Transplant versus no transplant in myelodysplastic syndrome and acute myeloid leukemia with TP53 mutation; a referral center experience.

A remarkably high rate of post-transplant relapse in patients with TP53-mutated myelodysplastic syndrome/acute myeloid leukemia (MDS/AML) calls to question the utility of allogeneic stem cell transplant (HSCT). We, therefore, performed a retrospective analysis to compare the outcomes between HSCT (N = 38) versus non-HSCT (N = 45) approaches. Patients in the HSCT cohort were younger (median age 63 vs. 72) while patients in the non-HSCT cohort more commonly had complex karyotype with chromosome 17 aberrancy and 5q deletion (p < .01). A total of 69 TP53 variants including 64 pathogenic variants, and 5 variants of undetermined significance were detected. Nine patients (4 in HSCT and 5 in non-HSCT) had multi-hit TP53 variants. After induction: 57.9% versus 56.6% in the HSCT versus non-HSCT cohort achieved morphologic complete remission. Median time to HSCT was 6 months and median follow-up was 15.1 months for HSCT and 5.7 months for non-HSCT. Median disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) were 11.7 and 15.9 months for HSCT, and 4.1 and 5.7 months for non-HSCT cohorts, respectively. Non-relapse mortality at 12 months was 22% versus 44% for HSCT versus non-HSCT. In the HSCT cohort, the rate of grade II-IV acute and chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) was 55% and 18%, respectively. None of the patients from the non-HSCT cohort were alive while four patients from the HSCT cohort were alive, in remission, and without GVHD (GRFS) at the time of abstraction. Better treatment strategies for patients with TP53-mutated MDS/AML remain an area of unmet clinical need.

Same-day discharge after implantation of cardiac implantable electronic devices: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Due to an increasing need for cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) placement, the cost of healthcare has been rising including the cost of hospital stay after the procedure. We conducted this systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the safety and feasibility of same-day discharge (SDD) after cardiac device implantations. METHODS: We searched MEDLINE, and Embase databases from inception to March 2021 to identify studies that compared clinical outcomes between SDD group and hospital overnight stay (HO) group after cardiac device implantations. Outcomes included complications after the procedure, mortality, and re-hospitalization. Data from each study were combined using the random-effects model to calculate pooled odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI). RESULTS: Eight studies (one randomized control trial, three prospective cohort and four retrospective cohort studies) with a total of 61,602 patients (4153 in SDD group and 57,449 in HO group) were included. SDD was not associated with more procedure-related complications. The rates of wound problems (0.94% vs 1.84%, pooled OR = 0.86, 95%CI: 0.2-3.68, p = .834), pneumothorax (1.15% vs 0.73%, pooled OR = 1.36, 95%CI: 0.26-7.12, p = .718), hematoma (0.59% vs 2.32%, pooled OR = 0.35, 95%CI:0.01-9.85, p = .534), lead/device dislodgement (4% vs 2.48%, pooled OR = 1.71, 95%CI: 0.64-4.54, p = .281), readmission rate (17.6% vs 17.5%, pooled OR = 0.95, 95%CI: 0.74-1.21, p = .667), and mortality rate (1.66% vs 1.44%, pooled OR = 0.77, 95%CI: 0.58-1.01, p = .059) were similar between in SDD and HO groups respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Our meta-analysis suggested that SDD after cardiac device implantations might be a safe and feasible alternative to HO without differences in procedure-related complications, readmission rates, or mortality rates.

Clinical outcomes of patients receiving three versus four doses of methotrexate with concomitant antithymocyte globulin in match unrelated donor allogeneic stem cell transplant: A single-center experience.

Methotrexate (MTX) doses on days +1, +3, +6, and +11 after match unrelated donor allogeneic stem cell transplant (MUD HSCT) is a common graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis regimen. However, the overlapping toxicity of MTX with conditioning chemotherapy sometimes warrants the omission of the fourth dose of MTX. Prior single-institution studies showed conflicting results comparing the outcomes of patients who received three versus four doses of MTX, but to our knowledge, the effect of concomitant antithymocyte globulin (ATG) has not been reported. Charts of patients who underwent MUD HSCT between 2009 and 2023 were reviewed. Patients received rabbit ATG (Thymoglobulin), given at 0.5 mg/kg on day -3, 2 mg/kg on day -2, and 2.5 mg/kg on day -1. MTX is given at 15 mg/m2 on day +1 and 10 mg/m2 on days +3, +6, and +11. Severe mucositis was the most common indication for day +11 MTX omission (82%). We identified 292 patients (116 in 3 dose cohort and 176 in 4 dose cohort). Median follow-up was 23 months (range 1-151). Patients in the 4 doses cohort were more frequently male (68% vs. 50%, p < 0.01), received a reduced intensity conditioning regimen (38.0% vs. 22%, p < 0.01), were older (median 58 vs. 54 years, p = 0.02), and received a transplant in the earlier era (median HSCT year 2014 vs. 2018, p < 0.01). A statistically significant difference was not evidenced between the cohorts for the following outcomes: acute GVHD (aGVHD) (HR 1.1, 95% CI 0.9-1.5), chronic GVHD (cGVHD) (HR 1.3, 95% CI 0.8-1.6), relapse-free survival (RFS) (HR 1.0, 95% CI 0.6-1.5), non-relapse mortality (NRM) (HR 1.4, 95% CI 0.9-2.2), and overall survival (OS) (HR 1.2, 95% CI 0.9-1.7). Both cohorts had similar median time to neutrophil engraftment at 14 days. When ATG is incorporated, omission of day +11 MTX does not significantly impact the rate of engraftment or cumulative incidence of aGVHD, cGVHD, RFS, NRM, and OS.

Electrical Cardioversion-Associated Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy: A National Readmission Database 2018 Analysis and Systematic Review.

The incidence of cardioversion-associated takotsubo cardiomyopathy in patients with atrial fibrillation undergoing electrical cardioversion is unknown. We aimed to determine the incidence of cardioversion-associated takotsubo cardiomyopathy using a National Readmission Database 2018 and a systematic review. We identified all patients with the index diagnosis of atrial fibrillation who underwent electrical cardioversion and were readmitted within 30 days with a primary diagnosis of takotsubo cardiomyopathy by International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification codes to find the incidence and risk factors of the disease. A systematic review was performed by searching PubMed and Embase for patients with atrial fibrillation who underwent electrical cardioversion and developed takotsubo cardiomyopathy from inception to February 2022. Baseline characteristics and clinical presentation were displayed. Among 154 919 patients admitted with atrial fibrillation who underwent electrical cardioversion in National Readmission Database 2018, 0.027% were readmitted with takotsubo cardiomyopathy (mean age of 71.0 ± 3.5 years and 96.7% were female). Female sex is an independent predictor of electrical cardioversion-associated takotsubo cardiomyopathy [adjusted odds ratio = 49.77 (95% CI: 5.90-419.87)], while diabetes mellitus is associated with less risk of electrical cardioversion-associated takotsubo cardiomyopathy [adjusted odds ratio = 0.31 (95% CI: 0.10-0.99)]. The systematic review included 13 patients (mean age of 74.8 ± 9.6 years and 77% were female). Acute heart failure due to apical type takotsubo cardiomyopathy is the most common presentation within 48 hours. The recovery time is less than 1 week in milder cases but can take up to 2 weeks in severe cases. Cardioversion-associated takotsubo cardiomyopathy is a rare complication in patients with atrial fibrillation who underwent electrical cardioversion. Female patients have a 50-fold increased risk, but DM is associated with a 3-fold risk reduction. The majority of patients recover within 2 weeks with supportive care.

A Prognostic Score To Predict Atrial fibrillation Recurrence After External Electrical Cardioversion-SLAC Score.

INTRODUCTION: Atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence after a successful external electrical cardioversion (ECV) is common. Assessing an individual's risk of AF recurrence is a critical part of the treatment plan. We aimed to develop a prognostic prediction score to predict AF recurrence in AF patients who underwent successful ECV. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study that included AF patients who underwent successful ECV was conducted with a primary outcome of AF recurrence at 6 months. Logistic regression analysis was done to identify variables, and a prognostic prediction score was created and internally validated. RESULTS: Four prognostic predictors were identified, including the type of AF, persistent AF (1 point) and long-standing persistent AF (4 points), previous cardioversion (1 point), stroke/transient ischemic attack (3 points), and left atrial volume index ≥40 mL/m 2 (6 points). The total score of 14 was further divided into 3 risk groups; low-risk (0-2 points), moderate-risk (3-7 points), and high-risk (8-14 points). The positive likelihood ratio for a moderate-risk patient was 2.08 (95% CI, 1.64-2.63) and for a high-risk patient was 7.90 (95% CI, 2.48-25.17). The score showed good discrimination power with the c-statistic of 0.74 (95% CI, 0.69-0.79). CONCLUSIONS: A simple prognostic prediction score for AF recurrence after successful ECV was created with a promising internally validated discrimination power. An external assessment of its usefulness as a tool to identify patients with low, moderate, and high risk for AF recurrence is warranted.

Tick magnets: The occupational risk of tick-borne disease exposure in forestry workers in New York.

BACKGROUND: Outdoor workers, such as forestry workers, are at an increased risk for contracting tick-borne diseases due to their prolonged time spent in tick habitats. Although well studied in Europe, no studies have been conducted with forestry workers in the Northeastern United States since 1990s. METHODS: Full-time forestry workers and two comparison groups (volunteer firefighter/first responders and indoor/healthcare workers) within New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Regions 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 were recruited for this cross-sectional seroprevalence study. Blood draws were conducted to test for antibodies to Lyme, anaplasmosis, babesiosis, and ehrlichiosis. Surveys were administered to determine personal risk factors and protective behaviors. RESULTS: Between November 2020 and May 2021, 256 (105 forestry, 101 firefighter/first responder, and 50 indoor/healthcare) workers participated in this study. Forestry workers had a probability of testing positive nearly twice as high for any tick-borne disease (14%) compared to firefighter/first responders (8%) and to indoor workers (6%); however, this difference was not statistically significant (P = .140). Forestry workers were more likely to find embedded ticks on themselves (f = 33.26, P < .0001 vs both comparison groups) and to have been previously diagnosed with a tick-borne disease (P = .001 vs firefighter/first responders, P = .090 vs indoor/healthcare workers). CONCLUSIONS: This pilot study suggests a higher proportion of tick-borne disease risk among forestry workers compared to firefighters/first responders and indoor/healthcare workers with lesser exposure. A larger study to confirm or refute this pilot data could help optimize mitigation/prevention strategies.

Efficacy and safety of direct oral anticoagulant in morbidly obese patients with atrial fibrillation: systematic review and meta-analysis.

AIMS: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis on three outcomes. We assessed the efficacy and safety of direct oral anticoagulants (DOAC) compared to vitamin K antagonists (VKA) in morbidly obese patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). We compared the efficacy and safety of DOAC in obese patients and non-obese patients with AF. Finally, we updated the current knowledge of outcomes of AF patients with obesity compared with normal-weight patients regardless of anticoagulation type. METHODS AND RESULTS: Using PubMed and Embase, we searched for literature published from inception to August 2020 for studies conducted in morbidly obese patients with AF who used DOACs and/or VKA for stroke or systemic embolism (stroke/SE) prevention that report efficacy and/or safety data. GRADE assessment was performed to determine the quality of the meta-analysis results. Direct oral anticoagulant was not statistically different from VKA in reducing stroke/SE with relative risk (RR) of 0.85 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.56-1.29; very low certainty evidence]. Major bleeding risk was lower in the DOAC groups with RR of 0.62 (95% CI: 0.48-0.80; low certainty evidence). Obese patients with AF who used DOACs had lower risk of stroke/SE and similar major bleeding risk compared to non-obese patients with RR of 0.77 (95% CI: 0.70-0.84; low certainty evidence) and 1.02 (95% CI: 0.94-1.09; low certainty evidence), respectively. Obese patients with AF who used any type of anticoagulant had lower risk of stroke/SE compared to normal-weight patients with RR of 0.62 (95% CI: 0.57-0.69; low certainty evidence). CONCLUSION: The use of DOACs in morbidly obese patients may be reasonable if needed, and more dedicated studies are needed to make a more robust recommendation.

Direct oral anticoagulants vs. vitamin K antagonists for left ventricular thrombus: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Current guidelines recommend vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) to reduce the risk of systemic thromboembolic (STE) events in patients with left ventricular (LV) thrombus. Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) are an emerging alternative to VKAs; however, data supporting DOAC use in LV thrombus are still lacking. We conducted this systematic review and meta-analysis to compare the efficacy and safety between DOACs and VKAs in this population. METHODS: We searched MEDLINE, Embase, and the Cochrane Library databases from inception to October 2020 to identify studies that compared clinical outcomes of interest, including stroke or any STE, LV thrombus resolution, and bleeding, between patients who used DOACs and VKAs for LV thrombus. Data from each study were combined using the random-effects model. RESULTS: Eight cohort studies with a total of 1771 patients (426 in DOAC group, 1345 in VKA group) were included. There were no statistically significant differences between VKA group and DOAC group on rates of STE events (pooled RR = 1.12, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.91-1.39, p = .286), LV thrombus resolution (pooled RR = 1.09, 95% CI: 0.94-1.27, p = .242), or bleeding events (pooled RR = 0.94, 95% CI: 0.59-1.51, p = .808). CONCLUSIONS: Our meta-analysis found no significant differences in rates of STE events, LV thrombus resolution, or bleeding events between the use of DOACs and VKAs in LV thrombus. Further randomised controlled trials are needed to confirm our findingsHighlightsThere is limited evidence comparing the use of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) to vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) in left ventricular (LV) thrombus.Our systematic review and meta-analysis showed that DOACs are not inferior to VKAs in the incidence of systemic thromboembolism (STE), the rate of LV thrombus resolution, and the risk of bleeding.Current evidence is based on observational studies only. Further randomised controlled trials are needed to confirm the findings.

Gender-Related Differences in Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Gender-related differences in phenotypic expression and outcomes have been established in many cardiac conditions; however, the impact of gender in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) remains unclear. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the differences in clinical outcomes between female and male HCM patients. METHODS: We searched MEDLINE and EMBASE from inception to October 2020. Included were cohort studies that compared outcomes of interest including all-cause mortality, HCM-related mortality, and worsening heart failure (HF) or HF hospitalization between male and female. Data from each study were combined using the random effects model to calculate pooled odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI). RESULTS: Eleven retrospective cohort studies with a total of 9,427 patients (3,719 females) were included. Female gender was significantly associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality (pooled OR = 1.63, 95% CI: 1.26-2.10, p ≤ 0.001), HCM-related mortality (pooled OR = 1.47, 95% CI: 1.08-2.01, p = 0.015), and worsening HF or HF hospitalization (pooled OR = 2.05, 95% CI: 1.76-2.39, p ≤ 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Female gender was associated with a worse prognosis in HCM. These findings suggest the need for improved care in women including early identification of disease and more possible aggressive management. Moreover, gender-based strategy may benefit in HCM patients.