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Journal of Clinical Medicine Sep 2022Statins are lipid-lowering medications used for the prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD), but the pleiotropic effects of statins might be beneficial in other... (Review)
Review
Statins are lipid-lowering medications used for the prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD), but the pleiotropic effects of statins might be beneficial in other chronic diseases. This meta-analysis investigated the association between statin use and mortality in different chronic conditions. Eligible studies were real-world studies that compared all-cause mortality over at least 12 months between propensity score-matched statin users and non-users. Overall, 54 studies were included: 21 in CVD, 6 in chronic kidney disease, 6 in chronic inflammatory diseases, 3 in cancer, and 18 in other diseases. The risk of all-cause mortality was significantly reduced in statin users (hazard ratio: 0.72, 95% confidence interval: 0.66−0.76). The reduction in mortality risk was similar in CVD studies (0.73, 0.66−0.76) and non-CVD studies (0.70, 0.67−0.79). There were no significant differences in the risk reduction between cohorts with different diseases (p = 0.179). The greatest mortality reduction was seen in studies from Asia (0.61, 0.61−0.73) and the lowest in studies from North America (0.78, 0.73−0.83) and Australia (0.78, 0.62−0.97). There was a significant heterogeneity (I2 = 95%, tau2 = 0.029, p < 0.01). In conclusion, statin use was associated with a significantly reduced risk of all-cause mortality in real-world cohorts with CVD and non-CVD.
PubMed: 36233511
DOI: 10.3390/jcm11195643 -
Neurosurgical Review Jan 2024Over the last decades, minimally invasive techniques have revolutionized the endovascular treatment (EVT) of brain aneurysms. In parallel, the development of conscious... (Review)
Review
Over the last decades, minimally invasive techniques have revolutionized the endovascular treatment (EVT) of brain aneurysms. In parallel, the development of conscious sedation (CS), a potentially less harmful anesthetic protocol than general anesthesia (GA), has led to the course optimization of surgeries, patient outcomes, and healthcare costs. Nevertheless, the feasibility and safety of EVT of brain aneurysms under CS have yet to be assessed thoroughly. Herein, we systematically reviewed the medical literature about this procedure. In accordance with the PRISMA guidelines, four databases (PubMed, EMBASE, SCOPUS, and Cochrane Library) were queried to identify articles describing the EVT of brain aneurysms under CS. Successful procedural completion, complete aneurysm occlusion outcomes, intraoperative complications, clinical outcomes, and mortality rates assessed the feasibility and safety. Our search strategy yielded 567 records, of which 11 articles were included in the qualitative synthesis. These studies entailed a total of 1142 patients (40.7% females), 1183 intracranial aneurysms (78.4% in the anterior circulation and 60.9% unruptured at presentation), and 1391 endovascular procedures (91.9% performed under CS). EVT modalities under CS included coiling alone (63.2%), flow diversion (17.7%), stent-assisted coiling (10.6%), stenting alone (6.5%), onyx embolization alone (1.7%), onyx + stenting (0.2%), and onyx + coiling (0.2%). CS was achieved by combining two or more anesthetics, such as midazolam, fentanyl, and remifentanil. Selection criteria for CS were heterogenous and included patients' history of pulmonary and cardiovascular diseases, outweighing the benefits of CS versus GA, a Hunt and Hess score of I-II, a median score of 3 in the American Society of Anesthesiology scale, and patient's compliance with elective CS. Procedures were deemed successful or achieving complete aneurysm occlusion in 88.1% and 9.4% of reported cases, respectively. Good clinical outcomes were described in 90.4% of patients with available data at follow-up (mean time: 10.7 months). The procedural complication rate was 16%, and the mortality rate was 2.8%. No complications or mortality were explicitly attributed to CS. On the other hand, procedure abortion and conversion from CS to GA were deemed necessary in 5% and 1% of cases, respectively. The present study highlights the feasibility of performing EVT of brain aneurysms under CS as an alternative anesthetic protocol to GA. However, the limited nature of observational studies, methodological quality, the predominant absence of a comparative GA group, and clinical data during follow-up restrict a conclusive statement about the safety of EVT under CS. Accordingly, further research endeavors are warranted toward a higher level of evidence that can be translated into surgical practice.
Topics: Female; Humans; Male; Intracranial Aneurysm; Treatment Outcome; Conscious Sedation; Feasibility Studies; Retrospective Studies; Embolization, Therapeutic; Anesthetics; Endovascular Procedures
PubMed: 38214744
DOI: 10.1007/s10143-023-02272-1 -
Cureus Feb 2024Oxygen therapy is essential for the survival of preterm babies and critically ill newborns; however, it has the potential to cause harm through hypoxemia or hyperoxemia.... (Review)
Review
Oxygen therapy is essential for the survival of preterm babies and critically ill newborns; however, it has the potential to cause harm through hypoxemia or hyperoxemia. Newborns with complex congenital heart diseases (CHD) suffer from oxygen fluctuations due to the disease and its treatments, altering pre and postnatal development. The objective of this study is to evaluate the evidence for using a hypoxic mixture to decrease pulmonary over-circulation and improve systemic perfusion before surgical interventions in newborns with complex CHD that course with pulmonary over-circulation and systemic hypoperfusion. A search was conducted in PubMed, EMBASE, LILACS, Scielo, Taylor and Francis, SAGE, and Science Direct databases from 2000 to 2022 by two independent authors, including articles with hypoxic mixture treatment in observational studies or trials, with pre-treatment and post-treatment measurements in the same patient, or two groups or more comparisons. Six articles were selected, with a total of 75 patients. The primary outcome was improved systemic circulation and decreased pulmonary over-circulation measured directly with Qp/Qs and indirectly with oxygen saturation and cerebral near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). In addition, we performed a meta-analysis for oxygen saturation and cerebral NIRS. Oxygen saturation was the value uniformly reported; three studies reported a significantly lower oxygen saturation after the hypoxic mixture. The cerebral NIRS was measured in 4 studies, with inconsistent results. After using the hypoxic mixture, the Qp/Qs calculation was lower in the two studies but was not statistically significant. The meta-analysis for oxygen saturation showed a fixed effect post-hypoxic therapy of -0.7 (-1.06; -0.35), p < 0.001. The meta-analysis of two studies that measured cerebral NIRS did not show a statistically significant difference at 12 and 24 hours. In conclusion, this is the first systematic review and meta-analysis regarding the pre-operative use of hypoxic gas mixtures for newborns with complex congenital heart disease. Treatment results in lower oxygen saturations, but there is a lack of evidence of improvement in systemic perfusion. The utilization of this therapy is controversial, and better evidence is necessary.
PubMed: 38435156
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.53409 -
Journal of the American Heart... Jul 2021Background Contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CI-AKI) is a serious complication after percutaneous coronary intervention. The mainstay of CI-AKI prevention is... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Background Contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CI-AKI) is a serious complication after percutaneous coronary intervention. The mainstay of CI-AKI prevention is represented by intravenous hydration. Tailoring infusion rate to patient volume status has emerged as advantageous over fixed infusion-rate hydration strategies. Methods and Results A systematic review and network meta-analysis with a frequentist approach were conducted. A total of 8 randomized controlled trials comprising 2312 patients comparing fixed versus tailored hydration strategies to prevent CI-AKI after percutaneous coronary intervention were included in the final analysis. Tailored hydration strategies included urine flow rate-guided, central venous pressure-guided, left ventricular end-diastolic pressure-guided, and bioimpedance vector analysis-guided hydration. Primary endpoint was CI-AKI incidence. Safety endpoint was incidence of pulmonary edema. Urine flow rate-guided and central venous pressure-guided hydration were associated with a lower incidence of CI-AKI compared with fixed-rate hydration (odds ratio [OR], 0.32 [95% CI, 0.19-0.54] and OR, 0.45 [95% CI, 0.21-0.97]). No significant difference in pulmonary edema incidence was observed between the different hydration strategies. score analysis showed that urine flow rate-guided hydration is advantageous in terms of both CI-AKI prevention and pulmonary edema incidence when compared with other approaches. Conclusions Currently available hydration strategies tailored on patients' volume status appear to offer an advantage over guideline-supported fixed-rate hydration for CI-AKI prevention after percutaneous coronary intervention. Current evidence suggests that urine flow rate-guided hydration as the most convenient strategy in terms of effectiveness and safety.
Topics: Acute Kidney Injury; Contrast Media; Fluid Therapy; Humans; Incidence; Infusions, Intravenous; Network Meta-Analysis; Percutaneous Coronary Intervention; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Risk Assessment; Risk Factors; Time Factors; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 34169747
DOI: 10.1161/JAHA.121.021342 -
Translational Research : the Journal of... Apr 2021Lung cancer (LC) is the leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide and miRNAs play a key role in LC development. To better diagnose LC and to predict drug treatment...
Lung cancer (LC) is the leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide and miRNAs play a key role in LC development. To better diagnose LC and to predict drug treatment responses we evaluated 228 articles encompassing 16,697 patients and 12,582 healthy controls. Based on the criteria of ≥3 independent studies and a sensitivity and specificity of >0.8 we found blood-borne miR-20a, miR-10b, miR-150, and miR-223 to be excellent diagnostic biomarkers for non-small cell LC whereas miR-205 is specific for squamous cell carcinoma. The systematic review also revealed 38 commonly regulated miRNAs in tumor tissue and the circulation, thus enabling the prediction of histological subtypes of LC. Moreover, theranostic biomarker candidates with proven responsiveness to checkpoint inhibitor treatments were identified, notably miR-34a, miR-93, miR-106b, miR-181a, miR-193a-3p, and miR-375. Conversely, miR-103a-3p, miR-152, miR-152-3p, miR-15b, miR-16, miR-194, miR-34b, and miR-506 influence programmed cell death-ligand 1 and programmed cell death-1 receptor expression, therefore providing a rationale for the development of molecularly targeted therapies. Furthermore, miR-21, miR-25, miR-27b, miR-19b, miR-125b, miR-146a, and miR-210 predicted response to platinum-based treatments. We also highlight controversial reports on specific miRNAs. In conclusion, we report diagnostic miRNA biomarkers for in-depth clinical evaluation. Furthermore, in an effort to avoid unnecessary toxicity we propose predictive biomarkers. The biomarker candidates support personalized treatment decisions of LC patients and await their confirmation in randomized clinical trials.
Topics: Biomarkers, Tumor; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; Humans; Lung Neoplasms; MicroRNAs; Precision Medicine
PubMed: 33253979
DOI: 10.1016/j.trsl.2020.11.012 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Oct 2020Pulmonary emboli (PE), or blood clots in the lungs,can be potentially fatal. Anticoagulation is the first line therapy to prevent PE. In some instances anticoagulation...
BACKGROUND
Pulmonary emboli (PE), or blood clots in the lungs,can be potentially fatal. Anticoagulation is the first line therapy to prevent PE. In some instances anticoagulation fails to prevent more emboli, or cannot be given because the person has a high risk of bleeding. Inferior vena caval filters (VCFs) are metal alloy devices that mechanically trap fragmented emboli from the deep leg veins en route to the pulmonary circulation. Retrievable filters are designed to be introduced and removed percutaneously. Although their deployment seems of theoretical benefit, their clinical efficacy and adverse event profile is unclear. This is the third update of a Cochrane Review first published in 2007.
OBJECTIVES
To assess the evidence for the effectiveness and safety of vena caval filters (VCFs) in preventing pulmonary embolism (PE).
SEARCH METHODS
For this review update, the Cochrane Vascular Information Specialist (CIS) searched the Specialised Register (last searched 10 September 2019) and the Cochrane Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (2019, Issue 8) via the Cochrane Register of Studies Online. The CIS also searched MEDLINE Ovid, EMBASE Ovid, CINAHL, and AMED (1 January 2017 to 10 September 2019) and trials registries to 10 September 2019.
SELECTION CRITERIA
We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and controlled clinical trials (CCTs) that examined the efficacy of VCFs in preventing PE.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
For this update, studies were assessed and data extracted independently. We assessed study quality with Cochrane's 'Risk of bias' tool and used the GRADE approach to assess the overall certainty of the evidence. The outcomes of interest were PE, mortality, lower limb venous thrombosis, filter-related complications and major bleeding.
MAIN RESULTS
We identified four new studies for this update, bringing the total to six included studies involving 1388 participants. The six studies were clinically heterogeneous and we were unable to carry out meta-analysis. Only two studies were considered to be both applicable in current clinical settings and of good methodological quality. One was a randomised open-label trial studying the effect of a retrievable inferior vena caval filter plus anticoagulation versus anticoagulation alone on risk of recurrent pulmonary embolism (PE) in 399 participants over three months. There was no evidence of a difference in the rates of PE, death, lower extremity deep vein thrombosis (DVT), or bleeding at three and six months after the intervention (moderate-certainty evidence). A filter was inserted in 193 people, but could only be successfully retrieved from 153. Minor filter complications were noted at six months. The second clinically relevant study was a randomised open-label trial of 240 participants who had sustained multiple traumatic injuries, allocated to a filter or no filter, three days after injury, in conjunction with anticoagulation and intermittent pneumatic compression. Prophylactic anticoagulation was initiated in both groups when it was thought safe to do so. There was no evidence of a difference in symptomatic PE, death, or lower limb venous thrombosis rates (moderate-certainty evidence). The only major filter complication was that one person required surgical removal of the filter. We are unable to draw any conclusions from the remaining four included studies. One study showed an increased incidence of long-term lower extremity DVT at eight years. Three studies are no longer clinically applicable because they utilised permanent filters which are seldom used now, or they did not use routine prophylactic anticoagulation which is current standard practice. The fourth study compared two filter types and was terminated prematurely as one filter group had a higher rate of thrombosis compared to the other filter type.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
Two of the six identified studies were relevant for current clinical settings. One showed no evidence of a benefit of retrievable filters in acute PE for the outcomes of PE, death, DVT and bleeding during the initial three months in people who can receive anticoagulation (moderate-certainty evidence). The other study did not show any benefit for prophylactic filter insertion in people who sustained multiple traumatic injuries, with respect to symptomatic PE, mortality, or lower extremity venous thrombosis (moderate-certainty evidence). We can draw no firm conclusions regarding filter efficacy in the prevention of PE from the remaining four RCTs identified in this review. Further trials are needed to assess vena caval filter effectiveness and safety, and clinical differences between various filter types.
Topics: Anticoagulants; Combined Modality Therapy; Humans; Intermittent Pneumatic Compression Devices; Multiple Trauma; Pulmonary Embolism; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Recurrence; Vena Cava Filters; Vena Cava, Inferior; Venous Thrombosis
PubMed: 33027844
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD006212.pub5 -
International Journal of Rheumatic... Oct 2021Takayasu arteritis (TAK) is a rare large vessel vasculitis, and epidemiological data on TAK are lacking in China. Thus, we designed this study to estimate the TAK...
BACKGROUND
Takayasu arteritis (TAK) is a rare large vessel vasculitis, and epidemiological data on TAK are lacking in China. Thus, we designed this study to estimate the TAK prevalence and incidence in residential Shanghai, China.
METHODS
Data on diagnosed TAK cases aged over 16 years were retrieved from 22 tertiary hospitals in Shanghai through hospital electronic medical record systems between January 1, 2015 and December 31, 2017 to estimate the prevalence and incidence. A systematic literature review based on searches in PubMed, Ovid-Medline, Excerpta Medica Database (EMBASE), Web of Science, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) was performed to summarize TAK distribution across the world.
RESULTS
In total 102 TAK patients, with 64% female, were identified. The point prevalence (2015-2017) was 7.01 (95% CI 5.65-8.37) cases per million, and the mean annual incidence was 2.33 (1.97-3.21) cases per million. The average age of TAK patients was 44 ± 16 years, with the highest prevalence (11.59 [9.23-19.50] cases per million) and incidence (3.55 [0.72 3.74] cases per million) in the 16 to 34 years population. Seventeen reports were included in the system review, showing that the epidemiology of TAK varied greatly across the world. The incidence and prevalence were both relatively higher in Asian countries, with the prevalence ranging 3.3-40 cases per million and annual incidence ranging 0.34-2.4 cases per million.
CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence and incidence of TAK in Shanghai was at moderate to high levels among the previous reports. The disease burden varied globally among racial populations.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Age Distribution; China; Female; Hospitals; Humans; Incidence; Male; Middle Aged; Prevalence; Race Factors; Sex Distribution; Takayasu Arteritis; Time Factors; Young Adult
PubMed: 34314100
DOI: 10.1111/1756-185X.14183 -
Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine 2022Catheter-directed therapies (CDT) are an alternative to systemic thrombolysis (ST) in pulmonary embolism (PE) patients, but the mortality benefit of CDT is unclear.
BACKGROUND
Catheter-directed therapies (CDT) are an alternative to systemic thrombolysis (ST) in pulmonary embolism (PE) patients, but the mortality benefit of CDT is unclear.
OBJECTIVE
We conducted a systematic review with meta-analysis to compare the efficacy and safety of CDT and ST in intermediate-high and high-risk PE.
METHODS
We included (P) participants, adult PE patients; (I) intervention, CDT; (C) comparison, ST; (O) outcomes, mortality, complications, in-hospital treatment, and length of hospital stay; (S) study design, randomized controlled trials (RCTs), or cohort comparing CDT and ST. The primary endpoint was 30-day mortality. Secondary outcomes included treatment-related complications including bleeding, the use of hospital resources, and length of hospital stay.
RESULTS
Eleven studies including 65,589 patients met the inclusion criteria. Thirty-day mortality was lower in the CDT group, compared to ST group [7.3 vs. 13.6%; odds ratio (OR) = 0.51, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.38-0.69, < 0.001]. The rates of myocardial injury, cardiac arrest, and stroke were lower in CDT group, compared to ST group ( < 0.001 for all). The rates of any major bleeding, intracranial hemorrhage, hemoptysis, and red blood cell transfusion were lower in patients treated with CDT, compared to ST ( ≤ 0.01 for all). Extracorporeal life support was used more often in patients treated with CDT, compared to ST (0.5 vs. 0.2%, OR = 2.52, 95% CI 1.88-3.39, < 0.001). The use of hospital resources and length of hospital stay were comparable in both groups.
CONCLUSION
CDT might decrease mortality in patients with intermediate-high and high-risk PE and were associated with fewer complications, including major bleeding.
PubMed: 35783825
DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2022.861307 -
American Journal of Cardiovascular... May 2021Catheter ablation (CA) is a recognized first-line treatment for atrial fibrillation (AF) in selected patients; however, the differences between CA and antiarrhythmic... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Catheter ablation (CA) is a recognized first-line treatment for atrial fibrillation (AF) in selected patients; however, the differences between CA and antiarrhythmic drugs (AADs) in terms of long-term outcomes and quality of life (QoL) have not often been compared.
OBJECTIVES
We performed a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to compare long-term outcomes and QoL with CA and AADs in the treatment of AF.
METHODS
We searched the MEDLINE database for English-language RCTs of CA or AADs in AF from 1 January 2005 to 30 October 2019 with no other restrictions. We included studies that reported sample sizes and the long-term outcomes of interest as well as sample size, mean ± standard deviation or 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for QoL outcomes with CA and AADs.
RESULTS
We identified 20 RCTs involving 5425 participants. Compared with patients who received only AADs, patients receiving CA had a significantly decreased risk of all-cause death (relative risk [RR] 0.72; 95% CI 0.58-0.90) and cardiovascular hospitalization (RR 0.85; 95% CI 0.79-0.91). We found a significant increase in the risk of cardiac tamponade (RR 5.86; 95% CI 1.77-19.44) but no difference in the risk of heart failure, stroke or transient ischemic attack, atrial tachycardia, bleeding or hematoma, and pulmonary vein stenosis. For long-term QoL after treatment, both therapies resulted in improved scores on the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short Form Survey (SF-36): weighted mean differences (WMDs) for the physical component score (PCS) were 5.89 for CA and 4.26 for AADs and for the mental component score (MCS) were 7.12 for CA and 5.06 for AADs. At the end of follow-up, groups receiving CA had significantly higher scores in both areas. The change in PCS and MCS between baseline and end of follow-up was also significantly higher in the CA groups: WMD 1.51 for change in PCS and 1.49 for change in MCS. All eight SF-36 subscale scores improved for patients receiving CA, whereas patients receiving AADs recorded no improvement in the general health and bodily pain subscales. At the end of follow-up, CA groups had significantly higher scores than AAD groups in the following subscales: physical functioning, role limitations due to physical health problems, bodily pain, general health, vitality, and role limitations due to emotional problems.
CONCLUSIONS
In the treatment of AF, CA appeared to be superior to AADs, decreasing the risk of all-cause death and cardiovascular hospitalization and improving the long-term QoL of patients with AF. CA was better tolerated and more effective than pharmacological therapy and allowed for improved QoL.
Topics: Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; Atrial Fibrillation; Catheter Ablation; Health Status; Humans; Pain; Physical Functional Performance; Quality of Life; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Recurrence
PubMed: 33000397
DOI: 10.1007/s40256-020-00435-9 -
Digestive and Liver Disease : Official... Aug 2021There is increasing evidence that coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is associated with a significant risk of venous thromboembolism. While information are mainly...
There is increasing evidence that coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is associated with a significant risk of venous thromboembolism. While information are mainly available for deep vein thrombosis of the lower limb and pulmonary embolism, scarce data exist regarding acute splanchnic vein thrombosis (SVT) in this setting. PubMed, EMBASE and Google Scholar English-language articles published up to 30 January 2021 on SVT in COVID-19 were searched. Overall, 21 articles reporting equal number of patients were identified. 15 subjects presented with portal vein thrombosis, 11 with mesenteric vein thrombosis, four with splenic vein thrombosis, and two with Budd-Chiari syndrome. Male sex was prevalent (15 patients), and median age was 43 years (range 26-79 years). Three patients had a history of liver disease, while no subject had known myeloproliferative syndrome. Clinical presentation included mainly gastrointestinal symptoms. Anticoagulation was started in 16 patients. Three patients underwent bowel resection. Ten subjects developed gastric or bowel ischemia, seven of whom underwent bowel resection, and four died after SVT diagnosis. Although rare, SVT should be seen as a complication of COVID-19. Patients with severe gastrointestinal symptoms should be screened for SVT, as rapid recognition and correct management are essential to improve the outcome of these patients.
Topics: Adult; Aged; COVID-19; Female; Humans; Male; Mesenteric Ischemia; Middle Aged; SARS-CoV-2; Splanchnic Circulation; Venous Thrombosis
PubMed: 34120860
DOI: 10.1016/j.dld.2021.05.021