Journal of cardiothoracic and vascular anesthesia
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J. Cardiothorac. Vasc. Anesth. · Mar 2024
Mitral Valve Repair in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease: Long-Term Outcomes and Cardiac Remodeling.
Literature examining mitral valve repair (MVr) outcomes in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) is largely limited to short-term outcomes and percutaneous approaches. This study is the first to present long-term outcomes of mortality and morbidity with paired cardiac remodeling data from patients with CKD undergoing surgical MVr. ⋯ In patients with CKD undergoing MVr, eGFR is a predictor of decreased long-term survival and residual mitral regurgitation at 1 year. Further investigation is required to optimize postoperative outcomes in this patient population.
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Because of changing rules and regulations in insurance and reimbursement, critical care physicians must adapt their billing practices to meet the challenges of these complex changes. Reimbursement for critical care billing varies substantially across the country, and staffing models must consider this heterogeneity. This article summarizes the current state of critical care billing and addresses the requirements to generate a critical care bill and the potential circumstances that may result in a denial of payment.
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J. Cardiothorac. Vasc. Anesth. · Mar 2024
Perioperative Characteristics and Outcomes of Fontan Versus Non-Fontan Patients Undergoing Combined Heart-Liver Transplantation: A Retrospective Cohort Study.
Combined heart-liver transplantation (CHLT) is becoming increasingly frequent as a maturing population of patients with Fontan-palliated congenital heart disease develop advanced liver fibrosis or cirrhosis. The authors present their experience with CHLT for congenital and noncongenital indications, and identify characteristics associated with poor outcomes that may guide intervention in high-risk patients. ⋯ Combined heart-liver transplantation in patients with Fontan-associated end-organ disease is particularly challenging and associated with higher recipient morbidity compared with non-Fontan-related CHLT. Early hemodynamic intervention for signs of ventricular dysfunction may improve outcomes in this growing high-risk population.