State-of-the-Art Imaging of Infiltrative Cardiomyopathies: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association.

Infiltrative cardiomyopathies comprise a broad spectrum of inherited or acquired conditions caused by deposition of abnormal substances within the myocardium. Increased wall thickness, inflammation, microvascular dysfunction, and fibrosis are the common pathological processes that lead to abnormal myocardial filling, chamber dilation, and disruption of conduction system. Advanced disease presents as heart failure and cardiac arrhythmias conferring poor prognosis.

Atrial Fibrillation and Acute Ischemic Stroke: Evaluation of the Contemporary 2018 National Inpatient Sample Database.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) is considered a binary entity regardless of AF type. We aim to investigate in-hospital morbidity and mortality among patients with nonparoxysmal AF-related AIS.

Methods: Patients hospitalized for AIS with associated paroxysmal or persistent AF were identified from the 2018 national inpatient sample database.

Pooled diagnostic accuracy of resting distal to aortic coronary pressure referenced to fractional flow reserve: The importance of resting coronary physiology.

Introduction: Both resting and hyperemic physiologic methods to guide coronary revascularization improve cardiovascular outcomes compared with angiographic guidance alone. Fractional flow reserve (FFR) remains underutilized due to concerns regarding hyperemia, prompting study of resting distal to aortic coronary pressure (Pd/Pa). Pd/Pa is a vasodilator-free resting index unlike FFR.

Distinguishing Pseudomeningocele, Epidural Hematoma, and Postoperative Infection on Postoperative MRI.

Study Design: Retrospective case series.

Objective: To identify specific magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) characteristics of epidural fluid collections associated with infection, hematoma, or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).

Summary Of Background Data: Interpretation of postoperative MRI can be challenging after lumbar fusion.

Neurogenic Fever after Acute Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury: A Qualitative Systematic Review.

Study Design: Systematic review.

Objective: To determine the incidence, pathogenesis, and clinical outcomes related to neurogenic fevers following traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI).

Methods: A systematic review of the literature was performed on thermodysregulation secondary to acute traumatic SCI in adult patients.

Change in Angular Alignment Is Associated With Early Dysphagia After Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion.

Study Design: Retrospective analysis of a prospective cohort.

Objective: Change in cervical angular alignment may be associated with dysphagia.

Summary Of Background Data: Bony deformities of the cervical spine may be associated with secondary contractures of soft tissues in the neck.

Minimally invasive versus open posterior lumbar interbody fusion: a systematic review.

Background: Although conventional open posterior lumbar interbody fusion (open PLIF) is efficacious in management of lumbar spinal instability, concerns exist regarding lengthy hospital stays, blood loss, and postoperative complications. Minimally invasive posterior lumbar interbody fusion (MIS PLIF) may be able to address these concerns, but the research on this topic has not been systematically reviewed.

Questions/purposes: We performed a systematic review to determine whether MIS PLIF or open PLIF results in (1) better perioperative parameters, including blood loss, operative times, and length of hospital stay; (2) improved patient-reported outcome scores; and (3) improved disc distraction and (4) frequency of reoperation and complications when compared with open PLIF procedures.

Operative and nonoperative treatment approaches for lumbar degenerative disc disease have similar long-term clinical outcomes among patients with positive discography.

Objective: It remains unclear whether fusion for lumbar degenerative disc disease with positive discography produces better outcomes compared with nonoperative treatment. The aim of this study was to compare outcomes of patients with discography-concordant lumbar degenerative disc disease electing for fusion versus nonoperative treatment.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed consecutive patients with back pain and concordant lumbar discogram who were offered fusion.

Is pelvic obliquity related to degenerative scoliosis?

Objective: The hypothesis of this study is that pelvic obliquity (PO) is associated with specific patterns of degenerative scoliosis.

Methods: This study was a retrospective case series of consecutive patients undergoing fusion for lumbar conditions (degenerative scoliosis or spondylolisthesis). The discrepancy in the iliac crest height, coronal L1-S1 endplate angles, distance from L1 coronal bisector to the sacral center, number of degenerative scoliosis curves, and individual curve angulations were measured.

Adjacent segment disease in the lumbar spine following different treatment interventions.

Background Context: Adjacent segment disease (ASD) is symptomatic deterioration of spinal levels adjacent to the site of a previous fusion. A critical issue related to ASD is whether deterioration of spinal segments adjacent to a fusion is due to the spinal intervention or due to the natural history of spinal degenerative disease.

Purpose: The purpose of this review is to summarize the recent clinical literature on adjacent segment disease in light of the natural history, patient-modifiable risk factors, surgical risk factors, sagittal balance, and new technology.

Mechanical properties of bioresorbable self-reinforced posterior cervical rods.

Study Design: A biomechanical study.

Objective: To test the mechanical and physical properties of self-reinforced copolymer bioresorbable posterior cervical rods and compare their mechanical properties to commonly used Irene titanium alloy rods.

Summary Of Background Data: Bioresorbable instrumentation is becoming increasingly common in surgical spine procedures.

Does C₁ fracture displacement correlate with transverse ligament integrity?

Objective: The Rule of Spence states that displacement of the C₁ lateral masses by >6.9-8.1 mm suggests loss of transverse ligament integrity.

Neurological deficit due to cement extravasation following a vertebral augmentation procedure.

The authors endeavor to highlight the surgical management of severe neurological deficit resulting from cement leakage after percutaneous vertebroplasty and to systematically review the literature on the management of this complication. A patient presented after a vertebroplasty procedure for traumatic injury. A CT scan showed polymethylmethacrylate leakage into the right foramina at T-11 and L-1 and associated central stenosis at L-1.

Civilian gunshot injuries of the spinal cord: a systematic review of the current literature.

Background: The principles that guide management of spinal cord injury (SCI) derive from injury resulting from blunt trauma, not gunshot wounds. Civilian gunshot-induced spinal cord injury (CGSWSCI) is a common, potentially serious cause of neurological deficit; there is disagreement about whether the same approaches used for SCI caused by blunt-force trauma should apply to gunshot-induced SCI.

Questions/purposes: We reviewed the literature to answer the following questions regarding presentation and outcome of gunshot wound-induced SCI: (1) Are there differences in recovery prognosis between complete SCI and other patterns of SCI in CGSWSCI.

What is the incidence of dysphagia after posterior cervical surgery?

Study Design: Prospective comparative study.

Objective: To determine whether dysphagia is a unique complication of anterior neck dissection or whether it occurs after any cervical surgery.

Summary Of Background Data: Dysphagia is a common complication after anterior cervical discectomy and fusion.

Complications of Flat Bed Rest After Incidental Durotomy.

Study Design: Retrospective case series.

Objective: To determine whether bed rest is a risk factor for specific medical complications.

Summary Of Background Data: Flat bed rest after incidental durotomy is commonly used to reduce the risk of CSF leakage and associated complications.

Preoperative risk stratification reduces the incidence of perioperative complications after total knee arthroplasty.

The purpose of this study was to validate a screening and management protocol to identify and reduce risk of renal, pulmonary, and delirium complications. A cohort study comparing incidence of perioperative complications on a consecutive series of patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty with a historical control group was conducted. The study cohort was evaluated prospectively to identify and reduce noncardiac medical complications.

Cervical laminectomy width and spinal cord drift are risk factors for postoperative C5 palsy.

Background: Cervical laminectomy and fusion (CLF) is a treatment option for multilevel cervical spondylotic myelopathy. Postoperative C5 nerve palsy is a possible complication of CLF. It has been suggested that C5 nerve palsy may be due to posterior drift of the spinal cord related to a wide laminectomy trough.

Management of cervical spine trauma: can a prognostic classification of injury determine clinical outcomes?

Although the management of cervical spine trauma is relatively complex, multiple classification systems have attempted to simplify it through the use of descriptive terms. Most historical classification systems failed to yield sufficient prognostic information to guide clinical treatment until the Subaxial Injury Classification system was developed. This classification system takes into account the injury morphology, discoligamentous complex, and the most important prognostic factor, neurologic status.