Methamphetamine-Associated Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Is Associated With Worse Right Ventricular Function Than Idiopathic Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: A Matched Study.

Background: Methamphetamine is increasingly recognized as a cause of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). This study examines whether non-invasively measured metrics of right heart function, right atrial (RA) and right ventricular (RV) strain, are more impaired in methamphetamine-associated PAH (MA-PAH) compared with idiopathic PAH (IPAH).

Methods: A retrospective cohort analysis of 51 patients with MA-PAH matched for mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP) with 51 patients with IPAH followed at the pulmonary hypertension clinic at the University of Utah was performed.

Nutritional Intake in Venovenous ECMO Patients: A Single-Center Study in a North American PICU.

Background/objectives: Multiple independent variables were analyzed to determine total nutritional intake (caloric and protein), while reviewing vasoactive inotrope scores (VISs).

Methods: Retrospective data were collected for nutritional intake (N = 64), daily VISs, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) complications, delays in nutritional intake (>48 h), reason for delay, and interruptions in nutrition support.

Results: VISs and ECMO characteristics analyzed by box-whisker plots demonstrated that ECMO complications prior to 24 h, cardiac arrest 24 h prior to ECMO, pediatric ECMO patients, venoarterial ECMO type, having a cardiac ECMO indication, and ECMO centrifugal pump had higher VISs.

Efficacy of Activity Trackers in Patients With Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction.

Background: Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is a common, complex syndrome associated with elevated morbidity and mortality. Patients with HFpEF have a high prevalence of comorbidities, including hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and obesity, which are closely related to the underlying mechanisms of the disease. Lifestyle modification with weight loss and physical activity can improve risk factors and functional outcomes in HFpEF.

Pathophysiologic Vasodilation in Cardiogenic Shock and Its Impact on Mortality.

Background: Cardiogenic shock (CS) mortality remains near 40%. In addition to inadequate cardiac output, patients with severe CS may exhibit vasodilation. We aimed to examine the prevalence and consequences of vasodilation in CS.

Daily Nutritional Intake of Pediatric Patients (N = 64) on Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation from 2018 to 2022: A Single-Center Report.

Nutrition in pediatric populations who require life-saving extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) remains a debate. We sought to identify if nutritional needs were met in a patient cohort. A retrospective chart review of patients (N = 64) requiring ECMO at Helen DeVos Children's Hospital between 2018 and 2022 was evaluated for demographics, daily nutritional data, laboratory values, ECMO complications, and outcome data, with primary outcome measures of percent protein and percent caloric intake.

Atrial fibrillation and the risk of early-onset dementia and cognitive decline: An updated review.

The relationship between atrial fibrillation (AF) and dementia has been well described; however, recent data suggest that AF confers a greater risk for the development of early-onset dementia irrespective of clinical stroke. Numerous mechanisms have been hypothesized to explain cognitive decline in the setting of AF, including silent cerebral ischemia, cerebral hypoperfusion, and cerebral microvascular disease. Despite the emergence of data supporting the increased risk of early-onset dementia in patients with AF, the underlying mechanism remains unclear.

Bleeding After Hemorrhoidectomy in Patients on Anticoagulation Medications.

Background: Post-hemorrhoidectomy bleeding is a serious complication after hemorrhoidectomy. In the setting of a new wave of anticoagulants, we aimed to investigate the relationship of post-operative anticoagulation timing and delayed bleeding.

Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of all patients undergoing hemorrhoidectomy at a single institution over a 10-year period.

Recurrence patterns and postrecurrence survival after curative intent resection for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

Background: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma has a high rate of recurrence after resection. We aimed to investigate patterns of recurrence of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma to identify opportunities for targeted intervention toward improving survival.

Methods: This was a retrospective analysis of consecutive patients that underwent curative-intent resection for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma between 2007 and 2015.