Defining the cardiovascular phenotype of adults with Alström syndrome.

Background: >40% of infants with Alström Syndrome (AS) present with a transient, severe cardiomyopathy in the first months of life, with apparent recovery in survivors. One in five individuals then develop a later-onset cardiomyopathy but wide clinical variability is observed, even within the same family. The rationale for this study is to provide a comprehensive evaluation of the cardiovascular phenotype in adults with AS.

The impact of a hospital-based exercise oncology program on cancer treatment-related side effects among rural cancer survivors.

Purpose: To assess the impact of the Personal Optimism With Exercise Recovery (POWER) program on cancer treatment-related side effects among rural cancer survivors.

Methods: In this retrospective study of data collected between 2016 and 2019, we assessed change in cardiorespiratory fitness, whole-body muscular endurance, physical function and strength, anthropometrics, fatigue, and quality of life (QoL), after participation in POWER. Descriptive statistics were calculated for demographic and clinical variables.

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for critically ill patients with influenza A (H1N1) 2009: a case series.

In this case series, we report on five patients with influenza A (H1N1) who received extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) treatment between July and December 2009 in the intensive care unit of Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital in Perth, Western Australia. In considering these cases, we highlight the indications, risks and potential benefits associated with ECMO, whose role remains, as yet, largely undefined in the setting of H1N1 critical illness.

Procalcitonin and C-reactive protein in severe 2009 H1N1 influenza infection.

Purpose: To examine whether, in an adult intensive care unit (ICU), procalcitonin or C-reactive protein (CRP) levels discriminated between 2009 H1N1 influenza infection and community-acquired pneumonia of bacterial origin.

Methods: A retrospective observational study performed at an Australian hospital over a 4-month winter period during the 2009 H1N1 influenza pandemic. Levels on admission of procalcitonin and CRP were compared between patients admitted to the ICU with community-acquired pneumonia of bacterial and 2009 H1N1 origin.