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Opioid use is associated with unintentional and intentional overdose and is one of the leading causes of emergency room visits and accidental deaths. However, the association between opioid abuse/dependence and outcomes in hospitalized patients has not been well studied. Congestive heart failure (HF) is the fourth most common cause of hospitalization in the United States. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of opioid abuse/dependence on outcomes in patients hospitalized with HF. We queried the 2002-2010 Nationwide Inpatient Sample databases to identify all patients aged 18 years and older admitted with the primary diagnosis of HF. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to compare the frequency of hospital-acquired conditions (HACs) and in-hospital mortality between patients with and without a history of opioid abuse/dependence. Of 9,993,240 patients with HF, 29,014 had a history of opioid abuse or dependence. Opioid abusers/dependents were likely to be younger men of poor socioeconomic background with self pay or Medicaid as their primary payer. They had a lower prevalence of dyslipidemia, diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, prior myocardial infarction, and peripheral vascular disease (P < 0.001 for all). They were more likely to be smokers and have chronic pulmonary disease, depression, liver disease, and obesity (P < 0.001 for all). Patients with a history of opioid abuse/dependence had lower incidence of HACs (14.8% vs. 16.5%, adjusted odds ratio: 0.71, P < 0.001) and lower in-hospital mortality (1.3% vs. 3.6%, adjusted odds ratio: 0.64, P < 0.001) as compared with patients without prior opioid abuse/dependence. In conclusion, among adult patients aged 18 years and older hospitalized with HF, opioid abuse/dependence was associated with lower frequency of HACs and lower in-hospital mortality.

Objectives The purpose of this study was to determine the association of complete heart block (CHB) with outcomes and to examine temporal trends in the incidence and outcomes of CHB complicating ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Background There are limited data available on the incidence and outcomes of CHB in STEMI patients who undergo contemporary management. Methods We used the 2003 to 2012 National Inpatient Sample databases to identify all patients age ≥18 years hospitalized with STEMI. Patients with a concomitant diagnosis of CHB were then identified. Multivariable logistic regression was used to analyze the association of CHB with outcomes and to examine the temporal trends in incidence and outcomes of CHB complicating STEMI. Results Of 2,273,853 patients with STEMI, 49,882 (2.2%) had CHB. The incidence of CHB increased from 2.1% in 2003 to 2.3% in 2012 (adjusted odds ratio [OR] per year: 1.02; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.02 to 1.03). STEMI patients with CHB had higher in-hospital mortality than those without CHB (20.4% vs. 8.7%; adjusted OR: 2.47; 95% CI: 2.41 to 2.53). The higher mortality associated with CHB was independent of the location of STEMI; however, the magnitude of this association was greatest in patients with anterior STEMI. In patients with CHB complicating STEMI, although permanent pacemaker implantation rates declined (adjusted OR per year: 0.96; 95% CI: 0.95 to 0.97), in-hospital mortality remained unchanged during the study period (adjusted OR per year: 1.00; 95% CI: 0.99 to 1.01). Conclusions The incidence of CHB complicating STEMI has increased slightly over the last decade, although the absolute incidence remains quite low. CHB remains associated with higher in-hospital mortality in STEMI patients even in the current era of prompt reperfusion therapy. In patients with CHB complicating STEMI, there was no change in risk-adjusted in-hospital mortality during the study period.

Background Referral rates and outcomes of cardiac rehabilitation have not been evaluated in patients with transcatheter aortic valve replacement or compared with surgical aortic valve replacement. Method A retrospective cohort study was conducted in 488 patients who underwent transcatheter aortic valve replacement ( n = 199) and surgical aortic valve replacement ( n = 289) from a university-based statewide transcatheter aortic valve replacement/surgical aortic valve replacement program during 2015–2017. Cardiac rehabilitation consisted of supervised exercise, diet education, and stress and depression management. We compared changes from baseline in exercise duration and intensity during cardiac rehabilitation sessions, quality-of-life (36-Item Short-Form Health Survey), and psychosocial measures (anxiety, depression, mood, social support, and diet) between transcatheter aortic valve replacement and surgical aortic valve replacement patients using t-test and chi-square analyses. Results Of 488 patients, cardiac rehabilitation referral rates were similar at 41% (transcatheter aortic valve replacement 81/199 versus surgical aortic valve replacement 117/289), but enrollment rates were lower in transcatheter aortic valve replacement (27/199, 14%) versus surgical aortic valve replacement (102/289, 35%, p Conclusion Cardiac rehabilitation enrollment was low in transcatheter aortic valve replacement patients versus surgical aortic valve replacement patients despite similar referral rates. Improvement in functional and quality-of-life performance was achieved in both transcatheter aortic valve replacement and surgical aortic valve replacement. Future studies should address obstacles for enrollment of transcatheter aortic valve replacement patients.

Peripheral arterial disease is an important predictor of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Patients with peripheral arterial disease are at a higher risk of myocardial infarction and stroke. The well-known coronary artery disease risk factors such as diabetes, hypertension, smoking and dyslipidemia are also risk factors for peripheral arterial disease. Hyperglycemia is an important mediator in the pathogenesis of this disease in diabetics, more so in women. The morbidity and poor outcomes associated with peripheral arterial disease in women are emerging. Women are more likely to present at an older age are often asymptomatic and have poorer outcomes with revascularization. Women experience specific sex-related challenges in the various diagnostic methods which could lead to a delay in diagnosis. This is a group which needs close attention and aggressive risk factor modification.

Background— Regional variation in the incidence and outcomes of in-hospital cardiac arrest (IHCA) is not well studied and may have important health and policy implications. Methods and Results— We used the 2003 to 2011 Nationwide Inpatient Sample databases to identify patients ≥18 years of age who underwent cardiopulmonary resuscitation ( International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Edition, Clinical Modification procedure codes 99.60 and 99.63) for IHCA. Regional differences in IHCA incidence, survival to hospital discharge, and resource use (total hospital cost and discharge disposition among survivors) were analyzed. Of 838 465 patients with IHCA, 162 270 (19.4%) were in the Northeast, 159 581 (19.0%) were in the Midwest, 316 201 (37.7%) were in the South, and 200 413 (23.9%) were in the West. Overall IHCA incidence in the United States was 2.85 per 1000 hospital admissions. IHCA incidence was lowest in the Midwest and highest in the West (2.33 and 3.73 per 1000 hospital admissions, respectively). Compared with the Northeast, risk-adjusted survival to discharge was significantly higher in the Midwest (odds ratio, 1.33; 95% confidence interval, 1.31–1.36), South (odds ratio, 1.21; 95% confidence interval, 1.19–1.23), and West (odds ratio, 1.25; 95% confidence interval, 1.23–1.27). IHCA survival increased significantly from 2003 to 2011 in the United States and in all regions (all P trend Conclusions— We observed significant regional variation in IHCA incidence, survival, and resource use in the United States. This variation was explained only partially by differences in patient and hospital characteristics. Further studies are needed to identify other potential factors responsible for these regional differences to improve outcomes after IHCA.

Introduction. Infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair warrants lifelong surveillance. Secondary aortic intervention (SAI) outcomes may be affected by the therapeutic approach. We compared short- and long-term mortality in patients who underwent SAIs after initial aortic repair, either endovascular (EVAR) or open. Methods. Patients who underwent AAA repair between 1986 and 2010 were retrospectively identified in a vascular surgery database as well as those who underwent SAIs. All-cause mortality and Kaplan-Meier survival curves were calculated. Results. We identified 149 patients who underwent either open AAA repair or EVAR followed by open or endovascular SAI. Seventy-seven patients (51.7%) underwent initial EVAR while 72 patients (48.3%) underwent open repair. Sixty (78%) initial EVAR patients underwent secondary EVAR while 17 (22%) patients had an open SAI. Initial open repair patients were evenly distributed between EVAR and open SAIs. Compared to EVAR, patients who underwent initial open repair had longer intervals between primary aortic interventions (PAIs) and SAIs. Multivariable-adjusted all-cause mortality was significantly higher for patients who underwent initial open AAA repair followed by EVAR when compared to patients who underwent endovascular PAI and SAI. Conclusion. Long-term mortality in patients with infrarenal aortic aneurysms who require SAI may be improved by an EVAR-first algorithm.

Background The prevalence and contemporary trends of pre–heart transplantation (HT) coagulopathy and associated clinical outcomes have not been studied from a national database. Hypothesis Pre-HT coagulopathy is associated with increased in-hospital mortality. Methods Among 2454 adult HT recipients from the 2003 to 2010 Nationwide Inpatient Sample databases, 707 (29%) had pre-HT coagulopathy (defined as a comorbidity variable, based on International Classification of Diseases, Ninthe Revision, Clinical Modification and Diagnosis Related Group codes). We used propensity scores for coagulopathy to assemble a matched cohort of 664 pairs of patients with and without coagulopathy balanced in 54 baseline characteristics. Results The prevalence of pre-HT coagulopathy increased from 17% in 2003 to 44% in 2010 (P for trend

There is a paucity of data regarding the complications and in-hospital mortality after catheter ablation for ventricular tachycardia (VT) in patients with ischemic heart disease.The purpose of this study was to determine the temporal trends in utilization, in-hospital mortality, and complications of catheter ablation of postinfarction VT in the United States.We used the 2002-2011 Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) database to identify all patients ≥18 years of age with a primary diagnosis of VT (International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Edition, Clinical Modification [ICD-9-CM] code 427.1) and who also had a secondary diagnosis of prior history of myocardial infarction (ICD-9-CM 412). Patients with supraventricular arrhythmias were excluded. Patients who underwent catheter ablation were identified using ICD-9-CM procedure code 37.34. Temporal trends in catheter ablation, in-hospital complications, and in-hospital mortality were analyzed.Of 81,539 patients with postinfarct VT, 4653 (5.7%) underwent catheter ablation. Utilization of catheter ablation increased significantly from 2.8% in 2002 to 10.8% in 2011 (Ptrend.001). The overall rate of any in-hospital complication was 11.2% (523/4653), with vascular complications in 6.9%, cardiac in 4.3%, and neurologic in 0.5%. In-hospital mortality was 1.6% (75/4653). From 2002 to 2011, there was no significant change in the overall complication rates (8.4% to 10.2%, Ptrend = .101; adjusted odds ratio [per year] 1.02, 95% confidence interval 0.98-1.06) or in-hospital mortality (1.3% to 1.8%, Ptrend = .266; adjusted odds ratio [per year] 1.03, 95% confidence interval 0.92-1.15).The utilization rate of catheter ablation as therapy for postinfarct VT has steadily increased over the past decade. However, procedural complication rates and in-hospital mortality have not changed significantly during this period.

Background Regional differences in the treatment and outcomes of patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) within the United States remain poorly understood. Hypothesis Treatment choice and outcomes in patients with STEMI differ between regions within the United States. Methods We used the 2003 to 2010 Nationwide Inpatient Sample databases to identify all patients age ≥40 years hospitalized with STEMI. Patients were divided into 4 groups according to region: Northeast, Midwest, South, and West. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify differences in treatment choice and outcomes (in-hospital mortality, acute stroke, and cardiogenic shock) among the 4 regions. Results Of 1 990 486 patients age ≥40 years with STEMI, 350 073 (17.6%) were hospitalized in the Northeast, 483 323 (24.3%) in the Midwest, 784 869 (39.4%) in the South, and 372 222 (18.7%) in the West. Compared with the Northeast, patients in the Midwest, South, and West were less likely to receive medical therapy alone and more likely to receive percutaneous coronary intervention and coronary artery bypass grafting. Risk-adjusted in-hospital mortality was higher in the Midwest (odds ratio [OR]: 1.07, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.05-1.09, P

Whether prediabetes is an independent risk factor for incident heart failure (HF) in non-diabetic older adults remains unclear.Of the 4602 Cardiovascular Health Study participants, age≥65 years, without baseline HF and diabetes, 2157 had prediabetes, defined as fasting plasma glucose (FPG) 100-125 mg/dL. Propensity scores for prediabetes, estimated for each of the 4602 participants, were used to assemble a cohort of 1421 pairs of individuals with and without prediabetes, balanced on 44 baseline characteristics.Participants had a mean age of 73 years, 57% were women, and 13% African American. Incident HF occurred in 18% and 20% of matched participants with and without prediabetes, respectively (hazard ratio {HR} associated with prediabetes, 0.90; 95% confidence interval {CI}, 0.76-1.07; p=0.239). Unadjusted and multivariable-adjusted HRs (95% CIs) for incident HF associated with prediabetes among 4602 pre-match participants were 1.22 (95% CI, 1.07-1.40; p=0.003) and 0.98 (95% CI, 0.85-1.14; p=0.826), respectively. Among matched individuals, prediabetes had no independent association with incident acute myocardial infarction (HR, 1.02; 95% CI, 0.81-1.28; p=0.875), angina pectoris (HR, 0.93; 95% CI, 0.77-1.12; p=0.451), stroke (HR, 0.86; 95% CI, 0.70-1.06; p=0.151) or all-cause mortality (HR, 0.99; 95% CI, 0.88-1.11; p=0.840).We found no evidence that prediabetes is an independent risk factor for incident HF, other cardiovascular events or mortality in community-dwelling older adults. These findings question the wisdom of routine screening for prediabetes in older adults and targeted interventions to prevent adverse outcomes in older adults with prediabetes.

Background The role of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors in patients with heart failure and preserved ejection fraction remains unclear. Methods Of the 10,570 patients aged ≥65 years with heart failure and preserved ejection fraction (≥40%) in the Organized Program to Initiate Lifesaving Treatment in Hospitalized Patients With Heart Failure (2003-2004) linked to Medicare (through December 2008), 7304 were not receiving angiotensin receptor blockers and had no contraindications to ACE inhibitors. After excluding 3115 patients with pre-admission ACE inhibitor use, the remaining 4189 were eligible for new discharge prescriptions for ACE inhibitors, and 1706 received them. Propensity scores for the receipt of ACE inhibitors, calculated for each of the 4189 patients, were used to assemble a cohort of 1337 pairs of patients, balanced on 114 baseline characteristics. Results Matched patients had a mean age of 81 years and mean ejection fraction of 55%, 64% were women, and 9% were African American. Initiation of ACE inhibitor therapy was associated with a lower risk of the primary composite end point of all-cause mortality or heart failure hospitalization during 2.4 years of median follow-up (hazard ratio [HR], 0.91; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.84-0.99; P = .028), but not with individual end points of all-cause mortality (HR, 0.96; 95% CI, 0.88-1.05; P = .373) or heart failure hospitalization (HR, 0.93; 95% CI, 0.83-1.05; P = .257). Conclusion In hospitalized older patients with heart failure and preserved ejection fraction not receiving angiotensin receptor blockers, discharge initiation of ACE inhibitor therapy was associated with a modest improvement in the composite end point of total mortality or heart failure hospitalization but had no association with individual end point components.

Background Prior studies have found that smokers undergoing thrombolytic therapy for ST ‐segment elevation myocardial infarction have lower in‐hospital mortality than nonsmokers, a phenomenon called the “smoker's paradox.” Evidence, however, has been conflicting regarding whether this paradoxical association persists in the era of primary percutaneous coronary intervention. Methods and Results We used the 2003–2012 National Inpatient Sample databases to identify all patients aged ≥18 years who underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention for ST ‐segment elevation myocardial infarction. Multivariable logistic regression was used to compare in‐hospital mortality between smokers (current and former) and nonsmokers. Of the 985 174 patients with ST ‐segment elevation myocardial infarction undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention, 438 954 (44.6%) were smokers. Smokers were younger, were more often men, and were less likely to have traditional vascular risk factors than nonsmokers. Smokers had lower observed in‐hospital mortality compared with nonsmokers (2.0% versus 5.9%; unadjusted odds ratio 0.32, 95% CI 0.31–0.33, P CI 0.58–0.62, P P P OR 0.78, 95% CI 0.76–0.81, P Conclusions In this nationwide cohort of patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention for ST ‐segment elevation myocardial infarction, we observed significantly lower risk‐adjusted in‐hospital mortality in smokers, suggesting that the smoker's paradox also applies to ST ‐segment elevation myocardial infarction patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention.

Tobacco smoking is a risk factor for atrial fibrillation (AF), but little is known about the impact of smoking in patients with AF. Of the 4060 patients with recurrent AF in the Atrial Fibrillation Follow-up Investigation of Rhythm Management (AFFIRM) trial, 496 (12%) reported having smoked during the past two years. Propensity scores for smoking were estimated for each of the 4060 patients using a multivariable logistic regression model and were used to assemble a matched cohort of 487 pairs of smokers and nonsmokers, who were balanced on 46 baseline characteristics. Cox and logistic regression models were used to estimate the associations of smoking with all-cause mortality and all-cause hospitalization, respectively, during over 5 years of follow-up. Matched participants had a mean age of 70 ± 9 years (± S.D.), 39% were women, and 11% were non-white. All-cause mortality occurred in 21% and 16% of matched smokers and nonsmokers, respectively (when smokers were compared with nonsmokers, hazard ratio = HR = 1.35; 95% confidence interval = 95% CI = 1.01–1.81; p = 0.046). Unadjusted, multivariable-adjusted and propensity-adjusted HR (95% CI) for all-cause mortality associated with smoking in the pre-match cohort were: 1.40 (1.13–1.72; p = 0.002), 1.45 (1.16–1.81; p = 0.001), and 1.39 (1.12–1.74; p = 0.003), respectively. Smoking had no association with all-cause hospitalization (when smokers were compared with nonsmokers, odds ratio = OR = 1.21; 95% CI = 0.94–1.57, p = 0.146). Among patients with AF, a recent history of smoking was associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality, but had no association with all-cause hospitalization.

In the Beta-Blocker Evaluation of Survival Trial (BEST), systolic blood pressure (SBP) ≤ 120 mm Hg was an independent predictor of poor prognosis in ambulatory patients with chronic systolic heart failure (HF). Because SBP is an important predictor of response to β-blocker therapy, the BEST protocol prespecified a post hoc analysis to determine whether the effect of bucindolol varied by baseline SBP.In the BEST, 2706 patients with chronic systolic (left ventricular ejection fraction35%) HF and New York Heart Association class III (92%) or IV (8%) symptoms and receiving standard background therapy were randomized to receive either bucindolol (n = 1354) or placebo (n = 1354). Of these, 1751 had SBP ≤ 120 mm Hg, and 955 had SBP120 mm Hg at baseline.Among patients with SBP120 mm Hg, all-cause mortality occurred in 28% and 22% of patients receiving placebo and bucindolol, respectively (hazard ratio when bucindolol was compared with placebo, 0.77; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.59-0.99; P = 0.039). In contrast, among those with SBP ≤ 120 mm Hg, 36% and 35% of patients in the placebo and bucindolol groups died, respectively (hazard ratio, 0.95; 95% CI, 0.81-1.12; P = 0.541). Hazard ratios (95% CIs; P values) for HF hospitalization associated with bucindolol use were 0.70 (0.56-0.89; P = 0.003) and 0.82 (0.71-0.95; P = 0.008) for patients with SBP120 and ≤ 120 mm Hg, respectively.Bucindolol, a nonselective β-blocker with weak α(2)-blocking properties, significantly reduced HF hospitalization in systolic HF patients regardless of baseline SBP. However, bucindolol reduced mortality only in those with SBP120 mm Hg.

Reduced right ventricular ejection fraction (RVEF) is associated with poor outcomes in patients with chronic systolic heart failure (HF). Although most HF patients are older adults, little is known about the relationship between low RVEF and outcomes in older adults with systolic HF.Of the 2008 Beta-Blocker Evaluation of Survival Trial (BEST) participants with systolic HF (left ventricular ejection fraction ≤ 35%) 822 were ≥ 65 years and had data on baseline RVEF estimated by gated-equilibrium radionuclide ventriculography. Using RVEF ≥ 40% (n = 308) as reference, we examined association of RVEF 30-39% (n = 214), 20-29% (n = 206) and20% (n = 94) with outcomes using Cox regression models.All-cause mortality occurred in 36%, 40%, 39% and 56% of patients with RVEF ≥ 40%, 30-39%, 20-29% and20% respectively. Compared with RVEF ≥ 40%, unadjusted hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for all-cause mortality associated with RVEF 30-39%, 20-29% and20% were 1.19 (0.90-1.57; P = 0.220), 1.13 (0.84-1.51; P = 0.423) and 1.97 (1.43-2.73; P0.001) respectively. Respective multivariable-adjusted HR's (95% CI's) for all-cause mortality were 1.19 (0.88-1.60; P = 0.261), 1.00 (0.73-1.39; P = 0.982) and 1.70 (1.14-2.53; P = 0.009). Adjusted HR's (95% CI's) associated with RVEF20% (versus ≥ 40%) for cardiovascular mortality and HF mortality were 1.79 (1.17-2.76; P = 0.008) and 1.97 (1.02-3.83; P = 0.045) respectively. RVEF had no independent association with sudden cardiac death, all-cause or HF hospitalization.Abnormally low RVEF is a significant independent predictor of mortality, but not of HF hospitalization, in older adults with systolic HF.

Older age is an independent predictor of all-cause mortality in patients with mild to moderate heart failure (HF). Whether older age is also an independent predictor of mortality in patients with more advanced HF is unknown.Of the 2707 Beta-Blocker Evaluation of Survival Trial (BEST) participants with ambulatory chronic HF (New York Heart Association class III/IV and left ventricular ejection fraction35%), 1091 were elderly (≥ 65 years). Propensity scores for older age, estimated for each of the 2707 patients, were used to assemble a cohort of 603 pairs of younger and older patients, balanced on 66 baseline characteristics.All-cause mortality occurred in 33% and 36% of younger and older matched patients respectively during 4 years of follow-up (hazard ratio {HR} associated with age ≥ 65 years, 1.05; 95% confidence interval {CI}, 0.87-1.27; P=0.614). HF hospitalization occurred in 38% and 40% of younger and older matched patients respectively (HR, 1.01; 95% CI, 0.84-1.21; P=0.951). Among 603 pairs of unmatched and unbalanced patients, all-cause mortality occurred in 28% and 36% of younger and older patients respectively (HR, 1.34; 95% CI, 1.10-1.64; P=0.004) and HF hospitalization occurred in 34% and 40% of younger and older unmatched patients respectively (HR, 1.24; 95% CI, 1.03-1.50; P=0.024).Significant bivariate associations suggest that older age is a useful marker of poor outcomes in patients with advanced chronic systolic HF. However, lack of significant independent associations suggests that older age per se has no intrinsic effect on outcomes in these patients.

Background: The association between systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and heart failure (HF) has been primarily described in case reports and case series. However, the relationship between SLE and clinical outcomes among patients hospitalized for HF has not been systemically evaluated in real-world setting. Hypothesis: SLE diagnosis is associated with higher in-hospital mortality among patients hospitalized for acute HF. Methods: We used the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) database to evaluate adult patients who were primarily hospitalized for HF (ICD 9 code 428.xx). Discharge weights were used to enable national estimates. Of 11,992,861 patients hospitalized for HF between 2002-2012, 50,878 (0.4%) had SLE. Logistic regression was used to evaluate the association between SLE and in-hospital mortality among these patients. Results: Patients hospitalized for HF had a mean age of 73 (±14) years, 52% were women and 68% were whites. Compared with hospitalized HF patients without SLE, those with SLE were younger (60 years vs. 73 years, P Conclusions: In this nation-wide study, prevalence of SLE was low among hospitalized HF patients. SLE was independently associated with increased risk of in-hospital mortality, prolonged hospital stay and increased total hospital charge. Further prospective studies are needed to better understand the relationship in this high-risk population.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a risk factor for incident heart failure (HF) in older adults. However, the extent to which this association is independent of other risk factors remains unclear. Of 5,464 community-dwelling adults ≥65 years old in the Cardiovascular Health Study without baseline HF, 862 had DM (fasting plasma glucose levels ≥126 mg/dl or treatment with insulin or oral hypoglycemic agents). Propensity scores for DM were estimated for each of the 5,464 participants and were used to assemble a cohort of 717 pairs of participants with and without DM who were balanced in 65 baseline characteristics. Incident HF occurred in 31% and 26% of matched participants with and without DM, respectively, during >13 years of follow-up (hazard ratio 1.45 for DM vs no DM, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.14 to 1.86, p = 0.003). Of the 5,464 participants before matching unadjusted and multivariable-adjusted hazard ratios for incident HF associated with DM were 2.22 (95% CI 1.94 to 2.55, p

Aging is often associated with increased systolic blood pressure and decreased diastolic blood pressure. Isolated systolic hypertension or an elevated systolic blood pressure without an elevated diastolic blood pressure is a known risk factor for incident heart failure in older adults. In the current study, we examined whether isolated diastolic hypotension, defined as a diastolic blood pressure 12 years of median follow-up, centrally adjudicated incident heart failure developed in 25% and 20% of matched participants with and without isolated diastolic hypotension, respectively (hazard ratio associated with isolated diastolic hypotension: 1.33 [95% CI: 1.10–1.61]; P =0.004). Among the 5376 prematch individuals, multivariable-adjusted hazard ratio for incident heart failure associated with isolated diastolic hypotension was 1.29 (95% CI: 1.09–1.53; P =0.003). As in isolated systolic hypertension, among community-dwelling older adults without prevalent heart failure, isolated diastolic hypotension is also a significant independent risk factor for incident heart failure.

The impact of gender on major natural history endpoints in heart failure (HF) has not been examined in a propensity-matched study.Of the 7788 chronic systolic and diastolic HF patients in the Digitalis Investigation Group trial 1926 were women. Propensity scores for female gender were used to assemble a cohort of 1669 pairs of men and women who were well-balanced on 32 measured baseline characteristics. Matched hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for outcomes associated with female gender were calculated using stratified Cox regression models.All-cause mortality occurred in 36% (rate, 1256/10,000 person-years) and 30% (rate, 1008/10,000 person-years) of matched men and women respectively during 5 years of follow up (HR when women were compared with men, 0.82, 95% CI, 0.72-0.94, P=0.004). Female gender was also associated with reduced cardiovascular mortality (matched HR, 0.85; 95% CI, 0.73-0.99, P=0.037) and a trend toward reduced non-cardiovascular mortality (matched HR, 0.73; 95% CI, 0.53-1.00; P=0.053). All-cause hospitalization occurred in 67% (rate, 4003/10,000 person-years) and 65% (rate, 3762/10,000 person-years) matched male and female patients respectively (HR for women, 1.03, 95% CI, 0.93-1.15, P=0.538). Female gender was not associated with cardiovascular or HF hospitalization but was associated with hospitalization due to unstable angina pectoris (matched HR, 1.38; 95%CI, 1.11-1.72; P=0.003) and stroke (matched HR, 0.65; 95%CI, 0.46-0.92; P=0.014).In patients with chronic HF, female gender has a significant independent association with improved survival but has no association with all-cause, cardiovascular, or HF hospitalizations.

Warfarin is often used in patients with systolic heart failure (HF) to prevent adverse outcomes. However, its long-term effect remains controversial. The objective of this study was to determine the association of warfarin use and outcomes in patients with advanced chronic systolic HF without atrial fibrillation (AF), previous thromboembolic events, or prosthetic valves. Of the 2,708 BEST patients, 1,642 were free of AF without a history of thromboembolic events and without prosthetic valves at baseline. Of these, 471 patients (29%) were receiving warfarin. Propensity scores for warfarin use were estimated for each patient and were used to assemble a matched cohort of 354 pairs of patients with and without warfarin use who were balanced on 62 baseline characteristics. Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analyses were used to estimate the association between warfarin use and outcomes during 4.5 years of follow-up. Matched participants had a mean age ± SD of 57 ± 13 years with 24% women and 24% African-Americans. All-cause mortality occurred in 30% of matched patients in the 2 groups receiving and not receiving warfarin (hazard ratio 0.86, 95% confidence interval 0.62 to 1.19, p = 0.361). Warfarin use was not associated with cardiovascular mortality (hazard ratio 0.97, 95% confidence interval 0.68 to 1.38, p = 0.855), or HF hospitalization (hazard ratio 1.09, 95% confidence interval 0.82 to 1.44, p = 0.568). In conclusion, in patients with chronic advanced systolic HF without AF or other recommended indications for anticoagulation, prevalence of warfarin use was high. However, despite a therapeutic international normalized ratio in those receiving warfarin, its use had no significant intrinsic association with mortality and hospitalization.

Presence of concentric left ventricular (LV) geometry has important pathophysiologic and prognostic implications. However, little is known about its natural history in older adults. Of the 5,795 community-dwelling adults ≥65 years of age in the Cardiovascular Health Study, 1,871 without baseline heart failure had data on baseline and 7-year echocardiograms. Of these 343 (18%) had baseline concentric LV geometry (concentric remodeling 83%, concentric LV hypertrophy [LVH] 17%) and are the focus of the present study. LV geometry at year 7 was categorized into 4 groups based on LVH (LV mass indexed for height51 g/m²·⁷) and relative wall thickness (RWT): eccentric hypertrophy (RWT ≤0.42 with LVH), concentric hypertrophy (RWT0.42 with LVH), concentric remodeling (RWT0.42 without LVH), and normal (RWT ≤0.42 without LVH). At year 7, LV geometry normalized in 57%, remained unchanged in 35%, and transitioned to eccentric hypertrophy in 7% of participants. Incident eccentric hypertrophy occurred in 4% and 25% of those with baseline concentric remodeling and concentric hypertrophy, respectively, and was associated with increased LV end-diastolic volume and decreased LV ejection fraction at year 7. Previous myocardial infarction and baseline above-median LV mass (39 g/m²·⁷) and RWT (0.46) had significant unadjusted associations with incident eccentric LVH; however, only LV mass39 g/m²·⁷ (odds ratio 17.52, 95% confidence interval 3.91 to 78.47, p0.001) and previous myocardial infarction (odds ratio 4.73, 95% confidence interval 1.16 to 19.32, p = 0.031) had significant independent associations. In conclusion, in community-dwelling older adults with concentric LV geometry, transition to eccentric hypertrophy was uncommon but structurally maladaptive.

Background Little is known about the epidemiology of stroke in chronic systolic and diastolic heart failure (HF) patients in normal sinus rhythm (NSR) receiving angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors. Because all HF patients in the Digitalis Investigation Group (DIG) trial ( N =7788) were in NSR and nearly all were receiving ACE inhibitors, a survey-based stroke-sub-study was conducted but its findings have never been published. Methods DIG investigators confirmed a total 222 cases of stroke of which 144 had neurological deficit ≥24 h. We used logistic regression models to determine predictors of incident stroke among all 7788 patients and predictors of neurological deficit ≥24 h and all-cause mortality among 222 stroke patients. Results Age ≥65 years (adjusted odds ratio {AOR}, 1.36; 95% confidence interval {CI}, 1.02–1.80; P =0.035), nonwhite race (AOR, 0.65; 95% CI, 0.42–0.99; P =0.047), hypertension (AOR, 1.46; 95% CI, 1.11–1.94; P =0.008), diabetes mellitus (AOR, 1.37; 95% CI, 1.03–1.82; P =0.030), and cardiomegaly (AOR, 1.39; 95% CI, 1.03–1.86; P =0.030) were independent predictors of stroke. However, among those with stroke, nonwhites had higher odds of neurological deficits ≥24 h (AOR, 2.86; 95% CI, 1.01–8.07; P =0.047) and death (AOR, 3.28; 95% CI, 1.30–8.30; P =0.012). Conclusion Older age, hypertension, diabetes and cardiomegaly were associated with increased incidence of stroke among HF patients with NSR receiving ACE inhibitors. The association of race and stroke, however, was complex. While nonwhite race was associated with decreased risk of stroke, among those with stroke, nonwhite race was associated with increased stroke severity and mortality.

Compared with serum potassium levels 4-5.5 mEq/L, those4 mEq/L have been shown to increase mortality in chronic heart failure (HF). Expert opinions suggest that serum potassium levels5.5 mEq/L may be harmful in HF. However, little is known about the safety of serum potassium 5-5.5 mEq/L.Of the 7788 chronic HF patients in the Digitalis Investigation Group trial, 5656 had serum potassium 4-5.5 mEq/L. Of these, 567 had mild hyperkalemia (5-5.5 mEq/L) and 5089 had normokalemia (4-4.9 mEq/L). Propensity scores for mild hyperkalemia were used to assemble a balanced cohort of 548 patients with mild hyperkalemia and 1629 patients with normokalemia. Cox regression models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for association between mild hyperkalemia and mortality during a median follow-up of 38 months.All-cause mortality occurred in 36% and 38% of matched patients with normokalemia and mild hyperkalemia respectively (HR, 1.07; 95% CI, 0.90-1.26; P=0.458). Unadjusted, multivariable-adjusted, and propensity-adjusted HRs for mortality associated with mild hyperkalemia were 1.33 (95% CI, 1.15-1.52; P0.0001), 1.16 (95% CI, 1.01-1.34; P=0.040) and 1.13 (95% CI, 0.98-1.31; P=0.091) respectively. Mild hyperkalemia had no association with cardiovascular or HF mortality or all-cause or cardiovascular hospitalization.Serum potassium 4-4.9 mEq/L is optimal and 5-5.5 mEq/L appears relatively safe in HF. Despite lack of an intrinsic association , the bivariate association of mild-hyperkalemia with mortality suggests that it may be useful as a biomarker of poor prognosis in HF.

The association between hyperuricemia and incident heart failure (HF) is relatively unknown.Of the 5461 community-dwelling older adults,or=65 years, in the Cardiovascular Health Study without HF at baseline, 1505 had hyperuricemia (baseline serum uric acidor=6 mg/dL for women andor=7 mg/dL for men). Using propensity scores for hyperuricemia, estimated for each participant using 64 baseline covariates, we were able to match 1181 pairs of participants with and without hyperuricemia.Incident HF occurred in 21% and 18% of participants respectively with and without hyperuricemia during 8.1 years of mean follow-up (hazard ratio {HR} for hyperuricemia versus no hyperuricemia, 1.30; 95% confidence interval {CI}, 1.05-1.60; P=0.015). The association between hyperuricemia and incident HF was significant only in subgroups with normal kidney function (HR, 1.23; 95% CI, 1.02-1.49; P=0.031), without hypertension (HR, 1.31; 95% CI, 1.03-1.66; P=0.030), not receiving thiazide diuretics (HR, 1.20; 95% CI, 1.01-1.42; P=0.044), and without hyperinsulinemia (HR, 1.35; 95% CI, 1.06-1.72; P=0.013). Used as a continuous variable, each 1 mg/dL increase in serum uric acid was associated with a 12% increase in incident HF (HR, 1.12; 95% CI, 1.03-1.22; P=0.006). Hyperuricemia had no association with acute myocardial infarction or all-cause mortality.Hyperuricemia is associated with incident HF in community-dwelling older adults. Cumulative data from our subgroup analyses suggest that this association is only significant when hyperuricemia is a marker of increased xanthine oxidase activity but not when hyperuricemia is caused by impaired renal elimination of uric acid.

To determine the association between obesity and outcomes in post-acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients with systolic heart failure (HF).Of the 6632 Eplerenone Post-Acute Myocardial Infarction Heart Failure Efficacy and Survival Study (EPHESUS) participants, 6611 had data on baseline body mass index (BMI) and 6561 had BMIor = 18.5 kg/m(2). Of these, 1573 were obese (BMIor = 30 kg/m(2)) and 4988 were non-obese (BMI 18.5-29.9 kg/m(2)). Propensity scores for obesity, estimated for each patient, were used to assemble a cohort of 1519 pairs of obese and non-obese patients who were balanced on 65 baseline characteristics. All-cause mortality occurred in 13.7 and 13.8% of matched obese and non-obese patients, respectively, during 16 months of median follow-up [matched hazard ratio (HR) for obesity 0.98; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.79-1.21; P = 0.831]. Before matching, the obese group was younger (mean age, 62 vs. 64 years; P0.0001) and had more women (37 vs. 26%; P0.0001). The paradoxical pre-match association between obesity and reduced mortality (unadjusted HR 0.82; 95% CI 0.70-0.95; P = 0.008) disappeared when adjusted for age alone (age-adjusted HR 0.91; 95% CI 0.78-1.06; P = 0.206) but not for gender alone (gender-adjusted HR 0.79; 95% CI 0.68-0.92; P = 0.003). Obesity had no association with mortality in 1573 pairs of age-matched obese and non-obese patients (age-adjusted HR 0.94; 95% CI 0.77-1.13; P = 0.484).In post-AMI patients with systolic HF, obesity provides no independent intrinsic survival benefit. The paradoxical unadjusted survival associated with obesity is largely explained by the younger age of obese patients.

Background— Studies of the effect of right ventricular ejection fraction (RVEF) on outcomes in heart failure (HF) are limited by small sample size and short follow-up. Methods and Results— We examined the effect of baseline RVEF on outcomes in 2008 Beta-Blocker Evaluation of Survival Trial (BEST) participants with HF and left ventricular ejection fraction ≤35% during 24 months of mean follow-up. RVEF, estimated by gated-equilibrium radionuclide ventriculography, was used to categorize patients into 4 RVEF groups: ≥40% (n=733), 30% to 39% (n=531), 20% to 29% (n=473), and P =0.087), 1.45 (1.17 to 1.78; P =0.001), and 1.98 (1.59 to 2.47; P P =0.518), 1.12 (0.89 to 1.40; P =0.328), and 1.32 (1.02 to 1.71; P =0.034), respectively. Adjusted hazard ratios (95% confidence intervals) for other outcomes associated with RVEF P =0.041); HF mortality, 1.61 (1.03 to 2.52; P =0.037); sudden cardiac death, 1.29 (0.87 to 1.91; P =0.212); all-cause hospitalization, 1.21 (1.00 to 1.47; P =0.056); and HF hospitalization, 1.39 (1.10 to 1.77; P =0.007). Conclusions— Baseline RVEF

The majority of heart failure patients are older adults and most heart failure-related adverse events occur in these patients. However, the independent association of age and outcomes in chronic heart failure is not clearly determined. We categorized 7788 ambulatory chronic heart failure patients who participated in the Digitalis Investigation Group trial as younger and older using the cutoff of 65 years. Propensity scores for age were calculated for each patient and used to match 2381 older patients with 2381 younger patients. The impact of age on mortality and hospitalization during a median 40 months of follow-up was assessed using matched Cox regression methods. All-cause mortality occurred in 877 older patients versus 688 younger patients (hazard ratio when older age was compared with younger age (HR) = 1.26, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.12–1.41, p

In the Digitalis Investigation Group trial, digoxin-associated decrease in the combined end point of heart failure (HF) hospitalization or HF mortality was significant in systolic but not in diastolic HF. To assess whether this apparent disparity could be explained by differences in baseline characteristics and sample size, we used propensity score matching to assemble a cohort of 916 pairs of patients with systolic and diastolic HF who were balanced in all measured baseline covariates. We estimated hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of the effect of digoxin on outcomes separately in systolic and diastolic HF, at 2 years (protocol prespecified), and at the end of 3.2 years of median follow-up. HF hospitalization or HF mortality occurred in 28% and 32% of patients with systolic HF (HR digoxin vs placebo 0.85, 95% CI 0.67 to 1.08, p = 0.188) and 20% and 25% in those with diastolic HF (HR 0.79, 95% CI 0.60 to 1.03, p = 0.085) receiving digoxin and placebo, respectively. At 2 years, HRs for this combined end point were similar for systolic HF (0.72, 95% CI 0.55 to 0.95, p = 0.022) and diastolic HF (0.69, 95% CI 0.50 to 0.95, p = 0.025). Digoxin also decreased 2-year HF hospitalization in systolic HF (HR 0.73, 95% CI 0.54 to 0.97, p = 0.033) and diastolic HF (HR 0.64, 95% CI 0.45 to 0.90, p = 0.010). In conclusion, as in patients with systolic HF, digoxin was equally effective in those with diastolic HF, who constitute half of all patients with HF, yet have few evidence-based therapeutic options.

The purpose of this study was to determine the association of complete heart block (CHB) with outcomes and to examine temporal trends in the incidence and outcomes of CHB complicating ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).There are limited data available on the incidence and outcomes of CHB in STEMI patients who undergo contemporary management.We used the 2003 to 2012 National Inpatient Sample databases to identify all patients age ≥18 years hospitalized with STEMI. Patients with a concomitant diagnosis of CHB were then identified. Multivariable logistic regression was used to analyze the association of CHB with outcomes and to examine the temporal trends in incidence and outcomes of CHB complicating STEMI.Of 2,273,853 patients with STEMI, 49,882 (2.2%) had CHB. The incidence of CHB increased from 2.1% in 2003 to 2.3% in 2012 (adjusted odds ratio [OR] per year: 1.02; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.02 to 1.03). STEMI patients with CHB had higher in-hospital mortality than those without CHB (20.4% vs. 8.7%; adjusted OR: 2.47; 95% CI: 2.41 to 2.53). The higher mortality associated with CHB was independent of the location of STEMI; however, the magnitude of this association was greatest in patients with anterior STEMI. In patients with CHB complicating STEMI, although permanent pacemaker implantation rates declined (adjusted OR per year: 0.96; 95% CI: 0.95 to 0.97), in-hospital mortality remained unchanged during the study period (adjusted OR per year: 1.00; 95% CI: 0.99 to 1.01).The incidence of CHB complicating STEMI has increased slightly over the last decade, although the absolute incidence remains quite low. CHB remains associated with higher in-hospital mortality in STEMI patients even in the current era of prompt reperfusion therapy. In patients with CHB complicating STEMI, there was no change in risk-adjusted in-hospital mortality during the study period.

Background— According to the 2004 Surgeon General’s Report on Health Consequences of Smoking, after >15 years of abstinence, the cardiovascular risk of former smokers becomes similar to that of never-smokers. Whether this health benefit of smoking cessation varies by amount and duration of prior smoking remains unclear. Methods and Results— Of the 4482 adults ≥65 years without prevalent heart failure (HF) in the Cardiovascular Health Study, 2556 were never-smokers, 629 current smokers, and 1297 former smokers with >15 years of cessation, of whom 312 were heavy smokers (highest quartile; ≥32 pack-years). Age–sex–race–adjusted hazard ratios (aHR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for centrally adjudicated incident HF and mortality during 13 years of follow-up were estimated using Cox regression models. Compared with never-smokers, former smokers as a group had similar risk for incident HF (aHR, 0.99; 95% CI, 0.85–1.16) and all-cause mortality (aHR, 1.08; 95% CI, 0.96–1.20), but former heavy smokers had higher risk for both HF (aHR, 1.45; 95% CI, 1.15–1.83) and mortality (aHR, 1.38; 95% CI, 1.17–1.64). However, when compared with current smokers, former heavy smokers had lower risk of death (aHR, 0.64; 95% CI, 0.53–0.77), but not of HF (aHR, 0.97; 95% CI, 0.74–1.28). Conclusions— After >15 years of smoking cessation, the risk of HF and death for most former smokers becomes similar to that of never-smokers. Although this benefit of smoking cessation is not extended to those with ≥32 pack-years of prior smoking, they have lower risk of death relative to current smokers.

Background The association of chronic renal insufficiency with outcomes after percutaneous coronary intervention ( PCI ) in the current era of drug‐eluting stents and modern antithrombotic therapy has not been well characterized. Methods and Results We queried the 2007–2011 Nationwide Inpatient Sample databases to identify all patients aged ≥18 years who underwent PCI . Multivariable logistic regression was used to compare in‐hospital outcomes among patients with chronic kidney disease ( CKD ), patients with end‐stage renal disease ( ESRD ), and those without CKD or ESRD . Of 3 187 404 patients who underwent PCI , 89% had no CKD / ESRD ; 8.6% had CKD ; and 2.4% had ESRD . Compared to patients with no CKD / ESRD , patients with CKD and patients with ESRD had higher in‐hospital mortality (1.4% versus 2.7% versus 4.4%, respectively; adjusted odds ratio for CKD 1.15, 95% CI 1.12 to 1.19, P ESRD 2.29, 95% CI 2.19 to 2.40, P CKD 1.21, 95% CI 1.18 to 1.23, P ESRD 1.27, 95% CI 1.23 to 1.32, P P P PCI for acute coronary syndrome or stable ischemic heart disease. Conclusions In patients undergoing PCI , chronic renal insufficiency is associated with higher in‐hospital mortality, higher postprocedure hemorrhage, longer average length of stay, and higher average hospital charges.

Background: Limited data are available on the impact of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end stage renal disease (ESRD) on outcomes after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Objectives: To determine the association between baseline renal insufficiency with in-hospital outcomes after PCI. Methods: We queried the 2003-2011 Nationwide Inpatient Sample databases to identify all patients aged ≥ 18 years undergoing PCI. Patients who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting during the same admission were excluded. Patients with concomitant diagnosis of CKD (ICD-9 codes 585.1-585.5 and 585.9) and ESRD (ICD-9 diagnosis code 585.6 or procedure code for hemodialysis [39.95, excluding patients with concurrent diagnosis of acute renal failure] or peritoneal dialysis [54.98]) were then identified. Multivariable logistic regression was used to compare outcomes between patients with CKD and patients with ESRD to those without CKD or ESRD. Results: Of 6,417,970 patients who underwent PCI, 93.3% (mean age 64.2±12.3 years, 33.7% females) had no CKD/ESRD; 4.9% (mean age 71.5±11.3 years, 35% females) had CKD; and 1.8% (mean age 64.2±11.8 years, 42.2% females) had ESRD. The prevalence of smoking was highest in patients with no CKD/ESRD; that of dyslipidemia, coronary artery disease, prior myocardial infarction, atrial fibrillation, and obesity was highest in CKD patients; diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and congestive heart failure were most prevalent in ESRD patients (p Conclusions: In patients undergoing PCI, baseline renal insufficiency is associated with worse outcomes. Patients with CKD and patients with ESRD had increased in-hospital mortality, higher hemorrhagic complications, longer average length of hospital stay, and higher average hospital charges than those without CKD or ESRD.

Background: Arrhythmias are relatively common in patients with non-ischemic cardiomyopathies. There are limited data on the association of atrial and ventricular arrhythmias with outcomes in patients with peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM). Methods: We queried the 2003-2011 Nationwide Inpatient Sample databases using the ICD-9 diagnostic codes 674.50 to 674.55, to identify all women aged between 15-55 years admitted with a diagnosis of PPCM. The various arrhythmias were identified using appropriate ICD-9 diagnostic codes - atrial fibrillation (AF) (427.31), atrial flutter (427.32), supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) (427.0), ventricular tachycardia (VT) (427.1), ventricular fibrillation (VF) (427.41 and 427.42). Multivariable adjusted logistic regression was used to study the association of arrhythmias with in-hospital mortality and multivariable adjusted linear regression was used to study the association of arrhythmias with length of stay and hospital charges. Results: From 2003 to 2011, 34,944 patients were hospitalized with PPCM. The mean age was 30±7 years. Among these patients with PPCM, ventricular tachycardia (VT) (4.8%) was the most common arrhythmia followed by atrial fibrillation (AF) (2.2%), ventricular fibrillation (VF) (1.3%), atrial flutter (0.8%) and supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) (0.6%). The risk adjusted in-hospital mortality was higher in PPCM patients with AF (3.6% vs 1.2%, adjusted OR 2.38, 95% CI 1.50-3.78), VT (3.7% vs 1.1%, adjusted OR 1.8, 95% CI 1.30-2.48) and VF (14.2% vs 1.1%, adjusted OR 5.39, 95% CI 3.75-7.74) compared to those without arrhythmias. Among the study population, the average length of stay was longer in patients with AF (8 vs 5 days, p Conclusions: In patients hospitalized with PPCM AF, VT and VF were independently associated with significantly higher in-hospital mortality. Also in these patients AF, atrial flutter, SVT, VT and VF were independently associated with higher hospital charges and longer length of stay.

Background: Atrial fibrillation is a relatively common comorbid condition in patients with coronary artery disease. However, there are limited data on the association of atrial fibrillation (AF) with outcomes in ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Methods: We queried the 2003-2011 Nationwide Inpatient Sample databases using the ICD-9 diagnosis codes, to identify all patients > 18 years admitted with a primary diagnosis of STEMI. We studied the association of AF with in-hospital outcomes in these patients both by regression analysis and propensity match to adjust for demographics, hospital characteristics and co-morbidities. Results: Of the total 452,772 (64.5% men) STEMI hospitalizations, AF was documented in 58,273 (12.9%) cases. Patients with AF were older (mean age 75±12 vs 64±14 years; p Conclusions: In patients hospitalized with STEMI, AF was independently associated with modestly higher in-hospital mortality, higher hospital charges, and longer length of stay.

Background: Percutaneous ventricular assist devices (pVAD) can be rapidly deployed in cardiac catheterization laboratory and have emerged as an effective modality for short-term hemodynamic support in patients with cardiogenic shock. There are limited data on contemporary trends in utilization and outcomes of pVAD in patients with cardiogenic shock complicating ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Objectives: To determine the temporal trends in utilization and outcomes of pVAD in patients with cardiogenic shock complicating STEMI. Methods: We queried the 2007-2011 Nationwide Inpatient Sample databases to identify all patients aged ≥ 18 years with STEMI and cardiogenic shock. Patients who underwent pVAD implantation were then identified using ICD-9 procedure code 37.68. Temporal trends in utilization of pVAD in STEMI patients with cardiogenic shock and in-hospital outcomes in these patients were analyzed. Results: From 2007-2011, of 1,053,161 patients with STEMI, 100,881 (9.6%) had cardiogenic shock. The in-hospital mortality in patients with cardiogenic shock decreased from 39.2% in 2007 to 33.9% in 2011 (P trend trend trend =0.99). The incidence of acute gastrointestinal bleeding in these patients was 14.3% with no significant temporal change in incidence (P trend =0.52). The overall in-hospital mortality in patients who received pVAD was 49.6% with an increase in in-hospital mortality during the study period (P trend =0.03, adjusted OR [per year] 1.22, 95% CI 1.02-1.47). The average length of stay in these patients increased from 12 days to 15 days (P trend trend Conclusion: In recent years, there has been an increase in utilization of pVAD in patients with cardiogenic shock complicating STEMI. However, this trend was not accompanied with a decrease in overall in-hospital mortality among patients who underwent pVAD implantation. There were also adverse temporal trends in the average length of stay and average hospital cost in STEMI patients with cardiogenic shock undergoing pVAD implantation.

Older females presenting with ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI) are less likely to receive revascularization and have higher in-hospital mortality compared to their male counterparts. Data on gender differences and temporal trends in revascularization and outcomes of STEMI in younger adults

Arrhythmias are relatively common in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM); however, there are limited data on the association of various arrhythmias with outcomes in these patients. Patients hospitalized with a primary diagnosis of HCM were identified from the 2003-2011 Nationwide

Background Acute myocardial infarction is a recognized complication in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. However, limited data are available on outcomes of patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and acute myocardial infarction. Methods We analyzed the 2003-2011 Nationwide Inpatient Sample databases to identify all patients aged ≥18 years with a principal diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction. Patients with a concomitant diagnosis of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy were then identified and analyzed as a separate cohort. Multivariate logistic regression was used to compare outcomes in patients with acute myocardial infarction with and without hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Results Of 5,901,827 patients with acute myocardial infarction, 5688 (0.1%) had a diagnosis of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy were older, more likely to be female, and less likely to have traditional cardiovascular risk factors. Compared with patients without hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy were less likely to present with ST-elevation myocardial infarction and more likely to present with non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction. Patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy with ST-elevation myocardial infarction or non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction were less likely to receive revascularization. In the overall population with acute myocardial infarction, there was no difference in risk-adjusted in-hospital mortality between patients with and without hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (odds ratio [OR], 0.96; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.84-1.11; P = .59). In the population with ST-elevation myocardial infarction, patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy had lower risk-adjusted in-hospital mortality than those without hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (OR, 0.75; 95% CI, 0.63-0.91; P = .003), whereas in the population with non–ST-elevation myocardial infarction, there was no difference in risk-adjusted in-hospital mortality between patients with and without hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (OR, 0.97; 95% CI, 0.84-1.11; P = .63). Conclusions Patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy represent a small proportion of patients with acute myocardial infarction and are less likely to receive revascularization. Compared with patients without hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy with ST-elevation myocardial infarction have lower risk-adjusted in-hospital mortality.

Acute myocardial infarction in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) is associated with increased risk of morbidity and mortality. Limited data are available on the contemporary trends in management and outcomes of ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) in patients with ESRD. We analyzed the 2003 to 2011 Nationwide Inpatient Sample databases to examine the temporal trends in STEMI, use of mechanical revascularization for STEMI, and in-hospital outcomes in patients with ESRD aged ≥18 years in the United States. From 2003 to 2011, whereas the number of patients with ESRD admitted with the primary diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction increased from 13,322 to 20,552, there was a decrease in the number of STEMI hospitalizations from 3,169 to 2,558 (ptrend0.001). The overall incidence rate of cardiogenic shock in patients with ESRD and STEMI increased from 6.6% to 18.3% (ptrend0.001). The use of percutaneous coronary intervention for STEMI increased from 18.6% to 37.8% (ptrend0.001), whereas there was no significant change in the use of coronary artery bypass grafting (ptrend = 0.32). During the study period, in-hospital mortality increased from 22.3% to 25.3% (adjusted odds ratio [per year] 1.09; 95% confidence interval 1.08 to 1.11; ptrend0.001). The average hospital charges increased from $60,410 to $97,794 (ptrend0.001), whereas the average length of stay decreased from 8.2 to 6.5 days (ptrend0.001). In conclusion, although there have been favorable trends in the utilization of percutaneous coronary intervention and length of stay in patients with ESRD and STEMI, the incidence of cardiogenic shock has increased threefold, with an increase in risk-adjusted in-hospital mortality, likely because of the presence of greater co-morbidities.

The southeastern region of the United States is known as the "stroke belt" because of excess stroke mortality in this region compared to the rest of the country. However, whether a similar geographic variation in heart failure mortality exists is unknown. Using the Center for Disease Control and Prevention Wide-ranging Online Data for Epidemiologic Research publicly available compressed mortality data files and 2000 United States population as the standard, we estimated age-adjusted heart failure and stroke mortality rates per 100,000 for patients of all ages, men and women, and all races during 1979 through 1998 in the United States and mapped rates at the state level. Age-adjusted heart failure mortality rate for the 6 contiguous southeastern states (Alabama, Arkansas, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Louisiana, and Georgia) was 31.0/100,000, which was 69% higher than the national rate of 18.3/100,000. This geographic disparity was similar in African-Americans (32.9/100,000 in the southeast vs 21.7/100,000 nationally) and whites (30.8/100,000 in the southeast vs 18.1/100,000 nationally). These findings suggest that, in addition to the stroke belt, the southeastern region of the United States may also be burdened by a "heart failure belt." To better understand the causes of excess stroke mortality in the stroke belt, the National Institutes of Health has funded the Reasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) study (n = 30,239, >1/2 from the southeastern region), which provides a unique opportunity to study the underlying causes of excess heart failure mortality in the heart failure belt.

Background There has been a paradigm shift in the definition of timing of early invasive strategy ( EIS ) for patients admitted with non‐ ST ‐elevation myocardial infarction ( NSTEMI) in the last decade. Data on trends of EIS for NSTEMI and associated in‐hospital outcomes are limited. Our aim is to analyze temporal trends in the incidence, utilization of early invasive strategy, and in‐hospital outcomes of NSTEMI in the United States. Methods and Results We analyzed the 2002–2011 Nationwide Inpatient Sample databases to identify all patients ≥40 years of age with the principal diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction ( AMI ) and NSTEMI . Logistic regression was used for overall, age‐, sex‐, and race/ethnicity‐stratified trend analysis. From 2002 to 2011, we identified 6 512 372 patients with AMI . Of these, 3 981 119 (61.1%) had NSTEMI . The proportion of patients with NSTEMI increased from 52.8% in 2002 to 68.6% in 2011 (adjusted odds ratio [ OR; per year], 1.055; 95% confidence interval [ CI], 1.054 to 1.056) in the overall cohort. Similar trends were observed in age‐, sex‐, and race/ethnicity‐stratified groups. From 2002 to 2011, utilization of EIS at day 0 increased from 14.9% to 21.8% ( P trend EIS at day 0 or 1 increased from 27.8% to 41.4% ( P trend OR [per year], 0.976; 95% CI, 0.974 to 0.978). Conclusions There have been temporal increases in the proportion of NSTEMI and, consistent with guidelines, greater utilization of EIS . This has been accompanied by temporal decreases in in‐hospital mortality and length of stay.

Background: Hospitalized patients with heart failure (HF) are at increased risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE), including deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE), and these conditions are associated with increased in-hospital mortality, longer length of stay and higher healthcare costs. Guidelines have emphasized the need for DVT prophylaxis, but it is unclear if the incidence of VTE has changed or remained constant over the past years. Objectives: To determine temporal trends in incidence and outcomes of VTE in hospitalized HF patients. Methods: We used the 2002 to 2011 Nationwide Inpatient Sample databases to identify all HF-associated hospitalizations in patients aged ≥18 years. Patients with VTE (DVT or PE) were then identified using appropriate ICD-9-CM codes. We stratified patients according to age, gender, and primary or secondary HF hospitalizations. Logistic regression analysis was used to examine temporal trends in incidence and outcomes of VTE as well as to compare outcomes between HF patients with or without VTE. Results: The overall incidence of DVT, PE and VTE among 42,573,726 HF-associated hospitalizations was 1.5%, 1.0% and 2.5%, respectively. From 2002 to 2011, there was a significant increase in the incidence of DVT (1.2% to 1.6%, adjusted OR 1.35, 95% CI 1.33-1.36), PE (0.8% to 1.2%, adjusted OR 1.91, 95% CI 1.88-1.93), and VTE (2.0% to 2.8%, adjusted OR 1.56, 95% CI 1.55-1.58). Similar upward trend was observed in all age groups, men and women, as well as primary and secondary HF hospitalizations. In-hospital mortality decreased in HF patients without VTE (6.9% to 5.0%; adjusted OR 0.81, 95% CI 0.80-0.81) as well as those with VTE (13.3% to 9.8%, adjusted OR 0.79, 95% CI 0.74-0.85) during the study period. However, compared to HF patients without VTE, those with VTE had significantly higher in-hospital mortality, longer length of stay, and higher total hospital charges (Table). Conclusion: Despite the aggressive guidelines for DVT prophylaxis, the overall incidence of VTE in hospitalized HF patients has increased over the past 10 years. This may be explained by increasing co-morbidities and aging of the HF population. Further studies are needed to explain these adverse trends and to examine rates of adherence to VTE prophylaxis guidelines in this high-risk patient population.

Background: The reported incidence of peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) in the United States varies widely. Furthermore, limited information is available on the temporal trends in incidence and outcomes of PPCM. Objectives: To determine the overall incidence and complication rates of PPCM, and to analyze temporal trends in incidence and outcomes of PPCM in the United States. Methods: We queried the 2004 to 2011 Nationwide Inpatient Sample databases to identify all women aged 15 to 54 years with the diagnosis of PPCM using ICD-9-CM codes 674.5x. Temporal trends in incidence (per 10,000 live births), maternal major adverse events (MAE defined as in-hospital mortality, cardiac arrest, heart transplant, mechanical circulatory support, acute pulmonary edema, thromboembolism or implantable cardioverter defibrillator/permanent pacemaker implantation), cardiogenic shock, and length of stay were analyzed. Results: From 2004 to 2011, we identified 34,219 women aged 15 to 54 years with PPCM. The overall PPCM rate was 10.3 per 10,000 (or 1 in 968) live births. PPCM incidence increased from 8.5 to 11.8 per 10,000 live births (p trend trend =0.006] and use of mechanical circulatory support [0.9% in 2004 to 2.2% in 2011, adjusted OR (per year) 1.08, 95% CI 1.03-1.14, p trend =0.002]. Cardiogenic shock increased from 1.0% in 2004 to 4.0% in 2011 [adjusted OR (per year) 1.16, 95% CI 1.11-1.21, p trend Conclusion: From 2004 to 2011, the incidence of PPCM has increased in the United States. Maternal MAE rates overall have remained unchanged while cardiogenic shock, need for mechanical circulatory support, and in-hospital mortality have increased during the study period. Further study of the mechanisms underlying these adverse trends in the incidence and outcomes of PPCM are warranted.

Background The reported incidence of peripartum cardiomyopathy ( PPCM ) in the United States varies widely. Furthermore, limited information is available on the temporal trends in incidence and outcomes of PPCM . Methods and Results We queried the 2004‐2011 Nationwide Inpatient Sample databases to identify all women aged 15 to 54 years with the diagnosis of PPCM . Temporal trends in incidence (per 10 000 live births), maternal major adverse events ( MAE ; defined as in‐hospital mortality, cardiac arrest, heart transplant, mechanical circulatory support, acute pulmonary edema, thromboembolism, or implantable cardioverter defibrillator/permanent pacemaker implantation), cardiogenic shock, and mean length of stay were analyzed. From 2004 to 2011, we identified 34 219 women aged 15 to 54 years with PPCM . The overall PPCM rate was 10.3 per 10 000 (or 1 in 968) live births. PPCM incidence increased from 8.5 to 11.8 per 10 000 live births ( P trend MAE occurred in 13.5% of patients. There was no temporal change in MAE rate, except a small increase in in‐hospital mortality and mechanical circulatory support ( P trend P trend Conclusion From 2004 to 2011, the incidence of PPCM has increased in the United States. Maternal MAE rates overall have remained unchanged while cardiogenic shock, utilization of mechanical circulatory support, and in‐hospital mortality have increased during the study period. Further study of the mechanisms underlying these adverse trends in the incidence and outcomes of PPCM are warranted.

Catheter ablation has been used to treat incessant ventricular tachycardia (VT) and also to prevent or reduce the frequency of episodes of VT in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy. However, there are limited data regarding the complications and in-hospital mortality after catheter ablation for