Effect of a heart failure program on hospitalization frequency and exercise tolerance

BACKGROUND

Most patients with heart failure are currently managed by physicians with little specific expertise in heart failure. This management system has been associated with evidence of suboptimal care, such as high rates of hospital readmission and underuse of ACE inhibitors. The current study was undertaken to determine whether hospitalization rates and functional outcomes are improved when patients are managed by physicians with special expertise in heart failure working in a dedicated heart failure program.

METHODS AND RESULTS

All patients with heart failure referred to the Vanderbilt Heart Failure and Heart Transplantation Program between July 1994 and June 1995 were identified. Annual hospitalization rates, medications, and peak exercise capacity before and after referral were compared in patients followed for >30 days. A total of 187 patients were referred during the index time period, of whom 134 (72%) were followed for >30 days. During the year before referral, 94% of the patients were hospitalized (210 cardiovascular hospitalizations) versus 44% of the patients during the year after referral (104 hospitalizations) (53% reduction) (P<.01). Hospitalizations for heart failure decreased from 164 to 60 for all patients regardless of follow-up duration and decreased from 97 to 30 (69% reduction) for patients followed at least 1 year after referral. Eighty-eight of the patients were able to exercise at the time of referral. Peak exercise VO2 in this group increased from 12.8+/-4.7 to 15.7+/-4.8 mL x min(-1) x kg(-1) (P<.01) by 6 months after referral. Loop diuretic doses were on averaged doubled during the first 6 months after referral.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that patients with heart failure have fewer hospitalizations for heart failure and are significantly more functional when managed by heart failure specialists working in a dedicated heart failure program rather than by physicians with limited expertise in heart failure.

Frequency of low-risk hospital admissions for heart failure

Heart failure is one of the most common reasons for admission to acute care hospitals. A proportion of these admissions are probably low risk and could be managed in subacute care facilities, resulting in substantial cost savings. To investigate the proportion of low-risk hospital admissions for heart failure, all admissions for heart failure to Vanderbilt University Medical Center between July 1993 and June 1995 were identified (n = 743). One hundred twenty of these admissions were randomly selected, reviewed, and classified into a high-risk versus low-risk group on admission based on the severity of heart failure and the presence of life-threatening complications. Of the 120 admissions, 57 (48%) were classified as high risk based on the presence of moderate to severe heart failure for the first time or recurrent heart failure with a major complicating factor. Sixteen admissions (28%) were associated with adverse outcomes, including myocardial infarction in 5 (9%), intubation in 6 (11%), and death in 4 (7%). Sixty-three admissions (52%) were classified as low risk based on the presence of new-onset mild heart failure or mild to moderate recurrent heart failure with no complicating factors. Most of these admissions were for dyspnea without any life-threatening complication; 57 (91%) had no evidence of interstitial or alveolar pulmonary edema, and arterial oxygen saturation averaged 95 +/- 3%. Only 3 of these low risk admissions (5%) were associated with an adverse cardiovascular event. None of the patients died. These data suggest that over half of the patients admitted for heart failure to an acute care facility are low risk and probably could be managed in a subacute care setting, resulting in large cost savings.

Pathophysiology and management of phantom limb pain

Phantom pain phenomenon is a poorly understood but relatively common sequela of limb amputation that may result in significant psychological and physical morbidity. In this review, proposed pathoneurophysiological mechanisms for the development of phantom pain are reviewed as well as psychological mechanisms that may be involved. The authors recommend an integrated approach to management of chronic phantom pain that takes into consideration the multiple factors that may contribute to its etiology.

Is it necessary to stop glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists prior to endoscopic procedure? A retrospective study

BACKGROUND

Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RA) are effective in diabetes and obesity, reducing hyperglycemia by increasing insulin release and delaying gastric emptying. However, they can cause gastroparesis, raising concerns about aspiration during procedures. Recent guidelines advise discontinuing GLP-1 RA before surgery to reduce the risk of pulmonary aspiration.

AIM

To evaluate the effect of GLP-1 RAs on gastric residual contents during endoscopic procedures.

METHODS

A retrospective chart review at BronxCare Health System, New York, from January 2019 to October 2023, assessed gastric residue and aspiration in GLP-1 RA patients undergoing endoscopic procedures. Two groups were compared based on dietary status before the procedure. Data included demographics, symptoms of gastroparesis, opiate use, hemoglobin A1c, GLP-1 agonist indication, endoscopic details, and aspiration occurrence. IBM SPSS was used for analysis, calculating means, standard deviations, and applying Pearson's chi-square and t-tests for associations, with P < 0.05 as being significant.

RESULTS

During the study, 306 patients were included, with 41.2% on a clear liquid/low residue diet and 58.8% on a regular diet before endoscopy. Most patients (63.1%) were male, with a mean age of 60 ± 12 years. The majority (85.6%) were on GLP-1 RAs for diabetes, and 10.1% reported digestive symptoms before endoscopy. Among those on a clear liquid diet, 1.5% had residual food at endoscopy compared to 10% on a regular diet, which was statistically significant (P = 0.03). Out of 31 patients with digestive symptoms, 13% had residual food, all from the regular diet group (P = 0.130). No complications were reported during or after the procedures.

CONCLUSION

The study reflects a significant rise in GLP-1 RA use for diabetes and obesity. A 24-hour liquid diet seems safe for endoscopic procedures without aspiration. Patients with upper gastrointestinal symptoms might have a higher residual food risk, though not statistically significant. Further research is needed to assess risks based on diabetes duration, gastroparesis, and GLP-1 RA dosing, aiming to minimize interruptions in therapy during procedures.

Histological and morphometric analysis of the effects of argon laser epilation

AIM

To analyse the location and extent of tissue damage induced after argon laser epilation.

METHODS

Laser burns were applied to the lid margins of four patients before excision for entropion ("live tissue") and the lid margin of one patient was lasered after an excision for ectropion ("dead tissue"). The laser burns were directed towards the lash follicle and between 10 and 50 burns were applied with an argon blue-green laser set at power 0.9-1.0 W, at 0.1-0.2 second duration and a 100 micro m spot size. The tissues were processed for conventional histology. Serial sections were obtained and used for area measurements and three dimensional reconstructions of the burns to determine the volume and location of tissue destruction.

RESULTS

The laser created a cone-shaped region of tissue ablation with surrounding coagulative necroses. Maximum burn depth was 1.2 mm in dead tissue and 0.8 mm in live tissue. Maximum necrosis depth was 1.4 mm in dead tissue and 0.9 mm in live tissue. Follicle depth ranged from 0.8 mm to 1.9 mm. Some of the burns had been misdirected in the dermis leaving target hair follicles intact, despite being of adequate depth.

CONCLUSIONS

The argon laser has some potential for ablation of lash follicles, but accurate placement of the burn is essential and energy levels greater than those currently recommended should be applied. The treatment is ineffective in patients unable to remain immobile.

Patients with Clostridium difficile infection and prior appendectomy may be prone to worse outcomes

BACKGROUND

Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) occurs due to a dysbiosis in the colon. The appendix is considered a 'safe house' for gut microbiota and may help repopulate gut flora of patients with CDI.

AIM

To study the impact of prior appendectomy on the severity and outcomes of CDI.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed data of 1580 patients with CDI, admitted to our hospital between 2008 to 2018. Patients were grouped based on the presence or absence of the appendix. The primary aim was to (1) assess all-cause mortality and (2) the severity of CDI. Severity was defined as per the Infectious Diseases Society of America criteria. Logistic regression, and propensity score analysis using inverse probability of treatment weights (IPTW) was performed.

RESULTS

Of the 1580 patients, 12.5% had a history of appendectomy. There was no statistical difference in mortality between patients with a prior appendectomy or without (13.7% vs 14%, P = 0.877). However, a history of appendectomy affected the severity of CDI [odds ratio (OR) = 1.32, 95% confidence interval: 1.01-1.75]. On IPTW, this association remained significant (OR = 1.59, P < 0.05). On multivariable analysis of secondary outcomes, prior appendectomy was also associated with toxic megacolon (OR = 5.37, P < 0.05) and colectomy (OR = 2.77, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Prior appendectomy may affect the severity of CDI, development of toxic megacolon and the eventual need for colectomy. Since treatment of CDI is governed by its severity, stronger antibiotic regimens or earlier use of fecal microbiota transplant may be a viable option for patients with prior appendectomy.

Characteristics of Patients with Post-Colonoscopy Unplanned Hospital Visit: A Retrospective Single-Center Observational Study

Background

Colonoscopy, although a low-risk procedure, is not without associated adverse events. The rates of major adverse events such as perforation and bleeding after a colonoscopy are well reported. The rates of minor incidents following a colonoscopy, however, are less well examined. Recently the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) started public reporting on the quality of outpatient endoscopy facilities by using a measure of risk-standardized rates of unplanned hospital visits within 7 days of colonoscopy.

Aim

We intended to record and present the characteristics of our patient population who had an unplanned hospital visit within 7 days after undergoing colonoscopy in an outpatient setting.

Methods

This is a retrospective single-center observational study. During the study period of July 2018 to December 2019, we reviewed charts of all patients who returned to the emergency room within a week of undergoing an outpatient colonoscopy. Patient demographics, clinical data and details of colonoscopy were collected and analyzed.

Results

Of the 5344 outpatient colonoscopies performed, our post-colonoscopy emergency room visit rate was 1.05% (n=56). The mean age of the participants was 58 years and 55% were male; 32% of our patients reported gastrointestinal symptoms such as abdominal pain or gastrointestinal bleeding. Patients with gastrointestinal symptoms had a higher rate of polypectomies performed (36.4% vs 11.8%, P = 0.04) and reported higher illicit drug use (31.9% vs 5.9%, P = 0.02) compared with those with non-gastrointestinal complaints. After colonoscopy, 41% of the patients reported reasons for emergency room visits that were entirely unrelated to the procedure.

Conclusion

Our study highlights that unplanned visits within 7 days of colonoscopy are not necessarily related to the procedure, and those that are, tend to be due to unavoidable patient factors. Hence the CMS measure may not be an accurate determinant of the quality of procedure or facility care delivered.