Temporal trends and procedural safety of transcatheter mitral valve repair with mitraclip in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: Insights from the national inpatient sample.

Data on utilization and safety of mitral Transcatheter Edge-to-Edge Repair (TEER) among hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) patients is limited. Our study aimed to assess the national utilization, safety, and clinical outcomes of TEER procedures among HCM patients using a nationwide real-world cohort. HCM patients undergoing TEER hospitalizations between 2015-2020 were identified using ICD-10 (International Classification of Diseases, (ICD-10-CM/PCS).

Palliative Care in Kidney and Liver Diseases.

The role of palliative care is to recognize patients with advanced illnesses who are at risk for poor outcomes and to alleviate their pain and suffering. Patients with both kidney and liver disease are a very vulnerable population due to the unique pathophysiologic relationship these two organs share, which often leads to an abbreviated life expectancy and a significant symptom burden. These patients face many challenges in their care.

Intramyocardial mapping of ventricular premature depolarizations via septal venous perforators: Differentiating the superior intraseptal region from left ventricular summit origins.

Background: The intramyocardial aspect of the left ventricular summit (LVS) can be mapped by advancing a unipolar guidewire into septal perforator branches of the anterior interventricular vein.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to differentiate between ventricular premature depolarizations (VPDs) with a basal superior intraseptal (SIS) site of origin and those originating from the epicardial LVS using septal intramyocardial mapping.

Methods: A retrospective cohort of patients with suspected LVS VPDs who underwent SIS unipolar mapping were reviewed for their clinical characteristics, mapping findings, and procedural outcomes.

Transcriptome Signature of Immune Cells Post Reovirus Treatment in Mutated Colorectal Cancer.

Purpose: Reovirus propagates with high efficiency in mutated colorectal cancer (CRC). About 45-50% of CRC patients possess a mutation. Oncolytic reovirus treatment in combination with chemotherapy was tested in patients possessing mutated metastatic CRC.

Impact of a Formal Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Curriculum: A Prospective, Controlled Trial.

Objective: To assess the impact of implementing a dedicated Patient Safety and Quality Improvement (PSQI) curriculum for otolaryngology residents.

Methods: Residents in two otolaryngology residency programs were recruited to participate in the study. Residents at institution A (intervention group) participated in a formal, newly developed, year-long PSQI curriculum.

Cardiovascular Therapies Targeting Left Atrial Appendage.

Left atrial appendage (LAA) closure has evolved as an effective strategy for stroke prevention in patients with atrial fibrillation who are considered suitable for oral anticoagulation. There is strong evidence based on randomized clinical trials with 1 percutaneous device, as well as a large registry experience with several devices, regarding the safety and efficacy of this strategy. In addition, there is encouraging data regarding the effect of epicardial LAA closure on decreasing arrhythmia burden and improvements in systemic homeostasis by neurohormonal modulation.

Safety profiles of percutaneous left atrial appendage closure devices: An analysis of the Food and Drug Administration Manufacturer and User Facility Device Experience (MAUDE) database from 2009 to 2016.

Background: Percutaneous left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) is a viable option for AF patients who are unable to tolerate long-term oral anticoagulation (OAC).

Objective: We sought to assess the safety of two commonly used percutaneous devices for LAA closure in the United States by analysis of surveillance data from the FDA Manufacturer and User Facility Device Experience (MAUDE) database.

Methods: The MAUDE database was queried between May 1, 2006 and May 1, 2016 for LARIAT (SentreHEART Inc.

A contouring guide for head and neck cancers with perineural invasion.

Purpose: Perineural invasion (PNI) is a frequent pathological finding in head and neck cancers. When adjuvant radiation to cranial nerves at risk in head and neck cancers with PNI is considered, there is a need for consensus on which nerves are at risk and how to contour these nerves. This contouring guide attempts to address this need.

Menopause symptoms in HIV-infected and drug-using women.

Objective: To examine the association of HIV infection, drug use, and psychosocial stressors with type and frequency of menopause symptoms.

Design: In a cross-sectional study, HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected midlife women underwent standardized interviews on menopause status and symptoms, demographic characteristics, depressive symptoms, negative life events, and substance abuse. Body mass index (BMI), HIV serostatus, and CD4 count were measured.

Current trends in breast reduction.

Current trends in the development of breast reduction surgery include a few minor refinements in classic inverted-T scar methods but, more, the increased use of vertical-scar reduction mammaplasty. The benefits of the latter, which include reduced scar burden and improved long-term projection, are attractive, although the technique itself has proved to be somewhat intuitive and more difficult to master. These shortcomings can be minimized and the technique safely learned by initially applying it to patients with minor degrees of macromastia and ptosis.