Critical pathways in cardiology
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The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of a rapid admission protocol for chest pain patients presenting to the emergency department (ED) on ED length-of-stay (LOS). In this study, ED LOS was defined as the time from triage check-in until the time the patient physically leaves the ED. The purpose of this quality improvement study was to decrease ED crowding. ⋯ Implementation of a rapid admission protocol for chest pain patients at moderate risk for a major adverse cardiac event resulted in a reduction in ED LOS. Adjusted ED LOS was also significant, highlighting a delay in patient movement from the ED to the CDU indicating continued barriers affecting ED holding times.
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Andexanet alfa, a recombinant modified human "decoy" factor Xa (FXa) protein, is the first and only available antidote approved by the Food and Drug Administration to manage life-threatening or uncontrolled bleeding associated with the anti-Xa agents. It binds to direct and indirect anti-Xa oral anticoagulants with high specificity to reverse their inhibitory effects and restore the activity of FXa. Andexanet alfa is administered via two different dosing regimens, standard and high dose, based on the specific FXa inhibitor, dose, and time since the patient's last dose of FXa inhibitor. ⋯ The estimated annual drug budget of treating 10-100 patients ranges from $248K to $495M. Effective October 1, 2018, Medicare will provide an add-on payment for andexanet alfa of up to $14,063 per qualifying case to Inpatient Prospective Payment System-participating acute care hospitals. In this formulary review for a health system's pharmacy and therapeutics committee, andexanet alfa clinical trials and medication package insert were summarized and, after consulting with clinical experts from our institutions, practical recommendations for use were generated to ensure appropriate and safe use of this agent.
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Observational Study
Emergency Department Observation Unit Utilization Among Older Patients With Chest Pain.
Although some emergency department observation units (EDOUs) may exclude patients over 65 years old, our EDOU accepts patients up to 79 years old. We assessed the utilization of our EDOU by older patients (those 65-79 years old). ⋯ In an EDOU that allows older patients, we noted substantial utilization by these patients for the evaluation of chest pain. The characteristics of admitted older patients suggest the potential for even greater EDOU utilization in this group.
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We aimed to compare current syncope risk stratification scores and propose a new more feasible and easy-to-use one. ⋯ The 3 syncope risk scores could somehow predict 3-month adverse events. We found more feasible indicators that could predict serious events better. It suits well for emergency department.
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In ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients with multivessel (MV) disease, after primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), emerging evidence suggests that significant disease in non-infarct-related coronary arteries (IRAs) should be routinely stented. Whether this procedure should be guided by angiography alone or ischemia testing is unclear. ⋯ After primary PCI, complete revascularization in STEMI multivessel disease is associated with lower MACE rates than medical therapy. However, ischemia-testing-guided rather than angiography-guided revascularization was associated with the lowest MACE. This study provides preliminary data and hypotheses for future randomized controlled studies.