The association between kidney function, coronary artery disease, and clinical outcome in patients undergoing coronary angiography

Brain circuitry underlying the ABC model of anxiety

Anxiety Disorders are prevalent and often chronic, recurrent conditions that reduce quality of life. The first-line treatments, such as serotonin reuptake inhibitors and cognitive behavioral therapy, leave a significant proportion of patients symptomatic. As psychiatry moves toward targeted circuit-based treatments, there is a need for a theory that unites the phenomenology of anxiety with its underlying neural circuits. The Alarm, Belief, Coping (ABC) theory of anxiety describes how the neural circuits associated with anxiety interact with each other and domains of the anxiety symptoms, both temporally and spatially. The latest advancements in neuroimaging techniques offer the ability to assess these circuits in vivo. Using Neurosynth, a large open-access meta-analytic imaging database, the association between terms related to specific neural circuits was explored within the ABC theory framework. Alarm-related terms were associated with the amygdala, anterior cingulum, insula, and bed nucleus of stria terminalis. Belief-related terms were associated with medial prefrontal cortex, precuneus, bilateral temporal poles, and hippocampus. Coping-related terms were associated with the ventrolateral and dorsolateral prefrontal cortices, basal ganglia, and anterior cingulate. Neural connections underlying the functional neuroanatomy of the ABC model were observed. Additionally, there was considerable interaction and overlap between circuits associated with the symptom domains. Further neuroimaging research is needed to explore the dynamic interaction between the functional domains of the ABC theory. This will pave the way for probing the neuroanatomical underpinnings of anxiety disorders and provide an evidence-based foundation for the development of targeted treatments, such as neuromodulation.

Predictors of Renal Failure in Patients Treated With the Total Artificial Heart

BACKGROUND

The incidence of hemodialysis (HD)-dependent renal failure after total artificial heart (TAH) implantation is high. We sought to determine the preoperative predictors of HD after TAH implantation.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We studied 87 patients after TAH implantation at our institution between April 2006 and March 2017. Baseline clinical data were obtained from the medical records, and patients were followed until death or heart transplantation. We performed logistic regression analysis to identify predictors of HD after TAH implantation. Of the patients, 24 (28%) required postimplantation HD. Those requiring HD were more likely to have histories of coronary artery disease (58% vs 29%; P = 0.01), required preoperative membrane oxygenation (33% vs 4.8%; P = 0.001) and had lower baseline estimated glomerular filtration rates (54 ± 29 vs 67 ± 24 mL/min/1.73m²; P = 0.04). Patients requiring HD were at a higher risk of death on device at 1 year (33% vs 5%, P = 0.001; log rank test: P =0.001, hazard ratio 6.6 [95% CI:1.8-23], P = 0.003).

CONCLUSIONS

The incidence of postimplantation HD is high and is associated with increased likelihood of mortality. Lower baseline estimated glomerular filtration rates, histories of coronary artery disease and preoperative membrane oxygenation support are predictors of postimplantation requirement of HD. These data may help to identify patients at risk for adverse outcomes after TAH implantation.

Preoperative blood urea nitrogen-to-left ventricular ejection fraction ratio is an independent predictor of long-term major adverse cardiac events in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting surgery

BACKGROUND

Long-term mortality rate following coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) procedure is still considered to be high despite advances in surgical techniques and perioperative management. Identifying high-risk patients by using cost-effective and clinically useful parameters is needed.

METHODS

Patients who were admitted to our cardiology clinic with the diagnosis of coronary artery disease and underwent CABG between January 2008 and August 2010 were included. Study patients were followed-up for 112.6 ± 17.8 months for major adverse cardiac events (MACE) which were defined as all-cause mortality and new-onset decompensated heart failure (HF).

RESULTS

Patients in MACE (+) group were older (p < 0.001), had higher additive Euroscore (p < 0.001), and lower left ventricular ejection fraction (p < 0.001). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that additive Euroscore [odds ratio (OR) = 1.601; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.374-1.864; p < 0.001)] and blood urea nitrogen-to-left ventricular ejection fraction ratio (BUNEFr; OR = 1.028; 95% CI = 1.006-1.050; p = 0.011) independently predicted MACE. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis demonstrated that BUNEFr had an area under curve of 0.794 and BUNEFr >33 had a sensitivity and specificity of 74% and 64%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

BUNEFr is a clinically useful and cost-effective parameter for the prediction of long-term mortality and new-onset decompensated HF in patients undergoing CABG.

Multivessel Coronary Revascularization Strategies in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease: A Meta-Analysis

Background: Early revascularization can lead to better prognosis in multivessel coronary artery disease (CAD) patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, whether coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) or percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is better remains unknown. Methods: We searched PubMed and the Cochrane Library database from inception until December 9, 2017, for articles that compare outcomes of CABG and PCI in multivessel CAD patients with CKD. We pooled the odds ratios with a fixed-effects model when I2 < 50% or a random-effects model when I2 > 75% and conducted heterogeneity and quality assessments as well as publication bias analyses. Results: A total of 17 studies with 62,343 patients were included. Compared with CABG, the pooled analysis showed that PCI had a lower risk of short-term all-cause death (OR, 0.56; 95% CI, 0.37–0.84) and cerebrovascular accidents (OR, 0.65; 95% CI, 0.53–0.79) but a higher risk of cardiac death (OR, 1.29; 95% CI, 1.21–1.37), myocardial infarction (MI) (OR, 1.73; 95% CI, 1.35–2.21), and repeat revascularization (RR) (OR, 3.9; 95% CI, 2.99–5.09). There was no significant difference in the risk of long-term all-cause death (OR, 1.08; 95% CI, 0.95–1.23) and major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) (OR, 1.58; 95% CI, 0.99–2.52) between the PCI and CABG groups. A subgroup analysis restricted to patients treated with dialysis or with PCI-drug-eluting stent yielded similar results. Conclusions: PCI for patients with CKD and multivessel disease (multivessel CAD) had advantages over CABG with regard to short-term all-cause death and cerebrovascular accidents, but disadvantages regarding the risk of myocardial death, MI, and RR; there was no significant difference in the risk of long-term all-cause death and MACCE. Large randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm our findings.

Comparison of coronary artery bypass grafting and drug-eluting stents in patients with chronic kidney disease and multivessel disease: A meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

The optimal revascularization strategy of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) versus percutaneous coronary intervention with drug-eluting stent (PCI-DES) in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and multivessel disease (MVD) remains unclear.

METHODS

Pubmed, EMBASE and Cochrane Library electronic databases were searched from inception until June 2016. Studies that evaluate the comparative benefits of DES versus CABG in CKD patients with multi-vessel disease were considered for inclusion. We pooled the odds ratios from individual studies and conducted heterogeneity, quality assessment and publication bias analyses.

RESULTS

A total of 11 studies with 29,246 patients were included (17,928 DES patients; 11,318 CABG). Compared with CABG, pooled analysis of studies showed DES had higher long-term all-cause mortality (OR, 1.22; p<0.00001), cardiac mortality (OR, 1.29; p<0.00001), myocardial infarction (OR, 1.89; p=0.02), repeat revascularization (OR, 3.47; p<0.00001) and major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) (OR, 2.00; p=0.002), but lower short-term all-cause mortality (OR, 0.33; p<0.00001) and cerebrovascular accident (OR, 0.64; p=0.0001). Subgroup analysis restricted to patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) yielded similar results, but no significant differences were found regarding CVA and MACCE.

CONCLUSIONS

CABG for patients with CKD and MVD had advantages over PCI-DES in long-term all-cause mortality, MI, repeat revascularization and MACCE, but the substantial disadvantage in short-term mortality and CVA. Future large randomized controlled trials are certainly needed to confirm these findings.

Impact of Chronic Kidney Insufficiency on Cardiovascular Outcomes in Patients that Undergo Coronary Revascularization: A Historical Review

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with poorer short and long-term cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Even after the commencement of haemodialysis in end stage renal failure patients, mortality exceeds 20% in the first year¹. More than 50% of these deaths are contributed by cardiovascular diseases (CVD), of which 20% are caused by acute myocardial infarction². Consequent to these findings, the degree and impact of coronary revascularization on CKD patients represents a clinical challenge, especially in the setting of advanced stages of CKD.

Comparison of Drug-Eluting and Bare Metal Stents in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease: An Updated Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

Drug-eluting stents (DESs) and bare metal stents (BMSs) are both recommended to improve coronary revascularization and to treat coronary artery disease in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, the potential superiority of DESs over BMSs for reducing the incidence of long-term major adverse cardiovascular events and mortality in CKD patients has not been established, and the results remain controversial. We aimed to systematically assess and quantify the total weight of evidence regarding the use of DESs versus BMSs in CKD patients.

METHODS AND RESULTS

In this systematic review and conventional meta-analysis, electronic studies published in any language until May 20, 2016, were systematically searched through PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. We included randomized controlled trials and observational studies comparing outcomes in CKD patients with DESs versus BMSs and extracted data in a standard form. Pooled odd ratios and 95% CIs were calculated using random- and fixed-effects models. Finally, 38 studies involving 123 396 patients were included. The use of DESs versus BMSs was associated with significant reductions in major adverse cardiovascular events (pooled odds ratio 0.75; 95% CI, 0.64-0.88; P<0.001), all-cause mortality (odds ratio 0.81; 95% CI, 0.73-0.90; P<0.001), myocardial infarction, target-lesion revascularization, and target-vessel revascularization. The superiority of DESs over BMSs for improving clinical outcomes was attenuated in randomized controlled trials.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of DESs significantly improves the above outcomes in CKD patients. Nevertheless, large-sized randomized controlled trials are necessary to determine the real effect on CKD patients and whether efficacy differs by type of DES.

Five-year mortality outcomes in patients with chronic kidney disease undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention

OBJECTIVE

To examine peri-procedural and long-term outcomes in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) undergoing percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI).

BACKGROUND

Patients with advanced CKD are considered high risk when undergoing PCI. Limited published data exist on quantifying risk and assessment of long-term outcomes after PCI in this group.

METHODS

Examining the Cornell Coronary Registry, we prospectively collected data of 6,478 consecutive patients who underwent elective or urgent PCI between 2009 and 2013. Patients were grouped into CKD stages by estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) according to KDOQI guidelines. Procedural and 30-day outcomes are reported with assessment of long-term differences in 5-year all-cause mortality.

RESULTS

Patients were grouped by CKD stages: 1,351 patients with eGFR ≥90 mL/min/1.73 m² (stage 1), 2,882 with eGFR 60-89 (stage 2), 1,742 with eGFR 30-59 (stage 3), 191 with eGFR 15-29 (stage 4), and 312 with eGFR <15 or on dialysis (stage 5). The incidence of post-procedural acute heart failure, stroke, new dialysis requirement, transfusions, and bleeding events were higher in patients with greater CKD stage (P < 0.05). Five-year Kaplan-Meier overall survival among CKD stages 1-5 was 98.1, 95.5, 91.8, 82.5, and 76.9%, respectively (P < 0.001 by log-rank test). The hazard ratios of all-cause mortality for CKD stages 2-5 as compared to stage 1 by multivariate Cox regression analysis were as follows: 1.32 (P = 0.26), 2.04 (P < 0.01), 2.79 (P < 0.01), and 5.49 (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Among patients undergoing PCI, lower GFR is associated with decreased long-term survival. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Prognostic Value of Renal Function for Cardiac Events in Patients Without Significant Stenosis on Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography

This study was conducted to determine clinical parameters predicting future major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) in patients without significant stenosis on coronary computed tomographic angiography (CCTA). A total of 625 patients with suspected coronary artery disease (CAD) who underwent CCTA that revealed insignificant (< 50%) CAD was reviewed in three cardiac centers. The MACEs including cardiac death, non-fatal myocardial infarction (MI), unstable angina and late (> 90 days after CCTA) revascularization were assessed. During the mean follow-up period of 819 ± 529 days (median 837 days), there were 28 cases of MACEs (4.5%). In multivariable Cox regression analysis, independent predictors for MACEs were male sex (hazard ratio [HR], 2.40; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01-5.69; P = 0.046) and low estimated creatinine clearance (eCCr) (< 60 mL/min/1.73 m(2)) (HR, 3.07; 95% CI, 1.22-7.74; P = 0.017). Low eCCr was the only independent predictor for hard events including cardiac death and MI (HR, 17.6, 95% CI, 1.44-215.7; P = 0.025). In conclusion, renal function is an independent predictor for cardiovascular events among patients without significant CAD by CCTA. Careful monitoring and preventive strategy are warranted in patients with impaired renal function even without significant CAD.

Percutaneous coronary intervention for acute myocardial infarction in elderly patients with renal dysfunction: results from the Korea Acute Myocardial Infarction Registry

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) on short- and long-term major adverse cardiac events (MACE) in elderly (>75 yr old) acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients with renal dysfunction. As part of Korea AMI Registry (KAMIR), elderly patients with AMI and renal dysfunction (GFR<60 mL/min) received either medical (n=439) or PCI (n=1,019) therapy. Primary end point was in-hospital death. Secondary end point was MACE during a 1 month and 1 yr follow-up. PCI group showed a significantly lower incidence of in-hospital death (20.0% vs 14.3%, P=0.006). Short-term and long-term MACE rates were higher in medical therapy group (31.9% vs 19.0%; 57.7% vs 31.3%, P<0.001), and this difference was mainly attributed to cardiac death (29.3% vs 17.6%; 51.9% vs 25.0%, P<0.001). MACE-free survival time after adjustment was also higher in PCI group on short-term (hazard ratio, 0.67; confidence interval, 0.45-0.98; P=0.037) and long-term follow-up (hazard ratio, 0.61, confidence interval, 0.45-0.83; P=0.002). In elderly AMI patients with renal dysfunction, PCI therapy yields favorable in-hospital and short-term and long-term MACE-free survival.

Optimal strategy of coronary revascularization in chronic kidney disease patients: a meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) have high risks of coronary artery disease (CAD). Coronary revascularization is beneficial for long-term survival, but the optimal strategy remains still controversial.

METHODS

We searched studies that have compared percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) for revascularization of the coronary arteries in CKD patients. Short-term (30 days or in-hospital) mortality, long-term (at least 12 months) all-cause mortality, cardiac mortality and the incidence of late myocardial infarction and recurrence of revascularization were estimated.

RESULTS

28 studies with 38,740 patients were included. All were retrospective studies from 1977 to 2012. Meta-analysis showed that PCI group had lower short-term mortality (OR 0.55, 95% CI 0.41 to 0.73, P<0.01), but had higher long-term all-cause mortality (OR 1.29, 95% CI 1.23 to 1.35, P<0.01). Higher cardiac mortality (OR 1.08, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.15, P<0.05), higher incidence of late myocardial infarction (OR 1.78, 95% CI 1.65 to 1.91, P<0.01) and recurring revascularization rate (OR 2.94, 95%CI 2.15 to 4.01, P<0.01) is found amongst PCI treated patients compared to CABG group.

CONCLUSIONS

CKD patients with CAD received CABG had higher risk of short-term mortality but lower risks of long-term all-cause mortality, cardiac mortality and late myocardial infarction compared to PCI. This could be due to less probable repeated revascularization.

Coronary artery bypass surgery in patients with low EuroSCORE preoperative risk

Patients with EuroSCORE <2 are usually considered to have a low surgical risk and the lowest mortality. In our study preoperative factors in a group of 250 consecutive low-risk patients (EuroSCORE<2), who underwent first isolated coronary artery by-pass surgery during 1999 and 2000., were analyzed. Cumulative follow-up period was 1178.48 patient-years and the primary clinical outcome was all-cause mortality. Patients’ average age was 59.2±7.5 yr. The following preoperative risk factors of increased 5-year mortality were identified: older age (P<0.001), smoking, prior non-recent myocardial infarction and reinfarction, anteroseptal localization of myocardial infarction (P<0.001), poor ejection fraction<=35% (P<0.001), dilatative cardiomyopathy (P<0.001), wall motion systolic index 〉2 (P<0.001), left atrial dilatation (P<0.001), mitral regurgitation more than 2+ (P<0.001), presence of left main disease, triple vessel coronary artery disease (P<0.001), absence of collaterals (P<0.001) and presence of more than 3 distal anastomoses. Through the present study it has been shown that it is possible to identify a subgroup of patients with low operative mortality and excellent 5-year survival after surgical treatment for coronary artery bypass surgery using preoperative clinical, echocardiographic, coronarographic and intraoperative data, even in difficult conditions of the civil war in the region.

Trends in the prevalence of chronic kidney disease, other chronic diseases and health-related behaviors in an adult Korean population: data from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES)

BACKGROUND

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is an increasing public health problem. However, there have been limited data on the trend of CKD prevalence, along with the changes of health-related behaviors and other chronic diseases in an adult Korean population.

METHODS

Data from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey in 2005 and 2007 were analyzed. The study subjects comprised 8400 participants aged ≥ 20 years with creatinine data. CKD was defined as estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR) <60 mL/min/1.73m(2). GFR was estimated by the abbreviated Modification of Diet in Renal Disease equation.

RESULTS

The CKD prevalence was significantly decreased from 2005 to 2007 (8.8 versus 7.2%; P = 0.010). The prevalence of hypertension was stable but that of diabetes was increased. The proportion of blood pressure (BP) <130/80 mmHg in the whole population, and HbA1c <7% in the diabetic participants was increased from 2005 to 2007. Participants in 2007 walked more than those in 2005. The proportion of current smoking and sodium/energy/protein excess was decreased from 2005 to 2007. In subgroup analysis, only hypertensive participants without diabetes revealed a decreasing trend of CKD.

CONCLUSIONS

The CKD prevalence was decreased from 2005 to 2007. Since increased diabetes and improved diabetic control neutralized their impact on CKD, improved BP was the fundamental reason for the decrease. Various health-related behaviors may have indirectly affected the decrease of CKD through their effect in controlling BP and diabetes.

Correlates of the severity of coronary atherosclerosis in long-term kidney transplant patients

Coronary artery disease remains the leading cause of early death and graft loss in renal transplant patients. The aim of this study was to identify clinical and echocardiographic parameters independently associated with the angiographically-determined severity of coronary atherosclerosis in long-term kidney transplant patients. Fifty-two kidney transplant recipients who underwent elective coronary angiography were reviewed retrospectively. Angiographic severity was evaluated using the modified Gensini index (MGI). The mean age at coronary angiography was 52.5+/-7.9 yr with a mean prior transplant duration of 118.1+/-58.8 months. Pearson correlation analysis demonstrated a positive correlation of MGI with transplant duration before coronary angiography and chronic allograft nephropathy, whereas an inverse correlation was demonstrated with ejection fraction and statin use. On subsequent multivariate linear regression analysis, transplant duration before coronary angiography, statin use, and ejection fraction were independently associated with the severity of coronary atherosclerosis in long-term kidney transplant patients. In summary, our study demonstrates that statin use, ejection fraction, and transplant duration before coronary angiography are independent parameters associated with the severity of coronary atherosclerosis in long-term kidney transplant patients. Further investigation is required to reduce the atherosclerotic burden in kidney transplant patients.

Use of drug-eluting stents in patients with coronary artery disease and renal insufficiency

Renal insufficiency (RI) has been shown to be associated with increased major adverse cardiovascular events after percutaneous coronary intervention. We reviewed the impact of RI on the pathogenesis of coronary artery disease and outcomes after percutaneous coronary intervention in the form of drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation in these high-risk patients. We searched the English-language literature indexed in MEDLINE, Scopus, and EBSCO Host research databases from 1990 through January 2009, using as search terms coronary revascularization, drug-eluting stent, and renal insufficiency. Studies that assessed DES implantation in patients with various degrees of RI were selected for review. Most of the available data were extracted from observational studies, and data from randomized trials formed the basis of a post hoc analysis. The outcomes after coronary revascularization were less favorable in patients with RI than in those with normal renal function. In patients with RI, DES implantation yielded better outcomes than did use of bare-metal stents. Randomized trials are needed to define optimal treatment of these high-risk patients with coronary artery disease.

Prospective study of associations among positive emotion and functional status in older patients with coronary artery disease

We examined associations between positive emotion (PE) and functional status (Duke Activity Status Inventory) in 948 coronary artery disease (CAD) patients (35.1% women; age M = 70.1 years, SD = 6.3). Emotion and function measures were gathered during hospitalization and annually for 3 years. We used random coefficient models to examine PE during hospitalization and follow-up, as a predictor of change in function. Analyses adjusted for baseline functional status, negative emotion, social support, marital status, and disease severity. Sex was examined as a moderator of effects. PE assessed during hospitalization was a significant predictor of change in function such that lower levels of PE were associated with accelerated decline in function. Lower levels of PE during follow-up were also related to increasing decline in function but only in men. Thus, our findings indicate that PE is associated with less decline in functional status following hospitalization for CAD.