Hemodialysis is Not Associated With Pre-prosthetic Inpatient Rehabilitation Outcomes After Dysvascular Lower Extremity Amputation: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Background: Lower extremity amputation due to complications from peripheral vascular disease and/or diabetes are common and these patients often have multiple comorbidities. Patients with end-stage renal disease receiving hemodialysis (ESRD/HD) are a particularly vulnerable group at risk for amputation. After lower extremity amputation (LEA) surgery, many patients undergo post-operative inpatient rehabilitation to improve their pre-prosthetic functional independence.

Comorbidity and Non-prosthetic Inpatient Rehabilitation Outcomes After Dysvascular Lower Extremity Amputation.

Background: Dysvascular amputations arising from peripheral vascular disease and/or diabetes are common. Patients who undergo amputation often have additional comorbidities that may impact their recovery after surgery. Many individuals undergo post-operative inpatient rehabilitation to improve their non-prosthetic functional independence.

Management of Patients With Sepsis in Canadian Community Emergency Departments: A Retrospective Multicenter Observational Study.

Background: Sepsis is a life-threatening syndrome and a leading cause of morbidity and mortality representing significant financial burden on the health-care system. Early identification and intervention is crucial to maximizing positive outcomes. We studied a quality improvement initiative with the aim of reviewing the initial management of patients with sepsis in Canadian community emergency departments, to identify areas for improving the delivery of sepsis care.

Hepatitis C Core-Antigen Testing from Dried Blood Spots.

In order to expand hepatitis C virus (HCV) screening, a change in the diagnostic paradigm is warranted to improve accessibility and decrease costs, such as utilizing dried blood spot (DBS) collection. In our study, blood from 68 patients with chronic HCV infection was spotted onto DBS cards and stored at the following temperatures for one week: -80 °C, 4 °C, 21 °C, 37 °C, and alternating 37 °C and 4 °C; to assess whether temperature change during transportation would affect sensitivity. Sample was eluted from the DBS cards and tested for HCV antibodies (HCV-Ab) and HCV core antigen (core-Ag).

Cost Effectiveness of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Surveillance After a Sustained Virologic Response to Therapy in Patients With Hepatitis C Virus Infection and Advanced Fibrosis.

Background & Aims: Hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related cirrhosis increases the risk for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). After a sustained virologic response (SVR) to anti-HCV therapy, the risk of HCC is reduced but not eliminated. Recent developments in antiviral therapy have increased rates of SVR markedly.