Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tube placement in left versus right middle cerebral artery stroke: effects of laterality.

Background: Prolonged dysphagia after middle cerebral artery (MCA) territory strokes may require percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tube feeding.

Objective: We examined the predictors of PEG placement among patients with MCA stroke. It was hypothesized that stroke laterality was a predictor.

Prediction of pneumonia 30-day readmissions: a single-center attempt to increase model performance.

Background: Existing models developed to predict 30 days readmissions for pneumonia lack discriminative ability. We attempted to increase model performance with the addition of variables found to be of benefit in other studies.

Methods: From 133,368 admissions to a tertiary-care hospital from January 2009 to March 2012, the study cohort consisted of 956 index admissions for pneumonia, using the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services definition.

Dysphagia as a predictor of outcome and transition to palliative care among middle cerebral artery ischemic stroke patients.

Background: Middle Cerebral Artery (MCA) territory strokes can be disabling and may leave patients unable to swallow safely. Decisions regarding artificial nutrition and goals of care often arise in patients with severe strokes leading to dysphagia. This study determined some predictors of early transition to palliative level of care among patients with acute ischemic MCA stroke with dysphagia.