Impact of Chronic Kidney Disease on Utilization of Coronary Angiography and Percutaneous Coronary Intervention, and Their Outcomes in Patients With Non-ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Coronary angiography (CAG) and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) are frequently performed in patients presenting with a non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI). Utilizing the National Inpatient Sample database, we assessed the trends in utilization of CAG, PCI, and coronary artery bypass grafting in 3,654,586 admissions with NSTEMI from 2001 to 2012. The rates of CAG were 54%, 36.1%, and 45.9%, respectively, in patients with normal renal function, patients with CKD not on renal replacement therapy (RRT), and patients with CKD requiring RRT. The in-hospital mortality for patients with NSTEMI was significantly higher in patients with CKD-3.9% in patients without CKD, 6.9% in CKD patients not on RRT, and 8.6% in CKD patients needing RRT. In a propensity-matched cohort of 126,740 NSTEMI admissions, CKD was associated with increased in-hospital mortality (7.9% vs 5.3%, p <0.001), acute kidney injury (34.3 % vs 10.6%, p <0.001), lower use of CAG (37.8% vs 46.4%, p <0.001), and PCI (16.2% vs 20.8, p <0.001), higher hospital costs ($17,333 vs $15,583, p <0.001), and a longer length of stay (6.8 days vs 5.5 days, p <0.001). PCI was associated with decreased mortality (odds ratio of 0.31 ± 0.01, p <0.001) in all the 3 groups. In conclusion, CKD is a marker of adverse outcomes in patients with NSTEMI. Although CAG and PCI were associated improved outcomes, they remain underutilized in these patients.

Meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials on atrial fibrillation ablation in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction.

BACKGROUND: The role of catheter ablation (CA) is increasingly recognized as a reasonable therapeutic option in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and heart failure (HF). HYPOTHESIS: We aimed to compare CA to medical therapy in AF patients with HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). METHODS: We searched the literature for randomized clinical trials comparing CA to medical therapy in this population. RESULTS: Six trials with a total of 775 patients were included. AF was persistent in 95% of patients with a mean duration of 18.5 ± 23 months prior enrollment. The mean age was 62.2 ± 7.8 years, mostly males (83%) with mean left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) of 31.2 ± 6.7%. Compared to medical therapy, CA has significantly improved LVEF by 5.9% (Mean difference [MD] 5.93, confidence interval [CI] 3.59-8.27, P < 0.00001, I2 = 87%), quality of life, (MD -9.01, CI -15.56, -2.45, P = 0.007, I2 = 47%), and functional capacity (MD 25.82, CI 5.46-46.18, P = 0.01, I2 = 90%). CA has less HF hospital readmissions (odds ratio [OR] 0.5, CI 0.32-0.78, P = 0.002, I2 = 0%) and death from any cause (OR 0.46, CI 0.29-0.73, P = 0.0009, I2 = 0%). Freedom from AF during follow-up was higher in patients who had CA (OR 24.2, CI 6.94-84.41, P < 0.00001, I2 = 81%. CONCLUSION: CA was superior to medical therapy in patients with AF and HFrEF in terms of symptoms, hemodynamic response, and clinical outcomes by reducing AF burden. However, these findings are applicable to the very specific patients enrolled in these trials.

Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials on Patent Foramen Ovale Closure Versus Medical Therapy for Secondary Prevention of Cryptogenic Stroke.

The optimal management of patients with cryptogenic stroke (CS) and patent foramen ovale (PFO) remains controversial. We conducted a meta-analysis to assess the effect of PFO closure for secondary prevention of stroke on patients with CS. We searched the literature for randomized control trials assessing the recurrence of stroke after PFO closure compared with medical therapy (antiplatelet and/or anticoagulation). Five randomized control trials with a total of 3,440 patients were included. The mean age was 45.2 ± 9.7 years and follow-up duration ranged from 2.0 to 5.9 years. PFO closure significantly reduced the risk of stroke compared with the medical therapy (2.8% vs 5.8%; relative risk [RR] 0.48, confidence interval [CI] 0.27 to 0.87, p = 0.01, I2 = 56%). The number needed to treat for stroke prevention was 10.5. PFO closure was associated with an increased risk of atrial fibrillation compared with medical therapy (4.2% vs 0.7%; RR 4.55, CI 2.16 to 9.6, p = 0.0001, I2 = 25%). There was no significant difference in all-cause mortality (RR 1.33, CI 0.56 to 3.16, p = 0.52, I2 = 0%), as well as no difference in bleeding risk between the 2 groups (RR 0.94, CI 0.49 to 1.83, p = 0.86, I2 = 29%). In conclusion, our meta-analysis demonstrates that PFO closure is associated with significantly lower risk of recurrent stroke in patients with PFO and CS compared with medical therapy. However, atrial fibrillation was more common among closure patients.

Cardiac Rehabilitation in Patients With Left Ventricular Assist Device: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW AND META-ANALYSIS.

PURPOSE: Exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation (EBCR) has been demonstrated to improve functional capacity in heart failure (HF). However, there are limited data on the effect of EBCR in patients with advanced HF and left ventricular assist devices (LVADs). This meta-analysis sought to evaluate the effects of EBCR on functional capacity in patients with LVAD. METHODS: PubMed, Web of Science, CINAHL, and Cochrane Library databases were searched for randomized studies assessing the impact of EBCR in patients following LVAD implantation compared with standard therapy (ST). Using pre-defined criteria, appropriate studies were identified and selected. Data from selected studies were extracted in a standardized fashion and a meta-analysis was performed using a random-effects model with DerSimonian Liard weighting. Analysis employed weighted mean difference (WMD) as the effect size and intention-to-treat (ITT) principle. Study quality, publication bias, and heterogeneity were assessed. RESULTS: Six trials with a total of 183 patients (EBCR: 125; ST: 58) were identified. Mean age was 51 years and 83% were males. The initiation of EBCR varied from LVAD implantation during the index hospitalization to 10 mo post-LVAD implantation. The median rehabilitation period ranged from 6 to 10 wk. Exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation was associated with improved peak oxygen uptake ((Equation is included in full-text article.)O2) in all trials. Quantitative analysis was performed on 3 randomized studies involving 61 patients (EBCR = 39, ST = 22). Exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation was associated with significantly greater peak (Equation is included in full-text article.)O2 (WMD: 3.00 mL/kg/min; 95% CI: 0.64-5.35, P = .001). Similarly, 6-minute walk distance (6MWD) showed significantly greater improvement in the EBCR group than in the ST group (WMD: 60.06 m; 95% CI, 22.61-97.50, P = .002). Heterogeneity was low among the included trials. Exclusion sensitivity and per-protocol analysis demonstrated results consistent with ITT analysis. None of the included studies reported serious adverse events related to EBCR, which supports the safety of EBCR after LVAD implantation. CONCLUSION: This systematic review and meta-analysis demonstrated that EBCR following LVAD implantation is associated with greater improvement in functional capacity compared with ST as reflected by improved peak (Equation is included in full-text article.)O2 and 6MWD. However, given the small number of patients, further research into the clinical impact of EBCR in LVAD patients is necessary.

Meta-analysis of Risk of Ventricular Arrhythmias After Improvement in Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction During Follow-Up in Patients With Primary Prevention Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators.

Implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) reduce the risk of sudden cardiac death in patients with impaired left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). However, there are limited data on the long-term benefit of ICD therapy in patients whose LVEF subsequently improves. We conducted a meta-analysis to evaluate the effect of LVEF improvement on ICD therapy during follow-up. Incidence rate ratios (IRRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using random-effects modeling. Sixteen studies with 3,959 patients were included in our analysis. Study arms were defined by LVEF improvement at follow-up (improved LVEF [>35%]: 1,622; low LVEF [≤35%] 2,337). Mean age (64.8 vs 64.9 years, p = 0.97) was similar, whereas men were overrepresented in the persistent low LVEF group (79% vs 72%, p <0.001). Appropriate ICD therapy rate was 9.7% (improved LVEF) versus 21.8% (low LVEF) over a median follow-up period of 2.9 years. In the meta-analysis, improved LVEF group had significantly lower (3.3% vs 7.2% per year IRR 0.52; CI 0.38 to 0.70; p <0.001) appropriate ICD therapies which was uniformly seen across all subgroups (ICD-only studies: IRR 0.59; p = 0.004) (cardiac resynchronization therapy-defibrillator-only studies: IRR 0.31; p = 0.002) (super-responder studies [mean LVEF > 45%]: IRR 0.53; p = 0.002). Inappropriate ICD therapy rates were, however, similar in both groups (3.01% vs 2.56% per year IRR 0.76; CI 0.43 to 1.36; p = 0.35). All-cause mortality rates in our meta-analysis favored (3.63% vs 8.23% per year IRR 0.49; CI 0.35 to 0.69; p <0.001) the improved LVEF group. In conclusion, our meta-analysis demonstrates that an improvement in LVEF is associated with a significantly reduced risk of ventricular arrhythmia and mortality. However, inappropriate ICD therapy rates remain similar.

Comparison of percutaneous device closure versus surgical closure of peri-membranous ventricular septal defects: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: While percutaneous device closure (PDC) is a first-line therapy for isolated muscular ventricular septal defects (mVSD), surgery is still the preferred approach for peri-membranous ventricular septal defects (pmVSD). OBJECTIVE: We sought to compare the outcomes of percutaneous versus open surgical closure of pmVSDs. METHODS: PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science databases were searched through October 15, 2014 for English language studies comparing outcomes of PDC with surgical closure of pmVSDs. Study quality, publication bias, and heterogeneity were assessed. A meta-analysis of selected studies was performed using a random effects model. Comparison was done for early (<1 month) safety and efficacy outcomes. RESULTS: Seven studies with a total of 3,134 patients (PDC = 1,312, surgery = 1,822) were identified. Patients in the PDC group were older than those treated surgically (mean age 12.2 vs. 5.5 years, respectively). In six out of seven studies, the mean VSD size was found to be comparable between the treatment arms (PDC 4.9 mm vs. surgery 6.0 mm). Males represented 52% of patients in either group. Follow-up ranged from 5 to 42 months. No significant differences were observed between PDC vs. surgery in terms of procedural success rate [relative risk (RR): 1.00, confidence interval (CI): 0.99-1.00; P = 0.67]. Combined safety end points for major complications (early death/reoperation/permanent pacemaker) were similar in both groups (RR: 0.55, CI: 0.23-1.35; P = 0.19) as were as other outcomes like post-procedure significant residual shunt (RR: 0.69, CI: 0.29-1.68; P = 0.41), significant valvular (aortic/tricuspid) regurgitation (RR: 0.70, CI: 0.26-1.86; P = 0.47), and advanced heart block (RR: 0.99, CI: 0.46-2.14; P = 0.98). The need for blood transfusion (RR: 0.02, CI: 0.00-0.05; P < 0.001) and duration of hospital stay [standard mean difference (SMD) -2.17 days, CI: -3.12 to -1.23; P < 0.001] were significantly reduced in the PDC group. CONCLUSION: Percutaneous closure of pmVSD when performed in a selected subgroup of patients is associated with similar procedural success rate without increased risk of significant valvular regurgitation or heart block when compared with surgical closure.

Premature ventricular contraction-induced cardiomyopathy.

Premature ventricular contractions are of common occurrence in routine clinical practice. Though generally perceived as of benign consequence in healthy people in the absence of heart disease, their presence can be a harbinger of fatal ventricular tachyarrhythmia in individuals with structural heart disease. With some of the latest insights into the treatment of ventricular tachyarrhythmia, especially with the advent of catheter ablation, there has been renewed interest in premature ventricular contractions, not only as a predictor of arrhythmia, but also for their potential etiological association with cardiomyopathy.

Bronchomediastinal fistula presenting as purulent pericarditis in a healthy 32-year-old man.

Acute purulent pericarditis is rarely caused by anaerobic bacteria and it is almost always a complication of another disease process. Esophagomediastinal fistula, odontogenic, or pleuropulmonary infections have been reported to be the primary source of purulent pericarditis. If not diagnosed and treated promptly, purulent pericarditis is usually a fatal disease. We describe a case of bronchomediastinal fistula as sequels from a necrotizing parenchymal infection, leading on to secondary mediastinitis and pleuropericardial involvement in an immunocompetent patient. .

Saphenous venous graft pseudoaneurysm: a review of the literature.

Saphenous vein graft (SVG) pseudoaneurysm is a rare complication of coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. A review of literature indicates that almost one third of patients are asymptomatic at detection and a history of operative complications and need for re-exploration after the initial surgery may serve as useful predictors for the development of this rare complication.

Outcomes of mitral valve repair compared with replacement in patients undergoing concomitant aortic valve surgery: a meta-analysis of observational studies.

Long-term superiority of mitral valve (MV) repair compared with replacement is well established in degenerative MV disease. In rheumatic heart disease, its advantages are unclear and it is often performed in conjunction with aortic valve (AV) replacement. Herein, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis comparing outcomes of MV repair vs replacement in patients undergoing concomitant AV replacement. PubMed, Cochrane and Web of Science databases were searched up to 25 January 2014 for English language studies comparing outcomes of MV repair vs replacement in patients undergoing simultaneous AV replacement. Data of selected studies were extracted. Study quality, publication bias and heterogeneity were assessed. Analysis was performed using a random effects model (meta-analysis of observational studies in epidemiology recommendation). A total of 1202 abstracts/titles were screened. Of these, 20 were selected for full text review and 8 studies (3924 patients) were included in the final analysis: 1255 underwent MV repair and 2669 underwent replacement. Late outcome data were available in seven studies (cumulative follow-up: 15 654 patient-years). The early (in hospital and up to 30 days post-surgery) mortality [risk ratio (RR): 0.68, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.53-0.87, P = 0.003] and late (>30 days post-surgery) mortality (RR: 0.76, 95% CI: 0.64-0.90 P = 0.001) were significantly lower in the MV repair group compared with the MV replacement group. The MV reoperation rate (RR: 1.89, 95% CI: 0.87-4.10, P = 0.108), thromboembolism (including valve thrombosis) (RR: 0.65, 95% CI: 0.38-1.13, P = 0.128) and major bleeding rates (RR: 0.88, 95% CI: 0.49-1.57, P = 0.659) were found to be comparable between the two groups. In a separate analysis of studies with exclusively rheumatic patients (n = 1106), the early as well as late mortality benefit of MV repair was lost (RR: 0.92, 95% CI: 0.44-1.90, P = 0.81 and RR: 0.69, 95% CI: 0.39-1.22, P = 0.199, respectively), whereas the MV reoperation rate became significantly higher (RR: 5.10, 95% CI: 1.62-16.05, P = 0.005) with MV repair. In patients undergoing concomitant mitral and AV surgery, MV repair is associated with improved early and late survival without any increased risk for mitral valve reoperation. However, in patients with rheumatic heart disease MV repair does not impart any survival advantage while the risk for MV reoperation remains significantly higher.

Fenofibric acid for hyperlipidemia.

INTRODUCTION: 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors (i.e., statins) are the mainstay of therapy for hyperlipidemia, as per the current National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) recommendation. However, the role of other agents, such as the fibrates, is continually being debated in the context of incremental risk reduction, especially in the setting of mixed dyslipidemia. Results from the ACCORD Trial have further added to the confusion. Fibrates also have a role to play in familial hyperlipidemias and in hypertriglyceridemia. Fenofibric acid is one of the newly approved forms of fenofibrate with enhanced bioavailability and was recently approved by the Food and Drug Administation (FDA) for the treatment of various types of hyperlipidemia, in conjunction with statins. AREAS COVERED: This article reviews the role of fenofibric acid in the context of results from recent randomized trials on fenofibrate, including the ACCORD Trial. It discusses the current status of fenofibric acid in the management of dyslipidemia, especially in combination with statins, and also addresses the comparative efficacy and safety profile of this new molecule against other agents in its class. EXPERT OPINION: Fenofibric acid in combination with low- to moderate-dose statins is an effective and safe option in the treatment of mixed dyslipidemia, although the long-term effects on cardiovascular risk reduction need to be explored further.