Journal of the American College of Surgeons
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Comparative Study
Metabolic syndrome predicts restenosis after carotid endarterectomy.
Carotid endarterectomy (CEA) is an effective surgical option for stroke prophylaxis for most patients. Restenosis after CEA can lead to additional interventions and adverse outcomes, but the factors that predict restenosis are poorly understood. This study examined which risk factors, such as metabolic syndrome (MetS), are associated with restenosis after CEA. ⋯ Metabolic syndrome is an independent predictor for restenosis after CEA in a high-risk population. More frequent and/or long-term surveillance might be warranted in patients with MetS after CEA.
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Refinements in donor management have resulted in increased numbers and quality of grafts after neurologic death. We hypothesize that the increased use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) has been accompanied by improved outcomes over time. ⋯ The marked increase in the use of HRT in the management of brain-dead donors has been accompanied by increased organ availability overall. Potential mechanisms might include successful conversion of previously unacceptable donors and improved recovery in certain subsets of donors.
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Laparoscopic cholecystectomies can be performed at night in high-volume acute care hospitals. We hypothesized that nonelective nighttime laparoscopic cholecystectomies are associated with increased postoperative complications. ⋯ Age, case duration, and nighttime laparoscopic cholecystectomy were predictive of increased 30-day surgical complications at a high-volume safety-net hospital. The small but increased risk of complications with nighttime laparoscopic cholecystectomy must be balanced against improved efficiency at a high-volume, resource-poor hospital.
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Adenosine triphosphate-sensitive (KATP) potassium channel opener diazoxide (DZX) maintains myocyte volume and contractility during stress via an unknown mechanism when administered at the onset of stress. This study was performed to investigate the cardioprotective potential of DZX when added after the onset of the stresses of hyperkalemic cardioplegia, metabolic inhibition, and hypo-osmotic stress. ⋯ To maintain myocyte volume homeostasis and contractility during stress (hyperkalemic cardioplegia, metabolic inhibition, and hypo-osmotic stress), KATP channel opener diazoxide requires administration at the onset of stress in this isolated myocyte model. These data have potential implications for any future clinical application of diazoxide.