American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association preoperative assessment guidelines reduce resource utilization before aortic surgery.

Background: Methods used for evaluation of cardiac risk before noncardiac surgery vary widely. We evaluated the effect over time on practice and resource utilization of implementing the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Guidelines on Preoperative Risk Assessment.

Methods: We compared 102 historical control patients who underwent elective abdominal aortic surgery (from January 1993 to December 1994) with 94 consecutive patients after guideline implementation (from July 1995 to December 1996) and 104 patients in a late after guideline implementation (from July 1, 1997, to September 30, 1998).

Effects of end-of-month admission on length of stay and quality of care among inpatients with myocardial infarction.

Purpose: We studied whether transfer of care when house staff and faculty switch services affects length of stay or quality of care among hospitalized patients.

Subjects And Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis in 976 consecutive patients admitted with myocardial infarction from 1995 to 1998. Patients who were admitted within 3 days of change in staff were denoted end-of-month patients.

Implications of increased left ventricular mass index on in-hospital outcomes in patients undergoing aortic valve surgery.

Background: Increased left ventricular mass index has been shown to be associated with higher mortality in epidemiologic studies. However, the effect of increased left ventricular mass index on outcomes in patients undergoing aortic valve replacement is unknown.

Methods: We studied 473 consecutive patients undergoing elective aortic valve replacement to assess the influence of left ventricular mass index on outcomes in patients having this procedure.

Predictors of length of stay after coronary stenting.

Background: Postprocedure length of stay (LOS) remains an important determinant of medical costs after coronary stenting. Variables that predict LOS in this setting have not been well characterized.

Methods: We evaluated 359 consecutive patients who underwent coronary stenting with antiplatelet therapy.

The International Registry of Acute Aortic Dissection (IRAD): new insights into an old disease.

Context: Acute aortic dissection is a life-threatening medical emergency associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality. Data are limited regarding the effect of recent imaging and therapeutic advances on patient care and outcomes in this setting.

Objective: To assess the presentation, management, and outcomes of acute aortic dissection.