By: James Pitt  Aug. 16, 2018

When plaque builds up in the arteries that carry blood to the brain, the patient has carotid artery disease. This disease creates a great risk of stroke, because plaque can break off and cause an obstruction in vessels in the brain. Carotid artery disease is involved in 8% of ischemic strokes. Per Weber and Clair 2014, “Carotid artery disease leading to stroke is one [of] the primary causes of serious long-term disability in the United States today.”

By: James Pitt  Aug. 15, 2018

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a common condition in which narrowed blood vessels reduce blood flow to the limbs. Calcium buildups on the vessel walls frequently complicate treatment. Rocha-Singh et. al write “The prevalence of VC [vascular calcification] in lower extremity PAD is inadequately defined, but data extrapolated from other vascular beds provide evidence that 30-50% of patients may manifest some degree of VC.”

By: James Pitt  Aug. 14, 2018

Sepsis is strongly associated with intensive care. 54.7% of sepsis patients required ICU stays in 2014, with a median 5 day length of stay in ICU and 10 day length of stay overall, according to Rhee et. al (2017) in JAMA. Dexur has previously reported that fluid imbalance is associated with higher odds of ICU stay in patients with infections, including sepsis with major complications, at hospitals in Arkansas.

By: James Pitt  Aug. 13, 2018

Hospitalized patients are at greater risk of venous thromboembolism than the general population, in part because immobility increases VTE risk. According to the CDC report on healthcare-associated VTE, up to 70% of HA-VTE cases are preventable.

By: James Pitt  Aug. 10, 2018

Baroreflex activation therapy is an experimental treatment for heart failure with reduced ejection fraction. A device called the BAROSTIM NEO, developed by CVRx, is currently recruiting for clinical trial (NCT02627196), with final results on heart failure morbidity and mortality expected in 2021. Preliminary results as of August 2017 include reduced heart failure hospitalization and reduced blood pressure.

By: James Pitt  Aug. 09, 2018

Atrial fibrillation (Afib) is a major risk of coronary bypass surgery (CABG). Incidence estimates vary greatly depending on study methodology, from 5 to 40% of patients. Among 49,264 patients who underwent CABG from 2001-2012 in the Society of Thoracic Surgeons database, 19% had new-onset atrial fibrillation.

By: James Pitt  Aug. 06, 2018

Severe sepsis kills 15 to 30% of the million Americans affected per year, according to NIH estimates. Septic shock accounts for a large share of those deaths.

By: James Pitt  Aug. 02, 2018

Sepsis is a condition in which an infection triggers a bodywide response. Diagnostic criteria include elevated body temperature, heart rate, and respiratory rate, according to the Mayo Clinic. Terminology around sepsis can be blurry, and has shifted over time. The latest edition of the Merck Manual defines septic shock as sepsis that causes dangerously low blood pressure.

By: James Pitt  Jul. 30, 2018

Osteoporosis is a common disease of aging, associated with weakened bones. Bone fractures are associated with higher subsequent mortality. According to University of Washington Medicine, “The one-year mortality following a hip fracture is 12 to 24%. It is estimated that 14% of deaths following a hip or pelvic fracture in previously ambulatory women were caused or hastened by the fracture.”

By: James Pitt  Jul. 27, 2018

Heart failure causes patients to retain fluids: the heart can no longer pump with enough strength to move large volumes efficiently. This is why patients with heart failure should avoid too much fluid or salt intake.