Composite Risk Of Death Research Articles

Mini nutritional assessment is a predictor of mortality and morbidity in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension

Abstract Background Malnutrition has been demonstrated as a predictor for unfavorable clinical outcomes in chronic heart failure, and may affect patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). The Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) is a reliable indicator for nutritional status assessment, but its relationship with mortality risk and hospitalization in PAH patients has not yet been investigated. Purpose The study aimed to determine whether the MNA has prognostic value in stable patients with PAH. Methods A prospective multicenter study was performed. All patients completed the MNA at study entry in outpatient clinic or during planned hospitalization. The primary endpoint was all-cause mortality. Secondary end-point was the composite end-point of all cause death or PAH-related hospitalizations. Patients with malnutrition (MNA ≤17 points) or at risk of malnutrition (MNA 18-23,5 points) were considered as having abnormal nutritional status for statistical analysis. Results 182 PAH patients were included to the study (mean age 60 ± 17 years; 73% females; 57% idiopathic PAH). Abnormal nutritional status was identified in 68 (37%) patients. Median and the range of follow up period was 23 months and 0–32 months, respectively. 34 (18.7%) patients died, 53 (29.1%) were hospitalized due to PH, and 57 (31.3%) achieved the composite secondary end-point. Kaplan-Meier survival curves revealed significant differences in overall survival between patients with abnormal MNA and normal MNA, p <0.0001, and significant differences in composite risk of death and PAH-related hospitalization, p=0.02. In the multivariate Cox regression analysis including age, sex, and main risk factors (COMPERA 2.0 score, TAPSE/PASP, right atrial pressure, cardiac index, mix oxygen saturation), abnormal MNA remained significantly associated with all-cause mortality (HR 2.86 [95%CI: 1.29–6.38], p=0.01) and the composite end-point HR 2.39 [95% CI: 1.05–5.42], p=0.04) in PAH patients. Conclusions Using MNA as a routine screening tool allowed the detection of abnormal nutritional status in more than one third of PAH patients. Nutritional status assessed by the MNA was an independent predictor of all-cause death and the composite end-point of all-cause death and PAH-related hospitalization in patients with PAH.

Risk Factors for Surgical-site Infections After Liver Transplant: Does Perioperative Antibiotic Regimen Matter?

Surgical-site infections (SSIs) are common in liver transplant recipients. The optimal SSI antimicrobial prophylaxis agent and duration are not established. We aimed to explore risk factors for SSIs after transplant, with a particular interest in the impact of perioperative antibiotic regimen on the development of SSIs. Retrospective study of adults undergoing liver transplant across 3 transplant programs between January 1, 2020, and June 01, 2021. Of 557 patients included in the study, 32 (5.7%) were infected or colonized with a multidrug-resistant organism (MDRO) within 1 y before liver transplant. Narrow-spectrum SSI prophylaxis with ceftriaxone or cefazolin alone was administered in 488 of 577 patients (87.6%); the remaining 69 patients (12.4%) received broad-spectrum prophylaxis with vancomycin and aztreonam (n = 40), piperacillin-tazobactam (n = 11), carbapenems (n = 8), ceftriaxone and another antibiotic (n = 7), and others. Patients with pretransplant MDRO were more likely to receive broad-spectrum coverage than those without pretransplant MDROs (28.1% versus 11.4%, P = 0.005). SSIs were identified in 40 patients (7.2%); 25 (62.5%) were organ-space infections, 3 (7.5%) were deep incisional infections, and 12 (30.0%) were superficial incisional infections. The median time from liver transplant to SSIs was 14 d (interquartile range, 10-20.2). MDROs were identified in 12 SSIs (30%). Multivariable analysis revealed no significant association between antimicrobial spectrum and risk of SSIs ( P = 0.5), whereas surgical leak ( P <0.001) and reoperation ( P = 0.017) were independently associated with increased risk of SSIs. SSIs were not significantly associated with composite risk of death or liver allograft failure. The spectrum of antimicrobial prophylaxis did not impact the development of SSIs in liver transplant recipients.

Effects of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination on the severity of COVID-19 infection in patients on chronic dialysis.

COVID-19 is associated with increased morbidity and mortality in patients with end-stage kidney disease on dialysis. Efficacy of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination to prevent severe COVID-19 disease in end-stage kidney disease patients remains limited. We compared the incidence of COVID-19-related hospitalization and death in dialysis patients based on SARS-CoV-2 vaccine status. Retrospective study of adults on chronic dialysis within Mayo Clinic Dialysis System in the Midwest (USA) between April 1st, 2020 and October 31st, 2022, who had a laboratory test positive for SARS-CoV-2by PCR. Incidence of both COVID-19-related hospitalization and death were compared between vaccinated and unvaccinated patients. SARS-CoV-2 infection was identified in 309 patients, including 183 vaccinated and 126 unvaccinated. The incidence of death (11.1% vs 3.8%, p = 0.02) and hospitalization (55.6% vs 23.5%, p < 0.001) was significantly higher in unvaccinated compared to vaccinated patients. Age at infection, sex, Charlson comorbidity index, dialysis modality, and hospital stays did not differ between the two groups. The incidence of hospitalization was significantly higher in partially vaccinated (63.6% vs 20.9%, p = 0.004) and unboosted (32% vs 16.4%, p = 0.04) patients compared to fully vaccinated and boosted, respectively. Among the 21 patients who died in the whole cohort, 47.6% (n = 10) died during the pre-vaccine period. The composite risk of death or hospitalization was lower among vaccinated patients after adjusting for age, sex and Charlson comorbidity index (OR 0.24, 95% CI 0.15-0.40). This study supports the use of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination to improve COVID-19 outcomes in patients on chronic dialysis.

Complications Following Elective Major Noncardiac Surgery Among Patients With Prior SARS-CoV-2 Infection

There is an urgent need for evidence to inform preoperative risk assessment for the millions of people who have had SARS-CoV-2 infection and are awaiting elective surgery, which is critical to surgical care planning and informed consent. To assess the association of prior SARS-CoV-2 infection with death, major adverse cardiovascular events, and rehospitalization after elective major noncardiac surgery. This population-based cohort study included adults who had received a polymerase chain reaction test for SARS-CoV-2 infection within 6 months prior to elective major noncardiac surgery in Ontario, Canada, between April 2020 and October 2021, with 30 days follow-up. Positive SARS-CoV-2 polymerase chain reaction test result. The main outcome was the composite of death, major adverse cardiovascular events, and all-cause rehospitalization within 30 days after surgery. Of 71 144 patients who underwent elective major noncardiac surgery (median age, 66 years [IQR, 57-73 years]; 59.8% female), 960 had prior SARS-CoV-2 infection (1.3%) and 70 184 had negative test results (98.7%). Prior infection was not associated with the composite risk of death, major adverse cardiovascular events, and rehospitalization within 30 days of elective major noncardiac surgery (5.3% absolute event rate [n = 3770]; 960 patients with a positive test result; adjusted relative risk [aRR], 0.91; 95% CI, 0.68-1.21). There was also no association between prior infection with SARS-CoV-2 and postoperative outcomes when the time between infection and surgery was less than 4 weeks (aRR, 1.15; 95% CI, 0.64-2.09) or less than 7 weeks (aRR, 0.95; 95% CI, 0.56-1.61) and among those who were previously vaccinated (aRR, 0.81; 95% CI, 0.52-1.26). In this study, prior infection with SARS-CoV-2 was not associated with death, major adverse cardiovascular events, or rehospitalization following elective major noncardiac surgery, although low event rates and wide 95% CIs do not preclude a potentially meaningful increase in overall risk.

Concomitant ablation of atrial fibrillation in rheumatic mitral valve surgery

ObjectiveEfficacy of atrial fibrillation ablation in rheumatic mitral valve disease has been regarded inferior to that in nonrheumatic diseases. This study aimed to evaluate net clinical benefits by the addition of concomitant atrial fibrillation ablation in rheumatic mitral valve surgery. MethodsAmong 1229 consecutive patients with atrial fibrillation from 1997 to 2016 (54.4 ± 11.7 years; 68.2% were female), 812 (66.1%) received concomitant ablation of atrial fibrillation (ablation group), and 417 (33.9%) underwent valve surgery alone (no ablation group). Death and thromboembolic events were compared between these groups. Mortality was regarded as a competing risk to evaluate thromboembolic outcomes. To reduce selection bias, inverse probability of treatment weighting methods were performed. ResultsFreedom from atrial fibrillation occurrence at 5 years was 76.5% ± 1.8% and 5.3% ± 1.1% in the ablation and no ablation groups, respectively (P < .001). The ablation group had significantly lower risks for death (hazard ratio [HR], 0.69; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.52-0.93) and thromboembolic events (HR, 0.49; 95% CI, 0.32-0.76) than the no ablation group. Time-varying Cox analysis revealed that the occurrence of stroke after surgery was significantly associated with death (HR, 3.97; 95% CI, 2.36-6.69). In subgroup analyses, the reduction in the composite risk of death and thromboembolic events was observed in all mechanical (n = 829; HR, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.39-0.73), bioprosthetic replacement (n = 239; HR, 0.67; 95% CI, 0.41-1.08), and repair (n = 161; HR, 0.17; 95% CI, 0.06-0.52) subgroups (P for interaction = .47). ConclusionsSurgical atrial fibrillation ablation during rheumatic mitral valve surgery was associated with a lower risk of long-term mortality and thromboembolic events. Therefore, atrial fibrillation ablation for rheumatic mitral valve disease may be a reasonable option.

Novel Biomarkers of Oxidative Stress are Associated with Risk of Death and Hospitalization in Patients with Heart Failure

Background Non-free radical species of oxidative stress (OS) may be clinically important. Our prior work has shown emerging aminothiol markers of non-free radical OS are associated with mortality in patients with coronary artery disease. We sought to examine the association of aminothiol markers of OS with clinical outcomes in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). Methods Plasma levels of reduced (cysteine and glutathione) and oxidized (cystine and glutathione disulphide) aminothiols were quantified by high performance liquid chromatography in 200 controls and 138 HFrEF patients. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to examine the association of aminothiols with the composite risk of death and hospitalization in HFrEF patients. Results The level of cystine (oxidized) was higher (102.4 ± 29.7 vs. 69.4 ± 12.4 μM, P Figure ). After adjustment for covariates including age, sex, race, history of diabetes and hypertension, serum creatinine, and ejection fraction, glutathione (HR 0.4, 95% CI 0.2 - 0.9; P=0.02) and a high ratio of cystine:glutathione (HR 2.2, 95% CI 1.1 - 4.4; P=0.03) remained associated with the composite risk of death and hospitalization. Conclusions A high burden of OS, quantified by the plasma aminothiols cystine, glutathione, and their ratio, is associated with clinical outcomes in HFrEF patients. Importantly, this data supports the emerging role of non-free radical biology in driving clinically important OS.

Effects of Red Blood Cell Transfusions on the Risk of Developing Complications or Death: An Observational Study of a Cohort of Very Low Birth Weight Infants.

Background The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between red blood cell (RBC) transfusions on the risk of death, retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), and necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants. Study Design and Methods This is an observational study. Data were entered prospectively into the study database at the time of the first transfusion. Clinical characteristics, adverse events, and outcomes of the patients transfused in the first 28 days of life were compared with the population of VLBW infants not transfused during the same period. The association among birth weight, gestational age, comorbidities, and the number of transfusions was estimated with a Poisson regression model. The association between the composite outcome and the occurrence of death, ROP, or BPD separately considered and a set of covariates was estimated with a logistic regression model. Results We enrolled 641 VLBW infants, 42% of whom were transfused. Transfusions were associated with the risk of developing the composite outcome, independently from other conditions; this risk correlated with several transfusions ≥ 3 (odds ratio: 5.88, 95% confidence interval: 2.74-12.6). ROP and BPD were associated with several transfusions ≥ 3. Conclusion We observed an association between RBC transfusions and the composite risk of death or ROP, BPD, and NEC.

Mitral valve replacement with or without a concomitant Maze procedure in patients with atrial fibrillation

BackgroundAlthough the Maze procedure is regarded as the most effective way to restore sinus rhythm in patients with chronic atrial fibrillation (AF), it remains unclear whether this procedure offers long-term...

Medifile drug Information bulletin

The recent publication of the Perindopril Remodeling in Elderly with Acute Myocardial Infarction (PREAMI) study showed that perindopril significantly reduced the composite risk of death, hospitalisation for heart failure, and cardiac remodeling in an elderly population with preserved left ventricular (LV) function, following an acute myocardial infarction. In light of this trial, this edition of the Medifile reviews the process of cardiac remodelling post infarction, with specific focus on the role of the Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System (RAAS). The results and clinical significance of PREAMI are then reviewed and discussed. More....

Medifile drug Information bulletin

The recent publication of the Perindopril Remodeling in Elderly with Acute Myocardial Infarction (PREAMI) study showed that perindopril significantly reduced the composite risk of death, hospitalisation for heart failure, and cardiac remodeling in an elderly population with preserved left ventricular (LV) function, following an acute myocardial infarction. In light of this trial, this edition of the Medifile reviews the process of cardiac remodelling post infarction, with specific focus on the role of the Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System (RAAS). The results and clinical significance of PREAMI are then reviewed and discussed. More....

Low-molecular-weight heparins in non–ST-segment elevation ischemia: the ESSENCE trial

Combination antithrombotic therapy with heparin plus aspirin decreases the risk of recurrent ischemic events in patients with acute coronary syndromes without persistent ST-segment elevation. Compared with standard unfractionated heparin, low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) has a more predictable antithrombotic effect, is easier to administer, and does not require coagulation monitoring. At 176 hospitals in 3 continents, 3,171 patients with rest unstable angina or non–Q-wave myocardial infarction were randomly assigned to either enoxaparin (a LMWH), 1 mg/kg twice daily subcutaneously, or to continuous intravenous unfractionated heparin, for a minimum of 48 hours to a maximum of 8 days. Trial medication was administered in a double-blind, placebo-controlled fashion. At 14 days, the primary endpoint, the composite risk of death, myocardial infarction, or recurrent angina with electrocardiographic changes or prompting intervention, was significantly lower in patients assigned to enoxaparin compared with heparin (16.6% vs 19.8%; odds ratio [OR] 1.24; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.04–1.49; p = 0.019). At 30 days, the composite risk of death, myocardial infarction, or recurrent angina remained significantly lower in the enoxaparin group compared with the unfractionated heparin group (19.8% vs 23.3%, OR 1.23; 95% CI 1.0–1.46, p = 0.016). The rate of revascularization procedures at 30 days was also significantly lower in patients assigned to enoxaparin (27.1% vs 32.2%, p = 0.001). The 30-day incidence of major bleeding complication was 6.5% versus 7.0% (p = not significant), but the incidence of minor bleeding was significantly higher in the enoxaparin group (13.8% vs 8.8%, p <0.001) due primarily to injection-site ecchymosis. Thus, combination antithrombotic therapy with enoxaparin plus aspirin is more effective than unfractionated heparin plus aspirin in decreasing ischemic outcomes in patients with unstable angina or non–Q-wave myocardial infarction in the early (30 days) phase. The lower recurrent ischemic event rate seen with the LMWH, enoxaparin, is achieved without an increase in major bleeding, but with an increase in minor bleeding complications due mainly to injection-site ecchymosis.