Independent Predictor Of Adverse Events Research Articles

Guideline implementation and early risk assessment in pulmonary arterial hypertension associated with congenital heart disease: A retrospective cohort study.

IntroductionCurrent guidelines emphasize that accurate risk stratification is important for patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), however, few suggestions have been specified for PAH associated with congenital heart disease (PAH‐CHD).ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to propose an accurate and simple system based on current guidelines for risk stratification in PAH‐CHD patients during 12‐month follow‐up.MethodsWe reviewed 288 Chinese PAH‐CHD patients between January 2014 and December 2016 in this retrospective cohort study. The low‐risk criteria according to 2015 European Society of Cardiology guidelines and the adverse events (AEs) during follow‐up were collected. The association between low‐risk criteria and AEs was assessed with Cox regression, and a simplified risk stratification system was proposed.ResultsThere were 105 PAH‐CHD patients included in the final analysis. Twenty‐nine patients had AEs defined as death, initiation of new or combined medication treatment, or re‐hospitalisation because of the PAH worsening. Among the low‐risk criteria, WHO/NYHA functional class, 6‐minute walking distance (6MWD), NT‐proBNP and SvO2 were significantly different between AE and AE‐free groups. However, 6MWD (HR = 0.08, 95% CI: 0.03‐0.19, P < 0.001) and NT‐proBNP (HR = 0.35, 95% CI: 0.16‐0.78, P = 0.01) were the only independent predictors of AEs in multivariable model. When taking them into a simplified system for risk stratification, the number of low‐risk criteria at diagnosis discriminated the risk of AEs (P < 0.001).ConclusionsAmong the low‐risk criteria proposed by current guidelines, 6MWD and NT‐proBNP predicted AEs independently for PAH‐CHD patients. Simplified risk stratification system by taking these two parameters numerically provides accurate prognostic information in PAH‐CHD patients.

Flow, Reflected by Stroke Volume Index, Is a Risk Marker in High-Gradient Aortic Stenosis Patients Undergoing Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement

BackgroundTools are needed to identify patients at increased risk after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). Indexed stroke volume (SVi) is an echocardiographic measurement that is used for low-gradient aortic stenosis. We studied whether low SVi is a high-risk marker in patients with high-gradient aortic stenosis (HG-AS) and assessed the relationship between SVi and left ventricle (LV) systolic function in contributing to this risk. MethodsA total of 816 consecutive patients who underwent TAVR were screened, and only patients with HG-AS were included. Low flow (LF) was defined as SVi ≤ 35 mL/m2. The primary endpoint was defined as a combination of all-cause mortality and readmission with heart failure at 1 year. ResultsOf the 476 patients with HG-AS, 215 (45%) had LF. They had higher N-terminal pro b-type natriuretic peptide (NTproBNP) (2565 [1037-5492] vs 1730 [818-3575], P = 0.006) and smaller indexed valve area (0.30 ± 0.10 vs 0.37 ± 0.10 cm2/m2, P < 0.001) when compared with normal flow patients. The primary endpoint was higher in LF patients (hazard ratio, 1.49; 95% confidence interval, 1.01-2.21; P = 0.045). There were no statistical differences in the individual components of death (13.0% vs 8.9%, P = 0.16) or heart failure (14.9% vs 10.1%, P = 0.12). When stratified according to LV function, low SVi was associated with future adverse events in patients with reduced function (hazard ratio, 3.37; 95% confidence interval, 1.26-8.98; P = 0.015) with comparable clinical outcomes in those with preserved function. LF was an independent predictor of adverse events in the reduced LV function subgroup. ConclusionsSVi can further characterize patients with HG-AS and may help to identify those who are at increased risk after TAVR.

Myocardial Stiffness by Intrinsic Cardiac Elastography in Patients with Amyloidosis: Comparison with Chamber Stiffness and Global Longitudinal Strain

The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that intrinsic cardiac elastography can detect diastolic tissue abnormalities produced by cardiac amyloid infiltration and that measurements may have incremental value beyond traditional echocardiographic measures. The specific aims were (1) to evaluate the relationship between left ventricular myocardial stiffness (by elastography) and measures of diastolic chamber stiffness and systolic strain in patients with amyloidosis and (2) to compare their prognostic potential. We prospectively studied 67 patients with amyloidosis (cardiac amyloidosis, n=48; noncardiac amyloidosis, n=19) and 40 normal subjects. Patients underwent comprehensive echocardiography including measurement of left ventricular global longitudinal strain (GLS) by speckle-tracking. Intrinsic velocity propagation of myocardial stretch (iVP), a direct measure of myocardial elasticity, was quantified using intrinsic cardiac elastography. Chamber stiffness was evaluated from the end-diastolic pressure-volume relationships (P=αVβ). The major end point at follow-up was the composite of death, cardiac hospitalization, worsening heart failure, and stroke. The iVP of myocardial stretch was highest in patients with cardiac amyloidosis compared with those with noncardiac amyloidosis and normal subjects (3.2±1.0, 1.8±0.4, and 1.6±0.2m/sec, respectively; P<.0001) and correlated with chamber stiffness, function, and structure (β coefficient, operating chamber stiffness, GLS, wall thickness; P≤.001 for all). At follow-up (median, 2.6years), measures of left ventricular and myocardial stiffness, GLS, diastolic dysfunction grade, and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide were associated with excess events. At multivariate analysis, iVP of myocardial stretch remained an independent predictor of adverse events, incremental to GLS and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide. Measurements by cardiac elastography correlate with functional and structural derangements produced by cardiac amyloid infiltration but provide unique information that is incremental to conventional echocardiography.

Predictors of long-term outcome after septal myectomy in symptomatic hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy patients with previous alcohol septal ablation and residual obstruction.

Recently alcohol septal ablation (ASA) has emerged as an alternative treatment for drug-refractory hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM) and a subgroup of HOCM patients with previous ASA may need myectomy. However, subsequent outcome and mechanism of residual obstruction has not been determined. This study aims to determine outcome after myectomy and mechanism of residual obstruction in HOCM patients with previous ASA. From February 2009 to June 2017, 38 HOCM patients with previous ASA underwent surgical septal myectomy at our institution. Seventy-six patients who underwent surgical septal myectomy initially were included as the comparison group through one-to-two propensity score matching method. Fourteen available cardiac magnetic resonance images revealed inferior location and small area of infarcted myocardium induced by ASA in 12 patients and outside targeted location in two patients. During follow-up (median, 2.4; maximum, 7.8 years), event-free survival at 7 years was 83.2% in the previous ASA group and 94.6% in the comparison group, respectively (P = 0.0378). Multivariable analysis indicated previous ASA (hazard ratio, 4.28; 95% confidence intervals [CI], 1.20-15.26; P = 0.025) and postoperative left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (hazard ratio, 1.14; 95% CI, 1.05-1.23; P = 0.002) were independent predictors of adverse events. This study demonstrated that uncontrollable extent and location of infarcted myocardium induced by ASA may attribute to residual obstruction after previous ASA, and the long-term event-free survival after myectomy was inferior. It may provide special precaution to patient selection and the increased number of ASA practiced worldwide.

Concomitant left subclavian artery revascularization with carotid-subclavian transposition during zone 2 thoracic endovascular aortic repair

BackgroundLeft subclavian revascularization has become an integral part of thoracic endovascular aortic repair to extend the proximal landing zone. This is most commonly achieved via carotid-subclavian bypass; however, this can be achieved via vessel transposition. MethodsAll patients who had zone 2 thoracic endovascular aortic repairs without branched grafts from 2007 to 2018 were included in the study. The primary outcomes were adverse events, including operative mortality, paraplegia, left arm ischemia, and stroke. Multivariable regression analysis was performed for baseline characteristics associated with adverse events. ResultsA total of 58 patients underwent left subclavian artery transposition for zone 2 thoracic endovascular aortic repair coverage. Operative (30-day) mortality occurred in 3 patients (5.2%). The majority of patients were operated on under urgent (N = 25; 43.1%) or emergency (N = 12; 20.7%) status. Indications for thoracic endovascular aortic repair included aneurysmal disease (34.5%) and type B aortic dissection (chronic [13.8%]; acute [51.7%]). Major adverse events included paraplegia (N = 1; 1.7%), transient paraparesis (N = 3; 5.2%), and stroke (N = 2; 3.4%). Over a mean follow-up of 2.8 years, there were 5 deaths (8.6%). On multivariable analysis, prior stroke (odds ratio, 31.4; 1.95-506.72; P = .02) was an independent predictor of adverse events. ConclusionsCarotid-subclavian transposition offers patients a safe and effective method for left subclavian artery revascularization during thoracic endovascular aortic repair with zone 2 coverage with no increased operative risk and a low complication rate.

A clinical study of prognostic significance of left atrial volume index in patients with acute coronary syndrome

Background: The aim of the study is to determine the relationship of left atrial volume index (LAVI) with the clinical presentation, comorbidities, and adverse events in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients at admission and during their follow-up. Methods: A total of 160 ACS patients enrolled have been divided into Group A (LAVI > 34 ml/m2) and Group B ( LAVI ≤ 34 ml/m2). The symptoms and the LAVI have been assessed at 1, 6, and 12 months of follow-up. The primary end point was cardiovascular (CV) mortality. The secondary end point is the occurrence of major adverse CV events, i.e., repeat hospitalization postdischarge for heart failure, reinfarction, atrial fibrillation, or ischemic stroke. Results: Overall, the median age at presentation was 55 years. There was no sex predilection for increased LAVI or an association with conventional risk factors. The echocardiographic E wave velocity divided by propagation velocity had a positive correlation with the LAVI (r = 0.321, P = 0.0036). The relative risk of morbidity with an increased LAVI was 2.74. The hazard ratio for adverse events in patients with increased LAVI was 2.81. The total number of deaths was 21 (16 and 5 in Group A and B). The LAVI was found to be the independent predictor of mortality than left ventricular ejection fraction on multivariate regression analysis. The receiver operating characteristic curve analysis had an area under the curve of 0.801 for increased LAVI. Conclusion: The LAVI is an independent predictor of adverse events and mortality during the initial hospital stay and at follow-up in ACS patients.

Clinical significance of concordance or discordance between fractional flow reserve and coronary flow reserve for coronary physiological indices, microvascular resistance, and prognosis after elective percutaneous coronary intervention

We aimed to investigate the impact of concordance or discordance of fractional flow reserve (FFR) and coronary flow reserve (CFR) on coronary flow profiles and microvascular resistance after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), and the prognostic impact of the periprocedural physiological indices. A total of 249 de novo physiologically significant coronary lesions from 231 patients who underwent FFR, CFR, and index of microcirculatory resistance (IMR) examinations before and after PCI were included. Baseline characteristics and physiological indices were compared between the concordant (FFR ≤0.80 and CFR <2.0, n=114) and discordant (FFR ≤0.80 and CFR ≥2.0, n=135) groups. Follow-up data were collected to determine predictors of cardiac events. Shortening of the mean transit time, CFR improvement, and decrease in the hyperaemic IMR were all significantly greater in the concordant territories. Cox proportional hazards analysis showed that a lower pre-PCI CFR was an independent predictor of adverse events at a median follow-up of 26.5 months, whereas neither the pre- nor post-PCI FFR was predictive of events. Event-free survival was significantly worse in patients with a lower pre-PCI CFR. FFR/CFR concordantly abnormal territories provide a favourable benefit as assessed by coronary physiological indices after elective PCI. The pre-PCI CFR may predict adverse cardiac events.

The prognostic value of health-related quality of life in patients with Chagas heart disease

To verify the prognostic value of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and the differences in HRQoL and clinical variables between groups of Chagas heart disease (CHD) patients with and without cardiovascular adverse events. Seventy-five CHD patients were evaluated by echocardiography, maximal exercise testing, and Short-form of Health Survey (SF-36) Questionnaire. Patients were followed during 6years. In the statistical analysis, uni- and multivariate Cox regression were performed to verify the accuracy of the HRQoL in predicting cardiovascular events. After the follow-up period (41 ± 12months), 20 patients (27%) had adverse events. Those with poor outcome had lower left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) (p = 0.002), higher left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVDd) (p = 0.019), and worse scores in general health perceptions (p = 0.047), social role functioning (p = 0.026), and mental component summary (p = 0.043) of SF-36. Patients with lower LVEF (p = 0.003), higher LVDd (p = 0.022), worse HRQoL in the general heath perceptions domain (p = 0.022), and mental component summary (p = 0.031) were associated with worse prognosis. In the multivariate Cox regression, LVEF (HR 0.94, 95% CI from 0.90 to 0.98, p = 0.007) and mental component summary (HR 0.98, 95% CI from 0.94 to 1.00, p = 0.047) remained as independent predictors of adverse events in CHD patients. The assessment of HRQoL, especially the mental component, should be taken into account to provide an accurate prognosis in addition to other well-established predictors of poor outcomes in CHD patients.

Frailty Assessment to Help Predict Patients at Risk of Delirium When Consulting the Emergency Department

BackgroundDelirium is underdiagnosed in seniors at emergency departments (EDs) even though it is a frequent complication and is associated with functional and cognitive decline. As frailty is an independent predictor of adverse events in seniors, screening for frailty in EDs may help identify those at risk of delirium. ObjectivesTo assess if screening older patients for frailty in EDs could help identify those at risk of delirium. MethodologyThis study was part of the multicenter prospective cohort INDEED study. Patients aged ≥ 65 years, initially free of delirium, with an ED stay ≥ 8 h were followed up to 24 h after ward admission. Frailty was assessed at baseline using the Clinical Frailty Scale; seniors with a score ≥ 5/7 were considered frail. Their delirium status was assessed twice daily using the Confusion Assessment Method. ResultsAmong the 335 included patients, delirium occurred in 20/70 frail (28.6%) patients and in 20/265 (7.6%) robust ones. After adjusting for age and sex, the risk of delirium during ED stay was 3.13 (95% confidence interval 1.60–6.21) times higher in frail than in robust patients. Time between arrival to the ED and the incidence of delirium was also shorter for frail patients than for the robust ones (adjusted hazard ratio 2.44, 95% confidence interval 1.26–4.74). ConclusionIncreased frailty is associated with increased delirium during ED stays. Screening for frailty at emergency triage could help ED professionals identify seniors at higher risk of delirium.

Prognosis of anatomic coronary artery disease without myocardial ischemia: Coronary computed tomography angiography detects high-risk patients even in cases of negative single-photon emission computed tomography findings

BackgroundWhile coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) provides comprehensive anatomic evaluation of coronary artery disease (CAD) with prognostic implications, clinically, the focus is usually placed on presence or absence of functionally significant CAD. Herein, we aimed to suggest a new risk stratification strategy using CCTA in patients with anatomic CAD but without myocardial ischemia on single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). MethodsConsecutive patients (n=798) with CAD on CCTA who underwent SPECT for evaluation of myocardial ischemia were retrospectively evaluated. The primary outcome was the occurrence of adverse cardiac events, including cardiac death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, unstable angina, and late revascularization. ResultsOf the enrolled patients, 542 (68%) showed no perfusion defect (PD) on SPECT. During the follow-up (median, 22.6 months), adverse cardiac events occurred in 23 patients without PD (4.6%). Presence of plaque in ≥4 coronary segments, plaque in the left main or proximal left anterior descending coronary artery, and partially calcified plaque presence were independent predictors of adverse events. When we defined the CCTA score based on these 3 predictors (0–3 points), the annualized event rates increased with increasing CCTA scores. Patients with a CCTA score of 3 were associated with a 23-fold risk increase (adjusted HR 23.18; p=0.003) and showed unfavorable event-free survival, comparable to those with PD on SPECT (p=0.191). ConclusionAnatomic CAD patients without evidence of myocardial ischemia on SPECT but with high-risk characteristics on CCTA showed unfavorable outcomes, comparable to those with PD. CCTA allows further risk stratification even in patients with negative SPECT findings.

Heart rate as a predictor of cardiovascular risk.

Heart rate (HR) is a predictor of cardiovascular, cerebrovascular and all-cause mortality in the general population, as well as in patients with cardio- and cerebrovascular diseases. We aimed to summarize current knowledge regarding the influence of HR on cardio- and cerebrovascular morbidity and mortality. PubMed, MEDLINE, Ovid and EMBASE databases were searched for large follow-up studies or meta-analysis published between January 1990 and September 2017 in the English language using the following keyword "heart rate," "resting heart rate," "mortality," "outcome," "hypertension," "heart failure," "ischaemic heart disease," "coronary heart disease" and "stroke." The relationship between increased HR and cardio- and cerebrovascular morbidity and mortality has been reported in a large number of studies, and the results regarding this association are concurrent. This connection is generally stronger in men than in women. The increase in HR usually occurs in parallel with elevation of blood pressure and metabolic disturbances (insulin resistance, dyslipidaemia). However, even after adjustment for the most important cardiovascular risk factors, HR remained an independent predictor of adverse events in global population or in patients with cardio- and cerebrovascular diseases. HR has an important negative effect on cardio- and cerebrovascular morbidity and mortality. Future longitudinal investigations should clarify HR significance and optimal HR reduction for primary and secondary prevention in cardio- and cerebrovascular events.

Diagnostic accuracy and prognostic value of simultaneous hybrid 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/magnetic resonance imaging in cardiac sarcoidosis.

Cardiac death is the leading cause of mortality in patients with sarcoidosis, yet cardiac involvement often remains undetected. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) and 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)-positron emission tomography (PET) have been used to diagnose cardiac sarcoidosis (CS) yet never simultaneously in a cohort. This study sought to assess the diagnostic and prognostic utility of simultaneous hybrid cardiac PET/MR. Fifty-one consecutive patients with suspected CS (age 50 ± 13 years, 31 males) underwent simultaneous PET/MR following a high-fat/low-carbohydrate diet and 12-h fast. Blinded image analysis of FDG uptake and late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) was performed using the American Heart Association (AHA) 16-segment model. The sensitivity and specificity of PET/MR for diagnosing CS was estimated using the Japanese Ministry of Health and Welfare guidelines. The primary endpoint was a composite of death, aborted sudden cardiac death, sustained ventricular arrhythmia, complete heart block, and hospital admission with decompensated heart failure. The secondary endpoints were a fall in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) >10%, non-sustained ventricular tachycardia and other cardiac-related hospital admission. The prevalence of CS was 65% (n = 33). The sensitivity of PET and CMR alone for detecting CS was 0.85 and 0.82, respectively. Hybrid PET/MR was superior for detecting CS with sensitivity, specificity, positive, and negative predictive values of 0.94, 0.44, 0.76, and 0.80, respectively. There was poor inter-modality agreement for the location of cardiac abnormalities (k = 0.02). Over the median follow-up of 2.2 years, there were 18 (35%) adverse events. Cardiac RV PET abnormalities and presence of LGE were independent predictors of adverse events. Abnormalities found on both PET and magnetic resonance imaging was the strongest predictor of major adverse cardiac events. Simultaneous PET/MR is an accurate method for diagnosing CS. FDG-PET and CMR combined offers complementary information on disease pathophysiology. The presence of LGE and FDG uptake on PET/MR identifies patients at higher risk of adverse events. PET and CMR should therefore be considered in the assessment of disease presence, stage, and prognosis in CS.

Prognostic impact of left ventricular mass change in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction.

Prognostic significance between progression of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and clinical outcomes in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is uncertain. The objective of this study was to investigate prognostic impact of progression of LV mass index (LVMI) in patients with STEMI.We analyzed the data and clinical outcomes of patients with STEMI who received successful coronary intervention. A total of 200 patients who had echocardiographic follow-up between 12 and 36 months were finally enrolled. According to change in LVMI compared to baseline LVMI, patients were classified into progression group and nonprogression group. Progression of LVMI was defined when increment of LMVI was greater than 10% compared to baseline LVMI. End points were major adverse cardiac events within 5 years, including death, recurrent MI, target vessel revascularization, and hospitalization due to heart failure.Progression of LVMI occurred in 55 patients. In the progression group, rate of recurrent MI was higher (13 vs 2%, P = .026) and the event-free survival of recurrent MI was significantly worse (log-rank P < .001) than that in the nonprogression group. Adjusted hazard ratio of progression of LVMI for recurrent MI was 10.253 (95% confidence intervals 2.019–52.061, P = .005).Increased LVMI was an independent predictor for adverse events, especially for recurrent MI, in patients with STEMI.

Clinical and prognostic relationships of pulmonary artery to aorta diameter ratio in patients with heart failure: a cardiac magnetic resonance imaging study

The pulmonary artery (PA) distends as pressure increases. The ratio of PA to aortic (Ao) diameter may be an indicator of pulmonary hypertension and consequently carry prognostic information in patients with chronic heart failure (HF). Patients with chronic HF and control subjects undergoing cardiac magnetic resonance imaging were evaluated. The main PA diameter and the transverse axial Ao diameter at the level of bifurcation of the main PA were measured. The maximum diameter of both vessels was measured throughout the cardiac cycle and the PA/Ao ratio was calculated. A total of 384 patients (mean age, 69 years; mean left ventricular ejection fraction, 40%; median NT-proBNP, 1010 ng/L [interquartile range, 448-2262 ng/L]) and 38 controls were included. Controls and patients with chronic HF had similar maximum Ao and PA diameters and PA/Ao ratio. During a median follow-up of 1759 days (interquartile range, 998-2269 days), 181 patients with HF were hospitalized for HF or died. Neither PA diameter nor PA/Ao ratio predicted outcome in univariable analysis. In a multivariable model, only age and NT-proBNP were independent predictors of adverse events. The PA/Ao ratio is not a useful method to stratify prognosis in patients with HF.

Renal function and risk of stroke and bleeding in patients undergoing catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation: Comparison between uninterrupted direct oral anticoagulants and warfarin administration

The effect of uninterrupted oral anticoagulant use in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) during catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF) is not fully understood. The present study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of periprocedural uninterrupted direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC) use compared with those of uninterrupted warfarin use in patients undergoing catheter ablation for AF stratified by various renal function groups. A total of 2091 patients were retrospectively included in this study. The study population was divided into 4 groups: creatinine clearance level ≥80 mL/min (n = 1086), 50-79 mL/min (n = 774), 15-49 mL/min (n = 209), and <15 mL/min (n = 22). We investigated periprocedural complications and compared them between uninterrupted DOAC and warfarin groups. There was no significant difference in thromboembolic events among the 4 groups (0.6%, 0.6%, 1.0%, and 0%, respectively; P = .792). However, major bleeding events (0.9%, 1.4%, 4.8%, and 4.5%; P < .001) and minor bleeding events (4.1%, 6.1%, 11.5%, and 13.6%; P < .001) primarily occurred in patients with CKD. The rate of periprocedural complications in the DOAC group was similar to that in the warfarin group for each renal function category. Adverse events did not differ after adjustment using propensity score-matched analysis. Multivariate analysis showed that lower body weight, antiplatelet drug use, initial ablation session, and CKD were independent predictors of adverse events. The periprocedural bleeding risk was increased in patients with CKD. Uninterrupted DOAC and warfarin administration during catheter ablation for AF in patients with CKD is feasible and effective.

The prognostic value of brain natriuretic peptide in patients with heart failure and left ventricular ejection fraction higher than 60%: a sub-analysis of the J-MELODIC study.

AimsCardiac function varies in the population of patients with heart failure (HF) with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF; HFpEF). This study investigated the heterogeneity of clinical features associated with HF and the prognostic value of BNP levels in patients with HFpEF.Methods and resultsThe study enrolled 288 patients with stable HF and serum creatinine <1.5 mg/dL who were part of the original J‐MELODIC study cohort. They were categorized as having HF with reduced LVEF (HFrEF; EF ≤ 40%, n = 83) or as having HFpEF (EF > 40%, n = 205). Patients with HFpEF were further categorized as having relatively low LVEF (HFrlEF; EF 40–60%, n = 107) or as having relatively high LVEF (HFrhEF; EF ≥ 60%, n = 98). We defined cardiovascular death and hospitalization for HF as adverse events and evaluated the prognostic value of the BNP levels in each group. There was no significant difference in event‐free survival between HFpEF and HFrEF patients or between HFrhEF and HFrlEF patients. A multivariate Cox proportional hazards model revealed that the BNP level was an independent predictor of adverse events in HFrEF patients (hazard ratio: 4.088, 95% confidence interval: 1.178–14.179, P = 0.027) and in HFrlEF patients (hazard ratio: 14.888, 95% confidence interval: 4.969–44.608, P < 0.001) but not in HFrhEF patients (P = 0.767).ConclusionsThe BNP level has prognostic value in HFrlEF but not in HFrhEF. This indicates that HFrhEF and HFrlEF are distinct entities that may require different approaches for the management of HF.

Revascularization of Left Coronary System Using a Skeletonized Left Internal Mammary Artery - Sequential vs. Separate Grafting.

To evaluate in-hospital and mid-term outcomes of sequential vs. separate grafting of in situ skeletonized left internal mammary artery (LIMA) to the left coronary system in a single-center, propensity-matched study.Methods and Results:After propensity score-matching, 120 pairs of patients undergoing first scheduled isolated coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) with in situ skeletonized LIMA grafting to the left anterior descending artery (LAD) territory were entered into a sequential group (sequential grafting of LIMA to the diagonal artery and then to the LAD) or a control group (separate grafting of LIMA to the LAD). The in-hospital and follow-up clinical outcomes and follow-up LIMA graft patency were compared. Both propensity score-matched groups had similar in-hospital and follow-up clinical outcomes. Sequential LIMA grafting was not found to be an independent predictor of adverse events. During a follow-up period of 27.0±7.3 months, 99.1% patency for the diagonal site and 98.3% for the LAD site were determined by coronary computed tomographic angiography after sequential LIMA grafting, both of which were similar with graft patency of separate grafting of in situ skeletonized LIMA to the LAD. Revascularization of the left coronary system using a skeletonized LIMA resulted in excellent in-hospital and mid-term clinical outcomes and graft patency using sequential grafting.

Intramyocardial dissecting hematoma in anterior wall ST elevation myocardial infarction: impact on left ventricular remodeling and prognosis.

Intramyocardial dissecting hematoma is an uncommon complication of myocardial infarction potentially leading to cardiac rupture. The aim of the present study was to investigate coronary reperfusion results, left ventricular (LV) function recovery and remodeling and clinical outcomes in patients with anterior STEMI complicated by intramyocardial hematoma. We prospectively studied 87 patients (mean age 59 ± 10 years; 88% male) with anterior STEMI (42 with intramyocardial hematoma) in order to evaluate coronary reperfusion results, LV remodeling (≥15% increase in end-systolic volume) and clinical outcomes (cardiac death, non-fatal reinfarction, and hospitalization for congestive heart failure) at 24months. Thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) flow score and myocardial blush grade (MBG) were assessed both pre- and post-percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and speckle-tracking echocardiography was performed post PCI and at 6-month follow-up. Patients with hematoma had lower post-PCI TIMI score and MBG, higher heart rate, worse LV ejection fraction and longitudinal or rotational function than their counterparts. LV remodeling occurred in 33 (78.6%) patients with hematoma and 11 (24.4%) patients without (p < 0.001). Independent predictors of LV remodeling were heart rate (p = 0.018), MBG (p = 0.036) and presence of hematoma (p < 0.001). Hematoma (log-rank test, χ2 = 9.849; p = 0.002) and LV remodeling (log-rank test, χ2 = 13.770; p < 0.001) were associated to a higher rate of adverse events. Cox analysis identified LV remodeling as the only independent predictor of adverse events (hazard ratio = 3.912; 95% confidence interval, 1.429-10.714; p = 0.008). Intramyocardial dissecting hematoma complicating anterior STEMI is an independent determinant of LV remodeling and is associated to poor prognosis.

Thirty-day non-seizure outcomes following temporal lobectomy for adult epilepsy

ObjectiveMulti-institutional rates of acute adverse outcomes other than seizures after temporal lobectomy (TL) are not well understood. Here we analyzed short-term morbidity and mortality following TL using a validated national database. Patients and methodsThe multi-institutional American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) database was queried by Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) code for TL procedures performed for adult patients with diagnoses related to epilepsy from 2008 to 2014. Patient demographics, operative variables, hospital variables, preoperative laboratory values, and preexisting comorbidities were analyzed using univariate and multivariate techniques to determine associations with 30-day postoperative morbidity and mortality. ResultsA total of 202 TL procedures were analyzed, 80 (39.6%) with intraoperative electrocorticography (ECOG) and 122 (60.4%) without ECOG. Mean age was 40.4±13.7years, and 47.5% of patients were male. Overall morbidity and mortality were 11.4% and 2.0%, respectively. The most common adverse outcomes were reoperation (5.4%), stroke with residual deficit (2.5%), failure to wean from ventilator (2.0%), and surgical site infection (2.0%). Adverse event rates were not significantly different between TLs with and without ECOG (13.1% vs. 8.8%, p=0.375). Independent predictors of adverse events included prior stroke (OR 7.60, 95% CI 1.22–47.17, p=0.029) and chronic steroid use (OR 10.90, 95% CI 1.03–115.79, p=0.048). Diabetes mellitus (p=0.078) and older age (p=0.145) approached but did not reach significance in the multivariate model. ConclusionsWe report rates of acute morbidity and mortality following TL procedures using a national database. These findings can be used both to assist with patient selection as well as patient counseling prior to surgery.

Usefulness of the Direct and/or Total Bilirubin to Predict Adverse Outcomes in Patients With Acute Decompensated Heart Failure

Abnormal liver function test results are often observed in acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF). However, the prognostic value of bilirubin fractionation has not been elucidated. The prognostic value of direct bilirubin (DB), in comparison with total bilirubin (TB), was examined in 556 consecutive patients with ADHF. Patients with elevated DB showed mostly similar patient characteristics including signs of elevated right-sided pressure (frequent hepatomegaly, jugular venous distention, dilated inferior vena cava, and elevated gamma-glutamyltransferase) and decreased cardiac output (cold extremities, decreased pulse pressure, and lower blood pressure) and other parameters of heart failure (HF) severity (increased plasma renin activity, decreased sodium, total cholesterol, and ejection fraction) to elevated TB; however, only patients with elevated DB showed a significant difference in the frequency of HF history and alkaline phosphatase value. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that patients with elevated DB had a significantly higher rate of the composite end point of all-cause mortality or HF readmission (p= 0.021) compared with those with normal DB, whereas patients with elevated TB did not show a statistically significant difference compared with those with normal TB (NS). A multivariate Cox hazards model showed that DB was an independent predictor of adverse events (adjusted hazard ratio 1.052, 95% confidence interval 1.001 to 1.099, p= 0.034), whereas TB was not (adjusted hazard ratio 1.017, 95% confidence interval 0.985 to 1.046, p= 0.27). Adding DB to existing prognostic variables resulted in higher C-statistics than adding TB (C-statistics: 0.670 to 0.675, 0.670 to 0.674, respectively). In conclusion, elevated DB in ADHF was an independent prognostic predictor that was superior to TB. DB may be useful for further risk stratification in ADHF.