Journal of the American Heart Association
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Background Several lipid-lowering therapies reduce CRP (C-reactive protein) independently of LDL-C (low-density lipoprotein cholesterol) reduction, but the association between CRP parameters and benefits from more-intensive LDL-C lowering is inconclusive. We aimed to determine whether the benefits of more- versus less-intensive LDL-C lowering on cardiovascular events related to baseline, achieved, or magnitude of reduction in CRP concentrations. Methods and Results PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane were searched through July 2, 2018. ⋯ Compared with less-intensive LDL-C lowering, more-intensive LDL-C lowering was associated with less reductions in myocardial infarction with a higher baseline CRP concentration (change in rate ratios per 1-mg/L increase in log-transformed CRP, 1.12 [95% CI, 1.04-1.22; P=0.007]), but not other outcomes. Similar risk reductions occurred for more- versus less-intensive LDL-C-lowering therapy regardless of the magnitude of CRP reduction or the achieved CRP level for all outcomes. Conclusions Baseline CRP concentrations might be associated with the benefits of LDL-C lowering on myocardial infarction, but no other outcomes, whereas the achieved and magnitude of reduction in CRP did not seem to have an important association.
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Background Healthcare disparities for psychiatric patients are common. Whether these inequalities apply to postresuscitation management in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is unknown. We investigated differences in in-hospital cardiovascular procedures following OHCA between patients with and without psychiatric disorders. ⋯ Patients with psychiatric disorders had lower survival even among 2-day survivors who received acute CAG: (odds ratio of 30-day survival, 0.68; 95% CI, 0.52-0.91; and 1-year survival, 0.66; 95% CI, 0.50-0.88). Conclusions Psychiatric patients had a lower probability of receiving post-OHCA CAG and implantable cardioverter-defibrillator implantation compared with nonpsychiatric patients but the same probability of coronary revascularization among patients undergoing CAG. However, their survival was lower irrespective of angiographic procedures.
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Background This study sought to evaluate the 15-year national utilization, trends, predictors, disparities, and outcomes of palliative care services (PCS) use in cardiogenic shock complicating acute myocardial infarction. Methods and Results A retrospective cohort from January 1, 2000 through December 31, 2014 was analyzed using the National Inpatient Sample database. Administrative codes for acute myocardial infarction-cardiogenic shock and PCS were used to identify eligible admissions. ⋯ Similar findings were observed in the propensity-matched cohort. Conclusions PCS use in patients with acute myocardial infarction-cardiogenic shock is low, though there is a trend towards increased adoption. There are significant patient and hospital-specific disparities in the utilization of PCS.