Saturday, January 5, 2013

EMBASE Cardiac Update AutoAlert: EPICORE Cardiac Surgery Blogger2

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<1>
Accession Number
2012736191
Authors
Howell N. Senanayake E. Freemantle N. Pagano D.
Institution
(Howell, Senanayake, Pagano) Department of Cardiac Surgery, University
Hospital Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
(Howell, Senanayake, Pagano) School of Clinical and Experimental Medicine,
University Hospital Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
(Freemantle) Department of Primary Care and Population Health, University
College London, London, United Kingdom
Title
Putting the record straight on aprotinin as safe and effective: Results
from a mixed treatment meta-analysis of trials of aprotinin.
Source
Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery. 145 (1) (pp 234-240),
2013. Date of Publication: January 2013.
Publisher
Mosby Inc. (11830 Westline Industrial Drive, St. Louis MO 63146, United
States)
Abstract
Objective: Meta-analysis of small, randomized, placebo-controlled trials
demonstrated efficacy and safety of aprotinin. After highly publicized
retrospective studies and the early stopping of the Blood Conservation
Using Antifibrinolytics in a Randomized Trial (BART), aprotinin was
withdrawn. We conducted a new meta-analysis (including BART) on safety and
efficacy of aprotinin in cardiac surgery. Methods: We conducted a mixed
treatment comparisons network meta-analysis estimating the effects of
aprotinin and alternative agents in reducing blood loss during surgery. We
implemented a combination of direct and indirect evidence in mixed
treatment comparisons and estimated relative effects for different agents
on all-cause mortality and return to the operating room for bleeding and
conducted a supportive analysis of the effects of different agents with
only directly randomized trials. Results: Mixed treatment analysis of 88
trials randomizing 15,528 patients to 1 of 3 antifibrinolytic agents
demonstrated no difference in mortality between placebo and
antifibrinolytic agents. Analysis of aprotinin versus tranexamic acid and
-aminocaproic acid in 17 and 6 trials, respectively and tranexamic acid
versus -aminocaproic acid in 5 trials demonstrated no difference in
mortality between treatment allocations. All agents were superior to
placebo in reducing reexploration for bleeding, with aprotinin numerically
superior: aprotinin odds ratio, 2.6 (95% confidence interval, 1.9-3.7);
tranexamic acid odds ratio, 1.79 (1.2-2.9), and -aminocaproic acid odds
ratio, 2.4 (1.3-6.6). Conclusions: This mixed treatment comparisons
meta-analysis demonstrates no increased mortality risk with aprotinin
versus other antifibrinolytic agents. All agents were superior to placebo
in reducing reexploration for bleeding after adult cardiac surgery.
Copyright 2013 by The American Association for Thoracic Surgery.

<2>
Accession Number
2012745188
Authors
Rortgen D. Bergrath S. Rossaint R. Beckers S.K. Fischermann H. Na I.-S.
Peters D. Fitzner C. Skorning M.
Institution
(Rortgen, Bergrath, Rossaint, Beckers, Fischermann, Na, Peters, Skorning)
Section Emergency Medical Care, Department of Anaesthesiology, University
Hospital Aachen, RWTH Aachen University, Germany
(Beckers) Department of Intensive Care Medicine and Intermediate Care,
University Hospital Aachen, RWTH Aachen University, Germany
(Fitzner) Department of Medical Statistics, RWTH Aachen University,
Germany
Title
Comparison of physician staffed emergency teams with paramedic teams
assisted by telemedicine - a randomized, controlled simulation study.
Source
Resuscitation. 84 (1) (pp 85-92), 2013. Date of Publication: January 2013.
Publisher
Elsevier Ireland Ltd (P.O. Box 85, Limerick, Ireland)
Abstract
Purpose and background: Emergency medical services (EMSs) vary
considerably. While some are physician staffed, most systems are run by
paramedics. The objective of this randomized, controlled simulation study
was to compare the emergency care between physician staffed EMS teams
(control group) and paramedic teams that were supported telemedically by
an EMS physician (telemedicine group). Methods: Overall 16 teams (1 EMS
physician, 2 paramedics) were randomized to the control group or the
telemedicine group. Telemedical functionalities included two-way audio
communication, transmission of vital data (numerical values and curves)
and video streaming from the scenario room to the remotely located EMS
physician. After a run-in scenario all teams completed four standardized
scenarios, in which no highly invasive procedures (e.g. thoracic drain)
were required, two using high-fidelity simulation (burn trauma,
intoxication) and two using standardized patients (renal colic,
barotrauma). All scenarios were videotaped and analyzed by two
investigators using predefined scoring items. Results: Non case-specific
items (31 vs. 31 scenarios): obtaining of 'symptoms', 'past medical
history' and 'events' were carried out comparably, but in the telemedicine
group 'allergies' (17 vs. 28, OR 7.69, CI 2.1-27.9, p=0.002) and
'medications' (17 vs. 27, OR 5.55, CI 1.7-18.0, p=0.004) were inquired
more frequently. No significant differences were found regarding the
case-specific items and in both groups no potentially dangerous
mistreatments were observed. Conclusion: Telemedically assisted paramedic
care was feasible and at least not inferior compared to standard EMS teams
with a physician on-scene in these scenarios. 2012 Elsevier Ireland Ltd.

<3>
Accession Number
2012742468
Authors
Cardillo G. Carleo F. Carbone L. De Massimi A.R. Lococo A. Santini P.F.
Janni A. Gonfiotti A.
Institution
(Cardillo, Carleo, Carbone, De Massimi) Unit of Thoracic Surgery, Carlo
Forlanini Hospital, Azienda Ospedaliera S. Camillo Forlanini, Rome, Italy
(Lococo) Unit of Thoracic Surgery, Pescara General Hospital, Pescara,
Italy
(Santini, Janni, Gonfiotti) Unit of Thoracic Surgery, Careggi Hospital,
Florence, Italy
Title
Adverse effects of fibrin sealants in thoracic surgery: The safety of a
new fibrin sealant: Multicentre, randomized, controlled, clinical trial.
Source
European Journal of Cardio-thoracic Surgery. 41 (3) (pp 657-662), 2012.
Date of Publication: 2012.
Publisher
Oxford University Press (Great Clarendon Street, Oxford OX2 6DP, United
Kingdom)
Abstract
Objectives: The safety of fibrin sealants (FS) has been questioned in the
light of recent reports of adverse effects. We evaluated the safety of a
new FS in a randomized controlled trial (RCT). Methods: Multicentre,
open-label Phase II/III RCT to evaluate the safety of the new FS. The
trial was approved by the Ethic Committee of each three
participatingCentre. FS includes two components (component 1: fibrinogen;
component 2: thrombin), each of them subjected to two viralinactivation
procedures. Out of 200 screened patients, 185 eligible patients (49
females, 136 males), aged between 18 and 75 years, undergoing major
thoracic surgery were randomized to receive FS (#91 patients) as an
adjuvant for air leak control or no treatment (#94 patients, control
group). Safety variables were: percentage of subjects with adverse
eventsassociated with the therapy; formation of antibodies against bovine
aprotinin; vital signs (blood pressure, body temperature, heart and
respiratory rate); laboratory parameters. Results: Overall operative
mortality was 3.2% (6/185), 1.1% in the FS group and 5.3% in the control
group, respectively. Twenty patients (22%) had adverse events in the FS
group and 22 (23.4%) in the control group. Atrial fibrillation (five
patients in the FS group and four in the control group) and hyperpyrexia
(five and seven patients, respectively, in the two groups) were the most
common adverse events. No patient reported thromboembolic events
(pulmonary embolism or deep vein thrombosis) during the in hospital stay
or within 1 month from discharge. None of the adverse events was
considered as treatment related. The formation of bovine aprotinin
antibodies was reported in a total of 34 patients (37.4%) in the FS group
and was not related to any adverse effect. Conclusions: The present RCT
did not show any increased risk of adverse events, and of surgical
complications, related to the use of the new FS. The Author 2011.
Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Association
for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery. All rights reserved.

<4>
Accession Number
2012742452
Authors
Aydemir N. Harmanda B. Karac A.R. Erdem A. Yurtseven N. Sasmaze A. Yekeler
I.
Institution
(Aydemir, Harmanda, Karac, Sasmaze, Yekeler) Department of Pediatric
Cardiac Surgery, Dr. Siyami Ersek Thoracic and Cardiovascular Training and
Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
(Erdem) Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Dr. Siyami Ersek Thoracic and
Cardiovascular Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
(Yurtseven) Department of Anesthesiology and Reanimation, Dr. Siyami Ersek
Thoracic and Cardiovascular Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul,
Turkey
Title
Randomized comparison between mild and moderate hypothermic
cardiopulmonary bypass for neonatal arterial switch operation.
Source
European Journal of Cardio-thoracic Surgery. 41 (3) (pp 581-586), 2012.
Date of Publication: 2012.
Publisher
Oxford University Press (Great Clarendon Street, Oxford OX2 6DP, United
Kingdom)
Abstract
Objectives: To compare neonates receiving arterial switch operation (ASO)
either with mild or moderate hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass. Methods:
Forty neonates undergoing ASO were randomized to receive either mild
(Mi>32degreeC, n=20) or moderate (Mo>26degreeC, n=20) hypothermic
cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) between April 2007 and June 2010. All
patients were diagnosed with simple transposition of the great arteries.
Mean age (Mi: 8.32 +/-4.5 days, Mo: 7.54 +/-5.0 days, P=0.21) and body
weight were similar in both groups (Mi: 3.64 +/- 0.91 kg, Mo: 3.73 +/-
0.84 kg, P=0.14). Follow-up was 3.1 +/- 2.5 years for all patients.
Results: Lowest perioperative rectal temperature was 33.5+/- 1.4degreeC
(Mi) versus 28.2+/-2.1degreeC (Mo) (P<0.001). All patients safely weaned
from CPB required lower doses of dopamine (Mi: 5.1 +/-2.4 mug/kg min, Mo:
6.5 +/-2.1 mu/kg min, P=0.04), dobutamine (Mi: 7.2 +/- 2.5 mug/kg min, Mo:
8.6+/-2.4mu/kg min, P=0.04) and adrenalin (Mi: 0.02 +/- 0.02 mug/kg min,
Mo: 0.05 +/-0.03 mu/kg min, P=0.03) in mild hypothermia group.
Intraoperative blood transfusion (Mi: 190 +/-58 ml, Mo: 230 +/-24 ml,
P=0.03) and postoperative lactate levels (Mi: 2.7 +/-0.9 mmol/l, Mo: 3.1
+/-2.2 mmol/l, P=0.02) were lower under mild hypothermia. Secondary chest
closure was performed in 30% (Mi) versus 35% (Mo) (P=0.65). Duration of
inotropic support (Mi: 7 (4-11) days, Mo: 11 (7-15) days, P=0.03), time to
extubation (Mi: 108 (88-128) h, Mo: 128 (102-210) h, P=0.04), lengths of
intensive care unit (ICU) stay (Mi: 9 (5-14) days, Mo: 12 (10-18) days,
P=0.04) and hospital stay (Mi: 19 (10-29) days, Mo: 23 (15-37) days,
P=0.04) were significantly shorter under mild hypothermia. Two-year
freedom from reoperation was 100% for both the groups. Conclusions: The
ASO under mild hypothermia seemed to be beneficial for pulmonary recovery,
need for inotropic support and length of ICU and hospital stay. No worse
early-or intermediate-term effects of mild hypothermia were found. The
Author 2011. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the
European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery. All rights reserved.

<5>
Accession Number
2012742387
Authors
Aarsaether E. Straumbotn E. Rosner A. Busund R.
Institution
(Aarsaether, Rosner, Busund) Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular
Surgery, University Hospital of North Norway, Tromso, Norway
(Straumbotn, Rosner, Busund) Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of
Health Sciences, University of Tromso, Tromso, Norway
Title
Oral beta-glucan reduces infarction size and improves regional contractile
function in a porcine ischaemia/reperfusion model.
Source
European Journal of Cardio-thoracic Surgery. 41 (4) (pp 919-925), 2012.
Date of Publication: 2012.
Publisher
Oxford University Press (Great Clarendon Street, Oxford OX2 6DP, United
Kingdom)
Abstract
Objectives: We previously reported a cardioprotective effect of oral
beta-glucan in patients who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting. The
present study was conducted to determine whether oral beta-glucan could
reduce myocardial infarction size and whether these changes would be
reflected by better preservation of contractile indices measured by
speckle tracking echocardiography (STE). Methods: Fourteen pigs were
randomized to receive oral beta-glucan 50 mg/kg (n = 7) or placebo
(control, n = 7) 10 days before they were anaesthetized and subjected to 1
h clamping of the left anterior descending coronary artery followed by
reperfusion for 3 h. Longitudinal strain, circumferential strain and
radial strain were assessed by STE after 3 h of reperfusion. Infarction
size and area at risk were determined by Evans blue and
2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining. Results: Pretreatment with
beta-glucan reduced the infarct area/area at risk ratio by 36% (P < 0.05)
and the total necrotic area of the left ventricle by 37% (P < 0.05)
compared with controls. Viable myocardium at risk was 30% higher in the
beta-glucan vs. control group (P < 0.05). Anterior apical strain values
for beta-glucan vs. control were -4.7 +/- 9.4 vs. 5.9 +/- 6.1% (P < 0.05)
for longitudinal strain, -14.7 +/- 6.6 vs. -7.7 +/- 4.3 (P < 0.05) for
circumferential strain, 15.1 +/- 7.7 vs. 7.1 +/- 11.8 (ns) for radial
strain. Conclusions: Oral beta-glucan pretreatment reduces infarction size
and improves regional contractile function in a porcine
ischaemia/reperfusion model. The Author 2012. Published by Oxford
University Press on behalf of the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic
Surgery. All rights reserved.

<6>
Accession Number
2012742354
Authors
Siregar S. Groenwold R.H.H. de Heer F. Bots M.L. van der Graaf Y. van
Herwerden L.A.
Institution
(Siregar, de Heer, van Herwerden) Department of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery,
Heart and Lungs Division, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht,
Netherlands
(Siregar, Groenwold, Bots, van der Graaf) Julius Center for Health
Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht,
Netherlands
Title
Performance of the original EuroSCORE.
Source
European Journal of Cardio-thoracic Surgery. 41 (4) (pp 746-754), 2012.
Date of Publication: 2012.
Publisher
Oxford University Press (Great Clarendon Street, Oxford OX2 6DP, United
Kingdom)
Abstract
The European system for cardiac operative risk evaluation (EuroSCORE) is a
commonly used risk score for operative mortality following cardiac
surgery. We aimed to conduct a systematic review of the performance of the
additive and logistic EuroSCORE. A literature search resulted in 67
articles. Studies applying the EuroSCORE on patients undergoing cardiac
surgery and which reported early mortality were included. Weighted
meta-regression showed that the EuroSCORE overestimated mortality.
However, this performance depended on the risk profile of patients: in
high-risk patients, the additive model actually underestimated mortality.
Discriminative performance was good. Given the poor predictive
performance, the EuroSCORE may not be suitable as a tool for patient
selection nor for benchmarking. The Author 2012. Published by Oxford
University Press on behalf of the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic
Surgery. All rights reserved.

<7>
Accession Number
2012740074
Authors
Yu J. Mehran R. Dangas G.D. Claessen B.E. Baber U. Xu K. Parise H. Fahy M.
Lansky A.J. Witzenbichler B. Grines C.L. Guagliumi G. Kornowski R. Wohrle
J. Dudek D. Weisz G. Stone G.W.
Institution
(Yu, Mehran, Dangas, Baber, Weisz, Stone) Zena and Michael A. Weiner
Cardiovascular Institute, Mount Sinai Medical Center, Mount Sinai School
of Medicine, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY 10029, United States
(Yu) Prince of Wales Clinical School, Randwick, NSW, Australia
(Mehran, Dangas, Claessen, Xu, Parise, Fahy) Clinical Trials Center,
Cardiovascular Research Foundation, New York, NY, United States
(Lansky) Yale Cardiovascular Research Group, Yale University School of
Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
(Witzenbichler) Detroit Medical Center Heart and Vascular Institute,
Detroit, MI, United States
(Grines) Charite Campus Benjamin Franklin, Berlin, Germany
(Guagliumi) Clinic of Internal Medicine II, University of Ulm, Ulm,
Germany
(Kornowski) Cardiovascular Department, Ospedali Riuniti di Bergamo,
Bergamo, Italy
(Wohrle) Interventional Cardiology, Rabin Medical Center, Petah Tikva,
Israel
(Dudek) Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
(Weisz, Stone) Division of Cardiology, Columbia University Medical Center,
New York, NY, United States
Title
Safety and efficacy of high- versus low-dose aspirin after primary
percutaneous coronary intervention in ST-segment elevation myocardial
infarction: The HORIZONS-AMI (Harmonizing Outcomes with Revascularization
and Stents in Acute Myocardial Infarction) trial.
Source
JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions. 5 (12) (pp 1231-1238), 2012. Date of
Publication: December 2012.
Publisher
Elsevier Inc. (360 Park Avenue South, New York NY 10010, United States)
Abstract
Objectives: This study sought to examine the relationship between the
aspirin dose prescribed at hospital discharge and long-term outcomes after
ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction in patients treated with
primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Background: Patients
with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction who undergo primary PCI
are prescribed maintenance aspirin doses that vary between 75 and 325 mg
daily. Whether the dose of aspirin affects long-term patient outcomes is
unknown. Methods: We compared 3-year outcomes in patients who were
prescribed high-dose (>200 mg daily) versus low-dose (<=200 mg daily)
aspirin from the large-scale HORIZONS-AMI (Harmonizing Outcomes With
Revascularization and Stents in Acute Myocardial Infarction) trial.
Results: Among 2,851 patients, 2,289 patients (80.3%) were discharged on
low-dose aspirin and 562 patients (19.7%) were discharged on high-dose
aspirin. Patients discharged on high-dose rather than low-dose aspirin
were more likely to have a history of hypertension, hyperlipidemia, family
history of premature coronary disease, prior treatment with PCI or
coronary artery bypass surgery, and to be enrolled in the United States.
Patients discharged on high-dose aspirin had higher 3-year rates of major
adverse cardiovascular events, reinfarction, ischemic target vessel
revascularization, major bleeding, and stent thrombosis. After
multivariable analysis, discharge on high-dose aspirin was an independent
predictor of major bleeding (hazard ratio: 2.80; 95% confidence interval:
1.31 to 5.99; p = 0.008), but not of adverse ischemic events. Conclusions:
In patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction undergoing
primary PCI, discharge on high-dose rather than low-dose aspirin may
increase the rate of major bleeding without providing additional ischemic
benefit. 2012 American College of Cardiology Foundation.

<8>
Accession Number
2012740073
Authors
Van Geuns R.-J. Tamburino C. Fajadet J. Vrolix M. Witzenbichler B.
Eeckhout E. Spaulding C. Reczuch K. La Manna A. Spaargaren R.
Garcia-Garcia H.M. Regar E. Capodanno D. Van Langenhove G. Verheye S.
Institution
(Van Geuns, Regar) Thoraxcenter, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam,
Netherlands
(Tamburino, La Manna, Capodanno) Division of Cardiology, Ferrarotto
Hospital, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
(Fajadet) Department of Interventional Cardiology, Clinique Pasteur,
Toulouse, France
(Vrolix) Department of Cardiology, Ziekenhuis Oost-Limburg, Genk, Belgium
(Witzenbichler) Department of Cardiology, Charite Campus Benjamin
Franklin, Berlin, Germany
(Eeckhout) Cardiology Service, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois,
Lausanne, Switzerland
(Spaulding) Hopital Europeen Georges Pompidou, Assistance Publique
Hopitaux de Paris, Paris Descartes University, Paris, France
(Spaulding) Institut National de la Sante et de la Recherche Medicale
Unite 970, Paris, France
(Reczuch) Military Hospital, Wroclaw, Poland
(Reczuch) Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland
(Spaargaren) STENTYS SA, Paris, France
(Garcia-Garcia) Cardialysis, Rotterdam, Netherlands
(Van Langenhove, Verheye) Department of Cardiology, Antwerp Cardiovascular
Center, ZNA Middelheim, Antwerp, Belgium
Title
Self-expanding versus balloon-expandable stents in acute myocardial
infarction: Results from the APPOSITION II Study: Self-expanding stents in
ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction.
Source
JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions. 5 (12) (pp 1209-1219), 2012. Date of
Publication: December 2012.
Publisher
Elsevier Inc. (360 Park Avenue South, New York NY 10010, United States)
Abstract
Objectives: This study sought to investigate whether self-expanding stents
are more effective than balloon-expandable stents for reducing stent
malapposition at 3 days after implantation in patients with ST-segment
elevation myocardial infarction undergoing primary percutaneous coronary
intervention. Background: Acute myocardial infarction is associated with
vasoconstriction and large thrombus burden. Resolution of vasoconstriction
and thrombus load during the first hours to days after primary
percutaneous coronary intervention may lead to stent undersizing and
malapposition, which may subsequently lead to stent thrombosis or
restenosis. In addition, aggressive stent deployment may cause distal
embolization. Methods: Eighty patients with ST-segment elevation
myocardial infarction undergoing primary percutaneous coronary
intervention were randomized to receive a self-expanding stent (STENTYS,
STENTYS SA, Paris, France) (n = 43) or a balloon-expandable stent (VISION,
Abbott Vascular, Santa Clara, California; or Driver, Medtronic,
Minneapolis, Minnesota) (n = 37) at 9 European centers. The primary
endpoint was the proportion of stent strut malapposition at 3 days after
implantation measured by optical coherence tomography. Secondary endpoints
included major adverse cardiac events (cardiac death, recurrent myocardial
infarction, emergent bypass surgery, or clinically driven target lesion
revascularization). Results: At 3 days after implantation, on a per-strut
basis, a lower rate of malapposed stent struts was observed by optical
coherence tomography in the self-expanding stent group than in the
balloon-expandable group (0.58% vs. 5.46%, p < 0.001). On a per-patient
basis, none of the patients in the self-expanding stent group versus 28%
in the balloon-expandable group presented >=5% malapposed struts (p <
0.001). At 6 months, major adverse cardiac events were 2.3% versus 0% in
the self-expanding and balloon-expandable groups, respectively (p = NS).
Conclusions: Strut malapposition at 3 days is significantly lower in
ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction patients allocated to
self-expanding stents when than in those allocated to balloon-expandable
stents. The impact of this difference on clinical outcome and the risk of
late stent thrombosis need to be evaluated further. (Randomized Comparison
Between the STENTYS Self-expanding Coronary Stent and a Balloon-expandable
Stent in Acute Myocardial Infarction [APPOSITION II]; NCT01008085) 2012
American College of Cardiology Foundation.

<9>
Accession Number
2012742546
Authors
Khan R. Jang I.-K.
Institution
(Khan) Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, University of
Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
(Jang) Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Massachusetts
General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
Title
Evaluation of coronary allograft vasculopathy using multi-detector row
computed tomography: A systematic review.
Source
European Journal of Cardio-thoracic Surgery. 41 (2) (pp 415-422), 2012.
Date of Publication: 2012.
Publisher
Oxford University Press (Great Clarendon Street, Oxford OX2 6DP, United
Kingdom)
Abstract
Coronary allograft vasculopathy (CAV) is a significant cause of morbidity
and mortality aftercardiac transplantation and requires frequent
surveillance with catheter-based coronary angiography (CCA).
Multi-detector row computed tomography (MDCT) has been shown to be
effective in assessingatherosclerosis in native coronary arteries. This
article systematically reviews the literature todetermine the accuracy of
MDCT in CAV assessment. An English-language literature search was
performed using EMBASE, OVID, PubMed, and Cochrane Library databases.
Studies that directly compared MDCT with CCA and/or IVUS for the detection
of coronary artery stenosis or significant intimal thickening in cardiac
transplant patients were analyzed. Data were pooled to obtain weighted
sensitivities, specificities, and diagnostic accuracies. Negative and
positive predictive values (NPV/PPV)were calculated. A total of seven
studies with a sum of 272 patients were included in this review. There
were three studies examining 16-slice MDCTand four studies looking at
64-slice MDCT in CAV.Using per-segment analysis, MDCTassessed between 91%
and 96% of all coronary segments when evaluatingfor stenosis. Pooled
estimates for sensitivity and specificity for MDCT ranged from 82% to 89%
an 89% to 99%, respectively, while NPV was 99%. Per-patient analysis
revealed a sensitivity of 87-100% and NPV of 96-100%. PPV was less than
50% for 64-slice MDCT in both per-segment and per-patient analysis. When
compared with IVUS, MDCT had a sensitivity of 74-96% and specificity of
88-92%in assessment of intimal thickening. NPV and PPV were 80-81% and
84-98%, respectively. The high sensitivity and NPV of MDCTsuggest that it
may be a useful, noninvasive screening tool to rule out CAV. The Author
2011. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European
Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery. All rights reserved.

<10>
Accession Number
2012742591
Authors
Biancari F. Mikkola R. Heikkinen J. Lahtinen J. Airaksinen K.E.J. Juvonen
T.
Institution
(Biancari, Mikkola, Heikkinen, Lahtinen, Juvonen) Department of Surgery,
Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland
(Airaksinen) Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine,
Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland
Title
Estimating the risk of complications related to re- exploration for
bleeding after adult cardiac surgery: A systematic review and
meta-analysis.
Source
European Journal of Cardio-thoracic Surgery. 41 (1) (pp 50-55), 2012. Date
of Publication: 2012.
Publisher
Oxford University Press (Great Clarendon Street, Oxford OX2 6DP, United
Kingdom)
Abstract
Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of
re-exploration for bleeding after cardiac surgery on the immediate
postoperative outcome. Methods: Systematic review of the literature and
meta-analysis of data on re-exploration for bleeding after adult cardiac
surgery were performed. Results: The literature search yielded eight
observational studies reporting on 557 923 patients and were included in
the present analysis. Patients requiring re-exploration were significantly
older, more frequently males, had a higher prevalence of peripheral
vascular disease and preoperative exposure to aspirin, and more frequently
underwent urgent/emergency surgery. Re-exploration was associated with
significantly increased risk ratio (RR) of immediate postoperative
mortality (RR 3.27, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.44-4.37), stroke, need
of intra-aortic balloon pump, acute renal failure, sternal wound
infection, and prolonged mechanical ventilation. The pooled analysis of
four studies (two being propensity score-matched pairs analysis) reporting
adjusted risk for mortality led to an RR of 2.56 (95%CI 1.46-4.50).
Studies published during the last decade tended to report a higher risk of
re-exploration-related mortality (RR 4.30, 95%CI 3.09-5.97) than those
published in the 1990s (RR 2.75, 95%CI 2.06-3.66). Conclusions: This study
suggests that re-exploration for bleeding after cardiac surgery carries a
significantly increased risk of postoperative mortality and morbidity.
The Author 2011. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the
European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery. All rights reserved.

<11>
Accession Number
2012742582
Authors
Esmea H. Apiliogullari B. Duran F.M. Yoldas B. Bekci T.T
Institution
(Esmea, Apiliogullari, Duran, Yoldas) Departments of Thoracic Surgery,
Konya Education and Research Hospital, Konya, Turkey
(Bekci) Departments of Pulmonary Diseases, Konya Education and Research
Hospital, Konya, Turkey
Title
Comparison between intermittent intravenous analgesia and intermittent
paravertebral subpleural analgesia for pain relief after thoracotomy.
Source
European Journal of Cardio-thoracic Surgery. 41 (1) (pp 10-13), 2012. Date
of Publication: 2012.
Publisher
Oxford University Press (Great Clarendon Street, Oxford OX2 6DP, United
Kingdom)
Abstract
Objective: In the present prospective double-blind randomized trial, the
effects of intermittent paravertebral subpleural bupivacaine and morphine
on pain management in patients undergoing thoracotomy were evaluated and
compared with intermittent systemic analgesia. Methods: Forty-five
patients undergoing elective lobectomy were included in the present study.
Three randomized groups consisting of 15 patients each were compared.
Those in the control group were administered intravenously with tramadol
100 mg plus metamizol 1000 mg every 4 h for 3 days. We placed the catheter
just below the parietal pleura along the paravertebral sulcus at the level
of T5-T7. At the end of the operation and every 4 h thereafter, the
patients received either 1.5 mg kg<sup>-1</sup> bupivacaine (bupivacaine
group) or 0.2 mg kg<sup>-1</sup> morphine sulfate (morphine group) with
paravertebral subpleural catheter for 3 days. Data regarding demographics,
visual analog pain scores, need for supplementary intravenous analgesia,
pulmonary function tests, and postoperative pulmonary complications were
recorded for each patient. Results: Visual analog pain scores (visual
analog scale (VAS)) were lower in the morphine and bupivacaine groups
compared with control group at all postoperative time points. The mean
postoperative VAS was significantly different between the control and
bupivacaine groups at postoperative hour 12, the control and morphine
groups at postoperative hours 6, 12, 48, and 72, and the bupivacaine and
morphine groups at postoperative hours 6 and 24 (p < 0.05). In the control
group, additional analgesic requirement was significantly higher than in
the bupivacaine and morphine groups (p < 0.05). Postoperative pulmonary
complications occurred in three patients (20%) in the control group, in
two patients (13%) in the bupivacaine group, and in one (6%) in the
morphine group. Conclusions: The patients undergoing lung resection
through a thoracotomy were observed with reduced postoperative pain and
better surgical outcomes with respect to the length of hospital stay,
postoperative forced expiratory volume in the first second, pulmonary
complications, and need for bronchoscopic management, when paravertebral
subpleural analgesia was induced by morphine. The Author 2011. Published
by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Association for
Cardio-Thoracic Surgery. All rights reserved.

<12>
Accession Number
2012731384
Authors
Al-Lawati J.A. Al-Zakwani I. Sulaiman K. Al-Habib K. Al Suwaidi J.
Panduranga P. Alsheikh-Ali A.A. Almahmeed W. Al Faleh H. Al Saif S. Hersi
A. Asaad N. Al-Motarreb A. Mikhailidis D.P. Amin H.
Institution
(Al-Lawati) Department of Non-Communicable Diseases Surveillance and
Control, Ministry of Health, Muscat, Oman
(Al-Zakwani) Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy, College of
Medicine and Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, P.O. Box 35,
Al-Khodh, PC-123, Muscat, Oman
(Al-Zakwani) Gulf Health Research, Muscat, Oman
(Sulaiman, Panduranga) Department of Cardiology, Royal Hospital, Muscat,
Oman
(Al-Habib, Al Faleh, Hersi) King Fahad Cardiac Centre, King Khalid
University Hospital, College of Medicine, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
(Al Suwaidi, Asaad) Department of Cardiology, Hamad Medical Corporation
(HMC), Doha, Qatar
(Alsheikh-Ali, Almahmeed) Department of Cardiology, Sheikh Khalifa Medical
City, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
(Alsheikh-Ali) Tufts Clinical and Translational Science Institute, Tufts
University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States
(Al Saif) Saud Al Babtain Cardiac Center, Dammam, Saudi Arabia
(Asaad) Weill Cornell Medical School, Doha, Qatar
(Al-Motarreb) Faculty of Medicine, Sana'a University, Sana'a, Yemen
(Mikhailidis) Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Royal Free Hospital,
University College London Medical School, University College London,
London, United Kingdom
(Amin) Mohammed Bin Khalifa Cardiac Centre, Bahrain
Title
Weekend versus weekday, morning versus evening admission in relationship
to mortality in acute coronary syndrome patients in 6 middle Eastern
Countries: Results from Gulf Race 2 registry.
Source
Open Cardiovascular Medicine Journal. 6 (1) (pp 106-112), 2012. Date of
Publication: 2012.
Publisher
Bentham Science Publishers B.V. (P.O. Box 294, Bussum 1400 AG,
Netherlands)
Abstract
We used prospective cohort data of patients with acute coronary syndrome
(ACS) to compare their manage-ment on weekdays/mornings with
weekends/nights, and the possible impact of this on 1-month and 1-year
mortality. Analyses were evaluated using univariate and multivariate
statistics. Of the 4,616 patients admitted to hospitals with ACS, 76% were
on weekdays. There were no significant differences in 1-month (odds ratio
(OR), 0.88; 95% CI: 0.68-1.14) and 1-year mortality (OR, 0.88; 95% CI:
0.70-1.10), respectively, between weekday and weekend admissions.
Similarly, there were no significant differences in 1-month (OR, 0.92; 95%
CI: 0.73-1.15) and 1-year mortality (OR, 0.98; 95% CI: 0.80-1.20),
respectively, between nights and day admissions. In conclusion, apart from
lower utilization of angiography (P <.001) at weekends, there were largely
no significant discrepancies in the management and care of patients
admitted with ACS on weekdays and during morning hours compared with
patients admitted on weekends and night hours, and the overall 30-day and
1-year mortality was similar between both the cohorts. Al-Lawati et al.

<13>
Accession Number
2012738396
Authors
Chevalier B. Moulichon R. Teiger E. Brunel P. Metzger J.-P. Pansieri M.
Carrie D. Stoll H.-P. Wittebols K. Spaulding C. Fajadet J.
Institution
(Chevalier) Institut Cardiovasculaire Paris-Sud, 6 Avenue Noyer Lambert,
91300 Massy, France
(Moulichon) Clinique Saint Pierre, Perpignan, France
(Teiger) Centre Hospitalier Henri Mondor, Assistance Publique Hopitaux de
Paris, Creteil, France
(Brunel) Nouvelles Cliniques Nantaises-Site Saint-Henri, Nantes, France
(Metzger) Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Pitie-Salpetriere, Assistance
Publique Hopitaux de Paris, Paris, France
(Pansieri) Centre Hospitalier Henri Duffaut, Avignon, France
(Carrie) Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Rangeuil, Toulouse, France
(Stoll, Wittebols) Cordis Corporation (Johnson and Johnson), Waterloo,
Belgium
(Spaulding) Hopital Europeen Georges Pompidou, Assistance Publique
Hopitaux de Paris, Paris Descartes University, Paris, France
(Fajadet) Unite de Cardiologie Interventionnelle, Clinique Pasteur,
Toulouse, France
Title
One-year results of the CRISTAL trial, a randomized comparison of cypher
sirolimus-eluting coronary stents versus balloon angioplasty for
restenosis of drug-eluting stents.
Source
Journal of Interventional Cardiology. 25 (6) (pp 586-595), 2012. Date of
Publication: December 2012.
Publisher
Blackwell Publishing Inc. (350 Main Street, Malden MA 02148, United
States)
Abstract
Objectives: We compared the efficacy of the Cypher Select (Cordis
Corporation, Bridgewater, NJ, USA) sirolimus-eluting stent (SES) versus
balloon angioplasty (BA) in in-stent restenosis (ISR) of Taxus or Taxus
Liberte paclitaxel-eluting stents (PES; Boston Scientific, Natick, MA,
USA) or Cypher/Cypher Select SES. Background: Optimal treatment strategies
have not been identified for drug-eluting stent (DES) ISR. Methods:
Patients with a native coronary artery SES or PES ISR were randomized to
SES or BA. In addition, a control group included BMS ISR treated with SES.
Angiographic control was performed at 12 months. Results: 281 patients
were enrolled. Significant differences favoring SES over BA were noted in
immediate and net gain (1.39 +/- 0.51 vs. 0.97 +/- 0.54 mm, P < 0.0001 and
1.07 +/- 0.69 vs. 0.49 +/- 0.67 mm, P < 0.0001), 12-month mean luminal
diameter (MLD; 2.14 +/- 0.62 vs. 1.71 +/- 0.55 mm, P < 0.0001) and percent
diameter stenosis (%DS; 21 +/- 19.24 vs. 29.82 +/- 18.47, P = 0.001).
There was no significant difference at 12 months between SES and BA in the
primary end-point late lumen loss (LLL; 0.37 +/- 0.57 vs.0.41 +/- 0.63, P
= 0.73) and in in-stent binary restenosis (11.1% vs. 14%, P = 0.59).
Target-lesion revascularization (TLR) was numerically lower in patients
treated with SES (5.9% vs. 13.1%, P = 0.097). There was no difference
according to the initial DES. In contrast, significantly higher immediate
and net gains and MLD were noted in the BMS control group treated by SES.
Conclusions: In this angiographic randomized trial comparing SES and BA in
SES or PES restenosis, 12 month MLD, immediate and net gain, and %DS
favored SES whereas no difference was noted in LLL. Condensed Abstract
Optimal treatment strategies have not been identified for sirolimus- (SES)
or paclitaxel-eluting stent (PES) in-stent restenosis (ISR). We randomized
patients with a native coronary artery SES or PES ISR to SES or BA. In
addition, a control group included BMS ISR treated with SES. There was no
difference in the primary end-point, late lumen loss (LLL) at 12 months
between the SES and BA groups. However, follow-up MLD and immediate and
net gain favored SES. 2012, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

<14>
Accession Number
2012735591
Authors
Shim J.-K. Yang S.-Y. Yoo Y.-C. Yoo K.-J. Kwak Y.-L.
Institution
(Shim, Yoo, Kwak) Department of Anaesthesiology and Pain Medicine,
Anaesthesia and Pain Research Institute, Yonsei University Health System,
250 Seongsanno, Seodaemun-Gu, Seoul 120-752, South Korea
(Yoo) Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Yonsei University Health
System, 250 Seongsanno, Seodaemun-Gu, Seoul 120-752, South Korea
(Yang) Department of Anaesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Chung-Ang
University, College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
(Kwak) Severance Biomedical Science Institute, Yonsei University, College
of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
Title
Myocardial protection by glucose-insulin-potassium in acute coronary
syndrome patients undergoing urgent multivessel off-pump coronary artery
bypass surgery.
Source
British Journal of Anaesthesia. 110 (1) (pp 47-53), 2013. Date of
Publication: January 2013.
Publisher
Oxford University Press (Great Clarendon Street, Oxford OX2 6DP, United
Kingdom)
Abstract
BackgroundThe aim of this randomized and controlled trial was to
investigate the effect of a glucose-insulin-potassium (GIK) solution on
myocardial protection in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients undergoing
urgent multivessel off-pump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB)
surgery.MethodsSixty- six patients were randomly allocated either to
receive 0.3 ml kg<sup>-1</sup> h<sup>-2</sup> GIK solution (potassium 80
mEq and regular insulin 325 IU in 500 ml of 50% glucose) or equivalent
volume of normal saline (control) upon anaesthetic induction until 6 h
after reperfusion. The primary endpoints were to compare the
concentrations of creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB) and troponin-T between the
groups after reperfusion. The secondary endpoints were to compare the
incidences of postoperative troponin-T >0.8 ng ml<sup>-1</sup> and
myocardial infarction (MI) between the groups.ResultsHighest CK-MB [8.7
(4.4) vs 13.1 (7.9) ng ml<sup>-1</sup>, P=0.006] and troponin-T [0.20
(0.13-0.49) vs 0.48 (0.18-0.91) ng ml<sup>-1</sup>, P<0.0001] values after
reperfusion were significantly lower in the GIK group compared with the
control group. The area under the curve of serially measured troponin-T
was also significantly smaller in the GIK group compared with the control
group [0.83 (0.43-1.81) vs 0.46 (0.31-1.00), P=0.036]. Significantly fewer
patients in the GIK group showed troponin-T >0.8 ng ml<sup>-1</sup> after
reperfusion compared with the control group (3 vs 11, P=0.033). The
incidence of postoperative MI was similar between the
groups.ConclusionsGIK administration in ACS patients undergoing urgent
multivessel OPCAB significantly attenuated the degree of ensuing
myocardial injury without complications related to glycaemic
control.Clinical Trial Registry. URL:
http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01384656?term= GIK+AND+OPCAB&rank=1.
Unique identification number NCT01384656. The Author [2012]. Published by
Oxford University Press on behalf of the British Journal of Anaesthesia.
All rights reserved.

<15>
Accession Number
2012723965
Authors
Stoppe C. Spillner J. Rossaint R. Coburn M. Schalte G. Wildenhues A. Marx
G. Rex S.
Institution
(Stoppe, Rossaint, Coburn, Schalte, Wildenhues, Rex) Department of
Anesthesiology, University Hospital, RWTH Aachen, Germany
(Stoppe) Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Cell Biology, University
Hospital of the RWTH Aachen, Germany
(Spillner) Department of Thoracic, Cardiac and Vascular Surgery,
University Hospital, RWTH Aachen, Germany
(Marx) Department of Intensive Care, University Hospital, RWTH Aachen,
Germany
(Rex) Department of Anesthesiology, University Hospitals Gasthuisberg, KU
Leuven, Belgium
Title
Selenium blood concentrations in patients undergoing elective cardiac
surgery and receiving perioperative sodium selenite.
Source
Nutrition. 29 (1) (pp 158-165), 2013. Date of Publication: January 2013.
Publisher
Elsevier Inc. (360 Park Avenue South, New York NY 10010, United States)
Abstract
Objectives: We recently reported that cardiac surgical patients in our
institution exhibited low selenium blood levels preoperatively, which were
further aggravated during surgery and independently associated with the
development of postoperative multiorgan failure. Low circulating selenium
levels result in a decreased antioxidant capacity. Both can be treated
effectively by sodium-selenite administration. Little is known about the
kinetics of exogenously administered sodium-selenite during acute
perioperative oxidative stress. The aim of this study was to assess the
effects of perioperative high-dose sodium-selenite administration on
selenium blood concentrations in cardiac surgical patients. Methods: One
hundred four cardiac surgical patients were enrolled in this prospective
observational trial. Patients received an intravenous bolus of 2000 mug
selenium after an induction of anesthesia and 1000 mug selenium every day
further during their intensive care unit (ICU) stay. Selenium blood levels
were measured at regular intervals. Results: Preoperative sodium-selenite
administration increased selenium blood concentrations to normal values on
ICU admission, but failed to prevent a significant decrease of circulating
selenium on the first postoperative day. During the further ICU stay,
selenium blood levels were normalized by the administration strategy and
did not exceed the German reference range. No acute selenium-specific side
effects occurred. When matching the participating patients to a historical
control group without sodium-selenite administration, the chosen strategy
was associated with a decrease in SAPS II (23 +/- 7 versus 29 +/- 8, P =
0.005) and SOFA scores (4 +/- 3 versus 7 +/- 2, P = 0.007) on the first
postoperative day, but was unable to improve the postoperative outcome in
patients staying >1 d in ICU. Conclusions: Despite preemptive high-dose
sodium-selenite administration, cardiac surgical patients experienced a
significant decrease in circulating selenium levels on the first
postoperative day. 2013 Elsevier Inc.

<16>
Accession Number
2012728040
Authors
Gorantla R. Murthy J.S.N. Muralidharan T.R. Mandava R. Dev B. Chandaga H.
Rajeswaran R. Roy Santosham J.D. Joseph S.
Institution
(Gorantla, Dev, Rajeswaran, Roy Santosham, Joseph) Department of
Radiology, Sri Ramachandra Medical College, Chennai - 600116, India
(Murthy, Mandava) Sri Ramachandra Medical College, Chennai - 600116, India
(Muralidharan) Department of Cardiology, Sri Ramachandra Medical College,
Chennai - 600116, India
(Chandaga) Columbia Asia Hospital, Bengaluru, India
Title
Diagnostic accuracy of 64-slice multidetector computed tomography in
evaluation of post-coronary artery bypass grafts in correlation with
invasive coronary angiography.
Source
Indian Heart Journal. 64 (3) (pp 254-260), 2012. Date of Publication: May
2012.
Publisher
Elsevier (P.O. Box 211, Amsterdam 1000 AE, Netherlands)
Abstract
64-slice multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) allows more reliable and
non-invasive evaluation of the coronary artery bypass grafts for occlusion
or stenosis both in symptomatic and asymptomatic patients and also
progression of disease in native coronary vessels. 2012, Cardiological
Society of India. All rights reserved.

<17>
Accession Number
2012735648
Authors
Farooq V. Serruys P.W. Bourantas C. Vranckx P. Diletti R. Garcia Garcia
H.M. Holmes D.R. Kappetein A.-P. MacK M. Feldman T. Morice M.C. Colombo A.
Morel M.-A. De Vries T. Van Es G.A. Steyerberg E.W. Dawkins K.D. Mohr F.W.
James S. Stahle E.
Institution
(Farooq, Serruys, Bourantas, Vranckx, Diletti, Garcia Garcia) Department
of Interventional Cardiology, Erasmus University Medical Centre,
Thoraxcenter, s-Gravendijkwal 230, 3015 CE, Rotterdam, Netherlands
(Holmes) Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States
(Kappetein) Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Erasmus University
Medical Centre, Thoraxcenter, Rotterdam, Netherlands
(MacK) Medical City Dallas Hospital, Dallas, TX, United States
(Feldman) Evanston Hospital, Evanston, IL, United States
(Morice) Institut Jacques Cartier, Massy, France
(Colombo) San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milano, Italy
(Morel, De Vries, Van Es) Cardialysis BV, Rotterdam, Netherlands
(Steyerberg) Department of Public Health, Erasmus University Medical
Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands
(Dawkins) Boston Scientific Corporation, Natick, MA, United States
(Mohr) Herzzentrum, Leipzig, Germany
(James, Stahle) University Hospital Uppsala, Uppsala, Sweden
Title
Incidence and multivariable correlates of long-term mortality in patients
treated with surgical or percutaneous revascularization in the Synergy
between Percutaneous Coronary Intervention with Taxus and Cardiac Surgery
(SYNTAX) trial.
Source
European Heart Journal. 33 (24) (pp 3105-3113), 2012. Date of Publication:
December 2012.
Publisher
Oxford University Press (Great Clarendon Street, Oxford OX2 6DP, United
Kingdom)
Abstract
Aims The aim of this investigation was to determine the incidence and
multivariable correlates of long-term (4-year) mortality in patients
treated with surgical or percutaneous revascularization in the synergy
between percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with TAXUS Express and
Cardiac Surgery (SYNTAX) trial.Methods and resultsA total of 1800 patients
were randomized to undergo coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery (n
= 897) or PCI (n = 903). Prospectively collected baseline and peri-and
post-procedural data were used to determine independent correlates of
4-year all-cause death in the CABG and the PCI arms (Cox proportional
hazards model). Four-year mortality rates in the CABG and the PCI arms
were 9.0% [74 deaths (12 in-hospital)] and 11.8% [104 deaths (16
in-hospital)], respectively (log-rank P-value = 0.063). Censored data
comprised 78 patients (8.7%) in the CABG arm, and 24 patients (2.7%) in
the PCI arm (log-rank P-value < 0.001). Within the CABG arm, the strongest
independent correlates of 4-year mortality were lack of discharge aspirin
[hazard ratio (HR) 3.56; 95% CI: 2.04, 6.21; P < 0.001], peripheral
vascular disease (PVD) (HR: 2.65; 95% CI: 1.49, 4.72; P = 0.001), chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease, age, and serum creatinine. Within the PCI
arm, the strongest independent correlate of 4-year mortality was lack of
post-procedural anti-platelet therapy (HR: 152.16; 95% CI: 53.57, 432.22;
P < 0.001), with 10 reported early (within 45 days) in-hospital deaths
secondary to multifactorial causes precluding administration of
anti-platelet therapy. Other independent correlates of mortality in the
PCI arm included amiodarone therapy on discharge, pre-procedural poor left
ventricular ejection fraction, a 'history of gastrointestinal bleeding or
peptic ulcer disease', PVD (HR: 2.13; 95% CI: 1.26, 3.60; P = 0.005), age,
female gender (HR: 1.60; 95% CI: 1.01, 2.56; P = 0.048), and the SYNTAX
score (Per increase in 10 points: HR: 1.25; 95% CI: 1.06, 1.47; P =
0.007).ConclusionIndependent correlates of 4-year mortality in the SYNTAX
trial were multifactorial. Lack of discharge aspirin and lack of
post-procedural anti-platelet therapy were the strongest independent
correlates of mortality in the CABG and the PCI arms, respectively.
Peripheral vascular disease is a common independent correlate of 4-year
mortality and may be a marker of the severity of baseline coronary disease
and risk of future native coronary disease (and extra-cardiac disease)
progression. 2012 The Author.

<18>
Accession Number
2012735644
Authors
Min J.K. Berman D.S. Dunning A. Achenbach S. Al-Mallah M. Budoff M.J.
Cademartiri F. Callister T.Q. Chang H.-J. Cheng V. Chinnaiyan K. Chow
B.J.W. Cury R. Delago A. Feuchtner G. Hadamitzky M. Hausleiter J. Kaufmann
P. Karlsberg R.P. Kim Y.-J. Leipsic J. Lin F.Y. Maffei E. Plank F. Raff G.
Villines T. Labounty T.M. Shaw L.J.
Institution
(Min, Berman, Cheng, Labounty) Department of Medicine Imaging, and
Biomedical Sciences, Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical
Center, 8700 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90048, United States
(Min, Berman, Cheng, Labounty) Department of Imaging, Cedars-Sinai Medical
Center, Los Angeles, CA, United States
(Dunning) Department of Public Health, Weill Cornell Medical College, New
York Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY, United States
(Achenbach) Department of Medicine, University of Erlangen, Erlangen,
Germany
(Al-Mallah) Department of Medicine, Wayne State University, Henry Ford
Hospital, Detroit, MI, United States
(Budoff) Department of Medicine, Harbor UCLA Medical Center, Los Angeles,
CA, United States
(Cademartiri, Maffei) Department of Radiology, Giovanni XXIII Hospital,
Monastier, Treviso, Italy
(Cademartiri, Maffei) Department of Radiology, Erasmus Medical Center,
Rotterdam, Netherlands
(Callister) Tennessee Heart and Vascular Institute, Hendersonville, TN,
United States
(Chang) Division of Cardiology, Severance Cardiovascular Hospital, Seoul,
South Korea
(Chinnaiyan, Raff) William Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oaks, MI, United
States
(Chow) Department of Medicine and Radiology, University of Ottawa, ON,
Canada
(Cury) Baptist Cardiac and Vascular Institute, Miami, FL, United States
(Delago) Capitol Cardiology Associates, Albany, NY, United States
(Feuchtner, Plank) Department of Radiology, Medical University of
Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
(Hadamitzky, Hausleiter) Division of Cardiology, Deutsches Herzzentrum
Munchen, Munich, Germany
(Kaufmann) University Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland
(Karlsberg) Cardiovascular Medical Group, Los Angeles, CA, United States
(Kim) Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, South Korea
(Leipsic) Department of Radiology, University of British Columbia,
Vancouver, BC, Canada
(Lin) Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York
Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY, United States
(Villines) Department of Medicine, Walter Reed Medical Center, Washington,
DC, United States
(Shaw) Department of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine,
Atlanta, GA, United States
Title
All-cause mortality benefit of coronary revascularization vs. medical
therapy in patients without known coronary artery disease undergoing
coronary computed tomographic angiography: Results from CONFIRM (COronary
CT Angiography EvaluatioN for Clinical Outcomes: An InteRnational
Multicenter Registry).
Source
European Heart Journal. 33 (24) (pp 3088-3097), 2012. Date of Publication:
December 2012.
Publisher
Oxford University Press (Great Clarendon Street, Oxford OX2 6DP, United
Kingdom)
Abstract
Aims To date, the therapeutic benefit of revascularization vs. medical
therapy for stable individuals undergoing invasive coronary angiography
(ICA) based upon coronary computed tomographic angiography (CCTA) findings
has not been examined.Methods and resultsWe examined 15 223 patients
without known coronary artery disease (CAD) undergoing CCTA from eight
sites and six countries who were followed for median 2.1 years
(interquartile range 1.4-3.3 years) for an endpoint of all-cause
mortality. Obstructive CAD by CCTA was defined as a >=50% luminal diameter
stenosis in a major coronary artery. Patients were categorized as having
high-risk CAD vs. non-high-risk CAD, with the former including patients
with at least obstructive two-vessel CAD with proximal left anterior
descending artery involvement, three-vessel CAD, and left main CAD. Death
occurred in 185 (1.2%) patients. Patients were categorized into two
treatment groups: revascularization (n = 1103; 2.2% mortality) and medical
therapy (n = 14 120, 1.1% mortality). To account for non-randomized
referral to revascularization, we created a propensity score developed by
logistic regression to identify variables that influenced the decision to
refer to revascularization. Within this model (C index 0.92, chi2 = 1248,
P < 0.0001), obstructive CAD was the most influential factor for referral,
followed by an interaction of obstructive CAD with pre-test likelihood of
CAD (P = 0.0344). Within CCTA CAD groups, rates of revascularization
increased from 3.8% for non-high-risk CAD to 51.2% high-risk CAD. In
multivariable models, when compared with medical therapy,
revascularization was associated with a survival advantage for patients
with high-risk CAD [hazards ratio (HR) 0.38, 95% confidence interval
0.18-0.83], with no difference in survival for patients with non-high-risk
CAD (HR 3.24, 95% CI 0.76-13.89) (P-value for interaction =
0.03).ConclusionIn an intermediate-term follow-up, coronary
revascularization is associated with a survival benefit in patients with
high-risk CAD by CCTA, with no apparent benefit of revascularization in
patients with lesser forms of CAD. 2012 The Author.

<19>
Accession Number
2012735636
Authors
Kang H.-J. Kim M.-K. Lee H.-Y. Park K.-W. Lee W. Cho Y.-S. Koo B.-K. Choi
D.-J. Park Y.-B. Kim H.-S.
Institution
(Kang, Lee, Park, Koo, Park, Kim) Division of Cardiology, Department of
Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, 101 DaeHak-ro,
JongRo-gu, Seoul 110-744, South Korea
(Kim) Healthcare System Gangnam Center, Seoul National University
Hospital, Seoul, South Korea
(Lee) Department of Radiology, Seoul National University, College of
Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
(Cho, Choi) Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul
National University Bundang Hospital, Bundang, South Korea
Title
Five-year results of intracoronary infusion of the mobilized peripheral
blood stem cells by granulocyte colony-stimulating factor in patients with
myocardial infarction.
Source
European Heart Journal. 33 (24) (pp 3062-3069), 2012. Date of Publication:
December 2012.
Publisher
Oxford University Press (Great Clarendon Street, Oxford OX2 6DP, United
Kingdom)
Abstract
AimTo evaluate the long-term effects of peripheral blood stem cell therapy
in myocardial infarction (MI) patients.Methods and resultsA total of 163
patients with MI who were successfully revascularized with drug-eluting
stents were enrolled and randomly assigned to four groups: acute MI (AMI)
cell infusion, AMI control, old MI (OMI) cell infusion, and OMI control.
We compared 5 years' clinical outcomes between the cell infusion group (57
and 22 patients with AMI and OMI, respectively) and the control (60 and 24
patients with AMI and OMI, respectively). In the time-sequence comparison
from baseline to 6 and 24 months follow-up after AMI, left ventricular
ejection fraction (LVEF) by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging was
significantly improved in the cell infusion group (n = 57), but not in the
control group (n = 60). In the between-group comparison, the difference in
improvement of LVEF for 2 years after AMI did not reach statistical
significance between cell infusion and control groups. Intriguingly, the
major adverse cardiac events for 5 years were significantly reduced in the
cell infusion group (n = 79) compared with the control (n = 84; composite
of cardiac death, non-fatal MI, hospitalization for heart failure and
angina, and target vessel revascularization; 22.8 vs. 39.3%, P =
0.015).ConclusionsPeripheral blood stem cell therapy has potential to
improve long-term cardiovascular outcomes in MI patients. 2012 The
Author.

<20>
Accession Number
2012730285
Authors
Bjordahl P.M. Helmer S.D. Gosnell D.J. Wemmer G.E. O'Hara W.W. Milfeld
D.J.
Institution
(Bjordahl, Helmer, Milfeld) Department of Surgery, University of Kansas,
School of Medicine-Wichita, 929 N. Saint Francis St., Wichita, KS 67214,
United States
(Helmer) Department of Medical Education, Via Christi Hospital on Saint
Francis, Wichita, KS, United States
(Gosnell) Department of Nursing, Via Christi Hospital on Saint Francis,
Wichita, KS, United States
(Wemmer) Department of Nursing, Duke University Hospital, Durham, NC,
United States
(O'Hara) Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Methodist Hospital, Weill
Cornell Medical School, Houston, TX, United States
Title
Perioperative supplementation with ascorbic acid does not prevent atrial
fibrillation in coronary artery bypass graft patients.
Source
American Journal of Surgery. 204 (6) (pp 862-867), 2012. Date of
Publication: December 2012.
Publisher
Elsevier Inc. (360 Park Avenue South, New York NY 10010, United States)
Abstract
Background: Atrial fibrillation occurs after approximately 25% to 45% of
coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgeries. Oxidative stress and
related electrophysiological remodeling has been proposed as a potential
cause of this atrial fibrillation. Perioperative supplementation of the
antioxidant ascorbic acid has been evaluated as a preventive agent. The
current investigation was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of ascorbic
acid in reducing atrial fibrillation in CABG patients. Methods: A
prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled, triple-blind,
single-institution study was conducted in nonemergency CABG patients.
Subjects were monitored for episodes of arrhythmia and other
complications. Results: Eighty-nine treatment and 96 control subjects
completed the study protocol. Demographics, comorbidities, and
preoperative drugs were similar between groups. Surgical characteristics
and postoperative medication use also were similar. The incidence of
atrial fibrillation was 30.3% in the treatment group and 30.2% in the
control group (P =.985). No difference was found in postoperative
complications or mortality. Conclusions: Our data indicate that
supplementation of ascorbic acid in addition to routine postoperative care
does not reduce atrial fibrillation after coronary artery bypass grafting.
2012 Elsevier Inc.

Saturday, December 29, 2012

EMBASE Cardiac Update AutoAlert: EPICORE Cardiac Surgery Blogger2

Total documents retrieved: 24

Results Generated From:
Embase <1980 to 2012 Week 52>
Embase (updates since 2012-12-20)


<1>
Accession Number
2012725266
Authors
Pan M. Medina A. Romero M. Segura J. Martin P. Suarez De Lezo J. Hernandez
E. Mazuelos F. Ojeda S.
Institution
(Pan, Suarez De Lezo, Romero, Segura, Suarez De Lezo, Mazuelos, Ojeda)
Reina Sofia Hospital, Department of Cardiology, University of Cordoba
(IMIBIC), Avenida Melendez Pidal 1, 14001 Cordoba, Spain
(Medina, Martin, Hernandez) Dr. Negrin Hospital, Department of Cardiology,
University of Las Palmas, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
Title
Randomized study comparing everolimus- and sirolimus-eluting stents in
patients with bifurcation lesions treated by provisional side-branch
stenting.
Source
Catheterization and Cardiovascular Interventions. 80 (7) (pp 1165-1170),
2012. Date of Publication: 01 Dec 2012.
Publisher
Wiley-Liss Inc. (111 River Street, Hoboken NJ 07030-5774, United States)
Abstract
Objectives To compare the efficacy of sirolimus- and everolimus-eluting
stents in patients with bifurcation lesions treated with provisional
side-branch stenting. Background The efficacy of everolimus-eluting stents
in bifurcation lesions has been poorly tested. Methods Patients with all
types of Medina bifurcation lesions were randomly assigned to treatment
with either a sirolimus- (n = 145) or everolimus-eluting stent (n = 148).
We included patients with main vessel diameter over 2.5 mm and side
branches over 2.25 mm. Patients with diffuse side-branch stenosis were
excluded. Results There were no significant differences between patients
from the sirolimus and everolimus groups in terms of age, risk factors,
clinical status, location of the bifurcation lesions or angiographic
variables. Immediate results and in-hospital outcome were also similar in
both groups of patients. In-hospital death occurred in two patients, one
from each group. Target lesion revascularization was required in nine
patients: four patients (2.7%) from the sirolimus group and five patients
(3.4%) from the everolimus group. Late cardiac mortality occurred in two
patients from the sirolimus group and in one patient from the everolimus
group. Major cardiac event rates at 1 year were similar in both groups:
nine patients (6.2%) in the sirolimus group and nine patients (6.1%) from
the everolimus group (p: ns). Conclusions In patients with bifurcation
lesions, no significant differences in clinical outcome at 1-year
follow-up were observed between sirolimus- and everolimus-eluting stent
groups. Copyright 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

<2>
Accession Number
2012725262
Authors
Stella P.R. Belkacemi A. Dubois C. Nathoe H. Dens J. Naber C. Adriaenssens
T. Van Belle E. Doevendans P. Agostoni P.
Institution
(Stella, Belkacemi, Nathoe, Van Belle, Doevendans, Agostoni) Department of
Cardiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Heidelberglaan 100, 3584
CX, Utrecht, Netherlands
(Dubois, Adriaenssens) Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, University
Hospital Leuven, Belgium
(Dens) Department of Cardiology, Ziekenhuis Oost-Limburg, Genk, Belgium
(Naber) Department of Cardiology, Elisabeth Hospital Essen, Germany
Title
A multicenter randomized comparison of drug-eluting balloon plus
bare-metal stent versus bare-metal stent versus drug-eluting stent in
bifurcation lesions treated with a single-stenting technique: Six-month
angiographic and 12-month clinical results of the drug-eluting balloon in
bifurcations trial.
Source
Catheterization and Cardiovascular Interventions. 80 (7) (pp 1138-1146),
2012. Date of Publication: 01 Dec 2012.
Publisher
Wiley-Liss Inc. (111 River Street, Hoboken NJ 07030-5774, United States)
Abstract
Background Percutaneous treatment of coronary bifurcation lesions remains
hampered by suboptimal results, mainly in the side branch (SB), even with
the use of drug-eluting stents (DES). Paclitaxel drug-eluting balloons
(DEB) could provide an attractive alternative to treat bifurcations in
combination with a provisional T-stenting technique in order to minimize
SB restenosis. We compared angiographic and clinical outcomes of a
provisional T-stenting technique with a DEB plus bare-metal stent (BMS)
versus BMS versus paclitaxel DES. Methods In this randomized,
international, multicenter, single-blinded 3-arm study, 117 patients with
coronary bifurcation lesions underwent treatment with: (A) DEB in both
main branch (MB) and SB and BMS in MB; (B) BMS in MB and regular balloon
angioplasty in SB; or (C) paclitaxel DES in MB and regular balloon in SB.
All patients underwent provisional T-stenting with an identical stent
platform in the MB. Paclitaxel was the drug for elution in groups A and C.
The primary endpoint was 6-month angiographic late luminal loss. Secondary
end points were 6-month binary restenosis and 12-month major adverse
cardiac events (MACE: death, myocardial infarction, target vessel
revascularization). Results The procedure was successful in all cases.
Late luminal loss, measured respectively in the proximal MB, distal MB and
SB was 0.58 +/- 0.65, 0.41 +/- 0.60, and 0.19 +/- 0.66 mm in group A; 0.60
+/- 0.65, 0.49 +/- 0.85, and 0.21 +/- 0.57 mm in group B; and 0.13 +/-
0.45, 0.19 +/- 0.64, and 0.11 +/- 0.43 mm in group C (P = 0.001). Binary
restenosis rates per bifurcation and MACE rates were 24.2%, 28.6%, and 15%
(P = 0.45) and 20%, 29.7%, and 17.5% (P = 0.40) in groups A, B, and C,
respectively. Conclusions Pretreatment of both MB and SB with DEB failed
to show angiographic and clinical superiority over conventional BMS, using
a provisional T-stenting technique. Moreover DES showed superior
angiographic results than DEB and BMS. Copyright 2012 Wiley Periodicals,
Inc.

<3>
Accession Number
2012730128
Authors
Stather D.R. MacEachern P. Chee A. Dumoulin E. Hergott C.A. Tremblay A.
Institution
(Stather, MacEachern, Chee, Tremblay) Department of Medicine, University
of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
(Dumoulin) Department of Medicine, University of Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke,
QC, Canada
(Hergott) Airways Research Group, Division of Respirology, Critical Care
and Sleep Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
Title
Wet laboratory versus computer simulation for learning endobronchial
ultrasound: A randomized trial.
Source
Canadian Respiratory Journal. 19 (5) (pp 325-330), 2012. Date of
Publication: September-October 2012.
Publisher
Pulsus Group Inc. (2902 South Sheridan Way, Oakville ONT L6J 7L6, Canada)
Abstract
Background: Linear endobronchial ultrasound with transbronchial needle
aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) is a revolutionary bronchoscopic procedure that is
challenging to learn. Objectives: To compare two methods used to teach
EBUS-TBNA: wet laboratory (lab) versus computer EBUS-TBNA simulation.
Methods: A prospective, randomized study of respirologists, thoracic
surgeons and trainees learning EBUS-TBNA at a two-day continuing medical
education course. All subjects received education via a series of lectures
and live cases, followed by randomization to learn EBUS-TBNA predominantly
either by wet lab simulation (n=6) or computer simulation (n=6). All
subjects then completed testing of their EBUS-TBNA skills via a previously
validated method using simulated cases on EBUS-TBNA simulators and
questionnaires evaluating learner preferences. Results: There were no
significant differences between the computer EBUS-TBNA simulator group and
the wet lab group in procedure time (25.3+/-6.1 min versus 25.2+/-2.5 min;
P=0.984) and percentage of successful biopsies (81.3+/-14.9% versus
74.0+/-17.3%; P=0.453). The computer simulator group performed
significantly better than the wet lab group in the percentage of lymph
nodes correctly identified (70.4+/-16.7% versus 42.9+/-19.9%; P=0.002).
Wet lab simulation was associated with increased learner confidence with
operating the real EBUS-TBNA bronchoscope. All subjects responded that wet
lab and computer EBUS-TBNA simulation offered important complementary
learning opportunities. Discusion: Computer EBUS-TBNA simulation leads to
improved skill at correctly identifying lymph nodes, while wet lab
simulation provided increased learner confidence due to increased realism.
Conclusion: Computer EBUS-TBNA simulation and wet lab simulation are
effective methods of learning basic EBUS-TBNA skills and appeared to be
complementary. 2012 Pulsus Group Inc. All rights reserved.

<4>
Accession Number
2012724297
Authors
Hare J.M. Fishman J.E. Gerstenblith G. DiFede Velazquez D.L. Zambrano J.P.
Suncion V.Y. Tracy M. Ghersin E. Johnston P.V. Brinker J.A. Breton E.
Davis-Sproul J. Schulman I.H. Byrnes J. Mendizabal A.M. Lowery M.H. Rouy
D. Altman P. Wong Po Foo C. Ruiz P. Amador A. Da Silva J. McNiece I.K.
Heldman A.W.
Institution
(Hare, DiFede Velazquez, Zambrano, Suncion, Schulman, Da Silva, McNiece,
Heldman) Interdisciplinary Stem Cell Institute, University of Miami Miller
School of Medicine, Biomedical Research Bldg., PO Box 016960 (R-125),
Miami, FL 33101, United States
(Hare, Zambrano, Tracy, Schulman, Byrnes, Lowery, McNiece, Heldman)
Department of Medicine, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine,
Miami, FL, United States
(Fishman, Ghersin) Department of Radiology, University of Miami Miller
School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States
(Ruiz, Amador) Department of Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of
Medicine, Miami, FL, United States
(Gerstenblith, Johnston, Brinker, Breton, Davis-Sproul) Cardiovascular
Division, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD,
United States
(Schulman) Miami Veterans Affairs Healthcare System, Miami, FL, United
States
(Mendizabal) EMMES Corporation, Rockville, MD, United States
(Rouy, Altman, Wong Po Foo) Biocardia Inc., San Carlos, CA, United States
(McNiece) Department of Stem Cell Transplantation, University of Texas MD
Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
Title
Comparison of allogeneic vs autologous bone marrow-derived mesenchymal
stem cells delivered by transendocardial injection in patients with
ischemic cardiomyopathy: The POSEIDON randomized trial.
Source
JAMA - Journal of the American Medical Association. 308 (22) (pp
2369-2379), 2012. Date of Publication: 12 Dec 2012.
Publisher
American Medical Association (515 North State Street, Chicago IL 60654,
United States)
Abstract
Context: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are under evaluation as a therapy
for ischemic cardiomyopathy (ICM). Both autologous and allogeneic MSC
therapies are possible; however, their safety and efficacy have not been
compared. Objective: To test whether allogeneic MSCs are as safe and
effective as autologous MSCs in patients with left ventricular (LV)
dysfunction due to ICM. Design, Setting, and Patients: A phase 1/2
randomized comparison (POSEIDON study) in a US tertiary-care referral
hospital of allogeneic and autologous MSCs in 30 patients with LV
dysfunction due to ICM between April 2, 2010, and September 14, 2011, with
13-month follow-up. Intervention: Twenty million, 100 million, or 200
million cells (5 patients in each cell type per dose level) were delivered
by transendocardial stem cell injection into 10 LV sites. Main Outcome
Measures: Thirty-day postcatheterization incidence of predefined
treatment-emergent serious adverse events (SAEs). Efficacy assessments
included 6-minute walk test, exercise peak VO<sub>2</sub>, Minnesota
Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLHFQ), New York Heart
Association class, LV volumes, ejection fraction (EF), early enhancement
defect (EED; infarct size), and sphericity index. Results: Within 30 days,
1 patient in each group (treatment-emergent SAE rate, 6.7%) was
hospitalized for heart failure, less than the prespecified stopping event
rate of 25%. The 1-year incidence of SAEs was 33.3% (n=5) in the
allogeneic group and 53.3% (n=8) in the autologous group (P=.46). At 1
year, there were no ventricular arrhythmia SAEs observed among allogeneic
recipients compared with 4 patients (26.7%) in the autologous group
(P=.10). Relative to baseline, autologous but not allogeneic MSC therapy
was associated with an improvement in the 6-minute walk test and the MLHFQ
score, but neither improved exercise VO<sub>2</sub> max. Allogeneic and
autologous MSCs reduced mean EED by -33.21% (95% CI, -43.61% to -22.81%;
P<.001) and sphericity index but did not increase EF. Allogeneic MSCs
reduced LV end-diastolic volumes. Low-dose concentration MSCs (20 million
cells) produced greatest reductions in LV volumes and increased EF.
Allogeneic MSCs did not stimulate significant donor-specific alloimmune
reactions. Conclusions: In this early-stage study of patients with ICM,
transendocardial injection of allogeneic and autologous MSCs without a
placebo control were both associated with low rates of treatment-emergent
SAEs, including immunologic reactions. In aggregate, MSC injection
favorably affected patient functional capacity, quality of life, and
ventricular remodeling. Trial Registration: clinicaltrials.gov Identifier:
NCT01087996. 2012 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

<5>
Accession Number
2012720947
Authors
Shane E. Cohen A. Stein E.M. McMahon D.J. Zhang C. Young P. Pandit K.
Staron R.B. Verna E.C. Brown R. Restaino S. Mancini D.
Institution
(Shane, Cohen, Stein, McMahon, Zhang, Young, Pandit, Verna, Brown,
Restaino, Mancini) Department of Medicine, Columbia University Medical
Center, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, United States
(Staron) Department of Radiology, Columbia University Medical Center,
Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, United States
Title
Zoledronic acid versus alendronate for the prevention of bone loss after
heart or liver transplantation.
Source
Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism. 97 (12) (pp 4481-4490),
2012. Date of Publication: December 2012.
Publisher
Endocrine Society (8401 Connecticut Ave. Suite 900, Chevy Chase MD 20815,
United States)
Abstract
Context: The first year after transplantation is characterized by rapid
bone loss. Objective: The aim of this study was to compare zoledronic acid
(zoledronate) and alendronate for prevention of transplantation bone loss.
Design and Setting: A randomized clinical trial was conducted at a
transplantation center. Patients: The study included 84 adults undergoing
heart or liver transplantation and a concurrently transplanted,
nonrandomized reference group of 27 adults with T scores greater than
-1.5. Interventions: Alendronate (70 mg weekly for 12 months) or one 5-mg
infusion of zoledronate were both initiated 26 +/- 8 d after
transplantation. Main Outcome Measures: The primary outcome was total hip
bone mineral density (BMD) 1 yr after transplantation. Secondary outcomes
included femoral neck and lumbar spine BMD and serum C-telopeptide, a bone
resorption marker. Results: In the reference group, BMD declined at the
spine and hip (P < 0.001). In the randomized groups, hip BMD remained
stable. Spine BMD increased in the zoledronate group and did not change in
the alendronate group; at 12 months, the 2.2% difference between groups
(95% confidence interval, 0.6 to 3.9%; P = 0.009) favored zoledronate. In
heart transplant patients, spine BMD declined in the alendronate and
increased in the zoledronate group (-3.0 vs. +1.6%, respectively;
between-group difference, 4.2%; 95% confidence interval, 2.1 to 6.3%; P <
0.001). In liver transplant patients, spine BMD increased comparably in
both groups. Twelve-month C-telopeptide was lower in the zoledronate group
than in the alendronate group (79 vs. 49%; P = 0.04). Conclusions: One
5-mg infusion of zoledronate and weekly alendronate prevent bone loss at
the hip and, in liver transplant patients, increase spine BMD. In heart
transplant patients, spine bone BMD remained stable with zoledronate but
decreased with alendronate. Copyright 2012 by The Endocrine Society.

<6>
Accession Number
2012730816
Authors
Busch J.C. Lillou D. Wittig G. Bartsch P. Willemsen D. Oldridge N.
Bjarnason-Wehrens B.
Institution
(Busch) Institute of Cardiology and Sports Medicine, German Sport
University Cologne, Am Sportpark 6, 50933 Cologne, Germany
(Lillou, Wittig, Bartsch, Willemsen) Rehabilitation, Schuechtermann
Clinic, Bad Rothenfelde, Germany
(Oldridge) School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin,
Milwaukee, WI, United States
(Oldridge) Aurora Cardiovascular Services, Aurora Sinai/Aurora St. Luke's
Medical Center, Milwaukee, WI, United States
(Busch, Bjarnason-Wehrens) Institute of Cardiology and Sports Medicine,
German Sport University Cologne, Cologne, Germany
Title
Resistance and balance training improves functional capacity in very old
participants attending cardiac rehabilitation after coronary bypass
surgery.
Source
Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. 60 (12) (pp 2270-2276), 2012.
Date of Publication: December 2012.
Publisher
Blackwell Publishing Inc. (350 Main Street, Malden MA 02148, United
States)
Abstract
Objectives To compare the efficacy of intensive functional exercise
training with that of usual cardiac rehabilitation (CR) in very old adults
soon after coronary bypass surgery (CABG). Design Randomized controlled
trial. Setting In-hospital CR. Participants Individuals aged 75 and older
(n = 173, mean 78.5 +/- 3.2) participated in inpatient CR, which started
soon after surgery (13.1 +/- 5.3 days) and lasted for a mean of 20.4 +/-
3.2 days. Intervention Participants were randomly assigned to an inpatient
CR intervention group (IG; n = 84) or a control group (CG; n = 89). All
participants participated in the inpatient CR program. In addition, IG
participants participated in resistance training and special balance
training (5 d/wk). Measurements Six-minute walk test, cardiopulmonary
exercise testing, Timed-Up-and-Go Test (TUG), and a maximal isometric
strength test were used to access functional capacity and the MacNew
questionnaire to evaluate health-related quality of life (HRQL). Results
There were significant improvements (P < .001) in all measured variables
over the duration of CR. Improvements in functional capacity were
significantly greater in the IG than the CG for 6-minute walk distance
(6-MWD) (IG 67.3 +/- 49.0 m vs CG 41.9 +/- 51.7 m; P = .003), TUG time
(IG -2.4 +/- 2.2 seconds vs CG -1.2 +/- 3.4 seconds; P = .005), and
relative workload (IG 0.19 +/- 0.21 W/kg vs CG 0.13 +/- 0.11 W/kg; P =
.03). Conclusion There were significant improvements in all measured
variables in very old adults participating in CR soon after CABG. With
additional functional exercise training, participants randomized to IG
improved significantly more than those randomized to CG on 6-MWD, TUG
time, and relative workload. 2012, Copyright the Authors Journal
compilation 2012, The American Geriatrics Society.

<7>
Accession Number
2012727649
Authors
Sanati H.R. Zahedmehr A. Shakerian F. Bakhshandeh H. Firoozi A. Kiani R.
Sadeghpour A. Asgharnedjad E. Mikaelpour A. Nabati M.
Institution
(Sanati, Zahedmehr, Shakerian, Bakhshandeh, Firoozi, Kiani, Asgharnedjad)
Department of Interventional Cardiology, Cardiovascular Intervention
Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran,
Islamic Republic of
(Sadeghpour, Mikaelpour, Nabati) Rajaei Cardiovascular, Medical and
Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran,
Islamic Republic of
Title
Percutaneous mitral valvuloplasty using echocardiographic intercommissural
diameter as reference for balloon sizing: A randomized controlled trial.
Source
Clinical Cardiology. 35 (12) (pp 749-754), 2012. Date of Publication:
2012.
Publisher
John Wiley and Sons Inc. (111 River Street, Hoboken NJ 07030-5774, United
States)
Abstract
Background: Percutaneous balloon mitral valvuloplasty is the preferred
therapeutic strategy in patients with mitral stenosis, but it has
shortcomings in a subset of patients. Hypothesis: A new method of balloon
sizing through echocardiographic measurement of the intercommissural
diameter would be safe and effective and lead to better outcomes. Methods:
Eighty-six mitral-stenosis patients were randomly assigned to undergo
balloon mitral valvuloplasty either with height-based balloon reference
sizing (HBRS group, n = 43) or with balloons sized by the
echocardiographic measurement of intercommissural diameter (EBRS group, n
= 43). Postprocedural mitral valve area (MVA) and severity of mitral
regurgitation (MR) were assessed via echocardiography and
ventriculography. Intention-to-treat approach was applied for the
statistical analysis. Results: Baseline characteristics were not different
between the groups. The mean of the estimated balloon reference sizes was
significantly higher in the HBRS patients than in the EBRS group (26.4 +/-
0.92 mm, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 26.2-26.6 vs 24.5 +/- 1.03 mm, 95%
CI: 24.2-24.7, respectively; P = 0.006). Final MVAs were significantly
larger in the EBRS group (1.5 +/- 0.2 cm<sup>2</sup>, 95% CI: 1.46-1.59 vs
1.4 +/- 0.2 cm<sup>2</sup>, 95% CI: 1.35-1.47, respectively; P = 0.01).
The occurrence of new or aggravated MR was significantly lower in the EBRS
group as assessed both by echocardiography (P = 0.04) and ventriculography
(P = 0.05). Mitral regurgitation was aggravated in 13 (29.3%) patients in
the HBRS group and in 5 (11.5%) patients in the EBRS group. Conclusions:
Percutaneous balloon mitral valvuloplasty via the Inoue technique using
balloons sized by the echocardiographic measurement of the maximal
commissural diameter is an effective and safe method that might lead to an
acceptable increase in the MVA and significant decrease in the rate and
severity of iatrogenic MR. 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

<8>
Accession Number
2012731605
Authors
Vidal E. Torre-Cisneros J. Blanes M. Montejo M. Cervera C. Aguado J.M. Len
O. Carratala J. Cordero E. Bou G. Munoz P. Ramos A. Gurgui M. Borrell N.
Fortun J.
Institution
(Vidal, Torre-Cisneros) Unit of Infectious Diseases, Reina Sofia
University Hospital, IMIBIC, Cordoba, Spain
(Blanes) Department of Infectious Diseases, University Hospital La Fe,
Valencia, Spain
(Montejo) Unit of Infectious Diseases, University Hospital de Cruces,
Bilbao, Spain
(Cervera) Department of Infectious Diseases, Hospital Clinic-Institut
d'Investigacions Biomediques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), University of
Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
(Aguado) Unit of Infectious Diseases, University Hospital 12 de Octubre,
Madrid, Spain
(Len) Department of Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Vall
d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain
(Carratala) Department of Infectious Diseases, IDIBELL-University Hospital
Bellvitge, Barcelona, Spain
(Cordero) Department of Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Virgen
del Rocio, Sevilla, Spain
(Bou) Department of Microbiology, University Hospital Juan Canalejo,
Coruna, Spain
(Munoz) Department of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases,
University Hospital Gregorio Maranon, Madrid, Spain
(Ramos) Department of Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Puerta de
Hierro, Madrid, Spain
(Gurgui) Unit of Infectious Diseases, University Hospital de la Santa Creu
i Sant Pau, Barcelona, Spain
(Borrell) Department of Microbiology, University Hospital Son Dureta,
Mallorca, Spain
(Fortun) Unit of Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Ramon y Cajal,
Madrid, Spain
Title
Bacterial urinary tract infection after solid organ transplantation in the
RESITRA cohort.
Source
Transplant Infectious Disease. 14 (6) (pp 595-603), 2012. Date of
Publication: December 2012.
Publisher
Blackwell Publishing Ltd (9600 Garsington Road, Oxford OX4 2XG, United
Kingdom)
Abstract
Background: Urinary tract infection (UTI) is the most common infection in
renal transplant patients, but it is necessary to determine the risk
factors for bacterial UTI in recipients of other solid organ transplants
(SOTs), as well as changes in etiology, clinical presentation, and
prognosis. Methods: In total, 4388 SOT recipients were monitored in 16
transplant centers belonging to the Spanish Network for Research on
Infection in Transplantation (RESITRA). The frequency and characteristics
of bacterial UTI in transplant patients were obtained prospectively from
the cohort (September 2003 to February 2005). Results: A total of 192
patients (4.4%) presented 249 episodes of bacterial UTI (0.23 episodes per
1000 transplantation days); 156 patients were kidney or kidney-pancreas
transplant recipients, and 36 patients were liver, heart, and lung
transplant recipients. The highest frequency was observed in renal
transplants (7.3%). High frequency of cystitis versus pyelonephritis
without related mortality was observed in both groups. The most frequent
etiology was Escherichia coli (57.8%), with 25.7% producing
extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL). In all transplants but renal,
most cases occurred in the first month after transplantation. Cases were
uniformly distributed during the first 6 months after transplantation in
renal recipients. Age (odds ratio [OR] per decade 1.1, 95% confidence
interval [CI] 1.02-1.17), female gender (OR 1.74, 95% CI 1.42-2.13), and
the need for immediate post-transplant dialysis (OR 1.63, 95% CI
1.29-2.05) were independent variables associated with bacterial UTI in
renal and kidney-pancreas recipients. The independent risk factors
identified in non-renal transplants were age (OR per decade 1.79, 95% CI
1.09-3.48), female gender (OR 1.7, 95% CI 1.43-2.49), and diabetes (OR
1.02, 95% CI 1.001-1.040). Conclusions: UTI was frequent in renal
transplants, but also not unusual in non-renal transplants. Because E.
coli continues to be the most frequent etiology, the emergence of
ESBL-producing strains has been identified as a new problem. In both
populations, most cases were cystitis without related mortality. Although
the first month after transplantation was a risk period in all
transplants, cases were uniformly distributed during the first 6 months in
renal transplants. Age and female gender were identified as risk factors
for UTI in both populations. Other particular risk factors were the need
for immediate post-transplant dialysis in renal transplants and diabetes
in non-renal transplants. 2012 John Wiley & Sons A/S.

<9>
Accession Number
2012724805
Authors
Bloomfield H.
Institution
(Bloomfield) Center for Chronic Disease Outcomes Research, VA Medical
Center, Minneapolis, MN, United States
Title
Self-monitoring of oral anticoagulation reduces thromboembolic events and
does not increase risk of bleeding in selected patients and settings.
Source
Evidence-Based Medicine. 17 (6) (pp e14), 2012. Date of Publication:
December 2012.
Publisher
BMJ Publishing Group (Tavistock Square, London WC1H 9JR, United Kingdom)

<10>
Accession Number
2012727707
Authors
Chieffo A. Latib A. Caussin C. Presbitero P. Galli S. Menozzi A. Varbella
F. Mauri F. Valgimigli M. Arampatzis C. Sabate M. Erglis A. Reimers B.
Airoldi F. Laine M. Palop R.L. Mikhail G. MacCarthy P. Romeo F. Colombo A.
Institution
(Chieffo, Latib, Colombo) Interventional Cardiology Unit, San Raffaele
Scientific Institute, Via Olgettina 60, 20132 Milan, Italy
(Caussin) Hopital Marie Lannelongue, Le Plessis-Robinson, France
(Presbitero) Istituto Clinico Humanitas, Milan, Italy
(Galli) Centro Cardiologico Monzino, Milan, Italy
(Menozzi) Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria, Parma, Italy
(Varbella) Ospedaledegli Infermi, Rivoli, Italy
(Mauri) Hospital Germans Triasi Pujol, Badalona, Spain
(Valgimigli) Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria S.Anna, Ferrara, Italy
(Arampatzis) Interbalkan Medical Center, Thessaloniki, Greece
(Sabate) Hospital Santa Creui Sant Pau, Barcelona, Spain
(Erglis) P. Stradins Clinical University Hospital, Riga, Latvia
(Reimers) Ospedale Civile, Mirano, Italy
(Airoldi) Multimedica Hospital, Milan, Italy
(Laine) Helsinki University Central Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
(Palop) Hospital Universitario San Juan, Alicante, Spain
(Mikhail) St Mary's Hospital, London, United Kingdom
(MacCarthy) King's College Hospital, London, United Kingdom
(Romeo) Tor Vergata University, Rome, Italy
Title
A prospective, randomized trial of intravascular-ultrasound guided
compared to angiography guided stent implantation in complex coronary
lesions: The AVIO trial.
Source
American Heart Journal. 165 (1) (pp 65-72), 2013. Date of Publication:
January 2013.
Publisher
Mosby Inc. (11830 Westline Industrial Drive, St. Louis MO 63146, United
States)
Abstract
Background: No randomized studies have thus far evaluated intravascular
ultrasound (IVUS) guidance in the drug-eluting stent (DES) era. The aim
was to evaluate if IVUS optimized DES implantation was superior to
angiographic guidance alone in complex lesions. Methods: Randomized,
multicentre, international, open label, investigator-driven study
evaluating IVUS vs angiographically guided DES implantation in patients
with complex lesions (defined as bifurcations, long lesions, chronic total
occlusions or small vessels). Primary study endpoint was post-procedure in
lesion minimal lumen diameter. Secondary end points were combined major
adverse cardiac events (MACE), target lesion revascularization, target
vessel revascularization, myocardial infarction (MI), and stent thrombosis
at 1, 6, 9, 12, and 24 months. Results: The study included 284 patients.
No significant differences were observed in baseline characteristics. The
primary study end point showed a statistically significant difference in
favor of the IVUS group (2.70 mm +/- 0.46 mm vs. 2.51 +/- 0.46 mm; P
=.0002). During hospitalization, no patient died, had repeated
revascularization, or a Q-wave MI. No difference was observed in the
occurrence of non-Q wave MI (6.3% in IVUS vs. 7.0% in angio-guided group).
At 24-months clinical follow-up, no differences were still observed in
cumulative MACE (16.9%vs. 23.2 %), cardiac death (0%vs. 1.4%), MI (7.0%vs.
8.5%), target lesion revascularization (9.2% vs. 11.9%) or target vessel
revascularization (9.8% vs. 15.5%), respectively in the IVUS vs.
angio-guided groups. In total, only one definite subacute stent thrombosis
occurred in the IVUS group. Conclusions: A benefit of IVUS optimized DES
implantation was observed in complex lesions in the post-procedure minimal
lumen diameter. No statistically significant difference was found in MACE
up to 24 months. 2013 Mosby, Inc.

<11>
Accession Number
2012727710
Authors
Laferton J.A.C. Shedden Mora M. Auer C.J. Moosdorf R. Rief W.
Institution
(Laferton, Shedden Mora, Auer, Rief) Department of Clinical Psychology and
Psychotherapy, Philipps University of Marburg, Gutenbergstrae 18, 35032
Marburg, Germany
(Moosdorf) Department of Cardiac and Thoracic Vessel Surgery, Heart
Center, Philipps University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
Title
Enhancing the efficacy of heart surgery by optimizing patients'
preoperative expectations: Study protocol of a randomized controlled
trial.
Source
American Heart Journal. 165 (1) (pp 1-7), 2013. Date of Publication:
January 2013.
Publisher
Mosby Inc. (11830 Westline Industrial Drive, St. Louis MO 63146, United
States)
Abstract
In coronary heart disease (CHD) and heart surgery, there is sound evidence
for the relationship between patients' expectations and treatment outcome,
especially for outcome variables such as disability and quality of life.
In addition, patients' expectations have been shown to be modifiable
through psychological interventions. Therefore, targeting patients'
expectations might offer a promising opportunity to enhance heart surgery
outcome. However, few studies have tried to actively change patients'
expectations before surgery. The purpose of this clinical trial is to
optimize patients' outcome expectations before undergoing coronary artery
bypass graft surgery (CABG) through a brief psychoeducational program. The
present article describes the study protocol and reports preliminary data
on feasibility. Using a randomized controlled design, 180 patients who are
scheduled to undergo elective CABG are randomly assigned to either (1)
standard medical care (SMC) alone, (2) to an additional expectation
manipulation intervention during the 2 weeks before surgery, and (3) to an
additional attention-control group ("supportive therapy"). The main goal
is to test (a) whether expectation manipulation intervention can optimize
patients' expectations and (b) whether optimized expectations lead to
enhanced surgery efficacy. The primary outcome variable is illness-related
disability 6 months after surgery, whereas secondary outcome variables
will be quality of life, return to work, physical activity, and medical
outcome variables. First, feasibility data of 36 patients show that the
patients appreciated the additional psychological intervention before
CABG. Satisfaction of those who received psychological interventions was
very high. 2013 Mosby, Inc.

<12>
Accession Number
70947082
Authors
Patel N.N. Rogers C.A. Angelini G.D. Murphy G.J.
Institution
(Patel, Rogers, Angelini, Murphy) Bristol Royal Infirmary, Bristol, United
Kingdom
Title
Pharmacological therapies for the prevention of acute kidney injury
following cardiac surgery: A systematic review.
Source
Journal of the Intensive Care Society. Conference: State of the Art 2010
Meeting of the Intensive Care Society London United Kingdom. Conference
Start: 20101213 Conference End: 20101214. Conference Publication:
(var.pagings). 12 (1) (pp 74), 2011. Date of Publication: January 2011.
Publisher
Stansted News Ltd
Abstract
Post cardiac surgery acute kidney injury (AKI) is common, is associated
with a significant increase in morbidity and mortality. We aimed to
systematically review randomised trials that assessed the renoprotective
utility of pharmacological agents in patients undergoing cardiac surgery.
A systematic review of all randomised trials comparing renoprotective
pharmacological interventions with control in patients undergoing cardiac
surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass was undertaken. 47 randomised
controlled trials involving 3942 patients were included. Pharmacological
interventions included dopamine, fenoldopam, calcium channel antagonists,
natriuretic peptides, diuretics, and N-acetylcysteine. Most trials were of
poor quality, with small sample sizes, under reporting of randomisation
procedure, allocation concealment and method of blinding. There was marked
variation in interventions being compared, populations receiving the
intervention and outcomes being measured. No pharmacological intervention
was associated with a significant reduction in mortality or incidence of
AKI. Fenoldopam and Atrial Natriuretic Peptide (ANP) were associated with
a 70% (NNT 21, 95% CI 11.3, 83.0) and 73% (NNT 14, 95% CI 8.6, 81.0)
reduction, respectively, in the need for RRT. Fenoldopam and sodium
nitroprusside (SNP) were associated with a significant increase of 26.04
mL/min (95% CI 18.94, 33.15) and 6.60 mL/min (95% CI 2.41, 10.79),
respectively in creatinine clearance at 24-48 hr, whereas dopamine was
associated with a significant reduction (-4.26 mL/min, 95% CI-7.14,-1.39).
Vasodilatory agents, such as fenoldopam and ANP show evidence of
renoprotection in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Evidence does not
support the use of dopamine, diuretics or N-acetylcysteine. Further
studies evaluating the effect of novel renoprotective strategies on
clinical outcomes in adequately powered randomised controlled trials are
required.

<13>
Accession Number
70947081
Authors
Patel N.N. Toth T. Jones C. Lin H. Ray P. George S.J. Welsh G. Satchell
S.C. Angelini G.D. Murphy G.J.
Institution
(Patel, Jones, Lin, George, Angelini, Murphy) Bristol Royal Infirmary,
Bristol, United Kingdom
(Toth, Welsh, Satchell) Southmead Hospital, Bristol, United Kingdom
(Ray) Weston General Hospital, Weston-Super-Mare, United Kingdom
Title
Prevention of post-cardiopulmonary bypass acute kidney injury and
endothelial dysfunction using sitaxsentan sodium, an endothelin-a receptor
antagonist.
Source
Journal of the Intensive Care Society. Conference: State of the Art 2010
Meeting of the Intensive Care Society London United Kingdom. Conference
Start: 20101213 Conference End: 20101214. Conference Publication:
(var.pagings). 12 (1) (pp 73), 2011. Date of Publication: January 2011.
Publisher
Stansted News Ltd
Abstract
Acute kidney injury (AKI) post cardiac surgery is associated with
mortality rates approaching 20%. Our objective was to characterise post
cardio-pulmonary bypass (CPB) AKI in an animal model with significant
homology to cardiac surgery patients and to assess the effect of
Sitaxsentan Sodium, an endothelin-A receptor antagonist on these changes.
Adult White-Landrace pigs (50-70 kg, n=21) were randomised to undergo
either: a) sham procedure, b) 2.5 hours of CPB, or c) 2.5 hours of CPB +
sitaxsentan sodium (0.7 mg/kg). Perfusion pressure and hydration were
standardised. Endpoints included serial functional and biochemical
measures of AKI. All pigs were recovered for 24 hours prior to in-vivo
measurement of renal endothelial function, nephrectomy and histological
assessment. (Table Presented) CPB caused significant renal dysfunction and
an increase in urinary IL-18 excretion when compared to sham controls at
24 hours (Table 1), similar to cardiac surgical patients. CPB resulted in
significant changes in renal tubular morphology with marked tubular
dilatation, medullary hypoxia and a reduction in intra-renal high energy
phosphates(ATP/ADP ratio). This was associated with endothelial injury
characterised by a reduction in nitric oxide bioavailability, and eNOS and
dBA lectin staining (disruption of the endothelial glycocalyx),
endothelial dysfunction characterised by renal vasoconstriction in
response to acetylcholine, and endothelial activation characterised by
upregulation of endothelin-1, iNOS and the vasoconstrictor adenosine. When
compared to CPB, Sitaxsentan prevented AKI by preserving creatinine
clearance, reducing proteinuria and IL-18 excretion, and preserving
intra-renal high energy phosphates. It achieved this by preserving
endothelial function, nitric oxide bioavailability, and preventing
endothelial injury and activation. Sitaxsentan sodium represents a novel
renoprotective intervention and warrants evaluation in a randomised
controlled trial.

<14>
Accession Number
70947070
Authors
Patel N.N. Toth T. Jones C. Lin H. Ray P. George S.J. Welsh G. Satchell
S.C. Angelini G.D. Murphy G.J.
Institution
(Patel, Jones, Lin, George, Angelini, Murphy) University of Bristol,
Bristol Royal Infirmary, Bristol, United Kingdom
(Toth, Welsh, Satchell) North Bristol NHS Trust, Southmead Hospital,
Bristol, United Kingdom
(Ray) Weston General Hospital, Weston-Super-Mare, United Kingdom
Title
Sildenafil citrate, a phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor, prevents post
cardiopulmonary bypass acute kidney injury.
Source
Journal of the Intensive Care Society. Conference: State of the Art 2010
Meeting of the Intensive Care Society London United Kingdom. Conference
Start: 20101213 Conference End: 20101214. Conference Publication:
(var.pagings). 12 (1) (pp 67-68), 2011. Date of Publication: January 2011.
Publisher
Stansted News Ltd
Abstract
Acute kidney injury (AKI) post cardiac surgery is associated with
mortality rates approaching 20%. Our objective was to characterise post
cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) AKI in an animal model with significant
homology to cardiac surgery patients and to assess the effect of
Sildenafil, a phosphodiesterase-5 antagonist on these changes. (Table
Presented) Adult White-Landrace pigs (50-70 kg, n=21) were randomised to
undergo either: sham procedure 2.5 hours of CPB 2.5 hours of CPB +
sildenafil (10 mg) Perfusion pressure and hydration were standardised.
Endpoints included serial functional and biochemical measures of AKI. All
pigs were recovered for 24 hours prior to in-vivo measurement of renal
endothelial function, nephrectomy and histological assessment. Data were
analysed using ANOVA with post-hoc bonferroni tests. CPB caused
significant renal dysfunction and an increase in urinary IL-18 excretion
when compared to sham controls at 24 hours, similar to cardiac surgical
patients. CPB resulted in significant changes in renal tubular morphology
with marked tubular dilatation, medullary hypoxia and a reduction in
intra-renal high energy phosphates(ATP/ADP ratio). This was associated
with endothelial injury characterised by a reduction in (Table Presented)
nitric oxide bioavailability, and eNOS and dBA lectin staining(disruption
of the endothelial glycocalyx), endothelial dysfunction characterised by
renal vasoconstriction in response to acetylcholine, and endothelial
activation characterised by upregulation of endothelin-1, iNOS and the
vasoconstrictor adenosine. When compared to CPB, sildenafil prevented AKI
by preserving creatinine clearance, reducing IL-18 excretion, and
preserving intra-renal high energy phosphates. It achieved this by
preserving endothelial function, nitric oxide bioavailability, and
preventing endothelial injury and activation. Absolute mean differences
are presented in the Table. Sildenafil represents a novel renoprotective
intervention and warrants evaluation in a randomised controlled trial.

<15>
Accession Number
70947064
Authors
Patel N.N. Toth T. Jones C. Lin H. Ray P. George S.J. Welsh G. Satchell
S.C. Angelini G.D. Murphy G.J.
Institution
(Patel, Jones, Lin, George, Angelini, Murphy) Bristol Royal Infirmary,
Bristol, United Kingdom
(Toth, Welsh, Satchell) Southmead Hospital, Bristol, United Kingdom
(Ray) Weston General Hospital, Weston-Super-Mare, United Kingdom
Title
Developing novel renoprotective agents for the prevention of post cardiac
surgery acute kidney injury.
Source
Journal of the Intensive Care Society. Conference: State of the Art 2010
Meeting of the Intensive Care Society London United Kingdom. Conference
Start: 20101213 Conference End: 20101214. Conference Publication:
(var.pagings). 12 (1) (pp 62-63), 2011. Date of Publication: January 2011.
Publisher
Stansted News Ltd
Abstract
Background Acute kidney injury (AKI) following cardiac surgery, defined as
a >25% reduction in glomerular filtration rate, is associated with a
four-fold increase in postoperative mortality. Despite the importance of
this clinical problem, our understanding of the underlying processes is
poor and there is no effective treatment. This is a reflection of the poor
homology between rodent models, the mainstay of research into kidney
injury, and that which occurs in humans, and it has been suggested that
large animal models of AKI with closer homology to humans are required if
clinical progress is to be achieved. The aim of this programme of research
was: To undertake a systematic review of the evidence from randomised
controlled clinical trials that have evaluated pharmacological agents for
the prevention of AKI post cardiac surgery. To characterise
post-cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) AKI in a novel porcine recovery model
with potentially greater homology to cardiac surgery patients. To
determine the effect of endothelin-A (ET-A) receptor blockade on post CPB
AKI in swine. To determine the effect of phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5)
inhibition on post CPB AKI in swine. Methods Systematic review We searched
PubMed, Embase and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials for
randomised controlled trials comparing renoprotective pharmacological
interventions with control in adult patients undergoing cardiac surgery
with cardiopulmonary bypass. We extracted data for mortality, need for
renal replacement therapy (RRT), incidence of AKI, and creatinine
clearance at 24-48 hours. The meta-analysis was performed in line with
recommendations from the Cochrane Collaboration and the Quality of
Reporting of Meta-analyses guidelines with standard software. Porcine
recovery model of post-CPB AKI Plan of investigation Pigs (n=8 per group)
were randomised to the following groups: Group 1. Sham operation. Pigs
underwent a neck dissection under general anaesthesia. Group 2. CPB only.
Pigs underwent 2.5 hours of CPB. Group 3. CPB plus sitaxsentan sodium
(ET-A antagonist). Pigs underwent 2.5 hours of CPB. Each pig received an
infusion of sitaxsentan sodium 0.7 mg/kg over 30 minutes, at commencement
of CPB. Group 4. CPB plus sildenafil citrate (PDE-5 inhibitor). Pigs
underwent 2.5 hours of CPB. Each pig received an infusion of sildenafil 10
mg over 30 minutes, at commencement of CPB. Experimental methods
Thirty-two adult female Large White Landrace crossbred pigs weighing 50-70
kg were used. Minimally invasive CPB was achieved via Smart
Cannulae<sup></sup> (Smartcanula LLC, Lausanne, Switzerland) placed in the
aorta and right atrium via the right internal carotid artery and external
jugular vein respectively. Heparinisation, priming, temperature, perfusion
pressure, pump flows and acid base balance were managed according to
standard protocols. Total CPB time was 2.5 hours. Sham procedure animals
underwent similar general anaesthesia, surgical dissection and
heparinisation as CPB operated animals. Urine output was measured via a
urethral catheter. Animals were recovered, re-anaesthetised and
re-evaluated at 24 hours. Collection of serum and urine samples and
measurement of renal and endothelial function, oxygenation, and perfusion
occured at four time points: Baseline, the end of CPB, 1.5 hours post CPB
and 24 hours post CPB. Organ harvest was performed prior to euthanasia.
Outcomes Renal function: Creatinine clearance (primary outcome), free
water clearance and fractional sodium excretion were calculated from urine
volumes and serum samples taken at the four specified time points using
standard formulae. Renal injury: H&E stained 5 mum formalin fixed,
paraffin embedded sections were scored for tubular injury by a renal
histopathologist blinded to treatment allocation. Urinary IL-18, albumin
and protein were measured in the urine. Renal endothelial function: Renal
blood flow was recorded using a Transonic flow probe placed on the renal
artery via a mini-laparotomy. Endothelial dysfunction was determined by
the change in renal blood flow in response to a supra-renal aortic
infusion of acetylcholine (0.1-10 mug/kg/min). Cortical perfusion and
medullary oxygenation was measured by cortical surface probes and
O<sub>2</sub> sensors connected to a dual channel tissue monitoring system
(Oxylite, Oxford Optronix, Oxford UK). Mechanisms: Endothelial
injury-immunocytochemistry (ICC) for lectin Dolichos biflorus agglutinin,
Pecam-1 and ve-Cadherin. Nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability was assessed by
measuring urinary nitrate/nitrite concentration using the Greiss reaction.
Endothelial activation-ICC for endothelin-1, eNOS and iNOS, Inflammatory
cell infiltrate-ICC for MAC-387. High energy phosphates-will be measured
using HPLC of snap frozen tissue, Apoptosis-assessed using In-Situ End
Labelling (ISEL). Results Systematic review Forty-nine randomised
controlled trials involving 4,605 patients were included. Pharmacological
interventions included dopamine, fenoldopam, (Table Presented) calcium
channel antagonists, natriuretic peptides, diuretics, and
N-acetylcysteine. Most trials were of poor quality, with small sample
sizes, under reporting of randomisation procedure, allocation concealment
and method of blinding. No pharmacological intervention significantly
reduced mortality or the reported incidence of AKI. Fenoldopam and atrial
natriuretic peptide reduced the need for renal replacement therapy by 70%
(NNT 21, 95% CI 113, 830) and 76% (NNT 29, 95% CI 171, 844) respectively.
Dopamine caused a significant reduction in creatinine clearance (-426
mL/min, 95% CI-714,-139). Post-cardiopulmonary bypass acute kidney injury
in swine CPB caused AKI characterised by a mean reduction in creatinine
clearance of 50 mL/min (95% confidence interval (CI) 6.1 to 94.0) and a
mean rise in IL-18 of 211.5 pg/ml (95% CI 107.4 to 315.6) compared to sham
procedures (Table 1). This was associated with vascular endothelial
injury, activation and dysfunction, reduced NO bioavailability and a
significant increase in the expression of the paracrine vasoconstrictors
adenosine and endothelin-1 (Figure 1). In post CPB kidneys at 24 hours
there was persistent hypoxia at the level of the outer medulla, cortical
ATP depletion and evidence of proximal tubule epithelial cell stress and
apoptosis. There was no evidence of acute tubular necrosis (ATN). CPB
caused changes in the podocyte slit diaphragm and marked proteinuria.
Effect of ET-A receptor antagonism using sitaxsentan sodium When compared
to CPB, sitaxsentan prevented AKI by preserving creatinine clearance,
reducing proteinuria and IL-18 excretion, and preserving intra-renal high
energy phosphates (Table 1). It achieved this by preserving endothelial
function, nitric oxide bioavailability, and preventing endothelial injury
and activation (Figure 1). Effect of PDE-5 antagonism using sildenafil
citrate Like sitaxsentan, sildenafil prevented AKI by preserving
creatinine clearance, reducing IL-18 excretion, preserving intra-renal
high energy phosphates, renal blood flow and medullary oxygen tension
(Table 1). It achieved this by preserving endothelial function, nitric
oxide bioavailability, and preventing endothelial injury and activation
(Figure 1). Conclusions Currently, there are no effective renoprotective
agents for the prevention of post-CPB AKI. We have characterised post CPB
AKI in a novel swine (Graph Presented) recovery model. We have identified
injury to the vascular endothelium, loss of NO bioavailability,
endothelial dysfunction, vasoconstriction and medullary hypoxia as central
to this process. In contrast ATN was not evident. Administration of an
ET-A receptor antagonist or a PDE-5 inhibitor reversed these changes. The
endogenous endothelin system and NO pathways represent therapeutic targets
for the prevention of post cardiac surgery AKI.

<16>
Accession Number
2012719908
Authors
Gerber D.R.
Institution
(Gerber) Edward D. Viner Intensive Care Unit, Cooper University Hospital,
Camden, NJ 08103, United States
(Gerber) Cooper Medical School of Rowan University, Camden, NJ 08103,
United States
(Gerber) Univ. of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-Robert Wood Johnson
Medical School, Camden NJ 08103, United States
(Gerber) Division of Critical Care Medicine, Cooper University Hospital,
Camden 08103, NJ, United States
Title
Risks of packed red blood cell transfusion in patients undergoing cardiac
surgery.
Source
Journal of Critical Care. 27 (6) (pp 737.e1-737.e9), 2012. Date of
Publication: December 2012.
Publisher
W.B. Saunders (Independence Square West, Philadelphia PA 19106-3399,
United States)
Abstract
Packed red blood cell (PRBC) transfusion is common in patients undergoing
cardiac surgery. Evidence has accumulated demonstrating that such patients
can tolerate relatively low hemoglobins, and an extensive body of
literature has developed demonstrating that patients undergoing such
surgery who receive PRBC are at risk for several adverse outcomes
including increased mortality, atrial fibrillation, and more postoperative
infections, as well as numerous other complications. The PubMed database
was searched for the English language literature on the topic of PRBC
transfusion and outcomes in patients undergoing cardiac surgery, as well
as alternatives to this intervention. Data were reviewed to assess the
impact of transfusion in patients undergoing cardiac surgery on mortality,
cardiac, infectious, and pulmonary, as well as a variety of miscellaneous
complications. Patients receiving PRBC were consistently identified as
being at higher risk for complications in all categories. The limited
prospective data were consistent with the retrospective data, which
comprised most of the literature. The preponderance of the literature
suggests that patients undergoing cardiac surgery can tolerate lower
hemoglobin/hematocrit values than traditionally appreciated. Most
published data also indicate that PRBC transfusion should be reserved for
patients with an identifiable clinical/physiologic indication fir this
intervention, consistent with recent specialty society guidelines. 2012
Elsevier Inc.

<17>
Accession Number
2012719918
Authors
Corley A. Spooner A.J. Barnett A.G. Caruana L.R. Hammond N.E. Fraser J.F.
Institution
(Corley, Spooner, Caruana, Hammond, Fraser) Critical Care Research Group,
The Prince Charles Hospital and University of Queensland, Brisbane,
Australia
(Barnett) Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, School of Public
Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia
Title
End-expiratory lung volume recovers more slowly after closed endotracheal
suctioning than after open suctioning: A randomized crossover study.
Source
Journal of Critical Care. 27 (6) (pp 742.e1-742.e7), 2012. Date of
Publication: December 2012.
Publisher
W.B. Saunders (Independence Square West, Philadelphia PA 19106-3399,
United States)
Abstract
Purpose: Endotracheal suctioning causes significant lung derecruitment.
Closed suction (CS) minimizes lung volume loss during suction, and
therefore, volumes are presumed to recover more quickly postsuctioning.
Conflicting evidence exists regarding this. We examined the effects of
open suction (OS) and CS on lung volume loss during suctioning, and
recovery of end-expiratory lung volume (EELV) up to 30 minutes
postsuction. Material and Methods: Randomized crossover study examining 20
patients postcardiac surgery. CS and OS were performed in random order, 30
minutes apart. Lung impedance was measured during suction, and
end-expiratory lung impedance was measured at baseline and postsuctioning
using electrical impedance tomography. Oximetry, partial pressure of
oxygen in the alveoli/fraction of inspired oxygen ratio and compliance
were collected. Results: Reductions in lung impedance during suctioning
were less for CS than for OS (mean difference, - 905 impedance units; 95%
confidence interval [CI], - 1234 to -587; P < .001). However, at all
points postsuctioning, EELV recovered more slowly after CS than after OS.
There were no statistically significant differences in the other
respiratory parameters. Conclusions: Closed suctioning minimized lung
volume loss during suctioning but, counterintuitively, resulted in slower
recovery of EELV postsuction compared with OS. Therefore, the use of CS
cannot be assumed to be protective of lung volumes postsuctioning.
Consideration should be given to restoring EELV after either suction
method via a recruitment maneuver. 2012 Elsevier Inc.

<18>
Accession Number
70944563
Authors
Lamy A. Devereaux P. Prabhakaran D. Taggart D. Hu S. Paolasso E. Straka Z.
Piegas L. Akar R. Ou N. Chrolavicius S. Yusuf S.
Institution
(Lamy, Devereaux, Prabhakaran, Taggart, Hu, Paolasso, Straka, Piegas,
Akar, Ou, Chrolavicius, Yusuf) HamiltonONCanada
Title
Importance of risk stratification to explain international variations in
results of the coronary trial (off-pump vs. on-pump CABG surgery)-the
Canadian results.
Source
Canadian Journal of Cardiology. Conference: 65th Annual Meeting of the
Canadian Cardiovascular Society Toronto, ON Canada. Conference Start:
20121027 Conference End: 20121031. Conference Publication: (var.pagings).
28 (5 SUPPL. 1) (pp S416-S417), 2012. Date of Publication:
September-October 2012.
Publisher
Pulsus Group Inc.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: We reported the results of a large randomized controlled trial
evaluating off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) versus on-pump
CABG and found that the results (first co-primary outcome at 30 days)
between the two techniques appeared to vary across regions of the world.
We assessed whether this apparent variability in results was related to
the risk of patients as assessed by the EuroSCORE. METHODS: The study has
enrolled 4,752 patients from 79 centers in 19 countries, with coronary
artery disease who were scheduled to undergo CABG surgery. We examined
whether the variation by region in the co-primary composite outcome of
mortality, myocardial infarction (MI), stroke, and new renal failure at 30
days could be explained by the risk of patients. RESULTS: There was no
overall difference in the rate of the primary composite outcome between
off-pump and on-pump CABG (9.8% vs.10.3%; hazard ratio [HR] for the
off-pump group, 0.95; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.79 to 1.14; P =
0.59). However, the HRfor the primary outcome appeared to vary in the 4
regions of our trial: 0.68 in South America, 0.89 in North
America+Europe+Australia, 1.12 in China and 1.41 in India, (test for
interaction p=0.058). Surgical risk factors, such as the number of
diseased vessels, and surgeon expertise did not explain this variation.
However, the EuroSCORE (additive model) also influenced the apparent
differences in results. In post hoc analyses, low-risk patients (score 0
to 2) had a trend to more events with off-pump compared to on-pump CABG
(HR=1.35), while moderate and high risk patients (score of 3 and more)
tended to have better results with off-pump CABG (HR=0.87); p=0.047 for
interaction. A lower EuroSCORE was more prevalent in India (511/1256,
40.7%) and China (283/781, 36.2%), than in South America (177/776, 22.8%)
or in North America+Europe+Australia (368/1819, 20.2%). Adjustment for
these differences in the EuroSCORE eliminated the variations in results by
region (p = 0.524 for heterogeneity). Results from Canadian centers (830
patients) will be presented at the meeting. CONCLUSIONS: Although CORONARY
demonstrated no overall differences in results between off-pump vs.
on-pump surgery, higher risk patients tended to benefit more from off-pump
compared to on-pump surgery to a greater extent with the reverse in lower
risk patients.

<19>
Accession Number
70944496
Authors
Sarrazin J. Nair G. Nanthakumar K. Leong-Sit P. Sapp J. Kuriachan Singh S.
Nery P. Gula L.J. Downar E. Chauhan Skanes A.C. Nault I.
Institution
(Sarrazin, Nair, Nanthakumar, Leong-Sit, Sapp, Kuriachan, Singh, Nery,
Gula, Downar, Chauhan, Skanes, Nault) QuebecQCCanada
Title
Safety and efficacy of epicardial access for catheter ablation: A canadian
multicenter experience.
Source
Canadian Journal of Cardiology. Conference: 65th Annual Meeting of the
Canadian Cardiovascular Society Toronto, ON Canada. Conference Start:
20121027 Conference End: 20121031. Conference Publication: (var.pagings).
28 (5 SUPPL. 1) (pp S380-S381), 2012. Date of Publication:
September-October 2012.
Publisher
Pulsus Group Inc.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Access to the pericardial space is often required to ablate
epicardial substrates for cardiac arrhythmias. Percutaneous approach is
being increasingly used as part of ablation procedures. A systematic
review of the safety and feasibility of epicardial access for arrhythmia
ablation in Canadian centers has not been performed. METHODS: In 8
Canadian centers, 63 patients (54 men, age 52+/- 16 years, LVEF 34+/- 16%,
42 patients with prior failed endocardial ablation) underwent 67
epicardial mapping and/or ablation procedures. Fifty-four patients (86%)
had an underlying cardiomyopathy (CM). The diagnosis was non-ischemic
dilated CM in 26 patients, ischemic CM in 12, arrhythmogenic right
ventricular CM in 5, myocarditis in 5, cardiac sarcoidosis in 3, valvular
heart disease in 1, Chagas disease in 1, and left ventricular
non-compaction in 1. Indications for the procedure were ventricular
tachycardia (VT) in 62 patients (93%), Wolff-Parkinson-White in 2
patients, atrial tachycardia in 2 patients, and highly symptomatic
premature ventricular complexes in 1 patient. RESULTS: Percutaneous
epicardial access was attempted in 62 patients and an open surgical
approach was used in 1 patient. Successful percutaneous access was
obtained in 65/66 procedures (98%). An increase in the number of
epicardial procedures was observed over time (7 in 2006-2007, 19 in
2008-2009, 31 in 2010-2011, 10 in 2012). The procedure was performed under
general anesthesia in 36 patients (57%). Procedure duration was 315 +/- 82
minutes with a mean of 21 +/- 16 minutes of RF. Acute complete success (no
inducible arrhythmias) was achieved in 43 procedures (64%) and partial
success (elimination of clinical arrhythmia but other arrhythmias still
inducible) was achieved in an additional 14 procedures giving an overall
success rate of 85%. Major complications occurred with 3 procedures (4%):
RV laceration requiring surgical repair, retroperitoneal bleed, and
constrictive pericarditis at 10 months. Minor complications occurred with
12 procedures (18%), including pericardial effusion treated conservatively
in 3 patients, pericarditis in 3, pulmonary edema in 2, pleural effusion
in 1, pneumoperitoneum in 1, transient complete heart block in 1, and
thermal injury from ground patch in 1. Only 2 patients died within the
first month post-procedure because of persistent VT. CONCLUSIONS: Many
centers in Canada are now adopting percutaneous epicardial access for
ablation of epicardial ventricular and occasionally supraventricular
arrhythmias. Percutaneous epicardial access can be obtained safely in the
majority of patients, offering an effective and minimally invasive
approach to ablation of epicardial arrhythmia substrates.

<20>
Accession Number
70944413
Authors
Sas G. Lambert L.J. Boothroyd L.J. Ducharme A. Charbonneau E. Carrier M.
Cecere R. Guertin J.R. Morin J.E. Bogaty P.
Institution
(Sas, Lambert, Boothroyd, Ducharme, Charbonneau, Carrier, Cecere, Guertin,
Morin, Bogaty) MontrealQCCanada
Title
What can the patient with chronic end-stage heart failure expect from a
long-term left ventricular assist device? A systematic review of current
evidence.
Source
Canadian Journal of Cardiology. Conference: 65th Annual Meeting of the
Canadian Cardiovascular Society Toronto, ON Canada. Conference Start:
20121027 Conference End: 20121031. Conference Publication: (var.pagings).
28 (5 SUPPL. 1) (pp S337-S338), 2012. Date of Publication:
September-October 2012.
Publisher
Pulsus Group Inc.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Cardiac transplantation is the treatment of choice for
patients who have end-stage heart failure (HF) but wait times for a
suitable donor heart are often long and many patients are ineligible. The
continuous-flow left ventricular assist device (LVAD) HeartMate II (HM II)
is recognized as an alternative therapeutic option in suitable patients.
Patients require clear, evidence-based information on HM II use in order
to make an informed decision about this treatment option. OBJECTIVES: To
assess the benefits and risks of HM II in patients with chronic end-stage
HF (New York Heart Association class IV refractory to optimal medical
therapy). METHODS: A systematic search of scientific literature
(2008-2012) identified 6 studies of patients implanted with HM II as
>>bridge to transplant<< (BTT; transplant-eligible patients) and 4 studies
of patients implanted with HM II as >>destination therapy<< (DT;
transplant-ineligible patients). Study selection, data extraction and
quality assessment were done by two independent reviewers. A synthesis of
the data was discussed with clinicians specialized in the LVAD domain.
RESULTS: BTT patients have a >75% chance of 1-year survival; DT patients
have a >70% chance of 1-year survival. Six months after LVAD implantation,
>80% of both groups of patients are able to perform activities of daily
living with no or only mild HF symptoms, and patients can walk an average
of 325 metres in 6 minutes. Both groups of patients can expect no
deterioration of neurocognitive function while on support; for BTT
patients, renal/liver function may improve. Patients should expect to
spend 3 weeks in hospital for the LVAD implantation. While on support,
there is a significant risk of various serious complications, as
summarized in the Table. Most complications occur in the first 30 days
(particularly bleeding requiring surgery); afterwards, the most likely
complication is infection. Patients must accept long-term lifestyle
adaptation and meticulous device care, and will require the continuous
support of family/friends and formal caregivers. CONCLUSION: A systematic
literature review that examines all aspects of LVAD use and is interpreted
from the patient's perspective can be used to support decision-making that
is both patient-centred and evidence-based. Because current data is
relatively limited (especially with respect to perceived quality of life)
and level of evidence is generally weak, this approach promises to become
increasingly informative as more experience becomes available. (Table
Presented).

<21>
Accession Number
70944361
Authors
Khatri P.J. Webb J.G. Rodes-Cabau J. Fremes S.E. Ruel M. Lau K. Guo H.
Wijeysundera H. Ko D.T.
Institution
(Khatri, Webb, Rodes-Cabau, Fremes, Ruel, Lau, Guo, Wijeysundera, Ko)
TorontoONCanada
Title
Adverse effects associated with transcatheter aortic valve implantation: A
meta-analysis of contemporary studies.
Source
Canadian Journal of Cardiology. Conference: 65th Annual Meeting of the
Canadian Cardiovascular Society Toronto, ON Canada. Conference Start:
20121027 Conference End: 20121031. Conference Publication: (var.pagings).
28 (5 SUPPL. 1) (pp S310-S311), 2012. Date of Publication:
September-October 2012.
Publisher
Pulsus Group Inc.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has emerged as
an important treatment in patients with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis
at high operative risk, but accurate estimates of serious adverse effects
in contemporary practice are not available. We sought to quantify the
adverse effects associated with TAVI, and to evaluate whether the type of
transcatheter valve and the route of valve implantation are associated
with differences in adverse outcomes. METHODS: We searched the PubMed
electronic database up to August 31, 2011 to identify all studies that
included at least 100 TAVI patients and reported at least one outcome of
interest. Two reviewers abstracted the data independently. A random
effects model was used to combine data on adverse outcomes and conduct
stratified analyses. RESULTS: A total of 37 studies enrolling 9,795
patients met the inclusion criteria. Overall 30-day and 1-year survival
after TAVI were 91.4% (95% CI, 90.5% to 92.3%) and 79.2% (95% CI, 76.7% to
81.5%), respectively. Heart block requiring permanent pacemaker
implantation was the most common adverse outcome (13.7%), and almost five
times more common with the CoreValve (26.5%) than with the Sapien valve
(5.7%). The overall rate of vascular complications was 10.0% and highest
with transarterial implantation of the Sapien valve (17.0%). Acute renal
failure requiring renal replacement therapy was the third most common
complication, occurring in 4.6% of cases. CONCLUSION: The most common
adverse effects associated with TAVI are heart block, vascular
complications, and renal failure. The type of transcatheter valve and the
route of implantation are associated with observed variations in the risks
of some adverse effects.

<22>
Accession Number
70944314
Authors
Arsenault K.A. Paikin J.S. Hirsh J. Dale B. Whitlock R.P. Teoh K. Young E.
Ginsberg J.S. Weitz J.I. Eikelboom J.W.
Institution
(Arsenault, Paikin, Hirsh, Dale, Whitlock, Teoh, Young, Ginsberg, Weitz,
Eikelboom) HamiltonONCanada
Title
Subtle differences in commercial heparins can have serious consequences
for cardiopulmonary bypass patients: A randomized controlled trial.
Source
Canadian Journal of Cardiology. Conference: 65th Annual Meeting of the
Canadian Cardiovascular Society Toronto, ON Canada. Conference Start:
20121027 Conference End: 20121031. Conference Publication: (var.pagings).
28 (5 SUPPL. 1) (pp S285), 2012. Date of Publication: September-October
2012.
Publisher
Pulsus Group Inc.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Heparin is widely used during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB).
Prompted by anecdotal reports from our institution and a subsequent chart
review describing increased heparin and protamine dosing requirements
after switching from Hepalean to Pharmaceutical Partners of Canada (PPC)
heparin, we compared the potency, reversibility and perioperative bleeding
risk of these two heparins. METHODS: Because in-vitro testing failed to
detect differences in the potency or protamine reversibility of the two
heparin preparations, we conducted a parallel group, single-centre,
double-blind, randomized controlled trial to compare PPC heparin with
Hepalean in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery on
CPB. The primary outcomes were activated clotting times (ACT) measured
immediately after the first weight-adjusted heparin dose and the total
heparin requirement to maintain a target ACT of 480 seconds or higher
during CPB. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov
(NCT01343381). RESULTS: Between June 1, 2011, and June 30, 2011, we
randomly assigned 11 patients to receive PPC heparin and 10 to receive
Hepalean. Despite similar initial doses of heparin, the median initial ACT
was numerically lower in the PPC group than in the Hepalean group (516.0
[inter-quartile range: 481.0-633.0] vs. 584.0 [520.0-629.0] sec; p = 0.418
) and those given PPC required a higher total heparin dose (46000
[39500-60000] vs. 34500.0 [3225-37000] U; p=0.011) and dose of heparin per
kg than those given Hepalean (572.9 [443.0-659.7] vs. 401.1 [400.0-419.4]
U/kg; p = 0.003). Key secondary results included an increased median total
protamine dose (600.0 [550.0-700.0] vs. 500.0 [425.0-542.5] mg; p = 0.026)
and a non-significant increase in chest-tube output over 24h (830.0
[425.0-1135.0] vs. 702.5 [550.0-742.5] mL; p=0.324). CONCLUSION: PPC
heparin use was associated with higher heparin and protamine dose
requirements than Hepalean and a trend toward increased bleeding. These
findings indicate that heparin preparations are not interchangeable and
suggest that a direct comparison of potency with the brand in use is
needed if a change is made to ensure that the agents exert similar
anticoagulant effects in-vivo.

<23>
Accession Number
70944160
Authors
Ibrahim R. Avram R. Stevens L.M. Noiseux N. Gobeil F. Mansour S.
Institution
(Ibrahim, Avram, Stevens, Noiseux, Gobeil, Mansour) MontrealQCCanada
Title
Prevalence, clinical characteristics and management of coronary chronic
total occlusions in current practice: A canadian single center experience.
Source
Canadian Journal of Cardiology. Conference: 65th Annual Meeting of the
Canadian Cardiovascular Society Toronto, ON Canada. Conference Start:
20121027 Conference End: 20121031. Conference Publication: (var.pagings).
28 (5 SUPPL. 1) (pp S209), 2012. Date of Publication: September-October
2012.
Publisher
Pulsus Group Inc.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Coronary chronic total occlusions (CTOs) are commonly
encountered complex lesions. However, the true prevalence of CTOs in the
current Canadian practice with the modern medical therapy remains unknown.
In addition, CTOs remain the most powerful predictor of referral for
coronary bypass surgery or medical therapy with an unchanged low
CTO-percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) attempt rate in the last
years. METHODS: We aim to determine the prevalence, clinical
characteristics and management of CTOs among all comers population
referred for diagnostic coronary angiography. The rate of CTO attempt
recanalization and procedure success were recorded. Therefore, we
performed a systematic review of all coronary angiographies performed in a
high volume Canadian university center between January and July 2010.
Patients with at least one CTO (coronary obstruction with TIMI flow grade
0-in the absence of a patent graft-with an estimated duration of >3
months) were included in our study. Patients with acute coronary syndrome
or new onset angina involving the occluded artery territory were excluded.
Detailed baseline clinical, angiographic, electrocardiographic, and
revascularization data were collected. RESULTS: In the study period, a
total of 2087 coronary angiogram was performed with 371 patients (18%) met
the selection criteria. The mean age was 67+/- 11 years with 75% males,
the mean left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was 46 +/- 16% (with
47% of patients with a LVEF< 50%). Previous history of myocardial
infarction was documented in 36% of CTOs patients with only one third of
them having ECG evidence of a Q wave in the CTO territory. Ischemia in the
CTO territory was documented prior to the coronary angiogram in 53% of
cases. Almost half of CTOs were located in the right coronary artery, 24%
in the circumflex and and 29% in the left anterior descending artery
distribution. Only 10% of patients had aCTO-PCI attempt with a success
rate of 78%. The majority of patients (79%) were treated medically and 11%
were referred for coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. CONCLUSION:
Chronic total occlusions remain common findings in the current practice
with low rate of revascularization. New CTO-PCI techniques and dedicated
operators could increase the rate of PCI success with potential long term
clinical benefit.

<24>
Accession Number
70943926
Authors
Ramirez F.D. Hibbert B. Simard T. Pourdjabbar A. Wilson K.R. Hibbert R.
Kazmi M. Hawken S. Ruel M. Labinaz M. O'Brien E.R.
Institution
(Ramirez, Hibbert, Simard, Pourdjabbar, Wilson, Hibbert, Kazmi, Hawken,
Ruel, Labinaz, O'Brien) OttawaONCanada
Title
Natural history and management of aortocoronary saphenous vein graft
aneurysms: A systematic review of published cases.
Source
Canadian Journal of Cardiology. Conference: 65th Annual Meeting of the
Canadian Cardiovascular Society Toronto, ON Canada. Conference Start:
20121027 Conference End: 20121031. Conference Publication: (var.pagings).
28 (5 SUPPL. 1) (pp S87-S88), 2012. Date of Publication: September-October
2012.
Publisher
Pulsus Group Inc.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Saphenous vein graft aneurysms (SVGAs) are a very rare
complication of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Our objective was
to determine the clinical features and management options for
aortocoronary SVGAs in an effort to develop an approach to identifying and
managing patients with this complication. METHODS/RESULTS: We performed a
systematic review of published cases in MEDLINE and SCOPUS between 1966
and December 2010. Standardized data were extracted by two independent
reviewers. We identified 209 reported cases of aortocoronary SVGAs in 168
articles. Patients were predominantly male (86.6%) and had a mean age of
65.3 +/- 10.6 years. SVGAs were identified on average 13.1 +/- 6.0 years
after CABG with a mean diameter of 60.7 +/- 31.8 mm. Mechanical
complications were reported in 34.0% of cases at presentation. Though most
patients presented with chest pain (43.5%), SVGAs were commonly identified
incidentally on imaging (35.4%). The most commonly employed investigations
were cardiac catheterization (66.5%) and computed tomography (60.3%). In
cases in which serial follow-up were described, nearly all aneurysms
continued to increase in size. Surgical management was reported in 58.4%
of cases, percutaneous intervention in 15.8%, and conservative therapy in
20.1% with short-term mortality rates of 13.9%, 6.1%, and 23.8%,
respectively. CONCLUSIONS: SVGAs represent a rare but increasingly
recognized complication of CABG most often seen remotely from the surgery.
A large subset of patients with SVGAs are asymptomatic. It is hypothesized
that the aneurysms continue to grow over time albeit at variable rates.
Though further study is required, both surgical and percutaneous
interventions appear to have favourable outcomes. In select patients,
percutaneous management offers an alternative to repeat sternotomy.