Galectin-3, Acute Kidney Injury and Myocardial Damage in Patients With Acute Heart Failure.

Background: Galectin-3, a biomarker of inflammation and fibrosis, can be associated with renal and myocardial damage and dysfunction in patients with acute heart failure (AHF).

Methods And Results: We retrospectively analyzed 790 patients with AHF who were enrolled in the AKINESIS study. During hospitalization, patients with galectin-3 elevation (> 25.

An Evaluation of Sexual Function in the Treatment of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Secondary to Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia in Men Treated with the Temporarily Implanted Nitinol Device.

To document the effect of the temporarily implanted nitinol device (iTind; Medi-Tate Ltd, Israel) on sexual function from a multicenter, randomized, single-blinded, sham-controlled trial. Men were randomized 2:1 between iTind and sham procedure arms. The iTind was placed for 5-7 days and an 18F Foley catheter was inserted and removed for the iTind and sham group, respectively.

Examining associations between prenatal biomarkers of oxidative stress and ASD-related outcomes using quantile regression.

We examined associations between prenatal oxidative stress (OS) and child autism-related outcomes. Women with an autistic child were followed through a subsequent pregnancy and that younger sibling's childhood. Associations between glutathione (GSH), glutathione disulfide (GSSG), 8-oxo-deoxyguanine (8-OHdG), and nitrotyrosine and younger sibling Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS) scores were examined using quantile regression.

Decongestion, kidney injury and prognosis in patients with acute heart failure.

Background: In patients with acute heart failure (AHF), the development of worsening renal function with appropriate decongestion is thought to be a benign functional change and not associated with poor prognosis. We investigated whether the benefit of decongestion outweighs the risk of concurrent kidney tubular damage and leads to better outcomes.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed data from the AKINESIS study, which enrolled AHF patients requiring intravenous diuretic therapy.

Differences in clinical and laboratory biomarkers for short and long-term respiratory outcomes in preterm neonates.

Background: Pulmonary outcome of premature neonates has focused more on short-term than long-term respiratory morbidities.

Objective: Describe risk factors/biomarkers associated with short-term (bronchopulmonary dysplasia [BPD]) (supplemental oxygen use at 36 weeks postmenstrual age [PMA]) and longer-term (chronic respiratory morbidity [CRM]) (respiratory related symptoms, medications, medical/emergency visits, hospitalizations at 6-12 months corrected gestational age [CGA]) respiratory outcomes in a longitudinal cohort.

Design/methods: Neonates born at 24-29-week gestation were prospectively followed to 6-12-month CGA.

Prognostic Value of Feature-Tracking Right Ventricular Longitudinal Strain in Severe Functional Tricuspid Regurgitation: A Multicenter Study.

Objectives: This study sought to evaluate the prognostic value of cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) feature-tracking-derived right ventricular (RV) free wall longitudinal strain (RVFWLS) in a large multicenter population of patients with severe functional tricuspid regurgitation.

Background: Tricuspid regurgitation imposes a volume overload on the RV that can lead to progressive RV dilation and dysfunction. Overt RV dysfunction is associated with poor prognosis and increased operative risk.

Relation of Decongestion and Time to Diuretics to Biomarker Changes and Outcomes in Acute Heart Failure.

Prompt treatment may mitigate the adverse effects of congestion in the early phase of heart failure (HF) hospitalization, which may lead to improved outcomes. We analyzed 814 acute HF patients for the relationships between time to first intravenous loop diuretics, changes in biomarkers of congestion and multiorgan dysfunction, and 1-year composite end point of death or HF hospitalization. B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), high sensitivity cardiac troponin I (hscTnI), urine and serum neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin, and galectin 3 were measured at hospital admission, hospital day 1, 2, 3 and discharge.

A Novel Risk Score to Predict One-Year Mortality in Patients Undergoing Complex High-Risk Indicated Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (CHIP-PCI).

Objective: To identify patients undergoing complex, high-risk indicated percutaneous coronary intervention (CHIP-PCI) and compare their outcomes with non-CHIP patients. We created a CHIP score to risk stratify these patients.

Background: Risk stratification of PCI patients remains difficult because most scoring systems reflect hemodynamic instability and predict early mortality.

Relationship of LVEF and Myocardial Scar to Long-Term Mortality Risk and Mode of Death in Patients With Nonischemic Cardiomyopathy.

Background: Nonischemic cardiomyopathy is a leading cause of reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and is associated with high mortality risk from progressive heart failure and arrhythmias. Myocardial scar on cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging is increasingly recognized as a risk marker for adverse outcomes; however, left ventricular dysfunction remains the basis for determining a patient's eligibility for primary prophylaxis with implantable cardioverter-defibrillator. We investigated the relationship of LVEF and scar with long-term mortality and mode of death in a large cohort of patients with nonischemic cardiomyopathy.

Progression of Myocardial Fibrosis in Nonischemic DCM and Association With Mortality and Heart Failure Outcomes.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to assess whether the presence and extent of fibrosis changes over time in patients with nonischemic, dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) receiving optimal medical therapy and the implications of any such changes on left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and clinical outcomes.

Background: Myocardial fibrosis on cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging has emerged as important risk marker in patients with DCM.

Methods: In total, 85 patients (age 56 ± 15 years, 45% women) with DCM underwent serial CMR (median interval 1.

The iTind Temporarily Implanted Nitinol Device for the Treatment of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Secondary to Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia: A Multicenter, Randomized, Controlled Trial.

Objective: To report the results of a multicenter, randomized, controlled trial with a temporarily implanted nitinol device (iTind; Medi-Tate Ltd, Hadera, Israel) compared to sham for the treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Materials And Methods: Men 50 years or older were randomized 2:1 between iTind and sham procedure arms. A self-expanding, temporary nitinol device was placed for 5-7 days and an 18F Foley catheter was inserted and removed for the iTind and sham group, respectively.

Potential Utility of Cardiorenal Biomarkers for Prediction and Prognostication of Worsening Renal Function in Acute Heart Failure.

Background: Multiple different pathophysiologic processes can contribute to worsening renal function (WRF) in acute heart failure.

Methods And Results: We retrospectively analyzed 787 patients with acute heart failure for the relationship between changes in serum creatinine and biomarkers including brain natriuretic peptide, high sensitivity cardiac troponin I, galectin 3, serum neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin, and urine neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin. WRF was defined as an increase of greater than or equal to 0.

Performance of PCR/Electrospray Ionization-Mass Spectrometry on Whole Blood for Detection of Bloodstream Microorganisms in Patients with Suspected Sepsis.

Blood culture (BC) often fails to detect bloodstream microorganisms in sepsis. However, molecular diagnostics hold great potential. The molecular method PCR/electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (PCR/ESI-MS) can detect DNA from hundreds of different microorganisms in whole blood.

PredischaRge initiation of Ivabradine in the ManagEment of Heart Failure: Results of the PRIME-HF Trial.

Background: Ivabradine is guideline-recommended to reduce heart failure (HF) hospitalization in patients with stable chronic HF with reduced ejection fraction (EF). Ivabradine initiation following acute HF has had limited evaluation, and there are few randomized data in US patients. The PredischaRge initiation of Ivabradine in the ManagEment of Heart Failure (PRIME-HF) study was conducted to address predischarge ivabradine initiation in stabilized acute HF patients.

Cancer worry and empathy moderate the effect of a survivorship-focused intervention on quality of life.

Objective: This study examined the impact of a survivorship planning consultation (SPC) for patients with Hodgkin's lymphoma and diffuses large B-cell lymphoma on quality of life (QOL). We specifically assessed two potential moderators, cancer worry and perceived empathy, of the intervention effects on QOL.

Methods: This cluster randomized, four-site trial examined the efficacy of a SPC; physicians received communication skills training and applied these skills in a survivorship-focused office visit using a care plan vs a control arm in which physicians were trained to and subsequently provided a time-controlled, manualized wellness rehabilitation consultation focused only on discussion of healthy nutrition and exercise.

The safety of oral anticoagulants registry (SOAR): A national, ED-based study of the evaluation and management of bleeding and bleeding concerns due to the use of oral anticoagulants.

Objective: The Safety of Oral Anticoagulants Registry (SOAR) was designed to describe the evaluation and management of patients with oral anticoagulant (OAC)-related major bleeding or bleeding concerns who present to the emergency department (ED) with acute illness or injury. Patients in the ED are increasingly taking anticoagulants, which can cause bleeding-related complications as well as impact the acute management of related or unrelated clinical issues that prompt presentation. Modifications of emergency evaluation and management due to anticoagulation have not previously been studied.

Short-term prognostic implications of serum and urine neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin in acute heart failure: findings from the AKINESIS study.

Aims: Kidney impairment has been associated with worse outcomes in acute heart failure (AHF), although recent studies challenge this association. Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) is a novel biomarker of kidney tubular injury. Its prognostic role in AHF has not been evaluated in large cohorts.

Feature-Tracking Global Longitudinal Strain Predicts Mortality in Patients With Preserved Ejection Fraction: A Multicenter Study.

Objectives: The goal of this study was to evaluate the prognostic value of global longitudinal strain (GLS) derived from cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) feature-tracking in a large multicenter population of patients with preserved ejection fraction.

Background: Ejection fraction is the principal parameter used clinically to assess cardiac mechanics and provides prognostic information. However, significant abnormalities of myocardial deformation can be present despite preserved ejection fraction.

An Uncommon Diagnosis in a Child Presenting With Double Vision and Imbalance.

Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) is exceptionally uncommon, with approximately 3 pediatric cases reported in the United States each year. Given the uncommon nature of ADEM, most of the current data rely heavily on case reports. The overwhelming majority of cases have been reported after an acute viral infection or vaccination.

State of the art and meta-analysis of secondary open aortic procedure after abdominal endovascular aortic repair.

Background: Secondary open aortic procedures (SOAP) treat complications of endovascular aneurysm repair, when further endovascular options are exhausted. We aimed at depicting the state of the art of SOAP with high-level evidence.

Methods: A systematic review of the SOAP literature, with a meta-analysis of its outcomes (primary outcome operative mortality; secondary outcome major morbidity) and metaregression of risk factors for mortality (PROSPERO 42017075631).

Kidney Disease Awareness and Knowledge among Survivors ofAcute Kidney Injury.

Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI) survivors are at risk for chronic kidney disease, recurrent AKI, and cardiovascular disease. The transition from hospital to ambulatory care is an opportunity to reduce these sequelae by launching self-care plans through effective patient education. How well AKI survivors are informationally prepared to apply kidney-specific self-care is unknown.

Alginate encapsulation for bupivacaine delivery and mesenchymal stromal cell immunomodulatory cotherapy.

Purpose: Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) are used to treat various inflammatory conditions. In parallel, to mitigate pain associated with inflammation, analgesics or opioids are prescribed, often with significant side effects. Local anesthetics (LAs) offer a promising alternative to these medications.