Postoperative awake prone position in geriatric patients with hip fractures: a protocol for a randomized controlled trial on the efficacy of postoperative prone position in reducing pulmonary complications and improving oxygenation.

INTRODUCTION: Postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) are prevalent in geriatric patients with hip fractures. Low oxygen level is one of the most important risk factors for PPCs. Prone position has been proven efficacy in improving oxygenation and delaying the progress of pulmonary diseases, especially in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome induced by multiple etiologies. The application of awake prone position (APP) has also attracted widespread attention in recent years. A randomized controlled trial (RCT) will be carried out to measure the effect of postoperative APP in a population of geriatric patients undergoing hip fracture surgery. METHODS: This is an RCT. Patients older than 65 years old admitted through the emergency department and diagnosed with an intertrochanteric or femoral neck fracture will be eligible for enrollment and assigned randomly to the control group with routine postoperative management of orthopedics or APP group with an additional prone position for the first three consecutive postoperative days (PODs). Patients receiving conservative treatment will not be eligible for enrollment. We will record the difference in the patient's room-air-breathing arterial partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2) values between the 4th POD (POD 4) and emergency visits, the morbidity of PPCs and other postoperative complications, and length of stay. The incidence of PPCs, readmission rates, and mortality rates will be followed up for 90 PODs. DISCUSSION: We describe the protocol for a single-center RCT that will evaluate the efficacy of postoperative APP treatment in reducing pulmonary complications and improving oxygenation in geriatric patients with hip fractures. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: This protocol was approved by the independent ethics committee (IEC) for Clinical Research of Zhongda Hospital, Affiliated to Southeast University, and is registered on the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry. The findings of the trial will be disseminated through peer-reviewed journals. ETHICS APPROVAL NUMBER: 2021ZDSYLL203-P01 TRIAL REGISTRATION: ChiCTR ChiCTR2100049311 . Registered on 29 July 2021. TRIAL STATUS: Recruiting. Recruitment is expected to be completed in December 2024.

Efficacy of Reinforced Stapler Versus Hand-sewn Closure of the Pancreatic Stump During Pure Laparoscopic Distal Pancreatectomy to Reduce Pancreatic Fistula.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy (L-DP) is the standard procedure for treating left-sided pancreatic tumors. Stapler closure of the pancreas is the preferred method for L-DP; however, postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) remains a challenging problem. The present study aimed to compare the surgical outcomes of staple closure using a reinforcing stapler (RS) and transection using an ultrasonic dissector followed by hand-sewn (HS) closure in a fish-mouth manner in pure L-DP and to determine independent perioperative risk factors for clinically relevant postoperative pancreatic fistula (CR-POPF). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Among the 85 patients who underwent pure L-DP between February 2011 and August 2021, 80 of whom the pancreatic stump was closed with RS (n = 59) or HS (n = 21) were retrospectively investigated. Associations between potential risk factors and POPF were assessed using univariate analysis. The factors, of which the P value was determined to be <0.1 by univariate analysis, were entered into a multivariate regression analysis to ascertain independent predictive factors. RESULTS: The surgery time and estimated blood loss were not significantly different between the two groups. Overall, 13 patients (16.3%) developed CR-POPF ( B = 12 and C = 1). The rate of CR-POPF was lower in RS than in HS; however, the difference was not statistically significant (RS vs HS: 11.9% vs 28.9%, P = 0.092). Consistent with the results for CR-POPF, the rate of Clavien-Dindo IIIa or more postoperative complications and the length of hospital stay were also not significantly different between the two groups (RS vs HS: 10.2, 12% vs 14.3%, 14 d). In the univariate analysis of risk factors for CR-POPF, the pancreatic thickness at the transection site, procedure for stump closure, and estimated blood loss were associated with a significantly higher rate of CR-POPF. The multivariate analysis revealed that the pancreatic thickness at the transection site (cutoff: 12 mm) was the only independent risk factor for CR-POPF (odds ratio: 6.5l, 95% CI: 1.4-30.4, P = 0.018). The rate of CR-POPF was much lower in RS than in HS for pancreatic thickness <12 mm (RS vs HS: 4.1% vs 28.6%), whereas that was rather higher in RS than in HS for pancreatic thickness ≥12 mm (RS vs HS: 50% vs 28.6%). CONCLUSIONS: RS closure was superior to HS closure for pancreatic thickness <12 mm and for prevention of CR-POPF after pure L-DP. It is necessary to seek more reliable procedures for pancreatic stump closure in patients with a pancreatic thickness of ≥12 mm.

The efficacy of teriparatide (Cinnopar®) on bone repair in mandibular fractures: A single blinded randomized clinical trial.

This study focused on the effects of teriparatide (CinnoPar) on healing and postoperative complications in mandibular bone fractures. In this single-blind randomized controlled trial, 30 patients with a mandibular fracture hospitalized for open reduction internal fixation were randomly assigned to the intervention (I) (n = 15) and control (C) (n = 15) groups. Both groups received daily acetaminophen and cephalexin for 1 week. For 1 month, Group I received daily subcutaneous teriparatide injections. The Radiographic Union Scale of the Mandible (RUSM) was used to assess mandibular bone fusion subjectively, and the Hounsfield unit (HU) was used to objectively assess radiodensity in a computed tomography (CT) scan. In both groups, the visual analog scale (VAS) score was used to assess postoperative complications such as pain, swelling, wound opening, pus secretion, and bitter taste. There was no significant difference in bone repair between the two groups in this study (P > 0.05). Teriparatide also had no effect on the postoperative complication rate in the control group (P > 0.05). Within the limitations of the study it seems that in mandibular fractures, teriparatide did not affect bone fusion or postoperative complications, so its use is not recommended for better bone fusion and fewer postoperative complications of mandibular fracture during the first month.

Prehabilitation in an ERAS program for endometrial cancer patients: impact on post-operative recovery.

OBJECTIVES: Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) and prehabilitation programs are multidisciplinary care pathways that aim to reduce stress response and improve perioperative outcomes. However, literature is limited regarding the impact of ERAS and prehabilitation in gynecologic oncology surgery. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of implementing an ERAS and prehabilitation program on post-operative outcomes of endometrial cancer patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery. METHODS: We evaluated consecutive patients undergoing laparoscopy for endometrial cancer that followed ERAS and the prehabilitation program at a single center. A pre-intervention cohort that followed the ERAS program alone was identified. The primary outcome was length of stay, and secondary outcomes were normal oral diet restart, post-operative complications and readmissions. RESULTS: A total of 128 patients were included: 60 patients in the ERAS group and 68 patients in the prehabilitation group. The prehabilitation group had a shorter length of hospital stay of 1 day (p<0.001) and earlier normal oral diet restart of 3.6 hours (p=0.005) in comparison with the ERAS group. The rate of post-operative complications (5% in the ERAS group and 7.4% in the prehabilitation group, p=0.58) and readmissions (1.7% in the ERAS group and 2.9% in the prehabilitation group, p=0.63) were similar between groups. CONCLUSIONS: The integration of ERAS and a prehabilitation program in endometrial cancer patients undergoing laparoscopy significantly reduced hospital stay and time to first oral diet as compared with ERAS alone, without increasing overall complications or the readmissions rate.

[Immunonutrition, evidence and experiences]. / Inmunonutrición, evidencias y experiencias.

Introduction: Immunonutrition is a science that encompasses aspects related to nutrition, immunity, infection, inflammation and tissue damage. Immunomodulatory formulas have shown benefits in a wide variety of clinical situations. The objective of this work was to review the available evidence in immunonutrition (IN). For this, a bibliographic search has been carried out with the keywords: immunonutrition, arginine, glutamine, nucleotides, omega-3 fatty acids, ERAS, fast-track. Clinical trials, reviews and clinical practice guidelines have been included. IN has been shown to reduce postoperative fistulae in head and neck cancer patients and in gastric and esophageal cancer patients, infectious complications and hospital stay. Other clinical situations that benefit from the use of IN are pancreatic cancer surgery, colorectal cancer surgery and major burns. More controlled, prospective, and randomized studies are necessary to confirm the potential benefits of IN in other clinical situations such as non-esophageal thoracic surgery, bladder cancer, gynecological surgery, hip fracture, liver pathology and COVID-19, among others.

Introducción: La inmunonutrición es una ciencia que engloba aspectos relacionados con la nutrición, la inmunidad, la infección, la inflamación y el daño tisular. Las fórmulas inmunomoduladoras han demostrado beneficios en una amplia variedad de situaciones clínicas. El objetivo de este trabajo es revisar la evidencia disponible en inmunonutrición (IN). Para ello, se ha realizado una búsqueda bibliográfica con las palabras clave: inmunonutrición, arginina, glutamina, nucleótidos, ácidos grasos omega-3, ERAS, fast-track. Se han incluido ensayos clínicos, revisiones y guías de práctica clínica. La IN ha demostrado reducir las fístulas en el postoperatorio en pacientes con cáncer de cabeza y cuello. En pacientes con cáncer gástrico y cáncer de esófago, la IN se asocia a una disminución de las complicaciones infecciosas y la estancia hospitalaria. Otras situaciones clínicas que se benefician del uso de la IN son la cirugía del cáncer de páncreas, la cirugía del cáncer colorrectal y los grandes quemados. Son necesarios más estudios controlados, prospectivos y aleatorizados para confirmar los potenciales beneficios de la IN en otras situaciones clínicas como la cirugía torácica no esofágica, el cáncer vesical, la cirugía ginecológica, la fractura de cadera, la patología hepática y la COVID-19, entre otros.

Antibiotic prophylaxis of postoperative endophthalmitis after cataract surgery: results of the 2021 ASCRS member survey.

In an online survey of >1200 global cataract surgeons, 66% were using intracameral (IC) antibiotic prophylaxis. This compared with 50% and 30% in the 2014 and 2007 surveys, respectively. Irrigation bottle infusion and intravitreal injection was each used by only 5% of respondents. For IC antibiotics, vancomycin was used by 6% in the United States (52% in 2014), compared with 83% for moxifloxacin (31% in 2014). Equal numbers used compounded moxifloxacin or the Vigamox bottle as the source. There was a decrease in respondents using preoperative (73% from 85%) and postoperative (86% from 97%) topical antibiotic prophylaxis; the latter was not used by 24% of surgeons injecting IC antibiotics. Reasons cited by those not using IC antibiotics include mixing/compounding risk (66%) and being unconvinced of the need (48%). However, 80% believe having a commercially approved IC antibiotic is important; if reasonably priced, this would increase adoption of IC prophylaxis to 93%.

Preoperative risk assessment and spirometry is a cost-effective strategy to reduce post-operative complications and mortality in Mexico.

AIM: Combining preoperative spirometry with the Assess Respiratory Risk in Surgical Patients in Catalunia (ARISCAT) risk scale can reduce post-operative complications and improve patient survival. This study aimed to assess the cost-effectiveness of performing spirometry or not in conjunction with the ARISCAT scale, to reduce post-operative complications and improve survival among adult patients undergoing elective surgery in Mexico. METHODS: A cost-effectiveness analysis (CEA) was performed to compare the specific cost and health outcomes associated with the combined use of the ARISCAT scale and preoperative spirometry (Group 1), and the use of the ARISCAT scale without preoperative spirometry (Group 2). The health outcomes evaluated were post-operative complications and survival. The perspective was from the health care provider (Hospital General de México) and direct medical costs were reported in 2019 US dollars. A decision tree with a time horizon of eight months was used for each health outcome and ARISCAT risk level. RESULTS: The combined use of the ARISCAT scale and spirometry is more cost-effective for reducing post-operative complications in the low and moderate-risk levels and is cost-saving in the high-risk level, than use of the ARISCAT scale without spirometry. To improve patient survival, ARISCAT and spirometry are also more cost-effective at the moderate risk level, and cost-saving for high-risk patients, than using the ARISCAT scale alone. CONCLUSIONS: The use of preoperative spirometry among patients with a high ARISCAT risk level was cost-saving, reduced post-operative complications, and improved survival. Our findings indicate an urgent need to implement spirometry as part of preoperative care in Mexico, which is already the standard of care in other countries.

Abdominal drainage to prevent intra-peritoneal abscess after appendectomy for complicated appendicitis.

BACKGROUND: This is the second update of a Cochrane Review first published in 2015 and last updated in 2018. Appendectomy, the surgical removal of the appendix, is performed primarily for acute appendicitis. Patients who undergo appendectomy for complicated appendicitis, defined as gangrenous or perforated appendicitis, are more likely to suffer postoperative complications. The routine use of abdominal drainage to reduce postoperative complications after appendectomy for complicated appendicitis is controversial. OBJECTIVES: To assess the safety and efficacy of abdominal drainage to prevent intraperitoneal abscess after appendectomy (irrespective of open or laparoscopic) for complicated appendicitis; to compare the effects of different types of surgical drains; and to evaluate the optimal time for drain removal. SEARCH METHODS: We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid Embase, Web of Science, the World Health Organization International Trials Registry Platform, ClinicalTrials.gov, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, and three trials registers on 24 February 2020, together with reference checking, citation searching, and contact with study authors to identify additional studies. SELECTION CRITERIA: We included all randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that compared abdominal drainage versus no drainage in people undergoing emergency open or laparoscopic appendectomy for complicated appendicitis. We also included RCTs that compared different types of drains and different schedules for drain removal in people undergoing appendectomy for complicated appendicitis. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: We used standard methodological procedures expected by Cochrane. Two review authors independently identified the trials for inclusion, collected the data, and assessed the risk of bias. We used the GRADE approach to assess evidence certainty. We included intraperitoneal abscess as the primary outcome. Secondary outcomes were wound infection, morbidity, mortality, hospital stay, hospital costs, pain, and quality of life. MAIN RESULTS: Use of drain versus no drain We included six RCTs (521 participants) comparing abdominal drainage and no drainage in participants undergoing emergency open appendectomy for complicated appendicitis. The studies were conducted in North America, Asia, and Africa. The majority of participants had perforated appendicitis with local or general peritonitis. All participants received antibiotic regimens after open appendectomy. None of the trials was assessed as at low risk of bias. The evidence is very uncertain regarding the effects of abdominal drainage versus no drainage on intraperitoneal abscess at 30 days (risk ratio (RR) 1.23, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.47 to 3.21; 5 RCTs; 453 participants; very low-certainty evidence) or wound infection at 30 days (RR 2.01, 95% CI 0.88 to 4.56; 5 RCTs; 478 participants; very low-certainty evidence). There were seven deaths in the drainage group (N = 183) compared to one in the no-drainage group (N = 180), equating to an increase in the risk of 30-day mortality from 0.6% to 2.7% (Peto odds ratio 4.88, 95% CI 1.18 to 20.09; 4 RCTs; 363 participants; low-certainty evidence). Abdominal drainage may increase 30-day overall complication rate (morbidity; RR 6.67, 95% CI 2.13 to 20.87; 1 RCT; 90 participants; low-certainty evidence) and hospital stay by 2.17 days (95% CI 1.76 to 2.58; 3 RCTs; 298 participants; low-certainty evidence) compared to no drainage. The outcomes hospital costs, pain, and quality of life were not reported in any of the included studies. There were no RCTs comparing the use of drain versus no drain in participants undergoing emergency laparoscopic appendectomy for complicated appendicitis. Open drain versus closed drain There were no RCTs comparing open drain versus closed drain for complicated appendicitis. Early versus late drain removal There were no RCTs comparing early versus late drain removal for complicated appendicitis. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: The certainty of the currently available evidence is low to very low. The effect of abdominal drainage on the prevention of intraperitoneal abscess or wound infection after open appendectomy is uncertain for patients with complicated appendicitis. The increased rates for overall complication rate and hospital stay for the drainage group compared to the no-drainage group are based on low-certainty evidence. Consequently, there is no evidence for any clinical improvement with the use of abdominal drainage in patients undergoing open appendectomy for complicated appendicitis. The increased risk of mortality with drainage comes from eight deaths observed in just under 400 recruited participants. Larger studies are needed to more reliably determine the effects of drainage on morbidity and mortality outcomes.

Effect of Intelligent Medical Management Platform Combined with Perioperative Detailed Nursing on Cognitive Ability, Postoperative Complications, and Quality of Life of Patients Undergoing Hysterectomy.

Objective: To analyze the effect of an intelligent medical management platform combined with perioperative detailed nursing on cognitive ability, postoperative complications, and quality of life (QOL) of patients undergoing hysterectomy. Methods: The clinical data of 76 patients undergoing hysterectomy in our hospital from December 2019 to December 2021 were selected for the retrospective analysis, and the patients were divided into the experimental group (EG, n = 38, intelligent medical management platform+perioperative detailed nursing) and the routine group (RG, n = 38, routine nursing) according to their admission order, and the cognition of disease and QOL after intervention of patients in the two groups were evaluated by the self-proposed questionnaire on cognition of disease of our hospital and the MOS 36-item short-form health survey (SF-36). Results: After intervention, the scores on cognitive ability, various nursing items, and QOL were significantly higher in EG than in RG (P < 0.001), and during the study, the total incidence rate of complications was significantly lower in EG than in RG (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Combining an intelligent medical management platform with perioperative detailed nursing is a reliable method to improve QOL and reduce postoperative complications for patients undergoing hysterectomy. Further research will be conducive to providing a reliable perioperative intervention scheme for such patients.

Partial COVID-19 vaccination associated with reduction in postoperative mortality and SARS-CoV-2 infection.

BACKGROUND: There are currently no data to guide decisions about delaying surgery to achieve full vaccination. METHODS: We analyzed data from patients undergoing surgery at any of the 1,283 VA medical facilities nationwide and compared postoperative complication rates by vaccination status. RESULTS: Of 87,073 surgical patients, 20% were fully vaccinated, 15% partially vaccinated, and 65% unvaccinated. Mortality was reduced in full vaccination vs. unvaccinated (Incidence Rate Ratio 0.77, 95% CI [0.62, 0.94]) and partially vaccinated vs. unvaccinated (0.75 [0.60, 0.94]). Postoperative COVID-19 infection was reduced in fully (0.18 [0.12, 0.26]) and partially vaccinated patients (0.34 [0.24, 0.48]). Fully vaccinated compared to partially vaccinated patients, had similar postoperative mortality (1.02, [0.78, 1.33]), but had decreased COVID-19 infection (0.53 [0.32, 0.87]), pneumonia (0.75 [0.62, 0.93]), and pulmonary failure (0.79 [0.68, 0.93]). CONCLUSIONS: Full and partial vaccination reduces postoperative complications indicating the importance of any degree of vaccination prior to surgery.

Evidence of SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Cells, Tissues, and Organs and the Risk of Transmission Through Transplantation.

The emergence of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus responsible for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has raised concerns for programs overseeing donation and transplantation of cells, tissues, and organs (CTO) that this virus might be transmissible by transfusion or transplantation. Transplant recipients are considered particularly vulnerable to pathogens because of immunosuppression, and SARS-CoV-2 is likely to generate complications if contracted. Several signs and symptoms observed in COVID-19 positive patients reflect damage to multiple organs and tissues, raising the possibility of extrapulmonary SARS-CoV-2 infections and risk of transmission. At the beginning of the pandemic, a consensus has emerged not to consider COVID-19 positive patients as potential living or deceased donors, resulting in a global decrease in transplantation procedures. Medical decision-making at the time of organ allocation must consider safely alongside the survival advantages offered by transplantation. To address the risk of transmission by transplantation, this review summarizes the published cases of transplantation of cells or organs from donors infected with SARS-CoV-2 until January 2021 and assesses the current state of knowledge for the detection of this virus in different biologic specimens, cells, tissues, and organs. Evidence collected to date raises the possibility of SARS-CoV-2 infection and replication in some CTO, which makes it impossible to exclude transmission through transplantation. However, most studies focused on evaluating transmission under laboratory conditions with inconsistent findings, rendering the comparison of results difficult. Improved standardization of donors and CTO screening practices, along with a systematic follow-up of transplant recipients could facilitate the assessment of SARS-CoV-2 transmission risk by transplantation.

Early Post-Renal Transplant Hyperglycemia.

CONTEXT: Though posttransplant diabetes mellitus (PTDM, occurring > 45 days after transplantation) and its complications are well described, early post-renal transplant hyperglycemia (EPTH) (< 45 days) similarly puts kidney transplant recipients at risk of infections, rehospitalizations, and graft failure and is not emphasized much in the literature. Proactive screening and management of EPTH is required given these consequences. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this article is to promote recognition of early post-renal transplant hyperglycemia, and to summarize available information on its pathophysiology, adverse effects, and management. METHODS: A PubMed search was conducted for "early post-renal transplant hyperglycemia," "immediate posttransplant hyperglycemia," "post-renal transplant diabetes," "renal transplant," "diabetes," and combinations of these terms. EPTH is associated with significant complications including acute graft failure, rehospitalizations, cardiovascular events, PTDM, and infections. CONCLUSION: Patients with diabetes experience better glycemic control in end-stage renal disease (ESRD), with resurgence of hyperglycemia after kidney transplant. Patients with and without known diabetes are at risk of EPTH. Risk factors include elevated pretransplant fasting glucose, diabetes, glucocorticoids, chronic infections, and posttransplant infections. We find that EPTH increases risk of re-hospitalizations from infections (cytomegalovirus, possibly COVID-19), acute graft rejections, cardiovascular events, and PTDM. It is essential, therefore, to provide diabetes education to patients before discharge. Insulin remains the standard of care while inpatient. Close follow-up after discharge is recommended for insulin adjustment. Some agents like dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists have shown promise. The tenuous kidney function in the early posttransplant period and lack of data limit the use of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors. There is a need for studies assessing noninsulin agents for EPTH to decrease risk of hypoglycemia associated with insulin and long-term complications of EPTH.

COVID-19 Vaccination Associated With Reduced Postoperative SARS-CoV-2 Infection and Morbidity.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of COVID-19 vaccination on postoperative mortality, pulmonary and thrombotic complications, readmissions and hospital lengths of stay among patients undergoing surgery in the United States. BACKGROUND: While vaccination prevents COVID-19, little is known about its impact on postoperative complications. METHODS: This is a nationwide observational cohort study of all 1,255 Veterans Affairs facilities nationwide. We compared patients undergoing surgery at least 2 weeks after their second dose of the Pfizer BioNTech or Moderna vaccines, to contemporary propensity score matched controls. Primary endpoints were 30-day mortality and postoperative COVID-19 infection. Secondary endpoints were pulmonary or thrombotic complications, readmissions, and hospital lengths of stay. RESULTS: 30,681 patients met inclusion criteria. After matching, there were 3,104 in the vaccination group (1,903 received the Pfizer BioNTech, and 1,201 received the Moderna vaccine) and 7,438 controls. Full COVID-19 vaccination was associated with lower rates of postoperative 30-day COVID-19 infection (Incidence Rate Ratio and 95% confidence intervals, 0.09 [0.01,0.44]), pulmonary complications (0.54 [0.39, 0.72]), thrombotic complications (0.68 [0.46, 0.99]) and decreased hospital lengths of stay (0.78 [0.69, 0.89]). Complications were also low in vaccinated patients who tested COVID-19 positive before surgery but events were too few to detect a significant difference compared to controls. CONCLUSION: COVID-19 vaccination is associated with lower rates of postoperative morbidity. The benefit is most pronounced among individuals who have never had a COVID-19 infection before surgery.

A double-blind randomised controlled trial on the effect of Tocovid, a tocotrienol-rich capsule on postoperative atrial fibrillation at the National Heart Institute, Kuala Lumpur: an interim blinded analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Post-operative atrial fibrillation (POAF) is associated with poorer outcomes, increased resource utilisation, morbidity and mortality. Its pathogenesis is initiated by systemic inflammation and oxidative stress. It is hypothesised that a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent such as tocotrienol, an isomer of Vitamin E, could reduce or prevent POAF. AIMS: The aim of this study is to determine whether a potent antioxidative and anti-inflammatory agent, Tocovid, a tocotrienol-rich capsule, could reduce the incidence of POAF and affect the mortality and morbidity as well as the duration of ICU, HDU and hospital stay. METHODS: This study was planned as a prospective, randomised, controlled trial with parallel groups. The control group received placebo containing palm superolein while the treatment group received Tocovid capsules. We investigated the incidence of POAF, the length of hospital stay after surgery and the health-related quality of life. RESULTS: Recruitment commenced in January 2019 but the preliminary results were unblinded as the study is still ongoing. Two-hundred and two patients have been recruited out of a target sample size of 250 as of January 2021. About 75% have completed the study and 6.4% were either lost during follow-up or withdrew; 4% of participants died. The mean age group was 61.44 ± 7.30 years with no statistical difference between the groups, with males having a preponderance for AF. The incidence of POAF was 24.36% and the mean time for developing POAF was 55.38 ± 29.9 h post-CABG. Obesity was not a predictive factor. No statistically significant difference was observed when comparing left atrial size, NYHA class, ejection fraction and the premorbid history. The mean cross-clamp time was 71 ± 34 min and the mean bypass time was 95 ± 46 min, with no difference between groups. There was a threefold increase in death among patients with POAF (p = 0.008) and an increase in the duration of ICU stay (p = 0.01), the total duration of hospital stay (p = 0.04) and reintubation (p = 0.045). CONCLUSION: A relatively low incidence rate of POAF was noted although the study is still ongoing. It remains to be seen if our prophylactic intervention using Tocovid would effectively reduce the incidence of POAF. Clinical Registration Number: US National Library of Medicine. Clinical Trials - NCT03807037. Registered on 16th January 2019. Link: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03807037.

A Less Restrictive Policy for Liver Transplantation in Coronavirus Disease 2019 Positive Patients, Based Upon Cycle Threshold Values.

Coronavirus disease 2019 drastically impacted solid organ transplantation. Lacking scientific evidence, a very stringent but safer policy was imposed on liver transplantation (LT) early in the pandemic. Restrictive transplant guidelines must be reevaluated and adjusted as data become available. Before LT, the prevailing policy requires a negative severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) of donors and recipients. Unfortunately, prolonged viral RNA shedding frequently hinders transplantation. Recent data reveal that positive test results for viral genome are frequently due to noninfectious and prolonged convalescent shedding of viral genome. Moreover, studies demonstrated that the cycle threshold of quantitative RT-PCR could be leveraged to inform clinical transplant decision-making. We present an evidence-adjusted and significantly less restrictive policy for LT, where risk tolerance is tiered to recipient acuity. In addition, we delineate the pretransplant clinical decision-making, intra- and postoperative management, and early outcome of 2 recipients of a liver graft performed while their RT-PCR of airway swabs remained positive. Convalescent positive RT-PCR results are common in the transplant arena, and the proposed policy permits reasonably safe LT in many circumstances.