The comparative safety and effectiveness of bivalirudin versus heparin monotherapy in patients on dialysis undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention: Insights from the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan cardiovascular consortium.

Background: Dialysis patients are at a higher risk of bleeding after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI); however, due to their exclusion from randomized clinical trials, the optimal antithrombotic regimen for this population remains unknown. We sought to evaluate the comparative safety and effectiveness of bivalirudin monotherapy versus unfractionated heparin (UFH) monotherapy in dialysis patients undergoing PCI.

Methods: We included dialysis patients who underwent PCI in a multicenter registry between January 2010 and September 2015 at 47 Michigan hospitals.

The XIENCE nano everolimus eluting coronary stent system for the treatment of small coronary arteries: the SPIRIT Small Vessel trial.

Objectives: The SPIRIT Small Vessel (SV) was designed to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the 2.25-mm XIENCE V everolimus eluting coronary stent system (EECSS), known as the XIENCE nano EECSS, in subjects with SVs and ischemic heart disease.

Background: The core sizes of XIENCE V EECSS are associated with low rates of restenosis and thrombosis in the general population, but the XIENCE nano EECSS has not been tested in the United States.

Implementing a bowel program: is a bowel program an effective way of preventing constipation and ileus following elective hip and knee arthroplasty surgery?

Background: The objective of this study was to define an effective bowel protocol for the postoperative total hip and knee arthroplasty patient. Surgery, change in medication, diet, and activity can cause constipation and ileus to occur.

Purpose: To lower the rates of postoperative constipation and ileus by establishing a bowel protocol for hip and knee arthroplasty patients.

A prospective evaluation of the safety and efficacy of TAXUS Element paclitaxel-eluting coronary stent implantation for the treatment of de novo coronary artery lesions in small vessels: the PERSEUS Small Vessel trial.

Aims: Small reference vessel diameter predicts adverse outcomes following coronary stenting. TAXUS Express and TAXUS Liberté paclitaxel-eluting stents (PES) reduce restenosis compared to bare metal stents (BMS) in small diameter vessels. TAXUS Element is a novel thin-strut, platinum chromium stent designed to enhance visibility, conformability, and drug delivery in small diameter vessels.

Transition from leadership development to succession management.

As nurse executives approach retirement, it is imperative to conduct succession management for our replacements, along with other key nursing leadership positions. Nurse executives are professionally obligated to consciously and strategically develop leaders. Start by identifying key positions.