The saline infusion test for primary aldosteronism: implications of immunoassay inaccuracy

Context Diagnosis of primary aldosteronism (PA) for many patients depends on positive results for the saline infusion test (SIT). Plasma aldosterone is often measured by immunoassays, which can return inaccurate results. Objective Establish whether differences in aldosterone measurements by immunoassay versus mass spectrometry (MS) might impact confirmatory testing for PA. Methods This study, involving 240 patients tested using the SIT at five tertiary-care centers, assessed discordance between immunoassay and MS-based measurements of plasma aldosterone. Results Plasma aldosterone measured by Liaison and iSYS immunoassays were respectively 86% and 58% higher than by MS. With an immunoassay-based SIT cut-off for aldosterone of 170 pmol/L, 78 and 162 patients had respective negative and positive results. All former patients had MS-based measurements of aldosterone <117 pmol/L, below MS-based cutoffs of 162 pmol/L. Among the 162 patients with pathogenic SIT results, MS returned non-pathologic results in 62, including 32 under 117 pmol/L. Repeat measurements by an independent MS method confirmed non-pathogenic results in 53 patients with discordant results. Patients with discordant results showed a higher (P<0.0001) prevalence of non-lateralized than lateralized adrenal aldosterone production than patients with concordant results (83%vs28%). Among patients with non-lateralized aldosterone production, 66% had discordant results. Discordance was more prevalent for the Liaison than iSYS immunoassay (32%vs16% P=0.0065) and was eliminated by plasma purification to remove interferents. Conclusions These findings raise concerns about the validity of immunoassay-based diagnosis of PA in over 60% of patients with presumed bilateral disease. We provide a simple solution to minimize immunoassay inaccuracy-associated misdiagnosis of PA.

Role of Primary Care Physician in COVID-19 Response: A Review

All healthcare providers have had to adapt and be flexible in order to respond to COVID-19. Nonetheless, the emphasis, particularly at the start of the outbreak, was on the impact and response of secondary and tertiary care. The primary care sector's responsibilities in the response focused on how it could help secondary and tertiary care centers respond. A small percentage of current research and evidence focuses on health services implications or applied public health approaches, with even fewer on the role of primary care and family medicine providers. So, while our scientific understanding of the virus and its subsequent clinical consequences has grown exponentially, information about primary care responses to COVID-19 in a variety of settings, as well as the interaction with patient perspectives and priorities, and broader public health responsibilities, remains significantly hazier.

Driving Restrictions and Early Arrhythmias in Patients Receiving a Secondary Prevention Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator (DREAM-ICD-II study)

Background: Regulatory authorities of most industrialized countries recommend 6-months of private driving restriction after implantation of a secondary prevention ICD. These driving restrictions result in significant inconvenience and social implications. The purpose of this study was to assess the incidence rate of appropriate device therapies in contemporary recipients of a secondary prevention ICD. Methods: A retrospective study at three Canadian tertiary care centers enrolling consecutive patients with new secondary prevention ICD implants between 2016-2020. Results: 721 patients were followed for a median of 760 days (324, 1190). The risk of recurrent ventricular arrhythmia was highest during the first three months after device insertion (34.4%), and decreased over time (10.6% between 3−6 months, 11.7% between 6-12 months). The corresponding incidence rate per 100 patient-days was 0.48 (95% CI 0.35-0.64) at 90 days, 0.28 (95% CI 0.18−0.48) at 180 days and 0.20 (95% CI 0.13−0.31) between 181-365 days after ICD insertion (p<0.001). The cumulative incidence of arrhythmic syncope resulting in sudden cardiac incapacitation was 1.8% within the first 90 days and subsequently dropped to 0.4% between 91-180 days (p<0.001) after ICD insertion. Conclusions: The incidence rate of appropriate therapies resulting in sudden cardiac incapacitation in contemporary recipients of a secondary prevention ICD is much lower than previously reported, and significantly declines after the first three months. Lowering driving restrictions to three months after the index cardiac event seems safe and revision of existing guidelines recommending should be considered in countries still adhering to a 6-months period. Existing restrictions for private driving after implantation of a secondary prevention ICD should be reconsidered.

Demographic Pattern, Management, and Outcome of Intestinal Atresias Among Neonates in a Tertiary Care Indian Hospital

Objectives: To analyze the incidence, management approach, and outcome of intestinal atresias among neonates in our hospital. Design: Retrospective observational study. Settings: Tertiary care pediatric institute located in eastern part of India. Study period: January 2015 to December 2019. Results: Intestinal atresias constituted 54% of neonatal intestinal obstruction cases ( n = 369). Out of 201 cases of intestinal atresias, only 120 patients presented during first week of life and the male to female ratio was 1.3:1. The mean (±SD) weight at presentation was 2.03 (±0.49) kg and newborns below 1.5 kg were associated with significantly higher mortality ( P =.001). Jejunoileal atresias were found to be the most common type of atresia ( n = 116, 58%) followed by duodenal atresias ( n = 67, 33%). Colonic and pyloric atresias were found in 14 (7%) and 4 cases (2%), respectively. The overall mortality in the present study was 18% ( n = 36) and septicemia was the leading cause. Conclusion: Intestinal atresias were the most common cause of intestinal obstruction and surgical emergency in neonates. Although, there is gradual improvement in survival in these newborns, low birth weight, late presentation, and associated comorbidities are high risk factors. Increased awareness about these congenital anomalies, early referral to tertiary care centers, and timely management can improve the outcome.