Maternal and Fetal Outcomes in Pulmonary Hypertension During Pregnancy: A Contemporary Nationwide Analysis.

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) disproportionately affects women, presenting challenges during pregnancy. Historically, patients with PH are advised to avoid pregnancy; however, recent reports have indicated that the incidence of adverse events in pregnant patients with PH may be lower than previously reported. We conducted a retrospective cohort study in pregnant patients with PH using the National Readmission Database from January 1, 2016, to December 31, 2020. PH was categorized according to the World Health Organization classification. Primary end points include maternal mortality and 30-day nonelective readmission rate. Other adverse short-term maternal (cardiovascular and obstetric) and fetal outcomes were also analyzed. Of 9,922,142 pregnant women, 3,532 (0.04%) had PH, with Group 1 PH noted in 1,833 (51.9%), Group 2 PH in 676 (19.1%), Group 3 PH in 604 (17.1%), Group 4 PH in 23 (0.7%), Group 5 PH in 98 (2.8%), and multifactorial PH in 298 (8.4%). PH patients exhibited higher rates of adverse cardiovascular events (15.7% vs 0.3% without PH, p <0.001) and mortality (0.9% vs 0.01% without PH, p <0.001). Mixed PH and Group 2 PH had the highest prevalence of adverse cardiovascular events in the World Health Organization PH groups. Patients with PH had a significantly higher nonelective 30-day readmission rate (10.4% vs 2.3%) and maternal adverse obstetric events (24.2% vs 9.1%) compared with those without PH (p <0.001) (Figure 1). In conclusion, pregnant women with PH had significantly higher adverse event rates, including in-hospital maternal mortality (85-fold), compared with those without PH.

Outpatient Follow-up of Pulmonary Embolism: Putting It all Together.

Many patients discharged after an acute pulmonary embolism (PE) admission have inconsistent outpatient follow-up and insufficient workup for chronic complications of PE. A structured outpatient care program is lacking for the different phenotypes of chronic PE, such as chronic thromboembolic disease, chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension, and post-PE syndrome. A dedicated PE follow-up clinic extends the organized, systematic care provided to patients with PE via the PERT (Pulmonary Embolism Response Team) model in the outpatient setting. Such an initiative can standardize follow-up protocols after PE, limit unnecessary testing, and ensure adequate management of chronic complications.

National Trends for Temporary Mechanical Circulatory Support Utilization in Patients With Cardiogenic Shock From Decompensated Chronic Heart Failure: Incidence, Predictors, Outcomes, and Cost.

Background: Trends in temporary mechanical circulatory support (tMCS) use with associated outcomes and cost in cardiogenic shock secondary to decompensated chronic heart failure (HF-CS) remains poorly understood. We describe trends in tMCS use, associated outcomes, and cost in HF-CS. Methods: We included adults enrolled in a national insurance claims dataset with HF-CS who received intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP), Impella, or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) without acute coronary syndrome, or postcardiotomy shock. We identified predictors of device use, associated outcomes, and inflation-adjusted costs. Results: We studied 2722 HF-CS patients receiving tMCS: 1799 (66%) male, 1771 (65%) White, and 1836 (67%) with ischemic cardiomyopathy. Rate of tMCS use increased from 2010-2019. Impella use showed the largest increase (Δ+344%), followed by ECMO (Δ+112%). Patients receiving ECMO had a higher comorbidity burden, and patients receiving IABP were more likely to have valvular heart disease. Compared with IABP, 30-day mortality rate was no different for Impella (adjusted odds ratio, 1.24; 95% CI, 0.93-1.66) but was higher with ECMO (adjusted odds ratio, 3.08; 95% CI, 2.22-4.27). Adjusted hospitalization cost was highest for ECMO (median, $191,079 [IQR, $165,760-$239,373]), followed by Impella (median, $142,518 [IQR, $126,845-$179,938]), and IABP (median, $132,060 [IQR, $113,794-$160,244]). We observed a linear association between price standardized cost-quartile and complications, but not for 30-day mortality. Conclusions: The use of Impella and ECMO is increasing with an associated cost increase. The use of ECMO coincided with higher 30-day mortality compared with IABP in HF-CS. These findings likely reflect increasing disease severity and evolving practice patterns rather than causation.

Unlocking Silent Suffering: Addressing the Otorhinolaryngologic Needs of Incarcerated Persons Through Carceral Health Education.

Mass incarceration in the United States presents major healthcare challenges, and otorhinolaryngology-related needs within carceral settings are underrecognized. Public health crises, as exemplified by the COVID-19 pandemic which led to over 3,000 deaths among incarcerated individuals, can intensify disparities. Both acute otorhinolaryngology conditions, such as craniomaxillofacial trauma, impending airway compromise, and life-threatening infection, as well as more chronic conditions such as cancer, sinusitis, or ear infections can lead to impaired quality of life, disability, or preventable mortality. Incarcerated individuals experience substantial healthcare disparities, which are driven by intrinsic individual and carceral facility factors such as resource scarcity, structural barriers, limited self-advocacy, and social determinants of health, as well as extrinsic factors related to societal misconceptions, inadequate education of healthcare providers on carceral healthcare, and underdeveloped care systems. To address these issues, a comprehensive approach is needed, incorporating experiential learning, bias reduction, and trust building. Early clinical exposure, enhanced public health education, and community outreach efforts are conducive to cultivating structural competence and relevant skills. Carceral health initiatives can thus raise awareness and enhance the healthcare of incarcerated individuals. Healthcare professionals can expand their roles to advocate for equitable care, prioritize rehabilitation over punishment, and support individuals upon reentry into society. Healthcare professionals in otorhinolaryngology, play a pivotal role in addressing the needs of incarcerated individuals, with nurses, physicians, and allied health stakeholders working together. Education, advocacy, and compassionate care provide the basis for a more equitable and humane carceral healthcare system that upholds the dignity and well-being of all individuals.