The Impact of DRG-Based Payment Reform on the Efficiency of Medical Care for Patients with Myocardial Infarction: Evidence from Georgia.

In Georgia, a prospective financing system for hospital services using diagnosis-related groups (DRGs) was introduced in 2022 to increase the efficiency and transparency of the healthcare system. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the impact of DRG-based hospital reimbursement on the efficiency of medical care for patients with myocardial infarction. Hospitalization data from three large hospitals in Georgia before and after the introduction of DRGs, covering the period from 2021 to 2024, were analyzed.

E/e' Ratio as a Predictor of In-Hospital Complications and Clinical Outcomes of Acute Myocardial Infarction.

Introduction Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is the leading cause of death worldwide. E/e' ratio can predict complications and mortality in the long term, but information on its effectiveness in in-hospital settings is limited. Identifying high-risk patients effectively is crucial for early management, which may improve overall clinical outcomes.

Assessment of the Impact of Cardiac Implantable Electronic Devices on Patients' Quality of Life.

Introduction: Assessing the quality of life serves as a crucial metric during various therapeutic or surgical procedures. The rise in cardiac electronic device implantations in recent years underscores the significance of evaluating the quality of life among such patients.

Materials And Methods: We conducted a study focusing on the quality of life of 438 patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices (cardiac pacemakers, cardioverter-defibrillators, cardiac resynchronization therapy devices).

Tietze Syndrome as a Cause of Chest Pain in the Post-COVID-19 Period.

Tietze syndrome is a rare disease. It is mainly characterized by chest pain caused by a unilateral and monoarticular lesion of the second-fifth costal joints. Tietze syndrome is one of the potential complications in the post-COVID-19 period.

Left ventricular pseudoaneurysmectomy in patient without hemodynamic instability: A case report.

We present a case of a 66-year-old male with a history of two previous diagnoses of myocardial infarction, followed by drug-eluting stent implantation. During the check-up, he complained of dyspnea, fatigue, and dizziness. Echocardiography revealed a massive left ventricular pseudoaneurysm (LVP).

Care of patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction: an international analysis of quality indicators in the acute coronary syndrome STEMI Registry of the EURObservational Research Programme and ACVC and EAPCI Associations of the European Society of Cardiology in 11 462 patients.

Aims: To use quality indicators to study the management of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) in different regions.

Methods And Results: Prospective cohort study of STEMI within 24 h of symptom onset (11 462 patients, 196 centres, 26 European Society of Cardiology members, and 3 affiliated countries). The median delay between arrival at a percutaneous cardiovascular intervention (PCI) centre and primary PCI was 40 min (interquartile range 20-74) with 65.

Adherence to the "Atrial fibrillation Better Care" (ABC) pathway in patients with atrial fibrillation and cancer: A report from the ESC-EHRA EURObservational Research Programme in atrial fibrillation (EORP-AF) General Long-Term Registry.

Background: Implementation of the Atrial fibrillation Better Care (ABC) pathway is recommended by guidelines on atrial fibrillation (AF), but the impact of adherence to ABC pathway in patients with cancer is unknown.

Objectives: To investigate the adherence to ABC pathway and its impact on adverse outcomes in AF patients with cancer.

Methods: Patients enrolled in the EORP-AF General Long-Term Registry were analyzed according to (i) No Cancer; and (ii) Prior or active cancer and stratified in relation to adherence to the ABC pathway.

Technical difficulties during electronic cardiac device implantation in patients with persistent left superior vena cava.

We report a case of persistent left superior vena cava (PLSVC), discovered by chance during the cardiac electronic device placement procedure. PLSVCs are congenital anomalies of the thoracic vasculature, during which remnants of the left superior vena cava drain into the right atrium through the coronary sinus. PLSVCs can vary in their location and overall anatomy.

Analysis of Critical Incident Reporting System as an indicator of quality healthcare in a cardiology center in Tbilisi, Georgia.

Critical Incident Reporting System (CIRS) have become most common patient safety tools in healthcare. The purpose of this study was to determine how effectively CIRS is used and how well healthcare professionals recognize it as a risk management tool. A quantitative approach using a cross sectional survey was adopted.

Unfriendly Fire: How the Tobacco Industry is Destroying the Future of Our Children.

Tobacco has long been known to be one of the greatest causes of morbidity and mortality in the adults, but the effects on the foetus and young children, which are lifelong, have been less well appreciated. Developing from this are electronic nicotine delivery systems or vapes, promulgated as being less harmful than tobacco. Nicotine itself is toxic to the foetus, with permanent effects on lung structure and function.

Reperfusion therapies and in-hospital outcomes for ST-elevation myocardial infarction in Europe: the ACVC-EAPCI EORP STEMI Registry of the European Society of Cardiology.

Aims: The aim of this study was to determine the contemporary use of reperfusion therapy in the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) member and affiliated countries and adherence to ESC clinical practice guidelines in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).

Methods And Results: Prospective cohort (EURObservational Research Programme STEMI Registry) of hospitalized STEMI patients with symptom onset <24 h in 196 centres across 29 countries. A total of 11 462 patients were enrolled, for whom primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) (total cohort frequency: 72.

Iatrogenic tracheal rupture after extubation in the context of acute decompensated heart failure and cardiac device implantation: a case report.

Iatrogenic tracheal rupture is a life-threatening airway complication. It has a very low reported incidence and is more prevalent in women and patients over 50 years of age. The most frequent clinical manifestations of tracheal injury are subcutaneous emphysema and respiratory distress.

CARDIAC IMPLANTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICE INFECTIONS - PREVENTION, DIAGNOSIS, TREATMENT AND IMPACT ON QUALITY OF LIFE.

For several decades, highly refined cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIED) are used to prevent and manage various types of cardiac pathology, which have saved the lives of many patients. Cardiac implantable electronic devices help maintain and improve the quality of life by regulating the heart rate, terminating life-threatening arrhythmias, and improving systolic function, including pacemakers, implantable cardioverter defibrillators, and cardiac resynchronization therapy devices. Regardless of the benefits received after its implantation, in some cases, serious complication has appeared, such as CIED infections, associated with severe morbidity, mortality, financial expenses and changes in the quality of life.

Introducing Critical Incident Reporting System as an Indicator of Quality Healthcare in Georgia.

Critical incident reporting systems (CIRS) have become the most common patient safety tools in healthcare. The purpose of this study was to present the development of CIRS in Georgia. A quantitative approach using a cross-sectional survey was adopted.

Aortic Arch Replacement without Deep Hypothermic Circulatory Arrest.

A 60-year-old man presented with a thoracic aortic aneurysm without rupture accompanied by severe nonrheumatic aortic valve insufficiency and unstable angina. Surgery was performed and included several steps: (1) resection and reconstruction of ascending aorta and aortic arch using a tube graft, (2) replacement of aortic valve using a biological prosthesis, and (3) coronary artery bypass grafting was performed with two distal anastomoses. All of these procedures were performed with total cardiopulmonary bypass without deep hypothermic circulatory arrest under conditions of moderate hypothermia using dual concurrent cannulation of the subclavian and femoral arteries.

A global respiratory perspective on the COVID-19 pandemic: commentary and action proposals.

https://bit.ly/30yNyhP

Helsinki by nature: The Nature Step to Respiratory Health.

Background: was the overarching theme of the 12th General Meeting of the Global Alliance against Chronic Respiratory Diseases (GARD) in Helsinki, August 2018. New approaches are needed to improve respiratory health and reduce premature mortality of chronic diseases by 30% till 2030 (UN Sustainable Development Goals, SDGs). Planetary health is defined as the health of human civilization and the state of the natural systems on which it depends.

STUDENTS POPULATION'S ATTITUDE CONCERNING ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES IN GEORGIA.

The aim of this study were to investigate the attitude of university students on the environmental issues, analyze the information received and develop measures for the participation of students in environmental health-improving and preventive activities.. The qualitative study was conducted by using face to face interviewing method with university students.

Patients' informed consent to medical services in Georgia.

Informed consent requires that a patient understands the purpose, benefits and potential risks of a medical or surgical intervention and then agrees to it. It is important not only ethically and legally but for the effectiveness of care. Studies show that, in some cases, patients have no real information on the medical service to be provided so their informed consent is just a formality.

Effects of Alirocumab on Cardiovascular Events After Coronary Bypass Surgery.

Background: Patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and history of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) are at high risk for recurrent cardiovascular events and death.

Objectives: This study sought to determine the clinical benefit of adding alirocumab to statins in ACS patients with prior CABG in a pre-specified analysis of ODYSSEY OUTCOMES (Evaluation of Cardiovascular Outcomes After an Acute Coronary Syndrome During Treatment With Alirocumab).

Methods: Patients (n = 18,924) 1 to 12 months post-ACS with elevated atherogenic lipoprotein levels despite high-intensity statin therapy were randomized to alirocumab or placebo subcutaneously every 2 weeks.

The Attitude of the Orthodox Parishioners Toward Euthanasia: Evidence From Georgia.

Background: The right of euthanasia is the subject of worldwide discussion today, as it is one of the most controversial medical, religious, political, or ethical issues. This study aims to survey the attitudes of Orthodox parishioners toward the euthanasia. Methods: Within the quantitative study, the survey was conducted through a semistructured questionnaire.

Obstacles in the Development of Nonprofit Hospitals in Georgia.

The most common form of ownership of medical establishments worldwide is a nonprofit organization. In contrast, the number of nonprofit medical institutions in Georgia is very scarce, while private profit organizations hold about 90% of the medical market. The goal of the research is to study the factors that affect the development of nonprofit hospitals in Georgia.

GENDER SPECIFIC DIFFERENCES IN REPORTING DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS AMONG PATIENTS HOSPITALIZED WITH ACUTE CORONARY SYNDROME.

In patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) low level of depressive symptoms is associated with coronary event recurrence and morbidity. Large epidemiological trials revealed that there is a disparity between males and females in their reports of different somatic depressive symptoms. The aim of our study was to identify gender differences in reporting depressive symptoms in patients with acute coronary events.

Knowledge of Sexually Transmitted Infections Among Homeless People in a Municipal Shelter.

Health problems are substantially increased in homeless populations who have higher prevalence's of infectious diseases than do general population. They have relatively earlier onset of sexual activity, and due to lack of information, many facilities for the practice of unprotected sex and low level of condom usage increase the risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). This study aims to identify the knowledge and prevention of STIs among homeless people.

THE ROLE OF NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS IN HEALTHCARE SYSTEM: WORLD PRACTICE AND GEORGIA (REVIEW).

The health care market is substantially different from other areas of the economy and therefore the behavior of health care providers operating in the health care market is different, which is mainly related to the form of ownership. If the market is mainly characterized by the pursuit of maximum profit, medical services market has for some public good features. Because of this, non-profit hospitals in western countries are considered as an alternative form of commercial hospitals.