Survey of palliative care providers' needs, perceived roles, and ethical concerns about addressing cancer family history at the end of life.

OBJECTIVE: Palliative care providers may face questions from patients and relatives regarding the heritability of cancers. Implications of such discussions for providers have been little explored. This study aimed to gather palliative care providers' views on their main needs, roles, and ethical concerns regarding cancer family history discussions. METHOD: The palliative care providers who participated in the 2015 and 2017 annual meetings of the Quebec Palliative Care Association were approached to complete a web-based questionnaire. Study participants answered the questionnaire between November 2016 and July 2017. They were asked to identify the most facilitating factor for cancer family history discussions, as well as their most important knowledge needs, potential role, and ethical concerns. Descriptive analyses were conducted. RESULTS: Ninety-four palliative care providers answered the questionnaire. Access to specialized resources to obtain information and protocols or guidelines were considered the most facilitating factors for cancer family history discussions by 32% and 20% of providers, respectively. Knowledge of hereditary cancers was the most relevant educational need for 53%. Thirty-eight per cent considered essential to be informed about their rights and duties regarding cancer family history discussions. Being attentive to patients' concerns and referring families to appropriate resources were identified as the most relevant roles for palliative care providers by 47% and 34% of respondents, respectively. Fifty-eight per cent agreed that cancer family history discussions should be initiated only if beneficial to family members. SIGNIFICANCE OF RESULTS: Education on hereditary cancers made consensus among palliative care providers as the most important knowledge need regarding discussing cancer family history at the end of life. Nonetheless, other less commonly expressed needs, including access to genetics specialists, protocols, or guidelines, and awareness of provider rights and duties concerning such discussions, deserve attention. Answering providers' needs might help optimize cancer predisposition management in palliative care.

Psychosocial determinants of nurses' intention to practise euthanasia in palliative care.

BACKGROUND: Most studies on euthanasia fail to explain the intentions of health professionals when faced with performing euthanasia and are atheoretical. RESEARCH OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to identify the psychosocial determinants of nurses' intention to practise euthanasia in palliative care if it were legalised. RESEARCH DESIGN: A cross-sectional study using a validated anonymous questionnaire based on an extended version of the Theory of Planned Behaviour. PARTICIPANTS AND RESEARCH CONTEXT: A random sample of 445 nurses from the province of Quebec, Canada, was selected for participation in the study. ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS: The study was reviewed and approved by the Ethics Committee of the Centre hospitalier universitaire de Québec. FINDINGS: The response rate was 44.2% and the mean score for intention was 4.61 ± 1.90 (range: 1-7). The determinants of intention were the subjective (odds ratio = 3.08; 95% confidence interval: 1.50-6.35) and moral (odds ratio = 2.95; 95% confidence interval: 1.58-5.49) norms. Specific beliefs which could discriminate nurses according to their level of intention were identified. DISCUSSION: Overall, nurses have a slightly positive intention to practise euthanasia. Their family approval seems particularly important and also the approval of their medical colleagues. Nurses' moral norm was related to beneficence, an ethical principle. CONCLUSION: To our knowledge, this is the first study to identify nurses' motivations to practise euthanasia in palliative care using a validated psychosocial theory. It also has the distinction of identifying the ethical principles underlying nurses' moral norm and intention.

4Fr in 5Fr sheathless technique with standard catheters for transradial coronary interventions: technical challenges and persisting issues.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the feasibility and potential benefits of performing sheathless 5Fr transradial percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) using 4Fr diagnostic catheters as dilators. BACKGROUND: There is a direct association between artery-catheter mismatch and risk of radial artery occlusion. METHODS: We recruited 130 patients who underwent 4Fr sheathless diagnostic angiography with super torque (Cordis Corporation, USA) catheters followed by ad hoc PCI. To facilitate skin and vessel penetration, the Judkins right catheter (110 cm) was inserted inside the 5Fr guiding catheter (100 cm) as dilator. RESULTS: The mean age of patients was 63±12 years with 74% of males. Unfractionated heparin monotherapy was used in 84%, bivalirudin in 12%, and platelet glycoprotein 2b/3a inhibitors in 13%. Right radial artery was used in 99%. In three cases, no PCI was performed (FFR) and in two (1.5%) cases, a sheath was required after guiding catheter insertion due to local bleeding. In six cases (4.6%), upscale to 6Fr sheathed approach was required. No spasm occurred. Overall procedural success was achieved in 114/119 (96%) cases, including left main PCI, bifurcation PCI in 10 (8%) cases, CTO in 5 (4%) and IVUS use in 6 (5%) cases. Immediately after hemostasis completion, duplex ultrasound showed normal flow in 76%, occlusive thrombus in 13%, pseudo-aneurysmal dilatation in 11% and local hematoma surrounding puncture site in 20%. Hemoglobin dropped from 138±19 g/l to 131±16 g/l 4-6 hours after PCI. CONCLUSION: Using 4Fr diagnostic catheters as dilators, simple and complex PCI can be performed with standard 5Fr guiding catheters as sheathless techniques. However, suboptimal transition between diagnostic and guiding catheters likely creates radial artery trauma leading to frequent occlusive thrombus and hematoma surrounding the radial artery.

Psychosocial determinants of physicians' intention to practice euthanasia in palliative care.

BACKGROUND: Euthanasia remains controversial in Canada and an issue of debate among physicians. Most studies have explored the opinion of health professionals regarding its legalization, but have not investigated their intentions when faced with performing euthanasia. These studies are also considered atheoretical. The purposes of the present study were to fill this gap in the literature by identifying the psychosocial determinants of physicians' intention to practice euthanasia in palliative care and verifying whether respecting the patient's autonomy is important for physicians. METHODS: A validated anonymous questionnaire based on an extended version of the Theory of Planned Behavior was mailed to a random sample of 445 physicians from the province of Quebec, Canada. RESULTS: The response rate was 38.3% and the mean score for intention was 3.94 ± 2.17 (range: 1 to 7). The determinants of intention among physicians were: knowing patients' wishes (OR = 10.77; 95%CI: 1.33-86.88), perceived behavioral control-physicians' evaluation of their ability to adopt a given behavior-(OR = 4.35; 95%CI: 1.44-13.15), moral norm-the appropriateness of adopting a given behavior according to one's personal and moral values-(OR = 3.22; 95%CI: 1.29-8.00) and cognitive attitude-factual consequences of the adoption of a given behavior-(OR = 3.16; 95%CI: 1.20-8.35). This model correctly classified 98.8% of physicians. Specific beliefs that might discriminate physicians according to their level of intention were also identified. For instance, physicians' moral norm was related to the ethical principle of beneficence. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, physicians have weak intentions to practice euthanasia in palliative care. Nevertheless, respecting patients' final wishes concerning euthanasia seems to be of particular importance to them and greatly affects their motivation to perform euthanasia.

Determinants and Clinical Outcomes of Patients With Tetralogy of Fallot Lost to Cardiology Follow-up.

BACKGROUND: Various rates of loss to follow-up (LTFU) have been reported in patients with congenital heart disease, but return to follow-up is rarely considered in those analyses. Outcomes of LTFU patients are difficult to assess because the patients no longer attend cardiac care. We leveraged data from the TRIVIA cohort, which combines more than 30 years of clinical and administrative data, allowing us to study outcomes even after LTFU. METHODS: This population-based cohort included 904 patients with tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) born from 1982 to 2015 in Québec, Canada. Risk factors for LTFU and outcomes were calculated by Cox models and marginal means/rates models. Outcomes of LTFU patients were compared with propensity score-matched non-LTFU patients. RESULTS: The cumulative risk of experiencing 1 episode of LTFU was 50.3% at 30 years. However, return to follow-up was frequent and the proportion of patients actively followed was 85.9% at 10 years, 76.4% at 20 years, and 70.6% at 30 years. Factors associated with a reduced risk of LTFU were primary repair with conduit (hazard ratio [HR] 0.29, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.15-0.58) and transannular patch (HR 0.60, 95% CI 0.46-0.79). LTFU patients had lower rates of cardiac hospitalisations (HR 0.49, 95% CI 0.42-0.56) and cardiac interventions (HR 0.32, 95% CI 0.25-0.42), but similar rates of cardiac mortality (HR 0.95, 95% CI 0.24-3.80). CONCLUSIONS: There was a lower proportion of LTFU patients compared with previous studies. Factors associated with lower rates of LTFU were conduits and non-valve-sparing surgery. LTFU patients had lower rates of cardiac procedures and cardiac hospitalisations.

Outcomes after pediatric pulmonary valve replacement in patients with tetralogy of Fallot.

BACKGROUND: People with tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) may require a transannular patch during primary repair, which leads to pulmonary valve regurgitation. Pulmonary valve replacement (PVR) is performed to prevent complication of chronic pulmonary regurgitation, but the optimal timing of PVR remains a matter of debate. This study aimed at assessing the association of PVRs performed <18 years of age on the rate of hospitalizations, interventions, and mortality. METHODS: This is a retrospective observational cohort of people with TOF born in Québec between 1982 and 2015, combining clinical and administrative data. Marginal means/rates models and survival curves were used to compare outcomes between patients with pediatric PVR (<18 years) and those without. Outcomes of interest were rates of cardiac hospitalizations, all-cause hospitalizations, cardiac interventions, and mortality. Groups were balanced using models weighed on the inverse probability of receiving pediatric PVR. RESULTS: Of the 316 eligible patients, 58 (18.4%) received a pediatric PVR. Compared to patients not receiving pediatric PVR, they were at increased risk of cardiac hospitalizations, although the rates of cardiac hospitalization were low: 0.50 versus 0.09 hospitalizations per 20 years [Hazard ratio (HR)=4.71 (95%CI 2.22-9.96)]. Patients receiving a pediatric PVR had a comparable risk of all-cause hospitalizations [HR=0.95 (95%CI 0.71-1.26)] and of cardiac interventions [HR=1.13 (95%CI 0.72-1.77)]. CONCLUSIONS: Patients who underwent pediatric PVR had higher rates of cardiac hospitalizations, but similar rates of all-cause hospitalizations, cardiac procedures, and mortality. In this observational cohort, pediatric PVR was not associated with an improved outcome.

The Quebec Congenital Heart Disease Registry: A Model of Prospective Databank to Facilitate Research in Congenital Cardiology.

Background: A national registry of congenital heart disease (CHD) would facilitate project initiation, decrease costs, increase statistical power, and avoid duplication. Establishing such registries poses numerous challenges, but the current Canadian research ecosystem in CHD is well positioned to meet them. We assessed the feasibility of building a province-wide CHD registry by automatically identifying people with CHD and extracting their native cardiac anatomy from multiple clinical data sources, without the need for manual data entry. Methods: We designed a CHD registry of all fetuses and children with at least 1 echocardiographic report confirming CHD since 2000. We interfaced the registry with several clinical and echocardiography data sources from all paediatric cardiology programmes in Québec. Results: We extracted 885,287 echocardiogram reports and 70,121 clinical records. We identified CHD in 43,452 children and 4682 fetuses. There were 1128 (2.3%) cases with files in multiple institutions, and patients with more complex CHD were 3 times more likely to be seen in more than 1 institution. So far, the registry has been used to build and link CHD cohorts for 7 distinct projects. Conclusions: We demonstrated the feasibility of a baseline CHD registry in Québec without the need for manual data entry, in which other CHD research projects could be nested. This could serve as a blueprint to expand the registry and to develop an integrated approach where data gathered in caring for patients with CHD serve as data layers that incrementally contribute to a national cohort, for which data remain easily accessible and usable.

Contexte: Un registre national des cardiopathies congénitales (CC) pourrait faciliter le lancement de projets de recherche, en diminuer les coûts, en améliorer la puissance statistique tout en évitant les redondances. La mise en place de tels registres pose de nombreux défis, mais l'écosystème de recherche canadien dans le domaine de la CC est bien placé pour y répondre. Nous avons évalué la faisabilité de la mise en place d'un registre des CC à l'échelle provinciale par l'identification automatique des personnes atteintes de CC et l'extraction de leur anatomie cardiaque native à partir de plusieurs sources de données cliniques, sans nécessiter de saisie manuelle de données. Méthodologie: Nous avons conçu un registre des CC incluant tous les fœtus et les enfants pour qui au moins un rapport d'évaluation électrocardiographique confirmait la présence d'une CC depuis 2000. Le registre a été mis en relation avec plusieurs sources de données cliniques et échocardiographiques provenant de tous les programmes en cardiologie pédiatrique au Québec. Résultats: Nous avons extrait 885 287 rapports d'échocardiographie et 70 121 dossiers cliniques. La présence d'une CC a été établie chez 43 452 enfants et 4 682 fœtus. Dans 1 128 cas (2,3 %), un dossier existait dans plus d'un établissement. Les patients présentant des CC plus complexes étaient 3 fois plus susceptibles d'être suivis dans plus d'un établissement. Jusqu'à présent, le registre a été utilisé pour établir et mettre en relation des cohortes de patients atteints de CC pour sept projets de recherche distincts. Conclusions: Nous avons démontré la faisabilité de la mise en place d'un registre de référence des CC au Québec sans recours à la saisie manuelle de données, dans lequel peuvent se nicher d'autres projets de recherche sur les CC. Notre démarche pourrait servir de prototype pour une expansion du registre et pour une approche d'intégration des données recueillies dans la prestation de soins aux patients atteints de CC, afin de former des couches de données qui s'ajoutent au fur et à mesure à une cohorte nationale, avec des données faciles à obtenir et à utiliser.

Anticholinergic burden and health-related quality of life among adult patients in a resource-limited setting: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Anticholinergic medications are now widely acknowledged for their unfavorable risk-to-benefit profile owing to their adverse effects. Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is commonly regarded as a crucial person-centered outcome. AIM: This study aimed to investigate the association between anticholinergic burden and HRQoL in hospitalized and ambulatory patients seen in Ethiopia. METHOD: This cross-sectional study utilized a questionnaire and medical records to collect data from a convenience sample of adult patients attending both inpatient wards and ambulatory clinic of University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital between April and September 2022. Anticholinergic burden was measured by anticholinergic cognitive burdens scale (ACBS), while HRQoL was measured using EQ5D-index (Euroqol-5 dimensions-5-Levels index) and EQ5D-VAS (visual analogue scale). Linear regression was used to assess the influence of high anticholinergic burden (ACBS score ≥ 3) on EQ5D-index and EQ5D-VAS, with adjustments made for sociodemographic and clinical confounders. RESULTS: A total of 828 patients participated in this study (median (IQR) age was 45.0 (30, 60) and 55.9% were female). On multiple linear regression analysis, high anticholinergic burden was associated with a statistically significant decline in HRQoL, as evidenced by reductions in both EQ5D index (- 0.174 (- 0.250, - 0.098)) and EQ5D-VAS scores (- 9.4 (- 13.3, - 5.2)). CONCLUSION: A significant association between high anticholinergic burden and diminished HRQoL was found among a relatively younger cohort in a resource-limited setting, even after adjustment for important confounding variables. Clinicians should be cognizant of the cumulative impact of anticholinergic burden on HRQoL outcomes and strive to minimize anticholinergic burden.

Anticholinergic burden among in-patients: a cross-sectional study on prevalence, determinants, and impact on mortality in Ethiopia.

Background: Numerous studies report that anticholinergic burden (ACB) has been linked with several health consequences, including increased hospital admissions, prolonged hospitalization, and physical and cognitive impairment. However, low- and middle-income settings, as well as younger individuals, are underrepresented. Objectives: To assess the prevalence and determinants of ACB, and to assess the impact of ACB on in-hospital mortality among adult in-patients at University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital (UOGCSH). Design: A cross-sectional study was conducted from June to August 2022 at UOGCSH among adult in-patients. Methods: A pre-tested questionnaire was utilized to collect data from patients and their corresponding medical charts. A consecutive sampling technique was used to select the participants. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize socio-demographic and clinical characteristics. Chi-squared, Fisher's exact, and Wilcoxon rank sum tests, as appropriate, were used to determine associations between independent variables and ACB. Kaplan-Meier survival curve and Cox proportional hazards regression test were used to assess the impact of ACB on in-hospital mortality. Results: A total of 420 adult in-patients, median (interquartile range) age of 38 (26, 55) years, participated in this study. Over half (58.3%) were exposed to anticholinergic medicines, with a high ACB (⩾3) seen in 11.2% of participants. High ACB was associated with higher median number of medicines per patient (p = 0.003) higher median hospital length of stay (p = 0.033), and having mental and behavioral disorders (p < 0.001). No significant association was found between ACB and in-hospital mortality (log-rank test p = 0.26, Cox regression adjusted hazard ratio: 1.47, 95% CI: 0.335-6.453, p = 0.61). Conclusion: Among adult in-patients, a significant majority (58.3%) were subjected to medications possessing anticholinergic properties, with a noteworthy 11.2% of the study subjects exhibiting a high ACB. Participants with higher median length of hospital stay were more likely to have high ACB even in this relatively younger adult patient population.

Background: Anticholinergics refers to substances that block the action of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine in the body. Previous studies have shown that medicines exhibiting anticholinergic effects could lead to increased hospital admissions, longer hospital stays, and both physical and cognitive impairments. Objective: In this study, we aimed to assess how medicines exhibiting anticholinergic effects might affect patients in Ethiopian in-patient settings. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study from June to August 2022, collecting data from adult in-patients through a questionnaire and medical charts. We used a widely recognized tool called Anticholinergic Cognitive Burden Score to measure anticholinergic burden. We used statistical analyses to identify associations between the use of anticholinergic medicines and various factors, including the number of medicines per patient and the length of hospital stay. Additionally, we explored the impact of anticholinergic burden on in-hospital mortality. Results: Out of the 420 participants, 245 were exposed to medicines with anticholinergic properties. High anticholinergic burden was observed in 47 patients. Patients with mental and behavioral disorders were more likely to have high anticholinergic burden, while those with diseases of the digestive system were less likely. Moreover, a high anticholinergic burden was linked to a greater median number of medicines per patient and an extended median hospital length of stay. However, the study found no significant difference in in-hospital mortality between patients with high and low anticholinergic burden. Conclusion: The study highlights that a significant proportion of the participants were exposed to medicines with anticholinergic properties, and a notable percentage experienced a high anticholinergic burden. This burden was particularly associated with mental and behavioral disorders, the use of higher number of medicines, and longer hospital stay. Importantly, the research did not find a clear link between anticholinergic burden and in-hospital mortality after accounting for other factors.

Understanding the impact of medicines with anticholinergic properties on patients at University of Gondar Hospital.

Successive transradial access for coronary procedures: experience of Quebec Heart-Lung Institute.

BACKGROUND: Transradial approach (TRA) for cardiac catheterizations and interventions improves clinical outcomes compared with transfemoral access, and its use is increasing worldwide. However, there are limited data on successive use of same artery for repeat procedures. METHODS: Between May 2010 and May 2011, all consecutive patients undergoing a repeat TRA procedure (≥2) were retrospectively identified. Success rates and reasons for failure to use ipsilateral radial artery for repeat access were identified. RESULTS: A total of 519 patients underwent 1,420 procedures. In 480 patients (92%), right radial artery was used as initial access, and left radial artery, in 39 patients. All patients underwent ≥2 procedures; 218 patients, ≥3; 87 patients, ≥4; 39 patients, ≥5; 19 patients, ≥6; 11 patients, ≥7; and 5 patients, ≥8 procedures. Two patients had, respectively, 9 and 10 procedures. The success rate for second attempt was 93%, 81% for third, and declining to 60% for ≥8. Linear regression analysis estimated a 5% failure rate for each repeat attempt (R(2) = 0.87, P = .007). The main reason for failure was related to clinical radial artery occlusion (RAO) including absent or faint pulse, poor oximetry, and failed puncture. All patients with clinical RAO were asymptomatic. By multivariate analysis, female gender (odds ratio [OR] 3.08, 95% CI 1.78-5.39, P < .0001), prior coronary artery bypass graft (OR 5.26, 95% CI 2.67-10.42, P < .0001), and repeat radial access (OR 2.14, 95% CI 1.70-2.76, P < .0001) were independent predictors of radial access failure. CONCLUSION: Successive TRA is both feasible and safe in most cases for up to 10 procedures. However, failure rate for TRA increases with successive procedures, primarily due to clinical RAO. Strategies to minimize the risks of chronic clinical RAO and allow repeat use of ipsilateral radial artery need to be further defined.

Incidence and clinical impact of concurrent chronic total occlusion according to gender in ST-elevation myocardial infarction.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of a concurrent CTO in men and women and to examine its impact on mortality. BACKGROUND: The impact of chronic total occlusion (CTO) in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) according to gender has not been assessed. METHODS: Patients referred with STEMI were categorized into single vessel disease (SVD), multivessel disease (MVD) without, with 1 or > 1 CTO. The primary end-point was the 1-year mortality. RESULTS: Among the 2020 STEMI patients included between 2006 and 2011, 24% were female. Women were older, had more hypertension and renal failure (P < 0.0001 for all). The prevalence of 1 or > 1 concurrent CTO was similar in both sexes, 7 and 1%, respectively. Early and late mortality was significantly higher in women compared with men (P < 0.0001). In women, the mortality was significantly worse in patients with > 1 CTO (100%) and with 1 CTO (36.4%) compared with those with MVD without CTO (18.4%) or with SVD (10.4%) (P < 0.0001). MVD with and without concurrent CTO were both independent predictors of 1-year mortality in women (HR 3.58; 95 % CI 1.69-7.18 and HR 2.76; 95 % CI 1.33-5.51) whereas only MVD with CTO was predictive in men (HR 2.19; 95% CI 1.20-3.97). CONCLUSIONS: Among unselected STEMI patients, the prevalence of CTO was equal in both sexes whereas early and late mortality remained significantly higher in women. Other factors than the presence of a concurrent CTO must be explored to explain differences in survival after STEMI between women and men.

Incremental Detection of Severe Congenital Heart Disease by Fetal Echocardiography Following a Normal Second Trimester Ultrasound Scan in Québec, Canada.

BACKGROUND: The benefit of fetal echocardiograms (FE) to detect severe congenital heart diseases (SCHD) in the setting of a normal second-trimester ultrasound is unclear. We aimed to assess whether the increase in SCHD detection rates when FE are performed for risk factors in the setting of a normal ultrasound was clinically significant to justify the resources needed. METHODS: This is a multicenter, population-based, retrospective cohort study, including all singleton pregnancies and offspring in Quebec (Canada) between 2007 and 2015. Administrative health care data were linked with FE clinical data to gather information on prenatal diagnosis of CHD, indications for FE, outcomes of pregnancy and offspring, postnatal diagnosis of CHD, cardiac interventions, and causes of death. The difference between the sensitivity to detect SCHD with and without FE for risk factors was calculated using generalized estimating equations with a noninferiority margin of 5 percentage points. RESULTS: A total of 688 247 singleton pregnancies were included, of which 30 263 had at least one FE. There were 1564 SCHD, including 1071 that were detected prenatally (68.5%). There were 12 210 FE performed for risk factors in the setting of a normal second-trimester ultrasound, which led to the detection of 49 additional cases of SCHD over 8 years. FE referrals for risk factors increased sensitivity by 3.1 percentage points (95% CI, 2.3-4.0; P<0.0001 for noninferiority). CONCLUSIONS: In the setting of a normal second-trimester ultrasound, adding a FE for risk factors offered low incremental value to the detection rate of SCHD in singleton pregnancies. The current ratio of clinical gains versus the FE resources needed to screen for SCHD in singleton pregnancies with isolated risk factors does not seem favorable. Further studies should evaluate whether these resources could be better allocated to increase SCHD sensitivity at the ultrasound level, and to help decrease heterogeneity between regions, institutions and operators.

Effects of aspiration thrombectomy on necrosis size and ejection fraction after transradial percutaneous coronary intervention in acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND: The use of routine aspiration thrombectomy in primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) remains controversial. METHODS: Patients in the EArly Discharge after Transradial Stenting of CoronarY Arteries in Acute Myocardial Infarction (n = 105) study were treated with aspirin, clopidogrel, and abciximab within 6 hr of symptoms onset. Operators were allowed to use 6 Fr Export aspiration catheter at their discretion. In this observational analysis, we compared acute and late results in patients treated with and without thrombectomy using cardiac biomarkers, angiographic, cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR), and clinical parameters. RESULTS: Patients in the thrombectomy group (n = 44) had longer symptoms to balloon time (196 ± 86 min vs. 164 ± 62, P = 0.039) and higher incidence of preprocedural TIMI flow grade 0 or 1 (84% vs. 64%, P = 0.028). Following PCI, both groups had similar incidence of TIMI flow grade 3 (93 vs. 92%, P = 0.73) and myocardial blush grade 2 or 3 (80 vs. 77%, P = 0.86), respectively. Patients in thrombectomy group had significantly higher post-PCI maximum values of creatine kinase-MB (P = 0.0007) and troponin T (P = 0.0010). Accordingly, post-PCI myocardial necrosis by CMR was higher (P = 0.0030) in patients in the thrombectomy group. At 6-month follow-up, necrosis size remained higher (20.7% ± 13.3% vs. 13.5% ± 11.1%, P = 0.012) in the thrombectomy group. Ejection fraction at 6 months was 65% ± 9% in patients in thrombectomy group compared to 70% ± 11% in patients without (P = 0.070). Results were not affected by initial TIMI flow or symptoms to balloon time. Clinical events remained comparable in both groups at 12 months follow-up. CONCLUSION: In patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction presenting within 6 hr of symptoms and undergoing primary angioplasty with maximal antiplatelet therapy, acute and late results did not suggest significant benefit for additional aspiration thrombectomy, irrespective of initial TIMI flow or total ischemic time.

Comparison of plaque sealing with paclitaxel-eluting stents versus medical therapy for the treatment of moderate nonsignificant saphenous vein graft lesions: the moderate vein graft lesion stenting with the taxus stent and intravascular ultrasound (VELETI) pilot trial.

BACKGROUND: The presence of moderate saphenous vein graft (SVG) lesions is a major predictor of cardiac events late after coronary artery bypass grafting. We determined the effects of sealing moderate nonsignificant SVG lesions with paclitaxel-eluting stents (PES) on the prevention of SVG atherosclerosis progression. METHODS AND RESULTS: Patients with at least 1 moderate SVG lesion (30% to 60% diameter stenosis) were randomized either to stenting the moderate SVG lesion with a PES (n=30, PES group) or to medical treatment alone (n=27, medical treatment group). Patients had an angiographic and intravascular ultrasound evaluation of the SVG at baseline and at 12-month follow-up. The primary end points were (1) the ultrasound SVG minimal lumen area at follow-up and (2) the changes in ultrasound atheroma volume in an angiographically nondiseased SVG segment. Mean time from coronary artery bypass grafting was 12+/-6 years, and mean low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level was 73+/-31 mg/dL. A total of 70 moderate SVG lesions (39+/-7% diameter stenosis) were evaluated. Significant disease progression occurred in the medical treatment group at the level of the moderate SVG lesion (decrease in minimal lumen area from 6.3+/-3.0 to 5.6+/-3.1 mm(2); P<0.001), leading to a severe flow-limiting lesion or SVG occlusion in 22% of the patients compared with none in the PES group (P=0.014). In the PES group, mean minimal lumen area increased (P<0.001) from 6.1+/-2.2 to 8.6+/-2.9 mm(2) at follow-up (P=0.001 compared with the medical treatment group at 12 months). There were no cases of restenosis or stent thrombosis. No significant atherosclerosis progression occurred at the nonstented SVG segments. At 12-month follow-up, the cumulative incidence of major adverse cardiac events related to the target SVG was 19% in the medical treatment group versus 3% in the PES group (P=0.091). CONCLUSIONS: Stenting moderate nonsignificant lesions in old SVGs with PES was associated with a lower rate of SVG disease progression and a trend toward a lower incidence of major adverse cardiac events at 1-year follow-up compared with medical treatment alone, despite very low low-density lipoprotein cholesterol values. This pilot study supports further investigation into the role of plaque sealing in SVGs. Clinical Trial Registration- URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT002289835.

Improving myocardial salvage in late presentation acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction with proximal embolic protection.

BACKGROUND: Late-presenting ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients possess larger, more organized coronary thrombus leading to greater ventricular remodeling and arrhythmia despite angioplasty and pharmacological therapies. We hypothesized that myocardial injury would be reduced in late STEMI by proximal embolic protection (PEP). METHODS: 31 patients with first STEMI 12-24 hr after pain onset and TIMI 0-1 flow were treated with or without PEP (cohort design matched for age, gender, and infarct-related artery). Contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance determined myocardial function, area at risk, necrosis, salvaged myocardium, and arrythmogenic peri-infarct region. Clinical follow-up was performed. RESULTS: Pain to balloon time was 18 hr (95% CI 15.5-21.2 h), and Q waves were present in 87%. Angioplasty was performed with PEP in 15 and without in 16. Left ventricular (LV) volumes and ejection fraction were similar (EF 46.9% vs. 49.0% without PEP, P = 0.9). Although myocardial necrosis was similar (32.5 vs. 37.3% of LV, P = 0.3), PEP improved microvascular obstruction (8.7 vs. 11.2% of LV, P = 0.02) salvaged myocardium (39.6% vs. 29.6% of area at risk, P = 0.001), and the peri-infarct region (20.9 vs. 29.6% of infarct, P < 0.0001). On multivariate analysis, the use of PEP was an independent predictor of decreased arrythmogenic peri-infarct region and greater myocardial salvage. CONCLUSION: In this pilot study, PEP improved myocardial salvage and the arrythmogenic peri-infarct region in late-presentation STEMI. Randomized trials are required to assess the clinical impact of improving salvaged myocardium and the peri-infarct region with PEP.

What do cancer patients' relatives think about addressing cancer family history and performing genetic testing in palliative care?

Palliative care may be an opportunity to discuss cancer family history and familial cancer risks with patients' relatives. It may also represent the last opportunity to collect, from dying patients, clinical data and biospecimens that will inform cancer risk assessment and prevention in their surviving relatives. This study aims to explore the perspectives of cancer patients' relatives about cancer heritability, addressing cancer family history, and performing genetic testing in palliative care settings. Thirteen first-degree relatives of cancer patients who died in palliative care participated in the study. Two focus groups were conducted and transcribed verbatim. Two independent coders conducted a thematic content analysis. The themes included: (1) Knowledge of cancer heritability; (2) Experiences and expectations regarding cancer family history discussions, and (3) Views on genetic testing in palliative care patients and DNA biobanking. Participants seemed aware that cancer family history is a potential risk factor for developing the disease. They considered the palliative care period an inappropriate moment to discuss cancer heritability. They also did not consider palliative care providers as appropriate resources to consult for such matters as they are not specialized in this field. Participants welcomed DNA biobanking and genetic testing conducted at the palliative care patients' request. Cancer occurrence within families raises concerns among relatives about cancer heritability, but the palliative care period is not considered the most appropriate moment to address this issue. However, discussions about the risk to cancer patients' relatives might need to be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Nonrandomized comparison of coronary artery bypass surgery and percutaneous coronary intervention for the treatment of unprotected left main coronary artery disease in octogenarians.

BACKGROUND: The objective of the present study was to compare the midterm follow-up results of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and coronary bypass graft surgery (CABG) for the treatment of unprotected left main coronary artery disease in octogenarians. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 249 consecutive patients > or =80 years of age diagnosed with left main coronary artery disease underwent coronary revascularization in our center between January 2002 and January 2008; 145 patients underwent CABG, and 104 patients had PCI. Major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE [cardiac death, myocardial infarction, cerebrovascular event, revascularization]) were evaluated at a mean follow-up of 23 +/- 16 months. Patients who underwent PCI were older; had higher creatinine levels, lower ejection fraction, and higher EuroSCORE; and presented more frequently with an acute coronary syndrome. Drug-eluting stents were used in 48% of PCI patients. A propensity score analysis was performed to adjust for baseline differences between the 2 groups. Survival free of cardiac death or myocardial infarction (PCI, 65.4%; CABG, 69.7%) and MACCE-free survival (PCI, 56.7%; CABG, 64.8%) at follow-up were similar between the groups (adjusted hazard ratio for survival free of cardiac death or myocardial infarction, 1.28; 95% CI, 0.64 to 2.56; P=0.47; adjusted hazard ratio for MACCE-free survival, 1.11; 95% CI, 0.59 to 2.0; P=0.73). The EuroSCORE value was an independent predictor of MACCE regardless of the type of revascularization (hazard ratio, 1.17 for each EuroSCORE increase of 1 point; 95% CI, 1.09 to 1.25; P<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: In this single-center, nonrandomized study, there were no significant differences in cardiac death or myocardial infarction and MACCE between CABG and PCI for the treatment of left main coronary artery disease in octogenarians after a mean follow-up of 2 years. Baseline EuroSCORE was the most important predictor of MACCE regardless of the type of revascularization. Randomized studies comparing both revascularization strategies in this high-risk coronary population are warranted.

Incidence, predictors, and clinical impact of bleeding after transradial coronary stenting and maximal antiplatelet therapy.

BACKGROUND: Bleeding has recently emerged as predictor of early and late mortality after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) using femoral approach. Transradial PCI is associated with a lower risk of access-site complications than femoral approach. We evaluated the predictors of bleeding and the impact of major bleeding on death and major adverse cardiac events (MACE) after transradial PCI and maximal antiplatelet therapy. METHODS: In the EASY (EArly discharge after transradial Stenting of coronarY arteries) trial, 1,348 patients with acute coronary syndrome were enrolled and underwent transradial PCI. All patients received clopidogrel (90% > or =12 hours pre-PCI) and a bolus of abciximab before first balloon inflation. Univariate and multivariate analyses to identify predictors and prognostic impact of major bleeding on death and MACE (death, myocardial infarction, and target vessel revascularization) were performed. RESULTS: From the study population, 19 (1.4%) patients presented major bleeding. Patients with bleeding were older, had lower creatinine clearance, more often had 3-vessel disease and > or =3 dilated sites, and had longer procedures. Independent predictors of bleeding were creatinine clearance <60 mL/min (odds ratio [OR] 3.26, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.10-8.67, P = .022), procedure duration (OR 2.95, 95% CI 1.12-8.31, P = .032), and sheath size (OR 5.34, 95% CI 1.44-34.65, P = .029). In patients with major bleeding, the incidence of MACE was higher at 30 days (37% vs 3%), 6 months (42% vs 8%), and 12 months (53% vs 12%; P < .0001 for all comparisons). By multivariate analysis, major bleeding was an independent predictive factor of 1-year mortality and MACE. CONCLUSION: After transradial PCI and maximal antiplatelet therapy, the incidence of major bleeding remains low. Major bleeding is an independent predictive factor of adverse acute and 1-year outcomes, regardless of the access site.

Impact of female gender and transradial coronary stenting with maximal antiplatelet therapy on bleeding and ischemic outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Female gender has been associated with poorer outcomes after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and femoral approach. However, no data are available on the impact of gender and transradial PCI with maximal antiplatelet therapy on bleeding and ischemic outcomes. METHODS: In the EArly discharge after Stenting of coronarY arteries (EASY) trial, 1,348 patients with acute coronary syndrome underwent transradial PCI. All patients were pretreated with aspirin and clopidogrel. After sheath insertion, 70 U/kg heparin was administered and a bolus of abciximab was given before first balloon inflation. Major adverse cardiac events including death, myocardial infarction, and target vessel revascularization; major bleeding; and local hematomas were evaluated at 30 days, 6 months, and 12 months. RESULTS: Women (n = 298, 22%) were older, had more hypertension, more family history, and less previous PCI than men. Weight, baseline hemoglobin, and creatinine clearance were significantly lower in women. The number of dilated sites, complex lesions, and procedure duration was similar, but 5F sheath size was more frequent in women. Major adverse cardiac events remained similar at 30 days (3.4% vs 3.9%, P = .86), at 6 months (11.5% vs 7.8%, P = .06), and at 1 year (14.1% vs 12.6%) in both groups. There was no significant difference in the incidence of major bleeding between the 2 groups, but female gender was the only independent predictor of hematomas (odds ratio 4.40, 95% confidence interval 2.49-7.81, P < .0001). CONCLUSION: Despite more comorbidities, female gender was not a predictor of adverse clinical outcomes after transradial PCI with maximal antiplatelet therapy. Still, female gender remained associated with a higher risk of local hematomas. Efforts should continue to identify modifiable factors to reduce procedural bleeding in women, regardless of the access site.