Comparison of In-Hospital Outcomes of Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation Versus Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement in Obese (Body Mass Index ≥ 30 Kg/M2) Patients.

The comparative outcomes of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) versus surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) in obese (body mass index ≥ 30 kg/m2) patients are underexplored. Nationwide Inpatient Sample database was queried from 2011 to 2014, and those who underwent TAVI or SAVR with obesity were identified. A complete case analysis with multivariate analysis was performed to adjust for the difference in underlying co-morbidities. We identified a total of 12,525 patients (989 TAVI and 11,536 SAVR). TAVI patients were elderly, more women, and had higher co-morbidity burden represented by a higher Deyo's modification of Charlson's score. Inpatient mortality was similar between the 2 groups (2.6% vs 3.2%, p = 0.21). TAVI patients had less hemorrhage requiring transfusion (8.5% vs 18%, p < 0.01), cardiac complication (7.3% vs 14%, p < 0.01), respiratory complication (1.3% vs 3.9%, p < 0.01), postop sepsis (1.0% vs 3.2%, p < 0.01), acute myocardial infarction (2.5% vs 5.5%, p < 0.01), acute kidney injury (18% vs 22%, p < 0.001), and nonroutine discharge (62% vs 67%, p < 0.001). Conversely, vascular complication (5.6% vs 4.5%, p = 0.04), new pacemaker (13% vs 5.4%, p < 0.001), and use of extracorporeal oxygen membrane (1.1% vs 0.3%, p = 0.002) were observed more frequently in TAVI patients. The median hospital cost was higher in TAVI ($50,957 vs $44,977, p = 0.004), whereas TAVI patients had a significantly shorter hospital stay (median 7.4 vs 10 days, p < 0.001). TAVI portended similar in-hospital mortality and less certain perioperative complications. In TAVI, the medical cost was higher, but the length of stay was shorter and nonroutine discharge was less frequent.

The challenges of treating recurrent polymorphic ventricular tachycardia due to coronary vasospasm: Lessons from an interesting case.

Coronary artery vasospasm can cause recurrent anginal episodes with ST-segment elevation. Vasospasm induced myocardial ischemia can lead to arrhythmias including life threatening ventricular tachycardia (VT). Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), although not routinely recommended for treating vasospastic angina, can be considered for discrete coronary spasm that is not amenable to vasodilator therapy. We present a challenging case of a 41-year-old lady with recurrent episodes of vasospastic angina and VT refractory to medical therapy, which was successfully treated with PCI and an implantable cardioverter defibrillator.

Vitamin D Deficiency, Supplementation, and Cardiovascular Health.

Vitamin D has been traditionally recognized as a vitamin quintessential for bone-mineral health. In the past 2 decades, numerous experimental and observational studies have highlighted the role of vitamin D in immunity, metabolic syndrome (obesity and diabetes), cancers, renal disease, memory, and neurological dysfunction. In this article, we review important studies that focused on the impact of vitamin D on blood pressure, myocardial infarction, peripheral arterial disease, heart failure, and statin intolerance. Amidst the current pool of ambiguous evidence, we intend to discuss the role of vitamin D in "high-value cardiovascular health care".

Burden of arrhythmias in peripartum cardiomyopathy: Analysis of 9841 hospitalizations.

BACKGROUND: Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Arrhythmogenic causes of death have been implicated in a significant number of patients. However, there is a dearth of systematic studies evaluating the burden of arrhythmias in PPCM. METHODS: We used the Healthcare Utilization Project, Nationwide Inpatient Sample database (2007-2012) and identified 9841 hospitalizations for women aged ≥18years with a primary diagnosis of PPCM. Frequency of arrhythmias, utilization of electrophysiologic procedures, length of stay, hospitalization costs and outcomes associated with arrhythmias were determined. RESULTS: Mean age was 30.05±6.69years. Arrhythmias were present in 18.7% of hospitalized PPCM cohort. Ventricular tachycardia was the most common arrhythmia and was noted in 4.2%. Approximately 2.2% of cases experienced cardiac arrest. Electrical cardioversion was performed in 0.3%, Catheter ablation in 1.9%, PPM implantation in 3.4% and ICD in 6.8% of hospitalizations for PPCM with arrhythmias. In-hospital mortality was 3-times more frequent in arrhythmia cohort (2.1% vs. 0.7%). Hospitalization costs were significantly higher in PPCM with arrhythmias. Elixhauser comorbidity score (adjusted OR:1.10; 95%CI:1.02-1.18; p=0.016), in-hospital mortality (adjusted OR:2.35; 95%CI:1.38-4.02; p=0.002), cardiogenic shock (adjusted OR:2.61; 95%CI:1.44-4.72; p=0.002), utilization of balloon pump (adjusted OR:13.4; 95%CI: 2.55-70.53; p<0.001), Swan-Ganz catheterization (adjusted OR:3.12; 95%CI:1.21-8.06; p=0.019), and coronary angiography (adjusted OR:1.79; 95%CI:1.19-2.70; p=0.005) were significantly associated with arrhythmias in PPCM. CONCLUSIONS: Arrhythmias were present in 18.7% of PPCM related hospitalizations. Morbidity, in-hospital mortality, length of inpatient stay, hospitalization costs and cardiac procedure utilization were significantly higher in the arrhythmia cohort.

Risk factors associated with interfacility transfers among patients with Clostridium difficile infection.

BACKGROUND: Preventing the transmission of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) over the continuum of care presents an important challenge for infection control. METHODS: A prospective case-control study was conducted on patients admitted with CDI to a tertiary care hospital in Detroit between August 2012 and September 2013. Patients were then followed for 1 year by telephone interviews and the hospital administrative database. Cases, patients with interfacility transfers (IFTs), were patients admitted to our facility from another health care facility and discharged to long-term care (LTC) facilities. Controls were patients admitted from and discharged to home. RESULTS: There were 143 patients included in the study. Thirty-six (30%) cases were compared with 84 (70%) controls. Independent risk factors of CDI patients with IFTs (compared with CDI patients without IFTs) included Charlson Comorbidity Index score ≥6 (odds ratio [OR], 5.30; P = .016) and hospital-acquired CDI (OR, 4.92; P = .023). Patients with IFTs were more likely to be readmitted within 90 days of discharge than patients without IFTs (OR, 2.24; P = .046). One-year mortality rate was significantly higher among patients with IFTs than among patients without IFTs (OR, 4.33; P = .01). CONCLUSIONS: With the growing number of alternate health care centers, it is highly critical to establish better collaboration between acute care and LTC facilities to tackle the increasing burden of CDI across the health care system.

Medical and pharmacy student concerns about participating on international service-learning trips.

BACKGROUND: International Service Learning Trips (ISLT) provide health professional students the opportunity to provide healthcare, under the direction of trained faculty, to underserved populations in developing countries. Despite recent increases in international service learning trips, there is scant literature addressing concerns students have prior to attending such trips. This study focuses on identifying concerns before and after attending an ISLT and their impact on students. METHODS: A survey comprised of closed and open-ended questions was developed to elucidate student concerns prior to attending an ISLT and experiences which might influence concerns. A five-point Likert-scale (extremely concerned = 1, minimally concerned = 5) was used to rate apprehension and satisfaction. Paired t-test was used to compare pre- and post-trip concerns; Chi-Square test was used to compare groups. RESULTS: Thirty-five students (27 medical, 8 pharmacy) attended ISLTs in December 2013. All completed pre and post-trip surveys. Significant decreases were seen in concerns related to cultural barriers (4.14 vs 4.46, P = .047), disease/epidemics (3.34 vs 4.60, P < .001), natural disasters (3.94 vs 4.94, P < .001), terrorism (4.34 vs 4.94, P < .001), travel (3.86 vs 4.51, P < .001) monetary issues (3.80 vs 4.60, P < .001), hospitality (3.94 vs 4.74, P = .001) and food (3.83 vs 4.60, P < .001). Language and group dynamics remained concerns post-trip. On open-ended questions, students described benefits of attending an ISLT. CONCLUSIONS: Students had multiple concerns prior to attending an ISLT. Most decreased upon return. Addressing concerns has the potential to decrease student apprehension. The results of this study highlight the benefits of providing ISLTs and supporting development of a curriculum incorporating trip-related concerns.