DR. DAVID H. BOLDT, M.D.

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This research is studying how a system called Acumen Assisted Fluid Management (AFM) can improve patient outcomes during and after high-risk abdominal surgeries. The trial, involving 2,000 patients across 16 hospitals in four countries, compares standard fluid management to AFM-guided fluid therapy to see if using this technology reduces serious complications and death within 30 days after surgery. The researchers expect that using AFM will lower complications by at least 20%. Who this helps: This benefits high-risk surgical patients who may face serious postoperative issues.

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This study looked at how patients feel about using opioids for pain relief during surgery and how that choice affects their recovery. Researchers are testing the impact of giving patients the option to choose between opioid-free or opioid-based anesthesia during moderate-risk abdominal surgeries. They are measuring recovery quality and patient satisfaction, aiming to see if preferences lead to better outcomes; for instance, they will track things like post-surgery pain levels and nausea. Who this helps: This helps patients undergoing moderate-risk abdominal surgery.

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This study looked at two medications, norepinephrine and phenylephrine, to treat low blood pressure during major surgeries with general anesthesia. Researchers found that about 88% of patients received the medication they were assigned, and there were no significant differences in complications like kidney injury or death between the two drugs. These findings highlight the need for further research to determine the best option for managing low blood pressure in these patients. Who this helps: This helps patients undergoing major surgeries and their healthcare providers.

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This research studied how certain bacteria in salt caverns consume hydrogen gas. The scientists found that as these bacteria used hydrogen, the pH of the environment rose significantly, reaching levels as high as 9, which affected how much hydrogen was available. This is important because understanding this process can help improve hydrogen storage in salt caverns, making it safer and more effective for storing energy. Who this helps: This helps engineers and scientists working on hydrogen storage solutions.

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This study looked at the effects of a new centralized blood testing system called Virtuo on patients with gram-negative bacteremia, a serious bacterial infection. Researchers compared data from 185 patients before and after implementing Virtuo and found that the amount of blood collected for tests was lower in 2020 (7.1 mL) than in 2018 (8.9 mL). They also discovered that patients received faster treatment after the blood was drawn and the infection was identified, with times improving from 65 hours to just 52.9 hours for treatment changes. Who this helps: This benefits patients with gram-negative bacteremia by providing quicker diagnosis and treatment.

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This study looked at how doctors in the U.S. use blood thinners during continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) for patients with kidney issues. Out of 150 doctors surveyed, 43% frequently used unfractionated heparin, while 28% used citrate, and 29% indicated that some patients didn’t receive any anticoagulant. The reasons for avoiding anticoagulants included concerns about low calcium levels and the safety of citrate. This is important because it highlights the need for safer and more effective blood thinner options as the use of CRRT increases. Who this helps: Patients undergoing continuous renal replacement therapy and their healthcare providers.

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This study looked at COVID-19 patients in Nebraska and Southwest Iowa to understand what factors contributed to their risk of dying from the virus. Out of 471 patients admitted between March and July 2020, 14% died, with higher mortality linked to being intubated, receiving dexamethasone, and being from a nursing home or being African-American or Asian. These findings are important as they help identify which groups of patients may need more intensive care and support during COVID-19 treatment. Who this helps: This helps doctors understand which patients are at higher risk and tailor their treatment accordingly.

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This study looked at how well certain scoring systems can predict survival for patients with severe COVID-19 who are treated with a specialized breathing machine called veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (V-V ECMO). Among 127 patients from multiple countries, the researchers found that 54% survived for at least 30 days after treatment. The scores used to predict survival, like the SOFA Score and SAPS II, didn't prove to be very accurate for making treatment decisions but could still provide some insights into a patient's prognosis. Who this helps: This information is useful for doctors treating patients with severe COVID-19 and helps them understand the potential outcomes of V-V ECMO treatment.

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This study examined the introduction of a program aimed at managing antibiotic use across a healthcare system in Omaha, Nebraska, which includes 14 hospitals. After implementing the program, the hospitals saw a significant reduction of $1.2 million in antibiotic spending, which represents a 21% decrease in antibiotic purchases in just the first year. This is important because it shows that better management of antibiotics can lead to substantial cost savings while potentially improving patient care. Who this helps: This helps patients and healthcare providers by promoting more effective use of antibiotics and reducing unnecessary healthcare costs.

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This study looked at a specific protein on cancer cells called CD38 in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) to see how it affects survival rates. They found that out of 131 patients, those with higher levels of CD38 had significantly worse outcomes: only 34% survived for 5 years if they had 100 or more units of CD38, compared to 70% for those with lower levels. This information matters because it helps doctors better assess the severity of the disease and make treatment decisions based on CD38 levels. Who this helps: This helps patients with CLL by informing treatment and care strategies based on their prognosis.

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In this study, researchers looked at combining a chemotherapy drug called dacarbazine with a treatment regimen that includes cyclophosphamide, carmustine, and etoposide in patients with tough-to-treat lymphomas and multiple myeloma. They found that 52% of 25 patients had complete remission after treatment, and that the highest safe dose of dacarbazine was determined to be 3,900 mg/m², although some patients experienced low blood pressure as a side effect. This research is important because it shows that this drug combination could be effective for patients who have not responded to other treatments. Who this helps: Patients with relapsed lymphoma or multiple myeloma.

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This study looked at a patient with a tough-to-treat type of cancer called mediastinal non-seminomatous germ cell tumor, which often doesn't respond to standard treatments. The patient underwent a special treatment involving high-dose chemotherapy followed by a transplant of his own bone marrow, and he has been cancer-free for 19 months since the procedure. This finding is significant because it shows that this aggressive treatment can lead to long-lasting remission for patients who haven’t had success with other therapies. Who this helps: This helps patients with difficult-to-treat cancers and their doctors looking for effective treatment options.

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This study looked at a case involving an infant who had both congenital mucoceles, which are fluid-filled sacs in the tear ducts on both sides of the nose, and a blockage in one side of the nasal passage. The findings were shown through a CT scan, which revealed these issues clearly. Understanding these conditions helps doctors diagnose and treat similar problems in newborns more effectively. Who this helps: This helps pediatric doctors and infants with congenital tear duct or nasal issues.

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This study looked at five patients with blood cancers known as lymphocytic malignancies and found that all had unusual changes in a specific part of chromosome 14 (band q11). Specifically, they identified different types of cancers: three cases were T lymphoblastic lymphoma/leukemia, one was peripheral T cell lymphoma, and one was acute lymphocytic leukemia. The findings reveal that while chromosome 14 often shows extra genetic material in these cancers, these particular patients had unique structural changes instead, which might help doctors better understand and diagnose these types of lymphatic cancers. Who this helps: This helps patients diagnosed with T lymphocytic malignancies and their doctors.

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This study examined how radiology services function in a hospital's emergency department, specifically looking at the timing of radiographs (X-rays and other imaging) and the accuracy of their interpretation. In one month, 782 radiographs were performed, with only 22% getting immediate reports from a radiologist. After implementing a review system for radiographs interpreted by resident medical officers (RMOs) without immediate radiologist input, they found that in 16.4% of cases, the RMOs' interpretations differed from the final radiologist reports, with many misreadings posing a risk to patient care. Who this helps: This benefits patients by ensuring more accurate diagnoses in emergency situations.

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This research looked at nine boys aged 9 to 16 who have classic autism by using CT scans to see if there were any brain differences. The scans showed no abnormalities or differences between brain sides. This finding challenges previous reports that indicated brain differences in autism and suggests those studies might have included a mix of different disorders. Who this helps: This helps researchers and doctors better understand autism and how to study it.

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This study looked at how certain plant proteins, known as lectins, help immune cells from humans selectively kill red blood cells from different species. They found that while some lectins could cause immune cells to attack all types of red blood cells, others were specific: one lectin only made immune cells kill red blood cells from sheep and chickens, while another only targeted human red blood cells. This is important because it shows how our immune system can be trained to recognize and attack specific pathogens without harming our own cells. Who this helps: This research can benefit doctors and researchers working on therapies for blood transfusions and immune response treatments.

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This study looked at how human immune cells, called lymphocytes, behave when exposed to certain plant proteins or antigens. Researchers found that while 70-90% of these cells produced new DNA, only about 30-40% divided into new cells, with a surprising 35-90% of the newly created DNA being released into the surrounding culture fluid. This matters because it shows that lymphocytes can release DNA into their environment, which could have implications for understanding immune responses and diseases. Who this helps: This benefits researchers studying the immune system and diseases.