Analysis of outcomes and prognostic factor in acute type A aortic dissection complicated with preoperative shock: A single-center study

BACKGROUND

Acute type A aortic dissection (ATAAD) is a critical cardiovascular emergency that requires prompt surgical intervention for preserving life, particularly in patients with critical preoperative status. This retrospective study aimed to investigate the clinical features, early and late outcomes, and prognostic factors in patients undergoing aortic repair surgery for ATAAD complicated with preoperative shock.

METHODS

Between April 2007 and July 2020, 694 consecutive patients underwent emergency ATAAD repair at our institution, including 162 (23.3%) presenting with preoperative shock (systolic blood pressure <90 mm Hg), who were classified into the survivor (n = 125) and non-survivor (n = 37) groups according to whether they survived to hospital discharge. The clinical demographics, surgical information, and postoperative complications were compared. Five-year survival and freedom from reoperation rates of survivors were analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier actuarial method. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify independent risk factors for in-hospital mortality.

RESULTS

The in-hospital surgical mortality rate in patients with ATAAD and shock was 22.8%. The non-survivor group showed higher rates of preoperative cardiopulmonary resuscitation, acute myocardial infarction, and cerebral infarction, and was associated with longer cardiopulmonary bypass time, higher rates of total arch replacement and intraoperative extracorporeal membrane oxygenation implementation. The non-survivor group had higher blood transfusion volumes and rates of malperfusion-related complications. Multivariate analysis revealed that preoperative cardiopulmonary resuscitation, prolonged cardiopulmonary bypass time, and total arch replacement were risk factors for in-hospital mortality. For patients who survived to discharge, the 5-year cumulative survival and freedom from aortic reoperation rates were 75.6% (95% confidence interval, 67.6%-83.6%) and 82.6% (95% confidence interval, 74.2%-91.1%), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Preoperative shock in ATAAD is associated with a high risk of in-hospital mortality, particularly in patients who undergo cardiopulmonary resuscitation and complex aortic repair procedures with extended cardiopulmonary bypass. However, late outcomes are acceptable for patients who were stabilized through surgical treatment and survived to discharge.

Global health impacts of ambient fine particulate pollution associated with climate variability

Air pollution is a key global environmental problem raising human health concern. It is essential to comprehensively assess the long-term characteristics of air pollution and the resultant health impacts. We first assessed the global trends of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) during 1980-2020 using a monthly global PM2.5 reanalysis dataset, and evaluated their association with three types of climate variability including El Niño-Southern Oscillation, Indian Ocean Dipole and North Atlantic Oscillation. We then estimated PM2.5-attributable premature deaths using integrated exposure-response functions. Results show a significant increasing trend of ambient PM2.5 during 1980-2020 due to increases in anthropogenic emissions. Ambient PM2.5 caused a total of ∼ 135 million premature deaths globally during the four decades. Occurrence of air pollution episodes was strongly associated with climate variability, which were associated with up to 14 % increase in annual global PM2.5-attributable premature deaths.

Acute type a aortic intramural hematoma complicated with preoperative hemopericardium: early and late surgical outcome analyses

BACKGROUND

Acute type A aortic intramural hematoma (ATAIMH) is a variant of acute type A aortic dissection (ATAAD), exhibiting an increased risk of hemopericardium and cardiac tamponade. It can be life-threatening without emergency treatment. However, comprehensive studies of the clinical features and surgical outcomes of preoperative hemopericardium in patients with ATAIMH remain scarce. This retrospective study aims to investigate the clinical features and early and late outcomes of patients who underwent aortic repair surgery for ATAIMH complicated with preoperative hemopericardium.

METHODS

We investigated 132 consecutive patients who underwent emergency ATAIMH repair at this institution between February 2007 and August 2020. These patients were dichotomized into the hemopericardium (n = 58; 43.9%) and non-hemopericardium groups (n = 74; 56.1%). We compared the clinical demographics, surgical information, postoperative complications, 5-year cumulative survival rates, and freedom from reoperation rates. Furthermore, multivariable logistic regression analysis was utilized to identify independent risk factors for patients who underwent re-exploration for bleeding.

RESULTS

In the hemopericardium group, 36.2% of patients presented with cardiac tamponade before surgery. Moreover, the hemopericardium group showed higher rates of preoperative shock and endotracheal intubation and was associated with an elevated incidence of intractable perioperative bleeding, necessitating delayed sternal closure for hemostasis. The hemopericardium group exhibited higher blood transfusion volumes and rates of re-exploration for bleeding following surgery. However, the 5-year survival (59.5% vs. 75.0%; P = 0.077) and freedom from reoperation rates (93.3% vs. 85.5%; P = 0.416) were comparable between both groups. Multivariable analysis revealed that hemopericardium, cardiopulmonary bypass time, and delayed sternal closure were the risk factors for bleeding re-exploration.

CONCLUSIONS

The presence of hemopericardium in patients with ATAIMH is associated with an elevated incidence of cardiac tamponade and unstable preoperative hemodynamics, which could lead to perioperative bleeding tendencies and high complication rates. However, patients of ATAIMH complicated with hemopericardium undergoing aggressive surgical intervention exhibited long-term surgical outcomes comparable to those without hemopericardium.

Access Site Complication Rates Following Peripheral Artery Revascularization in patients With End-Stage Renal Disease: A Comparison of Vascular Closure Devices and Manual Compression

OBJECTIVES

Manual compression (MC) or vascular closure devices (VCDs) are used to achieve hemostasis after percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA). However, limited data on the comparative safety and effectiveness of VCDs vs MC in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) undergoing PTA are available. Accordingly, this study compared the safety and effectiveness of VCD and MC in patients with ESRD undergoing PTA.

METHODS

This single-center retrospective cohort study included the data of patients with ESRD undergoing peripheral intervention at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taiwan, from January 1, 2019, to June 30, 2022. The patients were divided into VCD and MC groups. The primary endpoint was a composite of puncture site complications, including acute limb ischemia, marked hematoma, pseudoaneurysm, and puncture site bleeding requiring blood transfusion.

RESULTS

We included 264 patients with ESRD undergoing PTA, of whom 60 received a VCD and 204 received MC. The incidence of puncture site complications was 3.3% in the VCD group and 4.4% in the MC group (hazard ratio: .75; 95% confidence interval: .16-3.56 L P = 1.000), indicating no significant between-group difference.

CONCLUSION

VCDs and MC had comparable safety and effectiveness for hemostasis in patients with ESRD undergoing peripheral intervention.

SGLT2 inhibitors vs. GLP-1 receptor agonists and clinical outcomes in patients with diabetes with/without atrial fibrillation

CONTEXT

The coexistence of diabetes mellitus and atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with substantial risks of adverse cardiovascular events.

OBJECTIVE

The relevant outcomes associated with the use of sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitor (SGLT2i) versus glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RA) among patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) with/without concomitant AF remained unknown.

METHODS

In this nationwide retrospective cohort study from Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database, there were 344,392 and 31,351 patients with T2D without AF, and 11,462 and 816 T2D patients with AF treated with SGLT2i and GLP-1RA from May 1, 2016, to December 31, 2019. Patients were followed from the drug-index date until the occurrence of study events, discontinuation of the index drug, or the end of the study period (December 31, 2020), whichever occurred first. We used propensity score stabilized weight to balance covariates across two medication groups.

RESULTS

The incidence rate of all study outcomes in patients with concomitant AF was much higher than in those without concomitant AF. For the AF cohort, SGLT2i vs. GLP-1RA was associated with a lower risk of hospitalization for heart failure (2.32 vs. 4.74 events per 100 person-years; hazard ratio (HR):0.48 [95% confidential interval (CI):0.36-0.66]), with no benefit seen for the non-AF cohort (P for homogeneity < 0.01). SGLT2i vs. GLP-1RA was associated with a lower risk of composite kidney outcomes both in the AF (0.38 vs. 0.79 events per 100 person-years; HR:0.47; [95%CI:0.23-0.96]) and non-AF cohorts (0.09 vs. 0.18 events per 100 person-years; HR:0.53; [95%CI:0.43-0.64]). There were no significant differences in the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality in those who received SGLT2i compared to GLP-1RA for the AF or non-AF cohorts.

CONCLUSION

Considering the high risk of developing HF and/or high prevalence of concomitant HF in patients with diabetes, whether SGLT2i should be the preferred treatment to GLP-1RA for such a high-risk population requires further investigation.

Major adverse cardiovascular events in advanced-stage lung cancer: a multicenter cohort study

Background

Lung cancers are common worldwide. First-line targeted therapy and chemotherapy are both standard treatments in the current guidelines. With the development of new anticancer therapy, the lifespan of patients with late-stage lung cancer has increased. Cardiovascular events can occur during cancer treatment. This observational study aimed to report the incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) after cancer treatment using real-world data.

Objectives

Patients diagnosed with advanced-stage lung cancer between January 2011 and December 2017 were enrolled. Data were collected from the Chang Gung Research Database (CGRD).

Design

Retrospective cohort study.

Methods

Baseline characteristics, clinical stages, pathologies, and outcomes were retrieved from the CGRD.

Results

We identified 4406 patients with advanced lung cancer, of whom 2197 received first-line epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor (EGFR-TKI) therapy and 2209 received first-line platinum-based chemotherapy. Most patients in the first-line EGFR-TKI group were never-smokers (74.9%), whereas those in the first-line chemotherapy group were ever-smokers (66.0%). The incidence of MACE was not significantly different between the two groups (12.0% versus 11.9%, p = 0.910). However, the incidence of ischemic stroke was higher in the first-line EGFR-TKI group than in the first-line chemotherapy group (3.9% versus 1.9%, p < 0.001).

Conclusion

MACEs are common in patients with advanced-stage lung cancer during treatment. The incidence of MACE was similar between the first-line EGFR-TKI therapy and first-line chemotherapy groups. Although more patients in the EGFR-TKI group were female and never-smokers, the risk of ischemic stroke was higher in patients who received first-line EGFR-TKI therapy than in those who received first-line chemotherapy.

Clinical outcomes in elderly atrial fibrillation patients at increased bleeding risk treated with very low dose vs. regular-dose non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants: a nationwide cohort study

AIMS

The Edoxaban Low-Dose for Elder Care Atrial Fibrillation Patients (ELDERCARE-AF) trial showed that edoxaban at a very low dosage (VLD) of 15 mg/day was more effective than a placebo at preventing stroke/systemic embolism without significantly increasing the risk of serious bleeding. We aimed to compare the effectiveness and safety for VLD non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) [edoxaban 15 mg o.d., dabigatran 110 or 150 o.d., apixaban 2.5 mg o.d., or rivaroxaban 10 mg (without the diagnosis of chronic kidney disease) or <10 mg o.d.] vs. regular-dosage (RD) NOACs (edoxaban 60/30 mg o.d. or other labeling-dosage NOACs) among a real-world cohort of elderly atrial fibrillation (AF) population similar to the ELDERCARE-AF cohort.

METHODS AND RESULTS

In this nationwide retrospective cohort study from Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD), we identified a total of 7294 and 4151 consecutive AF patients aged 80 years or older with a CHADS2 (congestive heart failure, hypertension, age 75 years or older, diabetes mellitus, previous stroke/transient ischemic attack (2 points) score ≥2 who met the enrollment criteria (generally similar to ELDERCARE-AF) taking VLD and RD NOACs from 1 June 2012 to 31 December 2019, respectively. Propensity-score stabilized weighting (PSSW) was used to balance covariates across study groups. Patients were followed up from the first date of prescription for NOACs until the first occurrence of any study outcome, death, or until the end date of the study period (31 December 2020). After PSSW, VLD NOAC was associated with a comparable risk of ischemic stroke/systemic embolism and major bleeding but a higher risk of major adverse limb events (MALEs) requiring lower limb revascularization or amputation [hazard ratio (HR): 1.54, 95% confidential interval (CI): 1.09-2.18; P = 0.014), venous thrombosis (HR: 3.75, 95% CI: 1.56-8.97; P = 0.003), and all-cause mortality (HR: 1.21, 95% CI: 1.15-1.29; P <0.001) compared with RD NOACs. VLD NOACs showed worse outcomes in most net clinical outcome (NCO) benefits. The main result was consistent based on on-treatment analysis or accounting for death as a competing risk. In general, the advantage of NCOs for the RD NOACs over VLD NOACs persisted in most high-risk subgroups, consistent with the main analysis (P for interaction > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Use of VLD NOACs was associated with a greater risk of arterial and venous thrombosis, death as well as the composite outcomes, when compared with that of RD NOAC in high-risk elderly AF patients at increased bleeding risk. Thromboprophylaxis with RD NOAC is still preferable over VLD NOAC for the majority of elderly AF patients at increased bleeding risk.

Influences of approaching tropical cyclones on water vapor and aerosols in the atmospheric boundary layer of Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area of China

The outer circulation of tropical cyclones (TCs) on the western North Pacific has been reported to substantially influence the atmospheric environment over the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area (GBA) of China, whereas dynamic evolution and redistribution of water vapor and aerosol in the atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) responding to moving TCs have yet to be understood. This study aims to answer three key research questions related to the influences of the approaching TCs: (1) how do water vapor and aerosol particles over the GBA change during the TC approaching stage? (2) how does the ABL in terms of vertical wind structure respond to the approaching TCs? and (3) how does turbulence influence the vertical profile of aerosol during the approaching stage? Based on an intensive analysis of three-year reanalysis and Doppler LiDAR data, this study identified a dry-polluted time over the GBA when a TC was located at ~1000 km away on South China Sea. Before that, horizontal wind has consistently come from the northeast, creating a favorable condition for weak transboundary air pollution to the GBA. During the dry-polluted time, the highest surface PM_2.5 concentration was resulted from the enhanced downdraft and early-stage wind shear, i.e., stronger wind started occurring at upper-level ABL, while the further turbulent mixing induced by wind shear enhancement and updrafts recovery pumped surface pollution upward to the upper level when TCs became closer. Our findings are expected to improve both weather and PM_2.5 forecasts under the impacts of approaching TCs.

Outcomes of Percutaneous Coronary Interventions for Long Diffuse Coronary Artery Disease with Extremely Small Diameter

BACKGROUND

The optimal percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) strategy and clinical outcomes of long lesions with an extremely small residual lumen remain unclear. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of a modified stenting strategy for diffuse coronary artery disease (CAD) with an extremely small distal residual lumen.

METHODS

736 Patients who received PCI using second-generation drug-eluting stents (DES) ≥38 mm long were retrospectively included and categorized into an extremely small distal vessel (ESDV) group (≤2.0 mm) and a non-ESDV group (>2.0 mm) according to the maximal luminal diameter of the distal vessel (dsD_Max). A modified stenting technique was applied by landing an oversized DES in the distal segment with the largest luminal diameter and maintaining the distal stent edge partially expanded.

RESULTS

The mean dsD_Max and stent lengths were 1.7 ± 0.3 mm and 62.6 ± 18.1 mm in the ESDV group and 2.7 ± 0.5 mm and 59.1 ± 16.0 mm in non-ESDV groups, respectively. The acute procedural success rate was high in both the ESDV and non-ESDV groups (95.8% and 96.5%, p = 0.70) with rare distal dissection (0.3% and 0.5%, p = 1.00). The target vessel failure (TVF) rate was 16.3% in the ESDV group and 12.1% in the non-ESDV group at a median follow-up of 65 months without significant differences after propensity score matching.

CONCLUSIONS

PCI using contemporary DES with this modified stenting technique is effective and safe for diffuse CAD with extremely small distal vessels.

Adverse cardiovascular, limb, and renal outcomes in patients with diabetes after peripheral artery disease revascularization treated with sodium glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors versus dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors

AIMS

The effectiveness and limb safety of sodium glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) for patients with type-2 diabetes (T2D) who have received peripheral artery disease (PAD) revascularization are unknown.

METHODS AND RESULTS

In this nationwide retrospective cohort study, we identified a total of 2,455 and 8,695 patients with T2D who had undergone PAD revascularization and received first prescriptions for SGLT2i and dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (DPP4i), respectively, between May 1, 2016, and December 31, 2019. We used 1:1 propensity score matching (PSM) to balance covariates between the two study groups. Patients were followed up from the drug index date until the occurrence of specified outcomes, death, discontinuation of the index drug, or the end of the study period, whichever occurred first. After PSM, we observed that compared with DPP4i, SGLT2i were associated with comparable risks of ischemic stroke, acute myocardial infarction, and heart failure hospitalization but were associated with a lower risk of cardiac death (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.60; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.40-0.90]; p = 0.0126). Regarding major limb outcomes, SGLT2i were associated with comparable risks of repeated revascularization and lower limb amputation compared with DPP4i. SGLT2i were associated with a lower risk of composite renal outcomes (HR: 0.40; 95% CI: 0.27-0.59; p < 0.0001) compared with DPP4i.

CONCLUSION

In a real-world study of patients with T2D who had undergone PAD revascularization, SGLT2i were associated with lower risks of cardiac death and composite renal outcomes but not associated with increased risks of adverse limb events compared with DPP4i.

Cardiovascular, renal, and lower limb outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes after percutaneous coronary intervention and treated with sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors versus dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors

AIMS

Patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) who undergo percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) are at higher risk of adverse cardiovascular and renal events than nondiabetic patients. However, limited evidence is available regarding the cardiovascular, renal, and limb outcomes of patients with T2D after PCI and who were treated with sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2i). We compare the specified outcomes in patients with T2D after PCI who were treated with SGLT2i versus dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (DPP4i).

METHODS AND RESULTS

In this nationwide retrospective cohort study, we identified 4,248 and 37,037 consecutive patients with T2D who underwent PCI with SGLT2i and DPP4i, respectively, for May 1, 2016, to December 31, 2019. We used propensity score matching (PSM) to balance the covariates between study groups. After PSM, SGLT2i and DPP4i were associated with comparable risks of ischemic stroke, acute myocardial infarction, and lower limb amputation. However, SGLT2i was associated with significantly lower risks of heart failure hospitalization (HFH; 1.35% per year vs. 2.28% per year; hazard ratio [HR]: 0.60; P = 0.0001), coronary revascularization (2.33% per year vs. 3.36% per year; HR: 0.69; P = 0.0003), composite renal outcomes (0.10% per year vs. 1.05% per year; HR: 0.17; P < 0.0001), and all-cause mortality (2.27% per year vs. 3.80% per year, HR: 0.60; P < 0.0001) than were DPP4i.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data indicated that SGLT2i, compared with DPP4i, were associated with lower risks of HFH, coronary revascularization, composite renal outcomes, and all-cause mortality for patients with T2D after PCI. Further randomized or prospective studies can investigate the effects of SGLT2i in patients with T2D after PCI.

Referral, Diagnosis, and Pharmacological Management of Peripheral Artery Disease: Perspectives from Taiwan

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) imposes a heavy burden of major adverse cardiovascular events that are associated with considerable mortality and morbidity, and major adverse limb events (e.g., thrombectomy, revascularization, amputation) that can substantially impact patients' daily functioning and quality of life. Global registry data have indicated that PAD is an underdiagnosed disease in Taiwan, and its associated risk factors remain inadequately controlled. This review discusses the burden of PAD in Taiwan, major guidelines on PAD management, and the latest clinical trial outcomes. Practical experience, opinions, and the latest trial data were integrated to derive a series of clinical algorithms - patient referral, PAD diagnosis, and the antithrombotic management of PAD. These algorithms can be adapted not only by physicians in Taiwan involved in the clinical management of patients with PAD but also by general practitioners in local clinics and regional hospital settings, with the ultimate aim of improving the totality of PAD patient care in Taiwan.

Prothrombin Time-International Normalized Ratio Predicts the Outcome of Atrial Fibrillation Patients Taking Rivaroxaban

Background: Although direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) for patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) are considered to be safe, over or under anticoagulation and increased bleeding or thromboembolic risk are still considered individually. We aimed to investigate whether there is an association between prothrombin time and international normalized ratio (PT-INR) or activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) ratio, and the risks of ischemic stroke/systemic embolism (IS/SE) and major bleeding among AF patients taking rivaroxaban or dabigatran. Methods: This multi-center cohort study in Taiwan included 3192 AF patients taking rivaroxaban and 958 patients taking dabigatran for stroke prevention where data about PT-INR and aPTT were available. Results: For patients treated with rivaroxaban, a higher INR level was not associated with a higher risk of major bleeding compared to an INR level < 1.1. The risk of IS/SE was lower for patients having an INR ≥ 1.5 compared to those with an INR < 1.1 (aHR:0.57; [95%CI: 0.37−0.87]; p = 0.01). On-label dosing of rivaroxaban and use of digoxin were independent factors associated with an INR ≥ 1.5 after taking rivaroxaban. For patients taking dabigatran, a higher aPTT ratio was not associated with a higher risk of major bleeding. The risk of IS/SE was lower for patients having an aPTT ratio of 1.1−1.2 and 1.3−1.4 than those with an aPTT ratio < 1.1. Conclusions: In AF patients, rivaroxaban with an INR ≥ 1.5 was associated with a lower risk of IS/SE. PT-INR or aPTT ratios were not associated with bleeding events for rivaroxaban or dabigatran. INR may help predict the outcome of AF patients who take rivaroxaban.

Development of Interstitial Lung Disease Among Patients With Atrial Fibrillation Receiving Oral Anticoagulants in Taiwan

IMPORTANCE

There are emerging concerns from case reports and pharmacovigilance analyses of a possible risk of interstitial lung disease (ILD) associated with the use of factor Xa (FXa) inhibitors.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the risk of incident ILD associated with the use of oral anticoagulants (OACs) in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF).

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

This nationwide retrospective cohort study used data from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database. Patients with NVAF without preexisting lung disease who received OACs from June 1, 2012, to December 31, 2017, were included. Propensity score stabilized weighting (PSSW) was used to balance covariates across the medication groups (FXa inhibitors, dabigatran, and warfarin, with warfarin as the reference). Patients were followed up from the drug index date until the onset of ILD, death, or end of the study (December 31, 2019), whichever occurred first. Data were analyzed from September 11, 2021, to August 3, 2022.

EXPOSURES

Patients with NVAF were treated with FXa inhibitors, dabigatran, or warfarin.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

New-onset idiopathic ILD.

RESULTS

Among the 106 044 patients (mean [SD] age, 73.4 [11.9] years; 59 995 men [56.6%]) included in the study, 64 555 (60.9%) received FXa inhibitors (apixban [n = 15 386], edoxaban [n = 12 413], and rivaroxaban [n = 36 756]), 22 501 (21.2%) received dabigatran, and 18 988 (17.9%) received warfarin at baseline. The FXa inhibitors were associated with a higher risk of incident ILD (0.29 vs 0.17 per 100 patient-years; hazard ratio, 1.54 [95% CI, 1.22-1.94]; P < .001), whereas dabigatran was associated with a nonsignificant difference in risk of incident ILD compared with warfarin (reference) after PSSW. The higher risk of incident ILD for FXa inhibitors vs warfarin was consistent with several high-risk subgroups.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

Results of this study suggest that FXa inhibitors were associated with lung injury among patients with NVAF who were treated with OACs. Physicians should be vigilant in monitoring for any potential adverse lung outcomes associated with the use of these drugs.

A HANC Risk Stratification Score for Antiplatelet Therapy Optimization with Low-Dose Prasugrel in Taiwanese Acute Coronary Syndrome Patients from the Switch Study

BACKGROUND

A significant proportion of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients experience high on-treatment platelet reactivity (HPR) on clopidogrel-based dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

OBJECTIVES

This study assessed key independent risk factors associated with significant HPR risk on clopidogrel, but not prasugrel, in the Switch Study cohort of 200 Taiwanese ACS patients who switched from clopidogrel to low-dose prasugrel for maintenance DAPT after PCI.

METHODS

Univariate analysis and stepwise multivariate logistic regression analysis were conducted to identify key independent risk factors for HPR on clopidogrel, but not prasugrel.

RESULTS

A HANC [H: low hemoglobin (< 13 g/dL for men and < 12 g/dL for women); A: age ≥ 65 years; N: non-ST elevation myocardial infarction; C: chronic kidney disease as defined by estimated glomerular filtration rate < 60 mL/min] risk stratification score was developed, and demonstrated optimal sensitivity and specificity at a cutoff score of ≥ 2. The HANC score compared favorably against the recently validated ABCD score in the full Switch Study cohort (n = 200), and the ABCD-GENE score in a genotyped cohort (n = 102).

CONCLUSIONS

The HANC score may serve to alert clinicians to patients at potentially higher HPR risk on clopidogrel, but not prasugrel. Further research to validate this score and assess its correlation with clinical outcomes is warranted.

Delayed sternal closure for intractable bleeding after acute type A aortic dissection repair: outcomes and risk factors analyses

BACKGROUND

Perioperative coagulopathy and intractable bleeding are severe complications in acute type A aortic dissection (ATAAD) repair surgery. Mediastinal packing with delayed sternal closure (DSC) is a commonly adapted technique to stabilize the hemorrhagic tendency. This retrospective study aims to investigate the early and late outcomes and risk factors in patients who underwent DSC procedure during ATAAD repair surgery.

METHODS

This study investigated 704 consecutive patients who underwent ATAAD repair at this institution between January 2007 and September 2020. These patients were dichotomized into the DSC (n = 109; 15.5%) and primary sternal closure (PSC) groups (n = 595; 84.5%). The clinical features, surgical information, postoperative complications, 5-years cumulative survival, and freedom from reoperation rates were compared. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify the independent risk factors for patients who underwent DSC.

RESULTS

The DSC group showed a higher rate of hemopericardium and preoperative malperfusion, and was associated with longer cardiopulmonary bypass and aortic clamping times and a higher rate of intraoperative extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support. The DSC group showed higher blood transfusion volumes and rate of reexploration for bleeding after surgery. However, the in-hospital mortality rates (17.4% vs. 13.3%; P = 0.249), 5-year survival rates (66.9% vs. 68.2%; P = 0.635), and freedom from reoperation rates (89.1% vs. 82.5%; P = 0.344) were comparable between the DSC and PSC groups. Multivariate analysis revealed that hemopericardium, preoperative malperfusion, and intraoperative ECMO support were risk factors for implementing DSC.

CONCLUSIONS

DSC is an efficient life-saving technique to stabilize patients with intractable bleeding after undergoing ATAAD repair surgery, which leads to acceptable short- and long-term outcomes. Patients who were at risk for intractable bleeding should have early decision-making for implementing DSC.

The risk of incident atrial fibrillation in patients with type 2 diabetes treated with sodium glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors, glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists, and dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors: a nationwide cohort study

Background

Although a few meta-analyses were conducted to compare the risk of incident atrial fibrillation (AF) between sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitor (SGLT2i), glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RA), and other anti-hyperglycemic agents using indirect or direct comparison, the above analyses showed conflicting results with each other. We aimed to evaluate the risk of new-onset AF associated with the use of SGLT2i, GLP-1RA, and dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor (DPP4i) among a large longitudinal cohort of diabetic patients.

Methods

In this nationwide retrospective cohort study based on the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database, a total of 344,893, 44,370, and 393,100 consecutive patients with type 2 diabetes without preexisting AF receiving GLP-1RA, SGLT2i, and DPP4i, respectively, were enrolled from May 1, 2016, to December 31, 2019. We used 1:1 propensity score matching (PSM) to balance covariates across paired study groups. Patients were followed from the drug index date until the occurrence of AF, death, discontinuation of the index drug, or the end of the study period (December 31, 2020), whichever occurred first.

Results

After PSM, there were 245,442, 43,682, and 39,190 paired cohorts of SGLT2i-DPP4i, SGLT2i-GLP-1RA, and GLP-1RA-DPP4i, respectively. SGLT2i treatment was associated with lower risk of new-onset AF in participants with type 2 diabetes compared with either DPP4i [hazard ratio (HR):0.90; 95% confidential interval (CI) 0.84–0.96; P = 0.0028] or GLP-1RA [HR 0.74; 95% CI 0.63–0.88; P = 0.0007] treatment after PSM. There was no difference in the risk of incident AF between GLP-1RA and DPP4i users [HR 1.01; 95% CI 0.86–1.19; P = 0.8980]. The above findings persisted among several important subgroups. Dapagliflozin was specifically associated with a lower risk of new-onset AF compared with DPP4i (P interaction = 0.02).

Conclusions

Compared with DPP4i, SGLT2i but not GLP-1RA was associated with a lower risk of incident AF in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12933-022-01549-x.

Procedural and One-Year Clinical Outcomes of Long 48 mm Xience Xpedition Everolimus-Eluting Stent in Complex Long Diffuse Coronary Artery Lesions

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Long 48 mm drug-eluting stents (DES) used to treat long coronary lesions decreases the number of stents needed and avoids stent overlapping. Disadvantages include difficulty in delivery and size discrepancy between proximal and distal stent landing zones. The present study analyzed the rate of procedural, immediate angiographic, and 1-year clinical outcomes of long diffuse coronary artery lesions treated with 48 mm everolimus-eluting stents (EES) and compared the clinical outcomes with multiple overlapping DES.

METHODS

This retrospective analysis included 213 patients with 228 lesions treated with at least one 48 mm EES at 2 hospitals in Taiwan.

RESULTS

About 40.4% of the lesions had moderate-severe calcification and 20.2% had acute angulation. The mean lesion length was 49.2 ± 18.1 mm. In 161 lesions requiring a single 48 mm EES, 67.1% had a discrepancy between proximal and distal reference diameter of ≥0.5 mm and 36% had a discrepancy of ≥1.0 mm. The procedural success rate was 98.6%. Target-vessel failure (TVF) rate at 1 year was 4.2%. Cardiac death occurred in 3 patients. The rates of target-vessel myocardial infarction (TV-MI), target-vessel revascularization (TVR) and definite/ probable stent thrombosis were 1.4%, 3.3%, and 0.9%, respectively. After adjusting patient variables by propensity score matching, no significant difference was found for cardiac death, TVF, TV-MI, and clinically driven TVR.

CONCLUSION

Use of 48 mm EES to treat long coronary lesions in clinically and anatomically complex patients is safe and effective. In the propensity score-matched analysis, the 48 mm EES and multiple stents have comparable clinical outcomes.

Different Renal Function Equations and Dosing of Direct Oral Anticoagulants in Atrial Fibrillation

Background

Randomized trials of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) adopted the Cockcroft-Gault (CG) formula to calculate estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) to determine the dosages of DOACs.

Objectives

The authors aimed to investigate the agreements/disagreements of eGFRs calculated using different equations (CG, Modified Diet in Renal Disease [MDRD], and Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration [CKD-EPI] formulas), and their impacts on the dosages of DOACs and clinical outcomes.

Methods

Medical data from a multicenter health care provider in Taiwan including 39,239 patients with atrial fibrillation were used. Among these patients, there were 11,185 and 2,323 patients treated with DOACs and warfarin, respectively.

Results

At the cutoff values of eGFR of <15, 15-50, and >50 mL/min, the agreements were 78% between MDRD and CG and 81% between CKD-EPI and CG. The disagreements among the different equations were largely due to overestimations, especially for patients aged >75 years and with a body weight of <50 kg (58.8% for MDRD and 50.9% for CKD-EPI). Among patients receiving DOACs whose dosages were defined as “on label” based on MDRD or CKD-EPI, only those whose dosages were “truly on label” based on CG were associated with a lower risk of major bleeding (adjusted HR: 0.34; 95% CI: 0.26-0.45) compared to warfarin.

Conclusions

The adoptions of MDRD or CKD-EPI rather than CG would result in inappropriate dosing of DOACs (mainly overdosing), which would attenuate the advantages of DOACs compared to warfarin. The CG equation should be used as the gold standard to calculate eGFRs and guide the DOAC dosages.

Impact of chronic kidney disease on long-term outcomes for coronary in-stent restenosis after drug-coated balloon angioplasty

BACKGROUND

Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and coronary instent restenosis (ISR) treated with drug-coated balloon (DCB) angioplasty have been excluded from randomized controlled trials. We aimed to investigate the clinical impact of CKD stratified by severity, on clinical outcomes for patients with ISR treated with DCB angioplasty.

METHODS

This cohort study enrolled 1,376 patients treated with DCB angioplasty; 639 CKD patients defined as having an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) <60 mL/min/1.73 m2 and 737 patients with preserved renal function were identified. Risks of target vessel failure (TVF), all-cause mortality, and any repeated revascularization were analyzed.

RESULTS

The CKD group had a significantly higher risk of TVF [adjusted hazard ratio (HR): 1.337; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.125-1.590; p = 0.0010], all-cause mortality (adjusted HR: 2.553; 95% CI: 1.494-4.361; p = 0.0006), and any repeated revascularization (adjusted HR: 1.447; 95% CI: 1.087-1.927; p = 0.0114) compared with the non-CKD group. After multivariable adjustment, patients with severe CKD (eGFR = 15-29 mL/min/1.73 m2) and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) (eGFR <15 mL/min/1.73 m2) had a significantly higher risk of adverse events comparable to that in patients with preserved renal function.

CONCLUSIONS

In this cohort study, patients with CKD and ISR undergoing DCB angioplasty had a significantly higher risk of adverse events compared with patients with preserved renal function, whereas subgroups with mild to moderate CKD did not display this difference. Different revascularization strategies may be considered for patients with severe CKD or ESRD with ISR.

Incremental prognostic value of global myocardial work over ejection fraction and global longitudinal strain in patients with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction

AIMS

Left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (EF) and global longitudinal strain (GLS) help identify heart failure (HF) patients who are at risk for adverse outcomes. This study aimed to determine whether global myocardial work (GMW), derived from non-invasive LV pressure-strain loops, can provide incremental prognostic information over EF and GLS in patients with HF and reduced EF (HFrEF).

METHODS AND RESULTS

We retrospectively analysed 508 patients (age 62.9 ± 15.8 years, 29.1% female) with LVEF ≤40%. The study endpoint was a composite of all-cause death and HF hospitalization. The incremental value of GMW over clinical and echocardiographic variables including EF and GLS for the association with the composite endpoint was assessed using Cox regression analyses. Over a 1-year follow-up, 183 patients reached the endpoint. Baseline variables associated with the endpoint were age, haemoglobin, LV end-systolic volume, New York Heart Association Class III or IV, E/e' ratio, pulmonary artery systolic pressure, EF, and GLS. Cox regression analysis revealed that GMW [hazard ratio (HR) 1.15, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.05-1.25, per 100-mmHg% decrease] added incremental prognostic value over these variables. Both EF and GLS were not independent variables when GMW was included in the model. Patients with GMW <750 mmHg% were associated with a significantly higher risk of all-cause death and HF hospitalization (HR 3.33, 95% CI 2.31-4.80) than patients with GMW ≥750 mmHg%.

CONCLUSION

In patients with HFrEF, GMW provides incremental prognostic information over EF and GLS regarding risk of all-cause death and HF hospitalization.

Clinical Outcomes in Atrial Fibrillation Patients With a History of Cancer Treated With Non-Vitamin K Antagonist Oral Anticoagulants: A Nationwide Cohort Study

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Data on clinical outcomes for nonvitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulant (NOACs) and warfarin in patients with atrial fibrillation and cancer are limited, and patients with active cancer were excluded from randomized trials. We investigated the effectiveness and safety for NOACs versus warfarin among patients with atrial fibrillation with cancer.

METHODS

In this nationwide retrospective cohort study from Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database, we identified a total of 6274 and 1681 consecutive patients with atrial fibrillation with cancer taking NOACs and warfarin from June 1, 2012, to December 31, 2017, respectively. Propensity score stabilized weighting was used to balance covariates across study groups.

RESULTS

There were 1031, 1758, 411, and 3074 patients treated with apixaban, dabigatran, edoxaban, and rivaroxaban, respectively. After propensity score stabilized weighting, NOAC was associated with a lower risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (hazard ratio, 0.63 [95% CI, 0.50-0.80]; P=0.0001), major adverse limb events (hazard ratio, 0.41 [95% CI, 0.24-0.70]; P=0.0010), venous thrombosis (hazard ratio, 0.37 [95% CI, 0.23-0.61]; P<0.0001), and major bleeding (hazard ratio, 0.73 [95% CI, 0.56-0.94]; P=0.0171) compared with warfarin. The outcomes were consistent with either direct thrombin inhibitor (dabigatran) or factor Xa inhibitor (apixaban, edoxaban, and rivaroxaban) use, among patients with stroke history, and among patients with different type of cancer and local, regional, or metastatic stage of cancer (P interaction >0.05). When compared with warfarin, NOAC was associated with lower risk of major adverse cardiovascular event, and venous thrombosis in patients aged <75 but not in those aged ≥75 years (P interaction <0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Thromboprophylaxis with NOACs rather than warfarin should be considered for the majority of the atrial fibrillation population with cancer.

Major adverse cardiovascular and limb events in patients with diabetes and concomitant peripheral artery disease treated with sodium glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor versus dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor

Background

Whether sodium glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) are associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular as well as adverse lower limb events in patients with type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and concomitant peripheral artery disease (PAD) is unclear.

We aimed to evaluate the risk of cardiovascular and limb events, and death associated with the use of SGLT2i compared with dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (DPP4i) among a longitudinal and national cohort of patients with T2DM.

Methods

In this nationwide retrospective cohort study based on the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database, we identified a total of 11,431 and 93,972 consecutive T2DM patients with PAD taking SGLT2i and DPP4i, respectively, from May 1, 2016, to December 31, 2017. We used 1:1 propensity score matching (PSM) to balance covariates across study groups. Patients were followed from the drug index date until the occurrence of clinical outcomes, death, discontinuation of the index drug, or the end of the study period, whichever occurred first.

Results

Overall, 56% and 44% of the patients were treated with dapagliflozin and empagliflozin, respectively. The use of SGLT2i had comparable risks of ischemic stroke and acute myocardial infarction, and was associated with lower risks of congestive heart failure (CHF) [hazard ratio (HR): 0.66; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.49–0.89; p = 0.0062], lower limb ischemia requiring revascularization (HR: 0.73; 95% CI 0.54–0.98; p = 0.0367) or amputation (HR: 0.43; 95% CI 0.30–0.62; p < 0.0001), and cardiovascular death (HR: 0.67; 95% CI 0.49–0.90; p = 0.0089) when compared with the DDP4i group after PSM. The subgroup analysis revealed consistent results for CHF and major adverse limb outcomes for SGLT2i versus DPP4i among patients aged ≥ 75 years, the presence of chronic kidney disease and established cardiovascular disease was consistent with the main analysis.

Conclusions

SGLT2i were associated with lower risks of CHF and adverse lower limb events compared with DPP4i among patients with T2DM and PAD in real-world practice.

Direct Oral Anticoagulants in Atrial Fibrillation Patients With Concomitant Hyperthyroidism

OBJECTIVE

Patients with hyperthyroidism were excluded from the randomized clinical trials of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) for stroke prevention in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF).

METHODS

We performed a nationwide retrospective cohort study using data from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database. We enrolled 3213 and 1181 NVAF patients with hyperthyroidism who were taking DOACs and warfarin, respectively, from June 1, 2012 to December 31, 2017. We also enrolled 53 591 and 16 564 NVAF patients without hyperthyroidism, taking DOACs and warfarin, respectively. We used propensity score stabilized weights (PSSWs) to balance covariates across the study groups. We also used 1:4 matching on both taking DOACs, with (n = 3213) and without hyperthyroidism (n = 12 852); and both taking warfarin, with (n = 1181) and without hyperthyroidism (n = 4724).

RESULTS

After PSSW, DOAC had a comparable risk of ischemic stroke/systemic embolism (IS/SE) and a lower risk of major bleeding (hazard ratio [HR] 0.65; 95% confidential interval [CI], 0.44-0.96; P = 0.0295) than warfarin among patients with hyperthyroidism. There were comparable risks of IS/SE and major bleeding between those patients with and without hyperthyroidism. However, among patients taking warfarin, those with hyperthyroidism had a lower risk of IS/SE than those without hyperthyroidism (HR 0.61; 95% CI, 0.43-0.86; P = 0.0050).

CONCLUSION

Among NVAF Asian patients with concomitant hyperthyroidism, DOACs may be an effective and safer alternative to warfarin. Thromboprophylaxis with DOACs may be considered for such patients, and it is important to validate this finding in further prospective study.

Effectiveness and Safety of Non-Vitamin K Antagonist Oral Anticoagulant and Warfarin in Cirrhotic Patients With Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation

Background

Liver cirrhotic patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation have been excluded from randomized clinical studies regarding oral anticoagulants for stroke prevention. Whether non–vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) are superior to warfarin for these patients remains unclear.

Methods and Results

This nationwide retrospective cohort study, with data collected from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database, enrolled 2428 liver cirrhotic patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation taking apixaban (n=171), dabigatran (n=535), rivaroxaban (n=732), or warfarin (n=990) from June 1, 2012, to December 31, 2016. We used propensity score–based stabilized weights to balance covariates across study groups. Patients were followed until the occurrence of an event or the end date of study. The NOAC group (n=1438) showed risk of ischemic stroke/systemic embolism and intracranial hemorrhage comparable to that of the warfarin group (n=990) after adjustment. The NOAC group showed significantly lower risk of gastrointestinal bleeding (hazard ratio: 0.51 [95% CI, 0.32–0.79]; P=0.0030) and all major bleeding (hazard ratio: 0.51 [95% CI, 0.32–0.74]; P=0.0003) compared with warfarin group. Overall, 90% (n=1290) of patients were taking a low‐dose NOAC (apixaban 2.5 mg twice daily, rivaroxaban 10–15 mg daily, or dabigatran 110 mg twice daily). The subgroup analysis indicated that both dabigatran and rivaroxaban showed lower risk of all major bleeding than warfarin. The advantage of lower gastrointestinal and all major bleeding with NOACs over warfarin is contributed by those subgroups with either nonalcoholic or nonadvanced liver cirrhosis.

Conclusions

NOACs have a risk of thromboembolism comparable to that of warfarin and a lower risk of major bleeding among liver cirrhotic Asian patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation. Consequently, thromboprophylaxis with low‐dose NOACs may be considered for such patients.

See Editorial by Gallagher et al

Oral Anticoagulants and Antiplatelet Agents in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation and Concomitant Critical Limb Ischemia: A Nationwide Cohort Study

BACKGROUND

Evidence of clinical outcomes for oral anticoagulants and antiplatelet treatment (APT) in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and critical limb ischemia (CLI) is very limited.

METHODS

In this nationwide retrospective cohort study collected from Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database, 1223 patients with AF and CLI taking direct-acting oral coagulants (DOACs), warfarin, or APT were identified from June 1, 2012, to December 31, 2017. We used propensity score stabilized weighting (PSSW) to balance covariates across study groups.

RESULTS

After PSSW, DOAC (n = 446) was associated with lower risks of ischemic stroke/systemic embolism (IS/SE), all major adverse limb events, and all major bleeding events compared with warfarin (n = 237). DOAC was associated with lower risks of IS/SE, acute myocardial infarction (AMI), and all major adverse limb events and a comparable risk of major bleeding events compared with APT (n = 540). DOAC has a lower risk of composite net-clinical-benefit outcome (IS/SE, AMI, all major adverse limb events, plus all major bleeding events) compared with warfarin (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.48; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.35-0.65; P < 0.0001) or APT (HR: 0.44; 95% CI: 0.34-0.56; P < 0.0001). The composite net-clinical-benefit outcome was comparable for warfarin vs APT. The reduced risk of net-clinical-benefit outcome for DOAC vs warfarin or APT persisted in high subgroups including age > 75 years, presence of diabetes mellitus, or chronic kidney disease.

CONCLUSIONS

DOAC was associated with a significantly lower risk of composite net-clinical-benefit outcome than either warfarin or APT in patients with AF and concomitant CLI. Further prospective study is necessary to validate the findings in the future.

Real-world Comparisons of Direct Oral Anticoagulants for Stroke Prevention in Asian Patients with Non-valvular Atrial Fibrillation: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Whether four direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) are superior to warfarin among Asians with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) remains unclear in the real-world setting.

METHODS

We searched PubMed and Medline + Journals@Ovid + EMBASE from September 17, 2009 to May 4, 2019 to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of all observational real-world studies comparing four DOACs with warfarin specifically focused on Asian patients with NVAF.

RESULTS

From the original 212 results retrieved, 18 studies were included in the meta-analysis. Overall, DOACs were associated with lower risks of thromboembolism (hazard ratio; [95% confidence interval], 0.70; [0.63-0.78]), acute myocardial infarction (0.67; [0.57-0.79]), all-cause mortality (0.62; [0.56-0.69]), major bleeding (0.59; [0.50-0.69]), intracranial hemorrhage (0.50; [0.40-0.62]), gastrointestinal bleeding (0.66; [0.46-0.95]), and any bleeding (0.82; [0.73-0.92]) than warfarin. There was statistic heterogeneity between DOACs for the risks of thromboembolism (P interaction = 0.03) and acute myocardial infarction (P interaction = 0.007) when compared to warfarin. However, all DOACs showed lower risks of thromboembolism and acute myocardial infarction than warfarin when pooling studies that compared individual DOAC with warfarin. With regard to the other outcomes when compared to warfarin, there was no statistical heterogeneity between DOACs. In addition, the effectiveness and safety of four DOACs versus warfarin persisted in the subgroups of either standard-dose or low-dose DOACs.

CONCLUSIONS

The meta-analysis shows that the DOACs had greater effectiveness and safety compared to warfarin in real-world practice for stroke prevention, among Asian patients with NVAF.

Balloon-expandable versus self-expanding transcatheter aortic valve replacement for bioprosthetic dysfunction: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Transcatheter aortic valve-in-valve (VIV) procedure is a safe alternative to conventional reoperation for bioprosthetic dysfunction. Balloon-expandable valve (BEV) and self-expanding valve (SEV) are the 2 major types of devices used. Evidence regarding the comparison of the 2 valves remains scarce.

METHODS

A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to compare the outcomes of BEV and SEV in transcatheter VIV for aortic bioprostheses dysfunction. A computerized search of Medline, PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases was performed. English-language journal articles reporting SEV or BEV outcomes of at least 10 patients were included.

RESULTS

In total, 27 studies were included, with 2,269 and 1,671 patients in the BEV and SEV groups, respectively. Rates of 30-day mortality and stroke did not differ significantly between the 2 groups. However, BEV was associated with significantly lower rates of postprocedural permanent pacemaker implantation (3.8% vs. 12%; P < 0.001). Regarding echocardiographic parameters, SEV was associated with larger postprocedural effective orifice area at 30 days (1.53 cm2 vs. 1.23 cm2; P < 0.001) and 1 year (1.55 cm2 vs. 1.22 cm2; P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

For patients who underwent transcatheter aortic VIV, SEV was associated with larger postprocedural effective orifice area but higher rates of permanent pacemaker implantation. These findings provide valuable information for optimizing device selection for transcatheter aortic VIV.

Effectiveness, safety, and major adverse limb events in atrial fibrillation patients with concomitant diabetes mellitus treated with non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants

BACKGROUND

Evidence of adverse clinical outcomes for non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulant (NOACs) and warfarin in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and diabetes mellitus are limited. We investigated the effectiveness, safety, and major adverse limb events for NOACs versus warfarin among diabetic AF patients.

METHODS

In this nationwide retrospective cohort study collected from Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database, we identified a total of 20,967 and 5812 consecutive AF patients with diabetes taking NOACs and warfarin from June 1, 2012, to December 31, 2017, respectively. We used propensity-score stabilized weighting to balance covariates across study groups.

RESULTS

NOAC was associated with a lower risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) (adjusted hazard ratio (aHR):0.88; [95% confidential interval (CI) 0.78-0.99]; P = 0.0283), major adverse limb events (MALE) (aHR:0.72;[95% CI 0.57-0.92]; P = 0.0083), and major bleeding (aHR:0.67;[95% CI 0.59-0.76]; P < 0.0001) compared to warfarin. NOACs decreased MACE in patients of ≥ 75 but not in those aged < 75 years (P interaction = 0.01), and in patients with ischemic heart disease (IHD) compared to those without IHD (P interaction < 0.01). For major adverse limb events, the advantage of risk reduction for NOAC over warfarin persisted in high risk subgroups including age ≥ 75 years, chronic kidney disease, IHD, peripheral artery disease, or use of concomitant antiplatelet drugs.

CONCLUSION

Among diabetic AF patients, NOACs were associated with a lower risk of thromboembolism, major bleeding, and major adverse limb events than warfarin. Thromboprophylaxis with NOACs should be considered in the diabetic AF population with a high atherosclerotic burden.

Active Volcanism Revealed from a Seismicity Conduit in the Long-resting Tatun Volcano Group of Northern Taiwan

Abundant earthquakes clustered within a particular zone often reflect an active geological feature, such as clustering seismicity along a fault zone and a huge number of volcanic-earthquakes around the erupting conduit. Herein we perform a double-difference tomographic inversion and relocate the seismicity at the long-resting Tatun volcano group (TVG) in northern Taiwan. A dramatic improvement of the earthquake location model surprisingly show that, from 2014 to 2017, two clustered seismic zones are identified in the TVG. One major group of events (>1000) persistently clustered within a ~500 m diameter vertical conduit with a ~2 km height. The clustering seismicity conduit is just located nearby Dayoukeng, one of the strongest fumaroles in the TVG, and is connected to a fracture zone characterized by low Vp/Vs in the shallow crust. The other group of events is clustered within a sphere-like zone beneath Mt. Chihsin around the depths between 0.5 km and 2 km. Both seismic zones are probably triggered by the significantly volcanic gases and fluids ascending from the deep magma reservoir. Combined with a variety of results from literature, the seismicity conduit near the strong fumarole is the evidence for an active volcano and also identifies a likely pathway for ascending magma if the TVG erupts again in the future. But possibility of developing different magma pathways at other clustered seismic zones such as beneath Mt. Chihsin may not be totally excluded.

High Nighttime Heart Rate is Associated with Increased Risk of All-Cause Mortality in Patients with Heart Failure and Reduced Ejection Fraction

High heart rate (HR) is associated with increased risks of adverse outcomes in patients with heart failure. This study aimed to evaluate which measures of HR were associated with all-cause mortality in patients with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). This study involved 741 HFrEF patients (age 65.1 ± 14.7 years, 71% male) who underwent 24 hour Holter electrocardiogram and resting electrocardiogram within 7 days between 2011 and 2015. We examined the associations of resting, 24 hour, and nighttime HRs with all-cause mortality. Nighttime and 24 hour HRs were determined as the mean HRs between 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. and over 24 hours, respectively. Nighty patients (12.1%) died during the 2-year follow-up. Resting, nighttime, and 24 hour HRs were significantly associated with all-cause mortality, also after adjusting for conventional risk factors. Resting HR did not remain as an independent factor when 24 hour HR (hazard ratio 1.10, 95% confidence interval 1.04-1.18) was included in the model. Including nighttime HR (hazard ratio 1.11, 95% confidence interval 1.05-1.17) in the model also eliminated 24 hour HR as an independent variable. Compared with the lowest quartile of nighttime HR (< 65 beats/minute), the highest quartile of nighttime HR (> 87 beats/minute) was significantly associated with a higher risk of all-cause mortality (hazard ratio 2.89, 95% CI 1.49-5.60). In conclusion, 24 hour HR and nighttime HR were significantly associated with an increased risk of mortality in patients with HFrEF. Nighttime HR appeared to be more strongly associated with all-cause mortality compared with 24 hour HR.

Non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants and warfarin in atrial fibrillation patients with concomitant peripheral artery disease

AIMS 

To investigate the effectiveness, safety, and outcomes of lower limb events for non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) vs. warfarin among atrial fibrillation (AF) patients with concomitant peripheral artery disease (PAD).

METHODS AND RESULTS

In this nationwide retrospective cohort study collected from Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database, a total of 5768 and 2034 consecutive AF patients with PAD patients taking NOACs or warfarin were identified from 1 June 2012 to 31 December 2017, respectively. We used propensity score stabilized weighting to balance covariates across study groups. In the cohort, there were 89% patients were taking low-dose NOAC (dabigatran 110 mg twice daily, rivaroxaban 10-15 mg daily, apixaban 2.5 mg twice daily, or edoxaban 30 mg daily). Non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulant was associated with a comparable risk of ischaemic stroke, and a lower risk of acute myocardial infarction [hazard ratio (HR): 0.61, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.42-0.87; P = 0.007], lower extremity thromboembolism (HR: 0.56, 95% CI: 0.44-0.72; P < 0.0001), revascularization procedure (HR: 0.58, 95% CI: 0.47-0.72; P < 0.0001), lower limb amputation (HR: 0.32, 95% CI: 0.23-0.46; P < 0.0001), and all major bleeding (HR: 0.64, 95% CI: 0.50-0.80; P = 0.0001) than warfarin after weighting. The advantage of NOACs over warfarin persisted in high-risk subgroups including patients of ≥75 years of age, diabetes, renal impairment, or use of concomitant antiplatelet agent.

CONCLUSION 

This population-based study indicated that NOACs were associated with a comparable risk of ischaemic stroke, and a significantly lower risk of major adverse limb events and major bleeding than warfarin among AF patients with concomitant PAD. Therefore, thromboprophylaxis with NOACs may be considered for such patients.

Intravenous iron supplementation does not increase infectious disease risk in hemodialysis patients: a nationwide cohort-based case-crossover study

BACKGROUND

Studies have reported conflicting findings on the infection risk posed by intravenous iron supplementation among hemodialysis (HD) patients. We used a novel study design to assess associations between intravenous iron and infectious diseases.

METHODS

Patients initiating HD between 1998 and 2008 were extracted from Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database. Their first infectious disease in the period between 1.5 years after dialysis initiation and 2010 was identified and defined as the index date. Through the case-crossover design, the odds of exposure to intravenous iron within the 1-month period immediately preceding the index date (i.e., the case period) were compared with iron exposure in three different matched control periods for the same enrollee, thus possibly reducing some unmeasured confounders.

RESULTS

A total of 1410 patients who met our enrollment criteria were extracted from incident HD patients. The odds of intravenous iron exposure during the case period versus total control periods exhibited no significant difference (odds ratio: 1.000, 95% confidence interval: 0.75-1.33). In subgroup analyses, this association remained nonsignificant across patients with diabetes mellitus, heart failure, chronic lung disease, venous catheter for HD, and higher iron load.

CONCLUSIONS

We found that intravenous iron supplementation did not increase short-term infection risk among HD patients.

Microenvironment of saphenous vein graft preservation prior to coronary artery bypass grafting

OBJECTIVES

The best preservation solution for a free vascular graft prior to coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) remains controversial. The aim of this investigation was to evaluate the microenvironment of the human saphenous vein graft when preserved in normal saline (NS) solution or autologous heparinized whole blood (AWB).

METHODS

Between January 2014 and December 2014, 21 patients who underwent CABG were enrolled and a total of 162 saphenous vein graft rings were collected. NS and AWB were used to investigate the influence of the microenvironment. The hypoxia, oxidative stress and vascular apoptosis were assayed by western blot, and endothelial integrity was assessed by immunohistochemical analysis.

RESULTS

The level of PaO2 in AWB was lower than that in NS (median: 100.5 mmHg vs 185.8 mmHg, P = 0.004). This hypoxic condition led to the production of more hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (median: 60.1% vs 15.1%, P = 0.008) and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (median: 52.6% vs 25%, P = 0.046) within 30 min of preservation time. The fact that higher levels of glutathione peroxidase resulted in the preservation of AWB suggests that it is beneficial to boost the vascular antioxidant defense with lower levels of NOX2. AWB led to increased Bcl-2, reduced cytochrome c and cleaved 85 kDa poly ADP-ribose polymerase apoptotic fragments.

CONCLUSIONS

We concluded that AWB possesses a microenvironment that is superior to that of NS for saphenous vein graft preservation prior to CABG.

Effectiveness and Safety of Four Direct Oral Anticoagulants in Asian Patients With Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation

BACKGROUND

Whether four direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) are superior to warfarin in Asian patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) remains unclear.

METHODS

This nationwide retrospective cohort study was based on data from Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database from June 1, 2012, to December 31, 2017, covering patients with NVAF taking edoxaban (n = 4,577), apixaban (n = 9,952), rivaroxaban (n = 33,022), dabigatran (n = 22,371), and warfarin (n = 19,761). Propensity score weighting was used to balance covariates across study groups. Patients were followed up until occurrence of study outcomes or end date of study.

RESULTS

Edoxaban, apixaban, and rivaroxaban were associated with a lower risk of ischemic stroke/systemic embolism than warfarin. All DOACs had a lower risk of major bleeding than warfarin. Apixaban was associated with a lower risk of major bleeding than rivaroxaban and dabigatran, whereas the risk of major bleeding was comparable between edoxaban and apixaban. The reduced risks of thromboembolism/major bleeding for the four DOACs persisted in high-risk subgroups, including those with chronic kidney disease, elderly patients (age ≥ 75 years), secondary stroke prevention, or CHA₂DS₂-VASc score (congestive heart failure, hypertension, age ≥ 75 years, diabetes mellitus, previous stroke/transient ischemic attack, vascular disease, age 65-74 years, and female sex) ≥ 4. A total of 2,924 (64%), 6,359 (64%), 31,108 (94%), and 19,821 (89%) patients received low-dose edoxaban (15-30 mg/d), apixaban (2.5 mg bid), rivaroxaban (10-15 mg/d), and dabigatran (110 mg bid), respectively. The effectiveness/safety outcomes with the four low-dose DOACs compared with warfarin were consistent with the main analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

In the largest real-world practice study among Asian patients with NVAF, four DOACs were associated with a comparable or lower risk of thromboembolism, and a lower risk of bleeding than warfarin. There was consistency even among high-risk subgroups and whether standard-or low-dose regimens were compared.

Efficacy and Safety of Apixaban, Dabigatran, Rivaroxaban, and Warfarin in Asians With Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation

Background

Whether non–vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) are superior to warfarin among Asians with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation remains unclear.

Methods and Results

In this nationwide retrospective cohort study collected from Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database, there were 5843, 20 079, 27 777, and 19 375 nonvalvular atrial fibrillation patients taking apixaban, dabigatran, rivaroxaban and warfarin, respectively, from June 1, 2012 to December 31, 2016. Propensity‐score weighting was used to balance covariates across study groups. Patients were followed until the first occurrence of any efficacy or safety outcome or the end date of study. Hazard ratios (95% confidence intervals) comparing apixaban, dabigatran, and rivaroxaban with warfarin were: ischemic stroke/systemic embolism (IS/SE), 0.55 (0.43–0.69), 0.82 (0.68–0.98), and 0.81 (0.67–0.97); major bleeding, 0.41 (0.31–0.53), 0.65 (0.53–0.80), and 0.58 (0.46–0.72); and all‐cause mortality, 0.58 (0.51–0.66), 0.61 (0.54–0.68), and 0.57 (0.51–0.65). A total of 3623 (62%), 17 760 (88%), and 26 000 (94%) patients were taking low‐dose apixaban (2.5 mg twice daily), dabigatran (110 mg twice daily), and rivaroxaban (10–15 mg once daily), respectively. Similar to all‐dose NOACs, all low‐dose NOACs had lower risk of IS/SE, major bleeding, and mortality when compared with warfarin. In contrast to other standard‐dose NOACs, apixaban was associated with lower risks of IS/SE (0.45 [0.31–0.65]), major bleeding (0.29 [0.18–0.46]), and mortality (0.23 [0.17–0.31]) than warfarin.

Conclusions

All NOACs were associated with lower risk of IS/SE, major bleeding, and mortality compared with warfarin in the largest real‐world practice among Asians with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation. All low‐dose NOACs had lower risk of IS/SE, major bleeding, and mortality when compared with warfarin. Standard‐dose apixaban caused a lower risk of IS/SE, major bleeding, and mortality compared with warfarin.

Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor decreases the risk of atrial fibrillation in patients with type 2 diabetes: a nationwide cohort study in Taiwan

BACKGROUND

Whether dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor (DPP4i) is associated with a lower risk of new-onset atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients with diabetes remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the risk of AF associated with use of DPP4i among a longitudinal cohort of patients with diabetes.

METHODS

Over a 3-year period, 480,000 patients with diabetes were analyzed utilizing Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database and 90,880 patients taking metformin as first-line therapy were enrolled. Patients were further divided into two groups: (1) DPP4i users: those taking DPP4i and (2) non-DPP4i users: those prescribed other hypoglycemic agents (HAs) as second-line drug. Study end point was defined by diagnosis of AF, addition of any third-line HA, or the end of the study period (December 31, 2013), whichever came first.

RESULTS

A total of 16,017 DPP4i users and 74,863 non-DPP4i users were eligible for the study. For the DPP4i group, most patients were prescribed sitagliptin (n = 12,180; 76%). Among the non-DPP4i group, most patients took sulfonylurea (n = 60,606; 81%) as their second-line medication. DPP4i users were associated with a lower risk of new-onset AF compared with non-DPP4i users after propensity-score weighting (hazard ratio 0.65; P < 0.0001). Subgroup analysis showed that DPP4i user were associated with a lower risk of new-onset AF compared with non-DPP4i users in most subgroups. Multivariate analysis indicated that use of DPP4i was associated with lower risk of new-onset AF and age > 65 years, presence of hypertension, and ischemic heart disease were independent risk factors for new-onset AF.

CONCLUSIONS

Among patients with diabetes prescribed with metformin, the patients with DPP4i as second HA were associated with a lower risk of AF compared with the patients with other drugs as second HAs in real-world practice.

Bleeding risk with dabigatran, rivaroxaban, warfarin, and antiplatelet agent in Asians with non-valvular atrial fibrillation

It is not understood if dabigatran or rivaroxaban are superior to antiplatelet agents (AA) for safety outcomes in Asians with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF). In this study we evaluated the bleeding risk of dabigatran, rivaroxaban, warfarin and AA in Asians with NVAF. This national retrospective cohort study analyzed 6,600, 3,167, 5,338 and 8,238 consecutive NVAF patients taking dabigatran, rivaroxaban, warfarin or AAs (including aspirin, clopidogrel or ticlopidine), respectively, from June 1, 2012 to December 31, 2013. Propensity-score weighting was used to balance covariates across study groups. Patients were followed until the first occurrence of any bleeding outcome or the end of the study. The CHA₂DS₂-VASc scores were 4.1±1.6, 4.1±1.6, 3.3±1.8 and 2.4±1.6 for the dabigatran, rivaroxaban, warfarin, and AA groups, respectively. There were 5,822 (88.2%) and 164 (5.2%) patients taking low dose dabigatran and rivaroxaban, respectively. Hazard ratios (95% confidence intervals) for dabigatran, rivaroxaban, or warfarin versus AA were: intracranial hemorrhage, 0.36 (0.23-0.57;PP=0.0037) and 1.34 (0.89-2.02;P=0.1664); gastrointestinal bleeding, 0.44 (0.32-0.59;PP=0.0189); and all hospitalized major bleeding, 0.41 (0.32-0.53;PP=0.0644) and 0.90 (0.70-1.16;P=0.4130) after adjustment. The risk reduction of all major bleeding for dabigatran versus AA persisted on subgroup analysis. In conclusion, we observed that dabiagtran was associated with a lower risk of all major bleeding in Asians with NVAF, whereas rivaroxaban had a similar risk of all major bleeding compared with antiplatelet agents after adjustment of comorbidities.

Thromboembolic, Bleeding, and Mortality Risks of Rivaroxaban and Dabigatran in Asians With Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation

BACKGROUND

It is unclear whether the non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulant agents rivaroxaban and dabigatran are superior to warfarin for efficacy and safety outcomes in Asians with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF).

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to compare the risk for thromboembolic events, bleeding, and mortality associated with rivaroxaban and dabigatran versus warfarin in Asians with NVAF.

METHODS

A nationwide retrospective cohort study was conducted of consecutive patients with NVAF taking rivaroxaban (n = 3,916), dabigatran (n = 5,921), or warfarin (n = 5,251) using data collected from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database between February 1, 2013 and December 31, 2013. The propensity score weighting method was used to balance covariates across study groups. Patients were followed until the first occurrence of any study outcome or the study end date (December 31, 2013).

RESULTS

A total of 3,425 (87%) and 5,301 (90%) patients were taking low-dose rivaroxaban (10 to 15 mg once daily) and dabigatran (110 mg twice daily), respectively. Compared with warfarin, both rivaroxaban and dabigatran significantly decreased the risk for ischemic stroke or systemic embolism (p = 0.0004 and p = 0.0006, respectively), intracranial hemorrhage (p = 0.0007 and p = 0.0005, respectively), and all-cause mortality (p < 0.0001 and p < 0.0001, respectively) during the short follow-up period. In comparing the 2 non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulant agents with each other, no differences were found regarding risk for ischemic stroke or systemic embolism, intracranial hemorrhage, myocardial infarction, or mortality. Rivaroxaban carried a significantly higher risk for hospitalization for gastrointestinal bleeding than dabigatran (p = 0.0416), but on-treatment analysis showed that the risk for hospitalized gastrointestinal bleeding was similar between the 2 drugs (p = 0.5783).

CONCLUSIONS

In real-world practice among Asians with NVAF, both rivaroxaban and dabigatran were associated with reduced risk for ischemic stroke or systemic embolism, intracranial hemorrhage, and all-cause mortality without significantly increased risk for acute myocardial infarction or hospitalization for gastrointestinal bleeding compared with warfarin.

Acute Kidney Injury in Asians With Atrial Fibrillation Treated With Dabigatran or Warfarin

BACKGROUND

Whether dabigatran is associated with a lower risk of acute kidney injury (AKI) in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) remains unknown.

OBJECTIVES

The authors compared the risk of AKI in Asians with NVAF who were prescribed dabigatran versus warfarin.

METHODS

The authors analyzed patients enrolled in the Taiwan nationwide retrospective cohort study from June 1, 2012, to December 31, 2013. Dabigatran and warfarin were taken by 7,702 and 7,885 NVAF patients without a history of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and 2,256 and 2,089 NVAF patients with a history of CKD, respectively. A propensity-score weighted method was used to balance covariates across study groups.

RESULTS

A total of 6,762 (88%) and 940 (12%) CKD-free patients and 2,025 (90%) and 231 (10%) CKD patients took dabigatran 110 mg and 150 mg twice daily, respectively. Dabigatran was associated with a lower risk of AKI than warfarin for either the CKD-free (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.62; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.49 to 0.77; p < 0.001) or CKD (HR: 0.56; 95% CI: 0.46 to 0.69; p < 0.001) cohort. As the increment in CHA₂DS₂-VASc score (a risk score based on congestive heart failure, hypertension, age 75 years or older, diabetes mellitus, previous stroke/transient ischemic attack, vascular disease, aged 65 to 74 years, and female sex) increased from 0/1 to 6+ points, the incidence of AKI for the dabigatran group was relatively stable (1.87% to 2.91% per year for the CKD-free cohort; 7.31% to 13.15% per year for the CKD cohort) but increased obviously for patients taking warfarin for either CKD-free (2.00% to 6.16% per year) or CKD cohorts (6.82 to 26.03% per year). The warfarin group had a significantly higher annual risk of AKI than the dabigatran group for those with a high CHA₂DS₂-VASc score (≥4 for the CKD-free cohort and ≥3 for the CKD cohort). Subgroup analysis revealed that among dabigatran users, those taking either low-dose or standard-dose dabigatran, those with a warfarin-naïve or warfarin-experienced history, those with or without diabetes, and those with CHA₂DS₂-VASc ≥4 or HAS-BLED ≥3 (risk score based on hypertension, abnormal renal and liver function, stroke, prior major bleeding, labile international normalized ratios, age 65 years or older, drugs or alcohol usage history) all had a lower risk of AKI than those taking warfarin.

CONCLUSIONS

Among Asians with NVAF, dabigatran is associated with a lower risk of AKI than warfarin.

Impact of Chronic Kidney Disease on Long-Term Outcome in Coronary Bypass Candidates Treated with Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

Background and Objectives

The aim of this study was to identify clinical, lesional, and procedural predictors for adverse outcomes of coronary angioplasty and stenting in coronary bypass candidates.

Subjects and Methods

This cohort study included 107 consecutive candidates for coronary artery bypass surgery who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention with multiple coronary stents between Jan 2004 and Dec 2011. The study endpoint was major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) including all-cause mortality, nonfatal myocardial infarction, repeat revascularization, and stent thrombosis. Follow up was from the date of index percutaneous coronary intervention to the date of the first MACE, date of death, or December 31, 2015, whichever came first.

Results

In this study (age 62.3±11.2 years, 86% male), 38 patients (36%) had MACE. Among baseline, angiographic, and procedural parameters, there were significant differences in lower left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and worse renal function. In a Cox regression model, LVEF and chronic kidney disease (CKD) were significant predictors for MACE. After a multivariate adjustment, CKD remained a significant predictor of MACEs (hazard ratio: 2.97, 95% confidence interval: 1.50-5.90).

Conclusions

For coronary bypass candidates who were treated with coronary angioplasty and stenting, CKD seems to be the strongest predictor for adverse outcomes compared with other traditional factors.

A comparison between angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers on end stage renal disease and major adverse cardiovascular events in diabetic patients: a population-based dynamic cohort study in Taiwan

Background

Contemporary guidelines recommend angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitors (ACEi) or angiotensin-receptor blockers (ARB) for hypertensive patients with diabetes. However, there is limited data to evaluate the comparison between ACEi and ARB on end stage renal disease (ESRD) and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), in Asian diabetic patients.

Methods

We used the Taiwan Longitudinal Cohort of Diabetes Patients Database to perform a population-based dynamic cohort study. The comparison between ACEi and ARB on ESRD and MACE in diabetic patients was examined using the propensity score weighting method. We followed these patients until the occurrence of first study outcomes or end date of the study, whichever came first.

Results

There were 6898 and 12,758 patients in ACEi and ARB groups, respectively. The mean follow-up period was about 3.5 years in ESRD and 2.5 years in MACE. The incidence of ESRD was 0.44 % and 0.63 % per person-years in the ACEi and ARB group, respectively. The risk of ESRD was lower in the ACEi group than the ARB group [hazard ratio (HR) 0.69; 95 % confidence interval (CI) 0.54–0.88, P = 0.0025]. Among those without chronic kidney disease (CKD), the incidence of ESRD was 0.30 % and 0.37 % per person-years in the ACEi and ARB group, respectively. ACEi was similar to ARB in preventing ESRD for those without CKD (P = 0.11). Among those with CKD, the incidence of ESRD was 1.39 % and 2.34 % per person-years in the ACEi and ARB group, respectively. The ACEi group had a lower risk of ESRD than the ARB group (HR 0.61; 95 % CI 0.42–0.88, P = 0.008). The incidence of MACE was 9.33 % and 9.62 % per person-years in the ACEi and ARB group, respectively. There was no significant difference in the composite MACE outcome between the two groups (P = 0.42), but the ACEi group was associated with a higher risk of stroke than the ARB group (HR 1.12; 95 % CI 1.02–1.24, P = 0.02).

Conclusions

ACEi compared with ARB was associated with a lower incidence of ESRD, especially in those with CKD. Though ACEi and ARB had a similar risk of composite MACE outcome, ACEi had a slightly higher incidence of stroke than ARB, among the Asian diabetic patients.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12933-016-0365-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Young Male Patients with Atrial Fibrillation and CHA2DS2-VASc Score of 1 May Not Need Anticoagulants: A Nationwide Population-Based Study

Background

It is unclear whether oral anticoagulants are beneficial for atrial fibrillation (AF) patients with low CHA₂DS₂-VASc score. Age could be important in determining the risk of thromboembolism in low risk AF patients (CHA₂DS₂-VASc score of 1 for male or 2 for female).

Methods

The Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD) was used and 27,521 AF patients with CHA₂DS₂-VASc score of 1 (male) or 2 (female) not receiving anticoagulants were acquired as the study cohort, which were classified into three age groups: 20–49, 50–64, and 65–74 years. The clinical endpoint was the occurrence of ischemic thromboembolism within one year of follow up.

Results

During the follow-up of 0.94 ± 0.19 years, 385 (2.19%) male patients experienced ischemic thromboembolism, with annual rate of 2.32%. The annual risk ranged from 1.29%, 2.43% to 2.77% for male patients aged 20–49, 50–64 and 65–74 years respectively. Of the female patients, 218 (2.20%) experienced clinical event with annual rate of 2.32%. The annual risk increased from 1.87%, 2.28% to 2.64% for female patients aged 20–49, 50–64 and 65–74 years respectively. There was no difference in risk between the male patients aged 20–49 years with CHA₂DS₂-VASc score of 1 and overall male patients with CHA₂DS₂-VASc score of 0. (P = 0.631) The female patients aged 20–49 years with CHA₂DS₂-VASc score of 2 was associated with a higher risk of thromboembolic events than overall female patients with CHA₂DS₂-VASc score of 1 (HR = 1.93; P = 0.008).

Conclusions

Age is important in determining the risk of thromboembolism in AF patients with single risk factor. In male patients <50 years old with CHA₂DS₂-VASc score of 1, the risk of ischemic thromboembolism was low. Considering the benefits and the risk of bleeding, oral anticoagulation therapy may not be favorable in these patients.