PERCUTANEOUS TRANSAXILLARY TRANSCATHETER AORTIC VALVE IMPLANTATION

The transaxillary (TAX) approach for transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) results in comparable short and long-term clinical results compared to the transfemoral (TF) approach. However, adequate closure of the axillary artery is the most critical issue when performing the percutaneous approach. Compared to surgical transaxillary approach, the percutaneous approach was used only in selected cases due to this closure limitation. In the present paper, we aim to demonstrate the feasibility of implanting the CoreValve Evolut Pro transcatheter heart valve via percutaneous transaxillary approach and make a literature review of procedure particularities and outcome. We describe the case of a patient with severe aortic stenosis in the presence of small calibre and severely calcified femoral arteries. A CoreValve Evolut Pro 26 was successfully implanted percutaneously through the left axillary artery. Percutaneous transaxillary transcatheter aortic valve implantation is a feasible and safe alternative in patients who have suboptimal iliofemoral vessels.

Comparison Between Transcranial Color-Coded Duplex Doppler and Contrast Enhanced Transcranial Color-Coded Duplex Doppler After Subarachnoid Aneurysmal Hemorrhage

BACKGROUND

Transcranial color-coded duplex Doppler (TCCD) is commonly used to detect and monitor vasospasm in subarachnoid aneurysmal hemorrhage (aSAH). However, contrast enhanced TCCD (CE-TCCD) may be more effective. The objective of this study was to compare the accuracy of TCCD and CE-TCCD in the detection of vasospasm.

METHODS

This study was a prospective comparison of TCCD and CE-TCCD for the detection of vasospasm, using computed tomography angiography (CT Angio) as a reference examination. The setting was the Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care at the Bicêtre University Hospital in Le Kremlin Bicêtre, France. TCCD and CE-TCCD were performed in 47 patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) following aSAH over a 7-month period. TCCD and CE-TCCD were performed at ICU admission and between days 7 and 10. We aimed to visualize the seven intracranial arteries of the circle of Willis. Vasospasm diagnosis was assessed by CT Angio  and graded as moderate when the percentage change in arterial diameter since admission was between 25 and 50% or as severe when the percentage change was greater than 50%.

RESULTS

On ICU admission, TCCD allowed visualization of all intracranial arteries in 16 (34%) of 47 patients, whereas CE-TCCD allowed visualization of all vessels in 37 (79%) of 47 patients (p < 0.001). These results were consistent between days 7 and 10. The proportions of middle cerebral arteries (MCAs), anterior cerebral arteries (ACAs) and posterior cerebral arteries (PCAs) visualized were greater with CE-TCCD. There was no difference in the visualization of basilar arteries (BAs). We performed vasospasm analysis on 67 of 94 MCAs in 47 patients. Area under the curve (AUC) of mean flow velocity to detect MCA vasospasm (moderate and severe) was 0.86 (0.58-1.00) for TCCD and 0.90 (0.77-1.00) for CE-TCCD. AUC of mean velocity to detect severe MCA vasospasm was 0.86 (0.58-1.00) for TCCD and 0.90 (0.77-1.00) for CE-TCCD, without any significant difference between the two techniques. For other arteries, the accuracy of TCCD and CE-TCCD to diagnose vasospasm was poor.

CONCLUSIONS

CE-TCCD allows better visualization of intracranial arteries in patients with aSAH. The accuracy of CE-TCCD to screen severe MCA vasospasm is similar to that of TCCD. CE-TCCD is an alternative tool for monitoring patients with aSAH without a temporal bone window for an ultrasound.

Prevalence and predictor factors of persistent pulmonary vein isolation in redo AF ablation procedure

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: None.

Introduction

Atrial fibrillation (AF) catheter ablation is a well-established procedure for the treatment of AF. The cornerstone of AF ablation is the complete isolation of pulmonary veins (PV). However, persistent PV isolation (PVI) is difficult to accomplish, with PV reconnection rates of &gt; 70%. The factors associated with persistent PVI are still uncertain.

Purpose

To assess the PVI status in patients (pts) undergoing a redo ablation and to determinate the predictors associated with persistent PVI.

Methods

Consecutive pts who underwent a redo ablation between 2016 and 2020 were identified in a single-centre retrospective study. PVI status was assessed during electrophysiologic study with electroanatomic mapping system. Index procedures included second generation cryoballoon (CB), conventional radiofrequency (RF) before 2018 and CLOSE protocol guided RF ablation after 2018. Persistent PVI was defined by the absence of reconnection of all pulmonary veins.

Results

We included 83 pts with a mean age of 55,9 ± 11,9 years; 71,1% (n = 59) were male with a mean CHA2DS2-VASc score of 1,14 ±1,0. Seventy-five percent had paroxysmal AF and undergone a redo 35,0 months (±30,9) after the index PVI.

Seventeen pts (20,5%) had persistent PVI whereas 66 pts (79,5%) had at least one PV reconnected after the index procedure, with a reconnection rate of 51,8% for right superior and inferior PV, 47,0% for left superior PV and 36,1% for left inferior PV.

No statistically significant differences were noticed between pts with persistent and non-persistent PVI in baseline (clinical and echocardiographic) characteristics.

Regarding index ablation procedure, persistent PVI occurred more frequently in patients who underwent a "CLOSE" protocol-guided index PVI compared to RF pre-2018 and CB (45,5% vs 16,7%; p = 0,043).

Twenty-nine percent of pts with persistent PVI had a "CLOSE" protocol-guided index PVI whereas only 9,1% of non-persistent PVI pts had a "CLOSE" protocol-guided index PVI (p = 0,043).

In this cohort, "CLOSE" protocol-guided index PVI was the only predictor of persistent PVI (odds ratio 4.2, 95% confidence interval 1.1-15.9; p = 0.037).

Conclusions

In patients undergoing redo AF ablation procedures, only 20,5% had persistent PVI. "CLOSE" protocol-guided index PVI presented significantly higher rates of persistent PVI.  "CLOSE" protocol-guided index PVI was the only predictor for persistent PVI in patients with AF recurrence requiring a redo procedure.

Redo ablation for atrial fibrillation recurrence post radiofrequency or cryoballoon ablation: a high volume single-centre experience

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: None.

Introduction

Atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation is a well-established procedure for the treatment of AF. The cornerstone of AF ablation is the complete and durable isolation of pulmonary veins (PV) through radiofrequency (RF) or cryoballoon (CB) ablation. However, PVI durability between RF or CB was not yet established, as reablation strategy and outcomes in patients (pt) undergoing a redo ablation.

Purpose

To compare RF versus CB regarding PVI status, reablation procedure and outcomes in pts undergoing a second procedure.

Methods

Single-centre retrospective study of consecutive pts who underwent a redo between 2016 and 2020. PVI status was assessed during electrophysiologic study with electroanatomic mapping system. Index procedures included second generation CB, conventional RF before 2018 and CLOSE protocol guided RF ablation after 2018. We assessed time-to-redo, number and location of reconnected PVs, procedural characteristics, acute and long-term outcomes between RF and CB index PVI.

Results

Seventy-four (55 RF and 19 CB) pts were included, 68,9% were male, most pts had paroxysmal AF (71,6%) and a mean CHA2DS2-VASc score of 1,14 ± 1,0.

No statistically significant differences were noticed in clinical and echocardiographic characteristics between pts within RF or CB cohorts.

Median time to reablation was significantly longer in the RF cohort (38,6 months ±33,6) compared to CB (17,0 months ±9,5) (p = 0,014). The number of reconnected PV was higher in CB than the RF cohort, although not significant (2,37 ±1,2 vs 1,75 ±1,4;p = 0,080). Right inferior PV was significantly more reconnected in pts within the CB compared to RF group (73,7% vs 45,6%;p = 0,034), without differences in the other PV reconnection rates.

Regarding reablation procedure, all pts were submitted to RF-redo. Fluoroscopy time was shorter for CB than RF cohort (7,4 ±2,9 vs 13,3 ±8,4;p = 0,002). There were no significant differences between the type of reablation (PVI only vs PVI plus other lesions or cavotricuspid isthmus ablation), with no difference in overall acute success.

After the redo procedure, no differences were observed in recurrence rate in the blanking period and after 91 days from reablation. Nevertheless, time-to-recurrence (&gt;91 days) was longer for RF than CB group (13,4 months ±10,7 vs 4,3 months ±1,5;p = 0,016). There were 2 pts in the RF group that were submitted to a third ablation procedure (p = 0,725). There were no differences between groups in the composite of adverse cardiovascular (CV) outcomes (stroke/transient ischemic attack, emergency room visit for AF, hospitalization for AF or CV death); p = 0,715.

Conclusions

After the index procedure, reablation occur later in RF than CB cohort.  Although the number of reconnected PV were similar between groups, right inferior PV was significantly more reconnected in pts originally treated with CB. After redo, time-to-recurrence was shorter for CB cohort. Recurrence and composite of adverse CV outcomes were similar.

Lymphogranuloma venereum: a retrospective analysis of an emerging sexually transmitted disease in a Lisbon Tertiary Center

BACKGROUND

Lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) is a sexual transmitted infection (STI), currently endemic within the population of men who have sex with men (MSM) of Western Countries. L2B variant has been reported as the predominant strain in the current LGV epidemics, although a shift towards L2-434 has been observed in some European countries.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate and characterize the population with LGV infection diagnosed in Centro Hospitalar Universitário de Lisboa Central, Lisbon, Portugal.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis of all LGV diagnoses between 2016 and 2019 was performed. The diagnosis was established through ompA-genotyping of samples yielding a positive result to Chlamydia trachomatis (CT). All considered samples were retrieved from the clinician activity, through swabbing and urine analysis and CT infection diagnosis was obtained using real-time PCR.

RESULTS

During the period studied 16 279 CT diagnostics tests were employed, with a striking increase from 2016 (n = 467) to 2019 (n = 9362). A total of 1602 diagnoses of CT were established, from which 168 (10.5%) corresponded to LGV, with both infections showing a rising evolution, between 2016 and 2019, of 2.9 and 2.7 times, respectively. The majority of the LGV strains were genotyped as L2/434 (67.3%; n = 113). LGV predominantly affected MSM and men who have sex with men and women (97.0%; n = 163). Anorectal infection was the most prevalent one (90.5%; n = 152), being proctitis the main clinical presentation (76.2%; n = 128). Absence of symptoms was reported in almost 15% of the cases (n = 24). The presence of concomitant infection with human immunodeficiency virus was dominant (73.2%; n = 123) and the prevalence of one or more STI co-infections was about 60.1% (n = 99).

CONCLUSIONS

An increasing evolution of CT and LGV testing and diagnosing was observable throughout the studied period. Characteristics of the population are similar with those described within LGV epidemics. In accordance with recent European studies, predominance towards L2 genotype was identified.

COVID-19 infection in patients with intestinal failure: UK experience

BACKGROUND

The direct effect of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on patients with intestinal failure (IF) has not been described.

METHODS

We conducted a nationwide study of UK IF centers to evaluate the infection rates, presentations, and outcomes in patients with types 2 and 3 IF.

RESULTS

A total of 45 patients with IF contracted COVID-19 between March and August 2020; this included 26 of 2191 (1.2%) home parenteral nutrition (HPN)-dependent adults and 19 of 298 (6.4%) adults hospitalized with type 2 IF. The proportion of patients receiving nursing care for HPN administration was higher in those with community-acquired COVID-19 (66.7%) than the proportion in the entire HPN cohort (26.1%; P < .01). Two HPN-dependent and 1 hospitalized patient with type 2 IF died as a direct consequence of the virus (6.7% of 45 patients with types 2 or 3 infected).

CONCLUSION

This is the first study to describe the outcomes of COVID-19 in a large cohort of patients requiring long-term PN. Methods to reduce hospital and community nosocomial spread would likely be beneficial.

Early discharge after TAVI: should we still be afraid of conduction disturbances?

Introduction

Conduction disturbances (CD) after TAVI remains the most frequent complication of the procedure, frequently increasing the length of hospital stay. A lack of consensus exists regarding in-hospital management of CD post-TAVI.

Purpose

To evaluate if an early discharge (ED) protocol could be safely implemented in patients (pts) with CD post-TAVI.

Methods

Retrospective study of all pts submitted to TAVI between 2016 and 2018. Pts with prior permanent pacemaker (PP) and non-transfemoral approach were excluded. ECG data before, immediately after the procedure and at day 3 post-TAVI were collected, and continuous telemetry monitoring was recorded. We applied a recently proposed ED algorithm (adapted from Management of Conduction Disturbances Associated With Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement - JACC Scientific Expert Panel; JACC 2019; 74(8):1086–106) to identify which pts could have been candidates for ED. ED was defined as discharge in the first 72 hours (h) after the procedure. We evaluated if an ED strategy would have been safe at 1-year follow-up (FUP), as defined by the absence of need for PP, syncope and mortality.

Results

242 pts were included, 44,8% males, mean age 80,4 years, mean Euroscore II 5,4 and the majority implanted a self-expandable prosthesis (64,1%). Mean hospital stay after TAVI was 7,7 days. The most frequent CD after TAVI were: new onset left bundle brunch block (36%) and high degree atrioventricular block (HAVB) (16,3%). During hospital stay 21,6% needed PP, mainly because of HAVB (mainly implanted in the first 72h).

According to the proposed algorithm, 70,7% of our pts were ED-candidates. ED-candidates had lower prevalence of predilation (18,5% vs 36,8%, p=0,008) with no significant differences between type of prosthesis or baseline ECG. ED-candidates had smaller PR interval post-TAVI (184,5 vs 202,5 ms, p=0,044) and smaller PR and QRS at 72h (p&lt;0,001 in both).

At 1-year FUP, only 2,3% of ED-candidates needed a PP (vs 37,7% non-ED, p&lt;0,001). It is noteworthy that in those ED-candidates who needed a PP during FUP, the percentage of ventricular pacing was less than 2% at 6 months. In the FUP period, 3,2% of ED candidates presented at the ER because of syncope, with no significant differences to non-ED pts. No differences between groups were found in 30-days and 1-year ER presentation because of syncope or all-cause mortality.

Conclusions

According to the proposed algorithm for ED in pts with CD post-TAVI, pts with specific ECG characteristics and without rhythm events during continuous telemetry monitoring can be early discharged with long-term safety.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

The impact of obesity on absenteeism among working adults in Portugal and its costs

Background

Obesity leeds to poor health and may afffect work productivity. We aim to investigate the association between obesity and absenteeism and its indirect costs.

Methods

Individuals employeed and actively working at baseline form the EpiDoC Cohort, a large portuguese population-based prospective study analized from 2011 to 2016. Body mass index was assessed during baseline appointment. Follow-up assessment was performed through a phone interview and self reported absenteeism defined by the question”did you have a sick leave in previous 12 months? yes/no”, followed by the number of days missed work due to sickness in the previous twelve months.(1) Negative Binomial Regression model estimated the association between obesity and absenteeism. Indirect costs were computed using the human-capital method.

Results

EpiDoC cohort had 4338 participants who were working adults at baseline. The prevalence of obesity among working adults was 15.2% and of absenteeism was 29.4%. Obesity was associated with an increase in absenteeism incidence rate ratio by 31% (p &lt; 0.01). Obese individual miss 3.9 days per year (95% CI 3.1-4.5). This number is higher in women, 4.6 days per year (95% CI 3.6-5.6) and according to the professional categories women with white collar professions were 82% (p &lt; 0.01) more likely to miss work than peers with their normal weight. Extrapolating for the entire working population, absenteeism due to obesity has an estimated cost of 236€ million per year.

Conclusions

Obesity is an independent risk factor for absenteeism among working adults wich leads to high societal burden in terms of costs. Food and nutrition policies are needed in order improve food patterns and reduce obesity levels among south european population.

Key messages

Obesity is an independent risk factor for absenteeism among working adults. Obesity increases absenteeism mainly in women and has a major impact on economies.

Sociodemographic and clinical factors are associate with fragility fractures in women in Portugal?

Background

Osteoporosis is a public health problem worldwide responsible for fragility fractures (FF). All osteoporotic fractures, correspond to an estimated 40 000 annual osteoporotic fractures in Portugal. The social and economic burden of these fractures is enormous. Most patients die within one year after the fracture and 50% become dependent on others to perform basic self-care. The aim of this research is to study the association between sociodemographic and clinical factors that can influence the occurrence of FF in Portuguese women ≥ 50 years.

Methods

Data were collected from women ≥ 50 years participating in the prospective population-based cohort study called Epidemiology of Chronic Diseases, who self-reported to surfered FF during 2011 and 2015. Were collected sociodemographic and clinical data, and quality of life (EQ-5D). We divided this group in 2 subgroups: with and without prevalent FF. Descriptive, bivariate analysis and Odds Ratio were estimated. All statistical tests were performed using the SPSS 26, considering the significance level of 5%.

Results

A total of 3,662 women ≥ 50 years of age were included and divided into 2 subgroups with (N = 646) and without FF (N = 2,978). In the group of women with FF, rheumatic disease was the most self-reported chronic disease (62.9%), followed by hypertension (58.8%) and mental illness (30.0%). There was a significant association between the existence of FF and hypertension (OR = 0.82 (0.68-0.98); p-0.03), diabetes mellitus (OR = 0.78 (0.63-0.97); p-0.02) and mental illness (OR = 0.70 (0.57-0.85); p &lt; 0.0001), even when adjusted for age and rheumatic disease. There was no significant association between the existence of FF and education, when the OR was adjusted for age and rheumatic disease. Quality of life was reported as worse in women with FF.

Conclusions

FF are associated with non-communicable chronic diseases and this should awareness to the need to have health policies that focus on prevention.

Key messages

Osteoporosis is a public health problem worldwide responsible for fragility fractures. It is urgent address this problem as a non-communicable chronic diseases and start to work in prevention. Population aging combined with new professions and lifestyles, predict that this problem will tend to increase exponentially in the next years.

MRSA/MSSA causing infections: prevalence of mecA gene

Introduction Staphylococcus aureus is part of the human flora, present in the skin and mucous membranes but can become pathogenic, causing a wide spectrum of infections that were initially treated with penicillin. However, were observed some strains with resistance to this antibiotic and, therefore was developed a new antibiotic, the methicillin. After its introduction, arose the first S. aureus with resistance to methicillin (MRSA) due to the presence of a gene known as mecA that encodes an altered penicillin binding protein (PBP2a). In Europe, it is estimated that MRSA are associated to 44% of hospital acquired infections and its mortality rate is around 20%.

Objectives Prevalence of MRSA strains in different types of infection in Coimbra district.

Methodology Were analysed a total of 539 isolates of S. aureus previously characterized to the antibiotic susceptibility profile in the Hospital and University Center of Coimbra. Through the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of oxacillin we classified our strains into MRSA and S. aureus methicillin-sensitive (MSSA); simultaneously, the mecA gene was detected by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR).

Results Of the 539 isolates, 49% were considered MRSA and 51% MSSA. All MRSA isolates express the mecA gene, but from the total of 276 MSSA, 191 show this gene but do not express it. MRSA isolates were mostly from respiratory tract samples (48%) and blood cultures (21%) while MSSA were isolated in skin and soft tissue samples (35%).

Conclusion MRSA are considered one of the primary pathogens for the development of pneumonia and septicaemia due to its highly virulent potential and the increasing expression of genetic determinants of antimicrobial resistance. Therefore, infections caused by MRSA continue with highly representability in the clinical context and their dissemination is a public health problem.

Cross-cultural adaptation and validation of the VISA-A questionnaire for Portuguese-speaking (Portugal) patients with Achilles tendinopathy

Introduction Achilles tendinopathy is considered one of the most frequent injuries in individuals who practice regular physical activity, thus the existence of an instrument that allows the evaluation of the degree of severity of the lesion is important. The VISA-A was developed for English-speaking population to evaluate patients with this condition, and there is a need to adapt this tool to Portuguese (Portugal).

Objectives To cross-cultural adapt and validate the VISA-A questionnaire for Portuguese-speaking (Portugal) Achilles tendinopathy patients.

Methodology The VISA-A questionnaire was translated and cross-culturally adapted into Portuguese (VISA-A-Por) according to specific guidelines, using six steps: Translation, synthesis, back translation, expert committee review, pretesting (n = 10), and appraisal of the adaptation process. The resulting VISA-A-Por was then subjected to an analysis of the psychometric properties (construct validity, reproducibility [agreement and reliability], internal consistency and floor and ceiling effects) in 57 Achilles tendinopathy patients and 58 asymptomatic people. Participants completed the questionnaire at baseline and after a minimum interval of 48 hours.

Results The Visa-A-Por semantic and content validity was considered good by the expert committee and has construct validity shown by the differences between groups (p &lt; 0,001). The questionnaire presented good internal consistency, with a Cronbach α of 0,88. Concerning reproducibility, agreement levels were considered optimal which can be verified in the Bland Altman graph, the standard error measurement (6,49) and the minimally important change (17,99 points), as well as the excellent ICC value (0,88). No ceiling-floor effect was found.

Conclusion The VISA-A-Por questionnaire has been shown to be equivalent to the original questionnaire, which indicates that it is a valid and reliable measure for the evaluation of the severity and functional impact of patellar tendinopathy in Portuguese-speaking (Portugal) patients.

French recommendations for the management of patients with spinal cord injury or at risk of spinal cord injury

OBJECTIVES

To update the French guidelines on the management of trauma patients with spinal cord injury or suspected spinal cord injury.

DESIGN

A consensus committee of 27 experts was formed. A formal conflict-of-interest (COI) policy was developed at the outset of the process and enforced throughout. The entire guidelines process was conducted independently of any industrial funding (i.e. pharmaceutical, medical devices). The authors were advised to follow the rules of the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE®) system to guide assessment of quality of evidence. The potential drawbacks of making strong recommendations in the presence of low-quality evidence were emphasised.

METHODS

The committee studied twelve questions: (1) What are the indications and arrangements for spinal immobilisation? (2) What are the arrangements for pre-hospital orotracheal intubation? (3) What are the objectives of haemodynamic resuscitation during the lesion assessment, and during the first few days in hospital? (4) What is the best way to manage these patients to improve their long-term prognosis? (5) What is the place of corticosteroid therapy in the initial phase? (6) What are the indications for magnetic resonance imaging in the lesion assessment phase? (7) What is the optimal time for surgical management? (8) What are the best arrangements for orotracheal intubation in the hospital environment? (9) What are the specific conditions for weaning these patients from mechanical ventilation for? (10) What are the procedures for analgesic treatment of these patients? (11) What are the specific arrangements for installing and mobilising these patients? (12) What is the place of early intermittent bladder sampling in these patients? Each question was formulated in a PICO (Patients, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome) format and the evidence profiles were produced. The literature review and recommendations were made according to the GRADE® Methodology.

RESULTS

The experts' work synthesis and the application of the GRADE method resulted in 19 recommendations. Among the recommendations formalised, 2 have a high level of evidence (GRADE 1+/-) and 12 have a low level of evidence (GRADE 2+/-). For 5 recommendations, the GRADE method could not be applied, resulting in expert advice. After two rounds of scoring and one amendment, strong agreement was reached on all the recommendations.

CONCLUSIONS

There was significant agreement among experts on strong recommendations to improve practices for the management of patients with spinal cord injury.

Evaluation of the sensitivity of the Express View function in the Mirocam® capsule endoscopy software

Background: A new computer algorithm called Express-View has recently been introduced by Mirocam, but data concerning its application and efficacy are scarce.Objective: To evaluate the lesion detection rate, per-patient sensitivity and the diagnostic accuracy using Express-View.Methods: All patients who performed CE between January 2018 and June 2019, whose indication was obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (OGIB) and with findings on CE, were included. Lesions identified in conventional reading were selected and considered as reference.Results: Eighty-nine patients were included, 50.6% male, with a mean age of 68.4 years-old (±12.3). The Express-View mode detected 85.5% of lesions previously detected by conventional reading (524 out of 613). There were 89 missed lesions, mainly erosions or ulcers (44.9%) and angioectasias (38.2%). The lesion detection rate was found to be lower in the jejunum and ileum compared to extra-small bowel locations and duodenum (p = .04). Although Express-View had a per-patient sensitivity for all lesions of 56.2% and a per-patient sensitivity for all clinically significant lesions of 83.1%, it achieved a diagnostic accuracy of 91%.Conclusions: The per-patient sensitivity for all lesions was shown to be below expectations, although the lesion detection rate, the per-patient sensitivity for all clinically significant lesions, and the diagnostic accuracy were shown to be higher.

P229 PillCamCrohn’sCapsule: the use of a panenteric capsule endoscopy in a Portuguese centre

Background

Crohn’s disease (CD) is a complex chronic inflammatory gastrointestinal condition with variable age of onset, disease location and behaviour. PillCamCrohn’sCapsule (PCC) was recently introduced as a new system composed of a two-headed capsule which allows an extensive coverage of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. This panenteric capsule endoscopy plays an important role in the diagnosis and monitoring of CD patients and has the potential to reduce multiple procedures in CD, consequently increasing patients’ satisfaction. However, its role in clinical practice remains undefined due to limited data. A recent study in children demonstrated its importance ina treat-to-target approach and a randomised trial is currently under-recruiting in order to evaluate the likelihood of panenteric mucosal healing in CD patients treated with Vedolizumab. The authors present an analysis of the application of this system.

Methods

A cross-sectional analysis of SBC from patients with suspected or established CD was performed. Data were collected retrospectively. Patients performed 2L of polyethylene glycol (PEG) prior to PCC ingestion. After PCC ingestion, patients underwent sequentially: 2 boosters of sodium phosphate (NaP). The authors assessed: indication of PCC, bowel preparation, completeness (when the capsule was naturally excreted), Lewis and CECDAI scores and complications. Diagnosis confirmation and changes in stage disease were also evaluated.

Results

Eighteen patients (median age 43 years, 55.6% female, established CD in 83.3%) were included in the analysis. Indications were suspected CD (16.7%), definition of disease activity and extension (27.8%) and assessment of treatment response (44.4%). All procedures were complete and had an adequate bowel cleansing (Brotzqualitative excellent n = 1, Good n = 15, fair n = 2; Brotz quantitative median 9.5). 72.2% patients presented inflammatory lesions. In established CD median Lewis was 900 and CECDAI 8.5. PCCcorroborated the diagnosis in 1 of 3 patients with suspected CD and changed the staging of the disease in known CD in 13.3% (L1 to L3 n = 1 and B1 to B2 n = 1). No complications were reported including capsule retentions.

Conclusion

This preliminary study showed that PCC is an effective and safe tool to use in suspected or established CD patients. In our study, this method was more frequently used for assessment of treatment response. PCC could be of great advantage in our clinical practice since it provides a complete examination of mucosal healing of the gastrointestinal tract in a single procedure, helping physicians in disease management.

A scoping review of the role of primary care providers and primary care-based interventions in the treatment of pediatric eating disorders

Youth with eating disorders are often cared for by specialized interdisciplinary teams in pediatric tertiary care centers. Enhanced involvement of primary care providers may provide added benefits to patients because it offers improved access, better continuity of care, and possibly less financial burden. This paper aims to synthesize and assess the literature on the role of the primary care provider in treating pediatric eating disorders in order to identify an optimal model of shared care. Sources were identified by entering search terms in 10 databases. Eligible sources were English publications focusing on primary care-based interventions for eating disorders in youth (=<24 years). The search yielded 5,516 unique citations. Of these, 61 were ultimately included. Sources fell into two categories: (1) primary research (n = 3) and (2) reviews with recommendations for primary care providers (n = 58). The primary studies considered the primary care provider conducting behavioral therapy and guided self-help. Review articles suggested providing education, assessing for hospitalization, aiding in weight restoration, managing complications, referring, and coordinating care. Limited evidence exists that can guide effective primary care-based interventions for the treatment of pediatric eating disorders. Further research is needed to develop and evaluate interventions for the treatment of pediatric eating disorders in primary care settings so that best practices can be identified.