Catheter-Related Bloodstream Infections in Patients on Emergent Hemodialysis.

Objective: This study had 2 objectives: (1) to describe the epidemiology of catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSI) in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) who have no access to scheduled dialysis and (2) to evaluate whether a positive culture of the heparin-lock solution is associated with subsequent development of bacteremia.

Design: Retrospective observational cohort design for objective 1; and prospective cohort design for objective 2.

Setting And Participants: The study was conducted in a 770-bed public academic tertiary hospital in Dallas, Texas.

Cardioprotective effect of high-dose intragraft adenosine infusion on microvascular function and prevention of no-reflow during saphenous vein grafts intervention.

Background: Despite the use of embolic protection devices, no-reflow can still occur during saphenous vein grafts (SVGs) intervention. High-dose intracoronary adenosine infusion preconditions the myocardium, improves coronary flow, and prevents no-reflow. The role of high-dose intragraft adenosine infusion on protection of microvascular function and prevention of no-reflow has not been investigated

Objectives: We investigated the cardioprotective effect of high-dose intragraft adenosine infusion, compared with placebo, on microvascular function and prevention of no-reflow during SVGs intervention.

The impact of fractional flow reserve measurement on clinical outcomes after transradial coronary stenting.

Aims: Fractional flow reserve (FFR) ≥0.96 after stenting correlates well with an optimal stent expansion, but outcomes based on FFR after drug eluting stents (DES) have not been studied. This study sought to investigate the proportion of patients in whom an FFR ≥0.

A practical approach to the treatment of depression in patients with chronic kidney disease and end-stage renal disease.

Depression is a common, under-recognized, and under-treated problem that is independently associated with increased morbidity and mortality in CKD patients. However, only a minority of CKD patients with depression are treated with antidepressant medications or nonpharmacologic therapy. Reasons for low treatment rates include a lack of properly controlled trials that support or refute efficacy and safety of various treatment regimens in CKD patients.

The utility of the forced oscillation technique in assessing bronchodilator responsiveness in patients with asthma.

Objective: To address the utility of the forced oscillation technique (FOT) in assessing bronchodilator responsiveness compared with forced expiratory volume in 1s (FEV(1)).

Methods: This is a retrospective analysis of consecutive 126 patients with a clinical history of asthma without any other lung diseases at a pulmonary function testing laboratory. The following measurements were obtained three times each, before and after two doses of pirbuterol 0.

Correlations between fractional flow reserve and intravascular ultrasound in patients with an ambiguous left main coronary artery stenosis.

Background: Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) is being used to assess the significance of a left main coronary artery stenosis (LMCS). However, the cutoff values of IVUS parameters at which to predict a fractional flow reserve (FFR) of 0.75 are unknown.

Use of atropine to maintain higher heart rate after exercise during treadmill stress echocardiography.

The sensitivity of treadmill stress echocardiography (SE), which is extensively used as a noninvasive test to detect myocardial ischemia, is contingent on the rapid acquisition of 2-dimensional echocardiographic (2D) images immediately after exercise, before a substantial decrease in heart rate (HR). This test is technically challenging and needs proficient sonographers to obtain the images rapidly. This study was designed to determine whether administration of atropine at peak exercise would maintain a higher HR longer after exercise, thereby facilitating acquisition of images.