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Vazquez S, Dominguez JF, Wu E, Spirollari E, Soldozy S, Ivan ME, Merenzon M, Hanft SJ, Komotar RJ. High-Volume Centers Provide Superior Value of Care in the Surgical Treatment of Malignant Brain Tumor. World Neurosurg 2024; 183:e787-e795. [PMID: 38216033 DOI: 10.1016/j.wneu.2024.01.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/07/2024] [Indexed: 01/14/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Improved outcomes in surgical patients have been associated with increasing volume of cases. This has led to the development of centers that facilitate care for a specific patient population. This study aimed to evaluate associations of outcomes with hospital characteristics in patients undergoing resection of malignant brain tumors. METHODS The 2016-2020 National Inpatient Sample was queried for patients undergoing resection of malignant brain tumors. Teaching hospitals with caseloads >2 standard deviations above the mean (140 cases) were categorized as high-volume centers (HVCs). Value of care was evaluated by adding one point for each of the following: short length of stay, low total charges, favorable discharge disposition, and lack of major comorbidity or complication. RESULTS In 3009 hospitals, 118,390 patients underwent resection of malignant brain tumors. HVC criteria were met by 91 (3%) hospitals. HVCs were more likely to treat patients of younger age or higher socioeconomic status (P < 0.01 for all). The Mid-Atlantic and South Atlantic regions had the highest percentage of cases and number of HVCs. Value of care was higher at HVCs (P < 0.01). Care at HVCs was associated with decreased complications (P < 0.01 for all) and improved patient outcomes (P < 0.01 for all). CONCLUSIONS Patients undergoing craniotomy for malignant brain neoplasms have superior outcomes in HVCs. Trends of centralization may reflect the benefits of multidisciplinary treatment, geographic preferences, publicity, and cultural impact. Improvement of access to care is an important consideration as this trend continues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sima Vazquez
- School of Medicine, New York Medical College, Valhalla, New York, USA.
| | - Jose F Dominguez
- Department of Neurosurgery, Westchester Medical Center, Valhalla, New York, USA
| | - Eva Wu
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Eris Spirollari
- School of Medicine, New York Medical College, Valhalla, New York, USA
| | - Sauson Soldozy
- Department of Neurosurgery, Westchester Medical Center, Valhalla, New York, USA
| | - Michael E Ivan
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Martin Merenzon
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Simon J Hanft
- Department of Neurosurgery, Westchester Medical Center, Valhalla, New York, USA
| | - Ricardo J Komotar
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
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Nationwide Awareness Campaign and Call for Dental Screening for Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia in Germany. Int J Dent 2023; 2023:8737727. [PMID: 36820363 PMCID: PMC9938772 DOI: 10.1155/2023/8737727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2022] [Revised: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 01/22/2023] [Indexed: 02/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Objectives Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) is a rare disorder encompassing facial and oral telangiectasias and visceral vascular malformations (VMs). Pulmonary VMs can lead to paradoxical embolism of thrombi or bacteria, e.g., due to dental procedures. Early detection can reduce morbidity and mortality and is recommended. However, diagnosis is often delayed for decades. Our study is assessing the feasibility and effect of a nationwide awareness campaign for early diagnosis of HHT addressing all dentists in Germany. Methods In 2018, one article and two reminders about HHT were published in a nationwide awareness campaign. As a proxy for the effectiveness of the campaign, researchers measured the number of first-time inquiries from patients and physicians about HHT documented by the German HHT self-help group from September 2016 until September 2019. Results A total of 411 first contacts with the German self-help group were documented, mainly via Internet platforms (Internet forum (n = 130) and Facebook® (n = 189)). For 9% of those patients (n = 36/411), the physician or dentist (physician: (n = 31/36, 86%; dentist: n = 5/36, 14%) informed patients about the disease HHT and the self-help group. Before publishing the first article about HHT, no dentist referred patients to the German self-help group; afterwards, 5 patients received information about HHT from their dentist and contacted the patient organization for the first time. After each publication in June, September, and December 2018, the number of new contacts increased. Contacts via phone and e-mail had the highest relative increase. Conclusions The repeated call for dental screening for HHT in Germany led to increased awareness of this rare disease; more patients with possible HHT received information about the condition. The authors conclude that targeted campaigns may contribute to a shorter diagnostic latency resulting in increased quality of life and life expectancy in HHT. This trial is registered with CT03549949.
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Hammill AM. Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT): a practical guide to management. HEMATOLOGY. AMERICAN SOCIETY OF HEMATOLOGY. EDUCATION PROGRAM 2021; 2021:469-477. [PMID: 34889398 PMCID: PMC8791148 DOI: 10.1182/hematology.2021000281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT), the second most common inherited bleeding disorder, is associated with the development of malformed blood vessels. Abnormal blood vessels may be small and cutaneous or mucosal (telangiectasia), with frequent complications of bleeding, or large and visceral (arteriovenous malformations [AVMs]), with additional risks that can lead to significant morbidity and even mortality. HHT can present in many different ways and can be difficult to recognize, particularly in younger patients in the absence of a known family history of disease or epistaxis, its most common manifestation. HHT is commonly diagnosed using the established Curaçao clinical criteria, which include (1) family history, (2) recurrent epistaxis, (3) telangiectasia, and (4) visceral AVMs. Fulfillment of 3 or more criteria provides a definite diagnosis of HHT, whereas 2 criteria constitute a possible diagnosis of HHT. However, these criteria are insufficient in children to rule out disease due to the age-dependent development of some of these criteria. Genetic testing, when positive, can provide definitive diagnosis of HHT in all age groups. Clinical course is often complicated by significant epistaxis and/or gastrointestinal bleeding, leading to anemia in half of adult patients with HHT. The management paradigm has recently shifted from surgical approaches to medical treatments aimed at control of chronic bleeding, such as antifibrinolytic and antiangiogenic agents, combined with aggressive iron replacement with intravenous iron. Guidelines for management of HHT, including screening and treatment, were determined by expert consensus and originally published in 2009 with updates and new guidelines in 2020.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrienne M. Hammill
- Cancer and Blood Diseases Institute, Division of Hematology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, and Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH
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Droege F, Dingemann J, Thangavelu K, Kuerten CHL, Dahlfrancis PM, Kaiser C, Kaster F, Zioga E, Meyer C, Lueb C, Sure U, Lang S, Geisthoff U. [Implementation and development of a center for hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia]. Laryngorhinootologie 2021; 100:372-381. [PMID: 33723832 DOI: 10.1055/a-1402-0543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia (HHT) is a rare and systemic disorder which is characterized by recurrent epistaxis, mucocutaneous telangiectases, and visceral arteriovenous malformations (AVM). An interdisciplinary concept is recommended. MATERIAL AND METHODS We performed a retrospective review of consecutive patients who were referred to our newly established HHT Center of Excellence (HHT COE) for evaluation and treatment between April 2014 and August 2019. RESULTS A network of over 20 departments was established at the University Hospital Essen. In 261 of the 282 patients (93 %), who were referred to the hospital's COE, the HHT diagnosis was at least possible. Most patients suffered from several symptoms (epistaxis and / or telangiectasia: > 80 %, visceral involvement: 65 %) and received a variety of treatments, often in a multidisciplinary setting. Alongside this direct treatment, the COE leader manages the coordination of the center and its public relations, which involves more than 900 e-mails per year. International collaboration and exchanges of expertise within the European Reference Network on Rare Multisystemic Vascular Diseases (VASCERN) can improve the treatment of patients with HHT particularly where these cases are complex. CONCLUSIONS An HHT COE provides an interdisciplinary network where highly specialized diagnostic and therapeutic processes can be updated and optimized continuously.
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Affiliation(s)
- Freya Droege
- Klinik für Hals-Nasen-Ohrenheilkunde, Universitätsklinikum Essen, Germany
| | - Julia Dingemann
- Klinik für Hals-Nasen-Ohrenheilkunde, Universitätsklinikum Essen, Germany
| | - Kruthika Thangavelu
- Klinik für Hals-Nasen-Ohrenheilkunde, Universitätsklinikum Gießen und Marburg - Standort Marburg, Germany
| | | | | | - Christina Kaiser
- Klinik für Hals-Nasen-Ohrenheilkunde, Universitätsklinikum Essen, Germany
| | - Friederike Kaster
- Klinik für Hals-Nasen-Ohrenheilkunde, Universitätsklinikum Essen, Germany
| | - Eleni Zioga
- Klinik für Hals-Nasen-Ohrenheilkunde, Universitätsklinikum Essen, Germany
| | - Corinna Meyer
- Klinik für Hals-Nasen-Ohrenheilkunde, Universitätsklinikum Essen, Germany
| | - Carolin Lueb
- Klinik für Hals-Nasen-Ohrenheilkunde, Universitätsklinikum Essen, Germany
| | - Ulrich Sure
- Klinik für Neurochirurgie, Universitätsklinikum Essen, Germany
| | - Stephan Lang
- Klinik für Hals-Nasen-Ohrenheilkunde, Universitätsklinikum Essen, Germany
| | - Urban Geisthoff
- Klinik für Hals-Nasen-Ohrenheilkunde, Universitätsklinikum Gießen und Marburg - Standort Marburg, Germany
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Thompson KP, Nelson J, Kim H, Pawlikowska L, Marchuk DA, Lawton MT, Faughnan ME. Predictors of mortality in patients with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia. Orphanet J Rare Dis 2021; 16:12. [PMID: 33407668 PMCID: PMC7789194 DOI: 10.1186/s13023-020-01579-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2020] [Accepted: 10/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Retrospective questionnaire and healthcare administrative data suggest reduced life expectancy in untreated hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT). Prospective data suggests similar mortality, to the general population, in Denmark’s centre-treated HHT patients. However, clinical phenotypes vary widely in HHT, likely affecting mortality. We aimed to measure predictors of mortality among centre-treated HHT patients. HHT patients were recruited at 14 HHT centres of the Brain Vascular Malformation Consortium (BVMC) since 2010 and followed annually. Vital status, organ vascular malformations (VMs) and clinical symptoms data were collected at baseline and during follow-up (N = 1286). We tested whether organ VMs, HHT symptoms and HHT genes were associated with increased mortality using Cox regression analysis, adjusting for patient age, sex, and smoking status.
Results 59 deaths occurred over average follow-up time of 3.4 years (max 8.6 years). A history of anemia was associated with increased mortality (HR = 2.93, 95% CI 1.37–6.26, p = 0.006), as were gastro-intestinal (GI) bleeding (HR = 2.63, 95% CI 1.46–4.74, p = 0.001), and symptomatic liver VMs (HR = 2.10, 95% CI 1.15–3.84, p = 0.015). Brain VMs and pulmonary arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) were not associated with mortality (p > 0.05). Patients with SMAD4 mutation had significantly higher mortality (HR = 18.36, 95% CI 5.60–60.20, p < 0.001) compared to patients with ACVRL1 or ENG mutation, but this estimate is imprecise given the rarity of SMAD4 patients (n = 33, 4 deaths). Conclusions Chronic GI bleeding, anemia and symptomatic liver VMs are associated with increased mortality in HHT patients, independent of age, and in keeping with the limited treatment options for these aspects of HHT. Conversely, mortality does not appear to be associated with pulmonary AVMs or brain VMs, for which patients are routinely screened and treated preventatively at HHT Centres. This demonstrates the need for development of new therapies to treat chronic anemia, GI bleeding, and symptomatic liver VMs in order to reduce mortality among HHT patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- K P Thompson
- Toronto HHT Centre, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael's Hospital, 30 Bond St, Toronto, ON, M5B-1W8, USA.,Division of Respirology, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - J Nelson
- Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Care, Center for Cerebrovascular Research, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - H Kim
- Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Care, Center for Cerebrovascular Research, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA.,Institute for Human Genetics, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA.,Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - L Pawlikowska
- Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Care, Center for Cerebrovascular Research, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA.,Institute for Human Genetics, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - D A Marchuk
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - M T Lawton
- Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, AZ, USA
| | - Marie E Faughnan
- Toronto HHT Centre, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael's Hospital, 30 Bond St, Toronto, ON, M5B-1W8, USA. .,Division of Respirology, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.
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