Intensive, telemedicine-based, self-management program for rural, underserved patients with diabetes mellitus: Re-entry of retired endocrinologists into practice.

Introduction: Endocrinology workforce data demonstrate a substantial gap in the number of practicing endocrinologists, a phenomenon particularly affecting patients with diabetes in rural, financially challenged, underserved areas. We evaluated the concept that retired endocrinologists could re-enter practice part time and utilize telemedicine in collaboration with personnel in Federally Qualified Community Health Center clinics to conduct an intensive self-management program and provide 6-month concurrent care for patients with diabetes.

Methods: The program involved intensive glucose control measures and education in diabetes, nutrition, and lifestyle changes over a 6-month period.

Long Term Monitoring of Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Aneurysm Repair Using Transcaval Aortic Access.

Thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) has reduced the morbidity and mortality associated with the treatment of thoracic aortic pathologies. However, TEVAR's use is often predicated on sufficiently large femoral access for the delivery of the endograft device. Transcaval access, or the delivery of endovascular device via the vena cava before crossing into the aorta, has been used successfully for the deployment of transcatheter aortic valves.

A Novel Hemodynamic Index of Post-operative Right Heart Dysfunction Predicts Mortality in Cardiac Surgical Patients.

Introduction: This study aimed to investigate whether mortality following cardiac surgery was associated with the pulmonary artery pulsatility index (PAPi): pulmonary artery pulse pressure divided by central venous pressure (CVP), and a novel index: mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP) minus CVP.

Methods: This retrospective analysis investigated all cardiac surgery patients in the Society of Thoracic Surgeons registry at a single academic medical center from January 2017 through March 2020 (n = 1510). The primary and secondary outcomes were mortality at 1 year and serum creatinine increase during index surgical admission, respectively.

Phenelzine and Morphine Drug-Drug Interaction? A Literature Review.

The objectives of this manuscript are to describe a case report of a patient whose phenelzine maintenance therapy was discontinued due to concern for a phenelzine-morphine drug interaction, to review the available literature regarding the potential for this drug-drug interaction, and provide recommendations for this clinical scenario. A PubMed/MEDLINE literature search was conducted and all publications determined to be relevant to this case report were included. Literature describing data, case reports/human studies, and review articles concerning the interaction between morphine and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) were included.

The Role of the Persistent Sodium Current in Epilepsy.

Voltage-gated sodium channels (VGSCs) are foundational to excitable cell function: Their coordinated passage of sodium ions into the cell is critical for the generation and propagation of action potentials throughout the nervous system. The classical paradigm of action potential physiology states that sodium passes through the membrane only transiently (1-2 milliseconds), before the channels inactivate and cease to conduct sodium ions. However, in reality, a small fraction of the total sodium current (1%-2%) remains at steady state despite prolonged depolarization.

Classifying Complications: Assessing Adult Spinal Deformity 2-Year Surgical Outcomes.

Study Design: Retrospective review of prospective database.

Objective: Complication rates for adult spinal deformity (ASD) surgery vary widely because there is no accepted system for categorization. Our objective was to identify the impact of complication occurrence, minor-major complication, and Clavien-Dindo complication classification (Cc) on clinical variables and patient-reported outcomes.

Clinical and Procedural Evaluation of a Pharmacy Pharmacokinetic Consult Service.

Purpose: Though previous studies have shown benefit with pharmacist-managed dosing of antibiotics, many institutions still do not offer such services. Our objective was to determine and report novel outcomes associated with the implementation of a pharmacist-managed pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic consult service and to assess the impact of direct pharmacist involvement in therapeutic drug monitoring.

Methods: Retrospective cohort study of patients who received vancomycin or an aminoglycoside in the medical intensive care unit from January 5, 2013, to January 6, 2015, divided into 2 groups: before/after implementation of the consult service on January 6, 2014.