Norton scale for predicting prognosis in elderly patients undergoing trans-catheter aortic valve implantation: A historical prospective study.

Background: The Norton scale is traditionally used to assess the risk of pressure ulcers. However, recent studies have shown its prognostic utilization in elderly patients with diverse medical conditions. The association between low admission Norton scale scores (ANSS), complications, and mortality in elderly patients following trans-catheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has never been studied.

Target Hemoglobin May Be Achieved with Intravenous Iron Alone in Anemic Patients with Cardiorenal Syndrome: An Observational Study.

Background: The treatment of anemia in patients with cardiorenal syndrome (CRS) is based mainly on intravenous (IV) iron therapy and/or erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs). There are concerns about the safety of ESAs due to a potentially higher risk for stroke and malignancy.

Objective: We aimed to explore whether IV iron alone is sufficient to improve anemia in CRS patients and to define the predictors of treatment response.

Expediting Time from Symptoms to Medical Contact Utilizing a Telemedicine Call Center.

Background: No definitive solution has been forthcoming for the often dangerously long interval between symptom onset and seeking medical care in the prehospital setting. We examined the implementation of telemedicine technology and characterization of its utilizers for its efficacy in reducing this possibly life-threatening time lag.

Materials And Methods: A retrospective observational study was performed on the working database of an operational telemedicine facility that included all subscribers.

Admission Glucose Levels and the Risk of Acute Kidney Injury in Nondiabetic ST Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction Patients Undergoing Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

Background: Hyperglycemia upon admission is associated with an increased risk for acute kidney injury (AKI) in ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). However, the relation of this association to the absence of diabetes mellitus (DM) is less studied. We evaluated the effect of acute hyperglycemia levels on the risk of AKI among STEMI patients without DM who were all treated with primary PCI.

Acute Cardio-Renal Syndrome as a Cause for Renal Deterioration Among Myocardial Infarction Patients Treated With Primary Percutaneous Intervention.

Background: Early hemodynamic impairment frequently complicates myocardial injury, however, limited data are present regarding its direct association with acute kidney injury (AKI) after ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) in patients who undergo primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). We evaluated the effect of acute hemodynamic derangement on the risk of AKI among STEMI patients who undergo primary PCI.

Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of 1656 consecutive patients admitted with the diagnosis of STEMI between January 2008 and December 2014, and treated with primary PCI.

High Degree Atrioventricular Block Complicating Acute Myocardial Infarction Treated with Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: Incidence, Predictors and Outcomes.

Background: In the era of primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI), information on the incidence and prognostic significance of high degree atrioventricular block (AVB) in ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients is limited.

Objectives: To assess the incidence, time of onset, predictors and prognostic significance of high degree AVB in a large cohort of consecutive STEMI patients undergoing PPCI.

Methods: We retrospectively studied 1244 consecutive STEMI patients undergoing PPCI.

Outcomes of Transfemoral Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation in Patients With Previous Coronary Bypass.

Patients with previous coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) are considered to be at increased perioperative risk for a redo cardiac operation. In the era of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI), these patients constitute a considerable portion of those with severe aortic stenosis referred for TAVI. We evaluated the impact of previous CABG on transfemoral TAVI outcomes.

Self-rated health is associated with elevated C-reactive protein even among apparently healthy individuals.

Background: A single self-rated health (SRH) assessment is associated with clinical outcome and mortality, but the biological process linking SRH with immune status remains incompletely understood.

Objectives: To examine the association between SRH and inflammation in apparently healthy individuals.

Methods: Our analysis included 13,773 apparently healthy individuals attending the Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center for periodic health examinations.

Usefulness of urine output criteria for early detection of acute kidney injury after transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

Background: Previous studies demonstrated that acute kidney injury (AKI) following transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is frequent and associated with adverse outcomes. However, these studies only applied the serum creatinine (sCr) criteria while ignoring the urine output criteria. We hypothesized that adding the urine output criteria might contribute to an earlier diagnosis of AKI.

The obesity paradox in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

Background: Obesity is a major risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. A considerable number of studies, however, showed better outcomes for overweight patients undergoing cardiovascular interventions-the so called obesity paradox.

Hypothesis: Increased body mass index (BMI) is independently associated with improved survival following transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI).

Relation of in-hospital serum creatinine change patterns and outcomes among ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention.

Background: The worsening of serum creatinine (sCr) level is a frequent finding among ST-segment elevation MI (STEMI) patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), associated with adverse short-term and long-term outcomes. No information is present, however, regarding the incidence and prognostic implications associated with an improvement in sCr levels throughout hospitalization, as compared with admission levels.

Hypothesis: Reversible renal impairment prior to PCI is not associated with adverse outcomes.

Periprocedural bleeding, acute kidney injury, and long-term mortality after transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI) after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is frequent and is associated with adverse outcomes. Past studies have attributed AKI to impaired kidney function at baseline, amount of contrast medium used, major bleeding, and hemodynamic instability during the procedure. Because major bleeding might play a role in the development of AKI, we analyzed the relationship between periprocedural bleeding and the development of AKI and assessed the impact of these 2 important procedure-related complications on outcome.

Association of admission hemoglobin levels and acute kidney injury among myocardial infarction patients treated with primary percutaneous intervention.

Background: Anemia on admission is associated with an increased risk for contrast-induced nephropathy, however, its association with acute kidney injury (AKI) after ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) in patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) has not been studied. Our aim was to evaluate whether admission hemoglobin levels might increase the risk of AKI among STEMI patients who undergo PPCI.

Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of 1248 consecutive patients admitted with the diagnosis of STEMI between January 2008 and January 2014, and treated with PPCI.

High sensitive C-reactive protein and the risk of acute kidney injury among ST elevation myocardial infarction patients undergoing primary percutaneous intervention.

Background: Elevated periprocedural high sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) was shown to be associated with an increased risk for acute kidney injury (AKI) in non-myocardial infarction (MI) patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), however, no information to date is present regarding its predicting role for AKI in MI patients. We evaluated whether admission serum hs-CRP levels may predict risk of AKI among ST elevation MI (STEMI) patients undergoing primary PCI.

Methods: Five hundred and sixty-two patients that were admitted with STEMI and treated with primary PCI were included in the study.

Association of left ventricular function and acute kidney injury among ST-elevation myocardial infarction patients treated by primary percutaneous intervention.

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common complication among patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), and it is associated with poor long-term clinical outcomes. No studies have yet evaluated the association between cardiac function and the risk of AKI in this patient population. We conducted a retrospective study of consecutive 386 patients with STEMI who underwent primary PCI and had a full echocardiography study performed within 72 hours of hospital admission from June 2011 to December 2013.

Vascular complications after transcatheter aortic valve implantation and their association with mortality reevaluated by the valve academic research consortium definitions.

Vascular complications (VC) after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) are reported using various criteria and several access site approaches. We aimed to describe them in a solely percutaneous transfemoral TAVI approach and their association with survival using both the updated Valve Academic Research Consortium (VARC)-2 criteria and the former VARC-1 criteria. From March 2009 to September 2013, 403 consecutive patients at a mean age (±SD) of 83 ± 6 years underwent percutaneous transfemoral TAVI.

Incidence and mortality of acute kidney injury in acute myocardial infarction patients: a comparison between AKIN and RIFLE criteria.

Purpose: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is associated with adverse outcomes after acute ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). The recently proposed AKI network (AKIN) suggested modifications to the consensus classification system for AKI known as the risk, injury, failure, loss, end-stage (RIFLE) criteria. The aim of the current study was to compare the incidence and mortality (early and late) of AKI diagnosed by RIFLE and AKIN criteria in the STEMI patients undergoing primary percutaneous intervention (PCI).

Relation of time to coronary reperfusion and the development of acute kidney injury after ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction.

Time to coronary reperfusion and acute kidney injury (AKI) are powerful prognostic markers in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI); however, no information to date is present regarding the association between time to reperfusion and AKI. We evaluated whether time to reperfusion predicts the risk of developing AKI in patients with STEMI who underwent primary PCI. Medical records of 417 patients admitted to our department from January 2008 to July 2013, for STEMI, and treated with primary PCI were reviewed.

Is telemedicine an answer to reducing 30-day readmission rates post-acute myocardial infarction?

Background: Patients hospitalized for an acute myocardial infarction (AMI) are at risk for early readmission. Readmission rates in the community reportedly reach approximately 20%, and 30-day readmission rates have become a quality-of-care marker. Telemedicine is one strategy for improving clinical outcomes by offering real-time biometrics tracking and rapid intervention.

Forced diuresis with matched hydration in reducing acute kidney injury during transcatheter aortic valve implantation (Reduce-AKI): study protocol for a randomized sham-controlled trial.

Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is observed in up to 41% of patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) and is associated with increased risk for mortality. The aim of the present study is to evaluate whether furosemide-induced diuresis with matched isotonic intravenous hydration using the RenalGuard system reduces AKI in patients undergoing TAVI.

Methods/design: Reduce-AKI is a randomized sham-controlled study designed to examine the effect of an automated matched hydration system in the prevention of AKI in patients undergoing TAVI.

Prevalence and predictors of carotid artery stenosis in patients with severe aortic stenosis undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

Objectives: Our aim was to analyze the prevalence and predictors of Carotid artery stenosis (CAS) in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI).

Background: CAS is associated with the risk of periprocedural stroke in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. However, little is known about the prevalence of and clinical significance of CAS in the setting of TAVI.

Comparison of left ventricular function following first ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention in men versus women.

Previous data reported worse outcomes in female patients after acute ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), related at least in part to less aggressive and nonparallel treatment. We investigated the presence of gender differences in left ventricular (LV) systolic and diastolic function in patients presenting with first STEMI, treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Study population included 187 consecutive patients (81% men) presenting with STEMI and treated by primary PCI and guideline-based medications.

Predictors of improvement in diastolic function after transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

Background: Aortic stenosis is associated with concentric left ventricle (LV) hypertrophy or remodeling resulting in impaired diastolic function and elevated left-sided filling pressure. We investigated the changes in LV geometry and LV filling hemodynamics, giving emphasis to parameters associated with changes in diastolic function after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI).

Methods: Comprehensive diastolic assessment was performed before and six months after TAVI in 70 patients with severe aortic stenosis.

Renal impairment according to acute kidney injury network criteria among ST elevation myocardial infarction patients undergoing primary percutaneous intervention: a retrospective observational study.

Objective: Conflicting data exists regarding the frequency and significance of acute kidney injury (AKI) in ST segment elevation MI (STEMI) patients. The acute kidney injury network (AKIN) classification has been shown to predict mortality in various critically ill patients; however, limited information is available regarding its use and its clinical relevance among STEMI patients.

Study Design And Methods: We retrospectively studied 1,033 STEMI patients undergoing primary percutaneous intervention (PCI).