Frailty Assessment Predicts Acute Outcomes in Patients Undergoing Screening Colonoscopy

Background

Colonoscopy is associated with multiple adverse outcomes. With an aging population undergoing colorectal cancer screening, few modalities exist to assess the patient risk prior to colonoscopy. Frailty, the age-related decline in reserve and function across multiple organ systems, predicts poor surgical outcomes, but its role in endoscopy is unclear.

Aims

This prospective cohort study assesses the efficacy of frailty in predicting acute colonoscopy outcomes.

Methods

Participants aged ≥?50 years undergoing screening colonoscopy at a tertiary care center were recruited over 2 months ending in July 2017. Frailty was assessed using a validated 20-s upper-extremity frailty test, which measures the capacity of muscle performance. Demographic data, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) status, and Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) were evaluated. Procedure-related adverse events and cardiopulmonary changes during and in the immediate post-procedure period were recorded. Adverse events were stratified into minor and major events. Chi-square and ANCOVA models were used in the analysis.

Results

Ninety-nine adults (mean age 62.8 years) were enrolled, among which 49 were non-frail and 50 were pre-frail/frail; 50 were female. Overall, 55 participants experienced a total of 87 adverse events. Frailty and ASA status were significantly associated with colonoscopy adverse events (p?=?0.01 and p?=?0.02, respectively). Age and CCI did not predict colonoscopy outcomes.

Conclusions

Compared to age and CCI, frailty status better predicts colonoscopy outcomes in older adults. Among adults undergoing colonoscopy, routine frailty screening should be considered for risk stratification. Additional prospective studies evaluating frailty measurements in endoscopy will further clarify its role in forecasting adverse events.

     

Clinical Considerations with the Use of Antiplatelet Therapy in Patients Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

Despite the proven benefits of using antiplatelet therapy in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), a number of key questions remain to be answered. In recent years, clopidogrel dosing strategies among such patients have evolved considerably, with newer approaches involving loading doses prior to PCI and increases in the time interval and loading dosage in an effort to overcome variable responsiveness/hyporesponsiveness to platelet inhibition. Further, the role of glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa antagonists in elective stenting continues to be defined, with recent evidence suggesting that most appropriate use of these agents is in high‐risk patients with elevated troponin levels. There appears to be a relationship between the use of GP IIb/IIIa antagonists with clopidogrel loading and attenuation of early inflammatory and cardiac marker release. Strategies to minimize the chance of late stent thrombosis in patients who receive drug‐eluting stents (DES) are also under intense investigation. Among some patients receiving sirolimus and paclitaxel DES, current standard long‐term antiplatelet strategies may be insufficient. Patient nonadherence to treatment and premature discontinuation and underutilization of antiplatelet therapies by physicians remain important clinical problems with potentially dire consequences. Copyright © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

心脏瓣膜置换术后抗凝观察

目的分析心脏瓣膜置换术后华法令抗凝治疗的影响因素、给药方法和国际标准比值（INR）的关系。方法我院2008年6月—2011年6月323例行心脏机械瓣膜置换术后患者进行随访研究。术后使用华法令抗凝,出院后定期复查随访。记录年龄、性别、华法令剂量和INR值等,观察出血、栓塞、死亡等不良事件发生情况。结果在患者术后抗凝达到稳定状态后,总体INR值为1.5～2.5,术后413例无不良事件的发生,10例出现抗凝相关并发症,其中血栓栓塞3例,抗凝有关出血7例。出院随访因抗凝出现不良事件的发生率与国外文献报道相近。结论心脏机械瓣膜置换术后根据INR给予个体化剂量华法令,控制INR值在1.5～2.5可以达到相对安全的抗凝效果。     

Outcomes of Anticoagulation Therapy in Patients with Mental Health Conditions

Background

Patients with mental health conditions (MHCs) experience poor anticoagulation control when using warfarin, but we have limited knowledge of the association between specific mental illness and warfarin treatment outcomes.

Objective

To examine the relationship between the severity of MHCs and outcomes of anticoagulation therapy.

Design

Retrospective cohort analysis.

Participants

We studied 103,897 patients on warfarin for 6 or more months cared for by the Veterans Health Administration during fiscal years 2007–2008. We identified 28,216 patients with MHCs using ICD-9 codes: anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, schizophrenia, and other psychotic disorders.

Main Measures

Outcomes included anticoagulation control, as measured by percent time in the therapeutic range (TTR), as well as major hemorrhage. Predictors included different categories of MHC, Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) scores, and psychiatric hospitalizations.

Key Results

Patients with bipolar disorder, depression, and other psychotic disorders experienced TTR decreases of 2.63 %, 2.26 %, and 2.92 %, respectively (p < 0.001), after controlling for covariates. Patients with psychotic disorders other than schizophrenia experienced increased hemorrhage after controlling for covariates [hazard ratio (HR) 1.24, p = 0.03]. Having any MHC was associated with a slightly increased hazard for hemorrhage (HR 1.19, p < 0.001) after controlling for covariates.

Conclusion

Patients with specific MHCs (bipolar disorder, depression, and other psychotic disorders) experienced slightly worse anticoagulation control. Patients with any MHC had a slightly increased hazard for major hemorrhage, but the magnitude of this difference is unlikely to be clinically significant. Overall, our results suggest that appropriately selected patients with MHCs can safely receive therapy with warfarin.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s11606-014-2784-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.KEY WORDS: anticoagulation, mental health, veterans, warfarin therapy, psychiatric conditions     

Premedication with Tramadol in Patients Undergoing Colonoscopy: A Double-Blind Randomized Placebo-Controlled Study

Colonoscopy is often disturbed by poor patient tolerance; benzodiazepines or opiates are routinely used to overcome such problems, despite the possibility of undesired effects. Tramadol, an opiate analogue with potentially fewer side effects, has not been tested yet to this end. The aim of the study was therefore to evaluate the efficacy of tramadol as a premedication for the colonoscopic procedure. Fifty patients were randomly allocated to receive an i.v. infusion of 100 ml saline, with 100 mg tramadol or alone, before endoscopy. At the end of the procedure patients were asked to score the discomfort experienced and to give an exam evaluation. The endoscopist also analyzed his performance. Tramadol patients reported a pain score of 39 +/- 10 (mean +/- SE), compared to 45 +/- 8 for the placebo group (P = 0.25); the evaluation of endoscopy was also similar (tramadol, 66 +/- 12; placebo, 70 +/- 9; P = 0.15). The endoscopist also reported a similar score (65 +/- 4 after tramadol; 69 +/- 4 after placebo; P = 0.2). No significant sex- or age-related differences were detected. We conclude that tramadol, at least as a monotherapy, seems scarcely effective for controlling pain evoked by colonoscopy.     

Thromboembolic Risk and Anticoagulation Strategies in Patients Undergoing Catheter Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation

Periprocedural thromboembolic and hemorrhagic events are complications of percutaneous radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFA) of atrial fibrillation (AF). The management of anticoagulation before and after RFA could play an important role in the prevention of these complications. The incidence of thromboembolic events varies from 1% to 5%, depending on the ablation and the anticoagulation strategy used in the periprocedural period. The scientific evidence behind the management of anticoagulation in patients with AF undergoing RFA is scarce and is mostly based on small studies and experts’ consensus. It remains unclear whether catheter ablation for AF reduces the risk of stroke and obviates the need for anticoagulation after the procedure. Limited data are available regarding the risk of thromboembolism with and without warfarin after AF ablation. In this review we will review the most current evidence supporting the different strategies to reduce thromboembolic risk before, during, and after catheter ablation for AF.     

Performance Characteristics and Comparison of Two Fecal Occult Blood Tests in Patients Undergoing Colonoscopy

We investigated the use of a new type of FOBT (EZ-Detect) that uses the blood's pseudo-peroxidase activity as an enzymatic catalyst, in a one-step chromogen-substrate system performed by the patient. Asymptomatic patients ≥50 years old received three Hemoccult II (HO) cards and three EZ-Detect (EZ) packages to be used in three consecutive bowel movements. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value for detection of colorectal neoplasia was calculated. The study included 207 patients, with a mean age of 58.9 years. Diagnostic accuracy for detection of adenomas was similar for the EZ and HO tests (66.7% vs. 71.0%; P=0.48), while for advanced adenomas diagnostic accuracy for the EZ and HO tests was 86.0% vs. 94.2% (P=0.01), respectively. Most patients preferred the EZ test (92% vs. 8%). We conclude that the EZ test has a diagnostic profile similar to that of the HO test for identification of adenomas; however, for advanced adenomas the diagnostic accuracy was slightly better for the HO. The EZ test was preferred by most patients, which may increase colorectal cancer screening compliance.     

Long-Term Anticoagulation Therapy for Atrial Fibrillation in Elderly Patients: Efficacy,Risk, and Current Patterns of Use

Journal of Thrombosis and Thrombolysis -     

抗凝治疗的围术期桥接管理

随着心房颤动、机械瓣换瓣术后、静脉血栓、冠状动脉支架术后长期接受抗凝、双联抗血小板治疗的患者人群急剧增加,其接受外科或其他侵入性操作期间是否需要短期停用抗栓治疗尚存争议.现回顾对于那些接受抗栓及新型抗栓药物治疗的患者行有创操作前相关指南的新进展及推荐,以最大程度降低血栓栓塞风险同时降低围术期出血风险为目的来指导临床实践工作.     

Effect of Music on Patients Undergoing Colonoscopy: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Purpose Music has been utilized as a therapeutic tool during colonoscopy, but various randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have been inconsistent. We conducted a meta-analysis to analyze the effect of music on patients undergoing colonoscopy. Patients and Methods Multiple medical databases were searched (12/06). Only RCTs on adult subjects that compared music versus no music during colonoscopy were included. Meta-analysis was analyzed for total procedure time, dose of sedative medications (midazolam and mepiridine), and patients’ pain scores, experience, and willingness to repeat the same procedure in the future. Results Eight studies (N = 712) met the inclusion criteria. Patients’ overall experience scores (P < 0.01) were significantly improved with music. No significant differences were noted for patients’ pain scores (P = 0.09), mean doses of midazolam (P = 0.10), mean doses of meperidine (P = 0.23), procedure times (P = 0.06), and willingness to repeat the same procedure in future (P = 0.10). Conclusions Music improves patients’ overall experience with colonoscopy.     

Postprocedure Anticoagulation in Patients With Acute ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction Undergoing Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

ObjectivesThis study sought to assess the association between postprocedural anticoagulation (PPAC) use and several clinical outcomes.BackgroundPPAC after primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI) in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) may prevent recurrent ischemic events but may increase the risk of bleeding. No consensus has been reached on PPAC use.MethodsUsing data from the Improving Care for Cardiovascular Disease in China–Acute Coronary Syndrome registry, conducted between 2014 and 2019, we stratified all STEMI patients who underwent pPCI according to the use of PPAC or not. Inverse probability of treatment weighting and a Cox proportional hazards model with hospital as random effect were used to analyze differences in in-hospital clinical outcomes: the primary efficacy endpoint was mortality and the primary safety endpoint was major bleeding.ResultsOf 34,826 evaluable patients, 26,272 (75.4%) were treated with PPAC and were on average younger, more stable at admission with lower bleeding risk score, more likely to have comorbidities and multivessel disease, and more often treated within 12 hours of symptom onset than those without PPAC. After inverse probability of treatment weighting adjustment for baseline differences, PPAC was associated with significantly reduced risk of in-hospital mortality (0.9% vs 1.8%; HR: 0.62; 95% CI: 0.43-0.89; P < 0.001) and a nonsignificant difference in risk of in-hospital major bleeding (2.5% vs 2.2%; HR: 1.05; 95% CI: 0.83-1.32; P = 0.14).ConclusionsPPAC in STEMI patients after pPCI was associated with reduced mortality without increasing major bleeding complications. Dedicated randomized trials with contemporary STEMI management are needed to confirm these findings.     

血管内超声显像在肾动脉介入治疗中的应用价值

评价血管内超声显像在肾动脉介入治疗中的应用价值。 15例显著肾动脉狭窄 (内径减少 >5 0 % )患者在肾动脉介入术前、术后接受肾动脉内血管超声检查。所有患者均接受肾动脉支架术治疗 (共植入 15枚支架 ) ,所选支架直径均根据术前血管内超声图像定量计算所得肾动脉参考直径选择。结果发现 ,15例患者中 13例肾动脉病变由硬性斑块构成 ,其中 2例伴严重钙化 ,剩余 2例为软斑块。血管重构方式 12例表现为负性重构 ,3例为正性重构。病变血管外弹力膜横截面积为 119.7± 2 3.1mm2 ,管腔横截面积为 34.5± 9.3mm2 ,斑块面积为 85 .2± 2 6 .0mm2 。肾动脉支架术治疗手术成功率为 10 0 %。结果提示 ,肾动脉血管内超声检查在判定肾动脉斑块性质、明确狭窄程度、测量管腔直径及指导支架植入有重要临床价值。     

An Examination of the Association Between Therapeutic Anticoagulation Control and Glycemic Control for Patients with Diabetes on Oral Anticoagulation Therapy

Background: Observations by pharmacists monitoring anticoagulated patients suggested that patients with diabetes often require more frequent international normalized ratio (INR) monitoring than patients without diabetes. The purpose of this investigation was to examine the association between glycemic control and therapeutic anticoagulation control.Methods: Patients with diabetes who were receiving warfarin therapy monitored by the Kaiser Permanente of Colorado Clinical Pharmacy Anticoagulation Service were eligible for inclusion. Patients were included if they had a diagnosis of diabetes mellitus type 1 or 2, aged ≥18 years, and had initiated anticoagulant therapy ≥120 days before their most recent hemoglobin A1C measurement. The primary outcome was the correlation between hemoglobin A1C value and percent of time in the patient-specific INR range. Multivariate analysis was undertaken to regress percent of time in INR range on an A1C value ≥8.0 while adjusting for other possible explanatory variables.Results: A total of 911 patients with diabetes were included in the study. Subjects with an A1C value ≥8.0 had similar characteristics as those subjects with an A1C value < 8.0. Correlation analysis revealed no relationship between percent of time spent in INR range and A1C value (Spearman Correlation Coefficient = 0.012, p = 0.805). Multivariate analysis revealed no relationship between percent of time spent in INR range and A1C value ≥8.0 (Odds Ratio = 1.00; 95% Confidence Interval = 0.99, 1.01) when adjusting for possible explanatory variables.Conclusions: For patients with diabetes on warfarin anticoagulation therapy, there is no association between glycemic control and therapeutic anticoagulation control. However, anticoagulation therapy providers should manage these patients with the same diligence and care as patients without diabetes.