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Current Heart Failure Reports Oct 2023This systematic review aims to summarise clustering studies in heart failure (HF) and guide future clinical trial design and implementation in routine clinical practice. (Review)
Review
REVIEW PURPOSE
This systematic review aims to summarise clustering studies in heart failure (HF) and guide future clinical trial design and implementation in routine clinical practice.
FINDINGS
34 studies were identified (n = 19 in HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF)). There was significant heterogeneity invariables and techniques used. However, 149/165 described clusters could be assigned to one of nine phenotypes: 1) young, low comorbidity burden; 2) metabolic; 3) cardio-renal; 4) atrial fibrillation (AF); 5) elderly female AF; 6) hypertensive-comorbidity; 7) ischaemic-male; 8) valvular disease; and 9) devices. There was room for improvement on important methodological topics for all clustering studies such as external validation and transparency of the modelling process. The large overlap between the phenotypes of the clustering studies shows that clustering is a robust approach for discovering clinically distinct phenotypes. However, future studies should invest in a phenotype model that can be implemented in routine clinical practice and future clinical trial design. HF = heart failure, EF = ejection fraction, HFpEF = heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, HFrEF = heart failure with reduced ejection fraction, CKD = chronic kidney disease, AF = atrial fibrillation, IHD = ischaemic heart disease, CAD = coronary artery disease, ICD = implantable cardioverter-defibrillator, CRT = cardiac resynchronization therapy, NT-proBNP = N-terminal pro b-type natriuretic peptide, BMI = Body Mass Index, COPD = Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
PubMed: 37477803
DOI: 10.1007/s11897-023-00615-z -
Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases Jul 2022This study aimed to describe the prevalence of comorbidities associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and their relation with relevant outcomes. A... (Review)
Review
This study aimed to describe the prevalence of comorbidities associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and their relation with relevant outcomes. A systematic review based on the PRISMA methodology was performed from January 2020 until July 2021. The MEDLINE, Lilacs, and Scielo databases were searched to identify studies related to COPD and its comorbidities. Observational studies on the prevalence of comorbidities in COPD patients and costs with health estimates, reduced quality of life, and mortality were included. Studies that were restricted to one or more COPD pain assessments and only specific comorbidities such as osteoporosis, bronchitis, and asthma were excluded. The initial search identified 1,409 studies and after applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 20 studies were finally selected for analysis (comprising data from 447,459 COPD subjects). The most frequent COPD comorbidities were: hypertension (range, 17%-64.7%), coronary artery disease (19.9%-47.8%), diabetes (10.2%-45%), osteoarthritis (18%-43.8%), psychiatric conditions (12.1%-33%), and asthma (14.7%-32.5%). Several comorbidities had an impact on the frequency and severity of COPD exacerbations, quality of life, and mortality risk, in particular malignancies, coronary artery disease, chronic heart failure, and cardiac arrhythmias. Comorbidities, especially cardiovascular diseases and diabetes, are frequent in COPD patients, and some of them are associated with higher mortality.
PubMed: 35618259
DOI: 10.4046/trd.2021.0179 -
Mycopathologia Feb 2022Literature on COVID-19-associated pulmonary mucormycosis (CAPM) is sparse. Pulmonary artery pseudoaneurysm (PAP) is an uncommon complication of pulmonary mucormycosis...
Literature on COVID-19-associated pulmonary mucormycosis (CAPM) is sparse. Pulmonary artery pseudoaneurysm (PAP) is an uncommon complication of pulmonary mucormycosis (PM), and rarely reported in CAPM. Herein, we report five cases of CAPM with PAP managed at our center and perform a systematic review of the literature. We diagnosed PM in those with clinico-radiological suspicion and confirmed it by microbiology or histopathology. We encountered five cases of CAPM with PAP (size ranged from 1 × 0.8 cm to ~ 4.9 × 4.8 cm). All subjects had diabetes and were aged 55-62 years (75% men). In two cases, COVID-19 and mucormycosis were diagnosed simultaneously, while in three others, COVID-19 preceded PM. One subject who underwent surgery survived, while all others died (80% mortality). From our systematic review, we identified one additional case of CAPM with PAP in a transplant recipient. CAPM with PAP is rare with high mortality. Early diagnosis and multimodality management are imperative to improve outcomes.
Topics: Aneurysm, False; COVID-19; Female; Humans; Male; Mucormycosis; Pulmonary Artery; SARS-CoV-2
PubMed: 34936060
DOI: 10.1007/s11046-021-00610-9 -
Cureus Jan 2024Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) is underdiagnosed and has recently surfaced as one of the leading triggers of severe pulmonary hypertension. This... (Review)
Review
Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) is underdiagnosed and has recently surfaced as one of the leading triggers of severe pulmonary hypertension. This disease process is described by structural changes of pulmonary arteries such as fibrous stenosis, complete obliteration, or the presence of a resistant intraluminal thrombus, resulting in increased pulmonary resistance and eventually progressing to right-sided heart failure. Hence, this study aims to describe the current treatments for CTEPH and their efficacy in hemodynamic improvement and prevention of recurring thromboembolic episodes in patients. This systematic review promptly follows the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. On February 13, 2022, our team searched through the following databases: PubMed, ProQuest, and ScienceDirect. The following keywords were used across all databases: CTEPH AND Pulmonary Endarterectomy (PEA), CTEPH AND Balloon Pulmonary Angioplasty (BPA), and CTEPH AND Medical Therapy OR Anticoagulation therapy. Twenty-nine thousand eighty-nine articles on current management techniques (PEA, Balloon angioplasty, anticoagulants) were selected, analyzed, and reviewed with each other. We found 19 articles concerning PEA, 15 concerning BPA, and six regarding anticoagulants. Most papers showed high success rates and promising evidence of PEA and anticoagulants as a post-operative regimen. BPA was the least preferred but is still reputable in patients unfit for invasive techniques. CTEPH is a condition presenting with either fibrous stenosis, complete obliteration of the artery, or a clogged thrombus. Recent studies have shown three techniques that physicians have used to treat CTEPH: balloon-pulmonary angioplasty, PEA, and medical management with anticoagulants. PEA followed by anticoagulants is preferred to balloon pulmonary angioplasties. CTEPH is an ongoing topic in research; as it continues to be researched, we hope to see more management techniques available.
PubMed: 38435894
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.53336 -
Cureus Apr 2023Optimal perioperative fluid management is crucial, with over- or under-replacement associated with complications. There are many strategies for fluid therapy,... (Review)
Review
Optimal perioperative fluid management is crucial, with over- or under-replacement associated with complications. There are many strategies for fluid therapy, including liberal fluid therapy (LFT), restrictive fluid therapy (RFT) and goal-directed fluid therapy (GDT), without a clear consensus as to which is better. We aimed to find out which is the more effective fluid therapy option in adult surgical patients undergoing non-vascular abdominal surgery in the perioperative period. This study is a systematic review and network meta-analysis (NMA) with node-splitting analysis of inconsistency, sensitivity analysis and meta-regression. We conducted a literature search of Pubmed, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, Google Scholar and Web of Science. Only studies comparing restrictive, liberal and goal-directed fluid therapy during the perioperative phase in major non-cardiac surgery in adult patients will be included. Trials on paediatric patients, obstetric patients and cardiac surgery were excluded. Trials that focused on goal-directed therapy monitoring with pulmonary artery catheters and venous oxygen saturation (SvO2), as well as those examining purely biochemical and laboratory end points, were excluded. A total of 102 randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and 78 studies (12,100 patients) were included. NMA concluded that goal-directed fluid therapy utilising FloTrac was the most effective intervention in reducing the length of stay (LOS) (surface under cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA) = 91%, odds ratio (OR) = -2.4, 95% credible intervals (CrI) = -3.9 to -0.85) and wound complications (SUCRA = 86%, OR = 0.41, 95% CrI = 0.24 to 0.69). Goal-directed fluid therapy utilising pulse pressure variation was the most effective in reducing the complication rate (SUCRA = 80%, OR = 0.25, 95% CrI = 0.047 to 1.2), renal complications (SUCRA = 93%, OR = 0.23, 95% CrI = 0.045 to 1.0), respiratory complications (SUCRA = 74%, OR = 0.42, 95% CrI = 0.053 to 3.6) and cardiac complications (SUCRA = 97%, OR = 0.067, 95% CrI = 0.0058 to 0.57). Liberal fluid therapy was the most effective in reducing the mortality rate (SUCRA = 81%, OR = 0.40, 95% CrI = 0.12 to 1.5). Goal-directed therapy utilising oesophageal Doppler was the most effective in reducing anastomotic leak (SUCRA = 79%, OR = 0.45, 95% CrI = 0.12 to 1.5). There was no publication bias, but moderate to substantial heterogeneity was found in all networks. In preventing different complications, except mortality, goal-directed fluid therapy was consistently more highly ranked and effective than standard (SFT), liberal or restricted fluid therapy. The evidence grade was low quality to very low quality for all the results, except those for wound complications and anastomotic leak.
PubMed: 37261162
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.38238 -
Current Problems in Cardiology Oct 2022Heart failure is a leading global pandemic and a cause of economic burden. Although, treatments exist to help symptomatic alleviation, patient compliance and monitoring... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Heart failure is a leading global pandemic and a cause of economic burden. Although, treatments exist to help symptomatic alleviation, patient compliance and monitoring is the basis of ensuring efficacy. With devices that allow for remote wireless PA pressure monitoring such as CardioMEMS, the inconsistency in patient reporting and factors such as symptoms and hospitalizations can be reduced. A systematic review and meta-analysis utilizing the MEDLINE, Cochrane, and Scopus database was performed to identify randomized and non-randomized clinical trials evaluating baseline characteristics and hospitalizations. Five trials for the systematic review and 2 trials for the meta-analysis meeting the inclusion and exclusion criteria were included. Baseline characteristics included an average age of 64.6 years, male predominance, mean BMI of 29.6, predominance of HFrEF, hypertension the most prevalent comorbidity, and a mean PA pressure of 27.2 mm Hg. The follow-up periods ranged from 90 days to 12 months. There was a total of 64 adverse events, mostly non-serious. Patients who underwent remote PA monitoring were less likely to be hospitalized compared with patients who did not (Odds Ratio: 0.52; 95% Confidence Interval 0.39, 0.69). Remote PA pressure monitoring allows for reduced hospitalizations. With the recent and now resurging SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, devices such as CardioMEMS can allow for heart failure patients to be managed from home to not only reduce hospitalizations but for symptom prevention and management.
Topics: COVID-19; Female; Heart Failure; Hospitalization; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Pulmonary Artery; SARS-CoV-2; Stroke Volume
PubMed: 34547344
DOI: 10.1016/j.cpcardiol.2021.100980 -
Annals of Vascular Surgery Apr 2023Unplanned hospital readmissions after surgical operations are considered a marker for suboptimal care during index hospitalizations and are associated with poor patient... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis to Assess the Impact of Pre-existing Comorbidities on the 30-Day Readmission after Lower Extremity Bypass Surgery for Peripheral Artery Occlusive Disease.
BACKGROUND
Unplanned hospital readmissions after surgical operations are considered a marker for suboptimal care during index hospitalizations and are associated with poor patient outcomes and increased healthcare resource utilization. Patients undergoing lower extremity bypass (LEB) operations for severe peripheral arterial disease (PAD) have one of the highest readmission rates, among all the vascular and nonvascular surgical operations. This review is meant to evaluate the impact of pre-existing comorbidities (diabetes mellitus (DM), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), congestive heart failure (CHF), hypertension (HTN), and coronary artery disease (CAD))-on the 30-day readmission rates among patients who underwent LEB for severe PAD.
METHODS
The review protocol was registered to the PROSPERO database (CRD42021261067). A systematic review of the English literature was performed using PubMed, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library databases from inception till April 2022. The review was based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines and included only studies reporting on 30-day readmission following LEB for occlusive PAD. The quality of evidence was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluations (GRADE) approach and was reported as high, moderate, or low. The risk of bias was evaluated utilizing the Risk of Bias in Nonrandomized Studies - of Interventions (ROBINS-I) tool. A pooled odds ratio (OR) for each study was computed, and a P-value of <0.05 was designated as statistically significant. Interstudy heterogeneity was evaluated by Q-metric and quantified using Higgins I statistics.
RESULTS
Five studies reported data on 30-day readmission after LEB for occlusive PAD. A total of 19,739 patients were included. Readmission occurred among 3,559 (18%) patients. DM and COPD were reported by all 5 selected studies, and CHF and HTN were reported by 4 studies. CAD was least reported among the selected 5 pre-existing conditions, with only 2 studies mentioning it. HTN (OR, 1.35; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.10-1.64; P ≤ 0.001; I = 52.20%), DM (OR, 1.52; 95% CI, 1.30-1.79; P ≤ 0.001; I = 74.51%), and CHF (OR, 1.85; 95% CI, 1.51-2.25; P ≤ 0.001; I = 50.48%) were all found to be associated with an increased risk of 30-day readmission, while the presence of COPD (OR, 1.16; 95% CI, 0.98-1.36; P = 0.09; I = 61.93%) and CAD (OR, 1.30; 95% CI, 0.94-1.78; P = 0.11; I = 51.01%) was not associated with early readmission on meta-analysis of the available studies.
CONCLUSIONS
The pre-existing comorbidities HTN, DM, and CHF increase the risk of 30-day readmission after LEB for occlusive PAD. The identification of these risk factors can help stratify the patients and further guide in understanding the variety of factors that contribute in hospital readmissions.
Topics: Humans; Patient Readmission; Treatment Outcome; Risk Factors; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive; Arteries; Lower Extremity; Retrospective Studies
PubMed: 36549476
DOI: 10.1016/j.avsg.2022.12.072 -
Journal of the American Heart... Jul 2022Background In patients with ductal-dependent pulmonary blood flow, initial palliation includes catheter-based patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) stent or surgical... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Patent Ductus Arteriosus Stent Versus Surgical Aortopulmonary Shunt for Initial Palliation of Cyanotic Congenital Heart Disease with Ductal-Dependent Pulmonary Blood Flow: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Background In patients with ductal-dependent pulmonary blood flow, initial palliation includes catheter-based patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) stent or surgical aortopulmonary shunt (APS). This meta-analysis aimed to compare outcomes between PDA stent and APS. Methods and Results A comprehensive literature search yielded six retrospective observational studies. Pooled adjusted hazard ratios (HR) were included to control for covariates and assess time to event analysis. Of 757 patients, 243 (32.1%) underwent PDA stent and 514 (67.9%) underwent APS. Pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum and expected biventricular repair were more common with PDA stent compared with APS (39.6% versus 21.2%, <0.001 and 57.9% versus 46.6%, =0.007, respectively). There was no statistically significant difference in mortality between PDA stent and APS (HR, 0.71; [95% CI, 0.26-1.93]; =0.50). PDA stent was associated with lower risk of postprocedural complications (odds ratio [OR], 0.45; [95% CI, 0.25-0.81]; =0.008), mechanical circulatory support (OR, 0.27; [95% CI, 0.09-0.79]; =0.02), and shorter intensive care unit length of stay (-4.03 days; [95% CI, -5.99 to -2.07]; <0.001), hospital length of stay (-5.54 days; [95% CI, -9.20 to -1.88]; =0.003), and duration of mechanical ventilation (-3.41 days; [95% CI, -5.29 to -1.52]; <0.001). There was no difference in pulmonary artery growth or hazard of unplanned reintereventions. Conclusions PDA stent has a similar hazard of mortality compared with APS. Benefits to PDA stent include shorter duration of mechanical ventilation, shorter hospital length of stay, and fewer complications. Differences in patient characteristics exist with more patients with pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum and expected biventricular repair undergoing PDA stent.
Topics: Cardiac Catheterization; Cyanosis; Ductus Arteriosus, Patent; Heart Defects, Congenital; Humans; Hypoxia; Pulmonary Atresia; Pulmonary Circulation; Retrospective Studies; Stents; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 35766251
DOI: 10.1161/JAHA.121.024721 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Mar 2021Pulmonary arterial hypertension is a devastating disease that leads to right heart failure and premature death. Endothelin receptor antagonists have shown efficacy in... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Pulmonary arterial hypertension is a devastating disease that leads to right heart failure and premature death. Endothelin receptor antagonists have shown efficacy in the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension.
OBJECTIVES
To evaluate the efficacy of endothelin receptor antagonists (ERAs) in pulmonary arterial hypertension.
SEARCH METHODS
We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE, Embase, and the reference sections of retrieved articles. The searches are current as of 4 November 2020.
SELECTION CRITERIA
We included randomised trials and quasi-randomised trials involving participants with pulmonary arterial hypertension.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
Two of five review authors selected studies, extracted data and assessed study quality according to established criteria. We used standard methods expected by Cochrane. The primary outcomes were exercise capacity (six-minute walk distance, 6MWD), World Health Organization (WHO) or New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class, Borg dyspnoea scores and dyspnoea-fatigue ratings, and mortality.
MAIN RESULTS
We included 17 randomised controlled trials involving a total of 3322 participants. Most trials were of relatively short duration (12 weeks to six months). Sixteen trials were placebo-controlled, and of these nine investigated a non-selective ERA and seven a selective ERA. We evaluated two comparisons in the review: ERA versus placebo and ERA versus phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitor. The abstract focuses on the placebo-controlled trials only and presents the pooled results of selective and non-selective ERAs. After treatment, participants receiving ERAs could probably walk on average 25.06 m (95% confidence interval (CI) 17.13 to 32.99 m; 2739 participants; 14 studies; I = 34%, moderate-certainty evidence) further than those receiving placebo in a 6MWD. Endothelin receptor antagonists probably improved more participants' WHO functional class (odds ratio (OR) 1.41, 95% CI 1.16 to 1.70; participants = 3060; studies = 15; I = 5%, moderate-certainty evidence) and probably lowered the odds of functional class deterioration (OR 0.43, 95% CI 0.26 to 0.72; participants = 2347; studies = 13; I = 40%, moderate-certainty evidence) compared with placebo. There may be a reduction in mortality with ERAs (OR 0.78, 95% CI 0.58, 1.07; 2889 participants; 12 studies; I = 0%, low-certainty evidence), and pooled data suggest that ERAs probably improve cardiopulmonary haemodynamics and may reduce Borg dyspnoea score in symptomatic patients. Hepatic toxicity was not common, but may be increased by ERA treatment from 37 to 67 (95% CI 34 to 130) per 1000 over 25 weeks of treatment (OR 1.88, 95% CI 0.91 to 3.90; moderate-certainty evidence). Although ERAs were well tolerated in this population, several cases of irreversible liver failure caused by sitaxsentan have been reported, which led the licence holder for sitaxsentan to withdraw the product from all markets worldwide. As planned, we performed subgroup analyses comparing selective and non-selective ERAs, and with the exception of mean pulmonary artery pressure, did not detect any clear subgroup differences for any outcome.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
For people with pulmonary arterial hypertension with WHO functional class II and III, endothelin receptor antagonists probably increase exercise capacity, improve WHO functional class, prevent WHO functional class deterioration, result in favourable changes in cardiopulmonary haemodynamic variables compared with placebo. However, they are less effective in reducing dyspnoea and mortality. The efficacy data were strongest in those with idiopathic pulmonary hypertension. The irreversible liver failure caused by sitaxsentan and its withdrawal from global markets emphasise the importance of hepatic monitoring in people treated with ERAs. The question of the effects of ERAs on pulmonary arterial hypertension has now likely been answered.. The combined use of ERAs and phosphodiesterase inhibitors may provide more benefit in pulmonary arterial hypertension; however, this needs to be confirmed in future studies.
Topics: Antihypertensive Agents; Bias; Endothelin Receptor Antagonists; Humans; Hypertension, Pulmonary; Phosphodiesterase 5 Inhibitors; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Walk Test
PubMed: 33765691
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD004434.pub6 -
International Wound Journal Nov 2023We aimed to quantitatively and systematically elucidate the rationality of the examined variables as independent risk factors for sternal wound infection. We searched... (Review)
Review
We aimed to quantitatively and systematically elucidate the rationality of the examined variables as independent risk factors for sternal wound infection. We searched databases to screen studies, ascertained the variables to be analysed, extracted the data and applied meta-analysis to each qualified variable. Odds ratios and mean differences were considered to be the effect sizes for binary and continuous variables, respectively. A random-effects model was used for these procedures. The source of heterogeneity was evaluated using a meta-regression. Publication bias was tested by funnel plot and Egger's test, the significant results of which were then calculated using trim and fill analysis. We used a sensitivity analysis and bubble chart to describe their robustness. After screening all variables in the eligible literature, we excluded 55 because only one or no research found them significant after multivariate analysis, leaving 33 variables for synthesis. Two binary variables (age over 65 years, NYHA class >2) and a continuous variable (preoperative stay) were not significant after the meta-analysis. The most robust independent risk factors in our study were diabetes mellitus, obesity, use of bilateral internal thoracic arteries, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, prolonged surgery time, prolonged ventilation and critical preoperative state, followed by congestive heart failure, atrial fibrillation, renal insufficiency, stroke, peripheral vascular disease and use of an intra-aortic balloon pump. Relatively low-risk factors were emergent/urgent surgery, smoking, myocardial infarction, combined surgery and coronary artery bypass grafting. Sternal wound infection after open-heart surgery is a multifactorial disease. The detected risk factors significantly affected the wound healing process, but some were different in strength. Anything that affects wound healing and antibacterial ability, such as lack of oxygen, local haemodynamic disorders, malnutrition condition and compromised immune system will increase the risk, and this reminds us of comprehensive treatment during the perioperative period.
PubMed: 37909266
DOI: 10.1111/iwj.14457