Regression toward the mean – a detection method for unknown population mean based on Mee and Chua's algorithm

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Regression to the mean (RTM) occurs in situations of repeated measurements when extreme values are followed by measurements in the same subjects that are closer to the mean of the basic population. In uncontrolled studies such changes are likely to be interpreted as a real treatment effect.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Several statistical approaches have been developed to analyse such situations, including the algorithm of Mee and Chua which assumes a known population mean <it>μ</it>. We extend this approach to a situation where <it>μ </it>is unknown and suggest to vary it systematically over a range of reasonable values. Using differential calculus we provide formulas to estimate the range of <it>μ </it>where treatment effects are likely to occur when RTM is present.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We successfully applied our method to three real world examples denoting situations when (a) no treatment effect can be confirmed regardless which <it>μ </it>is true, (b) when a treatment effect must be assumed independent from the true <it>μ </it>and (c) in the appraisal of results of uncontrolled studies.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Our method can be used to separate the wheat from the chaff in situations, when one has to interpret the results of uncontrolled studies. In meta-analysis, health-technology reports or systematic reviews this approach may be helpful to clarify the evidence given from uncontrolled observational studies.</p

P60 COVID–19 (YEAR 2021) AND ACUTE MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION‘ TIME–DEPENDENT NETWORK: HUB–HEMODYNAMIC UNIT‘S EXPERIENCES

Abstract Objectives The sudden SARS–CoV–2 emergency, has so far led to over 283 million infections and more than 5 million deaths globally, has put a strain on countries around the world. The result was a difficulty in accessing care both on an outpatient basis which resulted, in regione Campania, in a reduction in hospitalizations for ACS in the period Mar–Jun 2020 (1183) compared to the same period in 2019 (1862) (Agenas data ). The trend was inevitably reversed in the year 2021, with the new availability of access to treatment, due to both the reduction of restrictions and the vaccination coverage of the population, with a marked increase in hospitalizations for ACS as well as in the Hospital “ San Luca ”of Vallo della Lucania (Sa). Methods Cardiovascular diseases in 2021 are the leading cause of death in the world with 18.5 million lives lost a year and the leading cause also in Italy for both men (31.7%) and women (37.7%) ) with 230 thousand deaths certified by Istat, after 18 months of pandemic denounce a real war bulletin … The provincial cardiology network plays a fundamental role in the timeliness of the transfer to Hub centers such as the PO San Luca in the management of acute coronary syndromes. Results 704 coronary angiography procedures and 118 emergency revascularizations (STEMI–NSTEMI at high risk Grace risk score&amp;gt; 140). Periprocedural complications were recorded around 0.5% (35) in line with the literature‘s data, all manageable and related to the femoral or radial puncture access. Conclusions In the year 2021, due to the reduction of restrictions and the marked increase in vaccination coverage, there was an increase in the number of hospitalizations for ACS and consequently in the mechanical myocardial revascularizations performed in Emergency (Stemi and Nstemi at high risk with Grace Risk Score&amp;gt; 140) probably linked to the lack of clinical–instrumental follow–up on an outpatient basis and day–hospital admissions in the year 2020 due to Covid–19 restrictions. At the Hemodynamics of the “San Luca” hospital (medium–volume center about 700 procedures / year), 118 emergency revascularisations were performed at 30.12.2021, compared to 82 in the same period of the year 2020. </jats:sec

P77 SIEMENS ARTIS VD11 ANGIOGRAPH‘S POTENTIAL WITH THE CLEARSTENT PROTOCOL IN PERFORMING PERCUTANEOUS CORONARY ANGIOPLASTY: FIRST EXPERIENCES

Abstract Objectives The use of the CLEARstent image functions allows you to highlight fine structures, for example the expansion of a stent. Composite images are created by averaging several frames of a scene and considering the alignment of the markers of a stent. If an ECG signal is available, the cardiac phase is also considered. Using the CLEARstent function allows you to create special reference images from any scene or natively acquired fluoroscopic scene. The goal of CLEARstent images is to optimize the procedural result of mechanical cardiac revascularization and to improve the outcomes of treated patients. Methods The use of the Siemens Artis VD11 angiograph requires specific technical and medical knowledge and skills regarding, at least, radiation protection, safety procedures and patient safety. The people who work with the system, who use it and who move it must have acquired this knowledge and skills in their working life The application training was provided to the medical–technical–nursing staff of the Hemodynamics Unit of the “San Luca” PO of Vallo della Lucania “by qualified Siemens personnel. The application training offered by Siemens is binding before any use of the system Results 701 coronary angiography procedures and 118 urgent revascularizations were performed at our Hemodynamics Unit in the period from 11/27–2020 to 12/21–2021, period of use of the aforementioned angiograph, 701 coronary angiography procedures and 118 revascularizations in an emergency pattern ( STEMI–NSTEMI at high risk). In all mechanical myocardial revascularization procedures, the opening and optimal positioning of the coronary stents were verified with the CLEARstent system. There was no periprocedural complication. Conclusions The CLEARstent system allows to highlight fine structures, for example hypo–expanded stents, creating special reference images from any negatively acquired fluoroscopic scene, consequently allowing optimal positioning and opening of a coronary stent. Therefore, it is inserted together with intracoronary imaging techniques (IVUS, OCT) as a further aid to guide percutaneous interventions in order to optimize the acute procedural outcome of PCI and to improve the clinical outcomes of treated patients. </jats:sec