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).

Can a Surgical Vulnerability Score Predict Outcomes of Hip Reconstruction in Children with Severe Neuromuscular Disability?

Background: Hip surgery is often necessary for children with severe neuromuscular disabilities to avoid chronic pain resulting from hip migration. This study correlated the Surgical Vulnerability Score (SVS), a novel measure of physiological reserve, with reconstructive hip surgery outcomes to improve shared surgical decision-making.

Materials And Methods: Sixty-eight cases performed by a single surgeon were retrospectively evaluated.

The added value of narrow band imaging in Sinonasal tumour resection and surveillance: Our experience.

Background & Purpose: Narrow Band Imaging (NBI), developed by Olympus Medical Systems, has played a role in diagnosing digestive tract lesions and cancers, diagnosing and characterizing bladder cancers during cystoscopy and in the diagnosis and management of Head and Neck cancers. We aim to explore the potential use of NBI in the diagnosis, management, and follow-up of sinonasal tumours.

Methods: We present a series of cases treated at our institution, where NBI played a crucial role in the diagnosis, surgical management, intraoperative decision-making, and follow-up.

Animal-assisted intervention services across UK intensive care units: A national service evaluation.

Background: Animal-assisted interventions (AAI) can provide psychological support to critical care patients during their intensive care unit (ICU) admission. However, there are currently no data on AAI services across UK ICUs. The current study therefore aims to (i) determine how many ICUs in the UK offer services, (ii) characterise available services and (iii) explore and review local documentation for service oversight.

Current Practices and Perceptions of Indocyanine Green Fluorescence Guided Liver Surgery: Insights from a Survey of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgeons in the United Kingdom.

Indocyanine Green (ICG) fluorescence-guided surgery (I-FIGS) is increasingly being used in hepato-pancreatico-biliary (HPB) surgery. However, the true benefit of I-FIGS, the optimum dosing, and the timing of ICG administration still need to be determined. To conduct future research studies in the above areas, it is essential to understand the current I-FIGS practices among surgeons.

Recurrent Gastrointestinal Symptoms and Diagnosis of Superior Mesenteric Artery Syndrome.

This is a case of a young lady who was admitted multiple times with complaints of inability to digest food and abdominal pain. She had nausea and vomiting for long periods and was unable to tolerate orally. As she was unable to tolerate oral feeding and losing weight, she was started on nasogastric feed (NG feed) and later percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tube feeding because NG feed was uncomfortable for the patient and did not alleviate the problem.

Evaluation of a new out-of-hospital newborn life support (OH-NLS) course in the UK South West region: a mixed-methods survey study.

Introduction: Unplanned out-of-hospital births (UOHBs) are associated with poorer outcomes for babies, especially those born prematurely. The current Newborn Life Support (NLS) course offered by Resuscitation Council UK (RCUK) is not designed to address the challenges associated with birth out of hospital. A new course was developed to address these challenges.

Comparative Effectiveness of Different Cystic Duct Ligation Techniques in Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is one of the most common surgical procedures. Several techniques of ligating the cystic duct have been compared in randomized trials, but data on comparative effectiveness are missing. Our aim was to systematically review the literature and, if appropriate, synthesize the available evidence.

Sensitivity of diagnosis of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis is higher with the automated cell count method.

Background: Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) is one of the most important complications of patients with liver cirrhosis entailing high morbidity and mortality. Making an accurate early diagnosis of this infection is key in the outcome of these patients. The current definition of SBP is based on studies performed more than 40 years ago using a manual technique to count the number of polymorphs in ascitic fluid (AF).

Effectiveness of Implantable Doppler Probe Versus Standard Clinical Care in Preventing Thrombosis-Related Graft Loss in Kidney Transplantation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Objectives: The implantable Doppler probe can monitor the patency of vascular anastomosis, thereby facilitating early detection of vascular thrombosis critical to reducing graft loss. In this study, we examined the effectiveness of this technology compared with standard clinical care in reducing thrombosis-related graft loss and the requirement for color duplex ultrasonography in the first 24 hours postoperatively by a medical literature search of the application of this technology in kidney transplantation.

Materials And Methods: We conducted a systematic search (January 15, 2024) of a wide range of experimental and observational studies that comprised kidney transplant recipients monitored with blood flow sensing technology (intervention group) and standard clinical care (control group).

An Atypical Presentation of Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome (PRES): Sticking to the Basics.

Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is a reversible clinico-radiological condition primarily affecting the occipito-parietal regions. Thalami, brainstem, and cerebellar involvement with posterior fossa oedema are rare manifestations of this condition. We present the case of a 66-year-old male with a travel history to Thailand who was found collapsed on the floor two weeks after his return.

A Possible Case of Supraventricular Tachycardia Associated With a Ketone-Based Weight-Loss Supplement.

Weight loss is well known to improve cardiovascular health. Its benefits are widespread including reducing cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, improving clinical outcomes in diabetic and hypertensive patients and mobility in osteoarthritis patients. A well-planned weight-loss program has many benefits; however, one should be careful when trying to lose weight too rapidly, especially when that involves radical weight-loss products or regimes.

Intrathecal drug delivery for the management of pain and spasticity in adults: British Pain Society's recommendations for best clinical practice.

The British Pain Society updated their recommendations on intrathecal drug delivery (ITDD) for the management of pain and spasticity in adults. The recommendations are primarily evidence based but where necessary comprise the consensus opinion of the working group. The recommendations are accompanied by information for patients and their carers, intended to inform and support patients in their decision making.

An alcohol-related liver disease multi-stakeholder hub (ARMS-Hub) to enhance research activity in underserved communities in the UK.

Background: Alcohol use is the third leading risk factor of death and disability in the UK and costs the NHS £3.5 billion per year. Despite the high prevalence and healthcare burden of Alcohol-related Liver Disease (ArLD), there has been minimal research addressing prevention, morbidity and mortality.

A Rare Cause of Acquired Non-Wilsonian Hepato-Cerebral Degeneration in a Middle-Aged Woman.

Manganese is an essential trace mineral that has a vital role in maintaining various body functions. Manganese toxicity, referred to as Manganism, causing parkinsonism is a well-known phenomenon that occurs secondary to chronic environmental and occupational exposure to manganese. Patients with underlying chronic liver disease are also susceptible to the toxic accumulation of manganese since it essentially undergoes biliary excretion.

A framework for developing Generic Implant Safety Procedures (GISPs) for scanning patients with medical implants and devices in MRI.

UK guidelines for MR safety recommend that MRI departments refer to the implant manufacturer for advice regarding the MRI safety of scanning patients with an implantable medical device prior to scanning [1]. This process of assuring safety can be time consuming, leading to delays and potential cancellations of a patient's MRI. Furthermore, at times the implant cannot be identified, or the implant manufacturers cannot provide up to date MRI safety information.

An exploration of intensive care unit patents' experiences of the Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination (ACE-III) as a screening tool for cognitive functioning at different points in recovery from critical illness.

Being critically ill can result in cognitive change. Cognitive functioning should be screened at different points in the care pathway, and it is important to understand patient's experience of this process. A service evaluation examined fifteen in-patients' and eleven outpatients' experiences of completing the Addenbrookes Cognitive Examination-III (ACE-III) using thematic analysis.

Assessment of fitness for bleomycin use and management of bleomycin pulmonary toxicity in patients with classical Hodgkin lymphoma: A British Society for Haematology Good Practice Paper.

This good practice paper (GPP) is intended to support clinicians in assessing patient fitness for bleomycin and in management of bleomycin pulmonary toxicity (BPT) where it occurs. Bleomycin, originally developed as an antibiotic in the 1960s, has been a cornerstone of therapy for classical Hodgkin lymphoma (CHL) since results of its use in combination with doxorubicin, vincristine and dacarbazine (ABVD) were first published by Bonadonna et al in 1975 1. The same author recognised high rates of respiratory morbidity in these patients 2, and bleomycin-;related pulmonary toxicity (BPT) is now a well-;recognised and feared complication with its use.

Comparing reported management of ureteric stones between clinical audit and administrative datasets: An opportunity to streamline clinical audit.

Objectives: To compare recorded patient management between a clinical audit and administrative dataset for patients presenting with ureteric stones in England and to assess the feasibility of using administrative data for routine audit.

Patients And Methods: The British Association of Urological Surgeons conducted a clinical audit of all patients presenting as an emergency to 107 hospitals in England during November 2020 with ureteric stones. All patients were followed up until 31st March 2021 and in-patient and out-patient management received recorded.

Long-term maternal outcomes 5 years after cesarean section in Sierra Leone: A prospective cohort study.

Cesarean section (CS) is a life-saving procedure when performed for the right indication but carries substantial risks, specifically during subsequent pregnancies. The aim of this study was to evaluate obstetric outcomes for women 5 years after a CS performed by medical doctors and associate clinicians. This was a prospective multi-center observational study of women who had a CS at any of nine hospitals in Sierra Leone.

Preventing Cardiac Damage in Patients Treated for Breast Cancer and Lymphoma: The PROACT Clinical Trial.

Background: Cardiotoxicity is a concern for cancer survivors undergoing anthracycline chemotherapy. Enalapril has been explored for its potential to mitigate cardiotoxicity in cancer patients. The dose-dependent cardiotoxicity effects of anthracyclines can be detected early through the biomarker cardiac troponin.

Patient-reported outcomes, postoperative pain and pain relief after day case surgery (POPPY): methodology for a prospective, multicentre observational study.

Background: In the UK, approximately 70% of surgical procedures are undertaken as day-cases. Little information exists about recovery from day-case surgery, yet international data highlights patients are at risk of developing significant longer-term health problems including chronic post-surgical pain and persistent postoperative opioid use. The Patient-reported Outcomes, Postoperative Pain and pain relief after daY case surgery (POPPY) study was a national prospective multicentre observational study, measuring short- and longer-term patient-reported outcomes, postoperative pain and pain relief after day-case surgery.

The safety, tolerability and clinical impact of pre-operative very low-calorie diet prior to non-bariatric abdominal surgery: a systematic review.

Background: The use of pre-operative very low-calorie diets (VLCD) is established within bariatric and gallbladder surgery. However, their use in patients with high BMI and hepatic steatosis (HS) requiring upper abdominal procedures is unclear. This review aims to assess the safety, adherence, and outcomes of a pre-operative VLCD prior to non-bariatric elective surgery.