Significant Predictor Of Adverse Events Research Articles

Right ventricular dysfunction is a predictor of non-response and clinical outcome following cardiac resynchronization therapy.

BackgroundCardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is an established treatment in advanced heart failure (HF). However, an important subset does not derive a significant benefit. Despite an established predictive role in HF, the significance of right ventricular (RV) dysfunction in predicting clinical benefit from CRT remains unclear. We investigated the role of RV function, assessed by cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR), in predicting response to and major adverse clinical events in HF patients undergoing CRT.MethodsSixty consecutive patients were evaluated with CMR prior to CRT implantation in a tertiary cardiac centre. The primary end-point was a composite of death from any cause or unplanned hospitalization for a major cardiovascular event. The secondary end-point was response to therapy, defined as improvement in left ventricular ejection fraction ≥ 5% on echocardiography at one year.ResultsEighteen patients (30%) met the primary end-point over a median follow-up period of 26 months, and 27 out of 56 patients (48%) were considered responders to CRT. On time-to-event analysis, only atrial fibrillation (HR 2.6, 95% CI 1.02-6.84, p = 0.047) and RV dysfunction, either by a reduced right ventricular ejection fraction-RVEF (HR 0.96, 95% CI 0.94-0.99, p = 0.006) or tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion-TAPSE (HR 0.88, 95% CI, 0.80-0.96, p = 0.006), were significant predictors of adverse events. On logistic regression analysis, preserved RVEF (OR 1.05, 95% CI 1.01-1.09, p = 0.01) and myocardial scar burden (OR 0.90, 95% CI 0.83-0.96, p = 0.004) were the sole independent predictors of response to CRT. Patients with marked RV dysfunction (RVEF < 30%) had a particularly low response rate (18.2%) to CRT.ConclusionsRight ventricular function is an important predictor of both response to CRT and long-term clinical outcome. Routine assessment of the right ventricle should be considered in the evaluation of patients for CRT.

Appraising the impact of left ventricular ejection fraction on outcomes of percutaneous drug-eluting stenting for unprotected left main disease: insights from a multicenter registry of 975 patients

Despite the well-known prognostic impact of systolic dysfunction in unselected patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), limited data are available on its current predictive role after PCI for unprotected left main disease (ULM). We thus appraised the prognostic role of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) in patients undergoing PCI for ULM with drug-eluting stents (DES). Consecutive eligible subjects were retrospectively enrolled in a national registry. Patients were divided into three groups: LVEF<30%, LVEF 30-45%, and LVEF>45%. Relevant baseline and outcome data were compared with bivariate and multivariable tests. A total of 975 subjects was included (LVEF<30%: 46, LVEF 30-45%: 208, LVEF>45%: 721). Patients with LVEF<30% had several other unfavorable clinical features, including older age and higher EuroSCORE. Adverse event rates were different already at 7days (p=0.012 for all-cause death and p=0.015 for major adverse cardiac events [MACE]), with even more significant trends up to 30days and at long-term (p<0.001 for death, and p<0.001 for MACE). After a median of 18months, risk of death totaled 39 versus 13 versus 8% (p<0.001) and risk of MACE 44 versus 24 versus 22% (p=0.003). Multivariable analyses showed however that reduced LVEF was not an independent predictor of adverse events at any time-point. Whereas reduced LVEF is apparently a significant predictor of adverse events after PCI with DES for ULM, its prognostic impact is mostly due to clustering with other adverse features.

Determining the Preferred Percent-Predicted Equation for Peak Oxygen Consumption in Patients With Heart Failure

Peak oxygen consumption (Vo(2)) is routinely assessed in patients with heart failure undergoing cardiopulmonary exercise testing. The purpose of the present investigation was to determine the prognostic ability of several established peak Vo(2) prediction equations in a large heart failure cohort. One thousand one hundred sixty-five subjects (70% males; age, 57.0+/-13.8 years; ischemic etiology, 43%) diagnosed with heart failure underwent cardiopulmonary exercise testing. Percent-predicted peak Vo(2) was calculated according to normative values proposed by Wasserman and Hansen (equation), Jones et al (equation), the Cooper Clinic (below low fitness threshold), a Veteran's Administration male referral data set (4 equations), and the St James Take Heart Project for women (equation). The prognostic significance of percent-predicted Vo(2) values derived from the 2 latter, sex-specific equations were assessed collectively. There were 179 major cardiac events (117 deaths, 44 heart transplantations, and 18 left ventricular assist device implantations) during the 2-year tracking period (annual event rate, 10%). Measured peak Vo(2) and all percent-predicted peak Vo(2) calculations were significant univariate predictors of adverse events (chi(2)> or =31.9, P<0.001) and added prognostic value to ventilatory efficiency (VE/Vco(2) slope), the strongest cardiopulmonary exercise testing predictor of adverse events (chi(2)=150.7, P<0.001), in a multivariate regression. The Wasserman/Hansen prediction equation provided optimal prognostic information. Actual peak Vo(2) and the percent-predicted models included in this analysis all were significant predictors of adverse events. It seems that the percent-predicted peak Vo(2) value derived from the Wasserman/Hansen equations may outperform other expressions of this cardiopulmonary exercise testing variable.

The threshold of admission glycemia as a predictor of adverse events in diabetic and non-diabetic patients with acute coronary syndrome.

Recent studies indicated a high prevalence of hyperglycemia in non-diabetic patients presenting with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). However, the threshold of admission glucose (AG) as a predictor of adverse events in ACS is unclear. The aim of this study was to assess the threshold of admission glucose (AG) as a predictor of adverse events including Major Acute Cardiac Events (MACE) and mortality, during the first week of admitting patients presenting with ACS. The data of 551 patients with ACS were extracted and evaluated. Patients were stratified according to their blood glucose on admission into three groups: group 1: </=7 mmol/L (n = 200, 36.3%) and group 2: >7 mmol/L and <15 mmol/L (n = 178, 32.3%) and group 3: >/=15 mmol/L (n = 173, 31.4%). Stress hyperglycemia was arbitrarily defined as AG levels > 7 mmol/L (group 2 and 3). Patients with ACS were sub-divided into two groups: patients with unstable angina (UA, n = 285) and those with ST segment elevation myocardial Infarction (STEMI, n = 266) and data were analyzed separately using multiple regression analysis. The mean age of patients was 59.7 +/- 14.8 years and 63% were males. The overall mortality in the population was 8.5% (5.4% in STEMI and 3.1% in UA) patients. In STEMI patients, the odds ratio of stress hyperglycemia as predictor of mortality in group 3 compared with group 1 was 3.3 (CI 0.99-10.98, P < 0.05), while in group 2 compared with group 1 was 2.4 (CI: 0.75-8.07, P = 0.065) after adjustment for age and sex. Similarly, in UA patients, the odds ratio of stress hyperglycemia in group 3 compared with group 1 was 2.7 (CI 0.37-18.98, P < 0.05), while in group 2 compared with group 1 was 2.4 (CI: 0.4-15.2, P = 0.344) after adjustment for age and sex. The incidence of more than 2 MACE in both STEMI and UA patients was higher in group 3 compared with the other two groups. Regression analysis showed that history of DM, high level of LDL cholesterol, high level of HbA1c, and anterior infarction were significant predictors of adverse events while other risk factors such as BMI, history of hypertension and smoking were of no significance. This study indicates that the stress hyperglycemia on admission is a powerful predictor of increased major adverse events and hospital mortality in patients with acute coronary syndrome.

Abstract 3518: High Remnant Lipoprotein Levels Adversely Affect Short- and Long-term Outcomes for Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Diabetes mellitus (DM) adversely affects prognosis in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Evidence shows that lipids-lowering therapy rather than glycemic control reduces macrovascular events in these patients, but it remains unclear which lipoprotein fractions contribute to negative effects. We previously showed that high levels of remnant lipoprotein, a triglyceride-rich lipoprotein, were an independent risk of future coronary events in patients with chronic coronary artery disease and DM. This study examined the hypothesis that remnant lipoproteinemia may adversely affect short- and long-term prognosis in patients with AMI and DM. Methods and Results: A prospective study was performed in 268 consecutive patients with Type 2 DM who were enrolled on day 5 after AMI. Fasting serum levels of remnant lipoproteins (remnant-like lipoprotein particles cholesterol; RLP-C) on day 5 after AMI were measured by an immunoseparation method. Adverse events, a composite of cardiac death, nonfatal MI, or recurrent unstable myocardial ischemia leading to unplanned revascularization therapy, were assessed during follow-up periods of 30 days and 1 year after AMI. Events rates were higher in patients with than without higher RLP-C levels (≥ 5.5 mg/dL, 50 th percentile of the distribution) during both short- and long-term follow-up periods (30 days post-MI, 8.2% [11/134 patients] vs. 2.2% [3/134 patients], p &lt;0.05; 1 year post-MI, 15% [20] vs. 7.5% [10], p &lt;0.05). In multivariate Cox hazard analyses, higher RLP-C levels were a significant predictor of adverse events during 30 days and 1 year independently of enrollment levels of glucose, LDL-C, and non-HDL-C (hazard ratios 2.1 and 1.7, 95% CI 1.8 – 3.9 and 1.3 – 4.0, respectively, both p&lt;0.01). RLP-C levels were significantly correlated with C-reactive protein levels and intimal thickening of carotid artery at enrollment (r =0.30 and 0.39, respectively, both p&lt;0.01). Conclusions: High remnant lipoprotein levels adversely affect short- and long-term outcomes in patients with AMI and Type 2 DM. The pro-inflammatory and pro-atherothrombogenic effects of remnant lipoprotein may contribute to coronary plaques instability in patients with AMI and Type 2 DM.

Residents Report on Adverse Events and Their Causes

Resident physicians are frontline providers with a unique vantage point from which to comment on patient safety-related events. We surveyed trainees at 2 teaching hospitals about experiences with adverse events (AEs), mistakes, and near misses, as well as the potential causes. Responses were obtained from 821 (57%) of 1440 eligible trainees. Analysis was restricted to 689 clinical trainees. More than half (55%) reported ever caring for a patient who had an AE. The most common types of AEs were procedural and medication related. More than two thirds of AEs were considered significant. Of the most recent AEs, 24% were attributed to mistakes. The most common reasons for mistakes, as perceived by residents, were excessive work hours (19%), inadequate supervision (20%), and problems with handoffs (15%). In the last week, 114 respondents (18%) reported having a patient with an AE; of these, 42 (37%) reported AEs involving a mistake for which they considered themselves responsible. In addition, 141 (23%) reported near-miss incidents in the last week for which they considered themselves responsible. In multivariate analyses, significant predictors of AEs in the last week were inpatient rotation, duty hours in the last week, and procedural specialty. Predictors of near-miss errors in the last week were inpatient rotation, days of fatigue in the last month, and postgraduate year 1 status. These findings support the perception that AEs are commonly encountered by physicians and often associated with errors. Causes of errors in teaching hospitals appear to be multifactorial, and a variety of measures are necessary to improve safety. Eliciting residents' perspectives is important because residents may perceive events, actions, and causal relationships that medical record reviewers or observers cannot.

Predicting complications of carotid endarterectomy.

Carotid endarterectomy has been shown to be beneficial in patients with high-grade carotid stenosis and ipsilateral transient ischemic attack or stroke. This benefit will be realized only if the operation is performed safely. We sought to determine the extent to which clinically significant adverse events occurring after carotid endarterectomy can be predicted from clinical data available before surgery. Eleven hundred sixty patients were randomly selected from all patients who underwent carotid endarterectomy and were discharged during the calendar years 1988, 1989, and 1990 in 12 academic medical centers in 10 states. Clinical data abstracted from hospital charts were analyzed retrospectively. A model was developed and validated to predict the occurrence of stroke, myocardial infarction, or death during the postoperative period of hospitalization. Eight patients (6.9%) suffered at least one adverse event. Rates for individual complications were as follows: death, 1.4%; nonfatal stroke, 3.4%; nonfatal myocardial infarction, 2.1%; and nonfatal stroke or death, 4.8%. Significant predictors of adverse events were age 75 years or older, symptom status (ipsilateral symptoms versus asymptomatic or nonipsilateral symptoms), severe hypertension (preoperative diastolic blood pressure of greater than 110 mm Hg), carotid endarterectomy performed in preparation for coronary artery bypass surgery, history of angina, evidence of internal carotid artery thrombus, and internal carotid artery stenosis near the carotid siphon. The presence of two or more of these risk factors was associated with a nearly twofold increase in risk of an adverse event (relative risk, 1.7; 95% confidence interval, 1.0 to 3.0). Clinical data can be used to stratify patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy according to risk of postoperative in-hospital stroke, myocardial infarction, or death.