Hospital Medicine Virtual Journal Club Minute

A pair of articles from EMPORER-Preserved examines outcomes in HFpEF patients treated with empagliflozin.

An observational study in Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine examines the impact of heart rate reduction in patients with heart failure.

A randomized trial from JAMA compares outcomes between a balanced electrolyte solution and normal saline for fluid resuscitation in ICU patients.

A retrospective cohort study published in Cardiology Research questions the need to transition heart failure patients to oral diuretics before discharge.

A randomized trial in the New England Journal compares therapeutic anticoagulation to standard prophylaxis in non-ICU patients with COVID-19.

A retrospective cohort study in the Journal of Hospital Medicine looks at timeliness of paracentesis performed by a hospitalist procedure service.

A database review published in the Journal of Hospital Medicine finds a role for sliding scale insulin monotherapy for some admitted patients with type 2 diabetes.

A meta-analysis from the Journal of Hospital Medicine highlights the challenges in finding a connection between SPS therapy and intestinal necrosis. 

A study in the Journal of Patient Experience shows no relationship between physician time at bedside and measures of patient experience.

A pre-print article in Research in Social and Administrative Pharmacy finds economic and safety benefits when pharmacists perform admission medication reconciliation.

A database study in the Journal of Hospital Medicine finds no impact of morning discharges on emergency department throughput.

A study in the Western Journal of Emergency Medicine finds a low incidence of clinically significant outcomes in chronic kidney disease patients who undergo emergent contrast CT. 

A meta-analysis in the Journal of Critical Care suggests that thiamine may be useful for the prevention of ICU delirium.

A database review in the American Journal of Infection Control finds a large proportion of low-acuity admissions for complicated urinary tract infection.

A Cochrane review finds limited evidence to support various medication classes in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction.

The RECOVERY trial published in Lancet finds no benefit to convalescent plasma in hospitalized patients with COVID-19.

A study in JGIM finds similar outcomes for chest pain patients whether they were admitted or discharged from the emergency department.

A database review in BMJ finds improved outcomes in patients who underwent a rhythm control strategy within the first year of diagnosis.  

A study from Critical Care Medicine suggests that haloperidol may reduce mortality in patients who develop delirium in ICU.

A retrospective review finds lower rates of distal DVT extension and recurrence in patients who undergo anticoagulation.

Deaf non-speaking patients in the Nationwide Inpatient Sample had a longer length of stay and increased mortality relative to hearing patients.

Adding tofacitinib to standard care in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia was associated with lower mortality in this pre-proof retrospective observational study.

An Annals study uses a database to compare warfarin and DOACs in patients with valvular atrial fibrillation.

A study published in Lancet looks at whether a shorter course of antibiotics is non-inferior for patients with moderate severity community acquired pneumonia.

Review of a Medicare database shows no mortality difference in patients admitted toward the end of a hospitalist's block of days versus toward the beginning except for among the sickest patients.

From the journal Circulation: a pathway for early MI rule out using high-sensitivity troponin leads to fewer admissions, but does not meet non-inferiority criteria.

Albumin infusion had no benefit when given empirically to patients with cirrhosis.

A new antibiotic may allow outpatient treatment for higher-risk patients with pneumonia.

Alternative treatment for alcohol withdrawal syndrome may reduce length of stay:

A trial finds one of the major COVID vaccines ineffective against a circulating strain.