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Markowitz MA, Lundsberg LS, Gariepy AM. A Multidimensional and Longitudinal Exploratory Study of the Stability of Pregnancy Contexts in the United States. Womens Health Rep (New Rochelle) 2024; 5:211-222. [PMID: 38516649 PMCID: PMC10956533 DOI: 10.1089/whr.2024.0008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024]
Abstract
Objective Evaluate the longitudinal stability of six pregnancy contexts, including intention, in a diverse cohort of individuals experiencing delivery, abortion, or miscarriage. Methods We enrolled individuals 16-44 years of age with pregnancies <24 weeks gestation in this longitudinal study between June 2014 and June 2015 in four US urban clinics. We assessed six pregnancy contexts (intention, wantedness, planning, timing, desirability, and happiness) at enrollment and 3-month follow-up. We constructed three-level categorical measures for each context defined as favorable, ambivalent, or unfavorable. We used Wilcoxon sign tests to evaluate changes in paired observations between pregnancy context measures over time and by pregnancy outcome. Results Among 121 participants at median gestational age of 7 weeks and 3 days, we found intention, wantedness, planning, timing, and happiness remained unchanged from enrollment in early pregnancy to 3-month follow-up. Individuals demonstrated changes in desirability; pregnancy assessments shifted toward less desirable from enrollment to follow-up (p = 0.01) (i.e., desired to ambivalent, or ambivalent to undesired). Among participants choosing delivery (57%), assessments shifted toward more favorable planning (i.e., unplanned to ambivalent, or ambivalent to planned) (p < 0.01), and less favorable desirability (i.e., desired to ambivalent or ambivalent to undesired) (p < 0.01) at follow-up. Among participants choosing abortion (28%), assessments shifted toward more unfavorable planning (i.e., planned to ambivalent, or ambivalent to unplanned) at follow-up (p < 0.01). Conclusion In multidimensional, longitudinal assessment, pregnant participants' perspectives on five of six pregnancy contexts remained unchanged between enrollment and 3-month follow-up; only desirability shifted. Pregnancy planning perspectives differed by pregnancy outcome.Human Research Subjects Protection Program: 1310012926.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa A. Markowitz
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Lisbet S. Lundsberg
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Aileen M. Gariepy
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Weill Cornell Medicine and New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York, New York, USA
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St Martin B, Markowitz MA, Myers ER, Lundsberg LS, Ringel N. Estimated National Cost of Pelvic Organ Prolapse Surgery in the United States. Obstet Gynecol 2024; 143:419-427. [PMID: 38128098 DOI: 10.1097/aog.0000000000005485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To estimate the national cost of pelvic organ prolapse (POP) surgery in the United States. METHODS In this cross-sectional, population-based study, we used the 2016-2018 Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project National Inpatient Samples and National Ambulatory Surgery Samples to identify patients undergoing POP surgery using International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) diagnosis codes, ICD-10 procedural codes, and Current Procedural Terminology codes. Cost-to-charge ratios and weighted estimates were used to calculate nationwide costs. Descriptive analysis was used to identify the sociodemographic, clinical, and surgical characteristics of the population undergoing POP surgery. RESULTS Between 2016 and 2018, there were 140,762 POP surgical cases annually with an annual national cost estimated at $1.523 billion per year. The median cost per procedure increased slightly from $8,837 in 2016 to $8,958 in 2018. Overall, 82.5% of the total surgeries and 78% of the total national costs associated with POP surgery came from the ambulatory setting over this time period. Of these surgeries, 44.7% included an apical repair, and 42.3% included a concomitant hysterectomy. The average age of the population was 62 years, and 20% of the total population receiving prolapse surgery were younger than age 50 years. CONCLUSION The annual national cost associated with surgical correction of POP is substantial, and the majority of cases occur in an ambulatory setting. These findings will contribute to enhancing cost-effectiveness analyses and decision-making processes for both health care professionals and policymakers as the national population continues to age.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brad St Martin
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut; and the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina
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Markowitz MA, Ackerman-Banks CM, Oliveira CR, Fashina O, Pathy SR, Sheth SS. Expedited Partner Therapy: A Multicomponent Initiative to Boost Provider Counseling. Sex Transm Dis 2024; 51:15-21. [PMID: 37921862 DOI: 10.1097/olq.0000000000001894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Expedited partner therapy prescription remains low and highly variable throughout the United States, leading to frequent reinfections with Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae . We examined provider counseling on expedited partner therapy before and after an electronic smart tool-based initiative. METHODS In this quasi-experimental interrupted time-series study, we implemented an initiative of electronic smart tools and education for expedited partner therapy in March 2020. We reviewed the records of patients with chlamydia and/or gonorrhea at an urban, academic obstetrics and gynecology clinic in the preimplementation (March 2019-February 2020) and postimplementation (March 2020-February 2021) groups. Descriptive statistics and an interrupted time-series model were used to compare the percent of expedited partner therapy offered by clinicians to patients in each group. RESULTS A total of 287 patient encounters were analyzed, 155 preintervention and 132 postintervention. An increase in expedited partner therapy counseling of 13% (95% confidence interval [CI], 2%-24%) was observed before the intervention (27.1% [42 of 155]) versus after the intervention (40.2% [53 of 132]). Significant increases in provider counseling were seen for patients who were single (15%; 95% CI, 3%-26%), 25 years or older (21%; 95% CI, 6%-37%), receiving public insurance (15%; 95% CI, 3%-27%), seen by a registered nurse (18%; 95% CI, 4%-32%), or seen for an obstetrics indication (21%; 95% CI, 4%-39%). No difference was seen in patients' acceptance of expedited partner therapy ( P = 1.00). CONCLUSIONS A multicomponent initiative focused on electronic smart tools is effective at increasing provider counseling on expedited partner therapy. Further research to understand patient perceptions and acceptance of expedited partner therapy is critical.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Shefali R Pathy
- From the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences
| | - Sangini S Sheth
- From the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences
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Markowitz MA, Monti GK, Kim JH, Haake DA. Rapid diagnostic testing in the management of urinary tract infection: Potentials and limitations. Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis 2019; 94:371-377. [DOI: 10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2019.02.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2019] [Revised: 01/31/2019] [Accepted: 02/24/2019] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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Wood LN, Markowitz MA, Parameshwar PS, Hannemann AJ, Ogawa SL, Anger JT, Eilber KS. Is it Safe to Reduce Water Intake in the Overactive Bladder Population? A Systematic Review. J Urol 2018; 200:375-381. [DOI: 10.1016/j.juro.2018.02.3089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/16/2018] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Lauren N. Wood
- David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California
| | | | | | - Alex J. Hannemann
- University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine, Vermillion, South Dakota
| | - Shellee L. Ogawa
- David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California
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Wood LN, Jamnagerwalla J, Markowitz MA, Thum DJ, McCarty P, Medendorp AR, Raz S, Kim JH. Public Awareness of Uterine Power Morcellation Through US Food and Drug Administration Communications: Analysis of Google Trends Search Term Patterns. JMIR Public Health Surveill 2018; 4:e47. [PMID: 29699965 PMCID: PMC5945987 DOI: 10.2196/publichealth.9913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2018] [Revised: 02/21/2018] [Accepted: 02/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Uterine power morcellation, where the uterus is shred into smaller pieces, is a widely used technique for removal of uterine specimens in patients undergoing minimally invasive abdominal hysterectomy or myomectomy. Complications related to power morcellation of uterine specimens led to US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) communications in 2014 ultimately recommending against the use of power morcellation for women undergoing minimally invasive hysterectomy. Subsequently, practitioners drastically decreased the use of morcellation. Objective We aimed to determine the effect of increased patient awareness on the decrease in use of the morcellator. Google Trends is a public tool that provides data on temporal patterns of search terms, and we correlated this data with the timing of the FDA communication. Methods Weekly relative search volume (RSV) was obtained from Google Trends using the term “morcellation.” Higher RSV corresponds to increases in weekly search volume. Search volumes were divided into 3 groups: the 2 years prior to the FDA communication, a 1-year period following, and thereafter, with the distribution of the weekly RSV over the 3 periods tested using 1-way analysis of variance. Additionally, we analyzed the total number of websites containing the term “morcellation” over this time. Results The mean RSV prior to the FDA communication was 12.0 (SD 15.8), with the RSV being 60.3 (SD 24.7) in the 1-year after and 19.3 (SD 5.2) thereafter (P<.001). The mean number of webpages containing the term “morcellation” in 2011 was 10,800, rising to 18,800 during 2014 and 36,200 in 2017. Conclusions Google search activity about morcellation of uterine specimens increased significantly after the FDA communications. This trend indicates an increased public awareness regarding morcellation and its complications. More extensive preoperative counseling and alteration of surgical technique and clinician practice may be necessary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren N Wood
- Department of Urology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Juzar Jamnagerwalla
- Division of Urology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | | | - D Joseph Thum
- Division of Urology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Philip McCarty
- University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Andrew R Medendorp
- Department of Urology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Shlomo Raz
- Department of Urology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Ja-Hong Kim
- Department of Urology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
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Borghard WG, Calabro DC, DiSanzo FP, Disko MM, Diehl JW, Fried JC, Markowitz MA, Zeinali M, Melde BJ, Riley AE. Characterization and testing of periodic mesoporous organosilicas as potential selective benzene adsorbents. Langmuir 2009; 25:12661-12669. [PMID: 19788277 DOI: 10.1021/la901334z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
The effects of surface imprinting on the adsorption and desorption properties of benzene- and diethylbenzene-bridged periodic mesoporous organosilicas (PMOs) acting as GC stationary-phase preconcentration sorbents for benzene and xylene were examined. Surface-imprinted and nonimprinted PMOs with diethylbenzene (DEB), benzene (BENZ), and ethane (BTSE) bridges and nonimprinted mesoporous silica (MCM-41) were prepared via well-established surfactant templating synthetic methods. The imprinted materials were synthesized using a surfactant demonstrated to produce trinitrotoluene (TNT) selective sorbents with increased adsorption capacity for cresol and 4-nitrophenol as well as TNT. Powder XRD and nitrogen sorption measurements revealed that all of the materials were mesoporous with the DEB materials having a random pore structure and lower surface area than the other materials which had ordered pore structures. Results for maximum uptake of benzene and p-xylene indicate a small but consistent positive effect on the adsorption of benzene and p-xylene due to surface imprinting. Comparing the surface area normalized uptakes (mg/m(2)) for materials having the same organic bridge with and without imprinting (DEB vs TDMI-DEB and BENZ vs TDMI-BENZ) shows that in seven of eight comparisons the imprinted analogue had a higher aromatic uptake. The imprinted samples showed higher weight normalized uptakes (mg/g) in five of eight cases. When used as a GC stationary phase, the organosilica materials yield more symmetrical chromatographic peaks and better separation than MCM-41, indicating superior trapping of BTX analytes, particularly at low concentrations. Additionally, these materials rapidly desorb the preconcentrated compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- W G Borghard
- ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company, Annandale, New Jersey 08801, USA
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE To predict the cost-effectiveness of lamotrigine by evaluating the costs and health outcomes in treated patients. BACKGROUND Lamotrigine adjunctive therapy has been found to be associated with decreased seizure frequency and severity in patients who are refractory to treatment with the older antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). METHODS We used a cost-effectiveness clinical decision analysis framework to assess the impact of these clinical benefits on patient health care use. The measure of effectiveness was seizure-free days gained. The measures of health care resource use included hospitalizations, outpatient and emergency department visits, surgery, and AEDs. Medical care use and cost estimates were derived from clinical trial data and published sources. Costs and effectiveness (incremental costs per seizure-free days gained) of lamotrigine adjunctive therapy versus older AEDs were compared in patients refractory to previous treatment during three time periods: the start-up year, the second year when decisions about surgery were made, and all subsequent years. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS The model predicts that use of lamotrigine would be associated with an overall reduction in use of other direct medical care resources (hospitalizations, outpatient visits, diagnostic and laboratory tests, and surgery). For a 10-year time horizon, the estimated cost-effectiveness ratio is $6.9 per seizure-free day gained. The model provides a flexible framework to analyze the effect of new antiepileptic drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- M A Markowitz
- School of Medicine, Department of Social Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, USA
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Abstract
Diffusion of antibody protein from hydrogel films and hydrogel encapsulated in a microcapillary was studied. Thin hydrogel films were formed by crosslinking 6-acryloyl-B-O-methylgalactoside with N,N'-methylene-bis-acrylamide and the diffusive transport of monoclonal antimouse IgG-FITC into and out of the hydrate films was measured. Diffusion coefficients in 2 and 4% crosslinked hydrogel films were measured. The measured diffusion constants determined for IgG in both the 2 and 4% hydrogel films were comparable to the free diffusion of IgG in bulk water (Dmean approximately 10(-7) cm2/s). In addition, 2% crosslinked hydrogels were prepared in a capillary tube and the transport of antimouse IgG-FITC into and out of the hydrated hydrogel was measured. Kinetic analysis indicated that the protein transport through the capillary hydrogel was faster than would be expected for a simple diffusion process. Finally, by utilizing the diffusion of antibody from the capillary hydrogel, transfer of antibody to a silica surface was demonstrated. A capillary hydrogel loaded with antimouse IgG-FITC was used to transfer the protein to a silica surface forming a 30-micron spot of antibody, which was imaged using fluorescence microscopy. These results may lead to the development of a nonlithographic method of patterning antibodies on surfaces for use in integrated microimmunosensors.
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Affiliation(s)
- M A Markowitz
- Laboratory for Molecular Interfacial Interactions, Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, D.C. 20375, USA
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Markowitz MA, Puranik DB, Singh A. Monolayer study of mixtures of diacetylenic phosphatidylcholine and phospholipids containing metal-chelating iminodiacetic acid headgroup. Chem Phys Lipids 1995; 76:63-71. [PMID: 7788800 DOI: 10.1016/0009-3084(94)02430-d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
The mixing behavior of polymerizable diacetylenic phosphatidylcholine (1) with two diacetylenic phospholipids containing the iminodiacetic acid (IDA) functionality in the headgroup region was studied at the air-water interface. All three phospholipids contained tricosa-10,12-diynoyl acyl chains. In phospholipid 2, the choline group (-CH2-CH2-NMe3) was replaced by an -CH2-CH2-N-(CH2-COOH)2 functionality. In phospholipid 3, the IDA unit was linked to the phosphate headgroup via a sulfonate linker, -CH2-CH2-OS(O2)-O-CH2-CH2-. Monolayers were prepared by mixing polymerizable 1,2 bis(tricosa-10,12-diynoyl)-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (1) with metal-chelating IDA phospholipids (2, 3) on a 10 mM CuCl2 subphase. Studies of monolayer properties of mixtures of 2 and 3 with 1 demonstrated that mixtures of 2 with 1 had better mixing behavior than mixtures of phospholipids 1 and 3.
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Affiliation(s)
- M A Markowitz
- Center for Bio/Molecular Science and Engineering, Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, DC 20375-5348, USA
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Markowitz MA, Singh A, Chang EL. Formation and properties of a network gel formed from mixtures of diacetylenic and short-chain phosphocholine lipids. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 1994; 203:296-305. [PMID: 8074670 DOI: 10.1006/bbrc.1994.2181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
A polymerizable gel superaggregate has been formed from low concentrations (6 mM) of phospholipid mixtures of polymerizable 1,2-bis(tricosa-10,12-diynoyl)-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine and 1,2-bis(dinonoyl)-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed that the superaggregate structure consisted of a network of twisted, braided fibers and that the pore size of the gel ranged from 0.1 to 1.0 micron. TEM of gel plated with Ni revealed that the width of the fibers was 280 A. Optical microscopy demonstrated that the onset of the gel phase occurred at mole fraction 0.43 DNPC in the absence of salt and 0.36 in the presence of 0.25 M NaCl. Polymerization did not affect the morphology of the gel but did increase its temperature stability.
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Affiliation(s)
- M A Markowitz
- Center for Bio/Molecular Science and Engineering, Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, D.C. 20375-5348
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Singh A, Markowitz MA, Tsao LI. Modulation of bilayer structures derived from diacetylenic phosphocholines containing oxygen linker beta to diacetylene. Chem Phys Lipids 1992; 63:191-201. [PMID: 1493614 DOI: 10.1016/0009-3084(92)90035-n] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Phospholipids with diacetylenes present in the acyl chains form tubules and helices in aqueous dispersions. In order to modulate the morphology of bilayer structures and to understand the role of diacetylene in lipid-bilayer assembly, two diacetylenic phosphocholines, 1,2-bis(9,16-dioxa-hexacosa-11,13-diynoyl)-sn-3-phosph ocholine and 1,2-bis(15-oxa-pentacosa-10,12-diynoyl)-sn-3-phosphocholine, in which the diacetylene is linked to the acyl chain by an oxygen spacer have been synthesized. Lipid dispersions were characterized by calorimetric, film balance and microscopic techniques. Placement of oxygen spacer influences the morphology of the bilayer assemblies formed in aqueous solution. When both ends of the diacetylene were linked to the acyl chain by oxygen atoms, liposomes (diameters ranging from 0.3-3.4 microns) were observed by optical microscopy. Linking only the terminal portion of the acyl chain to the diacetylene with an oxygen atom resulted in a lipid which formed tubular microstructures as well as vesicles. Diameter of the tubular structures ranged from 0.4-4.7 microns. Transmission electron microscopic (TEM) analysis of replicas of a freeze fractured sample of the dispersion revealed that the tubular structures were hollow cylinders consisting of an aqueous core surrounded by a wall of lipid.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Singh
- Center for Bio/Molecular Science and Engineering, Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, DC 20375
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Lloyd TR, Markowitz MA. Transcatheter stenting of the ductus arteriosus: evaluation as an alternative to surgical shunts. J Invasive Cardiol 1992; 4:167-72. [PMID: 10149892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/11/2023]
Abstract
Implantation of 3.5 mm Gianturco-Roubin coronary artery stents into the ductus arteriosus was evaluated as an alternative to surgical systemic to pulmonary arterial shunts in 3 weanling piglets. Thrombosis of the ductus occurred in all 3 animals (95% confidence limits 29-100%) within 1 hour, despite pretreatment with heparin. In each case, thrombus filled the ductus arteriosus but did not extend to any extraductal portion of the stents. Rapid, heparin-resistant thrombus formation precludes use of this stent procedure as an alternative to surgical shunts.
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Affiliation(s)
- T R Lloyd
- Steele Memorial Children's Research Center, The University of Arizona, Tucson
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Abstract
We analyzed all 32,206 tests ordered in a random sample of 1,000 patients admitted to a teaching hospital. The analysis examined costs instead of charges, included professional costs in addition to hospital costs, and considered the effect of combining tests that are ordered as a panel (e.g., cardiac enzymes) or as part of a procedure (e.g., bronchoscopy). High-cost tests (costing more than $100) accounted for only 4 percent of the total number of tests ordered, but for nearly 50 percent of total test costs. The pattern varied by clinical service: high-cost tests accounted for 31, 47, and 51 percents of total test costs on the obstetrics, medicine, and surgery services, respectively. It would seem to be efficient to concentrate on the use of high-cost tests in attempting to foster cost-effective use of diagnostic technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- R M Hartley
- Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115
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