AI-driven translations for kidney transplant equity in Hispanic populations.

Health equity and accessing Spanish kidney transplant information continues being a substantial challenge facing the Hispanic community. This study evaluated ChatGPT's capabilities in translating 54 English kidney transplant frequently asked questions (FAQs) into Spanish using two versions of the AI model, GPT-3.5 and GPT-4.0. The FAQs included 19 from Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN), 15 from National Health Service (NHS), and 20 from National Kidney Foundation (NKF). Two native Spanish-speaking nephrologists, both of whom are of Mexican heritage, scored the translations for linguistic accuracy and cultural sensitivity tailored to Hispanics using a 1-5 rubric. The inter-rater reliability of the evaluators, measured by Cohen's Kappa, was 0.85. Overall linguistic accuracy was 4.89 ± 0.31 for GPT-3.5 versus 4.94 ± 0.23 for GPT-4.0 (non-significant p = 0.23). Both versions scored 4.96 ± 0.19 in cultural sensitivity (p = 1.00). By source, GPT-3.5 linguistic accuracy was 4.84 ± 0.37 (OPTN), 4.93 ± 0.26 (NHS), 4.90 ± 0.31 (NKF). GPT-4.0 scored 4.95 ± 0.23 (OPTN), 4.93 ± 0.26 (NHS), 4.95 ± 0.22 (NKF). For cultural sensitivity, GPT-3.5 scored 4.95 ± 0.23 (OPTN), 4.93 ± 0.26 (NHS), 5.00 ± 0.00 (NKF), while GPT-4.0 scored 5.00 ± 0.00 (OPTN), 5.00 ± 0.00 (NHS), 4.90 ± 0.31 (NKF). These high linguistic and cultural sensitivity scores demonstrate Chat GPT effectively translated the English FAQs into Spanish across systems. The findings suggest Chat GPT's potential to promote health equity by improving Spanish access to essential kidney transplant information. Additional research should evaluate its medical translation capabilities across diverse contexts/languages. These English-to-Spanish translations may increase access to vital transplant information for underserved Spanish-speaking Hispanic patients.

Kidney Transplantation, Immunosuppression and the Risk of Fracture: Clinical and Economic Implications.

Rationale & Objective: Disorders of bone and mineral metabolism frequently develop with advanced kidney disease, may be exacerbated by immunosuppression after kidney transplantation, and increase the risk of fractures. Study Design: Retrospective database study. Setting & Participants: Kidney-only transplant recipients aged ≥18 years from 2005 to 2016 in the United States captured in US Renal Data System records, which integrate Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network/United Network for Organ Sharing records with Medicare billing claims. Exposures: Various immunosuppression regimens in the first 3 months after kidney transplantation. Outcomes: The development of fractures, as ascertained using diagnostic codes on Medicare billing claims. Analytical Approach: We used multivariable Cox regression with inverse propensity weighting to compare the incidence of fractures >3 months-to-3 years after kidney transplantation associated with various immunosuppression regimens compared to a reference regimen of antithymocyte globulin (TMG) or alemtuzumab (ALEM) with tacrolimus + mycophenolic acid + prednisone using inverse probability treatment weighting. Results: Overall, fractures were identified in 7.5% of kidney transplant recipients (women, 8.8%; men, 6.7%; age < 55 years, 5.9%; age ≥ 55 years, 9.3%). In time-varying regression, experiencing a fracture was associated with a substantially increased risk of subsequent death within 3 months (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 3.06; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.45-3.81). Fractures were also associated with increased Medicare spending (first year: $5,122; second year: $10,890; third year: $11,083; [P < 0.001]). Induction with TMG or ALEM and the avoidance or early withdrawal of steroids significantly reduced the risk of fractures in younger (aHR, 0.63; 95% CI, 0.54-0.73) and older (aHR, 0.83; 95% CI, 0.74-0.94) patients. The avoidance or early withdrawal of steroids with any induction was associated with a reduced risk of fractures in women. Limitations: This was a retrospective study which lacked data on immunosuppression levels. Conclusions: Fractures after kidney transplantation are associated with significantly increased mortality risk and costs. The early avoidance or early withdrawal of steroids after induction with TMG or ALEM reduces the risk of fractures after kidney transplantation and should be considered for patients at high-risk of this complication, including older adults and women.

Management and Outcomes of Acute Myocardial Infarction-Cardiogenic Shock in Uninsured Compared With Privately Insured Individuals.

BACKGROUND: There are limited data on uninsured patients presenting with acute myocardial infarction-cardiogenic shock (AMI-CS). This study sought to compare the management and outcomes of AMI-CS between uninsured and privately insured individuals. METHODS: Using the National Inpatient Sample (2000-2016), a retrospective cohort of adult (≥18 years) uninsured admissions (primary payer-self-pay or no charge) were compared with privately insured individuals. Interhospital transfers were excluded. Outcomes of interest included in-hospital mortality, temporal trends in admissions, use of cardiac procedures, do-not-resuscitate status, palliative care referrals, and resource utilization. RESULTS: Of 402 182 AMI-CS admissions, 21 966 (5.4%) and 93 814 (23.3%) were uninsured and privately insured. Compared with private insured individuals, uninsured admissions were younger, male, from a lower socioeconomic status, had lower comorbidity, higher rates of acute organ failure, ST-segment elevation AMI-CS (77.3% versus 76.4%), and concomitant cardiac arrest (33.8% versus 31.9%; all P<0.001). Compared with 2000, in 2016, there were more uninsured (adjusted odds ratio, 1.15 [95% CI, 1.13-1.17]; P<0.001) and less privately insured admissions (adjusted odds ratio, 0.85 [95% CI, 0.83-0.87]; P<0.001). Uninsured individuals received less frequent coronary angiography (79.5% versus 81.0%), percutaneous coronary intervention (60.8% versus 62.2%), mechanical circulatory support (54% versus 55.5%), and had higher palliative care (3.8% versus 3.2%) and do-not-resuscitate status use (4.4% versus 3.2%; all P<0.001). Uninsured admissions had higher in-hospital mortality (adjusted odds ratio, 1.62 [95% CI, 1.55-1.68]; P<0.001) and resource utilization. CONCLUSIONS: Uninsured individuals have higher in-hospital mortality and lower use of guideline-directed therapies in AMI-CS compared with privately insured individuals.

Cardiogenic Shock Complicating ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction: An 18-Year Analysis of Temporal Trends, Epidemiology, Management, and Outcomes.

BACKGROUND: There are limited data on the temporal trends, incidence, and outcomes of ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction-cardiogenic shock (STEMI-CS). METHODS: Adult (>18 years) STEMI-CS admissions were identified using the National Inpatient Sample (2000-2017) and classified by tertiles of admission year (2000-2005, 2006-2011, 2012-2017). Outcomes of interest included temporal trends, acute organ failure, cardiac procedures, in-hospital mortality, hospitalization costs, and length of stay. RESULTS: In ∼4.3 million STEMI admissions, CS was noted in 368,820 (8.5%). STEMI-CS incidence increased from 5.8% in 2000 to 13.0% in 2017 (patient and hospital characteristics adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 2.45 [95% confidence interval {CI} 2.40-2.49]; P < 0.001). Multiorgan failure increased from 55.5% (2000-2005) to 74.3% (2012-2017). Between 2000 and 2017, coronary angiography and percutaneous coronary intervention use increased from 58.8% to 80.1% and 38.6% to 70.6%, whereas coronary artery bypass grafting decreased from 14.9% to 10.4% (all P < 0.001). Over the study period, the use of intra-aortic balloon pump (40.6%-37.6%) decreased, and both percutaneous left ventricular assist devices (0%-12.9%) and extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation (0%-2.8%) increased (all P < 0.001). In hospital mortality decreased from 49.6% in 2000 to 32.7% in 2017 (aOR 0.29 [95% CI 0.28-0.31]; P < 0.001). During the 18-year period, hospital lengths of stay decreased, hospitalization costs increased and use of durable left ventricular assist device /cardiac transplantation remained stable (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In the United States, incidence of CS in STEMI has increased 2.5-fold between 2000 and 2017, while in-hospital mortality has decreased during the study period. Use of coronary angiography and PCI increased during the study period.

Equity or Equality? Which Approach Brings More Satisfaction in a Kidney-Exchange Chain?

In United States (U.S.), government-funded organizations, such as NLDAC, reimburse travel and subsistence expenses incurred during living-organ donation process. However, in Iran, there is a non-governmental organization called Iranian Kidney Foundation (IKF) that funds the direct and indirect costs of donors through charitable donations and contributions from participants in the exchange program. In this article, for countries outside the U.S. that currently use an equality approach, we propose a potential new compensation-apportionment approach (equitable approach) for kidney-exchange chains and compare it with the currently available system (equality approach) in terms of the apportionment of compensation in a kidney-exchange chain to cover the expenses incurred by the initiating living donor of the chain in the act of donation. To this end, we propose a mechanism to apportion compensation among all participating pairs based on the equity approach by utilizing a prediction model to calculate the probability of graft survival in each transplant operation. These probabilities are then used to define the utility of any transplantation, considering the quality of each pair's donated and received kidney in the chain. Afterward, the corresponding cost is apportioned by a mechanism based on the normalized differences between the utility of donated and received kidneys for each incompatible pair of the chain. In summary, we demonstrate that by utilizing the equitable approach, there is more fairness and equity in the allocation of resources in organ-procurement systems, which results in more satisfaction among incompatible pairs. Additional future prospective studies are needed to assess this proposed equitable approach for kidney-exchange chains in countries outside the U.S., such as Iran, that currently use an equality approach.

Disparities in Deceased Organ Donor Research Authorization: Experience at One Organ Procurement Organization and Call for National Conversations.

INTRODUCTION: Research with deceased donor organs can provide an important platform for studying interventions to improve organ use and outcomes after authorization from the next-of-kin (NOK) or before death by the decedent (i.e., first-person authorization [FPA]). To date, information on authorization rates across donor subgroups is lacking. METHODS: We performed a retrospective chart review of all 690 deceased organ donors from January 2017 to December 2019 at a midsized Midwestern organ procurement organization (OPO). Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess associations between donor factors and research decline (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 95% confidence interval [CI]). RESULTS: Electronic records for all 690 deceased donors were reviewed. Of these, 659 (95.5%) yielded at least one transplanted organ. Overall, research was declined in 10.8% of donations. Compared to White donors, research decline was higher for Black (16.0% vs. 8.9%; aOR, 1.87; 95% CI, 1.03-3.40; P = 0.04) and other non-White donors (24.0% vs. 8.9%; aOR, 4.21; 95% CI, 1.02-17.39; P = 0.05). Unadjusted research decline trended higher for Hispanic donors versus non-Hispanic donors (23.1% vs. 10.5%; P = 0.14). Compared to donors age <40 years, research decline trended higher for donors age ≥65 years (16.7% vs. 11.8%; aOR, 4.87; 95% CI, 1.12-21.05; P = 0.03), whereas research decline was 55% lower when donors provided FPA (7.3% vs 15.0%; aOR, 0.45; 95% CI, 0.27-0.76; P = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: Deceased donor research authorization decline is higher for Black, other non-White, and older donors, but lower when the descendent provides FPA. Identification of disparities in research authorization may stimulate educational strategies to reduce barriers to scientific investigations directed at optimizing the outcomes of organ donation.

Influence of primary payer status on non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction: 18-year retrospective cohort national temporal trends, management and outcomes.

BACKGROUND: The role of insurance on outcomes in non-ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) patients is limited in the contemporary era. METHODS: From the National Inpatient Sample, adult NSTEMI admissions were identified [2000-2017]. Expected primary payer was classified into Medicare, Medicaid, private, uninsured and others. Outcomes included in-hospital mortality, overall and early coronary angiography, percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), resource utilization and discharge disposition. RESULTS: Of the 7,290,565 NSTEMI admissions, Medicare, Medicaid, private, uninsured and other insurances were noted in 62.9%, 6.1%, 24.1%, 4.6% and 2.3%, respectively. Compared to others, those with Medicare insurance older (76 vs. 53-60 years), more likely to be female (48% vs. 25-44%), of white race, and with higher comorbidity (all P<0.001). Population from the Medicare cohort had higher in-hospital mortality (5.6%) compared to the others (1.9-3.4%), P<0.001. With Medicare as referent, in-hospital mortality was higher in other {adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 1.15 [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.11-1.19]; P<0.001}, and lower in Medicaid [aOR 0.95 (95% CI, 0.92-0.97); P<0.001], private [aOR 0.77 (95% CI, 0.75-0.78); P<0.001] and uninsured cohorts [aOR 0.97 (95% CI, 0.94-1.00); P=0.06] in a multivariable analysis. Coronary angiography (overall 52% vs. 65-74%; early 15% vs. 22-27%) and PCI (27% vs. 35-44%) were used lesser in the Medicare population. The Medicare population had longer lengths of stay, lowest hospitalization costs and fewer home discharges. CONCLUSIONS: Compared to other types of primary payers, NSTEMI admissions with Medicare insurance had lower use of coronary angiography and PCI, and higher in-hospital mortality.

Comparison of hospitalization outcomes for delivery and resource utilization between pregnant women with kidney transplants and chronic kidney disease in the United States.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to assess outcomes of delivery hospitalizations, including acute kidney injury (AKI), obstetric and foetal events and resource utilization among pregnant women with kidney transplants compared with pregnant women with no known kidney disease and those with chronic kidney disease (CKD) Stages 3-5. METHOD: Hospitalizations for delivery in the US were identified using the enhanced delivery identification method in the National Inpatient Sample dataset from the years 2009 to 2014. Diagnoses of CKD Stages 3-5, kidney transplantation, along with obstetric events, delivery methods and foetal events were identified using ICD-9-CM diagnosis and procedure codes. Patients with no known kidney disease group were identified by excluding any diagnoses of CKD, end stage kidney disease, and kidney transplant. Multivariable logistic regression accounting for the survey weights and matched regression was conducted to investigate the risk of maternal and foetal complications in women with kidney transplants, compared with women with no kidney transplants and no known kidney disease, and to women with CKD Stages 3-5. RESULT: A total of 5, 408, 215 hospitalizations resulting in deliveries were identified from 2009 to 2014, including 405 women with CKD Stages 3-5, 295 women with functioning kidney transplants, and 5, 405, 499 women with no known kidney disease. Compared with pregnant women with no known kidney disease, pregnant kidney transplant recipients were at higher odds of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (OR = 3.11, 95% CI [2.26, 4.28]), preeclampsia/eclampsia/HELLP syndrome (OR = 3.42, 95% CI [2.54, 4.60]), preterm delivery (OR = 2.46, 95% CI [1.75, 3.45]), foetal growth restriction (OR = 1.74, 95% CI [1.01, 3.00]) and AKI (OR = 10.46, 95% CI [5.33, 20.56]). There were no significant differences in rates of gestational diabetes or caesarean section. Pregnant women with kidney transplants had 1.30-times longer lengths of stay and 1.28-times higher costs of hospitalization. However, pregnant women with CKD Stages 3-5 were at higher odds of AKI (OR = 5.29, 95% CI [2.41, 11.59]), preeclampsia/eclampsia/HELLP syndrome (OR = 1.72, 95% CI [1.07, 2.76]) and foetal deaths (OR = 3.20, 95% CI [1.06, 10.24]), and had 1.28-times longer hospital stays and 1.37-times higher costs of hospitalization compared with pregnant women with kidney transplant. CONCLUSION: Pregnant women with kidney transplant were more likely to experience adverse events during delivery and had longer lengths of stay and higher total charges when compared with women with no known kidney disease. However, pregnant women with moderate to severe CKD were more likely to experience serious complications than kidney transplant recipients.

Temporal Trends, Clinical Characteristics, and Outcomes of Emergent Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting for Acute Myocardial Infarction in the United States.

Background There are limited contemporary data on the use of emergent coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in acute myocardial infarction. Methods and Results Adult (aged >18 years) acute myocardial infarction admissions were identified using the National (Nationwide) Inpatient Sample (2000-2017) and classified by tertiles of admission year. Outcomes of interest included temporal trends of CABG use; age-, sex-, and race-stratified trends in CABG use; in-hospital mortality; hospitalization costs; and hospital length of stay. Of the 11 622 528 acute myocardial infarction admissions, emergent CABG was performed in 1 071 156 (9.2%). CABG utilization decreased overall (10.5% [2000] to 8.7% [2017]; adjusted odds ratio [OR], 0.98 [95% CI, 0.98-0.98]; P<0.001), in ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction (10.2% [2000] to 5.2% [2017]; adjusted OR, 0.95 [95% CI, 0.95-0.95]; P<0.001) and non-ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction (10.8% [2000] to 10.0% [2017]; adjusted OR, 0.99 [95% CI, 0.99-0.99]; P<0.001), with consistent age, sex, and race trends. In 2012 to 2017, compared with 2000 to 2005, admissions receiving emergent CABG were more likely to have non-ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction (80.5% versus 56.1%), higher rates of noncardiac multiorgan failure (26.1% versus 8.4%), cardiogenic shock (11.5% versus 6.4%), and use of mechanical circulatory support (19.8% versus 18.7%). In-hospital mortality in CABG admissions decreased from 5.3% (2000) to 3.6% (2017) (adjusted OR, 0.89; 95% CI, 0.88-0.89 [P<0.001]) in the overall cohort, with similar temporal trends in patients with ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction and non-ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction. An increase in lengths of hospital stay and hospitalization costs was seen over time. Conclusions Utilization of CABG has decreased substantially in acute myocardial infarction admissions, especially in patients with ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction. Despite an increase in acuity and multiorgan failure, in-hospital mortality consistently decreased in this population.

Temporal Trends, Management and Outcomes of Acute Myocardial Infarction with Concomitant Respiratory Infections.

There are limited contemporary data on the management and outcomes of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in patients with concomitant acute respiratory infections. Hence, using the National Inpatient Sample from 2000-2017, adult AMI admissions with and without concomitant respiratory infections were identified. We evaluated in-hospital mortality, utilization of cardiac procedures, hospital length of stay, hospitalization costs, and discharge disposition. Among 10,880,856 AMI admissions, respiratory infections were identified in 745,536 (6.9%). Temporal trends revealed a relatively stable tr end with a peak during 2008-2009. Admissions with respiratory infections were on average older (74 vs. 67 years), female (45% vs 39%), with greater comorbidity (mean Charlson comorbidity index 5.9 ± 2.2 vs 4.4 ± 2.3), and had higher rates of non-ST-segment-elevation AMI presentation (71.8% vs. 62.2%) (all p < 0.001). Higher rates of cardiac arrest (8.2% vs 4.8%), cardiogenic shock (10.7% vs 4.4%), and acute organ failure (27.8% vs 8.1%) were seen in AMI admissions with respiratory infections. Coronary angiography (41.4% vs 65.6%, p < 0.001) and percutaneous coronary intervention (20.7% vs 43.5%, p < 0.001) were used less commonly in those with respiratory infections. Admissions with respiratory infections had higher in-hospital mortality (14.5% vs 5.5%; propensity matched analysis: 14.6% vs 12.5%; adjusted odds ratio 1.25 [95% confidence interval 1.24-1.26], p < 0.001), longer hospital stay, higher hospitalization costs, and less frequent discharges to home compared to those without respiratory infections. In conclusion, respiratory infections significantly impact AMI admissions with higher rates of complications, mortality and resource utilization.

Temporal Trends, Predictors, and Outcomes of Acute Ischemic Stroke in Acute Myocardial Infarction in the United States.

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.

Influence of primary payer status on the management and outcomes of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction in the United States.

BACKGROUND: There are limited contemporary data on the influence of primary payer status on the management and outcomes of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). OBJECTIVE: To assess the influence of insurance status on STEMI outcomes. METHODS: Adult (>18 years) STEMI admissions were identified using the National Inpatient Sample database (2000-2017). Expected primary payer was classified into Medicare, Medicaid, private, uninsured and others. Outcomes of interest included in-hospital mortality, use of coronary angiography and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), hospitalization costs, hospital length of stay and discharge disposition. RESULTS: Of the 4,310,703 STEMI admissions, Medicare, Medicaid, private, uninsured and other insurances were noted in 49.0%, 6.3%, 34.4%, 7.2% and 3.1%, respectively. Compared to the others, the Medicare cohort was older (75 vs. 53-57 years), more often female (46% vs. 20-36%), of white race, and with higher comorbidity (all p<0.001). The Medicare and Medicaid population had higher rates of cardiogenic shock and cardiac arrest. The Medicare cohort had higher in-hospital mortality (14.2%) compared to the other groups (4.1-6.7%), p<0.001. In a multivariable analysis (Medicare referent), in-hospital mortality was higher in uninsured (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 1.14 [95% confidence interval {CI} 1.11-1.16]), and lower in Medicaid (aOR 0.96 [95% CI 0.94-0.99]; p = 0.002), privately insured (aOR 0.73 [95% CI 0.72-0.75]) and other insurance (aOR 0.91 [95% CI 0.88-0.94]); all p<0.001. Coronary angiography (60% vs. 77-82%) and PCI (45% vs. 63-70%) were used less frequently in the Medicare population compared to others. The Medicare and Medicaid populations had longer lengths of hospital stay, and the Medicare population had the lowest hospitalization costs and fewer discharges to home. CONCLUSIONS: Compared to other types of primary payers, STEMI admissions with Medicare insurance had lower use of coronary angiography and PCI, and higher in-hospital mortality.

Inpatient Palliative Care Use in Patients With Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Temporal Trends, Predictors, and Outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a progressive disease associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Despite the negative impact of PAH on quality of life and survival, data on use of specialty palliative care services (PCS) is scarce. RESEARCH QUESTION: We sought to evaluate the inpatient use of PCS in patients with PAH. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Using the National (Nationwide) Inpatient Sample, 30,495 admissions with a primary diagnosis of PAH were identified from 2001 through 2017. The primary outcome of interest was temporal trends and predictors of inpatient PCS use in patients with PAH. RESULTS: The inpatient use of PCS was low (2.2%), but increased during the study period from 0.5% in 2001 to 7.6% in 2017, with a significant increase starting in 2009. White race, private insurance, higher socioeconomic status, hospital-specific factors, higher comorbidity burden (Charlson Comorbidity Index), cardiac and noncardiac organ failure, and use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and noninvasive mechanical ventilation were independent predictors of increased PCS use. PCS use was associated with a higher prevalence of do-not-resuscitate status, a longer length of stay, higher hospitalization costs, and increased in-hospital mortality with less frequent discharges to home, likely because these patients were also sicker (higher comorbidity index and illness acuity). INTERPRETATION: The inpatient use of PCS in patients with PAH is low, but has been increasing over recent years. Despite increased PCS use over time, patient- and hospital-specific disparities in PCS use continue. Further studies evaluating these disparities and the role of PCS in the comprehensive care of PAH patients are warranted.

Influence of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection on the Management and Outcomes of Acute Myocardial Infarction With Cardiogenic Shock.

BACKGROUND: There are limited data on the outcomes of acute myocardial infarction-cardiogenic shock (AMI-CS) in patients with HIV infection and AIDS. SETTING: Twenty percent sample of all US hospitals. METHODS: A retrospective cohort of AMI-CS during 2000-2017 from the National Inpatient Sample was evaluated for concomitant HIV and AIDS. Outcomes of interest included in-hospital mortality and use of cardiac procedures. A subgroup analysis was performed for those with and without AIDS within the HIV cohort. RESULTS: A total 557,974 AMI-CS admissions were included, with HIV and AIDS in 1321 (0.2%) and 985 (0.2%), respectively. The HIV cohort was younger (54.1 vs. 69.0 years), more often men, of non-White race, uninsured, from a lower socioeconomic status, and with higher comorbidity (all P < 0.001). The HIV cohort had comparable multiorgan failure (37.8% vs. 39.0%) and cardiac arrest (28.7% vs. 27.4%) (P > 0.05). The cohorts with and without HIV had comparable rates of coronary angiography (70.2% vs. 69.0%; P = 0.37) but less frequent early coronary angiography (hospital day zero) (39.1% vs. 42.5%; P < 0.001). The cohort with HIV had higher unadjusted but comparable adjusted in-hospital mortality compared with those without [26.9% vs. 37.4%; adjusted odds ratio 1.04 (95% confidence interval: 0.90 to 1.21); P = 0.61]. In the HIV cohort, AIDS was associated with higher in-hospital mortality [28.8% vs. 21.1%; adjusted odds ratio 4.12 (95% confidence interval: 1.89 to 9.00); P < 0.001]. CONCLUSIONS: The cohort with HIV had comparable rates of cardiac procedures and in-hospital mortality; however, those with AIDS had higher in-hospital mortality.

The Use of Donor-Derived Cell-Free DNA for Assessment of Allograft Rejection and Injury Status.

Patient monitoring after kidney transplantation (KT) for early detection of allograft rejection remains key in preventing allograft loss. Serum creatinine has poor predictive value to detect ongoing active rejection as its increase is not sensitive, nor specific for acute renal allograft rejection. Diagnosis of acute rejection requires allograft biopsy and histological assessment, which can be logistically challenging in some cases and carries inherent risk for complications related to procedure. Donor-derived cell-free DNA (dd-cfDNA), DNA of donor origin in the blood of KT recipient arising from cells undergoing injury and death, has been examined as a potential surrogate marker for allograft rejection. A rise in dd-cfDNA levels precedes changes in serum creatinine allows early detections and use as a screening tool for allograft rejection. In addition, when used in conjunction with donor-specific antibodies (DSA), it increases the pre-biopsy probability of antibody-mediated rejection (ABMR) aiding the decision-making process. Advancements in noninvasive biomarker assays such as dd-cfDNA may offer the opportunity to improve and expand the spectrum of available diagnostic tools to monitor and detect risk for rejection and positively impact outcomes for KT recipients. In this this article, we discussed the evolution of dd-cfDNA assays and recent evidence of assessment of allograft rejection and injury status of KT by the use of dd-cfDNA.

Inpatient epidemiology and economic burden of granulomatosis with polyangiitis: a 10-year study of the national inpatient sample.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize inpatient epidemiology and economic burden of granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA). METHODS: Patients with GPA were identified from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS), the largest inpatient database in the USA consisting of over 4000 non-federal acute care hospitals, using the ICD-9 CM code. A cohort of comparators without GPA was also constructed from the same database. Data on demographics, procedures, length of stay, mortality, morbidity and total hospitalization charges were extracted. All analysed data were extracted from the database for the years 2005-2014. RESULTS: The inpatient prevalence of GPA was 32.6 cases per 100 000 admissions. GPA itself (38.3%), pneumonia (13.7%) and sepsis (8.4%) were the most common reasons for admission. After adjusting for potential confounders, the all-cause mortality adjusted odds ratio (aOR) of patients with GPA was significantly higher than that of patients without GPA (aOR 1.20; 95% CI: 1.41, 1.61). This was also true for several morbidities, including acute kidney injury, multi-organ failure, shock and need for intensive care unit admission. Hospitalizations of patients with GPA were associated with higher cost as demonstrated by an adjusted additional mean of $5125 (95% CI: $4719, $5531) for total hospital cost and an adjusted additional mean of $16 841 (95% CI: $15 280, $18 403) for total hospitalization charges when compared with patients without GPA. CONCLUSION: Inpatient prevalence of GPA was higher than what would be expected from prevalence in the general population. Hospitalizations of patients with GPA were associated with higher morbidity, mortality and cost.

Inpatient burden and association with comorbidities of polyarteritis nodosa: National Inpatient Sample 2014.

OBJECTIVES: To characterize inpatient burden, expenditures and association with comorbidities of polyarteritis nodosa (PAN). METHODS: Patients with PAN were identified from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) database for the year 2014 using ICD-9 diagnostic codes. The primary outcome was determining the inpatient prevalence of PAN in hospitalized patients in the US. Secondary outcomes included determining inpatient mortality, morbidity, comorbidities, hospital length of stay (LOS) and total hospital costs and charges. A cohort of patients without PAN was also identified from the same database to serve as comparators for analysis of comorbidities. Multivariate regression analysis was used to adjust for age, gender, ethnicity, comorbidities and hospital characteristics. RESULTS: A total of 4,110 patients with PAN were included in the study. The mean age was 59.5 years and 61% were female. The inpatient prevalence of PAN was 11.6 cases per 100,000 discharges. Patients with PAN displayed increased adjusted odds of mortality (OR:1.35, p = 0.13), shock (OR:1.75, p<0.01), ICU admission (OR:1.88, p<0.01) and multiorgan failure (OR:3.12, p<0.01) compared to patients without PAN. Patients with PAN also displayed significantly higher hospital costs (additional adjusted mean [aAM]: $9,693, p<0.01), hospitalization charges (aAM: $34,273, p<0.01) and LOS (aAM: 4.1 days, p<0.01) compared to patients without PAN. Analysis of comorbidities found a significant association between PAN and venous thromboembolism, renal injury and sepsis. The main limitation of this study was reliance on accuracy of diagnostic coding. The high inpatient prevalence of PAN might have been inflated and we cannot be certain that the higher risk of comorbidities and expenditures were entirely attributable to PAN as some patients in this cohort may have other vasculitides. CONCLUSIONS: The inpatient prevalence of PAN is higher than what would be expected from the overall general prevalence. Hospitalizations of patients with PAN are associated with significantly higher rates of morbidity and expenditures.

Inpatient Prevalence, Expenditures, and Comorbidities of Sarcoidosis: Nationwide Inpatient Sample 2013-2014.

PURPOSE: To investigate inpatient prevalence, expenditures, and comorbidities of hospitalized patients with sarcoidosis in the USA. METHODS: Patients with sarcoidosis were identified within the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) database for the years 2013 and 2014 using the respective ICD-9 diagnostic code. Data on patient and hospital characteristics, comorbidities, total hospital costs, and total hospitalization charges were collected. A propensity-matched cohort of patients without sarcoidosis from the same database was created and used as comparators for the analysis of comorbidities. RESULTS: A cohort of 78,055 patients with sarcoidosis was identified within the database, corresponding to an inpatient prevalence of 2.21 cases per 1000 admissions. Analysis of comorbidities found that patients with sarcoidosis had significantly higher odds of atrial fibrillation [adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 1.41, 95% CI 1.13-1.76, p < 0.01], conduction abnormalities [aOR: 2.04, 95% CI 1.45-2.89, p < 0.01], aortic valvulopathy [aOR: 1.78, 95% CI 1.30-2.44, p < 0.01], congestive heart failure [aOR: 1.23, 95% CI 1.04-1.45, p = 0.02], cardiomyopathy [aOR: 1.25, 95% CI 1.08-1.44, p < 0.01], deep venous thrombosis (aOR: 1.58, p < 0.01), pulmonary embolism (aOR: 1.70, p < 0.01), and osteoporosis (aOR: 1.81, p < 0.01), compared with propensity-matched patients without sarcoidosis. After adjusting for confounders, patients with sarcoidosis displayed a mean additional $1,250 (p = 0.24) in total hospital costs and a mean additional $27,205 (p < 0.01) in total hospitalization charges when compared to hospitalized patients without sarcoidosis. CONCLUSIONS: The inpatient prevalence of sarcoidosis was relatively high compared with its overall incidence. Hospitalization of patients with sarcoidosis was associated with a significantly higher total hospitalization charges compared to hospitalized patients without sarcoidosis. Patients with sarcoidosis have a higher risk of several cardiac comorbidities.