Comparison of outcomes of Impella-assisted high-risk percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with and without prior coronary artery bypass graft.

Background: Limited data is available regarding in-hospital outcomes of patients undergoing high-risk percutaneous coronary intervention (HR-PCI) with Impella with and without a prior history of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).

Methods: We performed a retrospective study from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample from year 2016 to 2020. We identified patients who underwent Impella and percutaneous coronary intervention on the same day and excluded those with cardiogenic shock.

Comparison of in-hospital outcomes of ST-elevation myocardial infarction patients with cardiogenic shock receiving left ventricular mechanical circulatory support devices based on transfer status.

Background: We aimed to compare outcomes in patients who receive on-site left ventricular mechanical support versus those transferred to other facilities for mechanical support in ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients with cardiogenic shock.

Methods: This retrospective study analyzed data from the 2016 to 2020 Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) database. We identified patients with STEMI and cardiogenic shock who received Impella and LVAD placement during their hospital stay.

Trends and Inhospital Outcomes of Intravascular Imaging on Single-Vessel Coronary Chronic Total Occlusion Treated With Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

Intravascular imaging (IVI), including intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) and optical coherence tomography (OCT), improves outcomes of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for chronic total occlusions (CTOs). We sought to quantify temporal trends in the uptake of IVI for CTO-PCI in the United States. We identified adults who underwent single-vessel PCI for CTO between 2008 and 2020.

Comparison of cardio-focal and chest reconstruction of technetium-99m pyrophosphate scintigraphy for diagnosis of transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis: a quality assurance study.

Background: SPECT improves diagnostic specificity of Technetium-99m pyrophosphate (PYP) scintigraphy. Diagnostic performance of PYP data, reconstructed as either chest or cardio-focal SPECT is not known.

Methods: In this quality assurance study, blinded evaluation of PYP SPECT/CT data from 102 Caucasian patients (mean age 76 ± 11 years, 67% men) was performed by two readers.

Racial Disparities in Patients With COVID-19 Infection: A National Inpatient Sample Analysis.

Introduction Evidence suggests the COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic highlighted well-known healthcare disparities. This study investigated racial disparities in patients with COVID-19-related hospitalizations utilizing the US (United States) National Inpatient Sample (NIS). Methodology This was a retrospective study conducted utilizing the NIS 2020 database.

Pulmonary Embolism Readmission Trend Over the Years (from a National Readmission Database).

With the evolution of pulmonary embolism (PE) management, the outcomes of PE-related complications and the need for readmission have not been well studied. The aim of this study is to see the trend in readmissions in patients with PE from 2010 to 2018. We used the National Readmission Database from 2010 to 2018 to identify hospitalized patients with a principal diagnosis of acute PE.

National trend of heart failure and other cardiovascular diseases in people living with human immunodeficiency virus.

Background: As people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) (PLWH) enjoy longer life expectancy with highly effective antiretroviral therapy, they are encountering challenging cardiovascular health risks.

Aim: To retrospectively examine the increasing burden of cardiovascular diseases in PLWH over the past decade.

Methods: All hospitalizations for heart failure (HF), ischemic heart disease (IHD), and cerebrovascular disease (CeVD) in PLWH were identified using the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) and ICD-10-CM codes in the National Inpatient Sample from 2008 to 2018.

Causes and predictors of immediate and short-term readmissions following percutaneous left atrial appendage closure procedure.

Introduction: Percutaneous left atrial appendage device closure has been offered as an alternative to anticoagulation for high-risk patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation. Given the relative novelty of the procedure, we aimed to analyze the rates and causes of immediate (30 days) and short-term (90 days) readmission after the procedure.

Methods: We performed a retrospective observational study using the Nationwide Readmissions Database for 2018.

Comparison of In-Hospital Mortality and Clinical Outcomes Between Patients Aged More Than and Less Than 80 Years Undergoing Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement.

Background The transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) procedure has been increasingly utilized in the management of aortic stenosis among the elderly. In this study, we sought to assess the hospital outcomes and major adverse events (MAEs) associated with TAVR in patients aged ≥80 years compared to those aged <80 years. Methodology We performed a retrospective observational study using the National Inpatient Sample in 2018.

Effect of weight loss on recurrence of atrial fibrillation after ablative therapy: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Landmark trials have shown superiority of ablative therapy over medical therapy in certain subpopulation with atrial fibrillation (AF). Previous studies have demonstrated an association between weight loss and reduced rates of recurrence of AF after ablation. The objective of this study is to determine if weight loss reduces the recurrence of AF after ablation.

Association of hypocalcemia with in-hospital mortality and complications in patients with acute pulmonary embolism: results from the 2017 Nationwide Inpatient Sample.

Background: Acute pulmonary embolism (PE) is a common cause for hospitalization associated with significant mortality and morbidity. Disorders of calcium metabolism are a frequently encountered medical problem. The effect of hypocalcemia is not well defined on the outcomes of patients with PE.

A Case of Pancreatic Duct Leak Presenting as Lower Extremity Pain and Edema.

Pancreatic pseudocyst from pancreatic duct leak is one of the common complications of both acute and chronic pancreatitis. The presentation of such leaks can range from patients being completely asymptomatic to septic shock. Extra-abdominal collections of fluid due to pancreatic duct leaks are very rare.

Comparison of Rifabutin-Based Versus Rifampin-Based Regimens for the Treatment of Complex: A meta-Analysis Study.

The incidence of Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) increases as immunosuppressed conditions become more common. MAC's standard treatment regimen includes a macrolide, ethambutol, and a rifamycin, among which rifampin and rifabutin are the most commonly used. Although current guidelines recommend initial therapy for MAC with rifampin, it has been theorized to be less efficacious than rifabutin.

Role of IgG against N-protein of SARS-CoV2 in COVID19 clinical outcomes.

The Nucleocapsid Protein (N Protein) of severe acute respiratory syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV2) is located in the viral core. Immunoglobulin G (IgG) targeting N protein is detectable in the serum of infected patients. The effect of high titers of IgG against N-protein on clinical outcomes of SARS-CoV2 disease has not been described.

COVID-19 Clinical Characteristics, and Sex-Specific Risk of Mortality: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

The rapidly evolving coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization on March 11, 2020. It was first detected in the Wuhan city of China and has spread globally resulting in a substantial health and economic crisis in many countries. Observational studies have partially identified different aspects of this disease.

Diagnostic Accuracy of Endobronchial Ultrasound-Guided Transbronchial Needle Aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) in Real Life.

EBUS-TBNA is an integral tool in the diagnosis and staging of lung cancer and other diseases involving mediastinal lymphadenopathy. Most studies attesting to the performance of EBUS-TBNA are prospective analyses performed under strict protocols. The objective of our study was to compare the accuracy of EBUS-TBNA to surgery in diagnosing hilar and mediastinal pathologies in a tertiary hospital, staffed by pulmonologists with and without formal interventional pulmonary training.