Massive Transfusion in Cardiac Surgery: The Impact of Blood Component Ratios on Clinical Outcomes and Survival.

BACKGROUND: Cardiac surgery is the most common setting for massive transfusion in medically advanced countries. Studies of massive transfusion after injury suggest that the ratios of administered plasma and platelets (PLT) to red blood cells (RBCs) affect mortality. Data from the Red Cell Storage Duration Study (RECESS), a large randomized trial of the effect of RBC storage duration in patients undergoing complex cardiac surgery, were analyzed retrospectively to investigate the association between blood component ratios used in massively transfused patients and subsequent clinical outcomes. METHODS: Massive transfusion was defined as those who had ≥6 RBC units or ≥8 total blood components. For plasma, high ratio was defined as ≥1 plasma unit:1 RBC unit. For PLT transfusion, high ratio was defined as ≥0.2 PLT doses:1 RBC unit; PLT dose was defined as 1 apheresis PLT or 5 whole blood PLT equivalents. The clinical outcomes analyzed were mortality and the change in the Multiple Organ Dysfunction Score (ΔMODS) comparing the preoperative score with the highest composite score through the earliest of death, discharge, or day 7. Outcomes were compared between patients transfused with high and low ratios. Linear and Cox regression were used to explore relationships between predictors and continuous outcomes and time to event outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 324 subjects met the definition of massive transfusion. In those receiving high plasma:RBC ratio, the mean (SE) 7- and 28-day ΔMODS was 1.24 (0.45) and 1.26 (0.56) points lower, (P = .007 and P = .024), respectively, than in patients receiving lower ratios. In patients receiving high PLT:RBC ratio, the mean (SE) 7- and 28-day ΔMODS were 1.55 (0.53) and 1.49 (0.65) points lower (P = .004 and P = .022), respectively. Subjects who received low-ratio plasma:RBC transfusion had excess 7-day mortality compared with those who received high ratio (7.2% vs 1.7%, respectively, P = .0318), which remained significant at 28 days (P = .035). The ratio of PLT:RBCs was not associated with differences in mortality. CONCLUSIONS: This analysis found that in complex cardiac surgery patients who received massive transfusion, there was an association between the composition of blood products used and clinical outcomes. Specifically, there was less organ dysfunction in those who received high-ratio transfusions (plasma:RBCs and PLT:RBCs), and lower mortality in those who received high-ratio plasma:RBC transfusions.

Utilizing a Collaborative Learning Model to Promote Early Extubation Following Infant Heart Surgery.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether a collaborative learning strategy-derived clinical practice guideline can reduce the duration of endotracheal intubation following infant heart surgery. DESIGN: Prospective and retrospective data collected from the Pediatric Heart Network in the 12 months pre- and post-clinical practice guideline implementation at the four sites participating in the collaborative (active sites) compared with data from five Pediatric Heart Network centers not participating in collaborative learning (control sites). SETTING: Ten children's hospitals. PATIENTS: Data were collected for infants following two-index operations: 1) repair of isolated coarctation of the aorta (birth to 365 d) and 2) repair of tetralogy of Fallot (29-365 d). There were 240 subjects eligible for the clinical practice guideline at active sites and 259 subjects at control sites. INTERVENTIONS: Development and application of early extubation clinical practice guideline. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: After clinical practice guideline implementation, the rate of early extubation at active sites increased significantly from 11.7% to 66.9% (p < 0.001) with no increase in reintubation rate. The median duration of postoperative intubation among active sites decreased from 21.2 to 4.5 hours (p < 0.001). No statistically significant change in early extubation rates was found in the control sites 11.7% to 13.7% (p = 0.63). At active sites, clinical practice guideline implementation had no statistically significant impact on median ICU length of stay (71.9 hr pre- vs 69.2 hr postimplementation; p = 0.29) for the entire cohort. There was a trend toward shorter ICU length of stay in the tetralogy of Fallot subgroup (71.6 hr pre- vs 54.2 hr postimplementation, p = 0.068). CONCLUSIONS: A collaborative learning strategy designed clinical practice guideline significantly increased the rate of early extubation with no change in the rate of reintubation. The early extubation clinical practice guideline did not significantly change postoperative ICU length of stay.

Trap door: an alternative procedure to the triangular distal wedge for the elimination of distal periodontal pockets adjacent to edentulous areas.

The study compared a novel trap door (TD) technique with the triangular distal wedge (TW) procedure for the elimination of distal periodontal pockets adjacent to edentulous areas. Thirteen patients with suprabony pockets ≥ 5 mm at the distal surface of terminal molars bilaterally were included in this prospective, single-blinded, randomized clinical trial using a split-mouth design. The authors demonstrated the efficacy of an alternative TD technique in the elimination of the distal pockets adjacent to the terminal molars.

Comparison of preoperative computed tomography and surgical findings in maxillofacial infections.

PURPOSE: To examine the accuracy of computed tomography (CT) in predicting the presence of surgically confirmed abscess in patients presenting with deep maxillofacial infections (DMIs). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The medical records of 36 patients with clinically suspected DMI were reviewed. All patients underwent preoperative CT scan to determine whether abscess or cellulitis was present. The operative reports of all patients were compared with their preoperative CT scan findings. RESULTS: Of 36 patients, 30 had abscess predicted by preoperative CT scan. The positive predictive value for DMI based on CT findings interpreted by an oral surgeon and confirmed as an abscess at operation was 90%, whereas the negative predictive value was 33%. When findings were interpreted by a radiologist, the positive predictive value was 94.1% whereas the negative predictive value was 26.3%. Thirty patients had abscess predicted by preoperative CT scan when interpreted by an oral surgeon, whereas seventeen had abscess predicted by a radiologist. At operation, 3 of 30 patients had cellulitis whereas 27 had abscess, for a false-positive rate of 60% and false-negative rate of 12.9%. On the basis of preoperative radiography, 1 of 17 patients had cellulitis whereas 16 had abscess, for a false-positive rate of 16.7% and a false-negative rate of 46.7%. The agreement between CT and operative findings in predicting abscess by an oral surgeon was 80.6% and by a radiologist was 58.3%. CONCLUSION: CT yielded high sensitivity for the detection of DMI abscess but poor specificity, likely because of the paucity of cellulitis.

Marginal microleakage of triage sealant under different moisture contamination.

PURPOSE: Glass ionomer sealants (GISs) are promoted in pediatric dentistry for their moisture-friendly properties. This study's purpose was to investigate the marginal leakage of a glass ionomer sealant (Fuji Triage) under different moisture environments. METHODS: Eighty extracted teeth were distributed into 4 groups: (1) control; (2) saliva contamination with 1-second air-thinning; (3) saliva contamination with 10 seconds of air-drying; and (4) saliva contamination with reconditioning. Sealants were placed after contamination. All extracted teeth underwent thermocycling followed by 1% methylene blue dye and distilled water wash. All extracted teeth were then sectioned buccolingually into 3 cross-sections and examined at 60X under a stereomicroscope. Microleakage was assessed using a dye penetration scoring system (score=0-3). Data were analyzed with Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests. RESULTS: The control group showed significantly lower marginal leakage than the other 3 groups (P<.02). There was no statistically significant difference among the 3 contaminated groups (P>.34). CONCLUSIONS: Fuji Triage sealant had the least marginal leakage under a moisture-controlled environment. When saliva was introduced during the application of the material, microleakage significantly increased. When contamination occurred, 1-second air-thinning of the saliva, 10-second air-drying of the saliva, or reconditioning before sealant application did not show a difference in decreasing microleakage.

Fears and concerns of individuals contemplating esthetic restorative dentistry.

Questionnaires that focus on the fear of dental treatment typically include a narrow list of previous treatment-related factors. By omitting items concerned with psychologic, emotional, and interpersonal traits that impact treatment, practitioners often fail to gain additional valuable information on related anxiety issues. This study was undertaken to identify previously unrecognized or poorly discussed sources of fear and anxiety in patients seeking esthetic dental treatment. The Esthetic Clinic at Tufts University School of Dental Medicine recruited 62 participants who were asked to score their level of anxieties and concerns based on 24 different items on a 0 to 5 Likert scale. In addition, age, gender, and type of procedure in consideration were the only other variables recorded. The item that elicited the highest level of anxiety was "not feeling happy with my new smile." Thirty-eight respondents (61.3%) said they feel "markedly anxious"or "severely anxious" or answered "avoid completely." Concerns "that the outcome might look false and unnatural" or "that the dentist might not redo it if I am not satisfied with the outcome" both received 37 out of 62 (59.7%) similar responses. These results suggest obstacles to treatment exist not only in areas typically investigated but also in factors rarely discussed during the patient-practitioner encounter. The practitioner needs to consider a broader range of issues when addressing the patient's concerns.

Prevalence of ICD-9-CM codes for chronic kidney disease in individuals with cardiovascular disease risk factors.

BACKGROUND: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). METHODS: We determined the prevalence of diagnosed CKD in 87,128 members older than 40 years of age without CVD who were enrolled in a regional medical care plan with at least 1 claim for medical care. RESULTS: The prevalence of diagnosed CKD was 4%, and 8%, 6%, 5% and 10% in patients with diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia and all 3 risk factors, respectively. In multivariate analysis, the odd ratios for CKD were 1.8 (95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.7-2.0) for older age, 2.5 (95% CI, 2.3-2.8) for diabetes, 2.2 (95% CI, 2.2-2.4) for hypertension, 1.5 (95% CI, 1.4-1.7) for hyperlipidemia and 4.4 (95% CI, 2.8, 5.1) for all 3 risk factors. CONCLUSION: Prevalence of diagnosed CKD among patients with CVD risk factors is low but increases with age and number of risk factors, suggesting inadequate awareness of CKD. This may have implications for control of CVD risk factors in patients with CKD.

Sensitivity of direct tissue fluorescence visualization in screening for oral premalignant lesions in general practice.

Various specialty clinics and research centers have conducted studies of direct tissue fluorescence visualization as a screening technique for oral premalignant lesions and early oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). The effectiveness of the VELscope in a private practice setting is unknown. This pilot study is the first report to assess the VELscope system as a screening adjunct among lower-risk populations seen by a primary care clinician in a general practice setting. This study involved a retrospective comparison of two oral cancer screening examination protocols conducted on a presumably low-risk patient population seen in a private general dentistry practice. For one year, all patients age 12 or older received oral examinations, according to a standard oral cancer screening protocol. The following year, the same population was examined according to the same protocol with the addition of direct tissue fluorescence visualization using the VELscope. Screening with incandescent light examination yielded a prevalence of mucosal abnormalities of 0.83%, none of wich were premalignant. Screening with incandescent light examination combined with direct tissue fluorescence visualization yielded a 1.3% prevalence of mucosal abnormalities; based on surgical biopsy and histopathologic examination, 83% of these were potentially premalignant epithelial dysplasia.

The effect of a selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor (celecoxib) on chronic periodontitis.

BACKGROUND: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents inhibit the production of cyclooxygenase (COX) products and can attenuate bone loss. In this double-masked, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial, the efficacy of celecoxib (COX-2 inhibitor) was evaluated in conjunction with scaling and root planing (SRP) in subjects with chronic periodontitis (CP). METHODS: A total of 131 subjects were randomized to receive SRP and either celecoxib (200 mg) or placebo every day for 6 months. Clinical outcomes were assessed every 3 months for 12 months as mean changes from baseline. Primary efficacy parameters included clinical attachment level (CAL) and probing depth (PD). Secondary outcomes included percentages of tooth sites with CAL loss or gain > or =2 mm, changes in bleeding on probing (BOP), plaque index, and mobility. Prior to analysis, tooth sites were grouped based on baseline PD as shallow (1 to 3 mm), moderate (4 to 6 mm), or deep (> or =7 mm). RESULTS: Mean PD reduction and CAL gain were greater in the celecoxib group, primarily in moderate and deep sites, throughout the study (PD: 3.84 mm versus 2.06 mm, P <0.001; CAL: 3.74 mm versus 1.43 mm, P <0.0001 for deep sites at 12 months). The celecoxib group also exhibited a greater percentage of sites with > or =2 mm CAL gain and fewer sites with > or =2 mm CAL loss. Both groups showed improved plaque control and BOP scores. Demographic, social, and behavioral factors did not affect treatment outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Celecoxib can be an effective adjunctive treatment to SRP to reduce progressive attachment loss in subjects with CP. Its beneficiary effect persisted even at 6 months postadministration. However, given the increased cardiovascular risks associated with the use of this drug, close patient supervision and strict adherence to dosage and administration guidelines established by the Unites States Food and Drug Administration are of paramount importance.

Comparison of microleakage between bulk-fill flowable and nanofilled resin-based composites.

AIM: The objective was to compare the marginal leakage (silver nitrate uptake) of nanohybrid resin-based composite (RBC) and two bulk-fill flowable RBCs with specific clinical protocols. METHODS: Four experimental groups of RBC were investigated including conventional composite Filtek™ Supreme in 2 mm increment (FS2), Filtek™ Supreme in 4 mm increment (FS4), Filtek™ Supreme Flowable (BFF), and SureFil® SDR® flow (SDR). Class II box preparation (4 × 4 × 3 mm) in extracted intact human molars was carried out and restored using the experimental groups, all according to the manufacturers' recommendations except FS4. Samples were aged by thermocycling (2,000 cycles). Microleakage was calculated by measuring dye penetration in sectioned teeth using a stereomicroscope. Level of significance was set at P < 0.05. RESULTS: BFF and FS2 exhibited the least dye penetration and microleakage measurement with no significant difference between the two groups, followed by SDR. FS4 showed the highest microleakage with significant difference in comparison with BFF and FS2. Gingival microleakage was found to be significantly higher than occlusal microleakage. CONCLUSION: The microleakage of the bulk-fill composites BFF and SDR are comparable with conventional composite FS2; however, it is more predictable to use FS2.

Microbiologic Findings in Relation to Risk Assessment for Periodontal Disease: A Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND: In this study, an association between a computerized risk calculator and microbiologic testing is examined in patients with periodontitis. METHODS: Seventy-four patients with moderate and severe periodontitis were selected from patients receiving treatment at Tufts University School of Dental Medicine. Their periodontal risk was analyzed with a periodontitis risk assessment tool, and microbiologic testing was performed. Periodontitis risk assessment and microbiologic testing were examined for a possible association. The data were evaluated by the χ(2) test at P <0.05 levels. RESULTS: Forty-six patients scored as having a "very high" risk of periodontitis and 22 patients scored as having a "high" risk of periodontitis by the risk assessment tool. Patients with a risk score of very high risk showed a higher detection of each bacterium except Capnocytophaga species than the rest of the study population. Treponema denticola and Prevotella intermedia (P = 0.01 and P = 0.02, respectively) were two bacteria that showed a statistically significant difference between patients at very high risk and those at high risk. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with periodontitis were identified as high risk and very high risk compared with the rest of the risk categories by the risk assessment tool. The study population, categorized mostly as very high risk, showed high detection of putative periodontal bacteria.

Prospective Clinical and Radiographic Study of Alveolar Ridge Preservation Combining Freeze-Dried Bone Allograft With Two Xenogeneic Collagen Matrices.

BACKGROUND: Tooth extractions are followed by significant dimensional changes in the alveolar crest that may preclude implant placement. This randomized, controlled, prospective compares the preservation of soft and hard tissue dimensional changes after alveolar ridge preservation (ARP) using two membranes consisting of collagen matrix (CM) or extracellular matrix (ECM) as barriers over freeze-dried bone allograft (FDBA). METHODS: Standardized clinical and radiographic measurements of soft and hard tissues were recorded by means of a stent before and 4 months after ARP. The surgery entailed sulcular incisions with minimal flap elevation and repositioning without advancement. RESULTS: Of 11 patients in the CM group and 12 in the ECM group who completed the study, gingival thickness (GT) increased from 0.1 to 0.2 mm for both groups along with a 0.5-mm decrease in the width of keratinized tissue after healing. Reductions in ridge width were most pronounced on the coronal aspect, 1.8 mm for CM and 2.0 mm for ECM, whereas vertical reduction was most pronounced on the buccal aspect, 0.7 to 1.0 mm. Differences between groups were not statistically significant. However, significant correlation for changes in GT (P = 0.001) and crestal bone width (P = 0.002) with preoperative buccal plate thickness (BPT) was observed. CONCLUSIONS: Both xenogeneic collagen matrices combined with FDBA were effective in maintaining soft tissues and minimizing ridge resorption in all dimensions after ARP. BPT was an important determinant for amount of change in crestal GT and ridge width.

Hematocrit and left ventricular mass: the Framingham Heart study.

OBJECTIVES: The goal of this study was to investigate the relationship between hematocrit (Hct) and left ventricular mass index (LVMI) and LV hypertrophy (LVH) in subjects without known hypertension or cardiovascular disease in the Framingham Heart study. BACKGROUND: Anemia may be an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease in the general population. One potential explanation for this finding could be an association between Hct with LVMI or LVH. METHODS: Linear and logistic regression analyses were used to evaluate the association between Hct with LVMI and LVH. All analyses were stratified by gender and further according to menopausal status in women. RESULTS: There were 1,376 men and 1,769 women who met the inclusion criteria. The mean Hct and LVMI were 46.5% and 41.9%, and 127.3 and 95.8 g/m, respectively, in men and women. After adjustment for confounders, each 3% lower Hct was associated with a 2.6 g/m higher mean LVMI in men, and a 1.8 g/m higher mean LVMI in postmenopausal women (p < 0.05). There was a significant quadratic relationship between Hct and LVMI in premenopausal women (p < 0.01). Subjects in the lowest quartile of Hct (compared with the rest of the sample) had an adjusted odds ratio of LVH of 2.0 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.3 to 3.0) in men and 1.4 (95% CI 0.8 to 2.4) in postmenopausal women. CONCLUSIONS: In a sample without known hypertension or cardiovascular disease, a lower Hct is associated with echocardiographically determined LVH in men and a small but significantly higher LVMI in men and postmenopausal women. The clinical importance of these findings remains unknown.

Fungal levels in the home and allergic rhinitis by 5 years of age.

Studies have repeatedly demonstrated that sensitization to fungi, such as Alternaria, is strongly associated with allergic rhinitis and asthma in children. However, the role of exposure to fungi in the development of childhood allergic rhinitis is poorly understood. In a prospective birth cohort of 405 children of asthmatic/allergic parents from metropolitan Boston, Massachusetts, we examined in-home high fungal concentrations (> 90th percentile) measured once within the first 3 months of life as predictors of doctor-diagnosed allergic rhinitis in the first 5 years of life. In multivariate Cox regression analyses, predictors of allergic rhinitis included high levels of dust-borne Aspergillus [hazard ratio (HR) = 3.27; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.50-7.14], Aureobasidium (HR = 3.04; 95% CI, 1.33-6.93), and yeasts (HR = 2.67; 95% CI, 1.26-5.66). The factors controlled for in these analyses included water damage or mild or mildew in the building during the first year of the child's life, any lower respiratory tract infection in the first year, male sex, African-American race, fall date of birth, and maternal IgE to Alternaria > 0.35 U/mL. Dust-borne Alternaria and nonsporulating and total fungi were also predictors of allergic rhinitis in models excluding other fungi but adjusting for all of the potential confounders listed above. High measured fungal concentrations and reports of water damage, mold, or mildew in homes may predispose children with a family history of asthma or allergy to the development of allergic rhinitis.

Optical coherence tomography longitudinal evaluation of retinal nerve fiber layer thickness in glaucoma.

OBJECTIVES: To longitudinally evaluate optical coherence tomography (OCT) peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thickness measurements and to compare these measurements across time with clinical status and automated perimetry. METHODS: Retrospective evaluation of 64 eyes (37 patients) of glaucoma suspects or patients with glaucoma participating in a prospective longitudinal study. All participants underwent comprehensive clinical assessment, visual field (VF) testing, and OCT every 6 months. Field progression was defined as a reproducible decline of at least 2 dB in VF mean deviation from baseline. Progression of OCT was defined as reproducible mean retinal nerve fiber layer thinning of at least 20 mum. RESULTS: Each patient had a median of 5 usable OCT scans at median follow-up of 4.7 years. The difference in the linear regression slopes of retinal nerve fiber layer thickness between glaucoma suspects and patients with glaucoma was nonsignificant for all variables; however, Kaplan-Meier survival curve analysis demonstrated a higher progression rate by OCT vs VF. Sixty-six percent of eyes were stable throughout follow-up, whereas 22% progressed by OCT alone, 9% by VF mean deviation alone, and 3% by VF and OCT. CONCLUSIONS: A greater likelihood of glaucomatous progression was identified by OCT vs automated perimetry. This might reflect OCT hypersensitivity or true damage identified by OCT before detection by conventional methods.

Progression of chronic kidney disease: the role of blood pressure control, proteinuria, and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition: a patient-level meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors reduce blood pressure and urine protein excretion and slow the progression of chronic kidney disease. PURPOSE: To determine the levels of blood pressure and urine protein excretion associated with the lowest risk for progression of chronic kidney disease during antihypertensive therapy with and without ACE inhibitors. DATA SOURCES: 11 randomized, controlled trials comparing the efficacy of antihypertensive regimens with or without ACE inhibitors for patients with predominantly nondiabetic kidney disease. STUDY SELECTION: MEDLINE database search for English-language studies published between 1977 and 1999. DATA EXTRACTION: Data on 1860 nondiabetic patients were pooled in a patient-level meta-analysis. Progression of kidney disease was defined as a doubling of baseline serum creatinine level or onset of kidney failure. Multivariable regression analysis was performed to assess the association of systolic and diastolic blood pressure and urine protein excretion with kidney disease progression at 22 610 patient visits. DATA SYNTHESIS: Mean duration of follow-up was 2.2 years. Kidney disease progression was documented in 311 patients. Systolic blood pressure of 110 to 129 mm Hg and urine protein excretion less than 2.0 g/d were associated with the lowest risk for kidney disease progression. Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors remained beneficial after adjustment for blood pressure and urine protein excretion (relative risk, 0.67 [95% CI, 0.53 to 0.84]). The increased risk for kidney progression at higher systolic blood pressure levels was greater in patients with urine protein excretion greater than 1.0 g/d (P < 0.006). CONCLUSION: Although reverse causation cannot be excluded with certainty, a systolic blood pressure goal between 110 and 129 mm Hg may be beneficial in patients with urine protein excretion greater than 1.0 g/d. Systolic blood pressure less than 110 mm Hg may be associated with a higher risk for kidney disease progression.

Attributable mortality of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia bacteremia.

A systematic evaluation of the attributable mortality of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia bacteremia was undertaken in a matched, retrospective, case-control study. We determined the attributable mortality rate (26.7%) and mortality risk ratio (an 8-fold increase) of S. maltophilia bacteremia. The attributable mortality rate for S. maltophilia bacteremia is similar to the attributable mortality rate for other nosocomial bloodstream infections.

Reproducibility of nerve fiber thickness, macular thickness, and optic nerve head measurements using StratusOCT.

PURPOSE: The measurement reproducibility of the third generation of commercial optical coherence tomography, OCT-3 (StratusOCT, software ver. A2, Carl Zeiss Meditec Inc., Dublin, CA) was investigated. The nerve fiber layer (NFL) thickness, macula thickness map, and optic nerve head (ONH) parameters in normal eyes were studied. METHODS: Ten normal subjects were imaged six times (three before and three after dilation) per day, and the series was repeated on three different days. The order of the scans before pupil dilation was randomized in each of the 3 days of scanning. After pupil dilation, the scans were also randomized in each of the 3 days of scanning. Each series was performed separately for standard-density (128 A-scans per macular and ONH image and 256 A-scans per NFL image) and high-density (512 A-scans per image for all three scan types) scanning. RESULTS: The mean macular thickness was 235 +/- 9.8 micro m. A-scan density (or image acquisition speed) had a statistically significant effect (P < 0.05) on the reproducibility of the mean macular thickness, macular volume, and a few sectors of the macular map. No significant dilation effect was found for any of the macular parameters. The best intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC; 94%) for macular scans was found for dilated high-density scanning, with an intervisit SD of 2.4 micro m and an intravisit SD of 2.2 micro m. The mean NFL thickness for standard scanning was 98 +/- 9 micro m. NFL reproducibility showed mixed results and had interactions between scan density and dilation for some parameters. For most of the NFL parameters, reproducibility was better with dilated standard-density scanning. The mean NFL thickness ICC for dilated standard scanning was 79%, with an intervisit SD of 2.5 micro m and an intravisit SD of 1.6 micro m. For the ONH analysis, the reproducibility was better for dilated standard-density scanning for almost all the parameters, except for disc area, horizontal integrated rim volume, and vertical integrated rim area, which were better before dilation. The best reproducibility was found for cup-to-disc ratio (ICC = 97%, with intervisit SD of 0.04 micro m and intravisit SD of 0.02 micro m). CONCLUSIONS: StratusOCT demonstrated reproducible measurements of NFL thickness, macular thickness, and optic nerve head parameters. The best reproducibility was found for dilated standard scanning for NFL and ONH parameters and for dilated high-density scanning for macular parameters.

Kidney disease as a risk factor for recurrent cardiovascular disease and mortality.

BACKGROUND: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is highly prevalent in the United States and is an independent risk factor for adverse cardiovascular disease (CVD) and all-cause mortality outcomes in patients with acute coronary syndromes. Few studies have evaluated the effect of CKD on cardiovascular events in a diverse community-based population with underlying CVD. METHODS: Data for subjects with preexisting CVD were pooled from 4 publicly available, community-based, longitudinal studies: Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities, Cardiovascular Health Study, Framingham Heart Study, and Framingham Offspring Study. CKD was defined as an estimated glomerular filtration rate less than 60 mL/min/1.73 m2 (<1 mL/s/1.73 m2). The primary study outcome was a composite of myocardial infarction (MI), fatal coronary heart disease (CHD), stroke, and all-cause mortality. The secondary outcome included only MI and fatal CHD. RESULTS: A total of 4,278 subjects satisfied inclusion criteria, and 759 subjects (17.7%) had CKD. Mean follow-up was 86 months. The primary and secondary outcomes were observed in 1,703 (39.8%) and 857 subjects (20.0%), respectively. Incidence rates for the primary and secondary outcomes were greater in persons with CKD compared with those without CKD (62.5% versus 34.9% and 30.6% versus 17.8%, respectively). Adjusted hazard ratios for the primary and secondary outcomes were 1.35 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.21 to 1.52) and 1.32 (95% CI, 1.12 to 1.55), respectively. CONCLUSION: The presence of CKD in a community-based population with preexisting CVD is associated with an increased risk for recurrent CVD outcomes. This increased risk persists after adjustment for traditional CVD risk factors.

Meta-regression detected associations between heterogeneous treatment effects and study-level, but not patient-level, factors.

OBJECTIVE: Two investigations evaluate Bayesian meta-regression for detecting treatment interactions. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: The first compares analyses of aggregate and individual patient data on 1,860 subjects from 11 trials testing angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors for nondiabetic kidney disease. The second explores meta-regression for detecting treatment interaction on 671 covariates, including the baseline risk, from 232 meta-analyses of binary outcomes compiled from the Cochrane Collaboration and the medical literature. RESULTS: In the ACE inhibitor study, treatment effects were homogeneous so meta-regression identified no interactions. Analysis of individual patient data using a multilevel model, however, discovered that treatment reduced glomerular filtration rate (GFR) more among patients with higher baseline proteinuria. The second investigation found meta-regression most effective for detecting treatment interactions with study-level factors in meta-analyses with >10 studies, heterogeneous treatment effects, or significant overall treatment effects. Under all three conditions, 46% of meta-regressions produced strong interactions (posterior probability >0.995) compared with 6% otherwise. Baseline risk was associated with the odds ratio in 6% of meta-analyses, half the rate found using maximum likelihood. CONCLUSION: Meta-regression can detect interactions of treatment with study-level factors when treatment effects are heterogeneous. Individual patient data are needed for patient-level factors and homogeneous effects.