Medical graphics to improve patient understanding and anxiety in elderly and cognitively impaired patients scheduled for transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI)

BACKGROUND

Anxiety and limited patient comprehension may pose significant barriers when informing elderly patients about complex procedures such as transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI).

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to evaluate the utility of medical graphics to improve the patient informed consent (IC) before TAVI.

METHODS

In this prospective, randomized dual center study, 301 patients were assigned to a patient brochure containing medical graphics (Comic group, n = 153) or sham information (Control group, n = 148) on top of usual IC. Primary outcomes were patient understanding of central IC-related aspects and periprocedural anxiety assessed by the validated Spielberger State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), both analyzed by cognitive status according to the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA).

RESULTS

Patient understanding was significantly higher in the Comic group [mean number of correct answers 12.8 (SD 1.2) vs. 11.3 (1.8); mean difference 1.5 (95% CI 1.2-1.8); p < 0.001]. This effect was more pronounced in the presence of cognitive dysfunction (MoCA < 26) [12.6 (1.2) in the Comic vs. 10.9 (1.6) in the Control group; mean difference 1.8 (1.4-2.2), p < 0.001]. Mean STAI score declined by 5.7 (95% CI 5.1-6.3; p < 0.001) in the Comic and 0.8 points (0.2-1.4; p = 0.015) in the Control group. Finally, mean STAI score decreased in the Comic group by 4.7 (3.8-5.6) in cognitively impaired patients and by 6.6 (95% CI 5.8 to 7.5) in patients with normal cognitive function (p < 0.001 each).

CONCLUSIONS

Our results prove beneficial effects for using medical graphics to inform elderly patients about TAVI by improving patient understanding and reducing periprocedural anxiety (DRKS00021661; 23/Oct/2020). Medical graphics entailed significant beneficial effects on the primary endpoints, patient understanding and periprocedural anxiety, compared to the usual patient informed consent (IC) procedure. Patient understanding of IC-related aspects was significantly higher in the Comic group, with a more pronounced benefit in patients with cognitive impairment (p for IC method and cognitive status < 0.001, respectively; p for IC method x MoCA category interaction = 0.017). There further was a significant decline of periprocedural anxiety in patients with and without cognitive impairment (p for IC method x measuring time point < 0.001; p for IC method x MoCA category x measuring time point interaction = 0.018).

Echocardiographic assessment of left ventricular radial strain to differentiate cardiac amyloidosis from Fabry disease

Background

Left ventricular (LV) wall thickening is a typical echocardiographic finding in infiltrative cardiomyopathies like cardiac amyloidosis (CA) and Fabry disease (FD). The discrimination of both infiltrative diseases remains challenging by standard as well as 2D speckle tracking echocardiography (2DSTE)-based analysis of longitudinal LV strain patterns. Over the recent years, a constant development in image quality and data processing provided better possibilities to analyse layer specific myocardial deformation indices. With regards to FD, specific layer LV strain patterns may be useful to rule-in FD in patients with suspected infiltrative cardiomyopathy.

Purpose

The aim of the present study was to investigate differences and the diagnostic value of layer specific 2D STE-based radial LV strain indices in CA and FD.

Methods

Next to standard parameters of a comprehensive echocardiographic assessment (Vivid E9 or E95, GE Vingmed, Horton, Norway, with an M5S 1.5–4.5MHz transducer), we retrospectively analysed the transmural radial LV strain (GSradial), the subendocardial radial LV strain (GSendo), the subepicardial radial LV strain (GSepi), and the strain gradient (GSendo − GSepi) (EchoPAC software, GE) in FD patients and CA patient from the amyloidosis registry at our study site. A Receiver operating curve (ROC) analysis was used to assess the diagnostic value of the respective LV strain values and the layer-specific strain gradient to discriminate FD and CA.

Results

A total of 38 FD and 40 CA patients were included in our analyses. In patients with FD, GSepi showed a marked impairment. LV radial and layer strain were significantly reduced in CA compared to FD patients [GSradial −12.0 (−16.2 to −9.9) in CA vs. −17.7 (−20.5 to −14.6) in FD; p&lt;0.001); GSendo (−20.6 (−27.0 to −15.7) in CA vs. −30.0 (−32.0 to −25.6) in FD; p&lt;0.001); and GSepi (−7.4 (−8.9 to −4.8) in CA vs. −9.1 (−11.86 to −7.6) in FD; p&lt;0.001)]. The gradient of GSendo and GSepi was significantly lower in patients with CA compared to FD (−14.0±5.6 in CA vs. −19.4±4.3 in FD respectively; p&lt;0.001). GSendo held the highest diagnostic accuracy to discriminate CA and FD (area under the curve [AUC] 0.83, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.73–0.92). The layer-specific strain gradient GSendo − Gsepi showed an AUC of 0.79 (CI 0.69 to 0.89).

Conclusion

Layer-specific strain analysis demonstrated significantly reduced strain values in CA patients compared to FD. The analysis of GSendo held a high diagnostic accuracy to discriminate FD and CA in patients. The integration of layer-specific LV strain indices into the diagnostic work-up may improve the management of patients with an unclear thick heart pathology in future.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: Private company. Main funding source(s): Alnylam Pharmaceuticals (Cambridge, MA, USA)

New echocardiographic approaches to differentiate cardiac amyloidosis and Fabry disease: the right heart and mitral valve thickness

Background

Infiltrative cardiomyopathies such as cardiac amyloidosis (CA) and Fabry disease (FD) are associated with high cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Diagnosis is often challenging as CA and FD may present similar cardiac phenotypes on standard echocardiographic imaging, especially in early stages of disease.

Purpose

Our study focuses on right ventricular (RV) two-dimensional speckle tracking imaging and mitral valve thickness as diagnostic strategies to discriminate CA from FD. Here, we report preliminary data of our study registry of CA and FD patients.

Methods

We retrospectively screened patients with diagnosed CA or with genetically confirmed FD from our study registry. Global and free wall RV strain and mitral leaflet thickening in both groups were analysed using 2D speckle tracking echocardiography and linear measurements from a parastenal long axis view, respectively (Vivid E9 or E95, GE Vingmed, Horton, Norway, M5S 1.5–4.5MHz transducer). The diagnostic accuracy for discriminating CA and FD in both groups was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis.

Results

A total of 33 FD and 27 CA patients, including 17 patients with wild-type transthyretin-related (ATTR) CA, 8 patients with hereditary ATTR CA, one patient with light chain CA, and one patient with AA CA, were included. RV function was significantly reduced in CA compared to FD patients as measured by global longitudinal RV strain (−13.6±5.1 in CA vs. −18.4±3.9 in FD, p&lt;0.001) and free wall longitudinal RV strain (−17.5±5.7 in CA vs. −21.3±4.4 in FD, p=0.005). Significantly lower longitudinal RV strain was observed in the basal to mid ventricular region in CA compared to FD patients, while RV apical strain was not significantly different between the two groups. RV global longitudinal strain had the highest diagnostic accuracy of strain analyses (area under the curve [AUC] 0.79, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.66–0.93) to discriminate CA from FD. Additional measurement of the mitral valve in mid diastole in the parasternal long axis view revealed a significantly thickened leaflet in CA patients (4.6±1.2 mm in CA vs. 2.9±1.0 mm in FD, p&lt;0.001) corresponding to an AUC of 0.84 (95% CI 0.72–0.96) in ROC analysis.

Conclusion

Global longitudinal RV strain was significantly reduced in CA patients while the mitral valve leaflets were significantly thickened compared to FD patients. Therefore, both parameters may be useful to discriminate CA from FD in the echocardiographic workup of patients with unclear left ventricular wall thickening.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: Other. Main funding source(s): Alnylam Pharmaceuticals (Cambridge, MA, USA)

Association of myocardial work indices with controlled arterial hypertension, age, weight and conventional echocardiographic parameters in women

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: None.

Objective

By incorporating myocardial deformation and afterload, novel echocardiographic myocardial work indices appear to be advantageous over the load-dependent left ventricular (LV) strain. As such, these indices might provide a better and load-independent estimation of LV function in patients with chronically increased afterload. To date, however, little is known about the relation of these indices to clinical and conventional echocardiographic parameters.

Purpose

Our aim was to evaluate the relationship between myocardial work indices and age, weight, conventional echocardiographic parameters, and the presence of previously defined well-controlled arterial hypertension (AH) in women without cardiovascular diseases.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed echocardiographic data of women, included to the BEFRI (BErlin Female RIsk evaluation) trial. Global Work Index (GWI), Global Constructive Work (GCW), Global Wasted Work (GWW) and Global Work Efficiency (GWE) were calculated using commercially available software based on noninvasive pressure-strain loops. Mulitvariate analysis of covariance was applied to investigate the relation of myocardial work indices with the above mentioned variables.

Results

A total of 224 women were included in the final analysis. 155 of them were normotensive and 69 had controlled AH. Women with AH were significantly older (67 ± 12 y. vs. 54 ± 13 y, p &lt; 0.05), had  higher blood pressure (136 ± 10/77 ± 6 mmHg vs. 121 ± 7/70 ± 6 mmHg, p &lt; 0.05), higher body mass index (28 ± 5 kg/m² vs. 24 ± 4 kg/m², p &lt; 0.05), thicker LV walls (septum: 12 ± 2 mm vs. 9 ± 1 mm; posterior wall: 11 ± 1 mm vs. 9 ± 1 mm, p &lt; 0.05 for both), higher left atrial volume index (35 ± 8 ml/m² vs. 29 ± 5 ml/m², p &lt; 0.05) and longer IVRT (103 ± 27 ms vs. 85 ± 24 ms, p &lt; 0.05). LV ejection fraction, LV internal dimensions and TAPSE were within a normal range and did not differ between groups. Patients with AH showed lower global longitudinal strain (GLS) (19 ± 3% vs. 20 ± 2%, p &lt; 0.05), higher GWI and GCW (2214 ± 285 mmHg% vs. 2045 ± 244 mmHg%, 2445 ± 316 mmHg% vs. 2256 ± 272 mmHg%; p &lt; 0.05 for both) (Fig. 1), whereas GWW and GWE did not differ significantly (112 ± 59 mmHg% vs 101 ± 51 mmHg% and 95 ± 3% vs. 95 ± 2%). In the multivariate analysis GWI and GCW, but not GWW or GWE, were significantly positively associated with the presence of AH (s. Table). Besides that, GWI and GCW were positively related to LVEF and LVEDD. GWW showed negative relation to LVEF and a positive relation with IVRT. GWE was positively related to LVEF, and negatively to IVRT. None of the indices was significantly related to age.

Conclusion

We have defined the relationship of various myocardial work indices with weight, conventional echocardiographic parameters, and the presence of AH.  The higher GWI and GCW in patients with AH might suggest higher energetic expenditure of myocardium due to increased afterload. The prognostic impact of these findings remains to be defined. Abstract Table.

Phasic left atrial strain to predict diastolic dysfunction development in women: results from the prospective Berlin Female Risk Evaluation (BEFRI) follow up trial

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): Supported by the DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research) and by the BMBF (German Ministry of Education and Research)

OnBehalf

BEFRI

Background/Introduction: During the past few years, left atrial strain (LAS) has been identified to be significantly associated with left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (DD). However, the predictive value of LAS reductions on the course of DD in patients without or mild DD has so far not been investigated.

Purpose

To assess the predictive impact of phasic left atrial strain (LAS) reductions on the development of left ventricular (LV) diastolic function in women with normal (DD0) or mildly impaired diastolic function in a longitudinal study design.

Methods

We reinvited 449 participants of the Berlin Female Risk Evaluation (BEFRI) study for follow-up examinations. A comprehensive clinical and echocardiographic assessment comprising the analysis of phasic LAS was performed in 256 participants. The diagnostic and predictive value of LAS analysis was assessed and compared with standard echocardiographic DD parameters using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses and a multivariate logistic regression model. 

Results

After a mean time interval of 6.8 years, subjects with DD0 at baseline investigation and a worsening of diastolic function of at least one stage according to recent ASE / EACVI recommendations (DD_progress) showed a significantly reduced baseline LA reservoir strain (LASr) and conduit strain (LAScd) [LASr 28.1% (6.9) in DD_progress vs. 41.9% (8.5) in DD0 at follow up; and LAScd -13.2% (5.0) in DD_progress vs. -25.4% (9.1) in DD0 at follow up; p &lt; 0.001 respectively]. With an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.89 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.83-0.94], and 0.85 (95% CI 0.80-0.90), LASr and LAScd showed the highest discriminative value to predict DD_progress while the echocardiographic standard DD parameter left atrial volume index (LAVI) featured a limited predictive diagnostic accuracy [AUC of 0.65 (95%CI 0.52-0.72)]. In a multivariate logistic regression model controlling for age, BMI, and other standard echocardiographic DD parameters including LAVI, only LASr and LAScd remained significantly associated with DD_progress over time. 

Conclusions

In addition to improving the diagnostic accuracy of the current DD algorithm, the analysis of phasic LAS reductions may be useful to predict the development of DD in previously healthy women.

Comparative analysis of phasic left atrial strain and left ventricular posterolateral strain to discriminate Fabry cardiomyopathy from other forms of left ventricular hypertrophy

Background

“Classic” echocardiographic signs of Fabry cardiomyopathy (FC), such as left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and posterolateral strain deficiency (PLSD) have a low diagnostic accuracy in clinical practice.

Purpose

Our aim was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of phasic left atrial strain impairment compared to PLSD to discriminate FC from other forms of LVH.

Methods

40 patients with LVH due to bioptically and genetically confirmed FC or with LVH due to other causes, defined by exclusion of storage diseases, such as Amyloidosis or FC, by myocardial biopsy, were retrospectively analysed. Standard echocardiographic views (Vivid E9, GE, Vingmed, Horton) were used to analyse left atrial (LA) reservoir, conduit, and contraction strain using 2D speckle tracking echocardiography (2DSTE; EchoPAC software, GE) as well as the PLSD, obtained by the mean of deformation values in basal posterior and lateral segments in a 17-segment model. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis and a logistic regression model were performed to assess the diagnostic accuracy of LA and LV strain impairment.

Results

FC was confirmed in 20 patients by genetic testing and myocardial biopsy. In the LVH group, 12 patients were classified to have hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, two had hypertensive heart disease, and six expressed the pattern of LV hypertrophy combined with borderline myocarditis. LV septum thickness (15.8mm±3.4 in FC; 17.9mm±4.3 in LVH) and left atrial volume index (LAVI) (36.7ml/m2±11.3 in FC; 45.7ml/m2±16.3 in LVH) as well as LVEF (54.2%± 9.8 in FC; 52.5%±7.7 in LVH,) were not statistically different between groups. LV filling parameters such as E/A (1.2±0.5 in FC; 1.2±0.7 in LVH) and E/e' (11.0±4.9 in FC; 13.2±5.3 in LVH) showed a slightly more advanced impairment in the LVH group.

Global and regional LV function was not different between groups (LVGLS −13.8±3.7% in FC and −12.8±3.7% in LVH; PLSD −10.7±5.2% in FC and −8.85±3.9% in LVH; p-value?). LA reservoir strain (LASr) and LA conduit strain (LAScd) were significantly impaired in FC compared to the LVH group (LASr 14,6±2.5% in FC and 26.3±8.5% in LVH, p&lt;0.01; LAScd −5.9±2.6% in FC and −15.8±4.7% in LVH, p&lt;0.01). In ROC analysis, LASr, with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.81 (95% CI 0.64–0.97) and LAScd with an AUC of 0.85 (95% CI 0.71–0.99), respectively, showed the highest diagnostic accuracy to discriminate FC. PLSD, in contrast, held a low diagnostic accuracy with an AUC of only 0.47 (95% CI 0.27–0.68).

Conclusion

A substantially higher diagnostic accuracy could be shown for LASr and LAScd impairment in discriminating FD and other forms of LVH compared to PLSD. The echocardiographic assessment of phasic LA strain may help to identify FC in patients with unclear LVH.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None. ROC analysisRepresentative examples

Effects of medical graphic narratives (patient comic) on Patient Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) in patients undergoing coronary angiography and PCI

Background/Introduction

Increasing evidence suggests that patients scheduled for invasive cardiac procedures such as coronary angiography / PCI feel insufficiently informed about the planned procedure.

Purpose

To improve the Patient Informed Consent (IC) before coronary angiography by using “medical graphic narratives” (patient comic) that illustrate central IC-related aspects in a simple and understandable manner.

Methods

A patient comic illustrating central steps of the procedure, risks, treatment alternatives and behavioural measures was created in collaboration with professional scientific visual communicators. In a randomised, controlled, prospective trial, we included 121 patients undergoing coronary angiography/PCI. Patients were randomised to a group that was informed about the procedure using the usual Patient IC approach (official consent form and conversation with physician; Control group) or a group that additionally obtained a patient comic for reading (graphic illustrations of central IC aspects based on the official consent form; Comic group). Patient Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs), i.e. satisfaction with and perceived quality of the patient IC, were tested in both groups comparing single items of the Client Satisfaction Questionnaire-8 (CSQ-8) and self-designed single items in both IC groups. Differences were compared using the Fisher's exact test. A p-value &lt;0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

PROMs showed significant benefits in favour of the Comic group: Quality of the patient IC was perceived to be “very good” in 45.0% of the Comic group compared to 24.9% of patients in the Control group (p=0.023). Only 23.0% of the patients in the Control group, compared to 40.0% in the Comic group, stated that the IC procedure completely met their expectations (p=0.012). 57.4% in the Control group and 76.7% in the Comic group stated that all of their questions were satisfactorily adressed before the procedure (p=0.015). 43.3% in the Comic group, in contrast to 18.0% in the Control group, declared to feel “very satisfied” with the obtained IC procedure (p=0.002). The acceptance of the patient comic was very high: no patient (0%) expressed feelings of not being taken seriously by reading the patient comic.

Conclusions

Our data confirm pronounced limitations of the usual Patient IC practice before coronary angiography. The use of a patient comic that narratively illustrates central steps of the procedure positively impacts on patient-centered endpoints and significantly improves the patient IC procedure.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: Foundation. Main funding source(s): Friede Springer Herz Stiftung

Long-term morphological appearance of transcatheter valves left in the ascending aorta after valve dislocation during transcatheter aortic valve implantation

Background

Transcatheter valve embolization and migration (TVEM) is a potential complication of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) (1). Registries suggest low incidence but clinical relevance due to increased acute and mid-term mortality with the majority embolizing in the aorta. However, there is little data on potential late complications such as leaflet and stent thrombosis or aortic wall alterations by migrated valves.

Purpose

The aim of our study was to analyze the incidence and clinical characteristics of TVEM in a large single center cohort of TAVI patients and to examine dislocated valves by ECG-gated computed tomography (CT).

Methods and results

Between July 2009 and May 2020, 40 TVEM occurred in 3387 TAVI procedures performed in our center (1.18%). TVEM was defined according to Valve Academic Research Consortium-2 (VARC-2) criteria (3). Majority of TVEM were left in the ascending aorta (31 ascending, 3 arch, 1 descending aorta). 90% of TVEM occurred with a self-expanding valve (SEV), with no difference between older and newer valve generations, 10% with a ballon-expandable valve. Analyzing a TAVI sample cohort (n=200), horizontal aorta (p&lt;0.001, OR 11.7, 95% CI: [3.9:34.8]), defined as aortic angulation &gt;48°(4), as well as the use of SEV (p&lt;0.001, OR 12.8, 95% CI: [3.1:53.9]) were identified as a predisposing risk factor for TVEM. OR in SEV was severely increased when isolating the analysis for patients with horizontal aorta only (p=0.003, OR 23.75, 95% CI: [2.8:129]). No other predisposing risk factors were identified in this cohort. Out of 35 patients still alive, 6 patients were willing to participate in our imaging sub-study. CT exams were performed on average 47 months after TAVI (IQR 50 months [25%Q: 16.8, 75%Q: 72.8]). We detected no leaflet or stent thrombosis, yet CT identified pin protrusions in the aorta in 3 out of 6 patients.

Conclusions

TVEM is a rare complication of TAVI. TVEM was significantly associated to the use of self-expanding valves and the presence of horizontal aorta. CT did detect pin protrusions in several cases which could bear the possible risk of perforation but showed no signs of long-term damage.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None. Representative CT images after TVEM

Prospective validation of the EuroSCORE II risk model in a single Dutch cardiac surgery centre

Objective

The EuroSCORE I was one of the most frequently used pre-operative risk models in cardiac surgery. In 2011 it was replaced by its successor the EuroSCORE II. This study aims to validate the EuroSCORE II and to compare its performance with the EuroSCORE I in a Dutch hospital.

Methods

The EuroSCORE II was prospectively validated in 2,296 consecutive cardiac surgery patients between 1 April 2012 and 1 January 2014. Receiver operating characteristic curves on in-hospital mortality were plotted for EuroSCORE I and EuroSCORE II, and the area under the curve was calculated to assess discriminative power. Calibration was assessed by comparing observed versus expected mortality. Additionally, analyses were performed in which we stratified for type of surgery and for elective versus emergency surgery.

Results

The observed mortality was 2.4% (55 patients). The discriminative power of the EuroSCORE II surpassed that of the EuroSCORE I (area under the curve EuroSCORE II 0.871, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.832–0.911; area under the curve additive EuroSCORE I 0.840, CI 0.798–0.882; area under the curve logistic EuroSCORE I 0.761, CI 0.695–0.828). Both the additive and the logistic EuroSCORE I overestimated mortality (predictive mortality additive EuroSCORE I median 5.0%, inter-quartile range 3.0–8.0%; logistic EuroSCORE I 10.7%, inter-quartile range 5.8–13.9), while the EuroSCORE II underestimated mortality (median 1.6%, inter-quartile range 1.0–3.5). In most stratified analyses the EuroSCORE II performed better.

Conclusion

Our results show that the EuroSCORE II produces a valid risk prediction and outperforms the EuroSCORE I in elective cardiac surgery patients.

Maternal sepsis in the era of genomic medicine

PURPOSE

Maternal sepsis remains one of the leading causes of direct and indirect maternal mortality both in high- and low-income environments. In the last two decades, systems biology approaches, based on '-omics' technologies, have started revolutionizing the diagnosis and management of the septic syndrome. The scope of this narrative review is to present an overview of the basic '-omics' technologies, exemplified by cases relevant to maternal sepsis.

METHODS

Narrative review of the new '-omics' technologies based on a detailed review of the literature.

RESULTS

After presenting the main 'omics' technologies, we discuss their limitations and the need for integrated approaches that encompass research efforts across multiple '-omics' layers in the '-omics' cascade between the genome and the phenome.

CONCLUSIONS

Systems biology approaches are revolutionizing the research landscape in maternal sepsis. There is a need for increased awareness, from the side of health practitioners, as a requirement for the effective implementation of the new technologies in the research and clinical practice in maternal sepsis.

Knowledge, risk perception and attitudes toward vaccination among Austrian health care workers: A cross-sectional study

The aim of this study was to evaluate the vaccination coverage of Austrian health care workers (HCWs), their knowledge concerning the current guideline on vaccination for HCWs and their attitudes toward vaccination. A cross-sectional survey was performed by distributing 200 questionnaires among the nursing staff of several medical wards and intensive care units of the Vienna General Hospital. 116 questionnaires were returned for analysis with 77.4% female and 22.6% male participants. While certain vaccines like hepatitis B, tetanus and polio had high vaccination rates of up to 94% and good knowledge concerning the vaccination status, other vaccines like measles (59.8%), mumps (60.7%), rubella (70.5%), influenza (42.1%) or pertussis (58.2%) showed much lower coverage. The main sources of information were nursing school (59.1%), secondary school (46.1%), parents (45.2%) and media in general (45.2%). Only 21.9% of HCWs claimed to know the current guideline on vaccination. Those who knew the guideline were significantly more likely to consider certain vaccines like measles, mumps, rubella, diphtheria, polio and varicella as recommended (p ≤ 0.04). The most important reasons for receiving vaccination were self-protection (87.5%), prevention of epidemics (54.5%), protection of others (55.4%) and of patients (42.9%). Fear of side effects (67.2%), negative experiences with vaccines (22.4%), the additional doctor's appointment (20.7%) and considering vaccines as an invention by the pharmaceutical industry (19%) were hindering factors for vaccination of HCWs. Considering the essential role of HCWs in preventing diseases, this study noted a remarkable lack of information on vaccination in this profession.

Donors' health state the year after peripheral haematopoietic progenitor cell collection: A prospective follow-up study in related and unrelated donors compared to first-time platelet donors

Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) mobilized peripheral haematopoietic progenitor cells collected by apheresis (HPC-A) are the most common source used for allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Retrospective short and long-term donor follow-up studies show very low risks of serious complications and do not report compelling evidence of increased cancer occurrence. Some studies reported a prolonged period of leucopenia without an obvious association with infectious complications. However, beyond the first few weeks after the procedure a relationship between events is elusive. We therefore evaluated medical service utilization by prospectively recruited HPC-A donors and first-time platelet apheresis donors for comparison for 1 year after donation. Data were prospectively collected using questionnaires and by medical record review. A total of 215 HPC-A donors (111 unrelated donors and 104 related donors) and 96 first-time platelet donors consented to participation in the study. Follow-up was available for 202 (96%): questionnaires were returned by 74% and records from nonstudy contacts were available for 94% of donors. During the 1-year follow-up, 94 of the donors who returned questionnaires sought medical attention for diagnostic evaluation and/or treatment: 41% of HPC-A donors and 40% of platelet donors. Medical service utilization the first year after HPC-A donation is similar to that after first-time platelet donation. The occurrence of serious medical conditions in both related and unrelated HPC-A donors underscores the importance of participation in long-term follow-up in large cohorts. The findings in this relatively small cohort contribute to evidence on the safety of G-CSF mobilization and HPC-A. J. Clin. Apheresis 31:523-528, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Multicentre randomized clinical trial to investigate the cost-effectiveness of an allogeneic single-donor fibrin sealant after coronary artery bypass grafting (FIBER Study)

BACKGROUND

Reduction of blood transfusion in cardiac surgery is an important target. The aim of this study was to investigate the cost-effectiveness of the use of CryoSeal®, an allogeneic single-donor fibrin sealant, in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).

METHODS

This randomized clinical study involved seven cardiac surgery centres in the Netherlands. Patients undergoing elective isolated CABG with the use of at least one internal thoracic artery (ITA) graft were assigned randomly to receive either CryoSeal® (5 ml per ITA bed) or no CryoSeal®. Primary efficacy endpoints were units of transfused red blood cells, fresh frozen plasma and platelet concentrates, and duration of intensive care unit stay. Secondary efficacy endpoints were 48-h blood loss, reoperation for bleeding, mediastinitis, 30-day mortality and duration of hospital stay.

RESULTS

Between March 2009 and January 2012, 1445 patients were randomized. The intention-to-treat (ITT) population comprised 1436 patients; the per-protocol (PP) population 1292. In both the ITT and the PP analysis, no significant difference between the treatment groups was observed for any of the primary and secondary efficacy endpoints. In addition, no significant difference between the groups was seen in the proportion of transfused patients. Estimated CryoSeal® costs were €822 (95 per cent c.i. €808 to €836) per patient, which translated to €72,000 per avoided transfusion (unbounded 95 per cent c.i.).

CONCLUSION

The use of the fibrin sealant CryoSeal® did not result in health benefits. Combined with the high cost per avoided transfusion, this study does not support the implementation of routine CryoSeal® use in elective isolated CABG.

REGISTRATION NUMBER

NTR1386 ( http://www.trialregister.nl).

Effects of acute haemodialysis-induced changes in sodium balance upon experimentally hypertensive rats

In two-kidney Goldblatt hypertensive, spontaneously hypertensive, and normotensive control rats, the activity of the renin-angiotensin system was tested during variation of sodium balance. Acute, exactly calculable and selective changes in total body sodium were achieved by haemodialysing conscious rats, using dialysates with high and low sodium contents. The activity of the renin-angiotensin system was evaluated by blood pressure response to angiogtensin II blockade (saralasin bolus injection; 25 micrograms/kg b.w., i.v.) and plasma renin activity. During sodium-depletion, blood pressure maintenance became renin-dependent; sodium-loading caused a decrease of renin-angiotensin activity in renovascular hypertension. A weak direct correlation between depressor response to saralasin and the plasma renin activity could be established in the different sodium-depleted and sodium-loaded states.

Health data cooperatives - citizen empowerment

INTRODUCTION

This article is part of a Focus Theme of Methods of Information in Medicine on Health Record Banking.

BACKGROUND

Healthcare is often ineffective and costs are steadily rising. This is in a large part due to the inaccessibility of medical and health data stored in multiple silos. Furthermore, in most cases molecular differences between individuals that result in different susceptibilities to drugs and diseases as well as targeted interventions cannot be taken into account. Technological advances in genome sequencing and the interaction of 'omics' data with environmental data on one hand and mobile health on the other, promise to generate the longitudinal health data that will form the basis for a more personalized, precision medicine.

OBJECTIVES

For this new medicine to become a reality, however, millions of personal health data sets have to be aggregated. The value of such aggregated personal data has been recognized as a new asset class and many commercial entities are competing for this new asset (e.g. Google, Facebook, 23andMe, PatientsLikeMe). The primary source and beneficiary of personal health data is the individual. As a collective, society should be the beneficiary of both the economic and health value of these aggregated data and (health) information.

METHODS

We posit that empowering citizens by providing them with a platform to safely store, manage and share their health-related data will be a necessary element in the transformation towards a more effective and efficient precision medicine. Such health data platforms should be organized as cooperatives that are solely owned and controlled by their members and not by shareholders. Members determine which data they want to share for example with doctors or to contribute to research for the benefit of their health and that of society. Members will also decide how the revenues generated by granting third parties access to the anonymized data that they agreed to share, should be invested in research, information or education.

RESULTS

Currently no functional Health Data Cooperatives exist yet. The relative success of health data repositories such as 23andme and PatientsLikeMe indicates that citizens are willing to participate in research even if - and in contrast to the cooperative model - the commercial value of these data does not go back to the collective of users.

CONCLUSIONS

In the Health Data Cooperative model, the citizens with their data would take the center stage in the healthcare system and society would benefit from the health-related and financial benefits that aggregation of these data brings.

EU Pancreas: an integrated European platform for pancreas cancer research--from basic science to clinical and public health interventions for a rare disease

BACKGROUND

Large-scale international collaboration is essential to decipher relevant information in the context of omics-scale interrogations in cancer research. This is even more important for rare and fatal diseases like pancreas cancer (PC).

METHODS

The COST Action BM1204 is a unique platform to facilitate the collaboration of a broad range of European and international PC multidisciplinary research groups in order to: (1) integrate knowledge and experience in a multidisciplinary way 'from cell to society', (2) promote the application of uniform study tools and protocols, (3) foster their optimal use by early-stage researchers, (4) enhance the mobility and training of researchers, and (5) disseminate the results produced to the broader society.

RESULTS

This Action will develop novel interdisciplinary tools for collaborative research to improve our understanding of PC and its prevention, diagnosis and treatment. It also aims to answer questions related to the etiology, early detection, evidence-based and personalized treatment, and health management for PC. Furthermore, the Action will contribute to new insights into PC personalized medicine and beyond as well as to the understanding of complex and rare diseases taking PC as a best practice example. The Action aims at attracting young scholars across a range of disciplines in collaboration with more experienced researchers and enhancing active European participation in the international scenario of PC research.

CONCLUSION

The ultimate aim is to foster PC research in Europe and to coordinate this effort with other international initiatives to reduce disease mortality.

Rax2 is important for directional establishment of growth sites, but not for reorientation of growth axes, during Candida albicans hyphal morphogenesis

Hyphae of filamentous fungi maintain generally linear growth over long distances. In Candida albicans, hyphae are able to reorient their growth in the direction of certain environmental cues. In previous work, the C. albicans bud-site selection proteins Rsr1 and Bud2 were identified as important for hyphae to maintain linear growth and were necessary for hyphal responses to directional cues in the environment (tropisms). To ask if hyphal directional responses are general functions of all yeast bud-site selection proteins, we studied the role of Rax2, ortholog of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae bud-site selection protein Rax2, in C. albicans hyphal morphogenesis. Rax2-YFP localized to the hyphal cell surface in puncta and at the hyphal tip in a crescent. Strains lacking Rax2 had hyphal morphologies that did not differ from control strains. In non-cued growth conditions, rax2 mutant strains had defects in both yeast (bud) and hyphal (branch) site selection and mutant hyphae exhibited non-linear growth trajectories as compared to control hyphae. In contrast, when encountering a directional environmental cue, hyphae lacking Rax2 retained the ability to reorient growth in response to both topographical (thigmotropism) and electric-field (galvanotropism) stimuli but exhibited a reduced ability to establish hyphal growth in the direction of a cathodal stimulus. In conclusion, these results indicate that C. albicans Rax2 is important for establishing sites of emergence of yeast and hyphal daughters and for maintaining the linearity of hyphal growth. In contrast to Rsr1 and Bud2, Rax2 is not involved in responses that require a reorientation of the direction of already established hyphal growth (tropisms). Thus, it appears that some hyphal directionality responses are separable in that they are mediated by a different set of polarity proteins.

Alpha Values as a Function of Sample Size, Effect Size, and Power: Accuracy over Inference

Tables of alpha values as a function of sample size, effect size, and desired power were presented. The tables indicated expected alphas for small, medium, and large effect sizes given a variety of sample sizes. It was evident that sample sizes for most psychological studies are adequate for large effect sizes defined at .8. The typical alpha level of .05 and desired power of 90% can be achieved with 70 participants in two groups. It was perhaps doubtful if these ideal levels of alpha and power have generally been achieved for medium effect sizes in actual research, since 170 participants would be required. Small effect sizes have rarely been tested with an adequate number of participants or power. Implications were discussed.

Chlamydia trachomatis infections and subfertility: opportunities to translate host pathogen genomic data into public health

Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) infections in women can result in tubal pathology (TP). Worldwide 10-15% of all couples are subfertile, meaning they did not get pregnant after 1 year. Part of the routine subfertility diagnostics is the Chlamydia Antibody Test (CAT) to decide for laparoscopy or not in order to diagnose TP. The CAT positive and negative predictive value is such that many unneeded laparoscopies are done and many TP cases are missed. Addition of host genetic markers related to infection susceptibility and severity could potentially improve the clinical management of couples who suffer from subfertility. In the present study, the potential translational and clinical value of adding diagnostic host genetic marker profiles on the basis of infection and inflammation to the current clinical management of subfertility was investigated. This review provides an overview of the current state of the art of host genetic markers in relation to CT infection, proposes a new clinical diagnostic approach, and investigates how the Learning-Adapting-Leveling model (LAL, a public health genomic (PHG) model) can be of value and provide insight to see whether these host genetic markers can be translated into public health. This review shows that the preliminary basis of adding host genetic marker profiles to the current diagnostic procedures of subfertility is present but has to be further developed before implementation into health care can be achieved. CT infection is an example in the field of PHG with potential diagnostic to be taken up in the future in the field of subfertility diagnosis with a time line for integration to be dependent on enhanced participation of many stakeholders in the field of PHG which could be advanced through the LAL model.

Quality validation of data in national haemovigilance systems in Europe: report of a survey on current state of practice

European Union member states must have national haemovigilance reporting of serious adverse reactions and events. We sent national competent authorities an email questionnaire about data validation. Responses were received from 23/27 countries. Nine previously had no national haemovigilance system. In 13 (57%), the serious adverse reactions and events can be verified. Coverage of blood establishments is documented in 20 systems (87%) and of hospitals in 15 systems (65%). Although all member states have implemented haemovigilance systems, there are currently wide variations in data quality assurance, not allowing comparisons between countries.

The clinical benefit of blood transfusion: a hypothetical experiment based on a nationwide survey of severe maternal morbidity

BACKGROUND

It is beyond doubt that blood transfusion services have added to the decline in maternal mortality in high-resource countries. To quantify the clinical benefit of red blood cell (RBC) transfusion in obstetric care, we performed a hypothetical experimental study using data from a prospective nationwide cohort of women giving birth in the Netherlands.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

Data were abstracted from a nationwide cohort study on severe maternal morbidity, including obstetric haemorrhage requiring 4 or more units of RBC, to obtain an observed and a hypothetical control group consisting of the same women. In the hypothetical control group, we simulated a situation where RBC transfusion was unavailable and estimated how many of these women would have died in that situation. A questionnaire survey asked experts in major (obstetric) haemorrhage to choose a critical minimal number of RBC transfusions at which a woman with obstetric haemorrhage would have died if RBC transfusion was not available. Maternal mortality rate per 100,000 maternities [maternal mortality ratios (MMR)] and relative risk were calculated for the observed and hypothetical group.

RESULTS

The observed MMR was 13 per 100,000 maternities. According to 47 responding experts, the median number of RBC units without which a woman would have most probably died was nine, resulting in a hypothetical MMR of 87 per 100,000 maternities (relative risk 6·5; 95% confidence interval 4·2-10·0).

CONCLUSIONS

It can be expected that unavailability of RBC transfusion in obstetric care increases the risk of maternal death 6.5-fold. Blood transfusion thus largely contributes to the decline of MMR and would also be an important pillar of improving quality of care in resource-poor settings.

The observation of bleeding complications in haemato-oncological patients: stringent watching, relevant reporting

BACKGROUND

The reported percentage of haemato-oncological patients experiencing bleeding complications is highly variable, ranging from 5 to 70%, posing a major problem for comparison of clinical platelet transfusion trials using bleeding complications as a primary endpoint. In a pilot study we assessed the impact of the design of scoring of bleeding on the percentage of patients with WHO grade 2 or higher bleeding grades.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

We performed a prospective, observational study using a rigorous bleeding observation system in thrombocytopenic patients with haemato-oncological disorders. Endpoints of the study were the percentage of patients and days with bleeding WHO grade ≥ 2 comparing designs in which skin bleeding represent a continuation of a previous bleed or a new bleed.

RESULTS

In four participating hospitals 64 patients suffering 870 evaluable thrombocytopenic days (platelet count < 80 × 10(9) L(-1)) were included. At least one episode of bleeding grade ≥ 2 occurred in 36 patients (56%). Most grade 2 bleeding complications occurred mucocutaneously. The percentage of days with bleeding of grade ≥ 2 was 16% but decreases to 8% when only newly developed skin bleeding was included.

CONCLUSION

Rigorous daily observation results in a bleeding incidence that is comparable to recent reportings applying the same method. The results of this study show that censoring for stable skin bleeding has a profound effect on bleeding incidence per day. The clinical relevance of rigorous or clinically judged bleeding scores as an endpoint remains to be defined.