Inaccuracies in Postoperative Inpatient Stays Assumed in the Valuation of Surgical RVUs

xloma.fota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader Inaccuracies in Postoperative Inpatient Stays Assumed in the Valuation of Surgical RVUs Via Annals of Surgery - Current Issue Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the accuracy of inpatient postoperative visits assumed in the valuation of surgical relative value units (RVUs). Summary Background Data: Medicare reimburses physicians based on the number of RVUs assigned to a service. For surgical procedures with a 10- or 90-day global period, the RVU valuation is based, in part, on a presumed number of inpatient postoperative visits whether or not those visits occur. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) have recently proposed changing all surgical procedures to a 0-day global period. Methods: We combined 2017 National Surgical Quality Improvement (NSQIP) data with physician time and RVU files from CMS. We then compared the number of inpatient postoperative visits assumed in the valuation to actual length of stay (LOS) information from the surgical registry. Results: The analysis included 10 specialties and 601 distinct current procedural terminology codes. The number of patient observations underlying NSQIP LOS estimates ranged from 50 to 57,904. Eighty-three percent of procedures had median NSQIP LOS values that were shorter than the values assumed in the global period. These differences varied by specialty, with the largest discrepancy in neurosurgery. Procedures in this sample were last reviewed, on average, in 2000, with procedures reviewed more recently having more accurate valuations with respect to LOS. Conclusions: The number of postoperative visits assumed in the valuation of surgical RVUs is grossly inaccurate. Holding all else equal, removing global periods from surgical RVUs would dramatically reduce surgeon compensation. View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Residential Racial Segregation and Disparities in Breast Cancer Presentation, Treatment, and Survival

xloma.fota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader Residential Racial Segregation and Disparities in Breast Cancer Presentation, Treatment, and Survival Via Annals of Surgery - Current Issue Objective: To understand the role of racial residential segregation on Black-White disparities in breast cancer presentation, treatment, and outcomes. Summary of Background Data: Racial disparities in breast cancer treatment and outcomes are well documented. Black individuals present at advanced stage, are less likely to receive appropriate surgical and adjuvant treatment, and have lower overall and stage-specific survival relative to White individuals. Methods: Using data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results program, we performed a retrospective cohort study of Black and White patients diagnosed with invasive breast cancer from 2005 to 2015 within the 100 most populous participating counties. The racial index of dissimilarity was used as a validated measure of residential segregation. Multivariable regression was performed, predicting advanced stage at diagnosis (stage III/IV), surgery for localized disease (stage I/II), and overall stage-specific survival. Results: After adjusting for age at diagnosis, estrogen/progesterone receptor status, and region, Black patients have a 49% greater risk (relative risk [RR] 1.49 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.27, 1.74) of presenting at advanced stage with increasing segregation, while there was no observed difference in Whites (RR 1.04, 95% CI 0.93, 1.16). Black patients were 3% less likely to undergo surgical resection for localized disease (RR 0.97, 95% CI 0.95, 0.99) with increasing segregation, while Whites saw no significant difference. Black patients had a 29% increased hazard of death (RR 1.29, 95% CI 1.04, 1.60) with increasing segregation; there was no significant difference among White patients. Conclusions: Our data suggest that residential racial segregation has a significant association with Black-White racial disparities in breast cancer. These findings illustrate the importance of addressing structural racism and residential segregation in efforts to reduce Black-White breast cancer disparities. View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Prognostic Factors of Survival After Neoadjuvant Treatment and Resection for Initially Unresectable Pancreatic Cancer

xloma.fota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader Prognostic Factors of Survival After Neoadjuvant Treatment and Resection for Initially Unresectable Pancreatic Cancer Via Annals of Surgery - Current Issue Objective: To evaluate the impact of clinical and pathological parameters, including resection margin (R) status, on survival in patients undergoing pancreatic surgery after neoadjuvant treatment for initially unresectable pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Background: Prognostic factors are well documented for patients with resectable PDAC, but have not been described in detail for patients with initially unresectable PDAC undergoing resection after neoadjuvant therapy. Methods: Prospectively collected data of consecutive patients with initially unresectable pancreatic cancer treated by neoadjuvant treatment and resection were analyzed. The R status was categorized as R0 (tumor-free margin >1 mm), R1 ≤1 mm (tumor-free margin ≤1 mm), and R1 direct (microscopic tumor infiltration at margin). Clinicopathological characteristics and outcomes were compared among these groups and tested for survival prediction. Results: Between January, 2006 and February, 2017, 280 patients with borderline resectable (n = 18), locally advanced (n = 190), or oligometastatic (n = 72) disease underwent tumor resection after neoadjuvant treatment. Median overall survival from the time of surgery was 25.1 months for R0 (n = 82), 15.3 months for R1 ≤1 mm (n = 99), and 16.1 months for R1 direct (n = 99), with 3-year overall survival rates of 35.0%, 20.7%, and 18.5%, respectively (P = 0.0076). The median duration of the neoadjuvant treatment period was 5.1 months. In multivariable analysis, preoperative CA 19–9 levels, lymph node status, metastasis category, and vascular involvement were all significant prognostic factors for overall survival. The R status was not an independent prognostic factor. Conclusions: In patients undergoing resection after neoadjuvant therapy for initially unresectable PDAC, preoperative CA 19–9 levels, lymph node involvement, metastasis category, and vascular involvement, but not the R status, were independent prognostic factors of overall survival. View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Intravenous Amisulpride Does Not Meaningfully Prolong the QTc Interval at Doses Effective for the Management of Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting

xloma.fota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader Intravenous Amisulpride Does Not Meaningfully Prolong the QTc Interval at Doses Effective for the Management of Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting Via Anesthesia & Analgesia - Current Issue Background: Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) are significant issues in surgical patients, and additional treatment options are needed. Dopaminergic antiemetics have been popular for their efficacy, but their use has been limited by safety concerns, especially the potential for torsade de pointes arising from QT interval prolongation. Intravenous (IV) amisulpride, a dopamine D2 and D3 antagonist shown to be effective at preventing and treating PONV at doses of 5 and 10 mg, respectively, has a dose-dependent effect on QT but at 5 mg is not associated with clinically meaningful prolongation of the heart rate-corrected QT (QTc) interval. This study was designed to evaluate the QT effect of a 10-mg dose of amisulpride, alone and when simultaneously coadministered with ondansetron, an antiemetic of a different class, also known to prolong the QT interval. METHODS: In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, 3-period, crossover study, healthy male and female volunteers 18–65 years of age received IV, in a random sequence: (1) amisulpride 10 mg given twice, 2 hours apart; (2) amisulpride 10 mg and ondansetron 4 mg, given simultaneously; and (3) placebo. RESULTS: Thirty subjects were enrolled, and 29 completed all 3 treatment periods. The largest mean placebo-corrected change-from-baseline QT interval corrected for heart rate using Fridericia's formula (QTcF) (ΔΔQTcF) after the first and second amisulpride dose was 5.2 milliseconds (90% confidence interval [CI], 3.53–6.96 milliseconds) and 8.0 milliseconds (90% CI, 5.49–10.58 milliseconds), respectively. After coadministration of amisulpride and ondansetron, the largest mean ΔΔQTcF was 7.3 milliseconds (90% CI, 5.48–9.16 milliseconds). The slope of the amisulpride concentration–change-from-baseline QTcF (ΔQTcF) relationship was 0.006 ms/ng/mL (90% CI, 0.0020–0.0098). No QTc outliers (absolute QTcF value >480 milliseconds or increase from baseline >30 milliseconds) were seen in any period. CONCLUSIONS: A 10-mg dose of IV amisulpride, given alone or in combination with ondansetron, does not have a clinically significant effect on the QT interval. View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Nonselective Compared With Selective α-Blockade Is Associated With Less Intraoperative Hypertension in Patients With Pheochromocytomas and Paragangliomas: A Retrospective Cohort Study With Propensity Score Matching

xloma.fota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader Nonselective Compared With Selective α-Blockade Is Associated With Less Intraoperative Hypertension in Patients With Pheochromocytomas and Paragangliomas: A Retrospective Cohort Study With Propensity Score Matching Via Anesthesia & Analgesia - Current Issue Background: Both selective and nonselective α-blockade are used for preoperative preparation in patients with pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas (PPGLs). However, the effects of different types of α-blockade on perioperative outcomes remain inconclusive. This study was designed to assess the association between the choice of α-blockade and the amount of intraoperative hypertension in patients undergoing surgery for PPGLs. METHODS: In this propensity-matched retrospective cohort study, data of patients who received either selective or nonselective α-blockade preoperatively and underwent surgery for PPGLs were collected. The primary end point was the time-weighted average above the systolic blood pressure (SBP) of 160 mm Hg (TWA-SBP >160 mm Hg), which was calculated as the total area of the SBP-time curve above the SBP of 160 mm Hg and divided by anesthesia duration. RESULTS: A total of 286 patients were included in analysis; of them, 156 received selective α-blockade and 130 nonselective α-blockade. After propensity score matching, 89 patients remained in each group. Patients who received nonselective α-blockade had a lower TWA-SBP >160 (median 0.472 mm Hg, interquartile range [IQR], 0.081–1.300) versus those who received selective α-blockade (median 1.114 mm Hg, IQR, 0.162–2.853; median difference −0.391, 95% confidence interval [CI], −0.828 to −0.032; P = .016); they also had a lower highest SBP during surgery (193 ± 24 mm Hg versus 205 ± 34 mm Hg; mean difference −12, 95% CI, −20 to −3; P = .008). Postoperative outcomes did not differ significantly between the 2 groups. CONCLUSIONS: For patients undergoing surgery for PPGLs, preoperative nonselective α-blockade was associated with less intraoperative hypertension when compared with selective α-blockade. View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Intraoperative Cardiac Arrest During Adult Liver Transplantation: Incidence and Risk Factor Analysis From 7 Academic Centers in the United States

xloma.fota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader Intraoperative Cardiac Arrest During Adult Liver Transplantation: Incidence and Risk Factor Analysis From 7 Academic Centers in the United States Via Anesthesia & Analgesia - Current Issue Background: Intraoperative cardiac arrest (ICA) has a reported frequency of 1 in 10,000 anesthetics but has a much higher estimated incidence in orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). Single-center studies of ICA in OLT are limited by small sample size that prohibits multivariable regression analysis of risks. METHODS: Utilizing data from 7 academic medical centers, we performed a retrospective, observational study of 5296 adult liver transplant recipients (18–80 years old) between 2000 and 2017 to identify the rate of ICA, associated risk factors, and outcomes. RESULTS: ICA occurred in 196 cases (3.7% 95% confidence interval [CI], 3.2–4.2) and mortality occurred in 62 patients (1.2%). The intraoperative mortality rate was 31.6% in patients who experienced ICA. In a multivariable generalized linear mixed model, ICA was associated with body mass index (BMI) View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Observation of Complement Protein Gene Expression Before and After Surgery in Opioid-Consuming and Opioid-Naive Patients

xloma.fota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader Observation of Complement Protein Gene Expression Before and After Surgery in Opioid-Consuming and Opioid-Naive Patients Via Anesthesia & Analgesia - Current Issue Opioids may influence inflammation. We compared genes associated with pain and inflammation in patients who consumed opioids (3–120 mg of oral morphine equivalents per day) with those who did not for differential expression. White blood cells were assayed in 20 patients presenting for total lower extremity joint replacement. We focused on messenger ribonucleic acid expression of complement proteins. We report that the expression of a complement inhibitor, complement 4 binding protein A, was reduced, and the expression of a complement activator, complement factor D, was increased in opioid-con suming patients. We conclude that opioid consumption may influence expression of complement activators and inhibitors. View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Blood Substitutes and Oxygen Therapeutics: A Review

xloma.fota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader Blood Substitutes and Oxygen Therapeutics: A Review Via Anesthesia & Analgesia - Current Issue Despite the exhaustive search for an acceptable substitute to erythrocyte transfusion, neither chemical-based products such as perfluorocarbons nor hemoglobin-based oxygen carriers have succeeded in providing a reasonable alternative to allogeneic blood transfusion. However, there remain scenarios in which blood transfusion is not an option, due to patient's religious beliefs, inability to find adequately cross-matched erythrocytes, or in remote locations. In these situations, artificial oxygen carriers may provide a mortality benefit for patients with severe, life-threatening anemia. This article provides an up-to-date review of the history and development, clinical trials, new technology, and current standing of artificial oxygen carriers as an alternative to transfusion when blood is not an option. View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Exhaled Propofol Concentrations Correlate With Plasma and Brain Tissue Concentrations in Rats

xloma.fota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader Exhaled Propofol Concentrations Correlate With Plasma and Brain Tissue Concentrations in Rats Via Anesthesia & Analgesia - Current Issue Background: Propofol can be measured in exhaled gas. Exhaled and plasma propofol concentrations correlate well, but the relationship with tissue concentrations remains unknown. We thus evaluated the relationship between exhaled, plasma, and various tissue propofol concentrations. Because the drug acts in the brain, we focused on the relationship between exhaled and brain tissue propofol concentrations. METHODS: Thirty-six male Sprague-Dawley rats were anesthetized with propofol, ketamine, and rocuronium for 6 hours. Animals were randomly assigned to propofol infusions at 20, 40, or 60 mg·kg−1·h−1 (n = 12 per group). Exhaled propofol concentrations were measured at 15-minute intervals by multicapillary column–ion mobility spectrometry. Arterial blood samples, 110 µL each, were collected 15, 30, and 45 minutes, and 1, 2, 4, and 6 hours after the propofol infusion started. Propofol concentrations were measured in brain, lung, liver, kidney, muscle, and fat tissue after 6 hours. The last exhaled and plasma concentrations were used for linear regression analyses with tissue concentrations. RESULTS: The correlation of exhaled versus plasma concentrations (R2 = 0.71) was comparable to the correlation of exhaled versus brain tissue concentrations (R2 = 0.75) at the end of the study. In contrast, correlations between plasma and lung and between lung and exhaled propofol concentrations were poor. Less than a part-per-thousand of propofol was exhaled over 6 hours. CONCLUSIONS: Exhaled propofol concentrations correlate reasonably well with brain tissue and plasma concentrations in rats, and may thus be useful to estimate anesthetic drug effect. The equilibration between plasma propofol and exhaled gas is apparently independent of lung tissue concentration. Only a tiny fraction of administered propofol is eliminated via the lungs, and exhaled quantities thus have negligible influence on plasma concentrations. View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Dexmedetomidine Provides Cardioprotection During Early or Late Reperfusion Mediated by Different Mitochondrial K+-Channels

xloma.fota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader Dexmedetomidine Provides Cardioprotection During Early or Late Reperfusion Mediated by Different Mitochondrial K+-Channels Via Anesthesia & Analgesia - Current Issue Background: Cardioprotective interventions—such as pharmacological postconditioning—are a promising strategy to reduce deleterious consequences of ischemia and reperfusion injury (I/RI) in the heart, especially as timing and onset of myocardial infarction are unpredictable. Pharmacological postconditioning by treatment with dexmedetomidine (Dex), an α2-adrenoreceptor agonist, during reperfusion protects hearts from I/RI, independently of time point and duration of application during the reperfusion phase. The mitochondrial ATP-sensitive K+ (mKATP) and mitochondrial large-conductance calcium-sensitive potassium channel (mBKCa) play a pivotal role in mediating this cardioprotective effect. Therefore, we investigated whether Dex-induced cardioprotection during early or late reperfusion is mediated variously by these mitochondrial K+-channels. METHODS: Hearts of male Wistar rats were randomized into 8 groups and underwent a protocol of 15 minutes adaption, 33 minutes ischemia, and 60 minutes reperfusion in an in vitro Langendorff-system. A 10-minute treatment phase was started directly (first subgroup, early reperfusion) or 30 minutes (second subgroup, late reperfusion) after the onset of reperfusion. Control (Con) hearts received vehicle only. In the first subgroup, hearts were treated with 3 nM Dex, 100 µM mKATP-channel blocker 5-hydroxydecanoate (5HD) or 1 µM mBKCa-channel blocker Paxilline (Pax) alone or with respective combinations (5HD + Dex, Pax + Dex). Hearts of the second subgroup received Dex alone (Dex30') or in combination with the respective blockers (5HD + Dex30', Pax + Dex30'). Infarct size was determined with triphenyltetrazoliumchloride staining. Hemodynamic variables were recorded during the whole experiment. RESULTS: During early reperfusion (first subgroup), the infarct size reducing effect of Dex (Con: 57% ± 9%, Dex: 31% ± 7%; P View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Retrograde Autologous Priming in Cardiac Surgery: Results From a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

xloma.fota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader Retrograde Autologous Priming in Cardiac Surgery: Results From a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis Via Anesthesia & Analgesia - Current Issue Background: Retrograde autologous priming (RAP) before cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) may minimize allogeneic red cell transfusion. We conducted a systematic review of the literature to examine the impact of RAP on perioperative allogeneic red cell transfusions in cardiac surgical patients. METHODS: This study involved a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies evaluating the use of RAP in cardiac surgery involving CPB. The primary outcome was intraoperative allogeneic red cell transfusion. Secondary outcomes included whole hospital allogeneic transfusions and adverse events such as acute kidney injury (AKI) and stroke. RESULTS: A total of 11 RCTs (n = 1337 patients) were included, comparing RAP patients (n = 674) to control (n = 663). In addition, 10 observational studies (n = 2327) were included, comparing RAP patients (n = 1257) to control (n = 1070). Overall, RAP was associated with a significantly reduced incidence of intraoperative red cell transfusion (n = 18 studies; odds ratio [OR] = 0.34; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.22–0.55, P View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.