Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Neurostimulants To Improve Consciousness In Acute Comatose Patients, Lyena Birkenstock, Mohammed Kananeh

Phase 1

Patients in the neurology intensive care unit (NICU) suffering from coma have variable outcomes, even once the underlying condition has been treated. Coma is a detrimental condition with a high risk for mortality and disability. Currently, there is not a specific treatment regimen to treat, or even improve, comatose patients. In this study, we set out to compare the efficacy and side effect profile of different neurostimulants, including modafinil, adderall, and zolpidem. The target population includes adult patients in the Jefferson NICU with a diagnosis of persistent encephalopathy, despite the resolution of their admitting diagnoses. Patients are administered medication as …

State-Level Cpr Education Legislation Associated With Higher Survival After Out-Of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest In Older Adults, Megan Barnes, David G. Buckler, Tyler D. Alexander, Marissa Lang, Alexis Zebrowski, Douglas J. Wiebe, Benjamin S. Abella, Brendan G. Carr

Phase 1

Introduction: State-level legislation requiring CPR education prior to high school graduation is associated with an increased likelihood of community-level CPR training. CPR Legislation has also been shown to be associated with increased bystander CPR. We hypothesized that states with CPR Legislation would be associated with higher survival following out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA).

Methods: Utilizing 2014 Medicare Claims data for emergency department visits and inpatient stays, we identified OHCA via ICD-9-CM code. CPR Legislation data was collected through online statute review. Exposure to CPR Legislation was assessed using the patient state of residence. All disposition categories were considered survival to discharge …

Mci: Cpap Treatment Of Osa, Kaitlin Berry, Cindy Cheng, Md, Phd, Karl Doghramji, Md

Phase 1

Introduction: An estimated 30 percent of adults (20% of men and 10% of women) in the US have sleep apnea. Approximately 60% of patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) are also diagnosed with Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). The suggested mechanism of this is damage to the brain due to hypoxia during sleep. Few studies have investigated the effect of Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) treatment for OSA, on mild cognitive impairment.

Methods: Patients are screened for eligibility based on specific inclusion and exclusion criteria. Potentially eligible patients who screen positive for MCI using the Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status …

Blood Transfusion Requirements For Patients On Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation, Min Choi, Hitoshi Hirose, Md, Phd

Phase 1

No abstract provided.

Evaluation Of Rotator Cuff Repair With Concomitant Biceps Tenodesis, Matthew Beucherie, Daniel Nemirov, Sommer Hammoud, Md, Meghan Bishop, Md, Brandon Erickson, Md

Phase 1

Introduction: Surgical rotator cuff repair (RCR) has proven to be an effective treatment for rotator cuff tears. Commonly, rotator cuff tears are associated with concomitant biceps pathology, which are often treated by biceps tenodesis (BT). We hypothesize that patient outcomes will be similar in those that have undergone RCR with concomitant BT and isolated RCR.

Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study comparing patients who underwent arthroscopic RCR with arthroscopic or open BT to patients who underwent isolated RCR at a multisurgeon orthopaedic practice during the time period of November 2016 to December 2016. The outcome for comparison is …

Falls And Traumatic Brain Injury In The Elderly On Aspirin Or Anticoagulant Therapy, Jonathan Bassig, David Nauheim, Stanton Miller, Patricia Williams, Tingting Zhan

Phase 1

Introduction: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) after a fall in individuals aged 65 and older is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality, but the effect of aspirin and anticoagulant therapy on TBI severity is not fully understood. This study evaluated whether the severity of TBI is associated with use of aspirin or anticoagulant therapy or in combination.

Methods: Using retrospective chart review, we identified patients age 65 or older who fell and sustained head trauma that were admitted to Thomas Jefferson University Hospital trauma service from 2017-2018. Based on final diagnosis, patients were classified into three groups of TBI …

Training The Next Generation Of Family Medicine Providers Through Group Buprenorphine-Naloxone Visits, Krystina Callahan, Lara Weinstein, Md, Erica Li, Md, Sunny Lai, Md, Alexis Silverio

Phase 1

Introduction: The rise in opioid use disorders (OUD) and fatal overdoses highlight the need to expand access to and capacity for treating OUD. Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT), a medication/group visit model, done in the office setting, is an effective remedy for treating OUD. Understanding residents’ perspectives on their clinical training in MAT can inform the design of a more effective and responsive curriculum.

Methods: A qualitative study using group semi-structured interviews with residents in an urban family medicine residency rotating through a federally qualified health center. Interviews centered on strengths and weaknesses of the MAT program, resident likeliness to …

Functional Outcomes After Lumbar Fusion In Opioid-Tolerant Patients, Max Detweiler, Noah Levy, Dhruv K.C. Goyal, Ariana Reyes, Alex R. Vaccaro, Md, Phd, Mba

Phase 1

Introduction: Prolonged opioid use after lumbar fusion surgery is implicated with increased hospital readmissions, higher postoperative pain scores, and longer return to work time. There are several non-modifiable risk factors for postoperative opioid use including socioeconomic status and gender. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of opioid-tolerance on PROMs and to determine risk factors for prolonged opioid use after lumbar spine surgery.

Method: Using retrospective cohort analysis, patients who underwent lumbar spinal fusion at TJUH were identified and determined to be either opioid-naïve or opioid-tolerant using the Pennsylvania PDMP. Outcomes included number of opioid tablets consumed, …

Transdermal Lidocaine For Perioperative Pain: A Systematic Review Of The Literature, Alexa Cohen, Jordan Smoker, Mohammad R. Rasouli, Eric S. Schwenk

Phase 1

Introduction: Recent data have shown that the risk of taking chronic opioids after surgery increases after about 5 days of postoperative opioid therapy. Alternatives to opioids are desirable, and transdermal lidocaine is one such perioperative multimodal agent. This review provides a summary of the perioperative studies that have examined transdermal lidocaine as an analgesic in the perioperative period.

Methods: We conducted searches of PubMed and Scopus databases. Studies involving patients who were undergoing surgery and were given either transdermal lidocaine, placebo, or active comparator in the perioperative period with the primary endpoint of improvement in pain were included in …

Utility Of Point Of Care Ultrasound For Identifying Dental Abscesses In Emergency Department Patients Presenting With Dental Pain, Matthew Cervantes, Kelly Goodsell, Md, Arthur Au, Md

Phase 1

Introduction: Computed tomography (CT) is the current gold standard for diagnosing dental abscesses in the Emergency Department (ED). There are limitations to using CT, including high cost, radiation exposure, and lengthy time to diagnosis. Point of Care Ultrasound (POCUS) is an alternative imaging modality that does not have these limitations, and is already used to diagnose other soft tissue abscesses. The efficacy of POCUS for diagnosing suspected dental abscesses has never been investigated. The purpose of this project is to compare the utility of POCUS to CT in diagnosing suspected dental abscesses in the ED.

Methods: A convenience …

Microbial Keratitis After Penetrating And Endothelial Keratoplasty, Nicolas Dohse, Turner D. Wibbelsman, Sara Rapuano, Kristin Hammersmith, Parveen Nagra, Christopher Rapuano, Zeba A. Syed

Phase 1

Introduction: The purpose of this study is to review the incidence, risk factors, and outcomes of bacterial and fungal keratitis after penetrating keratoplasty (PK) and endothelial keratoplasty (EK).

Methods: The medical records at Wills Eye Hospital were reviewed for all cases of confirmed microbial keratitis following PK or EK performed between May 1, 2007 and September 1, 2018. Charts were examined to obtain demographic information, past ocular history, details of the microbial keratitis, and graft outcomes.

Results:A total of 2100 transplants (1269 PK and 831 EK) were performed in 1864 eyes of 1601 patients. The incidence of microbial …

Surgical Pulmonary Embolectomy Outcomes For Acute Pulmonary Embolism, Nicholas D. D'Antonio, Jae Hwan Choi, Md, Thomas J. O'Malley, Md, Elizabeth J. Maynes, Md, Matthew P. Weber, Ms, Martín Mellado, Md, Frances M. West, Md, Taki Galanis, Md, Carin F. Gonsalves, Md, Gregary D. Marhefka, Md, Bharat K. Awsare, Md, Geno J. Merli, Md, Vakhtang Tchantchaleishvili, Md

Phase 1

Introduction: Acute pulmonary embolism (PE) is associated with significant mortality. Surgical embolectomy is a viable treatment option; however, it remains controversial due to variable outcomes. This review investigates patient outcomes following surgical embolectomy for acute PE.

Methods: Electronic search was performed to identify articles reporting surgical embolectomy for treatment of PE. 32 studies were included comprising 936 patients. Demographic, perioperative, and outcome data were extracted and pooled for systematic review.

Results: Mean patient age was 56.3 [95% CI 52.5; 60.1] years and 50% [46; 55] were male. 82% had right ventricular dysfunction [62; 93], 80% [67; 89] had unstable …

Diagnostic Accuracy Of Procalcitonin In Differentiating Sepsis From Noninfectious Sirs In Adult Patients With Subarachnoid Hemorrhage, Keshav Choudhuri, Umer Mukhtar, Md, M. Kamran Athar, Md, David Boorman, Ms, Fred Rincon, Md, Matthew Vibbert, Md, Syed O. Shah, Md, Jacqueline S. Urtecho, Md, Jack Jallo, Md

Phase 1

Background: Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is a frequent diagnosis in the neuro-intensive care unit (NICU) that can result in the development of systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) and fever. The differentiation between central fever and infectious fever is paramount in order to prevent superfluous diagnostic testing and overuse of empiric antibiotics.

Methods: A prospective chart review study conducted in the NICU between December 2012 and September 2015. Patients with SAH, fever (≥101.0°F) and/or who were SIRS positive and had PCT levels measured were included. The primary outcome was clinical infection defined as any positive culture or infiltrate on chest X-ray within …

Motivational Interviewing For Cpap Adherence, Grayton Downing, Caitlin Green, Cynthia Cheng, Md, Phd

Phase 1

Introduction: Untreated obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) leads to negative health outcomes. Yet, compliance rates for continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), the gold standard of treatment, range from 30-60%. This study examines how motivational interviewing (MI), a goal-oriented form of psychotherapy, increases CPAP adherence. We hypothesize that MI increases CPAP compliance when incorporated into CPAP follow-up care.

Methods: We developed and trained our staff with a novel MI training protocol consisting of MI background readings and videos, CPAP technician shadowing, and MI role-play for certification. For the clinical trial, newly diagnosed OSA patients from Jefferson’s sleep center will be randomized …

Impact Of In-House Specialty Pharmacy On Access To Novel Androgen Axis Inhibitors In Men With Advanced Prostate Cancer, Anna Driscoll, Nathan Handley, Md, Mba, Adam Binder, Siobhan Henry, W. Kevin Kelly, Do

Phase 1

Introduction: Novel androgen axis inhibitors are standard of care treatments in advanced prostate cancer. The billed amounts for these medications are often very high, which may create significant financial toxicity for patients and lead to delays in treatment. Our institution implemented an in-house specialty pharmacy in 2014, that provides these medications and evaluates copay assistance options for all patients. We evaluated the program’s impact on out of pocket cost (OOP) and turnaround time (TAT).

Methods: We reviewed available internal specialty pharmacy records to identify prescriptions for abiraterone or enzalutamide filled between 1/1/17 and 12/31/18. Payments were stratified by primary payment …

Understanding The Relationship Between Drug Overdose Death Rates And Socioeconomic Factors, William Duan, Dennis J. Hand

Phase 1

Drug-overdose deaths increased rapidly recently. What are the causes? We believe socioeconomical factors play critical roles. Secondary data analyses are done on the US population, using mortality-data files from the National Vital Statistics System. Deaths are grouped by race, age, sex, education and marital status. We believe that the percentage-of-total-death (PoTD) value, which equals to the number-of-overdose-deaths divided by the total-number-of-deaths in the corresponding group, more accurately reflect the severity of overdose-deaths. Analysis of 2017 data reveals that among all age groups, PoTD is highest in the age 25-34 group, with dramatic differences between white (PoTD 24%) and black (PoTD …

Manipulation Of Genome Integrity Signaling Axes Contributing To Prostate Cancer Aggressiveness, Frank Duan, Veronica Rodriguez-Bravo, Phd

Phase 1

Introduction: Prostate cancer (PC) is one of the leading causes of death in men, and despite current treatment options patients can develop aggressive disease that spreads to other parts of the body. Little research has focused to date on the effect of centrosome biology in the pathogenesis of PC.

Methods: Two metastatic PC cell lines, DU145 and 22Rv1, as well as highly aggressive derivatives generated in Dr. Rodriguez-Bravo lab (docetaxel-resistant; (DR) variants) were compared through various experiments to determine differences in centrosome proteins expression and functionality. All cells (DU145 /DR and 22Rv1 /DR) underwent electroporations with siRNAs to knockout …

Structural Brain Plasticity In Epilepsy Patients Selected For Laser Interstitial Thermal Therapy: A Study Of Diffusion Tensor Imaging Based Assessment Of Tract Alterations, Umma Fatema, Mahdi Alizadeh

Phase 1

Introduction: The standard of care for drug resistant temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) involve surgical approaches including anterior temporal lobectomy (ATL) and laser interstitial thermal therapy (LiTT). White matter alterations following ATL are often studied using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) which utilizes properties of water diffusion to obtain parameters (such as fractional anisotropy or FA) that can be used to detect neural plasticity. Despite being a common procedure, there are very few studies that explore post-surgical neural changes after LiTT. The objective of this study is to evaluate and explore the DTI parameter changes in patients who underwent LiTT.

Methods: DTI …

Characteristics And Outcomes Of Patients Discharged Directly Home From A Medical Intensive Care Unit, Michele Fiorella, Ms, Preeyal M. Patel, Ann Zheng, Lauren Mcdonnell, Msn, Acnp, Mina Yasuoka, Msn, Erika J. Yoo, Md

Phase 1

RATIONALE: Discharging patients directly from ICUs is an increasingly common practice, largely due to decreased availability of ward beds. The purpose of this study was to describe the population and evaluate the outcomes of patients discharged directly from the MICU.

METHODS: We conducted a retrospective chart review of direct discharges to home from June 2018 to June 2019 from two MICUs. Patients were separated into two groups based on wait time (<24 hours or ≥ 24 hours) between ward transfer order and actual discharge. The primary outcome was 30-day hospital readmission. Risk was adjusted using Mortality Probability Model (MPM-III); ICU workload at admission and discharge was estimated using the nine equivalents of nursing manpower use score (NEMS). Patient characteristics were compared using t-test and Fisher exact or X².

RESULTS: There was no difference in severity-of-illness or admission NEMS between the two groups. Patients who waited <24 hours for discharge were more likely to be admitted from home. Patients who waited ≥24 hours prior to discharge had significantly longer mean hospital LOS compared to those who waited <24 hours (4.63 days vs. 2.65 days, p<0.001). There was no significant difference in 30-day readmission between patients who were discharged after waiting <24 hours vs. waiting ≥24 hours (p=0.70).

CONCLUSION: Patients who returned directly home from the MICU …

Determining The Role Of Surgery In Diagnosis And Treatment Of Primary Cns Lymphoma, Tyler Fox, Michael Baldassari, Lohit Velagapudi, Karim Hafazalla, Christopher J. Farrell, Md, James J. Evans, Md, David W. Andrews, Md, Kevin Judy, Md, Donald Ye, Md

Phase 1

Introduction: Primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) is a rare entity typically treated with a combination of chemotherapy and radiation. The role of surgery is controversial, and biopsy may be non-definitive or injurious. We review our series of stereotactic and excisional biopsy as well as surgical debulking of PCNSL to quantify overall risk and benefits.

Methods: Patients with biopsy-confirmed intracranial PCNSL were identified from a large singlecenter academic institution between 2012-2018. Preoperative factors and perioperative outcomes were retrospectively reviewed.

Results: A total of 61 cases of PCNSL were identified. Most patients presented with confusion (23.0%), weakness/paralysis (19.7%), and gait disturbance …

Protocol For Ground Glass Opacity, Elissa Goldman

Phase 1

Rationale: Pure ground glass opacities (GGO), identified incidentally or on lung cancer screening, may indicate pre-invasive subtypes of lung adenocarcinoma. These neoplasms typically demonstrate indolent patterns of growth, and Fleischner Society guidelines recommend up to five years of serial imaging. Our aim was to determine the frequency of diagnosed lung adenocarcinoma arising from GGO detected beyond 5 years of CT surveillance.

Methods: We reviewed all pathologic diagnoses of lung adenocarcinoma (n=442) between 2016 and 2018 of a tertiary academic hospital and National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center to identify all cancers that arose from ground glass opacities detected on CT scan. …

Prediction Of Neonatal Birthweight Associated With Maternal Obesity And Diabetes, Laura Gleason, Rebekah Mccurdy, Md, Mph

Phase 1

Introduction: To design a model that will predict neonatal birth weight within obese mothers by diabetic status.

Methods: A secondary data analysis of an RCT (NCT 02909582) was utilized to create a neonatal birth weight prediction model. Women (n=325) with a BMI > 35 kg/m2 from a tertiary academic institution, 2016 – 2019, were included to estimate the risk of large for gestational age (LGA) infants and neonatal birth weight based on maternal prepregnancy BMI and diabetic status. LGA was defined as an infant birth weight > 90th percentile. Analysis included Chi-square, t-test, multivariate logistic and linear regression.

Results: Mean birthweight did …

Primary Care Obstructive Sleep Apnea Screening (Pcosa), Alyssa Givens, Risa Goldberg, Cynthia Cheng, Md, Phd

Phase 1

Introduction: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a largely underdiagnosed disorder of upper airway collapse during sleep. Primary care providers do not routinely screen for OSA. This project aims to determine the yield of using the STOP-BANG questionnaire to identify previously undiagnosed OSA in a primary care population.

Methods: This prospective quality improvement pilot project included 181 patients of the Jefferson Department of Family Medicine identified as high-risk for OSA based on 3 EMR-based search criteria taken from STOP-BANG: hypertension, age >50 years, and BMI >35 kg/m². We attempted contact with patients by mail, followed by up to …

Measuring The Efficacy Of Medical Management Versus Decompressive Hemicraniectomy In Acute Stroke, Colton Hemphill, Franziska Herpich, Muhammad Athar, Eunice Lee

Phase 1

Introduction: Stroke is a life-threatening condition requiring immediate treatment in order to optimize patient survival and functionality post-hospitalization. At present, the primary treatment modalities used are intensive medical management and surgical decompressive hemicraniectomy. We believe that application of skilled medical management can result in a lower mortality rate and higher functional score at 12 months than aggressive surgical decompressive hemicraniectomy.

Methods: Epic data from Thomas Jefferson University will be used to identify patients with a large stroke (as defined by ischemic area on MRI) managed by the neurology department from 2016 to 2019. A survey will be administered by phone …

Impact Of Smartphone Usage On Children’S Horizontal Fusional Amplitudes, Jordan Hamburger, Judith Lavrich, Md, Kammi Gunton, Md

Phase 1

Introduction: Cell phone usage has increased in pediatric patients and little research has been done on its effects on patients’ fusional vergence amplitudes. We aim to study the impact of smartphone usage on healthy pediatric patients’ fusional vergence amplitudes and report findings that may lead to future eye problems.

Methods: This is a prospective randomized study. We are currently recruiting healthy patients between the ages of 8-17 years old with no ocular problems. Data collected include refractive error, ocular alignment in the distance and at near, divergence amplitudes at near and in distance, convergence amplitudes at near and in distance, …

Renal Mass Ablation In The Octogenarian And Nonagenarian Population, Callum Hamilton, Amanda Smolock, Md, Colette Shaw, Md, Conor Mckee, Md

Phase 1

Introduction: The gold standard for the management of T1a and T1b renal tumors is partial nephrectomy. This study aims to analyze the outcomes of renal mass thermal ablations as an alternative therapy in the octogenarian and nonagenarian patient population, specifically.

Methods: Departmental database of all percutaneous renal ablations performed between February 2008 and August 2019 was reviewed. 34 tumors were ablated in 19 males and 15 females with a mean age of 84.1 ± 3.1 years (range 80-92 years). Patient demographics, procedural and postprocedural data were evaluated.

Results: Ten microwave and 24 cryoablations were performed, all ablations …

What Is The Effect Of Iodine Contrast Agents On The Subharmonic Signal Generated From Ultrasound Contrast Agents?, Neal Kalantri, Cara Esposito, Jaydev Dave

Phase 1

Subharmonic-aided pressure estimation (SHAPE) is a technique utilizing subharmonic signals from microbubble-based ultrasound contrast agents (UCA’s) to noninvasively record pressures. Cardiac applications of SHAPE have been demonstrated in canines where low errors (0.19-2.5mmHg) were observed in canine ventricle pressures between the SHAPE technique and pressure catheter measurements. Validation of SHAPE involves simultaneous measurements by a pressure catheter (iodine contrast is used to guide catheter placement) and by SHAPE using UCAs. The goal of this experiment is to determine if mixing Visipaque (iodine contrast, GE Healthcare, Oslo, Norway) and UCAs effects the subharmonic signal.

The study was performed in an in …

Meta-Analysis Of Repair Techniques For Mixed Nerve Damage, Grant Jones, Zachary J. Herman, Asif Ilyas

Phase 1

BACKGROUND: Injuries to the upper extremity are common and can occur with trauma, surgery, or compression. Particularly, injuries that result in complete transection often require surgical intervention in attempt to restore function and quality of life. Classically, nerve autografts have been used as the gold standard to repair these peripheral lesions. An alternative to the autologous nerve graft is the use of the processed nerve allograft. limited research exists in comparing sensory and motor outcomes of allograft nerve repair in the upper extremity with data for autograft repair. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we set out to cumulate results …

Effects Of Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome On Long-Term Growth Parameters, Ayoung Kim, Anastasiya Latushko, Md, Zubair H. Aghai, Md

Phase 1

Introduction: Past studies have shown that babies with Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) have lower weight, head circumference, and height at birth. This study aims to compare their growth at 9 and 18 months of age, and to compare growth parameter of NAS infants below 10th percentile to those above 10th percentile at birth.

Methods: In this retrospective review, 260 infants admitted to Jefferson Neonatal Intensive Care Unit between 2006 and 2018 were included. The weight, height, and head circumference at birth, 9 months, and 18 months were collected and correlated by Pearson correlation. The growth parameters of infants below …

Marked Circadian Variation In Number And Type Of Hyperacute Strokes During The 24 Hour Day-Night Cycle, Eeman Khorramian, Sidney Starkman, Nerses Sanossian, David Liebeskind, Gilda Avila, Samuel Stratton, Marc Eckstein, Frank Pratt, Latisha Sharma, Lucas Restrepo, Miguel Valdes-Sueiras, May Kim-Tenser, Pablo Villablanca, Robin Conwit, Scott Hamilton, Jeffrey L. Saver, Fast-Mag Trial Investigators And Coordinators

Phase 1

Introduction: Circadian variations in stroke onset provide critical information for the allocation of pre-hospital and hospital resources in clinical care. Confining analysis to patients with defined onset in waking and clearly distinguished ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke subtypes, would substantial benefit our understanding of stroke etiology.

Methods: We analyzed patients enrolled in the NIH FAST-MAG phase 3 trial of field-initiated neuroprotective agents in patients with hyperacute stroke within 2h of onset. Onset times were analyzed in 1h time blocks throughout the 24h day-night cycle. Patient demographic and clinical features, medical history, imaging characteristics, and stroke deficit severity were correlated with …