Meta-Analysis of Ultrafiltration versus Diuretics Treatment Option for Overload Volume Reduction in Patients with Acute Decompensated Heart Failure

Introduction: Although diuretics are mainly used for the treatment of acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF), inadequate responses and complications have led to the use of extracorporeal ultrafiltration (UF) as an alternative strategy for reducing volume overloads in patients with ADHF. Objective: The aim of our study is to perform meta-analysis of the results obtained from studies on extracorporeal venous ultrafiltration and compare them with those of standard diuretic treatment for overload volume reduction in acute decompensated heart failure. Methods: MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials databases were systematically searched using a pre‑specified criterion. Pooled estimates of outcomes after 48 h (weight change, serum creatinine level, and all-cause mortality) were computed using random effect models. Pooled weighted mean differences were calculated for weight loss and change in creatinine level, whereas a pooled risk ratio was used for the analysis of binary all-cause mortality outcome. Results: A total of nine studies, involving 613 patients, met the eligibility criteria. The mean weight loss in patients who underwent UF therapy was 1.78 kg [95% Confidence Interval (CI): −2.65 to −0.91 kg; p < 0.001) more than those who received standard diuretic therapy. The post-intervention creatinine level, however, was not significantly different (mean change = −0.25 mg/dL; 95% CI: −0.56 to 0.06 mg/dL; p = 0.112). The risk of all-cause mortality persisted in patients treated with UF compared with patients treated with standard diuretics (Pooled RR = 1.00; 95% CI: 0.64–1.56; p = 0.993). Conclusion: Compared with standard diuretic therapy, UF treatment for overload volume reduction in individuals suffering from ADHF, resulted in significant reduction of body weight within 48 h. However, no significant decrease of serum creatinine level or reduction of all-cause mortality was observed

Yield of Downstream Tests After Exercise Treadmill Testing A Prospective Cohort Study

ObjectivesThe purpose of this study was to estimate the frequency and results of downstream testing after exercise treadmill tests (ETTs).BackgroundThe utility of additional diagnostic testing after ETT is not well characterized.MethodsWe followed consecutive individuals without known coronary artery disease referred for clinical ETT at a large medical center. We measured the frequency and results of downstream imaging tests and invasive angiography within 6 months of ETT and the combined endpoint of survival free from cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, and coronary revascularization.ResultsAmong 3,656 consecutive subjects who were followed for a mean of 2.5 ± 1.1 years, 332 (9.0%) underwent noninvasive imaging and 84 (2.3%) were referred directly to invasive angiography after ETT. The combined endpoint occurred in 76 (2.2%) patients. The annual incidence of the combined endpoint after negative, inconclusive, and positive ETT was 0.2%, 1.3%, and 12.4%, respectively (p < 0.001). Rapid recovery of electrocardiography (ECG) changes during ETT was associated with negative downstream test results and excellent prognosis, whereas typical angina despite negative ECG was associated with positive downstream tests and adverse prognosis (p < 0.001). Younger age, female sex, higher metabolic equivalents of task achieved, and rapid recovery of ECG changes were predictors of negative downstream tests.ConclusionsAmong patients referred for additional testing after ETT, the lowest yield was observed among individuals with rapid recovery of ECG changes or negative ETT, whereas the highest yield was observed among those with typical angina despite negative ECG or a positive ETT. These findings may be used to identify patients who are most and least likely to benefit from additional testing

Obesity, metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular prognosis: from the Partners coronary computed tomography angiography registry

Objective: To investigate the relationship among body mass index (BMI), cardiometabolic risk and coronary artery disease (CAD) among patients undergoing coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA). Methods: Retrospective cohort study of 1118 patients, who underwent coronary CTA at two centers from September 2004 to October 2011. Coronary CTA were categorized as normal, nonobstructive CAD ( 4. Association of BMI with cardiovascular prognosis was evaluated using multivariable fractional polynomial models. Results: Mean age of the cohort was 57 ± 13 years with median follow-up of 3.2 years. Increasing BMI was associated with MetS (OR 1.28 per 1 kg/m2, p 25 kg/m2. Within each BMI category, metabolically unhealthy patients had greater extent of CAD, as measured by CCTA, compared to metabolically healthy patients

Biomarkers for prediction of mortality in left-sided infective endocarditis

Background: Evidence regarding biomarkers for risk prediction in patients with infective endocarditis (IE) is limited. We aimed to investigate the value of a panel of biomarkers for the prediction of in-hospital mortality in patients with IE. Methods: Between 2016 and 2018, consecutive IE patients admitted to the emergency department were prospectively included. Blood concentrations of nine biomarkers were measured at admission (D0) and on the seventh day (D7) of antibiotic therapy: C-reactive protein (CRP), sensitive troponin I (s-cTnI), procalcitonin, B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), interleukin 6 (IL6), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), proadrenomedullin, alpha-1-acid glycoprotein, and galectin 3. The primary endpoint was in-hospital mortality. Results: Among 97 patients, 56% underwent cardiac surgery, and in-hospital mortality was 27%. At admission, six biomarkers were independent predictors of in-hospital mortality: s-cTnI (OR 3.4; 95%CI 1.8–6.4; P < 0.001), BNP (OR 2.7; 95%CI 1.4–5.1; P = 0.002), IL-6 (OR 2.06; 95%CI 1.3–3.7; P = 0.019), procalcitonin (OR 1.9; 95%CI 1.1–3.2; P = 0.018), TNF-α (OR 1.8; 95%CI 1.1–2.9; P = 0.019), and CRP (OR 1.8; 95%CI 1.0–3.3; P = 0.037). At admission, S-cTnI provided the highest accuracy for predicting mortality (area under the ROC curve: s-cTnI 0.812, BNP 0.727, IL-6 0.734, procalcitonin 0.684, TNF-α 0.675, CRP 0.670). After 7 days of antibiotic therapy, BNP and inflammatory biomarkers improved their performance (s-cTnI 0.814, BNP 0.823, IL-6 0.695, procalcitonin 0.802, TNF-α 0.554, CRP 0.759). Conclusion: S-cTnI concentration measured at admission had the highest accuracy for mortality prediction in patients with IE

Ischemic stroke caused by large-artery atherosclerosis: a red flag for subclinical coronary artery disease

BackgroundThe coronary calcium score (CAC) measured on chest computerized tomography is a risk marker of cardiac events and mortality. We compared CAC scores in two multiethnic groups without symptomatic coronary artery disease: subjects in the chronic phase after stroke or transient ischemic attack and at least one symptomatic stenosis ≥50% in the carotid or vertebrobasilar territories (Groupathero) and a control group (Groupcontrol).MethodsIn this cross-sectional study, Groupathero included two subgroups: GroupExtraorIntra, with stenoses in either cervical or intracranial arteries, and GroupExtra&amp;Intra, with stenoses in at least one cervical and one intracranial artery. Groupcontrol had no history of prior stroke/transient ischemic attacks and no stenoses ≥50% in cervical or intracranial arteries. Age and sex were comparable in all groups. Frequencies of CAC ≥100 and CAC &gt; 0 were compared between Groupathero and Groupcontrol, as well as between GroupExtraorIntr, GroupExtra&amp;Intra, and Groupcontrol, with bivariate logistic regressions. Multivariate analyses were also performed.ResultsA total of 120 patients were included: 80 in Groupathero and 40 in Groupcontrol. CAC &gt;0 was significantly more frequent in Groupathero (85%) than Groupcontrol (OR, 4.19; 1.74–10.07; p = 0.001). Rates of CAC ≥100 were not significantly different between Groupathero and Groupcontrol but were significantly greater in GroupExtra&amp;Intra (n = 13) when compared to Groupcontrol (OR 4.67; 1.21–18.04; p = 0.025). In multivariate-adjusted analyses, “Groupathero” and “GroupExtra&amp;Intra” were significantly associated with CAC.ConclusionThe frequency of coronary calcification was higher in subjects with stroke caused by large-artery atherosclerosis than in controls

Cardiovascular Statistics - Brazil 2021.

This is the 2021 edition of the Cardiovascular Statistics – Brazil , a multi-institutional effort to periodically provide updated information on the epidemiology of heart diseases and stroke in Brazil. The report incorporates official statistics provided by the Brazilian Ministry of Health and other government agencies, by the GBD project led by the IHME of the University of Washington, as well as data generated by other sources and scientific studies, such as cohorts and registries, on CVDs and their risk factors. The document is directed to researchers, clinicians, patients, healthcare policy makers, media professionals, the public, and others who seek comprehensive national data available on heart disease and stroke

Impact of COVID-19 on cardiovascular testing in the United States versus the rest of the world

Objectives: This study sought to quantify and compare the decline in volumes of cardiovascular procedures between the United States and non-US institutions during the early phase of the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the care of many non-COVID-19 illnesses. Reductions in diagnostic cardiovascular testing around the world have led to concerns over the implications of reduced testing for cardiovascular disease (CVD) morbidity and mortality. Methods: Data were submitted to the INCAPS-COVID (International Atomic Energy Agency Non-Invasive Cardiology Protocols Study of COVID-19), a multinational registry comprising 909 institutions in 108 countries (including 155 facilities in 40 U.S. states), assessing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on volumes of diagnostic cardiovascular procedures. Data were obtained for April 2020 and compared with volumes of baseline procedures from March 2019. We compared laboratory characteristics, practices, and procedure volumes between U.S. and non-U.S. facilities and between U.S. geographic regions and identified factors associated with volume reduction in the United States. Results: Reductions in the volumes of procedures in the United States were similar to those in non-U.S. facilities (68% vs. 63%, respectively; p = 0.237), although U.S. facilities reported greater reductions in invasive coronary angiography (69% vs. 53%, respectively; p < 0.001). Significantly more U.S. facilities reported increased use of telehealth and patient screening measures than non-U.S. facilities, such as temperature checks, symptom screenings, and COVID-19 testing. Reductions in volumes of procedures differed between U.S. regions, with larger declines observed in the Northeast (76%) and Midwest (74%) than in the South (62%) and West (44%). Prevalence of COVID-19, staff redeployments, outpatient centers, and urban centers were associated with greater reductions in volume in U.S. facilities in a multivariable analysis. Conclusions: We observed marked reductions in U.S. cardiovascular testing in the early phase of the pandemic and significant variability between U.S. regions. The association between reductions of volumes and COVID-19 prevalence in the United States highlighted the need for proactive efforts to maintain access to cardiovascular testing in areas most affected by outbreaks of COVID-19 infection