Pulsed-field ablation of atrial fibrillation with a pentaspline catheter across National Health Service England centres.

Introduction: Pulsed-field ablation (PFA) is a novel modality for pulmonary vein isolation in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). We describe the initial uptake and experience of PFA using a pentaspline catheter across selected National Health Service England (NHSE) centres.

Methods: Data collected by NHSE Specialised Services Development Programme regarding AF ablation procedures using a single-shot, pentaspline, multielectrode PFA catheter (FARAWAVE, Boston Scientific) between June 2022 and August 2024 were aggregated and analysed to examine procedural metrics, acute efficacy and safety outcomes over 3-month follow-up.

THE OPTIMAL DURATION OF pH-MONITORING: TESTING THE VALIDITY OF LYON 2.0 RECOMMENDATIONS FOR WIRELESS pH MEASUREMENT.

Background And Aims: The Lyon 2.0 consensus recommends 96-hr wireless pH studies for GERD diagnosis; however, the optimal length of pH-measurement has not been established. Further it is uncertain if, and under what circumstances, shorter recording times are sufficient for a conclusive diagnosis.

Giant Duodenal Brunneroma: Report of a Rare Case and Review of the Literature.

BACKGROUND Brunneromas are among the rarest benign tumors of the upper gastrointestinal tract. They arise from the Brunner's glands and patients have a good prognosis if treated timely and radically. Because symptoms are rare, their diagnosis can be challenging, especially regarding the smaller ones.

Single site multi puncture supine (SMS) PCNL procedure in patient with complex renal stone: One incision, why should more?

Introduction: Since percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) was introduced in 1976, it has been the standard procedure for large renal stones. Over time, the PCNL technique changed and developed into various techniques. We introduce single-site multipuncture supine (SMS) PCNL to give a cosmetic advantage due to less tissue injury in complex renal stones.

Respiratory health outcomes of children with Down Syndrome following dysphagia management: a service evaluation.

Children living with Down syndrome are at a high risk of eating and drinking difficulties (dysphagia) and are more susceptible to respiratory infections. In an urban National Health Service community Trust, a retrospective service evaluation was carried out for referrals received during 2012-2017. The study examined the respiratory health outcomes 3 years after dysphagia intervention.

Enhancing stroke risk stratification in atrial fibrillation through non-Newtonian blood modelling and Gaussian process emulation.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common heart arrhythmia, linked to a five-fold increase in stroke risk. The left atrial appendage (LAA), prone to blood stasis, is a common thrombus formation site in AF patients. The LAA can be classified into four morphologies: broccoli, cactus, chicken wing and windsock.

Structured tailored rehabilitation after hip fragility fracture: The 'Stratify' feasibility and pilot randomised controlled trial protocol.

Background: Rehabilitation in hospital is effective in reducing mortality after hip fracture. However, there is uncertainty over optimal in-hospital rehabilitation treatment ingredients, and the generalizability of trial findings to subgroups of patients systematically excluded from previous trials. The aim of this study is to determine the feasibility of a randomized controlled trial which aims to assess the clinical- and cost-effectiveness of adding a stratified care intervention to usual care designed to improve outcomes of acute rehabilitation for all older adults after hip fracture.

Causes, Solutions and Health Inequalities: Comparing Perspectives of Professional Stakeholders and Community Participants Experiencing Low Income and Poor Health in London.

Background: Engaging with the public can influence policy decisions, particularly towards more radical policy change. While established research exists exploring public perceptions on causes of health inequalities, much less exists on how to tackle health inequalities in the UK. Despite an emphasis on 'lived experience', currently no study has focused on how individuals with very poor health conceive of both causes of, and solutions to, health inequalities.

Efficacy, safety, and quality of life 4 years after valoctocogene roxaparvovec gene transfer for severe hemophilia A in the phase 3 GENEr8-1 trial.

Background: Valoctocogene roxaparvovec, an adeno-associated virus-mediated gene therapy for severe hemophilia A, enables endogenous factor (F)VIII expression and provides bleed protection.

Objectives: Determine valoctocogene roxaparvovec durability, efficacy, and safety 4 years after treatment.

Methods: In the phase 3 GENEr8-1 trial, 134 adult male persons with severe hemophilia A without inhibitors and previously using FVIII prophylaxis received a 6 × 10 vg/kg infusion of valoctocogene roxaparvovec.

Exploring links between oral health and infective endocarditis.

Infective endocarditis (IE) is a bacterial infection of the heart's inner lining. A low incidence rate combined with a high mortality rate mean that IE can be difficult to treat effectively. There is currently substantial evidence supporting a link between oral health and IE with the oral microbiome impacting various aspects of IE, including pathogenesis, diagnosis, treatment, and mortality rates.

A review of the clinical value of mechanical ventilators and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) equipment.

Acute healthcare providers operate large, diverse medical equipment inventories. Resources for managing these inventories is frequently scarce so must be prioritised such that maximum benefit is conferred per unit of expenditure. This review identifies publications which have discussed the clinical value conferred by mechanical ventilation (MV) and by extra corporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO).

Nationwide Cross-Sectional Analysis of Mortality Trends in Patients with Sarcoidosis and Non-Ischemic Cardiovascular Disease-The Impact of Gender, Ethnicity, Geographical Location, and COVID-19 Pandemic.

The epidemiological data regarding mortality rates of adults with sarcoidosis and non-ischemic cardiovascular disease (CVD) are limited. A retrospective observational analysis was conducted to identify trends and disparities related to sarcoidosis and non-ischemic cardiovascular disease mortality among the adult US population from 1999 to 2022. We used the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) WONDER database to extract death certificate data for the adult US population (≥25 years).

Bedside Assessment of the Respiratory System During Invasive Mechanical Ventilation.

Assessing the respiratory system of a patient receiving mechanical ventilation is complex. We provide an overview of an approach at the bedside underpinned by physiology. We discuss the importance of distinguishing between extensive and intensive ventilatory variables.

Pregnancy Outcomes in Women with Biventricular Circulation and a Systemic Right Ventricle: A Systematic Review.

Pregnancy in women with biventricular circulation and a systemic right ventricle (sRV) is considered high risk, with limited data available on pregnancy outcomes. This study aimed to investigate pregnancy outcomes in this population. A systematic review was conducted using four major electronic databases.

Does the Intensity of Therapy Correspond to the Severity of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS)?

The intensity of respiratory treatment in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is traditionally adjusted based on oxygenation severity, as defined by the mild, moderate, and severe Berlin classifications. However, ventilator-induced lung injury (VILI) is primarily determined by ventilator settings, namely tidal volume, respiratory rate, and positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP). All these variables, along with respiratory elastance, are included in the concept of mechanical power.

Unveiling the Future of Cardiac Care: A Review of Gene Therapy in Cardiomyopathies.

For years, the treatment of many cardiomyopathies has been solely focused on symptom management. However, cardiomyopathies have a genetic substrate, and directing therapy towards the pathophysiology rather than the epiphenomenon of the disease may be a winning strategy. Gene therapy involves the insertion of genes or the modification of existing ones and their regulatory elements through strategies like gene replacement and gene editing.

Serum Folate Concentrations in Exclusively Breastfed Preterm Infants Who Received No Supplementary Oral Folic Acid After Discharge: A Prospective Cohort Study.

Adequate folate intake is required in preterm infants for rapid growth and development, but there is little evidence to back recommendations. We aimed to assess folate status in preterm infants at discharge and in early infancy, according to exposure to folate sources, particularly in those exclusively/predominantly breastfed. A prospective, multicenter, observational cohort study was conducted in the UK, involving 45 preterm infants <33 weeks' gestational age (GA) exclusively/predominantly fed human milk when approaching NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) discharge.

Identifying potential predictors of surgical site infection risk following cardiac surgery: a scoping review.

Objectives: This scoping review was undertaken to identify risk predictions models and preoperative predictors of surgical site infection (SSI) in adult cardiac surgery. A particular focus was on the identification of novel predictors that could underpin the future development of a risk prediction model to identify individuals at high-risk of SSI, and therefore guide a national SSI prevention strategy.

Methods: A scoping review to systematically identify and map out existing research evidence on preoperative predictors of SSI was conducted in two stages.

Prevalence and Clinical Correlates of Radiologically Detected Coronary Artery Disease in COPD: A Cross-Sectional Observational Study.

Rationale: Unrecognised coronary artery disease (CAD) may contribute to adverse outcomes in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Improved identification of at-risk groups could inform better preventative care. We aimed to evaluate the burden and relationships of radiologically detectable CAD in COPD, establish frequency of occult disease, and examine potential cardiovascular screening methods.

Home video review in a pediatric clinical neurophysiology led multidisciplinary team meeting.

Objective: Assessment of the value of review of home videos by a pediatric multidisciplinary team (MDT) in a pediatric neurophysiology department.

Methods: We describe and evaluate the review of home videos alongside clinical history and previous investigations from patients referred to the Evelina pediatric EEG department at a twice-monthly MDT meeting between 01/2021 and 09/2022. We retrospectively analyzed measures of video quality, quantity and duration, time taken from referral to MDT meeting, pre-MDT and post-MDT meeting proposed diagnosis and clinical outcomes.

Labor Status at Delivery and Lung Function in Extremely Prematurely Born Young Adults.

Background: There has been conflicting evidence regarding the impact of mode of delivery on respiratory outcomes in later childhood and adulthood. It is possible labor status, rather than mode of delivery, influences later respiratory morbidity. We hypothesized that extremely premature infants born to mothers in labor would have better lung function at follow-up than those born to mothers not in labor.