Healthcare utilisation and quality of life according to atrial fibrillation burden, episode frequency and duration.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to evaluate the association between atrial fibrillation (AF) burden, duration and number of episodes with healthcare utilisation and quality of life in patients with early paroxysmal AF without a history of AF. METHODS: In this observational cohort study, we included 417 patients with paroxysmal AF from the Reappraisal of Atrial Fibrillation: interaction between hyperCoagulability, Electrical remodelling and Vascular destabilisation in the progression of AF (RACE V) Study. Patients were monitored with an insertable cardiac monitor for 1 year. Outcomes collected were healthcare utilisation, and quality of life assessed using the Atrial Fibrillation Severity Scale and EuroQol EQ-5D-5L questionnaires. RESULTS: During 1 year of follow-up, 63 973 AF episodes were detected in 353 (85%) patients. The median AF burden was 0.7% (IQR 0.1-4.0%). AF ablation was performed more frequently in patients with intermediate-to-high AF burdens (>0.2%) (16.2% vs 5.9%, p=0.01) and longer AF episode duration (>1 hour) (15.8% vs 2.0%, p=0.01), whereas cardioversions were more frequent in patients with longer episode duration (>1 hour) (9.5% vs 0%, p=0.04) and intermediate (0.2-1.9%) (but not high) AF burdens (13.6% vs 4.2%, p=0.01). Patients with many episodes (>147) reported higher symptom severity (p=0.001). No differences in symptom severity nor in EQ-5D-5L scores according to AF burden or duration were observed. CONCLUSION: In patients with early paroxysmal AF, higher AF burden and longer episode duration were associated with increased rates of healthcare utilisation but not with symptoms and quality of life. Patients with a higher number of episodes experienced more severe symptoms. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT02726698.

Association between socioeconomic position and discontinuation of pharmacotherapy for heart failure after cardiac resynchronization therapy.

AIMS: Pharmacological therapy remains a cornerstone in heart failure (HF) treatment despite implantation of a cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) device. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between 1) drug discontinuation, and 2) long-term adherence to HF pharmacotherapy after CRT implantation and socioeconomic position and multimorbidity. METHODS AND RESULTS: We conducted a registry-based cohort study including all patients who underwent a first-time CRT implantation at Aarhus University Hospital from 2000-2017. HF pharmacotherapy included beta blockers (BBs), renin angiotensin system inhibitors (ACEI/ARB), and mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRAs). Patients were identified using the Danish Pacemaker and ICD Registry, and information about medication and comorbidities was obtained through linkage to the Danish health registries. We identified 2,007 patients of whom 1,880 (94%) were eligible for inclusion. The cumulative incidence of drug discontinuation at 10 years was 6% (95% confidence interval [CI] 5-8%) for BB, 10% (95% CI 9-12%) for ACEI/ARB, and 24% (95% CI 20-27%) for MRAs. Living alone was associated with higher BB discontinuation rates (hazard ratio [HR] 1.83, 95%CI 1.20-2.79), whereas patients with multimorbidity were more likely to discontinue ACEI/ARB- (HR 1.92, 95%CI 1.33-2.80) and MRA therapy (HR 1.51, 95% CI 1.10-2.09). Income- and educational level did not influence drug discontinuation rates, and similar adherence patterns were observed across all strata of socioeconomic position and multimorbidity. CONCLUSION: In patients with CRTs, drug discontinuation rates were low, and adherence to HF pharmacotherapy was comparable regardless of socioeconomic position. Living alone and multimorbidity were associated with discontinuation of specific HF drugs.

Economic analyses in cardiac electrophysiology: from clinical efficacy to cost utility.

Cardiac electrophysiology is an evolving field that relies heavily on costly device- and catheter-based technologies. An increasing number of patients with heart rhythm disorders are becoming eligible for cardiac interventions, not least due to the rising prevalence of atrial fibrillation and increased longevity in the population. Meanwhile, the expansive costs of healthcare face finite societal resources, and a cost-conscious approach to new technologies is critical. Cost-effectiveness analyses support rational decision-making in healthcare by evaluating the ratio of healthcare costs to health benefits for competing therapies. They may, however, be subject to significant uncertainty and bias. This paper aims to introduce the basic concepts, framework, and limitations of cost-effectiveness analyses to clinicians including recent examples from clinical electrophysiology and device therapy.

Targeted left ventricular lead positioning to the site of latest activation in cardiac resynchronization therapy: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

AIMS: Several studies have evaluated the use of electrically- or imaging-guided left ventricular (LV) lead placement in cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) recipients. We aimed to assess evidence for a guided strategy that targets LV lead position to the site of latest LV activation. METHODS AND RESULTS: A systematic review and meta-analysis was performed for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) until March 2023 that evaluated electrically- or imaging-guided LV lead positioning on clinical and echocardiographic outcomes. The primary endpoint was a composite of all-cause mortality and heart failure hospitalization, and secondary endpoints were quality of life, 6-min walk test (6MWT), QRS duration, LV end-systolic volume, and LV ejection fraction. We included eight RCTs that comprised 1323 patients. Six RCTs compared guided strategy (n = 638) to routine (n = 468), and two RCTs compared different guiding strategies head-to-head: electrically- (n = 111) vs. imaging-guided (n = 106). Compared to routine, a guided strategy did not significantly reduce the risk of the primary endpoint after 12-24 (RR 0.83, 95% CI 0.52-1.33) months. A guided strategy was associated with slight improvement in 6MWT distance after 6 months of follow-up of absolute 18 (95% CI 6-30) m between groups, but not in remaining secondary endpoints. None of the secondary endpoints differed between the guided strategies. CONCLUSION: In this study, a CRT implantation strategy that targets the latest LV activation did not improve survival or reduce heart failure hospitalizations.

Atrial pacing minimization in sinus node dysfunction and risk of incident atrial fibrillation: a randomized trial.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: High percentages of atrial pacing have been associated with an increased risk of atrial fibrillation. This study is aimed at evaluating whether atrial pacing minimization in patients with sinus node dysfunction reduces the incidence of atrial fibrillation. METHODS: In a nationwide, randomized controlled trial, 540 patients with sinus node dysfunction and an indication for first pacemaker implantation were assigned to pacing programmed to a base rate of 60 bpm and rate-adaptive pacing (DDDR-60) or pacing programmed to a base rate of 40 bpm without rate-adaptive pacing (DDD-40). Patients were followed on remote monitoring for 2 years. The primary endpoint was time to first episode of atrial fibrillation longer than 6 min. Secondary endpoints included longer episodes of atrial fibrillation, and the safety endpoint comprised a composite of syncope or presyncope. RESULTS: The median percentage of atrial pacing was 1% in patients assigned to DDD-40 and 49% in patients assigned to DDDR-60. The primary endpoint occurred in 124 patients (46%) in each treatment group (hazard ratio [HR] 0.97, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.76-1.25, P = .83). There were no between-group differences in atrial fibrillation exceeding 6 or 24 h, persistent atrial fibrillation, or cardioversions for atrial fibrillation. The incidence of syncope or presyncope was higher in patients assigned to DDD-40 (HR 1.71, 95% CI 1.13-2.59, P = .01). CONCLUSIONS: Atrial pacing minimization in patients with sinus node dysfunction does not reduce the incidence of atrial fibrillation. Programming a base rate of 40 bpm without rate-adaptive pacing is associated with an increased risk of syncope or presyncope.

Cost-effectiveness of an antibacterial envelope for infection prevention in patients undergoing cardiac resynchronization therapy reoperations in Denmark.

AIMS: Use of an absorbable antibacterial envelope during implantation prevents cardiac implantable electronic device infections in patients with a moderate-to-high infection risk. Previous studies demonstrated that an envelope is cost-effective in high-risk patients within German, Italian, and English healthcare systems, but these analyses were based on limited data and may not be generalizable to other healthcare settings. METHODS AND RESULTS: A previously published decision-tree-based cost-effectiveness model was used to compare the costs per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) associated with adjunctive use of an antibacterial envelope for infection prevention compared to standard-of-care intravenous antibiotics. The model was adapted using data from a Danish observational two-centre cohort study that investigated infection-risk patients undergoing cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) reoperations with and without an antibacterial envelope (n = 1943). We assumed a cost-effectiveness threshold of €34 125/QALY gained, based on the upper threshold used by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (£30 000). An antibacterial envelope was associated with an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of €12 022 per QALY in patients undergoing CRT reoperations, thus indicating that the envelope is cost-effective when compared with standard of care. A separate analysis stratified by device type showed ICERS of €6227 (CRT defibrillator) and €29 177 (CRT pacemaker) per QALY gained. CONCLUSIONS: Cost-effectiveness ratios were favourable for patients undergoing CRT reoperations in the Danish healthcare system, and thus are in line with previous studies. Results from this study can contribute to making the technology available to Danish patients and align preventive efforts in the pacemaker and ICD area.

Does targeted positioning of the left ventricular pacing lead towards the latest local electrical activation in cardiac resynchronization therapy reduce the incidence of death or hospitalization for heart failure?

BACKGROUND: Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) improves symptoms, health-related quality of life and long-term survival in patients with systolic heart failure (HF) and shortens QRS duration. However, up to one third of patients attain no measurable clinical benefit from CRT. An important determinant of clinical response is optimal choice in left ventricular (LV) pacing site. Observational data have shown that achieving an LV lead position at a site of late electrical activation is associated with better clinical and echocardiographic outcomes compared to standard placement, but mapping-guided LV lead placement towards the site of latest electrical activation has never been investigated in a randomized controlled trial (RCT). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of targeted positioning of the LV lead towards the latest electrically activated area. We hypothesize that this strategy is superior to standard LV lead placement. METHODS: The DANISH-CRT trial is a national, double-blinded RCT (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03280862). A total of 1,000 patients referred for a de novo CRT implantation or an upgrade to CRT from right ventricular pacing will be randomized 1:1 to receive conventional LV lead positioning preferably in a nonapical posterolateral branch of the coronary sinus (CS) (control group) or targeted positioning of the LV lead to the CS branch with the latest local electrical LV activation (intervention group). In the intervention group, late activation will be determined using electrical mapping of the CS. The primary endpoint is a composite of death and nonplanned HF hospitalization. Patients are followed for a minimum of 2 years and until 264 primary endpoints occurred. Analyses will be conducted according to the intention-to-treat principle. Enrollment for this trial began in March 2018, and per April 2023, a total of 823 patients have been included. Enrollment is expected to be complete by mid-2024. CONCLUSIONS: The DANISH-CRT trial will clarify whether mapping-guided positioning of the LV lead according to the latest local electrical activation in the CS is beneficial for patients in terms of reducing the composite endpoint of death or nonplanned hospitalization for heart failure. Results from this trial are expected to impact future guidelines on CRT. GOV IDENTIFIER: NCT03280862.

Brady- and tachyarrhythmias detected by continuous rhythm monitoring in paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.

OBJECTIVE: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with adverse events including conduction disturbances, ventricular arrhythmias and sudden death. The aim of this study was to examine brady- and tachyarrhythmias using continuous rhythm monitoring in patients with paroxysmal self-terminating AF (PAF). METHODS: In this multicentre observational substudy to the Reappraisal of Atrial Fibrillation: interaction between hyperCoagulability, Electrical remodelling and Vascular destabilisation in the progression of AF (RACE V), we included 392 patients with PAF and at least 2 years of continuous rhythm monitoring. All patients received an implantable loop recorder, and all detected episodes of tachycardia ≥182 beats per minute (BPM), bradycardia ≤30 BPM or pauses ≥5 s were adjudicated by three physicians. RESULTS: Over 1272 patient-years of continuous rhythm monitoring, we adjudicated 1940 episodes in 175 patients (45%): 106 (27%) patients experienced rapid AF or atrial flutter (AFL), pauses ≥5 s or bradycardias ≤30 BPM occurred in 47 (12%) patients and in 22 (6%) patients, we observed both episode types. No sustained ventricular tachycardias occurred. In the multivariable analysis, age >70 years (HR 2.3, 95% CI 1.4 to 3.9), longer PR interval (HR 1.9, 1.1-3.1), CHA2DS2-VASc score ≥2 (HR 2.2, 1.1-4.5) and treatment with verapamil or diltiazem (HR 0.4, 0.2-1.0) were significantly associated with bradyarrhythmia episodes. Age >70 years was associated with lower rates of tachyarrhythmias. CONCLUSIONS: In a cohort exclusive to patients with PAF, almost half experienced severe bradyarrhythmias or AF/AFL with rapid ventricular rates. Our data highlight a higher than anticipated bradyarrhythmia risk in PAF. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT02726698.

Long-term follow-up of selective and non-selective His bundle pacing leads in patients with atrioventricular block.

BACKGROUND: His bundle pacing (HBP) is a novel treatment with limited knowledge on long-term outcome. We aimed to assess long-term safety and effectiveness of HBP in patients with atrioventricular block treated with HBP and a back-up right ventricular pacing (RVP) lead. METHODS: We included 38 patients from a completed single-center, randomized controlled cross-over trial designed to compare left ventricular (LV) function after 12 months of HBP vs. RVP conducted between September 2007 and August 2011. Lead performance beyond the 2-year study period was assessed based on a retrospective review of capture thresholds, sensing, impedance, energy consumption, and rate of HBP interruption. RESULTS: Patients were followed for a mean of 7 ± 4 years. Both at baseline and during follow-up, HBP leads displayed significantly higher capture thresholds than RVP leads (P < 0.001), multifold higher energy consumption (P < 0.001), and lower sensing amplitudes (P < 0.001). During follow-up, 17 (53%) HBP leads were deactivated or abandoned. The principal cause for HBP interruption was high pacing thresholds in patients with preserved LVEF during RVP. Device longevity was shorter than that of contemporary cohorts treated with dual-chamber pacing or CRT, and time to first device exchange was 6.8 ± 1.5 years. No lead dislodgements occurred, but four patients (10%) developed device-related infections requiring device extraction. CONCLUSION: HBP was interrupted in > 50% of patients during long-term follow-up. The principal cause was unacceptably high capture thresholds and no significant difference in LV function with HBP compared with RVP. Device longevity was shorter, and infection rates were higher than anticipated.

Cardiac surgery in patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices and risk of device infections: a nationwide nested case-control study.

PURPOSE: Cardiac surgery in patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) has been associated with a higher risk of infective endocarditis, but how it influences risk of CIED-specific infections is not known. Our aim was to examine risk of systemic CIED infections after cardiac surgery in patients with CIEDs. METHODS: Based on data obtained from Danish administrative registries and the Danish Pacemaker and ICD Register, we conducted a case-control study nested within a nationwide cohort of patients who underwent a de novo CIED implantation in Denmark between 1998 and 2017. We defined cases as incident systemic CIED infections resulting in device system extraction. Controls were sampled 1:100 on time, age, sex and device type using risk set sampling. Exposure was defined as coronary artery bypass graft, or cardiac heart valve replacement or repair surgery. RESULTS: From a study cohort comprising 67,621 patients, we identified 170 cases and 16,788 controls. In the minimally adjusted model, the incidence rate ratio (IRR) for systemic CIED infection was 6.4 (95% confidence interval (CI) 3.8-10.7) with cardiac surgery, and after additional confounder adjustment, 5.4 (95% CI 3.2-9.2). IRRs were higher with restriction to heart valve replacement surgery (adjusted IRR 7.5, 95% CI 4.0-16.6), and when limiting our exposure time window to one year (adjusted IRR 10.1, 95% CI 4.5-22.3). CONCLUSION: Cardiac surgery in patients with de novo CIEDs was associated with a high risk of systemic CIED infections. Highest risk was observed after heart valve replacement surgery and within the first year of surgery.

Predictors of pocket hematoma after cardiac implantable electronic device surgery: A nationwide cohort study.

Purpose: Clinically significant pocket hematoma (CSH) is a common complication to cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) surgery. We aimed to evaluate predictors of CSH after CIED surgery. Methods: We performed a nationwide population-based prospective cohort study with systematic patient chart review of all Danish patients undergoing CIED surgery during a 12-month period. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to estimate adjusted odds ratios (aOR) with 95% confidence intervals for association between predictors and CSH. Results: We included 5918 consecutive patients, 63% males, mean age 72.6 years. A total of 148 (2.5%) patients experienced CSH, including 10 patients (0.2%) requiring re-operation with hematoma evacuation. The risk of CSH was significantly increased in patients treated with aspirin (aOR 1.8; 1.2-2.7), aspirin and clopidogrel (aOR 3.9; 2.3-6.5), or heparin (aOR 2.1; 1.1-4.1), and in patients with INR≥2.0 (aOR 2.0; 1.2-3.2). Patients operated by low-volume operators (aOR 2.7; 1.6-4.6) or undergoing more complex CIED surgery such as cardiac resynchronization therapy (aOR 2.0; 1.1-3.5) or dual-chamber defibrillator (aOR 2.1; 1.2-3.8) also had significantly increased CSH risk. Conclusion: In a large nationwide cohort of consecutive patients undergoing CIED surgery, the risk of CSH was 2.5%, with 0.2% necessitating evacuation. CSH risk was increased both in patients receiving aspirin, dual antiplatelet therapy or continued vitamin K-antagonist therapy. Dual antiplatelet therapy had the highest risk (aOR) of CSH. Both low operator volume and more complex CIED surgery were independently associated with higher CSH risk. These data should be considered when planning CIED surgery.

Risk factors for cardiac implantable electronic device infections: a nationwide Danish study.

AIMS: Cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) infection is a severe complication to modern management of cardiac arrhythmias. The CIED type and the type of surgery are recognized as risk factors for CIED infections, but knowledge of patient-related risk factors is scarce. This study aimed to identify lifelong patient-related risk factors for CIED infections. METHODS AND RESULTS: Consecutive Danish patients undergoing a CIED implantation or reoperation between January 1996 and April 2018 were included. The cohort consisted of 84 429 patients undergoing 108 494 CIED surgeries with a combined follow-up of 458 257 CIED-years. A total of 1556 CIED explantations were classified as either pocket (n = 1022) or systemic CIED infection (n = 534). Data were cross-linked with records from the Danish National Patient Registry and the Danish National Prescription Registry. Using multiple-record and multiple-event per subject proportional hazard analysis, specific patient-related risk factors were identified but with several variations amongst the subtypes of CIED infection. CIED reoperations were associated with the highest risk of pocket CIED infection but also CIED type, young age, and prior valvular surgery [hazard ratio (HR): 1.62, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.29-2.04]. Severe renal insufficiency/dialysis (HR: 2.40, 95% CI: 1.65-3.49), dermatitis (HR: 2.80, 95% CI: 1.92-4.05), and prior valvular surgery (HR: 2.09, 95% CI: 1.59-2.75) were associated with the highest risk of systemic CIED infections. Congestive heart failure, ischaemic heart disease, malignancy, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and temporary pacing were not significant at multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION: Specific comorbidities and surgical procedures were associated with a higher risk of CIED infections but with variations amongst pocket and systemic CIED infection. Pocket CIED infections were associated with CIED reoperations, young age and more complex type of CIED, whereas systemic CIED infections were associated with risk factors predisposing to bacteraemia.

Lead complications after cardiac surgery in patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices.

OBJECTIVES: Manipulation of the heart during cardiac surgery in patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) may result in lead damage or displacement, but whether cardiac surgery truly infers an excess risk of lead failure is not known. The objective of this study was to examine the risk of lead complications after cardiac surgery in patients with CIEDs. METHODS: We conducted a nationwide nested case-control study. The source population comprised all Danish patients ≥18 of age who underwent a de novo CIED implantation during 1998-2017. For inclusion, patients had to be alive and event free 6 months after implantation. Cases were matched 1:30 to controls on time, age, sex, and device type using risk set sampling. We used conditional logistic regression to estimate incidence rate ratios (IRRs) for the association between cardiac surgery and lead-related reoperation. RESULTS: Our final population consisted of 67 621 patients. We identified 1437 (2.1%) incident cases of lead-related reoperations and 42 698 controls. Risk of lead complications was highest within 6 months of cardiac surgery [IRR 9.7, 95% confidence interval (CI) 6.3-14.8, adjusted IRR 9.6, 95% CI 6.2-14.7], and at 1 year, the relative risk of lead-related reoperation was close to unity (adjusted IRR 1.2, 95% CI 0.8-1.7). CONCLUSIONS: Cardiac surgery was associated with a considerable risk of lead complications in patients with de novo CIEDs.

Rate of permanent cardiac implantable electronic device infections after active fixation temporary transvenous pacing: A nationwide Danish cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Temporary transvenous pacing (TP) has been associated with an increased risk of cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) infections, but there is little data to document this in contemporary populations. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the impact of active fixation TP on rate of CIED infections in a nationwide cohort of Danish patients. METHODS: We identified all patients who underwent a first-time CIED implantation between 2009 and 2017. Patients were categorized according to TP status at implantation and followed for 1 year. The primary outcome was local or systemic CIED infection resulting in device system removal. The secondary outcomes were systemic CIED infections and hospitalization for infective endocarditis (IE). RESULTS: We included a total of 40,601 CIED patients. A total of 2952 were treated with active fixation TP. The primary outcome was met in 246 patients. Risk of CIED infection at 1 year was 0.61% for patients not treated with TP and 0.65% for patients who were, HR of 1.28 (95% CI 0.80-2.05) and adjusted HR 0.85 (95% CI 0.51-1.42). More systemic CIED infections and IE hospitalizations occurred in TP patients; however, these differences did not persist after confounder adjustment. Cumulative mortality at 1 year was 16.8% in patients with TP vs 8.4% in patients without. CONCLUSION: Active fixation TP was not associated with a higher rate of CIED infections. Patients treated with TP had higher mortality, more systemic CIED infections, and more IE hospitalizations within first year of implantation. Most was attributable to an accumulation of risk factors for infection among TP patients.

Rate of device-related infections using an antibacterial envelope in patients undergoing cardiac resynchronization therapy reoperations.

AIMS: Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) reoperations are associated with a particularly high risk of device-related infection (DRI). An antibacterial envelope reduces the occurrence of DRIs in a broad population of moderate-tohigh-risk patients. To investigate the efficacy of an antibacterial envelope in a very high-risk population of patients undergoing CRT reoperation. METHODS AND RESULTS: In this Danish two-centre, observational cohort study, we included consecutive patients who underwent a CRT pacemaker- or defibrillator reoperation procedure between January 2008 and November 2019. We obtained data from the Danish Pacemaker and ICD Register and through systematic medical chart review. Follow-up was restricted to 2 years. A total of 1943 patients were included in the study of which 736 (38%) received an envelope. Envelope patients had more independent risk factors for infection than non-envelope patients. Sixty-seven (3.4%) patients met the primary endpoint of DRI requiring device system extraction; 50 in the non-envelope group and 17 in the envelope group [4.1% vs. 2.3%, adjusted hazard ratio (HR) 0.52, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.30-0.90; P = 0.021]. This difference persisted in propensity score analysis (HR 0.51, 95% CI 0.29-0.90; P = 0.019). CONCLUSION: Use of an antibacterial envelope was associated with a clinically and statistically significant reduction in DRIs in patients undergoing CRT reoperations. Our results were comparable to those recently reported from a large randomized controlled trial, which is suggestive of a proportional effect of the envelope even in very high-risk patients.

Avoiding implant complications in cardiac implantable electronic devices: what works?

Nearly one in ten patients experience complications in relation to cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) implantations. CIED complications have serious implications for the patients and for the healthcare system. In light of the rising rates of new implants and consistent rate of complications, primary prevention remains a major concern. To guide future efforts, we sought to review the evidence base underlying common preventive actions made during a primary CIED implantation.

Quantitative measurement of peri-implant bone defects using optical coherence tomography

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to visualize and identify peri-implant bone defects in optical coherence tomography (OCT) images and to obtain quantitative measurements of the defect depth. METHODS: Dehiscence defects were intentionally formed in porcine mandibles and implants were simultaneously placed without flap elevation. Only the threads of the fixture could be seen at the bone defect site in the OCT images, so the depth of the peri-implant bone defect could be measured through the length of the visible threads. To analyze the reliability of the OCT measurements, the flaps were elevated and the depth of the dehiscence defects was measured with a digital caliper. RESULTS: The average defect depth measured by a digital caliper was 4.88±1.28 mm, and the corresponding OCT measurement was 5.11±1.33 mm. Very thin bone areas that were sufficiently transparent in the coronal portion were penetrated by the optical beam in OCT imaging and regarded as bone loss. The intraclass correlation coefficient between the 2 methods was high, with a 95% confidence interval (CI) close to 1. In the Bland-Altman analysis, most measured values were within the threshold of the 95% CI, suggesting close agreement of the OCT measurements with the caliper measurements. CONCLUSIONS: OCT images can be used to visualize the peri-implant bone level and to identify bone defects. The potential of quantitative non-invasive measurements of the amount of bone loss was also confirmed.

Trends in the utilization of dental outpatient services affected by the expansion of health care benefits in South Korea to include scaling: a 6-year interrupted time-series study

PURPOSE: This study utilized a strong quasi-experimental design to test the hypothesis that the implementation of a policy to expand dental care services resulted in an increase in the usage of dental outpatient services. METHODS: A total of 45,650,000 subjects with diagnoses of gingivitis or advanced periodontitis who received dental scaling were selected and examined, utilizing National Health Insurance claims data from July 2010 through November 2015. We performed a segmented regression analysis of the interrupted time-series to analyze the time-series trend in dental costs before and after the policy implementation, and assessed immediate changes in dental costs. RESULTS: After the policy change was implemented, a statistically significant 18% increase occurred in the observed total dental cost per patient, after adjustment for age, sex, and residence area. In addition, the dental costs of outpatient gingivitis treatment increased immediately by almost 47%, compared with a 15% increase in treatment costs for advanced periodontitis outpatients. This policy effect appears to be sustainable. CONCLUSIONS: The introduction of the new policy positively impacted the immediate and long-term outpatient utilization of dental scaling treatment in South Korea. While the policy was intended to entice patients to prevent periodontal disease, thus benefiting the insurance system, our results showed that the policy also increased treatment accessibility for potential periodontal disease patients and may improve long-term periodontal health in the South Korean population.

Expression of CD44 according to Clinicopathologic Characteristics of Gastric Cancer / 이화의대지

OBJECTIVES: Cancer stem cells are defined as focal cluster of cells within a tumor that possess the capacity for self-renewal and differentiation into phenotypically heterogeneous cells. Cluster of differentiation 44 (CD44) is considered one of the gastric cancer stem cell markers. We aimed to investigate how the expression of CD44 varies according to the clinicopathologic characteristics in gastric cancer. METHODS: For this study, 157 patients who received an operation due to gastric cancer between May 1998 and December 2009 were selected. CD44 immunohistochemistry was reviewed using the semi-quantitative scoring of intensity and proportion. The sum of the intensity and proportion scores was calculated, and a score of 2 or less was deemed ‘CD44-negative’ and 3 or more as ‘CD44-positive.’ RESULTS: Among the final 143 subjects, 69 (48.3%) were CD44 positive. Older age, intestinal type gastric cancer, lymphatic invasion, and lymph node metastasis were significantly correlated with expression of CD44. In the multivariate analysis, older age was the only independent factor associated with CD44 expression (P=0.028). CD44 expression was correlated with overall survival, 5-year survival, and disease-free survival. In the multivariate analysis, older age, male gender, and lymphatic invasion were independent predictors of poor overall survival. Also, older age and lymphatic invasion were significant factors in 5-year survival, and lymphatic invasion was an independent factor of poor disease-free survival. CONCLUSION: Older age (≥60 years) was independently associated with CD44 expression in gastric cancer patients. Also, CD44 expression was correlated with poor prognosis in gastric cancer patients.