The association of timing of coronary artery bypass grafting for non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction and clinical outcomes in the contemporary United States.

BACKGROUND: In contrast to the timing of coronary angiography and percutaneous coronary intervention, the optimal timing of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) has not been determined. Therefore, we compared in-hospital outcomes according to different time intervals to CABG surgery in a contemporary NSTEMI population in the USA. METHODS: We identified all NSTEMI hospitalizations from 2016 to 2020 where revascularization was performed with CABG. We excluded NSTEMI with high-risk features using prespecified criteria. CABG was stratified into ≤24 h, 24-72 h, 72-120 h, and >120 h from admission. Outcomes of interest included in-hospital mortality, perioperative complications, length of stay (LOS), and hospital cost. RESULTS: A total of 147 170 NSTEMI hospitalizations where CABG was performed were assessed. A greater percentage of females, Blacks, and Hispanics experienced delays to CABG surgery. No difference in in-hospital mortality was observed, but CABG at 72-120 h and at >120 h was associated with higher odds of non-home discharge and acute kidney injury compared with CABG at ≤24 h from admission. In addition to these differences, CABG at >120 h was associated with higher odds of gastrointestinal hemorrhage and need for blood transfusion. All 3 groups with CABG delayed >24 h had longer LOS and hospital-associated costs compared with hospitalizations where CABG was performed at ≤24 h. CONCLUSION: CABG delays in patients with NSTEMI are more frequently experienced by women and minority populations and are associated with an increased burden of complications and healthcare cost.

Trends and Inhospital Outcomes of Intravascular Imaging on Single-Vessel Coronary Chronic Total Occlusion Treated With Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

Intravascular imaging (IVI), including intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) and optical coherence tomography (OCT), improves outcomes of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for chronic total occlusions (CTOs). We sought to quantify temporal trends in the uptake of IVI for CTO-PCI in the United States. We identified adults who underwent single-vessel PCI for CTO between 2008 and 2020. We quantified yearly trends in the number of IVUS-guided and OCT-guided single-vessel CTO-PCIs by Cochran-Armitage and linear regression tests. We also examined the rates of inhospital mortality and other prespecified inhospital outcomes in patients who underwent CTO-PCIs with and without IVI, using logistic regression. Our study included a total of 151,998 PCIs on single-vessel CTOs, with the absolute number of CTO-PCIs decreasing from 12,345 in 2008 to 8,525 in 2020 (p trend <0.001). IVUS use has increased dramatically from 6% in 2008 to 18% in 2020 for single-vessel CTO-PCIs (p trend <0.001). Rates of OCT use have increased as well, from 0% in 2008 to 7% in 2020 (p trend <0.001). There was no difference in inhospital mortality between patients who underwent CTO-PCI with and without IVI (p logistic = 0.60). In the largest national analysis of single-vessel CTO-PCI trends to date, we found that the use of IVUS has increased substantially accompanied by a similar but lesser increase in the use of OCT. There were no differences in rates of inhospital mortality between patients who underwent single-vessel CTO-PCIs with and without IVI.

A Rare Case of Regorafenib-Induced ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction.

Regorafenib is an oral multi-kinase inhibitor that is used in the treatment of chemotherapy-resistant metastatic colorectal carcinoma. However, multi-kinase inhibitors have been known to cause cardiac side effects, most notably hypertension. Myocardial ischemia is a very extraordinary adverse effect of regorafenib. Our patient was a 74-year-old gentleman with stage IVa colon cancer who underwent a right colectomy with end ileostomy and was on cycle two of regorafenib during the presentation. He came in with acute onset chest pain that was intermittent, non-exertional, and radiating to the back. His left heart catheterization did not reveal any atherosclerotic lesions, and his ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) was deemed an extremely rare adverse event from regorafenib. We are herewith reporting a case of regorafenib-induced STEMI.

Comparison of intravascular ultrasound, optical coherence tomography, and conventional angiography-guided percutaneous coronary interventions: A systematic review, network meta-analysis, and meta-regression.

BACKGROUND: Intracoronary imaging modalities, including intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) and optical coherence tomography (OCT), provide valuable supplemental data unavailable on coronary angiography (CA) and have shown to improve clinical outcomes. We sought to compare the clinical efficacy of IVUS, OCT, and conventional CA-guided percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI). METHODS: Frequentist and Bayesian network meta-analyses of randomized clinical trials were performed to compare clinical outcomes of PCI performed with IVUS, OCT, or CA alone. RESULTS: A total of 28 trials comprising 12,895 patients were included. IVUS when compared with CA alone was associated with a significantly reduced risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) (risk ratio: [RR] 0.74, 95% confidence interval: [CI] 0.63-0.88), cardiac death (RR: 0.64, 95% CI: 0.43-0.94), target lesion revascularization (RR: 0.68, 95% CI: 0.57-0.80), and target vessel revascularization (RR: 0.64, 95% CI: 0.50-0.81). No differences in comparative clinical efficacy were found between IVUS and OCT. Rank probability analysis bestowed the highest probability to IVUS in ranking as the best imaging modality for all studied outcomes except for all-cause mortality. CONCLUSION: Compared with CA, the use of IVUS in PCI guidance provides significant benefit in reducing MACE, cardiac death, and revascularization. OCT had similar outcomes to IVUS, but more dedicated studies are needed to confirm the superiority of OCT over CA.

Chronological comparison of TAVI and SAVR stratified to surgical risk: a systematic review, meta-analysis, and meta-regression.

BACKGROUND: Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has been established as a reasonable alternative to surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) in patients with severe aortic stenosis. However, long-term outcomes including valve durability and the need for reintervention are unanswered, especially in younger patients who tend to be low surgical risk. We performed a meta-analysis comparing clinical outcomes after TAVI and SAVR over 5 years stratified to low, intermediate, and high surgical risks. METHODS: We identified propensity score-matched observational studies and randomised controlled trials comparing TAVI and SAVR. Primary outcomes, including all-cause mortality, moderate or severe aortic regurgitation, moderate or severe paravalvular regurgitation, pacemaker placement, and stroke, were extracted. Meta-analyses of outcomes after TAVI compared to SAVR were conducted for different periods of follow-up. Meta-regression was also performed to analyse the correlation of outcomes over time. RESULTS: A total of 36 studies consisting of 7 RCTs and 29 propensity score-matched studies were selected. TAVI was associated with higher all-cause mortality at 4-5 years in patients with low or intermediate surgical risk. Meta-regression time demonstrated an increasing trend in the risk of all-cause mortality after TAVI compared with SAVR. TAVI was generally associated with a higher risk of moderate or severe aortic regurgitation, moderate or severe paravalvular regurgitation, and pacemaker placement. CONCLUSIONS: TAVI demonstrated an increasing trend of all-cause mortality compared with SAVR when evaluated over a long-term follow-up. More long-term data from recent studies using newer-generation valves and state-of-the-art techniques are needed to accurately assign risks.

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) was associated with increased all-cause mortality at longer periods of follow-up irrespective of surgical risk. Aortic regurgitation, paravalvular regurgitation, major vascular complications, and pacemaker placement favoured surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) over TAVI. TAVI remained superior to SAVR in major bleeding and renal failure events. Long-term data on newer generation valves and up-to-date implantation techniques may provide better durability and improved outcomes after TAVI.

Impact of Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program Policy on 30-Day and 90-Day Readmissions in Patients With Acute Myocardial Infarction: A 10-Year Trend From the National Readmissions Database.

Hospital readmissions following acute myocardial infarction (AMI) pose a significant economic burden on health care utilization. The hospital readmission reduction program (HRRP) enacted in 2012 focused on reducing readmissions by penalizing Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Medicare hospitals. We aim to assess the trend of readmissions after AMI hospitalization between 2010 and 2019 and assess the impact of HRRP. The National Readmission Database was queried to identify AMI hospitalizations between 2010 and 2019. In the primary analysis, trends of 30-day and 90-day all-cause and AMI specific readmissions were assessed from 2010 to 2019. In the secondary analysis, trend of readmission means length of stay and mean adjusted total cost were calculated. There were a total of 592,015 30-day readmissions and 787,008 90-day readmissions after an index hospitalization for AMI between 2010 and 2019. The rates of 30-day and 90-day all-cause readmissions decreased significantly from 12.8% to 11.6%, (P = 0.0001) and 20.6 to 18.8, (P = 0.0001) respectively in the decade under study. With regards to HRRP policy intervals, the pre-HRRP period from 2010 to 2012 showed a downward trend in all-cause readmission (12.8% to 11.6%) and similarly a downward trend was also seen in the post HRRP period (2013-2015:11.0%-8.2%, 2016-2019-12.3-11.7%). Secondary analysis showed a trend towards increase in mean length of stay (4.54-4.96 days, P = 0.0001) and adjusted total cost ($13,449-$16,938) in 30-day all-cause readmission for AMI in the decade under review. In our National Readmission Database-based analysis of patients readmitted to hospitals within 30-days and 90-days after AMI, the rate of all-cause readmissions down trended from 2010 to 2019.

Trends and impact of intravascular ultrasound and optical coherence tomography on percutaneous coronary intervention for myocardial infarction.

Background: Intravascular imaging with either intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) or optical coherence tomography (OCT) during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is associated with improved outcomes, but these techniques have previously been underutilized in the real world. We aimed to examine the change in utilization of intravascular imaging-guided PCI over the past decade in the United States and assess the association between intravascular imaging and clinical outcomes following PCI for myocardial infarction (MI). Methods: We surveyed the National Inpatient Sample from 2008 to 2019 to calculate the number of PCIs for MI guided by IVUS or OCT. Temporal trends were analyzed using Cochran-Armitage trend test or simple linear regression for categorical or continuous outcomes, respectively. Multivariable logistic regression was used to compare outcomes following PCI with and without intravascular imaging. Results: A total of 2,881,746 PCIs were performed for MI. The number of IVUS-guided PCIs increased by 309.9 % from 6,180 in 2008 to 25,330 in 2019 (P-trend < 0.001). The percentage of IVUS use in PCIs increased from 3.4 % in 2008 to 8.7 % in 2019 (P-trend < 0.001). The number of OCT-guided PCIs increased 548.4 % from 246 in 2011 to 1,595 in 2019 (P-trend < 0.001). The percentage of OCT guidance in all PCIs increased from 0.0 % in 2008 to 0.6 % in 2019 (P-trend < 0.001). Intravascular imaging-guided PCI was associated with lower odds of in-hospital mortality (adjusted odds ratio 0.66, 95 % confidence interval 0.60-0.72, p < 0.001). Conclusions: Although the number of intravascular imaging-guided PCIs have been increasing, adoption of intravascular imaging remains poor despite an association with lower mortality.

Factor Xa inhibitors versus vitamin K antagonist in morbidly obese patients with venous thromboembolism: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Guidelines have endorsed non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs), consisting of factor Xa inhibitors (xabans) and direct thrombin inhibitors, as the first line of treatment in venous thromboembolism (VTE) and atrial fibrillation. However, morbidly obese patients were under-represented in landmark trials of NOACs. Therefore, this study aimed to systematically review and perform a meta-analysis of studies on xabans versus vitamin K antagonist (VKA) in this high-risk population with VTE. METHODS: PubMed, Embase, Medline, Cochrane library, and Google Scholar databases were searched to identify studies that compared xabans and VKA in treating morbidly obese patients with VTE. Morbid obesity was defined as body weight ≥ 120 kg or BMI ≥ 40 kg/m2. Outcomes of interest included recurrent VTE, major bleeding, and clinically relevant non-major bleeding (CRNMB). RESULTS: Eight studies comprising 30,895 patients were included. A total of 12,755 patients received xabans while 18,140 received VKAs. No significant difference in the odds of recurrent VTE (OR 0.75, 95% CI 0.55-1.01) and CRNMB (OR 0.69, 95% CI 0.44-1.09) was observed between the xabans group and the VKA group. However, the xabans group was associated with lower odds of major bleeding (OR 0.70, 95% CI 0.59-0.83). CONCLUSION: Xabans have lower odds of major bleeding but similar odds of recurrent VTE when compared with VKAs in treating VTE in morbidly obese patients. Large registry analyses or future randomized controlled trials will be helpful in confirming these findings.

Network Meta-Analysis Comparing Angiotensin Receptor-Neprilysin Inhibitors, Angiotensin Receptor Blockers, and Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors in Heart Failure With Reduced Ejection Fraction.

The superiority of angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitor (ARNI) over angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACE-I) and angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) has not been reassessed after the publication of recent trials that did not find clinical benefits. Therefore, we performed an updated network meta-analysis comparing the efficacy and safety of ARNI, ACE-I, ARB, and placebo in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction. We included randomized clinical trials that compared ARNI, ARB, ACE-I, and placebo in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction. We extracted prespecified efficacy end points and produced network estimates, p scores, and surface under the cumulative ranking curve scores using frequentist and Bayesian network meta-analysis approaches. A total of 28 randomized controlled trials including 47,407 patients were included. ARNI was associated with lower risk of all-cause mortality (relative risk [RR] 0.81, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.68 to 0.96), cardiac death (RR 0.79, 95% CI 0.64 to 0.99), and major adverse cardiac events (MACEs; RR 0.83, 95% CI 0.72 to 0.97) but higher risk of hypotension (RR 1.46, 95% CI 1.02 to 2.10) than ARB. ARNI was associated with lower risk of MACE (RR 0.85, 95% CI 0.74 to 0.97), but higher risk of hypotension (RR 1.69, 95% CI 1.27 to 2.24) compared with ACE-I. P scores and surface under the cumulative ranking curve scores demonstrated superiority of ARNI over ARB and ACE-I in all-cause mortality, cardiac death, MACE, and hospitalization for heart failure. In conclusion, ARNI was associated with improved clinical outcomes, except for higher risk of hypotension, compared with ARB and ACE-I.

A systematic review and meta-analysis comparing radiofrequency catheter ablation with medical therapy for ventricular tachycardia in patients with ischemic and non-ischemic cardiomyopathies.

BACKGROUND: In patients with cardiomyopathy, radiofrequency catheter ablation (CA) for ventricular tachycardia (VT) is an adjunctive and alternative treatment option to long-term anti-arrhythmic drug therapy. We sought to compare CA with medical therapy for the management of VT in patients with ischemic and non-ischemic cardiomyopathies. METHODS: MEDLINE, Cochrane, and ClinicalTrials.gov databases were evaluated for relevant studies. RESULTS: Eleven studies with 2126 adult patients were included (711 in CA, 1415 in medical therapy). In the randomized controlled trial (RCT) analysis, CA reduced risk of recurrent VT (risk ratio (RR) 0.79 [95% CI 0.67 to 0.93], p = 0.005), ICD shocks (RR 0.64 [95% CI 0.45 to 0.89] p = 0.008), and cardiac hospitalizations (RR 0.76 [95% CI 0.63 to 0.92] p = 0.005). There was no difference in all-cause mortality (RR 0.94, p = 0.71). In combined RCT and observational study analysis, there was a trend for reduction in all-cause mortality (RR 0.75 [95% CI 0.55 to 1.02] p = 0.07). In subgroup analysis of studies with mean left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) < 35%, CA demonstrated reduction in mortality (RR 0.71, p = 0.004), ICD shocks (RR 0.63, p = 0.03), VT recurrence (RR 0.76, p = 0.004), and cardiac hospitalizations (RR 0.75, p = 0.02). The subgroup of early CA prior to ICD shocks demonstrated reduction in ICD shocks (RR 0.57, p < 0.001) and VT recurrence (RR 0.74, p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: CA for VT demonstrated a lower risk of VT recurrence, ICD shocks, and hospitalization in comparison to medical therapy. The subgroups of early CA and LVEF < 35% demonstrated better outcomes.

Multimodality imaging for diagnosis of subclinical hereditary transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis.

We present a case of a patient with worsening visual acuity and dense vitreal debris who was found to have vitreal transthyretin amyloid (ATTR) infiltration. Cardiac workup, performed to identify systemic amyloidosis, demonstrated focal myocardial amyloid infiltration on pyrophosphate (PYP) scintigraphy and cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR), resulting in a diagnosis of subclinical ATTR cardiac amyloidosis (ATTR-CA). Patient was identified as a carrier of p.S70R mutation which results in an aggressive ATTR phenotype. Patient is tolerating transthyretin silencer therapy well. Through this case, we discuss the role of a multimodality imaging approach for the diagnosis of subclinical ATTR-CA.

Abbreviated versus Standard Duration of DAPT after PCI: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with drug-eluting stent (DES) is typically continued for 6-12 months depending on clinical presentation. Recent studies have evaluated the safety of shorter durations of DAPT across stable and unstable coronary syndrome but are limited by smaller patient pools and varying indications. METHODS: The present study performed a systematic review and network meta-analysis comparing abbreviated (1-3 months) with standard (6-12 months) duration of DAPT. Both conventional and frequentist network meta-analyses with a random-effects model were conducted. RESULTS: Seventeen randomized controlled trials, nine of which included 1-3 months of DAPT, were selected. The risks of any bleeding (RR 0.68, 95% CI 0.54-0.85), major bleeding (RR 0.66, 95% CI 0.50-0.86), and net adverse clinical events (NACE) (RR 0.87, 95% CI 0.76-0.99) were lower with abbreviated (1-3 months) than standard-term (6-12 months) DAPT. No significant differences in the risk of myocardial infarction (RR 1.02, 95% CI 0.87-1.18), definite or probable stent thrombosis (RR 1.11, 95% CI 0.83-1.50), and major adverse cardiac events (MACE) (RR 0.96, 95% CI 0.86-1.06) were observed. Network meta-analysis demonstrated lower risk of any bleeding, major bleeding, and NACE with shorter durations of DAPT compared with 12 months. Risks of definite or probable stent thrombosis, myocardial infarction, and MACE were not significantly different. CONCLUSION: The results support the growing body of evidence that abbreviated duration (1-3 months) of DAPT may be considered to reduce the risk of bleeding without any differences in myocardial infarction, stent thrombosis, or MACE.

Recurrent Coronary Vasospasm: A Case of Kounis Syndrome from Anaphylaxis to Contrast Dye.

Kounis syndrome is characterized by acute coronary syndrome due to coronary vasospasm or thrombosis following exposure to an allergic stimulus. The presentation can be compounded by cardiovascular collapse due to cardiogenic shock from coronary vasospasm and associated vasodilatory shock from anaphylaxis. A high index of suspicion is crucial for prompt initiation of treatment, which focuses on managing the allergic or anaphylactic process. Here we present a case of coronary vasospasm and anaphylactic shock due to contrast dye exposure during percutaneous coronary intervention of an unstable coronary lesion and its associated diagnostic and therapeutic challenges.

Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis Comparing Bifurcation Techniques for Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

Background Bifurcation lesions account for 20% of all percutaneous coronary interventions and represent a complex subset which are associated with lower procedural success and higher rates of restenosis. The ideal bifurcation technique, however, remains elusive. Methods and Results Extensive search of the literature was performed to pull data from randomized clinical trials that met predetermined inclusion criteria. Conventional meta-analysis produced pooled relative risk (RR) and 95% CI of 2-stent technique versus provisional stent on prespecified outcomes. Both frequentist and Bayesian network meta-analyses were performed to compare bifurcation techniques. A total of 8318 patients were included from 29 randomized clinical trials. Conventional meta-analysis showed no significant differences in all-cause mortality, cardiac death, major adverse cardiac events, myocardial infarction, stent thrombosis, target lesion revascularization, and target vessel revascularization between 2-stent techniques and provisional stenting. Frequentist network meta-analysis revealed that double kissing crush was associated with lower cardiac death (RR, 0.57; 95% CI, 0.38-0.84), major adverse cardiac events (RR, 0.50; 95% CI, 0.39-0.64), myocardial infarction (RR, 0.60; 95% CI, 0.39-0.90), stent thrombosis (RR, 0.50; 95% CI, 0.28-0.88), target lesion revascularization, and target vessel revascularization when compared with provisional stenting. Double kissing crush was also superior to other 2-stent techniques, including T-stent or T and protrusion, dedicated bifurcation stent, and culotte. Conclusions Double kissing crush was associated with lower risk of cardiac death, major adverse cardiac events, myocardial infarction, stent thrombosis, target lesion revascularization, and target vessel revascularization compared with provisional stenting and was superior to other 2-stent techniques. Superiority of 2-stent strategy over provisional stenting was observed in subgroup meta-analysis stratified to side branch lesion length ≥10 mm.

Myocarditis after COVID-19 mRNA vaccination: A systematic review of case reports and case series.

BACKGROUND: The coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) is a global pandemic with over 266 million cases and 5 million deaths worldwide. Anti-COVID-19 vaccinations have had exceptional success in subduing the incidence, prevalence, and disease severity of COVID-19, but rare cases of myocarditis have been reported after COVID-19 vaccinations. HYPOTHESIS: Myocarditis occurring after COVID-19 mRNA vaccinations have distinguishable clinical characteristics. They usually have a favorable prognosis. METHODS: We performed a systematic literature search on PUBMED and MEDLINE database from inception to December 5, 2021. Studies were analyzed based on predetermined eligibility criteria. RESULTS: A total of 57 studies containing 275 cases of COVID-19 vaccine-associated myocarditis were catalogued. Mean age was 26.7 years and male to female ratio was 14:1. For 86.9% of patients, myocarditis occurred after the second dose. Average time to onset and length of hospitalization were 3.7 and 3.9 days, respectively. Prognosis was largely benign, but there was a 1.1% reported mortality. Chest pain (95.2%), elevation of troponin (100%), and ST elevation on electrocardiography (68.5%) were common. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (81.4%) were the most used medication, followed by colchicine (33.1%). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with COVID-19 vaccine-associated myocarditis are usually younger males presenting with chest pain 3-4 days after receiving their second dose of COVID vaccine. Diagnosis is made by exclusion of all other etiologies. Given significant population benefit from COVID-19 vaccination, physicians should continue to encourage vaccination while remaining vigilant of the very rare occurrence of myocarditis following COVID-19 vaccination.

Incidence and risk factors of atrial fibrillation and atrial arrhythmias in people living with HIV: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular diseases in people living with HIV (PLWH) are becoming increasingly relevant as HIV/AIDS has become more treatable with the advent of highly efficacious antiretroviral therapy. Previous studies suggested that HIV infection is an independent risk factor for atrial arrhythmia. This study aims to collectively analyze these studies to elucidate the incidence and risk factors of atrial arrhythmia in PLWH. METHODS: Full-text assessments and data extraction were performed from available literature. Atrial arrhythmia was defined as atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter. Incidence rate, risk, and potential risk factors of atrial arrhythmia in PLWH were catalogued, after which random-effects models were used to estimate pooled summary statistics. PRISMA standardized meta-analysis guidelines were followed. RESULTS: Analysis of 94,928 PLWH had an averaged incidence rate of 6.4 cases of atrial arrhythmia per 1000 person-years. Risk of atrial arrhythmia was significantly higher in PLWH than in the general population (RR 1.35; 95% CI 1.19-1.53). Sex had no association with the risk of incidental atrial arrhythmia in PLWH (RR 1.47; 95% CI 0.95-2.28). Black race (RR 0.68; 95% CI 0.47-0.97) was associated with decreased risk, whereas lower CD4 counts (RR 1.80; 95% CI 1.18-2.77) and increased viral load (RR 1.57; 95% CI 1.19-2.09) suggested increased risk of atrial arrhythmia in PLWH. CONCLUSIONS: HIV infection is a risk factor of atrial arrhythmia. Providers should be aware of the increased burden of atrial arrhythmia in PLWH and continue to encourage treatment of HIV infection while managing cardiovascular risk factors and screening for arrhythmias in symptomatic patients.

Effect of weight loss on recurrence of atrial fibrillation after ablative therapy: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Landmark trials have shown superiority of ablative therapy over medical therapy in certain subpopulation with atrial fibrillation (AF). Previous studies have demonstrated an association between weight loss and reduced rates of recurrence of AF after ablation. The objective of this study is to determine if weight loss reduces the recurrence of AF after ablation. METHODS: An extensive literature search and systematic review of studies of weight loss on recurrence of AF after ablative therapy was performed. Risk ratio (RR) and 95% confidence intervals were measured for weight loss group versus control group in each study, and comparative analysis as well as subgroup analysis was made. RESULTS: Eight studies with a total of 1,425 patients were included. Overall, studies of patients who lost weight demonstrated lower recurrence of AF (RR 0.35; 95% CI 0.18-0.67). However, subgroup analysis of studies which included patients who lost ≥10% weight loss from baseline showed lower recurrence of AF (RR 0.18; 95% 0.03-0.89), whereas studies which included patients with <10% weight loss did not (RR 1.00; 95% 0.51-1.96). Studies of patients who had less than 12-month history of AF (RR 0.24; 95% CI 0.11-0.57) and those who lost weight prior to ablation (RR 0.40; 95% CI 0.20-0.79) also had lower recurrence of AF. CONCLUSION: Weight loss is associated with lower long-term recurrence of AF after ablative therapy. Studies of patients with ≥10% weight loss, less than 12-month history of AF, and weight loss prior to ablation experience lower recurrence of AF.