Complications of long and intermediate term venous catheters in cystic fibrosis patients: A multicenter study.

Background: Totally implantable venous access devices (TIVADs) or peripherally inserted central venous catheters (PICCs) are commonly used in the care of patients with cystic fibrosis (CF), but they are associated with various complications, including thrombosis, infection, and insertion site symptoms.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of PICC and TIVAD use in adults and children with CF over an 8-year period at 3 accredited care centers. Patient attributes included CFTR genotype, comorbidities, lung function, body mass index, use of anticoagulation, and respiratory tract microbiology.

Reliability using the universal classification of acute myocardial infarction compared to ST-segment classification.

Objectives: To study the inter-physician reliability using the universal classification (UC) of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) compared to the ST-segment classification (STC). The UC is based on clinical, electrocardiographic (ECG), and pathophysiologic characteristics compared to the STC, which is mainly ECG based.

Methods: In this registry of consecutive patients with AMI presenting to a tertiary hospital, we studied the inter-physician reliability [weighted kappa (wK)] using the UC and the STC.

The universal classification is an independent predictor of long-term outcomes in acute myocardial infarction.

Background: The long-term outcomes of patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) according to the universal classification (UC) are unknown. We investigated whether the outcome of these patients is better predicted by the UC than the ST-segment classification (STC).

Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of 348 consecutive patients with AMI with mean follow-up of 30.