What should nurses do on post-stroke depression? A global systematic assessment of clinical practice guidelines

Objectives
Post-stroke depression (PSD) is the most common mental disorder in post-stroke patients. Yet, the recommendations related to nursing in clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) have not been systematically sorted out. This study aimed to assess the methodological quality of current CPGs related to PSD and develop an algorithm using nursing process as a framework for nurses.

Design
A systematic assessment of CPGs.

Interventions
A systematic search for relevant CPGs published between 2017 and 2022 was conducted. Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation instrument was used to assess methodological quality. Recommendations related to nursing practice from high-quality CPGs were summarised and developed into an algorithm to provide reference for the standardised construction of nursing practice scheme.

Results
497 records were initially identified from database searches and other sources. Finally, 12 CPGs were included, of which 6 were rated as high quality. A total of 35 recommendations from the 6 highest-scoring CPGs were summarised and used to develop an algorithm.

Conclusions
This study indicated deficiencies and variability in current available CPGs. Based on six high-quality CPGs, we developed an algorithm to facilitate nurses’ adherence to CPGs and contribute to evidence-based nursing. In the future, more nursing specialists should participate in the formulation of the CPGs to provide nursing insights.

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Novembre 2022

COVID-19 pandemic interim Foundation Year 1 post and confidence in core skills and competencies: a longitudinal survey

Objectives
The interim Foundation Year 1 (FiY1) post was created in response to the COVID-19 pandemic to help bolster the workforce and manage increased clinical pressures. This study aimed to assess the impact of the FiY1 post on medical graduates’ self-reported confidence in common tasks, core skills, competencies and procedures prior to starting FY1, as a measure of increasing preparedness for practice.

Setting
A longitudinal survey was performed at a tertiary teaching hospital in the South East of England. FiY1 posts ran from June to July 2020.

Participants
Questionnaires were sent to 122 medical graduates from a single medical school (recipients included FiY1s and non-FiY1s) and to 69 FiY1s at a single Teaching Hospital NHS Trust, irrespective of medical school attended. Initial and follow-up questionnaires had 86 and 62 respondents, respectively. Of these, 39 graduates were matched; 26 were FiY1s and 13 non-FiY1s. The 39 matched results were analysed.

Primary outcome measures
Confidence levels in common FY1 tasks, core procedures and competencies were gathered before and after the FiY1 post through online questionnaires. Change in confidence comparing FiY1s and non-FiY1s was measured and analysed using linear regression.

Results
On a 5-point scale, the FiY1 post increased overall confidence in starting FY1 by 0.62 (95% CI 0.072 to 1.167, p=0.028). The FiY1 post increased confidence in performing venepuncture by 0.32 (95% CI 0.011 to 0.920, p=0.045), performing intravenous cannulation by 0.48 (95% CI 0.030 to 1.294, p=0.041) and recognising, assessing and initiating the management of the acutely ill patient by 0.32 (95% CI 0.030 to 1.301, p=0.041).

Conclusions
The COVID-19 pandemic FiY1 post improved confidence in core skills and competencies. These findings may help guide future educational interventions in conjunction with further larger scale studies, ultimately aiding to bridge the transition gap between being a medical student and a doctor.

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Novembre 2022

Abstract 10985: Cardiopulmonary Assessment of COVID-19 Survivors Stratified by Acute Disease Severity and Post-Acute Symptoms

Circulation, Volume 146, Issue Suppl_1, Page A10985-A10985, November 8, 2022. Introduction:Studies have demonstrated a reduction in peak oxygen consumption (VO2) post-acute COVID-19. We sought to determine the association between acute COVID-19 severity, post-acute symptoms and peak VO2after recovery.Methods:This study analyzed data from patients who recovered from COVID-19 and underwent cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) as part of prospective studies in 5 centers across UK and Europe. Patients were asked to report current symptoms. Peak VO2, lung volumes, gas exchange, ventilatory efficiency, heart rate and O2pulse were measured in a standard symptom-limited incremental cycle ergometer CPET.Results:Among 417 patients examined 136±63 days after recovery from COVID-19, 164 (39%) were female. Mean age was 56.9±13.3 years. The spectrum of acute COVID-19 severity included critical (N=47; 11.3%), severe (180; 43.2%), moderate (75; 18.0%) and mild (115; 27.5%) illness. The most common post-acute symptom was dyspnea (200; 48%), followed by muscle pain (173; 41%). Mean peak respiratory exchange ratio was 1.13±0.1, and did not vary across acute disease severity or post-acute symptom status. There was no significant difference in peak VO2as % from predicted in mild to critical acute disease: 84.0±2.1%, 91.4±2.6%, 82.9±1.7% and 83.7±3.2%, respectively (p=0.06). Patients with dyspnea or muscle pain had each lower peak VO2as % from predicted, compared to patients free of the specific symptom (81.3±21.2% vs. 88.1±22.9%, p=0.002 and 78.6±19.1% vs. 88.2±22.0%, p

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Ottobre 2022

Abstract 15199: Automated Machine Learning (AutoML) Algorithms to Predict Post-Operative Venous Thromboembolism (VTE) Using the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS NSQIP) Database

Circulation, Volume 146, Issue Suppl_1, Page A15199-A15199, November 8, 2022. Introduction:Post-operative patients are at increased risk for venous thromboembolism (VTE). Given the morbidity and mortality associated with VTE, risk stratification calculators have been developed based on pre-operative patient characteristics. Most risk calculators rely on logistic regression (LR) analysis. However, automated machine learning (AutoML) programs consistently outperform standard LR models in non-medical contexts. This study aims to investigate the utility of novel methods in developing a model for post-operative VTE after non-cardiac and cardiac surgeries.Hypothesis:We hypothesized that AutoML models would be superior to logistic regression models in predicting post-operative VTE.Methods:We used an AutoML system developed and released by Amazon in 2020, AutoGluon v0.3.1, to predict post-operative VTE using the 2016-2018 ACS NSQIP database. A total of 3,049,617 patients and 79 pre-operative variables were included. Post-operative VTE was defined as a deep venous thrombosis (DVT) or a pulmonary embolism (PE) within 30 days of the surgery. Models were trained for four hours to optimize performance on the Brier score, with lower being better. Validation of all performance metrics was done using the 2019 ACS NSQIP database.Results:0.79% of the patients (n = 23,974) developed post-operative VTE. Brier scores were calculated for each model with the top performing model being an ensembled neural net model having a Brier score of 0.00758 on the validation set. The corresponding AUROC and AUC-PR was 0.784 and 0.035 respectively (Figure).Conclusions:The models generated via AutoML to predict post-operative VTE had similar discriminatory characteristics to those reported in the literature. Future post-operative VTE models may benefit from AutoML analysis.

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Ottobre 2022

Abstract 15140: Post-Myocardial Infarction Ventricular Septal Defect in a Patient With Mixed Connective Tissue Disorder

Circulation, Volume 146, Issue Suppl_1, Page A15140-A15140, November 8, 2022. Mixed connective tissue disorder (MCTD) is associated with a broad range of cardiovascular abnormalities, including coronary artery disease (CAD). It has been proposed that chronic systemic inflammation plays a key role in the development of atherosclerotic disease.A 66-year-old female with a history of MCTD and hypertension presented with mild dyspnea and pleuritic chest pain after one week of persistent flu-like symptoms. Her blood pressure was 108/77 mmHg, pulse 92 bpm, saturating 98% on room air. She was comfortable and denied other risk factors such as diabetes, hyperlipidemia, or prior smoking history. On exam she was found to have a soft holosystolic murmur across her precordium. EKG showed sinus rhythm with small Q waves and ST elevation in V1-V6. She was taken for cardiac catheterization which revealed a thrombotic occlusion in the proximal left anterior descending artery (LAD) and a severe lesion in the left circumflex artery. She underwent angioplasty with one drug eluted stent placed to LAD. Left ventriculography revealed a VSD near the apex, and transthoracic echocardiogram showed a 7.6 mm muscular VSD with left to right shunt, ejection fraction of 35% and hypokinesis of the anterior wall. She became hypotensive and required vasopressors prior to coronary artery bypass grafting and primary closure of her apical VSD. Intraoperatively, a 2 cm VSD with 5 cm of necrotic surrounding tissue was noted. Post-operative complications included asystolic cardiac arrest, marked cardiogenic shock and multiorgan failure to which she ultimately succumbed.Post-myocardial infarction VSD is a rare complication of MI occurring in approximately 0.2% of cases. However, patients with MCTD can develop atypical symptoms, resulting in delayed presentation and therefore higher risk of mechanical complications. We highlight the importance of a thorough physical exam and high suspicion for mechanical complications in these patients even when hemodynamically stable.

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Ottobre 2022

Abstract 12100: Catastrophic Large Post-Stemi Inferoseptum Ventricular Septal Rupture With Left-to-Right Shunt and an Inferoseptum Pulsatile Pseudoaneurysm

Circulation, Volume 146, Issue Suppl_1, Page A12100-A12100, November 8, 2022. Case Presentation:49-year-old male without known cardiovascular history presented with three days of atypical chest discomfort. 12-lead EKG revealed ST-segment elevations in II-III-aVF and depression in V1 suggestive of an acute infero-posterior MI (A), Troponin T at 6.85 ng/mL. Following administration of DAPT and heparinization, emergent coronary angiography proved a dominant RCA with proximal 60% and middle 100% occlusion (B), 80% focal stenosis at mid-LAD and 70% focal stenosis at prox-LCx (C). PCI with intra-aortic balloon pump support was performed, with two DES deployed in the RCA, use of a trans-venous pacemaker was required for complete AV block, and two defibrillations required for ventricular fibrillation. Following further hemodynamic compromise unexplained by his hemodynamic parameters, TEE was performed, demonstrating a large mid/distal infero-septum ventricular septal defect with left to right shunt (D, E and F), as well as a basal/mid infero-septum large pseudo-aneurysm (PSA) cavity (contained rupture) (G: low velocity Doppler flow from LV to PSA cavity, H and I show intact septum). The patient continued to decompensate requiring escalation to temporary mechanical circulatory support with VA-ECMO. Heart transplantation was initially considered, family decided to withdraw care due to multi-organ failure and poor prognosisDiscussion:Due to widespread availability of primary percutaneous coronary intervention with early reperfusion, mechanical complications post MI are less common in current days. Following transmural MI, persistent hypotension and cardiogenic shock should alert for complications such as VSD or PSA. While VSD may be amenable to percutaneous or surgical closure, PSA is associated with very high mortality even if surgery is attempted. Given the presence of both a VSD and PSA, mechanical support with VA-ECMO allowed us to support the patient for several days as a bridge to decision regarding heart transplantation

Leggi
Ottobre 2022

Abstract 10210: Citalopram, but Not Fluoxetine May Improve Post-Stroke Recovery

Circulation, Volume 146, Issue Suppl_1, Page A10210-A10210, November 8, 2022. Introduction:Several studies evaluated the role of Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) in several aspects of stroke recovery. However, the results of these studies were inconsistent.HypothesisThis study was conducted to assess the hypothesis that SSRIs improve post-stroke recovery.Methods:In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched the following databases: PubMed, Cochrane, Scopus and Google Scholar. The studies were included if they were placebo-controlled trials in design and reported SSRIs effects on post-stroke depression, anxiety, disability, dependence, motor abilities and cognitive functions.Results:The search yielded 44 articles that included 16,164 patients and about half of the participants were treated with SSRIs. Our results showed that SSRIs had significant effect on preventing depression (Figure 1: Weighted Mean Difference (WMD)=-7.05; 95%CI: -11.78- -2.31), treating depression (Figure 1; WMD=-1.45; 95%CI: -2.77- -0.14), anxiety (Figure 1: Relative Risk (RR)=0.23; 95%CI: 0.09-0.61), dependence (Figure 1: WMD=8.86; 95%CI:1.23-16.48), motor abilities (Figure 1: WMD=-0.79; 95%CI: -1.42- -0.15) and cognitive functions (Figure 1: WMD=1.00; 95%CI: 0.12-1.89). On the other hand, no significant effect of SSRI on disability was observed. Additionally, we found that treating with SSRIs increased the risk of seizures (RR=1.44; 95%CI:1.13-1.83).Conclusion:Our study showed that SSRIs are effective in preventing and treating depression, improving anxiety, motor function, cognitive function and dependence in post-stroke patients. These benefits were only reproducible with the citalopram sub-analysis but not fluoxetine; further well-conducted placebo-controlled trials are needed to investigate the safety and efficacy of citalopram among post-stroke patients.

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Ottobre 2022

Abstract 13431: Comparative Evaluation of Diastolic Left Heart Dynamics Post-Mitral Valve Interventions

Circulation, Volume 146, Issue Suppl_1, Page A13431-A13431, November 8, 2022. Introduction:Mitral valve (MV) leaflet morphology plays an important role insuring efficient, unidirectional blood flow from the left atrium (LA) to ventricle (LV). When treating severe mitral regurgitation (MR), surgical repair, valve replacement, or transcatheter edge-to-edge (E-2-E) repair all provide valid options depending on anatomy and clinical circumstances. These interventions alter the MV morphology, impacting LV filling dynamics. We used fluid-structure interactions (FSI) to evaluate LV filling dynamics after MV interventions, taking into consideration full left-heart (LH) dynamics.Methods:3-D MV model of a patient suffering from severe MR was reconstructed from echocardiographic data. A LH wall motion algorithm was developed and applied to CT-derived LA and LV walls to realistically represent LH dynamics. LH wall motion, MV dynamics and blood flow in LA and LV during MV function was simulated using a strongly coupled fluid structure interaction approach. Virtual interventions using a surgical 33mm bioprosthetic valve (BPV) and transcatheter E-2-E repair were performed and evaluated.Results:Our FSI model predicted a physiological vortex ring developing in the LV for the pre-op MV during early diastole. BPV produced complex asymmetrical vortices. Due to its double orifice, the E-2-E clip produced two separate vortex rings with the largest velocity magnitude. Of all the three treatments, BPV had the greatest leaflet deformation rate.Conclusion:This model provides realistic quantitative insights into post-op filling dynamics that can be used to personalize and optimize valve intervention. These methodologies may help clinicians to realistically predict and evaluate patient-specific LV filling dynamics to tailor MV interventions.

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Ottobre 2022

Abstract 10006: The Effect of Dapagliflozin on Hospital Admissions in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes: Post Hoc Analysis of the DECLARE-TIMI 58 Trial

Circulation, Volume 146, Issue Suppl_1, Page A10006-A10006, November 8, 2022. Background:In the DECLARE-TIMI 58 trial, involving patients with type 2 diabetes at high cardiovascular (CV) risk, dapagliflozin reduced the risk for heart failure hospitalization and adverse kidney outcomes, compared to placebo. Whether dapagliflozin lowers the risks for the broader outcome of adverse event (AE)-related hospital admissions is unknown.Methods:The DECLARE-TIMI 58 trial randomized 17,160 subjects with type 2 diabetes and a high risk for or established CV disease, to receive dapagliflozin or placebo (1:1). Dapagliflozin effect on AE-related hospital admissions was assessed overall and by baseline cardiovascular and kidney subgroups. Investigator reported system organ class classification was used to evaluate dapagliflozin’s effects on admissions due to different etiologies.Results:Over a median follow up of 4.2 years, dapagliflozin reduced the risk of AE-related hospital admissions by 11% (32.4% vs. 35.4% of participants, HR 0.89 [95% CI 0.85, 0.94]; p

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Ottobre 2022

Abstract 14439: Using Augmented Mean Arterial Pressure to Assess Post-Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement Mortality

Circulation, Volume 146, Issue Suppl_1, Page A14439-A14439, November 8, 2022. Introduction:Post-transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) outcome of patients is an important research topic. To accurately assess post-TAVR mortality, we examined a family of new echo-parameters (augmented systolic blood pressure (AugSBP) and arterial mean pressure parameters (AugMAP)) derived from blood pressure and aortic valve gradient (Figure 1).Methods:Patients in the Mayo Clinic National Cardiovascular Diseases Registry-TAVR database who underwent TAVR between January 1, 2012, and June 30, 2017, were identified to retrieve baseline clinical, echocardiographic, and mortality data. The median of AugSBP and AugMAP were used to stratify patients in Kaplan-Meier analysis.Results:The final cohort contained 974 patients with a mean age of 81.4±8.3 years old, and 56.6% were male. The mean Society of Thoracic Surgeons risk score was 8.2±5.2. The median follow-up duration was 354 days, and the one-year all-cause mortality rate was 14.2%. Detailed characteristics are summarized inTable 1.AugMAP1 < 102.5 mmHg (median) was associated with a 3-fold risk of all-cause mortality post-TAVR at 1 year (hazard ratio 3.0, 95%confidence interval 2.0-4.5, p

Leggi
Ottobre 2022

Abstract 9525: Changes in Managing Post-Stroke Challenges After Receiving a Self-Management Programme: A Qualitative Study

Circulation, Volume 146, Issue Suppl_1, Page A9525-A9525, November 8, 2022. Introduction:Supporting self-management is essential to improving health outcomes after stroke. More evidence on the stroke survivors’ experiences and perceived usefulness of the self-management interventions are needed to provide better support.Purpose:This study was aimed to explore stroke survivors’ experiences of attending an 8-week programme which consisted of four home visits and five follow-up phone calls and delivered by a collaborative team of nurses and trained lay volunteers.Methods:A qualitative study was conducted with a convenience sample of the survivors who had received the programme. After completing the programme, the survivors were interviewed individually by phone using a semi-structured interview guide about their changes in perceiving and responding to post-stroke physical and psychosocial challenges. Suggestions to improve their experience of participation were collected. Interview data were transcribed verbatim and analysed thematically.Results:Thirty stroke survivors (mean age=60 years, SD=11.74) were interviewed. Most of them were male (60%), married (63.3%) and had a first-ever ischaemic stroke (50%). The mean duration of onset after stroke was 5.63 years (SD=3.12). About 63% of them walked unaided or with a stick. Four (13.3%) had mild dysphasia. Four themes were derived: developed short-term goals with lifestyle-integrated action plans; resumed social activities or work; increased satisfaction with life and sense of being cared for; more effective communication and relief of negative emotions; increased adoption of new and creative strategies to improve limb functions. Suggestions for improving the programme included longer duration, more home visits, earlier support upon discharge from the hospital, meetings with other survivors for mutual support while working towards the goals, and more structured follow-up phone calls.Conclusions:The self-management programme was found helpful in improving the survivors’ confidence and performance of self-management behaviours. Making the programme available upon discharge, and extending its duration with more home visits, group sessions and structured phone calls would build stronger self-management capabilities in survivors.

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Ottobre 2022