International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation Guidelines for the Evaluation and Care of Cardiac Transplant Candidates-2024.

The "International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation Guidelines for the Evaluation and Care of Cardiac Transplant Candidates-2024" updates and replaces the "Listing Criteria for Heart Transplantation: International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation Guidelines for the Care of Cardiac Transplant Candidates-2006" and the "2016 International Society for Heart Lung Transplantation Listing Criteria for Heart Transplantation: A 10-year Update." The document aims to provide tools to help integrate the numerous variables involved in evaluating patients for transplantation, emphasizing updating the collaborative treatment while waiting for a transplant. There have been significant practice-changing developments in the care of heart transplant recipients since the publication of the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation (ISHLT) guidelines in 2006 and the 10-year update in 2016.

Direct to psychology for sleep disorders: Innovating models of care in the hospital and health service.

A 'Direct to Psychology Insomnia' pathway was developed for implementation within a multidisciplinary sleep disorders service in a tertiary hospital in Brisbane, Australia. The project was informed by implementation science principles and methodology to re-design the model of care (MoC). A consensus group workshop using the Nominal Group Technique (NGT) with 12 multidisciplinary staff was undertaken to develop the new MoC.

Protocol for the process evaluation of the GOAL trial: investigating how comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) improves patient-centred goal attainment in older adults with chronic kidney disease in the outpatient setting.

Introduction: The GOAL Cluster Randomised Controlled Trial (NCT04538157) is now underway, investigating the impact of comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) for frail older people with chronic kidney disease (CKD). The primary outcome is the attainment of patient-identified goals at 3 months, assessed using the goal attainment scaling process. The protocol requires a dedicated process evaluation that will occur alongside the main trial, to investigate issues of implementation, mechanisms of impact and contextual factors that may influence intervention success.

Development of a core outcome set for physiotherapy trials in adults with bronchiectasis (the COS-PHyBE study): A Delphi study and consensus meeting.

Background: Physiotherapy is recommended for bronchiectasis management, but there is disparity in evidence supporting its use. This is partly because of inconsistency and poor reporting of outcomes in available studies. A Core Outcome Set (COS) may improve trial consistency and decrease reporting bias.

Effects of red blood cell transfusion on patients undergoing cardiac surgery in Queensland - a retrospective cohort study.

Background: Packed red blood cell (pRBC) transfusion is a relatively safe and mainstay treatment commonly used in cardiac surgical patients. However, there is limited evidence on clinical effects of transfusing blood nearing end-of shelf life that has undergone biochemical changes during storage.

Objective: To investigate evidence of associations between morbidity/mortality and transfusion of blood near end of shelf-life (> 35 days) in cardiac surgical patients.

CSANZ and RANZCR Position Statement on Initial Certification and Maintenance of Recognition for Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging (CMRI).

The CSANZ/RANZCR Position Statement on Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging (CMRI) is intended to support and foster the provision of quality, safe CMRI services in Australia and New Zealand. This document specifically pertains to CMRI in adults, as distinct from general vascular MRI or paediatric imaging, and provides certification and recertification requirements.

Transfer of internationally qualified nurses' specialty skills to developed countries after immigration: A multicentre policy review.

Background: Internationally qualified nurses are highly sought after as a labour source due to continued shortages in the nursing profession in most developed countries. However, the lack of clear policies and procedures for nurses in the host country to use specialty nursing skills can result in the underutilisation of their expertise.

Objectives: To review the registration processes of internationally qualified nurses in 20 developed countries, with a focus on the transferability of specialised skills gained overseas.

Intraoperative cytokine adsorption in cardiothoracic transplant patients: An Australian propensity-score matched pilot study.

Background: It is unclear if immunomodulation via cytokine adsorption (CA) to reduce perioperative inflammatory cascade in cardiothoracic transplants is associated with better outcomes.

Objective: This pilot study aims to assess the clinical outcomes of intraoperative CA in heart/lung transplantation.

Methods: From July to October 2020, intraoperative CA was instituted in 11 patients who underwent heart/lung transplantation.

Refresh of a Clinical Skills Assessment for Physician Trainees.

Purpose: The Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP) oversees physician training across Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand. Success in a written examination and clinical skills assessment (known as the clinical examination) at the mid-point of training is a requirement to progress from basic to advanced training. The clinical examination had evolved over many years without a review process.

Outcome of Veno-Pulmonary Extracorporeal Life Support in Lung Transplantation Using ProtekDuo Cannula: A Systematic Review and Description of Configurations.

Refractory end-stage pulmonary failure may benefit from extracorporeal life support (ECLS) as a bridge to lung transplantation. Veno-venous (VV) extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) has been recommended for patients who have failed conventional medical therapy and mechanical ventilation. Veno-arterial (VA) ECMO may be used in patients with acute right ventricular (RV) failure, haemodynamic instability, or refractory respiratory failure.

Arrhythmic Mitral Valve Prolapse Syndrome and Ventricular Arrhythmias: A Comprehensive Review and the Role of Catheter Ablation.

Mitral valve prolapse (MVP) affects 2-3% of the general population, and despite its benign prognosis overall, it is associated with sudden death in a small subset of patients. The term "arrhythmic MVP syndrome" (AMVPS) refers to the presence of frequent or complex ventricular arrhythmias, commonly reported in female patients with a stereotypical phenotype including bileaflet myxomatous disease, ECG repolarisation abnormalities in inferior leads, mitral annular disjunction, and significant fibrosis in the inferolateral LV and papillary muscles. Modern imaging technologies have led to the identification of new risk factors that have been implemented in recent risk stratification guidelines; however, screening for patients with MVP who are at risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD) remains challenging.

The LATE score: A novel framework for echocardiographic evaluation of left ventricular filling pressure.

Background: The LATE score (LATE: Left Atrial reservoir strain (LASr), Tricuspid regurgitation maximum velocity (TR Vmax), and E/e' average) is a novel framework for echocardiographic assessment of left ventricular filling pressure (LVFP). LATE = 0 indicates normal LVFP. LATE = 1 indicates resting LVFP is borderline elevated, and the patient may be at risk of pathological elevation of LVFP during exertion.

Rehabilitation after surgery for hip fracture - the impact of prompt, frequent and mobilisation-focused physiotherapy on discharge outcomes: an observational cohort study.

Purpose: To determine the relationship between three postoperative physiotherapy activities (time to first postoperative walk, activity on the day after surgery, and physiotherapy frequency), and the outcomes of hospital length of stay (LOS) and discharge destination after hip fracture.

Methods: A cohort study was conducted on 437 hip fracture surgery patients aged ≥ 50 years across 36 participating hospitals from the Australian and New Zealand Hip Fracture Registry Acute Rehabilitation Sprint Audit during June 2022. Study outcomes included hospital LOS and discharge destination.

ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction Complicated by Cardiogenic Shock: Systematic Review of Survival Predictors.

Background: Cardiogenic shock complicating acute myocardial infarction is associated with reduced survival despite advancements in the treatment of acute coronary syndromes. Characterizing predictors of morbidity and mortality in this setting is crucial to improving risk stratification and management. Notwithstanding, the interplay of factors determining survival in this condition remains poorly studied.

Role of Exercise in Pulmonary Hypertension: Evidence from Bench to Bedside.

Background: Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a debilitating condition characterized by elevated pulmonary arterial pressure and progressive vascular remodelling, leading to exercise intolerance. The progression of PAH is regulated at a cellular and molecular level which influences various physiological processes. Exercise plays an important role in improving function in PH.

Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging in systemic sclerosis: Heart involvement in high-resolution.

Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) is the gold-standard non-invasive method of assessing cardiac structure and function, including tissue characterisation. In systemic sclerosis (SSc), heart involvement (SHI) is a leading cause of mortality yet remains poorly understood. SHI is underestimated by conventional echocardiography, and CMR provides an important opportunity to better identify and quantify subtle myocardial changes including oedema and fibrosis.

Life is better but not without challenges: experiences following discharge from community-based residential mental health rehabilitation-a qualitative content analysis.

Purpose: Community-based residential mental health rehabilitation units for people experiencing severe and persistent mental illness are increasingly available in Australia. Research completed 20 years ago suggested that people leaving these services often experienced impoverished social lives and other challenges in the community. It is unclear whether contemporary consumers experience similar difficulties.