Pathology of valved venous homografts used as right ventricle-to-pulmonary artery conduits in congenital heart disease surgery

Objectives

Although valved venous homografts (VVHs) are used for establishing right ventricle-to-pulmonary artery continuity in some complex heart defects, the tissue changes that occur in situ have not been described. We review the gross and microscopic changes observed in explanted VVH conduits and their effects on functionality.

Massive obliterative right heart thrombus presenting with near‐syncope

Intracardiac thrombi are commonly encountered as a complication of a recent myocardial infarction, heart failure, atrial fibrillation, or intracardiac devices. The prevalence of atrial thrombi in the absence of these risk factors is not well‐described, but seems to be low. We present a case of a 51‐year‐old man with a massive mobile thrombus in the right heart extending through the tricuspid valve, diagnosed on echocardiography after presenting with a presyncopal episode.     

分级诊疗制度下公立医院的实践方式思考*

推行分级诊疗是深化医药卫生体制改革的核心战略,公立医院为了适应分级诊疗的推行必须在实践过程中对相关的措施进行调整。通过分析部分省份在分级诊疗推行过程中公立医院进行的相关改革情况,针对公立医院在分级诊疗推行过程中存在的难以有效下沉医疗资源、信息化建设不到位和分级诊疗推行缺乏持久动力等问题,提出了加强医院内部管理、加强信息化建设并发展高新技术以及完善激励机制等措施,使公立医院在分级诊疗过程中发挥更重要的作用。     

The conflicted practice: Municipal occupational therapists’ experiences with assessment of clients with cognitive impairments

Background: The practice of Norwegian occupational therapists (OTs) in municipal practice is a little explored area and with the Coordination Reform Act from 2012, Norwegian OTs in municipal practice have received responsibilities concerning clients with cognitive impairments. The aim of this study was to explore municipal OTs experiences with assessment of clients with cognitive impairments.

Method: Fourteen individual interviews with OTs who worked with clients with cognitive impairments, were conducted. An inductive thematic analysis, using text condensation and coding, was performed.

Results: The results revealed three themes; power of occupation, advantages and disadvantages of assessments used and the need for competencies within municipal services. The participants emphasized using observation in the assessment process and reflected on pros and cons of the standardized assessment tools they used. They expressed a need for competence development, although it was difficult to prioritize to do so.

Conclusion: This study illustrated a conflicted practice related to choices OTs make in their practices. They valued the importance of working occupation based, however, they chose to use impairment based standardized assessments. They expressed a need to engage in professional development, but due to heavy workloads, the limited power they experienced and lack of knowledge, this was difficult.