Intravenous Diltiazem Versus Metoprolol in Acute Rate Control of Atrial Fibrillation/Flutter and Rapid Ventricular Response: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized and Observational Studies.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) and/or atrial flutter (AFL) with rapid ventricular response (RVR) is a condition that often requires urgent treatment. Although guidelines have recommendations regarding chronic rate control therapy, recommendations on the best choice for acute heart rate (HR) control in RVR are unclear.

Methods: A systematic search across multiple databases was performed for studies evaluating the outcome of HR control (defined as HR less than 110 bpm and/or 20% decrease from baseline HR).

Effects of atrial fibrillation on outcomes of influenza hospitalization.

Background: There is little information available on AF and its association with outcomes in adult influenza hospitalizations.

Methods: The National Inpatient Sample was queried from years 2009-2018 to create a cohort of discharges containing an influenza diagnosis. AF was the primary exposure.

Effect of leaving against medical advice on 30-day infective endocarditis readmissions.

Background: The burden of against medical advice (AMA) discharges on the readmission rate of infective endocarditis (IE) patients has been largely ignored.

Methods: We used the National Readmissions Database, years 2016 to 2019, to identify IE patients and categorized them into those who left AMA (IE AMA) and those who were discharged to home or skilled nursing facility (SNF)/other facility (IE non-AMA). The primary outcome was 30-day all-cause readmissions difference per AMA status.

Thirty-Day Readmission Rate Among Patients With Hypertensive Crisis: A Nationwide Analysis.

Background: Hypertensive crisis is a life-threatening condition, further classified as hypertensive emergency and hypertensive urgency based on the presence or absence of acute or progressive end-organ damage, respectively. Readmissions in hypertensive emergency have been studied before. We aimed to analyze 30-day readmissions using recent data and more specific ICD-10-CM coding in patients with hypertensive crisis.

Differences in Stroke or Systemic Thromboembolism Readmission Risk After Hospitalization for Atrial Fibrillation and Atrial Flutter.

Background Although atrial fibrillation (AF) and atrial flutter (AFL) are different arrhythmias, they are assumed to confer the same risk of stroke and systemic thromboembolism (STE) despite a lack of available evidence. In this study, we investigated the difference in the risk of stroke or STE after AF and AFL hospitalizations. Methodology The National Readmission Database (NRD) 2018 was used to identify AF and AFL patients using appropriate International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM) codes and were followed until the end of the calendar year to identify stroke or STE readmissions.

Effect of Cocaine, Amphetamine, and Cannabis Use Disorders on 30-day Readmissions of Patients with Heart Failure.

There is limited evidence demonstrating whether cannabis, cocaine, amphetamine, or other stimulants use contributes to heart failure (HF) readmissions. We used the National Readmissions Database years 2016-2018 to identify patients with HF with and without substance use disorder (SUD) (defined as a composite of cannabis, cocaine, or other stimulant use disorders). The main outcome was to assess the risk of 30-day readmissions in HF patients with and without SUD.

Effect of Diabetes Mellitus on 30 and 90-Day Readmissions of Patients With Heart Failure.

The prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM) in hospitalized heart failure (HF) patients is increasing over time. However, the effect of DM on short-term readmissions for HF is not well established. We investigated the effects of DM on readmissions of HF patients.

Gender differences, outcomes and trends among nonagenarian with atrial fibrillation: insight from National Inpatient Sample database.

Background: Nonagenarians (NG), individuals aged ≥ 90 years, constitute an increasing proportion of hospitalizations presenting with atrial fibrillation (AF). However, not much is known about demographics, clinical outcomes, and trends of hospitalizations. Therefore, we analyzed data about hospitalizations and clinical outcomes among NGs with AF over ten years from 2005 to 2014 using a publically available database, the National Inpatient Sample.

ST segment elevation caused by ostial right coronary artery obstruction in infective endocarditis: a case report.

Background: Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is a rare, but serious complication of infective endocarditis, and diagnosis can be challenging given clinical overlap with other syndromes. A rare cause of ACS in infective endocarditis is mechanical obstruction of the coronary artery. We present the case of a patient with infective endocarditis who developed ST segment myocardial infarction due to occlusion of the right coronary artery ostium by a vegetation.