Variations in Management and Outcomes of Pulmonary Embolism in Uninsured Compared With Privately Insured Individuals.

Despite previously noted healthcare disparities, there are limited data on the management and outcomes of uninsured patients presenting with pulmonary embolism (PE). All adult (>18 years) nonelective admissions with a primary diagnosis of PE with either private or uninsured (self-pay or no charge) primary payor were identified using the National Inpatient Sample (2016-2022). We excluded admissions with Medicare and Medicaid payor status.

Comparison of dobutamine stress echocardiography, dobutamine SPECT, and adenosine SPECT myocardial perfusion imaging in patients with end-stage renal disease.

Objectives: We sought to assess and compare the diagnostic accuracy and prognostic value of dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE), dobutamine SPECT, and adenosine SPECT myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD).

Background: The optimal stress imaging modality for patients with ESRD has not yet been determined.

Methods: Forty-nine patients with ESRD underwent DSE, dobutamine SPECT MPI, and adenosine SPECT MPI.

Direct comparison of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and amino-terminal proBNP in a large population of patients with chronic and symptomatic heart failure: the Valsartan Heart Failure (Val-HeFT) data.

Background: The B-type or brain natriuretic peptides (BNP) and the amino-terminal probrain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) are good markers of prognosis and diagnosis in chronic heart failure (HF). It is unclear, however, whether differences in their biological characteristics modify their clinical correlates and prognostic performance in HF. This work aimed to provide a direct comparison of the prognostic value of BNP and NT-proBNP in patients with chronic and stable HF.

High levels of troponin T are associated with ventricular remodeling and adverse in-hospital outcome in heart failure.

Background: Heart failure progression is associated with ventricular remodeling and ongoing myofibrillar degradation. We hypothesized that myocardial damage, detected by high levels of troponin T, would correlate with echocardiographic measurements of left ventricular remodeling and worse in-hospital course in decompensated heart failure.

Material/methods: 159 patients with decompensated heart failure without acute coronary event were included.