The Association Between Accelerated Biological Aging and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Older Adults with Hypertension.

Background: Current hypertension treatments rely on chronological age, which may not reflect individual differences in aging and its impact on cardiovascular health. This study aimed to determine whether biological age can predict adverse outcomes in older adults with hypertension, independent of traditional risk factors including chronological age.

Methods: An analysis of a prospective cohort was conducted using data from the Health and Retirement Study, a longitudinal survey of older adults in the United States.

Prognostic Significance of Newly Diagnosed Atrial Fibrillation After Acute Myocardial Infarction: A Study of 184,980 Medicare Patients.

We aimed to determine whether newly diagnosed atrial fibrillation (AF) predicted cardiovascular events and death after myocardial infarction (AMI) in a large nationwide cohort of patients. All Medicare beneficiaries aged >65 years who were discharged alive after a diagnosis of AMI between January 1, 2007 and December 31, 2008 were identified. Main exposure was a diagnosis of AF during admission or within 90 days after discharge.

The Impact of Atrial Fibrillation on Hospitalization Outcomes of Endovascular Repair of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm.

Objective: We aimed to study the impact of atrial fibrillation (AF) on hospitalization outcomes of abdominal aortic artery (AAA) endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) at a large-scale sample size representative of the entire United States (U.S.) population.

In-hospital outcomes of transapical versus surgical aortic valve replacement: from the U.S. national inpatient sample.

Objective: To compare the outcomes of transapical transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TA-TAVR) and surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) using a large US population sample.

Methods: The U.S.

Impact of Atrial Fibrillation on Hospitalization Outcomes of Heart Failure in Patients ≥ 60 Years with Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator.

The impact of atrial fibrillation (AF) on the hospitalization outcomes in patients ≥ 60 years of age with implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICD) is not well studied. We queried the National Inpatient Sample database for all patients aged ≥ 60 who had a history of ICD placement, and were admitted with a primary diagnosis of heart failure (HF) during the years 2016-2017. Patients were stratified into 2 groups based on their history of AF.

Rates of revascularization and PCI:CABG ratio: a new indicator predicting in-hospital mortality in acute coronary syndromes.

Objective: The principal trend in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is increasing utilization of percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) and declining coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) utilization. This study was designed to evaluate whether higher PCI:CABG ratios lead to higher in-hospital PCI or CABG mortality.

Methods: The National Readmission Database for years 2016 was queried for all hospitalized ACS patients who underwent coronary revascularization during their admission.

Frailty Predicts Adverse Outcomes in Older Patients Undergoing Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR): From the National Inpatient Sample.

Objective: We aimed to study the impact of frailty on the outcome of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) procedures.

Methods: The National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database was queried for all patients aged ≥65 years who underwent a TAVR procedure during the years 2016-2017. Frailty was measured using a previously validated Hospital Frailty Risk Score (HFRS) scoring system.

Coronary artery disease (CAD) risk factor analysis in an age-stratified hospital population with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Objectives: Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) are at higher risk for coronary artery disease (CAD) particularly at a younger age. We sought to determine the effect of risk factors on the prevalence of CAD in age stratified hospitalized patients with SLE.

Methods: The National Inpatient Sample (NIS) was queried for hospitalized patients with SLE during the years 2010-2015, and a control group without SLE.

Impact of Gender Differences on Outcomes of Peripheral Artery Disease Intervention (from a Nationwide Sample).

We aimed to evaluate the role of gender differences in the outcomes of catheter-based peripheral arterial disease interventions on a national level. We queried the National Inpatient Sample Database and identified all patients who presented with acute or symptomatic long term limb ischemia requiring transcatheter nonsurgical peripheral intervention in the years of 2016 to 2017. The primary outcome was major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), defined as the composite end point of in-hospital mortality, nonfatal stroke, and acute myocardial infarction.

Giant right atrium: a long-term complication of rheumatic heart disease.

Giant right atrium (RA) is a rare entity often seen during childhood due to congenital anomalies. Limited literature has reported such finding in patients with rheumatic valvular heart disease. Here we present a case of a 68-year-old female with a history of rheumatic valve disease treated with a Starr Edwards mechanical ball-in-cage mitral valve replacement and tricuspid valve annuloplasty ring procedures.

Gender-based outcomes of impeller pumps percutaneous ventricular assist devices.

Background: There is paucity of data focusing on females' outcomes after the use of impeller pumps percutaneous ventricular assist devices (IPVADs).

Methods: Patients who received IPVADs during the period of October 1st, 2015-December 31, 2017, were identified from the United States National Readmission Database. A 1:1 propensity score matching was used to compare the outcomes between females and males.

Outcomes of Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement With Percutaneous Coronary Intervention versus Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement With Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting.

We aimed to compare the outcomes of combined surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) with coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) to concurrent transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in a large U.S. population sample.

Cardiovascular Risk Among Patients ≥65 Years of Age with Parkinson's Disease (From the National Inpatient Sample).

In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between Parkinson's disease (PD) and vascular disease and risk factors using a nationally representative sample. The National Inpatient Sample was queried for all patients aged ≥65 who were diagnosed with PD during the year 2016. Patients were identified using the International Classification of Diseases-Tenth Revision (ICD-10) diagnosis code: "G20.

Impact of Malnutrition on Hospitalization Outcomes for Older Adults Admitted for Sepsis.

Background: Malnutrition is a major determinant of health outcomes among the older adult population. Our goal was to evaluate the impact of malnutrition on hospitalization outcomes for older adults who were admitted with a diagnosis of sepsis.

Methods: The National Inpatient Sample was queried for all patients who were admitted with a primary diagnosis of sepsis from January to December 2016.

National Trends of Outcomes in Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) Through Transapical Versus Endovascular Approach: From the National Inpatient Sample (NIS).

Background: To evaluate the trends in complication rates following transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) procedures according to the type of vascular approach (endovascular vs. transapical) in a large US population sample.

Methods: The National Inpatient Sample (NIS) was queried for all patients diagnosed with aortic stenosis who underwent a TAVR procedure in the United States during the years 2012-2016.

Modified CHADS-VASc score predicts in-hospital mortality and procedural complications in acute coronary syndrome treated with percutaneous coronary intervention.

Background: Current risk prediction models in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients undergoing PCI are mathematically complex. This study was undertaken to assess the accuracy of a modified CHADS-VASc score, comprised of easily accessible clinical factors in predicting adverse events.

Methods: The National Inpatient Sample (NIS) was queried for ACS patients who underwent PCI between 2010 and 2014.

Hypercalcemia-Induced ST-Segment Elevation Mimicking Acute Myocardial Injury: A Case Report and Review of the Literature.

ST-segment elevation in absence of acute coronary syndrome can be seen in multiple conditions, including acute pericarditis and coronary vasospasm, but it is rarely seen with severe hypercalcemia. The authors present a case of an 81-year-old female with a history of stage 4 squamous cell cancer of the lung, who presented to the emergency room with profound fatigue, weakness, anorexia, and drowsiness two weeks after her first chemotherapy cycle. Additionally, she had complaints of right-sided chest pain associated with worsening shortness of breath, as well as right arm numbness.

Relation of Age to Survival in Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea who Develop an Acute Coronary Event (from the National Inpatient Sample).

This study was undertaken to investigate whether obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) produces a survival advantage in acute coronary syndrome (ACS), and to evaluate the mechanism of any benefit, including the impact of age and other risk factors. The National Inpatient Sample was queried for all patients who were admitted for ACS during the years 2013 to 2014. The primary outcomes were all-cause in-hospital mortality and cardiogenic shock (CS).

Lime-induced phytophotodermatitis.

Phytophotodermatitis, also commonly known as phototoxic dermatitis, is a common skin condition that occurs after contact with certain plants and subsequent exposure to sunlight. It is often confused with skin burns due to the blistering nature of its lesions. We herein report a case of phytophotodermatitis that developed in a 26-year-old male following contact with lime and subsequent exposure to sunlight.

Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) due to Coronary Artery Embolism in a Patient with Atrial Fibrillation.

Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) secondary to a coronary embolism is an unusual occurrence, yet an important consideration given the difficult diagnosis. We report a case of a 69-year-old male with a medical history of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation who presented with chest pain and shortness of breath. A coronary angiogram was significant for three focal transluminal and translucent areas in the ostial, mid, and distal circumflex artery consistent with embolic disease.

Outcomes of Noninvasive Positive Pressure Ventilation in Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome and Their Predictors: A National Cohort.

Rationale: Although noninvasive positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV) is increasingly used in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) to avoid invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV), the data supporting its benefit for this indication are lacking.

Objectives: To analyze the all-cause in-hospital mortality rate and length of stay (LOS) for ARDS patients who received NIPPV in the United States (US) compared to those who were initially intubated. Our secondary outcome of interest was to determine the predicting factors for NIPPV failure.

The first report of atovaquone/proguanil-induced vanishing bile duct syndrome: Case report and mini-review.

The combination of Atovaquone and Proguanil (Malarone™) has been widely used for treatment and prevention of Plasmodium falciparum malaria. Transient elevation of liver enzymes is a recognized side effect of the medication. The association of Vanishing bile duct syndrome (VBDS) with the use of Atovaqoune/Proguanil was not previously reported.

Small Cell Lung Cancer Invading the Left Atrium With Subsequent Malignant Embolic Stroke: A Case Report and Review of Literature.

Cardiac tumors are uncommon, and the vast majority of them are metastases from extracardiac sources. Metastatic spread to the heart causes symptoms by mechanical obstruction of circulation, direct myocardial invasion, or distal embolization. We herein report a case of a 58-year-old male who presented to the hospital with multilobar intracranial embolic infarcts who was found to have small cell lung cancer (SCLC) with invasion of the left atrium and pulmonary artery resulting in malignant embolic stroke.

Infective endocarditis and brain abscess secondary to Aggregatibacter aphrophilus.

is a rare cause of infective endocarditis that was first described in 1940 by Khairat et al. and is now classified under the HACEK group of bacteria ( spp. spp.