STOCKHOLM - Researchers attending the International Conference on Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders report coronary artery bypass grafting may increase the risk of stroke, short-term memory problems and long-term cognitive change.
The procedure is a common method of treating heart disease.
The study, conducted by officials at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, studied 3,300 patients who underwent the procedure. Some 2.6 percent of those followed later suffered from a stroke, and 6.8 percent had memory-related problems. The problems increased depending on the amount of time the patient spent in the hospital and the length the patient was on a bypass pump.
The risk factors from stroke and acute confusion determined by the researchers included: hypertension, diabetes, carotid bruit, previous stroke, age and time on the bypass pump.
The American Heart Association reports more than 570,000 Americans had a coronary artery bypass graft procedure in 1999.
Back to Basics: Hospital Restores Catheter-Associated UTI Rates to Prepandemic Baseline
June 16th 2025A 758-bed quaternary medical center slashed catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) by 45% over 2 years, proving that disciplined adherence to fundamental prevention steps, not expensive add-ons, can reverse the pandemic-era spike in device-related harm.
Beyond the Surface: Tackling the Sterilization Challenges of Flexible Endoscopes
May 26th 2025Flexible endoscopes revolutionized modern medicine—but their complex design poses persistent sterilization challenges. With mounting infection risks and emerging innovations, experts are rethinking how to clean and safeguard one of health care’s most indispensable tools.
Silent Saboteurs: Managing Endotoxins for Sepsis-Free Sterilization
Invisible yet deadly, endotoxins evade traditional sterilization methods, posing significant risks during routine surgeries. Understanding and addressing their threat is critical for patient safety.