Sex Differences in Trends and In-Hospital Outcomes among Patients with Critical Limb Ischemia: A Nationwide Analysis

Background Critical limb ischemia (CLI) represents the most severe form of peripheral artery disease and is associated with significant mortality and morbidity. Contemporary data comparing the sex differences in trends, revascularization strategies, and in-hospital outcomes among patients with CLI are scarce. Methods and Results Using the National Inpatient Sample database years 2002 to 2015, we identified hospitalizations for CLI. Temporal trends for hospitalizations for CLI were evaluated. The differences in demographics, revascularization, and in‐hospital outcomes between both sexes were compared. Among 2 400 778 CLI hospitalizations, 43.6% were women. Women were older and had a higher prevalence of obesity, hypertension, heart failure, and prior stroke. Women were also less likely to receive any revascularization (34.7% versus 35.4%, P\u3c 0.001), but the trends of revascularization have been increasing among both sexes. Revascularization was associated with lower in‐hospital mortality among women (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 0.76; 95% CI, 0.71–0.81) and men (adjusted OR, 0.69; 95% CI, 0.65–0.73). On multivariable analysis adjusting for patient‐ and hospital‐related characteristics as well as revascularization, women had a higher incidence of in‐hospital mortality, postoperative hemorrhage, need for blood transfusion, postoperative infection, ischemic stroke, and discharge to facilities compared with men. Conclusions In this nationwide contemporary analysis of CLI hospitalizations, women were older and less likely to undergo revascularization. Women had a higher incidence of in‐hospital mortality and bleeding complications compared with men. Sex‐specific studies and interventions are needed to minimize these gaps among this high‐risk population

Temporal Trends and Outcomes of Transcatheter versus Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement in Patients with Prior Myocardial Infarction

Background There is a paucity of data regarding the comparative safety and effectiveness of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) versus surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) in patients with prior myocardial infarction (MI). Methods We queried the NIS database (2012–2016) to identify patients with a prior history of MI who underwent isolated AVR. We conducted a propensity matching analysis comparing patients with TAVR versus SAVR based on patient demographics, comorbidities and hospital characteristics. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. Results Among 24,090 hospitalizations with prior MI undergoing isolated AVR, 58.5% underwent TAVR. Over the study period, there was an increase in the proportion of patients undergoing TAVR and a decrease in patients undergoing SAVR (Ptrend\u3c0.001). After propensity matching, in-hospital mortality was not different between TAVR and SAVR (odds ratio 1.07; 95% confidence interval 0.85–1.33). Compared with SAVR, TAVR was associated with lower rates of cardiac arrest, cardiogenic shock, acute kidney injury, respiratory complications, postoperative bleeding, blood transfusion, acute stroke, vascular complications and shorter length of stay. TAVR was associated with a higher incidence of complete heart block and pacemaker implantation. Conclusion In this nationwide observational study, there has been a steady increase in the number of TAVRs performed in patients with prior MI. Compared with SAVR, TAVR was associated with similar in-hospital mortality and a lower rate of complications and length of stay

Outcomes of Cardiac Arrest and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation in Patients With Left Ventricular Assist Device; an Insight From a National Inpatient Sample

Background: Outcomes of patients with implanted left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation experiencing a cardiac arrest (CA) are not well reported. We aimed at defining the in-hospital outcomes of patients with implanted LVAD experiencing a CA. Methods: The national inpatient sample (NIS) was queried using ICD9/ICD10 codes for patients older than 18 years with implanted LVAD and CA between 2010-2018. We excluded patients with orthotropic heart transplantation, biventricular assist device (BiVAD) implantation and do not resuscitate (DNR) status. Results: A total of 93,153 hospitalisations between 2010 and 2018 with implanted LVAD were identified. Only 578 of these hospitalisations had experienced CA and of those, 173 (33%) hospitalisations underwent cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). The mean age of hospitalisations that experienced a CA was 60.61±14.85 for non-survivors and 56.23±17.33 for survivors (p=0.14). The in-hospital mortality was 60.8 % in hospitalisations with CA and 74.33% in hospitalisations in whom CPR was performed. In an analysis comparing survivors with non-survivors, non-survivors had more diabetes mellitus (DM) (p=0.01), and ischaemic heart disease (IHD) (p=0.04). Age, female sex, peripheral vascular disease and history of coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) were independently associated with increased mortality in our cohort. Also, ventricular tachycardia (VT) and CPR were independently associated with in-hospital mortality. During the study period, there was a significantly decreasing trend in performing CPR in LVAD hospitalisations with CA. Conclusion: In conclusion, age, female sex, peripheral vascular disease, history of CABG, VT and CPR were independently associated with in-hospital mortality in LVAD hospitalisations who experienced CA

Vancomycin-Induced Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms (DRESS) Syndrome Masquerading as Elusive Sepsis

We present a unique case of vancomycin-induced drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) syndrome masquerading as elusive endocarditis. A 37-year-old female actively using intravenous drugs presented with worsening right upper extremity pain, fever, and chills. Workup revealed methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bacteremia and multiple right-sided septic pulmonary emboli. Echocardiogram was negative for vegetation. Vancomycin was initiated for bacteremia management suspected secondary to right upper extremity abscesses. However, despite resolution of abscesses, fevers persisted, raising suspicion for endocarditis not detected by echocardiogram. On hospital day 25, the patient began showing signs of DRESS syndrome, ultimately manifesting as transaminitis, eosinophilia, and a diffuse, maculopapular rash. Vancomycin was switched to Linezolid and she improved on high dose steroids. The persistent fevers throughout this hospital course were thought to be an elusive endocarditis before DRESS syndrome fully manifested. Although Vancomycin-induced DRESS is uncommon, this case highlights the importance of identifying early signs of significant adverse effects

Racial Variation in the Complexity of Coronary Artery Disease in Patients with Acute ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction

BACKGROUND: Racial variations in presentation of patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) have been suggested. METHODS: This was a retrospective analysis of a tertiary center from 2012 to 2016. We included patients presenting with acute STEMI who received primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The main outcome was racial variation in the complexity of coronary artery disease assessed by SYNTAX score. We also reported predictors of higher SYNTAX scores in the study population. RESULTS: Our final analysis included 260 patients: 201 Whites (77.3%), 24 African Americans-AA (9.2%), 19 Hispanics (7.3%) and 15 were of other ethnicities (5.8%). The mean SYNTAX score was 13.8 ± 7.7. There was no significant difference between Whites, AA, Hispanics and other races in the SYNTAX score (13.8 ± 7.7, 13.4 ± 7.9, 14.5 ± 9 and 13.5 ± 6.6, p = 0.965). Logistic regression analysis identified chronic kidney disease as the only significant predictor of higher SYNTAX score (Coefficient = 3.5, 95%CI:0.41-6.60, p = 0.026), while no significant association was identified between different races and higher SYNTAX score. CONCLUSION: The current study did not identify racial variations in the complexity of coronary artery disease for STEMI patients. Further studies are needed at a larger scale to identify racial variations in STEMI patients

Meta-analysis of randomized trials on percutaneous patent foramen ovale closure for prevention of migraine

BACKGROUND: The role of percutaneous patent foramen ovale (PFO) closure for prevention of migraine is controversial. METHODS: We performed a computerised search of MEDLINE, EMBASE and COCHRANE databases through December 2017 for randomised trials evaluating PFO closure versus control in patients with migraine headaches (with or without aura). The main study outcome was the reduction in monthly migraine attacks after PFO closure compared with the control group. RESULTS: The final analysis included three randomised trials with a total of 484 patients. Reduction in monthly migraine attacks was higher in PFO closure compared with the control group (standardised mean difference-SMD = 0.25; 95% CI: 0.06-0.43; p = .01). There was higher reduction of monthly migraine days in PFO closure group compared with control group (SMD = 0.30; 95% CI: 0.08-0.53; p = .01). There was no statistically significant difference in complete resolution of migraine attacks (OR: 3.67; 95% CI: 0.66-20.41; p = .14) and in responders\u27 rate (OR: 1.92; 95% CI: 0.76-4.85; p = .17) between PFO closure and control groups. In patients whose majority of migraine attacks are with aura, there was an observed reduction in migraine attacks in PFO closure compared with control groups (SMD = 0.86; 95% CI: 0.07-1.65; p = .03). CONCLUSION: PFO closure might be beneficial in migraine patients by reducing migraine attacks and migraine days, especially in patients whose majority of migraine attacks are with aura. However, those benefits were not associated with an improvement in responders\u27 rate or complete resolution of migraine; raising concerns on the magnitude of clinical benefit of PFO closure in migraine prevention