Association of Severe Acute Kidney Injury with Mortality and Healthcare Utilization Following Isolated Traumatic Brain Injury.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a leading cause of morbidity, mortality, and disability in the USA. While cardiopulmonary dysfunction can result in poor outcomes following severe TBI, the impact of acute kidney injury (AKI) is poorly understood. We examined the association of severe AKI with hospital mortality and healthcare utilization following isolate severe TBI. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study using the National Trauma Data Bank from 2007 to 2014. We identified a cohort of adult patients with isolated severe TBI and described the incidence of severe AKI, corresponding to Acute Kidney Injury Network stage 3 disease or greater. We examined the association of severe AKI with the primary outcome of hospital mortality using multivariable logistic regression models. In secondary analyses, we examined the association of severe AKI with dialysis catheter placement, tracheostomy and gastrostomy utilization, and hospital length of stay. RESULTS: There were 37,851 patients who experienced isolated severe TBI during the study period. Among these patients, 787 (2.1%) experienced severe (Stage 3 or greater) AKI. In multivariable models, the development of severe AKI in the hospital was associated with in-hospital mortality (OR 2.03, 95% CI 1.64-2.52), need for tracheostomy (OR 2.10, 95% CI 1.52-2.89), PEG tube placement (OR 1.88, 95% CI 1.45-2.45), and increased hospital length of stay (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The overall incidence of severe AKI is relatively low (2.1%), but is associated with increased mortality and multiple markers of increased healthcare utilization following severe TBI.

Prevalence of severe hypertension in a Sub-Saharan African community.

BACKGROUND: Though some data from in-hospital or selected populations are available, there are no studies reporting community-level prevalence of Severe Hypertension (SH) in sub-Saharan Africa. METHODS: Study participants were recruited within the framework of The Heart Fund's global health initiative. Data were collected in August 2016 from 6 randomly selected sites, ensuring representativeness of both urban and rural areas. Blood pressure (BP) was measured twice, 10 â€‹min apart, after optimal resting time. SH was defined as systolic blood pressure ≥180 and/or diastolic blood pressure ≥110 â€‹mmHg â€‹at both readings. Demographics and data on cardiovascular history/risk factors were collected in the field. RESULTS: Among 1785 subjects examined, 1182 aged between 18 and 75 years were included in this analysis. The prevalence of SH was 14.1% (12.5% females vs 17.0% males; P â€‹= â€‹.03) (Fig. 1). Among participants with severe hypertension, 28.9% were either undiagnosed or untreated. Alarmingly, subjects at high cardiovascular risk (age â€‹≥ â€‹60 years and/or obese) had even higher prevalence of overall SH (29.6% and 24.9%, respectively) as well as undiagnosed/untreated SH (29.4% and 24.6%). SH prevalence was almost double in urban compared to rural areas (17.0% vs. 9.2%, P â€‹= â€‹.02); however, conversely, undiagnosed/untreated SH was significantly higher in rural areas (50.4% vs 21.9%). CONCLUSION: (s): Our community-based study revealed very high prevalence of SH among adults in Abidjan area, with almost one out of every seven having SH. This underscores SH as a growing public health problem in sub-Saharan Africa.

The modified Fontan procedure with use of extracardiac conduit in adults: analysis of 32 consecutive patients.

BACKGROUND: Uncommonly, adults with functionally univentricular hearts are becoming candidates for a Fontan procedure. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the course of patients undergoing the modified Fontan procedure with an extracardiac conduit in recent years. METHODS: Between January 2003 and December 2013, 32 adult patients (17 female and 15 male) underwent total cavopulmonary connection (TCPC) with extracardiac conduit. The median age at procedure was 24.5 years (interquartile range [IQR] 20 to 33 years). The diagnoses included double-inlet left ventricle (DILV) in 10 patients (31.2%), tricuspid atresia in 8 patients (25%), double-outlet right ventricle in 4 patients (12.5%), heterotaxia in 4 patients (12.5%), and mitral atresia in 2 patients (6.2%). Seventy-eight percent of patients had undergone at least one prior palliative procedure; the most common procedures were Blalock-Taussig shunt (16 patients), superior cavopulmonary shunt (12 patients), and pulmonary artery banding (6 patients). All patients underwent cardiac catheterization preoperatively. Aortic cross-clamping was necessary in 15 patients for intracardiac procedures. Fenestration was required in 9 patients (28%). Four concomitant intraoperative cryoablation procedures were performed. RESULTS: There was no hospital mortality. One patient (3.1%) died 6 months after undergoing TCPC. Morbidities included prolonged pleural effusion lasting more than 7 days in 20 patients (62.5%), atrial arrhythmias in 4 patients (12.5%), and permanent pacemakers in 3 patients (9.3%). The median follow-up time was 33 months (interquartile range [IQR], 10.5 to 50 months). Actuarial survival was 91.83% (95% confidence limits, 71.07 to 97.89) at 1 year and 5 years. Ninety-two percent of patients were in New York Heart Association class I or II at follow-up. The median postoperative oxygen saturation was 95% (IQR, 93% to 95.5%). Cardiac arrhythmia occurred in 4 patients. Systolic ventricular function improved during follow-up for all patients except 1 patient, who underwent cardiac transplantation 7 months after the TCPC. CONCLUSIONS: The modified Fontan procedure with use of an extracardiac conduit can be performed in adults with encouraging early and midterm results. The majority of late survivors had improved quality of life. The incidence of late death, reoperation, arrhythmias, and thromboembolic events was low during follow-up.