The CPI could be a useful tool in breast cancer intervention studies and a prognostic aid for clinicians.

No abstract

Surgical reconstruction of the aortic root for congenital discrete supravalvular aortic stenosis (SAS) was first performed in 1956 by Kirklin' at the Mayo Clinic, using a teardrop-shaped patch, and later reported by several other groups.e" In 1964 Shumacker and Mandelbaumand McGoon at the Mayo Clinic independently treated patients with the diffuse form of SAS with an extended patch into the entire ascending aorta. Doty, Polansky, and Jenson," in 1977, reported use of a pantaloon-shaped patch for relief of discrete SAS. Although the early and

Objective (or Study Question). To determine whether a new payment model can reduce current incidence of potentially avoidable complications (PACs) in patients with a chronic illness. Data Sources/Study Setting. A claims database of 3.5 million commercially insured members under age 65. Study Design. We analyzed the database using the Prometheus Payment model's analytical software for six chronic conditions to quantify total costs, proportion spent on PACs, and their variability across the United States. We conducted a literature review to determine the feasibility of reducing PACs. We estimated the financial impact on a prototypical practice if that practice received payments based on the Prometheus Payment model. Principal Findings. We find that (1) PACs consume an average of 28.6 percent of costs for the six chronic conditions studied and vary significantly; (2) reducing PACs to the second decile level would save U.S.$116.7 million in this population; (3) current literature suggests that practices in certain settings could decrease PACs; and (4) using the Prometheus model could create a large potential incentive for a prototypical practice to reduce PACs. Conclusions. By extrapolating these findings we conclude that costs might be reduced through payment reform efforts. A full extrapolation of these results, while speculative, suggests that total costs associated to the six chronic conditions studied could decrease by 3.8 percent.

Within the limits of the study, an attempt is made to develop a preoperative protocol, and 63 responses from ENT specialists suggested that the majority (58.7%) would recommend a maxillary CT scan before a sinus-lift surgery. Their greatest concerns were a prior sinus surgery, severe sinus inflammation, nasal/sinus obstruction, and oroantral fistulation.