Adoption of a semi-elective lung transplantation practice by safely extending cold ischemic times.

Objective: Lung transplantation is a complex surgical procedure performed by specialized teams. Practice changes to eliminate overnight lung transplants were implemented at our center and patient outcomes were evaluated.

Methods: Patient and donor organ selection were performed in the standard fashion.

Performance status at the time of lung retransplant predicts long-term function.

Background: Lung retransplantation is offered to select patients with chronic allograft dysfunction. Given the increased risk of morbidity and mortality conferred by retransplantation, post-transplant function should be considered in the decision of who and when to list. The aim of this study is to identify predictors of post-operative disability in patients undergoing lung retransplantation.

Waitlist Mortality and Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Bridge to Lung Transplant.

Background: Use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) as bridge to lung transplant has increased. However, little is known about patients placed on ECMO who die while on the waiting list. Using a national lung transplant data set, we investigated variables associated with waitlist mortality of patients bridged to lung transplant.

Evolution of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation trigger criteria in COVID-19 acute respiratory distress syndrome.

Objective: To understand the implications of a tiered extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) criteria framework and the outcomes of patients with COVID-19 acute respiratory distress syndrome who we were consulted on for ECMO but ultimately declined.

Methods: All patients declined for ECMO support by a large regional health care system between March 2020 and July 2021 were included. Restrictive selection criteria were enacted midway through the study stratifying the cohort into 2 groups.

Midterm Outcomes of Isolated Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting in the Setting of Moderate Ischemic Mitral Regurgitation.

Introduction: Although randomized trial data exist for 2-y outcomes comparing isolated coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) versus CABG with concomitant mitral valve repair (CABG + MVr) for the treatment of moderate ischemic mitral regurgitation (IMR), longer term outcomes are unclear. This study evaluated the longitudinal outcomes of isolated CABG for moderate IMR.

Methods: Patients with moderate IMR undergoing isolated CABG from January 2010 to February 2018 at a single institution were included.

Giant coronary artery aneurysm masquerading as an anterior mediastinal mass.

Coronary artery aneurysms are exceedingly rare and tend to be found incidentally on angiography. We present the case of a 6 cm giant coronary artery aneurysm discovered in a 25 year old man. Subsequent workup included cardiac-gated MRI, CT angiography, and left heart catheterization.

A qualitative study of social connectedness and its relationship to community health programs in rural Chiapas, Mexico.

Background: Social connectedness is an important predictor of health outcomes and plays a large role in the physical and mental health of an individual and a community. The presence of a functioning health clinic with a community health worker program may indirectly improve health outcomes by increasing the social connectedness of the community in addition to providing direct patient care. This study examines the social connectedness of the inhabitants of three Mexican towns within the catchment area of a healthcare Non-Government Organization (NGO) through a qualitative analysis.

Harnessing mHealth technologies to increase physical activity and prevent cardiovascular disease.

Research into prevention of cardiovascular disease has increasingly focused on mobile health (mHealth) technologies and their efficacy in helping individuals adhere to heart-healthy recommendations, including daily physical activity levels. By including the use of mHealth technologies in the discussion of physical activity recommendations, clinicians empower patients to play an active daily role in modifying their cardiovascular risk-factor profile. In this review, we critically evaluate the mHealth and physical activity literature to determine how these tools may lower cardiovascular risk while providing real-time tracking, feedback, and motivation on physical activity levels.