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Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine 2023Studies investigating the cardioprotective effect of volatile anesthetics on cardiac troponins in off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB) surgery remain... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Studies investigating the cardioprotective effect of volatile anesthetics on cardiac troponins in off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB) surgery remain controversial. This current study was conducted to systematically evaluate the impact of volatile anesthetics and propofol on patients undergoing OPCAB surgery.
METHODS
A computerized search of electronic databases was conducted up to July 21, 2023, to identify relevant studies using appropriate search terms. The primary outcomes of interest were the levels of myocardial injury biomarkers (e.g., cTnI, cTnT), while secondary outcomes included extubation time, length of ICU stay, 30-day mortality, transfusion and thrombosis, and postoperative recovery, which were compared between two anesthesia techniques.
RESULTS
A search of databases produced 14 relevant studies with a combined total of 703 patients. Among them, 355 were allocated to the volatile anesthetics group and 348 to the propofol group. Our study reveals a statistically significant reduction in myocardial injury biomarkers among patients who received volatile anesthetics compared to those who received propofol ( < .001). Subgroup analysis showed that patients using sevoflurane had lower postoperative cardiac troponins levels compared to propofol ( = .01). However, desflurane and isoflurane currently have no significant advantage over propofol (all > 0.05). There was no significant difference in postoperative mechanical ventilation time, length of ICU stay, and mortality between the two groups (all > 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
This study suggested that volatile anesthetics, specifically sevoflurane, in adult OPCAB surgery provide a better cardioprotective effect than propofol.
SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION
PROSPERO (CRD42023444277).
PubMed: 38034375
DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2023.1271557 -
Seminars in Vascular Surgery Dec 2023Thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) is a rare anatomic condition caused by compression of neurovascular structures as they traverse the thoracic outlet. Depending on the... (Review)
Review
Thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) is a rare anatomic condition caused by compression of neurovascular structures as they traverse the thoracic outlet. Depending on the primary structure affected by this spatial narrowing, patients present with one of three types of TOS-venous TOS, arterial TOS, or neurogenic TOS. Compression of the subclavian vein, subclavian artery, or brachial plexus leads to a constellation of symptoms, including venous thrombosis, with associated discomfort and swelling; upper extremity ischemia; and chronic pain due to brachial plexopathy. Standard textbooks have reported a predominance of females patients in the TOS population, with females comprising 70%. However, there have been few comparative studies of sex differences in presentation, treatment, and outcomes for the various types of TOS.
Topics: Humans; Male; Female; Thoracic Outlet Syndrome; Brachial Plexus; Brachial Plexus Neuropathies; Subclavian Vein; Subclavian Artery
PubMed: 38030322
DOI: 10.1053/j.semvascsurg.2023.09.003 -
BMJ (Clinical Research Ed.) Nov 2023To assess the absolute treatment effects of intravascular imaging guided versus angiography guided percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with coronary artery... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
OBJECTIVE
To assess the absolute treatment effects of intravascular imaging guided versus angiography guided percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with coronary artery disease, considering their baseline risk.
DESIGN
Systematic review and meta-analysis.
DATA SOURCES
PubMed/Medline, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases up to 31 August 2023.
STUDY SELECTION
Randomized controlled trials comparing intravascular imaging (intravascular ultrasonography or optical coherence tomography) guided versus coronary angiography guided percutaneous coronary intervention in adults with coronary artery disease.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES
Random effect meta-analysis and GRADE (grading of recommendations, assessment, development, and evaluation) were used to assess certainty of evidence. Data included rate ratios and absolute risks per 1000 people for cardiac death, myocardial infarction, stent thrombosis, target vessel revascularization, and target lesion revascularization. Absolute risk differences were estimated using SYNTAX risk categories for baseline risks at five years, assuming constant rate ratios across different cardiovascular risk thresholds.
RESULTS
In 20 randomized controlled trials (n=11 698), intravascular imaging guided percutaneous coronary intervention was associated with a reduced risk of cardiac death (rate ratio 0.53, 95% confidence interval 0.39 to 0.72), myocardial infarction (0.81, 0.68 to 0.97), stent thrombosis (0.44, 0.27 to 0.72), target vessel revascularization (0.74, 0.61 to 0.89), and target lesion revascularization (0.71, 0.59 to 0.86) but not all cause death (0.81, 0.64 to 1.02). Using SYNTAX risk categories, high certainty evidence showed that from low risk to high risk, intravascular imaging was likely associated with 23 to 64 fewer cardiac deaths, 15 to 19 fewer myocardial infarctions, 9 to 13 fewer stent thrombosis events, 28 to 38 fewer target vessel revascularization events, and 35 to 48 fewer target lesion revascularization events per 1000 people.
CONCLUSIONS
Compared with coronary angiography guided percutaneous coronary intervention, intravascular imaging guided percutaneous coronary intervention was associated with significantly reduced cardiac death and cardiovascular outcomes in patients with coronary artery disease. The estimated absolute effects of intravascular imaging guided percutaneous coronary intervention showed a proportional relation with baseline risk, driven by the severity and complexity of coronary artery disease.
SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION
PROSPERO CRD42023433568.
Topics: Humans; Coronary Angiography; Coronary Artery Disease; Drug-Eluting Stents; Risk Factors; Myocardial Infarction; Thrombosis; Percutaneous Coronary Intervention; Death; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 37973170
DOI: 10.1136/bmj-2023-077848 -
Vascular Nov 2023To highlight current evidence pertaining to the measurement methods and prevalence of high on-treatment platelet reactivity (HTPR) in patients with PAD, as well as to... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVES
To highlight current evidence pertaining to the measurement methods and prevalence of high on-treatment platelet reactivity (HTPR) in patients with PAD, as well as to evaluate the relationship between HTPR and recurrent adverse cardiovascular and limb events in PAD patients.
METHODS
A systematic review of English-language literature on HTPR in patients with PAD. An electronic literature search of PubMed and Medline was performed in May 2021.
RESULTS
A total of 29 studies with a total number of 11,201 patients with PAD were identified. HTPR during clopidogrel treatment ranges from 9.8 to 77%, and during aspirin treatment ranges from 4.1 to 50% of PAD patients. HTPR was associated with adverse clinical outcomes. The need for limb revascularisation was higher in patients with HTPR during clopidogrel use. Similarly, HTPR during aspirin use in the PAD population was predictive of adverse cardiovascular events (HR 3.73; 95% CI, 1.43-9.81; = .007). A wide range of techniques were applied to measure platelet resistance, without consensus on cut-off values. Furthermore, differing patient populations, a variety of antiplatelet regimens, and differing clinical endpoints highlight the high degree of heterogeneity in the studies included in this review.
CONCLUSION
No consensus on technique or cut-off values for HTPR testing has been reached. Patients with HTPR are potentially at a greater risk of adverse limb-related and cardiovascular events than patients sensitive to antiplatelet therapy illustrating the need for clinical implementation of HTPR testing. Future research must aim for consistent methodology. Adaptation of antiplatelet therapy based on HTPR results requires further exploration.
PubMed: 37950666
DOI: 10.1177/17085381231214324 -
The International Journal of Angiology... Dec 2023Numerous studies have reported cases of acute limb ischemia (ALI) in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), along with a sharp increase of ALI incidence during the... (Review)
Review
Numerous studies have reported cases of acute limb ischemia (ALI) in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), along with a sharp increase of ALI incidence during the COVID-19 pandemic. The objective of this study was to analyze the clinical features, treatment strategies, and outcomes in COVID-19 patients who developed ALI. A systematic search was performed in PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Cochrane to identify relevant articles. Variables of interest included ALI location, ALI and COVID-19 severity, concomitant thrombosis, comorbidities/risk factors, coagulation and inflammatory parameters, therapy, outcome, and cause of death. Data extraction and pooling were conducted by two reviewers. Fifty-six articles with a total of 191 subjects were included in the analysis; 78.5% of the subjects were male; mean age was 64.2 years; 94.2% of cases were ALI de novo; 41.1% of the subjects had ALI stage IIB; 82.7% of ALI occurred in the lower limb. The popliteal artery was the most commonly affected artery (48.2% of subjects); 38.1% of the subjects had severe COVID-19; 11.1% had asymptomatic COVID-19, and 15.9% were post-COVID-19; 50.7% of the subjects had hypertension; 12.0% of the subjects had concomitant thrombosis; 98.1% of the subjects had elevated D-dimer, and 83.3% of the subjects had elevated C-reactive protein; 61.9% of the subjects underwent surgical thromboembolectomy, 21.3% underwent conservative treatment, and 8.1% underwent amputation initially. The overall mortality rate and limb amputation rate were 39.3 and 22.4%, respectively; 67.6% of deaths were due to respiratory failure. Our study supports that COVID-19 is associated with hypercoagulability that may trigger the development of ALI, and that ALI is a possible predictor of poor outcome in COVID-19 patients.
PubMed: 37927841
DOI: 10.1055/s-0043-1771250 -
Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive &... Dec 2023Hepatic artery anastomosis in liver transplantations requires a meticulous technique to minimize the risk of hepatic artery thrombosis (HAT). The microscope helped... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
Hepatic artery anastomosis in liver transplantations requires a meticulous technique to minimize the risk of hepatic artery thrombosis (HAT). The microscope helped improve anastomosis techniques in pediatric patients with small caliber vessels. The aim of this review was to compare microsurgical and non-microsurgical techniques on the incidence of HAT in liver transplantations. The secondary objective was to compare HAT incidence between pediatric and adult cohorts and between plastic and transplant surgeons.
METHODS
A systematic review of the literature using Medline, Embase, and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) was conducted on studies involving HAT in liver transplantations with microsurgery. Three reviewers performed a full article review and data extraction for studies meeting the eligibility criteria of the study.
RESULTS
Forty-five studies were incorporated in the final analysis. A total of 7346 patients and 7506 liver transplants were included. The mean age was 17 years old with an equivalent distribution between pediatric (51%, n = 3218) and adult patients (49%, n = 3145). A total of 6351 of these transplantations underwent microsurgical repair, against 1157 with non-microsurgical techniques. The overall HAT rate was 4.9%, including 4.2% in the microsurgical group (n = 268) and 8.5% in the non-microsurgical group (n = 98), a statistically significant increase of 4.3%. The occurrence of HAT was 2.6% with a plastic surgeon versus 4.6% with other types of surgeons. When using microsurgical techniques, the HAT rate was 4.2% with living donors versus 7.7% with deceased donors.
CONCLUSIONS
HAT and subsequent liver transplant failure are lower when microsurgical techniques, living donors, and plastic surgeons with a microsurgical training are involved in the operation.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Child; Adolescent; Liver Transplantation; Hepatic Artery; Anastomosis, Surgical; Thrombosis; Microsurgery; Living Donors; Retrospective Studies
PubMed: 37925927
DOI: 10.1016/j.bjps.2023.10.056 -
Asian Journal of Andrology Oct 2023To evaluate the relationship between testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) and arterial and/or venous thrombosis in patients with pre-treatment total testosterone (TT)...
To evaluate the relationship between testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) and arterial and/or venous thrombosis in patients with pre-treatment total testosterone (TT) <12 nmol l-1, we performed a meta-analysis following the Population Intervention Comparison Outcome model. Population: men with TT <12 nmol l-1 or clear mention of hypogonadism in the inclusion criteria of patients; intervention: TRT; comparison: placebo or no therapy; outcomes: arterial thrombotic events (stroke, myocardial infarction [MI], upper limbs, and lower limbs), VTE (deep vein thrombosis [DVT], portal vein thrombosis, splenic thrombosis, and pulmonary embolism), and mortality. A total of 2423 abstracts were assessed for eligibility. Twenty-four studies, including 14 randomized controlled trials (RCTs), were finally included, with a total of 4027 and 310 288 hypotestosteronemic male patients, from RCTs and from observational studies, respectively. Based on RCT-derived data, TRT did not influence the risk of arterial thrombosis (odds ratio [OR] = 1.27, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.47-3.43, P = 0.64), stroke (OR = 1.34, 95% CI: 0.09-18.97, P = 0.83), MI (OR = 0.51, 95% CI: 0.11-2.31, P = 0.39), VTE (OR = 1.42, 95% CI: 0.22-9.03, P = 0.71), pulmonary embolism (OR = 1.38, 95% CI: 0.27-7.04, P = 0.70), and mortality (OR = 0.70, 95% CI: 0.20-2.38, P = 0.56). Meanwhile, when only observational studies are considered, a significant reduction in the risk of developing arterial thrombotic events, MI, venous thromboembolism, and mortality was observed. The risk for DVT remains uncertain, due to the paucity of RCT-based data. TRT in men with TT <12 nmol l-1 is safe from the risk of adverse cardiovascular events. Further studies specifically assessing the risk of DVT in men on TRT are needed.
PubMed: 37921515
DOI: 10.4103/aja202352 -
Cureus Nov 2023Hepatic artery thrombosis (HAT) is the most serious vascular complication after liver transplantation (LT). Moreover, in comparison to deceased donor liver... (Review)
Review
A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis: Do We Still Need Microscope Surgery in Hepatic Artery Anastomosis to Decrease the Incidence of Complications in Living Donor Liver Transplantation?
Hepatic artery thrombosis (HAT) is the most serious vascular complication after liver transplantation (LT). Moreover, in comparison to deceased donor liver transplantation (DDLT), hepatic artery (HA) anastomosis is more challenging in living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) with a lot of controversial topics about the use of microscopic surgery. We aimed to compare the use of microscopic and loupe surgery in HA anastomosis in adult and pediatric LDLT to decrease the incidence of vascular complications. We searched PubMed, Scopes, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library for eligible studies from inception to April 2023 and a systematic review and a meta-analysis were done. According to our eligibility criteria, 10 studies with a total of 1939 patients were included. In comparison to microscopic surgery, loupe anastomosis has a similar incidence of HAT (thrombosis, risk ratio (RR) = 0.96, 95% CI = 0.26-3.48, P = 0.95). In addition to that, no significant difference was detected between the two types in terms of stenosis, decreased blood flow and hospital stay (decreased blood flow, RR = 0.68, 95% CI = 0.01-86.65, P = 0.88), (stenosis, RR = 1.81, 95% CI = 0.19-17.21, P = 0.60), (hospital stay, mean deviation (MD) = 1.16, 95% CI = -3.79-6.11, P = 0.65). However, the anastomotic time was longer in the case of microscopic surgery (anastomotic time, MD = 24.09, 95% CI = 7.79-40.39, P = 0.004). With an equal incidence of complications and longer anastomotic time, there is no added benefit of the routine use of microscopic surgery in HA anastomosis in LDLT.
PubMed: 37920422
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.48112 -
Heart (British Cardiac Society) Mar 2024In Fontan circulation, pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH)-targeted therapies could improve the patients' exercise capacity. This study aimed to investigate the... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
OBJECTIVE
In Fontan circulation, pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH)-targeted therapies could improve the patients' exercise capacity. This study aimed to investigate the effects of PAH agents on different exercise parameters in stable Fontan patients by synthesising evidence of randomised controlled trials (RCTs).
METHODS
A systematic search of PubMed, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and Web of Science databases, as well as of ClinicalTrials.gov, was performed. Primary outcomes were specific cardiopulmonary exercise test parameters: peak oxygen uptake (peak VO), peak heart rate (peak HR), the minute ventilation/produced carbon dioxide (VE/VCO) slope and the oxygen uptake, both measured at the anaerobic threshold (VO@AT).
RESULTS
Five RCTs were included in the analysis including 573 Fontan patients (mean age 21.2 years, 60% male). PAH-targeted therapies did not affect peak VO (mean difference (MD) 0.72, 95% CI -0.25 to 1.70) or peak HR (MD -0.67, 95% CI -3.81 to 2.47), but resulted in a small, significant improvement in VO@AT (standardised MD 0.24, 95% CI 0.02 to 0.47). VE/VCO slope at the anaerobic threshold was also reduced (MD -1.13, 95% CI -2.25 to -0.01).
CONCLUSIONS
Although PAH-targeted therapies did not affect exercise parameters at maximal effort, they induced slight improvements in indices of submaximal effort, measured at the anaerobic threshold. Pharmacological improvement of submaximal exercise seems to be a more suitable indicator of Fontan individuals' exercise capacity. Larger RCTs, recruiting specific subpopulations and focusing also on the anaerobic threshold, are warranted to draw more robust conclusions.
PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER
CRD42022306674.
Topics: Male; Humans; Young Adult; Adult; Female; Fontan Procedure; Vasodilator Agents; Lung; Exercise Test; Familial Primary Pulmonary Hypertension; Oxygen; Oxygen Consumption; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
PubMed: 37918902
DOI: 10.1136/heartjnl-2023-323166 -
Lupus Science & Medicine Oct 2023Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is a systemic autoimmune disorder characterised by venous thrombosis (VT) or arterial thrombosis (AT) and/or pregnancy morbidity and the... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Therapy with direct oral anticoagulants for secondary prevention of thromboembolic events in the antiphospholipid syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised trials.
OBJECTIVE
Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is a systemic autoimmune disorder characterised by venous thrombosis (VT) or arterial thrombosis (AT) and/or pregnancy morbidity and the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies. Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) hold several advantages to vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) for prevention of thrombosis and we wish to evaluate DOACs compared with VKAs in secondary prevention of thromboembolic events in patients with APS.
METHODS
We conducted searches of the published literature using relevant data sources (MEDLINE, Embase and Cochrane CENTRAL), and of trial registers for unpublished data and ongoing trials. We included randomised trials examining individuals >18 years with APS classified according to the criteria valid when the trial was carried out. Randomised controlled trials had to examine any DOAC agent compared with any comparable drug. We tabulated all occurrences of events from all eligible randomised trials. Due to few events, ORs and 95% CIs were calculated using the Peto method.
RESULTS
5 randomised trials comprising 624 patients met the predefined eligibility criteria. The primary outcome measure was new thrombotic events, a composite endpoint of any VT or AT, during the VKA-controlled phase of treatment. According to the I inconsistency index, there was evidence of statistical heterogeneity across the studies (I=60%). Across trials, 29 and 10 thrombotic events were observed in 305 and 319 patients with APS treated with DOAC and VKA, respectively, corresponding to a combined Peto OR of 3.01 (95% CI 1.56 to 5.78, p=0.001). There was a significantly increased risk of AT while treated with DOACs compared with VKA (OR 5.5 (2.5, 12.1) p<0.0001), but no difference in the risk of VT (p=0.87). We found no significant difference in risk of bleeding.
CONCLUSIONS
DOACs were associated with a significant increase in the risk of a new thrombotic event, especially AT, favouring standard prophylaxis with warfarin.
PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER
CRD42019126720.
Topics: Humans; Antiphospholipid Syndrome; Secondary Prevention; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic; Anticoagulants; Thrombosis; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
PubMed: 37899090
DOI: 10.1136/lupus-2023-001018