Dome trochleoplasty for correction of patella alta and patella luxation in dogs > 20 kg.

Objective: To describe the dome trochleoplasty procedure and report the short-term outcomes and complications associated with a novel technique to correct patellar luxation and patella alta.

Animals: 13 dogs (16 stifle joints) diagnosed with medial patellar luxation with concurrent patella alta in dogs > 20 kg.

Clinical Presentation: Medical records of dogs weighing > 20 kg that underwent a dome trochleoplasty for correction of a medial luxating patella were prospectively evaluated.

Comparisons of Cocaine-Only, Opioid-Only, and Users of Both Substances in the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC).

Background: Cocaine and opioid co-use is a notable public health concern, but little is known about correlates of this behavior. Most prior findings come from treatment samples and concern cocaine and heroin. Findings from a nationally representative sample involving primarily prescription opioid misuse would expand knowledge.

Memory blindness: Altered memory reports lead to distortion in eyewitness memory.

Choice blindness refers to the finding that people can often be misled about their own self-reported choices. However, little research has investigated the more long-term effects of choice blindness. We examined whether people would detect alterations to their own memory reports, and whether such alterations could influence participants' memories.

Electrocardiograhic findings resulting in inappropriate cardiac catheterization laboratory activation for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction.

Background: Prompt reperfusion has been shown to improve outcomes in patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) with a goal of culprit vessel patency in <90 minutes. This requires a coordinated approach between the emergency medical services (EMS), emergency department (ED) and interventional cardiology. The urgency of this process can contribute to inappropriate cardiac catheterization laboratory (CCL) activations.

"Killing Two Birds with One Stone": Alcohol Use Reduction Interventions with Potential Efficacy in Enhancing Self-Control.

We review interventions with empirical support for reducing alcohol use and enhancing self-control. While any intervention that decreases drinking could improve self-control, we focus here on interventions with evidence of direct benefit for both indications. Although no intervention yet shows strong evidence for dual efficacy, multiple interventions have strong evidence for one indication and solid or suggestive evidence for the other.

Almost everyone over 50 should be put on a statin to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease: A protagonist view.

The burden of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in the United States (U.S.) and worldwide is immense.

Retroperitoneal hemorrhage as a complication of percutaneous intervention: report of 2 cases and review of the literature.

Retroperitoneal hemorrhage (RPH) is an infrequent but serious complication of transfemoral percutaneous procedures. We present 2 cases and review the literature regarding the incidence, risk factors, clinical features and complications of RPH. We propose a management strategy for this problem emphasizing an anatomical based interventional approach if the patient does not stabilize with volume resuscitation.

Alcohol consumption: can we safely toast to our health?

Alcohol has been reported to be beneficial in reducing the risk and complications of cardiovascular disease (CVD). This benefit must be balanced with the known risks of alcohol. This review examines the evidence that there is a favorable effect on CVD and attempts to evaluate if the positive effects outweigh the potential pernicious sequellae.

A Technique to Perform PCI and Stenting in an Anomalous RCA from the Left Sinus of Valsalva.

This describes a technique for the successful performance of percutaneous coronary intervention in patients whose right coronary artery arises from the left sinus of Valsalva and in whom the standard guiding catheters do not allow coaxial support.

Confessions that corrupt: evidence from the DNA exoneration case files.

Basic psychology research suggests the possibility that confessions-a potent form of incrimination-may taint other evidence, thereby creating an appearance of corroboration. To determine if this laboratory-based phenomenon is supported in the high-stakes world of actual cases, we conducted an archival analysis of DNA exoneration cases from the Innocence Project case files. Results were consistent with the corruption hypothesis: Multiple evidence errors were significantly more likely to exist in false-confession cases than in eyewitness cases; in order of frequency, false confessions were accompanied by invalid or improper forensic science, eyewitness identifications, and snitches and informants; and in cases containing multiple errors, confessions were most likely to have been obtained first.

A review of causes and systemic approach to cardiac troponin elevation.

The first American College of Cardiology/European Society of Cardiology task force published recommendations for a universal definition of myocardial infarction (MI) in 2000 based on the measurement of troponin (Tn). Although this rapid and highly sensitive blood test is certainly valuable in the appropriate setting, its widespread use in variety of clinical scenarios may lead to the detection of Tn elevation in absence of thrombotic acute coronary syndrome. In 2007, the joint European Society of Cardiology/American College of Cardiology Foundation/American Heart Association/World Heart Federation task force proposed a new definition for acute MI based on detection of Tn and associated clinical evidence.

Atrial fibrillation in athletes.

A 60-year old male physician on staff at North Kansas City Hospital was admitted with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. The physician is an avid long-distance runner. Ultimately, three other male physicians on staff, all long-distance runners, were identified as having lone atrial fibrillation.

Stroke: a cardiologist's perspective.

This review is an attempt to give the primary care physician an overview of the risk factors for stroke in 2004. In addition, the available treatments both medical and interventional were reviewed.

Cyr61 promotes breast tumorigenesis and cancer progression.

Cyr61, a member of the CCN family of genes, is an angiogenic factor. We have shown that it is overexpressed in invasive and metastatic human breast cancer cells and tissues. Here, we investigated whether Cyr61 is necessary and/or sufficient to bypass the 'normal' estrogen (E2) requirements for breast cancer cell growth.

Chest pain evaluation: a common clinical problem.

The clinical approach described here initially utilizing a careful focused history and physical examination, 12 lead ECG, as well as serum biomarkers, allows for an informed initial impression of the chest pain patient. Based upon the findings the practitioner can then initiate appropriate therapy or further testing based on this solid database. The therapy can vary from simple medical therapy involving aspirin and beta blockers to an invasive evaluation potentially involving percutaneous coronary interventions.

Expression and regulation of Cyr61 in human breast cancer cell lines.

We have shown that Cyr61, an angiogenic regulator, is overexpressed in invasive and metastatic human breast cancer cells and tumor biopsies. We have further demonstrated that Cyr61 promotes acquisition of estrogen-independence and anti-estrogen resistance in vivo in breast cancer cells. Moreover, we have demonstrated that Cyr61 induces tumor formation and tumor vascularization in vivo, events mediated through the activation of the MAPK and the Akt signaling pathways.

Dislodged stent: a simple retrieval technique.

We report a technique for retrieval of a dislodged coronary stent using a stiff angioplasty wire positioned beside the initial stent guidewire. This two-wire technique provides a better platform to move and position the snare device without moving the dislodged stent and thus lessens the risk of embolization. If a larger femoral sheath is needed for stent removal, this method facilitates sheath exchange.

A prospective randomized trial of early ambulation following 8 French diagnostic cardiac catheterization.

This prospective randomized study was done to assess the safety of 4-hr ambulation after diagnostic cardiac catheterization with 8 French sheaths and catheters. In this selected group of patients, we found that early ambulation could be done without an increase in access site complications.

Femoral artery catheterization complications: a study of 503 consecutive patients.

This report describes a prospective randomized trial of 503 patients who underwent a cardiac catheterization or interventional procedure at a single institution. In an effort to study femoral complications postprocedure, we evaluated three methods of femoral artery hemostasis as well as 38 variables that were felt to potentially relate to local complications. Only a marginally significant relationship between the hemostasis method and complication rate was found.

Current therapy of impending myocardial infarction and acute cholecystitis.

The authors discuss the treatment of severe coronary artery disease and acute cholecystitis using laparoscopic laser in one instance and percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) in the other. Their report demonstrates that both can be applied with relative safety in close temporal proximity.

Foreign body retrieval using a simple snare device.

We report three patients who had intravascular catheter fragments removed using an easily made snare device fashioned from a 0.038 inch movable-core J-wire and a multi-purpose catheter. The device is easily manipulated and facilitates safe removal of embolized catheters.