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Impact of anemia on outcomes and resource utilization in patients with myocardial infarction: A national database analysis
Background: Although anemia is common in patients with myocardial infarction (MI), management remains controversial. We quantified the association of anemia with in-hospital outcomes and resource utilization in patients admitted with MI using a large national database.
Methods: All hospitalizations with a primary diagnosis code for acute MI in the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) between 2014 and 2018 were identified. Among these hospitalizations, patients with anemia were identified using a secondary diagnosis code. Data on demographic and clinical variables were collected. Outcomes of interest included in-hospital adverse events, length of stay (LOS), and total cost. Multivariable logistic regression and generalized linear models were used to evaluate the relationship between anemia and outcomes.
Results: Among 1,113,181 MI hospitalizations, 254,816 (22.8%) included concomitant anemia. Anemic patients were older and more likely to be women. After adjustment for demographics and comorbidities, anemia was associated with higher mortality (7.1 vs. 4.3%; odds ratio 1.09; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.07-1.12, p \u3c 0.001). Anemia was also associated with a mean of 2.71 days longer LOS (average marginal effects [AME] 2.71; 95% CI 2.68-2.73, p \u3c 0.05), and 9703, 95% CI 9829, p \u3c 0.05). Anemic patients who received blood transfusions had higher mortality as compared with those who did not (8.2% vs. 7.0, p \u3c 0.001).
Conclusion: In MI patients, anemia was associated with higher in-hospital mortality, adverse events, total cost, and length of stay. Transfusion was associated with increased mortality, and its role in MI requires further research.
Keywords: Anemia; Cost; Mortality; Myocardial infarction; National Inpatient Sample; Transfusion
Mpox Surveillance Based on Rash Characteristics - 13 Emergency Departments, United States, June-December 2023
In 2022, a global mpox outbreak occurred, primarily affecting gay and bisexual men who have sex with men (GBMSM). To screen for mpox\u27s reemergence and investigate potentially unsuspected cases among non-GBMSM, prospective surveillance of patients aged ≥3 months with an mpox-compatible rash (vesicular, pustular, ulcerated, or crusted) was conducted at 13 U.S. emergency departments (EDs) during June-December 2023. Demographic, historical, and illness characteristics were collected using questionnaires and electronic health records. Lesions were tested for monkeypox virus using polymerase chain reaction. Among 196 enrolled persons, the median age was 37.5 years (IQR = 21.0-53.5 years); 39 (19.9%) were aged \u3c16 years, and 108 (55.1%) were male. Among all enrollees, 13 (6.6%) were GBMSM. Overall, approximately one half (46.4%) and one quarter (23.5%) of enrolled persons were non-Hispanic White and non-Hispanic Black or African American, respectively, and 38.8% reported Hispanic or Latino (Hispanic) ethnicity. Unstable housing was reported by 21 (10.7%) enrollees, and 24 (12.2%) lacked health insurance. The prevalence of mpox among ED patients evaluated for an mpox-compatible rash was 1.5% (95% CI = 0.3%-4.4%); all persons with a confirmed mpox diagnosis identified as GBMSM and reported being HIV-negative, not being vaccinated against mpox, and having engaged in sex with one or more partners met through smartphone dating applications. No cases were identified among women, children, or unhoused persons. Clinicians should remain vigilant for mpox and educate persons at risk for mpox about modifying behaviors that increase risk and the importance of receiving 2 appropriately spaced doses of JYNNEOS vaccine to prevent mpox
The joy of surgery: how surgeons experience joy, time, and support
Background: Burnout is a crisis in medicine, and especially in surgery it has serious implications not only for physician well-being but also for patient outcomes. This study builds on previous SAGES Reimagining the Practice of Surgery Task Force work to better understand how organizations might intervene to increase the joy in surgery.
Methods: This was a cross-sectional, descriptive study utilizing a REDCap survey with closed-ended questions for data collection across 5 domains: facilitators of joy, support for best work, time for work tasks, barriers to joy, and what they would do with more time. We calculated average scores and percentage of respondents giving a high score for each item.
Results: There were 307 individuals who started the survey; 223 completed it and were surgeons who met the inclusion criteria. The majority (85.7%) were trained in general surgery, regardless of sub-specialty. Surgeons found joy in operating and its technical skills, curing disease, patient relationships, and working with a good team. They reported usually having what they needed to deliver care. A majority felt valued and respected. Most were dissatisfied with reimbursement, perceiving it as unfair. The most commonly worked range of hours was 51-70 per week. They reported having little time for paperwork and documentation, and if they had more time, they would spend it with friends and family.
Conclusion: Organizations should consider interventions to address the operative environment, provide appropriate staff support, and foster good teamwork. They can also consider interventions that alleviate time pressures and administrative burden while at the same time promoting sustainable workloads.
Keywords: Burnout; Job satisfaction; Occupational stress; Physician engagement; Psychological well-being; Surgeons
IL-10 Neutralization Attenuates Mast Cell Responses in a Murine Model of Experimental Food Allergy
IgE-mediated mast cell (MC) activation is a critical component of allergic responses to oral Ags. Several T cell-derived cytokines have been shown to promote MC reactivity, and we recently demonstrated a critical role for the cytokine IL-10 in mediating MC responses during food allergy. In this study, we further validate the role of IL-10 using Ab-mediated IL-10 depletion. IL-10 neutralization significantly attenuated MC responses, leading to decreased MC accumulation and activation, as well as inhibition of MC-mediated symptoms such as allergic diarrhea. This was accompanied by decreased Th2 cytokine gene expression, attenuated systemic T cell responses, and fewer CD4 T cells, B cells, and MCs in the spleen. Our data further confirm the role of IL-10 in driving MC responses and suggest that IL-10-responsive MCs may constitute an important player in allergic responses
Trends in Initial Anticoagulation Among US Patients Hospitalized With Acute Pulmonary Embolism 2011-2020
Study objective: Guidelines recommend low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) and direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) rather than unfractionated heparin (UFH) for treatment of acute pulmonary embolism (PE) given their efficacy and reduced risk of bleeding. Using data from a large consortium of US hospitals, we examined trends in initial anticoagulation among hospitalized patients diagnosed with acute PE.
Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of inpatient and observation cases between January 1, 2011, and December 31, 2020, among individuals aged more than or equal to 18 years treated at acute care hospitals contributing data to the Premier Healthcare Database. Included cases received a diagnosis of acute PE, underwent imaging for PE, and received anticoagulation at the time of admission. The primary outcome was the initial anticoagulant selected for treatment.
Results: Among 299,016 cases at 1,045 hospitals, similar proportions received initial treatment with UFH (47.4%) and LMWH (47.9%). Between 2011 and 2020, the proportion of patients initially treated with UFH increased from 41.9% to 56.3%. Over this period, use of LMWH as the initial anticoagulant was reduced from 58.1% in 2011 to 37.3% in 2020. The proportion of cases admitted to the ICU, treated with mechanical ventilation or vasopressors, and inpatient mortality were stable. Factors most strongly associated with receipt of UFH were admission to the ICU (odds ratio [OR] 6.90; 95% confidence interval [CI] 6.31 to 7.54) or step-down unit (OR 2.30; 95% CI 2.16 to 2.45), receipt of thrombolysis (OR 4.25; 95% CI 3.09 to 5.84) or vasopressors (OR 1.83; 95% CI 1.32 to 2.54), and chronic renal disease (OR 1.67; 95% CI 1.54 to 1.81).
Conclusions: Despite recommendations that LMWH and DOACs be considered first-line for most patients with acute PE, use of UFH is common and increasing. Further research is needed to elucidate factors associated with persistent use of UFH and opportunities for deimplementation of low-value care
Your BMP Voice: The Interview – March 2024
In this inaugural video, Dr. Andy Artenstein sits down with Dr. Addie Seiler, VP and Chief Clinical Integration Officer, Baystate Health, for an exclusive interview about The OATH Model. Loic Assobmo, AGNP-C, Baystate Longmeadow Primary Nurse Practitioner, joins the conversation and discusses what the model means to him and how he supports access in his role.https://scholarlycommons.libraryinfo.bhs.org/bmp_voice/1002/thumbnail.jp
Impact of preoperative intra-aortic balloon pump on outcomes in coronary artery bypass grafting for unprotected left-main coronary artery disease
Background: Preoperative intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) before coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) could improve operative outcomes by augmenting the diastolic coronary blood flow. Data on preoperative IABP use in patients with left-main coronary artery (LMCA) disease are limited. This study aimed to characterize patients who received preoperative IABP before CABG for LMCA and evaluate its effect on postoperative outcomes.
Methods: This multicenter retrospective cohort study that included consecutive 914 patients who underwent CABG for unprotected LMCA disease from January 2015 to December 2019 in 14 tertiary referral centers. Patients were grouped according to the preoperative IABP insertion into patients with IABP (n=101) and without IABP (n=813). Propensity score matching adjusting for preoperative variables, with 1:1 match and a caliber of 0.03 identified 80 matched pairs. The primary outcomes used in propensity score matching were cardiac mortality and major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE).
Results: IABP was commonly inserted in patients with previous myocardial infarction (MI), chronic kidney disease, peripheral arterial disease, and congestive heart failure. IABP patients had higher EuroSCORE [ES \u3e8%: 95 (11.86%) vs. 40 (39.60%), P\u3c0.001] and SYNTAX {29 [interquartile range (IQR) 25-35] vs. 33 (IQR 26-36); P=0.02} scores. Preoperative cardiogenic shock and arrhythmia were more prevalent in patients with IABP, while acute coronary syndrome was more prevalent in patients without IABP. After matching, there was no difference in vasoactive inotropic score between groups [3.5 (IQR 1-7.5) vs. 6 (IQR 1-13.5), P=0.06], and lactate levels were nonsignificantly higher in patients with IABP [2.4 (IQR 1.4-4.5) vs. 3.1 (IQR 1.05-7.75), P=0.05]. There were no differences between groups in acute kidney injury [20 (25%) vs. 26 (32.5%), P=0.34], cerebrovascular accidents [3 (3.75%) vs. 4 (5%), P\u3e0.99], heart failure [5 (6.25%) vs. 7 (8.75%), P=0.75], MI [7 (8.75%) vs. 8 (10%), P\u3e0.99], major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events [10 (12.5%) vs. 17 (21.25%), P=0.21], and cardiac mortality [6 (7.50%) vs. 14 (17.50%), P=0.09]. Patients who received IABP had longer ventilation times [8.5 (IQR 6-23) vs. 15.5 (IQR 5-50.5) h, P=0.03] and intensive care unit (ICU) stays [3 (IQR 2-5) vs. 4 (IQR 2-7.5) days, P=0.01].
Conclusions: Preoperative IABP in patients with LMCA might not be associated with reduced cardiac mortality or hospital complications. IABP could increase the duration of mechanical ventilation and ICU stay, and its use should be individualized for each patient.
Keywords: Intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP); coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG); left-main coronary artery disease (LMCA disease)
The effect of a selenium-based anti-inflammatory strategy on postoperative functional recovery in high-risk cardiac surgery patients - A nested sub-study of the sustain CSX trial
Aim: The cardiac surgery-related ischemia-reperfusion-related oxidative stress triggers the release of cytotoxic reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, contributing to organ failure and ultimately influencing patients\u27 short- and long-term outcomes. Selenium is an essential co-factor for various antioxidant enzymes, thereby contributing to the patients\u27 endogenous antioxidant and anti-inflammatory defense mechanisms. Given these selenium\u27s pleiotropic functions, we investigated the effect of a high-dose selenium-based anti-inflammatory perioperative strategy on functional recovery after cardiac surgery.
Materials and methods: This prospective study constituted a nested sub-study of the SUSTAIN CSX trial, a double-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled multicenter trial to investigate the impact of high-dose selenium supplementation on high-risk cardiac surgery patients\u27 postoperative recovery. Functional recovery was assessed by 6-min walk distance, Short Form-36 (SF-36) and Barthel Index questionnaires.
Key findings: 174 patients were included in this sub-study. The mean age (SD) was 67.3 (8.9) years, and 78.7 % of the patients were male. The mean (SD) predicted 30-day mortality by the European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation II score was 12.6 % (9.4 %). There was no difference at hospital discharge and after three months in the 6-min walk distance between the selenium and placebo groups (131 m [IQR: not performed - 269] vs. 160 m [IQR: not performed - 252], p = 0.80 and 400 m [IQR: 299-461] vs. 375 m [IQR: 65-441], p = 0.48). The SF-36 and Barthel Index assessments also revealed no clinically meaningful differences between the selenium and placebo groups.
Significance: A perioperative anti-inflammatory strategy with high-dose selenium supplementation did not improve functional recovery in high-risk cardiac surgery patients.
Keywords: Anti-inflammatory strategies; Cardiac surgery; Functional recovery; Inflammation; Nutrition; Selenium
Library & Knowledge Services Newsletter - Summer 2024
Library & Knowledge Services Newsletter - Summer 2024https://scholarlycommons.libraryinfo.bhs.org/library_newsletters/1047/thumbnail.jp