Platelet versus fresh frozen plasma transfusion for coagulopathy in cardiac surgery patients.

Background: Platelets (PLTS) and fresh frozen plasma (FFP) are often transfused in cardiac surgery patients for perioperative bleeding. Their relative effectiveness is unknown.

Methods: We conducted an entropy-weighted retrospective cohort study using the Australian and New Zealand Society of Cardiac and Thoracic Surgeons National Cardiac Surgery Database.

Platelet Transfusion in Cardiac Surgery: An Entropy-Balanced, Weighted, Multicenter Analysis.

Background: Platelet transfusion is common in cardiac surgery, but some studies have suggested an association with harm. Accordingly, we investigated the association of perioperative platelet transfusion with morbidity and mortality.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data from the Australian Society of Cardiac and Thoracic Surgeons National Cardiac Surgery Database.

Existential spectrum of suffering: concepts and moral valuations for assessing intensity and tolerability.

This paper has two aims. The first is to defend a recent critique of the leading medical theory of suffering, which alleges too narrow a focus on violent experiences of suffering. Although sympathetic to this critique, I claim that it lacks a counterexample of the kinds of experiences the leading theory is said to neglect.

Causal mediation analysis: From simple to more robust strategies for estimation of marginal natural (in)direct effects.

This paper aims to provide practitioners of causal mediation analysis with a better understanding of estimation options. We take as inputs two familiar strategies (weighting and model-based prediction) and a simple way of combining them (weighted models), and show how a range of estimators can be generated, with different modeling requirements and robustness properties. The primary goal is to help build intuitive appreciation for robust estimation that is conducive to sound practice.

Impact of Administering Buprenorphine to Overdose Survivors Using Emergency Medical Services.

Study Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of utilizing emergency medical services units to administer high dose buprenorphine after an overdose to treat withdrawal symptoms, reduce repeat overdose, and provide a next-day substances use disorder clinic appointment to initiate long-term treatment.

Methods: This was a retrospective matched cohort study of patients who experienced an overdose and either received emergency medical services care from a buprenorphine-equipped ambulance or a nonbuprenorphine-equipped ambulance in Camden, New Jersey, an urban community with high overdose rates. There were 117 cases and 123 control patients in the final sample.