Surgical Management of Aortic Regurgitation in Takayasu's Arteritis: A Systematic Review of Techniques and Outcomes.

IntroductionTakayasu's arteritis (TA) is an inflammatory condition that affects large vessels and frequently involves the aortic valve causing valve regurgitation. Surgical management is recommended for symptomatic severe aortic regurgitation (AR); however, the optimal surgical approach is yet unclear. This study aims to review surgical treatment options for AR in TA and determine which procedure has a lower chance of late postoperative events and/or mortality. MethodsAn electronic database search was performed within PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and SCOPUS to identify articles from 1975 to 2016 focusing on surgical management of the AR in TA. ResultsTwenty seven studies encompassing a total of 194 cases (77% females) were included. Isolated aortic valve replacement (AVR) was performed in 105/194 cases (54%) (Group A), while combined aortic valve and root replacement (CAVRR) was performed in 87/194 (45%) (Group B). Prosthetic valve detachment was reported in 10/105 cases (9.5%) in group A and 1/87 cases (1.2%) in group B (p = 0.02). Dilation of the residual aorta was reported in 10/105 cases (9.5%) in group A and 1/87 cases (1.2%) in group B (p = 0.02). Any late (≥ 30 d) postoperative cardiac event was reported in 26/105 cases (24.8%) in group A, and in 7/87 cases (8.1%) in group B (p = 0.003). ConclusionsAlthough CAVRR is a more complex procedure, it might offer a better outcome in terms of late postoperative cardiac events compared to isolated AVR procedure. Future prospective studies are required to help determine the best surgical approach in such a population.

Orthostatic Hypotension and Concurrent Autonomic Dysfunction: A Novel Complication of Lung Transplantation.

Background: Persistent orthostatic hypotension (OH) is a lesser-known complication of lung transplantation (LTx). In this retrospective case series, we describe the clinical manifestations, complications, and treatment of persistent OH in 13 LTx recipients. Methods: We identified LTx recipients who underwent transplantation between March 1, 2018, and March 31, 2020, with persistent symptomatic OH and retrospectively queried the records for clinical information. Results: Thirteen patients were included in the analysis, 9 (69%) had underlying pulmonary fibrosis, and 12 (92%) were male. The median age, height, and body mass index at LTx were 68 years, 70 inches, and 27 kg/m2, respectively. Six (46%) patients were deceased at the time of chart abstraction with a median (IQR) posttransplant survival of 12.6 months (6, 21); the 7 remaining living patients were a median of 19.6 months (18, 32) posttransplant. Signs and symptoms of OH developed a median of 60 (7, 75) days after transplant. Patients were treated with pharmacological agents and underwent extensive physical therapy. Most patients required inpatient rehabilitation (n = 10, 77%), and patients commonly developed comorbid conditions including weight loss, renal insufficiency with eGFR <50 (n = 13, 100%), gastroparesis (n = 7, 54%), and tachycardia-bradycardia syndrome (n = 2, 15%). Falls were common (n = 10, 77%). The incidence of OH in LTx recipients at our center during the study period was 5.6% (13/234). Conclusions: Persistent OH is a lesser-known complication of LTx that impacts posttransplant rehabilitation and may lead to comorbidities and shortened survival. In addition, most LTx recipients with OH at our center were tall, thin men with underlying pulmonary fibrosis, which may offer an opportunity to instate pretransplant OH screening of at-risk patients.

Distinct Coagulopathy With Myocardial Injury and Pulmonary Embolism in COVID-19.

In this article, we report a case of a 61-year-old male who was diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2), presenting with acute respiratory distress syndrome requiring intubation and hemodynamic support, marked D-Dimer and troponin I elevation, worsening ST-elevation myocardial infarction on repeat electrocardiograms, and a negative coronary angiogram ruling out a coronary artery thrombosis or occlusion. With worsening diffuse ST-segment elevation on electrocardiograms and reduced ejection fraction on echocardiography in the setting of systemic inflammation, fulminant myocarditis was highly suspected. Despite optimal medical treatment, the patient's condition deteriorated and was complicated by cardiac arrest that failed resuscitation. Although myocarditis was initially suspected, the autopsy revealed no evidence of myocarditis or pericarditis but did demonstrate multiple microscopic sites of myocardial ischemia together with thrombi in the left atrium and pulmonary vasculature. Additionally, scattered microscopic cardiomyocyte necrosis with pathological diagnosis of small vessel micro-thrombotic occlusions. These findings are potentially exacerbated by inflammation-induced coagulopathy, hypoxia, hypotension, and stress, that is, a multifactorial etiology. Further research and an improved understanding are needed to define the precise pathophysiology of the coagulopathic state causing widespread micro-thrombosis with subsequent myocardial and pulmonary injury.

Patient Perception of Medical Student Professionalism: Does Attire Matter?

INTRODUCTION: Patient compliance and outcomes have been shown to be influenced by the quality of the doctor-patient relationship. In addition, the effect of physician attire on the patient's perception of the physician has been long appreciated. Data shows that professional attire is preferred by patients. Whereas treating physicians are the backbone of patient management, medical students are often a patient's first encounter in a teaching clinic. Patient perception of the student may impact their rating of the attending physician. Despite this, medical students are often dressed wearing scrubs in surgery clinic. The purpose of this study was to determine if patient perception of medical students would be affected by the students' attire. METHODS: A 7-item, validated professionalism scale was used to survey surgery clinic patients whose initial examinations were performed by a medical student. Students were blinded and randomly assigned to wear professional attire versus scrubs. Patients' responses of 'strongly agree' were compared to lower ratings for each item. RESULTS: One hundred twenty-three patients completed our survey, 63 (51.2%) wearing scrubs and 60 (48.8%) in professional attire. The average age was 49.7 ± 15.8 years. In the professional attire group, there was no significant association for any of the 7 items. However, in the scrubs group, all 7 items were significant such that a higher proportion of patients under the age of 60 rated medical students wearing scrubs higher than did patients aged 60 and above. CONCLUSION: Students in scrubs were perceived to be less knowledgeable, competent, and professional by older patients. In contrast, younger patients seemed unaffected by the dress of medical students in clinic. Older patients may judge the medical community's growing acceptance of more casual attire in the workplace as less professional, potentially affecting patient satisfaction. Surgical educators should require a standard of professional attire for students in clinic.

Investigation of Computed-Tomography Based Predictors of Acute Stroke Related to Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement: Aortic Wall Plaque Thickness Might be a Predictive Parameter of Stroke.

OBJECTIVES: Little information is available on computed tomography (CT)-based predictors of stroke related to transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). The objective of this study was to determine whether anatomical features of the aortic valve and aorta visualized by CT are predictive parameters of stroke. METHODS: The study included 1270 patients who underwent preprocedural contrast-enhanced CT assessment and TAVR for severe aortic valve stenosis. Twenty-six patients (2.5%) who developed acute strokes that occurred within 48 hours after TAVR and 104 matched patients without strokes were identified, using 1:4 propensity-score matching. The degree of hypoattenuation in the aortic valve leaflets, calcium volume of the aortic valve, and plaque thickness in the aortic wall (the ascending aorta, aortic arch, and descending thoracic aorta) were assessed. RESULTS: There were no differences between the two groups in the degree of hypoattenuation in the aortic valve leaflets and calcium volume of the aortic valve. The plaque thickness of the aortic arch and descending aorta were greater in the stroke group than in the non-stroke group: aortic arch, 2.4 mm (IQR, 1.3-2.8 mm) vs 1.8 mm (IQR, 1.4-2.2 mm), respectively (P<.01); and descending aorta, 2.9 mm (IQR, 2.1-4.2 mm) vs 2.8 mm (IQR, 2.1-3.6 mm); respectively (P=.049). CONCLUSION: Aortic wall plaque thickness measured by contrast-enhanced CT might be a predictive parameter of strokes that occur within 48 hours after TAVR.

Management of Extracranial Blunt Cerebrovascular Injuries: Experience with an Aspirin-Based Approach.

BACKGROUND: Optimal management of patients with extracranial blunt cerebrovascular injury (BCVI) remains controversial, with both anticoagulation and antiplatelet therapy being recommended. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of using acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) in the management of BCVI. METHODS: Patients with BCVI were identified from the registry of a Level 1 trauma center between 2010 and 2017. Digital imaging and electronic medical records were reviewed for patient information including demographic characteristics, injury type, therapy, outcomes, and follow-up. RESULTS: Over the study period, 13,578 patients were admitted following blunt trauma, with 94 (0.7%) having confirmed BCVI (mean age, 42 years; 72% male). Mean Injury Severity Score and Glasgow Coma Score were 27 and 10, respectively. BCVI was identified in 130 vessels with Biffl grade I (38%) and grade II injury (29%) being most common. Twelve (13%) patients experienced an ischemic event, but only 3 events occurred after diagnosis. ASA was primary treatment for 56 (60%) patients. Thirty patients (32%) received no treatment; 21 patients died within 24 hours of primary injury. Only 4 patients had ASA contraindications. Four patients (7%) had ASA-related complications; there were 2 cases of intracranial hemorrhage progression and 2 cases of gastrointestinal bleeding. Follow-up vascular imaging at a mean of 36 days demonstrated stable or improved levels of BCVI in 94% of patients. CONCLUSIONS: An ASA-based management strategy for BCVI was efficacious and relatively safe in this study. This approach may be the preferred treatment for BCVI, but confirmation is needed.

The health literacy of hospitalized trauma patients: We should be screening for deficiencies.

BACKGROUND: Although the impact of health literacy (HL) on trauma patient outcomes remains unclear, recent studies have demonstrated that trauma patients with deficient HL have poor understanding of their injuries, are less likely to comply with follow-up, and are relatively less satisfied with physician communication. In this study, we sought to determine if HL deficiency was associated with comprehension of discharge instructions. METHODS: In this prospective study, hospitalized trauma patients underwent evaluation of HL prior to discharge. Newest Vital Sign (NVS) instrument was used to score HL as deficient, marginal, or proficient. Three days postdischarge, patients were telephonically administered a six-point scored questionnaire regarding comprehension of discharge instructions. A general linear model was used to determine the association between HL and comprehension of discharge instructions. RESULTS: Sixty-three patients were administered both NVS and discharge instruction questionnaire. Ten (15.9%) patients scored as deficient in HL on the NVS screen, 16 (25.4%) as marginally proficient, and 37 (58.7%) as proficient. The HL proficiency significantly predicted follow-up score with increasing proficiency associated with higher scores on the discharge comprehension assessment (p < 0.001). Adjusted mean scores (± SE) for deficient, marginal, and proficient patients were 2.8 ± 0.5, 3.2 ± 0.4, and 4.7 ± 0.2. Post hoc comparisons demonstrated significant differences between proficient with marginal proficiency (p = 0.002) and deficient proficiency (p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: Performance on bedside test of HL among trauma inpatients predicted ability to comprehend instructions following hospital discharge. This study supports the value of HL screening prior to discharge. The HL-deficient patients may benefit from a transitional care program to improve comprehension of discharge instructions after leaving the hospital. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic/Care Management, level III.

Back to the Future: Impact of a Paper-Based Admission H&P on Clinical Documentation Improvement at a Level 1 Trauma Center.

The Medicare Severity Diagnosis Related Group (MS-DRG) weight, as derived from the MS-DRG assigned at discharge, is in part determined by the physician-documented diagnoses. However, the terminology associated with MS-DRG determination is often not aligned with typical physician language, leading to inaccurate coding and decreased hospital reimbursements. The goal of this study was to evaluate the impact of a diagnosis picklist within a paper-based history and physical examination (H&P) on the average MS-DRG weight and the Case-mix index (CMI). Our trauma center implemented a paper H&P form for trauma patients featuring picklist diagnoses aligned with the MS-DRG terminology and arranged by the physiologic system. To evaluate its impact, we conducted a cohort study using data from our trauma registry between July 2015 and November 2017. Our cohort included 442 (26.0%) paper and 1,261 (74.0%) dictated H&Ps. Average CMI (2.56 vs 2.15) and expected patients ($25,057 vs $19,825) were higher for the paper group (P < 0.001, P = 0.002). Adjusted regression models demonstrated paper coding to be associated with 0.265 CMI points, translating to an average increase in expected payment of 6.5 per cent per patient. Utilization of a standardized, paper-based H&P template with picklist diagnoses was associated with a higher trauma service CMI and higher expected payments. Preprinted diagnoses that align with the MS-DRG terminology lead to clinical documentation improvement.

Google Street View assessment of environmental safety features at the scene of pedestrian automobile injury.

BACKGROUND: Pedestrians struck by automobiles are at significant risk for mortality. Multiple environmental features have been developed to promote separation of pedestrians from motor vehicles. However, data on the effectiveness of these pedestrian traffic safety features are lacking. The purpose of this study was to use Google Street View to assess the locations of pedestrian-automobile injury and evaluate the relationship of environmental pedestrian safety features to pedestrian involved crashes. METHODS: Our trauma registry was queried for pedestrians injured by automobile collision. Google Street View was used to identify safety features present at each injury location. A composite safety score was created by summing the number of safety features at each crash location. A logistic regression model was performed to evaluate the impact of safety features on mortality. RESULTS: Our sample consisted of 631 patients (69.3% male) with an average age of 40.4 ± 17.0 years and median Injury Severity Score of 10 (5-22). A multivariate logistic regression revealed safety score (range, 0-6) significantly predicted mortality with each one-unit increment associated with a 27.8% decrease in risk of mortality. CONCLUSION: Increasing number of safety features as represented in a composite score may decrease risk of pedestrian mortality. Google Street View appears to be a viable tool to study the presence and effectiveness of these pedestrian safety features. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Epidemiological, level III.

Community Need Index (CNI): a simple tool to predict emergency department utilization after hospital discharge from the trauma service.

BACKGROUND: Emergency department (ED) visits after hospital discharge may reflect failure of transition of care to the outpatient setting. Reduction of postdischarge ED utilization represents an opportunity for quality improvement and cost reduction. The Community Need Index (CNI) is a Zip code-based score that accounts for a community's unmet needs with respect to healthcare and is publicly accessible via the internet. The purpose of this study was to determine if patient CNI score is associated with postdischarge ED utilization among hospitalized trauma patients. METHODS: Level 1 trauma patient admitted between January 2014 and June 2016 were stratified by 30-day postdischarge ED utilization (yes/no). CNI is a nationwide Zip code-based score (1.0-5.0) and was determined per patient from the CNI website. Higher scores indicate greater barriers to healthcare per aggregate socioeconomic factors. Patients with 30-day postdischarge ED visits were compared with those without, evaluating for differences in CNI score and clinical and demographic characteristics. RESULTS: 309 of 3245 patients (9.5%) used the ED. The ED utilization group was older (38.3±15.7 vs. 36.3±16.4 years, p=0.034), more injured (Injury Severity Score 10.4±8.7 vs. 7.7±8.0, p<0.001), and more likely to have had in-hospital complications (17.5% vs. 5.4%, p<0.001). Adjusted for patient age, injury severity, gender, race/ethnicity, penetrating versus blunt injury, alcohol above the legal limit, illicit drug use, the presence of one or more complications and comorbidities, hospital length of stay, and insurance category, CNI score ≥4 was associated with increased utilization (OR 2.0 [95% CI 1.4 to 2.9, p<0.001]). DISCUSSION: CNI is an easily accessible score that independently predicts postdischarge ED utilization in trauma patients. Patients with CNI score ≥4 are at significantly increased risk. Targeted intervention concerning discharge planning for these patients represents an opportunity to decrease postdischarge ED utilization. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III, Prognostic and Epidemiological.

Prognostic Impact of Permanent Pacemaker Implantation in Patients With Low Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction Following Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement.

BACKGROUND: Data are limited regarding the clinical impact of permanent pacemaker implantation (PPI) in patients with low left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). The aim of this study was to determine the impact of new PPI in patients with baseline low LVEF at 2-year follow-up after TAVR. METHODS: A total of 659 patients undergoing TAVR between January 2013 and December 2015 were included in the study. Patients were divided into two groups according to the need for PPI after TAVR. These patients were further divided by their baseline LVEF: low LVEF (≤50%) and preserved LVEF (>50%). RESULTS: A total of 104 patients (15.8%) needed PPI following TAVR. After a median follow-up of 19.1 months (interquartile range, 11.4-24.4 months), overall and cardiovascular survival showed no significant differences between new PPI and no PPI (overall, log-rank P=.94; cardiovascular, log-rank P=.51). Nonetheless, patients requiring PPI who had low LVEF had higher cardiovascular mortality compared to patients with low LVEF who didn't need PPI (log-rank P<.001). Multivariable Cox hazard model demonstrated that patients with new PPI and low LVEF had higher 2-year cardiovascular mortality after TAVR (hazard ratio, 5.76; P<.001). CONCLUSION: New PPI following TAVR was not associated with overall survival or cardiovascular survival difference at 2 years. However, receiving a new PPI in the setting of low LVEF adversely impacts mid-term cardiovascular survival.

Pneumomediastinum in blunt trauma: If aerodigestive injury is not seen on CT, invasive workup is not indicated.

BACKGROUND: Pneumomediastinum following blunt trauma is often observed on CT imaging, and concern for associated aerodigestive injury often prompts endoscopy and/or fluoroscopy. In recent years, adoption of multi-detector CT technology has resulted in high resolution images that may clearly identify aerodigestive injuries. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the utility of multi-detector CT in the identification of blunt aerodigestive injuries. METHODS: Over five years, patients with pneumomediastinum following blunt trauma were identified from the registry of a level 1 trauma center. All CT imaging of trauma patients during this time period was accomplished with 64-slice scanners. RESULTS: 127 patients with blunt traumatic pneumomediastinum were identified. Five airway injuries were identified, and all injuries were evident on CT imaging. No patient was found to have airway injury by endoscopy that was not evident on CT. No patient had an esophageal injury. CONCLUSION: Multi-detector CT imaging identifies aerodigestive injuries associated with pneumomediastinum following blunt trauma. The absence of a recognizable aerodigestive injury by CT effectively rules out the presence of such injury.

Letting the Numbers Speak for Themselves: A Simple Approach to Cost Reduction for Laparoscopic Appendectomy.

Instrument choices are influenced primarily by a surgeon's training and individual preference. Cost is often of secondary interest, particularly in the absence of any contracted fiscal obligation to the hospital. The purpose of this study was to evaluate how a simple intervention involving dissemination of cost data among a surgeon peer group influenced behavior with respect to surgical instrument choice. Cost data for laparoscopic appendectomies between July-December 2016 were disseminated to surgeons belonging to the same department of a teaching hospital. Each surgeon was provided his or her own cost data along with blinded data for his or her peers for comparison. Cost for each disposable instrument used among the group was provided for reference. Costs of laparoscopic appendectomy performed after the intervention (June-December 2017) were compared with costs before the intervention, for both individual surgeons and the group as a whole. A random effects linear regression model clustered on surgeon was then used to assess the average cost saving of the intervention while accounting for the intracorrelation of surgeon costs. One outlier was removed from the analysis, resulting in a cohort of 89 cases before the intervention and 74 postintervention. After outlier removal, data were normally distributed. The mean cost per case decreased for 10 of the 11 surgeons analyzed (minimum decrease of $7 to maximum decrease of $725). The remaining surgeon increased from an average of $985 ± 235 pre-intervention to $1003 ± 227 postintervention. The average cost saving for the group was $238 ± 226 and was associated with an average reduction in cost of 21 per cent. A linear regression analysis clustered on surgeon suggested the intervention was associated with an average saving of $260 (ß = -260, SE = 39, P < 0.001). After dissemination of cost data among surgeon peers, a reduction in costs was observed. Most notably, significant savings occurred in the absence of any mandate or incentive to reduce costs. Providing cost data to surgeons to facilitate natural competition among peers is a simple and effective tool for reducing operating room costs.

Crisis under the radar: Illicit amphetamine use is reaching epidemic proportions and contributing to resource overutilization at a Level I trauma center.

INTRODUCTION: Trauma centers reported illicit amphetamine use in approximately 10% of trauma admissions in the previous decade. From experience at a trauma center located in a southwestern metropolis, our perception is that illicit amphetamine use is on the rise and that these patients utilize in-hospital resources beyond what would be expected for their injuries. The purposes of this study were to document the incidence of illicit amphetamine use among our trauma patients and to evaluate its impact on resource utilization. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study using 7 consecutive years of data (starting July 2010) from our institution's trauma registry. Toxicology screenings were used to categorize patients into one of three groups: illicit amphetamine, other drugs, or drug-free. Adjusted linear and logistic regression models were used to predict hospital cost, length of stay, intensive care unit admission, and ventilation between drug groups. Models were conducted with combined injury severity (Injury Severity Score [ISS]) and then repeated for ISS of less than 9, ISS 9 to 15, and ISS 16 or greater. RESULTS: Eight thousand five hundred eighty-nine patients were categorized into the following three toxicology groups: 1,255 (14.6%) illicit amphetamine, 2,214 (25.8%) other drugs, and 5,120 (59.6%) drug-free. Illicit amphetamine use increased threefold over the course of the study (from 7.85% to 25.0% of annual trauma admissions). Adjusted linear models demonstrated that illicit amphetamine among patients with ISS of less than 9 was associated with 4.6% increase in hospital cost (p = 0.019) and 7.4% increase in length of stay (p = 0.043). Logistic models revealed significantly increased odds of ventilation across all ISS groups and increased odds of intensive care unit admission when all ISS groups were combined (p = 0.001) and within the group with ISS of less than 9 (p = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Hospital resource utilization of amphetamine patients with minor injuries is significant. Trauma centers with similar epidemic growth in proportion of amphetamine patients face a potentially significant resource strain relative to other centers. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic/Epidemiological, level II; Therapeutic, level III.

Early Clinical Outcomes of Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement in Left Ventricular Outflow Tract Calcification: New-Generation Device vs Early-Generation Device.

BACKGROUND: Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) in cases with left ventricular outflow tract calcification (LVOT-CA) remains a challenging procedure. The aim of this study was to compare the early outcomes of patients undergoing TAVR in LVOT-CA with new-generation devices vs early-generation devices. METHODS: Between January 2014 and December 2016, a total of 433 patients with severe aortic stenosis who had a preprocedural multidetector computed tomography underwent TAVR in a LVOT-CA. After propensity matching, data from 119 patients in each group were analyzed. TAVR endpoints and adverse events were defined according to the Valve Academic Research Consortium-2. RESULTS: Compared with early-generation devices (Edwards Sapien/Sapien XT/CoreValve), new-generation devices (Sapien 3/Evolut R) had significantly lower incidence of mild-moderate paravalvular leak (PVL) (1.7% new vs 7.6% early; P=.03), tended to have lower incidence of moderate or severe PVL (5.0% new vs 11.8% early; P=.06), had no significant difference in device success (89.1% new vs 83.2% early; P=.19), and had a significantly higher early safety rate at 30 days (93.3% new vs 84.9% early; P=.04). For cardiac conduction disturbances, new-generation and early-generation devices had similarly high rates of new permanent pacemaker implantation (16.8% new vs 15.1% early; P=.72), whereas the number of patients who developed new-onset left bundle-branch block (LBBB) were significantly higher in those with new-generation devices (16.0% new vs 6.7% early; P=.03). CONCLUSION: In the setting of LVOT-CA, patients with new-generation devices compared to those with early-generation devices had acceptable clinical outcomes except for cardiac conduction disturbances, especially in new-onset LBBB.

Management of Biliary Stricture Following Emergent Pancreaticoduodenectomy for Trauma: Report of Two Cases.

Stricturing of the biliary-enteric anastomosis is a known complication of emergent pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) performed for trauma. Percutaneous techniques have become the first-line option for the management of these strictures. In cases where percutaneous intervention fails, surgical revision of the biliary enteric anastomosis is necessary. We present two cases of young males with penetrating injuries to the pancreatic head managed with PD and subsequently developed post-operative biliary strictures. The biliary stricture was managed successfully with percutaneous intervention for one of the patients. The other patient required surgical revision of the biliary anastomosis. Pancreaticoduodenectomy is typically performed in patients with malignant or benign biliary obstruction with associated ductal dilatation. In the setting of trauma, the bile duct is typically non-dilated, creating greater susceptibility for anastomotic stricture. Although such strictures may be amenable to percutaneous cholangioplasty, strictures involving distal anastomoses may require operative revision. Thus, we suggest creating the more proximal hepaticojejunostomy during the initial operation, as this may benefit the success of percutaneous management should a stricture develop. Operative revision is the definitive management of post-PD biliary stricture.

Health literacy and quality of physician-trauma patient communication: Opportunity for improvement.

BACKGROUND: Although physician-patient communication and health literacy (HL) have been studied in diverse patient groups, there has been little focus on trauma patients. A quality improvement project was undertaken at our Level I trauma center to improve patient perception of physician-patient communication, with consideration of the effect of HL. We report the first phase of this project, namely the reference level of satisfaction with physician-patient communication as measured by levels of interpersonal care among patients at an urban Level I trauma center. METHODS: Level I trauma center patients were interviewed during hospitalization (August 2016 to January 2017). Short Assessment of Health Literacy tool was used to stratify subjects by deficient versus adequate HL. Interpersonal Processes of Care survey was administered to assess perception of physician-patient communication. This survey allowed patients to rate physician-patient interaction across six domains: "clarity," "elicited concerns," "explained results," "worked together (on decision making)," "compassion and respect," and "lack of discrimination by race/ethnicity." Each is scored on a five-point scale. Frequencies of "top-box" (5/5) scores were compared for significance (p < 0.05) between HL-deficient and HL-adequate patients. RESULTS: One hundred ninety-nine patients participated. Average age was 42 years, 33% female. Forty-nine (25%) patients had deficient HL. The majority of patients in both groups rated communication below 5/5 across all domains except "compassion and respect" and "lack of discrimination by race/ethnicity." Health literacy-deficient patients were consistently less likely to give physicians top-box scores, most notably in the "elicited concerns" domain (35% vs. 54%, p = 0.012). CONCLUSION: Health literacy-deficient patients appear relatively less satisfied with physician communication, particularly with respect to perceiving that their concerns are being heard. Overall, however, the majority of patients in both groups were unlikely to score physician communication in the "top box." Efforts to improve physician-trauma patient communication are warranted, with attention directed toward meeting the needs of HL-deficient patients. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic/Epidemiologic, level I.

High-pressure post-dilation following transcatheter valve-in-valve implantation in small surgical valves.

AIMS: Residual gradients >20 mmHg after transcatheter valve-in-valve (ViV) implantation are associated with worse survival. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of high-pressure post-dilation with a non-compliant balloon after transcatheter ViV implantation in small surgical valves to optimise haemodynamics. METHODS AND RESULTS: Thirty patients underwent ViV implantation in surgical valves with internal dimension ≤19 mm. High-pressure post-dilation to 16-20 atmospheres with a non-compliant balloon was performed in 12 patients and 18 patients underwent ViV without post-dilation. SAPIEN 3 and Evolut valves were used in 10 and two patients, respectively. The mean aortic valve (AV) gradient decreased by 11.3 mmHg following high-pressure post-dilation (18.7±7.9 mmHg immediately post ViV to 7.5±2.6 mmHg following high-pressure post-dilation, p<0.01). There were no cases of aortic root rupture. High-pressure post-dilation, compared to no post-dilation, was associated with lower invasive AV mean gradients at the end of the ViV procedure (8.2±3.5 mmHg vs. 17.3±7.9 mmHg, p=0.001) as well as lower day 1 (18.0±4.5 mmHg vs. 25.0±8.1 mmHg, p=0.016) and 30-day gradients (19.8±2.5 vs. 26.5±11.0, p=0.038) on transthoracic echocardiography. CONCLUSIONS: High-pressure post-dilation of small surgical valves following transcatheter ViV implantation results in a significant improvement in post-procedure haemodynamics.

Computed tomography characteristics of the aortic valve and the geometry of SAPIEN 3 transcatheter heart valve in patients with bicuspid aortic valve disease.

Aims: We assessed the geometry of transcatheter heart valve (THV) and valve function associated with SAPIEN 3 implantation in patients with bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) stenosis. Methods and results: We included 280 consecutive patients who had a contrast computed tomography (CT) before and after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) in our institution. Each THV was assessed by CT at five cross-sectional levels: inflow, annulus, mid, sinus, and outflow. The geometry of THV was assessed for eccentricity (1 - minimum diameter/maximum diameter) and expansion (CT derived external valve area/nominal external valve area). CT measurements and transthoracic echocardiogram data were compared between BAV and tricuspid aortic valve (TAV). Among 280 patients, 41 patients were diagnosed as BAV. Compared to TAV, BAV was associated with lower expansion at mid-level, sinus-level, and outflow-level (mid 94.1 ± 6.8% vs. 98.1 ± 7.8%; P = 0.002, sinus 95.9 ± 7.2% vs. 101.6 ± 8.5%; P < 0.001, outflow 107.6 ± 6.2% vs. 109.9 ± 6.6%; P = 0.043), and higher eccentricity at all levels [inflow 3.5% (1.9-5.3) vs. 6.0% (3.2-7.5); P < 0.001, annulus 3.1% (1.6-5.2) vs. 5.4% (3.1-7.8); P = 0.002, mid 3.0% (1.4-4.9) vs. 6.0% (3.3-10.4); P < 0.001, sinus 3.0% (1.7-5.1) vs. 7.6% (4.0-11.4); P < 0.001, and outflow 2.5% (1.3-4.3) vs. 4.9% (2.2-7.5); P < 0.001]. There were no differences in frequency of paravalvular leak ≥ moderate and mean post-procedural gradient between BAV and TAV. Conclusion: BAV patients have greater THV eccentricity at all levels and lower THV expansion at mid, sinus, and outflow levels than the TAV patients. There were no differences in parameters of valve function between BAV and TAV patients. Despite the observed geometrical differences, TAVI with SAPIEN 3 in BAV patients allows for feasible valve function.

Clinical outcomes and prognostic factors of transcatheter aortic valve implantation in bicuspid aortic valve patients.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) in patients with bicuspid aortic valve stenosis (AS). METHODS: From April 2012 and December 2016, 108 patients with bicuspid AS underwent TAVR using the Sapien XT (34 patients) and Sapien 3 (74 patients) valves. Procedural and clinical outcomes were assessed according to VARC-2 criteria and compared between the two devices. RESULTS: In the overall cohort, the majority of patients were male (71.3%) with an intermediate surgical risk and a mean Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) score of 5.2%. Compared to the Sapien XT group, the Sapien 3 group had a significantly lower STS score (3.3%±2.0% vs. 6.7%±3.6%; P=0.001). Compared to the Sapien XT group, the Sapien 3 group had a significantly lower rate of moderate or severe paravalvular leak (2.7% vs. 14.7%; P=0.03) and higher device success (97.3% vs. 82.4%; P=0.006). There were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of 30-day all-cause mortality, stroke, life-threatening bleeding, major vascular complication and acute kidney injury (stage 2 or 3). Cumulative all-cause mortality at 1-year follow-up was 6.9%. There were no significant differences in cumulative event rates for all-cause mortality at 1-year follow-up between the two groups (9.4% vs. 4.6%; log-rank P=0.47). By univariate analysis, major vascular complication was significantly associated with overall all-cause mortality [hazard ratios (HR): 7.57; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.51-37.86; P=0.014]. CONCLUSIONS: TAVR using the balloon-expandable valves provided acceptable procedural and clinical outcomes in patients with bicuspid AS. The new-generation Sapien 3 valves showed improved procedural outcomes compared to the early-generation Sapien XT valves.