Manual Chest PRESSURE During Direct Current Cardioversion for Atrial Fibrillation: A Randomized Control Trial (PRESSURE-AF).

Background: Direct current cardioversion is frequently used to return patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) to sinus rhythm. Chest pressure during cardioversion may improve the efficacy of cardioversion through decreasing transthoracic impedance and increasing cardiac energy delivery.

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of upfront chest pressure during direct current cardioversion for AF with anterior-posterior pad positioning.

Fasting vs. no fasting prior to catheterization laboratory procedures: the SCOFF trial.

Background And Aims: Current guidelines recommend 6 h of solid food and 2 h of clear liquid fasting for patients undergoing cardiac procedures with conscious sedation. There are no data to support this practice, and previous single-centre studies support the safety of removing fasting requirements. The objective of this study was to determine the non-inferiority of a no-fasting strategy to fasting prior to cardiac catheterization procedures which require conscious sedation.

Investigating the effect of an online enhanced care program on the emotional and physical wellbeing of patients discharged from hospital with acute decompensated heart failure: Study protocol for a randomised controlled trial: Enhanced care program for heart failure.

Objective: Depression is highly prevalent and associated with increased hospitalisations and mortality among patients with heart failure (HF). This study will evaluate the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of an online wellbeing program for patients discharged from hospital with acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) in (i) improving emotional and physical wellbeing, and (ii) decreasing healthcare utilisation.

Methods: Two-arm randomised controlled trial.

Safety and care of no fasting prior to catheterization laboratory procedures: a non-inferiority randomized control trial protocol (SCOFF trial).

Aims: Cardiac catheterization procedures are typically performed with local anaesthetic and proceduralist guided sedation. Various fasting regimens are routinely implemented prior to these procedures, noting the absence of prospective evidence, aiming to reduce aspiration risk. However, there are additional risks from fasting including patient discomfort, intravascular volume depletion, stimulus for neuro-cardiogenic syncope, glycaemic outcomes, and unnecessary fasting for delayed/cancelled procedures.

Predictive Factors for Subjective Vertigo Following Cochlear Implantation: A Regional Multicenter Cohort Study of 395 Patients.

Introduction: Cochlear implantation (CI) is generally accepted as having a low rate of postoperative complications, but between 9.3% and 13% of cases experience vertigo postoperatively. This study aimed to examine patient, surgical, and device factors contributing toward the risk of postoperative vertigo.

Rural nutrition and dietetics research-Future directions.

Aim: The aim of this study was to summarise key evidence from recent Australian rural nutrition research and provide recommendations for future nutrition and dietetics research with rural communities.

Context: Clear evidence demonstrates that diet plays a role in the health gap between rural and metropolitan Australia. Despite the opportunity to address the health of rural Australians through better nutrition, alarmingly low investment in nutrition and dietetics research has occurred historically, and over the past decade.

Exploring the eating disorder curricula of accredited university dietetic programs in Australia and New Zealand.

Background: Dietitians are viewed as integral members of the multidisciplinary treatment team for people with eating disorders (EDs). However, low levels of perceived confidence, competence, and willingness to practice in this clinical area, have been reported by dietitians and student dietitians. As the extent of ED-specific knowledge and skills-based training within tertiary accredited dietetic programs is currently unknown, this research aimed to: (1) obtain insights into the current ED-specific knowledge base and training content of dietetic curricula in both Australian and New Zealand universities; (2) understand the perspectives of course convenors regarding the role of dietitians in ED treatment and their employment opportunities; and (3) identify gaps and opportunities for improving university programs and the dietetic workforce.

Computed tomography Coronary angiography in rural referral hospitals: A single-Centre experience.

Objective: To describe the first 9 months of a newly established computed tomography coronary angiogram (CTCA) over the period of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of the first 9 months of a CT-CA program.

Design: Data were collected for the period of June 2020 to March 2021.

Increased seizure frequency in an epilepsy patient receiving medium cut-off dialysis.

This paper presents the case of a male dialysis patient, with generalised epilepsy, who experienced complications after starting medium cut-off (MCO) dialysis. While receiving haemodiafiltration, the patient's epilepsy had been relatively well controlled using two antiseizure medications (brivaracetam and sodium valproate). However, the patient's seizure frequency increased when he was changed to MCO dialysis.

Remote monitoring in patients with heart failure with cardiac implantable electronic devices: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Remote monitoring (RM) of cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) is now the standard of care, but whether the demonstrated benefits of RM translate into improvements in heart failure (HF) management is controversial. This systematic review addresses the role of RM in patients with HF with a CIED.

Methods And Results: A systematic search of the literature for randomised clinical trials in patients with HF and a CIED assessing efficacy/effectiveness of RM was performed using MEDLINE, PubMed and Embase.

Interventions incorporating a multi-disciplinary team approach and a dedicated care team can help reduce preventable hospital readmissions of people with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A scoping review of current literature.

Aims: This review aimed to identify interventions that hospitals can implement to reduce preventable hospital readmissions of people with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Methods: A scoping review framework was utilised to inform the overall process. The electronic databases Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Medline, the University of New England (UNE) library search engine and Google Scholar were utilised to search for relevant literature.

Effectiveness of dietary interventions in mental health treatment: A rapid review of reviews.

Aim: This rapid review of reviews aimed to determine the extent of research undertaken on the effectiveness of dietary interventions for individuals with a mental disorder.

Methods: Three databases (MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Reviews and Cochrane Trials) were searched to February 2021 for systematic reviews including experimental studies assessing the effectiveness of dietary interventions with physical or mental health related outcomes in adults or children with one or more of: severe mental illness, depression or anxiety, eating disorders, or substance use disorder. Results are presented descriptively.

Management of Acute Coronary Syndromes in Patients in Rural Australia: The MORACS Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Treatment of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) in rural settings involves thrombolysis followed by transfer to a percutaneous coronary intervention-capable hospital. The first step is accurate diagnosis via electrocardiography (ECG), but one-third of all STEMI incidents go unrecognized and hence untreated.

Objective: To reduce missed diagnoses of STEMI.

Identifying the uncommon solitary fibrous tumour in a rare location - A case report.

Introduction And Importance: The authors describe a case work up of an unusual natal cleft soft tissue tumour which eventually was concluded as solitary fibrous tumour. Solitary fibrous tumour is an uncommon fibroblastic tumour which commonly presents in pleural region and very rarely in extrapleural location such as natal cleft. Accurate identification of this tumour, considering the indeterminate nature of the tumour irrespective of the location, avoided misdiagnosis and played a vital role in follow up management of the patient.

Exploring perceived training and professional development needs of Australian dietetic students and practising dietitians in the area of eating disorders: a focus group study.

Background: Timely diagnosis and treatment of eating disorders (EDs) are essential for achieving the best possible outcomes, and dietitians have an important role in the multidisciplinary team. ED-specific training has been shown to enhance the knowledge, mental health literacy and confidence of health professionals in providing patient treatment. However, the ED-specific training needs of dietitians have yet to be determined.

Rural hospital bed management practices during influenza season.

Introduction: Rural health services face greater challenges in managing infectious patients due to lack of specialty beds and longer lengths of stay. The pressures of seasonal influxes of influenza patients with a heavy burden of chronic disease and an ageing population result in an increased demand for hospital beds. During these peak periods it is common for rural hospitals to experience bed block.

Rural healthcare delivery and maternal and infant outcomes for diabetes in pregnancy: A systematic review.

Aim: The aim of this systematic review was to examine the literature regarding rural healthcare delivery for women with any type of diabetes in pregnancy, and subsequent maternal and infant outcomes.

Methods: Eight databases were searched in September 2020, including Medline, EMCare, CINAHL, EMBASE, Maternity and Infant Care, Cochrane, Rural and Remote Health and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health bibliography. Studies from high-income countries in rural, regional or remote areas with interventions conducted during the antenatal period were included.

Rare yet catastrophic presentation of undiagnosed antiphospholipid syndrome.

A previously well 31-year-old woman initially presented to the emergency department with pneumonia, however, was found to be hypertensive and have new-onset cardiomegaly. She was admitted for intravenous antibiotics and concurrently a series of investigations were conducted to investigate hypertension and cardiomegaly. During the course of admission, she developed acute kidney injury and was found to have acute chronic occlusion in the abdominal aorta.

Starting from scratch: Developing and sustaining a rural research team lessons from a nutrition and dietetics case study.

Objective: To describe the development of and key factors for sustaining a rural-based research team focussed on nutrition and dietetics.

Design: A longitudinal embedded case study approach with data sourced from publicly available records and observations. Case study sub-units were developed into 3 phases with analysis using theoretical propositions and pattern matching.

Investigating the efficacy of chest pressure for direct current cardioversion in atrial fibrillation: a randomised control trial protocol (Pressure-AF).

Introduction: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained arrhythmia worldwide. Direct current cardioversion is commonly used to restore sinus rhythm in patients with AF. Chest pressure may improve cardioversion success through decreasing transthoracic impedance and increasing cardiac energy delivery.

Cost effectiveness of dietary interventions for individuals with mental disorders: A scoping review of experimental studies.

Aim: This scoping review aimed to explore the extent of the evidence of experimental studies evaluating the cost effectiveness of dietary interventions in individuals with mental disorders.

Methods: Five databases (CINAHL, EMBASE, MEDLINE, PsycINFO and Scopus) were searched to October 2020 for cost-analysis studies of interventions aiming to improve dietary intake in people with mental disorders. No restriction was placed on participant age, mental disorder type or intervention design.