13 research outputs found
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Early cannulation prosthetic graft (Flixene (TM)) for arteriovenous access
Purpose: Preferred hemodialysis (HD) access is an autologous fistula. Vascular grafts are used in patients with vessels unsuitable to accomplish an arteriovenous fistula (AVF). It is recommended that most current grafts mature in situ for 2-3 weeks before being accessed. Graft complications occur because the structure was not designed for the trauma of repeated cannulation. This study graft has a different structure that enables early use. Its design minimizes weeping through the graft walls and is meant to endure repeated access, thus minimizing the use of HD catheters. The purpose of this study was to show that the Flixene (TM) graft can be safely placed in patients where fistulas have failed and can be cannulated in 24-72 hr, while maintaining patency rates similar to other polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) grafts on the market. Flixene (TM) configuration should also reduce the incidence of pseudoaneurysms and seromas.
Methods: A prospective two-center study placed 33 grafts in 33 patients; graft efficacy, post-operative complications, and patency were evaluated. Ease of cannulation and dialysis center complications related to early cannulation were documented. Six month follow-up data was analyzed.
Results: Successful access was achieved in all 33 patients within 72 hr (29 patients within 24 hr). Overall primary patency at 6 months was 49%; primary-assisted patency at 6 months was 80%. No pseudoaneurysms or seromas were documented at 6 months. Complications were typical of graft access.
Conclusion: Early cannulation was successful in all patients. Primary and secondary patency rates at 6-months were equivalent to other data reported on PTFE grafts. Flixene (TM) successfully prevented pseudoaneurysm and seroma formation at 6 months of prospective follow-up. This graft is a better last-resort option for patients who cannot receive a fistula, compared to double-lumen cuffed catheters
Multicenter evaluation of a polyurethaneurea vascular access graft as compared with the expanded polytetrafluoroethylene vascular access graft in hemodialysis applications
Ocular hypotensive efficacy of brimonidine 0.15% as adjunctive therapy with latanoprost 0.005% in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension
Two Experiments in Simplifying Response Categories: Intensity Ratings and Behavioral Frequencies
The efficacy of bimatoprost 0.03% monotherapy in patients previously using topical beta-blocker monotherapy for the treatment of glaucoma or ocular hypertension
Effective information technology (IT) governance mechanisms: an IT outsourcing perspective
Effective IT governance will ensure alignment between IT and business goals. Organizations with ineffective IT governance will suffer due to poor performance of IT resources such as inaccurate information quality, inefficient operating costs, runaway IT project and even the demise of its IT department. This study seeks to examine empirically the individual IT governance mechanisms that influence the overall effectiveness of IT governance. Furthermore, this study examines the relationship of effective IT governance, the extent of IT outsourcing decisions within the organizations, and the level of IT Intensity in the organizations. We used structural equation modeling analysis to examine 110 responses from members of ISACA (Information Systems and Audit Control Association) Australia in which their organizations have outsourced their IT functions. Results suggest significant positive relationships between the overall level of effective IT governance and the following mechanisms: the involvement of senior management in IT, the existence of ethic or culture of compliance in IT, and corporate communication systems