Post-discharge Follow-up Characteristics Associated With 30-Day Readmission After Heart Failure Hospitalization.

Background: Readmission within 30 days after hospitalization for heart failure (HF) is a major public health problem.

Objective: To examine whether timing and type of post-discharge follow-up impacts risk of 30-day readmission in adults hospitalized for HF.

Design: Nested matched case-control study (January 1, 2006-June 30, 2013).

Effectiveness and safety of spironolactone for systolic heart failure.

Aldosterone receptor antagonists have been shown in randomized trials to reduce morbidity and mortality in adults with symptomatic systolic heart failure. We studied the effectiveness and safety of spironolactone in adults with newly diagnosed systolic heart failure in clinical practice. We identified all adults with newly diagnosed heart failure, left ventricular ejection fraction of <40%, and no previous spironolactone use from 2006 to 2008 in Kaiser Permanente Northern California.

Short-term and long-term success of electrical cardioversion in atrial fibrillation in managed care system.

Background: Initial success of electrical cardioversion (ECV) of atrial fibrillation (AF) has been reported in several studies as 50%-90%, of which only 50% patients remain in sinus rhythm (SR) at the end of one year. We conducted this study to see if outcomes of other trials are applicable in managed care setting.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective study in 370 consecutive patients who underwent ECV for AF.

Palliative care for patients with heart failure.

Heart failure accounts for more hospitalizations among Medicare beneficiaries than any other condition. Its symptoms, including shortness of breath, fatigue, and edema, can be frightening and diminish quality of life. Although treatment advances have allowed patients to live longer with a better quality of life, heart failure remains a leading cause of death in the United States.