Heart transplantation versus left ventricular assist devices as destination therapy or bridge to transplantation for 1-year mortality: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

The optimal treatment for advanced heart failure (HF) patients with regards to mortality remains unknown. Heart transplantation (HTx) and left ventricular assist devices (LVAD) used either as a bridge to transplant (BTT) or destination therapy (DT) have been compared in a number of studies, without definite conclusions with regards to mortality benefit. We sought to systematically review the pertinent literature and perform a meta-analysis of all the available studies presenting head-to-head comparisons between HTx and LVAD BTT or LVAD DT for late (>6 months) all-cause mortality.

Methods

We performed a systematic search of Medline and Cochrane Central databases in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. We conducted a meta-analysis of late mortality comparing HTx vs. BTT LVAD and HTx vs. DT LVAD using a random effects model.

Results

Eight studies were included in our meta-analysis, reporting data on 7,957 patients in total. Although the available studies are of high quality [8 stars in Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) on average], there is paucity of mortality data. Specifically, seven studies compared HTx with BTT and five studies compared HTx with DT for 1-year mortality. Our pooled estimates showed that there was no difference in late mortality among these strategies.

Conclusions

Our meta-analysis highlights the small number and the heterogeneity of available studies referring to the optimal invasive management of advanced HF, and shows that there are no differences between HTx and LVAD for these patients with regards to late mortality.

Proximal embolic protection versus distal filter protection versus combined protection in carotid artery stenting: A systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

Proximal embolic protection devices (P-EPD) and distal filters (DF) are used to prevent distal cerebral embolizations during carotid artery stenting (CAS). We compared their comparative effectiveness in regards to prevention of intraprocedural and periprocedural adverse events, including ischemic lesions (ipsilateral and contralateral), stroke, transient ischemic attacks (TIA) and death. We also compared the combination of the two neuroprotection strategies vs. a single strategy in regards to ischemic lesions and stroke.

MATERIALS & METHODS

This study was performed according to the PRISMA and MOOSE guidelines and eligible studies were identified through search of PubMed, Scopus and Cochrane Central. A meta-analysis was conducted with the use of a random effects model. The I-square statistic was used to assess for heterogeneity.

RESULTS

Twenty-nine studies involving 16,307 patients were included. There was a significant reduction in ischemic lesions with the use of P-EPD among observational studies (RR: 0.66 [0.45-0.97]). There were no statistically significant differences for the other outcomes between the two treatment groups.

CONCLUSIONS

There is a number of studies reporting outcomes on the comparison between P-EPD and DF for CAS. P-EDP can reduce distal embolization phenomena resulting into ischemic lesions when compared to DF based on the results from real-world studies. P-EPD was not superior however, in regards to periprocedural stroke, TIA and death. Further studies are anticipated to provide a clear answer to this debate.

Laser Atherectomy Combined With Drug-Coated Balloon Angioplasty Is Associated With Improved 1-Year Outcomes for Treatment of Femoropopliteal In-Stent Restenosis

Purpose: To examine whether laser atherectomy combined with drug-coated balloons (laser + DCB) can improve the outcomes of femoropopliteal (FP) in-stent restenosis (ISR). Methods: A dual-center retrospective study was conducted of 112 consecutive patients (mean age 70.3±10.6 years; 86 men) with Tosaka class II (n=29; diffuse stenosis) or III (n=83; occlusion) FP-ISR lesions. Sixty-two patients (mean age 68.5±10 years; 51 men) underwent laser + DCB while the other 50 patients (mean age 72.5±10.8 years; 35 men) had laser atherectomy plus balloon angioplasty (laser + BA). Critical limb ischemia was the indication in 33% of the interventions. The average lesion length was 247 mm. A Cox regression hazard model was developed to examine the association between laser + DCB vs laser + BA; the results are presented as the hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). One-year target lesion revascularization (TLR) and reocclusion were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Results: Overall procedure success was 98% and was similar between groups. Bailout stenting was less often required in the laser + DCB group (31.7% vs 58%, p=0.006). The combination of laser + DCB was associated with improved 12-month estimates for freedom from TLR (72.5% vs 50.5%, p=0.043) and freedom from reocclusion (86.7% vs 56.9%, p=0.003). Among patients with Tosaka III FP-ISR, combination therapy with laser + DCB was also associated with increased freedom from reocclusion (87.1% vs 57.1%, p=0. 028). On multivariable analysis, treatment with laser + DCB was associated with a significantly reduced risk of reocclusion (HR 0.08, 95% CI 0.17 to 0.38; p=0.002). Conclusion: When used for treatment of complex FP-ISR lesions, DCB angioplasty combined with laser atherectomy is associated with significantly reduced 1-year TLR and reocclusion rates.

Pregnancy associated plasma protein-A as a prognostic biomarker of all-cause mortality and cardiovascular events in patients presenting with chest pain: a systematic review

AIM

Novel biomarkers have been proposed for identification of patients at greater risk of future adverse events among those presenting with chest pain. In this review, we aim to elucidate the ability of pregnancy associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A) to predict mortality and other cardiovascular events in this patient population.

METHODS

A literature search of the electronic databases Medline, Scopus, Cochrane Library and ClinicalTrials.gov was performed in order to identify studies investigating the utility of PAPP-A to predict mortality and adverse cardiovascular events in patients with chest pain.

RESULTS

Eight studies met our inclusion criteria. Five of these studies pertained to patients with confirmed ischemic chest pain, while the rest included patients presenting with chest pain possibly due to acute coronary syndrome, irrespectively of the underlying cause. Although the results for long-term events were inconclusive in both groups of patients, higher PAPP-A concentrations were found to be a significant predictor of short-term adverse events in patients with confirmed ischemic chest pain.

CONCLUSIONS

PAPP-A appears to be a potentially useful biomarker for short-term risk stratification of patients presenting with chest pain of ischemic origin. However, there is an eminent need for more standardized clinical studies investigating the prognostic value of this biomarker.

Second-generation drug-eluting stents versus drug-coated balloons for the treatment of coronary in-stent restenosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis

PURPOSE

The benefit of drug-eluting stents (DES) versus drug-coated balloons (DCB) in coronary artery in-stent restenosis (ISR) for the prevention of target lesion revascularization (TLR), stent thrombosis, and mortality remains uncertain. Our aim was to synthesize the available evidence from randomized clinical trials (RCTs) and observational studies that directly compare second-generation drug-eluting stents (SG-DES) and DCB for the treatment of coronary ISR.

METHODS

Medline, Embase, and Cochrane Central were searched for RCTs or observational studies, published up to March 15, 2017. A random effects model meta-analysis investigating clinical and angiographic outcomes was conducted for RCTs and observational studies that compared SG-DES versus DCB for the treatment of ISR.

RESULTS

Ten studies and 2,173 patients were included in this meta-analysis. The two treatment strategies were proven equal with regards to TLR, myocardial infarction, stent thrombosis, and cardiac mortality in both randomized and observational studies. No difference was found among RCTs for all-cause mortality, while in observational studies, patients who were treated with SG-DES had a lower mortality compared to DCB (OR: 0.47; 95% CI: 0.27-0.83). In the pooled analysis also (RCTs and observational studies), SG-DES were associated with lower all-cause mortality compared to DCB. Patients treated with SG-DES were also superior in terms of minimal lumen diameter (standardized mean difference: 0.39; 95% CI: 0.12-0.66).

CONCLUSIONS

The two treatment strategies are equal for the treatment of ISR, while the difference in all-cause mortality might be potentially explained by baseline differences in the two groups among real-world studies.

Emerging treatments for ulcerative colitis: a systematic review

OBJECTIVES

Various investigational medicinal products have been developed for ulcerative colitis (UC). Our aim was to systematically evaluate novel pharmacological therapeutic agents for the treatment of UC.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) recommendations were followed. A search of the medical literature was conducted in the MEDLINE database for original research papers published between 01 January 2010 and 31 October 2014.

RESULTS

Twenty one studies, including 11,524 adults were analyzed. Thirteen different novel therapeutic drug options were identified. Vedolizumab and golimumab were superior to placebo as induction and maintenance therapy. Tofacitinib showed dose related efficacy for induction therapy. Etrolizumab showed higher clinical remission rates compared to placebo. Phosphatidylcholine led to an improved clinical activity index. HMPL-004 may become a mesalamine alternative for mild to moderate UC. PF00547,659 was well tolerated. Statins were not beneficial for acute exacerbations of UC. Abatacept, rituximab and visilizumab did not lead to improved outcomes compared to placebo. Higher concentration of BMS 936557 was associated with improved efficacy compared to placebo. Basiliximab did not enhance corticosteroid efficacy.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with UC might achieve clinical response or remission by utilizing some of these agents with a favorable side effect profile. Further studies are needed to evaluate their short- and long-term efficacy and safety.

High-Intensity Statin Therapy Is Associated With Improved Survival in Patients With Peripheral Artery Disease

Background

The relative benefit of higher statin dosing in patients with peripheral artery disease has not been reported previously. We compared the effectiveness of low‐ or moderate‐intensity (LMI) versus high‐intensity (HI) statin dose on clinical outcomes in patients with peripheral artery disease.

Methods and Results

We reviewed patients with symptomatic peripheral artery disease who underwent peripheral angiography and/or endovascular intervention from 2006 to 2013 who were not taking other lipid‐lowering medications. HI statin use was defined as atorvastatin 40–80 mg or rosuvastatin 20–40 mg. Baseline demographics, procedural data, and outcomes were retrospectively analyzed. Among 909 patients, 629 (69%) were prescribed statins, and 124 (13.6%) were treated with HI statin therapy. Mean low‐density lipoprotein level was similar in patients on LMI versus HI (80±30 versus 87±44 mg/dL, P=0.14). Demographics including age (68±12 versus 67±10 years, P=0.25), smoking history (76% versus 80%, P=0.42), diabetes mellitus (54% versus 48%, P=0.17), and hypertension (88% versus 89%, P=0.78) were similar between groups (LMI versus HI). There was a higher prevalence of coronary artery disease (56% versus 75%, P=0.0001) among patients on HI statin (versus LMI). After propensity weighting, HI statin therapy was associated with improved survival (hazard ratio for mortality: 0.52; 95% confidence interval, 0.33–0.81; P=0.004) and decreased major adverse cardiovascular events (hazard ratio: 0.58; 95% confidence interval 0.37–0.92, P=0.02).

Conclusions

In patients with peripheral artery disease who were referred for peripheral angiography or endovascular intervention, HI statin therapy was associated with improved survival and fewer major adverse cardiovascular events compared with LMI statin therapy.

The role and clinical implications of diastolic dysfunction in aortic stenosis

Diastolic dysfunction in aortic stenosis results primarily from left ventricular hypertrophy and myocardial fibrosis due to chronically elevated left ventricular systolic pressure. Currently, diastolic dysfunction does not have an explicit clinical role in management of patients with aortic stenosis. Studies have shown that improvement in diastolic dysfunction follows left ventricular remodelling after aortic valve replacement and that it occurs gradually or incompletely. Retrospective studies suggest that advanced grades of diastolic dysfunction at baseline are associated with increased mortality and adverse events even after aortic valve replacement. Recent studies have also associated myocardial fibrosis, a hallmark of diastolic dysfunction, with worse outcomes. In addition, these results were independent of the degree of aortic stenosis or valve replacement. Indirect evidence of the role of diastolic dysfunction in aortic stenosis also comes from paradoxical low-flow, low-gradient aortic stenosis, where disproportionate left ventricular hypertrophy leads to underfilling of the left ventricle, low-flow state and is associated with worse prognosis. Lastly, a limited number of studies suggest that worse diastolic dysfunction at baseline is detrimental in patients who develop aortic regurgitation after transcatheteraortic valve replacement, due to superimposition of volume overload on a stiff left ventricle. Current major limitations in our understanding of the prognostic role of diastolic dysfunction are the lack of universally accepted classification schemes, its dependence on dynamic loading conditions and the lack of larger prospective studies.

Emerging and Future Therapeutic Options for Femoropopliteal and Infrapopliteal Endovascular Intervention

Despite recent advances in endovascular therapy for peripheral artery disease, current technologies remain limited by rates of long-term restenosis and application to complex lesion subsets. This article presents data on upcoming therapies, including novel drug-coated balloons, drug-eluting stents, bioresorbable scaffolds, novel drug delivery therapies to target arteries, techniques to limit postangioplasty dissection, and treatment of severely calcified lesions.

The effect of in-hospital acquired thrombocytopenia on the outcome of patients with acute coronary syndromes: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

In-hospital acquired thrombocytopenia (TP) is relatively common among patients hospitalized with acute coronary syndromes (ACS). However, its effect on short-term and long-term outcomes has yet to be reviewed systematically.

METHODS

We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical studies assessing the relationship between new-onset in-hospital TP and adverse outcomes among ACS patients. MEDLINE, Scopus and the Cochrane Library were searched for eligible studies published before March 20, 2016.

RESULTS

Ten studies reporting on a total of 142,161 ACS patients were identified. 8133 patients showed evidence of new-onset TP during the course of their hospitalization. Compared with patients with normal platelet counts, patients with new-onset TP had a prolonged in-hospital stay, significantly higher risk of both short-term mortality (<30days) (Odds ratio (OR) [95% confidence interval (CI)]: 5.58 [3.63-8.57]) and late death (6months to 1year) (OR [95% CI]: 3.45 [2.35-5.07]), as well as a significantly higher risk of major bleeding events in the first 30days (OR [95% CI]: 6.93 [5.13-9.38]). In addition, risk for other secondary cardiovascular endpoints, including recurrent myocardial infarction, stroke, in-hospital heart failure, stent thrombosis and unplanned revascularization was also significantly higher in the TP versus the no TP group.

CONCLUSIONS

Development of TP during the in-hospital management of ACS patients is a significant predictor of both short- and long-term adverse events, including mortality. In the light of this evidence, clinicians should be cautious and closely monitor abnormal platelet counts that present early following an ACS.