Enhanced External Counterpulsation as a Novel Treatment for Post-acute COVID-19 Sequelae

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the virus responsible for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. As patients recover from COVID-19, some continue to report persisting symptoms weeks to months after acute infection. These effects have been referred to as post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC). We report the case of a 38-year-old woman suffering from PASC symptoms following acute COVID-19 in October 2020. During her acute infection phase, she had a home recovery and reported her predominant symptoms as fatigue, headaches, body pain, and shortness of breath. After most of her symptoms were resolved, she continued to have periodic episodes of fatigue and headaches, along with random shortness of breath while at rest and during activities for months beyond the acute phase of the illness. She also noted the presence of “brain fog,” as if lacking the same clarity that she had prior to her illness. These symptoms persisted for three months before the patient underwent enhanced external counterpulsation (EECP) therapy in one-hour sessions, three times per week. This therapy was chosen based on the mechanism of action of EECP benefiting patients with ischemic cardiovascular diseases. After one week, her “brain fog” had improved, with shortness of breath improving after 1.5 weeks. The patient reported returning to pre-COVID health and fitness after approximately five weeks of EECP treatment. To our knowledge, this is the first case of using EECP for post-COVID shortness of breath, fatigue, and “brain fog.

Evaluating Diversity and Inclusion Content on Graduate Medical Education Websites.

UNLABELLED: Websites are important tools for programs to provide future residency applicants with freely accessible information regarding their program, including diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. OBJECTIVE: To describe the variability of DEI content in residency programs and compare DEI website content by specialty. METHODS: Using the 2021 Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) list of residency programs, residency training websites were identified and evaluated. Information was extracted from program websites as indicators of DEI content. Chi-square analysis and one-way ANOVA were chosen to assess for statistical differences. RESULTS: In total, 4644 program websites representing 26 specialties were assessed. Among all the programs, the average DEI completeness of a program website was 6.1±14.6% (range 0-100%). While 6.2% of all programs had a diversity webpage, only 13.3% included a commitment to DEI, and few programs (2.7%) provided information about underrepresented in medicine (URiM) faculty. CONCLUSIONS: Graduate medical education programs can enhance information for current and prospective applicants about DEI initiatives on their websites. Including DEI initiatives on residency websites may improve diversity recruitment efforts

Clinical Relevance of Pharmacogenetics in Serotonin Syndrome

Serotonin syndrome is a predictable life-threatening condition that is caused by serotonergic stimulation of the central and peripheral nervous systems. A patient’s genetic profile can amplify exposure risk as many serotonergic drugs are metabolized by CYP450 enzymes, and these enzymes may be altered in functionality. We report a case of an elderly man who presented with serotonin syndrome after a dose change in valproic acid 5 weeks prior. His medication list consisted of low-dose serotonergic agents, which is unusual as most cases of serotonin syndrome involve higher doses. A review of his pharmacogenetic profile is presented to retrospectively evaluate the additive risk for serotonin syndrome and implications on resuming serotonergic agents

Enhanced External Counterpulsation as a Novel Treatment for Post-acute COVID-19 Sequelae

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the virus responsible for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. As patients recover from COVID-19, some continue to report persisting symptoms weeks to months after acute infection. These effects have been referred to as post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC). We report the case of a 38-year-old woman suffering from PASC symptoms following acute COVID-19 in October 2020. During her acute infection phase, she had a home recovery and reported her predominant symptoms as fatigue, headaches, body pain, and shortness of breath. After most of her symptoms were resolved, she continued to have periodic episodes of fatigue and headaches, along with random shortness of breath while at rest and during activities for months beyond the acute phase of the illness. She also noted the presence of “brain fog,” as if lacking the same clarity that she had prior to her illness. These symptoms persisted for three months before the patient underwent enhanced external counterpulsation (EECP) therapy in one-hour sessions, three times per week. This therapy was chosen based on the mechanism of action of EECP benefiting patients with ischemic cardiovascular diseases. After one week, her “brain fog” had improved, with shortness of breath improving after 1.5 weeks. The patient reported returning to pre-COVID health and fitness after approximately five weeks of EECP treatment. To our knowledge, this is the first case of using EECP for post-COVID shortness of breath, fatigue, and “brain fog.

A rapid response for burnout among inpatient physiatrists: A survey of leaders of inpatient rehabilitation facilities

Background Symptoms of burnout are highly prevalent among physiatrists, and prior studies have helped identify key contributors to this epidemic of burnout. Little is known about the physician stressors unique to those providing care in inpatient rehabilitation facilities (IRFs) and what strategies such facilities have used to help mitigate burnout among inpatient physiatrists. Objective To identify what IRF leaders perceive as stress points contributing to burnout among inpatient rehabilitation physicians and what, if any, interventions their programs have implemented to help mitigate physician burnout. Design 10 item cross‐sectional survey study of IRF physician and nonphysician leaders in the United States. Participants 104 physicians serving in the roles of IRF medical director, director of rehabilitation, and/or executive leadership and 19 nonphysician IRF leaders. Results Regulatory demands, late admissions, understaffing, and on‐call responsibilities were the major stress points most identified as contributing to physician burnout among both the physician and nonphysician respondents. The use of advanced practice providers and hospitalists were the most common system changes reportedly used to help mitigate physician burnout. Although 57.8% of physician leaders felt late admissions were a major stress point for physicians, only 18.2% of those responding reported having implemented admission cutoff times. Conclusions There are stressors unique to the practice of inpatient rehabilitation that are likely contributing to physiatrist burnout, including late admissions and on‐call responsibilities. Many IRFs have begun to implement system changes to help mitigate burnout among inpatient physiatrists. The use of nonphysiatrist providers is a commonly reported strategy. Future studies are needed to determine the effectiveness of such a strategy on reducing symptoms of burnout among IRF physicians as well as its effect on IRF patient outcomes

Module 3 : Surgical Management of Spasticity

This module outlines the history of the development of surgical interventions for treating spasticity and discusses when surgical intervention is most appropriate for managing spasticity. A range of surgical techniques are considered; intrathecal baclofen, neurotomy, and muscle or tendon lengthening and transfer procedures. The implications and limitations of the surgical techniques are considered. The need for a multidisciplinary team to deliver optimal surgical treatment is also considered

Healthcare resource utilization and costs among patients with post-stroke spasticity before and after spasticity management including onabotulinumtoxina

Background: Real-world data regarding the impact of onabotulinumtoxinA on healthcare resource utilization and costs for post-stroke spasticity are scarce. Objective: To compare differences in 12-month healthcare resource utilization and costs before and after post-stroke spasticity management including onabotulinumtoxinA. Methods: This retrospective claims analysis of IBM MarketScan Commercial and Medicare Supplemental databases included adults with ≥ 1 onabotulinumtoxinA claim for post-stroke spasticity (1 January 2010 to 30 June 2018) and continuous enrolment for ≥ 12 months pre- and post-index (first onabotulinumtoxinA claim date). All-cause and spasticity-related healthcare resource utilization and costs were compared 12 months pre- and post-index (McNemar’s χ2 test or paired t-test). A subgroup analysis assessed effect of stroke-to-index interval on costs. Results: Among 735 patients, mean (standard deviation) stroke-date-to-index-date interval was 284.5 (198.8) days. Decreases were observed post-index for mean all-cause outpatient (62.9 vs 60.5; p ≤ 0.05) and emergency department visits (1.1 vs 0.8; p ≤ 0.0001), and hospital admissions (1.5 vs 0.4; p ≤ 0.0001). Increase in prescription fills (43.0 vs 53.7) was seen post-index. Post-index decreases in all-cause (–66%) and spasticity-related (–51%) costs were driven by reduced inpatient care costs. Findings were consistent regardless of stroke-date-to-index-date interval. Conclusion: Significant reductions in healthcare resource utilization and costs were observed after 1 year of post-stroke spasticity management including onabotulinumtoxinA. Long-term studies are needed to establish causality

Evaluating Diversity and Inclusion Content on Graduate Medical Education Websites

UNLABELLED: Websites are important tools for programs to provide future residency applicants with freely accessible information regarding their program, including diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. OBJECTIVE: To describe the variability of DEI content in residency programs and compare DEI website content by specialty. METHODS: Using the 2021 Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) list of residency programs, residency training websites were identified and evaluated. Information was extracted from program websites as indicators of DEI content. Chi-square analysis and one-way ANOVA were chosen to assess for statistical differences. RESULTS: In total, 4644 program websites representing 26 specialties were assessed. Among all the programs, the average DEI completeness of a program website was 6.1±14.6% (range 0-100%). While 6.2% of all programs had a diversity webpage, only 13.3% included a commitment to DEI, and few programs (2.7%) provided information about underrepresented in medicine (URiM) faculty. CONCLUSIONS: Graduate medical education programs can enhance information for current and prospective applicants about DEI initiatives on their websites. Including DEI initiatives on residency websites may improve diversity recruitment efforts