Multiple recurrences of a left ventricular pseudoaneurysm: a case report.

Background: Takotsubo syndrome (TTS) is being diagnosed more often with its increased recognition over the past 2 decades and with the availability of imaging such as point-of-care echocardiography and tissue characterization by cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR).

Case Summary: A young man developed pericarditis and was treated with steroids. A few weeks later, he suffered classic TTS and then presented a week later with the rare complication of apical myocardial rupture and a left ventricular (LV) pseudoaneurysm.

Crosswalking 4 Pain Impact Measures in a Nationally Representative Sample of Adults With Back Pain.

Objective: To generate crosswalk equations and tables for 4 pain impact measures: the Impact Stratification Score (ISS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ), and the Pain, Enjoyment of Life and General Activity Scale (PEG).

Design: Cross-sectional survey assessing demographics and pain impact. Crosswalks were developed using item-response theory (IRT) cocalibrations and linear regressions between the ISS, ODI, RMDQ, and PEG.

Feasibility Testing of the Bionet Sonar Ultrasound Transcutaneous Energy Transmission (UTET) System for Wireless Power and Communication of a LVAD.

Purpose: To address the clinical need for totally implantable mechanical circulatory support devices, Bionet Sonar is developing a novel Ultrasonic Transcutaneous Energy Transmission (UTET) system that is designed to eliminate external power and/or data communication drivelines.

Methods: UTET systems were designed, fabricated, and pre-clinically tested using a non-clinical HeartWare HVAD in static and dynamic mock flow loop and acute animal models over a range of pump speeds (1800, 2400, 3000 RPM) and tissue analogue thicknesses (5, 10, 15 mm).

Results: The prototypes demonstrated feasibility as evidenced by meeting/exceeding function, operation, and performance metrics with no system failures, including achieving receiver (harvested) power exceeding HVAD power requirements and data communication rates of 10kB/s and pump speed control (> 95% sensitivity and specificity) for all experimental test conditions, and within healthy tissue temperature range with no acute tissue damage.

Ex vivo heart perfusion: an updated systematic review.

Due to the discrepancy between patients awaiting a heart transplant and the availability of donor hearts, strategies to expand the donor pool and improve the transplant's success are crucial. This review aims to summarize current knowledge on the ex vivo heart preservation (EVHP) experience as an alternative to standard cold static storage (CSS). EVHP techniques can improve the preservation of the donor's heart before transplantation and allow for pre-transplant organ evaluation.

Early-stage Development of the CoRISMA Mechanical Circulatory Support (CMCS) System for Heart Failure Therapy.

Purpose: CoRISMA MCS Systems Inc (Hamden CT) is developing an innovative mechanical circulatory support system (CMCS) as a durable therapeutic option for heart failure (HF) patients. The CMCS system is comprised of an axial flow pump, non-contacting hydrodynamic bearings, and integrated DC motor designed to be fully implantable in a left atrial (LA) to aortic (Ao) configuration; this unloading strategy may be particularly beneficial for HF patients with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). The small (5.

Saccharin and aspartame excite rat retinal neurons.

Retinal sensitivity to a variety of artificial sweeteners was tested by monitoring changes in internal free calcium in isolated retinal neurons using Fluo3. Several ligands, including aspartame and saccharin elevated internal free calcium. The effects of these ligands were mediated by both ligand-gated membrane channels and G-protein coupled receptors.

Deactivation of LVAD support for myocardial recovery-surgical perspectives.

Left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) are excellent therapies for advanced heart failure patients either bridged to transplant or for lifetime use. LVADs also allow for reverse remodeling of the failing heart that is often associated with functional improvement. Indeed, growing enthusiasm exists to better understand this population of patients, whereby the LVAD is used as an adjunct to mediate myocardial recovery.

The PROMIS-16 reproduces the PROMIS-29 physical and mental health summary scores accurately in a probability-based internet panel.

Purpose: The Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System® (PROMIS)-16 assesses the same multi-item domains but does not include the pain intensity item in the PROMIS-29. We evaluate how well physical and mental health summary scores estimated from the PROMIS-16 reproduce those estimated using the PROMIS-29.

Methods: An evaluation of data collected from 4130 respondents from the KnowledgePanel.

Evaluating the Reach of a Patient Navigation Program for Follow-up Colonoscopy in a Large Federally Qualified Health Center.

Patient navigation (PN) has been shown to improve participation in cancer screening, including colorectal cancer screening, and is now a recommended practice by the Community Preventive Services Task Force. Despite the effectiveness of PN programs, little is known about the number of contacts needed to successfully reach patients or about the demographic and healthcare utilization factors associated with reach. PRECISE was an individual randomized study of PN versus usual care conducted as a partnership between two large health systems in the Pacific Northwest.

Anatomical and Hemodynamic Characterization of Totally Artificial Hearts.

We characterize the anatomy and function of never before studied total artificial hearts (TAHs) using established methods for testing mechanical circulatory support (MCS) devices. A historical review of TAHs is also presented to aid in benchmarking performance metrics. Six TAHs, ranging from spooky Halloween beating hearts to a cute colorful plush heart, were imaged, instrumented (mock flow loops) to measure their pressure, volume, and flow, and qualitatively evaluated by 3rd party cardiac surgeons for anatomical accuracy and surgical considerations.

Delays in the diagnosis and surgical treatment of drug-resistant epilepsy: A cohort study.

Objective: Delay in referral for epilepsy surgery of patients with drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE) is associated with decreased quality of life, worse surgical outcomes, and increased risk of sudden unexplained death in epilepsy (SUDEP). Understanding the potential causes of delays in referral and treatment is crucial for optimizing the referral and treatment process. We evaluated the treatment intervals, demographics, and clinical characteristics of patients referred for surgical evaluation at our level 4 epilepsy center in the U.

Left ventricular assist devices: yesterday, today, and tomorrow.

The shortcomings of expense, power requirements, infection, durability, size, and blood trauma of current durable LVADs have been recognized for many years. The LVADs of tomorrow aspire to be fully implantable, durable, mitigate infectious risk, mimic the pulsatile nature of the native cardiac cycle, as well as minimize bleeding and thrombosis. Power draw, battery cycle lifespan and trans-cutaneous energy transmission remain barriers to completely implantable systems.

Trends and outcomes of heart transplantation in adults with congenital heart disease.

Objectives: Heart transplantation for adult congenital heart disease is complicated and associated with challenging pretransplant support, long waiting and high early post-transplant mortality. We explored if surgical and medical advances and allocation system changes have affected outcomes.

Methods: From United Network for Organ Sharing database, adults with congenital heart disease listed for heart transplantation were queried.

Management of contained penetrating cardiac injury in a patient with prior cardiac surgery.

Penetrating cardiac injuries usually require emergent surgical intervention. Our patient presented to the trauma centre with multiple stab wounds to the neck, chest, epigastric region and abdomen. She arrived haemodynamically stable, and her initial Focused Assessment with Sonography for Trauma exam was negative.

Narrative comments about pediatric inpatient experiences yield substantial information beyond answers to closed-ended CAHPS survey questions.

Purpose: Adults' comments on patient experience surveys explain variation in provider ratings, with negative comments providing more actionable information than positive comments. We investigate if narrative comments on the Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS®) survey of inpatient pediatric care (Child HCAHPS) account for global perceptions of the hospital beyond that explained by reports about specific aspects of care.

Methods: We analyzed 545 comments from 927 Child HCAHPS surveys completed by parents and guardians of hospitalized children with at least a 24-h hospital stay from July 2017 to December 2020 at an urban children's hospital.

A Comparative Analysis of the Demographics and Zip Codes of Patients Seen at the Indiana University Student Outreach Clinic.

Within a small geographic area, Marion County contains a stark spectrum of health outcomes and socioeconomic statuses. The Indiana University Student Outreach Clinic (IUSOC) serves as a safety net provider, offering free health and social services in the Near Eastside neighborhood of Indianapolis. The aim of this study was to characterize the demographics and geographic distribution of the IUSOC's patient population.