ALBERT

Description: Introduction Cancer and its treatment are recognized risk factors for venous thromboembolism (VTE). Inferior Vena Cava (IVC) filters are utilized to provide mechanical thromboprophylaxis to prevent pulmonary embolism (PE) or to avoid bleeding from systemic anticoagulation in high risk patients. Patients and Methods This study was performed at a stand-alone, Joint Commission International (JCI)-accredited comprehensive cancer center. Hospital database was searched for all patients discharged with IVC filter insertion. Additionally, the radiology database was queried for cancer patients undergoing IVC filter placement. Results A total of 107 cancer patients; 59 (55.1%) males and 48 (44.9%) females who had their IVC filter inserted and followed up at our institution were included. The mean age (±SD) of the whole group was 50.8 (± 14.2) years. All patients had active cancer; the most common primary sites were gastrointestinal 32 (29.9%), brain 16 (15.0%) lung 13 (12.1%) and gynecological tumors 11 (10.3%). Majority of the patients had advanced-stage disease; out of 86 patients with identifiable TNM stage (Tumor, Node, Metastasis), 81 (94.2%) patients had locally-advanced stage III or metastatic stage IV disease, whereas only 5 (5.8%) had stages I or II disease. During the 6 weeks prior to IVC filter placement, 74 (69.2%) patients were on active anticancer therapy with 45 (42.1%) were on chemotherapy and 7 (6.5%) were on radiotherapy. Nineteen (17.8%) of the patients had surgical intervention for their cancer while only 3 (2.8%) were on hormonal therapy. The remaining 33 (30.8%) patients were on hospice and palliative care service with 18 (16.8%) were already placed “DNR” (Don't Resuscitate). Prior to IVC filter insertion, a diagnosis of DVT was made on 76 (71.0%) patients while 14 (13.1%) had PE; the other 17 (15.9%) had both DVT and PE. Contraindication to anticoagulation was the main indication for IVC filter placement reported in 85 (79.4%), while 18 (16.8%) had their filter inserted because of failure of anticoagulation (had DVT and/or PE while on therapeutic doses of anticoagulation). Other indications included large, free-floating iliocaval thrombus and poor compliance with anticoagulation. Filters were placed utilizing the jugular approach in 86 (80.3%) while 18 (16.8%) had their filter placed through a femoral approach. Complications following IVC filter placement occurred in 14 (13.1%); majority were recurrent DVT in 10 (9.3%), PE in 3 (2.8%) and filter thrombosis in one patient. Following IVC filter insertion, 42 (39.3%) were also anticoagulated; majority (86%) with LMWH (enoxaparin or tinzaparin). Twenty (47.6%) of these anticoagulated patients were considered, at the time of IVC filter insertion, as having a contraindication to anticoagulation. Survival data following IVC filter insertion was available for 100 patients. The median survival for the whole group was 2.39 months (range: 0.03-60.2). The median survival for patients with stage III and IV disease were 7.97 (1.90-17.08) and 1.31 months (0.92-2.20), respectively; p=0.0119; (Figure) Few patients had stage I and II disease (two had stage I while three others had stage II disease) and thus were excluded from survival analysis. Among the 59 patients with stage IV disease for whom survival data was available, 23 (39.0%) survived less than a month, while 40 (67.8%) survived less than three months. Survivals of patients with stage III disease were better with only one out of 20 patients (5.0%) survived less than a month, while 14 (70.0%) survived more than three months. Conclusions Cancer patients with advanced-stage disease may gain little benefit from IVC filter insertion, so disease stage and life expectancy should be taken in consideration prior to filter placement. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Description: Background Staging of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a multidisciplinary process involving imaging, endoscopic and surgical techniques. This study aims at investigating the diagnostic accuracy of 18F-FDG PET/CT, CT scan, and endobronchial ultrasound/transbronchial needle aspirate (EBUS/TBNA) in preoperative mediastinal lymph nodes (MLNs) staging of NSCLC. Methods We identified all patients who were diagnosed with NSCLC at the King Hussein Cancer Center in Amman, Jordan, between July 2011 and December 2017. We collected their relevant clinical, radiological, and histopathological findings. The per-patient analysis was performed on all patients (N = 101) and then on those with histopathological confirmation (N = 57), followed by a per-lymph-node-station basis overall, and then according to distinct N-stage categories. Results 18F-FDG PET/CT, in comparison to CT, had a better sensitivity (90.5% vs. 75%, p = 0.04) overall and in patients with histopathological confirmation (83.3% vs. 54.6%), and better specificity (60.5% vs. 43.6%, p = 0.01) overall and in patients with histopathological confirmation in MLN staging (60.6% vs. 38.2%). Negative predictive value of mediastinoscopy, EBUS/TBNA, and 18F-FDG PET/CT were (87.1%), (90.91%), and (83.33%) respectively. The overall accuracy was highest for mediastinoscopy (88.6%) and EBUS/TBNA (88.2%), followed by 18F-FDG PET/CT (70.2%). Dividing patients into N1 disease vs. those with N2/N3 disease yielded similar findings. Comparison between 18F-FDG PET/CT and EBUS/TBNA in patients with histopathological confirmation shows 28 correlated true positive and true negative findings with final N-staging. In four patients, 18F-FDG PET/CT detected metastatic MLNs that would have otherwise remained undiscovered by EBUS/TBNA alone. Lymph nodes with a maximal standardized uptake value (SUVmax) more than 3 were significantly more likely to be true-positive. Conclusion Multimodality staging of the MLNs in NSCLC is essential to provide accurate staging and the appropriate treatment. 18F-FDG PET/CT has better overall diagnostic utility when compared to the CT scan. The NPV of 18F-FDG PET/CT in MLNs is reliable and comparable to the NPV of EBUS/TBNA. SUVmax of MLNs can help in predicting metastases, but nevertheless, a positive 18F-FDG PET/CT MLNs particularly if such a result would change the treatment plan, should be verified histopathologically.

Description: Objectives To characterize psychological distress and factors associated with distress in healthcare practitioners working during a stringent lockdown in a country (Jordan) that had exhibited one of the lowest incidence rates of Covid-19 globally at the time of the survey. Methods A cross-sectional online survey sent to healthcare practitioners working in various hospitals and community pharmacies. Demographic, professional and psychological characteristics (distress using Kessler-6 questionnaire, anxiety, depression, burnout, sleep issues, exhaustion) were measured as were sources of fear. Descriptive and multivariable statistics were performed using level of distress as the outcome. Results We surveyed 937 practitioners (56.1% females). Approximately 68%, 14%, and 18% were nurses/technicians, physicians, and pharmacists (respectively). 32% suffered from high distress while 20% suffered from severe distress. Exhaustion, anxiety, depression, and sleep disturbances were reported (in past seven days) by approximately 34%, 34%, 19%, and 29% of subjects (respectively). Being older or male, a positive perception of communications with peers, and being satisfied at work, were significantly associated with lower distress. Conversely, suffering burnout; reporting sleep-related functional problems; exhaustion; being a pharmacist (relative to a physician); working in a cancer center; harboring fear about virus spreading; fear that the virus threatened life; fear of alienation from family/friends; and fear of workload increases, were significantly associated with higher distress. Conclusion Despite low caseloads, Jordanian practitioners still experienced high levels of distress. Identified demographic, professional and psychological factors influencing distress should inform interventions to improve medical professionals’ resilience and distress likelihood, regardless of the variable Covid-19 situation.