Difference In Cumulative Survival Research Articles

Effect of prophylactic TACE on 5-year survival of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma after hepatectomy.

The aim of the present study was to establish a prediction index (PI) model for the 5-year survival rate of patients with hepatitis B-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after radical resection, and to evaluate the effect of prophylactic transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE). A total of 201 patients with hepatitis B-related HCC who had undergone radical hepatic resection at The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University (Xinjiang, China) were enrolled, and the clinical, pathological and complete follow-up data were collected. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were performed to identify which clinicopathological factors were considered significant risk factors and the PI model was established based on these factors. The receiver operating characteristic curve was generated, and the area under the curve (0.841) and the cut-off value for PI were calculated. A Kaplan-Meier plot was used for survival analysis and the log-rank test was used to determine differences in survival. Cox regression analysis demonstrated that there were seven independent factors that may have affected the 5-year survival of HCC patients: Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), maximum size of tumor (MTS), tumor histological grade (HG), positive resection margin (PRM), microvascular invasion (MVI), the amount of tumor (AT), and antivirus therapy (AVT). A PI model on 5-year survival was established based on these factors, which was PI=0.32 × NLR + 0.39 × HG (high=1, medium=2, low=3) + 0.92 × PRM (yes=1, no=0) + 0.87 × MVI (yes=1, no=0) + 0.73 × AT (single=0, many=1) + 0.53 × MTS (≥5 cm=1, <5 cm=0)-0.87 × AVT (yes=1, no=0). PI was an independent predictor for survival, with a cut-off value of 2.75. For low-risk patients (PI <2.75), there was no significant difference in cumulative survival between TACE and non-TACE. For high-risk patients (PI >2.75), the cumulative survival rates showed significant differences among patients who had received ≥3 TACE procedues, patients who had received <3 TACE procedures, and patients who had not undergone TACE. The PI model predicts the 5-year survival rate of patients with hepatitis B-related HCC. For high-risk patients with a PI >2.75, if they had received ≥3 prophylactic TACE procedures, they demonstrated a more favorable outcome. For low-risk patients (PI <2.75) with 1 or 2 risk factors, TACE is recommended 1–2 times after surgery. TACE treatment is not required for low-risk patients without any risk fctors. These results may contribute to the decision-making process for whether prophylactic intervention is recommended after radical resection of HCC.

Impact of treatment modality on clinical outcome in metastatic colorectal cancer patients stratified by metastatic sites

ABSTRACTObjectives: To investigate the impact of location of metastases, and therapeutic modality on clinical outcomes in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC).Methods: Data for metastatic CRC patients were sourced from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database (SEER ID: 15309-Nov2017). Patients were classified as follows: Group 1 patients had only liver metastasis; Group 2 patients had liver and lung metastasis; Group 3 patients had more than two metastasis sites. Patients were treated with surgery alone, radiation alone, or surgery plus radiation. The main study outcomes were (1) cancer-specific mortality and (2) survival benefit associated with treatment modality.Results: A total number of 15,510 patients were included in this study. In Groups 1 and 2, patients treated with surgery plus radiation had a higher cumulative survival compared to other treatment groups (p-value <.001). Group 3 patients showed no significant difference in cumulative survival between the different treatment modalities (p-value = .218). Group 1 patients who received surgery plus radiation had a significantly lower risk of mortality compared to the other treatment groups (p-value <.001), and Group 2 patients who either received radiation treatment alone or surgery plus radiation had a significantly lower risk for mortality than patients who received other treatment modalities (p-value <.001). Multivariate analysis adjusting for known prognostic factors such as tumor sidedness and race did not alter the observed risk conferred by metastasis sites and treatment modalities.Conclusion: Stratification by metastases sites, and by treatment modality can help multidisciplinary teams to reach a treatment consensus for metastatic CRC.

The ultimate guide to restoration longevity in England and Wales. Part 8: Canine teeth: time to next intervention and to extraction of the restored tooth.

It is the aim of this paper to present data on the survival of restorations in canine teeth by analysis of the time to re-intervention on the restorations and time to extraction of the restored tooth, and to discuss the factors which may influence this. A data set was established, consisting of General Dental Services (GDS) patients, this being obtained from all records for adults (aged 18 or over at date of acceptance) in the GDS of England and Wales between 1990 and 2006. The data consist of items obtained from the payment claims submitted by GDS dentists to the Dental Practice Board (DPB) in Eastbourne, Sussex, UK. This study examined the recorded intervals between placing a restoration in a canine tooth and re-intervention on the tooth, and the time to extraction of the restored tooth. Data for more than three million different patients and more than 25 million courses of treatment were included in the analysis. Included were all records for adults (aged 18 or over at date of acceptance). Overall, 1,232,052 restorations involving canine teeth were included in the analysis. With regard to time to re-intervention, 33% of restorations had survived at 15 years, and with regard to time to extraction of the restored tooth, cumulative survival was 78% at 15 years. Veneers and crowns performed best in terms of time to re-intervention, but crowns performed worst when time to extraction was analysed. Overall, crowns and porcelain veneers placed on canine teeth perform best to re-intervention after 15 years, but crowns perform worst when the time to extraction of the restored tooth is examined and veneers perform best, with a 20 percentage point difference in cumulative survival at fifteen years between crowns and the best performing restoration in the under-40 year age group, this effect being accentuated in the over-40 year age group. Other factors influencing restoration longevity in canine teeth include: patient age, dentist age and the patient's annual need for dental treatment.

The ultimate guide to restoration longevity in England and Wales. Part 5: crowns: time to next intervention and to extraction of the restored tooth.

Aim It is the aim of this paper to present data on the survival of restorations in canine teeth by analysis of the time to re-intervention on the restorations and time to extraction of the restored tooth, and to discuss the factors which may influence this. Methods A data set was established, consisting of General Dental Services (GDS) patients, this being obtained from all records for adults (aged 18 or over at date of acceptance) in the GDS of England and Wales between 1990 and 2006. The data consist of items obtained from the payment claims submitted by GDS dentists to the Dental Practice Board (DPB) in Eastbourne, Sussex, UK. This study examined the recorded intervals between placing a restoration in a canine tooth and re-intervention on the tooth, and the time to extraction of the restored tooth. Results Data for more than three million different patients and more than 25 million courses of treatment were included in the analysis. Included were all records for adults (aged 18 or over at date of acceptance). Overall, 1,232,052 restorations involving canine teeth were included in the analysis. With regard to time to re-intervention, 33% of restorations had survived at 15 years, and with regard to time to extraction of the restored tooth, cumulative survival was 78% at 15 years. Veneers and crowns performed best in terms of time to re-intervention, but crowns performed worst when time to extraction was analysed. Conclusions Overall, crowns and porcelain veneers placed on canine teeth perform best to re-intervention after 15 years, but crowns perform worst when the time to extraction of the restored tooth is examined and veneers perform best, with a 20 percentage point difference in cumulative survival at fifteen years between crowns and the best performing restoration in the under-40 year age group, this effect being accentuated in the over-40 year age group. Other factors influencing restoration longevity in canine teeth include: patient age, dentist age and the patient's annual need for dental treatment.

Comparison of three hatchery culture methods for the giant clam Tridacna noae

This study provides a first evaluation of different hatchery culture methods for the giant clam Tridacna noae. Three culture methods (intensive, semi-intensive, and extensive) using two tank designs (60 L and 277 L) were successful in producing 30-day old T. noae juveniles. There was no statistically significant interaction between tank design and culture method when considering cumulative survival (P = 0.89) or antero-posterior growth (P = 0.20), and the two tank designs did not influence cumulative survival (P = 0.78) or antero-posterior growth (P = 0.81). Differences in cumulative survival among the extensive (0.027 ± 0.015%), semi-intensive (0.005 ± 0.002%), and intensive (0.004 ± 0.001%) culture methods were non-significant (P = 0.11). The mean antero-posterior measurements at 30 days post-fertilisation among intensive (583.57 ± 12.71 μm), semi-intensive (530.92 ± 11.02 μm), and extensive methods (541.67 ± 10.95 μm), were also non-significant (P = 0.05). Further analysis of survival among different developmental stages identified significantly greater survival of T. noae between the pediveliger and juvenile development stages within the extensive culture method. Our results show that extensive culture methods can achieve comparable hatchery production of T. noae to semi-intensive and intensive culture methods, which require additional managerial, infrastructural, and nutritional inputs.

The ultimate guide to restoration longevity in England and Wales. Part 2: Amalgam restorations - time to next intervention and to extraction of the restored tooth.

Aim It is the aim of this paper to present data on the survival of restorations in canine teeth by analysis of the time to re-intervention on the restorations and time to extraction of the restored tooth, and to discuss the factors which may influence this. Methods A data set was established, consisting of General Dental Services (GDS) patients, this being obtained from all records for adults (aged 18 or over at date of acceptance) in the GDS of England and Wales between 1990 and 2006. The data consist of items obtained from the payment claims submitted by GDS dentists to the Dental Practice Board (DPB) in Eastbourne, Sussex, UK. This study examined the recorded intervals between placing a restoration in a canine tooth and re-intervention on the tooth, and the time to extraction of the restored tooth. Results Data for more than three million different patients and more than 25 million courses of treatment were included in the analysis. Included were all records for adults (aged 18 or over at date of acceptance). Overall, 1,232,052 restorations involving canine teeth were included in the analysis. With regard to time to re-intervention, 33% of restorations had survived at 15 years, and with regard to time to extraction of the restored tooth, cumulative survival was 78% at 15 years. Veneers and crowns performed best in terms of time to re-intervention, but crowns performed worst when time to extraction was analysed. Conclusions Overall, crowns and porcelain veneers placed on canine teeth perform best to re-intervention after 15 years, but crowns perform worst when the time to extraction of the restored tooth is examined and veneers perform best, with a 20 percentage point difference in cumulative survival at fifteen years between crowns and the best performing restoration in the under-40 year age group, this effect being accentuated in the over-40 year age group. Other factors influencing restoration longevity in canine teeth include: patient age, dentist age and the patient's annual need for dental treatment.

Herpes–Zoster Infection in a Tertiary Hospital in Brazil

Backgroundherpes zoster (HZ) is a common infection with potential complications requiring hospital care, especially for patients with multiple comorbities. However, there is little information on HZ from hospital registries.Methodswe searched for hospital-based records of B02 code (ICD-10) between March 2000 and January 2017 at Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, a tertiary, university hospital in south Brazil. To avoid misclassifications, we considered clinical evaluation for the diagnosis of cutaneous HZ and postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), ophthalmological evaluation for ophthalmic HZ and the combination of clinical, radiologic and cerebrospinal fluid analysis for HZ meningo-encephalitis (ME). We analyzed conditions associated with immune dysregulation, complications, length of hospital stay, and mortality. Chi-square test and Kaplan-Meier estimator were used for statistical analyses. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.Resultsthere were 847 records for this period, of which 801 were confirmed according to our criteria and included in the analysis. Most patients were women (n = 448; 60%), with an average of 48.8 years, standard deviation of 22.2. There were more diagnoses in the inpatients group (74.4%), and fewer in the emergency room (22.4%) and outpatient (3.3%). The median length of hospital stay was 7 days (2-10, P25-P75) when HZ was the main reason for admission. Most patients presented cutaneous HZ (n = 743, 92.8%). There were fewer cases of PHN (6.1%), ophthalmic HZ (7.6%) and ME (4.1%). Seventy percent had some kind of immune dysregulation; more frequently AIDS (31%), use of immunosuppressive agents (18.7%) and malignant disease (16.2%). We followed the subjects for a median of 28.2 (2.8-77.5) months. During this period, there were 105 (13.1%) deaths. Five were related to HZ ME. The 30-day overall mortality rate was 1.5%. There was no statistical difference in cumulative survival (graph 1, P = 0.05) or incidence of complicated forms for patients with or without immune dysregulation.Conclusionour sample was characterized by a majority of inpatient diagnoses. The 30-day mortality rate was lower than reported in similar studies, but there was a relevant impact of complicated forms in mortality and sequelae.Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.

Ten-Year Single-Center Results of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Treatment: Endovascular versus Open Repair

The purpose of the present study was to compare the long-term survival in matched cohorts of patients with infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) undergoing an elective open repair (OR) or an endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR). Patients with a primary elective repair of an infrarenal aortic aneurysm between 1998 and 2006 were identified in a retrospective review of our single-center database. EVAR and OR patients were matched with respect to age, gender, renal disease, tobacco use, hypertension, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and coronary artery disease. The primary end points were the early mortality and all-cause mortality during follow-up. A total of 465 patients with elective infrarenal aortic aneurysm repair were identified in the database. The EVAR and OR patients were matched according to the above-mentioned characteristics, and finally, 108 patients were included in each group. The early mortality encountered was only one death in the open group (P=0.316). The Kaplan-Meier survival analysis by the log-rank test showed no difference in cumulative survival between OR group and EVAR group (P=0.458). Seventeen reinterventions (16.7%) in the EVAR group vs. 7 (6.5%) in the OR group (P=0.018) were necessary during follow-up. OR and EVAR can be performed safely for elective treatment of AAA. The reintervention rate is, as expected, significantly higher in the EVAR group, but the long-term survival remains equal in both groups.

Arthroplastie intermédiaire de hanche pour fracture instable du massif trochantérien ou pour fracture cervicale déplacée. Étude cas témoin de deux cohortes de 80 cas

BackgroundWhile hemiarthroplasty (HA) is considered the treatment of choice for displaced femoral neck (FN) fractures in elderly patients, HA has been partly performed as an alternative treatment option for unstable intertrochanteric (IT) fractures. However, there is a paucity of data regarding the risk and availability of HA for unstable IT fractures compared to HA for displaced FN fractures in elderly patients. Therefore, we performed a case control study to determine: 1) whether HA for unstable IT fractures provides clinical results and survival comparable to HA for displaced FN fractures. HypothesisHA for unstable IT fractures in elderly patients provides clinical results and 1-year survival comparable to HA for displaced FN fractures in the same aging group. Materials and methodsWe identified 80 patients aged 75 years or older, who underwent cementless bipolar HA for unstable IT fracture (AO/OTA type 31-A2.2/3 and A3.3). Their clinical results and 1-year survival were compared to the matched control group of 80 patients with displaced FN fractures (Garden type 3 and 4) treated with the same procedure. Perioperative results, postoperative complications, and 1-year survival were investigated between the two groups. Functional outcome was assessed by walking status and Harris hip score (HHS) 6 months after surgery. ResultsOperating time was significantly longer in the IT group than the FN group (97.3min [50 to 255] vs. 79.3min [40 to 175], P=0.016). However, the two groups did not significantly differ regarding perioperative results such as total blood loss, transfusion, intraoperative fracture, length of hospital stay, and postoperative complication. No statistically significant differences in walking status and HHS were observed between the groups. No significant difference in cumulative survival was observed between the two groups (P=0.836), with a 1-year survival rate of 80% (95% confidence interval [CI], 71.8 to 87.5) in the IT group and 82% (95% CI, 73.1 to 89.4) in the FN group. ConclusionHA for unstable IT fractures in elderly patients showed clinical results and 1-year survival comparable to HA as the treatment of choice for displaced FN fractures in the same aging group. Level of evidenceLevel III, case-control study.

Unstable intertrochanteric versus displaced femoral neck fractures treated with cementless bipolar hemiarthroplasty in elderly patients; a comparison of 80 matched patients

BackgroundWhile hemiarthroplasty (HA) is considered the treatment of choice for displaced femoral neck (FN) fractures in elderly patients, HA has been partly performed as an alternative treatment option for unstable intertrochanteric (IT) fractures. However, there is a paucity of data regarding the risk and availability of HA for unstable IT fractures compared to HA for displaced FN fractures in elderly patients. Therefore, we performed this case-control study to determine whether HA for unstable IT fractures provides clinical results and survival comparable to HA for displaced FN fractures in elderly patients. HypothesisHA for unstable IT fractures in elderly patients provides clinical results and 1-year survival comparable to HA for displaced FN fractures in the same aging group. Materials and methodsWe identified 80 patients aged 75years or older, who underwent cementless bipolar HA for unstable IT fracture (AO/OTA type 31-A2.2/3 and A3.3). Their clinical results and 1-year survival were compared to the matched control group of 80 patients with displaced FN fractures (Garden type 3 and 4) treated with the same procedure. Perioperative results, postoperative complications, and 1-year survival were investigated between the two groups. Functional outcome was assessed by walking status and Harris hip score (HHS) 6months after surgery. ResultsOperating time was significantly longer in the IT group than the FN group (97.3min [50 to 255] vs. 79.3min [40 to 175], P=0.016). However, the two groups did not significantly differ regarding perioperative results, such as total blood loss, transfusion, intraoperative fracture, length of hospital stay, and postoperative complication. No statistically significant differences in walking status and HHS were observed between the groups. No significant difference in cumulative survival was observed between the two groups (P=0.836), with a 1-year survival rate of 80% (95% confidence interval [CI], 71.8 to 87.5) in the IT group and 82% (95% CI, 73.1 to 89.4) in the FN group. ConclusionHA for unstable IT fractures in elderly patients showed clinical results and 1-year survival comparable to HA as the treatment of choice for displaced FN fractures in the same aging group. Level of evidenceLevel III, case-control study.

Emergency transcatheter aortic valve replacement in patients with cardiogenic shock due to acutely decompensated aortic stenosis.

To assess outcomes of TAVR as a rescue therapy in patients with cardiogenic shock due to acutely decompensated aortic stenosis. Of 771 high-risk patients who underwent TAVR, 27 (3.5%; 78±9 years; 12 men) were treated emergently due to acutely decompensated aortic stenosis with cardiogenic shock. SAPIEN and CoreValve prostheses were implanted in 11 and 16 patients, respectively: the transfemoral access route was used in 25. Three patients died within 72 hours of successful valve deployment, and a further six died within a month, giving a 30-day mortality of 33.3%, which was significantly higher than in electively treated patients (7.7%, p<0.0001). Univariate predictors of 30-day mortality in cardiogenic-shock patients were baseline cardiac output <3.0 l/min, reduced cardiac power index, impaired renal function, and mechanical ventilation, as well as severe acute kidney injury after TAVR. Estimated one-year survival was 59.3% in emergently and 82.7% in electively treated patients (p=0.0009). However, 30-day landmark analysis showed no difference in cumulative survival between TAVR modalities. In cardiogenic-shock patients without concomitant reduced cardiac output and impaired renal function at baseline (n=22), estimated one-year survival was 72.7%. TAVR should be considered a reasonable rescue therapy in patients with cardiogenic shock secondary to decompensated aortic stenosis.

One-year outcomes of rosuvastatin versus placebo in sepsis-associated acute respiratory distress syndrome: prospective follow-up of SAILS randomised trial

BackgroundPrior randomised trials have evaluated statins in patients with sepsis and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), but there has been no comprehensive evaluation of long-term effects, despite potential neuromuscular and...

Surgery for recurrent biliary carcinoma: results for 27 recurrent cases.

BackgroundVarious chemotherapies have been used as best practice to treat recurrent biliary malignancies. Conversely, relatively few surgeries have been described for recurrent extrahepatic biliary carcinoma (RExBC), so whether surgery for RExBC is feasible has remained unclear. This retrospective study was conducted to evaluate the feasibility of surgery for RExBC.MethodsFrom February 2000 to January 2014, a total of 27 patients, comprising 18 patients with extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma and 9 patients with gallbladder carcinoma, met our criteria for radical resection of RExBC (resection group). Sites of recurrence consisted of liver metastases (ten patients), local/percutaneous transhepatic cholangio drainage (PTCD) fistula recurrence (eight patients), bile duct recurrence (six patients), and lymph node recurrence (one patient). To evaluate the survival impact of resection, we compared 123 RExBC patients (resection group) with patients who received palliative care (palliative group).ResultsMorbidity and mortality rates in the resection group were 6.6% and 0%, respectively. Overall cumulative 5-year survival rates were 23.5% in the resection group and 0% in the palliative group. Median survival time was 21.6 months in the resection group and 9.5 months in the palliative group, showing a significant difference (p < 0.01). No significant differences in cumulative survival were seen between extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma and gallbladder carcinoma in the resection group. In addition, no significant differences were seen between liver metastases, bile duct recurrence, and local/percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD) fistula recurrence in the resection group.ConclusionsSurgery appears feasible for RExBC and offers longer survival for selected patients.

Isolated tricuspid valve surgery at a single centre: the 47-year Auckland experience, 1965-2011

Isolated tricuspid valve surgery is not commonly performed with few studies and limited numbers published. We reviewed the characteristics and outcomes, including survival, reoperation rates and their predictors of different types of isolated tricuspid surgery. Patients coded for isolated tricuspid valve surgery were identified from the Green Lane Hospital database. Relevant clinical characteristics were collected from both clinical and written clinical records. Mortality was checked against the national 'Births, Deaths and Marriages' database from the Ministry of Health. Seventy-two consecutive patients (48 ± 16 years; 71% women, body mass index 25 ± 6) underwent isolated tricuspid valve surgery from 1965 to 2011. Valve repair was performed in 53 and 47% had a valve replacement. The majority of these operations were performed in the last two decades. Early mortality within 30 days of operation was 7.9% for repair and 17.6% for replacement (P = 0.29). The 1-, 5-, 10- and 25-year survival rates were 83.8, 74.5, 63.6 and 32.8% for tricuspid repair and 81.8, 68.2, 61.4 and 15.2% for tricuspid replacement, respectively. Preoperative loop diuretic dose (P = 0.0120) and preoperative haemoglobin level (P = 0.0377) were independent predictors of survival for all isolated tricuspid surgery, while preoperative creatinine level (P = 0.04) independently predicted reoperation during the follow-up. Both isolated tricuspid replacement and repair were associated with significant but acceptable early and late mortality with no statistically significant difference in cumulative survival. Preoperative loop diuretic dose, haemoglobin and creatinine are individually associated with survival and/or reoperation after isolated tricuspid valve surgery.

Tricuspid Reoperation After Left-Sided Rheumatic Valve Operations

The management of late tricuspid regurgitation after left-sided valve operations in rheumatic patients remains controversial. The aim of this study was to analyze clinical and echocardiographic outcomes of tricuspid valve procedures after left-sided valve operations in rheumatic patients. This study enrolled 106 rheumatic patients with a history of left-sided valve operations who were undergoing tricuspid valve procedures (53 replacements, 53 repairs). Follow-up was 97% complete, with a mean follow-up of 62 ± 42 months. Clinical and echocardiographic data were analyzed. The early mortality rate was 1.9% (2 of 106 patients). There was no significant difference in cumulative survival at 10 years between patients who underwent tricuspid valve replacement (63.1% ± 13.2%) or repair (80.7% ± 0.8%, p = 0.317). Multivariable Cox regression analysis revealed that old age (hazard ratio [HR], 6.5; p = 0.007), anemia (HR, 10.9; p = 0.004), and left ventricular ejection fraction of less than 0.4 (HR, 10.3; p = 0.001) were predictors of major adverse cardiac events. Among patients who underwent tricuspid valve repair, multivariate analysis revealed that the aortic transprosthetic mean pressure gradient at late follow-up was an independent predictor of late tricuspid regurgitation. Tricuspid valve procedures after left-sided valve operations in rheumatic patients can be performed at low risk with good clinical outcomes. For improved clinical outcomes, early surgical intervention should be considered before the development of anemia and left ventricular dysfunction. A lower aortic transprosthetic mean pressure gradient may help prevent late progression of tricuspid regurgitation in a clinical setting.

Gastric Stump Cancer: More Than Just Another Proximal Gastric Cancer and Demanding a More Suitable TNM Staging System

Background. Considerable controversy persists about the biological behavior of gastric stump cancer (GSC). The aim of this study is to clarify if this cancer is just another proximal gastric cancer or if it emerges as a distinctive clinicopathologic entity. Methods. This review of a prospectively collected gastric cancer database identified 73 patients with GSC in a single institution between January 1980 and June 2012 and compared them with 328 patients with proximal gastric cancer (PGC) and 291 patients with esophagogastric junction cancer (EGJC). Results. Patients with GSC were predominantly males. Eighty-three percent of GSC penetrated the subserosal or the serosal layers. The median number of lymph nodes retrieved in GSC patients was significantly lower than in PGC patients or in EGJC patients. Cumulative survival curves were not different between GSC, PGC, or EGJC patients. Unlike that observed in PGC and in EGJC, no significant differences in cumulative survival according to the TNM staging system were observed in GSC cases. Conclusions. The outcome of patients with GSC displayed significant differences when compared to those with other proximal gastric cancers concerning the lack of survival association with the TNM staging system. Therefore a more suitable staging system should be designed for these unique cancers.

Using Quarterly Earnings to Assess Racing Performance in 70 Thoroughbreds after Modified Laryngoplasty for Treatment of Recurrent Laryngeal Neuropathy

To validate and then use quarterly earnings to assess racing performance of Thoroughbreds after modified laryngoplasty for treatment of recurrent laryngeal neuropathy Retrospective cohort study. Thoroughbred racehorses after modified laryngoplasty (N = 70), and untreated cohorts (N = 210). Medical (2005-2008) and race records of 70 Thoroughbred racehorses treated by modified laryngoplasty were reviewed. Postsurgery data were collated as the number of starts and the dollar race winnings for each quarter after the date of surgery. Comparisons were made to an untreated cohort population. Initial comparisons were made between subgroups of the untreated cohort to ensure that one randomly selected group of untreated horses would not differ significantly from another untreated group. In the last race before surgery, treated horses performed significantly (P < .001) worse than untreated horses. When data were examined by quarter, with the exception of the first quarter after surgery, there were no significant differences in race starts or dollars earned between treated horses and untreated cohorts. All treated horses had at least 1 race after surgery and there was no difference in cumulative survival up to 40 races after surgery between treated and untreated groups Quarterly earnings can be used to provide a more detailed longitudinal assessment of a racehorse's performance. Horses treated by modified laryngoplasty for recurrent laryngeal neuropathy return to similar level of performance as their untreated cohorts by the second quarter after surgery, and continue to compete as long as their cohorts.

Individual and summed effects of high-risk genetic polymorphisms on recurrent cardiovascular events following ischemic heart disease

AimsHigh-risk single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have been recently identified as risk factors for ischemic heart disease in large epidemiological and genome-wide association studies. However, their influence on prognosis remains uncertain. The aim of the study was to investigate the impact of previously identified SNPs and their joint effects in a genetic score (GS) on Major Adverse Cardiac Events (MACEs). Methods and resultsHigh-throughput genotyping for 48 high-risk SNPs was performed in 498 patients (432 males; 57.4 ± 8.3 years) who were followed-up for 6.9 ± 3.4 years. First MACE-coronary-related death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, or myocardial revascularization- was the endpoint taken into consideration. A GS was obtained by summing the number of significant high-risk alleles associated to MACEs.One-hundred and nineteen patients (24%) had a MACE. The hazard ratio (HR) for SNPs with a significant difference in cumulative survival were: APOC3 -482C > T (HR = 1.7, 95% CI 1.01–3.0), MTHFR (HR = 1.5, 95% CI 1.02–2.2), NADHPH oxidase- p22-PHOX C242T (HR = 1.9, 95% CI 1.2–2.8), PON-2 (HR = 0.2, 95% CI 0.1–0.8), and SELP (HR = 0.6, 95% CI 0.4–0.8). The resulting GS predicted a 25% risk for MACEs per risk allele (HR = 1.25, 95% CI 1.1–1.4, p = 0.001). The highest HR for MACEs was found in patients in the top tertile (HR = 3.0, 95% CI 1.4–6.7, p = 0.0005) of the GS compared with those in the bottom tertile. ConclusionOur findings show that high-risk SNPs may be used to create a useful GS that predicts MACEs in a secondary prevention setting, which in turn allows a better risk stratification.

Outcomes of endovascular aneurysm repair with selective internal iliac artery coverage without coil embolization

Endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) that also involve the common iliac artery (CIA) typically is accomplished by endograft limb extension into the external iliac artery (EIA). In order to prevent endoleak, the internal iliac artery (IIA) is usually embolized, or alternatively a branched limb is deployed. However, IIA embolization is associated with longer operative time and increased use of contrast and radiation. It has been our practice not to routinely coil embolize the IIA. The purpose of this study was to present the midterm outcomes of this approach. Between April 1997 and June 2010, 137 patients (130 men; mean age, 70.9 years; range, 45-92 years) underwent EVAR of their AAA and had IIA coverage without coil embolization in 112 patients (no embolization [NE] group) and after coil embolization in 25 patients (coil embolization [CE] group). Anatomic indications for coverage of the IIA without coil embolization included presence of adequate sealing in the distal 5 mm of the CIA, or sealing ring at the origin of the CIA, or IIA diameter <5 mm. Preoperative mean AAA size was 60 ± 14 mm, and mean CIA diameter was 38 ± 13 mm. Postoperative computed tomography (CT) scanning was performed at 1, 6, and 12 months, and yearly thereafter. Thirty-day mortality was 0.7% (1 of 137 patients). A patient presented with gluteal skin necrosis (0.7%). The incidence of postoperative buttock claudication was not different between the two groups (NE: 15 of 112 patients; CE: 3 of 25 patients; P = .852). Procedure and fluoroscopy time, contrast use, and hospital stay were significantly reduced in the NE group. Patients were followed up for 33 ± 30 months. During follow-up, 44 patients died (32.1%) and in 3 of them (2.2%), death was AAA-related. There was no difference in cumulative survival between the two groups at 1, 2, 3, and 4 years, respectively. Secondary interventions were performed in 20 of 137 patients (14.5%), including three conversions for proximal endoleak. There was no difference between the two groups in the incidence of secondary interventions (NE: 18 of 112 patients; CE: two of 25 patients; P = .301) and freedom from reintervention at 1, 2, 3, and 4 years, respectively. Ten patients (8.9%) from the NE group presented a type II endoleak during follow-up. Seven of them were associated with the covered IIA; none required reintervention. Stent graft coverage of the IIA without coil embolization is a safe, simple, and effective maneuver for the treatment of aortoiliac aneurysms, with a low incidence of postoperative complications and reinterventions and acceptable immediate and midterm results.

Long-term hemodynamic performance of bileaflet prostheses versus tilting-disc prostheses in the aortic position

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to compare the long-term hemodynamic performances of Medtronic-Hall (MH) and ATS medical bileaflet (ATS) valves in the aortic position. MethodsWe reviewed 249 patients that underwent AVR using MH or ATS valves between October 1994 and February 2004. MH valves were implanted in 117 patients (the MH group) and ATS valves in 132 patients (the ATS group). Serial changes in echocardiographic findings and clinical outcomes were analyzed. ResultsNo early mortality occurred, and the late valve-related mortality was 11.2% (28/249). The transaortic mean pressure gradient (TMPG) in the MH group increased more rapidly than that in the ATS group during follow-up. Concomitant mitral valve replacement (double valve replacement, DVR) and placement of small aortic prostheses (indexed effective orifice area less than 0.85cm2/m2) were found to contribute to a postoperative increase in TMPG. No inter-group difference in cumulative survival was observed at 10years (88.2±3.1% vs. 84.7±3.1%, p=0.847). Cox regression analysis revealed that old age and DVR were predictors of late death, and that female gender, inclusion in the MH group and DVR were predictive of major adverse valve-related events (MAVREs). ConclusionsThe MH group showed higher MAVREs than the ATS group and a relatively rapid increase in TMPG. Furthermore, DVR and placement of small prostheses were related to a late increase in TMPG irrespective of valve type.