Project description:BackgroundThe feasibility and outcomes of concomitant atrioventricular node ablation (AVNA) and leadless pacemaker implant are not well studied. We report outcomes in patients undergoing Micra implant with concomitant AVNA.MethodsPatients undergoing AVNA at the time of Micra implant from the Micra Transcatheter Pacing (IDE) Study, Continued Access (CA) study, and Post-Approval Registry (PAR) were included in the analysis and compared to Micra patients without AVNA. Baseline characteristics, acute and follow-up outcomes, and electrical performance were compared between patients with and without AVNA during the follow-up period.ResultsA total of 192 patients (mean age 77.4 ± 8.9 years, 72% female) underwent AVNA at the time of Micra implant and were followed for 20.4 ± 15.6 months. AVNA patients were older, more frequently female, and tended to have more co-morbid conditions compared with non-AVNA patients (N = 2616). Implant was successful in 191 of 192 patients (99.5%). The mean pacing threshold at implant was 0.58 ± 0.35 V and remained stable during follow-up. Major complications within 30 days occurred more frequently in AVNA patients than non-AVNA patients (7.3% vs. 2.0%, p < .001). The risk of major complications through 36-months was higher in AVNA patients (hazard ratio: 3.81, 95% confidence interval: 2.33-6.23, p < .001). Intermittent loss of capture occurred in three AVNA patients (1.6%), all were within 30 days of implant and required system revision. There were no device macrodislodgements or unexpected device malfunctions.ConclusionConcomitant AVN ablation and leadless pacemaker implant is feasible. Pacing thresholds are stable over time. However, patient comorbidities and the risk of major complications are higher in patients undergoing AVNA.
Project description:Robotic resection of the "offending portion" of the first rib in patients with thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) has been associated with excellent results. The results have been due to (I) a better understanding of the pathogenesis of TOS, and (II) the technical advantages of the robotic platform. This article outlines the recent understanding of the pathogenesis of TOS, and reports the experience with robotic resection of the "offending portion" of the first rib in patients with neurogenic and venous TOS. Patients diagnosed with TOS underwent robotic first rib resection. Diagnosis of TOS was made by magnetic resonance angiography (MRA). On a thoracoscopic platform, the robot was used to dissect the "offending portion" of the first rib. A total of 162 patients underwent robotic first rib resection. Eighty-three patients underwent robotic first rib resection for Paget-Schroetter syndrome (PSS) (venous TOS). There were 49 men and 34 women. Mean age was 24±8.5 years. Operative time was 127.6±20.8 minutes. Median hospitalization was 4 days. There were no surgical complications, neurovascular injuries, or mortality. At a median follow-up of 24 months, all patients had an open subclavian vein (SV) for a patency rate of 100%. Seventy-nine patients underwent robotic first rib resection for neurologic symptoms of the upper extremity (neurogenic TOS). There were 29 men and 50 women. Mean age was 34±9.5 years. Operative time was 87.6±10.8 minutes. There were no intraoperative complications. Hospital stay ranged from 2-4 days with a median hospitalization of 3 days. There were no neurovascular complications. There was no mortality. In patients with neurogenic symptoms, Quick DASH Scores (mean ± SEM) decreased from 60.3±2.1 preoperatively to 5±2.3 in the immediate postoperative period, and 3.5±1.1 at 6 months (P<0.0001). Immediate relief of symptoms was seen in 71/79 (91%) patients. Persistent paresthesia was seen in 9/79 (9%) immediately postop and 3/79 (3.8%) patients at 6 months. Following the appropriate identification of the "offending portion" of the first rib which results in compression of the SV at its junction with the innominate vein by MRA, robotic resection of the "offending portion" of the first rib allows is associated with excellent results.
Project description:BackgroundThe concept of 'patient experience' has become central to how to improve healthcare. Remote communication with patients is today a frequent practice in healthcare services, showing similar outcomes to standard outpatient care while enabling cost reduction in both formal and informal care. The purpose of this study was to analyse the experiences of people with telemonitoring pacemakers.MethodsPatients were randomly allocated to either the telemonitoring or hospital monitoring follow-ups. Using the 'Generic Short Patient Experiences Questionnaire' (GS-PEQ), as well as an ad-hoc survey from the 'telehealth patient satisfaction survey' and 'costs survey', patients' experiences were measured six months after the pacemaker implant in a cohort of 50 consecutive patients. The mean age was 74.8 (± 11.75) years and 26 (52%) patients were male of which 1 was lost in follow-up. Finally, 24 patients were followed up with standard hospital monitoring, while 25 used the telemonitoring system. Differences in baseline characteristics between groups were not found.ResultsFindings showed overall positive and similar experiences in patients living with telemonitoring and hospital monitoring pacemakers. Significant differences were found in GS-PEQ concerning how telemonitoring patients received less information about their diagnosis/afflictions (p = 0.046). We did not find significant differences in other items such as 'confidence in the clinicians' professional skills', 'treatment perception adapted to their situation', 'involvement in decisions regarding the treatment', 'perception of hospital organisation', 'waiting before admission', 'satisfaction of help and treatment received', 'benefit received', and 'incorrect treatment'.ConclusionsThe remote communication of pacemakers was met with positive levels of patients' experiences similarly to patients in the hospital monitoring follow-up. However, telemonitoring patients received less information. Thus, improving the quality and timing of information is required in telemonitoring patients in the planning and organisation of future remote communication healthcare services for people living with a pacemaker implant.
Project description:Thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) is a rare condition resulting from the compression of the brachial plexus and/or the subclavian vessels in the thoracic outlet (TO). Neurogenic TOS (NTOS) is the most common form in up to 95% of the cases, while venous TOS (VTOS) occurs in 3-5% and arterial TOS (ATOS) in 1-2% of the cases. Patients may suffer from the pathologic coexistence of arterio-venous compression in the TO called arterio-venous TOS (AVTOS) with an overlap of clinical symptoms. While imaging studies such as computed tomography (CT)-angiography, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-angiography and duplex sonography are helpful to detect the underlying condition in vascular pathologies, electrodiagnostic testing is necessary to distinguish NTOS from other peripheral neuropathies. Subclavian vein (SV)-compression in the TO can result in venous thrombosis, called Paget-Schroetter syndrome (PSS), named after the discoverers of the disease. Besides oral anticoagulation in cases with venous upper extremity thrombosis and multimodal conservative treatment in the management of NTOS, surgical decompression is the current standard of care for TOS. Surgical decompression aims to remove structures compressing the brachial plexus or the subclavian vasculature in the TO. In NTOS, when conservative management has failed, surgical resection of the 1st or a cervical rib is often combined with scalenectomy and brachial plexus neurolysis. Minimally invasive techniques have replaced traditionally open supra-, infraclavicular or transaxillary approaches with excellent results and minimal morbidity. Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) was described to offer better visualization, shorter length of stay (LOS) and less neurovascular injuries attributable to less traction applied. Robotic-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (RATS) moreover, further improved magnification, angulation of the surgical instruments in narrow anatomical spaces and the comfort for the operating surgeon. Uniportal RATS (uRATS) has lately been applied for 1st rib resection. The aim of this surgical technique manual is to describe and illustrate a RATS 1st rib resection with its advantages over traditionally open approaches step by step.
Project description:Bimatoprost implant (Durysta™), developed by Allergan, is a sustained-release drug delivery system containing bimatoprost, a prostaglandin analogue with ocular hypotensive activity. The implant, administered intracamerally, involves the use of a biodegradable, solid polymer drug delivery system for slow, sustained drug release, designed to lower intraocular pressure (IOP) over a 4- to 6-months period. In March 2020, bimatoprost implant received its first approval, in the USA, for use to reduce IOP in patients with open angle glaucoma (OAG) or ocular hypertension (OHT). Allergan's clinical development programme for bimatoprost implant is ongoing. This article summarizes the milestones in the development of bimatoprost implant leading to this first approval for use in the reduction of IOP in patients with OAG or OHT.
Project description:PurposeLittle is known about the prevalence, impact and change of the symptoms after implant removal due to irritation in multiple rib fractures. This study aims to explore these aspects to improve treatment decision-making.MethodsData was collected from two hospitals in the Netherlands and Switzerland. The study included only adults with operatively treated multiple rib fractures, regardless of whether the fractures were flail or non-flail. The primary outcome was the incidence of implant removal due to irritation. Secondary outcomes included implant irritation not leading to removal, other postoperative complications, and remission rates after implant removal. These outcomes were assessed during a follow-up phone call using a standardized questionnaire.ResultsHundred-twenty patients were identified, with 83 (69.2%) completing the final follow-up after a median of 49 months (IQR 40-59). Twenty-five (30.1%) patients experienced implant irritation, of whom four (4.8%) got their implant removed. Two (2.4%) reported significant improvement, one (1.2%) moderate, and one (1.2%) no improvement of symptoms.ConclusionImplant irritation in patients with multiple rib fractures is a common problem, even years after surgery, without guaranteed symptom improvement post-removal. These results provide an additional argument to be more selective in offering rib fixation to patients with multiple rib fractures in the first place.
Project description:Twelve patients with thoracic syndrome were operated during a 15 month period. Eleven patients had features of neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome, while one presented with arterial ischemia due to distal embolism. The diagnosis was based on the characteristic history and positive stress tests. Cervical rib was present in 7 patients. Abnormal nerve conduction studies were present in 7 out of 8 cases. Supraclavicular first rib resection was done in all patients in view of the severity of symptoms. If present, the cervical rib was also excised. There was no major operative complication. Eleven out of twelve patients reported relief of symptoms. Thoracic outlet syndrome is not an uncommon disorder and often goes undiagnosed. Resection of first rib via the supraclavicular approach gives good results in majority of the patients who have incapacitating symptoms.