The American journal of medicine
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Atrial fibrillation is often asymptomatic, but outcomes require further characterization. The study objective was to investigate the clinical presentation, management, and outcomes in asymptomatic and symptomatic patients with atrial fibrillation who were prospectively enrolled in the EurObservational Research Programme - Atrial Fibrillation (EORP-AF) Pilot General Registry. ⋯ Asymptomatic atrial fibrillation is common in daily cardiology practice and is associated with elderly age, more comorbidities, and high thromboembolic risks. A higher 1-year mortality was found in asymptomatic patients compared with symptomatic patients.
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Perioperative hypotension and bradycardia in the surgical patient are associated with adverse outcomes, including stroke. We developed and evaluated a new preoperative risk model in predicting intraoperative hypotension or bradycardia in patients undergoing elective noncardiac surgery. ⋯ The 5-point HEART score was predictive of intraoperative hypotension or bradycardia. These findings suggest a role for using the HEART score to better risk-stratify patients preoperatively and may help guide decisions on perioperative management of blood pressure and heart rate-lowering medications and anesthetic agents.
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Lowering the diagnostic threshold for troponin is controversial because it may disproportionately increase the diagnosis of myocardial infarction in patients without acute coronary syndrome. We assessed the impact of lowering the diagnostic threshold of troponin on the incidence, management, and outcome of patients with type 2 myocardial infarction or myocardial injury. ⋯ After implementation of a sensitive troponin assay, the incidence of type 2 myocardial infarction or myocardial injury disproportionately increased and is now as frequent as type 1 myocardial infarction. Outcomes of patients with type 2 myocardial infarction or myocardial injury are poor and do not seem to be modifiable after reclassification despite substantial increases in healthcare resource use.
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Although current osteoporosis management guidelines recommend use of pharmacologic treatment after hip fracture, the care of such patients has been suboptimal. The objective of this cross-national study was to quantify the use of and adherence to osteoporosis medication after hip fracture in 3 countries with different healthcare systems—the United States, Korea, and Spain. ⋯ Regardless of differences in healthcare delivery systems and medication reimbursement plans, the use of osteoporosis medications for the secondary prevention of osteoporotic fracture was low. Adherence to osteoporosis treatment was also suboptimal, with the PDC <0.70 in all 3 countries.