The normal distribution of the hypoxic ventilatory response and methodological impacts: a meta-analysis and computational investigation.

The hypoxic ventilatory response (HVR) is the increase in breathing in response to reduced arterial oxygen pressure. Over several decades, studies have revealed substantial population-level differences in the magnitude of the HVR as well as significant inter-individual variation. In particular, low HVRs occur frequently in Andean high-altitude native populations.

Tocilizumab in patients hospitalised with COVID-19 pneumonia: Efficacy, safety, viral clearance, and antibody response from a randomised controlled trial (COVACTA).

Background: In COVACTA, a randomised, placebo-controlled trial in patients hospitalised with coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19), tocilizumab did not improve 28-day mortality, but shortened hospital and intensive care unit stay. Longer-term effects of tocilizumab in patients with COVID-19 are unknown. Therefore, the efficacy and safety of tocilizumab in COVID-19 beyond day 28 and its impact on Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) clearance and antibody response in COVACTA were investigated.

Inhaled treprostinil and forced vital capacity in patients with interstitial lung disease and associated pulmonary hypertension: a post-hoc analysis of the INCREASE study.

Background: INCREASE was a randomised, placebo-controlled, phase 3 trial that evaluated inhaled treprostinil in patients with interstitial lung disease (ILD) and associated pulmonary hypertension. Treprostinil improved exercise capacity from baseline to week 16, assessed with the use of a 6-min walk test, compared with placebo. Improvements in forced vital capacity (FVC) were also reported.

Tocilizumab in Hospitalized Patients with Severe Covid-19 Pneumonia.

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) is associated with immune dysregulation and hyperinflammation, including elevated interleukin-6 levels. The use of tocilizumab, a monoclonal antibody against the interleukin-6 receptor, has resulted in better outcomes in patients with severe Covid-19 pneumonia in case reports and retrospective observational cohort studies. Data are needed from randomized, placebo-controlled trials.

Effects of Tocilizumab in COVID-19 patients: a cohort study.

Background: Due to the lack of proven therapies, we evaluated the effects of early administration of tocilizumab for COVID-19. By inhibition of the IL-6 receptor, tocilizumab may help to mitigate the hyperinflammatory response associated with progressive respiratory failure from SARS-CoV-2.

Methods: A retrospective, observational study was conducted on hospitalized adults who received intravenous tocilizumab for COVID-19 between March 23, 2020 and April 10, 2020.

Long-term results of mitral valve repair using autologous pericardium annuloplasty.

Background And Aim Of The Study: The use of autologous pericardium for annuloplasty during mitral valve repair is a subject of controversy; hence, the study aim was to evaluate the authors' long-term results using this technique.

Methods: A retrospective review was conducted of 173 consecutive patients (mean age 59.6 +/- 16.

Tricuspid valve repair using autologous pericardium annuloplasty in adults.

Uncorrected functional tricuspid regurgitation can lead to long-term morbidity and mortality. To evaluate our results using autologous pericardium annuloplasty to treat tricuspid regurgitation, we retrospectively reviewed 59 consecutive adult patients aged 19 years to 83 years (58.7 +/- 15.

Aortic valve-sparing repair with autologous pericardial leaflet extension has low long-term mortality and reoperation rates in children and adults.

Objectives: We sought to establish whether there was a difference in outcome after aortic valve repair with autologous pericardial leaflet extension in pediatric and adult populations.

Methods: In our study, 128 patients (pediatric and adult) underwent valvular pericardial extension repair at our institution from 1997 through 2006. The patients were divided into either the pediatric group (< or =18 years of age; n = 54/128, 42%), with a mean age of 8.

Pathologic findings in pericardium and native valve tissues after aortic valve-sparing with autologous pericardial leaflet extension.

Background And Aim Of The Study: Aortic valve repair with autologous pericardial leaflet extension is a valuable treatment option for aortic valve disease. The study aim was to examine and describe the histopathologic changes in native and pericardial extension leaflet tissues after this procedure.

Methods: The pathologic findings of nine patients (mean age 26.

Alcohol use in donors is a protective factor on recipients' outcome after heart transplantation.

Objective: The outcome of heart transplantation is highly influenced by good donor selection. Because a history of alcoholism is prevalent among potential heart donors, we sought to explore the effect of alcohol use in donors on the outcome of heart transplantation in the recipient.

Method: A total of 437 consecutive patients underwent heart transplantation from January 2002 through September 2005.

Aortic valve sparing and restoration with autologous pericardial leaflet extension is an effective alternative in pediatric patients.

We sought to evaluate the durability and efficacy of aortic valve repair with autologous pericardial leaflet extension in children. From 1997 through 2006, 54 patients underwent aortic valve repair with autologous pericardial leaflet extension at a mean age 8.4 +/- 5.

Aortic valve-sparing repair with autologous pericardial leaflet extension has a greater early re-operation rate in congenital versus acquired valve disease.

Objective: We sought to establish whether there was a difference in outcome after aortic valve repair with autologous pericardial leaflet extension in acquired versus congenital valvular disease.

Methods: One hundred and twenty-eight patients underwent reparative aortic valve surgery at our institution from 1997 through 2005 for acquired or congenital aortic valve disease. The acquired group (43/128) (34%) had a mean age of 56.