Diverticulitis with abscess formation: Outcomes of non-operative management and nomogram for predicting emergency surgery: The Diplicab Study Collaborative Group

BACKGROUND

To assess short- and long-term outcomes from non-surgical management of diverticulitis with abscess formation and to develop a nomogram to predict emergency surgery.

METHODS

This nationwide retrospective cohort study was performed in 29 Spanish referral centers, including patients with a first episode of a diverticular abscess (modified Hinchey Ib-II) from 2015 to 2019. Emergency surgery, complications, and recurrent episodes were analyzed. Regression analysis was used to assess risk factors, and a nomogram for emergency surgery was designed.

RESULTS

Overall, 1,395 patients were included (1,078 Hinchey Ib and 317 Hinchey II). Most (1,184, 84.9%) patients were treated with antibiotics without percutaneous drainage, and 194 (13.90%) patients required emergency surgery during admission. Percutaneous drainage (208 patients) was associated with a lower risk of emergency surgery in patients with abscesses of ≥5 cm (19.9% vs 29.3%, P = .035; odds ratio 0.59 [0.37-0.96]). The multivariate analysis showed that immunosuppression treatment, C-reactive protein (odds ratio: 1.003; 1.001-1.005), free pneumoperitoneum (odds ratio: 3.01; 2.04-4.44), Hinchey II (odds ratio: 2.15; 1.42-3.26), abscess size 3 to 4.9 cm (odds ratio: 1.87; 1.06-3.29), abscess size ≥5 cm (odds ratio: 3.62; 2.08-6.32), and use of morphine (odds ratio: 3.68; 2.29-5.92) were associated with emergency surgery. A nomogram was developed with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.81 (95% confidence interval: 0.77-0.85).

CONCLUSION

Percutaneous drainage must be considered in abscesses ≥5 cm to reduce emergency surgery rates; however, there are insufficient data to recommend it in smaller abscesses. The use of the nomogram could help the surgeon develop a targeted approach.

A new cardiopulmonary exercise testing score for predicting heart failure events

Background

Cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) provides several variables (V) that are strong predictors of events in patients (pts) with heart failure (HF).

Purpose

Our aim was to develop and evaluate the predictive power (PP) of a CPET-based score, comparing to that of the Heart Failure Survival Score – HFSS.

Methods

Retrospective evaluation of adult pts with HF submitted to CPET in a tertiary center. Pts were followed up for at least 1 year for the primary endpoint of cardiac death and urgent heart transplantation/ ventricular assist device implantation (MTV). The PP of several CPET V's was assessed using ROC curve analysis, which was used to define optimal threshold values for each V. A multiple regression analysis was performed to identify independent prognostic predictors and to determine the regression coefficient (β) for the Vs included in the model, each expressed dichotomously using the threshold value. According to β, a weight was assigned to each V and summed to calculate the composite score. ROC curves were compared using the Hanley and McNeil test.

Results

CPET was performed in 487 HF pts, with a mean age of 56±13 years, 79% were male. 46% of pts were of ischemic etiology, with a mean LVEF of 30±8%, a mean HFSS of 8.6±1.1 and a mean BNP value of 509±668pg/ml. The mortality rate during a mean follow-up of 21 months, was 19% (93pts) with 23 pts (5%) undergoing HT. The primary endpoint was reached by 55 (11%) pts. The variables with higher predictive power were OUES (AUC 0.796), ventilatory power (AUC 0.790), the partial pressure of end-tidal CO2 at the anaerobic threshold (PETCO2L – AUC of 0.787), the pVO2 (AUC 0.767) and heart rhythm (HR) during the test (AUC – 0.640). LVEF also presented a high predictive power with AUC of 0.755. The multivariate analysis revealed that pVO2, PETCO2L, AF, and LVEF were independent prognostic predictors. According to the β of these Vs, the equation was calculated as follows: (pVO2 × 2.194) + (PETCO2L × 1.545) + (LVEF × 1.134) + (HR × 1.055; 0 if AF, 1 if sinus rhythm). The score presented a high PP with an AUC of 0.866. A cut-off of 120 had an 83.6% sensitivity and a 75% specificity for MTV, and pts with a score value of <120 had a markedly lower rate of MTV (log-rank p<0.001). When compared to HFSS, our score presented a higher PP (0.866 vs 0.774, p=0.011).

Conclusion

A multivariable score based on readily available CPET Vs provides a simple, integrated and powerful method to predict HF events.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

Upfront surgery versus self-expanding metallic stent as bridge to surgery in left-sided colonic cancer obstruction: A multicenter observational study

BACKGROUND

Oncological outcomes of self-expanding metallic stent used as a bridge to surgery in potential curative patients with left-sided colonic cancer obstruction remain unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate perioperative and mid-term oncological outcomes of 2 of the currently most commonly performed treatments in left-sided colonic cancer obstruction.

METHODS

This is a retrospective multicenter study including patients with left-sided colonic cancer obstruction treated with curative intent between 2013 and 2017. The presence of metastasis at diagnosis was an exclusion criterion. The primary outcome was to evaluate the noninferiority, in terms of overall survival, of bridge to surgery strategy compared with emergency colonic resection. The secondary outcomes were perioperative morbimortality, disease free survival, local recurrence, and distant recurrence.

RESULTS

A total of 564 patients were included, 320 in the emergency colonic resection group and 244 in the bridge to surgery group. Twenty-seven patients of the bridge-to-surgery group needed urgent operation. Postoperative morbidity rates were statistically higher in the emergency colonic resection group (odds ratio [95% confidence interval] 0.37 [0.24-0.55], P < .001). There was no difference in 90-day mortality between groups (odds ratio [95% confidence interval] 0.85 [0.36-1.99], P = .702). The median follow-up was 3.80 years (2.29-4.92). The results show the noninferiority of bridge to surgery versus emergency colonic resection in terms of overall survival (hazard ratio [95% confidence interval) 0.78 [0.56-1.07], P = .127). There were no differences in disease free survival, distant recurrence, and local recurrence rates between bridge to surgery and emergency colonic resection groups.

CONCLUSION

Self-expanding metallic stent as bridge to surgery might not lead to a negative impact on the long-term prognosis of the tumor compared with emergency colonic resection in expert hands and selected patients.

Usefulness of myocardial work to predict long-term hard cardiovascular outcomes after ST-segment elevation acute myocardial infarction

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: None.

Background

 Left ventricular (LV) global longitudinal strain has demonstrated incremental prognostic value over LV ejection fraction (LVEF) in patients with ST-segment-elevation acute myocardial infarction. However, LV global longitudinal strain (GLS) does not take into consideration the effect of afterload. Myocardial work (MW) by speckle-tracking echocardiography integrates blood pressure measurements (afterload) with LV GLS and it has been recently demonstrated that Global Work Efficiency (GWE) predicts long-term all-cause mortality. It remains to be demonstrated if MW indices are associated with hard cardiovascular endpoints. The present study aimed to investigate the prognostic value of LV MW obtained from pressure-strain loops with echocardiography in patients with ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction.

Methods

 A total of 132 consecutive patients admitted with an ST-segment-elevation acute myocardial infarction (mean age 62 ± 12 years; 76% men) that survived to discharge were retrospectively analysed. LVEF, GLS and all LVMW indices were measured by transthoracic echocardiography before discharge (4.9 ± 2.4 days after admission). All patients had at least a two-year follow-up (mean follow-up of 820 ± 155 days). Outcomes: all-cause mortality, major acute cardiovascular events (a composite of cardiovascular mortality, myocardial infarction, stroke, unplanned cardiovascular admission) and heart failure hospitalization.

Results

 In the two-year follow-up, 6 patients died, there were 18 patients with MACE, and 3 patients were hospitalized with heart failure. We confirmed that for all-cause mortality, GWE and GWI showed better discrimination compared to GLS (Table), with a cut-off of 83% and 1066 mmHg% (log-rank &lt; 0,001) respectively. However, ROC curve comparisons were not significantly different. For MACE, the performance of all methods is suboptimal, with an AUC &lt; 0.65 for all variables, except for GLS. For heart failure admission, performance is slightly better, but GLS is still the best parameter to predict this event.

Conclusions

 LVGWE and GWI are better predictors of all-cause mortality compared to GLS, but MW indices failed to demonstrate a prognostic impact in long-term cardiovascular events. Prospective studies are warranted to confirm this finding. Abstract Figure.

What are the predictors of heart failure in patients admitted with acute coronary syndrome? Data from a large national registry

Background

Heart failure (HF) is a serious and frequent complication of acute myocardial infarction with important impact in outcome. Early treatment according to contemporaneous guidelines is essential to avoid that complication. Previous ischemic heart disease and HF are important predictors. Our objective is to identify additional predictors of HF in patients admitted with acute coronary syndrome (ACS).

Methods

Analysis of all consecutive patients prospectively included in a large national registry of ACS. Patients with a previous history of ACS, myocardial revascularization or heart failure were excluded from the analysis. The group that developed HF was compared with the group without HF and multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify independent predictors of HF during hospitalization (Killip class &gt;1).

Results

A total of 19,248 patients were included, and 17.3% developed HF during hospitalization. Patients with HF were older, less often males and smokers, and more often with hypertension and diabetes, as well as other comorbidities (p&lt;0.001). ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), atrial fibrillation, mechanical and electrical complications are also more frequent. Patients that developed HF have higher in-hospital mortality (0.9% vs. 12.1%). Independent predictors of HF are female gender (OR 1.64, 95% CI 1.15–2.33), age (1.42, 1.25–1.62, per 10-year increase) diabetes (1.97, 1.44–2.69), atrial fibrillation (2.65,1.66–4.23), STEMI (2.30, 1.70–3.10), multivessel disease (1.52, 1.13–2.05) and initial admission in a hospital without catheterization laboratory as a protective factor (0.71, 0.52–0.96). In STEMI patients, anterior location is also an independent predictor.

Conclusions

In patients admitted with a first ACS and without previous ischemic heart disease or heart failure, female gender, increasing age, diabetes, atrial fibrillation, STEMI and multivessel disease are the main predictors of worst outcome and these patients should be treated more aggressively to avoid HF development.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

Myocardial Work and long-term prognosis in patients after ST-segment elevation acute myocardial infarction

Background

Left ventricular (LV) global longitudinal strain has demonstrated incremental prognostic value over LV ejection fraction (LVEF) in patients with ST-segment-elevation acute myocardial infarction. However, LV global longitudinal strain (GLS) does not take into consideration the effect of afterload. Myocardial work (MW) by speckle-tracking echocardiography integrates blood pressure measurements (afterload) with LV GLS and it has been recently demonstrated that Global Work Efficiency (GWE) is associated with long-term all-cause mortality. It remains to be demonstrated if MW indices are associated with hard cardiovascular endpoints. The present study aimed to investigate the prognostic value of global LV MW obtained from pressure-strain loops with echocardiography in patients with ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction.

Methods

A total of 100 consecutive ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction patients (mean age, 61±12 years; 75% men) that survived to discharge were retrospectively analysed. LVEF, GLS and all LVMW indices were measured by transthoracic echocardiography before discharge (4.6±2.0 days after admission). All patients had at least a two-year follow-up (mean follow-up of 833±172 days). Outcomes: all-cause mortality, major acute cardiovascular events (a composite of cardiovascular mortality, myocardial infarction, stroke, unplanned cardiovascular admission) and heart failure hospitalization.

Results

In the two-year follow-up, 6 patients died, there were 17 patients with MACE, and 3 patients were hospitalized with heart failure. We confirmed that for all-cause mortality, GWE showed higher discrimination, compared to GLS (Table 1), with a cut-off of 83% (log-rank &lt;0,001). For MACE, the performance of all methods is suboptimal, with an AUC &lt;0.65 for all variables, except for GLS. For heart failure admission, performance is slightly better, but GLS is still the better parameter to predict this event.

Conclusions

LVGWE is a better predictor of all-cause mortality compared to GLS, but MW indices failed to demonstrate a prognostic impact in long-term cardiovascular events. Prospective studies are warranted to confirm this finding.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None. Table 1

Predictive ability of cardiopulmonary exercise test parameters in heart failure patients with cardiac resynchronization therapy

Introduction

There is evidence suggesting that a peak oxygen uptake (pVO2) cut-off of 10ml/kg/min provides a more precise risk stratification in Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy (CRT) patients. Our aim was to compare the prognostic power of several cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) parameters in patients with CRT and assess the discriminative ability of the guideline-recommended pVO2 cut-off values.

Methods

Prospective evaluation of consecutive heart failure (HF) patients with left ventricular ejection fraction ≤40%. The primary endpoint was a composite of cardiac death and urgent heart transplantation (HT) in the first 24 follow-up months and was analyzed by several CPET parameters for the highest area under thecurve (AUC) in the CRT group. A survival analysis was performed to evaluate the risk stratification provided by several different cut-offs.

Results

A total of 450 HF patients, of which 114 had a CRT device. These patients had a higher baseline risk profile, but there was no difference regarding the primary outcome (13.2% vs 11.6%, p=0.660). End-tidal carbon dioxide pressure at the anaerobic threshold (PETCO2AT) had the highest AUC value, which was significantly higher than that of pVO2 in the CRT group (0.951 vs 0.778, p=0.046). The currently recommended pVO2 cut-off provided accurate risk stratification in this setting (p&lt;0.001),and the suggested cut-off value of 10 ml/min/kg did not improve risk discrimination in device patients (p=0.772).

Conclusion

PETCO2AT outperforms pVO2's prognostic power for adverse events in CRT patients. The current guideline-recommended pVO2 cut-off can precisely risk-stratify this population.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

Can we simplify or improve long-term risk stratification for patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction undergoing primary intervention?

Background

Various scores have been developed to predict early to mid-term prognosis after ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). The aim of this study was to compare the predictive value of 7 popular risks scores for the long-term outcome of STEMI patients undergoing primary intervention, and to find an easy model with similar or superior predictive and discriminative ability.

Methods

Patients who underwent primary PCI from January 2003 through August 2007 in a single tertiary-center were analysed (n=665) using a dedicated prospective registry. Global Registry for Acute Coronary Events (GRACE), GRACE 6 months, Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) STEMI, dynamic TIMI, TIMI risk index, Primary Angioplasty in Myocardial Infarction (PAMI) and Zwolle primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) index were calculated for each patient. We assessed, through the C statistic in receiver-operating characteristic analysis, the predictive accuracy of these scores using all-cause mortality at 5 year as an endpoint. With multivariate regression analysis the variables with highest predictive ability were applied to build a model.

Results

All-cause mortality at 5 years after primary PCI was 22.1%. The risk scores showed moderate predictive ability, GRACE (0.759, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.712–0.805), GRACE 6 months (0.802, 95% CI 0.759–0.845), TIMI STEMI (0.744, 95% CI 0.696–0.791), dynamic TIMI (0.774, 95% CI 0.727–0.820), TIMI risk index (0.757, 95% CI 0.710–0.803), PAMI (0.753, 95% CI 0.707–0.800) and Zwolle index (0.749, 95% CI 0.703–0.795). Six independent predictors of 5-year mortality were identified (age &gt;70 years, history of MI, history of stroke, heart tare above 85 beats per min, 3-vessel disease and in-hospital adverse events) and the model built had similar discriminative performance in estimation of probabilities of death (0.804, 95% CI 0.762–0.846, p=0.953 for difference with GRACE score).

Conclusions

The prediction values of currently recommended risk scores are moderate for long-term perspective (5-year). The simplified risk stratification score for STEMI and primary angioplasty using only six variables demonstrates accuracy similar to the more advanced risk scores.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

Is Metformin Associated With Improved Response to Neoadjuvant Chemoradiotherapy in Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer?

Efforts to determine whether metformin can increase the effectiveness of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy in rectal cancer have increased in recent years. However, retrospective studies have yielded inconclusive results.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to compare oncological outcomes and survival after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy in patients with rectal cancer taking metformin versus in those not taking metformin.

METHODS

This study analyzed 423 consecutive patients with locally advanced rectal cancer who underwent neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy and curative surgery between January 2010 and May 2020; of these, 59 were taking metformin and 364 were not taking metformin.

RESULTS

Patients taking metformin had a lower proportion of tumor regression (6.8% versus 22.0%, P = 0.012) as well as a lower proportion of patients achieving a pathological complete response (6.8% versus 20.6%, P = 0.011). In the multivariate analysis, independent predictors of pathologic complete response were not taking metformin (OR: 5.26, 95% CI: 1.12-24.85, P= 0.035) and cT2 stage (OR: 3.49, 95% CI: 1.10-11.07, P= 0.034); the interval was also an independent predictor of tumor regression (OR: 1.78, 95% CI: 1.06-2.96, P= 0.028). No differences were observed in survival between groups.

CONCLUSION

Metformin was not associated with better tumor responses or survival after neoadjuvant treatment.

Prognostic value of the cardiorespiratory optimal point during submaximal exercise testing

Background

Peak oxygen consumption (pVO2) is a key parameter in assessing the prognosis of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) patients (pts). However, it is a less reliable parameter when the cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) is not maximal. It is crucial to identify the submaximal exercise variables with the best prognostic power (PP), in order to improve the management of pts that cannot attain a maximal CPET.

Purpose

The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the PP of several exercise parameters in submaximal CPET for risk stratification in pts with HFrEF.

Methods

Prospective evaluation of adult pts with HFrEF submitted to CPET in a tertiary center. A submaximal CPET was defined by a respiratory exchange ratio (RER) ≤1.10. Pts were followed up for at least 1 year for the primary endpoint of cardiac death and urgent heart transplantation/ ventricular assist device implantation. Several CPET parameters were analyzed as potential predictors of the combined endpoint and their PP (area under the curve - AUC) was compared to that of pVO2, using the Hanley and McNeil test.

Results

CPET was performed in 487 HF pts, of which 317 (66%) performed a submaximal CPET. Pts averaged 57±12 years of age, 77% were male, 45.7% had ischemic cardiomyopathy, with a mean LVEF of 30.4±7.6%, a mean heart failure survival score of 8.6±1.1. The mean pVO2 was 17.1±5.5 ml/kg/min and the mean RER 1.01±0.08. During a mean follow-up (FU) time of 11±1 months, 18 pts (6%) met the primary endpoint. Cardiorespiratory optimal point (OP - VE/VO2) had the highest AUC value (0.915, p=0.001), followed by the partial pressure of end-tidal CO2 at the anaerobic threshold - PETCO2L (0.814, p&lt;0.001). pVO2 presented an AUC of 0.730 (p=0.001). OP≥31 and PETCO2L ≤37mmHg had a sensitivity of 100 and 76.9% and a specificity of 71.1 and 67%, respectively, for the primary outcome. OP presented a significantly higher PP than pVO2 (p=0.048), whether PETCO2L didn't achieve any statistical significance (p=0.164). Pts with anOP≥31 presented a significantly lower survival free of HT during FU (log rank p=0.002).

Conclusion

OP had the highest PP for HF events of all parameters analyzed for a submaximal CPET. This parameter can help stratify the HF pts physiologically unable to reach a peak level of exercise.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

Randomized clinical trial comparing side to end vs end to end techniques for colorectal anastomosis

BACKGROUND

Low anterior resection syndrome affects 60%-90% of patients with anastomoses after colorectal resection. Consensus regarding the best anastomosis is lacking.

OBJECTIVE

To compare outcomes after end-to-end versus side-to-end anastomoses.

DESIGN

Randomized clinical trial.

SETTINGS

University hospital (April 2016-October 2017).

PATIENTS

Patients aged ≥18 years with rectal or sigmoid adenocarcinoma.

INTERVENTIONS

Patients were randomized to undergo mechanical end-to-end or side-to-end (n = 33) anastomosis after laparoscopic resection.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Primary outcome was to assess intestinal function (COREFO and LARS questionnaires) 12 months after surgery or ileostomy closure. Secondary outcomes were postoperative complications and intestinal function and quality of life (SF-36® questionnaire) at different time points after surgery or ileostomy closure.

RESULTS

No significant differences in intestinal function were observed between the two groups 12 months after surgery. Subanalysis of low-mid rectum tumors with end-to-end anastomosis yielded better function at 12 months. Postoperative complications did not differ between the two groups (p = 0.070), but reinterventions were more common in the side-to-end group (p = 0.040). Multivariate analysis found neoadjuvant treatment was independently associated with intestinal dysfunction at 12 months (β = 0.41, p = 0.033, COREFO; β = 0.41, p = 0.024, LARS).

CONCLUSIONS

End-to-end anastomosis yielded low rates of severe complications and reintervention, as well as better intestinal function at 12 months in the subgroup with tumors in the low-mid rectum.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT02746224.

Incidence and characterization of the anterior resection syndrome through the use of the LARS scale (low anterior resection score)

INTRODUCTION

Recently a score (LARS) has been internationally validates that quantifies the anterior resection syndrome (ARS). The objective of this study is to know the incidence and severity of the ARS using LARS and its correlation with selected variables or risk factors.

METHODS

All operated patients with anterior resection for rectal cancer between October 2007 and February 2014, with curative intention and at least one year of functionality, were sent a LARS questionnaire. The variables studied were: Age sex, time elapsed since surgery, type of surgical approach, type of anastomosis, derivative ileostomy, postoperative pelvic complication, and radiotherapy regimen.

RESULTS

Out of 195 patients, 136 (70%) responded, and 132 responded properly. A total of 47% of the patients presented "severe" LARS and 34% did not develop quantifiable ARS. Quality of life was worse in the highest LARS scores (P=.002). In the univariate analysis, total mesorectal excision, long radiotherapy regimen and derivative stoma were associated to "severe" LARS and the use of a reservoir was associated with minor LARS. In multivariate analysis only the type of resection (P<.001) and the use of a reservoir (P=.002) were individual factors related to LARS.

CONCLUSIONS

Half of the operated patients presented high LARS score and only a third did not provide a quantifiable ARS. The overall perception of quality of life was significantly worse in patients with more severe LARS. The absence of the rectum (total mesorectal excision) and the type of anastomosis were the main factors associated with the LARS score.