Trends in pediatric pulmonary hypertension-related hospitalizations in the United States from 2000-2009.

There are few data on the epidemiology of pulmonary hypertension (PH)-related hospitalizations in children in the United States. Our aim was to determine hospital mortality, length of hospitalization, and hospital charges pertaining to PH-related hospitalizations and also the effects of codiagnoses and comorbidities. A retrospective review of the Kids' Inpatient Database during the years 2000, 2003, 2006, and 2009 was analyzed for patients ≤20 years of age with a diagnosis of PH by ICD-9 (International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision) codes, along with associated diagnoses and comorbidities.

Pediatric versus adult cardiomyopathy and heart failure-related hospitalizations: a value-based analysis.

Background: Value-based health care is a proposed driver for reimbursement under the Affordable Care Act, with value broadly defined as outcomes divided by cost. Data on value-based health care in pediatric heart failure are scarce.

Methods And Results: A retrospective analysis of the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project Kids' Inpatient Database and Nationwide Inpatient Sample was performed for pediatric and adult cardiomyopathy and heart failure-related hospitalizations.

Total direct cost, length of hospital stay, institutional discharges and their determinants from rehabilitation settings in stroke patients.

Background: Length of hospital stay (LOHS) is the largest determinant of direct cost for stroke care. Institutional discharges (acute care and nursing homes) from rehabilitation settings add to the direct cost. It is important to identify potentially preventable medical and non-medical reasons determining LOHS and institutional discharges to reduce the direct cost of stroke care.

Differences in end-tidal carbon dioxide and breathing patterns in ventilator-dependent patients using pressure support ventilation.

Background: Although several investigators have assessed the effects of pressure support ventilation on tidal volume and breathing patterns, none have investigated the combination of breathing patterns and end-tidal carbon dioxide in ventilator-dependent patients.

Objectives: To determine the differences in end-tidal carbon dioxide and breathing patterns at varying pressure support ventilation levels in ventilator-dependent patients.

Methods: Breathing patterns were measured with a plethysmograph and a ventilator.