Outcomes of upper extremity interventions for chronic critical ischemia

Background

Critical hand ischemia owing to below-the-elbow atherosclerotic occlusive disease is relatively uncommon. The aim of this study was to examine the outcomes in patients presenting with critical ischemia owing to below-the-elbow arterial atherosclerotic disease who underwent nonoperative and operative management.

Making Sense of High Sensitivity Troponin Assays and their Role in Clinical Care

One of the major strengths of nuclear myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) is the robust prognostic databases from observational studies demonstrating significantly different outcomes in patients with low-risk vs high-risk scans. The severity of the MPI defect can be semi-quantitated using the summed stress score (SSS) and summed difference score (SDS). SSS is more strongly associated with mortality, whereas SDS is the better predictor of subsequent coronary angiography and revascularization. The strength of MPI variables as prognostic indicators decreases when adjusted for prognostically important clinical and stress test variables. Nonetheless, most studies of general patient populations have demonstrated that MPI adds incremental prognostic value to clinical and stress test information. In contrast to these positive results from observational studies, the application of MPI ischemia as a treatment guide in several recent trials (DIAD, WOMEN, COURAGE, BARI 2D, STICH) has largely failed to identify patient subsets with improved outcome. This issue will continue to be investigated in the ongoing PROMISE and ISCHEMIA trials.     

The Impact of Behavioral Intervention on Family Interactions at Mealtime in Pediatric Cystic Fibrosis

The current study evaluated the impact of a behavioral intervention (Be In Charge!), targeting caloric intake and weight gain in children with CF, on family interactions at mealtime. Forty-five families of children with cystic fibrosis (CF), ages 4 to 12 years, were randomized to Be In Charge! or nutrition education and assessed using the McMaster Mealtime Family Interaction Coding System. No differences were found in family functioning between the two interventions pre- to posttreatment or 1-year follow-up, except for Affect Management. A significantly greater percentage of families receiving Be In Charge! demonstrated improvement in Affect Management from pretreatment to 1-year follow-up. Implications for developing the next generation of behavioral interventions are discussed.     

Chronic kidney disease stressors influence choice of dialysis modality

harwood l., wilson b., sontrop j. & clark a.m. (2012)?Chronic kidney disease stressors influence choice of dialysis modality. Journal of Advanced Nursing68(11), 2454-2465. ABSTRACT: Aim. This article is a report of a study examining the relationships between chronic kidney disease stressors and coping strategies with dialysis modality. Background. People with chronic kidney disease are given information to enable dialysis modality choice. This education increases awareness and may alleviate concerns and stress. Disease-related stressors and coping may affect dialysis selection. Understanding the influence of stress and coping on dialysis choices will assist in providing responsive programmes. Reducing stress and encouraging coping may increase home dialysis which, despite economic and patient benefits, remains underused. Design. A prospective correlational design was used. Methods. Information was obtained from the Chronic Kidney Disease Stress Inventory and the Jalowiec Coping Scale in 223 individuals not on dialysis between the years 2005-2007. Data were recorded with respect to modality at dialysis initiation (n?=?76) from 2005-2010. The effects of stress, coping and patient parameters on modality selection were compared using bivariate and multivariate analyses. Results. Individuals on home dialysis vs. in-centre haemodialysis reported significantly fewer pre-dialysis stressors. Coping was not associated with dialysis modality. Individuals on in-centre haemodialysis had a lower serum creatinine, less advanced kidney disease and weighed more than those who started on a home therapy. Physiological stressors were most common and are amenable to interventions. Conclusion. Pre-dialysis stress levels predicted dialysis modality. Interventional studies are recommended to address chronic kidney disease stressors with the outcome of improving home-dialysis usage.