Combining activity and grimace scores reflects perinatal stability in infants <32 weeks gestational age

BACKGROUND

Over 95% of infants less than 32 weeks gestational age-very preterm infants (VPTI)-require cardiorespiratory support at birth. Clinical condition at birth is assessed by the Apgar score, but the precision and accuracy of activity and grimace has not been evaluated. We hypothesised activity and grimace could predict the level of cardiorespiratory support required for stabilisation.

METHODS

Two hundred twenty-nine videos of VPTI resuscitations at Monash Children's Hospital and The Royal Women's Hospital, Melbourne were evaluated, with 78 videos eligible for assessment. Activity and grimace were scored (0, 1, or 2) by seven consultant neonatologists, with inter-rater reliability assessed. Activity and grimace were correlated with the maximum level of cardiorespiratory support required for stabilisation.

RESULTS

Kendall's Coefficient of Concordance (W) showed strong interobserver agreement for activity (W = 0.644, p < 0.001) and grimace (W = 0.722, p < 0.001). Neither activity nor grimace independently predicted the level of cardiorespiratory support required. Combining activity and grimace showed non-vigorous infants (combined score <2) received more cardiorespiratory support than vigorous (combined score ≥ 2).

CONCLUSION

Scoring of activity and grimace was consistent between clinicians. Independently, activity and grimace did not correlate with perinatal stabilisation. Combined scoring showed non-vigorous infants had greater resuscitation requirements.

IMPACT

Our study evaluates the precision and accuracy of activity and grimace to predict perinatal stability, which has not been validated in infants <32 weeks gestational age. We found strong score agreement between assessors, indicating video review is a practical and precise method for grading of activity and grimace. Combined scoring to allow a dichotomous evaluation of infants as non-vigorous or vigorous showed the former group required greater cardiorespiratory support at birth.

Prevalence and Clinical Significance of Electrocardiographic Complete Right Bundle Branch Block in Young Individuals

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

There is limited information on the clinical significance of complete right bundle branch block (CRBBB) in young individuals. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and significance of CRBBB in a large cohort of young individuals aged 14-35 years old.

METHODS

From 2008 to 2018, 104,369 consecutive individuals underwent a cardiovascular assessment with a health questionnaire, electrocardiogram, clinical consultation, and selective echocardiography. Follow-up was obtained via direct telephone consultations. Mean follow-up was 7.3 ± 2.7 years.

RESULTS

CRBBB was identified in 154 (0.1%) individuals and was more prevalent in males compared with females (0.20% vs. 0.06%; p<0.05) and in athletes compared with non-athletes (0.25% vs. 0.14%; p<0.05). CRBBB-related cardiac conditions were identified in 7 (5%) individuals (4 with atrial septal defect, 1 with Brugada syndrome, 1 with progressive cardiac conduction disease and 1 with atrial fibrillation). Pathology was more frequently identified in individuals with non-isolated CRBBB compared with individuals with isolated CRBBB (14% vs 1%; p < 0.05) and in individuals with a QRS duration of ≥130 milliseconds (ms) compared with individuals with a QRS of <130ms (10% vs 1%; p<0.05).

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of CRBBB in young individuals was 0.1% and was more prevalent in males and athletes. CRBBB-related conditions were identified in 5% of individuals and were more common in individuals with non-isolated CRBBB and more pronounced intraventricular conduction delay (QRS duration of ≥130ms). Secondary evaluation should be considered for young individuals with CRBBB with symptoms, concerning family history, additional electrocardiographic anomalies or significant QRS prolongation (≥130ms).

Higher versus lower nasal continuous positive airway pressure for extubation of extremely preterm infants in Australia (ÉCLAT): a multicentre, randomised, superiority trial

BACKGROUND

Extremely preterm infants often require invasive mechanical ventilation, and clinicians aim to extubate these infants as soon as possible. However, extubation failure occurs in up to 60% of extremely preterm infants and is associated with increased mortality and morbidity. Nasal continuous positive airway pressure (nCPAP) is the most common post-extubation respiratory support, but there is no consensus on the optimal nCPAP level to safely avoid extubation failure in extremely preterm infants. We aimed to determine if higher nCPAP levels compared with standard nCPAP levels would decrease rates of extubation failure in extremely preterm infants within 7 days of their first extubation.

METHODS

In this multicentre, randomised, open-label controlled trial done at three tertiary perinatal centres in Australia, we assigned extremely preterm infants to extubation to either higher nCPAP (10 cmH2O) or standard nCPAP (7 cmH2O). Infants were eligible if they were born at less than 28 weeks' gestation, were receiving mechanical ventilation via an endotracheal tube, and were being extubated for the first time to nCPAP. Eligible infants must have received previous treatment with exogenous surfactant and caffeine. Infants were ineligible if they were planned to be extubated to a mode of respiratory support other than nCPAP, if they had a known major congenital anomaly that might affect breathing, or if ongoing intensive care was not being provided. Parents or guardians provided prospective, written, informed consent. Infants were maintained within an assigned nCPAP range for a minimum of 24 h after extubation (higher nCPAP group 9-11 cmH2O and standard nCPAP group 6-8 cmH2O). Randomisation was stratified by both gestation (22-25 completed weeks or 26-27 completed weeks) and recruiting centre. The primary outcome was extubation failure within 7 days and analysis was by intention to treat. This trial was prospectively registered with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry, number ACTRN12618001638224.

FINDINGS

Between March 3, 2019, and July 31, 2022, 483 infants were born at less than 28 weeks and admitted to the recruiting centres. 92 infants were not eligible, 172 were not approached, 65 families declined to participate, and 15 consented but were not randomly assigned. 139 infants were enrolled and randomly assigned, 70 to the higher nCPAP group and 69 to the standard nCPAP group. One infant in the higher nCPAP group was excluded from the analysis because consent was withdrawn after randomisation. 104 (75%) of 138 mothers were White. The mean gestation was 25·7 weeks (SD 1·3) and the mean birthweight was 777 grams (201). 70 (51%) of 138 infants were female. Extubation failure occurred in 24 (35%) of 69 infants in the higher nCPAP group and in 39 (57%) of 69 infants in the standard nCPAP group (risk difference -21·7%, 95% CI -38·5% to -3·7%). There were no significant differences in rates of adverse events between groups during the primary outcome period. Three patients died (two in the higher nCPAP group and one in the standard nCPAP group), pneumothorax occurred in one patient from each group, spontaneous intestinal perforation in three patients (two in the higher nCPAP group and one in the standard nCPAP group) and there were no events of pulmonary interstitial emphysema.

INTERPRETATION

Extubation of extremely preterm infants to higher nCPAP significantly reduced extubation failure compared with extubation to standard nCPAP, without increasing rates of adverse effects. Future larger trials are essential to confirm these findings in terms of both efficacy and safety.

FUNDING

National Health and Medical Research Council Centre for Research Excellence in Newborn Medicine, number 1153176.

Outcomes of Brain Metastases with Suspicious Imaging Undergoing Resection to Evaluate for Radionecrosis vs. Tumor Progression

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

In patients treated with stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) for brain metastases, radiographic changes on surveillance imaging may result from treatment effect/radionecrosis (RN) or tumor progression. Distinguishing between these processes is critical to appropriate management. We report long-term outcomes for a cohort of patients who demonstrated radiographic progression on serial imaging after initial radiation and ultimately underwent resection to inform further management.

MATERIALS/METHODS

A retrospective chart review identified 76 patients with an associated 82 brain lesions between 2009 and 2022 that were initially treated with SRS, then demonstrated suspicious imaging changes developing through at least two scan time points that led to pathologic confirmation of either tumor or RN. We report clinical outcomes and details of further treatments.

RESULTS

Of the 82 lesions, 55 (67.1%) were found to be pathologically-confirmed viable tumor and were treated with repeat radiation and 27 (32.9%) were found to be strictly RN and conservatively managed. Over half of the lesions (14/27) ultimately found to be radionecrotic required use of steroids pre-operatively due to neurologic symptoms. Among the 27 that were found to be RN, the most common histology was melanoma (33.3%, n = 9). The most common dose fractionation regimen was 20 Gy in 1 fx (n = 11, 40.7%; range: 16-20 Gy x 1Fx), and the median BED (10) was 50.4 Gy (IQR 41.6 - 50 Gy). None of these lesions required further intervention with median post-surgery follow up of 24.4 months (range 1-104 months). There were 55 instances (in 51 patients) of pathologically-confirmed recurrent/progressive tumor who were consequently treated with repeat radiation with either Cs-131 brachytherapy (12 (21.8%)) or SRS (43 (78.2%)). The most common histology was NSCLC (37.2%, n = 19). The most common fractionation for repeat irradiation with SRS was 8 Gy x 3 fx (n = 15, 27.3%), followed by 5 Gy x 5 fx (n = 10, 18.2%), and 4 Gy x 5 fx (n = 8, 14.6%). Four individuals each had two lesions that were re-irradiated for local recurrence. Among patients treated with re-irradiation, the median follow-up to local failure was 15.2 months (95% CI 7.3-26.6 months). Radionecrosis was confirmed on pathology in 4/55 (7.2%) of lesions. The median follow-up from date of SRS2 to local failure was 14.1 months (95% CI 7.6-24.3 months). The 2-yr local control rate was 74.8% (95% CI 61.7-90.7%).

CONCLUSION

We recommend cautious monitoring of possible progression after radiosurgery, with consideration of resection for continuous progression, as a significant proportion of radiographic progression are ultimately pure RN. Management determined by pathology (observation for RN; additional radiation for confirmed tumor) leads to excellent control.

Trends in the Use of Hypofractionation in Treatment of Breast Cancer in Botswana

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

Clinical trials have shown that moderate hypofractionation (HF) is clinically effective as adjuvant treatment to breast conserving surgery or following mastectomy with advanced disease. ASTRO issued updated guidelines in 2018, expanding the population eligible to receive HF to all patients, regardless of age and tumor stage. Use of HF can promote efficient resource utilization for over-burdened health care systems; however, global adoption of HF has been previously only reported via ESTRO survey of individual physicians. These data note that HF following lumpectomy is 40% in Africa vs. >90% in North America, with limited data on the uptake of HF within individual African countries. In this study, we characterize temporal trends and clinical, socio-demographic factors associated with the use of HF in breast cancer in Botswana.

MATERIALS/METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed a cohort of breast cancer patients receiving curative intent radiation between 2015 and 2022 at the only radiation clinic in Botswana. We compared patients' characteristics between those who received HF vs. standard fractionation (SF) and report chi-square statistics when appropriate. We fit a multilevel mixed-effects logistic regression model with a random intercept for district while adjusting for fixed effects such as HIV infection status, laterality, hormone receptor status, and marital status.

RESULTS

A total of 234 patients were prescribed curative intent radiation between 2015 and 2022 in Gaborone, Botswana. Median age at diagnosis was 51 years old, and the majority of patients presented with stage III disease (61.9%, 109/234). 26.9% of this population were women living with HIV (WLWH), and 71% lived >100km from the hospital. HF was utilized overall in 59.4% (139/234) of patients. Most common fractionation patterns included: 4005cGy/15fx and 4267cG/16fx. One patient received ultra-HF (2600cGy/5fx). In unadjusted chi-square analysis, a higher proportion of HF was seen in right vs left-sided breast cancer (65.8% vs. 50.9%, p = 0.02), increasing year of diagnosis from 2015 - 2022 (p<0.001), and among patients >/ = 40 years of age vs. those <40 years of age (62.8% vs 42.1%, p = 0.017). Temporal trends show a significant increase in the utilization of HF starting from 23.8% (5/21) in 2015, to 61.5% (32/52) in 2018, and finally 100% (11/11) of cases in 2022. Our regression analysis shows that there is no statistically significant between-district variance or patient-level factors that associate with the uptake of HF. The overall utilization rate for HF between 2015-2022 was 59.4% (95% CI: 53.0%-65.5%).

CONCLUSION

Based on recent survey results the uptake of HF among African countries is lower than that of North America. To our knowledge, this is the first quantitative analysis of the utilization of HF over 5 years in an African country. Further analysis on factors related to physician prescription of hypofractionation is warranted, including influence of breast laterality, age, and primary surgery type.

Impact of Consolidative Radiation on Overall and Progression Free Survival in Pediatric, Adolescent and Young Adult Metastatic Sarcoma

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

To determine the association between consolidative radiation and survival in pediatric, adolescent, and young adult (AYA) metastatic sarcoma MATERIALS/METHODS: Eligible patients included those diagnosed with metastatic bone or soft tissue sarcoma at ≤39 years of age. Patients whose cancer progressed prior to the time of local control were excluded. Consolidative radiation (RT) was defined as RT to all sites of metastatic disease. Kaplan Meier method was used to estimate overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). Cox proportional hazards was used to account for confounding variables. To adjust for immortal time bias (ITB), end of local control was chosen as a landmark time.

RESULTS

Patients (n = 77) had a median age at diagnosis of 14.5 years (range: 1.7-29.7 years). The most common histology was Ewing sarcoma (49%), followed by rhabdomyosarcoma (30%). Median follow up was 28.5 months, without significant difference between patients treated with and without consolidative RT (23.7 vs. 21.5 months, p = 0.270). Median time to completion of consolidative RT from diagnosis was 8.5 months. Ewing sarcoma was more likely to be treated with consolidative RT compared to other histologies (p<0.001). Consolidative RT was associated with improved OS (2yr OS: 81.9% vs. 57.9%, p = 0.009) and PFS (2yr PFS: 71.2% vs. 30%, p = 0.001). On multivariate analysis, after accounting for age, histology, number, and type of metastases (lung, bone or other), consolidative RT remained independently associated with improved OS (hazard ratio (HR):0.36, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.17, 0.78, p = 0.010) and improved PFS (HR = 0.34, 95% CI = 0.16, 0.73, p = 0.006). The OS benefit for consolidative RT persisted after adjusting for ITB (1yr OS post-local control: 80.9% vs. 89.7%, p = 0.016). The effect of consolidative RT was validated in a dataset consisting of patients who were diagnosed with localized disease but had metastatic progression (n = 30). In this metachronous population, consolidative RT remained independently associated with improved OS (HR = 0.11, 95% CI = 0.03, 0.51, p = 0.004) after accounting for age.

CONCLUSION

ConsolidativeRT was independently associated with improved OS and PFS in pediatric and AYA patients with metastatic sarcoma at diagnosis. The OS benefit extended to those who underwent consolidative RT for metastatic progression. Future work should evaluate biomarkers to optimize patient selection and timing and dose of consolidative RT.

Patterns of Failure in Pediatric and Young Adult Rhabdomyosarcoma

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

To characterize patterns of failure in pediatric and young adult patients with rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) from a single institution with over 20 years of experience.

MATERIALS/METHODS

Patients diagnosed with RMS from 2000 to 2022 were identified retrospectively. Time to failure was calculated from diagnosis. Local only failure was defined as first failure at the primary site without distant failure. Distant failure was defined as first failure outside of the primary site with or without local failure. Cumulative incidence (CI) of failure was calculated using death as a competing risk. Fine-Gray regression was used to evaluate impact of prognostic factors.

RESULTS

Ninety-five patients were eligible. Median age was 7.28 years (range 0 - 35 years), 41% of patients were >10 years old. Median follow up was 33.3 months. Approximately half (n = 47, 49.5%) of the tumors demonstrated alveolar histology. FOXO1 fusion status was available in 76 (80%) patients, of which 7 out of 37 alveolar tumors (18.9%) were FOXO1 fusion negative. The majority of tumors presented with unfavorable primary site (n = 72, 75.8%) and advanced stage (Stage III and IV, n = 72, 75.8%). The 5-yr CI of local only failure and distant failure for the entire cohort was 19.0% (95% CI 11.3, 28.3) and 34.6% (24.0, 45.5%), respectively. The predominant pattern of failure by Group was: Groups 1&2: Local only (5yr CI 14.8%), Group 3: Distant (5yr CI: 25.9%), Group 4: Distant (5yr CI: 67.6%). CI of distant failure by primary site was higher in perianal/gluteal (n = 2/5, 5yr CI 60.0%) and extremity (n = 8/19, 5yr CI 45.9%) sites. Of the 28 distant failures, 10 (36%) also had a local failure component. CI of local only failure by primary site was higher in parameningeal head and neck (n = 6/25, 5yr CI 30%) and bladder/prostate (n = 2/12, 5yr CI 23%) sites. The following were associated with an increased CI of distant failures: increasing age (HR 1.08, p<0.01), alveolar vs. embryonal histology (HR 3.01, p = 0.0095), FOXO1 fusion positive vs. negative (HR 2.8, p = 0.02) and Group IV vs. Groups I/II (HR 7.7, p = 0.0007). FOXO1 fusion and alveolar histology were associated with older age and Group IV, both of which were independently associated with increased distant failure on multivariate analysis.

CONCLUSION

Failures were predominantly distant in older patients and patients with Group IV RMS, both of which were associated with FOXO1 fusion and alveolar histology, highlighting the need to improve therapies in this population. Local only failures were highest in parameningeal head and neck and bladder/prostate primaries, highlighting the need to improve local control strategies at these sites.

SCCAg as a Biomarker of Advanced Stage and OS in Limited Resource Setting for Cervical Cancer

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

Elevated serum squamous cell antigen (SCCAg) has been previously correlated with poor survival, extensive tumor involvement, and recurrence for cervical cancer. Failure of serum SCCAg to normalize after treatment completion has also been studied as a poor prognostic indicator. This is the first study describing the association of SCCAg with stage and outcomes in patients diagnosed with cervical cancer in Botswana, in a population with a majority of women who are living with HIV (WLWH).

MATERIALS/METHODS

Patients with histologically confirmed cervical cancer were enrolled in a prospective observational study between August 2016 and April 2020 in Botswana. Among all patients undergoing definitive chemoradiation, serum SCCAg was determined at pre-treatment baseline, end of treatment (EOT), and 3-month follow-up (normal reference range 0.3 -1.9 ng/ml). Normalization of SCCAg was defined as return to the reference range after treatment (SCCAg response), and was measured first at EOT; if EOT values were not available, 3-month values were utilized. Patients were staged according to FIGO 2009 criteria, early stage was defined as Stage I-II; while advanced stage was defined as Stage III-IV. Median follow-up was 44 months. A significant cut-off point for baseline and SCCAg response correlated with overall survival (OS) was calculated utilizing a log-rank test RESULTS: Among 234 patients who were diagnosed with histologically confirmed cervical cancer, 73.5% were WLWH (mean CD4 count 466 cells/mL). 92.9% of all cancers were squamous cell carcinoma. 68.8% of patients had elevated SCCAg at time of diagnosis. There was no significant difference in mean baseline SCCAg between WLWH (13.3 ng/mL) and women living without HIV (9.07 ng/mL), p = 0.1052. There was a significant difference seen in mean SCCAg between early (7.9 ng/mL ± SD 13.4) and advanced (18.9 ng/mL, ± SD 29.8) stage disease at diagnosis, p < 0.0001. Baseline SCCAg > 7.9 ng/mL was found to be associated with worse OS (p < 0.001). 5-year OS was significantly different among patients with SCCAg response < = 2.8 (5-year OS 66.2%), vs. SCCAg >2.8 ng/mL (5-year OS 42.4%). There was no significant difference in average SCCAg values between EOT (p = 0.68) and 3-month follow-up (p = 0.24). There was no difference in the proportion of patients who experienced normalized SCCAg by HIV status (p = 0.67).

CONCLUSION

There was no significant difference in SCCAg among WLWH and women living without HIV. Among patients with elevated SCCAg above normal at baseline, SCCAg was associated with early vs. advanced stage disease. Additionally, there was a significant difference seen in overall survival by two measurement points: baseline SCCAg >7.9 ng/mL and response SCCAg >2.8 ng/mL. SCCAg may be utilized as a biomarker in low-resource settings to refine prognosis. Further studies will be needed to determine utility and validation in predicting recurrence risk and/or lymph node metastases.

Two-Year Outcomes After Minimally Invasive Surfactant Therapy in Preterm Infants: Follow-Up of the OPTIMIST-A Randomized Clinical Trial

Importance

The long-term effects of surfactant administration via a thin catheter (minimally invasive surfactant therapy [MIST]) in preterm infants with respiratory distress syndrome remain to be definitively clarified.

Objective

To examine the effect of MIST on death or neurodevelopmental disability (NDD) at 2 years' corrected age.

Design, Setting, and Participants

Follow-up study of a randomized clinical trial with blinding of clinicians and outcome assessors conducted in 33 tertiary-level neonatal intensive care units in 11 countries. The trial included 486 infants with a gestational age of 25 to 28 weeks supported with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). Collection of follow-up data at 2 years' corrected age was completed on December 9, 2022.

Interventions

Infants assigned to MIST (n = 242) received exogenous surfactant (200 mg/kg poractant alfa) via a thin catheter; those assigned to the control group (n = 244) received sham treatment.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The key secondary outcome of death or moderate to severe NDD was assessed at 2 years' corrected age. Other secondary outcomes included components of this composite outcome, as well as hospitalizations for respiratory illness and parent-reported wheezing or breathing difficulty in the first 2 years.

Results

Among the 486 infants randomized, 453 had follow-up data available (median gestation, 27.3 weeks; 228 females [50.3%]); data on the key secondary outcome were available in 434 infants. Death or NDD occurred in 78 infants (36.3%) in the MIST group and 79 (36.1%) in the control group (risk difference, 0% [95% CI, -7.6% to 7.7%]; relative risk [RR], 1.0 [95% CI, 0.81-1.24]); components of this outcome did not differ significantly between groups. Secondary respiratory outcomes favored the MIST group. Hospitalization with respiratory illness occurred in 49 infants (25.1%) in the MIST group vs 78 (38.2%) in the control group (RR, 0.66 [95% CI, 0.54-0.81]) and parent-reported wheezing or breathing difficulty in 73 (40.6%) vs 104 (53.6%), respectively (RR, 0.76 [95% CI, 0.63-0.90]).

Conclusions and Relevance

In this follow-up study of a randomized clinical trial of preterm infants with respiratory distress syndrome supported with CPAP, MIST compared with sham treatment did not reduce the incidence of death or NDD by 2 years of age. However, infants who received MIST had lower rates of adverse respiratory outcomes during their first 2 years of life.

Trial Registration

anzctr.org.au Identifier: ACTRN12611000916943.

Oxygen saturation levels and retinopathy of prematurity in extremely preterm infants - a case control study

PURPOSE

To investigate the association of risk factors, including oxygen exposure, for developing retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in preterm infants at increased risk of ROP.

METHODS

A case-control study was conducted where each infant born at < 28 weeks gestation with ROP was matched with another without ROP over five years (July 2015 - June 2020). Clinical information about the infants was collected from electronic medical records, including method of oxygen delivery, oxygen saturation (SpO2), fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2) and mean airway pressure (MAP) measurements. MATLAB was used for a time-averaged analysis. Stata/SE 16.0 was used for statistical analysis.

RESULTS

123 ROP/non-ROP pairs were included in this study. The time-averaged SpO2 analysis showed non-ROP group spent more time in hyperoxia than the ROP group (p < 0.001). The non-ROP group had lower respiratory severity scores and analysis when FiO2 > 21% showed that were was no difference in SpO2 between the two groups when the infants were receiving oxygen support. Conditional logistic regressions showed neonatal surgery significantly increased the risk of ROP (OR = 1.4347, p = 0.010), while the influence of birthweight (odds ratio of 0.9965, p = 0.001) and oxygen exposure (OR = 0.9983, p = 0.012) on ROP outcome was found to be negligible as their odds ratios indicated no influence.

CONCLUSIONS

At times when infants were receiving respiratory support (FiO2 > 21%) the SpO2 data indicated no difference in SpO2 between the ROP and non-ROP groups. Analysis of clinical variables found that neonatal surgery increased the odds of developing ROP.

Nucleated Red Blood Cells as Markers of Perinatal Adaptation in Preterm Neonates Receiving Minimally Invasive Surfactant Therapy

OBJECTIVE

The study aimed to assess the association of nucleated red blood cells (NRBC), a surrogate of intrauterine hypoxia, and elevated pulmonic vascular resistance (E-PVR) and oxygen requirement after minimally invasive surfactant therapy (MIST).

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective study of a cohort of preterm neonates that received MIST in a single unit.

RESULTS

NRBC were measured in 65 of 75 (87%) neonates administered MIST during the period. In total, 22 of 65 (34%) infants had pre-MIST echocardiography (ECHO).Neonates with elevated NRBC (predefined as >5 × 10⁹/L, n = 16) required higher post-MIST fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO₂) than neonates with normal NRBC (<1 × 10⁹/L, n = 17; FiO₂= 0.31 ± 0.10 and 0.24 ± 0.04, respectively, p = 0.02).NRBC correlated positively with % of time in right to left ductal shunt (r = 0.51, p = 0.052) and inversely with right ventricular stroke volume (r = -0.55, p = 0.031) and time to peak velocity to right ventricular ejection time ratio (r = -0.62, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Elevated NRBC are associated with elevated FiO₂ after MIST and elevated E-PVR. Intrauterine hypoxia may impact postnatal circulatory adaptations and oxygen requirement.

KEY POINTS

· Post-MIST FiO2 requirements are significantly higher in infants with elevated NRBC.. · NRBC correlates positively with elevated PVR in neonates requiring.. · Intrauterine hypoxia may play a role in postnatal circulatory adaptations in neonates with RDS..

Prevalence and diagnostic significance of novel 12-lead ECG patterns following COVID-19 infection in elite soccer players

Background

Identification of athletes with cardiac inflammation following COVID-19 can prevent exercise fatalities. The efficacy of pre and post COVID-19 infection electrocardiograms (ECGs) for detecting athletes with myopericarditis has never been reported. We aimed to assess the prevalence and diagnostic significance of novel 12-lead ECG patterns following COVID-19 infection in elite soccer players.

Methods

We conducted a multicentre study over a 2-year period involving 5 centres and 34 clubs and compared pre COVID and post COVID ECG changes in 455 consecutive athletes. ECGs were reported in accordance with the International recommendations for ECG interpretation in athletes. The following patterns were considered abnormal if they were not detected on the pre COVID-19 infection ECG: (a) biphasic T-waves; (b) reduction in T-wave amplitude by 50% in contiguous leads; (c) ST-segment depression; (d) J-point and ST-segment elevation &gt;0.2 mV in the precordial leads and &gt;0.1 mV in the limb leads; (e) tall T-waves ≥1.0 mV (f) low QRS-amplitude in &gt;3 limb leads and (g) complete right bundle branch block. Athletes exhibiting novel ECG changes underwent cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) scans. One club mandated CMR scans for all 28 (6%) athletes, despite the absence of cardiac symptoms or ECG changes.

Results

Athletes were aged 22±5 years (89% male and 57% white). 65 (14%) athletes reported cardiac symptoms. The mean duration of illness was 3±4 days. The post COVID ECG was performed 14±16 days following a positive PCR. 440 (97%) athletes had an unchanged post COVID-19 ECG. Of these, 3 (0.6%) had cardiac symptoms and CMRs resulted in a diagnosis of pericarditis. 15 (3%) athletes demonstrated novel ECG changes following COVID-19 infection. Among athletes who demonstrated novel ECG changes, 10 (67%) reported cardiac symptoms. 13 (87%) athletes with novel ECG changes were diagnosed with inflammatory cardiac sequelae; pericarditis (n=6), healed myocarditis (n=3), definitive myocarditis (n=2), and possible/probable myocarditis (n=2). The overall prevalence of inflammatory cardiac sequelae based on novel ECG changes was 2.8%. None of the 28 (6%) athletes, who underwent a CMR, in the absence of cardiac symptoms or novel ECG changes revealed any abnormalities. Athletes revealing novel ECG changes, had a higher prevalence of cardiac symptoms (67% v 12% p&lt;0.0001) and longer symptom duration (8±8 days v 2±4 days; p&lt;0.0001) compared with athletes without novel ECG changes. Among athletes without cardiac symptoms, the additional yield of novel ECG changes to detect cardiac inflammation was 20% (n=3).

Conclusions

3% of elite soccer players demonstrated novel ECG changes post COVID-19 infection, of which almost 90% were diagnosed with cardiac inflammation during subsequent investigation. Most athletes with novel ECG changes exhibited cardiac symptoms. Novel ECGs changes contributed to a diagnosis of cardiac inflammation in 20% of athletes without cardiac symptoms.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

Mitral valve abnormalities in decedents of sudden cardiac death due to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and idiopathic left ventricular hypertrophy

Background

The sole identification of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) in a young individual that died suddenly may often lead to an erroneous diagnosis of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). Emerging data suggests that idiopathic LVH (ILVH) and HCM may be separate entities.

Aim

We aimed to report on the prevalence and nature of mitral valve (MV) abnormalities, in a cohort of sudden cardiac death (SCD) victims with a post-mortem examination consistent with HCM and ILVH.

Methods

We reviewed 6860 consecutive cases of SCD referred to our specialist cardiac pathology centre between 1994 and 2020. SCD was defined as death from a cardiovascular cause within 12 hours of apparent well-being. HCM was defined by the presence of LVH, in the absence of abnormal loading conditions and characterised by myocyte disarray at histology. ILVH was defined as unexplained LVH (heart weight &gt;500 g in males and &gt;400 g in females) and left ventricular (LV) wall thickness &gt;15mm, in the absence of myocardial disarray or secondary causes of LVH. The MV was examined for patency, circumference, thickening, nodularity, ballooning, bulging between cords, perforation, and the presence of impact lesions in the LV outflow tract (LVOT) and aortic outlet.

Results

Of the total cases of SCD, 264 (4%) were due to HCM (mean age 41±18 years, 78% males, LV maximal wall thickness 19±6 mm) (Figure 1). Ante-mortem symptoms were reported in 44 (17%) cases and for the majority (n=217, 82%) HCM was established at post-mortem. Death was attributed to ILVH in 253 (3%) cases (mean age 43±16 years, 80% males, LV maximal wall thickness 18±4 mm). MV abnormalities were found in 58 (22%) decedents with HCM (mean age 38±17 years; 72% males) and in 13 (5%) decedents with ILVH (mean age 55±15 years; 77% male), p&lt;0.001. Amongst the 58 (22%) cases with HCM and MV abnormalities, 15 (6%) cases had multiple MV abnormalities. These included impact lesions associated with thickening of the anterior leaflet of the MV (n=39) and degenerative changes (n=34) such as bulging and ballooning; and thickening and nodularity. Decedents with HCM exhibiting MV abnormalities were younger than decedents with a normal MV (38±17 versus 45±19 years; p=0.08). Among the 253 decedents with ILVH, 13 (5%) cases exhibited MV abnormalities, which largely included degenerative changes (n=12). Among decedents with HCM and ILVH exhibiting MV abnormalities, the former was significantly younger (38±17 versus 55±15; p=0.001). Myocardial fibrosis was observed in 162 (61%) cases of HCM and 99 (39%) cases of ILVH, p&lt;0.001.

Conclusions

MV abnormalities are over four-fold more common in individuals with HCM than those with ILVH and may be considered as additional macroscopic features to differentiate between these two entities. Furthermore, the inherent descriptive terminologies used when assessing the MV, support a greater emphasis on the standardisation and quantification of MV abnormalities as part of the autopsy in victims of SCD.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: Other. Main funding source(s): Acknowledgements: We thank the charitable organisation, Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) who fund and support the CRY Cardiovascular Pathology Unit and CRY database.

Sudden cardiac death during exercise in young individuals with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

Background

Sudden cardiac death (SCD) in young individuals and athletes is generally caused by hereditary cardiac conditions, including cardiomyopathies such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). Although historically HCM has been reported as the predominant cause of SCD in young athletes, it is unclear as to what degree exercise is a trigger for possible fatal arrhythmias.

Aim

We aimed to report on the circumstances of SCD in a cohort of young individuals aged ≥10 and &lt;30 whose autopsy was consistent with HCM.

Methods

We reviewed 6860 consecutive cases of SCD referred to our specialist cardiac pathology centre 1994 and 2020. SCD was defined as death from a cardiovascular cause within 12 hours of apparent well-being. All cases underwent detailed autopsy evaluation of the heart, including histological analysis, by expert cardiac pathologists. A minimum of 10 blocks of tissue were taken for histological analysis. HCM was defined by the presence of increased heart weight or increased wall thickness and significant myocyte disarray at histological examination.

Results

Of the total cases of SCD, 264 (4%) were due to HCM. Our cohort of young decedents comprised of 66 individuals (average age 21±5 years, males 76%). For the majority (n=52, 79%) SCD was the first manifestation of HCM. The average heart weight was 507±152 grams and left ventricular (LV) fibrosis was found in 28 (42%) cases (Figure 1A). Death was more common between 16 and 20 years of age (n=24) (Figure 1B). Death occurred during exertion in 25 (38%) individuals and at rest or during daily activities in the remaining 41 (62%), including 5 individuals who died during sleep. Male sex was more represented among decedents who died during exertion (88% compared with 68% in the group that died at rest, p=0.07); LV fibrosis was more commonly observed in individuals who died during exertion (56% compared with 34% in the group who died at rest, p=0.08). Younger individuals between 10–15 years of age died mostly during exercise (80%), in other age groups death occurred mainly at rest (33% in age group 16–20 years, 30% in age group 21–25 years, 33% in age group 26–30 years) (Figure 1B).

Conclusions

We observed a high age-related variability in terms of circumstances of death. In the context of HCM, our findings suggest that individuals aged 10–15 years are the most vulnerable in terms of exercise-related-SCD. This exemplifies the importance of preventative cardiac screening in young individuals who might be harbouring quiescent cardiac conditions associated with young SCD.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: Other. Main funding source(s): Acknowledgements: We thank the charitable organisation, Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) who fund and support the CRY Cardiovascular Pathology Unit and CRY database.

Prevalence and outcomes of WPW pattern in the young: a report from a nationwide cardiac screening programme

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: None.

Background

Individuals with accessory pathways, also referred as the Wolff-Parkinson-White pattern (WPWp), are usually asymptomatic and fatal arrhythmias may be the first presentation. Risk stratification is recommended, with electrophysiological study (EPS) being the gold standard. Catheter ablation offers a widely available, curative option, and provides incentive for screening, particularly in high-risk populations such as athletes.

Purpose

We sought to assess the prevalence, real-world clinical practice and outcomes of WPWp in young individuals identified through a nationwide cardiac screening programme.

Method

Between 2008 and 2018, 113,209 consecutive individuals (14 to 35 years old, 38% female) underwent cardiac screening with a health questionnaire, 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) and cardiology consultation. Individuals with suspected cardiac disease were referred for further investigations as necessary. Clinical outcomes were obtained via an online questionnaire and matched de-identified records from the Office of National Statistics database. Individuals were classified as elite athletes, non-elite athletes and non-athletes.

Results

A total of 214 (0.2%) individuals were referred for secondary evaluation with a suspected WPWp (Figure 1). Clinical outcomes were unavailable for 30 (14%) individuals. Follow-up confirmed an additional 13 individuals with a WPWp who were deemed to have normal investigations at screening, of which 8 (61%) had reported cardiovascular symptoms on their HQ and, in retrospect, 4 (30%) demonstrated subtle WPWp on their ECG. A WPWp was confirmed in 187 individuals (0.2%), of which 149 (80%) individuals were considered non-athletes, 114 (61%) reported cardiovascular symptoms, 116 (62%) underwent risk stratification with an EPS and 95 (43%) underwent catheter ablation. Report of palpitation was significantly greater in non-athletes than athletes (p=0.034). In asymptomatic individuals, those engaging in sports at elite level were more likely to be referred for an EPS (p=0.04). Four adverse cardiac events were reported over a follow up period of 7.4 years (IQR 4.9 to 9.2), including 3 individuals (16 years, 20 years, 40 years) with life-threatening arrhythmic events (LAE) requiring cardioversion, and 1 individual (20 years) with sudden cardiac death. Of these 4 individuals, only 1 with a LAE had undergone risk stratification with EPS.

Conclusions

The incidence of SCD in this young screened population was 0.72 per 1000 person-years. Clinical practice was variable and EPS was not offered to a significant proportion of patients, despite inadequate non-invasive risk stratification. The indication to EPS was driven by the athletic status in the asymptomatic individuals. The WPW syndrome may manifest with subtle ECG changes, posing a diagnostic challenge to interpreting physicians.

Cross-sectional survey of Australian and New Zealand clinical staff to explore attitudes regarding medication prescription and administration during neonatal emergencies

AIM

To survey Australasian neonatal medical and nursing staff to determine confidence regarding medication use, prior experience with medication errors and common resources utilised in neonatal emergencies.

METHODS

Data were collected through a cross-sectional online survey distributed to clinical staff affiliated with the Australian and New Zealand Neonatal Network. Information collected included: demographics, confidence in medication use, medication errors and resources used to assist with medication administration. Outcomes were compared between medical staff and nursing staff, and between clinical staff with differing levels of clinical experience (<5 years, 5-10 years and >10 years).

RESULTS

Respondents (n = 133) were most confident in calculating medication doses (89%, n = 119), but least confident in prescribing medication (50%, n = 67). Nurses were more likely to be confident than doctors with respect to appropriately diluting and drawing up medication (88% nurses vs. 28% doctors, P < 0.0001), and administering intravenous medications to critically ill neonates (97% nurses vs. 82% doctors, P < 0.01). Over half of respondents reported being personally involved in a medication error in the last 12 months: 33% had been involved in an error related to delayed administration, 18% related to incorrect documentation and 17% related to an incorrect dose. Free-text responses highlighted issues relating to adrenaline (epinephrine) administration and difficulties with equipment (syringe drivers and/or infusion pumps).

CONCLUSIONS

Medication errors in neonatal emergencies are common. Strategies to reduce such errors should be implemented in settings where neonates may require emergency care or resuscitation.

Extubation generates lung volume inhomogeneity in preterm infants

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the feasibility of electrical impedance tomography (EIT) to describe the regional tidal ventilation (V_T) and change in end-expiratory lung volume (EELV) patterns in preterm infants during the process of extubation from invasive to non-invasive respiratory support.

DESIGN

Prospective observational study.

SETTING

Single-centre tertiary neonatal intensive care unit.

PATIENTS

Preterm infants born <32 weeks' gestation who were being extubated to nasal continuous positive airway pressure as per clinician discretion.

INTERVENTIONS

EIT measurements were taken in supine infants during elective extubation from synchronised positive pressure ventilation (SIPPV) before extubation, during and then at 2 and 20 min after commencing nasal continuous positive applied pressure (nCPAP). Extubation and pressure settings were determined by clinicians.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Global and regional ΔEELV and ΔV_T, heart rate, respiratory rate and oxygen saturation were measured throughout.

RESULTS

Thirty infants of median (range) 2 (1, 21) days were extubated to a median (range) CPAP 7 (6, 8) cm H₂O. SpO₂/FiO₂ ratio was a mean (95% CI) 50 (35, 65) lower 20 min after nCPAP compared with SIPPV. EELV was lower at all points after extubation compared with SIPPV, and EELV loss was primarily in the ventral lung (p=0.04). V_T was increased immediately after extubation, especially in the central and ventral regions of the lung, but the application of nCPAP returned V_T to pre-extubation patterns.

CONCLUSIONS

EIT was able to describe the complex lung conditions occurring during extubation to nCPAP, specifically lung volume loss and greater use of the dorsal lung. EIT may have a role in guiding peri-extubation respiratory support.

Effect of Minimally Invasive Surfactant Therapy vs Sham Treatment on Death or Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia in Preterm Infants With Respiratory Distress Syndrome: The OPTIMIST-A Randomized Clinical Trial

IMPORTANCE

The benefits of surfactant administration via a thin catheter (minimally invasive surfactant therapy [MIST]) in preterm infants with respiratory distress syndrome are uncertain.

OBJECTIVE

To examine the effect of selective application of MIST at a low fraction of inspired oxygen threshold on survival without bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD).

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

Randomized clinical trial including 485 preterm infants with a gestational age of 25 to 28 weeks who were supported with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) and required a fraction of inspired oxygen of 0.30 or greater within 6 hours of birth. The trial was conducted at 33 tertiary-level neonatal intensive care units around the world, with blinding of the clinicians and outcome assessors. Enrollment took place between December 16, 2011, and March 26, 2020; follow-up was completed on December 2, 2020.

INTERVENTIONS

Infants were randomized to the MIST group (n = 241) and received exogenous surfactant (200 mg/kg of poractant alfa) via a thin catheter or to the control group (n = 244) and received a sham (control) treatment; CPAP was continued thereafter in both groups unless specified intubation criteria were met.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

The primary outcome was the composite of death or physiological BPD assessed at 36 weeks' postmenstrual age. The components of the primary outcome (death prior to 36 weeks' postmenstrual age and BPD at 36 weeks' postmenstrual age) also were considered separately.

RESULTS

Among the 485 infants randomized (median gestational age, 27.3 weeks; 241 [49.7%] female), all completed follow-up. Death or BPD occurred in 105 infants (43.6%) in the MIST group and 121 (49.6%) in the control group (risk difference [RD], -6.3% [95% CI, -14.2% to 1.6%]; relative risk [RR], 0.87 [95% CI, 0.74 to 1.03]; P = .10). Incidence of death before 36 weeks' postmenstrual age did not differ significantly between groups (24 [10.0%] in MIST vs 19 [7.8%] in control; RD, 2.1% [95% CI, -3.6% to 7.8%]; RR, 1.27 [95% CI, 0.63 to 2.57]; P = .51), but incidence of BPD in survivors to 36 weeks' postmenstrual age was lower in the MIST group (81/217 [37.3%] vs 102/225 [45.3%] in the control group; RD, -7.8% [95% CI, -14.9% to -0.7%]; RR, 0.83 [95% CI, 0.70 to 0.98]; P = .03). Serious adverse events occurred in 10.3% of infants in the MIST group and 11.1% in the control group.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

Among preterm infants with respiratory distress syndrome supported with CPAP, minimally invasive surfactant therapy compared with sham (control) treatment did not significantly reduce the incidence of the composite outcome of death or bronchopulmonary dysplasia at 36 weeks' postmenstrual age. However, given the statistical uncertainty reflected in the 95% CI, a clinically important effect cannot be excluded.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

anzctr.org.au Identifier: ACTRN12611000916943.

Results of a nationally implemented cardiac screening programme in elite cricket players in England and Wales

OBJECTIVES

We assessed the diagnostic yield and costs of an electrocardiogram-based national screening programme in elite cricket players and the incremental value of transthoracic echocardiography and periodic evaluation.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study.

METHODS

Between 2008 and 2019, 1208 cricketers underwent screening with a health questionnaire, 12-lead electrocardiogram and cardiology consultation. Athletes with concerning findings underwent on-site transthoracic echocardiography and further investigations as necessary. In addition, despite a normal health questionnaire and electrocardiogram, 342 (28.3%) athletes had a transthoracic echocardiogram and 493 (40.8%) underwent repeat evaluations.

RESULTS

After initial evaluation, 47 (3.9%) athletes underwent on-site transthoracic echocardiography of whom 35 (2.8%) were referred for further evaluation. Four athletes (0.3%) were diagnosed with major cardiac conditions; hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (n = 1), arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (n = 1) and Wolff-Parkinson-White pattern (n = 2). Two athletes were identified with minor valvular abnormalities. Repeat evaluation of 493 athletes identified hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in a 22-year-old athlete, two years after his initial normal screening. During a follow-up of 5.8 ± 2.9 years no additional diagnoses or adverse cardiac events were reported. The cost of the electrocardiogram-based programme was £127,844, translating to £106 per athlete and £25,569 per major cardiac condition identified.Routine transthoracic echocardiography in 342 athletes identified two athletes with major cardiac conditions (bicuspid aortic valve with severe aortopathy and aortic regurgitation and an atrial septal defect associated with right ventricular volume overload) and 10 athletes with minor abnormalities.

CONCLUSIONS

An electrocardiogram-based national screening programme identified a major cardiac condition in 0.3% of athletes. Routine transthoracic echocardiography and periodic evaluation increased the diagnostic yield to 0.6%, at an incremental cost.

Can echocardiographic parameters predict mortality in COVID-19?

Introduction

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), otherwise known as the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic presents one of the greatest medical challenges of our generation. Whilst commonly causing a viral pneumonitis, myocardial damage has also been suggested by elevated serum troponin values greater than the 99th centile in up to 30% of individuals who require hospitalisation and correlates with increased mortality.

Purpose

We aim to identify whether transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) parameters can elucidate the phenomenon of abnormal troponin levels. Furthermore, we seek to characterise the most frequent demographic, biochemical, echocardiographic features and co-morbidities associated with adverse outcomes in this cohort.

Methods

A retrospective analysis was conducted utilising electronic patient records of consecutive hospitalised patients with a positive COVID-19 swab between 1st March and 31st October 2020 who underwent a TTE at our institution. Pertinent variables were collected including: the clinical indication, demographics including cardiovascular (CV) risk factors, peak troponin values and fundamental echocardiographic parameters.

Results

During this 8-month period, a total of 90 patients underwent a TTE. The mean age of the cohort was 63 years of age and 56% were male. More than half (56.6%) were admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). A salient 41.1% (n=37) of our cohort succumbed to this devastating virus. Notably, 38.9% (n=35) were of black and minority ethnic origin (BAME). A striking 64.9% (n=24) of patients who died had hypertension. The mean troponin levels were 168.7 ng/L and 176.6 ng/L (0–34 ng/L) in the survivors and non-survivors group respectively. With regards to TTE, the left ventricular parameters were similar between both groups with a mean left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) of 60.6% in the non-survivors. Conversely, both right ventricular (RV) dysfunction (37.8%) and raised pulmonary artery systolic pressures (PASP) (51.4%) were markedly more frequent in the patients who perished due to COVID-19 infection.

Conclusion

Remarkably, in this extremely ill group of patients who died, 91.9% of patients had a preserved LVEF. There were no overt differences between troponin levels in the survivors and non-survivors. However, hypertension, RV dysfunction and raised PASP were distinctly more prominent in the non-survivors. Thus, providing insight that a normally functioning left ventricle does not preclude to poor outcomes. Overall, this single-centre retrospective study demonstrates that the echocardiographic phenotype associated with mortality is consistent with a severe respiratory illness rather than direct myocardial injury from COVID-19. A multi-modality imaging approach may facilitate the identification of adverse tissue characterisation changes associated with this novel virus as well as guiding further risk stratification and patient management on a case-by-case basis.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

Utility of Microhemorrhage as a Diagnostic Tool in Distinguishing Vestibular Schwannomas from other Cerebellopontine Angle (CPA) Tumors

Although a majority of tumors in the Cerebellopontine Angle (CPA) are vestibular schwannomas (VS), other masses can also be seen in the region and differentiation of various CPA tumors, particularly meningiomas can be difficult on imaging alone. Treatment options may vary based on specific pathology of the CPA tumor. In this study, the presence of microhemorrhage (MH) and other imaging features such as size of lesion, cystic features and pattern of IAC extension, were evaluated as a tool in distinguishing VS from other CPA masses. A review of CPA masses in the last 11 years at our institution was performed. All the pathology proven tumors with at least 1 pre-operative MRI were considered for analysis. A T2* GRE or SWI sequence was used to assess presence of MH within the lesion. Pattern of IAC extension ('centric' versus 'eccentric') of tumor was also evaluated. A total of 147 patients were reviewed out of which 102 patients (with T2* GRE or SWI) were included for analysis of MH. 57 patients (56%) had VS as the final histopathological diagnosis and 45 patients (44%) had other types of tumor. A sensitivity of 82% and a specificity of 98% was noted for the presence of MH favoring the diagnosis of VS from other tumors (p < 0.001). All meningiomas with IAC extension (25/31) showed an 'eccentric' pattern of extension into the canal. Visualization of MH and pattern of IAC extension is useful in the differentiation of schwannomas from other CPA masses, particularly meningiomas.

Staff awareness and bundling reduce skin breaks and blood tests in neonatal intensive care

AIM

Skin breaks (SBs) for procedures and blood sampling are common in neonatal intensive care units (NICU), contributing to pain, infection risk and anaemia. We aimed to document their prevalence, identify areas for improvement and, through staff awareness, reduce their frequency.

METHODS

Quality improvement project via prospective audit at a tertiary-level NICU in Australia was conducted. All infants admitted to the NICU for >24 h during two audit periods were included in the study. A specifically designed bedside audit tool was used to prospectively document all SB and blood tests performed on infants during a 4-week audit period (audit 1). Results were reviewed to identify areas for improvement, and disseminated to staff at unit meetings, shift handover and email. Following education and awareness, the audit was repeated (audit 2), and data were compared. Frequency of SB and blood tests performed was measured. Data were tested for normality and analysed using parametric or non-parametric tests where appropriate.

RESULTS

There were 52 NICU admissions during each audit period (104 total), with 34 (65%) and 31 (60%) having audit sheets completed, respectively. Median (interquartile range) gestational age and mean (standard deviation) birthweight were 29 (26.3-35) weeks and 1836 (1185) g for audit 1, 30 (28.5-31.5) weeks and 1523 (913) g for audit 2. The reduction in total blood tests (mean) was 36.3%, skin breaks per admitted baby day reduced by 60% and total blood volume sampled (mean) by 37.7%.

CONCLUSIONS

A quality improvement project by prospective audit and staff education was associated with reductions in frequency of skin breaks and blood tests in the NICU.

Race, gender and clinical presentation in apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: None.

Background

The apical variant of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (ApHCM) has male predominance and is a relatively rare phenotype in Western population. Characteristics of female and black patients diagnosed with ApHCM are very limited in the existing literature.

Purpose

We aimed to investigate whether gender and race are associated with a different clinical presentation and CMR findings in apical HCM.

Methods

We retrospectively analysed 150 patients (113 males and 37 females) with a diagnosis of apical HCM who have been followed in our inherited cardiac conditions (ICC) clinic between 2010 and 2020. Only patients with a CMR study and apical hypertrophy defined as ≥ 13mm at the time of diagnosis were included.

Demographics and clinical characteristics were obtained from electronic records. Volumetric CMR data were taken from confirmed reports while other parameters were measured by standard protocol. "Pure" ApHCM was defined as isolated apical hypertrophy and "mixed" with both apical and septal hypertrophy but with the apex thickest (1). Apical displacement of papillary muscles (PM) was defined when the base of PM originated from the apical one-third of the left ventricle (LV) in the apical 4- or 2-chamber views. Giant T-wave inversion was defined as T-wave inversion that is equal or greater than 10 mm (1 mV) in any electrocardiogram lead.

Results

Our study population included patients of White (55, 37%), Black (37, 25%), Asian (36, 24%) and Mixed/Others (22, 15%) ethnicity.  Black patients were more likely to have a diagnosis of hypertension at presentation when compared to White (70% vs 40%, p = 0.01) and to Asian and Mixed/Other patients (70% vs 48%, p = 0.03). Similarly, they were more likely to have "mixed" ApHCM than White (49% vs 20%, p = 0.003) and Asian and Mixed/Other (49% vs 26%, p = 0.02) patients.

Females were diagnosed at an older age (63 ± 12 vs 52 ± 14, p &lt; 0.001) and were less likely to have deep T-wave inversion on their ECG at presentation (14% vs 32%, p = 0.03) compared to their male counterparts. Females in this cohort also had higher representation of black ethnicity and were more likely to have hypertension (68% vs 47%, p = 0.03). Apart from the expected gender related differences in volumes and LV mass, there were no differences in cardiomyopathy-specific parameters we investigated.

Conclusions

In our cohort, females with ApHCM presented at an older age and were less likely to have giant T-wave inversion on ECG. Black patients with ApHCM were more likely to have hypertension and the "mixed" type of the disease.

Protocol for a randomised controlled trial comparing two CPAP levels to prevent extubation failure in extremely preterm infants

INTRODUCTION

Respiratory distress syndrome is a complication of prematurity and extremely preterm infants born before 28 weeks' gestation often require endotracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation. In this high-risk population, mechanical ventilation is associated with lung injury and contributes to bronchopulmonary dysplasia. Therefore, clinicians attempt to extubate infants as quickly and use non-invasive respiratory support such as nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) to facilitate the transition. However, approximately 60% of extremely preterm infants experience 'extubation failure' and require reintubation. While CPAP pressures of 5-8 cm H2O are commonly used, the optimal CPAP pressure is unknown, and higher pressures may be beneficial in avoiding extubation failure. Our trial is the Extubation CPAP Level Assessment Trial (ÉCLAT). The aim of this trial is to compare higher CPAP pressures 9-11 cm H2O with a current standard pressures of 6-8 cmH2O on extubation failure in extremely preterm infants.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

200 extremely preterm infants will be recruited prior to their first extubation from mechanical ventilation to CPAP. This is a parallel group randomised controlled trial. Infants will be randomised to one of two set CPAP pressures: CPAP 10 cmH2O (intervention) or CPAP 7 cmH2O (control). The primary outcome will be extubation failure (reintubation) within 7 days. Statistical analysis will follow standard methods for randomised trials on an intention to treat basis. For the primary outcome, this will be by intention to treat, adjusted for the prerandomisation strata (GA and centre). We will use the appropriate parametric and non-parametric statistical tests.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

Ethics approval has been granted by the Monash Health Human Research Ethics Committees. Amendments to the trial protocol will be submitted for approval. The findings of this study will be written into a clinical trial report manuscript and disseminated via peer-reviewed journals (on-line or in press) and presented at national and international conferences.Trial registration numberACTRN12618001638224; pre-results.

Predictors and outcomes of extubation failure in extremely preterm infants

AIM

To determine predictors and outcomes of extubation failure in extremely preterm (EP) infants born <28 weeks' gestational age (GA).

METHODS

Retrospective clinical audit across two tertiary-level neonatal intensive care units in Melbourne, Australia. Two-hundred and four EP infants who survived to their first extubation from mechanical ventilation. Extubation failure (re-intubation) within 7 days after the first extubation.

RESULTS

Lower GA (odds ratio [OR] 0.71, 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.61-0.89, P < 0.001) and higher pre-extubation measured mean airway pressure (MAP) on the mechanical ventilator (OR 1.9 [95% CI 1.41-2.51], P < 0.001) predicted extubation failure. The area under a receiver operating characteristic curve for GA and MAP was 0.77 (95% CI 0.70-0.82). After adjustment for GA, infants who experienced extubation failure had higher rates of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (P < 0.001), post-natal systemic corticosteroid treatment (P < 0.001), airway trauma (P < 0.003), longer durations of treatment with mechanical ventilation (P < 0.001), non-invasive respiratory support (P < 0.001), supplemental oxygen therapy (P = 0.05) and longer hospitalisation (P = 0.025).

CONCLUSIONS

Lower GA and higher pre-extubation measured MAP were predictive of extubation failure within 7 days in extremely preterm infants. Extubation failure was associated with increased morbidity and extended periods of respiratory support and hospitalisation.

Dancing doctors: exploring the potential of cultural dance education to improve cultural competency and clinical communication

OBJECTIVE

One of the largest barriers towards the utilization and overall success of health interventions for minority communities is the difference between the cultures of healthcare services and service users. Medical students, physicians, and healthcare systems are taught to be culturally competent, yet multiple studies demonstrate the persistence of differences in perception of care and disparities in outcomes for communities of colour. This article aims to offer a patient-centred, culturally nuanced medium for teaching cultural competency.

STUDY DESIGN

This is a brief report based on experiential learning, observations, and a short literature review on understanding culture through traditional dances.

METHODS

To address cultural disconnect between clinical medicine and diverse patients, we recommend encouraging patients from diverse backgrounds to teach physicians how to perform cultural dances.

RESULTS

Traditional dance appears to be a culturally rich source for holistically educating physicians on cultural competency.

CONCLUSION

This process of learning a cultural dance can improve cultural humility and cultural competency, and clinical communication between the provider and public.

Giant bilateral angiomyolipoma of the kidney

Angiomyolipoma is a benign solid renal neoplasm. A giant angiomyolipoma is more than 10cm by size, but it can grow to huge proportions. Our case appears to be the third largest angiomyolipoma and the largest among bilateral giant renal angiomyolipoma in the indexed literature. A 26-year-old man presented with large right abdominal swelling for the past three years, which was occupying his right flank and iliac region, extending beyond the midline. Computed tomography of the abdomen revealed a large well-defined mass in the right side of the abdomen, crossing the midline and measuring 35 × 20 × 12cm. The left kidney showed a similar fatty lesion of 14 × 6cm. The findings were consistent with angiomyolipoma. Further evaluation for tuberous sclerosis by magnetic resonance imaging the brain demonstrated multiple subependymal nodules. Giant renal angiomyolipoma is an uncommon tumour with bilateral giant angiomyolipoma being a rare entity. Preoperative embolisation helps in reducing size of the tumour. In case of giant and bilateral angiomyolipoma, evaluation for tuberous sclerosis should always be done.

Does human serotonin-1A receptor polymorphism (rs6295) code for pain and associated symptoms in fibromyalgia syndrome?

Genetic predisposition may play an important role in the development of fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS). Serotonin is known to be involved in pain modulation and serotonin-1A receptor plays a considerable role in determining the central 5-HT tone. Consequently, variation in 5-HT1A receptor gene (HTR1A) may be responsible for inter-individual variability in pain sensitivity and other clinical symptoms of FMS. Therefore, the objectives of this research work were to study the gene polymorphism of 5-HTR1A gene and to explore the correlation between rs6295 genotype (-1019C/G HTR1A) and duration of pain, pain intensity and pain related depression and anxiety, if any, in FMS. 5-HTR1A genotype for the C(-1019)G polymorphism was typed in 62 patients with FMS and 42 healthy subjects. Present pain intensity, components of pain and pain related depression and anxiety were assessed using the numerical pain rating scale, McGill pain questionnaire and Hamilton depression and anxiety rating scale respectively. 5-HTR1A gene was represented by three different genotypes, homozygous C/C, heterozygous C/G and homozygous G/G. Analysis of the 5-HTR1A gene showed a frequency of 58%, 31% and 11% for the C/C, C/G and G/G genotypes, respectively in FMS group. This proportion was 69%, 23% and 8% in healthy subjects. No significant correlation was observed between 5-HTR1A gene polymorphism and pain and related symptoms in FMS patients. To the best of our knowledge this is the first study which investigated the correlation between the 5-HTR1A gene polymorphism and pain intensity, the affective component of pain, pain related depression and anxiety in FMS.

Efficacy of Low-Frequency Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in Ischemic Stroke: A Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial

Objective

To investigate the role of low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) along with conventional physiotherapy in the functional recovery of patients with subacute ischemic stroke.

Design

Double-blind, parallel group, randomized controlled trial.

Setting

The outpatient department of a tertiary hospital participants: first ever ischemic stroke patients (N=96) in the previous 15 days were recruited and were randomized after a run-in period of 75±7 days into real rTMS (n=47) and sham rTMS (n=49) groups.

Intervention

Conventional physical therapy was given to both the groups for 90±7 days postrecruitment. Total 10 sessions of low-frequency rTMS on contralesional premotor cortex was administered to real rTMS group (n=47) over a period of 2 weeks followed by physiotherapy regime for 45-50 minutes.

Main Outcome Measures

The primary efficacy outcomes were change in modified Barthel Index (mBI) score (pre- to postscore) and proportion of participants with mBI score more than 90, measured at 90±7 days postrecruitment. The secondary outcomes were change in Fugl-Meyer Assessment–upper extremity, Fugl-Meyer Assessment–lower extremity, Hamilton Depression Scale, modified Rankin Scale, and National Institute of Health and Stroke Scale (pre- to post-rTMS) scores at 90±7 days post recruitment.

Results

Modified intention to treat analysis showed a significant increase in the mBI score from pre- to post-rTMS in real rTMS group (4.96±4.06) versus sham rTMS group (2.65±3.25). There was no significant difference in proportion of patients with mBI>90 (55% vs 59%; P=.86) at 3 months between the groups.

Conclusion

In patients with subacute ischemic stroke, 1-Hz low-frequency rTMS on contralesional premotor cortex along with conventional physical therapy resulted in significant change in mBI score.

Outcomes after Introduction of Minimally Invasive Surfactant Therapy in Two Australian Tertiary Neonatal Units

OBJECTIVE

To assess the procedural and clinical outcomes associated with the introduction of minimally invasive surfactant therapy (MIST) into standard care at 2 tertiary Australian neonatal intensive care units.

STUDY DESIGN

A prospective audit was designed before the introduction of MIST in 2018, with data collected over a period of 18 months. Procedural data were completed by the clinical team performing MIST, including clinical observations, medication use, and adverse events. The audit team collected demographic data and subsequent clinical outcomes from medical records.

RESULTS

There were 135 MIST procedures recorded in 122 infants. For the included infants, the median gestation was 30^2/7 weeks (IQR, 27^6/7 to 32^2/7 weeks) and birth weight was 1439 g (IQR, 982-1958 g). During the MIST procedure, desaturation to a peripheral oxygen saturation of <80% was common, occurring in 75.2% of procedures. Other adverse events included need for positive pressure ventilation (10.6%) and bradycardia <100 beats per minute (13.3%). The use of atropine premedication was associated with a significantly lower incidence of bradycardia: 8.6% vs 52.9% (P < .01). Senior clinicians demonstrated higher rates of procedural success. The majority of infants (63.9%) treated with MIST did not require subsequent intubation and mechanical ventilation.

CONCLUSIONS

MIST can be successfully introduced in neonatal units with limited experience of this technique. The use of atropine premedication decreases the incidence of bradycardia during the procedure. Success rates can be optimized by limiting MIST to clinicians with greater competence in endotracheal intubation.

Introduction of a Quality Improvement Bundle Is Associated with Reduced Exposure to Mechanical Ventilation in Very Preterm Infants

INTRODUCTION

Exposure to mechanical ventilation (MV) is a risk factor for bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) in very preterm infants (VPTIs). We assessed the impact of a quality improvement (QI) bundle in VPTIs (<32 week gestation) on exposure to MV.

METHODS

We introduced a QI bundle consisting of deferred cord clamping (DCC), nasal bubble continuous positive airway pressure (bCPAP) in the delivery room (DR), and minimally invasive surfactant therapy (MIST). We compared respiratory outcomes and neonatal morbidity in historical pre-QI (July-December 2017) and prospective post-QI (February-July 2019) cohorts (QICs) of VPTIs. We pre-specified an adjusted analysis to account for the effects of gestational age, sex, antenatal steroids, and any demographic data that significantly differed between cohorts.

RESULTS

The pre-QI and post-QICs included 87 and 98 VPTIs, respectively. The post-QIC had decreased rates of MV in the DR (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 0.26, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.09-0.71), in the first 72 h of life (aOR 0.27, 95% CI 0.11-0.62) and during admission (aOR 0.28, 95% CI 0.12-0.66). Rates of BPD, combined BPD/death, and BPD severity were similar. The post-QIC was less likely to be discharged with home oxygen (aOR 0.27, 95% CI 0.08-0.91). Necrotising enterocolitis grade ≥2 increased (aOR 19.01, 95% CI 1.93-188.6) in the post-QIC.

CONCLUSION

In this rapid-cycle QI study, implementation of a QI bundle consisting of DCC, early nasal bCPAP, and MIST in VPTIs was associated with reduced rates of MV in the DR, in the first 72 h of life and during admission, and reduced need for home oxygen.

Penile cancer and the HPV attributable fraction in Scotland; A retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

Penile cancer (PeC) is a highly morbid disease which is rising in certain settings including Scotland. A component of PeC is associated with Human Papillomavirus (HPV) although its influence on clinical outcomes is debatable as is whether the fraction attributable to HPV is increasing.

METHODS

A total of 122 archived tissue samples derived from patients diagnosed with PeC between 2006-2015 were collated and tested for HPV DNA using molecular PCR. HPV positivity was determined for the overall population and by calendar year of diagnosis to determine any temporal trends. The influence of age, deprivation, smoking, tumour stage and tumour grade on likelihood of HPV positivity was determined by logistic regression. In addition, the influence of HPV status and the other clinical and demographics variables on all-cause death and death from PeC was assessed.

RESULTS

HPV was detected in 43 % (95 % CI: 34-52) of penile cancers and the majority of infections were HPV 16. The HPV component of PeC did not increase over the time period (p for linear trend - 0.226). No demographic or clinical variables were associated with HPV positivity neither was HPV status associated with improved all-cause or cancer-specific survival during the follow up period.

CONCLUSION

The rise in PeC in Scotland may not be attributable to a rise in HPV-associated cancer; this is consistent with oropharyngeal cancer (OPC) in the UK where there is an increase in both HPV positive and negative cancer. This work calls for a larger multi centre study to enable further detailed investigation into the implications of HPV infection in PeC.

Cardiovascular response and sequelae after minimally invasive surfactant therapy in growth-restricted preterm infants

OBJECTIVE

To study cardiovascular response to minimally invasive surfactant therapy in preterm infants with and without foetal growth restriction (FGR).

DESIGN

Poractant alfa was administered and echocardiograms were performed before and 30 min after. FGR infants were compared with those appropriate for gestational age (AGA).

RESULTS

Ten FGR infants were compared with 20 AGA infants (gestation [weeks], 28.9 ± 2 vs. 28.6 ± 1, p = 0.55 and birthweight [g], 813 ± 157 vs. 1141 ± 257, p = 0.01, respectively). The change in echocardiographic parameters was more prominent in AGA infants ([global contractility] fractional area change [FAC, %], FGR, 24.7 ± 2.2 to 27.9 ± 0.4, p = 0.08 vs. AGA, 26.6 ± 3 to 30.5 ± 1, p < 0.01, and [longitudinal contractility] tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion [mm], FGR, 3.9 ± 0.3 to 4.6 ± 0.5, p = 0.003 vs. AGA, 4.6 ± 0.3 to 5.5 ± 0.4, p = 0.0001). Significant difference was noted for change in FAC (%), FGR 2.1 ± 1.7 vs. AGA 4.1 ± 1.2, p = 0.02.

CONCLUSIONS

Differential cardiovascular response to minimally invasive surfactant therapy amongst FGR infants may reflect an in-utero maladaptive state.

Tools to assess lung aeration in neonates with respiratory distress syndrome

AIM

Respiratory distress syndrome is a common condition among preterm neonates, and assessing lung aeration assists in diagnosing the disease and helping to guide and monitor treatment. We aimed to identify and analyse the tools available to assess lung aeration in neonates with respiratory distress syndrome.

METHODS

A systematic review and narrative synthesis of studies published between January 1, 2004, and August 26, 2019, were performed using the OVID Medline, PubMed, Embase and Scopus databases.

RESULTS

A total of 53 relevant papers were retrieved for the narrative synthesis. The main tools used to assess lung aeration were respiratory function monitoring, capnography, chest X-rays, lung ultrasound, electrical impedance tomography and respiratory inductive plethysmography. This paper discusses the evidence to support the use of these tools, including their advantages and disadvantages, and explores the future of lung aeration assessments within neonatal intensive care units.

CONCLUSION

There are currently several promising tools available to assess lung aeration in neonates with respiratory distress syndrome, but they all have their limitations. These tools need to be refined to facilitate convenient and accurate assessments of lung aeration in neonates with respiratory distress syndrome.

Bictegravir, a novel integrase inhibitor for the treatment of HIV infection

Bictegravir (BIC), a second-generation integrase strand transfer inhibitor (INSTI) approved for HIV treatment in fixed-dose combination with emtricitabine and tenofovir alafenamide, has potent antiviral activity in vitro to wild-type virus and strains with resistance to first-generation INSTIs. As part of combination therapy, BIC's virologic suppression rates in clinical trials are comparable to those of first-line combination antiretroviral drug regimens. BIC has demonstrated a high genetic barrier to resistance development in vitro, can be administered with or without food, and has a bioavailability of > 70%. A median plasma half-life of 18 hours allows once-daily dosing. Clearance is primarily hepatic through cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) oxidation and UDP-glucuronosyltransferase 1A1 (UGT1A1) glucuronidation. Thus, potent inducers of UGT1A1 and CYP3A4 (e.g., rifamycins/anticonvulsants) should be avoided due to significantly decreased BIC serum exposure. Chelation with polyvalent cations can decrease absorption; otherwise, drug-drug interactions are few. BIC is well tolerated; diarrhea, nausea and headache are the main adverse effects associated with its use.

Role of heterotrophic aerobic denitrifying bacteria in nitrate removal from wastewater

With the increase in industrial and agricultural activities, a large amount of nitrogenous compounds are released into the environment, leading to nitrate pollution. The perilous effects of nitrate present in the environment pose a major threat to human and animal health. Bioremediation provides a cost-effective and environmental friendly method to deal with this problem. The process of aerobic denitrification can reduce nitrate compounds to harmless dinitrogen gas. This review provides a brief view of the exhaustive role played by aerobic denitrifiers for tackling nitrate pollution under different ecological niches and their dependency on various environmental parameters. It also provides an understanding of the enzymes involved in aerobic denitrification. The role of aerobic denitrification to solve the issues faced by the conventional method (aerobic nitrification-anaerobic denitrification) in treating nitrogen-polluted wastewaters is elaborated.

Ibalizumab for the treatment of multidrug-resistant HIV-1 infection

Ibalizumab, a humanized monoclonal antibody to CD4, was recently approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of HIV-1 infection in heavily treatment-experienced adults with multidrug-resistant HIV-1 infection failing their current antiretroviral regimen. Ibalizumab is the first in a new class of antiretroviral drugs designated as post-attachment inhibitors. It exerts its antiviral effect by noncompetitive binding of CD4, thereby blocking conformational changes in the CD4-gp120 complex that are essential for viral entry. Clinical studies have demonstrated ibalizumab's significant antiviral activity in patients with advanced HIV disease and extensive treatment experience, who had limited treatment options. Ibalizumab is administered intravenously at a dose of 800 mg every 2 weeks following a single intravenous loading dose of 2000 mg. The most common adverse reactions reported with the use of ibalizumab are diarrhea, dizziness, nausea and rash.