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Taiwanese Journal of Obstetrics &... Oct 2018Pelvic lymphadenectomy procedure is included as part of the standard protocol of radical hysterectomy for women with early-stage cervical cancer (Stage IA to IB1)....
Pelvic lymphadenectomy procedure is included as part of the standard protocol of radical hysterectomy for women with early-stage cervical cancer (Stage IA to IB1). However, an important sequel to lymphadenectomy procedure is the possible occurrence of lymphedema in the lower abdomen and lower extremities. Previous researches also find that women with lymphedema experience many emotional impacts, including depression, anxiety, and adjustment problems. Only approximately 10% of women with clinical stage IB cervical carcinoma were involved with metastatic disease. If we could better define the relevant lymphatic nodes that must be removed, it is then possible to limit routinely performed lymphadenectomy for regional nodal metastasis in the pelvis, and hence reduce the need for extended surgical staging (para-aortic lymphadenectomy). We systematically reviewed a body of literature and updated available information concerning the current progress on the application of sentinel lymph node biopsy in women with early-stage cervical cancer. All detection methods (preoperative injection of radiocolloid tracer, intraoperative injection of blue dye, or a combination of both techniques) demonstrated reasonable sensitivity (with a few exceptions), high specificity, low false-negative rate and high negative predictive value. The review of the literature in this paper should convince the readers that sentinel lymph node biopsy has the potential to improve the quality of life and the possibility to maintain relapse-free survival for women with cervical cancer. The proper identification of negative sentinel lymph node allows individualized therapy and may preclude the need of lymphadenectomy procedure in most of these women.
Topics: Female; Humans; Hysterectomy; Lymph Node Excision; Lymphatic Metastasis; Lymphedema; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; Neoplasm Staging; Quality of Life; Sensitivity and Specificity; Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms
PubMed: 30342641
DOI: 10.1016/j.tjog.2018.08.003 -
Echocardiography (Mount Kisco, N.Y.) Oct 2018Cardiac imaging is the cornerstone of the pretranscatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) assessment. Multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) is considered the... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography is an attractive alternative to cardiac multi-detector computed tomography for aortic annular sizing: Systematic review and meta-analysis.
BACKGROUND
Cardiac imaging is the cornerstone of the pretranscatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) assessment. Multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) is considered the conventional imaging modality. However, there is still no definitive gold standard. Targeted cohort of inoperable high-risk patients with underlying comorbidities, particularly renal impairment, makes apparent the need for MDCT alternative. We aimed to demonstrate the correlation extent between MDCT and three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography (3DTEE) aortic annular area measures and to answer the question: Is 3DTEE a good alternative to MDCT?
METHODS
A systematic literature search and meta-analysis were conducted to evaluate the degree of correlation and agreement between 3DTEE and MDCT aortic annular sizing. A thorough assessment of EMBASE, PubMed, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) was performed. All studies comparing 3DTEE and MDCT in relation to aortic annular sizing were included.
RESULTS
Thirteen studies were included (N = 1228 patients). A strong linear correlation was found between 3DTEE and MDCT measurements of aortic annulus area (r = 0.84, P < 0.001), mean perimeter (r = 0. 0.85, P < 0.001), and mean diameter (r = 0.80, P < 0.001). Bland-Altman plots revealed smaller mean 3DTEE values in comparison to MDCT for aortic annular area, the mean difference being -2.22 mm with 95% limits of agreement -12.79 to 8.36.
CONCLUSION
Aortic annulus measurements obtained by 3DTEE demonstrated a high level of correlation with those evaluated by MDCT. This makes 3DTEE a feasible choice for aortic annulus assessment, with advantage of real time assessment, lack of contrast, and no radiation exposure.
Topics: Aorta; Body Weights and Measures; Echocardiography, Three-Dimensional; Echocardiography, Transesophageal; Humans; Multidetector Computed Tomography; Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement
PubMed: 30296350
DOI: 10.1111/echo.14147 -
Current Hypertension Reports Oct 2018Several interventional studies assessed the impact of dietary supplements on blood pressure. The aim of the present systematic review and meta-analysis was to determine... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
PURPOSE OF REVIEW
Several interventional studies assessed the impact of dietary supplements on blood pressure. The aim of the present systematic review and meta-analysis was to determine the efficacy of L-citrulline supplementation on blood pressure.
RECENT FINDING
Pubmed, Scopus, Google Scholar, and ISI Web of Science were comprehensively searched until May 2018 to assess whether L-citrulline reduces blood pressure. Human clinical trials which reported the effect of L-citrulline supplementation on aortic and brachial blood pressure were included. Characteristics of studies and potential sources of heterogeneity were tabulated. A subgroup analysis was performed to attenuate observed inter-study heterogeneity. A total of five interventions were found for meta-analysis. The impact of L-citrulline on brachial systolic (change 0.28 mmHg; 95% CI - 2.87, 2.31 mmHg) and diastolic (change - 1.56 mmHg; 95% CI - 4.32, 1.20 mmHg) blood pressure was not significant. Also, there was no changes in aortic systolic (change 0.22 mmHg; 95% CI - 4.81, 4.38 mmHg) and diastolic (change 0.26 mmHg; 95% CI - 2.27, 2.80 mmHg) blood pressure after L-citrulline supplementation. Participants' body weight status was a source of observed heterogeneity. The present systematic review and meta-analysis suggests that L-citrulline supplementation had no beneficial effect on blood pressure.
Topics: Blood Pressure; Citrulline; Clinical Trials as Topic; Humans
PubMed: 30284051
DOI: 10.1007/s11906-018-0898-3 -
Annals of Vascular Surgery Nov 2018The detection of intraprosthetic thrombus (IPT) deposits is a common finding during follow-up for endovascular abdominal aneurysm repair (EVAR); however, its clinical... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
The detection of intraprosthetic thrombus (IPT) deposits is a common finding during follow-up for endovascular abdominal aneurysm repair (EVAR); however, its clinical significance is still debated. The aim of this study was to determine if IPT represents a risk factor for thromboembolic events (TEs; endograft or limb thrombosis, or distal embolization) after EVAR.
METHODS
A systematic review of English literature was undertaken until November 2017. Studies providing 2-group comparison (patients with IPT development on postoperative computed tomography angiography versus patients without IPT) with extractable outcome data (TE related to IPT and/or risk factors for IPT development) were included. Meta-analysis was performed when comparative data were given in 2 or more articles.
RESULTS
Five single-center studies (808 patients) were analyzed. IPT detection at any time during follow-up occurred in 20.8% (168/808) of patients. Extractable data for postoperative TE were available in 4 studies (613 patients): on comparative meta-analysis, IPT was not significantly associated with TE occurrence during follow-up (odds ratio 2.25, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.50-10.1; P = 0.29). IPT is generally detected during the first year after EVAR (maximum reported median: 12 months, range: 1.2-23). Polyester graft material (odds ratio 2.34, 95% CI 1.53-3.58; P < 0.001) and aorto-uni-iliac configuration of the endograft (odds ratio 3.27, 95% CI 1.66-6.44; P = 0.001) were confirmed as risk factors for IPT formation on meta-analysis. The literature systematic review suggests that IPT formation may be also associated with long main bodies and large necks.
CONCLUSIONS
IPT detection on postoperative computed tomography angiography was not significantly associated with the occurrence of TE over time. The aorto-uni-iliac configuration and the use of polyester fabric for endografts were confirmed as risk factors for IPT development.
Topics: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal; Aortography; Blood Vessel Prosthesis; Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation; Computed Tomography Angiography; Endovascular Procedures; Female; Graft Occlusion, Vascular; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Polyesters; Prosthesis Design; Risk Factors; Stents; Thrombosis; Time Factors; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 30012445
DOI: 10.1016/j.avsg.2018.04.027 -
The Journal of Thoracic and... Oct 2018Retrograde cerebral perfusion is becoming less frequently used as a method of neuroprotection during aortic surgery. The present meta-analysis aims to compare outcomes... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study Meta-Analysis
OBJECTIVE
Retrograde cerebral perfusion is becoming less frequently used as a method of neuroprotection during aortic surgery. The present meta-analysis aims to compare outcomes after arch surgery with hypothermic circulatory arrest versus hypothermic circulatory arrest + retrograde cerebral perfusion.
METHODS
Electronic searches were performed using 7 databases from their inception to September 2016. Relevant comparative studies that included patient groups who underwent aortic arch surgery using hypothermic circulatory arrest with continuous retrograde cerebral perfusion or hypothermic circulatory arrest alone were identified, and data were extracted by 2 independent researchers. Data were aggregated using a random-effects model per predefined clinical end points.
RESULTS
Twenty-eight comparative studies were identified, with 2705 hypothermic circulatory arrest cases and 2817 hypothermic circulatory arrest + retrograde cerebral perfusion cases. No significant differences were seen between both groups in terms of age, gender, proportion of dissections and aneurysms, and hemiarch/total arch repair. The hypothermic circulatory arrest + retrograde cerebral perfusion group had slightly longer cardiopulmonary bypass time and lower body arrest time. Mortality was significantly increased for the hypothermic circulatory arrest cohort compared with the hypothermic circulatory arrest + retrograde cerebral perfusion cohort (odds ratio, 1.75; 95% confidence interval, 1.16-2.63; P = .007; I = 54%), but not on pooling of adjusted estimates. Stroke was also increased for the hypothermic circulatory arrest cohort (odds ratio, 1.50; 95% confidence interval, 1.07-2.10; P = .02; I = 29%). No difference in temporary neurologic deficit was identified (P = .66). Meta-regression found the treatment effect for mortality and stroke to be less pronounced in more contemporary series.
CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that the addition of retrograde cerebral perfusion during aortic arch surgery may provide better outcomes than using hypothermic circulatory arrest alone, although significant confounders exist. Further robust studies are required to confirm the utility of retrograde cerebral perfusion in arch surgery.
Topics: Aorta, Thoracic; Brain; Cardiovascular Surgical Procedures; Circulatory Arrest, Deep Hypothermia Induced; Humans; Perfusion; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 29789153
DOI: 10.1016/j.jtcvs.2018.04.063 -
The Journal of Cardiovascular Surgery Jun 2020The aim of this article is to investigate the presentation, etiology, management and outcomes of type IIIb endoleak after endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR).
INTRODUCTION
The aim of this article is to investigate the presentation, etiology, management and outcomes of type IIIb endoleak after endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR).
EVIDENCE ACQUISITION
Electronic bibliographic databases were searched to identify published reports of type IIIb endoleak after EVAR, according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) standards.
EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS
In total 33 articles were identified reporting on a total of 50 patients spanning 19 years of EVAR (1998-2017). Some 11 device-types were used. The median time from implantation to intervention was 27 months (0-168). There was a significant aneurysm sac expansion in 69% of reported cases. Thirteen patients (26%) presented with aneurysm rupture. A definitive diagnosis of type IIIb endoleak made on computed tomographic angiography (CTA) in only 20% of cases. Proposed failure modes included suture breakage, graft erosion by stents, iatrogenic, graft infection and presumed manufacturing faults. Endoleak location was in the main body in 81% of reported cases. Almost one third (31%) of patients were treated with open repair. The remaining patients were treated with endovascular techniques or hybrid procedures. Some novel off-label endovascular solutions were proposed to maintain a bifurcated configuration. Thirty-day mortality in patients treated for aneurysm rupture was 50%. The 30-day mortality rate in non- rupture cases was 2% (endovascular 0% treatment, open 2%).
CONCLUSIONS
Type IIIb endoleak is a serious condition associated with a significant risk of rupture. Definitive diagnosis is challenging and has been described in almost all conventional devices. Most patients can be treated successfully by endovascular means, though maintaining a bifurcated configuration may require non-standard techniques or off-label use.
Topics: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal; Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation; Elective Surgical Procedures; Endoleak; Endovascular Procedures; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Reoperation; Risk Factors; Time Factors; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 29616524
DOI: 10.23736/S0021-9509.18.10446-0 -
Current Osteoporosis Reports Feb 2018A systematic literature review was performed to evaluate diabetes mellitus (DM) as a risk factor of abdominal aortic calcification (AAC), and address factors that might...
PURPOSE OF REVIEW
A systematic literature review was performed to evaluate diabetes mellitus (DM) as a risk factor of abdominal aortic calcification (AAC), and address factors that might contribute to the development of AAC in DM patients.
RECENT FINDINGS
DM is an independent risk factor of AAC development. Bone metabolism along with lifestyle factors among DM patients makes them more prone to AAC. Hip and vertebral fractures, high phosphate, smoking, hypertension, and low osteocalcin could make DM patients prone to AAC. Low levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL), high low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high total cholesterol/HDL ratio, low bone mineral density (BMD) may be risk factors, but the literature is more ambiguous. Body mass index (BMI) does not appear to increase risk of AAC. High phosphate levels and low osteocalcin levels seem to be biomarkers of AAC in patients with diabetes. However, the association between DM and AAC is complicated.
Topics: Aorta, Abdominal; Bone and Bones; Diabetes Complications; Diabetes Mellitus; Female; Humans; Male; Osteoporosis; Risk Factors; Vascular Calcification
PubMed: 29380116
DOI: 10.1007/s11914-018-0418-z -
Annals of Cardiothoracic Surgery Nov 2017A major, life-limiting feature of Marfan syndrome (MFS) is the presence of aneurysmal disease. Cardiovascular intervention has dramatically improved the life expectancy... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
A major, life-limiting feature of Marfan syndrome (MFS) is the presence of aneurysmal disease. Cardiovascular intervention has dramatically improved the life expectancy of Marfan patients. Traditionally, the management of aortic root disease has been undertaken with composite-valve graft replacing the aortic valve and proximal aorta; more recently, valve sparing procedures have been developed to avoid the need for anticoagulation. This meta-analysis assesses the important surgical outcomes of the two surgical techniques.
METHODS
A systematic review and meta-analysis of 23 studies reporting the outcomes of aortic root surgery in Marfan patients with data extracted for outcomes of early and late mortality, thromboembolic events, late bleeding complications and surgical reintervention rates.
RESULTS
The outcomes of 2,976 Marfan patients undergoing aortic root surgery were analysed, 1,624 patients were treated with composite valve graft (CVG) and 1,352 patients were treated with valve sparing root replacement (VSRR). When compared against CVG, VSRR was associated with reduced risk of thromboembolism (OR =0.32; 95% CI, 0.16-0.62, P=0.0008), late hemorrhagic complications (OR =0.18; 95% CI, 0.07-0.45; P=0.0003) and endocarditis (OR =0.27; 95% CI, 0.10-0.68; P=0.006). Importantly there was no significant difference in reintervention rates between VSRR and CVG (OR =0.89; 95% CI, 0.35-2.24; P=0.80).
CONCLUSIONS
There is an increasing body of evidence that VSRR can be reliably performed in Marfan patients, resulting in a durable repair with no increased risk of re-operation compared to CVG, thus avoiding the need for systemic anticoagulation in selected patients.
PubMed: 29270369
DOI: 10.21037/acs.2017.11.06 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Nov 2017Marfan syndrome is a hereditary disorder affecting the connective tissue and is caused by a mutation of the fibrillin-1 (FBN1) gene. It affects multiple systems of the... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Marfan syndrome is a hereditary disorder affecting the connective tissue and is caused by a mutation of the fibrillin-1 (FBN1) gene. It affects multiple systems of the body, most notably the cardiovascular, ocular, skeletal, dural and pulmonary systems. Aortic root dilatation is the most frequent cardiovascular manifestation and its complications, including aortic regurgitation, dissection and rupture are the main cause of morbidity and mortality.
OBJECTIVES
To assess the long-term efficacy and safety of beta-blocker therapy as compared to placebo, no treatment or surveillance only in people with Marfan syndrome.
SEARCH METHODS
We searched the following databases on 28 June 2017; CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, Science Citation Index Expanded and the Conference Proceeding Citation Index - Science in the Web of Science Core Collection. We also searched the Online Metabolic and Molecular Bases of Inherited Disease (OMMBID), ClinicalTrials.gov and the World Health Organization (WHO) International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP) on 30 June 2017. We did not impose any restriction on language of publication.
SELECTION CRITERIA
All randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of at least one year in duration assessing the effects of beta-blocker monotherapy compared with placebo, no treatment or surveillance only, in people of all ages with a confirmed diagnosis of Marfan syndrome were eligible for inclusion.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
Two review authors independently screened titles and abstracts for inclusion, extracted data and assessed trial quality. Trial authors were contacted to obtain missing data. Dichotomous outcomes will be reported as relative risk and continuous outcomes as mean differences with 95% confidence intervals. We assessed the quality of evidence using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach.
MAIN RESULTS
One open-label, randomised, single-centre trial including 70 participants with Marfan syndrome (aged 12 to 50 years old) met the inclusion criteria. Participants were randomly assigned to propranolol (N = 32) or no treatment (N = 38) for an average duration of 9.3 years in the control group and 10.7 years in the treatment group. The initial dose of propranolol was 10 mg four times daily and the optimal dose was reached when the heart rate remained below 100 beats per minute during exercise or the systolic time interval increased by 30%. The mean (± standard error (SE)) optimal dose of propranolol was 212 ± 68 mg given in four divided doses daily.Beta-blocker therapy did not reduce the incidence of all-cause mortality (RR 0.24, 95% CI 0.01 to 4.75; participants = 70; low-quality evidence). Mortality attributed to Marfan syndrome was not reported. Non-fatal serious adverse events were also not reported. However, study authors report on pre-defined, non-fatal clinical endpoints, which include aortic dissection, aortic regurgitation, cardiovascular surgery and congestive heart failure. Their analysis showed no difference between the treatment and control groups in these outcomes (RR 0.79, 95% CI 0.37 to 1.69; participants = 70; low-quality evidence).Beta-blocker therapy did not reduce the incidence of aortic dissection (RR 0.59, 95% CI 0.12 to 3.03), aortic regurgitation (RR 1.19, 95% CI 0.18 to 7.96), congestive heart failure (RR 1.19, 95% CI 0.18 to 7.96) or cardiovascular surgery, (RR 0.59, 95% CI 0.12 to 3.03); participants = 70; low-quality evidence.The study reports a reduced rate of aortic dilatation measured by M-mode echocardiography in the treatment group (aortic ratio mean slope: 0.084 (control) vs 0.023 (treatment), P < 0.001). The change in systolic and diastolic blood pressure, total adverse events and withdrawal due to adverse events were not reported in the treatment or control group at study end point.We judged this study to be at high risk of selection (allocation concealment) bias, performance bias, detection bias, attrition bias and selective reporting bias. The overall quality of evidence was low. We do not know whether a statistically significant reduced rate of aortic dilatation translates into clinical benefit in terms of aortic dissection or mortality.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
Based on only one, low-quality RCT comparing long-term propranolol to no treatment in people with Marfan syndrome, we could draw no definitive conclusions for clinical practice. High-quality, randomised trials are needed to evaluate the long-term efficacy of beta-blocker treatment in people with Marfan syndrome. Future trials should report on all clinically relevant end points and adverse events to evaluate benefit versus harm of therapy.
Topics: Adolescent; Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; Adult; Aortic Dissection; Humans; Marfan Syndrome; Middle Aged; Propranolol; Young Adult
PubMed: 29110304
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD011103.pub2 -
Interactive Cardiovascular and Thoracic... Oct 2017Most recent studies have proposed the paradoxical benefits of obesity in surgical populations. For patients who underwent transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI)... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Most recent studies have proposed the paradoxical benefits of obesity in surgical populations. For patients who underwent transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) for aortic stenosis, the prognostic roles of obesity and high body mass index remain controversial. Therefore, the objective of this meta-analysis was to evaluate whether the 'obesity paradox' exists in patients undergoing TAVI. We searched in PubMed and EMBASE to identify the eligible articles. Odds ratios and hazard ratios with the corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI) were adopted for synthesizing short-term and long-term survival outcomes, respectively. The level of heterogeneity and the publication bias between studies were also estimated. Finally, there were 16 studies with 12 330 patients who met the eligibility criteria and who were thus included in this review. When body mass index was analysed as a continuous variable, each increase of 1 kg/m2 was significantly associated with the lower 30-day mortality rate (odds ratio = 0.95; 95% CI = 0.93-0.97; P < 0.001) and better long-term overall survival (hazard ratio = 0.96; 95% CI = 0.94-0.97; P < 0.001) for patients undergoing TAVI. The obese patients had a significantly lower risk of 30-day mortality after TAVI than did normal patients (odds ratio = 0.69; 95% CI = 0.50-0.95; P = 0.024). Further analyses indicated that the obesity could be predictive of more favourable long-term overall survival of TAVI (hazard ratio = 0.84; 95% CI = 0.72-0.97; P = 0.021). However, we found no difference in procedural complications between the obese and normal patients. In conclusion, higher body mass index and obesity seem to have protective benefits on both short-term and long-term survival of TAVI patients. Current evidence suggests that the 'obesity paradox' may really exist in TAVI.
Topics: Aortic Valve Stenosis; Body Mass Index; Female; Humans; Obesity; Prognosis; Risk Factors; Survival Rate; Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement
PubMed: 28962502
DOI: 10.1093/icvts/ivx191