The effect of diabetes on abdominal aortic aneurysm growth over 2 years.

Objective: Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a common progressive disease and a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. Prior investigations have shown that diabetes mellitus (DM) may be relatively protective of AAA incidence and growth. The Non-invasive Treatment of Aortic Aneurysm Clinical Trial (N-TACT) is a contemporary study of small AAA growth that provides a unique opportunity to validate and explore the effect of DM on AAA.

Identification of Low Cardiac Output Syndrome at the Bedside: A Pediatric Cardiac Intensive Care Unit Survey.

Background: Low cardiac output syndrome is a transient constellation of signs and symptoms that indicate the heart's inability to supply sufficient oxygen to tissues and end-organs to meet metabolic demand. Because the term lacks a standard clinical definition, the bedside diagnosis of this syndrome can be difficult.

Objective: To evaluate concordance among pediatric cardiac intensive care unit nurses in their identification of low cardiac output syndrome in pediatric patients after cardiac surgery.