Surgery
RSSArticles
-
Informed Consent Is Central Ethical Issue for Studies of Pig Organ Transplants
Existing policies for human research subject protection might not be adequate for these trials, mainly because there are so many unknowns with outcomes in humans.
-
IRBs Likely Need Outside Expertise When Reviewing Xenotransplantation Study Protocols
An enthusiastic surgeon who wants to initiate a clinical trial for xenotransplantation may, in their enthusiasm, minimize the potential problems to the IRB. The surgeon might win approval, but the IRB might lack the expertise to know if they are receiving all the facts.
-
Outcomes for Patients Undergoing Transcatheter Edge-to-Edge Repair for Functional Mitral Regurgitation
Researchers analyzed transcutaneous mitral valve repair in patients with moderate-to-severe or worse mitral valve regurgitation caused by cardiomyopathy and heart failure despite maximally tolerated guideline-directed medical therapy. Compared to medical therapy alone, undergoing repair resulted in fewer heart failure and other cardiovascular disease hospitalizations and significantly more time free of hospitalization and death.
-
Tricky Business: When a Surgeon Also Is a Researcher
Consider this seemingly innocent, straightforward question: “Would you be interested in participating in a clinical trial?” Now consider the ethical implications if a surgeon asks his or her own patient the same question.
-
Mitral Transcatheter Edge-to-Edge Repair Gains Traction in Cardiogenic Shock Patients
The authors of this large registry study examined transcatheter edge-to-edge repair in patients with cardiogenic shock and severe mitral regurgitation (MR). Successful repair was achievable in most patients and was associated with lower mortality rates and heart failure hospitalization at one year.
-
Quality Improvement Programs Can Shrink Surgery’s Environmental Footprint
Even simple initiatives can help departments cut waste and save money.
-
Unused Donated Organs, Transplant Inequities Lead to Calls for Systemic Changes
There is longstanding inequity in access to transplantation, substantial nonuse of donated organs, and unexplained variability in performance across the transplant system, according to a recent report.
-
Disclosure Needed if Physicians Own Outpatient Facilities
Physician ownership creates an inherent conflict of interest, known as “dual agency.” This means the physician has a personal financial stake that could conflict with the ethical obligation toward patient well-being.
-
Another Marker of Severe Mitral Regurgitation
A small retrospective study showed Doppler echocardiography-derived left ventricular ejection time is an independent predictor of adverse outcomes in patients with moderate or worse mitral valve regurgitation.
-
Are Renal Artery Denervation Efficacy Claims Too Good to Be True?
Three-year follow-up data from the SYMPLICITY HTN-3 trial of renal denervation provide support for long-term safety of this technique and suggest blood pressure benefit.