Does thiamine supplementation affect heart failure? A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized control trials

Role of Thiamine Supplementation in the Treatment of Chronic Heart Failure: An Updated Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

BACKGROUND

Chronic heart failure (CHF) has always posed a significant threat to human survival and health. The efficacy of thiamine supplementation in CHF patients remains uncertain.

HYPOTHESIS

Receiving supplementary thiamine may not confer benefits to patients with CHF.

METHODS

A comprehensive search was conducted across the Cochrane Library, PubMed, EMBASE, ClinicalTrials.gov, and Web of Science databases up until May 2023 to identify articles investigating the effects of thiamine supplementation in CHF patients. Predefined criteria were utilized for selecting data on study characteristics and results.

RESULTS

Seven randomized, double-blind, controlled trials (five parallel trials and two crossover trials) involving a total of 274 patients were enrolled. The results of the meta-analysis pooling these studies did not reveal any significant effect of thiamine treatment compared with placebo on left ventricular ejection fraction (WMD = 1.653%, 95% CI:  -1.098 to 4.405, p = 0.239, I2 = 61.8%), left ventricular end-diastolic volume (WMD = -6.831 mL, 95% CI:  -26.367 to 12.704, p = 0.493, I2 = 0.0%), 6-min walking test (WMD = 16.526 m, 95% CI:  -36.582 to 69.634, p = 0.542, I2 = 66.3%), N-terminal pro-B type natriuretic peptide (WMD = 258.150 pg/mL, 95% CI:  -236.406 to 752.707, p = 0.306, I2 = 21.6%), or New York Heart Association class (WMD = -0.223, 95% CI:  -0.781 to 0.335, p = 0.434, I2 = 87.1%). However, it effectively improved the status of thiamine deficiency (TD).

CONCLUSIONS

Our meta-analysis indicates that thiamine supplementation does not have a direct therapeutic effect on CHF, except for correcting TD.

Metabolic failure due to thiamine deficiency during critical illness

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Thiamine is a crucial component in cellular energy metabolism, serving as a cofactor for multiple enzymatic processes and also having a role in regulating neuronal and neuromuscular transmission. Also it exerts antioxidant proprieties. The objective of this review is to consolidate and assess the most recent research concerning the consequences of insufficient thiamine levels for critically ill patients and to examine thiamine-related interventions.

RECENT FINDINGS

Recent studies have unveiled a noteworthy association between thiamine deficiency and unfavorable consequences, such as heightened morbidity and fatality rates. The aforementioned deficiency exhibits a significant presence in medical situations such as starvation and alcohol use disorder, but also in patients during critical illness. Thiamine deficiency can have significant metabolic implications resulting in compromised energy generation and organ dysfunction, warranting prompt recognition and management.

SUMMARY

Thiamine deficiency may not be recognized in critical care. Timely identification and management are imperative to mitigate adverse outcomes and improve patient prognosis. Thiamine may offer benefits for specific patient groups at higher risk of deficiency. Future studies should focus to establish optimal dosing, timing, and monitoring strategies on understanding the pathophysiological changes associated with thiamine deficiency in ICU patients and clarify its role in improving clinical outcomes.

Comparison of the Efficacy of Cisplatin/Paclitaxel Versus Carboplatin/Paclitaxel in Improving Survival and Quality of Life in the Advanced Ovarian Cancer Patient Population: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Control Trials

Ovarian cancer, being one of the prevalent gynecological cancers, warrants a therapy that's both effective and well tolerated. After extensive drug testing, combination regimens with paclitaxel plus platinum-based agents such as cisplatin/carboplatin and taxanes, have shown promising results for advanced ovarian cancer. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to compare the efficacy of two treatment regimens for advanced ovarian cancer: cisplatin/paclitaxel and carboplatin/paclitaxel.  PubMed (Medline), Science Direct, and Cochrane Library were searched from inception to March 2023. The meta-analysis included patients with histologically verified International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stages IIB to IV ovarian carcinoma who received either carboplatin/paclitaxel or cisplatin/paclitaxel. The primary outcomes were progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), quality of life (QOL), complete response rate (CRR), and partial response rate (PRR). The revised Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool 2.0 was used to assess the quality of the RCTs The five RCTs chosen for this statistical analysis consisted of a total of 2239 participants, with 1109 receiving paclitaxel/cisplatin for treatment and the remaining 1130 receiving carboplatin/paclitaxel. Among all included outcomes, these reported significant findings: QoL (p-value=0.0002), thrombocytopenia (p=<0.00001), neurological toxicity (p-value=0.003), nausea/vomiting (p-value=<0.00001), myalgia/arthralgia (p-value=0.02), and febrile neutropenia (p-value=0.01). We concluded that the carboplatin/paclitaxel doublet endows a better quality of life (QOL) to patients along with significantly fewer gastrointestinal and neurological toxicities when compared with the cisplatin/paclitaxel combination. However, the myelosuppressive effects of carboplatin/paclitaxel remain a point of concern and may require clinical management.

Comment on: Time from Admission to Right Heart Catheterization in Cardiogenic Shock Patients

The study article "Time from Admission to Right Heart Catheterization in Cardiogenic Shock Patients" was recently published in your prestigious Journal. We are writing to offer a constructive review of the article. Even while we value the authors' attempts to shed light on this vital topic, a few issues deserve more attention.

Unlocking the Potential of Immunotherapy in Cardiovascular Disease: A Comprehensive Review of Applications and Future Directions

Immunotherapy has emerged as a pioneering therapeutic approach that harnesses the immune system's abilities to combat diseases, particularly in the field of oncology where it has led to significant advancements. However, despite its significant impact in the field of oncology, the potential of immunotherapy in the context of cardiovascular disease (CVD) has not been thoroughly investigated. The purpose of this narrative review is to address the existing knowledge and potential uses of immunotherapy in the field of cardiovascular disease (CVD), with the intention of filling the existing gap in understanding. Furthermore, the review thoroughly examines the future prospects of this swiftly advancing field, providing insights into the aspects that necessitate further investigation and addressing the forthcoming challenges. The review is organized into four distinct sections to enhance comprehension. The first section introduces immunotherapy, presenting the fundamental concepts and principles. The second section explores the immunomodulatory mechanisms in cardiovascular disease (CVD), with a specific focus on the intricate interplay between the immune system and the development of cardiovascular pathogenesis. The utilization of immunotherapy in specific cardiovascular conditions will be examined, investigating the application of immunotherapy in the context of different cardiovascular diseases. The future prospects and challenges in immunotherapy for cardiovascular diseases will be discussed, highlighting the potential areas for future research and addressing the barriers that must be overcome to effectively implement immunotherapeutic interventions in the management of cardiovascular diseases.

Comment on: Effect of Flu Vaccination on Severity and Outcome of Heart Failure Decompensations

We evaluated the study "[Effect of Flu Vaccination on Severity and Outcome of Heart Failure Decompensations" by Miró et al. [1]. This insightful paper explores the potential influence of flu vaccination on the severity and outcomes of heart failure decompensations, illuminating a crucial connection between cardiovascular health and preventing infectious diseases. We want to start by praising the author for selecting such an important and timely subject for discussion. Millions worldwide suffer from heart failure, a severe public health issue. This unique gives essential insights into cardiology and presents a viable route for enhancing patient outcomes by examining the potential connection between flu vaccine and heart failure decompensations.