Introduction We aimed to examine the impact of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic on diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) rates in children with type 1 diabetes (T1D). Methods A retrospective cross-sectional study of 11 Israeli pediatric emergency departments (ED) was conducted. Children with T1D who attended the ED between March 1, 2020 and May 31, 2020 were compared with those who attended the ED between March 1, 2019 and May 31, 2019. Results Overall, 150 and 154 children with T1D attended the EDs during the 3-month study periods in 2020 and 2019, respectively. Among patients with established T1D, DKA rates significantly increased in 2020 compared to 2019 [38/64 (59.3%) vs 31/74 (41.9%); p < 0.043]. There was a non-statistically significant trend toward a higher rate of DKA in patients with newly diagnosed T1D [46/86 (53.4%) vs 31/80 (38.7%); p = 0.063]. No differences were observed in the rates of severe DKA in 2020 compared to 2019 among patients with established T1D [10/64 (15.6%) vs 6/74 (8.1%); p = 0.184], and newly diagnosed T1D [16/86 (18.6%) vs 14/80 (17.5%); p = 0.858]. No differences were observed in the rates of intensive care unit admissions in 2020 compared to 2019 among patients with established T1D [14/64 (21.8%) vs 14/74 (18.9%); p = 0.672], and newly diagnosed T1D [26/86 (30.2%) vs 21/80 (26.2%); p = 0.977]. Conclusions Increased rates of DKA in children with established T1D were observed during the first 3 months of the outbreak in Israel. The findings suggest that the severity of DKA at ED presentation in children with T1D was not influenced by the pandemic.

Background The role of arterial load in severe aortic stenosis is increasingly recognized. However, patterns of pulsatile load and their implications in this population are unknown. We aimed to assess the relationship between the arterial properties and both (1) left ventricular remodeling and fibrosis and (2) the clinical course of patients with severe aortic stenosis undergoing aortic valve replacement ( AVR ). Methods and Results We enrolled 38 participants with symptomatic severe aortic stenosis scheduled to undergo surgical AVR . Aortic root characteristic impedance, wave reflections parameters (reflection magnitude, reflected wave transit time), and myocardial extracellular mass were measured with cardiac magnetic resonance imaging and arterial tonometry Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging was repeated at 6 months in 30 participants. A reduction in cellular mass (133.6 versus 113.9 g; P =0.002) but not extracellular mass (42.3 versus 40.6 g; P =0.67) was seen after AVR . Participants with higher extracellular mass exhibited greater reflection magnitude (0.68 versus 0.54; P =0.006) and lower aortic root characteristic impedance (56.3 versus 96.9 dynes/s per cm 5 ; P =0.006). Reflection magnitude was a significant predictor of smaller improvement in the quality of life (Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire score) after AVR ( R =−0.51; P =0.0026). The 6‐minute walk distance at 6 months after AVR was positively correlated with the reflected wave transit time ( R =0.52; P =0.01). Conclusions Consistent with animal studies, arterial wave reflections are associated with interstitial volume expansion in severe aortic stenosis and predict a smaller improvement in quality of life following AVR . Future trials should assess whether wave reflections represent a potential therapeutic target to mitigate myocardial interstitial remodeling and to improve the clinical status of this patient population.

During the peak phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, alterations of standard operating procedures were necessary for health systems to protect patients and healthcare workers and ensure access to vital hospital resources. As the peak phase passes, re-activation plans are required to safely manage increasing clinical volumes. In the context of cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR), re-activation objectives include continued performance of urgent CMR studies and resumption of CMR in patients with semi-urgent and elective indications in an environment that is safe for both patients and health care workers.

Introduction:Endotracheal tube (ETT) has been associated with various pharyngolaryngeal morbidities (PLMs) following general anesthesia (GA). Laryngeal mask airway (LMA), currently the most commonly used supraglottic airway device, has several advantageous over the ETT but has been associated with varying results of PLM. The aim of our study was to compare the PLM between them and to know whether LMA is a better alternative.Materials and Methods:One hundred and seventy American Society of Anesthesiologists Grades 1 and 2 women scheduled for elective mastectomy were included in the study, 85 each in either group, E Group (intubated with ETT) and L Group (using LMA) on a random basis. All patients received GA with controlled ventilation using a muscle relaxant. PLMs such as hoarseness, pain on phonation, sore throat, and difficulty in swallowing were documented by an interview done postoperatively. Peroperative parameters such as intubation attempts, trauma during airway device insertion, and intraoperative incidents were also analyzed. A sample size of 85 patients in each group was calculated in order to achieve a study power of 0.8 and alpha level was taken as 0.05. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 16 using Chi-square test, Mann–Whitney U-test and Fisher's exact test were used as nonparametric tests. A two-tailed P< 0.05 was considered significant.Results:Patients in E Group had statistically significant increased incidence of a sore throat and voice complaints whereas L Group showed a statistically significant increase of swallowing problems. There was also a significant correlation between traumatic insertion and sore throat, pain on swallowing in the L Group, which could be due to direct trauma.Conclusions:ETT was associated with an increased incidence of voice problems and sore throat whereas LMA had an increased incidence of dysphagia and odynophagia. Use of LMA changes the pharyngolaryngeal profile to a more acceptable one.

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The risk for csTBI was low and no association was found between MOI and injury severity.

Objective Influenza causes a significant burden of disease. Our aim was to assess whether location of rapid influenza diagnostic testing (RIDT) for patients with influenza‐like illness (ILI) has an impact on ED treatment time or ancillary testing. Methods This was a retrospective observational study in a tertiary paediatric ED during 2017 influenza season. All patients with ILI were included. Some had RIDT performed (ED bedside or at the laboratory). Primary outcome measure was the correlation of RIDT location to treatment time compared to patients with ILI with no RIDT. Secondary outcome measures were the correlation of RIDT location to ancillary testing and treatment with antibiotics. Results A total of 1451 patients with ILI were included. Eighty patients for whom RIDT was performed at the laboratory had a shorter treatment time in the ED when compared to the 215 patients for whom RIDT was performed bedside (2.8 and 3.4 h, respectively; P < 0.0001). However, treatment time was not statistically different when sub‐analysed for admitted and discharged patients separately. Overall, patients with ILI and no RIDT had the shortest treatment time in the ED (1.7 h). There was no difference in ancillary testing and treatment with antibiotics between ILI patients for whom RIDT was performed bedside or at the laboratory regardless of admission. Conclusion Location of RIDT may not have a significant impact on treatment time, ancillary testing and treatment with antibiotics. When RIDT was not performed, patients had the shortest treatment time.

Aims To evaluate the impact of a simplified, rapid cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) protocol embedded in care and supported by a partner education programme on the management of cardiomyopathy (CMP) in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Methods and results Rapid CMR focused particularly on CMP was implemented in 11 centres, 7 cities, 5 countries, and 3 continents linked to training courses for local professionals. Patients were followed up for 24 months to assess impact. The rate of subsequent adoption was tracked. Five CMR conferences were delivered (920 attendees—potential referrers, radiographers, reporting cardiologists, or radiologists) and five new centres starting CMR. Six hundred and one patients were scanned. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance indications were 24% non-contrast T2* scans [myocardial iron overload (MIO)] and 72% suspected/known cardiomyopathies (including ischaemic and viability). Ninety-eighty per cent of studies were of diagnostic quality. The average scan time was 22 ± 6 min (contrast) and 12 ± 4 min (non-contrast), a potential cost/throughput reduction of between 30 and 60%. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance findings impacted management in 62%, including a new diagnosis in 22% and MIO detected in 30% of non-contrast scans. Nine centres continued using rapid CMR 2 years later (typically 1–2 days per week, 30 min slots). Conclusions Rapid CMR of diagnostic quality can be delivered using available technology in LMICs. When embedded in care and a training programme, costs are lower, care is improved, and services can be sustained over time. Key question Key finding Take-home message