Complications and Practice Variation in the Use of Peripherally Inserted Central Venous Catheters in People With Cystic Fibrosis: The Prospective Study of Peripherally Inserted Venous Catheters in People With Cystic Fibrosis Study.

Background: Peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) are used commonly to administer antibiotics to people with cystic fibrosis (CF), but their use can be complicated by venous thrombosis and catheter occlusion.

Research Question: Which participant-, catheter-, and catheter management-level attributes are associated with increased risk of complications of PICCs among people with CF?

Study Design And Methods: This was a prospective observational study of adults and children with CF who received PICCs at 10 CF care centers in the United States. The primary end point was defined as occlusion of the catheter resulting in unplanned removal, symptomatic venous thrombosis in the extremity containing the catheter, or both.

High-Frequency Percussive Ventilation in Cystic Fibrosis Patients With Acute Respiratory Failure: A Case Series.

Acute respiratory failure in cystic fibrosis carries a high risk of mortality. The optimal mode of mechanical ventilation (MV) in this population is not well established. In this case series, we identified patients with cystic fibrosis who were ventilated with high-frequency percussive ventilation (HFPV) at our institution and describe their characteristics and outcomes.

Physical Activity Level and Perception of Exercise in Cystic Fibrosis.

Background: More patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) are living longer, and lifestyle-related behavior is becoming increasingly important for improving morbidity and mortality. Declining levels of exercise leads to low cardiorespiratory fitness, which is a strong, independent predictor of mortality in patients with CF. As a result, exercise training has become a commonly accepted form of treatment for patients with CF.

Quality improvement initiative to reduce deep vein thrombosis associated with peripherally inserted central catheters in adults with cystic fibrosis.

Rationale: Peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) are common in the treatment of patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). Previous reports suggest that patients with CF are at increased risk for PICC-associated deep vein thrombosis (DVT).

Objectives: We assessed potential risk factors for symptomatic PICC-associated DVT with subsequent implementation of a quality improvement (QI) initiative to reduce PICC-associated DVT in patients with CF.

HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitors for Prevention and Treatment of Severe Sepsis.

HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, or statins, are among the most commonly prescribed pharmaceuticals in the world, especially among the elderly. The remarkable conjuncture of this fact with the rising incidence of severe sepsis among people over age 65 could prove to be of serendipitous benefit, because numerous actions of the statins make them of potential use in the prevention and treatment of severe sepsis. Severe sepsis continues to be a highly lethal condition, for which there are, as yet, no effective pharmacological treatments, save antibiotics.