Shulamit Chachashvily

Warfarin for Stroke Prevention Still Underused in Atrial Fibrillation: Patterns of Omission

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The value of warfarin in preventing stroke in patients with chronic atrial fibrillation is well established. However, the prevalence of such treatment generally lags behind actual requirements. The aim of this study was to evaluate doctor- and/or patient-related demographic, clinical, and echocardiographic factors that influence decision for warfarin treatment. METHODS Between 1990 and 1998, 1027 patients were discharged with chronic or persistent atrial fibrillation. This population was composed of (1) patients with cardiac prosthetic valves (n=48), (2) those with increased bleeding risks (n=152), (3) physically or mentally handicapped patients (n=317), and (4) the remaining 510 patients, the main study group who were subjected to thorough statistical analysis for determining factors influencing warfarin use. RESULTS The respective rates of warfarin use on discharge in the 4 groups were 93.7%, 30.9%, 17.03%, and 59.4% (P=0.001); of the latter, an additional 28.7% were discharged on aspirin. In the main study group, warfarin treatment rates increased with each consecutive triennial period (29.7%, 53.6%, and 77.1%, respectively; P=0.001). Age >80 years, poor command of Hebrew, and being hospitalized in a given medical department emerged as independent variables negatively influencing warfarin use: P=0.0001, OR 0.30 (95% CI 0.17 to 0.55); P=0.02, OR 0.59 (95% CI 0.36 to 0.94); and P=0.0002, OR 0.26 (95% CI 0.12 to 0.52), respectively. In contrast, past history of stroke and availability of echocardiographic information, regardless of the findings, each increased warfarin use (P=0.03, OR 1.95 [95% CI 1.04 to 3.68], and P=0.0001, OR 3.52 [95% CI 2.16 to 5.72], respectively). CONCLUSIONS Old age, language difficulties, insufficient doctor alertness to warfarin benefit, and patient disability produced reluctance to treat. Warfarin use still lags behind requirements.

First morning standing up may be risky in acutely ill older inpatients

Information about orthostatic hypotension (OH) among elderly patients hospitalized for acute conditions in short‐term facilities is scarce. Many older inpatients carry various predisposing factors for OH. However, its existence goes frequently unrecognized. In this context, first morning standing up following admission for an acute disease may be dangerous. The aim of this study was to investigate OH and associated manifestations in this situation. OH (⩾20 mmHg systolic and/or ⩾10 mmHg diastolic blood pressure fall), heart rate, arrhythmias and appearance of dizziness or palpitations were recorded in 121 sequential inpatients aged >65 years, prior to and 1, 3 and 5 min following first morning standing. OH occurred in 64.5% of patients, while dizziness and/or palpitations appeared in 76%. Severe adverse effects were registered in 11.5% of OH patients. Significantly associated with OH were: bed rest lasting 9–24 h (vs ⩽8 h, p<0.001), appearance of dizziness or palpitations (p<0.001 and p = 0.005, respectively), heart failure (p = 0.02) and renal dysfunction (p = 0.04). OH and/or associated symptoms are frequent in acutely ill older inpatients on first morning standing up following nocturnal bed rest. The ominous potential consequences call for alertness to this phenomenon and application of appropriate preventive measures.

Lower Limb Compression Bandaging Is Effective in Preventing Signs and Symptoms of Seating-Induced Postural Hypotension

Background and Aims: Data concerning postural hypotension (PH) induced by transition from supine to sitting position are scarce and measures for its prevention have not been investigated. Our objective was to assess the preventive role of lower limb compression bandaging on PH and associated manifestations in older inpatients when seated from lying position. Methods: In a randomized crossover study, 61 patients aged >65 years were enrolled. Following bed rest lasting >36 h, each patient was seated and studied for 2 consecutive days, unbandaged or bandaged. PH was defined as a fall of ≧20 mm Hg and/or ≧10 mm Hg in systolic/diastolic blood pressure, respectively. Compression bandages were applied along both legs before seating; the pressure was approximately 30 mm Hg. Blood pressure, heart rate, O2 saturation, dizziness and palpitations were recorded prior to and 1, 3, and 5 min following seating. Results: Prevalence of PH was identical in the unbandaged versus bandaged state (55.7%). However, dizziness, palpitations, accelerated heart rate and decreased O2 saturation over 5 min were more prevalent in the unbandaged versus bandaged state (p < 0.01, <0.001, <0.05, <0.001, respectively). In the unbandaged state, presence versus absence of PH was associated with significantly greater incidence of palpitations, tachycardia and decline of O2 saturation over time (p < 0.04, <0.03, <0.03, respectively). In the bandaged state, O2 saturation over 5 min tended to rise irrespective of PH, but mean values were higher in patients without PH (p < 0.02). Conclusions: Lower limb compression bandaging does not reduce the incidence of PH. However, associated manifestations are largely prevented.

Sex-related bedside clinical variables associated with survival of older inpatients with heart failure

Little is known about sex‐related differences in factors affecting prognosis of heart failure (HF). We prospectively investigated the relationship between bedside clinical variables and survival of older females vs. males with HF.

Patient-related variables predicting acute coronary syndrome following admission for chest pain of possible coronary origin.

ObjectiveImproving risk stratification of patients experiencing acute chest pain with non-revealing electrocardiogram and cardiac biomarkers could reduce missed acute coronary syndrome and avoid unnecessary hospitalization. MethodsWe assessed the ability of situational, circumstantial, and other patient-related variables in predicting acute coronary syndrome in 921 consecutive patients randomly admitted to this medical department with chest pain of possible coronary origin. A reference group comprised 107 patients referred promptly to the coronary care unit with acute myocardial infarction. ResultsAcute coronary syndrome eventually developed in 219 (23.7%) patients. Age and proportions of male patients and those with diabetes, which were significantly lower in the heterogeneous chest pain group than in the reference group, did not differ when re-evaluation was performed between the latter group and the subgroup of patients who eventually developed acute coronary syndrome. Overweight and a family history of premature coronary artery disease remained significantly higher in the reference group, while prevalence of pre-existing coronary artery disease, previous coronary angiography, and coronary intervention remained significantly lower. Variables most significantly predictive of acute coronary syndrome resulted: pre-existing coronary artery disease [odds ratio (OR) 3.2; 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.17−4.71; P<0.001), older age (OR 1.35; 95% CI 1.17−1.57; P<0.001), male sex (OR 1.77; 95% CI 1.19−2.61; P=0.004), diabetes (OR 1.6; 95% CI 1.11−2.32; P=0.01), self-initiation of pain relief treatment before seeking medical help (OR 1.54; 95% CI 1.07−2.23; P=0.02), and conviction that hospitalization for acute coronary disease was mandatory (OR 1.46; 95% CI 1.03−2.07; P=0.03). ConclusionsEasily obtainable patient-related variables might improve risk stratification and assist physicians to decide on policy in the emergency department and upon hospitalization.

Heart Failure in Diabetes mellitus: Clinical Features and Prognostic Implications

We defined the prevalence and impact on survival of clinical bedside variables in 385 patients with symptomatic congestive heart failure (CHF), of whom there were 176 with and 209 without diabetes mellitus. Patients were consecutively hospitalized and admitted for various acute conditions. Following discharge all-cause mortality was recorded. Prevalence and association of various variables with mortality were statistically analyzed. Prevailing in the diabetics versus nondiabetics were younger age (p < 0.05), pulmonary edema on admission (p = 0.002), using furosemide >80 mg/day (p < 0.01) for >1 year (p < 0.01) and hyponatremia (p = 0.01). Less prevalent were chronic lung disease (p < 0.01) and cardiac arrhythmias (p = 0.001). On follow-up extending up to 60 months, diabetic patients, especially those with fasting blood glucose levels on admission ≧180 mg/dl, survived for a shorter period of time than nondiabetics (p = 0.02). Associated with increased mortality in the diabetic group were female gender (p = 0.04), furosemide ≧80 mg/day (p < 0.001) and renal dysfunction (RD; p = 0.04). The respective variables in the nondiabetics were advanced age (p < 0.001) and RD (p = 0.002). Although they were younger, diabetic patients presented more severe CHF. It is recommended that special attention should be given to diabetic females, those using higher furosemide dosages and those suffering from RD.