Five-Year Outcomes among U.S. Bronchiectasis and NTM Research Registry Patients.

Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are prevalent among patients with bronchiectasis. However, the long-term natural history of patients with NTM and bronchiectasis is not well described. To assess the impact of NTM on 5-year clinical outcomes and mortality in patients with bronchiectasis.

Factors influencing the outcome of magnetic sphincter augmentation for chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease.

Objectives: Magnetic sphincter augmentation (MSA) is a surgical treatment option for patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). MSA consistently improves quality of life, maintains freedom from PPIs, and objectively controls GERD. However, up to 24% of patients did not achieve these outcomes.

A Matched Comparison of Per Oral Endoscopic Myotomy to Laparoscopic Heller Myotomy in the Treatment of Achalasia.

Background: Per oral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) is increasingly utilized to treat patients with achalasia. Early results have demonstrated significant improvement of symptoms, but there are concerns about postoperative reflux. With only limited comparative data available, we sought to compare POEM to laparoscopic Heller myotomy (LHM) with partial fundoplication.

Manometric Changes to the Lower Esophageal Sphincter After Magnetic Sphincter Augmentation in Patients With Chronic Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease.

Objective: To evaluate the manometric changes, function, and impact of magnetic sphincter augmentation (MSA) on the lower esophageal sphincter (LES).

Background: Implantation of a MSA around the gastroesophageal junction has been shown to be a safe and effective therapy for gastroesophageal reflux disease, but its effect on the LES has not been elucidated.

Methods: Retrospective case control study (n = 121) evaluating manometric changes after MSA.

Multi-institutional outcomes using magnetic sphincter augmentation versus Nissen fundoplication for chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease.

Background: Magnetic sphincter augmentation (MSA) has emerged as an alternative surgical treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The safety and efficacy of MSA has been previously demonstrated, although adequate comparison to Nissen fundoplication (NF) is lacking, and required to validate the role of MSA in GERD management.

Methods: A multi-institutional retrospective cohort study of patients with GERD undergoing either MSA or NF.

Midodrine: a novel therapeutic for refractory chylothorax.

Thoracic duct injury is a rare but serious complication following surgery of the neck or chest that leads to uncontrolled chyle leak. Conventional management includes drainage, nutritional modification, or aggressive surgical interventions such as thoracic duct ligation, flap coverage, fibrin glue, or talc pleurodesis; few successful medical therapeutics are available. We report a case of a high-output chylothorax refractory to aggressive medical and surgical interventions.

The impact of implementing a 24/7 open trauma bed protocol in the surgical intensive care unit on throughput and outcomes.

Background: Increased emergency department (ED) length of stay (LOS) has been associated with increased mortality in trauma patients. In 2010, we implemented a 24/7 open trauma bed protocol in our designated trauma intensive care units (TICUs) to facilitate rapid admission from the ED. This required maintenance of a daily bump list and timely transferring of patients out of the TICU.

Utility of cardiovascular magnetic resonance in identifying substrate for malignant ventricular arrhythmias.

Background: Sudden cardiac death (SCD) and sustained monomorphic ventricular tachycardia (SMVT) are frequently associated with prior or acute myocardial injury. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) provides morphological, functional, and tissue characterization in a single setting. We sought to evaluate the diagnostic yield of CMR-based imaging versus non-CMR-based imaging in patients with resuscitated SCD or SMVT.