Analytical validation of HER2DX genomic test for early-stage HER2-positive breast cancer

BACKGROUND

HER2DX, a multianalyte genomic test, has been clinically validated to predict breast cancer recurrence risk (relapse risk score), the probability of achieving pathological complete response post-neoadjuvant therapy (pCR likelihood score), and individual ERBB2 messenger RNA (mRNA) expression levels in patients with early-stage human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive breast cancer. This study delves into the comprehensive analysis of HER2DX's analytical performance.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Precision and reproducibility of HER2DX risk, pCR, and ERBB2 mRNA scores were assessed within and between laboratories using formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tumor tissues and purified RNA. Robustness was appraised by analyzing the impact of tumor cell content and protocol variations including different instruments, reagent lots, and different RNA extraction kits. Variability was evaluated across intratumor biopsies and genomic platforms [RNA sequencing (RNAseq) versus nCounter], and according to protocol variations.

RESULTS

Precision analysis of 10 FFPE tumor samples yielded a maximal standard error of 0.94 across HER2DX scores (1-99 scale). High reproducibility of HER2DX scores across 29 FFPE tumors and 20 RNAs between laboratories was evident (correlation coefficients >0.98). The probability of identifying score differences >5 units was ≤5.2%. No significant variability emerged based on platform instruments, reagent lots, RNA extraction kits, or TagSet thaw/freeze cycles. Moreover, HER2DX displayed robustness at low tumor cell content (10%). Intratumor variability across 212 biopsies (106 tumors) was <4.0%. Concordance between HER2DX scores from 30 RNAs on RNAseq and nCounter platforms exceeded 90.0% (Cohen's κ coefficients >0.80).

CONCLUSIONS

The HER2DX assay is highly reproducible and robust for the quantification of recurrence risk, pCR likelihood, and ERBB2 mRNA expression in early-stage HER2-positive breast cancer.

Achievement of Target Gain Larger than Unity in an Inertial Fusion Experiment

On December 5, 2022, an indirect drive fusion implosion on the National Ignition Facility (NIF) achieved a target gain G_{target} of 1.5. This is the first laboratory demonstration of exceeding "scientific breakeven" (or G_{target}>1) where 2.05 MJ of 351 nm laser light produced 3.1 MJ of total fusion yield, a result which significantly exceeds the Lawson criterion for fusion ignition as reported in a previous NIF implosion [H. Abu-Shawareb et al. (Indirect Drive ICF Collaboration), Phys. Rev. Lett. 129, 075001 (2022)PRLTAO0031-900710.1103/PhysRevLett.129.075001]. This achievement is the culmination of more than five decades of research and gives proof that laboratory fusion, based on fundamental physics principles, is possible. This Letter reports on the target, laser, design, and experimental advancements that led to this result.

MultiCOVID: a multi modal deep learning approach for COVID-19 diagnosis

The rapid spread of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 led to a global overextension of healthcare. Both Chest X-rays (CXR) and blood test have been demonstrated to have predictive value on Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) diagnosis on different prevalence scenarios. With the objective of improving and accelerating the diagnosis of COVID-19, a multi modal prediction algorithm (MultiCOVID) based on CXR and blood test was developed, to discriminate between COVID-19, Heart Failure and Non-COVID Pneumonia and healthy (Control) patients. This retrospective single-center study includes CXR and blood test obtained between January 2017 and May 2020. Multi modal prediction models were generated using opensource DL algorithms. Performance of the MultiCOVID algorithm was compared with interpretations from five experienced thoracic radiologists on 300 random test images using the McNemar-Bowker test. A total of 8578 samples from 6123 patients (mean age 66 ± 18 years of standard deviation, 3523 men) were evaluated across datasets. For the entire test set, the overall accuracy of MultiCOVID was 84%, with a mean AUC of 0.92 (0.89-0.94). For 300 random test images, overall accuracy of MultiCOVID was significantly higher (69.6%) compared with individual radiologists (range, 43.7-58.7%) and the consensus of all five radiologists (59.3%, P < .001). Overall, we have developed a multimodal deep learning algorithm, MultiCOVID, that discriminates among COVID-19, heart failure, non-COVID pneumonia and healthy patients using both CXR and blood test with a significantly better performance than experienced thoracic radiologists.

Molecular Mechanisms of Intratumoral Nerve Recruitment and Perineural Invasion Elucidated with Spatial Transcriptomics and CRISPR Activation

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

Perineural invasion (PNI) is an aggressive manifestation of tumor-nerve interactions associated with postoperative recurrence, metastasis, pain, and decreased survival. Hence, PNI is included in the staging criteria of several malignancies and often an indication for treatment intensification using adjuvant radiotherapy. However, the diverse molecular mechanisms underlying tumor-nerve crosstalk remain largely unknown-hindering the development of new therapies targeting this key pathological process. Moreover, prior studies were limited by a lack of cell-type information, spatial context, and/or a fragmented focus on a small number of pathways.

MATERIALS/METHODS

Using pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) as an exemplar given the exceptionally high frequency of PNI in this malignancy, we performed the first comprehensive, cell-type specific, and spatially resolved whole-transcriptome analysis of human PDAC to identify molecular mediators of tumor-nerve crosstalk and PNI. We constructed 12 custom tissue microarrays (TMAs) derived from matched malignant regions with and without tumor-nerve proximity (n = 288 cores). We performed whole-transcriptome digital spatial profiling (DSP) to independently determine mRNA abundance from the malignant, fibroblast, and nerve compartments through optical sectioning.

RESULTS

We mapped malignant subtypes we previously identified onto the spatial data and found strong (p<0.0001) positive nerve associations with the mesenchymal, basaloid, and neural-like progenitor subtypes and a negative nerve association with the classical subtype. Numerous genes expressed by malignant cells were enriched (e.g., MMP2, PLXND1, NRP1) or depleted (e.g., SEMA3B) in association with radial distance from nerves, including recapitulation of prior literature. To functionally explore these candidate mediators of tumor-nerve crosstalk, we derived genetically-engineered murine organoids (KrasLSL-G12D/+; Trp53FL/FL; Rosa26-dCas9-VPR) and transduced them with guide RNAs to overexpress subtype-specific transcription factors or candidate genes from the spatial analysis. We quantified (1) cancer cell invasion through extracellular matrix using cultured dorsal root ganglia (DRG) sensory neurons as the chemoattractant, and (2) the role of cancer-intrinsic signaling on nerve recruitment/outgrowth by applying conditioned media or exogenous proteins to cultured DRG sensory neurons and tracking their growth with live imaging.

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest that the mechanisms enabling cancer cells to recruit nerves into the tumor microenvironment are distinct from those facilitating perineural invasion. This study has transformed our understanding of how cancer cells and the peripheral nervous system collaborate to promote tumor growth, survival, and dissemination, and is now guiding prioritization of therapeutic strategies that synergize with adjuvant radiotherapy in the burgeoning field of cancer neuroscience.

Decisions to admit vs. discharge patients with acute heart failure from the emergency department: consistency with a measure of severity of decompensation and the impact on prognosis

OBJECTIVES

To analyze the consistency between decisions to discharge or admit patients with acute heart failure (AHF) treated in emergency departments (EDs) and the level of risk of adverse events, and to analyze the impact of decisions to discharge patients.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Prospective study of baseline clinical data collected from patients diagnosed with AHF in 16 Spanish emergency departments. Patients were stratified by severity of decompensated AHF based on MEESSI assessment (Multiple Estimation of Risk Based on the Spanish Emergency Department Score). The distribution of severity was described for patients who were hospitalized (overall and for departments receiving the largest number of admissions) and for discharged patients. We analyzed the data for discharged patients for associations with the following quality-of-care indicators: all-cause mortality of less than 2% at 30 days, revisits to the ED for AHF in less than 10% of patients within 7 days of discharge, and revisits to the ED or admission for AHF in less than 20% within 30 days of discharge.

RESULTS

We included 2855 patients with a median (interquartile range) age of 84 (76-88) years. Fifty-four percent were women, 1042 (36.5%) were classified as low risk, 1239 (43.4%) as intermediate risk, 301 (10.5%) as high risk, and 273 (9.6%) as very high risk. Thirty-day mortality rates by level of low to very high risk were 1.9%, 9.3%, 15.3%, and 38.4%, respectively. One-year mortality rates by risk level were 15.4%, 35.6%, 52.0%, and 74.2%. Admission rates by risk level were 62.2%, 77.4%, 87.0%, and 88.3%. Overall, 47.1% o patients discharged from the ED were in the 3 higher-risk categories (intermediate to very high), and 30.7% were in the lowest risk category. The 5 hospital areas receiving the most admissions, in order of lowest-to-highest risk classification, were internal medicine, the short-stay unit, cardiology, intensive care, and geriatrics. Rates and 95% CIs for quality-of-care indicators in patients discharged from EDs were as follows: 30-day mortality, 4.3% (3.0%-6.1%); ED revisits within 7 days, 11.4% (9.2%-14.0%), and ED revisits or admissions within 30 days, 31.5% (28.0%-35.1%). In patients classified as low risk on ED discharge, these percentages were lower, as follows, respectively: 0.5% (0.1%-1.8%), 10.5% (7.6%-14.0%), and 29.5% (26.6%-32.6%).

CONCLUSION

We detected disparity between severity of AHF decompensation and the decision to discharge or admit patients. Outcomes in patients discharged from EDs do not reach the recommended quality-of-care standards. Reducing inconsistencies between severity of decompensation and ED decisions could help to improve quality targets.

Emergency department direct discharge compared to short-stay unit admission for selected patients with acute heart failure: analysis of short-term outcomes

Short stay unit (SSU) is an alternative to conventional hospitalization in patients with acute heart failure (AHF), but the prognosis is not known compared to direct discharge from the emergency department (ED). To determine whether direct discharge from the ED of patients diagnosed with AHF is associated with early adverse outcomes versus hospitalization in SSU. Endpoints, defined as 30-day all-cause mortality or post-discharge adverse events, were evaluated in patients diagnosed with AHF in 17 Spanish EDs with an SSU, and compared by ED discharge vs. SSU hospitalization. Endpoint risk was adjusted for baseline and AHF episode characteristics and in patients matched by propensity score (PS) for SSU hospitalization. Overall, 2358 patients were discharged home and 2003 were hospitalized in SSUs. Discharged patients were younger, more frequently men, with fewer comorbidities, had better baseline status, less infection, rapid atrial fibrillation and hypertensive emergency as the AHF trigger, and had a lower severity of AHF episode. While their 30-day mortality rate was lower than in patients hospitalized in SSU (4.4% vs. 8.1%, p < 0.001), 30-day post-discharge adverse events were similar (27.2% vs. 28.4%, p = 0.599). After adjustment, there were no differences in the 30-day risk of mortality of discharged patients (adjusted HR 0.846, 95% CI 0.637-1.107) or adverse events (1.035, 0.914-1.173). In 337 pairs of PS-matched patients, there were no differences in mortality or risk of adverse event between patients directly discharged or admitted to an SSU (0.753, 0.409-1.397; and 0.858, 0.645-1.142; respectively). Direct ED discharge of patients diagnosed with AHF provides similar outcomes compared to patients with similar characteristics and hospitalized in a SSU.

Hyperkalemia in acute heart failure: Short term outcomes from the EAHFE registry

OBJECTIVE

Both hyperkalemia (HK) and Acute Heart Failure (AHF) are associated with increased short-term mortality, and the management of either may exacerbate the other. As the relationship between HK and AHF is poorly described, our purpose was to determine the relationship between HK and short-term outcomes in Emergency Department (ED) AHF.

METHODS

The EAHFE Registry enrolls all ED AHF patients from 45 Spanish ED and records in-hospital and post-discharge outcomes. Our primary outcome was all-cause in-hospital death, with secondary outcomes of prolonged hospitalization (>7 days) and 7-day post-discharge adverse events (ED revisit, hospitalization, or death). Associations between serum potassium (sK) and outcomes were explored using logistic regression by restricted cubic spline (RCS) curves, with sK =4.0 mEq/L as the reference, adjusting by age, sex, comorbidities, patient baseline status and chronic treatments. Interaction analyses were performed for the primary outcome.

RESULTS

Of 13,606 ED AHF patients, the median (IQR) age was 83 (76-88) years, 54% were women, and the median (IQR) sK was 4.5 mEq/L (4.3-4.9) with a range of 4.0-9.9 mEq/L. In-hospital mortality was 7.7%, with prolonged hospitalization in 35.9%, and a 7-day post-discharge adverse event rate of 8.7%. Adjusted in-hospital mortality increased steadily from sK ≥4.8 (OR = 1.35, 95% CI = 1.01-1.80) to sK = 9.9 (8.41, 3.60-19.6). Non-diabetics with elevated sK had higher odds of death, while chronic treatment with mineralocorticoid-receptor antagonists exhibited a mixed effect. Neither prolonged hospitalization nor post-discharge adverse events was associated with sK.

CONCLUSION

In ED AHF, initial sK >4.8 mEq/L was independently associated with in-hospital mortality, suggesting that this cohort may benefit from aggressive HK treatment.

Analysis of the relationship between ambient air pollution and the severity of heart failure decompensations in two Spanish metropolises (Barcelona and Madrid)

OBJECTIVES

To analyze whether the high levels of air pollutants are related to a greater severity of decompensated heart failure (HF).

METHOD

Patients diagnosed with decompensated HF in the emergency department of 4 hospitals in Barcelona and 3 in Madrid were included. Clinical data (age, sex, comorbidities, baseline functional status), atmospheric (temperature, atmospheric pressure) and pollutant data (SO₂, NO₂, CO, O₃, PM₁₀, PM_2.5) were collected in the city on the day of emergency care. The severity of decompensation was estimated using 7-day mortality (primary indicator) and the need for hospitalization, in-hospital mortality, and prolonged hospitalization (secondary indicators). The association adjusted for clinical, atmospheric and city data between pollutant concentration and severity was investigated using linear regression (linearity assumption) and restricted cubic spline curves (no linearity assumption).

RESULTS

A total of 5292 decompensations were included, with a median age of 83 years (IQR=76-88) and 56% women. The medians (IQR) of the daily pollutant averages were: SO₂=2.5μg/m³ (1.4-7.0), NO₂=43μg/m³ (34-57), CO=0.48mg/m³ (0.35-0.63), O₃=35μg/m³ (25-48), PM₁₀=22μg/m³ (15-31) and PM_2.5=12μg/m³ (8-17). Mortality at 7 days was 3.9%, and hospitalization, in-hospital mortality, and prolonged hospitalization were 78.9, 6.9, and 47.5%, respectively. SO₂ was the only pollutant that showed a linear association with the severity of decompensation, since each unit of increase implied an OR for the need for hospitalization of 1.04 (95% CI 1.01-1.08). The restricted cubic spline curves study also did not show clear associations between pollutants and severity, except for SO₂ and hospitalization, with OR of 1.55 (95% CI 1.01-2.36) and 2.71 (95% CI 1.13-6.49) for concentrations of 15 and 24μg/m³, respectively, in relation to a reference concentration of 5μg/m³.

CONCLUSION

Exposure to ambient air pollutants, in a medium to low concentration range, is generally not related to the severity of HF decompensations, and only NO₂ may be associated with an increased need for hospitalization.

Impact of worsening renal function detected at emergency department arrival on acute heart failure short-term outcomes

BACKGROUND AND IMPORTANCE

Deterioration of renal function with respect to baseline during an acute heart failure (AHF) episode is frequent, but impact on outcomes is still a matter of debate.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the association of creatinine deterioration detected at emergency department (ED) arrival and short-term outcomes in patients with AHF.

DESIGN

Secondary analysis of a large multipurpose registry.

SETTINGS AND PARTICIPANTS

Patients with AHF were diagnosed in 10 Spanish ED for whom a previous baseline creatinine was available.

EXPOSURE

Difference between creatinine at ED arrival and at baseline was calculated (∂-creatinine).

OUTCOME MEASURES AND ANALYSIS

Primary outcome was 30-day all-cause death, and secondary outcomes were inhospital all-cause death, prolonged hospitalization (>7 days) and 7-day postdischarge adverse events. Associations between ∂-creatinine and outcomes were explored using logistic regression by restricted cubic spline (RCS) curves and expressed as odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI), taking ∂-creatinine = 0 mg/dl as reference. Curves were adjusted by age, sex, comorbidities, patient baseline status, chronic treatments, and vitals and laboratory results at ED arrival. Interactions for the primary outcome also were investigated.

MAIN RESULTS

We analyzed 3036 patients (median age = 82 years; IQR = 75-87; women = 55%), with ∂-creatinine ranged from -0.3 to 3 mg/dl. The 30-day mortality was 11.6%. Increments of ∂-creatinine were associated with progressive increase in risk of 30-day death, although adjustment attenuated this association: ∂-creatinine of 0.3/1/2/3 mg/dl were, respectively, associated with adjusted OR of 1.41 (1.02-1.95), 1.69 (1.02-2.80), 1.46 (0.56-3.80) and 1.27 (0.27-5.83). Distinctively significant higher risk was found for patients over 80 years old, female, nondiabetic, functionally disabled and on digoxin therapy. With respect to secondary outcomes, inhospital mortality was 8.1%, prolonged hospitalization was 33.6% and 7-day postdischarge adverse event was 9.7%. Inhospital death steadily increased with increments in ∂-creatinine [from 1.50 (1.04-2.17) with ∂-creatinine = 0.3 to 3.78 (0.78-18.3) with ∂-creatinine = 3], as well as prolonged hospitalization did [from 1.41 (1.11-1.77) to 2.24 (1.51-3.33), respectively]. Postdischarge adverse events were not associated with ∂-creatinine.

CONCLUSION

WRF detected at ED arrival has prognostic value in AHF, being associated with increased risk of death and prolonged hospitalization. These associations showed different patterns of risk but, remarkably, risk started with increments as low as 0.3 mg/dl.

Effect of Flu Vaccination on Severity and Outcome of Heart Failure Decompensations

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the relationship of seasonal flu vaccination with the severity of decompensation and long-term outcomes of patients with heart failure (HF).

METHODS

We analyzed 6147 consecutively enrolled patients with decompensated HF who presented to 33 Spanish emergency departments (EDs) during January and February of 2018 and 2019, grouped according to seasonal flu vaccination status. The severity of HF decompensation was assessed by the Multiple Estimation of Risk Based on the Emergency Department Spanish Score in Patients With Acute Heart Failure (MEESSI-AHF) + MEESSI scale, need of hospitalization and in-hospital all-cause mortality. The long-term outcomes analyzed were 90-day postdischarge adverse events and 90-day all-cause death. Associations between vaccination, HF decompensation severity and long-term outcomes were explored by unadjusted and adjusted logistic and Cox regressions by using 14 covariables that could act as potential confounders.

RESULTS

Overall median (IQR) age was 84 (IQR = 77-89) years, and 56% were women. Vaccinated patients (n = 1139; 19%) were older, had more comorbidities and had worse baseline status, as assessed by New York Heart Association class and Barthel index, than did unvaccinated patients (n = 5008; 81%). Infection triggering decompensation was more common in vaccinated patients (50% vs 41%; P < 0.001). In vaccinated and unvaccinated patients, high or very-high risk decompensation was seen in 21.9% and 21.1%; hospitalization occurred in 72.5% and 73.7%; in-hospital mortality was 7.4% and 7.0%; 90-day postdischarge adverse events were 57.4% and 53.2%; and the 90-day mortality rate was 15.8% and 16.6%, respectively, with no significant differences between cohorts. After adjusting, vaccinated decompensated patients with HF had decreased odds for hospitalization (OR = 0.823, 95%CI = 0.709-0.955).

CONCLUSION

In patients with HF, seasonal flu vaccination is associated with less severe decompensations.

[Revisit after discharge from the emergency department in a cohort of patients with COVID-19 pneumonia and analysis based on the healthcare resource used for follow-up. RESALSEVID study]

INTRODUCTION

COVID-19 pneumonia is a manifestation of SARS-CoV-2 infection and in most cases involves hospital admission. There are recommendations according to which these patients can be discharged without hospital admission, but there is no evidence regarding the revisit and the most appropriate type of follow-up. The objective of the RESALSEVID study was to investigate the variables associated with the 30-day revisit (Rev30d) in a group of patients discharged directly from 4 emergency departments (ED) with COVID-19 pneumonia, and analyze whether there were differences based on 4 different tracking devices.

METHOD

Analysis of a prospective cohort of patients discharged directly from the ED with COVID-19 pneumonia in 4 hospital with different models of follow-up at discharge (primary care, hospitalization at home [HaH] phone and in person, HaH phone, hospital phone).

RESULTS

Five hundred twenty patients were included, with a mean age of 50.1 years and 51% men. Rev30d was 18.3% and was related only to immunosuppression, odds ratio 4.49 (95% confidence interval 1.10-18.24); p=0.022. There was no difference in Rev30d based on the follow-up model used at discharge from the ED.

CONCLUSIONS

There are some recommendations that allow the safe discharge of patients with COVID-19 pneumonia, with no differences in Rev30d depending on the type of follow-up.

Short-term outcomes by chronic betablocker treatment in patients presenting to emergency departments with acute heart failure: BB-EAHFE

AIMS

To evaluate the association between chronic treatment with betablockers (BB) and the severity of decompensation and short-term outcomes of patients with acute heart failure (AHF).

METHODS AND RESULTS

We consecutively included all patients presenting with AHF to 45 Spanish emergency departments (ED) during six different time-periods between 2007 and 2018. Patients were stratified according to whether they were on chronic treatment with BB at the time of ED consultation. Those receiving BB were compared (adjusted odds ratio-OR-with 95% confidence interval-CI-) with those not receiving BB group in terms of in-hospital and 7-day all-cause mortality, need for hospitalization, and prolonged length of stay (≥7 days). Among the 17 923 recruited patients (median age: 80 years; 56% women), 7795 (43%) were on chronic treatment with BB. Based on the MEESSI-AHF risk score, those on BB were at lower risk. In-hospital mortality was observed in 1310 patients (7.4%), 7-day mortality in 765 (4.3%), need for hospitalization in 13 428 (75.0%), and prolonged length of stay (43.3%). After adjustment for confounding, those on chronic BB were at lower risk for in-hospital all-cause mortality (OR = 0.85, 95% CI = 0.79-0.92, P < 0.001); 7-day all-cause mortality (OR = 0.77, 95% CI = 0.70-0.85, P < 0.001); need for hospitalization (OR = 0.89, 95% CI = 0.85-0.94, P < 0.001); prolonged length of stay (OR = 0.90, 95% CI = 0.86-0.94, P < 0.001). A propensity matching approach yielded consistent findings.

CONCLUSION

In patients presenting to ED with AHF, those on BB had better short-term outcomes than those not receiving BB.

Emergency department observation of patients with acute heart failure prior to hospital admission: impact on short-term prognosis

OBJECTIVES

To analyze whether short-term outcomes are affected when patients diagnosed with acute heart failure (AHF) spend time in an emergency department observation unit (EDOU) before hospital admission.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Baseline and emergency episode data were collected for patients diagnosed with AHF in the EDs of 15 Spanish hospitals. We analyzed crude and adjusted associations between EDOU stay and 30-day mortality (primary outcome) and in-hospital mortality and a prolonged hospital stay of more than 7 days (secondary outcomes).

RESULTS

A total of 6597 patients with a median (interquartile range) age of 83 (76-88 years) were studied. Fifty-five percent were women. All were hospitalized for AHF (50% in internal medicine wards, 23% in cardiology, 11% in geriatrics, and 16 in other specialties. Of these patients, 3241 (49%) had had EDOU stays and 3350 (51%) had been admitted immediately, with no EDOU stay. Having an EDOU stay was associated with female sex, dementia or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, long-term treatment with certain drugs for heart failure, greater baseline deterioration in function, and a higher degree of decompensation. Patients in the EDOU group were more often admitted to an internal medicine ward and had shorter stays; cardiology, geriatric, and intensive care admissions were less likely to have had an EDOU stay. Overall, 30-day mortality was 12.6% (13.7% in the EDOU group and 11.4% in the no-EDOU group; P = .004). In-hospital mortality was 10.4% overall (EDOU, 11.1% and no-EDOU, 9.6%; P = .044). Prolonged hospitalization occurred in 50.0% (EDOU, 48.7% and no-EDOU, 51.2%; P = .046). After adjusting for between-group differences, the EDOU stay was not associated with 30-day mortality (hazard ratio, 1.14; 95% CI, 0.99-1.31). Odds ratios for associations between EDOU stay and in-hospital mortality and prolonged hospital stay, respectively, were 1.09 (95% CI, 0.92-1.29) and 0.91 (95% CI, 0.82-1.01).

CONCLUSION

Although mortality higher in patients hospitalized for AHF who spend time in an EDO, the association seems to be accounted for by their worse baseline situation and the greater seriousness of the decompensation episode, not by time spent in the EDOU.

Ambient temperature and atmospheric pressure at discharge as precipitating factors in immediate adverse events in patients treated for decompensated heart failure

To investigate the relationship of ambient temperature and atmospheric pressure (AP) at patient discharge after an episode of acute heart failure (AHF) with very early post-discharge adverse outcomes. We analyzed 14,656 patients discharged after an AHF episode from 26 hospitals in 16 Spanish cities. The primary outcome was the 7-day post-discharge combined adverse event (emergency department -ED- revisit or hospitalization due to AHF, or all-cause death), and secondary outcomes were these three adverse events considered individually. Associations (adjusted for patient and demographic conditions, and length of stay -LOS- during the AHF index episode) of temperature and AP with the primary and secondary outcomes were investigated. We used restricted cubic splines to model the continuous non-linear association of temperature and AP with each endpoint. Some sensitivity analyses were performed. Patients were discharged after a median LOS of 5 days (IQR = 1-10). The highest temperature at discharge ranged from - 2 to 41.6 °C, and AP was from 892 to 1037 hPa. The 7-day post-discharge combined event occurred in 1242 patients (8.4%), with percentages of 7-day ED-revisit, hospitalization and death of 7.8%, 5.1% and 0.9%, respectively. We found no association between the maximal temperature and AP on the day of discharge and the primary or secondary outcomes. Similarly, there were no significant associations when the analyses were restricted to hospitalized patients (median LOS = 7 days, IQR = 4-11) during the index event, or when lag-1, lag-2 or the mean of the 3 post-discharge days (instead of point estimation) of ambient temperature and AP were considered. Temperature and AP on the day of patient discharge are not independently associated with the risk of very early adverse events during the vulnerable post-discharge period in patients discharged after an AHF episode.

Lawson Criterion for Ignition Exceeded in an Inertial Fusion Experiment

For more than half a century, researchers around the world have been engaged in attempts to achieve fusion ignition as a proof of principle of various fusion concepts. Following the Lawson criterion, an ignited plasma is one where the fusion heating power is high enough to overcome all the physical processes that cool the fusion plasma, creating a positive thermodynamic feedback loop with rapidly increasing temperature. In inertially confined fusion, ignition is a state where the fusion plasma can begin "burn propagation" into surrounding cold fuel, enabling the possibility of high energy gain. While "scientific breakeven" (i.e., unity target gain) has not yet been achieved (here target gain is 0.72, 1.37 MJ of fusion for 1.92 MJ of laser energy), this Letter reports the first controlled fusion experiment, using laser indirect drive, on the National Ignition Facility to produce capsule gain (here 5.8) and reach ignition by nine different formulations of the Lawson criterion.

Pulmonary embolism severity and in-hospital mortality: An international comparative study between COVID-19 and non-COVID patients

OBJECTIVE

To compare the severity of pulmonary embolism (PE) between patients with and without COVID, and to assess the association between severity and in-hospital-mortality.

METHODS

We performed an analysis of 549 COVID (71.3% PCR-confirmed) and 439 non-COVID patients with PE consecutively included by 62 Spanish and 16 French emergency departments. PE-severity was assessed by size, the presence of right ventricular dysfunction (RVD), and the sPESI. The association of PE-severity and in-hospital-mortality was assessed both in COVID and non-COVID patients, and the interaction of COVID status and PE severity/outcome associations was also evaluated.

RESULTS

COVID patients had PEs of smaller size (43% vs 56% lobar or larger, 42% vs. 35% segmental and 13% vs. 9% subsegmental, respectively; p = 0.01 for trend), less RVD (22% vs. 16%, p =0.02) and lower sPESI (p =0.03 for trend). Risk of in-hospital death was higher in COVID patients (12.8% vs. 5.3%, p < 0.001). PE-severity assessed by RVD and sPESI was independently associated with in-hospital-mortality in COVID patients, while PE size and sPESI were significantly associated with in-hospital-mortality in non-COVID. COVID status showed a significant interaction in the association of PE size and outcome (p =0.01), with OR for in-hospital mortality in COVID and non-COVID patients with lobar or larger PE of 0.92 (95%CI=0.19-4.47) and 4.47 (95%CI=1.60-12.5), respectively. Sensitivity analyses using only PCR-confirmed COVID cases confirmed these results.

CONCLUSION

COVID patients present a differential clinical picture, with PE of less severity than in non-COVID patients. An increased sPESI was associated with the risk of mortality in both groups but, PE size did not seem to be associated with in-hospital mortality in COVID patients.

Tuning the catalytic acidity in Al2O3 nanofibers with mordenite nanocrystals for dehydration reactions

The chemical and structural properties of Al2O3 are tuned for dehydration reactions. The synergy between the structured Al2O3 shaped as nanofiber and the acid site nature of the zeolite mordenite in the nanofiber improves the dehydration reaction.

Incidence, risk factors, clinical characteristics and outcomes of deep venous thrombosis in patients with COVID-19 attending the Emergency Department: results of the UMC-19-S8

BACKGROUND AND IMPORTANCE

A higher incidence of venous thromboembolism [both pulmonary embolism and deep vein thrombosis (DVT)] in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been described. But little is known about the true frequency of DVT in patients who attend emergency department (ED) and are diagnosed with COVID-19.

OBJECTIVE

We investigated the incidence, risk factors, clinical characteristics and outcomes of DVT in patients with COVID-19 attending the ED before hospitalization.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed all COVID patients diagnosed with DVT in 62 Spanish EDs (20% of Spanish EDs, case group) during the first 2 months of the COVID-19 outbreak. We compared DVT-COVID-19 patients with COVID-19 without DVT patients (control group). Relative frequencies of DVT were estimated in COVID and non-COVID patients visiting the ED and annual standardized incidences were estimated for both populations. Sixty-three patient characteristics and four outcomes were compared between cases and controls.

RESULTS

We identified 112 DVT in 74 814 patients with COVID-19 attending the ED [1.50‰; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.23-1.80‰]. This relative frequency was similar than that observed in non-COVID patients [2109/1 388 879; 1.52‰; 95% CI, 1.45-1.69‰; odds ratio (OR) = 0.98 [0.82-1.19]. Standardized incidence of DVT was higher in COVID patients (98,38 versus 42,93/100,000/year; OR, 2.20; 95% CI, 2.03-2.38). In COVID patients, the clinical characteristics associated with a higher risk of presenting DVT were older age and having a history of venous thromboembolism, recent surgery/immobilization and hypertension; chest pain and desaturation at ED arrival and some analytical disturbances were also more frequently seen, d-dimer >5000 ng/mL being the strongest. After adjustment for age and sex, hospitalization, ICU admission and prolonged hospitalization were more frequent in cases than controls, whereas mortality was similar (OR, 1.37; 95% CI, 0.77-2.45).

CONCLUSIONS

DVT was an unusual form of COVID presentation in COVID patients but was associated with a worse prognosis.

Thirty-day outcomes in frail older patients discharged home from the emergency department with acute heart failure: effects of high-risk criteria identified by the DEED FRAIL-AHF trial

OBJECTIVES

To study the effect of high-risk criteria on 30-day outcomes in frail older patients with acute heart failure (AHF) discharged from an emergency department (ED) or an ED's observation and short-stay areas.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Secondary analysis of discharge records in the Older AHF Key Data registry. We selected frail patients (aged > 70 years) discharged with AHF from EDs. Risk factors were categorized as modifiable or nonmodifiable. The outcomes were a composite endpoint for a cardiovascular event (revisits for AHF, hospitalization for AHF, or cardiovascular death) and the number of days alive out-of-hospital (DAOH) within 30 days of discharge.

RESULTS

We included 380 patients with a mean (SD) age of 86 (5.5) years (61.2% women). Modifiable risk factors were identified in 65.1%, nonmodifiable ones in 47.8%, and both types in 81.6%. The 30-day cardiovascular composite endpoint occurred in 83 patients (21.8%). The mean 30-day DAOH observed was 27.6 (6.1) days. Highrisk factors were present more often in patients who developed the cardiovascular event composite endpoint: the rates for patients with modifiable, nonmodifiable, or both types of risk were, respectively, as follows in comparison with patients not at high risk: 25.0% vs 17.2%, P = .092; 27.6% vs 16.7%, P = .010; and 24.7% vs 15.2%, P = .098). The 30-day DAOH outcome was also lower for at-risk patients, according to type of risk factor present: modifiable, 26.9 (7.0) vs 28.4 (4.4) days, P = .011; nonmodifiable, 27.1 (7.0) vs 28.0 (5.0) days, P = .127; and both, 27.1 (6.7) vs 28.8 (3.4) days, P = .005). After multivariate analysis, modifiable risk remained independently associated with fewer days alive (adjusted absolute difference in 30-day DAOH, -1.3 days (95% CI, -2.7 to -0.1 days). Nonmodifiable factors were associated with increased risk for the 30-day cardiovascular composite endpoint (adjusted absolute difference, 10.4%; 95% CI, -2.1% to 18.7%).

CONCLUSION

Risk factors are common in frail elderly patients with AHF discharged home from hospital ED areas. Their presence is associated with a worse 30-day prognosis.

Seroconversion and Abundance of IgG Antibodies against S1-RBD of SARS-CoV-2 and Neutralizing Activity in the Chilean Population

COVID-19 is a pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2. In Chile, half a million people have been infected and more than 16,000 have died from COVID-19. As part of the clinical trial NCT04384588, we quantified IgG against S1-RBD of SARS-CoV-2 (anti-RBD) in recovered people in Santiago and evaluated their suitability as COVID-19 convalescent plasma donors. ELISA and a luminescent SARS-CoV-2 pseudotype were used for IgG and neutralizing antibody quantification. 72.9% of the convalescent population (468 of 639) showed seroconversion (5-55 μg/mL anti-RBD IgG) and were suitable candidates for plasma donation. Analysis by gender, age, and days after symptom offset did not show significant differences. Neutralizing activity correlated with an increased concentration of anti-RBD IgG (p < 0.0001) and showed a high variability between donors. We confirmed that the majority of the Chilean patients have developed anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. The quantification of anti-RBD IgG in convalescent plasma donors is necessary to increase the detection of neutralizing antibodies.

Pediatric Barcelona Olfactory Test ̶ 6 (pBOT-6): Validation of a Combined Odor Identification and Threshold Screening Test in Healthy Spanish Children and Adolescents

Background: Few odor tests have been developed for children. Objectives: The aim of the present study was to develop and validate a simple and quick olfactory test to evaluate odor identification and threshold in a Spanish pediatric population. Methods: The Pediatric Barcelona Olfactory Test-6 (pBOT-6) consisted of a set of 6 odorants for a forced choice identification test and a 6-dilution phenyl ethyl alcohol geometric series for the threshold test. The pBOT-6 was compared with the Universal Sniff test (a validated international pediatric smell test) in 131 healthy Spanish volunteers aged 6-17 years. A Bland-Altman plot was used to determine the agreement between the 2 tests. Reliability was analyzed in 15 volunteers using the intraclass correlation coefficient. Normative data were obtained, and 8 children diagnosed with subjective loss of smell were tested for validation. Results: The Bland-Altman analysis demonstrated a minimal bias of –1.71% with upper and lower limits of agreement of –31.1% and 27.6%, respectively. The intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.83 (95%CI, 0.6-0.96) for the identification test and 0.73 (95%CI, 0.36-0.9) for the threshold test, with excellent and good consistency between measurements over time. Mean pBOT-6 scores were significantly higher in healthy volunteers than in patients with loss of smell. Discrimination between normosmia and loss of smell was achieved with a sensitivity of 96.9% and a specificity of 100%. Conclusions: pBOT-6 offers an effective and fast method that is useful in clinical routine to distinguish, with high sensitivity and specificity, between pediatric patients with normosmia and those with loss of smell.

Association Between Pulmonary Embolism and COVID-19 in Emergency Department Patients Undergoing Computed Tomography Pulmonary Angiogram: The PEPCOV International Retrospective Study

BACKGROUND

There have been reports of procoagulant activity in patients with COVID-19. Whether there is an association between pulmonary embolism (PE) and COVID-19 in the emergency department (ED) is unknown. The aim of this study was to assess whether COVID-19 is associated with PE in ED patients who underwent a computed tomographic pulmonary angiogram (CTPA).

METHODS

A retrospective study in 26 EDs from six countries. ED patients in whom a CTPA was performed for suspected PE during a 2-month period covering the pandemic peak. The primary endpoint was the occurrence of a PE on CTPA. COVID-19 was diagnosed in the ED either on CT or reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. A multivariable binary logistic regression was built to adjust with other variables known to be associated with PE. A sensitivity analysis was performed in patients included during the pandemic period.

RESULTS

A total of 3,358 patients were included, of whom 105 were excluded because COVID-19 status was unknown, leaving 3,253 for analysis. Among them, 974 (30%) were diagnosed with COVID-19. Mean (±SD) age was 61 (±19) years and 52% were women. A PE was diagnosed on CTPA in 500 patients (15%). The risk of PE was similar between COVID-19 patients and others (15% in both groups). In the multivariable binary logistic regression model, COVID-19 was not associated with higher risk of PE (adjusted odds ratio = 0.98, 95% confidence interval = 0.76 to 1.26). There was no association when limited to patients in the pandemic period.

CONCLUSION

In ED patients who underwent CTPA for suspected PE, COVID-19 was not associated with an increased probability of PE diagnosis. These results were also valid when limited to the pandemic period. However, these results may not apply to patients with suspected COVID-19 in general.

Worsening renal function during an episode of acute heart failure and its relation to short- and long-term mortality: associated factors in the Epidemiology of Acute Heart Failure in Emergency Departments- Worsening Renal Function study

OBJECTIVES

To identify factors associated with worsening renal function (WRF) and explore associations with higher mortality in patients with acute heart failure (AHF).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Seven emergency departments (EDs) in the EAHFE-EFRICA study (Spanish acronym for Epidemiology of AHF in EDs - WRF in AHF) consecutively included patients with AHF and creatinine levels determined in the ED and between 24 and 48 hours later. Patients with WRF were identified by an increase in creatinine level of 0.3 mg/dL or more. Forty-seven clinical characteristics were explored to identify those associated with WRF. To analyze for 30-day all-cause mortality we calculated odds ratios (ORs). To analyze mortality at the end of follow-up and by trimester, adjusted for between-group differences, we calculated hazard ratios (HRs). The data were analyzed by subgroups according to age, sex, baseline creatinine levels, AHF type, and risk group.

RESULTS

A total of 1627 patients were included. The subgroup of 220 (13.5%) with WRF were older, had higher systolic blood pressure, were more often treated with morphine, and had chronic renal failure; there was also a higher rate of hypertensive crisis as the trigger for AHF in patients with WRF. However, only chronic renal failure was independently associated with WRF (adjusted OR, 1.695; 95% CI, 1.264-2.273). The rate of 30-day mortality was 13.1% overall but higher in patients with WRF (20.9% vs 11.8% in patients without WRF; adjusted OR, 1.793; 95% CI, 1.207-2.664). Accumulated mortality at 18 months (average follow-up time, 14 mo/patient) was 40.0% overall but higher in patients with WRF (adjusted HR, 1.275; 95% CI, 1.018-1.598). Increased risk was greater in the first trimester. Subgroup analyses revealed no differences.

CONCLUSION

AHF with WRF in the first 48 hours after ED care is associated with higher mortality, especially in the first trimester after the emergency.

The CRAS-EAHFE study: Characteristics and prognosis of acute heart failure episodes with cardiorenal-anaemia syndrome at the emergency department

BACKGROUND

The coexistence of other comorbidities confers poor outcomes in patients with acute heart failure. Our aim was to determine the characteristics of patients with acute heart failure and cardiorenal anaemia syndrome and the relationship between renal dysfunction and anaemia, alone or combined as cardiorenal anaemia syndrome, on short-term outcomes.

METHODS

We analysed the Epidemiology of Acute Heart Failure in Emergency Departments registry (cohort of patients with acute heart failure in Spanish emergency departments). Renal dysfunction was defined by an estimated glomerular filtration rate <60 ml/min/m², anaemia by haemoglobin values <12/<13 g/dl in women/men, and cardiorenal anaemia syndrome as the presence of both. Comparisons were made according to cardiorenal-anaemia syndrome positive (CRAS+) with respect to the rest of patients (CRAS-) and according the presence of renal dysfunction (RD+) and anaemia (A+), (alone, RD+/A-, RD-/A+) or in combination (RD+/A+; i.e. CRAS+) with respect to patients without renal dysfunction and anaemia (RD-/A-). The primary outcome was 30-day mortality, and the secondary outcomes were need for admission, prolonged hospitalisation (>10 days), in-hospital mortality during the index event, and reconsultation and the combination of 30-day post-discharge reconsultation/death. These short-term outcomes were compared and adjusted for differences among groups.

RESULTS

Of the 13,307 patients analysed, CRAS+ (36.4%) was associated with older age, multiple comorbidities, chronic use of loop diuretics, oedemas and hypotension. The 30-day mortality in CRAS+ was greater than in CRAS- (hazard ratio = 1.46, 95% confidence interval = 1.26-1.68) and RD-/A- (hazard ratio = 1.83, 95% confidence interval = 1.46-2.28) control groups. The mortality level was also higher in RD+/A- (hazard ratio = 1.40, 95% confidence interval = 1.10-1.78) and higher, but not statistically significant, in RD-/A+ (hazard ratio = 1.28, 95% confidence interval = 0.99-1.63) with respect to RD-/A-. All of the secondary outcomes, when related to CRAS- and RD-/A- control groups, were worse for CRAS+ and to a lesser extent, RD+/A-, being more rarely observed in RD-/A+.

CONCLUSIONS

Cardiorenal anaemia syndrome in acute heart failure is related to greater mortality and worse short-term outcomes, and the impact of renal dysfunction and anaemia seems to be additive.

Influence of the length of hospitalisation in post-discharge outcomes in patients with acute heart failure: Results of the LOHRCA study

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the relationship between length of hospitalisation (LOH) and post-discharge outcomes in acute heart failure (AHF) patients and to ascertain whether there are different patterns according to department of initial hospitalisation.

METHODS

Consecutive AHF patients hospitalised in 41 Spanish centres were grouped based on the LOH (<6/6-10/11-15/>15 days). Outcomes were defined as 90-day post-discharge all-cause mortality, AHF readmissions, and the combination of both. Hazard ratios (HRs), adjusted by chronic conditions and severity of decompensation, were calculated for groups with LOH >6 days vs. LOH <6 days (reference), and stratified by hospitalisation in cardiology, internal medicine, geriatrics, or short-stay units.

RESULTS

We included 8563 patients (mean age: 80 (SD = 10) years, 55.5% women), with a median LOH of 7 days (IQR 4-11): 2934 (34.3%) had a LOH <6 days, 3184 (37.2%) 6-10 days, 1287 (15.0%) 11-15 days, and 1158 (13.5%) >15 days. The 90-day post-discharge mortality was 11.4%, readmission 32.2%, and combined endpoint 37.4%. Mortality was increased by 36.5% (95%CI = 13.0-64.9) when LOH was 11-15 days, and by 72.0% (95%CI = 42.6-107.5) when >15 days. Conversely, no differences were found in readmission risk, and the combined endpoint only increased 21.6% (95%CI = 8.4-36.4) for LOH >15 days. Stratified analysis by hospitalisation departments rendered similar post-discharge outcomes, with all exhibiting increased mortality for LOH >15 days and no significant increments in readmission risk.

CONCLUSIONS

Short hospitalisations are not associated with worse outcomes. While post-discharge readmissions are not affected by LOH, mortality risk increases as the LOH lengthens. These findings were similar across hospitalisation departments.

Editor's Choice- Impact of identifying precipitating factors on 30-day mortality in acute heart failure patients

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to describe the prevalence and prognostic value of the most common triggering factors in acute heart failure.

METHODS

Patients with acute heart failure from 41 Spanish emergency departments were recruited consecutively in three time periods between 2011 and 2016. Precipitating factors were classified as: (a) unrecognized; (b) infection; (c) atrial fibrillation; (d) anaemia; (e) hypertension; (f) acute coronary syndrome; (g) non-adherence; and (h) two or more precipitant factors. Unadjusted and adjusted logistic regression models were used to assess the association between 30-day mortality and each precipitant factor. The risk of dying was further evaluated by week intervals over the 30-day follow-up to assess the period of higher vulnerability for each precipitant factor.

RESULTS

Approximately 69% of our 9999 patients presented with a triggering factor and 1002 died within the first 30 days (10.0%). The most prevalent factors were infection and atrial fibrillation. After adjusting for 11 known predictors, acute coronary syndrome was associated with higher 30-day mortality (odds ratio (OR) 1.87; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.02-3.42), whereas atrial fibrillation (OR 0.75; 95% CI 0.56-0.94) and hypertension (OR 0.34; 95% CI 0.21-0.55) were significantly associated with better outcomes when compared to patients without precipitant. Patients with infection, anaemia and non-compliance were not at higher risk of dying within 30 days. These findings were consistent across gender and age groups. The 30-day mortality time pattern varied between and within precipitant factors.

CONCLUSIONS

Precipitant factors in acute heart failure patients are prevalent and have a prognostic value regardless of the patient's gender and age. They can be managed with specific treatments and can sometimes be prevented.

Departments involved during the first episode of acute heart failure and subsequent emergency department revisits and rehospitalisations: an outlook through the NOVICA cohort

OBJECTIVES

We investigated the natural history of patients after a first episode of acute heart failure (FEAHF) requiring emergency department (ED) consultation, focusing on: the frequency of ED visits and hospitalisations, departments admitting patients during the first and subsequent hospitalisations, and factors associated with difficult disease control.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We included consecutive patients diagnosed with FEAHF (either with or without previous heart failure diagnosis) in four EDs during 5 months in three different time periods (2009, 2011, 2014). Diagnosis was adjudicated by local principal investigators. The clinical characteristics of the index event were prospectively recorded, and all post-discharge ED visits and hospitalisations [related/unrelated to acute heart failure (AHF)], as well as departments involved in subsequent hospitalisations were retrospectively ascertained. 'Uncontrolled disease' during the first year after FEAHF was considered if patients were attended at ED (≥ 3 times) or hospitalised (≥ 2 times) for AHF or died. Overall, 505 patients with FEAHF were included and followed for a mean of 2.4 years. In-hospital mortality was 7.5%. Among 467 patients discharged alive, 288 died [median survival 3.9 years, 95% confidence interval (CI) 3.5-4.4], 421 (90%) revisited the ED (2342 ED visits; 42.4% requiring hospitalisation, 34.0% AHF-related) and 357 (77%) were hospitalised (1054 hospitalisations; 94.1% through ED, 51.4% AHF-related). AHF-related hospitalisations were mainly in internal medicine (28.0%), short-stay unit (26.3%), cardiology (20.8%), and geriatrics (14.1%). Only 47.4% of AHF-related hospitalisations were in the same department as the FEAHF, and internal medicine involvement significantly increased with subsequent hospitalisations (P = 0.01). Uncontrolled disease was observed in 31% of patients, which was independently related to age > 80 years [odds ratio (OR) 1.80, 95% CI 1.17-2.77], systolic blood pressure < 110 mmHg at ED arrival (OR 2.61, 95% CI 1.26-5.38) and anaemia (OR 2.39, 95% CI 1.51-3.78).

CONCLUSION

In the present aged cohort of AHF patients from Barcelona, Spain, the natural history after FEAHF showed different patterns of hospital department involvement. Advanced age, low systolic blood pressure and anaemia were factors related to uncontrolled disease during the year after debut.

Effect of risk of malnutrition on 30-day mortality among older patients with acute heart failure in Emergency Departments

BACKGROUND

Little is known about the prevalence and impact of risk of malnutrition on short-term mortality among seniors presenting with acute heart failure (AHF) in emergency setting. The objective was to determine the impact of risk of malnutrition on 30-day mortality risk among older patients who attended in Emergency Departments (EDs) for AHF.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We performed a secondary analysis of the OAK-3 Registry including all consecutive patients ≥65 years attending in 16 Spanish EDs for AHF. Risk of malnutrition was defined by the Mini Nutritional Assessment Short Form (MNA-SF) < 12 points. Unadjusted and adjusted logistic regression models were used to assess the association between risk of malnutrition and 30-day mortality.

RESULTS

We included 749 patients (mean age: 85 (SD 6); 55.8% females). Risk of malnutrition was observed in 594 (79.3%) patients. The rate of 30-day mortality was 8.8%. After adjusting for MEESSI-AHF risk score clinical categories (model 1) and after adding all variables showing a significantly different distribution among groups (model 2), the risk of malnutrition was an independent factor associated with 30-day mortality (adjusted OR by model 1 = 3.4; 95%CI 1.2-9.7; p = .020 and adjusted OR by model 2 = 3.1; 95%CI 1.1-9.0; p = .033) compared to normal nutritional status.

CONCLUSIONS

The risk of malnutrition assessed by the MNA-SF is associated with 30-day mortality in older patients with AHF who were attended in EDs. Routine screening of risk of malnutrition may help emergency physicians in decision-making and establishing a care plan.

Time-pattern of adverse outcomes after an infection-triggered acute heart failure decompensation and the influence of early antibiotic administration and hospitalisation: results of the PAPRICA-3 study

OBJECTIVE

To investigate whether patients with an acute heart failure (AHF) episode triggered by infection present different outcomes compared to patients with no trigger and the effects of early antibiotic administration (EAA) and hospitalisation.

METHODS

Two groups were made according to the AHF trigger: infection (G1) or none identified (G2). The primary outcome was 13-week (91-days) all-cause mortality, and secondary outcomes were 13-week post-discharge mortality, readmission or combined endpoint. Comparisons are presented as unadjusted and adjusted (MEESSI risk score) hazard ratios (uHR/aHR) for G1 compared to G2 patients, also estimated by weeks. Stratified analysis by EAA (provided/not provided) and patient disposition (discharged/hospitalised) was performed.

RESULTS

We included 6727 patients (G1 = 3973; G2 = 2754). The 13-week mortality uHR was 1.11 (0.99-1.25; p = 0.06; with significant increases in the first 3 weeks), and the aHR was 0.91 (0.81-1.02; p = 0.11). There were no differences in unadjusted secondary post-discharge outcomes; however, G1 outcomes significantly improved after adjustment: aHR 0.83 (0.71-0.96; p = 0.01) for mortality, 0.92 (0.84-0.99; p = 0.04) for readmission, and 0.92 (0.85-0.99; p = 0.04) for the combined endpoint. We found a differentiated effect of hospitalisation (p < 0.05 for interaction; better post-discharge readmission and combined outcomes in G1), and a trend (p = 0.06) to lower mortality in G1 patients with EAA. Additionally, there were some differences between groups in baseline and acute episode characteristics.

CONCLUSION

AHF triggered by infection is not associated with a higher mid-term mortality and has better post-discharge outcomes; however, the first 3 weeks are an extremely vulnerable period. Since hospitalisation could have a role in limiting adverse post-discharge events, and EAA in reducing mortality, these relationships should be prospectively explored in further studies.

The role of atrial fibrillation in the short-term outcomes of patients with acute heart failure

AIMS

To investigate whether the presence of atrial fibrillation (AF) is independently associated with adverse short-term outcomes in patients diagnosed with acute heart failure (AHF) in the emergency department (ED).

METHODS

We performed a secondary analysis of patients included in the EAHFE registries 4&5. Patients were divided by the presence of sinus rhythm (SR) or AF at ED arrival. The primary outcome was 30-day all-cause mortality. Secondary outcomes included the 30-day post-discharge combined endpoint of ED revisit or hospitalisation due to AHF and all-cause mortality. We recorded 54 independent variables that can affect outcomes. Cox regression was used to investigate adjusted significant associations between AF and outcomes. Analyses were repeated according to whether AF was previously known and whether AF was considered responsible for the AHF episode.

RESULTS

We analysed 6045 ED visits (mean age 80.4 years, 55.9% women), 3644 (60.3%) with AF. The cumulative 30-day mortality was 9.4%, and the adverse combined endpoint (ACE) was 25.9% (ED revisit with and without hospitalisation were 16.5 and 8.9% and death occurred in 4.7%). No differences were found in outcomes of AHF patients with SR and AF, and among the latter group, no differences were found depending on whether AF was considered responsible for the AHF episode. Patients with previously known AF had significantly lower 30-day mortality and higher post-discharge ACE rates, although these differences disappeared after adjustment for confounders HR 0.782, 95% CI 0.590-1.037, p = 0.087; and HR 1.131, 95% CI 0.924-1.385, p = 0.234).

CONCLUSION

The coexistence of AF does not impact the short-term outcomes of patients diagnosed with AHF in the ED.

Exploring the understanding of the term "ultra-processed foods" by young consumers

Low diet quality has been associated with high consumption of highly processed foods. An effective educational campaign should aim at replacing ultra-processed foods by minimally processed and unprocessed foods. The objective of this study was to explore the understanding of young consumers of the term ultra-processed foods. A study was carried out with 181 young consumers from two different countries (Argentina and Ecuador). They were asked to explain what they understood by ultra-processed foods and to list foods they considered ultra-processed. Text and content analysis were conducted on participant's responses. Participants understand ultra-processed foods as those highly processed containing many artificial ingredients. The un-natural and unhealthful dimension was also stressed on their definitions. The most relevant food items that elicit the term ultra-processed foods were processed meats, soft drinks, and canned products. However, some food items not considered ultra-processed (meat, milk, ingredients) were misclassified as ultra-processed foods. This implies that a clear definition of the term ultra-processed food should be included in any strategy aimed at curbing today's high consumption of ultra-processed foods.

Adherence to Mediterranean Diet and All-Cause Mortality After an Episode of Acute Heart Failure: Results of the MEDIT-AHF Study

OBJECTIVES

The authors sought to evaluate clinical outcomes of patients after an episode of acute heart failure (AHF) according to their adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MedDiet).

BACKGROUND

It has been proved that MedDiet is a useful tool in primary prevention of cardiovascular diseases. However, it is unknown whether adherence to MedDiet is associated with better outcomes in patients who have already experienced an episode of AHF.

METHODS

We designed a prospective study that included consecutive patients diagnosed with AHF in 7 Spanish emergency departments (EDs). Patients were included if they or their relatives were able to answer a 14-point score of adherence to the MedDiet, which classified patients as adherents (≥9 points) or nonadherents (≤8 points). The primary endpoint was all-cause mortality at the end of follow-up, and secondary endpoints were 1-year ED revisit without hospitalization, rehospitalization, death, and a combined endpoint of all these variables for patients discharged after the index episode. Unadjusted and adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) were calculated.

RESULTS

We included 991 patients (mean age of 80 ± 10 years, 57.8% women); 523 (52.9%) of whom were adherent to the MedDiet. After a mean follow-up period of 2.1 ± 1.3 years, no differences were observed in survival between adherent and nonadherent patients (HR of adherents [HR_adh] = 0.86; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.73 to 1.02). The 1-year cumulative ED revisit for the whole cohort was 24.5% (HR_adh = 1.10; 95% CI: 0.84 to 1.42), hospitalization 43.7% (HR_adh = 0.74; 95% CI: 0.61 to 0.90), death 22.7% (HR_adh = 1.05; 95% CI: 0.8 to 1.38), and combined endpoint 66.8% (HR_adh = 0.89; 95% CI: 0.76 to 1.04). Adjustment by age, hypertension, peripheral arterial disease, previous episodes of AHF, treatment with statins, air-room pulsioxymetry, and need for ventilation support in the ED rendered similar results, with no statistically significant differences in mortality (HR_adh = 0.94; 95% CI: 0.80 to 1.13) and persistence of lower 1-year hospitalization for adherents (HR_adh = 0.76; 95% CI: 0.62 to 0.93).

CONCLUSIONS

Adherence to the MedDiet did not influence long-term mortality after an episode of AHF, but it was associated with decreased rates of rehospitalization during the next year.

Oligodendroglia-lineage cells in brain plasticity, homeostasis and psychiatric disorders

Adult oligodendrocyte progenitor cells are uniformly distributed in both gray and white matter, displaying robust proliferative and migratory potential during health and disease. Recently, developments in new experimental approaches have brought about several novel insights about NG2-glia and myelinating oligodendrocytes, indicating a diverse toolkit of functions in experience-dependent myelination and homeostasis in the adult CNS. In this review, we summarize some of the topical studies that highlight newly emerging findings implicating oligodendroglia-lineage cells in brain plasticity, homeostasis and pathophysiology of neuropsychiatric disorders.

Impact of Frailty and Disability on 30-Day Mortality in Older Patients With Acute Heart Failure

The objectives were to determine the impact of frailty and disability on 30-day mortality and whether the addition of these variables to HFRSS EFFECT risk score (FBI-EFFECT model) improves the short-term mortality predictive capacity of both HFRSS EFFECT and BI-EFFECT models in older patients with acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) atended in the emergency department. We performed a retrospective analysis of OAK Registry including all consecutive patients ≥65 years old with ADHF attended in 3 Spanish emergency departments over 4 months. FBI-EFFECT model was developed by adjusting probabilities of HFRSS EFFECT risk categories according to the 6 groups (G1: non frail, no or mildly dependent; G2: frail, no or mildly dependent; G3: non frail, moderately dependent; G4: frail, moderately dependent; G5: severely dependent; G6: very severely dependent).We included 596 patients (mean age: 83 [SD7]; 61.2% females). The 30-day mortality was 11.6% with statistically significant differences in the 6 groups (p < 0.001). After adjusting for HFRSS EFFECT risk categories, we observed a progressive increase in hazard ratios from groups G2 to G6 compared with G1 (reference). FBI-EFFECT had a better prognostic accuracy than did HFRSS EFFECT (log-rank p < 0.001; Net Reclassification Improvement [NRI] = 0.355; p < 0.001; Integrated Discrimination Improvement [IDI] = 0.052; p ;< 0.001) and BI-EFFECT (log-rank p = 0.067; NRI = 0.210; p = 0.033; IDI = 0.017; p = 0.026). In conclusion, severe disability and frailty in patients with moderate disability are associated with 30-day mortality in ADHF, providing additional value to HFRSS EFFECT model in predicting short-term prognosis and establishing a care plan.