The Relationship Between Body Mass Index and Long-Term Outcomes Following Traumatic Injury.

Introduction: Little is known about the relationship between body mass index (BMI), a function of mass and height (mass/height) and long-term outcomes among traumatic injury survivors. In this prospective cohort study, we investigate the relationship between BMI and long-term health outcomes in the trauma population.

Methods: Adult trauma survivors with an injury severity score ≥9 admitted to one of three level 1 trauma centers, from January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2022, were surveyed via telephone between 6 and 12 mo postinjury.

Determinants of long-term physical and mental health outcomes after intensive care admission for trauma survivors.

Introduction: Collectively, studies from medical and surgical intensive care units (ICU) suggest that long-term outcomes are poor for patients who have spent significant time in an ICU. We sought to identify determinants of post-intensive care physical and mental health outcomes 6-12 months after injury.

Methods: Adult trauma patients [ISS ≥9] admitted to one of three Level-1 trauma centers were interviewed 6-12 months post-injury to evaluate patient-reported outcomes.

Patients Lost to Follow-up After Injury: Who are They and What are Their Long-Term Outcomes?

Introduction: Trauma patients are at high risk for loss to follow-up (LTFU) after hospital discharge. We sought to identify risk factors for LTFU and investigate associations between LTFU and long-term health outcomes in the trauma population.

Methods: Trauma patients with an Injury Severity Score ≥9 admitted to one of three Level-I trauma centers, 2015-2020, were surveyed via telephone 6 mo after injury.

Short-Term Pre-Operative Protein Caloric Restriction in Elective Vascular Surgery Patients: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

(1) Background: Vascular surgery operations are hampered by high failure rates and frequent occurrence of peri-operative cardiovascular complications. In pre-clinical studies, pre-operative restriction of proteins and/or calories (PCR) has been shown to limit ischemia-reperfusion damage, slow intimal hyperplasia, and improve metabolic fitness. However, whether these dietary regimens are feasible and safe in the vascular surgery patient population remains unknown.

Patient comprehension necessary for informed consent for vascular procedures is poor and related to frailty.

Objective: Informed consent is an essential principle of high-quality health care. A core component of surgical informed consent is patient comprehension of basic information such as the diagnosis, risks, benefits, and alternatives of the proposed surgery. We sought to assess informed consent among vascular surgery patients and the association between frailty, education, decisional conflict, and patient comprehension.

Saturday multidisciplinary hemodialysis access clinics to enhance patient care.

Fragmentation of outpatient care is a substantial barrier to creation and maintenance of hemodialysis access. To improve patient accessibility, satisfaction, and multidisciplinary provider communication, we created a monthly Saturday multidisciplinary vascular surgery and interventional nephrology access clinic at a tertiary care hospital in a major urban area for the complicated hemodialysis patient population. The study included patients presenting for new access creation as well as those who had previously undergone access surgery.

Insights From a Short-Term Protein-Calorie Restriction Exploratory Trial in Elective Carotid Endarterectomy Patients.

Background: Open vascular surgery interventions are not infrequently hampered by complication rates and durability. Preclinical surgical models show promising beneficial effects in modulating the host response to surgical injury via short-term dietary preconditioning. Here, we explore short-term protein-calorie restriction preconditioning in patients undergoing elective carotid endarterectomy to understand patient participation dynamics and practicalities of robust research approaches around nutritional/surgical interventions.