Lower Mortality In Patients Research Articles

Prognostic impact of symptom relief under low and normal physical performance in patients hospitalized for worsening heart failure

Abstract Background Subjective symptoms, represented by the New York Heart Association (NYHA) class, are well-established prognostic indicators and treatment goals of heart failure (HF). However, older patients may be less likely to develop subjective symptoms due to an impaired physical performance. Purpose To evaluate the prognostic impact of symptom relief under low and normal physical performance in patients hospitalized for worsening HF. Methods We carried out a sub-analysis of FRAGILE-HF, a prospective multicenter study, including 1272 consecutive older (>=65 years) hospitalized patients with HF (median age 80; 57.2% male; left ventricular ejection fraction 46±17%). NYHA class and gait speed were documented before discharge. The patients were prospectively followed-up for two years after discharge. Results At the time of discharge, 715 patients (56%) remained symptomatic (NYHA2-4) whereas 557 patients (44%) were asymptomatic (NYHA1). Patients were classified into 4 groups according to symptom relief and physical performance represented by slow (<0.8 m/s) or normal (>=0.8 m/s) gait speed: 279 slow-asymptomatic, 278 normal-asymptomatic, 402 slow-symptomatic, and 313 normal-symptomatic patients, respectively. During the follow-up period, 266 patients (20.9%) died. Slow-asymptomatic (hazard ratio (HR) 1.72[1.09-2.72], p=0.019 in comparison with normal-asymptomatic patients as a reference) and slow-symptomatic (HR 1.85[1.21-2.82], p=0.004) status was associated with high mortality in a Cox regression analysis adjusted for the Meta-analysis Global Group in Chronic Heart Failure score and B-type natriuretic peptide level (Figure). Furthermore, the combined endpoint of HF rehospitalization and all-cause death within 90 days were more frequently observed in slow-asymptomatic (HR 1.94[1.05-3.60], p=0.034), normal-symptomatic (HR 1.89[1.06-3.36], p=0.031), and slow-symptomatic (HR 1.97[1.10-3.52], p=0.022) patients than normal-asymptomatic patients (Figure). Conclusions Symptom relief achieved at the time of discharge was not associated with a lower mortality in patients with low physical performance, for whom careful follow-up may be needed especially in the early period after discharge because the symptoms may be masked due to low physical performance.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of the efficacy and safety of combined mechanical circulatory support in cardiogenic shock complicating acute myocardial infarction

Abstract Background Cardiogenic shock complicating acute myocardial infarction (CSAMI) is a severe complication associated with unacceptably high mortality rates. Since early revascularisation was introduced more than 20 years ago, no subsequent innovation has demonstrated conclusive efficacy in reducing mortality in CSAMI. While mechanical circulatory support (MCS) has emerged as a potential intervention, randomised controlled trials evaluating independent use of veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO), and intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) have not shown benefit in CSAMI. In contrast, systematic reviews of observational studies have revealed significant mortality reduction when CSAMI was treated with combined use of MCS, specifically VA-ECMO in conjunction with a left ventricular (LV) unloading device (Impella or IABP). Combination MCS (VA-ECMO + LV unloading) may therefore present a promising approach to CSAMI, but an unresolved dilemma concerning the optimal selection between two LV unloading devices (VA-ECMO + Impella vs VA-ECMO + IABP) warrants further investigation and clarification. Purpose We perform the first systematic review and meta-analysis assessing the short-term efficacy and safety of VA-ECMO + Impella versus VA-ECMO + IABP in treatment of CSAMI. Methods A systematic search was performed on the EMBASE and MEDLINE databases. Studies reporting the short-term (30-day/inpatient) mortality and complications of adult patients with CSAMI treated with VA-ECMO + Impella and VA-ECMO + IABP were included. Fixed effect meta-analyses using Mantel-Haenszel model was used to analyse the pooled odds ratio for short-term mortality and major complications. Subgroup analysis was performed including studies with ACS predominant CS (Cause of CS 100% by AMI). Results Four observational studies with 14,247 patients were included. These studies showed high heterogeneity for the total CSAMI cohort and low heterogeneity for the ACS predominant cohort. There was no significant difference in mortality between VA-ECMO + Impella and VA-ECMO + IABP 56.5% vs 66.5%; OR, 0.90; 95% CI, 0.79–1.02; P=0.09. However, VA-ECMO + Impella was associated with significantly lower mortality in patients with ACS predominant CS 53.2% vs 67.7%; OR, 0.72; 95% CI, 0.62–0.85; P<0.0001. VA-ECMO + Impella was associated with significantly higher risk of major bleeding 15.1% vs 8.6%; OR, 1.87; 95% CI, 1.50–2.32; P<0.00001 and vascular complications 15.0% vs 6.7%; OR, 1.75; 95% CI, 1.41–2.18; P<0.00001. Conclusions When comparing LV unloading devices in patients with CSAMI requiring combination MCS, VA-ECMO + Impella was superior in mortality reduction only in the cohort where 100% of CS was caused by AMI. Concomitantly, VA-ECMO + Impella was associated with greater risk of major bleeding and vascular complications. Additional randomised studies are needed to validate and strengthen the findings presented in these observational data.Forrest plot on short-term mortalityForrest plot on major complications

Ceftazidime-Avibactam Versus Polymyxin-Based Combination Therapies: A Study on 30-Day Mortality in Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacterales Bloodstream Infections in an OXA-48-Endemic Region.

Background: Ceftazidime-avibactam (CAZ-AVI) is recommended as first-line treatment for Oxacillinase-48 (OXA-48) β-Lactamase-producing carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE) infections, while polymyxin-based combination therapies (PBCTs) are used as a last resort when CAZ-AVI is unavailable. Research comparing the effectiveness of CAZ-AVI and PBCT in CRE blood stream infections (CRE-BSIs) is limited, mostly focusing on Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase (KPC)-producing isolates. In Turkey, OXA-48 is endemic and OXA-48-Like is common. Therefore, our study aimed to compare the impact of these treatments on 30-day mortality in patients with CRE-BSIs in endemic regions. Methods: Retrospective data from January 2019 to May 2023 were collected from four tertiary healthcare centers in Istanbul. Demographic, clinical, and outcome data of ICU patients treated with CAZ-AVI monotherapy or PBCT for CRE-BSIs were analyzed. The effect on 30-day survival was evaluated using Cox regression analysis post propensity score matching (PSM). Results: Out of 151 patients, 44.4% (n: 67) received CAZ-AVI and 55.6% (n: 84) received PBCT. All-cause mortality rates were 20% (n: 13) with CAZ-AVI and 36.9% (n: 31) with PBCT. Cox regression analysis post PSM indicated CAZ-AVI monotherapy significantly reduced the mortality risk compared to PBCT (HR: 0.16, 95%CI: 0.07-0.37, p < 0.001), while age increased the risk (HR: 1.02 per year, 95% CI 1.0-1.04, p: 0.01). Conclusions: In OXA-48-predominant areas, CAZ-AVI demonstrated significantly lower mortality in patients with CRE-BSIs compared to PBCT. The results were attributed to the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic disadvantages of polymyxins compared to CAZ-AVI, and the impact of age-related physical conditions. Therefore, CAZ-AVI should be the preferred treatment for CRE-BSIs in OXA-48-endemic regions.

IA-Body Composition CT at T12 in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis: Diagnosing Sarcopenia and Correlating with Other Morphofunctional Assessment Techniques.

Body composition (BC) techniques, including bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIVA), nutritional ultrasound® (NU), and computed tomography (CT), can detect nutritional diagnoses such as sarcopenia (Sc). Sc in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is associated with greater severity and lower survival. Our aim was to explore the correlation of BIVA, NU and functional parameters with BC at T12 level CT scans in patients with IPF but also its relationship with degree of Sc, malnutrition and mortality. This bicentric cross-sectional study included 60 IPF patients (85.2% male, 70.9 ± 7.8 years). Morphofunctional assessment (MFA) techniques included BIVA, NU, CT at T12 level (T12-CT), handgrip strength, and timed up and go. CT data were obtained using FocusedON®. Statistical analysis was conducted using JAMOVI version 2.3.22 to determine the cutoff points for Sc in T12-CT and to analyze correlations with other MFA techniques. the cutoff for muscle area in T12-CT was ≤77.44 cm2 (area under the curve (AUC) = 0.734, sensitivity = 41.7%, specificity = 100%). The skeletal muscle index (SMI_T12CT) cutoff was ≤24.5 cm2/m2 (AUC = 0.689, sensitivity = 66.7%, specificity = 66.7%). Low SMI_T12CT exhibited significantly reduced median survival and higher risk of mortality compared to those with normal muscle mass (SMI cut off ≥ 28.8 cm/m2). SMI_T12CT was highly correlated with body cell mass from BIVA (r = 0.681) and rectus femoris cross-sectional area (RF-CSA) from NU (r = 0.599). Cronbach's α for muscle parameters across different MFA techniques and CT was 0.735, confirming their validity for evaluating muscle composition. T12-CT scan is a reliable technique for measuring low muscle mass in patients with IPF, specifically when the L3 vertebrae are not captured. An SMI value of <28.8 is a good predictor of low lean mass and 12-month mortality in IPF patients.

Treosulfan-Versus Melphalan-Based Reduced Intensity Conditioning in HLA-Haploidentical Transplantation for Patients ≥ 50 Years with Advanced MDS/AML.

Relapse and regimen-related toxicities remain major challenges in achieving long-term survival, particularly among older patients with high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) or acute myeloid leukemia (AML) undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). Previous studies have demonstrated the feasibility of treosulfan-based conditioning, noting stable engraftment and low non-relapse mortality (NRM) in patients undergoing HLA-matched allo-HSCT. However, data on treosulfan-based conditioning in the HLA-haploidentical transplantation (HaploT) setting are limited. We retrospectively compared conditioning with fludarabine-cyclophosphamide (FC)-melphalan (110 mg/m2) and FC-treosulfan (30 g/m2) prior to HaploT using post-transplantation cyclophosphamide (PTCy) in patients with high-risk MDS/AML patients ≥ 50 years, transplanted from 2009-2021 at our institution (n = 80). After balancing patient characteristics by a matched-pair analysis, we identified twenty-one matched pairs. Two-year OS and LFS were similar among the groups (OS 66% and LFS 66%, p = 0.8 and p = 0.57). However, FC-melphalan was associated with a significantly lower probability of relapse compared to FC-treosulfan (0% vs. 24%, p = 0.006), counterbalanced by a higher NRM (33% vs. 10%, p = 0.05). Time to engraftment and incidences of acute and chronic graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) did not differ significantly. In conclusion, HaploT using FC-treosulfan in combination with PTCy in patients aged ≥50 years with MDS/AML appears safe and effective, particularly in advanced disease stages. We confirm the favorable extramedullary toxicity profile, allowing for potential dose intensification to enhance antileukemic activity.

Prolonged weaning after long-term ventilation due to SARS-CoV-2 infection: a multicenter retrospective analysis

Patients (n=751) with prolonged weaning (reason for ventilation "pneumonia" and "acute respiratory failure") from four centers for the period 2011-23 from the "WeanNet" registry were used as a matched group. The median duration of intensive medical care was 39 (25-68) days. In 19% (37/193) of patients, ECMO support was necessary for a median of 27 (18-51) days. In-hospital mortality was 8.3% (2.7% with vs. 9.6% without ECMO) and 6.8% died in the comparison group. At discharge, 84% (vs. 77% in the control group) were completely weaned and 2.6% (vs. 17.6% in the control group) of patients received non-invasive treatment. Invasive ventilation was still necessary in 7.8% (control group 15.7%). In the observation period of 6 months after discharge, 22.4% of patients required inpatient care and a further 14.1% after 12 months. The overall mortality at 12-month follow-up was 20,6% (5.6% with vs. 24.6% without ECMO). The mortality rate of ventilated patients with COVID-19 was very low at 8.3% in the four weaning centers studied. The mortality rate of patients with ECMO treatment was only 2.7%. The mortality rate in the control group was 7.3%. The lower mortality of patients with ECMO treatment was also evident at follow-up of up to 12 months.Patients with prolonged weaning who received invasive ventilation due to COVID-19 showed comparable results in terms of successful weaning and mortality compared to a control group from the WeanNet registry. The long-term results with a survival of more than 80% for the first year after discharge were encouraging.

Gentamicin combination treatment is associated with lower mortality in patients with invasive listeriosis: a retrospective analysis.

Listeria monocytogenes causes severe bacterial infections with the highest mortality rate among foodborne pathogens in Europe. Combination treatment with ampicillin and gentamicin is recommended for invasive manifestations. However, evidence to support this treatment approach remains limited due to a lack of randomised controlled trials. To explore this critical issue further, we conducted this retrospective, single-center study. We identified all patients hospitalized with invasive listeriosis at the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf between 2009 and 2020 and analyzed the effect of gentamicin combination treatment versus monotherapy on 90-day mortality. In total, 36 patients with invasive listeriosis were included, of which 21 patients received gentamicin combination treatment and 15 received monotherapy. The mean age-adjusted Charlson Comorbidity Index (aaCCI) value was lower in the gentamicin combination treatment group (5.4 vs. 7.4). Neurolisteriosis was more common in the gentamicin group (81% vs. 20%). The 90-day mortality was with significantly lower in the gentamicin combination treatment group (10%) compared to the monotherapy group (60%). Multivariable cox regression analysis, adjusted for a propensity score computed based on neurolisteriosis, aaCCI and sex, revealed a significantly reduced hazard ratio of 0.07 (95% CI: 0.01-0.53, p = 0.01) for 90-day mortality for the gentamicin combination treatment. This retrospective study highlights the benefit of gentamicin combination treatment in reducing the 90-day mortality rate among patients with invasive listeriosis. The high prevalence of monotherapy in this study cohort raises concerns about the adequacy of antibiotic therapy in clinical practice.

Feasibility of Achieving Nutritional Adequacy in Critically Ill Children with Critical Neurological Illnesses (CNIs)?-A Quaternary Hospital Experience.

The literature on the nutritional needs and outcomes of critically ill children is scarce, especially on those with critical neurological illnesses (CNIs). Current evidence shows a lower mortality in patients who achieve two-thirds of their nutritional needs during the first week of pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) admission. We hypothesized that achieving 60% of the recommended dietary intake during the first week of a PICU stay is not feasible in patients with CNI. We designed an observational retrospective cohort study where we included all index admissions to the PICU in our institution of children (1 month to 18 years) with CNI from January 2018 to June 2021. We collected patient demographics, anthropometric measures, and caloric and protein intake (enteral and parenteral) information during the first week of PICU admission. Goal adequacy for calories and protein was defined as [(intake/recommended) × 100] ≥ 60%. A total of 1112 patients were included in the nutrition assessment, 12% of whom were underweight (weight for age z score < -2). Of this group, 180 met the criteria for nutrition support evaluation. On the third day of admission, 50% of the patients < 2 years achieved caloric and protein goal adequacy, compared to 25% of patients > 2 years, with p-values of 0.0003 and 0.0004, respectively. Among the underweight patients, 60% achieved both caloric and protein goal adequacy by day 3 vs. 30% of non-underweight patients with p-values of 0.0006 and 0.002, respectively. The results show that achieving 60% of the recommended dietary intake by days 5 and 7 of admission was feasible in more than half of the patients in this cohort. Additionally, children who were evaluated by a clinical dietician during the first 48 h of PICU admission reached higher nutrition adequacy.

Prognostic utility of paraspinal muscle index in elderly patients with community-acquired pneumonia.

This study investigated the associations between paraspinal muscle measurements on chest computed tomography and clinical outcomes of elderly patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). This single-center, retrospective, observational study analyzed elderly patients (≥65 years) with CAP hospitalized through an emergency department between March 2020 and December 2022. We collected their baseline characteristics and laboratory data at the time of admission. The paraspinal muscle index and attenuation were calculated at the level of the 12th thoracic vertebra using chest computed tomography taken within 48 hours before or after admission. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted to evaluate the association between paraspinal muscle measurements and 28-day mortality. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and area under the curve (AUC) analyses were used to evaluate the prognostic predictive power. Of the 338 enrolled patients, 60 (17.8%) died within 28 days after admission. A high paraspinal muscle index was associated with low 28-day mortality in elderly patients with CAP (adjusted odds ratio, 0.994; 95% confidence interval, 0.992-0.997). The area under the ROC curve for the muscle index was 0.75, which outperformed the pneumonia severity index and the CURB-65 (confusion, urea, respiratory rate, blood pressure, age ≥65 years) metric, both of which showed an AUC of 0.64 in predicting mortality. A high paraspinal muscle index was associated with low 28-day mortality in patients aged 65 years or older with CAP.

Implementation of an Acute Care Service Vascular Surgery Model Is Associated With Improved Surgeon Efficiency and Lower Patient Mortality

Implementation of an Acute Care Service Vascular Surgery Model Is Associated With Improved Surgeon Efficiency and Lower Patient Mortality

Low TSH and low T3 hormone levels as a prognostic for mortality in COVID-19 intensive care patients.

Coronavirus diasease 2019 (COVID-19) can cause both pulmonary and systemic inflammation, potentially determining multi-organ dysfunction. The thyroid gland is a neuroendocrine organ that plays an important role in regulating immunity and metabolism. Low serum levels of thyroid hormones are common in critical disease situations. The association between low thyroid hormone levels and mortality in COVID-19 intensive care patients has yet to be studied. The aim of this study is to compare thyroid hormone levels between patients in the general intensive care unit (ICU) to patients in the COVID-19 ICU. This was a retrospective comparative study of 210 patients who were hospitalized at Ziv Medical Center in the general ICU and in the COVID-19 ICU. Clinical and demographic data were collected from patient's electronic medical records. Serum thyroid hormone levels of Thyroid Simulating Hormone (TSH), T4, and T3 were significantly lower in COVID-19 intensive care unit patients compared to the patients from the general intensive care unit (p < 0.05). The mortality rate in the COVID-19 ICU (44.4%) was higher compared to that in the general ICU (27.3%) (p < 0.05). No significant statistical difference was observed between the two groups in terms of gender and recorded comorbidities of diabetes mellitus, cerebral vascular accident, kidney disease, and cancer. Low serum thyroid hormone levels-T3, T4, and TSH-in COVID-19 ICU patients are associated with higher mortality and could possibly be used as a prognostic factor for mortality among COVID-19 ICU patients. Thyroid hormone levels should be a part in the routine evaluation of COVID-19 ICU patients.

Comparison of Hospital Mortality and Readmission Rates by Physician and Patient Sex.

Little is known as to whether the effects of physician sex on patients' clinical outcomes vary by patient sex. To examine whether the association between physician sex and hospital outcomes varied between female and male patients hospitalized with medical conditions. Retrospective observational study. Medicare claims data. 20% random sample of Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries hospitalized with medical conditions during 2016 to 2019 and treated by hospitalists. The primary outcomes were patients' 30-day mortality and readmission rates, adjusted for patient and physician characteristics and hospital-level averages of exposures (effectively comparing physicians within the same hospital). Of 458 108 female and 318 819 male patients, 142 465 (31.1%) and 97 500 (30.6%) were treated by female physicians, respectively. Both female and male patients had a lower patient mortality when treated by female physicians; however, the benefit of receiving care from female physicians was larger for female patients than for male patients (difference-in-differences, -0.16 percentage points [pp] [95% CI, -0.42 to 0.10 pp]). For female patients, the difference between female and male physicians was large and clinically meaningful (adjusted mortality rates, 8.15% vs. 8.38%; average marginal effect [AME], -0.24 pp [CI, -0.41 to -0.07 pp]). For male patients, an important difference between female and male physicians could be ruled out (10.15% vs. 10.23%; AME, -0.08 pp [CI, -0.29 to 0.14 pp]). The pattern was similar for patients' readmission rates. The findings may not be generalizable to younger populations. The findings indicate that patients have lower mortality and readmission rates when treated by female physicians, and the benefit of receiving treatments from female physicians is larger for female patients than for male patients. Gregory Annenberg Weingarten, GRoW @ Annenberg.

Comparing the outcomes and costs of cardiac monitoring with implantable loop recorders and mobile cardiac outpatient telemetry following stroke using real-world evidence.

Aim: Patients with ischemic stroke (IS) commonly undergo monitoring to identify atrial fibrillation with mobile cardiac outpatient telemetry (MCOT) or implantable loop recorders (ILRs). The authors compared readmission, healthcare cost and survival in patients monitored post-stroke with either MCOT or ILR. Materials & methods: The authors used claims data from Optum's de-identified Clinformatics® Data Mart Database to identify patients with IS hospitalized from January 2017 to December 2020 who were prescribed ambulatory cardiac monitoring via MCOT or ILR. They compared the costs associated with the initial inpatient visit as well as the rate and causes of readmission, survival and healthcare costs over the following 18months. Datasets were balanced using patient baseline and hospitalization characteristics. Multivariable generalized linear gamma regression was used for cost comparisons. Cox proportional hazard regression was used for survival and readmission analysis. Sub-cohorts were analyzed based on the severity of the index IS. Results: In 2244 patients, readmissions were significantly lower in the MCOT monitored group (30.2%) compared with the ILR group (35.4%) (hazard ratio [HR] 1.23; 95% CI: 1.04-1.46). Average cost over 18months starting with the index IS was $27,429 (USD) lower in the MCOT group (95% CI: $22,353-$32,633). Survival difference bordered on statistical significance and trended to lower mortality in MCOT (8.9%) versus ILR (11.3%) (HR 1.30; 95% CI: 1:00-1.69), led by significance in patients with complications or comorbidities with the index event (MCOT 7.5%, ILR 11.5%; HR 1.62; 95% CI: 1.11-2.36). Conclusion: The use of MCOT versus ILR as the primary monitor following IS was associated with significant decreases in readmission, lower costs for the initial IS and total care over the next 18months, significantly lower mortality for patients with complications and comorbidities at the index stroke, and a trend toward improved survival across all patients.

Percutaneous mechanical thrombectomy in acute pulmonary embolism: Outcomes from a safety-net hospital.

Our study aims to present clinical outcomes of mechanical thrombectomy (MT) in a safety-net hospital. This is a retrospective study of intermediate or high-risk pulmonary embolism (PE) patients who underwent MT between October 2020 and May 2023. The primary outcome was 30-day mortality. Among 61 patients (mean age 57.6 years, 47% women, 57% Black) analyzed, 12 (19.7%) were classified as high-risk PE, and 49 (80.3%) were intermediate-risk PE. Of these patients, 62.3% had Medicaid or were uninsured, 50.8% lived in a high poverty zip code. The prevalence of normotensive shock in intermediate-risk PE patients was 62%. Immediate hemodynamic improvements included 7.4 mmHg mean drop in mean pulmonary artery pressure (-21.7%, p < 0.001) and 93% had normalization of their cardiac index postprocedure. Thirty-day mortality for the entire cohort was 5% (3 patients) and 0% when restricted to the intermediate-risk group. All 3 patients who died at 30 days presented with cardiac arrest. There were no differences in short-term mortality based on race, insurance type, citizenship status, or socioeconomic status. All-cause mortality at most recent follow up was 13.1% (mean follow up time of 13.4 ± 8.5 months). We extend the findings from prior studies that MT demonstrates a favorable safety profile with immediate improvement in hemodynamics and a low 30-day mortality in patients with acute PE, holding true even with relatively higher risk and more vulnerable population within a safety-net hospital.

Decision day – A retrospective analysis of COVID-19 patients treated with high PEEP non-invasive ventilation

Background and objectives. This retrospective analysis investigates the effect of high levels of Positive End-Expiratory Pressure (PEEP) during Non-Invasive Ventilation (NIV) in patients with COVID 19 Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS). Materials and methods. In the University Hospital Center Zagreb from October 2021 to February 2022, the study analyzed data from 97 patients who received NIV for acute respiratory support during ICU stay. The effect of NIV on survival, the length of stay in the ICU as well as the duration of the support itself was investigated. Results. Results show that despite low mortality in patients with NIV support, mortality is quite high in patients who required intubation. There is also a divergence of the respiratory support level parameter after the 3rd day on NIV, which suggests that moment as pivotal for assessing the continuation of NIV support. Conclusions. The results show that high level PEEP is a viable option for starting respiratory support in ARDS, but also the importance of timely assessment to optimize patient outcomes.

Propofol vs etomidate for induction prior to invasive mechanical ventilation in patients with acute myocardial infarction

BackgroundPatients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) requiring invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) have a high mortality. However, little is known regarding the impact of induction agents, used prior to IMV, on clinical outcomes in this population. We assessed for the association between induction agent and mortality in patients with AMI requiring IMV. MethodsWe compared clinical outcomes between those receiving propofol compared to etomidate for induction among adults with AMI between October 2015 and December 2019 using the Vizient® Clinical Data Base, a multicenter, US national database. We used inverse probability treatment weighting (IPTW) to assess for the association between induction agent and in-hospital mortality. ResultsWe identified 5,147 patients, 1,386 (26.9%) of received propofol and 3,761 (73.1%) received etomidate for IMV induction. The mean (SD) age was 66.1 (12.4) years, 33.0% were women, and 51.6% and 39.8% presented with STEMI and cardiogenic shock, respectively. Patients in the propofol group were more likely to require preintubation vasoactive medication and mechanical circulatory support (both, P < .05). Utilization of propofol was associated with lower mortality compared to etomidate (32.3% vs 36.1%, P = .01). After propensity weighting, propofol use remained associated with lower mortality (weighted mean difference −4.7%; 95% confidence interval: −7.6% to −1.8%, P = .002). Total cost, ventilator days, and length of stay were higher in the propofol group (all, P < .001). ConclusionsInduction with propofol, compared with etomidate, was associated with lower mortality for patients with AMI requiring IMV. Randomized trials are needed to determine the optimal induction agent for this critically ill patient population.

Emulated Trial for Discharge Prescription of Guideline-Directed Medical Therapy and 15-Year Survival After Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery

ObjectivesTo explore admission and discharge prescription rates of guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT), defined as aggregate antiplatelet agents, statins, and β-blockers, after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery and to reveal its association with long-term survival. Patients and MethodsThis is a prospective cohort study–based emulated trial of patients undergoing elective or semi-elective isolated CABG surgery in 7 cardiothoracic units in Israel from January 1, 2004, to December 31, 2007, and followed up until December 31, 2020, for all-cause mortality. ResultsOnly 59.2% of 968 patients (n=573) were discharged on GDMT after CABG surgery. Admission GDMT use conferred a 7 times greater likelihood of discharge GDMT prescription (odds ratio, 7.07; 95% CI, 5.04 to 9.91; P<.001), with no sex differences observed. After applying inverse probability of treatment weighting, baseline characteristics were well balanced between groups. During a median follow-up of 13.7 years, a Cox regression model with propensity score–adjusted inverse probability of treatment weighting revealed lower mortality in patients with discharge GDMT prescription who underwent CABG surgery than in their counterparts (hazard ratio, 0.75; 95% CI, 0.60 to 0.93; P=.008). ConclusionThe use of aggregate GDMT before surgery conferred a greater likelihood of GDMT prescription upon discharge, which, in turn, is associated with better long-term survival. Educational efforts of pertinent medical professionals are needed to minimize preventive treatment gaps. Trial Registrationclinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00356863

Bronchiectasis and asthma: Data from the European Bronchiectasis Registry (EMBARC)

BackgroundAsthma is commonly reported in patients with a diagnosis of bronchiectasis. ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to evaluate if patients with asthma and bronchiectasis had a different clinical phenotype and different outcomes compared to patients with bronchiectasis without concomitant asthma. MethodsProspective observational pan-European registry (EMBARC) enrolling patients across 28 countries. Adult patients with CT confirmed bronchiectasis were reviewed at baseline and annual follow-up visits using an electronic case report form. Asthma was diagnosed by the local investigator. Follow-up data were used to explore differences in exacerbation frequency between groups using a negative binomial regression model. Survival analysis utilised Cox-proportional hazards regression. Results16963 patients with bronchiectasis were included for analysis. 5267 patients (31.0%) had investigator reported asthma. Patients with bronchiectasis and asthma (BE+A) were younger, more likely to be female and never smokers, and had a higher BMI than patients with bronchiectasis without asthma. BE+A was associated with a higher prevalence of rhinosinusitis and nasal polyps as well as eosinophilia and Aspergillus sensitization. BE+A had similar microbiology, but significantly lower severity of disease using the bronchiectasis severity index (BSI). The BE+A group were at increased risk of exacerbation after adjustment for severity of disease and multiple confounders. Inhaled corticosteroid use was associated with reduced mortality in BE+A patients (adjusted hazard ratio 0.78 (0.63-0.95)) and reduced risk of hospitalization, (rate ratio 0.67 (0.67-0.86)) compared to a control population without asthma and not receiving inhaled corticosteroid. ConclusionCombined bronchiectasis and asthma was common and was associated with an increased risk of exacerbations and improved outcomes with inhaled corticosteroid use. Unexpectedly we identified significantly lower mortality in patients with bronchiectasis and asthma.

Effect of co-treatment of COVID-19 with Remdesivir

Background: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, randomized clinical studies were conducted with Remdesivir in combination with Bariticinib or Dexamethasone, which have shown effectiveness for the treatment of COVID-19. Objective: We analyzed the effect of co-treatment with Remdesivir in a retrospective in Mexico. Methods: Thirty-four patients treated with Remdesivir in combination with Baricitinib or Dexamethasone were included. Age, sex, comorbidities, signs, and symptoms were recorded at hospital admission, intubation needs, intensive care unit (ICU) requirements, days of hospital stay and their evolution, as well as laboratory data upon admission and upon admission terminate Remdesivir treatment. Results: Most were male, with an age of 56.5 years (49 years-60.3 years), whose main comorbidity was obesity. The main symptoms on admission were dyspnea and cough. Thirty-two patients received the short Remdesivir regimen, 22 were co-treated with Baricitinb and 12 with Dexamethasone. Most did not require ICU care, 9 patients died, 19% of those co-treated with Baricitinib and 42% of those co-treated with Dexamethasone. A significant decrease in hemoglobin, protein, albumin and LDH levels was observed. Conclusion: In this study, we observed lower mortality in patients co-treated with Baricitinib vs those co-treated with Dexamethasone, and a hospital stay similar to that reported in randomized clinical studies.

DIFFERENCE IN HEALTHCARE OUTCOMES BETWEEN PUBLIC AND PRIVATE PAYERS FOR PATIENTS ADMITTED WITH CROHN'S DISEASE

Abstract BACKGROUND In countries where health coverage is not universal, there is ample evidence of disparities in healthcare, often associated with insurance. Crohn’s disease (CD) is a complex chronic disease with potential for significant morbidity if the content or delivery of healthcare is suboptimal. However, the literature related to primary payers and CD remains lacking. METHODS We queried the National Inpatient Sample (NIS)from 2016-2019 using ICD10-CM/PCS codes to identify hospital discharges with a diagnosis of CD. Patients were subsequently stratified based on insurance (Medicare, Medicaid, Private, and No insurance). Observations were categorized into two groups, private and public (Medicare and Medicaid) insurance. Patients without insurance were excluded from the study. In-hospital mortality, total hospital cost, length of stay, and in-hospital complications were evaluated. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted to adjust for confounders. RESULTS A total of 135,075 discharges with diagnosis of CD were identified with a primary payer insurance, of which 70,275(52.1%) had private insurance and 64,800 (47.9%) public. Patients with private insurance were more likely to be white (68.9% vs 78.4%; P&amp;lt;0.01), have lower Charlson score (46.1% vs 59.1%; P&amp;lt;0.01), belong to the higher income bracket (16.7% vs 29.6%; P&amp;lt;0.01), be admitted to a teaching institution (74.2% vs 79.4%; P&amp;lt;0.01), and be in an urban setting (92.2% vs 95.5%; P&amp;lt;0.01). Patients with private insurance were less likely to require parenteral nutrition (5.9% vs 5.3%; P=0.04), have severe malnutrition (8.8% vs 6.4%; P&amp;lt;0.01), abuse EtOH (1.7% vs 0.8%; P&amp;lt;0.01), use tobacco (1.4% vs 1.1%; P&amp;lt;0.01), use cannabis (4.2% vs 2.3%; P&amp;lt;0.01), have iron deficiency anemia (13.4% vs 11.6%; P&amp;lt;0.01), and die during hospitalization (0.4% vs 0.1%; P&amp;lt;0.01). On multivariate analysis, there was lower mortality in patients with a private primary payer [0.28; (P&amp;lt;0.01)], shorter LOS (5.8 vs 4.9 days mean days; P&amp;lt;0.01), and lower healthcare charges [ -3,903 US$; (P&amp;lt;0.01)]. Overall, those with private insurance had lower in-hospital complications such as respiratory failure [aOR 0.75; (P=0.05)], endotracheal intubation [aOR 0.50; (P&amp;lt;0.01)], prolonged mechanical ventilation [aOR 0.36;(P&amp;lt;0.01)], hemodialysis [aOR 0.34; (P&amp;lt;0.01)], acute kidney injury [aOR 0.72; (P&amp;lt;0.01)], and venous thromboembolism [aOR 0.54; (P&amp;lt;0.01)]. However, they had higher rates of surgical interventions including small bowel resection [aOR 1.57; (P&amp;lt;0.01)], large bowel resection [aOR 1.58; (P&amp;lt;0.01)], laparoscopic surgery [aOR 2.44; (P&amp;lt;0.01)], and to require conversion to open surgery [aOR 1.55; (P&amp;lt;0.01)]. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that primary public payers were independently associated with higher morbidity and mortality in patients admitted with CD.