Impact of electrocardiographic interpretability on outcome in patients referred for stress testing.

BACKGROUND: There is limited insight into the association of electrocardiographic interpretability with outcome in patients referred for stress testing. METHODS: Exercise echocardiography was performed in 8226 patients with known or suspected coronary artery disease. Electrocardiograms were considered uninterpretable in the presence of left bundle-branch block (LBBB), left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) with strain, repolarization abnormalities because of digitalis therapy, ventricular paced rhythm, preexcitation or ST depression ≥ 0.1 mV because of other causes. End points were all-cause mortality, cardiac death and hard cardiac events (i.e. cardiac death or nonfatal myocardial infarction). RESULTS: A total of 2450 patients had uninterpretable electrocardiograms. During a follow-up period of 4.1 ± 3.5 years, there were 1011 deaths (of which 478 were cardiac deaths) and 1069 patients experienced a hard cardiac event. The 5-year rates of death, cardiac death and hard cardiac events were, respectively, 18.7%, 10.9% and 18.8% in patients with uninterpretable ECGs, compared with 9.5%, 4.1% and 10.9% in those with interpretable ECGs (P < 0.001). After covariate adjustment, lack of ECG interpretability remained an independent predictor of all-cause mortality (hazard ratio [HR] 1.25, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.08-1.44, P = 0.002), cardiac death (HR 1.63, 95% CI 1.32-2.01, P < 0.001) and hard cardiac events (HR 1.28, 95% CI 1.11-1.47, P < 0.001). When the specific ECG abnormalities were included as covariates, LBBB, LVH and digitalis therapy remained predictors of cardiac death; LBBB and LVH were predictors of hard cardiac events, and LVH remained predictive of all-cause mortality. CONCLUSION: Uninterpretable ECGs portend a worse prognosis in patients referred for stress testing.

Left atrial size and risk for all-cause mortality and ischemic stroke.

BACKGROUND: Limited data are available on the relation between left atrial size and outcome among patients referred for clinically indicated echocardiograms. Our aim was to assess the association of left atrial size with all-cause mortality and ischemic stroke in a large cohort of patients referred for echocardiography. METHODS: Left atrial diameter was measured in 52 639 patients aged 18 years or older (mean age 61.8 [standard deviation (SD) 16.3] years; 52.9% men) who underwent a first transthoracic echocardiogram for clinical reasons at our institution between April 1990 and March 2008. The outcomes were all-cause mortality and nonfatal ischemic stroke. RESULTS: Based on the criteria of the American Society of Echocardiography, 50.4% of the patients had no left atrial enlargement, whereas 24.5% had mild, 13.3% had moderate and 11.7% had severe left atrial enlargement. Over a mean follow-up period of 5.5 (SD 4.1) years, 12 527 patients died, and 2314 patients had a nonfatal ischemic stroke. Cumulative 10-year survival was 73.7% among patients with normal left atrial size, 62.5% among those with mild enlargement, 54.8% among those with moderate enlargement and 45% among those with severe enlargement (p < 0.001). After adjustment in multivariable Cox proportional hazard analysis, left atrial diameter remained a predictor of all-cause mortality in both sexes (hazard ratio [HR] per 1-cm increment in left atrial size 1.17, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.12-1.22, p < 0.001 in women, and HR 1.09, 95% CI 1.05-1.13, p < 0.001 in men) and of ischemic stroke in women (HR 1.25, 95% CI 1.14-1.37, p < 0.001). INTERPRETATION: Left atrial diameter has a graded and independent association with all-cause mortality in both sexes and with ischemic stroke in women.

Value of exercise echocardiography for predicting mortality in elderly patients.

BACKGROUND: Elderly patients with suspected or known coronary artery disease are often referred for pharmacological stress testing. Data on the value of exercise echocardiography (ExEcho) for predicting outcome (particularly all-cause mortality) in these patients are scarce. METHODS: Peak treadmill ExEcho was performed in 2159 patients ≥ 70 years of age with known or suspected coronary artery disease. Left ventricular wall motion was evaluated at baseline and with exercise, and the increase in wall motion score index from rest to peak exercise (ΔWMSI) was calculated. Ischaemia was diagnosed when new or worsening wall motion abnormalities developed with exercise. The end points were all-cause mortality and major cardiac events (cardiac death or myocardial infarction). RESULTS: Ischaemia developed in 844 patients (38·6%) during exercise. Over a mean follow-up of 3·5 ± 3·1 years, 439 deaths occurred. The cumulative 5-year mortality rate was 29·3% in patients with ischaemia versus 16·8% in those without ischaemia (P < 0·001). After covariate adjustment, ΔWMSI remained an independent predictor of mortality [hazard ratio (HR) 2·37, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1·66-3·39, P < 0·001] and major cardiac events (HR 3·48, 95% CI 2·11-5·74, P < 0·001). These results remained significant even in patients with chronotropic incompetence. When added to a model with clinical, resting echocardiographic and exercise electrocardiogram variables, ExEcho results provided incremental value for the prediction of both end points (P < 0·001). CONCLUSIONS: ExEcho is feasible in elderly patients with suspected or known coronary artery disease and provides useful information for risk stratification in these patients.

Validación de clasificaciones de pie diabético en Argentina / Validation of diabetic foot classifications in Argentina

Introducción: las clasificaciones de pie diabético (PD) son una herramienta que tienen el objetivo de mejorar la comunicación entre los profesionales, la referencia y contrarreferencia; proporcionar un pronóstico; ayudar en la valoración de las lesiones, y contribuir con fines estadísticos. Objetivos: describir las características de los pacientes que se presentaron al consultorio o a la guardia con un PD durante un período de 3 meses, determinar el riesgo según cinco clasificaciones (Texas, IDSA, San Elián, WIfI y SINBAD) y evaluar su evolución a 6 meses en relación con el grado de gravedad determinada por cada clasificación. Materiales y métodos: se analizaron 312 pacientes de 15 instituciones en Argentina. Para el análisis se utilizó la calculadora de clasificaciones de pie diabético/score de riesgo del Comité de Pie Diabético de la Sociedad Argentina de Diabetes. Resultados: el 43% de los pacientes (n=133) requirió internación al momento de la primera consulta y el 61% (n=189) había consultado previamente. El porcentaje de amputación mayor total fue de 8,33% (IC 95%; 5,5-11,9) (n=26) y el de amputación menor de 29,17% (IC 95%; 24,2-34,6) (n=91). A los 6 meses, el porcentaje de muerte fue de 4,49% (IC 95%; 2,5-7,4) (n=14), el 24,3% (IC 95%;19,6-29,5) presentaba la herida aún abierta (n=76), el 58,0% (IC 95%; 52,3-66,5) (n=181) cicatrizó y el 7,37% se perdió del seguimiento (n=23). Las clasificaciones de San Elián y WIfI se relacionaron con amputación mayor, cicatrización y muerte. En relación a la clasificación de Texas, el 49% de los pacientes presentó herida penetrante a hueso o articulación (Texas 3), con o sin infección. El 65,3% de las amputaciones mayores y el 78,6% de las muertes se produjeron en pacientes con isquemia. El punto de corte de San Elián para amputación mayor fue 20. Conclusiones: conocer los datos locales permite organizar los recursos para mejorar la atención de los pacientes.

Introduction: the classifications of diabetic foot (DF) are a tool that aims to improve communication between professionals, referral and counter-referral, provide a prognosis, help in the assessment of lesions, and contribute to statistical purposes. Objectives: to describe the characteristics of patients who presented to the clinic or emergency department with DF over a period of 3 months, determine the risk according to 5 classifications (Texas, IDSA, SEWSS, WIfI, and SINBAD), and evaluate their evolution at 6 months in relation to the severity degree determined by each classification. Materials and methods: 312 patients from 15 institutions in Argentina were analyzed. The Diabetic Foot Classification Calculator/Risk Score from the Diabetic Foot Committee of the Argentina Argentina Diabetes Society was used for the analysis. Results: 43% of patients (n=133) required hospitalization at the time of the first consultation and 61% (n=189) had previously consulted. The total major amputation percentage was 8.33% (95%CI; 5.5-11.9) (n=26), and the minor amputation percentage was 29.17% (95% CI; 24.2-34.6) (n=91). At 6 months, the death rate was 4.49% (95% CI; 2.5-7.4) (n=14), 24.3% (95% CI; 19.629.5) had an open wound (n=76), 58.0% (95% CI; 52.3-66.5) (n=181) had healed, and 7.37% were lost to follow-up (n=23). The SEWSS and WIfI classifications were related to major amputation, healing, and death. Regarding the Texas classification, 49% of patients had a penetrating wound to bone or joint (Texas 3), with or without infection. 65.3% of major amputations and 78.6% of deaths occurred in patients with ischemia. The SEWSS cut-off point for major amputation was 20. Conclusions: knowing local data allows organizing resources to improve patient care.

Recomendaciones de práctica clínica: diagnóstico de osteomielitis en pie diabético / Clinical practice recommendations for the diagnosis of osteomyelitis in the diabetic foot

Resumen La osteomielitis (OM) es una complicación de las úlceras en pie diabético que habitualmente es subdiagnosticada y tratada en forma tardía e inadecuada. La demora en el tratamiento de estos pacientes aumenta el riesgo de amputación. En esta revisión, se analiza la bibliografía actual acerca del diagnóstico de OM y se realizan recomendaciones en base a la misma, y a las características de los pacientes, los insumos y las posibilidades en nuestro medio.

Abstract Diabetic foot osteomyelitis (OM) is a diabetic foot ulcer complication. Usually, it is misdiagnosed and the treatment is delayed and inadequate. Delaying the treatment of these patients rises the risk of amputation. In this revision, current bibliography about this topic is updated and clinical practice recommendations are done, based on the publications and adapted to the characteristics of our country.

Recomendaciones de práctica clínica: diagnóstico de osteomielitis en pie diabético / Clinical practice recommendations for the diagnosis of osteomyelitis in the diabetic foot

La osteomielitis (OM) es una complicación de las úlceras en pie diabético que habitualmente es subdiagnosticada y tratada en forma tardía e inadecuada. La demora en el tratamiento de estos pacientes aumenta el riesgo de amputación. En esta revisión, se analiza la bibliografía actual acerca del diagnóstico de OM y se realizan recomendaciones en base a la misma, y a las características de los pacientes, los insumos y las posibilidades en nuestro medio.

Diabetic foot osteomyelitis (OM) is a diabetic foot ulcer complication. Usually, it is misdiagnosed and the treatment is delayed and inadequate. Delaying the treatment of these patients rises the risk of amputation. In this revision, current bibliography about this topic is updated and clinical practice recommendations are done, based on the publications and adapted to the characteristics of our country

Effect of atrial fibrillation on outcome in patients with known or suspected coronary artery disease referred for exercise stress testing.

The association of atrial fibrillation (AF) with coronary artery disease (CAD) remains controversial. In addition, the relation of AF to myocardial ischemia and outcomes in patients with known or suspected CAD referred for exercise stress testing has been poorly explored. In this study, 17,100 patients aged > or = 50 years with known or suspected CAD who underwent exercise electrocardiography (n = 11,911) or exercise echocardiography (n = 5,189) were evaluated. End points were all-cause mortality, nonfatal myocardial infarction, and coronary revascularization. Overall, 619 patients presented with AF at the time of the tests. Patients with AF who had interpretable electrocardiograms had a lower likelihood of exercise-induced ischemic ST-segment abnormalities (adjusted odds ratio 0.51, 95% confidence interval 0.34 to 0.76, p = 0.001), and those with AF who underwent exercise echocardiography had a lower likelihood of new or worsening exercise-induced wall motion abnormalities (adjusted odds ratio 0.62, 95% confidence interval 0.44 to 0.87, p = 0.006). During a mean follow-up period of 6.5 + or - 3.9 years, 2,364 patients died, 1,311 had nonfatal myocardial infarctions, 1,615 underwent percutaneous coronary intervention, and 922 underwent coronary artery bypass surgery. The 10-year mortality rate was 43% in patients with AF compared to 19% in those without AF (p <0.001). In multivariate analysis, AF remained an independent predictor of all-cause mortality (adjusted hazard ratio 1.45, 95% confidence interval 1.20 to 1.76, p <0.001), but not of nonfatal myocardial infarction or coronary revascularization. In conclusion, despite being associated with an apparently lower likelihood of myocardial ischemia, AF was an independent predictor of all-cause mortality in patients with known or suspected CAD referred for exercise stress testing.