Increases in Heart Rate Variability Signal Improved Outcomes in Rapid Response Team Consultations: A Cohort Study.

Background: Reduced heart rate variability (HRV) indicates dominance of the sympathetic system and a state of "physiologic stress." We postulated that, in patients with critical illness, increases in HRV might signal successful resuscitation and improved prognosis.

Methods: We carried out a prospective observational study of HRV on all patients referred to the rapid response team (RRT) and correlated with serial vital signs, lactate clearance, ICU admission, and mortality.

Free Esophageal Perforation Following Hybrid Visceral Debranching and Distal Endograft Extension to Repair a Ruptured Thoracoabdominal Aortic Aneurysm.

Free esophageal perforation following a hybrid visceral debranching and distal endograft extension to repair a ruptured thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm (TAAA) is a rare complication. The authors report a 56-year-old male who underwent elective thoracic endovascular aortic repair of a thoracic aneurysm. Four and a half years later, he presented with a new aneurysm extending from the distal end of the thoracic stent graft to the aortic bifurcation involving all the visceral arterial branches.