Explore the vast range of titles available.

Level of kidney function as a risk factor for cardiovascular outcomes in the elderly. There is a high prevalence of both reduced kidney function as well as cardiovascular disease (CVD) in the elderly. We evaluated whether the level of kidney function is an independent risk factor for CVD outcomes in the Cardiovascular Health Study (CHS), a cohort of subjects whose age at baseline was 65 years old or older. Cox proportional-hazards regression was used to evaluate the association of predicted glomerular filtration rate (GFR) with CVD after adjustment for the major CVD risk factors. We searched for nonlinear relationships between GFR and CVD, as well as interactions between level of kidney function and major CVD risk factors on CVD. A total of 4893 subjects with predicted GFR of 15 to 130 mL/min/1.73 m2 were included in the analysis. Fifty-six percent were female and the mean age was 73.4 years. Of the subjects, 549 (11.2%) died and 1229 (25.1%) experienced CVD events in 5.05 years of follow-up. Each 10 mL/min/1.73 m2 lower GFR was associated with an adjusted hazard ratio for CVD, de novo CVD, recurrent CVD and all-cause mortality of 1.05 (1.02, 1.09), 1.07 (1.01, 1.12), 1.04 (0.99, 1.09), and 1.06 (1.00, 1.12), respectively. There was no significant interaction between level of GFR and other traditional CVD risk factors on CVD outcomes. A linear model best described the relationship between GFR and CVD. The level of GFR is an independent risk factor for CVD, de novo CVD, and all-cause mortality in the elderly.

To describe the rate and types of events reported in acute care hospitals using an electronic error reporting system (e-ERS).OBJECTIVETo describe the rate and types of events reported in acute care hospitals using an electronic error reporting system (e-ERS).Descriptive study of reported events using the same e-ERS between January 1, 2001 and September 30, 2003.DESIGNDescriptive study of reported events using the same e-ERS between January 1, 2001 and September 30, 2003.Twenty-six acute care nonfederal hospitals throughout the U.S. that voluntarily implemented a web-based e-ERS for at least 3 months.SETTINGTwenty-six acute care nonfederal hospitals throughout the U.S. that voluntarily implemented a web-based e-ERS for at least 3 months.Hospital employees and staff.PARTICIPANTSHospital employees and staff.A secure, standardized, commercially available web-based reporting system.INTERVENTIONA secure, standardized, commercially available web-based reporting system.Median duration of e-ERS use was 21 months (range 3 to 33 months). A total of 92,547 reports were obtained during 2,547,154 patient-days. Reporting rates varied widely across hospitals (9 to 95 reports per 1,000 inpatient-days; median=35). Registered nurses provided nearly half of the reports; physicians contributed less than 2%. Thirty-four percent of reports were classified as nonmedication-related clinical events, 33% as medication/infusion related, 13% were falls, 13% as administrative, and 6% other. Among 80% of reports that identified level of impact, 53% were events that reached a patient (\"patient events\"), 13% were near misses that did not reach the patient, and 14% were hospital environment problems. Among 49,341 patient events, 67% caused no harm, 32% temporary harm, 0.8% life threatening or permanent harm, and 0.4% contributed to patient deaths.RESULTSMedian duration of e-ERS use was 21 months (range 3 to 33 months). A total of 92,547 reports were obtained during 2,547,154 patient-days. Reporting rates varied widely across hospitals (9 to 95 reports per 1,000 inpatient-days; median=35). Registered nurses provided nearly half of the reports; physicians contributed less than 2%. Thirty-four percent of reports were classified as nonmedication-related clinical events, 33% as medication/infusion related, 13% were falls, 13% as administrative, and 6% other. Among 80% of reports that identified level of impact, 53% were events that reached a patient (\"patient events\"), 13% were near misses that did not reach the patient, and 14% were hospital environment problems. Among 49,341 patient events, 67% caused no harm, 32% temporary harm, 0.8% life threatening or permanent harm, and 0.4% contributed to patient deaths.An e-ERS provides an accessible venue for reporting medical errors, adverse events, and near misses. The wide variation in reporting rates among hospitals, and very low reporting rates by physicians, requires investigation.CONCLUSIONSAn e-ERS provides an accessible venue for reporting medical errors, adverse events, and near misses. The wide variation in reporting rates among hospitals, and very low reporting rates by physicians, requires investigation.

This chapter about antithrombotic therapy in native and prosthetic valvular heart disease is part of the Seventh ACCP Conference on Antithrombotic and Thrombolytic Therapy: Evidence Based Guidelines. Grade 1 recommendations are strong and indicate that the benefits do, or do not, outweigh risks, burden, and costs. Grade 2 suggests that individual patients' values may lead to different choices (for a full understanding of the grading see Guyatt et al, CHEST 2004; 126:179S-187S). Among the key recommendations in this chapter are the following: For patients with rheumatic mitral valve disease and atrial fibrillation (AF), or a history of previous systemic embolism, we recommend long-term oral anticoagulant (OAC) therapy (target international normalized ratio [INR], 2.5; range, 2.0 to 3.0) [Grade 1C+]. For patients with rheumatic mitral valve disease with AF or a history of systemic embolism who suffer systemic embolism while receiving OACs at a therapeutic INR, we recommend adding aspirin, 75 to 100 mg/d (Grade 1C). For those patients unable to take aspirin, we recommend adding dipyridamole, 400 mg/d, or clopidogrel (Grade 1C). In people with mitral valve prolapse (MVP) without history of systemic embolism, unexplained transient ischemic attacks (TIAs), or AF, we recommended against any antithrombotic therapy (Grade 1C). In patients with MVP and documented but unexplained TIAs, we recommend long-term aspirin therapy, 50 to 162 mg/d (Grade 1A). For all patients with mechanical prosthetic heart valves, we recommend vitamin K antagonists (Grade 1C+). For patients with a St. Jude Medical (St. Paul, MN) bileaflet valve in the aortic position, we recommend a target INR of 2.5 (range, 2.0 to 3.0) [Grade 1A]. For patients with tilting disk valves and bileaflet mechanical valves in the mitral position, we recommend a target INR of 3.0 (range, 2.5 to 3.5) [Grade 1C+]. For patients with caged ball or caged disk valves, we suggest a target INR of 3.0 (range, 2.5 to 3.5) in combination with aspirin, 75 to 100 mg/d (Grade 2A). For patients with bioprosthetic valves, we recommend vitamin K antagonists with a target INR of 2.5 (range, 2.0 to 3.0) for the first 3 months after valve insertion in the mitral position (Grade 1C+) and in the aortic position (Grade 2C). For patients with bioprosthetic valves who are in sinus rhythm and do not have AF, we recommend long-term (> 3 months) therapy with aspirin, 75 to 100 mg/d (Grade 1C+).

Over the past decade, quality measures (QMs) have been implemented nationally in order to establish standards aimed at improving the quality of care. With the expansion of their role in the Affordable Care Act and pay-for-performance, QMs have had an increasingly significant impact on clinical practice. However, adverse patient outcomes have resulted from adherence to some previously promulgated performance measures. Several of these QMs with unintended consequences, including the initiation of perioperative beta-blockers in noncardiac surgery and intensive insulin therapy for critically ill patients, were instituted as QMs years before large randomized trials ultimately refuted their use. The future of quality care should emphasize the importance of evidence-based, peer-reviewed measures.

Open-access journals, in which the authors pay a publication fee, have an incentive to publish a high volume of articles. This letter explores the matter of conflict of interest in the growing number of these journals. To the Editor: The Perspective articles by Wolpert, Frank, Carroll, and Haug (Feb. 28 issue) 1 – 4 address both the problems that are raised by open-access journals and the potential value of this alternative publishing model. Open-access journals are those that participate in any publication arrangement in which content is available to readers online, in digital form, generally without charge or copyright restriction. Readers can search databases without paying a fee and can lawfully read, print, further distribute, and cite the full text of copyrighted literature, licensed literature, or both. In the most common arrangement, authors pay to publish and retain . . .

Background It is unknown whether defining chronic kidney disease (CKD) based on one versus two estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) assessments changes the prognostic importance of reduced eGFR in a community-based population. Methods Participants in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study and the Cardiovascular Health Study were classified into 4 groups based on two eGFR assessments separated by 35.3 ± 2.5 months: sustained eGFR < 60 mL/min per 1.73 m 2 (1 mL/sec per 1.73 m 2 ); eGFR increase (change from below to above 60); eGFR decline (change from above to below 60); and eGFR persistently ≥60. Outcomes assessed in stratified multivariable Cox models included cardiac events and a composite of cardiac events, stroke, and mortality. Results There were 891 (4.9%) participants with sustained eGFR < 60, 278 (1.5%) with eGFR increase, 972 (5.4%) with eGFR decline, and 15,925 (88.2%) with sustained eGFR > 60. Participants with eGFR sustained < 60 were at highest risk of cardiac and composite events [HR = 1.38 (1.15, 1.65) and 1.58 (1.41, 1.77)], respectively, followed by eGFR decline [HR = 1.20 (1.00, 1.45) and 1.32 (1.17, 1.49)]. Individuals with eGFR increase trended toward increased cardiac risk [HR = 1.25 (0.88, 1.77)] and did not significantly differ from eGFR decline for any outcome. Results were similar when estimating GFR with the CKD-EPI equation. Conclusion Individuals with persistently reduced eGFR are at highest risk of cardiovascular outcomes and mortality, while individuals with an eGFR < 60 mL/min per 1.73 m 2 at any time are at intermediate risk. Use of even a single measurement of eGFR to classify CKD in a community population appears to have prognostic value.

To compare the performance of various commercially available stethoscopes using standard acoustic engineering criteria, under recording studio conditions. Eighteen stethoscopes (11 acoustic, 7 electronic) were analyzed using standard acoustic analysis techniques under professional recording studio conditions. An organic phantom that accurately simulated chest cavity acoustics was developed. Test sounds were played via a microphone embedded within it and auscultated at its surface by the stethoscopes. Recordings were made through each stethoscope's binaurals and/or downloaded (electronic models). Recordings were analyzed using standard studio techniques and software, including assessing ambient noise (AMB) rejection. Frequency ranges were divided into those corresponding to various standard biological sounds (cardiac, respiratory, and gastrointestinal). Loudness and AMB rejection: Overall, electronic stethoscopes, when set to a maximum volume, exhibited greater values of perceived loudness compared to acoustic stethoscopes. Significant variation was seen in AMB rejection capability. Frequency detection: Marked variation was also seen, with some stethoscopes performing better for different ranges (eg, cardiac) vs others (eg, gastrointestinal). The acoustic properties of stethoscopes varied considerably in loudness, AMB rejection, and frequency response. Stethoscope choice should take into account clinical conditions to be auscultated and the noise level of the environment.

Background: The association between Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) and Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TC) has been appreciated for over two decades, while the physiological mechanisms between the two conditions are less so. In the time since, the progress in understanding molecular mechanisms and the accumulation of reported cases in the literature together have provided the beginnings for a deeper understanding of the disease pathways connecting these two conditions. Methods: Case report. Results: We report a 75-year-old woman with a history of prior TC who presented with symmetric bilateral paresthesias and weakness all preceded by symptoms concerning for an upper respiratory infection. The patient required intubation shortly after arrival due to respiratory failure, and routine electrocardiogram found evidence of ST-elevation myocardial infarction in multiple leads. Subsequent echocardiogram revealed findings consistent with TC, and electromyographic evaluation confirmed GBS. The patient clinically improved with plasmapheresis and had returned to her cardiac and neurologic baselines on outpatient follow-up. Conclusion: GBS contributes directly to the pathogenesis of TC, both through direct action on cardiac nerves and an increase in resting sympathetic tone. While the stress of intubation likely contributes to a sympathogenic state within GBS, it is unlikely the principal factor predicting the development of TC within this unique subset of patients. TC should be considered in any patient with an acute neuropathy whenever signs of progressive dysautonomia are present. Keywords: Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, myocardial stunning, Guillain-Barre syndrome, dysautonomia

To quantify the type, prevalence, and cost of imaging following inpatient falls, identify factors associated with post-fall imaging, and determine correlates of positive versus negative imaging. Single-center retrospective cohort study of inpatient falls. Data were collected from the hospital's adverse event reporting system, DrQuality. Age, sex, date, time, and location of fall, clinical service, Morse Fall Scale/fall protocol, admitting diagnosis, and fall-related imaging studies were reviewed. Cost included professional and facilities fees for each study. Four hundred and fifteen bed urban academic hospital over 3 years (2008-2010). All adult inpatient falls during the study period were included. Falls experienced by patients aged <18 years, outpatient and emergency patients, visitors to the hospital, and staff were excluded. Five hundred and thirty inpatient falls occurred during the study period, average patient age 60.7 years (range 20-98). More than half of falls were men (55%) and patients considered at risk of falls (56%). Falls were evenly distributed across morning (33%), evening (34%), and night (33%) shifts. Of 530 falls, 178 (34%) patients were imaged with 262 studies. Twenty percent of patients imaged had at least one positive imaging study attributed to the fall and 82% of studies were negative. Total cost of imaging was $160,897, 63% ($100,700) from head computed tomography (CT). Inpatient falls affect patients of both sexes, all ages, occur at any time of day and lead to expensive imaging, mainly from head CTs. Further study should be targeted toward clarifying the indications for head CT after inpatient falls and validating risk models for positive and negative imaging, in order to decrease unnecessary imaging and thereby limit unnecessary cost and radiation exposure.

To describe characteristics of inpatient medical errors involving hypoglycemic medications and their impact on patient care. We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of medical errors and associated adverse events voluntarily reported by hospital employees and staff in 21 nonprofit, nonfederal health-care organizations in the United States that implemented a Web-based electronic error-reporting system (e-ERS) between August 1, 2000, and December 31, 2005. Persons reporting the errors determined the level of impact on patient care. The median duration of e-ERS use was 3.1 years, and 2,598 inpatient error reports involved insulin or orally administered hypoglycemic agents. Nursing staff provided 59% of the reports; physicians reported <2%. Approximately two-thirds of the errors (1,693 of 2,598) reached the patient. Errors that caused temporary harm necessitating major treatment or that caused permanent harm accounted for 1.5% of reports (40 of 2,598). Insulin was involved in 82% of reports, and orally administered hypoglycemic agents were involved in 18% of all reports (473 of 2,598). Sulfonylureas were implicated in 51.8% of reports involving oral hypoglycemic agents (9.4% of all reports). An e-ERS provides an accessible venue for reporting and tracking inpatient medical errors involving glucose-lowering medications. Results are limited by potential underreporting of events, particularly by physicians, and variations in the reporter perception of patient harm.