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Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine 2022In the last decade, percutaneous treatment of valve disease has changed the approach toward the treatment of aortic stenosis (AS) and mitral regurgitation (MR). The...
OBJECTIVES
In the last decade, percutaneous treatment of valve disease has changed the approach toward the treatment of aortic stenosis (AS) and mitral regurgitation (MR). The clinical usefulness of stress echocardiography (SE) in the candidates for transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) and transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER) of MR remains to be established. Therefore, the key aim of this review is to assess the main applications of SE in patients undergoing TAVI or TEER.
METHODS
We searched for relevant studies to be included in the systematic review on PubMed (Medline), Cochrane library, Google Scholar, and Biomed Central databases. The literature search was conducted in February 2022. The inclusion criteria of the studies were: observational and clinical trials or meta-analysis involving patients with AS or MR evaluated with SE (excluding those in which SE was used only for screening of pseudo-severe stenosis) and treated with percutaneous procedures.
RESULTS
Thirteen studies published between 2013 and 2021 were included in the review: five regarding candidates for TEER and eight for TAVI. In TEER candidates, seeing an increase in MR grade, and stroke volume of >40% during SE performed before treatment was, respectively, related to clinical benefits ( = 0.008) and an increased quality of life. Moreover, overall, 25% of patients with moderate secondary MR at rest before TEER had the worsening of MR during SE. At the same time, in SE performed after TEER, an increase in mean transvalvular diastolic gradient and in systolic pulmonary pressure is expected, but without sign and symptoms of heart failure. Regarding TAVI, several studies showed that contractile reserve (CR) is not predictive of post-TAVI ejection fraction recovery and mortality in low-flow low-gradient AS either at 30 days or at long-term.
CONCLUSION
This systematic review shows in TEER candidates, SE has proved useful in the optimization of patient selection and treatment response, while its role in TAVI candidates is less defined. Therefore, larger trials are needed to test and confirm the utility of SE in candidates for percutaneous procedures of valve diseases.
PubMed: 36465454
DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2022.964669 -
African Health Sciences Jun 2016Congenital heart diseases cause significant childhood morbidity and mortality. Several restricted studies have been conducted on the epidemiology in Nigeria. No truly... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Congenital heart diseases cause significant childhood morbidity and mortality. Several restricted studies have been conducted on the epidemiology in Nigeria. No truly nationwide data on patterns of congenital heart disease exists.
OBJECTIVES
To determine the patterns of congenital heart disease in children in Nigeria and examine trends in the occurrence of individual defects across 5 decades.
METHOD
We searched PubMed database, Google scholar, TRIP database, World Health Organisation libraries and reference lists of selected articles for studies on patterns of congenital heart disease among children in Nigeria between 1964 and 2015. Two researchers reviewed the papers independently and extracted the data. Seventeen studies were selected that included 2,953 children with congenital heart disease.
RESULTS
The commonest congenital heart diseases in Nigeria are ventricular septal defect (40.6%), patent ductus arteriosus (18.4%), atrial septal defect (11.3%) and tetralogy of Fallot (11.8%). There has been a 6% increase in the burden of VSD in every decade for the 5 decades studied and a decline in the occurrence of pulmonary stenosis. Studies conducted in Northern Nigeria demonstrated higher proportions of atrial septal defects than patent ductus arteriosus.
CONCLUSIONS
Ventricular septal defects are the commonest congenital heart diseases in Nigeria with a rising burden.
Topics: Child, Preschool; Developing Countries; Ductus Arteriosus, Patent; Female; Heart Defects, Congenital; Heart Septal Defects, Atrial; Heart Septal Defects, Ventricular; Humans; Incidence; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Male; Nigeria; Survival Rate; Tetralogy of Fallot
PubMed: 27605952
DOI: 10.4314/ahs.v16i2.5 -
JACC. Cardiovascular Imaging Jan 2015Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a classic pathophysiological consequence of left-sided valvular heart disease (VHD). However, as opposed to other forms of PH, there are... (Review)
Review
Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a classic pathophysiological consequence of left-sided valvular heart disease (VHD). However, as opposed to other forms of PH, there are relatively few published data on the prevalence, impact on outcome, and management of PH with VHD. The objective of this paper is to present a systematic review of PH in patients with VHD. PH is found in 15% to 60% of patients with VHD and is more frequent among symptomatic patients. PH is associated with higher risk of cardiac events under conservative management, during valve replacement or repair procedures, and even following successful corrective procedures. In addition to its usefulness in assessing the presence and severity of VHD, Doppler echocardiography is a key tool in diagnosis of PH and assessment of its repercussion on right ventricular function. Assessment of pulmonary arterial pressure during exercise stress echocardiography may provide additional prognostic information beyond resting evaluation. Cardiac magnetic resonance is also useful for assessing right ventricular geometry and function, which provide additional prognostic information in patients with VHD and PH.
Topics: Biomarkers; Echocardiography; Heart Valve Diseases; Humans; Hypertension, Pulmonary; Mitral Valve Insufficiency; Mitral Valve Stenosis; Physical Exertion
PubMed: 25592699
DOI: 10.1016/j.jcmg.2014.12.003 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Apr 2017Aortic valve disease is a common condition that is easily treatable with cardiac surgery. This is conventionally performed by opening the sternum longitudinally down the... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Aortic valve disease is a common condition that is easily treatable with cardiac surgery. This is conventionally performed by opening the sternum longitudinally down the centre ("median sternotomy") and replacing the valve under cardiopulmonary bypass. Median sternotomy is generally well tolerated, but as less invasive options have become available, the efficacy of limited incisions has been called into question. In particular, the effects of reducing the visibility and surgical access has raised safety concerns with regards to the placement of cannulae, venting of the heart, epicardial wire placement, and de-airing of the heart at the end of the procedure. These difficulties may increase operating times, affecting outcome. The benefits of smaller incisions are thought to include decreased pain; improved respiratory mechanics; reductions in wound infections, bleeding, and need for transfusion; shorter intensive care stay; better cosmesis; and a quicker return to normal activity.
OBJECTIVES
To assess the effects of minimally invasive aortic valve replacement via a limited sternotomy versus conventional aortic valve replacement via median sternotomy in people with aortic valve disease requiring surgical replacement.
SEARCH METHODS
We performed searches of CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, clinical trials registries, and manufacturers' websites from inception to July 2016, with no language limitations. We reviewed references of identified papers to identify any further studies of relevance.
SELECTION CRITERIA
Randomised controlled trials comparing aortic valve replacement via a median sternotomy versus aortic valve replacement via a limited sternotomy. We excluded trials that performed other minimally invasive incisions such as mini-thoracotomies, port access, trans-apical, trans-femoral or robotic procedures. Although some well-conducted prospective and retrospective case-control and cohort studies exist, these were not included in this review.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
Two review authors independently assessed trial papers to extract data, assess quality, and identify risk of bias. A third review author provided arbitration where required. The quality of evidence was determined using the GRADE methodology and results of patient-relevant outcomes were summarised in a 'Summary of findings' table.
MAIN RESULTS
The review included seven trials with 511 participants. These included adults from centres in Austria, Spain, Italy, Germany, France, and Egypt. We performed 12 comparisons investigating the effects of minimally invasive limited upper hemi-sternotomy on aortic valve replacement as compared to surgery performed via full median sternotomy.There was no evidence of any effect of upper hemi-sternotomy on mortality versus full median sternotomy (risk ratio (RR) 1.01, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.36 to 2.82; participants = 511; studies = 7; moderate quality). There was no evidence of an increase in cardiopulmonary bypass time with aortic valve replacement performed via an upper hemi-sternotomy (mean difference (MD) 3.02 minutes, 95% CI -4.10 to 10.14; participants = 311; studies = 5; low quality). There was no evidence of an increase in aortic cross-clamp time (MD 0.95 minutes, 95% CI -3.45 to 5.35; participants = 391; studies = 6; low quality). None of the included studies reported major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events as a composite end point.There was no evidence of an effect on length of hospital stay through limited hemi-sternotomy (MD -1.31 days, 95% CI -2.63 to 0.01; participants = 297; studies = 5; I = 89%; very low quality). Postoperative blood loss was lower in the upper hemi-sternotomy group (MD -158.00 mL, 95% CI -303.24 to -12.76; participants = 297; studies = 5; moderate quality). The evidence did not support a reduction in deep sternal wound infections (RR 0.71, 95% CI 0.22 to 2.30; participants = 511; studies = 7; moderate quality) or re-exploration (RR 1.01, 95% CI 0.48 to 2.13; participants = 511; studies = 7; moderate quality). There was no change in pain scores by upper hemi-sternotomy (standardised mean difference (SMD) -0.33, 95% CI -0.85 to 0.20; participants = 197; studies = 3; I = 70%; very low quality), but there was a small increase in postoperative pulmonary function tests with minimally invasive limited sternotomy (MD 1.98 % predicted FEV1, 95% CI 0.62 to 3.33; participants = 257; studies = 4; I = 28%; low quality). There was a small reduction in length of intensive care unit stays as a result of the minimally invasive upper hemi-sternotomy (MD -0.57 days, 95% CI -0.93 to -0.20; participants = 297; studies = 5; low quality). Postoperative atrial fibrillation was not reduced with minimally invasive aortic valve replacement through limited compared to full sternotomy (RR 0.60, 95% CI 0.07 to 4.89; participants = 240; studies = 3; moderate quality), neither were postoperative ventilation times (MD -1.12 hours, 95% CI -3.43 to 1.19; participants = 297; studies = 5; low quality). None of the included studies reported cost analyses.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
The evidence in this review was assessed as generally low to moderate quality. The study sample sizes were small and underpowered to demonstrate differences in outcomes with low event rates. Clinical heterogeneity both between and within studies is a relatively fixed feature of surgical trials, and this also contributed to the need for caution in interpreting results.Considering these limitations, there was uncertainty of the effect on mortality or extracorporeal support times with upper hemi-sternotomy for aortic valve replacement compared to full median sternotomy. The evidence to support a reduction in total hospital length of stay or intensive care stay was low in quality. There was also uncertainty of any difference in the rates of other, secondary outcome measures or adverse events with minimally invasive limited sternotomy approaches to aortic valve replacement.There appears to be uncertainty between minimally invasive aortic valve replacement via upper hemi-sternotomy and conventional aortic valve replacement via a full median sternotomy. Before widespread adoption of the minimally invasive approach can be recommended, there is a need for a well-designed and adequately powered prospective randomised controlled trial. Such a study would benefit from performing a robust cost analysis. Growing patient preference for minimally invasive techniques merits thorough quality-of-life analyses to be included as end points, as well as quantitative measures of physiological reserve.
Topics: Aged; Aortic Valve; Atrial Fibrillation; Blood Loss, Surgical; Cardiopulmonary Bypass; Heart Valve Diseases; Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation; Humans; Length of Stay; Middle Aged; Operative Time; Pain Measurement; Postoperative Complications; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Reoperation; Sternotomy; Surgical Wound Infection
PubMed: 28394022
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD011793.pub2 -
BMJ Global Health 2018Pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) is an important risk factor for chronic respiratory disease due to residual lung damage. Yet, the WHO End TB strategy does not mention...
INTRODUCTION
Pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) is an important risk factor for chronic respiratory disease due to residual lung damage. Yet, the WHO End TB strategy does not mention post-TB chronic lung disorders (PTBLDs) and programmatic interventions to address PTBLD are lacking. This study assessed the scope of current guidelines and evidence on PTBLD to inform policy and research action.
METHODS
A systematic literature search was conducted following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis guidelines. Eight databases (TRIP, International Guideline Library, MEDLINE/PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, Global Health, Cochrane Library) were searched for records on PTBLD published between 1 January 1990 and 1 December 2017. Non-English records, case series, conference abstracts and letters to editors were excluded. Data were extracted and charted on publication year, location, PTBLD condition(s) and main study outcome.
RESULTS
A total of 212 guidelines and 3661 articles were retrieved. After screening, only three international TB guidelines mentioned TB sequelae, but none described how to identify or manage the condition. A total of 156 articles addressed PTBLD: 54 (35%) mentioned unspecified TB sequelae; 47 (30%) specific post-TB conditions including aspergillosis, bronchial stenosis or bronchiectasis; 52 (33%) post-TB obstructive disorders or lung function impairment; and 20 (13%) post-TB respiratory symptoms or chest X-ray abnormalities. The first two groups mostly assessed surgery or ventilation techniques for patient management, while the last two groups typically assessed prevalence or predictors of disease.
CONCLUSION
This is the first review to provide a comprehensive overview of the current literature on PTBLD. The scope of evidence around the burden of PTBLD warrants inclusion and recognition of the problem in international TB guidelines. Research is now needed on early detection of PTBLD and patient management options that are suitable for high-burden TB countries.
PubMed: 30057796
DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2018-000745 -
Journal of the American College of... Dec 2018Echocardiography is the mainstay in screening for pulmonary hypertension (PH). International guidelines suggest echocardiographic parameters for suspecting PH, but these...
Echocardiography is the mainstay in screening for pulmonary hypertension (PH). International guidelines suggest echocardiographic parameters for suspecting PH, but these may not apply to many adults with congenital heart disease (ACHD). PH is relatively common in ACHD patients and can significantly affect their exercise capacity, quality of life, and prognosis. Identification of patients who have developed PH and who may benefit from further investigations (including cardiac catheterization) and treatment is thus extremely important. A systematic review and survey of experts from the United Kingdom and Ireland were performed to assess current knowledge and practice on echocardiographic screening for PH in ACHD. This paper presents the findings of the review and expert statements on the optimal approaches when using echocardiography to assess ACHD patients for PH, with particular focus on major subgroups: patients with right ventricular outflow tract obstruction, patients with systemic right ventricles, patients with unrepaired univentricular circulation, and patients with tetralogy of Fallot with pulmonary atresia.
Topics: Echocardiography; Heart Defects, Congenital; Humans; Hypertension, Pulmonary; Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Cine; Mass Screening
PubMed: 30497564
DOI: 10.1016/j.jacc.2018.08.2201 -
Medicine Jul 2022Safe and effective arteriovenous fistula (AVF) puncture techniques must be used to reduce harm to hemodialysis patients. The relative benefits of buttonhole (BH)... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Effect of buttonhole cannulation versus rope-ladder cannulation in hemodialysis patients with vascular access: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized/clinical controlled trials.
BACKGROUND
Safe and effective arteriovenous fistula (AVF) puncture techniques must be used to reduce harm to hemodialysis patients. The relative benefits of buttonhole (BH) cannulation over those of rope ladder (RL) cannulation for AVF remain unclear and inconsistent.
METHODS
This systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Literature searches were conducted in June 2020 in multiple scientific databases including Cochrane library, CINAHL, PubMed/ Medline, Airiti Library, National Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations in Taiwan, Google scholar, Embase, and ProQuest. We included all randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and clinical controlled trials (CCTs) that explored the efficacy of BH cannulation in hemodialysis patients. These included reports published in either English or Chinese that enrolled adults aged 18 years or older who underwent hemodialysis using an autogenous AVF. Studies that showed poor design, such as use of a self-control group or no control group, were excluded from analysis. The critical appraisal skills program checklist for RCTs were used to assess the quality of the evidence and RevMan software were used to perform the meta-analysis.
RESULTS
Fifteen studies (11 RCTs and 4 CCTs) met the inclusion criteria and were used for the meta-analysis. Meta-analysis showed that BH cannulation significantly reduced aneurysm formation (RR = 0.18, 95% confidence interval [CI] [0.1, 0.32]), stenosis (RR = 0.44, 95% CI [0.25, 0.77]), thrombosis formation (RR = 0.4, 95% CI [0.2, 0.8]), and hematoma (RR = 0.63, 95% CI [0.40, 0.99]) and showed no differences in AVR infection (≦6 months, RR = 2.17, 95% CI [0.76, 6.23]; >6 months, RR = 2.7, 95% CI [0.92, 7.92]) compared to RL cannulation.
CONCLUSIONS
Given the benefits of BH, this meta-analysis found that BH cannulation should be recommended as a routine procedure for hemodialysis but that hospitals and hemodialysis clinics should strengthen staff knowledge and skills of BH cannulation to reduce the risk of AVF infection.
Topics: Adult; Arteriovenous Fistula; Arteriovenous Shunt, Surgical; Catheterization; Humans; Kidney Failure, Chronic; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Renal Dialysis
PubMed: 35866782
DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000029597 -
The Journal of International Medical... May 2021Fibrosing mediastinitis (FM) is a progressive, life-threatening disease characterized by extrinsic compression of mediastinal bronchovascular structures, and the...
Fibrosing mediastinitis (FM) is a progressive, life-threatening disease characterized by extrinsic compression of mediastinal bronchovascular structures, and the clinical manifestations largely depend upon the affected structures. Pleural effusion is rarely reported in patients with FM. We herein describe a 70-year-old man who presented with recurrent breathlessness and refractory left pleural effusion. He was misdiagnosed with and treated for tuberculous pleurisy for several months. Thoracentesis revealed a transudative pleural effusion, and a contrast-enhanced computed tomography scan of the thorax showed an extensive mediastinal soft tissue mass consistent with FM. Pulmonary angiography demonstrated pulmonary artery stenosis on the right side and pulmonary vein stenosis mainly on the left side. After measurement of the pulmonary arterial pressure by right heart catheterization, the patient was diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension associated with FM. He underwent balloon angioplasty and stent implantation of the stenosed pulmonary vessels, which led to long-term improvement in his breathlessness and pleural effusion. Our systematic review of the literature highlights that pleural effusion can be an uncommon complication of FM and requires careful etiological differentiation.
Topics: Aged; Constriction, Pathologic; Humans; Male; Mediastinitis; Pleural Effusion; Sclerosis; Vascular Diseases
PubMed: 33947262
DOI: 10.1177/03000605211010073 -
Clinical Cardiology Oct 2020The association of body mass index (BMI) and procedure-related factors in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) after radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is still unclear. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Impact of body mass index on procedural complications, procedure duration, and radiation dose in patients with atrial fibrillation undergoing radiofrequency ablation: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
BACKGROUND
The association of body mass index (BMI) and procedure-related factors in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) after radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is still unclear.
HYPOTHESIS
BMI is associated with increased the radiation dose, procedure duration, and procedural complications.
METHODS
Prospective studies assessing BMI and procedure duration, radiation dose, and procedural complications in patients with AF after RFA were identified through electronic searches of PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library database.
RESULTS
Ten studies with 14 735 participants undergoing RFA were included. Procedure duration was significantly longer in patients with overweight or obesity than in patients with normal BMI, with a mean difference (MD) of 0.95. Patients with overweight and obesity were exposed to a larger radiation dose, with standard MD of 1.71 and 1.98, respectively. There was no significant association between overweight or obesity and the risk of procedural complications (RR of 0.91 for overweight, 1.01 for obesity, 0.89 for stage I obesity, 1.00 for stage II obesity, and 0.94 for stage III obesity). Further analysis showed there was no significant difference regarding stroke or transient ischemic attack (overweight, RR: 0.92; obesity, RR: 1.02); cardiac tamponade (overweight, RR: 0.92; obesity, RR: 1.02); groin hematoma (overweight, RR: 0.62; obesity, RR: 0.40); or pulmonary vein stenosis (overweight, RR: 0.49; obesity, RR: 0.40) among BMI groups.
CONCLUSION
Based on available evidence, we first showed that patients with overweight/obesity undergoing RFA experienced a significantly increased procedure duration and received a larger radiation dose than patients with normal BMI; however, there was no significant difference in procedural complications between patients with overweight/obesity and patients with normal BMI.
Topics: Atrial Fibrillation; Body Mass Index; Catheter Ablation; Global Health; Humans; Incidence; Obesity; Overweight; Postoperative Complications; Recurrence; Risk Factors
PubMed: 32492246
DOI: 10.1002/clc.23398 -
Monaldi Archives For Chest Disease =... Apr 2022Bronchocele is an abnormal accumulation of mucus often with associated bronchial dilatation. It can be due to either increased production or impaired drainage of mucus...
Bronchocele is an abnormal accumulation of mucus often with associated bronchial dilatation. It can be due to either increased production or impaired drainage of mucus in the airways. Diseases like chronic bronchitis, bronchial asthma, bronchiectasis are characterized by high mucus production and other atypical conditions are bronchorrhea and plastic bronchitis with different physical characteristics and compositions of mucus. Improper drainage can lead to bronchocele formation due to underlying benign, malignant tumours or bronchial stenosis. Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) has a peculiar appearance with high attenuated mucus (HAM) in imaging. Careful evaluation of bronchocele is needed as it can be associated with bronchial obstruction or rare causes like plastic bronchitis. Proper identification, evaluation for the underlying cause is key for not missing the underlying diagnosis and accurate treatment.
Topics: Humans; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Bronchiectasis; Aspergillosis, Allergic Bronchopulmonary; Bronchitis; Plastics
PubMed: 35477240
DOI: 10.4081/monaldi.2022.2133