Association of Race and Ethnicity With Obstructive Coronary Artery Disease.

Background: Appropriate selection of patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD) for coronary angiography is dependent on the pretest probability of obstructive CAD; however, little is known about the potential differences in CAD by race and ethnic groups. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association of race and ethnicity with coronary obstruction in stable CAD. Methods: We evaluated first coronary angiography for CAD evaluation between 2012 and 2019 in Ontario, Canada. Race and ethnicity were identified by physicians. The main outcome was the rate of obstructive CAD (left main stenosis ≥50% or major epicardial vessel stenosis ≥70%). Multivariable logistic regression analyses evaluated the independent association of race and ethnicity with CAD. Results: Among 71,199 CAD patients, 14.0% were South Asian (SA), 4.4% were East Asian (EA), and 58,131 were White patients. SA patients were the youngest at 60.9 years vs 62.4 years for EA patients and 65.1 years for White patients but were most likely to have obstructive CAD (46.9%) (EA 43.0% and White patients 37.9%). SA patients had the highest prevalence of 3-vessel CAD at 13.4% (vs 12.5% in EA and 7.7% in White patients). The adjusted odds ratio was 67% higher (1.67; 95% CI: 1.59 to 1.75) for having obstructive CAD in SA patients than that in White patients. EA patients also had significantly increased adjusted odds of obstructive CAD compared with White patients (1.40; 95% CI: 1.29-1.52). Conclusions: SA patients were younger at presentation but had the highest adjusted odds of obstructive CAD. Incorporation of race and ethnicity information may improve risk-prediction tools for detection of coronary obstruction.

Central Hypertension in Patients With Thoracic Aortic Aneurysms: Prevalence and Association With Aneurysm Size and Growth.

BACKGROUND: Hypertension (HTN) has the greatest population-attributable risk for aortic dissection and is highly prevalent among patients with thoracic aortic aneurysms (TAAs). Although HTN is diagnosed based on brachial blood pressure (bBP), central HTN (central systolic blood pressure [cSBP] ≥130 mm Hg) is of interest as it better reflects blood pressure (BP) in the aorta. We aimed to (i) evaluate the prevalence of central HTN among TAA patients without a diagnosis of HTN, and (ii) assess associations of bBP vs. central blood pressure (cBP) with aneurysm size and growth. METHODS: One hundred and five unoperated subjects with TAAs were recruited. With validated methodology, cBP was assessed with applanation tonometry. Aneurysm size was assessed at baseline and follow-up using imaging modalities. Aneurysm growth rate was calculated in mm/year. Multivariable linear regression adjusted for potential confounders assessed associations of bBP and cBP with aneurysm size and growth. RESULTS: Seventy-seven percent of participants were men and 49% carried a diagnosis of HTN. Among participants without diagnosis of HTN, 15% had central HTN despite normal bBP ("occult central HTN"). In these patients, higher central systolic BP (cSBP) and central pulse pressure (cPP) were independently associated with larger aneurysm size (ß ± SE = 0.28 ± 0.11, P = 0.014 and cPP = 0.30 ± 0.11, P = 0.010, respectively) and future aneurysm growth (ß ± SE = 0.022 ± 0.008, P = 0.013 and 0.024 ± 0.009, P = 0.008, respectively) while bBP was not (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with TAAs without a diagnosis of HTN, central HTN is prevalent, and higher cBP is associated with larger aneurysms and faster aneurysm growth.

Sex-based differences in referral of heart failure patients to outpatient clinics: a scoping review.

BACKGROUND: Guidelines recommend that hospitalized patients newly diagnosed with HF be referred to an outpatient HF clinic (HFC) within 2 weeks of discharge. Our study aims were (i) to assess the current literary landscape on the impact of patient sex on HFC referral and outcomes and (ii) to provide a qualitative overview of possible considerations for the impact of sex on referral patterns and HF characteristics including aetiology, symptom severity, investigations undertaken and pharmacologic therapy. METHODS AND RESULTS: We conducted a scoping review using the Arksey and O'Malley framework and searched Medline, EMBASE, PsychINFO, Cochrane Library, Ageline databases and grey literature. Eligible articles included index HF hospitalizations or presentations to the Emergency Department (ED), a description of the HFC referral of patients not previously followed by an HF specialist and sex-specific analysis. Of the 11 372 potential studies, 8 met the inclusion criteria. These studies reported on a total of 11 484 participants, with sample sizes ranging between 168 and 3909 (25.6%-50.7% female). The included studies were divided into two groups: (i) those outlining the referral process to an HFC and (ii) studies which include patients newly enrolled in an HFC. Of the studies in Group 1, males (51%-82.4%) were more frequently referred to an HFC compared with females (29%-78.1%). Studies in Group 2 enrolled a higher proportion of males (62%-74% vs. 26%-38%). One study identified independent predictors of HFC referral which included male sex, younger age, and the presence of systolic dysfunction, the latter two more often found in males. Two studies, one from each group reported a higher mortality amongst males compared with females, whereas another study from Group 2 reported a higher hospitalization rate amongst females following HFC assessment. CONCLUSIONS: Males were more likely than females to be referred to HFCs after hospitalization and visits to the Emergency Department, however heterogeneity across studies precluded a robust assessment of sex-based differences in outcomes. This highlights the need for more comprehensive longitudinal data on HF patients discharged from the acute care setting to better understand the role of sex on patient outcomes.

Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm Growth in Bicuspid Aortic Valve Patients: Role of Aortic Stiffness and Pulsatile Hemodynamics.

Background Bicuspid aortic valve ( BAV ) is the most common congenital cardiac abnormality. A thoracic aortic aneurysm ( TAA ) is present in ≈50% of BAV patients, who also have an 8-fold higher risk of aortic dissection than the general population. Because the health of the aorta is directly reflected in its stiffness and pulsatile hemodynamics, we hypothesized that measures of aortic stiffness and arterial load would be associated with TAA growth in BAV . Methods and Results Twenty-nine unoperated participants with TAA due to BAV who had serial imaging were recruited. Aortic stiffness and steady and pulsatile arterial load were evaluated with validated methods that integrate arterial tonometry with echocardiography. TAA growth was assessed retrospectively based on available imaging, blinded to hemodynamic status. Multivariable linear regression assessed associations of aortic stiffness and hemodynamic variables with TAA growth, adjusting for potential confounders. Overall, 66% of participants were men. Mean±SD for age, baseline aneurysm size, growth rate, and follow-up time were 57.2±8.3 years, 46.9±3.6 mm, 0.75±0.81 mm/y, and 2.9±3.3 years, respectively. We found that greater aortic stiffness (ß± SE for carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity: 0.30±0.13. P=0.03) and aortic characteristic impedance (ß± SE : 0.46±0.18, P=0.02), as well as lower total arterial and proximal aortic compliance (ß± SE : -0.44±0.21, P=0.05, and -0.63±0.16, P=0.001, respectively) were independently associated with faster aneurysm growth. Conclusions In patients with TAA due to BAV , measures of greater aortic stiffness and pulsatile arterial load indicate an association with accelerated aneurysm expansion. Assessing arterial hemodynamics may be useful for risk stratification and disease monitoring in TAA patients with BAV .

Systematic review and meta-analysis on trimodal therapy versus radical cystectomy for muscle-invasive bladder cancer: Does the current quality of evidence justify definitive conclusions?

OBJECTIVES: To systematically review and meta-analyze the current literature in a methodologically rigorous and transparent manner for quantitative evidence on survival outcomes among patients diagnosed with muscle-invasive bladder cancer that were treated by either trimodal therapy or radical cystectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL were systematically searched for comparative observational studies reporting disease-specific survival and/or overall survival on adult patients diagnosed with localized muscle-invasive bladder cancer that were exposed to either trimodal therapy or radical cystectomy. Studies qualified for meta-analysis (random effects model) if they were not at critical risk of bias (RoB). RESULTS: The literature search identified 12 eligible studies. Three (all rated as "moderate RoB") out of 6 studies reporting on disease-specific survival qualified for quantitative analysis and yielded a pooled hazard ratio (trimodal therapy versus radical cystectomy) of 1.39 (95% confidence interval: 1.03-1.88). Four (mainly rated as "serious RoB") out of 12 studies were included in the meta-analysis of overall survival and estimated a hazard ratio of 1.39 (1.20-1.59). CONCLUSION: Pooled results were significant in favor of radical cystectomy. The conclusion is mainly driven by large population-based studies that are at high RoB. Hence, the certainty of these treatment estimates can be considered very low and further research will likely have an important impact on these estimates. At present, the ultimate decision between trimodal therapy and radical cystectomy should be left to the patient based on individual preferences and on the recommendation of a multidisciplinary provider team experienced with both approaches.

Is There a Role for Biweekly Romiplostim in the Management of Chronic Immune Thrombocytopenia (ITP)? A Report of Three Cases.

Romiplostim is a peptibody, which stimulates platelet production by a mechanism similar to that of endogenous thrombopoietin. It has an established indication as second-line therapy in patients with chronic immune thrombocytopenia (ITP). The agent is typically administered weekly; however, there are instances where a biweekly (i.e., alternate week) dosing may be feasible in a select group of patients. We conducted a retrospective case review to evaluate the efficacy and safety of biweekly administration of romiplostim in maintaining a platelet count of >30 × 109/L in three patients with chronic ITP. Treatment was started with a weekly injection (1 µg/kg) with a dose escalation to achieve a platelet count >30 × 109/L. Once stable on weekly romiplostim, these patients received biweekly administration. No bleeding complications were noted during biweekly dosing for these patients. The current findings suggest that lengthening the dose interval of romiplostim is feasible in select patients with chronic ITP to maintain stable platelet counts. Additional studies are therefore warranted to further evaluate biweekly dosing for romiplostim to increase convenience and decrease costs for patients with chronic ITP.