Use of Biomarkers to Predict Readmission for Congestive Heart Failure.

Acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) is a major reason for repeated hospitalizations. Identifying those patients with ADHF at risk for readmission is critical so that preventive interventions can be implemented. Biomarkers such as B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), high-sensitivity troponin I, and galectin-3 (Gal-3) assessed at discharge may be useful, although their role in predicting short-term readmission is not well defined in the literature.

Beyond Baby Steps: An Empirical Study of the Impact of Environmental Justice Executive Order 12898.

This study evaluated the impact of Executive Order (EO) 12898 to advance environmental justice. We conducted a review evaluating the frequency and effective use of EO 12898 since execution with particular focus following President Obama's Plan EJ 2014. We found that both EO 12898 and Plan EJ 2104 had little, if any, impact on federal regulatory decision making.

Short- and Long-term Biologic Variability of Galectin-3 and Other Cardiac Biomarkers in Patients with Stable Heart Failure and Healthy Adults.

Background: Galectin-3 (Gal-3) has been suggested as a prognostic biomarker in heart failure (HF) patients that may better reflect disease progression than traditional markers, including B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and cardiac troponins. To fully establish the utility of any biomarker in HF, its biologic variability must be characterized.

Methods: To assess biologic variability, 59 patients were prospectively recruited, including 23 male and 16 female patients with stable HF and 10 male and 10 female healthy individuals.

Impact on Patient Management and Outcome of Switching between 2 Contemporary Sensitive Cardiac Troponin Assays.

Background: Myocardial infarction is characterized by an increase of cardiac troponin I (cTnI) above the 99th percentile of a reference population. Our hospital switched from 1 contemporary cTnI assay to another and observed a doubling of cTnI results above the assays' respective 99th percentile cutoffs. We investigated the potential impact on inpatient management and outcomes.