Echocardiographic and Electrocardiographic Predictors of Adverse Outcomes in Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis.

Background: Patients with cirrhosis who develop Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis (SBP) suffer from cirrhotic cardiomyopathy which is characterized by impaired contractility in response to stress despite a relatively normal resting cardiac output. We hypothesized that electrocardiographic and echocardiographic information would help prognosticate patients developing SBP in addition to existing scoring systems.

Methods: Cirrhotic patients admitted to Einstein Medical Center from 01/01/2005 to 6/30/2012 for SBP, and did not receive a transplant within one year, were included.

Clinical Characteristics, Management, and Outcomes of Suspected Poststroke Acute Coronary Syndrome.

Background: Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) can complicate acute ischemic stroke, causing significant morbidity and mortality. To date, literatures that describe poststroke acute coronary syndrome and its morbidity and mortality burden are lacking.

Methods: This is a single center, retrospective study where clinical characteristics, cardiac evaluation, and management of patients with suspected poststroke ACS were compared and analyzed for their association with inpatient mortality and 1-year all-cause mortality.

Psychiatric conditions as predictors of rehospitalization among African American patients hospitalized with heart failure.

Introduction: African Americans (AAs) have the highest risk of developing heart failure (HF) among all ethnicities in the United States and are associated with higher rates of readmissions and mortality. This study aims to determine the prevalence and relationship of common psychiatric conditions to outcomes of patients hospitalized with HF.

Hypothesis: Psychiatric conditions lead to worse outcomes in HF patients.

QRS duration and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) in non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI).

Background: Non-traditional EKG parameters such as QRS pattern and QRS duration (QRSd) are being investigated in acute coronary syndrome as prognostic markers. Following an infarction, the heart attempts to compensate for myocardial loss through remodeling which eventually lowers the ejection fraction (LVEF). Our objective is to evaluate the relationship between the QRSd at the time of NSTEMI and extent of coronary artery disease (CAD) and changes in LVEF.