scholarly journals Cytopathology Practice in the COVID-19 Era: Focus on Sample Workload

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 109-113
Author(s):  
Antonino Iaccarino ◽  
Filippo Dello Iacovo ◽  
Pasquale Pisapia ◽  
Caterina De Luca ◽  
Umberto Malapelle ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ◽  
Low Risk ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Drastic Reduction ◽  
Risk Of Malignancy ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Cytological Sample

Since the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) outbreak was declared a pandemic, the magnitude of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has continued to grow, putting an unprecedented strain on all medical fields. Its effects on cytopathology workloads have been dramatic. Indeed, despite the implementation of several laboratory biosafety recommendations, cytological screening activities and cytological sampling of patients at low risk of malignancy have been postponed to limit the risk of contagion and to lessen the strain on overwhelmed hospital facilities. In this scenario, a drastic reduction in the total number of cytological specimens has been observed worldwide. This review summarizes the current evidence of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on cytopathology practice by focusing on its impact on cytological sample workload.

Perioperative Management of DOACs in Vascular Surgery: A Practical Approach

2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (38) ◽  
pp. 4518-4524 ◽  
Author(s):  
George Kouvelos ◽  
Miltiadis Matsagkas ◽  
Nikolaos Rousas ◽  
Petroula Nana ◽  
Konstantinos Mpatzalexis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vascular Surgery ◽  
Perioperative Management ◽  
Invasive Procedure ◽  
Bleeding Risk ◽  
Low Risk ◽  
Practical Approach ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Thromboembolic Risk ◽  
Specific Data ◽  
Vascular Procedure

Background: Approximately 10–15% of patients on DOACs have to interrupt their anticoagulant before an invasive procedure every year. The perioperative management and monitoring of DOACs have proved to be challenging, as differences in patients’ status and in the invasiveness of each procedure develop different situations that need a tailored therapeutic approach to each patient’s needs. Methods: This review aims to summarize current evidence on the perioperative management of DOACs in patients undergoing a vascular surgical procedure focusing with a practical approach on three key clinical questions: (i) can we stop DOAC therapy before the vascular procedure? (ii) is bridging therapy necessary? and (iii) which is the best perioperative strategy for interruption and resumption of the anticoagulant therapy? Results: No specific data exist for the perioperative management of vascular surgery patients on DOACs, as most studies include low number of such patients. Therapeutic strategy on how to handle DOACs perioperatively must be based on their half-life, the bleeding risk of the invasive procedures, and on the thromboembolic risk of the patient. Renal function plays a crucial role in such situations, increasing thromboembolic and bleeding risk. In general, DOACs should be stopped 2 days for high bleed risk, 1 day for low risk and should be resumed 48-72 hrs after high risk, 24 hrs after low-risk procedure. Bridging is almost never needed. Conclusion: Further perioperative research studies on patients undergoing vascular surgery are needed to confirm whether currently accepted therapeutic perioperative strategy is appropriate for these patients.

scholarly journals Neurological symptoms, manifestations, and complications associated with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Biyan Nathanael Harapan ◽  
Hyeon Joo Yoo
Keyword(s):  
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ◽  
Case Reports ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Altered Mental Status ◽  
Neurological Complications ◽  
Neurological Symptoms ◽  
Neurological Manifestations ◽  
Fisher Syndrome ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
The Impact

AbstractSevere acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), a novel coronavirus, is responsible for the outbreak of coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) and was first identified in Wuhan, China in December 2019. It is evident that the COVID-19 pandemic has become a challenging world issue. Although most COVID-19 patients primarily develop respiratory symptoms, an increasing number of neurological symptoms and manifestations associated with COVID-19 have been observed. In this narrative review, we elaborate on proposed neurotropic mechanisms and various neurological symptoms, manifestations, and complications of COVID-19 reported in the present literature. For this purpose, a review of all current published literature (studies, case reports, case series, reviews, editorials, and other articles) was conducted and neurological sequelae of COVID-19 were summarized. Essential and common neurological symptoms including gustatory and olfactory dysfunctions, myalgia, headache, altered mental status, confusion, delirium, and dizziness are presented separately in sections. Moreover, neurological manifestations and complications that are of great concern such as stroke, cerebral (sinus) venous thrombosis, seizures, meningoencephalitis, Guillain–Barré syndrome, Miller Fisher syndrome, acute myelitis, and posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) are also addressed systematically. Future studies that examine the impact of neurological symptoms and manifestations on the course of the disease are needed to further clarify and assess the link between neurological complications and the clinical outcome of patients with COVID-19. To limit long-term consequences, it is crucial that healthcare professionals can early detect possible neurological symptoms and are well versed in the increasingly common neurological manifestations and complications of COVID-19.

scholarly journals Repeated Pelvic Radiographs in Infants, After Harness Treatment for Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip, Carry Very Low Radiation Risk

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth Vogel ◽  
Thomas Leaver ◽  
Fiona Wall ◽  
Ben Johnson ◽  
Michael Uglow ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Radiation Exposure ◽  
Radiation Risk ◽  
Low Risk ◽  
Lifetime Risk ◽  
Body Region ◽  
Pavlik Harness ◽  
Pelvic Radiographs ◽  
Risk Of Malignancy ◽  
The Mean

Abstract Objective There are no data on the effect of X-Ray irradiation to the vulnerable pelvic organs of babies during DDH follow-up. This study aims to calculate, for the first time, the radiation exposure to infants during follow-up for DDH harness treatment, and thus quantify the lifetime risk of malignancy. Methods Patients who had completed 5 years’ follow-up following successful Pavlik harness treatment were identified from the hospital DDH database. The radiation dose was extracted from the Computerised Radiology Information System database for every radiograph of every patient. The effective dose (ED) was calculated using conversion coefficients for age, sex and body region irradiated. Cumulative ED was compared to Health Protection Agency standards to calculate lifetime risk of malignancy from the radiographs. Results All radiographs of 40 infants, successfully treated in Pavlik harness for DDH, were assessed. The mean number of AP pelvis radiographs was 7.00 (range: 6–9, mode: 7). The mean cumulative ED was 0.25 mSv (Range: 0.11–0.46, SD: 0.07). This is far lower than the annual ‘safe’ limit for healthcare workers of 20 mSv and is categorised as “Very Low Risk”. Conclusion Clinicians involved in the treatment DDH can be re-assured that the cumulative radiation exposure from pelvic radiographs following Pavlik harness treatment is “Very Low Risk”. Whilst being mindful of any radiation exposure in children, this study provides a scientific answer that help addresses parental concerns.

scholarly journals TissueCypher Barrett’s esophagus assay impacts clinical decisions in the management of patients with Barrett’s esophagus

2021 ◽  
Vol 09 (03) ◽  
pp. E348-E355
Author(s):  
David L. Diehl ◽  
Harshit S. Khara ◽  
Nasir Akhtar ◽  
Rebecca J. Critchley-Thorne
Keyword(s):  
High Risk ◽  
Barrett’S Esophagus ◽  
Barrett's Esophagus ◽  
Clinical Decision Making ◽  
Eradication Therapy ◽  
Low Risk ◽  
Management Approach ◽  
Low Grade ◽  
Management Decisions ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background and study aims The TissueCypher Barrett’s Esophagus Assay is a novel tissue biomarker test, and has been validated to predict progression to high-grade dysplasia (HGD) and esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) in patients with Barrett’s esophagus (BE). The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of TissueCypher on clinical decision-making in the management of BE. Patients and methods TissueCypher was ordered for 60 patients with non-dysplastic (ND, n = 18) BE, indefinite for dysplasia (IND, n = 25), and low-grade dysplasia (LGD, n = 17). TissueCypher reports a risk class (low, intermediate or high) for progression to HGD or EAC within 5 years. The impact of the test results on BE management decisions was assessed. Results Fifty-two of 60 patients were male, mean age 65.2 ± 11.8, and 43 of 60 had long segment BE. TissueCypher results impacted 55.0 % of management decisions. In 21.7 % of patients, the test upstaged the management approach, resulting in endoscopic eradication therapy (EET) or shorter surveillance interval. The test downstaged the management approach in 33.4 % of patients, leading to surveillance rather than EET. In the subset of patients whose management plan was changed, upstaging was associated with a high-risk TissueCypher result, and downstaging was associated with a low-risk result (P < 0.0001). Conclusions TissueCypher was used as an adjunct to support a surveillance-only approach in 33.4 % of patients. Upstaging occurred in 21.7 % of patients, leading to therapeutic intervention or increased surveillance. These results indicate that the TissueCypher test may enable physicians to target EET for TissueCypher high-risk BE patients, while reducing unnecessary procedures in TissueCypher low-risk patients.

Type A aortic dissection: involvement of carotid artery and impact on cerebral malperfusion

2020 ◽  
pp. 021849232098432
Author(s):  
Wahaj Munir ◽  
Jun Heng Chong ◽  
Amer Harky ◽  
Mohamad Bashir ◽  
Benjamin Adams
Keyword(s):  
Carotid Artery ◽  
Aortic Dissection ◽  
Type A ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Management Approach ◽  
Complex Nature ◽  
Acute Type ◽  
Type A Aortic Dissection ◽  
Cerebral Malperfusion ◽  
The Impact

Acute type A aortic dissection is a surgical emergency and management of such pathology can be complex with poor outcomes when there is organ malperfusion. Carotid artery involvement is present in 30% of patients diagnosed with acute type A aortic dissection, and given its emergency and complex nature, there is much controversy regarding the approach, extent of treatment, and timing of the intervention. It is clear that the occurrence of cerebral malperfusion adds an extra layer of complexity to the decision-making framework for treatment. Standardization and validation of the optimal management approach is required, and this should ideally be addressed with large-scale studies. Nonetheless, current literature supports the need for rapid recognition and diagnosis of acute type A aortic dissection with cerebral malperfusion, immediate and extensive surgical repair, and the appropriate use of cerebral perfusion techniques. This paper aims to discuss the current evidence regarding the impact of carotid artery involvement in both the management and outcomes of acute type A aortic dissection.

Reducing Broad Spectrum Antimicrobial Use in Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO): Reduce AMMO Study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aditya Shah ◽  
Priya Sampathkumar ◽  
Ryan W Stevens ◽  
John K Bohman ◽  
Brian D Lahr ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Time Series ◽  
Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation ◽  
Broad Spectrum ◽  
Antimicrobial Prophylaxis ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Antimicrobial Use ◽  
Infection Rates ◽  
Interrupted Time Series Analysis ◽  
Membrane Oxygenation ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background The use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in critically ill adults is increasing. There are currently no guidelines for antimicrobial prophylaxis. We analyzed 7 years of prophylactic antimicrobial use across three time series for patients on ECMO at our institution in the development, improvement, and streamlining of our ECMO antimicrobial prophylaxis protocol. Study design and Methods In this quasi-experimental interrupted time series analysis, we evaluated the impact of an initial ECMO antimicrobial prophylaxis protocol, implemented in 2014, on antimicrobial use and NHSN reportable infection rates. Then, following a revision and streamlining of the protocol in November 2018, we re-evaluated the same metrics. Results Our study population included 338 ICU patients who received ECMO between July 2011 and November 2019. After implementation of the first version of the protocol we did not observe significant changes in antimicrobial use or infection rates in these patients; however, following revision and streamlining of the protocol, we demonstrated a significant reduction in broad spectrum antimicrobial use for prophylaxis in patients on ECMO without any evidence of a compensatory increase in infection rates. Conclusion Our final protocol significantly reduces broad spectrum antimicrobial use for prophylaxis in patients on ECMO. We propose a standard antimicrobial prophylaxis regimen for patients on ECMO based on current evidence and our experience.

scholarly journals 375. COVID 19 infection in a Massachusetts community hospital

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S257-S258
Author(s):  
Raul Davaro ◽  
alwyn rapose
Keyword(s):  
Intensive Care Unit ◽  
Mechanical Ventilation ◽  
Intensive Care ◽  
Essential Hypertension ◽  
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ◽  
High Mortality ◽  
Case Series ◽  
World Health ◽  
Minimal Risk ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background The ongoing pandemic of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections has led to 105690 cases and 7647 deaths in Massachusetts as of June 16. Methods The study was conducted at Saint Vincent Hospital, an academic health medical center in Worcester, Massachusetts. The institutional review board approved this case series as minimal-risk research using data collected for routine clinical practice and waived the requirement for informed consent. All consecutive patients who were sufficiently medically ill to require hospital admission with confirmed severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection by positive result on polymerase chain reaction testing of a nasopharyngeal sample were included. Results A total of 109 consecutive patients with COVID 19 were admitted between March 15 and May 31. Sixty one percent were men, the mean age of the cohort was 67. Forty one patients (37%) were transferred from nursing homes. Twenty seven patients died (24%) and the majority of the dead patients were men (62%). Fifty one patients (46%) required admission to the medical intensive care unit and 34 necessitated mechanical ventilation, twenty two patients on mechanical ventilation died (63%). The most common co-morbidities were essential hypertension (65%), obesity (60%), diabetes (33%), chronic kidney disease (22%), morbid obesity (11%), congestive heart failure (16%) and COPD (14%). Five patients required hemodialysis. Fifty five patients received hydroxychloroquine, 24 received tocilizumab, 20 received convalescent plasma and 16 received remdesivir. COVID 19 appeared in China in late 2019 and was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization on March 11, 2020. Our study showed a high mortality in patients requiring mechanical ventilation (43%) as opposed to those who did not (5.7%). Hypertension, diabetes and obesity were highly prevalent in this aging population. Our cohort was too small to explore the impact of treatment with remdesivir, tocilizumab or convalescent plasma. Conclusion In this cohort obesity, diabetes and essential hypertension are risk factors associated with high mortality. Patients admitted to the intensive care unit who need mechanical ventilation have a mortality approaching 50 %. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

scholarly journals Consequences of the COVID-19 Syndemic for Nutritional Health: A Systematic Review

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 1168
Author(s):  
Cristian Neira ◽  
Rejane Godinho ◽  
Fabio Rincón ◽  
Rodrigo Mardones ◽  
Janari Pedroso
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Systematic Reviews ◽  
Preventive Measures ◽  
Physical Contact ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Study Objective ◽  
Eating Style ◽  
Healthy Nutrition ◽  
Meta Analyses ◽  
The Impact

Confinement at home, quarantine, and social distancing are some measures adopted worldwide to prevent the spread of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-Cov-2), which has been generating an important alteration in the routines and qualities of life of people. The impact on health is still being evaluated, and consequences in the nutritional field are not entirely clear. The study objective was to evaluate the current evidence about the impact that preventive measures of physical contact restriction causes in healthy nutrition. A systematic review was carried out according to the “Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses” PRISMA Group and Cochrane method for rapid systematic reviews. Searching was performed in six electronic databases and evaluated articles published between 2010 and 2020, including among their participants adult subjects who had been exposed to the preventive measures of physical contact restriction. Seven studies met the selection criteria and reported an overall increase in food consumption, weight, Body Mass Index (BMI), and a change in eating style. Findings suggest that healthy nutrition is affected by preventive measures to restrict physical contact as a result of the COVID-19 syndemic.

scholarly journals Polyphenols and Cognition In Humans: An Overview of Current Evidence from Recent Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-15
Author(s):  
Daniel Joseph Lamport ◽  
Claire Michelle Williams
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Reviews ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Cognitive Outcome ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Duration Of Treatment ◽  
Current Evidence Base ◽  
Cognitive Benefits ◽  
Meta Analyses ◽  
The Impact

There is increasing interest in the impact of dietary influences on the brain throughout the lifespan, ranging from improving cognitive development in children through to attenuating ageing related cognitive decline and reducing risk of neurodegenerative diseases. Polyphenols, phytochemicals naturally present in a host of fruits, vegetables, tea, cocoa and other foods, have received particular attention in this regard, and there is now a substantial body of evidence from experimental and epidemiological studies examining whether their consumption is associated with cognitive benefits. The purpose of this overview is to synthesise and evaluate the best available evidence from two sources, namely meta-analyses and systematic reviews, in order to give an accurate reflection of the current evidence base for an association between polyphenols and cognitive benefits. Four meta-analyses and thirteen systematic reviews published between 2017–2020 were included, and were categorised according to whether they reviewed specific polyphenol-rich foods and classes or all polyphenols. A requirement for inclusion was assessment of a behavioural cognitive outcome in humans. A clear and consistent theme emerged that whilst there is support for an association between polyphenol consumption and cognitive benefits, this conclusion is tentative, and by no means definitive. Considerable methodological heterogeneity was repeatedly highlighted as problematic such that the current evidence base does not support reliable conclusions relating to efficacy of specific doses, duration of treatment, or sensitivity in specific populations or certain cognitive domains. The complexity of multiple interactions between a range of direct and indirect mechanisms of action is discussed. Further research is required to strengthen the reliability of the evidence base.

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