Differential risk factors for early and later hospital readmission of older patients.

Background And Aims: This study aimed at analyzing rates and factors associated with early and later readmission (0-1 month and 2-3 months after discharge, respectively) of older people after index hospitalization.

Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted in two teaching hospitals. People 70 years and over were interviewed within 48 h of emergency admission.

Early evaluation of the risk of functional decline following hospitalization of older patients: development of a predictive tool.

Objective: To develop a predictive tool that could be used on admission to identify older hospitalized people at risk of functional decline 3 months after discharge.

Methods: This was a prospective cohort study that included 625 patients aged 70 years and older (mean age 80.0 +/- 5.

Prophylaxis of supraventricular and ventricular arrhythmias after coronary artery bypass grafting with low-dose sotalol.

Background: Supraventricular tachyarrhythmia (SVT) commonly occurs shortly after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), but ventricular arrhythmias are less documented.

Methods: On the 1st postoperative day, 206 consecutive eligible patients were prospectively randomized to a sotalol group (80 mg b.i.

Assessment of continuous cold blood cardioplegia in coronary artery bypass grafting.

Background: A method of cold blood cardioplegia (CBCP) delivered continuously and in a retrograde manner was compared with methods differing only by their rate (intermittent) or way (antegrade) of administration.

Methods: This study comprises 298 consecutive patients undergoing isolated coronary artery bypass grafting procedures performed by the same surgeon from 1992 to 1995. Three-vessel disease characterized 58.