Patients In Q4 Research Articles

Prognostic impact of composite lipid indices in patients with acute coronary syndrome undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention

Abstract Background Composite lipid indices have been reported to have associations with several cardiovascular diseases and their negative adverse events. Among these, there are four novel indices that can be easily calculated, namely, triglyceride-glucose index (TyG, calculated from fasting plasma glucose [FPG] and triglyceride [TG]), lipid accumulation product (LAP, calculated from waist circumference [WC] and TG), visceral adiposity index (VAI, calculated from WC, TG, body mass index [BMI], and high-density lipoprotein [HDL]), and atherogenic index of plasma (AIP, calculated from TG and HDL). Herein, we aimed to investigate the impact of these indices on the incidence of major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Methods All the patients with ACS who underwent PCI at our institution during the 2015-2022 period were included in the analyses. Patients were divided based on each of the TyG, VAI, LAP, and AIP indices quartiles (Q). The median follow-up was 378 days and the outcome assessed was MACCE composed of all-cause mortality, myocardial infarction, stroke, target vessel revascularization, target lesion revascularization, and coronary artery bypass grafting surgery. Results There was a total of 13,682 patients with ACS undergoing PCI with a mean age of 62.67 ± 11 years and 72.61% male predominance. Regarding the TyG index, patients in Q4 had a higher incidence of MACCE, compared to those in Q1 (adjusted HR [aHR] 1.271, 95% CI 1.067 – 1.513], p-value < 0.01). While in the crude model, patients in Q2, Q3, and Q4 of LAP had significantly higher rates of MACCE, compared to Q1, this association was not observed in the age- and sex-adjusted model and fully-adjusted model. Similarly, there was no difference among the quartiles of VAI and AIP regarding the incidence of MACCE. Kaplan-Meier curves also show that there were significant differences among TyG and LAP quartiles (p-value = 0.0049 and p-value = 0.035, respectively). Conclusion As our findings suggest, patients with higher TyG levels, as a surrogate marker of insulin resistance, had a higher incidence of MACCE. LAP could also play an important role in the incidence of adverse events after PCI. These novel lipid indices could help clinicians in determining the risks of patients with ACS undergoing PCI in order to provide better care to them.Risk of MACCE in different quartilesKaplan Meier Curves for risk of MACCE

Prognostic impact of the presence and absence of angina on mortality and cardiovascular outcomes in the ISCHEMIA trial

Abstract Introduction Patients with chronic coronary syndromes (CCS) manifested by myocardial ischemia may present with typical angina or with no anginal symptoms. It is unclear whether symptom status affects prognosis in these patients. Purpose To assess whether the risk of all-cause mortality and other cardiovascular (CV) outcomes varied according to the presence or absence of angina in patients with CCS and moderate to severe myocardial ischemia in the ISCHEMIA trial. Methods The ISCHEMIA data set was obtained from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute under a data use agreement. Subjects were divided into quartiles by baseline Seattle Angina Questionnaire Angina Frequency (SAQ AF) score. Quartile (Q)1 included patients with SAQ AF scores from 1-70 whereas all patients in Q4 had SAQ AF scores of 100, indicating no angina at baseline. Categorical variables were compared using the chi-squared or Fisher’s exact test. Continuous variables were compared using the student T-test or Wilcoxon rank sum test. The cumulative incidence rate of outcomes up to five years was estimated with the Kaplan-Meier method and the rate curves were compared using the log-rank test. Multivariable Cox regression models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) with potential confounders from baseline characteristics, clinical history, and angiographic characteristics included. All tests were two-sided and P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results Of the 5,179 patients with CCS and at least moderate ischemia on stress testing, 1,434 were in Q1 and 1,635 were in Q4. Compared to Q1, patients in Q4 were older (66.4 (9.0) vs. 62.8 (9.6); P<0.001), more often male (82% vs. 73%; P<0.001), more often diabetic (43% vs. 38%; P=0.006) and less often current smokers (12% vs. 15%; P=0.001). The estimated glomerular filtration rate was lower in Q4 (82(22) vs. 86 (38); P=0.002). Fewer patients in Q4 had NYHA class II heart failure (37% vs. 62%) and more had Class I symptoms (63% vs. 38%) (P<0.001). Q4 patients had a lower ejection fraction (59% vs. 60%; P=0.002), a lower Duke jeopardy score (4.9(3.5) vs. 5.5 (3.3); P<0.001), less often had severe ischemia (47% vs. 56%), and more often had moderate ischemia (40% vs. 32 %) (P<0.001). The cumulative 5-year event rates for Q4 vs. Q1 were: all-cause death, 10.6% and 6.4% (P=0.002); CV death/MI, 16.3% vs. 13.7% (P=0.97); CV death, 7% vs. 3.7% (P=0.009); MI, 11.4% vs. 11.4% (P=0.2). On multivariable Cox regression, angina quartile (Q4 vs. Q1) was not independently associated with all-cause death (HR 1.34, 95% CI: 0.76-2.31; P=0.33), CV death/MI (HR 0.77, 95% CI: 0.52-1.14; P=0.19), CV death (HR 1.10, 95% CI: 0.50-2.43; P=0.82), or MI (HR 0.70; 95% CI: 0.45-1.08; P=0.11). Conclusion In the ISCHEMIA trial, patients with CCS and moderate to severe myocardial ischemia are at elevated risk for all-cause mortality and other major CV outcomes. This risk is not modified by the presence or absence of angina.

Association Between White Blood Cell Counts at Diagnosis and Clinical Outcomes in Venous Thromboembolism - From the COMMAND VTE Registry-2.

White blood cell (WBC) counts were reported to be a risk factor for acute adverse events in patients with venous thromboembolism (VTE). However, there are limited data on VTE patients without active cancer. The COMMAND VTE Registry-2 was a multicenter study enrolling 5,197 consecutive patients with acute symptomatic VTE. We divided 3,668 patients without active cancer into 4 groups based on WBC count quartiles (Q1-Q4) at diagnosis: Q1, ≤5,899 cells/μL; Q2, 5,900-7,599 cells/μL, Q3, 7,600-9,829 cells/μL; and Q4, ≥9,830 cells/μL. Patients in Q4 more often presented with pulmonary embolism (PE) than patients in Q1, Q2, and Q3 (68% vs. 37%, 53%, and 61%, respectively; P<0.001). The proportion of massive PEs among all PEs was higher in Q4 than in Q1, Q2, and Q3 (21% vs. 3.4%, 5.8%, and 11%, respectively; P<0.001). Compared with Q1, Q2, and Q3, patients in Q4 had a higher cumulative 5-year incidence of all-cause death (17.0%, 15.2%, 16.1%, and 22.8%, respectively; P<0.001) and major bleeding (10.9%, 11.0%, 10.3%, and 14.4%, respectively; P=0.002). The higher mortality risk of Q4 relative to Q2 was consistent regardless of the presentations of VTEs. An elevated WBC count on VTE diagnosis was associated with a higher risk of mortality and major bleeding regardless of VTE presentation, suggesting the potential usefulness of WBC counts for further risk stratification.

Veterans Affairs Medical Center Racial and Ethnic Composition and Initiation of Anticoagulation for Atrial Fibrillation

Racial and ethnic disparities exist in anticoagulation therapy for atrial fibrillation (AF). Whether medical center racial and ethnic composition is associated with these disparities is unclear. To determine whether medical center racial and ethnic composition is associated with overall anticoagulation and disparities in anticoagulation for AF. Retrospective cohort study of Black, White, and Hispanic patients with incident AF from 2018 to 2021 at 140 Veterans Health Administration medical centers (VAMCs). Data were analyzed from March to November 2023. VAMC racial and ethnic composition, defined as the proportion of patients from minoritized racial and ethnic groups treated at a VAMC, categorized into quartiles. VAMCs in quartile 1 (Q1) had the lowest percentage of patients from minoritized groups (ie, the reference group). The odds of initiating any anticoagulant, direct-acting oral anticoagulant (DOAC), or warfarin therapy within 90 days of an index AF diagnosis, adjusting for sociodemographics, medical comorbidities, and facility factors. The cohort comprised 89 791 patients with a mean (SD) age of 73.0 (10.1) years; 87 647 (97.6%) were male, 9063 (10.1%) were Black, 3355 (3.7%) were Hispanic, and 77 373 (86.2%) were White. Overall, 64 770 individuals (72.1%) initiated any anticoagulant, 60 362 (67.2%) initiated DOAC therapy, and 4408 (4.9%) initiated warfarin. Compared with White patients, Black and Hispanic patients had lower rates of any anticoagulant and DOAC therapy initiation but higher rates of warfarin initiation across all quartiles of VAMC racial and ethnic composition. Any anticoagulant therapy initiation was lower in Q4 than Q1 (69.8% vs 74.9%; adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.80; 95% CI, 0.69-0.92; P < .001). DOAC and warfarin initiation were also lower in Q4 than in Q1 (DOAC, 69.4% vs 65.3%; aOR, 0.85; 95% CI, 0.74-0.97; P < .001; warfarin, 5.4% vs 4.5%; aOR, 0.82; 95% CI, 0.67-1.00; P < .001). In adjusted models, patients in Q4 were significantly less likely to initiate any anticoagulant therapy than those in Q1 (aOR, 0.88; 95% CI, 0.78-0.99). Patients in Q3 (aOR, 0.75; 95% CI, 0.60-0.93) and Q4 (aOR, 0.69; 95% CI, 0.55-0.87) were significantly less likely to initiate warfarin therapy than those in Q1. There was no significant difference in the adjusted odds of initiating DOAC therapy across racial and ethnic composition quartiles. Although significant Black-White and Hispanic-White differences in initiation of any anticoagulant, DOAC, and warfarin therapy were observed, interactions between patient race and ethnicity and VAMC racial composition were not significant. In a national cohort of VA patients with AF, initiation of any anticoagulant and warfarin, but not DOAC therapy, was lower in VAMCs serving more minoritized patients.

Aldosterone is Associated With New-onset Cerebrovascular Events in Patients With Hypertension and White Matter Lesions: A Cohort Study

ObjectiveWhite matter lesions (WMLs) increase the risk of stroke, stroke recurrence, and death. Higher plasma aldosterone concentration (PAC) increases the risk of stroke, acute myocardial infarction, and hypertension. The objective is to evaluate the relationship between PAC and cerebrovascular events in patients with hypertension and WMLs. MethodsWe conducted a retrospective cohort study that included 1041 participants hospitalized. The outcome was new-onset cerebrovascular events including intracerebral hemorrhage and stroke. A Cox regression model was used to evaluate the relationship between baseline PAC and the risk of cerebrovascular events. ResultsThe mean age of participants was 60.9 ± 10.2 years and 565 (53.4%) were males. The median follow-up duration was 42 months (interquartile range: 25-67), and 92 patients experienced new-onset cerebrovascular events. In a multivariate-adjusted model, with PAC as a continuous variable, higher PAC increased the risk of cerebrovascular events; patient risk increased per 1 (hazard ratio [HR: 1.03], 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.01-1.06, P < .01), per 5 (HR: 1.17, 95% CI: 1.06-1.31, P < .01), and per 10 ng/dL (HR: 1.41, 95%: 1.14-1.75, P < .01) increase in PAC. When PAC was expressed as a categorical variable (quartile: Q1-Q4), patients in Q4 (HR: 2.12, 95% CI: 1.18-3.79, P < .05) exhibited an increased risk of cerebrovascular events compared to Q1. Restrictive spline regression showed a linear association between PAC and the risk of new-onset cerebrovascular events after adjusting for all possible variables. ConclusionsOur study identified a linear association between PAC and the risk of new-onset cerebrovascular events in patients with hypertension and WMLs.

Association between out-of-hospital cardiac arrest quality indicator and prehospital management and clinical outcomes for major trauma

IntroductionIt is unclear whether emergency medical service (EMS) agencies with good out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) quality indicators also perform well in treating other emergency conditions. We aimed to evaluate the association of an EMS agency's non-traumatic OHCA quality indicators with prehospital management processes and clinical outcomes of major trauma. MethodsThis retrospective cross-sectional study analyzed data from registers of nationwide, population-based OHCA (adult EMS-treated non-traumatic OHCA patients from 2017 to 2018) and major trauma (adult, EMS-treated, and injury severity score ≥16 trauma patients in 2018) in South Korea. We developed a prehospital ROSC prediction model to categorize EMS agencies into quartiles (Q1-Q4) based on the observed-to-expected (O/E) ROSC ratio for each EMS agency. We evaluated the national EMS protocol compliance of on-scene management according to O/E ROSC ratio quartile. The association between O/E ROSC ratio quartiles and trauma-related early mortality was determined in a multi-level logistic regression model by adjusted odds ratios (OR) and 95 % confidence intervals (95 % CI). ResultsAmong 30,034 severe trauma patients, 4,836 were analyzed. Patients in Q4 showed the lowest early mortality rate (5.6 %, 5.5 %, 4.8 %, and 3.4 % in Q1, Q2, Q3, and Q4, respectively). In groups Q1 to Q4, increasing compliance with the national EMS on-scene management protocol (trauma center transport, basic airway management for patients with altered mentality, spinal motion restriction for patients with spinal injury, and intravenous access for patients with hypotension) was observed (p for trend <0.05). Multivariable multi-level logistic regression analysis showed significantly lower early mortality in Q4 than in Q1 (adjusted OR [95 % CI] 0.56 [0.35–0.91]). ConclusionMajor trauma patients managed by EMS agencies with high success rates in achieving prehospital ROSC in non-traumatic OHCA were more likely to receive protocol-based care and exhibited lower early mortality.

Impact of age on the predictive value of NT-proBNP in patients with diabetes mellitus stabilised after an acute coronary syndrome

AimsTo assess the impact of age on the prognostic value of NT-proBNP concentration in patients with type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) stabilised after an Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS). MethodsThe AleCardio study compared aleglitazar with placebo in 7226 patients with T2DM and recent ACS. Patients with heart failure were excluded. Median follow-up was 104 weeks. Baseline NT-proBNP plasma concentration was measured centrally. Multivariable Cox regression was used to determine the mortality predictive information provided by NT-proBNP across age groups. ResultsMedian age was 61y (IQR 54, 67). NT-proBNP concentration increased by quartile (Q) of age (median 264, 318, 391, and 588 pg/ml). Compared to Q1, patients in Q4 of NT-proBNP had higher (p < 0.001) adjusted HR for all-cause (aHR 6.9; 95 % CI 4.0–12) and cardiovascular (11; 5.4–23) death. Within each age Q, baseline NT-proBNP in patients who died was 3 times higher than in survivors (all p < 0.001). When age and NT-proBNP levels were modeled as continuous variables, their interaction term was nonsignificant. The relative prognostic information provided by NT-proBNP (percent of total X2) increased from 38 % in age Q1 to 75 % in age Q4 for mortality, and from 50 % to 88 % for CV death. ConclusionsAmong patients with T2DM stabilised after an ACS, NT-proBNP level predicts death irrespective of age.

Abstract 13115: Association of Hospital Racial Composition and Anticoagulation for Atrial Fibrillation: A Nationwide Study

Introduction: Anticoagulation reduces stroke risk in atrial fibrillation (AF). Patient-level studies show significant Black-White disparities in any anticoagulant and direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC) prescribing. Little is known about whether such disparities exist at the hospital level, thus we examined the association of hospital racial composition and anticoagulant initiation. Hypothesis: Hospitals with higher rates of Black patients would have lower anticoagulation. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients with incident AF treated at a VA medical center (VAMC) from 2018-2021. Our independent variable was hospital racial composition, defined by the proportion of Black patients cared for at a VAMC, with Quartile 1 (Q1) being the lowest, and Quartile (Q4) being the highest. We used a multivariable logistic regression model, adjusting for clinical factors (e.g., stroke and bleeding risk), year of diagnosis, and region, to estimate the odds of any anticoagulant and/or DOAC initiation by hospital racial composition. Results: We identified 86,436 patients with incident AF at 140 VAMCs, 10.5% Black, 89.5% White, mean age 73 years. Patients in Q4 were younger with similar stroke and bleeding risk to those in Q1. Overall, any anticoagulant use was 73.4% in Q1 and 71.4% in Q4 and lower for Black vs. White patients in both quartiles (Q1: 68.9% vs. 73.5%; Q4: 69.1 vs. 72.0%). The odds of initiating any anticoagulant overall were lower in Q1 hospitals compared to Q4: adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 0.85; 95% CI 0.73-0.99; p=0.04. DOAC use was similar in Q1 and Q4 (67.6% vs. 67.2%) though lower for Black vs. White patients in both quartiles (Q1: 57.4% vs. 67.7%; Q4: 63.3 vs. 68.5%). There was no significant difference overall in the odds of initiating DOAC in Q1 hospitals compared to Q4, aOR: 0.96; 95% CI 0.83-1.12; p=0.61. Conclusions: In a national study of patients with AF in the VA, we observed a significant difference in any anticoagulant but not DOAC initiation by hospital racial composition. Racial differences in anticoagulant use existed across quartiles, as in prior work. These data suggest that racial disparities in anticoagulant use in the VA, a safety net health system, may require local rather than national-level solutions alone to eliminate them.

Abstract 17301: C-Reactive Protein and Long-Term Risk of Death in Patients With Myocardial Infarction

Introduction: The long-term prognostic value of C-reactive protein (CRP) in patients with myocardial infarction (MI) is unknown. Purpose: To assess the association between the first CRP measured during hospitalization and long-term mortality in patients with MI. Methods: Using Danish nationwide registries, we identified patients with a first diagnosis of MI from 2012 through 2020 who underwent a CRP measurement during index hospitalization. The primary outcome was death from any cause. The association between CRP levels and death was examined stratifying the patients into quartiles of CRP concentrations. Absolute and relative risks (RR) for death at days 0-30 and 31-365 were calculated through multivariable Cox regression with average treatment effect modeling. Models were standardized for demographic and clinical features, including high-sensitivity troponin (hsTn). Results: We included 36,021 patients with MI and a CRP measurement within 24 hours before or after the time of admission. Median age was 69.7 years and 35.2 % were women. Median CRP in the entire cohort was 4.9 mg/l, and quartile (Q) intervals were: Q1: &lt;3 mg/l, Q2: 3 to &lt;5 mg/l, Q3: 5 to &lt;17 mg/l, and Q4: &gt;=17 mg/l. CRP was significantly and nonlinearly associated with the primary outcome (p&lt;0.001). At 0-30 days, 2694 patients had died, and another 2566 had died between days 31-365. Figure 1 shows the Kaplan Meier curves. The standardized absolute risk of death at both 0-30 and 31-365 days was lowest among patients in Q1 (0-30 days: 4.1%, 31-365 days: 4.8%) and highest among patients in Q4 (0-30 days: 12.1%, 31-365 days: 10.6%). The standardized RR of death compared with Q1 were: 0-30 days 1.01 (95% CI 0.84;1.71), 1.45 (1.26;1.63) and 2.96 (2.61;3.29) in Q2, Q3 and Q4 and at days 31-365, the RR were 1.18 (1.02;1.34), 1.61 (1.42;1.79) and 2.19 (1.95;2.42), respectively. Conclusion: In patients with MI, higher CRP levels were significantly associated with a higher risk of death, independently of hsTn concentrations.

#3846 MALNUTRITION RISK IN HEMODIALYSIS PATIENTS AND SCREENING TOOLS PROGNOSIS: GNRI, CREATININE INDEX AND SPEW

Abstract Background and Aims nutritional status clearly has a great impact on the prognosis of maintenance hemodialysis patients. Therefore, its management should be a priority and risk screening frequent and easily implemented, based on the biochemical and clinical routine parameters already available. Many tools fit these simple criteria, namely simple Protein Energy Wasting score (sPEW), Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI) and Creatinine Index (Cr Index). These scores are associated with a high mortality and morbidity risk in hemodialysis (HD) patients. The objective of this study was to assess the performance of these tools regarding the estimation of all-cause mortality, in a 45-months follow-up of a large patient cohort. Method Historical cohort study of HD pts from 25 outpatient clinics. sPEW, GNRI and Cr Index were estimated. Kaplan-Meier estimator and univariable Cox regression models to analyze time until death were used. To compare survival curves the log-rank test or Tarone test were used, as appropriate. The level of significance α = .05 was considered. All data were analyzed using SPSS 22.0 (IBM Corp. Released 2013. IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows. Armonk, NY, USA: IBM Corp). Results We analyzed 2322 pts, 59% males, 31.7% diabetic, with a median age of 70 years (P25 = 60, P75 = 79) followed up for a maximum of 45-month (P25 = 31; P75 = 45). All-cause mortality was observed in 778 pts (33.5%). To assess the mortality risk, the exposures GNRI and CR Index, were discretized using quartiles. GNRI The median was 106.6 (P25 = 99.4, P75 = 114.2). The log-rank test results showed a significantly lower survival for patients in GNRI Q1 category (GNRI ≤ 99.4). A p-value &amp;lt;0.001 was obtained when comparing patients in Q4, Q3 and Q2 with patients in Q1. The univariable Cox regression model showed that patients in Q1 had a 2-fold increased risk of death, when compared with Q4 (HR = 2.1, 95% CI: 1.7-2.6, p&amp;lt;0.001). Creatinine Index The median was 12.648 (P25 = 11.908, P75 = 13.406). The log-rank test for the equality of survival functions for the different levels was considered statistically significant and showed a significantly lower survival for patients in CR Index Q1 category, when compared with the remaining categories (p&amp;lt;0.001). The univariable Cox regression model showed that comparatively with Q4, patients in Q1 had a 5-fold increased risk of death (HR = 4.8, 95% CI: 3.7-6.0, p&amp;lt;0.001), patients in Q2 a 3-fold increased risk of death (HR = 3.1, 95% CI:2.4– 3.9, p&amp;lt;0.001), and patients in Q3 a 2-fold increased risk of death (HR = 1.9, 95% CI: 1.4 – 2.4, p&amp;lt;0.001). sPEW The frequency of each score from 0 to 4 was 306, 380, 111, 1369 and 156, respectively. The log-rank test for the equality of survival functions corresponding to the different levels showed a significantly higher survival for patients with a sPEW score of 4 when comparing with the remaining levels (p&amp;lt;0.001). The univariable Cox regression model showed that comparatively with a score of 4, patients with a: score of 0 had an 8-fold increased risk of death (HR = 7.7, 95% CI: 4.5-13.3, p&amp;lt;0.001), score of 1 a 6-fold increase risk of death (HR = 5.6, 95% CI: 3.3– 9.7, p&amp;lt;0.001), score of 2 a 4-fold increase risk of death (HR = 4.1, 95% CI: 2.2– 7.7, p&amp;lt;0.001), and a score of 3, almost a 4-fold increased risk of death (HR = 3.7, 95% CI: 2.2– 6.3, p&amp;lt;0.001). Conclusion In this exploratory analysis, the three tools showed a significant association with mortality during follow-up. These tools, if adequately validated in future studies, may select patients for further intervention to modify the outcome.

Surgeon Postoperative Opioid Prescribing Intensity and Risk of Persistent Opioid Use Among Opioid-naive Adult Patients: A Population-based Cohort Study.

The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between surgeon opioid prescribing intensity and subsequent persistent opioid use among patients undergoing surgery. The extent to which different postoperative prescribing practices lead to persistent opioid use among surgical patients is poorly understood. Retrospective population-based cohort study assessing opioid-naive adults who underwent 1 of 4 common surgeries. For each surgical procedure, the surgeons' opioid prescribing intensity was categorized into quartiles based on the median daily dose of morphine equivalents of opioids dispensed within 7 days of the surgical visit for all the surgeons' patients. The primary outcome was persistent opioid use in the year after surgery, defined as 180 days or more of opioids supplied within the year after the index date excluding prescriptions filled within 30 days of the index date. Secondary outcomes included a refill for an opioid within 30 days and emergency department visits and hospitalizations within 1 year. Among 112,744 surgical patients, patients with surgeons in the highest intensity quartile (Q4) were more likely to fill an opioid prescription within 7 days after surgery compared with those in the lowest quartile (Q1) (83.3% Q4 vs 65.4% Q1). In the primary analysis, the incidence of persistent opioid use in the year after surgery was rare in both highest and lowest quartiles (0.3% Q4 vs 0.3% Q1), adjusted odds ratio (AOR) of 1.18, 95% CI 0.83-1.66). However, multiple analyses using stricter definitions of persistent use that included the requirement of a prescription filled within 7 days of discharge after surgery showed a significant association with surgeon quartile (up to an AOR 1.36, 95% CI 1.25, 1.47). Patients in Q4 were more likely to refill a prescription within 30 days (4.8% Q4 vs 4.0% Q1, AOR 1.14, 95% CI 1.04-1.24). Surgeons' overall prescribing practices may contribute to persistent opioid use and represent a target for quality improvement. However, the association was highly sensitive to the definition of persistent use used.

Obstructive sleep apnea-related intermittent hypoxaemia is associated with impaired vigilance.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)-related intermittent hypoxaemia is a potential risk factor for different OSA comorbidities, for example cardiovascular disease. However, conflicting results are found as to whether intermittent hypoxaemia is associated with impaired vigilance. Therefore, we aimed to investigate how desaturation characteristics differ between the non-impaired vigilance and impaired vigilance patient groups formed based on psychomotor vigilance task (PVT) performance and compared with traditional OSA severity parameters. The study population comprised 863 patients with suspected OSA who underwent a PVT test before polysomnography. The conventional OSA parameters, for example, the apnea-hypopnea index, oxygen desaturation index, and arousal index were computed. Furthermore, the median desaturation area, fall area, recovery area, and desaturation depth were computed with the pre-event baseline reference and with reference to the 100% oxygen saturation level. Patients were grouped into best- and worst-performing quartiles based on the number of lapses in PVT (Q1: PVT lapses <5 and Q4: PVT lapses >36). The association between parameters and impaired vigilance was evaluated by cumulative distribution functions (CDFs) and binomial logistic regression. Based on the CDFs, patients in Q4 had larger desaturation areas, recovery areas, and deeper desaturations when these were referenced to 100% saturation compared with Q1. The odds ratio (OR) of the median desaturation area (OR=1.56), recovery area (OR=1.71), and depth (OR=1.65) were significantly elevated in Q4 in regression models. However, conventional OSA parameters were not significantly associated with impaired vigilance (ORs: 0.79-1.09). Considering desaturation parameters with a 100% SpO2 reference in the diagnosis of OSA could provide additional information on the severity of OSA and related daytime vigilance impairment.

Abstract 15414: Impact of Frequency and Duration of Atrial Fibrillation Events on Outcomes in Patients Undergoing Catheter Ablation

Introduction: Catheter ablation is a well-established treatment option for patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). We aimed to evaluate the impact of baseline AF events frequency, duration, and symptoms severity on AF recurrence Methods: The study included patients with first time AF ablation at a tertiary US center between 2013 and 2021. Patients prospectively completed a baseline and follow up survey (12 months) for patients reported outcomes assessing AF frequency, duration, and severity (AF symptom severity scale). The duration and frequency scores ranged between 0 and 9 (no AF to continuous). Patients were grouped into quartiles (Q1-Q4) based on their baseline scores. The quartile with the lowest score was used as the reference group. AF recurrence was assessed during follow up Results: A total of 2150 patients (age 65±9 yrs, 75% male, and 65% paroxysmal AF). At one year, only 17% of patients had AF recurrence. Frequency score: The risk for AF recurrence was similar between Q2/Q3 when compared with Q1 (Q2: HR=0.82, p=0.15, Q3: HR=0.98, p=0.91; Figure Upper), whereas patients in Q4 (score of 10) had a significant risk increase compared to Q1 (HR=1.28, p=0.047; Figure Left). Duration score: The risk for AF recurrence (Figure Middle) was similar between Q2 and Q1 (HR=0.97, p=0.83), was higher for Q3 (score ≥6 and &lt;9; HR=1.39, p=0.015), and highest for Q4 (score ≥9; HR=1.46, p=0.002). Severity score: The baseline severity score did not predict or correlate with AF recurrence during FU. Ablation resulted in a significant reduction (≥10%) in each score category. The highest benefit was seen among the Frequency category (96% of the patients had an improvement in their score at one year), followed by duration (90%) and severity (89%) Conclusions: Patients’ reported high frequency, and/or high duration were associated with increased risk for AF recurrence. Following ablation, improvement in all patients’ reported outcomes was significantly higher than reported AF free survivals

ASSOCIATION OF HOUSEHOLD INCOME WITH OSA HOSPITALIZATIONS AND OUTCOMES: A POPULATION-BASED ANALYSIS

ASSOCIATION OF HOUSEHOLD INCOME WITH OSA HOSPITALIZATIONS AND OUTCOMES: A POPULATION-BASED ANALYSIS

Vericiguat and NT-proBNP in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction: analyses from the VICTORIA trial.

Treatment response to vericiguat, based on baseline N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) subgroups specified in the protocol, was evaluated in the heart failure (HF) VICTORIA trial population by post hoc analysis of combined lower three quartiles [Q1-Q3] vs. the upper quartile [Q4]. VICTORIA participants with available baseline NT-proBNP levels (n=4805; 95.1% of total) were included. Compared with patients in Q1-Q3 (NT-proBNP: Q1, ≤1556pg/mL; Q2, >1556-2816pg/mL; and Q3, >2816-5314pg/mL), patients in Q4 (NT-proBNP: >5314pg/mL) were older (69.2±12.0 vs. 66.6±12.1years), had lower mean ejection fraction (27.2±8.3% vs. 29.5±8.2%; P<0.0001), and were more likely to be in New York Heart Association (NYHA) Class III (51.8 vs. 35.6%) or IV (2.4 vs. 1.0%). Compared with Q1-Q3, patients in Q4 had higher mean Meta-Analysis Global Group in Chronic Heart Failure risk score (27.3±6.6 vs. 23.5±6.4; P<0.0001), had lower mean estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR; 51.5±25.5 vs. 65.0±26.8mL/min/1.73m2 ; P<0.0001) and haemoglobin (12.8±2.0 vs. 13.6±1.9g/dL; P<0.0001), and more had atrial fibrillation (48.7% vs. 43.1%; P=0.0007) and were randomized while hospitalized for HF (14.8 vs. 9.9%; P<0.0001). Target dose was achieved in 72.3 and 63.7% of patients in Q1-Q3 and Q4, respectively (P<0.0001). Primary outcome (composite of time to cardiovascular death or first HF hospitalization) rates were 24.5 and 31.7 per 100 patient-years for vericiguat and placebo in Q1-Q3 [hazard ratio (HR) 0.78; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.69-0.88, P<0.001] and 73.6 and 63.6 in Q4 (HR 1.15; 95% CI 0.99-1.34, P=0.070). Serious adverse events were more frequent in NT-proBNP Q4 (total population) compared with Q1-Q3 (38.3 vs. 32.3%; P=0.0001), driven mainly by the placebo group. Adverse events leading to death were more frequent in Q4 than Q1-Q3 (5.8 vs. 2.4%; P<0.0001). Plasma NT-proBNP may help identify patients with worsening HF with reduced ejection fraction, in whom the beneficial effects of vericiguat may be highest. Patients with highest NT-proBNP values are probably too far advanced, suffering more co-morbidities, or still clinically unstable after decompensation to derive benefit from vericiguat.

Non-Linear Association Between Serum Alkaline Phosphatase and 3-Month Outcomes in Patients With Acute Stroke: Results From the Xi'an Stroke Registry Study of China.

BackgroundAlkaline phosphatase (ALP) is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular events and is closely related to adverse outcomes after stroke. However, the regional investigation into the associations of ALP with acute stroke (AS) outcomes is limited. This study aimed to identify the association between serum ALP levels and clinical outcomes 3 months after AS in the Xi'an district of China.MethodsWe enrolled all patients with AS from 4 hospitals in the Xi'an district from January to December 2015. ALP levels and related patient information were collected at admission, and the events of stroke outcomes were followed up 1 and 3 months after diagnosis. ALP levels were analyzed as continuous variables and quartiles (Q1–Q4). The outcomes included all-cause mortality, recurrent stroke, and poor functional outcomes (modified Rankin Scale score of 3–6) within 3 months. A multivariate logistic regression and interaction analyses were performed to evaluate the independent association between serum ALP level and 3-month stroke outcomes.ResultsOverall, 2,799 patients with AS were enrolled in this study. The mean age was 63.9 ± 12.5 years. In the Q4 (≥93.0 U/L) group, the incidences of all-cause mortality, recurrent stroke, and poor functional outcomes were 7.8, 2.7, and 24.9%, respectively. After being adjusted for confounding variables, patients in Q4 (≥93.0 U/L) were related to an increased risk of all-cause mortality [odds ratio (OR) = 2.17, 95% CI: 1.19–3.96; P = 0.011] and patients in Q3 (76.8–92.9 U/L) were related to a lower risk of recurrent stroke (OR = 0.37, 95% CI: 0.14–0.97; P = 0.043) at the 3-month time point, compared to those in Q2 (63.0–76.7 U/L). The optimal range of ALP for all-cause mortality was seen in Q2, with a nadir level of 70 U/L. However, differences were statistically insignificant between ALP levels and poor functional outcomes (P > 0.05). Moreover, there was no significant interaction between ALP levels and age, gender, drinking status, smoking status, or pneumonia (P > 0.05) for all outcomes.ConclusionNon-linear associations were observed between serum ALP levels and 3-month outcomes in patients with AS. It might be beneficial to reduce the risk of all-cause mortality and recurrent stroke by maintaining ALP at optimal ranges.

What Factors Influence the Hospitalization of Self-Inflicted Craniomaxillofacial Gunshot Wounds?

The following retrospective cohort study was competed using data from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample a database from the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP). The objective of this retrospective cohort study is to compare the hospitalization outcomes of managing maxillofacial trauma attempted suicide among handguns, shotguns, and hunting rifles. The primary predictor variable was the type of firearm. The outcome variables were the hospital charges (U.S. dollars) and length of stay (days). We used SPSS version 25 for Mac (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA) to conduct all statistical analyses. A final sample of 223 patients was statistically analyzed. Relative to patients within the Q2 median household income quartile, patients in the Q4 median household income quartile added +$ 172'609 (P < .05) in hospital charges. Relative to patients living in "central" counties of metro areas, patients in micropolitan counties added +13.18 days (P < .05) to the length of stay. Relative to patients in the Q2 median household income quartile, patients in Q3 added +9.54 days (P < .05) while patients in Q4 added +11.49 days (P < .05) to the length of stay. Being within the highest income quartile was associated with increased hospital charges. Patients living in micropolitan counties have prolonged hospitalization relative to patients in metropolitan counties. Relative to the second income quartile, length of stay was higher in the third income quartile and highest in the fourth income quartile. Increase income grants access to deadlier firearms.

Abstract WP233: Socioeconomic Status And Comorbidity Variance In Ischemic Stroke

Introduction: Socioeconomic status (SES) is an upstream determinant of cerebrovascular disease comorbidities and subsequently ischemic stroke. Here we examined the association of SES and modifiable ischemic stroke risk factors. Methods: Hospitalized ischemic stroke patient data from 10/1/2015 - 12/31/2018 was obtained via the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS). Demographic characteristics of age, sex, race, US region, SES (defined as median household income range by zip code) and ischemic stroke risk factors of atrial fibrillation/flutter (AF), type II diabetes (DM), hypertension (HTN), hyperlipidemia (HLD), tobacco use, and obesity were identified using published ICD-10 codes. Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess each condition individually and identify which comorbidities were associated with specific socioeconomic quartiles (Q1, Q4) when adjusted for the abovementioned demographics. Results: Of the 382,734 adult ischemic stroke patients identified, mean age was 70 ±14.2 years and 50.3% were female. Socioeconomic status quartiles ranged from &lt;$43,749 (Q1) to &gt;$73,000 (Q4); 30.9% of ischemic stroke patients were in SES Q1 (vs 19.1% in SES Q4). Patients in Q1 experienced ischemic stroke at a younger age (67.9 ±14.1) as compared to patients in Q4 (72.4 ±14), p&lt;0.001. In adjusted models with Q4 as reference, Q1 patients had increased odds for DM [OR 1.27, p&lt;0.001, 95% CI 1.24 - 1.29], obesity [OR 1.05, p&lt;0.004, CI 1.02 - 1.08], and tobacco use [OR 1.66, p&lt;0.001, CI 1.51 - 1.83]. Conversely, Q1 patients had decreased odds of AF [OR 0.91, p&lt;0.001, CI 0.89 - 0.93] and HLD [OR 0.81, p&lt;0.001, CI 0.79 - 0.82]. There was no significant association between SES quartile and HTN. Conclusion: Lower SES was associated with higher odds of specific ischemic stroke risk factors. While the etiology of the risk factor variance is beyond the scope of current data analysis, the cause is likely multifactorial and influenced by underlying detection bias, income inequity, and level of education/health literacy. Further research and subgroup analysis is warranted as it may impact future preventative measures and treatment protocols.

Psoas Muscle Index as a Predictor of Perioperative Outcomes in Geriatric Patients Undergoing Spine Surgery.

Single-center retrospective study. The objective of this study was to evaluate the association of psoas muscle mass defined sarcopenia with perioperative outcomes in geriatric patients undergoing elective spine surgery. We included geriatric patients undergoing thoracolumbar spinal surgery. Total psoas surface area (TPA) was measured on preoperative axial computerized tomography or magnetic resonance imaging at the L3 vertebra and normalized to the L3 vertebral body area. Patients were divided into quartiles by normalized TPA, and the fourth quartile (Q4) was compared to quartiles 1-3 (Q1-3). Outcomes included perioperative transfusions, length of stay (LOS), delirium, pseudoarthrosis, readmission, discharge disposition, revision surgery, and mortality. Of the patients who met inclusion criteria (n = 196), the average age was 73.4y, with 48 patients in Q4 and 148 patients in Q1-3. Q4 normalized TPA cut-off was <1.05. Differences in Q4 preoperative characteristics included significantly lower body mass index, baseline creatinine, and a greater proportion of females (Table 1). Q4 patients received significantly more postoperative red blood cell and platelet transfusions and had longer ICU LOS (P < .05; Table 2). There was no difference in intraoperative transfusion volumes, delirium, initiation of walking, discharge disposition, readmission, pseudoarthrosis, or revision surgery (Tables 2 and 3). Mortality during follow-up was higher in Q4 but was not statistically significant (P = .075). Preoperative TPA in geriatric patients undergoing elective spine surgery is associated with increased need for intensive care and postoperative blood transfusion. Preoperative normalized TPA is a convenient measurement and could be included in geriatric preoperative risk assessment algorithms.

J-shaped relationship between admission diastolic blood pressure and 2-year cardiovascular mortality in elderly patients with acute coronary syndrome

Abstract Objective To investigate the relationship between admission diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and subsequent cardiovascular and all-cause mortality in elderly patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Methods This is a retrospective observational study. Consecutive patients ≥65 years of age admitted for ACS at a 2,300-bed tertiary hospital from December 2012 to July 2019 were included. The association between admission DBP and cardiovascular and all-cause mortality during hospitalization and over the follow-up period among this population were analyzed using multivariate COX regression model. Results were presented according to DBP quartiles: Q1, less than 67 mm Hg; Q2, from 67 to 72 mm Hg; Q3, from 73 to 80 mm Hg; and Q4, above 80 mm Hg. Results A total of 6 785 patients were included in this cohort study. Mean (SD) patient age was 74.0 (6.5) years, and 47.6% were women. Mean (SD) follow-up time was 2.54 (1.82) years. A non-linear relation was observed between DBP at admission and cardiovascular and all-cause mortality during hospitalization and over the follow-up period using restricted cubic splines. After adjustment for potential confounders, patients in Q3 or Q2 had lower risk for 2-year cardiovascular death by Cox proportional hazard model compared with patients in Q4 (hazard ratio [HR] 0.66; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.48–0.90, P=0.010, for Q3 vs Q4; and HR 0.72; 95% CI, 0.53–0.99, P=0.041, for Q2vs Q4), while patients in Q1 had similar risk for cardiovascular death with that of patients in Q4. Meanwhile, when compared with patients in Q1, patients in Q3 had lower risk for 2-year cardiovascular death (HR, 0.72; 95% CI, 0.53–0.97, P=0.033). However, lower or higher admission DBP was not an independent predictor of 2-year all-cause mortality in this population. Conclusion Among patients aged ≥65 years admitted for ACS, there is a J-curve relationship between supine admission DBP and risk for 2-year cardiovascular death, with a nadir at 73–80 mm Hg. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: Other. Main funding source(s): the Beijing Municipal Administration of Hospitals Clinical Medicine Development of Special Funding Support Study population and selectionAdjusted multivariate COX regression