An updated systematic review and meta-analysis of early outcomes after left atrial appendage occlusion.

BACKGROUND: Left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) is a promising intervention for stroke prevention in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF). Early outcomes following LAAO have been published in many studies with variable results. OBJECTIVE: This updated meta-analysis aims to provide a summary of the early outcomes of LAAO. METHODS: Medline/Pubmed, Ovid Journals, Clinical trials, Abstract meetings, Cochrane databases were searched from January 1st, 1999 to November 30th, 2016. RESULTS: This meta-analysis included 49 studies involving 12 415 patients. The median age was 73.5 years (IQR 72-75 years) and 43% were males. Hypertension and diabetes were present in 36% and 15% of the population, respectively. There was a prior history of stroke and congestive heart failure in 14% and 18% of the population, respectively. The median CHADS2 score was 2.9 (IQR 2.6-3.3) and the median HASBLED score was 3.3 (IQR 3-4). LAAO implantation was successful in 96.3% of patients (95.40-97.08, I2 = 76.1%). The pooled proportion of all-cause mortality was 0.28% (0.19-0.38, I2 = 0%). The pooled proportion of all-cause stroke was 0.31% (0.22-0.42, I2 = 9.4%), major bleeding requiring transfusion was 1.71% (1.13-2.41, I2 = 73.2%), and pericardial effusion was 3.25% (2.46-4.14, I2 = 79%). Sub analysis of randomized clinical trials comparing LAAO devices to warfarin showed lower mortality (P = 0.03) with similar bleeding risk (P = 0.20) with LAAO. CONCLUSIONS: This meta-analysis concludes that LAAO occlusion is a safe and effective stroke prevention strategy in patients with NVAF.

Predictors of 90-Day Readmission and in-Hospital Mortality in Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy: An Analysis of 28,079 Index Admissions.

BACKGROUND: Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TC) is diagnosed in 1% to 2% of patients presenting with suspected acute coronary syndromes. Readmission patterns after TC have been less studied. Thus, we sought to perform a study to evaluate the etiologies, trends, and predictors of 90-day readmission in TC. METHODS: The Nationwide Readmissions Database (NRD), 2014, was used to select the study cohort. International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) diagnostic code 429.83 was used to identify TC. Admissions within 90 days of index admission were considered early readmissions. Readmission etiologies were identified by an ICD-9-CM code. Hierarchical multivariate models were used to evaluate predictors of early readmission. RESULTS: A total of 28,079 patients were identified during the study period, of whom 24.3% (n = 6841) were readmitted within 90 days of discharge. In-hospital mortality during index admissions was 5.69%. The most common etiologies for readmission were cardiac (18.56%), respiratory (17.20%), and infections (13.12%). Among cardiac complications, acute heart failure was the most common etiology (7.48%). The highest number of readmissions happened on the first day after discharge (n = 125). On multivariate analysis, the age of 50-64 years, diabetes, heart failure, chronic pulmonary disease, peripheral vascular disease, anemia, and malignancy were shown to be significant predictors of readmission. Patients of female gender are less likely to be readmitted and have lower in-hospital mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with TC are highly likely to be readmitted within the first month after discharge, most likely with secondary to cardiac or respiratory complications. These findings warrant close post-discharge transition to reduce morbidity and improve healthcare outcomes. SUMMARY: This analysis from the Nationwide Readmission Database outlines a detailed analysis on etiologies, trends, and predictors of 90-day readmission for patients presenting with takotsubo cardiomyopathy.