Socioecological Determinants of Health and the Quality of Colonoscopy in Rural Alabama.

Background: Rural patients experience a higher incidence of and mortality from colorectal cancer. Ensuring high-quality screening is essential to address these disparities.

Objective: To investigate whether socioecological determinants of health are associated with colonoscopy quality in rural Alabama.

Novel Characterization of Socioecological Determinants of Health in Rural Alabama.

Introduction: Socioecological determinants of health (SEDOHs) influence disparities in surgical outcomes. However, SEDOHs are challenging to measure, limiting our ability to address disparities. Using a validated survey (SEDOH-88), we assessed SEDOHs in three rural communities in Alabama.

Routine Intraoperative Use of Esophageal Bougie in Minimally Invasive Hiatal Hernia Repair is Not Necessary.

Background: Laparoscopic hiatal hernia repair can be performed with an antireflux procedure. Routine use of an esophageal bougie has been advocated to avoid an excessively tight fundoplication. The use of an esophageal bougie carries a risk of iatrogenic complications, such as perforation or laceration of the viscera.

Bivalirudin versus heparin in percutaneous coronary intervention-a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials stratified by adjunctive glycoprotein IIb/IIIa strategy.

Background: Bivalirudin has been shown to be associated with less major bleeding than heparin in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI); but the confounding effect of concomitant glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors (GPI) limits meaningful comparison. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to compare bivalirudin to heparin, with and without adjunctive GPI in PCI.

Methods: We searched PubMed, Cochrane, EMBASE, CINAHL and WOS from January 2000 to December 2017 for clinical trials comparing bivalirudin to heparin, with and without adjunctive GPI during PCI.

A Review of Von Hippel-Lindau Syndrome.

Von Hippel-Lindau syndrome (VHL) is a familial neoplastic condition seen in approximately 1 in 36,000 live births. It is caused by germline mutations of the tumor suppressor gene VHL, located on the short arm of chromosome 3. While the majority of the affected individuals have a positive family history, up to 20% of cases arise from mutations.

Minimally Invasive Management of Complicated Diverticular Disease: Current Status and Review of Literature.

Background: Diverticulitis is a common condition which carries significant morbidity and socioeconomic burden (McGillicuddy et al in Arch Surg 144:1157-1162, 2009). The surgical management of diverticulitis has undergone significant changes in recent years. This article reviews the role of minimally invasive approach in management of complicated diverticulitis, with a focus on recent concepts and advances.

Case Report of Haemophilus parainfluenzae Sepsis in a Newborn Infant Following Water Birth and a Review of Literature.

Water birth has grown in popularity over the recent years. Although beneficial for mothers, there are concerns for the infants. There are previous reports of infection following water birth.

Comparison of percutaneous device closure versus surgical closure of peri-membranous ventricular septal defects: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: While percutaneous device closure (PDC) is a first-line therapy for isolated muscular ventricular septal defects (mVSD), surgery is still the preferred approach for peri-membranous ventricular septal defects (pmVSD).

Objective: We sought to compare the outcomes of percutaneous versus open surgical closure of pmVSDs.

Methods: PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science databases were searched through October 15, 2014 for English language studies comparing outcomes of PDC with surgical closure of pmVSDs.

Outcomes of mitral valve repair compared with replacement in patients undergoing concomitant aortic valve surgery: a meta-analysis of observational studies.

Long-term superiority of mitral valve (MV) repair compared with replacement is well established in degenerative MV disease. In rheumatic heart disease, its advantages are unclear and it is often performed in conjunction with aortic valve (AV) replacement. Herein, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis comparing outcomes of MV repair vs replacement in patients undergoing concomitant AV replacement.

Efficacy and safety of transulnar coronary angiography and interventions--a single center experience.

Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy and long-term safety of transulnar approach in complex coronary interventions.

Background: The success rate of transulnar approach in complex coronary interventions and its long-term safety remains to be proven.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective chart review of patients undergoing transulnar coronary angiography and interventions at our institution from January 2004 through July 2009.

Fenofibric acid for hyperlipidemia.

Introduction: 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors (i.e., statins) are the mainstay of therapy for hyperlipidemia, as per the current National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) recommendation.

Development and validation of a risk calculator for prediction of cardiac risk after surgery.

Background: Perioperative myocardial infarction or cardiac arrest is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The Revised Cardiac Risk Index is currently the most commonly used cardiac risk stratification tool; however, it has several limitations, one of which is its relatively low discriminative ability. The objective of the present study was to develop and validate a predictive cardiac risk calculator.

Predictors of pulmonary complications after bariatric surgery.

Background: Postoperative pneumonia (PP) and respiratory failure (PRF) are known to be the most common nonwound complications after bariatric surgery. Our objective was to identify their current prevalence after bariatric surgery and to study the preoperative factors associated with them using data from the American College of Surgeons' National Surgical Quality Improvement Program.

Methods: Patients undergoing bariatric surgery were identified from the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (2006-2008), a multicenter, prospective database.

Feasibility and safety of elective transradial coronary intervention in Asian females.

Background: Transradial access for angioplasty and percutaneous intervention (PCI) has become more popular across the world due to lower risk of bleeding and better patient comfort. It has been shown to be effective and feasible in the Western population. However, there is a relative paucity of similar data for small-statured females, especially from Asian countries.

Clinical utility of valsartan in treatment of children and adolescents with high blood pressure.

The incidence of hypertension in the pediatric population has been increasing secondary to lifestyle changes in children and adolescents. Recent studies have enhanced our understanding of the treatment of pediatric hypertension. Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors have traditionally been the most commonly used class of medication in children with hypertension.