Renal resistive index assessment by intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography is associated with acute kidney injury after cardiac surgery: a prospective observational study.

Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a major health burden after cardiac surgery. Renal vasoconstriction and venous congestion can be assessed via transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). The primary objective is to determine feasibility of measuring intraoperative Renal resistive index (RRI) and portal vein pulsatility fraction (PF) by TEE.

Donation After Circulatory Death Heart Transplantation: A Narrative Review.

Heart transplantation is the definitive treatment for refractory, end-stage heart failure. The number of patients awaiting transplantation far exceeds available organs. In an effort to expand the donor pool, donation after circulatory death (DCD) heart transplantation has garnered renewed interest.

A Case Report of Percutaneous Right Ventricular Assist Device Utilization After Cesarean Delivery in a Patient With Severe Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension.

Physiologic changes of pregnancy are poorly tolerated in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), and peripartum maternal mortality is high. We present a case of a 31-year-old G3P0020 patient at 35 weeks' gestation with severe World Health Organization group I PAH who underwent cesarean delivery followed by percutaneous right ventricular assist device placement. Risks and benefits of the mode of delivery, neuraxial versus general anesthesia, and mechanical circulatory support are reviewed.

Health literacy and type of education intervention predicting post-education metered-dose inhaler misuse.

Background: Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) guidelines recommend self-management assessment and inhaler education at all care-visits. Assessment is vital for identifying inhaler misuse. Whether age-related factors impede the efficacy of educational interventions for inhaler technique among older patients is unknown.

Effectiveness of Interventions to Teach Metered-Dose and Diskus Inhaler Techniques. A Randomized Trial.

Rationale: The most effective approach to teaching respiratory inhaler technique is unknown.

Objectives: To evaluate the relative effects of two different educational strategies (teach-to-goal instruction vs. brief verbal instruction) in adults hospitalized with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.