Trends in Utilization of Common Tests and Procedures in Treating Peripheral Arterial Disease in the Medicare Population from 2011 to 2021.

This study investigated changes in utilization of diagnostic imaging-computed tomography (CT) angiography and magnetic resonance (MR) angiography-and treatments-stent placement, angioplasty, atherectomy, and bypass-in peripheral arterial disease (PAD) across different physician specialties and healthcare facilities from 2011 to 2021. Data were gathered from the 2011-2021 Physician/Supplier Procedure Summary files and tallied per 100,000 Medicare beneficiaries. Sites of service included inpatients, physician offices, and hospital outpatient departments.

Cardioprotective O-GlcNAc signaling is elevated in murine female hearts via enhanced O-GlcNAc transferase activity.

The post-translational modification of intracellular proteins by O-linked β-GlcNAc (O-GlcNAc) has emerged as a critical regulator of cardiac function. Enhanced O-GlcNAcylation activates cytoprotective pathways in cardiac models of ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury; however, the mechanisms underpinning O-GlcNAc cycling in response to I/R injury have not been comprehensively assessed. The cycling of O-GlcNAc is regulated by the collective efforts of two enzymes: O-GlcNAc transferase (OGT) and O-GlcNAcase (OGA), which catalyze the addition and hydrolysis of O-GlcNAc, respectively.

Differential Detection of O-GlcNAcylated proteins in the heart using antibodies.

Thousands of mammalian intracellular proteins are dynamically modified by O-linked β-N-acetylglucosamine (O-GlcNAc). Global changes in O-GlcNAcylation have been associated with the development of cardiomyopathy, heart failure, hypertension, and neurodegenerative disease. Levels of O-GlcNAc in cells and tissues can be detected using numerous approaches; however, immunoblotting using GlcNAc-specific antibodies and lectins is commonplace.

Updated trends in percutaneous renal arteriography among radiologists and other specialties.

Purpose: Prior studies have demonstrated an overall decline in percutaneous renal artery angioplasty with and without stenting from 1988 to 2009. We evaluated the recent utilization trends in percutaneous renal arteriography (PTRA) among radiologists and non-radiologist providers from 2010 to 2018.

Methods: Data from the 2010-2018 nationwide Medicare Part B fee-for-service database were used to tabulate case volumes for PTRA.

Evaluation of Achilles Tendon Stiffness as Measured by Shear Wave Elastography in Female College Athletes Compared With Nonathletes.

Background: We sought to utilize a noninvasive technology to assess the effects of activity on Achilles tendon stiffness and define baseline Achilles tendon stiffness in female college athletes compared with nonathletes using tendon shear wave velocity as a marker for tendon stiffness.

Hypothesis: Training status and exercise may affect Achilles tendon stiffness.

Level Of Evidence: Level 4.

Diffusivity of Human Cartilage Endplates in Healthy and Degenerated Intervertebral Disks.

The cartilage endplates (CEPs) on the superior and inferior surfaces of the intervertebral disk (IVD), are the primary nutrient transport pathways between the disk and the vertebral body. Passive diffusion is responsible for transporting small nutrient and metabolite molecules through the avascular CEPs. The baseline solute diffusivities in healthy CEPs have been previously studied, however alterations in CEP diffusion associated with IVD degeneration remain unclear.

Use of High-Resolution Ultrasound to Guide Alcohol Neurolysis for Chronic Pain.

Background: The diagnosis and treatment of neuropathic pain is often clinically challenging, with many patients requiring treatments beyond oral medications. To improve our percutaneous treatments, we established a clinical pathway that utilized ultrasound (US) guidance for steroid injection and alcohol ablation for patients with painful neuropathy.

Objectives: To describe a collaborative neuropathy treatment pathway developed by a neurosurgeon, pain physicians, and a sonologist, describing early clinical experiences and patient-reported outcomes.

Cardiac Imaging Trends from 2010 to 2019 in the Medicare Population.

Purpose: To evaluate changes in utilization of cardiac imaging-transthoracic, transesophageal, and stress echocardiography (TTE, TEE, and SE), coronary CT angiography (cCTA), cardiac MRI (cMRI), myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI), and cardiac positron emission tomography (cPET).

Materials And Methods: The 2010-2019 Physician/Supplier Procedure Summary files were used to find imaging utilization per 100 000 Medicare beneficiaries. Global and professional claims were aggregated, representing total interpretive services.

The Fate of Morbidly Obese Patients With Joint Pain: A Retrospective Study of Patient Outcomes.

Background: The number of obese patients seeking a total joint arthroplasty (TJA) continues to increase. Weight loss is often recommended to treat joint pain and reduce risks associated with TJA. We sought to determine the effectiveness of an orthopedic surgeon's recommendation to lose weight.

Elevated BMI increases concurrent pathology and operative time in adolescent ACL reconstruction.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to (1) report on the incidence of concurrent surgical pathology at the time of adolescent ACL reconstruction, (2) evaluate patient risk factors for concurrent pathology, and (3) measure the effect of BMI on operating room (OR) time.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of the NSQIP database for the years 2005-2017 was conducted. Nine-hundred and seventeen patients 18 years of age and younger who underwent ACL reconstruction (ACLR) were identified using CPT code 29888 and patients undergoing surgery for multi-ligamentous knee injuries were excluded.

Frailty as a Predictor of Postoperative Complications Following Skull Base Surgery.

Objective/hypothesis: Frailty has emerged as a powerful risk stratification tool across surgical specialties; however, an analysis of the impact of frailty on outcomes following skull base surgery has not been published. The aim of this study was to assess the validity of the 5-factor modified frailty index (mFI-5) as a predictor of perioperative morbidity and mortality in patients undergoing skull base surgery.

Methods: A mFI-5 score was calculated for patients undergoing skull base surgeries using the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) database from 2005 to 2018.

Performance of a Severity Score on Admission Chest Radiography in Predicting Clinical Outcomes in Hospitalized Patients With Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19).

Chest radiographs (CXRs) are typically obtained early in patients admitted with coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and may help guide prognosis and initial management decisions. The purpose of this study was to assess the performance of an admission CXR severity scoring system in predicting hospital outcomes in patients admitted with COVID-19. This retrospective study included 240 patients (142 men, 98 women; median age, 65 [range, 50-80] years) admitted to the hospital from March 16 to April 13, 2020, with COVID-19 confirmed by real-time reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction who underwent chest radiography within 24 hours of admission.

The 5-Factor Modified Frailty Index Predicts Complications, Hospital Admission, and Mortality Following Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair.

Introduction: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the utility of the modified frailty index-5 (mFI-5) as a predictor for postoperative complications in patients undergoing arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (RCR).

Methods: The National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database was queried for patients undergoing arthroscopic RCR between 2006 and 2016. The mFI-5, a 5-factor score comprising comorbid diabetes, hypertension, congestive heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and functional status limiting independence, was calculated for each patient.

Insulin-Dependence Predicts Surgical Complications and Hospital Admission following Knee Arthroscopy.

While prior studies have demonstrated that insulin-dependence is an independent risk factor for postoperative complications, morbidity, and mortality following spine and shoulder, hip, and knee arthroplasty, it has not been evaluated in the setting of knee arthroscopy. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to compare the risk of postoperative complications among patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM and NIDDM respectively) with the general population following knee arthroscopy. A retrospective analysis of the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program's database for the years 2005 to 2016 was conducted.

Risk Factors for Infection Following Total Wrist Arthroplasty and Arthrodesis: An Analysis of 6641 Patients.

Infection following wrist arthroplasty (WA) or wrist fusion (WF) is an uncommon but difficult complication often resulting in explantation and prolonged courses of antibiotics. The purposes of this study are to: (1) characterize the demographic trends of individuals undergoing WA and WF; (2) determine the incidence of postoperative infection; and (3) identify risk factors for postoperative infection. The PearlDiver database was used to query 100% Medicare Standard Analytic files from 2005 to 2014.

Smoking is associated with increased surgical complications following total shoulder arthroplasty: an analysis of 14,465 patients.

Hypothesis: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association between smoking and postoperative complications following total shoulder arthroplasty. We hypothesized that active smokers would have significantly greater postoperative medical and surgical complications.

Methods: The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database was queried for patients who underwent total shoulder arthroplasties from 2005 through 2016.