Direct oral anticoagulants in atrial fibrillation following cardiac surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis with trial sequential analysis

Myopericarditis following COVID-19 vaccination in children: a systematic review and meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION

Myopericarditis is a rare but serious coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine-related adverse event primarily affecting adolescents. Given recent approvals for childhood vaccination, we performed a meta-analysis investigating myopericarditis following messenger ribonucleic acid COVID-19 vaccination in children aged <19 years, focusing on its overall risk and high-risk subgroups.

METHODS

We searched MEDLINE via PubMed, Embase and Scopus from inception to 1 August 2022 for observational studies reporting myopericarditis in temporal relation to paediatric COVID-19 vaccination. We conducted random-effects meta-analyses (DerSimonian and Laird) on myopericarditis (primary outcome), myocarditis and pericarditis (secondary outcomes).

RESULTS

Of 2115 studies, 12 (59,229,160 doses) studies were included in our analysis. There were 19.8 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 10.4-37.6) myopericarditis cases reported per million doses in children, compared to 23.7 (95% CI: 12.2-46.1) cases in adults (eight studies, 376,899,888 doses; P = 0.70). Compared to the second dose (34.4, 95% CI: 15.2-77.8), the number of cases post-first dose was significantly lower (9.1, 95% CI: 4.4-18.8; P = 0.017), while the number of cases post-third dose was not higher than that of post-second dose (28.4, 95% CI: 10.4-61.8; P = 0.57, global P = 0.031). Males were at higher risk of myopericarditis (67.4, 95% CI: 36.5-124.5) than females (6.9, 95% CI: 3.1-15.3; P < 0.0001). Finally, the number of cases was higher (overall P < 0.0001) among children aged ≥12 years (39.9, 95% CI: 24.1-66.0) than among children aged <12 years (3.0, 95% CI: 2.3-3.9).

CONCLUSION

Our meta-analysis showed 19.8 cases of myopericarditis per million doses among children, not significantly different from that of adults. Higher risk subgroups included adolescents, males, and those receiving their second dose of vaccination.

Half-dose direct oral anticoagulation versus warfarin for atrial fibrillation following cardiac surgery

BACKGROUND

Optimal anticoagulation strategies have not been defined for patients with atrial fibrillation following cardiac surgery.

METHODS

From a total cohort of 228 patients with pre-existing or new onset atrial fibrillation following coronary artery bypass grafting and/or valve surgery, we compared in-hospital and 30-day outcomes in 119 patients treated with low-dose aspirin and a half-dose direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC) versus 109 treated with low-dose aspirin and warfarin.

RESULTS

DOAC patients were older (73.1±7.0 vs. 68.7±11.4 years, P<0.001) and had a lower incidence of preoperative atrial fibrillation (37 [31.1%] vs. 69 [63.3%], P<0.001). Otherwise, the two cohorts were well matched for baseline demographics, cardiovascular risk factors, comorbidities, prior cardiac history and STS Risk Score. In comparison to Warfarin patients, DOAC patients had a shorter length of post-surgical stay (6 [5-8] vs. 7 [5-10] days, P=0.037). The two cohorts, however, had a similar incidence of stroke, transient ischemic attack, reoperation for bleeding and postoperative blood bank product usage. Follow-up 30-day outcomes did not differ between the two groups with respect to mortality (0 [0.0%] vs. 0 [0.0%], P=1.000) and hospital readmission (16 [13.4%] vs. 14 [12.8%], P=0.893), although two DOAC patients required drainage of sanguineous pericardial effusions.

CONCLUSIONS

In comparison to warfarin, half-dose DOAC anticoagulation in patients with atrial fibrillation following cardiac surgery is associated with a shorter postoperative length of stay, without a significant increase in stroke/transient ischemic attack, reoperation for bleeding or postoperative blood product transfusion. Follow-up echocardiography in anticoagulated patients is recommended to rule out significant sanguineous pericardial effusions in the early postoperative period following hospital discharge.

Thoracic Epidural Anesthesia in Cardiac Surgery: A Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis, and Trial Sequential Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

BACKGROUND

Research on fast-track recovery protocols postulates that thoracic epidural anesthesia (TEA) in cardiac surgery contributes to improved postoperative outcomes. However, concerns about TEA's safety hinder its widespread usage. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the benefits and risks of TEA in cardiac surgery.

METHODS

We searched 4 databases for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing the use of TEA against only general anesthesia (GA) in adults undergoing cardiac surgery, up till June 4, 2022. We conducted random-effects meta-analyses, evaluated risk of bias using the Cochrane Risk-of-Bias 2 tool, and rated certainty of evidence via the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluations (GRADE) approach. Primary outcomes were intensive care unit (ICU), hospital length of stay, extubation time (ET), and mortality. Other outcomes included postoperative complications. Trial sequential analysis (TSA) was conducted on all outcomes to elicit statistical and clinical benefit.

RESULTS

Our meta-analysis included 51 RCTs (2112 TEA patients and 2220 GA patients). TEA significantly reduced ICU length of stay (-6.9 hours; 95% confidence interval [CI], -12.5 to -1.2; P = .018), hospital length of stay (-0.8 days; 95% CI, -1.1 to -0.4; P < .0001), and ET (-2.9 hours; 95% CI, -3.7 to -2.0; P < .0001). However, we found no significant change in mortality. TSA found that the cumulative Z-curve passed the TSA-adjusted boundary for ICU length of stay, hospital length of stay, and ET, suggesting a clinical benefit. TEA also significantly reduced pain scores, pooled pulmonary complications, transfusion requirements, delirium, and arrhythmia, without additional complications such as epidural hematomas, of which the risk was estimated to be <0.14%.

CONCLUSIONS

TEA reduces ICU and hospital length of stay, and postoperative complications in patients undergoing cardiac surgery with minimal reported complications such as epidural hematomas. These findings favor the use of TEA in cardiac surgery and warrant consideration for use in cardiac surgeries worldwide.

The Management of Postoperative Atrial Fibrillation (POAF): A Systematic Review

Postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) refers to new-onset atrial fibrillation (AF) that develops after surgery and is associated with an increased risk of mortality and thromboembolic events. The optimal management and treatment methods for POAF complications are not yet fully established. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the various treatment and management approaches currently available in terms of their suitability, efficacy, and side effects in handling POAF incidence post-surgery. Google Scholar and PubMed electronic databases were searched extensively for relevant articles examining the various management techniques currently used to manage POAF and published between 2018 and 2023. Data were collected on the type of surgery the patients underwent, POAF definition period, intervention, and outcome of interest. Following a systematic assessment guided by the inclusion criteria, 10 of the 579 studies retrieved were included in this study, and 293,417 POAF cases were recorded. Three of these studies used different rhythm control and rate control treatments to manage POAF cases, while seven studies used various anticoagulation therapies to manage POAF incidence. For asymptomatic patients within one to three days of surgery, rate control is sufficient to manage POAF, and routine rhythm control is not needed; rhythm control should be reserved for patients who develop complications such as hemodynamic instability. Anticoagulation was performed in patients whose POAF exceeded four days after surgery. Anticoagulation was associated with an increased risk of mortality, stroke, thromboembolic events, and major bleeding in patients who underwent coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. In contrast, in a few other studies, anticoagulation treatment led to improved outcomes in patients who developed POAF. A wide range of management methods are available for POAF after different types of surgery. However, there is only limited evidence to guide the clinical practice. The data available are mainly retrospective and insufficient to accurately evaluate the efficacy of the various management methods available for POAF. Future research should make efforts to standardize the treatment for this condition.