Renal denervation for the treatment of ventricular arrhythmias: A systematic review and meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION

Ventricular arrhythmias (VAs) are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with heart disease. Recent studies evaluated the effect of renal denervation (RDN) on the occurrence of VAs. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the efficacy and safety of this procedure.

METHODS AND RESULTS

A systematic search of the literature was performed to identify studies that evaluated the use of RDN for the management of VAs. Primary outcomes were reduction in the number of VAs and implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) therapies. Secondary outcomes were changes in blood pressure and renal function. Ten studies (152 patients) were included in the meta-analysis. RDN was associated with a reduction in the number of VAs, antitachycardia pacing, ICD shocks, and overall ICD therapies of 3.53 events/patient/month (95% confidence interval [CI] = -5.48 to -1.57), 2.86 events/patient/month (95% CI = -4.09 to -1.63), 2.04 events/patient/month (95% CI = -2.12 to -1.97), and 2.68 events/patient/month (95% CI = -3.58 to -1.78), respectively. Periprocedural adverse events occurred in 1.23% of patients and no significant changes were seen in blood pressure or renal function.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with refractory VAs, RDN was associated with a reduction in the number of VAs and ICD therapies, and was shown to be a safe procedure.

Optical Coherence Tomography Versus Intravascular Ultrasound and Angiography to Guide Percutaneous Coronary Interventions: The iSIGHT Randomized Trial

[Figure: see text].

Three-year effects of bariatric surgery on obstructive sleep apnea in patients with obesity grade 1 and 2: a sub-analysis of the GATEWAY trial

BACKGROUND

Most of the evidence on bariatric surgery on obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is based on observational studies and/or short-term follow-up in patients with obesity grade 3.

SUBJECTS/METHODS

This randomized study compared the effects of roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) or usual care (UC) on OSA severity in patients with obesity grade 1-2. Mild, moderate, and severe OSA was defined by the apnea-hypopnoea index (AHI): 5-14.9; 15-29.9, and ≥30 events/h, respectively. OSA remission was defined by converting any form of OSA into normal AHI (<5 events/h).

RESULTS

After 3-year of follow-up, the body-mass index increased in the UC while decreased in the RYGB group: +1.7 (-1.9; 2.7) versus -10.6 (-12.7; -9.2) kg/m², respectively. The AHI increased by 5 (-4.2; 12.7) in the UC group while reduced in the RYGB group to -13.2 (-22.7; -7) events/h. UC significantly increase the frequency of moderate OSA (from 15.4 to 46.2%). In contrast, RYGB had a huge impact on reaching no OSA status (from 4.2 to 70.8%) in parallel to a decrease of moderate (from 41.7 to 8.3%) and severe OSA (from 20.8 to 0%).

CONCLUSIONS

RYGB is an attractive strategy for mid-term OSA remission or decrease moderate-to-severe forms of OSA in patients with obesity grade 1-2.

Effect of tocilizumab on clinical outcomes at 15 days in patients with severe or critical coronavirus disease 2019: randomised controlled trial

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether tocilizumab improves clinical outcomes for patients with severe or critical coronavirus disease 2019 (covid-19).

DESIGN

Randomised, open label trial.

SETTING

Nine hospitals in Brazil, 8 May to 17 July 2020.

PARTICIPANTS

Adults with confirmed covid-19 who were receiving supplemental oxygen or mechanical ventilation and had abnormal levels of at least two serum biomarkers (C reactive protein, D dimer, lactate dehydrogenase, or ferritin). The data monitoring committee recommended stopping the trial early, after 129 patients had been enrolled, because of an increased number of deaths at 15 days in the tocilizumab group.

INTERVENTIONS

Tocilizumab (single intravenous infusion of 8 mg/kg) plus standard care (n=65) versus standard care alone (n=64).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

The primary outcome, clinical status measured at 15 days using a seven level ordinal scale, was analysed as a composite of death or mechanical ventilation because the assumption of odds proportionality was not met.

RESULTS

A total of 129 patients were enrolled (mean age 57 (SD 14) years; 68% men) and all completed follow-up. All patients in the tocilizumab group and two in the standard care group received tocilizumab. 18 of 65 (28%) patients in the tocilizumab group and 13 of 64 (20%) in the standard care group were receiving mechanical ventilation or died at day 15 (odds ratio 1.54, 95% confidence interval 0.66 to 3.66; P=0.32). Death at 15 days occurred in 11 (17%) patients in the tocilizumab group compared with 2 (3%) in the standard care group (odds ratio 6.42, 95% confidence interval 1.59 to 43.2). Adverse events were reported in 29 of 67 (43%) patients who received tocilizumab and 21 of 62 (34%) who did not receive tocilizumab.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with severe or critical covid-19, tocilizumab plus standard care was not superior to standard care alone in improving clinical outcomes at 15 days, and it might increase mortality.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04403685.

Hydroxychloroquine with or without Azithromycin in Mild-to-Moderate Covid-19

BACKGROUND

Hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin have been used to treat patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19). However, evidence on the safety and efficacy of these therapies is limited.

METHODS

We conducted a multicenter, randomized, open-label, three-group, controlled trial involving hospitalized patients with suspected or confirmed Covid-19 who were receiving either no supplemental oxygen or a maximum of 4 liters per minute of supplemental oxygen. Patients were randomly assigned in a 1:1:1 ratio to receive standard care, standard care plus hydroxychloroquine at a dose of 400 mg twice daily, or standard care plus hydroxychloroquine at a dose of 400 mg twice daily plus azithromycin at a dose of 500 mg once daily for 7 days. The primary outcome was clinical status at 15 days as assessed with the use of a seven-level ordinal scale (with levels ranging from one to seven and higher scores indicating a worse condition) in the modified intention-to-treat population (patients with a confirmed diagnosis of Covid-19). Safety was also assessed.

RESULTS

A total of 667 patients underwent randomization; 504 patients had confirmed Covid-19 and were included in the modified intention-to-treat analysis. As compared with standard care, the proportional odds of having a higher score on the seven-point ordinal scale at 15 days was not affected by either hydroxychloroquine alone (odds ratio, 1.21; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.69 to 2.11; P = 1.00) or hydroxychloroquine plus azithromycin (odds ratio, 0.99; 95% CI, 0.57 to 1.73; P = 1.00). Prolongation of the corrected QT interval and elevation of liver-enzyme levels were more frequent in patients receiving hydroxychloroquine, alone or with azithromycin, than in those who were not receiving either agent.

CONCLUSIONS

Among patients hospitalized with mild-to-moderate Covid-19, the use of hydroxychloroquine, alone or with azithromycin, did not improve clinical status at 15 days as compared with standard care. (Funded by the Coalition Covid-19 Brazil and EMS Pharma; ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT04322123.).

Three-Year Outcomes of Bariatric Surgery in Patients With Obesity and Hypertension : A Randomized Clinical Trial

BACKGROUND

Midterm effects of bariatric surgery on patients with obesity and hypertension remain uncertain.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the 3-year effects of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) on blood pressure (BP) compared with medical therapy (MT) alone.

DESIGN

Randomized clinical trial. (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01784848).

SETTING

Investigator-initiated study at Heart Hospital (HCor), São Paulo, Brazil.

PARTICIPANTS

Patients with hypertension receiving at least 2 medications at maximum doses or more than 2 medications at moderate doses and with a body mass index (BMI) between 30.0 and 39.9 kg/m² were randomly assigned (1:1 ratio).

INTERVENTION

RYGB plus MT or MT alone.

MEASUREMENTS

The primary outcome was at least a 30% reduction in total number of antihypertensive medications while maintaining BP less than 140/90 mm Hg. Key secondary outcomes were number of antihypertensive medications, hypertension remission, and BP control according to current guidelines (<130/80 mm Hg).

RESULTS

Among 100 patients (76% female; mean BMI, 36.9 kg/m² [SD, 2.7]), 88% from the RYGB group and 80% from the MT group completed follow-up. At 3 years, the primary outcome occurred in 73% of patients from the RYGB group compared with 11% of patients from the MT group (relative risk, 6.52 [95% CI, 2.50 to 17.03]; P < 0.001). Of the randomly assigned participants, 35% and 31% from the RYGB group and 2% and 0% from the MT group achieved BP less than 140/90 mm Hg and less than 130/80 mm Hg without medications, respectively. Median (interquartile range) number of medications in the RYGB and MT groups at 3 years was 1 (0 to 2) and 3 (2.8 to 4), respectively (P < 0.001). Total weight loss was 27.8% and -0.1% in the RYGB and MT groups, respectively. In the RYGB group, 13 patients developed hypovitaminosis B₁₂ and 2 patients required reoperation.

LIMITATION

Single-center, nonblinded trial.

CONCLUSION

RYGB is an effective strategy for midterm BP control and hypertension remission, with fewer medications required in patients with hypertension and obesity.

PRIMARY FUNDING SOURCE

Ethicon, represented in Brazil by Johnson & Johnson do Brasil.

Effect of Dexamethasone on Days Alive and Ventilator-Free in Patients With Moderate or Severe Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome and COVID-19: The CoDEX Randomized Clinical Trial

Importance

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) due to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is associated with substantial mortality and use of health care resources. Dexamethasone use might attenuate lung injury in these patients.

Objective

To determine whether intravenous dexamethasone increases the number of ventilator-free days among patients with COVID-19-associated ARDS.

Design, Setting, and Participants

Multicenter, randomized, open-label, clinical trial conducted in 41 intensive care units (ICUs) in Brazil. Patients with COVID-19 and moderate to severe ARDS, according to the Berlin definition, were enrolled from April 17 to June 23, 2020. Final follow-up was completed on July 21, 2020. The trial was stopped early following publication of a related study before reaching the planned sample size of 350 patients.

Interventions

Twenty mg of dexamethasone intravenously daily for 5 days, 10 mg of dexamethasone daily for 5 days or until ICU discharge, plus standard care (n =151) or standard care alone (n = 148).

Main Outcomes and Measures

The primary outcome was ventilator-free days during the first 28 days, defined as being alive and free from mechanical ventilation. Secondary outcomes were all-cause mortality at 28 days, clinical status of patients at day 15 using a 6-point ordinal scale (ranging from 1, not hospitalized to 6, death), ICU-free days during the first 28 days, mechanical ventilation duration at 28 days, and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) scores (range, 0-24, with higher scores indicating greater organ dysfunction) at 48 hours, 72 hours, and 7 days.

Results

A total of 299 patients (mean [SD] age, 61 [14] years; 37% women) were enrolled and all completed follow-up. Patients randomized to the dexamethasone group had a mean 6.6 ventilator-free days (95% CI, 5.0-8.2) during the first 28 days vs 4.0 ventilator-free days (95% CI, 2.9-5.4) in the standard care group (difference, 2.26; 95% CI, 0.2-4.38; P = .04). At 7 days, patients in the dexamethasone group had a mean SOFA score of 6.1 (95% CI, 5.5-6.7) vs 7.5 (95% CI, 6.9-8.1) in the standard care group (difference, -1.16; 95% CI, -1.94 to -0.38; P = .004). There was no significant difference in the prespecified secondary outcomes of all-cause mortality at 28 days, ICU-free days during the first 28 days, mechanical ventilation duration at 28 days, or the 6-point ordinal scale at 15 days. Thirty-three patients (21.9%) in the dexamethasone group vs 43 (29.1%) in the standard care group experienced secondary infections, 47 (31.1%) vs 42 (28.3%) needed insulin for glucose control, and 5 (3.3%) vs 9 (6.1%) experienced other serious adverse events.

Conclusions and Relevance

Among patients with COVID-19 and moderate or severe ARDS, use of intravenous dexamethasone plus standard care compared with standard care alone resulted in a statistically significant increase in the number of ventilator-free days (days alive and free of mechanical ventilation) over 28 days.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04327401.

Early antiretroviral therapy for HIV-infected patients admitted to an intensive care unit (EARTH-ICU): A randomized clinical trial

Background

Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has reduced HIV-related morbidity and mortality at all stages of infection and reduced transmission of HIV. Currently, the immediate start of HAART is recommended for all HIV patients, regardless of the CD4 count. There are several concerns, however, about starting treatment in critically ill patients. Unpredictable absorption of medication by the gastrointestinal tract, drug toxicity, drug interactions, limited reserve to tolerate the dysfunction of other organs resulting from hypersensitivity to drugs or immune reconstitution syndrome, and the possibility that subtherapeutic levels of drug may lead to viral resistance are the main concerns. The objective of our study was to compare the early onset (up to 5 days) with late onset (after discharge from the ICU) of HAART in HIV-infected patients admitted to the ICU.

Methods

This was a randomized, open-label clinical trial enrolling HIV-infected patients admitted to the ICU of a public hospital in southern Brazil. Patients randomized to the intervention group had to start treatment with HAART within 5 days of ICU admission. For patients in the control group, treatment should begin after discharge from the ICU. The patients were followed up to determine mortality in the ICU, in the hospital and at 6 months. The primary outcome was hospital mortality. The secondary outcome was mortality at 6 months.

Results

The calculated sample size was 344 patients. Unfortunately, we decided to discontinue the study due to a progressively slower recruitment rate. A total of 115 patients were randomized. The majority of admissions were for AIDS-defining illnesses and low CD4. The main cause of admission was respiratory failure. Regarding the early and late study groups, there was no difference in hospital (66.7% and 63.8%, p = 0.75) or 6-month (68.4% and 79.2%, p = 0.20) mortality. After multivariate analysis, the only independent predictors of in-hospital mortality were shock and dialysis during the ICU stay. For the mortality outcome at 6 months, the independent variables were shock and dialysis during the ICU stay and tuberculosis at ICU admission.

Conclusions

Although the early termination of the study precludes definitive conclusions being made, early HAART administration for HIV-infected patients admitted to the ICU compared to late administration did not show benefit in hospital mortality or 6-month mortality.

ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01455688. Registered 20 October 2011, https://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT01455688

ICU staffing feature phenotypes and their relationship with patients' outcomes: an unsupervised machine learning analysis

PURPOSE

To study whether ICU staffing features are associated with improved hospital mortality, ICU length of stay (LOS) and duration of mechanical ventilation (MV) using cluster analysis directed by machine learning.

METHODS

The following variables were included in the analysis: average bed to nurse, physiotherapist and physician ratios, presence of 24/7 board-certified intensivists and dedicated pharmacists in the ICU, and nurse and physiotherapist autonomy scores. Clusters were defined using the partition around medoids method. We assessed the association between clusters and hospital mortality using logistic regression and with ICU LOS and MV duration using competing risk regression.

RESULTS

Analysis included data from 129,680 patients admitted to 93 ICUs (2014-2015). Three clusters were identified. The features distinguishing between the clusters were: the presence of board-certified intensivists in the ICU 24/7 (present in Cluster 3), dedicated pharmacists (present in Clusters 2 and 3) and the extent of nurse autonomy (which increased from Clusters 1 to 3). The patients in Cluster 3 exhibited the best outcomes, with lower adjusted hospital mortality [odds ratio 0.92 (95% confidence interval (CI), 0.87-0.98)], shorter ICU LOS [subhazard ratio (SHR) for patients surviving to ICU discharge 1.24 (95% CI 1.22-1.26)] and shorter durations of MV [SHR for undergoing extubation 1.61(95% CI 1.54-1.69)]. Cluster 1 had the worst outcomes.

CONCLUSION

Patients treated in ICUs combining 24/7 expert intensivist coverage, a dedicated pharmacist and nurses with greater autonomy had the best outcomes. All of these features represent achievable targets that should be considered by policy makers with an interest in promoting equal and optimal ICU care.

Organizational factors associated with target sedation on the first 48 h of mechanical ventilation: an analysis of checklist-ICU database

Background

Although light sedation levels are associated with several beneficial outcomes for critically ill patients on mechanical ventilation, the majority of patients are still deeply sedated. Organizational factors may play a role on adherence to light sedation levels. We aimed to identify organizational factors associated with a moderate to light sedation target on the first 48 h of mechanical ventilation, as well as the association between early achievement of within-target sedation and mortality.

Methods

This study is a secondary analysis of a multicenter two-phase study (prospective cohort followed by a cluster-randomized controlled trial) performed in 118 Brazilian ICUs. We included all critically ill patients who were on mechanical ventilation 48 h after ICU admission.

A moderate to light level of sedation or being alert and calm (i.e., the Richmond Agitation-Sedation Scale of − 3 to 0) was the target for all patients on mechanical ventilation during the study period. We collected data on the type of hospital (public, private, profit and private, nonprofit), hospital teaching status, nursing and physician staffing, and presence of sedation, analgesia, and weaning protocols. We used multivariate random-effects regression with ICU and study phase as random-effects and correction for patients’ Simplified Acute Physiology Score 3 and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment. We also performed a mediation analysis to explore whether sedation level was just a mediator of the association between organizational factors and mortality.

Results

We included 5719 patients. Only 1710 (29.9%) were on target sedation levels on day 2. Board-certified intensivists on the morning and afternoon shifts were associated with an adequate sedation level on day 2 (OR = 2.43; CI 95%, 1.09–5.38). Target sedation levels were associated with reduced hospital mortality (OR = 0.63; CI 95%, 0.55–0.72). Mediation analysis also suggested such an association, but did not suggest a relationship between the physician staffing model and hospital mortality.

Conclusions

Board-certified intensivists on morning and afternoon shifts were associated with an increased number of patients achieving lighter sedation goals. These findings reinforce the importance of organizational factors, such as intensivists’ presence, as a modifiable quality improvement target.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s13054-019-2323-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Double Blinded Randomized Trial of Subcutaneous Trigeminal Nerve Stimulation as Adjuvant Treatment for Major Unipolar Depressive Disorder

BACKGROUND

More than 30% of major depressive disorder patients fail to respond to adequate trials of medications and psychotherapy. While modern neuromodulation approaches (ie, vagal nerve stimulation, deep brain stimulation) are yet to prove their efficacy for such cases in large randomized controlled trials, trigeminal nerve stimulation (TNS) has emerged as an alternative with promising effects on mood disorders.

OBJECTIVE

To assess efficacy, safety, tolerability, and placebo effect duration of continuous subcutaneous TNS (sTNS) in treatment-resistant depression (TRD).

METHODS

The TREND study is a single-center, double-blind, randomized, controlled, phase II clinical trial. Twenty unipolar TRD patients will receive V1 sTNS as adjuvant to medical therapy and randomized to active vs sham stimulation throughout a 24-wk period. An additional 24-wk open-label phase will follow. Data concerning efficacy, placebo response, relapse, and side effects related to surgery or electrical stimulation will be recorded. We will use the HDRS-17, BDI-SR, IDS_SR30, and UKU scales.

EXPECTED OUTCOMES

The main outcome measure is improvement in depression scores using HAM-17 under continuous sTNS as adjuvant to antidepressants. Active stimulation is expected to significantly impact response and remission rates. Minor side effects are expected due to the surgical procedure and electrical stimulation. The open-label phase should further confirm efficacy and tolerability.

DISCUSSION

This study protocol is designed to define efficacy of a novel adjuvant therapy for TRD. We must strive to develop safe, reproducible, predictable, and well-tolerated neuromodulation approaches for TRD patients impaired to manage their lives and contribute with society.

Abstract P374: 24-h Blood Pressure Profile, Non-dipping Status And Incidence Of Resistant Hypertension In Patients Randomized To Bariatric Surgery Versus Medical Therapy: The Gateway Randomized Trial

Background: Bariatric surgery represents an effective strategy for office blood pressure (BP) reduction in obese hypertensive patients. However, no previous study evaluated the impact of bariatric surgery on 24-h BP profile, non-dipping status and incidence of resistant hypertension (RH).

Methods: This is a sub-analysis of a randomized clinical trial including hypertensive patients with grade 1 and 2 obesity, aged 18 to 65 years, using at least 2 drugs at optimal doses or >2 at moderate doses. Patients were randomly allocated to either Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass (RYGB) with medical therapy (MT) or MT alone for 12 months. We analyzed the 24-h BP profile, non-dipping status (defined by <10% of systolic BP reduction during sleep as compared to the daytime period) and RH incidence.

Results: A total of 100 patients were included (76% female, age 43.8±9.2 years, BMI 36.9±2.7 Kg/m 2 ). The 24-h BP profile was similar at 12 months in both groups, but the RYGB group required less anti-hypertensive classes compared to the MT alone (Figure). The rate of non-dipping BP did not change significantly during the follow-up (RYGB: from 18/48 (37.5%) to 22/48 (45.8%); p=0.30; MT: from 16/33 (48.5%) to 15/33 (45.5%); p=0.80). In an exploratory analysis, the incidence of RH was similar at the baseline (RYGB 10% (5/50) and MT 16% (8/50); p=0.38). After 12 months, it changed significantly in the RYGB group: 0% (0/49) while remained stable in the MT group: 14.9% (7/47) (p<0.001).

Conclusions: RYGB significantly reduced anti-hypertensive medications while promoting similar 24-h BP profile and non-dipping BP status compared to the MT alone. RYGB may be an attractive strategy to reduce RH incidence in obese patients.

Ticagrelor versus clopidogrel after fibrinolytic therapy in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction: Rationale and design of the ticagrelor in patients with ST elevation myocardial infarction treated with thrombolysis (TREAT) trial

BACKGROUND

The safety and efficacy of ticagrelor in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) treated with fibrinolytic therapy remain uncertain.

OBJECTIVES

The primary objective of the TicagRElor in pAtients with ST elevation myocardial infarction treated with Thrombolysis (TREAT) trial is to evaluate the short-term safety of ticagrelor when compared with clopidogrel in STEMI patients treated with fibrinolytic therapy. Key secondary objectives are to assess the safety and efficacy of ticagrelor compared with clopidogrel at 12-months.

DESIGN

The TREAT trial is a multicenter, randomized, phase III, Prospective randomized open blinded end-point (PROBE) study that enrolled 3,799 patients in 152 sites from 10 countries. Following administration of fibrinolytic therapy patients were randomized to a loading dose of ticagrelor 180 mg or clopidogrel 300 mg followed by a maintenance dose of ticagrelor 90 mg twice daily or clopidogrel 75 mg/day for 12-months. The primary outcome is the rate of TIMI major bleeding at 30-days and will be assessed for non-inferiority using an intention-to-treat analysis. Co-treatments include aspirin and anticoagulants. Other evidence based therapies are also recommended. Secondary efficacy outcome include a composite of death from vascular causes, myocardial infarction, stroke, severe recurrent ischemia, transient ischemic attack or other arterial thrombotic event. All-cause mortality as well as individual components of the combined efficacy endpoint will also be ascertained.

SUMMARY

TREAT is an international randomized controlled trial comparing ticagrelor with clopidogrel in STEMI patients treated with fibrinolytic therapy. The results of this trial will inform clinical practice and international guidelines.

Ticagrelor vs Clopidogrel After Fibrinolytic Therapy in Patients With ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Importance

The bleeding safety of ticagrelor in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction treated with fibrinolytic therapy remains uncertain.

Objective

To evaluate the short-term safety of ticagrelor when compared with clopidogrel in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction treated with fibrinolytic therapy.

Design, Setting and Participants

We conducted a multicenter, randomized, open-label with blinded end point adjudication trial that enrolled 3799 patients (younger than 75 years) with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction receiving fibrinolytic therapy in 152 sites from 10 countries from November 2015 through November 2017. The prespecified upper boundary for noninferiority for bleeding was an absolute margin of 1.0%.

Interventions

Patients were randomized to ticagrelor (180-mg loading dose, 90 mg twice daily thereafter) or clopidogrel (300-mg to 600-mg loading dose, 75 mg daily thereafter). Patients were randomized with a median of 11.4 hours after fibrinolysis, and 90% were pretreated with clopidogrel.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The primary outcome was thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) major bleeding through 30 days.

Results

The mean (SD) age was 58.0 (9.5) years, 2928 of 3799 patients (77.1%) were men, and 2177 of 3799 patients (57.3%) were white. At 30 days, TIMI major bleeding had occurred in 14 of 1913 patients (0.73%) receiving ticagrelor and in 13 of 1886 patients (0.69%) receiving clopidogrel (absolute difference, 0.04%; 95% CI, -0.49% to 0.58%; P < .001 for noninferiority). Major bleeding defined by the Platelet Inhibition and Patient Outcomes criteria and by the Bleeding Academic Research Consortium types 3 to 5 bleeding occurred in 23 patients (1.20%) in the ticagrelor group and in 26 patients (1.38%) in the clopidogrel group (absolute difference, -0.18%; 95% CI, -0.89% to 0.54; P = .001 for noninferiority). The rates of fatal (0.16% vs 0.11%; P = .67) and intracranial bleeding (0.42% vs 0.37%; P = .82) were similar between the ticagrelor and clopidogrel groups, respectively. Minor and minimal bleeding were more common with ticagrelor than with clopidogrel. The composite of death from vascular causes, myocardial infarction, or stroke occurred in 76 patients (4.0%) treated with ticagrelor and in 82 patients (4.3%) receiving clopidogrel (hazard ratio, 0.91; 95% CI, 0.67-1.25; P = .57).

Conclusions and Relevance

In patients younger than 75 years with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction, delayed administration of ticagrelor after fibrinolytic therapy was noninferior to clopidogrel for TIMI major bleeding at 30 days.

Trial Registration

clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT02298088.

An Open-Label Clinical Trial of Hypothalamic Deep Brain Stimulation for Human Morbid Obesity: BLESS Study Protocol

BACKGROUND

Human morbid obesity is increasing worldwide in an alarming way. The hypothalamus is known to mediate its mechanisms. Deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH) may be an alternative to treat patients refractory to standard medical and surgical therapies.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the safety, identify possible side effects, and to optimize stimulation parameters of continuous VMH-DBS. Additionally, this study aims to determine if continuous VMH-DBS will lead to weight loss by causing changes in body composition, basal metabolism, or food intake control.

METHODS

The BLESS study is a feasibility study, single-center open-label trial. Six patients (body mass index &gt; 40) will undergo low-frequency VMH-DBS. Data concerning timing, duration, frequency, severity, causal relationships, and associated electrical stimulation patterns regarding side effects or weight changes will be recorded.

EXPECTED OUTCOMES

We expect to demonstrate the safety, identify possible side effects, and to optimize electrophysiological parameters related to VMH-DBS. No clinical or behavioral adverse changes are expected. Weight loss ≥ 3% of the basal weight after 3 mo of electrical stimulation will be considered adequate. Changes in body composition and increase in basal metabolism are expected. The amount of food intake is likely to remain unchanged.

DISCUSSION

The design of this study protocol is to define the safety of the procedure, the surgical parameters important for target localization, and additionally the safety of long-term stimulation of the VMH in morbidly obese patients. Novel neurosurgical approaches to treat metabolic and autonomic diseases can be developed based on the data made available by this investigation.

Effects of four antiplatelet/statin combined strategies on immune and inflammatory responses in patients with acute myocardial infarction undergoing pharmacoinvasive strategy: Design and rationale of the B and T Types of Lymphocytes Evaluation in Acute Myocardial Infarction (BATTLE-AMI) study: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Background

Early reperfusion of the occluded coronary artery during acute myocardial infarction is considered crucial for reduction of infarcted mass and recovery of ventricular function. Effective microcirculation and the balance between protective and harmful lymphocytes may have roles in reperfusion injury and may affect final ventricular remodeling.

Methods/design

BATTLE-AMI is an open-label, randomized trial comparing the effects of four therapeutic strategies (rosuvastatin/ticagrelor, rosuvastatin/clopidogrel, simvastatin plus ezetimibe/ticagrelor, or simvastatin plus ezetimibe/clopidogrel) on infarcted mass and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) (blinded endpoints) in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction submitted to fibrinolytic therapy before coronary angiogram (pharmacoinvasive strategy). All patients (n = 300, 75 per arm) will be followed up for six months. The effects of treatment on subsets of B and T lymphocytes will be determined by flow-cytometry/ELISPOT and will be correlated with the infarcted mass, LVEF, and microcirculation perfusion obtained by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging. The primary hypothesis is that the combined rosuvastatin/ticagrelor therapy will be superior to other therapies (particularly for the comparison with simvastatin plus ezetimibe/clopidogrel) for the achievement of better LVEF at 30 days (primary endpoint) and smaller infarcted mass (secondary endpoint) at 30 days and six months. The trial will also evaluate the improvement in the immune/inflammatory responses mediated by B and T lymphocytes. Omics field (metabolomics and proteomics) will help to understand these responses by molecular events.

Discussion

BATTLE-AMI is aimed to (1) evaluate the role of subsets of lymphocytes on microcirculation improvement and (2) show how the choice of statin/antiplatelet therapy may affect cardiac remodeling after acute myocardial infarction with ST elevation.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02428374. Registered on 28 September 2014.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13063-017-2361-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Diabetes and cardiovascular events in high-risk patients: Insights from a multicenter registry in a middle-income country

AIMS

The aim of this study was to determine the rate of major clinical events and its determinants in patients with previous cardiovascular event or not, and with or without diabetes from a middle-income country.

METHODS

REACT study is a multicenter registry conducted between July 2010 and May 2013 in Brazil. Patients were eligible if they were over 45years old and high cardiovascular risk. Patients were followed for 12months; data were collected regarding adherence to evidence-based therapies and occurrence of clinical events (all-cause mortality, non-fatal cardiac arrest, myocardial infarction, or stroke).

RESULTS

A total of 5006 subjects was included and analyzed in four groups: No diabetes and no previous cardiovascular event, n=430; diabetes and no previous cardiovascular event, n=1138; no diabetes and previous cardiovascular event, n=1747; and diabetes and previous cardiovascular event, n=1691. Major clinical events in one-year follow-up occurred in 332 patients. A previous cardiovascular event was associated with a higher risk of having another event in the follow-up (HR 2.31 95% CI 1.74-3.05, p<0.001), as did the presence of diabetes (HR 1.28 95% CI 1.10-1.73, p=0.005). In patients with diabetes,failure to reach HbA1c targetswas related topoorer event-free survival compared to patients with good metabolic control (HR 1.70 95% CI 1.01-2.84, p=0.044).

CONCLUSIONS

In Brazil, diabetes confers high risk for major clinical events, but this condition is not equivalent to having a previous cardiovascular event. Moreover, not so strict targets for HbA1c in patients with diabetes and previous cardiovascular events might be considered.