Risk profiles and one-year outcomes of patients with newly diagnosed atrial fibrillation in India: Insights from the GARFIELD-AF Registry.

BACKGROUND: The Global Anticoagulant Registry in the FIELD-Atrial Fibrillation (GARFIELD-AF) is an ongoing prospective noninterventional registry, which is providing important information on the baseline characteristics, treatment patterns, and 1-year outcomes in patients with newly diagnosed non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF). This report describes data from Indian patients recruited in this registry. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 52,014 patients with newly diagnosed AF were enrolled globally; of these, 1388 patients were recruited from 26 sites within India (2012-2016). In India, the mean age was 65.8 years at diagnosis of NVAF. Hypertension was the most prevalent risk factor for AF, present in 68.5% of patients from India and in 76.3% of patients globally (P < 0.001). Diabetes and coronary artery disease (CAD) were prevalent in 36.2% and 28.1% of patients as compared with global prevalence of 22.2% and 21.6%, respectively (P < 0.001 for both). Antiplatelet therapy was the most common antithrombotic treatment in India. With increasing stroke risk, however, patients were more likely to receive oral anticoagulant therapy [mainly vitamin K antagonist (VKA)], but average international normalized ratio (INR) was lower among Indian patients [median INR value 1.6 (interquartile range {IQR}: 1.3-2.3) versus 2.3 (IQR 1.8-2.8) (P < 0.001)]. Compared with other countries, patients from India had markedly higher rates of all-cause mortality [7.68 per 100 person-years (95% confidence interval 6.32-9.35) vs 4.34 (4.16-4.53), P < 0.0001], while rates of stroke/systemic embolism and major bleeding were lower after 1 year of follow-up. CONCLUSION: Compared to previously published registries from India, the GARFIELD-AF registry describes clinical profiles and outcomes in Indian patients with AF of a different etiology. The registry data show that compared to the rest of the world, Indian AF patients are younger in age and have more diabetes and CAD. Patients with a higher stroke risk are more likely to receive anticoagulation therapy with VKA but are underdosed compared with the global average in the GARFIELD-AF. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION-URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT01090362

Effect of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 on the osseointegration of dental implants: a biomechanics study.

BACKGROUND: Bone augmentation procedures in combination with dental implants enhance osseointegration in areas that demonstrate localized bone deficit. Clinical confirmation of a biomechanically stable interface is essential for functional implant loading. PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate biomechanically the effect of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein (rhBMP)-2 on implant osseointegration and correlate it with periotest and radiographic measurements. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Hollow cylinder implants were filled with absorbable collagen sponge soaked with rhBMP-2 or left empty and implanted in dog mandibles. The animals were followed for 4, 8, and 12 weeks, periotest assessment was performed at the end of each time interval, and specimens were collected for pullout biomechanical testing and radiographic evaluation of bone-implant contact levels. RESULTS: Periotest assessment did not provide evidence of statistically significant differences between the two groups and correlated well with the radiographic bone-implant contact levels. The pullout test revealed a higher correlation between force/displacement and displacement/energy for the experimental group, suggesting that the addition of rhBMP-2 did influence the rate of osseointegration. CONCLUSION: The results from the pullout test support the potential role of rhBMP-2 in clinical applications by promoting a biomechanically mature interface at 12 weeks. However, radiographic and periotest assessment of the bone-implant interface did not provide evidence of the differences observed with biomechanical testing

The fate of patients after failed epicardial ablation of atrial fibrillation

Background Much debate is still going on about the best ablation strategy-via endocardial or epicardial approach-in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), and evidence gaps exist in current guidelines in this area. More specifically, there are no clear long-term outcome data after failed surgical AF ablation. Methods Since June 2008, 549 surgical AF ablation procedures through a right minithoracotomy were performed at our institution. From 2008 to 2011, a unipolar radiofrequency device was used (151 patients), whereas from 2011 to 2020 a bipolar radiofrequency device was used (398 patients). Patients were scheduled for surgery on the basis of the following criteria: recurrent episodes of paroxysmal or persistent lone AF refractory to maximally tolerated antiarrhythmic drug dosing and at least one failed cardioversion attempt. Besides the recommended follow-up by the local cardiologist, starting from 2021, surviving patients were asked to undergo assessment of left ventricular function and to complete a questionnaire addressing quality of life and predisposing factors for recurrent AF. Results At a mean follow-up of 77 months, the rate of AF recurrence was 20.7% (n = 114). On multivariate analysis, impaired left ventricular ejection fraction (58 patients, 51%, p = 0.002), worsening of European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) symptom class (37 patients, 32%, p = 0.003) and cognitive decline or depression (23 patients, 20%, p = 0.023) during follow-up were found to be significantly associated with AF recurrence. Conclusions Surgical AF ablation through a right minithoracotomy is safe, but a better outcome could be achieved using a hybrid approach. Patients after initial failed surgical AF ablation show worsening of cardiac function, clinical status and quality of life at follow-up compared to patients with successful AF ablation

The fate of patients after failed epicardial ablation of atrial fibrillation

Abstract Background Much debate is still going on about the best ablation strategy—via endocardial or epicardial approach—in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), and evidence gaps exist in current guidelines in this area. More specifically, there are no clear long-term outcome data after failed surgical AF ablation. Methods Since June 2008, 549 surgical AF ablation procedures through a right minithoracotomy were performed at our institution. From 2008 to 2011, a unipolar radiofrequency device was used (151 patients), whereas from 2011 to 2020 a bipolar radiofrequency device was used (398 patients). Patients were scheduled for surgery on the basis of the following criteria: recurrent episodes of paroxysmal or persistent lone AF refractory to maximally tolerated antiarrhythmic drug dosing and at least one failed cardioversion attempt. Besides the recommended follow-up by the local cardiologist, starting from 2021, surviving patients were asked to undergo assessment of left ventricular function and to complete a questionnaire addressing quality of life and predisposing factors for recurrent AF. Results At a mean follow-up of 77 months, the rate of AF recurrence was 20.7% (n = 114). On multivariate analysis, impaired left ventricular ejection fraction (58 patients, 51%, p = 0.002), worsening of European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) symptom class (37 patients, 32%, p = 0.003) and cognitive decline or depression (23 patients, 20%, p = 0.023) during follow-up were found to be significantly associated with AF recurrence. Conclusions Surgical AF ablation through a right minithoracotomy is safe, but a better outcome could be achieved using a hybrid approach. Patients after initial failed surgical AF ablation show worsening of cardiac function, clinical status and quality of life at follow-up compared to patients with successful AF ablation

Risk factors for Gram-negative bacterial infection of cardiovascular implantable electronic devices: multicenter observational study (CarDINe Study).

Infections of cardiovascular implantable electronic devices (CIED) are mainly due to gram-positive bacteria (GPB). Data about gram negative bacteria CIED (GNB-CIED) infections are limited. Aims of our work are to investigate risk factors, clinical and diagnostic characteristics, and outcome of patients with GNB-CIED. Multicenter, international, retrospective, case-control-control study on patients undergoing CIED implantation from 2015 to 2019 in 17 centers across Europe. For each patient diagnosed with GNB-CIED, one matching control with GPB-CIED infection and two matching controls without infection were selected. 236 patients were enrolled: 59 with GNB-CIED infection, 59 with GPB-CIED infection and 118 without infection. No differences regarding clinical presentation, diagnostic and therapeutic managements were found between the groups. A trend toward higher rate of FDG PET/CT positivity was observed among patients with GN than in those with GPB-CIED infection (85.7% vs. 66.7%, p=0.208). Risk factors for GNB-CIED infection were Charlson Comorbidity Index Score (RRR=1.211, P= 0.011), obesity (RRR: 5.122, P=0.008), ventricular-pacing ventricular-sensing inhibited-response pacemaker (PM-VVI) implantation (RRR: 3,027, P=0.006) and the right subclavian vein site of implantation (RRR: 5.014, P=0.004). At 180-day survival analysis GNB-CIED infection was associated with increased mortality risk (HR=1.842, P=0.067). Obesity, high number of comorbidities, and right subclavian vein implantation site are associated with increased risk of GNB-CIED infection. A prompt therapeutic intervention that may be guided by the use of FDG PET/CT is suggested in patients with GNB-CIED infection considering the poorer outcome observed in this group

Applications of Raman spectroscopy in dentistry:Analysis of tooth structure

Tooth enamel is the most mineralized tissue in the human body, and in this article the use of Raman spectroscopy for the analysis of tooth structure, a comparison with synthetic apatites, and use in dentistry are described. Spectral peaks that are related to dental hard and soft tissues are discussed, which provide crucial data in understanding the chemical structural properties of dentin and enamel. The Raman spectrum of dentin confirms the presence of crystalline phosphate-based minerals in dentin. Both dentin and enamel consist of two primary components: an inorganic or mineral phase that closely resembles hydroxyapatite and the Raman spectrum of dentin that confirms the presence of crystalline phosphate-based minerals in dentin. Hence, the mineral phase in dentin and enamel may be characterized essentially as nonstoichiometric substituted apatite. The presence of carbonate (A and B type) incorporated in the hydroxyapatite lattice is also confirmed by the presence of spectral bands. The organic phase, which is mainly composed of type I collagen, is confirmed by the spectral bands of amide I and amide II bands, tryptophan, and phenylalanine. Furthermore, these spectral bands associated with organic and inorganic parts of the enamel and dentin are useful in predicting early formation of carries formation. © 2015 Ravikumar Ramakrishnaiah, Ghufran ur Rehman, Santhosh Basavarajappa, Abdulaziz Abdullah Al Khuraif, B. H. Durgesh, Abdul Samad Khan, and Ihtesham ur Rehman

Relationship between markers of metabolic control and inflammation on severity of periodontal disease in patients with diabetes mellitus

10.1111/j.1600-051X.2006.01032.xJournal of Clinical Periodontology342118-12

Emerging dental applications of Raman spectroscopy

Peer reviewed: YesNRC publication: Ye