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Vaccination efforts have limited the burden of the pandemic caused by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) with substantial evidence showing reduced hospitalization rates among vaccinated populations. However, few studies have explored correlations between vaccination status and inpatient COVID-19 outcomes. This observational case–control study involved a retrospective chart review of adult patients hospitalized for COVID-19 infection at a medium-sized hospital in Central Michigan between May 1, 2021 and September 30, 2021. Unadjusted analyses involved t-tests and chi-square tests followed by adjusted analyses using binary logistic and linear regression models. Of the 192 screened patients, 171 subjects met the inclusion criteria. Vaccinated patients were significantly older (71.09 vs 57.45, p

Adolescence is a vulnerable period for the development of eating disorders, but there are disparities in eating disorder risk among adolescents. One population that may be at increased risk but is vastly understudied, is adolescents residing in rural regions within the United States. Rural communities face many mental and physical health disparities; however, the literature on rural adolescent eating disorder risk is nearly nonexistent. In this paper we summarize the scant literature on disordered eating and eating disorder risk and prevalence among rural US adolescents. We also detail eating disorder risk factors that may have unique influence in this population, including socioeconomic status, food insecurity, healthcare access, body image, and weight stigma. Given the presence of numerous eating disorder risk factors, we speculate that rural adolescents may be a particularly vulnerable population for eating disorders and we propose critical next steps in research for understanding eating disorder risk among the understudied population of rural adolescents. PUBLIC SIGNIFICANCE: Rural adolescents may be at increased risk for eating disorders due to disproportionate burden of known risk factors, though this relationship remains understudied. We present a summary of the literature on prevalence and unique risk factors, proposing that this may be a high-risk population. We detail next steps for research to understand eating disorder risk in this population to inform future prevention, identification, and treatment efforts needed in this community.

Through participatory Arts-Based Research, constructed within the theoretical basis of the Activity System, participants engaged with Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) program content to develop a cohesive and meaningful project structure and aesthetic. Practitioner/researcher supremacy is disrupted by participatory Arts-Based Research and upheld by temporal constraints, as demonstrated by participant engagement and disruptions to participant collaboration. This research pilots a replicable framework that centers the experiences of individuals completing DBT, interrupts cycles of harm, and uplifts social knowledge construction that emanates from DBT skills training communities. DBT is a skills-based psychotherapeutic approach that prepares individuals to address problems in living that result from the development of mental disorders in environments that persistently signal that an individual is an unreliable informant of their own experience. In its standard format, DBT incorporates a group skills training component to remediate skill deficits developed in this invalidating environment. The body of literature that explores DBT skills training is structured in a way that elevates practitioner/researcher perceptions of individual progress over participants’ interpretations of their own collective experiences. Arts-Based Research is a theoretically-backed methodology that can disrupt the harmful parallels between the development of the disorders DBT is intended to treat and the dominant research paradigm into DBT.

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether the full spectrum of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) -- comprising gestational hypertension; preeclampsia with or without severe features; eclampsia; and Hemolysis, Elevated Liver enzymes, and Low Platelets (HELLP) Syndrome -- is increased at high (≥2500 m, 8250 ft) compared with lower altitudes in Colorado independent of maternal background characteristics, and if so their relationship to neonatal well-being. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted using statewide birth-certificate data to compare the frequency of gestational hypertension, preeclampsia (with or without severe features), eclampsia, HELLP Syndrome, or all HDP combined in 617,958 Colorado women who lived at high vs. low altitude (2500 m)- vs. low (

BackgroundIt is almost 100 years ago since Mahaim described the so-called paraspecific connections between the ventricular conduction axis and the crest of the muscular ventricular septum, believing such pathways to be ubiquitous. These pathways, however, have yet to be considered as potential pathways for septal activation during His bundle pacing.MaterialsSo as to explore the hypothesis that specialised septal pathways might provide the substrate for septal activation during His bundle pacing, we compared the findings from 22 serially sectioned histological datasets and 34 different individuals undergoing His bundle pacing.ResultsWe found histologically specialised pathways connecting the branching component of the atrioventricular conduction axis with the crest of the muscular ventricular septum in almost four-fifths of the histological datasets. In 32 of 34 patients undergoing His bundle pacing, the QRS complex closely resembled published images of known conduction through fasciculo-ventricular pathways. In only two patients was a delta wave not seen at any pacing voltages. Capture of these connections varied according to pacing voltage, a finding which correlated with the distance of the pathways from the site of penetration of the ventricular conduction axis. Ventricular activation times remained normal in the presence of the delta wave at higher pacing voltage but were prolonged at lower voltages.ConclusionsOur histologic findings confirm fasciculo-ventricular connections, initially described by Mahaim as being paraspecific, are likely ubiquitous. Analysis of 12-lead electrocardiograms leads us to conclude that fasciculo-ventricular pathways, concealed during sinus rhythm, become manifest with His bundle pacing.

Background Maternal opioid exposure during pregnancy has various effects on neonatal health. Buprenorphine/naloxone and methadone are examples of medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) used for the treatment of opioid use disorder (OUD). Research comparing the impacts of these MOUD modalities on neonatal outcomes when used to treat pregnant people with OUD remains limited. We evaluated the differences in outcomes between neonates with in-utero exposure to buprenorphine/naloxone versus methadone. Methodology We performed a retrospective cohort chart review between October 15, 2008, and October 15, 2019, evaluating mother/neonate dyads at two medical centers in Michigan. The charts of female patients, aged 18+, with OUD and buprenorphine/naloxone or methadone treatment, were examined. The charts of the corresponding neonates were also examined. Multiple regression analysis was performed. Results In total, 343 mother/infant dyads were included: 99 patients were treated with buprenorphine/naloxone and 232 patients were treated with methadone. The buprenorphine/naloxone group had significant differences in maternal age, hepatitis status, asthma, gestational age in weeks, neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) length of stay (LOS), neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome (NOWS) peak score, birth head circumference, and birth weight compared to the methadone group at baseline. Adjusted multivariable regression analysis demonstrated neonates with exposure to buprenorphine/naloxone had a NOWS peak score 3.079 points less (95% confidence interval (CI): -4.525, 1.633; p = 0.001) and NICU LOS 8.955 days less (95% CI: -14.399, -3.511; p = 0.001) than neonates exposed to methadone. Conclusions Neonates with in-utero exposure to buprenorphine/naloxone had significantly lower NOWS scores and shorter NICU LOS compared to neonates with in-utero exposure to methadone. These findings demonstrate that buprenorphine/naloxone is potentially a more favorable treatment for the reduction in metrics representing adverse neonatal outcomes in pregnant people with OUD than methadone.

In patients with infective endocarditis (IE), ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is an uncommon phenomenon. Due to limited data, we intend to evaluate the clinical outcomes in hospitalized patients with STEMI with and without underlying IE. Mortality and morbidity are exponentially worse in STEMI with concomitant IE when compared with without IE. Patients with primary diagnosis of STEMI with and without IE were identified by querying the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project database of the National Inpatient Sample for the years 2013 and 2014 based on International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision codes. During 2013 and 2014, a total of 117,386 patients were admitted with the principle diagnosis of STEMI, out of whom 305 had comorbid IE. There was a significantly increased in-hospital mortality (27.5% vs 10.8%), length of stay (LOS) (14 days vs 5 days), acute kidney injury (AKI; 44.9% vs 18.7%), stroke (23.6% vs 3%), aortic valve replacement (9.5% vs 0.3%), mitral valve replacement (0.2%-5.2%), sepsis (50% vs 6%) and acute respiratory failure (36.7% vs 16.7%) in patients with STEMI with IE when compared with patients with STEMI and without comorbid IE. STEMI without IE had a higher number of angiographies (58.7% vs 25.9%) and percutaneous coronary interventions (50.7% vs 14.4%) during the hospital course when compared with STEMI with IE. In conclusions, hospitalized patients with STEMI with a concurrent diagnosis of IE are at higher risk of in-hospital mortality, increased LOS, AKI, stroke, valve replacements, and acute respiratory failure.

Limited published data exist regarding the association of atrial fibrillation (AF) and acute pancreatitis. To test our hypothesis that AF increases mortality and clinical outcomes in patients with acute pancreatitis, we conducted a cross-sectional data review of the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database. The NIS database was reviewed for the collection of data on patient hospitalizations in 2016 and 2017. Patients diagnosed with acute pancreatitis with and without concomitant AF were included in the analysis. The International Classification of Diseases, 10th revision coding system was used for the variables of interest. The Stata software program (StataCorp LLC, College Station, TX, USA) was used to perform statistical analyses. The chi-squared test or analysis of variance was used to identify differences in demographic characteristics between the groups. The study population included two groups of patients: those with acute pancreatitis only (n = 542,440) and those with both acute pancreatitis and AF (n = 32,790). The group with acute pancreatitis and AF had a two- to threefold higher rate of mortality [adjusted odds ratio (OR): 2.59; 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.04–3.28] and increased length of stay (adjusted OR: 1.28; 95% CI: 1.08–1.48). Also, significantly higher odds of sepsis (adjusted OR: 2.49; 95% CI: 2.06–3.01), congestive heart failure (adjusted OR: 3.16; 95% CI: 2.87–3.49), acute coronary syndrome (adjusted OR: 1.61; 95% CI: 1.17–2.21), stroke (adjusted OR: 3.94; 95% CI: 1.42–10.93), and acute kidney injury (adjusted OR: 1.42; 95% CI: 1.30–1.55) were observed in patients with acute pancreatitis and AF relative to in patients with acute pancreatitis only. Our results suggest AF increases mortality in patients with acute pancreatitis and that patients with acute pancreatitis and AF are at greater risk of worse clinical outcomes.

To examine associations between in utero marijuana exposure and birth outcomes. In two separate cohorts (Appalachian, Rocky Mountain), data were collected from medical records. Marijuana exposure was positive based on urine drug screening at delivery, with nonexposed controls matched on multiple factors including other substance exposure. Marijuana-exposed newborns (n = 531) had significantly worse birth outcomes than controls (n = 531), weighing 218 g less, 82%, 79%, and 43% more likely to be low birth weight, preterm, or admitted to the NICU, respectively, and significantly lower Apgar scores. Marijuana exposure in utero predicted newborn factors linked to longer-term health and development issues. Effects were not attributable to other comorbidities in this study due to rigorous matching and biochemical verification of marijuana and other drug use. Findings add to growing evidence linking marijuana exposure to adverse birth and longer-term outcomes. Women should be encouraged to avoid marijuana use during pregnancy.

The aim of this study was to evaluate specific risk factors and their impact on hospital readmission risk following delivery in pregnancies affected by the hypertensive disease of pregnancy (HDP).We performed a 10-year case-control study for patients who delivered at our institution and whose antenatal courses were complicated by HDP. The primary outcome was the identification of specific patient factors contributing to readmission. HDP pregnancies experiencing readmission for HDP signs and/or symptoms were used as the cases, with HDP pregnancies not experiencing readmission randomly selected as controls. Maternal age, gestational age at delivery, gravidity, parity, and mode of delivery (vaginal including operative, or cesarean) were recorded. Mean systolic and diastolic blood pressures were calculated over the 24 h preceding discharge. The most recent laboratory values preceding discharge for serum creatinine, lactate dehydrogenase, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine transaminase, and platelets were also recorded. The presence or absence of prescribed antihypertensive medication was recorded for initial hospitalization. Postpartum readmission was defined as within 30 days of delivery. Exclusion criteria involved readmission for non-HDP cause and maternal age less than 17 at delivery.Within the study timeframe, 3601 patients with pregnancies complicated with HDP were identified. Of these, 34 patients were readmitted within 30 days postpartum for signs and/or symptoms of HDP after exclusion criteria were applied A cohort of 50 controls were used for comparison for a total of 84 participants. A diagnosis of pre-eclampsia was significantly associated with readmission (This study suggests that readmission overall for the hypertensive disease of pregnancy is rare, but that patient variables of increasing parity and presence of severe features were associated with postpartum readmission. Knowledge of these variables may assist physicians in the identification of HDP patients who are at higher risk for readmission.

Introduction: Comparative outcomes of hospitalizations for Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy (CRT) implantation procedures with and without coexisting Ischemic Heart Diseases (IHD) have not been studied at national level databases. We attempted to assess outcomes and baseline characteristics in these hospitalizations based on the National Inpatient Sample (NIS). Hypothesis: Ischemic heart disease worsens inpatient outcomes in patients undergoing CRT implantation. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of hospitalizations for CRT implantation from the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) between 2013 and 2014. ICD-9 Billing codes were used to identify the target population. The primary outcomes were inpatient mortality, and hospital length and cost of stay. Results: A total of 11057 cases were identified. IHD was listed as any diagnosis in 66% of these hospitalizations. The mean age was 72.5 and 66.9 years for CRT implantation with and without IHD, respectively. Hospitalizations without IHD were more likely to be female (44% vs. 25%; p=0.01). Patients in the CRT with IHD group had a higher comorbidity burden with a higher proportion of hypertension, chronic kidney disease, anemia, peripheral artery disease, and congestive heart failure (Table 1). Inpatient mortality was similar between both groups (OR 1.17, CI 0.75-1.81). The IHD cohort had higher rates of cardiac arrest (OR 1.30, CI 1.05-1.62), acute kidney injury (OR 1.21, CI 1.08-1.35), longer length and a higher cost of stay (Table 1). Conclusions: IHD is associated with higher costs, longer length of stay, and higher rates of cardiac arrest. However, the in-hospital mortality was not different between the two groups. Higher incidence of cardiac arrest in patients with CRT and IHD underlines the importance of ICD with CRT. The clinical implication is that the threshold of selecting a CRT-D device in patients eligible for CRT therapy should be lower in patients with IHD vis-à-vis patients without IHD.

Introduction: Left bundle branch block (LBBB) because of dyssynchrony is a risk factor for heart failure (HF). We evaluated the baseline characteristics and comparative outcomes of atrial fibrillation (AF) patients with co-existing LBBB. Hypothesis: AF with concomitant LBBB is associated with poor cardiovascular outcomes. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of hospitalizations for AF with and without LBBB from the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) between 2013 and 2014. Billing codes (International classification of diseases, 9th revision) were used to identify the target population. Results: A total of 1,531,704 hospitalizations for AF were identified, out of these, 1,496,742 hospitalizations had no LBBB and 34,952 hospitalizations had LBBB. AF with LBBB cohort was older with mean age (77.8 vs 75.3, p Conclusions: LBBB is a poor prognostic indicator in patients admitted for AF and is associated with worse cardiovascular outcomes. Aggressive management of AF in patients with LBBB may improve the clinical outcomes. Further clinical studies are required to study this relationship.

The prevalence of opioid use disorder has increased across the United States, but the rural population of Appalachia has been disproportionately impacted. Concurrently, the slow, but steady progress in the legalization of marijuana may be affecting perception of marijuana use in pregnancy. However, marijuana use in pregnancy has been associated with adverse perinatal outcomes. Concomitant use of opioids and marijuana in pregnancy has not been evaluated.The primary aim of the study was to evaluate the association between confirmed marijuana use in late pregnancy and preterm birth in opioid-exposed pregnancies.A retrospective chart review was conducted that included all births from July 2011 to June 2016 from 6 delivery hospitals in South-Central Appalachia. Out of 18,732 births, 2368 singleton pregnancies indicated opioid use and met remaining inclusion criteria, with 108 of these mothers testing positive for marijuana at delivery. Independent sampleNeonates born to marijuana-positive women in opioid-exposed pregnancy were more likely to be born preterm, small for gestational age, have low birth weight, and be admitted to NICU. After statistically controlling for parity, marital status, tobacco and benzodiazepine use, preterm birth and low birth weight remained statistically significant with aOR of 2.35 (1.30-4.24) and 2.01 (1.18-3.44), respectively.Maternal use of marijuana in any opioid-exposed pregnancy may increase risk of preterm birth and low-birth weight infants. Prospective studies need to examine the dose and timing of marijuana and opioid use in pregnancy to better delineate perinatal effects. Nonetheless, pregnant women using opioids, including recommended medication assisted treatment for opioid use disorder, should be educated about the risks of concurrent marijuana use during pregnancy and may need to be counseled to abstain from marijuana use during pregnancy for an optimal outcome.

BACKGROUND Substantial evidence demonstrates the harms of pregnancy smoking. Due to the need for very large data sets, less data exist to inform decisions about when quitting should occur, or whether a certain amount of reduction is beneficial. OBJECTIVES Our goal was to examine the effect of timing and amount of pregnancy smoking on low birth weight (LBW) and preterm birth (PTB). METHODS Data for 3 years of registered births in Tennessee were available and included standard birth certificate information. RESULTS Of 241,616 women, 15.7% smoked at conception, and those who quit as early as the first trimester had significantly increased adjusted odds of LBW (27%) and PTB (14%) compared to nonsmokers, with this effect largely driven by smoking 10+ cigarettes per day. Smoking into the second trimester but quitting prior to the third also predicted increases in LBW and PTB compared to both not smoking at all and smoking only in the first trimester. Smoking to delivery predicted a 2.8-fold increased likelihood of LBW, and a 2.1-fold increased rate of PTB. Any level of smoking after the first trimester substantially increased the odds of poor outcomes compared to both nonsmoking and smoking only in the first trimester. CONCLUSIONS Findings suggest that to avoid LBW or PTB, pregnant smokers should be advised that quitting completely by the end of the first trimester is important, and that continuing to smoke even

Objectives The CDC has warned of increased risk for severe COVID-19 illness among those with certain preexisting conditions. Protective behaviors such as social distancing and mask-wearing have been shown effective at curbing infection rates. These practices are subject to individual perceptions of risk and responsibility. This study aimed to characterize the risk perceptions and protective behaviors of residents in a rural central Michigan region. Specifically, we examined whether individual risk status predicted protective behaviors and concern about the pandemic. Methods Participants were identified via medical records at participating clinics. The high-risk group was those with conditions that put them at increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19, and was compared to healthy controls. Data were collected via phone survey. Participants were asked about their protective behaviors and level of concern about the ongoing pandemic. Results A total of 150 patients participated in the survey; 73 were high-risk acknowledgers, 29 were high-risk deniers, and 48 were healthy controls. There was no significant difference between the groups on level of concern regarding the pandemic or protective behaviors ( P > .05). Compared to other comorbidities, obese people were significantly more likely to deny their risk ( P Conclusions In this study, high risk, whether acknowledged or denied, did not appear to significantly impact behaviors or concern. The high percentage of those at high risk who did not acknowledge this suggests many factors including a potential lack of patient education regarding their comorbidities, specifically, how their illness increases their risk of severe illness from COVID-19.

Introduction Cirrhosis is known to be an important prognostic factor in determining morbidity and mortality in preoperative cardiac risk assessment for cardiac surgery. Data is limited on outcomes in patients with infective endocarditis (IE) and comorbid liver cirrhosis. The objective of our study is to evaluate the clinical outcomes in patients suffering from IE both with and without underlying liver cirrhosis as well as to determine rates of in-hospital mortality and factors that contribute to this outcome. Hypothesis Liver cirrhosis worsens clinical outcomes in patients with IE. Materials and methods Patients with a principal diagnosis of IE with and without liver cirrhosis were identified by querying the Healthcare Cost and Utilization (HCUP) database, specifically the National Inpatient Sample for the years 2013 and 2014 using International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD-9) codes. Results During 2013 and 2014, a total of 17,952 patients were admitted with a diagnosis of IE, out of whom 780 had concurrent liver cirrhosis. There was increased in-hospital mortality [15.6% vs 10.2%, aOR = 1.57 (1.27-1.93)], acute kidney injury [41.4% vs 32.6%, aOR = 1.45 (1.24-1.69)], and hematologic complications [32.1 vs 14.7%, aOR = 2.87 (2.44-3.37)] in patients with IE with liver cirrhosis when compared to patients with IE without liver cirrhosis. Patients having IE without liver cirrhosis underwent an increased number of interventions, i.e. aortic (7.2 vs 3.7%, aOR = 0.51 (0.34-0.76)) and mitral (4.9% vs 3.4%, aOR = 0.39 (0.23-0.69)) valvular replacements as compared to those with liver cirrhosis, which may explain the increased mortality seen in patients with liver cirrhosis. Conclusion Liver cirrhosis is an important prognostic risk factor for in-hospital mortality in patients with IE. The coagulopathic state in addition to increased rates of bleeding complications and renal dysfunction make these patients poor surgical candidates thus contributing to higher mortality. Further research into the individual risk factors contributing to the increased mortality rates in patients with IE and cirrhosis is required.

Introduction: Amyloidosis is a systemic illness that affects multiple organ systems including cardiovascular, renal, gastrointestinal and pulmonary systems manifesting as restrictive cardiomyopathy, atrial and ventricular arrhythmias, nephrotic syndrome and gastrointestinal hemorrhage. Unknown is whether co-occurrence atrial fibrillation (AF), further worsens the outcomes in systemic amyloidosis. Hypothesis: Atrial Fibrillation worsen clinical outcomes in Amyloidosis. Methods: Patients with diagnosis of amyloidosis with and without concurrent AF were identified by querying the Healthcare Cost and Utilization (HCUP), specifically, National Inpatient Sample for year 2016 based on ICD10 codes. Results: During 2016, a total of 2997 patients were admitted with diagnosis of Amyloidosis, out of which 918 had concurrent AF. There was an increased risk of mortality (7.4% vs 5.6%), heart block (6.8% vs 2.8%), cardiogenic shock (5% vs 1.6%), placement of an ICD/CRT/PPM (14.5% vs 4.5%), renal failure (29% vs 21%), heart failure (66% vs 30%) and bleeding complications (5.7% vs 2.8%) in patients with diagnosis of Amyloidosis and concurrent AF when compared to patients with only diagnosis of Amyloidosis. It’s interesting to note that patients with amyloidosis without comorbid AF had increased risk of stroke when compared to concurrent AF (7.9% vs 3.4%). Conclusions: Concurrent AF increases the risk of heart failure, cardiogenic shock, supraventricular tachycardia, bleeding complications and an overall increase in mortality in patients with amyloidosis.

Introduction: Chronic liver disease is known to be an important prognostic factor in determining morbidity and mortality in preoperative risk assessment and mortality in general. Data are limited on outcomes in patients with infective endocarditis (IE) and comorbid concurrent liver cirrhosis. Objective of our study is to evaluate the clinical outcomes of patient with IE with and without underlying liver cirrhosis and determining in-hospital mortality and outcomes of interest i.e. renal failure, cardiogenic shock, hematologic (coagulopathy/thrombocytopenia) and hepatic complications (hepatic encephalopathy/hepatitis). Hypothesis: Liver Cirrhosis worsen clinical outcomes in patients with IE. Methods: Patients with principle diagnosis of IE with and without liver cirrhosis were identified by querying the Healthcare Cost and Utilization (HCUP) database, specifically, National Inpatient Sample for year 2013 and 2014 based on ICD9 codes. Results: During 2013 and 2014, a total of 17, 952 patients were admitted with diagnosis of IE, out of whom 780 had concurrent liver cirrhosis. There was an increased in-hospital mortality [15.6% vs 10.2%, aOR 1.57(1.27-1.93)], acute kidney injury [41.4% vs 32.6%, aOR 1.45(1.24-1.69)], coagulopathy/thrombocytopenia [32.1 vs 14.7%, aOR 2.87(2.44-3.37)] in patients with IE with liver cirrhosis when compared to patients with IE without liver cirrhosis. IE without liver cirrhosis underwent increased number of interventions i.e. aortic (7.2 vs 3.7%, 0.51(0.34-0.76)] and mitral (4.9% vs 3.4%, aOR 0.39(0.23-0.69)] valvular replacements as compared to without liver cirrhosis. Conclusions: Liver cirrhosis is an important prognostic marker of in-hospital mortality in patients with concurrent IE. High risk surgical state with coagulopathy, bleeding complications, worsening hepatic complications and renal dysfunction lead to higher mortality.

Introduction: The relationship between conduction time of a sinus impulse and a paced impulse from His bundle to peak of left ventricular activation (HVAT) has not been systematically studied. Hypothesis: To perform a comparative analysis of HVAT of sinus and paced impulse in non-selective (NS) His bundle pacing (HBP) and selective (S)-HBP. Furthermore, to determine if pacing voltage and presence of His Purkinje system (HPS) disease affects HVAT. Methods: In 102 consecutive patients a comparative analysis of native HVAT and paced HVAT at higher (5-volt) and lower voltage (1-volt) was done in all patients and in groups subdivided into NS-HBP, S-HBP, with and without HPS disease. Results: Compared to sinus HVAT (105.9 ± 24.0 ms), paced HVAT was shorter at 5-volt (97.2 ± 17.9 ms) ( p ) and longer at 1-volt ( p ). This voltage effect was significant only in NS-HBP (-15.8 ± 15.7 ms, p ) but not in selective-HBP (-6.2± 13.6 ms p=0.16 ). In NS-HBP, decrease in HVAT caused by 5-volt was the same in normal vs diseased HPS (-14.5 ± 12.8 vs-13.2 ±16.3 ms). Conclusions: 1) Compared to sinus HVAT, NS-HBP HVAT is significantly shorter at 5-volt, however, tends to prolong at 1-volt.2) The 1-volt to 5-volt HVAT decrease appears to be similar both normal and diseased NS-HBP thus not related to correction of HPS delay. 3) The voltage related decrease in HVAT is significant in presence of pre-excitation wave seen in NS-HBP and is not significant in S-HBP.

Objective: To study inpatient outcomes of infective endocarditis (IE) with concurrent heart blocks Introduction: IE complicated with heart blocks can have adverse outcomes and usually requires immediate surgical and cardiac interventions. Data on outcomes and trends in patients with IE with concurrent heart blocks are lacking. Methods: Patients with a principle diagnosis of IE with or without heart blocks were identified by querying the Healthcare Cost and Utilization (HCUP) database, specifically, the National Inpatient Sample for year 2013 and 2014 based on ICD9 codes. Results: During 2013 and 2014, a total of 18,733 patients were admitted with a diagnosis of IE, out of whom 867 had concurrent heart blocks. There was an increased in-hospital mortality (13% vs 10.3%), length of stay (19 vs 14 days), cost of care (282,573 vs 223,559), cardiogenic shock (8.9% vs 3.2%), placement of an ICD/CRT/PPM (30.6% vs 0.9%), acute kidney injury (40.1% vs 32.6%) and hematologic complications (19.3 vs 15.2%) in patients admitted with IE with heart blocks as compared to those with IE but without heart block. Infective endocarditis and concurrent heart block resulted in increased requirement for aortic (25.7 vs 6.1%) and mitral (17.3% vs 4.2%) valvular replacements as compared to IE without heart block. Conclusions: IE with concurrent heart block worsens in-hospital mortality, length and cost of hospital stay. Our analysis clearly demonstrates an increase in the indications for cardiac procedures, specifically aortic and/or mitral valve replacements and ICD/CRT/PPM placement. A close tele monitoring system and prompt interventions may represent a significant mitigation strategy to avoid adverse outcomes observed in this study.

Introduction: In infective endocarditis (IE), embolization to the coronary arteries is an uncommon phenomenon but can contribute to transmural infarction presenting as ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Due to limited date, we intend to evaluate the clinical outcomes in hospitalized patients with STEMI with and without underlying IE. Hypothesis: Morbidity and morbidity exponentiates in STEMI with comorbid IE when compared to without IE. Methods: Patients with primary diagnosis of STEMI with and without IE were identified by querying the Healthcare Cost and Utilization (HCUP) database, specifically, National Inpatient Sample for year 2013 and 2014 based on ICD9 codes Results: During 2013 and 2014, a total of 117, 386 patients were admitted with the principle diagnosis of STEMI, out of whom 305 had comorbid IE. There was an increased in-hospital mortality (27.5% vs 10.8%, increased length of stay (14 vs 5 days), acute kidney injury (44.9% vs 18.7%), stroke (23.6% vs 3%), aortic valve replacement (9.5% vs 0.3%), mitral valve replacement (0.2%-5.2%), sepsis (50% vs 6%) and acute respiratory failure (36.7% vs 16.7%) in patients with STEMI with IE when compared to patients with STEMI and without comorbid IE. STEMI without IE had higher number of angiographies (58.7% vs 25.9%) and percutaneous coronary interventions (50.7% vs 14.4%) during their hospital course when compared to STEMI with IE. Conclusions: We conclude that hospitalized STEMI patients with concomitant diagnosis of IE are at higher risk of in-hospital mortality, increased LOS, AKI, stroke, valve replacements, and acute respiratory failure. Clinical trials that compare optimal interventions in these patients would be needed in future.

74 Background: Increased mortality from urologic cancers coupled with an aging population has resulted in patient care becoming more specialized to improve patient outcomes. Though family history, lifestyle behaviors, and genetics are all used to determine risk and treatment, there is a knowledge gap of whether mental illness (MI) should also be considered. Therefore, this study seeks to determine whether hospitalizations of urologic cancers plus MIs are associated with increased all-cause mortality, length of hospital stay (LOS), costs of hospitalization and nosocomial infection rates. Methods: Inpatient data from 2016-2017 was obtained from the National Inpatient Sample database. This included all hospitalizations with at least one diagnosis of urologic cancer including prostate, bladder, kidney, renal pelvis, ureteral, urethral, testicular, and penile cancers. MIs of interest were depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and schizophrenia and related disorders. Data analysis and regression models were performed using SPSS Statistics. Reported odds ratios and significance values were controlled for Age, Sex, Income, Race, Insurance, Location, Mortality Risk, and Illness Severity. Results: There were 146,706 hospitalizations involving urologic cancers between 2016-2017. For these hospitalizations, depression and anxiety were associated with a decreased likelihood of death, and all MIs were associated with increased LOS. For hospitalizations involving prostate cancer, Depression and Substance Abuse were associated with decreased likelihood of death (all-causes). Hospitalizations involving kidney cancer had increased total charges and increased LOS. Hospitalizations involving bladder cancer were associated with decreased likelihood of death, and increased LOS for all MIs except, notably, those with substance abuse. Penile Cancer hospitalizations coded for anxiety showed increased LOS, and testicular cancer hospitalizations coded for substance abuse had increased likelihood of death. Conclusions: MIs can affect hospitalization outcomes of patients with urologic cancer differently based on the type of urologic cancer. Interestingly, our analysis showed that Depression was associated a decreased likelihood of death in hospitalizations coded for Prostate Cancer and Bladder Cancer. Though unexpected, we hypothesize that this finding may be partially due to implicit bias from healthcare providers that lead to enhanced care (e.g. increased patient monitoring, better support from auxiliary units such as Social Work). However, there is an absence of research in substantiating this claim. Further research is warranted to better assess the effect of Depression on the mortality of Urologic Cancer patients, and on how to best incorporate mental health status in the overall management of these patients.

Infective endocarditis (IE) complicated by heart block can have adverse outcomes and usually requires immediate surgical and cardiac interventions. Data on outcomes and trends in patients with IE with concurrent heart block are lacking. Patients with a primary diagnosis of IE with or without heart block were identified by querying the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project database, specifically the National Inpatient Sample for the years 2013 and 2014, based on International Classification of Diseases Clinical Modification Ninth Revision codes. During 2013 and 2014, a total of 18,733 patients were admitted with a primary diagnosis of IE, including 867 with concurrent heart blocks. Increased in-hospital mortality (13% vs 10.3%), length of stay (19 vs 14 days), and cost of care ($282,573 vs $223,559) were found for patients with IE complicated by heart block. Additionally, these patients were more likely to develop cardiogenic shock (8.9% vs 3.2%), acute kidney injury (40.1% vs 32.6%), and hematologic complications (19.3% vs 15.2%), and require placement of a pacemaker (30.6% vs 0.9%). IE and concurrent heart block resulted in increased requirement for aortic (25.7% vs 6.1%) and mitral (17.3% vs 4.2%) valvular replacements. Conclusion was made that IE with concurrent heart block worsens in-hospital mortality, length of stay, and cost for patients. Our analysis demonstrates an increase in cardiac procedures, specifically aortic and/or mitral valve replacements, and Implantable Cardiovascular Defibrillator/Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy/ Permanent Pacemaker (ICD/CRT/PPM) placement in IE with concurrent heart block. A close telemonitoring system and prompt interventions may represent a significant mitigation strategy to avoid the adverse outcomes observed in this study.

In mid-March 2003, as American military forces moved toward Baghdad, the U.S. Army replaced its "An Army of One" television recruiting ads with commercials evoking a tra dition of heroism and sacrifice. Sepia-toned close-ups of soldiers' faces fill the screen in "Victors." In "Creed," army unit crests proclaim "Not for Ourselves Alone" and "Ducit Amor Patriae," as elegiac music reminiscent of the soundtrack from Band of Brothers, an acclaimed tv miniseries about World War II, creates a powerful historical connection. Those commercials were light-years from the upbeat message of the recently retired re cruiting jingle "Be All You Can Be," or the grittier but slightly perplexing "An Army of One" campaign that had replaced it in 2001. The language of service and sacrifice, duty and honor, had been almost completely absent from army advertising since the begin ning of America's all-volunteer force. For the past three decades, the (primarily) peace time army had recruited with promises of individual opportunity: money for college, marketable skills, achievement, adventure, personal transformation. In the first moments of a controversial war, many of those promises sounded inappropriate, if not absurd.1 The army would soon enough return to its usual recruiting campaign?and as Opera tion Iraqi Freedom became an extended conflict, struggle to meet its recruiting goals. And the American public and its congressional representatives would debate the implications of fighting a war with an all-volunteer force instead of one based, at least in theory, on the

One day, the 1920s story goes, a young man came to call upon a city girl. When he arrived, she had her hat on. The punch line is completely lost on twenty-first-century readers, but people at the time would have gotten it. He came on a "call," expecting to sit in her parlor, be served some refreshments, perhaps listen to her play the piano. She expected to go out on a date. He, it is fairly safe to surmise, ended up spending a fair amount of money fulfilling her expectations (1). In fact, the unfortunate young man really should have known better. By 1924, when this story was current, "dating" had almost completely replaced "call ing" in middle-class American culture. The term appeared in The La dies' Home Journal, a bas tion of middle-class respectability, several times in 1914?set off by quotation marks, but with no explanation of its mean ing. One article, written in the then-exotic voice of a