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Adjuvant chemoradiation (CRT), with high-dose cisplatin remains standard treatment for oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OCSCC) with high-risk pathologic features. We evaluated outcomes associated with different cisplatin dosing and schedules, concurrent with radiation (RT), and the effect of cumulative dosing of cisplatin. An IRB-approved collaborative database of patients (pts) with primary OCSCC (Stage I–IVB AJCC 7th edition) treated with primary surgical resection between January 2005 and January 2015, with or without adjuvant therapy, was established from six academic institutions. Patients were categorized by cisplatin dose and schedule, and resultant groups compared for demographic data, pathologic features, and outcomes by statistical analysis to determine disease free survival (DFS) and freedom from metastatic disease (DM). From a total sample size of 1282 pts, 196 pts were identified with high-risk features who were treated with adjuvant CRT. Administration schedule of cisplatin was not significantly associated with DFS. On multivariate (MVA), DFS was significantly better in patients without perineural invasion (PNI) and in those receiving ≥200 mg/m2 cisplatin dose (p < 0.001 and 0.007). Median DFS, by cisplatin dose, was 10.5 (2) vs. 20.8 months (≥200 mg/m2). Our analysis demonstrated cumulative cisplatin dose ≥200 mg/m2 was associated with improved DFS in high-risk resected OCSCC pts.

We present a case of transcatheter heart valve thrombosis in a 76-year-old man with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation on therapeutic anticoagulation with apixaban and polycythemia vera. The incidence of transcatheter heart valve thrombosis in patients with atrial fibrillation and on adequate anticoagulation is not well reported. (Level of Difficulty: Intermediate.)

OBJECTIVES:. Early palliative medicine consult in the ICU can significantly improve outcomes in high-risk patients. We describe a pilot study of including a recommendation for palliative medicine consult in the ICU morning huddle. DESIGN:. A prospective, observational, quality improvement study. PATIENTS AND SETTING:. Adult patients (age above 18 yr) admitted with cardiac arrest, stage IV cancer, admission from a long-term acute care facility, and circulatory shock on mechanical ventilation to the medical ICU. INTERVENTIONS:. We aim to assess the effect of an early palliative medicine consultation in selected high-risk patients on change in code status, referral to hospice, tracheostomy, and or percutaneous gastrostomy tube placement. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS:. There were 83 patients who triggered an early palliative medicine consult. Palliative medicine consultation occurred in 44 patients (53%); 23 patients (28%) had a palliative medicine consult within the first 48 hours, 21 (25%) had a palliative medicine consult afterwards. There was a significantly higher number of patients who de-escalated their code status in the palliative medicine consult group compared with the no palliative medicine consult group (63.6% vs 7.7%); however, the number was higher in the late palliative medicine consult group (71.4% vs 56.5%). There were more patients referred to hospice in the palliative medicine consult group. No difference in length of stay was observed. CONCLUSIONS:. Early palliative medicine consultation in the daily ICU morning huddle is achievable, can produce a palliative medicine consultation in most cases, and results in a significant change in code status toward less aggressive measures.