Ochsner Medical Center

About: Ochsner Medical Center is a healthcare organization based out in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Medicine. The organization has 980 authors who have published 1159 publications receiving 49961 citations. The organization is also known as: Ochsner Hospital & Ochsner Foundation Hospital.

Particulate matter within the inferior vena cava.

Abstract: Edmund Kenneth Kerut, M.D.,∗† Marie Dearstine, R.D.C.S.,‡ Patricia Dottery,‡ and Navin C. Nanda, M.D.§ ∗Departments of Physiology and Pharmacology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, Louisiana; †Heart Clinic of Louisiana, Marrero, Louisiana; ‡Cardiology Department, Ochsner Medical Center Westbank, Gretna, Louisiana; and §Division of Cardiovascular Diseases, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama

Natural History and Implantable Cardioverter‐Defibrillator Implantation After Revascularization for Stable Coronary Artery Disease With Depressed Ejection Fraction

Abstract: Background Following revascularization, most payors require 3 months of medical therapy, followed by left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) reassessment, before implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) implantation possibly contributing to incomplete follow-up and suboptimal utilization of ICD therapy. The natural history of these patients, and their fate regarding ICD implantation, is unknown. Hypothesis We hypothesized that a waiting period after revascularization for stable CAD results in missed opportunities to provide care with regard to ICD implantation. Methods We followed patients with LVEF ≤ 35% and no ICD who underwent revascularization (coronary artery bypass grafting [CABG] or percutaneous coronary intervention [PCI]) for stable CAD. Follow-up used chart review and scripted telephone interviews. Results Among 3164 revascularized patients (2198 [69%] PCI, 966 [31%] CABG), only 62 (2%; 33 [53%] male, age 67 ± 12 y, LVEF 28% ± 6%) had stable CAD, depressed LVEF, and no ICD. Over 35 ± 19 months, 35 (56%) of these 62 patients were no longer candidates for ICD based on improved LVEF, 14 (23%) received an ICD, 5 (8%) declined ICD despite physician recommendation, 3 (5%) were not offered ICD despite continued eligibility, 2 (3%) died, 1 (2%) was not a candidate due to substance abuse, and 1 (2%) had ICD implantation temporarily deferred. Only 1 (2%) was lost to follow-up. Conclusions Following revascularization for stable CAD with depressed LVEF, ≥50% of patients' ventricular function improved enough to make ICD implantation unnecessary. A waiting period after revascularization prior to ICD implantation appears appropriate and does not significantly negatively impact follow-up or the rate of appropriate ICD implantation.

Translating iGlarLixi Evidence for the Management of Frequent Clinical Scenarios in Type 2 Diabetes

Abstract: Treatment of type 2 diabetes (T2D) requires progressive therapy intensification to reach and maintain individualized glycemic targets. iGlarLixi, a fixed-ratio combination of insulin glargine 100 U/mL (iGlar) and lixisenatide (Lixi), has been shown to provide robust HbA1c reductions allowing more people to reach HbA1c targets compared with separate administration of iGlar or Lixi. The purpose of this review is to help clinicians understand treatment intensification using iGlarLixi by presenting typical clinical scenarios supported by research evidence. These cases will focus on individuals with T2D inadequately controlled by oral antihyperglycemic drugs, basal insulin, or glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs), and take into consideration T2D duration, body mass index, incidence of adverse events, and regimen simplicity. Clinical evidence on the efficacy, effectiveness, and safety of iGlarLixi from randomized controlled trials and real-world studies will be discussed in the context of these cases.

Web-based patient portal access in an orthopedic adult reconstruction patient population.

Abstract: Background We surveyed patients in an adult reconstruction practice as to their use of the Web-based portal provided by our electronic health record, seeking to reveal patterns of use and helpfulness. Methods A total of 150 completed surveys were received. The survey queried demographics, the number of clinic visits, Internet access, portal activation, portal use frequency, and portal information questions and how patients answered them. Helpfulness was rated from 1 (not helpful) to 5 (very helpful). Statistical analysis included bivariate analysis and logistic regression, with odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) reported. Results The mean age was 67.6 years. Most were females (n = 97, 65.1%). Most (68.7%) patients used the portal. Younger age (OR, 0.94; CI, 0.90-0.99) and access to Internet (OR, 31.8; CI, 8.5-119.4) predicted portal use (P .373). Of all, 47.5% of patients were unclear about online chart information. Older age indicated being unclear of portal information (68.5 vs 66, P = .0002). Of those who clarified doubts regarding information (n = 67), 23 used the Internet (34.3%), 32 (47.7%) called the physician, and 12 (17.9%) asked a friend and/or family member. Most (90.3%) patients felt the portal was helpful in gathering health information. Conclusions Age and Internet access affected portal usage; ability to understand chart information decreased with age. Most patients used the Internet or a family member to clarify doubts regarding portal information. The use of portal data resulted in 32 extra communications to the physician.