Outcomes of Takotsubo cardiomyopathy in hospitalized cancer patients.

Background: Chemotherapy-induced cardiomyopathy is a critical complication of treatment for cancer. The emotional stress of a cancer diagnosis, ongoing chemotherapy, abnormal cancer-related wasting syndrome may contribute to cardiac morbidity in these patients. The burden of Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy (TCM) in cancer patients is unknown.

Effect of Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation on Heart Failure Readmission Rates.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) and heart failure (HF) cause numerous hospital admissions. We investigated if AF increases readmissions in patients with HF and whether AF ablation alters readmissions for HF exacerbations. The 2013 Nationwide Readmissions Database was analyzed for all-cause 90-day readmissions, after discharge for HF exacerbation.

Cardiac implantable electronic device infections: Who is at greatest risk?

Background: Cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) infections are associated with hospitalization, mortality, increased costs, and adverse outcomes.

Objective: Determine the burden of infections for CIEDs based on device type, associated comorbidities, and clinical characteristics over a 12-year period.

Methods: Utilizing data from the National Inpatient Sample database for cases from 2000 through 2012, we identified procedures for device-related infection (DRI) using International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) codes for CIED removal with diagnosis codes for device-related infection or systemic infection.

Syncope: Outcomes and Conditions Associated with Hospitalization.

Purpose: Syncope is a perplexing problem for which hospital admission and readmission are contemplated but outcomes remain uncertain. Our purpose was to determine the incidence of admissions and readmissions for syncope and compare associated conditions, in-hospital outcomes, and resource utilization.

Methods: The 2005-2011 California Statewide Inpatient Database was utilized.

Risk Factors and Outcomes of Gastrointestinal Bleeding in Left Ventricular Assist Device Recipients.

Increasing use of left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) has been accompanied by rising incidence of gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB). Objectives of this study were to determine the yearly incidence of GIB in LVAD recipients, compare outcomes of continuous-flow (CF) and pulsatile-flow LVAD eras, and investigate for risk factors. The Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project-Nationwide Inpatient Sample database from 2005 to 2010 was analyzed.

Analysis of outcomes of percutaneous coronary intervention in metastatic cancer patients with acute coronary syndrome over a 10-year period.

Background: Early medical palliative care has been shown to improve overall survival of patients with metastatic cancer, but the role of cardiac surgical interventions in such patients is not clear. The limited life expectancy of these patients often poses a dilemma to clinicians and involves a detailed analysis of the risks and benefits of such interventions. This study examines the outcomes of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with metastatic cancer.