-
Current Problems in Cardiology Mar 2024The principal management of Amiodarone-induced-thyrotoxicosis (AIT) is balancing cardiac-thyroid conditions. However, the role of thyroidectomy is still contentious.... (Review)
Review
The principal management of Amiodarone-induced-thyrotoxicosis (AIT) is balancing cardiac-thyroid conditions. However, the role of thyroidectomy is still contentious. This systematic review aims to provide insights into the roles of thyroidectomy in the management of AIT. This systematic review encompasses 303 AIT patients who underwent thyroidectomy from 14 studies. The indication of thyroidectomy can be due to cardiac factors, thyrotoxicosis conditions, and patient-physician considerations. Thyroidectomy is more effective in improving thyroid hormone status, cardiac function, and mortality compared to optimal medical therapy, especially in those with left ventricular ejection fraction < 40 %. Thyroidectomy is effective in improving cardiac function and mortality due to shorter duration for achieving euthyroid. Thyroidectomy and medical therapy have comparable side effects. However, the identification of high-risk patients may reduce thyroidectomy complications. Thus, thyroidectomy should not be viewed as the last resource and should be performed immediately when indicated.
Topics: Humans; Amiodarone; Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; Thyroidectomy; Stroke Volume; Ventricular Function, Left; Thyrotoxicosis; Heart Diseases
PubMed: 38232922
DOI: 10.1016/j.cpcardiol.2024.102395 -
World Journal of Nephrology Dec 2023Gliflozins or Sodium glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) are relatively novel antidiabetic medications that have recently been shown to represent favorable...
Heterogeneity in cardiorenal protection by Sodium glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors in heart failure across the ejection fraction strata: Systematic review and meta-analysis.
BACKGROUND
Gliflozins or Sodium glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) are relatively novel antidiabetic medications that have recently been shown to represent favorable effects on patients' cardiorenal outcomes. However, there is shortage of data on potential disparities in this therapeutic effect across different patient subpopulations.
AIM
To investigate differential effects of SGLT2i on the cardiorenal outcomes of heart failure patients across left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) levels.
METHODS
Literature was searched systematically for the large randomized double-blind controlled trials with long enough follow up periods reporting cardiovascular and renal outcomes in their patients regarding heart failure status and LVEF levels. Data were then meta-analyzed after stratification of the pooled data across the LVEF strata and New York Heart Associations (NYHA) classifications for heart failure using Stata software version 17.0.
RESULTS
The literature search returned 13 Large clinical trials and 13 analysis reports. Meta-analysis of the effects of gliflozins on the primary composite outcome showed no significant difference in efficacy across the heart failure subtypes, but higher efficacy were detected in patient groups at lower NYHA classifications ( = 46%, = 0.02). Meta-analyses across the LVEF stratums revealed that a baseline LVEF lower than 30% was associated with enhanced improvement in the primary composite outcome compared to patients with higher LVEF levels at the borderline statistical significance (HR: 0.70, 95%CI: 0.60 to 0.79 0.81, 95%CI: 0.75 to 0.87; respectively, = 0.06). Composite renal outcome was improved significantly higher in patients with no heart failure than in heart failure patients with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) (HR: 0.60, 95%CI: 0.49 to 0.72 0.94, 95%CI: 0.74 to 1.13; = 0.04). Acute renal injury occurred significantly less frequently in heart failure patients with reduced ejection fraction who received gliflozins than in HFpEF (HR: 0.67, 95%CI: 51 to 0.82 0.94, 95%CI: 0.82 to 1.06; = 0.01). Volume depletion was consistently increased in response to SGLT2i in all the subgroups.
CONCLUSION
Heart failure patients with lower LVEF and lower NYHA sub-classifications were found to be generally more likely to benefit from therapy with gliflozins. Further research are required to identify patient subgroups representing the highest benefits or adverse events in response to SGLT2i.
PubMed: 38230296
DOI: 10.5527/wjn.v12.i5.182 -
Cureus Dec 2023Tricuspid regurgitation (TR) is a heart condition where blood flows backward through the tricuspid valve. Tricuspid valve disease constitutes a major valvular heart... (Review)
Review
Tricuspid regurgitation (TR) is a heart condition where blood flows backward through the tricuspid valve. Tricuspid valve disease constitutes a major valvular heart condition that is receiving heightened attention due to tailored treatment options and sex-specific differences in treatment outcomes. The study aims to investigate whether biological sex has a significant influence on the development, progression, and treatment outcomes of tricuspid valve disease in adults. We conducted a comprehensive search to identify studies examining the impact of sex on the pathophysiology of TR as well as treatment outcomes in patients with TR. We searched PUBMED/MEDLINE, SCOPUS, and Excerpta Medica dataBASE (EMBASE) from inception to September 2023 to identify relevant studies. Twelve studies totaling 22,574 patients met our eligibility criteria. These studies were categorized into three subgroups: patients with TR without intervention (3,848 patients, with 48.1% males and 51.9% females), those who underwent open heart surgery (17,498 patients: 46.2% males and 53.8% females), and those who underwent transcatheter tricuspid valve repair/replacement (TTVR; 1,687 patients: 41.6% males and 58.4% females). Analysis revealed no major differences in terms of TR etiology. Males tended to have a slightly lower mean age difference (mean difference (MD): -0.60 years; 95% confidence interval (CI) (-1.49, -0.04); p = 0.10) but had more frequent chronic lung disease (risk ratio (RR): 1.12, 95% CI (1.01, 1.25), p = 0.03). Males showed higher baseline TR volume (MD: 4.11, 95% CI (0.53, 7.68), p = 0.02) and lower left ventricular ejection fraction (MD: -5.85, 95% CI (-6.97, -4.73), p < 0.00001). Following open heart surgery for TR treatment, males required more frequent permanent pacemaker implantation (PPM; RR: 1.57, 95% CI (1.21, 2.03), p = 0.0006). Similarly, TTVR showed a higher need for PPM in males (RR: 1.45, 95% CI (1.10, 1.93), p = 0.010). In-hospital mortality exhibited no sex differences, but males had a slightly elevated late mortality risk. Sex differences in TR patients were notable in baseline characteristics, with males having a higher risk of certain conditions. The more frequent requirement for PPM was a major sex-based difference in terms of prognosis.
PubMed: 38222181
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.50478 -
Radiation Oncology Journal Dec 2023This systematic review aims to assess and summarize the clinical values of dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) parameter changes as early...
Dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging parameter changes as an early biomarker of tumor responses following radiation therapy in patients with spinal metastases: a systematic review.
PURPOSE
This systematic review aims to assess and summarize the clinical values of dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) parameter changes as early biomarkers of tumor responses following radiation therapy (RT) in patients with spinal metastases.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A systematic search was conducted on five electronic databases: PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct, Cochrane, and Embase. Studies were included if they mentioned DCE-MRI parameter changes before and after RT in patients with spinal metastases with a correlation to tumor responses based on clinical and imaging criteria. The Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies 2 was used to assess study quality.
RESULTS
This systematic review included seven studies involving 107 patients. All seven studies evaluated the transfer constant (Ktrans), six studies evaluated the plasma volume fraction (Vp), three studies evaluated the extravascular extracellular space volume fraction, and two studies evaluated the rate constant. There were variations in the type of primary cancer, RT techniques used, post-treatment scan time, and median follow-up time. Despite the variations, however, the collected evidence generally suggested that significant differences could be detected in DCE-MRI parameters between before and after RT, which might reflect treatment success or failures in long-term follow-up. Responders showed higher reduction and lower values of Ktrans and Vp after RT. DCE-MRI parameters showed changes and detectable recurrences significantly earlier (up to 6 months) than conventional MRI with favorable diagnostic values.
CONCLUSION
The results of this systematic review suggested that DCE-MRI parameter changes in patients with spinal metastases could be a promising tool for treatment-response assessment following RT. Lower values and higher reduction of Ktrans and Vp after treatment demonstrated good prediction of local control. Compared to conventional MRI, DCE-MRI showed more rapid changes and earlier prediction of treatment failure.
PubMed: 38185927
DOI: 10.3857/roj.2023.00290 -
BMC Cardiovascular Disorders Jan 2024Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) has been demonstrated to improve outcomes in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
The impact of the time factors on the exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation outcomes of the patients with acute myocardial infarction after percutaneous coronary intervention: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE
Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) has been demonstrated to improve outcomes in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). However, the optimal CR initiation time and duration remain to be determined. This study aimed to explore the impact of the time factors on the CR outcomes in AMI patients who received PCI by the method of meta-regression analysis.
METHODS
We searched five databases (PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science and Google scholar) up to October 31, 2023. Meta-regression analysis was utilized to explore the impact of the time factors on the effect sizes. Subgroups with more than 3 studies were used for meta-regression analysis.
RESULTS
Our analysis included 16 studies and a total of 1810 patients. The meta-regression analysis revealed that the initiation time and duration of CR had no significant impact on the occurrence of arrhythmia, coronary artery restenosis and angina pectoris. The initiation time and duration of CR also had no significant impact on the changes in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF, starting time: estimate = 0.160, p = 0.130; intervention time: estimate = 0.017, p = 0.149), left ventricular end-diastolic volume (LVEDV, starting time: estimate = - 0.191, p = 0.732; intervention time: estimate = - 0.033, p = 0.160), left ventricular end-systolic volume (LVESV, starting time: estimate = - 0.301, p = 0.464; intervention time: estimate = 0.015, p = 0.368) and 6-minute walk test (6MWT, starting time: estimate = - 0.108, p = 0.467; intervention time: estimate = 0.019, p = 0.116).
CONCLUSION
Implementation of CR following PCI in patients with AMI is beneficial. However, in AMI patients, there is no significant difference in the improvement of CR outcomes based on different CR starting times within 1 month after PCI or different durations of the CR programs. It indicates that it is feasible for patients with AMI to commence CR within 1 month after PCI and continue long-term CR, but the time factors which impact CR are intricate and further clinical research is still needed to determine the optimal initiation time and duration of CR.
Topics: Humans; Cardiac Rehabilitation; Myocardial Infarction; Percutaneous Coronary Intervention; Stroke Volume; Time Factors; Ventricular Function, Left
PubMed: 38184523
DOI: 10.1186/s12872-023-03692-z -
Current Problems in Cardiology Mar 2024While beta-blockers are considered the cornerstone of treatment for heart failure with reduced ejection fraction, the same may not apply to patients with heart failure... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
INTRODUCTION
While beta-blockers are considered the cornerstone of treatment for heart failure with reduced ejection fraction, the same may not apply to patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). To date, the benefit of beta-blockers remains uncertain, and there is no current consensus on their effectiveness. This study sought to evaluate the efficacy of beta-blockers on mortality and rehospitalization among patients with HFpEF.
METHODS
A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized or observational cohort studies examined the efficacy of beta-blocker therapy in comparison with placebo, control, or standard medical care in patients with HFpEF, defined as left ventricular ejection fraction ≥50 %. The main endpoints were mortality (i.e., all-cause and cardiovascular), rehospitalization (i.e., all-cause and for heart failure) and a composite of the two.
RESULTS
Out of the 13,189 records initially identified, 16 full-text records met the inclusion criteria and were analyzed recruiting a total of 27,188 patients. The mean age range was 62-84 years old, predominantly female, with HFpEF in which 63.4 % of patients received a beta-blocker and 36.6 % did not. The pooled analysis of included cohort studies, of variable follow-up durations, showed a significant reduction in all-cause mortality by 19 % (odds ratio (OR) 0.81; 95 % confidence interval (CI): 0.65-0.99, p = 0.044) whereas rehospitalization for heart failure (OR 1.13; 95 % CI: 0.91-1.41, p = 0.27) or its composite with all-cause mortality (OR 1.01; 95 % CI: 0.78-1.32, p = 0.92) were similar between the beta-blocker and control groups.
CONCLUSION
This meta-analysis showed that beta-blocker therapy has the potential to reduce all-cause mortality in patients with HFpEF based on observational studies. Nevertheless, it did not affect rehospitalization for heart failure or its composite with all-cause mortality. Large scale randomized trials are needed to clarify this uncertainty.
Topics: Humans; Female; Middle Aged; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Male; Stroke Volume; Heart Failure; Ventricular Function, Left; Patient Readmission; Hospitalization; Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; Observational Studies as Topic
PubMed: 38184132
DOI: 10.1016/j.cpcardiol.2024.102376 -
Canadian Journal of Kidney Health and... 2023Lung ultrasound is a noninvasive bedside technique that can accurately assess pulmonary congestion by evaluating extravascular lung water. This technique is expanding... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE OF REVIEW
Lung ultrasound is a noninvasive bedside technique that can accurately assess pulmonary congestion by evaluating extravascular lung water. This technique is expanding and is easily available. Our primary outcome was to compare the efficacy of volume status assessment by lung ultrasound with clinical evaluation, echocardiography, bioimpedance, or biomarkers. The secondary outcomes were all-cause mortality and cardiovascular events.
SOURCES OF INFORMATION
We conducted a MEDLINE literature search for observational and randomized studies with lung ultrasound in patients on maintenance dialysis.
METHODS
From a total of 2363 articles, we included 28 studies (25 observational and 3 randomized). The correlation coefficients were pooled for each variable of interest using the generic inverse variance method with a random effects model. Among the clinical parameters, New York Heart Association Functional Classification of Heart Failure status and lung auscultation showed the highest correlation with the number of B-lines on ultrasound, with a pooled correlation coefficient of .57 and .36, respectively. Among echocardiographic parameters, left ventricular ejection fraction and inferior vena cava index had the strongest correlation with the number of B-lines, with a pooled coefficient of .35 and .31, respectively. Three randomized studies compared a lung ultrasound-guided approach with standard of care on hard clinical endpoints. Although patients in the lung ultrasound group achieved better decongestion and blood pressure control, there was no difference between the 2 management strategies with respect to death from any cause or major adverse cardiovascular events.
KEY FINDINGS
Lung ultrasound may be considered for the identification of patients with subclinical volume overload. Trials did not show differences in clinically important outcomes. The number of studies was small and many were of suboptimal quality.
LIMITATIONS
The included studies were heterogeneous and of relatively limited quality.
PubMed: 38148768
DOI: 10.1177/20543581231217853 -
Diseases (Basel, Switzerland) Dec 2023Istaroxime, an intravenous inotropic agent with a dual mechanism-increasing both cardiomyocyte contractility and relaxation-is a novel treatment for acute heart failure... (Review)
Review
Istaroxime, an intravenous inotropic agent with a dual mechanism-increasing both cardiomyocyte contractility and relaxation-is a novel treatment for acute heart failure (AHF), the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in heart failure. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis that synthesized randomized controlled trials (RCTs), which were retrieved by systematically searching PubMed, Web of Science, SCOPUS, and Cochrane until 24 April 2023. We used a fixed-effect or random-effect model-according to heterogeneity-to pool dichotomous data using the risk ratio (RR) and continuous data using the mean difference (MD), with a 95% confidence interval (CI). We included three RCTs with a total of 300 patients. Istaroxime was significantly associated with an increased left ventricular ejection fraction (mL) (MD: 1.06, 95% CI: 0.29, 1.82; = 0.007), stroke volume index (MD: 3.04, 95% CI: 2.41, 3.67; = 0.00001), and cardiac index (L/min/m) (MD: 0.18, 95% CI: 0.11, 025; = 0.00001). Also, istaroxime was significantly associated with a decreased E/A ratio (MD: -0.39, 95% CI: -0.58, -0.19; = 0.0001) and pulmonary artery systolic pressure (mmHg) (MD: 2.30, 95% CI: 3.20, 1.40; = 0.00001). Istaroxime was significantly associated with increased systolic blood pressure (mmHg) (MD: 5.32, 95% CI: 2.28, 8.37; = 0.0006) and decreased heart rate (bpm) (MD: -3.05, 95% CI: -5.27, -0.82; = 0.007). Since istaroxime improved hemodynamic and echocardiographic parameters, it constitutes a promising strategy for AHF management. However, the current literature is limited to a small number of RCTs, warranting further large-scale phase III trials before clinical endorsement.
PubMed: 38131989
DOI: 10.3390/diseases11040183 -
Anaesthesia, Critical Care & Pain... Apr 2024Septic cardiomyopathy is associated with poor outcomes but its definition remains unclear. In a previous meta-analysis, left ventricular (LV) longitudinal strain (LS)... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Mortality in patients with septic cardiomyopathy identified by longitudinal strain by speckle tracking echocardiography: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis with trial sequential analysis.
BACKGROUND
Septic cardiomyopathy is associated with poor outcomes but its definition remains unclear. In a previous meta-analysis, left ventricular (LV) longitudinal strain (LS) showed significant prognostic value in septic patients, but findings were not robust due to a limited number of studies, differences in effect size and no adjustment for confounders.
METHODS
We conducted an updated systematic review (PubMed and Scopus up to 14.02.2023) and meta-analysis to investigate the association between LS and survival in septic patients. We included studies reporting global (from three apical views) or regional LS (one or two apical windows). A secondary analysis evaluated the association between LV ejection fraction (EF) and survival using data from the selected studies.
RESULTS
We included fourteen studies (1678 patients, survival 69.6%) and demonstrated an association between better performance (more negative LS) and survival with a mean difference (MD) of -1.45%[-2.10, -0.80] (p < 0.0001;I = 42%). No subgroup differences were found stratifying studies according to number of views used to calculate LS (p = 0.31;I = 16%), severity of sepsis (p = 0.42;I = 0%), and sepsis criteria (p = 0.59;I = 0%). Trial sequential analysis and sensitivity analyses confirmed the primary findings. Grade of evidence was low. In the included studies, thirteen reported LVEF and we found an association between higher LVEF and survival (MD = 2.44% [0.44,4.45]; p = 0.02;I = 42%).
CONCLUSIONS
We confirmed that more negative LS values are associated with higher survival in septic patients. The clinical relevance of this difference and whether the use of LS may improve understanding of septic cardiomyopathy and prognostication deserve further investigation. The association found between LVEF and survival is of unlikely clinical meaning.
REGISTRATION
PROSPERO number CRD42023432354.
Topics: Humans; Ventricular Function, Left; Echocardiography; Stroke Volume; Cardiomyopathies; Sepsis; Ventricular Dysfunction, Left
PubMed: 38128732
DOI: 10.1016/j.accpm.2023.101339 -
ESC Heart Failure Apr 2024Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2is) reduce morbidity and mortality for heart failure (HF) patients and are recommended as cornerstones for their medical... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2is) reduce morbidity and mortality for heart failure (HF) patients and are recommended as cornerstones for their medical therapy. Utilization in clinical practice remains low for multiple reasons, one of which may be adverse events. We investigated the incidence of these events to see if they are associated with SGLT2i use. A systematic search was performed in databases, including PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Clinicaltrials.gov, and WHO's International Clinical Trials Registry Platform. Relevant randomized controlled trial studies assessing the safety outcomes of SGLT2i in HF patients were included in this study. We conducted the common-effect meta-analysis to estimate the relative risk (RR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) of safety outcomes in SGLT2i compared with placebo. Eighteen studies were included in the meta-analysis composed of 12 925 HF patients taking an SGLT2i and 12 747 taking a placebo. The meta-analysis indicated that the all-cause mortality and serious adverse events (SAEs) were lower in the SGLT2i group (RR, 0.91; 95% CI, 0.85-0.97; P = 0.005, I = 0%; and RR, 0.92; 95% CI, 0.90-0.95; P < 0.001, I = 43%, respectively). Volume depletion and genitourinary infections were more prevalent in the SGLT2i group (RR, 1.17; 95% CI, 1.06-1.28; P = 0.001, I = 0%; and RR, 1.27; 95% CI, 1.13-1.43; P < 0.001, I = 17%, respectively). Our meta-analysis demonstrated that using SGLT2is in HF patients was correlated with reduced mortality and SAEs, with a more prominent effect in HF with reduced ejection fraction patients and those taking dapagliflozin.
Topics: Humans; Sodium-Glucose Transporter 2 Inhibitors; Heart Failure; Glucose; Sodium; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
PubMed: 38124239
DOI: 10.1002/ehf2.14633