Characteristics of cardiotocography in pregnant women with mild COVID-19 in the third trimester.

Objective. To study the characteristics of cardiotocography (CTG) and pregnancy outcomes in patients who had a mild coronavirus infection in the third trimester. Patients and methods. The parameters and variations of CTG and pregnancy outcomes were analyzed in 32 low-risk pregnant women who experienced mild COVID-19 in the third trimester (the study group) and in 30 pregnant women (matched pairs) who had no coronavirus infection (the comparison group). Results. A total of 375 CTGs were analyzed: 221 in the study group and 154 in the comparison group. Normal CTG recordings were found in 87% of pregnant women in the study group, which was significantly less frequent than in those without COVID-19 (97%) (p = 0.02), and suspicious CTG in 10 and 1.3%, respectively, which was 3.38-fold more frequent than in the comparison group (p = 0.04). Pathological CTG recordings were observed only in two women in the study group. The features of CTG in women who had a mild form of COVID-19 in the third trimester were a significant decrease in the number of accelerations, short-term variation (STV) in the range of 3 to 5 ms, long-term variation (LTV) <50 ms, a tendency toward tachycardia and low heart rate variability (<5 ms), and prolonged decelerations. The frequency of fetal asphyxia and neonatal morbidity was higher in the study group. Conclusion. COVID-19 even in its mild form may have a negative effect on the fetus, increasing the frequency of fetal hypoxia and neonatal asphyxia.Copyright © 2023, Dynasty Publishing House. All rights reserved.

Outcomes of low-risk birth care during the Covid-19 pandemic: A cohort study from a tertiary care center in Lithuania.

According to the World Health Organization, midwife-led care is the most appropriate and cost-effective type of perinatal care. As the Covid-19 pandemic with its drastic changes and challenges for the health systems and the medical staff made large adjustments to the healthcare delivery system, midwife-led care became an even more important supportive tool in maintaining unnecessary interventions. This retrospective cohort study aims to compare the outcomes of midwife-led care and team-led care in low-risk births between the Covid-19 pandemic and non-Covid-19 pandemic period. The total studied population was 1,185 singleton births and consisted of 727 births during the non-Covid-19 period and 458 births from the Covid-19 period. The study revealed the safety of low-risk birth care during the first wave of the Covid-19 pandemic in both groups. The maternal and perinatal outcomes remained stable without an increased rate of unsuccessful vaginal births and newborn asphyxia; moreover, birth care of low-risk women provided by midwives preserved autonomy, integrity, and resistance to responding to a disaster. The aforementioned results exhibit that high-quality, safe supervision by midwives in low-risk births can be provided even in high-stress circumstances.

Design and Analysis of a New COVID-19 Model with Comparative Study of Control Strategies

The COVID-19 pandemic has become a worldwide concern and has caused great frustration in the human community. Governments all over the world are struggling to combat the disease. In an effort to understand and address the situation, we conduct a thorough study of a COVID-19 model that provides insights into the dynamics of the disease. For this, we propose a new L S H S E A I H R COVID-19 model, where susceptible populations are divided into two sub-classes: low-risk susceptible populations, L S , and high-risk susceptible populations, H S . The aim of the subdivision of susceptible populations is to construct a model that is more reliable and realistic for disease control. We first prove the existence of a unique solution to the purposed model with the help of fundamental theorems of functional analysis and show that the solution lies in an invariant region. We compute the basic reproduction number and describe constraints that ensure the local and global asymptotic stability at equilibrium points. A sensitivity analysis is also carried out to identify the model's most influential parameters. Next, as a disease transmission control technique, a class of isolation is added to the intended L S H S E A I H R model. We suggest simple fixed controls through the adjustment of quarantine rates as a first control technique. To reduce the spread of COVID-19 as well as to minimize the cost functional, we constitute an optimal control problem and develop necessary conditions using Pontryagin's maximum principle. Finally, numerical simulations with and without controls are presented to demonstrate the efficiency and efficacy of the optimal control approach. The optimal control approach is also compared with an approach where the state model is solved numerically with different time-independent controls. The numerical results, which exhibit dynamical behavior of the COVID-19 system under the influence of various parameters, suggest that the implemented strategies, particularly the quarantine of infectious individuals, are effective in significantly reducing the number of infected individuals and achieving herd immunity. [ FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of Mathematics (2227-7390) is the property of MDPI and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full . (Copyright applies to all s.)

Containing an Island: Coronavirus (Covid-19) Outbreak in Perhentian Islands, Terengganu State of Malaysia, in 2021

Background: The spread of COVID-19 was inevitable and has not spared small and isolated communities, including the community on Perhentian Island in Besut District, Terengganu. Managing clusters in small islands can be difficult, given the limited resources. This study explores the characteristics of COVID-19 cases and the experience of outbreak containment at Perhentian Island. Methodology: A retrospective study involving record review of COVID-19 cases and at-risk individuals registered under the Perhentian Cluster were retrieved from the Besut District Health Office COVID-19 online registry from the 16th August 2021 until 6th October 2021. All notified cases and close contacts who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were extracted and analysed using descriptive statistics. Result(s): A total of 1,093 out of 2,500 community members of Perhentian Island were screened of which 170 (15.5%) tested positive for COVID-19, while 923 (84.5%) tested negative. Among individuals who tested positive, the majority were adults (52.4%), males (51.8%), Malays (98.8%), and villagers (96.5%). Clinical characteristics were categorized into: asymptomatic (55.9%), had no known medical comorbidities (90.6%), low-risk groups (87.1%), vaccinated (57.6%), and admitted to PKRC (97.1%) for treatment. Multiple agencies were involved in the outbreak containment of the Perhentian Cluster, working collectively and in good coordination. Conclusion(s): The outbreak was attributed to community gatherings and close interactions among villagers. Prompt actions, targeted planning, and inter-agency collaboration were the key factors in successful containment of further spread of COVID-19 in Perhentian Island.Copyright © 2023, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya. All rights reserved.

Long-term mayor adverse cardiovascular events after COVID-19 infection: A clinical score from a cohort of 2575 patients enrolled in the multicenter international HOPE 2 registry

Background: Long-term consequences of COVID-19 infection are still partly known. According to some studies several patients may experience long term symptoms;however, predictors of long-term mayor adverse cardiovascular events among (MACE) patients with previous COVID-19 infection are . Aim of the study: To derive a simple clinical score for risk prediction of long-term MACE among patients with previous covid-19 infection. Method(s): 2575 consecutive patients were enrolled in a multicenter, international registry (HOPE-2) from February 2020 to April 2021, and followedup at long-term. A risk score was developed using a stepwise multivariable regression analysis. Result(s): Out of 2575 patients enrolled in the HOPE-2 registry, 1481 (58%) were male, with mean age of 60+/-16 years. At long-term follow-up overall rate of MACE was 7.9% (202 of 2545 pts, 3.3% death, 2.4% inflammatory myocardial disease, 1.3% arterial thrombosis, 0.7% venous thrombosis). After multivariable regression analysis, independent predictors of MACE were used to derive a simple prognostic score: The HOPE-2 prognostic score may be calculated by giving: 1/2 point for every 10 years of age, 2 points for previous cardiovascular disease, 1 point for increased troponin serum levels during hospitalization, 2.5 points for heart failure and 3 points for sepsis during hospitalization, -1.5 points for vaccination at followup. Score accuracy at receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was 0.81. Stratification into 3 risk groups (0-2, 3-5, and >5 points) classified into low, intermediate and high risk. The observed MACE rates were 0.5% for low-risk patients, 4% for intermediate-risk patients, and 19.5% for high-risk patients (log-Rank p<0.001, Figure 1). Conclusion(s): The HOPE-2 prognostic score may be useful for long-term risk stratification in patients with previous COVID-19 infection. High-risk patients may require a strict cardiological follow-up. (Figure Presented).

Vaccines for the prevention of infections in adults with haematological malignancies

Objectives: This is a protocol for a Cochrane Review (intervention). The objectives are as follows:. To assess the benefits and adverse effects of vaccines for the prevention of infections in adults with haematological malignancies.Copyright © 2023 The Cochrane Collaboration. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Pattern of COVID 19 Infection among Front line Health Workers and Contact Tracing Done among them. Our Experience in a Tertiary Care Hospital

Background: A considerable number of front-line workers are under risk due to repeated infection and exposure. The pattern of COVID 19 infection among the front-line workers was important, so that more focus would be laid on protecting them. Contact tracing is one key strategy for interrupting chains of transmission of SARS-CoV-2. This study aimed to find the pattern of COVID 19 infection among front line health workers and describe the process of contact tracing. Methodology: The list of front-line workers with possible symptoms of COVID-19 or had come in direct contact with a "case" was shared with the department of community medicine for contract tracing activity as per the guidelines. The front-line workers who were categorized as High Risk were quarantined immediately and those who were categorized as Low-Risk were advised to be vigilant regarding the development of symptoms and were asked to continue with their routine duties with extra precautionary measures as they form a very vital part of the resource in this combat against COVID-19. Result(s): About 138 front line health workers were affected by COVID-19 among which staff nurses (51) amounted to the maximum number who were affected. Conclusion(s): COVID-19 was high among front-line workers and had a large number of high-risk contacts. Nurses were found to be most affected with COVID 19 infection.Copyright © 2023, Institute of Medico-legal Publication. All rights reserved.

Risk of in-Hospital Mortality Due to Covid19 in Patients with Bronchial Asthma: Application of 4c Mortality Scale

Role of asthma as a risk factor in severity and mortality in COVID-19 varies in literature. In 2020, 4CMortality score was published, which through 8 parameters in the initial evaluation (age, sex, comorbidity index Charlson, respiratory rate, peripheral oxygen saturation, renal function, Glasgow scale and C-reactive protein) stratified risk of in-hospital mortality from COVID-19 into low(0-3 points), intermediate(4-8), high(9-14) and very high(from 15). Our objective is to assess usefulness of 4CMortality in asthmatic patients admitted for COVID-19 and to verify the degree of correlation between the score and the mortality data and hospital stay. Observational retrospective study of asthmatic patients admitted for COVID-19 between March 2020 and March 2021. Statistical analysis is performed using Fisher's exact test(risk scale-death), ANOVA(risk scale-days hospitalization), and Kaplan Meier curve, considering statistically significant those results with a p<0.05. Sample of 99 patients, 18 in low risk group, 35 intermediate risk, 44 high risk and 2 very high risk. In terms of mortality, 7 deaths(high risk, 15.9%) and 2(very high risk, 100%), statistically significant (Fisher 17.07, p<0.0001). In terms of hospitalization days, median 7 days(low risk), 10(intermediate risk), 17 (high risk) and 5 (very high risk);statistically significant(F 6.37, p 0.001). In the survival analysis, median survival of 7 days(low-risk), 10(intermediate risk) and 19(high risk)(Log Rank 32.887, p<0.0001)(Fig 1). In conclusion, 4CMortality score is a good tool to establish the probability of poor evolution in asthmatic patients admitted for COVID-19 due to increased mortality and hospital stay.

Follow-up in breast cancer care: guidelines and individual risks

The aim of this study was to investigate how breast cancer follow-up in the Netherlands changed during the COVID-19 pandemic, compared to 2018-2019, and to what extent follow-up during the pandemic corresponded to the patient risk of recurrence. During the early phase of the pandemic the Dutch Society for Surgical Oncology (NVCO) issued a report with recommendations on how follow-up could be postponed, as a guidance for the pandemic, based on a low, intermediate or high risk of recurrence. In this study we investigated to what extent this advice was followed. A dataset of 33160 women diagnosed with primary invasive breast cancer between January of 2017 and July of 2021 was selected from the Netherlands Cancer Registry (NCR) and Dutch Hospital Data (DHD). The pandemic, 2020 and weeks 1-32 of 2021, was divided into six periods (A to F), based on the number of hospitalized COVID patients in the Netherlands. The five-year risk of locoregional recurrence (LRR) was determined for each patient with the INFLUENCE nomogram. The LRR risk was compared to the risk groups from the NVCO report with a Kruskal-Wallis test. The percentage of patients who received a mammogram during period A to F was compared to the same periods of 2018-2019 with a chisquared test. Correlation between the LRR risk, and if patients had a mammogram, was investigated with logistic regression. This analysis was repeated separately for the risk groups. Correlation between the LRR risk, and time intervals between surgery and the first and second mammogram was analyzed using cox proportional hazard models, this was also repeated for the risk groups. There was a significant difference in LRR risk between the NVCO risk groups. In the low-risk group (n=7673), 86 patients (1.1%) had a risk >5%. In the intermediate risk group (n=19197), 18364 patients (95.7%) had a risk of < 5%, and 65 patients (0.34%) had a risk of >10%. In the high-risk group (n=2674), 2365 patients (88.4%) had a risk < 10%. The percentage of patients who received a mammogram was significantly lower in periods B to F of the pandemic. Logistic regression showed a negative correlation between the risk of LRR and if patients had a mammogram in 2020 (OR 0.93) and 2021 (OR 0.93). There was also a negative correlation between the risk groups and mammography in 2020 (OR 0.92 for intermediate and 0.80 for high), and for the risk groups and mammography in 2021 (OR 0.98 for intermediate and 0.95 for high). There was no significant impact of LRR risk, or risk group, on time intervals between mammograms. During the pandemic, patients with a higher LRR risk, or a higher risk according to NVCO advice, had lower odds of having a mammogram. If the advice would have been followed, in 0.5% of the patients scheduled for follow-up, the recommendation was to postpone in contrast to a high estimation of the individual risk. For 62.7%, a follow-up was recommended, despite a low estimated individuals risk. Because the number of high-risk patients is relatively low, individual risk prediction could be supportive, in case of future restrictions. This way the high-risk patients can be identified and prioritized for follow-up, and can also be encouraged to come to the hospital.

Human Coronavirus OC43 as a Low-Risk Model to Study COVID-19.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has had irreversible and devastating impacts on every aspect of human life. To better prepare for the next similar pandemic, a clear understanding of coronavirus biology is a prerequisite. Nevertheless, the high-risk nature of the causative agent of COVID-19, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), requires the use of a cumbersome biosafety level-3 (BSL-3) confinement facility. To facilitate the development of preventive and therapeutic measures against SARS-CoV-2, one of the endemic strains of low-risk coronaviruses has gained attention as a useful research alternative: human coronavirus OC43 (HCoV-OC43). In this review, its history, classification, and clinical manifestations are first summarized. The characteristics of its viral genomes, genes, and evolution process are then further explained. In addition, the host factors necessary to support the life cycle of HCoV-OC43 and the innate, as well as adaptive, immunological responses to HCoV-OC43 infection are discussed. Finally, the development of in vitro and in vivo systems to study HCoV-OC43 and its application to the discovery of potential antivirals for COVID-19 by using HCoV-OC43 models are also presented. This review should serve as a concise guide for those who wish to use HCoV-OC43 to study coronaviruses in a low-risk research setting.

Consumer perspectives on simplified, layered consent for a low risk, but complex pragmatic trial.

BACKGROUND: For decades, the research community has called for participant information sheets/consent forms (PICFs) to be improved. Recommendations include simplifying content, reducing length, presenting information in layers and using multimedia. However, there are relatively few studies that have evaluated health consumers' (patients/carers) perspectives on the type and organisation of information, and the level of detail to be included in a PICF to optimise an informed decision to enter a trial. We aimed to elicit consumers' views on a layered approach to consent that provides the key information for decision-making in a short PICF (layer 1) with additional optional information that is accessed separately (layer 2). We also elicited consumers' views on the optimal content and layout of the layered consent materials for a large and complex Bayesian adaptive platform trial (the SNAP trial). METHODS: We conducted a qualitative multicentre study (4 focus groups and 2 semi-structured interviews) involving adolescent and adult survivors of Staphylococcus aureus bloodstream infection (22) and their carers (2). Interview transcripts were examined using inductive thematic analysis. RESULTS: Consumers supported a layered approach to consent. The primary theme that emerged was the value of agency; the ability to exert some control over the amount of information read before the consent form is signed. Three other themes emerged; the need to prioritise participants' information needs; the importance of health literacy; the importance of information about a trial's benefits (over its risks) for decision-making and the interplay between the two. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that consumers may challenge the one-size-fits-all approach currently applied to the development of PICFs in countries like Australia. Consumers supported a layered approach to consent that offers choice in the amount of information to be read before deciding whether to enter a trial. A 3-page PICF was considered sufficient for decision-making for the SNAP trial, provided that further information was available and accessible.

Messages focused on the effect of alcohol on the immune system boosted intention to adhere to alcohol intake guidelines during Covid-19 lockdown.

Objective: Research shows that personal relevance may affect the impact of alcohol-related health information. This study explored alcohol consumption during the UK Covid-19 lockdown, and whether a message emphasising the effect of alcohol on the immune system was more effective in altering intentions to follow low-risk drinking guidelines than other messages about the effects of alcohol on health.Methods & Measures: From April to June 2020, 953 drinkers completed an online questionnaire, and were randomly allocated to exposure to a control condition or one of three messages emphasising the impact of alcohol on: the immune system; mental health; or physical health. Outcome variables were: concern about alcohol intake, and intention to adhere to low-risk drinking guidelines.Results: Pre-post ANCOVAs revealed that participants in the immunity message group had significantly stronger intention to adhere to low-risk guidelines than the control group (after controlling for initial intention). Concern for the effect of alcohol on health was not significantly affected.Conclusion: During Covid-19 lockdown, a message emphasising the impact of alcohol on the immune-system had a greater effect on intention to observe low-risk drinking guidelines than other messages. Contextually relevant messages could be used for alcohol health campaigns and for improving alcohol labelling.

Survey of Current Transplant Center Practices Regarding Covid-19 Vaccine Mandates in the United States

Purpose: We surveyed current policies of transplant centers regarding a COVID-19 vaccine mandate, and rationales for or against a mandate policy. Method(s): An electronic survey was distributed to clinicians at U.S. solid organ transplant programs from 2020-2021. Result(s): 56.4% of transplant programs representing 78.5% of all kidney transplant volume and 82.4% of liver transplant volume in the US from 9/1/20-9/1/21 responded to the survey. 35.7% of centers reported implementing a vaccine mandate, while 60.7% reported not that vaccination was not required and 3.6% were uncertain. Centers without a vaccine mandate policy cited administrative, equity, and legal considerations (Figure A). Centers with a vaccine mandate cited clinical evidence supporting the efficacy of pre-transplant vaccination (82.0%) and stewardship obligations to ensure organs were transplanted into the lowest risk patients (64.0%) (Figure B). Among centers with a mandate, few required confirmation of vaccine responsiveness through antibody testing (2.6%), required a support person (10.0%) or co-habitants (5.0%) to be vaccinated. 42.5% of centers with a mandate also required living donor candidates to be vaccinated. There was no correlation between the presence or absence of a vaccine mandate and the point prevalence rate of COVID-19 vaccination by the home State of the transplant center. Conclusion(s): Solid organ transplant centers in the US exhibit significant heterogeneity in the requirement for a COVID-19 vaccination prior to receiving an organ. While all centers encourage vaccination, most programs do not require all candidates and living donors to receive the COVID-19 vaccine prior to surgery, citing administrative opposition, legal prohibitions, and concern about equity in access to transplants. Among the minority of centers mandating COVID-19 vaccination for candidates, few centers also mandate vaccination for support persons or co-habitants, require additional testing to demonstrate adequate vaccine responsiveness, and less than half of these centers also mandate vaccination for living donor candidates. (Figure Presented).

POTENTIAL OVERUSE OF DIAGNOSTIC TESTS FOR EVALUATION OF PULMONARY EMBOLISM

SESSION TITLE: All About the CLOT: VTE SESSION TYPE: Original Investigations PRESENTED ON: 10/16/2022 10:30 am - 11:30 am PURPOSE: Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a disorder of coagulation that results in significant morbidity, mortality and emergency department visits. The usage of advanced imaging for the diagnosis of PE has increased greatly, almost 400% from 1998 to 2008. The Well’s Criteria for PE uses historical features, clinician gestalt, and heart rate to risk stratify patients for PE. The score ranges from 0-12.5 and is broken down into low risk 0-2, intermediate risk 3-6, and high risk 7+. The current American College of Emergency Physician guidelines advise that a patient suspected to be at risk for PE with a low or intermediate risk can undergo age adjusted D-Dimer testing. A further addition was the PERC rule. This rule applies 8 questions to the low risk PE patient and 8 negative responses mean the clinician can forgo D-Dimer testing. How well are we adhering to this guidance, and are deviations leading to unnecessary testing which could expose our patients to harm? METHODS: 280 sequential patients receiving diagnostic testing for PE were evaluated and 156 were excluded due to known, suspected, or history of COVID-19 infection. The work-up for the included patients was reviewed and Well’s criteria and the PERC rule were applied by retrospective review. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the proportion of patients evaluated with tests not suggested for their risk strata. RESULTS: Of the 124 patients evaluated, 31/124 (25%) had potentially unnecessary testing. 18 low risk patients underwent advanced imaging—17 CTAs and 1 VQ scan– without being tested by D-Dimer. 11 low risk, PERC rule negative patients still received D-Dimers–all negative, and 1 underwent CTA. One negative age-adjusted D-Dimer still lead to a CTA. One patient with a negative D-Dimer received CTA. These 18 CTAs and 1 VQ scan were all interpreted negative for PE. CONCLUSIONS: Patients undergoing evaluation in emergency departments in the United States may be undergoing unnecessary diagnostic testing based on current guidelines and the summation of the highest quality evidence available for directing the choice of how best to evaluate this patient population. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: The utilization of CTA for the diagnosis of PE is not without risk. Some estimate 20 additional breast cancers per 100,000 women undergoing the test. CTA studies for PE also pose the risk of unnecessary anticoagulation. A meta-analysis of imaging for PE showed an over diagnosis rate as high as 60% for subsegmental PE when these studies were re-reviewed by a panel of expert chest radiologists. This is quite high, but even more modest meta-analyses have shown a 10% false positive rate. Patients placed on anticoagulation have an annual bleeding risk attributed to anticoagulation of 7% and mortality attributed to anticoagulation of 0.4%. Creative strategies aimed at reducing unnecessary testing can help mitigate some of this risk and protect our patients. DISCLOSURES: No relevant relationships by Parth Gandhi research support relationship with Bristol Myers Squibb Please note: 2021-2022 Added 03/31/2022 by Jason Nomura, value=Grant/Research Consultant relationship with Philips Please note: 2020-2022 Added 03/31/2022 by Jason Nomura, value=Consulting fee No relevant relationships by Dustin Slagle

Triaging Two Week Wait Referrals According to ABS Guidelines Established During the COVID-19 Pandemic Is Safe Practice

Aim: CoVid-19 has affected healthcare globally, disrupting cancer care. Two weeks wait (2ww) breast cancer referrals were triaged according to Association of Breast Surgery (ABS) guidelines with patients with no red flag symptoms deemed low risk and able to be discharged back to their GP. This study aimed to assess the safety and efficacy of implementing these guidelines. Method: A database was established to prospectively collect 2ww breast cancer referrals from the outset of CoVid-19. Two Consultants triaged the referrals and if there was disagreement, a third Consultant arbitrated. Data were recorded for patient age, gender, presenting complaint, assessment, investigations, diagnosis, and outcome and also time from initial referral to discharge letter to the GP. Results: 188 patients were referred via the 2ww pathway to St Bartholomew's Hospital from 22/03/2020 to 08/04/2020. 43 (22.9%) were discharged with a median age of 34 (22-83 years) at the time of referral. The mean time from referral receipt to response was 12.1 (0 - 60 days). 15 (34.9%) patients were subsequently re-referred. Mean time from re-referral to one-stop clinic assessment was 9.1 (2 - 22 days), in keeping with NICE two week wait criteria. Of the patients re-referred, all patients underwent imaging in the form of mammogram and/or ultrasound scan. No patients were found to have pre-invasive or invasive disease. Conclusions: Triaging patients based on GP referrals is a safe way of streamlining low risk patients. This has the potential to become standard practice worldwide but requires larger multi-centre studies prior to implementation.

IBRUTINIB AND RITUXIMAB AS FIRST LINE THERAPY FOR MANTLE CELL LYMPHOMA: A MULTICENTRE, REAL-WORLD UK STUDY

Background: Ibrutinib (IBR) is an oral covalent Bruton tyrosine kinase inhibitor (BTKi), licensed for treatment of relapsed or refractory mantle cell lymphoma (MCL). Under NHS interim Covid-19 agreements in England, IBR with or without rituximab (R) was approved for the frontline treatment for MCL patients (pts) as a safer alternative to conventional immunochemotherapy. Although recent phase 2 studies have reported high response rates in low-risk patients for this combination in the frontline setting, randomised phase 3 and real-world data are currently lacking. Aims: To describe the real-world response rates (overall response rate (ORR), complete response (CR) rate) and toxicity profile of IBR +/-R in adult patients with previously untreated MCL. Methods: Following institutional approval, adults commencing IBR +/-R for untreated MCL under interim Covid-19 arrangements were prospectively identified by contributing centres. Hospital records were interrogated for demographic, pathology, response, toxicity and survival data. ORR/CR were assessed per local investigator according to the Lugano criteria using CT and/or PET-CT. Results: Data were available for 66 pts (72.7% male, median age 71 years, range 41-89). Baseline demographic and clinical features are summarised in Table 1. 23/66 pts (34.8%) had high-risk disease (defined as presence of TP53 mutation/deletion, blastoid or pleomorphic variant MCL, or Ki67%/MiB-1 ≥30%). IBR starting dose was 560mg in 56/62 pts (90%) and was given with R in 22/64 pts (34%). At a median follow up of 8.7 months (m) (range 0-18.6), pts had received a median of 7 cycles of IBR. 19/60 pts (32%) required a dose reduction or delay in IBR treatment. New atrial fibrillation and grade ≥3 any-cause toxicity occurred in 3/59 pts (5.8%) and 8/57 (14.0%) respectively. For the whole population and high-risk pts only, ORR was 74.4% and 64.7% respectively (p=0.2379), with a median time to response of 3.8m, coinciding with the first response assessment scan. Seven pts (16.7%), of whom 2 had highrisk disease, attained CR at a median of 6.0m. ORR for pts receiving vs not receiving R were 84.2% and 66.7% respectively (p=0.1904). IBR was discontinued in 20/61 pts (32.8%) at a median time to discontinuation of 4.1m, due to progressive disease (PD, 19.7%), toxicity (4.9%), death (3.3%;1 pt each of Covid-19 and E. coli infection), pt choice (3.3%) and other unspecified reasons (1.6%). 15/66 pts (22.7%) overall and 7/23 (30.4%) with high-risk disease progressed on IBR at a median time to PD of 4.0m. No pts underwent autologous stem cell transplantation consolidation during the study period. 12/57 pts (21.1%) received second line treatment (R-chemotherapy n=7, Nordic MCL protocol n=2, VR-CAP n=2, pirtobrutinib n=1). Response to second line treatment was CR in 4/11 pts, PD in 7/11. Of the 2 Nordic-treated patients, 1 had CR after cycle 2 and 1 PD. Fourteen pts (21.2%) died during the follow up period, due to MCL (n=11), Covid-19 (n=2) and congestive cardiac failure (n=1). Overall survival was lower for patients with high-risk disease (HR 0.55, p=0.038). Image: Summary/Conclusion: In this real-world UK cohort of pts receiving first-line IBR +/-R for MCL, including older and high-risk pts, we report high ORR rates in a similar range to the phase II Geltamo IMCL-2015 study of combination IBR-R in an exclusively low-risk population. Documented CR rates were lower, possibly reflecting a low usage of rituximab in the Covid-19 pandemic as well as CT assessment of response. Treatment was generally well tolerated, with low rates of toxicityrelated treatment discontinuation. The study is ongoing.

PROGNOSTIC FACTORS IN PATIENTS IN THE TERMINAL PHASE OF HEMATOLOGICAL MALIGNANCIES WHO RECEIVED HOME MEDICAL CARE

Background: In the current global COVID-19 pandemic, terminal care in a patient's home has been expanded as a positive choice even for patients suffering from hematological malignancy (HM). Although there are many tools for predicting the prognosis of patients in the terminal phase of solid tumors, there is little information about prognostic factors in patients in the terminal phase of HM, especially patients receiving home medical care (HMC). In comparison to patients with solid tumors, those with HM are more likely to have acute diseases such as acute bleeding and acute infection leading to death. A previous report revealed that HM was a factor associated with aggressive end-of-life care. Because of the various complications associated with HM, it was reported to be difficult to predict the prognosis for patients with HM. Providing patients with accurate information about prognosis is important for them to consider how to spend their remaining life. Aims: In patients in the terminal phase of HM who received HMC, we aimed to validate the usefulness of two prognostic models: Palliative Prognostic Index (PPI), which is an established prognostic model for patients in the terminal phase of a solid tumor, and the prognostic model reported by Kripp et al., which is a prognostic model for patients with HM in a palliative care unit. In addition, we aimed to determine prognostic factors for patients in the terminal phase of HM who received HMC and to develop a more detailed prognostic scoring system. Methods: We retrospectively evaluated 136 patients in the terminal phase of HM who were receiving HMC provided by 6 clinics between 2008 and 2022. Medical records relevant to prognosis were collected by a chart review. The effects of possible factors associated with overall survival (OS) were determined by the Kaplan-Meier method and univariate and multivariate Cox regression models. This study was approved by the IRB of Hokkaido University Hospital. Results: Patients characteristics were as follows: male/female, 78/58;age, 25 to 94 years;median age, 79 years;AML, 50 patients;B-NHL, 32;MDS, 24;MM, 13;T-NHL 6;ALL, 5;ATL 2, CMML 2, and PV, 2. According to PPI, there was no significant difference in OS between the intermediate-risk group and the low-risk group (panel A;P = 0.15). By using the prognostic model reported by Kripp et al., we could stratify the patients into 3 risk groups with significantly different survival times (panel B;P < 0.01). However, there was a wide range of survival times in the high-risk group (OS, 0 to 125 days;median OS, 24 days). In our investigation of factors associated with OS, multivariate analyses revealed that there were 7 factors associated with poor OS (panel C). For the development of our prognostic scoring system, each variable was weighed according to the value of the hazard ratio (panel C) and 4 risk groups were shown to clearly discriminate survival (P < 0.01): low-risk group (n = 25, median OS of 434 days), intermediate-low risk group (n = 60, median OS of 112 days), intermediate-high risk group (n = 31, median OS of 31 days), and high-risk group (n = 20, median OS of 9 days). (Figure Presented ) Summary/Conclusion: This is the first investigation of prognostic factors that influence the overall survival of patients in the terminal phase of HM who received home medical care. In comparison to previously reported prognostic models, our scoring system could stratify patients in more detail. Providing patients and medical staff with accurate information about prognosis will lead to a higher quality of life in the terminal phase and better support by medical staff.

Feasibility, diagnostic performance and clinical value of an abbreviated echocardiography protocol in an out-patient cardiovascular setting: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND: There has been a growing demand for echocardiography services over the last 5 years, with this supply-demand mismatch exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Prior studies have suggested a high proportion of normal findings among echocardiograms requested for patients without known cardiovascular disease, particularly in low-risk cohorts. This pilot study investigates the role of an abbreviated echocardiography protocol in improving access to echocardiography services in a low-risk outpatient setting within the rapid access chest pain (RACP) clinic. METHOD: A retrospective review of electronic medical records and transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) studies for 212 patients from RACP clinic in 2019 (cohort A), prior to the introduction of the abbreviated echocardiography protocol, and 175 patients seen in the RACP clinic in 2021 (cohort B) was performed. The outcomes measured include the echocardiography referral burden from RACP clinic, waiting time for a TTE and echocardiography findings. RESULTS: 33% and 45% of patients seen in the RACP clinic in 2019 and 2021, respectively, were referred for a TTE. The most common indications include chest pain (50%), dyspnoea (19%) and palpitations (11%). Abnormal findings were identified in 36% of TTEs performed in cohort A and 13% in cohort B. The median echocardiogram study time was significantly shorter in cohort B (7 min vs 13 min, p < 0.00001), with a lower number of images acquired (43 vs. 62, p < 0.00001). The median waiting time for an echocardiography in cohort B was significantly shorter (median: 14 days vs. 42 days in 2019, p < 0.00001). No major pathologies were missed on a retrospective review of these images. CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrates that an abbreviated echocardiography protocol has potential to improve access to echocardiography services through increasing scheduling capacity, without compromising diagnostic performance in a low-risk outpatient population.