P  = 0.046), and crystalluria ( P  = 0.010) were associated with encrustation formation. The Tria and Polaris Ultra stents had similar efficacy for preventing encrustation in the short-term. Further studies are required to compare their long-term patency.

Objective The objective of the study was to determine whether compliance with Enhanced Recovery after Surgery (ERAS) urinary catheter recommendations is associated with decreased urinary tract infections (UTI) and length of stay (LOS). Methods Patients having colorectal surgery at 15 academic hospitals were included. Patient and outcome data were collected prospectively. The guideline recommends that urinary catheters following colonic and rectal procedures should be removed at or before 24 and 72 h, respectively. Results Two thousand nine hundred and twenty-seven patients (1397 females and 1522 males; mean age 60.3 years) were enrolled. Small bowel or colonic procedures were performed in 1897 (64.9%) and rectal procedures in 1030 (35.2%) patients. Overall, 53.2% of patients had their catheter removed in compliance with the guidelines (44.3% after colonic resections and 69.5% after rectal resections). Following colonic operations, 0.8% of patients who were guideline compliant had a UTI compared to 4.1% non-compliant patients (RR 0.20, 95% CI 0.07–0.58; p  = 0.003). Following rectal operations, 3.5% of patients who were guideline compliant had a UTI compared to 9.6% of patients who were non-compliant (RR 0.37, 95% CI 0.20–0.68; p  = 0.001). Median LOS was decreased in compliant patients: 4 vs 5 days following colonic procedures (RR 0.73, 95% CI 0.66–0.82; p  < 0.0001) and 5 vs 8 days following rectal procedures (RR 0.54, 95% CI 0.49–0.59; p  < 0.001). Conclusion Early removal of urinary catheters is associated with a decreased risk of UTI and LOS.

Introduction We sought to determine the rate of revision and explant of the laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) over a ten-year period in the state of New York. Methods Following IRB approval, the SPARCS administrative database was used to identify LAGB placement from 2004 to 2010. We tracked patients who underwent band placement with subsequent removal/revision, followed by conversion to either Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYBG) or sleeve gastrectomy (SG) between 2004 and 2013. McNemar test and Chi-square test were used to compare complications between primary procedure and subsequent revision and to compare complication rates and mortality rates, respectively. Log-rank test was used to assess patient characteristics and comorbidities. p  < 0.05 was considered significant. Results During a 7-year period, there were 19,221 records of LAGB placements and 6567 records of revisions or removal. We were able to follow up 3158 (16.43 %) who subsequently underwent a band removal or revision over the course of this period. An additional 3606 patients had no records in the state of New York following the procedure, thus making the rate of revision 20.22 %. Initial revision procedures were coded as band removal in 32.77 % ( n  = 1035), band revision in 30.53 % ( n  = 964), band removal and replacement in 19.09 % ( n  = 603), removal and conversion to SG in 5.64 % ( n  = 178), or removal and conversion to RYGB in 11.97 % ( n  = 378). From the 3158 patients, 2515 (79.64 %) required only one revision. Six hundred and forty-three patients underwent two or more revisions. Thirty-one out of 3158 (0.0098 %) patients had complications at their initial operation, but 919 (29.1 %) had complications during revision ( p  < 0.0001). Conclusions Over a 7-year period, at least 20.22 % of LAGB required removal or revision. Based on all case numbers, total revision rate may be as high as 34.2 %. Although the band is believed to be a reversible procedure, revisional procedures are significantly more morbid than the initial procedure.

Neurological patients frequently have disorders of consciousness, swallowing disorders, or neurological states that are incompatible with extubation. Therefore, they frequently require tracheostomies during their stay in an intensive care unit. After the acute phase, tracheostomy weaning and decannulation are generally expected to promote rehabilitation. However, few reliable predictive factors (PFs) for decannulation have been identified in this patient population. We sought to identify PFs that may be used during tracheostomy weaning and decannulation in patients with brain injuries. We conducted a systematic review of the literature regarding potential PFs for decannulation; searches were performed on 16 March 2021 and 1 June 2022. The following databases were searched: MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, Scopus, Web of Science, PEDro, OPENGREY, OPENSIGLE, Science Direct, CLINICAL TRIALS and CENTRAL. We searched for all article types, except systematic reviews, meta-analyses, abstracts, and position articles. Retrieved articles were published in English or French, with no date restriction. In total, 1433 articles were identified; 26 of these were eligible for inclusion in the review. PFs for successful decannulation in patients with acquired brain injuries (ABIs) included high neurological status, traumatic brain injuries rather than stroke or anoxic brain lesions, younger age, effective swallowing, an effective cough, and the absence of pulmonary infections. Secondary PFs included early tracheostomy, supratentorial lesions, the absence of critical illness polyneuropathy/myopathy, and the absence of tracheal lesions. To our knowledge, this is the first systematic review to identify PFs for decannulation in patients with ABIs. These PFs may be used by clinicians during tracheostomy weaning.

Complete lead extraction is strongly recommended for managing cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) infections. However, actual practices and associated patient outcomes in real-world settings are not well documented. This study aims to quantify use of lead extraction among Australian patients with CIED infections. In this retrospective cohort study, we analyzed linked hospital and mortality data from New South Wales (July 2008 to September 2022). We included patients aged ≥18 years diagnosed with CIED infections, identified using diagnosis codes T82.71 (from July 2017 onwards) and T82.7 with relevant supplementary codes prior to July 2017. We quantified the association between lead extraction and 1-year mortality using time-varying Cox proportional hazards regression models. We included 2,339 patients (mean age 72.5 years, 31.5% female) who were hospitalized with CIED infections, of which 24.0% (n = 561) underwent lead extraction within 30 days. The likelihood of lead extraction was higher among those with sepsis, endocarditis, Staphylococcus aureus infection, prior revision/replacement CIED procedures, and patients admitted to private hospitals. In contrast, older patients (aged 75+ years), female patients, and those with chronic kidney disease were less likely to undergo lead extraction. Lead extraction was associated with reduced 1-year mortality rate (adjusted-HR = 0.64, 95% CI: 0.51 to 0.81), with evidence of greater survival benefit in patients with sepsis and lesser benefit in older patients and females. In conclusion, utilization of lead extraction was limited among patients with CIED infections. Lead extraction was linked to significantly reduced mortality rate, highlighting the importance of improving adherence to recommended management for patients with CIED infections.