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Cureus Jan 2023Patients with symptomatic aortic stenosis (AS) commonly have an associated finding of pulmonary hypertension (PH), and it has been previously shown to have increased... (Review)
Review
Patients with symptomatic aortic stenosis (AS) commonly have an associated finding of pulmonary hypertension (PH), and it has been previously shown to have increased morbidity and mortality following surgical aortic valve repair (SAVR) as well as transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). There are no guidelines stating the cut-off point for PH at which the patient can safely undergo TAVI with benefits outweighing the risks. This is partly due to the lack of uniformity in the PH definition used in various studies. This systematic review sought to study the effect of preprocedural pulmonary hypertension on early and late all-cause and cardiac mortality in patients undergoing TAVI. We performed a systematic review of studies comparing patients with AS undergoing TAVI having PH. The review was undertaken as per Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Articles were identified from PubMed, Pubmed Central (PMC), Cochrane, and Medline on January 10, 2022, for literature published until January 10, 2022. MeSH strategy was used on PubMed to search the literature, and filters were applied to search only Observational Studies, randomized controlled trials (RCT), and meta-analysis. A total of 170 unique articles were identified and screened. Of the 33 full-text articles that were reviewed, 18 articles, including duplicates, were excluded. Fifteen articles fulfilled the selection criteria and were included in this review. The study design included two meta-analyses, one randomized control trial, one prospective cohort study, and 11 retrospective cohort studies. The studies involved a total of approximately 30,000 patients. The observational studies in our review were of good to fair quality, the RCT had a low to moderate bias, and the meta-analysis was of moderate quality. Baseline PH and persistence of PH post-TAVI are strongly associated with all-cause and cardiac mortality. Few studies have shown that a decrease in post-TAVI PH carries mortality benefits. Therefore, efforts should be made to identify mechanisms of persistent PH post-TAVI and whether interventions to reduce PH pre-TAVI will have any clinical implications or not by conducting RCT.
PubMed: 36860229
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.34300 -
Transplantation Apr 2021Pulmonary artery obstruction is an uncommon but significant complication after lung transplantation. Although numerous reports have documented its occurrence, the... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Pulmonary artery obstruction is an uncommon but significant complication after lung transplantation. Although numerous reports have documented its occurrence, the hemodynamic parameters associated with its presentation and diagnostic considerations remain ill-defined. This systematic review summarizes evidence in the literature surrounding pulmonary artery obstruction after lung transplantation surgery.
METHODS
Databases were searched for all articles and abstracts reporting on pulmonary artery obstruction. Data collected included the number of patients studied, patient characteristics, incidences of pulmonary artery obstruction, and timing and imaging modality used for diagnosis.
RESULTS
Thirty-four full-text citations were included in this review. The point prevalence of pulmonary artery obstruction was 3.66%. The peak pulmonary artery velocity associated with obstruction was found to be 2.60 ± 0.58 m/s. The diameter of the obstructed pulmonary artery predictive of poor outcomes was noted to be 0.78 ± 0.40 cm. The majority of diagnoses were made in the late postoperative period using pulmonary angiogram and transesophageal echocardiography. Overall, 76% of patients (47 of 62) required emergent procedural reintervention, and 23% of patients (14 of 62) diagnosed with pulmonary artery obstruction died during their hospital stay.
CONCLUSIONS
This systematic review underscores the importance of identifying pulmonary artery obstruction immediately after lung transplant surgery. The clinical implications of these results warrant the development of identification and management strategies for early detection of irregularities in pulmonary artery anastomosis in lung transplant patients.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Female; Hemodynamics; Hospital Mortality; Humans; Lung Transplantation; Male; Middle Aged; Prevalence; Pulmonary Artery; Pulmonary Circulation; Reoperation; Risk Assessment; Risk Factors; Stenosis, Pulmonary Artery; Time Factors; Treatment Outcome; Young Adult
PubMed: 33760790
DOI: 10.1097/TP.0000000000003407 -
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 -
The Journal of Invasive Cardiology Jan 2020Patients in cardiogenic shock (CS) due to decompensated aortic stenosis (AS) evidence poor prognosis. Both emergency transcatheter aortic valve replacement (eTAVR) and... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
AIMS
Patients in cardiogenic shock (CS) due to decompensated aortic stenosis (AS) evidence poor prognosis. Both emergency transcatheter aortic valve replacement (eTAVR) and emergency balloon aortic valvuloplasty (eBAV) have been reported in CS patients. We aimed to summarize and compare available studies on eBAV and eTAVR in patients suffering from CS due to decompensated AS with regard to safety and efficacy.
METHODS AND RESULTS
Study-level data were analyzed. Heterogeneity was assessed using the I2 statistic. Pooled proportions, ie, event rates, were calculated and obtained using a random-effects model (DerSimonian and Laird). Eight studies were found suitable for the final analysis, including 311 patients. Primary endpoint was mortality at 30 days. For eBAV (n = 238), 30-day mortality rate was 46.2% (95% confidence interval [CI], 30.3%-62.5%; I²=74%), major bleeding rate was 10% (95% CI, 5.4%-15.7%; I²=13%), and stroke rate was 0.7% (95% CI, 0.0%-2.7%; I²=0%). Aortic regurgitation (AR) ≥II was present in 8.6% (95% CI, 0.4%-23.5%; I²=86%). For eTAVR (n = 73), 30-day mortality rate was 22.6% (95% CI, 12.0%-35.2%; I²=26%), major bleeding rate was 5.8% (95% CI, 0.5%-14.7%; I²=0%), and stroke rate was 5.8% (95% CI, 0.5%-14.7%; I²=0%). AR ≥II was present in 4% (95% CI, 0.0%-12.1%; I²=0%).
CONCLUSION
Mortality in CS patients due to decompensated severe AS is high, regardless of interventional treatment strategy. Both eBAV and eTAVR seem feasible. As eTAVR is associated with better initial improvements in hemodynamics and simultaneously avoids sequential interventions, it might be favorable to eBAV in select patients. If eTAVR is not available, eBAV might serve as a "bridge" to elective TAVR.
Topics: Aortic Valve Stenosis; Balloon Valvuloplasty; Disease Progression; Emergency Treatment; Humans; Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care; Shock, Cardiogenic; Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement
PubMed: 31611428
DOI: No ID Found -
Surgical Endoscopy Aug 2023Different techniques have been described for esophagojejunostomy (EJ) during laparoscopic total gastrectomy (LTG) for gastric cancer. Linear stapled techniques include... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Different techniques have been described for esophagojejunostomy (EJ) during laparoscopic total gastrectomy (LTG) for gastric cancer. Linear stapled techniques include overlap (OL) and functional end-to-end anastomosis (FEEA) while single staple technique (SST), hemi-double staple technique (HDST), and OrVil® are circular stapled approaches. Nowadays, the choice among techniques for EJ depends on operating surgeon personal preference.
PURPOSE
To compare short-term outcomes of different EJ techniques during LTG.
METHODS
Systematic review and network meta-analysis. OL, FEEA, SST, HDST, and OrVil® were compared. Primary outcomes were anastomotic leak (AL) and stenosis (AS). Risk ratio (RR) and weighted mean difference (WMD) were used as pooled effect size measures, whereas 95% credible intervals (CrI) were used to measure relative inference.
RESULTS
Overall, 3177 patients (20 studies) were included. The technique for EJ was SST (n = 1026; 32.9%), OL (n = 826; 26.5%), FEEA (n = 752; 24.1%), OrVil® (n = 317; 10.1%), and HDST (n = 196; 6.4%). AL was comparable for OL vs. FEEA (RR = 0.82; 95% CrI 0.47-1.49), OL vs. SST (RR = 0.55; 95% CrI 0.27-1.21), OL vs. OrVil® (RR = 0.54; 95% CrI 0.32-1.22), and OL vs. HDST (RR = 0.65; 95% CrI 0.28-1.63). Similarly, AS was similar for OL vs. FEEA (RR = 0.46; 95% CrI 0.18-1.28), OL vs. SST (RR = 0.89; 95% CrI 0.39-2.15), OL vs. OrVil® (RR = 0.36; 95% CrI 0.14-1.02), and OL vs. HDST (RR = 0.61; 95% CrI 0.31-1.21). Anastomotic bleeding, time to soft diet resumption, pulmonary complications, hospital length of stay, and mortality were comparable while operative time was reduced for FEEA.
CONCLUSIONS
This network meta-analysis shows similar postoperative AL and AS risk when comparing OL, FEEA, SST, HDST, and OrVil® techniques. Similarly, no differences were found for anastomotic bleeding, operative time, soft diet resumption, pulmonary complications, hospital length of stay and 30-day mortality.
Topics: Humans; Laparoscopy; Network Meta-Analysis; Anastomosis, Surgical; Anastomotic Leak; Gastrectomy; Stomach Neoplasms; Postoperative Complications; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 37400689
DOI: 10.1007/s00464-023-10231-6 -
Diagnostics (Basel, Switzerland) Oct 2023Double-outlet left ventricle (DOLV) is an abnormal ventriculo-arterial connection characterized by the origin of both great arteries from the morphological left... (Review)
Review
Double-outlet left ventricle (DOLV) is an abnormal ventriculo-arterial connection characterized by the origin of both great arteries from the morphological left ventricle. The aim of our paper is to describe the morphological and imaging features of DOLV and to assess the prevalence of the associated malformations and their surgical outcomes. METHODS From 2011 to 2022, we retrospectively reviewed the electronic case records of patients diagnosed with DOLV at the Bambino Gesu Children's Hospital. A systematic search was developed in MEDLINE, Web of Science, and EMBASE databases to identify reports assessing the morphology and outcomes of DOLV between 1975 and 2023. RESULTS: Over a median follow-up of 9.9 years (IQR 7.8-11.7 y), four cases of DOLV were identified at our institution. Two patients were diagnosed with (S,D,D) DOLV subaortic VSD and pulmonary stenosis (PS): one patient had (S,D,D) DOLV with doubly committed VSD and hypoplastic right ventricle, and another patient had (S,D,L) DOLV with subaortic VSD and PS (malposition type). Pulmonary stenosis was the most commonly associated lesion (75%). LITERATURE REVIEW: After systematic evaluation, a total of 12 reports fulfilled the eligibility criteria and were included in our analysis. PS or right ventricular outflow tract obstruction was the most commonly associated lesion (69%, 95% CI 62-76%). The most common locations of VSD were subaortic (pooled prevalence: 75%, 95% CI 68-81), subpulmonary (15%, 95% CI 10-21), and doubly committed (7%, 95% CI 4-12). The position of the great arteries showed that d-transposition of the aorta was present in 128 cases (59% 95% CI 42-74), and l-transposition was present in 77 cases (35%, 95% CI 29-43).
PubMed: 37891996
DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics13203175 -
European Journal of Vascular and... Feb 2023Inferior vena cava (IVC) stenting may provide benefit to patients with symptomatic obstruction; however, there are no devices currently licensed for use in the IVC and... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
OBJECTIVE
Inferior vena cava (IVC) stenting may provide benefit to patients with symptomatic obstruction; however, there are no devices currently licensed for use in the IVC and systematic reviews on the topic are lacking. The aim of this study was to carry out a systematic review of the literature and meta-analysis to investigate the safety and efficacy of IVC stenting in all adult patient groups.
DATA SOURCES
The Medline and Embase databases were searched for studies reporting outcomes for safety and effectiveness of IVC stenting for any indication in series of 10 or more patients.
REVIEW METHODS
A systematic review of the literature was carried out according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines.
RESULTS
Thirty-three studies were included describing 1 575 patients. Indications for stenting were malignant IVC syndrome (229 patients), thrombotic disease (807 patients), Budd-Chiari syndrome (501 patients), and IVC stenosis post liver transplantation (47 patients). The male:female ratio was 2:1 and the median age ranged from 30 to 61 years. The studies included were not suitable for formal meta-analysis as 30/33 were single centre retrospective studies with no control groups and there was considerable inconsistency in outcome reporting. There was significant risk of bias in 94% of studies. Median reported technical success was 100% (range 78 - 100%), primary patency was 75% (38 - 98%), and secondary patency was 91.5% (77 - 100%). Major complications were pulmonary embolism (three cases), stent migration (12 cases), and major bleeding (15 cases), and there were three deaths in the immediate post-operative period. Most studies reported improvement in clinical symptoms but formal reporting tools were not used consistently.
CONCLUSION
The evidence base for IVC stenting consists of predominantly single centre, retrospective, observational studies that have a high risk of bias. Nonetheless the procedure appears safe with few major adverse events, and studies that reported clinical outcomes demonstrate improvement in symptoms and quality of life. Randomised controlled trials and prospective registry based studies with larger patient numbers and standardised outcome are required to improve the evidence base for this procedure.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Male; Female; Middle Aged; Vena Cava, Inferior; Retrospective Studies; Quality of Life; Treatment Outcome; Budd-Chiari Syndrome; Stents
PubMed: 36334902
DOI: 10.1016/j.ejvs.2022.11.006 -
Cureus Jun 2023The systematic review aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of endobronchial stent placement for malignant airway obstruction. A comprehensive search was conducted... (Review)
Review
The systematic review aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of endobronchial stent placement for malignant airway obstruction. A comprehensive search was conducted across multiple databases to identify relevant studies. Cohort studies, randomized controlled trials, and case-control studies examining the outcomes of endobronchial stent placement in patients with malignant airway obstruction were included. Data on pre-treatment evaluation, such as pulmonary function testing, dyspnea severity scoring systems, arterial blood gas parameters, imaging, and degree of obstruction, were also collected. Primary outcomes of interest included post-procedure stenosis, pulmonary function testing evaluation, blood gas parameters, and survival outcomes. Secondary outcomes encompassed improvements in clinical status, dyspnea grade, and procedure-related complications. A total of 27 studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in the systematic review. The included studies demonstrated promising outcomes of endobronchial stent placement in managing malignant airway obstruction. Post-procedure airway diameters, pulmonary function testing, and blood gas parameters improved significantly. Survival outcomes varied among studies. Furthermore, endobronchial stent placement was associated with improvements in clinical status and dyspnea grade. Procedure-related complications ranged from pain, hemoptysis and mucus plugging to stent obstruction, migration and pneumothorax. This systematic review suggests that endobronchial stent placement is an effective and safe intervention for managing malignant airway obstruction. It offers significant improvements in post-procedure stenosis, pulmonary function testing, blood gas parameters, and clinical outcomes. However, further studies with larger sample sizes and standardized reporting are warranted to better evaluate the long-term efficacy and safety of endobronchial stent placement for malignant airway obstruction.
PubMed: 37496555
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.40912 -
European Journal of Heart Failure Jul 2012Recent randomized controlled trials have reported that angioplasty does not have a beneficial effect compared with pharmacological treatment on blood pressure and renal... (Review)
Review
AIMS
Recent randomized controlled trials have reported that angioplasty does not have a beneficial effect compared with pharmacological treatment on blood pressure and renal function in patients with atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis (RAS). We aimed to explore systematically the evidence that angioplasty is effective in subgroups of patients with RAS and either flash pulmonary oedema or congestive heart failure (CHF) and renal insufficiency.
METHODS AND RESULTS
We searched online databases (PubMed and ClinicalTrials.gov) and references of included articles. We included 25 articles describing 79 patients with RAS and flash oedema and seven articles describing 94 patients with RAS, CHF, and renal insufficiency. According to the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) system, the quality of the evidence was, at best, low. Seventy-six per cent of patients with flash oedema did not have any recurrence after angioplasty. Recurrence of symptoms was associated with either restenosis of the renal artery or cardiac arrhythmias in all patients. In the patients with CHF and renal insufficiency, the severity of heart failure symptoms, expressed as New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class, improved after angioplasty in all included articles.
CONCLUSION
The evidence included in this systematic review justifies a weak recommendation in favour of angioplasty in patients with atherosclerotic RAS and either flash pulmonary oedema or CHF and renal insufficiency.
Topics: Angioplasty; Blood Pressure; Creatinine; Heart Failure; Humans; Pulmonary Edema; Renal Artery Obstruction; Renal Insufficiency
PubMed: 22455866
DOI: 10.1093/eurjhf/hfs037 -
The Journal of Heart and Lung... May 2019Pulmonary cuff dysfunction, either due to pulmonary vein obstruction, pulmonary vein stenosis, or pulmonary vein thrombosis, is an uncommon, yet serious complication...
BACKGROUND
Pulmonary cuff dysfunction, either due to pulmonary vein obstruction, pulmonary vein stenosis, or pulmonary vein thrombosis, is an uncommon, yet serious complication after lung transplantation. Although there have been numerous reports of its occurrence, there is little consensus regarding the hemodynamic parameters associated with its presentation and diagnostic considerations. This systematic review summarizes the evidence surrounding pulmonary cuff dysfunction after lung transplantation surgery and empirically analyzes its implications.
METHODS
Databases were examined for all articles and abstracts reporting on pulmonary cuff dysfunction. Data collected included: number of patients studied; patients' characteristics; incidences of pulmonary vein stenosis and pulmonary vein thrombosis; and timing and imaging modality utilized for diagnosis.
RESULTS
Thirty-four full-text citations were included in this review. The point prevalence of pulmonary vein stenosis and thrombosis were 1.4% and 2.5%, respectively. The peak pulmonary cuff velocity associated with dysfunction was found to be 1.59 ± 0.66 m/sec. The diameter of the dysfunctional pulmonary vein was noted to be 0.48 ± 0.20 cm. The majority of diagnoses were made in the early post-operative period using transesophageal echocardiography. Overall, 41.3% of patients (26 of 63) required emergent procedural reintervention, and 32% of patients (20 of 63) diagnosed with pulmonary cuff dysfunction died during their hospital stay.
CONCLUSIONS
This systematic review underscores the importance of identifying pulmonary cuff dysfunction after lung transplant surgery, and the usefulness of transesophageal echocardiography for detection of this complication. The clinical implications of these results warrant the further development of identification and management strategies for lung transplant patients.
Topics: Delayed Graft Function; Echocardiography, Transesophageal; Humans; Lung Transplantation; Pulmonary Circulation; Stenosis, Pulmonary Vein
PubMed: 30718043
DOI: 10.1016/j.healun.2019.01.005