Left Ventricular Unloading Before Percutaneous Coronary Intervention is Associated With Improved Survival in Patients With Acute Myocardial Infarction Complicated by Cardiogenic Shock: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

BackgroundLeft ventricular unloading with Impella may improve survival outcomes in patients with acute myocardial infarction complicated by cardiogenic shock (AMI-CS). However, the optimal timing to initiate left ventricular unloading has yet to be established. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to compare survival in patients with AMI-CS who were supported with Impella prior to PCI (pre-PCI) to those in whom support was initiated following PCI (post-PCI).MethodsAll studies that evaluated the impact of pre-PCI versus post-PCI Impella placement in patients with AMI-CS were included. Primary endpoints included in-hospital, 30-day, and 6-month survival rates.ResultsWe identified five observational studies comparing outcomes in 432 patients with AMI-CS, of which 173 patients were treated with Impella pre-PCI and 259 patients post-PCI. Patients in the pre-PCI group had lower in-hospital mortality compared to patients in the post-PCI group (RR 0.62, 95% CI: 0.50–0.76, I² = 0%). The lower mortality rate in the pre-PCI group remained evident at 30 days (HR 0.60, 95% CI: 0.47–0.78, I² = 0%) and at 6 months (HR 0.66, 95% CI: 0.44–0.97, I² = 0%). There was no difference in the risk of adverse events including reinfarction, stroke, major bleeding, acute ischemic limb, access site bleeding, and hemolysis.ConclusionsIn this meta-analysis of studies evaluating survival among AMI-CS patients with left ventricular unloading initiated pre- versus post-PCI, Impella placement prior to PCI was associated with improved survival.     

Hyperamylasemia grade versus drain fluid amylase: which better predicts pancreatectomy outcomes?

BackgroundThe clinical importance of postoperative hyperamylasemia (POHA) grade is unknown. Our objectives were to evaluate the association of POHA grade with clinically relevant postoperative pancreatic fistula (CR-POPF) and compare its prognostic utility against postoperative day 1 drain fluid amylase (DFA-1).MethodsPatients who underwent pancreatectomy from January 2019 through March 2020 were identified in the ACS NSQIP pancreatectomy-targeted dataset. POHA grade was assigned using post-operative serum amylase and clinical sequelae. The primary outcome was CR-POPF within 30 days. The association of POHA grade with CR-POPF was assessed using multivariable logistic regression, and c-statistics were used to compare POHA grade versus DFA-1.ResultsPOHA occurred in 520 patients at 98 hospitals, including 261 (50.2%) with grade A, 234 (45.0%) with grade B, and 25 (4.8%) with grade C POHA. CR-POPFs were increased among patients with grade B (66.2%, OR 9.28 [5.84–14.73]) and C (68.0%, OR 10.50 [3.77–29.26]) versus grade A POHA (19.2%). POHA-inclusive models better predicted CR-POPF than those with DFA-1 alone (p < 0.002) and models with both predictors outperformed POHA alone (p = 0.039).ConclusionPOHA grade represents a measure of post-pancreatectomy outcomes that predicts CR-POPF and outperforms DFA-1 but must be aligned with new international definitions.     

补充与替代疗法治疗肠易激综合征的研究进展

肠易激综合征是临床常见的功能性胃肠病之一。由于多数患者的症状经过一线药物治疗后仍不能得到较好改善，许多患者为获得更好的治疗效果，转向选择补充与替代疗法进行治疗。然而，由于研究质量和数量的限制，大部分治疗肠易激综合征的补充与替代疗法并未被相关共识和指南所推荐。本文从补充与替代疗法的分类入手，从天然产品、身心治疗、传统医药3个方面就目前国内外常用的补充与替代疗法治疗肠易激综合征的研究进行概述，以期为临床工作者和患者更好地了解和应用提供帮助。     

Thyroarytenoid botulinum toxin injection for refractory laryngeal contact granuloma

BackgroundAlthough there are many treatments for laryngeal contact granuloma (LCG), some patients still fail treatment. Botulinum toxin A injection vocal cords may be a salvage therapy.ObjectivesTo study the efficacy of thyroarytenoid botulinum toxin A injection for the treatment of refractory LCG.Material and methodsFrom May 2021 to March 2022, 23 male patients with refractory idiopathic LCG were treated by injection of botulinum toxin A into the thyroarytenoid muscle via the thyrohyoid membrane approach. Inspiratory-phase laryngoscopy images were collected before treatment and 3 months after injection treatment. The lesion size was evaluated with the Farwell granuloma endoscopic grading system and Image J software.ResultsThe average age of 23 patients was 49 years. The dose of botulinum toxin injection ranged from 2.5 to 5 units. Three months after injection, 17 patients were cured, 2 patients showed marked improvement, and 4 patients did not experience any effect. The total efficacy rate was 82.61% (19/23), and no serious complications occurred. Almost all patients experienced hoarseness within one week after injection; they gradually recovered after one month, and their voice returned to baseline at 3 months.ConclusionsThyroarytenoid botulinum toxin injection is an effective method for resolving refractory LCG.     

Preferences and willingness of accepting COVID-19 vaccine booster: Results from a middle-income country

The recent wave of COVID-19 cases has led to the potential need for booster doses. We surveyed 6,294 people and found that 87.6% reported willingness to take a booster dose, with vaccine efficacy rate being the most common reason cited to accept booster dose. Differences in acceptance rates were noted among those working in non-health related sectors, different ethnic groups as well as those who had taken viral vector vaccines.     

Gender difference in association between diabetes mellitus and all-cause mortality in atrial fibrillation patients

ObjectiveThere may be gender difference in correlation of diabetes mellitus (DM) and cardiovascular events. We attempt to investigate whether there is gender-heterogeneity in one-year outcomes of atrial fibrillation (AF) patients with DM or not.MethodsPatients who were diagnosed with AF admitted to the emergency departments in the Chinese AF Multicenter Registry study were enrolled. Basic demographics information, initial Blood Pressure and heart rate, medical histories, and treatments of each patient were collected. Follow-up was carried out with a mean duration of one year. The primary endpoint was all-cause mortality and systemic embolism.ResultsA total of 2016 patients were selected from September 2008 and April 2011. All-cause mortality was significantly higher in male AF patients with DM than those without (21.8 % & 13.6 %, P = 0.014). Cox regression analysis showed that there was an interaction between gender and DM for one-year all-cause mortality (P = 0.049). DM was significantly associated with one-year all-cause mortality regardless of univariate analysis (HR = 1.436, 95%CI:1.079–1.911, P = 0.013) or multivariate analysis (HR = 1.418, 95%CI: 1.059–1.899, P = 0.019). For male patients with AF, DM was significantly associated with one-year all-cause mortality (P = 0.048), but not for female patients with AF (P = 0.362).ConclusionDM was independently associated with one-year all-cause mortality in the entire cohort of AF patients. This association was found mainly in male patients with AF, but not in female patients. DM management programs may need to reflect gender difference.