Hermann-Josef-Krankenhaus Erkelenz

BackgroundThe safety of minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass (MIDCAB) has been proven. Nevertheless, reports on clinical outcomes in MIDCAB and the learning curve of this challenging technique in a non-routine off-pump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB) center are still limited. Here, we introduce our clinical outcomes of non-robotic MIDCAB.MethodsBetween August 2022 and March 2024, 72 consecutive patients with a mean age of 67.4 ± 9.5 years underwent non-robotic MIDCAB (defined as off-pump bypass grafting of the left internal mammary artery to the left anterior descending artery through left-sided mini-thoracotomy). We analyzed operation time and incidence of major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE). Further, subgroup analyses included body mass index (BMI) with a cut-off of 30 kg/m2 [BMI ≧ 30: n = 18 (25.0%)] and body surface area (BSA) with a cut-off of 2.0 m2 [BSA ≧ 2.0: n = 34 (47.2%)].ResultsAll patients survived, whereas MACCE occurred in 4 patients (5.6%). By correlation analyses, no learning curve for operation time was observed in all cases analysis (p = 0.79), but MACCE (n = 4, 5.6%) exclusively observed in the first 34 patients. Furthermore, BMI ≧ 30 or BSA ≧ 2.0 was not significantly related to longer operation time (p = 0.42 and p = 0.52, respectively) and MACCE (p = 0.26 and p = 0.35, respectively). In addition, body size had no effect on operation time according to multiple regression analysis (p = 0.36).ConclusionsOur study suggested that implementing non-robotic MIDCAB can be safely accomplished at a center with no previous routine in OPCAB surgery, even for patients with bigger body sizes. MACCE occurs more frequently in the early stages when adopting this surgical technique.

Proximal humeral fractures (PHFs) show a high incidence in aged patients. While nondisplaced fractures achieve good results by conservative treatment, surgical procedures are discussed controversially. Next to open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF), the primary use of reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) has become increasingly important. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical function, activities of daily living (ADL), as well as pain assessment in patients with PHFs, treated by ORIF or RSA. A retrospective comparison study was assessed. From November 2011 to March 2016, 34 patients (17 matched pairs) that had undergone either ORIF or RSA of the proximal humerus, were included in this study. Pain was measured by numeric rating scale (NRS). ADL were obtained by Katz-Index and SF-12. Moreover, shoulder function was assessed using the Oxford Shoulder Score (OSS). The maximum range of motion (ROM) was also recorded. From November 2011 to March 2016, 34 patients (17 matched pairs) that had undergone either ORIF (Figure or RSA of the proximal humerus) were included in this study. For statistical analyses, Student's t-test, Wilcoxon test, and Chi-Quadrat test were used. Statistical significance was indicated with p < 0.05. Totally 34 patients with an average age of 76.6 years were included. Surgical treatment was performed on average 5.2 days after diagnosis, differing significantly between the two groups (RSA/ORIF: 6.9/3.5 days) The operation time of RSA (97 min) was significantly longer than for ORIF (78 min). Pain assessment, as well as the Katz-Index and the SF-12, showed no significant differences. Moreover, clinical shoulder function showed no significant discrepancies between the two surgical techniques. Aged patients with PHFs treated with RSA display similar results regarding clinical function, ADL as well as pain perception compared with ORIF. However, revision surgery rate was lower in patients who underwent RSA. Thus, the surgical treatment of PHFs by RSA represents an excellent alternative, especially with regard to an aging patient population.

Exploratory analysis associated with the prospective, multicenter, randomized PRIVENT trial. To characterize the associations between laser flare photometry and anatomical and epidemiological features of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD). The authors measured laser flare values of all 3,048 prescreened patients excluding those with comorbidities. A mixed regression analysis evaluated the strength of the influencing factors like age, sex, lens status, and presence and extent of RRD on laser flare. Rhegmatogenous retinal detachment was more frequent in men (65.8%) than in women (34.2%, P < 0.001) and in right (52%) than in left eyes (48%, P = 0.045). Phakic RRD affected less quadrants and was less likely to be associated with macula-off status than pseudophakic RRD (48.4% vs. 58.0% macula off, 23% vs. 31% ≥3 quadrants, P < 0.001). Laser flare of affected eyes was significantly higher compared with fellow eyes (12.6 ± 15.2 vs. 8.3 ± 7.4 pc/ms, P < 0.001). The factors age, sex, lens status, presence of RRD, and the number of quadrants affected were independent influencing factors on laser flare. R 2 was 0.145 for phakic and 0.094 for pseudophakic eyes. The results indicate that there may be more factors affecting laser flare than previously assumed. This might limit flare as predictive value for PVR and retinal redetachment.

Alongside mammography, breast ultrasound is an important and well-established method in assessment of breast lesions. With the "Best Practice Guideline", the DEGUM Breast Ultrasound (in German, "Mammasonografie") working group, intends to describe the additional and optional application modalities for the diagnostic confirmation of breast findings and to express DEGUM recommendations in this Part II, in addition to the current dignity criteria and assessment categories published in Part I, in order to facilitate the differential diagnosis of ambiguous lesions.The present "Best Practice Guideline" has set itself the goal of meeting the requirements for quality assurance and ensuring quality-controlled performance of breast ultrasound. The most important aspects of quality assurance are explained in this Part II of the Best Practice Guideline.

Patients' participation is part of patient-centeredness, but it is so far unclear whether providers in multidisciplinary tumor conferences (MTCs) with patient participation communicate in a patient-centered way. Our aim is to explore (a) to what extent providers ask questions to breast and gynecological cancer patients during case discussion in MTCs, (b) how providers respond to patients' expressions of emotions during case discussions, and (c) which patient- and context-related characteristics and responses are associated with patients' trust in the treatment team after the case discussion. This observational study included survey data and audio recordings of MTCs with patient participation at three breast and gynecological cancer centers. Providers' questions to patients and responses to patients' emotional expressions were coded using the Verona Coding Definitions of Emotional Sequences. The response can be explicitly or non-explicitly related to the emotion and space-reducing or space-providing. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to determine associations between providers' responses, patient- and context-related characteristics, and patients' trust in the treatment team after the case discussion. We analyzed 82 case discussions (77 breast, 5 breast and gynecological cancer patients). Providers asked a total of 646 questions, of which 86% were polar (yes/no). Providers gave 303 responses to a total of 230 emotional expressions by patients. Non-explicit responses were associated with more trust when they were space-providing, but with less trust when space-reducing. The frequency of providers' closed questions and space-reducing responses to emotions shows that patient-centered communication rarely takes place in MTCs with patient participation.

Abstract This article empirically examines the nexuses between corporate governance, intangible resources, CEO traits, and financial performance. In contrast to prior research, this study examines these relationships in a longitudinal manner focusing on Deutsche Bank for the 1957–2019 period. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first of its kind. Based on a novel hand collected dataset, our analysis suggests a significant positive relationship between intangible assets i.e., intellectual capital efficiency and financial performance measured by, return on assets (ROA) and return on equity (ROE). Our results further suggest that human capital efficiency drive the financial performance of Deutsche Bank at all times especially, during the economic malaise periods, suggesting that human capital is the main source of profitability for the Deutsche Bank. Additional results suggest that larger board size diminishes the impact of intangible resources on financial performance when the former CEO assumes board's chairmanship. Finally, our results suggest that CEO's education quality is an important determinant of financial performance during the crisis. Results observed in this study have important economic and policy implications for banks operating in the similar environments.

Pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) using cryoballoon ablation (CBA) is an established procedure for treating symptomatic paroxysmal and persistent atrial fibrillation (AF). The safety and efficacy of PVI performed at community hospitals are unknown. We aimed to determine the safety and acute efficacy of PVI using CBA performed at community hospitals with limited annual case numbers. This registry study included 1004 consecutive patients who had PVI performed for symptomatic paroxysmal (n = 563) or persistent AF (n = 441) from January 2019 to September 2020 at 20 hospitals. Each hospital performed fewer than 100 CBA-PVI procedures/year according to local standards. Procedural data, efficacy, and complication rates were determined. The mean number of CBA procedures performed/year at each centre was 59 ± 25. The average procedure time was 90.1 ± 31.6 min and the average fluoroscopy time was 19.2 ± 11.4 min. Isolation of all pulmonary veins was documented in 97.9% of patients. The most frequent reason for not achieving complete isolation was development of phrenic nerve palsy. No hospital deaths were observed. Two patients (0.2%) suffered a clinical stroke. Pericardial effusion occurred in six patients (0.6%), two of whom (0.2%) required pericardial drainage. Vascular complications occurred in 24 patients (2.4%), two of whom (0.2%) required vascular surgery. Phrenic nerve palsy occurred in 48 patients (4.8%) and persisted up to hospital discharge in six patients (0.6%). Pulmonary vein isolation procedures for paroxysmal or persistent AF using CBA can be performed at community hospitals with high acute efficacy and low complication rates.

Background: Copper deficiency can lead to a severe myelopathy and cytopenia. The myelopathy can lead to inability to walk by paresis and deafferentation. The anemia can as well be severe with the need for blood transfusions. Beside innate reasons it occurs years after surgeries of the intestine and following disturbed resorption. It can also occur due to excessive intake of zinc that binds copper. An early diagnosis following copper substitution can lead to restitution. It can clinically be mistaken for a vitamin B12 deficiency. This circumstance can lead to a delayed treatment. Case: A 67 years old woman with severe gait disturbances, sensory ataxia was admitted to our hospital. She had the diagnosis of vitamin B12 deficiency. B12 was elevated and metabolites were in normal range. The electrophysiology showed a deafferentation of the legs. Objective: This case report provides detailed information about the course of diagnosis and the treatment of a severe copper deficiency with symptomatic myelopathy and cytopenia in an elderly woman. Methods: We performed a literature research with keywords “spinal cord disease, gait disturbances, elevated lactate in cerebrospinal fluid, anemia”. We did blood tests and CSF on a regular basis combined with clinical assessments and electrophysiology. Results: Serum copper was not detectable. CSF copper was reduced (8.7 µg/l, Ref.: 14.2-109 µg/l), CSF lactate was elevated (4.69 mmol/l, Ref.: 1.1-2.4 mmol/l). The patient had a cytopenia (Hb 6.6 g/dl, Ref.: 12-16 g/dl, MCV 130 fl, Ref.: 80-96 fl, leucocytes 2.3 10³, Ref.: 4.3-10 10³/µl). Vitamin B12 amounted to 891 pg/ml (Ref.: 191-663 pg/ml). The somatosensory evoked potential (SEP) study showed absent cortical responses after stimulation of the sural nerves bilaterally. Due to the diagnosis of a myelopathy and bone marrow dysfunction due to copper deficiency we substituted copper-histidine subcutaneously. This led to a marked improvement of symptoms, an increase of serum copper levels (141 µg/l), CSF copper levels (14.1 µg/l), hemoglobin (11.9 g/dl), leukocyte count (11.4 10³/µl) and a normalization of CSF lactate. Conclusion: Elevated CSF lactate might be an indicator for treatable myelopathy due to copper deficiency in patients with afferent gait disturbances. A timely substitution can lead to a marked improvement of even severe symptoms.