Endobronchial Valve Therapy versus Lung Volume Reduction Surgery in the United States.

Background: Lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS) and endobronchial valve placement (EBV) are therapeutic options in advanced emphysema. We sought to compare the two using a national dataset.

Methods: Using the United States Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services inpatient claims database, we evaluated beneficiaries with severe emphysema undergoing either LVRS or EBV in accordance with Medicare reimbursement criteria.

Recurrent substance use and reoperative valve surgery for acute infective endocarditis.

Objective: Reoperative valve surgery in the setting of infective endocarditis (REDO) conveys a high risk of morbidity and mortality. Recurrent substance use in patients with substance use disorder (SUD) may complicate decision making in valve reinfection. We sought to evaluate the relative impact of recurrent substance use in REDO.

Surviving Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Is a Longitudinal Process: Exploring a Survivorship Model to Improve Quality of Life.

Background: Venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation is a salvage therapy for patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome. Survivors struggle with daily activities after decannulation and discharge. We evaluated outcomes after implementing a survivorship approach based on a cancer survivorship clinic model to improve quality of life (QoL) and optimize resource consumption.