Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt (TIPS) Check and Revision in a Freestanding Outpatient Facility: Safety and Efficacy.

Aim This study aims to evaluate the safety and efficacy of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) check and revision procedures performed in a freestanding interventional radiology (IR) outpatient facility. Methodology A total of 40 patients (male 31:female 9, median age 60 years old) underwent a TIPS check and/or revision at a freestanding IR outpatient facility between 2009 and 2017. Procedures were performed using a mobile C-arm unit under intravenous (IV) moderate sedation, with the patient discharged home on the same day.

Impact of the CAPTURE COPD Screening Tool in US Primary Care: A Cluster Randomized Trial.

The impact of COPD screening on US primary care clinician behavior and patient outcomes is unclear. Assess the impact of receiving CAPTURE (COPD Assessment in Primary Care to Identify Undiagnosed Respiratory Disease and Exacerbation Risk) screening scores on clinical and patient outcomes. Cluster randomized trial included 49 usual care (COPD education only) and 51 intervention (COPD and CAPTURE education plus screening scores) primary care practices.

Long non-coding RNA fine-tunes bone homeostasis and repair by orchestrating cellular crosstalk and β-catenin-OPG/Jagged1 pathway.

The IncRNA was initially believed to be dispensable for physiology due to the lack of observable phenotypes in knockout (KO) mice. However, our study challenges this conclusion. We found that both KO and conditional KO mice in the osteoblast lineage exhibit significant osteoporosis.

Novel cardiac CT method for identifying the atrioventricular conduction axis by anatomic landmarks.

Background: Understanding the conduction axis location aids in avoiding iatrogenic damage and guiding targeted heart rhythm therapy.

Objective: Cardiac structures visible with clinical imaging have been demonstrated to correlate with variability in the conduction system course. We aimed to standardize and assess the reproducibility of predicting the location of the atrioventricular conduction axis by cardiac computed tomography.

Focusing on Caregiver Neglect: A Novel Strategy for Mistreatment of Older Adults Screening and Intervention.

Mistreatment of older adults is common and has serious health consequences but is under-recognized and under-reported. Screening for mistreatment of older adults and initiation of intervention in primary care clinics may be helpful, but the value of existing tools is not supported by evidence. We argue that shifting the focus to individual sub-types of mistreatment of older adults can provide improved approaches to screening and ultimately to intervention.

Access to Primary Care Telemedicine and Visit Characterization in a Pediatric, Low-Income, Primarily Latino Population: Retrospective Study.

Background: Since the COVID-19 pandemic, telemedicine has been widely integrated into primary care pediatrics. While initial studies showed some concern for disparities in telemedicine use, telemedicine uptake for pediatric patients in a low-income, primarily Latino community over a sustained period has yet to be described.

Objective: We aimed to assess the relationship between demographics, patient portal activation, and telemedicine visits, as well as characterize diagnoses addressed in telemedicine, in a low-income, primarily Latino population over time.

Beyond Do No Harm: Introduction to Green Radiology.

In 2021, the Human Rights Council declared that having a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment is a human right. According to the WHO, 24% of deaths are attributable to environmental health risks and are largely preventable. Current predictions show that rising emissions will be linked to an enormous healthcare burden, especially for high-risk populations and historically disadvantaged communities.

Tricuspid Valve S-Curves and Chamber Views: Implications for Transcatheter Tricuspid and Pulmonary Valve Interventions, Part 2 of the S-Curves and Chamber Views Series.

Despite the challenges associated with periprocedural imaging, transcatheter tricuspid valve interventions have shown important impact on outcomes. A comprehensive understanding of the anatomy of the right heart and surrounding structures is crucial. One way to optimize these interventions is by identifying the optimal fluoroscopic viewing angles along the S-curve of the tricuspid valve.

Equity in Modifying Plaque of Women With Undertreated Calcified Coronary Artery Disease: Design and Rationale of EMPOWER CAD study.

Background: Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the leading cause of death for women, yet they remain underrepresented in interventional CAD studies. Women have been shown to be at increased risk of mortality and major adverse events after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The poorer outcomes are likely because women are typically diagnosed with CAD late, at an older age, with more comorbidities, and with more challenging anatomy including smaller vessels and higher prevalence of coronary artery calcification.

First-Generation Anti-Obesity Medications.

The development of second-generation anti-obesity medications (AOMs) has transformed the treatment of obesity. However, the first-generation AOMs are still essential tools in the treatment of obesity. The decision of which AOM to initiate must be individualized taking into account patient preference, safety, tolerability, cost, and supply.

Using Second-Generation Anti-Obesity Medications.

Second-generation anti-obesity medications are more effective than their first-generation predecessors, resulting in an average weight loss of 15% when combined with lifestyle modifications. This article examines the efficacy and therapeutic implications of the three currently approved second-generation medications: setmelanotide for individuals with monogenic forms of obesity, semaglutide 2.4 mg, and tirzepatide.

Aortic Valve Replacement vs Clinical Surveillance in Asymptomatic Severe Aortic Stenosis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Current guidelines recommend a strategy of clinical surveillance (CS) for patients with asymptomatic severe aortic stenosis (AS) and a normal left ventricular ejection fraction.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to conduct a study-level meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating the effect of early aortic valve replacement (AVR) compared with CS in patients with asymptomatic severe AS.

Methods: Studies were quantitatively assessed in a meta-analysis using random-effects modeling.

Contextualized race and ethnicity annotations for clinical text from MIMIC-III.

Observational health research often relies on accurate and complete race and ethnicity (RE) patient information, such as characterizing cohorts, assessing quality/performance metrics of hospitals and health systems, and identifying health disparities. While the electronic health record contains structured data such as accessible patient-level RE data, it is often missing, inaccurate, or lacking granular details. Natural language processing models can be trained to identify RE in clinical text which can supplement missing RE data in clinical data repositories.

Intrathecal baclofen pump for severe hypertonia in a patient with juvenile Huntington's disease: illustrative case.

Background: While the symptoms of Huntington's disease (HD) typically first appear around the age of 40 years, 5%-10% of patients experience symptoms before the age of 21 years, in which case it is classified as juvenile Huntington's disease (JHD). JHD poses a unique clinical problem, as affected patients experience rapid deterioration in their quality of life as the motor manifestations of the disease become overwhelming. Medical treatment options for HD are sparse, and the only Food and Drug Administration-approved medication for the treatment of HD is the VMAT-2 inhibitor tetrabenazine.

Investigating the relationship between sensation and satisfaction in reduction mammaplasty: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Reduction mammaplasties are among the plastic surgery procedures with the highest rates of patient satisfaction. However, the loss of postoperative sensation in the breast and nipple-areolar complex remains a concern. In light of increasing interest in nerve-preservation techniques, we sought to investigate the relationship between retained sensation with overall satisfaction in reduction mammaplasty in current literature.

Standards of care for peripheral intravenous catheters: evidence-based expert consensus.

Background: The insertion of a PIVC is the most commonly performed invasive procedure in healthcare. Despite its frequency in placement in hospitalized patients, PIVCs are generally perceived as being safe; however, the prevalence of failure ranges from 35%-50%. Additionally, complications are common and often deemed 'acceptable' by clinicians.