Stroke survivor cognitive decline and psychological wellbeing of family caregivers five years post-stroke: a cross-sectional analysis.

Background: Family members frequently provide long-term care for stroke survivors, which can lead to psychological strain, particularly in the presence of cognitive decline.

Objectives: To profile anxious and depressive symptoms of family caregivers at 5 years post-stroke, and to explore associations with stroke survivor cognitive decline.

Methods: As part of a 5-year follow-up of the Action on Secondary Prevention Interventions and Rehabilitation in Stroke (ASPIRE-S) cohort of stroke survivors, family members completed a self-report questionnaire.

Epidemiology of infection in mechanical circulatory support: A global analysis from the ISHLT Mechanically Assisted Circulatory Support Registry.

Background: Despite advances in device technology and treatment strategies, infection remains a major cause of adverse events (AEs) in mechanical circulatory support (MCS) patients. To characterize the epidemiology of MCS infection, we examined the type, location, and timing of infection in the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation Registry (ISHLT) for Mechanically Assisted Circulatory Support (IMACS) over 3 years, 2013 to 2015.

Methods: Interagency Registry for Mechanically Assisted Circulatory Support (INTERMACS) definitions were used to categorize AE infections occurring in MCS patients within IMACS.

Point of Care Echocardiography in an Irish Critical Care Unit.

Aims We sought to evaluate the clinical impact of a 6 month transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) teaching programme in a critical care unit. Methods An observational single centre study. Four critical care doctors, 2 fellows and 2 consultants were trained to use TTE.

High-grade chondrosarcoma of the larynx: a case report and literature review.

A 64-year-old male presented with a 2-month history of sudden onset dysphonia. Endoscopic evaluation of the larynx revealed a complete right vocal cord palsy. Computed tomography of the neck revealed a mass medial to the right thyroid associated with the cricoid cartilage.

Cognitive Impairment, Vulnerability, and Mortality Post Ischemic Stroke: A Five-Year Follow-Up of the Action on Secondary Prevention Interventions and Rehabilitation in Stroke (ASPIRE-S) Cohort.

Background: The aim of this study was to examine predictors of mortality in patients 5 years after ischemic stroke, focusing on cognitive impairment, vulnerability, and vascular risk factors assessed at 6 months post stroke.

Materials And Methods: Patients from the Action on Secondary Prevention Interventions and Rehabilitation in Stroke (ASPIRE-S) cohort were followed up 5 years post ischemic stroke. Vascular risk factors, cognitive impairment, and vulnerability were assessed at 6 months post stroke.

Where youth matters-clinicopathologic characteristics and emerging trends in treatment and outcomes in young Irish women with breast cancer.

Background: Young women with breast cancer (YWBC) represent 7-12% of breast cancer diagnoses and ostensibly have more biologically aggressive subtypes with higher relapse and mortality rates. We studied the clinical and pathological characteristics in YWBC and examined how outcomes and treatment have evolved.

Methods: YWBC were identified from pathology databases at two tertiary centers.

The effect of SMS (text message) reminders on attendance at a community adult mental health service clinic: do SMS reminders really increase attendance?

Background: Non-attendance at outpatient clinics is common and costly.

Aims: This study aimed to determine if sending SMS ('short message service' or text message) reminders to patients before appointments reduced non-attendance.

Methods: We collected outpatient data at Ballyfermot and Lucan Community Adult Mental Health Service, Dublin, Ireland during 6-month periods (a) immediately prior to the introduction of SMS reminders for outpatient appointments; (b) immediately following the introduction of SMS reminders; and (c) two and a half years later.

Referral practice, reporting standards, and the impact of dopamine transporter scans done in a tertiary hospital.

Aims: We studied the referral practice, reporting standards, and the impact of 123 ioflupane single photon emission computed tomogram dopamine transporters (DAT-SPECT) scans conducted for the diagnosis and clinical management of patients.

Settings And Designs: The present study was a retrospective, non-interventional study.

Materials And Methods: We assessed the DAT scan referral and the official reports available from the Nuclear Medicine Department of the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital over 1 year (2013).

Clinical and laboratory assessment of a patient with thrombocytosis.

Elevated platelet counts are frequently encountered in hospital medicine and arise from both physiological and pathological mechanisms. Thrombocytosis may be secondary, reflecting an inflammatory state, iron deficiency, recent surgery or point towards an underlying neoplasm. Thrombocytosis may be the presenting sign of solid tumours and haematological conditions.

Modic Type 1 Vertebral Endplate Changes: Injury, Inflammation, or Infection?

Objective: In the 29 years since the initial description of Modic type 1 vertebral endplate changes there has been ongoing debate regarding their cause. Studies have attributed Modic type 1 vertebral endplate changes to traumatic injury to the vertebral endplate, localized action of proinflammatory mediators, and more recently low-grade bacterial infection. Can we reconcile these conflicting data about the underlying cause of Modic type 1 vertebral endplate changes? Are we now in a position to conclude whether Modic type 1 vertebral endplate changes are secondary to injury, inflammation, or infection?

Conclusion: We argue that the processes are not disparate but are in fact closely linked, each potentially instigating a chain of events leading to the MRI findings of Modic type 1 vertebral endplate change.

Perioperative regional anaesthesia and postoperative longer-term outcomes.

Regional anaesthesia provides effective anaesthesia and analgesia in the perioperative setting. Central neuraxial blocks-that is, spinal and epidural blocks-are well established as an alternative or adjunct to general anaesthesia. Peripheral blocks may be used as part of multimodal anaesthesia/analgesia in perioperative practice, reducing the need for opioid analgesics and enhancing early recovery.

Culture Negative Infective Endocarditits: a Changing Paradigm.

Traditionally, the modified Duke's criteria, based primarily on positive blood cultures, is used to diagnose Infective Endocarditis (IE). However, reports demonstrate that 31% of cases are diagnosed as Culture Negative Infective Endocarditis (CNIE)1. Consequently, empiric broad-spectrum antibiotics are prescribed to cover unidentified organisms and, as a result, antibiotic therapy may be compromised.

Nurses', physicians' and radiographers' perceptions of the safety of a nurse prescribing of ionising radiation initiative: A cross-sectional survey.

Background: A new initiative was introduced in Ireland following legislative changes that allowed nurses with special training to prescribe ionising radiation (X-ray) for the first time. A small number of studies on nurse prescribing of ionising radiation in other contexts have found it to be broadly as safe as ionising radiation prescribing by physicians. Sociological literature on perceptions of safety indicates that these tend to be shaped by the ideological position of the professional rather than based on objective evidence.

Groin Pain in Athletes: A Review of Diagnosis and Management.

Introduction: Groin pain is a common symptom in athletes, particularly in sports requiring sudden changes in speed and direction and those involving kicking. Despite a high prevalence of groin pain in this patient cohort, the diagnosis and management of the underlying pathological processes remains a challenge for surgeons and radiologists alike.

Aim: The aim of this paper is to review the imaging findings and management of the common pathological processes which produce groin pain in athletes.

Prevalence and clinical significance of extravascular incidental findings in patients undergoing CT cervico-cerebral angiography.

Introduction: CT cervico-cerebral angiography (CTCCA) is now the first line diagnostic imaging modality for the majority of vascular pathologies of the head and neck with diagnostic value comparable to or better than traditional angiographic techniques. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence, clinical significance and management of extravascular incidental findings detected on CTCCA.

Materials And Methods: A retrospective review of the CTCCA reports of 302 consecutive patients from 2009 to 2013 was undertaken.

Urinary biomarkers of chronic allograft nephropathy.

Purpose: Chronic allograft nephropathy (CAN) is widely accepted as the leading cause of renal allograft loss after the first year post transplantation. This study aimed to identify urinary biomarkers that could predict CAN in transplant patients.

Experimental Design: The study included 34 renal transplant patients with histologically proven CAN and 36 renal transplant patients with normal renal function.

100 classic papers of interventional radiology: A citation analysis.

Aim: To define the 100 citation classic papers of interventional radiology.

Methods: Using the database of Journal Citation Reports the 40 highest impact factor radiology journals were chosen. From these journals the 100 most cited interventional radiology papers were chosen and analysed.

Heart rate awareness in patients with chronic stable heart failure. A multi-center observational study.

Aims: We assessed adherence to European Society of Cardiology heart rate guidelines (i.e. heart rates less than 70 bpm) in patients with chronic stable heart failure.

Imaging of periprosthetic infection.

Periprosthetic infection is one of the most challenging and difficult complications in orthopaedics. It can result in significant patient distress and disability, with repeated surgeries, increased cost and utilization of medical resources, and in rare cases even mortality. The biggest challenge to date is the correct diagnosis of periprosthetic infection and implementation of effective treatment regimens capable of eradicating the organism.

Emergency nurses' provision of spiritual care: a literature review.

The emergency setting has undergone significant changes in recent years. Notably, the throughput and acuity of patients has increased, with a concomitant improvement in the clinical and technical management of these patients (Dolan, 1998; Coughlan and Corry, 2007). However, there is evidence to suggest that the increase in workload and proliferation of technology, at such a fast pace, has potentially threatened the caring component of nursing, including spiritual care (Wilkin and Selvin, 2004).

Nurses' provision of spiritual care in the emergency setting--an Irish perspective.

The researcher's interest in spiritual care arose during clinical experience in an emergency department. Over a 10-year period, I have observed, that in midst of a busy and increasingly overcrowded setting, nurses find time to provide spiritual care. Although this dimension of nursing practice is not explicitly labelled as spiritual care, it is apparent that interventions such as active listening, touch and ultimately connecting with the patient has, on most occasions, positive effects on the patient's spiritual dimension.

Translating change: the development of a person-centred triage training programme for emergency nurses.

Within health care, there has been a change in practice from an illness-orientated service to one that is more health-focused and person-centred. The concept of person-centredness is frequently espoused by practitioners as being not only a desirable, but a necessary element of health care provision. Indeed, nationally and internationally, person-centred care has underpinned many healthcare documents and policies.