We aimed to examine the relationship between physical performance and readmission among older patients with heart failure (HF) over the past year. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 325 patients with HF who were aged ≥65 years and were hospitalized for acute exacerbation between November 2017 and December 2021. We investigated age, sex, body mass index, length of hospital stay, initiation of rehabilitation, New York Heart Association (NYHA) class, Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) score, medications, cardiac/renal function, nutrition, maximal quadriceps isometric strength, grip strength, and Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) score. Data were analyzed using the χ 2 test, Mann-Whitney U test, and logistic regression analysis. Results: Altogether, 108 patients met the inclusion criteria and were divided into the non-readmission (n = 76) and readmission (n = 32) groups. The readmission group exhibited longer hospital stay, more severe NYHA class, higher CCI score, higher brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels, lower muscle strength, and lower SPPB score compared to the non-readmission group. In the logistic regression model, BNP level and SPPB score were independent factors associated with readmission. Conclusion: BNP level and SPPB score were associated with readmission in patients with HF within the past year.
Rationale:
Corticospinal tract (CST) and corticoreticular pathway (CRP) injury patterns (i.e., the continuity of the nerve fibers) are associated with gait disturbance in post-stroke patients. In this case series study, we examined the case of 3 patients with different CST and CRP injury patterns and analyzed the characteristics of gait disturbance in each patient.
Patient concerns:
Patient 1 (P1) was a 73-year-old woman who presented with paralysis of the right upper and lower extremities due to a left lacunar infarction. Patient 2 (P2) was a 41-year-old man who presented with paralysis of the right upper and lower extremities due to a left putamen hemorrhage. Patient 3 (P3) was a 57-year-old man who presented with paralysis of the left upper and lower extremities due to a right putamen hemorrhage.
Diagnosis:
In P1, the CRP in the affected hemisphere was intact, but the CST was discontinuous. In P2, the CST in the affected hemisphere was intact, but the CRP was discontinuous. P3 was discontinuous in both CST and CRP in the affected hemisphere.
Outcomes:
Over time, all 3 patients improved to the level of gait independence, but they exhibited different gait patterns. Among them, P3 showed a markedly abnormal gait pattern that included spatiotemporal gait asymmetry, lateral shift of the trunk, and hip hiking.
Lessons:
This case series study demonstrated that even if both the CST and CRP were injured, gait recovered to some extent (i.e., independent level-ground gait), but the abnormal gait pattern might remain remarkable.
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