Admission Mortality Research Articles

Morbidity of Repeat Cesarean Delivery after a Trial of Labor as Compared with Elective Repeat Cesarean Delivery.

This study aimed to evaluate if a secondary repeat cesarean after a trial of labor (TOLAC) without uterine rupture is associated with increased morbidity as compared with a scheduled elective repeat cesarean delivery (ERCD). This was a retrospective cohort study of repeat cesarean delivery (CD) in a single obstetrical practice between 2005 and 2022. Patients were included if they had a singleton pregnancy at term with one prior CD and had a repeat CD this pregnancy resulting in live birth. Patients were excluded if they had a prior myomectomy, more than one prior CD, uterine rupture in a prior or current pregnancy, or placenta previa in this pregnancy. We compared baseline characteristics and outcomes between patients who had a repeat cesarean after TOLAC and ERCD. The primary outcome was a composite of maternal morbidity that included hysterectomy, blood transfusion, cystotomy, bowel injury, intensive care unit admission, thrombosis, reoperation, or maternal mortality. A total of 930 women met inclusion criteria. A total of 176 (18.9%) patients intended to labor and 754 (81.1%) planned an ERCD. There was no difference in the primary outcome between patients with a repeat cesarean after TOLAC compared with patients with ERCD (2.8 vs. 1.2%, p = 0.158). Patients with repeat cesarean after labor had significantly more 1-minute Apgar scores less than 7, but no difference in 5-minute Apgar scores. We were powered to detect a difference in the primary outcome from 1.2% in the ERCD group to 3.3% in the repeat cesarean after labor group. Results did not differ when we analyzed patients who intended to TOLAC versus patients who actually labored prior CD. For women with one prior CD the morbidity of repeat cesarean after labor is not more than the morbidity of planned repeat CD. Our study can be helpful in delivery planning counseling for patients with one prior CD. · Uterine rupture is a known risk of TOLAC.. · This study aimed to understand morbidity associated with labor.. · No added morbidity of repeat cesarean after labor is inferred in this study..

Clinical characteristics and outcomes of people with severe mental disorders hospitalized due to COVID-19: A nationwide population-based study

ObjetiveHospitalized COVID-19 patients with severe mental illness (SMI) have worse outcomes than counterparts without SMI. Barriers in access to acute care medical procedures among SMI patients may partially explain this phenomenon. Here, we examined differences in critical care admission and in-hospital mortality between hospitalized COVID-19 patients with and without SMI. MethodsThis population-based study used Spain's nationwide electronic health records. Based on International Classification Diseases, Tenth Revision, ICD-10-CM codes, we identified all patients aged ≥15 years hospitalized due to COVID-19 between July 1st-December 31st, 2020, and compared patients with and without SMI in terms of (i) critical care admission and (ii) in-hospital mortality – overall and stratified by age. We used logistic regression models including sex, age, and comorbidity burden as measured by Charlson Comorbidity Index Score as covariates. ResultsOf 118,691 hospital admissions due to COVID-19 of people aged ≥15 years, 1512 (1.3%) included a diagnosis of SMI. Compared to non-SMI patients, SMI patients had higher in-hospital mortality (OR,95%CI: 1.63,1.42–1.88) and were less frequently admitted to critical care (OR,95%CI: 0.70,0.58–0.85). Admission to critical care in SMI patients was lower than for non-SMI counterparts only among individuals aged ≥60 years. The magnitude of the difference in in-hospital mortality between SMI and non-SMI patients decreased as age increased. ConclusionsIndividuals with SMI had reduced critical care admission and increased in-hospital mortality compared non-SMI counterparts, suggesting that differences in delivery of acute care medical procedures may partially explain higher risk of negative outcomes among COVID-19 patients with SMI.

The association between epidural labor analgesia and the fetal outcome and mode of delivery of the second twin: a nationwide register-based cohort study in Finland

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to assess the association between epidural labor analgesia and the mode of delivery for the second twin and to analyze the health outcomes of the second twin. MethodsIn this nationwide, retrospective, register-based cohort study, data from the National Medical Birth Register (MBR) of Finland (2004–2018) were used to analyze the association between epidural analgesia and delivery mode (emergency and urgent cesarean section, and assisted vaginal delivery) and fetal outcomes (neonatal mortality and need for intensive care unit admission) for the second twin. Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess the delivery mode and fetal outcomes of the second twin. ResultsA total of 3242 twin pregnancies with epidural analgesia were compared with a control group consisting of 2780 twin pregnancies without epidural analgesia. Epidural analgesia was associated with lower odds for all cesarean delivery (aOR 0.64, 95% CI 0.44 to 0.92) for the second twin and for emergency cesarean delivery (aOR 0.52, 95% CI 0.33 to 0.79) when compared with the odds for the second twin in the control group. Epidural analgesia was associated with lower odds of neonatal mortality for the second twin (aOR 0.61, 95% CI 0.73 to 0.90). ConclusionThis study found epidural labor analgesia was associated with a lower rate of emergency cesarean delivery and neonatal mortality for the second twin. These results should be acknowledged by obstetricians and anesthesiologists when planning optimal peripartum management for mothers with twin pregnancies.

Can sarcopenia predict poor prognosis of sepsis due to acute cholecystitis?

Aim of the studyAs sepsis is a life-threatening disease, it is important to predict the prognosis in the early stages to establish treatment plans. This study aimed to investigate the association between sarcopenia, determined by the psoas muscle area, and the prognosis of sepsis due to acute cholecystitis. MethodsThis retrospective single-center observational study included adult patients with sepsis due to acute cholecystitis who visited the emergency department between January 2016 and December 2021. The area of both sides of the psoas muscle at the L3 level was measured, and the psoas muscle index (PMI) corrected by the patient's height was calculated. Sarcopenia was determined based on PMI. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality, and secondary outcomes were intensive care unit (ICU) admission, length of hospital stay (LOS), and 14-day mortality. ResultsA total of 374 patients were included in this study. In this cohort, the lower quartile of PMI according to gender was set as the cut-off value to define sarcopenia. Sarcopenia was defined as PMI < 423 mm2/m2 for males and < 269 mm2/m2 for females. There were 94 patients in the sarcopenic group and 280 in the non-sarcopenic group. There was a significant association between sarcopenia and ICU admission (odds ratio [OR], 1.98; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.05–3.76), and there was also a significant association between sarcopenia and in-hospital mortality (OR, 6.40; 95%CI, 1.13–36.09). Additionally, the median LOS in the sarcopenic group (11.5 (Cruz-Jentoft et al., 2010; Kawaguchi et al., 2019; Kim et al., 2017; Ritz et al., 2021; Cox et al., 2021; Lee et al., 2018; Okada et al., 2021; Prashanthi et al., n.d.; Amini et al., 2015; Fearon et al., 2011) days) was significantly longer than the median (8 (Rosenberg, 1989, 1997; Cruz-Jentoft et al., 2010; Kawaguchi et al., 2019; Kim et al., 2017; Ritz et al., 2021) days) in the non-sarcopenic group. ConclusionsIn patients with sepsis due to acute cholecystitis, sarcopenia was significantly associated with ICU admission, LOS, and in-hospital mortality.

Patients who use emergency medical services have greater severity of illness or injury compared to those who present to the emergency department via other means: A retrospective cohort study.

We aimed to evaluate the differences in characteristics and illness/injury severity among patients who present to the emergency department (ED) via emergency medical services (EMS) compared to patients who present via other means. We analyzed a nationwide sample of ED visits from the 2015-2019 National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey. We excluded patients<18 or>92 years old, who eloped or left against medical advice, or who arrived via interfacility transport. Mode of presentation was dichotomized to those presenting to the ED via EMS versus any other mode of transportation. Using the appropriate survey sampling weights, we described patient characteristics and compared measures of illness/injury severity between groups using a multivariable logistic regression model. An unweighted total of 73,397 ED visits, representing a weighted estimate of 528,083,416 ED visits in the United States during 2015-2019, included 18% arriving via EMS and 82% via other means. EMS patients were older, more often male, more often had multiple chronic medical conditions, and less often had private insurance. EMS patients had higher priority triage scores, consumed more resources in the ED, and had longer lengths of stay. Arrival by EMS was associated with higher odds of hospital admission (odds ratio [OR] 2.7, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.4-2.9) and in-hospital mortality (OR 11.1, 95% CI 7.3-17.2). Patients presenting via EMS had significantly different characteristics and outcomes than those presenting via other means. These important differences should be considered when comparing studies of all ED patients versus those who present via EMS.

Analysis of Intrapartum Cardiotocography Findings in Labour, its Correlation with Umbilical Arterial Blood pH and Neonatal Outcome

Background: Cardiotocography (CTG) is being used in all labouring women to detect intrapartum hypoxemia which further requires confirmatory tests. But in a setting where these facilities are not available, umbilical artery pH analysis can help not only in identifying neonates with intrapartum hypoxemia but can also help in anticipating neonatal adverse outcomes. The aim of the study was to analyse intrapartum cardiotocography and its correlation with umbilical artery pH and neonatal outcome. Methods: Total of 317 consecutive single, term, labouring women were included in the present study. After taking CTG, it was classified into normal, non-reassuring and abnormal groups according to National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) guideline 2017. At birth umbilical cord arterial blood was taken to detect neonatal hypoxemia. At the same time, APGAR score at 5 minute of birth, NICU admission and neonatal mortality was also recorded. Neonates with umbilical artery blood pH of ≤7.2 were considered as asphyxiated. Results: Among 317 women 48.8% had normal CTG, 35% had non-reassuring and 15.4% had abnormal CTG. APGAR score was found to be &lt;7 in 17.3%, and same number of neonates had NICU admission. Out of 113 non-reassuring CTG, 5.9% had acidosis. This number was much higher in abnormal CTG group where 11% had acidosis. There were 6 neonatal mortalities. A statistically significant association was found between intrapartum CTG and umbilical artery pH and neonatal outcomes. Conclusion: Cardiotocography is an effective screening tool that is routinely used in all labouring women for screening of fetal hypoxia. By doing that timely intervention can be under taken to avoid neonatal morbidity and mortality.

The prognostic value of HALP score in predicting in-hospital mortality in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention.

Despite major advances in reperfusion therapies, morbidity and mortality rates associated with cardiovascular disorders remain high, particularly in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Therefore, identifying prognostic variables that can be used to predict morbidity and mortality in STEMI patients is critical for better disease management. The HALP (hemoglobin, albumin, lymphocyte, and platelet) score, a novel index indicating nutritional status and systemic inflammation, provides information about prognosis. In this context, this study was carried out to investigate the relationship between HALP score assessed at admission and in-hospital mortality in STEMI patients. The population of this retrospective study consisted of 1307 consecutive patients diagnosed with STEMI and who underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI). The 1090 patients included in the study sample were divided into two groups based on the median HALP score value of 3.59. In-hospital and all-cause mortality rates during the follow-up were obtained from the registry. In-hospital mortality rate was significantly higher in patients with a HALP score of less than 3.59 compared to those with a HALP score of more than 3.59 (7.5% and 0.7%, respectively; P < 0.001). Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazard analyses revealed that the HALP score is independently associated with in-hospital mortality. The optimal HALP score cutoff value of <3.72 predicted in-hospital mortality with 95.56% sensitivity and 49.19% specificity. This study's findings indicate that HALP score may be a significant independent predictor of in-hospital mortality in patients with STEMI treated with pPCI.

The Impact of Obesity on Mortality and Complications in Posterior Retroperitoneoscopic Adrenalectomy.

Background Obesity is a global epidemic. It influences surgical technique, ergonomics, safety, and outcomes. However, there is a paucity of evidence of obesity-related impact in posterior retroperitoneoscopic adrenalectomy (PRA). This study compared perioperative outcomes of obese and non-obese participants undergoing PRA. Methodology This is a multi-center retrospective cohort study of elective PRA from March 2014 to December 2022. Patient demographics, surgical techniques, clinicopathological parameters, and outcomes, including overall complication rate, were analyzed using SPSS version 27 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA). Results Seventy-five patients underwent a PRA, of which 97.3% were completed retroperitoneoscopically. The overall complication rate was (9.3%), and on subgroup analysis, the obese cohort had a lower percentage complication profile at 6.5%. Male participants comprised 52%, with a median age of 55 (IQR=19). The median BMI was 29.0 (IQR=8), of which 41% were obese, and 40% were overweight. Univariate analysis showed that being obese was not significantly associated with a higher complication rate (p=0.471). In addition, there was no significant increase in conversion (p=0.508), bleeding/transfusion (p=0.508), surgical site infection (SSI; p=1.000), incisional hernia (p=1.000), ICU or high dependency unit admission (p=0.292) and any-cause mortality (p=1.000). No sentinel deaths directly related to PRA were recorded. Procedure duration was longer in obese (117 mins) vs. non-obese participants (88.9 mins, p=0.022). However, there was no significant difference in the length-of-hospital stay (p=0.592). The cohort conversion rate was (2.7%), and tumor size was associated with a higher conversion rate (35.4 vs. 62.5mm, p=0.040). Conclusion Posterior retroperitoneoscopic adrenalectomy can be a safe procedure in obese populations, and obesity does not increase perioperative morbidity or mortality.

Effect of weekend versus weekday admission on the mortality of acute ischemic stroke patients in China: an analysis of data from the Chinese acute ischemic stroke treatment outcome registry.

Due to disparities in medical resources in rural and urban areas as well as in different geographic regions in China, the effect of weekend versus weekday admission on the outcomes of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients is unknown. Our aim was to investigate whether the outcomes of AIS patients differ according to the day of admission in China. The data were extracted from the Chinese Acute Ischemic Stroke Treatment Outcome Registry (CASTOR), a multicenter prospective study database of patients diagnosed with AIS. The chi-square test (χ2) and logistic regression were used to assess mortality for weekday and weekend admissions among AIS patients stratified by rural or urban status and geographic region (including the eastern, northeastern, central, and western regions). In total, 9,256 patients were included in this study. Of these patients, 57.2% were classified as urban, and 42.8% were classified as rural. A total of 6,760 (73%) patients were admitted on weekdays, and 2,496 (27%) were admitted on weekends. There was no significant difference in the mortality rate among patients admitted on weekends compared with those admitted on weekdays in urban (7.5% versus 7.4%) or rural areas (8.8% versus 8.1%; p > 0.05). The mortality rate was the highest among patients admitted on weekends and weekdays (11.6% versus 10.3%) in the northeastern area, without statistical significance before and after adjusting for the patients' background characteristics (p > 0.05). In addition, regression analysis revealed that the mortality of patients admitted on weekdays was more likely to be influenced by regional subgroup, hospital level and intravenous thrombolysis than that of patients admitted on weekends. The weekend effect was not observed in the mortality of patients with AIS regardless of rural-urban status or geographic region in China.

T-cell immunity against SARS-CoV-2 measured by an interferon-γ release assay is strongly associated with patient outcomes in vaccinated persons hospitalized with Delta or Omicron variants.

We measured T-cell and antibody responses to SARS-CoV-2 in vaccinated patients hospitalized for COVID-19, and explored their potential value to predict outcomes. Prospective, longitudinal study including vaccinated patients hospitalized with Delta and Omicron SARS-CoV-2 variants. TrimericS-IgG antibodies and SARS-CoV-2 T-cell response were measured using a specific quantitative interferon-γ release assay (IGRA). Primary outcome was all-cause 28-day mortality or need for ICU admission. Cox models were used to assess associations with outcomes. 158 (87.3%) of 181 individuals had detectable SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, 92 (50.8%) showed SARS-CoV-2 specific T-cell responses, and 87 (48.1%) had both responses. Patients who died within 28 days or needed ICU were less likely to have both unspecific and specific T-cell responses in IGRA. In adjusted analyses, for the entire cohort, having both T-cell and antibody responses at admission (aHR:0.16; 95%CI, 0.05-0.58) and Omicron variant (aHR:0.38; 95%CI, 0.17-0.87) reduced the hazard of 28-day mortality or ICU, whereas higher Charlson comorbidity index (aHR:1.27; 95%CI, 1.07-1.51) and lower SpO2/FIO2 (aHR:2.36; 95%CI, 1.51-3.67) increased the risk. Pre-existing immunity against SARS-CoV-2 is strongly associated with patient outcomes in vaccinated individuals requiring hospital admission for COVID-19. Persons showing both T-cell and antibody responses have the lowest risk of severe outcomes.

Association of red blood cell distribution width with hospital admission and in-hospital mortality across all-cause adult emergency department visits.

To test the association between the initial red blood cell distribution width (RDW) value in the emergency department (ED) and hospital admission and, among those admitted, in-hospital mortality. We perform a retrospective analysis of 210 930 adult ED visits with complete blood count results from March 2013 to February 2022. Primary outcomes were hospital admission and in-hospital mortality. Variables for each visit included demographics, comorbidities, vital signs, basic metabolic panel, complete blood count, and final diagnosis. The association of each outcome with the initial RDW value was calculated across 3 age groups (<45, 45-65, and >65) as well as across 374 diagnosis categories. Logistic regression (LR) and XGBoost models using all variables excluding final diagnoses were built to test whether RDW was a highly weighted and informative predictor for each outcome. Finally, simplified models using only age, sex, and vital signs were built to test whether RDW had additive predictive value. Compared to that of discharged visits (mean [SD]: 13.8 [2.03]), RDW was significantly elevated in visits that resulted in admission (15.1 [2.72]) and, among admissions, those resulting in intensive care unit stay (15.3 [2.88]) and/or death (16.8 [3.25]). This relationship held across age groups as well as across various diagnosis categories. An RDW >16 achieved 90% specificity for hospital admission, while an RDW >18.5 achieved 90% specificity for in-hospital mortality. LR achieved a test area under the curve (AUC) of 0.77 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.77-0.78) for hospital admission and 0.85 (95% CI 0.81-0.88) for in-hospital mortality, while XGBoost achieved a test AUC of 0.90 (95% CI 0.89-0.90) for hospital admission and 0.96 (95% CI 0.94-0.97) for in-hospital mortality. RDW had high scaled weights and information gain for both outcomes and had additive value in simplified models predicting hospital admission. Elevated RDW, previously associated with mortality in myocardial infarction, pulmonary embolism, heart failure, sepsis, and COVID-19, is associated with hospital admission and in-hospital mortality across all-cause adult ED visits. Used alone, elevated RDW may be a specific, but not sensitive, test for both outcomes, with multivariate LR and XGBoost models showing significantly improved test characteristics. RDW, a component of the complete blood count panel routinely ordered as the initial workup for the undifferentiated patient, may be a generalizable biomarker for acuity in the ED.

Emergency admissions’ diagnoses and risk of in-hospital death according to the primary ICD-10 chapter assigned at discharge and the National Early Warning Score on admission

Background: The relationship between diagnosis, illness severity, and mortality risk for unselected emergency admissions is poorly defined. Aim: To define primary ICD-10 diagnostic chapters at discharge, admission illness severity by the National Early Warning Score, and in-hospital mortality for all unselected emergency admissions. Method: Retrospective, observational, cohort study of 122,259 unselected, adult emergency admissions to Salford Royal Hospital between 2014 and 2022. Results: In-hospital mortality was 4.3% but most patients had an ICD-10 chapter associated with a lower risk of death. 60% of in-hospital deaths were in four chapters, infections, circulatory and respiratory diseases, or neoplasms. An admission NEWS ≥3 was associated with earlier mortality and an eight-fold increased risk of in-hospital mortality. 45% of all in-hospital deaths occurred in patients with an admission NEWS &lt;3. Conclusion: Mortality in emergency hospital admissions is associated with illness severity and four diagnostic chapters. NEWS should not be the only arbiter of hospital admission, as for certain diagnostic chapters the risk of death is high even if vital signs on presentation are normal.

Oral Health Status Using the Revised Oral Assessment Guide and Mortality in Older Orthopaedic Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Orthogeriatric hospitalised patients with fractures of the lower limb constitute a vulnerable population with increased risk of morbidity, polypharmacy, and mortality as well as impaired oral health. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to investigate whether any relationship existed between oral health issues in older orthopaedic patients and mortality. The study population consisted of older orthopedic patients emergently admitted to a hospital in southern Sweden due to mainly fractures of the hip. Their oral health at admission was assessed by trained nurses using the revised oral assessment guide (ROAG), as well as examined by dental hygienists. Medical and demographic data were collected from medical records and mortality from the national population registry. Comorbidity was assessed using the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI). Data were analysed using foremost dichotomized data derived from mean values and then processed using multiple logistic regression adjusted for identified probable confounders. Of the 187 study patients (≥65 years) with a mean age of 81 (SD 7.9) years, 71% were women, mean CCI score was 6.7 and 90-days mortality 12.3%. Oral health issues (ROAG >8, 73%) consisted mainly of problems with teeth/dentures (41%), tongue (36%), lips (35%), and saliva (28%). In patients with any oral health impairment (ROAG >8) the 90-days mortality was significantly increased (p=0.040), using logistic regression analysis adjusted for age, gender, comorbidity, and use of ≥5 drugs. In patients with a ROAG score ≥10 (≥mean) the association remained at 90-days (p=0.029) and 180-days (p=0.013). Decayed teeth were present in 24% and was significantly associated with ROAG >8 (p=0.020). The main finding of this study was a possible relationship between oral health impairment at admission and early mortality in orthogeriatric hospitalised patients. The opportunity to identify their oral health problems can help improving further care planning and care.

Enhanced surveillance of hospitalised COVID-19 patients in Europe: I-MOVE-COVID-19 surveillance network, February 2020 to December 2021.

BackgroundIn early 2020, the I-MOVE-COVID-19 hospital surveillance system was adapted from an existing influenza surveillance system to include hospitalised COVID-19 cases.AimTo describe trends in the demographic and clinical characteristics of hospitalised COVID-19 cases across Europe during the first 2 years of the pandemic, and to identify associations between sex, age and chronic conditions with admission to intensive care or high dependency units (ICU/HDU) and in-hospital mortality.MethodsWe pooled pseudonymised data from all hospitalised COVID-19 cases in 11 surveillance sites in nine European countries, collected between 1 February 2020 and 31 December 2021. Associations between sex, age and chronic conditions, with ICU/HDU admission and in-hospital mortality were examined using Pearson's chi-squared test, and crude odds ratio (OR) estimates with respective 95% confidence intervals (CI).ResultsOf 25,971 hospitalised COVID-19 cases, 55% were male, 35% were 75 years or older and 90% had a chronic underlying condition. Patients with two or more chronic underlying conditions were significantly more likely to die in-hospital from COVID-19 (OR: 10.84; 95% CI: 8.30-14.16) than those without a chronic condition.ConclusionThe surveillance demonstrated that males, those 75 years or older and those with chronic conditions were at greater risk of in-hospital death. Over the surveillance period, outcomes tended to improve, likely because of vaccinations. This surveillance has laid the groundwork for further research studies investigating the risk factors of hospitalised COVID-19 cases and vaccine effectiveness.

National experience with pediatric surgical aortic valve repair: A Pediatric Health Information System analysis

ObjectiveTo characterize national experience with surgical aortic valve repair in pediatric patients. MethodsPatients in the Pediatric Health Information System database aged 17 years or younger with International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems codes for open aortic valve repair from 2003 to 2022 were included (n = 5582). Outcomes of reintervention during index admission (repeat repair, n = 54; replacement, n = 48; and endovascular intervention, n = 1), readmission (n = 2176), and in-hospital mortality (n = 178) were compared. A logistic regression was performed for in-hospital mortality. ResultsOne-quarter (26%) of patients were infants. The majority (61%) were boys. Heart failure was present in 16% of patients, congenital heart disease in 73%, and rheumatic disease in 4%. Valve disease was insufficiency in 22% of patients, stenosis in 29%, and mixed in 15%. The highest quartile of centers by volume (median, 101 cases; interquartile range, 55-155 cases) performed half (n = 2768) of cases. Infants had the highest prevalence of reintervention (3%; P < .001), readmission (53%; P < .001), and in-hospital mortality (10%; P < .001). Previously hospitalized patients (median, 6 days; interquartile range, 4-13 days) were at higher risk for reintervention (4%; P < .001), readmission (55%; P < .001), and in-hospital mortality (11%; P < .001), as were patients with heart failure (reintervention [6%; P < .001], readmission [42%; P = .050], and in-hospital mortality [10%; P < .001]). Stenosis was associated with reduced reintervention (1%; P < .001) and readmission (35%; P = .002). The median number of readmissions was 1 (range, 0-6) and time to readmission was 28 days (interquartile range, 7-125 days). A regression of in-hospital mortality identified heart failure (odds ratio, 3.05; 95% CI, 1.59-5.49), inpatient status (odds ratio, 2.40; 95% CI, 1.19-4.82), and infancy (odds ratio, 5.70; 95% CI, 2.60-12.46) as significant. ConclusionsThe Pediatric Health Information System cohort demonstrated success with aortic valve repair; however, early mortality remains high in infants, hospitalized patients, and patients with heart failure.

In-hospital mortality of acute HIV-associated pulmonary morbidity among COVID-19 negative medical admissions to Dr. George Mukhari Academic Hospital

Objectives: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-related complications remain a frequent cause of hospital admissions. Pulmonary complications are among the most frequent causes of morbidity and mortality in HIV-infected individuals. We aimed to describe the in-hospital mortality of medical admissions with an acute HIV-associated pulmonary pathology. Materials and Methods: This was an observational study undertaken at a tertiary care center over 12 months. Variables of interest were as follow: Diagnoses, diagnostic work-up, treatment, mortality rate, and impact of comorbidities and HIV-associated factors on mortality. Results: Two-hundred and seventy-two patients were studied. The mean age was 42.0 ± 10.8 years. Males constituted 62.4% of the cases. One hundred and thirty patients (47.8%) were anti-retroviral therapy (ART) naive. The median CD4 count was 76 cells/mm3. The most frequent pulmonary diagnosis was community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) (212; 78%). Gram-negative pathogens were isolated in the majority of patients admitted with infectious complications. Pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) was confirmed in only 27 (0.9%) of the cases. Significantly more female patients were on ART compared to males (P = 0.0436). Survival rates were not significantly different between the two genders (P = 0.1670). Overall, in-hospital mortality was 25.7%. CD4 counts and comorbidities were not predictive of mortality. Conclusion: HIV-associated acute pulmonary disease is associated with significant mortality. A large number of patients are diagnosed at an advanced stage of HIV. Programs that encourage voluntary testing and treatment are likely to reduce the high number of late presentations and reduce the poor outcomes. Adherence to the South African thoracic society guideline recommended evaluation for PTB in HIV-infected patients diagnosed with CAP cannot be over-emphasized.

Improving Clinical Decision-Making: A Focus on Early Warning Systems and Scoring Methods

Dear Editor, Examinations, laboratory tests, radiology, and clinical experience are required to make the most appropriate clinical decisions. There is no single universal clinical decision-making method advocated in routine medical literature. Often, this process is driven by experience, exploration, and clinical gestalt. Clinician management serves as a subjective decision tool in disease management. It has been extensively studied in the literature, particularly in entities such as pulmonary embolism, difficult airway prediction, and severe COVID-19 (1). By combining parameters such as laboratory-vital parameters and combined hematological parameters, clinical decision-making tools have been developed (2-3). Early warning systems (EWS) help predict which patients will require critical care by evaluating physiological parameters in busy and crowded workspaces. These scores, which can be measured through vital parameters and a simple physical examination, ensure the effective use of resources (4). In intensive care units (ICUs), complex systems are used to predict mortality. APACHE II is the most well-known score used in intensive care, consisting of many parameters that are computationally difficult. Vital parameters, biochemical tests, and blood gas analysis results are used when calculating APACHE II (5). On the other hand, important features of scores used in the emergency department are their quick and easy calculation, requiring no professional knowledge. The VitalPAC Early Warning Score (ViEWS), developed by Prytherch et al. in 2010, is an EWS that includes six physiological parameters. This score records the pulse rate, systolic blood pressure, respiratory minute rate, body temperature, level of consciousness (assessed by AVPU), and peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2) parameters. ViEWS is created based on the degree of deviation of these six parameters from their normal ranges. Additional points are given if the patient receives oxygen support. The total ViEWS value, calculated by considering each parameter, provides information about the patient's prognosis (6). By adding the rapid lactate level to ViEWS (ViEWS-L), a score that better predicts outcomes in the geriatric population was developed (7). The Modified Early Warning Score (MEWS) is one of the triage scoring methods used to identify patients in need of intensive and critical care, and to expedite their transfer to the intensive care unit. It evaluates systolic blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, body temperature, and neurological status. MEWS is included in routine nursing care procedures in some countries and is routinely assessed by nurses. ICU admission rates and mortality rates increase for those who score 5 or more on this scale, although this threshold may vary in different populations or clinical situations. In a Korean study analyzing sepsis patients, combining lactate with the MEWS score improved the prediction of the need for intensive care (8). The National Early Warning Score (NEWS) is another scoring system used to determine clinical deterioration and follow-up level for all hospitalized patients, as well as to predict clinically high-risk patients. It is calculated by evaluating respiratory rate, oxygen saturation, oxygen support status, blood pressure, body temperature, and neurological status. The NEWS-L score, obtained by combining NEWS with lactate, has been reported to be superior to NEWS alone in geriatric critically ill patients (9). However, contrary to the geriatric patient study, Özkan's study reported that NEWS-L was not superior to NEWS and that they exhibited similar predictive abilities (10). As a result, researchers are actively working on new parameters and scoring systems to optimize resource utilization and predict critical illness. Researchers should be encouraged to investigate studies on EWS lactate combinations or other combinations.

Diagnostic accuracy of high sensitivity troponin and association of electrocardiogram findings for mortality in syncope patients: A retrospective cohort study.

High-sensitivity cardiac troponin-T (hs-cTnT) and electrocardiogram (ECG) are commonly ordered in daily practice in emergency medicine but their value on long term mortality in syncope patients is unclear. Our aim is to determine the diagnostic accuracy of hs-cTnT and association of ECG findings for 1-year mortality in patients presenting with syncope. In this retrospective cohort study, we included patients presenting with syncope to the emergency department (ED) between May 2020 and May 2021. Patient demographics, vital parameters on admission, ECG findings, hs-cTnT level at admission and 1-year mortality status were recorded. The study included 417 patients (62.4% women) with a mean age of 41.51 (standard deviation [SD] 17.1), 21 of whom were deceased within 1 year after syncope attack (5%). Patients with an abnormal QTc, T-Axis or frontal QRS-T angle had significantly higher 1-year mortality (OR: 9.26, 95% CI: 1.64-52.31; OR: 5.82, 95% CI: 1.69-20.1; 4.94, 95% CI: 1.45-16.84, respectively). The hs-cTnT level was 21.92 pg/mL (95% CI: 3.35-40.51 pg/mL) higher in the mortality group (P = .023). An abnormal QTc, T-Axis and frontal QRS-T angle are associated with a higher 1-year mortality rate and hs-cTnT has good diagnostic accuracy in detecting 1-year mortality for patients presenting with syncope.

CLINICAL AND EPIDEMIOLOGIC CHARACTERISTICS OF INFANTS HOSPITALIZED WITH RESPIRATORY SYNCYTIAL VIRUS INFECTION DURING THE 2022-2023 SEASON IN MEXICO.

In 2022, several countries reported an increase in respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections. We assessed the clinical characteristics and outcomes of infants hospitalized with RSV and compared them with infants hospitalized between 2009 and 2015. No significant differences in underlying disorders, intensive care unit admission rates and mortality were observed suggesting currently circulating RSV strains do not show heightened virulence.

Weekend atrial fibrillation hospitalizations are associated with higher short-term mortality

Background Previous investigations have analysed the relationship between weekend (WE) admission and early death in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) patients without reaching univocal results. We systematically reviewed the available literature and performed a meta-analysis of data from cohort studies to estimate the association between WE admission and short-term mortality in AF patients. Methods This study followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) reporting guideline. We searched relevant publications using MEDLINE and Scopus from inception until 15 November 2022. Studies reporting the mortality risk as an adjusted odds ratio (OR), with relative 95% confidence interval (CI) comparing early (in‐hospital or 30‐day) mortality between patients admitted during the WE (Friday to Sunday) versus weekdays (WD) and having confirmed AF were included into the analysis. Data were pooled using a random-effects models with OR and related 95% CI. Results Overall, 5.164.986 AF patients (mean age 69.7 years old, 47.6% males) enrolled in five retrospective investigations were considered for the analysis. A random-effect model evidenced that AF patients admitted during the WE had a higher risk of 30-day or in-hospital death (adjusted OR: 1.57; 95% CI, 1.05–1.27, p = .003, I2 = 64.7%). Sensitivity analysis confirmed yielded results. A meta-regression analysis showed a relationship between mortality and the mean age of the studies included (p = .001) while no associations were identified using sex as moderating variables (p = .15). Conclusions Patients admitted during WE for AF are characterised by an approximately 58% excess in the risk of early death.