Randomized trial of an oblique versus standard fluoroscopic-guided micropuncture technique for femoral arterial access: The Micropuncture-CFA trial.

BACKGROUND: The anterior-posterior fluoroscopic guidance (the AP technique) is a standard method for common femoral artery (CFA) access, but the rate of CFA access with ultrasound vs. the AP technique was not significantly different. We have shown an oblique fluoroscopic guidance (the oblique technique) with a micropuncture needle (MPN) resulted in CFA access in 100 % of patients. The outcome of the oblique vs. AP technique is unknown. We compared the utilities of the oblique vs. AP technique for CFA access with a MPN in patients undergoing coronary procedures. METHODS: A total of 200 patients were randomized to the oblique vs. AP technique. Using the oblique technique, a MPN was advanced to the mid pubis in the 20° ipsilateral right-or left anterior oblique view with fluoroscopic guidance and the CFA was punctured. In the AP technique, a MPN was advanced to the mid femoral head in the AP view with fluoroscopic guidance and the CFA was punctured. The primary endpoint was the rate of successful access to the CFA. RESULTS: The rates of first pass and CFA access were higher with the oblique vs. AP technique (82 % vs. 61 %, and 94 % vs. 81 %, respectively; P < 0.01). The number of needle punctures was lower with the oblique vs. AP technique (1.1 ± 0.39 vs. 1.4 ± 0.78, respectively; P < 0.01). In high CFA bifurcations, the rate of CFA access was higher with the oblique vs. AP technique (76 % vs. 52 %, respectively; P < 0.01). Vascular complications were lower with the oblique vs. AP technique (1 % vs. 7 %, respectively; P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that the oblique technique, compared with the AP technique, significantly increased the rates of first pass and access to the CFA, and decreased the number of punctures and vascular complication. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03955653.

Impact of Body Mass Index on the Association of Ankle-Brachial Index With All-Cause and Cardiovascular Mortality: Results from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the influence of body-mass index (BMI) on the association of ankle-brachial index (ABI) with mortality. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We conducted a prospective study of National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey participants enrolled from January 1, 1999 to December 31, 2002 with BMI and ABI data available. ABI categories were <0.9 (low), 0.9 to 1.3 (reference), and >1.3 (high). BMI categories were <30 kg/m2 (nonobese) and ≥30 kg/m2 (obese). Cardiovascular (CV) and all-cause mortality were assessed by National Death Index records. Cox proportional-hazards models and Kaplan-Meier survival estimates were used to compare groups. RESULTS: In total, 4614 subjects were included, with mean age 56±12 years and BMI 28±6 kg/m2. Median follow-up was 10.3 years (interquartile range [IQR]: 9.3 to 11.4 years). Low and high ABI were present in 7% and 8%, respectively. After adjustment, low ABI was associated with increased all-cause and CV mortality in nonobese (hazard ratio [HR] 1.5, 95% CI, 1.1-2.1 for all-cause and 3.0 [1.8-5.1] for CV mortality) and obese individuals (1.8 [1.2-2.7] and 2.5 [1.2-5.6], respectively) compared with reference. High ABI was associated with increased CV mortality in nonobese (2.2 [1.1-4.5]) but not obese patients; it was not associated with all-cause mortality overall or when stratified by BMI. CONCLUSION: In a US cohort, weight influenced the prognostic significance of high ABI. This may be related to technical factors reducing compressibility of the calf arteries in obese persons compared with those who are nonobese.

Etiology of gastrointestinal bleeding in patients on dual antiplatelet therapy.

OBJECTIVE: Dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) is associated with an increased risk of gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding and is thought to cause upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB). However, recent reports indicate that the incidence of lower gastrointestinal bleeding (LGIB) in patients on DAPT may be increasing. We aimed to compare the endoscopic findings and etiology of GI bleeding between patients on DAPT compared with those not on DAPT. METHODS: This was a retrospective, single-center, case-control study. Cases were 114 consecutive patients admitted with a first episode of GI bleeding while on DAPT who underwent detailed GI evaluation. We chose 114 controls who had GIB but were not on DAPT. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the incidence of UGIB or LGIB between the two groups (UGIB: 53.5% vs 51.3% and LGIB: 46.5% vs 48.7%, P = 0.10) or within groups (DAPT: 53.5% vs 46.5%, P = 0.30 and controls: 51.3% vs 48.7%, P = 0.80). Although the DAPT group had a lower prevalence of the usual UGIB risk factors, it had a higher likelihood of bleeding from varices or upper GI inflammation [odds ratio (OR) 3.54, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.14-92.3; OR 13.98, 95% CI 1.40-140.36]. No etiology of bleeding was identified in a higher percentage of patients on DAPT than those who were not (22.8% vs 5.3%). CONCLUSION: In patients with GI bleeding, the incidences of UGIB and LGIB are similar irrespective of their DAPT use.

Association of QT interval with mortality by kidney function: results from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES).

Objective: Prolonged QT interval predisposes to ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death. However, the association between QT interval and mortality by the level of pre-existing kidney function has not been investigated. Methods: We followed 6565 participants from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey III for a median of 13.3 years. Sample divided according to corrected QT (QTc) interval was as follows: normal (QTc <450 ms for men and <460 ms for women) or prolonged. It was further categorised as follows: (1) no chronic kidney disease (CKD), that is, albumin to creatinine ratio (ACR) <30 mg/g and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) > 60 mL/min/1.73 m2; (2) CKD by eGFR only (eGFR <60 mL/min/1.73 m2, ACR <30 mg/g); (3) CKD by ACR only (ACR >30 mg/g, eGFR >60 mL/min/1.73 m2) and (4) CKD by both. Cox proportional hazards models were used. Results: CKD group had prolonged QTc than those without CKD (20.5%vs12.9%, p<0.0001). Both prolonged QTc and CKD are independently associated with increased risk of mortality. When combined, risk of mortality is higher in those with CKD by eGFR with prolonged QTc than normal QTc (HR 2.6 (1.7-3.9) and 3.1 (1.7-5.4) vs 1.4 (1.1-1.7) and 1.7 (1.3-2.1) for all-cause and CV mortality). There is no significant difference in risk in those with CKD by ACR when QTc is prolonged. There is significant improvement in risk prediction for all-cause and CV mortality when QTc is added to CKD beyond established CV risk factors (net reclassification index p<0.00001). Conclusion: A screening ECG in those with CKD may help in finer risk stratification and may be considered.

Association Between Coronary Artery Disease and MicroRNA: Literature Review and Clinical Perspective.

BACKGROUND: Until recently, circulating micro-RNAs (miRNAs) have attracted major interest as novel biomarkers for the early diagnosis of coronary artery disease (CAD). This review article summarizes the available evidence on the correlation of micro-RNAs with both the clinical and subclinical coronary artery disease and highlights the necessity for exploring miRNAs as a potential diagnostic and prognostic biomarker of early CAD in an adult population. METHODS: A systematic literature analysis and retrieval online systems Public/Publisher MEDLINE/ Excerpta Medica Database /Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online,(PUBMED/EMBASE/MEDLINE) search were conducted for relevant information. Search was limited to the articles published in English language and conducted on humans, January 2000 onwards. We excluded studies of heart surgery, coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), angioplasty and heart transplant. Eighteen studies met the inclusion criteria. RESULTS: Seven out of 18 studies were multivariate, i.e. adjusted for age, gender, body mass index (BMI), smoking, hypertension, diabetes, and blood lipid profiles, while the remaining twelve studies were univariate analysis. Different sources of miRNAs were used, i.e. plasma/serum, microparticles, whole blood, platelets, blood mononuclear intimal and endothelial progenitor cells were investigated. Fourteen out of 18 studies showed up-regulation of different miRNA in CAD patients and in vulnerable plaque disease. Four out of 18 studies showed both the up-regulation and down-regulation of miRNA in the population, while only three studies showed down-regulation of miRNA. Various sources and types of miRNA were used in each study. CONCLUSION: This review gives an extensive overview of up-regulation and down-regulation of miRNA in CAD and non-CAD patients. The pattern of miRNA regulation with respect to CAD/non-CAD study subjects varies across individual studies and different parameters, which could be the possible reason for this aberrancy. We suggest further trials be conducted in future for highlighting the role of miRNA in CAD, which may improve both the diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to stratifying CAD burden in the general population.

Association of corrected QT interval with body mass index, and the impact of this association on mortality: Results from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

BACKGROUND: Both QT interval and body mass index (BMI) are independently associated with mortality. Those with higher BMI have longer QT, although evidence is inconsistent. The joint association of QT and BMI with mortality merits investigation. OBJECTIVE: To examine the association of QT with BMI, and to examine the joint association of QT and BMI with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality. METHODS: We followed 4036 participants from NHANES III for a median of 14.7 years. Weighted sample was divided into 4 categories by BMI as: 18.5-24.9, 25-29.9, 30-34.9 and ≥35, and 2 categories by corrected QT interval (QTc) as: normal (<450ms in males, <460ms in females) or prolonged. Cox proportional hazards models were used with adjustment for demographic characteristics and cardiovascular risk factors. RESULTS: QTc was longer among those with higher BMI (mean QTc: 424.7, 425.8, 430.9 and 437.8 respectively for BMI 18.5-24.9, 25-29.9, 30-34.9 and ≥35, p-trend: <0.001). Overall, longer QTc or higher BMI were associated with increased all-cause and cardiovascular mortality risk compared to mean QTc or mean BMI, respectively. When combined, cardiovascular mortality was significantly increased among obese individuals with prolonged QTc [hazard ratio (95% CI): 3.1 (1.2-8.0) and 4.8 (1.2-19.9) but not when QTc was normal [1.0 (0.5-2.0) and 1.4 (0.8-2.8)] for BMI 30-34.9 and ≥35, respectively compared to BMI 18.5-24.9 and normal QTc. Similar (although not statistically significant) findings were observed for all-cause mortality. Risk prediction for both all-cause and cardiovascular mortality improved when QTc was added to the adjusted model with BMI (net reclassification index 0.14, p=0.01 and 0.14, p<0.0001 for all-cause and cardiovascular mortality, respectively). CONCLUSION: Individuals with higher BMI have a significantly longer QTc. BMI is associated with increased all-cause and cardiovascular mortality risk when QTc is prolonged but not when QTc is normal. These novel observations suggest that QTc should be factored into risk stratification of obese individuals with a screening electrocardiogram. This may help stratify individuals into lower risk categories when QTc is normal.

Collective impact of conventional cardiovascular risk factors and coronary calcium score on clinical outcomes with or without statin therapy: The St Francis Heart Study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The efficacy of statin therapy remains unknown in patients eligible for statin therapy with and without elevated coronary calcium score (CAC). The study sought to evaluate how cardiovascular risk factors, expressed in terms of statin eligibility for primary prevention, and CAC modify clinical outcomes with and without statin therapy. METHODS: We conducted a post-hoc analysis of the St. Francis Heart Study treatment trial, a double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized controlled trial of atorvastatin (20 mg), vitamin C (1 g), and vitamin E (1000 U) daily, versus placebos in 990 asymptomatic individuals with CAC ≥ 80th percentile for age and gender. Primary cardiovascular outcomes included non-fatal myocardial infarction or coronary death, coronary revascularization, stroke, and peripheral arterial revascularization. We further stratified the treatment and placebo groups by eligibility (eligible when statin indicated) for statin therapy based on 2013 ACC/AHA guidelines and based on CAC categories. RESULTS: After a median follow-up of 4.8 years, cardiovascular events had occurred in 3.9% of the statin treated but not eligible, 4.6% of the untreated and not eligible, 8.9% of the treated and eligible and 13.4% of the untreated and eligible groups, respectively (p<0.001). Low CAC (<100) occurred infrequently in statin eligible subjects (≤4%) and was associated with low 10-year event rate (<1 per 100 person-years). In contrast, high CAC (>300) occurred frequently in more than 35% of the statin not eligible subjects and was associated with a high 10-year event rate (≥17 per 100 person-years). Risk prediction improved significantly when both clinical risk profile and CAC score were combined (net reclassification index p = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Under the current statin treatment guidelines a small number of statin eligible subjects with low CAC might not benefit from statin therapy within 5 years. However, the statin not eligible subjects with high CAC have high event rate attributing to loss of opportunity for effective primary prevention.

Cardiovascular and Mortality Outcomes in the Elderly With Impaired Cardiac and Pulmonary Function: The Cardiovascular Health Study (CHS).

BACKGROUND: Impaired pulmonary function (IPF) and left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD) are prevalent in the elderly and are associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The main objectives of this study were to examine the relative impact and joint association of IPF and LVSD with heart failure, cardiovascular mortality and all-cause mortality, and their impact on risk classification using a continuous net reclassification index. METHODS AND RESULTS: We followed 2342 adults without prevalent cardiovascular disease (mean age, 76 years) from the Cardiovascular Health Study for a median of 12.6 years. LVSD was defined as LV ejection fraction <55%. IPF was defined as: forced expiratory volume in 1 second:forced vital capacity <70%, and predicted forced expiratory volume in 1 second <80%. Outcomes included heart failure hospitalization, cardiovascular mortality, all-cause mortality, and composite outcome. LVSD was detected in 128 subjects (6%), IPF in 441 (19%) and both in 38 (2%). Compared to those without LVSD or IPF, there was a significantly increased cardiovascular risk for groups of LVSD only, IPF only, and LVSD plus IPF, adjusted hazard ratio (95% CI) 2.1 (1.5-3.0), 1.7 (1.4-2.1), and 3.2 (2.0-5.1) for HF; 1.8 (1.2-2.6), 1.4 (1.1-1.8), and 2.8 (1.7-4.7) for cardiovascular mortality; 1.3 (1.0-1.8), 1.7 (1.4-1.9), and 2.1 (1.5-3.0) for all-cause mortality, and 1.6 (1.3-2.1), 1.7 (1.5-1.9), and 2.4 (1.7-3.3) for composite outcome, respectively. Risk classification improved significantly for all outcomes when IPF was added to the adjusted model with LVSD or LVSD to IPF. CONCLUSIONS: While risk of cardiovascular outcomes was the highest among elderly with both LVSD and IPF, risk was comparable between subjects with IPF alone and those with LVSD alone. This observation, combined with improved risk classification by adding IPF to LVSD or LVSD to IPF, underscore the importance of comprehensive heart and lung evaluation in cardiovascular outcome assessment.

Role of Outpatient Cardiac Rhythm Monitoring in Cryptogenic Stroke: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Recent studies have suggested that prolonged outpatient rhythm monitoring results in increased detection of atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients with cryptogenic stroke (CS). However, the best monitoring strategy and its clinical utility is debatable. OBJECTIVE: To compare the effectiveness of implantable loop recorder (ILR) versus wearable devices in identifying AF in patients with CS. METHODS AND RESULTS: Three randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and 13 observational studies were identified by database searches. Seven studies (enrolling 774 patients) employed ILR for AF detection for a median duration of 365 days (range 50-569 days). Ten studies (enrolling 996 patients) employed continuous monitoring with wearable devices for a median duration of 21 days (range 4-30 days). One study performed 7 days of monitoring with wearable device followed by implantation of ILR, thus included in both groups. Pooled odds ratio (OR) of identifying AF in RCTs showed increased detection of AF with prolonged monitoring (OR 4.54, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.92, 7.06; P < 0.00001) compared to routine outpatient follow-up. Overall detection of AF with outpatient monitoring was 17.6% (CI: 12.5-22.7). There was significantly higher AF detection with ILR (23.3%; CI: 13.83-32.29) compared to wearable devices (13.6%; CI: 7.91-19.32; P < 0.05). Patients with AF were older in age compared to patients without AF. CONCLUSION: AF detection in patients with CS is improved with prolonged rhythm monitoring and is better with ILR compared to wearable devices. AF was more common in older patients. The clinical significance of these findings is unknown at this point.

Use of contact force sensing technology during radiofrequency ablation reduces recurrence of atrial fibrillation: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

The suboptimal outcomes of atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation have been attributed to lack of transmural lesions during pulmonary vein isolation. The advent of contact force (CF) sensing technology enables real-time assessment of the applied force at the catheter-tissue interface and increases the chances of transmural lesions. We sought to perform a meta-analysis of data from eligible studies to delineate the true impact of CF technology. Database searches through April 2015 identified 9 eligible studies (enrolling 1148 patients). The relative risk of AF recurrence at follow-up was used as the primary end point and assessed with random-effects meta-analysis. Radiofrequency (RF) duration, total procedure length, and fluoroscopy exposure were assessed as secondary outcomes using weighted mean difference with the random-effects model. Compared with standard technology, the use of CF technology showed a 37% reduction (relative risk 0.63; 95% confidence interval 0.44-0.91; P = .01) in AF recurrence at a median follow-up of 12 months and a 7.3-minute reduction (95% confidence interval -14.05 to -0.55; P = .03) in RF use during ablation. There was no significant difference in total procedure length and fluoroscopy exposure between the 2 groups. In conclusion, this meta-analysis shows that the use of CF technology decreases AF recurrence at a median follow-up of 12 months and also led to decreased use of RF during ablation. There was no difference in total procedure length and fluoroscopy exposure.

Racial disparities and colorectal cancer survival in older adults with and without diabetes mellitus.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: To investigate whether pre-existing diabetes modifies racial disparities in colorectal cancer (CRC) survival. METHODS: We analyzed prospective data from 16 977 patients (age ≥ 67 years) with CRC from the Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results (SEER)-Medicare database. SEER registries included data on demographics, tumor characteristics, and treatment. Medicare claims were used to define pre-existing diabetes and comorbid conditions. Mortality was confirmed in both sources. RESULTS: At baseline, 1332 (8%) were African Americans and 26% had diabetes (39% in blacks; 25% in whites). From 2000 to 2005, more than half of the participants died (n = 8782, 52%). This included 820 (62%) deaths (23.8 per 100 person-years) among blacks, and 7962 (51%) deaths (16.6 per 100 person-years) among whites. Among older adults with diabetes, blacks had significantly higher risk of all-cause and CRC mortality after adjustments for demographic characteristics (hazard ratio [HR], 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.21 [1.08-1.37] and 1.21 [1.03-1.42]), respectively, but these associations attenuated to null after additional adjustments for cancer stage and grade. Among adults without diabetes, the risk of all-cause mortality (HR [95% CI]: 1.14 [1.04-1.25]) and CRC mortality (HR [95% CI]: 1.21 [1.08-1.36]) remained higher in blacks than whites in fully adjusted models that included demographic variables, cancer stage, grade, treatments, and comorbidities. CONCLUSIONS: Among older adults with CRC, diabetes is an effect modifier on the relationship between race and mortality. Racial disparities in survival were explained by demographics, cancer stage, and grade in patients with diabetes.

Optimal management of metastatic melanoma: current strategies and future directions.

Melanoma is increasing in incidence and remains a major public health threat. Although the disease may be curable when identified early, advanced melanoma is characterized by widespread metastatic disease and a median survival of less than 10 months. In recent years, however, major advances in our understanding of the molecular nature of melanoma and the interaction of melanoma cells with the immune system have resulted in several new therapeutic strategies that are showing significant clinical benefit. Current therapeutic approaches include surgical resection of metastatic disease, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapy. Dacarbazine, interleukin-2, ipilimumab, and vemurafenib are now approved for the treatment of advanced melanoma. In addition, new combination chemotherapy regimens, monoclonal antibodies blocking the programmed death-1 (PD-1)/PD-ligand 1 pathway, and targeted therapy against CKIT, mitogen-activated protein/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (MEK), and other putative signaling pathways in melanoma are beginning to show promise in early-phase clinical trials. Further research on these modalities alone and in combination will likely be the focus of future clinical investigation and may impact the outcomes for patients with advanced melanoma.

Combined association of creatinine, albuminuria, and cystatin C with all-cause mortality and cardiovascular and kidney outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Estimated GFR by serum creatinine (eGFRcreatinine) is a pivotal measure of kidney function in clinical practice but can be affected by several non-GFR determinants, resulting in misclassification. Combining multiple kidney markers to predict risk is an area of substantial interest. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, & MEASUREMENTS: This study followed 9489 adults from visit 4 (1996-1998) of the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study for a median of 11.2 years, and assessed joint association of eGFRcreatinine, eGFRcystatin, and urinary albumin/creatinine ratio (ACR) with mortality, coronary heart disease, heart failure, AKI, and ESRD using Cox proportional hazards models. The predictive ability of ACR and eGFRcystatin beyond eGFRcreatinine was also investigated. RESULTS: Lower eGFRcreatinine and eGFRcystatin as well as elevated ACR were independently associated with risk for all outcomes. eGFRcreatinine <60 was not associated with risk of mortality, coronary heart disease, or heart failure if eGFRcystatin ≥60 with ACR <30 mg/g compared with those with all three markers above CKD cutoffs (i.e., eGFRcystatin ≥60, eGFRcreatinine ≥60, and ACR<30), whereas risk association with kidney outcomes remained: Hazard ratio (95% confidence interval), 0.96 (0.66, 1.39) for mortality, 0.85 (0.55, 1.31) for coronary heart disease, 0.99 (0.60, 1.63) for heart failure, 1.61 (0.92, 2.82) for AKI, and 3.53 (1.06, 11.68) for ESRD. Adding ACR to the fully adjusted model with eGFRcreatinine or adding eGFRcystatin to both eGFRcreatinine and ACR improved risk classification for all outcomes (P ≤ 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: eGFRcystatin can be a useful confirmatory marker in those with eGFRcreatinine <60 and whose ACR is <30 mg/g. This approach improves risk classification, and provides reassurance to a large group of individuals with eGFRcreatinine <60.

Combined association of albuminuria and cystatin C-based estimated GFR with mortality, coronary heart disease, and heart failure outcomes: the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study.

BACKGROUND: Serum cystatin C level has been shown to have a stronger association with clinical outcomes than serum creatinine level. However, little is known about the combined association of cystatin C-based estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR(cys)) and albuminuria with clinical outcomes, particularly at levels lower than current chronic kidney disease (CKD) cutoffs. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective cohort. SETTING & PARTICIPANTS: 10,403 ARIC (Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities) Study participants followed up for a median of 10.2 years. PREDICTOR: eGFR(cys), albuminuria. OUTCOMES: Mortality, coronary heart disease (CHD), and heart failure, as well as a composite of any of these separate outcomes. RESULTS: Both decreased eGFR(cys) and albuminuria were associated independently with the composite outcome, as well as mortality, CHD, and heart failure. Although eGFR(cys) of 75-89 mL/min/1.73 m(2) in the absence of albuminuria (albumin-creatinine ratio [ACR] <10 mg/g) or albuminuria with ACR of 10-29 mg/g with normal eGFR(cys) (90-104 mL/min/1.73 m(2)) was not associated significantly with any outcome compared with eGFR(cys) of 90-104 mL/min/1.73 m(2) and ACR <10 mg/g, the risk of each outcome was significantly higher in those with both eGFR(cys) of 75-89 mL/min/1.73 m(2) and ACR of 10-29 mg/g (for mortality, HR of 1.4 [95% CI, 1.1-2.0]; for CHD, HR of 1.9 [95% CI, 1.4-2.6]; for heart failure, HR of 1.8 [95% CI, 1.2-2.7]). Combining the 2 markers improved risk classification for all outcomes (P < 0.001), even in those without overt CKD. LIMITATIONS: Only one measurement of cystatin C. CONCLUSIONS: Mildly decreased eGFR(cys) and mild albuminuria independently contributed to the risk of mortality, CHD, and heart failure. Even minimally decreased eGFR(cys) (75-89 mL/min/1.73 m(2)) is associated with increased risk in the presence of mild albuminuria. Combining the 2 markers is useful for improved risk stratification even in those without clinical CKD.

Evaluation of duck egg yolk for the cryopreservation of Nili-Ravi buffalo bull semen.

This study was carried out to investigate if the substitution of chicken egg yolk (CEY) with duck egg yolk (DEY) in extenders can improve the quality of frozen-thawed semen of Nili-Ravi buffalo bulls and to study if reducing DEY level in extender affects the freezability results. Thirty semen samples collected from three buffalo bulls were diluted in extenders A, B, C, D and E containing tris, citric acid, fructose, egg yolk, glycerol and antibiotics. Extender A contained 20% CEY (control), while extenders B, C, D and E contained 5, 10, 15 and 20% DEY, respectively. After freezing and storage for 24h in liquid nitrogen, samples were evaluated for post-thaw quality. The post extension sperm motility did not differ between extenders A (control) and E (20% DEY). The same was true for post-thaw percentage of sperm with functional plasma membrane and percentage of sperm with abnormal heads or mid pieces. However, extender E showed higher (P<0.05) values for post-thaw sperm motility, livability and absolute index of livability of spermatozoa at 37 °C compared to extender A. Spermatozoa with abnormal tail were lower (P<0.05) in extender E compared to extender A. Values of these parameters of post-thaw semen quality were highest for extender E containing 20% DEY and decreased significantly with decrease in the concentration of DEY, except sperm abnormalities (head, mid-piece and tail) which increased with decrease in DEY level. These results showed that replacement of 20% CEY with 20% DEY in extenders significantly improved post-thaw sperm motility, livability and absolute index of livability of spermatozoa and reduced tail abnormalities. Reduction in the level of DEY in extenders from 20% adversely affected post-thaw semen quality of Nili-Ravi buffalo bulls.

Evaluating medical, percutaneous coronary intervention, and coronary artery bypass surgery options for chronic angina: an update of the revised guidelines.

Medical therapy is the standard background treatment for all patients with chronic stable angina. Studies show that antianginal therapies such as late sodium channel blockers (ranolazine), beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, and nitrates dispensed alone or in combination can alleviate angina and angina-equivalent symptoms. For risk reduction of ischemic events, modification of coronary risk factors with lifestyle modification and medical therapy is the cornerstone. Effective risk modification strategies include lipid management, smoking cessation, diabetes control, weight management, nutritional enhancements, and physical activity. The pursuit of a more definitive treatment for chronic angina should be guided by the patient's clinical presentation, results of imaging-based risk-stratification evaluations, response to medical therapies, and patient preference. Revascularization by percutaneous coronary intervention or coronary artery bypass surgery may be recommended for patients who have persistent and intolerable symptoms despite optimal medical therapy and for those who are likely to have a survival benefit from revascularization based on the severity and location of the atherosclerotic lesions.