Meta-analysis of uninterrupted as compared to interrupted oral anticoagulation with or without bridging in patients undergoing coronary angiography with or without percutaneous coronary intervention.

OBJECTIVES: To assess safety and effectiveness of different periprocedural antithrombotic strategies in patients receiving long-term oral anticoagulation and undergoing coronary angiography with or without percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). METHODS: Studies comparing uninterrupted oral anticoagulation (UAC) with vit. K antagonists vs interrupted oral anticoagulation (IAC) with or without bridging anticoagulation before coronary procedures were eligible for inclusion in the current meta-analysis. Endpoints selected were 30-day composite of major adverse cardiovascular or cerebrovascular and thromboembolic events (MACCE) and major bleeding. RESULTS: Eight studies (7 observational and 1 randomized controlled trial [N=2325pts.]) were included in the analysis. There was no difference in MACCE between UAC and IAC; RR (95%CIs): 0.74 (0.34-1.64); p=0.46 but there was a statistically significant MACCE risk reduction with UAC as compared to IAC with bridging: 0.52 (0.29-0.95); p=0.03. Likewise, there were no statistically significant differences between UAC vs IAC in regard to major bleeding: 0.62 (0.16-2.43); p=0.49; but as compared to IAC with bridging, UAC was associated with statistically significant 65% lower risk of major bleeding: 0.35 (0.13-0.92); p=0.03. Additionally, meta-regression analysis revealed significant linear correlation between log RR of MACCE (ß=-4.617; p<0.001) and major bleeding (ß=6.665; p=0.022) and mean value of target INR suggestive of higher thrombotic and secondary haemorrhagic risk below estimated INR cut-off of 2.17-2.27 within 30days. CONCLUSIONS: Uninterrupted OAC is at least as safe as interrupted OAC, and seems to be much safer than interrupted OAC with bridging anticoagulation in patients undergoing coronary angiography with or without PCI.

Cerebrovascular Events After No-Touch Off-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting, Conventional Side-Clamp Off-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass, and Proximal Anastomotic Devices: A Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Off-pump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB) has been shown to reduce the risk of neurologic complications as compared to coronary artery bypass grafting performed with cardiopulmonary bypass. Side-clamping of the aorta while constructing proximal anastomoses, however, still carries substantial risk of cerebral embolization. We aimed to perform a comprehensive meta-analysis of studies assessing 2 clampless techniques: aortic "no-touch" and proximal anastomosis devices (PAD) for OPCAB. METHODS AND RESULTS: PubMed, CINAHL, CENTRAL, and Google Scholar databases were screened for randomized controlled trials and observational studies comparing "no-touch" and/or PAD with side-clamp OPCAB and reporting short-term (≤30 days) outcomes: cerebrovascular accident and all-cause mortality. A total of 18 studies (3 randomized controlled trials) enrolling 25 163 patients were included. Aortic "no-touch" was associated with statistically lower risk of cerebrovascular accident as compared to side-clamp OPCAB: risk ratio 95% CI: 0.41 (0.27-0.61); P<0.01; I(2)=0%. Event rates were 0.36% and 1.28% for "no-touch" and side-clamp OPCAB, respectively. No difference was seen between PAD and side-clamp OPCAB: 0.71 (0.33-1.55); P=0.39; I(2)=39%. A trend towards increased 30-day all-cause mortality with PAD and no difference with "no-touch" were observed when compared to side-clamp OPCAB. In a subset analysis, "no-touch" consistently reduced the risk of cerebrovascular accident regardless of patients' baseline risk characteristics. A benefit with PAD was observed in low-risk patients. CONCLUSIONS: Aortic "no-touch" technique was associated with nearly 60% lower risk of postoperative cerebrovascular events as compared to conventional side-clamp OPCAB with effect consistent across patients at different risk.

Gentamicin-collagen sponge reduces the risk of sternal wound infections after heart surgery: Meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: Sternal wound infections are serious postoperative complications that increase the length of hospital stay and healthcare costs. The benefit of implantable gentamicin-collagen sponges in reducing sternal wound infections has been questioned in a recent multicenter trial. We aimed to perform a comprehensive meta-analysis of studies assessing the efficacy of implantable gentamicin-collagen sponges in sternal wound infection prevention. METHODS: Multiple databases were screened for studies assessing the efficacy of implantable gentamicin-collagen sponges after heart surgery. The primary end point was sternal wound infection, and secondary end points were the occurrence of deep sternal wound infection, superficial sternal wound infection, mediastinitis, and mortality. Randomized controlled trials and observational studies were analyzed separately. By means of meta-regression, we examined the correlation between sternal wound infection and extent to which the bilateral internal thoracic artery was harvested. RESULTS: A total of 14 studies (N = 22,135, among them 4 randomized controlled trials [N = 4672]) were included in the analysis. Implantable gentamicin-collagen sponges significantly reduced the risk of sternal wound infection by approximately 40% when compared with control (risk ratio [RR], 0.61; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.39-0.98; P = .04 for randomized controlled trials and RR, 0.61; 95% CI, 0.42-0.89; P = .01 for observational studies). A similar, significant benefit was demonstrated for deep sternal wound infection (RR, 0.60; 95% CI, 0.42-0.88; P = .008) and superficial sternal wound infection (RR, 0.60; 95% CI, 0.43-0.83; P = .002). The overall analysis revealed a reduced risk of mediastinitis (RR, 0.64; 95% CI, 0.45-0.91; P = .01). The risk of death was unchanged. A significant positive linear correlation (P = .05) was found between the log RR of sternal wound infection and the percentage of patients receiving bilateral internal thoracic artery grafts. CONCLUSIONS: Implantable gentamicin-collagen sponges significantly reduce the risk of sternal wound infection after cardiac surgery, with evidence consistent in randomized and observational-level data. However, the extent of this benefit might be attenuated in patients receiving bilateral internal thoracic artery grafts.