Publications by authors named "Foteini Kosmopoulou"
Bloodstream infections (BSIs) can be primary or secondary, with significant associated morbidity and mortality. Primary bloodstream infections (BSIs) are defined as infections where no clear infection source is identified, while secondary BSIs originate from a localized infection site. This study aims to compare patterns, outcomes, and medical costs between primary and secondary BSIs and identify associated factors.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntroduction: Infections impose a significant burden on healthcare costs worldwide. We aimed to explore antibiotic- and hospital-related costs of infections needing admission in a tertiary university hospital in Greece.
Methods: We performed a prospective cohort study in the medical care unit of a tertiary university hospital in Greece, for the period May 2016 to May 2018.
Article Synopsis
- Prompt empiric antibiotic therapy (EAT) is crucial for treating infections, but many blood cultures don’t identify the pathogens, prompting a study on EAT patterns, outcomes, and costs in a university hospital.
- An analysis of 489 patients showed that intra-abdominal infections were most common, with a 67% success rate for EAT, while factors like urinary tract infections reduced failure chances, and sepsis increased them significantly.
- Patients with EAT failure faced longer hospital stays, higher antibiotic usage, and increased hospitalization costs, emphasizing the financial impact of unsuccessful treatments.
Objective: Large-artery stiffness and arterial wave reflections have been identified as independent markers and prognosticators of cardiovascular risk. Mental stress is a novel risk factor for coronary artery disease and has been associated with left ventricular dysfunction, myocardial ischemia and infarction, and sudden cardiac death. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of acute mental stress on aortic stiffness and wave reflections.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjectives: We investigated the acute and chronic combined effect of cigarette smoking and caffeine intake on aortic stiffness and wave reflections.
Background: We have shown that smoking and caffeine separately increase arterial stiffness. Aortic stiffness and wave reflections are important determinants of the efficient performance of the cardiovascular system and prognosticators of cardiovascular risk.