Prenatal treprostinil reduces the pulmonary hypertension phenotype in the rat model of congenital diaphragmatic hernia.

Background: Persistent pulmonary hypertension (PH) causes significant mortality and morbidity in infants with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH). Since pulmonary vascular abnormalities in CDH develop early during foetal development, we hypothesized that prenatal maternal administration of treprostinil, through its anti-remodelling effect, would improve the PH-phenotype in the nitrofen rat model of CDH.

Methods: In a dose-finding study in normal, healthy pregnant rats, we demonstrated target-range foetal plasma treprostinil concentrations without signs of toxicity.

Left Atrial Dissection Secondary to Retrograde Coronary Sinus Cannulation During a Stanford Acute Type-A Aortic Dissection Repair: A Case Report.

Left atrial (LA) dissections are rare phenomena, often iatrogenic, caused by blood flow into a false lumen, potentially obstructing the pulmonary veins or flow into the left ventricle. Severity can range from an incidental observation or complete circulatory collapse. While LA dissections are often associated with mitral valve repair, there are 2 reported cases of LA dissections associated with retrograde cardioplegia cannula insertion through the coronary sinus.

An Examination of General Surgery Residency Programs with a Rural Track.

Background: There is a steady decline in the general surgery workforce in rural areas of the United States. In response, some surgery residency programs have developed rural tracks to encourage rural practice and adequately prepare trainees for this setting.

Objective: To compare the practice type and location of graduates from general surgery residency programs with and without a dedicated rural track between 2011-2020.

Integrated Ultrasound With Urodynamics Illustrates Effect of Bladder Volume on Upper Tract Dilation: Should we Trust Surveillance Ultrasounds?

Objective: To evaluate if ultrasound during urodynamics (uUS) will show that traditional ultrasound (tUS) routinely underestimates the potential magnitude of upper tract dilation (UTD).

Methods: Prospective pilot study of 10 consecutive patients ≥ 5 years of age undergoing same day uUS and tUS. Using randomized images, the study pediatric radiologist determined anterior-posterior renal pelvic diameter (APD), bladder volume, vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) and UTD grades.

Reassessing the utility of routine urine culture with urodynamics: UTI incidence and risk factors.

Introduction: There is no consensus regarding use of periprocedural antibiotics or routine urine cultures during urodynamics study (UDS) in children. At our hospital, we historically have obtained urine cultures during UDS. However, even with positive cultures, few patients require treatment.