Corneal Endothelium Viability Assay Using Trypan Blue Dye After Preloaded Descemet Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty Graft Preparation.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to establish a validated method, consistent with Eye Bank Association of America medical standards, for evaluating endothelial cell loss (ECL) from an entire Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) graft using trypan blue dye as an alternative to specular microscopy.

Method: Twenty-nine corneas were prepared for preloaded DMEK by a single technician, and the endothelium was stained with trypan blue dye for 30 seconds. The technician estimated total cell loss as a percentage of the graft and captured an image.

Size and Shape Matter: Cell Viability of Preloaded Descemet Stripping Automated Endothelial Keratoplasty Grafts in Three Different Carriers.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to examine endothelial cell loss (ECL) associated with preloaded Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK) grafts loaded into 3 carriers of different size and shape.

Methods: Thirty-six donor corneas were prepared for DSAEK and loaded into an EndoGlide Ultrathin (control) (2.0 mm × 3.

Safety of Long-Term Storage and Shipping of Prestripped, Prestained, and Preloaded Descemet Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty Tissue.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the safety of long-term storage and shipping of prestripped, prestained, and preloaded Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (pDMEK) grafts.

Methods: A total of 33 cadaveric corneas were prestripped, prestained, and preloaded using modified Jones tube injectors as pDMEK. The corneas were masked to groups that were prepared <9 hours (control), 48 hours, and 72 hours before unloading and analysis.

Imaging of Corneal Neovascularization: Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography and Fluorescence Angiography.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) and indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) for the assessment of corneal neovascularization (CoNV).

Methods: Patients with CoNV extending at least 3 mm into the cornea were included. All patients underwent corneal imaging at the same visit.

How true outcomes-based commissioning can really 'liberate' healthcare services.

Healthcare systems all over the world face the challenge of variable care quality, inefficiency and increasing costs. A potential solution is value-based healthcare, where the aim is to achieve the best outcomes at the lowest cost. However, the measurement of outcomes that really reflect what matters most to patients is currently rudimentary.

Enhancing understanding: the development of a glossary of health technology assessment adaptation terms.

Background: The way people use health technology assessment (HTA) terms varies considerably across Europe. Such variation can lead to misunderstandings when reading HTA reports from different contexts. This work is one of the outputs of the EUnetHTA Project and was undertaken between 2006 and 2008.

The health technology assessment adaptation toolkit: description and use.

Objectives: Adapting health technology assessment (HTA) reports for different contexts could reduce the need for multiple reports on the same health technology with resultant saving of time and resources. This article describes an instrument, the adaptation toolkit, which has been developed to aid in the process of adaptation of HTA reports.

Methods: The toolkit was developed by a partnership of HTA agencies and networks from across Europe.

The HTA core model: a novel method for producing and reporting health technology assessments.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to develop and test a generic framework to enable international collaboration for producing and sharing results of health technology assessments (HTAs).

Methods: Ten international teams constructed the HTA Core Model, dividing information contained in a comprehensive HTA into standardized pieces, the assessment elements. Each element contains a generic issue that is translated into practical research questions while performing an assessment.

How to formulate research recommendations.

“More research is needed” is a conclusion that fits most systematic reviews. But authors need to be more specific about what exactly is required

Guideline-based early rehabilitation after myocardial infarction. A pragmatic randomised controlled trial.

Objectives: To determine the effectiveness of individualised educational behavioural treatment delivered by cardiac nurses in hospital compared to usual care for patients following acute myocardial infarction.

Methods: One hundred and fourteen consecutive patients were randomised to receive the intervention or usual care. Outcome assessment was by self-report questionnaire (the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and Dartmouth COOP Health Status), interview at 1 month, and self-report at 3 and 12 months.