Supplementary Material for: Chorioamnionitis as a Risk Factor for Retinopathy of Prematurity: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

<b><i>Background:</i></b> The role of chorioamnionitis (CA) in the development of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) has not been well established. <b><i>Objective:</i></b> To conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of the association between CA and ROP in preterm infants. <b><i>Data Sources:</i></b> The authors searched MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and PubMed, reviewed reference lists of relevant articles, abstracts and conference proceedings (Society for Pediatric Research, European Society for Paediatric Research 1990-2012), sought results of unpublished trials, and contacted the primary authors of relevant studies. <b><i>Study Selection:</i></b> Studies were included if they had a comparison group, examined preterm infants, and reported primary data that could be used to measure the association between exposure to CA and the development of ROP. <b><i>Data Extraction:</i></b> Two reviewers independently screened the search results, applied inclusion criteria and assessed methodological quality using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. One reviewer extracted data and a second reviewer checked data extraction. Summary relative risks (RRs) were calculated using a random effects model. <b><i>Data Synthesis:</i></b> We identified 1,249 potentially relevant studies from the electronic databases. Twenty-seven studies involving 10,590 preterm neonates with 2,562 cases of ROP were included. Taking into account all included studies without adjusting for gestational age (GA), CA was significantly associated with ROP (any stage) [summary RR 1.33 (95% CI 1.14-1.55, I² = 77%, p_{heterogeneity} < 0.0001)], and a borderline significant association was observed for severe ROP (stage ≥3) [summary RR 1.27 (95% CI 0.99-1.63, I² = 74%, p_{heterogeneity} < 0.0001)]. There was no publication bias with Begg's test. However, subgroup analysis of studies adjusting for GA showed no significant association on CA with ROP [summary RR 0.98 (95% CI 0.77-1.26, I² = 0%, p_{heterogeneity} = 0.89)]. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> Unadjusted analyses showed that CA was significantly associated with ROP (any stage) as well as with severe ROP (stage ≥ 3). However, the association disappeared on analysis of studies adjusting for GA. Hence, CA cannot be definitively considered as a risk factor for ROP, and further studies should adjust for potential confounding factors and report results by stage to clarify the association with severe ROP

Supplementary Material for: Acute Arteriovenous Access Failure: Long-Term Outcomes of Endovascular Salvage and Assessment of Co-Variates Affecting Patency

<b><i>Aims:</i></b> This study reports long-term outcomes after endovascular salvage (EVS) for acute dialysis fistula/graft dysfunction. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> All patients presenting with acute fistula or graft dysfunction, excluding primary failures, referred for endovascular salvage were included in this single-centre prospective study. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Altogether, 410 procedures were carried out in 232 patients. Overall, the incidence of thrombosis/occlusion (per patient-year) was 0.12 for fistulae and 0.9 for grafts. The anatomical success rate for EVS was 94% for fistulae and 92% for grafts. Primary patency rates for fistulae at 1, 6, 12, 24 and 36 months were 82, 64, 44, 34 and 26%, respectively, whereas secondary patency rates were 88, 84, 74, 69 and 61%, respectively. Primary patency rates for grafts at 1, 6 and 12 months were 50, 14 and 8%. The overall rate of complications was 6% with no incidence of symptomatic pulmonary embolism. In a Cox regression model, upper-arm location of fistula (HR 1.9, p = 0.04, n = 144) was associated with lower primary patency, whereas the presence of thrombosis was associated lower primary (HR 1.9, p = 0.004, n = 144) and secondary patency (HR 3.7, p < 0.001, n = 144). Aspirin therapy was associated with longer primary patency (HR 0.6, p = 0.02, n = 144) and secondary patency (HR 0.58, p = 0.08, n = 144). <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> EVS is effective but longer-term outcomes are poor. Presence of thrombosis portends poor fistula survival and strategies for prevention need attention. Balloon maceration, our preferred declotting technique, is safe and the most cost-effective method. Aspirin therapy for patients presenting with failure of fistulae deserves further investigation

Supplementary Material for: Inflammatory and Angiogenic Factors Linked to Longitudinal Microvascular Changes in Hemodialysis Patients Irrespective of Treatment Dose Intensity

<b><i>Background:</i></b> Cardiovascular disease is a major contributor to the poor outcomes observed in hemodialysis. We investigated the relationship between hemodialysis intensity and vascular parameters in high-dose (HDHD; >12hrs/week) and Conventional (CHD; ≤12hrs/week) hemodialysis intensity over a 6-month period. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> We present the 6-month longitudinal analysis of a 2-year multicenter study investigating the effects of HDHD on cardiovascular parameters. We used pulse wave velocity, 24hr ambulatory blood pressure and sublingual dark field capillaroscopy measurements to assess macro- and microcirculation on 6-monthly basis. Pro-inflammatory and endothelial biomarkers were also measured at 6-monthly intervals. <b><i>Results:</i></b> 47 participants (21 HDHD, 26 CHD) were studied. CHD were older (63.5±14.2 vs 53.7±12.6 yr; p=0.018), with shorter dialysis vintage (median 23 vs 61 months; p=0.001). There was considerable variability in the degree and direction of change of circulatory measurements over a 6-month period. Hemodialysis intensity (hrs/week) did not correlate to these changes, when adjusted for age, dialysis vintage and comorbidity. Higher levels of Interleukin (IL)-8 measured at baseline independently predicted an increase in the Perfused Boundary Region (5-25μm) of the endothelial glycocalyx (p=0.010) whilst higher levels of soluble Flt-1 had a significant inverse effect (p=0.002) in an adjusted linear model. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> Hemodialysis intensity did not predict changes in either macro- or microvascular parameters. Inflammation mediated through the IL-8 pathway predicted microvascular injury while Flt-1, a potential marker of angiogenesis and endothelial repair, might have a significant protective role. Further understanding of these pathways will be necessary to improve dialysis outcomes