Journal of the American Heart Association
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The incidence of acute kidney injury (AKI) requiring dialysis in hospitalized patients is increasing; however, information on the long-term incidence of stroke in patients surviving to discharge after recovering from AKI after dialysis has not been reported. ⋯ The patients who recovered from AKI had a higher incidence of developing incident stroke and mortality than the patients without AKI, and the impact was similar to diabetes. Our results suggest that a public health initiative is needed to enhance postdischarge follow-up of renal function and to control the subsequent incidence of stroke among patients who recover from AKI after dialysis.
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The United States spends more than $750 billion annually on tests and procedures that do not benefit patients. Although there is no physiological indication for carotid ultrasound in "simple" syncope in the absence of focal neurological signs or symptoms suggestive of stroke, there is concern that this practice remains common for routine syncope workups. ⋯ These data suggest that carotid ultrasound for patients with uncomplicated syncope are still commonly ordered and may be an easy target for institutions striving to curtail low-value care.