Prognostic value of arterial spin-labeling perfusion in anoxic brain injury: A retrospective cohort study.

Background: Anoxic brain injury is a potentially lethal condition characterized by cerebral hypoperfusion and irreversible neuronal injury. Arterial spin-labeling (ASL) perfusion and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have been proposed as tools to detect cerebral ischemic changes and may aid in the assessment of anoxic injury.

Aim: To explore the relationship between regional ASL perfusion patterns and clinical outcomes following cardiac arrest.

Trends and Predictors of Venous Thromboembolism and Major Hemorrhagic Events in Hospitalized Leukemia Patients: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of the NIS (2016-2020).

Background/objectives: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) and major hemorrhagic events are significant complications in hospitalized leukemia patients, but contemporary analyses of their epidemiology, predictors, and impact on clinical outcomes remain limited.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study using the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database from 2016 to 2020. Hospitalized leukemia patients were identified using ICD-10 codes.

Temporal trends and racial disparities in atrial fibrillation ablation: A 5-year study.

Background: Racial disparities exist in access to cardiovascular interventions, including atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation. This study evaluates trends and disparities among racial and ethnic groups in the United States over a five-year period.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional analysis using the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database from 2016 to 2020.

Incidental Coronary Artery Calcification and the Risk of Major Adverse Cardiovascular Outcomes.

Background Incidental findings of coronary artery calcifications (CACs) are not consistently reported, and the clinical significance relating to cardiovascular outcomes remains to be established. In this single-center cross-sectional study, we assessed the association between incidental coronary artery calcification documented on formal chest CT reports and the incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). Methods A MACE was defined as the occurrence of stroke or transient ischemic attack or ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction, non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction, or undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting.

Pearls and Pitfalls of T1-Weighted Neuroimaging: A Primer for the Clinical Radiologist.

All T1-weighted images are built upon one of two fundamental pulse sequences, spin-echo and gradient echo, each of which has distinct signal characteristics and clinical applications. Moreover, within each broadly defined category of T1-weighting, acquisition parameters can be modified to affect image quality, contrast, and scan duration; each tailored sequence has unique advantages, drawbacks, clinical indications, and potential artifacts. In this review, we describe key features that distinguish different types of T1-weighted sequences and discuss the utility of each sequence for specific clinical settings, including neuro-oncology, vasculopathy, and pediatric neuroradiology.

Sociodemographic Disparities in Sodium-Glucose Co-Transporter-2 Inhibitors and Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists Prescription Patterns Among Patients With Poorly Controlled Diabetes.

Introduction Sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2Is) and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) are novel antihyperglycemic agents that reduce cardiovascular mortality through insulin-independent mechanisms. In this cross-sectional study, we investigated prescription patterns of these drugs and identified inequities in antihyperglycemic utilization. Methods Unique encounters for diabetes care between January 1, 2020, and December 31, 2020, were identified through a systematic query of our healthcare system's database.

Survival trends for left and right sided colon cancer using population-based SEER database: A forty-five-year analysis from 1975 to 2019.

Background: Survival differences between left-sided colon cancer (LSCC) and right-sided colon cancer (RSCC) has been previously reported with mixed results, with various study periods not accounting for other causes of mortality.

Purpose: We sought to assess the trends in colon cancer cause- specific survival (CSS) and overall survival (OS) based on sidedness.

Method: Fine-Gray competing risk and Cox models were used to analyze Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) population-based cohort from 1975 to 2019.

The Influence of Arrhythmias and Metabolic Profile on Inpatient Mortality in Patients with Left Ventricular Assist Devices.

In patients with end-stage heart failure, durable Left Ventricular Assist Devices (LVADs) can be used as a bridge to transplant or destination therapy. LVADs have been shown to improve survival for patients with heart failure (HF). HF is associated with electrolyte abnormalities and the development of sustained arrhythmias.

Anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor-associated encephalitis: A review of clinicopathologic hallmarks and multimodal imaging manifestations.

Anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor-associated encephalitis (NMDARE) is a rare immune-mediated neuroinflammatory condition characterized by the rapid onset of neuropsychiatric symptoms and autonomic dysfunction. The mechanism of pathogenesis remains incompletely understood, but is thought to be related to antibodies targeting the GluN1 subunit of the NMDA receptor with resultant downstream dysregulation of dopaminergic pathways. Young adults are most frequently affected; the median age at diagnosis is 21 years.

Association between Psychiatric Disorders and the Incidence of Heart Failure in Women.

Background: Depression and anxiety occur more frequently in women and are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.

Objectives: Data on the association between these psychiatric conditions and the incidence of acute heart failure (HF) and how they influence heart failure outcomes in women are lacking. We investigated this potential relationship using data from the National Inpatient Sample.

The impact of COVID-19 on mortality, length of stay, and cost of care among patients with gastrointestinal malignancies: A propensity score-matched analysis.

Background: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and the coronavirus 19 (COVID-19) pandemic have had a lasting impact on the care of cancer patients. The impact on patients with gastrointestinal (GI) malignancies remains incompletely understood. We aimed to assess the impact of COVID-19 on mortality, length of stay (LOS), and cost of care among patients with GI malignancies, and identify differences in outcomes based on primary tumor site.

Association between histamine 2 receptor antagonists and sepsis outcomes in ICU patients: a retrospective analysis using the MIMI-IV database.

Background: Sepsis is marked by elevated histamine, which is a vasodilator that increases vascular permeability. Although human studies are lacking, murine models of sepsis have indicated potential protective effects of histamine 2 receptor antagonist administration (H2RAs).

Objective: To assess any association between H2RA use in sepsis-3 patients admitted to the ICU and mortality, mechanical ventilation, length of stay, and markers of renal, liver, and lung dysfunction.

Effect of atrial fibrillation on mortality in SARS-CoV-2 patients: A propensity score-matched analysis of nationwide hospitalizations in the United States.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is one of the most common arrhythmias encountered in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection. There are racial disparities in the incidence of AF and COVID-19. Several studies have reported an association between AF and mortality.

Efficacy of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in Heart Failure Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Heart failure (HF) is a global disorder affecting around 6.2 million Americans aged 20 years and above. Neurovegetative disorders are common among such patients, and depression is a major problem that affects 20% to 40% of them.

Influence of HIV on in-hospital outcomes in patients with atrial fibrillation.

Background: The development of highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART) has markedly prolonged the life expectancy of individuals with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The prevalence of age-related cardiovascular disease (CVD) and arrhythmias is therefore expected to increase among the HIV-positive population.

Objectives: We aimed to assess the trends in prevalence, and inpatient outcomes among patients with HIV and atrial fibrillation (AF).

SVEAT score outperforms HEART score in patients admitted to a chest pain observation unit.

Background: Timely and accurate identification of subgroup at risk for major adverse cardiovascular events among patients presenting with acute chest pain remains a challenge. Currently available risk stratification scores are suboptimal. Recently, a new scoring system called the Symptoms, history of Vascular disease, Electrocardiography, Age, and Troponin (SVEAT) score has been shown to outperform the History, Electrocardiography, Age, Risk factors and Troponin (HEART) score, one of the most used risk scores in the United States.

Association between Empagliflozin Use and Electrocardiographic Changes.

Empagliflozin, a sodium-glucose transporter 2 inhibitor, has been shown to bind to late sodium channels in mice cardiomyocytes. We sought to investigate the electrocardiographic (ECG) features associated with empagliflozin use in patients with diabetes mellitus. We compared ECG features of 101 patients before and after initiation of empagliflozin and found that empagliflozin was associated with a significant increase in QRS duration among diabetes patients with heart failure.

Early-onset pancreatic cancer: a review of molecular mechanisms, management, and survival.

Objectives: Early-onset pancreatic cancer (EOPC) - defined as pancreatic cancer diagnosed before the age of 50 years - is associated with a poor prognosis as compared to later-onset pancreatic cancer (LOPC). Emerging evidence suggests that EOPC may exhibit a genetic signature and tumor biology that is distinct from that of LOPC. We review genetic mutations that are more prevalent in EOPC relative to LOPC and discuss the potential impact of these mutations on treatment and survival.

Hemostatic instantaneous coagulation on echocardiogram: a defining feature of the last heartbeat (a case report).

There is a paucity of detailed descriptions of echocardiographic features of the dying heart in the literature. A 64-year-old man on chronic hemodialysis presented with cardiac arrest after missing dialysis for three weeks. He received resuscitation efforts but died while his last heartbeats were fortuitously recorded by echocardiography.

Factors Affecting Inpatient Mortality and Length of Stay in Nonmetastatic Colorectal Cancer: Insights from the National Inpatient Sample.

Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the effect of opioid use and other factors on inpatient length of stay (LOS) and mortality among patients hospitalized with nonmetastatic colorectal cancer (NMCRC).

Materials And Methods: We analyzed discharge encounters collected from the 2016 to 2017 National Inpatient Sample (NIS) to evaluate the effect of long-term opioid use (90 d or longer) and cancer-related complications on LOS and mortality among hospitalized patients with NMCRC.

Results: A total of 94,535 patients with NMCRC were included in the analysis.