a prospective cohort study

Background The effects of target temperature management (TTM) on the heart aren’t thoroughly studied yet. Several studies showed the prolongation of various ECG parameters including Tpeak-Tend-time under TTM. Our study’s goal is to evaluate the acute and long-term outcome of these prolongations. Methods In this study we included patients with successful resuscitation after cardiac arrest who were admitted to the Charité Virchow Klinikum Berlin or the Heart and Vascular Centre of the Ruhr University Bochum between February 2006 and July 2013 (Berlin) or May 2014 to November 2015 (Bochum). For analysis, one ECG during TTM was recorded after reaching the target temperature (33–34 °C) or in the first 6 h of TTM. If possible, another ECG was taken after TTM. The patients were being followed until February 2016. Primary endpoint was ventricular arrhythmia during TTM, secondary endpoints were death and hospitalization due to cardiovascular diseases during follow-up. Results One hundred fifty-eight patients were successfully resuscitated in the study period of which 95 patients had usable data (e.g. ECGs without artifacts). During TTM significant changes for different parameters of ventricular de- and repolarization were noted: QRS (103.2 ± 23.7 vs. 95.3 ± 18.1; p = 0.003),QT (405.8 ± 76.4 vs. 373.8 ± 75.0; p = 0.01), QTc (474.9 ± 59.7 vs. 431.0 ± 56.8; p < 0.001), JT (302.8 ± 69.4 vs. 278.5 ± 75.2; p = 0.043), JTc (354.3 ± 60.2 vs. 318.7 ± 59.1; p = 0.001). 13.7% of the patients had ventricular arrhythmias during TTM, however these patients showed no difference regarding their ECG parameters in comparison to those were no ventricular arrhythmias occurred. We were able to follow 69 Patients over an average period of 35 ± 31 months. The 14 (21.5%) patients who died during the follow-up had significant prolongations of the TpTe-time in the ECGs without TTM (103.9 ± 47.2 vs. 75.8 ± 28.6; p = 0.023). Conclusion Our results show a significant prolongation of ventricular repolarization during TH. However, there was no significant difference between the ECG parameters of those who developed a ventricular arrhythmia and those who did not. The temporary prolongation of the repolarization during TTM seems to be less important for the prognosis of the patient. Whereas the prolongation of the repolarization in the basal ECG is associated with a higher mortality in our study

When is forgetting not forgetting? A discursive analysis of differences in forgetting talk between adults with cystic fibrosis with different levels of adherence to nebulizer treatments

Forgetting is often cited as a reason why people struggle to adhere to treatments for chronic conditions. Interventions have tried to improve forgetting behavior using reminders. We used a discursive psychological approach to explore differences in how high and low adherers constructed forgetting their nebulizer treatments for cystic fibrosis. Interviews were conducted with 18 adults from a cystic fibrosis center in the United Kingdom. High adherers constructed forgetting treatments as occasional lapses in automaticity and temporary lapses in memory that they found easy to repair. Low adherers utilized forgetting to normalize more consistent nonadherence to treatments. However, it is important to contextualize forgetting as a discursive resource that helped these participants to negotiate moral discourses around adherence to treatment that reminder interventions cannot address; we therefore recommend a more behavioral, patient-focused, theory-driven approach to intervention development

Tailored antiplatelet therapy can overcome clopidogrel and aspirin resistance - The BOchum CLopidogrel and Aspirin Plan (BOCLA-Plan) to improve antiplatelet therapy

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Dual antiplatelet therapy using acetylsalicylic acid (ASA, aspirin) and clopidogrel is of great importance following coronary stenting. However, the variable platelet inhibitory effectiveness compromises the antithrombotic advantages provided by dual antiplatelet therapy. The aim of this single-center prospective study was to reduce the low response incidence of dual antiplatelet therapy with ASA and clopidogrel according to a prespecified therapy algorithm.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Platelet function testing using whole blood aggregometry (Chronolog 590) was performed 48 hours following coronary stenting (for either acute coronary syndromes or stable coronary artery disease) on 504 patients. The antiplatelet therapy included a loading dose of 600 mg clopidogrel and 500 mg ASA, followed by 75 mg clopidogrel and 100 mg ASA once daily. Clopidogrel low responders (CLR: >5 ohm; adenosine diphosphate (ADP) 5 μM) and/or ASA low responders (ALR: >0 ohm; arachidonic acid 10 μM) were treated according to a structured therapy plan: in the case of CLR, the maintenance + dose was doubled (repeated loading dose followed by 150 mg daily), and when still ineffective ticlopidine or prasugrel, if available and not contraindicated, were used. ALR was treated by increasing the dose to 300 mg in a first step or to 500 mg ASA when the first modification did not take effect sufficiently. In addition, ADP receptor antagonist 2-methylthioadenosine 5'-monophosphate triethylammonium salt (MeSAMP) testing and ASA incubation were performed to rule out either a platelet ADP-receptor defect or an ASA pharmacokinetic resistance.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Of the total cohort of 504 patients, we detected 30.8% clopidogrel low-responders and 19.4% aspirin low-responders. For ALR, with a dose adjustment of 300 mg ASA daily, 94.6% of ALR were effectively treated and the residual 5.4% by administration of daily dosages of 500 mg ASA. This means that after modification of the ASA maintenance dose, all initial ALRs had an adequate antiplatelet response.</p> <p>The results for clopidogrel revealed that 69% of the CLR were treated effectively by increasing the clopidogrel dose to 150 mg daily. When prasugrel was not available or contraindicated, 12.7% of the remaining low responders showed an adequate result after being switched to ticlopidine. Consequently, by applying the therapy algorithm, we were able to reduce the CLR prevalence by 86.6%. On including prasugrel in the therapy plan, we were finally able to eliminate thienopyridine low response. In addition, no ADP receptor defect was found in this study as a potential reason for CLR.</p> <p>We identified the following factors associated with both CLR and ALR status: acute coronary syndromes, positive troponin values as well as diabetes mellitus and elevated HbA_1Cvalues and a higher platelet count. Furthermore, our data revealed for CLR elevated C-reactive protein values and a high PREDICT-score (including an age >65 years, acute coronary syndrome, diabetes mellitus, renal failure, and reduced left ventricular function) as risk factors. The following factors correlated with the risk of ASA low response: patients with elevated hemoglobin, serum creatinine and C-reactive protein values. In addition, medication with nitrates reduced the risk of being CLR. As also holds true for CLR, we found the PREDICT-score to be correlated to the risk of being ALR. However, by far the strongest risk factor for CLR or ALR was the fact of dual resistance.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Following a structured therapy plan based on a "test and treat" strategy, the prevalence of clopidogrel or aspirin low response can be significantly reduced and the risk of inadequate dual antiplatelet therapy minimized.</p> <p>Trial Registration</p> <p><a href="http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01212302">NCT01212302</a> (Clinicaltrials.gov)</p

Clinical Ethics Consultation: Examining how American and Japanese experts analyze an Alzheimer's case

Background: Few comparative studies of clinical ethics consultation practices have been reported. The objective of this study was to explore how American and Japanese experts analyze an Alzheimer's case regarding ethics consultation. Methods: We presented the case to physicians and ethicists from the US and Japan (one expert from each field from both countries; total = 4) and obtained their responses through a questionnaire and in-depth interviews. Results: Establishing a consensus was a common goal among American and Japanese participants. In attempting to achieve consensus, the most significant similarity between Japanese and American ethics consultants was that they both appeared to adopt an "ethics facilitation" approach. Differences were found in recommendation and assessment between the American and Japanese participants. In selecting a surrogate, the American participants chose to contact the grandson before designating the daughter-in-law as the surrogate decision-maker. Conversely the Japanese experts assumed that the daughter-in-law was the surrogate. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that consensus building through an "ethics facilitation" approach may be a commonality to the practice of ethics consultation in the US and Japan, while differences emerged in terms of recommendations, surrogate assessment, and assessing treatments. Further research is needed to appreciate differences not only among different nations including, but not limited to, countries in Europe, Asia and the Americas, but also within each country

The decision to opt for abortion

Key message points - Most women reach a decision to have an abortion rapidly. - Most women have reached their decision before the consultation with the abortion provider. - Certain women who have risk factors for post-abortion psychological reactions should be targeted and offered counselling. - Pregnancy options counselling should not be mandatory. - 'Cooling-off' periods lead to abortions at later gestation