Neck Computed Tomography Measurements Associated With Cardiovascular Risk Factors.

Introduction Neck adiposity has been related to cardiovascular risk in healthy and nonhealthy individuals. Our objective was to evaluate the utility of anatomic neck measurements extracted from computed tomography (CT) examinations as a predictor of cardiovascular disease and its risk factors. Methods We investigated patients who had a CT neck examination with intravenous contrast performed at two hospitals between 2013 and 2020. Patients with a neck malignancy, prior neck surgery, age <18 years, incomplete demographic information, and inadequate image quality were excluded. We performed 18 separate measurements of neck anatomy which were correlated with cardiovascular risk factors and disease, as well as relevant lab values and medications. All multivariable linear regressions were controlled for gender and BMI. Associations with p<0.05 were considered statistically significant. The measurements were then used to predict hypertension using random forest, a non-linear prediction algorithm. Results Approximately 20,000 neck CT examinations with contrast were performed between 2013-2020. After applying the inclusion criteria, 458 patients remained in the study population. Eight measurements (all of which include a component of neck adiposity) showed a statistically significant association between anatomic measurements and cardiovascular risk factors. The risk factor most often associated with increases in CT measurements was type 2 diabetes. Accordingly, patients on insulin treatment had a significantly higher average for all eight measurements. Significant measurement increases were also found in those previously diagnosed with hyperlipidemia and in those being treated with hypertension medications. The area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) value of the random forest prediction algorithm was 0.68, meaning our measurements were a good predictor of hypertensive disease status. Conclusion Adipose tissue measurements extracted from CT examinations of the neck are associated with cardiovascular risk factors including hypertension, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia. Machine learning models of anatomic neck measurements can potentially identify patients at risk for cardiovascular disease.

Chronic kidney disease, risk of readmission, and progression to end-stage renal disease in 519,387 patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting.

Objective: The association between chronic kidney disease and adverse outcomes after coronary artery bypass grafting is well established; in contrast, the association between chronic kidney disease and readmission has been less thoroughly investigated. We hypothesized that patients at higher chronic kidney disease stages have greater risk of readmission, poorer operative outcomes, and greater hospitalization cost. Methods: Using the 2016-2018 Nationwide Readmissions Database, we identified 519,387 patients who underwent isolated coronary artery bypass grafting. Patients were stratified by chronic kidney disease stage based on International Classification of Diseases 10th Revision classification. Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess risk factors for in-hospital mortality and 90-day readmission. Results: Hospital readmission, in-hospital mortality, and cost progressively increased with worsening chronic kidney disease stage; patients with end-stage renal disease had the highest in-hospital mortality rate (7.2%), hospitalization costs ($59,616) (P < .001), and 90-day readmission rate (40%) (P < .001). Chronic kidney disease stage greater than 3 was associated with in-hospital mortality (odds ratio, 1.56, 95% confidence interval, 1.40-1.73; P < .001) and 90-day readmission (odds ratio, 1.66, 95% confidence interval, 1.56-1.76; P < .001). At 30 days after discharge, new-onset dialysis dependence was more frequent in patients readmitted with chronic kidney disease 4 to 5 (8.9%; n = 1495) than in patients with chronic kidney disease 1 to 3 (1.4%; n = 8623) and patients without chronic kidney disease (0.3%; n = 38,885). At 90 days after discharge, dialysis dependence increased to 11.1% (n = 1916) in readmitted patients with chronic kidney disease 4 to 5 but remained stable for patients with chronic kidney disease 1 to 3 (1.4%; n = 10,907) and patients without chronic kidney disease (0.3%; n = 50,200). Conclusions: Chronic kidney disease stage is strongly associated with mortality, new-onset dialysis dependence, readmission, and higher cost after coronary artery bypass grafting. Patients with chronic kidney disease 4 and 5 and patients with end-stage renal disease are readmitted at the highest rates. Although further research is needed, a targeted approach may reduce costly readmissions and improve outcomes after coronary artery bypass grafting in patients with chronic kidney disease.

Left-Sided Amyand Hernia: Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Left-sided Amyand hernia is a rare condition that requires a high degree of clinical suspicion to correctly diagnose.