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Acquired laryngotracheal stenosis (LTS) is a rare condition causing dyspnea and stridor. Patients often require multiple surgical procedures with no guarantee of a definitive outcome. Difficulty swallowing is a recognised problem associated with LTS and the reconstructive surgeries required to manage the condition. The breathlessness patient's experience impacts on swallowing, and the vulnerable structures of the larynx are implicated during complex surgeries. This leads to dysphagia post-surgery, with some patients experiencing more chronic symptoms depending on the biomechanical impact of the surgery, or a pre-existing dysphagia. Despite this there is limited observational research about the dysphagia associated with LTS, with no exploration of the patient experience. Our aim was to investigate patient experience of living with LTS focussing on dysphagia in order to guide clinical practice. A qualitative study was completed using focus groups and semi-structured interviews with 24 patients who have had reconstructive surgery for LTS. Thematic analysis was used to identify three over-arching themes: The Physical Journey, The Emotional Journey and The Medical Journey. Key sub-themes included the importance of self-management and control, presence of symptoms, benefits of therapy, living with a life-long condition, fear and anxiety, autonomy, medicalisation of normal processes and the dichotomy between staff expertise and complacency. Swallowing was connected to all themes. The results are reviewed with consideration of the wider literature of lived experience particularly in relation to other chronic conditions and those that carry a high symptom burden such as head and neck cancer. Future clinical and research recommendations have been made. Akin to other clinical groups, adults with LTS are keen that management of their swallowing is person-centred and holistic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) procedure requires an initial consultation and a subsequent procedure by an interventionalist (IC) and surgeon. The IC-surgeon pair coordination is extremely challenging, especially at Mayo Clinic due to provider time commitments distributed across practice, research, and education activities. Current practice aims to establish the coordination manually, resulting in a scheduling process that is cumbersome and time consuming for the schedulers. We develop an algorithm for pairing ICs and surgeons that minimizes the lead time (days elapsed between the clinic consult and procedure). As compared to current practice, this algorithm is able to reduce average lead time by 59% and increase possible IC-surgeon pairs by 7%. The proposed algorithm is shown to be flexible enough to incorporate practice variations such as lead time upper bound and two procedure days for a single consult day. Algorithm alternatives are also presented for practices who may find the proposed algorithm infeasible for their practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 29-year old man of Eritrean origin presented with acute stridor and respiratory distress on a background 1 year history of progressive breathing difficulty and worsening inspiratory stridor. Fibreoptic laryngoscopy revealed an indeterminate swelling of the left vocal fold leaving no clear airway visible. The patient refused surgical tracheostomy. Microlaryngoscopy revealed a hard, calcified mass arising from the left cord preventing intubation. Histological analysis after excision revealed features consistent with heterotopic ossification. At 4 months repeat microlaryngoscopy was performed revealing normal appearance of the larynx and subglottis. Heterotopic ossification in the larynx is a very rare condition that presents a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. In the first documented case in the larynx, we describe how the disease caused life threatening airway obstruction, but was managed in a way that led to preservation of laryngeal function and complete resolution of the condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rapid healing of vascular stents is important for avoiding complications associated with stent thrombosis, restenosis, and bleeding related to antiplatelet drugs. Magnetic forces can be used to capture iron-labeled endothelial cells immediately following stent implantation, thereby promoting healing. This strategy requires the development of a magnetic stent that is biocompatible and functional. We designed a stent from the weakly ferromagnetic 2205 stainless steel using finite element analysis. The final design exhibited a principal strain below the fracture limit of 30% during crimping and expansion. Ten stents were fabricated and validated experimentally for fracture resistance. Another 10 stents magnetized with a neodymium magnet showed a magnetic field in the range of 100-750 mG. The retained magnetism was sufficiently strong to capture magnetically-labeled endothelial cells on the stent surfaces during in vitro studies. Magnetically-labeled endothelial cell capture was also verified in vivo after 7 days following coronary implantation in 4 pigs using histological analysis. Images of the stented blood vessels showed uniform endothelium formation on the stent surfaces. In conclusion, we have designed a ferromagnetic bare metal stent from 2205 stainless steel that is functional, biocompatible, and able to capture and retain magnetically-labeled endothelial cells in order to promote rapid stent healing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traditionally non-contrast CT has been considered the first choice imaging modality for acute stroke. Acute ischemic stroke patients presenting to the hospital within 3-hours from symptom onset and without any visible hemorrhages or large lesions on CT images are considered optimum reperfusion therapy candidates. However, non-contrast CT alone has been unable to identify best reperfusion therapy candidates outside this window. New advanced imaging techniques are now being used successfully for this purpose. Non-invasive CT or MR angiography images can be obtained during initial imaging evaluation for identification and characterization of vascular lesions, including occlusions, aneurysms, and malformations. Either CT-based perfusion imaging or MRI-based diffusion and perfusion imaging performed immediately upon arrival of a patient to the hospital helps estimate the extent of fixed core and penumbra in ischemic lesions. Patients having occlusive lesions with small fixed cores and large penumbra are preferred reperfusion therapy candidates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To compare the outcome of restricted versus routine use of episiotomy in a tertiary care center. Method: A prospective observational study was conducted for singleton normal vaginal term deliveries. Deliveries managed with routine use of episiotomy formed the 'Control Group', while those managed with restricted use of episiotomy formed the 'Study Group'. Data so obtained was analyzed. Results: Total number of deliveries analyzed was 458 ('Control Group': n=210, 'Study Group': n=248). Restricted use of episiotomy led to 64% (n=159) women delivering without any perineal laceration, in 'Study Group'. This translated into 41% (n=38) reduction in the number of perineal lacerations in primipara, and 23% (n=36) in multipara, compared to the 'Control Group'. Only 2% of primipara in 'Study Group' had severe third degree perineal tears. Conclusion: Restricted use of episiotomy resulted in considerable reduction in maternal morbidity due to perineal lacerations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) have been known to cause bradycardia. We evaluated the effect of three PPIs, i.e. omeprazole, rabeprazole and pantoprazole on the heart rate of frog. The in situ frog heart preparation was set up. Heart rate and amplitude of contraction were studied following administration of different doses of the three PPIs. Statistical analysis was done by using Graphpad statistical software system. After 1 mg of omeprazole and rabeprazole, and 2 mg pantoprazole, the heart rate was similar as compared to baseline (p >0.05). After 2 mg of omeprazole and rabeprazole, and 4 mg pantoprazole, the reduction in heart rate was significant (p <0.05). In addition, pantoprazole caused negative ionotropic effect. The three PPIs showed a dose-dependent negative chronotropic effect in the frog heart prepration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]