Correction: Smoking cessation and obesity-related morbidities and mortality in a 20-year follow-up study.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0279443.].

Non-dipping blood pressure pattern is associated with cardiovascular events in a 21-year follow-up study.

Non-dipping blood pressure (BP) pattern is a predictor for cardiovascular (CV) events and mortality. We evaluated dipping status change and its association with incidence of non-fatal CV events in middle-aged subjects. The OPERA study was carried out during the years 1991-1993, with a follow-up study 21.7 years later. In this study, we included 452 participants with 24-h ambulatory BP measurements (ABPM) available in both surveys. The study population was divided into four groups according to the dipping pattern change: dipping-dipping (n = 152/33.6%), dipping-non-dipping (n = 198/43.8%), non-dipping-dipping (n = 20/4.4%), and non-dipping-non-dipping (n = 82/18.1%). Sixty-five participants experienced a CV event (14.4%) during the 21.7 (SD 0.8) years of follow-up. The incidence of events was highest (28%) in the non-dipping-non-dipping group, and lowest (6.6%) in the dipping-dipping group (p < 0.001). In Cox regression analyses the covariates were age, sex, total cholesterol, hypertension and use of antihypertensive medication, systolic office BP and ambulatory mean or nighttime systolic BP, as well as the change in the variables during the follow-up period. After adjustments, the association of the non-dipping-non-dipping pattern with CV events compared with the dipping-dipping pattern remained significant (HR 4.01; 95% CI 1.89-8.67, p < 0.001). In summary, non-dipping-non-dipping pattern was associated with non-fatal CV events in the long term, and the effect was independent of the conventional risk factors including office and ambulatory BP levels.

Suprapatellar tibial fracture nailing is associated with lower rate for acute compartment syndrome and the need for fasciotomy compared with the infrapatellar approach.

BACKGROUND: Intramedullary tibial nailing (IMN) is the gold standard for stabilizing tibial shaft fractures. IMN can be performed through an infra- or suprapatellar approach. PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to compare the rate of fasciotomies for acute compartment syndrome between infra- and suprapatellar approaches. METHODS: A total of 614 consecutive patients who were treated with IMN for tibial fracture between October 2007 and February 2020 were included in the study. The approach used for IMN was determined by the operating surgeon. Infrapatellar IMN was performed with the knee in deep flexion position, with or without calcaneal traction. Suprapatellar IMN was performed in straight or semiflexed position. The diagnosis of compartment syndrome was based on clinical analysis, but for some patients, a continuous compartment pressure measurement was used. The primary outcome was the rate of peri- and postoperative compartment syndrome treated with fasciotomies. RESULTS: The study sample included 513 patients treated with infrapatellar IMN and 101 patients treated with suprapatellar IMN technique. The mean age of the patients was 44.7 years (infrapatellar technique) and 48.4 years (suprapatellar technique). High energy trauma was seen in 138 (27%) patients treated with infrapatellar technique and in 39 (39%) patients treated with suprapatellar technique. In the suprapatellar group (n = 101), there were no cases of peri- or postoperative compartment syndrome treated with fasciotomies. In the infrapatellar group (n = 513), the need for fasciotomies was stated in 67 patients, 31 patients (6.0%) perioperatively and in 36 patients (7.0%) postoperatively. The rate of fasciotomies (0/101 versus 67/513 cases) differed significantly (p < 0.001). There were no significant differences in the fracture morphology or patient demographics between the study groups. CONCLUSIONS: The suprapatellar technique is recommended over the infrapatellar approach in the treatment of tibial shaft fractures. The rate of peri- and postoperative compartment syndrome and the need for fasciotomies was significantly lower with the suprapatellar technique. The major cause of increased rate of peri- or postoperative acute compartment syndrome with infrapatellar IMN technique is presumably associated with the positioning of the patient during the operation.

Intramedullary Nailing of Intertrochanteric Femoral Fractures in a Level I Trauma Center in Finland: What Complications Can be Expected?

BACKGROUND: Intertrochanteric hip fractures are one of the most common fractures in older people, and the number is estimated to increase. These fractures are often treated with intramedullary nailing; however, various complications have been reported. It is important to identify the potential complications and investigate whether the choice of implant and patient-related factors are associated with the risk of complications to develop better strategies for preventing them. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: (1) In the treatment of intertrochanteric fractures with intramedullary nailing, what are the risks of major complications and 30-day mortality? (2) Which implant types are associated with greater odds of major complications? (3) Which patient-related factors are associated with increased odds of major complications? METHODS: In this retrospective, comparative study, we reviewed the health records of 2397 patients with a femoral fracture treated at one Level I trauma center between January 2014 and November 2020. Of those, we considered patients who were treated with intramedullary nailing for an intertrochanteric fracture after sustaining a low-energy injury as potentially eligible. Based on this criterion, 53% (1279) were eligible; a further 47% (1118) were excluded because the fixation method was other than intramedullary nailing, the fracture pattern was other than intertrochanteric fracture, or the fracture was caused by a high-energy injury mechanism. Another 4% (97) were excluded because they had incomplete datasets because of follow-up less than 12 months, leaving 49% (1182) for analysis. During the study period, intramedullary nails were generally used to treat nearly all intertrochanteric fractures at our hospital. The risk of complications was then assessed by chart review. Acute myocardial ischemia, cutout, nail breakage, pulmonary embolism, sepsis, stroke, and wound infection were defined as major complications. Cutout, nail breakage, and wound infection were defined as major complications leading to reoperation. To examine the association of implant type and major complications, a logistic regression analysis was performed. Additionally, the risks of major complications leading to reoperation were compared between implants. Finally, a univariable logistic regression analysis was performed to examine the association between patient-related factors and major complications. RESULTS: The overall proportion of patients experiencing complications was 16% (183 of 1182), and the crude percentage of 30-day mortality was 9% (107 of 1182) based on the hospital`s medical records. After controlling for patient-related factors such as disease, age, and smoking, we found that nail type was not associated with odds of major complications leading to reoperation (Gamma3: OR 0.86 [95% CI 0.44 to 1.67]; p = 0.67; Trochanteric Fixation Nail: OR 0.61 [95% CI 0.2 to 1.53]; p = 0.33; Proximal Femoral Nail Antirotation: OR 0.55 [95% CI 0.16 to 1.49]; p = 0.29) compared with the Trochanteric Fixation Nail Advanced. Anticoagulation (OR 1.70 [95% CI 1.11 to 2.59]; p = 0.01), congestive heart failure (OR 1.91 [95% CI 1.13 to 3.11]; p = 0.01), and hypertension (OR 1.67 [95% CI 1.08 to 2.63]; p = 0.02) were associated with a major complication. Liver disease (OR 5.19 [95% CI 0.78 to 20.8]; p = 0.04) was associated with a major complication leading to reoperation. CONCLUSION: This study provides a better understanding of the occurrence of surgical and medical complications after intramedullary nailing of intertrochanteric fractures. The new-generation nail types are comparable options based on the risk of reoperation. Anticoagulation, congestive heart failure, and hypertension were associated with major complications, highlighting the need for careful management and monitoring of these comorbidities during intramedullary nailing procedures.Level of Evidence Level III, therapeutic study.

Complications and secondary operations after non-operative and operative treatment of tibial plateau fractures: a population-based study of 562 patients with mean follow-up of 7 years.

INTRODUCTION: The incidence of tibial plateau fractures (TPF) is 1% of all fractures and increases with age. Whether non-operatively or operatively treated, complications (infection, malalignment, loss of reduction and delayed union or nonunion) and post-traumatic osteoarthritis are not uncommon, and the risk for complications has generally been assumed to rise with age. This study investigated all post-TPF complications and secondary surgery after non-operative and operative treatment. Secondary aims were to determine the incidence and epidemiology of TPF in the population of the Central Finland region. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All patients over age 18 years with a TPF, including incidence, etiology, fracture type, and possible complications and reoperations, sustained during the period 1998-2019 were retrospectively identified from hospital records. RESULTS: The annual mean incidence of TPF was 14.4/100,000, with older women at highest risk. The proportions of non-operative and operatively treated patients who had undergone at least one additional surgical operation were 6% and 26%, respectively. Age and female gender were identified as risk factors for complications and secondary operations. The risk peaked in patients aged 60-65 years, decreasing thereafter. Non-operative treatment showed low risk for both non-union and loss of reduction. CONCLUSIONS: Older women were at the highest risk for TPF and for subsequent complications and secondary operations after TPF. Secondary operations after operatively treated TPF were not uncommon and patients aged 60-65 years were at highest risk. Given the low rates of complications and re-operations, non-operative treatment may be a safe option in cases of all minimally displaced TPF.

Implementing an orthoplastic treatment protocol for open tibia fractures reduces complication rates in tertiary trauma unit.

INTRODUCTION: Open tibia fracture (OTF) causes a considerable increase in morbidity and risk for complications compared to closed fractures. The most significant OTF complication leading to morbidity is commonly considered to be fracture-related infection (FRI). In September 2016, Tampere University Hospital (TAUH) introduced a treatment protocol for OTFs based on the BOAST 4 guideline. The aim of this study is to investigate the outcomes before and after implementation of the OTF treatment protocol. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted using handpicked data from the patient record databases of TAUH from May 1, 2007, to May 10, 2021. For patients with OTF, we collected descriptive information, known risk factors for FRI and nonunion, bony fixation method, possible soft tissue reconstruction method, information about the timing of internal fixation and soft tissue coverage, and timing of primary operation. As outcome measures, we collected information on FRI, reoperation due to non-union, flap failure, and secondary amputation. We then compared the incidence of complications before and after the implementation of the OTF treatment protocol at TAUH. RESULTS: After predefined exclusions, a total of 203 patients with OTF were included. Of these, 141 were treated before and 62 after the implementation of the OTF treatment protocol. The FRI rate in the pre-protocol group was significantly higher compared to the protocol group (20.6% vs 1.6%, p = 0.0015). The incidence of reoperation due to nonunion was also significantly higher in the pre-protocol group (27.7% vs 9.7%, p = 0.0054). According to multivariable analysis, definitive fixation and soft tissue coverage performed in separate operations was an independent risk factor for both FRI and reoperation due to nonunion. CONCLUSIONS: After implementation, the BOAST 4 based OTF treatment protocol reduced the rate of FRI and reoperation due to nonunion in patients with OTF treated at TAUH during the study period. We, therefore, recommend the implementation of such a treatment protocol in all major trauma centers treating patients with OTF. Furthermore, we also recommend the immediate referral of patients with complex OTF from hospitals lacking the preconditions to provide BOAST 4 based treatment to specialized centers.

Impact of Intraprocedural Pressure Changes on Hemodynamic Outcome During Self-Expanding TAVR.

INTRODUCTION: During the transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) procedure, hemodynamic measurements can be used to evaluate transcatheter heart valve (THV) performance. We hypothesized that the occurrence of a significant decrease in invasive aortic pressure immediately after annular contact by a self-expanding THV indicates effective annular sealing. This phenomenon could thus be used as a marker for the occurrence of paravalvular leak (PVL). METHODS: Thirty-eight patients undergoing TAVR procedure with a self-expandable Evolut R or Evolut Pro (Medtronic) valve prosthesis were included in the study. Drop in aortic pressure during valve expansion was defined as a decrease in systolic pressure of 30 mmHg immediately after annular contact. The primary endpoint was the occurrence of more than mild PVL immediately after valve implantation. RESULTS: A pressure drop was seen in 60.5% (23/38) of patients. More than mild PVL requiring balloon post-dilatation (BPD) was significantly more frequent in patients who did not have a systolic pressure decrease > 30 mmHg during valve implantation (46.7% [7/15] vs. 13.0% [3/23], respectively; p = 0.03). Patients without a systolic pressure decrease > 30 mmHg also had a lower mean cover index on computed tomography analysis (16.2% vs. 13.3%; p = 0.016). The 30-day outcomes were similar between the two groups, and echocardiography at 30 days demonstrated more than none/trace PVL in 21.1% (8/38) of patients, with no difference between the two groups. CONCLUSION: A decrease in aortic pressure after annular contact is associated with an increased probability of good hemodynamic outcome after self-expanding TAVR implantation. In addition to other methods, this parameter could be used as an additional marker for optimal valve positioning and hemodynamic outcome during the implantation procedure.

Smoking cessation and obesity-related morbidities and mortality in a 20-year follow-up study.

BACKGROUND: Smoking is the biggest preventable factor causing mortality and morbidity and the health benefits of smoking cessation are commonly known. Smoking cessation-related weight gain is well documented. We evaluated the association between smoking cessation and the incidence of obesity-related morbidities such as hypertension, diabetes and metabolic syndrome as well as mortality. We also evaluated telomere length related to smoking cessation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study was part of the OPERA (Oulu Project Elucidating Risk of Atherosclerosis) study. The mean follow up time among the 600 study subjects was 20 years. We divided the study subjects into four groups by smoking status ("never", "current", "ex-smokers" and "quit") and analyzed their health status. "Ex-smokers" had quit smoking before baseline and "quit" quit during the follow-up time. Information about total mortality between the years 2013-2020 was also utilized. RESULTS: During the follow-up time systolic blood pressure decreased the most in the "current" and in the "ex-smoker" groups. Office SBP decreased the least in the "quit" group (p = 0.001). BMI increased the most in the "quit" and the least in the "ex-smokers" group (p = 0.001). No significant increases were seen in the incidence of obesity-related-diseases, such as metabolic syndrome, hypertension and diabetes was seen. There was no significant difference in the shortening of telomeres. Odds of short-term mortality was increased in the "current" group (2.43 (CI 95% 1.10; 5.39)), but not in the "quit" (1.43 (CI 95% 0.73-2.80)) or "ex-smoker" (1.02 (CI 95% 0.56-1.86)) groups when compared to "never" group. CONCLUSIONS: Even though, the blood pressure levels were unfavorable in the "quit" group, there was no significant increase in the incidence of obesity-related-diseases, and a noticeable benefit in short-term mortality was seen during the 6-year follow-up. The benefits of smoking cessation outweigh the disadvantages in the long-term.

Primary healthcare managers' perceptions of management competencies at different management levels in digital health services: secondary analysis.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to describe primary health-care managers' perceptions of management competencies at different management levels in digital health services using the management competency assessment program as a framework. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: A secondary analysis study involving 21 semi-structured individual interviews was conducted among Finnish primary health-care managers at different management levels (frontline, middle and senior). The deductive framework method was used to analyze the data. FINDINGS: Similarities and differences were found in management competencies between different levels of management. Competencies related to the use of digitalization were highlighted by managers at all management levels. Managers at all management levels were involved in developing digital solutions and supporting employees in using digital solutions in their work. Frontline and middle managers emphasized more issues related to day-to-day management and communication with employees, whereas senior managers highlighted the management of large entities. RESEARCH LIMITATIONS/IMPLICATIONS: In the secondary analysis, data were used for purposes other than originally intended. Therefore, the data are subject to limitations of the methodology applied and should be transferred to other contexts with caution. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: Identifying the management competencies needed to manage digital health services is important to target managers' training according to needs in the future. SOCIAL IMPLICATIONS: The results could be used to develop the management of digital health services, as well as improve digital health services and their deployment. ORIGINALITY/VALUE: Previous literature mostly examined managers' informatics competencies and paid little attention to other management competencies. This study discusses more broadly the management competencies that digital health services require from managers at different levels of management.

Changes in operative treatment of tibia fractures in Finland between 2000 and 2018: A nationwide study.

INTRODUCTION: Incidences of different tibia fractures are not well reported. Possible changes in the operative treatment methods have also not been studied. The aim of this nationwide registry study is to determine the incidence of operatively treated tibia fractures and investigate the possible changes in treatment methods in Finland between 2000 and 2018. METHODS: All patients aged 16 years or older with operatively treated tibia fractures in Finland from 2000 to 2018 were included. The incidence of operatively treated proximal, diaphyseal, and distal tibia fractures per 100,000 person years by age, sex, mechanism of injury, and study year was calculated. Data were extracted from the Finnish National Hospital Discharge Register. RESULTS: A total of 5996 proximal, 6874 diaphyseal, and 5658 distal tibia fractures were reported during the 18-year study period, resulting in incidences of 7.2/100,000, 8.1/100,000, and 6.9/100,000 person years for operatively treated proximal, diaphyseal, and distal tibia fractures, respectively. Over the study period, a clear change in fixation method in distal tibia fractures was found as plating became popular in the beginning of the 21st century. During the last 5 years of the study period, nailing and plating were equally used. CONCLUSIONS: Operatively treated proximal tibia fractures are most common among older females while diaphyseal fractures are most frequent in young male patients. Distal tibia fractures occur most often among middle-aged people.

Asystole episodes and bradycardia in patients with end-stage renal disease.

BACKGROUND: Knowledge of arrhythmias in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) is mainly based on ambulatory electrocardiography (ECG) studies and observations during haemodialysis (HD). We used insertable cardiac monitors (ICMs) to define the prevalence of arrhythmias, focusing on bradyarrhythmias, in ESRD patients treated with several dialysis modes including home therapies. Moreover, we assessed whether these arrhythmias were detected in baseline or ambulatory ECG recordings. METHODS: Seventy-one patients with a subcutaneous ICM were followed for up to 3 years. Asystole (≥4.0 s) and bradycardia (heart rate <30 bpm for ≥4 beats) episodes, ventricular tachyarrhythmias and atrial fibrillation (AF) were collected and verified visually. A baseline ECG and a 24- to 48-h ambulatory ECG were recorded at recruitment and once a year thereafter. RESULTS: At recruitment, 44 patients were treated in in-centre HD, 12 in home HD and 15 in peritoneal dialysis. During a median follow-up of 34.4 months, 18 (25.4%) patients had either an asystolic or a bradycardic episode. The median length of each patient's longest asystole was 6.6 s and that of a bradycardia 13.5 s. Ventricular tachyarrhythmias were detected in 16 (23%) patients, and AF in 34 (51%) patients. In-centre HD and Type II diabetes were significantly more frequent among those with bradyarrhythmias, whereas no bradyarrhythmias were found in home HD. No bradyarrhythmias were evident in baseline or ambulatory ECG recordings. CONCLUSIONS: Remarkably many patients with ESRD had bradycardia or asystolic episodes, but these arrhythmias were not detected by baseline or ambulatory ECG.

Nighttime ambulatory pulse pressure predicts cardiovascular and all-cause mortality among middle-aged participants in the 21-year follow-up.

Office pulse pressure (PP) is a predictor for cardiovascular (CV) events and mortality. Our aim was to evaluate ambulatory PP as a long-term risk factor in a random cohort of middle-aged participants. The Opera study took place in years 1991-1993, with a 24-h ambulatory blood pressure measurement (ABPM) performed to 900 participants. The end-points were non-fatal and fatal CV events, and deaths of all-causes. Follow-up period, until the first event or until the end of the year 2014, was 21.1 years (mean). Of 900 participants, 22.6% died (29.6% of men/15.6% of women, p<.001). A CV event was experienced by 208 participants (23.1%), 68.3% of them were male (p<.001). High nighttime ambulatory PP predicted independently CV mortality (hazard ratio [HR] 2.60; 95% confidence interval [CI 95%] 1.08-6.31, p=.034) and all-cause mortality in the whole population (HR 1.72; Cl 95% 1.06-2.78, p=.028). In males, both 24-h PP and nighttime PP associated with CV mortality and all-cause mortality (24-h PP HR for CV mortality 2.98; CI 95% 1.11-8.04, p=.031 and all-cause mortality HR 2.40; CI 95% 1.32-4.37, p=.004). Accordingly, nighttime PP; HR for CV mortality 3.13; CI 95% 1.14-8.56, p=.026, and for all-cause mortality HR 2.26; CI 95% 1.29-3.96, p=.004. Cox regression analyses were adjusted by sex, CV risk factors, and appropriate ambulatory mean systolic BP. In our study, high ambulatory nighttime PP was detected as a long-term risk factor for CV and all-cause mortality in middle-aged individuals.

Inadequate oral anticoagulation with warfarin in women with cerebrovascular event and history of atrial fibrillation: the FibStroke study.

BACKGROUND: Women with atrial fibrillation (AF) may be treated less actively with oral anticoagulation (OAC) than men. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We assessed sex differences in the implementation of stroke risk stratification with CHADS2 and CHA2DS2-VASc scores and reasons not to use OAC in 1747 AF patients suffering their first cerebrovascular event after the AF diagnosis. RESULTS: Women were older and had more often a high stroke risk (CHADS2/CHA2DS2-VASc ≥2) than men (p < .001). On admission, 46.4% of women and 48.2% of men were on OAC with no sex difference (p = .437). However, of patients without OAC, 74.4% of women and 49.5% of men should have been on OAC based on CHADS2/CHA2DS2-VASc ≥2 (p < .001). Conversely, 34.8% of men and 17.5% of women on OAC had a low or moderate risk (CHADS2/CHA2DS2-VASc 0-1, p < .001). A valid reason to omit OAC was reported in 38.6% of patients and less often in women (p < .001). CONCLUSIONS: OAC was underused in high-risk AF patients, particularly women, but prescribed often in men with low or moderate stroke risk. Reasons for omitting OAC treatment were poorly reported, particularly for women. KEY MESSAGE Women were at higher stroke risk, but were less often treated with oral anticoagulation (OAC). Men were more often on OAC at low or moderate stroke risk. Reasons for omitting guideline based OAC were poorly reported, particularly for women.

Polymethyl Methacrylate Cement Fill as a Definitive Treatment for Massive Bone Defect After Infected Internal Fixation in Bicondylar Tibial Fracture: A Case Report.

CASE: A 62-year-old woman sustained a bicondylar proximal tibial fracture. She had a deep infection after open reduction and internal fixation resulting in massive metaphyseal bone loss. Because only subchondral bone was left, the cavity was filled with cement after pins were used to support the proximal tibia. Then, a hinged knee-spanning external fixator (EF) was applied. After the removal of the EF, the patient was almost pain free and tolerated full weight-bearing, and no further surgeries were needed. CONCLUSION: The cemented wires technique proved to be a good short-term and possibly a reasonable long-term treatment approach for infected nonunion with massive bone loss still maintaining lower leg alignment.

Fluid overload is an independent predictor of atrial fibrillation in end-stage renal disease: A prospective study using insertable cardiac and body composition monitors
.

BACKGROUND: Fluid overload and atrial fibrillation (AF) are frequently encountered in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). We used subcutaneously insertable cardiac monitors (ICM) to detect AF and associated it with the hydration status, determined with a body composition monitor (BCM) in dialysis patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 69 patients were recruited. Fluid overload was defined based on BCM measurements as a ratio of overhydration (OH) and extracellular water (OH/ECW) of > 15% at baseline. AF episodes lasting ≥ 2 minutes were collected. RESULTS: 45 in-center hemodialysis patients, 11 on peritoneal dialysis, 12 on home hemodialysis, and 1 predialysis-stage patient were followed up for a median of 2.9 years (25th - 75th percentile 1.9 - 3.1). 29% were overhydrated at baseline, and the percentage remained similar throughout the study. Overhydrated patients had a lower body mass index, a higher prevalence of type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM) and diabetic nephropathy, higher systolic blood pressure, greater ultrafiltration (UF) during dialysis, and a smaller lean tissue index than normohydrated patients. Chronic or paroxysmal AF was known to occur in 20.3% at entry, and a further 33.3% developed AF during the study, with an overall prevalence 53.6%. In univariable logistic regression, OH/ECW > 15% was strongly associated with AF prevalence (OR 6.8, 95% CI 1.7 - 26.5, p = 0.006), as were UF, age, coronary heart disease (CHD), DM, and the echocardiogram-derived ejection fraction and left atrial diameter. In multivariable analyses, OH/ECW > 15% remained an independent predictor of AF alongside age and CHD. CONCLUSION: The occurrence of AF is independently associated with BCM-measured fluid overload, which is common among ESRD patients.

Full feature selection for estimating KAP radiation dose in coronary angiographies and percutaneous coronary interventions.

In interventional cardiology (IC) the radiation dose variation is very significant, and its estimation has been difficult due to the complexity of the treatments. In order to tackle this problem, the aim of this study was to identify the most important demographic and clinical features to estimate Kerma-Area Product (KAP) radiation dose in coronary angiographies (CA) and percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI). The study was retrospective using clinical patient data from 838 CA and PCI procedures. A total of 59 features were extracted from the patient data and 9 different filter-based feature selection methods were used to select the most informative features in terms of the KAP radiation dose from the treatments. The selected features were then used in a support vector regression (SVR) model to evaluate their performance in estimating the radiation dose. The ten highest-ranking features were: (1) FN1AC (CA), (2) FN2BA (PCI), (3) weight, (4) post-stenosis 0%, (5) multi-vessel disease, (6) number of procedures 3, (7) pre-stenosis 100%, (8) American Heart Association (AHA) score C, (9) pre-stenosis 85% and (10) gender. The performance of the SVR model increased (mean squared error ≈ 450) with the number of features approximately up to 30 features. The identification of the most informative features for CA and PCI KAP is an important step in determining suitable complexity models for clinical practice. The highest-ranking features can be used as individual predictors of IC procedure KAP or can be incorporated into combined complexity score or different estimation models in the future.

Peptide hormones and risk for future cardiovascular events among prediabetics: a 20-year follow-up in the OPERA study.

Background: Prediabetes has proven to have many unfavourable impacts on the cardiovascular system.Methods: The OPERA (Oulu Project Elucidating Risk of Atherosclerosis) study included 1045 middle-aged subjects followed from the years 1990-1993 to 2014. The focus was on peptide hormones.Results: Plasma resistin levels were higher among prediabetics (p = .001), particularly impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) (p < .001), but not impaired fasting glucose (IFG) patients than among normal glucose tolerance (NGT) or diabetes groups. Diabetics showed lower resistin levels than IGT subjects (p < .001). IGT or diabetes groups showed lower adiponectin and higher leptin levels compared to the NGT group (p < .001). The IFG group had the highest blood pressure and left ventricular mass index, even higher than the diabetic group. Diabetics had the highest, prediabetics (IFG + IGT) intermediate and NGT the lowest risk for CVD events during follow-up (p < .001). Among prediabetics, high plasma ghrelin was an independent predictor of CVD events (p < .05) in the Cox regression analysis although it did not significantly improve either classification or discrimination of the patients.Conclusions: Among glucose tolerance groups, patients with IGT had the highest resistin, but equally high leptin and low adiponectin levels as diabetics. Among prediabetics, ghrelin seems to predict independently cardiovascular events in the long term.KEY MESSAGEAmong glucose tolerance groups, patients with IGT had the highest resistin, but equally high leptin and low adiponectin levels as diabetics.Among prediabetics, ghrelin seems to predict independently cardiovascular events in the long term.

Distribution of ischemic strokes in patients with atrial fibrillation: The FibStroke Study.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to determine the relative frequency of affected cerebrovascular territories in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) suffering an ischemic stroke. METHODS: Altogether, 1,976 patients who suffered their first-ever ischemic stroke during 2003-2012 and were diagnosed with AF either before or within 30 days after the event were included in this retrospective multicenter cohort study. Strokes were classified radiographically to be located either within the anterior or the posterior cerebrovascular territory, and the effect of the CHA2DS2-VASc score, oral anticoagulant (OAC) use, and timing of AF diagnosis on lesion localization was determined. RESULTS: The median age of the patients was 78.4 (interquartile range: 71.7-84.2) years, 1,137 (57.5%) of them were women, their mean CHA2DS2-VASc score was 3.5 (95% confidence interval: 3.4-3.5), 656 (33.2%) were receiving OAC drugs, and altogether, 1,450 (73%) had a previous AF diagnosis. The localization of ischemic lesions between the anterior and the posterior cerebrovascular territories was not affected by the timing of AF diagnosis (p = 0.46), use of OACs (p = 0.70), or the CHA2DS2-VASc score (p = 0.10). Within the anterior territory, altogether 774 strokes (53.2%) were located in the left hemisphere and 3 (0.2%) were bilateral. The timing of AF diagnosis (p = 0.84), use of OACs (p = 0.90), or the CHA2DS2-VASc score (p = 0.21) did not affect the location of the ischemic lesion between the hemispheres. CONCLUSIONS: The timing of AF diagnosis, use of OAC drugs, or the CHA2DS2-VASc score did not affect the distribution of ischemic strokes. Anterior territory strokes were slightly more often located within the left hemisphere.

Traumatic and spontaneous intracranial hemorrhage in atrial fibrillation patients on warfarin.

BACKGROUND: Intracranial hemorrhage is the most devastating complication in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) receiving oral anticoagulation (OAC). It can be either spontaneous or caused by head trauma. We sought to address the prevalence, clinical characteristics, and prognosis of traumatic and spontaneous intracranial hemorrhages in AF patients on OAC. METHODS: Multicenter FibStroke registry of 5,629 patients identified 592 intracranial hemorrhages during warfarin treatment between 2003 and 2012. RESULTS: A large proportion (40%) of intracranial hemorrhages were traumatic. Of these, 64% were subdural hemorrhages (SDHs) and 20% intracerebral hemorrhages (ICHs). With respect to the spontaneous hemorrhages, 25% were SDHs and 67% ICHs. Patients with traumatic hemorrhage were older (81 vs 78 years, p = 0.01) and more often had congestive heart failure (30% vs 16%, p < 0.01) and anemia (7% vs 3%, p = 0.03) compared to patients with spontaneous hemorrhage. Admission international normalized ratio (INR) values (2.7 vs 2.7, p = 0.79), as well as CHA2DS2-VASc (median 4 vs 4, p = 0.08) and HAS-BLED (median 2 vs 2, p = 0.05) scores, were similar between the groups. The 30-day mortality after traumatic hemorrhage was significantly lower than after spontaneous hemorrhage (25% vs 36%, p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: A significant proportion of intracranial hemorrhages in anticoagulated AF patients were traumatic. Traumatic hemorrhages were predominantly SDHs and less often fatal when compared to spontaneous hemorrhages, which were mainly ICHs. Admission INR values as well as CHA2DS2-VASc and HAS-BLED scores were similar in patients with spontaneous and traumatic intracranial hemorrhage. CLINICALTRIALSGOV IDENTIFIER: NCT02146040.

How do anticoagulated atrial fibrillation patients who suffer ischemic stroke or spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage differ?

BACKGROUND: Atrial fibrillation (AF) increases risk of ischemic stroke, and oral anticoagulation (OAC) increases risk of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). This study aimed to compare OAC-treated AF patients with an ischemic stroke/transient ischemic attack (TIA) or spontaneous ICH as their first lifetime cerebrovascular event, especially focusing on patients with therapeutic international normalized ratio (INR). HYPOTHESIS: We assumed that in AF patients suffering ischemic stroke/TIA or ICH, patient characteristics could be different in patients with therapeutic INR than in patients with warfarin. METHODS: FibStroke is a multicenter, retrospective registry collating details of AF patients with ischemic stroke/TIA or intracranial hemorrhage in 2003-2012. This substudy included AF patients on OAC with first lifetime ischemic stroke/TIA or spontaneous ICH. RESULTS: A total of 1457 patients with 1290 ischemic strokes/TIAs and 167 ICHs were identified. Of these, 553 (42.9%) strokes/TIAs and 96 (57.5%) ICHs occurred in patients with INR within therapeutic range. During OAC with therapeutic INR, congestive heart failure (odds ratio [OR]: 2.33, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.18-4.58) and hypercholesterolemia (OR: 2.52, 95% CI: 1.51-4.19) were more common in patients with ischemic stroke/TIA, whereas a history of bleeding (OR: 0.30, 95% CI: 0.11-0.82) was less common when compared with patients with ICH. In the whole cohort, renal impairment (OR: 1.86, 95% CI: 1.23-2.80) and mechanical valve prosthesis (OR: 4.41, 95% CI: 1.32-14.7) were overrepresented in patients with stroke/TIA, whereas aspirin use (OR: 0.52, 95% CI: 0.30-0.91) and high INR (OR: 0.40, 95% CI: 0.33-0.48) were overrepresented in patients with ICH. CONCLUSIONS: In anticoagulated AF patients with therapeutic INR and first lifetime cerebrovascular event, congestive heart failure and hypercholesterolemia were associated with ischemic stroke/TIA and history of bleeding with ICH.