497 research outputs found

    Evaluation of the long term impacts of an infiltration BMP

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    Proceedings of the Seventh International Conference on Hydroscience and Engineering, Philadelphia, PA, September 2006. http://hdl.handle.net/1860/732The natural hydrologic cycle is severely disrupted by development because the water that used to infiltrate into the ground is now running off into nearby streams. The negative impact of development on streams includes increased stream bank erosion, pollutant levels, and decreased base flow. Best management practices (BMPs) are recommended by regulatory agencies because they can mitigate peak flow, provide treatment, and partially restore the natural hydrologic cycle. BMP is a broad term used to describe a host of structures and activities; they are classified as structural (e.g. infiltration basin) or non structural (e.g. street cleaning). While infiltration BMPs are gaining acceptance, there is a concern that infiltrating stormwater has solved one problem by improving stream quality, but has caused another by contaminating the groundwater. To date, there have not been many opportunities to study the long term effects of infiltration. However, two 85 to 100 year old infiltration pits were discovered on the campus of Villanova University. Soil samples were collected from these pits and were tested for copper. Copper was selected based on the contaminants seen in the stormwater at other Villanova BMP sites. One of the pits has low infiltration rates and a plan to restore its infiltration capacity is described. This restored infiltration pit will serve as a permanent demonstration and research site, joining a collection of BMPs at Villanova University

    Ten-Year (2001-2011) Trends in the Incidence Rates and Short-Term Outcomes of Early Versus Late Onset Cardiogenic Shock After Hospitalization for Acute Myocardial Infarction

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    BACKGROUND: Cardiogenic shock (CS) is a serious complication of acute myocardial infarction, and the time of onset of CS has a potential role in influencing its prognosis. Limited contemporary data exist on this complication, however, especially from a population-based perspective. Our study objectives were to describe decade-long trends in the incidence, in-hospital mortality, and factors associated with the development of CS in 3 temporal contexts: (1) before hospital arrival for acute myocardial infarction (prehospital CS); (2) within 24 hours of hospitalization (early CS); and (3) \u3e /=24 hours after hospitalization (late CS). METHODS AND RESULTS: The study population consisted of 5782 patients with an acute myocardial infarction who were admitted to all 11 hospitals in central Massachusetts on a biennial basis between 2001 and 2011. The overall proportion of patients who developed CS was 5.2%. The proportion of patients with prehospital CS (1.6%) and late CS (1.5%) remained stable over time, whereas the proportion of patients with early CS declined from 2.2% in 2001-2003 to 1.2% in 2009-2011. In-hospital mortality for prehospital CS increased from 38.9% in 2001-2003 to 53.6% in 2009-2011, whereas in-hospital mortality for early and late CS decreased over time (35.9% and 64.7% in 2001-2003 to 15.8% and 39.1% in 2009-2011, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Development of prehospital and in-hospital CS was associated with poor short-term survival and the in-hospital death rates among those with prehospital CS increased over time. Interventions focused on preventing or treating prehospital and late CS are needed to improve in-hospital survival after acute myocardial infarction

    Temporal trends in cardiogenic shock complicating acute myocardial infarction

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    BACKGROUND: Limited information is available on trends in the incidence of and mortality due to cardiogenic shock complicating acute myocardial infarction. We studied the incidence of cardiogenic shock complicating acute myocardial infarction and in-hospital death rates among patients with this condition in a single community from 1975 through 1997. METHODS: We conducted an observational study of 9076 residents of metropolitan Worcester, Massachusetts, who were hospitalized with confirmed acute myocardial infarction in all local hospitals during 11 one-year periods between 1975 and 1997. Our study included periods before and after the advent of reperfusion therapy. RESULTS: The incidence of cardiogenic shock remained relatively stable over time, averaging 7.1 percent among patients with acute myocardial infarction. The results of a multivariable regression analysis indicated that the patients hospitalized during recent study years were not at a substantially lower risk for shock than patients hospitalized in the mid-to-late 1970s. Patients in whom cardiogenic shock developed had a significantly greater risk of dying during hospitalization (71.7 percent) than those who did not have cardiogenic shock (12.0 percent, P\u3c0.001). A significant trend toward an increase in in-hospital survival among patients with cardiogenic shock in the mid-to-late 1990s was found in crude and adjusted analyses. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate no significant change in the incidence of cardiogenic shock complicating acute myocardial infarction over a 23-year period. However, the short-term survival rate has increased in recent years at the same time as the use of coronary reperfusion strategies has increased

    Decade-long trends in the timeliness of receipt of a primary percutaneous coronary intervention

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    OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to examine decade-long trends (2001-2011) in, and factors associated with, door-to-balloon time within 90 minutes of hospital presentation among patients hospitalized with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) who received a primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). METHODS: Residents of central Massachusetts hospitalized with STEMI who received a primary PCI at two major PCI-capable medical centers in central Massachusetts on a biennial basis between 2001 and 2011 comprised the study population (n=629). Multivariable regression analyses were used to examine factors associated with failing to receive a primary PCI within 90 minutes after emergency department (ED) arrival. RESULTS: The average age of this patient population was 61.9 years; 30.5% were women, and 91.7% were White. During the years under study, 50.9% of patients received a primary PCI within 90 minutes of ED arrival; this proportion increased from 2001/2003 (17.2%) to 2009/2011 (70.5%) (P \u3c 0.001). Having previously undergone coronary artery bypass graft surgery, arriving at the ED by car/walk-in and during off-hours were significantly associated with a higher risk of failing to receive a primary PCI within 90 minutes of ED arrival. CONCLUSION: The likelihood of receiving a timely primary PCI in residents of central Massachusetts hospitalized with STEMI at the major teaching/community medical centers increased dramatically during the years under study. Several groups were identified for purposes of heightened surveillance and intervention efforts to reduce the likelihood of failing to receive a timely primary PCI among patients acutely diagnosed with STEMI

    Decade-long trends (1999-2009) in the characteristics, management, and hospital outcomes of patients hospitalized with acute myocardial infarction with prior diabetes and chronic kidney disease

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    BACKGROUND: Despite the increasing magnitude and impact, there are limited data available on the clinical management and in-hospital outcomes of patients who have diabetes mellitus (DM) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) at the time of hospitalization for acute myocardial infarction (AMI). The objectives of our population-based observational study in residents of central Massachusetts were to describe decade-long trends (1999-2009) in the characteristics, in-hospital management, and hospital outcomes of AMI patients with and without these comorbidities. METHODS: We reviewed the medical records of 6,018 persons who were hospitalized for AMI on a biennial basis between 1999 and 2009 at all eleven medical centers in central Massachusetts. Our sample consisted of the following four groups: DM with CKD (n=587), CKD without DM (n=524), DM without CKD (n=1,442), and non-DM/non-CKD (n=3,465). RESULTS: Diabetic patients with CKD were more likely to have a higher prevalence of previously diagnosed comorbidities, to have developed heart failure acutely, and to have a longer hospital stay compared with non-DM/non-CKD patients. Between 1999 and 2009, there were marked increases in the prescribing of beta-blockers, statins, and aspirin for patients with CKD and DM as compared to those without these comorbidities. In-hospital death rates remained unchanged in patients with DM and CKD, while they declined markedly in patients with CKD without DM (20.2% dying in 1999; 11.3% dying in 2009). CONCLUSION: Despite increases in the prescribing of effective cardiac medications, AMI patients with DM and CKD continue to experience high in-hospital death rates

    Magnitude and impact of multiple chronic conditions with advancing age in older adults hospitalized with acute myocardial infarction

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    BACKGROUND: To examine age-specific differences in the frequency and impact of cardiac and non-cardiac conditions among patients aged 65years and older hospitalized with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). METHODS: Study population consisted of 3863 adults hospitalized with AMI at 11 medical centers in central Massachusetts on a biennial basis between 2001 and 2011. The presence of 11 chronic conditions (five cardiac and six non-cardiac) was based on the review of hospital medical records. RESULTS: Participants\u27 median age was 79years, 49% were men, and had an average of three chronic conditions (average of cardiac conditions: 2.6 and average of non-cardiac conditions: 1.0). Approximately one in every two patients presented with two or more cardiac related conditions whereas one in every three patients presented with two or more non-cardiac related conditions. The most prevalent chronic conditions in our study population were hypertension, diabetes, heart failure, chronic kidney disease, and peripheral vascular disease. Patients across all age groups with a greater number of previously diagnosed cardiac or non-cardiac conditions were at higher risk for developing important clinical complications or dying during hospitalization as compared to those with 0-1 condition. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of multimorbidity among older adults hospitalized with AMI is high and associated with worse outcomes that should be considered in the management of this vulnerable population

    Decade-Long Trends in 30-Day Rehospitalization Rates After Acute Myocardial Infarction

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    BACKGROUND: There are limited data available describing relatively contemporary trends in 30-day rehospitalizations among patients who survive hospitalization after an acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in the community setting. We examined decade-long (2001-2011) trends in, and factors associated with, 30-day rehospitalizations in patients discharged from 3 central Massachusetts hospitals after AMI. METHODS AND RESULTS: Residents of the Worcester, MA, metropolitan area discharged after AMI from 3 central Massachusetts hospitals on a biennial basis between 2001 and 2011 comprised the study population (N=4810). Logistic regression analyses were used to examine the association between selected factors and 30-day rehospitalizations. The average age of this population was 69 years, 42% were women, and 92% were white. During the years under study, 18.5% of patients were rehospitalized within 30 days after hospital discharge. Crude 30-day rehospitalization rates decreased from 20.5% in 2001-2003 to 15.8% in 2009-2011. After adjusting for several patient characteristics, there was a reduced odds of being rehospitalized in 2009-2011 (odds ratio 0.74, 95% CI 0.61-0.91) compared with 2001-2003; this trend was slightly attenuated after further adjustment for hospital treatment practices. Female sex, having previously diagnosed heart failure and chronic kidney disease, and the development of in-hospital cardiogenic shock and heart failure were associated with an increased odds of being rehospitalized. CONCLUSIONS: While the likelihood of subsequent short-term rehospitalizations remained frequent, we observed an encouraging decline during the most recent years under study. Several high-risk groups were identified for purposes of heightened surveillance and intervention efforts to reduce the likelihood of being readmitted

    The impact of cardiac and noncardiac comorbidities on the short-term outcomes of patients hospitalized with acute myocardial infarction: a population-based perspective

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    OBJECTIVES: The objectives of our large observational study were to describe the prevalence of cardiac and noncardiac comorbidities in a community-based population of patients hospitalized with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) at all medical centers in central Massachusetts, and to examine whether multiple comorbidities were associated with in-hospital death rates and hospital length of stay. METHODS: The study sample consisted of 2,972 patients hospitalized with AMI at all eleven greater Worcester medical centers in central Massachusetts during the three study years of 2003, 2005, and 2007. RESULTS: The average age of this hospitalized population was 71 years, 55% were men, 93% were Caucasian, and approximately one third had developed an ST segment elevation AMI during the years under study. Hypertension (75%) was the most common cardiac condition identified in patients hospitalized with AMI whereas renal disease (22%) was the most common noncardiac comorbidity diagnosed in this study population. Approximately one in every four hospitalized patients had any four or more of the seven cardiac conditions examined, while one in 13 had any three or more of the five noncardiac conditions studied. Patients with four or more cardiac comorbidities were more than twice as likely to have died during hospitalization and have a prolonged hospital length of stay, compared to those without any cardiac comorbidities. Patients with three or more noncardiac comorbidities had markedly increased odds of dying during hospitalization and having a prolonged hospital stay compared to those with no noncardiac comorbidities previously diagnosed. CONCLUSION: Our findings highlight the need for additional contemporary data to improve the short-term outcomes of patients hospitalized with AMI and multiple concurrent medical illnesses

    Magnitude of and Prognostic Factors Associated With 1-Year Mortality After Hospital Discharge for Acute Decompensated Heart Failure Based on Ejection Fraction Findings

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    BACKGROUND: Limited data exist about the magnitude of and the factors associated with prognosis within 1 year for patients discharged from the hospital after acute decompensated heart failure. Data are particularly limited from the more generalizable perspective of a population-based investigation and should be further stratified according to currently recommended ejection fraction (EF) findings. METHODS AND RESULTS: The hospital medical records of residents of the Worcester, Massachusetts, metropolitan area who were discharged after acute decompensated heart failure from all 11 medical centers in central Massachusetts during 1995, 2000, 2002, 2004, and 2006 were reviewed. The average age of the 4025 study patients was 75 years, 93% were white, and 44% were men. Of these, 35% (n=1414) had reduced EF ( \u3c /=40%), 13% (n=521) had borderline preserved EF (41-49%), and 52% (n=2090) had preserved EF ( \u3e /=50%); at 1 year after discharge, death rates were 34%, 30%, and 29%, respectively (P=0.03). Older age, a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, systolic blood pressure findings \u3c 150 mm Hg on admission, and hyponatremia were important predictors of 1-year mortality for all study patients, whereas several comorbidities and physiological factors were differentially associated with 1-year death rates in patients with reduced, borderline preserved, and preserved EF. CONCLUSIONS: This population-based study highlights the need for further contemporary research into the characteristics, treatment practices, natural history, and long-term outcomes of patients with acute decompensated heart failure and varying EF findings and reinforces ongoing discussions about whether different treatment guidelines may be needed for these patients to design more personalized treatment plans

    Trends and Characteristics Associated with the Risk of Re-hospitalization in Patients Discharged from the Hospital after Acute Myocardial Infarction

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    BACKGROUND: Despite encouraging declines in short-term mortality in patients hospitalized with acute myocardial infarction (AMI), repeat hospitalizations among those discharged from the hospital after AMI remain a major clinical and public health concern. Few studies, however, have described the relatively contemporary magnitude, factors associated with, as well as decade long trends in repeat hospitalizations for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and other causes in patients discharged from the hospital after AMI. METHODS: We reviewed the medical records of 6,018 residents of the Worcester (MA) metropolitan area who were hospitalized for AMI in 6 biennial periods between 1999 and 2009. Re-hospitalizations for any reason were recorded over a 2-year follow-up period. RESULTS: The average age of our study population was 70.3 years and 56.4% were men. Overall, 48.1% of our sample had at least 1 re-hospitalization for any cause after hospital discharge for AMI over the 2-year follow-up period. Of these, 45.7% of the repeat hospitalizations were attributed to CVD, 42.1% were non-CVD related, and 10.6% were due to AMI. The frequency of re-hospitalizations due to any cause declined slightly between 1999 and 2009 from 47.1% to 45.4% , marginally increased in those with CVD (from 46.3% to 47.9%) or non-CVD causes (from 36.9% to 38.3%), while the proportion of patients re-hospitalized for AMI decreased from 16.9% in 1999 to 13.9% in 2009. Older patients, those who developed an NSTEMI, who had a history of selected CVD and Non-CVD comorbidities, and who had received a percutaneous coronary intervention were more likely to have been re-hospitalized during the 2-year follow-up period, as compared with those who were not re-hospitalized (Table 1). CONCLUSIONS: The present results provide insights into the magnitude and causes of re-hospitalizations among patients discharged from the hospital after AMI .Risk of re-hospitalization after AMI was particularly high among older patients presenting with selected comorbidities
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