Leaflet Mechanical Properties of Carpentier-Edwards Perimount Magna Pericardial Aortic Bioprostheses.

Background: Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has recently been shown to be equivalent to surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) in intermediate-risk patients. As TAVR expands towards the traditionally SAVR population, TAVR versus SAVR durability becomes increasingly important. While the durability of TAVR is unknown, valve design - particularly with regards to leaflet stress - impacts on valve durability.

The efficacy of benzodiazepines as acute anxiolytics in children: A meta-analysis.

Objective: Current practice guidelines do not recommend benzodiazepines for acute management of anxiety disorders in pediatric patients. However, in procedural settings, benzodiazepines are commonly used to relieve acute preprocedural stress. This meta-analysis examines the efficacy and tolerability of benzodiazepines as short-term anxiolytics in children.

Biomechanics of Failed Pulmonary Autografts Compared to Native Aortic Roots.

Background: Progressive autograft dilatation after a Ross operation suggests that remodeling does not effectively reproduce native aortic root biomechanics. In the first of this two-part series, we compared mechanical properties of explanted autografts to pulmonary roots at pulmonary pressures. The goal of this study was to compare mechanical properties of explanted autografts to native aortic roots at systemic pressures.

Biomechanics of Failed Pulmonary Autografts Compared With Normal Pulmonary Roots.

Background: Progressive dilatation of pulmonary autografts after the Ross operation may reflect inadequate remodeling of the native pulmonary root to adapt to systemic circulation. Understanding the biomechanics of autograft root dilatation may aid designing strategies to prevent dilatation. We have previously characterized normal human pulmonary root material properties; however, the mechanical properties of failed autografts are unknown.

Dickkopf-related Protein 3 as a Sensitive and Specific Marker for Cerebrospinal Fluid Leaks.

Hypothesis: Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) can be identified by using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for Dickkopf-related protein 3 (DKK3).

Background: Cerebrospinal fluid leakage from the subarachnoid space is a potentially alarming condition that, left unrepaired, may result in increased risk of meningitis and encephalitis. Current biochemical methods of CSF leak detection involve using beta-2-transferrin-based or beta trace protein-based assays, both of which, at present, have limitations that hinder practical clinical application.

Impairment of Caloric Function After Cochlear Implantation.

Purpose: This article seeks to review current literature on caloric function following cochlear implantation while analyzing any correlations of caloric function changes with vestibular symptoms.

Method: This article is a systematic review of evidence-based literature. English language articles published between 1980 and 2014 that presented some form of caloric data from cochlear implant (CI) patients and that did not solely analyze overlapping data from a previous study were reviewed.