Fungal Foe and Mechanical Hearts: A Retrospective Case Series on Bloodstream Infection With Left Ventricular Assist Devices.

No guidelines currently exist for the management of bloodstream infection in patients with left ventricular assist devices (LVADs). We aim to share our management experience through this retrospective case series outlining 15 episodes of candidemia identified in 7 patients over 18 months. The initial source of candidemia was central venous catheter in 5 patients, driveline exit site infection in 1 patient, and possible pump infection in 1 patient.

The Use of Telemedicine to Improve Hypertension in an Urban Primary Care Clinic and Predictors of Improved Blood Pressure.

Background And Objective: Meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials have demonstrated the efficacy of telemedicine in blood pressure (BP) management when compared to conventional care. We initiated a hypertension telehealth clinic in our urban primary care clinic and through this study aim to evaluate the strengths and limitations of telemedicine in hypertension (HTN) control. The primary outcome of the study is to identify the proportion of patients with improved HTN.

Management of Recurrent Myocarditis Due to Desmoplakin Cardiomyopathy: Diagnostic and Therapeutic Challenges.

We present the case of a 25-year-old woman with desmoplakin cardiomyopathy-related myocarditis. Her high-sensitivity troponin and symptoms improved with pulse steroid therapy and mycophenolate mofetil. The literature lacks data to effectively guide the management of recurrent myocarditis in desmoplakin cardiomyopathy.

A central role for the ERK-signaling pathway in controlling Schwann cell plasticity and peripheral nerve regeneration in vivo.

Following damage to peripheral nerves, a remarkable process of clearance and regeneration takes place. Axons downstream of the injury degenerate, while the nerve is remodeled to direct axonal regrowth. Schwann cells are important for this regenerative process.