Outcomes of cardiogenic shock complicating acute coronary syndromes

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to assess the outcomes of cardiogenic shock (CS) complicating acute coronary syndromes (ACS).

BACKGROUND

CS remains the leading cause of mortality in patients presenting with ACS despite advances in care.

METHODS

We studied 13,184 patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for all subtypes of ACS enrolled prospectively in a large multicentre Australian registry (Melbourne Interventional Group registry) from 2005 to 2013. All-cause mortality was obtained via linkage to the National Death Index. Patients were divided into those with and those without CS.

RESULTS

Compared to the non-CS group (n = 12,548, 95.2%), the CS group (n = 636, 4.8%) had a higher proportion of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) (31.1 vs. 2.2%) and ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) presentation (89 vs. 34%), both p < .01. Patients in the CS group had higher rates of in-hospital (40.4 vs. 1.2%) and 30-day (41 vs. 1.7%) mortality compared to the non-CS group. Long-term mortality over a median follow-up of 4.2 years was higher in the CS group (50.6 vs. 13.8%), p < .001. Trends of in-hospital and 30-day mortality rates of CS complicating ACS were relatively stable from 2005 to 2013. Predictors of long-term NDI-linked mortality within the CS group include severe left ventricular systolic dysfunction (HR 3.0), glomerular filtration rate (GFR) <30 (HR 2.56), GFR 30-59 (HR 1.94), OHCA (HR 1.46), diabetes (HR 1.44), and age (HR 1.02), all p < .05.

CONCLUSIONS

Rates of CS-related mortality complicating ACS have remained very high and steady over nearly a decade despite progress in STEMI systems of care, PCI techniques, and medical therapy.

Exploring the structure of Xe isotopes in A ~ 130 region: Single particle and collective excitations

High and medium spin structures of 130,131Xe have been studied using α-induced fusion-evaporation reaction and the Indian National Gamma Array (INGA) coupled with a digital data acquisition system. Various new band structures and near yrast levels of 131Xe have been established. The multipolarities of the observed transitions have been assigned on the basis of the DCO ratios and the polarization asymmetry measurements. Band structures based on 1-quasi-particle (qp), 3-qp configurations have been observed. A new Magnetic Rotational (MR) band based on 5-qp configuration has also been established in 131Xe. The MR band has been interpreted in terms of shears mechanism with principal axis cranking (SPAC) calculations. Shell Model calculations are carried out to describe the non yrast states of 131Xe above the 11/2− isomer. New excited states have also been identified in 130Xe, produced in the same reaction.

Significant Left Main Coronary Artery Disease Does Not Incur Any Additional Risk to the Short Term Outcome of Off Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting Surgery

Coronary artery disease is the most common form of heart disease and single most important cause of premature death in developed countries. Off pump coronary artery bypass grafting surgery has recently became widespread internationally and has produced good clinical outcome even in left main coronary artery disease following off pump coronary artery bypass grafting surgery. A prospective observational study was conducted in the department of Cardiac Surgery, National Heart Foundation Hospital and Research Institute, Dhaka, Bangladesh from January 2015 to September 2016 after fulfillment of enrollment criteria, 428 patients were studied for the purpose of the study and they were grouped in two, significant left main coronary artery disease in group A and non left main coronary artery disease requiring surgery in group B. Comparison of risk factors between groups demonstrates that diabetes mellitus and smoking habit between two groups were almost identical. 69.2% of patient with significant left main coronary artery group were hypertensive and 25.2% were dyslipidaemic in comparison to non left main coronary artery disease group which were 50.9% and 6.5% respectively. Requirement of per operative inotropic support was significantly higher in left main coronary artery group. 33.6% of patient of left main coronary artery group required per operative inotropic support whereas non left main coronary artery group require 24.8%. Postoperative inotropic support, mechanical ventilation time, ICU stay, hospital stay and complication were similar in both these groups. So, we can say that off pump coronary artery bypass grafting surgery for significant left main coronary artery disease is as safe as non left main coronary artery disease.

Measurement of ϒ(1S) Elliptic Flow at Forward Rapidity in Pb-Pb Collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=5.02 TeV

The first measurement of the ϒ(1S) elliptic flow coefficient (v_{2}) is performed at forward rapidity (2.5<y<4) in Pb-Pb collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=5.02  TeV with the ALICE detector at the LHC. The results are obtained with the scalar product method and are reported as a function of transverse momentum (p_{T}) up to 15  GeV/c in the 5%-60% centrality interval. The measured ϒ(1S)v_{2} is consistent with 0 and with the small positive values predicted by transport models within uncertainties. The v_{2} coefficient in 2<p_{T}<15  GeV/c is lower than that of inclusive J/ψ mesons in the same p_{T} interval by 2.6 standard deviations. These results, combined with earlier suppression measurements, are in agreement with a scenario in which the ϒ(1S) production in Pb-Pb collisions at LHC energies is dominated by dissociation limited to the early stage of the collision, whereas in the J/ψ case there is substantial experimental evidence of an additional regeneration component.

Association of Body Mass Index and Extreme Obesity With Long-Term Outcomes Following Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

Background

Previous studies have reported a protective effect of obesity compared with normal body mass index (BMI) in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). However, it is unclear whether this effect extends to the extremely obese. In this large multicenter registry‐based study, we sought to examine the relationship between BMI and long‐term clinical outcomes following PCI, and in particular to evaluate the association between extreme obesity and long‐term survival after PCI.

Methods and Results

This cohort study included 25 413 patients who underwent PCI between January 1, 2005 and June 30, 2017, who were prospectively enrolled in the Melbourne Interventional Group registry. Patients were stratified by World Health Organization–defined BMI categories. The primary end point was National Death Index–linked mortality. The median length of follow‐up was 4.4 years (interquartile range 2.0‐7.6 years). Of the study cohort, 24.8% had normal BMI (18.5‐24.9 kg/m²), and 3.3% were extremely obese (BMI ≥40 kg/m²). Patients with greater degrees of obesity were younger and included a higher proportion of diabetics (P<0.001). After adjustment for age and comorbidities, a J‐shaped association was observed between different BMI categories and adjusted hazard ratio (HR) for long‐term mortality (normal BMI, HR 1.00 [ref]; overweight, HR 0.85, 95% CI 0.78‐0.93, P<0.001; mild obesity, HR 0.85, 95% CI 0.76‐0.94, P=0.002; moderate obesity, HR 0.95, 95% CI 0.80‐1.12, P=0.54; extreme obesity HR 1.33, 95% CI 1.07‐1.65, P=0.01).

Conclusions

An obesity paradox is still apparent in contemporary practice, with elevated BMI up to 35 kg/m² associated with reduced long‐term mortality after PCI. However, this protective effect appears not to extend to patients with extreme obesity.

Investigations of Anisotropic Flow Using Multiparticle Azimuthal Correlations in pp, p-Pb, Xe-Xe, and Pb-Pb Collisions at the LHC

Measurements of anisotropic flow coefficients (v_{n}) and their cross-correlations using two- and multiparticle cumulant methods are reported in collisions of pp at sqrt[s]=13  TeV, p-Pb at a center-of-mass energy per nucleon pair sqrt[s_{NN}]=5.02  TeV, Xe-Xe at sqrt[s_{NN}]=5.44  TeV, and Pb-Pb at sqrt[s_{NN}]=5.02  TeV recorded with the ALICE detector. The multiplicity dependence of v_{n} is studied in a very wide range from 20 to 3000 particles produced in the midrapidity region |η|<0.8 for the transverse momentum range 0.2<p_{T}<3.0  GeV/c. An ordering of the coefficients v_{2}>v_{3}>v_{4} is found in pp and p-Pb collisions, similar to that seen in large collision systems, while a weak v_{2} multiplicity dependence is observed relative to nucleus-nucleus collisions in the same multiplicity range. Using a novel subevent method, v_{2} measured with four-particle cumulants is found to be compatible with that from six-particle cumulants in pp and p-Pb collisions. The magnitude of the correlation between v_{n}^{2} and v_{m}^{2}, evaluated with the symmetric cumulants SC(m,n) is observed to be positive at all multiplicities for v_{2} and v_{4}, while for v_{2} and v_{3} it is negative and changes sign for multiplicities below 100, which may indicate a different v_{n} fluctuation pattern in this multiplicity range. The observed long-range multiparticle azimuthal correlations in high multiplicity pp and p-Pb collisions can neither be described by pythia 8 nor by impact-parameter-Glasma, music, and ultrarelativistic quantum molecular dynamics model calculations, and hence, provide new insights into the understanding of collective effects in small collision systems.

P2654Impact of cultural and linguistic diversity on ischaemic time and clinical outcomes in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI)

Background

Healthcare providers worldwide increasingly must face the challenge of providing care to culturally and linguistically diverse patients who may have limited proficiency in the primary working language of the country they are in. This language discordance may lead to delayed treatment and worse outcomes. The impact of limited English proficiency (LEP), in a predominantly English-speaking country like Australia, on time to reperfusion and outcomes following PCI for STEMI has not been previously studied.

Objective

Among patients undergoing PCI for STEMI, to compare baseline and procedural characteristics, time to reperfusion, and 30-day clinical outcomes in patients with LEP, compared to their English-proficient counterparts.

Method

We prospectively collected data on 7,721 patients undergoing PCI for STEMI between January 2013 and December 2017 who were enrolled in the state-wide multi-centre Victorian Cardiac Outcomes Registry. Data linkage to Department of Health administrative datasets was used to identify patients' primary spoken language. Patients who identified a language other than English as their primary spoken language were classified as having LEP. Patients' postcodes were used to identify socioeconomic status through Australian Government census data. The primary endpoint was 30-day major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE)

Results

Of the 7,721 patients included, 568 (7.4%) had LEP. Patients with LEP were more likely to be older, female, diabetic, have lower socioeconomic status and have severe renal impairment (all p<0.02). They were also more likely to present to a non-PCI capable hospital (p<0.001). Among primary PCI patients (n=5,385), symptom-to-balloon time was longer in the LEP group (237 [IQR 158–429] vs. 195 [IQR 141–326] minutes, p<0.001), driven mostly by longer symptom-to-door times (STDT) (150 [IQR 90–276] vs. 114 [IQR 75–215] minutes, p<0.001). LEP patients were also less likely to have a STDT≥120 minutes (48.8% vs. 41.7%, p-0.004). Patients with LEP had higher 30-day mortality (8.8% vs. 6.5%, p=0.04) and MACE (11.8 vs. 9.1%, p=0.04). They were also more likely to have severe left ventricular (LV) dysfunction post-STEMI (11.2% vs. 8.4%, p=0.003) and heart failure readmissions within 30 days of PCI (5.2% vs. 2.0%, p<0.001). On multivariate analysis, LEP was not an independent predictor of 30-day MACE (OR 1.27, 95% CI 0.82–1.95), but was an independent predictor of STDT≥120 minutes (OR 1.24, 95% CI 1.02–1.52).

Comparison of reperfusion times

Conclusion

Limited English-proficient patients with STEMI undergoing PCI tend to present later than their English-proficient counterparts and are more likely to have severe LV dysfunction and heart failure readmissions. LEP is an independent predictor of prolonged STDT but not 30-day MACE. This suggests that more effort needs to be placed in providing education in different languages to culturally and linguistically diverse patients, to encourage early presentation in the setting of STEMI.

P5290Impact of extreme obesity on long-term outcomes following percutaneous coronary intervention

Background

Obesity is a growing health concern worldwide, particularly in developed countries where there has been an unprecedented rise in the proportion of overweight and obese individuals in the population. Previous studies have reported a protective effect of obesity compared to normal BMI in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). However, it is unclear whether this effect extends to the extremely obese over long-term follow-up.

Objective

To determine whether an obesity paradox persists in contemporary PCI practice over long-term follow-up, and in particular to further evaluate the association between extreme obesity and long-term clinical outcomes after PCI.

Method

We prospectively collected data on 25,645 patients undergoing PCI between 1 January 2005 and 30 June 2017 who were enrolled in the statewide multi-centre Melbourne Interventional Group Registry. This registry collects data on all patients undergoing PCI at 6 academic tertiary hospitals. Patients were stratified by World Health Organization-defined BMI categories. Long-term mortality data was obtained by linkage to the National Death Index (NDI), a database that contains records of all deaths occurring in Australia. The primary endpoint was NDI-linked mortality. Median length of follow-up was 4.4 years (IQR 2.0–7.6 years).

Results

Of the study cohort, 24.6% had normal BMI (18.5–24.9 kg/m2), 0.9% were underweight (BMI <18.5 kg/m2) and 3.3% were extremely obese (BMI ≥40 kg/m2). As BMI increased, mean age decreased while the prevalence of diabetes increased (p<0.001). The proportion of females at both extremes of BMI. Procedural characteristics were similar across the groups although there was more radial access and less femoral access used with increasing BMI (p<0.001). In terms of secondary prevention therapy, underweight patients were significantly less likely to receive a beta blocker, ACE inhibitor and statins, compared to the other BMI groups. In-hospital, 30-day and long-term mortality were all highest for underweight patients (37.7%) and lowest for the moderately obese patients (BMI 35–40 kg/m2) (12.2%). After adjustment for age, comorbidities and presentation with cardiogenic shock, a U-shaped association between the different BMI categories and adjusted hazard ratio for long-term mortality was observed (Figure 1).

Figure 1

Conclusion

An obesity paradox is still apparent in contemporary practice with elevated BMI up to 35 kg/m2 associated with reduced long-term mortality after PCI. However, this protective effect appears not to extend to patients with extreme obesity. Factors behind this phenomenon are likely multifactorial and require further mechanistic and epidemiological studies.

Resonance assisted jump-in voltage reduction for electrostatically actuated nanobeam-based gateless NEM switches

Electrostatically actuated nanobeam-based electromechanical switches have shown promise for versatile novel applications, such as low power devices. However, their widespread use is restricted due to poor reliability resulting from high jump-in voltages. This article reports a new method for lowering the jump-in voltage by inducing mechanical oscillations in the active element during the switching ON process, reducing the jump-in voltage by more than three times. Ge_0.91Sn_0.09 alloy and Bi₂Se₃ nanowire-based nanoelectromechanical switches were constructed in situ to demonstrate the operation principles and advantages of the proposed method.

First Observation of an Attractive Interaction between a Proton and a Cascade Baryon

This Letter presents the first experimental observation of the attractive strong interaction between a proton and a multistrange baryon (hyperon) Ξ^{-}. The result is extracted from two-particle correlations of combined p-Ξ^{-}⊕p[over ¯]-Ξ[over ¯]^{+} pairs measured in p-Pb collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=5.02  TeV at the LHC with ALICE. The measured correlation function is compared with the prediction obtained assuming only an attractive Coulomb interaction and a standard deviation in the range [3.6, 5.3] is found. Since the measured p-Ξ^{-}⊕p[over ¯]-Ξ[over ¯]^{+} correlation is significantly enhanced with respect to the Coulomb prediction, the presence of an additional, strong, attractive interaction is evident. The data are compatible with recent lattice calculations by the HAL-QCD Collaboration, with a standard deviation in the range [1.8, 3.7]. The lattice potential predicts a shallow repulsive Ξ^{-} interaction within pure neutron matter and this implies stiffer equations of state for neutron-rich matter including hyperons. Implications of the strong interaction for the modeling of neutron stars are discussed.

Diagnostic diversities of Clear Fluid encountered during Fine needle aspiration cytology with an analysis of various variables

Background: Incidental finding of clear fluid during fine needle aspiration (FNA) is not rare in day to day practice of cytology. Though clear in appearance, cells obtained from it may yield a diverse diagnosis ranging from an inconclusive opinion to a malignant lesion. So, clear fluid is not non-significant always; lack of proper processing and examination may prove fatal to a patient. Aim: To evaluate the diverse diagnosis of clear fluid. Materials and methods: During a period of three years, hundred and seven cases which yielded clear fluid during FNAC from different parts of the body were studied. Direct and indirect smears (wherever applicable) was prepared, stained and examined microscopically. Results: Of these 107 cases of clear fluid, Male: Female ratio was 1: 1.6. Maximum cases - 55 (51.40%) was found in the age group 21 to 40 years. Trunk held the most number of lesions - 54 cases (50.46%). FNA results were interpreted as inconclusive in 19 cases (17.76%), benign in 84 cases (78.50%), suspicious in 01 case (0.93%) and malignant in 03 cases (2.80%). Epidermal cyst was the most common benign lesion - 16 cases (14.95%). Malignant lesions found were papillary carcinoma of thyroid, carcinoma of breast and metastatic squamous cell carcinoma – one case each. Conclusion: Our study emphasizes on the importance of proper examination of clear fluid as it may prove helpful in an undiagnosed case of malignancy and it may also improvise the learning of young pathologists. Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol.18(4) 2019 p.753-755

First Direct Measurement of Isotopic Fission-Fragment Yields of ^{239}U

A direct and complete measurement of isotopic fission-fragment yields of ^{239}U has been performed for the first time. The ^{239}U fissioning system was produced with an average excitation energy of 8.3 MeV in one-neutron transfer reactions between a ^{238}U beam and a ^{9}Be target at Coulomb barrier energies. The fission fragments were detected and isotopically identified using the VAMOS++ spectrometer at the GANIL facility. The measurement allows us to directly evaluate the fission models at excitation energies of fast neutrons, which are relevant for next-generation nuclear reactors. The present data, in agreement with model calculations, do not support the recently reported anomaly in the fission-fragment yields of ^{239}U, and they confirm the persistence of spherical shell effects in the Sn region at excitation energies exceeding the fission barrier by a few mega-electron volts.

The Impact of Out-of-Hours Presentation on Clinical Outcomes in ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction

BACKGROUND

Systems of care have been established to ensure patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) get timely access to primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI). In this study, we evaluated whether patients undergoing PPCI both in-hours and out-of-hours experience similar care and clinical outcomes.

METHODS

Of 9,865 patients who underwent PCI for STEMI from 2005 to 2016 and were enrolled in the multi-centre Melbourne Interventional Group registry, patients who had initially presented to a non-PCI capable hospital, received thrombolysis or presented >12hourspost-symptom onset were excluded. Our final study cohort of 4,590 patients were dichotomised by whether PPCI was performed in-hours or out-of-hours, and compared. The primary outcome was 30-day mortality.

RESULTS

The in-hours group included 1,865 patients (40.6%) while 2,725 patients (59.4%) had out-of-hours PPCI. Patients presenting out-of-hours had longer median door-to-balloon time (DTBT; 83 [IQR 61-109] vs. 60 [IQR 41-88] mins, p<0.01) and were more likely to receive a drug-eluting stent (p=0.001). Procedural characteristics were otherwise similar although rates of radial access were low overall (18.4%). No differences in in-hospital, 30-day or 12-month mortality were observed between the groups (p=NS). On Cox proportional hazards modelling, out-of-hours presentation was not an independent predictor of 30-day mortality (HR 0.94, 95% CI 0.71-1.22). A landmark analysis of data from 2012 did not change the primary outcome.

CONCLUSION

Despite a slightly longer DTBT, patients undergoing PPCI out-of-hours experienced similar care and clinical outcomes to the in-hours group. Given the majority of patients with STEMI present out-of-hours, these data have implications for STEMI systems of care.

Prevalence of Escherichia coli O157 and Salmonella spp. in solid bovine manure in California using real-time quantitative PCR

The occurrence of Escherichia coli O157 and Salmonella spp. in solid bovine manure was investigated through a multi-county survey in California. Solid bovine manure samples (n = 91) were collected from 13 dairy farms located in multiple counties in California between June 2016 and August 2017. To quantify pathogens, DNA was extracted from bacteria in manure samples. Afterwards, the prevalence and levels of E. coli O157 and Salmonella spp. in solid bovine manure were determined by real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR). The prevalence of E. coli O157 and Salmonella spp. in solid bovine manure was 15·4 and 6·6% respectively. Escherichia coli O157 and Salmonella spp. levels in positive samples ranged from 3·1 to 5·3 log CFU per g and from positive (the population was <3 log CFU per g) to 5·2 log CFU per g respectively. Surface samples of manure piles had higher prevalence and levels of E. coli O157 and Salmonella spp. than subsurface samples, while no seasonal effects on pathogen occurrence were observed. Our results indicated that solid bovine manure is a source of E. coli O157 and Salmonella spp. and the application of untreated manure as biological soil amendments may pose potential risks to public health. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Our findings suggested that the presence of Escherichia coli O157 and Salmonella spp. in solid bovine manure may pose potential risks if untreated manure is applied as biological soil amendments. Considering the large-scale sampling used in this study, the observations provide a holistic assessment in terms of pathogen prevalence in solid bovine manure.