Journal of the American Heart Association
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The reported incidence of peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) in the United States varies widely. Furthermore, limited information is available on the temporal trends in incidence and outcomes of PPCM. ⋯ From 2004 to 2011, the incidence of PPCM has increased in the United States. Maternal MAE rates overall have remained unchanged while cardiogenic shock, utilization of mechanical circulatory support, and in-hospital mortality have increased during the study period. Further study of the mechanisms underlying these adverse trends in the incidence and outcomes of PPCM are warranted.
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Therapeutic hypothermia (TH) is recommended to reduce ischemic brain injury after cardiac arrest. The variables that predict heat generation by patients receiving TH are uncertain, as is how this heat generation relates to neurologic outcome. We hypothesized that patient characteristics, medication use, inflammation, and organ injury would be associated with heat generation. We further hypothesized that neurologic outcome would be most strongly associated with heat generation. ⋯ In cardiac arrest patients receiving TH, greater heat generation is associated with better baseline health, reduced ischemic injury, and improved neurologic function, which results in higher metabolism. HI can control for confounding effects of patient heat generation in future clinical trials of rapid TH and offers early prognostic information.
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Interventions to reduce early readmissions have focused on patient characteristics and the importance of early follow-up; however, less is known about the characteristics of health systems, including quality, capacity, and intensity, and their influence on readmission rates in the United States. Therefore, we examined the association of hospital patterns of medical care with rates of 30-day readmission. ⋯ In addition to quality of care, high 30-day readmission rates are associated with hospital-level measures of capacity and intensity. Efforts to reduce readmission rates may need to address these broader patterns of medical care.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
The incidence of kidney injury for patients treated with a high-potency versus moderate-potency statin regimen after an acute coronary syndrome.
Observational studies have raised concerns that high-potency statins increase the risk of acute kidney injury. We therefore examined the incidence of kidney injury across 2 randomized trials of statin therapy. ⋯ For patients enrolled in 2 large randomized trials of statin therapy after ACS, the use of a high-potency statin regimen did not increase the risk of kidney injury.