A comic that explains palliative care: how patients experience comic-based educational material.

Objective: The aim of this study was to create a patient-centered comic on palliative care with and for patients admitted to a palliative care unit and to examine their experiences of graphic educational material.

Methods: This study employed a qualitative methodology using semi-structured interviews with advanced cancer patients admitted to the palliative care unit of the Medical University of Vienna. The data were analyzed using thematic analysis with the assistance of the MAXQDA software.

Arterial inflammation on [F]FDG PET/CT in melanoma patients treated with and without immune checkpoint inhibitors: CHECK-FLAME I.

Background And Aims: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) revolutionized cancer treatment. However, ICIs may increase the immune response to non-tumor cells, possibly resulting in increased arterial inflammation, raising the risk of atherosclerotic events. Nevertheless, malignancies may induce a pro-inflammatory state and the association between ICIs and arterial inflammation remains to be clarified.

Use of Magnetic Resonance Direct Thrombus Imaging for the Diagnostic Management of Suspected Thrombosis in Routine Clinical Practice.

 The noninvasive magnetic resonance direct thrombus imaging (MRDTI) technique can be used to diagnose acute deep vein thrombosis (DVT), without the use of intravenous contrast. MRDTI holds the potential to differentiate between acute and chronic DVT and could be helpful when diagnosing thrombosis is challenging.  Our objective was to evaluate the application of MRDTI in clinical practice, including the frequency and indications of MRDTI scans performed in practice-based conditions, results, impact on treatment decisions, and associated patient outcomes.

Computed tomography diagnosis of pulmonary infarction in acute pulmonary embolism.

Introduction: Pulmonary infarction is a common sequela of pulmonary embolism (PE) but lacks a diagnostic reference standard. CTPA in the setting of acute PE does not reliably differentiate infarction from other consolidations, such as reversible alveolar hemorrhage or atelectasis. We aimed to assess the diagnostic accuracy for recognizing pulmonary infarction on CT in the acute phase of PE, with follow-up CT as reference.

Modern imaging of acute pulmonary embolism.

The first-choice imaging test for visualization of thromboemboli in the pulmonary vasculature in patients with suspected acute pulmonary embolism (PE) is multidetector computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA) - a readily available and widely used imaging technique. Through technological advancements over the past years, alternative imaging techniques for the diagnosis of PE have become available, whilst others are still under investigation. In particular, the evolution of artificial intelligence (AI) is expected to enable further innovation in diagnostic management of PE.

Relation between Coronary Artery Calcium Score and Cardiovascular Events in Hodgkin Lymphoma Survivors: A Cross-Sectional Matched Cohort Study.

Background: Thoracic radiotherapy is one of the corner stones of HL treatment, but it is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular events. As HL is often diagnosed at a young age, long-term follow-up including screening for coronary artery disease (CAD) is recommended.

Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the presence of coronary artery calcium score (CACS) in relation to cardiovascular events in HL patients treated with thoracic radiotherapy compared to a non-cancer control group.

On dying alone in prison and the social responsibility of medicine: a pilot interview study of physicians caring for terminally ill incarcerated patients in Austria and the United States.

Background: This group of physicians is difficult to reach and small in number. While studies of palliative care and end-of-life (EOL) issues in prison have increased, especially in the United States and since the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, they are still limited due to the constraints of carrying out research in carceral contexts. At present, there is very little knowledge of the experiences of physicians providing EOL care in prisons.

Late follow-up of neo-aortic dimensions and coronary arteries in adult patients after the arterial switch operation.

Background: After the arterial switch operation (ASO) for transposition of the great arteries (TGA), neo-aortic dilatation and coronary arterial anomalies, especially an interarterial course and acute coronary artery take-off angle, are commonly found. Long-term follow-up data after ASO is scarce. Aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of neo-aortic dilatation and coronary abnormalities, with special emphasis on acute coronary take-off angle, in adult TGA-ASO patients.

An unusual case of unilateral vascular hypoplasia in an adult patient - late diagnosis of PHACE syndrome.

A case of unilateral vascular hypoplasia is presented. A female patient was born with a complex aortic arch anatomy - a double aortic arch with an interrupted left arch. Surgical correction was performed at the age of 3 months.

Impact of pulmonary infarction in pulmonary embolism on presentation and outcomes.

Background: Pulmonary infarction (PI) is relatively common in pulmonary embolism (PE). The association between PI and persistent symptoms or adverse events is largely unknown.

Aim: To evaluate the predictive value of radiological PI signs at acute PE diagnosis on 3-month outcomes.

Diagnostic performance of eNose technology in COVID-19 patients after hospitalization.

Background: Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) produced by human cells reflect metabolic and pathophysiological processes which can be detected with the use of electronic nose (eNose) technology. Analysis of exhaled breath may potentially play an important role in diagnosing COVID-19 and stratification of patients based on pulmonary function or chest CT.

Methods: Breath profiles of COVID-19 patients were collected with an eNose device (SpiroNose) 3 months after discharge from the Leiden University Medical Centre and matched with breath profiles from healthy individuals for analysis.

Coronary calcium score in COVID-19 survivors: Association with cardiac injury and cardiac function after 6 weeks.

Aims: Cardiac manifestations are common in COVID-19, often elevated serum troponin levels or myocardial dysfunction on trans-thoracic echocardiography (TTE) is observed. Both parameters are associated with increased in-hospital mortality. Possibly, subclinical coronary atherosclerosis plays a role, of which severity can be assessed by calculating the coronary artery calcium (CAC) score.

A percutaneous treatment strategy of an adult patient with a bicuspid aortic valve, coarctation of the aorta, and an exceptionally large aneurysm of a collateral artery: Case report and literature overview.

Coarctation of the aorta (CoA) is a congenital heart defect that is associated with a bicuspid aortic valve (BAV), ascending aorta dilatation, intracerebral aneurysms, and premature atherosclerotic disease. The first presentation during late adulthood is rare and is frequently driven by late sequelae. Hypertrophic collateral arteries can develop aneurysms which are at risk for spontaneous rupture, however, treatment recommendations for these aneurysms are scarce.

Fibrotic-like abnormalities notably prevalent one year after hospitalization with COVID-19.

Background: We investigated whether COVID-19 leads to persistent impaired pulmonary function, fibrotic-like abnormalities or psychological symptoms 12 months after discharge and whether severely ill patients (ICU admission) recover differently than moderately ill patients.

Methods: This single-centre cohort study followed adult COVID-19 survivors for a period of one year after discharge. Patients underwent pulmonary function tests 6 weeks, 3 months and 12 months after discharge and were psychologically evaluated at 6 weeks and 12 months.

Coronary Artery Calcification as a Marker for Coronary Artery Stenosis: Comparing Kidney Failure to the General Population.

Rationale & Objective: The presence of calcified plaques in the coronary arteries is associated with cardiovascular mortality and is a hallmark of chronic kidney failure, but it is unclear whether this is associated with the same degree of coronary artery stenosis as in patients without kidney disease. We compared the relationship of coronary artery calcification (CAC) and stenosis between dialysis patients and patients without chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Study Design: Observational cohort study.

Endobronchial ultrasound for T4 staging in patients with resectable NSCLC.

Background: In lung cancer patients, accurate assessment of mediastinal and vascular tumor invasion (stage T4) is crucial for optimal treatment allocation and to prevent unnecessary thoracotomies. We assessed the diagnostic accuracy of linear endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) for T4-status in patients with centrally located lung cancer.

Methods: This is a retrospective study among consecutive patients who underwent EBUS for diagnosis and staging of lung cancer in four hospitals in The Netherlands (Amsterdam, Leiden), Italy (Bologna) and Poland (Zakopane) between 04-2012 and 04-2019.

Detection of upper extremity deep vein thrombosis by magnetic resonance non-contrast thrombus imaging.

Background: Compression ultrasonography (CUS) is the first-line imaging test for diagnosing upper extremity deep vein thrombosis (UEDVT), but often yields inconclusive test results. Contrast venography is still considered the diagnostic standard but is an invasive technique.

Objectives: We aimed to determine the diagnostic accuracy of magnetic resonance noncontrast thrombus imaging (MR-NCTI) for the diagnosis of UEDVT.

The Clinical Spectrum of Kommerell's Diverticulum in Adults with a Right-Sided Aortic Arch: A Case Series and Literature Overview.

Background: Kommerell's diverticulum is a rare vascular anomaly characterized as an outpouch at the onset of an aberrant subclavian artery. In the variant of a right-sided aortic arch, the trachea and esophagus are enclosed dorsally by the arch. In the configuration of an aberrant left subclavian artery, a Kommerell's diverticulum and persisting ductus arteriosus or ductal ligament enclose the lateral side, forming a vascular ring which may result in (symptomatic) esophageal or tracheal compression.

Short-term outpatient follow-up of COVID-19 patients: A multidisciplinary approach.

Background: Short-term follow-up of COVID-19 patients reveals pulmonary dysfunction, myocardial damage and severe psychological distress. Little is known of the burden of these sequelae, and there are no clear recommendations for follow-up of COVID-19 patients.In this multi-disciplinary evaluation, cardiopulmonary function and psychological impairment after hospitalization for COVID-19 are mapped.