Baseline fragmented QRS increases the risk of major arrhythmic events in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: Systematic review and meta‐analysis

Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/144613/1/anec12533.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/144613/2/anec12533_am.pd

Gallstone Pancreatitis: A Common but Often Overlooked Cause of Abdominal Pain in Post-Liver-Transplant Patients

Introduction. In general population, gallstone pancreatitis is the most common cause of pancreatitis. However, there are very few literatures that address this topic in post-liver-transplant patients. Clinical Case. A 69-year-old female who had a liver transplant in 2015 due to hepatocellular carcinoma and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) cirrhosis. She had a recent episode of acute cellular rejection that was treated with high dose methylprednisolone 1 week prior to admission. She presented with severe epigastric abdominal pain associated with nausea and vomiting. Her laboratory studies showed significantly elevated serum lipase, AST, and ALT from her baseline. She underwent urgent Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS) with Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) that showed common bile duct stone that was extracted. Discussion. Biliary sludge and stones accounted for 22% of late onset acute pancreatitis after liver transplant. Corticosteroids have been identified as one of the potential causes of drug-induced pancreatitis. However, she is more likely to have gall stone pancreatitis since she also had dilated common bile duct and intrahepatic duct. In addition, there was CBD stone noted on ERCP. Conclusion. Acute gallstone associated pancreatitis after liver transplant is not uncommon. Patients generally have good outcomes. Further prospective studies are warranted

Baseline Prolonged PR Interval and Outcome of Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Abstract Background: Recent studies suggest that baseline prolonged PR interval is associated with worse outcome in cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). However, a systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature have not been made. Objective: To assess the association between baseline prolonged PR interval and adverse outcomes of CRT by a systematic review of the literature and a meta-analysis. Methods: We comprehensively searched the databases of MEDLINE and EMBASE from inception to March 2017. The included studies were published prospective or retrospective cohort studies that compared all-cause mortality, HF hospitalization, and composite outcome of CRT with baseline prolonged PR (> 200 msec) versus normal PR interval. Data from each study were combined using the random-effects, generic inverse variance method of DerSimonian and Laird to calculate the risk ratios and 95% confidence intervals. Results: Six studies from January 1991 to May 2017 were included in this meta-analysis. All-cause mortality rate is available in four studies involving 17,432 normal PR and 4,278 prolonged PR. Heart failure hospitalization is available in two studies involving 16,152 normal PR and 3,031 prolonged PR. Composite outcome is available in four studies involving 17,001 normal PR and 3,866 prolonged PR. Prolonged PR interval was associated with increased risk of all-cause mortality (pooled risk ratio = 1.34, 95 % confidence interval: 1.08-1.67, p < 0.01, I2= 57.0%), heart failure hospitalization (pooled risk ratio = 1.30, 95 % confidence interval: 1.16-1.45, p < 0.01, I2= 6.6%) and composite outcome (pooled risk ratio = 1.21, 95% confidence interval: 1.13-1.30, p < 0.01, I2= 0%). Conclusions: Our systematic review and meta-analysis support the hypothesis that baseline prolonged PR interval is a predictor of all-cause mortality, heart failure hospitalization, and composite outcome in CRT patients

Psychiatric conditions as predictors of rehospitalization among African American patients hospitalized with heart failure.

INTRODUCTION: African Americans (AAs) have the highest risk of developing heart failure (HF) among all ethnicities in the United States and are associated with higher rates of readmissions and mortality. This study aims to determine the prevalence and relationship of common psychiatric conditions to outcomes of patients hospitalized with HF. HYPOTHESIS: Psychiatric conditions lead to worse outcomes in HF patients. METHODS: This single-center retrospective study enrolled 611 AA patients admitted to an urban teaching community hospital for HF from 2010 to 2013. Patient demographics, clinical variables, and history of psychiatric disorders were obtained. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to assess impact of psychiatric disorders on readmission rates and mortality. RESULTS: The mean age was 66 ± 15 years; 53% were men. Median follow-up time from index admission for HF was 3.2 years. Ninety-seven patients had a psychiatric condition: 46 had depression, 11 had bipolar mood disorder (BMD), and 40 had schizophrenia. After adjustment of known risk factors and clinical metrics, our study showed that AA HF patients with a psychiatric illness were 3.84× more likely to be admitted within 30 days for HF, compared with those without (P \u3c 0.001). Individually, adjusted Cox multivariable logistic regression analysis also showed that, for 30-day readmission, schizophrenia had a hazard ratio (HR) of 4.92 (P \u3c 0.001); BMD, an HR of 3.44 (P = 0.02); and depression, an HR 3.15 (P = 0.001). No associations were found with mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Psychiatric conditions of schizophrenia, BMD, and depression were significantly associated with a higher 30-day and overall readmission rate for HF among AA patients

New-onset atrial fibrillation is associated with increased mortality in critically ill patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis

<p><b>Introduction:</b> Atrial fibrillation (AF) is one of the most comorbid conditions in critically ill patients requiring intensive care unit (ICU). Multiple studies have suggested that there may be an association between new-onset AF and adverse outcome in critically ill patients. However, there are no meta-analyses to assess this association.</p> <p><b>Methods:</b> Studies were systematically searched from electronic databases. Studies that examined the relationship between new-onset AF and adverse outcomes including mortality and length of stay in ICU patients were included. Studies that included patients with prior AF were excluded. The pooled effect size was calculated with a random-effect model, weighted for the inverse of variance, to determine an association between new-onset AF and in-hospital mortality. Heterogeneity was assessed with <i>I</i>².</p> <p><b>Results:</b> Twelve studies were included. Pooled analysis showed statistically significant difference rate of the hospital mortality between patients with and without new-onset AF (OR 2.70; 95% CI 2.43–3.00). Subgroup analysis of only patients with sepsis or septic shock showed a significant association between new-onset AF and in-hospital mortality (OR 2.32; 95% CI 1.88–2.87). No significant heterogeneity was observed (<i>I</i>² = 0%) in both analyses. Pooled analysis of four studies also showed a significant association between new-onset AF and short-term mortality (OR 2.22; 95% CI 1.28–3.83) with moderate heterogeneity (<i>I</i>² = 67%).</p> <p><b>Conclusions:</b> New-onset AF is associated with worse outcome in critically ill patients. Further studies should be done to evaluate for causality and adjust for confounders.</p