Chlorhexidine gluconate bathing to reduce methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus acquisition.

Background: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a virulent organism causing substantial morbidity and mortality in intensive care units. Chlorhexidine gluconate, a topical antiseptic solution, is effective against a wide spectrum of gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, including MRSA. Objectives To examine the impact of a bathing protocol using chlorhexidine gluconate and bath basin management on MRSA acquisition in 5 adult intensive care units and to examine the cost differences between chlorhexidine bathing by using the bath-basin method versus using prepackaged chlorhexidine-impregnated washcloths.

Mitral subvalvular plasty for chronic ischemic mitral regurgitation: a preliminary experimental model.

Background And Aim Of The Study: Restrictive annuloplasty remains the most widespread technique for the correction of chronic ischemic mitral regurgitation (IMR). However, this technique only partially corrects the underlying pathophysiology and does not address the restricted leaflet motions during systole that result from progressive left ventricular (LV) remodeling.

Methods: A novel experimental model of IMR was developed using an isolated pig heart placed on a hydrodynamic test-stand.

Retrograde endoscopic lithotripsy using the innovative nanosecond electropulse method.

Purpose: The purpose of this clinical study is to assess the safety and efficiency of a novel lithotripsy method for endoscopic treatment of urinary stones throughout the urinary tract via semi-rigid and flexible endoscopes. This new method is based on the transfer of nanosecond high voltage electric pulses to the stones through flexible probes of various sizes.

Methods: The study involved 879 patients aged 19-88 with renal, ureter and bladder calculi.