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Background: Warfarin is traditionally the drug of choice for stroke prophylaxis or treatment of venous thromboembolism in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) on hemodialysis as data on apixaban use is scarce. We aimed to assess the safety and efficacy of Apixaban in patients with ESRD on hemodialysis when compared with warfarin. Methods: A comprehensive literature search in PubMed, Google Scholar, and Cochrane databases from inception until Nov 25, 2019, was performed. Studies reporting clinical outcomes comparing Apixaban (2.5 mg BID or 5 mg BID) versus Warfarin in ESRD patients on hemodialysis were included. Mantel-Haenszel risk ratio (RR) random-effects model was used to summarize data. Results: Four studies (three retrospective and one randomized) with a total of 9862 patients (apixaban = 2,547, warfarin = 7315) met inclusion criteria. The overall mean age was 66.6 ± 3.9 years and mean CHA2DS2-VASc score 4.56 ± 0.58. Apixaban was associated with lower rates of major bleeding (RR 0.53, 95% CI 0.45–0.64, p

Aims We evaluated the efficacy of an ablation strategy empirically targeting pulmonary veins (PVs) and posterior wall (PW) and the prevalence and clinical impact of extrapulmonary trigger inducibility and ablation in a large cohort of patients with persistent atrial fibrillation (PerAF). Methods and Results A total of 1803 PerAF patients were prospectively enrolled. All patients underwent pulmonary vein antrum isolation (PVAI) extended to the entire PW. A standardized protocol was performed to confirm persistent PVAI and elicit any triggers originating from non-PV sites. All non-PV triggers initiating sustained atrial tachyarrhythmias were ablated. Ablation of non-PV sites triggering non-sustained runs ( Conclusion Pulmonary vein antrum isolation extended to the entire PW might provide acceptable long-term arrhythmia-free survival in PerAF patients without inducible non-PV triggers. In our population of PerAF patients, non-PV triggers could be elicited in ∼70% of PerAF patients and their elimination significantly improved outcomes.

Background Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a common cause of death among injured patients. In addition to neurologic sequelae which may increase mortality risk, trauma patients suffering severe TBI (Glasgow Coma Score≤8) have a predilection for pulmonary complications. We have previously demonstrated that patients with severe TBI who were intubated and mechanically ventilated are at greater risk of radiographic pulmonary lobar collapse that necessitates advanced directional suctioning and/or bronchoscopy. We sought to minimize the potentially deleterious effects of such lobar collapse by using a standardized pulmonary hygiene protocol. Methods We performed a retrospective comparison of lobar collapse incidence among three groups over 21 months: patients without severe TBI who were intubated and mechanically ventilated for greater than 24 hours (i.e. “NO TBI”); patients with severe TBI who were intubated and mechanically ventilated for greater than 24 hours who were not treated with a standardized pulmonary hygiene protocol (i.e. historical “CONTROL”); and patients with severe TBI who were intubated and mechanically ventilated for greater than 24 hours and who were treated with a standardized pulmonary hygiene protocol (i.e. “HYGIENE”). Our analysis excluded patients who had any significant neck injury as we had previously found that pulmonary complications are increased in this subpopulation. Results We reviewed the charts of 310 trauma patients (NO TBI = 104, CONTROL = 101, HYGIENE = 105) and analyzed demographics, injury severity and outcomes, including the incidence of pulmonary lobar collapse. Pulmonary hygiene protocol demonstrated a significant reduction in the incidence of lobar collapse among the HYGIENE group compared to CONTROL, approximating the incidence among patients with no TBI (11% vs 27% vs 10%, respectively, p = 0.0009). No significant difference was noted in ventilator days, intensive care unit length of stay, hospital length of stay, mortality, nor incidence of pneumonia. Conclusion High-risk TBI patients have a predilection towards the development of pulmonary lobar collapse, which can be significantly reduced by the use of a standardized pulmonary hygiene protocol.

Vasovagal Syncope (VVS) is mediated by a cardiac autonomic reflex with resultant bradycardia and hypotension, precipitating syncope. While benign and mostly well controlled, recurrent VVS can be debilitating and warrants intervention. Non-pharmacological management of VVS have had variable success. In patients with recurrent cardioinhibitory VVS, permanent pacing can be effective. The utility of pacing to preempt the syncopal depends on the prominent temporal role of bradycardia during the vasovagal reflex. Current guidelines recommend pacing as a therapy to consider in older patients with recurrent VVS. Although younger patients can benefit, one should be cautious given the long-term risk of complications. Available data appears to favor a dual chamber pacemaker with closed loop stimulation algorithm to prevent recurrent cardioinhibitory VVS. Several aspects, including mechanistic understanding of VVS and appropriate patient selection, remain unclear, and require further study.

Krishna Akella, Akella Chendrasekhar Department of Surgery, Richmond University Medical Center, Staten Island, NY, USA Introduction: Development of venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a common cause of in-hospital morbidity and mortality. The initial evaluation of VTE risk in hospitalized surgical patients has become the standard of care. In an attempt to ascertain why patients who had received adequate prophylaxis on initial evaluation had subsequently developed VTE, we hypothesized that in the absence of changing levels of care, risk of VTE does increase in the hospitalized surgical patient population. As the treatment paradigms for moderate and high risk patients are equivalent, we also hypothesized that this change resulted in under-treatment with regard to prophylaxis of VTE. Patients and methods: A retrospective data analysis was performed on 96 adult patients admitted to our surgical service. The initial VTE risk assessment and prophylactic guidelinesare based on set criteria mandated by our institution. The initial VTE risk and prophylaxis onadmission was noted for each patient. The patient was then subsequently re-evaluated during the hospitalization using the same criteria. Additional information obtained included demographic data, prior surgery, hospital-length of stay, prior history of DVT, and whether or not prophylaxis was appropriate initially and on reassessment. A one-way analysis of variance was then performed. Results: Among the 96 enrolled patients, 76 progressed in their VTE risk resulting in change of risk category. Change by one category of risk occurred in 33 patients, two categories occurred in 19 patients, and three categories occurred in 24 patients. In addition to change in risk category, the need for change in prophylaxis was also evaluated in these patients by comparing percentage of patients given appropriate prophylaxis initially and again on re-evaluation. Discussion: We feel that repeated reassessment of VTE risk throughout a hospital stay is indicated. Prophylactic measures based on risk should also be adjusted accordingly. Keywords: venous thromboembolism, risk assessment, re-evaluation

Krishna Akella, Nupur Murthy, Phoenix Bell, Akella Chendrasekhar Department of Surgery, Trauma Section, Richmond University Medical Center, Staten Island, NY, USA Abstract: A bullet being lodged in the femoral head is a unique trauma situation, which can be managed either operatively or non-operatively. We present two different scenarios of a bullet being lodged in the femoral head with a discussion of both operative and non-operative management as well as diagnostic considerations. Keywords: penetrating , trauma, extremity