γ-Glutamyl Transferase and Long-Term Survival in the SYNTAXES Trial: Is It Just the Liver?

BACKGROUND: Recently, machine learning algorithms have identified preprocedural γ-glutamyl transferase (GGT) as a significant predictor of long-term mortality after coronary revascularization in the SYNTAX (Synergy Between PCI [Percutaneous Coronary Intervention] With Taxus and Cardiac Surgery) trial. The aim of the present study is to investigate the impact of preprocedural GGT on 10-year all-cause mortality in patients with complex coronary artery disease after revascularization. METHODS AND RESULTS: The SYNTAX trial was a randomized trial comparing PCI with coronary artery bypass grafting in 1800 patients with complex coronary artery disease. The present report is a post hoc subanalysis of the SYNTAXES (Synergy Between PCI With Taxus and Cardiac Surgery Extended Survival) trial, an investigator-driven extended 10-year follow-up of the SYNTAX trial. The association between preprocedural GGT and 10-year all-cause mortality was investigated. The mean values of GGT for men and women were 43.5 (SD, 48.5) and 36.4 (SD, 46.1) U/L, respectively. In multivariable Cox regression models adjusted by traditional risk factors, GGT was an independent predictor for all-cause death at 10-year follow-up, and each SD increase in log-GGT was associated with a 1.24-fold risk of all cause death at 10-year follow-up (95% CI, 1.10-1.40). According to previously reported sex-related GGT thresholds, patients with higher GGT level had a 1.74-fold risk of all-cause death at 10-year follow-up (95% CI, 1.32-2.29) compared with patients with lower GGT level. CONCLUSIONS: Preprocedural GGT is an independent predictor of 10-year mortality after coronary revascularization in patients with complex coronary artery disease. In patients with elevated GGT, strong secondary prevention may be required after revascularization and must be studied prospectively. REGISTRATION: URL: https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT03417050.

Can Machine Learning Aid the Selection of Percutaneous vs Surgical Revascularization?

BACKGROUND: In patients with 3-vessel coronary artery disease (CAD) and/or left main CAD, individual risk prediction plays a key role in deciding between percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess whether these individualized revascularization decisions can be improved by applying machine learning (ML) algorithms and integrating clinical, biological, and anatomical factors. METHODS: In the SYNTAX (Synergy between PCI with Taxus and Cardiac Surgery) study, ML algorithms (Lasso regression, gradient boosting) were used to develop a prognostic index for 5-year death, which was combined, in the second stage, with assigned treatment (PCI or CABG) and prespecified effect-modifiers: disease type (3-vessel or left main CAD) and anatomical SYNTAX score. The model's discriminative ability to predict the risk of 5-year death and treatment benefit between PCI and CABG was cross-validated in the SYNTAX trial (n = 1,800) and externally validated in the CREDO-Kyoto (Coronary REvascularization Demonstrating Outcome Study in Kyoto) registry (n = 7,362), and then compared with the original SYNTAX score II 2020 (SSII-2020). RESULTS: The hybrid gradient boosting model performed best for predicting 5-year all-cause death with C-indexes of 0.78 (95% CI: 0.75-0.81) in cross-validation and 0.77 (95% CI: 0.76-0.79) in external validation. The ML models discriminated 5-year mortality better than the SSII-2020 in the external validation cohort and identified heterogeneity in the treatment benefit of CABG vs PCI. CONCLUSIONS: An ML-based approach for identifying individuals who benefit from CABG or PCI is feasible and effective. Implementation of this model in health care systems-trained to collect large numbers of parameters-may harmonize decision making globally. (Synergy Between PCI With TAXUS and Cardiac Surgery: SYNTAX Extended Survival [SYNTAXES]; NCT03417050; SYNTAX Study: TAXUS Drug-Eluting Stent Versus Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery for the Treatment of Narrowed Arteries; NCT00114972).

Proton therapy for the management of localized prostate cancer: Long-term clinical outcomes at a comprehensive cancer center.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Proton therapy (PT) has emerged as a standard-of-care treatment option for localized prostate cancer at our comprehensive cancer center. However, there are few large-scale analyses examining the long-term clinical outcomes. Therefore, this article aims to evaluate the long-term effectiveness and toxicity of PT in patients with localized prostate cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Review of 2772 patients treated from May 2006 through January 2020. Disease risk was stratified according to National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines as low [LR, n = 640]; favorable-intermediate [F-IR, n = 850]; unfavorable-intermediate [U-IR, n = 851]; high [HR, n = 315]; or very high [VHR, n = 116]. Biochemical failure and toxicity were analyzed using Kaplan-Meier estimates and multivariate models. RESULTS: The median patient age was 66 years; the median follow-up time was 7.0 years. Pelvic lymph node irradiation was prescribed to 28 patients (1%) (2 [0.2%] U-IR, 11 [3.5%] HR, and 15 [12.9%] VHR). The median dose was 78 Gy in 1.8-2.0 Gy(RBE) fractions. Freedom from biochemical relapse (FFBR) rates at 5 years and 10 years were 98.2% and 96.8% for the LR group; 98.3% and 93.6%, F-IR; 94.2% and 90.2%, U-IR; 94.3% and 85.2%, HR; and 86.1% and 68.5%, VHR. Two patients died of prostate cancer. Overall rates of late grade ≥ 3 GU and GI toxicity were 0.87% and 1.01%. CONCLUSIONS: Proton therapy for localized prostate cancer demonstrated excellent clinical outcomes in this large cohort, even among higher-risk groups with historically poor outcomes despite aggressive therapy.

Can machine learning unravel unsuspected, clinically important factors predictive of long-term mortality in complex coronary artery disease? A call for 'big data'.

Aims: Risk stratification and individual risk prediction play a key role in making treatment decisions in patients with complex coronary artery disease (CAD). The aim of this study was to assess whether machine learning (ML) algorithms can improve discriminative ability and identify unsuspected, but potentially important, factors in the prediction of long-term mortality following percutaneous coronary intervention or coronary artery bypass grafting in patients with complex CAD. Methods and results: To predict long-term mortality, the ML algorisms were applied to the SYNTAXES database with 75 pre-procedural variables including demographic and clinical factors, blood sampling, imaging, and patient-reported outcomes. The discriminative ability and feature importance of the ML model was assessed in the derivation cohort of the SYNTAXES trial using a 10-fold cross-validation approach. The ML model showed an acceptable discrimination (area under the curve = 0.76) in cross-validation. C-reactive protein, patient-reported pre-procedural mental status, gamma-glutamyl transferase, and HbA1c were identified as important variables predicting 10-year mortality. Conclusion: The ML algorithms disclosed unsuspected, but potentially important prognostic factors of very long-term mortality among patients with CAD. A 'mega-analysis' based on large randomized or non-randomized data, the so-called 'big data', may be warranted to confirm these findings. Clinical Trial Registration: SYNTAXES ClinicalTrials.gov reference: NCT03417050, SYNTAX ClinicalTrials.gov reference: NCT00114972.

Liver fibrosis quantified by image morphometry predicts clinical outcomes in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Liver fibrosis predicts adverse clinical outcomes, such as liver-related death (LRD) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). We aimed to investigate the accuracy of semi-automated quantification of collagen proportionate area (CPA) as an objective new method for predicting clinical outcomes. METHOD: Liver biopsies from patients with NAFLD underwent computerized image morphometry of Sirius Red staining with CPA quantification performed by ImageScope. Clinical outcomes, including total mortality, LRD, and combined liver outcomes (liver decompensation, HCC, or LRD), were determined by medical records and population-based data-linkage. The accuracy of CPA for predicting outcomes was compared with non-invasive fibrosis tests (Hepascore, FIB-4, APRI). RESULTS: A total of 295 patients (mean age 50 years) were followed for a median (range) of 9 (0.2-25) years totalling 3253 person-years. Patients with CPA ≥ 10% had significantly higher risks for total death [hazard ratio (HR): 5.0 (1.9-13.2)], LRD [19.0 (2.0-182.0)], and combined liver outcomes [15.6 (3.1-78.6)]. CPA and pathologist fibrosis staging (FS) showed similar accuracy (AUROC) for the prediction of total death (0.68 vs. 0.70), LRD (0.72 vs. 0.77) and combined liver outcomes (0.75 vs. 0.78). Non-invasive serum markers Hepascore, APRI, and FIB-4 reached higher AUROC; however, they were not statistically significant compared to that of CPA except for Hepascore in predicting total mortality (0.86 vs. 0.68, p = 0.009). CONCLUSION: Liver fibrosis quantified by CPA analysis was significantly associated with clinical outcomes including total mortality, LRD, and HCC. CPA achieved similar accuracy in predicting outcomes compared to pathologist fibrosis staging and non-invasive serum markers.

Look at This Swelling: Retroauricular Mass as Atypical Progression in Long-Survivor Endometrial Endometrioid Adenocarcinoma.

Endometrial endometrioid adenocarcinoma is the most common histology in gynecological malignancies. Most women present loco-regional relapsing or peritoneal and liver involvement within three years from diagnosis. However long-survivor patients may be affected by atypical disease evolutions. Here we describe an extremely rare case of retroauricular metastasis in a patient affected by endometrial endometrioid adenocarcinoma, who had a total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy six years earlier and subsequent salvage surgery three years later for loco-regional relapsed disease.

Impact of HBsAg seroclearance on late recurrence of hepatitis B virus-related hepatocellular carcinoma after surgical resection.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: It is unknown whether HBsAg seroclearance affects the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) recurrence after liver resection. We aimed to investigate the impact of HBsAg seroclearance on the recurrence of HCC after curative liver resection, with a focus on late recurrence. METHODS: This study comprised 2,520 consecutive patients who received curative liver resection for HBV-related HCC of Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer stage 0 or A in Korea between 2000 and 2017. To focus on late recurrence, patients with recurrence or a follow-up duration less than 2 years were excluded. The impact of HBsAg seroclearance on HCC recurrence was assessed by landmark analysis (2-, 5-and 8-year after liver resection), time-dependent Cox and multistate modeling. RESULTS: The mean patient age was 54.4 years and 75.7% were men. A total of 891 (35.4%) patients developed HCC recurrence at rates of 11.2%, 25.5%, and 46.8% at 3, 5, and 10 years after resection. HBsAg seroclearance was achieved in 172 (6.8%) patients during a median follow-up duration of 6.9 years after resection. HBsAg seroclearance, compared with persistent HBsAg positivity, was associated with a lower risk of late HCC recurrence in the 2-, 5-, and 8-year landmark analysis (p = 0.04, p = 0.02 and p = 0.03, respectively) and on time-dependent multivariable Cox modeling (adjusted hazard ratio 0.62; p = 0.005). Based on a 3-state unidirectional illness-death model, patients without HBsAg seroclearance transitioned to HCC recurrence more rapidly than patients who experienced HBsAg seroclearance. CONCLUSIONS: HBsAg seroclearance is associated with a lower risk of late recurrence of HBV-related HCC among Korean patients who undergo curative liver resection. LAY SUMMARY: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a leading cause of chronic liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Suppression of HBV replication is known to lower the risk of HCC recurrence after liver resection (a procedure used to treat and in some cases cure HCC). However, whether the loss of a specific HBV protein (hepatitis B surface antigen or HBsAg) has an impact on recurrence after liver resection remains unknown. Herein, we show that loss of HBsAg is associated with a reduce risk of late recurrence of HCC after liver resection in patients with HBV-related HCC.

Predicted and Observed Mortality at 10 Years in Patients With Bifurcation Lesions in the SYNTAX Trial.

BACKGROUND: Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) of bifurcation lesions is associated with higher rates of adverse events, and currently it is unclear whether PCI or coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is the safer treatment for these patients at very long-term follow-up. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of bifurcation lesions on individual predicted and observed all-cause 10-year mortality in the SYNTAX (Synergy Between PCI With Taxus and Cardiac Surgery) trial. METHODS: In the SYNTAXES (SYNTAX Extended Survival) study, 10-year observed and individual predicted mortality derived from the SYNTAX score 2020 (SS-2020) was compared between patients with ≥1 bifurcation (n = 1,300) and those with no bifurcations (n = 487). RESULTS: Among patients treated with PCI, patients with >1 bifurcation lesion compared with those without bifurcation lesions had a significantly higher risk for all-cause death (19.8% vs 30.1%; HR: 1.55; 95% CI: 1.12-2.14; P = 0.007), whereas following CABG, mortality was similar in patients with and those without bifurcation lesions (23.3% vs 23.0%; HR: 0.81; 95% CI: 0.59-1.12; P = 0.207; Pinteraction = 0.006). In PCI patients, a 2-stent vs a 1-stent technique was associated with higher mortality (33.3% vs 25.9%; HR: 1.51; 95% CI: 1.06-2.14; P = 0.021). According to the SS-2020, among those with ≥1 bifurcation, there was equipoise for all-cause mortality between PCI and CABG in 2 quartiles of the population, whereas CABG was superior to PCI in the 2 remaining quartiles. CONCLUSIONS: Bifurcation lesions require special attention from the heart team, considering the higher 10-year all-cause mortality associated with PCI. Careful evaluation of bifurcation lesion complexity and calculation of individualized 10-year prognosis using the SS-2020 may therefore be helpful in decision making. (Synergy Between PCI With TAXUS and Cardiac Surgery: SYNTAX Extended Survival [SYNTAXES], NCT03417050; Taxus Drug-Eluting Stent Versus Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery for the Treatment of Narrowed Arteries [SYNTAX], NCT00114972).

Utility of Baseline Transcriptomic Analysis of Rheumatoid Arthritis Synovium as an Indicator for Long-Term Clinical Outcomes.

Objective: Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease that can lead to synovial damage, persistent joint pain, and functional disability. Our objective was to evaluate baseline synovial transcriptome from early inflammatory arthritis patients (EIA) and identify pretreatment biomarkers that could potentially provide insights into long-term functional outcomes of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods: Synovial biopsies from clinically inflamed knee joints were procured from either 17 EIA patients before initiation of disease modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD) therapy (DMARD-naïve EIA) using the minimally invasive closed needle biopsy technique or advanced RA patients undergoing arthroplasty. Affymetrix Human Genome U133 Plus 2 microarray platform was used to profile the synovial transcriptome. The cohort was followed clinically for a median of 12.3 years, and patient data was collected at each visit. Short-term and long-term clinical outcomes were determined by assessing RA-associated clinical parameters Statistical adjustments were made to account for asynchronous clinical visits and duration of follow up. Results: Based on the transcriptomic analysis, we identified 5 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), including matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1 (fibroblast collagenase) and MMP-3 (stromelysin-1) in DMARD-naïve EIA patients, relative to advanced RA patients (q < 0.05). Dichotomous expression of MMP-1 and MMP-3 mRNA and protein was confirmed by qPCR and immunohistochemistry respectively, based on which DMARD-naïve EIA subjects were classified as MMP-high or MMP-low. Hierarchical clustering of transcriptomic data identified 947 DEGs between MMP-high and MMP-low cohorts. Co-expression and IPA analysis of DEGs in the MMP-high cohort showed an enrichment of genes that participated in metabolic or biochemical functions and intracellular immune signaling were regulated through NF-κB and ß-catenin complexes and correlated with markers of systemic inflammation. Analysis of short-term clinical outcomes in MMP-high cohort showed a significant reduction in the DAS-CRP scores relative to baseline (P <0.001), whereas area under the curve analyses of modified HAQ (mHAQ) scores correlated negatively with baseline MMP-1 (R = -0.59, P = 0.03). Further, longitudinal mHAQ scores, number of swollen joints, number of DMARDs and median follow-up duration appeared to be higher in MMP-low cohort. Conclusion: Overall, our results indicate that the gene expression profiling of synovial biopsies obtained at the DMARD-naive stage in patients with EIA categorizes them into subsets with varying degrees of inflammation and can predict the future of long-term clinical outcome.

Role of Vitamin D Supplementation in Heart Failure Patients With Vitamin D Deficiency and Its Effects on Clinical Outcomes: A Literature Review.

Vitamin D deficiency has become a global pandemic affecting approximately one billion people worldwide. Much attention has been paid to the association of low serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels and various chronic diseases, especially heart failure (HF). A clear role of vitamin D deficiency has been established, with increased mortality and morbidity in heart failures. However, previous randomized control trials have failed to show improvement in clinical outcomes with calciferol supplementation in these patients. Therefore, it is still unclear whether calciferol therapy can be added to the standard care in congestive heart failure (CHF) patients with deficiency. Hence, to evaluate the role of vitamin D supplementation in CHF patients with low serum 25(OH)D, we conducted an extensive search in the PubMed and Google Scholar databases using various combinations of keywords. All potentially eligible studies that evaluated the effects of vitamin D supplementation on clinical outcomes in HF patients were retrieved and extensively studied. We also checked the references of all eligible studies to identify additional relevant publications. In this study, we reviewed various mechanisms of vitamin D affecting the cardiovascular system and examined the impact of deficiency on heart failures in terms of mortality and hospitalizations. In conclusion, vitamin D supplementation has failed to improve the clinical outcomes in HF patients. The possible long-term benefits of supplementation cannot be excluded. Therefore, for future clinical trials, we recommend considering large sample sizes, longer follow-up durations, along with optimal dosage and appropriate dosing frequency.

Nerve Root Sedimentation Sign: Can It Predict the Success for Surgical Intervention in Patients With Symptomatic Lumbar Spinal Stenosis?

INTRODUCTION:  The use of interspinous process devices are less invasive surgical methods designed to manage mild to moderate lumbar spinal stenosis symptoms. Symptomatic relief may not be seen in all patients undergoing this procedure. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) parameters have been used to predict the success of clinical outcomes in patients with symptomatic lumbar spinal stenosis for decompressive surgeries. The purpose of this study was to determine the feasibility of using nerve root sedimentation sign to predict mid- to long-term clinical outcomes of patients treated with interspinous spacers for lumbar spinal stenosis. METHODS: This was a retrospective study using prospective multicenter Food and Drug Administration Investigational Device Exemption (FDA IDE) trial (Superion™ and X-STOP®) data. Inclusion criteria were patients treated with interspinous spacers, aged 45 or older with lumbar spinal stenosis at one or more contiguous levels from L1 to L5 and symptoms of neurogenic claudication. Preoperative axial T2 weighted MRI images were used to determine nerve root sedimentation sign. Preoperative, six-week, one- and two-year postoperative clinical outcomes were measured using Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) scores. Clinical outcomes were compared between positive and negative nerve root sedimentation sign groups; p ≤0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: This study included n=374 patients; 40 excluded; 334 included (113=positive nerve root sedimentation sign (NRSS) (34%) and 221=negative NRSS (66%)). At six weeks, significant postoperative ODI correction was noted in both groups (p<0.001). No significant differences in ODI scores were identified between groups. A subgroup analysis with MRI image quality grade 3 and certainty determination grade 5, six-week postoperative ODI correction was significant in both groups. Six-week, one- and two-year postoperative ODI scores were greater by 6 points in the positive nerve root sedimentation sign group compared to the negative nerve root sedimentation sign group. CONCLUSIONS:  Although satisfactory postoperative improvement occurred in both groups, there were statistically significant differences noted in certain sub-categories. The subgroup analysis indicated MRI image quality and nerve root sedimentation sign certainty of determination may be factors that may aid with planning the surgical management of lumbar spinal stenosis.

[Long-term clinical outcomes of patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage in Yunnan Province].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical outcomes of patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) after surgeries in Yunnan Province. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the demographic features, vascular risk factors, severity at admission, and aneurysm locations in 85 patients with aSAH receiving surgical interventions in Yunnan Province. All the patients were treated by aneurysm clipping or coiling and followed up for clinical outcomes and recovery of daily activities evaluated by modified Rankin Scale (mRS) and Activities of Daily Living (ADL) scale, respectively. RESULTS: Thirty-four of the patients (40.0%) underwent aneurysm clipping and 51 (60.0%) underwent aneurysm coiling. During a median follow- up period of 66.23 months (IOR, 12.03 months), 84.7% of the patients had low mRS scores, and 78.8% lived independently. The WFNS grade at admission was significantly correlated with the follow-up mRS scores (95%CI: 1.48-19.09, P=0.011) and ADL (95%CI: 2.55-28.77, P < 0.001). Multivariate analysis showed that age (95%CI: 1.02-1.23, P=0.017; 95%CI: 1.00-1.15, P=0.038) and a high WFNS grade at admission (95%CI: 2.19-141.48, P=0.007; 95%CI: 2.84-82.61, P=0.002) were independent predictors of both mRS and ADL scores at follow-up. There was no significant difference in clinical outcomes or the length of hospital stay between the two treatment strategies (P > 0.05), but the cost of hospitalization was significantly higher in coiling group than in the clipping group (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Both aging and a high WFNS grade at admission are associated with a poor prognosis of aSAH, for which aneurysm clipping and coiling have similar long- term outcomes, but for patients with a high WFNS score, aneurysm clipping is favored over coiling in terms of health economics.

Guideline adherence and long-term clinical outcomes in patients with acute myocardial infarction: a Japanese Registry of Acute Myocardial Infarction Diagnosed by Universal Definition (J-MINUET) substudy.

BACKGROUND: The association between guideline adherence and long-term outcomes in patients with acute myocardial infarction in real-world clinical practice remains unclear. METHODS: We investigated 3283 consecutive patients with acute myocardial infarction who were selected from a prospective, nation-wide, multicentre registry (J-MINUET) database covering 28 institutions in Japan between July 2012 and March 2014. Among the 2757 eligible patients, we evaluated the use of seven guideline-recommended therapies, including urgent revascularisation, door-to-balloon time of 90 minutes or less, and five discharge medications (P2Y12 inhibitors on aspirin, beta-blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blockers, statins, lipid-lowering drugs). The primary endpoint was a composite of all-cause death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, non-fatal stroke, cardiac failure and urgent revascularisation for unstable angina up to 3 years. RESULTS: The overall median composite guideline adherence was 85.7%. Patients were divided into the following three groups: complete (100%) adherence group (n=862); moderate adherence (75% to <100%) group (n=911); and low adherence (0-75%) group (n=984). The rate of adverse cardiovascular events was significantly lower in the complete adherence group than in the low and moderate adherence groups (log rank P<0.0001). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed complete guideline adherence was also significantly associated with lower adverse cardiovascular events compared with low guideline adherence (hazard ratio 0.66; 95% confidence interval 0.52-0.85; P=0.001). CONCLUSION: The use of guideline-based therapies for patients with acute myocardial infarction in contemporary clinical practice was associated with significant decreases in adverse long-term clinical outcomes. TRIAL REGISTRATION: UMIN Unique trial Number: UMIN000010037.

Long-term clinical outcomes of patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage in Yunnan Province / 南方医科大学学报

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the clinical outcomes of patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) after surgeries in Yunnan Province.@*METHODS@#We retrospectively analyzed the demographic features, vascular risk factors, severity at admission, and aneurysm locations in 85 patients with aSAH receiving surgical interventions in Yunnan Province. All the patients were treated by aneurysm clipping or coiling and followed up for clinical outcomes and recovery of daily activities evaluated by modified Rankin Scale (mRS) and Activities of Daily Living (ADL) scale, respectively.@*RESULTS@#Thirty-four of the patients (40.0%) underwent aneurysm clipping and 51 (60.0%) underwent aneurysm coiling. During a median follow- up period of 66.23 months (IOR, 12.03 months), 84.7% of the patients had low mRS scores, and 78.8% lived independently. The WFNS grade at admission was significantly correlated with the follow-up mRS scores (95%: 1.48-19.09, =0.011) and ADL (95%: 2.55-28.77, 0.05), but the cost of hospitalization was significantly higher in coiling group than in the clipping group ( < 0.001).@*CONCLUSIONS@#Both aging and a high WFNS grade at admission are associated with a poor prognosis of aSAH, for which aneurysm clipping and coiling have similar long- term outcomes, but for patients with a high WFNS score, aneurysm clipping is favored over coiling in terms of health economics.

Clinical Outcomes of Penetrating Keratoplasty and Descemet Stripping Automated Endothelial Keratoplasty in Asian Population with American Corneas.

To determine the comparative efficacy and safety of penetrating keratoplasty (PK) and Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK) in the Asian population receiving imported donor corneas, our single-center retrospective study provides analysis supporting the transition from PK to DSAEK in the Asian population using imported American donor corneas. We analyzed 259 patients with 241 and 57 cases of PK and DSAEK respectively during 2008 to 2017 using imported corneas at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou, Taiwan. In terms of long-term graft survival analysis, there was no difference between PK and DSAEK (log-rank p = 0.386, HR = 0.920, 95% CI: [0.641-1.380]). However, Cox proportional regression analysis revealed that corneal survival rate of DSAEK group in the first 100 days after transplantation was inferior than that of PK group (log-rank p < 0.001, HR = 2.733, 95% CI: [1.501-4.977])]. Despite the inferior survival rate, there were significantly less neovascularization and Descemet membrane folds in the DSAEK group. Importantly, the non-complication rate of DSAEK was much higher than that of PK with significant difference (PK, 25.7% vs DSAEK 42.0%, p = 0.022). Collectively, DSAEK is suggested as an alternative surgical modality in Asian patients using imported American donor corneas because of less complication, and no difference in long-term corneal graft survival rates between PK and DSAEK.

Long-Term Outcomes of On- Versus Off-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting.

BACKGROUND: When comparing effects of on- versus off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), it is important to assess the long-term clinical outcomes. However, most research conducted thus far has concentrated on short-term outcomes and ignored the long-term clinical outcomes, especially the 5-year outcomes of the largest randomized controlled trials. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to investigate the long-term clinical outcomes of on- versus off-pump CABG. METHODS: To identify potential studies systematic searches were carried out using various databases. The search strategy included the key concepts of cardiopulmonary bypass AND off-pump AND long term OR 5-year outcomes. This was followed by a meta-analysis investigating mortality, incidence of myocardial infarction, incidence of angina, need for revascularization, and incidence of stroke. RESULTS: Six studies totaling 8,145 participants were analyzed. In the on-pump group mortality was 12.3%, compared with 13.9% in the off-pump group. The odds ratio (OR) for this comparison was 1.16 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.02 to 1.32; p = 0.03; 13.9% vs. 12.3%). In contrast, there were no differences in the incidence of myocardial infarction (OR: 1.06: 95% CI: 0.91 to 1.25; p = 0.45; 8.4% vs. 7.9%), incidence of angina (OR: 1.09; 95% CI: 0.75 to 1.57; p = 0.65; 2.3% vs. 2.1%), need for revascularization (OR: 1.15; 95% CI: 0.95 to 1.40; p = 0.16; 5.9% vs. 5.1%), and the incidence of stroke (OR: 0.78; 95% CI: 0.56 to 1.10; p = 0.16; 2.2% vs. 2.8%). CONCLUSIONS: Statistically, on-pump CABG appeared to offer superior long-term survival, although the clinical significance of this may be more uncertain.

Sex difference between target levels of cholesterol-related parameters and post-PCI long-term clinical outcomes: From the FU-Registry.

BACKGROUND: Since single lipid parameters are too weak to predict the risk of coronary artery disease, we examined whether the allocation of patients into four groups based on achievement of the target levels set by the Japan Atherosclerosis Guidelines at the time of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) would reveal different long-term (5 years) clinical outcomes in males and females. METHODS: The results of a 5-year follow-up study are summarized as FU-Registry, Long-Term Clinical Outcome Results. The subjects consisted of 1158 patients who underwent elective PCI. The male and female patients were separately allocated into four groups: (1) high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C≥40mg/dl as well as low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C)≥100mg/dl); (2) HDL-C≥40mg/dl as well as LDL-C<100mg/dl; (3) HDL-C<40mg/dl as well as LDL-C≥100mg/dl; (4) HDL-C<40mg/dl as well as LDL-C<100mg/dl, for a comparison of both patient as well as lesion characteristics and the endpoint of major adverse cardiac events (MACEs). RESULTS: Regarding lesion characteristics, significant differences (p<0.05) were detected in the usage rate of a drug-eluting stent (DES) as well as the bend, stent reference diameter, and stent minimum lumen diameter in females by ANOVA, and in severe calcification, the bend, and usage rate of DES (p<0.001) in males. In females, significant differences (p<0.05) were observed in MACEs and target lesion revascularization-PCI. In contrast, among males, the four groups had nearly equivalent outcomes. Uni- and multivariate analyses revealed that HDL-C as well as LDL-C in females were associated with MACEs [OR 3.29 (95% CI 1.05-8.57, p=0.04)], while no association was observed in male multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION: In female patients, HDL-C<40mg/dl and LDL-C≥100mg/dl were even more strongly related to MACEs, whereas the combination of LDL-C and HDL-C was not related to MACEs in male patients.

Association between the heart rate early after heart transplantation and the long term clinical outcomes.

BACKGROUND: A strong correlation between a lower heart rate and survival has been demonstrated in various patient populations. The optimal heart rate for heart transplant patients is still unknown. The aim of our study was to evaluate the association between an early heart rate and survival after heart transplantation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We retrospectively analysed a group of 330 patients, who underwent heart transplantation in our institution from 1994 to 2014 and complete datasets, including 24-hour heart rate monitoring one month after the heart transplantation. Patients were divided in 2 groups: Group A (n = 278) with the average 24-hour heart rate <90 bpm, and Group B (n = 52) with ≥ 90 bpm. RESULTS: The average period of monitoring was 7.5 ± 5.3 years. No differences in baseline characteristics were observed in both groups of recipients and respective donors. One-year survival in groups A and B was 92 % and 81 %, respectively; 5-year survival was 79 % and 60 %, respectively; and 10-year survival was 66 % and 50 %, respectively (p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: Increased heart rate in the early post-transplant period was significantly associated with a poorer survival rate in patients after heart transplantation (Tab. 2, Fig. 1, Ref. 25).