Multiorgan MRI findings after hospitalisation with COVID-19 in the UK (C-MORE): a prospective, multicentre, observational cohort study

INTRODUCTION

The multiorgan impact of moderate to severe coronavirus infections in the post-acute phase is still poorly understood. We aimed to evaluate the excess burden of multiorgan abnormalities after hospitalisation with COVID-19, evaluate their determinants, and explore associations with patient-related outcome measures.

METHODS

In a prospective, UK-wide, multicentre MRI follow-up study (C-MORE), adults (aged ≥18 years) discharged from hospital following COVID-19 who were included in Tier 2 of the Post-hospitalisation COVID-19 study (PHOSP-COVID) and contemporary controls with no evidence of previous COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid antibody negative) underwent multiorgan MRI (lungs, heart, brain, liver, and kidneys) with quantitative and qualitative assessment of images and clinical adjudication when relevant. Individuals with end-stage renal failure or contraindications to MRI were excluded. Participants also underwent detailed recording of symptoms, and physiological and biochemical tests. The primary outcome was the excess burden of multiorgan abnormalities (two or more organs) relative to controls, with further adjustments for potential confounders. The C-MORE study is ongoing and is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04510025.

FINDINGS

Of 2710 participants in Tier 2 of PHOSP-COVID, 531 were recruited across 13 UK-wide C-MORE sites. After exclusions, 259 C-MORE patients (mean age 57 years [SD 12]; 158 [61%] male and 101 [39%] female) who were discharged from hospital with PCR-confirmed or clinically diagnosed COVID-19 between March 1, 2020, and Nov 1, 2021, and 52 non-COVID-19 controls from the community (mean age 49 years [SD 14]; 30 [58%] male and 22 [42%] female) were included in the analysis. Patients were assessed at a median of 5·0 months (IQR 4·2-6·3) after hospital discharge. Compared with non-COVID-19 controls, patients were older, living with more obesity, and had more comorbidities. Multiorgan abnormalities on MRI were more frequent in patients than in controls (157 [61%] of 259 vs 14 [27%] of 52; p<0·0001) and independently associated with COVID-19 status (odds ratio [OR] 2·9 [95% CI 1·5-5·8]; padjusted=0·0023) after adjusting for relevant confounders. Compared with controls, patients were more likely to have MRI evidence of lung abnormalities (p=0·0001; parenchymal abnormalities), brain abnormalities (p<0·0001; more white matter hyperintensities and regional brain volume reduction), and kidney abnormalities (p=0·014; lower medullary T1 and loss of corticomedullary differentiation), whereas cardiac and liver MRI abnormalities were similar between patients and controls. Patients with multiorgan abnormalities were older (difference in mean age 7 years [95% CI 4-10]; mean age of 59·8 years [SD 11·7] with multiorgan abnormalities vs mean age of 52·8 years [11·9] without multiorgan abnormalities; p<0·0001), more likely to have three or more comorbidities (OR 2·47 [1·32-4·82]; padjusted=0·0059), and more likely to have a more severe acute infection (acute CRP >5mg/L, OR 3·55 [1·23-11·88]; padjusted=0·025) than those without multiorgan abnormalities. Presence of lung MRI abnormalities was associated with a two-fold higher risk of chest tightness, and multiorgan MRI abnormalities were associated with severe and very severe persistent physical and mental health impairment (PHOSP-COVID symptom clusters) after hospitalisation.

INTERPRETATION

After hospitalisation for COVID-19, people are at risk of multiorgan abnormalities in the medium term. Our findings emphasise the need for proactive multidisciplinary care pathways, with the potential for imaging to guide surveillance frequency and therapeutic stratification.

FUNDING

UK Research and Innovation and National Institute for Health Research.

Trends in alcohol expenditure in Australia from 1984 to 2015-2016: An exploratory study

INTRODUCTION

Excessive alcohol use is associated with non-communicable diseases and social problems, such as work absence, financial problems and family violence. Expenditure and expenditure shares on alcohol are valuable measures to monitor financial activities on this risk behaviour. The aim of this paper is to report trends in alcohol expenditure in Australia over the last two decades.

METHODS

Data are from six waves of Australian Household Expenditure Surveys from 1984 to 2015-2016. We explored trends of alcohol expenditure among Australians and in different socio-demographic groups in the last 30 years. We further examined changes of expenditure on different on- and off-premises beverages over time.

RESULTS

Absolute alcohol expenditure has remained the same between the 1980s and 2016, after accounting for inflation. However, a declining trend in relative alcohol expenditure as a proportion of total household expenditure was found across nearly all demographic groups (e.g., sex, age, employment, household income), except for women aged 45-54, who showed an increasing trend of alcohol expenditure after 1998-1999.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS

The current study shows declines in relative alcohol expenditure, which may reflect declines in alcohol's relative importance within the elements of the person's lifestyle they need to pay for and/or increased awareness of alcohol's health and social harms. Further longitudinal analysis should explore additional predictors of household expenditure on alcohol. Results suggest that current bi-annual indexation increases in alcohol tax should account for increases in income to ensure the effectiveness of pricing. Moreover, attention is needed to address drinking among middle-aged females.

Association of residential greenness with the risk of metabolic syndrome in Chinese older adults: a longitudinal cohort study

AIMS

We aimed to investigate the association between residential greenness and MetS in older Chinese adults.

METHODS

Longitudinal data on sociodemographic characteristics and lifestyle were collected from the Shenzhen Healthy Ageing Research (SHARE) cohort. Greenness exposure was assessed through satellite-derived Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) values in the 250-m, 500-m, and 1250-m radius around the residential address for each participant. MetS was defined by standard guidelines for the Chinese population.

RESULTS

A total of 49,893 older Chinese adults with a mean age of 70.96 (SD = 5.26) years were included in the study. In the fully adjusted models, participants who lived in the highest quartile of NDVI_250-m, NDVI_500-m, and NDVI_1250-m had a 15% (odds ratio, OR = 0.85, 95% confidence interval, CI: 0.80-0.90), 12% (OR = 0.88, 95% CI: 0.83-0.93), and 11% (OR = 0.89, 95% CI: 0.85-0.95) lower incidence of MetS, respectively, than those living in the lowest quartile (all p-_trend < 0.01). Interactions and subgroup analyses showed that age, sex, smoking status, and drinking status were significant effect modifiers (p-_interaction for all NDVI < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Residential greenness is associated with a lower risk of MetS in Chinese older adults, especially for young older adults, females, non-smokers, and non-drinkers.

Clinical characteristics with inflammation profiling of long COVID and association with 1-year recovery following hospitalisation in the UK: a prospective observational study

BACKGROUND

No effective pharmacological or non-pharmacological interventions exist for patients with long COVID. We aimed to describe recovery 1 year after hospital discharge for COVID-19, identify factors associated with patient-perceived recovery, and identify potential therapeutic targets by describing the underlying inflammatory profiles of the previously described recovery clusters at 5 months after hospital discharge.

METHODS

The Post-hospitalisation COVID-19 study (PHOSP-COVID) is a prospective, longitudinal cohort study recruiting adults (aged ≥18 years) discharged from hospital with COVID-19 across the UK. Recovery was assessed using patient-reported outcome measures, physical performance, and organ function at 5 months and 1 year after hospital discharge, and stratified by both patient-perceived recovery and recovery cluster. Hierarchical logistic regression modelling was performed for patient-perceived recovery at 1 year. Cluster analysis was done using the clustering large applications k-medoids approach using clinical outcomes at 5 months. Inflammatory protein profiling was analysed from plasma at the 5-month visit. This study is registered on the ISRCTN Registry, ISRCTN10980107, and recruitment is ongoing.

FINDINGS

2320 participants discharged from hospital between March 7, 2020, and April 18, 2021, were assessed at 5 months after discharge and 807 (32·7%) participants completed both the 5-month and 1-year visits. 279 (35·6%) of these 807 patients were women and 505 (64·4%) were men, with a mean age of 58·7 (SD 12·5) years, and 224 (27·8%) had received invasive mechanical ventilation (WHO class 7-9). The proportion of patients reporting full recovery was unchanged between 5 months (501 [25·5%] of 1965) and 1 year (232 [28·9%] of 804). Factors associated with being less likely to report full recovery at 1 year were female sex (odds ratio 0·68 [95% CI 0·46-0·99]), obesity (0·50 [0·34-0·74]) and invasive mechanical ventilation (0·42 [0·23-0·76]). Cluster analysis (n=1636) corroborated the previously reported four clusters: very severe, severe, moderate with cognitive impairment, and mild, relating to the severity of physical health, mental health, and cognitive impairment at 5 months. We found increased inflammatory mediators of tissue damage and repair in both the very severe and the moderate with cognitive impairment clusters compared with the mild cluster, including IL-6 concentration, which was increased in both comparisons (n=626 participants). We found a substantial deficit in median EQ-5D-5L utility index from before COVID-19 (retrospective assessment; 0·88 [IQR 0·74-1·00]), at 5 months (0·74 [0·64-0·88]) to 1 year (0·75 [0·62-0·88]), with minimal improvements across all outcome measures at 1 year after discharge in the whole cohort and within each of the four clusters.

INTERPRETATION

The sequelae of a hospital admission with COVID-19 were substantial 1 year after discharge across a range of health domains, with the minority in our cohort feeling fully recovered. Patient-perceived health-related quality of life was reduced at 1 year compared with before hospital admission. Systematic inflammation and obesity are potential treatable traits that warrant further investigation in clinical trials.

FUNDING

UK Research and Innovation and National Institute for Health Research.

Association of the serum transaminase with mortality among the US elderly population

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Considering the inconsistent findings of research into the associations between serum levels of liver enzymes (alanine aminotransferase [ALT], aspartate aminotransferase [AST], and gamma-glutamyltransferase [GGT]) and mortality among elderly people, we aimed to investigate the associations of ALT, AST, GGT, and De-Ritis ratio (DRR, defined as AST/ALT) and all-cause or cause-specific mortality among the US elderly people using National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys data.

METHODS

We included 6415 elderly participants (≥ 65 years). Exclusion criteria included positive test for hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, and human immunodeficiency virus infection at baseline. Multivariable-adjusted Cox regression models calculating hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals were developed for each of the liver enzyme measures.

RESULTS

All-cause cumulative mortality was 33.8%, of which 23.8% were cardiovascular disease (CVD) deaths, 15.6% were cancer deaths, and 60.6% were other cause deaths. Adjusted Cox models found increased all-cause mortality risk for low ALT (HR: 1.70), low AST (HR: 1.13), high GGT (HR: 1.25), and high DRR (HR: 1.68). Low ALT and high DRR predicted CVD mortality. Low ALT (HR: 1.91), low AST (HR: 1.16), high GGT (HR: 1.40), and high DRR (HR: 1.76) predicted other cause mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

Low ALT and high DRR were associated with increased CVD and cancer mortality. All serum liver enzyme measures were associated with all-cause mortality and other cause mortality in the US elderly population. Further studies may validate these findings in other elderly populations.

The global prevalence of sexual violence against pregnant women: a systematic review and meta-analysis

When committed against pregnant women, sexual violence may have adverse health consequences for both the mother and the unborn child. To date, no studies have systematically summarized the global prevalence of sexual violence against pregnant women. We conducted a comprehensive search of PubMed, Embase and Web of Science from inception dates to January 2021 for studies reporting the prevalence of sexual violence against pregnant women. Prevalence was estimated using a random-effects meta-analysis. Heterogeneity was evaluated using the I² statistic. Differences by study level characteristics were estimated through subgroup analysis and meta-regression. A total of 10 cross-sectional studies (a total of 8,439 participants) were included. The pooled proportion of sexual violence was 0.31 (95% CI: 0.22-0.40). Subgroup analyses showed higher prevalence of sexual violence against pregnant women in the 2010-2019 period (0.35, 95% CI0.15-7.53) and developing countries (0.32, 95% CI0.19-0.45). Almost one in three (31%) pregnant women around the world has been a victim of sexual violence in their lifetime. Sexual violence against pregnant women continues to be a major public health challenge. The global prevalence of sexual violence against pregnant women warrants the collective attention of the entire society.

Assessing the COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in the Chinese adults using a generalized vaccine hesitancy survey instrument

The objectives of this study were to determine coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination hesitancy and influencing factors in China, while broadening the applicability of the Vaccine Hesitancy Scale (VHS). A cross-sectional survey was conducted in China from 4th to 26th February 2021. Convenience sampling method was adopted to recruit participants. A total of 2,361 residents filled out the questionnaire. Confirmatory factor analysis was used on the validation set to confirm the latent structure that resulted from the exploratory factor analysis, which was conducted on the construction set. Multiple linear regression model analyses were used to identify significant associations between the identified the revised version of VHS subscales and hypothesized explanatory variables. Two subscales were identified within the VHS through data analysis, including "lack of confidence in the need for vaccines" and "aversion to the risk of side effects." The results indicated that the hesitancy of the participants in our sample was both driven the two mainly aspects. In addition, more than 40% of the participants expressed hesitation in half of the items in VHS. This study characterized COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in China, and identified disparities in vaccine hesitancy by socio-demographic groups and knowledge about the vaccine. Knowledge of the vaccine was statistically linked to respondents' answers to the clustered 'lack of confidence' and 'risks perception' items. Our results characterize Chinese citizens' COVID-19 vaccine concerns and will inform targeted health communications.

Post-traumatic Stress Disorder and Associated Factors 1 Year After the Beginning of the COVID-19 Pandemic Among Chinese Residents

Background: By investigating the incidence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among residents during a period of low transmission, this study reflects the long-term impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and identify which categories of residents are more likely to develop PTSD due to an acute infectious disease crisis, facilitating the development of targeted strategies to protect mental health after outbreaks of similar acute infectious diseases in the future. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in China from 4 to 26 February 2021. A convenience sampling strategy was adopted to recruit participants. Participants were asked to complete the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5). A multivariable linear stepwise regression analysis model was used to identify which factors were associated with PTSD in residents of China. Results: A total of 2,361 Chinese residents completed the questionnaire. The mean PCL-5 score for the respondents was 13.65 (SD = 8.66), with 219 (9.28%) patients having probable PTSD symptoms. Respondents who were female (β = 0.038), had a relative or friend who had contracted COVID-19 (β = 0.041), and had poor health (β = 0.184) had higher PCL-5 scores, while the population aged over 60 years (β = -0.063), who agreed that COVID-19 information was released in a timely manner (β = -0.347), who had experienced a relatively limited impact of COVID-19 on their life (β = -0.069), and who agreed that the local prevention initiatives were sophisticated (β = -0.165) had lower PTSD scores. Conclusions: Outbreaks of acute infectious diseases can have long-term psychological health effects in the general population. In addition, health policy makers need to be concerned about and implement measures to support the mental health of vulnerable groups.

Abstract OT1-12-01: Exploration of factors associated with imminent risk of late recurrence in hormone receptor positive breast cancer

Research objectives: To conduct a prospective observational study of patient and tumor-related factors in women with high risk hormone receptor (HR)+/HER2- breast cancer (BC) following at least 5 years of adjuvant hormonal therapy, in order to identify risk factors for imminent recurrence.

Rationale: Many of the life-threatening BC recurrences in women with HR+HER2- BC take place more than 5 years post-diagnosis, often after completion of adjuvant hormonal therapy. The identification of a biomarker(s) for late BC recurrence could lead to interventional trials to evaluate preventive therapies. We will evaluate whether the presence of blood-based biomarkers [(i) Circulating Tumor Cells (CTCs), (ii) circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), (iii) tumor markers (CA 15-3, CEA)] and patient factors may predict BC recurrence.

Trial design: A prospective cohort of eligible women with previously treated HR+HER2- BC who have not experienced a distant recurrence will be enrolled; patient and circulating factors will be measured annually until distant recurrence or study completion. Host factors (including BMI, lifestyle, medical illness, surgery, trauma and stress, as well as circulating PlGF, VEGF-1 and inflammatory markers) that may contribute to exit of BC cells from dormancy will also be assessed.

The primary outcome is distant BC recurrence. Any BC event, including loco-regional recurrence, new breast or other primary cancer will be evaluated as a secondary endpoint. Outcomes will be ascertained by regular self-report (via annual telephone calls) and/or physician report and confirmed by medical record review.

Key eligibility criteria: i) Diagnosis of ER and/or PR positive (either or both 10% positive), HER2 negative invasive BC, ii) predicted &gt;1.5-2% annual risk of recurrence (T2, T3 or T4 with any N+;T1 N2+; T2N0 or T1 N1 cancers with high risk genomic scores), iii) receipt of adjuvant endocrine therapy for at least 4 years, with discontinuation planned in the next 12 months or completion of endocrine therapy within the last 5 years, iv) prior adjuvant chemotherapy, targeted therapy and bone targeted therapies are allowed provided they have been completed.

Specific aims: 1) Determine if the presence of (i) CTCs, (ii) ctDNA, (iii) CA15-3 and CEA are associated with imminent risk (within 1-2 years) of distant recurrence in the study population. 2) Identify host factors associated with these blood-based biomarkers, as well as clinical outcomes.

Statistical methods: A matched case control design (matching for time since completion of adjuvant hormone therapy, baseline T, N and grade) will be used to investigate associations of key study variables with imminent risk of distant recurrence within the next 1-2 years. Measurements of patients who do versus do not recur will be compared over the 1-2 years prior to relapse. Each variable will be allocated one third of a study-wide type one error of 0.05 (2-sided). ROC analyses and multivariable modelling will be used to optimize sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV. Available questionnaire data will be summarized at all time-points to generate descriptive survivorship data.

Accrual: Starting in August 2018, we plan to recruit 1,000 patients over 2 years at selected Canadian cancer centres.

Citation Format: Jerzak KJ, Cescon DW, Chia SK, Bratman S, Ennis M, Stambolic V, Chang M, Dowling R, Goodwin PJ. Exploration of factors associated with imminent risk of late recurrence in hormone receptor positive breast cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2018 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2018 Dec 4-8; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(4 Suppl):Abstract nr OT1-12-01.

The CT Swirl Sign Is Associated with Hematoma Expansion in Intracerebral Hemorrhage

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Hematoma expansion is an independent determinant of poor clinical outcome in intracerebral hemorrhage. Although the "spot sign" predicts hematoma expansion, the identification requires CT angiography, which limits its general accessibility in some hospital settings. Noncontrast CT, without the need for CT angiography, may identify sites of active extravasation, termed the "swirl sign." We aimed to determine the association of the swirl sign with hematoma expansion.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients with spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage between 2007 and 2014 who underwent an initial and subsequent noncontrast CT at a single center were retrospectively identified. The swirl sign, on noncontrast CT, was defined as iso- or hypodensity within a hyperdense region that extended across 2 contiguous 5-mm axial CT sections.

RESULTS

A total of 212 patients met the inclusion criteria. The swirl sign was identified in 91 patients with excellent interobserver agreement (κ = 0.87). The swirl sign was associated with larger initial hematoma (P < .001) and earlier initial CT (P < .001) and hematoma expansion (P = .028). Multivariable regression modeling demonstrated that if one assumed similar initial hematoma volume, onset-to-first scan, and time between CT scans, the median absolute hematoma growth was 5.77 mL (95% CI, 2.37-9.18 mL; P = .001) and relative growth was 35.6% (95% CI, 18.5%-52.6%; P < .001) higher in patients with the swirl sign compared with those without.

CONCLUSIONS

The NCCT swirl sign was reliably identified and is associated with hematoma expansion. We propose that the swirl sign be included in risk stratification of intracerebral hemorrhage and considered for inclusion in clinical trials.

The impact of arterial collateralization on outcome after intra-arterial therapy for acute ischemic stroke

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Although intra-arterial therapy for acute ischemic stroke is associated with superior recanalization rates, improved clinical outcomes are inconsistently observed following successful recanalization. There is emerging concern that unfavorable arterial collateralization, though unproven, predetermines poor outcome. We hypothesized that poor leptomeningeal collateralization, assessed by preprocedural CTA, is associated with poor outcome in patients with acute ischemic stroke undergoing intra-arterial therapy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed patients with acute ischemic stroke with intracranial ICA and/or MCA occlusions who received intra-arterial therapy. The collaterals were graded on CTA. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to investigate the association between the dichotomized leptomeningeal collateral score and functional outcomes at 3-months mRS ≤2, mortality, and intracranial hemorrhages.

RESULTS

Eighty-seven patients were included. The median age was 66 years (interquartile range, 54-76 years) and the median NIHSS score at admission was 18 (interquartile range, 14-20). The leptomeningeal collateral score 3 was found to have significant association with the good functional outcome at 3 months: OR = 3.13; 95% CI, 1.25-7.825; P = .016. This association remained significant when adjusted for the use of IV tissue plasminogen activator: alone, OR = 2.998; 95% CI, 1.154-7.786; P = .024; and for IV tissue plasminogen activator and other confounders (age, baseline NIHSS score, and Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction grades), OR = 2.985; 95% CI, 1.027-8.673; P = .045.

CONCLUSIONS

We found that poor arterial collateralization, defined as a collateral score of <3, was associated with poor outcome, after adjustment for recanalization success. We recommend that future studies include collateral scores as one of the predictors of functional outcome.

Clopidogrel hyper-response and bleeding risk in neurointerventional procedures

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Antiplatelet therapy is associated with decreased ischemic events after neurointerventional procedures. Antiplatelet resistance negates the protective effects of antiplatelet medication, leading to a higher incidence of ischemic events. A possible link between antiplatelet hyper-response and increased hemorrhagic complications has been inadequately investigated. We aimed to examine the correlation between antiplatelet hyper-response and the risk of hemorrhagic complications.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients who were treated with antiplatelet medications and underwent neurointerventional procedures were prospectively recruited. We collected the following data: demographics, vascular risk factors, antiplatelet and anticoagulation treatment, antiplatelet responsiveness, coagulation profile, and hemorrhagic complications. P2Y12 receptor-mediated platelet inhibition was tested by using the VerifyNow assay device. The primary end points were postprocedural major and minor hemorrhagic complications. Receiver operator characteristic analysis was used to evaluate the percentage of platelet inhibition as a diagnostic tool for bleeding events. The association between hemorrhage and percentage of platelet inhibition was investigated by using logistic regression modeling.

RESULTS

Forty-seven patients were enrolled. The mean age was 56±12 years, and 28% were men. Ten patients (21.3%) developed hemorrhagic complications. Clopidogrel response was higher in patients with a major bleeding complication compared with those with minor or no bleeding (median, 94% versus 24% platelet inhibition; P=.0084). Of the 7 patients (14.9%) defined as hyper-responders with ≥72% platelet inhibition, 42.8% had a major bleeding complication.

CONCLUSIONS

Hyper-response to clopidogrel is associated with increased risk of hemorrhagic complications. Larger studies are urgently needed to validate a clinically useful threshold to define clopidogrel hyper-response and to examine the clinical effects of antiplatelet dosage adjustment.

Is general anaesthesia preferable to conscious sedation in the treatment of acute ischaemic stroke with intra-arterial mechanical thrombectomy? A review of the literature

INTRODUCTION

Intra-arterial mechanical thrombectomy (IAMT) is an endovascular technique that allows for the acute retrieval of intravascular thrombi and is increasingly being used for the treatment of acute ischaemic stroke (AIS). There are currently two anaesthetic options during IAMT: general anaesthesia (GA) and conscious sedation (CS). The decision to use GA versus CS is the source of controversy, as it requires careful balance between patient pain, movement and airway protection whilst minimising time delay and haemodynamic fluctuations. This review examines and summarises the evidence for the use of GA versus CS in the treatment of AIS by IAMT.

METHODS

Studies were identified using systematic bibliographic searches. The five applicable studies were analysed with reference to overall outcomes and the key parameters that govern the decision to use GA or CS. The key parameters included the impact of GA and CS on pain, complication rates, time delays, airway protection and haemodynamic stability.

RESULTS

Several retrospective analyses have shown that the use of GA is associated with adverse outcomes.

CONCLUSION

Intra-arterial mechanical thrombectomy under general anaesthesia is associated with poor outcomes in observational studies. It is reasonable to offer conscious sedation as the preferred option where adverse patient factors such as agitation are lacking.

A prospective evaluation of treatment with Selective Internal Radiation Therapy (SIR-spheres) in patients with unresectable liver metastases from colorectal cancer previously treated with 5-FU based chemotherapy

BACKGROUND

To prospectively evaluate the efficacy and safety of Selective Internal Radiation (SIR) spheres in patients with inoperable liver metastases from colorectal cancer who have failed 5FU based chemotherapy.

METHODS

Patients were prospectively enrolled at three Australian centres. All patients had previously received 5-FU based chemotherapy for metastatic colorectal cancer. Patients were ECOG 0-2 and had liver dominant or liver only disease. Concurrent 5-FU was given at investigator discretion.

RESULTS

Thirty patients were treated between January 2002 and March 2004. As of July 2004 the median follow-up is 18.3 months. Median patient age was 61.7 years (range 36-77). Twenty-nine patients are evaluable for toxicity and response. There were 10 partial responses (33%), with the median duration of response being 8.3 months (range 2-18) and median time to progression of 5.3 mths. Response rates were lower (21%) and progression free survival shorter (3.9 mths) in patients that had received all standard chemotherapy options (n = 14). No responses were seen in patients with a poor performance status (n = 3) or extrahepatic disease (n = 6). Overall treatment related toxicity was acceptable, however significant late toxicity included 4 cases of gastric ulceration.

CONCLUSION

In patients with metastatic colorectal cancer that have previously received treatment with 5-FU based chemotherapy, treatment with SIR-spheres has demonstrated encouraging activity. Further studies are required to better define the subsets of patients most likely to respond.

Prospective study of treatment with selective internal radiation therapy spheres in patients with unresectable primary or secondary hepatic malignancies

AIM

To prospectively evaluate the efficacy and safety of Selective Internal Radiation (SIR) Spheres (Sirtex Medical, Sydney, NSW, Australia) in patients with unresectable primary or secondary hepatic malignancies.

METHODS

We report our experience of SIR sphere therapy at three Australian centres. Patients with previously untreated colorectal cancer (CRC) received concurrent 5FU, other patients with CRC received 5-FU at investigator discretion and all other patients received SIR spheres alone.

RESULTS

Forty-six patients were enrolled between January 2002 and June 2003. The majority (32 patients) had metastatic colorectal cancer and five patients had hepatocellular carcinoma. The median age of patients was 64 years (range 46-78 years). Forty-three patients were evaluable for response. There were 12 partial responses, of which 10 were in patients with CRC. The median duration of response for all patients was 8.6 months (range 2-21 months). Overall treatment related toxicity was acceptable. Significant late toxicity included four cases of severe gastric ulceration, despite standard work-up and treatment by experienced interventional radiologists.

CONCLUSION

In this series of patients, treatment with SIR-spheres has demonstrated modest activity, mostly observed in patients with CRC. Toxicity was substantial in a small number of patients.

Evaluation of a patient with left ventricular assist device dysfunction

With the increasing number of LVAD recipients due to lack of donor availability and use of an LVAD as destination therapy, there will be a significant proportion of this population presenting with device related complications. Initial evaluation should be with TEE because conduit obstruction would be a significant complication, among others. As observed in this case report, it is sometimes difficult to noninvasively detect device malfunction, and even surgical exploration left questions unanswered. Echocardiography has been the principal modality used so far to assess the LVAD cannulas. More reliance on Doppler velocities and establishment of a normal range of values and flow profiles of the inflow and outflow cannulas are necessary. Baseline echocardiographic studies could be used for future comparisons. Fluoroscopy and selective angiography have also been reported to be helpful. We would also recommend measuring LV hemodynamics, which have not been previously described, as an additional mode of evaluation of this emerging problem. This case report demonstrates the need for additional noninvasive modalities for diagnosis of ventricular assist device malfunction.

Chemoreflexes: an experimental study

HYPOTHESIS

Transmyocardial laser revascularization (TMLR) will not denervate the heart, because it does not destroy all of the afferents. This study was designed to determine if stimulation of cardiac sympathetic and vagal afferents from an area of the left ventricle treated with TMLR could evoke reflex effects, and thus whether TMLR would denervate the heart.

METHODS

The effect of TMLR on reflexes evoked by chemically stimulating cardiac afferents was examined in 9 dogs. Bradykinin and capsaicin were applied topically or injected into the left anterior descending coronary artery before and after TMLR and after bilateral vagotomy and sympathectomy. Aortic (AoP) and left ventricular pressures (LVP) and electrocardiography were monitored. The first derivatives of LVP (dP/dt) were calculated.

RESULTS

Topical bradykinin elicited variable hemodynamic responses. Topical capsaicin evoked pressor responses, increasing mean (+/- SEM) AoP (105+/-9 to 115+/-9 mm Hg; P<.001) and positive dP/dt (+dP/dt) (1032+/-81 to 1159+/-10 mm Hg/s; P<.01) before TMLR. Intracoronary capsaicin evoked a depressor response before TMLR. Pressor responses remained intact after TMLR with increases in mean AoP and +dP/dt (115+/-6 to 128+/-5 mm Hg and 1039+/-98 to 1136+/-100 mm Hg/s, respectively; P<.01). Depressor responses also remained intact after TMLR (91+/-10 vs 101+/-11 mm Hg [P<.02], and 865+/-104 vs 931+/-104 mm Hg/s [P<.05], respectively). Hemodynamic responses were diminished after bilateral vagotomy and abolished after bilateral sympathectomy.

CONCLUSION

Since activation of cardiac afferent nerves and reflex responses remained intact after TMLR, but changed after vagotomy or sympathectomy, TMLR does not denervate the heart sufficiently to be the cause of improved angina after TMLR.

Complication of a venous wallstent

A case is reported here of effort-related thrombosis of the axillary and subclavian veins (Paget-Schrotter syndrome) treated primarily with a combination of thrombolysis, percutaneous balloon angioplasty (PTA) and stent insertion, but without immediate rib resection. The subsequent course was complicated by fracture of the stent, managed by first rib resection.

Effect of dirithromycin on Haemophilus influenzae infection of the respiratory mucosa

Macrolides have properties other than their antibiotic action which may benefit patients with airway infections. We have investigated the effect of dirithromycin (0.125 to 8.0 microg/ml) on the interaction of Haemophilus influenzae with respiratory mucosa in vitro using human nasal epithelium, adenoid tissue, and bovine trachea. Dirithromycin did not affect the ciliary beat frequency of the nasal epithelium or the transport of mucus on bovine trachea, but dirithromycin (1 microg/ml) did reduce the slowing of the ciliary beat frequency and the damage to the nasal epithelium caused by H. influenzae broth culture filtrate. Amoxicillin (2 microg/ml) did not reduce the effects of the H. influenzae broth culture filtrate. H. influenzae infection of the organ cultures for 24 h caused mucosal damage and the loss of ciliated cells. Bacteria adhered to damaged epithelium and to a lesser extent to mucus and unciliated cells. Incubation of H. influenzae with dirithromycin at sub-MICs (0.125 and 0.5 microg/ml) prior to infection of the organ cultures did not reduce the mucosal damage caused by bacterial infection. By contrast, incubation of adenoid tissue with dirithromycin (0.125 to 1.0 microg/ml) for 4 h prior to assembling the organ culture reduced the mucosal damage caused by subsequent H. influenzae infection by as much as 50%. The number of bacteria adherent to the mucosa was reduced, although the tissue that had been incubated with dirithromycin (0.125 and 0.5 microg/ml) did not inhibit bacterial growth. This was achieved by a reduction in the amount of damaged epithelium to which H. influenzae adhered and a reduction in the density of bacteria adhering to mucus. We conclude that dirithromycin at concentrations achievable in vivo markedly reduces the mucosal damage caused by H. influenzae infection due to a cytoprotective effect.

Recombinant human 92-kDa type IV collagenase/gelatinase from baculovirus-infected insect cells: expression, purification, and characterization

Human 92-kDa type IV collagenase/gelatinase (MMP9) has been expressed in insect cells and secreted into the cell medium via a baculovirus expression system. The expression level of the proenzyme from Trichoplusia ni cells was estimated to be > = 300 mg/L of cell medium. The recombinant protein was purified in a single step using heparin-affinity chromatography with an overall yield of ca. 70%. The purified zymogen could be activated in vitro using 4-aminophenylmercuric acetate to yield an active protease. Kinetic analysis of the activated recombinant enzyme demonstrates that this material is comparable to activated MMP9 from natural human sources. The recombinant enzyme provides a useful source of protein for a variety of biochemical and biophysical studies aimed at elucidating the structure and function of human MMP9.

Comparative effects of selective cyclooxygenase 1 and cyclooxygenase 2 inhibitors on myeloperoxidase and 3 alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase

The clinical efficacy of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) is believed to result from the ability of these compounds to inhibit the inducible isoform of the enzyme cyclooxygenase, COX2. The gastrointestinal and renal side effects of these drugs, in contrast, are thought to relate to their ability to inhibit the constitutive isozyme, COX1. There is structural and pharmacological evidence that suggests that NSAIDs may also inhibit two unrelated enzymes, myeloperoxidase (MP) and 3 alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3 alpha-HSD), potentially with untoward consequences for the patient. Our laboratories have been investigating a new structural class of potential COX inhibitors, the tri-cyclic aromatics. In this study we have examined the inhibitory potency of selected compounds for the enzymes human COX1, human COX2, human MP, and rat liver 3 alpha-HSD. The compounds selected span a range of COX isoform selectivities, from specific for COX2 to selective for COX1 only, and include three representative tri-cyclic aromatics. We found that compounds within the tri-cyclic aromatic class do not act as potent inhibitors of either myeloperoxidase or 3 alpha-HSD. These results demonstrate the unique inhibitor selectivity that can be achieved with the tri-cyclic aromatics. Examples of COX1 selective, and COX2 selective inhibitors within this structural class are presented.

An ELISA assay for murine interleukin-1 beta

An ELISA assay was developed for murine IL-1 beta (mIL-1 beta) using a polyclonal antibody generated in rabbits. The antibody was purified by affinity chromatography on protein A coupled to Sepharose followed by chromatography on mIL-1 beta coupled to Sepharose. The protein A and affinity purified populations were compared using radiolabeled mIL-1 beta and the results used to develop the conditions for the ELISA. The assay developed is sensitive to pg/ml concentrations of mIL-1 beta, is comparable in sensitivity to one which uses a hamster monoclonal antibody as the capture antibody, and can be used to detect IL-1 beta in peritoneal washings or tissue lysates from either mouse or rat. There is no cross reaction with any cytokine tested. The use of ELISA enhancement kits can increase the resolution at the lower concentration ranges without affecting assay sensitivity. This assay should prove useful for defining the presence and potential role for IL-1 beta in animal models of disease.

HLA-class II antigen expression in human heart-lung allografts

Long-term survival in heart-lung transplantation has ben hindered by the development of bronchiolitis obliterans (OB), which is believed to be a manifestation of chronic rejection of the lung. Since HLA-class II antigens are involved in the rejection response, the distribution of the class II products HLA-DR, HLA-DQ, and HLA-DP were studied in normal lung, and in transplanted lung with and without OB, utilizing frozen-section immunohistochemical techniques. All three allelic products are usually expressed on the epithelial, endothelial, and mesenchymal components of the lung. Sequential transbronchial biopsies from 4 recipients before and concurrent with the diagnosis of OB were stained with serial dilutions of monoclonal antibodies to assess the level of expression of the above class II products. Increased levels of HLA-DR and HLA-DP antigens may be seen on the bronchial and bronchiolar epithelium during OB, but the changes are subtle and complicated by many other variables. Additional studies are needed to confirm these preliminary results.

Magnetic resonance imaging in posterior circulation infarction: impact on diagnosis and management

To compare the diagnostic yield of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with computed tomography (CT) in posterior circulation infarction, we used proton MRI with a 0.3 Tesla magnet and a 3rd generation CT scanner in 25 patients. Age-matched controls were compared in a blinded fashion. Seventeen patients (68%) showed relevant pathology on MRI not seen on CT, 11 with normal CT and six with more extensive lesions, chiefly in the brain stem. Evidence of abnormal vertebrobasilar blood flow was seen in 8/25 (32%) of patients, suggested by vascular high intensity signals on MRI. Two tissue and one flow abnormality were seen in the control group. MRI provides additional information concerning infarct site, extent and pathogenesis in posterior circulation infarction.

Mononuclear cell collection using various techniques

During the last 15 months, 609 mononuclear cell collections were performed. Lymphocytapheresis and monocytapheresis provides cells for in vitro research studies, investigational transfusion studies and as therapeutic procedures. Automated leukapheresis procedures yields from 1.0-1.5 X 10(9) lymphocytes per liter blood processed. Monocyte yields generally 1/10 of the lymphocyte yields in both lymphocytapheresis and monocytapheresis procedures. Donors had very few reactions, and post collection CBC's showed no significant abnormalities. Mononuclear cell donation appears to have no risk to the normal donor.

Phase I trial of Staphylococcus aureus Cowan I immunoperfusion

Staphylococcus aureus Cowan I has shown antitumor activity in in vitro and in animal tumor models. It is hypothesized that this antineoplastic effect results from the interaction of protein A on the cell surface of Cowan I strain S. aureus and immunosuppressive circulating immune complexes. Therefore, we treated five patients with ex vivo plasma immuno-perfusion over killed and fixed S. aureus Cowan I. Toxic effects were marked in all patients and appeared to be related to the plasma volume infused and rate of infusion. Toxic reactions occurred in the cardiovascular, respiratory, and hematopoietic systems. No responses even minimal or transient, were observed in this phase I trial. This toxicity may be reduced if the rate of plasma infusion decreases.

Use of in vitro assays in selection of compatible platelet donors

Although HLA-matched platelet transfusions are of value in the support of some alloimmunized thrombocytopenic patients, poor posttransfusion increments can be observed following HLA-matched platelet transfusions and conversely good posttransfusion increments may result after HLA-mismatched platelet transfusions. We have explored the possibility that in vitro assays in addition to HLA typing might better select compatible donors for refractory recipients. Our studies suggested that a platelet migration inhibition assay is predictive of platelet transfusion responses in HLA-compatible and incompatible donor-recipient pairs, while lymphocytotoxicity is predictive of posttransfusion increments only in HLA-incompatible donor-recipient pairs. Granulocytotoxicity, microleukoagglutination, and capillary leukoagglutination showed no value in predicting platelet transfusion increments, either in HLA-compatible or incompatible donor-recipient pairs.