Internal and emergency medicine
-
Multicenter Study
The previous use of digoxin does not worsen early outcome of acute coronary syndromes: an analysis of the ARIAM Registry.
The aim of the study was to determine the influence of the previous use of digoxin on the hospital mortality and complications of patients admitted because of acute coronary syndrome (ACS). We analyzed the data of patients included in the ARIAM-Andalucia Registry, which involves 49 hospitals in Andalucia, Spain, from 2007 to 2012. Patients on digoxin treatment prior to their admission because of ACS constituted the digoxin group (DG), and were compared with the group of patients not on digoxin. ⋯ After the multivariate analysis, DG had no significant influence on hospital prognosis [odds ratio (OR) 1.21, 95% confidence interval 0.79-1.86]. The analysis of a propensity-matched cohort of 464 patients (232 DG and 232 NoDG) did not find differences in hospital mortality (13.4 vs 13.4%) nor other complications. In our cohort of ACS patients, the previous treatment with digoxin was not associated with an increase in dysrhythmic complications nor was an independent predictor of mortality during hospitalization.
-
Multicenter Study Observational Study
Prognostic value of estimated glomerular filtration rate in hospitalized elderly patients.
A multicenter observational study, REPOSI (REgistro POliterapie Società Italiana di Medicina Interna), was conducted to assess the prognostic value of glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) on in-hospital mortality, hospital re-admission and death within 3 months, in a sample of elderly patients (n = 1,363) admitted to 66 internal medicine and geriatric wards. Based on eGFR, calculated by the new Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) formula, subjects at hospital admission were classified into three groups: group 1 with normal eGFR (≥60 ml/min/1.73 m(2), reference group), group 2 with moderately reduced eGFR (30-59 ml/min/1.73 m(2)) and group 3 with severely reduced eGFR (<30 ml/min/1.73 m(2)). ⋯ On the contrary, an increased risk (OR 2.60; 95% CI 1.13-5.98, p = 0.0813) to die within 3 months after discharge was associated with decreased eGFR measured at the time of discharge. Our study demonstrates that severely reduced eGFRs in elderly patients admitted to hospital are strong predictors of the risk of dying during hospitalization, and that this measurement at the time of discharge helps to predict early death after hospitalization.
-
Multicenter Study
Prevalence and 1-year prognosis of transient heart failure following coronary revascularization.
The occurrence of heart failure during the whole pre-discharge course of coronary revascularization, as far as its influence on subsequent prognosis, is poorly understood. The present study examined the effect of transient heart failure (THF) developing in the acute and rehabilitative phase on survival after coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Patients in the Italian survey on cardiac rehabilitation and secondary prevention after cardiac revascularization (ICAROS) were analyzed for THF, the latter being defined either as signs and symptoms consistent with decompensation or cardiogenic shock. ⋯ Moreover, THF independently predicted adverse outcome with OR for recurrent events (mainly further episodes of decompensation) of 2.4 (CI 1.4-4.3). Patients who experienced THF after coronary revascularization had increased post-discharge mortality and cardiovascular events. Hemodynamic instability, rather than recurrent myocardial ischemia, seems to be linked with worse prognosis.
-
Transfers of care have been associated with adverse events. High quality sign-out may help mitigate this risk. The authors sought to characterize the clinical questions asked of physicians covering patients overnight and to determine the adequacy of current sign-out practice to anticipate inquiries. ⋯ The proportion of inquiries successfully anticipated (47% overall) significantly decreased as the academic year progressed (AOR = 0.4, 95% CI 0.2, 0.8). Trainees rely on sign-out to answer nearly half of overnight inquiries, but the quality of sign-out may decrease over the course of the academic year. The deterioration of sign-out quality from novice to experienced interns and the common use of sign-out as a reference by covering interns suggest continued education, support and oversight by supervising physicians may be beneficial.
-
Multicenter Study
A prospective study on survival in cancer patients with and without venous thromboembolism.
Retrospective population-based studies showed that in cancer patients venous thromboembolism (VTE) is associated with reduced survival. Master Oncology is a multicenter study in patients with solid advanced cancer aimed at assessing (1) risk factors for VTE using a case-control design, and (2) survival in cases (patients with VTE) and controls (patients without VTE). Survival data were prospectively collected for at least 10 months. ⋯ Median survival time was reduced for both patients with symptomatic (Wilcoxon = 35.22, p < 0.001) and asymptomatic VTE (Wilcoxon = 4.63, p = 0.031). Patients with advanced solid cancer, high BMI, high ECOG score, and recent diagnosis of cancer are associated with an increased risk for VTE. Patients with both symptomatic and asymptomatic VTE have a reduced survival compared to those without VTE.