Prophylactic Use of Cardiac Medications and Survival in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.

Introduction/aims: Prophylactic treatment of left ventricular dysfunction (LVD) in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) delays onset of LVD, but there is limited data showing impact on survival. Our aim was to describe survival among treated and untreated individuals with DMD.

Methods: Retrospective, population-based surveillance data from the Muscular Dystrophy Surveillance, Tracking and Research Network (MD STARnet) were used.

Evaluation of a transverse perineal approach to the canine vagina and vestibule.

There are a variety of surgical conditions impacting the canine vagina and vestibule that require access through a caudal approach. A standard vertical episiotomy involves making an incision beginning ventral to the anus and extending ventrally through the dorsal commissure of the vulva and into the lumen of the vestibule and distal vagina. The objective of this study was to determine if complex vaginal procedures could be performed via a transverse perineal approach, thus eliminating the need to incise and reconstruct the vulva as performed in a standard episiotomy, and to evaluate the feasibility of vaginal resection with vulvar-sparing vestibular urethrostomy using this transverse approach.

Outcomes associated with local treatment of nasal planum squamous cell carcinoma in dogs: 89 cases (2003-2020).

Objective: To describe the clinical characteristics, treatments, complications, and outcomes in dogs with nasal planum squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) undergoing local treatment.

Methods: A retrospective, multi-institutional study was performed. Medical records were searched to identify dogs diagnosed with nasal planum SCC.

A single left fourth intercostal thoracotomy approach for resolution of idiopathic chylothorax with thoracic duct ligation and pericardiectomy: a preliminary clinical study in two dogs.

Open surgical treatment of idiopathic chylothorax via thoracic duct ligation and pericardiectomy requires a lengthy procedure with two thoracotomy incisions. The objectives of this report were to describe an approach for thoracic duct ligation and pericardiectomy via a single thoracotomy at the left fourth intercostal space and to describe the clinical outcome in two dogs with idiopathic chylothorax. Dogs were prospectively enrolled in a pilot study to evaluate the clinical efficacy of thoracic duct ligation at the left fourth intercostal space, combined with subphrenic pericardiectomy performed through the same incision.

Prospective observational study of FKRP-related limb-girdle muscular dystrophy R9: A GRASP consortium study.

Objective: Limb-girdle muscular dystrophy R9 (LGMDR9, formerly known as LGMD2I), caused by variants in the fukutin-related protein (FKRP) gene leads to progressive muscle weakness of the shoulder and pelvic limb-girdles and loss of motor function over time. Clinical management and future trial design are improved by determining which standardized clinical outcome assessments (COA) of function are most appropriate to capture disease presentation and progression, informing endpoint selection and enrollment criteria. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the cross-sectional validity and reliability of clinical outcome assessments in patients with FKRP-related LGMDR9 participating in the Genetic Resolution and Assessments Solving Phenotypes in LGMD (GRASP) natural history study.