Inspiring diverse researchers in Virginia: Cultivating research excellence through a career-building program.

Historically underrepresented groups in biomedical research have continued to experience low representation despite shifting demographics. Diversity fosters inclusive, higher quality, and innovative team science. One avenue for diversifying research teams is integrating diversity-focused initiatives into Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA) Programs, such as the integrated Translational Health Research Institute of Virginia (iTHRIV).

Inspiring Diverse Researchers in Virginia: Cultivating Research Excellence Through a Career Building Program.

Historically underrepresented groups in biomedical research have continued to experience low representation despite shifting demographics. Diversity fosters inclusive, higher quality, and innovative team science. One avenue for diversifying research teams is integrating diversity-focused initiatives into Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA) Programs, such as the integrated Translational Health Research Institute of Virginia (iTHRIV).

Meaningful Patient-centered Outcomes 1 Year Following Cardiac Surgery.

Objective: To evaluate meaningful, patient-centered outcomes including alive-at-home status and patient-reported quality of life 1 year after cardiac surgery.

Background: Long-term patient-reported quality of life after cardiac surgery is not well understood. Current operative risk models and quality metrics focus on short-term outcomes.

Secondary surgical-site infection after coronary artery bypass grafting: A multi-institutional prospective cohort study.

Objective: To analyze patient risk factors and processes of care associated with secondary surgical-site infection (SSI) after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).

Methods: Data were collected prospectively between February and October 2010 for consenting adult patients undergoing CABG with saphenous vein graft (SVG) conduits. Patients who developed a deep or superficial SSI of the leg or groin within 65 days of CABG were compared with those who did not develop a secondary SSI.

Two-Year Outcomes of Surgical Treatment of Moderate Ischemic Mitral Regurgitation.

Background: In a trial comparing coronary-artery bypass grafting (CABG) alone with CABG plus mitral-valve repair in patients with moderate ischemic mitral regurgitation, we found no significant difference in the left ventricular end-systolic volume index (LVESVI) or survival after 1 year. Concomitant mitral-valve repair was associated with a reduced prevalence of moderate or severe mitral regurgitation, but patients had more adverse events. We now report 2-year outcomes.

Costs associated with health care-associated infections in cardiac surgery.

Background: Health care-associated infections (HAIs) are the most common noncardiac complications after cardiac surgery and are associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Current information about their economic burden is limited.

Objectives: This research was designed to determine the cost associated with major types of HAIs during the first 2 months after cardiac surgery.

Effects of n-3 fish oil on metabolic and histological parameters in NASH: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial.

Background & Aims: This study's aim was to assess the histological and metabolic effects of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) vs. placebo while adjusting for the impact of age and weight change in NASH patients. (ClinicalTrials.

Long-term satisfaction and medication dependence after antireflux surgery.

Background: Antireflux surgery remains an important treatment for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) refractory to medical management. However, there is a paucity of data on long-term surgical outcomes. The objectives of this study were to determine long-term patient satisfaction and medication dependence after antireflux surgery.

Phase I trial of induction histone deacetylase and proteasome inhibition followed by surgery in non-small-cell lung cancer.

Introduction: Despite complete surgical resection survival in early-stage non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains poor. On the basis of prior preclinical evaluations, we hypothesized that combined induction proteasome and histone deacetylase inhibitor therapy, followed by tumor resection, is feasible.

Methods: A phase I clinical trial using a two-staged multiple-agent design of bortezomib and vorinostat as induction therapy followed by consolidative surgery in patients with NSCLC was performed.

Use of fibrin sealant as a hemostatic agent in expanded polytetrafluoroethylene graft placement surgery.

Background: The low thrombogenicity, porosity, and limited elasticity of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) vascular grafts, although beneficial, may exacerbate the problem of suture-line bleeding at vascular anastomoses and consequently lead to increased operating times. The overall objective of this prospective, randomized, controlled, subject-blinded, multicenter phase 2 study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a fibrin sealant containing 500 IU/mL thrombin and synthetic aprotinin (FS; marketed in the United States under the name TISSEEL) for hemostasis in subjects undergoing vascular surgery and receiving prosthetic ePTFE vascular grafts.

Methods: FS was compared with manual compression with surgical gauze pads, a standard of care for hemostasis in vascular surgery.

A thoracic surgeon-directed tobacco cessation intervention.

Background: Thoracic surgeons receive little training in promoting tobacco cessation despite the impact of tobacco use on their patients. There are only a few prospective reports of tobacco cessation efforts involving thoracic surgeons in the scientific literature. The purpose of this study was to prospectively evaluate a brief tobacco cessation intervention offered by surgeons in an outpatient thoracic surgery clinic.

Phase I trial of intrapleural docetaxel administered through an implantable catheter in subjects with a malignant pleural effusion.

Introduction: Malignant pleural effusion (MPE) is a common complication in patients with advanced malignancy. This dose escalation phase I study was designed to determine the maximum tolerated dose of intrapleural docetaxel administered through an implantable catheter in subjects with MPE.

Methods: Subjects with MPE (n = 15) with median age of 64.

Absorbable cyanoacrylate as a vascular hemostatic sealant: a preliminary trial.

No absorbable cyanoacrylate tissue adhesive for safe internal surgical use is available. This prospective multicenter preliminary study was designed to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of an investigational absorbable cyanoacrylate (IAC) as an adjunct to hemostasis in arteriovenous shunt (AVS) procedures for dialysis access. Consenting adults (10) underwent placement of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) upper extremity vascular grafts for AVS access using continuous 5-0 or 6-0 polypropylene after heparinization (> or =3000 units i.

Experience improves successful use of fibrin sealant in total knee arthroplasty: implications for surgical education.

This study evaluating fibrin sealant application in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) found significant differences in the decline in adjusted hemoglobin loss at 48 hours postoperatively in the treatment group (FS) relative to the control group (C) when the groups were segregated into early and late subgroups. The decline between the late C, 3.53 +/- 0.

Fibrin sealant improves hemostasis in peripheral vascular surgery: a randomized prospective trial.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of an investigational fibrin sealant (FS) in a randomized prospective, partially blinded, controlled, multicenter trial.

Summary Background Data: Upper extremity vascular access surgery using polytetrafluorethylene (PTFE) graft placement for dialysis was chosen as a reproducible, clinically relevant model for evaluating the usefulness of FS. The FS consisted of pooled human fibrinogen (60 mg/mL) and thrombin (500 NIH U/mL).