Medication Errors

No expiration date on COVID-19 vaccine label... STS abbreviation results in a close call...

Medication Errors

No expiration date on COVID-19 vaccine label... STS abbreviation results in a close call...

Deep Learning Approaches to Automatic Chronic Venous Disease Classification

Chronic venous disease (CVD) occurs in a substantial proportion of the world’s population. If the onset of CVD looks like a cosmetic defect, over time, it might be transformed into serious problems that will require surgical intervention. The aim of this work is to use deep learning (DL) methods for automatic classification of the stage of CVD for self-diagnosis of a patient by using the image of the patient’s legs. The images of legs with CVD required for DL algorithms were collected from open Internet resources using the developed algorithms. For image preprocessing, the binary classification problem “legs–no legs” was solved based on Resnet50 with accuracy of 0.998. The application of this filter made it possible to collect a dataset of 11,118 good-quality leg images with various stages of CVD. For classification of various stages of CVD according to the CEAP classification, the multi-classification problem was set and resolved by using four neural networks with completely different architectures: Resnet50 and transformers such as data-efficient image transformers (DeiT) and a custom vision transformer (vit-base-patch16-224 and vit-base-patch16-384). The model based on DeiT without any tuning showed better results than the model based on Resnet50 did (precision = 0.770 (DeiT) and 0.615 (Resnet50)). vit-base-patch16-384 showed the best results (precision = 0.79). To demonstrate the results of the work, a Telegram bot was developed, in which fully functioning DL algorithms were implemented. This bot allowed evaluating the condition of the patient’s legs with fairly good accuracy of CVD classification.

Chronic venous insufficiency: a comprehensive review of management.

Chronic venous insufficiency is an extensive progressive disease in need of public health attention. This insidious disease is a growing burden on patient quality of life and the health economy. Chronic venous insufficiency has become more pronounced in global populations, especially in regions exhibiting a higher rate of risk factors. It is critical for healthcare providers to recognise and intervene early to prevent ongoing and debilitating complications. This article provides a comprehensive review of chronic venous insufficiency outlining the anatomy, pathophysiology, clinical presentation, assessment and management options.

Clinical outcomes of radiofrequency ablation for patients with varicose veins of the lower extremities combined with grade II iliac vein compression.

BACKGROUND: Iliac vein compression (IVC) is a common condition in patients with varicose veins (VVs) of the legs. IVC has been classified into three grades in previous studies. Grade II IVC is defined by >50% stenosis without the development of collateral circulation. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the outcomes of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for patients with VVs combined with grade II IVC. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted of 339 patients who had undergone RFA for VVs of the left leg from March 2017 to January 2019. Duplex ultrasonography, computed tomography venography, and venography were performed to evaluate for grade II IVC. All the patients were divided into two groups. Group 1 included patients with VVs only, and group 2, patients with VVs combined with grade II IVC. Propensity score matching was used to ensure an even distribution of confounding factors between groups. The venous clinical severity score (VCSS) and chronic venous insufficiency questionnaire (CIVIQ) score were recorded during the 12-month follow-up. Occlusion of the truncal veins was evaluated using duplex ultrasound scans. RESULTS: Using 1:1 propensity score matching, 50 pairs of patients were enrolled in the present analysis. The average age of groups 1 and 2 was 58.7 ± 13.1 and 60.1 ± 7.1 years, respectively. The VCSS had decreased significantly from baseline to 12 months postoperatively (group 1, from 5 to 1; group 2, from 4 to 1; P < .01). A significant increase in the CIVIQ score was found between the baseline and 12-month evaluations for both groups (group 1, from 62.5 to 69; group 2, from 63 to 70; P < .01). The truncal occlusion rate was 98% in both groups at 12 months. No significant differences were found between the two groups in the VCSS, CIVIQ score, procedure complications, or occlusion rate during the 12-month follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: RFA is effective for patients with VVs combined with grade II IVC.

Editor's Choice - Role of Compression After Radiofrequency Ablation of Varicose Veins: A Randomised Controlled Trial☆.

OBJECTIVE: Post-procedure limb compression, hitherto routine following open varicose vein surgery, has been extended to endovenous procedures. However, no robust evidence exists to support this practice. Most of the previous studies have focused on the ideal duration of compression. This study evaluates the clinical and patient reported outcomes with and without post-procedure leg compression following radiofrequency ablation (RFA). METHODS: This single centre, prospective, non-inferiority randomised controlled trial recruited adult patients, into two groups (A: RFA with compression stocking for two weeks, B: RFA alone). The primary outcome was ultrasound determined target vein obliteration at 12 weeks. Secondary outcome measures included a Quality of Life (QoL) score [Aberdeen Varicose Vein Severity Score (AVSS) and Revised Venous Clinical Severity Score (RVCSS)], patient satisfaction, pain score, and complications. RESULTS: In total, 100 consecutive patients were recruited (A: 51; B: 49) classified as clinical class C2-C6 of the Clinical-Etiological-Anatomical-Pathophysiological (CEAP) classification. At 12 weeks the occlusion rate of the target vein was similar in both groups at 98% (n = 47) and 98% (n = 45), respectively (p = 1.0). There was no statistically significant difference in mean AVSS 6 vs. 5.0 (mean difference -1, 95% CI -2 - 3, p = .57) and mean RVCSS 3 vs. 4 (mean difference 1, 95% CI -1 - 2, p = .46) scores at 12 weeks. Comparable patient satisfaction scores were observed (p = .72) and pain score 2.0 vs. 2.0 (p = .92) were achieved in both groups. Two patients in each group developed deep vein thrombosis at two weeks follow up (p = 1.0 for above the knee and p = 1.0 for below the knee). CONCLUSION: The clinical and patient reported outcomes following RFA without compression are no worse than with compression. This trial supports the conclusion that the widely practised use of compression after RFA adds no clinical benefit for the patients. However, a much larger study, preferably a multicentre trial, may be required to confirm this conclusion.

Patients with chronic venous insufficiency in the times of COVID-19 and the risk of thrombus formation - suggestions on conservative treatment of such patients based on the principles of pathophysiology.

The current limitations of surgical treatment, as well as restrictions on professional and sport activities related to COVID-19 pandemic require seeking therapeutic solutions for the vast population of patients with chronic venous insufficiency (CVI, chronic venous insufficiency). To understand the principles of pharmacotherapy of this disease, the authors used data related to epidemiology and pathophysiology of CVI. They provided the latest data on venoactive drugs and recommendations that should be followed and summarized the literature based on the EBM. The article should provide the answer to the question of how to deal with patients with varicose veins or, more broadly, chronic venous insufficiency during the pandemic.