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Uhe T, Keilitz J, Berrouschot J, Wachter R. Age-Dependent Detection of Atrial Fibrillation with Implantable Cardiac Monitors in Patients with Cryptogenic Stroke. TH OPEN 2024; 8:e202-e208. [PMID: 38633729 PMCID: PMC11023710 DOI: 10.1055/s-0044-1786015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Continuous monitoring using implantable cardiac monitors (ICMs) results in atrial fibrillation (AF) detection rates of up to 30% in patients with cryptogenic stroke (CS). Although higher age is an independent risk factor for AF, there are no age-specific recommendations for the implantation of ICM. Objective The aim of this study was to analyze age-related AF rates in patients with CS and continuous rhythm monitoring, to determine the rates of oral anticoagulation (OAC) and recurrent cerebrovascular events (stroke or transient ischemic attack) in patients with ICM-detected AF, and to describe the temporal relationship of AF detection and recurrent cerebrovascular events. Methods In this observational study, patients with CS provided with ICMs were systematically followed. All patients underwent 72-hour electrocardiography monitoring, transcranial Doppler ultrasound, and transthoracic echocardiography prior to ICM insertion. Follow-up included a regular outpatient presentation every 3 months with medical history, physical examination, and interrogation of the ICM. Results One-hundred eighty-six patients (mean age: 65 ± 12 years, 54% female) were included in this analysis. AF was detected in 6, 27, 56, and 65% ( p < 0.001) of patients aged less than 60, 60 to 69, 70 to 79, and more than or equal to 80 years, respectively. All patients with AF under 60 years had an impaired left ventricular systolic function. OAC was initiated in 85% of the patients with AF. Recurrent cerebrovascular events occurred in 34 patients of whom 14 had a diagnosis of AF. In nine patients, AF was diagnosed before the occurrence of a recurrent cerebrovascular event. Conclusion AF prevalence increased with age and was absent in CS patients younger than 60 years and with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction. The temporal relationship of AF and recurrent cerebrovascular events was weak.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tobias Uhe
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Kardiologie, Universitätsklinikum Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Janina Keilitz
- Klinik für Neurologie, Klinikum Altenburger Land, Altenburg, Germany
| | - Jörg Berrouschot
- Klinik für Neurologie, Klinikum Altenburger Land, Altenburg, Germany
| | - Rolf Wachter
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Kardiologie, Universitätsklinikum Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
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Catiwa J, Gallagher M, Talbot B, Kerr PG, Semple DJ, Roberts MA, Polkinghorne KR, Gray NA, Talaulikar G, Cass A, Kotwal S. Clinical Adjudication of Hemodialysis Catheter-Related Bloodstream Infections: Findings from the REDUCCTION Trial. KIDNEY360 2024; 5:550-559. [PMID: 38329768 PMCID: PMC11093551 DOI: 10.34067/kid.0000000000000389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024]
Abstract
Key Points The inter-rater reliability of reporting hemodialysis catheter-related infectious events between site investigators and trial adjudicators in Australia and New Zealand was substantial. The high concordance level in reporting catheter infections improves confidence in using site-level bacteremia rates as a clinical metric for quality benchmarking and future pragmatic clinical trials. A rigorous adjudication protocol may not be needed if clearly defined criteria to ascertain catheter-associated bacteremia are used. Background Hemodialysis catheter-related bloodstream infection (HD-CRBSI) are a significant source of morbidity and mortality among dialysis patients, but benchmarking remains difficult because of varying definitions of HD-CRBSI. This study explored the effect of clinical adjudication process on HD-CRBSI reporting. Methods The REDUcing the burden of Catheter ComplicaTIOns: a National approach trial implemented an evidence-based intervention bundle using a stepped-wedge design to reduce HD-CRBSI rates in 37 Australian kidney services. Six New Zealand services participated in an observational capacity. Adult patients with a new hemodialysis catheter between December 2016 and March 2020 were included. HD-CRBSI events reported were compared with the adjudicated outcomes using the end point definition and adjudication processes of the REDUcing the burden of Catheter ComplicaTIOns: a National approach trial. The concordance level was estimated using Gwet agreement coefficient (AC1) adjusted for service-level effects and implementation tranches (Australia only), with the primary outcome being the concordance of confirmed HD-CRBSI. Results A total of 744 hemodialysis catheter-related infectious events were reported among 7258 patients, 12,630 catheters, and 1.3 million catheter-exposure days. The majority were confirmed HD-CRBSI, with 77.9% agreement and substantial concordance (AC1=0.77; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.73 to 0.81). Exit site infections have the highest concordance (AC1=0.85; 95% CI, 0.78 to 0.91); the greatest discordance was in events classified as other (AC1=0.33; 95% CI, 0.16 to 0.49). The concordance of all hemodialysis catheter infectious events remained substantial (AC1=0.80; 95% CI, 0.76 to 0.83) even after adjusting for the intervention tranches in Australia and overall service-level clustering. Conclusions There was a substantial level of concordance in overall and service-level reporting of confirmed HD-CRBSI. A standardized end point definition of HD-CRBSI resulted in comparable hemodialysis catheter infection rates in Australian and New Zealand kidney services. Consistent end point definition could enable reliable benchmarking outside clinical trials without the need for independent clinical adjudication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jayson Catiwa
- The George Institute for Global Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- St George Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Martin Gallagher
- The George Institute for Global Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- South Western Sydney Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Benjamin Talbot
- The George Institute for Global Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Ellen Medical Devices, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- School of Population Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Peter G. Kerr
- Department of Nephrology, Monash Medical Centre, Monash Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - David J. Semple
- Department of Renal Medicine, Te Whatu Ora Te Toka Tumai Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Matthew A. Roberts
- Eastern Health Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Kevan R. Polkinghorne
- Department of Nephrology, Monash Medical Centre, Monash Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Departments of Medicine, Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Nicholas A. Gray
- Sunshine Coast University Hospital, Birtinya, Queensland, Australia
- School of Health and Behavioural Sciences, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, Queensland, Australia
| | - Girish Talaulikar
- Renal Services, ACT Health, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
| | - Alan Cass
- Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia
| | - Sradha Kotwal
- The George Institute for Global Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Prince of Wales Hospital, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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