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Background: The treatment of choice for severe rheumatic mitral stenosis (MS) is balloon mitral valvuloplasty (BMV). Assessment of MS severity is usually performed by echocardiography. Before performing BMV, invasive hemodynamic assessment is also performed. The effect of anesthesia on the invasive assessment of MS severity has not been studied. The purpose of the present study was to assess changes in invasive hemodynamic measurement of MS severity before and after induction of general anesthesia. Methods: The medical files of 22 patients who underwent BMV between 2014 and 2020 were reviewed. Medical history, laboratory, echocardiographic and invasive measurements were collected. Anesthesia induction was performed with etomidate or propofol. Pre-procedural echocardiographic measurements of valve area using pressure half time, and continuity correlated well with invasive measurements using the Gorlin formula. Results: After induction of anesthesia the mean mitral valve gradient dropped by 2.4 mmHg (p = 0.153) and calculated mitral valve area (MVA) increased by 0.2 cm 2 (p = 0.011). A wide variability in individual response was observed. While a drop in gradient was noted in 14 patients, it increased in 7. Gorlin derived MVA rose in most patients but dropped in 4. Assuming a calculated MVA of 1.5 cm 2 and below to define clinically significant MS, 4 patients with pre-induction MVA of 1.5 cm 2 or below had calculated MVA above 1.5 cm 2 after induction. Conclusions: The impact of general anesthesia on the hemodynamic assessment of MS is heterogeneous and may lead to misclassification of MS severity.

Introduction Contemporary guidelines recommend a universal cutoff of 14 for the ratio between early mitral flow wave and early diastolic mitral annulus velocity measured by tissue doppler (E/e' ratio). While age-dependent normal E/e' values have been suggested, outcome data is lacking. Purpose We sought to evaluate the modification effect of age and gender on the prognostic value of the E/e' ratio. Methods Consecutive patients who underwent echocardiographic evaluation between 2009 and 2021 (N=104,315) in a single tertiary cardiovascular center. Patients with left or right ventricular dysfunction, any significant valvular disease, structural heart disease or evidence of pulmonary hypertension were excluded. Cancer and mortality data were available for all subjects from national registries. Patients with a metastatic malignancy at baseline or during follow up were excluded. Cox regression models were applied. Results Overall, 44,541 patients were included in the final analysis. Mean age was 55±17, 59% were male and 63% of the exams were performed in an outpatient setting. An elevated E/e' ratio above 14 was documented in 2,598 (7%) patients. During a median follow-up of 5.7 (IQR 2.8–9.1) years, 5,015 (11.3%) patients died. Kaplan Meier survival analysis demonstrated that the cumulative probability of death at 6 years was 23.4% (21.6–25.3) among patients with elevated E/e' ratio compared with 9.7% (9.3–10.0) among patients with E/e'80, respectively. In a sensitivity analysis, similar findings were seen in when excluding patients with mild hypertrophy (maximal wall thickness >12mm) and without any mitral annulus calcification. Conclusion In apparently normal hearts, an elevated E/e' ratio is independently associated with increased mortality. This association is more pronounced among men and is attenuated with increased age. This study supports the need for gender-specific and age-specified outcome data with respect to measures of diastolic dysfunction. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None. Survival by age and gender groupsE/e' >14 and mortality by age and gender

Background While physical rehabilitation has been shown to be beneficial and safe for patients suffering from heart failure, data on rehabilitation for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) patients are limited. Methods Forty-five HCM patients participated in an exercise rehabilitation program. Exercise capacity was measured in metabolic equivalent of task (METs) units and functional status was defined according to the New York Heart Association (NYHA). Self-reported measurements addressed the quality of life and daily life function. Results Of the 45 participants, 32 completed at least 3 months of rehabilitation and had data from two sequential exercise tests. A significant increase in exercise capacity (from mean 5.3 to 6.7 METs, p = 0.01), was achieved at higher peak heart rates. Eighteen patients (56%) who showed improvement in exercise capacity did not differ in their NYHA class, clinical, electrocardiographic, or echo-Doppler parameters compared to those who did not improve. The benefit from training was associated with a lower exercise capacity at baseline and was most pronounced in those capable of less than 6.8 METs (p = 0.008). No significant arrhythmias or adverse events were recorded in HCM patients during participation. In ∼40% of participants, training improved the subjective perception of functional capacity and quality of life; only 4 patients (9%) discontinued their participation due to discomfort during or following training. The improvement in exercise capacity was comparable between HCM and a reference group of dilated cardiomyopathy patients. Conclusions Exercise rehabilitation appears to be applicable and safe in HCM. It mainly benefits patients suffering from significant functional limitation. Larger prospective studies are needed to validate these findings and better characterize patients expected to benefit from these programs.

Background Drug prescription errors are made, worldwide, on a daily basis, resulting in a high burden of morbidity and mortality. Existing rule-based systems for prevention of such errors are unsuccessful and associated with substantial burden of false alerts. Objective In this prospective study, we evaluated the accuracy, validity, and clinical usefulness of medication error alerts generated by a novel system using outlier detection screening algorithms, used on top of a legacy standard system, in a real-life inpatient setting. Materials and Methods We integrated a novel outlier system into an existing electronic medical record system, in a single medical ward in a tertiary medical center. The system monitored all drug prescriptions written during 16 months. The department’s staff assessed all alerts for accuracy, clinical validity, and usefulness. We recorded all physician’s real-time responses to alerts generated. Results The alert burden generated by the system was low, with alerts generated for 0.4% of all medication orders. Sixty percent of the alerts were flagged after the medication was already dispensed following changes in patients’ status which necessitated medication changes (eg, changes in vital signs). Eighty-five percent of the alerts were confirmed clinically valid, and 80% were considered clinically useful. Forty-three percent of the alerts caused changes in subsequent medical orders. Conclusion A clinical decision support system that used a probabilistic, machine-learning approach based on statistically derived outliers to detect medication errors generated clinically useful alerts. The system had high accuracy, low alert burden and low false-positive rate, and led to changes in subsequent orders.

Background Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a common condition that may manifest as intermediate or high-risk pulmonary embolism (PE), requiring either primary or subsequent fibrinolytic therapy. In these cases, catheter-directed thrombolysis (CDT) has been shown to be beneficial. Case summary We present the case of a borderline obese but otherwise healthy 43-year-old male individual, who was admitted with acute intermediate- to high-risk PE requiring treatment with intravenous unfractionated heparin. After initial therapy failure, the patient received CDT, with subsequent clinical worsening, and a mixed result of imaging studies suggesting partial central worsening and partial peripheral improvement of the thrombotic burden and right ventricular (RV) function. After a multidisciplinary PE response team (PERT) consultation, the diagnosis of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) with normal platelet levels was made. Therapy was changed to intravenous bivalirudin, with an excellent clinical response and complete recovery of RV function. The patient was discharged with oral rivaroxaban therapy, and on follow-up was otherwise well. Discussion Apparent failure of thrombolytic therapy for VTE warrants a clinical investigation into possible causes of a pro-thrombotic state. In this case, the diagnosis of HIT was surprising, especially due to only a mild decline in platelet levels that were well within normal range. We also acknowledge the significance of our PERT in the key diagnosis made in this case.

Aims Severe mitral regurgitation (MR) following acute myocardial infarction (MI) is associated with high mortality rates and has inconclusive recommendations in clinical guidelines. We aimed to report the international experience of patients with secondary MR following acute MI and compare the outcomes of those treated conservatively, surgically, and percutaneously. Methods and results Retrospective international registry of consecutive patients with at least moderate-to-severe MR following MI treated in 21 centres in North America, Europe, and the Middle East. The registry included patients treated conservatively and those having surgical mitral valve repair or replacement (SMVR) or percutaneous mitral valve repair (PMVR) using edge-to-edge repair. The primary endpoint was in-hospital mortality. A total of 471 patients were included (43% female, age 73 ± 11 years): 205 underwent interventions, of whom 106 were SMVR and 99 PMVR. Patients who underwent mitral valve intervention were in a worse clinical state (Killip class ≥3 in 60% vs. 43%, P < 0.01), but yet had lower in-hospital and 1-year mortality compared with those treated conservatively [11% vs. 27%, P < 0.01 and 16% vs. 35%, P < 0.01; adjusted hazard ratio (HR) 0.28, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.18–0.46, P < 0.01]. Surgical mitral valve repair or replacement was performed earlier than PMVR [median of 12 days from MI date (interquartile range 5–19) vs. 19 days (10–40), P < 0.01]. The immediate procedural success did not differ between SMVR and PMVR (92% vs. 93%, P = 0.53). However, in-hospital and 1-year mortality rates were significantly higher in SMVR than in PMVR (16% vs. 6%, P = 0.03 and 31% vs. 17%, P = 0.04; adjusted HR 3.75, 95% CI 1.55–9.07, P < 0.01). Conclusions Early intervention may mitigate the poor prognosis associated with conservative therapy in patients with post-MI MR. Percutaneous mitral valve repair can serve as an alternative for surgery in reducing MR for high-risk patients.

Background: The X-linked Danon disease manifests by severe cardiomyopathy, myopathy, and neuropsychiatric problems. We designed this registry to generate a comprehensive picture of clinical presentations and outcome of patients with Danon disease in cardiomyopathy centers throughout Europe. Methods: Clinical and genetic data were collected in 16 cardiology centers from 8 European countries. Results: The cohort comprised 30 male and 27 female patients. The age at diagnosis was birth to 42 years in men and 2 to 65 in women. Cardiac involvement was observed in 96%. Extracardiac manifestations were prominent in men but not in women. Left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy was reported in 73% of male and 74% of female patients. LV systolic dysfunction was reported in 40% of men (who had LV ejection fraction, 34±11%) and 59% of women (LV ejection fraction, 28±13%). The risk of arrhythmia and heart failure was comparable among sexes. The age of first heart failure hospitalization was lower in men (18±6 versus 28±17 years; P Conclusions: Danon disease presents earlier in men than in women and runs a malignant course in both sexes, due to cardiac complications. Cardiomyopathy features, heart failure and arrhythmia, are similar among the sexes. Clinical diagnosis and management is extremely challenging in women due to phenotypic diversity and the absence of extracardiac manifestations.

Background Pericarditis in pregnancy is uncommon. Treatment options, including NSAIDs and long term gluco-corticosteroids (CS) have extensive side-effects, while data on the use of Colchicine in pregnant women who suffer from pericarditis is limited. Objective To evaluate the management and outcome of active pericarditis during pregnancy in both acute (AP) and recurrent pericarditis (RP) patients. Methods and results Twelve pregnant women (14 pregnancies) with active pericarditis were followed prospectively in our cardiology-pregnancy clinic; 6 with AP and 8 with RP. Etiology: 11 idiopathic, 2 post-pericardiotomy syndrome and 1 Q fever. Maternal age on presentation was 27±4y vs. 33±3y in RP vs AP respectively. Average gestational age upon diagnosis was lower in RP than in AP (18 weeks, range 6–30 vs 26 weeks, range 5–35). In the RP group, 7/8 women (87%) were treated with CS compared with 2/6 women (33%) in the AP group; 3 women in RP group (37%) failed to respond to subsequent treatment with azathioprine and 1 patient was treated successfully with Anakinra. Colchicine was prescribed in 13/14 (93%) of pregnancies, average colchicine exposure during pregnancy was 25±15 weeks. Recurrence during pregnancy: 6/8 (75%) of RP; 2/6 (33%) of the AP, all of them on CS. All pregnancies culminated in a live birth with a mean gestational age on delivery of 37±1.4 weeks. Average birthweight was 3267±507 grams. There were no fetal anomalies or developmental delays after a mean follow-up of 2.7 years. All newborns and maternal outcomes were normal. On long term follow-up after delivery RP patients treated with colchicine developed less recurrences. Conclusion Active pericarditis is associated with a high recurrence rate during pregnancy despite treatment with CS. Colchicine use in pregnant women with active pericarditis appears to be safe. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None

Introduction Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a structural heart disease defined by an increase in left-ventricular (LV) wall thickness, that may be complicated with a clinical syndrome of heart failure, arrhythmia and death. Purpose To characterize the clinically significant factors for female HCM patients and bring forward the awareness to gender-based differences in HCM. Methods We reviewed the patient records of 1297 patients age ≥18 years, diagnosed with HCM, from two tertiary medical centers in Spain and Israel, and analyzed 748 male and female patients matched for age ≥60 years at admission, BMI, hypertension, diabetes and obstructive HCM. Results Female patients were older at original diagnosis [median 54 years (38–66) vs. 50 years (35–60), p=0.007], and had higher rates of family history of both HCM (46% vs. 37%, p=0.01) and sudden cardiac death (23% vs. 15%, p=0.02). Female patients had lower rates of active smoking (11% vs. 25%, p Conclusions Female patients suffering from HCM have a clinical phenotype defined by slightly later presentation (and shorter time until admission to a tertiary-center cardiomyopathy clinic), smaller LV cavity size, higher severity of mitral insufficiency and pulmonary hypertension and worse functional and exercise capacities. Genders did not differ in 5-year mortality, which was relatively low. Functional and exercise capacity Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None

Introduction Serum lactate is a marker for the presence and severity of imbalances between tissue oxygen supply and demand. There are only scare data regarding the significance of arterial lactate in PE patients. Purpose We sought to explore the significance of venous serum lactate as a short- and long-term predictor of adverse outcomes. Methods We prospectively enrolled 570 patients with topographically-confirmed pulmonary embolism, hospitalized in our center during 2016–2019. Patient's data was collected using an electronic medical record and follow-up interviews via telephone. The combined end point of hemodynamic instability, shock, mechanical ventilation, or need for CPR was prospectively documented during hospitalization as well as 1-year mortality. Results The analysis included 461 consecutive patients with available clinical data including venous lactate. The median age was 69 years, and 262 (58%) were female. Median serum lactate levels were 21 mg/dL (IQR 16–31). The composite endpoint was documented in 92 patients (20%), and lactate levels above 21 mg/dl had a higher incidence of the composite end point (26% vs, 14%, p=0.002). Similar findings were seen when adding either the need for escalating therapy (44% vs. 24%, p In subgroup analyses, lactate levels were associated with 1-year mortality regardless of age or gender. Similar predictive trends for 1-year mortality were seen in patients stratified by diabetes status, a current malignancy, PE risk and right-ventricle abnormalities (see figure). Conclusions Venous serum lactate levels are associated with a myriad of in-hospital adverse outcomes, as well as long-term mortality. In a 1-year follow-up, a higher lactate level was predictive of mortality across various subgroups, with higher hazard ratios seen specifically in lower-risk patients. Further studies are needed in order to evaluate the possible prognostic role of the change in serum lactate during PE management. Elevated lactate and 1-year mortality Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None

Background Advanced hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) may be complicated by a dilated hypokinetic transformation. Reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (HFrEF) has been described in terms of specific risks of morbidity and mortality, and specifically in terms of increased risk for fatal arrhythmias. Nevertheless, recent publications have casted doubt regarding the role of arrhythmia in non-ischemic HFrEF and questioned the role of primary prevention strategies in these cases. Methods We've reviewed clinical characteristics of 883 patients age ≥40, diagnosed with HCM who were evaluated in the cardiomyopathy clinic in two tertiary medical centers in Israel and Spain. Results Forty-five patients (5%) suffered from hypokinetic transformation. They were younger at diagnosis (median 32 [IQR 24–55] vs. 49 [35–60], p Conclusions HCM patients suffering from hypokinetic transformation have lower functional and exercise capacities, are more likely to suffer from ventricular tachyarrhythmias and experience appropriate ICD therapy, and undergo heart transplantation. They also have a significantly lower 5-year survival. Five-year survival Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None

Sarcopenia and frailty are causes for morbidity and mortality amongst heart failure (HF) patients. Low alanine transaminase (ALT) is a marker for these syndromes and, therefore, could serve as a biomarker for the prognostication of HF patients. We performed a retrospective analysis of all consecutive hospitalized HF patients in our institute in order to find out whether low ALT values would be a biomarker for poor outcomes. Our cohort included 11,102 patients, 35.6% categorized as heart failure with reduced ejection fraction. We excluded patients with ALT &gt, 40 IU/L and cirrhosis. 8700 patients were followed for a median duration of 22 months and included in a univariate analysis. Patients with ALT &lt, 10 IU/L were older (mean age 78.6 vs. 81.8, p &lt, 0.001), had past stroke (24.6% vs. 19.6%, p &lt, 0.001), dementia (7.7% vs. 4.6%, p &lt, 0.001), and malignancy (13.4% vs. 10.2%, p = 0.003). Hospitalization length was longer in the low-ALT group (4 vs. 3 days, p &lt, 0.001), and the rate of acute kidney injury during hospitalization was higher (19.1% vs. 15.6%, p = 0.006). The in-hospital mortality rate was higher in the low-ALT group (6.5% vs. 3.9%, p &lt, 0.001). Long-term mortality was also higher (73.3% vs. 61.5%, 0.001). In a multivariate regression analysis, ALT &lt, 10 IU/L had a 1.22 hazard ratio for mortality throughout the follow-up period (CI = 1.09&ndash, 1.36, 0.001). Low ALT plasma level, a biomarker for sarcopenia and frailty, can assist clinicians in prognostic stratification of heart failure patients.

We hereby present two case reports of moderate coronavirus disease patients, suffering from profound hypoxaemia, further deteriorating later on. A schedule pre‐planned awake prone position manoeuvres were executed during their hospital stay. Following this, the patients' saturation improved, later to be weaned from oxygen support. Paucity of evidence and data regarding this topic led us to review the concept of awake prone position.

Background. Frailty and sarcopenia are associated with frequent hospitalizations and poor clinical outcomes in geriatric patients. Ascertaining this association for younger patients hospitalized to internal medicine departments could help better prognostication of patients in the realm of internal medicine. Methods. During 1-year prospective study in an internal medicine department, we evaluated patients upon admission for sarcopenia and frailty. We used the FRAIL questionnaire, blood Alanine-amino transferase (ALT) activity and Mid-Arm Muscle Circumference (MAMC) measurements. Results. We recruited Nine-hundred and eighty consecutive patients upon hospital admission (median age 72 years (IQR 65-79); 56.8% males). According to the FRAIL questionnaire 106 (10.8%) patients were robust, 368 (37.5%) pre-frail and 506 (51.7%) were frail. The Median ALT value was 19IU/L (IQR 14-28). The median MAMC value was 27.8 (IQR 25.7-30.2). Patients with low ALT activity level (< 17IU/L) were more frail according to their FRAIL score (3 (IQR 2-4) vs. 2 (IQR 1-3); p < 0.001). Higher MAMC values were associated with higher ALT activity, both representing robustness. The rate of 30-days readmission in the whole cohort was 17.4%. Frail patients according to the FRAIL score (FS) had a higher risk for 30-days readmission (for FS > 2, HR = 1.99; 95CI = 1.29-3.08; p = 0.002). Frail patients according to low ALT activity also had a significantly higher risk for 30-days readmission (HR = 2.22; 95CI = 1.26-3.91; p = 0.006). After excluding patients whose length of stay (LOS) was ≥ 10 days, 252 (27.5%) stayed in-hospital for 4 days or longer. Frail patients according to FS had a higher risk for LOS ≥ 4 days (for FS > 2, HR = 1.87; 95CI = 1.39-2.52; p < 0.001). Frail patients according to low ALT activity were also at higher risk for LOS ≥ 4 days (HR = 1.87; 95CI = 1.39-2.52; p < 0.001). MAMC values were not correlated with patients' LOS or risk for re-admission. Conclusion. Frailty and sarcopenia upon admission to internal medicine departments are associated with longer hospitalization and increased risk for re-admission.

Summary Background Sarcopenia and frailty influence clinical patients’ outcomes. Low alanine aminotransferase (ALT) serum activity is a surrogate marker for sarcopenia and frailty. In-hospital hypoglycemia is associated, also with worse clinical outcomes. Aim We evaluated the association between low ALT, risk of in-hospital hypoglycemia and subsequent mortality. Design This was a retrospective cohort analysis. Methods We included patients hospitalized in a tertiary hospital between 2007 and 2019. Patients’ data were retrieved from their electronic medical records. Results The cohort included 51 831 patients (average age 70.88). The rate of hypoglycemia was 10.8% (amongst diabetics 19.4% whereas in non-diabetics 8.3%). The rate of hypoglycemia was higher amongst patients with ALT < 10 IU/l in the whole cohort (14.3% vs. 10.4%, P Conclusions Low ALT values amongst hospitalized patients are associated with increased risk of in-hospital hypoglycemia and overall mortality.

Aims Diabetes mellitus (DM) aggravates the clinical features of ischaemic and hypertensive heart diseases and worsens the prognosis of heart failure patients. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and diabetes coexist fairly frequently in elderly patients but the impact of DM on the clinical phenotype of HCM is yet unknown. We sought to describe if predominant features of heart failure in DM patients exist independently in HCM. Methods and results We reviewed clinical characteristics of 937 patients, age ≥40, diagnosed with HCM, from two tertiary medical centres in Spain and Israel. A propensity score matched cohort of 294 patients was also analysed. Our cohort comprised 102 HCM patients with diabetes (8.7%). Patients with DM were older at diagnosis {median 56 [interquartile range (IQR) 47–67] vs. 53 (IQR 43–63), P = 0.02} and had a higher prevalence of comorbidities. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy patients with DM had a higher prevalence of diastolic dysfunction, pulmonary hypertension, significant mitral regurgitation, and pacemaker implantation. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy patients with DM had a higher New York Heart Association (NYHA) class (P Conclusion Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy patients with diabetes are older and have a higher cardiovascular risk profile. They have a lower functional capacity and more heart failure symptoms due to diastolic dysfunction.

In an attempt to address severe medical manpower shortages in several medical disciplines, the Israeli Ministry of Health offered grants to residents who chose one of these fields.A total of 220 residents from various disciplines were surveyed on demographic, academic, and professional data, and asked to rank considerations in the choice of their field of residency.Residents in targeted fields attributed significantly more importance to the grant in their decision-making process (U = 3704.5, p 0.001). This effect remained significant in a multivariate model (OR 1.67, 95%CI 1.32-2.10, p 0.001). Higher age (OR 1.15, 95%CI 1.01-1.31, p = 0.031) and attribution of significance to the working conditions compared to other residency fields (OR 1.69, 95%CI 1.23-2.32, p = 0.001) were significantly associated with receptivity toward the grant in a multivariate analysis.Receptivity toward the offered grants correlated with real-life data shows a rise in physician in these fields, and the weak association between such receptivity and most variables tested may suggest that the grants were perceived as a property of the specific choice rather than a special bonus.Grants may be useful in diverting medical manpower. Further analysis and modeling are required to determine causal relationship and budgetary feasibility.

BACKGROUND While glycemic control of hospitalized diabetic patients is straightforward, personalization of management at discharge is challenging. Treatment guidelines base recommendations on the clinical profile of patients. We checked the feasibility of implementing discharge recommendations, based on the clinical profile in the patients' electronic health records (EHR). METHODS A decision-making algorithm was devised according to current guidelines. It was incorporated into the EHR. A prospective follow-up of eligible diabetes patients was done. RESULTS During 15 months, 835 patients (HbA1c was 6.9% [6.2%-7.8%]) met our inclusion criteria. The rate of HbA1c acquisition increased from 55% during Q1 to 85%, 86%, 88%, and 87% thereafter. Also, the rate of incorporating personalized management recommendations to discharge letters increased: from 14.9% during Q1 to 42.9%, 43.0%, 47.2%, and 53.4% thereafter. Fifty-eight (17.3%) of patients who got personalized recommendations upon discharge were found to have HbA1c values that were over 1% deviating from suggested target HbA1c. They got the most stringent recommendations. Twenty-nine (50%) of them had available follow-up HbA1c values showing a significant drop in HbA1c: from 9.1% (8.4%-10.2%) to 8.5% (7.4%-9.5%), P = .03. CONCLUSIONS Personalized, EHR algorithm-based, management recommendations for diabetes upon discharge from hospitalization are feasible and beneficial.

Background Patients suffering from sepsis experience organ failure and metabolic derangements with negative impact on their prognosis and survival. Objective markers for dismal prognosis in this group of patients are sought. Objectives Our primary outcome was to assess the potential role of corrected QT interval anomalies as surrogates for metabolic derangements leading to increased short and medium-term mortality in patients suffering from sepsis. Methods A historic-cohort analysis of 257 septic patients admitted to internal medicine departments. Personal data, vital signs, laboratory results and electrocardiograms were collected. Patients were grouped according to QTc duration, weather mid-range (395–490 milliseconds), or non-mid-range, and further defined as shorter ( 490 milliseconds). Results Mortality rates differed significantly between the mid-range QTc group and the non-mid-range groups at 14 days (23.7% versus 38.2%, respectively; p = 0.014) and at 3 months (38.5% versus 59.6%, respectively; p = 0.001). In a 3 group analysis, 14 day mortality was highest in the longer QTc group, and lowest in the mid-range group compared with the shorter QTc group (44.4%, 23.7%, and 35.5%, respectively; p = 0.034), and this difference also remained at 3 months (74.1%, 38.5, and 53.2% respectively; p = 0.001). All differences remained statistically significant in a multi-variate Cox-regression analysis. Conclusions QTc duration anomalies are associated with worse short- and medium-term prognosis, and may act as a marker for a more severe clinical sequelae.

Idiopathic recurrent pericarditis (IRP) is a debilitating illness which leads to great suffering and multiple hospitalizations. Management of acute pericarditis and subsequent recurrences has evolved significantly as the use of colchicine-based strategies become more prevalent, yet there still remains a subset of patients who remain refractory to colchicine therapy, and these patients require prolonged corticosteroid (CS) therapy for the control of symptoms. Since the 1960s, there have been reports of successful management of these cases with immunosuppressive therapy. Current guidelines support the use of anakinra, intravenous immunoglobulins, and azathioprine for management of IRP, with the goals of both control of symptoms and withdrawal of CS. Recent reports supply evidence for both auto-inflammatory and autoimmune activity in these patients. We herein review the current available reports regarding the evidence regarding the pathophysiology and reported cases and case series of IRP cases managed with immunomodulation therapy.

Background: Frailty and sarcopenia are associated with frequent hospitalizations and poor clinical outcomes in geriatric patients. Ascertaining this association for younger patients hospitalized in internal medicine departments could help better prognosticate patients in the realm of internal medicine. Methods: During a 1-year prospective study in an internal medicine department, we evaluated patients upon admission for sarcopenia and frailty. We used the FRAIL questionnaire, blood alanine-amino transferase (ALT) activity, and mid-arm muscle circumference (MAMC) measurements. Results: We recruited 980 consecutive patients upon hospital admission (median age 72 years (IQR 65–79); 56.8% males). According to the FRAIL questionnaire, 106 (10.8%) patients were robust, 368 (37.5%) pre-frail, and 506 (51.7%) were frail. The median ALT value was 19IU/L (IQR 14–28). The median MAMC value was 27.8 (IQR 25.7–30.2). Patients with low ALT activity level ( 2, HR = 1.99; 95CI = 1.29–3.08; p = 0.002). Frail patients, according to low ALT activity, also had a significantly higher risk for 30 days readmission (HR = 2.22; 95CI = 1.26–3.91; p = 0.006). After excluding patients whose length of stay (LOS) was ≥10 days, 252 (27.5%) stayed in-hospital for 4 days or longer. Frail patients according to FS had a higher risk for LOS ≥4 days (for FS > 2, HR = 1.87; 95CI = 1.39–2.52; p < 0.001). Frail patients, according to low ALT activity, were also at higher risk for LOS ≥4 days (HR = 1.87; 95CI = 1.39–2.52; p < 0.001). MAMC values were not correlated with patients’ LOS or risk for re-admission. Conclusion: Frailty and sarcopenia upon admission to internal medicine departments are associated with longer hospitalization and increased risk for re-admission.

Objectives To evaluate the effect of monetary grants on young physicians’ choice of remote or rural hospital-based practice. Background In late 2011, The Israeli Ministry of Health attempted to address a severe physician maldistribution, which involved severe shortages in remotely-located institutions (RLI). The policy intervention included offering monetary grants to residents who chose a residency program in a RLI. Methods A total of 222 residents from various disciplines were recruited; 114 residents from RLI and 108 residents from central-located institutions (CLI), who began their residency during 2012–2014. Participants were surveyed on demographic, academic and professional data, and on considerations in the choice of residency location. Results Residents in RLI attributed significantly more importance to the grant in their decision-making process than did residents from CLI. This effect remained significant in a multivariate model (OR 1.65, 95% CI 1.20–2.27, p = 0.002). The only parameter significantly associated with attributing importance to the grant was older age (OR 1.09, 95% CI 1.00–1.19, p = 0.049). Conclusion The choice of a RLI for residency may be influenced by monetary grants. This is consistent with real-life data showing an increase in medical staffing in these areas during the program’s duration. Further studies are needed to determine causality and physical practicality of such programs.

Objectives Patients with acute myocardial infarction pretreated with prasugrel or ticagrelor may require urgent coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). However, prasugrel and ticagrelor withdrawal period is recommended for 5-7 days before planned CABG to enable full platelet recovery. We hypothesized that monitoring sequential platelet reactivity (PR) could identify patients with early platelet recovery who may benefit from earlier surgery before the guideline-recommended 5-7 day delay. Patients and methods We performed preoperative PR assays in 35 patients with acute myocardial infarction who received prasugrel (60%) or ticagrelor (40%) and required an urgent CABG. When platelet inhibition levels were favorable, on the basis of the VerifyNow assay, surgery was endorsed. CABG-related bleeding parameters were collected and compared with two matched control groups composed of patients who received fewer potent antiplatelet regimens. Results On the basis of platelet function monitoring, we identified 21 (56.7%) patients with a relatively earlier platelet recovery who underwent CABG before the end of the conventional washout period (5-7 days). For these patients, the washout periods were shortened to an average time of 2.6±1.0 days for ticagrelor and 3.8±1.5 days for prasugrel. CABG-related bleeding parameters were comparable with the two matched control groups. Conclusion A strategy of performing preoperative PR assays can identify patients who recover platelet function in less than 5-7 days after ticagrelor or prasugrel discontinuation. This strategy may provide the basis for performing urgent CABGs earlier than the currently recommended delay. Future, larger studies are required to establish these preliminary findings.

Background/Objective: Objective assessment tools for patients' frailty are lacking. Such tools would have been highly valuable for assessment of candidates for cardiac rehabilitation programs. Low ALT (Alanine aminotransferase) values were recently shown to be a promising parameter for objective, quantitative frailly assessment. Methods: This was a retrospective study of patients participating in a cardiac rehabilitation program. Results: Patients with lower ALT activity levels at the initiation of rehabilitation program had lower estimated METs values (6.86 vs. 7.73; p

New anti-cancer drugs that inhibit the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signaling pathway are highly effective in the treatment of solid tumors, however concerns remain regarding their cardiovascular safety. The most common side effect of VEGF signaling pathway (VSP) inhibition is the development of systemic hypertension. We review the incidence, possible mechanisms, significance and management of hypertension in patients treated with VSP inhibitors.

Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have revolutionized the management and outcomes of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) patients. Improved disease control and prolonged life expectancy now mandate focus on improving TKIs' safety profile. Recently, vascular adverse events (VAEs) have emerged as a serious consequence of some of the newer TKIs. In this review, we describe the clinical spectrum of TKI-associated VAE, and examine the unique vascular safety profile of the main TKIs currently used in the treatment of CML: imatinib, nilotinib, dasatinib, bosutinib and ponatinib. The issue of TKI-related platelet dysfunction is discussed as well. We describe the contemporary research findings regarding the possible pathogenesis of the VAE. Finally, the different aspects of TKI-associated VAE management are addressed, including prevention methods, monitoring strategies and treatment options.

Myocardial injury and anemia are common among patients in internal medicine departments. Nevertheless, the level of anemia in which blood should be given to these patients is ill defined. We conducted a retrospective, cohort analysis. A total of 209 patients hospitalized to internal medicine, with myocardial injury (troponin I > 0.2 mcg/L, not diagnosed as ACS, acute coronary syndrome) and anemia (Hb