Background
Patientswho present with acute ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) need emergent revascularization. Our study aims to investigate the outcomes in patients with STEMI admitted during weekends versus weekdays.
Methods
We conducted a retrospective analysis of the nationwide inpatient sample database. Patients with an admitting diagnosis of STEMI identified by the International Classification of Disease code for the year 2016 were analyzed. A weighted descriptive analysis was performed to generate national estimates. Patients admitted over the weekend were compared to those admitted over the weekday. Patients were stratified by demographic and clinical factors including the Elixhauser comorbidity index. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality and secondary outcomes were percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) utilization rate, rate of transfer-out, length of stay (LOS), and total hospital charges. Statistical analysis including linear and logistic regression was performed using STATA.
Results
A total of 163 715 adult patients were admitted with STEMI, of which 27.9% (45 635) were admitted over the weekend. There were 76.2% Caucasians, 9.3% African Americans, and 8.0% Hispanics. Mean age of the patients was 63.2 years (95% CI, 62.9–63.5) for the weekend group and 63.7 years (95% CI, 63.5–63.9) for weekday admissions. The majority of the patients in both groups had Medicare (43.7% and 45.8% on weekends and weekdays, respectively; P = 0.0047). After adjusting for age, sex, race, income, Elixhauser comorbidity index, PCI use, hospital location, teaching status, and bed size, mortality was not significantly different in weekend versus weekday admissions (odds ratios 1.04; P = 0.498; 95% CI, 0.93–1.16). There was no significant difference in mean total charge per admission during the weekend versus weekday admissions ($107 093 versus $106 869; P = 0.99.) Mean LOS was 4.1 days for both groups (P = 0.81).
Conclusions
There were no significant differences in mortality, LOS, or total hospital charge in STEMI patients being admitted during the weekend versus weekdays.
Salmonellae foodborne infections are a well described and documented entity, however cardiac complications of Salmonellae foodborne infections including infective endocarditis (IE) are rare. Here we present a case of infective endocarditis as a result of bacteremia caused by multiple species of Salmonella. The patient initially presented with chest pain, fever and altered mental status. Troponin and ECG were unremarkable. The patient was started on empiric antibiotics. Blood cultures grew Salmonella species serotype O&H. Transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) confirmed aortic valve vegetation. Regional cultural practices suggested possible contamination attributed to ingestion of rattlesnake meat, a practice that has been previously described and well-established in various Hispanic folk practices. Upon further history taking, the patient was found to be regularly consuming dried rattlesnake meat preparations, a rather common practice in Chihuahua desert region. Surgery was not indicated, and the patient was treated with six weeks of antibiotics. This case presents an opportunity to gain insight into such a unique manifestation of Salmonellae, offering a potential facet of information for clinicians to better understand its presentation, susceptibility, and potential adverse outcomes.
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