ABSTRACT
Our objective was to establish the impact of wearing a face mask on the outcome of six-minute walk test in healthy volunteers. In a study of 20 healthy volunteers who each completed two 6MWTs, one with a mask and one without, there was no difference in distance walked. However, there was a significant difference in perception of dyspnea between the two groups.
ABSTRACT
Congestive heart failure remains one of the leading causes of cardiac death and disability. As pharmacological therapies have advanced, patients are living longer and more productive lives. However, at some point, these interventions begin to fail. Circulatory assist devices have revolutionized the management of patients with end-stage heart disease. These devices successfully bridge patients to cardiac transplantation. The Syncardia Total Artificial Heart provides biventricular support for the failing heart. This case study illustrates the challenges of caring for patients with such a device.
