A reproducible porcine ePTFE arterial bypass model for neointimal hyperplasia.

BACKGROUND: Late failure of prosthetic vascular bypass grafting using expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) is secondary to the development of neointimal hyperplasia, most commonly at the distal anastomosis. To develop therapies that can improve upon current prosthetic vascular bypass grafting, a large animal model of prosthetic bypass grafting that results in reproducible neointimal hyperplasia is necessary. METHODS: We performed bilateral end-to-side carotid artery bypasses with 6 mm ePTFE in a porcine model (n = 11). We studied graft patency using magnetic resonance angiography (MRA, 3 wk), duplex ultrasonography (4 wk), and digital-subtraction contrast angiography (4 wk). Animals were sacrificed at 4 wk and morphometric analysis was performed. RESULTS: Of the 11 animals that underwent surgery, one pig died from respiratory compromise; of the remaining 10, graft patency was 90% at 4 wk. Peak systolic and end diastolic velocities were established for this model using ultrasonography. MRA, ultrasonography, and angiography confirmed graft patency and were complimentary tools to evaluate the grafts. Development of neointimal hyperplasia was reproducible at 4 wk in both the proximal and distal anastomoses (2.5 to 3 mm(2)) of the ePTFE bypass grafts. CONCLUSION: We developed a reproducible porcine ePTFE carotid artery bypass model for studying neointimal hyperplasia. Not only does this model allow for the manipulation and evaluation of potential therapies, but patency and neointimal hyperplasia can be easily evaluated by traditional means, such as MRA, ultrasonography, and angiography. This preclinical model is ideal for evaluation of novel therapies in vivo designed to inhibit neointimal hyperplasia following arterial reconstruction with prosthetic bypass grafting.

Video analysis of communication in paediatric consultations in primary care.

BACKGROUND: There is a paucity of research evidence concerning communication in paediatric consultations between GPs, adults, and child patients. AIM: This study was carried out to identify features of the interaction between a doctor, a child patient aged 6-12 years, and their carer in the consultation associated with the child's participation. DESIGN OF STUDY: A qualitative analysis of video recordings of 31 primary care paediatric consultations was undertaken, using strategies from the methodology of conversation analysis. SETTING: Primary care, Suffolk, UK. METHOD: NHS GPs from three primary care trusts (PCTs), were invited to participate in this study. Sixteen volunteers from this sample took part. RESULTS: Analysis of the interaction in the consultations revealed that the children had little involvement. Children participated when invited to do so, and took more time than adults to answer a doctor's question. An adult carer was less likely to answer on behalf of a child, when they were in a position to see that the doctor's gaze was directed at the child, and the doctor addressed the child by name. Adult carers, who had not voiced their own concerns first, were seen to interrupt doctor-child talk. In consultations where the participants sat in a triangular arrangement, all parties being an equal distance apart, triadic talk was noted. CONCLUSION: Child involvement in the primary care consultation is associated with adult carers being able to voice their own concerns early in the consultation, and children being invited to speak with the appropriate recipient design.

Triadic communication in the primary care paediatric consultation: a review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Children aged 6-12 years are usually seen in primary care with an adult carer. It is a government and professional priority for doctors to try and involve these children in their medical consultations. AIM: To ascertain the evidence available on the amount and type of involvement that children in the 6-12 year age group have in their primary care consultations when the consultation was held with a child, a GP, and an adult. DESIGN OF THE STUDY: Literature review. METHOD: Data sources included MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE, and ERIC, The Cochrane library, PsychINFO, Web of Science and Wilson's Social Science abstracts, hand searching for references, and contact with authors. RESULTS: Twenty-one studies were selected for inclusion in the study. Children were found to have little quantitative involvement in their own consultations. They may take part during information gathering but are unlikely to participate in the treatment planning and discussion parts of the consultation. CONCLUSION: Children in the 6-12 year age group have little meaningful involvement in their consultations.

Telling the community benefit story. We must remind our neighbors that we do much more than provide acute care.

The nation's not-for-profit voluntary hospitals--Catholic organizations among them--provide much more than acute, outpatient, and long-term care. They also provide a variety of services-including clinics for the uninsured, parish nurse programs, in-school programs for children--that reach out to people who are poor, vulnerable, and neglected. Unfortunately, this fact has not been communicated well. As a result, many people have a tendency to ask of these hospitals: "What have you done for me lately?" Voluntary hospitals should do more to communicate their community benefit activities to their various constituencies. Celebration should be the thrust--celebration of the hard work of physicians and staff and their dedication to the communities in which they live. If that fact is celebrated and communicated effectively, voluntary hospitals will find their communities celebrating with them.