Echocardiographic predictors and associated outcomes of multiple vegetations in infective endocarditis:A pilot study

BACKGROUND Infective endocarditis(IE)is a life-threatening infection with an annual mortality of 40%.Embolic events reported in up to 80%of patients.Vegetations of>10 mm size are associated with increased embolic events and poor prognosis.There is a paucity of literature on the association of multiple vegetations with outcome.AIM To study the echocardiographic(ECHO)features and outcomes associated with the presence of multiple vegetations.METHODS In this retrospective,single-center,cohort study patients diagnosed with IE were recruited from June 2017 to June 2019.A total of 84 patients were diagnosed to have IE,of whom 67 with vegetation were identified.Baseline demographic,clinical,laboratory,and ECHO parameters were reviewed.Outcomes that were studied included recurrent admission,embolic phenomenon,and mortality.RESULTS Twenty-three(34%)patients were noted to have multiple vegetations,13(56.5%)were male and 10(43.5%)were female.The mean age of these patients was 50.Eight(35%)had a prior episode of IE.ECHO features of moderate to severe valvular regurgitation[odds ratio(OR)=4],presence of pacemaker lead(OR=4.8),impaired left ventricle(LV)relaxation(OR=4),and elevated pulmonary artery systolic pressure(PASP)(OR=2.2)are associated with higher odds of multiple vegetations.Of these moderate to severe valvular regurgitation(P=0.028),pacemaker lead(P=0.039)and impaired relaxation(P=0.028)were statistically significant.These patients were noted to have an increased association of recurrent admissions(OR=3.6),recurrent bacteremia(OR=2.4),embolic phenomenon(OR=2.5),intensive care unit stay(OR=2.8),hypotension(OR=2.1),surgical intervention(OR=2.8)and device removal(OR=4.8).Of this device removal(P=0.039)and recurrent admissions(P=0.017)were statistically significant.CONCLUSION This study highlights the associations of ECHO predictors and outcomes in patients with IE having multiple vegetations.ECHO features of moderate to severe regurgitation,presence of pacemaker lead,impaired LV relaxation,and elevated PASP and outcomes including recurrent admissions and device removal were found to be associated with multiple vegetations.

Influence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease on non-variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding:A nationwide analysis

BACKGROUND Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD)is the leading cause of liver disease globally with an estimated prevalence of 25%,with the clinical and economic burden expected to continue to increase.In the United States,non-variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding(NVUGIB)has an estimated incidence of 61-78 cases per 100000 people with a mortality rate of 2%-15%based on co-morbidity burden.AIM To identify the outcomes of NVUGIB in NAFLD hospitalizations in the United States.METHODS We utilized the National Inpatient Sample from 2016-2019 to identify all NVUGIB hospitalizations in the United States.This population was divided based on the presence and absence of NAFLD.Hospitalization characteristics,outcomes and complications were compared.RESULTS The total number of hospitalizations for NVUGIB was 799785,of which 6%were found to have NAFLD.NAFLD and GIB was,on average,more common in younger patients,females,and Hispanics than GIB without NAFLD.Interestingly,GIB was less common amongst blacks with NAFLD.Multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted,controlling for the multiple covariates.The primary outcome of interest,mortality,was found to be significantly higher in patients with NAFLD and GIB[adjusted odds ratio(aOR)=1.018(1.013-1.022)].Secondary outcomes of interest,shock[aOR=1.015(1.008-1.022)],acute respiratory failure[aOR=1.01(1.005-1.015)]and acute liver failure[aOR=1.016(1.013-1.019)]were all more likely to occur in this cohort.Patients with NAFLD were also more likely to incur higher total hospital charges(THC)[$2148($1677-$2618)];however,were less likely to have a longer length of stay[0.27 d(0.17-0.38)].Interestingly,in our study,the patients with NAFLD were less likely to suffer from acute myocardial infarction[aOR=0.992(0.989-0.995)].Patients with NAFLD were not more likely to suffer acute kidney injury,sepsis,blood transfusion,intubation,or dialysis.CONCLUSION NVUGIB in NAFLD hospitalizations had higher inpatient mortality,THC,and complications such as shock,acute respiratory failure,and acute liver failure compared to those without NAFLD.