A New Method for Aortic Valve Planimetry with High-Resolution 3-Dimensional MRI and Its Comparison with Conventional Cine MRI and Echocardiography for Assessing the Severity of Aortic Valvular Stenosis.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to compare the aortic valve area (AVA) calculated using fast high-resolution three-dimensional (3D) magnetic resonance (MR) image acquisition with that of the conventional two-dimensional (2D) cine MR technique. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We included 139 consecutive patients (mean age ± standard deviation [SD], 68.5 ± 9.4 years) with aortic valvular stenosis (AS) and 21 asymptomatic controls (52.3 ± 14.2 years). High-resolution T2-prepared 3D steady-state free precession (SSFP) images (2.0 mm slice thickness, 10 contiguous slices) for 3D planimetry (3DP) were acquired with a single breath hold during mid-systole. 2D SSFP cine MR images (6.0 mm slice thickness) for 2D planimetry (2DP) were also obtained at three aortic valve levels. The calculations for the effective AVA based on the MR images were compared with the transthoracic echocardiographic (TTE) measurements using the continuity equation. RESULTS: The mean AVA ± SD derived by 3DP, 2DP, and TTE in the AS group were 0.81 ± 0.26 cm², 0.82 ± 0.34 cm², and 0.80 ± 0.26 cm², respectively (p = 0.366). The intra-observer agreement was higher for 3DP than 2DP in one observer: intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) of 0.95 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.94-0.97) and 0.87 (95% CI, 0.82-0.91), respectively, for observer 1 and 0.97 (95% CI, 0.96-0.98) and 0.98 (95% CI, 0.97-0.99), respectively, for observer 2. Inter-observer agreement was similar between 3DP and 2DP, with the ICC of 0.92 (95% CI, 0.89-0.94) and 0.91 (95% CI, 0.88-0.93), respectively. 3DP-derived AVA showed a slightly higher agreement with AVA measured by TTE than the 2DP-derived AVA, with the ICC of 0.87 (95% CI, 0.82-0.91) vs. 0.85 (95% CI, 0.79-0.89). CONCLUSION: High-resolution 3D MR image acquisition, with single-breath-hold SSFP sequences, gave AVA measurement with low observer variability that correlated highly with those obtained by TTE.

Association between Neurologic Outcomes and Changes of Muscle Mass Measured by Brain Computed Tomography in Neurocritically Ill Patients.

This study aimed to investigate whether skeletal muscle mass estimated via brain computed tomography (CT) could predict neurological outcomes in neurocritically ill patients. This is a retrospective, single-center study. Adult patients admitted to the neurosurgical intensive care unit (ICU) from January 2010 to September 2019 were eligible. Cross-sectional areas of paravertebral muscles at the first cervical vertebra level (C1-CSA) and temporalis muscle thickness (TMT) on brain CT were measured to evaluate skeletal muscle mass. The primary outcome was the Glasgow Outcome Scale score at 3 months. Among 189 patients, 81 (42.9%) patients had favorable neurologic outcomes. Initial and follow-up TMT values were higher in patients with favorable neurologic outcomes compared to those with poor outcomes (p = 0.003 and p = 0.001, respectively). The initial C1-CSA/body surface area was greater in patients with poor neurological outcomes than in those with favorable outcomes (p = 0.029). In multivariable analysis, changes of C1-CSA and TMT were significantly associated with poor neurological outcomes. The risk of poor neurologic outcome was especially proportional to changes of C1-CSA and TMT. The follow-up skeletal muscle mass measured via brain CT at the first week from ICU admission may help predict poor neurological outcomes in neurocritically ill patients.

Predictors of Survival to Discharge After Successful Weaning From Venoarterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation in Patients With Cardiogenic Shock.

BACKGROUND: This study identified predictors of hospital mortality after successful weaning of patients with cardiogenic shock off venoarterial (VA) extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support.Methods and Results:Adult patients who received peripheral VA ECMO from January 2012 to April 2017 were reviewed retrospectively. After excluding patients who died on ECMO support, predictors for survival to discharge were investigated in patients who were successfully weaned off ECMO. Of 191 patients successfully weaned off ECMO, 143 (74.9%) survived to discharge. The prevalence of a history of stroke and coronary artery disease, as well as ECMO-related complications, including newly developed stroke and sepsis, was a higher in patients who did not survive to discharge than in those who did. On the day of ECMO weaning, Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score and serum lactate were higher in patients who did not survive to discharge, although there was no significant difference in blood pressure and the use of vasoactive drugs between the 2 groups. On multivariable analysis, stroke and sepsis during ECMO support, a lower Glasgow Coma Scale and acute kidney injury requiring continuous renal replacement therapy after weaning were significant predictors for in-hospital mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Complications that occurred during ECMO and the presence of extracardiac organ dysfunction after weaning were associated with in-hospital mortality in patients with cardiogenic shock who were successfully weaned off ECMO.

Effect of post-extubation high-flow nasal cannula on reintubation in elderly patients: a retrospective propensity score-matched cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Studies of mechanically ventilated patients with a low risk of reintubation have suggested that the use of high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) oxygen therapy reduces the risk of reintubation compared with conventional oxygen therapy (COT). However, the effect of HFNC following extubation in elderly patients with a high risk of reintubation remains unclear. METHODS: All consecutive medical intensive care unit (ICU) patients aged >65 years who were mechanically ventilated for >24 h were prospectively registered between July 2017 and June 2018. Control was obtained from a historical database of patients attending the same ICU from January 2012 to December 2013. A total of 152 patients who underwent HFNC after planned extubation according to institutional protocols (HFNC group) were compared with a propensity-matched historical control group who underwent COT (n = 175, COT group). The primary outcome was the proportion of reintubated patients within 48 h after planned extubation. RESULTS: One hundred patients from the HFNC group and 129 patients from the COT group were matched by a propensity score that reflected the probability of receiving HFNC, and all variables were well matched. Post-extubation respiratory failure (41.0% versus 33.3%, p = 0.291) and reintubation rate within 48 h (16.0% versus 11.6%, p = 0.436) did not differ between the HFNC and COT groups. However, decreased levels of consciousness as a sign of post-extubation respiratory failure (27.0% versus 11.7%, p = 0.007) were significantly increased in the HFNC group compared with the COT group. CONCLUSION: Among elderly patients who underwent planned extubation, HFNC was not associated with a decrease in the risk of reintubation. Further prospective study evaluating the clinical benefits of post-extubation HFNC in elderly patients is needed.The reviews of this paper are available via the supplemental material section.

Common Comorbidities of Stroke in the Canadian Population.

OBJECTIVES: Although comorbidity increases the health care and community support needs for patients, and the burden for the health care system, there are few population-based studies on comorbidity in patients with stroke. This study aims to evaluate the occurrence of important comorbidities among stroke patients in the Canadian population. METHODS: Data from the population-based 2011-2012 Canadian Community Health Survey containing responses from 124,929 participants covering about 98% of the Canadian population when weighted were examined and analyzed by means of logistic regression models. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant association between stroke history and multiple comorbid risk factors. Stroke prevalence increased in individuals with heart disease (odds ratio (OR): 3.80, 95% confidence interval (CI): 3.77-3.84), hypertension (OR: 1.97, 95% CI: 1.95-1.99), diabetes (OR: 1.74, 95% CI: 1.72-1.75), mood disorder (OR: 2.14, 95% CI: 2.12-2.17), and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (OR: 1.46, 95% CI: 1.44-1.48) compared to others without the condition. Of 2067 participants with stroke, 1680 (81.3%) had one or more comorbid conditions (heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, mood disorder, or COPD) that coexist with stroke and 48% had two or more. Comorbidity increased with age, and two-thirds of stroke patients with comorbid medical conditions were 60 years of age or older. CONCLUSION: This population-based study provides evidence of comorbidity between stroke and other conditions that include heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, mood disorder, and COPD. Canadian individuals with stroke have a high burden of comorbidity. Health care systems need to recognize and respond to the strong association of comorbidity and stroke occurrence. This key factor should be considered when allocating resources.

The differential neurologic prognosis of low-flow time according to the initial rhythm in patients who undergo extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

BACKGROUND: Limited data is available on the association between low-flow time and neurologic outcome according to the initial arrest rhythm in patients underwent extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR). METHODS: Between September 2004 and December 2018, 294 patients with in-hospital cardiac arrest (IHCA) were included in this analysis. We classified the patients into asystole (n = 42), pulseless electrical activity (PEA, n = 163) and shockable rhythm (n = 89) according to their initial rhythm. Primary outcome was poor neurologic outcome defined as Cerebral Performance Categories scores of 3, 4, and 5. RESULTS: One-hundred ninety IHCA patients (64.6%) had poor neurologic outcomes. There was significantly worse neurologic outcomes among IHCA patients according to their initial rhythm (asystole [88.1%], PEA [66.3%], and shockable rhythm [50.6%], p < 0.001). The PEA group and the shockable rhythm group showed a significant association between low-flow time and neurologic outcomes while this relationship was not observed in the asystole group: PEA [ρ = 0.224, p = 0.005], shockable rhythm [ρ = 0.298, p = 0.006]), and asystole [ρ = -0.091, p = 0.590]. The best discriminative CPR to pump-on time for neurologic outcome was 22 min in the PEA group (area under the curve 0.687, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.610-0.758, p < 0.001) and 46 min in the shockable rhythm group (area under the curve 0.671, 95% CI 0.593-0.743, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The effect of interplay between arrest rhythm and low-flow time might be helpful for decisions about team activation and management for ECPR and could provide information for early neurologic prognosis.

Usefulness of Postprocedural Electrophysiological Confirmation Upon Totally Thoracoscopic Ablation in Persistent Atrial Fibrillation.

Little information is available concerning the usefulness of electrophysiological confirmation followed by totally thoracoscopic ablation. This study aimed to examine whether postprocedural electrophysiological confirmation is always necessary after totally thoracoscopic ablation (TTA) in patients with isolated persistent atrial fibrillation. Forty-five patients with isolated persistent atrial fibrillation were randomized into 2 groups those who received routine electrophysiological confirmation and additional catheter ablation after totally thoracoscopic ablation (the hybrid group [n = 22]) and those who did not (the TTA group [n = 23]). Electrophysiological study was performed 4 or 5 days after surgery. No early or late mortality occurred. In the hybrid group, 5 patients (23%, 5/22) required additional ablation due to residual potential in the left atrium. At a year postoperatively, normal sinus rhythm was observed in 89% of patients (40/45) and similar in both groups (Odds ratio 0.80, 95% confidence interval 0.32 to 1.99). During follow-up, sinus rhythm was maintained in 16 patients (70%) in the TTA group without additional catheter ablation, which was similar (p = 0.920) to the results in the hybrid group (n = 15, 68.2%). Event-free survival rate at 12 months did not differ between groups (TTA group vs hybrid group, 78% vs 77%; p = 0.633). In simple Cox regression analysis, preoperative left atrium volume index was associated with atrial arrhythmia (p = 0.030, hazards ratio 1.087, 95% confidence interval 1.01-1.18). In conclusion, thoracoscopic ablation provided good 1-year durability in patients with isolated persistent AF irrespective of postprocedural electrophysiological confirmation. Seventy-percent of the TTA group did not need additional catheter ablation.

Prognostic factors associated with long-term mortality in 1445 patients with nontuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease: a 15-year follow-up study.

Limited data are available regarding the prognostic factors for patients with nontuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease (NTM-PD). We investigated the prognostic factors associated with long-term mortality in NTM-PD patients after adjusting for individual confounders, including aetiological organism and radiological form.A total of 1445 patients with treatment-naïve NTM-PD who were newly diagnosed between July 1997 and December 2013 were included. The aetiological organisms were as follows: Mycobacterium avium (n=655), M. intracellulare (n=487), M. abscessus (n=129) and M. massiliense (n=174). The factors associated with mortality in NTM-PD patients were analysed using a multivariable Cox model after adjusting for demographic, radiological and aetiological data.The overall 5-, 10- and 15-year cumulative mortality rates for the NTM-PD patients were 12.4%, 24.0% and 36.4%, respectively. On multivariable analysis, the following factors were significantly associated with mortality in NTM-PD patients: old age, male sex, low body mass index, chronic pulmonary aspergillosis, pulmonary or extrapulmonary malignancy, chronic heart or liver disease and erythrocyte sedimentation rate. The aetiological organism was also significantly associated with mortality: M. intracellulare had an adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) of 1.40, 95% CI 1.03-1.91; M. abscessus had an aHR of 2.19, 95% CI 1.36-3.51; and M. massiliense had an aHR of 0.99, 95% CI 0.61-1.64, compared to M. avium Mortality was also significantly associated with the radiological form of NTM-PD for the cavitary nodular bronchiectatic form (aHR 1.70, 95% CI 1.12-2.59) and the fibrocavitary form (aHR 2.12, 95% CI 1.57-3.08), compared to the non-cavitary nodular bronchiectatic form.Long-term mortality in patients with NTM-PD was significantly associated with the aetiological NTM organism, cavitary disease and certain demographic characteristics.

Duration of sweep gas off trial for weaning from venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

BACKGROUND: No data are available on the duration of time needed to assess the adequacy of lung function after stopping sweep gas for weaning of venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). The objective of this study was to investigate changes in arterial blood gases (ABGs) during sweep gas off trials in patients receiving venovenous ECMO. METHODS: Data on patients receiving venovenous ECMO, with a weaning trial at least once, were collected prospectively from January 2012 through December 2017. Serial changes in ABGs during sweep gas off trial and clinical outcomes after weaning from venovenous ECMO were evaluated. RESULTS: Over the study period, 192 sweep gas off trials occurred in 93 patients: 115 (60%) failed and 77 (40%) were successful. During the trial, significant changes in blood gases were observed within 1 h in all patients. When serial ABGs were compared according to trial off results, there were no significant differences in the pH, PaCO2, and HCO3- trends across time points between successful and failed trials. However, PaO2 (70.6 versus 93.4 mmHg), SaO2 (91.9 versus 95.2%), and PaO2/FiO2 ratio (164.0 versus 233.4) were significantly lower in failed trials than successful trials within 1 h after stopping sweep gas. After 2 h of trial off, no significant change in blood gases was observed until the end of the trial. CONCLUSIONS: No change in blood gases was observed 2 h after stopping sweep gas in patients receiving venovenous ECMO. Based on our institutional experience, however, we suggest monitoring for 2 h or more after stopping sweep gas flow to assess if patients are ready for decannulation. The reviews of this paper are available via the supplemental material section.

Neurologic Outcomes in Patients Who Undergo Extracorporeal Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to develop a risk prediction model for neurologic outcomes in patients who underwent extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR). METHODS: Between May 2004 and April 2016, a total of 274 patients who underwent ECPR were included in this analysis. The primary outcome was neurologic status on discharge from the hospital, as assessed by Cerebral Performance Categories (CPC) scale. To develop a new predictive scoring system, backward stepwise elimination and a z-score-based scoring scheme were used on the basis of logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: A total of 95 patients (34.7%) survived until discharge. Of these, 78 patients (28.5%) had favorable neurologic outcomes (CPC scores of 1 or 2). In the multivariable logistic regression analysis, significant predictors of poor neurologic outcome included age older than 65 years, initial Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score greater than 13 points, first monitored arrest rhythm, low-flow time longer than 30 minutes, initial pulse pressure less than 25 mm Hg, initial mean arterial pressure less than 70 mm Hg, and serum glucose level greater than 300 mg/dL. There was also a significant interaction between age and low-flow time. The newly developed neurologic outcome score after ECPR (nECPR) more effectively predicted poor neurologic outcome (C-statistic, 0.867; 95% confidence interval, 0.823 to 0.912) than the former ECPR score (p = 0.019) and the survival after venoarterial ECMO score (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The investigators created a risk prediction model for neurologic outcomes using independent predictors and the interaction between age and low-flow time, and this new scoring system could predict early neurologic prognosis more effectively in ECPR-treated patients. It may be help guide decisions in ECPR management for intensivists, cardiovascular surgeons, or cardiologists.

Association Between Body Mass Index and Mortality in Patients Requiring Cardiac Critical Care.

BACKGROUND: Data on the association between obesity and mortality in patients who require acute cardiac care are limited, so we investigated the effect of obesity on clinical outcomes in patients admitted to the cardiac intensive care unit (CICU). Methods and Results: We reviewed 2,429 eligible patients admitted to the CICU at Samsung Medical Center between January 2012 and December 2015. After excluding 197 patients with low body mass index (BMI) to adjust for the possibility of frailty, patients were divided into 3 categories: normal BMI (n=822), 18.5-22.9 kg/m2; moderate BMI (n=1,050), 23-27.4 kg/m2; and high BMI (n=360), ≥27.5 kg/m2. The primary outcome was 28-day mortality. Overall, 124 (2.6%) of 2,232 patients died during 28-day follow-up after CICU admission. The 28-day mortality was numerically lower in the moderate (4.5%) and high (5.3%) BMI groups than in the normal BMI group (7.1%), but the difference was not statistically significant (P=0.052). After multivariable adjustment, the moderate and high BMI categories were not significant predictors of primary outcome (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] 0.74, 95% CI 0.50-1.09, P=0.127 and adjusted HR 0.80, 95% CI 0.47-1.36, P=0.404, respectively). However, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II scores, liver cirrhosis, malignancy, history of cardiac arrest, and need for organ support treatment were independent predictors of 28-day mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Obesity was not associated with short-term mortality in patients requiring cardiac critical care.

La escala de vasoactivos inotrópicos como predictora de mortalidad de adultos con shock cardiogénico tratados con y sin ECMO / Vasoactive inotropic score as a predictor of mortality in adult patients with cardiogenic shock: medical therapy versus ECMO

Introducción y objetivos: Este estudio investigó si la escala de vasoactivos inotrópicos (VIS) es un predictor independientemente de la mortalidad en el shock cardiogénico (SC). Métodos: Estudio observacional retrospectivo. Se estudió a los pacientes que ingresaron entre enero de 2012 y diciembre de 2015 en la unidad de cuidados intensivos cardiacos, y finalmente se incluyó a 493 pacientes con SC. Para cuantificar el apoyo farmacológico, se dividió a los pacientes en quintiles de VIS: 1-10, 11-20, 21-38, 39-85 y > 85 puntos. El objetivo primario fue la mortalidad hospitalaria. Resultados: La mortalidad hospitalaria de los quintiles de VIS, en orden creciente, fue del 8,2, el 14,1, el 21,1, el 32,0 y el 65,7% respectivamente (p < 0,001). El análisis multivariable indicó que los valores de VIS de 39-85 (ORa = 3,85; IC95%, 1,60-9,22; p = 0,003) y > 85 puntos (ORa = 10,83; IC95%, 4,43-26,43; p < 0,001) siguieron siendo predictores de mortalidad hospitalaria. En la regresión logística múltiple para eliminar cualquier efecto de confusión, se halló que la probabilidad de muerte (tratamiento solo médico frente a combinado con oxigenador extracorpóreo de membrana) se cruzaron entre sí cuando el valor de VIS era de 130 puntos. En contraste con la correlación lineal entre la VIS y la mortalidad de los pacientes tratados solo con terapia médica, hubo poca asociación entre VIS ≥ 130 puntos y la mortalidad hospitalaria de los pacientes tratados además con membrana de oxigenación extracorpórea. Conclusiones: Un alto grado de apoyo con vasoactivos inotrópicos durante las primeras 48 h se asocia significativamente con mayor mortalidad hospitalaria de pacientes adultos con SC

Introduction and objectives: This study investigated whether the vasoactive inotropic score (VIS) is independently predictive of mortality in cardiogenic shock (CS). Methods: This study was retrospective, observational study. Patients who were admitted to the cardiac intensive care unit from January 2012 to December 2015 were screened, and 493 CS patients were finally enrolled. To quantify pharmacologic support, the patients were divided into 5 groups based on a quintile of VIS: 1 to 10, 11 to 20, 21 to 38, 39 to 85, and > 85. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. Results: In-hospital mortalities in the 5 VIS groups in increasing order were 8.2%, 14.1%, 21.1%, 32.0%, and 65.7%, respectively (P < .001). Multivariable analysis indicated that VIS ranges of 39 to 85 (aOR, 3.85; 95%CI, 1.60-9.22; P = .003) and over 85 (aOR, 10.83; 95%CI, 4.43-26.43; P < .001) remained significant prognostic predictors for in-hospital mortality. With multiple logistic regression to remove any confounding effects, we found that the localized regression lines regarding the odds of death intersected each other's (medical therapy alone and combined extracorporeal membrane oxygenation group) path at VIS = 130. In contrast to linear correlation between VIS and mortality for patients treated with medical therapy alone, there was little association between a VIS of 130 or more and the probability of in-hospital mortality for patients who were treated with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. Conclusions: A high level of vasoactive inotropic support during the first 48 hours was significantly associated with increased in-hospital mortality in adult CS patients

Late clinical outcomes of aortic valve replacement with Carpentier-Edwards pericardial valves.

BACKGROUND: The present study aimed to compare the long-term clinical and hemodynamic outcomes of aortic valve replacement using Carpentier-Edwards Perimount (Perimount) or Perimount Magna (Magna) valves. METHODS: We enrolled 430 patients who underwent aortic valve replacements with Perimount (n=58) or Magna (n=372) valves [1998-2013]. Multivariable and inverse probability of treatment weight (IPTW) analyses were performed. RESULTS: Before IPTW analysis, the overall 8-year survival rate differed significantly between the groups [Perimount 90%±4% vs. Magna 76%±4%; P=0.02; hazard ratio (HR): 0.37 for the Perimount group; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.17-0.83]. Multivariable analysis of the overall survival identified Perimount valve use as a protective factor (P=0.009; HR: 0.32; 95% CI: 0.14-0.75). Independent risk factors of overall survival were older age, male sex, higher preoperative left ventricular mass index, lower ejection fraction, lower aortic valve pressure gradient, and lower haemoglobin. After applying IPTW, overall survival was again found to be significantly longer in the Perimount group (P=0.04; HR: 0.43; 95% CI: 0.20-0.93). Event-free survival was also better in the Perimount group (P=0.006; HR: 0.38; 95% CI: 0.19-0.75). However, the Magna group had significantly lower aortic valve pressure gradients at one year and five years postoperative. CONCLUSIONS: Although Magna use led to decreased aortic valve pressure gradients at follow-up, overall and event-free survival rates were significantly better with use of the Perimount valve. Additional and larger studies are needed to confirm these results.

Vasoactive Inotropic Score as a Predictor of Mortality in Adult Patients With Cardiogenic Shock: Medical Therapy Versus ECMO.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: This study investigated whether the vasoactive inotropic score (VIS) is independently predictive of mortality in cardiogenic shock (CS). METHODS: This study was retrospective, observational study. Patients who were admitted to the cardiac intensive care unit from January 2012 to December 2015 were screened, and 493 CS patients were finally enrolled. To quantify pharmacologic support, the patients were divided into 5 groups based on a quintile of VIS: 1 to 10, 11 to 20, 21 to 38, 39 to 85, and > 85. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. RESULTS: In-hospital mortalities in the 5 VIS groups in increasing order were 8.2%, 14.1%, 21.1%, 32.0%, and 65.7%, respectively (P < .001). Multivariable analysis indicated that VIS ranges of 39 to 85 (aOR, 3.85; 95%CI, 1.60-9.22; P = .003) and over 85 (aOR, 10.83; 95%CI, 4.43-26.43; P < .001) remained significant prognostic predictors for in-hospital mortality. With multiple logistic regression to remove any confounding effects, we found that the localized regression lines regarding the odds of death intersected each other's (medical therapy alone and combined extracorporeal membrane oxygenation group) path at VIS = 130. In contrast to linear correlation between VIS and mortality for patients treated with medical therapy alone, there was little association between a VIS of 130 or more and the probability of in-hospital mortality for patients who were treated with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. CONCLUSIONS: A high level of vasoactive inotropic support during the first 48hours was significantly associated with increased in-hospital mortality in adult CS patients.

Comparison of endoscopic submucosal dissection and surgery for superficial esophageal squamous cell carcinoma: a propensity score-matched analysis.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) has been widely accepted for treating superficial esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SESCC). However, long-term outcomes of ESD and esophagectomy for SESCC have not been compared. We compared the clinical outcomes of ESD and esophagectomy in a matched cohort. METHODS: Patients who underwent ESD and esophagectomy for SESCC were included. We selected SESCCs without obvious submucosal invasion from the surgical database by reviewing endoscopic images. To minimize the effect of selection bias, propensity score matching was performed. Overall survival (OS), disease-specific survival (DSS), recurrence-free survival (RFS), and metachronous RFS were compared between the 2 groups. Adverse event rates were also compared. RESULTS: In a matched cohort of 120 pairs, OS, DSS, and RFS were comparable between the 2 groups. The 5-year OS, DSS, and RFS rates were 93.9% versus 91.2%, 100% versus 97.4%, and 92.8% versus 95.3% for the ESD and esophagectomy groups, respectively. The metachronous RFS was worse in the ESD group than in the esophagectomy group (P = .004). The 5-year metachronous RFS rates were 90.3% versus 100% for the ESD and esophagectomy groups, respectively. The esophagectomy group showed a higher overall adverse event rate than the ESD group (55.5% vs 18.5%, P < .0001). In each subgroup of mucosal and submucosal cancer, OS, DSS, and RFS were also comparable between the 2 groups. CONCLUSIONS: ESD provides long-term outcomes comparable with esophagectomy in patients with SESCC without endoscopic evidence of obvious submucosal invasion. ESD should be considered as the first-line treatment for these patients.

Effect of Side Branch Predilation in Coronary Bifurcation Stenting With the Provisional Approach　- Results From the COBIS (Coronary Bifurcation Stenting) II Registry.

BACKGROUND: Whether side branch (SB) predilation before main vessel (MV) stenting is beneficial is uncertain, so we investigated the effects of SB predilation on procedural and long-term outcomes in coronary bifurcation lesions treated using the provisional approach.Methods and Results:A total of 1,083 patients with true bifurcation lesions undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention were evaluated. The primary outcome was a major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE): cardiac death, myocardial infarction, or target lesion revascularization. SB predilation was performed in 437 (40.4%) patients. Abrupt (10.5% vs. 11.3%; P=0.76) or final SB occlusion (2.7% vs. 3.9%; P=0.41) showed no differences between the predilation and non-predilation groups. The rates of angiographic success (69.1% vs. 52.9%, P<0.001) and SB stent implantation (69.1% vs. 52.9%, P<0.001) were significantly higher in the predilation group. During a median follow-up of 36 months, we found no significant difference between the groups in the rate of MACE (9.4% vs. 11.5%; P=0.67) in a propensity score-matched population. In subgroup analysis, patients with minimal luminal diameter of the parent vessel ≤1 mm benefited from SB predilation in terms of preventing abrupt SB occlusion (P for interaction=0.04). CONCLUSIONS: For the treatment of true bifurcation lesions, SB predilation improved acute angiographic and procedural outcomes, but could not improve long-term clinical outcomes. It may benefit patients with severe stenosis in the parent vessel.

Impact of a cardiac intensivist on mortality in patients with cardiogenic shock.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to evaluate the association between high-intensity staffing by a dedicated cardiac intensivist and clinical outcomes in CS. METHODS: We enrolled 2923 consecutive patients admitted to a cardiac care unit (CCU) from January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2015. In January 2013, the CCU changed from a low-intensity to high-intensity staffing unit managed by a dedicated cardiac intensivist. Patients were eligible if they required inotropes or vasopressors to maintain a systolic blood pressure>90mmHg, and had serum lactate≥2.0mmol/L. Eligible patients (n=513) were treated by low-intensity CCU (n=352) or high-intensity CCU (n=161). The primary outcome was CCU mortality. RESULTS: CCU mortality occurred in 49 patients (30.6%) of the low-intensity group versus 62 patients (17.6%) of the high-intensity group (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 0.44, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.25-0.75, p<0.001). In-hospital mortality was not significantly different between the groups (33.1% vs 24.4%, aOR 0.75, 95% CI 0.43-1.29, p=0.29). Among 135 patients treated with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, the high-intensity model was associated with lower CCU mortality (54.5% vs 22.5%, aOR 0.24, 95% CI 0.07-0.77, p=0.02) and in-hospital mortality (57.6% vs 29.4%, aOR 0.28, 95% CI 0.10-0.81, p=0.02). CONCLUSION: High-intensity staffed CCU managed by a dedicated cardiac intensivist was associated with a significant reduction of CS-related mortality.

Palliative gastrojejunostomy versus endoscopic stent placement for gastric outlet obstruction in patients with unresectable gastric cancer: a propensity score-matched analysis.

BACKGROUND: It remains unclear whether selection of treatment modality affects the survival of patients with malignant gastric outlet obstruction (GOO). We compared the effect of gastrojejunostomy (GJ) and endoscopic self-expandable metallic stent (SEMS) placement on the long-term outcomes of patients with malignant GOO caused by unresectable gastric cancer. METHOD: We conducted a retrospective study of gastric cancer patients undergoing GJ or endoscopic SEMS placement for the palliation of malignant GOO. To reduce the effect of selection bias, we performed a propensity score-matching analysis between two groups. RESULTS: In a propensity-matched analysis (45 and 99 in GJ and SEMS groups, respectively), clinical success rates were comparable between the GJ and SEMS groups (95.6 and 96.0%), while the SEMS group showed significantly shorter hospital stays than the GJ group. The GJ group showed a significantly longer reintervention period and overall survival (393 and 129 days) compared to the SEMS group. In multivariate Cox regression analysis, GJ, low ECOG scale (good performance status), and additional chemo- or radiation therapy were identified as independent favorable predictors of overall survival. GJ was also identified as an independent protective predictor against reintervention. CONCLUSION: We found that palliative GJ was significantly associated with longer overall survival and lower risk of reintervention than SEMS placement in patients with malignant GOO caused by unresectable gastric cancer. Given very limited expected survival in selected patients with unresectable gastric cancer and more favorable short-term outcomes in cases of SEMS placement, individualized approach might be required in treatment decision between palliative GJ and SEMS placement.

Postoperative Outcome of Cystic Renal Cell Carcinoma Defined on Preoperative Imaging: A Retrospective Study.

PURPOSE: We evaluated the postoperative outcome of cystic renal cell carcinoma defined on preoperative computerized tomography. We also sought to find the optimal cutoff of the cystic proportion in association with patient prognosis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this institutional review board approved study with waiver of informed consent, 1,315 patients were enrolled who underwent surgery for a single renal cell carcinoma with preoperative computerized tomography. The cystic proportion of renal cell carcinoma was determined on computerized tomography. The optimal cutoff of the cystic proportion was explored regarding cancer specific survival. Renal cell carcinomas were categorized as cystic or noncystic renal cell carcinoma according to a conventional cutoff (ie cystic proportion 75% or greater) and an optimal cutoff. Postoperative outcomes were then compared between the 2 groups. Multivariate Cox regression analysis was performed to determine the independent predictor of cancer specific survival. RESULTS: Of the 1,315 lesions 107 (8.1%) were identified as cystic renal cell carcinoma according to a conventional cutoff. The postoperative outcome of cystic renal cell carcinoma was significantly better than that of noncystic renal cell carcinoma (p <0.001). Neither metastasis nor recurrence developed after surgery in patients with cystic renal cell carcinoma. In association with the cancer specific survival rate, the optimal cutoff of the cystic proportion was 45% and 197 cases (15.0%) were accordingly defined as cystic renal cell carcinoma. On Cox regression analysis, a cystic proportion of 45% or greater of the renal cell carcinoma was an independent predictor of a favorable outcome regarding cancer specific survival (HR 0.34, p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Cystic renal cell carcinoma defined on preoperative computerized tomography is associated with low metastatic potential and favorable outcomes after surgery. Particularly, a cystic proportion of 45% or greater is an independent prognostic factor for favorable survival.

Association Between Presence of a Cardiac Intensivist and Mortality in an Adult Cardiac Care Unit.

BACKGROUND: Dedicated intensive care unit (ICU) physician staffing is associated with a reduction in ICU mortality rates in general medical and surgical ICUs. However, limited data are available on the role of a cardiac intensivist in the cardiac intensive care unit (CICU). OBJECTIVES: This study investigated the association of cardiac intensivist-directed care with clinical outcomes in adult patients admitted to the CICU. METHODS: This study analyzed 2,431 patients admitted to the CICU at Samsung Medical Center in Seoul, South Korea, from January 2012 to December 2015. In January 2013 the CICU was changed from a low-intensity staffing model to a high-intensity staffing model managed by a dedicated cardiac intensivist. Eligible patients were divided into either a low-intensity management group (n = 616) or a high-intensity management group (n = 1,815). One-to-many (1:N) propensity score matching with variable matching ratios was also performed. The primary outcome was death in the CICU. RESULTS: Death in the CICU occurred in 55 patients (8.9%) in the low-intensity group versus 74 patients (4.1%) in the high-intensity group (p < 0.001). Of 135 patients who underwent extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, the CICU mortality rate in the high-intensity group was also lower than that in the low-intensity group (54.5% vs. 22.5%; p = 0.001). On propensity score matching, high-intensity staffing was found associated with a lower CICU mortality rate in the matched cohort of patients (7.5% vs. 3.7%; adjusted odds ratio: 0.53; 95% confidence interval: 0.32 to 0.86; p = 0.010). In overall and propensity-matched patients, there were no substantive differences in either median length of CICU stay or readmission rates between the 2 groups. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of a dedicated cardiac intensivist was associated with a reduction in CICU mortality rates in patients with cardiovascular disease who required critical care.