Beta-blocker exposure and survival outcomes in patients with advanced pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma: a retrospective cohort study (BETAPANC).

Introduction: Preclinical studies have demonstrated the possible role of beta-adrenergic receptors in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) tumor invasion and migration. The current study aimed to explore the possible association between survival outcomes and beta-blocker (BB) exposure in patients with advanced PDAC. Methods: This retrospective single-center study included 182 patients with advanced PDAC. Clinical [age, sex, BMI, cardiovascular condition, presence (SBB) or absence (NSBB) of beta-1 selectivity of BB, exposure duration, and multimorbidity], oncological (stage and anticancer treatment regimen), and biological (renal and liver function) data were collected. The endpoints were overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) for survival outcomes associated with BB exposure were estimated using Cox regression model and propensity score (PS) methods. Results: Forty-one patients (22.5%) were exposed to BB. A total of 104 patients progressed (57.1%) to PDAC and 139 (76.4%) patients died at the end of follow-up (median, 320 days; IQR, 438.75 days). When compared to the non-exposed group, there was no increase in survival outcomes associated with BB use (OS: HR = 1.38, 95% CI = 0.80-2.39, p = 0.25; PFS: adjusted HR = 0.95, 95% CI = 0.48-1.88, p = 0.88). Similar results were obtained using the PS method. Compared to no BB usage, SBB use was associated with a significant decrease in OS (HR = 1.80, 95% CI = 1.16-2.80, p < 10-2). Conclusion: BB exposure was not associated with improved PDAC survival outcomes. Beta-1-selectivity was not independently associated with any differences.

The impact of transoesophageal echocardiography in elderly patients with infective endocarditis.

BACKGROUND: Infective endocarditis (IE) increasingly involves older patients. Geriatric status may influence diagnostic and therapeutic decisions. AIM: To describe transoesophageal echocardiography (TEE) use in elderly IE patients, and its impact on therapeutic management and mortality. METHODS: A multicentre prospective observational study (ELDERL-IE) included 120 patients aged ≥75 years with definite or possible IE: mean age 83.1±5.0; range 75-101 years; 56 females (46.7%). Patients had an initial comprehensive geriatric assessment, and 3-month and 1-year follow-up. Comparisons were made between patients who did or did not undergo TEE. RESULTS: Transthoracic echocardiography revealed IE-related abnormalities in 85 patients (70.8%). Only 77 patients (64.2%) had TEE. Patients without TEE were older (85.4±6.0 vs. 81.9±3.9 years; P=0.0011), had more comorbidities (Cumulative Illness Rating Scale-Geriatric score 17.9±7.8 vs. 12.8±6.7; P=0.0005), more often had no history of valvular disease (60.5% vs. 37.7%; P=0.0363), had a trend toward a higher Staphylococcus aureus infection rate (34.9% vs. 22.1%; P=0.13) and less often an abscess (4.7% vs. 22.1%; P=0.0122). Regarding the comprehensive geriatric assessment, patients without TEE had poorer functional, nutritional and cognitive statuses. Surgery was performed in 19 (15.8%) patients, all with TEE, was theoretically indicated but not performed in 15 (19.5%) patients with and 6 (14.0%) without TEE, and was not indicated in 43 (55.8%) patients with and 37 (86.0%) without TEE (P=0.0006). Mortality was significantly higher in patients without TEE. CONCLUSIONS: Despite similar IE features, surgical indication was less frequently recognized in patients without TEE, who less often had surgery and had a poorer prognosis. Cardiac lesions might have been underdiagnosed in the absence of TEE, hampering optimal therapeutic management. Advice of geriatricians should help cardiologists to better use TEE in elderly patients with suspected IE.

Relationship between Exercise Test Parameters, Device-Delivered Electric Shock and Adverse Clinical Events in Patients with an Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator for Primary Prevention.

(1) Background: Receiving the first internal electric shock is a turning point for patients with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) for primary prevention. However, no study has investigated whether patients who receive a first device-delivered electric shock have a poor prognosis even at the time of ICD implantation. (2) Methods: We retrospectively identified 55 patients with ischemic (n = 31) or dilated (n = 24) cardiomyopathy who underwent ICD implantation for primary prevention with exercise test at the time of implantation. We recorded baseline characteristics, exercise test parameters, and clinical events. (3) Results: After a median follow-up of 5 years, we observed an association between an appropriate device-delivered electric shock, the occurrence of death or heart transplant, and the occurrence of the composite endpoint. There was also a significant relation between a VE/VCO2 slope >35 and the occurrence of the composite endpoint. Conversely, there was no significant association between negative outcomes on the exercise test and the occurrence of a device-delivered electric shock. (4) Conclusions: The exercise test performed at the time of ICD implantation do not predict the occurrence of device-delivered electric shock. The exercise test and the first electric shock are two independent markers of poor prognosis.

Association Between the Tissue and Circulating Advanced Glycation End-Products and the Micro- and Macrovascular Complications in Type 1 Diabetes: The DIABAGE Study.

INTRODUCTION: Type 1 diabetes is associated with an increased risk of vascular complications. We aimed to investigate the association between serum and tissue advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) and micro- and macrovascular complications in type 1 diabetes (T1D). METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study on 196 adults with T1D (mean age 44.53 ± 16, mean duration of diabetes 22 ± 12 years, mean HbA1c 8 ± 1.2%). AGEs were measured in blood serum (i.e., carboxymethyllysine (CML), methylglyoxal-hydroimidazolone-1 (MGH1), and pentosidine) and by measurement of skin autofluorescence (SAF). Associations between AGEs levels and vascular complications were analyzed using binary logistic regression. Correlations between AGEs and pulse wave velocity (PWV) were also assessed by linear regressions. Significant differences were set for p values less than 0.05. RESULTS: We found positive associations between different AGEs and vascular complications. SAF was associated with both microangiopathy (retinopathy: OR = 1.92, p = 0.011; neuropathy: OR = 2.02, p = 0.04; any microangiopathy: OR = 2.83, p < 0.0001) and macroangiopathy (coronaropathy: OR = 3.11, p = 0.009; any macroangiopathy: OR = 2.78, p = 0.003). For circulating AGEs, pentosidine was significantly associated with coronaropathy (OR = 1.61, p = 0.01) and any macroangiopathy (OR = 1.52, p = 0.005) while MGH1 was associated with nephropathy (OR 1.72, p = 0.03). Furthermore, a significant linear correlation was found between PWV and SAF (r = 0.43, p < 0.001), pentosidine (r = 0.28, p < 0.001), and MGH1 (r = 0.16, p = 0.031), but not for CML (r = 0.03, p = 0.598). CONCLUSIONS: Skin autofluorescence appears to be a useful marker for investigating both micro- and macrovascular complications in T1D. In this study, pentosidine was associated with macroangiopathy and MGH1 with nephropathy among the circulating AGEs. Furthermore, the correlations between PWV and AGEs may suggest their value in early prediction of vascular complications in T1D.

Comparison of clinical outcomes after transcarotid and transsubclavian versus transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve implantation: A propensity-matched analysis.

BACKGROUND: Transcarotid and trans-subclavian access routes are increasingly used as alternative approaches for transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) when transfemoral access is not suitable. However, concerns remain about the risk of periprocedural stroke and long-term outcomes following transcarotid/trans-subclavian TAVI. AIMS: The present study sought to compare early and long-term outcomes of transcarotid/trans-subclavian TAVI versus transfemoral TAVI after propensity-score matching. METHODS: The 260 patients who underwent TAVI through a transfemoral (n=220), transcarotid (n=32) or trans-subclavian (n=8) approach at our institution over a 4-year period were identified. A 1:1 matching based on propensity score was performed, and led to a study population of 80 patients (40 transfemoral and 40 transcarotid/trans-subclavian). Primary endpoints were early complications; secondary endpoints were long-term outcomes. RESULTS: There were no differences in the baseline characteristics of the two groups. At 30 days after TAVI there were no significant differences between transfemoral and transcarotid/trans-subclavian TAVI in terms of death rates (5% vs 5%, respectively; P=1.00) and stroke rates (5% vs 2.5%, respectively; P=1.00). After a median follow-up of 21 months, the risk of death (P=0.95), stroke (P=0.82) and myocardial infarction (P=0.16) did not differ between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: After propensity-score matching, no significant differences in early and long-term outcomes were observed between transfemoral and transcarotid/trans-subclavian TAVI. These findings should encourage heart teams to consider a transcarotid or trans-subclavian approach when transfemoral access is unavailable.

Exposure to Ionizing Radiation in Patients Undergoing Transfemoral Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation.

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is currently becoming an alternative to surgical valve replacement for patients at low risk, a population that is likely to experience an increase in the radiation-induced cancer risk following TAVI. We aimed to evaluate the overall exposure to ionizing radiation in patients who underwent transfemoral TAVI, including the procedure itself as well as the procedures performed in the preintervention work-up and the post-TAVI interventions. All patients who underwent transfemoral TAVI for symptomatic aortic stenosis in our center over a 26 months period were included. Dosimetric indicators from preprocedural coronary angiography and computed tomography (CT), the TAVI procedure, and any postprocedural interventions (electrophysiology study and/or pacemaker implantation) were collected and converted into an effective dose. A total of 119 transfemoral TAVI procedures were included. The mean cumulative effective dose (ED) was 37.3 mSv. Three irradiating procedures were necessary for 84 patients (71% of the population, i.e., coronary angiography, CT scan and the TAVI procedure itself), whereas 30 patients (25%) required a fourth procedure, and 5 required a fifth (4%). The majority of the dose was from the CT, while only 11% of the dose derived from the TAVI procedure itself. In conclusion, overall exposure to ionizing radiation for patients who underwent transfemoral TAVI seems acceptable, and the majority of the overall ED comes from the CT scan.

Abdominal aorta tortuosity on computed tomography identifies patients at risk of complications during transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve replacement.

BACKGROUND: Transcatheter aortic valve replacement is now indicated in patients at intermediate surgical risk and will probably soon be indicated in patients at low surgical risk, for whom the occurrence of serious procedural complications is not acceptable. AIMS: We aimed to investigate whether simple arterial variables from computed tomography scanning can predict the occurrence of severe early complications in patients undergoing transfemoral TAVR. METHODS: All patients with symptomatic severe aortic stenosis treated by transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve replacement in our centre, and for whom computed tomography images were available, were included. An exhaustive analysis of preprocedural computed tomography scans was performed retrospectively, in search of arterial tortuosity and vascular calcifications. The primary endpoint was a composite 30-day safety endpoint. RESULTS: Overall, 175 patients were included. The primary endpoint was observed in 60 patients (35%). Abdominal aorta tortuosity was identified in 28 patients (16%) and was strongly associated with the occurrence of a complication (adjusted odds ratio 2.7, 95% confidence interval 1.1-6.6; P=0.03). There was no significant association between iliofemoral tortuosity or vascular calcification and the occurrence of complications. CONCLUSIONS: A tortuous abdominal aorta was found to be a predictor of the occurrence of a complication in patients undergoing transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve replacement. This computed tomography variable should therefore be taken into account when choosing the approach, especially for patients at intermediate and low surgical risk.

Impact of Obesity on Overall Radiation Exposure for Patients Who Underwent Radiofrequency Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation.

Patients who underwent radiofrequency ablation of atrial fibrillation are exposed to X-rays not only during the procedure but also during the preprocedural computed tomography. No study has investigated the cumulative effective dose received by patients who underwent atrial fibrillation ablation and identified factors influencing this dose. We aimed to evaluate the overall exposure to ionizing radiation in patients who underwent radiofrequency ablation of atrial fibrillation. The secondary objective was to estimate the impact of obesity on this exposure. All patients who underwent a first attempt of radiofrequency ablation of atrial fibrillation in our center over a 21 months period were included. Dosimetric indicators from preprocedural computed tomography and the ablation procedure were collected and converted into an effective dose. A total of 144 radiofrequency ablation of atrial fibrillation were included. The mean cumulative effective dose was 11.4 mSv, and 82% of the dose was from the computed tomography. Obese patients received a dose that was 75% higher than normal-weight patients, and this increase remained significant by multivariate analysis. In conclusion, overall exposure to ionizing radiation for patients who underwent radiofrequency ablation of atrial fibrillation seems acceptable, and the majority of the overall effective dose comes from the computed tomography. Obese patients are exposed to a 75% higher dose than normal-weight patients.

[Prognostic value at one year of frailty as evaluated by the SEGA instrument for octogenarians presenting an acute coronary syndrome: PROSECO study]. / Valeur pronostique à 12 mois du niveau de fragilité évalué par la grille SEGA dans le cadre du syndrome coronaire aigu de l'octogénaire : étude PROSECO.

The SEGA instrument has demonstrated good performance in screening for frailty. However, its predictive ability in elderly patients presenting with acute coronary syndrome have never been evaluated. We aimed to study the prognostic value at one year of the frailty level assessed by the SEGA instrument, in a population of patients aged 80 years old or more hospitalised for acute coronary syndrome. All consecutive patients aged 80 years or older hospitalised for myocardial infarction type 1 between November 2016 and October 2017 were included. All underwent standardised geriatric assessment including estimation of frailty by the SEGA instrument. The primary outcome was the time to death from any cause. In all 64 patients were included for a mean age of 85.3±4 years. Using the SEGA instrument, 24% patients were classified "frail" and 44% "very frail"; 18 (28%) deaths were observed during follow-up. When adjusted for patient age, body mass index and arterial hypertension, survival status was not significantly related with frailty status (HR=1.1, 95% CI=0.4-3.1, p=0.8).

Physicians' exposure to radiation during electrophysiology procedures.

PURPOSE: Cardiologists are among the health professionals that are most exposed to ionizing radiation, but there is no study comparing the level of exposure of physicians during different electrophysiology procedures. We aimed to measure and compare cardiologists' exposure to radiation during different electrophysiology procedures. METHODS: The study population comprised all electrophysiology procedures performed over a 6-month period in a large referral centre. The endpoint was operator radiation exposure, assessed using a personal electronic dosimeter located on the operator's left arm. RESULTS: In total, 150 electrophysiology procedures were analyzed. Compared with electrophysiology studies (reference category), physician radiation exposure was 3-fold greater during ablation of atrial fibrillation, 9-fold greater during ablation of atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT)/atrioventricular reentrant tachycardia (AVNT), and 10-fold greater during ablation of atrial flutter (p < 0.001). Physician exposure was mainly related to X-ray time (R2 = 0.28). CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed significant differences in cardiologists' exposure to ionizing radiation depending on the type of electrophysiology procedure. Atrial flutter and AVNRT/AVNT ablations are the procedures in which operators are most exposed to ionizing radiation.

IMPACT OF THE TABLE HEIGHT AND THE OPERATOR'S HEIGHT ON THE LEVEL OF RADIATION DELIVERED TO INTERVENTIONAL CARDIOLOGISTS.

Interventional cardiologists count among the health professionals that are most exposed to ionising radiation. To minimise exposure, it is recommended that the patient be placed at the maximum distance possible from the X-ray source, but this recommendation has not been clinically validated. We aimed to investigate the impact of the average table height on the level of radiation delivered to cardiologists performing coronary interventions. The population for analysis included all invasive coronary procedures performed in our centre from March to June 2017. The primary endpoint was operator radiation exposure, as assessed using personal electronic dosimeters located on the operator's left arm. In total, 225 invasive coronary procedures were analysed. When the average table height was 1126 mm or more, the operators received a radiation dose that was, on average, 53% lower than when the table was lower than 1126 mm. This reduction remained significant by multivariate analysis adjusted for the operator.

Impact of cardiac resynchronisation therapy on cardiologists' exposure to radiation during implantation of pacemakers and implantable cardioverter-defibrillators.

Cardiologists are among the health professionals that are most exposed to ionizing radiation, but there is no recent study quantifying overexposure of physicians during cardiac resynchronisation therapy (CRT) procedures compared to 'classical' implantation of pacemakers (PMs) or implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs). We aimed to measure and compare operator exposure to radiation during implantation of PM and ICD with or without CRT. The study population comprised all PMs and ICDs implanted in a large referral centre over a six months period. The endpoint was operator radiation exposure, assessed using a personal electronic dosimeter located on operator's chest. In total, 169 PM/ICD implantations were analysed, 19 of which included CRT. Compared with 'classical' implantation, cardiologist radiation exposure was 9-fold greater during CRT procedures (p < 0.001). Physician exposure was related to dose-area product (R2 = 0.21 during 'classical' implantations and R2 = 0.57 during CRT procedures). Our study shows that cardiologists' exposure to radiation during CRT implantation was 9-fold greater than during procedures without CRT.

Factors influencing the use of the "not for generic substitution" mention for prescriptions in primary care: a survey with general practitioners.

BACKGROUND: Generic drug substitution is a public health policy challenge with high economic potential. Generic drugs are generally cheaper than brand-name drugs. Drugs are a significant part of the total health expenditure, especially in ambulatory care. We conducted a cross-sectional study with general practitioners in the Champagne-Ardenne region to determine physician-related factors and beliefs causing doctors to use the Not for Generic Substitution (NGS) mention. METHODS: Questionnaires were sent to General Practitioners (GPs) practicing in Champagne-Ardenne via 3 shipments, from January 2015 to May 2015. Prescriber characteristics and beliefs influencing the use of the NGS mention were assessed for frequent (≥ 5%) and less frequent (< 5%) users of the NGS mention. RESULTS: Factors associated with above average NGS mention use in bivariate analysis included patient comorbidity, polypharmacy, a concern that generic and brand-name drugs are not bioequivalent and belief in higher efficacy of the brand name drug. The use of an e-prescribing system (EPS) and medical practice in rural areas appeared to be associated with lower use of NGS mention in bivariate analysis but not in multivariable analysis. In multivariable analysis, patient request was associated with a higher use of the NGS mention (NGS ≥ 5%, adjusted Odds Ratio (aOR) = 2.52; 95% CI = [1.46-4.35]; p = 0.001), which was also linked to patient age over 65 (NGS ≥ 5%, aOR = 2.33; 95% CI = [1.03-5.30]; p = 0.04). The NGS mention was often used for drugs where substitution is debated in the literature (thyroid hormones, antiepileptic drugs). CONCLUSION: This work highlights the involvement of the doctor-patient pair for the use of the NGS mention. Patient request was the major reason for using the NGS mention, even though it was not always endorsed by prescribers. Further studies are needed to assess patient views on generic drugs and drug substitution, accounting for their health status and socio-economic condition, to help improve the relevance of the information available to them.

Reduction in exposure of interventional cardiologists to ionising radiation over a 10-year period.

Exposure of operators to ionising radiation in interventional cardiology has likely diminished, but data confirming the magnitude of the reduction are lacking. The aim of this study was to compare the dose of radiation received by interventional cardiology operators at 11 years interval (2006 vs 2017). The study population comprised all interventional coronary procedures performed by a single operator in one catheterization laboratory (cathlab) of a large university hospital in north-eastern France. Exposure was compared between two periods, namely period 1 (from October 2005 to March 2006) and period 2 (from March 2017 to June 2017). The primary endpoint was the dose of radiation received by the operator, measured using an electronic dosimeter placed on the operator's left arm. In 2017, the dose of radiation received by the operators was, on average, 95% lower than the dose received in 2006 (p < 0.0001), even though the average fluoroscopy time increased by 73% over the same period (p < 0.0001). By multivariable analysis including body mass index, fluoroscopy time and performance of at least one (1) coronary angioplasty, the reduction in the operator's exposure to radiation remained significant. The dose of radiation received by interventional cardiology operators has decreased by 95% over the last ten years.

Minimizing exposure to radiation in invasive cardiology using modern dose-reduction technology: Evaluation of the real-life effects.

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to measure the reduction in the estimated dose of radiation received by patients that can be achieved using dose-reduction technology (ClarityIQ, Philips Healthcare, The Netherlands), among all patients undergoing invasive cardiology procedures. BACKGROUND: Medical procedures remain the primary source of exposure to ionizing radiation in the general population. METHODS: The study population comprised all patients (without exclusion criteria) undergoing invasive coronary procedures over a 1-year study period in a large referral centre equipped with two catheterization laboratories (cathlabs). Both cathlabs (A and B) were equipped with the Allura Xper FD10 imaging system (Philips Healthcare, The Netherlands), but only Cathlab B was equipped with ClarityIQ technology. The primary endpoint was the estimated total dose of radiation received by the patient, as assessed by Air Kerma (AK) and dose area product (DAP). RESULTS: In total, 2095 invasive coronary procedures were analyzed. The patients who underwent procedures in Cathlab B received an average estimated dose that was 23% (AK) and 43% (DAP) lower than the dose received by patients undergoing procedures in Cathlab A (P < .0001). The reduction remained significant by multivariate analysis after adjustment for total X-ray time, body mass index, arterial approach, PCI of at least one lesion, sex, and patient age. CONCLUSION: In our study, the ClarityIQ technology reduced the estimated radiation dose received by patients by 23-43%, according to the method of measurement.

Practical management of concomitant acute heart failure and worsening renal function in the emergency department.

Worsening renal function (i.e. any increase in creatinine or decrease in the estimated glomerular filtration rate) is common in patients admitted for acute heart failure in the emergency department. Although worsening renal function (WRF) has been associated with the occurrence of dismal outcomes, this only appears to be the case when associated with clinical deterioration. However, if the clinical status of the patient is improving, a certain increase in serum creatinine may be acceptable. This WRF, which is not associated with clinical deterioration or adverse outcomes (e.g. during treatment up-titration), has been referred to as 'pseudo-WRF' and should not detract clinicians from targeting 'guideline-recommended' therapies. This is an important message for emergency physicians to pursue diuretics as long as signs of pulmonary congestion persist to improve the clinical status of the patient. In the present review, we aim to provide clinicians in acute settings with an integrative and comprehensive approach to cardiorenal interactions in acute heart failure.

Integrative Assessment of Congestion in Heart Failure Throughout the Patient Journey.

Congestion is one of the main predictors of poor patient outcome in patients with heart failure. However, congestion is difficult to assess, especially when symptoms are mild. Although numerous clinical scores, imaging tools, and biological tests are available to assist physicians in ascertaining and quantifying congestion, not all are appropriate for use in all stages of patient management. In recent years, multidisciplinary management in the community has become increasingly important to prevent heart failure hospitalizations. Electronic alert systems and communication platforms are emerging that could be used to facilitate patient home monitoring that identifies congestion from heart failure decompensation at an earlier stage. This paper describes the role of congestion detection methods at key stages of patient care: pre-admission, admission to the emergency department, in-hospital management, and lastly, discharge and continued monitoring in the community. The multidisciplinary working group, which consisted of cardiologists, emergency physicians, and a nephrologist with both clinical and research backgrounds, reviewed the current literature regarding the various scores, tools, and tests to detect and quantify congestion. This paper describes the role of each tool at key stages of patient care and discusses the advantages of telemedicine as a means of providing true integrated patient care.