Mortality In Group Of Patients Research Articles

Medical follow-up and long-term survival of patients with cerebrovascular accident: data from the REGION-M registry

Aim. To assess the survival rate of patients after cerebrovascular accident (CVA), depending on the visits to the local outpatient clinic and the type of medical supervision, and in the first year after hospital discharge.Material and methods. The outpatient part of the REGION-M registry included 684 patients assigned to the City Polyclinic № 64 of Moscow, discharged from the F. I. Inozemtsev City Clinical Hospital (Moscow) in the period from January 1, 2012 to April 30, 2017 with a confirmed diagnosis of cerebral stroke/transient ischemic attack.Results. During the first year after the CVA, 451 (65,9%) patients visited the local clinic on their own (group 1), while 166 (24,3%) patients was consulted by house call (group 2), and 67 (9,8%) did not see the physician (group 3). Patients visited by house call were more likely to have prior coronary artery disease and stroke, and the age of men was older than in other groups. Patients who did not see a doctor were less likely to have comorbidities and disabilities, and were less likely to visit the clinic before stroke. The mortality of patients in group 3 was significantly higher throughout the entire follow-up period (55,2%, 70,1% and 77,6% at stages 1, 2 and 3 (p<0,001), respectively) than in group 2 (31,2%, 55,4% (p<0,001)) and group 1 (23,7%, 37,0% and 54,3% (p<0,001)). Mortality of patients in group 1 was lower than group 2 (p<0,05-0,01). The relative risk of death in clinic visitors was 0,450 (95% confidence interval (CI), 0,333-0,608, p<0,0001), while in those visited by a doctor at home — 0,668 (95% CI, 0,482-0,927, p<0,05). In multivariate analysis and adjustment for sex and age (relative risk (RR) of death, 0,08 (95% CI, 0,048-0,133), p<0,0001 and 1,036 (95% CI, 1,031-1,042), p<0,001, respectively), the independent contribution of the factor of clinic visits was preserved. Thus, the RR of death in visitors was 0,996 (95% CI, 0,994-0,999), p<0,001 and 0,998 (95% CI, 0,995-1,0), p<0,05.Conclusion. The lower mortality among those visited the local clinic in the first year after CVA and among those who were visited by a doctor at home, compared with patients who were not observed, confirms the important role of medical supervision in the post-hospital period.

Comparison of long-term outcomes and risk factors of aortic stenosis treatment in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation and surgical aortic valve replacement.

Aortic stenosis (AS) is the most common valvular heart disease and untreated has a bleak prognosis. The only effective method of treatment is valve replacement, surgical (SAVR), or transcatheter (TAVI). We decided to analyze outcomes and predictors of long-term mortality in patients undergoing TAVI and SAVR. A retrospective analysis of 1229 patients with advanced AS, comprising TAVI (n = 211), SAVR (n = 556), SAVR, and additional procedures (n = 462), operated on from 2014 to 2018, was performed. No significant differences between SAVR and TAVI were found for 24-month mortality in groups of consecutive patients. Postoperative stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and transfusion of red blood cells (RBCs) were independent predictors of 1-year mortality after SAVR. The above-mentioned factors regarding the increased estimated surgery risk in the EuroSCORE II ( > 4%) were predictors of 2-years mortality after SAVR. Risk factors for 6- and 12-month mortality after TAVI were EuroSCORE II, new onset of atrial fibrillation (NOAF), and the increased RBC distribution width (RDW). Postoperative respiratory failure was an independent risk factor for 6-, 12- and 24-month mortality in both groups of patients. There were no significant differences regarding prognosis after TAVI and SAVR at the 24-month follow-up in the propensity score matching model. Independent predictive factors of late mortality after both procedures were EuroScore II and respiratory failure. Independent predictive factors of late mortality specific for TAVI were NOAF, increased RDW, and for SAVR: TIA, stroke, COPD, and RBC transfusion.

Cerebral strokes in patients with COVID-19

The article presents the results of studying the course and outcomes of cerebral strokes in 306 patients with COVID-19 (main group) and 306 patients without the novel coronavirus infection (control group). Compared with the control group, in the group of patients with stroke and the novel coronavirus infection, no significant gender and age differences were found. In both groups, women traditionally predominated (57.2% in the main and 61.8% in the control group) and the age range was 60-89 years (83.0% and 89.4%, respectively). All patients from the comparison groups had premorbid risk factors for the development of stroke: chronic cardiovascular diseases (arterial hypertension, hyperglycemia, arrhythmias, dyslipidemia) and, accordingly, high risks of extracerebral complications and unfavorable outcomes of the disease. It was found that in patients with stroke and COVID-19, severe and extremely severe neurological disorders prevailed (31.7% and 38.9%, respectively). Hemispheric localization of brain lesions prevailed over brainstem and cerebellar, and the course of the disease in 60.1% of cases was complicated by the development of multisegmental pneumonia with a predominance of moderate (34.2%), severe (29.4%) and critical (21.2%) lesions. The above features could have a negative impact on the outcomes of the disease, which was manifested by an increase in mortality in the main group of patients by 2.2 times compared with the control group.

Risk stratification in patients with coronary heart disease before cardiac surgery

Objective. To analyse the risk stratification effectiveness for calculators EuroSCORE I, EuroSCORE II, STS in patients with ischemic disease before cardiac surgery.
 Materials and methods. Retrospective analysis of data was conducted from randomized 194 patients with coronary artery disease who were discharged from the Amosov National Institute of Cardiovascular Surgery after coronary artery bypass surgery in the period 2009 - 2019. An average age of patients was (64.2 ± 8.9). In all patients clinical and laboratory studies, echocardiography, electrocardiography, coronary angiography as well as surgical revascularization were conducted. Preoperative risk stratification was performed using three available calculators Euro SCORE I, EuroSCORE II and STS.
 Results. There was no mortality in the study group of patients, while the predicted surgical mortality on the EuroSCORE I scale was 25.02%, EuroSCORE II - 7.78%, STS - 2.84%. According to the results of twenty years period of the Amosov National Institute of Cardiovascular Surgery in the surgical treatment of coronary heart disease in more than 15,000 patients, mortality from coronary heart disease was less than 0.6%, which is much less than the predicted mortality rates.
 Conclusions. Prior to surgery, risk stratification of patients should be performed on appropriate scales to understand their baseline status. The EuroSCORE II scale is optimal for use in modern cardiac surgery. Surgery in patients with a high estimated risk (EuroSCORE II> 5%) should be performed by an experienced cardiac surgeon with more than 10 years of cardiac surgery experience.

Mortality Rates of EUS-Guided Biliary Drainage (EUS-BD) in Malignant Biliary Obstruction Patients in EUS-BD Era versus Non-EUS-BD Era: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Introduction: Most of the Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) patients are commonly found in an advanced stage and often presents with Malignant Biliary Obstruction (MBO). Palliative treatment using biliary drainage plays a major role in the treatment modalities. However, only a few studies with small number of subjects have reported their long term outcomes. Aim: To compare the mortality rates of MBO patients in Endoscopic Ultrasound-guided Biliary Drainage (EUS-BD) era versus non-EUS-BD era. Materials and Methods: The present study was a retrospective cohort study which enrolled 132 MBO patients who had received palliative treatment between January 2014 to August 2020 at Thabo Crown Prince Hospital, Nong Khai, Thailand. The patients were treated either with EUS-BD (group l, n=30) or non-EUS-BD (group ll, n=94). Due to imbalance of follow-up time between two groups, the Overall Survival (OS) rates were compared using parametric survival analysis with restricted mean difference at 12 months follow-up, adjusted by other covariates, and presented in term of Kaplan-Meier curve, Hazard Ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval. Results: Most of the patients (99.19%) were having CCA. The clinical characteristics between the two groups showed no significant difference, except the mean follow-up time that group II was shorter than group I (2.43 vs. 7.12 months; p<0.001). At 12 months after treatment, the OS rate of group I remained significantly higher than group II (mean difference=2.23; 95%CI: 0.54-3.92; p=0.010). The parametric-Cox proportional hazard model showed that the 1-year mortality of patients in group I were 63% less than those in group II, the parametric model between two groups showed statistical significance with p-value=0.043. Conclusion: From present study it can be concluded that EUS-BD in MBO patients achieves lower mortality rate at one year follow-up. For conclusive findings of the benefit of EUS-BD, a prospective long term study with larger numbers of subjects should be performed.

Comparison of the results in Normal Flow High Gradient and Low Flow Low Gradient patients after correction of pronounced aortic stenosis with Ozaki procedure in the long-term observation

Relevance.It has been proven that patients with Low Flow Low Gradient (LFLG) after aortic valve replacement with biological or mechanical prostheses have a higher mortality rate and the number of adverse events compared with patients with Normal Flow High Gradient (NFHG). However, there are currently no comparative studies of patients with NFHG and LFLG after the Ozaki procedure. The better hemodynamic properties of autopericardial cusps compared with biological prostheses can more favorably influence the results in patients with LFLG in the short and long-term follow-up periods.
 Aim.1. Compare the hospit and long-term results of patients of the LFLG group with the results of patients of the NFHG group after the Ozaki procedure. 2. Identify predictors of hospital and long-term mortality in patients with LFLG.
 Materials and methods.All patients have been divided into two groups. Group 1: 137 patients with NFHG and signs of classic aortic stenosis: AVA1 cm2, Gmean40, SV index 35 ml/m2and normal left ventricle (LV) ejection fraction. Group 2. 71 patients with LFLG and underestimation of the average gradient indices (Gmean40) despite a decrease in the aortic valve aperture AVA1 cm2amid a decrease in the index of stroke volume 35 ml/m2and LV systolic function.
 Results.Hospital mortality after surgical correction of AV stenosis was significantly higher in patients of group 2: 3 (4.2%) patients and 1 (0.7%) patients, respectively (p=0.002). Survival at the maximum follow-up period for patients with LFLG was significantly lower than in the group of patients with NFHG 88.6 (95% confidence interval CI 4449.6) and 97.8 (95% CI 48.951), respectively (p=0.009). According to the results of the Cox regression analysis, the independent predictors of mortality in the long-term follow-up of patients with LFLG are the SV odds ratio 0.8 (95% CI 0.91.1);p=0.008 and the global longitudinal LV deformation (GLS) odds ratio 0.56 (95% CI 0.471.1);p=0.01.
 Conclusions.1. After the Ozaki procedure, patients with the LFLG group have higher risks of adverse events, both at the hospital stage and in the long-term follow-up, compared to patients with NFHG. 2. The duration of ischemia and LV mass are predictors of hospital mortality in the LFLG group of patients. 3. Predictors of long-term mortality in patients with LFLG are LV stroke volume index and global longitudinal LV deformation.

Thirty years of CMV seroprevalence\u2014a longitudinal analysis in a German university hospital

Human cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in patient groups at risk. We have previously shown that the anti-CMV IgG seroprevalence in an urban region of Germany has changed over the last decades. Overall, a decline from 63.7 to 57.25% had been observed between 1988–1997 and 1998–2008 (p < 0,001). Here, we continuously follow the trends to the most recent decade 2009 to 2018. In a retrospective analysis, we determined the seroprevalence of CMV IgG antibodies in our patient cohort, stratified by gender and selected groups at risk (e.g., patients with HIV infection; women of childbearing age). The overall prevalence of anti-CMV IgG non-significantly declined further from 57.25% in 1998–2008 to 56.48% in 2009–2018 (p = 0.881). Looking at gender differences, overall CMV seroprevalence in males declined to 52.82% (from 55.54% in 1998–2008; p = 0.0254), while it non-significantly increased in females to 59.80%. The high seroprevalence in patients with a known HIV infection further increased from 87.46% in 1998–2008 to 92.93% in the current period (p = 0.9999). In women of childbearing age, no significant changes over the last three decades could be observed. The CMV seroprevalence in oncological patients was determined to be 60.64%. Overall, the former significant decline of CMV seroprevalence between the decades 1988–1997 and 1998–2008 in this urban region of Germany slowed down to a non-significant decrease of 0.77% (1998–2008 vs. 2009–2018). This might be an indicator that CMV seroprevalence has reached a plateau.

P2746Survival of people with valvular heart disease in the community (OxValve-Survive)

Abstract Background Valvular heart disease (VHD) occurs commonly in older patients (&gt;65 years) but the majority is mild disease, which is of uncertain importance. Understanding the impact of VHD on mortality in this older group of patients would help determine its relevance and aid the appropriate use of healthcare resources. OxValve is a cohort study in Oxfordshire screening people aged 65 and over for VHD. Over 4,009 participants were recruited between August 2009 and May 2016 and screened using echocardiography to establish the presence and severity of VHD. AIMS To report survival in the OxValve cohort, and to investigate whether people with VHD are at increased risk of death. Methods The OxValve cohort was linked to Office for National Statistics mortality data to obtain date and cause of death. Cox regression was used to investigate the association of any VHD, VHD of significant severity, and VHD subtypes with all-cause and cause-specific mortality, adjusting for potential confounders including age, sex, socioeconomic status, smoking, and comorbidities. Results Linked mortality data was available for 3,511 OxValve participants up to September 2018 (median 5.85 years follow-up). VHD was present in 2,645 (75.3%) participants and of these 288 (8.2%) had significant VHD. In total, 311 (8.9%) participants had died. Cancer was the commonest cause of death (n=135), followed by cardiovascular disease (n=75) and respiratory disease (n=35). After adjustment for age and other covariates, mild to moderate VHD was not associated with increased all-cause mortality (HR 1.16, 95% CI: 0.89 to 1.50). However, VHD of significant severity (moderate or severe disease) was associated with a nearly two-fold higher risk of death overall (HR 1.92, 95% CI: 1:38 to 2.67) including increased CVD mortality (HR 2.25, 95% CI: 1.21 to 4.18). DISCUSSION Mild to moderate VHD was very common, but was not associated with increased mortality. Significant VHD was however associated with a two-fold reduction in survival. Further research is required to understand the natural history of VHD, how to identify those with progressive disease and when to intervene. Acknowledgement/Funding NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, Oxford

Effects of Meek skin grafting on patients with extensive deep burn at different age groups

Objective: To investigate the effect of Meek skin grafting on patients with extensive deep burn at different age groups. Methods: Eighty-four patients with extensive deep burns conforming to the study criteria were hospitalized in our unit from April 2011 to April 2015. Patients were divided into children group (C, with age less than 12 years old), young and middle-aged group (YM, with age more than 18 years and less than 50 years old), and old age group (O, with age more than 55 years old) according to age, with 28 patients in each group. All patients received Meek skin grafting treatment. The use of autologous skin area, operation time, wound healing time, and hospitalization time were recorded. The survival rate of skin graft on post operation day 7, complete wound healing rate in post treatment week 2, and the mortality were calculated. Data were processed with one-way analysis of variance, t test, and χ(2) test. Results: The use of autologous skin area of patients in group C was (5.1±1.0)% total body surface area (TBSA), significantly less than (8.3±1.0)%TBSA and (8.3±1.4)%TBSA in groups YM and O, respectively (with t values 32.900 and 52.624, respectively, P values below 0.05). The operation time, wound healing time, and hospitalization time of patients in group C were (1.368±0.562) h, (9.6±0.6) and (32±11) d, significantly shorter than those in group YM [(3.235±0.011) h, (16.9±2.6) and (48±12) d, respectively] and group O [(3.692±0.481) h, (17.3±2.6) and (46±13) d, respectively, with t values from 4.350 to 21.160, P values below 0.05]. The survival rate of skin graft of patients on post operation day 7 in group C was (92±15)%, significantly higher than (81±10)% and (72±12)% in groups YM and O, respectively (with t values 5.509 and 3.229, respectively, P values below 0.05). The above indexes in groups YM and O were similar (with t values from 0.576 to 22.958, P values above 0.05). Complete wound healing rate in post treatment week 2 and the mortality of patients in group C were similar to those in groups YM and O (with χ(2) values 0.365 and 0.122, respectively, P values above 0.05). Conclusions: Meek skin grafting can be used in the treatment of patients with extensive deep burns at different age groups, compared with the young and middle-aged and old patients, the effect in children was better.

The reverse remodeling of the aorta in patients after renal transplantation - the value of aortic stiffness index: prospective echocardiographic study

BackgroundAtherosclerosis is regarded as a combination of two major separate diseases: atherosis and sclerosis. Sclerotic component depends on deterioration of elastic properties of the aortic wall and is called aortic stiffness. The most valuable, non-invasive method of aortic stiffness assessment is echocardiography, which allows to calculate the aortic stiffness index (ASI). ASI is an independent predictor of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in different groups of patients. The main aim of study was the assessment of the aortic reverse remodeling in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) after renal transplantation (RT).MethodsStudy group involved 42 patients aged 43.3 ± 12.6 years, including 19 women aged 49.9 ± 10.9 years and 23 men aged 41.5 ± 12.91 years, who have undergone RT from non-related renal transplant donors, The study protocol has been consisted of 5 stages: 1 week after RT, 3 months after RT, 6 months after RT, 1 year after RT and 3 years after RT. The echocardiographic examination was performed and measurements of Aomax, Aomin were done. On the base of obtained parameters ASI, aortic distensibility (AD) and aortic strain (AS) were calculated according to adequate formulas.ResultsThe improvement of indices characterizing the elastic properties of aorta were noted. These changes attained the statistically significant level only at the end of the observation. ASI just after RT was equal – 4.65 ± 1.58, three months after RT – 4.54 ± 1.49, six months after RT – 4.59 ± 1.61, one year after RT – 4.35 ± 1.21 and three years after RT – 3.35 ± 1.29, while AD reached respectively – 6.55 ± 3.76 cm2/dyn−110−6 just after RT, − 6.38 ± 3.42 cm2/dyn−110−6 three months after RT, − 6.53 ± 3.60 cm2/dyn−110−6 six months after RT, − 6.48 ± 2.79 cm2/dyn−110−6 one year after RT and – 8.03 ± 3.95 cm2/dyn−110−6 three years after RT. Noted AS values were equal – 6.61 ± 4.05%, just after RT, − 6.40 ± 3.58% three months after RT, − 6.56 ± 3.76%, six months after RT, − 6.45 ± 2.80% one year after RT, − 8.01 ± 3.97%. and three years after RT. The exact analysis of parameters concerning aortic function showed that to achieve ASI, AD and AS improvement, long time was needed, because the most significant changes of these indices were observed only between 1 year and 3 years after RT.ConclusionsThere is a relationship between renal transplantation and improvement of the aortic elastic properties. The recovery of the renal function allows to initiate the reparative processes leading to at least partial restitution of the structure and features of the aorta, which is called reverse remodelling. Improvement of aortic wall elastic properties after renal transplantation is a continuous and prolonged process.

Aureonitol, a Fungi-Derived Tetrahydrofuran, Inhibits Influenza Replication by Targeting Its Surface Glycoprotein Hemagglutinin.

The influenza virus causes acute respiratory infections, leading to high morbidity and mortality in groups of patients at higher risk. Antiviral drugs represent the first line of defense against influenza, both for seasonal infections and pandemic outbreaks. Two main classes of drugs against influenza are in clinical use: M2-channel blockers and neuraminidase inhibitors. Nevertheless, because influenza strains that are resistant to these antivirals have been described, the search for novel compounds with different mechanisms of action is necessary. Here, we investigated the anti-influenza activity of a fungi-derived natural product, aureonitol. This compound inhibited influenza A and B virus replication. This compound was more effective against influenza A(H3N2), with an EC50 of 100 nM. Aureonitol cytoxicity was also very low, with a CC50 value of 1426 μM. Aureonitol inhibited influenza hemagglutination and, consequently, significantly impaired virus adsorption. Molecular modeling studies revealed that aureonitol docked in the sialic acid binding site of hemagglutinin, forming hydrogen bonds with highly conserved residues. Altogether, our results indicate that the chemical structure of aureonitol is promising for future anti-influenza drug design.

Exacerbations of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Implementation of Guidelines Gold 2011 in Practice

Abstract Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a disease that is characterized by a persistent blockage of airflow from the lungs. It is an under-diagnosed, life-threatening disease which is not fully reversible. COPD is not only global health problem, the disease is also serious economic problem. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of implementation of new guidelines Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) for diagnosis and treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Design: Consecutive, observational, retrospective, mono-centric study. Methods: Into the study were included all patients admitted with COPD exacerbations to Department of Pneumology and Phtiseology, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin and University Hospital, separately in year 2008 and year 2013, who have satisfied the inclusion criteria. Those years were chosen specifically from the reason of biennial application of diagnosis and treatment, according to recommended guidelines GOLD 2006 and GOLD 2011, in practice. The study was focused on the basic anthropometric parameters, data of medical history, complications of underlying disease, comorbidities, laboratory parameters, treatment strategy of patients after release from hospital and mortality within one year were evaluated. Results: Patients in group 2013, when were applied guidelines GOLD 2011 had a higher average oxygen saturation and higher pO2 at all stages of the disease, significantly in GOLD D. They had higher values of FEV1 and FVC significantly in GOLD B. There was decrease of overuse of inhalation corticosteroids in group GOLD B from 53.34% to 28.57%. There was a downturn in use of theophylline, significantly in GOLD C. The average number of exacerbations leading to hospitalizations was lower in group 2013 in all stages of the disease. One-year mortality of patients in group 2013 was lower. Conclusions: The implementation and application of guidelines GOLD 2011 in practice is a challenging and complex process, which is in region of University hospital Martin gradually and successfully implemented. The achievement the objectives of the GOLD 2011 not only contributes to the efficiency of prevention and timely diagnosis, but mainly on setting of adequate treatment, improves survival and quality of life of patients with COPD.

Modeling the evolutionary demographic processes for geomedicine

We describe the principles for constructing evolutionary demographic models for geomedical statistics. Several variants of evolutionary models are proposed: (1) a model of the evolution of a closed population taking into account distribution by age, (2) a model that takes into account the morbidity and difference in mortality for groups of patients and healthy individuals, (3) a model that takes into account the distribution of different age groups by fertile ability, (4) a migration model that takes into account the population exchange between several localities, and (5) a model of the propagation of infectious diseases. Each model depends on a group of parameters determined from the medical and demographic state of the population. We discuss the possible application of the proposed evolutionary models to geomedical statistics.

P302 Home Mechanical Ventilation: Has Ventilator Technology Surpassed Our Ability To Care For Some Patients In A Community Setting?

Introduction Home mechanical ventilation (HMV) for patients with chronic respiratory failure is a growing therapeutic modality that can reduce morbidity and mortality. 1 HMV may be complex to establish and requires a clear care pathway from acute to community services. The aim was to ascertain factors influencing in-patient length of stay (LoS) and mortality in individuals requiring HMV who were unable to use the device independently. All HMV was initiated in a respiratory high dependency unit (RHDU) in a university hospital. Method A retrospective analysis of medical notes was conducted for all patients initiated on HMV between September 2012 and September 2013. Patients who were unable to manage the device independently were identified. Data collected included: admission data, social history, primary diagnosis, date deemed medically fit, readmission to RHDU, bed days post medically fit (section 5), reasons for delayed discharge and outcome. LoS and bed day cost were calculated based on trust finance data for level 1 and 2 beds. Results Twelve patients were identified and separated into 2 groups according to LoS: less than 5 days (group 1; n = 5) or greater than 5 days (group 2; n = 7). Various primary diagnoses were represented in each group. The main variable separating groups was pre-admission social status. Patients with a live-in carer, willing spouse or established 24-hour care were discharged back to their original home within 4 days of being declared medically fit. Those without such care had an average LoS of 27.4 days (17–51), with a large increase in associated cost and mortality. (Table 1). All patients in Group 1 survived and were successfully discharged. The in-hospital mortality for patients in Group 2 was 86%. Discussion HMV is a complex modality requiring specialist training to facilitate home use. Patients unable to manage HMV independently have significant care needs. This study showed that patients who do not have an established care network pre-discharge have an increased LoS and higher mortality. The current Continuing Healthcare process and Social Services structure is not robust enough to meet these patients’ needs. References European Respiratory Journal. 2005;25(6):1025-1031 Rello J, et al . Chest . 2010;137(5):1138-1144

Выбор классификации повреждений поджелудочной железы для определения тактики хирургического лечения

The purpose of this study was the choice of classification for objective assessment of the severity of traumatic injuries of the pancreas on the basis of a comparative analysis of the immediate results of surgical treatment. A new variant of the classification of severity traumatic injuries of the pancreas was proposed. Comparative analysis of classifications D. Smego et al. (1985) and A.K. Eramishanсev et al. (1994) with the proposed option stratification affected by severity of damage was carried out. The study is based as a retrospective analysis of 202 patients with the treatment of traumatic injuries of the pancreas, made during the period from 1990 to 2006. For each of the classifications of all the patients were divided into 4 groups depending on the severity of the damage and determined the number and severity of specific postoperative complications, mortality, and length of hospital stay of discharged patients. Directly propor-tional to a statistically significant dependence of the increase in the number of unfavorable outcomes of treatment and duration of hospital stay with increased severity of damage to the pancreas when using the proposed classification author’s scheme was revealed. Other classifications were not statistically significant differences in complications and mortality in groups of patients with different degrees of severity of injury to the pancreas.

Digoxin in advanced heart failure patients: A question of rhythm

BackgroundThe impact of digoxin on outcomes of patients with advanced heart failure (HF) remains uncertain and its effect may be different for patients in atrial fibrillation (AF) or sinus rhythm (SR). ObjectivesTo determine the impact of digoxin on outcomes of advanced HF patients and to assess whether prognosis differs in patients in AF and SR. MethodsA total of 268 consecutive patients admitted to an intensive care unit with decompensated HF were evaluated. Patients were divided into two groups: A – patients with AF (n=89), and B – patients in SR (n=179). For each group we compared patients medicated and not medicated with digoxin. A mean follow-up of 3.3 years was performed. ResultsAddition of digoxin to contemporary standard HF therapy showed no impact on mortality of patients in group B (all-cause mortality in follow-up: 19.1% vs. 22.5%, p=0.788). Regarding group A, we observed significantly lower medium-term mortality for patients on digoxin therapy (18.6% vs. 46.6%, p=0.048). Digoxin therapy did not influence readmissions for decompensated HF. Among AF patients, no differences were found regarding demographic, clinical, echocardiographic and laboratory variables between patients medicated and not medicated with digoxin. ConclusionsDigoxin therapy may improve the prognosis of advanced HF patients with AF under optimal medical therapy. However, no benefit of digoxin was demonstrated for patients in SR. These results may help to improve patient selection for digoxin therapy.

Digoxin in advanced heart failure patients: A question of rhythm

BackgroundThe impact of digoxin on outcomes of patients with advanced heart failure (HF) remains uncertain and its effect may be different for patients in atrial fibrillation (AF) or sinus rhythm (SR). ObjectivesTo determine the impact of digoxin on outcomes of advanced HF patients and to assess whether prognosis differs in patients in AF and SR. MethodsA total of 268 consecutive patients admitted to an intensive care unit with decompensated HF were evaluated. Patients were divided into two groups: A – patients with AF (n=89), and B – patients in SR (n=179). For each group we compared patients medicated and not medicated with digoxin. A mean follow-up of 3.3 years was performed. ResultsAddition of digoxin to contemporary standard HF therapy showed no impact on mortality of patients in group B (all-cause mortality in follow-up: 19.1% vs. 22.5%, p=0.788). Regarding group A, we observed significantly lower medium-term mortality for patients on digoxin therapy (18.6% vs. 46.6%, p=0.048). Digoxin therapy did not influence readmissions for decompensated HF. Among AF patients, no differences were found regarding demographic, clinical, echocardiographic and laboratory variables between patients medicated and not medicated with digoxin. ConclusionsDigoxin therapy may improve the prognosis of advanced HF patients with AF under optimal medical therapy. However, no benefit of digoxin was demonstrated for patients in SR. These results may help to improve patient selection for digoxin therapy.

Relation between combining evidence-based medications on mortality following myocardial infarction in patients with and without renal impairment

Background — Antiplatelet agents, beta-blockers, statins and ACE inhibitors have been shown to reduce mortality in patients following myocardial infarction (MI). However, it is uncertain if the combination of these agents has a similar impact on mortality following MI in patients with renal dysfunction.Methods — We studied 5529 consecutive patients with confirmed MI between January 2000 and December 2003. Data on baseline demographics, co-morbidities and in-hospital management were collected prospectively. Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was estimated using the 4-component Modification of Diet in Renal Disease equation. Based on discharge use of evidence-based medications, the patients were divided into those using 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4 medications.The impact of medication use on 1-year mortality was then assessed for patients with GFR > 60 ml/min/1.73 m2 (group 1) and GFR ≥ 60 ml/min/1.73 m2 (group 2).Results — Mean age was 63 ± 13 years with 71% men. The prevalence of reduced GFR was 35% and the adjusted odds ratio for 1-year mortality of patients in group 2 compared to those in group 1 was 1.86 (95% CI 1.54-2.25, P < 0.001). Compared with patients with no medication, the adjusted odds ratio for 1-year mortality was lower in patients with 1, 2, 3 and 4 medications in both groups. There was no significant interaction between the number of medications used and GFR.Conclusion — Increased use of combined evidence-based medications was independently associated with a lower 1-year post MI mortality. Such therapies offer similar survival benefit in patients with and without renal dysfunction.

Activated factor XII type A and B-type natriuretic peptide are complementary and incremental predictors of mortality in patients following admission with acute coronary syndrome

The aim of this analysis was to assess the predictive value of activated factor XII type A (XIIaA) and B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) in acute coronary syndrome patients stratified according to troponin release and to evaluate their complementary utility as predictors of all-cause mortality and recurrent troponin T (TnT)-positive events. Multivariable analysis in 870 patients admitted with suspected myocardial infarction was performed using the Cox proportional hazard ratio model. Variables in the model included XIIaA and BNP as well as conventional risk factors for mortality. Although both XIIaA and BNP were identified as independent predictors for all-cause mortality in the total group of patients, only BNP was found to be an independent predictor for all-cause mortality in patients with a confirmed myocardial infarction (TnT > 0.05 ng/ml) at admission (hazard ratio 4.24, 95% confidence interval 1.28-14.07), whereas only XIIaA was an independent predictor for all-cause mortality in patients with low TnT release (0.01 < TnT < or = 0.05 ng/ml) at admission (hazard ratio 10.37, 95% confidence interval 2.89-37.21). The combination of these two biomarkers provided complementary prognostic information for all-cause mortality as compared with each of the biomarkers alone in the total patient material. XIIaA is particularly useful in predicting mortality in acute coronary syndrome patients with low troponin release, whereas BNP is effective in predicting mortality in patients with confirmed myocardial infarction and more substantial troponin release. The combination of these two biomarkers improves outcome prediction in unselected patients with chest pain and acute coronary syndrome.

Effect of lipid-lowering therapy on the progression of intracranial arterial stenosis

Intracranial arterial stenosis (IAS) is a severe disease with a high recurrent stroke rate even under the best medical treatment. Statins have been demonstrated to prevent stroke and to slow or halt atherosclerosis progression. This study was performed to observe the effect of atorvastatin on the progression of IAS, explore the factors associated with atherosclerosis regression and the recurrent rate of stroke. A hospital-base observation study enrolled 40 stroke patients with middle cerebral artery (MCA) or/and basilar artery (BA) stenosis. All participants had hyperlipidemia and were given atorvastatin 40 mg per day for at least six months. IAS was assessed by magnetic resonance angiogram (MRA) at the time of enrollment and then at least six months later. The primary outcome was the progression of IAS. All patients were also given antiplatelet agents for stroke prevention. At the end of the study, 23 (58 %), 15 (38 %) and 2 (4 %) patients had regressed, stationary and progressed IAS, respectively. Females were likely to have regressed IAS. The recurrent stroke rate was 18 %. Among the 54 stenotic vessels, 29 (54 %) vessels were assessed as improvement in stenosis. Compared with other studies, more regressed, stationary IAS and less progressed IAS were found in our study. Female gender was likely to have regressed IAS after statin treatment. Further clinical outcome trials are required to assess the effects of such therapy on morbidity and mortality in this particular group of patients.