Novant Health Presbyterian Medical Center

OBJECTIVE: To determine the optimal radioactive colloid injection technique for sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy for breast cancer. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: The optimal radioactive colloid injection technique for breast cancer SLN biopsy has not yet been defined. Peritumoral injection of radioactive colloid has been used in most studies. Although dermal injection of radioactive colloid has been proposed, no published data exist to establish the false-negative rate associated with this technique. METHODS: The University of Louisville Breast Cancer Sentinel Lymph Node Study is a multiinstitutional study involving 229 surgeons. Patients with clinical stage T1-2, N0 breast cancer were eligible for the study. All patients underwent SLN biopsy, followed by level I/II axillary dissection. Peritumoral, subdermal, or dermal injection of radioactive colloid was performed at the discretion of the operating surgeon. Peritumoral injection of isosulfan blue dye was performed concomitantly in most patients. The SLN identification rates and false-negative rates were compared. The ratios of the transcutaneous and ex vivo radioactive SLN count to the final background count were calculated as a measure of the relative degree of radioactivity of the nodes. One-way analysis of variance and chi-square tests were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: A total of 2,206 patients were enrolled. Peritumoral, subdermal, or dermal injection of radioactive colloid was performed in 1,074, 297, and 511 patients, respectively. Most of the patients (94%) who underwent radioactive colloid injection also received peritumoral blue dye injection. The SLN identification rate was improved by the use of dermal injection compared with subdermal or peritumoral injection of radioactive colloid. The false-negative rates were 9.5%, 7.8%, and 6.5% (not significant) for peritumoral, subdermal, and dermal injection techniques, respectively. The relative degree of radioactivity of the SLN was five- to sevenfold higher with the dermal injection technique compared with peritumoral injection. CONCLUSIONS: Dermal injection of radioactive colloid significantly improves the SLN identification rate compared with peritumoral or subdermal injection. The false-negative rate is also minimized by the use of dermal injection. Dermal injection also is associated with SLNs that are five- to sevenfold more radioactive than with peritumoral injection, which simplifies SLN localization and may shorten the learning curve.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the optimal experience required to minimize the false-negative rate of sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy for breast cancer. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Before abandoning routine axillary dissection in favor of SLN biopsy for breast cancer, each surgeon and institution must document acceptable SLN identification and false-negative rates. Although some studies have examined the impact of individual surgeon experience on the SLN identification rate, minimal data exist to determine the optimal experience required to minimize the more crucial false-negative rate. METHODS: Analysis was performed of a large prospective multiinstitutional study involving 226 surgeons. SLN biopsy was performed using blue dye, radioactive colloid, or both. SLN biopsy was performed with completion axillary LN dissection in all patients. The impact of surgeon experience on the SLN identification and false-negative rates was examined. Logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate independent factors in addition to surgeon experience associated with these outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 2,148 patients were enrolled in the study. Improvement in the SLN identification and false-negative rates was found after 20 cases had been performed. Multivariate analysis revealed that patient age, nonpalpable tumors, and injection of blue dye alone for SLN biopsy were independently associated with decreased SLN identification rates, whereas upper outer quadrant tumor location was the only factor associated with an increased false-negative rate. CONCLUSIONS: Surgeons should perform at least 20 SLN cases with acceptable results before abandoning routine axillary dissection. This study provides a model for surgeon training and experience that may be applicable to the implementation of other new surgical technologies.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the role of preoperative lymphoscintigraphy in sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy for breast cancer. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Numerous studies have demonstrated that SLN biopsy can be used to stage axillary lymph nodes for breast cancer. SLN biopsy is performed using injection of radioactive colloid, blue dye, or both. When radioactive colloid is used, a preoperative lymphoscintigram (nuclear medicine scan) is often obtained to ease SLN identification. Whether a preoperative lymphoscintigram adds diagnostic accuracy to offset the additional time and cost required is not clear. METHODS: After informed consent was obtained, 805 patients were enrolled in the University of Louisville Breast Cancer Sentinel Lymph Node Study, a multiinstitutional study involving 99 surgeons. Patients with clinical stage T1-2, N0 breast cancer were eligible for the study. All patients underwent SLN biopsy, followed by level I/II axillary dissection. Preoperative lymphoscintigraphy was performed at the discretion of the individual surgeon. Biopsy of nonaxillary SLNs was not required in the protocol. Chi-square analysis and analysis of variance were used for statistical comparison. RESULTS: Radioactive colloid injection was performed in 588 patients. In 560, peritumoral injection of isosulfan blue dye was also performed. A preoperative lymphoscintigram was obtained in 348 of the 588 patients (59%). The SLN was identified in 221 of 240 patients (92.1%) who did not undergo a preoperative lymphoscintigram, with a false-negative rate of 1.6%. In the 348 patients who underwent a preoperative lymphoscintigram, the SLN was identified in 310 (89.1%), with a false-negative rate of 8.7%. A mean of 2.2 and 2. 0 SLNs per patient were removed in the groups without and with a preoperative lymphoscintigram, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference in the SLN identification rate, false-negative rate, or number of SLNs removed when a preoperative lymphoscintigram was obtained. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative lymphoscintigraphy does not improve the ability to identify axillary SLN during surgery, nor does it decrease the false-negative rate. Routine preoperative lymphoscintigraphy is not necessary for the identification of axillary SLNs in breast cancer.

Piriformis syndrome is an often overlooked cause of sciatica that typically responds to intramuscular local anesthetic and steroid injection. In this report, our patient presented with sciatica that responded poorly to epidural steroid injection and only transiently to piriformis injection. Surgical exploration of the sciatic nerve revealed a fascial constricting band around the nerve as well as a piriformis muscle lying anterior to the nerve. This unusual anatomical relationship between the piriformis and the sciatic nerve has not been previously described in the literature. Subsequent sectioning of the anomalous muscle and the constricting band yielded complete resolution of our patient's symptoms.

INTRODUCTION: Intracardiac delay optimization of biventricular and dual-chamber pacing devices currently relies on time-consuming echocardiographic measurements. A novel intracardiac electrogram (IEGM) method for atrioventricular (AV/PV) and interventricular (VV) delay optimization was developed, which can be performed during routine device follow-up. METHODS AND RESULTS: In this prospective, nonrandomized, multi-center trial, patients previously implanted with St. Jude Medical cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillator (CRT-D) devices or dual-chamber implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) underwent standard AV/PV and/or VV delay optimization guided by Doppler echocardiogram measurements of the maximum aortic velocity time integral (aortic VTI). Aortic VTI measurements applying the IEGM method recommended delays were then obtained in all patients. Fifty-eight patients (age: 68 +/- 11 years; 81% male; 74% ischemic) and 57 patients (age: 71 +/- 10 years; 74% male; 71% ischemic) were enrolled for AV/PV and VV delay evaluation, respectively. An independent core lab determined the maximum aortic VTIs. Data analysis of the AV, PV, and VV delays demonstrated the concordance correlation coefficient (CCC) between the standard method aortic VTI values and the IEGM method aortic VTI values was 97.5%, 96.1%, and 96.6%, respectively. All analyses demonstrated that the CCC > 90% (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The automated programmer-based IEGM method provides a reliable and simpler alternative to standard techniques for the optimization of AV/PV and VV delay settings in patients with CRT-D devices and dual-chamber ICDs.

OBJECTIVES: The Society of Critical Care Medicine recommends routine delirium monitoring, based on data in critically ill patients without primary neurologic injury. We sought to answer whether there are valid and reliable tools to monitor delirium in neurocritically ill patients and whether delirium is associated with relevant clinical outcomes (e.g., survival, length of stay, functional independence, cognition) in this population. DATA SOURCES: We systematically reviewed Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Web of Science, and PubMed. STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION: Inclusion criteria allowed any study design investigating delirium monitoring in neurocritically ill patients (e.g., neurotrauma, ischemic, and/or hemorrhagic stroke) of any age. We extracted data relevant to delirium tool sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value, positive predictive value, interrater reliability, and associated clinical outcomes. DATA SYNTHESIS: Among seven prospective cohort studies and a total of 1,173 patients, delirium was assessed in neurocritically patients using validated delirium tools after considering primary neurologic diagnoses and associated complications, finding a pooled prevalence rate of 12-43%. When able to compare against a common reference standard, Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, the test characteristics showed a sensitivity of 62-76%, specificity of 74-98%, positive predictive value of 63-91%, negative predictive value of 70-94%, and reliability kappa of 0.64-0.94. Among four studies reporting multivariable analyses, delirium in neurocritically patients was associated with increased hospital length of stay (n = 3) and ICU length of stay (n = 1), as well as worse functional independence (n = 1) and cognition (n = 2), but not survival. CONCLUSIONS: These data from studies of neurocritically ill patients demonstrate that patients with primary neurologic diagnoses can meet diagnostic criteria for delirium and that delirious features may predict relevant untoward clinical outcomes. There is a need for ongoing investigations regarding delirium in these complicated neurocritically ill patients.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to have a series of screening mammograms from routine practice, including false-negative results, reviewed by peer community-based experienced radiologists to determine the percentage of these false-negative findings that might be considered detectable. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All screening cases for 1997 and 1998 were identified from the Carolina Mammography Registry. Mammographic assessments from community mammography practices were linked with population-based cancer outcomes. The findings of four community-based radiologists who reviewed the mammograms of 339 asymptomatic women were 93 false-negatives, 180 true-negatives, and 66 false-positives. The percentage of false-negative, true-negative and false-positive findings on breast films that reviewers evaluated was determined. The findings of the reviewers were compared with the original interpreting radiologists' assessments. RESULTS: The overall breast-specific workup rate by the reviewing radiologists was 21%. The average workup rate for the false-negative findings was 42% (range, 35-51%). Adjusting for the 13% workup rate in the cancer-free breasts, the percentage of false-negative findings that were detectable was estimated to be 29%. CONCLUSION: This peer review of screening mammograms from a population-based screening registry estimated a missed detectable cancer rate of 29%. Thus, 71% of cancers missed at screening would not have been worked up by peers in the same community.

BACKGROUND: One-year outcomes of TRILUMINATE Pivotal (Trial to Evaluate Cardiovascular Outcomes in Patients Treated With the Tricuspid Valve Repair System Pivotal) found that transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER) for the treatment of severe, symptomatic tricuspid regurgitation improved quality of life compared with medical therapy alone with similar rates of mortality and heart failure hospitalization. However, additional follow-up is necessary to determine the prolonged benefits of tricuspid TEER. METHODS: A total of 572 patients with severe, symptomatic tricuspid regurgitation were randomized to either tricuspid TEER+medical therapy (device group) or medical therapy alone (control). Two-year prespecified end points were recurrent heart failure hospitalization and freedom from all-cause mortality, tricuspid valve surgery, and tricuspid valve intervention after treatment visit, assessed in the intention-to-treat population. RESULTS: The annualized rate of recurrent heart failure hospitalizations through 2 years was significantly lower with tricuspid TEER compared with control (0.19 event per patient-year versus 0.26 event per patient-year; P =0.02; joint frailty model hazard ratio, 0.72; one-sided upper confidence limit, 0.93; P =0.02). Freedom from all-cause mortality, tricuspid valve surgery, and tricuspid valve intervention through 2 years was significantly higher with tricuspid TEER compared with control (77.6% versus 29.3%; P &lt;0.0001), driven by more tricuspid valve intervention in control patients who crossed over to device treatment (3.8% versus 61.5%). Rates of all-cause mortality (17.9% versus 17.1%) and tricuspid valve surgery (2.3% versus 4.3%) were similar between groups. Moderate or less tricuspid regurgitation was present in 84% at 2 years in the device group. CONCLUSIONS: At the 2-year follow-up, tricuspid TEER appeared safe, significantly reduced tricuspid regurgitation severity, and decreased rates of heart failure hospitalization compared with medical therapy alone. REGISTRATION: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov ; Unique identifier: NCT03904147.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The recently proposed American Heart Association/American Stroke Association EMS triage algorithm endorses routing patients with suspected large vessel occlusion (LVO) acute ischemic strokes directly to endovascular centers based on a stroke severity score. The predictive value of this algorithm for identifying LVO is dependent on the overall prevalence of LVO acute ischemic stroke in the EMS population screened for stroke, which has not been reported. METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional study of patients transported by our county's EMS agency who were dispatched as a possible stroke or had a primary impression of stroke by paramedics. We determined the prevalence of LVO by reviewing medical record imaging reports based on a priori specified criteria. RESULTS: We enrolled 2402 patients, of whom 777 (32.3%) had an acute stroke-related diagnosis. Among 485 patients with acute ischemic stroke, 24.1% (n=117) had an LVO, which represented only 4.87% (95% confidence interval, 4.05%-5.81%) of the total EMS population screened for stroke. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, the prevalence of LVO acute ischemic stroke in our EMS population screened for stroke was low. This is an important consideration for any EMS stroke severity-based triage protocol and should be considered in predicting the rates of overtriage to endovascular stroke centers.

The Gemini Study was a 14-week, open-label, non-comparative, office-based, multicenter trial to evaluate single-pill therapy in the treatment of concomitant hypertension and dyslipidemia. In addition to recommending lifestyle modifications, eight dosage strengths of amlodipine/atorvastatin single pill (5/10, 5/20, 5/40, 5/80, 10/10, 10/20, 10/40, and 10/80 mg) were electively titrated to improve blood pressure and lipid control. A total of 1220 patients with uncontrolled hypertension at baseline received study medication. At baseline, mean blood pressure was 146.6/87.9 mm Hg and mean low-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentration was 152.9 mg/dL. At study end, 57.7% of patients had achieved both their blood pressure and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol goals (51.9% of patients with uncontrolled low-density lipoprotein cholesterol at baseline). The mean dose of study medication at end point was amlodipine component 7.1 mg and atorvastatin component 26.2 mg. Fifty-eight patients (4.8%) discontinued therapy due to adverse events. Single-pill therapy is effective in reducing both blood pressure and lipid levels and in helping patients achieve goals for both hypertension and dyslipidemia.

Although numerous studies have demonstrated that sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy can accurately determine the axillary nodal status for early breast cancer some studies have suggested that SLN biopsy may be less reliable for tumors >2 cm in size. This analysis was performed to determine whether tumor size affects the accuracy of SLN biopsy. The University of Louisville Breast Cancer Sentinel Lymph Node Study is a prospective multi-institutional study involving 226 surgeons. The study was approved by the Institutional Review Board of each institution, and informed consent was obtained from all patients. Patients with clinical stage T1-2 N0 breast cancer were eligible for the study. Some patients with T3 tumors were included because they were clinically staged as T2 but on final pathology were found to have tumors >5 cm. This analysis includes 2148 patients who were enrolled from August 1997 through October 2000. All patients underwent SLN biopsy using a combination of radioactive colloid and blue dye injection followed by completion Level I/II axillary dissection. Statistical comparison was performed by chi-square analysis. The SLN identification rate, false negative rate, and overall accuracy of SLN biopsy were not significantly different among tumor stages T1, T2, and T3. We conclude that SLN biopsy is no less accurate for T2-3 breast cancers compared with T1 tumors.

CONTEXT: Whole slide imaging (WSI) is now used for educational purposes, for consultation, and for archiving and quantitation of immunostains. However, it is not routinely used for the primary diagnosis of hematoxylin-eosin-stained tissue sections. OBJECTIVE: To compare WSI using the Aperio digital pathology system (Aperio Technologies, Inc, Vista, California) with optical microscopy (OM) for the interpretation of hematoxylin-eosin-stained tissue sections of breast lesions. DESIGN: The study was conducted at 3 clinical sites; 3 breast pathologists interpreted 150 hematoxylin-eosin-stained slides at each site, 3 times each by WSI and 3 times each by OM. For WSI, slides were scanned using an Aperio ScanScope and interpreted on a computer monitor using Aperio ImageScope software and Aperio Spectrum data management software. Pathologic interpretations were recorded using the College of American Pathologists breast checklist. WSI diagnoses were compared with OM diagnoses for accuracy, precision (interpathologist variation), and reproducibility (intrapathologist variation). Results were considered accurate only if the interpretation matched exactly between WSI and OM. The proportion of accurate results reported by each pathologist was expressed as a percentage for the comparison of the 2 platforms. RESULTS: The accuracy of WSI for classifying lesions as not carcinoma or as noninvasive (ductal or lobular) or invasive (ductal, lobular, or other) carcinoma was 90.5%. The accuracy of OM was 92.1%. The precision and reproducibility of WSI and OM were determined on the basis of pairwise comparisons (3 comparisons for each slide, resulting in 36 possible comparisons). The overall precision of WSI was 90.5% in comparison with 92.1% for OM; reproducibility of WSI was 91.6% in comparison with 94.5% for OM, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, we demonstrated that WSI and OM have similar accuracy, precision, and reproducibility for interpreting hematoxylin-eosin-stained breast tissue sections. Further clinical studies using routine surgical pathology specimens would be useful to confirm these findings and facilitate the incorporation of WSI into diagnostic practice.

BACKGROUND: Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n3-PUFAs) might have antiarrhythmic properties, but data conflict on whether n3-PUFAs reduce rates of atrial fibrillation (AF) after coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG). We hypothesized that n3-PUFAs would reduce post-CABG AF, and we tested this hypothesis in a well-powered, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter clinical trial. METHODS AND RESULTS: Patients undergoing CABG were randomized to pharmaceutical-grade n3-PUFAs 2 g orally twice daily (minimum of 6 g) or a matched placebo ≥24 hours before surgery. Gas chromatography was used to assess plasma fatty acid composition of samples collected on the day of screening, day of surgery, and postoperative day 4. Treatment continued either until the primary end point, clinically significant AF requiring treatment, occurred or for a maximum of 2 weeks after surgery. Two hundred sixty patients were enrolled and randomized. Before surgery, n3-PUFA dosing increased plasma n3-PUFA levels from 2.9% to 4% and reduced the n6:n3-PUFA ratio from 9.1 to 6.4 (both P<0.001). Similar changes were noted on postoperative day 4. There were no lipid changes in the placebo group. The rate of post-CABG AF was similar in both groups (30% n3-PUFAs versus 33% placebo, P=0.67). The post-CABG AF odds ratio for n3-PUFAs relative to placebo was 0.89 (95% confidence interval 0.52-1.53). There were no differences in any secondary end points. CONCLUSIONS: Oral n3-PUFA supplementation begun 2 days before CABG did not reduce AF or other complications after surgery. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov Unique identifier: NCT00446966. (J Am Heart Assoc. 2012;1:e000547 doi: 10.1161/JAHA.111.000547.).

It is known that, in spite of meeting appropriate clinical criteria for spinal cord stimulation (SCS) and having undergone flawless procedures, a significant number of patients who fail the therapy continues to exist. It is the purpose of this article to focus on the development of psychosocial indicators of success for SCS, if any. Referring to specialist literature authors present a review of what is known, what is not known, and what remains controversial on this topic. After reading this article we hope the reader will understand the importance of a psychological evaluation as part of the development of standards for identifying appropriate patients for this therapy. To improve treatment outcomes of SCS, seems to be essential to perform psychosocial evaluations on all persons clinically indicated for SCS to exclude those patients, who most probably, on a psychosocial level, will fail the procedure. To maximize treatment efficacy, authors believe spinal cord stimulation for chronic pain control must be part of a comprehensive program. An accurate preoperative psychosocial assessment and a course of psychological assistance both before and after therapy seems to be crucial for improving outcomes.

PURPOSE: In this ongoing national case series, we document 25 new genetic testing cases in which tests were recommended, ordered, interpreted, or used incorrectly. METHODS: An invitation to submit cases of adverse events in genetic testing was issued to the general National Society of Genetic Counselors Listserv, the National Society of Genetic Counselors Cancer Special Interest Group members, private genetic counselor laboratory groups, and via social media platforms (i.e., Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn). Examples highlighted in the invitation included errors in ordering, counseling, and/or interpretation of genetic testing and did not limit submissions to cases involving genetic testing for hereditary cancer predisposition. Clinical documentation, including pedigree, was requested. Twenty-six cases were accepted, and a thematic analysis was performed. Submitters were asked to approve the representation of their cases before manuscript submission. RESULTS: All submitted cases took place in the United States and were from cancer, pediatric, preconception, and general adult settings and involved both medical-grade and direct-to-consumer genetic testing with raw data analysis. In 8 cases, providers ordered the wrong genetic test. In 2 cases, multiple errors were made when genetic testing was ordered. In 3 cases, patients received incorrect information from providers because genetic test results were misinterpreted or because of limitations in the provider's knowledge of genetics. In 3 cases, pathogenic genetic variants identified were incorrectly assumed to completely explain the suspicious family histories of cancer. In 2 cases, patients received inadequate or no information with respect to genetic test results. In 2 cases, result interpretation/documentation by the testing laboratories was erroneous. In 2 cases, genetic counselors reinterpreted the results of people who had undergone direct-to-consumer genetic testing and/or clarifying medical-grade testing was ordered. DISCUSSION: As genetic testing continues to become more common and complex, it is clear that we must ensure that appropriate testing is ordered and that results are interpreted and used correctly. Access to certified genetic counselors continues to be an issue for some because of workforce limitations. Potential solutions involve action on multiple fronts: new genetic counseling delivery models, expanding the genetic counseling workforce, improving genetics and genomics education of nongenetics health care professionals, addressing health care policy barriers, and more. Genetic counselors have also positioned themselves in new roles to help patients and consumers as well as health care providers, systems, and payers adapt to new genetic testing technologies and models. The work to be done is significant, but so are the consequences of errors in genetic testing.

This study investigated the stressors of and coping strategies used by patients living with the automatic implantable cardioverter defibrillator. A descriptive study of stress perceptions and coping strategies was conducted with quantitative and qualitative methods. The Lazarus stress and coping paradigm was used as a theoretic framework. Interviews of 20 subjects revealed a mixture of problem-focused and emotion-focused coping strategies in the physical, psychologic, and social areas. The optimistic coping style facilitated coping best. Nursing implications include fostering the use of mixed coping strategies, including optimism, in living with this device.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Revascularization of acute ischemic stroke from a large vessel occlusion continues to be a challenge with current thrombectomy devices. The purpose of the SPEED study was to report the safety and effectiveness of the Penumbra 054 Reperfusion Catheter System in revascularizing large vessel occlusions. METHODS: In this retrospective multicenter study, data were collected from patients with angiographic evidence of large vessel occlusion treated with the Penumbra 054 device as the intended primary therapy. Clinical outcome data were collected with 90-day follow-up and the results were compared with those from the Penumbra Pivotal trial. RESULTS: Eighty-seven target vessels in 86 consecutive patients treated with the Penumbra 054 device were included. The Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) 2 or 3 revascularization rate was 91% compared with a reported 82% in the Penumbra Pivotal trial. This was accomplished in a median time of 20 min compared with 45 min in the Penumbra Pivotal trial (p<0.0001). Eighteen (21%) patients experienced an intracranial hemorrhage of which 12 (14%) were symptomatic. Good neurologic outcome (modified Rankin scores ≤ 2) at 90-day follow-up was achieved in 34.9% of patients compared with 25% reported in the Penumbra Pivotal trial. All-cause mortality was 25.6%. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the Penumbra 054 is a fast, safe and effective revascularization tool for patients experiencing ischemic stroke secondary to large vessel occlusive disease. Improvements in speed and effectiveness of revascularization probably contributed to improved outcomes.

Hands-on training and social media sites have heavily emphasized the use of tourniquets to treat limb injuries during the Ukraine war. Tourniquet overuse or misuse can lead to significant tragedy-limb loss, physiologic complications, and even death. Casualty evacuation in Ukraine often exceeds 6 hours, and the liberal use of limb tourniquets may have unintentionally increased morbidity. Tourniquet application was appropriate in 24.6% of the wounded with tourniquets in one recent publication by a Ukrainian vascular surgeon. The longer a limb tourniquet is in place raises the risk of compartment syndrome, vascular thrombosis, rhabdomyolysis, and irreversible myonecrosis resulting in major tissue loss and often necessitating limb amputation. If bleeding is controlled with a tourniquet, attempts to remove the tourniquet as early as possible to avoid the negative consequences are essential. Training in tourniquet use without explaining possible limb loss and other complications resulting from tourniquets left in situ more than 2 hours makes use risky. Tourniquets should be loosened at one hour if the tactical situation allows, and the injury assessed to determine if major bleeding persists or to determine if other methods of hemostasis would be effective. Ukraine must improve the training so that everyone becomes aware of the risks of prolonged or improper tourniquet use. This tourniquet training information must be transmitted to military medical leaders, Ukrainian military medics, civilian volunteers, volunteers in Ukraine, and NATO trainers in allied countries conducting medical training for Ukrainian soldiers. A trauma registry and tracking through echelons of care can enhance performance improvement through timely feedback.

The primary purpose of this study was to test the validity of predictive models relating isokinetic knee torque production to anthropometric and demographic variables. Subjects were 23 healthy female and 15 healthy male volunteers between the ages of 10 and 77 years. We measured subjects' peak knee flexion and extension torque production at two angular velocities. For each torque dependent variable, we calculated a Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient between the measured torque values and the values obtained with prediction equations. The difference between the squared value of the correlation coefficients and the regression multiple R2 values obtained for an original group of 134 subjects ranged between .05 and .10 for the torque dependent variables. The results indicate the validity of the regression models at the level specified by the multiple regression R2 values. Clinicians can use the prediction equations presented in this article to establish rehabilitation goals for patients and can estimate the error involved in applying each prediction equation.

The objective of this article is to provide a comprehensive review of the occurrence and consequences of postoperative adhesions following cesarean delivery (CD), and an overview of the published clinical data on prevention in this setting using adhesion barriers. Adhesions occur frequently after CD and the incidence increases with each subsequent CD. Repeat CDs are complicated by adhesions, which increase operating time, time to delivery and risk of bladder injury. Clinical data on the efficacy of adhesion prevention strategies specific to the setting of CD are limited. Two small, nonrandomized studies found that the use of absorbable anti-adhesion barriers was associated with a significant reduction in adhesion formation and a shorter time to delivery at repeat CD, compared with no barrier use. Implications for practice and research are discussed. There is a significant need for well-controlled, randomized clinical studies investigating adhesion prevention in the labor and delivery setting.