Rates of Adverse Events and Outcomes among Stroke Patients Admitted to Primary Stroke Centers.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: To identify the beneficial effects of primary stroke centers (PSCs) certification by Joint Commission (JC), we compared the rates of in-hospital adverse events and discharge outcomes among ischemic stroke patients admitted to PSCs and those admitted to non-PSC hospitals in the United States. METHODS: We obtained the data from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample from 2010 and 2011. The analysis was limited to states that publicly reported hospital identity. PSCs were identified by matching the Nationwide Inpatient Sample hospital files with the list provided by JC. The analysis was limited to patients (age ≥18 years) discharged with a principal diagnosis of ischemic stroke (International Classification of Disease, 9th Revision, codes 433.x1, 434.x1). RESULTS: We identified a total of 123,131 ischemic stroke patients from 28 states. A total of 72,982 (59.3%) patients were admitted to PSCs. After adjusting for age, gender, race or ethnicity, comorbidities, All Patients Refined Diagnosis Related Groups (APR-DRG)-based disease severity, and hospital teaching status, patients admitted to PSCs were at lower risk of in-hospital adverse events complications: pneumonia (odds ratio [OR], .8; 95% confidence interval [CI], .7-.8) and sepsis (OR, .7; 95% CI, .6-.8). Patients admitted to PSCs were more likely to receive thrombolysis (OR, 1.6; 95% CI, 1.5-1.7). The mean cost of hospitalization (95% CI) of the patients was significantly higher in patients admitted at PSCs compared with those admitted at non PSC hospitals $47621 (47099-48144) vs. $35229 (34803-35654), P < .0001). The patients admitted to PSCs had lower inpatient mortality (OR, .8; 95% CI, .8-.9) and were more likely to be discharged with none to minimal disability (OR, 1.1; 95% CI, 1.0-1.1). CONCLUSIONS: Compared with non-PSC admissions, patients admitted to PSCs are less likely to experience hospital adverse events and more likely to experience better discharge outcomes.

Outcomes of In-Hospital Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation in Patients with CKD.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Advance care planning, including code/resuscitation status discussion, is an essential part of the medical care of patients with CKD. There is little information on the outcomes of cardiopulmonary resuscitation in these patients. We aimed to measure cardiopulmonary resuscitation outcomes in these patients. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, & MEASUREMENTS: Our study is observational in nature. We compared the following cardiopulmonary resuscitation-related outcomes in patients with CKD with those in the general population by using the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (2005-2011): (1) survival to hospital discharge, (2) discharge destination, and (3) length of hospital stay. All of the patients were 18 years old or older. RESULTS: During the study period, 71,961 patients with CKD underwent in-hospital cardiopulmonary resuscitation compared with 323,620 patients from the general population. Unadjusted in-hospital mortality rates were higher in patients with CKD (75% versus 72%; P<0.001) on univariate analysis. After adjusting for age, sex, and potential confounders, patients with CKD had higher odds of mortality (odds ratio, 1.24; 95% confidence interval, 1.11 to 1.34; P≤0.001) and length of stay (odds ratio, 1.11; 95% confidence interval, 1.07 to 1.15; P=0.001). Hospitalization charges were also greater in patients with CKD. There was no overall difference in postcardiopulmonary resuscitation nursing home placement between the two groups. In a separate subanalysis of patients ≥75 years old with CKD, higher odds of in-hospital mortality were also seen in the patients with CKD (odds ratio, 1.10; 95% confidence interval, 1.02 to 1.17; P=0.01). CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, we observed slightly higher in-hospital mortality in patients with CKD undergoing in-hospital cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

Internal carotid artery stenosis associated with giant cell arteritis: case report and discussion.

BACKGROUND: Cerebrovascular ischemic events associated with giant cell arteritis (GCA) are uncommon and have been reported in 3%-4% of patients. We describe a case report of GCA associated with intracranial stenosis and review various angiographic findings. CASE PRESENTATION: A 66-year-old man presented with worsening headache and vision loss. A recent magnetic resonance angiogram of the head and neck showed multiple intracranial stenosis. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis demonstrated increased protein of 135.6 mg/dL, with two white blood cells/µL. No bacteria were observed in the CSF on gram staining, and cultures were negative for bacterial growth. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate was noted to be 14 mm/h, and C-reactive protein was 1.514 mg/L at admission. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis panels were negative. On digital subtraction angiography, patient had predominantly narrowing and irregularities in petrous and cavernous segments of the internal carotid arteries bilaterally. The diagnosis of GCA was confirmed by temporal artery biopsy. He was treated with steroids, and a followup angiogram 6 weeks later showed minimal resolution of the angiographic findings. Patient reported complete resolution of headaches and visual loss. CONCLUSION: Bilateral internal carotid arteries stenosis may be seen in patients presenting with typical symptoms of GCA and may persist after steroid treatment despite resolution of clinical symptoms.