Acute variceal hemorrhage in patients with liver cirrhosis: weekend versus weekday admissions

Purpose

Little is known about the impact of weekend admission on acute variceal hemorrhage (AVH). Thus, we investigated whether day of admission due to AVH influenced in-hospital mortality.

Materials and Methods

We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 294 patients with cirrhosis admitted between January 2005 and February 2009 for the management of AVH. Clinical characteristics were compared between patients with weekend and weekday admission, and independent risk factors for in-hospital mortality were determined by multivariate binary logistic regression analysis.

Results

No demographic differences were observed between patients according to admission day or in the clinical course during hospitalization. Seventeen (23.0%) of 74 patients with weekend admission and 48 (21.8%) of 220 with weekday admission died during hospitalization (p=0.872). Univariate and subsequent multivariate analysis showed that initial presentation with hematochezia [p=0.042; hazard ratio (HR), 2.605; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.038-6.541], in-patient status at the time of bleeding (p=0.003; HR, 4.084; 95% CI, 1.598-10.435), Child-Pugh score (p<0.001; HR, 1.877; 95% CI, 1.516-2.324), and number of endoscopy sessions for complete hemostasis (p=0.001; HR, 3.864; 95% CI, 1.802-8.288) were independent predictors for in-hospital mortality.

Conclusion

Weekend admission did not influence in-hospital mortality in patients with cirrhosis who presented AVH.     

Clinical Outcomes of Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction Complicated by Severe Refractory Cardiogenic Shock Assisted with Percutaneous Cardiopulmonary Support

Purpose

Limited data are available on the role of percutaneous cardiopulmonary support (PCPS) for the treatment of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients with cardiogenic shock. We investigated the clinical outcomes and predictors of in-hospital mortality after PCPS in patients with AMI complicated by severe refractory cardiogenic shock.

Materials and Methods

From January 2004 to December 2011, we analyzed data from 96 consecutive AMI patients with cardiogenic shock assisted by a PCPS system. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. The predictors of in-hospital mortality were determined by a Cox proportional-hazards model.

Results

In-hospital mortality occurred in 51 (53.1%) patients and 58 (60.4%) patients were able to be weaned from PCPS. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was performed in 61 (63.5%) patients before PCPS initiation. On multivariate analysis, age ≥67 years [adjusted hazard ratio (HR), 4.74; 95% confidence interval (CI), 2.27-9.93; p<0.001], CPR (adjusted HR, 2.32; 95% CI, 1.11-4.85; p=0.03), lactate clearance for 48 hours <70% (adjusted HR, 2.50; 95% CI, 1.04-6.05; p=0.041), and unsuccessful revascularization (adjusted HR, 3.57; 95% CI, 1.85-6.90; p=0.002) were independent predictors of in-hospital mortality after PCPS in patients with AMI complicated by cardiogenic shock.

Conclusion

In spite of PCPS management, AMI patients complicated by severe refractory cardiogenic shock demonstrated high mortality. Older age, CPR, lower lactate clearance for 48 hours, and unsuccessful revascularization were independent predictors of in-hospital mortality.     

Impact of acute kidney injury on clinical outcomes after ST elevation acute myocardial infarction

Purpose

This study aimed to compare the incidence and clinical significance of transient versus persistent acute kidney injury (AKI) on acute ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).

Materials and Methods

The study was a retrospective cohort of 855 patients with STEMI. AKI was defined as an increase of ≥0.3 mg/dL in creatinine level at any point during hospital stay. The study population was classified into 5 groups: 1) patients without AKI; 2) patients with mild AKI that was resolved by discharge (creatinine change less than 0.5mg/dL compared with admission creatinine during hospital stay, transient mild AKI); 3) patients with mild AKI that did not resolve by discharge (persistent mild AKI); 4) patients with moderate/severe AKI that was resolved by discharge (creatinine change more than 0.5 mg/dL compared with admission creatinine, transient moderate/severe AKI); 5) patients with moderate/severe AKI that did not resolve by discharge (persistent moderate/severe AKI). We investigated 1-year all-cause mortality after hospital discharge for the primary outcome of the study. The relation between AKI and 1-year mortality after STEMI was analyzed.

Results

AKI occurred in 74 (8.7%) patients during hospital stay. Adjusted hazard ratio for mortality was 3.139 (95% CI 0.764 to 12.897, p=0.113) in patients with transient, mild AKI, and 8.885 (95% CI 2.710 to 29.128, p<0.001) in patients with transient, moderate/severe AKI compared to patients without AKI. Persistent moderate/severe AKI was also independent predictor of 1 year mortality (hazard ratio, 5.885; 95% CI 1.079 to 32.101, p=0.041).

Conclusion

Transient and persistent moderate/severe AKI during acute myocardial infarction is strongly related to 1-year all cause mortality after STEMI.     

Characteristics of Pulmonary Vein Enlargement in Non-Valvular Atrial Fibrillation Patients with Stroke

Purpose

The association between pulmonary vein (PV) dilatation and stroke in non-valvular atrial fibrillation (AF) patients remains unknown.

Materials and Methods

We examined the left atrium (LA) and PV in control (n=138) and non-valvular AF patients without (AF group, n=138) and with non-hemorrhagic stroke (AF with stroke group, n=138) using computed tomography.

Results

The LA, LA appendage (LAA), and all PVs were larger in the AF than control patients. The orifice areas of the LAA (5.6±2.2 cm² vs. 4.7±1.7 cm², p<0.001), left superior PV (3.8±1.5 cm² vs. 3.4±1.2 cm², p=0.019), and inferior PV (2.3±1.0 cm² vs. 1.8±0.7 cm², p<0.001) were larger in the AF with stroke than in the AF only group. However, right PVs were not different between the two groups. In a multivariate analysis, the orifice areas of the left superior PV [odds ratio (OR) 1.25, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.03-1.51, p=0.02], left inferior PV (OR 1.97, 95% CI 1.41-2.75, p<0.001), and LAA (OR 1.30, 95% CI 1.13-1.50, p<0.001) were independent predictors of stroke.

Conclusion

Compared to the right PVs, the left PVs and LAA exhibited more significant enlargement in patients with AF and stroke than in patients with AF only. This finding suggests that the remodeling of left-sided LA structures might be related to stroke.     

Cardiovascular Events of Electrical Cardioversion Under Optimal Anticoagulation in Atrial Fibrillation: The Multicenter Analysis

Purpose

Electric cardioversion has been successfully used in terminating symptomatic atrial fibrillation (AF). Nevertheless, largescale study about the acute cardiovascular events following electrical cardioversion of AF is lacking. This study was performed to evaluate the incidence, risk factors, and clinical consequences of acute cardiovascular events following electrical cardioversion of AF.

Materials and Methods

The study enrolled 1100 AF patients (mean age 60±11 years) who received cardioversion at four tertiary hospitals. Hospitalizations for stroke/transient ischemic attack, major bleedings, and arrhythmic events during 30 days post electric cardioversion were assessed.

Results

The mean duration of anticoagulation before cardioversion was 95.8±51.6 days. The mean International Normalized Ratio at the time of cardioversion was 2.4±0.9. The antiarrhythmic drugs at the time of cardioversion were class I (45%), amiodarone (40%), beta-blocker (53%), calcium-channel blocker (21%), and other medication (11%). The success rate of terminating AF via cardioversion was 87% (n=947). Following cardioversion, 5 strokes and 5 major bleedings occurred. The history of stroke/transient ischemic attack (OR 6.23, 95% CI 1.69-22.90) and heart failure (OR 6.40, 95% CI 1.77-23.14) were among predictors of thromboembolic or bleeding events. Eight patients were hospitalized for bradyarrhythmia. These patients were more likely to have had a lower heart rate prior to the procedure (p=0.045). Consequently, 3 of these patients were implanted with a permanent pacemaker.

Conclusion

Cardioversion appears as a safe procedure with a reasonably acceptable cardiovascular event rate. However, to prevent the cardiovascular events, several risk factors should be considered before cardioversion.     

Left Ventricular Filling Pressure as Assessed by the E/e' Ratio Is a Determinant of Atrial Fibrillation Recurrence after Cardioversion

Purpose

Left ventricular (LV) filling pressure affects atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence. We investigated the relationship between diastolic dysfunction and AF recurrence after cardioversion, and whether LV filling pressure was predictive of AF recurrence.

Materials and Methods

Sixty-six patients (mean 58±12 years) with newly diagnosed persistent AF were retrospectively enrolled. We excluded patients with left atrial (LA) diameters larger than 50 mm, thereby isolating the effect of LV filling pressure. We evaluated the differences between the patients with (group 1) and without AF recurrence (group 2).

Results

Group 1 showed increased LA volume index (LAVI) and E/e'' compared to group 2 (p<0.05). During a mean follow-up period of 25±19 months, AF recurrence after cardioversion was 60.6% (40/66). The area under the receiver operating characteristics curve of E/e'' for AF recurrence was 0.780 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.657-0.903], and the optimal cut-off value of the E/e'' was 9.15 with 75.0% of sensitivity and 73.1% of specificity. A Kaplan-Meier survival curve showed that the cumulative recurrence-free survival rate was significantly lower in patients with higher LV filling pressure (E/e''>9.15) compared with patients with lower LV filling pressure (E/e''≤9.15) (log rank p=0.008). Cox regression analysis revealed that E/e'' [hazards ratio (HR): 1.100, 95% CI: 1.017-1.190] and LAVI (HR: 1.042, 95% CI: 1.002-1.084) were independent predictors for AF recurrence after cardioversion.

Conclusion

LV filling pressure predicts the risk of AF recurrence in persistent AF patients after cardioversion.     

Predictors of Refractory Ascites Development in Patients with Hepatitis B Virus-Related Cirrhosis Hospitalized to Control Ascitic Decompensation

Purpose

Refractory ascites (RA) is closely related to a high morbidity and mortality. In this study, we investigated predictors of RA development in patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related cirrhosis who were hospitalized to control ascitic decompensation, and determined predictors for survival in patients who experienced RA.

Materials and Methods

We analyzed 199 consecutive patients with HBV-related cirrhosis who were hospitalized to control ascitic decompensation between January 1996 and December 2008.

Results

Multivariate analyses showed that only serum potassium at admission predicted RA development independently [p=0.013; hazard ratio (HR), 2.800; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.166-6.722]. During the follow-up period, 16 (8.0%) patients experienced RA within 4.2 (range, 1.0-39.2) months after admission for controlling ascitic decompensation, and they survived a median of 8.7 (range, 3.9-51.3) months. Child-Pugh class and RA type were identified as independent prognostic factors affecting the survival in patients with RA (p=0.045; HR, 8.079; 95% CI, 1.231-67.984 and p=0.013; HR, 14.510; 95% CI, 1.771-118.874, respectively).

Conclusion

Serum potassium was an independent predictor of RA development in patients with HBV-related cirrhosis who were hospitalized to control ascitic decompensation. After RA development, Child-Pugh class and RA type were independent predictors for survival.     

New social adaptability index predicts overall mortality

Introduction

Definitions of underprivileged status based on race, gender and geographic location are neither sensitive nor specific; instead we proposed and validated a composite index of social adaptability (SAI).

Material and methods

Index of social adaptability was calculated based on employment, education, income, marital status, and substance abuse, each factor contributing from 0 to 3 points. Index of social adaptability was validated in NHANES-3 by association with all-cause and cause-specific mortality.

Results

Weighted analysis of 19,593 subjects demonstrated mean SAI of 8.29 (95% CI 8.17-8.40). Index of social adaptability was higher in Whites, followed by Mexican-Americans and then the African-American population (ANOVA, p < 0.001). The SAI was higher in subjects living in metropolitan compared to rural areas (T-test, p < 0.001), and was greater in men than in women (T-test, p < 0.001). In Cox models adjusted for age, comorbidity index, BMI, race, sex, geographic location, hemoglobin, serum creatinine, albumin, cholesterol, and glycated hemoglobin levels, SAI was inversely associated with mortality (HR 0.87 per point, 95% CI 0.84-0.90, p < 0.001). This association was confirmed in subgroups.

Conclusions

We proposed and validated an indicator of social adaptability with a strong association with mortality, which can be used to identify underprivileged populations at risk of death.     

Prognostic Usefulness of Metabolic Syndrome Compared with Diabetes in Korean Patients with Critical Lower Limb Ischemia Treated with Percutaneous Transluminal Angioplasty

Purpose

Metabolic syndrome (MS) is a clinical condition that shares many common characteristics with diabetes. However, unlike diabetes, the usefulness of MS as a prognostic entity in peripheral arterial disease is uncertain. This study evaluated the prognostic usefulness of MS in critical lower limb ischemia (CLI) patients.

Materials and Methods

We compared the 2-year clinical outcomes in 101 consecutive CLI patients (66±14 years; 78% men) with 118 affected limbs treated with percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) according to the presence of MS and diabetes.

Results

The number of MS patients was 53 (52%), of which 45 (85%) had diabetes. During a 2-year follow-up, the incidence of clinical outcomes, including reintervention, major amputation, minor amputation, and survival, was not significantly different between MS and non-MS patients; however, the incidence of minor amputation was significantly higher in diabetic than in non-diabetic patients (42% vs. 17%; p=0.011). Cox regression analysis for the 2-year primary patency demonstrated no association between MS and 2-year primary patency [hazard ratio (HR), 1.02; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.45-2.30; p=0.961], whereas there was a significant association between diabetes and 2-year primary patency (HR, 2.81; 95% CI, 1.02-7.72; p=0.046). Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed no significant difference in the 2-year primary patency between MS and non-MS patients; however, the 2-year primary patency was lower in diabetic than in non-diabetic patients (p=0.038).

Conclusion

As a prognostic concept, MS might conceal the adverse impact of diabetes on the prognosis of CLI patients treated with PTA.     

Profile of Cardiovascular Risk Factors and Mortality in Patients with Symptomatic Peripheral Arterial Disease

INTRODUCTION:

The present study examines cardiovascular risk factor profiles and 24-month mortality in patients with symptomatic peripheral arterial disease.

DESIGN STUDY:

Prospective observational study including 75 consecutive patients with PAD (67 ± 9.7 years of age; 52 men and 23 women) hospitalized for planned peripheral vascular reconstruction. Doppler echocardiograms were performed before surgery in 54 cases. Univariate analyses were performed using Student’s t-test or Fisher’s exact test. Survival analysis at 24-month follow-up was performed using the Cox regression model and Kaplan-Meier method including age and chronic use of aspirin as covariates. Survival curves were compared using the log-rank test.

RESULTS:

Hypertension and smoking were the most frequent risk factors (52 cases and 51 cases, respectively), followed by diabetes (32 cases). Undertreated dyslipidemia was found in 26 cases. Fasting glycine levels (131 ± 69.1 mg/dl) were elevated in 29 cases. Myocardial hypertrophy was found in 18 out of 54 patients. Thirty-four patients had been treated with aspirin. Overall mortality over 24 months was 24% and was associated with age (HR: 0.064; CI₉₅: 0.014–0.115; p=0.013) and lack of use of aspirin, as no deaths occurred among those using this drug (p<0.001). No association was found between cardiovascular death (11 cases) and the other risk factors.

CONCLUSION:

There is a high prevalence of uncontrolled (treated or untreated) cardiovascular risk factors in patients undergoing planned peripheral vascular reconstruction, and chronic use of aspirin is associated with reduced all-cause mortality in these patients.     

eNOS3 Genetic Polymorphism Is Related to Post-Ablation Early Recurrence of Atrial Fibrillation

Purpose

Previous studies have demonstrated an association between eNOS polymorphisms and atrial fibrillation (AF). We sought to determine whether eNOS polymorphisms are associated with AF recurrence after a radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA).

Materials and Methods

A total of 500 consecutive patients (56±11 years, 77% male) with paroxysmal (68%) or persistent (32%) AF who underwent RFCA and 500 age, gender-matched controls were genotyped for the eNOS3 single nucleotide polymorphism (rs1799983). AF recurrence was monitored according to 2012 ACC/AHA/ESC guidelines.

Results

The frequencies of the rs1799983 variant alleles (T) in the case and control group were not significantly different (OR 1.05, 95% CI 0.75-1.46, p=0.798). AF patients with rs1799983 variants were more likely to have coronary artery disease or stroke than those without genetic variant at this gene (31.0% vs. 17.3%, p=0.004). During mean 17 months follow-up, early recurrence of AF (ERAF; within 3 months) and clinical recurrence (CR) of AF were 31.8% and 24.8%, respectively. The rs1799983 variant was associated with higher risk of ERAF (OR 1.71, 95% CI 1.06-2.79, p=0.028), but not with CR. ERAF occurred earlier (11±16 days) in variant group than those without variant allele (20±25 days, p=0.016). A multiple logistic regression analysis showed that presence of the rs1799983 variant (OR 1.75, 95% CI 1.07-2.86, p=0.026) and persistent AF were independent predictors for ERAF after AF ablation.

Conclusion

The rs1799983 variant of the eNOS3 gene was associated with ERAF, but not with CR, after RFCA. eNOS3 gene variants may have a potential role for stratification of post-ablation management.     

Incidence of appropriate cardioverter-defibrillator shocks and mortality in patients with implantable cardioverter-defibrillators with ischemic cardiomyopathy versus nonischemic cardiomyopathy at 33-month follow-up

Introduction

The aim of the study was to investigate at long-term follow-up the incidence of appropriate implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) shocks and of all-cause mortality in patients with ICDs with ischemic cardiomyopathy versus nonischemic cardiomyopathy.

Material and methods

ICDs were implanted in 485 patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy and in 299 patients with nonischemic cardiomyopathy, all of whom had coronary angiography. Baseline characteristics were not significantly different between the 2 groups. Follow-up was 965 days in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy versus 1039 days in patients with nonischemic cardiomyopathy (p not significant). The ICDs were interrogated every 3 months to see if shocks occurred.

Results

Appropriate ICD shocks occurred in 179 of 485 patients (37%) with ischemic cardiomyopathy and in 93 of 299 patients (31%) with nonischemic cardiomyopathy (p not significant). All-cause mortality occurred in 162 of 485 patients (33%) with ischemic cardiomyopathy and in 70 of 299 patients (23%) with nonischemic cardiomyopathy (p = 0.002).

Conclusions

The incidence of appropriate ICD shocks was not significantly different at 33-month follow-up in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy versus nonischemic cardiomyopathy. However, patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy had a significantly higher incidence of all-cause mortality than patients with nonischemic cardiomyopathy (p = 0.002).     

Asymmetrical dimethylarginine and severity of erectile dysfunction and their impact on cardiovascular events in patients with acute coronary syndrome

Introduction

Coronary artery disease (CAD) and vascular erectile dysfunction (ED) are related to endothelial dysfunction. Elevated asymmetrical dimethylarginine (ADMA) levels and ED are common in patients with increased cardiovascular risk. Our aim was to investigate whether ADMA has a predictive role for major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in acute coronary syndrome (ACS). The secondary aim of this study was to investigate whether severity of ED predicts MACE in these patients.

Material and methods

Follow-up data were available for severity of ED in 71 patients with ACS. Plasma ADMA levels were determined by ELISA in 57 patients. Erectile dysfunction was assessed by the International Index of Erectile Function-6 (IIEF-6) score. Major adverse cardiovascular events (reinfarction, all-cause hospitalisation, stroke and all-cause death) was evaluated after a median of 10 months.

Results

Severe ED had no significantly increased hazard ratio for cardiovascular events compared with mild, mild to moderate, and moderate ED (0.259 [95% CI 0.041–1.6], p = 0.147; 0.605 [95% CI 0.095–3.8], p = 0.594; 0.980 [95% CI 0.233–4.1], p = 0.978; and 0.473 [95% CI 0.052–1.3], p = 0.508). The patients who had ADMA levels ≥ 0.32 µmol/l had no significantly increased hazard ratio for cardiovascular events compared with patients who had ADMA levels < 0.32 µmol/l (2.018 [95% CI 0.615–6.6], p = 0.247).

Conclusions

Severity of ED and ADMA did not increase the risk of cardiovascular events in follow-up patients with ACS in our study. Larger prospective studies are necessary to evaluate whether ADMA predicts cardiovascular events in patients with ACS.     

Heart Failure Remote Monitoring: Evidence From the Retrospective Evaluation of a Real-World Remote Monitoring Program

Background

Given the magnitude of increasing heart failure mortality, multidisciplinary approaches, in the form of disease management programs and other integrative models of care, are recommended to optimize treatment outcomes. Remote monitoring, either as structured telephone support or telemonitoring or a combination of both, is fast becoming an integral part of many disease management programs. However, studies reporting on the evaluation of real-world heart failure remote monitoring programs are scarce.

Objective

This study aims to evaluate the effect of a heart failure telemonitoring program, Connected Cardiac Care Program (CCCP), on hospitalization and mortality in a retrospective database review of medical records of patients with heart failure receiving care at the Massachusetts General Hospital.

Methods

Patients enrolled in the CCCP heart failure monitoring program at the Massachusetts General Hospital were matched 1:1 with usual care patients. Control patients received care from similar clinical settings as CCCP patients and were identified from a large clinical data registry. The primary endpoint was all-cause mortality and hospitalizations assessed during the 4-month program duration. Secondary outcomes included hospitalization and mortality rates (obtained by following up on patients over an additional 8 months after program completion for a total duration of 1 year), risk for multiple hospitalizations and length of stay. The Cox proportional hazard model, stratified on the matched pairs, was used to assess primary outcomes.

Results

A total of 348 patients were included in the time-to-event analyses. The baseline rates of hospitalizations prior to program enrollment did not differ significantly by group. Compared with controls, hospitalization rates decreased within the first 30 days of program enrollment: hazard ratio (HR)=0.52, 95% CI 0.31-0.86, P=.01). The differential effect on hospitalization rates remained consistent until the end of the 4-month program (HR=0.74, 95% CI 0.54-1.02, P=.06). The program was also associated with lower mortality rates at the end of the 4-month program: relative risk (RR)=0.33, 95% 0.11-0.97, P=.04). Additional 8-months follow-up following program completion did not show residual beneficial effects of the CCCP program on mortality (HR=0.64, 95% 0.34-1.21, P=.17) or hospitalizations (HR=1.12, 95% 0.90-1.41, P=.31).

Conclusions

CCCP was associated with significantly lower hospitalization rates up to 90 days and significantly lower mortality rates over 120 days of the program. However, these effects did not persist beyond the 120-day program duration.     

Effects of Low Dose Pioglitazone on Restenosis and Coronary Atherosclerosis in Diabetic Patients Undergoing Drug Eluting Stent Implantation

Purpose

Thiazolidinediones are insulin-sensitizing agents that reduce neointimal proliferation and the adverse clinical outcomes associated with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM). There is little data on whether or not low dose pioglitazone reduces adverse clinical outcomes.

Materials and Methods

The study population included 121 DM patients with coronary artery disease and they were randomly assigned to 60 patients taking 15 mg of pioglitazone daily in addition to their diabetic medications and 61 patients with placebo after the index procedure with drug-eluting stents (DESs). The primary end points were rate of in-stent restenosis (ISR) and change in atheroma volume and in-stent neointimal volume. The secondary end points were all-cause death, myocardial infarction (MI), stent thrombosis and re-PCI.

Results

There were no statistical differences in the clinical outcomes and the rate of ISR between the two groups [all-cause death; n=0 (0%) in the pioglitazone group vs. n=1 (1.6%) in the control group, p=0.504, MI; n=2 (3.3%) vs. n=1 (1.6%), p=0.465, re-PCI; n=6 (10.0%) vs. n=6 (9.8%), p=0.652, ISR; n=4 (9.3%) vs. n=4 (7.5%), p=1.000, respectively]. There were no differences in changes in neointimal volume, percent neointimal volume, total plaque volume and percent plaque volume between the two groups on intravascular ultrasonography (IVUS) study.

Conclusion

Our study demonstrated that low dose pioglitazone does not reduce rate of ISR, neointimal volume nor atheroma volume in DM patients who have undergone PCI with DESs, despite the limitations of the study.     

Stepwise Treatment Using Corticosteroids Alone and in Combination with Cyclosporine in Korean Patients with Idiopathic Membranous Nephropathy

Purpose

We undertook an observational study to investigate the effects of immunosuppressive treatment on proteinuria and renal function in 179 Korean idiopathic membranous nephropathy patients with nephrotic syndrome.

Materials and Methods

The primary outcome was regarded as the first appearance of remission and the secondary outcomes as a decline in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) >50% or initiation of dialysis, and all-cause mortality. Seventy-two (40.2%) and 50 (27.9%) patients were treated with corticosteroids alone (C) and corticosteroids plus cyclosporine (C+C), respectively, whereas 57 (31.8%) did not receive immunosuppressants (NTx). Cyclosporine was added if there was no reduction in proteinuria of >50% from baseline by corticosteroids alone within 3 months.

Results

There were no differences in baseline renal function and the amount of proteinuria among the three groups. Overall, complete remission (CR) was achieved in 88 (72.1%) patients by immunosuppressants. In a multivariate analysis adjusted for covariates associated with adverse renal outcome, the probability of reaching CR was significantly higher in the C [hazard ratio (HR), 4.09; p<0.001] and C+C groups (HR, 2.57; p=0.003) than in the NTx group. Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed that 5-year CR rates of C, C+C, and NTx groups were 88.5%, 86.2%, and 56.7% (p<0.001). Ten-year event-free rates for the secondary endpoints in these three groups were 91.7%, 79.9%, and 57.2% (p=0.01).

Conclusion

Immunosuppressive treatment was effective in inducing remission and preserving renal function in these patients. Therefore, stepwise treatment using corticosteroids alone and in combination with cyclosporine is warranted in these patients.     

Removal of metallic foreign bodies embedded in soft tissues by stereotaxic approach

Background

A trial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac arrhythmia and increases the risk of stroke and death. Patients with hypertensive have an increased risk of developing atrial fibrillation. RDW (Red blood cell distribution width) levels are elevated in cardiovascular disorders including heart failure, stable coronary disease, acute coronary syndrome, slow coronary flow and stroke.

Objective

To investigate the relation between RDW and AF in patients with hypertensive

Method

We retrospectively examined 126 consecutive hypertensive patients (63 hypertensive patients with AF and 63 hypertensive patients without AF matched with age and sex

Results

The mean age of the study population was 71,09± 8,50 (af group) and 70,97±8,24 (non-af group) years. RDW level was different among patients with atrial fibrillation and without atrial fibrillation.(15,13±1,58 and 14,05±1,15 p<001). Logistic regression analysis showed that RDW and left atrial dimension were only independently risk factory associated with atrial fibrillation. (Rdw odds ratio:1,846 CI; 1,221–2,793 p<0,05). Roc curve analyses were applied to determine the cut-off point. Cut-off point was at 14,195 and Sensitive, specificity was %71,4, %56 respectively.

Conclusion

RDW levels were higher in hypertensive patients with atrial fibrillation. An increased RDW level in the patient with hypertension may alert physician on developing or presence of atrial fibrillation.     

Long-Term Aspirin Use and 5-Year Survival in Healthy Adults: A Population-Based Cohort Study in South Korea

PurposeWe investigated whether long-term aspirin use is associated with 5-year all-cause mortality.Materials and MethodsParticipants were individuals aged ≥40 years who were registered in the 2010 sample cohort database of the National Health Insurance Service in South Korea. Aspirin users were divided into three groups: continuous users (2006–2010), previous users (2006–2009), and new users (2010). Individuals with a history of coronary artery disease and cerebrovascular disease were excluded. Five-year all-cause mortality was defined as mortality due to any cause from January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2015. Data were analyzed by multivariable Cox regression.ResultsIn total, 424444 individuals were included. Five-year all-cause mortality was 9% lower in continuous aspirin users than in unexposed individuals [hazard ratio (HR): 0.91, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.86–0.97; p=0.003]. Five-year all-cause mortality rates in the new aspirin users (HR: 1.00, 95% CI: 0.90–1.11; p=0.995) and previous aspirin users (HR: 1.01, 95% CI: 0.94–1.09; p=0.776) were not significantly different from that in unexposed individuals. In the 40–60-year age group, 5-year all-cause mortality in the continuous aspirin users was 24% lower (HR: 0.76, 95% CI: 0.64–0.90; p=0.002) than that in unexposed individuals. However, in the >60-year age group, there was no significant association between aspirin use and 5-year all-cause mortality (HR: 0.96, 95% CI: 0.90–1.02; p=0.199).ConclusionLong-term aspirin use is associated with reduced 5-year all-cause mortality in healthy adults, especially those aged <60 years.     

Caffeine modifies blood glucose availability during prolonged low-intensity exercise in individuals with type-2 diabetes

Objective:

The study investigated the effect of supplementation with maltodextrin (CHO) alone or associated to caffeine during exercise in T2DM subjects.

Methods:

Pilot study, using eight subjects with T2DM, aged 55±10 years, received CHO (1 g/kg) or caffeine (1.5 mg/kg) alone or associated before exercise protocol. The exercise was executed at 40% heart rate (HR) reserve for 40 min, with 10-min recovery. Blood pressure (BP) and perceived exertion scale (Borg) were checked every 2 min. Blood glucose (BG) was checked every 10 min. For statistical analysis, ANOVA test was used and the value was considered statistically significant at p <0.05.

Results:

The results showed that BP and HR did not change significantly among all treatments. Caffeine promoted a significant reduction in BG of 75 mg/dL (65%, p <0.05) during 40 min of exercise protocol compared to all groups.

Conclusion:

Supplementation with 1.5 mg/kg of caffeine reduces BG concentration during prolonged exercise in T2DM patients.     

Concomitant Impact of High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein and Renal Dysfunction in Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction

Purpose

The present study aimed to investigate the impact of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and renal dysfunction on clinical outcomes in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients.

Materials and Methods

The study involved a retrospective cohort of 8332 patients admitted with AMI. The participants were divided into 4 groups according to the levels of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and hs-CRP: group I, no renal dysfunction (eGFR ≥60 mL·min^-1·1.73 m^-2) with low hs-CRP (≤2.0 mg/dL); group II, no renal dysfunction with high hs-CRP; group III, renal dysfunction with low hs-CRP; and group IV, renal dysfunction with high hs-CRP. We compared major adverse cardiac events (MACE) over a 1-year follow-up period.

Results

The 4 groups demonstrated a graded association with increased MACE rates (group I, 8.8%; group II, 13.8%; group III, 18.6%; group IV, 30.1%; p<0.001). In a Cox proportional hazards model, mortality at 12 months increased in groups II, III, and IV compared with group I [hazard ratio (HR) 2.038, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.450-2.863, p<0.001; HR 3.003, 95% CI 2.269-3.974, p<0.001; HR 5.087, 95% CI 3.755-6.891, p<0.001].

Conclusion

High hs-CRP, especially in association with renal dysfunction, is related to the occurrence of composite MACE, and indicates poor prognosis in AMI patients.