Private Equity and Cardiovascular Health Care

This Viewpoint discusses involvement of private equity firms in health care.

To Anticoagulate or Not to Anticoagulate in COVID-19: Lessons after 2 Years

A hypercoagulable state associated with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been well documented and is believed to be strongly supported by a proinflammatory state. The hypercoagulable state in turn results in increased incidence of arterial and venous thromboembolism (VTE) seen in hospitalized COVID-19 when compared with hospitalized non-COVID-19 patient cohorts. Moreover, patients with arterial or VTE and COVID-19 have higher mortality compared with COVID-19 patients without arterial or VTE. Prevention of arterial or VTE thus remains an essential question in the management of COVID-19 patients, especially because of high rates of reported microvascular and macrovascular thrombosis. This has prompted multiple randomized control trials (RCTs) evaluating different anticoagulation strategies in COVID-19 patients at various stages of the disease. Herein, we review findings from RCTs in the past 2 years of antithrombotic therapy in critically ill hospitalized patients, noncritically ill hospitalized patients, patients postdischarge from the hospital, and outpatients. RCTs in critically ill patients demonstrated therapeutic dose anticoagulation does not improve outcomes and has more bleeding than prophylaxis dose anticoagulant in these patients. Trials in noncritically ill hospitalized patients showed a therapeutic dose anticoagulation with a heparin formulation might improve clinical outcomes. Anticoagulation with a direct oral anticoagulant posthospital discharge may improve outcomes, although there is a large RCT in progress. Nonhospitalized COVID-19 patients have an insufficient burden of events to be candidates for antithrombotic therapy. Anticoagulation in pregnant and lactating patients with COVID-19, as well as antiplatelet therapy for COVID-19, is also reviewed.

Does the ISCHEMIA Trial Apply to My Patients?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The ISCHEMIA trial demonstrated no difference in myocardial infarction or death in patients with stable coronary disease and moderate or large ischemia territory treated either with invasive revascularization or optimal medical therapy. Whether the findings of the randomized control trial relates to real-world outcomes is uncertain.

RECENT FINDINGS

Contemporary guideline-directed medical therapy has had a significant impact on the prognosis of coronary artery disease. Various observational data appear to indicate limited generalizability of the ISCHEMIA trial in different populations. Further studies are warranted to evaluate the optimal modality of therapy in patients with stable coronary disease and moderate or severe ischemia. The applicability of ISCHEMIA and ISCHEMIA-CKD trials still requires further validation.

Mechanical Complications in ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI) Based on Different Reperfusion Strategies

Contemporary trends of mechanical complications like papillary muscle rupture (PMR), ventricular septal defect/rupture (VSR), and free wall rupture (FWR) in ST-elevation m'yocardial infarction (STEMI), especially in the era of primary percutaneous coronary interventions (PPCI) has not been definitively investigated. We utilized the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database from years 2003 to 2017 using International Classification of Disease 9th and 10th revision (ICD-9 and ICD-10) codes to identify STEMI patients undergoing PPCI, fibrinolysis alone, and fibrinolysis with subsequent PCI. We identified those developing in-hospital PMR /VSD / FWR. We identified a total of 2,034,153 STEMI patients where 93.5% had PPCI, 3.2% had fibrinolysis alone, and 3.3% had fibrinolysis with subsequent PCI. Rates of all mechanical complications was low for all three different reperfusion strategies evaluated, with downward trends (p <0.05) over time. No statistically significant difference in the rates of mechanical complication was noted among patients treated with different reperfusion strategies on multivariable logistic regression models. In conclusion, in a contemporary cohort of US patients-majority of whom were managed with PPCI, the rates of overall mechanical complications after STEMI were low even with initial use of fibrinolytics and exhibited a downward temporal trend.

Clinical Characteristics and Pharmacological Management of COVID-19 Vaccine-Induced Immune Thrombotic Thrombocytopenia With Cerebral Venous Sinus Thrombosis: A Review

Importance

The COVID-19 pandemic saw one of the fastest developments of vaccines in an effort to combat an out-of-control pandemic. The 2 most common COVID-19 vaccine platforms currently in use, messenger RNA (mRNA) and adenovirus vector, were developed on the basis of previous research in use of this technology. Postauthorization surveillance of COVID-19 vaccines has identified safety signals, including unusual cases of thrombocytopenia with thrombosis reported in recipients of adenoviral vector vaccines. One of the devastating manifestations of this syndrome, termed vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia (VITT), is cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST). This review summarizes the current evidence and indications regarding biology, clinical characteristics, and pharmacological management of VITT with CVST.

Observations

VITT appears to be similar to heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT), with both disorders associated with thrombocytopenia, thrombosis, and presence of autoantibodies to platelet factor 4 (PF4). Unlike VITT, HIT is triggered by recent exposure to heparin. Owing to similarities between these 2 conditions and lack of high-quality evidence, interim recommendations suggest avoiding heparin and heparin analogues in patients with VITT. Based on initial reports, female sex and age younger than 60 years were identified as possible risk factors for VITT. Treatment consists of therapeutic anticoagulation with nonheparin anticoagulants and prevention of formation of autoantibody-PF4 complexes, the latter being achieved by administration of high-dose intravenous immunoglobin (IVIG). Steroids, which can theoretically inhibit the production of new antibodies, have been used in combination with IVIG. In severe cases, plasma exchange should be used for clearing autoantibodies. Monoclonal antibodies, such as rituximab and eculizumab, can be considered when other therapies fail. Routine platelet transfusions, aspirin, and warfarin should be avoided because of the possibility of worsening thrombosis and magnifying bleeding risk.

Conclusions and Relevance

Adverse events like VITT, while uncommon, have been described despite vaccination remaining the most essential component in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. While it seems logical to consider the use of types of vaccines (eg, mRNA-based administration) in individuals at high risk, treatment should consist of therapeutic anticoagulation mostly with nonheparin products and IVIG.

Chronic mesenteric ischemia: Diagnosis and management

Chronic mesenteric ischemia (CMI) is an uncommon, potentially underdiagnosed clinical condition. Although there is a high prevalence of mesenteric artery stenoses (MAS), an abundant collateral network in the mesenteric circulation mitigates occurrence of ischemia. The most common etiology of CMI is atherosclerosis. CMI is a clinical diagnosis, based upon typical and atypical symptoms and consistent anatomic findings. Typical symptoms of CMI are postprandial abdominal pain, unintended weight loss and food avoidance. The main modalities to diagnose MAS are duplex ultrasound, CT angiography or MR angiography, although high resolution CTA is preferred. Endovascular therapy with balloon expandable stents has become the preferred treatment for MAS.

Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Interventional Cardiology: From Decision-Making Aid to Advanced Interventional Procedure Assistance

Access to big data analyzed by supercomputers using advanced mathematical algorithms (i.e., deep machine learning) has allowed for enhancement of cognitive output (i.e., visual imaging interpretation) to previously unseen levels and promises to fundamentally change the practice of medicine. This field, known as "artificial intelligence" (AI), is making significant progress in areas such as automated clinical decision making, medical imaging analysis, and interventional procedures, and has the potential to dramatically influence the practice of interventional cardiology. The unique nature of interventional cardiology makes it an ideal target for the development of AI-based technologies designed to improve real-time clinical decision making, streamline workflow in the catheterization laboratory, and standardize catheter-based procedures through advanced robotics. This review provides an introduction to AI by highlighting its scope, potential applications, and limitations in interventional cardiology.

Predictors of Treatment Response Following Ultrasound-Facilitated Catheter-Directed Thrombolysis for Submassive and Massive Pulmonary Embolism

Background:

Little is known about which factors predict improvement in clinical and imaging parameters among patients undergoing catheter-directed thrombolysis for submassive or massive pulmonary embolism. The identification of such predictors may allow for more appropriate patient selection for ultrasound-facilitated catheter-directed thrombolysis.

Methods:

We conducted a retrospective cohort analysis of patients from the SEATTLE II trial (Prospective, Single-Arm, Multi-Center Trial of EkoSonic Endovascular System and Activase for Treatment of Acute Pulmonary Embolism) to identify clinical characteristics that independently predict pulmonary artery pressures, right ventricular-to-left ventricular (RV/LV) diameter ratio, and modified Miller angiographic index following ultrasound-assisted catheter-directed thrombolysis. Eligible patients had submassive or massive pulmonary embolism and an RV/LV diameter ratio ≥0.9 on chest computed tomography. Multivariable linear regression was used to identify independent clinical predictors of each outcome.

Results:

One hundred fifty patients with massive (n=31) or submassive (n=119) pulmonary embolism were enrolled. Mean (±SD) baseline and postprocedure RV/LV diameter ratio, pulmonary artery systolic pressure, and modified Miller Score were 1.59 (±0.39) and 1.14 (±0.2), 51.45 (±16.0), and 37.47 (±11.9), and 23.0 (±5.7) and 15.7 (±5.9), respectively. The multivariable model adjusted R 2 for absolute change in RV/LV ratio, pulmonary artery systolic pressure, modified Miller Score was 0.71, 0.57, and 0.43, respectively. After adjusting for age, gender, and baseline RV/LV ratio, pulmonary artery systolic pressure, and modified Miller Score, patients with higher body mass index, renal or hepatic dysfunction, active smoking, or a higher baseline heart rate showed less improvement.

Conclusions:

Patients with more life-threatening pulmonary embolism may derive the greatest benefit from ultrasound-assisted, catheter-directed thrombolysis.

Sham-Controlled Randomized Trials of Catheter-Based Renal Denervation in Patients With Hypertension

BACKGROUND

There are conflicting data regarding the relative effectiveness of renal sympathetic denervation (RSD) in patients with hypertension.

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the blood pressure (BP) response after RSD in sham-controlled randomized trials.

METHODS

Databases were searched through June 30, 2018. Randomized trials (RCTs) with ≥50 patients comparing catheter-based RSD with a sham control were included. The authors calculated summary treatment estimates as weighted mean differences (WMD) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) using random-effects meta-analysis.

RESULTS

The analysis included 977 patients from 6 trials. The reduction in 24-h ambulatory systolic blood pressure (ASBP) was significantly greater for patients treated with RSD than sham procedure (WMD -3.65 mm Hg, 95% CI: -5.33 to -1.98; p < 0.001). Compared with sham, RSD was also associated with a significant decrease in daytime ASBP (WMD -4.07 mm Hg, 95% CI: -6.46 to -1.68; p < 0.001), office systolic BP (WMD -5.53 mm Hg, 95% CI: -8.18 to -2.87; p < 0.001), 24-h ambulatory diastolic BP (WMD -1.71 mm Hg, 95% CI: -3.06 to -0.35; p = 0.01), daytime ambulatory diastolic BP (WMD -1.57 mm Hg, 95% CI: -2.73 to -0.42; p = 0.008), and office diastolic BP (WMD -3.37 mm Hg, 95% CI: -4.86 to -1.88; p < 0.001). Compared with first-generation trials, a significantly greater reduction in daytime ASBP was observed with RSD in second-generation trials (6.12 mm Hg vs. 2.14 mm Hg; p interaction = 0.04); however, this interaction was not significant for 24-h ASBP (4.85 mm Hg vs. 2.23 mm Hg; p interaction = 0.13).

CONCLUSIONS

RSD significantly reduced blood pressure compared with sham control. Results of this meta-analysis should inform the design of larger, pivotal trials to evaluate the long-term efficacy and safety of RSD in patients with hypertension.

Cardiovascular Outcomes with Transcatheter vs. Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement in Low-Risk Patients: An Updated Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

BACKGROUND

TAVR is an established treatment option in high and intermediate-risk patients with severe AS. There is less data regarding the efficacy of TAVR in low-risk patients. This meta-analysis evaluated efficacy and safety outcomes of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) in comparison to surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) in low-risk patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS).

METHODS

Databases were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compared TAVR with SAVR for the treatment of low-risk patients with severe AS. We calculated pooled odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) using the random-effects model.

RESULTS

The final analysis included 2953 patients from 5 studies. Compared to SAVR, TAVR was associated with similar mid-term mortality [OR 0.67; 95% CI 0.37-1.21; p = 0.18], as well as similar short-term mortality [OR 0.51; 95% CI 0.24-1.11; p = 0.09]. Randomization to TAVR was associated with a reduced risk of developing acute kidney injury [OR 0.26; 95% CI 0.13-0.52; p < 0.001], short-term major bleeding [OR 0.27; 95% CI 0.12-0.60; p < 0.001] and new-onset atrial fibrillation [OR 0.17; 95% CI 0.14-0.21; p < 0.001]. However, TAVR was associated with a higher risk of requiring permanent pacemaker implantation [OR 4.25; 95% CI 1.86-9.73; p < 0.001]. There was no significant difference in the risk of myocardial infarction, stroke, endocarditis or aortic valve re-intervention between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Our meta-analysis showed that TAVR has similar clinical efficacy to SAVR, with a more favorable safety profile, in patients with severe AS who are at low-surgical risk.

Dual antithrombotic therapy in PCI: Potential harm in routine adoption

Randomized clinical trials support the use of dual antithrombotic therapy (DAT) in PCI patients but outcomes in clinical practice are unclear. In this observational study of patients at high risk for thromboembolism and bleeding, routine use of a P2Y12 inhibitor alone compared with DAPT with OAC was associated with a significantly higher risk of ischemic events without a lower risk of bleeding. Future randomized trials and observational analyses of large registries are needed to select the ideal patient population for DAT.

Right-to-left ventricular end diastolic diameter ratio in severe sepsis and septic shock

PURPOSE

The ratio of right ventricular end-diastolic diameter (EDD) to left ventricular EDD (RV/LV) is a measure predictive of right ventricular failure. We hypothesized that an increase in RV/LV would be associated with poor prognosis in severe sepsis and septic shock.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This is a retrospective chart review of patients with severe sepsis and septic shock admitted to a medical intensive care unit (ICU) at a single tertiary care hospital. Patients were identified by ICD-9 codes: 995.92 for severe sepsis and 785.52 for septic shock; and had to have an echocardiogram within 48 h of ICU admission. Increased RV/LV was defined as RV/LV ≥ 0.9. Left and right-sided chamber dimensions were measured according to American Society of Echocardiography guidelines.

RESULTS

We included 146 consecutive ICU patients admitted with septic shock (72) or severe sepsis (74). There was no significant difference in ICU mortality in patients with RV/LV ≥ 0.9 versus RV/LV < 0.9 (p = .49).

CONCLUSIONS

An increased RV/LV does not predict mortality in severe sepsis or septic shock.

Effects of dietary synbiotic on innate immunity, antioxidant activity and disease resistance of Cirrhinus mrigala juveniles

The dietary supplementation of synbiotic in Cirrhinus mrigala juvenile (with initial body weight ranging from 2.87 ± 0.01 g to 3.26 ± 0.05 g) was evaluated in terms of changes in innate immunity, antioxidant activity and disease resistance against Aeromonas hydrophilla infection. One hundred eighty acclimatized juveniles of mrigal were randomly distributed in the three replicates of each of four experimental groups i.e. control (without Probiotic and Prebiotic), T₁ (High Probiotic + Low Prebiotic), T₂ (Low Probiotic + High Prebiotic) and T₃ (High Probiotic + High Prebiotic), using completely randomized design (CRD). At the end of the feeding trial for 60 days, fish were challenged by Aeromonas hydrophila and survival rate was recorded for the next 15 days. Bacillus subtilis used as a probiotic source and MOS used as a prebiotic source in the experiment. Results showed that innate immunity was comparatively improved in T₃ group. Lysozyme activity and respiratory burst activity (NBT) were significantly (P < 0.05) affected in T₃ group. Highest activities of antioxidant enzymes (P < 0.05) were reported in T₃ group. Cumulative mortality % was found to be lower in the fish fed dietary synbiotic on T₃ group after challenging with Aeromonas hydrophilla infection. The results of this study showed that under the experimental conditions, dietary supplementation of synbiotic had a synergestic effect on enhancing innate immunity and disease resistance of Cirrhinus mrigala (P < 0.05).

Variant Angina and Aborted Sudden Cardiac Death

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Variant angina, which is characterized by recurrent chest pain and transient ECG changes along with angiographic evidence of coronary artery spasm, generally has a favorable prognosis. However, episodes of ischemia caused by vasospasm may lead to potentially life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias and cardiac arrest, even in patients with no history of prior cardiac disease. This review describes the epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical spectrum, and management of variant angina, as well as outcomes in patients who present with aborted sudden cardiac death (ASCD).

RECENT FINDINGS

Contrary to prior opinions, evidence from recent observational studies indicate that patients with variant angina presenting with ASCD face a worse prognosis than those without this type of presentation. Predictors of ASCD include age, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, family history of sudden cardiac death, multi-vessel spasm, and left anterior descending artery spasm. Medical therapy alone with calcium channel blockers and nitrates may not be sufficiently protective in these patients and there is lack of concrete data on the optimal management strategy. Current guidelines recommend implantable cardiac defibrillator (ICD) therapy in patients who are survivors of cardiac arrest caused by ventricular fibrillation or unstable ventricular tachycardia after reversible causes are excluded, and should strongly be considered in these patients. Although medical therapy is absolutely imperative for patients with variant angina and a history of ASCD, ICD therapy in these patients is justified. Further large-scale studies are required to determine whether ICD therapy can improve survival in this high-risk group of patients.

Risk factors for intracranial haemorrhage in patients with pulmonary embolism treated with thrombolytic therapy Development of the PE-CH Score

Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality world-wide, and the use of thrombolytic therapy has been associated with favourable clinical outcomes in certain patient subsets. These potential benefits are counterbalanced by the risk of bleeding complications, the most devastating of which is intracranial haemorrhage (ICH). We retrospectively evaluated 9703 patients from the 2003–2012 nationwide in-patient sample database (NIS) who received thrombolytics for PE. All patients with ICH during the PE hospitalisation were identified and a clinical risk score model was developed utilizing demographics and comorbidities. The dataset was divided 1:1 into derivation and validation cohorts. During 2003–2012, 176/9705 (1.8 %) patients with PE experienced ICH after thrombolytic use. Four independent prognostic factors were identified in a backward logistic regression model, and each was assigned a number of points proportional to its regression coefficient: pre-existing Peripheral vascular disease (1 point), age greater than 65 years (Elderly) (1 point), prior Cerebrovascular accident with residual deficit (5 points), and prior myocardial infarction (Heart attack) (1 point). In the derivation cohort, scores of 0, 1, 2 and ≥ 5 points were associated with ICH risks of 1.2 %, 1.9 %, 2.4 % and 17.8 %, respectively. Rates of ICH were similar in the validation cohort. The C-statistic for the risk score was 0.65 (0.61–0.70) in the derivation cohort and 0.66 (0.60–0.72) in the validation cohort. A novel risk score, derived from simple clinical historical elements was developed to predict ICH in PE patients treated with thrombolytics.

Supplementary Material to this article is available online at www.thrombosis-online.com.

Transpedal Access for the Management of Complex Peripheral Artery Disease

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the safety and efficacy of transpedal access for the management of complex peripheral artery disease (PAD).

INTRODUCTION

Critical limb ischemia is associated with high risk of limb loss, as well as cardiovascular and all-cause mortality. Transpedal access is a novel, increasingly utilized technique for the management of complex PAD.

METHODS

We performed a literature search using PubMed from January 2003 to December 2016. Published studies on transpedal access were studied. We evaluated patient sample demographics, procedure indications, access and target vessel, procedural characteristics, outcomes, and complications.

RESULTS

Ten studies and 881 patients were included in our study. The indication for transpedal access was critical limb ischemia in 68.4% and severe claudication in 29.5%. A chronic total occlusion was present in 93.7% (average occlusion length, 206 mm). Access was achieved by ultrasound in 57.1% and by fluoroscopy in 35.7%. The anterior tibial or dorsalis pedis were accessed in 54.7% and the posterior tibial in 28.0%. The angiographic procedural success rate was 92.6%. The most commonly reported complication was dissection (7.49%), followed by perforation (1.36%) and embolization (1.25%).

CONCLUSION

Based on the results of this systematic review, transpedal access appears to be a safe and effective technique for complex PAD.

Meta-Analysis of Drug-Eluting Stents Versus Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting in Unprotected Left Main Coronary Narrowing

Patients with unprotected left main coronary artery (ULMCA) disease are increasingly treated with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) using new-generation drug-eluting stents (DES); however, the benefits of DES compared with coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in ULMCA remain controversial. This meta-analysis evaluated the effects of PCI with DES compared with CABG for the treatment of ULMCA stenosis. Databases were searched through November 30, 2016. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing DES with PCI versus CABG for ULMCA stenosis were identified. We calculated summary odds ratios (ORs) and 95% CIs with the random-effects model. The primary outcome was major adverse cardiovascular events, defined as a composite of death from any cause, stroke, or myocardial infarction (MI). The analysis included 4,612 patients from 5 RCTs. Compared with CABG, patients assigned to PCI had a similar rate of major adverse cardiovascular events (OR 1.06, 95% CI 0.79 to 1.43), all-cause mortality (OR 1.03, 95% CI 0.79 to 1.35), cardiovascular death (OR 1.03, 95% CI 0.73 to 1.45), stroke (OR 0.81, 95% CI 0.38 to 1.76), and MI (OR 1.47, 95% CI 0.87 to 2.47). The risk of any repeat revascularization was significantly greater in the PCI group than that in the CABG group (OR 1.85, 95% CI 1.53 to 2.24). In conclusion, our meta-analysis of RCTs suggest that PCI with DES results in comparable mortality, stroke, and MI compared with CABG for revascularization of ULMCA stenosis, with PCI associated with higher rates of repeat revascularization.

Two-year outcomes of bioresorbable vascular scaffold versus drug-eluting stents in coronary artery disease: a meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Data regarding long-term clinical outcomes with everolimus-eluting bioresorbable vascular scaffold (BVS) versus second-generation drug-eluting stents (DES) are scarce.

METHODS

We searched online databases until October 2016 for studies comparing BVS versus DES reporting outcomes at 2 years of follow-up. We performed a meta-analysis comparing BVS with DES across the spectrum of coronary artery disease (CAD). Random effects model OR was calculated for outcomes of interest including device-oriented composite events (DOCE; defined as composite of cardiac mortality, target vessel myocardial infarction (TV-MI), and ischaemia-driven target lesion revascularisation (TLR)), all-cause mortality, definite stent thrombosis, TV-MI and TLR.

RESULTS

A total of 2360 patients enrolled in five studies met criteria for inclusion in this analysis. At 2 years, BVS was associated with higher rates of DOCE (6.9% vs 4.5%, OR=1.53; 95% CI 1.06 to 2.23; p=0.02), absolute risk increase (ARI) 2.4%, relative risk increase (RRI) 53%, TV-MI (4% vs 1.8%, OR=1.94; 95% CI 1.02 to 3.67; p=0.04), ARI 2.2%, RRI 122% and definite stent thrombosis (2.1% vs 0.6%, OR=3.39; 95% CI 1.46 to 7.88; p=0.005), ARI 1.5%, RRI 250% compared with DES. No differences in all-cause mortality (OR=0.86; 95% CI 0.26 to 2.81; p=0.80) and TLR (OR=1.44; 95% CI 0.81 to 2.54; p=0.21) were observed between both groups.

CONCLUSIONS

BVS may be associated with worse long-term clinical outcomes compared with DES. Randomised clinical trials are encouraged to expeditiously report long-term safety and efficacy outcomes and identify predictors of adverse events with BVS compared with DES.

Long-term cardiovascular mortality after radiotherapy for breast cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Radiotherapy (RT) is frequently associated with late cardiovascular (CV) complications. The mean cardiac dose from irradiation of a left-sided breast cancer is much higher than that for a right-sided breast cancer. However, data is limited on the long-term risks of RT on CV mortality.

HYPOTHESIS

RT for breast cancer is associated with long term CV mortality and left sided RT carries a greater mortality than right sided RT.

METHODS

We searched PubMed, Cochrane Central, Embase, EBSCO, Web of Science, and CINAHL databases from inception through December 2015. Studies reporting CV mortality with RT for left- vs right-sided breast cancers were included. The principal outcome of interest was CV mortality. We calculated summary risk ratio (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) with the random-effects model.

RESULTS

The analysis included 289 109 patients from 13 observational studies. Women who had received RT for left-sided breast cancer had a higher risk of CV death than those who received RT for a right-sided breast cancer (RR: 1.12, 95% CI: 1.07-1.18, P < 0.001; number needed to harm: 353). Difference in CV mortality between left- vs right-sided breast RT was more apparent after 15 years of follow-up (RR: 1.23, 95% CI: 1.08-1.41, P < 0.001; number needed to harm: 95).

CONCLUSIONS

CV mortality from left-sided RT was significantly higher compared with right-sided RT for breast cancer and was more apparent after ≥15 years of follow-up.

Remote ischemic preconditioning in patients undergoing cardiovascular surgery: Evidence from a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

BACKGROUND

Remote ischemic preconditioning (RIPC) has been associated with reduced risk of myocardial injury in patients undergoing cardiovascular surgery, but uncertainty about clinical outcomes remains, particularly in the light of 2 recent large randomized clinical trials (RCTs) which were neutral. We performed a meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy of RIPC on clinically relevant outcomes in patients undergoing cardiovascular surgery.

METHODS

We searched PubMed, Cochrane CENTRAL, EMBASE, EBSCO, Web of Science and CINAHL databases from inception through November 30, 2015. RCTs that compared the effects of RIPC vs. control in patients undergoing cardiac and/or vascular surgery were selected. We calculated summary random-effect odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CI).

RESULTS

The analysis included 5652 patients from 27 RCTs. RIPC reduced the risk of myocardial infarction (MI) (OR 0.72, 95% CI, 0.52 to 1.00; p=0.05; number needed to treat (NNT)=42), acute renal failure (OR 0.73, 95% CI, 0.53 to 1.00; p=0.05; NNT=44) as well as the composite of all cause mortality, MI, stroke or acute renal failure (OR 0.60, 95% CI, 0.39 to 0.90; p=0.01; NNT=25). No significant difference between RIPC and the control groups was observed for the outcome of all-cause mortality (OR 1.10, 95% CI, 0.81 to 1.51). Randomization to RIPC group was also associated with significantly shorter hospital stay (weighted mean difference -0.15days; 95% CI -0.27 to -0.03days).

CONCLUSIONS

RIPC did not decrease overall mortality, but was associated with less MI and acute renal failure and shorter hospitalizations in patients undergoing cardiac or vascular surgery.