Development Of In-hospital Complications Research Articles

Risk factors associated with in-hospital complications for pediatric sickle-cell disease-associated moyamoya syndrome: a nationwide cross-sectional study.

Sickle-cell disease-associated moyamoya syndrome (SCD-MMS) carries a high risk for recurrent strokes and cerebrovascular morbidity in children. However, few data are available about complications that occur in children hospitalized with SCD-MMS. The purpose of this analysis was to determine the risk factors for in-hospital complications in pediatric SCD-MMS admissions, and thus aid physicians in optimizing future treatment plans. A national database of pediatric hospital admissions was examined across the years 2003-2019. ICD-9 and ICD-10 diagnosis codes were analyzed to identify discharges with a primary diagnosis of SCD-MMS and identify in-hospital complications, defined as complication-associated diagnostic codes logged during the same admission. Patient demographics, comorbidities, and hospital characteristics were examined using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses to determine associations with in-hospital complications. In total, 274 admissions with a primary diagnosis of SCD-MMS were identified. During 64 (23.4%) admissions, transfusion therapy was given, and in 86 admissions (31.4%), surgical revascularization was performed. In 10 admissions (3.6%), a total of 11 in-hospital complications were identified. After multivariate regression, both comorbid chronic lung disease (adjusted OR 5.3 [1.1, 26.9], P = 0.04) and surgical revascularization (adjusted OR 10.2 [2.0, 52.4], P = 0.006) were associated with development of complications. In this nationwide database of pediatric SCD-MMS hospitalizations, comorbid chronic lung disease and surgical revascularization were associated with development of in-hospital complications. Patients with comorbid chronic lung disease or who are admitted for revascularization may warrant closer monitoring and greater medical optimization during the hospitalization.

Trends in utilisation of palliative care services in COVID-19 patients and their impact on hospital resources in the USA: insights from the national inpatient sample

ObjectivesPoor prognosis and lack of effective therapeutic options have made palliative care an integral part of the management of severe COVID-19. However, clinical studies on the role of palliative care...

Impact of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in patients with myocardial infarction

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Background Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (CPOD) is a common comorbidity in patients admitted with myocardial infarction (MI) and needs to be considered since it can condition therapeutic approach and potentially negatively impact their prognosis. Purpose We aim to evaluate the impact of CPOD in therapeutic approach, clinical course and in-hospital mortality in patients admitted with MI. Methods We retrospectively analysed a population of 2797 patients admitted with MI (C). We divided them into two distinct groups: those with an established diagnosis of CPOD (C1) and those without it (C2). Age, sex, personal history, in-hospital therapeutic, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), electrocardiographical presentation and angioplasty were documented. We defined the following as complications: heart failure (HF), need for invasive and non-invasive mechanical ventilation, reinfarction, newly onset atrial fibrillation, high-grade atrioventricular block and need for temporary cardiac pacing. Mortality, incidence of complications and a combined outcome of both mortality and any of the previous complications were compared between groups. We applied a multivariate analysis to adjust the effect of CPOD to the presence of other potential predictors. Results C1 consisted of 6,3% of the population (N=173). These patients were older (69,8±10,6 vs 65,5±13,5 years; p<0,001), had a higher prevalence of hypertension (76,3% vs 68,7%; p=0,036) and chronic kidney disease (13,7% vs 5,6%; p<0,001). They presented less frequently with ST-segment elevation MI (38,3 % vs 47,4%; p=0,019), but more often with depressed LVEF (57,9% vs 47,2%, p=0,008). They received less beta-blockers (63,4% vs 80,2%; p<0,001) and had fewer rates of drug-eluting stents application (63,4% vs 80,2%; p<0,001); on the other hand, they were more frequently medicated with calcium-channel blockers (16,7% vs 8,1%; p<0,001) and diuretics (50,0% vs 31,6%; p<0,001) and more bare-metal stents were utilised (52,8% vs 37,4%; p=0,002). The diagnosis of CPOD was not associated with higher mortality in patients with MI, however C1 presented with an increased incidence of complications (33,1% vs 26,0%; OR =1,413 [1,019-1,959]; p=0,037) and of the combined outcome (34,3% vs 26,5%; OR=1,447 [1,046-2,000]; p=0,02). Though multivariate analysis, CPOD tends to be an independent predictor of mortality and/or development of complications, although it narrowly misses to achieve statistical significance (p=0,056); only age, medication with beta-blockers and depressed LVEF were statistically independent predictors. Conclusions The comorbid diagnosis of CPOD conditions the choice of medication in patients with MI and tends to be an independent predictor of mortality and/or development of in-hospital complications.

Cardiovascular parameters on computed tomography are independently associated with in-hospital complications and outcomes in level-1 trauma patients

BackgroundIn-hospital complications after trauma may result in prolonged stays, higher costs, and adverse functional outcomes. Among reported risk factors for complications are pre-existing cardiopulmonary comorbidities. Objective and quick evaluation of cardiovascular risk would be beneficial for risk assessment in trauma patients. Studies in non-trauma patients suggested an independent association between cardiovascular abnormalities visible on routine computed tomography (CT) imaging and outcomes. However, whether this applies to trauma patients is unknown.PurposeTo assess the association between cardiopulmonary abnormalities visible on routine CT images and the development of in-hospital complications in patients in a level-1 trauma center.MethodsAll trauma patients aged 16 years or older with CT imaging of the abdomen, thorax, or spine and admitted to the UMC Utrecht in 2017 were included. Patients with an active infection upon admission or severe neurological trauma were excluded. Routine trauma CT images were analyzed for visible abnormalities: pulmonary emphysema, coronary artery calcifications, and abdominal aorta calcification severity. Drug-treated complications were scored. The discharge condition was measured on the Glasgow Outcome Scale.ResultsIn total, 433 patients (median age 50 years, 67% male, 89% ASA 1–2) were analyzed. Median Injury Severity Score and Glasgow Coma Scale score were 9 and 15, respectively. Seventy-six patients suffered from at least one complication, mostly pneumonia (n = 39, 9%) or delirium (n = 19, 4%). Left main coronary artery calcification was independently associated with the development of any complication (OR 3.9, 95% CI 1.7–8.9). An increasing number of calcified coronary arteries showed a trend toward an association with complications (p = 0.07) and was significantly associated with an adverse discharge condition (p = 0.02). Pulmonary emphysema and aortic calcifications were not associated with complications.ConclusionCoronary artery calcification, visible on routine CT imaging, is independently associated with in-hospital complications and an adverse discharge condition in level-1 trauma patients. The findings of this study may help to identify trauma patients quickly and objectively at risk for complications in an early stage without performing additional diagnostics or interventions.

PRehabIlitatiOn with pReoperatIve exercise and educaTion for patients undergoing major abdominal cancer surgerY: protocol for a multicentre randomised controlled TRIAL (PRIORITY TRIAL)

BackgroundRadical surgery is the mainstream treatment for patients presenting with advanced primary or recurrent gastrointestinal cancers; however, the rate of postoperative complications is exceptionally high. The current evidence suggests that improving patients’ fitness during the preoperative period may enhance postoperative recovery. Thus, the primary aim of this study is to establish the effectiveness of prehabilitation with a progressive, individualised, preoperative exercise and education program compared to usual care alone in reducing the proportion of patients with postoperative in-hospital complications. The secondary aims are to investigate the effectiveness of the preoperative intervention on reducing the length of intensive care unit and hospital stay, improving quality of life and morbidity, and reducing costs.MethodsThis is a multi-centre, assessor-blinded, pragmatic, comparative, randomised controlled trial. A total of 172 patients undergoing pelvic exenteration, cytoreductive surgery, oesophagectomy, hepatectomy, gastrectomy or pancreatectomy will be recruited. Participants will be randomly allocated to prehabilitation with a preoperative exercise and education program (intervention group), delivered over 4 to 8 weeks before surgery by community physiotherapists/exercise physiologists, or usual care alone (control group). The intervention will comprise 12 to 24 individualised, progressive exercise sessions (including aerobic/anaerobic, resistance, and respiratory exercises), recommendations of home exercises (16 to 32 sessions), and daily incidental physical activity advice. Outcome measures will be collected at baseline, the week prior to surgery, during the hospital stay, and on the day of discharge from hospital, and 1 month and 1 months postoperatively. The primary outcome will be the development of in-hospital complications. Secondary outcomes include the length of intensive care unit and hospital stay, quality of life, postoperative morbidity and costs.DiscussionThe successful completion of this trial will provide robust and high-quality evidence on the efficacy of a preoperative community- and home-based exercise and education intervention on important postoperative outcomes of patients undergoing major gastrointestinal cancer surgery.Trial registrationThis trial was registered prospectively with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN12621000617864) on 24th May 2021.

Mortality and other adverse outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus admitted for COVID-19 in association with glucose-lowering drugs: a nationwide cohort study

BackgroundLimited evidence exists on the role of glucose-lowering drugs in patients with COVID-19. Our main objective was to examine the association between in-hospital death and each routine at-home glucose-lowering drug both individually and in combination with metformin in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus admitted for COVID-19. We also evaluated their association with the composite outcome of the need for ICU admission, invasive and non-invasive mechanical ventilation, or in-hospital death as well as on the development of in-hospital complications and a long-time hospital stay.MethodsWe selected all patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in the Spanish Society of Internal Medicine’s registry of COVID-19 patients (SEMI-COVID-19 Registry). It is an ongoing, observational, multicenter, nationwide cohort of patients admitted for COVID-19 in Spain from March 1, 2020. Each glucose-lowering drug user was matched with a user of other glucose-lowering drugs in a 1:1 manner by propensity scores. In order to assess the adequacy of propensity score matching, we used the standardized mean difference found in patient characteristics after matching. There was considered to be a significant imbalance in the group if a standardized mean difference > 10% was found. To evaluate the association between treatment and study outcomes, both conditional logit and mixed effect logistic regressions were used when the sample size was ≥ 100.ResultsA total of 2666 patients were found in the SEMI-COVID-19 Registry, 1297 on glucose-lowering drugs in monotherapy and 465 in combination with metformin. After propensity matching, 249 patients on metformin, 105 on dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors, 129 on insulin, 127 on metformin/dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors, 34 on metformin/sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor, and 67 on metformin/insulin were selected. No at-home glucose-lowering drugs showed a significant association with in-hospital death; the composite outcome of the need of intensive care unit admission, mechanical ventilation, or in-hospital death; in-hospital complications; or long-time hospital stays.ConclusionsIn patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus admitted for COVID-19, at-home glucose-lowering drugs showed no significant association with mortality and adverse outcomes. Given the close relationship between diabetes and COVID-19 and the limited evidence on the role of glucose-lowering drugs, prospective studies are needed.

Early complications in ascending aortic aneurysm surgery: a single centre experience of 81 patients.

To investigate major in-hospital complications of ascending aorta reconstruction and to identify factors associated with these complications. Methods All consecutive patients admitted to our clinic for aortic aneurysm repair from June 2005 to June 2009 were enrolled in this retrospective study. Demographic data, details of the surgical procedures and major in-hospital complications were assessed and recorded from the institutional electronic database. Patients were divided into two groups according to the development of major in-hospital complications. Results The New York Heart Association (NYHA) Class of patients with major in-hospital complications was higher than those without complications. In addition, the number of patients with coronary artery disease (CAD), diabetes, chronic renal disease (CRD), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and previous cardiac surgery was significantly higher in those with major in-hospital complications. Moreover, the requirement for inotropic agents and intra-aortic balloon pump was higher in these patients. Cross-clamp time was significantly higher in patients with major in-hospital complications (107±34 vs. 79±26 (p<0.001). Presence of CRD (r=0.308; p=0.005) and CAD (r=0.244; p=0.028), previous cardiac surgery (r=0.266; p=0.022), cross-clamp time (r=0.349; p=0.001) and IABP requirement (r=0.308; p=0.005) were significantly correlated with the development of major in-hospital complications. Conclusion Our results show that presence of underlying CRD and CAD, previous cardiac surgery, length of cross-clamp time and IABP requirement were significantly associated with the development of in-hospital complications in patients undergoing surgical reconstruction for ascending aortic aneurysm.

Increased Age Predicts Failure to Rescue

Failure to rescue (FTR), defined as any death after the development of in-hospital complications, is an important quality measure, but the relationship with age after a traumatic injury, has not been well defined. We sought to examine whether older trauma patients are at higher risk for FTR. The National Trauma Databank (NTDB) research datasets 2007 to 2011 were queried for patients ≥16 years who had any reported complication. Those who survived (non-FTR) were compared with those who did not (FTR) using a forward logistic regression model. Overall, 218,986 subjects met inclusion criteria of those, 201,358 (91.2%) survived their complication (non-FTR) and 17,628 (8.8%) died (FTR). A forward logistic regression identified age 65 to 89 years as the strongest predictor of FTR [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 95% confidence interval (CI): 6.58 (6.11, 7.08), P < 0.001]. Using age group 16 to 45 years as the reference group, the adjusted risk for FTR increased with increasing age in a stepwise fashion [AOR (95 % CI): 1.94 (1.80, 2.09) for age 46 to 65 years, 6.78 (6.19, 7.42) for age 66 to 89 years and 27.58 [21.81, 34.87] for age ≥90 years]. The adjusted risk of FTR also increased in a stepwise fashion with increasing number of complications, reaching AOR (95 per cent CI) of 2.25 (2.07, 2.45), P < 0.001 for ≥4 complications. The risk of failure to rescue increases with age and number of complications. Strategies which track this quality measure to encourage early recognition and treatment of complications in the elderly are necessary.

Embedding a trauma hospitalist in the trauma service reduces mortality and 30-day trauma-related readmissions.

Recognizing the increasing age and comorbid conditions of patients admitted to our trauma service, we embedded a hospitalist on the trauma service at our Level I trauma center.This program was initiated in January 2013. This study was designed to investigate differences in outcomes between trauma patients who received care from the trauma hospitalist (THOSP) program and similarly medically complex trauma patients who did not receive THOSP care. There were 566 patients comanaged with THOSP between December 2013 and November 2014. These patients were matched (1:2) with propensity scores to a contemporaneous control group based on age, Injury Severity Score (ISS), and comorbid conditions. Outcomes examined included mortality, trauma-related readmissions, upgrades to the intensive care unit, hospital length of stay, the development of in-hospital complications, and the frequency of obtaining medical subspecialist consultation. Differences in outcomes were compared with Mann-Whitney U-test or χ test as appropriate. High-quality matching resulted in the loss of 97 THOSP patients for the final analysis. Table 1 shows the balance between the two groups after matching. While there was a 1-day increase in hospital length of stay and an increase in upgrades to the intensive care unit, there was a reduction in mortality, trauma-related readmissions, and the development of renal failure after implementation of the THOSP program (Table 2). Implementation of this program made no significant difference in the frequency of cardiology, nephrology, neurology, or endocrinology consultations. There was also no difference in the development of the complications of venous thromboembolism, pneumonia, stroke, urinary tract infection, bacteremia, or alcohol withdrawal. Our study provides evidence that embedding a hospitalist on the trauma service reduces mortality and trauma-related readmissions. A reason for these improved outcomes may be related to THOSP "vigilance." Therapeutic/care management study, level IV.

ONSET OF IN-HOSPITAL COMPLICATIONS IN ACUTE TYPE B AORTIC DISSECTIONS INITIALLY UNCOMPLICATED

It is unknown what the incidence is of in-hospital complications in patients presenting with initially uncomplicated acute type B aortic dissection (ABAD) and what predicts such clinical evolution. Our aim was to identify the incidence and predictors of development of in-hospital complications in

Effect of alcohol in traumatic brain injury: is it really protective?

BackgroundStudies have proposed a neuroprotective role for alcohol (ETOH) in traumatic brain injury (TBI). We hypothesized that ETOH intoxication is associated with mortality in patients with severe TBI. MethodsVersion 7.2 of the National Trauma Data Bank (2007–2010) was queried for all patients with isolated blunt severe TBI (Head Abbreviated Injury Score ≥4) and blood ETOH levels recorded on admission. Primary outcome measure was mortality. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to assess factors predicting mortality and in-hospital complications. ResultsA total of 23,983 patients with severe TBI were evaluated of which 22.8% (n = 5461) patients tested positive for ETOH intoxication. ETOH-positive patients were more likely to have in-hospital complications (P = 0.001) and have a higher mortality rate (P = 0.01). ETOH intoxication was an independent predictor for mortality (odds ratio: 1.2, 95% confidence interval: 1.1–2.1, P = 0.01) and development of in-hospital complications (odds ratio: 1.3, 95% confidence interval: 1.1–2.8, P = 0.009) in patients with isolated severe TBI. ConclusionsETOH intoxication is an independent predictor for mortality in patients with severe TBI patients and is associated with higher complication rates. Our results from the National Trauma Data Standards differ from those previously reported. The proposed neuroprotective role of ETOH needs further clarification.

Shock index predicts mortality in geriatric trauma patients

Heart rate and systolic blood pressure are unreliable in geriatric trauma patients. Shock index (SI) (heart rate/systolic blood pressure) is a simple marker of worse outcomes after injury. The aim of this study was to assess the utility of SI in predicting outcomes. We hypothesized that SI predicts mortality in geriatric trauma patients. We performed a 4-year (2007-2010) retrospective analysis using the National Trauma Data Bank. Patients 65 years or older were included. Transferred patients, patients dead on arrival, missing vitals on presentation, and patients with burns and traumatic brain injury were excluded. A cutoff value of SI greater than or equal to 1 (sensitivity, 81%; specificity, 79%) was used to define hemodynamic instability. The primary outcome measure was mortality. Secondary outcome measures were need for blood transfusion, need for exploratory laparotomy, and development of in-hospital complications. Multiple logistic regressions were performed. A total of 485,595 geriatric patients were reviewed, of whom 217,190 were included. The mean (SD) age was 77.7 (7.1) years, 60% were males, median Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score was 14 (range, 3-15), median Injury Severity Score (ISS) was 9 (range, 4-18), and mean (SD) SI was 0.58 (0.18). Three percent (n = 6,585) had an SI greater than or equal to 1. Patients with SI greater than or equal to 1 were more likely to require blood product requirement (p = 0.001), require an exploratory laparotomy (p = 0.01), and have in-hospital complications (p = 0.02). The overall mortality rate was 4.1% (n = 8,952). SI greater than or equal to 1 was the strongest predictor for mortality (odds ratio, 3.1; 95% confidence interval, 2.6-3.3; p = 0.001) in geriatric trauma patients. Systolic blood pressure (p = 0.09) and heart rate (p = 0.2) were not predictive of mortality. SI is an accurate and specific predictor of morbidity and mortality in geriatric trauma patients. SI is superior to heart rate and systolic blood pressure for predicting mortality in geriatric trauma patients. Geriatric trauma patients with SI greater than or equal to 1 should be transferred to a Level 1 trauma center. Prognostic/epidemiologic study, level III.

The Impact of Metabolic Syndrome on Inpatient Outcomes After Isolated Ankle Fractures

Metabolic syndrome has been associated with increased morbidity following surgical procedures, yet its impact in acute orthopaedic trauma remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of metabolic syndrome on in-hospital (1) complications, (2) length of stay, and (3) nonroutine discharge in patients sustaining an isolated ankle fracture. Using the National Health Discharge Survey (NHDS) database for the years 2001 through 2007, an estimated 669 841 patients with isolated ankle fractures treated operatively were identified and separated into groups with and without metabolic syndrome. Multivariable binary logistic regression analysis was performed for each of the outcome variables. Metabolic syndrome was an independent risk factor for increased nonroutine discharge (OR = 1.8) and the development of in-hospital complications (OR = 2.1). The presence of metabolic syndrome was not an independent risk factor for prolonged hospital stay. Patients with metabolic syndrome sustaining an isolated ankle fracture are at increased risk for in-hospital complications and a less rapid return of independent functional mobility, as evidenced by the higher need for posthospitalization care. Level III, epidemiologic study.

Prehospital Intubation Does Not Decrease Complications in the Penetrating Trauma Patient

Intubation in the prehospital setting does not result in a survival benefit in penetrating trauma. However, the effect of prehospital intubation (PHI) on the development of in-hospital complications has yet to be determined. The goal of this study was to determine if PHI in patients with penetrating trauma results in reduced mortality and in-hospital complications. Patient records for all Category 1 trauma activations as a result of penetrating injury admitted to our institution from 2006 to 2010 were reviewed. There were 1615 Category 1 trauma activations with 152 (9.8%) intubated in the field. A total of 1311 survived initial resuscitative efforts to permit hospital admission with 55 (4.2%) being intubated in the field. For patients surviving to admission, prehospital intubation was associated with increased mortality (hazard ratio, 8.266; 95% confidence interval [CI, 4.336 to 15.758; P < 0.001). After correcting for Injury Severity Score, PHI was not protective against pulmonary complications (odds ratio [OR], 0.724; 95% CI, 0.229 to 2.289; P = 0.582), deep vein thrombosis/pulmonary embolus (OR, 0.838; 95% CI, 0.281 to 2.494; P = 0.750), sepsis (OR, 0.572; 95% CI, 0.201 to 1.633; P = 0.297), wound infections (OR, 1.739; 95% CI, 0.630 to 4.782; P = 0.286), or complications of any kind (OR, 1.020; 95% CI, 0.480 to 2.166; P = 0.959). For victims of penetrating trauma, immediate transportation by emergency medical personnel may result in improved outcomes.

Clinical and epidemiological characteristics of adult patients hospitalized for erysipelas and cellulitis

The purpose of this investigation was to analyze the clinical and epidemiological aspects of all cases of erysipelas and infectious cellulitis admitted to a tertiary hospital during a period of five years. All patients admitted with the main diagnosis of erysipelas or cellulitis to the Department of Dermatology of the author's institution from January 2005 to May 2010 were included. Seventy patients were identified and their medical records were retrospectively reviewed so as to record the epidemiological and clinical data. Univariate and multivariable analyses were performed to analyze variables that predicted longer length of stay. The frequency of cellulitis in the lower limbs was higher in men and patients older than 65 years. Moderate/severe cellulitis in patients with basal comorbidity followed by a poor response to oral antibiotic therapy for 48 h were the most common reasons for admission. At arrival, four patients had abscessed areas. Fourteen patients developed local complications and 18 cases developed general in-hospital complications. Most patients improved or were healed with intravenous amoxicillin-clavulanate 1 g-200 mg/8 h. Intravenous amoxicillin-clavulanate 1 g-200 mg/8 h may be a good choice for empiric treatment in our setting. The development of in-hospital complications and the need for changing empiric antibiotic therapy were significant and independent variables associated with longer length of stay.

Myocardial Redox State Predicts In-Hospital Clinical Outcome After Cardiac Surgery: Effects of Short-Term Pre-Operative Statin Treatment

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of the myocardial redox state in the development of in-hospital complications after cardiac surgery and the effect of statins on the myocardial redox state. Statins improve clinical outcome after cardiac surgery, but it is unclear whether they exert their effects by modifying the myocardial redox state. We quantified myocardial superoxide anion (O(2)(-)) and peroxynitrite (ONOO(-)) and their enzymatic sources in samples of the right atrial appendage (RAA) from 303 patients undergoing cardiac surgery who were followed up until discharge, and in 42 patients who were randomized to receive 3-day treatment with atorvastatin 40 mg/d or placebo before surgery. The mechanisms by which atorvastatin modifies myocardial redox state were investigated in 26 RAA samples that were exposed to atorvastatin ex vivo. Atrial O(2)(-) (derived mainly from nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate [NADPH] oxidases) and ONOO(-) were independently associated with increased risk of atrial fibrillation, the need for post-operative inotropic support, and the length of hospital stay. Pre-operative atorvastatin treatment suppressed atrial NADPH oxidase activity and myocardial O(2)(-) and ONOO(-) production. Ex vivo incubation of RAA samples with atorvastatin induced a mevalonate-reversible and Rac1-mediated inhibition of NADPH oxidase. There is a strong independent association between myocardial O(2)(-)/ONOO(-) and in-hospital complications after cardiac surgery. Both myocardial O(2)(-) and ONOO(-) are reduced by pre-operative statin treatment, through a Rac1-mediated suppression of NADPH oxidase activity. These findings suggest that inhibition of myocardial NADPH oxidases may contribute to the beneficial effect of statins in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. (Effects of Atorvastatin on Endothelial Function, Vascular and Myocardial Redox State in High Cardiovascular Risk Patients; NCT01013103).

Intravenous Fluid Infusion Rate in Microsurgical Breast Reconstruction

The purpose of this study was to determine the role of intravenous fluid infusion rate in the development of in-hospital complications in patients undergoing microsurgical breast reconstruction for breast cancer. A retrospective review was performed between 2002 and 2009 at a single institution for all consecutive patients undergoing free flap reconstruction of the breast. The authors examined patient variables (age; body mass index; preoperative hemoglobin, hematocrit, and creatinine levels; American Society of Anesthesiologists classification; and cardiac risk factors), surgical variables (type of reconstruction, timing, laterality, need for blood transfusion, and duration of general anesthesia), and fluid variables (rate of crystalloid and colloid infusion in the first 24 hours standardized by weight). The primary outcome was in-hospital complications. The impact of each factor was first determined using univariate tests. The final multivariate logistic regression model was compiled based on variables found to be significant from the univariate analysis and variables felt a priori to affect complication rates. Of the 260 patients who had a total of 354 free flaps for breast reconstruction, 54 (20.8 percent) had postoperative complications. There were 40 surgical complications (15.4 percent) and 11 medical complications (4.2 percent), and three patients (1.2 percent) had both types. Most complications were flap related (7.3 percent), including two total flap losses (0.8 percent). Multivariate analysis suggested that the extremes of crystalloid infusion rate significantly predicted postoperative complications (p = 0.03) after adjusting for the effect of other covariates. : This is the first study to report that crystalloid infusion rate, a modifiable variable, is an important predictor of postoperative complications following microsurgical breast reconstruction. Risk, III.

Predictors of long-term shunt-dependent hydrocephalus after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage

The purpose of this study was to identify predictors of shunt-dependent hydrocephalus after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). The authors evaluated the incidence of shunt-dependent hydrocephalus in a consecutive cohort of 580 patients with SAH who were admitted to the Neurological Intensive Care Unit of Columbia University Medical Center between July 1996 and September 2002. Patient demographics, 24-hour admission variables, initial CT scan characteristics, daily transcranial Doppler variables, and development of in-hospital complications were analyzed. Odds ratios and 95% CIs for candidate predictors were calculated using multivariate nominal logistic regression. Admission glucose of at least 126 mg/dl (adjusted OR 1.6; 95% CI 1.0-2.6), admission brain CT scan with a bicaudate index of at least 0.20 (adjusted OR 1.43; 95% CI 1.0-2.0), Fisher Grade 4 (adjusted OR 2.71; 95% CI 1.2-5.7), fourth ventricle hemorrhage (adjusted OR 1.78; 95% CI 1.1-2.7), and development of nosocomial meningitis (adjusted OR 2.2; 95% CI 1.4-3.7) were independently associated with shunt dependency. These data suggest that permanent CSF diversion after aneurysmal SAH may be independently predicted by hyperglycemia at admission, findings on the admission CT scan (Fisher Grade 4, fourth ventricle intraventricular hemorrhage, and bicaudate index ≥ 0.20), and development of nosocomial meningitis. Future research is needed to assess if tight glycemic control, reduction of fourth ventricle clot burden, and prevention of nosocomial meningitis may reduce the need for permanent CSF diversion after aneurysmal SAH.

Community-acquired pneumonia in very elderly patients: causative organisms, clinical characteristics, and outcomes.

We performed an observational analysis of prospectively collected data on 1,474 adult patients who were hospitalized for community-acquired pneumonia; 1,169 patients were under 80 years of age and 305 (21%) patients were over 80 years ("very elderly"). Mean patient ages were 60 years in the former group and 85 years in the latter group. Severely immunosuppressed patients and nursing-home residents were not included. Comorbidities significantly associated with older age were chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, chronic heart disease, and dementia. The most common causative organism was Streptococcus pneumoniae (23% in both groups). Aspiration pneumonia was more frequent in the very elderly (5% in younger patients versus 10% in the very elderly); Legionella pneumophila (8% in younger patients versus 1% in the very elderly) and atypical agents (7% in younger patients versus 1% in the very elderly) were rarely recorded in the very elderly. While very elderly patients complained less frequently of pleuritic chest pain, headache, and myalgias, they were more likely to have absence of fever and altered mental status on admission. No significant differences were observed between groups as regards incidence of classic bacterial pneumonia syndrome (60% versus 59%) in 343 patients with pneumococcal pneumonia. The development of inhospital complications (26% in younger versus 32% in very elderly patients) as well as early mortality (2% in younger versus 7% in very elderly patients) and overall mortality (6% in younger versus 15% very elderly patients) were significantly higher in very elderly patients. Acute respiratory failure and shock/multiorgan failure were the most frequent causes of death, especially of early mortality. Factors independently associated with 30-day mortality in the very elderly were altered mental status on admission (odds ratio, 3.69), shock (odds ratio, 10.69), respiratory failure (odds ratio, 3.50), renal insufficiency (odds ratio, 5.83), and Gram-negative pneumonia (odds ratio, 20.27).

Hyperglycemia Can Predict Artery Occlusion in Acute Coronary Syndrom

PURPOSE: The aim of our study is to determine the association between stress hyperglycemia (HG) and the occurrence of coronary occlusion or multiple vessel disease, as well as its relationship with the development of in-hospital complications, in patients admitted with an acute coronary syndrome (ACS).