Background: Pulmonary embolism (PE) and atrial fibrillation (AF) may coexist. The association and impact of AF on PE have not been well studied. Methods: We queried the 2018 National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database to identify PE and AF hospitalizations using appropriate ICD-10 codes. PE with AF group was compared to PE without AF. Chi-square test [...]

Background: Substance use continues to increase in the United States. Substance use has been linked to new onset cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disorders which lead to hospitalizations. We aimed to assess the association of epidemiology and racial disparities of substance use disorders (SUDs) using the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) Database. Methods: A retrospective study of the [...]

Background: Sepsis is a leading health care burden associated with high mortality in the United States. Poor outcomes associated with sepsis continue despite modifications in the sepsis care guidelines. Several factors influence the outcome of sepsis including patient characteristics, etiology of sepsis, and management in the appropriate intensive care unit setting. The aim of our [...]

Background: Heatstroke is a life-threatening condition representing the most severe manifestation of heat-related illnesses. It is characterized clinically by extremely elevated body temperature, neurologic dysfunction, and multiorgan failure. Unmitigated fossil fuel use is increasing global average temperatures, which may impact the incidence of heatstroke admissions. Vulnerability to heat-related illness varies within communities based on exposure [...]

Background: Approximately 10% adults with Sickle Cell disease (SCD) has Pulmonary hypertension (PHTN). There are several etiologies like hypoxia driven and microvascular obstruction contributing to PHTN. However, the in-hospital outcomes of PHTN on SCD has not been well studied. Methods: We queried 2018 National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database to identify SCD and different types of [...]

Background: An estimated 580,000 individuals were experiencing homelessness during the most recent national point-in-time count. Dialysis requires substantial patient engagement, and not having secure housing impedes medical care and could increase acute care utilization. The prevalence of homelessness and its impact on hospitalizations among patients with ESKD are unknown. This retrospective cohort study examined differences [...]

Background: Mitochondrial disease (MD) refers to a group of clinically heterogeneous disorders that result from dysfunctional oxidative phosphorylation and subsequent cellular incapability to meet energy demands. Mitochondrial encephalopathy, lactic acidosis, and stroke-like episodes (MELAS), myoclonus, epilepsy, ataxia with ragged red fibers (MERRFs), chronic progressive ophthalmoplegia, Kearns–Sayre syndrome, and sensory ataxia neuropathy dysarthria ophthalmoplegia are among [...]

Background: Postmyocardial Infarction Syndrome (PMIS), also called Dressler syndrome or Post-pericardiotomy Syndrome, refers to a heterogeneous group of autoimmune-mediated conditions of pericardial, epicardial and myocardial inflammation following myocardial infarction. Generally considered to be rare in the reperfusion era, the features and risk factors of PMIS are less well characterized in the contemporary era. This study [...]

Background: The diagnosis of sepsis is often associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality. When it occurs in patients with Heart failure (HF), those rates increase dramatically. This study focuses on the differences in the outcomes in septic patients with Heart Failure with preserved Ejection Fraction (HFpEF) versus patients with Heart Failure with reduced [...]

Background: While prescription opioids have a role in treating certain pain conditions, their injudicious use has led to an epidemic with myriad adverse outcomes. We sought to evaluate the association of socioeconomic and racial disparities with healthcare utilization and outcomes in opioid overdose related hospitalizations using National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database from 2012 through 2014. [...]