Background: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States. The increased risk of VTE among medically ill older adults is firmly established. Guidelines strongly promote the use of pharmacologic VTE prophylaxis in this population, yet studies have suggested sub-optimal prophylaxis rates. Our study aimed to describe current provider [...]

Background: There is limited data on the predictors of outcomes in patients who have in-hospital cardiac arrest. This study aims to understand the factors that might affect the survival from the cardiac arrest and survival-to-discharge after in-hospital cardiac arrest. Methods: Institutional review board of the Cleveland Clinic approved the retrospective cross-sectional study for patients who [...]

Background: Hepcidin-25 is a liver-derived key peptide hormone that regulates iron homeostasis in humans. Recent studies have suggested that hepcidin also play a key role in host-defense mechanism. Iron is essential for the survival and growth of bacteria. When the bacteria infect macrophages, macrophages release a number of cytokines including interleukin-6, which increase production of [...]

Background: Retinal vein occlusion (RVO) has been associated with incident cardiovascular events and mortality in observational studies, but the results have not been consistent. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we investigate the association of baseline RVO with subsequent development of cardiovascular events and mortality. Methods: Eligible English-language peer-viewed cohort studies in PUBMED and EMBASE [...]

Background: Hyperlipidemia is a recognized risk factor for incident acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF), and no such documented association with pneumonia. However, the influence of hyperlipidemia on long-term mortality after AMI, HF, or pneumonia has not yet been fully understood. The objectives are to estimate the effect of hyperlipidemia and [...]

Background: Cost-related medication non-adherence (CRN) is a persistent and serious challenge among the elderly population in the US. For elderly patients with limited economic means at increased risk of hospitalization, CRN may elevate the risk of repeated hospitalizations and emergency department visits, and lead patients into a downward spiral of worse heath and higher non-adherence. [...]

Background: Residents, because they are on the frontlines of the provision of care, are integral to improving care. Yet the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) has reported residents are not as engaged in improving patient safety as they could be, noting, “Though most residents and fellows were aware of their [clinical learning environment]’s [...]

Background: The position of the tip of a peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) is associated with deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Optimal position of the tip is the cavoatrial junction; more proximal tip positions are associated with greater risk of DVT. EKG-guidance has recently emerged as a modality to ensure proper tip position. Compared to chest [...]

Background: While anticoagulants are the core treatment plan for preventing strokes in patients with atrial fibrillation and managing patients with thromboembolic disease, there is a dichotomy of efficacy and harm with their use. Rapid inpatient reversal protocols are important for patient safety. Four factor prothrombin complex concentrate (4FPCC) is approved for reversal of warfarin-induced coagulopathy. [...]