#4880
PREOPERATIVE ‘TATOOING’ GOOD FOR THORACIC SURGERY
(Monday, October 22, 11:30 AM EST)
Video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) often results in thoracotomy due to visual limitations, but a new ‘tattooing’ procedure may help slow this trend, according to a new study. Researchers from Saint Vincent’s Catholic Medical Center, NY, and Franklin Square Hospital Center, MD, stained the pulmonary nodules of four patients preparing for VATS with dye, prior to surgery. They reported that the ‘tattooing’ of the nodules enabled for precise locatablilty and aided in directing the depth of the resection. Researchers suggest that this procedure is feasible and safe, and minimizes the conversions from VATS to thoracotomies.
#5854
COLLABORATIVE EFFORTS IMPROVE TIMING OF ANTIBIOTICS
(Monday, October 22, 3:30 PM EST)
A new study suggests that pneumonia patients are treated more quickly and accurately when hospitals implement a collaborative process. During a 2-year period, researchers from Cedars Sinai Medical Center applied a ‘collaborative review’ process and a ‘shared accountability’ process, when treating patients with community acquired pneumonia (CAP), who were admitted through the emergency department. After implementation, researchers found that over 90% of antibiotic timing rates complied with performance measures.
#5862
NEW TREATMENT OPTION FOR INOPERABLE LUNG TUMORS
(Tuesday, October 23, 11:30 AM EST)
Patients who suffer from inoperable, stage I non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) may have a non-surgical alternative, reports new research. A study from Georgetown University studied the outcomes of radiosurgery in 20 patients with NSCLC, using an instrument called CyberKnife, with real-time tumor motion tracking. After the treatment, patients received CT imaging and lung function testing at 6 and 12 months. Researchers report the treatment as well tolerated, with a crude survival rate of 95% at 12 months.
#5988
HEART PATIENTS IN OUTPATIENT PROGRAM LIVE LONGER
(Tuesday, October 23, 3:30 PM EST)
Patients with congestive heart failure (CHF) may benefit from an outpatient, comprehensive disease management and rehabilitation program (CDMR), says a new study. Researchers from Loma Linda Medical Center studied two groups of CHF patients. Both received education and training in CHF management, but only one group participated in a 12-week CDMR program. Results showed that patients in the CDMR program had improved survival rates at 48 months, as well as long-term improvement in medication adherence and smoking cessation, and fewer hospital visits.
#4866
TAI CHI FOR COPD
(Wednesday, October 24, 1:30 PM EST)
New research from Thailand suggests modified Tai Chi exercises may be helpful for COPD rehabilitation. The combination of graceful body movements and pursed-lip breathing was found to improve maximum and functional exercise capacities, and overall quality of life in patients with COPD. Researchers suggest Tai Chi training could provide an effective, inexpensive, and non-traumatic training program for patients.
#5750
LUNG ‘GLUE’ IDEAL FOR RESECTION SURGERY
(Wednesday, October 24, 1:30 PM EST)
The use of human fibrin sealant, special glue used to seal air leaks during lung resection surgery, is yielding positive results, according to new research. The study, from George Washington University and the Washington Institute of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, gathered and reviewed the success rates of the sealant in 74 patients who underwent lung resection. Researchers report superior results in those patients who received the sealant, and suggest that this product may provide greater patient comfort, lower complications, shorter hospitalization, and reduced cost.
#5883
CPAP MAY HELP MANAGE IRREGULAR HEARTBEAT
(Wednesday, October 24, 1:30 PM EST)
Body mass index (BMI) and apnea hypopnea index (AHI) show no relation to premature ventricular arrhythmias (PVC) in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), according to a new study. However the researchers, from Lutheran Medical Center and SUNY-Downstate Medical Center in New York, say that treatment with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) decreases the incidence of both AHI and PVC. The significant decrease in PVC may be the result of decreased transmural pressure, say researchers.
#5148
MULTI-DRUG RESISTANT TB MORE COMMON IN HIV
(Wednesday, October 24, 1:30 PM EST)
New research from St. Joseph’s Regional Medical Center in New Jersey assessed the frequency of drug resistance between tuberculosis (TB) patients with and without HIV. Researchers reviewed the medical records of more than 200 patients with pulmonary TB from 1999-2007, and compared the data with previously complied results from 1995-1998. They found that while the overall frequency of multi-drug resistant TB declined in HIV patients, it still remained more frequent in the HIV patients, when compared to those TB patients without HIV.
#5900
SILDENAFIL BEST TREATMENT FOR PAH
(Wednesday, October 24, 3:00 PM EST)
Sildenafil may be the best treatment for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), according to new research. The study, from the Medical University of South Carolina, found that when compared to six other treatments, Sildenafil was the most inexpensive and resulted in a greater gain in quality-adjusted life years. Researchers suggest physicians take the life-styles of their patients into account when prescribing PAH medications.