Overall Mortality In Patients Research Articles

Cardiovascular mechanisms of thyroid hormones and heart failure: Current knowledge and perspectives

A multiple hormonal imbalance that accompanies heart failure (HF) may have a significant impact on the clinical course in such patients. The non-thyroidal illness syndrome (NTIS), also referred to as euthyroid sick syndrome or low triiodothyronine syndrome, can be found in about 30% of patients with HF. NTIS represents a systemic adaptation to chronic illness that is associated with increased cardiac and overall mortality in patients with HF. While conclusions on thyroid-stimulating hormone, free triiodothyronine, total and free thyroxine are currently unresolved, serum total triiodothyronine levels and the ratio of free triiodothyronine to free thyroxine seem to provide the best correlates to the echocardiographic, laboratory and clinical parameters of disease severity. HF patients with either hyper- or hypothyroidism should be treated according to the appropriate guidelines, but the therapeutic approach to NTIS, with or without HF, is still a matter of debate. Possible treatment options include better individual titration of levothyroxine therapy, combined triiodothyronine plus thyroxine therapy and natural measures to increase triiodothyronine. Future research should further examine the cellular and tissue mechanisms of NTIS as well as new therapeutic avenues in patients with HF.

Changes in the investigation and management of suspected myocardial infarction and injury during COVID-19: a multi-centre study using routinely collected healthcare data

ObjectiveThe COVID-19 pandemic was associated with a reduction in the incidence of myocardial infarction (MI) diagnosis, in part because patients were less likely to present to hospital. Whether changes in clinical decision making with respect to the investigation and management of patients with suspected MI also contributed to this phenomenon is unknown.MethodsMulticentre retrospective cohort study in three UK centres contributing data to the National Institute for Health Research Health Informatics Collaborative. Patients presenting to the Emergency Department (ED) of these centres between 1st January 2020 and 1st September 2020 were included. Three time epochs within this period were defined based on the course of the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic: pre-pandemic (epoch 1), lockdown (epoch 2), post-lockdown (epoch 3).ResultsDuring the study period, 10,670 unique patients attended the ED with chest pain or dyspnoea, of whom 6,928 were admitted. Despite fewer total ED attendances in epoch 2, patient presentations with dyspnoea were increased (p < 0.001), with greater likelihood of troponin testing in both chest pain (p = 0.001) and dyspnoea (p < 0.001). There was a dramatic reduction in elective and emergency cardiac procedures (both p < 0.001), and greater overall mortality of patients (p < 0.001), compared to the pre-pandemic period. Positive COVID-19 and/or troponin test results were associated with increased mortality (p < 0.001), though the temporal risk profile differed.ConclusionsThe first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic was associated with significant changes not just in presentation, but also the investigation, management, and outcomes of patients presenting with suspected myocardial injury or MI.

Lithium levels in drinking water predicted the ratio of attempted to completed suicides in regions with high incidence of affective disorders: Insights from ecological study

IntroductionLithium has demonstrated significant antisuicidal effects: it significantly reduces the high excess overall mortality of patients with affective disorders. MethodsPublic drinking water samples were collected in 53 Lithuanian municipalities during a two-month period. Linear models used lithium level in public drinking water as predictor and ratio of suicide attempts to suicide mortality as outcomes across the municipalities. ResultsLithium in drinking water predicted the ratio of attempted to completed suicides (A/S) nonlinearly, described by a U-shaped curve. The curves for visualization of the association of incidence of affective disorders and suicide standard mortality rate with lithium level displayed significant suicide curve decrements and invers direction in affective disorders curve. Multivariate regression model for ratio A/S in high lithium exposure group (> 7 µg/L, N = 26) suggests that the lithium level can explain 54.3 % of variance of ratio A/S in municipalities with exposure of lithium above median and with high incidence of affective disorders. ConclusionsThe findings provide confirmatory evidence that in municipalities with high incidence of affective disorders higher lithium levels in the public drinking water are associated with higher ratio A/S due to an unchanging number of suicide attempts and due to decreasing suicide lethal outcomes. LimitationsNevertheless, the methods employed detected several factors with well-established associations with suicide. Finally, cohort, prospective or intervention studies are needed to verify the causal inverse relationship of these variables and to speculate the mechanism for this relationship.

RV in COPD - The complicated matters of the heart - Correlation of ECHO and biomarker with COPD severity and outcome.

Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have an increased risk of cardiovascular involvement, which is among the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Echocardiography (ECHO) could be a reliable, non-invasive tool for predicting the risk of cardiovascular modalities in patients with COPD. Combining the ECHO parameters with highly selective cardiac troponin could predict the severity and outcome of patients with COPD. This prospective observational study was conducted at a tertiary care hospital in South India. All patients who met the criteria were included. Patients with other concomitant chronic lung diseases were excluded. An echocardiographic examination was performed, and blood samples for hs-Tnt were taken on admission for patients admitted with COPD. Categorical variables were analyzed using Pearson's Chi-square test, and the T-test was used to compare the means. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by the Bonferroni multiple comparison tests was done to compare different echo parameters concerning COPD severity. The mean tricuspid annulus plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) and right ventricle (RV) fraction area change (FAC) values were lower with the increase in the disease severity (P < 0.001). There was a significant increase in the mean systolic pressures in the right atrium and ventricle in patients with severe COPD (P < 0.001). The mean hs-TnT values were significantly higher in patients with severe COPD (18.86 ± 18.12) and correlated well with the increase in the severity of the disease (P < 0.001). Changes in the echo parameters, such as mean TAPSE and RV FAC values, negatively correlated with COPD severity. There was an increase in systolic pressure in both atria and ventricles with the progression of COPD. Troponin helped predict mortality during hospitalization. Comprehensive echocardiographic parameters, such as TAPSE and RV FAC, help assess the disease's severity, predict mortality, and evaluate whether the proper ventricular function is reliable. Troponin is a valuable adjunct that is an independent and strong predictor of overall mortality in patients with COPD.

Time to death and its predictors among adult patients on mechanical ventilation admitted to intensive care units in West Amhara comprehensive specialized hospitals, Ethiopia: a retrospective follow-up study

IntroductionMechanical ventilation is the most common intervention for patients with respiratory failure in the intensive care unit. There is limited data from African countries, including Ethiopia on time to death and its predictors among patients on mechanical ventilators. Therefore, this study aimed to assess time to death and its predictors among adult patients on mechanical ventilation admitted in comprehensive specialized hospitals in West Amhara, Ethiopia.MethodsAn institutional-based retrospective follow-up study was conducted from January 1, 2020, to December 31, 2022. A simple random sampling was used to select a total of 391 patients’ charts. Data were collected using data the extraction tool, entered into Epi-data version 4.6.0, and exported to STATA version 14 for analysis. Kaplan–Meier failure curve and the log-rank test were fitted to explore the survival difference among groups. The Cox regression model was fitted, and variables with a p-value < 0.25 in the bivariable Cox regression were candidates for the multivariable analysis. In the multivariable Cox proportional hazard regression, an adjusted hazard ratio with 95% confidence intervals were reported to declare the strength of association between mortality and predictors when a p value is < 0.05.ResultsA total of 391 mechanically ventilated patients were followed for 4098 days at risk. The overall mortality of patients on mechanical ventilation admitted to the intensive care units was 62.2%, with a median time to death of 16 days (95% CI: 11, 22). Those patients who underwent tracheostomy procedure (AHR = 0.40, 95% CI: 0.20, 0.80), received cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (AHR = 8.78, 95% CI: 5.38, 14.35), being hypotensive (AHR = 2.96, 95% CI: 1.11, 7.87), and had a respiratory rate less than 12 (AHR = 2.74, 95% CI: 1.48, 5.07) were statistically significant predictors of time to death among mechanically ventilated patients.ConclusionThe mortality rate of patients on mechanical ventilation was found to be high and the time to death was short. Being cardiopulmonary resuscitated, hypotensive, and had lower respiratory rate were significant predictors of time to death, whereas patients who underwent tracheostomy was negatively associated with time to death. Tracheostomy is needed for patients who received longer mechanical ventilation, and healthcare providers should give a special attention for patients who are cardiopulmonary resuscitated, hypotensive, and have lower respiratory rate.

Metabolic biomarkers in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction

BACKGROUND: Half of all patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) have preserved ejection fraction (CHF-nEF). The drug’s use effective for treatment of CHF with reduced ejection fraction (CHF-nFV) reduces the hospitalization incidence but does not affect the cardiovascular incidence or overall mortality in patients with CHF-nFV. Finding differences between CSN-SFV and CSN-nFV biomarkers is a pressing scientific problem.AIM: To study the metabolic disorders biomarkers intergenic relationships, myocardial damage, and to evaluate their role in the CHF development in patients with DM2.MATERIALS AND METHODS: We studied the lipid and carbohydrate metabolism disorder genes polymorphisms frequencies in patients with CHF-CFV and DM2 (48 patients), CHF-NFV and DM2 (46) and patients with metabolic syndrome (MS) without CHF (68), mean age of patients was 69,7±5,3 yo. DNA was isolated from venous blood according to the manufacturer’s methodology. Gene polymorphisms were determined by real time PCR. The studied polymorphisms correlations with clinical and laboratory data and associations between clinical and laboratory tests were identified by regression analysis.RESULTS: In the control group, PPARG, APOC3 C3238G rs5128, LIPC -250 G&gt;A rs2070895, APOA1 G-75A rs670, FABP2 Ala54Thr G&gt;A rs1799883, ADRB2 5318 C&gt;G rs1042714 genes polymorphisms, along with co-dependent ADRB3, FTO, FABP2 genes polymorphic form a gene network regulating plasma concentrations of LDL, uric acid and CAD. Gene polymorphisms have been found to be associated with clinical and/or laboratory parameters in patients with CHF-CFV: PPARGC1AGly482Ser G&gt;A rs8192678 with CAD; PPARGT-2821C rs12497191 with glycated hemoglobin level; FTO A&gt;T rs9939609 (α-ketoglutarate dependent dioxygenase gene) with waist circumference; LEPR A&gt;G rs1137101 (leptin receptor gene) with MAP. The following polymorphisms were found to be associated in patients with CHF-nFV: LIPC-250 G&gt;A rs2070895 (liver triglyceride lipase gene) with MAP; PPARGC1A Gly482Ser G&gt;A rs8192678 with MAP; FTO A&gt;T rs9939609 with waist volume.CONCLUSIONS: From the study results, it is evident that patients with DM2 having CHF with different PV differ significantly among themselves by the presence of polymorphic genes prone to network interactions. The greatest number of such interactions is observed in the group of CHF-sFV, which determines a more complex course of this variant of CHF than in patients with CHF-nFV.

Does tranexamic acid have a positive effect on the outcome of older multiple trauma patients on antithrombotic drugs? An analysis using the TraumaRegister DGU®.

BackgroundAcute hemorrhage is one of the most common causes of death in multiple trauma patients. Due to physiological changes, pre-existing conditions, and medication, older trauma patients are more prone to poor prognosis. Tranexamic acid (TXA) has been shown to be beneficial in multiple trauma patients with acute hemorrhage in general. The relation of tranexamic acid administration on survival in elderly trauma patients with pre-existing anticoagulation is the objective of this study. Therefore, we used the database of the TraumaRegister DGU® (TR-DGU), which documents data on severely injured trauma patients.MethodsIn this retrospective analysis, we evaluated the TR-DGU data from 16,713 primary admitted patients with multiple trauma and age &amp;gt; =50 years from 2015 to 2019. Patients with pre-existing anticoagulation and TXA administration (996 patients, 6%), pre-existing anticoagulation without TXA administration (4,807 patients, 28.8%), without anticoagulation as premedication but TXA administration (1,957 patients, 11.7%), and without anticoagulation and TXA administration (8,953 patients, 53.6%) were identified. A regression analysis was performed to investigate the influence of pre-existing antithrombotic drugs and TXA on mortality. A propensity score was created in patients with pre-existing anticoagulation, and matching was performed for better comparability of patients with and without TXA administration.ResultsRetrospective trauma patients who underwent tranexamic acid administration were older and had a higher ISS than patients without tranexamic acid donation. Predicted mortality (according to the RISC II Score) and observed mortality were higher in the group with tranexamic acid administration. The regression analysis showed that TXA administration was associated with lower mortality rates within the first 24 h in older patients with anticoagulation as premedication. The propensity score analysis referred to higher fluid requirement, higher requirement of blood transfusion, and longer hospital stay in the group with tranexamic acid administration. There was no increase in complications. Despite higher transfusion volumes, the tranexamic acid group had a comparable all-cause mortality rate.ConclusionTXA administration in older trauma patients is associated with a reduced 24-h mortality rate after trauma, without increased risk of thromboembolic events. There is no relationship between tranexamic acid and overall mortality in patients with anticoagulation as premedication. Considering pre-existing anticoagulation, tranexamic acid may be recommended in elderly trauma patients with acute bleeding.

Ascitic Fluid Lactate Level as a Predictor of Mortality in Cirrhotic Patients Having Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis (SBP).

Introduction Limited studies are available for predicting mortality in patients with spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) based on ascitic fluid analysis. Recently, a proposition has been made regarding the role of ascitic fluid lactate as a better prognostic indicator of mortality in cirrhotic patients with SBP. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the utility of ascitic fluid lactate in predicting mortality in cirrhotic patients with SBP. Methods This was a prospective, observational study that was conducted in the Hepato-Gastroenterology Department of Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation (SIUT), Karachi from 1January2022 to 31December 2022.All the patients having liver cirrhosis with ascites, aged between 18 and 65 years, and presenting with fever and/or abdominal pain were recruited in the study in the first six months (i.e., from 1January 2022 to 30June 2022) and were followed for sixmore months for the outcome. However, those patients on dialysis or those with hepatocellular carcinoma,any other malignancy as per a history of solid organ transplant, a history of HIV infection, or thoseunderlying systemic sepsis or infections other than SBP were excluded from the study. The presence or absence of SBP was confirmed by doing the ascitic fluid analysis. Ascitic fluid lactate levels were also requested in each patient. Mortality was assessed at one, two, three, and six months, respectively. All the data were analyzed using SPSS version 23.0. The area under the receiver operating curve(AUROC) was obtained for ascitic fluid lactate for predicting mortality in SBP. At an optimal cutoff, the diagnostic accuracy of ascitic fluid lactate was obtained. Results The total number of cirrhotic patients included in the study was 123. The majority of the patients belong to Child Turcotte Pugh (CTP) class C (n = 88; 71%). Two third of the patients (65.8%; n = 81) had viral hepatitis i.e., hepatitis B, D, and/or C, as the cause of cirrhosis. Overall mortality was observed in 51(41.5%) patients. Ascitic fluid lactate was significantly raised in patients with SBP than in patients with non-SBP (p = 0.004). The AUROC of ascitic fluid lactate was highest at three months (AUROC = 0.88) followed by six months (AUROC = 0.84), two months (AUROC = 0.804), and one month (AUROC=0.773). At an optimal cut-off of more than or equal to 22.4 mg/dl, ascitic fluid lactate had a sensitivity of 84.9%, specificity of 85.7%, positive predictive value (PPV) of 97.3%, negative predictive value of 42.8% with diagnostic accuracy of 85% in predicting overall mortality in patients with SBP. On sub-analysis, the diagnostic accuracy of ascitic fluid lactate was highest at six months followed by at three, two, and one month, respectively. Conclusion Ascitic fluid lactate showed a good diagnostic utility in predicting the overall mortality in patients with SBP with the best diagnostic accuracy in predicting long-term (six months) mortality. However, further studies are required to validate our results.

Comparisons of cancer-specific and overall mortality in patients with biopsy- and TURP-diagnosed prostate cancer: a population-based propensity score-matching study

This population-based propensity score-matching study aimed to investigate the survival outcomes of patients with biopsy- and transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP)-diagnosed prostate cancer (PC). We obtained data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database, PC patients diagnosed by biopsy and TURP from 1975 to 2019 were enrolled. Cohort data were baseline-matched using a propensity score-matching (PSM) study. Compared with biopsy-confirmed PC (BPC) patients, prostate cancer-specific mortality (CSM) and overall mortality (OM) in patients with transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP)-diagnosed PC (TPC) were analyzed. A total of 26,027 cases were obtained for this study, of which 4770 cases (18.3%) were TPC patients and 21,257 cases (81.7%) were BPC patients. The proportion of TPC patients showed an increasing trend. The prognosis of TPC patients seemed worse, the ratios of CSM and OM were higher, and the median survival time was shorter (all p &lt; 0.05). After PSM, TPC patients still had a worse prognosis. Compared with BPC patients, TPC patients’ CSM and OM risks increased by 42.0% and 43.0%, respectively (p &lt; 0.001). The results of subgroup analysis indicated earlier the stage of TPC patients, the higher the risk of OM, while systemic treatment after surgery may bring declines of CSM and OM (all p for interaction &lt; 0.001). To our knowledge, we first used a large sample size to find that clinically suspected PC patients with obstruction, directly TURP will increase the risk of CSM and OM.

Patients with early-stage alcohol-associated liver disease are at increased risk of hospital readmission and death.

Patients with alcohol use disorder (AUD) can develop alcohol-associated fatty liver disease (AFLD). However, the impact of AFLD on outcomes remains unclear. We studied the impact of AFLD on readmission, 30-day mortality, and overall mortality in patients admitted with AUD. Hospitalized patients with AUD between 2011 and 2019 at a tertiary medical center were retrospectively evaluated. Our population included patients with AUD with AFLD: AST and ALT elevation and serum bilirubin <3 mg/dl. Patients with AUD without evidence of liver disease served as control and were labeled as no ALD. Patients with alcohol-associated cirrhosis (AC) and alcohol-associated hepatitis (AH) were included for comparison. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and multivariable regression for predictors of mortality and survival were performed. There were 7522 patients of which 32.44% were female with mean age of 51.86 ± 14.41 years. Patient distribution included no ALD (n = 3775), AFLD (n = 2192), AC (n = 1017) and AH (n = 538) groups. Compared to no ALD group, AFLD group was associated with significantly higher 30-day mortality [4.43% vs. 1.56%, hazard ratio (HR): 2.84; P < 0.001], overall mortality [15.97% vs. 12.69%, HR 1.40, P < 0.001], and 30-day readmission [21.85% vs. 18.49%, odds ratio: 1.21; P < 0.01]. We demonstrated that AFLD is not a benign entity and poses significant mortality risk. Our results suggest that AFLD may be under-recognized and highlight the need for focused management and close follow-up after discharge.

Non‑synonymous polymorphisms in the HRC and ADRB1 genes may be associated with all‑cause death in patients with non‑ischemic heart failure.

Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is an unpredictable and common mode of death in patients with heart failure (HF). Alterations in calcium handling may lead to malignant arrhythmias, resulting in SCD, and variants in calcium signaling-related genes have a significant association with SCD. Therefore, the aim of the present retrospective cohort study was to investigate the association of Ser96Ala [histidine-rich calcium-binding protein (HRC)], Ser49Gly [β1-adrenergic receptor (ADRB1)], Arg389Gly (ADRB1) and Gly1886Ser [ryanodine receptor 2 (RYR2)] polymorphisms with serious arrhythmic events and overall mortality in patients with HF with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction of non-ischemic etiology. In total, 136 patients with HF underwent physical examination, routine laboratory tests, non-invasive assessment of cardiac function and an invasive electrophysiological study. The primary outcome was the occurrence of serious arrhythmic events, set as either SCD or appropriate implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) therapy, and the secondary outcome was all-cause death. During a median follow-up of 37 months, arrhythmic events occurred in 26 patients (19%) and 41 patients (30%) died. Patients carrying the Ser allele of the Ser96Ala polymorphism in HRC had worse survival than those with the Ala/Ala genotype (log-rank P=0.043). Despite the difference in survival time, the Ala/Ala genotype was not associated with all-cause death in the regression analysis [unadjusted hazard ratio (HR)=0.17; 95% CI, 0.02-1.21]. Regarding the Ser49Gly and Arg389Gly polymorphisms in ADRB1, homozygosity for the major alleles at both sites (Ser49Ser and Arg389Arg) was associated with a two-fold increased risk of all-cause death compared with the other genotype combinations (unadjusted HR=1.98; 95% CI, 1.02-3.82). However, this association was lost after controlling for clinical covariates. No association was observed for the Gly1886Ser polymorphism in RYR2. Overall, the present findings are concurrent with the hypothesis that the Ser96Ala (HRC), Ser49Gly (ADRB1) and Arg389Gly (ADRB1) polymorphisms may be associated with HF prognosis. In particular, the Ser96Ala polymorphism might aid in risk stratification and patient selection for ICD implantation.

Alkaline phosphatase and mortality in stroke patients: a systematic review.

Increased plasma levels of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) have been associated to a worse prognosis in several types of diseases. In the present review, the authors aimed to study the relationship between plasma levels of ALP and overall mortality in patients with stroke. A systematic review was carried out, searching two databases: Web of Science and Medline/PubMed. A total of nine studies that included data on overall mortality in stroke patients were selected. The selected studies were published between 2010 and 2022 and were predominantly from Asia. The articles reviewed quantified ALP levels through different methods: highest versus lowest quintiles of plasma ALP (three reports); highest versus lowest quartiles of plasma ALP (four reports); and plasma ALP levels in deceased versus in surviving patients (two reports). All selected studies showed an increased mortality associated to elevated ALP levels, irrespective of stroke type and length of follow-up, from a mean of 10 days to 2.5 years. The studies comparing the highest to the lowest ALP quintiles showed an aggregate value of 1.8 times greater risk of mortality for the former, when compared to the latter. Whereas, the studies comparing the highest to the lowest ALP quartiles showed an aggregate value of 2.4 times greater risk of mortality for the former, when compared to the latter. Elevated ALP levels are associated with increased mortality in stroke patients and provide cost effective prognostic indicators of mortality in stroke.

Impact of perioperative red blood cell transfusion on the prognosis of patients with epithelial ovarian cancer

BackgroundSurgery for advanced ovarian cancer tends to be extensive. We performed an analysis to determine whether perioperative red blood cell transfusion (PRBCT) is associated with a poor prognosis in women with epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). MethodsOur retrospective analysis included 314 women. The Mann-Whitney rank-sum test and chi-square test were used to analyze the clinical characteristics of the PRBCT and non-PRBCT groups, and Cox proportional hazard models were used for the multivariate analysis. ResultsPRBCT was associated with higher relapse and mortality rates in 121 (38.54 %) patients. After multivariate analysis, transfused patients were 1.59 times at risk of death (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.59; 95%CI, 1.12–2.25) and 1.63 times at risk of recurrence (HR = 1.63; 95%CI, 1.22–2.18) than non-transfused patients. ConclusionsPRBCT could prolong hospital stay, and increased hospital costs were significantly associated with increased cancer recurrence and overall mortality in patients with EOC.

Clinical Profile and Outcomes of Rheumatic Heart Disease Patients Undergoing Surgical Valve Procedures in Uganda.

Chronic valvular heart disease is a well-known, long-term complication of acute rheumatic fever (ARF), which remains a major public health problem in low- and middle-income countries. Access to surgical management remains limited. Outcomes of the minority proportion of patients that access surgery have not been described in Uganda. To describe the volume and type of rheumatic heart disease (RHD) valvular interventions and the outcomes of operated patients in the Uganda RHD registry. We performed a retrospective cohort study of all valve surgery procedures identified in the Uganda RHD registry through December 2021. Three hundred and sixty-seven surgical procedures were performed among 359 patients. More than half were among young (55.9% were ≤20 years of age), female (59.9%) patients. All patients were censored at 15 years. The median (IQR) follow up period was 43 (22,79) months. Nearly half of surgeries (46.9%) included interventions on multiple valves, and most valvular operations were replacements with mechanical prostheses (96.6%). Over 70% of the procedures were sponsored by charity organizations. The overall mortality of patients who underwent surgery was 13% (47/359), with over half of the mortalities occurring within the first year following surgery (27/47; 57.4%). Fifteen-year survival or freedom from re-operation was not significantly different between those receiving valve replacements and those receiving valve repair (log-rank p = 0.76). There has been increasing access to valve surgery among Ugandan patients with RHD. Post-operative survival is similar to regionally reported rates. The growing cohort of patients living with prosthetic valves necessitates national expansion and decentralization of post-operative care services. Major reliance on charity funding of surgery is unsustainable, thus calling for locally generated and controlled support mechanisms such as a national health insurance scheme. The central illustration (Figure 1) provides a summary of our findings and recommendations.

Deep learning to predict long-term mortality from plain chest radiographs in patients referred for suspected angina

Abstract Background The chest radiograph (CXR) is a well-established and broadly used first line diagnostic tool in patients with suspected cardiac conditions. In previous literature, artificial intelligence (AI) based interpretation of CXR has been shown to predict follow-up mortality of patients screened for neoplastic disease. Purpose In this context, we summarize our experience with the training, testing, and validating (internally and externally) of a deep learning (DL) model purposefully designed for predicting, from a single projection (posteroanterior/anteroposterior) CXR, long-term mortality of patients referred for angina and suspected coronary artery disease (CAD). Methods Demographic, clinical, and follow-up data of patients referred for angina to our institution (located in southern Europe) and undergoing coronary angiography were analyzed retrospectively. A deep convolutional neural network (DCNN) was designed to predict follow-up mortality from CXRs. External validation was performed on patients referred to a different medical Institution (located in north-western Europe). Results 6031 was randomly divided for model training (70%; n=4259) and model fine-tuning/model validation (10%; n=602). Internal clinical validation (model testing) was performed with the remaining patients (20%; n=1170). Patients were stratified according to AI-based interpretation quartiles (DCNN-CXR risk score). Median follow-up was 6.1 years (IQR 3.3 – 8.7) with a Kaplan-Meier (KM) overall estimated mortality of 21.9% (CI 19.2%-24.5%). Estimated mortality increased significantly according to the DCNN-CXR risk score (Low-risk 5%, Moderate 17%, High 29%, Very High 46%; p&amp;lt;0.0001) (figure 1-A). At Cox regression, the AI-derived CXR-score was the strongest predictor of follow-up mortality (p&amp;lt;0.005; OR: 3.16; CI: 2.47-3.85) and had an AUC of 0.793 (95% AUC CI: 0.759-0.827, Sens. 78%, Spec. 0.68%), that was significantly better than that achieved when using coronary angiography findings (AUC: 0.569, 95% CI: 0.526-0.611) (p&amp;lt;0.001) and age (AUC 0.735, 95% CI: 0.694-0.776) (p&amp;lt;0.004) as predictors (figure 1-B). The DCNN-CXR mortality prediction model improved when age and CAD status at the referral time were included (AUC 0.81; CI: 0.775-0.843). Preliminary results on external validation confirmed the DCNN-CXR-risk prediction performance (AUC 0.712 CI: 0.495-0.928; Sens 0.838; Spec 0.338). Conclusion Our DCNN model predicted, from a CXR, long-term overall mortality of patients with suspected angina pectoris referred for coronary angiography. The performance has been confirmed at internal and external validation, on patients in a different European country. The DCNN CXR-risk score could stratify long-term mortality risk better than any other risk factor, including CAD presence and degree. These findings may be used to optimize screening and prevention actions for this very comorbid group of patients.

The Impact of Chronic Kidney Disease on the Mortality Rates of Patients with Urological Cancers-An Analysis of a Uro-Oncology Database from Eastern Europe.

(1) Background: The relationship between chronic kidney disease (CKD) and urological cancers is complex, as most of these cancers are diagnosed in patients with advanced ages, when the kidney function may be already impaired. On the other hand, urological cancers could represent a risk factor for CKD, significantly reducing the life expectancy of the patients. The main objective of our study was to analyze the impact of CKD on the overall mortality of patients diagnosed with the most frequent types of urological cancers. (2) Material and Methods: We conducted an observational retrospective cohort study on a group of 5831 consecutive newly diagnosed cancer patients, followed over a 2-year period (2019-2020), from a large Oncology Hospital in Romania. From this group, we selected only the patients diagnosed with urological malignancies, focusing on prostate cancer, bladder cancer and renal cancer; finally, 249 patients were included in our analysis. (3) Results: In the group of patients with prostate cancer (n = 146), the 2-year overall mortality was 62.5% for patients with CKD, compared with 39.3% for those with no initial CKD (p < 0.05). In the group of patients with bladder cancer (n = 62), the 2-year overall mortality was 80% for patients with initial CKD, compared with 45.2% for the patients with no initial CKD (p < 0.05). Finally, in the group of patients with renal cell carcinoma (n = 41), the 2-year overall mortality was 60% for patients with initial CKD, compared with 50% for the patient group with no initial CKD (p < 0.05). Various correlations between specific oncologic and nephrological parameters were also analyzed. (4) Conclusions: The presence of CKD at the moment of the urological cancer diagnosis is associated with significantly higher 2-year mortality rates.

The cancer inflammation prognostic index is a valuable biomarker for predicting the survival of patients with stage I–III colorectal cancer

This study aimed to assess the relationship between the Cancer-Inflammation Prognostic Index (CIPI) and disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) in patients with stage I–III colorectal cancer (CRC). The relationship between the CIPI and survival was evaluated using restricted cubic splines. Survival curves were established using the Kaplan–Meier method and the log-rank test. Cox proportional hazards models were used to explore independent prognostic factors for CRC. Meaningful variables from the multivariate analysis were used to construct prognostic nomograms. The relationship between the CIPI values on a continuous scale and the risk of DFS/OS mortality was an inverted L-shape. Patients with a high CIPI had significantly lower DFS (53.0% vs. 68.5%, p < 0.001) and OS (55.5% vs. 71.7%, p < 0.001) than those with a low CIPI. The CIPI can also serve as an effective auxiliary tool to further distinguish the prognosis of patients with CRC at the same pathological stage, especially for stages II and III. After multivariate adjustment, a high CIPI was found to be an independent risk factor for DFS (HR 1.443, 95% CI 1.203–1.730, p < 0.001) and OS (HR 1.442, 95% CI 1.189–1.749, p < 0.001) in CRC patients. These nomograms have the advantage of integrating individual profiles, tumour characteristics, and serum inflammatory markers, providing favourable discrimination and calibration values. Compared with traditional TNM staging, nomograms have a better predictive performance. The CIPI is an effective and easy-to-use clinical tool for predicting the recurrence and overall mortality of patients with stage I–III CRC.

The Preoperative Lymphocyte-To-Monocyte Ratio Predicts Mortality Among Patients Undergoing Endovascular Aortic Repair for Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the preoperative lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR) as a potential surrogate biomarker predictive of overall mortality in patients undergoing endovascular aortic repair (EVAR) for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). Data on patients with AAA treated by EVAR between March 2012 and December 2016 were obtained from a prospectively maintained EVAR database at Tokyo Medical University Hospital, Tokyo, Japan. The LMR was calculated by dividing the absolute lymphocyte count by the absolute monocyte count. One hundred seventy-six patients were included in this study after selection based on the exclusion criteria. The subjects consisted of 148 males and 28 females with a mean age of 78.5years (range, 51-89years). The median follow-up period was 4.98years (range, .03-9.28). A receiver operating characteristic curve analysis determined the optimal cut-off value of the preoperative LMR for predicting overall mortality with 3.21 (area under the curve, .71; 95% confidence interval [CI], .62-.79; sensitivity, 57.4%; specificity, 77.0%; P < .001). On univariable and multivariable analyses, octogenarian (hazard ratio [HR], 1.89; 95%CI, 1.10-3.22; P = .020), poor nutritional status (HR, 2.95; 95%CI, 1.73-5.03; P < .001), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (HR, 1.79; 95%CI, 1.06-3.03; P = .031), active cancer (HR, 2.60; 95%CI, 1.53-4.41; P < .001), and low preoperative LMR (HR, 2.56; 95%CI, 1.53-4.30; P < .001) were identified as independent predictors for overall mortality. This study showed that a low preoperative LMR (<3.21) is an independent predictor of overall mortality after EVAR for AAA. The LMR may help in decision-making regarding the prediction of poor prognosis after EVAR.

1470P Statin use and overall mortality in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer receiving anti-PD(L)1 immunotherapy: A SEER Medicare database analysis

1470P Statin use and overall mortality in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer receiving anti-PD(L)1 immunotherapy: A SEER Medicare database analysis

Determinants of Widespread Metastases and of Metastatic Tropism in Patients with Prostate Cancer: A Genomic Analysis of Primary and Metastatic Tumors

A growing body of evidence suggests that metastatic cancer is better described as a spectrum of disease rather than a binarily defined state, ranging from oligometastatic cancer to widespread metastases. Widespread metastases represent the most common cause of cancer-related death among patients with prostate cancer. Therefore, a greater understanding of the genomic features that determine the extent and location of metastatic spread may inform risk stratification, treatment, and monitoring. We identify genomic alterations from primary prostate tumors that are predictive of widespread metastatic potential. Genomic and clinical data for 1,312 patients with primary prostate adenocarcinomas were extracted from the MSK-MET cohort through cBioPortal. Metastatic site counts and overall survival (OS) data were publicly available for all patients. All samples from primary tumors were profiled using the MSK-IMPACT targeted sequencing platform. Our study focused on 58 genes frequently altered in prostate cancer. Cox proportional hazard analyses defined hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for overall mortality in patients with different metastatic outcomes. Patterns of genomic alterations of the primary tumor associated with metastatic extent and location were compared. Out of 1,312 patients, 939 (71%) developed metastases, and 113 (8.6%) had metastases to 5 or more distinct anatomical sites (defining wide-spread metastases, WSM). Bone was the most common site of metastasis (36%), and 80% of patients with liver metastases had 4 or more additional sites of metastasis. Among patients with metastases, increasing number of metastatic sites was associated with increased risk of death (HR:1.8, 95% CI:1.63-1.99, p<0.001). To define genomic determinants of WSM, we characterized genomic alterations in 58 prostate cancer related genes. Alterations in the following genes were enriched in tumors from patients with WSM vs others: TP53 mutation (40% vs 20%, p<0.0001), FOXA1-amplification (8% vs 3%, p = 0.02), AR-amplification (4.4% vs 1%, p = 0.01), RB1-deletion (5.3% vs 0.7%, p = 0.001), and BRCA2-deletion (4.4% vs 0.7%, p = 0.01). In a univariable survival analysis, all these alterations were predictive of OS (p<0.05). However, on multivariable analysis, only TP53 mutations, and FOXA1 and AR amplifications were independent prognostic factors. Amplifications of FOXA1 (n = 37) and AR (n = 13) were mutually exclusive (0 overlap), and we found that patients who have either AR or FOXA1 amplifications experienced very poor OS (HR:3.57, 95% CI:2.26-5.6, p p<0.001]. We identified genomic alterations (TP53 mutations, FOXA1 and AR amplification, RB1 and BRCA2 deletions) from primary prostate tumors that are predictive of wide-spread metastases and poor outcomes.