Slipping rib syndrome.

Slipping rib syndrome (SRS) is a possibly lesser known but not rare condition associated with severe pain in the lower part of the thorax and/or upper abdomen. SRS is caused by an anatomical variant where typical costa 9 collides with costa 8 resulting in neuralgic pain. Surgery with reconstruction of the rib curvature has few recurrences. The diagnosis and treatment of SRS patients are presented, but our primary aim is to raise awareness about a painful and largely overlooked condition as a differential diagnosis in patients with unexplained chronic pain in the lower thorax.

Myocardial perfusion imaging by 15O-H2O positron emission tomography predicts clinical revascularization procedures in symptomatic patients with previous coronary artery bypass graft.

Aims: We wanted to assess if 15O-H2O myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) in a clinical setting can predict referral to coronary artery catheterization [coronary angiography (CAG)], execution of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), and post-PCI angina relief for patients with angina and previous coronary artery bypass graft (CABG). Methods and results: We analysed 172 symptomatic CABG patients referred for 15O-H2O positron emission tomography (PET) MPI at Aarhus University Hospital Department of Nuclear Medicine & PET Centre, of which five did not complete the scan. In total, 145 (87%) enrolled patients had an abnormal MPI. Of these, 86/145 (59%) underwent CAG within 3 months; however, no PET parameters predicted referral to CAG. During the CAG, 25/86 (29%) patients were revascularized by PCI. Relative flow reserve (RFR) (0.49 vs. 0.54 P = 0.03), vessel-specific myocardial blood flow (MBF) (1.53 vs. 1.88 mL/g/min, P < 0.01), and vessel-specific myocardial flow reserve (MFR) (1.73 vs. 2.13, P < 0.01) were significantly lower in patients revascularized by PCI. Receiver operating characteristic analysis of the vessel-specific parameters yielded optimal cutoffs of 1.36 mL/g/min (MBF) and 1.28 (MFR) to predict PCI. Angina relief was experienced by 18/24 (75%) of the patients who underwent PCI. Myocardial blood flow was an excellent predictor of angina relief on both a global [area under the curve (AUC) = 0.85, P < 0.01] and vessel-specific (AUC = 0.90, P < 0.01) level with optimal cutoff levels of 1.99 mL/g/min and 1.85 mL/g/min, respectively. Conclusion: For CABG patients, RFR, vessel-specific MBF, and vessel-specific MFR measured by 15O-H2O PET MPI predict whether subsequent CAG will result in PCI. Additionally, global and vessel-specific MBF values predict post-PCI angina relief.

Clinical Outcomes After Surgical Revascularization Using No-Touch Versus Conventional Saphenous Vein Grafts: Mid-Term Follow-Up of Propensity Score Matched Cohorts.

Previous studies have demonstrated superior patency of no-touch as compared to conventional saphenous vein grafts in coronary artery bypass grafting. We aimed to compare mid-term clinical outcomes of both techniques in a large cohort of routine patients. We identified all patients undergoing nonemergent primary coronary artery bypass grafting with either no-touch or conventional saphenous vein grafts at our institution between 2000 and 2020. Propensity score matching was used to create adjusted cohorts based on 5288 eligible patients. The primary outcome was the combined endpoint of all-cause mortality and repeat revascularization. Secondary outcomes were individual rates of all-cause mortality and repeat revascularization, surgical complications, and short-term mortality. Propensity score matching resulted in cohorts of no-touch (n = 923) and conventional (n = 923) saphenous vein grafted patients with comparable baseline characteristics. Mean follow-up time was significantly shorter for the no-touch compared to the conventional cohort (4.9 ± 2.3 vs 8.3 ± 2.6 years, P < 0.001). Up to 7-year follow-up, neither the rate of the primary composite endpoint nor death differed significantly between the cohorts. The rate of repeat revascularization was significantly higher in patients in the no-touch cohort (12.9% vs 9.3% at 7-year follow-up, P = 0.022. Post-hoc analysis of percutaneous coronary intervention during follow-up revealed comparable rates of saphenous vein graft failure (no-touch 42/923 (4.6%) vs conventional 32/923 (3.5%), P = 0.286). In this large propensity score matched registry study, coronary artery bypass with no-touch compared to conventional saphenous vein grafting did neither enhance mid-term survival nor reduce the rate of repeat revascularization.

Clinical use of cardiac 18 F-FDG viability PET: a retrospective study of 44 patients undergoing post-test revascularization.

The coupling between coronary artery disease and the development of ischemic heart failure is well-established. For these patients, assessment of potentially viable but dysfunctional myocardial tissue (hibernation) is considered critical to guide optimal surgical treatment. Assessment with positron emission tomography (PET) theoretically provides measurements of hibernating tissue and maximal myocardial glucose uptake (MGU) in all cardiac territories. However, the clinical benefits of these measures are not thoroughly studied. We therefore aimed to investigate whether cardiac viability testing with combined Rubidium-82 (82Rb) and 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) predicts post-intervention improvement in left ventricle ejection fraction (LVEF) and survival. This retrospective study consisted of 131 patients with ischemic heart failure referred for dynamic 82Rb/18F-FDG PET viability testing prior to revascularization. The FDG viability scan was done during a hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp and included PET measures static FDG hibernation and absolute MGU as well as myocardial blood flow and coronary flow reserve. In total, 44/131 patients undergoing viability testing were subsequently revascularized. Following revascularization, 26 patients had LVEF improvement of at least 5% while 18 patients had no improvement. A poor correlation between areas of intervention and areas of hibernation was observed. Receiver operating characteristics for all PET metrics did not predict improvement in LVEF. Furthermore, hibernation failed to predict survival regardless of whether patients underwent subsequent revascularization. Dynamic viability PET metrics (hibernation and MGU) do not predict post-intervention improvement in LVEF or overall survival in ischemic heart failure patients undergoing revascularization. In a clinical setting, the value of these measurements may therefore be limited. Kindly check and confirm the Given names and Family names for all the authors.All names are correct!

Outcomes of isolated tricuspid valve surgery in contemporary practice.

OBJECTIVES: Isolated tricuspid valve (TV) surgery is rarely performed and has been associated with high mortality and morbidity. The aim of this study was to describe the clinical outcome and functional capacity following isolated TV surgery in contemporary practice. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study including all patients who underwent isolated TV surgery at our institution from 2013 to 2019. Our cohort was identified using the Western Denmark Heart Registry. Postoperative outcomes were evaluated using patients' medical records. The clinical and echocardiographic status was reported for patients who survived beyond 1 year. RESULTS: We included 43 patients [mean age 65.2 ± 13.8, median European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation II 1.8 (interquartile range 2.0)]. Twelve (27.9%) had prior cardiac surgery. Up to 90-day follow-up, no patient died and major morbidity was limited to 4 patients (9.3%) requiring pacemaker implantation and 1 patient requiring 2 reoperations. Within 1 year, 4 patients (9.3%) died. Nine patients (20.1%) required single readmission for cardiac reasons during the median follow-up of 38.4 months (interquartile range 30.9 months). All patients who survived beyond 1 year (n = 39) completed clinical follow-up. At follow-up, 38/39 (97.4%) patients were New York Heart Association I or II compared to 12/39 (30.8%) preoperatively (P = 0.001). The presence of oedema and intensity of diuretic treatment were significantly reduced (P = 0.005 and P = 0.008, respectively). Echocardiographic follow-up showed significant improvement of TV dysfunction in all patients. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that isolated TV surgery can be performed safely and greatly improve patients' functional status. Our findings support the importance of optimal surgical timing and patient selection.

Outcome of hybrid compared to conventional revascularization in multivessel coronary artery disease.

OBJECTIVES: Evaluation of 3-year clinical outcome of hybrid myocardial revascularization (HMR) compared to conventional revascularization strategies in patients with multivessel coronary artery disease involving the proximal left anterior descending artery. Design. Retrospective matched cohort study based on a prospective feasibility study including 103 elective patients undergoing staged HMR from October 2010 until February 2012. The Western Denmark Heart Registry was used to identify patients who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and multivessel percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) by matching on number of diseased vessels, age and comorbidity score. Primary endpoint was the composite rate of major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) at 3-year follow-up. Secondary endpoints included individual MACCE components, acute kidney injury, and cardiovascular readmissions. Results. There was no difference between MACCE in the three groups (HMR 31.1%; CABG 20.4%; PCI 20.4%, p = .11). Estimates of repeat revascularization were significantly increased with HMR versus CABG. In the CABG group, fewest patients required cardiovascular readmissions though with the highest incidence of acute kidney injury. Conclusions. HMR was not superior with respect to MACCE compared with CABG and PCI. It may, however, represent a safe alternative to conventional revascularization treatment considering the specific procedure-associated morbidity.

Impact of minimally invasive extracorporeal circulation on coagulation-a randomized trial.

OBJECTIVES: Minimally invasive extracorporeal circulation (MiECC) is suggested to have favourable impact on blood loss compared to conventional extracorporeal circulation. We aimed to compare the impact of both systems on coagulation. METHODS: Randomized trial comparing endogenous thrombin-generating potential early after elective coronary surgery employing either MiECC group (n = 30) or conventional extracorporeal circulation group (n = 30). Secondary outcomes were in vivo thrombin generation, bleeding end points and haemodilution, as well as morbidity and mortality up to 30-day follow-up. RESULTS: Compared to the conventional extracorporeal circulation group, the MiECC group showed (i) a trend towards a higher early postoperative endogenous thrombin-generating potential (P = 0.06), (ii) lower intraoperative levels of thrombin-antithrombin complex and prothrombin fragment 1 + 2 (P < 0.001), (iii) less haemodilution early postoperatively as measured by haematocrit and weight gain, but without correlation to coagulation factors or bleeding end points. Moreover, half as many patients required postoperative blood transfusion in the MiECC group (17% vs 37%, P = 0.14), although postoperative blood loss did not differ between groups (P = 0.84). Thrombin-antithrombin complex levels (rs = 0.36, P = 0.005) and prothrombin fragment 1 + 2 (rs = 0.45, P < 0.001), but not early postoperative endogenous thrombin-generating potential (rs = 0.05, P = 0.72), showed significant correlation to increased transfusion requirements. The MiECC group demonstrated significantly lower levels of creatine kinase-MB, lactate dehydrogenase and free haemoglobin indicating superior myocardial protection, less tissue damage and less haemolysis, respectively. Perioperative morbidity and 30-day mortality did not differ between groups. CONCLUSIONS: Conventional but not MiECC is associated with significant intraoperative thrombin generation despite full heparinization. No correlation between coagulation factors or bleeding end points with the degree of haemodilution could be ascertained. CLINICALTRIALS.GOV IDENTIFIER: NCT03216720.

Influence of Mitroflow bioprosthesis structural valve deterioration on cardiac morbidity.

BACKGROUND: This study investigated the extent and nature of cardiac morbidity and cause of mortality in patients with Mitroflow structural valve deterioration (SVD). METHODS: A retrospective study was performed examining the medical records of patients who had received Mitroflow bioprosthesis between February 2001 and April 2014 and died during this period. A total of 211 patients were identified and included in the analyses. To determine the cause of mortality, cases were divided into three predefined groups: cardiovascular death due to SVD (group 1), cardiovascular death with no SVD (group 2) and non-cardiovascular death without SVD (group 3). RESULTS: Overall mortality in this study was 7.6% at 1 year, 46.4% at 5 years and 97.2% at 10 years. In group 1, 53 patients (25%) died; in group 2, 59 patients (28%) died; and in group 3, 99 patients (47%) died. Hospitalisation for congestive heart failure was observed in 49.1% in the SVD group vs. 10.2 and 13.1% in the two other groups, p < 0.001. Hospitalisation for endocarditis was also significantly higher in the SVD group (11.3%) than in the two other groups (6.8 and 0%), p < 0.05. Hospitalisation due to myocardial infarction, cerebral stroke, arrhythmia or other cardiac-related diseases was not significantly different between groups. CONCLUSION: Structural valve deterioration in Mitroflow bioprosthesis was associated with a high prevalence of hospital admissions due to congestive heart failure and endocarditis. Patients with Mitroflow bioprosthesis should be systematically and routinely followed with echocardiography, and reoperation should be considered if SVD has developed.

Comparison of Survival After Aortic Valve Replacement With Mitroflow or Perimount Prostheses.

Bioprosthetic aortic valves degenerate over time, and differences between brands could be expected. We compared 2 brands implanted in 3 different centers serving 3.3 million people. Between 2000 and 2014, we identified 1241 bioprosthetic aortic valve replacements using Mitroflow (Sorin, Milan, Italy) and 3212 using Perimount (Edwards Lifesciences, Irvine, CA) covering 88% of all aortic valve replacements in the region. Average differences in t-year mortality were derived from Cox regression. The complete case analyses included 881 Mitroflow replacements and 2488 Perimount replacements. The median follow-up time and 25/75 percentiles were 5.0 years (3.3-7.2) and 8.4 years (5.1-10.6) for Perimount and Mitroflow, respectively. Multiple Cox regression analyses demonstrated significantly higher mortality with Mitroflow valves compared with Perimount (hazard ratio 1.27; 95% CI: 1.1-1.5; P < 0.001). Average risk of death within 5 years was 25.0% with Mitroflow and 20.4% with Perimount. Average difference in 5-year mortality based on Cox regression was 4.60% in favor of Perimount (95% CI: 1.02-8.02%; P = 0.01) and the number needed to harm was 21.9 (95% CI: 12.7-80.5) within 5 years. Propensity matching confirmed 2-year survival differences 4.6% in favor of Perimount (95% CI: 1.2-7.9%; P = 0.004), and further confirmed in a series of subgroups and a double robust analysis that takes into account both propensity for treatment and covariate relation to outcome. Mitroflow valves were associated with a significantly increased risk of death when compared to Perimount valves.

Structural valve deterioration in the Mitroflow biological heart valve prosthesis.

OBJECTIVES: Concern has been raised regarding the long-term durability of the Mitroflow biological heart valve prosthesis. Our aim was to assess the incidence of structural valve degeneration (SVD) for the Mitroflow bioprosthesis in a nationwide study in Denmark including all patients alive in Denmark who had received a Mitroflow aortic bioprosthesis since 2000. METHODS: Patients alive in Denmark with a Mitroflow bioprosthesis implanted since January 2000 were invited to participate in a nationwide cross-sectional study with a predefined definition of SVD. Of 1552 patients, 861 patients had died and 47 patients had been reoperated with 40 reoperations due to SVD. The remaining 644 patients were invited for evaluation; 574 patients accepted and were evaluated for SVD. The incidence of SVD was calculated using competing risk regression analysis with death as the competing event. RESULTS: A total of 173 patients were diagnosed with SVD by echocardiography. Of these, 64 (11%) patients had severe SVD and 109 (19%) patients moderate SVD. Severe SVD was associated with the age of the prosthesis and small prosthesis size [Size 21: hazard ratio (95% confidence interval, CI) 2.72 (0.97-8.56), P = 0.06; Size 19: 6.26 (1.63-24.06), P = 0.008]. The cumulative incidences of reoperation or severe SVD at Year 9 were 12.5% for Size 19, 7.6% for Size 21 and 3.1 (1.2-6.4)% for Size 23. Median survival in patients with prosthesis Sizes 23-29 was 6.4 (95% CI 5.7-7.0) years, with Size 21 it was 6.5 (95% CI 5.9-7.1) years and with Size 19 it was 6.9 (95% CI 5.7-8.2) years (P = 0.78). CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of undetected severe SVD was as high as the incidence of operated SVD. The overall risk for SVD is high for the Mitroflow bioprosthesis, especially if the prosthesis is small and older than 5 years.

Quality assurance of the Western Denmark Heart Registry, a population-based healthcare register.

INTRODUCTION: During the past decade, the mandatory population-based healthcare database, the Western Denmark Heart Registry (WDHR), has provided the data for several research projects. As in most clinical registries, the data quality has not been validated thoroughly. This study was undertaken to evaluate the quality of registrations in the WDHR. METHODS: The audit supervised procedures from involved departments that were performed in 2013. An experienced research nurse completed data collection, and an experienced consultant evaluated the agreement between the WDHR and patient records. Indistinct data from patient records were determined after consulting a specialist from the department in question. Patient files were double-checked in case of disagreements between the involved systems. RESULTS: The total proportion of errors in the referral date was 16.4% in surgery, 9.8% in percutaneous invasive procedures (PCI), 16.1% in coronary angiography (CAG) and 19.5% in computed tomography (CT)-CAG, while the errors in inhospital dates were slightly lower. In the cardiac surgery registries, the proportion of errors was 3.3% in the history and EuroSCORE module, 1.0% in the procedure module and 2.8% in the discharge module. For PCI procedures, the errors were 3.8% in the history module, 2.2% in the procedure module and 1.6% in the discharge module. CAG and CT-CAG had slightly more errors. CONCLUSIONS: The quality control of the WDHR revealed that overall data errors were lower than 3% and for procedure-specific registrations including indications and complications, the error rate was below 1.5%. The WDHR is valid and may be used in contemporary epidemiological studies. FUNDING: none. TRIAL REGISTRATION: not relevant.

Thirty-Year Mortality After Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery: A Danish Nationwide Population-Based Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Data are sparse on long-term mortality after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. We examined short-term and long-term mortality of patients undergoing CABG surgery and a general population comparison cohort. METHODS AND RESULTS: Linking data from Danish registries, we conducted a nationwide, population-based cohort study on 51 307 CABG patients and 513 070 individuals from the general population matched on age, sex, and calendar year (1980-2009). The mortality risk was higher in patients having isolated CABG surgery than in the general population, particularly during 0 to 30 days (3.2% versus 0.2%), 11 to 20 years (51.1% versus 35.6%), and 21 to 30 years (62.4% versus 44.8%), but not substantially higher during 31 to 364 days (2.9% versus 2.4%) or 1 to 10 years (30.7% versus 25.8%). The 30-day adjusted mortality rate ratio for isolated CABG surgery was 13.51 (95% confidence interval [CI], 12.59-14.49). Between 31 to 364 days and 1 to 10 years, the isolated CABG surgery cohort had a slightly higher mortality rate than the general population comparison cohort, adjusted mortality rate ratios of 1.15 (95% CI, 1.09-1.21) and 1.09 (95% CI, 1.08-1.11), respectively. Between 11 to 20 years and 21 to 30 years, the adjusted mortality rate ratios were 1.62 (95% CI, 1.58-1.66) and 1.76 (95% CI, 1.62-1.91). Within 30 days, CABG patients had a 25-fold, a 26-fold, and a 18-fold higher risk of dying from myocardial infarction, heart failure, or stroke, respectively, than members of the general population comparison cohort. We found substantial heterogeneity in absolute mortality rates according to baseline risk groups. CONCLUSIONS: The isolated CABG cohort had a higher mortality rate than the general population comparison cohort, especially within 30 days of and 10 years after surgery.

Deep Sternal Wound Infection after Open-Heart Surgery: A 13-Year Single Institution Analysis.

PURPOSE: The present study aimed to compare the clinical outcome for patients with or without muscle flap reconstruction after deep sternal wound infection due to open-heart surgery. METHODS: The study was a retrospective cohort study, including patients who developed deep sternal wound infection after open-heart surgery in the Western Denmark Region from 1999 to 2011. Journals of included patients were reviewed for clinical data regarding the treatment of their sternal defect. Patients were divided into two groups depending on whether they received a muscle-flap-based sternal reconstruction or traditional rewiring of the sternum. RESULTS: A total of 130 patients developed deep sternal wound infection in the study period. In all, 12 patients died before being discharged, leaving a total of 118 patients for analysis. Of these, 50 (42%) patients received muscle flap reconstruction. Muscle flap recipients had significantly longer total hospital stays (p <0.001). However, after receiving muscle flap reconstruction, patients were discharged after a median of 14 days, with 74% not needing additional surgery. CONCLUSION: It is difficult to predict which patients eventually require muscle flap reconstruction after deep sternal wound infection. Although patients receiving muscle flap reconstructions have longer hospital stays, they are quickly discharged after the reconstruction.

Durability after aortic valve replacement with the Mitroflow versus the Perimount pericardial bioprosthesis: a single-centre experience in 2393 patients.

OBJECTIVES: This study compares the durability and risk of reoperation in patients undergoing aortic valve replacement (AVR) with either a Mitroflow or a Carpentier-Edwards (CE) pericardial bioprosthesis. Since AVR with bioprosthetic valves has increased progressively in recent years as compared to mechanical valves, especially in patients aged 60-70 years, there has been renewed interest in the long-term durability of current pericardial bioprostheses. METHODS: We compared 440 AVR with Mitroflow valves with 1953 AVR with CE pericardial valves implanted from 1999 to 2014 with regard to reoperation, reoperation for structural valve deterioration (SVD) and all-cause mortality. RESULTS: Ten-year freedom from explant of any cause was higher for CE Perimount (98 ± 0.7%) than for Mitroflow (95 ± 1.4%, P < 0.01). Reasons for explant for CE Perimount were SVD (n = 2), endocarditis (n = 8) and paraprosthetic leak (n = 10). The reasons for explant for Mitroflow were SVD (n = 11), endocarditis (n = 3) SVD and pericarditis (n = 1) and paraprosthetic leak (n = 2). Ten-year freedom from explant due to SVD was higher for CE Perimount (100%) than for Mitroflow (96%) (P < 0.01). In small aortic annuli (bioprosthesis size 19-21 mm), freedom from SVD at 10 years for CE Perimount and Mitroflow was 100 versus 96%, respectively. By multivariate analysis, it was found that bioprosthesis size was not a risk factor for SVD. The choice of valve type could not be demonstrated to influence long-term survival. CONCLUSIONS: The Mitroflow pericardial bioprosthesis provides less than optimal mid- and long-term durability compared with the CE Perimount pericardial valve, especially for small aortic diameter implants (19 and 21 mm). This study hereby confirms the existence of a real risk of valvular deterioration of the Mitroflow valve that might compromise the prognosis of the patients.

On-pump versus off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery in elderly patients: results from the Danish on-pump versus off-pump randomization study.

BACKGROUND: Conventional coronary artery bypass grafting performed with the use of cardiopulmonary bypass is a well-validated treatment for patients with ischemic heart disease. Off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB) has been suggested to reduce the number of perioperative complications, especially in elderly patients. METHODS AND RESULTS: In a multicenter, randomized trial, we assigned 900 patients >70 years of age to conventional coronary artery bypass grafting or OPCAB surgery. After 30 days, a blinded end-point committee assessed whether a combined end point of death, stroke, or myocardial infarction had occurred. At baseline and 6 months postoperatively, self-assessed quality of life was measured with the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-36 and EuroQol-5D questionnaires. A 6-month follow-up of mortality was performed through the Danish National Registry. The proportion of patients experiencing the combined end point within 30 days was 10.2% for conventional coronary artery bypass grafting and 10.7% for OPCAB. Implied risk difference of 0.4% (with a 95% confidence interval, -3.6 to 4.4) showed nonsignificance in a standard test for equality (P=0.83) and for noninferiority with an inferiority margin of 0.5% (P=0.49). At the 6-month follow-up, mortality was 4.7% compared with 4.2% (P=0.75). Both groups showed significant improvement in self-assessed health-related quality of life. CONCLUSIONS: Both conventional coronary artery bypass grafting and OPCAB are safe procedures that improved the quality of life when performed in elderly patients. No major differences in intermediate-term outcomes were found. However, the noninferiority of OPCAB with the prespecified margin could not be confirmed.

Significance of the invasive strategy after acute myocardial infarction on prognosis and secondary preventive medication: a nationwide study of 6364 women and 11,915 men.

OBJECTIVE: To describe gender-specific long-term outcome and initiation of secondary preventive medication among patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). DESIGN: Observational cohort study. SETTING: Nationwide registries. PATIENTS: We included 18,279 patients: 6364 women (35%) and 11,915 men (65%), admitted with AMI (median age, 67 years; range, 30-90 years) surviving for at least 2 months. INTERVENTIONS: According to sex, patients were stratified by invasive treatment strategy: (1) revascularized; (2) examined with coronary angiography (CAG) but not revascularized; and (3) not examined with CAG. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: All-cause mortality and readmission with AMI. Initiation of secondary preventive medication. RESULTS: Of 18,279 patients with a first AMI who survived 2 months, 1857 women (29%) and 1756 men (15%) were not examined with CAG (P<.001), 1295 women (20%) and 1563 men (13%) were examined but not revascularized (P<.001), and 3212 women (51%) and 8596 men (72%) were revascularized (P<.001). Not being examined with CAG after AMI was associated with a three-fold increase in risk of death and, importantly, a 50% increase in the risk of a recurrent AMI compared with patients who were revascularized. Among patients who were revascularized, 85-92% initiated recommended secondary preventive medication compared to 46-71% in patients not examined with CAG (P<.001). Initiation of secondary preventive medication was higher in men (81-84%) than in women (73-79%; P<.001), which could be ascribed to the differences in invasive strategy. CONCLUSIONS: In both sexes, those who were not examined had a highly increased risk of both recurrent AMI and death. Moreover, initiation of secondary preventive medication was closely related to the choice of invasive strategy disfavoring the women.

The EuroSCORE in western Denmark: a population-based study.

OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed to examine the predictive performance of the logistic European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation (EuroSCORE) in a large cohort of patients undergoing cardiac surgery from 1999 through 2010 because methodologic shortcomings have hampered many previous studies questioning its predictive performance. DESIGN: Population-based prospectively registered data. SETTING: The Western Denmark Heart Registry, a multi-institutional registry. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-one thousand six hundred sixty-four patients. INTERVENTIONS: On-pump cardiac surgery. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The predictive ability of the logistic EuroSCORE was assessed using the area under the curve (AUC) for the discrimination test, the Hosmer-Lemeshow (HL) calibration test, and the mean estimated-to-observed mortality ratio (E/O). The overall AUC was 0.79 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.77-0.81; HL test, p < 0.01; E/O 1.9). For coronary artery bypass grafting, the AUC was 0.78 (95% CI 0.75-0.81; HL test, p < 0.01; E/O 2.3). For coronary artery bypass grafting plus valve replacement, the AUC was 0.69 (95% CI 0.65-0.73; HL test, p = 0.02; E/O 1.5). For aortic valve replacement, the AUC was 0.76 (95% CI 0.72-0.80; HL test, p < 0.01; E/O 2.5). The overall and procedural specific E/O ratios tended to increase from 1999 to 2010. Mortality was overestimated across all levels of estimated risk, and in low-to-medium-risk patients, this overestimation increased most notably with time. CONCLUSIONS: The EuroSCORE provides moderate-to-good discrimination and poor calibration. Despite substantial changes in risk factors during the study period, the EuroSCORE consistently overestimated 30-day mortality independent of the preoperative risk level and surgical procedure performed, indicating improved quality of surgery and patient care.

Existing data sources for clinical epidemiology: The Western Denmark Heart Registry.

BACKGROUND: The Western Denmark Heart Registry (WDHR) has not previously been described as a research tool in clinical epidemiology. OBJECTIVES: We examined the setting, organization, content, data quality, and research potential of the WDHR. METHOD: We collected information from members of the WDHR organization, including the committee of representatives, the board, the data management group, and physicians reporting to the database. We retrieved 2008 data from the WDHR to illustrate database variables. RESULTS: The WDHR is a clinical database within a population-based health care system. It was launched on 1 January 1999 to monitor and improve the quality of cardiac intervention in Western Denmark (population: 3.3 million) and to allow for clinical and health-service research. More than 200,000 interventions, with 50-150 variables each, have been registered. The data quality is ensured by automatic validation rules at data entry combined with systematic validation procedures and random spot-checks after entry. CONCLUSIONS: The WDHR is a valuable research tool because it provides ongoing longitudinal registration of detailed patient and procedural data. The Danish national health care system enables this research because it allows complete follow-up for medical events after cardiac intervention by linkage with multiple medical databases.