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Journal of the American Heart... Jun 2024In pulmonary arterial hypertension, it is recommended to base therapeutic decisions on risk stratification. This systematic review aims to report the prognostic value of...
BACKGROUND
In pulmonary arterial hypertension, it is recommended to base therapeutic decisions on risk stratification. This systematic review aims to report the prognostic value of serial risk stratification in adult and pediatric pulmonary arterial hypertension and to explore the usability of serial risk stratification as treatment target.
METHODS AND RESULTS
Electronic databases PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science were searched up to January 30, 2023, using terms associated with pulmonary arterial hypertension, pediatric pulmonary hypertension, and risk stratification. Observational studies and clinical trials describing risk stratification at both baseline and follow-up were included. Sixty five studies were eligible for inclusion, including only 2 studies in a pediatric population. C-statistic range at baseline was 0.31 to 0.77 and improved to 0.30 to 0.91 at follow-up. In 53% of patients, risk status changed (42% improved, 12% worsened) over 168 days (interquartile range, 137-327 days; n=22 studies). The average proportion of low-risk patients increased from 18% at baseline to 36% at a median follow-up of 244 days (interquartile range, 140-365 days; n=40 studies). In placebo-controlled drug studies, risk statuses of the intervention groups improved more and worsened less compared with the placebo groups. Furthermore, a low-risk status, but also an improved risk status, at follow-up was associated with a better outcome. Similar results were found in the 2 pediatric studies.
CONCLUSIONS
Follow-up risk stratification has improved prognostic value compared with baseline risk stratification, and change in risk status between baseline and follow-up corresponded to a change in survival. These data support the use of serial risk stratification as treatment target in pulmonary arterial hypertension.
PubMed: 38904230
DOI: 10.1161/JAHA.123.034151 -
World Journal of Critical Care Medicine Jun 2024Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a serious progressive disorder of the modern world, characterized by endothelial dysfunction and impaired vasoreactivity. Patients with PH...
BACKGROUND
Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a serious progressive disorder of the modern world, characterized by endothelial dysfunction and impaired vasoreactivity. Patients with PH usually present exercise intolerance from the very early stages and reduced exercise capacity. Exercise training has been shown to have beneficial effects in patients with cardiovascular comorbidities. However, data regarding the effects of combined exercise training programs in patients with PH still remains limited.
AIM
To investigate the effects of combined exercise training programs on exercise capacity and quality of life in patients with PH.
METHODS
Our search included all available randomized controlled trials (RCTs) regarding combined aerobic, resistance and inspiratory training programs in patients with PH in 4 databases (Pubmed, PEDro, Embase, CINAHL) from 2012 to 2022. Five RCTs were included in the final analysis. Functional capacity, assessed by peak VO or 6-min walking test (6MWT), as well as quality of life, assessed by the SF-36 questionnaire, were set as the primary outcomes in our study.
RESULTS
Peak VO was measured in 4 out of the 5 RCTs while 6MWT was measured in all RCTs. Both indices of functional capacity were significantly increased in patients with PH who underwent combined exercise training compared to the controls in all of the included RCTs ( < 0.05). Quality of life was measured in 4 out of 5 RCTs. Although patients improved their quality of life in each group, however, only 2 RCTs demonstrated further improvement in patients performing combined training compared to controls.
CONCLUSION
By this systematic review, we have demonstrated that combined aerobic, resistance and inspiratory exercise training is safe and has beneficial effects on aerobic capacity and quality of life in patients with PH. Such exercise training regimen may be part of the therapeutic strategy of the syndrome.
PubMed: 38855278
DOI: 10.5492/wjccm.v13.i2.92585 -
Scientific Reports Jun 2024Heart failure (HF) poses a significant challenge, often leading to frequent hospitalizations and compromised quality of life. Continuous pulmonary artery pressure (PAP)... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Heart failure (HF) poses a significant challenge, often leading to frequent hospitalizations and compromised quality of life. Continuous pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) monitoring offers a surrogate for congestion status in ambulatory HF care. This meta-analysis examines the efficacy of PAP monitoring devices (CardioMEMS and Chronicle) in preventing adverse outcomes in HF patients, addressing gaps in prior randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Five RCTs (2572 participants) were systematically reviewed. PAP monitoring significantly reduced HF-related hospitalizations (RR 0.72 [95% CI 0.6-0.87], p = 0.0006) and HF events (RR 0.86 [95% CI 0.75-0.99], p = 0.03), with no impact on all-cause or cardiovascular mortality. Subgroup analyses highlighted the significance of CardioMEMS and blinded studies. Meta-regression indicated a correlation between prolonged follow-up and increased reduction in HF hospitalizations. The risk of bias was generally high, with evidence certainty ranging from low to moderate. PAP monitoring devices exhibit promise in diminishing HF hospitalizations and events, especially in CardioMEMS and blinded studies. However, their influence on mortality remains inconclusive. Further research, considering diverse patient populations and intervention strategies with extended follow-up, is crucial for elucidating the optimal role of PAP monitoring in HF management.
Topics: Humans; Heart Failure; Pulmonary Artery; Hospitalization; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Quality of Life
PubMed: 38839890
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-63742-0 -
Frontiers in Immunology 2024The identification of new, easily measurable biomarkers might assist clinicians in diagnosing and managing systemic sclerosis (SSc). Although the full blood count is... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
The association between the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio, and monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio and systemic sclerosis and its complications: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
INTRODUCTION
The identification of new, easily measurable biomarkers might assist clinicians in diagnosing and managing systemic sclerosis (SSc). Although the full blood count is routinely assessed in the evaluation of SSc, the diagnostic utility of specific cell-derived inflammatory indices, i.e., neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR), has not been critically appraised in this patient group.
METHODS
We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies investigating the NLR, PLR, and MLR, in SSc patients and healthy controls and in SSc patients with and without relevant complications. PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched from inception to 23 February 2024. Risk of bias and certainty of evidence were assessed using validated tools.
RESULTS
In 10 eligible studies, compared to controls, patients with SSc had significantly higher NLR (standard mean difference, SMD=0.68, 95% CI 0.46 to 0.91, p<0.001; I = 74.5%, p<0.001), and PLR values (SMD=0.52, 95% CI 0.21 to 0.83, p=0.001; I = 77.0%, p=0.005), and a trend towards higher MLR values (SMD=0.60, 95% CI -0.04 to 1.23, p=0.066; I = 94.1%, p<0.001). When compared to SSc patients without complications, the NLR was significantly higher in SSc with interstitial lung disease (ILD, SMD=0.31, 95% CI 0.15 to 0.46, p<0.001; I = 43.9%, p=0.11), pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH, SMD=1.59, 95% CI 0.04 to 3.1, p=0.045; I = 87.6%, p<0.001), and digital ulcers (DU, SMD=0.43, 95% CI 0.13 to 0.74, p=0.006; I = 0.0%, p=0.49). The PLR was significantly higher in SSc patients with ILD (SMD=0.42, 95% CI 0.25 to 0.59, p<0.001; I = 24.8%, p=0.26). The MLR was significantly higher in SSc patients with PAH (SMD=0.63, 95% CI 0.17 to 1.08, p=0.007; I = 66.0%, p=0.086), and there was a trend towards a higher MLR in SSc patients with ILD (SMD=0.60, 95% CI -0.04 to 1.23, p=0.066; I = 94.1%, p<0.001).
DISCUSSION
Pending the results of appropriately designed prospective studies, the results of this systematic review and meta-analysis suggest that blood cell-derived indices of inflammation, particularly the NLR and PLR, may be useful in the diagnosis of SSc and specific complications.
SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION
https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/, identifier CRD42024520040.
Topics: Humans; Scleroderma, Systemic; Neutrophils; Lymphocytes; Monocytes; Blood Platelets; Lymphocyte Count; Biomarkers; Platelet Count
PubMed: 38799443
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1395993 -
ESC Heart Failure May 2024A recent guideline presented by the ESC Congress in 2022 had indicated a novel therapy targeted at pulmonary artery hypertension, known as pulmonary artery denervation...
AIMS
A recent guideline presented by the ESC Congress in 2022 had indicated a novel therapy targeted at pulmonary artery hypertension, known as pulmonary artery denervation (PADN), which get inspired from a laboratorial trial that could lowering the pulmonary artery pressure through the intervention on the animals. Our aim is to conduct a network meta-analysis to compare the efficacy and safety of PADN from six aspects with the current conventional therapies.
METHODS AND RESULTS
According to the PRISMA guidance, databases including Ovid, ClinicalTrials.gov, Medline, Embase, and PubMed were searched from inception to 22 August 2023, along with a full assessment of the previous five meta-analyses. Data were extracted and curated for Bayesian network meta-analysis. The primary outcome was the change in the 6-min walking distance (6MWD) from baseline with a secondary outcome called change in mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP) from baseline. The four safety outcomes included risk of clinical worsening, hospitalization, mortality and severe adverse events (SAEs). The comparison is structured on a contrast model based on 65 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on PADN and the other conventional mainstream drugs. PADN had a better effect in improving 6MWD than Placebo (-77.76 m, 95% CI: -102.04 to -54.34 m), Macitentan (-65.32 m, 95% CI: -95.34 to -36.1 m), Bosentan (-64.5 m, 95% CI: -94.7 to -35.07 m), Iloprost (-62.66 m, 95% CI: -99.48 to -27.13 m), Oxygen (-62.42 m, 95% CI: -100.01 to -25.78 m), Treprostinil (-62.01 m, 95% CI: -89.04 to -35.61 m), Riociguat (-60.59 m, 95% CI: -86.11 to -35.98 m), Selexipag (-47.2 m, 95% CI: -85.61 to -10.19 m), Sildenafil (-44.92 m, 95% CI: -74.43 to -16.15 m), or Sitaxsentan (-39.53 m, 95% CI: -78.99 to -0.76 m). PADN had a better antihypertensive effect than placebo and showed statistical significant lower risks to induce clinical worsening and re-hospitalization than treprostinil, riociguat, and placebo groups. No statistically significant difference in risk of mortality and severe adverse events was observed between PADN versus the other interventions.
CONCLUSIONS
Compared with 16 types of conventional therapies and Placebo, PADN has advantage over nine single therapies and Placebo in improving 6MWD and appears to be better than two types of dual-drug combined therapies while with no statistical significance. PADN shows a favourable antihypertensive effect on mPAP and has a lower risk to trigger clinical worsening or hospitalization, while its risk on mortality and severe adverse events is still inconclusive.
PubMed: 38783684
DOI: 10.1002/ehf2.14842 -
Annals of Medicine Dec 2024Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a life-threatening disease, especially in paediatric population. Symptoms of paediatric PH are non-specific. Accurate detection of... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
OBJECTIVE
Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a life-threatening disease, especially in paediatric population. Symptoms of paediatric PH are non-specific. Accurate detection of paediatric PH is helpful for early treatment and mortality reduction. Therefore, we assessed the overall performance of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and N-terminal brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) for diagnosing PH in paediatric population.
METHODS
PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library and Embase databases were screened since their respective inceptions until August 2023. A bivariate random model and a hierarchical summary receiver operating characteristic model were used together to evaluate and summarize the overall performance of BNP and NT-proBNP for diagnosing paediatric PH.
RESULTS
Eighteen studies using BNP/NT-proBNP were assessed, comprising 1127 samples. The pooled sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio (PLR), negative likelihood ratio (NLR), diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) and area under the curve (AUROC) of BNP/NT-proBNP were separately as 0.81, 0.87, 6.33, 0.21, 29.50 and 0.91, suggesting a good diagnostic performance of BNP/NT-proBNP for detecting PH in paediatric population. For BNP, the pooled sensitivity, specificity, PLR, NLR, DOR and AUROC were 0.83, 0.89, 7.76, 0.19, 40.90 and 0.93, indicating the diagnostic accuracy of BNP for paediatric PH patients was good. For NT-proBNP, the pooled sensitivity, specificity, PLR, NLR, DOR and AUROC were 0.81, 0.86, 5.59, 0.22, 24.96 and 0.90, showing that NT-proBNP could provide a good value for detecting paediatric PH.
CONCLUSIONS
Both BNP and NT-proBNP are good markers for differentiating paediatric PH patients from non-PH individuals.
Topics: Adolescent; Child; Child, Preschool; Humans; Infant; Biomarkers; Hypertension, Pulmonary; Natriuretic Peptide, Brain; Peptide Fragments; ROC Curve; Sensitivity and Specificity; Infant, Newborn
PubMed: 38753384
DOI: 10.1080/07853890.2024.2352603 -
Thrombosis Research Jun 2024COVID-19 has disproportionately affected racialized populations, with particular impact among individuals of Black individuals. However, it is unclear whether... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
IMPORTANCE
COVID-19 has disproportionately affected racialized populations, with particular impact among individuals of Black individuals. However, it is unclear whether disparities in venous thromboembolic (VTE) complications exist between Black individuals and those belonging to other racial groups with confirmed SARS-CoV2 infections.
OBJECTIVE
To summarize the prevalence and moderators associated with VTE among Black COVID-19 patients in minoritized settings, and to compare this to White and Asian COVID-19 patients according to sex, age, and comorbid health conditions (heart failure, cancer, obesity, hypertension).
DESIGN SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS
A systematic search of MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL and CENTRAL for articles or reports published from inception to February 15, 2023.
STUDY SELECTION
Reports on VTE among Black individuals infected with SARS-CoV2, in countries where Black people are considered a minority population group.
DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS
Study characteristics and results of eligible studies were independently extracted by 2 pairs of reviewers. VTE prevalence was extracted, and risk of bias was assessed. Prevalence estimates of VTE prevalence among Black individuals with COVID19 in each study were pooled. Where studies provided race-stratified VTE prevalence among COVID19 patients, odds ratios were generated using a random-effects model.
MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES
Prevalence of VTE, comprising of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism.
RESULTS
Ten studies with 66,185 Black individuals reporting the prevalence of COVID-19 associated VTE were included. Weighted median age of included studies was 47.60. Pooled prevalence of COVID-19 associated VTE was 7.2 % (95 % CI, 3.8 % - 11.5 %) among Black individuals. Among individuals with SARS-CoV2 infections, Black population had higher risks of VTE compared to their White (OR = 1.79, [95 % CI 1.28-2.53], p < .001) or Asian (OR = 2.01, [95 % CI, 1.14-3.60], p = .017) counterparts, or patients with other racial identities (OR = 2.01, [95 % CI, 1.39, 2.92]; p < .001).
CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE
Black individuals with COVID-19 had substantially higher risk of VTE compared to White or Asian individuals. Given racial disparities in thrombotic disease burden related to COVID-19, medical education, research, and health policy interventions are direly needed to ensure adequate disease awareness among Black individuals, to facilitate appropriate diagnosis and treatment among Black patients with suspected and confirmed VTE, and to advocate for culturally safe VTE prevention strategies, including pre-existing inequalities to the COVID-19 pandemic that persist after the crisis.
Topics: Humans; COVID-19; Venous Thromboembolism; White People; Prevalence; SARS-CoV-2; Asian People; Female; Male; Risk Factors; Minority Groups; Black People
PubMed: 38733691
DOI: 10.1016/j.thromres.2024.05.007 -
Arthroplasty Today Jun 2024Nowadays, emphasis is being given to same-day discharge (SDD) following total joint arthroplasty. Unfortunately, despite a high degree of success, there are instances of...
BACKGROUND
Nowadays, emphasis is being given to same-day discharge (SDD) following total joint arthroplasty. Unfortunately, despite a high degree of success, there are instances of failed SDD. Therefore, we aim to conduct a systematic review to evaluate factors contributing to failed SDD after total joint arthroplasty.
METHODS
Pubmed, Scopus, Cochrane, and Google Scholar were searched. The Newcastle Ottawa score was used for the quality assessment of selected studies. All the studies were evaluated through a narrative synthesis. A total of 11 studies evaluating 157,045 patients were selected. The mean age of patients was 62.5 years.
RESULTS
Elderly patients (odds ratio [OR] 1.01 to OR 3.13), women (OR 1.63 to OR 2.87), non-white race (OR 1.31 to OR 2.19), hypertension (OR 1.11 to OR 1.41), diabetes (OR 1.25 to OR 4.06), cardiovascular diseases (OR 1.67 to OR 12.06), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (OR 1.30 to OR 1.96), bleeding disorders (OR 1.32 to OR 1.52), obesity (OR 1.35 to OR 3.30), steroid use (OR 1.23 to OR 1.52), late procedure start time (OR 1.22 to OR 5.16), higher postoperative pain (OR 1.93 to OR 5.85), high American Society of Anesthesiologists score (OR 0.92 to OR 3.50) were major predictors of failed SDD.
CONCLUSIONS
Through our review, we highlighted that elderly patients, women, non-white race, hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, bleeding disorders, obesity, steroid use, late procedure start time, higher postoperative pain, and high American Society of Anesthesiologists score were major predictors of a failed SDD. Many factors evaluated in our study were presented in one or two studies only; therefore, high-quality studies are required to supplement our findings.
PubMed: 38665390
DOI: 10.1016/j.artd.2024.101363 -
Frontiers in Radiology 2024Chronic pulmonary embolism (PE) may result in pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH). Automated CT pulmonary angiography (CTPA) interpretation using artificial intelligence (AI)...
BACKGROUND
Chronic pulmonary embolism (PE) may result in pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH). Automated CT pulmonary angiography (CTPA) interpretation using artificial intelligence (AI) tools has the potential for improving diagnostic accuracy, reducing delays to diagnosis and yielding novel information of clinical value in CTEPH. This systematic review aimed to identify and appraise existing studies presenting AI tools for CTPA in the context of chronic PE and CTEPH.
METHODS
MEDLINE and EMBASE databases were searched on 11 September 2023. Journal publications presenting AI tools for CTPA in patients with chronic PE or CTEPH were eligible for inclusion. Information about model design, training and testing was extracted. Study quality was assessed using compliance with the Checklist for Artificial Intelligence in Medical Imaging (CLAIM).
RESULTS
Five studies were eligible for inclusion, all of which presented deep learning AI models to evaluate PE. First study evaluated the lung parenchymal changes in chronic PE and two studies used an AI model to classify PE, with none directly assessing the pulmonary arteries. In addition, a separate study developed a CNN tool to distinguish chronic PE using 2D maximum intensity projection reconstructions. While another study assessed a novel automated approach to quantify hypoperfusion to help in the severity assessment of CTEPH. While descriptions of model design and training were reliable, descriptions of the datasets used in training and testing were more inconsistent.
CONCLUSION
In contrast to AI tools for evaluation of acute PE, there has been limited investigation of AI-based approaches to characterising chronic PE and CTEPH on CTPA. Existing studies are limited by inconsistent reporting of the data used to train and test their models. This systematic review highlights an area of potential expansion for the field of AI in medical image interpretation.There is limited knowledge of A systematic review of artificial intelligence tools for chronic pulmonary embolism in CT. This systematic review provides an assessment on research that examined deep learning algorithms in detecting CTEPH on CTPA images, the number of studies assessing the utility of deep learning on CTPA in CTEPH was unclear and should be highlighted.
PubMed: 38654762
DOI: 10.3389/fradi.2024.1335349 -
American Journal of Obstetrics &... Jun 2024Counseling of pregnancies complicated by pre- and periviable premature rupture of membranes to reach shared decision-making is challenging, and the current limited... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
OBJECTIVE
Counseling of pregnancies complicated by pre- and periviable premature rupture of membranes to reach shared decision-making is challenging, and the current limited evidence hampers the robustness of the information provided. This study aimed to elucidate the rate of obstetrical and neonatal outcomes after expectant management for premature rupture of membranes occurring before or at the limit of viability.
DATA SOURCES
Medline, Embase, CINAHL, and Web of Science databases were searched electronically up to September 2023.
STUDY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
Our study included both prospective and retrospective studies of singleton pregnancies with premature rupture of membranes before and at the limit of viability (ie, occurring between 14 0/7 and 24 6/7 weeks of gestation).
METHODS
Quality assessment of the included studies was performed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale for cohort studies. Moreover, our study used meta-analyses of proportions to combine data and reported pooled proportions. Given the clinical heterogeneity, a random-effects model was used to compute the pooled data analyses. This study was registered with the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews database (registration number: CRD42022368029).
RESULTS
The pooled proportion of termination of pregnancy was 32.3%. After the exclusion of cases of termination of pregnancy, the rate of spontaneous miscarriage or fetal demise was 20.1%, whereas the rate of live birth was 65.9%. The mean gestational age at delivery among the live-born cases was 27.3 weeks, and the mean latency between premature rupture of membranes and delivery was 39.4 days. The pooled proportion of cesarean deliveries was 47.9% of the live-born cases. Oligohydramnios occurred in 47.1% of cases. Chorioamnionitis occurred in 33.4% of cases, endometritis in 7.0%, placental abruption in 9.2%, and postpartum hemorrhage in 5.3%. Hysterectomy was necessary in 1.2% of cases. Maternal sepsis occurred in 1.5% of cases, whereas no maternal death was reported in the included studies. When focusing on neonatal outcomes, the mean birthweight was 1022.8 g in live-born cases. The neonatal intensive care unit admission rate was 86.3%, respiratory distress syndrome was diagnosed in 66.5% of cases, pulmonary hypoplasia or dysplasia was diagnosed in 24.0% of cases, and persistent pulmonary hypertension was diagnosed in 40.9% of cases. Of the surviving neonates, the other neonatal complications included necrotizing enterocolitis in 11.1%, retinopathy of prematurity in 27.1%, and intraventricular hemorrhage in 17.5%. Neonatal sepsis occurred in 30.2% of cases, and the overall neonatal mortality was 23.9%. The long-term follow-up at 2 to 4 years was normal in 74.1% of the available cases.
CONCLUSION
Premature rupture of membranes before or at the limit of viability was associated with a great burden of both obstetrical and neonatal complications, with an impaired long-term follow-up at 2 to 4 years in almost 30% of cases, representing a clinical challenge for both counseling and management. Our data are useful when initially approaching such patients to offer the most comprehensive possible scenario on short- and long-term outcomes of this condition and to help parents in shared decision-making. El resumen está disponible en Español al final del artículo.
Topics: Humans; Fetal Membranes, Premature Rupture; Pregnancy; Female; Fetal Viability; Infant, Newborn; Pregnancy Outcome; Gestational Age; Cesarean Section; Watchful Waiting; Abortion, Induced
PubMed: 38648897
DOI: 10.1016/j.ajogmf.2024.101370