Comparison of 12-Month Outcomes with Zotarolimus- and Paclitaxel-Eluting Stents: A Meta-Analysis

Revascularization after myocardial infarction is often achieved via percutaneous coronary intervention, which often entails stenting. Drug-eluting stents have shown benefits over bare metal stents in this setting, and a variety of drug-eluting stents are now available, including sirolimus-, paclitaxel-, and zotarolimus-eluting stents. There are studies that have compared the various drug-eluting stents and this meta-analysis pools data comparing 12-month clinical outcomes of zotarolimus- and paclitaxel-eluting stents. End points studied were myocardial infarction, major adverse cardiac events, cardiac death, all-cause death, stent thrombosis, target vessel revascularization, and target lesion revascularization.There was a statistically significant reduction in risk of myocardial infarction (odds ratio, 0.250, confidence interval, 0.160 to 0.392) and statistically insignificant reductions in major adverse cardiac events (odds ratio, 0.813, confidence interval, 0.656 to 1.007), cardiac death (odds ratio, 0.817, confidence interval, 0.359 to 1.857), all cause death (odds ratio, 0.820, confidence interval, 0.443 to 1.516), and target lesion revascularization (odds ratio, 0.936, confidence interval 0.702 to 1.247). There was a statistically significant increase in target vessel revascularization (odds ratio, 1.336, confidence interval, 1.003 to 1.778) and a statistically insignificant increase in stent thrombosis (odds ratio, 1.174, confidence interval, 0.604 to 2.280). These findings are similar to the individual studies although other studies have noted increased late loss with zotarolimus-eluting stents and this current data associated with late loss should be kept in mind when makimg clinical decisions regarding sent selection

Short-term outcome comparison of Norwood procedures with right ventricle to pulmonary artery conduit versus modified Blalock-Taussig shunt: A meta-analysis

A small number of nonrandomized and retrospective studies have compared outcomes of classical Norwood procedures for hypoplasticleft-heart syndrome and single ventricle lesions involving a Blalock-Taussig (BT) shunt to the modified procedure using a right ventricle to pulmonary artery conduit. Some of these studies reported data for the same outcomes and a meta-analysis was done to analyze pooled outcomes comparing in-hospital mortality, interstage mortality, cardiopulmonary bypass time, systolic and diastolic blood pressures 24 h postoperatively, length of intensive care and hospital stay, and need for postoperative extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. Right ventricle to pulmonary artery conduit was associated with an insignificant reduction of in-hospital mortality (odds ratio, 0.674, 95% confidence interval, 0.367 to 1.238), and in the length of hospital stay. There were significant reductions in cardiopulmonary bypass time, length of intensive care unit stay, and need for postoperative extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, postoperative ventilation times, and interstage mortality (odds ratio, 0.191, confidence interval, 0.0620 to 0.587). There was a significant increase in diastolic blood pressure and an insignificant increase in systolic blood pressure 24 h postoperatively. This pooled analysis demonstrates potential advantages associated with the right ventricle to pulmonary artery conduit when compared to the modified BT shunt in palliation and demonstrates the need for large randomized controlled trials that compare a number of outcomes in both procedures

The developing role of fetal magnetic resonance imaging in the diagnosis of congenital cardiac anomalies: A systematic review

Advances in the fetal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) over the last few years have resulted in the exploring the use of fetal MRI to detect congenital cardiac anomalies. Early detection of congenital cardiac anomalies can help more appropriately manage the infant's delivery and neonatal management. MRI offers anatomical and functional studies and is a safe adjunct that can help more fully understand a fetus’ cardiac anatomy. It is important for the obstetricians and pediatric cardiologists to be aware of the recent advancements in fetal MRI and it`s potential utility in diagnosing congenital cardiac anomalies

Global Warming and Community Outreach (Semester Unknown) IPRO 331: Global Warming and Community Outreach IPRO 331 Final Presentation Sp08

 Evaluate and incorporate previous presentation feedback into new methods of addressing the scientific aspect of global warming. This primarily includes subdividing the issue into four major aspects that contribute to this effect.  Present material to a larger and more diverse audiences, including schools, community centers, libraries, non-profit organizations, and other possibilities.  Focus on solid, scientific data from credible sources that define why and how global warming is occurring, rather than discussing the politics and economics that surround the issue.  Create a platform for this IPRO to continue in the future, using resources and feedback received from the current semester.Deliverable

Global Warming and Community Outreach (Semester Unknown) IPRO 331: Global Warming and Community Outreach IPRO 331 Ethics Sp08

 Evaluate and incorporate previous presentation feedback into new methods of addressing the scientific aspect of global warming. This primarily includes subdividing the issue into four major aspects that contribute to this effect.  Present material to a larger and more diverse audiences, including schools, community centers, libraries, non-profit organizations, and other possibilities.  Focus on solid, scientific data from credible sources that define why and how global warming is occurring, rather than discussing the politics and economics that surround the issue.  Create a platform for this IPRO to continue in the future, using resources and feedback received from the current semester.Deliverable

Global Warming and Community Outreach (Semester Unknown) IPRO 331: Global Warming and Community Outreach IPRO 331 Midterm Report Sp08

 Evaluate and incorporate previous presentation feedback into new methods of addressing the scientific aspect of global warming. This primarily includes subdividing the issue into four major aspects that contribute to this effect.  Present material to a larger and more diverse audiences, including schools, community centers, libraries, non-profit organizations, and other possibilities.  Focus on solid, scientific data from credible sources that define why and how global warming is occurring, rather than discussing the politics and economics that surround the issue.  Create a platform for this IPRO to continue in the future, using resources and feedback received from the current semester.Deliverable

Global Warming and Community Outreach (Semester Unknown) IPRO 331: Global Warming and Community Outreach IPRO 331 Poster Sp08

 Evaluate and incorporate previous presentation feedback into new methods of addressing the scientific aspect of global warming. This primarily includes subdividing the issue into four major aspects that contribute to this effect.  Present material to a larger and more diverse audiences, including schools, community centers, libraries, non-profit organizations, and other possibilities.  Focus on solid, scientific data from credible sources that define why and how global warming is occurring, rather than discussing the politics and economics that surround the issue.  Create a platform for this IPRO to continue in the future, using resources and feedback received from the current semester.Deliverable

Global Warming and Community Outreach (Semester Unknown) IPRO 331: Global Warming and Community Outreach IPRO 331 Brochure Sp08

 Evaluate and incorporate previous presentation feedback into new methods of addressing the scientific aspect of global warming. This primarily includes subdividing the issue into four major aspects that contribute to this effect.  Present material to a larger and more diverse audiences, including schools, community centers, libraries, non-profit organizations, and other possibilities.  Focus on solid, scientific data from credible sources that define why and how global warming is occurring, rather than discussing the politics and economics that surround the issue.  Create a platform for this IPRO to continue in the future, using resources and feedback received from the current semester.Deliverable

Global Warming and Community Outreach (Semester Unknown) IPRO 331: Global Warming and Community Outreach IPRO 331 Project Plan Sp08

 Evaluate and incorporate previous presentation feedback into new methods of addressing the scientific aspect of global warming. This primarily includes subdividing the issue into four major aspects that contribute to this effect.  Present material to a larger and more diverse audiences, including schools, community centers, libraries, non-profit organizations, and other possibilities.  Focus on solid, scientific data from credible sources that define why and how global warming is occurring, rather than discussing the politics and economics that surround the issue.  Create a platform for this IPRO to continue in the future, using resources and feedback received from the current semester.Deliverable