An approach to interprofessional management of complex patients: a case report.

Introduction: Complex patients are frequently high-users of health care resources. Case management has been demonstrated to be an effective and efficient approach for this demographic.

Case Presentation: A 36-year old, medically complex male patient was referred to an interprofessional primary care team to optimize health status.

Prospective venox feasibility study.

Venox is a propriety Venous Oximetry system, capable of measuring peripheral venous oximetry. In this ongoing study, Venox is being compared against mixed central venous oximetry during human cardiac surgery, with Fibre optic reflectance spectrophotometry being used as the gold standard, placed in the pulmonary artery. A background review of the Pulse oximetry, current venous oximetry techniques and the potential advantage of the VENOX system are discussed.

Two-center prospective randomized controlled trial of Blake versus Portex drains after cardiac surgery.

Objective: To compare the efficacy of two drain types after cardiac surgery in a randomized controlled trial, with primary outcome measure being depth of pericardial effusion 3 to 5 days after drain removal.

Methods: A prospective randomized controlled trial was conducted at two university hospitals. A total of 199 patients undergoing first-time cardiac procedures were randomized at surgery to receive either small-bore flexible Blake drains (19F) or larger Portex drains (28F).

Aspire porcine bioprosthesis: ten years' experience.

Background And Aim Of The Study: Clinical results of this multicenter study of the Aspire porcine valve were reported previously at eight years; the present report provides an update of valve performance to 10 years postoperatively.

Methods: A total of 749 patients (60% males; mean age 73+/-7 years) underwent implantation with the Aspire (Tissuemed) porcine bioprosthesis between 1991 and 2002, at three institutions. Follow up was complete for 98% of the cohort.

Mitral valve relpair and revascularization for ischemic mitral regurgitation: predictors of operative mortality and survival.

Background And Aims Of The Study: Surgery for ischemic mitral regurgitation (IMR) is required in 4-5% of patients subjected to coronary artery surgery, and may be challenging. The study aim was to determine outcome following mitral valve repair and myocardial revascularization for moderate-to-severe IMR.

Methods: A total of 102 patients (mean age 68+/-7 years) underwent mitral valve repair for IMR between 1998 and 2001 at the authors' unit.