Surgeons' re-operative valve replacement practices in patients with endocarditis due to drug use.

Background: This study discerns surgeons' attitudes and practices in the determination of heart valve replacement for patients with infectious endocarditis (IE) due to intravenous drug use (IVDU). We aimed to identify the factors contributing to surgeons' decision-making process for initial and recurrent surgical heart valves and the availability of institutional guidance.

Methods: An IRB-approved, anonymous mixed-methods, open survey instrument was designed and validated with 24 questions.

Summary of the First Annual Rocky Mountain Healthcare Symposium.

The Medical Center of Aurora, in Aurora, Colorado (USA), served as the host institution for the First Annual Rocky Mountain Healthcare Symposium. The objectives of the Symposium were to offer a series of lectures, provided by a group of internationally recognized leaders in clinical medical research on "How to conduct clinical medical research," and to allow medical residents from regional training programs to highlight their research. Twelve programs, from four US States, were represented.