Acute kidney injury after transcatheter aortic valve implantation and mortality risk-long-term follow-up.

BACKGROUND: Acute kidney injury (AKI) complicating transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is relatively frequent and associated with significant morbidity. Previous studies have shown a higher 30-day and 1-year mortality risk in patients with periprocedural AKI. Our aim was to identify the prognostic impact of periprocedural AKI on long-term follow-up. METHODS: This is a single-center prospective study evaluating patients undergoing TAVI for severe aortic stenosis. AKI was defined according to the Valve Academic Research Consortium 2 definition, as an absolute increase in serum creatinine ≥0.3 mg/dL or an increase >50% within the first week following TAVI. Mortality data were compared between patients who developed AKI and those who did not. Logistic and Cox regressions were used for survival analysis. RESULTS: The final analysis included 1086 consecutive TAVI patients. AKI occurred in 201 patients (18.5%). During the follow-up period, 289 patients died. AKI was associated with an increased risk of 30-day mortality {4.5 versus 1.9% in the non-AKI group; hazard ratio [HR] 3.70 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.35-10.13]}. Although 1-year mortality was higher in the AKI group in univariate analysis, it was not significant after a multivariate regression. AKI was a strong predictor of longer-term mortality [42.3 versus 22.7% for 7-year mortality; HR 1.71 (95% CI 1.30-2.25)]. In 189 of 201 patients we had data regarding recovery from AKI up to 30 days after discharge. In patients with recovery from AKI, the mortality rate was lower (38.2 versus 56.6% in the nonrecovery group; P = 0.022). CONCLUSIONS: Periprocedural AKI following TAVI is a strong risk factor for short-term as well as long-term mortality (up to 7 years). Therefore more effort is needed to reduce this complication.

Association of pre-admission statin therapy and the inflammatory response in ST elevation myocardial infarction patients.

PURPOSE: To demonstrate the possible association of statin therapy with C reactive protein (CRP) serial measurements in ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: STEMI patients between 2008 and 2016 with available CRP data from admission were divided into two groups according to pre-admission statin therapy. A second CRP measurement was noted following primary coronary intervention (within 24 h from admission). The difference between the two measurements was designated ΔCRP. RESULTS: The cohort consisted of 1134 patients with a median age of 61 (IQR52-70), 81% males. Patients on statins prior to admission (336/1134, 26%) were more likely to have CRP levels within normal range (≤5 mg/l) compared to patients without prior treatment, both at admission (75 vs. 24%, p = 0.004) and at 24 h (70 vs. 48%, p = 0.029). The prevalence of patients with pre-admission statin therapy decreased as ΔCRP increased (p = 0.004; n = 301). The likelihood of ΔCRP to be above 5 mg/l in patients with pre-admission statin therapy was reduced after age and gender adjustments (OR 0.54, 95% CI 0.32-0.92, p = 0.023) and in multivariate (OR 0.57, 95% CI 0.33-0.99, p = 0.048) analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Pre-admission statin therapy is associated with a less robust inflammatory response in STEMI patients, highlighting statin's pathophysiological importance.

Relation of Subclinical Hypothyroidism to Acute Kidney Injury Among ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction Patients Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

BACKGROUND: Data suggest that subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) is associated with progression of chronic renal disease; however, no study to date has assessed the possible relation between SCH and acute deterioration of renal function. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the possible relation between SCH and acute kidney injury (AKI) in a large cohort of patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) treated with primary coronary intervention (PCI). METHODS: We evaluated thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and free T4 levels of 1591 STEMI patients with no known history of hypothyroidism or thyroid replacement treatment who were admitted to the coronary care unit (October 2007-August 2017). The presence of SCH was defined as TSH levels ≥ 5 mU/ml in the presence of normal free T4 levels. Patients were assessed for development of AKI ( 0.3 mg/dl increase in serum creatinine, according to the KDIGO criteria). RESULTS: The presence of SCH was demonstrated in 68/1593 (4.2%) STEMI patients. Patients presenting with SCH had more AKI complications during the course of STEMI (20.6% vs. 9.6 %; P = 0.003) and had significantly higher serum creatinine change throughout hospitalization (0.19 mg/dl vs. 0.08 mg/dl, P = 0.04). No significant difference was present in groups regarding baseline renal function and the amount of contrast volume delivered during coronary angiography. In multivariate logistic regression model, SCH was independently associated with AKI (odds ratio = 2.19, 95% confidence interval 1.05-4.54, P =0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Among STEMI patients treated with PCI, the presence of SCH is common and may serve as a significant marker for AKI.

Clinical and Epidemiological Significance of Carbapenem Resistance in Acinetobacter baumannii Infections.

Carbapenems are considered the treatment of choice for Acinetobacter baumannii infections. Many facilities implement preventive measures toward only carbapenem-resistant A. baumannii (CRAB). However, the independent role of the carbapenem resistance determinant on patient outcomes remains controversial. In a 6-year analysis of adults with A. baumannii bloodstream infection (BSI), the outcomes of 149 CRAB isolates were compared to those of 91 patients with carbapenem-susceptible A. baumannii In bivariable analyses, CRAB BSIs were significantly associated with worse outcomes and with a delay in the initiation of appropriate antimicrobial therapy (DAAT). However, in multivariable analyses, carbapenem resistance status was no longer associated with poor outcomes, while DAAT remained an independent predictor. The epidemiological significance of A. baumannii should not be determined by its resistance to carbapenems.

Diabetic foot infection in hospitalized adults.

BACKGROUND: Acute infections of the diabetic foot (DFI) are a common and complex condition. Patients are generally managed in the ambulatory setting and epidemiological data pertaining to hospitalized patients is lacking. The aim of this study was to analyze the epidemiology, microbiology and outcomes of hospitalized patients with DFI, who are managed at a referral center equipped with hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study of adult patients admitted to a tertiary referral center with DFI over a six-month period in 2013 was undertaken. Predictors of clinical outcomes and efficacy of treatment modalities were analyzed by Cox regression. RESULTS: Sixty-one patients with DFI were identified. Most patients were elderly (67 ± 13 years), with long-standing (17 ± 9 years), poorly controlled (HbA1c 9 ± 3%) diabetes. Most patients had polymicrobial infection (80%); specifically, anaerobic (39%) and multi or extensively-drug resistant organisms (61%). Administration of appropriate antimicrobials was delayed for >48 h in 83%. Advanced age was associated with worse outcomes. Sicker patients with severe peripheral vascular disease were managed with HBO. The use of HBO was associated with higher costs and increased functional deterioration, and did not prevent future limb amputation. CONCLUSIONS: Our study illustrates the descriptive epidemiology of hospitalized adults with DFI predominantly of polymicrobial etiology. MDROs and anaerobic organisms are common causative pathogens, and appropriate antibiotics were frequently delayed. HBO treatment may delay the need for limb amputation, but not obviate this eventual outcome.

Outcomes of early and reversible renal impairment in patients with ST segment elevation myocardial infarction undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention.

OBJECTIVE: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a frequent complication in patients with ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). While AKI occurring post-PCI has been well studied, the incidence and clinical significance of early renal impairment evident on hospital admission prior to PCI and which resolves towards discharge has not been investigated. METHODS: We retrospectively studied 2339 STEMI patients treated with primary PCI. The incidence of renal impairment and in-hospital complications as well as short and long-term mortality were compared between patients who did not develop renal impairment, patients who developed post-PCI AKI and those who presented with renal impairment on admission but improved their renal function during hospitalization (improved renal function). Improved renal function was defined as continuous and gradual decrease of ⩾ 0.3 mg/dL in serum creatinine levels obtained at hospital admission. RESULTS: One hundred and nineteen patients (5%) had improved renal function and 230 patients (10%) developed post-PCI AKI. When compared with patients with no renal impairment, improved renal function and post-PCI AKI were associated with more complications and adverse events during hospitalization as well as higher 30-day mortality. Long-term mortality was significantly higher among those with post-PCI AKI (63/230, 27%) following STEMI than those without renal impairment (104/1990, 5%; p<0.001), but there was no significant difference in long term mortality between patients with no renal impairment and those with improved renal function (5% vs. 7.5%, p=0.17). CONCLUSION: In STEMI patients undergoing primary PCI, the presence of renal impairment prior to PCI which resolves towards discharge is not uncommon and is associated with adverse short-term outcomes but better long-term outcomes compared with post-PCI AKI.

Unknown Subclinical Hypothyroidism and In-Hospital Outcomes and Short- and Long-Term All-Cause Mortality among ST Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction Patients Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

Subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) is defined as an elevated serum thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) level with a normal serum-free thyroxine (FT4) level. SCH has been associated with an increased risk of adverse cardiovascular outcomes. We investigated possible associations of unknown SCH with in-hospital outcomes and short- and long-term all-cause mortality in a large cohort of patients with ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) who underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). This retrospective, single-center observational study evaluated the TSH and FT4 levels of 1593 STEMI patients with no known history of hypothyroidism or thyroid replacement treatment who were admitted to the coronary care unit and underwent PCI between 1/2008 and 8/2017. SCH was defined as TSH levels ≥ 5 mU/mL in the presence of normal FT4 levels. Unknown SCH was detected in 68/1593 (4.2%) STEMI patients. These patients had significantly worse in-hospital outcomes compared to patients without SCH, including higher rates of acute kidney injury (p = 0.003) and left ventricular ejection fraction ≤ 40% (p = 0.03). Moreover, 30-day mortality (p = 0.02) and long-term (mean 4.2 ± 2.3 years) mortality (p = 0.007) were also significantly higher in patients with SCH. The thyroid function of STEMI patients should be routinely tested before they undergo a planned PCI procedure.

Correction to: Relation of lowering door-to-balloon time and mortality in ST segment elevation myocardial infarction patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention.

The original version of this article unfortunately contained a mistake. The name of the author Keren-Lee Rozenfeld was rendered wrongly. The correct name is shown above.

Relation of lowering door-to-balloon time and mortality in ST segment elevation myocardial infarction patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention.

BACKGROUND: Current guidelines for the treatment of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) recommend a door-to-balloon time (DBT) of ≤ 90 min for patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). We aimed to investigate the possible impact of further reduction in DBT intervals beyond the 90 min cutoff on short and long-term outcomes among STEMI patients undergoing primary PCI. METHODS: We retrospectively studied 889 STEMI patients (median age 61 years, 83% men) who underwent successful primary PCI and had a DBT of ≤ 90 min. Patients were stratified according to DBT into 2 groups: < 60 min and 60-90 min. Patients records were assessed for the occurrence of in-hospital complications, 30-day and 1-year mortality. RESULTS: Patients having DBT < 60 min (n = 608, 68%) were more likely to present earlier, in daytime and weekdays, and had better post-procedural left ventricular ejection fraction and lower 30-day mortality (3% vs. 6%, p = 0.03). Mortality over 1-year was significantly lower among patients having DBT < 60 compared to DBT of 60-90 min (4.6% vs. 9.6%, p = 0.004). In a binary logistic regression model DBT < 60 min was associated with 51% risk reduction for 1-year mortality (OR 0.49, 95% CI 0.25-0.93, p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Among STEMI patients undergoing primary PCI within 90 min of admission DBT < 60 min was independently associated with better 1-year mortality.

Usefulness of Global Longitudinal Strain for Early Identification of Subclinical Left Ventricular Dysfunction in Patients With Active Cancer.

Cardiotoxicity from cancer therapy has become a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in cancer survivors. The most commonly used definition is cancer therapeutic related cardiac dysfunction defined as a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) reduction of >10%, to a value below 50%. However, according to the recent American and European Society of Echocardiography, global longitudinal strain (GLS) is the optimal parameter for early detection of subclinical left ventricular dysfunction. The objective of this study was to evaluate the frequency of GLS reduction in patients with active cancer and its correlation to other echocardiographic parameters. Data were collected as part of the International Cardio-Oncology Registry. All patients performed at least 2 echocardiograms including GLS. We evaluated the frequency of GLS reduction (≥10% relative reduction), its correlation to LVEF reduction and whether there are other predicting echocardiographic parameters. In 64 consecutive patients, 12 (19%) had ≥10% GLS relative reduction, of which 75% had no concomitant ejection fraction reduction. There were no significant differences in the baseline cardiac risk factors (hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, or smoking). Treatment with Doxorubicin, Pertuzumab, or Ifosfamide was significantly more frequent in patients GLS reduction. No other echocardiographic parameters, including diastolic function or systolic pulmonary artery pressure were significant predictors for GLS reduction. In conclusion, our study demonstrates that GLS reduction is frequent in active cancer patients, precedes LVEF reduction and cannot be anticipated by other echocardiographic parameters. Using GLS routinely during therapy may lead to an early diagnosis of cardiotoxicity.