ABSTRACT
Background Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is now a common procedure to treat and improve quality of life, clinical outcomes, and self-sufficiency in high-risk patients with aortic stenosis, and its use has been expanding rapidly in younger and low-risk populations. The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcomes, trends, and predictors of major bleeding in patients undergoing TAVR. Methodology We utilized the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) data from the year 2015 to 2018. International Classification of Disease 10 codes were utilized to extract data. Baseline characteristics were compared using Pearson's chi-square test for categorical variables and independent samples t-test for continuous variables. A multivariable logistic regression model was used to evaluate the predictors of major bleeding. Propensity matching was done for adjusted analysis to compare outcomes in TAVR with and without major bleeding. The outcomes of interest in this study were (1) predictors of major bleeding after TAVR; (2) in-hospital mortality; and (3) resource utilization in terms of cost and length of stay. Results A total of 34,752 weighted hospitalizations for TAVR were included in the analysis. Of the patients undergoing the procedure, 2,294 (6.6%) had a major bleed while 32,458 (93.3%) did not. At baseline, patients with coagulopathy (odds ratio [OR]: 2.03; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.82-2.27), congestive heart failure (OR: 1.26; 95% CI: 1.13-1.40), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (OR: 1.41; 95% CI: 1.29-1.55), liver disease (OR: 1.96; 95% CI: 1.61-2.39), peripheral vascular disease (OR: 1.29; 95% CI: 1.17-1.43), cerebrovascular disease (OR: 1.22; 95% CI: 1.07-1.38), end-stage renal disease (ESRD) (OR: 2.17; 95% CI: 1.82-2.59), and coronary artery disease (OR: 1.17; 95% Cl: 1.06-1.30) had higher adjusted rates of odds of major bleeding. Patients who had major bleeding had a higher median cost of stay (US$60,326 vs. US$45490) and length of stay (seven vs. three days). Conclusions Mortality is higher in patients with major bleeding, and at baseline, coagulopathy and ESRD are significant predictors of a major bleed in patients undergoing TAVR.
ABSTRACT
Enhanced External Counterpulsation (EECP) is a non-invasive FDA approved therapy for patients with refractory angina pectoris. The EECP mechanism of action is similar to that of an intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) by administering a vigorous pressure pulse via external blood pressure cuffs during the diastole. The benefit of EECP includes improvement in angina severity, angina stability, maximal walking capacity and generalized improvement in overall health. Seatle Angina Questionnaire (SAQ) is a valid, reliable and sensitive measure of health-related quality of life. It is also a sensitive and reproducible evaluation tool to measure the response to an intervention. We did a pre-test post-test designed prospective study to evaluate the effect of EECP on the quality of life in patients with CAD. There was a significant difference between SAQ-7 health-related quality of life between the pre-EECP and post-EECP groups (P value= <0.01). Moreover, a positive correlation was reported between the New York Heart Association (NYHA) Functional Classification before treatment and post-EECP SAQ-7 health-related quality of life (P value=0.015).
