Arrest Outcome Consortium Registry Analysis [AOCRA 2022]: Outcome Statistics of Cardiac Arrest in Tertiary Care Hospitals in India, Analysis of Five Year Data of Indian Online Cardiac Arrest Registry, www.aocregistry.com.

Aim and background: To publish data with outcome statistics from our online cardiac arrest (CA) outcome consortium (AOC) online registry. Materials and methods: Data on cardiac arrest (CA) from tertiary care hospitals were collected on the AOC registry online portal from January 2017 to May 2022. Survival endpoints from cardiac arrest events like ROSC, and survival at hospital discharge with neurological status at discharge were analyzed and presented. Studies of demographics, the association of outcome with age, gender, bystander CPR, low and no flow times, and admission lactate were also done along with suitable statistical analysis. Results: Out of 2,235 CA, 2,121 received CPR (1,998 IHCA, 123 Out of hospital Cardiac Arrest (OHCA)) as 114 were DNR. The males-female ratio was 70:30. Average age at arrest was 58.7 years. 26% OHCA received bystander CPR but survival advantage was not significant. (with 16%, without 14% p = 0.78). Asystole (67.7%), Pulseless Electrical Activity (PEA) (25.6%), and VF/pVT (6.7%) as first rhythm significantly influence survival (4.9, 8.6 and 39.4%: p < 0.001) ROSC was achieved in 355 (16.7%), with 173 (8.2%) alive and 141 (6.6%) having good (CPC ≤ 2) neurological state at discharge. At discharge, survival as well as CPC ≤ 2 outcomes were significantly better in females. On multivariate regression analysis, first rhythm and low flow time influence survival at discharge. Admission lactate (available only in 102 OHCA) was lower in survivors than non-survivors 10.3 vs 11.5 mmol/L but the difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.397]. Conclusion: Data from our AOC registry shows poor overall survival from CA. The Female gender had a higher survival rate. Ventricular Fibrillation/Pulseless Ventricular Tachycardia (VF/pVT) as first rhythm and low flow time influence the survival to discharge (CTRI/2022/11/047140). How to cite this article: Clerk AM, Patel K, Shah BA, Prajapati D, Shah RJ, Rachhadia J, et al. Arrest Outcome Consortium Registry Analysis [AOCRA 2022]: Outcome Statistics of Cardiac Arrest in Tertiary Care Hospitals in India, Analysis of Five Year Data of Indian Online Cardiac Arrest Registry, www.aocregistry.com. Indian J Crit Care Med 2023;27(5):322-329.

Northwell intracoronary brachytherapy for the treatment of recurrent drug eluting stent in-stent restenosis (NITDI study group).

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to report on safety, short-term and long-term clinical efficacy following intracoronary brachytherapy (ICBT) for restenosis (ISR) in patients with drug eluting stents (DES). BACKGROUND: ICBT is an effective treatment for ISR of bare metal stents (BMS) but its utilization has waned due to the advent of DES. ISR following DES occurs at a frequency of 8% or greater. METHOD: A retrospective analysis was performed on patients treated on an institutional review board (IRB) approved protocol using ICBT for DES ISR between January 2011 and October 2016. All patients were followed for 24 months for procedural complications, mortality, clinical ISR/target lesion revascularization (TLR) and stroke. RESULTS: A total of 290 patients were identified with a mean age of 66.6 years. All of them had high rates of typical coronary artery disease risk factors. Our primary outcome, composite of in-hospital mortality, myocardial infarction (MI), safety outcomes and procedural failure was noted in 1(0.3%) patient who had a MI. No other secondary outcome was noted in-hospital. At 1-year follow up, 12.4% patients had ISR, 1.7% patients died, and 1 (0.3%) had ischemic stroke. At 2-year, 14.7% had ISR, and total 6 (2.1%) patients had MI. CONCLUSION: ICBT demonstrates excellent technical success rates for treatment, safety, and reasonable efficacy over 2-years to be free from recurrent clinical ISR. This study represents the largest ICBT data for DES ISR to date among very complex lesion subsets, however, more prospective data will be needed to determine the optimal patient for treatment.

Short term outcomes of rotational atherectomy versus orbital atherectomy in patients undergoing complex percutaneous coronary intervention: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Coronary artery calcification (CAC) is one of the paramount hurdles for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) since it impedes stent delivery and complete expansion. This study intended to evaluate the short-term clinical and procedural outcomes comparing rotational atherectomy (RA) and orbital atherectomy (OA) in patients with heavily calcified coronary lesions undergoing PCI. Design: This systematic review and meta-analysis included all head-to-head published comparisons of coronary RA versus OA. Procedural endpoints and post-procedural clinical outcomes (30 days/in-hospital), were compared. RevMan 5.3 software was used for data analysis. Results: Seven retrospective observational investigations with a total of 4623 patients, including 3203 patients in the RA group and 1420 patients in the OA group, were incorporated. Compared with OA, the RA group was associated with a higher incidence of myocardial infarction at short-term follow-up (OR: 1.56, 95% CI: 1.07-2.29, p = .02, I2 = 0%). No difference was noted among other short-term post-procedural clinical outcomes including all-cause mortality, target vessel revascularization, or major adverse cardiac events. Among procedural complications, RA was associated with reduced coronary artery dissection and arterial perforation. Increased fluoroscopy time was observed in the RA cohort as compared with OA (MD: 4.78, 95% CI: 2.25-7.30, p = .0002, I2 = 80%). Conclusion: RA was associated with fewer vascular complications, but at a cost of higher incidence of myocardial infarction and higher fluoroscopy time compared with OA, at short term follow-up. OA is a safe and effective alternative for the management of CAC.

Differences in risk factors and resource utilization for women undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention and lower extremity peripheral vascular intervention.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the differences in risk factors and in-hospital outcomes for women undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and peripheral vascular intervention (PVI). BACKGROUND: The clinical impact of coronary artery disease (CAD) and peripheral artery disease (PAD) is well characterized and is associated with high morbidity and mortality. There is lack of data comparing risk factors and in-hospital outcomes for PCI and PVI, particularly in women. METHODS: Only female hospitalizations (age ≥ 18 years) who underwent PCI or PVI from 2005 to 2014 were identified using appropriate International Classification of Diseases-Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification codes from the National Inpatient Sample database. Charlson's Comorbidity Index (CCI) was selected as the primary endpoint of the study. Coprimary endpoint was the cost of hospitalizations associated with PCI or PVI. RESULTS: Of the 2,461,328 female hospitalizations that were included, 85.6% (N = 2,105,236) underwent PCI and 14.4% (N = 356,092) received PVI. Compared to PCI, PVI hospitalizations were 3.2 years older (p < .001) and consisted of significantly more hospitalizations above 80 years of age (26.5% vs. 18.6%; p < .001). Hospitalizations with CCI ≥3 were significantly higher in the PVI cohort (29.1% vs. 24%; p < .001). CCI in women increased during the study period for both groups. PVI hospitalizations had a significantly longer length of stay (3 days vs. 2 days; p < .001) and cost of hospitalization ($23,610 vs. $20,571; p < .001), compared to PCI. Finally, the mean cost of hospitalizations increased during the study period for PCI and PVI. CONCLUSION: Women hospitalized for PVI had a greater risk-profile and resource utilization as demonstrated by the longer length of stay and higher cost compared to PCI.

Nationwide Analysis of Resource Utilization and In-Hospital Outcomes in the Obese Patients With Lower Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage.

GOALS: The goal of this study was to evaluate the impact of obesity on the outcomes of patients with lower gastrointestinal hemorrhage (LGIH). BACKGROUND: Obesity is considered as an independent risk factor for LGIH. We sought to analyze in-hospital outcomes and characteristics of nonobese and obese patients who presented with LGIH, and further, identify resource utilization during their hospital stay. MATERIALS AND METHODS: With the use of National Inpatient Sample from January 2005 through December 2014, LGIH-related hospitalizations (age≥18 y) were identified using International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) diagnostic codes. Patients were stratified into the nonobese and obese groups depending on their body mass index (>30 kg/m). The statistical analyses were performed using SAS 9.4. RESULTS: Of the total 482,711 patients with LGIH-related hospitalizations, 38,592 patients were found to be obese. In a propensity-matched analysis, the in-hospital mortality was higher in the nonobese patients (4.2% vs. 3.8%, P=0.004), however, the mean length of hospital stay and mean cost was higher in the obese group which could be due to a higher number of comorbidities in the obese group. Secondary outcomes such as the need for mechanical ventilation vasopressor use and colonoscopy was significantly higher in the obese group. CONCLUSIONS: The study results demonstrate that 'obesity paradox' do exist for LGIH-related hospitalizations for mortality. LGIH hospitalizations in the obese patients are associated with higher resource utilization as evidenced by the longer length of stay and higher cost of hospitalizations as compared with the nonobese patients.

Trends in the Utilisation and In-Hospital Mortality Associated With Short-Term Mechanical Circulatory Support for Heart Failure With Reduced Ejection Fraction.

Heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) is a systolic dysfunction with an ejection fraction below 40% and the prevalence of it is substantially increasing in the United States. Mechanical circulatory support (MCS) devices have increasingly been used for the management of HFrEF and are associated with improved outcomes. The National Inpatient Sample database was used to identify hospitalisations with mechanical circulatory support for HFrEF from 2005 to 2014. This study observed a reduction in the utilisation of intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP), which is partially replaced by percutaneous left ventricular assist device (pLVAD) and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) for the management of HFrEF. In-hospital mortality in IABP and ECMO recipients decreased during the study period while mortality with pLVAD did not change. Finally, technology for the short-term MCS in HFrEF hospitalisations continues to improve, however, there is still some space for updated technology in future.

COVID-19 mRNA Vaccine Induced Pericarditis With Large Pericardial Effusion Followed by New-Onset Arrhythmia.

Several cases of myocarditis and pericarditis have been reported after mRNA COVID-19 vaccination. Interestingly, most cases were seen in male adolescents and young adults, commonly after 3-4 days of the second dose of mRNA vaccine. The vaccine contains the viral spike glycoprotein in the nucleoside-modified mRNA of the coronavirus that activates the proinflammatory cascades and immunological pathways, which can cause myocarditis and pericarditis. Here we report a case of a middle-aged Caucasian male who presented with progressive dyspnea, fever, and chills seven days after the second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. He was found to have pericarditis with massive hemorrhagic pericardial effusion, large bilateral pleural effusions, circulatory shock, and cardiac arrhythmia. The patient required pericardiocentesis and thoracentesis and was discharged home on antiarrhythmic and anti-inflammatory therapy. Our case report describes a correlation between mRNA COVID-19 vaccine and pericarditis, suggesting the importance of pharmacovigilance and reporting of adverse outcomes and encourages a high index of clinical suspicion in physicians to facilitate early diagnosis and interventions.

Narrative review of artificial intelligence in diabetic macular edema: Diagnosis and predicting treatment response using optical coherence tomography.

Diabetic macular edema (DME), being a frequent manifestation of DR, disrupts the retinal symmetry. This event is particularly triggered by vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGF). Intravitreal injections of anti-VEGFs have been the most practiced treatment but an expensive option. A major challenge associated with this treatment is determining an optimal treatment regimen and differentiating patients who do not respond to anti-VEGF. As it has a significant burden for both the patient and the health care providers if the patient is not responding, any clinically acceptable method to predict the treatment outcomes holds huge value in the efficient management of DME. In such situations, artificial intelligence (AI) or machine learning (ML)-based algorithms come useful as they can analyze past clinical details of the patients and help clinicians to predict the patient's response to an anti-VEGF agent. The work presented here attempts to review the literature that is available from the peer research community to discuss solutions provided by AI/ML methodologies to tackle challenges in DME management. Lastly, a possibility for using two different types of data has been proposed, which is believed to be the key differentiators as compared to the similar and recent contributions from the peer research community.

Comparison of procedural outcomes in patients undergoing catheter vs surgical ablation for atrial fibrillation and heart failure with reduced ejection fraction.

BACKGROUND: There is a lack of research comparing procedural outcomes of surgical ablation (SA) and catheter ablation (CA) among patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) and atrial fibrillation (AF). The main objective was to compare the short-term procedural outcomes of SA and CA in patients with HFrEF. METHODS: We used the national inpatient sample to identify hospitalizations over 18 years with HFrEF hospitalization and AF, and undergoing SA and CA from 2016 to 2017. Furthermore, the clinical outcomes of SA vs CA in AF stratified as nonparoxysmal and paroxysmal were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 1,770 HFrEF hospitalizations with AF who underwent SA and 1,620 HFrEF hospitalizations with AF who underwent CA were included in the analysis. Hospitalizations with CA had higher baseline comorbidities. The in-hospital mortality among HFrEF with AF undergoing SA as compared with CA was similar (2.8% vs 1.9%, respectively, adjusted P-value 0.09). Hospitalizations with SA had a significantly longer length of hospital stay, a higher percentage of postprocedural, and cardiac complications. In HFrEF hospitalizations with nonparoxysmal AF, SA as compared with CA was associated with a higher percentage of in-hospital mortality (2.4% vs 1%, adjusted P-value <.05), a longer length of stay, a higher cost of treatment, and a higher percentage of cardiac complications. CONCLUSION: CA is associated with lower in-hospital adverse procedural outcomes as compared with SA among HFrEF hospitalizations with AF. Further research with freedom from AF as one of the outcome is needed between two groups for HFrEF.

Contemporary Trends in Hospital Admissions and Outcomes in Patients With Critical Limb Ischemia: An Analysis From the National Inpatient Sample Database.

BACKGROUND: Critical limb ischemia (CLI) morbidity and mortality rates have historically been disproportionately higher than for other atherosclerotic diseases, however, recent trends have not been reported. In patients admitted with CLI, we aimed to examine trends in in-hospital mortality, major amputations, length of stay, and cost of hospitalizations overall and stratified by type of revascularization procedures. METHODS: Using 2011 to 2017 National Inpatient Sample data, we identified CLI-related admissions based on International Classification of Diseases, Ninth and Tenth Edition, Clinical Modification codes. Primary outcomes of interest were in-hospital mortality and major amputations. Secondary outcomes were the length of stay and cost of hospitalization. We stratified outcomes based on endovascular or open surgical interventions. We also performed hierarchical multivariable regression analyses of outcomes based on age, sex, race, hospital size, type, and location. RESULTS: We identified 2 643 087 CLI-related admissions between 2011 and 2017. CLI admissions increased from 0.9% to 1.4% Ptrend<0.0001 as well as overall peripheral artery disease admissions (4.5%-8.9%, Ptrend<0.0001). In-hospital mortality for the entire CLI cohort decreased from 3.3% to 2.7%, Ptrend<0.0001, and major amputations decreased from 10.9% to 7%, Ptrend<0.0001. A decline was also noted for the length of stay from 5.7 (3.1-10.1) to 5.4 (3.0-9.2) days (Ptrend<0.0001), whereas admission costs increased from USD $11 791 ($6676-$21 712) to $12 597 ($7248-$22 748; Ptrend<0.0001). Endovascular interventions increased (Ptrend<0.0001) against a decline in surgical interventions (Ptrend<0.0001). Black race, female sex, and age ≥60 years were associated with higher in-hospital mortality, whereas Black race, male sex, and age<60 years were associated with higher major amputations. CONCLUSIONS: A relatively small decrease in absolute numbers for mortality and major amputations were observed against a backdrop of increasing CLI admissions over recent years. Patients with CLI received more endovascular interventions than surgical interventions over time. However, admissions for endovascular interventions were characterized by higher risk patient profiles and a higher risk of major amputations as compared with surgical interventions.

Frequency, Trend, Predictors, and Impact of Gastrointestinal Bleeding in Atrial Fibrillation Hospitalizations.

Anticoagulation alone or in combination with other treatment strategies are implemented to reduce the risk of stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB) is a common complication of oral anticoagulation with a prevalence of 1% to 3% in patients on long term oral anticoagulation. We analyzed the national inpatient sample database from the year 2005 to 2015 to report evidence on the frequency, trends, predictors, clinical outcomes, and economic burden of GIB among AF hospitalizations. A total of 34,260,000 AF hospitalizations without GIB and 1,846,259 hospitalizations with GIB (5.39%) were included. The trend of AF hospitalizations with GIB per 100 AF hospitalizations remained stable from the year 2005 to 2015 (p value = 0.0562). AF hospitalizations with GIB had a higher frequency of congestive heart failure, long term kidney disease, long term liver disease, anemia, and alcohol abuse compared with AF hospitalizations without GIB. AF hospitalizations with GIB had a higher odds of in-hospital mortality (Odds ratio (OR) 1.47; 95% Confidence interval (CI): 1.46 to 1.48, p-value <0.0001), mechanical ventilation (OR 1.69; 95% CI: 1.68 to 1.70, p-value <0.0001), and blood transfusion (OR 7.2; 95% CI: 7.17 to 7.22, P-value <0.0001) compared with AF hospitalizations without GIB. AF hospitalizations with GIB had a lower odds of stroke (OR 0.51; 95% CI: 0.51 to 0.52, p-value <0.0001) compared with AF hospitalizations without GIB. Further, AF hospitalizations with GIB had a higher median length of stay and cost of hospitalization compared with AF hospitalizations without GIB. In conclusion, the frequency of GIB is 5.4% in AF hospitalizations and the frequency of GIB remained stable in the last decade as shown in this analysis. When GIB occurs, it is associated with higher resource utilization. This study addresses a significant knowledge gap highlighting national temporal trends of GIB and associated outcomes in AF hospitalizations.

Burden of atrial fibrillation in patients with rheumatic diseases.

BACKGROUND: Studies have suggested that atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients with rheumatic diseases (RD) may be due to inflammation. AIM: To determine the highest association of AF among hospitalized RD patients and to determine morbidity and mortality associated with AF in hospitalized patients with RD. METHODS: The National inpatient sample database from October 2015 to December 2017 was analyzed to identify hospitalized patients with RD with and without AF. A subgroup analysis was performed comparing outcomes of AF among different RD. RESULTS: The prevalence of AF was 23.9% among all patients with RD (n = 3949203). Among the RD subgroup, the prevalence of AF was highest in polymyalgia rheumatica (33.2%), gout (30.2%), and pseudogout (27.1%). After adjusting for comorbidities, the odds of having AF were increased with gout (1.25), vasculitis (1.19), polymyalgia rheumatica (1.15), dermatopolymyositis (1.14), psoriatic arthropathy (1.12), lupus (1.09), rheumatoid arthritis (1.05) and pseudogout (1.04). In contrast, enteropathic arthropathy (0.44), scleroderma (0.96), ankylosing spondylitis (0.96), and Sjorgen's syndrome (0.94) had a decreased association of AF. The mortality, length of stay, and hospitalization costs were higher in patients with RD having AF vs without AF. Among the RD subgroup, the highest mortality was found with scleroderma (4.8%), followed by vasculitis (4%) and dermatopolymyositis (3.5%). CONCLUSION: A highest association of AF was found with gout followed by vasculitis, and polymyalgia rheumatica when compared to other RD. Mortality was two-fold higher in patients with RD with AF.

Association of atrial fibrillation and various cancer subtypes.

BACKGROUND: Studies have shown that the incidence of atrial fibrillation (AF) in cancer is most likely due to the presence of inflammatory markers. The purpose of our study is to determine the association of AF with different cancer subtypes and its impact on in-hospital outcomes. METHODS: Data were obtained from the National Inpatient Sample database between 2005 and 2015. Patients with various cancers and AF were studied. ICD-9-CM codes were utilized to verify variables. Patients were divided into three age groups: Group 1 (age < 65 years), Group 2 (age 65-80 years), and Group 3 (age > 80 years). Statistical analysis was performed using Pearson chi-square and binary logistic regression analysis to determine the association of individual cancers with AF. RESULTS: The prevalence of AF was 14.6% among total study patients (n = 46 030 380). After adjusting for confounding variables through multivariate regression analysis, AF showed significant association in Group 1 with lung cancer (odds ratio, OR = 1.92), multiple myeloma (OR = 1.59), non-Hodgkin lymphoma (OR = 1.55), respiratory cancer (OR = 1.55), prostate cancer (OR = 1.20), leukemia (OR = 1.12), and Hodgkin's lymphoma (OR = 1.03). In Group 2, the association of AF with multiple myeloma (1.21), lung cancer (OR = 1.15), Hodgkin lymphoma (OR = 1.15), non-Hodgkin lymphoma (OR = 1.12), respiratory cancer (OR = 1.08), prostate cancer (OR = 1.06), leukemia (OR = 1.14), and colon cancer (OR = 1.01) were significant. In Group 3, AF showed significant association with non-Hodgkin lymphoma (OR = 1.06), prostate (OR = 1.03), leukemia (OR = 1.03), Hodgkin's lymphoma (OR = 1.02), multiple myeloma (OR = 1.01), colon cancer (OR = 1.01), and breast cancer (OR = 1.01). The highest mortality was found in lung cancer in age <80 and prostate cancer in age >80. CONCLUSION: In patients age <80 years, AF has significant association with lung cancer and multiple myeloma, whereas in patients age >80 years, it has significant association with non-Hodgkin lymphoma and prostate cancer. In patients age <80 years, increased mortality was seen in AF with lung cancer and in patients age >80 years, increased mortality was seen in those with AF and prostate cancer. TWITTER ABSTRACT: In age <80, lung cancer and multiple myeloma have a strong association with AF while thyroid and pancreatic cancers have no association with AF at any age. In age greater than 80, NHL and prostate cancer have a significant association with AF.

Association between atrial fibrillation and bundle branch block.

BACKGROUND: The association between atrial fibrillation (Afib) and sinus and AV nodal dysfunction has previously been reported. However, no data are available regarding the association between Afib and bundle branch block (BBB). METHODS: Patient data were obtained from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) database between years 2009 and 2015. Patients with a diagnosis of Afib and BBB were identified using validated International Classification of Diseases, 9th revision, and Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) codes. Statistical analysis using the chi-square test and multivariate linear regression analysis were performed to determine the association between Afib and BBB. RESULTS: The total number of patients with BBB was 3,116,204 (1.5%). Patients with BBB had a mean age of 73.5 ± 13.5 years, 53.6% were males, 39.1% belonged to the age group ≥80 years, and 72.9% were Caucasians. The prevalence of Afib was higher in the BBB group, as compared to the non-BBB group (29% vs 11.8%, p value<.001). This association remained significant in multivariate regression analysis with an odds ratio of 1.25 (CI: 1.24-1.25, P < .001). Among the subtypes of BBB, Afib was comparatively more associated with RBBB (1.32, CI 1.31-1.33, p value<.0001) than LBBB (1.17, CI 1.16-1.18, p value<.0001). The mean cost was higher among Afib with BBB, compared with Afib patients without BBB ($15 795 vs $14 391, p value<.0001). There was no significant difference in the mean length of stay (5.6 vs 5.9 days, p value<.0001) or inpatient mortality (4.9% vs 4.8%). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that prevalence of Afib is higher in patients with BBB than without BBB. Cost are higher for Afib patients with BBB, compared to those without BBB, with no significant increase in mortality or length of stay.

Clinical outcomes of atrial fibrillation with hyperthyroidism.

BACKGROUND: Atrial fibrillation (Afib) is a common cardiac manifestation of hyperthyroidism. The data regarding outcomes of Afib with and without hyperthyroidism are lacking. HYPOTHESIS: We hypothesized that patients with Afib and hyperthyroidism have better clinical outcomes, compared with Afib patients without hyperthyroidism. METHODS: We queried the National Inpatient Sample database for years 2015-2017 using Validated ICD-10-CM codes for Afib and hyperthyroidism. Patients were separated into two groups, Afib with hyperthyroidism and without hyperthyroidism. RESULTS: The study was conducted with 68 095 278 patients. A total of 9 727 295 Afib patients were identified, 90 635 (0.9%) had hyperthyroidism. The prevalence of hyperthyroidism was higher in patients with Afib (0.9% vs 0.4%, P < .001), compared with patients without Afib. Using multivariate regression analysis adjusting for various confounding factors, the odds ratio of Afib with hyperthyroidism was 2.08 (CI 2.07-2.10; P < .0001). Afib patients with hyperthyroidism were younger (71 vs 75 years, P < .0001) and more likely to be female (64% vs 47%; P < .0001) as compared with Afib patients without hyperthyroidism. Afib patients with hyperthyroidism had lower prevalence of CAD (36% vs 44%, P < .0001), cardiomyopathy (24.1% vs 25.9%, P < .0001), valvular disease (6.9% vs 7.4%, P < .0001), hypertension (60.7% vs 64.4%, P < .0001), diabetes mellitus (29% vs 32%, P < .0001) and obstructive sleep apnea (10.5% vs 12.2%, P < .0001). Afib with hyperthyroidism had lower hospitalization cost ($14 968 ± 21 871 vs $15 955 ± 22 233, P < .0001), shorter mean length of stay (5.7 ± 6.6 vs 5.9 ± 6.6 days, P < .0001) and lower in-hospital mortality (3.3% vs 4.8%, P < .0001. The disposition to home was higher in Afib with hyperthyroidism patients (51% vs 42; P < .0001). CONCLUSION: Hyperthyroidism is associated with Afib in both univariate and multivariate analysis. Afib patients with hyperthyroidism have better clinical outcomes, compared with Afib patients without hyperthyroidism.

Radial artery spasm: reviews and updates.

Elective and emergent coronary interventions via transradial access (TRA) are been used increasingly as they carry a reduced risk of complications. Percutaneous coronary intervention via TRA may lead to radial artery spasms (RAS) that may result in prolonged procedure time, cross-over of access site, and other complications. This review article discusses the recent definitions, incidences, pathophysiology, predictive score calculator, efficacy, the safety of the radial cocktails, and treatment of the RAS.

Gender differences in the revascularization rates and in-hospital outcomes in hospitalizations with ST segment elevation myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND: Gender differences have been noted in patients presenting with ST segment elevated myocardial infarction (STEMI) but the reason remained poorly defined. We hypothesize that women presenting with STEMI are associated with poor reperfusion strategies which leads to worse in-hospital outcomes. Our goal is to identify age-stratified gender differences in revascularizations and in-hospital outcomes in patients presented with STEMI. METHODS: We used the 2012 to 2015 Nation Inpatient Sample databases to identify all patients ≥ 18 years of age hospitalized with STEMI. Resource utilization including revascularization strategies and in-hospital outcomes were compared in propensity-matched women and men in the overall cohort as well as two major age groups (< 65 years and ≥ 65 years). RESULTS: Less women presented with STEMI (32.3%). After propensity matching, women were less likely to receive revascularization compared to men. These disparities were seen in both age groups. The in-hospital mortality in the overall cohort was significantly higher in women (10.6% vs 8.9%, P < 0.001). In-hospital mortality was higher in women in both age groups (5.8% vs 4.4% and 14% vs 12.2% in groups 1 and 2, respectively, P < 0.001 for both). The length of stay was higher in women in both age groups compared to men (group 1-4.6 vs 4.3 days, P < 0.001; group 2-5.4 vs 5.3 days, P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Regardless of age, women presenting with STEMI are less likely to receive revascularization and have higher in-hospital mortality, longer length of stay, and more likely to be discharged to other acute care facility.

Impact of chronic kidney disease on in-hospital outcomes following left ventricular assist device placement: A national perspective.

BACKGROUND: Left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) are being increasingly utilized for the treatment of stage-D heart failure. A LVAD is a battery-operated, mechanical pump that assists in pumping blood out of the left ventricle (LV) into the aorta, thereby lowering left ventricular burden. Prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is increasing in patients receiving LVAD. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to compare in-hospital mortality and hospitalization expenditure associated with CKD in patients receiving LVAD implantation. METHODS: Using the National Inpatient Sample from January 2012 through September 2015, index hospitalizations for LVAD were identified. Based on kidney function, LVAD recipients were divided into three groups: Group 1 included patients with normal renal function or CKD stages I-III. Groups 2 and 3 comprised of patients with CKD stage IV/V, and end-stage renal disease on dialysis respectively. RESULTS: A total of 20,656 patients received LVAD during the study period. Mean age was 56.1 years; 76.8% were men. In a fully adjusted model, in-hospital mortality was higher in group 2 (OR: 1.33, CI: 1.16-1.50) and highest in group 3 (OR: 8.95, CI: 6.90-11.61). Similarly, the length of hospitalization, and hospitalization cost were higher in group 2 and highest in group 3. CONCLUSION: Despite improving outcomes in patients receiving LVAD, CKD remained a significant health problem. Worsening in-hospital outcomes paralleling the degree of kidney dysfunction were observed in patients receiving LVADs in this study.

Characteristics and in-hospital outcomes of hospitalisations with heart failure with reduced or preserved ejection fraction undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention.

BACKGROUND: Studies comparing characteristics and in-hospital outcomes for heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) for hospitalisations undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for ST-segment elevated myocardial infarction (STEMI) remain limited. AIM: This sought to investigate characteristics and in-hospital outcomes for HFpEF and HFpEF hospitalisations undergoing STEMI-PCI. METHODS: The National inpatient sample database from years 2012 to 2014 was queried and appropriate International Classification of Disease, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification codes were utilised to identify study cohorts. A total of 400,590 hospitalisations underwent STEMI-PCI, of which, 31,180 presented with acute heart failure (89.3% with acute HFrEF and 10.7% with acute HFpEF). The HFpEF cohort was older (65.6 vs. 69.9 years), consisted of more females (35% vs. 48.7%), and presented with significantly higher comorbidities as demonstrated by higher Charlson's Comorbidity Index ≥ 3 (59.6 vs. 68%) (P < 0.001 for all). However, lower in-hospital mortality (9.2% vs. 8.0%, P = 0.04) was observed with HFpEF hospitalisations, which accompanied by lower mechanical circulatory support (MCS) device (20.3 vs. 12.3%, P < 0.001) use after propensity score matching. These translated to lower median hospitalisation cost ($28,116 vs. $27,823, P < 0.001) with HFpEF without significant change in median length of hospitalisation stay (6 vs. 6 days, P = 0.08). CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights the distinct risk profile for hospitalisations with HFpEF undergoing STEMI-PCI. HFpEF hospitalisations are associated with the lesser need for MCS, lower in-hospital mortality, and ultimately lower hospitalisation cost compared to HFrEF.