The incremental value of coronary artery calcium score in predicting long-term prognosis and defining the warranty period of normal adenosine stress-only myocardial perfusion imaging using CZT SPECT.

Background: Normal stress-only (SO) myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) using SPECT reduces imaging time and radiation dose with a good prognosis. However, the long-term prognostic value of combining coronary artery calcium score (CACS) with SO MPI to determine the warranty period remains unknown. Hence, we assessed the incremental prognostic value of CACS and its impact on the warranty period of normal SO MPI using SPECT.

Diagnostic value of regional myocardial flow reserve measurements using Rubidium-82 PET : Disclosures none.

Purpose: Visual assessment of Rubidium (Rb-82) PET myocardial perfusion images is usually combined with global myocardial flow reserve (MFR) measurements. However, small regional blood flow deficits may go unnoticed. Our aim was to compare the diagnostic value of regional with global MFR in the detection of obstructive coronary artery disease (oCAD).

Performance of digital PET/CT compared with conventional PET/CT in oncologic patients: a prospective comparison study.

Purpose: Digital PET systems (dPET) improve lesion detectability as compared to PET systems with conventional photomultiplier tubes (cPET). We prospectively studied the performance of high-resolution digital PET scans in patients with cancer, as compared with high- and standard-resolution conventional PET scans, taking the acquisition order into account.

Methods: We included 212 patients with cancer, who were referred for disease staging or restaging.

Feasibility of wireless continuous monitoring of vital signs without using alarms on a general surgical ward: A mixed methods study.

Background: Wireless continuous vital sign monitoring by wearable devices have recently become available for patients on general wards to promote timely detection of clinical deterioration. Many continuous monitoring systems use conventional threshold alarm settings to alert nurses in case of deviating vital signs. However, frequent false alarms often lead to alarm fatigue and inefficiencies in the workplace.

Lower plasma calcium associated with COVID-19, but not with disease severity: a two-centre retrospective cohort study.

Background: Previous studies indicate hypocalcaemia as a potential diagnostic and prognostic marker of corona-virus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Our aim was to investigate these relations in more detail in a large test cohort and an independent validation cohort.

Methods: We retrospectively included 2792 COVID-19 suspected patients that presented to the emergency department (ED) of two hospitals.

Feasibility of continuous monitoring of vital signs in surgical patients on a general ward: an observational cohort study.

Objective: To determine feasibility, in terms of acceptability and system fidelity, of continuous vital signs monitoring in abdominal surgery patients on a general ward.

Design: Observational cohort study.

Setting: Tertiary teaching hospital.

Current Evidence for Continuous Vital Signs Monitoring by Wearable Wireless Devices in Hospitalized Adults: Systematic Review.

Background: Continuous monitoring of vital signs by using wearable wireless devices may allow for timely detection of clinical deterioration in patients in general wards in comparison to detection by standard intermittent vital signs measurements. A large number of studies on many different wearable devices have been reported in recent years, but a systematic review is not yet available to date.

Objective: The aim of this study was to provide a systematic review for health care professionals regarding the current evidence about the validation, feasibility, clinical outcomes, and costs of wearable wireless devices for continuous monitoring of vital signs.

Development of a benchmark tool for cancer centers; results from a pilot exercise.

Background: Differences in cancer survival exist between countries in Europe. Benchmarking of good practices can assist cancer centers to improve their services aiming for reduced inequalities. The aim of the BENCH-CAN project was to develop a cancer care benchmark tool, identify performance differences and yield good practice examples, contributing to improving the quality of interdisciplinary care.

Minimal starting time of data reconstruction for qualitative myocardial perfusion rubidium-82 positron emission tomography imaging.

Objective: Qualitative positron emission tomography (PET) myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) scans are reconstructed with a delay after an injection of rubidium-82 (Rb) to ensure blood pool clearance and sufficient left ventricle to myocardium contrast. Our aim was to derive the minimal starting time of data reconstruction (STDR) after an injection of Rb for which the diagnostic value and image quality remained unaffected.

Materials And Methods: We retrospectively included 23 patients who underwent rest-stress Rb PET MPI using 740 MBq.

Comparison of maximal Rubidium-82 activities for myocardial blood flow quantification between digital and conventional PET systems.

Background: PET-based myocardial blood flow (MBF) quantification can be inaccurate when using high tracer activities. Our aim was to derive the maximal Rubidium-82 activity for MBF assessment using a new digital PET system and compare the results with conventional analog systems.

Methods: 1.

Minimizing rubidium-82 tracer activity for relative PET myocardial perfusion imaging.

Objectives: Recommended rubidium-82 activities for relative myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) using present-generation PET scanners may be unnecessarily high. Our aim was to derive the minimum activity for a reliable relative PET MPI assessment.

Materials And Methods: We analyzed 140 scans from 28 consecutive patients who underwent rest-stress MPI-PET (Ingenuity TF).

Coronary artery calcification detection with invasive coronary angiography in comparison with unenhanced computed tomography.

Objective: The presence of extensive coronary artery calcifications (CAC) influences treatment decisions, particularly for revascularization. However, important CAC might be missed with invasive coronary angiography (ICA). Our aim was to determine the accuracy of ICA in the identification of CAC using computed tomography (CT) as reference standard.

Impact of new X-ray technology on patient dose in pacemaker and implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) implantations.

Purpose: New X-ray technology providing new image processing techniques may reduce radiation exposure. The aim of this study was to quantify this radiation exposure reduction for patients during pacemaker and implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) implantation.

Methods: In this retrospective study, 1185 consecutive patients who had undergone de novo pacemaker or ICD implantation during a 2-year period were included.

Value of automatic patient motion detection and correction in myocardial perfusion imaging using a CZT-based SPECT camera.

Background: Correction of motion has become feasible on cadmium-zinc-telluride (CZT)-based SPECT cameras during myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI). Our aim was to quantify the motion and to determine the value of automatic correction using commercially available software.

Methods And Results: We retrospectively included 83 consecutive patients who underwent stress-rest MPI CZT-SPECT and invasive fractional flow reserve (FFR) measurement.

An Empirical Comparison of Discrete Choice Experiment and Best-Worst Scaling to Estimate Stakeholders' Risk Tolerance for Hip Replacement Surgery.

Background: Previous studies have been inconclusive regarding the validity and reliability of preference elicitation methods.

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the metrics obtained from a discrete choice experiment (DCE) and profile-case best-worst scaling (BWS) with respect to hip replacement.

Methods: We surveyed the general US population of men aged 45 to 65 years, and potentially eligible for hip replacement surgery.

Clinical pedicle screw accuracy and deviation from planning in robot-guided spine surgery: robot-guided pedicle screw accuracy.

Study Design: A retrospective chart review was performed for 112 consecutive minimally invasive spinal surgery patients who underwent pedicular screw fixation in a community hospital setting.

Objective: To assess the clinical accuracy and deviation in screw positions in robot-assisted pedicle screw placement.

Summary Of Background Data: Accuracy of pedicle screw placement in in vivo studies varies widely, especially when minimally invasive techniques are used.

Minimizing patient-specific tracer dose in myocardial perfusion imaging using CZT SPECT.

Unlabelled: Myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) with SPECT is widely adopted in clinical practice but is associated with a relatively high radiation dose. The aim of this study was to determine the minimum product of tracer dose and scan time that will maintain diagnostic value for cadmium zinc telluride (CZT) SPECT MPI.

Methods: Twenty-four patients underwent clinically indicated stress MPI using CZT SPECT and a body weight-dependent (3 MBq/kg) (99m)Tc-tetrofosmin tracer dose.