Publications by authors named "Julianne Buchanan"
Study Objective: To evaluate the differences in health care expenditures and therapeutic outcomes of patients receiving warfarin therapy management by a pharmacist-managed anticoagulation service compared with those receiving warfarin management by usual medical care.
Design: Retrospective, matched-cohort study.
Data Source: University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) and UPMC Health Plan.
Background: Mechanical circulatory support using ventricular assist devices (VADs) is a life-saving option for children in heart failure refractory to maximal medical management. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of standard adult VADs in adolescents and children as well as report our early experience with miniaturized VADs in small children.
Methods: A 15-year retrospective review was performed on all patients younger than 18 years of age undergoing insertion of a pulsatile VAD at our institution.
Children with heart failure unresponsive to medical therapy are left with few options for survival. Pulsatile paracorporeal ventricular assist devices are life-saving options for such patients, allowing for bridge to transplantation or cardiac recovery. From March 1997 to July 2004, 12 patients underwent implantation of Thoratec biventricular assist devices (BVADs) for refractory heart failure.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: The rationale for the use of a biventricular assist device (BiVAD) for morbid congestive heart failure (MCHF) has been questioned because of historically unacceptable rates of postimplant and post-transplant mortality as well as perceived barriers to their outpatient management.
Methods And Results: All patients who received a Thoratec BiVAD from January 1990 to December 2003 at the University of Pittsburgh were studied retrospectively. There were a total of 73 patients (32% ischemic, 21% idiopathic, and 47% other) who had a BiVAD implanted.