The Effects of Synthetic Polymers on the Release Patterns of Bupivacaine Hydrochloride from Sodium Hyaluronate Hydrogels.

Background: Using hydrogels for the controlled release of drugs is beneficial for patients, who then receive the proper dose of the medicinal substance. In addition, the formulation can provide more consistent drug absorption while reducing the frequency of dosing.

Objectives: The aim of this investigation is to propose a novel HA (sodium hyaluronate)-based hydrogel for intra-articular injection doped with synthetic polymers and incorporated with bupivacaine hydrochloride (Bu) as a local anesthetic.

Targeting alarmins in asthma- From the bench to the clinic.

Over the past two decades, mechanistic studies of allergic and type 2 (T2)-mediated airway inflammation have led to multiple approved therapies for the treatment of moderate-to-severe asthma. The approval and availability of these monoclonal antibodies targeting immunoglobulin E, a type 2 cytokine (IL-5) and/or cytokine receptors (IL-5Rα, IL-4Rα) has been central to the progresses made in the management of moderate-to-severe asthma over this period. However, there are persistent gaps in clinician's ability to provide precise care given that many patients with type 2-high asthma do not respond to the IgE or T2 cytokine-targeting therapies and patients with type 2-low asthma have limited therapeutic options.

Value-Based Care: Implications for nursing.

The concept of value-based care (VBC) shifts the focus from volume to quality in healthcare. For nursing, this means focusing on patient outcomes, preventive care, and cost efficiency. This article discusses the critical role of nurses in VBC, particularly in coordinating care, improving patient satisfaction, and driving overall healthcare effectiveness and value.

MRI-assessed Dynamic Hyperinflation Induced by Tachypnea in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: The SPIROMICS-HF Study.

Purpose To assess the repeatability of real-time cine pulmonary MRI measures of metronome-paced tachypnea (MPT)-induced dynamic hyperinflation and its relationship with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) severity. Materials and Methods SubPopulations and InteRmediate Outcome Measures In COPD Study (SPIROMICS) (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier no.

The 2024 American Association for Thoracic Surgery expert consensus document: Current standards in donor lung procurement and preservation.

Background: Donor lung procurement and preservation is critical for lung transplantation success. Unfortunately, the large variability in techniques impacts organ utilization rates and transplantation outcomes. Compounding this variation, recent developments in cold static preservation and new technological advances with machine perfusion have increased the complexity of the procedure.

Stability of diluted chlorhexidine for skin testing in drug allergy evaluations.

Background: Chlorhexidine gluconate (CHX), a common cause of perioperative anaphylaxis, is frequently used for skin testing in allergy evaluations. Although CHX's maximal nonirritating concentrations are known, the stability of its dilutions for skin testing remains unexplored, particularly when sterile water for injection (SWFI) or normal saline (NS) are used as diluents.

Objective: Our aim was to evaluate the stability and precipitation of CHX when diluted with SWFI or NS for drug allergy skin testing.

Surgical management of giant cell arteritis of the proximal aorta.

Objective: Giant cell arteritis (GCA) may present as proximal aortic pathology requiring surgical intervention. We present our experience with surgical management of GCA in patients presenting with proximal aortic disease.

Methods: From January 1993 to May 2020, 184 adult patients were diagnosed with GCA on histopathology after undergoing cardiac surgery.

Surgery versus surveillance for ascending aortic aneurysms in elderly patients.

Background: Whether elderly patients with aortic root or ascending aortic aneurysm (ATAA) would benefit from the new surgical size threshold of 5.0 cm is unknown. This study aimed to evaluate the natural history of ATAA in elderly patients and to compare long-term outcomes of those who underwent initial surveillance versus surgery.

Is concomitant tricuspid valve repair in patients undergoing robotic mitral valve repair safe and effective?

Objectives: Robotic-assisted mitral valve repair (MVr) is a well-established procedure for management of degenerative mitral valve disease. Limited data regarding concomitant robotic-assisted tricuspid valve repair (TVr) is available. This review investigates prevalence and outcomes of concomitant robotic-assisted mitral and tricuspid valve repair.

A propensity-matched analysis of cardiac operation in patients with and without cardiac amyloidosis.

Objective: There are limited data on the outcome of routine cardiac operations in patients with cardiac amyloidosis. This study studied the impact of amyloidosis on early and late results of cardiac operations.

Methods: This was a retrospective, propensity-matched, case-control study of patients with cardiac amyloidosis undergoing cardiac surgery.

Intraoperative cardiac arrest in patients undergoing congenital cardiac surgery.

Objective: To describe intraoperative cardiac arrest in patients undergoing congenital heart surgery.

Methods: The Society of Thoracic Surgeons Congenital Heart Surgery Database was queried. Predictors of intraoperative cardiac arrest were assessed using univariate and multivariable analyses.