Exploring Functional Improvements by Sex in Six-Minute Walk Test, Exertional Angina, and Dyspnea After Enhanced External Counterpulsation Therapy.

Purpose: The objective of this study was to explore functional improvements by sex for patients with refractory angina pectoris using a 6-min walk test (6MWT) after enhanced external counterpulsation (EECP) therapy.

Methods: All patients who completed EECP from 2015 to 2023 were identified for analysis retrospectively, utilizing the electronic medical record. Patients completed 35 1-hr EECP sessions 5 d/wk over 7 wk.

Potential Impact of Race and Ethnicity on Pharmacy Residency Match Rate and Match Participation.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate if a correlation exists between a student's self-identified race or ethnicity and their rates of participating in the match or matching with a pharmacy residency.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study included pharmacy graduates from 2016 through 2021 at two schools/colleges of pharmacy, a Historically Black College or University and a non-Historically Black College or University. The primary outcome was to compare the percentage of underrepresented minority (URM) students and non-URM students who successfully matched with a postgraduate year 1 pharmacy residency.

Myocarditis With Cardiogenic Shock in a Young Female With Severe Ulcerative Colitis Flare.

Myocarditis is a rare extraintestinal manifestation of inflammatory bowel disease. Myopericarditis-associated inflammatory bowel disease can be a side effect of the medications used to treat inflammatory bowel disease or the disease process. We present a 25-year-old female with history of ulcerative colitis presented with abdominal pain associated with sharp and central chest pain.

Effect of Biologics in Subgroups of Axial Spondyloarthritis Based on Magnetic Resonance Imaging and C-Reactive Protein: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Objective: To determine if the efficacy of biologics differ based on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and C-reactive protein (CRP) findings.

Methods: We compared four subgroups (MRI+/CRP+, MRI+/CRP-, MRI-/CRP+, MRI-/CRP-) from randomized controlled trials (RCTs). A comprehensive database search was performed to include axial spondylarthritis (axSpA; both radiographic axSpA [r-axSpA] and nonradiographic axSpA [nr-axSpA]) RCTs with treatment efficacy reported by different MRI and CRP subgroups.

International Analgesia and Sedation Weaning and Withdrawal Practices in Critically Ill Adults: The Adult Iatrogenic Withdrawal Study in the ICU.

Objectives: Iatrogenic withdrawal syndrome (IWS) associated with opioid and sedative use for medical purposes has a reported high prevalence and associated morbidity. This study aimed to determine the prevalence, utilization, and characteristics of opioid and sedative weaning and IWS policies/protocols in the adult ICU population.

Design: International, multicenter, observational, point prevalence study.

Baricitinib Versus Tocilizumab for the Treatment of Moderate to Severe COVID-19.

Background: To date, minimal data directly compare tocilizumab with baricitinib for treatment in moderate to severe COVID-19.

Objective: To compare the rates of in-hospital mortality with progression to mechanical ventilation in patients with COVID-19 who received either tocilizumab or baricitinib.

Methods: The authors conducted a single-centered, institutional review board-approved, retrospective cohort study.

Atogepant for the prevention of episodic migraine in adults.

Objective: Atogepant is a newly approved medication for the prevention of migraine. This review aims to discuss the efficacy, safety, cost, and place in therapy of atogepant.

Methods: The authors performed a systematic search for sources, including articles, abstracts, and poster presentations.

Procedural Pain Management: Clinical Practice Recommendations.

Undergoing potentially painful procedures is necessary among patients of all ages. Nurses are responsible to optimize safety and minimize harm for patients. The American Society for Pain Management Nursing (ASPMN) holds the position that all patients undergoing painful procedures have the right to safe and effective pain management throughout the phases of care, and that the interprofessional healthcare team ensures such ethical obligation is fulfilled within a framework of the patients or their designees' goals and preferences.

Evaluation of the Addition of Angiotensin II in Patients With Shock After Cardiac Surgery at a Veterans Affairs Medical Center.

Background: Vasoplegic shock occurs in up to 37% of cardiac surgery patients. We investigated the use of angiotensin II for treating vasoplegic shock in these patients.

Objectives: We assessed clinical outcomes and mortality in patients undergoing cardiac surgery at our center between March 1, 2018 and October 31, 2020 who developed vasoplegic shock, comparing those who received angiotensin II with those who did not.

Procedural Pain Management: Clinical Practice Recommendations American Society for Pain Management Nursing.

Throughout the life span procedures are common within health care and have the potential to cause pain. Nurses have an ethical responsibility involving the care of people with pain. The American Society for Pain Management Nursing holds the position that all patients undergoing painful procedures have the right to safe and effective pain management throughout the phases of care and that the interprofessional health care team ensures such ethical obligation is fulfilled within a framework of patients or their designees' goals and preferences.

Self-Caring Practices Among Nurses: Findings From an Online Survey.

Faith community nurses receive additional education in holistic health and intentional spiritual care, including self-caring. This study used an online survey to explore self-caring practices of faith community nurses and clinical nurses. Despite sample limitations, faith community nurses reported significantly higher levels of self-caring practices than clinical nurses.

Giant retroperitoneal paraganglioma: Challenges of misdiagnosis and high surgical risks, a case report.

Introduction And Importance: In surgery, misdiagnosis is not uncommon, usually a result of erroneous image interpretations and pathology diagnosis especially involving a tumor or cancer. Misdiagnosis may cause increased morbidity, mortality and surgical risks.

Case Presentation: A 49-year-old man presented for the second time with a right upper abdominal mass of 7 months.

Cardiac surgeons' concerns, perceptions, and responses during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has had an unprecedented impact on health care and cardiac surgery. We report cardiac surgeons' concerns, perceptions, and responses during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: A detailed survey was sent to recruit participating adult cardiac surgery centers in North America.

Confirmation of Pulmonary Vein Isolation with High-Density Mapping: Comparison to Traditional Workflows.

Pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) is the cornerstone of atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation. Yet tools and techniques used for confirmation of PVI vary greatly, and it is unclear whether the use of any particular combination of tools and techniques provides greater sensitivity for identifying gaps periprocedurally. It has been suggested the use of a high-density mapping catheter, which enables simultaneous recording of adjacent bipolar EGMs in two directions, may provide improved sensitivity for gap identification.

Comparison of Narrow-Versus Broad-Spectrum Antibiotics in Elderly Patients With Acute Exacerbations of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

Background: Little evidence is available regarding the choice of empiric antibiotic therapy in elderly patients with acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD). The primary objective of this study is to compare the outcomes of elderly patients receiving broad- versus narrow-spectrum antibiotics during hospitalization for AECOPD.

Design: A multicenter, retrospective, cohort analysis was performed.

The challenges of urgent radical sigmoid colorectal cancer resection in a COVID-19 patient: A case report.

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic presents a unique global health challenge further complicating surgical management of COVID-19 positive patients due to a lack of published literature.

Case: Within we discuss a 48-year-old Chinese man, presenting with acute gastrointestinal obstruction due to sigmoid colonic mass. The patient was screened and tested positive for COVID 19 due to his employment in Wuhan, China at the COVID-19 pandemic epicenter.

Bioprosthetic Aortic Valve Leaflet Thickening in the Evolut Low Risk Sub-Study.

Background: Subclinical leaflet thrombosis has been reported after bioprosthetic aortic valve replacement, characterized using 4-dimensional computed tomographic imaging by hypoattenuated leaflet thickening (HALT) and reduced leaflet motion (RLM). The incidence and clinical implications of these findings remain unclear.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the frequency, predictors, and hemodynamic and clinical correlates of HALT and RLM after aortic bioprosthetic replacement.

Massive megarectum secondary to constipation in institutionalized patient.

Chronic constipation is a common cause of morbidity in the elderly and institutionalized population. It can be associated with significant morbidity and socioeconomical burden. Chronic resistance constipation can rarely be associated with megarectum.