Cardiac Arrest Rates Research Articles

The impact of obesity on total knee arthroplasty outcomes: A retrospective matched cohort study

BackgroundTotal Knee Arthroplasty (TKA) is a common orthopaedic surgery to treat advanced knee arthritis. Post-operative complications can be affected by obesity, defined as a body mass index of 30 kg/m2 or higher. We examine the rates of specific complications, revision rates, and costs of care following TKA and compare them between multifactor matched obese and non-obese patients. We hypothesize these outcomes will be worse in obese patients than in non-obese patients. MethodsThis retrospective study of the PearlDiver database queries for patients who underwent TKA under Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) and International Statistical Classification of Diseases (ICD-9) codes between January 2011 and January 2020. Patients were matched based on age, gender, and comorbidity indices, and various complications, revision rates, and costs were compared between the matched obese and non-obese patient groups. ResultsObesity was associated with higher rates of surgical complications, such as wound complications, surgical site infections, need for revision, and higher total cost of care one year after TKA, and medical complications such as, acute kidney injury, deep vein thrombosis, urinary tract infection, and narcotics use, but significantly lower rates of anemia, arrhythmia, cardiac arrest, pneumonia, and transfusion. Obese patients also experienced significantly lower drug costs of care. ConclusionOutcomes were not definitively worse in obese patients when compared to matched non-obese patients. Nevertheless, understanding the complications that can arise following TKA will assist in educating patients about potential risks from surgery and guide surgeons in caring for their patients as obesity is predicted to continue increasing in prevalence. As such, future studies should examine underlying mechanisms that cause these complications to develop potential therapies.

Evaluation of the impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Nonhospital Cardiac Arrest Rates

Objective: This study aimed to investigate whether the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic resulted in delayed access to acute medical conditions and an increase in nonhospital cardiac arrests. Material and Methods: In this retrospective cross-sectional study, emergency department admissions of nonhospital cardiac arrest patients during the pre-pandemic period (11/03/2019-31/01/2020) and the pandemic period (11/03/2020-31/01/2021) were examined. Demographic data, comorbidities, pre-arrest complaints and onset of complaints, return of spontaneous circulation, and duration of stay in the emergency department were compared. Results: Although there was a 49% decrease in general hospital admissions and a 28% decrease in emergency department admissions between the two defined periods, there was a 38% increase in out-of-hospital cardiac arrests during the pandemic period. There was no statistically significant difference between the patients who underwent cardiopulmonary resuscitation in both periods in terms of gender (p=0.06), age (p=0.15), and comorbidity (p=0.14). Pre-arrest chest pain and dyspnea were more common in the pandemic period than in the pre-pandemic period (p=0.02). Patients who achieved spontaneous return during the pandemic period had longer intensive care unit waiting times (p<0.001). Conclusions: Limitations such as the risk of transmission of the COVID-19 disease, the desire to protect social distance, and curfews caused people with chronic diseases to delay their follow-up and avoid the need to seek emergency health care in case of acute exacerbations.

Epidemiology of sudden cardiac death and sudden cardiac arrest with resultant disability during high school organized sport in Japan

ObjectivesTo examine the incidence and survival rates of sudden cardiac arrest that were documented during school organized sports in Japan. DesignRetrospective cohort study. MethodsInsurance claim data of cardiac events (sudden cardiac death and sudden cardiac arrest with resultant disabilities) that occurred during Japanese high school organized sports between 2009 and 2018 were retrieved. Participation data from All Japan High School Athletic Federation and Japan High School Baseball Federation were used for incidence rate calculations. Incidence rate ratios with 95 % confidence interval were calculated to compare the risk by sports and sex. The survival rate was calculated with the proportion of resuscitated cases to total number of cardiac events in this dataset. ResultsA total of 55 cardiac events (25 survivors and 30 deceased) were identified in the dataset. The majority affected male student-athletes (92.7 %). The frequency and incidence rate of cardiac events were highest in male baseball (n = 16 [29.1 %], incidence rate: 0.91 per 100,000 athlete-years). Incidence rate ratio revealed that male basketball (2.19, 95 % confidence interval: 1.04–4.60), male baseball (2.31, 95 % confidence interval: 1.32–4.03), and first-year male baseball (4.11, 95 % confidence interval: 2.10–8.07) had significantly higher risk of cardiac events, compared to the overall incidence rate (0.38 per 100,000 athlete-years). The survival rates were 37.5 % in the first half (2009–2013) and 56.5 % in the latter half (2014–2018) of the study period. ConclusionsThe risk of cardiac events was highest in male, baseball, first-year student-athletes. Rapid AED application by bystanders should be advocated to enhance better survival.

Mortality trend of heart diseases in China, 2013–2020

Background and purpose: Heart diseases are the leading cause of death in China. Understanding of the secular trend of different subcategories of heart disease is important for policy making. The purpose of this study is to analyze the mortality trend of heart diseases in China from 2013 to 2020. Methods: A population-based longitudinal analysis was conducted using the China National Mortality Surveillance System to examine heart disease mortality change during a period from 2013 to 2020. The causes of death were coded using the International Classification of Diseases-10th Revision. The number of deaths and mortality rate were calculated based on sex, subcategories of heart disease, urban versus rural setting, and across different geographic locations. Data from the sixth census in China in 2010 was used as the standard population, and the mortality rates were adjusted based on the under-reporting rate. Results: Ischemic heart disease (IHD), hypertensive heart disease (HHD), and rheumatic heart disease (RHD) are the three leading causes of heart disease deaths during 2013–2020. There was a trend for increased age-standardized mortality rate (ASMR) of cardiac arrest, aortic aneurysm (AA), and nonrheumatic valvular heart diseases (NRVHDs) during the study period. In comparison to men, women had higher ASMR of RHD, and lower ASMR of IHD, HHD, cardiac arrest, AA, and NRVHDs. In comparison to rural areas, urban areas had lower ASMR of IHD, HHD, and RHD, and higher ASMR of cardiac arrest, AA, and NRVHDs. The spectrum of heart diseases differed significantly across age groups. In 2020, the percentages of IHD and HHD in the ≥65-year age group were higher than in other age groups. Significant differences in ASMR were noted across different geographic locations, with the highest in Xinjiang (198.14/100,000) and the lowest in Shanghai (62.19/100,000) in 2020. Conclusions: The mortality rate decreased for IHD, HHD, and RHD during the study period, but remained the leading causes of heart disease death in China. There was a trend for increasing mortality of cardiac arrest, AA, and NRVHDs, and significant difference across different geographic locations.

Prevalence, Outcomes, and Risk Factors for Cardiorespiratory Arrest in the Intensive Care Unit: An Observational Study.

BackgroundCardiorespiratory arrest is defined as an abrupt halt in the cardiac mechanical activity that is accompanied by the loss of a detectable pulse, the cessation of breathing, and the loss of consciousness. The aim of this study is to create a clinical–epidemiological profile of patients who experienced cardiorespiratory arrest and were admitted to the intensive care unit to evaluate the associated factors and their impact on the prognosis of these patients.Patients and methodsFrom January to December 2019, the medical records of 135 patients who received cardiopulmonary resuscitation were reviewed for this cross-sectional observational study. The information was collected according to the Utstein model.ResultsA low return of spontaneous circulation of 22.2% was observed, with a predominance of females (53.3%) and older patients (68.9%), multiple comorbidities at admission (68.4%), and asystole as the predominant rhythm. Female sex and age >60 years were statistically significant (p = 0.017), as was the association between sex and comorbidities (p = 0.036), with heart disease being the most prevalent in females (p = 0.036).ConclusionIn this study, even though the resuscitation maneuver time (start of resuscitation following arrest) was very short and the defibrillation was performed promptly, there was a high prevalence of cardiac arrest and low survival rates after cardiopulmonary resuscitation.How to cite this articleMenezes da Silva A, Braga AL, Cruvinel de Souza V. Prevalence, Outcomes, and Risk Factors for Cardiorespiratory Arrest in the Intensive Care Unit: An Observational Study. Indian J Crit Care Med 2022;26(6):704–709.

Outcomes of hepatocellular carcinoma in obese patients: Insights from a nationwide database.

e16178 Background: Obesity is associated with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), affecting mortality and post-surgical outcomes. Growing epidemiological obesity trends parallel the constant rise of HCC incidence. Therefore, we sought to examine outcomes of HCC in obese patients. Methods: We investigated the National Inpatient Sample and National Readmission Database 2018-2019 using International Classification of Diseases-10 codes for adult patients with HCC. Analyses were performed using STATA (v 14.2), considering 2 sided P< 0.05 as statistically significant. Proportions were compared using Fisher exact test and continuous variables using Student’s t-test. Confounding variables were adjusted using multivariate logistic and linear regression analyses. Results: Obese patients with HCC had lower odds of inpatient mortality and higher odds of hospice discharge ( P< 0.05). Obesity was associated with a higher length of stay (LOS) by 0.90 days and hospital cost by 5,453 USD ( P< 0.01). We found higher odds of acute renal failure (Adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 1.37, P< 0.01) and a higher prevalence of HCV, smoking, and alcohol use in obese patients. There were no differences in lobectomy, partial hepatectomy, or transarterial radioembolization; however, higher odds of liver transplant were observed (aOR 1.82, P< 0.01). A higher proportion of obese HCC patients had lymph nodes metastasis (6.43% vs. 6.08%, P:0.64). Rates of respiratory problems, ICU admission, cardiac arrest, HIV, DVT, myocardial infarction, and stroke were not different between the two groups ( P> 0.05). Conclusions: Obese patients with HCC appear to have an advanced stage at presentation leading to lower rates of lobectomy, partial hepatectomy, and TARE and higher rates of liver transplant and hospice utilization. Future studies need to address the barriers leading to delays in diagnosis.[Table: see text]

Does acute cholangitis impact outcomes of cholangiocarcinoma? Insights from a nationwide database.

e16138 Background: Cholangiocarcinoma is a malignancy associated with poor survival and outcomes. Structural abnormalities causing bile duct obstruction frequently lead to superimposed acute cholangitis (AC). We evaluated the impact of AC on hospitalized patients with cholangiocarcinoma. Methods: We investigated National Inpatient Sample 2019, employing International Classification of Diseases-10 (ICD-10) codes to include adult patients with cholangiocarcinoma. Analyses were performed using STATA (v 14.2), considering 2 sided P< 0.05 as statistically significant. Proportions were compared using Fisher exact test and continuous variables using Student’s t-test. Confounding variables were adjusted using multivariate logistic and linear regression analyses and included: gender, race, Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) score, median household income for patients’ zip codes, hospital location/region/ bedside, and insurance status. Results: A total of 36,900 patients were included in the analysis. Of those 15.26% (5,630) had AC on presentation (Table). Concomitant AC was associated with a higher adjusted length of stay (LOS) by 1.78 days and hospitalization cost by 3,028 USD in cholangiocarcinoma patients ( P< 0.01). There were higher adjusted odds of acute renal failure (Adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 1.31, P< 0.01) and lower odds of aspiration pneumonia while hospitalized in AC patients (aOR 0.37, P< 0.01). ERCP represented the primary technique of biliary drainage. No disparities were seen between the two groups undergoing ERCP or cholecystostomy tube, which resulted in comparable mortality trends ( P> 0.05). Rates of acute respiratory failure, mechanical ventilation, ICU admission, cardiac arrest, and sepsis were not different between the two groups ( P> 0.05). Conclusions: Unbiased and comparable biliary drainage via either ERCP or cholecystostomy resulted in observing no mortality differences between the two groups. However, superimposed AC in cholangiocarcinoma patients results in higher LOS driven by acute renal failure.[Table: see text]

Abstract 62: Burden And Disparities Of Major Adverse Cardiac And Cerebrovascular Events In Nationwide Adult Hospitalizations With Cannabis Use Disorder

Background: Following the legalization/decriminalization of recreational cannabis use in the United States, an associated increase in the cardiac-deaths has been reported. Therefore, we aimed to study the burden and healthcare disparities in major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) in cannabis use disorder (CUD)-related hospitalizations using a nationwide cohort. Methods: We queried the National Inpatient Sample (2018) to identify CUD-related adult (≥18 years old) hospitalizations and associated MACCE (all-cause mortality, acute myocardial infarction-AMI, cardiac arrest and stroke) using ICD10 diagnostic codes. We also evaluated disparities in MACCE based on sex, race, household income, and geography. Results: Of 436,440 CUD-related admissions (34±14 years, 63.4% males, 53.4% white, 30% black, and 11.2% Hispanic), 4% (n=17335) patients experience in-hospital MACCE. All MACCE events including all-cause mortality were highest among geriatric patients followed by 45-64 years and 18-44 years age group with CUD [Table 1] . There was a sex disparity with males (4.6%) having higher MACCE than females (2.9%). Blacks (4.5%) compared to whites (3.9%) demonstrated a higher overall MACCE. Asian or Pacific Islanders with CUD had overall higher rates of all-cause mortality (1%) and cardiac arrest (1%) vs. others. Lowest income quartile CUD hospitalized patients had higher MACCE than higher-income quartile (4.3 vs 3.3%). MACCE were highest in Southern hospitals (5%) with CUD-related admissions. Conclusion: Among CUD-related admissions, elderly vs. younger patients, males vs. females, black and Asians compared to whites, and lowest income quartile patients and Southern region are prone to have increased MACCE. A multitude of factors including age, sex, race, socioeconomic status, and access to health care seems to play role in MACCE incidence and its outcomes in cannabis users which warrants attention by policymakers and physicians.

Pediatric Advanced Life Support in a Neonatal Context.

Pediatric Advanced Life Support in a Neonatal Context.

Outcomes of Patients With Sickle Cell Disease and Trait After Congenital Heart Disease Surgery

BackgroundSickle cell disease (SCD) is a hemoglobinopathy that can cause multiorgan dysfunction. This study assessed the perioperative outcomes of patients undergoing operations for congenital heart disease who had SCD or sickle cell trait (SCT). MethodsWe performed a retrospective review of patients with SCD or SCT who had records in The Society of Thoracic Surgeons Congenital Heart Surgery Database between 2014 and 2019. The primary outcome was operative mortality. Secondary outcomes included postoperative complications. One-to-one propensity score matching was performed between the SCD and SCT groups and the control group for further analysis. ResultsOur study population consisted of 73, 411, and 36 501 patients in the SCD, SCT, and control groups, respectively. Median (25%-75% interquartile range) age at surgery was 2.8 (0.4-9.7), 0.60 (0.2-3.1), and 0.70 (0.2-6.4) years in the SCD, SCT, and control cohorts, respectively. Operative mortality, surgery duration, cardiopulmonary bypass time, and cross-clamp time were not significantly different among the 3 groups. The SCD group had a higher rate of postsurgical cardiac arrest than its propensity score-matched control group (5.5% vs 0%, P < .05); otherwise, there were no statistically significant differences in the outcomes between the SCD and SCT groups and their respective matched control groups. ConclusionsOperative mortality after cardiothoracic procedures in patients with SCD or SCT appeared similar to our control patients. While these patients may require unique perioperative management, they can undergo cardiac surgery without an observed increase in mortality.

Sudden cardiac arrest in patients with schizophrenia: A population-based study of resuscitation outcomes and pre-existing cardiovascular disease.

ObjectiveIndividuals with schizophrenia carry a high burden of cardiovascular disease and elevated rates of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA), but little published data is available regarding survival from SCA in this population. The authors compared cardiovascular disease burden and resuscitation outcomes following SCA in individuals with and without schizophrenia.MethodsCase-control analysis drawn from a prospective community-based study of SCA in a large community. The authors defined cases as having a pre-SCA history of schizophrenia, and controls as individuals with SCA without a history of schizophrenia. SCA cases with schizophrenia were compared to a 1:5 age- and sex-frequency-matched sample of SCA cases without schizophrenia.ResultsThe 103 SCA schizophrenia cases were as likely as the 515 cases without schizophrenia to have resuscitation attempted (75% vs. 80%; p = 0.24) and had a shorter 911 call mean response time (5.8 min vs. 6.9 min, p < 0.001). However, they were significantly less likely to present with a shockable rhythm (ventricular fibrillation/pulseless ventricular tachycardia 16% vs. 43%, p < 0.001), and less likely to survive to hospital discharge (3% vs. 14%, p = 0.008). Pre-arrest cardiovascular disease burden was similar in patients with and without schizophrenia.ConclusionsDespite comparable resuscitation characteristics and cardiovascular disease burden, patients with schizophrenia had significantly lower rates of SCA survival. The paucity of previous research into this phenomenon warrants further investigation to identify factors that may improve survival.

Outcomes After Stage I Norwood Palliation in a Recently Established Program Can Achieve Results Similar to Longer Established Services

Infants with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) or similar single ventricle cardiac lesions require a three-stage surgical approach, the first step being the Stage I Norwood procedure. The Queensland Children's Hospital (QCH) in Australia is a tertiary hospital providing the only cardiac surgical service to children in Queensland and northern New South Wales. To review the centre's outcomes of Norwood procedures performed in the last 6 years. We retrospectively evaluated all infants undergoing the stage I Norwood procedure between January 2015 and August 2021. Mortality, intensive care length of stay, events of cardiac arrest following surgery and duration of mechanical ventilation were calculated and analysed for subgroups depending on type of pulmonary shunt type (right-ventricle-to-pulmonary-artery shunt [RVPAS] vs the modified Blalock-Taussig shunt [MBTS]). Forty-nine (49) patients were included. Overall survival to stage two operation (Glenn) was 90%. Both shunts were used evenly with the RVPA conduit preferred for HLHS and the MBTS largely chosen for hypoplastic left heart variants. In univariable analysis there was no difference in cardiac arrest or mortality rate for the patient with a RVPAS compared to the patient with a MBTS. We show that a recently established Norwood program can achieve results that are comparable to those reported by longer established centres, and the international literature.

High-dose intravenous vitamin C decreases rates of mechanical ventilation and cardiac arrest in severe COVID-19

Intravenous vitamin C (IV-VitC) has been suggested as a treatment for severe sepsis and acute respiratory distress syndrome; however, there are limited studies evaluating its use in severe COVID-19. Efficacy and safety of high-dose IV-VitC (HDIVC) in patients with severe COVID-19 were evaluated. This observational cohort was conducted at a single-center, 530 bed, community teaching hospital and took place from March 2020 through July 2020. Inverse probability treatment weighting (IPTW) was utilized to compare outcomes in patients with severe COVID-19 treated with and without HDIVC. Patients were enrolled if they were older than 18 years of age and were hospitalized secondary to severe COVID-19 infection, indicated by an oxygenation index < 300. Primary study outcomes included mortality, mechanical ventilation, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, and cardiac arrest. From a total of 100 patients enrolled, 25 patients were in the HDIVC group and 75 patients in the control group. The average time to death was significantly longer for HDIVC patients (P = 0.0139), with an average of 22.9 days versus 13.7 days for control patients. Patients who received HDIVC also had significantly lower rates of mechanical ventilation (52.93% vs. 73.14%; ORIPTW = 0.27; P = 0.0499) and cardiac arrest (2.46% vs. 9.06%; ORIPTW = 0.23; P = 0.0439). HDIVC may be an effective treatment in decreasing the rates of mechanical ventilation and cardiac arrest in hospitalized patients with severe COVID-19. A longer hospital stay and prolonged time to death may suggest that HDIVC may protect against clinical deterioration in severe COVID-19.

Evaluation of an Intensive Care Outreach Nurse Program in 4 UAE Hospitals.

Intensive care outreach nurses (ICONs) can reduce deterioration and death of patients in hospitals. Evaluate outcomes associated with implementation of the ICON role across 4 UAE hospitals. Trend analyses and χ 2 tests were used to measure changes before ICON program, during ICON year 1, ICON year 2, when the service coverage extended 24/7, and until the end of 2019. From year 1 to year 2, failures to escalate decreased from a rate of 14.8 to 5.6 episodes per 1000 admissions for all sites combined ( P < .001). The cardiac arrest rate went from 4.04 to 1.42 per 1000 admissions in year 2 and continued downward to 0.72 per 1000 ( P < .001). Transfer from ward or readmission to intensive care unit/high dependency unit varied by site, although there was a statistically significant trend for all hospitals combined. The ICON role contributed to fewer failure to escalate incidents and lower cardiac arrest rates.

A Comprehensive Approach to Managing Methamphetamine-Associated Cardiomyopathy.

Methamphetamines are illicit drugs of the amphetamine-type stimulant class that have been increasing in popularity, availability, and purity in recent decades. As a result, rates of methamphetamine-associated cardiomyopathy (MAC) are rising globally. MAC is associated with high rates of sudden cardiac arrest, late presentation, and poor outcomes. This review discusses the medical management of MAC, including anticipated challenges specific to methamphetamine users. Not only are patients with MAC more likely to present at a younger age and with multisystem disease than patients with cardiomyopathy of other etiologies, but there may also be significant behavioral, psychosocial, financial, and system-based challenges to providing the best medical care. An individualized treatment plan that emphasizes methamphetamine abstinence as the foundation of therapy, as well as introducing optimal heart failure therapy and providing multidisciplinary support is likely to result in optimal outcomes. Given the potential reversibility of MAC, institution of guideline-directed heart failure therapy and patient support for adherence to therapy and abstinence from methamphetamines should be energetically pursued.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on in-hospital cardiac arrests in the UK

AimsTo compare in-hospital cardiac arrest (IHCA) rates and patient outcomes during the first COVID-19 wave in the United Kingdom (UK) in 2020 with the same period in previous years. MethodsA retrospective, multicentre cohort study of 154 UK hospitals that participate in the National Cardiac Arrest Audit and have intensive care units participating in the Case Mix Programme national audit of intensive care. Hospital burden of COVID-19 was defined by the number of patients with confirmed SARS-CoV2 infection admitted to critical care per 10,000 hospital admissions. Results16,474 patients with IHCA where a resuscitation team attended were included. Patients admitted to hospital during 2020 were younger, more often male, and of non-white ethnicity compared with 2016–2019. A decreasing trend in IHCA rates between 2016 and 2019 was reversed in 2020. Hospitals with higher burden of COVID-19 had the greatest difference in IHCA rates (21.8 per 10,000 admissions in April 2020 vs 14.9 per 10,000 in April 2019). The proportions of patients achieving ROSC ≥ 20 min and surviving to hospital discharge were lower in 2020 compared with 2016–19 (46.2% vs 51.2%; and 21.9% vs 22.9%, respectively). Among patients with IHCA, higher hospital burden of COVID-19 was associated with reduced survival to hospital discharge (OR = 0.95; 95% CI 0.93 to 0.98; p < 0.001). ConclusionsIn comparison with 2016–2019, the first COVID-19 wave in 2020 was associated with a higher rate of IHCA and decreased survival among patients attended by resuscitation teams. These changes were greatest in hospitals with the highest COVID-19 burden.

Anesthesia in Children With Pulmonary Hypertension: Clinically Significant Serious Adverse Events Associated With Cardiac Catheterization and Noncardiac Procedures

To determine the incidence of clinically significant serious adverse events in a contemporary population of pediatric patients with pulmonary hypertension who require anesthesia and identify factors associated with adverse outcomes. A retrospective, cross-sectional study. A single-center quaternary-care freestanding children's hospital in the northeastern United States. Pediatric patients with pulmonary hypertension based on hemodynamic criteria on cardiac catheterization during a 3-year period from 2015 to 2018. Anesthesia care for cardiac catheterization, noncardiac surgery, and diagnostic imaging. Two hundred forty-nine children underwent 862 procedures, 592 for cardiac catheterization and 278 for noncardiac surgery and diagnostic imaging. The median age was 1.6 years, and the weight was 9.5 lbs. On index catheterization, median pulmonary artery pressure was 36 mmHg, and the pulmonary vascular resistance was 5.1 indexed Wood units. Ten percent of anesthetics were performed with a natural airway, and 80% used volatile anesthetics. Serious adverse events occurred in 26% of procedures (confidence interval [CI], 22%-30%). The rate of periprocedural cardiac arrest was 8 per 1,000 anesthetic administrations. In multivariate analysis, younger age (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.4 per year; CI, 1.1-1.9; p=0.01), location in the catheterization laboratory (aOR, 5.1; CI, 1.7-16; p=0.004), and longer procedure duration (aOR, 1.3 per 30 minutes; CI, 1.1-1.4; p=0.001) were associated with serious adverse events. Patients with a tracheostomy in place were less likely to experience an adverse event (aOR, 0.1; CI, 0.04-0.5; p=0.001). The primary anesthetic technique was not associated with adverse events. Interventional cardiac catheterization was associated with an increased incidence of adverse events compared with diagnostic catheterization (42% v 21%; OR, 2.23; CI, 1.5-3.3; p < 0.001). Serious adverse events were common in this cohort. Careful planning to minimize anesthesia time in young children with pulmonary hypertension should be undertaken, and these factors considered in designing risk mitigation strategies.

Critical Care Unit Organizational and Personnel Factors Impact Cardiac Arrest Prevention and Rescue in the Pediatric Cardiac Population.

Patient-level factors related to cardiac arrest in the pediatric cardiac population are well understood but may be unmodifiable. The impact of cardiac ICU organizational and personnel factors on cardiac arrest rates and outcomes remains unknown. We sought to better understand the association between these potentially modifiable organizational and personnel factors on cardiac arrest prevention and rescue. Retrospective analysis of the Pediatric Cardiac Critical Care Consortium registry. Pediatric cardiac ICUs. All cardiac ICU admissions were evaluated for cardiac arrest and survival outcomes. None. Successful prevention was defined as the proportion of admissions with no cardiac arrest (inverse of cardiac arrest incidence). Rescue was the proportion of patients surviving to cardiac ICU discharge after cardiac arrest. Cardiac ICU organizational and personnel factors were captured via site questionnaires. The associations between organizational and personnel factors and prevention/rescue were analyzed using Fine-Gray and multinomial regression, respectively, accounting for clustering within hospitals. We analyzed 54,521 cardiac ICU admissions (29 hospitals) with 1,398 cardiac arrest events (2.5%) between August 1, 2014, and March 5, 2019. For both surgical and medical admissions, lower average daily cardiac ICU occupancy was associated with better cardiac arrest prevention. Better rescue for medical admissions was observed for higher registered nursing hours per patient day and lower proportions of "part time" cardiac ICU physician staff (< 6 service weeks/yr). Increased registered nurse experience was associated with better rescue for surgical admissions. Increased proportion of critical care certified nurses, full-time intensivists with critical care fellowship training, dedicated respiratory therapists, quality/safety resources, and annual cardiac ICU admission volume were not associated with improved prevention or rescue. Our multi-institutional analysis identified cardiac ICU bed occupancy, registered nurse experience, and physician staffing as potentially important factors associated with cardiac arrest prevention and rescue. Recognizing the limitations of measuring these variables cross-sectionally, additional studies are needed to further investigate these organizational and personnel factors, their interrelationships, and how hospitals can modify structure to improve cardiac arrest outcomes.

A Comparison of In-Hospital Outcomes Between the Use of Impella and IABP in Acute Myocardial Infarction Cardiogenic Shock Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

The use of Impella ventricular support systems and intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) complicated by cardiogenic shock (CS) has increased in recent years and expanded treatment options, although the comparative clinical outcomes and device safety remain unclear. We used the Nationwide Inpatient Sample database (2012-2017) to identify adults who were admitted for AMI complicated by CS and received percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The study sample was divided into Impella and IABP groups. Patient characteristics, hospital characteristics, and comorbidities were balanced between groups using propensity-score matching. Regression analysis was utilized to study outcome differences between groups. We identified 51,150 patients, of whom 44,265 (86.54%) received IABP and 6885 (13.46%) received Impella. After propensity matching, compared with the Impella group (n = 1592), the IABP group (n = 8638) had lower rates of sepsis (6.44% vs 12.69%; P=.01), blood transfusion (8.92% vs 14.28%; P=.01), mortality (28.95% vs 49.59%; P<.01), and hospitalization costs ($49,420 vs $68,087; P<.001). The IABP group had similar rates of cardiac arrest (20.32% vs 22.22%; P=.32), in-hospital stroke (1.46% vs 1.59%; P=.37), and length-of-stay (8.56 days vs 8.64 days; P=.26) compared with the Impella group. In patients with CS complicating AMI who underwent PCI, Impella use compared with IABP was associated with higher mortality with no differences in in-hospital stroke and cardiac arrest rates, although study interpretation is limited by retrospective observational design and the potential for remaining confounders. Further prospective research is warranted to elucidate the optimal mechanical circulatory support device in these patients.

Outcomes of Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement in Patients Treated With Systemic Steroids.

Chronic steroid therapy is associated with higher vascular complication rates in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). The effect of corticosteroids on aortic annular complications has not been directly assessed in this population. A retrospective analysis of 1095 patients undergoing transfemoral TAVR was performed. Patients treated with chronic steroids at the time of the procedure (n = 99) were compared with those who received no steroids (n = 992). The primary outcome included a composite of aortic annular complications, defined as a combination of aortic annular rupture, aortic dissection/perforation, and left ventricular perforation. The primary outcome was significantly higher in the steroid group (4.0% vs 0.5%; P<.01). This finding was primarily driven by higher rates of acute annular rupture in the steroid group (2.0% vs 0.2%; P=.04). Steroid use was associated with higher rates of intraoperative cardiac arrest (5.1% vs 1.5%; P=.03), device capture/retrieval (4.0% vs 0.8%; P=.01), and emergent conversion to open heart surgery (4.0% vs 0.6%; P<.01). There were no differences with respect to in-hospital mortality, stroke, myocardial infarction, need for permanent pacemaker, bleeding complications, minor vascular complications, hospital length of stay, hospital 30-day readmission, or 30-day echocardiographic findings. Additionally, within the steroid group, there were no significant differences between balloon-expandable vs self-expanding TAVR prostheses with respect to composite aortic annular complications. Chronic steroid therapy increases the risk of aortic annular complications in patients undergoing TAVR, with detrimental consequences including intraoperative cardiac arrest and conversion to open heart surgery. Steroid use should be considered in patient selection and determination of procedural technique for TAVR.