Two-year outcomes of radiofrequency device treatment of the nasal valve for nasal airway obstruction.

BACKGROUND: Temperature-controlled radiofrequency (TCRF) device treatment of nasal valve dysfunction (NVD) was superior to a sham procedure control in reducing the symptoms of nasal airway obstruction (NAO) in this randomised controlled trial (RCT). METHODOLOGY: Two-year outcomes for 108 patients actively treated in a prospective, multicenter, patient-blinded RCT were used to determine treatment effect durability and changes in medication/nasal dilator usage. A responder was defined as ≥20% reduction in NOSE score or ≥1 reduction in severity class. RESULTS: The mean (SD) age of patients was 48.5 (12.3) years; 66 (61.1%) women. Baseline NOSE score was 76.3. The 2-year responder rate was 90.4% and NOSE score treatment effect was -41.7; 54.7% improvement. Of 57 patients using medications/nasal dilators at baseline, 45 (78.9%) either stopped all use (33.3%) or stopped/decreased (45.6%) use in ≥1 class at 2 years. Concurrent septal deviation, septal swell body, or turbinate enlargement did not significantly affect the odds of exhibiting a NOSE score of ≤25 at 2 years. CONCLUSIONS: TCRF device treatment of NVD resulted in significant and sustained improvements in the symptoms of NAO at 2 years, accompanied by a substantial reduction in medication/nasal dilator use.

Growth of Secure Messaging Through a Patient Portal as a Form of Outpatient Interaction across Clinical Specialties.

OBJECTIVE: Patient portals are online applications that allow patients to interact with healthcare organizations. Portal adoption is increasing, and secure messaging between patients and healthcare providers is an emerging form of outpatient interaction. Research about portals and messaging has focused on medical specialties. We characterized adoption of secure messaging and the contribution of messaging to outpatient interactions across diverse clinical specialties after broad portal deployment. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study at Vanderbilt University Medical Center examined use of patient-initiated secure messages and clinic visits in the three years following full deployment of a patient portal across adult and pediatric specialties. We measured the proportion of outpatient interactions (i.e., messages plus clinic visits) conducted through secure messaging by specialty over time. Generalized estimating equations measured the likelihood of message-based versus clinic outpatient interaction across clinical specialties. RESULTS: Over the study period, 2,422,114 clinic visits occurred, and 82,159 unique portal users initiated 948,428 messages to 1,924 recipients. Medicine participated in the most message exchanges (742,454 messages; 78.3% of all messages sent), followed by surgery (84,001; 8.9%) and obstetrics/gynecology (53,424; 5.6%). The proportion of outpatient interaction through messaging increased from 12.9% in 2008 to 33.0% in 2009 and 39.8% in 2010 (p<0.001). Medicine had the highest proportion of outpatient interaction conducted through messaging in 2008 (23.3% of outpatient interactions in medicine). By 2010, this proportion was highest for obstetrics/gynecology (83.4%), dermatology (71.6%), and medicine (56.7%). Growth in likelihood of message-based interaction was greater for anesthesiology, dermatology, obstetrics/gynecology, pediatrics, and psychiatry than for medicine (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates rapid adoption of secure messaging across diverse clinical specialties, with messaging interactions exceeding face-to-face clinic visits for some specialties. As patient portal and secure messaging adoption increase beyond medicine and primary care, research is needed to understand the implications for provider workload and patient care.

Focal acidosis in the pre-Botzinger complex area of awake goats induces a mild tachypnea.

There are widespread chemosensitive areas in the brain with varying effects on breathing. In the awake goat, microdialyzing (MD) 50% CO(2) at multiple sites within the medullary raphe increases pulmonary ventilation (Vi), blood pressure, heart rate, and metabolic rate (Vo(2)) (11), while MD in the rostral and caudal cerebellar fastigial nucleus has a stimulating and depressant effect, respectively, on these variables (17). In the anesthetized cat, the pre-Bötzinger complex (preBötzC), a hypothesized respiratory rhythm generator, increases phrenic nerve activity after an acetazolamide-induced acidosis (31, 32). To gain insight into the effects of focal acidosis (FA) within the preBötzC during physiological conditions, we tested the hypothesis that FA in the preBötzC during wakefulness would stimulate breathing, by increasing respiratory frequency (f). Microtubules were bilaterally implanted into the preBötzC of 10 goats. Unilateral MD of mock cerebral spinal fluid equilibrated with 6.4% CO(2) did not affect Vi, tidal volume (Vt), or f. Unilateral MD of 25 and 50% CO(2) significantly increased Vi and f by 10% (P < 0.05, n = 10, 17 trials), but Vt was unaffected. Bilateral MD of 6.4, 25, or 50% CO(2) did not significantly affect Vi, Vt, or f (P > 0.05, n = 6, 6 trials). MD of 80% CO(2) caused a 180% increase in f and severe disruptions in airflow (n = 2). MD of any level of CO(2) did not result in any significant changes in mean arterial blood pressure, heart rate, or Vo(2). Thus the data suggest that the preBötzC area is chemosensitive, but the responses to FA at this site are unique compared with other chemosensitive sites.

Normal breathing pattern and arterial blood gases in awake and sleeping goats after near total destruction of the presumed pre-Botzinger complex and the surrounding region.

Abrupt neurotoxic destruction of >70% of the pre-Bötzinger complex (preBötzC) in awake goats results in respiratory and cardiac failure (Wenninger JM, Pan LG, Klum L, Leekley T, Bastastic J, Hodges MR, Feroah TR, Davis S, Forster HV. J Appl Physiol 97: 1629-1636, 2004). However, in reduced preparations, rhythmic respiratory activity has been found in other areas of the brain stem (Huang Q, St. John WM. J Appl Physiol 64: 1405-1411, 1988; Janczewski WA, Feldman JL. J Physiol 570: 407-420, 2006; Lieske SP, Thoby-Brisson M, Telgkamo P, Ramierz JM. Nature Neurosci 3: 600-607, 2000; St. John WM, Bledsoe TA. J Appl Physiol 59: 684-690, 1985); thus we hypothesized that, when the preBötzC is destroyed incrementally over weeks, time-dependent plasticity within the respiratory network will result in a respiratory rhythm capable of maintaining normal blood gases. Microtubules were bilaterally implanted into the presumed preBötzC of seven goats. After recovery from surgery, studies were completed to establish baseline values for respiratory parameters. At weekly intervals, increasing volumes (in order 0.5, 1, 5, and 10 microl) of ibotenic acid (IA; 50 mM) were then injected into the preBötzC. All IA injections resulted in an acute tachypnea and dysrhythmia featuring augmented breaths, apneas, and increased breath-to-breath variation in breathing. In studies at night, apneas were nearly all central and occurred in the awake state. Breath-to-breath variation in breathing was greater (P < 0.05) during wakefulness than during non-rapid eye movement sleep. However, one week after the final IA injection, the breathing pattern, breath-to-breath variation, and arterial blood gases and pH were unchanged from baseline, but there was a 20% decrease in respiratory frequency (f) and CO(2) sensitivity (P < 0.05), as well as a 40% decrease in the ventilatory response to hypoxia (P < 0.001). In subsequent histological analysis of the presumed preBötzC region of lesioned goats, it was determined that there was a 90 and 92% reduction from control goats in total and neurokinin-1 receptor neurons, respectively. Therefore, it was concluded that 1) the dysrhythmic effects on breathing are state dependent; and 2) after incremental, near total destruction of the presumed preBötzC region, time-dependent plasticity within the respiratory network provides a rhythm capable of sustaining normal arterial blood gases.

Postnatal developmental changes in CO2 sensitivity in rats.

Ventilatory sensitivity to CO(2) in awake adult Brown Norway (BN) rats is 50-75% lower than in adult Sprague-Dawley (SD) and salt-sensitive Dahl S (SS) rats. The purpose of the present study was to test the hypothesis that this difference would be apparent during the development of CO(2) sensitivity. Four litters of each strain were divided into four groups such that rats were exposed to 7% inspired CO(2) for 5 min in a plethysmograph every third day from postnatal day (P) 0 to P21 and again on P29 and P30. From P0 to P14, CO(2) exposure increased pulmonary ventilation (Ve) by 25-50% in the BN and SD strains and between 25 to over 200% in the SS strain. In all strains beginning around P15, the response to CO(2) increased progressively reaching a peak at P19-21 when Ve during hypercapnia was 175-225% above eucapnia. There were minimal changes in CO(2) sensitivity between P21 and P30, and at both ages there were minimal between-strain differences. At P30, the response to CO(2) in the SS and SD strains was near the adult response, but the response in the BN rats was 100% greater at P30 than in adults. We conclude that 1) CO(2)-sensing mechanisms, and/or mechanisms downstream from the chemoreceptors, change dramatically at the age in rats when other physiological systems are also maturing ( approximately P15), and 2) there is a high degree of age-dependent plasticity in CO(2) sensitivity in rats, which differs between strains.

A 19 year old with complete androgen insensitivity syndrome and juvenile fibroadenoma of the breast.

We report a case of a 19-year-old female with complete androgen insensitivity syndrome (CAIS) who was diagnosed with a juvenile fibdroadenoma of the breast. The patient presented at age 18 with primary amenorrhea. She had been raised as a female and went through thelarche at age 13 and adrenarche at age 14. She had two sisters and three maternal aunts with androgen insensitivity syndrome. Physical exam revealed that the patient had no cervix, and a pelvic sonogram confirmed that the uterus was absent. Genetic analysis revealed a 46 XY karyotype. Bilateral intra-abdominal testes were noted on ultrasound and subsequently removed. She was placed on synthetic estrogen replacement therapy. Roughly 1 year following orchiectomy, the patient noticed an enlarging mass in her right breast. Physical exam revealed a roughly 5 cm mobile mass in the upper portion of the nipple-areolar complex. Ultrasound showed a solid mass consistent with a fibroadenoma. Because of the size of the lesion and the patient's hormonal make-up, a fine needle aspirate was obtained. Cytopathology showed large cohesive sheets of ductal epithelial cells, scattered histiocytes, numerous bare nuclei, fragments of fibrous tissue and metachromatic stroma. Some of the stroma was noted to be cellular. The tumor was subsequently excised. Microscopically, the lesion had epithelial and stromal hyperplasia consistent with a fibroadenoma. Phyllodes-like qualities of large size, increased stromal cellularity, and intracanalicular growth ("leaf-like projections") were noted; however, the pathologist found that the florid epithelial hyperplasia and the patient's young age were more compatible with a juvenile fibroadenoma. We describe what we believe to be the first report of a patient with CAIS and a fibroadenoma of the breast. The hormonal imbalance typically found in these patients, combined with the fact that most individuals with CAIS receive exogenous estrogen therapy, suggests that there may be a relatively high incidence of fibroadenoma in these patients.

The delta valve: how does its clinical performance compare with two other pressure differential valves without antisiphon control?

OBJECTIVE: The Delta valve is a pressure differential valve with a siphon control device. The valve mechanism is normally closed, but is designed to open in response to positive ventricular pressure, thereby avoiding overdrainage of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). As a result, the incidence of subdural fluid collections as well as postural symptoms is purportedly reduced. In addition, the valve might reduce the number of obstructions as there would be no negative pressure sucking tissue and debris into the shunt system. In order to assess whether use of the Delta valve reduced the number of shunt-related problems as compared with two other pressure differential valves without an antisiphon component, we performed a retrospective review of all children undergoing CSF diversion procedures at our institution. METHODS: We reviewed the charts of 1, 193 patients. Cases included 2,325 ventriculoperitoneal (V-P) shunt insertions or revisions from January 1, 1985, to December 31, 1994, performed at our institution. The Delta valve and two pressure differential valves without antisiphon function were exclusively inserted during the following time periods: Holter-Hausner (H-H): January 1, 1985, to August, 1987; Heyer-Schulte (H-S): August, 1987, to June, 1991, and Delta: June, 1991, to December 31, 1994. RESULTS: Of the cases reviewed, 475 patients underwent insertion of a V-P shunt at the Childrens Hospital of Los Angeles and had a total of 686 shunt operations. Median follow-up was 3 years and ranged up to 10 years. Kaplan-Meier analysis documented that 67% of H-H, 71% of H-S and 70% of the Delta valves were functioning at 1-year follow-up. At 2-year follow-up, 66% of H-H, 64% of H-S and 65% of the Delta valves were functioning. The difference was not statistically significant. The occurrence rate for symptomatic subdural fluid collections was 0.7% (1/130) for H-H, 2.2% (3/139) for H-S and 1.0% (2/206) for the Delta valve (p = 0.52). The combined breakage/obstruction rate for the series was 7.7% (10/130) for H-H, 2.9% (4/139) for H-S and 4.9% (10/206) for the Delta valve (p = 0.19). No Delta valves malfunctioned secondary to fibrous capsule affecting the antisiphon device. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, it appears that performance of the Delta valve was not significantly different from the H-H and H-S valves, two valves without an antisiphon device. There was no significant difference in the occurrence of symptomatic subdural fluid collections based upon valve type, or in the combined valve breakage/obstruction rates based upon valve type.

Effects of heat-induced damage on the radial component of thermal diffusivity of bovine aorta.

The extent of the change in thermal diffusivity of soft tissues due to heat-induced damage is not well known. Reported here are the results of using the flash method to measure the through-the-wall component of thermal diffusivity of bovine aorta before and after the tissue has undergone two hours of heating at 75 degrees C. The measurements indicate a 10.1 percent increase in the thermal diffusivity of the tissue post-heating. While this change may not result in a significant change in the tissue temperature profile, further study is needed to quantify the thermal diffusivity in other coordinate directions, as well as the mechanisms by which this change in properties occurs.

Does age or other factors influence the incidence of ventriculoperitoneal shunt infections?

Some studies indicate that infants, especially those less than 1 month of age have a higher incidence of ventriculoperitoneal shunt infections. To look at age as well as other variables that might relate to the rate of shunt infection, we reviewed the records of all patients undergoing a ventriculoperitoneal shunt insertion or revision at our institution from January 1, 1985, to December 31, 1994. There were a total of 2,325 ventriculoperitoneal shunting procedures performed on 1,193 patients with a male:female ratio of 678:515. The overall infection rate was 3.2% (74 infections). Analyzed by age, the infection rates were as follows: <1 month 9/223 (4.0%), 1-6 months 16/449 (3.6%), 6-12 months 13/297 (4.4%), 12-18 months 3/122 (2.5%), 18-24 months 7/116 (6.0%) and 24+ months 26/1, 118 (2.3%). There was no statistically significant difference between age groups (p > 0.05). Upon selectively examining premature neonates who developed hydrocephalus secondary to intraventricular hemorrhage from the figures given above, one finds that 2/44 (4.5%) of neonates became infected, which was also not significant. The infection rate was the same irrespective of whether the procedure was to insert or revise the shunt, or whether another operative procedure was done under the same anesthesia. The etiology of the hydrocephalus was not a factor, nor was the presence of an open neural tube defect. The presence of fluid accumulation along the shunt tract or at another neurological operative site was associated with a significant increase in incidence of infection 15/168 (8.9%) when compared to those with no fluid accumulation (p < 0.001). The type of infecting organism was divided roughly in thirds, with relatively equal representation from Staphylococcus epidermidis/coagulase negative and Staphylococcus aureus. The remaining third was comprised of a wide variety of organisms.

Representational momentum in children: dynamic information and analogue representation.

Two groups of children and a control group of adults completed a visual memory task previously shown to produce representational momentum in adults. In the task, a computer-animated target was shown moving either horizontally or vertically, and the target vanished without warning. After the target vanished, observers indicated the location at which it had vanished. Both children and adults exhibited representational momentum, i.e., indicated locations slightly beyond where the target actually disappeared, and the magnitude of representational momentum was larger for younger children than adults. Implications of the results for issues of sensitivity to dynamics and for reliance on analogue representation are discussed.

Outcome of functional electrical stimulation in the rehabilitation of a child with C-5 tetraplegia.

Hand function was provided for a six-year-old child with C-5 American Spinal Injuries Association (ASIA) classification-A tetraplegia through a percutaneous intramuscular (i.m.) functional electrical stimulation (FES) system. In conjunction with implantation of 10 percutaneous i.m. electrodes for provision of grasp and release of her right hand, reconstructive surgery was performed to provide upper extremity positioning to optimize hand use. The subject participated in FES training over a nine-week period for approximately five hours weekly, with an additional five hours each week dedicated to exercise and conditioning of her arm muscles. Physical and functional assessments included range of motion (ROM), manual muscle testing (MMT), activities of daily living (ADL) abilities and the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM), used to evaluate the effect of stimulated hand function and surgical reconstruction on functional ability. These were conducted prior to FES and surgery and repeated after rehabilitation training. With rehabilitation and training, the child was able to control her FES system. Physical assessments revealed increased strength of both shoulders and more useful range of arm movement. Functional assessments show that the FES system enabled her to perform age-appropriate ADL that previously were achievable only with physical assistance. Her overall level of independence in ADL ability increased, as did self-rated levels of satisfaction and performance on chosen activities. Positive gains demonstrated here suggest the need for further studies of FES systems in young children with SCI.

Self-reported use of an implanted FES hand system by adolescents with tetraplegia.

The Freehand System, an eight-channel functional electrical stimulation (FES) system, was implanted in five adolescents with C-5 or C-6 tetraplegia to provide stimulated lateral pinch and palmar grasp. Following completion of inpatient training on how to use the Freehand System for predefined and self-selected activities of daily living (ADL), the adolescents were discharged to use their Freehand systems at home and school. A telephone survey was administered on a weekly basis to obtain information on the type of ADL performed with the Freehand System, reasons for not using the Freehand System, and perceived barriers and motivators to FES use. Twenty surveys were obtained on each adolescent, resulting in a total of 100 surveys. The most common type of activity performed with the Freehand System was self-care, which included tasks such as eating, grooming, and brushing teeth. The Freehand System was also used for productivity activities defined as writing, socialization, and manipulation of school and household objects. Motivators to Freehand System use included perceived need and importance to perform an ADL in an independent fashion, physical ease of using the Freehand System, and availability of social supports that facilitated Freehand System use. While there were several reported barriers to Freehand System use, incompatibility with multiple transfers to and from the wheelchair and lack of physical assistance during morning care to don the system were perceived as two of the more common reasons for nonuse.

The effect of training and epinephrine infusion on ratings of perceived exertion (RPE).

Seven untrained males (mean age [+/-SD] = 25.6+/-3.9 yr, mean ht = 177.0+/-5.9 cm, mean wt = 65.8+/-7.4 kg) completed a 6-week exercise program (cycle ergometer). Prior to training, and at the end of each week of training, each subject performed a 20 min constant-power exercise test (absolute power was the same each week). At the end of the six week training program (within a few days), an additional 20 min constant-power test was performed, during which epinephrine was infused at a rate of 100 ng x kg(-1) x min(-1) over the final 10 min of exercise. Training significantly (P<0.05) reduced end-exercise ratings of perceived exertion (RPE), plasma epinephrine concentration [Epi], plasma norepinephrine concentration [NE], blood lactate concentration [La-], minute ventilation (V(E)), heart rate (HR), and blood glucose concentration [Glc]. Epinephrine infusion failed to increase RPE despite significant (p < 0.05) increases in [Epi], [La-], V(E) and [Glc]. Therefore, the present data indicate that RPE during exercise is not causally related to changes in plasma [Epi]. It also appears that modest changes in plasma [NE], blood [La-], V(E) and blood [Glc] during constant-power cycle ergometry (as observed during Epi infusion) do not impact RPE.

Implanted functional electrical stimulation hand system in adolescents with spinal injuries: an evaluation.

OBJECTIVE: To study the utility and functional benefits of an implanted functional electrical stimulation (FES) system for hand grasp and release in adolescents with tetraplegia secondary to spinal cord injuries. DESIGN: Intervention study with before-after trial measurement with each subject as his or her own control. SETTING: Nonprofit pediatric orthopedic rehabilitation facility specializing in spinal cord injury. PARTICIPANTS: A convenience sample of five adolescents between 16 and 18 years of age with C5 or C6 level tetraplegia at least 1 year after traumatic spinal cord injury. Key muscles for palmar and lateral grasp and release were excitable by electrical stimulation. INTERVENTIONS: A multichannel stimulator/receiver and eight electrodes were surgically implanted to provide stimulated palmar and lateral grasp and release. In conjunction with implantation of the FES hand system, surgical reconstruction in the form of tendon transfers, tendon lengthenings and releases, and joint arthrodeses was performed to augment stimulated hand function. Rehabilitation of the tendon transfers and training in the use of the FES hand system were provided. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Measurements of pinch and grasp force, the Grasp and Release Test (GRT), and an assessment of six activities of daily living (ADL) were administered before implantation of the FES hand system and at regular follow-up intervals. Results of the stimulated response of individual muscles and surgical reconstruction were evaluated using standard and stimulated muscle testing techniques and standard assessment of joint range of motion. All subjects completed followup testing. RESULTS: Lateral and palmar forces were significantly greater than baseline forces (p = .043). Heavy objects on the GRT could only be manipulated with FES, and FES increased the level of independence in 25 of 30 ADL comparisons (5 subjects, 6 activities) as compared to baseline. After training, FES was preferred in 21 of 30 comparisons over the typical means of task completion. Of the 40 electrodes implanted, 37 continue to provide excellent stimulated responses and all of the implanted stimulators have functioned without problems. The surgical reconstruction procedures greatly enhanced FES hand function by either expanding the workspace in which to utilize FES (deltoid to triceps transfer), stabilizing the wrist (brachioradialis to wrist extensor transfer), or stabilizing joints (intrinsic tenodesis transfer, FPL split transfer). CONCLUSION: For five adolescents with tetraplegia, the combination of FES and surgical reconstruction provided active palmar and lateral grasp and release. Laboratory-based assessments demonstrated that the FES system increased pinch force, improved the manipulation of objects, and typically increased independence in six standard ADL as compared to pre-FES hand function. The study also showed that the five adolescents generally preferred FES for most of the ADL tested. Data on the benefits of the implanted FES hand system outside of the laboratory are needed to understand the full potential of FES.

Exercise training decreases the growth hormone (GH) response to acute constant-load exercise.

To assess the influence of exercise training on the growth hormone (GH) response to acute exercise, six untrained males completed a 20-min, high-intensity, constant-load exercise test prior to and after 3 and 6 wk of training (the absolute power output (PO) during each test remained constant x PO = 182.5 +/- 29.5 W). Training increased (pre- vs post-training) oxygen uptake (VO2) at lactate threshold (1.57 +/- 0.33 L.min-1 vs 1.97 +/- 0.24 L.min-1 P < or = 0.05). VO2 at 2.5 mM blood lactate concentration ([HLa]) (1.83 +/- 0.38 L.min-1 vs 2.33 +/- 0.38 L.min-1, P < or = 0.05), and VO2peak (3.15 +/- 0.54 L.min-1 vs 3.41 +/- 0.47 L.min-1, P < or = 0.05). Power output at the lactate threshold (PO-LT) increased with training from 103 +/- 28 to 132 +/- 23W (P < or = 0.05). Integrated GH concentration (20 min exercise + 45 min recovery) (microgram.L-1 x min) after 3 wk (138 +/- 106) and 6 wk (130 +/- 145) were significantly lower (P < or = 0.05) than pre-training (238 +/- 145). Plasma epinephrine and norepinephrine responses to training were similar to the GH response (EPI-pre-training = 2447 +/- 1110; week 3 = 1046 +/- 144; week 6 = 955 +/- 322 pmol.L-1; P < or = 0.05; NE pre-training = 23.0 +/- 5.2; week 3 = 13.4 +/- 4.8; week 6 = 12.1 +/- 6.8 nmol.L-1; P < or = 0.05). These data indicate that the GH and catecholamine response to a constant-load exercise stimulus are reduced within the first 3 wk of exercise training and support the hypothesis that a critical threshold of exercise intensity must be reached to stimulate GH release.

An examination of the clinical validity of the MCMI-III Depressive Personality scale.

We examined the redundancy and incremental validity of the newly introduced Million Clinical Multiaxial Inventory-III (MCMI-III) Depressive Personality scale with a heterogeneous sample of 283 psychiatric inpatients. Linear and nominal bivariate correlations indicated sizable overlap between the MCMI-III Depressive, Avoidant, and Self-Defeating Personality scales. Also, the Depressive Personality scale showed moderate overlap with the MCMI-III Major Depression scale. Despite this redundancy, the Depressive Personality scale made significant independent contributions in predicting Axis-I measures of depression, i.e., the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI) Depression and Interpersonal Sensitivity scales, as well as the MCMI-III Major Depression scale. The Depressive Personality scale appears to be dimensionally related to these measures of Axis-I depression.

Economic, ethical, and outcome-based decisions regarding aggressive surgical management in patients with penetrating craniocerebral injury.

Each year fatalities in the United States increase as a result of gunshot wounds to the head. This increase, coupled with the progressive limitation of medical and economic resources available at major trauma centers, has brought into question the concept that everything possible should be done to save the lives of victims, who have only a minimal and nonpredictable chance of having a good outcome. Thus, consideration must be given to the economics of treating cranial gunshot wounds and the relationship of this treatment to outcome. When a good outcome can be predicted, treatment should be aggressive. However, when a good outcome cannot be predicted, surgical intervention will have no effect and the potential costs of aggressive treatment must also be considered. Clearly, there are ethical dilemmas involved in withholding operative treatment from any individual, even if there is only a minimal chance of a reasonable neurologic recovery. A negotiation-based approach should be used in determining the medical and ethical benefits of aggressive management strategies. Unfortunately, the care of critically ill patients is inconsistent with this approach. In order to insure that the best decision is made, guidelines dictating when to surgically intervene must be made an essential part of the patient/health care provider negotiation--even in worst case scenarios. The combination of an extremely poor prognosis for these injuries, and economic constraints faced by government-run facilities today could suggest that some patients should be allowed to die. Thus, the physician must be a source of information for the families, providing support and becoming a decision-making partner regarding potential intervention. In each situation, a strict set of guidelines must be formulated to establish a moral foundation for the ultimate mutual decision.

Slow component of O2 uptake during heavy exercise: adaptation to endurance training.

Seven untrained male subjects [age 25.6 +/- 1.5 (SE) yr, peak O2 uptake (VO2) 3.20 +/- 0.19 l/min] trained on a cycle ergometer 4 days/wk for 6 wk, with the absolute training workload held constant for the duration of training. Before and at the end of each week of training, the subjects performed 20 min of constant-power exercise at a power designed to elicit a pronounced slow component of VO2 (end-exercise VO2-VO2 at minute 3 of exercise) in the pretraining session. An additional 20-min exercise bout was performed after training at this same absolute power output during which epinephrine (Epi) was infused at a rate of 100 ng.kg-1.min-1 between minutes 10 and 20. After 2 wk of training, significant decreases in VO2 slow component, end-exercise VO2, blood lactate ([La-] and glucose concentrations, plasma Epi ([Epi]) and norepinephrine concentrations, ventilation (VE), and heart rate (HR) were observed (P < 0.05). Although the rapid attenuation of the VO2 slow component coincided temporally with reductions in plasma [Epi], blood [La-], and VE, the infusion of Epi after training significantly increased plasma [Epi] (delta 2.22 ng/ml), blood [La-] (delta 2.4 mmol/l) and VE (delta 10.0 l/min) without any change in exercise VO2. We therefore conclude that diminution of the VO2 slow component with training is attributable to factors other than the reduction in plasma [Epi], blood [La-] and VE.

The impact of a grief workshop for pediatric oncology nurses on their grief and perceived stress.

Coping with the death of a pediatric patient with whom the nurses has developed a close relationship is reported by nurses as the most stressful experience of being a pediatric nurse. Such losses are inevitable for a pediatric nurse regardless of subspecialty and can contribute to a nurse leaving the specialty or the discipline. To prevent those consequences, nurses' grief needs to be acknowledged, and their grieving needs to be facilitated. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of a grief workshop on grief symptoms and perceived stress in two groups of pediatric oncology nurses who differed in years of experience in the specialty. Study findings indicated that the workshop affected the two groups differently, with the more experienced nurses reporting significantly higher stress levels after the workshop than did the less experienced nurses. Study findings are interpreted and recommendations for future work are offered.