The American journal of medicine
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Current guidelines recommend pharmacologic prophylaxis for medical patients at high risk for venous thromboembolism. We aimed to assess the benefit and safety of venous thromboembolism prophylaxis in acutely ill medical patients hospitalized. ⋯ The current practice of routinely administering venous thromboembolism prophylaxis to medically ill patients considered at high risk for thrombosis resulted in a high risk for bleeding without a clear clinical benefit, and should be reassessed.
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Digoxin reduces the risk of heart failure hospitalization but has no effect on mortality in patients with heart failure without atrial fibrillation in the randomized controlled trial setting. Observational studies of digoxin use in patients with atrial fibrillation have suggested a higher risk for poor outcomes. Less is known about this association in patients with heart failure and atrial fibrillation, the examination of which was the objective of the current study. ⋯ Among hospitalized older patients with heart failure (HFrEF and HFpEF) and atrial fibrillation, initiation of digoxin was associated with a lower risk of heart failure readmission but had no association with mortality.
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Thromboelastography (TEG) provides a global assessment of hemostasis and may have value for patients with cirrhosis who have multiple hemostatic defects. We sought to examine the characteristics of TEG in hospitalized patients with cirrhosis and its relationship with outcomes. ⋯ TEG provides insight into the hemostatic state of patients with cirrhosis beyond that of standard measures of hemostasis. It is associated with liver disease severity and outcomes and may play a role complementary to standard measures of hemostasis in this population.
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Rate, Causes, and Predictors of 30-day Readmission Following Hospitalization for Acute Pericarditis.
Acute pericarditis is a frequent cause of hospitalization in the United States. Although recurrence of this condition is common, few studies have investigated hospital readmissions in this patient population. ⋯ After hospitalization for acute pericarditis, readmission within 30 days is common and is associated with increased mortality. Identification of characteristics associated with a higher risk of readmission may lead to focused interventions to improve outcomes.
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Although the association between autoimmune rheumatic diseases and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease is well-known, there is a lack of data regarding the role of such disorders in patients with premature and extremely premature atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. ⋯ Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis carry higher odds of both premature and extremely premature atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Future studies are needed to understand the rheumatic disease-specific factors behind the development and progression of clinical atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease in these young patients.