Association between acute peripancreatic fluid collections and early readmission in acute pancreatitis: A propensity-matched analysis.

BACKGROUND: Patients with acute pancreatitis (AP) frequently experience hospital readmissions, posing a significant burden to healthcare systems. Acute peripancreatic fluid collection (APFC) may negatively impact the clinical course of AP. It could worsen symptoms and potentially lead to additional complications. However, clinical evidence regarding the specific association between APFC and early readmission in AP remains scarce. Understanding the link between APFC and readmission may help improve clinical care for AP patients and reduce healthcare costs. AIM: To evaluate the association between APFC and 30-day readmission in patients with AP. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study is based on the Nationwide Readmission Database for 2016-2019. Patients with a primary diagnosis of AP were identified. Participants were categorized into those with and without APFC. A 1:1 propensity score matching for age, gender, and Elixhauser comorbidities was performed. The primary outcome was early readmission rates. Secondary outcomes included the incidence of inpatient complications and healthcare utilization. Unadjusted analyses used Mann-Whitney U and χ 2 tests, while Cox regression models assessed 30-day readmission risks and reported them as adjusted hazard ratios (aHR). Kaplan-Meier curves and log-rank tests verified readmission risks. RESULTS: A total of 673059 patients with the principal diagnosis of AP were included. Of these, 5.1% had APFC on initial admission. After propensity score matching, each cohort consisted of 33914 patients. Those with APFC showed a higher incidence of inpatient complications, including septic shock (3.1% vs 1.3%, P < 0.001), portal venous thrombosis (4.4% vs 0.8%, P < 0.001), and mechanical ventilation (1.8% vs 0.9%, P < 0.001). The length of stay (LOS) was longer for APFC patients [4 (3-7) vs 3 (2-5) days, P < 0.001], as were hospital charges ($29451 vs $24418, P < 0.001). For 30-day readmissions, APFC patients had a higher rate (15.7% vs 6.5%, P < 0.001) and a longer median readmission LOS (4 vs 3 days, P < 0.001). The APFC group also had higher readmission charges ($28282 vs $22865, P < 0.001). The presence of APFC increased the risk of readmission twofold (aHR 2.52, 95% confidence interval: 2.40-2.65, P < 0.001). The independent risk factors for 30-day readmission included female gender, Elixhauser Comorbidity Index ≥ 3, chronic pulmonary diseases, chronic renal disease, protein-calorie malnutrition, substance use disorder, depression, portal and splenic venous thrombosis, and certain endoscopic procedures. CONCLUSION: Developing APFC during index hospitalization for AP is linked to higher readmission rates, more inpatient complications, longer LOS, and increased healthcare costs. Knowing predictors of readmission can help target high-risk patients, reducing healthcare burdens.

Safety and efficacy of biliary suprapapillary metal and plastic stents in malignant biliary obstruction: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Biliary drainage is vital in managing malignant biliary obstruction (MBO). Suprapapillary stenting has emerged as a viable alternative to transpapillary stenting and is performed using inside plastic (iPS) or metal stents (iMS). This meta-analysis aims to evaluate the outcomes of suprapapillary stent placement for MBO. METHODS: The Embase, PubMed, and Web of Science databases were systematically searched to include all studies published before September 31, 2023, that reported on the outcomes of suprapapillary stents placed for MBO. Using the random-effect model, the pooled, weight-adjusted event rate estimate for the clinical outcomes was calculated with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS: Twenty-eight studies were included, with a total of 1401 patients. The pooled clinical success rate was 98.9%. A subgroup analysis yielded non-significant differences between the iPS and iMS groups (99.3% vs. 98.6%, respectively; P = 0.44). The pooled incidence rate of adverse events (AE) with suprapapillary stents was 9.5%. In a subgroup analysis, the incidence of AEs with iPS was 10.7% compared to 9% in the iMS group without a statistical difference (P = 0.32). The most common adverse event was cholangitis (2.2%), followed by pancreatitis (1.1%), cholecystitis (0.5%), and bleeding (0.12%). CONCLUSION: When technically feasible, suprapapillary stenting for MBO is a viable endoscopic option with a high clinical success rate and acceptable adverse event rates. Both iPS and iMS exhibit similar efficacy.

Groove pancreatitis: From enigma to future directions-A comprehensive review.

Groove pancreatitis (GP) is a rare and clinically distinct form of chronic pancreatitis affecting the pancreaticoduodenal groove comprising the head of the pancreas, duodenum, and the common bile duct. It is more prevalent in individuals in their 4-5th decade of life and disproportionately affects men compared with women. Excessive alcohol consumption, tobacco smoking, pancreatic ductal stones, pancreatic divisum, annular pancreas, ectopic pancreas, duodenal wall thickening, and peptic ulcers are significant risk factors implicated in the development of GP. The usual presenting symptoms include severe abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, and jaundice. Establishing a diagnosis of GP is often challenging due to significant clinical and radiological overlap with numerous benign and malignant conditions affecting the same anatomical location. This can lead to a delay in initiation of treatment leading to increasing morbidity, mortality, and complication rates. Promising research in artificial intelligence (AI) has garnered immense interest in recent years. Due to its widespread application in diagnostic imaging with a high degree of sensitivity and specificity, AI has the potential of becoming a vital tool in differentiating GP from pancreatic malignancies, thereby preventing a missed or delayed diagnosis. In this article, we provide a comprehensive review of GP, covering the etiology, pathogenesis, clinical presentation, radiological and endoscopic evaluation, management strategies, and future directions. This article also aims to increase awareness about this lesser known and often-misdiagnosed clinical entity amongst clinicians to ultimately improve patient outcomes.

Outcomes of Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding in Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients in the United States: A Propensity-score Matched Analysis of a Large National Database.

Patients with cirrhosis that are hospitalized with COVID-19 infection have been found to have worse outcomes. No comparative study has been conducted between gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding in patients with cirrhosis who are diagnosed with COVID-19. We utilized the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database to perform a retrospective analysis of 24, 050 patients diagnosed with cirrhosis and COVID-19. The identified patients were separated into variceal bleeding, nonvariceal bleeding, and no (or neither) GI bleeding groups. After performing propensity sample matching and multivariate analysis of mortality, we found no significant differences in mortality among the three groups. However, the variceal bleed group had a shorter length of stay (5.67 days lower than the no-bleed group). Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) with intervention was associated with reduced mortality in the variceal and nonvariceal bleeding groups. Acute kidney injury was a strong predictor of mortality in both bleeding groups. A native American race was found to be associated with higher mortality in the nonvariceal bleeding group. Our study suggests that there are various pathophysiological processes among the three groups, with no significant mortality differences with cirrhosis complications of GI bleeding.

Insights into calcific aortic valve stenosis: a comprehensive overview of the disease and advancing treatment strategies.

Aortic valve stenosis is a disease characterized by thickening and narrowing of the aortic valve (AV), most commonly due to calcification, which leads to left ventricular outflow obstruction called calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD). CAVD presents as a progressive clinical syndrome with cardiorespiratory symptoms, often with rapid deterioration. The modern-day pathophysiology of CAVD involves a complex interplay of genetic factors, chronic inflammation, lipid deposition, and valve calcification, with early CAVD stages resembling atherosclerosis. Various imaging modalities have been used to evaluate CAVD, with a recent trend of using advanced imaging to measure numerous AV parameters, such as peak jet velocity. Significant improvements in mortality have been achieved with transcatheter AV repair, but numerous therapeutics and modalities are being researched to delay the progression of CAVD. This article aims to provide a comprehensive review of CAVD, explore recent developments, and provide insights into future treatments with various novel modalities.

Efficacy and outcomes of antiplatelet therapy versus oral anticoagulants in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Recent guidelines suggest that antiplatelet therapy (APT) is the standard of care in the absence of long-term oral anticoagulation (OAC) indications in patients post-transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). The superiority of one method over the other remains controversial. Materials and methods: Several databases, including MEDLINE, Google Scholar, and EMBASE, were electronically searched. The primary endpoint was the all-cause mortality (ACM) rate. Secondary endpoints included cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction (MI), stroke/TIA, haemorrhagic stroke, bleeding events, systemic embolism, and valve thrombosis in post-TAVR patients receiving APT and oral anticoagulants (OACs). Forest plots were generated using Review Manager version 5.4, with a p value less than 0.05 indicating statistical significance. Subgroup analysis was performed to explore potential sources of heterogeneity. Results: Twelve studies were selected. No significant differences were observed in APT and OAC group for ACM [risk ratio (RR): 0.67; 95% CI:0.45-1.01; P=0.05], cardiovascular death [RR:0.91; 95% CI:0.73-1.14; P=0.42], MI [RR:1.69; 95% CI:0.43-6.72; P=0.46], Stroke/TIA [RR:0.79; 95% CI:0.58-1.06; P=0.12], ischaemic stroke [RR:0.83; 95% CI:0.50-1.37; P=0.47], haemorrhagic stroke [RR:1.08; 95% CI: 0.23-5.15; P=0.92], major bleeding [RR:0.79; 95% CI:0.51-1.21; P=0.28], minor bleeding [RR:1.09; 95% CI: 0.80-1.47; P=0.58], life-threatening bleeding [RR:0.85; 95% CI:0.55-1.30; P=0.45], any bleeding [RR:0.98; 95% CI:0.83-1.15; P=0.78], and systemic embolism [RR:0.87; 95% CI:0.44-1.70; P=0.68]. The risk of valve thrombosis was higher in patients receiving APT than in those receiving OAC [RR:2.61; 95% CI:1.56-4.36; P =0.0002]. Conclusions: Although the risk of valve thrombosis increased in patients receiving APT, the risk of other endpoints was comparable between the two groups.

Histological Outcomes of Pharmacological Interventions in Eosinophilic Esophagitis for Adults and Children: A Network Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

INTRODUCTION: Multiple pharmacological interventions have been studied for managing eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE). We performed a comprehensive systematic review and network meta-analysis of all available randomized controlled trials (RCT) to assess the efficacy and safety of these interventions in EoE in adults and children. METHODS: We performed a comprehensive review of Embase, PubMed, MEDLINE OVID, Cochrane CENTRAL, and Web of Science through May 10, 2023. We performed frequentist approach network meta-analysis using random effects model. We calculated the odds ratio (OR) with 95% CI for dichotomous outcomes. RESULTS: Our search yielded 25 RCTs with 25 discrete interventions and 2067 patients. Compared with placebo, the following interventions improved histology (using study definitions) in decreasing order on ranking: orodispersible budesonide (ODB) low dose, ODB high dose, oral viscous budesonide (OVB) high dose, fluticasone tablet 1.5 mg twice daily, fluticasone 3 mg twice daily, esomeprazole, dupilumab every 2 weeks, dupilumab weekly, OVB medium dose, fluticasone 3 mg daily, cendakimab 180 mg, prednisone, swallowed fluticasone, fluticasone tablet 1.5 mg daily, OVB low dose, reslizumab 3 mg/kg, reslizumab 1 mg/kg, and reslizumab 2 mg/kg. CONCLUSIONS: Network meta-analysis demonstrates histological efficacy of multiple medications for EoE. Because of the heterogeneity and large effect size, we recommend more trials comparing pharmacotherapeutic interventions with each other and placebo. An important limitation of this study is absence of clinical efficacy data due to insufficient data. Other limitations include heterogeneity of operator, population, and outcome analysis.

Predicting short-term thromboembolic risk following Roux-en-Y gastric bypass using supervised machine learning.

BACKGROUND: Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) is a widely recognized bariatric procedure that is particularly beneficial for patients with class III obesity. It aids in significant weight loss and improves obesity-related medical conditions. Despite its effectiveness, postoperative care still has challenges. Clinical evidence shows that venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a leading cause of 30-d morbidity and mortality after RYGB. Therefore, a clear unmet need exists for a tailored risk assessment tool for VTE in RYGB candidates. AIM: To develop and internally validate a scoring system determining the individualized risk of 30-d VTE in patients undergoing RYGB. METHODS: Using the 2016-2021 Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation Quality Improvement Program, data from 6526 patients (body mass index ≥ 40 kg/m2) who underwent RYGB were analyzed. A backward elimination multivariate analysis identified predictors of VTE characterized by pulmonary embolism and/or deep venous thrombosis within 30 d of RYGB. The resultant risk scores were derived from the coefficients of statistically significant variables. The performance of the model was evaluated using receiver operating curves through 5-fold cross-validation. RESULTS: Of the 26 initial variables, six predictors were identified. These included a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with a regression coefficient (Coef) of 2.54 (P < 0.001), length of stay (Coef 0.08, P < 0.001), prior deep venous thrombosis (Coef 1.61, P < 0.001), hemoglobin A1c > 7% (Coef 1.19, P < 0.001), venous stasis history (Coef 1.43, P < 0.001), and preoperative anticoagulation use (Coef 1.24, P < 0.001). These variables were weighted according to their regression coefficients in an algorithm that was generated for the model predicting 30-d VTE risk post-RYGB. The risk model's area under the curve (AUC) was 0.79 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.63-0.81], showing good discriminatory power, achieving a sensitivity of 0.60 and a specificity of 0.91. Without training, the same model performed satisfactorily in patients with laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy with an AUC of 0.63 (95%CI: 0.62-0.64) and endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty with an AUC of 0.76 (95%CI: 0.75-0.78). CONCLUSION: This simple risk model uses only six variables to assist clinicians in the preoperative risk stratification of RYGB patients, offering insights into factors that heighten the risk of VTE events.

Mortality and in-patient outcomes in pheochromocytoma patients with hypertensive emergency in the United States: A propensity score matched analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Pheochromocytoma is a rare cause of hypertensive emergency. The objective of this analysis was to compare the clinical characteristics, comorbidities, and in-hospital outcomes of patients admitted with hypertensive emergencies with and without co-existing pheochromocytoma. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) Database from 2016 to 2020 was conducted, encompassing 640,395 patients hospitalized for hypertensive emergencies, including 2535 patients diagnosed with pheochromocytoma. We compared demographics, comorbidities, in-hospital outcomes and resource utilization metrics in patients with and without pheochromocytoma. Propensity-score matching was utilized to account for potential confounders and risk of complications was compared. RESULTS: Among the pheochromocytoma cohort (51.9% female), a significant portion (35.7%) were under 50 years of age, with the majority being Caucasian (47.9%). Comorbid conditions such as obesity, diabetes, and smoking were prevalent, with notable differences in cancer (7.5% vs. 2.3%, p < 0.001) and peripheral vascular disease (17% vs. 8.2%, p < 0.001) rates compared to the non-pheochromocytoma cohort. Pheochromocytoma patients had a longer hospital stay (7.5 vs. 6 days, p = 0.002) and higher odds of acute kidney injury (AKI) (1.54, 1.18-2, p=0.001) but lower odds of requiring hemodialysis (0.52, 0.32-0.79, p < 0.001) or experiencing major cardiovascular events (0.5, 0.36-0.69, p < 0.001). No significant difference in inflation-adjusted hospitalization costs was found between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with hypertensive emergencies and pheochromocytoma had a higher incidence of AK, certain comorbidities (cancer, peripheral vascular disease), and more complex hospital courses suggested by longer length of stay. However, the overall cost of hospitalization did not significantly differ between the two cohorts.

Impact of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease on COVID-19 hospitalizations: A propensity-matched analysis of the United States.

BACKGROUND: Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), formally known as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, is the most common chronic liver disease in the United States. Patients with MASLD have been reported to be at a higher risk of developing severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and death. However, most studies are single-center studies, and nationwide data in the United States is lacking. AIM: To study the influence of MASLD on COVID-19 hospitalizations during the initial phase of the pandemic. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the 2020 National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database to identify primary COVID-19 hospitalizations based on an underlying diagnosis of MASLD. A matched comparison cohort of COVID-19 hospitalizations without MASLD was identified from NIS after 1: N propensity score matching based on gender, race, and comorbidities, including hypertension, heart failure, diabetes, and cirrhosis. The primary outcomes included inpatient mortality, length of stay, and hospitalization costs. Secondary outcomes included the prevalence of systemic complications. RESULTS: A total of 2210 hospitalizations with MASLD were matched to 2210 hospitalizations without MASLD, with a good comorbidity balance. Overall, there was a higher prevalence of severe disease with more intensive care unit admissions (9.5% vs 7.2%, P = 0.007), mechanical ventilation (7.2% vs 5.7%, P = 0.03), and septic shock (5.2% vs 2.7%, P <0.001) in the MASLD cohort than in the non-MASLD cohort. However, there was no difference in mortality (8.6% vs 10%, P = 0.49), length of stay (5 d vs 5 d, P = 0.25), and hospitalization costs (42081.5 $ vs 38614$, P = 0.15) between the MASLD and non-MASLD cohorts. CONCLUSION: The presence of MAFLD with or without liver cirrhosis was not associated with increased mortality in COVID-19 hospitalizations; however, there was an increased incidence of severe COVID-19 infection. This data (2020) predates the availability of COVID-19 vaccines, and many MASLD patients have since been vaccinated. It will be interesting to see if these trends are present in the subsequent years of the pandemic.

Surgical resection as a curative intervention for solitary renal cell carcinoma metastasis to the nasal cavity.

Persistent unilateral nasal obstruction with recurrent epistaxis in an adult should raise suspicion of malignancy. Renal cell carcinoma accounts for 90% of all renal malignancies but rarely manifests as a nasal mass. We describe a case of clear cell renal cell carcinoma metastasizing to the nasal cavity.

Racial and sex disparities in inpatient outcomes of patients with ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms in the United States.

BACKGROUND: Ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a medical emergency that requires immediate surgical intervention. The aim of this analysis was to identify the sex- and race-specific disparities that exist in outcomes of patients hospitalized with this condition in the United States using the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) to identify targets for improvement and support of specific patient populations. METHODS: In this descriptive, retrospective study, we analyzed the patients admitted with a primary diagnosis of ruptured AAA between January 1, 2016, and December 31, 2020, using the NIS database. We compared demographics, comorbidities, and in-hospital outcomes in AAA patients, and compared these results between different racial groups and sexes. RESULTS: A total of 22,395 patients with ruptured AAA were included for analysis. Of these, 16,125 patients (72.0%) were male, and 6270 were female (28.0%). The majority of patients (18,655 [83.3%]) identified as Caucasian, with the remaining patients identifying as African American (1555 [6.9%]), Hispanic (1095 [4.9%]), Asian or Pacific Islander (470 [2.1%]), or Native American (80 [0.5%]). Females had a higher risk of mortality than males (OR, 1.7; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.45-1.96; P < .001) and were less likely to undergo endovascular aortic repair (OR, 0.70; 95% CI, 0.61-0.81; P < .001) or fenestrated endovascular aortic repair (OR, 0.71; 95% CI, 0.55-0.91; P = .007). Relative to Caucasian race, patients who identified as African American had a lower risk of inpatient mortality (OR, 0.50; 95% CI, 0.37-0.68; P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: In this retrospective study of the NIS database from 2016 to 2020, females were less likely to undergo endovascular intervention and more likely to die during their initial hospitalization. African American patients had lower rates in-hospital mortality than Caucasian patients, despite a higher burden of comorbidities. Future studies are needed to elucidate the potential factors affecting racial and sex disparities in ruptured AAA outcomes, including screening practices, rupture risk stratification, and more personalized guidelines for both elective and emergent intervention.

Role of fecal microbiota transplant in management of hepatic encephalopathy: Current trends and future directions.

Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) offers a potential treatment avenue for hepatic encephalopathy (HE) by leveraging beneficial bacterial displacement to restore a balanced gut microbiome. The prevalence of HE varies with liver disease severity and comorbidities. HE pathogenesis involves ammonia toxicity, gut-brain communication disruption, and inflammation. FMT aims to restore gut microbiota balance, addressing these factors. FMT's efficacy has been explored in various conditions, including HE. Studies suggest that FMT can modulate gut microbiota, reduce ammonia levels, and alleviate inflammation. FMT has shown promise in alcohol-associated, hepatitis B and C-associated, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Benefits include improved liver function, cognitive function, and the slowing of disease progression. However, larger, controlled studies are needed to validate its effectiveness in these contexts. Studies have shown cognitive improvements through FMT, with potential benefits in cirrhotic patients. Notably, trials have demonstrated reduced serious adverse events and cognitive enhancements in FMT arms compared to the standard of care. Although evidence is promising, challenges remain: Limited patient numbers, varied dosages, administration routes, and donor profiles. Further large-scale, controlled trials are essential to establish standardized guidelines and ensure FMT's clinical applications and efficacy. While FMT holds potential for HE management, ongoing research is needed to address these challenges, optimize protocols, and expand its availability as a therapeutic option for diverse hepatic conditions.

Outcomes of COVID-19-Associated Hospitalizations in Geriatric Patients with Dementia in the United States: A Propensity Score Matched Analysis.

Previous studies have convincingly demonstrated the negative impact of dementia on overall health outcomes. In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, there is burgeoning evidence suggesting a possible association between dementia and adverse outcomes, however the relationship has not been conclusively established. We conducted a retrospective cohort study involving 816,960 hospitalized COVID-19 patients aged 65 or older from the 2020 national inpatient sample. The cohort was bifurcated into patients with dementia (n = 180,845) and those without (n = 636,115). Multivariate regression and propensity score matched analyses (PSM) assessed in-hospital mortality and complications. We observed that COVID-19 patients with dementia had a notably higher risk of in-hospital mortality (23.1% vs. 18.6%; aOR = 1.2 [95% CI 1.1-1.2]). This elevated risk persisted even after PSM. Interestingly, dementia patients had a reduced risk of several acute in-hospital complications, including liver failure and sudden cardiac arrest. Nevertheless, they had longer hospital stays and lower total hospital charges. Our findings conclusively demonstrate that dementia patients face a heightened risk of mortality when hospitalized with COVID-19 but are less likely to experience certain complications. This complexity underscores the urgent need for individualized care strategies for this vulnerable group.

Trends in Surgical Critical Care Fellowship Match: An Analysis of National Resident Matching Program Data.

INTRODUCTION: Surgical Critical Care (SCC) fellowship applications are made through March-July the year prior to the fellowship, while the match process takes place through the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP). There is paucity of high quality data on matching trends in SCC fellowship in the United States. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of all applicants in the SCC match over a period of fifteen years (2009-2023). Publicly published data about the SCC fellowship match were retrieved from the NRMP online portal. Mann Kendall trend test was used to obtain a Tau statistic and p-values for temporal trends over time. Chi-square test was used to investigate association between categorical variables. RESULTS: From 2009 to 2023, the number of SCC fellowship positions increased from 143 to 340 (138% increase) while the number of applicants rose from 95 to 289 (204% increase). The overall match rate for applicants significantly rose from 89.5% to 93.4% (7.7% increase; t = 0.600, p = 0.002). The percentage of positions filled also increased from 59.4% in 2009 to 79.4% in 2023. The match rate over the past five years (2019-2023) was 90.8%. US-MD applicants had a significantly higher 94.8% match rate throughout the study period than non-US MD applicants (94.8% vs. 87.3%, p<0.001). While the match rate for US-MD applicants has stayed consistent from 2009 to 2023 (τ = 0.371, p = 0.054), the match rate for non-US-MD applicants increased from 77.3% in 2009 to 86.9% in 2023 (τ = 0.771, p<0.001). CONCLUSION: SCC fellowship continues to grow with more positions and applicants. Match rates into SCC fellowships have increased over the past fifteen years, primarily helping non-US MDs match successfully.

Predictors of Length of Hospital Stay After Reduction of Internal Hernia in Patients With a History of Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative internal hernias after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) have an incidence of 2%-9% and are a surgical emergency. Evidence on factors associated with length of stay (LOS) after emergent internal hernia reduction in RYGB patients is limited. METHODS: This is a retrospective review of patients who underwent internal hernia reduction after RYGB at our tertiary care center over a 5 year period from 2015 to 2020. Demographics, comorbidities, and intra- and postoperative hospital course were collected. Univariate and multivariate linear regressions were used to investigate factors associated with LOS. RESULTS: We identified 38 patients with internal hernia after RYGB. These patients with mean age 44.1 years were majority female (71.1%) and white race (60.5%). Of the 24 patients where the RYGB was done at our institution, the mean RYGB to IH interval was 43 months. Petersen's defect (57.8%) followed by jejuno-jejunal mesenteric defect (31.6%) were the most common locations for IH. Both Petersen's and jejuno-jejunal mesenteric hernias were found in 4 cases (10.5%). Revision of bypass and small bowel resection were required in 13.2% and 5.3% of cases, respectively. The median (interquartile range) length of stay (LOS) was 2 days. On the multivariate analysis, male sex (P = .019), conversion to exploratory laparotomy (P = .005), and resection of small bowel (P < .001) were independent risk factors for increased LOS. CONCLUSION: The most common location of IH after RYGB is Petersen's defect, followed by jejuno-jejunal mesenteric defect. LOS was significantly associated with male sex, exploratory laparotomy, and resection of small bowel.

Colon and Rectal Surgery Fellowship Applicant and Matching Trends in the United States: An Analysis of National Resident Matching Program Data.

BACKGROUND: Colon and Rectal Surgery fellowships are training programs that aim to train surgeons in the management of small bowel, colon, rectal, and anal pathologies. OBJECTIVE: We investigated trends in Colon and Rectal Surgery fellowship match to help applicants anticipate future fellowship application cycles. DESIGN: This was a retrospective cohort study of applicants in the Colon and Rectal Surgery match from 2009 to 2023. Proportion of positions filled, match rates, and rank-order lists were collected. The impact of US-MD, non-US-MD, and DO status on match rate was assessed. We used the Mann Kendall trend test to obtain tau statistic and P-value for temporal trends over time, while associations between categorical variables were investigated by a chi-square test. RESULTS: Fellowship programs increased from 43 to 67, positions increased from 78 to 110, and number of applicants rose from 113 to 135. Nearly all positions were filled from 2009 to 2023 (range: 96.3%-100%). The overall match rate fluctuated between 67.3% and 80.7%. The match rate over the past 5 years was 72.0%. The match rate for US-MDs was 80.0%, while non-US-MDs had a 56.2% match rate. The percentage matching at each rank were first choice 28.0%, second choice 10.4%, third choice 6.9%, and fourth choice or lower 23.5%. CONCLUSION: Despite an increase in Colon and Rectal Surgery fellowship positions, the overall match rate has not changed significantly over the years, mainly as a result of increased applicants.

The role of renal denervation in cardiology and beyond: An updated comprehensive review and future directives.

Renal denervation (RDN) is a minimally invasive intervention performed by denervation of the nervous fibers in the renal plexus, which decreases sympathetic activity. These sympathetic nerves influence various physiological functions that regulate blood pressure (BP), including intravascular volume, electrolyte composition, and vascular tone. Although proven effective in some trials, controversial trials, such as the Controlled Trial of Renal Denervation for Resistant Hypertension (SYMPLICITY-HTN3), have demonstrated contradictory results for the effectiveness of RDN in resistant hypertension (HTN). In the treatment of HTN, individuals with primary HTN are expected to experience greater benefits compared to those with secondary HTN due to the diverse underlying causes of secondary HTN. Beyond its application for HTN, RDN has also found utility in addressing cardiac arrhythmias, such as atrial fibrillation, and managing cases of heart failure. Non-cardiogenic applications of RDN include reducing the intensity of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), overcoming insulin resistance, and in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. This article aims to provide a comprehensive review of RDN and its uses in cardiology and beyond, along with providing future directions and perspectives.

Precision medicine in Myocardial Infarction With Non-obstructive Coronary Disease (MINOCA): A comprehensive review.

Cardiovascular diseases, particularly myocardial infarction (MI), are a significant cause of mortality globally. Traditional MIs are commonly linked to substantial coronary artery blockage. However, a distinct subset of patients experience MI with non-obstructive coronary arteries, known as MINOCA. Imaging techniques, such as invasive coronary angiograms, are employed to diagnose MI or assess predisposition to one. Coronary angiograms help visualize vessel blockages; however, these blockages are absent in MINOCA cases, posing a diagnostic challenge. Precision medicine aims to introduce new diagnostic tools to assist in early diagnosis and further management of MINOCA. As percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) does not benefit MINOCA patients, medical management tailored to the specific pathophysiological mechanism of MINOCA is employed. For example, if MINOCA is attributed to plaque disruption with or without plaque thrombus formation, the fundamental treatments may include statins, agents that modulate the renin-angiotensin system (RAS), and antiplatelet therapies. On the other hand, if coronary artery spasm is identified as the primary cause, essential intervention involves the use of calcium channel blockers. This approach has been previously utilized in patients with vasospastic angina and could be utilized in MINOCA, although research specific to MINOCA is ongoing. Therefore, the handling of MINOCA underscores the necessity for a tailored therapeutic strategy that corresponds to the underlying physiological mechanism responsible for the patient's clinical symptoms. Ongoing research initiatives are directed at expanding the availability of these treatments, uncovering new biomarkers, creating advanced diagnostic instruments, and establishing a more individualized approach for managing MINOCA patients.

Venous thromboembolism and cannabis consumption, outcomes among hospitalized patients in the United States: A nationwide analysis.

Venous Thromboembolism (VTE) carries significant clinical implications, and with the rise in cannabis consumption, its potential influence on VTE outcomes warrants investigation. Using the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database (2016-2019), we analyzed 2,217,184 hospitalized VTE patients. Among these, 1.8 % (38,810) reported cannabis use. We compared demographics, comorbidities, in-hospital outcomes, and quality metrics between cannabis users and non-users with VTE. Cannabis users were chiefly younger males (average age 45 in cannabis users vs. 62 in non-cannabis users) from lower-income brackets. Notably, 5.4 % discharged against medical advice. Although in-hospital mortality was initially lower for cannabis users (2.8 % vs. 5.1 %, OR 0.6, 95 % CI 0.69-0.94, p = 0.008), this difference became non-significant post-propensity-score matching (aOR 0.9, 95% CI 0.72-1.10, p = 0.3). Non-users faced higher in-hospital complications, a trend that persisted post-PSM. Among cannabis users, key mortality predictors were peripheral vascular disease, acute kidney injury, vasopressor use, cardiogenic shock, myocardial infarction, invasive ventilation, and surgical embolectomy. Cannabis users also had a shorter hospital stay (4.2 vs. 5.4 days) and slightly reduced costs ($27,472.95 vs. $31,660.75). The significantly younger age of VTE patients who use cannabis, coupled with the considerable proportion discharging against medical advice, underscores the urgency for tailored care interventions. Additional research is vital to comprehensively understand the interplay between cannabis consumption and VTE outcomes.