Calculation of effective dose of phenylephrine bolus for treatment of post-spinal hypotension in pre-eclamptic patients undergoing caesarean section - a non-randomised controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Patients with pre-eclampsia require smaller vasopressor doses compared with those with normotension for management of post-spinal hypotension during caesarean section. However, the literature has little evidence as to the phenylephrine dose required for patients with pre-eclampsia.

METHODS

Fifty patients, with either pre-eclampsia or normotension, and developing post-spinal hypotension during caesarean section under spinal anaesthesia, were studied. Women in both groups did not receive prophylactic vasopressors. The first patient in each group received phenylephrine 50 µg to treat the first episode of hypotension, defined as fall of systolic blood pressure ≥20% from baseline or an absolute value <100 mmHg. If hypotension was corrected within one minute it was considered a 'success'. The doses for the subsequent patients were determined by responses to all previous patients, according to a variation of Narayana's rule for the up-down sequential allocation method.

RESULTS

The 95% effective dose (ED95) and 50% effective dose (ED50) of phenylephrine was 41.7 µg (95% CI 33.8 to 49.6 µg) and 29.1 µg (95% CI 26.0 to 32.2 µg) respectively in the pre-eclampsia group, and 64.9 µg (95% CI 54.1 to 75.7 µg) and 47.3 µg (95% CI 39.7 to 54.9 µg) respectively in the normotensive group. The proportionate reduction in phenylephrine dose ranged from 33% (95% CI 18 to 44%) to 40% (95% CI 19 to 52%).

CONCLUSION

Patients with pre-eclampsia may need a 33% to 40% reduction in the first phenylephrine bolus dose, compared with patients with normotension, for the treatment of the first episode of post-spinal hypotension.

In patients with type 2 diabetes chronic kidney disease is a modifiable cardiovascular risk factor

Background/Introduction

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular (CV) events. The modifiability of CKD-associated CV risk in patients with T2D across a spectrum of CKD stages remains unknown.

Purpose

To test whether CKD, as defined jointly by estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and albuminuria (urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio [UACR]), is a modifiable CV risk factor in patients with T2D. Furthermore, to estimate the population-wide reduction in first CV events in the US if all eligible patients were treated with finerenone.

Methods

We estimated the incidence rates of CV events (composite of CV death, non-fatal stroke, non-fatal myocardial infarction, or hospitalisation for heart failure) over a median follow-up of 3.0 years in 13,026 patients with CKD and T2D, treated with finerenone or placebo, in a joint analysis by eGFR and UACR categories. Patients were from FIDELITY, a prespecified pooled analysis of two phase III trials, and had an eGFR ≥25 ml/min/1.73 m2 and UACR 30–5000 mg/g at screening.The potential impact of finerenone treatment on the US population was evaluated by simulating the number of first CV events that could be prevented per year with finerenone, using incidence rates from FIDELITY and prevalence rates of CKD in patients with T2D from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES).

Results

Lower eGFR and higher UACR categories were associated with higher incidences of CV events in finerenone and placebo recipients (Figure). Finerenone reduced CV risk versus placebo (hazard ratio 0.86; 95% CI 0.78–0.95; p=0.0018) without evidence of moderation of risk reduction by combined eGFR and UACR categories (p interaction = 0.66; Figure 1). Using NHANES, a total of 6.4 million treatment-eligible individuals with CKD and T2D were identified; 75% had CKD with an eGFR ≥60 ml/min/1.73 m2 and 25% had CKD with an eGFR &lt;60 ml/min/1.73 m2. Simulations using this NHANES population projected that 1 year of finerenone treatment could prevent 38,359 CV events in US patients with CKD and T2D, with 66% of events prevented in patients with eGFR ≥60 ml/min/1.73 m2.

Conclusions

Higher albuminuria and lower eGFR are associated with increased CV risk in patients with T2D. Across a range of eGFR and albuminuria categories, CV risk is modifiable. Therefore, CKD is a modifiable CV risk factor in part mediated by mineralocorticoid receptor overactivation. UACR screening to identify patients with T2D and albuminuria with an eGFR ≥60 ml/min/1.73 m2 is likely to provide a significant opportunity for population benefits.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: Private company. Main funding source(s): Bayer AG

P-696 Serum androgen levels and risk of endometrial hyperplasia and malignancy in patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome: a cross-sectional analysis

Study question

In patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), are serum androgen levels (total and free testosterone) associated with the risk of endometrial hyperplasia or cancer?

Summary answer

Patients with PCOS diagnosed with endometrial hyperplasia or cancer had statistically significantly lower serum levels of androgens compared to PCOS patients with a normal endometrium.

What is known already

PCOS affects as many as 12% of women of reproductive age. Women with PCOS are almost three times as likely to develop endometrial cancer as women without PCOS, and endometrial hyperplasia precedes cancer in 36% of cases. Known risk factors of endometrial hyperplasia include anovulation, obesity, and resultant unopposed estrogen stimulation of the endometrium. A hallmark of PCOS is hyperandrogenism, however the effect of androgens on the endometrium is unclear.

Study design, size, duration

This was a cross-sectional, retrospective study of patients aged 18-40, being evaluated for oligomenorrhea and/or PCOS in the Reproductive Endocrinology Clinic at Los Angeles County Hospital, California, USA. All patients underwent an endometrial biopsy and serum measurement of free and total testosterone, estradiol, and hemoglobin A1c. Patients diagnosed with PCOS and with an endometrial biopsy diagnosis were included in the study. Patients on any hormonal therapy were excluded.

Participants/materials, setting, methods

In all patients included in the study, serum androgen levels (free and total testosterone) were measured by mass spectrometry. All endometrial biopsies were analyzed by an experienced histopathology, and all diagnoses of endometrial hyperplasia or cancer were confirmed by histologic studies.

Main results and the role of chance

Using the Rotterdam criteria, a total of 232 patients were diagnosed with PCOS during the study period. Of these patients, 161 patients (70%) had a normal endometrium, 19 (8%) were diagnosed with endometrial hyperplasia (EH) without atypia, 38 (16%) were diagnosed with EH with atypia, and 14 (6%) were diagnosed with endometrial cancer. Patients with a normal endometrium had a mean total testosterone of 60.9 ng/dL and mean free testosterone of 9.3 ng/dL. Relatively, patients with EH without atypia, EH with atypia, and endometrial cancer had lower mean total testosterone levels of 50.1 ng/dL, 45.5 ng/dL, and 30.1 ng/dL, respectively (p-values 0.04, 0.02, 0.001, respectively), as well as lower mean free testosterone levels of 8.2 pg/mL, 6.7 pg/mL, and 5.5 pg/mL, respectively (p-values 0.04, 0.03, and 0.01, respectively). There was no significant difference in age, parity, BMI, estradiol levels, or hemoglobin A1c between the four groups.

Limitations, reasons for caution

Limitations of our study include its retrospective nature. Furthermore, hormone levels were only measured in the serum, and not in the endometrial tissue directly, which would give the most insight into their actions on the endometrium.

Wider implications of the findings

Our findings suggest that androgens have a protective effect on the endometrium against endometrial hyperplasia and cancer. Further studies are needed to evaluate the therapeutic potential role of androgens in the prevention or treatment of these conditions.

Trial registration number

not applicable

Patient perspectives on nipple-areola complex micropigmentation during the COVID-19 pandemic

Background

Micropigmentation is a well-recognised option for nipple-areola complex reconstruction, as part of the breast reconstruction pathway for patients following mastectomy. As a part of delayed breast reconstruction, this treatment was put on hold during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Aims

To assess the views of patients regarding micropigmentation in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and whether their attitudes to seeking out this part of the reconstructive journey had been altered.

Methods

A questionnaire undertaken with 53 patients between August & September 2020 attending the Micropigmentation clinic.

Findings

81.1% of patients reported COVID-19 had not impacted their decision, with a similar proportion happy to proceed with the treatment at the time of questioning.

Conclusions

The results highlight the importance of nipple-areola complex to our patients’ reconstructive journey.

The association between neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio and echocardiographic parameters in hospitalised adults with COVID-19 - a retrospective analysis

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: None.

Background

The neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is an inflammatory biomarker with prognostic value in several cardiovascular conditions. Hyperinflammation contributes to severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which is characterized by a multi-organ dysfunction. Cardiovascular complications of COVID-19 include arrhythmias, myocardial damage, acute heart failure, and acute coronary syndrome. Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) can be used to assess cardiovascular structure and function non-invasively.

Purpose

To investigate the association between NLR at admission and TTE abnormalities in hospitalised adults with COVID-19.

Methods

This single-centre retrospective study was conducted at a COVID-19 referral hospital in Indonesia. All consecutive hospitalised adults with confirmed COVID-19 who underwent TTE assessments between 3 April 2020 to 6 April 2021 were included. Comprehensive data including NLR at admission, demographics, co-morbidities, peak severity of COVID-19, and TTE parameters were extracted from electronic medical records. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was conducted to determine the optimal NLR cut-off for prediction of severe-critical COVID-19. Patients with high and low NLR were compared using the chi-square test and odds ratios (OR), with a confidence level of 95%.

Results

A total of 487 patients were included in this study. From ROC curve analysis, the area under curve was 0.80 (95% CI: 0.76 – 0.84). The optimal NLR cut-off was determined as 4.42, which predicted severe-critical COVID-19 with a sensitivity of 74.5% and a specificity of 74.6%. Based on this, the low NLR and high NLR groups had 223 and 264 patients, respectively.  Male sex, diabetes, and chronic kidney disease occurred more frequently in the high NLR group (P &lt; 0.05). On TTE assessment, the high NLR group had higher odds of left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction (OR: 2.49; 95% CI: 1.14 – 5.45), LV wall motion abnormalities (OR: 2.62; 95% CI: 1.41 – 4.87), valve abnormalities (OR: 2.04; 95% CI: 1.35 – 3.07), and right ventricular (RV) dysfunction (OR: 10.55; 95% CI: 2.46 – 45.25).

Conclusions

COVID-19 patients with a high NLR at admission had higher odds of abnormal TTE findings, including LV systolic dysfunction, LV wall motion abnormalities, valve abnormalities, and RV dysfunction. This indicates a possible link between inflammation and cardiovascular dysfunction in COVID-19, which must be confirmed in larger prospective studies. Abstract Figure. ROC Curve Analysis  Abstract Figure. Odds Ratios for TTE Abnormalities

The association between transthoracic echocardiographic parameters and severity of COVID-19 in hospitalised adults - a retrospective analysis

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: None.

Background

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an ongoing global pandemic with more than 220 million cases and 4.5 million deaths reported worldwide. Its clinical spectrum varies widely, and non-invasive prognostic markers are valuable as they can guide efficient resource allocation.  Cardiovascular complications of COVID-19 include myocardial injury, acute heart failure, and arrhythmias. Both de novo cardiovascular complications and pre-existing cardiovascular co-morbidities are associated with a poor prognosis. Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) can be used to assess cardiovascular structure and function non-invasively.

Purpose

To investigate the association between TTE parameters and severity of disease in hospitalised adults with confirmed COVID-19

Methods

This single-centre retrospective analysis was conducted at a COVID-19 referral hospital in Indonesia. All consecutive adults hospitalised with confirmed COVID-19 who underwent TTE assessment between 3 April 2020 to 6 April 2021 were included. Comprehensive data including demographics, peak COVID-19 severity, pre-existing co-morbidities, and TTE findings were extracted from electronic medical records. Patients with mild-moderate and severe-critical disease were compared using the chi-square test and odds ratios (OR), with a confidence level of 95%.

Results

A total of 488 patients were included in this study; 202 with mild-moderate disease and 286 with severe-critical disease. Frequency of old age (>60 years), obesity, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, and congestive heart failure were higher in the severe-critical group (P < 0.05). On TTE assessment, Patients with severe-critical disease had higher odds of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) (OR: 2.20; CI: 1.49 – 3.24), LV wall motion abnormality (OR: 3.33; CI: 1.68 – 6.60), diastolic dysfunction (OR: 1.46; CI: 1.02 – 2.11), valve abnormality (OR: 1.93; CI: 1.27 – 2.92), and right ventricular (RV) dysfunction (OR: 5.53; CI: 1.63 – 18.73). After matching for age, obesity, and diabetes, patients with severe-critical COVID-19 continued to have higher odds of LVH (OR: 1.91; CI: 1.21 – 3.02), LV wall motion abnormality (OR: 2.76; CI: 1.28 – 5.96), diastolic dysfunction (OR: 1.55; CI: 1.00 – 2.38), and RV dysfunction (OR: 3.86; CI: 1.06 – 14.08).

Conclusions

The presence of LVH, LV wall motion abnormality, diastolic dysfunction, and RV dysfunction on TTE assessment were associated with severe-critical disease in hospitalised adults with COVID-19. These findings must be validated in a larger prospective study.

Neonatal outcomes following phenylephrine or norepinephrine for treatment of spinal anaesthesia-induced hypotension at emergency caesarean section in women with fetal compromise - a randomised controlled study

BACKGROUND

Norepinephrine is as effective as phenylephrine for management of spinal anaesthesia-induced hypotension. Most of the studies comparing these vasopressors have been conducted in healthy pregnant women undergoing elective caesarean section. In the current study, we tested the null hypothesis that there is no difference in neonatal outcome when phenylephrine or norepinephrine is used to treat spinal anaesthesia-induced hypotension in women undergoing emergency caesarean section for fetal compromise.

METHODS

Patients undergoing caesarean section for fetal compromise who developed spinal anaesthesia-induced hypotension were randomised to receive phenylephrine 100 μg or norepinephrine 8 μg for treatment of each hypotensive episode, defined as systolic blood pressure <100 mmHg. Umbilical cord arterial and venous blood samples were obtained for blood gas analysis. The primary outcome measure was umbilical artery pH.

RESULTS

One hundred patients (50 in each group) were studied. There was no significant difference in umbilical artery pH between the two groups (mean difference 0.001; 95% CI -0.032 to 0.034). The number of hypotensive episodes, vasopressor boluses required, the incidence of bradycardia, heart rate and blood pressure trends following vasopressor administration, and the incidence of nausea/vomiting were not significantly different between groups.

CONCLUSION

Phenylephrine 100 μg and norepinephrine 8 μg were not significantly different in terms of neonatal outcome when administered as intravenous boluses for treatment of spinal anaesthesia-induced hypotension in parturients undergoing emergency caesarean sections for fetal compromise.

Stepwise interventions for improving hand hygiene compliance in a level 3 academic neonatal intensive care unit in north India

OBJECTIVE

We evaluated effect of sequentially introducing four WHO-recommended interventions to promote hand-hygiene compliance in tertiary-care NICU.

STUDY DESIGN

Four dedicated research nurses directly observed doctors and nurses to record success in hand-hygiene opportunities at randomly selected NICU beds and randomly sampled time-slots in four phases (of 4-weeks each): I-Baseline, II-Self-directed learning; III-Participatory learning; IV-Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV); and V-CCTV-plus (with feedback).

FINDINGS

Hand-hygiene compliance changed from 61.8% (baseline) to 77% (end) with overall relative change: 24.6% (95% CI 18, 32; p value= 0.003); compared with preceding phase, relative changes of 21% (15, 28; <0.001), 4% (0, 8; 0.008), -10% (-13, -6; <0.001), and 10% (5, 15; <0.001) during phases II, III, IV, and V, respectively were observed. Rise in hand-hygiene compliance was higher for after-WHO-moments (12.7%; upto 2.5-folds for moment 5, <0.001) compared to before-WHO-moments (5.2%). Educational interventions, feedback and monitoring WHO moments can improve hand-hygiene compliance significantly among health-care providers in NICU.

Use of Elastic Stain Technique to Detect Histologically Occult Vascular Invasion in Resected Colorectal Carcinomas at Danbury Hospital

Introduction/Objective

Colorectal carcinoma (CRC) represents a leading cause of cancer related death in the western world and is by far the most common malignancy of the gastrointestinal tract. Vascular invasion (VI), in particular extramural VI by tumor is recognized as a feature of colorectal cancer progression, and the latter is an independent prognostic indicator of disease recurrence and survival in colorectal carcinoma. The purpose of this study is to detect VI in resected colorectal tumor samples and compare sensitivity of elastic staining to routine H&E staining at Danbury Hospital.

Methods/Case Report

A total of 50 colorectal cancer specimens from segmental colon resection or endoscopic polypectomy performed at Danbury Hospital over a 3-year period were included. Histologic sections of each tumor were assessed for the presence of VI by routine H&E staining. Superficial recuts of each tumor were subjected to elastic Von Giesen staining and reassessed for the presence of vascular invasion. Sensitivity of routine H&E staining for the detection of VI was calculated with elastic stain serving as the “gold standard”.

Results (if a Case Study enter NA)

In this study, VI by carcinoma was identified by H&E stain and/or elastic stain in 17 (34%) out of 50 cases. H&E stain and elastic stain detected VI in 12 (24%) and 16 (32%) out of 50 cases, respectively. There was a single case for which H&E stain showed vascular invasion that was not confirmed by elastic stain, representing a false negative for the H&E technique. Elastic staining detected VI in 5 cases for which the corresponding H&E stain was falsely negative for VI. Overall, vascular invasion status (absent or present) was concordant in 44 (88 %) of the 50 cases. With elastic stain deemed the “gold standard” for VI detection, the sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value, and positive predictive value of H&E stain were found to be 68.7%, 97.0%, 86.8%, and 91.6%, respectively.

Conclusion

Although H & E staining of colorectal carcinoma tissue sections have a very good specificity and positive predictive value for the detection of VI, this technique suffers from a suboptimal sensitivity. For these reasons, we agree with previously published literature reports that the use of elastic stain as a supplement to H & E staining should be strongly considered for the proper evaluation and prognostication of colorectal carcinoma specimens.

Knowledge assessment and outcomes of otolaryngology practice amidst the COVID-19 pandemic in a busy ENT department

INTRODUCTION

Otolaryngology health personnel are at high risk of acquiring COVID-19 disease and, hence, are likely to have high stress levels. This study was designed to evaluate the feedback of otolaryngology healthcare workers in ENT departments who are managing patients in the coronavirus pandemic.

METHODS

A questionnaire focused on all aspects of healthcare delivery was completed by otolaryngology healthcare workers.

RESULTS

The findings, based on statistical analyses, included high stress levels and inadequate disease-related information in these workers.

CONCLUSIONS

Healthcare authorities need to take care of issues related to mental health in healthcare professionals in addition to spreading awareness about safe practices. Further studies are needed to continuously monitor feedback from personnel as the coronavirus pandemic unravels in the future.

Quantification of bioactive compounds in guava at different ripening stages

Guava (Psidium guajava L.) is one of the most important tropical fruits belonging to the genus Psidium and the Myrtaceae family and claim to have phenolic compounds that have been reported to possess strong antioxidant activity. This study was aimed to evaluate the bioactive constituents in guava cultivars at different ripening stages by HPLC. The five guava cultivars were selected at different ripening stages and the bioactive components were analysed by high-pressure liquid chromatography. The quantification of bioactive compounds revealed that the highest amount of bioactive compounds was found in cultivar Safeda at the unripe stage, while a minimum amount was found in ripe Apple Colour guava cultivar. The six bioactive compounds were quantified in the range of gallic acid (9.46-63.08 mg/100 g), quercetin (0.11-2.51 mg/100 g), myrcetin (0.09-0.034 mg/100 g), ascorbic acid (7.45-75.07 mg/100 g), apegenin (0.01-0.032 mg/100 g) and lycopene (0.34-0.92 mg/100 g). The exploratory evaluation of guava samples was performed through Principal Component Analysis (PCA), the bioactive compounds, lycopene, myricetin, and quercetin are dominant variables on this PC1 (61.52%) (Scores better than 0.7), thereby causing greater variability among these samples. The second principal component (PC2) represents 16.54% of the total variance and the ascorbic acid, gallic acid and apeginin (score better than 0.7), are the dominant variables on this PC.

Supercomputer-Based Ensemble Docking Drug Discovery Pipeline with Application to Covid-19

We present a supercomputer-driven pipeline for in silico drug discovery using enhanced sampling molecular dynamics (MD) and ensemble docking. Ensemble docking makes use of MD results by docking compound databases into representative protein binding-site conformations, thus taking into account the dynamic properties of the binding sites. We also describe preliminary results obtained for 24 systems involving eight proteins of the proteome of SARS-CoV-2. The MD involves temperature replica exchange enhanced sampling, making use of massively parallel supercomputing to quickly sample the configurational space of protein drug targets. Using the Summit supercomputer at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, more than 1 ms of enhanced sampling MD can be generated per day. We have ensemble docked repurposing databases to 10 configurations of each of the 24 SARS-CoV-2 systems using AutoDock Vina. Comparison to experiment demonstrates remarkably high hit rates for the top scoring tranches of compounds identified by our ensemble approach. We also demonstrate that, using Autodock-GPU on Summit, it is possible to perform exhaustive docking of one billion compounds in under 24 h. Finally, we discuss preliminary results and planned improvements to the pipeline, including the use of quantum mechanical (QM), machine learning, and artificial intelligence (AI) methods to cluster MD trajectories and rescore docking poses.

Practical consensus recommendations on fertility preservation in patients with breast cancer

Young women diagnosed with cancer today have a greater chance of long-term survival than ever before. Successful survivorship for this group of patients includes maintaining a high quality of life after a cancer diagnosis and treatment; however, lifesaving treatments such as chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery can impact survivors by impairing reproductive and endocrine health. Expert oncologists along with reproductive medicine specialists discuss fertility preservation options in this chapter since fertility preservation is becoming a priority for young women with breast cancer. This expert group used data from published literature, practical experience and opinion of a large group of academic oncologists to arrive at these practical consensus recommendations for the benefit of community oncologists.

Concomitant botanical medicine use among patients participating in commercial prostate cancer trials

OBJECTIVES

Patients with cancer frequently use botanical medications. The concomitant use of such medications by patients on commercial trials has not been well-described, despite the importance of these trials for evaluating the safety and efficacy of new agents. We sought to describe the use of botanical medications taken by patients with prostate cancer enrolled on global commercial trials.

DESIGN

Retrospective study.

SETTING

Regulatory repository of commercial clinical trial data.

INTERVENTIONS

Anti-cancer therapy.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Botanical and medication use data were pooled across six international commercial randomized trials for metastatic prostate cancer with detailed information on medication and indications. Botanical products were considered to have potential for drug interaction if they led to a change in drug exposure in human trials. Potential for interaction was ascertained by PubMed review. Descriptive statistics were used for analysis.

RESULTS

Of 7318 enrolled patients, 700 (10 %) reported botanical use at any time and 653 (9%) reported use of botanical products while on trial. Nearly half of botanical product types were not classified by plant (43 %). The highest proportion of botanical use was among patients in Asian countries (32 %), followed by patients in North America (13 %). Eighty-six different types of botanical products were used; of these, nineteen had a patient-reported anti-cancer indication.

CONCLUSIONS

Botanical medicine use among patients with prostate cancer in commercial trials is moderate, although it varies by region. Practitioners should be aware of the use of botanical interventions in a clinical trial context.

Independent predictors of heart failure in patients with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease: modeling from the CREDENCE trial

Background

SGLT2 inhibitors have been shown to reduce hospitalization for heart failure (HHF). We sought to determine independent baseline predictors for HHF specifically in a population with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Methods

CREDENCE randomized 4401 participants with type 2 diabetes and CKD to canagliflozin 100 mg versus placebo. We evaluated the baseline clinical and demographic factors using multivariate regression modeling to identify the independent predictors of HHF.

Results

Overall, 230 participants (89 canagliflozin; 141 placebo) had at least 1 HHF event. Canagliflozin reduced the incidence of HHF compared with placebo (4.0% vs 6.4%; HR 0.61; 95% CI 0.47–0.80). Participants with HHF events postrandomization were older (65.8 vs 62.9 y), and had a longer duration of diabetes (17.4 vs 15.7 y), higher prevalence of prior HF (30.4% vs 14.0%), higher urinary albumin:creatinine ratio (1347 vs 904 mg/g), lower estimated glomerular filtration rate (51.5 vs 56.4 mL/min/1.73m2), and higher prevalence of prior cardiovascular disease (65.7% vs 49.6%) compared to those without HHF. Independent predictors of HHF are shown in the Table.

Conclusions

HHF is common in patients with type 2 diabetes and CKD. Canagliflozin reduces HHF by 39% compared with placebo. Higher urinary albumin:creatinine ratio was the most potent predictor of HHF and should be part of patient risk assessment.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: Private company. Main funding source(s): Janssen Research & Development, LLC

Consensus and development of document for management of stabilized acute decompensated heart failure with reduced ejection fraction in India

Aim

Ensuring adherence to guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT) is an effective strategy to reduce mortality and readmission rates for heart failure (HF). Use of a checklist is one of the best tools to ensure GDMT. The aim was to develop a consensus document with a robust checklist for stabilized acute decompensated HF patients with reduced ejection fraction. While there are multiple checklists available, an India-specific checklist that is easy to fill and validated by regional and national subject matter experts (SMEs) is required.

Methodology

A total of 25 Cardiology SMEs who consented to participate from India discussed data from literature, current evidence, international guidelines and practical experiences in two national and four regional meetings.

Results

Recommendations included HF management, treatment optimization, and patient education. The checklist should be filled at four time points- (a) transition from intensive care unit to ward, (b) at discharge, (c) 1st follow-up and (d) subsequent follow-up. The checklist is the responsibility of the consultant or the treating physician which can be delegated to a junior resident or a trained HF nurse.

Conclusion

This checklist will ensure GDMT, simplify transition of care and can be used by all doctors across India. Institutions, associations, and societies should recommend this checklist for adaptability in public and private hospital. Hospital administrations should roll out policy for adoption of checklist by ensuring patient files have the checklist at the time of discharge and encourage practice of filling it diligently during follow-up visits.

Supercomputer-Based Ensemble Docking Drug Discovery Pipeline with Application to Covid-19

We present a supercomputer-driven pipeline for in-silico drug discovery using enhanced sampling molecular dynamics (MD) and ensemble docking. We also describe preliminary results obtained for 23 systems involving eight protein targets of the proteome of SARS CoV-2. THe MD performed is temperature replica-exchange enhanced sampling, making use of the massively parallel supercomputing on the SUMMIT supercomputer at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, with which more than 1ms of enhanced sampling MD can be generated per day. We have ensemble docked repurposing databases to ten configurations of each of the 23 SARS CoV-2 systems using AutoDock Vina. We also demonstrate that using Autodock-GPU on SUMMIT, it is possible to perform exhaustive docking of one billion compounds in under 24 hours. Finally, we discuss preliminary results and planned improvements to the pipeline, including the use of quantum mechanical (QM), machine learning, and AI methods to cluster MD trajectories and rescore docking poses.

SAT0354 TYPE 3 INNATE LYMPHOID CELLS ARE KEY DRIVERS OF PSORIATIC ARTHRITIS

Background:

Psoriasis (PsO) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) are two types of chronic inflammatory diseases that share a similar cytokines profile. About 30% of PsO patients also develop a joint involvement, but the underlying mechanism is still unclear. Innate lymphoid cells (ILC) and specifically the type 3 ILCs (ILC3s) have raised increasing interest as possible player in the pathogenesis of both diseases, as they produce the pathological key cytokine IL-17A.

Objectives:

We addressed the contribution of ILC3s to the pathogenesis of PsO and PsA in patients as well as murinein vivomodels.

Methods:

130 patients satisfying the Classification Criteria for Psoriatic Arthritis (CASPAR), 40 patients with PsO and 35 healthy volunteers were enrolled in the study. Information regarding clinical features, laboratory parameters were collected and psoriasis area severity index (PASI), disease activity score 28 (DAS28), disease activity in psoriatic arthritis (DAPSA), minimal disease activity score (MDA) were calculated. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and high-resolution peripheral CT (HR-pQCT) were taken and PsA MRI score (PsAMRIS) was assessed. Flow cytometric analysis was performed and IFNγ-producing ILC1s, IL-4/IL-5-producing ILC2s and IL-17/IL-22-producing ILC3s were identified among ILCs. Multivariate linear regression and Receiver-Operating Characteristic (ROC) Curve analysis was performed using the IBM SPSS Statistics software. Different in vivo models were used to assess functional implications of ILCs at different time points of the disease. Joint inflammation was assessed through MRI and H&E staining of ankle areas. Peripheral blood was obtained from mice of each group and flow cytometry analysis was performed. High dimensional analyses including RNA-seq was performed to identify phenotypic characteristics of ILCs implemented into the pathogenesis of the disease.

Results:

Total number of circulating ILCs were increased in PsA patients compared to PsO and healthy controls (p<0,001). Linear regression analyses of the relationship between disease activity and circulating ILCs counts showed strongest correlation between ILC3s counts and DAPSA score. ILC3s counts also correlated with imaging signs of inflammation such as enthesitis, synovitis, erosions and/or ostoeproliferation as assessed by MRI and HR-pQCT. Musculoskeletal inflammation in mice was predominantly associated with p19 expression and IL-23R-signaling as assessed by RNA-seq. These effects were also accompanied by a strong upregulation of IL-17-producing lymphocytes within the inflamed joint niche with a dominant presence of ILC3s. Multi-channel immunofluorescence and confocal laser scanning microscopy revealed not only upregulation of ILC3 induced IL-17 production within the synovial membrane but also in peri-articular areas of the inflamed joints.

Conclusion:

ILC3s not only correlate with various facets of PsA manifestations but also functionally contribute to synovitis and enthesitis suggesting them as interesting target for upcoming treatment strategies in the near future.

Disclosure of Interests:

Maria Gabriella Raimondo Grant/research support from: Celgene, Partner Fellowship, Simon Rauber: None declared, Markus Luber: None declared, Aleix Rius Rigau: None declared, Stefanie Weber: None declared, Charles Gwellem Anchang: None declared, Rahul Agarwal: None declared, Alina Soare: None declared, Michael Sticherling Grant/research support from: Novartis, Consultant of: Advisory boards Abbvie, Celgene, Janssen Cilag, Lilly, Pfizer, MSD, Novartis, Amgen, Leo, Sanofi, UCB, Speakers bureau: Abbvie, Celgene, Janssen Cilag, Leo, MSD, Novartis, Pfizer, Jürgen Rech Consultant of: BMS, Celgene, Novartis, Roche, Chugai, Speakers bureau: AbbVie, Biogen, BMS, Celgene, MSD, Novartis, Roche, Chugai, Pfizer, Lilly, Arnd Kleyer Consultant of: Lilly, Gilead, Novartis,Abbvie, Speakers bureau: Novartis, Lilly, Jörg Distler Grant/research support from: Boehringer Ingelheim, Consultant of: Boehringer Ingelheim, Paid instructor for: Boehringer Ingelheim, Speakers bureau: Boehringer Ingelheim, Georg Schett Speakers bureau: AbbVie, BMS, Celgene, Janssen, Eli Lilly, Novartis, Roche and UCB, Andreas Ramming Grant/research support from: Pfizer, Novartis, Consultant of: Boehringer Ingelheim, Novartis, Gilead, Pfizer, Speakers bureau: Boehringer Ingelheim, Roche, Janssen

A multicentre observational study on the epidemiology, risk factors, management and outcomes of mucormycosis in India

OBJECTIVES

To describe the epidemiology, management and outcome of individuals with mucormycosis; and to evaluate the risk factors associated with mortality.

METHODS

We conducted a prospective observational study involving consecutive individuals with proven mucormycosis across 12 centres from India. The demographic profile, microbiology, predisposing factors, management and 90-day mortality were recorded; risk factors for mortality were analysed.

RESULTS

We included 465 patients. Rhino-orbital mucormycosis was the most common (315/465, 67.7%) presentation followed by pulmonary (62/465, 13.3%), cutaneous (49/465, 10.5%), and others. The predisposing factors included diabetes mellitus (342/465, 73.5%), malignancy (42/465, 9.0%), transplant (36/465, 7.7%), and others. Rhizopus species (231/290, 79.7%) were the most common followed by Apophysomyces variabilis (23/290, 7.9%), and several rare Mucorales. Surgical treatment was performed in 62.2% (289/465) of the participants. Amphotericin B was the primary therapy in 81.9% (381/465), and posaconazole was used as combination therapy in 53 (11.4%) individuals. Antifungal therapy was inappropriate in 7.6% (30/394) of the individuals. The 90-day mortality rate was 52% (242/465). On multivariate analysis, disseminated and rhino-orbital (with cerebral extension) mucormycosis, shorter duration of symptoms, shorter duration of antifungal therapy, and treatment with amphotericin B deoxycholate (versus liposomal) were independent risk factors of mortality. A combined medical and surgical management was associated with a better survival.

CONCLUSIONS

Diabetes mellitus was the dominant predisposing factor in all forms of mucormycosis. Combined surgical and medical management was associated with better outcomes. Several gaps surfaced in the management of mucormycosis. The rarer Mucorales identified in the study warrant further evaluation.

Monitoring treatment response in chronic pulmonary aspergillosis: role of clinical, spirometric and immunological markers

OBJECTIVES

The treatment response in chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA) is usually assessed based on the improvement in clinical and imaging findings. Herein, we evaluate serum Aspergillus fumigatus-specific IgG, serum galactomannan, weight change, and lung function for assessing treatment response in subjects with CPA.

METHODS

We categorized treatment response as favourable (improved or stable clinical response with radiologically improved or stable disease) or unfavourable (worsening of symptoms or radiological progression) after 6 months of treatment with antifungal azoles. We measured A. fumigatus-specific IgG, serum galactomannan, weight, and lung function at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months in those with favourable and unfavourable treatment response.

RESULTS

One hundred and twenty-six consecutive treatment-naïve subjects (53.2% (67/126) males; mean ± SD age, 42.3 ± 14.7 years) with CPA were included. One hundred and six and 20 were classified as having favourable and unfavourable response, respectively. After 6 months of treatment, the decline in serum A. fumigatus-specific IgG (n = 119) was similar in those with favourable or unfavourable response (mean ± SD, -26.3 ± 45.5 mgA/L vs. -3.4 ± 65.6 mgA/L; p 0.20). There was no significant change in the serum galactomannan (favourable vs. unfavourable: mean ± SD, -0.11 ± 2.8 vs. -0.62 ± 2; p 0.92) or FEV1 (favourable vs. unfavourable: mean ± SD, 24 ± 250 mL vs. -62 ± 154 mL; p 0.19) after 6 months of treatment. There was significant loss of weight (mean ± SD, -2.5 ± 4.5 kg) in subjects with unfavourable response.

CONCLUSION

Serum A. fumigatus-specific IgG and serum galactomannan inconsistently decrease following treatment and may not be useful indicators for monitoring treatment response in CPA. Similarly, there is little change in pulmonary function following treatment. A gain in body weight is seen in those with favourable response.

Perioperative Management of Sickle Cell Disease in Paediatric Cardiac Surgery

In sickle cell disease, cardiopulmonary bypass may induce red cell sickling. Partial exchange transfusion reduces the circulating haemoglobin S level. We report the management of a child with sickle cell disease who required surgical closure of a ventricular septal defect. Preoperative exchange transfusion of 50% of the total blood volume was performed with fresh packed red cells over three days. Further exchange transfusion was performed as cardiopulmonary bypass commenced. The haemoglobin S level was reduced from 76% to 37%. The blood removed from the patient during the exchanges was processed allowing storage and re-infusion of the patient's plasma and platelets. Combined preoperative and intraoperative exchange transfusions, instead of a single stage 50% volume exchange, was effective and potentially avoids larger haemodynamic effects. Cardiopulmonary bypass was conducted at normothermia and cold cardioplegia was avoided (fibrillatory arrest was used during the surgical repair).