Using Bayesian optimization and wavelet decomposition in GPU for arterial blood pressure estimation

Continuous monitoring of arterial blood pressure (ABP) of patients in hospital is currently carried out in an invasive way, which could represent a risk for them. In this paper, a noninvasive methodology to optimize ABP estimators using electrocardiogram and photoplethysmography signals is proposed. For this, the XGBoost machine learning model, optimized with Bayesian techniques, is executed in a Graphics Processing Unit, which drastically reduces execution time. The methodology is evaluated using the MIMIC-III Waveform Database. Systolic and diastolic pressures are estimated with mean absolute error values of 15.85 and 11.59 mmHg, respectively, similar to those of the state of the art. The main advantage of the proposed methodology with respect to others of the current state of the art is that it allows the optimization of the estimator model to be performed automatically and more efficiently at the computational level for the data available. Clinical Relevance— This approach has the advantage of using noninvasive methods to continuously monitor patient's arterial blood pressure, reducing the risk for patientsAgencia Gallega de Innovación | Ref. IN845D-2020/29Agencia Gallega de Innovación | Ref. IN607B-2021/1

Automatic assessment of transcatheter aortic valve implantation results on four-dimensional computed tomography images using artificial intelligence

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is a procedure to treat severe aortic stenosis. There are several clinical concerns related to potential complications after the procedure, which demand the analysis of computerized tomography (CT) scans after TAVI to assess the implant’s result. This work introduces a novel, fully automatic method for the analysis of post-TAVI 4D-CT scans to characterize the prosthesis and its relationship with the patient’s anatomy. The method enables measurement extraction, including prosthesis volume, center of mass, cross-sectional area (CSA) along the prosthesis axis, and CSA difference between the aortic root and prosthesis, all the variables studied throughout the cardiac cycle. The method has been implemented and evaluated with a cohort of 13 patients with five different prosthesis models, successfully extracting all the measurements from each patient in an automatic way. For Allegra patients, the mean of the obtained inner volume values ranged from 10,798.20 mm3 to 18,172.35 mm3, and CSA in the maximum diameter plane varied from 396.35 mm2 to 485.34 mm2. The implantation of this new method could provide information of the important clinical value that would contribute to the improvement of TAVI, significantly reducing the time and effort invested by clinicians in the image interpretation process.Xunta de Galicia | Ref. IN607B-2021/1

Assessment of platelet REACtivity after transcatheter aortic valve replacement

OBJECTIVES: The REAC-TAVI (Assessment of platelet REACtivity after Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation) trial enrolled patients with aortic stenosis (AS) undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) pre-treated with aspirin + clopidogrel, aimed to compare the efficacy of clopidogrel and ticagrelor in suppressing high platelet reactivity (HPR) after TAVI. BACKGROUND: Current recommendations support short-term use of aspirin + clopidogrel for patients with severe AS undergoing TAVR despite the lack of compelling evidence. METHODS: This was a prospective, randomized, multicenter investigation. Platelet reactivity was measured at 6 different time points with the VerifyNow assay (Accriva Diagnostics, San Diego, California). HPR was defined as (P2Y12 reaction units (PRU) ≥208. Patients with HPR before TAVR were randomized to either aspirin + ticagrelor or aspirin + clopidogrel for 3 months. Patients without HPR continued with aspirin + clopidogrel (registry cohort). The primary endpoint was non-HPR status (PRU <208) in ≥70% of patients treated with ticagrelor at 90 days post-TAVR. RESULTS: A total of 68 patients were included. Of these, 48 (71%) had HPR (PRU 273 ± 09) and were randomized to aspirin + ticagrelor (n = 24, PRU 277 ± 08) or continued with aspirin + clopidogrel (n = 24, PRU 269 ± 49). The remaining 20 patients (29%) without HPR (PRU 133 ± 12) were included in the registry. Overall, platelet reactivity across all the study time points after TAVR was lower in patients randomized to ticagrelor compared with those treated with clopidogrel, including those enrolled in the registry (p < 0.001). The primary endpoint was achieved in 100% of patients with ticagrelor compared with 21% with clopidogrel (p < 0.001). Interestingly, 33% of clopidogrel responder patients at baseline developed HPR status during the first month after TAVR. CONCLUSIONS: HPR to clopidogrel is present in a considerable number of patients with AS undergoing TAVR. Ticagrelor achieves a better and faster effect, providing sustained suppression of HPR to these patients. (Platelet Reactivity After TAVI: A Multicenter Pilot Study [REAC-TAVI]; NCT02224066)

Assessment of Platelet REACtivity After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement: The REAC-TAVI Trial

OBJECTIVES: The REAC-TAVI (Assessment of platelet REACtivity after Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation) trial enrolled patients with aortic stenosis (AS) undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) pre-treated with aspirin + clopidogrel, aimed to compare the efficacy of clopidogrel and ticagrelor in suppressing high platelet reactivity (HPR) after TAVI. BACKGROUND: Current recommendations support short-term use of aspirin + clopidogrel for patients with severe AS undergoing TAVR despite the lack of compelling evidence. METHODS: This was a prospective, randomized, multicenter investigation. Platelet reactivity was measured at 6 different time points with the VerifyNow assay (Accriva Diagnostics, San Diego, California). HPR was defined as (P2Y12 reaction units (PRU) ≥208. Patients with HPR before TAVR were randomized to either aspirin + ticagrelor or aspirin + clopidogrel for 3 months. Patients without HPR continued with aspirin + clopidogrel (registry cohort). The primary endpoint was non-HPR status (PRU <208) in ≥70% of patients treated with ticagrelor at 90 days post-TAVR. RESULTS: A total of 68 patients were included. Of these, 48 (71%) had HPR (PRU 273 ± 09) and were randomized to aspirin + ticagrelor (n = 24, PRU 277 ± 08) or continued with aspirin + clopidogrel (n = 24, PRU 269 ± 49). The remaining 20 patients (29%) without HPR (PRU 133 ± 12) were included in the registry. Overall, platelet reactivity across all the study time points after TAVR was lower in patients randomized to ticagrelor compared with those treated with clopidogrel, including those enrolled in the registry (p < 0.001). The primary endpoint was achieved in 100% of patients with ticagrelor compared with 21% with clopidogrel (p < 0.001). Interestingly, 33% of clopidogrel responder patients at baseline developed HPR status during the first month after TAVR. CONCLUSIONS: HPR to clopidogrel is present in a considerable number of patients with AS undergoing TAVR. Ticagrelor achieves a better and faster effect, providing sustained suppression of HPR to these patients. (Platelet Reactivity After TAVI: A Multicenter Pilot Study [REAC-TAVI]; NCT02224066)

Cardiopatía isquémica en pacientes jóvenes: análisis de los factores de riesgo tradicionales, de nuevo diagnóstico y su impacto en el pronóstico a largo plazo

La enfermedad arterial coronaria es una patología crónica común a partir de la sexta década de la vida. Sin embargo, cuanto antes se manifiesta la enfermedad, mayor es su impacto en la calidad de vida y en los costes de la atención médica y social. El presente estudio analiza las características clínicas y angiográficas y la evolución de los pacientes jóvenes a los que se les realizó una coronariografía por sospecha de EAC. Se trata de un estudio de casos y controles anidado en una cohorte de pacientes &#8804;40 años remitidos para coronariografía a la Unidad de Hemodinámica del Complejo Hospitalario Universitario de Vigo. Los pacientes se dividieron en dos grupos: con estenosis angiográfica significativa y sin estenosis significativa. Identificar precozmente los grupos de riesgo en este tipo de pacientes con enfermedad arterial coronaria es una prioridad dado el alto costo sociosanitario de esta patología

Consumo intensivo de alcohol y cannabis, y prácticas sexuales de riesgo en estudiantes universitarios

Resumen: Objetivo: Determinar la incidencia de las prácticas sexuales de riesgo entre universitarios y su asociación con el consumo intensivo de alcohol y el consumo de cannabis. Método: Se realizó un estudio de cohortes entre 2005 y 2011 en universitarios de la Cohorte Compostela (n = 517). El consumo intensivo de alcohol se midió con la tercera pregunta del Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT). Las prácticas sexuales de riesgo se midieron como sexo bajo la influencia del alcohol (SBA) y sexo sin condón (SSC). Se generaron modelos de regresión logística. Resultados: Las incidencias de SBA fueron del 40,9% y 53,0%, y las de SSC del 13,7% y el 25,7%, para mujeres y hombres, respectivamente. El consumo intensivo de alcohol y el consumo de cannabis se han mostrado asociados al SBA tanto en mujeres (odds ratio [OR] = 2,08, intervalo de confianza del 95% [IC95%]: 1,03-4,21); OR = 2,78, IC95%:1,57-4,92) como en hombres (OR = 4,74, IC95%:1,49-15,09; OR = 4,37, IC95%:1,17-16,36). El consumo de cannabis en las mujeres también se mostró asociado al SSC (OR = 2,96, IC95%:1,52-5,75). Las fracciones atribuibles poblacionales de SBA para el consumo intensivo de alcohol fueron del 24,7% para las mujeres y del 52,9% para los hombres. Conclusiones: El consumo intensivo de alcohol y el consumo de cannabis constituyen problemas de salud pública debido a su asociación con una variedad de problemas, incluidas las prácticas sexuales de riesgo. Nuestros resultados permiten sugerir que una importante proporción de las prácticas de sexo no seguro podrían evitarse reduciendo este patrón de consumo de alcohol. Abstract: Objective: To determine the incidence of unsafe sex among university students and its association with heavy episodic drinking (HED) and cannabis use. Method: A cohort study was carried out from 2005 to 2011 among university students of the Compostela Cohort (n = 517). HED was measured using the third question of the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT). Unsafe sex was considered to be sex under the influence of alcohol (SUA) and sex without a condom (SWC). Logistic regression models were created. Results: The incidence of SUA was 40.9% for women and 53.0% for men, while the SWC incidence ranged from 13.7% for women to 25.7% for men. HED and cannabis use were associated with SUA in both women (OR = 2.08, 95% CI: 1.03-4.21; OR = 2.78, 95%CI: 1.57-4.92) and men (OR = 4.74 (95%CI: 1.49-15.09; OR = 4.37, 95%CI: 1.17- 16.36). Moreover, cannabis use in women was associated with SWC (OR = 2.96, 95%CI: 1.52-5.75). The population attributable fractions of SUA for HED were 24.7% and 52.9% for women and men, respectively. Conclusions: HED and cannabis use represent a public health problem due to their association with a variety of problems, including engagement in unsafe sex. Our results suggest that a significant proportion of unsafe sex could be avoided by reducing this consumption pattern of alcohol. Palabras clave: Prácticas sexuales de riesgo, Consumo intensivo de alcohol, Cannabis, Estudiantes universitarios, Keywords: Unsafe sex, Heavy episodic drinking, Cannabis, University student

Heavy drinking and alcohol-related injuries in college students

Objective: The main objective of this study is to evaluate the effect of heavy drinking on alcohol-related injuries. Material and methods: We carried out an open cohort study among university students in Spain (n = 1,382). Heavy drinking and alcohol-related injuries were measured by administrating AUDIT questionnaires to every participant at the ages of 18, 20, 22 and 24. For data analysis we used a Multilevel Logistic Regression for repeated measures adjusting for consumption of alcohol and cannabis. Results: The response rate at the beginning of the study was 99.6% (1,369 students). The incidence rate of alcohol-related injuries was 3.2 per 100 students year. After adjusting for alcohol consumption and cannabis use, the multivariate model revealed that a high frequency of heavy drinking was a risk factor for alcohol-related injuries (Odds Ratio = 3.89 [95%CI: 2.16 – 6.99]). The proportion of alcohol-related injuries in exposed subjects attributable to heavy drinking was 59.78% [95%CI: 32.75 – 75.94] while the population attributable fraction was 45.48% [95%CI: 24.91 – 57.77]. Conclusion: We can conclude that heavy drinking leads to an increase of alcohol-related injuries. This shows a new dimension on the consequences of this public concern already related with a variety of health and social problems. Furthermore, our results allow us to suggest that about half of alcohol-related injuries could be avoided by removing this consumption pattern

Predicting TAVI paravalvular regurgitation outcomes based on numerical simulation of the aortic annulus eccentricity and perivalvular areas

Trans-catheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is an increasingly adopted technique which provides a minimal invasive solution for patients who suffer from severe aortic stenosis. Some complications of the procedure could be annular rupture or paravalvular leakage, both related with adverse outcome. In TAVI with balloon expandable devices, a mismatch between those two factors leads to a conflict situation, where improving one worsens the other. The presented research proposes a methodology that uses numerical simulation to obtain certain TAVI outcomes related with aortic regurgitation due to paravalvular leakage, such as perivalvular area, aortic eccentricity or annular pressure. The application of the methodology for two patients shows the possibility of predicting those quantities. The highest stress values are distributed along the contact area. Results also show that a great deformation on the aortic annulus does not necessarily imply a higher stress; pressure can either be converted into root reshape or into root stretching. Validation of the results was done using scientific publications, clinical guidelines and clinical reports. Numerical simulation provides a suitable tool that could possibly contribute to optimize the planification procedure adjusting the mismatch between size and pressure.Xunta de Galicia | Ref. IN606A-2017/02

Data_Sheet_1_Patients’ knowledge about their involvement in clinical trials. A non-randomized controlled trial.pdf

BackgroundNowadays, good clinical practice should be established in human research. Patient’s rights and autonomy must be respected above the interest of the researcher, making mandatory to raise patient’s awareness on the implications of participating in a clinical study. Contrary to popular belief, this is not always the case. This means that, after signing the informed consent form, some patients have difficulties understanding their responsibilities as participants.Materials and methodsThis study is a prospective, multicenter, non-randomized controlled trial comparative survey conducted on patients enrolled in a clinical trial to evaluate and improve their understanding after an educational intervention was applied to the research staff.ResultsFemales were underrepresented in the clinical trials performed in this study, 21.5%. Most of the participants had a low educational level (74.4%). Around 5 and 10% of the research participants were not aware they were part of a clinical study, and more 24% just trusted in the medical decision to be enrolled. After the interventional education, the following items: “given time and resolution of the patient doubts” (p-value = 0.003), “enough written information” (p-value = 0.006), “explanation of the risks of participating in the study,” (p-value = 0.047) and understanding of the information provided to them showed an improvement regarding the study in which they were participating.ConclusionThe research participants understanding of their involvement in clinical trials is limited. An educational intervention on the research team can improve the process of empowerment and transit of information.</p

Unintentional extraction of an endothelized coronary stent with an aspiration catheter during primary percutaneous coronary intervention

A 58-year-old patient presented to our hospital with an anterior ST-segment–elevation myocardial infarction