Results of a Study Comparing Glycated Albumin to Other Glycemic Indices.

CONTEXT: Intermediate-term glycemic control metrics fulfill a need for measures beyond hemoglobin A1C. OBJECTIVE: Compare glycated albumin (GA), a 14-day blood glucose measure, with other glycemic indices. DESIGN: 24-week prospective study of assay performance. SETTING: 8 US clinics. PARTICIPANTS: Subjects with type 1 (n = 73) and type 2 diabetes (n = 77) undergoing changes to improve glycemic control (n = 98) or with stable diabetes therapy (n = 52). INTERVENTIONS: GA, fructosamine, and A1C measured at prespecified intervals. Mean blood glucose (MBG) calculated using weekly self-monitored blood glucose profiles. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Primary: Pearson correlation between GA and fructosamine. Secondary: magnitude (Spearman correlation) and direction (Kendall correlation) of change of glycemic indices in the first 3 months after a change in diabetes management. RESULTS: GA was more concordant (60.8%) with changes in MBG than fructosamine (55.5%) or A1C (45.5%). Across all subjects and visits, the GA Pearson correlation with fructosamine was 0.920. Pearson correlations with A1C were 0.655 for GA and 0.515 for fructosamine (P < .001) and with MBG were 0.590 and 0.454, respectively (P < .001). At the individual subject level, Pearson correlations with both A1C and MBG were higher for GA than for fructosamine in 56% of subjects; only 4% of subjects had higher fructosamine correlations with A1C and MBG. GA had a higher Pearson correlation with A1C and MBG in 82% and 70% of subjects, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with fructosamine, GA correlates significantly better with both short-term MBG and long-term A1C and may be more useful than fructosamine in clinical situations requiring monitoring of intermediate-term glycemic control (NCT02489773).

GLYCATED ALBUMIN AT 4 WEEKS CORRELATES WITH A1C LEVELS AT 12 WEEKS AND REFLECTS SHORT-TERM GLUCOSE FLUCTUATIONS.

OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the performance of glycated albumin (GA) monitoring by comparing it to other measures of glycemic control during intensification of antidiabetic therapy. METHODS: This 12-week, prospective, multicenter study compared the diagnostic clinical performance of GA to glycated hemoglobin A1C (A1C), fructosamine corrected for albumin (FRA), fasting plasma glucose (FPG), and mean blood glucose (MBG) estimated from self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) and continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) in 30 patients with suboptimally controlled type 1 or 2 diabetes. RESULTS: Mean A1C decreased from 9.5% to 8.1%. Mean SMBG correlated closely with CGM (Pearson r = 0.783 for daily estimates and r = 0.746 for weekly estimates, P<.0001). Both GA and FRA levels significantly correlated with changes from baseline in A1C and mean weekly SMBG (P<.001). The lowest observed median GA occurred at 4 weeks, followed by a small increase and then a slight reduction, mirroring changes in overall mean SMBG values. The median A1C fell throughout the treatment period, failing to reflect short-term changes in SMBG. A ≥1% reduction in GA at 4 weeks was significantly associated with a ≥0.5% change in A1C at 12 weeks (odds ratio [OR] = 19.0, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.4, 944, P = .018). CONCLUSION: In patients receiving glucose-lowering therapy, changes in GA at 4 weeks were concordant with changes in A1C at 12 weeks, and both GA and FRA more accurately reflected short-term blood glucose fluctuations than A1C.

Early Detection of Lung Cancer with Meso Tetra (4-Carboxyphenyl) Porphyrin-Labeled Sputum.

INTRODUCTION: Early detection of lung cancer in high-risk individuals reduces mortality. Low-dose spiral computed tomography (LDCT) is the current standard but suffers from an exceedingly high false-positive rate (>96%) leading to unnecessary and potentially dangerous procedures. We, therefore, set out to develop a simple, noninvasive, and quantitative assay to detect lung cancer. METHODS: This proof-of-concept study evaluated the sensitivity/specificity of the CyPath Early Lung Cancer Detection Assay to correctly classify LDCT-confirmed cohorts of high-risk control (n = 102) and cancer (n = 26) subjects. Fluorescence intensity parameters of red fluorescent cells (RFCs) from tetra (4-carboxyphenyl) porphyrin (TCPP)-labeled lung sputum samples and subjects' baseline characteristics were assessed for their predictive power by multivariable logistic regression. A receiver operating characteristic curve was constructed to evaluate the sensitivity/specificity of the CyPath assay. RESULTS: RFCs were detectable in cancer subjects more often than in high-risk ones (p = 0.015), and their characteristics differed between cohorts. Two independent predictors of cancer were the mean of RFC average fluorescence intensity/area per subject (p < 0.001) and years smoked (p = 0.003). The CyPath-based classifier had an overall accuracy of 81% in the test population; false-positive rate of 40% and negative predictive value of 83%. CONCLUSIONS: The tetra (4-carboxyphenyl) porphyrin -based CyPath assay correctly classified study participants into cancer or high-risk cohorts with considerable accuracy. Optimizing sputum collection, sample reading, and refining the classifier should improve sensitivity and specificity. The CyPath assay thus has the potential to complement LDCT screening or serve as a stand-alone approach for early lung cancer detection.

Phrenic nerve stimulation for the treatment of central sleep apnea.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate chronic, transvenous, unilateral phrenic nerve stimulation to treat central sleep apnea (CSA) in a prospective, multicenter, nonrandomized study. BACKGROUND: CSA occurs predominantly in patients with heart failure and increases the risk for morbidity and mortality. Established therapies for CSA are lacking, and those available are limited by poor patient adherence. METHODS: Fifty-seven patients with CSA underwent baseline polysomnography followed by transvenous phrenic nerve stimulation system implantation and follow-up. Feasibility was assessed by implantation success rate and therapy delivery. Safety was evaluated by monitoring of device- and procedure-related adverse events. Efficacy was evaluated by changes in the apnea-hypopnea index at 3 months. Quality of life at 6 months was evaluated using a sleepiness questionnaire, patient global assessment, and, in patients with heart failure at baseline, the Minnesota Living With Heart Failure Questionnaire. RESULTS: The study met its primary end point, demonstrating a 55% reduction in apnea-hypopnea index from baseline to 3 months (49.5 ± 14.6 episodes/h vs. 22.4 ± 13.6 episodes/h of sleep; p < 0.0001; 95% confidence interval for change: -32.3 to -21.9). Central apnea index, oxygenation, and arousals significantly improved. Favorable effects on quality of life and sleepiness were noted. In patients with heart failure, the Minnesota Living With Heart Failure Questionnaire score significantly improved. Device- or procedure-related serious adverse events occurred in 26% of patients through 6 months post therapy initiation, predominantly due to lead repositioning early in the study. Therapy was well tolerated. Efficacy was maintained at 6 months. CONCLUSIONS: Transvenous, unilateral phrenic nerve stimulation appears safe and effective for treating CSA. These findings should be confirmed in a prospective, randomized, controlled trial. (Chronic Evaluation of Respicardia Therapy; NCT01124370).

REPLACE DARE (Death After Replacement Evaluation) score: determinants of all-cause mortality after implantable device replacement or upgrade from the REPLACE registry.

BACKGROUND: Identifying factors predictive of mortality may be important to decrease risk associated with cardiac implantable electrical device (CIED) replacement procedures. This study aimed to determine whether clinical factors and complications independently associate with death and to develop a mortality risk prediction tool after CIED replacement. METHODS AND RESULTS: The prospective REPLACE Registry determined 6-month complication and mortality rates after CIED replacement with or without planned lead addition or revision. Vital status was collected. Kaplan-Meier survival and multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression analyses were performed to identify patient, procedural, or complication variables predictive of death. The REPLACE DARE (Death After Replacement Evaluation) Score was constructed using hazard ratios, reflecting relative risk contributions of each variable, combined into an additive mortality risk score equation. At 6 months, 70 of 1744 (4.0%) patients had died. Cox regression analysis found no significant association between major complications and death. However, recent heart failure admission, New York Heart Association class III/IV, antiarrhythmic drug use, cerebrovascular disease, and chronic kidney disease stage were independently associated with 6-month mortality. The REPLACE DARE Score was 2.0±1.4 in survivors versus 3.5±1.8 in nonsurvivors (P<0.001), with predictive receiver operating characteristic value=0.758 (P<0.001). Risk of death was 1.0% for DARE=0 and 55.6% for DARE=7. The hazard ratio was 1.8 for each change of 1 DARE unit. CONCLUSIONS: Comorbidities, but not complications, were significantly associated with mortality after CIED replacement. The REPLACE DARE Score is a novel tool that can identify patients with substantial mortality risk. Such patients should have the relative risk and benefit of their procedure considered carefully. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT00395447.

Incidence and significance of early recurrences of atrial fibrillation after cryoballoon ablation: insights from the multicenter Sustained Treatment of Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation (STOP AF) Trial.

BACKGROUND: Early recurrence of atrial fibrillation (ERAF) is common after radiofrequency catheter ablation for AF. We sought to determine the incidence and prognostic significance of ERAF after cryoballoon ablation. Moreover, the benefit of early reablation for ERAF after cryoballoon ablation is undetermined. METHODS AND RESULTS: The Sustained Treatment of Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation (STOP AF) trial randomized 245 patients with paroxysmal AF to medical therapy versus cryoballoon-based pulmonary vein ablation. Patients were followed for 12 months. ERAF was defined as any recurrence of AF >30 seconds during the first 3 months of follow-up. Late recurrence (LR) was defined as any recurrence of AF >30 seconds between 3 and 12 months. Of the 163 patients randomized to cryoablation, 84 patients experienced ERAF (51.5%). The only significant factor associated with ERAF was male sex (hazard ratio [HR], 2.18; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.03-4.61; P=0.041). LR was observed in 41 patients (25.1%), and was significantly related to ERAF (55.6% LR with ERAF versus 12.7% without ERAF; P<0.001). Among patients with ERAF, only current tobacco use (HR, 3.84; 95% CI, 1.82-8.11; P<0.001) was associated with LR. Conversely, early reablation was associated with greater freedom from LR (3.3% LR with early reablation versus 55.6% without; HR, 0.04; 95% CI, 0.01-0.32; P=0.002). CONCLUSIONS: ERAF after cryoballoon ablation occurs in ≈50% of patients and is strongly associated with LR. Early reablation for ERAF is associated with excellent long-term freedom from recurrent AF.

Treatment of non-traumatic out-of-hospital cardiac arrest with active compression decompression cardiopulmonary resuscitation plus an impedance threshold device.

BACKGROUND: A recent out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) clinical trial showed improved survival to hospital discharge (HD) with favorable neurologic function for patients with cardiac arrest of cardiac origin treated with active compression decompression cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) plus an impedance threshold device (ACD+ICD) versus standard (S) CPR. The current analysis examined whether treatment with ACD+ITD is more effective than standard (S-CPR) for all cardiac arrests of non-traumatic origin, regardless of the etiology. METHODS: This is a secondary analysis of data from a randomized, prospective, multicenter, intention-to-treat, OHCA clinical trial. Adults with presumed non-traumatic cardiac arrest were enrolled and followed for one year post arrest. The primary endpoint was survival to hospital discharge (HD) with favorable neurologic function (Modified Rankin Scale score ≤ 3). RESULTS: Between October 2005 and July 2009, 2738 patients were enrolled (S-CPR=1335; ACD+ITD=1403). Survival to HD with favorable neurologic function was greater with ACD+ITD compared with S-CPR: 7.9% versus 5.7%, (OR 1.42, 95% CI 1.04, 1.95, p=0.027). One-year survival was also greater: 7.9% versus 5.7%, (OR 1.43, 95% CI 1.04, 1.96, p=0.026). Nearly all survivors in both groups had returned to their baseline neurological function by one year. Major adverse event rates were similar between groups. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment of out-of-hospital non-traumatic cardiac arrest patients with ACD+ITD resulted in a significant increase in survival to hospital discharge with favorable neurological function when compared with S-CPR. A significant increase survival rates was observed up to one year after arrest in subjects treated with ACD+ITD, regardless of the etiology of the cardiac arrest.

Cryoballoon ablation of pulmonary veins for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation: first results of the North American Arctic Front (STOP AF) pivotal trial.

OBJECTIVES: This study sought to assess the safety and effectiveness of a novel cryoballoon ablation technology designed to achieve single-delivery pulmonary vein (PV) isolation. BACKGROUND: Standard radiofrequency ablation is effective in eliminating atrial fibrillation (AF) but requires multiple lesion delivery at the risk of significant complications. METHODS: Patients with documented symptomatic paroxysmal AF and previously failed therapy with ≥ 1 membrane active antiarrhythmic drug underwent 2:1 randomization to either cryoballoon ablation (n = 163) or drug therapy (n = 82). A 90-day blanking period allowed for optimization of antiarrhythmic drug therapy and reablation if necessary. Effectiveness of the cryoablation procedure versus drug therapy was determined at 12 months. RESULTS: Patients had highly symptomatic AF (78% paroxysmal, 22% early persistent) and experienced failure of at least one antiarrhythmic drug. Cryoablation produced acute isolation of three or more PVs in 98.2% and all four PVs in 97.6% of patients. PVs isolation was achieved with the balloon catheter alone in 83%. At 12 months, treatment success was 69.9% (114 of 163) of cryoblation patients compared with 7.3% of antiarrhythmic drug patients (absolute difference, 62.6% [p < 0.001]). Sixty-five (79%) drug-treated patients crossed over to cryoablation during 12 months of study follow-up due to recurrent, symptomatic AF, constituting drug treatment failure. There were 7 of the resulting 228 cryoablated patients (3.1%) with a >75% reduction in PV area during 12 months of follow-up. Twenty-nine of 259 procedures (11.2%) were associated with phrenic nerve palsy as determined by radiographic screening; 25 of these had resolved by 12 months. Cryoablation patients had significantly improved symptoms at 12 months. CONCLUSIONS: The STOP AF trial demonstrated that cryoballoon ablation is a safe and effective alternative to antiarrhythmic medication for the treatment of patients with symptomatic paroxysmal AF, for whom at least one antiarrhythmic drug has failed, with risks within accepted standards for ablation therapy. (A Clinical Study of the Arctic Front Cryoablation Balloon for the Treatment of Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation [Stop AF]; NCT00523978).

Prospective evaluation of elastic restraint to lessen the effects of heart failure (PEERLESS-HF) trial.

BACKGROUND: Left ventricular (LV) remodeling predicts poor outcomes in heart failure (HF) patients. The HeartNet(®) cardiac restraint device (Paracor Medical Inc., Sunnyvale, CA) may reduce LV remodeling and improve functional capacity, quality of life, and outcomes in HF patients. To evaluate the safety and efficacy of the HeartNet Ventricular Support System in HF patients receiving optimal medical therapy. METHODS AND RESULTS: Prospective, randomized, controlled, multicenter trial in patients with symptomatic HF and LV ejection fraction ≤35% on optimal medical and device therapy. The primary efficacy end points were changes in peak VO(2), 6-minute walk (6MW) distance, and Minnesota Living with Heart Failure (MLWHF) quality of life score at 6 months. The primary safety end point was all-cause mortality at 12 months. Because the planned adaptive interim analysis of the first 122 subjects with a completed 6-month follow-up indicated futility to reach the peak VO(2) end point, trial enrollment was suspended. Hence, the results on the 96 treatment and 114 control subjects are reported. Groups were similar at baseline. At 6 months, responder frequency for a prespecified improvement was similar between groups for peak VO(2) (P = .502) and MLWHF score (P = .184) but borderline higher for improvement in 6MW distance in the treatment compared with the control group (33 [38%] vs. 25 [25%]; P = .044). At 6 months, the treatment group had a significantly greater improvement in Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ) (P < .001) and decrease in LV mass (P = .032), LV end-diastolic diameter (P = .015), LV end-systolic diameter (P = .032), and LV end-diastolic volume (P = .031) as compared with controls. At 12 months, all-cause mortality and responder rates were similar in the 2 groups. Success rate for the HeartNet implantation was 99%. CONCLUSION: Enrollment in the trial was stopped because an interim analysis showed futility of reaching the peak VO(2) end point. However, because of the device safety and favorable signals for LV remodeling and quality of life, further investigation of this device is warranted.

Cardiovascular implantable electronic device replacement infections and prevention: results from the REPLACE Registry.

BACKGROUND: Infection following cardiovascular implantable electronic device (CIED) replacement is a serious complication, and rates of infection have increased. Analysis of procedural and clinical data from device replacement procedures collected by the REPLACE Registry may provide insights into infection prevention strategies and outcomes. METHODS: We prospectively evaluated procedural complications in patients undergoing CIED replacement over 6 months from 72 U.S. sites. Major and minor infections were predefined and adjudicated by an independent blinded clinical events committee. Data regarding infection prevention strategies and infectious outcomes were analyzed for their potential relationships. RESULTS: A total of 1,744 patients were included in REPLACE. All patients received preoperative intravenous antibiotics and 68.7% received postoperative systemic antibiotic therapy. CIED infection developed in 22 patients (1.3%), of which 14 cases were major (0.8%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.4%-1.3%) and eight were minor (0.5%, 95% CI 0.2%-0.9%). Patients with infections were more likely to have had postoperative hematomas (five of 22 [22.7%] vs 17 of 1,722 [0.98%], P = 0.002). Participating sites experiencing infection rates >5% were more likely to use povidone-iodine for topical antisepsis, had lower implantation volume, and had patients with higher Charlson Comorbidity Index (2.79 vs 2.32, 95% CI for difference 0.08-0.86, P = 0.019). CONCLUSIONS: In this multicenter prospective study with 6 months of follow-up, infections associated with CIED replacements were surprisingly infrequent, possibly due to the use of preoperative antibiotics. Patients with infections were more likely to have had a postoperative hematoma, and sites with higher infection rates had sicker patients and lower overall procedural volume.

Standard cardiopulmonary resuscitation versus active compression-decompression cardiopulmonary resuscitation with augmentation of negative intrathoracic pressure for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: a randomised trial.

BACKGROUND: Active compression-decompression cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) with decreased intrathoracic pressure in the decompression phase can lead to improved haemodynamics compared with standard CPR. We aimed to assess effectiveness and safety of this intervention on survival with favourable neurological function after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. METHODS: In our randomised trial of 46 emergency medical service agencies (serving 2·3 million people) in urban, suburban, and rural areas of the USA, we assessed outcomes for patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest according to Utstein guidelines. We provisionally enrolled patients to receive standard CPR or active compression-decompression CPR with augmented negative intrathoracic pressure (via an impedance-threshold device) with a computer-generated block randomisation weekly schedule in a one-to-one ratio. Adults (presumed age or age ≥18 years) who had a non-traumatic arrest of presumed cardiac cause and met initial and final selection criteria received designated CPR and were included in the final analyses. The primary endpoint was survival to hospital discharge with favourable neurological function (modified Rankin scale score of ≤3). All investigators apart from initial rescuers were masked to treatment group assignment. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00189423. FINDINGS: 2470 provisionally enrolled patients were randomly allocated to treatment groups. 813 (68%) of 1201 patients assigned to the standard CPR group (controls) and 840 (66%) of 1269 assigned to intervention CPR received designated CPR and were included in the final analyses. 47 (6%) of 813 controls survived to hospital discharge with favourable neurological function compared with 75 (9%) of 840 patients in the intervention group (odds ratio 1·58, 95% CI 1·07-2·36; p=0·019]. 74 (9%) of 840 patients survived to 1 year in the intervention group compared with 48 (6%) of 813 controls (p=0·03), with equivalent cognitive skills, disability ratings, and emotional-psychological statuses in both groups. The overall major adverse event rate did not differ between groups, but more patients had pulmonary oedema in the intervention group (94 [11%] of 840) than did controls (62 [7%] of 813; p=0·015). INTERPRETATION: On the basis of our findings showing increased effectiveness and generalisability of the study intervention, active compression-decompression CPR with augmentation of negative intrathoracic pressure should be considered as an alternative to standard CPR to increase long-term survival after cardiac arrest. FUNDING: US National Institutes of Health grant R44-HL065851-03, Advanced Circulatory Systems.

Detection of breast cancer with full-field digital mammography and computer-aided detection.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate computer-aided detection (CAD) performance with full-field digital mammography (FFDM). MATERIALS AND METHODS: CAD (Second Look, version 7.2) was used to evaluate 123 cases of breast cancer detected with FFDM (Senographe DS). Retrospectively, CAD sensitivity was assessed using breast density, mammographic presentation, histopathology results, and lesion size. To determine the case-based false-positive rate, patients with four standard views per case were included in the study group. Eighteen unilateral mammography examinations with nonstandard views were excluded, resulting in a sample of 105 bilateral cases. RESULTS: CAD detected 115 (94%) of 123 cancer cases: six of six (100%) in fatty breasts, 63 of 66 (95%) in breasts containing scattered fibroglandular densities, 43 of 46 (93%) in heterogeneously dense breasts, and three of five (60%) in extremely dense breasts. CAD detected 93% (41/44) of cancers manifesting as calcifications, 92% (57/62) as masses, and 100% (17/17) as mixed masses and calcifications. CAD detected 94% of the invasive ductal carcinomas (n = 63), 100% of the invasive lobular carcinomas (n = 7), 91% of the other invasive carcinomas (n = 11), and 93% of the ductal carcinomas in situ (n = 42). CAD sensitivity for cancers 1-10 mm (n = 55) was 89%; 11-20 mm (n = 37), 97%; 21-30 mm (n = 16), 100%; and larger than 30 mm (n = 15), 93%. The CAD false-positive rate was 2.3 marks per four-image case. CONCLUSION: CAD with FFDM showed a high sensitivity in identifying cancers manifesting as calcifications and masses. Sensitivity was maintained in cancers with lower mammographic sensitivity, including invasive lobular carcinomas and small neoplasms (1-20 mm). CAD with FFDM should be effective in assisting radiologists with earlier detection of breast cancer. Future studies are needed to assess CAD accuracy in larger populations.