Trends in Opioid and Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug Use for Patients with Kidney Stones in United States Emergency Departments from 2015 to 2021.

Renal colic is frequently treated with opioids; however, narcotic analgesic use can lead to dependence and abuse. We evaluated use trends of opioids and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for pain management of kidney stones in United States emergency departments (EDs) from 2015 to 2021. Kidney stone encounters were identified using National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey data.

Cardiac Biomarkers Predict Long-term Survival After Cardiac Surgery.

Background: Cardiac biomarkers soluble ST-2 (sST-2) and N-terminal prohormone B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) may be associated with long-term survival after cardiac surgery. This study explored the relationship between long-term survival after cardiac surgery and serum biomarker levels.

Methods: Patients undergoing cardiac surgery from 2004 to 2007 were enrolled in a prospective biomarker cohort in the Northern New England Cardiovascular Disease Study Group Registry.