scholarly journals Development of a decision flowchart to identify the patients need high-dose vancomycin in early phase of treatment

Author(s):  
Ryo Yamaguchi ◽  
Hiroko Kani ◽  
Takehito Yamamoto ◽  
Takehiro Tanaka ◽  
Hiroshi Suzuki

Abstract Background The standard dose of vancomycin (VCM, 2 g/day) sometimes fails to achieve therapeutic concentration in patients with normal renal function. In this study, we aimed to identify factors to predict patients who require high-dose vancomycin (> 2 g/day) to achieve a therapeutic concentration and to develop a decision flowchart to select these patients prior to VCM administration. Methods Patients who had an estimated creatinine clearance using the Cockcroft–Gault equation (eCCr) of ≥50 mL/min and received intravenous VCM were divided into 2 cohorts: an estimation set (n = 146, from April to September 2016) and a validation set (n = 126, from October 2016 to March 2017). In each set, patients requiring ≤2 g/day of VCM to maintain the therapeutic trough concentration (10–20 μg/mL) were defined as standard-dose patients, while those who needed > 2 g/day were defined as high-dose patients. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the predictive factors for high-dose patients and decision tree analysis was performed to develop decision flowchart to identify high-dose patients. Results Among the covariates analyzed, age and eCCr were identified as independent predictors for high-dose patients. Further, the decision tree analysis revealed that eCCr (cut off value = 81.3 mL/min) is the top predictive factor and is followed by age (cut off value = 58 years). Based on these findings, a decision flowchart was constructed, in which patients with eCCr ≥81.3 mL/min and age < 58 years were designated as high-dose patients and other patients were designated as standard-dose patients. Subsequently, we applied this decision flowchart to the validation set and obtained good predictive performance (positive and negative predictive values are 77.6 and 84.4%, respectively). Conclusion These results suggest that the decision flowchart constructed in this study provides an important contribution for avoiding underdosing of VCM in patients with eCCr of ≥50 mL/min.

2020 ◽  
Vol 61 (11) ◽  
pp. 1484-1493
Author(s):  
Sun Hwa Lee ◽  
Jae Min Lee ◽  
Na Yeon Han ◽  
Min Ju Kim ◽  
Beom Jin Park ◽  
...  

Background Difficult cannulation during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is associated with increased complications; therefore, its prediction is important. Purpose To identify radiologic risk factors of difficult cannulation during ERCP based on computed tomography (CT) findings and to develop a predictive model for a difficult cannulation. Material and Methods A total of 171 patients with native papilla who underwent both enhanced CT and ERCP were recruited. Two radiologists independently measured the distal common bile duct (CBD) diameter and choledochoduodenal (CD) angle and analyzed CT images for presence of CBD stone and papilla bulging, size and type of periampullary diverticulum (PAD), and duodenal segment in which major papilla was located. Multivariate logistic regression analysis and decision-tree analysis were performed to identify risk factors for difficult cannulation. Results Thirty-nine patients underwent a difficult cannulation. The multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that a smaller CBD diameter, presence of papilla bulging, location of the major papilla other than the descending duodenum, a smaller CD angle, and a higher worrisome PAD score were statistically relevant factors for difficult cannulation ( P < 0.049). In the decision-tree analysis, a higher worrisome PAD score was the strongest predictor of difficult cannulation, followed by the presence of papilla bulging, smaller CD angle, and a smaller CBD diameter. The predictive model had an 82.5% overall predictive accuracy. Conclusion The CT findings-based decision-tree analysis model showed a high accuracy in predicting cannulation difficulty and may be helpful for making pre-ERCP strategy.


Diagnostics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 1094
Author(s):  
Michael Wong ◽  
Nikolaos Thanatsis ◽  
Federica Nardelli ◽  
Tejal Amin ◽  
Davor Jurkovic

Background and aims: Postmenopausal endometrial polyps are commonly managed by surgical resection; however, expectant management may be considered for some women due to the presence of medical co-morbidities, failed hysteroscopies or patient’s preference. This study aimed to identify patient characteristics and ultrasound morphological features of polyps that could aid in the prediction of underlying pre-malignancy or malignancy in postmenopausal polyps. Methods: Women with consecutive postmenopausal polyps diagnosed on ultrasound and removed surgically were recruited between October 2015 to October 2018 prospectively. Polyps were defined on ultrasound as focal lesions with a regular outline, surrounded by normal endometrium. On Doppler examination, there was either a single feeder vessel or no detectable vascularity. Polyps were classified histologically as benign (including hyperplasia without atypia), pre-malignant (atypical hyperplasia), or malignant. A Chi-squared automatic interaction detection (CHAID) decision tree analysis was performed with a range of demographic, clinical, and ultrasound variables as independent, and the presence of pre-malignancy or malignancy in polyps as dependent variables. A 10-fold cross-validation method was used to estimate the model’s misclassification risk. Results: There were 240 women included, 181 of whom presented with postmenopausal bleeding. Their median age was 60 (range of 45–94); 18/240 (7.5%) women were diagnosed with pre-malignant or malignant polyps. In our decision tree model, the polyp mean diameter (≤13 mm or >13 mm) on ultrasound was the most important predictor of pre-malignancy or malignancy. If the tree was allowed to grow, the patient’s body mass index (BMI) and cystic/solid appearance of the polyp classified women further into low-risk (≤5%), intermediate-risk (>5%–≤20%), or high-risk (>20%) groups. Conclusions: Our decision tree model may serve as a guide to counsel women on the benefits and risks of surgery for postmenopausal endometrial polyps. It may also assist clinicians in prioritizing women for surgery according to their risk of malignancy.


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