RESUMEN

OBJECTIVE: Infective endocarditis is associated with high morbidity and mortality and optimal timing for surgical intervention is unclear. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to compare early surgical intervention with conservative therapy in patients with infective endocarditis. METHODS: PubMed, Cochrane, EMBASE, CINAHL and Google-scholar databases were searched from January 1960 to April 2015. Randomised controlled trials, retrospective cohorts and prospective observational studies comparing outcomes between early surgery at 20 days or less and conservative management for infective endocarditis were analysed. RESULTS: A total of 21 studies were included. OR of all-cause mortality for early surgery was 0.61 (95% CI 0.50 to 0.74, p<0.001) in unmatched groups and 0.41 (95% CI 0.31 to 0.54, p<0.001) in the propensity-matched groups (matched for baseline variables). For patients who had surgical intervention at 7 days or less, OR of all-cause mortality was 0.61 (95% CI 0.39 to 0.96, p=0.034) and in those who had surgical intervention within 8-20 days, the OR of mortality was 0.64 (95% CI 0.48 to 0.86, p=0.003) compared with conservative management. In propensity-matched groups, the OR of mortality in patients with surgical intervention at 7 days or less was 0.30 (95% CI 0.16 to 0.54, p<0.001) and in the subgroup of patients who underwent surgery between 8 and 20 days was 0.51 (95% CI 0.35 to 0.72, p<0.001). There was no significant difference in in-hospital mortality, embolisation, heart failure and recurrence of endocarditis between the overall unmatched cohorts. CONCLUSION: The results of our meta-analysis suggest that early surgical intervention is associated with significantly lower risk of mortality in patients with infective endocarditis.

Asunto(s)

Antibacterianos/uso terapéutico , Procedimientos Quirúrgicos Cardíacos , Endocarditis/terapia , Tiempo de Tratamiento , Antibacterianos/efectos adversos , Procedimientos Quirúrgicos Cardíacos/efectos adversos , Procedimientos Quirúrgicos Cardíacos/mortalidad , Endocarditis/diagnóstico , Endocarditis/microbiología , Endocarditis/mortalidad , Mortalidad Hospitalaria , Humanos , Oportunidad Relativa , Complicaciones Posoperatorias/etiología , Complicaciones Posoperatorias/mortalidad , Valor Predictivo de las Pruebas , Puntaje de Propensión , Recurrencia , Factores de Riesgo , Factores de Tiempo , Resultado del Tratamiento

RESUMEN

BACKGROUND: While percutaneous device closure (PDC) is a first-line therapy for isolated muscular ventricular septal defects (mVSD), surgery is still the preferred approach for peri-membranous ventricular septal defects (pmVSD). OBJECTIVE: We sought to compare the outcomes of percutaneous versus open surgical closure of pmVSDs. METHODS: PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science databases were searched through October 15, 2014 for English language studies comparing outcomes of PDC with surgical closure of pmVSDs. Study quality, publication bias, and heterogeneity were assessed. A meta-analysis of selected studies was performed using a random effects model. Comparison was done for early (<1 month) safety and efficacy outcomes. RESULTS: Seven studies with a total of 3,134 patients (PDC = 1,312, surgery = 1,822) were identified. Patients in the PDC group were older than those treated surgically (mean age 12.2 vs. 5.5 years, respectively). In six out of seven studies, the mean VSD size was found to be comparable between the treatment arms (PDC 4.9 mm vs. surgery 6.0 mm). Males represented 52% of patients in either group. Follow-up ranged from 5 to 42 months. No significant differences were observed between PDC vs. surgery in terms of procedural success rate [relative risk (RR): 1.00, confidence interval (CI): 0.99-1.00; P = 0.67]. Combined safety end points for major complications (early death/reoperation/permanent pacemaker) were similar in both groups (RR: 0.55, CI: 0.23-1.35; P = 0.19) as were as other outcomes like post-procedure significant residual shunt (RR: 0.69, CI: 0.29-1.68; P = 0.41), significant valvular (aortic/tricuspid) regurgitation (RR: 0.70, CI: 0.26-1.86; P = 0.47), and advanced heart block (RR: 0.99, CI: 0.46-2.14; P = 0.98). The need for blood transfusion (RR: 0.02, CI: 0.00-0.05; P < 0.001) and duration of hospital stay [standard mean difference (SMD) -2.17 days, CI: -3.12 to -1.23; P < 0.001] were significantly reduced in the PDC group. CONCLUSION: Percutaneous closure of pmVSD when performed in a selected subgroup of patients is associated with similar procedural success rate without increased risk of significant valvular regurgitation or heart block when compared with surgical closure.

Asunto(s)

Cateterismo Cardíaco/métodos , Procedimientos Quirúrgicos Cardíacos/métodos , Defectos del Tabique Interventricular/diagnóstico por imagen , Defectos del Tabique Interventricular/cirugía , Cateterismo Cardíaco/efectos adversos , Procedimientos Quirúrgicos Cardíacos/efectos adversos , Preescolar , Ecocardiografía Doppler , Femenino , Estudios de Seguimiento , Defectos del Tabique Interventricular/terapia , Humanos , Tiempo de Internación , Masculino , Radiografía , Ensayos Clínicos Controlados Aleatorios como Asunto , Medición de Riesgo , Dispositivo Oclusor Septal , Factores de Tiempo , Resultado del Tratamiento

RESUMEN

Critical hand ischemia is an extremely rare and serious complication of transradial coronary angiography. It is almost always associated with radial artery occlusion. Early recognition and involvement of vascular surgery is imperative for optimal management. Up to our knowledge, there have been only 5 cases reported in the medical literature. Herein, we describe a case of an 81-year-old male who had undergone transradial coronary intervention complicated by critical hand ischemia requiring amputation of the right 4th finger.

Asunto(s)

Amputación Quirúrgica , Arteriopatías Oclusivas/etiología , Angiografía Coronaria/efectos adversos , Dedos/cirugía , Mano/irrigación sanguínea , Isquemia/etiología , Anciano de 80 o más Años , Humanos , Masculino , Resultado del Tratamiento

RESUMEN

Hydrochlorothiazide has never been reported as a reason for myopericarditis. An African American female, with past history of hypertension, coronary artery disease, and sulfa allergy, presented with indolent onset and retrosternal chest pain which was positional, pleuritic, and unresponsive to sublingual nitroglycerin. Her medications included hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) which was started three months ago for uncontrolled hypertension. Significant laboratory parameters included erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) of 47 mm/hr and peak troponin of 0.26 ng/mL. Transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) revealed preserved ejection fraction with no segmental wall motion abnormalities; however, it showed moderate pericardial effusion without tamponade physiology. We hypothesize that this myopericarditis could be due to HCTZ allergic reaction after all other common etiologies have been ruled out. There is a scarcity of the literature regarding HCTZ as an etiology for pericardial disease, with only one case reported as presumed hydrochlorothiazide-induced pericardial effusion. Management involves discontinuation of HCTZ and starting anti-inflammatory therapy.

RESUMEN

Long-term superiority of mitral valve (MV) repair compared with replacement is well established in degenerative MV disease. In rheumatic heart disease, its advantages are unclear and it is often performed in conjunction with aortic valve (AV) replacement. Herein, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis comparing outcomes of MV repair vs replacement in patients undergoing concomitant AV replacement. PubMed, Cochrane and Web of Science databases were searched up to 25 January 2014 for English language studies comparing outcomes of MV repair vs replacement in patients undergoing simultaneous AV replacement. Data of selected studies were extracted. Study quality, publication bias and heterogeneity were assessed. Analysis was performed using a random effects model (meta-analysis of observational studies in epidemiology recommendation). A total of 1202 abstracts/titles were screened. Of these, 20 were selected for full text review and 8 studies (3924 patients) were included in the final analysis: 1255 underwent MV repair and 2669 underwent replacement. Late outcome data were available in seven studies (cumulative follow-up: 15 654 patient-years). The early (in hospital and up to 30 days post-surgery) mortality [risk ratio (RR): 0.68, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.53-0.87, P = 0.003] and late (>30 days post-surgery) mortality (RR: 0.76, 95% CI: 0.64-0.90 P = 0.001) were significantly lower in the MV repair group compared with the MV replacement group. The MV reoperation rate (RR: 1.89, 95% CI: 0.87-4.10, P = 0.108), thromboembolism (including valve thrombosis) (RR: 0.65, 95% CI: 0.38-1.13, P = 0.128) and major bleeding rates (RR: 0.88, 95% CI: 0.49-1.57, P = 0.659) were found to be comparable between the two groups. In a separate analysis of studies with exclusively rheumatic patients (n = 1106), the early as well as late mortality benefit of MV repair was lost (RR: 0.92, 95% CI: 0.44-1.90, P = 0.81 and RR: 0.69, 95% CI: 0.39-1.22, P = 0.199, respectively), whereas the MV reoperation rate became significantly higher (RR: 5.10, 95% CI: 1.62-16.05, P = 0.005) with MV repair. In patients undergoing concomitant mitral and AV surgery, MV repair is associated with improved early and late survival without any increased risk for mitral valve reoperation. However, in patients with rheumatic heart disease MV repair does not impart any survival advantage while the risk for MV reoperation remains significantly higher.

Asunto(s)

Válvula Aórtica/cirugía , Anuloplastia de la Válvula Mitral/métodos , Válvula Mitral/cirugía , Enfermedades de las Válvulas Cardíacas/cirugía , Humanos , Resultado del Tratamiento

RESUMEN

We present a case of reversible stress cardiomyopathy in a surgical patient, described here as a forme fruste due to its atypical features. It is important to recognize such unusual presentation of stress cardiomyopathy that mimics acute coronary syndrome. Stress cardiomyopathy commonly presents as acute coronary syndrome and is characterized by typical or atypical variants of regional wall motion abnormalities. We report a 60-year-old Caucasian male with reversible stress cardiomyopathy following a sternal fracture fixation. Although the patient had several typical features of stress cardiomyopathy including physical stress, ST-segment elevation, elevated cardiac biomarkers and normal epicardial coronaries, there were few features that were atypical, including unusual age, gender, absence of regional wall motion abnormalities, high lateral ST elevation, and high troponin-ejection fraction product. In conclusion, this could represent a forme fruste of stress cardiomyopathy.

RESUMEN

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the efficacy and long-term safety of transulnar approach in complex coronary interventions. BACKGROUND: The success rate of transulnar approach in complex coronary interventions and its long-term safety remains to be proven. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective chart review of patients undergoing transulnar coronary angiography and interventions at our institution from January 2004 through July 2009. Primary endpoint of the study was the success rate of the procedure. Secondary endpoints were major bleeding, local vascular and neurological complications, cerebrovascular accident (CVA)/transient ischemic attack (TIA), myocardial infarction (MI), all-cause mortality, and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) rate that was a composite of MI, CVA/TIA, and all-cause mortality. RESULTS: Of 81 patients undergoing transulnar approach, 41 (50.6%) patients underwent intervention on 65 lesions. Twelve percent of the interventions were performed on coronary bypass grafts and 9.2% on the left main coronary artery. Success rates for transulnar access, coronary angiography, and coronary/bypass graft interventions were 93.8%, 100%, and 92.6%, respectively. Follow-up data was available on 71 patients at short term (30 days) and 58 patients at long term (1 year). At 30-day follow-up, vascular complication rate was 2.8 %. At 1-year follow-up, there were no residual deficits from vascular or neurological complications associated with the index procedure and the overall MACE rate was 3.4%. CONCLUSION: In this first study evaluating long-term safety and feasibility of transulnar coronary angiography and complex coronary interventions, we conclude that transulnar approach appears to be safe and effective.

Asunto(s)

Cateterismo Cardíaco/métodos , Angiografía Coronaria/métodos , Intervención Coronaria Percutánea/métodos , Arteria Cubital , Anciano , Cateterismo Cardíaco/efectos adversos , Cateterismo Cardíaco/mortalidad , Enfermedades Cardiovasculares/etiología , Angiografía Coronaria/efectos adversos , Angiografía Coronaria/mortalidad , Estudios de Factibilidad , Femenino , Hemorragia/etiología , Humanos , Masculino , Nebraska , Enfermedades del Sistema Nervioso/etiología , Intervención Coronaria Percutánea/efectos adversos , Intervención Coronaria Percutánea/mortalidad , Estudios Retrospectivos , Factores de Riesgo , Factores de Tiempo , Resultado del Tratamiento

RESUMEN

BACKGROUND: Grapefruit juice impacts the metabolism of a number of drugs via inhibition of a variety of metabolic enzymes. This study evaluated the impact of grapefruit juice on the antiplatelet activity of a loading dose and 7 days of maintenance therapy with clopidogrel. METHODS: Healthy volunteers participated in two separate treatment protocols. The first protocol included a single 300 mg loading dose of clopidogrel and the second protocol included maintenance therapy with clopidogrel 75 mg given for 7 consecutive days. In both protocols, subjects were randomized to take clopidogrel with grapefruit juice or with tap water. At 6 h after the loading dose and at 6 h after the last maintenance dose of clopidogrel, a P2Y12 reaction unit (PRU) value using the VerifyNow® P2Y12 assay was determined. A PRU value > 235 was defined as high on-treatment platelet reactivity (defined as clopidogrel hyporesponse). RESULTS: Fourteen subjects completed the loading dose protocol while 17 subjects completed the maintenance dose protocol. Following administration of the loading dose, the mean PRUs with grapefruit juice and tap water were 235.2 (95% confidence interval (CI): 210.4-260.0) and 177.4 (95% CI: 141.6-213.2), respectively (P = 0.001). Following administration of the loading dose, the numbers of subjects with a PRU > 235 with grapefruit juice and tap water were 9 (64%) and 3 (21%), respectively (P = 0.05). In the maintenance dose protocol, the mean PRUs with grapefruit juice and tap water were 212.4 (95% CI: 175.8-249.0) and 186.1 (95% CI: 149.6-222.7), respectively (P = 0.059). In the maintenance dose protocol, the proportions of patients with a PRU > 235 with grapefruit juice and tap water were 9 (53%) and 4 (23%), respectively (P = 0.16). DISCUSSION: Compared to tap water, grapefruit juice significantly increased the mean PRU in patients following a 300 mg loading dose of clopidogrel. The increase in mean PRU after 7 days of a 75 mg/day maintenance dose of clopidogrel was also increased by grapefruit juice, but the magnitude of the increase was not statistically significant. The proportion of subjects with high on-treatment platelet reactivity with clopidogrel after ingestion with grapefruit juice was not significant during either the loading or maintenance dose. The results of our study are insufficient to reach a valid conclusion concerning an interaction between clopidogrel and grapefruit juice.

Asunto(s)

Cardiomiopatía Hipertrófica/diagnóstico , Medios de Contraste , Muerte Súbita Cardíaca/epidemiología , Gadolinio , Aumento de la Imagen , Imagen por Resonancia Cinemagnética/métodos , Miocardio/patología , Humanos

Asunto(s)

Fibrilación Atrial/diagnóstico , Fibrilación Atrial/terapia , Cardioversión Eléctrica/métodos , Anciano , Anciano de 80 o más Años , Aleteo Atrial/diagnóstico , Aleteo Atrial/terapia , Femenino , Humanos , Estimación de Kaplan-Meier , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Valor Predictivo de las Pruebas , Recurrencia , Estudios Retrospectivos

RESUMEN

BACKGROUND: To assess the efficacy of aliskiren in patients failing to reach blood pressure (BP) goals with angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) or angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB). METHODS: A total of 107 patients who failed to reach BP goals on ACEI or ARB were switched to aliskiren. Changes in BP were determined during maximal ACEI, ARB, or aliskiren therapy. RESULTS: Mean reduction in sBP and dBP with ACEI was 8.5 ± 6.3 mmHg and 6.0 ± 4.7 mmHg, respectively. Mean reduction in sBP and dBP with ARB was 8.3 ± 6.7 mmHg and 5.0 ± 5.2 mmHg, respectively. Mean reduction in sBP and dBP with aliskiren 150 mg/d was 6.7 ± 5.4 mmHg and 5.4 ± 4.8 mmHg, respectively. Mean reduction in sBP and dBP with aliskiren 300 mg/d was 8.6 ± 6.3 mmHg and 6.0 ± 4.9 mmHg, respectively. BP reductions between ACEI, ARB, and aliskiren were not significantly different. CONCLUSIONS: Aliskiren is ineffective in patients failing ACEI or ARB therapy. Given the label changes restricting the use of aliskiren in combination with ACEI and ARB, excess cost compared to ACEI and ARB, and a paucity of outcome data, there is a limited role for aliskiren in practice.

Asunto(s)

Antiinflamatorios no Esteroideos/efectos adversos , Inhibidores de la Ciclooxigenasa/efectos adversos , Hipersensibilidad a las Drogas/etiología , Infarto del Miocardio/inducido químicamente , Naproxeno/efectos adversos , Adulto , Erupciones por Medicamentos/etiología , Electrocardiografía , Humanos , Masculino

RESUMEN

The increased use of cardiac rhythm management devices has led to an increase in cardiac device-related infections (CDI). Staphylococcus aureus and epidermidis account for the vast majority of CDI. CDI due to rapidly growing non-tuberculous mycobacteria is very rare, with only about ten cases having been reported. We report a case of pacemaker pocket infection with Mycobacterium phlei. There are only three published reports of human infection involving this typically non-pathogenic organism. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of CDI with Mycobacterium phlei.

Asunto(s)

Dispositivos de Terapia de Resincronización Cardíaca/efectos adversos , Terapia de Resincronización Cardíaca/efectos adversos , Cardiomiopatías/terapia , Desfibriladores Implantables/efectos adversos , Infecciones por Mycobacterium/microbiología , Mycobacterium phlei/aislamiento & purificación , Infecciones Relacionadas con Prótesis/microbiología , Anciano , Antiinfecciosos/uso terapéutico , Desbridamiento , Remoción de Dispositivos , Femenino , Humanos , Infecciones por Mycobacterium/diagnóstico , Infecciones por Mycobacterium/terapia , Infecciones Relacionadas con Prótesis/diagnóstico , Infecciones Relacionadas con Prótesis/terapia , Resultado del Tratamiento

RESUMEN

BACKGROUND: Perioperative myocardial infarction or cardiac arrest is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The Revised Cardiac Risk Index is currently the most commonly used cardiac risk stratification tool; however, it has several limitations, one of which is its relatively low discriminative ability. The objective of the present study was to develop and validate a predictive cardiac risk calculator. METHODS AND RESULTS: Patients who underwent surgery were identified from the American College of Surgeons' 2007 National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database, a multicenter (>250 hospitals) prospective database. Of the 211 410 patients, 1371 (0.65%) developed perioperative myocardial infarction or cardiac arrest. On multivariate logistic regression analysis, 5 predictors of perioperative myocardial infarction or cardiac arrest were identified: type of surgery, dependent functional status, abnormal creatinine, American Society of Anesthesiologists' class, and increasing age. The risk model based on the 2007 data set was subsequently validated on the 2008 data set (n=257 385). The model performance was very similar between the 2007 and 2008 data sets, with C statistics (also known as area under the receiver operating characteristic curve) of 0.884 and 0.874, respectively. Application of the Revised Cardiac Risk Index to the 2008 National Surgical Quality Improvement Program data set yielded a relatively lower C statistic (0.747). The risk model was used to develop an interactive risk calculator. CONCLUSIONS: The cardiac risk calculator provides a risk estimate of perioperative myocardial infarction or cardiac arrest and is anticipated to simplify the informed consent process. Its predictive performance surpasses that of the Revised Cardiac Risk Index.

Asunto(s)

Algoritmos , Paro Cardíaco/diagnóstico , Modelos Cardiovasculares , Infarto del Miocardio/diagnóstico , Complicaciones Posoperatorias/diagnóstico , Procedimientos Quirúrgicos Operativos/efectos adversos , Adulto , Anciano , Femenino , Paro Cardíaco/etiología , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Infarto del Miocardio/etiología , Periodo Perioperatorio , Complicaciones Posoperatorias/etiología , Curva ROC , Medición de Riesgo/métodos

RESUMEN

BACKGROUND: The thrombolysis-in-myocardial-infarction risk score (TRS) is a validated risk-assessment tool based on randomized clinical trials. Its applicability to an unselected group of patients seen in general clinical practice may be limited as renal dysfunction was an exclusion criteria in the original trials upon which the TRS was determined. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Consecutive patients with non-ST elevation acute coronary syndrome were stratified based on renal function. Normal renal function was defined as a creatinine clearance (CrCl) of more than 60 ml/min, moderate renal dysfunction was defined as a CrCl of at least 30 ml/min but 60 ml/min or less, and severe renal dysfunction was defined as a CrCl of less than 30 ml/min. A TRS was calculated using the original seven criteria (TRS-7) which did not consider renal function. A second TRS was calculated using the original seven criteria plus the addition of renal dysfunction if the CrCl was 60 ml/min or less (TRS-8 ≤ 60). A third TRS was calculated using the original seven criteria plus renal dysfunction if the CrCl was less than 30 ml/min (TRS-8<30). In the calculation of both of the TRS-8, the presence of renal dysfunction was given weight equal to each of the original seven criteria. Comparisons between groups stratified by renal function were made using Pearson's χ² test or Fisher's exact test for categorical variables (presented as counts and percentages) and the unpaired t-test for continuous variables (presented as the mean ± standard deviation). The χ² test was used to compare the statistical differences between each of the three TRS and the percentage of patients achieving the primary composite outcome during the index hospitalization. The primary outcome was the composite of cardiovascular death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, or urgent coronary revascularization for documented myocardial ischemia. RESULTS: Of the 798 patients included in the analysis, 281 (35%) patients had renal dysfunction (26% had moderate dysfunction and 9% had severe dysfunction). When considered categorically, patients with moderate or severe renal dysfunction had significantly higher rates of the primary composite outcome. The three TRS (TRS-7, TRS-8 ≤ 60, and TRS-8<30) were significantly correlated with the primary composite outcome. With a calculated TRS of 5 or less, the TRS-8 ≤ 60 and the TRS<30 were not associated with a significantly higher prevalence of the composite outcome (all comparisons P>0.05). At a calculated TRS of 6 or 7, the TRS-8<30 was associated with a significantly greater prevalence of the composite outcome compared with the TRS-7 (P=0.02) and the TRS-8 ≤ 60 (P=0.02). There was no significant difference in the frequency of the composite outcome with a calculated TRS of 6 or 7 using the TRS-7 compared with the TRS-8 ≤ 60 (P=0.79). At a calculated TRS of 8, both the TRS-8<30 and TRS-8 ≤ 60 had a significantly higher prevalence of the composite outcome compared with a calculated TRS of 7 using the TRS-7 (P=0.002 for the TRS-8<30 and P=0.045 for the TRS-8 ≤ 60). At a TRS of 8, the TRS-8<30 was associated with a significantly higher composite outcome compared with the TRS-8 ≤ 60 (P=0.035). CONCLUSION: The addition of renal dysfunction to the TRS-7 as an eighth clinical criterion was associated with a higher prevalence of the primary composite outcome primarily at scores of 6 or more. When considered in the context of clinical practice, the use of the TRS-8 ≤ 60 and TRS-8<30 rather than the TRS-7 would not be expected to substantially change the management strategy for patients presenting with non-ST elevation acute coronary syndrome.

Asunto(s)

Síndrome Coronario Agudo/terapia , Angioplastia Coronaria con Balón , Puente de Arteria Coronaria , Enfermedades Renales/complicaciones , Riñón/fisiopatología , Síndrome Coronario Agudo/complicaciones , Síndrome Coronario Agudo/diagnóstico por imagen , Síndrome Coronario Agudo/mortalidad , Síndrome Coronario Agudo/fisiopatología , Anciano , Anciano de 80 o más Años , Angioplastia Coronaria con Balón/efectos adversos , Angioplastia Coronaria con Balón/mortalidad , Biomarcadores/sangre , Distribución de Chi-Cuadrado , Angiografía Coronaria , Puente de Arteria Coronaria/efectos adversos , Puente de Arteria Coronaria/mortalidad , Creatinina/sangre , Femenino , Tasa de Filtración Glomerular , Humanos , Enfermedades Renales/sangre , Enfermedades Renales/diagnóstico , Enfermedades Renales/mortalidad , Enfermedades Renales/fisiopatología , Modelos Logísticos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Nebraska , Oportunidad Relativa , Medición de Riesgo , Factores de Riesgo , Índice de Severidad de la Enfermedad , Resultado del Tratamiento

RESUMEN

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Carotid artery stenting (CAS) is an alternative to carotid endarterectomy (CEA) for stroke prevention. The value of this therapy relative to CEA remains uncertain. METHODS: In 10 958 Medicare patients aged 66 years or older between 2004 and 2006, we analyzed in-hospital, 1-year stroke, myocardial infarction, and death rate outcomes and the effects of potential confounding variables. RESULTS: CAS patients (87% were asymptomatic) had a higher baseline risk profile, including having a higher percentage of coronary and peripheral arterial disease, heart failure, and renal failure. In-hospital stroke rate (1.9% CAS versus 1.4% CEA; P=0.14) and mortality (CAS 0.9% versus 0.6% CEA; P=0.20) were similar. By 1 year, CAS patients had similar stroke rates (5.3% CAS versus 4.1% CEA; P=0.12) but higher all-cause mortality rates (9.9% CAS versus 6.1% CEA; P<0.001). Using Cox multivariable models, there was a similar stroke risk (hazard ratio, 1.28; 95% CI, 0.90-1.79) but CAS patients had a significantly higher mortality (HR, 1.32; 95% CI, 1.02-1.71). Sensitivity analyses suggested that unmeasured confounders could be responsible for the mortality difference. In multivariable analysis, stroke risk was highest in the patients symptomatic at the time of revascularization. CONCLUSIONS: CAS patients had a similar stroke risk but an increased mortality rate at 1 year compared with CEA patients, possibly related to the higher baseline risk profile in the CAS patient group.

Asunto(s)

Arterias Carótidas/patología , Endarterectomía Carotidea/métodos , Stents/efectos adversos , Stents/estadística & datos numéricos , Accidente Cerebrovascular/prevención & control , Accidente Cerebrovascular/terapia , Anciano , Anciano de 80 o más Años , Femenino , Hospitalización , Humanos , Revisión de Utilización de Seguros , Masculino , Medicare , Ensayos Clínicos Controlados Aleatorios como Asunto , Riesgo , Accidente Cerebrovascular/mortalidad , Resultado del Tratamiento , Estados Unidos

RESUMEN

BACKGROUND: There is conflicting data regarding the mortality benefit of statins in patients with heart failure. The objectives of our study were to determine whether statin therapy is associated with decreased all-cause mortality and to assess the effect of incremental duration of therapy. METHODS: We studied 10,510 consecutive patients from the Veterans Affairs health system with a diagnosis of heart failure from January 2002 through December 2006. Mean follow-up was 2.66 years. Statin use and duration of therapy were identified. Veterans were classified into four groups based on duration of statin use during the study period (none, 1-25%, 26-75% and >75% use of statins). Logistic regression was performed to identify the association between incident statin use and all-cause mortality following a diagnosis of heart failure. The Kaplan-Meier method was employed to assess for differences in survival time between the four statin use classifications. RESULTS: Statin use was significantly associated with decreased all-cause mortality following a diagnosis of heart failure after controlling for age, gender, concurrent medications and comorbid diagnoses [χ(3)(2) (N = 10,510) = 1077.82, p < 0.001]. The benefit was seen within a relatively short duration (within 1 year) after starting statins, and in patients with <25% use of statins, there was no mortality benefit. CONCLUSION: Veterans who were not exposed to statin therapy at any time during the study period were 1.56 times more likely to suffer all-cause mortality.

Asunto(s)

Insuficiencia Cardíaca/tratamiento farmacológico , Insuficiencia Cardíaca/mortalidad , Inhibidores de Hidroximetilglutaril-CoA Reductasas/uso terapéutico , Veteranos , Anciano , Anciano de 80 o más Años , Estudios de Cohortes , Femenino , Estudios de Seguimiento , Humanos , Estudios Longitudinales , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Estudios Retrospectivos

RESUMEN

UNLABELLED: Left atrial volume index (LAVI) as a predictor of mortality has not been well investigated in patients with cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). The purpose of this study is to evaluate the impact of LAVI in predicting mortality in CRT patients. METHODS: We studied 100 consecutive patients who received CRT (male 73, age 69.9 ± 9.6 years). The follow-up duration of all echocardiographic measurements was 14.4 ± 10.5 months after CRT. LAVI was measured from apical views on two-dimensional echocardiography by bi-plane rule. A decrease of left ventricular end systolic volume ≥ 15% after CRT was defined as a positive response to CRT. RESULTS: The mean LAVI at baseline was 59.9 ± 22.7 ml/m(2). LAVI in patients who died (78.2 ± 27.5 ml/m(2)) was significantly greater than those who survived (55.9 ± 19.5 ml/m(2), p<0.0001) during follow-up of 17 ± 10.6 months. The area under ROC curve (AUC) for LAVI predicting death was 0.77 (p=0.0001). The cutoff point for LAVI predicting death was LAVI>59.4 ml/m(2). LAVI>59.4 ml/m(2) was related to mortality by Cox proportional univariate regression [hazard ratio (HR)=5.15, 95% CI=1.48-17.93, p=0.01]. After adjustment for the variables with significant difference by univariate regression, LAVI>59.4 ml/m(2) was continuously related to mortality by multivariate regression (HR=4.56, 95% CI, 1.30-15.97, p=0.02). LAVI>59.4 ml/m(2) was associated with a near 5-fold increase in mortality during follow-up of 17 ± 10.6 months. CONCLUSION: Patients who have LAVI>59.4 ml/m(2) continue to have increased mortality despite CRT.

Asunto(s)

Terapia de Resincronización Cardíaca/mortalidad , Cardiomegalia , Ecocardiografía , Disfunción Ventricular Izquierda , Anciano , Fibrilación Atrial/mortalidad , Cardiomegalia/diagnóstico por imagen , Cardiomegalia/mortalidad , Cardiomegalia/terapia , Femenino , Estudios de Seguimiento , Atrios Cardíacos/diagnóstico por imagen , Humanos , Estimación de Kaplan-Meier , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Valor Predictivo de las Pruebas , Prevalencia , Modelos de Riesgos Proporcionales , Curva ROC , Estudios Retrospectivos , Sensibilidad y Especificidad , Disfunción Ventricular Izquierda/diagnóstico por imagen , Disfunción Ventricular Izquierda/mortalidad , Disfunción Ventricular Izquierda/terapia

RESUMEN

Objective. To identify the role of thrombolytic therapy in acute embolic stroke due to infective endocarditis. Design. Case report. Setting. University hospital. Patient. A 70-year-old male presented with acute onset aphasia and hemiparesis due to infective endocarditis. His head computerized tomographic scan revealed left parietal sulcal effacement. He was given intravenous tissue plasminogen activator with significant resolution of the neurologic deficits without complications. Main Outcome Measures. Physical examination, National Institute of Health Stroke Scale, radiologic examination results. Conclusions. Thrombolytic therapy in selected cases of stroke due to infective endocarditis manifesting as major neurologic deficits can be considered as an option after careful consideration of risks and benefits. The basis for such favorable response rests in the presence of fibrin as a major constituent of the vegetation. The risk of precipitating hemorrhage with thrombolytic therapy especially with large infarcts and mycotic aneurysms should be weighed against the benefits of averting a major neurologic deficit.