Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of facilitating target delineation of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) in patients undergoing stereotactic ablative radiation therapy (SABR) for lung tumors by lung expansion and respiratory motion management. Materials and Methods: We performed a prospective single-institutional trial of patients who were diagnosed with either primary lung cancer or lung metastases and received SABR with a dose of 40 to 60 Gy in 4 fractions. Four-dimensional computed tomography simulations were conducted for each patient: once without CPAP and again with CPAP. Results: Thirty-two patients with 39 tumors were analyzed, after the withdrawal of five patients due to discomfort. For 26 tumors separated from the diaphragm, CPAP significantly increased the superoinferior distance between the tumor and the diaphragm (5.96 cm vs. 8.06 cm; p < 0.001). For 13 tumors located adjacent to the diaphragm, CPAP decreased the overlap of planning target volume (PTV) with the diaphragm significantly (6.32 cm3 vs. 4.09 cm3; p = 0.002). PTV showed a significant reduction with CPAP (25.06 cm3 vs. 22.52 cm3, p = 0.017). In dosimetric analyses, CPAP expanded lung volume by 58.4% with a significant reduction in mean dose and V5 to V40. No more than grade 2 adverse events were reported. Conclusion This trial demonstrated significant improvement of CPAP in target delineation uncertainties for lung SABR, with dosimetric benefits, a favorable safety profile and tolerability. Further investigation is warranted to explore the role of CPAP as a novel strategy for respiratory motion management.

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of facilitating target delineation of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) in patients undergoing stereotactic ablative radiation therapy (SABR) for lung tumors by lung expansion and respiratory motion management. Materials and Methods: We performed a prospective single-institutional trial of patients who were diagnosed with either primary lung cancer or lung metastases and received SABR with a dose of 40 to 60 Gy in 4 fractions. Four-dimensional computed tomography simulations were conducted for each patient: once without CPAP and again with CPAP. Results: Thirty-two patients with 39 tumors were analyzed, after the withdrawal of five patients due to discomfort. For 26 tumors separated from the diaphragm, CPAP significantly increased the superoinferior distance between the tumor and the diaphragm (5.96 cm vs. 8.06 cm; p < 0.001). For 13 tumors located adjacent to the diaphragm, CPAP decreased the overlap of planning target volume (PTV) with the diaphragm significantly (6.32 cm3 vs. 4.09 cm3; p = 0.002). PTV showed a significant reduction with CPAP (25.06 cm3 vs. 22.52 cm3, p = 0.017). In dosimetric analyses, CPAP expanded lung volume by 58.4% with a significant reduction in mean dose and V5 to V40. No more than grade 2 adverse events were reported. Conclusion This trial demonstrated significant improvement of CPAP in target delineation uncertainties for lung SABR, with dosimetric benefits, a favorable safety profile and tolerability. Further investigation is warranted to explore the role of CPAP as a novel strategy for respiratory motion management.

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of facilitating target delineation of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) in patients undergoing stereotactic ablative radiation therapy (SABR) for lung tumors by lung expansion and respiratory motion management. Materials and Methods: We performed a prospective single-institutional trial of patients who were diagnosed with either primary lung cancer or lung metastases and received SABR with a dose of 40 to 60 Gy in 4 fractions. Four-dimensional computed tomography simulations were conducted for each patient: once without CPAP and again with CPAP. Results: Thirty-two patients with 39 tumors were analyzed, after the withdrawal of five patients due to discomfort. For 26 tumors separated from the diaphragm, CPAP significantly increased the superoinferior distance between the tumor and the diaphragm (5.96 cm vs. 8.06 cm; p < 0.001). For 13 tumors located adjacent to the diaphragm, CPAP decreased the overlap of planning target volume (PTV) with the diaphragm significantly (6.32 cm3 vs. 4.09 cm3; p = 0.002). PTV showed a significant reduction with CPAP (25.06 cm3 vs. 22.52 cm3, p = 0.017). In dosimetric analyses, CPAP expanded lung volume by 58.4% with a significant reduction in mean dose and V5 to V40. No more than grade 2 adverse events were reported. Conclusion This trial demonstrated significant improvement of CPAP in target delineation uncertainties for lung SABR, with dosimetric benefits, a favorable safety profile and tolerability. Further investigation is warranted to explore the role of CPAP as a novel strategy for respiratory motion management.

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of facilitating target delineation of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) in patients undergoing stereotactic ablative radiation therapy (SABR) for lung tumors by lung expansion and respiratory motion management. Materials and Methods: We performed a prospective single-institutional trial of patients who were diagnosed with either primary lung cancer or lung metastases and received SABR with a dose of 40 to 60 Gy in 4 fractions. Four-dimensional computed tomography simulations were conducted for each patient: once without CPAP and again with CPAP. Results: Thirty-two patients with 39 tumors were analyzed, after the withdrawal of five patients due to discomfort. For 26 tumors separated from the diaphragm, CPAP significantly increased the superoinferior distance between the tumor and the diaphragm (5.96 cm vs. 8.06 cm; p < 0.001). For 13 tumors located adjacent to the diaphragm, CPAP decreased the overlap of planning target volume (PTV) with the diaphragm significantly (6.32 cm3 vs. 4.09 cm3; p = 0.002). PTV showed a significant reduction with CPAP (25.06 cm3 vs. 22.52 cm3, p = 0.017). In dosimetric analyses, CPAP expanded lung volume by 58.4% with a significant reduction in mean dose and V5 to V40. No more than grade 2 adverse events were reported. Conclusion This trial demonstrated significant improvement of CPAP in target delineation uncertainties for lung SABR, with dosimetric benefits, a favorable safety profile and tolerability. Further investigation is warranted to explore the role of CPAP as a novel strategy for respiratory motion management.

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of facilitating target delineation of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) in patients undergoing stereotactic ablative radiation therapy (SABR) for lung tumors by lung expansion and respiratory motion management. Materials and Methods: We performed a prospective single-institutional trial of patients who were diagnosed with either primary lung cancer or lung metastases and received SABR with a dose of 40 to 60 Gy in 4 fractions. Four-dimensional computed tomography simulations were conducted for each patient: once without CPAP and again with CPAP. Results: Thirty-two patients with 39 tumors were analyzed, after the withdrawal of five patients due to discomfort. For 26 tumors separated from the diaphragm, CPAP significantly increased the superoinferior distance between the tumor and the diaphragm (5.96 cm vs. 8.06 cm; p < 0.001). For 13 tumors located adjacent to the diaphragm, CPAP decreased the overlap of planning target volume (PTV) with the diaphragm significantly (6.32 cm3 vs. 4.09 cm3; p = 0.002). PTV showed a significant reduction with CPAP (25.06 cm3 vs. 22.52 cm3, p = 0.017). In dosimetric analyses, CPAP expanded lung volume by 58.4% with a significant reduction in mean dose and V5 to V40. No more than grade 2 adverse events were reported. Conclusion This trial demonstrated significant improvement of CPAP in target delineation uncertainties for lung SABR, with dosimetric benefits, a favorable safety profile and tolerability. Further investigation is warranted to explore the role of CPAP as a novel strategy for respiratory motion management.

Background: Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) account for a large proportion of healthcare-associated infections and have a significant impact on morbidity, length of hospital stay, and mortality. Adherence to the recommended infection prevention practices can effectively reduce the incidence of CAUTIs. This study aimed to assess the characteristics of CAUTIs and the efficacy of prevention programs across hospitals of various sizes. Methods: Intervention programs, including training, surveillance, and monitoring, were implemented. Data on the microorganisms responsible for CAUTIs, urinary catheter utilization ratio, rate of CAUTIs per 1,000 device days, and factors associated with the use of indwelling catheters were collected from 2017 to 2019. The incidence of CAUTIs and associated data were compared between university hospitals and small- and medium-sized hospitals. Results: Thirty-two hospitals participated in the study, including 21 university hospitals and 11 small- and medium-sized hospitals. The microorganisms responsible for CAUTIs and their resistance rates did not differ between the two groups. In the first quarter of 2018, the incidence rate was 2.05 infections/1,000 device-days in university hospitals and 1.44 infections/1,000 device-days in small- and medium-sized hospitals. After implementing interventions, the rate gradually decreased in the first quarter of 2019, with 1.18 infections/1,000 device-days in university hospitals and 0.79 infections/1,000 device-days in small- and medium-sized hospitals. However, by the end of the study, the infection rate increased to 1.74 infections/1,000 device-days in university hospitals and 1.80 infections/1,000 device-days in small- and medium-sized hospitals. Conclusion We implemented interventions to prevent CAUTIs and evaluated their outcomes. The incidence of these infections decreased in the initial phases of the intervention when adequate support and personnel were present. The rate of these infections may be reduced by implementing active interventions such as consistent monitoring and adherence to guidelines for preventing infections.

Purpose: To report the clinical efficacy of neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) laser iris cystotomy in iris cysts. Methods: We examined three eyes with primary iris cysts diagnosed by ultrasound biomicroscopy that had fewer cornea endothelial cells or reduced visual acuity due to an occluded visual axis. Nd:YAG laser cystotomy was done. The logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) visual acuity, intraocular pressure (IOP), and specular microscopy test at baseline and last follow-up were reviewed. Results: The average patient age was 54.0 ± 5.3 years; the mean follow-up was 11.7 ± 2.1 months. The baseline and final logMAR visual acuity were 0.23 ± 0.25 and 0.16 ± 0.15, respectively. Visual acuity improved, although not significantly (p = 0.317). The baseline and final IOP were 14.7 ± 2.3 and 13.7 ± 0.6 mmHg, respectively (p = 0.276). The corneal endothelial cell density (p = 0.109), hexagonality (p > 0.999), and coefficient of variation (p = 0.285) were not significantly different after treatment. There were no serious complications or recurrence. Conclusions After Nd:YAG laser cystotomy, the cell density and morphology of corneal endothelial cells changed little. It can be considered an effective treatment when there is a decrease in corneal endothelial cells or occlusion of the visual axis.

Background: Carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE) are emerging as a worldwide threat. Long-term care facilities (LTCFs) are considered a reservoir for CPE and play a central role in transmission to acute care hospitals. We investigated the CPE positivity in patients exposed to CPE in LTCFs. Furthermore, we analyzed the CPE positivity rates in the environment exposed to CPE. Methods: We collected rectal swab specimens from patients residing in LTCFs who were exposed to CPE. Environmental sampling was performed by infection control practitioners from sites classified as patient private space, common space in the patient room, common space other than patient rooms, and nursing station. Each sample was cultured on a Chrom KlebsiellaF pneumoniae carbapenemase (KPC) agar for CPE screening. The positive isolates were subjected to a polymerase chain reaction to identify the presence of bla KPC , bla VIM , bla IMP , bla OXA-48 , and bla NDM and determine CPE genotype. Results: From 65 index cases, a total of 24 hospitals and 481 patients were enrolled; 414 patients who had resided in the same patient room as a patient with confirmed CPE and 67 patients who were newly admitted to that patient room. A total of 117 (24.3%) patients were positive for CPE among which 93 (22.5%, 93/414) were already admitted patients and 24 (35.8%, 24/67) were newly admitted patients. A total of 163 CPEs were detected and K. pneumoniae (n = 104, 63.8%) was the most common bacteria followed by Escherichia coli (n = 43, 26.4%) and Citrobacter koseri (n = 11, 6.7%). Environmental sampling was performed in 24 hospitals and 604 sites. A total of 12 sites (2.0%) were positive for CPE and sink in the nursing station (n = 6, 4.2%) was the most contaminated space. Conclusion CPE colonization rates in patients exposed to CPE in LTCFs were higher than those found in acute care hospitals. Proper infection control measures for detecting and reducing CPE colonization in patients residing in LTCFs are required. Newly admitted patients could also be carriers; therefore, infection control for newly admitted patients also needs to be thorough.

No abstract available.
Anesthesia, Intravenous* ; Humans ; Propofol* ; Respiration*

BACKGROUND: Remifentanil could require an appropriate pain strategy to prevent unacceptable pain in the postoperative period. We investigated the effect of perioperative ketamine for nociception and remifentanil hyperalgesia after gastrectomy when we used intraoperative remifentanil infusion for hemodynamic control. METHODS: Eighty patients scheduled for gastrectomy were randomly included in this trial. In control group (C), patients received normal saline. In ketamine group (K), patients received ketamine perioperatively. In remifentanil group (R), patients received remifentanil during operation. In remifentanil and ketamine group (RK) patients received remifentanil intraoperatively and ketamine perioperatively. Hemodynamic indexes were recorded during anesthesia. Visual analogue scale (VAS), cumulative analgesic requirement, and side effects were recorded during 36 h after operation. RESULTS: The requirement of vasodepressants was significantly increased in C and K group. Morphine consumption and agitation were significantly increased in R group at the postanesthetic recovery room. The analgesic demand of R group was greater than that in other groups. The VAS scores of K group were significantly lower than those of other groups at the ward. CONCLUSIONS: Intraoperative use of remifentanil with sevoflurane may be related to increased pain during early postanesthetic period. Perioperative low-dose ketamine decreased intraoperative remifentanil use and postoperative morphine consumption without increasing the incidence of side effects.
Anesthesia ; Dihydroergotamine ; Gastrectomy ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Hyperalgesia ; Incidence ; Ketamine ; Methyl Ethers ; Morphine ; Nociception ; Pain, Postoperative ; Piperidines ; Postoperative Period ; Recovery Room