Lung ultrasonography derived B-line scores as predictors of left ventricular end-diastolic pressure and pulmonary artery wedge pressure.

Background: Non-invasive assessment of elevated left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) and pulmonary artery wedge pressure (PAWP) in patients with heart diseases is challenging. Lung ultrasonography (LUS) is a promising modality for predicting LVEDP and PAWP.

Methods: Fifty-seven stable ambulatory patients who underwent right and left heart catheterization were included.

Patient-specific versus conventional instrumentation for total knee arthroplasty: peri-operative and cost differences.

The role of patient-specific instrumentation in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is yet to be clearly defined. Current evidence evaluating peri-operative and cost differences against conventional TKA is unclear. We reviewed 356 TKAs between July 2008 and April 2013; 306 TKAs used patient-specific instrumentation while 50 had conventional instrumentation.

Clinical predictors of psychological distress in patients presenting for evaluation of a spinal disorder.

Background Context: Psychological distress has been shown to adversely affect the treatment outcomes of many spinal disorders. Most physicians do not routinely use psychological screening questionnaires. Additionally, physicians have not performed well when assessing patients for psychological distress while using clinical impression alone.