ABSTRACT
Background: Cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs), such as permanent pacemakers, implantable cardioverter-defibrillators, and cardiac resynchronization therapy devices, alleviate morbidity and mortality in various diseases. There is a paucity of real-world data on CIED complications and trends. Objectives: We sought to describe trends in noninfectious CIED complications over the past 3 decades in Olmsted County. Methods: The Rochester Epidemiology Project is a medical records linkage system comprising records of over 500,000 residents of Olmsted County from 1966 to present. CIED implantations between 1988 and 2018 were determined. Trends in noninfectious complications within 30 days of implantation were analyzed. Results: A total of 157 (6.2%) of 2536 patients who received CIED experienced device complications. A total of 2.7% of the implants had major complications requiring intervention. Lead dislodgement was the most common (2.8%), followed by hematoma (1.7%). Complications went up from 1988 to 2005, and then showed a downtrend until 2018, driven by a decline in hematomas in the last decade (P < .01). Those with complications were more likely to have prosthetic valves. Obesity appeared to have a protective effect in a multivariate regression model. The mean Charlson comorbidity index has trended up over the 30 years. Conclusion: Our study describes a real-world trend of CIED complications over 3 decades. Lead dislodgements and hematomas were the most common complications. Complications have declined over the last decade due to safer practices and a better understanding of anticoagulant management.
ABSTRACT
Background: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common cause of chronic liver disease worldwide. However, there is no clear consensus on optimal screening strategies and risk stratification. We conducted a systematic review of society guidelines to identify differences in recommendations regarding the screening, diagnosis, and assessment of NAFLD. Methods: We searched PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase databases from January 1, 2015, to August 2, 2022. Two researchers independently extracted information from the guidelines about screening strategies, risk stratification, use of noninvasive tests (NITs) to assess hepatic fibrosis, and indications for liver biopsy. Results: Twenty clinical practice guidelines and consensus statements were identified in our search. No guidelines recommended routine screening for NAFLD, while 14 guidelines recommended case finding in high-risk groups. Of the simple risk stratification models to assess for fibrosis, the fibrosis-4 score was the most frequently recommended, followed by the NAFLD fibrosis score. However, guidelines differed on which cutoffs to use and the interpretation of "high-risk" results. Conclusion: Multiple guidelines exist with varying recommendations on the benefits of screening and interpretation of NIT results. Despite their differences, all guidelines recognize the utility of NITs and recommend their incorporation into the clinical assessment of NAFLD.
