Summary Of Consensus Research Articles

A report on older-age bipolar disorder from the International Society for Bipolar Disorders Task Force.

In the coming generation, older adults with bipolar disorder (BD) will increase in absolute numbers as well as proportion of the general population. This is the first report of the International Society for Bipolar Disorder (ISBD) Task Force on Older-Age Bipolar Disorder (OABD). This task force report addresses the unique aspects of OABD including epidemiology and clinical features, neuropathology and biomarkers, physical health, cognition, and care approaches. The report describes an expert consensus summary on OABD that is intended to advance the care of patients, and shed light on issues of relevance to BD research across the lifespan. Although there is still a dearth of research and health efforts focused on older adults with BD, emerging data have brought some answers, innovative questions, and novel perspectives related to the notion of late onset, medical comorbidity, and the vexing issue of cognitive impairment and decline. Improving our understanding of the biological, clinical, and social underpinnings relevant to OABD is an indispensable step in building a complete map of BD across the lifespan.

Valvular endothelial cells: Guardians or destroyers of aortic valve integrity?

Atherosclerosis and calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD) are two distinct, morbid processes that share similar pathophysiological events. Both diseases are characterized by recruitment of immune cells, activation of inflammatory pathways, proliferation/differentiation of resident elements, remodeling of extracellular matrix and calcium deposition [ 1 Bentzon J.F. Otsuka F. Virmani R. Falk E. Mechanisms of plaque formation and rupture. Circ. Res. 2014; 114: 1852-1866 Crossref PubMed Scopus (1057) Google Scholar , 2 Yutzey K.E. et al. Calcific aortic valve disease: a consensus summary from the alliance of investigators on calcific aortic valve disease. Arterioscler. Thromb. Vasc. Biol. 2014; 34: 2387-2393 Crossref PubMed Scopus (180) Google Scholar ]. However, while the actual impact of intimal calcification on plaque stability is still controversial [ [3] Otsuka F. Sakakura K. Yahagi K. Joner M. Virmani R. Has our understanding of calcification in human coronary atherosclerosis progressed?. Arterioscler. Thromb. Vasc. Biol. 2014; 34: 724-736 Crossref PubMed Scopus (281) Google Scholar ], no uncertainty exists about the clinical harmful consequences of calcium deposition within the aortic valve. As a matter of fact, progressive stiffness of calcified leaflets leads to reduction of aortic valve area, which results in chronic left ventricular pressure overload. Clinical manifestations of the advanced disease are syncope, angina and inevitable progression towards end-stage heart failure. Aging is the major risk factor for CAVD and this explains way the disease prevalence is growing in the countries with the highest life expectancy (about 3% of Americans aged 75 and over are affected) [ [4] Mozaffarian D. et al. Heart disease and stroke statistics–2015 update: a report from the American Heart Association. Circulation. 2015; 131: e29-322 Crossref PubMed Scopus (5504) Google Scholar ]. Nevertheless, several basic and clinical science studies performed in the last two decades clearly demonstrated that arterial and valve calcification should be considered as an active, finely regulated biological process, which is mainly characterized by the activation of osteogenic programs and/or the lost of anti-calcific defense mechanisms within the vascular/valve tissue [ 2 Yutzey K.E. et al. Calcific aortic valve disease: a consensus summary from the alliance of investigators on calcific aortic valve disease. Arterioscler. Thromb. Vasc. Biol. 2014; 34: 2387-2393 Crossref PubMed Scopus (180) Google Scholar , 5 Demer L.L. Tintut Y. Inflammatory, metabolic, and genetic mechanisms of vascular calcification. Arterioscler. Thromb. Vasc. Biol. 2014; 34: 715-723 Crossref PubMed Scopus (240) Google Scholar ]. These new data are of great relevance since nowadays the only treatments available to cure CAVD consist of invasive therapeutic strategies (namely surgical or transcatheter aortic valve replacement) and there is a substantial need of new pharmacological targets. Valvular interstitial cells suppress calcification of valvular endothelial cellsAtherosclerosisVol. 242Issue 1PreviewCalcific aortic valve disease (CAVD) is the most common heart valve disease in the Western world. We previously proposed that valvular endothelial cells (VECs) replenish injured adult valve leaflets via endothelial-to-mesenchymal transformation (EndMT); however, whether EndMT contributes to valvular calcification is unknown. We hypothesized that aortic VECs undergo osteogenic differentiation via an EndMT process that can be inhibited by valvular interstitial cells (VICs). Full-Text PDF Open Access

2014 Consensus conference on viscoelastic test–based transfusion guidelines for early trauma resuscitation

There has been an increased interest in the use of viscoelastic testing to guide blood product replacement during the acute resuscitation of the injured patient. Currently, no uniformly accepted guidelines exist for how this technology should be integrated into clinical care. In September 2014, an international multidisciplinary group of leaders in the field of trauma coagulopathy and resuscitation was assembled for a 2-day consensus conference in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This panel included trauma surgeons, hematologists, blood bank specialists, anesthesiologists, and the lay public.Nine questions regarding the impact of viscoelastic testing in the early resuscitation of trauma patients were developed before the conference by panel consensus. Early use was defined as baseline viscoelastic test result thresholds obtained within the first minutes of hospital arrival-when conventional laboratory results are not available. The available data for each question were then reviewed in person using standardized presentations by the expert panel. A consensus summary document was then developed and reviewed by the panel in an open forum. Finally, a two-round Delphi poll was administered to the panel of experts regarding viscoelastic thresholds for triggering the initiation of specific treatments including fibrinogen, platelets, plasma, and prothrombin complex concentrates. This report summarizes the findings and recommendations of this consensus conference.

Periprosthetic joint infection in total knee arthroplasty

Periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) is currently one of the three main causes of readmission and the most frequent cause of revision following total knee arthroplasty (TKA). It remains the most challenging complication in adult joint reconstruction due to the difficulty in diagnosis and treatment. This review article provides an update on the most recent developments related to the field which include the introduction of a novel biomarker for diagnosis of PJI, a summary of the international consensus meeting on PJI, and other developments.

Summary of Consensus Report on Preoperative Evaluation.

Summary of Consensus Report on Preoperative Evaluation.

The International Multidisciplinary Consensus Conference on Multimodality Monitoring in Neurocritical Care: evidentiary tables: a statement for healthcare professionals from the Neurocritical Care Society and the European Society of Intensive Care Medicine.

A variety of technologies have been developed to assist decision-making during the management of patients with acute brain injury who require intensive care. A large body of research has been generated describing these various technologies. The Neurocritical Care Society (NCS) in collaboration with the European Society of Intensive Care Medicine (ESICM), the Society for Critical Care Medicine (SCCM), and the Latin America Brain Injury Consortium (LABIC) organized an international, multidisciplinary consensus conference to perform a systematic review of the published literature to help develop evidence-based practice recommendations on bedside physiologic monitoring. This supplement contains a Consensus Summary Statement with recommendations and individual topic reviews on physiologic processes important in the care of acute brain injury. In this article we provide the evidentiary tables for select topics including systemic hemodynamics, intracranial pressure, brain and systemic oxygenation, EEG, brain metabolism, biomarkers, processes of care and monitoring in emerging economies to provide the clinician ready access to evidence that supports recommendations about neuromonitoring.

The International Multidisciplinary Consensus Conference on Multimodality Monitoring in Neurocritical Care: a list of recommendations and additional conclusions: a statement for healthcare professionals from the Neurocritical Care Society and the European Society of Intensive Care Medicine.

Careful patient monitoring using a variety of techniques including clinical and laboratory evaluation, bedside physiological monitoring with continuous or non-continuous techniques and imaging is fundamental to the care of patients who require neurocritical care. How best to perform and use bedside monitoring is still being elucidated. To create a basic platform for care and a foundation for further research the Neurocritical Care Society in collaboration with the European Society of Intensive Care Medicine, the Society for Critical Care Medicine and the Latin America Brain Injury Consortium organized an international, multidisciplinary consensus conference to develop recommendations about physiologic bedside monitoring. This supplement contains a Consensus Summary Statement with recommendations and individual topic reviews as a background to the recommendations. In this article, we highlight the recommendations and provide additional conclusions as an aid to the reader and to facilitate bedside care.

Gender differences in neurological emergencies part II: a consensus summary and research agenda on traumatic brain injury.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major cause of death and disability worldwide. There is strong evidence that gender and sex play an important role across the spectrum of TBI, from pathophysiology to clinical care. In May 2014, Academic Emergency Medicine held a consensus conference "Gender-Specific Research in Emergency Care: Investigate, Understand, and Translate How Gender Affects Patient Outcomes." A TBI working group was formed to explore what was known about the influence of sex and gender on TBI and to identify gaps for future research. The findings resulted in four major recommendations to guide the TBI research agenda.

Gender differences in neurologic emergencies part I: a consensus summary and research agenda on cerebrovascular disease.

Cerebrovascular neurologic emergencies including ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke, subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), and migraine are leading causes of death and disability that are frequently diagnosed and treated in the emergency department (ED). Although sex and gender differences in neurologic emergencies are beginning to become clearer, there are many unanswered questions about how emergency physicians should incorporate sex and gender into their research initiatives, patient evaluations, and overall management plans for these conditions. After evaluating the existing gaps in the literature, a core group of ED researchers developed a draft of future research priorities. Participants in the 2014 Academic Emergency Medicine consensus conference neurologic emergencies working group then discussed and approved the recommended research agenda using a standardized nominal group technique. Recommendations for future research on the role of sex and gender in the diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes pertinent to ED providers are described for each of three diagnoses: stroke, SAH, and migraine. Recommended future research also includes investigation of the biologic and pathophysiologic differences between men and women with neurologic emergencies as they pertain to ED diagnoses and treatments.

Documento de consenso para la detección y manejo de la enfermedad renal crónica

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is an important global health problem, involving to 10% of the Spanish population, promoting high morbidity and mortality for the patient and an elevate consumption of the total health resources for the National Health System. This is a summary of an executive consensus document of ten scientific societies involved in the care of the renal patient, that actualizes the consensus document published in 2007. The central extended document can be consulted in the web page of each society. The aspects included in the document are: Concept, epidemiology and risk factors for CKD. Diagnostic criteria, evaluation and stages of CKD, albuminuria and glomerular filtration rate estimation. Progression factors for renal damage. Patient remission criteria. Follow-up and objectives of each speciality control. Nephrotoxicity prevention. Cardio-vascular damage detection. Diet, life-style and treatment attitudes: hypertension, dyslipidaemia, hyperglycemia, smoking, obesity, hyperuricemia, anemia, mineral and bone disorders. Multidisciplinary management for Primary Care, other specialities and Nephrology. Integrated management of CKD patient in haemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis and renal transplant patients. Management of the uremic patient in palliative care. We hope that this document may be of help for the multidisciplinary management of CKD patients by summarizing the most updated recommendations.

Consensus summary statement of the International Multidisciplinary Consensus Conference on Multimodality Monitoring in Neurocritical Care: a statement for healthcare professionals from the Neurocritical Care Society and the European Society of Intensive Care Medicine.

Neurocritical care depends, in part, on careful patient monitoring but as yet there are little data on what processes are the most important to monitor, how these should be monitored, and whether monitoring these processes is cost-effective and impacts outcome. At the same time, bioinformatics is a rapidly emerging field in critical care but as yet there is little agreement or standardization on what information is important and how it should be displayed and analyzed. The Neurocritical Care Society in collaboration with the European Society of Intensive Care Medicine, the Society for Critical Care Medicine, and the Latin America Brain Injury Consortium organized an international, multidisciplinary consensus conference to begin to address these needs. International experts from neurosurgery, neurocritical care, neurology, critical care, neuroanesthesiology, nursing, pharmacy, and informatics were recruited on the basis of their research, publication record, and expertise. They undertook a systematic literature review to develop recommendations about specific topics on physiologic processes important to the care of patients with disorders that require neurocritical care. This review does not make recommendations about treatment, imaging, and intraoperative monitoring. A multidisciplinary jury, selected for their expertise in clinical investigation and development of practice guidelines, guided this process. The GRADE system was used to develop recommendations based on literature review, discussion, integrating the literature with the participants' collective experience, and critical review by an impartial jury. Emphasis was placed on the principle that recommendations should be based on both data quality and on trade-offs and translation into clinical practice. Strong consideration was given to providing pragmatic guidance and recommendations for bedside neuromonitoring, even in the absence of high quality data.

Concatabominations: identifying unstable taxa in morphological phylogenetics using a heuristic extension to safe taxonomic reduction.

For a variety of reasons, some phylogenetic data sets are replete with missing entries. Attitudes toward abundant missing data, specifically concerns over its potential to mislead or confound phylogenetic inferences, are varied. Thus, there is a current debate on the impact of missing entries upon the accuracy of phylogenetic inferences (Wiens 2006; Lemmon et al. 2009; Philippe et al. 2011; Wiens and Morrill 2011; Roure et al. 2013). Perhaps less controversial is that individual taxa may sometimes be relatively phylogenetically unstable by virtue of limited data and extensive missing data (e.g., Wilkinson 1996; Sanderson and Shaffer 2002; Wiens 2003; Wilkinson 2003). Wilkinson (1995) developed an approach for diagnosing taxon instability due to missing data a priori termed safe taxonomic reduction (STR). STR allows the identification of “rogue” taxa that can be removed from a data set safe in the knowledge that their removal will not impact upon the interrelationships that will be inferred among the remaining taxa under the parsimony criterion. The potential benefits of such deletion are reductions in numbers of optimal trees and run times and better resolved consensus summaries. STR has been fairly widely used, mainly by paleontologists confronted with relatively incomplete fossil taxa (see Anquetin 2012; Graf 2012; McDonald 2012; for some recent examples), and also in the context of the matrix representation with parsimony (Baum 1992; Ragan 1992) approach to supertree construction (e.g., Cardillo et al. 2004). Nonetheless STR is not always as effective as one might hope (e.g., Mannion et al. 2013). Here, we present a simple heuristic method for identifying potentially unstable taxa that may be useful in cases where STR does not succeed in ameliorating all the problems caused by missing data. We illustrate the approach through application to the saurischian data of Gauthier (1986), which was previously used to illustrate STR and thus is particularly appropriate for demonstrating the ability of the new method to achieve more than STR alone.

Screw Versus Hybrid Constructs for Flexible Thoracic Curves in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis: A Prospective, Randomized Study

Study DesignProspective, computer-randomized design. ObjectiveCompare screw and hybrid constructs in flexible, thoracic curves for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) in a prospective randomized fashion. Summary of BackgroundThe consensus in scientific literature is that all-screw constructs correct AIS better than hooks in the lumbar and in large, stiff thoracic curves. However, debate continues whether all-screw constructs outperform hybrid constructs in small, flexible thoracic AIS. To our knowledge, this is the first prospective, randomized scoliosis study that examines measures of correction and patient satisfaction with the Scoliosis Research Society–30 (SRS-30) questionnaire. MethodsA total of 45 enrolled AIS patients with flexible, thoracic curves were given an identification number with an associated computer-generated randomization to the hybrid (n = 22) or screw group (n = 23). The treating surgeon received the randomization 2–3 days before surgery. Data including major Cobb (MC), truncal rotation (TR), rib index (RI), secondary curve (SC), and SRS-30 questionnaire were collected preoperatively and postoperatively at 4 weeks and 3, 6, 12, and 24 months. ResultsThirty-seven patients in the hybrid (n = 18) and screw (n = 19) groups completed the study with a mean follow-up of 26 months (range, 24–49 months). Hybrid versus screw group means for preoperative, postoperative, and final follow-up were: MC 58° ± 8° versus 55° ± 6°, 18° ± 8° versus 15° ± 7°, and 23°± 8° versus 14° ± 6°; TR 14° ± 6° versus 16° ± 4°, 10° ± 5° versus 7° ± 3°, and 11° ± 5° versus 7° ± 4°; RI 3.0° ± 1.2° versus 3.4° ± 1.4°, 2.5° ± 0.7° versus 1.8° ± 0.6°, and 2.5° ± 0.8° versus 2.0° ± 0.5°; SC 35° ± 13° versus 31° ± 8°, 13° ± 11° versus 7° ± 9°, and 13° ± 12° versus 7° ± 7°; and SRS-30 3.9 ± 0.2 versus 3.9 ± 0.2, 4.1 ± 0.4 versus 4.0 ± 0.3, and 4.1 ± 0.3 versus 4.0 ± 0.2. ConclusionsIntergroup preoperative and early postoperative values were comparable (p > .05). At final follow-up, owing to loss of correction in the hybrid group, differences in MC (9°; p = .000), RI (0.54; p = .016), and TR (4°; p = .039) correction were statistically significant as SC trended toward significance (6°; p = .052). All-screw constructs outperformed hybrid constructs, especially over time. No differences in SRS-30 scores occurred between groups.

Stroke service: how can we improve and measure outcomes? Consensus summary from a global stroke forum.

The success of acute stroke treatment is first and foremost time-dependent, and the need for improvement in acute stroke management is demonstrated by the fact that only a minority of patients gain access to treatment - in particular, intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (IV tPA) - within the necessary time window. Standards of acute stroke care vary widely both regionally and nationally; consequently, various healthcare organizations have undertaken initiatives to measure and improve quality of care. To date, most quality measures have been process-based, focusing primarily on metrics of patient care in the acute hospital-based setting (e.g., time to recombinant tPA administration). Therefore, there remains a need for metrics designed to assess how improvements in process translate into patient outcomes. A global forum was convened to share best practice and provide consensus recommendations on core metrics for measuring improvements in access to care and patient outcomes. Recommendations for core metrics of patient outcomes include hospital-based outcomes (e.g., neurological status at 24 h, ambulatory status at discharge) and post-discharge outcomes (e.g., modified Rankin Scale score at 30 and/or 90 days). Recommendations for best practice relating to aspects of people, process, and technology involved in the stroke treatment pathway that may help provide improvements in these core outcome measures are also outlined.

Major role for 5-alpha reductase inhibitors in the aging male

The Canadian consensus meeting, held in Toronto in May 2006, represents an important initiative in sorting out much of the confusion surrounding the use of 5-alpha reductase inhibitors (5ARIs) in clinical practice. The impact of the Medical Therapy of Prostatic Symptoms study and the Prostate Cancer Prevention Trial (PCPT) are quite dramatic as they confirm that 5ARIs, a class of drugs that never gained much market share in urologic practice, have significant impact on both benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and prostate cancer- related outcomes. It is quite ironic that these pivotal trials, funded not by industry but by tax payers, have come to fruition at a time when finasteride is soon to be genericized in the United States. Commercial interests aside, this consensus summary provides useful information for urologists and primary care physicians. With respect to BPH-related outcomes, the 5ARIs have clearly demonstrable benefits in reducing long-term complications and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). There is little debate on this topic. The impact of 5ARIs on prostate cancer prevention remains controversial and, in my mind, these recommendations have some limitations that deserve mention. With respect to the grade and volume bias, this observation, internationally led by our group, is real, and many other centres are now reporting it. We must emphasize that these recommendations report that this bias explains the PCPT grade issue “with a high degree of confidence.” While I truly believe this is the case, a small but lingering doubt must still exist within us all. It is essentially now unprovable! Perhaps more relevant than the grade issue is the clinical significance of the prevented cancers. Indeed, in the PCPT the relative risk reduction in “for-cause” biopsies, those that mirror clinical practice, is only 10%. I believe that future pivotal trials, such as REDUCE (the Reduction by Dutasteride of Prostate Cancer Events study; dutasteride v. placebo among men with negative prostate biopsy and elevated prostate-specific antigen), will help us clarify some of these issues. With respect to class effect and use of 5ARIs, I believe that both 5ARIs are good agents and that there are theoretical advantages to dutasteride in cancer prevention. Further trials will bear this out. What are clinicians to do? Consider the cancer prevention properties as an added benefit to complication reduction and symptom improvement for men with large-volume BPH and LUTS. In my view, either 5ARI is appropriate. Consider primary prevention with 5-ARI in ultra-high risk men, those in whom a cancer is likely to be clinically significant (e.g., men with strong family history, African-Canadians or both). In this setting, the best evidence would support the use of finasteride.

FESNAD-SEEDO consensus summary: Evidence-based nutritional recommendations for the prevention and treatment of overweight and obesity in adults

This paper is a summary of the Spanish Federation of Nutrition, Food and Dietetics Associations (FESNAD) and the Spanish Association for the Study of Obesity (SEEDO) consensus document on the role of diet in prevention and treatment of overweight and obesity. To prepare this document, and in order to achieve the maximum evidence level possible, a systematic review was made of all medical literature published between January 1, 1996 and January 31, 2011 (15 years). The obtained findings were catalogued by evidence level following the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network system, and recommendations were produced based on data collected. As a result, 65 evidences and 31 recommendations applicable to obese adults without any other pathological process were produced. Evidences and resulting recommendations are provided, and the most significant findings are discussed. This consensus document is intended to provide healthcare professionals with a reference tool that may help them design dietary strategies for prevention and treatment of overweight and obesity.

Abstract 204: Who Funds “Evidence-Based Medicine” in our Guidelines: Government or Industry? Analysis of the AHA/ACC Class I Secondary Prevention Guidelines in 2011 vs. 2001

Background: Heated debate on the “influence” of the pharmaceutical industry has led some to question whether trials sponsored by industry provide strong evidence for clinical practice. We sought to analyze this issue by looking at what the independent ACC/AHA Guideline committee cited as the evidence base for Class I (strongest) recommendations, and evaluated the funding source, as well as changes over time. Methods: After importing all citations from the AHA/ACC Secondary Prevention 2011 Update into EndNote citation manager, we excluded those that were not primary publications (e.g. consensus statements or summary guidelines). Funding source was determined from the PubMed database (or if not specified, the primary publication itself). Research support was divided by PubMed categories: U.S. governmental (gov’t), non-U.S. gov’t (typically industry), or mixed. (Note that further division of funding source into any (U.S and foreign) governmental source vs. exclusively industry, is ongoing.) All Class I recommendations were reviewed to determine what percentage of the supporting evidence was funded by U.S. gov’t vs. non-U.S. gov’t, weighting those in the mixed category equally between the other two categories. Chi-square tests were used to statistically compare these percentages. Results: Overall, 62% of studies cited to support Class I recommendations in 2011 were sponsored by non-US gov’t (e.g. industry) sources. Nine of 12 categories of Class I recommendations had the majority of the studies supported by non-gov’t/industry rather than from US gov’t funding (Table 1). This was true both for lifestyle interventions and pharmacological therapies, although the percentage of industry-funded trials for pharmacological therapies was significantly higher as compared to studies for lifestyle interventions (83% vs. 46%, p<0.001). Looking at trends over time, in the 2001 guideline, 51% of studies supporting Class I recommendations were funded by the US gov’t, while of the newer additions since 2001, 78% have been funded by non-gov’t/industry sources (p=0.005). Thus, the time trend for the overall % of recommendations that were sponsored by non-US gov’t/industry has risen from 49% in 2001 to 62% in the 2011 guidelines. Conclusion: Based on this initial categorization from PubMed, it appears that the majority of trials providing the evidence for the ACC/AHA Secondary Prevention guideline comes from non-government/industry-sponsored trials, and this percentage has increased over time. This finding suggests that industry-sponsored trials do provide a positive impact on clinical guidelines.

Canadian Thoracic Society 2012 guideline update: diagnosis and management of asthma in preschoolers, children and adults.

In 2010, the Canadian Thoracic Society (CTS) published a Consensus Summary for the diagnosis and management of asthma in children six years of age and older, and adults, including an updated Asthma Management Continuum. The CTS Asthma Clinical Assembly subsequently began a formal clinical practice guideline update process, focusing, in this first iteration, on topics of controversy and⁄or gaps in the previous guidelines. Four clinical questions were identified as a focus for the updated guideline: the role of noninvasive measurements of airway inflammation for the adjustment of anti-inflammatory therapy; the initiation of adjunct therapy to inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) for uncontrolled asthma; the role of a single inhaler of an ICS⁄long-acting beta(2)-agonist combination as a reliever, and as a reliever and a controller; and the escalation of controller medication for acute loss of asthma control as part of a self-management action plan. The expert panel followed an adaptation process to identify and appraise existing guidelines on the specified topics. In addition, literature searches were performed to identify relevant systematic reviews and randomized controlled trials. The panel formally assessed and graded the evidence, and made 34 recommendations. The updated guideline recommendations outline a role for inclusion of assessment of sputum eosinophils, in addition to standard measures of asthma control, to guide adjustment of controller therapy in adults with moderate to severe asthma. Appraisal of the evidence regarding which adjunct controller therapy to add to ICS and at what ICS dose to begin adjunct therapy in children and adults with poor asthma control supported the 2010 CTS Consensus Summary recommendations. New recommendations for the adjustment of controller medication within written action plans are provided. Finally, priority areas for future research were identified. The present clinical practice guideline is the first update of the CTS Asthma Guidelines following the Canadian Respiratory Guidelines Committee's new guideline development process. Tools and strategies to support guideline implementation will be developed and the CTS will continue to regularly provide updates reflecting new evidence.

Canadian Thoracic Society 2012 guideline update: Diagnosis and management of asthma in preschoolers, children and adults: executive summary.

BACKGROUND: In 2010, the Canadian Thoracic Society (CTS) published a Consensus Summary for the diagnosis and management of asthma in children six years of age and older, and adults, including an updated Asthma Management Continuum. The CTS Asthma Clinical Assembly subsequently began a formal clinical practice guideline update process, focusing, in this first iteration, on topics of controversy and/or gaps in the previous guidelines.METHODS: Four clinical questions were identified as a focus for the updated guideline: the role of noninvasive measurements of airway inflammation for the adjustment of anti-inflammatory therapy; the initiation of adjunct therapy to inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) for uncontrolled asthma; the role of a single inhaler of an ICS/long-acting beta2-agonist combination as a reliever, and as a reliever and a controller; and the escalation of controller medication for acute loss of asthma control as part of a self-management action plan. The expert panel followed an adaptation process to identify and appraise existing guidelines on the specified topics. In addition, literature searches were performed to identify relevant systematic reviews and randomized controlled trials. The panel formally assessed and graded the evidence, and made 34 recommendations.RESULTS: The updated guideline recommendations outline a role for inclusion of assessment of sputum eosinophils, in addition to standard measures of asthma control, to guide adjustment of controller therapy in adults with moderate to severe asthma. Appraisal of the evidence regarding which adjunct controller therapy to add to ICS and at what ICS dose to begin adjunct therapy in children and adults with poor asthma control supported the 2010 CTS Consensus Summary recommendations. New recommendations for the adjustment of controller medication within written action plans are provided. Finally, priority areas for future research were identified.CONCLUSIONS: The present document is an executive summary of the first update of the CTS Asthma Guidelines following the Canadian Respiratory Guidelines Committee’s new guideline development process. Tools and strategies to support guideline implementation will be developed and the CTS will continue to regularly provide updates reflecting new evidence.

Thromboembolism and antithrombotic therapy for heart failure in sinus rhythm

Chronic heart failure (HF) with either reduced or preserved left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction is common and remains an extremely serious disorder with a high mortality and morbidity. Many complications related to heart failure can be related to thrombosis. Epidemiological and pathophysiological data also link HF to an increased risk of thrombosis, leading to the clinical consequences of sudden death, stroke, systemic thromboembolism and/or venous thromboembolism. This executive summary of a joint consensus document of the Heart Failure Association (EHFA) of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) and the ESC Working Group on Thrombosis reviews the published evidence, summarises 'best practice', and puts forward consensus statements that may help to define evidence gaps and assist management decisions in everyday clinical practice. In HF patients with atrial fibrillation, oral anticoagulation is clearly recommended, and the CHA2DS2-VASc and HAS-BLED scores should be used to determine the likely risk-benefit ratio (thromboembolism prevention versus risk of bleeding) of oral anticoagulation. In HF patients with reduced LV ejection fraction who are in sinus rhythm there is no evidence of an overall benefit of vitamin K antagonists (e.g. warfarin) on mortality, with risk of major bleeding. Whilst there is the potential for a reduction in ischaemic stroke, there is currently no compelling reason to routinely use warfarin for these patients. Risk factors associated with increased risk of thromboembolic events should be identified and decisions regarding use of anticoagulation individualised. Patient values and preferences are important determinants when balancing the risk of thromboembolism against bleeding risk. Novel oral anticoagulants that offer a different risk-benefit profile compared with warfarin may appear as an attractive therapeutic option, but this would need to be confirmed in clinical trials.