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Primary trigger finger is a common hand disorder for which nonoperative treatment or release of A1 pulley is usually effective. For resistant or recurrent cases, there are different surgical techniques including partial or complete opening of A2 pulley, reduction tenoplasty, and resection of the ulnar slip of the flexor digitorum superficialis tendon. Here, we present our minimally invasive technique for ulnar superficial slip resection surgery. Our indications are the patients with persistent residual proximal interphalangeal joint contracture after A1 pulley release and also the recurrent cases. Then, we report the clinical outcomes of our patients operated using this technique.

Background GLP‐1 (glucagon‐like peptide‐1) receptor agonists exert beneficial long‐term effects on cardiovascular and renal outcomes. In humans, the natriuretic effect of GLP‐1 depends on GLP‐1 receptor interaction, is accompanied by suppression of angiotensin II, and is independent of changes in renal plasma flow. In rodents, angiotensin II constricts vasa recta and lowers medullary perfusion. The current randomized, controlled, crossover study was designed to test the hypothesis that GLP‐1 increases renal medullary perfusion in healthy humans. Methods and Results Healthy male participants (n=10, aged 27±4 years) ingested a fixed sodium intake for 4 days and were examined twice during a 1‐hour infusion of either GLP‐1 (1.5 pmol/kg per minute) or placebo together with infusion of 0.9% NaCl (750 mL/h). Interleaved measurements of renal arterial blood flow, oxygenation (R 2 *), and perfusion were acquired in the renal cortex and medulla during infusions, using magnetic resonance imaging. GLP‐1 infusion increased medullary perfusion (32±7%, P P P =0.007), whereas cortical perfusion remained unchanged. R 2 * values increased by 3±2% ( P =0.025) in the medulla and 4±1% ( P =0.008) in the cortex during placebo, indicative of decreased oxygenation, but remained unchanged during GLP‐1. Blood flow in the renal artery was not altered significantly by either intervention. Conclusions GLP‐1 increases predominantly medullary but also cortical perfusion in the healthy human kidney and maintains renal oxygenation during NaCl loading. In perspective, suppression of angiotensin II by GLP‐1 may account for the increase in regional perfusion. Registration URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov ; Unique identifier: NCT04337268.

The present paper provides an update of previous recommendations on Home Blood Pressure Monitoring from the European Society of Hypertension (ESH) Working Group on Blood Pressure Monitoring and Cardiovascular Variability sequentially published in years 2000, 2008 and 2010. This update has taken into account new evidence in this field, including a recent statement by the American Heart association, as well as technological developments, which have occurred over the past 20 years. The present document has been developed by the same ESH Working Group with inputs from an international team of experts, and has been endorsed by the ESH. ispartof: JOURNAL OF HYPERTENSION vol:39 issue:9 pages:1742-1767 ispartof: location:Netherlands status: published

In the last three decades protocols for the validation of blood pressure measuring devices have been developed by the US Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation, the British Hypertension Society, the German Hypertension League, the European Society of Hypertension Working Group on blood pressure Monitoring and the International Organization for Standardization. The European Society of Hypertension International Protocol required much smaller sample size than the other protocols, aiming to reduce the time, resources and cost of validation studies and thereby increase the number of validated devices. Given its specifications, the European Society of Hypertension International Protocol was adequate for 'high- and low-accuracy' devices, yet assessment of 'moderate accuracy' devices had high uncertainty with resultant high rate of device failure. Thus, devices validated using the European Society of Hypertension International Protocol should be considered to be as accurate as those validated with the previous Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation or British Hypertension Society protocols. However, the European Society of Hypertension International Protocol did not allow subgroup evaluation (arm sizes, special populations, etc). The mission of the European Society of Hypertension International Protocol to promote the concept of validation has been well achieved, as almost double studies have been published using it than all the other protocols together. However, the maintenance of different validation protocols is confusing and therefore experts from the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation, European Society of Hypertension International Protocol and International Organization for Standardization have now developed the AAMI/ESH/ISO Universal Standard (ISO 81060-2:2018) as the recommended 21st-century procedure for worldwide application. The European Society of Hypertension Working Group has published a practical guide for using the Universal Standard. It is in the interests of all scientific bodies to propagate the Universal Standard and ensure its wide implementation.

OBJECTIVE Compare emergency general surgery (EGS) patient outcomes following index and non-index hospital readmissions, and explore predictive factors for non-index readmission. BACKGROUND Readmission to a different hospital leads to fragmentation of care. The impact of non-index readmsision on patient outcomes following EGS is not well established. METHODS The Nationwide Readmissions Database (2017) was queried for adult patients readmitted following an EGS procedure. Patients were stratified and propensity-matched according to readmission destination: index vs. non-index hospital. Outcomes were failure to rescue (FTR), mortality, number of subsequent readmissions, overall hospital LOS, and total costs. Hierarchical logistic regression was performed to account for clustering effect within hospitals and adjusting for patient- and hospital-level potential confounding factors. RESULTS A total of 471,570 EGS patients were identified, of which 79,127 (16.8%) were readmitted within 30 days: index hospital (61,472; 77.7%) vs. non-index hospital (17,655; 22.3%). Following 1:1 propensity matching, patients with non-index readmission had higher rates of FTR (5.6% vs. 4.3%; p < 0.001), mortality (2.7% vs. 2.1%; p < 0.001), and overall hospital costs (in $1000; 37 [27-64] vs. 28 [21-48]; p < 0.001). Non-index readmission was independently associated with higher odds of FTR (aOR 1.18 [1.03-1.36]; p < 0.001). Predictors of non-index readmission included top quartile for zip code median household income (1.35 [1.08-1.69]; p < 0.001), fringe county residence (1.08 [1.01-1.16]; p = 0.049), discharge to a skilled nursing facility (1.28 [1.20-1.36]; p < 0.001), and leaving AMA (2.32 [1.81-2.98]; p < 0.001). CONCLUSION One in five readmissions after EGS occur at a different hospital. Non-index readmission carries a heightened risk of FTR. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Level III Prognostic STUDY TYPE:: Prognostic.

INTRODUCTION Organ dysfunction following traumatic brain injury (TBI) is common and has been associated with unpredictable outcomes. The aim of our study is to describe the incidence of non-neurological organ dysfunction (NNOD) and its impact on outcomes in patients with severe TBI admitted to our intensive care unit (ICU). METHODS We performed a 3-year (2015-2017) review of our Level 1 trauma center's prospectively maintained TBI database and included all adult (age ≥18y) patients with isolated severe TBI (head abbreviated injury severity (AIS) ≥3 and other AIS 48 hours. Organ dysfunction (OD) was measured by multiple organ dysfunction scores. Organ system failure was defined as a non-neurological component score of ≥3 on any day during the ICU stay. Outcomes measured were the incidence of NNOD and its effect on outcomes. Multivariate regression analysis was performed. RESULTS A total of 285 patients were included. The mean age was 48 ± 22 years, 72% were males, median [IQR] Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) was 8[5-10], and median Injury Severity Score (ISS) was 17[10-26]. Epidural hematoma was the most common intracranial hemorrhage (49%) followed by subdural hematoma (46%). The overall incidence of NNOD was 33%, with the most common dysfunctional organ system being the respiratory (23%) followed by the cardiovascular (12%) and hepatic system (8%). The overall in-hospital mortality rate was 19% (NNOD:36% vs. No-NNOD:9%, p< 0.01). On regression analysis, NNOD was associated with higher in-hospital mortality (aOR: 2.0 [1.6-2.7]), discharge to skilled nursing facility (SNF) (aOR: 1.8 [1.4-2.2]), and Glasgow Outcome Scale-Extended (GOS-E) ≤4 (OR: 1.7 [1.3-2.3]) and p-values

INTRODUCTION Renewed interest in whole blood (WB) resuscitation in civilians has emerged following its military use. There is a paucity of data on its role in civilians where balanced component therapy (CT) resuscitation is the standard of care. The aim of this study was to assess nationwide outcomes of using WB as an adjunct to CT versus CT alone in resuscitating civilian trauma patients. METHODS We analyzed the (2015-2016) Trauma Quality Improvement Program. We included adult (age, ≥18 years) trauma patients presenting with hemorrhagic shock and requiring at least 1 U of packed red blood cells (pRBCs) within 4 hours. Patients were stratified into WB-CT versus CT only. Primary outcomes were 24-hour and in-hospital mortality. Secondary outcomes were hospital length of stay and major complications. Hierarchical logistic regression was performed to account for clustering effect within hospitals and adjusting for patient- and hospital-level potential confounding factors. RESULTS A total of 8,494 patients were identified, of which 280 received WB-CT (WB, 1 [1-1]; pRBC, 16 [10-23]; FFP, 9 [6-16]; platelets, 3 [2-5]) and 8,214 received CT only (pRBC, 15 [10-24]; FFP, 10 [6-16]; platelets, 2 [1-4]). Mean ± SD age was 34 ± 16 years, 79% were male, Injury Severity Score was 33 (24-43), and 63% had penetrating injuries. Patients who received WB-CT had a lower 24-hour mortality (17% vs. 25%; p = 0.002), in-hospital mortality (29% vs. 40%; p < 0.001), major complications (29% vs. 41%; p < 0.001), and a shorter length of stay (9 [7-12] vs. 15 [10-21]; p = 0.011). On regression analysis, WB was independently associated with reduced 24-hour mortality (odds ratio [OR], 0.78 [0.59-0.89]; p = 0.006), in-hospital mortality (OR, 0.88 [0.81-0.90]; p = 0.011), and major complications (OR, 0.92 [0.87-0.96]; p = 0.013). CONCLUSION The use of WB as an adjunct to CT is associated with improved outcomes in resuscitation of severely injured civilian trauma patients. Further studies are required to evaluate the role of adding WB to massive transfusion protocols. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Therapeutic, level IV.

INTRODUCTION Quetiapine is an atypical antipsychotic commonly used in critical care. Cellular and animal models demonstrated its novel anti-inflammatory properties in traumatic brain injury (TBI). Our study aimed to assess the effect of quetiapine on outcomes in critically ill TBI patients. We hypothesize that quetiapine improves neurological outcomes. METHODS The Multiparameter Intelligent Monitoring in Intensive Care database was queried, and all adult (age, ≥18 years) isolated TBI patients (extracranial Abbreviated Injury Scale, 48 hours. Patients were stratified into quetiapine (+) and no-quetiapine (-) groups. Propensity score matching was performed (1:2 ratio). Outcome measures were intensive care unit length of stay, discharge Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), and mortality. A subanalysis was performed for patients who underwent intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring to ascertain the effect of quetiapine dose on ICP, and cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP). Survival curves and regression analyses were performed. RESULTS A matched cohort of (quetiapine, 116 vs. no-quetiapine, 232) patients was obtained. Mean ± SD age was 65 ± 21 years, median head Abbreviated Injury Scale was 3 (3-4), and median GCS was 10 (9-16). The median quetiapine dose given was 50 (25-125) mg. Patients who received quetiapine had lower mortality (17.2% vs. 27.6%; p = 0.03) and a higher median GCS at discharge (12 [11-14] vs. 11 [10-13]; p < 0.04) but no difference in intensive care unit length of stay (4.1 days vs. 4.7 days; p = 0.75) or discharge to skilled nursing facility (34.5% vs. 31.9%; p = 0.63). On subanalysis of patients who received quetiapine, 40% had ICP monitoring. Higher doses of quetiapine were independently associated with progressively lower ICP (β = -0.022 mm Hg/mg of quetiapine; p = 0.01) and higher CPP (β = 0.031 mm Hg/mg quetiapine; p = 0.01). CONCLUSION Quetiapine may decrease mortality and improve neurological outcomes in critically ill TBI patients. It has a dose-dependent effect to decrease ICP and increase CPP. Quetiapine may be a potential therapeutic modality in critically ill TBI patients, but further studies are required to explore these mechanisms. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Systematic Review, level III.

Background Liquid packed red blood cells (LPRBCs) have a limited shelf life and worsening quality with age. Cryopreserved packed red blood cells (CPRBCs) can be stored up to 10 years with no quality deterioration. The effect of CPRBCs on outcomes in civilian trauma is less explored. This study aims to evaluate the safety and efficacy of CPRBCs in civilian trauma patients. Methods We analyzed the (2015-2016) Trauma Quality Improvement Program, including adult (age, ≥18 years) patients who received a RBC transfusion within 4 hours of admission. Patients were stratified, those who received LPRBC and those who received CPRBC. Primary outcomes were 24-hour and in-hospital mortality. Secondary outcomes were major complications. Propensity matching was performed adjusting for demographics, vitals, blood components, injury parameters, comorbidities, and center parameters. Results A total of 39,975 patients were identified, and a matched cohort of 483 was obtained. A total of 161 received CPRBC (CPRBC, 2 [2-4]; plasma, 2 [0-5]; platelets, 1 [0-2]) and 322 received LPRBC (LPRBC, 3 [2-6]; plasma, 3 [0-6]; platelets, 1 [0-2]). The mean age was 43 ± 22 years, 62% were men, Injury Severity Score was 18 (12-27), and 65% had a blunt injury. Patients who received CPRBC had similar 24-hour mortality (1.8% vs. 2.3%; p = 0.82) and in-hospital mortality (4.9% vs. 5.2%; p = 0.88). No difference was found in terms of complications (15.3% vs. 17.2%; p = 0.21) between the two groups. Conclusion Transfusion of CPRBCs may be as safe and effective as transfusion of LPRBCs in moderately injured trauma patients. Cryopreservation has the potential to expand our transfusion armamentarium in diverse settings, such as periods of increased usage, disaster scenarios, and rural areas. Level of evidence Therapeutic study, level III.

BACKGROUND Blunt cerebrovascular injury (BCVI) is associated with cerebrovascular accidents (CVA). Early therapy with antiplatelet agents or anticoagulants is recommended. There are limited data comparing the effectiveness of these treatments. The aim of our study was to compare outcomes between BCVI patients who received anticoagulants versus those who received antiplatelet agents. METHODS We performed an (2011-2015) analysis of the Nationwide Readmission Database and included all adult trauma patients 18 years or older who had an isolated BCVI (other body regions Abbreviated Injury Scale [AIS] < 3). Head injury patients or those who developed a CVA during the index admission were excluded. Patients were stratified into anticoagulants and antiplatelet agents. Propensity score matching was performed (1:1 ratio) to control for demographics, comorbidities, BCVI grade, distribution, and severity of injuries. Outcomes were readmission with CVA and mortality within 6 months. RESULTS A total of 725 BCVI patients were identified. A matched cohort of 370 patients (antiplatelet agents, 185; anticoagulants, 185) was obtained. Mean age was 50 ± 15 years, neck AIS was 3 (3,4), and Injury Severity Score was 12 (9-17). The majority of the patients (69%) had high-grade BCVI (AIS ≥ 3). Overall, 3.7% were readmitted with CVA and 3% died within 6 months. Patients who received anticoagulants had a lower rate of readmission with CVA (1.8% vs. 5.72%; p = 0.03), and a lower rate of 6-month mortality (1.3% vs. 4.9%; p = 0.03). There was no significant difference between the two groups reading the median time to stroke (9 days vs. 6 days; p = 0.12). CONCLUSION The BCVI patients on CVA prophylaxis for BCVI have a 3.7% rate of stroke after discharge. Compared with antiplatelet agents, anticoagulants are associated with lower rates of CVA in the first 6-month postdischarge. Further studies are required to identify the optimal agent to prevent CVA in this high-risk subset of trauma patients. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Therapeutic, level IV.

Introduction: The European Society of Hypertension (ESH) International Protocol (ESH-IP) for the validation of blood pressure (BP) measuring devices was published in 2002, with the main objective of simplifying the validation procedures, so that more BP monitors would be subjected to independent validation. This article provides an overview of the international impact of the ESH-IP and of the lessons learned from its use, to be able to justify further developments in validation protocols. Methods: A review of published (PubMed) validation studies from 2002 to 2017 was performed. Results: One hundred and seventy-seven validation studies using the ESH-IP, 59 using the British Hypertension Society protocol, 46 using the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI) standard and 23 using the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standard were identified. Lists of validated office-clinic, home and ambulatory BP monitors are provided. Of the ESH-IP studies, 93% tested oscillometric devices, 80% upper arm, 71% home, 25% office and 7% ambulatory monitors (some had more than one function). Conclusion: The original goal of the ESH-IP has been fulfilled in that in the last decade the number of published validation studies has more than doubled. It is now recognized that the provision of accurate devices would be best served by having a universal protocol. An international initiative has been put in place by AAMI, ESH and ISO experts aiming to reach consensus for a universal validation protocol to be accepted worldwide, which will allow a more thorough evaluation of the accuracy and performance of future BP monitors.

Background Electronic devices for blood pressure (BP) measurements need to go through independent clinical validation as recommended by different authorities, both in general and special populations. Reproducibility of such validation protocols is unknown. Objective The aim of this study was to assess the inter-centre reproducibility of the European Society of Hypertension-International protocol (ESH-IP) in patients with large arm circumference at least 32 cm or obesity. Methods Two independent validation studies were performed in parallel according to the ESH-IP protocol in two centres (Serbia and Armenia). The two studies were performed blindly and independently. The ESH-IP criteria were applied for the analysis. The OMRON RS7 wrist oscillometric devices were used in both studies. Results The distribution of the mean differences values of 5 or less, 10 or less and 15 mmHg or less between the observers and the device were for the Serbia team: 74, 95 and 98 for SBP and 78, 95 and 99 for DBP; and for the Armenia team: 86, 95 and 99 for SBP and 90, 99 and 99 for DBP. The mean differences (SD) of BP values between the observers and the device were for the Serbia team of 1.7 ± 4.8 mmHg for SBP and 1.2 ± 4.6 mmHg for DBP and for the Armenia team of -1.1 ± 4.2 mmHg for SBP and -0.3 ± 3.5 mmHg for DBP. Conclusion This study showed that the ESH-IP validation protocol presents a good inter-centre reproducibility. The OMRON RS7 device showed similar results, fulfilling the validation criteria in two independent studies in patients with arm circumference at least 32 cm.