C-reactive protein levels associated with COVID-19 outcomes in the United States.

Context: COVID-19 caused a worldwide pandemic, and there are still many uncertainties about the disease. C-reactive protein (CRP) levels could be utilized as a prognosticator for disease severity in COVID-19 patients.

Objectives: This study aims to determine whether CRP levels are correlated with COVID-19 patient outcomes and length of stay (LoS).

Critical and acute limb ischemia: an overview.

Some patients with peripheral arterial disease may present with critical limb ischemia, a condition associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality. Early diagnosis and effective medical therapy and revascularization are indicated to avoid amputation and reduce mortality. Ideally, a multidisciplinary approach with collaboration between endovascular interventionist, vascular surgeons, podiatrist, infectious disease, and wound care specialist is recommended for these patients.

Reperfusion strategies for acute ischemic stroke.

Stroke remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Despite preventive measures, effective management strategies are needed to reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with this devastating condition. While the management of hemorrhagic stroke is mostly limited to supportive care, reperfusion strategies in ischemic stroke have been developed and continue to evolve.

Contemporary management of infrapopliteal peripheral arterial disease.

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a common manifestation of atherosclerotic vascular disease and the incidence of infrapopliteal PAD continues to rise in the population. The historical experience with surgical and endovascular interventions for infrapopliteal stenosis was disappointing as operators experienced high rates of early technical failures and procedural complications, coupled with high rates of restenosis in this vascular territory when compared with more proximal vascular beds. While patients with infrapopliteal PAD may be asymptomatic, the majority would ultimately develop intermittent claudication or may also present with critical limb ischemia.

Variable response to antiplatelet therapy: what does it mean to clinicians?

Ex vivo tests of platelet function show that platelet function and the response to antiplatelet therapy vary markedly from person to person. But just how clinically significant are ex vivo measurements of platelet function, and will changes we make based on such information translate into improved outcomes for patients? The authors summarize what is known and not known about the impact and clinical significance of variable response to antiplatelet therapy.

Effect of anemia on 1-year mortality in patients with acute myocardial infarction.

Background: Limited data are available on the effect of anemia on mortality in patients with acute myocardial infarction (MI).

Methods: We examined the association of anemia with mortality at 1 year among 30,341 patients hospitalized with acute MI in 1986 (prethrombolytic era, n = 15,584) and 1996 (thrombolytic era, n = 14,757). The records were obtained from the Myocardial Infarction Data Acquisition System, a database of all patients with MI admitted to nonfederal hospitals in New Jersey.