The Natural History of Left Ventricular Geometry in the Community: Clinical Correlates and Prognostic Significance of Change in LV Geometric Pattern

ObjectivesThis study sought to evaluate pattern and clinical correlates of change in left ventricular (LV) geometry over a 4-year period in the community; it also assessed whether the pattern of change in LV geometry over 4 years predicts incident cardiovascular disease (CVD), including myocardial infarction, heart failure, and cardiovascular death, during an additional subsequent follow-up period.BackgroundIt is unclear how LV geometric patterns change over time and whether changes in LV geometry have prognostic significance.MethodsThis study evaluated 4,492 observations (2,604 unique Framingham Heart Study participants attending consecutive examinations) to categorize LV geometry at baseline and after 4 years. Four groups were defined on the basis of the sex-specific distributions of left ventricular mass (LVM) and relative wall thickness (RWT) (normal: LVM and RWT <80th percentile; concentric remodeling: LVM <80th percentile but RWT ≥80th percentile; eccentric hypertrophy: LVM ≥80th percentile but RWT <80th percentile; and concentric hypertrophy: LVM and RWT ≥80th percentile).ResultsAt baseline, 2,874 of 4,492 observations (64%) had normal LVM and RWT. Participants with normal geometry or concentric remodeling progressed infrequently (4% to 8%) to eccentric or concentric hypertrophy. Change from eccentric to concentric hypertrophy was uncommon (8%). Among participants with concentric hypertrophy, 19% developed eccentric hypertrophy within the 4-year period. Among participants with abnormal LV geometry at baseline, a significant proportion (29% to 53%) reverted to normal geometry within 4 years. Higher blood pressure, greater body mass index (BMI), advancing age, and male sex were key correlates of developing an abnormal geometry. Development of an abnormal LV geometric pattern over 4 years was associated with increased CVD risk (140 events) during a subsequent median follow-up of 12 years (adjusted-hazards ratio: 1.59; 95% confidence interval: 1.04 to 2.43).ConclusionsThe longitudinal observations in the community suggest that dynamic changes in LV geometric pattern over time are common. Higher blood pressure and greater BMI are modifiable factors associated with the development of abnormal LV geometry, and such progression portends an adverse prognosis.     

Redefining Diastolic Dysfunction Grading: Combination of E/A ≤0.75 and Deceleration Time >140 ms and E/ε′ ≥10

ObjectivesThis study sought to examine left atrial (LA) mechanics and the prognostic impact of patients with echocardiographic findings of E/A ratio ≤0.75, deceleration time (DcT) of mitral E-wave >140 ms, but E/ε′ ≥10.BackgroundTraditional diastolic dysfunction (DD) grading system could not classify every patient into a specific group. We considered the group of patients with E/A ≤0.75, DcT >140 ms, but E/ε′ ≥10 (proposed new DD grade) as a new group in the DD grading system.MethodsA total of 1,362 consecutive patients were stratified according to the new DD grading system, and the LA volumes, strain, and strain rates were measured by 2-dimensional speckle-tracking analysis. All patients were followed up to determine cardiac death and major adverse cardiac events.ResultsAn E/A ≤0.75, DcT >140 ms, but E/ε′ ≥10 was observed in 227 patients (17%). LA volumes in patients with the new DD grade were between those of the impaired relaxation group and the pseudonormal group. LA strain of the new DD grade was similar to that of the pseudonormal group, whereas LA booster function was preserved as in the impaired relaxation group. During a mean follow-up of 3.0 ± 1.1 years, 25 patients had cardiac death and 61 had major adverse cardiac events. Event-free survival for major adverse cardiac events of the new DD grade was worse than that of the impaired relaxation group but similar to that of the pseudonormal group.ConclusionsThe new DD grade is frequently observed and has a prognosis similar to that of the pseudonormal group but significantly worse than that of the impaired relaxation group. However, LA booster function was maintained at the expense of LA volume enlargement. Thus, the new grade should be a distinct entity for routine DD grading.     

Validation and Comparison of the Long-Term Prognostic Capability of the SYNTAX Score-II Among 1,528 Consecutive Patients Who Underwent Left Main Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

ObjectivesThis study sought to evaluate the long-term prognostic capacity of the SYNTAX (Synergy Between Percutaneous Coronary Intervention With Taxus and Cardiac Surgery) score II (SS-II) and compare it with other risk scores among patients undergoing left main percutaneous coronary intervention (LM-PCI).BackgroundRecently, the SS-II was developed in an attempt to individualize and help the decision-making process between PCI and coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery in the management of complex coronary artery disease (CAD). However, there is a paucity of data regarding the utility of SS-II in patients undergoing LM-PCI.MethodsData from 1,528 consecutive patients from a single center undergoing unprotected LM-PCI were prospectively collected. The SS-II and other scores were then derived using patients’ baseline clinical characteristics. Patients were stratified according to tertiles of SS-II for PCI: SS-II ≤21 (n = 508), SS-II >21 and ≤28 (n = 480), and >28 (n = 540). Predictive capability for long-term mortality was compared between angiographic scores and scores combining both angiographic and clinical variables.ResultsAt a mean follow-up of 4.4 years, mortality in the first, second, and third SS-II tertiles was 1.8%, 3.5%, and 9.4%, respectively (p < 0.0001). Multivariate analysis showed SS-II to be a strong independent predictor of mortality (hazard ratio: 1.76, 95% confidence interval: 1.10 to 2.82; p = 0.02) after LM-PCI. When compared with the angiographic SS, scores combining both clinical and angiographic variables, such as the SS-II, were superior in terms of long-term prognostication.ConclusionsResults of this large series of consecutive patients who underwent unprotected LM-PCI suggested that the SS-II has better long-term prognostic power in terms of mortality compared with the original purely angiographic SS.     

Lower Extremity Revascularization Using Directional Atherectomy: 12-Month Prospective Results of the DEFINITIVE LE Study

ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to assess the safety and effectiveness of directional atherectomy (DA) for endovascular treatment of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) in infrainguinal arteries in patients with claudication or critical limb ischemia.BackgroundTo date, no prospective, multicenter, independently-adjudicated study has evaluated the effectiveness and durability of DA in the treatment of PAD. Previous DA studies have not been prospectively powered to evaluate any differences in outcomes in patients with and without diabetes.MethodsDEFINITIVE LE (Determination of EFfectiveness of the SilverHawk® PerIpheral Plaque ExcisioN System (SIlverHawk Device) for the Treatment of Infrainguinal VEssels / Lower Extremities) prospectively enrolled subjects at 47 multinational centers with an infrainguinal lesion length up to 20 cm. Primary endpoints were defined as primary patency at 12 months for claudicants and freedom from major unplanned amputation for critical limb ischemia (CLI) subjects. A pre-specified statistical hypothesis evaluated noninferiority of primary patency in diabetic versus nondiabetic claudicants. Independent angiographic and sonographic core laboratories assessed outcomes, and events were adjudicated by a clinical events committee.ResultsA total of 800 subjects were enrolled. The 12-month primary patency was 78% (95% confidence interval: 74.0% to 80.6%) in claudicants, with a 77% rate in the diabetic subgroup versus 78% in the nondiabetic subgroup (noninferior, p < 0.001). The rate of freedom from major unplanned amputation of the target limb at 12 months in CLI subjects was 95% (95% confidence interval: 90.7% to 97.4%). Periprocedural adverse events included embolization (3.8%), perforation (5.3%), and abrupt closure (2.0%). The bail-out stent rate was 3.2%.ConclusionsThe DEFINITIVE LE study demonstrated that DA is a safe and effective treatment modality at 12 months for a diverse patient population with either claudication or CLI. Furthermore, DA was shown to be noninferior for treating PAD in patients with diabetes compared with those without diabetes. (Study of SilverHawk/TurboHawk in Lower Extremity Vessels [DEFINITIVE LE]; NCT00883246).     

趾臂指数对糖尿病足患者心脑血管事件发生风险的预测价值研究

背景　糖尿病足（DF）具有较高的死亡率,心脑血管意外是主要死亡原因。目前,缺乏对DF患者发生心脑血管事件风险预测指标及心血管事件风险分层的研究。因此,筛选出一个精确地预测DF患者发生心脑血管事件风险的指标意义重大。目的　探讨趾臂指数（TBI）对DF患者心脑血管事件发生风险的预测价值。方法　采用回顾性研究,纳入2014年2月-2016年9月于空军特色医学中心内分泌科住院治疗且无心脑血管疾病的DF患者197例。根据TBI,分为N-TBI组（TBI≥0.7,n=107）、L-TBI组（0.5≤TBI<0.7,n=41）、EL-TBI组（TBI<0.5,n=49）。收集患者的临床资料,包括性别、年龄、吸烟史、体质指数（BMI）、糖尿病（DM）病程、既往史（高血压、高脂血症、慢性肾功能不全）、糖化血红蛋白（HbA1c）、肌酐、血脂指标、药物应用情况,随访36个月。采用多因素Logistic回归分析、Kaplan-Meier生存曲线及Cox比例风险模型评估TBI对DF患者发生心脑血管事件的预测价值。结果　197例患者平均随访时间为（33.5±7.9）个月,心脑血管事件发生率为13.7%（27/197）,死亡率为5.1%（10/197）。多因素Logistic回归分析结果显示,TBI<0.7〔OR（95%CI）=11.034（3.486,34.922）〕是DF患者发生心脑血管事件的危险因素。Kaplan-Meier生存曲线显示,N-TBI组、L-TBI组、EL-TBI组生存时间分别为35.24、32.81、30.56个月,三组发生心血管事件和死亡事件的风险有统计学差异（P<0.05）。Cox比例风险模型分析结果显示,校正年龄因素后,与N-TBI组比较,L-TBI组发生心脑血管事件的HR（95%CI）为4.749（1.199,18.804）,EL-TBI组发生心脑血管事件的HR（95%CI）为10.495（3.210,34.313）。结论　TBI可作为预测DF患者发生心脑血管事件的独立预测指标,且随着TBI的降低心脑血管意外发生风险增高。     

老年女性体质指数变化与高糖血症关系的五年随访研究

背景　糖尿病是临床常见病之一,相关研究发现高体质量人群常存在空腹血糖升高,但高体质量是否与高糖血症存在关系鲜有研究。目的　探讨老年女性体质指数（BMI）变化与高糖血症的关系。方法　选取2012年1-12月于武汉市武昌医院老年病科就诊的符合研究标准的65~76岁绝经女性300例。依据入组时空腹血糖将受试者分为血糖正常组（空腹血糖≤5.0 mmol/L,n=200）和预期血糖增高组（空腹血糖>5.0~<5.6 mmol/L,n=100）,随访5年（截至2018年1月）。随访终点事件为高糖血症。本研究高糖血症定义为空腹血糖≥5.6 mmol/L（≥100 mg/L）或前驱糖尿病糖化血红蛋白（HbA1c）≥6.0%。比较两组基线和随访截止时一般资料、实验室检查指标。探究老年女性发生高糖血症的影响因素。结果　两组年龄、糖尿病家族史、基线吸烟率、基线饮酒率、基线舒张压、基线低密度脂蛋白、基线高密度脂蛋白比较,差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）;预期血糖增高组基线BMI、基线收缩压、基线空腹血糖、基线三酰甘油高于血糖正常组（P<0.05）。两组随访截止时吸烟率、饮酒率、低密度脂蛋白、高密度脂蛋白、三酰甘油比较,差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）;预期血糖增高组随访截止时BMI、收缩压、舒张压、空腹血糖高于血糖正常组（P<0.05）。随访截止时,共32例受试者发生高糖血症。最大似然估计结果显示,BMI变化、收缩压、舒张压、空腹血糖、三酰甘油是老年女性发生高糖血症的独立影响因素（P<0.05）。结论　老年女性BMI变化是其发生高糖血症的独立影响因素,超重和肥胖的老年女性降低体质量能有效降低其高糖血症的发生风险。     

Performance evaluation of MR-proadrenomedullin and other scoring systems in severe sepsis with pneumonia

Background

In sepsis, risk assessment is as crucial as early and accurate diagnosis. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of mid-regional proadrenomedullin (MR-proADM) with other scoring systems in severe sepsis and septic shock patients due to community acquired pneumonia (CAP).

Methods

Patients were divided into 2 groups as severe sepsis and septic shock due to CAP (group 1, n=31) and only CAP group (group 2, n=26). Serum MR-proADM, procalcitonin (PCT), C-reactive protein (CRP), and d-dimer level were analyzed. Acute Physiological and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II score, Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score, and Pneumonia Severity Index (PSI) were performed for all patients.

Results

There was no difference between groups in terms of serum MR-proADM levels (P=0.780). Serum MR-proADM was not found a significant value for the prediction of death within the 4 and 8 weeks in all patients. SOFA score was the most significant to predict mortality in 4 and 8 weeks (P<0.001). The combination of SOFA score and serum MR-proADM was a strong factor to predict death in 4 weeks (specifity 86.8% and sensitivity 66.7%). The combination of MR-proADM, SOFA score, and APACHE II score was found 75.0% sensitive and 71.4% specific to predict mortality within 4 weeks in group 1.

Conclusions

The MR-proADM does not correlate with mortality or disease severity to predict mortality. The combination of SOFA, APACHE II scores, and MR-proADM was efficient to predict prognosis and mortality rate in severe sepsis or septic shock patients.