Clinical decision support tools useful for identifying sepsis risk.

PURPOSE: Evaluate the effectiveness of the clinical decision support tools (CDSTs), POC Advisor (POCA), and Modified Early Warning System (MEWS) in identifying sepsis risk and influencing time to treatment for inpatients, comparing their respective alert mechanisms. METHODS: This study was conducted at two academic university medical center hospitals. Data from adult inpatients in medical-surgical and telemetry units were analyzed from January 1, 2020, to December 31, 2020. Criteria included sepsis-related ICD-10 codes, antibiotic administration, and ordered sepsis labs. Subsequent statistical analyses utilized Fisher's exact test and Wilcoxon Rank Sum test, focusing on mortality differences by age, sex, and race/ethnicity. RESULTS: Among 744 patients, 143 sepsis events were identified, with 83% already receiving treatment upon CDST alert. Group 1 (POCA alert) showed reduced response time compared with MEWS, while Group 3 (MEWS) experienced longer time to treatment. Group 4 included sepsis events missed by both systems. Mortality differences were not significant among the groups. CONCLUSION: While CDSTs play a role, nursing assessment and clinical judgment are crucial. This study recognized the potential for alarm fatigue due to a high number of CDST-driven alerts, while emphasizing the importance of a collaborative approach for prompt sepsis treatment and potential reduction in sepsis-related mortality.

Risk-stratified posthepatectomy pathways based upon the Kawaguchi-Gayet complexity classification and impact on length of stay.

Background: The Kawaguchi-Gayet classification is a validated system to stratify open liver resections by complexity and postoperative complications. We hypothesized that Kawaguchi-Gayet classification could be used to create and implement risk-stratified posthepatectomy pathways to reduce length of stay and variation in care. Methods: Clinicopathologic data from hepatectomy patients (1/2017-6/2020) were abstracted from a prospective database. All open hepatectomies were assigned to groups based on 2 levels of Kawaguchi-Gayet classification, and corresponding risk-stratified posthepatectomy pathways were created to decrease length of stay by 1 day compared to patients who were historically treated without a pathway: low-intermediate risk (open Kawaguchi-Gayet I/II) and high risk (open Kawaguchi-Gayet III). Outcomes were compared between periods before ("PRE"; 1/1/2017-9/30/2019) and after ("POST"; 10/1/2019-6/30/2020) implementation. Results: Among 487 open hepatectomies (PRE: 374, POST: 113), 55.0% (n = 268) were low-intermediate risk and 45.0% (n = 219) were high risk. Major complications were similar PRE/POST: low-intermediate risk (PRE: 7.8%, POST: 9.4%, P = .681) and high risk (PRE: 18.9%, POST 10.0%, P = 0.139). Risk-stratified posthepatectomy pathway implementation reduced median length of stay for both low-intermediate risk (4 to 3.5 days, P = .009) and high risk (5 to 4 days, P = 0.022) patients. Risk-stratified posthepatectomy pathways decreased length of stay variation, reflected in mean and standard deviation for all patients (PRE 5.5 ± 7.5 vs POST 4.4 ± 2.8 days). There was no difference in 90-day readmission rates between PRE (12.6%) and POST (8.8%) periods (P = .278). Conclusion: The creation and implementation of risk-stratified posthepatectomy pathways reduced length of stay without increasing readmissions after hepatectomy. These generalizable risk-stratified posthepatectomy pathways preoperatively stratify patients a priori into pathways for individualized preoperative discussions on realistic postoperative complications and length of stay expectations.

Postoperative atrial fibrillation: Sex-specific characteristics and effect on survival.

BACKGROUND: We sought to fill important gaps in the existing evidence regarding new-onset atrial fibrillation (AF) after coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) by comparing the incidence, characteristics, and effect on long-term survival between men and women. METHODS: Nine thousand two hundred three consecutive patients without preoperative AF underwent isolated CABG from 2002 to 2010 at 3 US academic medical centers and 1 high-volume specialty cardiac hospital. Detailed data on CABG AF events detected via continuous in-hospital electrocardiogram/telemetry monitoring were supplemented with Society of Thoracic Surgeons data, and survival data, censored at October 31, 2011, using a copy of the Social Security Death Master File archived before state-owned data were removed (November 1, 2011). RESULTS: Propensity-adjusted (Society of Thoracic Surgeons-recognized risk factors) incidence of post-CABG AF was 31.5% overall, 32.8% in men, and 27.4% in women. Over the 9-year study period, women had a significantly lower risk of post-CABG AF (absolute difference, -5.3% [95% confidence interval (CI), -10.5% to -0.6%]), and significantly shorter first (-2.9 hours; 95% CI, -5.8 to 0.0), and longest (-4.3 hours; 95% CI, -8.3 to -0.3) AF duration. Post-CABG AF was associated with significantly increased risk of long-term mortality (overall hazard ratio [HR], 1.56; 95% CI, 1.45-1.67; men HR, 1.57; 95% CI, 1.49-1.65; women HR, 1.54; 95% CI, 1.14-2.07). CONCLUSIONS: In our study, women had lower adjusted risk of post-CABG AF and experienced shorter episodes. The adjusted risk of long-term mortality was 56% greater among patients who developed post-CABG AF compared with those who did not. The effect of post-CABG AF on long-term survival did not differ between the sexes.

Postcoronary Artery Bypass Graft Atrial Fibrillation Event Count and Survival: Differences by Sex.

BACKGROUND: New-onset atrial fibrillation (AF) after coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) is associated with poor outcomes, but data on the effects of its characteristics are lacking and conflicting. We examined the effect number of post-CABG AF events has on long-term mortality risk, and whether this is sex dependent. METHODS: Routinely collected Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) data were supplemented with details on new-onset post-CABG AF (detected in-hospital by continuous electrocardiogram/telemetry monitoring) and long-term survival for 9203 consecutive patients with isolated-CABG (2002-2010). With the use of Cox regression, we determined the propensity-adjusted (STS-recognized risk factors) effect of number of AF events on survival, testing for effect modification by sex and controlling for AF duration. RESULTS: AF occurred in 739 women (29.4%) and 2157 men (32.3%) (P < .001). Adjusted results showed 2 or more AF events significantly (P < .001) increased 5-year mortality risk, independently of total AF duration. However, mortality risk differed between the sexes (P < .001): women with 2 AF episodes had the greatest increase (hazard ratio [HR] = 2.98; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.43-4.83; versus women without AF), followed by women and men with 4 or more AF events (HR = 2.76 [95% CI, 1.27-4.55] and HR = 2.73 [95% CI, 2.30-3.19], respectively). A single post-CABG AF episode was not associated with increased mortality risk. CONCLUSIONS: Both men and women who experienced 2 or more post-CABG AF episodes showed increased risk of 5-year mortality, independent of total AF duration. Although men's risk increased as the number of AF events increased, women's risk peaked at 2 AF events. Future research needs to determine whether this divergence stems from differences in treatment/management or underlying biology.

Lower Survival After Coronary Artery Bypass in Patients Who Had Atrial Fibrillation Missed by Widely Used Definitions.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the impact of limiting the definition of post-coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) atrial fibrillation (AF) to AF/flutter requiring treatment-as in the Society of Thoracic Surgeons' (STS) database- on the association with survival. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We assessed in-hospital incidence of post-CABG AF in 7110 consecutive isolated patients with CABG without preoperative AF at 4 hospitals (January 1, 2004 to December 31, 2010). Patients with ≥1 episode of post-CABG AF detected via continuous in-hospital electrocardiogram (ECG)/telemetry monitoring documented by physicians were assigned to the following: Group 1, identified as having post-CABG AF in STS data and Group 2, not identified as having post-CABG AF in STS data. Patients without documented post-CABG AF constituted Group 3. Survival was compared via a Cox model, adjusted for STS risk of mortality and accounting for site differences. RESULTS: Over 7 years' follow-up, 16.0% (295 of 1841) of Group 1, 18.7% (79 of 422) of Group 2, and 7.9% (382 of 4847) of Group 3 died. Group 2 had a significantly greater adjusted risk of death than both Group 1 (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.16; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.02 to 1.33) and Group 3 (HR: 1.94; 95% CI, 1.69 to 2.22). CONCLUSIONS: The statistically significant 16% higher risk of death for patients with AF post-CABG missed vs captured in STS data suggests treatment and postdischarge management should be investigated for differences. The historical misclassification of "missed" patients as experiencing no AF in the STS data weakens the ability to observe differences in risk between patients with and without post-CABG AF. Therefore, STS data should not be used for research examining post-CABG AF.

Female-Authored Articles Are More Likely to Include Methods-Trained Authors.

OBJECTIVE: Studies with authors trained in research methods are of higher quality than those without. We examined inclusion of authors with master's or doctoral degrees incorporating advanced research methods training on original research articles in high-impact journals, investigating differences between journals and by first-author sex. METHODS: Using all original research articles from 1 issue of The New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM), Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), Annals of Internal Medicine (Annals), and JAMA-Internal Medicine/Archives of Internal Medicine (Archives) every alternate month, February 1994 to October 2016, we assessed the prevalence of articles listing authors with master's/doctoral research degrees and its adjusted associations with time of publication, journal, and first-author sex via multivariable logistic regression models (accounting for number of authors, study type, specialty/topic, and continent and for interactions between journal and time of publication, study type, and continent). RESULTS: Of 3009 articles examined, 84.4% (n=2539) had authors listing research degrees. After adjustment, the prevalence of such articles increased from 1994 to 2016 (P<.001), but patterns differed among journals. Annals and NEJM increased to approximately100% by 2016; JAMA and Archives peaked around 2010 to 2011, then declined. Articles with female first authors were more likely to list authors with research degrees (adjusted odds ratio=1.66; 95% CI, 1.29-2.13; P<.001). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of original research articles listing authors trained in research methods in high-impact journals increased significantly but is now declining at some journals, with potential effects on quality. The greater prevalence among female first-authored articles suggests possible sex differences in structuring/crediting research teams or subconscious sex bias during review.

Epidemiology of new-onset atrial fibrillation following coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

OBJECTIVES: Postoperative atrial fibrillation (AF) following coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) is significantly associated with reduced survival, but poor characterisation and inconsistent definitions present barriers to developing effective prophylaxis and management. We sought to address this knowledge gap. METHODS: From 2002 to 2010, 11 239 consecutive patients without AF underwent isolated CABG at five sites. Clinical data collected for the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) Database were augmented with details on AF detected via continuous in-hospital ECG/telemetry monitoring to assess new-onset post-CABG AF (adjusted for STS risk of mortality); time to first AF; durations of first and longest AF episodes; total in-hospital time in AF; number of in-hospital AF episodes; operative mortality; stroke; discharge in AF; and length of stay (LOS). RESULTS: Unadjusted incidence of new-onset post-CABG AF was 29.5%. Risk-adjusted incidence was 33.1% and varied little over time (P=0.139). Among 3312 patients with post-CABG AF, adjusted median time to first AF was 52 (IQR: 48-55) hours; mean (SD) duration of first and longest events were 7.2 (5.3,9.1) and 13.1 (10.4,15.9) hours, respectively, and adjusted median total time in AF was 22 (IQR: 18-26) hours. Adjusted rates of operative mortality, stroke and discharge in AF did not vary significantly over time (P=0.156, P=0.965 and P=0.347, respectively). LOS varied (P=0.035), but in no discernible pattern. CONCLUSIONS: Each year, ~800 000 people undergo CABG worldwide; >264 000 will develop post-CABG AF. Onset is typically 2-3 days post-CABG and episodes last, on average, several hours. Effective prophylaxis and management is urgently needed to reduce associated risks of adverse outcomes.

Predicting New-Onset Post-Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Atrial Fibrillation With Existing Risk Scores.

BACKGROUND: New-onset atrial fibrillation (AF) after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) operation is associated with poorer survival. Blanket prophylaxis efforts have not appreciably decreased incidence, making targeted prevention for high-risk patients desirable. We compared predictive abilities of existing scores developed/used to predict adverse CABG outcomes (Society of Thoracic Surgeons' [STS] risk of mortality) or AF not associated with cardiac operation (the Cohorts for Heart and Aging Research in Genomic Epidemiology [CHARGE]-AF score, the CHA2DS2-VASc score), and a risk model for predicting postoperative AF following cardiac operations (POAF score), with age (the most consistently identified post-CABG AF risk factor). METHODS: Data submitted to the STS Adult Cardiac Surgery Database were used to assess new-onset AF in 8,976 consecutive patients without preoperative AF undergoing isolated CABG from 2004 to 2010 at five participating centers. Five logistic regression models (for CHA2DS2-VASc score, CHARGE-AF score, POAF score, STS risk score, and age, respectively, all modeled with restricted cubic splines) with a random effect for site were fitted to predict post-CABG AF. Estimates were used to compute and compare receiver operating characteristic (ROC) areas. RESULTS: New-onset AF occurred in 2,141 patients (23.9%). The ROC area was greatest for CHARGE-AF (0.68, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.67-0.69), followed by age (0.66, 95% CI: 0.65-0.68), POAF score (0.65, 95% CI: 0.64-0.66), CHA2DS2-VASc (0.59, 95% CI: 0.58 to 0.60), and STS risk of mortality (0.58, 95% CI: 0.56-0.59). CHARGE-AF was significantly more predictive than age (p < 0.0001); the other scores were significantly less predictive (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Only CHARGE-AF performed better than age alone. Its performance was moderate and comparable with published risk models specifically targeted at new-onset post-isolated CABG AF. Future research should continue to focus on developing better predictive models.

Repeat ablation and hospitalization following cryoballoon ablation of atrial fibrillation at a single tertiary medical center.

Cryoablation for atrial fibrillation (AF) has rapidly become a mainstream treatment for AF. In this report, 163 patients who had undergone a cryoablation procedure at one clinical center were contacted by telephone 33.1 ± 3.3 months after the procedure. All patients had received cryoablation of the pulmonary vein ostia, although concomitant procedures were performed at the same time in over 50% of the patients, including radiofrequency and/or cryoablation of other areas of the left atrium. Freedom from a repeat ablation procedure was 87%, while freedom from recurrent hospitalization for AF was 89%, as compared to previous reports of 65%. Of the 13 patients who had a repeat ablation procedure, only one was found to have a reconnection of pulmonary veins, while 4 were found to have atrial flutter. Cryoablation for AF produces a durable result in most patients out to 3 years with better outcomes than previously reported.

Usefulness of Balloon Aortic Valvuloplasty in the Management of Patients With Aortic Stenosis.

We aim to evaluate the contemporary role and outcomes of balloon aortic valvuloplasty (BAV), based on physician intent, for the management of severe aortic stenosis. This is a prospective, 2-center study of 100 consecutive high-risk patients with severe aortic stenosis who underwent BAV. Before BAV, physicians assigned intent as (1) bridge to decision (BTD); (2) therapeutic bridge to planned therapy; or (3) palliation. Patients in the BTD arm underwent clinical assessment at 30 days to determine eligibility for definitive valve therapy. All patients were followed up to 1 year, with outcomes measured including procedural complications, Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaires scores, 30-day and 1-year mortality, and definitive valve therapy. Enrolled patients had a mean age of 80.6 (±9.6) years, Society of Thoracic Surgeons predicted risk of mortality of 11.4% (±7.1%), and 91 (91.0%) patients had class III or IV New York Heart Association congestive heart failure. Intent in the 100 study patients was 76 BTD; 20 therapeutic bridge to planned therapy; and 4 palliation. Thirty-day mortality for all patients was 6 of 100 (6.0%), and 1-year mortality for all patients who received definitive valve therapy was 6 of 54 (11.1%). For patients surviving to 30 days, adjusted (by Society of Thoracic Surgeons predicted risk of mortality) Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaires scores were significantly improved from baseline for all patients and BTD patients. In conclusion, as a bridge to decision and treatment tool, BAV appears to have a valuable role in properly selecting and improving patients to undergo definitive valve replacement.

Underestimation of the incidence of new-onset post-coronary artery bypass grafting atrial fibrillation and its impact on 30-day mortality.

OBJECTIVE: Inconsistent definitions of atrial fibrillation after coronary artery bypass grafting have caused uncertainty about its incidence and risk. We examined the extent to which limiting the definition to post-coronary artery bypass grafting atrial fibrillation events requiring treatment underestimates its incidence and impact on 30-day mortality. METHODS: We assessed in-hospital atrial fibrillation and 30-day mortality in 9268 consecutive patients without preoperative atrial fibrillation who underwent isolated coronary artery bypass grafting at 5 US hospitals (2004-2010). Patients who experienced 1 or more episode of post-coronary artery bypass grafting atrial fibrillation detected via continuous in-hospital electrocardiogram/telemetry monitoring were divided into those for whom Society of Thoracic Surgeons data (applying the definition "atrial fibrillation/flutter requiring treatment") also indicated atrial fibrillation versus those for whom it did not. Risk-adjusted 30-day mortality was compared between these 2 groups and with patients without post-coronary artery bypass grafting atrial fibrillation. RESULTS: Risk-adjusted incidence of post-coronary artery bypass grafting atrial fibrillation incidence was 33.4% (27.0% recorded in Society of Thoracic Surgeons data, 6.4% missed). Patients with post-coronary artery bypass grafting atrial fibrillation missed by Society of Thoracic Surgeons data had a significantly greater risk of 30-day mortality (odds ratio, 2.08, 95% confidence interval, 1.17-3.69) than those captured. By applying the significant underestimation of post-coronary artery bypass grafting atrial fibrillation incidence we observed (odds ratio [Society of Thoracic Surgeons vs missed], 0.78; 95% confidence interval, 0.72-0.83) to the approximately 150,000 patients undergoing isolated coronary artery bypass grafting in the United States each year estimates this increased risk of mortality is carried by 9600 patients (95% confidence interval, 9420-9780) annually. CONCLUSIONS: Defining post-coronary artery bypass grafting atrial fibrillation as episodes requiring treatment significantly underestimates incidence and misses patients at a significantly increased risk for mortality. Further research is needed to determine whether this increased risk carries over into long-term outcomes and whether it is mediated by differences in treatment and management.

Excess short-term mortality in women after isolated coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

OBJECTIVE: Female sex is considered a risk factor for adverse outcomes following isolated coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. We assessed the association between sex and short-term mortality following isolated CABG, and estimated the 'excess' deaths occurring in women. METHODS: Short-term mortality was investigated in 13 327 consecutive isolated CABG patients in North Texas between January 2008 and December 2012. The association between sex and CABG short-term mortality, and the excess deaths among women were assessed via a propensity-adjusted (by Society of Thoracic Surgeons-recognised risk factors) generalised estimating equations model approach. RESULTS: Short-term mortality was significantly higher in women than men (adjusted OR=1.39; 95% CI 1.04 to 1.86; p=0.027). This significantly greater risk translates into 35 'excess' deaths among women included in this study (>10% of the total 343 deaths in the study cohort) and into 392 'excess' deaths among the ∼40 000 women undergoing isolated CABG in the USA each year. CONCLUSIONS: The higher risk associated with female sex lead to 35 'excess' deaths in women in this study cohort (over 10% of the total deaths) and to 392 'excess' deaths among women undergoing isolated CABG in the USA each year. Further research is needed to assess the causal mechanisms underlying this sex-related difference. Results of such work could inform the development and implementation of sex-specific treatment and management strategies to reduce women's mortality following CABG. Based on our results, if such work brought women's short-term mortality into line with men's, total short-term mortality could be reduced by up to 10%.

Sex Differences in the Epidemiology of New-Onset In-Hospital Post-Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery Atrial Fibrillation: A Large Multicenter Study.

BACKGROUND: New-onset atrial fibrillation (AF) after coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) is associated with increased morbidity and poorer long-term survival. Although many studies show differences in outcome in women versus men after CABG, little is known about the sex-specific incidence and characteristics of post-CABG AF. METHODS AND RESULTS: Overall, 11 236 consecutive patients without preoperative AF underwent isolated CABG from 2002 to 2010 at 4 US academic medical centers and 1 high-volume specialty cardiac hospital. Data routinely collected for the Society of Thoracic Surgeons database were augmented with details on new-onset post-CABG AF events detected via continuous in-hospital ECG/telemetry monitoring. Unadjusted incidence of post-CABG AF was 29.5% (3312/11 236) overall, 30.2% (2485/8214) in men, and 27.4% (827/3022) in women. After adjustment for Society of Thoracic Surgeons-recognized risk factors, women had significantly lower risk for post-CABG AF (odds ratio [95% confidence interval]=0.75 [0.64-0.89]), shorter first, longest, and total duration of AF episodes (mean difference [95% confidence interval]=-2.7 [-4.7 to -0.8] hours; -4.1 [-6.9 to -1.2] hours; -2.4 [-2.5 to -2.3] hours, respectively). At 48 hours, AF-free probabilities were 77% for women and 72% for men (P<0.001). Number of episodes (P=0.18), operative mortality (P=0.048), stroke (P=0.126), and discharge in AF (P=0.234) did not differ significantly by sex. CONCLUSIONS: These novel data on sex-specific characteristics of new-onset AF after isolated CABG show that women had lower adjusted risk for post-CABG AF and experienced shorter episodes. Investigation of sex-specific impacts on outcomes is needed to identify optimal strategies for prevention and management to ensure all patients achieve the best possible outcomes.