Predictive value of plasma brain natriuretic peptide for postoperative cardiac complications--a systemic review and meta-analysis.

Background: We aimed to undertake a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies addressing perioperative natriuretic peptide (NP) levels to predict postoperative major adverse cardiac events (MACE) after major surgery.

Methods: We searched MEDLINE and Embase with no language restrictions up to May 2013. The end points were major cardiac complications.

Homocysteine and C-reactive protein as useful surrogate markers for evaluating CKD risk in adults.

Background/aims: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of homocysteine and C-reactive protein (CRP) as potential markers for chronic kidney disease (CKD) in adults in Taiwan, and to identify associations between these factors and CKD, stratifying by gender.

Methods: This cross-sectional study analyzed multi-center data retrospectively. Data were collected from 22,043 adult Taiwanese at Chang-Gung Memorial Hospital from 2005 to 2011.

Correlation between body composition and risk factors for cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndrome.

Body mass index (BMI) is an important diagnostic tool for determining obesity; however, while BMI reflects the influence of body height over body weight, it does not reveal body fat percentage (BF%). We explored whether BF% correlated with risk factors for cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndrome and whether metabolically obese, normal weight people were at risk for these diseases. A total of 2,867 healthy volunteers participated in this study.

Hypokalemia and hypothermia are associated with 30-day mortality in patients with acute paraquat poisoning.

Background: Clinical predictors associated with acute paraquat (PQ) poisoning have not been systematically studied.

Objective: To identify independent predictors of death in patients with acute PQ poisoning.

Methods: This is a retrospective study executed in the emergency department of a university hospital.

Acute appendicitis in the octogenarians and beyond: a comparison with younger geriatric patients.

Background: Difference of the clinical characteristics and outcome of acute appendicitis (AA) between young old (age 60 to 79 years) and octogenarian patients (age 80) is unknown. We hypothesized that octogenarian patients would have more atypical presentation and worse outcomes.

Methods: Our study was a 10-year retrospective analysis of a hospital based database.

Neurogenic cardiopulmonary complications associated with spontaneous cerebellar hemorrhage.

Introduction: Neurogenic cardiopulmonary complications associated with acute brain injury other then subarachnoid hemorrhage were seldom reported, especially in the pediatric population. We report a child who developed cardiac arrhythmia, severe myocardial injury and neurogenic pulmonary edema after cerebellar hemorrhage.

Methods And Results: An 11-year-old girl had abrupt onset of spontaneous cerebellar hemorrhage presented with a fulminant picture of hypertension, supraventricular tachyarrhythmia, markedly elevated cardiac enzyme (troponin-I > 50 ng/ml), and acute pulmonary edema.

Risk factors associated with perforated appendicitis in elderly patients presenting with signs and symptoms of acute appendicitis.

Background: The aim of this study was to identify factors associated with rupture in elderly patients with acute appendicitis.

Methods: The medical records of 601 consecutive patients >60 years of age with acute appendicitis between 1995 and 2005 were retrospectively reviewed. Historical, clinical and laboratory factors in patients with both intact and ruptured appendices were examined with univariate and multivariate analyses by logistic regressions.