Hafeez Ul Hassan Virk

Etiologies, Trends, and Predictors of 30-Day Readmissions in Patients With Diastolic Heart Failure

An estimated half of all heart failure (HF) populations has been categorized to have diastolic HF (DHF), but sparse data are available describing etiologies and predictors of 30-day readmission in DHF population. The study cohort was derived from the National Readmission Database 2013 to 2014, a subset of the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project sponsored by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. DHF was identified using International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision code 428.3x in primary diagnosis field. Readmission etiologies were identified by International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision code in primary diagnosis field. The primary outcome was 30-day readmission. Hierarchical multivariable logistic regression was used to adjust for confounders. In total, 192,394 patients with DHF were included, of which 40,927 (21.27%) patients were readmitted with total readmissions of 47,056 within 30xa0days. Predictors of increased readmissions were age (odds ratio [OR] 1.002, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.001 to 1.0003, p <0.001), diabetes (OR 1.08, 95% CI 1.05 to 1.11, p <0.001), chronic pulmonary disease (OR 1.18, 95% CI 1.15 to 1.21, p <0.001), renal failure (OR 1.21, 95% CI 1.17 to 1.25, p <0.001), peripheral vascular disease (OR 1.05, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.09, pxa0= 0.002), anemia (OR 1.12, 95% CI 1.10 to 1.15, p <0.001), transfusion during index admission (OR 1.18, 95% CI 1.13 to 1.23, p <0.001), discharge to the facility (OR 1.13, 95% CI 1.10 to 1.16, p <0.001), length of stay >2xa0days, and Charlson comorbidity index ≥3, whereas obesity (OR 0.82, 95% CI 0.80 to 0.85, p <0.001), elective admissions (OR 0.88, 95% CI 0.83 to 0.94, p <0.001), and non-Medicare/Medicaid primary payer were predictors of lower readmission rate. Most common etiologies of readmission were acute HF (28.01%), infections (9.54%), acute kidney injury (5.35%), acute respiratory failure (4.86%), and pneumonia (3.92%). In conclusion, DHF population with higher comorbidity burden, longer length of stay, and discharge to facility were prone to increased readmissions, with most common etiologies of readmission being HF, infections, and acute kidney injury.

Is multivessel intervention in ST-elevation myocardial infarction associated with early harm? Insights from observational data

Appraisal of evidence for recommendations for multivessel coronary intervention in ST‐elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).

Therapeutic Options for In-Stent Restenosis

Purpose of ReviewIn-stent restenosis (ISR) is a complex disease process that became apparent shortly after the introduction of stents into clinical practice. This review seeks to define in-stent restenosis (ISR) as well as to summarize the major treatment options that have been developed and studied over the past two decades.Recent FindingsRecent developments in drug-coated balloons and bioresorbable vascular scaffolds have added new potential treatments for ISR. Two recent network meta-analyses performed a head-to-head comparison of all the various treatment modalities in order to identify the best approach to management of ISR.SummaryCurrent data suggests that repeat stenting with second-generation drug-eluting stents is most likely to lead to the best angiographic and clinical outcomes. In situations where repeat stenting is not preferable, drug-coated balloon therapy seems to be a reasonably effective alternative.

Does Surgical Repair of Moderate Ischemic Mitral Regurgitation Improve Survival? A Systematic Review.

Mitral regurgitation (MR) is one of the common complications in myocardial infarction (MI) patients. Almost half of the post MI patients have MR (ischemic MR)17 which is moderate to severe (grade II-IV). Whether there is a mortality benefit of performing mitral valve repair (MVR) along with coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in patients with post MI moderate MR remains inconclusive. Literature search was done from PubMed, Google scholar, Ovid, and Medline databases. Studies which included post MI patients with moderate ischemic MR and reported mortality outcomes of performing CABG and MVR were chosen for the systematic review. Our preliminary literature search identified 194 studies, of which 11 studies met our inclusion criteria. Nine studies showed no survival benefit of performing simultaneous MVR and CABG. One study demonstrated survival benefit of performing CABG plus MVR only in the New York Heart Association (NYHA) class III–IV, and one study suggested survival benefit of performing CABG plus MVR as compared to CABG alone in patient with ischemic MR irrespective of preoperative NYHA functional class. Review of current literature showed mixed results in terms of improvement in functional status but failed to show any survival benefit of performing MVR along with CABG. Limitations of studies include small sample size, difference in baseline demographic variables, and short follow-up period which might influence the outcome of the study. Prospective randomized studies are required to establish clear benefit of performing MVR simultaneously with CABG.

Trends, etiologies, and predictors of 90-day readmission after percutaneous ventricular assist device implantation: A national population-based cohort study

Percutaneous ventricular assist devices (pVADs) are indicated to provide hemodynamic support in high‐risk percutaneous interventions and cardiogenic shock. However, there is a paucity of published data regarding the etiologies and predictors of 90‐day readmissions following pVAD use. We studied the data from the US Nationwide Readmissions Database (NRD) for the years 2013 and 2014. Patients with a primary discharge diagnosis of pVAD use were collected by searching the database for International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD‐9‐CM) procedural code 37.68 (Impella and TandemHeart devices). Amongst this group, we examined 90‐day readmission rates. Comorbidities as identified by “CM_” variables provided by the NRD were also extracted. The Charlson Comorbidity Index was calculated using appropriate ICD‐9‐CM codes, as a secondary diagnosis. A 2‐level hierarchical logistic regression model was then used to identify predictors of 90‐day readmission following pVAD use. Records from 7074 patients requiring pVAD support during hospitalization showed that 1562 (22%) patients were readmitted within 90u2009days. Acute decompensated heart failure (22.6%) and acute coronary syndromes (11.2%) were the most common etiologies and heart failure (odds ratio [OR]: 1.39, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.17–1.67), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (OR: 1.26, 95% CI: 1.07–1.49), peripheral vascular disease (OR: 1.305, 95% CI: 1.09–1.56), and discharge into short‐ or long‐term facility (OR: 1.28, 95% CI: 1.08–1.51) were independently associated with an increased risk of 90‐day readmission following pVAD use. This study identifies important etiologies and predictors of short‐term readmission in this high‐risk patient group that can be used for risk stratification, optimizing discharge, and healthcare transition decisions.

Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection: A Case Series of 9 Patients With Literature Review:

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection is an increasingly recognized nonatherosclerotic cause of acute coronary syndrome. Reports regarding the prognosis and natural history of this disease are limited. In addition to the diagnostic difficulty, this condition poses a significant therapeutic challenge due to the lack of specific management guidelines. We present here a case series of 9 patients with spontaneous coronary artery dissection. Additionally, this article reviews the incidence, clinical characteristics, risk factors, diagnostic modalities, therapeutic approaches, and patterns of recurrence in patients with spontaneous coronary artery dissection.

Left Ventricular Pseudoaneurysm: An Overview of Diagnosis and Management

Left ventricular pseudoaneurysm is a rare but life-threatening disorder that is frequently reported secondary to myocardial infarction or cardiac surgery. In this article, we chronicle the case of a patient with no prior risk factors who presented with a 2-week history of nonexertional atypical left chest pain. Apical 2-chamber transthoracic echocardiography revealed an unexpected outpouching of basal inferoseptal wall of the left ventricle, which had a narrow neck and relatively wide apex. The patient was diagnosed with left ventricular pseudoaneurysm and medical therapy was initiated. He refused to undergo the surgical intervention and subsequently, he was discharged from the hospital in stable condition. This article illustrates that physicians should be vigilant for atypical presentations of left ventricular pseudoaneurysm, and a high index of suspicion should be maintained for this stealth killer while performing appropriate diagnostic imaging. Additionally, we review the currently available approaches to diagnosis and management in these patients.

Systemic Thrombolysis for Pulmonary Embolism : Evidence, Patient Selection, and Protocols for Management

Acute pulmonary embolism presents a clinical challenge for optimal risk stratification. Although associated with significant morbidity and mortality at the population level, the spectrum of presentation in an individual patient varies from mild symptoms to cardiac arrest. Treatment options include anticoagulation, systemic thrombolysis, catheter-based interventions, and surgical embolectomy. In this article, an attempt is made to optimally identify patients who, based on available evidence, may benefit from systemic thrombolytic therapy. The clinical efficacy of systemic thrombolysis must be balanced against increased risks of major bleeding and intracranial hemorrhage.

Trends in Incidence, Characteristics, and In-Hospital Outcomes of Patients Presenting With Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection (From a National Population-Based Cohort Study Between 2004 and 2015)

Though infrequent, spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is increasingly recognized as an important cause of acute coronary syndrome (ACS), particularly in young healthy women. However, the population-based incidence of SCAD is unknown. We evaluated the incidence, patient characteristics, clinical characteristics, and mortality of SCAD-related hospitalizations using data from a national population-based cohort study from January 1, 2004, to September 30, 2015. In 13,573,200 patients who presented with an acute coronary syndrome, 66,360 (0.49%) of patients were diagnosed with SCAD. The mean age was 63.1 ± 13.2 years and 44.2% were women. In-hospital mortality of SCAD patients was 4.2%: 5.03% in females and 3.55% in males (p < 0.001). In conclusion, SCAD is an uncommon diagnosis that should be considered in males and older patients in addition to females presenting with ACS. Most SCAD patients today are managed medically. In-hospital mortality is comparable to that of other patients who present with ACS.

Plasmablastic Lymphoma Mimicking Acute Pancreatitis

Background. Plasmablastic lymphoma (PBL) is a rare B-cell neoplasm. It predominantly occurs in the oral cavity of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive patients and exhibits a highly aggressive clinical behavior. Case Presentation. We describe an unusual case of a 37-year-old HIV-positive male who presented with acute pancreatitis secondary to multiple peripancreatic masses compressing the pancreas. Histopathological examination of the lesions showed diffuse and cohesive pattern of large B-cells resembling immunoblasts or plasmablasts. The neoplastic cells were positive for BOB1 and MUM1, partially positive for CD79a, and negative for CD20, CD56, CD138, CD3, CD5, AE1/AE3, and HHV8. Epstein-Barr virus-encoded RNA in situ hybridization was positive. These features were consistent with PBL. The patient was initiated on cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone (CHOP) chemotherapy, demonstrating a striking response. Conclusion. To our research, this is the first report of PBL with the initial presentation of acute pancreatitis. The findings in this case suggest that PBL should be included in the differential diagnosis of pancreatic and peripancreatic tumors.