Search Results (85,380)

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is a systemic disorder shaped by interorgan crosstalk: dynamic, bidirectional communication through which the liver and endocrine organs, gut, adipose tissue, brain, kidney, skeletal muscle, bone, and heart exchange signals to coordinate metabolism, immunity, and tissue homeostasis. Across these axes, neural circuits, hormones, cytokines, adipokines, hepatokines, myokines, osteokines, bile acids, microbial metabolites, lipids, extracellular vesicles, and microRNAs integrate nutrient handling, insulin action, immunity, mitochondrial function, and tissue remodeling. Perturbation of these networks converts physiological homeostasis into self-reinforcing loops of substrate overflow, endocrine dysregulation, dysbiosis, inflammation, and fibrogenesis, while hepatic dysfunction propagates renal, neurocognitive, cardiometabolic, and musculoskeletal complications. This framework helps explain why individuals with comparable steatosis show divergent trajectories of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), fibrosis, extrahepatic disease, and treatment response. It also highlights tractable points of intervention, including restoration of adipose buffering, modulation of gut microbial and bile-acid signaling, correction of endocrine drivers, preservation of muscle and bone, and integrated cardio–kidney–liver risk reduction across different disease stages and clinical phenotypes. We argue that precision hepatology should move beyond isolated assessment of liver fat and fibrosis towards multidimensional phenotyping of dominant crosstalk mechanisms. Longitudinal multi-omic studies and trials incorporating outcomes across organs are now required to distinguish causal signals from disease correlates, define clinically actionable endotypes, and test whether targeting one node can restore durable metabolic and functional resilience throughout the interconnected MASLD network, while improving patient-centered outcomes across the disease course. Full article

Background: Endotracheal intubation is a painful and stressful procedure for neonates, and premedication is recommended for non-emergent settings. However, there is no consensus on the optimal pharmacological regimen. In recent years, several drugs have emerged as treatment options to improve comfort and safety of neonates undergoing endotracheal intubation. Worldwide, a range of agents are used. Remifentanil is a short-acting opioid with rapid onset and recovery characteristics that may be useful for neonatal intubation. Methods: A structured search of PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases (1990–December 2024) identified publications evaluating remifentanil for neonatal intubation. Clinical studies, pharmacokinetic investigations, reviews and guidelines were qualitatively synthesized with an emphasis on dosing, efficacy, safety, dosing, administration technique, and clinical context. Results: The literature search retrieved 45 publications, but only a small subset were randomized clinical studies. Findings generally support feasibility and short-term efficacy, while results vary across studies, particularly for intubation conditions and respiratory adverse events. Chest wall rigidity, apnea, and desaturation appear to be influenced by dose, administration rate, patient characteristics, and co-medication, although the available studies are too small and heterogeneous to define an optimal regimen. Conclusions: Remifentanil can be considered for selected non-emergent neonatal intubation and INSURE procedures when administered by experienced teams under appropriate monitoring conditions. Particular caution is warranted in clinically unstable infants, during LISA procedures where preservation of spontaneous breathing is desirable, and in settings where immediate airway rescue capabilities are unavailable. The study did not demonstrate clear superiority of remifentanil. Current evidence is limited and heterogeneous, and larger comparative studies with standardized dosing, administration, and outcome definitions are needed. Full article

Background/Objectives: This monocentric case–control study prospectively recruited patients with foveal hypoplasia (FH) and compared them with retrospectively selected age- and sex-matched healthy controls. It is the first study to employ AngioTool software to quantitatively assess retinal microvascular alterations in FH using Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography (OCT-A). Methods: In total, 19 patients with FH and 19 age- and sex-matched healthy controls were included at Münster University Hospital, Germany, and underwent OCT-A imaging of the macula. The 3 × 3 mm² angiograms of the superficial (SCP) and deep capillary plexus (DCP) were examined using AngioTool software. Quantified parameters included flow density (FD), number of junctions, total and average vessel length, number of endpoints, and lacunarity. Results: A total of 62 eyes from 38 participants were included in the analysis. Compared with controls, eyes with FH demonstrated significantly lower FD, fewer junctions, shorter total vessel length, and a greater number of endpoints in both SCP and DCP. These differences showed small-to-large effect sizes, depending on the parameter and plexus. Average vessel length remained significantly decreased in the SCP but not the DCP. The difference in SCP lacunarity did not remain significant after adjustment for multiple comparisons. In the exploratory subgroup analysis, there were no significant differences between mild and severe FH in either the SCP or the DCP after correction for multiple testing. Conclusions: FH is associated with alterations of retinal microvasculature involving both the SCP and DCP. These findings are consistent with altered retinal vascular development in FH. OCT-A may provide useful quantitative information for the characterization of FH, although the clinical and prognostic relevance of these vascular parameters remains to be established. Full article

Background/Objectives: Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly being used in medicine to improve the efficiency, accuracy, and timeliness of patient care. In prehospital tele-emergency medicine, AI also has the potential to address various challenges and support tele-emergency physicians. This study focuses on a specific AI-based decision support system being developed for use by practitioners. While technical feasibility is a prerequisite for the successful implementation of this system, social, ethical, and patient-centered considerations are equally important. Methods: The acceptance and perceptions of the German public, as potential patients, regarding the implementation of a specific AI system for prehospital tele-emergency medicine were assessed through an online survey. The results provide qualitative and quantitative insights into participants’ attitudes and acceptance. Results: The perceived advantages and disadvantages of implementing AI in prehospital tele-emergency medicine, as seen by potential patients, were identified, along with moderate acceptance of the technology. Participants emphasized the importance of different factors, including time efficiency, safety, AI recommendation accuracy, responsible system use, data and legal protection, technical stability, and positive impact on physicians’ work and patient outcomes. Conclusions: The findings enhance understanding of public perceptions regarding the use of AI in prehospital tele-emergency medicine and provide a valuable bioethical foundation for guiding the responsible integration of AI into tele-emergency care. Full article

Background/Objectives: Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) frequently complicate aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) requiring neurocritical care. We assessed their incidence, timing, microbiology, associated factors, and outcomes. Methods: This retrospective, single-center cohort study included 106 consecutive adults with acute aSAH admitted to a neurocritical care unit during 2019–2024. Time to first HAI was analyzed using cause-specific Cox regression with competing risks; to limit immortal-time bias, HAI was modeled as a time-dependent exposure in outcome analyses. Results: HAIs occurred in 47 patients (44.3%; 95% CI 35.2–53.8); median onset was 10 days (IQR 8–12). Seventy-six episodes were recorded; site-specific figures denote affected patients, with no recurrent same-site episodes: ventilator-associated pneumonia, 30 (28.3%); catheter-associated urinary tract infection, 24 (22.6%); cerebrospinal fluid infections, 13 (12.3%); and central line-associated bloodstream infection, 9 (8.5%). Acinetobacter baumannii predominated, accounting for all extensively drug-resistant isolates. High World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies grade was associated with the first HAI (HR 4.168; 95% CI 2.072–8.384), as was higher modified Fisher grade in sensitivity analysis (HR 2.886; 95% CI 1.237–6.735). Time-dependent HAI was associated with a lower hazard of live discharge (HR 0.295; 95% CI 0.164–0.529) but not with in-hospital mortality (HR 1.178; 95% CI 0.478–2.902). Its association with the discharge Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) was threshold-dependent (GOS ≤ 1: OR 0.715, 95% CI 0.264–1.933; GOS ≤ 3: OR 7.939, 95% CI 2.580–24.436). Conclusions: HAIs affected nearly half of this cohort. Greater initial severity was associated with a higher hazard of first HAI; HAI, in turn, was associated with prolonged hospitalization and unfavorable functional outcome, but not with mortality. These associations are observational, not causal. Surveillance, timely diagnosis, and infection prevention remain integral to neurocritical care in aSAH. Full article

Histaglobulin (histamine/immunoglobulin complex) has been used for decades as a non-allergen-specific immunotherapy for allergic diseases including allergic rhinitis, chronic urticaria, and atopic dermatitis. Despite growing clinical interest, no meta-analysis has synthesized the available evidence. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of histaglobulin across allergic diseases, with particular emphasis on implications for allergic rhinitis management. PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library were searched from inception to March 2026. Studies evaluating subcutaneous histaglobulin in patients with allergic diseases were included. For chronic urticaria studies reporting Urticaria Activity Score (UAS) as mean ± standard deviation, a random-effects meta-analysis was performed using the standardized mean difference (Hedges’ g). Allergic rhinitis studies were synthesized narratively. Risk of bias was assessed using the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Quality Assessment Tools. The protocol was registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO). Fourteen studies (N = 754) met the inclusion criteria: six chronic urticaria studies with quantitative data (N = 190), three allergic rhinitis studies (N = 165), two atopic dermatitis/chronic spontaneous urticaria case series (N = 8), and three chronic urticaria studies with incomplete data. Meta-analysis of six chronic urticaria studies, all of which used an uncontrolled before–after design, demonstrated a large pooled within-group effect size (Hedges’ g = 2.82; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.75–3.88; p < 0.00001), with high heterogeneity (I² = 98.2%). UAS reduction ranged from 44% to 89% across studies. Complete remission rates ranged from 30% to 89%. Sensitivity analysis excluding one study with reporting concerns yielded consistent results (g = 2.34; 95% CI 1.83–2.85; I² = 90.2%). All three allergic rhinitis studies reported significant symptom improvement (response rates 57–90%) with normalization of serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) and eosinophil counts. No serious adverse events were identified within the available literature; however, the cumulative sample size (N = 754) remains insufficient to exclude rare or long-term adverse effects. Available evidence suggests that histaglobulin may reduce disease activity in chronic urticaria; because the pooled estimate derives predominantly from uncontrolled before–after studies with substantial heterogeneity, it reflects within-group improvement following treatment rather than a controlled estimate of treatment efficacy, and confidence in the effect remains limited. Preliminary evidence suggests that histaglobulin may also provide benefit in patients with allergic rhinitis; however, the available data are limited and heterogeneous, and larger, well-designed controlled studies are needed to confirm its effectiveness. Well-designed randomized controlled trials are needed, particularly for allergic rhinitis, to establish histaglobulin’s role in evidence-based otorhinolaryngology practice. Full article

We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of associations between apolipoprotein E (APOE) alleles and frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD)-spectrum disorders. MEDLINE, Embase, CENTRAL, and Google Scholar were searched. APOE2 and APOE4 carrier status were compared between FTLD-spectrum disorders and healthy controls (HCs) or individuals with Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Forty studies were included. APOE4 carriage was more frequent in frontotemporal dementia (FTD) compared with HC (OR = 1.72; 95%CI = 1.45–2.04) and less common than in AD (OR = 0.35; 95%CI = 0.29–0.42). In contrast, APOE2 carriage was less prevalent in FTD relative to HC (OR = 0.83; 95%CI = 0.70–0.98) but more frequent compared with AD (OR = 1.80; 95%CI = 1.29–2.52). APOE4 effects were most pronounced in behavioral variant FTD. In clinically confirmed progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), APOE4 carriage was not associated with PSP. Analysis restricted to pathologically confirmed PSP cases, however, showed lower APOE4 carriage in PSP than in healthy controls (OR = 0.78, 95% CI = 0.65–0.94), although this association failed to reach the multiplicity-adjusted significance threshold. APOE2 carriage was not associated with PSP in either clinically established or pathologically confirmed samples. Evidence was insufficient to establish or exclude associations for other FTLD-spectrum disorders because of the limited available data. In conclusion, APOE alleles show distinct associations across the FTLD spectrum. Full article

Background/Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the extent to which published abstracts of randomized controlled trials on diabetic foot complied with the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials for Abstracts (CONSORT-A) guidelines and to identify factors associated with the quality of reporting. Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was designed using the MEDLINE/PubMed database, and the timeframe from 1994 to 2026 was covered by this review. In total, 606 abstracts of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) focusing on diabetic foot were assessed for compliance with the CONSORT-A checklist criteria. Results: Ratio of non-pharmacological and pharmacological studies was approximately 1:1. Most of the included abstracts did not report a multicenter design (84.3%) and reported less than one hundred participants included (78.9%). The median total score was six of 17 items (35.29%, IQR 29.41–47.06%). The objective of the study, conclusion and intervention had been reported by over ninety percent of the studies. Randomization method (3.6%), funding (4.8%), recruitment process (6.8%) and numbers of analyzed participants in the study (7.4%) were all reported by less than ten percent of the abstracts. Following CONSORT-A, in 2008, median abstract reporting score improved from 35.29% to 41.18% (p < 0.001). Conclusions: However, segmented regression showed a secular trend of +0.63 percentage points per year (95% CI 0.14–1.12, p = 0.012) with no change in level (p = 0.261) or slope (p = 0.278) at 2008, indicating that the improvement is not attributable to the guideline itself. Full article

Background: The relationship between postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) and postoperative pain (POP) has not yet been fully clarified. This investigation aimed to evaluate the association between postoperative nausea severity and the intensity of POP following minor oral and maxillofacial surgery (OMS) under general anesthesia. Methods: This retrospective cohort study reviewed data from patients aged 16 to 70 years who received general anesthesia with nasal intubation for minor OMS at our institution from January 2021 to August 2022; patients with pre-existing conditions influencing POP or PONV were excluded from the analysis. Predictor variables included nausea scores assessed with a 100 mm visual analog scale (VAS), with a secondary sub-analysis excluding asymptomatic patients. The primary and secondary outcomes were VAS-rated POP levels at early (2 h) and late and delayed (6 h and 24 h) time points post-surgery, respectively. Covariates encompassing patient demographics, anesthetic details, and surgical factors were adjusted for, with statistical significance defined as p < 0.05. Results: Out of the 160 patients analyzed, the PONV incidence rates were 20.0% (n = 32) at 0–2 h, 4.4% (n = 7) at 2–6 h, and 0% (n = 0) at 6–24 h. The results from the adjusted multivariate model analysis show that, in this cohort of 160 patients—regardless of the presence or absence of PONV—higher nausea severity was not significantly associated with a reduction in POP intensity at the 2 h mark in the primary analysis. However, in an exploratory subgroup analysis, in the 32 patients who experienced PONV at the 2 h time point, higher nausea severity was significantly associated with lower POP levels [regression coefficient = −0.45, 95% confidence interval = −0.77 to −0.14, p = 0.006]. Conclusions: These results demonstrate an inverse statistical association between nausea severity and POP intensity at 2 h within a small subgroup of 32 patients with PONV. However, these findings do not establish a causal relationship. Full article

Objective: This study aims to provide a global landscape of research into oral hygiene products with antimicrobial or microbiome-modulating activity through a comprehensive bibliometric analysis to identify trends and hotspots that may influence future research frontiers. Methods: A structured bibliographic search was conducted within the Web of Science Core Collection database from 2006 to 2025. Manual screening was performed to exclude duplicate records, studies that did not align with the core topic, and those failing to meet the predefined inclusion criteria. Bibliometric and visual analyses were performed using VOSviewer, CiteSpace, and the R package ‘bibliometrix’ to evaluate production metrics, citation networks, and multi-level collaboration patterns. Results: The analysis included 1007 publications. Sreenivasan PK was the most productive author, and Lundberg JO was the most cited. The United States, followed by India, Brazil, and China, led global research volume, while the United Kingdom and the Netherlands led in total citations. The International Journal of Dental Hygiene was the most productive journal (n = 48), and the Journal of Dentistry was the most cited (n = 1356). Burgeoning research hotspots include the impact of mouthwashes on the oral microbiome and systemic disorders, the controlled clinical use of chlorhexidine, and alternative formulations incorporating probiotics, herbal extracts, or hyaluronic acid. Conclusions: This study underscores a global shift in dental research priorities from traditional bacterial elimination toward preserving oral microbiota eubiosis. While chlorhexidine remains a subject of research due to its widespread use for therapeutic benefits, bibliometric research highlights its potential systemic consequences as a hotspot. Therefore, future research should focus on innovative antimicrobial formulations for mouthwashes and toothpastes that maintain oral health without causing dysbiosis. Full article

Background/Objectives: In the operating room, surgical staff are exposed to inhalation of smoke from the combustion of tissues when using electrocautery. By introducing HIPEC/peritonectomy in the treatment of malignant neoplasms of the peritoneum, exposure to smoke is significantly increased. To adequately perform this procedure, high-power monopolar cautery is used. The aim of this study was to assess carbon monoxide exposure associated with surgical smoke generated during peritonectomy procedures and to compare it with exposure during standard colorectal resections. Methods: In this prospective observational study, a total of 360 blood samples were collected and analyzed from surgeons participating in surgical procedures. The study cohort was divided into two groups: the HIPEC/peritonectomy group and the standard resection group. Blood samples were obtained from three surgeons who participated in a total of 30 procedures, comprising 15 HIPEC/peritonectomy procedures and 15 standard resection procedures. Samples were collected at the start of the intervention, at the 20th and 40th minutes, and at the end of procedures. Results: COHb values increased over time, and levels were higher in the peritonectomy group. An increase in MetHb levels was seen in HIPEC/peritonectomy, but not in the standard colorectal resection group. The observed values did not lead to symptoms of acute CO poisoning. Conclusions: The results suggest that the use of electrocautery increases carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) and methemoglobin (MetHb) levels in surgical staff; however, these increases did not reach clinical significance. The long-term health consequences of repeated exposure to surgical smoke, as well as the effectiveness of personal protective equipment and smoke evacuation systems in reducing this exposure, should be investigated in future studies. Full article

Background and Objectives: Total hip (TH) and femoral neck (FN) T-scores from the same dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) examination often diverge. We evaluated whether the signed TH–FN difference is associated with prevalent proximal femur fracture and whether it has individual-level discriminative value, explicitly separating statistical association from discrimination. Materials and Methods: In a single-center retrospective case–control study (complete case N = 3752; 448 fractures), multivariable logistic regression adjusting for the TH T-score and 12 covariates estimated the association of the signed difference, interaction with severity, and standalone and incremental discrimination (AUC, cross-validated ΔAUC). Additional analyses examined standardized and BMD-scale exposures, a low-energy-restricted cohort, a subtype case–case comparison, and adjustment for the ISCD lowest-site T-score including the lumbar spine. Results: The signed difference was associated with fracture (adjusted OR 1.65, 95% CI 1.39–1.97; interaction OR 1.06, 0.75–1.50), persisting with inpatient-restricted controls (OR 1.74), standardized and BMD-scale exposures, and low-energy restriction (OR 1.68). Standalone discrimination was weak (AUC 0.547) and out-of-sample incremental value negligible (ΔAUC +0.005, 95% CI −0.009 to +0.014). Adjusting for the ISCD lowest-site T-score abolished the full-cohort association (OR 1.04, 0.88–1.23)—the adjusted signal is femoral neck information already captured by the lowest-site rule—while a residual association persisted within the TH ≤ −2.5 subgroup (OR 1.34, 1.02–1.76). Fracture proportions are within-sample case–control fractions, not population incidence. Conclusions: The signed TH–FN discordance is a robust, routinely derivable correlate of prevalent proximal femur fracture whose standalone discrimination is nonetheless limited—a concrete demonstration that statistical significance need not confer predictive utility. It is best positioned as a supplementary, hypothesis-generating marker; any clinical role requires prospective validation against FRAX and the ISCD lowest-site rule. Full article

Background/Objectives: Periodic fever, aphthous stomatitis, pharyngitis, and cervical adenitis (PFAPA) syndrome is the most frequently encountered periodic fever syndrome in pediatric populations. It is characterized by recurrent, stereotyped episodes of fever accompanied by pharyngitis, cervical lymphadenopathy, and aphthous stomatitis, sometimes with other additional nonspecific symptoms. Episodes usually last 3–7 days and recur at regular intervals of approximately 2–8 weeks. The etiopathogenesis of PFAPA remains incompletely understood. Accumulating evidence supports a central role of immune dysregulation with multiple genetic variants that contribute to disease susceptibility. Diagnosis is primarily based on clinical evaluation, although targeted genetic testing may be considered in selected cases particularly when overlapping with other monogenic autoinflammatory disorders. Management of PFAPA aims to decrease the frequency and intensity of febrile episodes. Acute flares are managed with antipyretics, corticosteroids, or, in selected cases, anti-interleukin-1 (IL-1) therapy, while preventive strategies include colchicine, cimetidine, or tonsillectomy. Adjunctive approaches such as vitamin D supplementation, probiotics, and other immunomodulatory interventions have also been investigated. This updated review summarizes current insights into the pathogenesis and therapeutic approaches of PFAPA. Methods: This narrative review was conducted using PubMed, and Scopus to identify English-language publications from 2010 to 2026 addressing PFAPA. Conclusions: Pediatricians should consider PFAPA in children with recurrent fevers and oropharyngeal symptoms, especially when standard treatments fail, to ensure proper management and avoid unnecessary antibiotic use. Full article

Background/Objectives: The comparative efficacy of off-pump and on-pump coronary bypass grafting (CABG) for patients with acute and subacute myocardial infarction (AMI) remains controversial. We compared the outcomes of on-pump versus off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting in Korean patients with acute and subacute myocardial infarction. Methods: This nationwide retrospective cohort study included 14,578 propensity score-matched patients undergoing on-pump or off-pump CABG between 2007 and 2022 using the Korean National Health Insurance Service database. The primary outcomes were recurrent myocardial infarction, repeat revascularization, stroke, all-cause mortality, and major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events. Chi-square, Kaplan–Meier, and log-rank tests and Cox regression analysis were used. Results: Compared with on-pump CABG, off-pump CABG was associated with significantly lower risks of major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCEs), all-cause mortality, and recurrent myocardial infarction in the cause-specific Cox analysis, whereas repeat revascularization and stroke rates were comparable between groups. However, the association with recurrent myocardial infarction was not statistically significant in the Fine–Gray competing-risk analysis. Conclusions: Off-pump CABG was associated with lower risks of all-cause mortality and MACCEs in patients with acute and subacute myocardial infarction. The association with recurrent myocardial infarction was less consistent across analytical approaches and should be interpreted cautiously. Full article

Background and Objectives: Gastric insufflation may occur during positive-pressure ventilation through a supraglottic airway when airway pressure exceeds the seal pressure. Because pressure-controlled ventilation (PCV) lowers peak inspiratory pressure compared with volume-controlled ventilation (VCV), it is widely assumed to reduce gastric insufflation—an assumption that remains untested in adults. We therefore compared these two ventilation modes during i-gel ventilation. Materials and Methods: In this single-centre, assessor-blinded randomised controlled trial, 68 adults undergoing elective breast surgery under general anaesthesia with an i-gel and neuromuscular blockade, without a gastric drain tube, were allocated 1:1 to PCV or VCV (tidal volume 8 mL/kg of actual body weight). The primary outcome was the postoperative gastric antral cross-sectional area measured by ultrasonography, an indirect measure of gastric gas. The pre-specified primary analysis was a Student’s t-test. Secondary outcomes included peak inspiratory pressure and oropharyngeal leak pressure; gastric insufflation, defined post hoc as a >30% increase in antral area, was assessed as an exploratory outcome. Results: All 68 participants (34 per group) were analysed. The postoperative antral cross-sectional area did not differ between groups (mean difference, PCV − VCV, −23.7 mm²; 95% CI −73.9 to 26.4; p = 0.347; p = 0.568 after adjustment for baseline); the confidence interval excluded the 100 mm² difference the trial was powered to detect. Gastric insufflation occurred in 2/34 (VCV) versus 3/34 (PCV) (p = 1.000). Peak inspiratory pressure and expiratory tidal volume were lower with PCV (all p ≤ 0.002), whereas oropharyngeal leak pressure was similar; in every patient, peak pressure remained below the leak pressure. No adverse events occurred. Conclusions: In adults ventilated through an i-gel at the low airway pressures this device produces, PCV lowered peak inspiratory pressure but did not reduce the postoperative antral cross-sectional area or the incidence of gastric insufflation compared with VCV. Because delivered tidal volume was also lower with PCV, the peak pressure difference is reported descriptively. Within this low-pressure range, and in this selected population, the ventilation mode did not detectably affect gastric insufflation; the trial does not establish equivalence between the modes or extend to higher airway pressures or obesity. Full article