Vallabhajosyula, Saraschandra

Abstract Background: Previous studies have found various incidences of right ventricular dysfunction (RVD) and its association with clinical outcome. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we aimed to investigate the impact of the presence of RVD on mortality in patients with ARDS.Method: We searched Medline, Embase, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials for studies investigating the association between RVD and mortality. Two authors independently evaluated whether studies meet eligibility criteria and extracted the selected patients’ and studies’ characteristics and outcomes. The primary outcome was the association between mortality and the presence of RVD in patients with ARDS. Results: We included 9 studies (N = 1,861 patients) in this meta-analysis. RVD was present in 21.0% (391/1,861). In the pooled meta-analysis, the presence of RVD in patients with ARDS was associated with significantly higher overall mortality (OR: 1.45, 95%CI: 1.13-1.86, p-value = 0.003, I2 = 0%), as well as short-term mortality (OR: 1.48, 95%CI: 1.14-1.93, p-value = 0.003, I2 = 0%).Conclusion: In this systematic review and meta-analysis including 1,861 patients with ARDS, the presence of RVD was significantly associated with increased overall and short-term mortality.Trial registration: The protocol was registered at PROSPERO (CRD42020206521).

Abstract Aims There are limited contemporary data on the use of initial fibrinolysis in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction cardiogenic shock (STEMI-CS). This study sought to compare the outcomes of STEMI-CS receiving initial fibrinolysis vs. primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI). Methods Using the National (Nationwide) Inpatient Sample from 2009 to 2017, a comparative effectiveness study of adult (>18 years) STEMI-CS admissions receiving pre-hospital/in-hospital fibrinolysis were compared with those receiving PPCI. Admissions with alternate indications for fibrinolysis and STEMI-CS managed medically or with surgical revascularization (without fibrinolysis) were excluded. Outcomes of interest included in-hospital mortality, development of non-cardiac organ failure, complications, hospital length of stay, hospitalization costs, use of palliative care, and do-not-resuscitate status. Results During 2009–2017, 5297 and 110 452 admissions received initial fibrinolysis and PPCI, respectively. Compared with those receiving PPCI, the fibrinolysis group was more often non-White, with lower co-morbidity, and admitted on weekends and to small rural hospitals (all P < 0.001). In the fibrinolysis group, 95.3%, 77.4%, and 15.7% received angiography, PCI, and coronary artery bypass grafting, respectively. The fibrinolysis group had higher rates of haemorrhagic complications (13.5% vs. 9.9%; P < 0.001). The fibrinolysis group had comparable all-cause in-hospital mortality [logistic regression analysis: 28.8% vs. 28.5%; propensity-matched analysis: 30.8% vs. 30.3%; adjusted odds ratio 0.97 (95% confidence interval 0.90–1.05); P = 0.50]. The fibrinolysis group had comparable rates of acute organ failure, hospital length of stay, rates of palliative care referrals, do-not-resuscitate status use, and lesser hospitalization costs. Conclusions The use of initial fibrinolysis had comparable in-hospital mortality than those receiving PPCI in STEMI-CS in the contemporary era in this large national observational study.

ABSTRACT Background: Recent data suggests improved outcomes among cardiac intensive care unit (CICU) patients treated with norepinephrine, especially patients with severe shock. We aimed to describe the association between norepinephrine and mortality in CICU patients with severe shock, defined as those requiring high-dose vasopressors (HDV). Materials and Results: We retrospectively evaluated Mayo Clinic CICU patients treated with vasopressors from 2007 to 2015. HDV was defined as a peak Cumulative Vasopressor Index of four for any vasopressor. Peak norepinephrine equivalent (NEE) dose was used to compare vasopressor doses. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine predictors of hospital mortality. Results: We included 2,090 patients with a median age of 69 years (IQR 59–78), including 35% females; 44% of patients received HDV. Hospital mortality was higher among patients receiving HDV (42% vs. 16%, unadjusted OR 3.87, 95% CI 3.16–4.75, P < 0.01). On multivariable analysis in HDV patients, hospital mortality increased with rising peak NEE (adjusted OR 1.02 per 0.01 mcg/kg/min, 95% CI 1.01–1.02, P < 0.01) and the use of NE was associated with lower hospital mortality (adjusted OR 0.46, 95% CI 0.31–0.72, P < 0.01). After adjustment for illness severity, peak NEE and norepinephrine use were not associated with mortality among patients who did not require HDV. Conclusions: Mortality is high among CICU patients requiring HDV, and rises with increasing vasopressor requirements. Use of NE was associated with lower mortality among patients requiring HDV, but not among those without HDV, implying that patients with more severe shock may benefit from preferential use of NE.

AbstractDespite significant progress in the care of patients suffering from cardiovascular disease, there remains a persistent sex disparity in the diagnosis, management, and outcomes of these patients. These sex disparities are seen across the spectrum of cardiovascular care, but, are especially pronounced in acute cardiovascular care. The spectrum of acute cardiovascular care encompasses critically ill or tenuous patients with cardiovascular conditions that require urgent or emergent decision-making and interventions. In this narrative review, the disparities in the clinical course, management, and outcomes of six commonly encountered acute cardiovascular conditions, some with a known sex-predilection will be discussed within the basis of underlying sex differences in physiology, anatomy, and pharmacology with the goal of identifying areas where improvement in clinical approaches are needed.

SUMMARY Background This study aimed to determine the incidence, as well as evaluate risk factors, and impact of gastrointestinal bleeding on outcomes and resource use in patients admitted for salicylate poisoning. Methods We used the National Inpatient Sample to construct a cohort of patients hospitalized primarily for salicylate poisoning from 2003 to 2014. We compared clinical characteristics, in-hospital treatments, outcomes and resource use between salicylate poisoning patients with and without gastrointestinal bleeding. Results Of 13 805 hospital admissions for salicylate poisoning, gastrointestinal bleeding occurred in 482 (3.5%) admissions. The risk factors for gastrointestinal bleeding included older age, history of atrial fibrillation and cirrhosis. After adjusting for difference in baseline characteristics, patients with gastrointestinal bleeding required more gastric lavage, gastrointestinal endoscopy, invasive mechanical ventilation and red blood cell transfusion. Gastrointestinal bleeding was significantly associated with increased risk of anemia, circulatory, liver and hematological failure but was not significantly associated with increased in-hospital mortality. The length of hospital stay and hospitalization cost was significantly higher in patients with gastrointestinal bleeding. Conclusion Gastrointestinal bleeding occurred in about 4% of patients admitted for salicylate poisoning. Gastrointestinal bleeding was associated with higher morbidity and resource use but not mortality.

Abstract Background: Cardiac dyssynchronization is the proposed mechanism for pacemaker-induced cardiomyopathy. The standard of treatment is biventricular pacing. Left bundle branch pacing and His bundle pacing are novel interventions that imitate the natural conductionof the heart with, theoretically, less interventricular dysynchrony. One of the surrogate markers of interventricular synchrony is QRS duration. Our study aimed to compare the change of QRS duration before and after implantation between types of cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED): left bundle branch pacing versus His bundle pacing versus biventricular pacing and conventional right ventricular pacing. Methods: A literature search for studies that reported an interval change of QRS duration after CIED implantation was conducted utilizing the MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases. All relevant work through September 2020 from these databases was included in this analysis. A random-effects model network meta-analysis was used to analyze QRS duration changes (i.e., electrical cardiac synchronization) across different CIED implantations. Results: The mean study sample size, from 16 included studies, was 185 subjects. According to SUCRA analysis for the studies analyzed, the His bundle pacing intervention resulted in the most dramatic decline in QRS duration (mean difference -53 ms, 95% CI -67, -39), followed by left bundle branch pacing (mean difference -46 ms, 95% CI -60, -33) and biventricular pacing (mean difference -19 ms, 95% CI -37, -1.8), when compared to conventional right ventricle apical lead placement. Conclusion: Our network meta-analysis found that His bundle branch pacing devices have the greatest effect on QRS duration reduction after implantation, followed by left bundle branch pacing. Physiologic pacing interventions result in improved electrocardiography markers of cardiac synchronicity, narrower QRS duration, and might lower electromechanical dyssynchrony.

Introduction As percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) technologies have been far improved, we hence conducted an updated systemic review and meta-analysis to determine the comparability between coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) and PCI with drug-eluting stent (DES) in ESRD patients. Methods We comprehensively searched the databases of MEDLINE, EMBASE, PUBMED and the Cochrane from inception to January 2020. Included studies were published observational studies that compared the risk of cardiovascular outcomes among dialysis patients with CABG and DES. Data from each study were combined using the random-effects, generic inverse variance method of DerSimonian and Laird to calculate risk ratios and 95% confidence intervals. Subgroup analyses and meta-regression were performed to explore heterogeneity. Results Thirteen studies were included in this analysis, involving total 56 422 (CABG 21 740 and PCI 34 682). Compared with DES, our study demonstrated CABG had higher 30-day mortality [odds ratio (OR) 3.85, P = 0.009] but lower cardiac mortality (OR 0.78, P < 0.001), myocardial infarction (OR 0.5, P < 0.001) and repeat revascularization (OR 0.35, P < 0.001). No statistical differences were found between CABG and DES for long-term mortality (OR 0.92, P = 0.055), composite outcomes (OR 0.88, P = 0.112) and stroke (OR 1.49, P = 0.457). Meta-regression suggested diabetes and the presence of left main coronary artery disease as an effect modifier of long-term mortality. Conclusion PCI with DES shared similar long-term mortality, composite outcomes and stroke outcomes to CABG among dialysis patients but still was associated with an improved 30-day survival . However, CABG had better rates of myocardial infarction, repeat revascularization and cardiac mortality.

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the risk factors for circulatory shock and its impact on outcomes in patients hospitalized for salicylate intoxication. Methods: We used the National Inpatient Sample to identify patients hospitalized primarily for salicylate intoxication from 2003–2014. Circulatory shock was identified based on hospital diagnosis code for any type of shock or hypotension. We compared clinical characteristics, in-hospital treatments, outcomes, and resource use between patients with and without circulatory shock associated with salicylate intoxication. Results: Of 13,805 hospital admissions for salicylate intoxication, circulatory shock developed in 484 (4%) admissions. Risk factors for development of circulatory shock included older age, female sex, concurrent psychotropic medication overdose, anemia, congestive heart failure, volume depletion, rhabdomyolysis, seizure, gastrointestinal bleeding, and sepsis. Circulatory shock was significantly associated with increased odds of any organ failure and in-hospital mortality. Length of hospital stay and hospitalization cost was significantly higher in patients with circulatory shock. Conclusion: Approximately 4% of patients admitted for salicylate intoxication developed circulatory shock. Circulatory shock was associated with worse clinical outcomes and increased resource use.

Background Several studies have shown improved outcomes in closed compared with open medical and surgical intensive care units. However, very little is known about the ideal organizational structure in the modern cardiac intensive care unit (CICU). Methods and Results We retrospectively reviewed consecutive unique admissions (n=3996) to our tertiary care CICU from September 2013 to October 2017. The aim of our study was to assess for differences in clinical outcomes between an open compared with a closed CICU. We used multivariable logistic regression adjusting for demographics, comorbidities, and severity of illness. The primary outcome was in‐hospital mortality. We identified 2226 patients in the open unit and 1770 in the closed CICU. The unadjusted in‐hospital mortality in the open compared with closed unit was 9.6% and 8.9%, respectively ( P =0.42). After multivariable adjustment, admission to the closed unit was associated with a lower in‐hospital mortality (odds ratio [OR], 0.69; 95% CI: 0.53–0.90, P =0.007) and CICU mortality (OR, 0.70; 95% CI, 0.52–0.94, P =0.02). In subgroup analysis, admissions for cardiac arrest (OR, 0.42; 95% CI, 0.20–0.88, P =0.02) and respiratory insufficiency (OR, 0.43; 95% CI, 0.22–0.82, P =0.01) were also associated with a lower in‐hospital mortality in the closed unit. We did not find a difference in CICU length of stay or total hospital charges ( P >0.05). Conclusions We found an association between lower in‐hospital and CICU mortality after the transition to a closed CICU. These results may help guide the ongoing redesign in other tertiary care CICUs.

Background There are limited contemporary data prevalence and outcomes of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) complicating acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Methods and Results Adult (>18 years) AMI admissions using the National Inpatient Sample database (2000–2017) were evaluated for in‐hospital AIS. Outcomes of interest included in‐hospital mortality, hospitalization costs, length of stay, discharge disposition, and use of tracheostomy and percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy. The discharge destination was used to classify survivors into good and poor outcomes. Of a total 11 622 528 AMI admissions, 183 896 (1.6%) had concomitant AIS. As compared with 2000, in 2017, AIS rates increased slightly among ST‐segment–elevation AMI (adjusted odds ratio, 1.10 [95% CI, 1.04–1.15]) and decreased in non–ST‐segment–elevation AMI (adjusted odds ratio, 0.47 [95% CI, 0.46–0.49]) admissions ( P <0.001). Compared with those without, the AIS cohort was on average older, female, of non‐White race, with greater comorbidities, and higher rates of arrhythmias. The AMI‐AIS admissions received less frequent coronary angiography (46.9% versus 63.8%) and percutaneous coronary intervention (22.7% versus 41.8%) ( P <0.001). The AIS cohort had higher in‐hospital mortality (16.4% versus 6.0%; adjusted odds ratio, 1.75 [95% CI, 1.72–1.78]; P <0.001), longer hospital length of stay, higher hospitalization costs, greater use of tracheostomy and percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy, and less frequent discharges to home (all P <0.001). Among AMI‐AIS survivors (N=153 318), 57.3% had a poor functional outcome at discharge with relatively stable temporal trends. Conclusions AIS is associated with significantly higher in‐hospital mortality and poor functional outcomes in AMI admissions.