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Background: Non-Vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) emerged as an alternative with comparable or superior efficacy and safety to vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) for stroke prevention in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (AF).Objectives: The aim of the current study was to investigate the patterns, predictors, timelines and temporal trends of shifting from VKAs to NOACs.Methods: In this retrospective observational study, the computerized database of a large healthcare provider in Israel, Maccabi Healthcare Services, was searched to identify patients with AF for whom either a VKA or NOAC was prescribed between 2012 and 2015. Time from diagnosis to therapy initiation and to shifting between therapies was evaluated.Results: Out of 6987 eligible AF incident patients, 2338 (33.4%) initiated treatment with a VKA and 2221 (31.7%) with a NOAC. In addition, 5259 prevalent patients were analyzed. During the study period, NOAC prescriptions proportion among the newly diagnosed cases increased from 32 to 68.4% (p for trend <  0.001). The median time from diagnosis to first dispensing was greater in NOAC than VKA and decreased among patients treated with NOAC during the study period (2012: 1.9 and 0.3 months, 2015: 0.7 and 0.2 months, respectively). During follow-up, 3737 (49%) patients (54.3% and 47.1% of the incident and prevalent cases, respectively), shifted from a VKA to a NOAC, after a median of 22 months and 39 months in the incident and prevalent cases, respectively, decreasing throughout the study period. Female gender, younger age, southern district, higher CHADS2 and CHA2DS2-VASC score, non-smoking, and treatment with antiplatelets were associated with a greater likelihood for therapy shift. Shifting from a NOAC to a VKA decreased over time from 8 to 4.5% in 2012 to 0.5% and 0.7% in 2015 in the incident and prevalent groups, p <  0.001 respectively.Conclusions: Shifting from VKA to NOAC occurred in 50% of the cases, more frequently among incident cases, and younger patients with greater stroke risk. Shifting from a NOAC to a VKA was much less frequent, yet it occurred more often in incident cases and decreased over time. A socially and economically sensitive program to optimize the initiation of OAC therapy upon diagnosis is warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a major increasing public health problem worldwide, with clinical and epidemiological differences between men and women. However, contemporary population-level data on incidence and survival are scarce. Aim: To evaluate sex-specific contemporary trends in the incidence, prevalence, and long-term survival of non-valvular AF in a real-world setting Methods: AF patients diagnosed between 2007–2015, insured by a large, state-mandated health organization in Israel (Maccabi Healthcare Services) were included. AF was diagnosed based on registered diagnoses. Patients with valvular disease, active malignancy, cardiac surgery ≤ 6 months, or recent pregnancy, were excluded. Annual incidence rate, period prevalence, and 5-year survival for each calendar year during the study period, were calculated. Results: A total of 15,409 eligible patients (8,288 males, 7,121 females) were identified. Males were more likely to be younger, have higher rates of underlying diseases (ischemic heart disease, heart failure, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), but with lower rates of hypertension and chronic kidney diseases as compared to female patients. During the study period, age-adjusted incidence decreased both in men: (-0.020/1,000-person year, p-for trend = 0.033) and, women (-0.025/1,000 person-year p = 0.009). The five-year survival rate was significantly higher among men vs. women (77.1% vs. 71.5%, respectively, p<0.001). Age-adjusted prevalence increased significantly among men (+0.102 per year, p-for trend<0.001) yet decreased among women (-0.082 per year, p-for trend = 0.005). A significant trend toward improved long-term survival was observed in women and not in men. Conclusions: The current study shows significant sex-related disparities in the incidence, prevalence, and survival of AF patients between 2007–2015; while the adjusted incidence of both has decreased over-time, prevalence and mortality decreased significantly only in women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New-onset atrial fibrillation (NOAF) during acute myocardial infarction (AMI) has significant consequences but is often misdiagnosed. The aim of the study was to evaluate predictors of NOAF throughout different phases of AMI. Patients with AMI admitted to a tertiary medical center were analyzed. Exclusion criteria were preexisting AF, AMI onset ≥24 hours prior to admission, in-hospital death, significant valvular disease, and in-hospital coronary artery bypass graft. Study population were AMI without-NOAF, early-AF (AF terminated within 24 hours of admission), and late-AF (beyond the first 24 hours). Overall 5946 patients were included, age: 64.8 ±14.8 years; 30% women. The incidence of NOAF was 4.6%: 1.6% early-AF, and 3% late-AF. Patients with NOAF comprised greater rate of women, cardiovascular risk-factors burden, severe left ventricular-dysfunction, pulmonary hypertension, valvular disorders, and left atrial enlargement compared with patients without-NOAF. Non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction and inferior-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) were significantly more prevalent among early-AF group, while anterior-STEMI, in late-AF. The final multivariate models showed c-statistics of 0.73 and 0.76 for the prediction of new-onset early-AF and late-AF, respectively. In conclusion, there are different clinical predictors of early- versus late-NOAF. The study points out "high risk" AMI population for more meticulous heart rate monitoring for NOAF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction& Objective: Recently we developed and internally-validated the Soroka Acute Myocardial Infarction (SAMI) Score for prediction of all-cause long-term mortality (c-statistic 0.83-0.94) among hospital-survivors of AMI. We aimed to perform an external-validation of the SAMI score for long-term risk-stratification of STEMI patients undergoing PCI.Methods& Settings: A prospective registry of 1273 STEMI patients treated using primary PCI and discharged alive from Rabin Medical Center in Israel between 2004 and 2014 (age 60.8 ± 12.5 years, 83% males) was utilized for the validation. Chi-square test and logistic regression were used for calibration, and c-statistic (ROC procedure) for discrimination assessment of the SAMI score.Results: All-cause mortality following one- and 5-years post-discharge was 3.8% and 8.1%, respectively. SAMI score values ranged between (-5) and (+15) points (median 2-points). In a univariate analysis the SAMI score variables were significantly associated with 1- and 5-years mortality. Higher SAMI score was associated with increased risk for dying: a one-point increase was associated with OR of 1.33 (95%CI: 1.24-1.42, p < 0.001) and 1.37 (95%CI: 1.29-1.44, p < 0.001) for 1- and 5-years mortality respectively. No statistically significant difference was found in the currently observed mortality rates by groups of SAMI score and the expected mortality rates as per the SAMI score index. The c-statistics were 0.82 and 0.83 for 1- and 5-year mortality, respectively.Conclusions: The SAMI score is a simple, robust and now also externally-validated prognostic tool for prediction of long-term all-cause mortality in hospital survivors of STEMI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Previous studies have documented gender–ethnic disparities in outcomes following acute myocardial infarction (AMI). This study evaluates such disparities in the Negev, Israel, and reviews potentially responsible mechanisms. Methods: Patients discharged with AMI were classified into young (<70 years), elders (≥70 years) and gender–ethnicity groups: Female Bedouins (FB), Female Jews (FJ), Male Bedouins (MB) and Male Jews (MJ). The primary outcome was 1-year all-cause mortality. Prognosis was assessed using Kaplan–Meier approach. Multivariable analyses assessing hazard ratios (HRs) for mortality were performed using the Cox proportional hazards regression models in two steps controlling for (i) the Ontario Acute Myocardial Infarction Mortality Prediction Rules (OAMIMPRs) and (ii) the OAMIMPR and additional potential confounders. Results: Of 2669 subjects, 45.8% were elders, 66.2% male and 10.9% Bedouin. The mortality rate was 12.3% (young 4.6%, elders 22%). Survival was significantly lower in FB compared with MB in the elderly stratum (P = 0.025). Multivariate analyses demonstrated similar risks for dying among the young. In the elders, the first multivariate analysis showed greater risk for mortality in FB. Using FB as the reference group, the HRs were as follows: HR(MB) = 0.36 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.14–0.9]; HR(FJ) = 0.5 (95% CI: 0.27–0.9) and HR(MJ) = 0.5 (95% CI: 0.28–0.91). In the second analysis, the HRs were as follows: HR(MB) = 0.37 (95% CI: 0.14–0.93); HR(FJ) = 0.58 (95% CI: 0.32–1.07) and HR(MJ) = 0.56 (95% CI: 0.31–1.03). Conclusions: Elderly FB have poor 1-year prognosis following AMI compared with MB, MJ and FJ when controlling for the OAMIMPR model, yet when controlling for other potential confounders the differences are of borderline significance in relation to Jewish subjects. A culturally and economically sensitive programme focusing on tertiary prevention in these patients is warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Ethnical disparities in presentation and outcomes following AMI were reported. We evaluated the temporal-trends of AMI hospitalizations and mortality of Bedouins (Muslims) and Jews in Israel. Methods Retrospective analysis of 15,352 AMI admissions (10,652 patients; 11.3% Bedouins, 88.7% Jews) throughout 2002–2012. The trends in admission rates (AR) were compared using direct age–sex adjustment. The trends of in-hospital mortality (IHM) and 1-year post-discharge mortality (PDM) were adjusted for the patients' characteristics. Results Bedouins were younger (61.7 ± 14.3 vs. 68.8 ± 13.7 years, p < 0.001), a higher rate of males. Different prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors was found. STEMI presentation, 3-vessel disease and PCI intervention were more frequently in Bedouins than Jews. Adjusted AR was lower among Jews (4.80/1000 and 3.24/1000 in 2002 and 2012 respectively) than in Bedouins (9.63/1000 and 5.13/1000). A significant decrease of adjusted AR was found in both ethnicities (p-for-trend < 0.001 both), greater in Bedouins (p-for-disparity = 0.017). The overall rate of IHM was higher for Jews (8.7% vs. 5.6%; p = 0.001). The decline of IHM was found in both groups: an increase of one-year resulted in AdjOR = 0.877; (p-for-trend < 0.001) and 0.910 (p-for-trend = 0.052) in Jews and Bedouins respectively (p-for-interaction = 0.793). The rates of PDM were higher for Jews (13.6% vs. 9.9%; p = 0.001). The risk for PDM increased in both groups: AdjOR = 1.118; (p-for-trend < 0.001) and 1.093; (p-for-trend = 0.012) for one-year increase, for Jews and Bedouins respectively (p-for-interaction = 0.927). Conclusions Throughout 2002–2012 Bedouin AMI patients differed from Jews. Adjusted incidence of AMI declined, greater in Bedouins. IHM declined and PDM increased in both groups. A culturally sensitive prevention program is warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a growing interest in transcutaneous aortic valve implantation (TAVI) therapy among patients with bicuspid severe aortic stenosis (BAV). Conduction disturbances remain a frequent complication of TAVI, and new-onset permanent LBBB (NOP-LBBB) post-TAVI may be a marker of worse outcomes. We aimed to evaluate the rate of NOP-LBBB following TAVI among patients with BAV as compared to tricuspid severe aortic stenosis (TAV). Patients enrolled in the multicenter (5 centers) Bicuspid AS TAVI Registry were reviewed and compared with patients with TAV. Patients with previous aortic valve replacement, other valve morphologies and those with preprocedural LBBB or pacemaker were excluded. NOP-LBBB was defined as LBBB first detected and persisting 30-days following TAVI. A total of 387 patients (66 with BAV, 321 with TAV), age 80.3 ± 7.3, 47% females were analyzed. The device success rates were 95% in both groups without any conversions to surgery. The rate of NOP-LBBB was significantly higher among patients with BAV versus TAV (29.2% vs 16.9%, p = 0.02). However, the rate of post procedural pacemaker implantation was similar (14.8% vs 12.5%; respectively, p = 0.62). In BAV and TAV groups, 1-year mortality (6.1% vs 7.2%; respectively, p = 0.75) and stroke rates (6.1% vs 3.5%; respectively, p = 0.30) were not significantly different. Multivariate analysis identified BAV as an independent predictor of NOP-LBBB (AdjOR = 2.7, 95%CI 1.3 to 5.4). Furthermore, BAV subtypes with raphe (type 1) were identified as independent predictors of NOP-LBBB (AdjOR = 3.2, 95%CI: 1.5 to 6.7). In conclusion, patients with BAV undergoing TAVI have greater risk for developing NOP-LBBB compared with patients with TAV and the presence of raphe was associated with increased risk of NOP-LBBB. The prognostic significance for this finding warrants further evaluation in future studies., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Guideline recommended medical therapy (GRMT) plays a pivotal role in improving long-term outcomes and healthcare burden of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients. We evaluated patients' adherence to GRMT following AMI and the association with long-term (up-to 10 years) mortality, healthcare resource utilization and costs., Methods: AMI patients hospitalized in a tertiary medical center in Israel that survived at least a year following post-discharge and enrolled in the two largest health plans were analyzed. Data were obtained from computerized medical records. Patients were defined as adherent when ≥80 % of the GRMT prescriptions were issue during the first post-discharge year. Hospitalizations, emergency department (ED) visits, primary care utilization and outpatient consulting clinic and other ambulatory services expenditure were calculated annually., Results: Overall 8287 patients qualified for the study (mean age 65.0 ± 13.6 years, 69.7 % males). Adherent patients (n = 1767, 21.3 %) were more likely to be younger, women and increased prevalence of most traditional cardiovascular risk factors. Throughout the follow-up, 2620 patients (31.6 %) died, 22.0 % versus 34.2 %, in the adherent vs. the non-adherent group (adjHR = 0.816, 95 % CI:0.730-0.913, p < 0.001). Reduced hospitalizations (adjOR = 0.783, p < 0.001), ED visits (adjOR = 0.895, p = 0.033), and costs (adjOR = 0.744, p < 0.001), yet increased primary clinics (adjOR = 2.173, p < 0.001) ambulatory (adjOR = 1.072, p = 0.018) and consultant (adjOR = 1.162, p < 0.001) visits, were observed., Conclusions: Adherence to GRMT following AMI is associated with decreased mortality, hospitalizations and costs., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest None., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) of unprotected left-main coronary artery (uLMCA) is increasingly performed. Although it is recommended to calculate the SYNTAX score, if uLMCA PCI is considered, data of outcomes by the SYNTAX score are scarce, particularly among patients with high score (SYNTAX ≥ 33)., Objective: To evaluate long-term outcomes of uLMCA PCI according to SYNTAX score in real-world practice., Methods: Patients following PCI of uLMCA throughout 2006-2018, in a tertiary hospital, were included and classified into three groups according to the SYNTAX I score. The primary outcome was three-year major adverse cardiac event (MACE) comprising all-cause mortality, myocardial infarction (MI), target vessel revascularization (TVR), or coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG)., Results: Overall 632 patients were analyzed, mean age 72.8 ± 11.5, males: 69%, classified as following: SYNTAX <22 (n = 225); SYNTAX 22-32 (n = 250) and SYNTAX ≥33 (n = 157). Patients with greater SYNTAX score had higher prevalence of diabetes mellitus, renal failure, peripheral arterial disease and stroke. Additionally, they had lower ejection fraction, greater EuroScore, and number of vessels involved. Procedural success rates were very high (>95%) and did not depend on the SYNTAX score. The rates of MACE and its components were significantly higher in patients with higher SYNTAX score. Multivariate analysis showed that SYNTAX score is an independent predictor of three-year MACE following uLMCA PCI [HRSYNTAX22-32 = 3 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.2-11.5), HRSYNTAX≥33 = 3.4 (95% CI: 1.8-13.3]., Conclusions: Despite the high success rates of uLMCA PCI in real-world patients with high SYNTAX score, the latter was significantly associated with worse three-year outcomes.

Background: Survivors of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) are at increased risk for recurrent cardiac events and tend to use excessive healthcare services, thus resulting in increased costs., Objectives: To evaluate the disparities in healthcare resource utilization and costs throughout a decade following a non-fatal AMI according to sex and ethnicity groups in Israel., Methods: A retrospective study included AMI patients hospitalized at Soroka University Medical Center during 2002-2012. Data were obtained from electronic medical records. Post-AMI annual length of hospital stay (LOS); number of visits to the emergency department (ED), primary care facilities, and outpatient consulting clinics; and costs were evaluated and compared according sex and ethnicity groups., Results: A total of 7685 patients (mean age 65.3 ± 13.6 years) were analyzed: 56.8% Jewish males (JM), 26.6% Jewish females (JF), 12.4% Bedouin males (BM), and 4.2% Bedouin females (BF). During the up-to 10-years follow-up (median 5.8 years), adjusted odds ratios [AdjOR] for utilizations of hospital-associated services were highest among BF (1.628 for LOS; 1.629 for ED visits), whereas AdjOR for utilization of community services was lowest in BF (0.722 for primary clinic, 0.782 for ambulatory, and 0.827 for consultant visits), compared with JM. The total cost of BF was highest among the study groups (AdjOR = 1.589, P < 0.01)., Conclusions: Long-term use of hospital-associated healthcare services and total costs were higher among Bedouins (especially BF), whereas utilization of ambulatory services was lower in these groups. Culturally and economically sensitive programs optimizing healthcare resources utilization and costs is warranted.

Background: Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is associated with greater utilization of healthcare resources and financial expenditure., Objectives: To evaluate temporal trends in healthcare resource utilization and costs following AMI throughout 2003-2015., Methods: AMI patients who survived the first year following hospitalization in a tertiary medical center (Soroka University Medical Center) throughout 2002-2012 were included and followed until 2015. Length of the in-hospital stay (LOS), emergency department (ED), primary care, outpatient consulting clinic visits and other ambulatory services, and their costs, were evaluated and compared annually over time., Results: Overall 8047 patients qualified for the current study; mean age 65.0 (SD = 13.6) years, 30.3% women. During follow-up, LOS and the number of primary care visits has decreased significantly. However, ED and consultant visits as well as ambulatory-services utilization has increased. Total costs have decreased throughout this period. Multivariate analysis, adjusted for potential confounders, showed as significant trend of decrease in LOS and ambulatory-services utilization, yet an increase in ED visits with no change in total costs., Conclusions: Despite a decline in utilization of most healthcare services throughout the investigated decade, healthcare expenditure has not changed. Further evaluation of the cost-effectiveness of long-term resource allocation following AMI is warranted. Nevertheless, we believe more intense ambulatory follow-up focusing on secondary prevention and early detection, as well as high-quality outpatient chest pain unit are warranted.

Background: Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is associated with significant systemic metabolic changes. These changes include increased plasma concentrations of counter-regulatory hormones and changes in potassium (K, mEq/L) and glucose (mg/dL) levels. The latter are associated with outcomes and investigated as potential focus for intervention; glucose-insulin‑potassium (GIK) solution., Objectives: To evaluate the associations of concomitant K and glucose (K/glucose) levels with in-hospital mortality in AMI patients., Methods: AMI patients hospitalized in a tertiary Medical Center through 2002-2012 were studied. K/glucose levels were divided into equally sized categories. The intermediate category (glucose 124-143 mg/dL, K 4-4.9 mEq/L) was the reference group. The associations of these tests with the outcome were assessed using Generalized Estimating Equations model which included the interaction of K and glucose levels, adjusted for the patient's baseline characteristics and other laboratory results., Results: 17,670 AMI admissions (mean age 67.8 ± 4.0 years, 66.6% males, mortality rate 7.7%) were included; 112,531 results of K/glucose tests were recorded. Univariate and multivariate analyses showed that K/glucose levels were significantly associated with in-hospital mortality, with highest risk being in patients with concomitant low K (<3.7 mEq/L) and high glucose (≥217 mg/dL), adjOR = 2.53. It seems that low-normal glucose levels attenuate the increased risk associated with low K., Conclusions: The highest independent risk for mortality is found with low K and concomitant high glucose levels. Additional studies evaluating mechanisms and therapeutic interventions in K/glucose levels in this setting are warranted., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Conclusions: The last decade, patients with AMI became older with increased burden of CVRFs. Framingham risk score increased among patients with NSTEMI and decreased in patients with STEMI. These trends impact on risk stratification and secondary prevention programs.

Objective: Abnormalities in sodium homeostasis are common in hospitalized patients. Hyponatremia upon admission is a poor prognostic marker in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients. However, little is known about the association between changes in sodium levels and in-hospital mortality. We delineated changes in sodium levels and studied the association of such changes with in-hospital mortality of AMI patients., Methods: Retrospective analysis of AMI patients hospitalized for > 6 days. Sodium levels throughout the 6-day post-admission were divided into five equally sized groups (quintiles = Q) and thereafter categorized as follows: Q1 (< 135 mEq/L), Q2-Q4 (135-140 mEq/L, reference group), and Q5 (≥141 mEq/L)., Primary Outcome: in-hospital mortality., Results: A total of 8306 patients (10,416 admissions) were included (mean age 67.8 ± 14.0 years, 33.4% women, 45.5% STEMI). In-hospital mortality was 6.6%. Q1 and Q5 upon admission were both related to higher risk for in-hospital mortality, compared with the reference group (OR 1.47 and OR 1.33, respectively, p < 0.001 each). Q1 was more frequent in non-survivors throughout the entire study period, while the prevalence of Q5 levels was similar in survivors and non-survivors upon admission carrying increasing mortality risk thereafter: for Q1 consistent OR 1.50, while for Q5 it, increased from OR 1.32 upon admission to OR 1.90 on the sixth day, p < 0.001., Conclusions: Low and high sodium levels are associated with increased risk for in-hospital mortality in patients with AMI. The risk is unchanged for hyponatremia, while it consistently increases for increased sodium levels.

Background: Catastrophic life events are associated with the occurrence of cardiovascular incidents and worsening of the clinical course followirg-such events., Objectives: To evaluate the characteristics and long-term prognosis of Holocaust survivors presenting with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) compared to non-Holocaust survivors., Methods: Israeli Jews who were born before 1941 and had been admitted to a tertiary medical center due to AMI during the period 2002-2012 were studied. Holocaust survivors were compared with non-Holocaust survivor controls using individual age matching., Results: Overall 305 age-matched pairs were followed for up to 10 years after AMI. We found a higher prevalence of depression (5.9% vs. 3.3%, P = 0.045) yet a similar rate of cardiovascular risk factors, non-cardiovascular co-morbidity, severity of coronary artery disease, and in-hospital complications in survivors compared to controls. Throughout the follow-up period, similar mortality rates (62.95% vs. 63.9%, P = 0.801) and reduced cumulative mortality (0.9 vs. 0.96, HR = 0.780, 95% CI 0.636-0.956, P = 0.016) were found among survivors compared to age-matched controls, respectively. However, in a multivariate analysis survival was not found to be an independent predictor of mortality, although some tendency towards reduced mortality was seen (AdjHR = 0.84, 95% CI 0.68-1.03, P = 0.094). Depression disorder was associated with a 77.9% increase in the risk for mortality., Conclusions: Holocaust survivors presenting with AMI were older and had a higher prevalence of depression than controls. No. excessive, and possibly even mildly improved, risk of mortality.was observed in survivors compared with controls presenting with AMI. Possibly, specific traits that are associated with surviving catastrophic events counter the excess risk of such events following AMI.

Background: Prolonged working hours and sleep deprivation can exert negative effects on professional performance and health., Objectives: To assess the relationship between sleep deprivation, key metabolic markers, and professional performance in medical residents., Methods: We compared 35 residents working the in-house night shift with 35 senior year medical students in a cross-sectional cohort study. The Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) questionnaire was administered and blood tests for complete blood count (CBC), blood chemistry panel, lipid profile and C-reactive protein (CRP) were obtained from all participants., Results: Medical students and medical residents were comparable demographically except for age, weekly working hours, reported weight gain, and physical activity. The ESS questionnaires indicated a significantly higher and abnormal mean score and higher risk of falling asleep during five of eight daily activities among medical residents as compared with medical students. Medical residents had lower high density lipoprotein levels, a trend towards higher triglyceride levels and higher monocyte count than did medical students. CRP levels and other laboratory tests were normal and similar in both groups. Among the residents, 5 (15%) were involved in a car accident during residency, and 63% and 49% reported low professional performance and judgment levels after the night shift, respectively., Conclusions: Medical residency service was associated with increased sleepiness, deleterious lifestyle changes, poorer lipid profile, mild CBC changes, and reduced professional performance and judgment after working the night shift. However, no significant changes were observed in CRP or in blood chemistry panel. Larger prospective cohort studies are warranted to evaluate the dynamics in sleepiness and metabolic factors overtime.

Background: As the lowest natural site on earth (-415 meters), the Dead Sea is unique for its high pressure and oxygen tension in addition to the unparalleled combination of natural resources. Furthermore, its balneotherapeutic resorts have been reported to be beneficial for patients with various chronic diseases., Objectives: To evaluate the safety, quality of life (QoL), exercise capacity, heart failure, and arrhythmia parameters in patients with systolic congestive heart failure (SCHF) and implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) following descent and stay at the Dead Sea., Methods: The study group comprised patients with SCHF, New York Heart Association functional class II-III after ICD implantation. The following parameters were tested at sea level one week prior to the descent, during a 4 day stay at the Dead Sea, and one week after return: blood pressure, 02 saturation, ejection fraction (echocardiography), weight, B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), arrhythmias, heart rate, heart rate variability (HRV), and QoL assessed by the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure questionnaire., Results: We evaluated 19 patients, age 65.3 +/- 9.6 years, of whom 16 (84%) were males and 18 (95%) had ICD-cardiac resynchronization therapy. The trip to and from and the stay at the Dead Sea were uneventful and well tolerated. The QoL score improved by 11 points, and the 6 minute walk increased by 63 meters (P < 0.001). BNP levels increased slightly with no statistical significance. The HRV decreased (P = 0.018). There were no significant changes in blood pressure, weight, 02 saturation or ejection fraction., Conclusions: Descent to, ascent from, and stay at a Dead Sea resort are safe and might be beneficial in some aspects for patients with SCHF and an ICD.

Introduction: Atrial fibrillation (AF) and atrial flutter (AFL) are clinically and electrocardiographically similar. However, considering significant therapeutic differences, differentiation of these 2 arrhythmias is essential. Our aims were to evaluate the misdiagnosis rate among electrocardiograms (ECGs) interpreted as AF or AFL by internists and to describe the factors that could be responsible for the misinterpretation., Methods: We evaluated patients discharged with a diagnosis of AF or AFL from internal medicine wards of a tertiary referral center. The reanalysis of the ECGs was performed by 2 senior cardiologists (1 electrophysiologist), blinded to the primary analysis and patient's clinical data., Results: The ECGs of 44 of 268 (16%) patients were misinterpreted and consisted of: 25 (57%) AFL, 5 (11%) SVT, 7 (16%) sinus rhythm with premature atrial beats and 7 (16%) AF. The baseline diagnosis was correct in 212 of 246 (86%) for AF and 12 of 22 (55%) for AFL, P < 0.001. A significantly higher rate of AFL was misdiagnosed compared with AF [25 of 37 (68%) versus 7 of 219 (3%), respectively; P < 0.001], higher in atypical than typical AFL [16 of 20 (80%) versus 9 of 17 (53%), respectively; P = 0.07]. Reduced quality ECGs was found more often among the incorrectly than the correctly diagnosed ECGs (P < 0.001]., Conclusions: ECGs, interpreted as AF or AFL by internists, are often misdiagnosed. AFL was misdiagnosed more often than AF, with atypical more often than typical AFL. Consulting with a cardiologist and applying diagnostic criteria may reduce misdiagnosis.

Objectives: To evaluate the prognostic significance of early ultra-short-term heart rate variability (HRV) measurement in patients admitted for ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI)., Methods: HRV was calculated retrospectively from the standard admission and discharge 10-second ECG of 196 consecutive patients with STEMI. Reduced HRV was defined as standard deviation of N-N intervals (SDNN) <9.5 (25th percentile). Data regarding all end points were obtained 2 years after discharge for all patients., Results: Patients' age was 60.9 +/- 13 years and 21% were female. Admission SDNN was lower than discharge SDNN (20.2 +/- 18 vs. 34.2 +/- 31.1, respectively; p = 0.001). Admission and discharge SDNN positively correlated with survival (r = 0.16, p = 0.03 and r = 0.15, p = 0.04, respectively), but were not predictive of other cardiovascular end points. Reduced admission SDNN was associated with increased mortality at 1 and 6 months, and 1 and 2 years after admission, while discharge SDNN was associated only with 1- and 2-year mortality. Using multivariate analysis, adjusted for potential confounders, admission SDNN <9.5 was found to be an independent risk factor for 2-year mortality (odds ratio = 2.9, 95% confidence interval = 1.12-7.56; p = 0.028)., Conclusions: Reduced HRV, recorded from admission and discharge ECG, appears to be a significant and independent predictor of all-cause mortality in patients with STEMI.

Background: Syncope is a common clinical problem that often remains undiagnosed despite extensive and expensive diagnostic evaluation., Objectives: To assess the diagnostic evaluation, costs and prognosis of patients hospitalized for syncope in a tertiary referral center according to discharge diagnosis., Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients with a diagnosis of syncope discharged from a tertiary referral center in 1999. In addition, mortality data were obtained retrospectively a year after discharge for each patient., Results: The study group comprised 376 patients. Discharge etiologies were as follows: vasovagal 26.6%, cardiac 17.3%, neurological 4.3%, metabolic 0.5%, unexplained 47.3%, and other 4%. A total of 345 patients were admitted to the internal medicine department, 28 to the intensive cardiac care unit, and 3 to the neurology department. Cardiac and neurological tests were performed more often than other tests, with a higher yield in patients with cardiac and neurological etiologies respectively. The mean evaluation cost was 11,210 +/- 8133 NIS, and was higher in the ICCU than in internal medicine wards (19,210 +/- 11,855 vs. 10,443 +/- 7314 NIS, respectively; P = 0.0015). Mean in-hospital stay was 4.9 +/- 4.2 days, which was longer in the ICCU than in medicine wards (7.2 +/- 5.6 vs. 4.6 +/- 3.5 days, respectively; P = 0.024). Short-term mortality rates (30 days after discharge) and long-term mortality rates (1 year after discharge) were 1.9% and 8.8% respectively, and differed according to discharge etiology. LTM rates were significantly higher in patients discharged with cardiac, neurological and unknown etiologies (not for vasovagal), compared with the general population of Israel (1 year mortality rate for the age-adjusted [65 years] general population = 2.2%). The LTM rate was higher in patients discharged with a cardiac etiology than in those with a non-cardiac etiology (15.4% vs. 7.4%, P = 0.04). Higher short and long-term mortality rates were associated with higher evaluation costs., Conclusions: Hospitalization in a tertiary referral center for syncope is associated with increased mortality for most etiologies (except vasovagal), cardiac more than non-cardiac. Despite high costs of inpatient evaluation, associated with more diagnostic tests, longer in-hospital stay and higher mortality rates, nearly half of the patients were discharged undiagnosed. Outpatient evaluation should be considered when medically possible.