A population-based analysis of attributable hospitalisation costs of invasive fungal diseases in haematological malignancy patients using data linkage of state-wide registry and costing databases: 2009-2015.

Background: Invasive fungal diseases (IFD) are associated with significant treatment-related costs in patients with haematological malignancies (HM).

Objectives: The objectives of this study were to characterise the gross and attributable hospitalisation costs of a variety of IFD in patients with HM by linking state-wide hospital administrative and costing datasets.

Patients/methods: We linked the Victorian Admitted Episodes Dataset, Victorian Cancer Registry and the Victorian Cost Data Collection from 1 July 2009 to 30 June 2015.

A population-based analysis of invasive fungal disease in haematology-oncology patients using data linkage of state-wide registries and administrative databases: 2005 - 2016.

Background: Little is known about the morbidity and mortality of invasive fungal disease (IFD) at a population level. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence, trends and outcomes of IFD in all haematology-oncology patients by linking Victorian hospital data to state-based registries.

Methods: Episodes of IFD complicating adult haematological malignancy (HM) and haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) patients admitted to Victorian hospitals from 1 July 2005 to 30 June 2016 were extracted from the Victorian Admitted Episodes Dataset and linked to the date of HM diagnosis from the Victorian Cancer Registry and mortality from the Victorian Death Index.

A "Code ICU" expedited review of critically ill patients is associated with reduced emergency department length of stay and duration of mechanical ventilation.

Purpose: To examine the effect of a system of expedited review of critically ill patients in the Emergency Department (ED) on ED length of stay (LOS) and Intensive Care Unit (ICU) outcomes.

Materials And Methods: Retrospective cohort study at a tertiary hospital comparing two 12-month periods before and after implementation of a 'Code ICU' system of expedited review of critically ill patients in the ED. All adult ED to ICU admissions were included.

The incidence and significance of multicentric noncontrast-enhancing lesions distant from a histologically-proven glioblastoma.

Improvements in imaging are increasing the detection of multiple lesions in the setting of glioblastoma. Occasionally distant non-enhancing lesions may be identified which have the appearances of a multicentric low-grade glioma. We aimed to determine the incidence, prognostic significance and diagnostic value of this appearance in new glioblastoma patients.

Nausea, vomiting and return of bowel function after colorectal surgery.

Background: Although patterns of return of bowel function (ROBF) following colorectal surgery with enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) programmes have been well delineated, regular morphine use is uncommon. This study describes the patterns of post-operative nausea and vomiting (PONV) and ROBF in this context.

Method: Patients undergoing elective major colorectal surgery on an ERAS programme over 1 year were included.

Increased 30-day and 1-year mortality rates and lower coronary revascularisation rates following acute myocardial infarction in patients with autoimmune rheumatic disease.

Introduction: It is now well-recognised that patients with autoimmune rheumatic disease (AIRD) have a predisposition to cardiovascular disease that results in increased morbidity and mortality. Following myocardial infarction (MI), patients with rheumatoid arthritis have been shown to have an increased case fatality rate; however, this has not been demonstrated in other forms of AIRD. The aim of this study was to compare case fatality rates following a first MI in patients with AIRD versus the general population.

Pacing and implantable cardioverter defibrillator lead perforation as assessed by multiplanar reformatted ECG-gated cardiac computed tomography and clinical correlates.

Introduction: We aimed to assess the utility of cardiac computed tomography (CT) in the evaluation of right atrial (RA) and right ventricular (RV) pacemaker and implantable cardiac defibrillator lead perforation.

Methods: Images from a 320-slice electrocardiogram-gated cardiac CT scanner were retrospectively independently analyzed by two reviewers for lead position, pericardial effusion, and perforation.Perforation results were correlated with pacing sensing, impedance, and threshold measurements.

Using WOMAC Index scores and personal characteristics to estimate Assessment of Quality of Life utility scores in people with hip and knee joint disease.

Purpose: To determine whether Assessment of Quality of Life (AQoL) utility scores can be reliably estimated from Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) scores in people with hip and knee joint disease (arthritis or osteoarthritis).

Methods: WOMAC and AQoL data were analysed from 219 people recruited for a national population-based study. Generalised linear models were used to estimate AQoL utility scores based on WOMAC total and subscale scores and personal characteristics.

Capturing the His-Purkinje system is not possible from conventional right ventricular apical and nonapical pacing sites.

Introduction: Direct His bundle capture may negate ventricular electrical dyssynchrony induced by right ventricular (RV) apical pacing. We sought to evaluate if direct His bundle pacing is possible with conventional pacemaker lead implantation at various sites in the RV.

Methods: Consecutive patients underwent RV pacing using standard implantable active fixation pacing leads in a random order in the RV outflow tract, middle RV, and RV apex at stimulation threshold and at increasing voltages of 2.

Proximity of pacemaker and implantable cardioverter-defibrillator leads to coronary arteries as assessed by cardiac computed tomography.

Introduction: There have been rare case reports of damage to adjacent coronary arteries by screw-in pacemaker and implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) leads. Our aim was to assess the proximity of pacemaker and ICD leads to the major coronary anatomy using cardiac computed tomography (CT).

Methods: Cardiac CT images were retrospectively analyzed to assess the spatial relationship of device lead tips to the major coronary anatomy.

Validation of conventional fluoroscopic and ECG criteria for right ventricular pacemaker lead position using cardiac computed tomography.

Introduction: It is hypothesized that pacing the right ventricular (RV) septum is associated with less deleterious outcomes than RV apical pacing. Our aim was to validate fluoroscopic and electrocardiography (ECG) criteria for describing pacemaker and implantable cardioverter defibrillator RV "septal" lead position against the proposed gold standard: cardiac computed tomography (CT).

Methods: Using the conventional fluoroscopic criteria, we intended to place RV nonapical leads on the interventricular septum.

Performance of the assessment of quality of life measure in people with hip and knee joint disease and implications for research and clinical use.

Objective: To comprehensively evaluate the performance of the Assessment of Quality of Life (AQoL) instrument for measuring health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in people with hip and knee joint disease (arthritis or osteoarthritis).

Methods: Data from 237 individuals were available for analysis from a national cross-sectional, population-based study of hip and knee joint disease in Australia. AQoL-4D data were evaluated using Rasch analysis.