A Novel Risk Score to Predict One-Year Mortality in Patients Undergoing Complex High-Risk Indicated Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (CHIP-PCI).

OBJECTIVE: To identify patients undergoing complex, high-risk indicated percutaneous coronary intervention (CHIP-PCI) and compare their outcomes with non-CHIP patients. We created a CHIP score to risk stratify these patients. BACKGROUND: Risk stratification of PCI patients remains difficult because most scoring systems reflect hemodynamic instability and predict early mortality. METHODS: CHIP-PCI was defined as any of the following: age >80 years; ejection fraction <30%; dialysis; prior bypass surgery; treatment of left main trunk; chronic total occlusion; or >2 lesions in >1 coronary artery. The primary endpoint was 1-year all-cause mortality. Logistic regression identified independent predictors of 1-year mortality and the odds ratios (ORs) for those predictors were used to create a CHIP score. Patients were then classified as low, intermediate, and high risk. RESULTS: Among 4478 patients, a total of 1730 (38.6%) were CHIP. There were 85 deaths (2.2%) at 1 year (4.1% in CHIP patients and 1.0% in non-CHIP patients; P<.001). CHIP-PCI was an independent predictor of mortality (OR, 2.57; 955 confidence interval, 1.52-4.32; P<.001). Four CHIP criteria were independent predictors of mortality: age >80 years (3 points); dialysis (6 points); ejection fraction <30% (2 points); and number of lesions treated >2 (2 points). Accordingly, there were 2752 low-risk (score of 0), 889 intermediate-risk (score of 2-3), and 267 high-risk patients (score of 4-13). The 1-year mortality rates among these 3 groups were 1.24%, 2.47%, and 10.86%, respectively (P<.001). CONCLUSION: Compared with non-CHIP, CHIP-PCI is associated with increased risk of 1-year mortality, which is particularly evident among those fulfilling >1 CHIP criterion.

Coronary artery calcium score and risk of cardiovascular events without established coronary artery disease: a systemic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Coronary artery calcium (CAC) is an indicator of atherosclerosis, and the CAC score is a useful noninvasive assessment of coronary artery disease. OBJECTIVE: To compare the risk of cardiovascular outcomes in patients with CAC > 0 versus CAC = 0 in asymptomatic and symptomatic population in patients without an established diagnosis of coronary artery disease. METHODS: A systematic search of electronic databases was conducted until January 2018 for any cohort study reporting cardiovascular events in patients with CAC > 0 compared with absence of CAC. RESULTS: Forty-five studies were included with 192 080 asymptomatic 32 477 symptomatic patients. At mean follow-up of 11 years, CAC > 0 was associated with an increased risk of major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACE) compared to a CAC = 0 in asymptomatic arm [pooled risk ratio (RR) 4.05, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.91-5.63, P < 0.00001, I2 = 80%] and symptomatic arm (pooled RR 6.06, 95% CI 4.23-8.68, P < 0.00001, I2 = 69%). CAC > 0 was also associated with increased risk of all-cause mortality in symptomatic population (pooled RR 7.94, 95% CI 2.61-24.17, P < 0.00001, I2 = 85%) and in asymptomatic population CAC > 0 was associated with higher all-cause mortality (pooled RR 3.23, 95% CI 2.12-4.93, P < 0.00001, I2 = 94%). In symptomatic population, revascularization in CAC > 0 was higher (pooled RR 15, 95% CI 6.66-33.80, P < 0.00001, I2 = 72) compared with CAC = 0. Additionally, CAC > 0 was associated with more revascularization in asymptomatic population (pooled RR 5.34, 95% CI 2.06-13.85, P = 0.0006, I2 = 93). In subgroup analysis of asymptomatic population by gender, CAC > 0 was associated with higher MACE (RR 6.39, 95% CI 3.39-12.84, P < 0.00001). CONCLUSION: Absence of CAC is associated with low risk of cardiovascular events compared with any CAC > 0 in both asymptomatic and symptomatic population without coronary artery disease.

Comparison of the Stanford ECG Left Atrial Criteria With the International ECG Criteria for Sports Screening.

OBJECTIVE: Because the International left atrial enlargement electrocardiographic (ECG) screening criteria (ECG-LAE) for athletes are rarely fulfilled in young athletes, we compared it with evidence-based criteria from a recent clinical outcome study of ECG left atrial abnormality (ECG-LAA). DESIGN: Retrospective analyses. SETTING: Routine preparticipation ECG screening in California. PARTICIPANTS: Four thousand four hundred thirty-eight young individuals (18.5 ± 5.4 years, 40% women). ASSESSMENT OF RISK FACTORS: The International criteria for ECG-LAE were applied: prolonged P wave duration of ≥120 ms in leads I or II AND negative portion of ≥1 mm in depth in lead V1. This was compared with Stanford criteria for ECG-LAA: prolonged P wave duration of ≥140 ms odds ratio (OR) negative portion in V1 and V2 greater than 1 mm. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Differences in the classification of abnormal ECGs between the 2 criteria applied to the same population of young athletes. RESULTS: Only 33 (0.7%) of our subjects fulfilled the International criteria for ECG-LAE while 110 (2.5%) fulfilled the ECG-LAA criteria. Adding our new ECG-LAA criterion and considering it a major criterion raised the abnormal ECG prevalence and athletes referred for further evaluation from 2.9% to 4.4%. CONCLUSIONS: The Stanford evidence-based criterion for ECG-LAA incorporating V2 and replacing "or" for "and" regarding P wave duration increased the yield of abnormal classification for P waves. Future follow-up studies are needed to confirm that this new criterion should be included in future ECG screening consensus documents.

Treatment Bias in Management of HIV Patients Admitted for Acute Myocardial Infarction: Does It Still Exist?

INTRODUCTION: Previous studies have reported lower rates of coronary angiography and revascularization, and significantly higher mortality among patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) presenting with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). This observational study was designed to evaluate characteristics and inpatient outcomes of patients with seropositive HIV infection presenting with AMI. METHODS: Using the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database, we identified patients (admissions) with a primary diagnosis of myocardial infarction and a co-occurring HIV. We described baseline characteristics and outcomes. Our primary outcomes of interest were prevalence of coronary angiography, revascularization (percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or CABG), and mortality. RESULTS: From 2010 to 2014, of about 2,977,387 patients with a primary diagnosis of AMI, 10,907 (0.4%) were HIV seropositive. Patients with HIV were younger and more likely to be African American or Hispanic. Coronary angiography and revascularization were performed more frequently in the HIV population. The higher prevalence of revascularization was driven by a higher incidence of PCI. In a multivariable model, patients with HIV were no more likely to undergo revascularization than the general population. This was also the case for PCI. Unadjusted all-cause mortality was lower among patients with HIV. After controlling for confounders, this finding was not significant (OR 0.97, 95% CI 0.75-1.25, p = 0.79). The length of stay between both groups was comparable. CONCLUSION: In this current analysis, we did not note any treatment bias or difference in the rate of in-hospital total mortality for HIV-seropositive patients presenting with AMI compared with the general population.

Outcomes of Heart Block in Myocarditis: A Review of 31,760 Patients.

BACKGROUND: Various electrocardiographic abnormalities, including atrioventricular conduction block, have been reported in patients with myocarditis. We performed an observation study to describe the characteristics and outcomes of inpatients diagnosed with myocarditis complicated by heart block (HB) in a large national cohort. METHODS: We identified patients with primary ICD-9 codes for myocarditis HB from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) Database from 1998 to 2013. We compared the baseline characteristics and compared clinical outcomes between patients with and without HB, and in patients with/without high degree atrioventricular block (HDAVB). RESULTS: From the NIS database, 31,760 patients had a principal diagnosis of myocarditis and HB was reported in 1.7% of these patients (n=540). Female gender and Asian race were independently associated with HB. Out of 540 patients, 363 patients had HDAVB (67.2%) and 177 patients had not advanced HB (32.8%). Not advanced HB was not associated with an increased mortality rate compared to patients without HB (0% vs. 2.7%, p=0.315). On the other hand, the incidence of cardiogenic shock, respiratory failure and renal failure were higher in patients with HDAVB (26.2% vs. 5.0%, 33.9% vs. 5.9% and 29.2% vs. 5.5%, p<0.001 respectively). Patients with HDAVB required more procedural support (incidence of intra-aortic balloon pump 17.8% vs. 3.3%). They also had significantly longer lengths of hospital stay (9.4±9.4 vs. 4.3±8.4, p<0.001) and higher mortality (15.5% vs. 2.7%, p<0.001). Compared to myocarditis patients without HB, the odds for mortality in myocarditis patients with HDAVB 1.58 (95% CI=1.03-2.49, p=0.039). CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of HB and HDAVB among patients with acute myocarditis was 1.7% and 1.1% respectively. Female gender and Asian race were both independently associated with significant odds for the occurrence of HB and HDAVB. High degree atrioventricular block was independently associated with increased morbidity and mortality.

National Trends and Outcomes of Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in Patients ≥70 Years of Age With Acute Coronary Syndrome (from the National Inpatient Sample Database).

Several randomized trials have demonstrated the benefits of an invasive strategy for older patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS); however, there are limited real-world data of the temporal trends in the use of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in this population. This was a retrospective observational analysis. We queried the National Inpatient Sample database from 1998 to 2013 for patients aged ≥70 years who had non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS) or ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). We reported the temporal trends of PCI and in-hospital mortality. A total of 6,720,281 hospitalizations with ACS were identified in advanced age patients, 18.3% of whom also underwent PCI. There was an upward trend in the rate of PCI in older adults ≥70 years with any ACS from 9.4% in 1998 to 28.3% in 2013 (p <0.001), as well as in cases of PCI for NSTE-ACS (7.3% in 1998 vs 24.9% in 2013, p <0.001) and PCI for STEMI (11% in 1998 vs 35.7% in 2013, p = 0.002). This upward trend was consistent in all age categories (70 to 79), (80 to 89) and ≥90 years. Despite an increase in the prevalence of comorbidities for ACS hospitalizations aged ≥70 years who received PCI, the in-hospital mortality rate showed a downward trend (p <0.001). Multivariate analysis adjusting for various comorbidities showed that PCI was associated with lower in-hospital mortality and length of hospital stay among elderly with NSTE-ACS and STEMI. In conclusion, in this 16-year analysis there was an increase in the rate of PCI procedures among older adults with ACS. PCI was independently associated with lower mortality in elderly patients with ACS.

Trends in the Incidence and In-Hospital Outcomes of Patients With Atrial Fibrillation Complicated by Non-ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) can present with non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI). The incidence, characteristics, outcomes, and treatment of this subgroup of patients with AF remains poorly studied. Using data from the National Inpatient Sample database, we (1) compared baseline characteristics of patients with AF with/without NSTEMI, (2) evaluated their outcomes and associated trends over the study period (2004-2013), and (3) evaluated revascularization (by percutaneous coronary intervention or coronary artery bypass graft [CABG]) and the impact on patient outcomes. Of the 3 923 436 patients admitted with a primary diagnosis of AF, 47 785 (1.2%) had a secondary diagnosis of NSTEMI. In this subgroup with AF and NSTEMI, there was a significant trend toward a decrease in mortality ( P = .002), stroke ( P < .001), and gastrointestinal bleeding ( P < .001) during the study period. Compared to unrevascularized patients, revascularized patients were more likely to be younger (72.2 ± 10.2 vs 77.0 ± 11.8 years old, P < .001), male (57.8 vs 42.7%, P < .001), and had a much higher incidence of coronary risk factors. Revascularization was associated with increased survival in multivariable analysis (odds ratio: 0.562, 95% confidence interval: 0.334-0.946, P = .03). In conclusion, among patients admitted with AF, 1.2% were diagnosed with NSTEMI. A minority of patients with AF and NSTEMI underwent revascularization and had better in-hospital outcomes.

Electrocardiographic left atrial abnormalities predict cardiovascular mortality.

OBJECTIVE: Clinical utilization of electrocardiography for diagnosis of left atrial abnormalities is hampered by variable P-wave morphologies, multiple empiric criteria, and lack of an imaging "gold standard". Our aim was to determine the prevalence of P-wave patterns and demonstrate which components have associations with cardiovascular death (CVD). METHODS: This is a retrospective analysis of 20,827 veterans <56 years of age who underwent electrocardiograms at a Veteran's Affairs Medical Center from 1987 to 1999, followed for a median duration of 17.8 years for CVD. Receiver Operating Characteristic, Kaplan-Meier and Cox Hazard analyses were applied, the latter with adjustment for age, gender and electrocardiography abnormalities. RESULTS: The mean age was 43.3 ±â€¯8 years, and 888 CVD (4.3%) occurred. A single positive deflection of the P-wave (Pattern 1) was present in 29% for V1 and 81% for V2. A singular negative P-wave (Pattern 2) was present in 4.6% for V1 and 1.6% in V2. A P-wave with an upward component followed by downward component (Pattern 3) was present in 64.5% for V1 and 17.5% for V2. When the downward component in Patterns 2 and/or 3 is at least -100 µV, a significant association is observed with CVD (adjusted hazard ratios [HRs] 2.9-4.1, P < 0.001). Total P-wave duration ≥140 ms was also associated with CVD (adjusted HR 2.2, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: A negative P-wave in V1 or V2 ≤-100 µV, and P-wave with a duration of ≥140 ms, all have independent and significant associations with CVD, with HRs comparable to other electrocardiography abnormalities.

National Trends and Outcomes of Endomyocardial Biopsy for Patients With Myocarditis: From the National Inpatient Sample Database.

BACKGROUND: The utility of endomyocardial biopsy (EMB) in the management of myocarditis in the era of advanced cardiac imaging has been challenged. METHODS AND RESULTS: The Nationwide Inpatient Sample Database (years 1998-2013) was queried to identify hospitalization records with a primary diagnosis of myocarditis, and underwent EMB procedure. We identified 22,299 hospitalization records with a diagnosis of myocarditis during the study period. Of those, 798 (3.6%) underwent EMB procedures. There was an average decrease in the incidence of EMB for myocarditis by 0.15% (P < .01) over the study period. Younger patients, women, and those with chronic kidney disease were more likely to undergo EMB. On multivariate analysis, patients with myocarditis who underwent EMB had higher in-hospital mortality (hazard ratio [HR] 1.97, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.41-2.74) and longer median hospital stay (9 days vs 3 days; P < .001). EMB was associated with a higher incidence of cardiac tamponade (odds ratio [OR] 5.21, 95% CI 2.76-9.82), cardiogenic shock (OR 4.66, 95% CI 3.75-5.78), need for intra-aortic balloon pump (OR 3.52, 95% CI 2.49-4.97), and need for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (OR 4.26, 95% CI 2.78-6.53). CONCLUSIONS: The use of EMB in hospitalizations with myocarditis has decreased over time. The use of EMB was associated with a higher likelihood of in-hospital mortality and morbidity. Whether these findings represent a causative association from the procedure or a consequence of more severe disease in this group could not be confirmed in this study.

Sex differences in the contemporary management of HIV patients admitted for acute myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND: Studies have reported sex differences in the management of patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in the general population. This observational study is designed to evaluate whether sex differences exist in the contemporary management of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) patients admitted for diagnosis of AMI. HYPOTHESIS: There is no difference in management of HIV patients with AMI. METHODS: Using the National Inpatient Sample database, we identified patients with a primary diagnosis of AMI and a secondary diagnosis of HIV. We described baseline characteristics and outcomes using NIS documentation. Our primary areas of interest were revascularization and mortality. RESULTS: Among 2 977 387 patients presenting from 2010 to 2014 with a primary diagnosis of AMI, 10907 (0.4%) had HIV (mean age, 54.1 ± 9.3 years; n = 2043 [18.9%] female). Females were younger, more likely to be black, and more likely to have hypertension, diabetes, obesity, and anemia. Although neither males nor females were more likely to undergo coronary angiography in multivariate analysis, revascularization was performed less frequently in females than in males (45.4% vs 62.7%; P < 0.01), driven primarily by lower incidence of PCI. In a multivariate model, females were less likely to undergo revascularization (OR: 0.59, 95% CI: 0.45-0.78, P < 0.01), a finding driven solely by PCI (OR: 0.64, 95% CI: 0.49-0.83, P < 0.01). All-cause mortality was similar in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: AMI was more common in males than females with HIV. Females with HIV were more likely to be younger and black and less likely to be revascularized by PCI.

In-hospital outcomes of percutaneous ventricular assist devices versus intra-aortic balloon pumps in non-ischemia related cardiogenic shock.

INTRODUCTION: This study compared inpatient outcomes related to the use of these two devices among patients who developed cardiogenic shock not due to acute myocardial infarction or coronary revascularization. METHODS: We extracted admission-level records of patients with a diagnosis of cardiogenic shock who underwent either PVAD or IABP implantation from the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database from 2010 to 2014. Our outcomes of interest were mortality and length of stay. RESULTS: Inpatient mortality was significantly higher in the PVAD cohort. In multivariate analysis, PVAD use in these patients was associated with higher mortality. There was no difference in the length of stay between both groups among patients that survived to discharge. CONCLUSION: In our analysis of the NIS database, the use of PVADs in patients with cardiogenic shock of non-ischemic origin was associated with higher mortality when compared to IABP use.

In-Hospital Cerebrovascular Outcomes of Patients With Atrial Fibrillation and Cancer (from the National Inpatient Sample Database).

Limited data are available regarding the impact of cancer on cerebrovascular accidents in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). We queried the Nationwide Inpatient Survey Database to identify patients who have diagnostic code for AF. We performed a 1:1 propensity matching based on the CHA2DS2VASc score and other risk factors between patients with AF who had lung, breast, colon, and esophageal cancer, and those who did not (control). The final cohort included a total of 31,604 patients. The primary outcome of in-hospital cerebrovascular accidents (CVA) was lower in the cancer group than in the control group (4% vs 7%, p < 0.001), but with only a weak association (ф = -0.067). In-hospital mortality was higher in the cancer group than in the control group (18% vs 11%, p < 0.001; ф = -0.099). A subgroup analysis according to cancer type showed similar results with a weak association with lower CVA in breast cancer (4% vs 7%; ф = -0.066, p < 0.001), lung cancer (4% vs 6%; ф = -0.062, p < 0.001), colon cancer (4% vs 6%; ф = -0.062, p < 0.001), and esophageal cancer (3% vs 7%; ф = -0.095, p < 0.001) compared with the control groups. A weak association with higher in-hospital mortality was demonstrated in lung cancer (20% vs 11%; ф = -0.127, p < 0.001), colon cancer (16% vs 11%; ф = -0.076, p < 0.001), and esophageal cancer (20% vs 12%; ф = -0.111, p < 0.001) compared with the control groups, but no significant difference between breast cancer and control groups in mortality (11% vs 11%; ф = -0.002, p = 0.888). In conclusion, in patients with AF, cancer diagnosis may not add a predictive role for in-hospital CVA beyond the CHADS2VASc score.

Limited Relationship of Voltage Criteria for Electrocardiogram Left Ventricular Hypertrophy to Cardiovascular Mortality.

BACKGROUND: Numerous methods have been proposed for diagnosing left ventricular hypertrophy using the electrocardiogram. They have limited sensitivity for recognizing pathological hypertrophy, at least in part due to their inability to distinguish pathological from physiological hypertrophy. Our objective is to compare the major electrocardiogram-left ventricular hypertrophy criteria using cardiovascular mortality as a surrogate for pathological hypertrophy. METHODS: This study was a retrospective analysis of 16,253 veterans < 56 years of age seen at a large Veterans Affairs Medical Center from 1987 to 1999 and followed a median of 17.8 years for cardiovascular mortality. Receiver operating characteristics and Cox hazard survival techniques were applied. RESULTS: Of the 16,253 veterans included in our target population, the mean age was 43 years, 8.6% were female, 33.5% met criteria for electrocardiogram-left ventricular hypertrophy, and there were 744 cardiovascular deaths (annual cardiovascular mortality 0.25%). Receiver operating characteristic analysis demonstrated that the greatest area under the curve (AUC) for classification of cardiovascular death was obtained using the Romhilt-Estes score (0.63; 95% confidence interval, 0.61-0.65). Most of the voltage-only criteria had nondiagnostic area under the curves, with the Cornell being the best at 0.59 (95% confidence interval, 0.57-0.62). When the components of the Romhilt-Estes score were examined using step-wise Wald analysis, the voltage criteria dropped from the model. The Romhilt-Estes score ≥ 4, the Cornell, and the Peguero had the highest association with cardiovascular mortality (adjusted hazard ratios 2.2, 2.0, and 2.1, consecutively). CONCLUSION: None of the electrocardiogram leads with voltage criteria exhibited sufficient classification power for clinical use.

Meta-Analysis of Randomized Trials of Intracoronary Versus Intravenous Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa Inhibitors in Patients With ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction Undergoing Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

The efficacy and safety of glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors via intracoronary (IC) route versus the intravenous (IV) route are not well known. We conducted this meta-analysis of randomized trials evaluating the role of IC versus IV glycoprotein IIb/IIIa in patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention. The analysis included 14 trials with a total of 3,754 patients. The primary outcome of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) had no statistically significant difference between the IC and the IV groups (relative risk [RR] 0.74, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.51 to 1.10). Subgroup analysis showed that short-term MACE (i.e., ≤3 months) was reduced in the IC compared with the IV group; however, long-term MACE (>3 months) was not. IC group was superior in achievement of post-procedural Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction 3 flow (RR 1.06, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.11), myocardial blush grade II to III (RR 1.15, 95% CI 1.08 to 1.23), ST-segment resolution rates (RR 1.15, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.29; p = 0.01), and improvement of left ventricular ejection fraction (standardized mean difference = 4.32, 95% CI 0.91 to 7.74). There was a trend for lower stent thrombosis with IC route (RR 0.50, 95% CI 0.24 to 1.03). There was no significant difference between the 2 groups in all-cause mortality, re-infarction, and major bleeding. In conclusion, despite lack of significant difference in overall MACE outcome, IC glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors may improve short -term MACE, Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction 3 flow, myocardial blush grade II- to III rates, ST-segment resolution, and left ventricular ejection fraction compared with the IV route.

Impact of Left Atrial Appendage Exclusion on Cardiovascular Outcomes in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation Undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (From the National Inpatient Sample Database).

Left atrial appendage (LAA) exclusion is performed by some surgeons in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) who undergo coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). However, the available evidence regarding the efficacy and safety of this procedure remains mixed. We queried the Nationwide Inpatient Survey Database for the 10-year period from 2004 to 2013. Using International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Edition, Clinical Modification diagnosis codes, we identified patients who had a diagnosis of AF and underwent a primary procedure of CABG with or without LAA exclusion. We then performed a 1:5 matching based on the CHA2DS2VASc score between patients who got LAA exclusion and those who did not (control group). The primary outcome was the incidence of in-hospital cerebrovascular events, whereas the secondary outcomes included in-hospital bleeding events, pericardial effusion, cardiac tamponade, postoperative shock, and mortality. Our analysis included a total of 15,114 patients. Patients who underwent LAA exclusion had significantly less incidence of cerebrovascular events (2.0% vs 3.1%, p = 0.002). However, LAA exclusion group had higher incidences of bleeding events (36.4% vs 21.3%, p <0.001), pericardial effusion (2.7% vs 1.2%, p <0.001), cardiac tamponade (0.6% vs 0.2%, p <0.001), and postoperative shock (1.2% vs 0.4%, p <0.001). LAA exclusion was associated with higher in-hospital mortality (1.6% vs 0.3%, p <0.001). Multivariate regression analysis showed that LAA exclusion was significantly associated with lower cerebrovascular accident events and higher in-hospital mortality. In conclusion, LAA exclusion in patients with AF undergoing CABG might be associated with a lower incidence of in-hospital cerebrovascular events. This benefit is offset by a higher incidence of higher bleeding events, pericardial effusion, cardiac tamponade, postoperative shock, and in-hospital mortality.

Early versus delayed coronary artery bypass graft surgery for patients with non-ST elevation myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND: Although coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) has been proven to have mortality and morbidity benefits in patients with non-ST elevation myocardial infarction and multivessel disease, the appropriate timing of this procedure remains unclear. Therefore, we proposed a propensity score-matched analysis comparing the clinical outcomes between patients who underwent CABG within the first 48 h of admission (early CABG) and patients who underwent CABG after 48 h of admission (delayed CABG). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Using the largest inpatient care database in the USA, the Nationwide Inpatient Sample, we identified patients with a primary diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction using the ICD 9-DM diagnosis codes. We then performed propensity score-matching analysis to control for 24 possible confounders. RESULTS: We identified 31 969 patients in the Nationwide Inpatient Sample database with a primary diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction who underwent CABG. The mean age of the cohort was 64.5±11.5 years and 33.4% were female. After performing propensity-matching analysis, we obtained a subset of 1555 patients in each group, with a mean age of 64.7±10.1 years; the male to female ratio was ~4 : 1. The incidence of hemorrhage, shock, and cardiac, pulmonary, and renal complications was comparable between the two groups. The incidence of mortality was not statistically significant between the two groups (2% in the early CABG vs. 1.8% in the delayed CABG, P=0.695). The mortality risk factors were as follows: age more than 70 years [odds ratio (OR): 3.42, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.85-6.34, P<0.001]; cardiogenic shock (OR: 3.22, 95% CI: 1.35-7.67, P=0.008); and mechanical circulatory support with balloon counterpulsation (OR: 2.93, 95% CI: 1.45-5.90, P=0.003). CONCLUSION: CABG performed within 48 h of admission does not significantly increase the risk for in-hospital mortality compared with undergoing the procedure after 48 h of admission in propensity-matched patients.

Guillain-Barré Syndrome Presenting with Sinus Node Dysfunction and Refractory Shock.

BACKGROUND Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is an acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy that is usually associated with preceding respiratory or gastrointestinal infection and has the hallmark manifestation of ascending flaccid paralysis. We report an atypical presentation of GBS. CASE REPORT A 76-year-old male presented with acute onset of diaphoresis and altered mental status. He subsequently developed severe bradycardia and refractory hypotension, which initially responded to dopamine infusion. A temporary pacemaker wire was placed to stabilize the heart rate but hypotension persisted. Acute autonomic dysfunction was suspected. Head and chest imaging was unrevealing. Lumbar puncture revealed albuminocytologic dissociation that was consistent with a diagnosis of GBS. Hospital course was complicated with acute kidney injury and metabolic acidosis. Plasmapharesis was initiated. The patient eventually died of multi-organ failure. CONCLUSIONS Autonomic dysfunction is a known but rare presentation of GBS. In patients presenting with refractory bradycardia and hypotension, GBS should be considered in the differential diagnosis.

Meta-Analysis of Randomized Trials on Remote Ischemic Conditioning During Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in Patients With ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction.

Ischemia/reperfusion injury adversely affects the final infarct size (IS) after primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Few studies have evaluated the role of remote ischemic conditioning (RIC) in reducing ischemia/reperfusion injury. However, the results of these studies were not consistent, and an overview of overall effectiveness of this technique in patients with STEMI is lacking. We conducted this meta-analysis to evaluate the available evidence in literature regarding the application of RIC in patients with STEMI who underwent primary PCI. The authors included randomized trials that studied RIC in patients with STEMI who underwent primary PCI versus no conditioning (standard of care). Final analysis included 8 trials with a total of 1,083 patients. Compared with standard of care alone, RIC was associated with reduced IS assessed by biomarker release (standardized mean difference = -0.23, 95% confidence interval [CI] -0.37 to -0.09; p = 0.001), better rates of ST-segment resolution (54% vs 30%; relative risk [RR] 1.78; 95% CI 1.35 to 2.34; p <0.001), reduced major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (11% vs 20%; RR 0.57; 95% CI 0.39 to 0.83; p = 0.003), and nonsignificant reduction in IS assessed by cardiac imaging (standardized mean difference = -0.15; 95% CI -1.03 to -0.14; p = 0.36). There was no difference in postprocedural Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction-III flow between RIC and standard of care groups (86% vs 87%; RR 0.99; 95% CI 0.94 to 1.05; p = 0.81). In conclusion, remote ischemic conditioning may improve cardiovascular outcomes in patients with STEMI who underwent primary PCI evidenced by reduced biomarkers release, major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events, and better ST-segment resolution.