A meta-analysis of the utility of C-reactive protein in predicting early, intermediate-term and long term mortality and major adverse cardiac events in vascular surgical patients

We conducted a meta-analysis of the utility of pre-operative C reactive protein (CRP) in predicting early (< 30 days), intermediate (30–180 days) and long term (> 180 days) mortality and major adverse cardiac events (MACE; cardiac mortality and nonfatal myocardial infarction (MI) combined) following vascular surgery. Of 291 studies identified, ten prospective patient cohorts were identified. A pre-operative CRP > 3 mg.l⁻¹ was not associated with 30-day all-cause mortality, cardiac mortality, nonfatal myocardial infarction or MACE. Intermediate-term all-cause mortality, cardiac death and MACE showed a trend to a worse outcome (odds ratio (OR) 9.07, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.86–96.28, p = 0.07; OR 8.71, 95% CI 0.5–153.1, p = 0.14 and OR 2.81, 95% CI 0.78–5.18, p = 0.15 respectively). Long term all cause mortality (OR 2.40, 95% CI 1.15–5.02, p = 0.02), cardiac death (OR 5.66, 95% CI 1.71–18.73, p = 0.005) and MACE (OR 2.76, 95% CI 1.38–5.55, p = 0.004) were significantly increased.     

What is the best pre‐operative risk stratification tool for major adverse cardiac events following elective vascular surgery? A prospective observational cohort study evaluating pre‐operative myocardial ischaemia monitoring and biomarker analysis

Although brain natriuretic peptide has been shown to be superior to the revised cardiac risk index for risk stratification of vascular surgical patients, it remains unknown whether it is superior to alternative dynamic risk predictors, such as other pre-operative biomarkers (C-reactive protein and troponins) or myocardial ischaemia monitoring. The aim of this prospective observational study was to determine the relative clinical utility of these risk predictors for the prediction of postoperative cardiac events in elective vascular surgical patients. Only pre-operative troponin elevation (OR 56.8, 95% CI 6.5-496.0, p < 0.001) and brain natriuretic peptide above the optimal discriminatory point (OR 6.0, 95% CI 2.7-12.9, p < 0.001) were independently associated with cardiac events. Both brain natriuretic peptide and troponin risk stratification significantly improved overall net reclassification (74.6% (95% CI 51.6%-97.5%) and 38.5% (95% CI 22.4-54.6%, respectively)); however, troponin stratification decreased the correct classification of patients with cardiac complications (-59%, p < 0.001). Pre-operative brain natriuretic peptide evaluation was the only clinically useful predictor of postoperative cardiac complications.     

B-type natriuretic peptide and the prediction of outcome in patients admitted to intensive care

B-type natriuretic peptide is known to predict outcome in congestive cardiac failure and myocardial infarction. We aimed to determine whether measurement of B-type natriuretic peptide would predict hospital mortality in patients admitted to an intensive care unit. We conducted a prospective observational cohort study in 78 consecutive patients. Demographics, clinical details and clinical outcomes were recorded. Admission and 24 h B-type natriuretic peptide and cardiac troponin I levels were measured. B-type natriuretic peptide and cardiac troponin I levels taken on intensive care admission and 24 h after admission did not accurately predict hospital mortality for all patients, including patients with severe sepsis or septic shock (all p > 0.05). B-type natriuretic peptide levels were higher in patients with severe sepsis and septic shock (p = 0.02), in patients > or = 65 years (p = 0.04) and in patients with raised creatinine > or = 110 micromol.l(-1) (p = 0.02). We concluded that B-type natriuretic peptide, measured soon after admission to intensive care, does not usefully predict outcome after intensive care.     

The use of pre-operative brain natriuretic peptides as a predictor of adverse outcomes after cardiac surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis

The objective of this systematic review was to assess whether pre-operative brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT pro-BNP) are independent predictors of adverse outcomes after cardiac surgery. MEDLINE, Embase and the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register databases were searched. Eligible studies included observational or randomized control trials measuring natriuretic peptide concentrations before induction of anaesthesia for cardiac surgery. Two investigators independently extracted the data and assessed the validity of the included studies. The predictive ability of pre-operative BNP or NT pro-BNP on mortality, post-operative atrial fibrillation (AF) and intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) requirement was meta-analysed. The association between BNP or NT pro-BNP and other outcomes was systematically summarized. A total of 4933 patients from 22 studies were considered in the systematic review. Ten studies with one or more outcomes of interest were included in the meta-analyses. The strength of association between pre-operative natriuretic peptide levels and adverse outcomes after surgery was variable, as was the size and quality of the included studies. The summary areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve for mortality, post-operative AF and post-operative IABP requirement were 0.61 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.51-0.70), 0.61 (95% CI 0.58-0.64) and 0.81 (95% CI 0.73-0.89), respectively. With the limited data available, the associations between pre-operative natriuretic peptide levels and adverse outcomes after cardiac surgery were moderate. Future studies should assess whether pre-operative natriuretic peptides can provide additional independent predictive information to well-validated prognostic scores of cardiac surgery.     

The role of brain natriuretic peptide in prognostication and reclassification of risk in patients undergoing vascular surgery

The aim of this study was to determine whether measurement of pre-operative brain natriuretic peptide can significantly improve risk stratification of vascular surgical patients. The study endpoint was postoperative raised troponins. Net reclassification improvement was determined for risk categories based on the Revised Cardiac Risk Index. Two reclassifications were conducted based on either the optimal discriminatory point or brain natriuretic peptide tertiles. Two hundred and sixty-seven patients were studied of whom 36 (13.5%) had raised postoperative troponin. The Revised Cardiac Risk Index score and the pre-operative brain natriuretic peptide were independent predictors of postoperative troponin elevation (p = 0.02 and p = 0.001, respectively). Reclassification based on the optimal discriminatory point significantly improved risk stratification (net reclassification improvement 38.3% (95% CI 9.3-67.3%), p = 0.01 for the entire cohort and 70.3% (95% CI 27.1-113.6%), p = 0.002 for intermediate risk patients). The brain natriuretic peptide tertiles only improved stratification of intermediate risk patients (net reclassification improvement 50.0% (95% CI 16.7-83.3%), p = 0.01). We have shown that measurement of pre-operative brain natriuretic peptide is relevant in the context of risk assessment in this cohort of patients.     

The utility of B-type natriuretic peptide in predicting postoperative cardiac events and mortality in patients undergoing major emergency non-cardiac surgery

B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels predict cardiovascular risk in several settings. We hypothesised that they would identify individuals at increased risk of complications and mortality following major emergency non-cardiac surgery. Forty patients were studied with a primary end-point of a new postoperative cardiac event, and/or development of significant ECG changes, and/or cardiac death. The main secondary outcome was all-cause mortality at 6 months. Pre-operative BNP levels were higher in 11 patients who suffered a new postoperative cardiac event (p = 0.001) and predicted this outcome with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.85 (CI = 0.72-0.98, p = 0.001). A pre-operative BNP value > 170 pg x ml(-1) has a sensitivity of 82% and a specificity of 79% for the primary end-point. In this small study, pre-operative BNP levels identify patients undergoing major emergency non-cardiac surgery who are at increased risk of early postoperative cardiac events. Larger studies are required to confirm these data.     

Dexmedetomidine and cardiac protection for non-cardiac surgery: a meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials

We conducted a systematic review of the effects of dexmedetomidine on cardiac outcomes following non-cardiac surgery. We included prospective, randomised peri-operative studies of dexmedetomidine that reported mortality, cardiac morbidity or adverse drug events. A PubMed Central and EMBASE search was conducted up to July 2007. The reference lists of identified papers were examined for further trials. Of 425 studies identified, 20 were included in the meta-analysis (840 patients). Dexmedetomidine was associated with a trend towards improved cardiac outcomes; all-cause mortality (OR 0.27, 95% CI 0.01–7.13, p = 0.44), non-fatal myocardial infarction (OR 0.26, 95% CI 0.04–1.60, p = 0.14), and myocardial ischaemia (OR 0.65, 95% CI 0.26–1.63, p = 0.36). Peri-operative hypotension (26%, OR 3.80, 95% CI 1.91–7.54, p = 0.0001) and bradycardia (17%, OR 5.45, 95% CI 2.98–9.95, p < 0.00001) were significantly increased. An anticholinergic did not reduce the incidence of bradycardia (p  =  0.43). A randomised placebo-controlled trial of dexmedetomidine is warranted.     

Meta-analysis of the effect of heart rate achieved by perioperative beta-adrenergic blockade on cardiovascular outcomes

BACKGROUND: Acute perioperative beta-adrenergic blockade may be cardioprotective in the high-risk cardiac patient for major non-cardiac surgery. We have investigated the association between the heart rate achieved with perioperative beta-blockade and the incidence of perioperative cardiac complications. METHODS: We identified eight randomized studies (1931 patients) reporting acute perioperative beta-blockade and major perioperative cardiovascular outcomes after non-cardiac surgery. The mean heart rates within the first 72 h after operation were analysed. A meta-analysis of means was conducted using a random effects model. A bivariate correlation analysis was conducted using Spearman's correlation coefficient to assess for an association between the mean postoperative heart rate and the 30 day cardiac outcomes. RESULTS: Acute perioperative beta-blockade did not significantly reduce 30 day cardiac death [odds ratio (OR) 0.35, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.08-1.52] or non-fatal myocardial infarction (OR 0.90, 95% CI 0.52-1.56) in the studies with adequate methodology. The mean (95% CI) heart rate was 73 (71-74) beats min(-1) in the beta-blockade group, which was significantly lower than the placebo group (mean heart rate 82, P=0.0001). There was no correlation between heart rate and 30 day cardiac complications (P=0.848). The reduction in heart rate was associated with increased drug-associated adverse events (OR 2.53, 95% CI 2.05-3.13, P<0.0001). A major limitation of this analysis may be that postoperative heart rate was not a primary outcome in any of the studies identified and the mean postoperative heart rate achieved may be too high to realize optimal cardioprotection. CONCLUSION: This meta-analysis cannot confirm that heart rate control with beta-adrenergic blockade is cardioprotective. A randomized controlled trial examining the effect of tight perioperative heart rate control with beta-adrenergic blockade on clinically important outcomes and adverse events is warranted.     

The influence of clinical risk factors on pre-operative B-type natriuretic peptide risk stratification of vascular surgical patients

The role of the revised cardiac risk index in risk stratification has recently been challenged by studies reporting on the superior predictive ability of pre‐operative B‐type natriuretic peptides. We found that in 850 vascular surgical patients initially risk stratified using B‐type natriuretic peptides, reclassification with the number of revised cardiac risk index risk factors worsened risk stratification (p < 0.05 for > 0, > 2, > 3 and > 4 risk factors, and p = 0.23 for > 1 risk factor). When evaluated with pre‐operative B‐type natriuretic peptides, none of the revised cardiac risk index risk factors were independent predictors of major adverse cardiac events in vascular patients. The only independent predictor was B‐type natriuretic peptide stratification (OR 5.1, 95% CI 1.8–15 for the intermediate class, and OR 25, 95% CI 8.7–70 for the high‐risk class). The clinical risk factors in the revised cardiac risk index cannot improve a risk stratification model based on B‐type natriuretic peptides.     

Fluvastatin Prevents Cardiac Death and Myocardial Infarction in Renal Transplant Recipients: Post-Hoc Subgroup Analyses of the ALERT Study

Renal transplant recipients have a greatly increased risk of premature cardiovascular disease. The ALERT study was a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of fluvastatin (40-80 mg/day) in 2102 renal transplant recipients followed for 5-6 years. The main study used a composite cardiac end-point including myocardial infarction, cardiac death and cardiac interventions. Although reduced by fluvastatin, this primary end-point failed to achieve statistical significance thus precluding analysis of predefined subgroups. Therefore, in the present survival analysis, we used an alternative primary end-point of cardiac death or definite nonfatal myocardial infarction (as used in other cardiac outcome trials) which was significantly reduced by Fluvastatin therapy and permits subgroup analysis. Fluvastatin reduced LDL-cholesterol by 1 mmol/L compared with placebo, and the incidence of cardiac death or definite myocardial infarction was reduced from 104 to 70 events (RR 0.65; 95% CI 0.48, 0.88; p = 0.005). Fluvastatin use was associated with reduction in cardiac death or nonfatal myocardial infarction, which achieved statistical significance in many subgroups. The subgroups included patients at lower cardiovascular risk, who were younger, nondiabetic, nonsmokers and without pre-existing CVD. These data support the early introduction of statins following renal transplantation.     

The effects of volatile anesthetics on cardiac ischemic complications and mortality in CABG: a meta-analysis

PURPOSE: Coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) is associated with cardiac complications, including ischemia, acute myocardial infarction (AMI), and death. Volatile anesthetics have been shown to have a preconditioning-like effect. This systematic review assesses the effects of volatile anesthetics on cardiac ischemic complications and morbidity after CABG. METHODS: Data were obtained, without language restriction, from searches of MEDLINE, Science Citation Index, PubMed, and reference lists. We included only prospective randomized controlled trials evaluating volatile anesthetics during CABG. Two reviewers independently abstracted data on myocardial ischemia, acute myocardial infarction (AMI), and death. Treatment effects were calculated as odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) for binary data, and weighted mean difference (WMD) with 95% CI for continuous data. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Thirty-two studies (2,841 patients) were included. In comparison with iv anesthesia, volatile anesthetics were associated with reduced all-cause mortality (OR, 0.65; 95% CI, 0.36-1.18; P = 0.16). Enflurane was associated with increased AMI (OR, 1.34; 95% CI, 0.68-2.64; P = 0.40), whereas sevoflurane and desflurane reduced cardiac troponin I (cTnI) at six hours, 12 hr, 24 hr [WMD, -1.45; 95% CI (-1.73, -1.16); P < 0.00001], and 48 hr after operation. CONCLUSION: This meta-analysis demonstrates sevoflurane and desflurane reduce the postoperative rise in cTnI. Sevoflurane-mediated reduction in cardiac troponin was associated with improved long-term outcomes in one study. This meta-analysis was not able to show that these positive effects on troponin were translated into improved clinical outcomes. Well-designed large randomized control trials are needed to further elucidate the differential cardio-protective effects of volatile anesthetics.     

Postoperative clopidogrel improves mid-term outcome after off-pump coronary artery bypass graft surgery: a prospective study.

OBJECTIVE: Clopidogrel decreases recurrent ischemic events and improves intracoronary stent patency. There are scarce data on the effect of short-term and long-term clopidogrel on symptom recurrence and adverse cardiac events following off-pump coronary artery bypass graft surgery (OPCAB). METHODS: Postoperative antiplatelet medication use was prospectively evaluated in 591 OPCAB patients. Clopidogrel was administered for 30 days in 186 patients and 139 received long-term clopidogrel (mean 33.6+/-12.0 months) in addition to aspirin. Follow-up was 37.7+/-13.4 months. Symptom recurrence (angina and congestive heart failure), adverse cardiac events (myocardial infarction, coronary reintervention, and sudden cardiac death), and overall mortality were prospectively recorded. Multivariate Cox regression analysis was used to evaluate predictors of end points. RESULTS: There was no difference with respect to preoperative risk factors between patient groups. In the multivariate analysis, postoperative clopidogrel independently decreased symptom recurrence (p<0.0001, OR 0.3 [0.15-0.99]; 95% CI) and adverse cardiac events (p<0.0001, OR 0.2 [0.10-0.45]; 95% CI). Clopidogrel receivers had significantly lower angina recurrence, myocardial infarction, coronary reintervention, and sudden cardiac death during follow-up. There was no difference in the incidence of end points between short-term (30 days) and long-term receivers of the drug. There were 17 bleeding complications (4 major and 13 minor) in 15 patients during the follow-up period. Of the 15 patients, 6 were on clopidogrel in addition to aspirin (1.8%) while the remaining 9 were on aspirin (3.3%) only at the time of bleeding (p=0.8). CONCLUSIONS: Clopidogrel therapy was independently associated with decreased symptom recurrence and adverse cardiac events following OPCAB. Extending clopidogrel use beyond 30 days did not have a significant effect on defined end points.     

Atrial fibrillation after cardiac surgery: A systematic review and meta-analysis

ObjectiveNew-onset postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) after cardiac surgery is common, with rates up to 60%. POAF has been associated with early and late stroke, but its association with other cardiovascular outcomes is less known. The objective was to perform a meta-analysis of the studies reporting the association of POAF with perioperative and long-term outcomes in patients with cardiac surgery.MethodsWe performed a systematic review and a meta-analysis of studies that presented outcomes for cardiac surgery on the basis of the presence or absence of POAF. MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library were assessed; 57 studies (246,340 patients) were selected. Perioperative mortality was the primary outcome. Inverse variance method and random model were performed. Leave-one-out analysis, subgroup analyses, and metaregression were conducted.ResultsPOAF was associated with perioperative mortality (odds ratio [OR], 1.92; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.58-2.33), perioperative stroke (OR, 2.17; 95% CI, 1.90-2.49), perioperative myocardial infarction (OR, 1.28; 95% CI, 1.06-1.54), perioperative acute renal failure (OR, 2.74; 95% CI, 2.42-3.11), hospital (standardized mean difference, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.53-1.07) and intensive care unit stay (standardized mean difference, 0.55; 95% CI, 0.24-0.86), long-term mortality (incidence rate ratio [IRR], 1.54; 95% CI, 1.40-1.69), long-term stroke (IRR, 1.33; 95% CI, 1.21-1.46), and longstanding persistent atrial fibrillation (IRR, 4.73; 95% CI, 3.36-6.66).ConclusionsThe results suggest that POAF after cardiac surgery is associated with an increased occurrence of most short- and long-term cardiovascular adverse events. However, the causality of this association remains to be established.     

Outcomes in vascular surgical patients with isolated postoperative troponin leak: a meta-analysis

Although peri-operative myocardial infarction remains a significant cause of morbidity and mortality following vascular surgery, the significance of an isolated troponin leak is uncertain. This is an elevation of troponin below the diagnostic threshold for a peri-operative myocardial infarction, without symptoms or ischaemic electrocardiography changes or echocardiography signs such as new regional wall motion abnormalities. This meta-analysis aimed to determine the early (< 30 days) and intermediate (< 180 days) outcomes of vascular surgical patients with an isolated troponin leak. A full literature search up to December 2010 identified 593 studies, of which nine (consisting of eight distinct patient cohorts) underwent analysis. An isolated troponin leak was strongly predictive of all-cause mortality at 30 days (OR 5.03, 95% CI 2.88-8.79, p < 0.00001). The associated 30-day mortality in patients with no troponin elevation, an isolated troponin leak or peri-operative myocardial infarction was 2.3%, 11.6% and 21.6%, respectively (p = 0.000001). Insufficient data were available to analyse intermediate-term outcomes. An isolated troponin leak following vascular surgery is strongly associated with short-term mortality.     

Angioplasty and stents in coronary artery disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVES: To undertake a systematic review of the clinical effectiveness of routine percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) plus stenting vs PTCA alone. DATA SOURCES: MEDLINE; EMBASE; Science Citation Index; The Cochrane Library; cardiovascular journals and conference proceedings; Internet resources (including industry supported web pages); and reference lists of included studies and relevant reviews. REVIEW METHODS: Study selection included published and unpublished randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing the use of coronary stents to PTCA. Outcome measures assessed included death, acute myocardial infarction (AMI), event rate (such as major cardiac adverse events (MACE) or other composite measures), and binary restenosis (BR). Data extraction and quality assessment were conducted according to internationally recognized methods. Data synthesis included meta-analysis of assessed outcomes, reported as odds ratios (ORs). RESULTS: Fifty RCTs involving 16,500 patients met the inclusion criteria (39 full articles, 11 abstracts). Of these, 23 studies compared stenting with PTCA in patients with non-specific coronary artery disease (CAD), 11 compared stents with PTCA following AMI, 8 included patients with small coronary arteries and 8 included patients whose vessels had chronic total occlusion. There were no differences in rates of death or AMI. There were reductions in the rates of MACE (death, AMI or revascularization) with stents compared to PTCA (at 6 months, for non-specific group OR: 1.64, 95% CI 1.44-1.87; for AMI group OR: 2.36, 95% CI 1.92-2.89; for small vessel group OR: 1.38, 95% CI 1.10-1.74; at 12 months, for non-specific group OR: 1.31, 95% CI 1.11-1.55; for AMI OR: 2.26, 95% CI 1.47-3.46). Reporting of combined major adverse cardiac events was inconsistent across studies. Most events were revascularizations that may have been partly driven by protocol-required angiograms. Stents reduced BR rates at angiogram at 6 months compared to PTCA in all groups. CONCLUSION: We found no differences in mortality or AMI, but the studies were not powered to identify changes in these endpoints. Coronary stenting is associated with reduced restenosis and combined adverse cardiac events, primarily revascularizations. However, the frequency of revascularization may have been distorted by protocol-dictated angiography.     

Pharmacologic myocardial protection in patients undergoing noncardiac surgery: a quantitative systematic review

A number of drugs have been tested in clinical trials to decrease cardiac complications in patients undergoing noncardiac surgery. To compare the results of these studies, we conducted a quantitative systematic review. Medline, Embase, and Cochrane databases were searched for randomized trials that assessed myocardial ischemia, myocardial infarction, 30-day cardiac mortality, and adverse effects. Data were combined using a fixed-effect model and expressed as Peto odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) and as numbers-needed-to-treat/harm (NNT/H). Twenty-one trials involving 3646 patients were included: 11 trials using beta-blockers (6 drugs; 866 patients), 6 clonidine or mivazerol (614 patients), 3 diltiazem or verapamil (121 patients), and 1 nitroglycerin (45 patients). All trials had an inactive control; there were no direct comparisons. beta-blockers decreased ischemic episodes during surgery (7.6% versus 20.2% with placebo; OR 0.32 [95% CI, 0.17-0.58]; NNT 8) and after surgery (15.2% versus 27.9% with control; OR 0.46 [95% CI, 0.26-0.81]; NNT 8). alpha(2)-agonists decreased ischemia during surgery only (19.4% versus 32.8%; OR 0.47 [95% CI, 0.33-0.68]; NNT 7). beta-blockers reduced the risk of myocardial infarction (0.9% versus 5.2%; OR 0.19 [95% CI, 0.08-0.48]; NNT 23) but only when 2 trials with high-risk patients were included. The effect of alpha(2)-agonists on myocardial infarction was not significant (6.1% versus 7.3%; OR 0.85 [95% CI, 0.62-1.14]). beta-blockers significantly decreased the risk of cardiac death from 3.9% to 0.8% (OR 0.25 [95% CI, 0.09-0.73], NNT 32). alpha(2)-agonists significantly decreased the risk of cardiac death from 2.3% to 1.1% (OR 0.50 [95% CI, 0.28-0.91], NNT 83). For calcium channel blockers and nitroglycerin, evidence of any benefit was lacking. The most common adverse effect was bradycardia, which occurred in 24.5% of patients receiving a beta adrenergic blocker versus 9.1% of controls (OR 3.76 [95% CI, 2.45-5.77], NNH 6).     

A combination of statins and beta-blockers is independently associated with a reduction in the incidence of perioperative mortality and nonfatal myocardial infarction in patients undergoing abdominal aortic aneurysm surgery.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the combined beneficial effect of statin and beta-blocker use on perioperative mortality and myocardial infarction (MI) in patients undergoing abdominal aortic aneurysm surgery (AAA). BACKGROUND: Patients undergoing elective AAA-surgery identified by clinical risk factors and dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE) as being at high-risk often have considerable cardiac complication rate despite the use of beta-blockers. METHODS: We studied 570 patients (mean age 69+/-9 years, 486 males) who underwent AAA-surgery between 1991 and 2001 at the Erasmus MC. Patients were evaluated for clinical risk factors (age>70 years, histories of MI, angina, diabetes mellitus, stroke, renal failure, heart failure and pulmonary disease), DSE, statin and beta-blocker use. The main outcome was a composite of perioperative mortality and MI within 30 days of surgery. RESULTS: Perioperative mortality or MI occurred in 51 (8.9%) patients. The incidence of the composite endpoint was significantly lower in statin users compared to nonusers (3.7% vs. 11.0%; crude odds ratio (OR): 0.31, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.13-0.74; p=0.01). After correcting for other covariates, the association between statin use and reduced incidence of the composite endpoint remained unchanged (OR: 0.24, 95% CI: 0.10-0.70; p=0.01). Beta-blocker use was also associated with a significant reduction in the composite endpoint (OR: 0.24, 95% CI: 0.11-0.54). Patients using a combination of statins and beta-blockers appeared to be at lower risk for the composite endpoint across multiple cardiac risk strata; particularly patients with 3 or more risk factors experienced significantly lower perioperative events. CONCLUSIONS: A combination of statin and beta-blocker use in patients with AAA-surgery is associated with a reduced incidence of perioperative mortality and nonfatal MI particularly in patients at the highest risk.     

Electrocardiographic Exercise Stress Testing for Cardiac Risk Assessment in Patients Undergoing Noncardiac Surgery

Background: The value of exercise electrocardiography in the prediction of perioperative cardiac risk has yet to be defined. This study was performed to determine the predictive value of exercise electrocardiography as compared with clinical parameters and resting electrocardiography.

Methods: A total of 204 patients at intermediate risk for cardiac complications prospectively underwent exercise electrocardiography before noncardiac surgery. Of these, 185 were included in the final evaluation. All patients underwent follow-up evaluation postoperatively by Holter monitoring for 2 days, daily 12-lead electrocardiogram, and creatine kinase, creatine kinase MB, and troponin-T measurements for 5 days. Cardiac events were defined as cardiac death, myocardial infarction, minor myocardial cell injury, unstable angina pectoris, congestive heart failure, and ventricular tachyarrhythmia. Potential risk factors for an adverse event were identified by univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis.

Results: Perioperative cardiac events were observed in 16 patients. There were 6 cases of myocardial infarction and 10 cases of myocardial cell injury. The multivariate correlates of adverse cardiac events were definite coronary artery disease (odds ratio, 8.8; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.1-73.1;P = 0.04), major surgery (odds ratio, 4.7; 95% CI, 1.3-16.3;P = 0.02), reduced left ventricular performance (odds ratio, 2.0; 95% CI, 1.1-3.8;P = 0.03), and ST-segment depression of 0.1 mV or more in the exercise electrocardiogram (odds ratio, 5.2; 95% CI, 1.5-18.5;P = 0.01). A combination of clinical variables and exercise electrocardiography improved preoperative risk stratification.     

Deep Sternal Wound Infection and Mortality in Cardiac Surgery: A Meta-analysis

BackgroundDeep sternal wound infection (DSWI) is a rare but severe complication after cardiac surgical procedures and has been associated with increased early morbidity and mortality. Studies reporting long-term outcomes in patients with DSWI have shown contradictory results. We performed a study-level meta-analysis evaluating the impact of DSWI on short- and long-term clinical outcomes.MethodsA systematic literature search was conducted to identify studies comparing short- and long-term outcomes of patients submitted to cardiac surgical procedures who developed DSWI and patients who did not. The primary outcome was overall mortality. Secondary outcomes were in-hospital mortality, follow-up mortality, major adverse cardiovascular events, myocardial infarction, and repeat revascularization. Postoperative outcomes were also investigated.ResultsTwenty-four studies totaling 407 829 patients were included. Overall, 6437 (1.6%) patients developed DSWI. Mean follow-up was 3.5 years. DSWI was associated with higher overall mortality (incidence rate ratio [IRR], 1.99; 95% CI, 1.66-2.38; P < .001), in-hospital mortality (odds ratio, 3.30; 95% CI, 1.88-5.81; P < .001), follow-up mortality (IRR, 2.02; 95% CI, 1.39-2.94; P = .001), and major adverse cardiovascular events (IRR, 2.04; 95% CI, 1.60-2.59; P < .001). No differences in myocardial infarction and repeat revascularization were found, but limited studies reported those outcomes. DSWI was associated with longer postoperative hospitalization, stroke, myocardial infarction, and respiratory and renal failure. Sensitivity analyses on isolated coronary artery bypass grafting studies and by adjustment method were consistent with the main analysis.ConclusionsCompared with patients who did not develop DSWI, patients with DSWI after cardiac surgical procedures had increased risk of death as well as short- and long-term adverse clinical outcomes.     

Angiogenesis in carotid atherosclerotic lesions is associated with timing of ischemic neurological events and presence of computed tomographic cerebral infarction in the ipsilateral cerebral hemisphere

We studied the association between plaque vascularity, timing of neurological and ocular symptoms, and presence of cerebral infarction in the ipsilateral cerebral hemisphere on preoperative computed tomographic (CT) scan. Consecutive patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy for carotid stenosis were included. All patients underwent preoperative noncontrast cerebral CT. Histological sections were obtained from carotid endarterectomy specimens and stained with an endothelial cell marker (CD34). Microvessel counts were performed in CD34-stained sections and verified through computerized image analysis. Associations between microvessel density in carotid atherosclerotic plaques, preoperative ipsilateral CT evidence of cerebral infarction, and timing of ipsilateral neurological and ocular events were assessed. Seventy-three patients underwent carotid endarterectomy, of whom 17 were symptomatic within 30 days of carotid endarterectomy, 11 were asymptomatic, and a further 45 had a preoperative symptom-free interval of 31-540 days (median = 56). Eighteen patients (24.6%) had CT evidence of cerebral infarction. Significantly higher microvessel counts were observed in patients with CT evidence of cerebral infarction in the appropriate hemisphere compared with patients who did not (p = 0.02). There was an inverse relationship between the microvessel density in atherosclerotic lesions and the timing of ischemic neurological events (odds ratio [OR] = 4.63, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.95-7.28, p < 0.001). This relationship was independent of patient age (OR = 1.03, 95% CI 0.55-1.99, p = 0.70), sex (OR = 1.18, 95% CI 0.47-2.05, p = 0.56), smoking (OR = 1.07, 95% CI 0.54-2.09, p = 0.84), diabetes (OR = 0.90, 95% CI 0.45-1.79, p = 0.76), and hypercholesterolemia (OR = 0.98, 95% CI 0.68-1.11, p = 0.88). This study confirms the relationship between angiogenesis in carotid atherosclerotic lesions and development and chronology of ipsilateral hemispheric neurological events.