Colchicine for Prevention of Post-Operative Atrial Fibrillation: A Meta-Analysis.

OBJECTIVES: This study sought to investigate the efficacy and safety of colchicine for prevention of post-operative atrial fibrillation. BACKGROUND: Proinflammatory processes induced during cardiac surgery may contribute toward post-operative atrial fibrillation (AF). Colchicine is a potent anti-inflammatory agent, which may have a role in post-operative AF prevention. METHODS: We searched PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, CINAHL, ClinicalTrials.gov, and the Cochrane Library databases for randomized controlled trials (RCT) comparing colchicine versus placebo for prevention of post-operative AF. The main outcome measure of interest was the development of AF within 12 months after cardiac surgery. The overall risk ratio (RR) for the development of post-operative AF was computed using a random-effects model. RESULTS: Data analyzed from 3 randomized studies with a total of 912 patients, where 457 patients received colchicine and 455 patients received placebo, showed that perioperative colchicine therapy was associated with a reduced incidence of post-operative AF (RR: 0.65; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.46 to 0.91; p < 0.01). Although colchicine therapy was associated with increased incidence of gastrointestinal intolerance (RR: 2.20; 95% CI: 1.31 to 3.70; p = 0.003), it was not associated with early treatment discontinuation (RR: 1.37; 95% CI: 0.95 to 1.96; p = 0.09). CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, current evidence suggests that colchicine therapy is efficacious for the prevention of post-operative AF, and may be considered as adjunctive prophylaxis. Further studies may be required to determine the optimal treatment protocol to reduce the incidence of gastrointestinal intolerance.

Thromboprophylaxis with apixaban and the risk of pulmonary embolism in patients undergoing knee replacement surgery.

BACKGROUND: Apixaban, a novel oral anticoagulant, is also used for deep vein thrombosis (DVT) prophylaxis. In this study, we sought to critically evaluate the differences in the rates of symptomatic DVT and bleeding, and analyze the rates of pulmonary embolism (PE) in subgroups of patients from ADVANCE I and II trials given their similar indication and design. METHODS: Studies were identified through electronic literature searches of MEDLINE, clinicaltrial.gov, SCOPUS, and EMBASE up to January 2014. Phase III RCTs involving use of apixaban and enoxaparin for thromboprophylaxis in patients undergoing total knee or hip replacement were included. Study-specific odds ratios were calculated and between-study heterogeneity was assessed using the I (2) statistics. RESULTS: In three studies involving 11,659 patients, the risk of symptomatic DVT (pooled OR 0.38, 95% CI 0.16-0.90, I (2)=0%, p=0.03) and bleeding (pooled OR 0.87, 95% CI 0.77-0.99, I (2)=0%, p=0.03) was less in apixaban group compared to the enoxaparin group. However, it was interesting to note that on subgroup analysis, the risk of PE was higher with apixaban when used for thromboprophylaxis in knee replacement surgery (pooled OR 2.58, 95% CI 1.10-6.04, I (2)=0%, p=0.03). CONCLUSION: Apixaban was found to be associated with lower risk of symptomatic DVT and bleeding compared to enoxaparin when used for thromboprophylaxis in patients undergoing knee and hip replacement surgeries. However, it was associated with higher risk of PE in patients undergoing knee replacement.

Ia diastolic dysfunction: an echocardiographic grade.

OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate that a distinct group of patients with Grade Ia diastolic dysfunction who do not conform to present ASE/ESE diastolic grading exists. METHOD AND RESULTS: Echocardiographic and demographic data of the Grade Ia diastolic dysfunction were extracted and compared with that of Grades I and II in 515 patients. The mean of age of the cohort was 75 ± 9 years and body mass index did not differ significantly between the 3 groups (P = 0.45). Measurements of left atrial volume index (28.58 ± 7 mL/m(2) in I, 33 ± 10 mL/m(2) in Ia, and 39 ± 12 mL/m(2) in II P < 0.001), isovolumic relaxation time (IVRT) (100 ± 17 msec in I, 103 ± 21 msec in Ia, and 79 ± 15 msec in II P < 0.001), deceleration time (248 ± 52 msec in I, 263 ± 58 msec in Ia, and 217 ± 57 msec in II P < 0.001), medial E/e' (10 ± 3 in I, 18 ± 5.00 in Ia, and 22 ± 8 in II), and lateral E/e' (8 ± 3 in I, 15 ± 6 in Ia, and 18 ± 9 in II P < 0.001) were significantly different in grade Ia compared with I and II. These findings remained significant even after adjusting for age, gender, diabetes, and smoking. CONCLUSION: Patients with echocardiographic characteristics of relaxation abnormality (E/A ratio of <0.8) and elevated filling pressures (septal E/e' ≥15, lateral E/e' ≥12, average E/e' ≥13) should be graded as a separate Grade Ia group.

Shorter (≤6 months) versus longer (≥12 months) duration dual antiplatelet therapy after drug eluting stents: a meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials.

OBJECTIVE: Optimal duration of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT), defined as use of both aspirin and a P2Y12 receptor inhibitor, after implantation of drug eluting stents (DES) is still subject of ongoing debate. We systematically review efficacy and safety of ≤6 months versus ≥12 months DAPT after implantation of DES. METHODS: PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane, and clinicaltrials.gov databases were searched for studies published until 30th November 2013. The studies were limited to randomized clinical trials. Independent observers abstracted the data on outcomes, characteristics, and qualities of studies included. Random effect model was employed for meta-analysis. Heterogeneity of studies included was analyzed using I(2) statistics. RESULTS: In four randomized clinical trials published involving 8,163 patients with DES, 4,081 patients were randomized to shorter and 4,082 patients to longer duration DAPT. The P2Y12 receptor inhibitor used in all four studies was clopidogrel. Longer duration of DAPT did not reduce risk of all cause mortality (pooled OR 0.89, 95% CI 0.67-1.17, P = 0.4, I(2) = 0%), myocardial infarction (pooled OR 1.16, 95% CI 0.85-1.57, P = 0.35, I(2) = 0%) cardiac death (pooled OR 0.88, 95% CI 0.61-1.25, P = 0.47, I(2) = 0%), stent thrombosis (pooled OR 1.29, 95% CI 0.76-2.21, P = 0.35, I(2) = 0%) or cerebrovascular accidents (pooled OR 0.73, 95% CI 0.41-1.27, P = 0.26, I(2) = 0%). Longer duration of DAPT was associated with increased risk of TIMI major bleeding (pooled OR 0.51, 95% CI 0.29-0.89, P = 0.02, I(2) = 0%). CONCLUSION: There was no difference in efficacy outcomes between ≤6 months of DAPT and ≥12 months of DAPT in patients with coronary artery disease and DES implantation. Moreover, longer duration of DAPT is associated with increased risk of bleeding complications. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Benefit of statin pretreatment in prevention of contrast-induced nephropathy in different adult patient population: systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Previous studies have suggested that statin pretreatment prevents contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN). However, single randomised trials are limited in their number of patients. This meta-analysis aims to assess the role of statin use in CIN prevention, as well as to determine patient subgroups that will benefit from statin pre-treatment. METHODOLOGY: We searched PubMed, EMBASE, Web of science and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials databases for randomised controlled trials (RCT) comparing statin pretreatment versus placebo for preventing CIN. Our main outcome was the risk of CIN within 1-5 days after contrast administration. RESULTS: Data analysed from nine randomised studies with a total of 5143 patients, where 2559 received statins and 2584 received placebo, showed that statin pretreatment was associated with significant reduction in risk of CIN (MH-RR=0.47, 95% CI 0.34 to 0.64, Z=4.49, p<0.00001). This beneficial effect of statin was also seen in patients with baseline renal impairment (MH-RR=0.46, 95% CI 0.29 to 0.72, p=0.0008) and also those who were cotreated with NAC (MH-RR=0.46, 95% CI 0.25 to 0.83, p=0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Statin pretreatment leads to significant reduction in CIN, and should be strongly considered in all patients who are planned for diagnostic and interventional procedures involving contrast-media administration.

Meta-analysis of revascularization versus medical therapy for atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis.

The aim of the study was to compare the efficacy of revascularization versus medical therapy in patients with atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis (ARAS). ARAS is the most common cause of secondary hypertension and is associated with several complications, such as renal failure, coronary artery disease, cardiac destabilization, and stroke. Medical therapy is the cornerstone for management of ARAS; however, numerous trials have compared medical therapy with revascularization in the form of percutaneous renal artery angioplasty (PTRA) or percutaneous renal artery angioplasty with stent placement (PTRAS). Medline (PubMed and Ovid SP), Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Clinical Trials (CENTRAL), and Cochrane Database of Systematic Review (CDSR) were searched till present (November 2013) to identify clinical trials where medical therapy was compared with revascularization (PTRA or PTRAS). We performed a meta-analysis using a random effects model. The heterogeneity was assessed using I2 values. The initial database search identified 540 studies and 7 randomized controlled trials, and 2,139 patients were included in the final analysis. Angioplasty with or without stenting was not superior to medical therapy with respect to any outcome. The incidence of nonfatal myocardial infarction was 6.74% in both the stenting and medical therapy group (odds ratio=0.998, 95% confidence interval 0.698 to 1.427, p=0.992), and incidence of renal events in stenting population was found to be 19.58% versus 20.53% in medical therapy (odds ratio=0.945, 95% confidence interval 0.755 to 1.182, p=0.620). In conclusion, PTRA or PTRAS does not improve outcomes compared with medical therapy in patients with ARAS. Future studies should investigate to identify patient subgroups that may benefit from such an intervention.

Cardioverter-defibrillator implantation to treat cardiac fibroma-induced ventricular tachycardia in a 70-year-old woman.

Benign cardiac fibroma is rarely reported in adults. Its clinical symptoms are related to outflow obstruction or dysrhythmias. We present the case of a 70-year-old woman who had a syncopal episode from ventricular tachycardia caused by cardiac fibroma. Because of unfavorable tumor anatomy, the patient was not a candidate for surgical excision, and she declined orthotopic heart transplantation. To prevent sudden cardiac death, we placed an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator, and the patient remained well throughout the 2-year follow-up period. To our knowledge, this is the first report of implantable cardioverter-defibrillator therapy to treat an adult patient's unresectable cardiac fibroma.

Right atrial appendage aneurysm: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Right atrial appendage aneurysm (RAAA) is rare with fewer than 20 cases reported in the literature. We sought to systematically review the published cases of RAAA in terms of demographics, clinical characteristics, treatment, complications, and outcome. METHODOLOGY: Electronic search for case reports, case series, and related articles published until July 2013 was carried out and clinical data were extracted and analyzed. RESULTS: Seventeen cases of RAAA were identified with equal sex distribution and commonly presenting in the third decades of life. Dyspnea and palpitation were the most common clinical presentations. Echocardiography was the most common diagnostic modality. The mean size of aneurysm was 8.83 ± 4.84 × 6.05 ± 2.99 cm. Most of the patients were treated medically with close follow-up. The mean follow-up period was 10 months. Atrial tachyarrhythmias and heart failure were the most common complications. CONCLUSION: Right atrial appendage aneurysm although rare may be associated with significant morbidity. Surgical resection is indicated in symptomatic patients.

Papillary fibroelastoma of the pulmonary valve--a systematic review.

The pulmonary valve is the least affected site for valvular papillary fibroelastoma. With increasing use of routine echocardiography and other modalities of imaging, pulmonary valve papillary fibroelastomas (PVPFE) are being recognized more frequently. PVPFE is more often an incidental diagnosis and symptomatic patients usually present with shortness of breath. Embolic phenomena and right ventricular outflow tract obstruction are the most serious complications of PVPFE. Since PVPFE is rare, the purpose of this systematic review is to address demographic characteristics, the clinical presentation, management, and outcome of this benign tumor of the pulmonary valve.

Cangrelor versus clopidogrel in percutaneous coronary intervention: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

AIMS: Cangrelor is a new antiplatelet agent that has been used in percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with mixed results. We aimed to review the evidence on the efficacy of cangrelor in comparison to clopidogrel in reducing ischaemic endpoints at 48 hours in patients undergoing PCI in large randomised trials. METHODS AND RESULTS: In three large clinical trials involving 25,107 participants, the risk of the primary composite efficacy endpoint of death, MI and ischaemia-driven revascularisation at 48 hours, (pooled OR 0.94; 95% CI: 0.77-1.14, p=0.51, I2=68%), death from all cause (pooled OR 0.72, 95% CI: 0.36-1.43, p=0.34, I2=52%), myocardial infarction (pooled OR 0.94, 95% CI: 0.77-1.14, p=0.51, I2=68%) was not significantly different between cangrelor and clopidogrel. Likewise, severe or life-threatening bleeding was similar between cangrelor and clopidogrel (pooled OR 1.21, 95% CI: 0.70-2.12, p=0.50, I2=0%). The risk of stent thrombosis (pooled OR 0.59, 95% CI: 0.43-0.81, p=0.001, I2=0%), Q-wave myocardial infarction (pooled OR 0.53, 95% CI: 0.30-0.92, p=0.02, I2=0%) and ischaemia-driven revascularisation (pooled OR 0.71, 95% CI: 0.52-0.98, p=0.04, I2=0%) was lower in the cangrelor group. CONCLUSIONS: Based on this meta-analysis, we did not find any difference in the risk of the primary composite efficacy endpoint of all-cause death, ischaemia-driven revascularisation, and myocardial infarction at 48hours between cangrelor and clopidogrel use. Given that cangrelor was associated with a lower risk of stent thrombosis, ischaemia-driven revascularisation and Q-wave myocardial infarction compared to clopidogrel, cangrelor can be considered as a suitable alternative during PCI.

Interferon-α and pericardial injury: a case report and literature review.

Interferon- α (IFN-α) alone or in combination with other chemotherapeutic agents has been used in the management of many malignant and non-malignant conditions. Pericarditis with or without pericardial effusion has been reported with IFN-α therapy, and available literature is limited to case reports. Pericardial constriction after interferon use has not been described in the published literature to date. We performed a systematic review of literature to address the demographic features, clinical presentation, diagnosis, treatment and outcome of interferon-related pericardial injury.

A new intracavitary lesion at echocardiography and MR: a case of mistaken identity.

Atrial myxomas often show contrast enhancement following administration of intravenous gadolinium, whereas thrombus appears as a hypointense structure, typically without any contrast enhancement. This case report presents a diagnostic challenge involving a recently developed left atrial mass in which echocardiography and cardiac MRI provided discordant results. While the morphological characteristics of the new left atrial lesion were suggestive of myxoma, the signal characteristics and behavior following intravenous gadolinium at MR, and, in particular, the rapid interval appearance of the lesion, prompted consideration for left atrial thrombus. Subsequent intra-operative and histopathologic evaluation proved the mass to be a left atrial myxoma.

Two hypoxia sensor genes and their association with symptoms of acute mountain sickness in Sherpas.

INTRODUCTION: Hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) and von Hippel-Lindau tumor suppressor protein (VHL) are hypoxia sensors that control cellular responses to hypoxia. Although many Sherpas live at high altitudes for their entire lives, some of them manifest symptoms of acute mountain sickness (AMS) during mountaineering at extremely high altitudes. We hypothesize that the two hypoxia sensor genes might associate with the occurrence of AMS symptoms in Sherpas at extremely high altitude. METHODS: In a village at an altitude of 3440 m, 104 Sherpas who had mountaineered at extremely high altitudes (over 5000 m) were divided into two groups: Sherpas with (N = 45) and without (N = 59) histories of AMS symptoms. The rs11549465 SNP in the HIF-1alpha gene (HIF1A) and the rs28940298, rs779805, rs779808, rs1678607, and 1149A > G SNPs in the VHL gene (VHL) were identified in the two Sherpa groups using PCR following RFLP. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in ei-ther the genotype distributions or the allele frequencies of the HIF1A and VHL genetic variants between the two Sherpa groups. CONCLUSION: These genetic variants of HIF1A and VHL are not associated with AMS symptoms that occur in Sherpas at extremely high altitudes. It seems unlikely that HIF1A and VHL are associated with hypoxic sensing sensitivity in Sherpas.