Linking birth records to hospital admission records enhances the identification of women who smoke during pregnancy

Objective : Birth records and hospital admission records are valuable for research on maternal smoking, but individually are known to under‐estimate smokers. This study investigated the extent to which combining data from these records enhances the identification of pregnant smokers, and whether this affects research findings such as estimates of maternal smoking prevalence and risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes associated with smoking. Methods : A total of 846,039 birth records in New South Wales, Australia, (2001–2010) were linked to hospital admission records (delivery and antenatal). Algorithm 1 combined data from birth and delivery admission records, whereas algorithm 2 combined data from birth record, delivery and antenatal admission records. Associations between smoking and placental abruption, preterm birth, stillbirth, and low birthweight were assessed using multivariable logistic regression. Results : Algorithm 1 identified 127,612 smokers (smoking prevalence 15.1%), which was a 9.6% and 54.6% increase over the unenhanced identification from birth records alone (prevalence 13.8%), and delivery admission records alone (prevalence 9.8%), respectively. Algorithm 2 identified a further 2,408 smokers from antenatal admission records. The enhancement varied by maternal socio‐demographic characteristics (age, marital status, country of birth, socioeconomic status); obstetric factors (multi‐fetal pregnancy, diabetes, hypertension); and maternity hospital. Enhanced and unenhanced identification methods yielded similar odds ratios for placental abruption, preterm birth, stillbirth and low birthweight. Conclusions : Use of linked data improved the identification of pregnant smokers. Studies relying on a single data source should adjust for the under‐ascertainment of smokers among certain obstetric populations.     

Return to work after first myocardial infarction in 1991-1996 in Finland

BACKGROUND: A substantial number of myocardial infarctions (MI) occur at working age. It is, however, insufficiently well known how many of these patients return to work after their MI. METHODS: Sources of information were the Hospital Discharge Register, the Causes of Death Register and the registers for social security benefits. Availability for the labour market was used as the return to work criterion. Altogether 10,244 persons (8,733 men, 1,511 women) aged 35-59 years had their first MI or coronary death during 1991-1994 in Finland. Persons who survived for 28 days and were not on pension at the time of MI were included in a two-year follow-up. RESULTS: Twenty-nine per cent of patients were already pensioned at the time of their first MI. Of the patients not pensioned at the time of their MI, 4,929 were alive two years after the event. Of them, 38% of men and 40% of women received disability pension, 3% of both genders were on sick leave and 1% of both genders were on unemployment pension. The remainder, 58% of men and 56% of women, did not receive any of these benefits, thus, being available to the labour force. CONCLUSIONS: Nearly one-third of persons having their first MI at working age were already out of the labour force at the time of their MI. Of those who were not pensioned and who survived the event, slightly more than half were available to the labour market two years later.     

Acute myocardial infarction incidence and hospital mortality: routinely collected national data versus linkage of national registers

Background and Objective To compare levels of and trends in incidence and hospital mortality of first acute myocardial infarction (AMI) based on routinely collected hospital morbidity data and on linked registers. Cases taken from routine hospital data are a mix of patients with recurrent and first events, and double counting occurs when cases are admitted for an event several times during 1 year. By linkage of registers, recurrent events and double counts can be excluded. Study Design and Setting In 1995 and 2000, 28,733 and 25,864 admissions for AMI were registered in the Dutch national hospital discharge register. Linkage with the population register yielded 21,565 patients with a first AMI in 1995 and 20,414 in 2000. Results In 1995 and 2000, the incidence based on the hospital register was higher than based on the linked registers in men (22% and 23% higher) and women (18% and 20% higher). In both years, hospital mortality based on the hospital register and on linked registers was similar. The decline in incidence between 1995 and 2000 was comparable whether based on standard hospital register data or linked data (18% and 20% in men, 15% and 17% in women). Similarly, the decline in hospital mortality was comparable using either approach (11% and 9% in both men and women). Conclusion Although the incidence based on routine hospital data overestimates the actual incidence of first AMI based on linked registers, hospital mortality and trends in incidence and hospital mortality are not changed by excluding recurrent events and double counts. Since trends in incidence and hospital mortality of AMI are often based on national routinely collected data, it is reassuring that our results indicate that findings from such studies are indeed valid and not biased because of recurrent events and double counts. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Mortality in Dutch hospitals: Trends in time,place and cause of death after admission for myocardial infarction and stroke. An observational study

Background  

Patterns in time, place and cause of death can have an important impact on calculated hospital mortality rates. Objective is to quantify these patterns following myocardial infarction and stroke admissions in Dutch hospitals during the period 1996–2003, and to compare trends in the commonly used 30-day in-hospital mortality rates with other types of mortality rates which use more extensive follow-up in time and place of death.     

Caring of ST‐elevation myocardial infarction patients in rural community hospital settings: Determinants of in‐hospital mortality

Objective: Cardiovascular disease contributes more than three quarters of all cardiovascular deaths worldwide. Adherence to myocardial infarction (MI) guidelines might not be possible in many rural hospitals. We aim to share our three‐year experience in rural settings regarding to ST‐elevation MI (STEMI) patients particularly by focusing on determinants of in‐hospital mortality. Methods: We retrospectively analysed our data for 559 acute STEMI patients admitted to our coronary care unit in Kastamonu city, Turkey between August 2004 and August 2007. Key demographic and clinical characteristics and data regarding symptom duration, prehospital transfer settings and insurance status were collected. Killip classes and in‐hospital therapy of all patients were recorded. Results: A total of 54 patients (9.66%) died within the hospitalisation period. Multivariate analysis revealed that advanced age > 65 years, late admission, hypotension at presentation, killip class > 2, anterior location, posterior location, lack of fibrinolysis and cardiogenic shock were independent predictors of in‐hospital mortality. Conclusions: In rural hospital settings, clinical resources and transfer facilities are limited. Therefore, improvement of early transfer and prehospital fibrinolysis capabilities should decrease mortality.     

Moderate alcohol intake and risk of myocardial infarction among non-smokers

We have conducted a hospital-based case-control study on 157patients with newly diagnosed myocardial infarction and 157hospital controls. All were men, 35–69 years old and non-smokersor ex-smokers of at least 6 months. A clearcut inverse dose-responserelationship was found between alcohol intake (chiefly red wine)and risk of Ml (odds ratios were 0.69, 0.43 and 0.42, for thosedrinking 1–30, 30–90 and >90 drinks per month,compared to <1). Adjustment by coronary risk factors in logistic-regressionmodels increased the strength of the association with alcohol.Protection was somewhat stronger than in studies conducted incountries where the consumption of beer or liquors is heavierthan that of wine. The protective effect might be due to theantioxidant properties of phenolic substances contained in redwine.     

个性化院前急诊护理在急性心肌梗死患者中的应用分析

目的:探讨个性化院前急诊护理应用于急性心肌梗死(AMI)患者中的临床效果,以为临床护理提供指导.方法:回顾性分析我院2018年8月至2020年8月收治的56例AMI患者临床资料,将行常规护理的患者纳入对照组(n=26),将行个性化院前急诊护理的患者纳入观察组(n=30).对比两组患者院前急救时间、并发症发生率与病死率....     

Six month outcomes after emergency admission of elderly patients to a community or a district general hospital

BACKGROUND: Emergency admissions account for 40% of National Health Service bed usage. Recent policy is to increase the role of intermediate care, which includes the use of community hospitals (CHs). However, the proposed expansion presumes that CH care is as effective as acute hospital care. No direct comparison of outcomes between CHs and district general hospitals (DGHs) has been undertaken. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to compare patient-based outcomes at 6 months following emergency admission to a DGH or CH. METHODS: We designed a prospective cohort study, with strict eligibility criteria. The study was set in one DGH and five CHs in Devon, UK. Study participants were people aged >70 years with an acute illness requiring hospital admission, but whose condition could have been treated in either hospital setting. A cohort of people admitted to each setting was identified and followed-up for 6 months. The primary outcome measure was change in quality of life 6 months after admission, as measured by SF-36 and EuroQol. Secondary outcome measures were death, readmission and place of residence at 6 months. The use of drugs and investigations during the hospital stay were also measured. RESULTS: A total of 376 patients were recruited and completed baseline measures, 254 of whom were followed-up at the 6-month stage (136 CH, 118 DGH). There were no differences in outcome between settings, with a small increase in quality of life scores at 6 months in both cohorts: the mean change in EuroQol 5D in CH was 6.6 points (95% confidence interval, 2.8-10.4) and in DGH was 6.5 (2.4-10.7); P = 0.97. Mortality and place of residence at 6 months were similar in the two groups. The numbers of investigations (median CH four investigations, DGH 22; P < 0.001) and of prescribed medications during the hospital stay (median CH eight drugs, DGH 11; P < 0.001) were significantly higher in the DGH. CONCLUSIONS: The quality of life and mortality in the CH cohort was similar to those in the DGH cohort. CH care can be used as an alternative to DGH care for a wide range of conditions requiring emergency admission.     

Ensuring successful admission to hospital for young people with learning difficulties, autism and challenging behaviour: a continuous quality improvement and change management programme

Background Children and young people with autism spectrum conditions frequently have adverse experiences in accessing health care. Methods An audit of experiences of families known to our tertiary service and hospital staff was conducted. A checklist asking about particular aspects of behaviour and communication was developed and incorporated into pre-admission planning. Results Awareness of the child/young person's communication needs and behaviours, plus good preplanning by all staff involved and a team member allocated to ensure that the care plan is carried through, has resulted in a vastly improved 'patient experience' from the perspective of family and staff. Conclusion Children and young people with autism spectrum disorder, often with co-existing learning difficulties, vary greatly in their reactions to hospital admission. Preplanning that involves the family with a dedicated informed staff member can dramatically reduce distress and improve the patient and staff experience.     

急性心肌梗死就地抢救与直接送医院病死率对照分析

目的对比急性心肌梗死(AMI)就地抢救与直接送医院病死率的差别。方法就地抢救组除一般治疗外，还进行了溶栓、电复律和电除颤治疗。结果就地抢救30例，28例安全送院，死亡2例，病死率6．67％；直接送院216例中,在路途死亡28例，在急诊室死亡52例，病死率分别为12．96％和24．07％，合计37．03％。结论就地抢救能显著地降低AMI的病死率。     

Increased mortality in partners of female myocardial infarction patients

BACKGROUND: Many studies have been performed on the impact of Alzheimer's disease, stroke and cancer on carers. Information on the influence of a myocardial infarction in a patient on the health of the partner is still scarce. METHODS: Exposed and non-exposed partners were compared with respect to the occurrence of mortality and predefined diseases, using Cox proportional hazards survival analysis. RESULTS: None of the disease incidence rates differed between exposed partners and control partners. Over 12 times as many male partners of (female) heart patients died as compared to their male control partners, when they had a low educational level. CONCLUSION: When exposed to myocardial infarction in a patient, the risk of dying in low educated male partners was over 12 times as large as for male low educated unexposed partners.     

Understanding the large heterogeneity in hospital readmissions and mortality for acute myocardial infarction

This study aims to investigate the variation in two acute myocardial infarction (AMI) outcomes across public hospitals in Portugal. In-hospital mortality and 30-day unplanned readmissions were studied using two distinct AMI cohorts of adults discharged from all acute care public hospital centers in Portugal from 2012−2015. Hierarchical generalized linear models were used to assess the association between patient and hospital characteristics and hospital variability in the two outcomes.Our findings indicate that hospitals are not performing homogeneously—the risk of adverse events tends to be consistently larger in some hospitals and consistently lower in other hospitals. While patient characteristics accounted for a larger share of the explained between-hospital variance, hospital characteristics explain an additional 8% and 10% of hospital heterogeneity in the mortality and the readmission cohorts respectively. Admissions to hospitals with low AMI caseloads or located in Alentejo/Algarve and Lisbon had a higher risk of mortality. Discharges from larger-sized hospitals were associated with increased risk of readmissions. Future health policies should incorporate these findings in order to incentivize more consistent health care outcomes across hospitals. Further investigation addressing geographical disparities, hospital caseload and practices is needed to direct actions of improvement to specific hospitals.     

Hospital volume and outcomes for inpatients with acute myocardial infarction in Shanxi,China: A cross‐sectional study

In this cross‐sectional study, we assessed the relationship between hospital volume and clinical outcomes for inpatients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in tertiary A hospitals in Shanxi, China (N = 12 931). In‐hospital mortality, length of stay (LOS), and total cost were measured. The crude in‐hospital mortality rate was 1.69%. Adjusted in‐hospital mortality was significantly lower for medium‐volume hospitals (odds ratio (OR) = 0.605, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.411‐0.900) compared with low‐volume hospitals. LOS in medium‐ and high‐volume hospitals were 0.915 (95% CI = 0.880‐0.951) and 1.069 (95% CI = 1.041‐1.098) days longer than in low‐volume hospitals, respectively. The cost of inpatients attending low‐ and high‐volume hospitals (OR = 1.180, 95% CI = 1.140‐1.221) was higher than that of medium‐volume hospitals (OR = 0.897, 95% CI = 0.868‐0.926). These results inform health care policy in countries with strained medical resources.     

Survival and cause of death after myocardial infarction:: The Danish MONICA study

As part of the Danish WHO MONICA study, a register of patients with myocardial infarction was established in 1982, covering 11 municipalities in the western part of Copenhagen County, Denmark. During the period 1982–91, all cases of myocardial infarction among citizens aged 25–74 years were registered and validated according to the criteria set up for the WHO MONICA project. Short-term (28 days) and long-term (up to 15 years) survival in three periods were compared. The rate of mortality after a non-fatal myocardial infarction was compared with that of the general population, and causes of death were analyzed. Short-term survival did not change during the study period, whereas long-term survival improved for men but did not change for women. The excess mortality rate among female patients over that of the general population was due to ischemic heart disease, other cardiovascular diseases, cancer and other diseases. The excess mortality among male patients was due only to cardiovascular diseases.     

Valsartan in the treatment of heart failure or left ventricular dysfunction after myocardial infarction

The physiological role of the renin angiotensin aldosterone system (RAAS) is to maintain the integrity of the cardiovascular system. The effect of angiotensin II is mediated via the angiotensin type I receptor (AT1 ) resulting in vasoconstriction, sodium retention and myocyte growth changes. This causes myocardial remodeling which eventually leads to left ventricular hypertrophy, dilation and dysfunction. Inhibition of the RAAS with angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors after acute myocardial infarction has been shown to reduce cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) specifically inhibit the AT1 receptor. It has not been known until the performance of the VALIANT (valsartan in acute myocardial infarction trial) whether blockade of the angiotensin receptor with an ARB or combination of an ACE inhibitor and ARB leads to similar outcomes as an ACE inhibitor. The VALIANT trial demonstrated equal efficacy and non-inferiority of the ARB valsartan 160 mg bid compared with captopril 50 mg tds, when administered to high risk patients with left ventricular dysfunction or heart failure in the immediate post myocardial infarction period. The combination therapy showed no incremental benefit over ACE inhibition or an ARB alone and resulted in increased adverse effects. This review examines the role of valsartan in left ventricular dysfunction post myocardial infarction. We also discuss pharmacokinetics, dosing, side effects, and usage in the elderly.     

急性心肌梗死患者医院获得性肺炎危险因素分析

目的 探讨急性心肌梗死患者发生医院获得性肺炎(HAP)的危险因素及防治措施.方法 回顾性调查分析328例急性心肌梗死住院患者,应用logistic回归模型,分析吸烟、介入治疗、泵功能、慢性阻塞性肺疾病(COPD)、糖尿病、心肌梗死类型、性别、年龄、住院时间等因素对HAP的影响.结果 急性心肌梗死患者医院获得性肺炎感染率为11.6％,住院时间为急性心肌梗死患者,发生HAP的主要危险因素,其OR值为10.192;而其余因素均与HAP无显著相关.结论 住院时间为急性心肌梗死患者发生HAP的主要危险因素;临床上宜采取综合措施,以预防为主、缩短住院时间、合理应用抗菌药物.     

Role of age and sex in short-term and long term mortality after a first Q wave myocardial infarction

STUDY OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to analyse whether the risk of death within 28 days and three years after a first Q wave myocardial infarction was higher in hospitalised women than in men. DESIGN: Follow up study. PATIENTS AND SETTING: All consecutive first Q wave myocardial infarction patients aged 25 to 74 years (447 women and 2322 men) admitted to a tertiary hospital in Gerona, Spain, from 1978 to 1997 were registered and followed up for three years. MAIN RESULTS: Women were older, presented more comorbidity and developed more severe myocardial infarctions than men. A significant interaction was found between sex and age. Women aged 65-74 had higher early mortality risk than men of the same age (OR 1.62; 95% CI 1.01, 2.66) after adjusting for age, comorbidity and acute complications including heart failure. Women under 65 tended to be at lower risk of early mortality than men (0.45 (95% CI 0.19, 1.04). Three year mortality of 28 day survivors did not differ between sexes. CONCLUSIONS: These data support the idea that the higher 28 day mortality in hospitalised women with a first Q wave myocardial infarction is mainly attributable to the large number of patients aged 65 to 74 years in whom the risk is higher than that in men. Women under 65 with myocardial infarction do not seem to be a special group of risk.     

Sex differences in risk factors, treatment and mortality after acute myocardial infarction: an observational study

BACKGROUND: Coronary heart disease is the major cause of death of postmenopausal women in industrialised countries. Although acute myocardial infarction (AMI) affects men in greater numbers, the short-term outcomes for women are worse. In the longer term, studies suggest that mortality risk for women is lower or similar to that of men. However, length of follow up and adjustment for confounding factors have varied and more importantly, the association between treatment and outcomes has not been examined. STUDY OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between sex differences in risk factors and hospital treatment and mortality after AMI. DESIGN: A prospective observational study collecting demographic and clinical data on cases of AMI admitted to hospitals in Yorkshire. The main outcome measures were mortality status at discharge from hospital and two years later. SETTING: All district and university hospitals accepting emergency admissions in the former Yorkshire National Health Service (NHS) region of northern England. PARTICIPANTS: 3684 consecutive patients with a possible diagnosis of AMI admitted to hospitals in Yorkshire between 1 September and 30 November 1995. MAIN RESULTS: AMI was confirmed by the attending consultant for 2196 admissions (2153 people, 850 women and 1303 men). Women were older and less likely than men to be smokers or have a history of ischaemic heart disease. Crude inhospital mortality was higher for women (30% versus 19% for men, crude odds ratio of death before discharge for women 1.78, 95% confidence intervals 1.46, 2.18, p=0.00). This difference persisted after adjustment for age, risk factors and comorbidities (adjusted OR 1.29, 95% CI 1.04, 1.63, p=0.02), but was not significant when treatment was taken into account. Women were less likely to be given thrombolysis (37% versus 46%, p<0.01) and aspirin (83% versus 90%, p<0.01), discharged with beta blockers (33% versus 47%, p<0.01) and aspirin (82% versus 88% p<0.01) or be scheduled for angiography, exercise testing or revascularisation. Adjustment for age removed much of the disparity in treatment. Crude mortality rate at two years was higher for women (OR 1.81, 95%CI 1.41, 2.31, p=0.00). Age, existing risk factors and acute treatment accounted for most of this difference, with treatment on discharge having little additional influence. CONCLUSIONS: Patients admitted to hospital with AMI should be offered optimal treatment irrespective of age or sex. Women have a worse prognosis after AMI and under-treatment of older people with aspirin and thrombolysis may be contributing to this.     

Clinical findings,outcome and treatment in patients > or = 75 years with acute myocardial infarction

Background and objective: Treatment of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) has changed dramatically during the 1990s, and the patients are older. Our aim was to characterize current clinical course, medication and invasive treatment in elderly patients with AMI, compare treatment between sexes and also with data from 1994. Methods: The study population included all patients aged 75 years (n = 197, 68% female), who were admitted from January 1997 to December 1998 to our hospital because of AMI. Results: Sixty-six percent of both sexes had non-Q AMI. Peak creatine kinase (CK)-MB fraction values were significantly higher in men (p = 0.035). Thrombolysis was performed on 16% and coronary angiography, coronary angioplasty/cardiac surgery on 8% of patients each. In-hospital mortality was high (25%). Cholesterol-lowering agents were used for only 8% of patients. During hospitalization, 15% of patients had an infection requiring intravenous antibiotics. Multivariate analysis revealed that infection increased in-hospital mortality 2.90-fold (95% CI: 1.23–6.82) and congestive heart failure (CHF) 2.25-fold (95% CI: 1.02–4.97). Post-discharge mortality was 10% during the median follow-up of 12 months; 75% of deaths were due to re-infarction. Compared with the year 1994, the use of -blockers (84 vs. 70%, p = 0.010) and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (43 vs. 31%, p = 0.062) had increased, and digitalis (27 vs. 43%, p = 0.0065) and calcium antagonists (13 vs. 26%, p = 0.0086) had decreased. Conclusions: Treatment and hospital course of AMI in these elderly patients did not differ between sexes. Although drug treatments have become more evidence-based during the end of 1990s, in-hospital mortality was still high and more effective prevention, effective treatment of infections and CHF may be important for improving prognosis.     

急性心肌梗死住院患者脑卒中危险因素的研究

目的 探讨急性心肌梗死（心梗）住院患者脑卒中发病率和脑卒中的危险因素。方法 回顾性调查住院心梗患者，收集人口，临床，溶栓抗栓治疗和脑卒中发病资料，应用单因素和多因素非条件logistic回归分析。结果 2133例急性心梗住院患者脑卒中的发病率为4.59%。多因素非条件逐步logistic回归分析显示，前壁心梗是急性惦梗患者发生脑卒中最强的危险因素（RR=7.04)，其余的依次为高血压病史（RR=3.41)，心房纤颤（RR=2.22)，脑卒中病史（RR=1.69)，高龄（RR=1.04)和入院时心率（RR=1.03)。溶栓治疗是保护性因素（RR=0.12)。结论 急性心梗住院患者脑卒中发病率较高，溶栓剂可减低脑卒中发病率，高龄，高血压病史，脑卒中史，心房纤颤，入院时心率增快和前壁心梗是急性心梗患者脑卒中的危险因素。