The Role of Branched-Chain Amino Acid Supplementation in Combination with Locoregional Treatments for Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: Branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) supplementation has been linked with favorable outcomes in patients undergoing surgical or palliative treatments for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). To date, there has been no systematic review investigating the value of BCAA supplementation in HCC patients undergoing locoregional therapies. Materials and methods: A systematic search of the literature was performed across five databases/registries using a detailed search algorithm according to the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) statement. The search was conducted on March 23, 2022. Results: Sixteen studies with a total of 1594 patients were analyzed. Most patients were male (64.6%) with a mean age of 68.2 ± 4.1 years, Child-Pugh score A (67.9%) and stage II disease (40.0%). Locoregional therapy consisted of radiofrequency ablation, transarterial chemoembolization or hepatic artery infusion chemotherapy. BCAA supplementation was in the form of BCAA granules or BCAA-enriched nutrient. Most studies reported improved albumin levels, non-protein respiratory quotient and quality of life in the BCAA group. Results pertaining to other outcomes including overall survival, recurrence rate, and Child-Pugh score were variable. Meta-analysis showed significantly higher levels of post-treatment serum albumin in the BCAA group (SMD = 0.54, 95% CI 0.20-0.87) but no significant differences in mortality rate (RR = 0.81, 95% CI: 0.65-1.02) and AST (SMD = -0.13, 95% CI: -0.43-0.18). Conclusion: BCAA supplementation is associated with higher post-treatment albumin levels. There are currently not sufficient data to support additional benefits. Further studies are needed to elucidate their value. Keywords: amino acids; cancer; cirrhosis; hepatocellular carcinoma; interventional radiology; liver cancer; nutrition; supplements

Surgical versus percutaneous catheter placement for peritoneal dialysis: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: No consensus currently exists regarding the optimal approach for peritoneal dialysis catheter placement. We aimed to compare the outcomes of percutaneous and surgical peritoneal dialysis catheter placement. Methods: A systematic review of the literature was performed using the MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, and Scopus databases (end-of-search date: August 29th, 2020). We included studies comparing percutaneous (blind, under fluoroscopic/ultrasound guidance, and half-perc ) and surgical peritoneal dialysis catheter placement (open and laparoscopic) in terms of their infectious complications (peritonitis, tunnel/exit-site infections), mechanical complications (leakage, inflow/outflow obstruction, migration, hemorrhage, hernia, bowel perforation) and long-term outcomes (malfunction, removal, replacement, surgery required, and mortality). Results: Thirty-four studies were identified, including thirty-two observational studies (twenty-six retrospective and six prospective) and two randomized controlled trials. Percutaneous placement was associated with significantly lower rates of tunnel/exit-site infection [relative risk (RR) 0.72, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.56-0.91], catheter migration (RR 0.68, 95% CI 0.49, 0.95), and catheter removal (RR 0.73, 95% CI 0.60-0.88). The 2-week and 4-week rates of early tunnel/exit-site infection were also lower in the percutaneous group (RR 0.45, 95% CI 0.22-0.93 and RR 0.41, 95% CI 0.27-0.63, respectively). No statistically significant difference was observed regarding other outcomes, including catheter survival and mechanical complications. Conclusion: Overall, the quality of published literature on the field of peritoneal dialysis catheter placement is poor, with a small percentage of studies being randomized clinical trials. Percutaneous peritoneal dialysis catheter placement is a safe procedure and may result in fewer complications, such as tunnel/exit-site infections, and catheter migration, compared to surgical placement. Protocol registration: PROSPERO CRD42020154951. Keywords: Laparoscopic catheter placement; Open surgical catheter placement; Percutaneous catheter placement; Peritoneal dialysis catheter

The role of liver transplantation for colorectal liver metastases: A systematic review and pooled analysis

Background: Liver transplantation (LT) has gained interest in the treatment of unresectable colorectal liver metastases (CRLM) over the last two decades. Despite the initial poor outcomes, recent reports from countries with graft abundance have provided further insights in the potential of LT as a treatment for unresectable CRLM. Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted in the MEDLINE (PubMed), Embase, Scopus, Cochrane Library, Google Scholar, Virtual Health Library, Clinicaltrials.gov, and Web of Science databases (end-of-search date: January 27th, 2020) to identify relevant studies. Pooled overall and recurrence-free survival analysis at 6 months, 1, 2, 3, and 5 years was conducted with the Kaplan-Meier (Product Limit) method. Results: Eighteen studies comprising 110 patients were included. The population consisted of 59.8% males with a mean age of 52.3 ± 9.3 years. CRLM diagnosis was synchronous in 83%, while 99% received chemotherapy, and 39% received liver resection prior to LT. The mean time from primary tumor resection to LT was 39.5 ± 32.5 months, the mean post-LT follow-up was 32.1 ± 22.2 months, and the mean time to recurrence was 15.0 ± 11.3 months. The pooled 6-month, 1-, 2-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival rates were 95.7% (95%CI: 89.1%-98.4%), 88.1% (95%CI: 79.6%-93.2%), 74.6% (95%CI: 64.2%-82.3%), 58.4% (95%CI: 47.2%-62.0%), and 50.5% (95%CI: 39.0%-61.0%), respectively. The pooled 6-months, 1-, 2-, 3-, and 5-year recurrence-free survival rates were 77.2% (95%CI: 67.2%-84.5%), 59.9% (95%CI: 49.0%-69.2%), 42.4% (95%CI: 31.8%-52.6%), 30.7% (95%CI: 20.9%-41.1%), and 25.6% (95%CI: 16.2%-36.0%), respectively. Conclusion: LT should be considered in patients with unresectable liver-only CRLM under strict selection criteria and only under well-designed research protocols. Ongoing studies are expected to further elucidate the indications and prognosis of patients undergoing LT for unresectable CRLM. Keywords: Colon cancer; Colorectal liver metastasis; Liver transplantation; Transplant oncology; Unresectable

Imaging in the COVID-19 era: Lessons learned during a pandemic

The first year of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has been a year of unprecedented changes, scientific breakthroughs, and controversies. The radiology community has not been spared from the challenges imposed on global healthcare systems. Radiology has played a crucial part in tackling this pandemic, either by demonstrating the manifestations of the virus and guiding patient management, or by safely handling the patients and mitigating transmission within the hospital. Major modifications involving all aspects of daily radiology practice have occurred as a result of the pandemic, including workflow alterations, volume reductions, and strict infection control strategies. Despite the ongoing challenges, considerable knowledge has been gained that will guide future innovations. The aim of this review is to provide the latest evidence on the role of imaging in the diagnosis of the multifaceted manifestations of COVID-19, and to discuss the implications of the pandemic on radiology departments globally, including infection control strategies and delays in cancer screening. Lastly, the promising contribution of artificial intelligence in the COVID-19 pandemic is explored. Keywords: Artificial intelligence; COVID-19; Computed tomography; Diagnostic imaging; Infectious diseases; Radiography

The Value of Web-Based Patient Education Materials on Transarterial Chemoembolization: Systematic Review

Background: Thousands of web searches are performed related to transarterial chemoembolization (TACE), given its palliative role in the treatment of liver cancer. Objective: This study aims to assess the reliability, quality, completeness, readability, understandability, and actionability of websites that provide information on TACE for patients. Methods: The five most popular keywords pertaining to TACE were searched on Google, Yahoo, and Bing. General website characteristics and the presence of Health On the Net Foundation code certification were documented. Website assessment was performed using the following scores: DISCERN, Journal of the American Medical Association, Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level, Flesch Reading Ease Score, and the Patient Education Materials Assessment Tool. A novel TACE content score was generated to evaluate website completeness. Results: The search yielded 3750 websites. In total, 81 website entities belonging to 78 website domains met the inclusion criteria. A medical disclaimer was not provided on 28% (22/78) of website domains. Health On the Net code certification was present on 12% (9/78) of website domains. Authorship was absent on 88% (71/81) of websites, and sources were absent on 83% (67/81) of websites. The date of publication or of the last update was not listed on 58% (47/81) of websites. The median DISCERN score was 47.0 (IQR 40.5-54.0). The median TACE content score was 35 (IQR 27-43). The median readability grade level was in the 11th grade. Overall, 61% (49/81) and 16% (13/81) of websites were deemed understandable and actionable, respectively. Not-for-profit websites fared significantly better on the Journal of the American Medical Association, DISCERN, and TACE content scores. Conclusions: The content referring to TACE that is currently available on the web is unreliable, incomplete, difficult to read, understandable but not actionable, and characterized by low overall quality. Websites need to revise their content to optimally educate consumers and support shared decision-making. Trial registration: PROSPERO International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews CRD42020202747; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42020202747. Keywords: hepatocellular carcinoma; internet; interventional oncology; interventional radiology; liver cancer; patient education; systematic review; transarterial chemoembolization

Role of Epinephrine and Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation in the Management of Ischemic Refractory Ventricular Fibrillation

Summary: Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is used in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) of refractory cardiac arrest. The authors used a 2 à 2 study design to compare ECMO versus CPR and epinephrine versus placebo in a porcine model of ischemic refractory ventricular fibrillation (VF). Pigs underwent 5 min of untreated VF and 10 min of CPR, and were randomized to receive epinephrine versus placebo for another 35 min. Animals were further randomized to left anterior descending artery (LAD) reperfusion at minute 45 with ongoing CPR versus venoarterial ECMO cannulation at minute 45 of CPR and subsequent LAD reperfusion. Four-hour survival was improved with ECMO whereas epinephrine showed no effect. Key Words: advanced cardiopulmonary life support, cardiac arrest, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, ECMO, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, ischemic refractory ventricular fibrillation, ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction, ventricular fibrillatio