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.

The importance of recognizing and treating low levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol: A new era in atherosclerosis management

Abstract: Low levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) represent a major cardiovascular risk factor, with a stronger relationship to coronary heart disease than that seen with elevated levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). HDL-C has important antiatherogenic effects, including reverse cholesterol transport, inhibition of LDL-C oxidation, and antiplatelet and anti-inflammatory actions. Patients with low HDL-C are also at an amplified risk of coronary heart disease due to the common coexistence of other risk factors, including excess adiposity, metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertriglyceridemia, and the atherogenic dyslipidemia characterized by small dense LDL-C. First-line therapy of low HDL-C generally consists of nonpharmacologic measures such as improved fitness and weight loss. Current pharmaceutical options include statins, fibrates, and nicotinic acid. A host of novel approaches involving HDL-C and reverse cholesterol transport hold the promise of fundamentally changing the natural history of atherosclerosis, the most common and important chronic disease in humans.

Evaluation and development of potentially better practices to reduce bronchopulmonary dysplasia in very low birth weight infants.

Abstract: OBJECTIVE. The objective of this study was to describe development and implementation of potentially better practices to reduce bronchopulmonary dysplasia in very low birth weight infants (birth weight: 501–1500 g). METHODS. Results of Breathsavers Group meetings, conference calls and critically appraised topic summaries were used to construct potentially better practices. Implementation plans and experiences were reported by participants and collated. RESULTS. The Breathsavers Group developed 13 potentially better practices, based on published evidence and expert opinion. Participants determined which potentially better practices to implement and implementation methods. Participating NICUs implemented an average of 5 potentially better practices (range: 3–9). The Breathsavers Group also developed a resource kit, identified common obstacles to implementation, and initiated research to define bronchopulmonary dysplasia better. CONCLUSIONS. Multiinstitutional collaboration facilitated development and implementation of potentially better practices to reduce bronchopulmonary dysplasia.