Impact of pulmonary artery catheterization in patients with acute myocardial infarction cardiogenic shock.

Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) remains one of the most common causes for cardiogenic shock (CS), with high inpatient mortality (40-50 %). Studies have reported the use of pulmonary artery catheters (PACs) in decompensated heart failure, but contemporary data on their use to guide management of AMI-CS and in different SCAI stages of CS are lacking. We investigated the association of PACs and clinical outcomes in AMI-CS.

Adolescent Youth Survey on HIV Prevention and Sexual Health Education in Alabama: Protocol for a Web-Based Survey With Fraud Protection Study.

Background: In Alabama, the undiagnosed HIV rate is over 20%; youth and young adults, particularly those who identify as sexual and gender minority individuals, are at elevated risk for HIV acquisition and are the only demographic group in the United States with rising rates of new infections. Adolescence is a period marked by exploration, risk taking, and learning, making comprehensive sexual health education a high-priority prevention strategy for HIV and sexually transmitted infections. However, in Alabama, school-based sexual health and HIV prevention education is strictly regulated and does not address the unique needs of sexual and gender minority teenagers.

Proinflammatory synergy between protease and superantigen streptococcal pyogenic exotoxins.

Streptococcal pyogenic exotoxins (Spe proteins) secreted by (group A , GAS) are responsible for scarlet fever and streptococcal toxic shock syndrome. Most Spes are superantigens that cause excessive inflammation by activating large numbers of T cells. However, Streptococcal pyogenic exotoxin B (SpeB) is an exception, which is pro-inflammatory through its protease activity.

Effects of Isoproterenol Administration in Dobutamine Stress Echocardiography.

Objective: This study evaluated the safety and efficacy of isoproterenol administration as an adjunct for achievement of target heart rate (HR) during dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE).

Background: In DSE, optimal accuracy is achieved when a target HR of 85% of maximal predicted heart rate (MPHR) is attained. Although rarely studied, intravenous isoproterenol has been used as an adjunct therapy to dobutamine and atropine to increase chronotropic response during pharmacologic stress testing.