Considerations for patient and public involvement and engagement in health research

Patient and public involvement and engagement (PPIE) can provide valuable insights into the experiences of those living with and affected by a disease or health condition. Inclusive collaboration between patients, the public and researchers can lead to productive relationships, ensuring that health research addresses patient needs. Guidelines are available to support effective PPIE; however, evaluation of the impact of PPIE strategies in health research is limited. In this Review, we evaluate the impact of PPIE in the 'Therapies for Long COVID in non-hospitalised individuals' (TLC) Study, using a combination of group discussions and interviews with patient partners and researchers. We identify areas of good practice and reflect on areas for improvement. Using these insights and the results of a survey, we synthesize two checklists of considerations for PPIE, and we propose that research teams use these checklists to optimize the impact of PPIE for both patients and researchers in future studies.

Non-deflating balloon during pulmonary valvuloplasty

A 3-year-old, 4.8 kg, male intact, mixed breed dog was referred for balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty (BPV). Echocardiography was consistent with severe type A pulmonic stenosis and BPV was recommended. During BPV, the balloon catheter failed to deflate despite multiple attempts at repositioning and the use of different deflation syringes. After approximately two minutes of cardiopulmonary arrest, forceful retrograde traction resulted in removal of the fully inflated balloon. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation was unsuccessful. Post-mortem evaluation by a board-certified pathologist identified rupture of the cranial vena cava and hemothorax, suspected to be secondary to forceful removal of the fully inflated balloon. Manufacturer's evaluation of the balloon catheter used in the procedure identified multiple kinks and a segment of stretched catheter shaft suspected to be the cause for the inability to deflate. A manufacturing defect present prior to use or predisposing to stretching of the catheter segment could not be ruled out. Kinking and/or stretching of the catheter during BPV were possible causes as well. Although the inability to deflate a balloon catheter seems to be a very rare occurrence, it should be considered as a potential complication of BPV.

Co-production of a feasibility trial of pacing interventions for Long COVID

BACKGROUND

The high incidence of COVID-19 globally has led to a large prevalence of Long COVID but there is a lack of evidence-based treatments. There is a need to evaluate existing treatments for symptoms associated with Long COVID. However, there is first a need to evaluate the feasibility of undertaking randomised controlled trials of interventions for the condition. We aimed to co-produce a feasibility study of non-pharmacological interventions to support people with Long COVID.

METHODS

A consensus workshop on research prioritisation was conducted with patients and other stakeholders. This was followed by the co-production of the feasibility trial with a group of patient partners, which included the design of the study, the selection of interventions, and the production of dissemination strategies.

RESULTS

The consensus workshop was attended by 23 stakeholders, including six patients. The consensus from the workshop was to develop a clinical trial platform that focused on testing different pacing interventions and resources. For the co-production of the feasibility trial, patient partners selected three pacing resources to evaluate (video, mobile application, and book) and co-designed feasibility study processes, study materials and undertook usability testing of the digital trial platform.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, this paper reports the principles and process used to co-produce a feasibility study of pacing interventions for Long COVID. Co-production was effective and influenced important aspects of the study.

Patterns of anticoagulant prescribing and renal function changes in patients with atrial fibrillation

Background

The prevalence of atrial fibrillation (AF) is nearly three times higher in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) than the general population. These patients have an increased risk of stroke and systemic thromboembolism (SSE) as well as bleeding. The role for direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) in those with advanced CKD and AF remains controversial. Studies show that patients on DOACs for AF with advanced CKD have similar risk of SSE and bleeding compared to those on warfarin, but these failed to account for changes in renal function over time.

Purpose

We sought to evaluate the pattern of oral anticoagulant prescribing, class switching, discontinuation and renal function trajectory in patients with AF in the last decade, coinciding with the development of DOACs.

Methods

Using linked administrative databases, we assessed patients 66 years of age and older with a new diagnosis of non-valvular AF between April 1, 2012 and March 31, 2020 who were started on oral anticoagulation within 90 days of diagnosis. Participants required a baseline serum creatinine (Cr) measurement in the year preceding AF diagnosis. Cr values were used to calculate the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) using the CKD Epidemiology Collaboration equation. Kidney function was tracked at baseline and longitudinally among patients prescribed DOACs versus warfarin using the Laboratories Information System. Anticoagulant class switching was tracked and discontinuation was defined if a new prescription for anticoagulation was not filled after 90 days of their last prescription ending.

Results

A total of 57,574 participants were included in the study; 48,662 were started on DOACs and 8,912 were started on warfarin. In April 2012, 83.8% of patients were prescribed warfarin; however, the proportion of first prescriptions significantly evolved over time to DOACs (Figure 1). Of those started on DOACs, 13,383 (27.5%) discontinued therapy, 34,918 (71.8%) remained on therapy and 361 (0.7%) switched to warfarin. The rate of discontinuation among those started on warfarin was higher with 4,144 (46.5%) stopping, 3,172 (35.6%) continuing therapy and 1,596 (17.9%) switching to DOACs. Most patients (75.6%) who switched to DOACs from warfarin remained on DOACs until the occurrence of dialysis, renal transplantation, death, or the last follow-up date (March 31, 2020). At baseline, the mean eGFR in the warfarin group was 56.2 compared with 66.3 mL/min/1.73 m2 in the DOAC group (p<0.01). Over the course of study, more than half of the subjects in both groups had a 20% or more decline in eGFR (Figure 2).

Conclusion

Given the degree of renal function decline and frequency of anticoagulant class switching in our cohort, existing observational studies comparing DOACs to warfarin in patients with AF and CKD may be limited. In order to better compare DOACs to warfarin in this population, time-varying covariates like renal function should be included in modelling.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): CIHR Foundation Grant

Heart rate distribution in dogs with third degree atrioventricular block and rate responsive pacemakers

INTRODUCTION

In dogs, single lead ventricular pacing, ventricular sensing, inhibition response, rate adaptive (VVIR) pacemakers are routinely used to treat third degree atrioventricular block. The objectives of this study were to investigate the heart rate distribution in dogs with VVIR pacemakers, and report changes when activity settings were adjusted.

ANIMALS

Eighteen client-owned dogs with VVIR pacemakers for third degree atrioventricular block.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This observational study consisted of a review of medical records of dogs with VVIR pacemakers. For dogs with >50% of paced beats at the lower pacing rate, the activity daily living (ADL) and exertion responses were increased. Re-evaluations were performed after 6-12 months.

RESULTS

Heart rate distribution similar to healthy dogs was absent for all dogs. In nine dogs, the ADL and exertion responses were increased to the highest level. Of these, three dogs showed no improvement in heart rate distribution; for two dogs, one with an epicardial pacemaker, several activity settings were adjusted and pacing at higher heart rates was observed at re-evaluation. Four dogs died or were lost to follow-up. Clinical signs had resolved for all dogs after pacemaker implantation.

CONCLUSION

Default activity settings of VVIR pacemakers do not result in heart rate distribution equivalent to healthy dogs. Increasing the ADL and exertion response settings to the highest levels did not improve the pacemaker rate response. Further investigations into the role of dog size, generator positioning, pacemaker settings, and whether rate responsiveness is required for dogs' quality and quantity of life are warranted.

Evaluation of prognostic risk models for postoperative pulmonary complications in adult patients undergoing major abdominal surgery: a systematic review and international external validation cohort study

BACKGROUND

Stratifying risk of postoperative pulmonary complications after major abdominal surgery allows clinicians to modify risk through targeted interventions and enhanced monitoring. In this study, we aimed to identify and validate prognostic models against a new consensus definition of postoperative pulmonary complications.

METHODS

We did a systematic review and international external validation cohort study. The systematic review was done in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. We searched MEDLINE and Embase on March 1, 2020, for articles published in English that reported on risk prediction models for postoperative pulmonary complications following abdominal surgery. External validation of existing models was done within a prospective international cohort study of adult patients (≥18 years) undergoing major abdominal surgery. Data were collected between Jan 1, 2019, and April 30, 2019, in the UK, Ireland, and Australia. Discriminative ability and prognostic accuracy summary statistics were compared between models for the 30-day postoperative pulmonary complication rate as defined by the Standardised Endpoints in Perioperative Medicine Core Outcome Measures in Perioperative and Anaesthetic Care (StEP-COMPAC). Model performance was compared using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROCC).

FINDINGS

In total, we identified 2903 records from our literature search; of which, 2514 (86·6%) unique records were screened, 121 (4·8%) of 2514 full texts were assessed for eligibility, and 29 unique prognostic models were identified. Nine (31·0%) of 29 models had score development reported only, 19 (65·5%) had undergone internal validation, and only four (13·8%) had been externally validated. Data to validate six eligible models were collected in the international external validation cohort study. Data from 11 591 patients were available, with an overall postoperative pulmonary complication rate of 7·8% (n=903). None of the six models showed good discrimination (defined as AUROCC ≥0·70) for identifying postoperative pulmonary complications, with the Assess Respiratory Risk in Surgical Patients in Catalonia score showing the best discrimination (AUROCC 0·700 [95% CI 0·683-0·717]).

INTERPRETATION

In the pre-COVID-19 pandemic data, variability in the risk of pulmonary complications (StEP-COMPAC definition) following major abdominal surgery was poorly described by existing prognostication tools. To improve surgical safety during the COVID-19 pandemic recovery and beyond, novel risk stratification tools are required.

FUNDING

British Journal of Surgery Society.

Comparing clinical outcomes following 1 year of dual antiplatelet therapy in patients risk stratified by the PRECISE-DAPT and DAPT scores

Background

Dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) is the standard of care following PCI. DAPT reduces ischemic events but increases bleeding risk. Duration of DAPT following PCI remains controversial. Current guidelines recommend duration be individualized based on risk of ischemia and bleeding. Although multiple strategies exist to risk stratify patients, including application of the PRECISE-DAPT and DAPT scores, there is currently no standardized risk assessment protocol.

Purpose

To determine if the PRECISE-DAPT and DAPT scores can identify patients at increased risk of ischemia or bleeding in a cohort prescribed 12 months of DAPT following PCI.

Methods

We calculated the PRECISE-DAPT and DAPT scores for 469 consecutive patients at baseline after PCI. Patients were grouped based on score treatment recommendation; PRECISE-DAPT prolonged or shortened (PRECISE DAPT <25 vs. ≥25) and DAPT prolonged or shortened (DAPT ≥2 vs <2). End points included 1-year rates of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and TIMI major or minor bleeding.

Results

Among 469 patients, mean age was 64.4 (SD 12.2); 102 (21.7%) were women. Index presentation consisted of a STEMI in 207 (44.1%), NSTEMI in 99 (21.1%), and UA in 60 (12.8%). At presentation, 174 (37.1%) were current smokers, 115 (24.5%) had a prior MI, 118 (25.2%) had diabetes, 249 (53.1%) had dyslipidemia and 281 (60.0%) were previously diagnosed as hypertensive. Overall, there was an increase in bleeding and no difference in MACE for patients with a PRECISE-DAPT score ≥25 (13.3% vs. 4.1% P<0.001). No difference in bleeding or MACE was present in patients stratified by the DAPT score.

Conclusion

A PRECISE-DAPT score ≥25 was associated with an increased rate of bleeding and no difference in MACE in patients prescribed 12 months of DAPT. This supports the use of the PRECISE-DAPT as a prospective tool in clinical practice.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

Perioperative intravenous contrast administration and the incidence of acute kidney injury after major gastrointestinal surgery: prospective, multicentre cohort study

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to determine the impact of preoperative exposure to intravenous contrast for CT and the risk of developing postoperative acute kidney injury (AKI) in patients undergoing major gastrointestinal surgery.

METHODS

This prospective, multicentre cohort study included adults undergoing gastrointestinal resection, stoma reversal or liver resection. Both elective and emergency procedures were included. Preoperative exposure to intravenous contrast was defined as exposure to contrast administered for the purposes of CT up to 7 days before surgery. The primary endpoint was the rate of AKI within 7 days. Propensity score-matched models were adjusted for patient, disease and operative variables. In a sensitivity analysis, a propensity score-matched model explored the association between preoperative exposure to contrast and AKI in the first 48 h after surgery.

RESULTS

A total of 5378 patients were included across 173 centres. Overall, 1249 patients (23·2 per cent) received intravenous contrast. The overall rate of AKI within 7 days of surgery was 13·4 per cent (718 of 5378). In the propensity score-matched model, preoperative exposure to contrast was not associated with AKI within 7 days (odds ratio (OR) 0·95, 95 per cent c.i. 0·73 to 1·21; P = 0·669). The sensitivity analysis showed no association between preoperative contrast administration and AKI within 48 h after operation (OR 1·09, 0·84 to 1·41; P = 0·498).

CONCLUSION

There was no association between preoperative intravenous contrast administered for CT up to 7 days before surgery and postoperative AKI. Risk of contrast-induced nephropathy should not be used as a reason to avoid contrast-enhanced CT.

P4359Re-characterising the left ventricular outflow tract and annulus in bi- and tricuspid aortic valves by 3D echocardiography - Comparative insights and implications for aortic valve area calculations

Background

Aortic stenosis severity is defined by the calculated aortic valve area (AVA) using the Doppler-derived continuity equation (CE; AVACE = 0.785 x (LVOTd)2 x LVOT VTI/AV VTI (LVOTd = left ventricular outflow tract diameter; AV = aortic valve; VTI = velocity-time integral)). The LVOTd is the “Achilles heel” due to limitations of conventional 2D imaging and unstandardized measurement sites (0.5–1cm “apical” in the LVOT (LVOTdApi) vs “annulus” level (LVOTdAnn)) with no consensus even in recent guidelines. Geometrical differences in the LVOT and annulus of bicuspid (BAV) and tricuspid (TAV) aortic valves are further confounders. There remains a paucity of evidence to guide best practice. Erroneous LVOTd values will result in inaccurate AVACE estimations, triggering inappropriate intervention, or inaction.

Purpose

To define the optimal LVOTd by transthoracic echocardiography (TTE; LVOTdApi vs LVOTdAnn by 2D vs 3D) for AVACE calculation, and to identify factors accounting for any observed differences between BAVs and TAVs. AVA measured by 3D TTE planimetry (AVA3D) was the reference standard.

Methods

TTEs with 3D datasets of the AV complex in patients with BAVs and TAVs were included. 2D-LVOTdApi and 2D-LVOTdAnn were measured from 2D parasternal long-axis images. 3D-LVOTd values were calculated from the measured circumference, area, and average of minor/major dimensions at the “apical” (3D-LVOTdApi-Circ; 3D-LVOTdApi-Area; 3D-LVOTdApi-Ave) and “annulus” (3D-LVOTdAnn-Circ; 3D-LVOTdAnn-Area; 3D-LVOTdAnn-Ave) levels using multiplanar reconstruction. LVOTVTI and AVVTI were traced from standard spectral Doppler waveforms. The ratio of minor:major dimensions was used as an eccentricity index (EI) of the “apical” (EIApi) and “annulus” (EIAnn) sites.

Results

53 BAVs and 52 TAVs were included. Mean BAV-AVA3D and TAV-AVA3D were 3.48±0.93cm2 and 3.41±0.69cm2 respectively. In BAVs, estimated AVACE using 3D-LVOTdApi-Circ (3.43±1.05cm2; Intraclass correlation (ICC) 0.971) and 3D-LVOTdAnn-Circ (3.40±1.01cm2; ICC 0.968) correlated best with AVA3D. Conversely in TAVs, 3D-LVOTdApi-Area (3.29±0.69cm2; ICC 0.983) and 3D-LVOTdAnn-Area (3.24±0.70cm2; ICC 0.975) performed optimally. 3D-LVOTdApi-Circ and 3D-LVOTdAnn-Circ overestimated TAV-AVA3D due to the greater ellipticity of the “apical” and “annulus” sites in TAVs (TAV vs BAV: EIApi 0.78 vs 0.83, P=0.04; EIAnn 0.84 vs 0.90, P<0.005). 2D-LVOTd-derived AVACE were predictable underestimations of the AVA3D but the “annulus” level outperformed “apical” in both BAVs and TAVs (BAV-ICC 0.857 vs 0.771; TAV-ICC 0.917 vs 0.889).

Conclusions

The “apical” LVOT and “annulus” are more circular in BAVs where 3D circumference (3D-LVOTdApi-Circ or 3D-LVOTdAnn-Circ) yielded the best AVACE. The more elliptical geometry in TAVs resulted in 3D area (3D-LVOTdApi-Area or 3D-LVOTdAnn-Area) the preferred technique. Resolving the quandary of measurement site, 2D-LVOTdAnn is favored over 2D-LVOTdApi for both BAVs and TAVs.

SUN-488 Opioid Induced Pituitary Dysfunction

The most common endocrinopathy resulting from chronic opioid use is suppression of all axes, primarily the HPG Axis and the HPA Axis (1). Systematic studies of GH deficiency have not been done. Studies have shown an increase in PRL in patients receiving methadone and morphine. There have been conflicting studies on the effect of opioids on the HPT Axis. Chronic opioid use is associated with osteoporosis; we do not know if it is a direct effect of opioids on bone or secondary to hypogonadism. We do not know the prevalence of hormonal derangements in patients on opioids. We hypothesized that most patients taking daily opioids have not been screened for pituitary dysfunction, that patients taking daily opioids for more than 3 months would have secondary hypogonadism, GH deficiency, AI, thyroid dysfunction, prolactin elevation, and osteoporosis/osteopenia. We reviewed 120 charts of male patients at McGuire Richmond VA between the ages of 18-88 taking daily opioids for over 3 months with a diagnosis of non-malignant pain. We excluded 68 charts for the presence of active cancer (n = 25), taking opioids for less than 3 months (n = 22), and CKD 3 (n = 10). Of the 52 patients that met the inclusion criteria, 2 patients had total testosterone levels tested (3.84% of total patients; average total testosterone was 275 ng/dL), 1 patient had free and bioavailable testosterone levels tested (1.92% of total patients), 6 patients had FSH and LH levels tested (11.53% of total patients; average FSH was 8.34 mIU/ml in the oxycodone group, 3.35 mIU/ml in the tramadol group and 0.36 mIU/ml in the fentanyl/hydromorphone/oxycodone group; average LH was 4.87 mIU/ml in the oxycodone group 2.36 mIU/ml in the tramadol group and 0.18 mIU/ml in the fentanyl/hydromorphone/oxycodone group), no patients had IGF-1 or ACTH tested, 1 patient had cortisol tested (1.92%), 1 patient had prolactin tested (1.92%; normal). 39 (75%) patients underwent a screening with a TSH value and 20 (40.38%) of patients underwent a screening for FT4. Of the TSH values, only one was elevated, in a patient on morphine and oxycodone. Of the FT4 values, only 2 were suppressed and none were elevated. Only 13 of the 52 patients had BMD studies within a year of taking opioids for 3 months; 7 had osteopenia, 6 had normal studies, and none had osteoporosis. Given the paucity of screening observed, providers need education about screening patients on opioid therapy for symptoms and biochemical signs of hypogonadism and adrenal insufficiency. Providers should counsel patients about suppressive side effects of opioids on the HPG and HPA axes. Providers should consider non-opioid therapies for pain to avoid causing endocrinopathies. Furthermore, over half of the patients with BMD studies showed osteopenia; patients on 3 months of opioids should be considered for osteoporosis screening. 1) Gudin, J., Laitman, A., and Nalamachu, S. Opioid related endocrinopathy. Pain Medicine 2015;S9-S15

Mitral paravalvular leak closure by antegrade percutaneous approach using amplatzer PFO closure device

Percutaneous closure of paravalvular leaks is becoming a more widely practiced technique. We describe the technique we used to deploy an Amplatzer PFO closure device to treat a prosthetic mitral paravalvular leak. The procedure was performed under real time 3D trans-oesophageal echo and fluoroscopic guidance requiring a trans-septal puncture and utilising an 035″ Safari wire which was developed for TAVR implantation. An excellent result was achieved acutely and at 4 month follow-up. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

The benefits and harms of rheumatic heart disease screening from the perspective of the screened population

BACKGROUND

A reduction in the burden of rheumatic heart disease (RHD) may be possible by identifying the condition while the patient is still asymptomatic. Currently, there is much debate about whether it is appropriate to screen for the presence of rheumatic heart disease (RHD) in a symptomless population. The purpose of this study was to identify self-reported benefits and harms from the perspective of screening participants and their families.

METHODS

In order to describe participant experiences and changes in behaviour post-screening, we interviewed a sample of parents/caregivers of children who were screened for the presence of RHD between 2007 and 2012 (n=276). A total of n=91 parents/caregivers of children diagnosed with either definite, probable or possible/borderline RHD ('abnormal' cases) were interviewed either by telephone or in-person, along with at least two matched controls (n=185 'normal' controls).

RESULTS

We observed evidence of long-standing anxiety and changes in physical activity among those who received an 'abnormal' screening result. The screening event appeared to have minimal impact on those who received a 'normal' result. There was some evidence of improved sore throat advice-seeking following the screening event, particularly among case respondents; however this group showed poorer understanding of the screening test compared to control respondents.

CONCLUSIONS

Among other points of discussion, this study brings to light issues regarding a) diminished physical activity habits among those receiving an abnormal result; b) levels of worry (and reassurance) among the screened population, depending on screening outcome; and c) general issues regarding the health literacy of the screened population.