Reduction In 1-year Mortality Research Articles

Blood Transfusion in Elderly Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction: Data from the RICO Survey

BackgroundRed blood cell transfusion benefit during acute myocardial infarction remains unclear in the elderly. We aimed to assess the transfusion impact on 1-year mortality in acute myocardial infarction patients aged ≥65 years, according to their age and hemoglobin nadir. MethodsWe included 3316 consecutive patients with acute myocardial infarction aged ≥65 years from the “obseRvatoire des Infarctus de Côte d'Or” (RICO) survey. They were categorized according to their hemoglobin nadir (≤8, >8 to ≤10, and >10 g/dL) and age (<80 or ≥80 years). ResultsA total of 1906 patients (57%) were 65-79 years old, and 1410 (43%) were aged ≥80 years, of whom 103 (5%) and 145 (10%) patients received red blood cell transfusion, respectively (P < .001). In Cox regression analysis, transfusion was associated with increased 1-year mortality for hemoglobin nadir >10 g/dL but no significant effect for hemoglobin nadir between 8 and 10 g/dL. When hemoglobin nadir was ≤8 g/dL, transfusion did not influence 1-year mortality for younger patients (65-79 years). However, for older patients (≥80 years), transfusion was associated with lower mortality (hazard ratio 0.43 [95% confidence interval, 0.22-0.86], P = .016). ConclusionAmong older patients with acute myocardial infarction, the effect of transfusion was largely dependent on hemoglobin threshold and age. Transfusion was associated with increased 1-year mortality when hemoglobin nadir was >10 g/dL. However, in patients aged ≥80 years with hemoglobin nadir <8 g/dL, transfusion was associated with a 50% reduction in 1-year mortality.

Trends in 30-Day and 1-Year Mortality Among Patients Hospitalized With Cirrhosis From 2004 to 2013.

Recent data suggest decreasing in-patient mortality in patients hospitalized with cirrhosis. We sought to determine if improvements in short-term outcomes for patients with cirrhosis are associated with changes in longer-term outcomes. We examined temporal trends in 30 days and 1-year postdischarge mortality among patients hospitalized with cirrhosis at any of the 126 Veterans Administration hospitals from 2004 and 2013. We adjusted for a range of demographic, liver disease severity, and comorbidity-related factors to account for differences in patient cohorts over time. We identified 109,358 unique patients who were hospitalized with cirrhosis between 2004 and 2013. In-hospital mortality decreased from 11.4 to 7.6%, whereas 1-year mortality decreased from 34.5 to 33.2%. Over a third of out-of-hospital deaths occurred within the first 30 days after discharge; 30-day mortality increased from 9.3 to 10.1%. After adjusting for patient factors, the odds of in-hospital mortality in 2013 were 30% lower (adjusted odds ratio (OR)=0.70, 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.64-0.78), 1-year mortality were 13% lower (adjusted OR=0.87, 95% CI=0.82-0.93), whereas the 30-day mortality were 10% higher than 2004 (adjusted OR=1.10, 95% CI=0.99-1.21), although the latter did not reach statistical significance. In patients admitted with cirrhosis, reduction in in-hospital mortality was associated with less marked reduction in 1-year mortality, and an unchanged, if not higher, 30-day mortality following discharge. Our data suggest that some of the burden of mortality in cirrhosis has shifted from in-hospital to the immediate postdischarge period.

Temporal trends in management and outcomes of patients with acute coronary syndrome according to renal function

IntroductionRecent new therapeutic options have improved outcomes of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients. However, data regarding the incremental effect of the improved treatment on patients with renal dysfunction are limited. We sought to evaluate temporal trends in management and outcome of ACS patients according to renal function. MethodsThe study population consisted of all ACS patients enrolled in the Acute Coronary Syndromes Israeli Survey (ACSIS) during 2002–2013. Patients were categorized as normal renal function, mild to moderate and severe renal insufficiency. Patient's characteristics, clinical data and outcomes were compared in each group between 2 time frames - early (2002–2006) vs. late (2008–2013). ResultsThe study population included 11,234 patients. Regardless of renal function, patients enrolled in the recent surveys were more frequently selected for an invasive approach and were more commonly treated with guideline-based therapy. Among patients with normal renal function or mild to moderate renal dysfunction the improvement in treatment was associated with a significant reduction in 5-year mortality (10.1% vs. 12.6%, p=0.004, and 36% vs. 41.9%, p=0.01, respectively). On the other hand, outcomes of patients with severe renal insufficiency were unchanged. Multivariate analysis showed that reperfusion was associated with 41% mortality reduction in patients with mild to moderate renal insufficiency (HR=0.59 CI 95 0.48–0.72, p<0.01%). ConclusionsTreatment of ACS patients has improved over the past decade. Treatment improvement was associated with a significant mortality reduction in patients with normal renal function and mild to moderate renal dysfunction but not in patients with severe renal dysfunction.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of donor ischaemic preconditioning in liver transplantation.

Ischaemic preconditioning (IPC) is a strategy to reduce ischaemia-reperfusion (IR) injury. Its benefit in human liver transplantation is unclear. The aim of this study was to analyse the current evidence for donor IPC in liver transplantation. Systematic review and meta-analysis of studies involving IPC of liver transplant donors. Ovid Medline, Embase and Cochrane CENTRAL were searched up until January 2015. Data retrieved included the primary outcomes of 1-year mortality, incidence of primary graft non-function (PGNF) and retransplantation. Secondary outcomes included aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels on day 3 post-op. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) were calculated for dichotomous data and mean weighted ratios for continuous data. Ten studies included 593 patients (286 IPC; 307 control). IPC was associated with a reduction in mortality at 1 year (6% vs. 11%) although this was not statistically significant (OR 0.54, 95% C.I. 0.28-1.04, P = 0.06). The IPC group had a significantly lower day 3 AST level (WMD -66.41iU, P = 0.04). This meta-analysis demonstrates that IPC reduces liver injury following transplantation and produces a large reduction in 1-year mortality which was not statistically significant. Confirmation of clinical benefit from IPC requires an adequately powered prospective RCT.

Early TIPS versus endoscopic therapy for secondary prophylaxis after management of acute esophageal variceal bleeding in cirrhotic patients: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

American College of Gastroenterology and American Association for the Study of Liver Disease guidelines recommend endoscopic and pharmacologic treatment for esophageal variceal bleed. Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) placement is reserved for cases of therapeutic failure. Several studies have suggested improved prevention of rebleeding and improved survival without excess hepatic encephalopathy in patients who receive TIPS within the first 5 days after bleeding (early TIPS). In this meta-analysis, we evaluated the safety and efficacy of early TIPS versus endoscopic therapy for secondary prophylaxis after acute esophageal variceal bleeding in cirrhotic patients. Pubmed, Medline, Embase, ClinicalTrials.gov, and ISI Web of Science were searched for randomized controlled trials that compared early TIPS to endoscopic therapy. The primary outcome was mortality at 1 year; secondary outcomes were rebleeding and hepatic encephalopathy at 1 year. Nine randomized controlled trials involving 608 cirrhotic patients were identified. Early TIPS was associated with a significant risk reduction in 1-year mortality (RR, 0.68; 95% CI, 0.49-0.96; P = 0.03) and 1-year incidence of variceal rebleeding (RR, 0.28; 95% CI, 0.20-0.40; P < 0.001) without significant heterogeneity among studies (I(2) = 30% and 47%, respectively). No significant difference in the incidence of hepatic encephalopathy at 1 year was observed (RR, 1.36; 95% CI, 0.72-2.56; P = 0.34); however, there was significant heterogeneity among studies (I(2) = 68%). TIPS placed within 5 days after a major esophageal variceal hemorrhage is superior to endoscopic treatment in reducing subsequent bleeding. Early TIPS placement is also associated with superior 1-year survival without significantly increasing the incidence of hepatic encephalopathy.

Thrombus aspiration in acute myocardial infarction.

The success of primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is often hampered by incomplete microvascular myocardial reperfusion owing to distal embolization of thrombus resulting in microvascular obstruction. To address this problem, thrombus aspiration devices have been developed that can be used to evacuate coronary thrombus either manually or mechanically. Thrombus aspiration has the potential to reduce the local thrombus load, minimize the need for balloon predilatation, facilitate direct stenting, prevent distal embolization, and ultimately improve myocardial reperfusion. Furthermore, thrombus aspiration has enabled us to study coronary thrombus in vivo, and has facilitated recognition of distinct mechanisms of coronary thrombosis. Clinical trials focusing on manual thrombus aspiration in primary PCI have generally shown improved myocardial reperfusion. However, in two large trials powered for clinical end points, no reduction in 1-year mortality or other adverse clinical events was observed with the use of this strategy. Moreover, one of these trials showed a marginally increased risk of stroke. Consequently, current guidelines do not recommend routine use of thrombus aspiration. Future studies should focus on the identification of subgroups of patients with STEMI who might derive benefit from manual thrombus aspiration, and establish the effect of operator performance on the efficacy and safety of the procedure.

Sevoflurane Versus Total Intravenous Anesthesia for Isolated Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery With Cardiopulmonary Bypass: A Randomized Trial.

Several studies have suggested that the cardioprotective effects of halogenated anesthetics in cardiac surgery result in reduced cardiac biomarker release compared with total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA). These findings came from relatively small randomized clinical trials and meta-analyses. The authors of this study hypothesized that the beneficial effects of volatile anesthetics translate into a reduced length of hospital stay after coronary artery bypass grafting surgery (CABG) with cardiopulmonary bypass. A randomized controlled trial. Two university hospitals. Adult patients undergoing elective CABG surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass. Patients were assigned randomly to 2 following groups: propofol-based TIVA group (n = 431) and sevoflurane group (n = 437). The primary endpoint was hospital length of stay, and the secondary endpoint included postoperative troponinT and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide release and mortality. In the sevoflurane group, a reduced length of hospital stay was observed compared with the propofol-based TIVA group (10 [9-11] days v 14 [10-16], p<0.001) as were reductions in cardiac troponinT release (0.18 ng/mL v 0.57 ng/mL at 24 hours, p<0.001), in N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide release (633 pg/mL v 878 pg/mL at 24 hours, p<0.001; 482 pg/mL v 1,036 pg/mL at 48 hours, p<0.001), and in mortality at 1-year follow up (17.8% v 24.8%, p = 0.03). Anesthesia with sevoflurane reduced cardiac biomarker release and length of hospital stay after CABG with cardiopulmonary bypass surgery compared with propofol-based TIVA with a possible reduction in 1-year mortality.

Weighing Projections of Physical Decline in Lung Cancer Surgery Decisions

BackgroundPatients with early-stage lung cancer often have comorbid illnesses and fear debility and death when contemplating surgery. However, data that compare physical function of patients who receive surgery with similar patients who do not are sparse. The authors report 1-year outcome results for surgical and nonsurgical patients in a prospective lung cancer cohort to address this gap. MethodsThe authors enrolled 386 patients with early-stage lung cancer. A 106-item survey was completed at the time of enrollment including the short- Form 12 (SF-12) Health Survey to assess functional status. Patients were followed for a year. Chart abstractions were obtained to determine comorbid illnesses and surgical status. Death was ascertained through vital records. The SF-12 was repeated 1 year after the enrollment. Regression models were constructed to identify predictors of 1-year mortality and decline in physical function. ResultsFifty-nine patients (15.3%) died before 1-year follow-up. Mortality in the surgical group was 10.8% compared with 22.8% in the nonsurgical group (P < 0.001). in regression analysis controlling for age and comorbidities, surgical treatment was associated with a reduction in 1-year mortality (odds ratio: 0.5 and 95% confidence interval: 0.3–1.0) but did not worsen physical function relative to the untreated group (average decrease in physical component score of SF-12 = 1.9 for surgery group and 2.5 for no surgery group, P = 0.66). ConclusionsFunctional decline between surgically treated and untreated patients did not differ. This result casts doubt on its value as a treatment determinant. Cancer mortality seems to be a more essential issue in treatment decisions.

Sedation and analgesia in mechanical ventilation.

Traditionally, critically ill patients undergoing mechanical ventilation (MV) have received sedation. Over the last decade, randomized controlled trials have questioned continued use of deep sedation. Evidence shows that a nurse-driven sedation protocol reduces length of MV compared with standard strategy with sedation. Furthermore, daily interruption of sedation reduces length of MV, intensive care unit (ICU), and hospital length of stay (LOS). A larger scale trial with daily interruption of sedation has confirmed these findings and furthermore showed a reduction in 1-year mortality with the use of daily interruption of sedation. Recently, a strategy with no sedation has been described reporting a reduction in length of MV, ICU, and hospital LOS compared with a strategy with daily interruption of sedation. Follow-up trials report that reducing sedation does not seem to increase the risk of psychological morbidity. Moreover, delirium has gained increased focus in recent years with development of validated tools to detect both hyperactive and hypoactive forms of delirium. Using validated tools for detecting delirium is important in monitoring and detecting acute brain dysfunction in critically ill patients. Evidence from randomized trials also cites a beneficial effect of early mobilization with respect to length of MV and delirium.

Impact of direct stenting on outcome of patients with ST‐elevation myocardial infarction transferred for primary percutaneous coronary intervention (from the EUROTRANSFER registry)

We sought to evaluate the impact of direct stenting technique on angiographic and clinical outcomes of patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) undergoing primary angioplasty (PCI). Data on 1,419 patients who underwent immediate PCI for STEMI with implantation of ≥1 stent within native coronary artery were retrieved from the EUROTRANSFER Registry database. Patients were stratified based on the stent implantation technique: direct (without predilatation) vs. conventional stenting. Propensity score adjustment was used to control possible selection bias. Direct stenting technique was used in 276 (19.5%) patients. Remaining 1,143 patients were treated with stent implantation after balloon predilatation. Direct compared with conventional stenting resulted in significantly greater rates of postprocedural TIMI grade 3 flow (conventional vs. direct stenting: 91.5% vs. 94.9%, adjusted OR 2.09 (1.13-3.89), P = 0.020), and lower risk of no-reflow (3.4% vs. 1.4%, adjusted OR 0.31 (0.10-0.92), P = 0.035). The rates for ST-segment resolution >50% after PCI were higher in patients treated with direct stenting technique (76.3% vs. 86.2%, adjusted OR 1.64 (1.10-2.46), P = 0.016). A significant reduction in 1-year mortality in patients from the direct stenting group compared with the conventional stenting group, even after adjustment for propensity score was observed (6.5% vs. 2.9%, adjusted OR 0.45 (0.21-0.99), P = 0.047). When anatomically and technically feasible, the use of direct stenting technique may result in improved long-term survival in patients with STEMI undergoing primary PCI.

Abstract 202: Association Between Implantable Ventricular Assist Device Receipt at Medicare Destination Therapy Centers and Mortality: An Instrumental Variable Analysis

Background: Comparing the effectiveness of contemporary implantable ventricular assist devices (VAD) with medical therapy using observational data is challenging because of treatment selection bias. Objective: To use instrumental variable analysis to examine 1-year mortality of elderly Medicare beneficiaries with advanced heart failure receiving contemporary implantable VADs compared with conservative management. Methods: We identified the first hospitalization for heart failure for at least 14 days between January 1, 2009, and December 31, 2011, among all Medicare beneficiaries 65 to 80 years of age, as well as receipt of an implantable VAD during that hospitalization. We estimated risk-adjusted differences in 1-year mortality for VAD versus medical therapy using a 2-stage least squares instrumental variable analysis method. The date that a hospital was certified by Medicare to implant VADs as permanent circulatory support (“destination therapy facility”) was used as an instrument for VAD receipt, since this variable directly influences the use of VAD therapy. Patients were censored at the date of heart transplantation or death, or at the end of the study period. Results: Of 33,483 beneficiaries hospitalized, 827 (2.5%) underwent VAD implantation at 104 hospitals, 30 of which became destination therapy centers between 2009 and 2011. Among VAD recipients, 71 (8.5%) proceeded to heart transplantation. Unadjusted 1-year mortality rates were 26.5% for VAD versus 51.9% for medical therapy (risk difference,-25.4%; P &lt; 0.001). The adjusted risk difference was -23.6% (95% CI -27.0% to -20.1%, P &lt; 0.001). Using instrumental variable analysis, VAD receipt was associated with a significantly larger decrease in 1-year mortality (risk difference, -40.6%, 95% CI -52.2% to -29.0%; P &lt; 0.001). Conclusions: When confounding was controlled with instrumental variable analysis, VAD implantation among elderly Medicare beneficiaries, on the margin, was associated with a 41% reduction in 1-year mortality compared with medical therapy, consistent with randomized trial results. Use of a hospital’s “destination therapy” certification date as an instrumental variable may facilitate future comparative effectiveness analyses of VAD therapy.

Thrombocytosis is associated with increased short and long term mortality after exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a role for antiplatelet therapy?

IntroductionEvidence suggests that platelets play a significant role in inflammation in addition to their role in thrombosis. Systemic inflammation is linked to poor short and long term outcomes in COPD....

Patients with severe chronic kidney disease benefit from early revascularization after acute coronary syndrome

Early revascularization is associated with improved outcomes after non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome (ACS). It is unclear whether its benefits exist in patients with ACS and advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD), because these patients are often sub-optimally treated and excluded from clinical trials. We undertook meta-analyses of short- and long-term mortality outcomes in comparative studies examining the effectiveness of early revascularization in patients with ACS and CKD (as estimated by Glomerular Filtration Rate, eGFR). A literature search between 1995 and 2010 identified 7 published reports enrolling 23,234 patients with at least mild reduction in eGFR (<90 mL/min/1.73 m(2)), of whom 6276 and 16,958 patients received early revascularization versus initial medical therapy, respectively. Summary odds ratios (OR) and their 95% Confidence Intervals (CIs) were calculated using the random-effects models. Sensitivity analyses were performed by one-study removal, and publication bias was assessed by the funnel plot analysis. Early revascularization was associated with a reduction in 1-year mortality compared to initial medical therapy (OR=0.46, 95% CI 0.26-0.82, P=0.008) among ACS patients with eGFR<60 mL/min/1.73 m(2). The mortality reduction with early revascularization occurred upfront (short term mortality OR=0.69, 95% CI 0.56-0.87, P=0.001), persisted at 3 years (OR=0.54, 95% CI 0.31-0.96, P=0.037), was evident across all CKD stages (including dialysis patients), and was independent of the influence of any single study. Early revascularization after ACS is associated with reduced mortality in appropriately-selected patients with CKD, including those with severe CKD or receiving dialysis.

045 PRIMARY PERCUTANEOUS CORONARY INTERVENTION FOR ST ELEVATION MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION: DOES DIRECT STENTING IMPACT ON MORTALITY?

Introduction Randomised trial data suggest that direct stenting (DS) during primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) for ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is associated with improved markers of reperfusion, such as ST segment resolution, myocardial blush grade and TIMI flow. However, there are few data as to whether these angiographic surrogates translate into a mortality benefit. Methods Consecutive patients attending two high-volume centres undergoing PPCI for STEMI between September 2008 and December 2010 were included in the analysis. All patients received aspirin 300 mg and clopidogrel 600 mg at point of STEMI diagnosis in the community. Use of predilatation (PD), manual thrombus aspiration (TA) and glycoprotein inhibitors (GPI) were at operator discretion. Demographic data and clinical outcomes were obtained by interrogation of local and national databases. Results A total of 1664 patients (mean age 65.3±12.5 years, 74.7% male) underwent PPCI during the study period. We excluded 77 who were not stented from the final analysis. Overall in hospital mortality was 3.0% (47/1587), with 30-day and 1-year mortality of 4.2% (66/1587) and 7.2% (114/1587) respectively. There was a significant 1-year survival advantage in patients who underwent DS (30.2%) compared with those who were stented after PD (3.16% vs 8.63%; p Conclusion In an unselected real-world population undergoing PPCI for STEMI, DS is associated with a significant reduction in 1-year mortality. This effect appears to be independent of both GPI and TA use.

Short‐ and Long‐Term Mortality After Appendectomy in Sweden 1987–2006: Influence of Appendectomy Diagnosis, Sex, Age, Co‐morbidity, Surgical Method, Hospital Volume, and Time Period—A National Population Based Cohort Study

Short‐ and Long‐Term Mortality After Appendectomy in Sweden 1987–2006: Influence of Appendectomy Diagnosis, Sex, Age, Co‐morbidity, Surgical Method, Hospital Volume, and Time Period—A National Population Based Cohort Study

Impact of routine invasive strategy on outcomes in patients with non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction during 2005-2014: A report from the Polish Registry of Acute Coronary Syndromes (PL-ACS).

Non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) has become the most frequently encountered type of myocardial infarction. The patient clinical profile and management has evolved over the past decade. As there is still a scarcity of data on the latest trends in NSTEMI, changes herein were observed and assessed in the treatment and outcomes in Poland between 2005 and 2014. A total of 197,192 patients with NSTEMI who enrolled in the Polish Registry of Acute Coronary Syndromes (PL-ACS) between 2005 and 2014 were analyzed. In-hospital and 12-month mortality were assessed. Coronary angiography use increased from 35.8% in 2005-2007 to 90.7% in 2012-2014 (p < 0.05), whereas percutaneous coronary intervention increased from 25.7% in 2005-2007 to 63.6% in 2012-2014 (p < 0.05). There was a 50% reduction in in-hospital mortality (from 5.6% in 2005-2007 to 2.8% in 2012-2014; p < 0.05) and a 30% reduction in 1-year mortality (from 19.4% in 2005-2007 to 13.7% in 2012-2014; p < 0.05). A multivariate analysis confirmed an immense impact of invasive strategy on patient prognosis during in-hospital observation with an odds ratio (OR) of 0.31 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.29-0.33; p < 0.05) as well as during the 12-month observation with an OR of 0.51 (95% CI 0.49-0.52; p < 0.05). Over the past 10 years, an important advance in the management of NSTEMI has taken place in Poland. Routine invasive strategy resulted in a significant decrease in mortality rates in all groups of NSTEMI patients.

Efficacy of Yun Zhi (Coriolus versicolor) on Survival in Cancer Patients: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Patients with cancer frequently use herbs along with the conventional medical treatment, hoping to enhance recovery. Mushrooms have an established history of use in traditional oriental therapies. In Asian cultures, mushrooms are combined with herbal mixtures to treat cancer. This systematic review and meta-analysis draw from randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trials to assess the efficacy of Yun Zhi (YZ) for survival in cancer patients. Systematic review and meta-analysis technique were used to aggregate and analyze the efficacy of Yun Zhi on survival in cancer patients from 13 clinical trials using computerized database and manual search. The findings show that Yun Zhi results in a significant survival advantage compared with standard conventional anti-cancer treatment alone. Of patient randomized to Yun Zhi, there was a 9% absolute reduction in 5-year mortality, resulting in one additional patient alive for every 11 patients treated. In patients with breast cancer, gastric cancer, or colorectal cancer treated with chemotherapy, the effects of the combination of Yun Zhi preparation on the overall 5-year survival rate was more evident, but not in esophageal cancer and nasophayngeal carcinoma. However, subgroup analysis could not conclude which type of anti-cancer treatment may maximize the benefit from Yun Zhi. This meta-analysis has provided strong evidence that Yun Zhi would have survival benefit in cancer patients, particularly in carcinoma of breast, gastric and colorectal. Nevertheless, the findings highlight the need for further evidence from prospective studies of outcome to guide future potential modifications of treatment regimes. Recent patents on the use of mushrooms for the treatment of cancer are also summarized in this review.

Organized Outpatient Care

Organized inpatient stroke care decreases mortality and morbidity irrespective of patient age, stroke severity, or stroke subtype. Limited information is available on whether organized outpatient care models such as stroke prevention clinics (SPC) improve outcomes after a transient ischemic attack or ischemic stroke. We compared 1-year mortality and stroke readmission in patients with transient ischemic attack or ischemic stroke referred versus not referred to an SPC. This was a retrospective cohort study including 16,468 consecutive patients with ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack who were seen in the emergency department or admitted to a hospital between July 1, 2003 and March 31, 2008 at registry stroke centers (n=12) in the province of Ontario. Cox proportional hazards models and propensity score-matched analyses were used to evaluate 1-year mortality and readmission. One-year mortality rates were lower in those referred to SPCs compared with those not referred, even after adjustment for age, sex, ethnic origin, income, comorbid conditions, stroke symptoms and severity, receipt of thrombolysis, stroke unit care, discharge destination, and functional status at discharge (adjusted hazard ratio [HR], 0.67; 95% CI, 0.60-0.75). Survival analysis after propensity matching showed a 26% reduction in 1-year mortality (HR, 0.74; 95% CI, 0.65-0.84). There were no significant differences in 1-year readmission rates in those referred versus not referred to SPCs. Referral to an SPC is associated with a one-quarter reduction in mortality after ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack. This supports the argument that outpatient stroke units may prove as effective as their inpatient counterparts.

The influence of time from symptom onset and reperfusion strategy on 1-year survival in ST-elevation myocardial infarction: A pooled analysis of an early fibrinolytic strategy versus primary percutaneous coronary intervention from CAPTIM and WEST

The CAPTIM trial suggested a survival benefit of prehospital fibrinolysis (FL) compared to primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) with a presentation delay of <2 hours. We examined the relationship between reperfusion strategy and time from symptom onset on 1-year mortality in a combined analysis of 1,168 patients with STEMI. Individual patient data from CAPTIM (n = 840, 1997-2000) and the more recent WEST trial (n = 328, 2003-2005) were pooled. Median age was 58 years, 81% were men, and 41% had anterior myocardial infarction; 640 patients were randomized to FL versus 528 patients to PCI. Both arms received contemporary adjunctive medical therapy. Presentation delay (ie, symptom onset to randomization) was similar in FL and PCI patients (median 105 [72-158] vs 106 [74-162] minutes, P = .712). Rescue PCI after FL occurred in 26% and 27%, and 30-day PCI, in 70% and 71% in CAPTIM and WEST, respectively. Mortality was not different between FL and PCI (4.6% vs 6.5%, P = .263); however, the interaction between presentation delay and treatment was significant (P = .043). Benefit with FL was observed with time <2 hours (2.8% [FL] vs 6.9% [PCI], P = .021, hazard ratio [HR] 0.43, 95% CI 0.20-0.91), whereas beyond 2 hours, no treatment difference was observed (6.9% [FL] vs 6.0% [PCI], P = .529, HR 1.23, 95% CI 0.61-2.46). A strategy of early FL demonstrated a reduction in 1-year mortality compared to primary PCI in early presenters. Time from symptom onset should be a key consideration when selecting reperfusion therapy for STEMI.

Effect of Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibition on One-Year Mortality and Frequency of Repeat Acute Myocardial Infarction in Patients With Acute Myocardial Infarction

Controversy exists regarding whether all patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) benefit from angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs). We examined the association between ACEI treatment and mortality in a large, unselected population of patients with AMI. The present study included 105,224 patients with AMI who were not treated with ACEIs on admission. A logistic regression analysis, including 33 variables, calculated a propensity score for each patient to estimate the probability of receiving ACEIs at discharge, given the background. The association between ACEI treatment at discharge and the 1-year outcome was evaluated in prespecified subgroups using the Cox regression analyses, adjusting for the propensity score and medications at discharge. A total of 38,395 patients (36.5%) received ACEIs at discharge. After adjustment, ACEI treatment was associated with a 24% reduction in mortality (relative risk 0.76, 95% confidence interval 0.73 to 0.80). The benefit was largest in patients with a history or present signs of heart failure. In patients without heart failure, a significant benefit of ACEI treatment was seen only in patients with renal dysfunction (relative risk 0.69, 95% confidence interval 0.54 to 0.88). In the whole group, the risk of AMI decreased by 7% (relative risk 0.93, 95% confidence interval 0.90 to 0.96), with a larger effect seen in patients with ST-segment elevation AMI or systolic left ventricular dysfunction. In conclusion, in unselected patients with AMI, ACEI treatment was associated with a reduction in 1-year mortality, mainly in patients with heart failure or renal dysfunction, and a small reduction in the risk of reinfarction, mainly in patients with ST-segment elevation AMI or systolic left ventricular dysfunction.