Impact of Oral Anticoagulation on Clinical Outcomes in Postoperative Atrial Fibrillation.

INTRODUCTION: The impact of postoperative oral anticoagulation (OAC) with warfarin on postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) was the focus of this examination of patients from the randomized endo-vein graft prospective (REGROUP) Trial. MATERIAL AND METHODS: REGROUP was a prospective randomized Veterans Affairs cooperative study comparing endoscopic versus open vein harvest in elective CABG patients (March 2014-April 2017) at 16 Veterans Affairs facilities. This study compared new-onset POAF patients who were treated with warfarin versus no-warfarin. Outcomes included stroke during active follow-up and a major adverse cardiac event composite of mortality, acute myocardial infarction, and repeat revascularization during active and passive follow-up. RESULTS: Of the 316/1103 (28.6%) of REGROUP patients who developed new-onset POAF, 45 patients were excluded - mainly for preoperative warfarin use. Of the remaining 269 patients, 85 received OAC with warfarin (OAC group); 184 did not (no-OAC group). Stroke rates during active follow-up (32 [IQR 24-38] mo) were 3.5% OAC group versus 5.4% no-OAC group (P = 0.76); major adverse cardiac eventrates were 20% OAC versus 11.4% no-OAC (P = 0.06). On longer follow-up of (median 4.61 [IQR 3.9-5.1] y), discharge OAC use was associated with all-cause mortality after adjusting for Society of Thoracic Surgeons mortality risk (20.0% versus 11.4% no-OAC use; HR = 2.00, 95% CI: 1.05-3.81, P = 0.035). CONCLUSIONS: REGROUP patients with POAF treated with OAC had similar stroke and higher mortality rates versus no-OAC patients. Further investigation of the risk-benefit ratio of OAC in post-CABG patients and which POAF patient subgroups might derive the most benefit with anticoagulation appears warranted.

Functional outcomes in children with abusive head trauma receiving inpatient rehabilitation compared with children with nonabusive head trauma.

OBJECTIVE: To compare clinical features and functional outcomes of age- and sex-matched children with abusive and nonabusive head trauma receiving inpatient rehabilitation. STUDY DESIGN: Children with abusive head trauma (n = 28) and age- and sex-matched children with nonabusive head trauma (n = 20) admitted to an inpatient pediatric rehabilitation unit from 1995-2012 were studied. Acute hospitalization and inpatient rehabilitation records were retrospectively reviewed for pertinent clinical data: initial Glasgow Coma Scale score, signs of increased intracranial pressure, neuroimaging findings, and presence of associated injuries. Functional status at admission to and discharge from inpatient rehabilitation was assessed using the Functional Independence Measure for Children. Outcome at discharge and outpatient follow-up were described based on attainment of independent ambulation and expressive language. RESULTS: Children with abusive and nonabusive head trauma had similar levels of injury severity, although associated injuries were greater in those with abusive head trauma. Functional impairment upon admission to inpatient rehabilitation was comparable, and functional gains during inpatient rehabilitation were similar between groups. More children with nonabusive than with abusive head trauma attained independent ambulation and expressive language after discharge from rehabilitation; the difference was no longer significant when only children aged >12 months at injury were examined. There was variability in delay to obtain these skills and in the quality of gained skills in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Despite more associated injuries, children with abusive head trauma make significant functional gains during inpatient rehabilitation, comparable with an age- and sex-matched sample with nonabusive head trauma. Key functional skills may be gained by children in both groups following discharge from inpatient rehabilitation.

Functional status of children with encephalitis in an inpatient rehabilitation setting: a case series.

INTRODUCTION: Patterns and predictors of recovery from encephalitis are poorly understood. METHODS: This study examined functional status and reviewed charts of all children who presented to a pediatric inpatient rehabilitation facility with encephalitis between 1996 and 2010. Functional status at admission and discharge from inpatient rehabilitation was evaluated using the Functional Independence Measure for Children (WeeFIM) Self-care, Mobility, Cognitive, and Total Developmental Functional Quotient scores (DFQ, % of age-appropriate function). Charts were reviewed to characterize key clinical features and findings. RESULTS: Of the 13 children identified, the mean age was 9 years (range 5-16) with 54% males. Mean WeeFIM Total DFQ at admission was 37 (range: 15-90) and at discharge was 64 (range: 16-96). Average change in WeeFIM Total DFQ from admission to discharge was 26.7 (range 0-55, p < 0.001). WeeFIM domain scores improved between admission and discharge (Self-Care: p < 0.001, Cognition: p < 0.01, Mobility: p < 0.001). Eleven children displayed significant impairments in functional skills, defined as DFQ of < or =85, at discharge. Key clinical features and findings were diverse and not related to functional outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest that significant functional improvement in children with encephalitis occurs during inpatient rehabilitation. Further research is necessary to identify predictors of outcome in children with encephalitis.

Time to follow commands remains the most useful injury severity variable for predicting WeeFIM® scores 1 year after paediatric TBI.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between injury severity variables, particularly time to follow commands (TFC) and long-term functional outcomes in paediatric traumatic brain injury (TBI). METHODS AND PROCEDURE: Participants included 40 children with moderate-to-severe TBI discharged from inpatient rehabilitation. Measures of severity were initial Glasgow Coma Scale score, TFC, duration of Post Traumatic Amnesia (PTA) and total duration of impaired consciousness (TFC + PTA). Functional outcome was measured by age-corrected Functional Independence Measure for Children (WeeFIM®) scores at 1-year after discharge. RESULTS: Correlations indicated that injury severity variables (TFC, PTA and TFC + PTA) were all associated with functional outcome. Regression analyses revealed that TFC and TFC + PTA similarly accounted for 49% or 47% of the variance, respectively, in total WeeFIM® score. Thirty-seven of 40 children had good outcome; of the three children with TFC >26 days, two had poor outcome. CONCLUSION: PTA and TFC + PTA do not provide a benefit over TFC alone for prediction of long-term outcome and TFC is identified earlier in the recovery course. TFC remains an important predictor of functional outcome 1-year after discharge from inpatient rehabilitation after paediatric TBI.

Examining acute rehabilitation outcomes for children with total functional dependence after traumatic brain injury: a pilot study.

OBJECTIVE: To examine in a pilot cohort factors associated with functional outcome at discharge and 3-month follow-up after discharge from inpatient rehabilitation in children with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) who entered rehabilitation with the lowest level of functional skills. PARTICIPANTS: Thirty-nine children and adolescents (3-18 years old) who sustained a severe TBI and had the lowest possible rating at rehabilitation admission on the Functional Independence Measure for Children (total score = 18). METHODS: Retrospective review of data collected as part of routine clinical care. RESULTS: At discharge, 59% of the children were partially dependent for basic activities, while 41% remained dependent for basic activities. Initial Glasgow Coma Scale score, time to follow commands, and time from injury to rehabilitation admission were correlated with functional status at discharge. Time to follow commands and time from injury to rehabilitation admission were correlated with functional status at 3-month follow-up. Changes in functional status during the first few weeks of admission were associated with functional status at discharge and follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Even children with the most severe brain injuries, who enter rehabilitation completely dependent for all daily activities, have the potential to make significant gains in functioning by discharge and in the following few months. Assessment of functional status early in the course of rehabilitation contributes to the ability to predict outcome from severe TBI.