Process optimization for atrial fibrillation ablation.

Aims: In the light of an increasing prevalence of atrial fibrillation (AF) and growing evidence for the superiority of early invasive rhythm control, the demand for ablation therapy is rising. Accordingly, ablation centres will have to maximize their capacity by either adding electrophysiology laboratory resources or optimizing process management. In order to optimize process management, we applied "Lean Six Sigma" method to a single ablation center.

Conversion of failed internal fixation in proximal femur fractures using calcar-guided short-stem total hip arthroplasty.

Purpose: Reoperations for secondary osteoarthritis, osteonecrosis, or hardware failure following failed internal fixation after intertrochanteric fracture (ITF) or femoral neck fracture (FNF) are common. An effective salvage treatment often involves complete removal of the hardware followed by total hip arthroplasty (THA). Almost no data are available regarding conversion to short-stem THA.

Radiation and Chemotherapy are Associated with Altered Aortic Aneurysm Growth in Patients with Cancer: Impact of Synchronous Cancer and Aortic Aneurysm.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the associations between malignancy, therapeutic regimens, and aorto-iliac aneurysm (i.e., abdominal aortic aneurysm [AAA]) growth rates.

Prevalence and prognostic impact of chronic kidney disease and anaemia across ACC/AHA precursor and symptomatic heart failure stages.

Background: The importance of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and anaemia has not been comprehensively studied in asymptomatic patients at risk for heart failure (HF) versus those with symptomatic HF. We analysed the prevalence, characteristics and prognostic impact of both conditions across American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) precursor and HF stages A-D.

Methods And Results: 2496 participants from three non-pharmacological German Competence Network HF studies were categorized by ACC/AHA stage; stage C patients were subdivided into C1 and C2 (corresponding to NYHA classes I/II and III, respectively).

[The challenge of revising a well-fixed curved calcar-guided short stem in total hip arthroplasty: Introduction of a new curved extraction chisel system].

Objective: Safe and bone-conserving extraction of a well-fixed curved short stem without the necessity of a transfemoral approach.

Indications: The revision of a well-fixed curved short stem, for example, due to periprosthetic infection or malposition. Meticulous preparation of the cone and the lateral shoulder of the stem.

Safety and Effectiveness Using 8 Weeks of Glecaprevir/Pibrentasvir in HCV-Infected Treatment-Naïve Patients with Compensated Cirrhosis: The CREST Study.

Introduction: In clinical trials with hepatitis C virus-infected treatment-naïve (TN) patients with compensated cirrhosis (CC), glecaprevir/pibrentasvir (G/P), a fixed-dose, once-daily, pangenotypic regimen, has demonstrated sustained virologic response at posttreatment Week 12 (SVR12) > 95%. We evaluated the real-world safety and effectiveness of 8-week G/P therapy in TN patients with CC, including certain subgroups of interest.

Methods: The CREST study is a real-world, noninterventional, multicenter study retrospectively assessing data from Canada, Germany, Israel, Italy, and Spain.

Efficacy and Safety of ELOM-080 as Add-On Therapy in COVID-19 Patients with Acute Respiratory Insufficiency: Exploratory Data from the Prospective Placebo-Controlled COVARI Trial.

Introduction: Enhancement of mucociliary clearance (MCC) might be a potential target in treating COVID-19. The phytomedicine ELOM-080 is an MCC enhancer that is used to treat inflammatory respiratory diseases.

Patients/methods: This randomised, double-blind exploratory study (EudraCT number 2020-003779-17) evaluated 14 days' add-on therapy with ELOM-080 versus placebo in patients with COVID-19 hospitalised with acute respiratory insufficiency.

Updated epidemiology of hepatitis C virus infections and implications for hepatitis C virus elimination in Germany.

In 2014, an analysis was conducted to evaluate the hepatitis C virus (HCV) epidemiology and disease burden in Germany. Since then, there have been considerable developments in HCV management such as the implementation of direct acting antivirals. The aim of this analysis was to assess the recent data available for Germany, establish an updated 2020 HCV prevalence and cascade of care and evaluate the impact of what-if scenarios on the future burden of disease using modelling analysis.

[Treatment of parenterally transmittable viral hepatitis].

The parenterally transmittable hepatitides B, D and C and their complications are a problem worldwide and also in Germany that should not be underestimated. Due to the estimated high gray area, a broad distribution, particularly by drug abuse, increasing prevalence due to immigration and a pandemic-related delay in the diagnostics, the identification of affected persons and therefore potentially infectious patients represents a great challenge for the healthcare system. Highly effective treatment concepts with practically no side effects and a tablet ingestion once daily are available for hepatitis B and also hepatitis C.

Cementless Short Stems in Total Hip Arthroplasty: Chances and Limits.

In recent decades, a large number of cementless short stems have been introduced to the market. The concept aims at saving soft tissue using minimally invasive surgery and at the same time preserving as much bone as possible. In particular, the latest generation of short stems, which are implanted using a calcar-guided round-the-corner technique, are attracting increasing attention.

Telemedical cardiac risk assessment by implantable cardiac monitors in patients after myocardial infarction with autonomic dysfunction (SMART-MI-DZHK9): a prospective investigator-initiated, randomised, multicentre, open-label, diagnostic trial.

Background: Cardiac autonomic dysfunction after myocardial infarction identifies patients at high risk despite only moderately reduced left ventricular ejection fraction. We aimed to show that telemedical monitoring with implantable cardiac monitors in these patients can improve early detection of subclinical but prognostically relevant arrhythmic events.

Methods: We did a prospective investigator-initiated, randomised, multicentre, open-label, diagnostic trial at 33 centres in Germany and Austria.

Survivorship, complications and patient-reported outcomes in calcar-guided short-stem THA: prospective mid-term multicenter data of the first 879 hips.

Introduction: Short stems are a bone and soft-tissue preserving alternative to conventional stems. The aim of this multicenter study is to present the mid-term outcomes of a calcar-guided short stem.

Materials And Methods: This is a prospective case series of the first 879 total hip arthroplasties performed on 782 patients across 5 centers using identical calcar-guided short stems.

Comparison of radiation exposure and surgery time between an intraoperative CT with automatic surface registration and a preoperative CT with manual surface registration in navigated spinal surgeries.

Purpose: This retrospective matched case-control study was conducted to compare two CT based surgery techniques for navigated screw placement in spinal surgery, whether a reduction of radiation exposure and surgery time could be achieved.

Methods: We matched cases treated with an intraoperative CT (iCT), regarding the type and number of implants, with cases treated with a preoperative CT (pCT) of one main surgeon. Outcome measures were radiation exposure due to intraoperative control x-rays, radiation exposure due to CT images, and the duration of surgery.

One-stage bilateral versus unilateral short-stem total hip arthroplasty: A matched-pair analysis of 216 hips.

Background: One-stage, bilateral, short-stem total hip arthroplasty (1B-ssTHA) represents an alternative to staged, unilateral, short-stem total hip arthroplasty (U-ssTHA); however, the safety and reliability of 1B-ssTHA remain unknown. The objective of the present study was to compare the functional outcomes, complications, and mortality rates between 1B-ssTHA and U-ssTHA at mid-term.

Methods: A retrospective, matched-pair study was performed, including 216 short stems implanted in 162 patients.

Downsizing in total hip arthroplasty. A short stem as a revision implant.

Background: Short stems have constantly gained popularity in primary total hip arthroplasty (THA) over the last decade. Although cementless short stems are not primarily designed to be used as revision implants, there may be certain indications for which downsizing the femoral component in failed conventional THA is potentially advantageous.

Methods: In this single center retrospective case series, six patients who underwent revision using a calcar-guided short stem after failed THA are presented.

[Acute Cholecystitis in high-risk surgical patients: sonographic and endoscopic treatment options].

Cholecystectomy is the gold standard in the treatment of acute cholecystitis, but has a significantly increased risk in multimorbid patients or in the severe course of acute cholecystitis. In such cases, drainage of the damaged gallbladder in combination with antibiotic therapy may be superior to primary surgery. The drainage can either be performed as sonographically guided percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage or as EUS-guided transmural stent placement or endoscopic-transpapillary gallbladder drainage.

Calcar-guided short-stem total hip arthroplasty: Will it be the future standard? Review and perspectives.

Short stems in total hip arthroplasty (THA) are becoming increasingly popular. In Germany, already 10.4% of all primary THAs are performed using a cementless short stem.

Granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) to treat acute-on-chronic liver failure: A multicenter randomized trial (GRAFT study).

Background & Aims: Based on positive results from small single center studies, granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) is being widely used for the treatment of patients with acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF). Herein, we aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of G-CSF in patients with ACLF.

Methods: In this multicenter, prospective, controlled, open-label phase II study, 176 patients with ACLF (EASL-CLIF criteria) were randomized to receive G-CSF (5 μg/kg daily for the first 5 days and every third day thereafter until day 26) plus standard medical therapy (SMT) (n = 88) or SMT alone.

Endometrial Cancer Lymphadenectomy Trial (ECLAT) (pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy in patients with stage I or II endometrial cancer with high risk of recurrence; AGO-OP.6).

Background: The impact of comprehensive pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy on survival in patients with stage I or II endometrial cancer with a high risk of recurrence is not reliably documented. The side effects of this procedure, including lymphedema and lymph cysts, are evident.

Primary Objective: Evaluation of the effect of comprehensive pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy in the absence of bulky nodes on 5 year overall survival of patients with endometrial cancer (International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stages I and II) and a high risk of recurrence.

Hepatitis C virus: Current steps toward elimination in Germany and barriers to reaching the 2030 goal.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) affects over 70 million people globally, with an estimated 399 000 HCV-related deaths in 2016. The World Health Organization (WHO) has set a goal to eliminate HCV by 2030. Despite the availability of direct-acting antivirals-highly effective and well-tolerated therapies for HCV-many patients infected with HCV in Germany have not initiated treatment, including a majority of those who are aware of their positive diagnosis.

Acupuncture at the auricular branch of the vagus nerve enhances heart rate variability in humans: An exploratory study.

Background: Recent animal and human studies have shown antiarrhythmic effects inhibiting inducibility of atrial fibrillation through low-level transcutaneous electrical stimulation at the auricular branch of the vagus nerve (ABVN).

Objective: The present study investigated effects of acupuncture at the ABVN on the autonomic cardiac nervous system in humans through analysis of heart rate and heart rate variability (HRV) parameters.

Methods: We enrolled 24 healthy male volunteers and compared acupuncture at the ABVN to placebo-acupuncture performed at the Ma-35 point (an acupuncture point used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat pain caused by gonarthrosis).

Can hip resurfacing be safely revised with short-stem total hip arthroplasty? A case series of six patients.

Background: The usage of short stems in primary total hip arthroplasty (THA) has constantly gained popularity over the last decade, however, to date, short stems are not eligible to be used as revision implants. The aim of this study was to retrospectively evaluate the outcome of revision surgery of failed hip resurfacing arthroplasty (HRA) using short-stem THA.

Methods: In a single center, retrospective analysis, 6 consecutive patients who were treated with a calcar-guided short stem after failure of HRA were evaluated.

Future burden of primary and revision hip arthroplasty in Germany: a socio-economic challenge.

Introduction: Total hip arthroplasty (THA) rates have increased dramatically in the recent decades worldwide, with Germany being one of the leading countries in the prevalence of THA. Simultaneously, a rising number of revision procedures is expected, which will put an enormous economic burden on future health care systems.

Methods: Nationwide data provided by the Federal Statistical Office of Germany were used to quantify primary and revision arthroplasty rates as a function of age and gender.

Biomechanics of a cemented short stem: a comparative in vitro study regarding primary stability and maximum fracture load.

Purpose: In total hip arthroplasty, uncemented short stems have been used more and more frequently in recent years. Especially for short and curved femoral implants, bone-preserving and soft tissue-sparing properties are postulated. However, indication is limited to sufficient bone quality.