The duration of PD at the time of RPL and the dialysate-to-plasma ratio of creatinine at 4 hours were 49.3 +/- 24.5 (range 0.5-87.9) months and 0.70 +/- 0.09 respectively. Incidences of hernia (52.2%) and pleuroperitoneal communication (34.8%) were significantly higher than in PD patients without RPL (13% and 7% respectively, p = 0.001). Logistic regression analysis identified hernia and pleuroperitoneal communication as the risk factors for RPL. The odds ratios for RPL with hernia and pleuroperitoneal communication were 6.62 [95% confidence interval (CI) 2.35-18.69, p < 0.001] and

6.23 (95% CI 1.83-21.19, p = 0.003) respectively.

Conclusion: RPL was not uncommon in patients GNS-1480 concentration with AUFF. A high index of suspicion for RPL is needed in the management of patients with history of hernia or pleuroperitoneal communication presenting with AUFF.”
“Background: Conventional pulmonary rehabilitation programs improve exercise tolerance but have no effect on pulmonary function in patients with chronic obstructive

pulmonary disease (COPD). The role of controlled breathing using respiratory biofeedback during rehabilitation of patients with COPD remains see more unclear. Objectives: To compare the effects of a conventional 4-week pulmonary rehabilitation program with those of rehabilitation plus controlled breathing interventions. Methods: A randomized controlled trial was performed. Pulmonary function (FEV1), exercise capacity (6-min walking distance, 6MWD), health-related quality of life (chronic respiratory questionnaire, CRQ) and cardiac autonomic function (rMSSD) were evaluated. Results: Forty COPD patients

(mean +/- SD age 66.1 +/- 6.4, FEV1 45.9 +/- 17.4% predicted) were randomized to rehabilitation (n = 20) or rehabilitation plus controlled breathing (n = 20). There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups regarding the change in FEV1 (mean difference-0.8% predicted, 95% CI-4.4 to 2.9% predicted, p = 0.33), 6MWD (mean difference 12.2 m, 95% CI-37.4 to 12.2 m, p = 0.16), CRQ (mean difference in compound screening assay total score 0.2, 95% CI-0.1 to 0.4, p = 0.11) and rMSSD (mean difference 2.2 ms, 95% CI-20.8 to 25.1 ms, p = 0.51). Conclusions: In patients with COPD undergoing a pulmonary rehabilitation program, controlled breathing using respiratory biofeedback has no effect on exercise capacity, pulmonary function, quality of life or cardiac autonomic function. Copyright (C) 2011 S. Karger AG, Basel”
“Information is limited regarding the effect of race, ethnicity, and gender on the outcomes of the three palliative procedures for hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS). This study examined the effects of race, ethnicity, gender, type of admission, and surgical volume on in-hospital mortality associated with palliative procedures for HLHS between 1998 and 2007 using data from the University HealthSystem Consortium.