2011 October 13

Diagnostic molecular biomarkers for malignant pleural effusions.

Oct 132011

Diagnostic molecular biomarkers for malignant pleural effusions.

Future Oncol. 2011 Jun;7(6):737-52

Authors: Sriram KB, Relan V, Clarke BE, Duhig EE, Yang IA, Bowman RV, Lee YC, Fong KM

Abstract
Malignant pleural effusions (MPEs) are a common and important cause of cancer-related mortality and morbidity. Prompt diagnosis using minimally invasive tests is important because the median survival after diagnosis is only 4-9 months. Pleural fluid cytology is pivotal to current MPE diagnostic algorithms but has limited sensitivity (30-60%). Consequently, many patients need to undergo invasive diagnostic tests such as thoracoscopic pleural biopsy. Recent genomic, transcriptomic, methylation and proteomic studies on cells within pleural effusions have identified novel molecular diagnostic biomarkers that demonstrate potential in complementing cytology in the diagnosis of MPEs. Several challenges will need to be addressed prior to the incorporation of these molecular tests into routine clinical diagnosis, including validation of molecular diagnostic markers in well-designed prospective, comparative and cost-effectiveness studies. Ultimately, minimally invasive diagnostic tests that can be performed quickly will enable clinicians to provide the most effective therapies for patients with MPEs in a timely fashion.

PMID: 21675837 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Link to Article at PubMed

Mortality and readmission of patients with heart failure, atrial fibrillation, or coronary artery disease undergoing noncardiac surgery: an analysis of 38 047 patients.

Circulation Start a Discussion »

Oct 132011

Mortality and readmission of patients with heart failure, atrial fibrillation, or coronary artery disease undergoing noncardiac surgery: an analysis of 38 047 patients.

Circulation. 2011 Jul 19;124(3):289-96

Authors: van Diepen S, Bakal JA, McAlister FA, Ezekowitz JA

Abstract
BACKGROUND: The postoperative risks for patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) undergoing noncardiac surgery are well described. However, the risks of noncardiac surgery in patients with heart failure (HF) and atrial fibrillation (AF) are less well known. The purpose of this study is to compare the postoperative mortality of patients with HF, AF, or CAD undergoing major and minor noncardiac surgery.
METHODS AND RESULTS: Population-based data were used to create 4 cohorts of consecutive patients with either nonischemic HF (NIHF; n=7700), ischemic HF (IHF; n=12 249), CAD (n=13 786), or AF (n=4312) who underwent noncardiac surgery between April 1, 1999, and September 31, 2006, in Alberta, Canada. The main outcome was 30-day postoperative mortality. The unadjusted 30-day postoperative mortality was 9.3% in NIHF, 9.2% in IHF, 2.9% in CAD, and 6.4% in AF (each versus CAD, P<0.0001). Among patients undergoing minor surgical procedures, the 30-day postoperative mortality was 8.5% in NIHF, 8.1% in IHF, 2.3% in CAD, and 5.7% in AF (P<0.0001). After multivariable adjustment, postoperative mortality remained higher in NIHF, IHF, and AF patients than in those with CAD (NIHF versus CAD: odds ratio 2.92; 95% confidence interval 2.44 to 3.48; IHF versus CAD: odds ratio 1.98; 95% confidence interval 1.70 to 2.31; AF versus CAD: odds ratio 1.69; 95% confidence interval 1.34 to 2.14).
CONCLUSIONS: Although current perioperative risk prediction models place greater emphasis on CAD than HF or AF, patients with HF or AF have a significantly higher risk of postoperative mortality than patients with CAD, and even minor procedures carry a risk higher than previously appreciated.

PMID: 21709059 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

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A medical admission unit reduces duration of hospital stay and number of readmissions.

Dan Med Bull Start a Discussion »

Oct 132011

A medical admission unit reduces duration of hospital stay and number of readmissions.

Dan Med Bull. 2011 Aug;58(8):A4298

Authors: Vork JC, Brabrand M, Folkestad L, Thomsen KK, Knudsen T, Christiansen C

Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Political initiatives promoting a more efficient emergency admission process have triggered a reorganisation of the Danish health system with a view to creating fewer and larger admission units counting more experienced physicians. At our hospital, a medical admission unit (MAU) was established. We present the effect of this on the length of hospital stay, mortality rates and the number of readmissions for the last year with the previous structure and the first year of the new MAU structure.
MATERIAL AND METHODS: We retrospectively extracted data from the hospital databases on two periods: one year before and the first year after establishment of the MAU.
RESULTS: After establishment of the MAU, the overall average length of hospital stay was reduced from 4.1 to 3.8 days (p < 0.01). No increase in mortality either in-house or within 30 days after discharge was seen. A substantial reduction (26%) in the overall number of readmissions within 30 days after discharge was observed.
CONCLUSION: The establishment of the MAU improved efficacy at the hospital owing to reduction in the length of hospital stay and the number of readmissions. As judged from mortality rates and indicated by readmission rates, neither the quality of treatment nor patient safety was compromised in a setup, where patients with suspected cardiac diseases are admitted along with patients suspected to suffer from other internal medical diseases. The dynamics between multidisciplinary physicians and nurses seems to improve when they are working close to each other in a setting where team spirit evolves.
FUNDING: not relevant.
TRIAL REGISTRATION: not relevant.

PMID: 21827721 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Link to Article at PubMed

Pericardiocentesis in contemporary practice.

J Invasive Cardiol Start a Discussion »

Oct 132011

Pericardiocentesis in contemporary practice.

J Invasive Cardiol. 2011 Jun;23(6):234-9

Authors: Inglis R, King AJ, Gleave M, Bradlow W, Adlam D

Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Pericardiocentesis is a life-saving procedure associated with a small, but significant, risk of major complication. An apical or subcostal approach may be used, although the relative complication rates are not reported. In modern practice, an increasing proportion of pericardial effusions occur as a result of catheter-laboratory related complications. This study examines current practice and analyzes the complications of pericardial drainage according to the route of approach.
DESIGN: Historical cohort study.
SETTING: Four Oxfordshire hospitals, including the John Radcliffe Hospital, a tertiary referral center.
PATIENTS: Local databases were searched to identify percutaneous pericardiocenteses carried out between November 2002 and October 2009.
RESULTS: A total of 188 pericardiocenteses were performed in 163 patients. Malignancy (55; 33.7%) and catheter-based cardiac procedures (45; 23.9%) were the most common causes of pericardial effusions requiring drainage. 50.0% of all pericardiocenteses were performed in patients who had received anticoagulant or antiplatelet agents the same day. This rose to 93.7% in patients whose effusions occurred as a complication of a catheter-based procedure. Nine complications occurred during the study period, giving an overall complication rate of 4.8%. Six of the complications occurred via the subcostal route and all 4 complications requiring surgery occurred via the subcostal route.
CONCLUSION: The numbers of iatrogenic pericardial effusions occurring as a complication of catheter-based procedures mean that a significant proportion of pericardiocenteses are being performed in anticoagulated patients. This may alter the risk profile. Although complication rates were low for both routes, all major complications requiring surgery occurred via the subcostal approach. These data suggest an apical approach may be preferable where practical.

PMID: 21646649 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

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(Correcting) misdiagnoses of asthma: a cost effectiveness analysis.

BMC Pulm Med Start a Discussion »

Oct 132011

(Correcting) misdiagnoses of asthma: a cost effectiveness analysis.

BMC Pulm Med. 2011;11:27

Authors: Pakhale S, Sumner A, Coyle D, Vandemheen K, Aaron S

Abstract
BACKGROUND: The prevalence of physician-diagnosed-asthma has risen over the past three decades and misdiagnosis of asthma is potentially common. Objective: to determine whether a secondary-screening-program to establish a correct diagnosis of asthma in those who report a physician diagnosis of asthma is cost effective.
METHOD: Randomly selected physician-diagnosed-asthmatic subjects from 8 Canadian cities were studied with an extensive diagnostic algorithm to rule-in, or rule-out, a correct diagnosis of asthma. Subjects in whom the diagnosis of asthma was excluded were followed up for 6-months and data on asthma medications and heath care utilization was obtained. Economic analysis was performed to estimate the incremental lifetime costs associated with secondary screening of previously diagnosed asthmatic subjects. Analysis was from the perspective of the Canadian healthcare system and is reported in Canadian dollars.
RESULTS: Of 540 randomly selected patients with physician diagnosed asthma 150 (28%; 95%CI 19-37%) did not have asthma when objectively studied. 71% of these misdiagnosed patients were on some asthma medications. Incorporating the incremental cost of secondary-screening for the diagnosis of asthma, we found that the average cost savings per 100 individuals screened was $35,141 (95%CI $4,588-$69,278).
CONCLUSION: Cost savings primarily resulted from lifetime costs of medication use averted in those who had been misdiagnosed.

PMID: 21605395 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

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Preventable and non-preventable adverse drug events in hospitalized patients: a prospective chart review in the Netherlands.

Drug Saf Start a Discussion »

Oct 132011

Preventable and non-preventable adverse drug events in hospitalized patients: a prospective chart review in the Netherlands.

Drug Saf. 2011 Nov 1;34(11):1089-100

Authors: Dequito AB, Mol PG, van Doormaal JE, Zaal RJ, van den Bemt PM, Haaijer-Ruskamp FM, Kosterink JG

Abstract
Background: Medication safety research and clinical pharmacy practice today is primarily focused on managing preventable adverse drug events (pADEs). Determinants of both pADEs and non-preventable adverse drug reactions (ADRs) have been identified. However, relatively little is known on the overlap between these determinants and the balance of preventable and non-preventable harm inpatients experience in modern computerized hospitals. Objective: The aim of this study was to analyse the prevalence of pADEs and non-preventable ADRs as well as the determinants, including multimorbidity, of these ADEs, i.e. both pADEs and ADRs. Methods: Adverse events experienced by patients admitted to two Dutch hospitals with functioning computerized physician order entry (CPOE) systems were prospectively identified through chart review. Adverse events were divided into pADEs (i.e. as a result of a medication error) and non-preventable ADRs. In both cases, a causal relationship between adverse events and patients' drugs was established using the simplified Yale algorithm. Study data were collected anytime between April 2006 and May 2008 over a 5-month period at each hospital ward included in the study, beginning from 8 weeks after CPOE was implemented at the ward. Results: pADEs and non-preventable ADRs were experienced by 349 (58%) patients, of whom 307 (88%) had non-preventable ADRs. Multimorbidity (adjusted odds ratio [OR(adj)] 1.90; 95% CI 1.44, 2.50; OR(adj) 1.28; 95% CI 1.14, 1.45, respectively), length of stay (OR(adj) 1.13; 95% CI 1.06, 1.21; OR(adj) 1.11; 95% CI 1.07, 1.16, respectively), admission to the geriatric ward (OR(adj) 7.78; 95% CI 2.15, 28.13; OR(adj) 3.82; 95% CI 1.73, 8.45, respectively) and number of medication orders (OR(adj) 1.25; 95% CI 1.16, 1.35; OR(adj) 1.13; 95% CI 1.06, 1.21, respectively) were statistically significantly associated with pADEs and ADRs. Admission to the gastroenterology/rheumatology ward (OR(adj) 0.22; 95% CI 0.06, 0.77; OR(adj) 0.40; 95% CI 0.24, 0.65, respectively) was inversely related to both pADEs and ADRs. Other determinants for ADRs only were female sex (OR(adj) 1.77; 95% CI 1.12, 2.80) and use of drugs affecting the nervous system (OR(adj) 1.83; 95% CI 1.09, 3.07). Age was a significant determinant for pADEs only (OR(adj) 1.07; 95% CI 1.03, 1.11). Conclusions: In this study more than half of the patients admitted to the hospitals are harmed by drugs, of which most are non-serious, non-preventable ADRs (after the introduction of CPOE). Determinants of both pADEs and ADRs overlap to a large extent. Our results imply the need for signalling early potential adverse events that occur during the normal use of drugs in multimorbid patients or those in geriatric wards. Subsequent therapeutic interventions may improve the well-being of hospitalized patients to a greater extent than focusing on errors in the medication process only.

PMID: 21981436 [PubMed - in process]

Link to Article at PubMed

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