The American journal of medicine
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In the general population, the exercise treadmill testing variables of lower resting heart rate, higher peak heart rate, and greater fitness have favorable prognosis for mortality. Patients with obstructive lung disease have increased mortality risk. Furthermore, some pulmonary medications (ie, beta2-agonists) can influence heart rate. We determined whether exercise treadmill test parameters carry the same prognostic value in patients who are using versus not using pulmonary medications. ⋯ Heart rate parameters achieved on exercise treadmill tests are equally prognostic among patients using versus not using pulmonary medications. Higher fitness was associated with improved clinical outcomes for both; however, the relative benefit of fitness on survival was even greater in patients using pulmonary medications compared with those not using them.
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Preoperative anemia is a well-established risk factor for short-term mortality in patients undergoing noncardiac surgery, but appropriate thresholds for transfusion remain uncertain. The objective of this study was to determine long-term outcomes associated with anemia, hemorrhage, and red blood cell transfusion in patients undergoing noncardiac surgery. ⋯ Preoperative anemia, perioperative bleeding, and red blood cell transfusion are associated with increased mortality at long-term follow-up after noncardiac surgery. Strategies to minimize anemia and bleeding should be considered for all patients, and restrictive transfusion strategies may be advisable. Further investigation into mechanisms of these adverse events is warranted.
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Violent death is a serious problem in the United States. Previous research showing US rates of violent death compared with other high-income countries used data that are more than a decade old. ⋯ The United States has an enormous firearm problem compared with other high-income countries, with higher rates of homicide and firearm-related suicide. Compared with 2003 estimates, the US firearm death rate remains unchanged while firearm death rates in other countries decreased. Thus, the already high relative rates of firearm homicide, firearm suicide, and unintentional firearm death in the United States compared with other high-income countries increased between 2003 and 2010.
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In April and May 2015, the state of Mississippi experienced an unprecedented outbreak of severe reactions to the drug commonly referred to as "Spice." After numerous calls to the Poison Control Center, it became clear that health care providers were largely unfamiliar with the category of synthetic cannabinoids. This review article briefly highlights cannabinoid effects, chemical characteristics, and treatment for this often-dangerous category of drugs of abuse.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
Cardiovascular Outcomes of Patients in SAVOR-TIMI 53 by Baseline Hemoglobin A1c.
The effect of saxagliptin on cardiovascular outcomes according to different hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels has not been described. Thus, we analyzed the SAVOR-TIMI 53 trial to compare the cardiovascular effects of saxagliptin vs placebo according to baseline HbA1c. ⋯ Baseline HbA1c is associated with increased risk of macrovascular events but not hospitalization for heart failure. There was no heterogeneity in the effect of saxagliptin on cardiovascular events by baseline HbA1c, with cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, or ischemic stroke neither increased nor decreased across the spectrum of baseline HbA1c values.