Long-Term Cochlear Implant Sound Processor Usage in Children with Single-Sided Deafness.

Objective: To assess cochlear implant (CI) sound processor usage over time in children with single-sided deafness (SSD) and identify factors influencing device use.

Study Design: Retrospective, chart review study.

Setting: Pediatric tertiary referral center.

Detection rates of asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis and atrial fibrillation by selective screening of patients without cardiovascular disease.

Background: Individuals with significant asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis (ACAS) and atrial fibrillation (AF) could benefit from specific interventions to prevent heart attack and stroke, but are often clinically 'silent'. We aimed to determine detection rate of ACAS and AF by screening, targeting a population at increased cardiovascular risk.

Methods: Data on adults who attended voluntary and self-funded commercial screening clinics in the United States or the United Kingdom between 2008 and 2013 were used.

A quality improvement study: Optimizing pneumococcal vaccination rates in children with cochlear implants.

Children with cochlear implants are at increased risk of invasive pneumococcal disease, with national and international guidelines recommending additional pneumococcal vaccines for these children. This study aimed to examine the pneumococcal immunization status and rate of invasive pneumococcal disease in children with cochlear implants at a tertiary paediatric hospital over a 12-year period. Additionally, the impacts of vaccination reminders and a dedicated immunization clinic on pneumococcal vaccination rates were assessed.

Detection of asymptomatic carotid stenosis in patients with lower-extremity arterial disease: development and external validations of a risk score.

Background: Recommendations for screening patients with lower-extremity arterial disease (LEAD) to detect asymptomatic carotid stenosis (ACS) are conflicting. Prediction models might identify patients at high risk of ACS, possibly allowing targeted screening to improve preventive therapy and compliance.

Methods: A systematic search for prediction models for at least 50 per cent ACS in patients with LEAD was conducted.

Utility of risk prediction models to detect atrial fibrillation in screened participants.

Aims: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with higher risk of stroke. While the prevalence of AF is low in the general population, risk prediction models might identify individuals for selective screening of AF. We aimed to systematically identify and compare the utility of established models to predict prevalent AF.