EVALUATING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CLINICAL ASSESSMENTS OF APPARENT HAMSTRING TIGHTNESS: A CORRELATIONAL ANALYSIS.

Background: Hamstring tightness is a common condition typically assessed via the active knee extension (AKE), passive straight leg raise (PSLR), V-sit and reach (VSR), and finger-floor-distance (FFD).

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationships between four common clinical tests of apparent hamstring tightness. A secondary purpose was to compare the differences in correlations between sub-groups based on positive test findings.

Changes in Hamstring Range of Motion After Neurodynamic Sciatic Sliders: A Critically Appraised Topic.

Clinical Scenario: Hamstring tightness is a common condition leading to dysfunctional or restricted movement that is often treated with stretching. Neurodynamics has been proposed as an alternative to stretching by targeting the neural system rather than muscle tissue. Focused Clinical Question: In an active population, what is the effect of using neurodynamic sliders compared with stretching on traditional measures of range of motion (ROM)? Summary of Key Findings: The authors of a well-designed study found that neurodynamic sliders were more effective than static stretching, while the authors of 2 less-well-designed studies reported no difference with static stretching or that proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation stretching was more effective than neurodynamic sliders.

Multicentre analysis of current strategies and outcomes in open aortic arch surgery: heterogeneity is still an issue.

Objectives: The study was conducted to evaluate, on the basis of a multicentre analysis, current results of elective open aortic arch surgery performed during the last decade.

Methods: Data of 1232 consecutive patients who underwent aortic arch repair with reimplantation of at least one supra-aortic artery between 2004 and 2013 were collected from 11 European cardiovascular centres, and retrospective statistical examination was performed using uni- and multi-variable analyses to identify predictors for 30-day mortality. Acute aortic dissections and arch surgeries not involving the supra-aortic arteries were not included.

A comparison of the efficacy of 70% v/v isopropyl alcohol with either 0.5% w/v or 2% w/v chlorhexidine gluconate for skin preparation before harvest of the long saphenous vein used in coronary artery bypass grafting.

Background: Chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) is often recommended for skin antisepsis; however, the most efficacious concentration is currently unclear. Our objective was to compare the efficacy of 70% isopropyl alcohol (IPA) containing either 0.5% or 2% CHG for antiseptic skin preparation in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting.

Short-term intravenous sodium nitrite infusion improves cardiac and pulmonary hemodynamics in heart failure patients.

Background: Nitrite exhibits hypoxia-dependent vasodilator properties, selectively dilating capacitance vessels in healthy subjects. Unlike organic nitrates, it seems not to be subject to the development of tolerance. Currently, therapeutic options for decompensated heart failure (HF) are limited.