Clinical outcomes among patients with extreme obesity undergoing elective coronary revascularization: Evaluation of major complications in contemporary practice.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Individuals with extreme obesity (EO), defined by a body mass index (BMI) ≥ 40 kg/m(2), constitute an increasingly prevalent population at higher risk of procedural complications. The implications of increasing weight burdens among this subset of patients in the setting of elective coronary revascularization have yet to be adequately studied. METHODS: We sought to define major complications in this group at one year following contemporary revascularization strategies by retrospectively analysing a cohort of consecutive EO patients undergoing elective percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG). The primary endpoint was a composite of peri- and post-procedural complications. Secondary endpoints included a cardiovascular composite and target vessel revascularization (TVR). RESULTS: Adjusted event-free survival curves for the primary endpoint among 133 patients differed significantly with higher BMI (>43.2 kg/m(2)) associated with greater risk (p=0.02). The primary endpoint occurred more frequently with CABG compared to PCI (24.2% vs. 5.0%, p < 0.01), which remained significant after adjusting for differences in baseline variables. Rates of the cardiovascular composite and TVR were comparable. CONCLUSIONS: Increasing BMI was associated with greater risk for major complications among EO patients undergoing elective coronary revascularization. PCI was associated with fewer complications; however, both revascularization strategies demonstrated equivalent rates of death, MI, and/or stroke. Larger studies may permit a better understanding of the associations between increasing BMI and specific outcomes and to evaluate the role for pre-procedural weight loss in this select population.

The effect of statins on circulating endothelial progenitor cells in humans: a systematic review.

Numerous clinical trials have demonstrated early reductions in cardiovascular events occurring independently of the lipid-lowering effects of statins. These pleiotropic effects have been attributed to antiinflammatory properties, to atherosclerotic plaque stabilization, and more recently to mobilization of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs). Our aim was to evaluate the evidence supporting statin-induced EPC mobilization in humans. We, therefore, performed a computerized literature search and systematic review of randomized trials to determine the effect of statin therapy and statin dosing on circulating EPC numbers. Our literature search identified 10 studies including 479 patients which met inclusion criteria with publication dates ranging from 2005 to 2011. Seven studies compared statin to nonstatin regimens whereas 3 studied low versus high-dose statin therapy. Reported increases in EPC number ranged from 25.8% to 223.5% with a median reported increase of 70.2% when compared to nonstatin regimens with 7 of 10 studies reporting significant increases. Considerable heterogeneity exists in regard to patient population, statin regimens, and the definition of an EPC within the identified studies. In conclusion, randomized studies in humans suggest that statin therapy mobilizes EPCs into the circulation. Larger randomized studies using uniform definitions are needed to definitively establish this effect.

Serum heat shock protein 27 levels represent a potential therapeutic target for atherosclerosis: observations from a human cohort and treatment of female mice.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential of serum heat shock protein 27 (HSP27) as a therapeutic target in coronary artery disease. BACKGROUND: Expression of HSP27 in human coronary arteries diminishes with the progression of atherosclerosis, whereas ubiquitous HSP27 overexpression in apolipoprotein E(-/-) (ApoE(-/-)) mice attenuates atherogenesis. However, it remains unclear whether increasing serum HSP27 levels alone is sufficient for atheroprotection. METHODS: Low- and intermediate-risk patients undergoing coronary or computed tomography angiography had serum HSP27 levels measured. Elevated serum HSP27 levels in female atheroprone ApoE(-/-) mice were achieved by transplantation with HSP27 overexpressing bone marrow or by administering recombinant HSP27. RESULTS: Patients with >50% stenosis in any major epicardial artery had lower HSP27 levels compared with those free of atherosclerosis (median [interquartile range]: 2,176 pg/ml [551-5,475] vs. 6,200 pg/ml [2,575-9,560]; p < 0.001). After a 5-year period of clinical follow-up, low serum HSP27 levels (<50th percentile) were predictive of subsequent major adverse cardiovascular events (hazard ratio: 2.93, 95% confidence interval: 1.06 to 8.12; p = 0.04). In experimental murine models of atherosclerosis, increasing serum HSP27 levels both reduced de novo atherosclerotic lesion formation and enhanced features of plaque stability. CONCLUSIONS: In humans, low serum HSP27 levels are associated with the presence of coronary artery disease and prognostic of future adverse clinical events. In mouse models of atherosclerosis, increasing HSP27 levels reduced lesion progression and promoted features of plaque stability. Serum HSP27 levels may represent a potential therapeutic target for atherosclerosis.

Percutaneous coronary intervention with or without on-site coronary artery bypass surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Current American Heart Association guidelines recommend against the performance of elective or primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) without on-site surgical backup (i.e. a class III and IIb recommendation respectively). Despite this, numerous centers have already implemented PCI programs with no on-site surgery backup (NSOS). METHODS: To evaluate the necessity for on-site surgical backup (SOS) when performing PCI we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis. English-language articles published from 1966 through December 2010 were retrieved using keyword searches of Medline and Scopus, supplemented by letters to authors and reviews of all bibliographies. Article inclusion and data extraction was performed by two independent reviewers. We identified 18 articles published between 1992 and 2009 which contained reported events on 1,150,200 patients. RESULTS: The combined odds ratio calculated using a random effects model for death with NSOS was 0.93 (95% CI, 0.80-1.09). In studies with data reported for primary PCI and elective PCI the OR for death was 0.91 (95% CI, 0.84-1.00) and 1.04 (95% CI, 0.67-1.63). A lack of effect of SOS was maintained when analysis was performed by study type or by either primary or elective PCI. No differences in rates of emergency coronary artery bypass grafting, post procedural myocardial infarction, target vessel revascularization, or cerebrovascular accidents were observed between SOS and NSOS centers. CONCLUSION: Both primary and elective PCI can safely be performed at NSOS centers without an increase in mortality or PCI related complications. AHA/ACC guidelines should reflect the lack of benefit conferred by on-site surgical backup. In establishing PCI programs, adequate operator/center volumes, patient selection, and geographic/population considerations should take precedence rather than the availability of on-site surgical backup during PCI.

The self-controlled case series method for evaluating safety of vaccines.

Using cases as their own controls potentially provides stronger evidence for analysing adverse events following vaccination.

Transradial versus transfemoral artery approach for coronary angiography and percutaneous coronary intervention in the extremely obese.

OBJECTIVES: This study sought to evaluate the safety and efficacy of transradial versus transfemoral access for coronary angiography and percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with a body mass index ≥ 40 kg/m(2). BACKGROUND: Coronary angiography is most commonly performed via femoral artery access; however, the optimal approach in extremely obese (EO) patients remains unclear. METHODS: Between January 2007 and August 2010, a cohort of consecutive EO patients who underwent coronary angiography was identified in our center's registry of angiography and percutaneous coronary intervention procedures. Of 21,103 procedures, 564 (2.7%) were performed in unique EO patients: 203 (36%) via the transradial approach; and 361 (64%) via the transfemoral approach. RESULTS: The primary outcome, a combined endpoint of major bleeding, access site complications, and nonaccess site complications, occurred in 7.5% of the transfemoral group and 2.0% of the transradial group (odds ratio [OR]: 0.30, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.10 to 0.88, p = 0.029), an endpoint driven by reductions in major bleeding (3.3% vs. 0.0%, OR: 0.12, 95% CI: 0 to 0.71, p = 0.015), as well as access site injuries (4.7% vs. 0.0%, OR: 0.08, 95% CI: 0 to 0.48, p = 0.002). There were no differences in nonaccess site complications (1.7% vs. 2.0%, OR: 1.50, 95% CI: 0.41 to 5.55), but transradial access procedures were associated with an increase in procedure time and patient radiation dose (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Transfemoral access for coronary angiography and percutaneous coronary intervention was associated with more bleeding and access site complications when compared with a transradial approach. Important reductions in procedural associated morbidity may be possible with a transradial approach in EO patients.

Disclosure of natural product use to primary care physicians: a cross-sectional survey of naturopathic clinic attendees.

OBJECTIVE: To determine factors that predict disclosure of natural product use by patients to their primary care physicians. METHODS: An 18-item survey about health care use and communication was distributed to patients who presented to the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine in March 2003. We examined correlations between responses and created a multivariable logistic regression model to explore which factors were associated with patients' discussion of natural product use with their primary care physicians. RESULTS: The survey was given to 198 patients, 174 of whom responded (response rate, 87.9%). Most respondents (161 [92.5%] of 174) made use of natural products, and many (61 [41.5%] of 147) reported that they did not discuss natural product use with their primary care physician. The most significant factor predictive of patients having discussed natural product use with their primary care physician was having their primary care physician ask about natural product use (odds ratio, 18.77; 95% confidence interval, 5.06-69.62). Most respondents (107 [69.9%] of 153) indicated that their primary care physician did not ask about natural product use. CONCLUSIONS: An important number of patients who visit a naturopathic clinic do not disclose natural product use to their primary care physicians. Our findings suggest that disclosure rates could be improved by physicians taking a more active role in asking their patients about natural product use.