Identifying Gaps in the International Consensus Case Definitions for Invasive Aspergillosis: A Review of Clinical Cases Not Meeting These Definitions.

Background: International consensus definitions for invasive aspergillosis (IA) in research are rigorous, yet clinically significant cases are often excluded from clinical studies for not meeting proven/probable IA case definitions. To better understand reasons for the failure to meet criteria for proven/probable infection, we herein review 47 such cases for their clinical and microbiological characteristics and outcomes.

Methods: Data on 47 cases that did not meet consensus IA definitions but were deemed significant were derived from a retrospective, observational, multicenter survey of 382 presumed IA cases across Australasia, of which findings of 221 proven/probable infections were recently published.

Optilume Drug-Coated Balloon May Lower the Re-Treatment Rate Postintervention for Challenging Urethral Stricture Disease in Long-Term Follow-Up: A Prospective Cohort Study.

Urethral stricture disease is a common and at times unsatisfying condition that can lead to complications severely impacting a patient's quality of life (QOL). Open urethroplasty remains the gold standard treatment, however it is an invasive and highly specialized procedure. Strictures between 2 and 4 cm in length have been shown to recur at a rate of 50% within 12 months, a rate that typically decreases with each subsequent treatment.

Clinical Practice Patterns for Transradial Coronary Artery Catheterisation in Australian and New Zealand: Mixed-Methods Survey and Interview Study.

Background: While there has been an increase in the use of the transradial approach when performing percutaneous coronary angiography and intervention, there is evidence of variations in international practice. Ensuring that operators' practices are supported by evidence is important to ensure optimal outcomes.

Method: Interventional cardiologists and advanced trainees completed a cross-sectional survey followed by semi-structured interviews to map current practices for transradial coronary artery procedures in Australia and New Zealand and explore factors that influence clinical decision-making around procedural practice.

A 10-year review of presentation, management and outcomes of STEMI in a high-volume regional tertiary Australian centre.

Objective: To assess the trends and impact of changes in management of ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI) from 2010 to 2019.

Design: Retrospective analysis of data from STEMI hospitalisations including demographic, comorbidity, angiographic and outcome data.

Setting/participants: High-volume non-surgical regional Australian tertiary referral centre.

Management of loperamide-related opioid use disorder with buprenorphine within an Australian context: A case report.

Loperamide is an over-the-counter peripheral mu-opioid agonist commonly used to manage diarrhoea. When taken in an excessive dose, loperamide's penetration of the central nervous system increases, leading to euphoria, respiratory depression and other opioid effects. A health warning was released in the United States in 2016 with increased reports of excessive loperamide use leading to cardiac conduction abnormalities such as ventricular tachycardia, prolonged QTc and Torsades des Pointes.

Transcatheter Edge-to-Edge Mitral Valve Repair in a Patient With Anderson-Fabry Disease.

Severe degenerative mitral regurgitation (DMR) is one cardiac manifestation of the multiorgan metabolic enzyme disorder Anderson-Fabry Disease (AFD). Although DMR is normally managed surgically, many patients with AFD are unsuitable for this. We present the first case of mitral transcatheter edge-to-edge repair in a patient with AFD.

Impact of cytomegalovirus on outcomes in acute severe ulcerative colitis: a retrospective observational study.

Background: Concomitant cytomegalovirus (CMV) is highly prevalent in acute severe ulcerative colitis (ASUC) but data for outcomes of CMV positivity in ASUC and the benefit of antiviral therapy remain unclear.

Objectives: We aim to determine the impact of CMV positivity, and antiviral therapy, on outcomes such as colectomy-free survival, length of hospital stay and readmission rate, among hospitalized patients with ASUC.

Design: This is a retrospective, multicentre study of patients admitted with ASUC.

Advances in Pharyngeal Surgery Over the Past 10 Years: New Techniques and Technology.

This article is a review of advances in pharyngeal surgery over the past 10 years regarding literature, surgical technique, assessment, collaboration, and future direction in the management of adult and pediatric obstructive sleep apnea.

Drug-induced liver injury from selective androgen receptor modulators, anabolic-androgenic steroids and bodybuilding supplements in Australia.

Background: Reports of DILI due to herbal and dietary supplements have been increasing over time.

Aims: To characterise clinical, laboratory and histopathological phenotypes and outcomes of drug-induced liver injury (DILI) due to anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS), selective androgen receptor modulators (SARMs), and bodybuilding supplements (BBS) in Australia.

Methods: Retrospective case series.

Anticoagulation Strategies in Non-Critically Ill Patients with Covid-19.

BACKGROUND: Optimal thromboprophylaxis for hospitalized patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) is uncertain. METHODS: In an open-label, adaptive platform trial, we randomly assigned hospitalized adults with Covid-19 to low-dose low-molecular-weight heparin thromboprophylaxis or intermediate-dose or low-dose plus aspirin. In response to external evidence, the aspirin intervention was discontinued and a therapeutic-dose arm added.

Pharmacomechanical thrombectomy of iliofemoral deep vein thrombosis is associated with a low incidence of post-thrombotic syndrome and perioperative complications.

Background: Iliofemoral deep venous thrombosis (IFDVT) is associated with an incidence of post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS) of up to 50%. PTS is associated with high morbidity, impaired quality of life and a significant economic burden. The aim of the current study was to assess the impact of a single session pharmacomechanical thrombectomy (PMT), dedicated venous stents and a risk mitigation protocol on the rate of PTS.

Iliac vein stenting and pregnancy.

Venous stenting is the mainstay treatment of symptomatic iliofemoral venous outflow obstruction. However, because pregnancy and the postpartum period are hypercoagulable, concerns exist regarding stent placement in women of childbearing age. We performed a systematic review up to April 2023 of studies reporting on the performance of venous stents in women who subsequently became pregnant.

Exploring the Role of a Large Language Model on Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Management: An Observation Study of ChatGPT.

Purpose: Recently, large language models, such as ChatGPT, have emerged as promising tools to facilitate scientific research and health care management. The present study aimed to explore the extent of knowledge possessed by ChatGPT concerning carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), a compressive neuropathy that may lead to impaired hand function and that is frequently encountered in the field of hand surgery.

Methods: Six questions pertaining to diagnosis and management of CTS were posed to ChatGPT.

Mean disease alleviation between surgery and continuous positive airway pressure in matched adults with obstructive sleep apnea.

Study Objectives: Polysomnography parameters measure treatment efficacy for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), such as reduction in apnea-hypopnea index (AHI). However, for continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy, polysomnography measures do not factor in adherence and thus do not measure effectiveness. Mean disease alleviation (MDA) corrects polysomnography measures for CPAP adherence and was used to compare treatment effectiveness between CPAP and multilevel upper airway surgery.

Freedom from atrial arrhythmia and other clinical outcomes at 5 years and beyond after catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Aims: Catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF) is now a mainstream procedure although long-term outcomes are uncertain. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of procedural outcomes at 5 years and beyond.

Methods And Results: We searched PubMed and Embase and after the screening, identified 73 studies (67 159 patients) reporting freedom from atrial arrhythmia, all-cause death, stroke, and major bleeding at ≥5 years after AF ablation.

RETRACTED: Australian and New Zealand Society for Vascular Surgery clinical practice guidelines on venous outflow Obstruction of the femoral-iliocaval veins.

Background: The overall goal of this report is to provide a high-level, practical approach to managing venous outflow obstruction (VOO) in Australia and New Zealand.

Methods: A group of vascular surgeons from the Australian and New Zealand Society for Vascular Surgery with specific interest, training, and experience in the management of VOO were surveyed to assess current local practice. The results were analyzed and areas of disagreement identified.

Outcomes of dedicated iliac venous stents during pregnancy and postpartum.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the performance of dedicated iliac venous stents during subsequent pregnancy and postpartum, including stent patency and stent integrity, as well as incidence of venous thromboembolism and bleeding complications.

Methods: This study included retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data of patients attending a private vascular practice. Women of child-bearing age who had received dedicated iliac venous stents were included in a surveillance program and then, for any subsequent pregnancies, followed the same pregnancy care protocol.

Pain-resolving immune mechanisms in neuropathic pain.

Interactions between the immune and nervous systems are of central importance in neuropathic pain, a common and debilitating form of chronic pain caused by a lesion or disease affecting the somatosensory system. Our understanding of neuroimmune interactions in pain research has advanced considerably. Initially considered as passive bystanders, then as culprits in the pathogenesis of neuropathic pain, immune responses in the nervous system are now established to underpin not only the initiation and progression of pain but also its resolution.

Clinical predictors and management for radial artery spasm: an Australian cross-sectional study.

Introduction: The transradial approach for coronary artery catheterisation has increased in popularity compared to the transfemoral approach for patients undergoing percutaneous coronary interventions. However, radial artery spasm continues to be a major complication of the procedure. Current management strategies vary concerning radial artery spasm and there is limited evidence of practice in the Australian context.

Australasian Sleep Association position statement on consensus and evidence based treatment for primary snoring.

Primary snoring impacts a significant portion of the adult population and has the potential to significantly impair quality of life. The purpose of these guidelines is to provide evidence-based recommendations to assist Australasian practitioners in the management of adult patients who present with primary snoring without significant obstructive sleep apnoea. The Timetable, Methodology and Standards by which this Position Statement has been established is outlined in the Appendix S1.