Cardiovascular Outcomes and All-cause Mortality Following Measurement of Endogenous Testosterone Levels

Although reduced testosterone levels are common in aging populations, the clinical consequences remain to be further explored. We examined whether low total testosterone levels are associated with stroke (ischemic and hemorrhagic), myocardial infarction (MI), venous thromboembolism (VTE), and all-cause mortality in adult men. We conducted a cohort study in the Central Denmark Region (2000 to 2015). We included all men with a first-ever laboratory testosterone result and computed the 5-year risks of cardiovascular outcomes and all-cause mortality. Propensity score-weighted hazard ratios were computed, comparing persons with normal versus low testosterone levels. Individuals were censored at testosterone treatment during follow-up (3%). We identified 4,771 men with low testosterone levels and 13,467 with normal levels. Persons with low testosterone levels were older (median ages, 55 years vs 50 years) and had more co-morbidities than men with normal testosterone levels. Persons with low testosterone had higher 5-year risks of stroke (2.4% vs 1.5%), MI (1.5% vs 1.2%), VTE (1.4% vs 0.9%), and all-cause mortality (17.8% vs 6.8%) than persons with normal testosterone levels. After propensity score-weighting, the associations with cardiovascular outcomes reached unity. The 5-year hazard ratios were 1.14 (95% confidence intervals [CIs] 0.87 to 1.49) for stroke, 0.95 (95% CI 0.70 to 1.30) for MI, 1.10 (95% CI 0.78 to 1.55) for VTE, whereas it was 1.48 (95% CI 1.32 to 1.64) for all-cause mortality. In conclusion, low testosterone level was a strong predictor for cardiovascular outcomes and all-cause mortality in unadjusted models, however only the association between low testosterone and all-cause mortality persisted after adjustment for age and co-morbidity.

Pregnancy, Birth, Neonatal, and Postnatal Neurological Outcomes After Pregnancy With Migraine

BACKGROUND

Prevalence of migraine is high during the reproductive age. Although migraine often improves during pregnancy, the risk of adverse pregnancy, birth, neonatal, and neurological outcomes in mother and offspring remains poorly understood.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the associations between maternal migraine and risks of adverse pregnancy outcomes in the mother, and birth, neonatal and postnatal outcomes in the offspring.

METHODS

We used Danish population registries to assemble a cohort of pregnancies among women with migraine and an age- and conception year-matched comparison cohort of pregnancies among women without migraine. The study period was 2005-2012. We computed adjusted prevalence ratios (aPRs) for pregnancy and birth outcomes and adjusted risk ratios (aRRs) for neonatal and postnatal outcomes, adjusting for age, preconception medical history, and preconception reproductive history.

RESULTS

We identified 22,841 pregnancies among women with migraine and 228,324 matched pregnancies among women without migraine. Migraine was associated with an increased risk of pregnancy-associated hypertension disorders (aPR: 1.50 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.39-1.61]) and miscarriage (aPR: 1.10 [95% CI: 1.05-1.15]). Migraine was associated with an increased prevalence of low birth weight (aPR: 1.14 [95% CI: 1.06-1.23]), preterm birth (aPR: 1.21 [95% CI: 1.13-1.30]) and cesarean delivery (aPR: 1.20 [95% CI: 1.15-1.25]), but not of small for gestational age offspring (aPR: 0.94 [95% CI: 0.88-0.99]) and birth defects (aPR: 1.01 [95% CI: 0.93-1.09]). Offspring prenatally exposed to maternal migraine had elevated risks of several outcomes in the neonatal and postnatal period, including intensive care unit admission (aRR: 1.22 [95% CI: 1.03-1.45]), hospitalization (aRR: 1.12 [95% CI: 1.06-1.18]), dispensed prescriptions (aRR: 1.34 [95% CI: 1.24-1.45]), respiratory distress syndrome (aRR: 1.20 [95% CI: 1.02-1.42]), and febrile seizures (aRR: 1.27 [95% CI: 1.03-1.57), but not of death (aRR: 0.67 [95% CI: 0.43-1.04]) and cerebral palsy (aRR: 1.00 [95% CI: 0.51-1.94]).

CONCLUSIONS

Women with migraine and their offspring have greater risks of several adverse pregnancy outcomes than women without migraine.

Levels of and Changes in Childhood Body Mass Index in Relation to Risk of Atrial Fibrillation and Atrial Flutter in Adulthood

Children with obesity have a cardiometabolic risk profile that may predispose them to cardiovascular diseases. We examined the associations of childhood body mass index (BMI) and changes in BMI with the risk of atrial fibrillation and flutter (AFF) in adulthood. We conducted a population-based cohort study of Danish schoolchildren aged 7-13 years born from 1930 to 1989. Among 314,140 children, 17,594 were diagnosed with AFF as adults (1977-2014). In both men and women, above-average BMIs in childhood were associated with increased risks of AFF. Children who were persistently heavy at ages 7 and 13 years and children whose BMIs increased from the internal 25.0th-75.0th percentiles or from the internal 75.1th-90.0th percentiles between ages 7 and 13 years had higher risks of AFF in adulthood than children whose BMIs remained in the internal 25.0th-75.0th percentiles at both ages. A decrease in BMI percentile categories between 7 and 13 years of age reduced risks of AFF in adulthood, with risks of AFF reverting to levels similar to those in the reference group for women but not for men. In conclusion, risks of AFF in adulthood increased with higher childhood BMIs. Remission from overweight by age 13 years reduced AFF risks, especially in women.

Change in body mass index from childhood onwards and risk of adult cardiovascular disease

Childhood obesity adversely affects the structure and function of the cardiovascular system, but the relationship between excessive weight gain during childhood and adult cardiovascular disease (CVD) is not fully understood. This review summarizes evidence for associations of change in body mass index (BMI) from childhood onwards with CVD outcomes. We found that excessive gain in BMI from childhood onwards was consistently associated with the presence of CVD risk factors, with increased risks of coronary heart disease, and there were suggestions of associations with stroke, atrial fibrillation and heart failure, but a lack of evidence precludes firm conclusions. These results indicate that the risk of CVD can be traced back to child ages and highlights the importance of primordial prevention of CVD by preventing excessive weight gain in childhood.

Preadmission use of glucocorticoids and risk of cardiovascular events in patients with ischemic stroke

Essentials The risk of thrombosis among ischemic stroke patients using glucocorticoids is unknown. We examined the risk of thrombosis in 98 487 ischemic stroke patients, by glucocorticoid use. Myocardial infarction and venous thromboembolism risk was increased in glucocorticoid users. Hemorrhagic stroke risk was lower and recurrent ischemic stroke the same in glucocorticoid users. SUMMARY: Background Glucocorticoid users have a high mortality rate following stroke, but the underlying clinical pathways are poorly understood. Objectives To examine the risk of cardiovascular events among ischemic stroke patients using glucocorticoids. Methods We conducted a nationwide population-based cohort study by using medical registries in Denmark. We identified all patients hospitalized with a first-time ischemic stroke (2004-2013). We categorized glucocorticoid use into current use (last prescription redemption ≤ 90 days before admission), former use, and non-use. With non-users as reference, we studied the risks of recurrent ischemic stroke, hemorrhagic stroke, myocardial infarction and venous thromboembolism associated with glucocorticoid use. Comorbidity and comedication-adjusted 1-year hazard ratios (aHRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were computed on the basis of Cox regression analysis. Results We identified 98 487 patients with a first-time (index) ischemic stroke. After the index stroke, the 1-year cumulative incidence of recurrent ischemic stroke was 16.4% among current glucocorticoid users, whereas risks were lower for hemorrhagic stroke (0.46%), myocardial infarction (1.35%), and venous thromboembolism (0.98%). Among current glucocorticoid users, aHRs were increased for myocardial infarction (1.32, 95% CI 0.98-1.76) and venous thromboembolism (1.39, 95% CI 0.99-1.94), whereas the risk of hemorrhagic stroke was reduced (aHR 0.60, 95% CI 0.38-0.93). There was no association with recurrent ischemic stroke (aHR 1.01, 95% CI 0.94-1.09). Conclusions During the first year after ischemic stroke, current glucocorticoid use was associated with moderately increased risks of myocardial infarction and venous thromboembolism, and a lower risk of hemorrhagic stroke, whereas the risk of recurrent ischemic stroke was not affected.

Retinal vein thrombosis and risk of occult cancer: A nationwide cohort study

Background

Retinal vein thrombosis has in case reports been reported a clinical sign of cancer, especially hematological cancer. However, it is unclear whether retinal vein thrombosis is a marker of underlying cancer, as is the case for deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. We investigated the risk of occult cancer in patients with retinal vein thrombosis.

Methods

A nationwide population‐based cohort study in Denmark on all patients diagnosed with a retinal vein thrombosis during 1994 and 2013. The main outcome measures were any cancer and site‐specific cancers <6 months, 6‐12 months, and 5 years following a retinal vein thrombosis diagnosis, as registered in the Danish Cancer Registry and the National Pathology Registry. We calculated the absolute cancer risk and computed standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for cancer within <6 months, 6‐12 months, and 5 years following a retinal vein thrombosis diagnosis.

Results

Among 9589 patients with retinal vein thrombosis, we observed 1514 cancer cases. The risk of any cancer was 1.2% <6 months and 28.8% after 5 years. The <6 months SIR was 1.20 (95% CI 0.99‐1.44), 6‐12 months SIR was 1.15 (95% CI 0.94‐1.39), and the 5 years’ SIR was 1.08 (95% CI 1.03‐1.14). Stratification by age, gender, calendar year, and Charlson Comorbidity Index score did not change overall cancer risk estimates.

Conclusion

Retinal vein thrombosis was not an important clinical marker for occult cancer. An extensive diagnostic cancer workup does not appear warranted for retinal vein thrombosis patients.

Sampling strategies for selecting general population comparison cohorts

Background

For a patient cohort, access to linkable population-based registries permits sampling of a comparison cohort from the general population, thereby contributing to the understanding of the disease in a population context. However, sampling without replacement in random order can lead to immortal time bias by conditioning on the future.

Aim

We compared the following strategies for sampling comparison cohorts in matched cohort studies with respect to time to ischemic stroke and mortality: sampling without replacement in random order; sampling with replacement; and sampling without replacement in chronological order.

Methods

We constructed index cohorts of individuals from the Danish general population with no particular trait, except being alive and without ischemic stroke on the index date. We also constructed index cohorts of persons aged >50 years from the general population. We then applied the sampling strategies to sample comparison cohorts (5:1 or 1:1) from the Danish general population and compared outcome risks between the index and comparison cohorts. Finally, we sampled comparison cohorts for a heart failure cohort using each strategy.

Results

We observed increased outcome risks in comparison cohorts sampled 5:1 without replacement in random order compared to the index cohorts. However, these increases were minuscule unless index persons were aged >50 years. In this setting, sampling without replacement in chronological order failed to sample a sufficient number of comparators, and the mortality risks in these comparison cohorts were lower than in the index cohorts. Sampling 1:1 showed no systematic difference between comparison and index cohorts. When we sampled comparison cohorts for the heart failure patients, we observed a pattern similar to when index persons were aged >50 years.

Conclusion

When index persons were aged >50 years, ie, had high outcome risks, sampling 5:1 without replacement introduced bias. Sampling with replacement or 1:1 did not introduce bias.

Risk of bleeding and arterial cardiovascular events in patients with splanchnic vein thrombosis in Denmark: a population-based cohort study

BACKGROUND

Little is known about adverse events following splanchnic vein thrombosis. Venous thromboembolism has been associated with increased risks of bleeding and arterial cardiovascular events. To learn more about the clinical course of splanchnic vein thrombosis, we examined the risks of bleeding and arterial cardiovascular events in patients with the disease, and compared them with the risks in patients with deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or pulmonary embolism (PE) and individuals from the general population.

METHODS

In this population-based cohort study, we used data for all patients with a diagnosis of splanchnic vein thrombosis recorded in the Danish National Patient Registry (DNPR) between Jan 1, 1994, and Nov 30, 2013 (cumulative source population 7 310 450 individuals). We created two comparison cohorts using data from the DNPR and the Civil Registration System for the same period: one of patients with DVT or PE and another of individuals from the general population. Comparison cohorts (ten comparators per patient with splanchnic vein thrombosis) were matched on sex, age, and calendar year of diagnosis. We calculated absolute risks and used proportional hazard regression to calculate adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) for the primary outcomes of bleeding and arterial cardiovascular events after splanchnic vein thrombosis diagnosis (or the index date for comparison cohorts).

FINDINGS

1915 patients with splanchnic vein thrombosis, 18 373 patients with DVT or PE, and 19 150 individuals from the general population were included in the study. Patients with splanchnic vein thrombosis were followed up for a median of 1 year (IQR 0·1-3·9). These patients had a high risk of bleeding in the 30 days after diagnosis, both in absolute terms (4·3% [95% CI 3·5-5·3]) and in adjusted models (HR 9·64 [95% CI 6·46-14·40] vs DVT or PE; 39·79 [19·44-81·46] vs general population). Bleeding risk was still significantly increased in patients with splanchnic vein thrombosis up to 1 year after diagnosis (HR 3·01 [95% CI 2·28-3·97] vs DVT or PE; 6·83 [4·83-9·65] vs general population), and remained elevated for up to 10 years compared with patients with DVT or PE (1·93 [1·12-3·34]) and for up to 19 years compared with the general population (5·90 [2·22-15·64]). The risk of arterial cardiovascular events in patients with splanchnic vein thrombosis was high in the year after diagnosis (absolute risk 3·3% [95% CI 2·6-4·2] up to 30 days; 7·0% [5·8-8·4] up to 31-365 days), and in adjusted models was significantly higher than in patients with DVT or PE (HR 7·05 [95% CI 4·74-10·48] up to 30 days; 2·10 [1·62-2·72] up to 31-365 days) and individuals from the general population (15·75 [9·26-26·79] and 3·17 [2·34-4·27], respectively). However, this risk did not remain significantly elevated above that of patients with DVT or PE after 1 year or the general population after 5 years.

INTERPRETATION

Patients with splanchnic vein thrombosis are at increased risk of adverse outcomes, particularly bleeding but also arterial cardiovascular events, for years after diagnosis compared with patients with DVT or PE and the general population. Physicians should be cognisant of these risks in patients with splanchnic vein thrombosis.

FUNDING

The Program for Clinical Research Infrastructure (PROCRIN), established by the Lundbeck Foundation and the Novo Nordisk Foundation.

Hyperkalaemia in people with diabetes: occurrence, risk factors and outcomes in a Danish population-based cohort study

AIMS

To examine the incidence, risk factors and clinical outcomes of hyperkalaemia in people with diabetes in a real-world setting.

METHODS

Using Danish health registries, we identified a population-based cohort of people with first-time drug-treated diabetes, in the period 2000-2012. First, the cumulative incidence of hyperkalaemia, defined as first blood test with potassium level >5.0 mmol/l after diabetes treatment initiation, was ascertained. Second, in a case-control analysis, risk factors were compared in people with vs without hyperkalaemia. Third, clinical outcomes were assessed among individuals with hyperkalaemia in a before-after analysis, and among people with and without hyperkalaemia in a matched cohort analysis.

RESULTS

Of 68 601 individuals with diabetes (median age 62 years, 47% women), 16% experienced hyperkalaemia (incidence rate 40 per 1000 person-years) during a mean follow-up of 4.1 years. People who developed hyperkalaemia had a higher prevalence of chronic kidney disease [prevalence ratio 1.74 (95% CI 1.68-1.81)], heart failure [prevalence ratio 2.35 (95% CI 2.18-2.54)], use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors [prevalence ratio 1.24 (95% CI 1.20-1.28)], use of spironolactone [prevalence ratio 2.68 (95% CI 2.48-2.88)] and potassium supplements [prevalence ratio 1.59 (95% CI 1.52-1.67)]. In people with diabetes who developed hyperkalaemia, 31% were acutely hospitalized within 6 months before hyperkalaemia, increasing to 50% 6 months after hyperkalaemia [before-after risk ratio 1.67 (95% CI 1.61-1.72)]. The 6-month mortality rate after hyperkalaemia was 20%. Compared with matched individuals without hyperkalaemia, the hazard ratio for death was 6.47 (95% CI 5.81-7.21).

CONCLUSIONS

One in six newly diagnosed people with diabetes experienced a hyperkalaemic event, which was associated with severe clinical outcomes and death.

Elevated Potassium Levels in Patients With Congestive Heart Failure: Occurrence, Risk Factors, and Clinical Outcomes: A Danish Population-Based Cohort Study

Background

Data on the true burden of hyperkalemia in patients with heart failure (HF) in a real‐world setting are limited.

Methods and Results

Incidence rates of hyperkalemia (first blood test with a potassium level >5.0 mmol/L) in primary or hospital care were assessed in a population‐based cohort of patients with incident HF diagnoses in northern Denmark from 2000 to 2012. Risk factors and clinical outcomes were compared in patients with HF with versus without hyperkalemia. Of 31 649 patients with HF, 39% experienced hyperkalemia (mean follow‐up, 2.2 years). Risks of experiencing a second, third, or fourth event were 43%, 54%, and 60%, respectively. Among patients with HF with stage 3A, 3B, 4, or 5 kidney dysfunction, 26%, 35%, 44%, and 48% experienced hyperkalemia within the first year. Important hyperkalemia risk factors included chronic kidney disease (prevalence ratio, 1.46; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.43−1.49), diabetes mellitus (prevalence ratio, 1.38; 95% CI, 1.32−1.45), and spironolactone use (prevalence ratio, 1.48; 95% CI, 1.42−1.54). In patients with HF who developed hyperkalemia, 53% had any acute‐care hospitalization 6 months before the hyperkalemia event, increasing to 74% 6 months after hyperkalemia (before‐after risk ratio, 1.41; 95% CI, 1.38−1.44). Compared with matched patients with HF without hyperkalemia, adjusted 6‐month hazard ratios in patients with hyperkalemia were 2.75‐fold (95% CI, 2.65–2.85) higher for acute‐care hospitalization and 3.39‐fold (95% CI, 3.19–3.61) higher for death.

Conclusions

Almost 4 in 10 patients with HF develop hyperkalemia, and many patients have recurrent hyperkalemia episodes. Hyperkalemia risk is strongly associated with degree of reduced kidney function and use of spironolactone. Hyperkalemia is associated with severe clinical outcomes and death in HF.

Use of histamine H2 receptor antagonists and outcomes in patients with heart failure: a nationwide population-based cohort study

Background

Histamine H₂ receptor activation promotes cardiac fibrosis and apoptosis in mice. However, the potential effectiveness of histamine H₂ receptor antagonists (H2RAs) in humans with heart failure is largely unknown. We examined the association between H2RA initiation and all-cause mortality among patients with heart failure.

Methods

Using Danish medical registries, we conducted a nationwide population-based active-comparator cohort study of new users of H2RAs and proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) after first-time hospitalization for heart failure during the period 1995-2014. Hazard ratios (HRs) for all-cause mortality and hospitalization due to worsening of heart failure, adjusting for age, sex, and time between heart failure diagnosis and initiation of PPI or H2RA therapy, index year, comorbidity, cardiac surgery, comedications, and socioeconomic status were computed based on Cox regression analysis.

Results

Our analysis included 42,902 PPI initiators (median age 78 years, 46% female) and 3,296 H2RA initiators (median age 76 years, 48% female). Mortality risk was lower among H2RA initiators than PPI initiators after 1 year (26% vs 31%) and 5 years (60% vs 66%). In multivariable analyses, the 1-year HR was 0.80 (95% CI, 0.74-0.86) and the 5-year HR was 0.85 (95% CI, 0.80-0.89). These findings were consistent after propensity score matching and for ischemic and nonischemic heart failure, as for sex and age groups. The rate of hospitalization due to worsening of heart failure was lower among H2RA initiators than PPI initiators.

Conclusion

In patients with heart failure, H2RA initiation was associated with 15%-20% lower mortality than PPI initiation.

Neurological and psychiatric comorbidity in patients with heart failure: risk and prognosis

Heart failure is a complex clinical syndrome and one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality with a prevalence of 1%-2% of the adult population. The prognosis is poor with a 5-year mortality rate of 50%, which partly can be attributed to the presence of concomitant comorbidity, including neurological and psychiatric comorbidities. However, the prognostic impact of depression and the role of heart failure as a risk factor for dementia and stroke are not fully understood.
 Denmark is well-known for its unique health registries. The DNPR has been widely used in cardiovascular research in the past decades, although the accuracy of several diseases and interventions is largely unknown.
 This thesis explored the PPV of a range of cardiovascular diagnoses including heart failure (study I) and cardiac interventions (study II) recorded in the DNPR. In addition, we aimed to provide new insights into the impact of depression on mortality in heart failure patients with reduced and preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (study III). Finally, we studied the association between heart failure and subsequent short-term and long-term risks of dementia (study IV) and ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke (study V).
 In studies I-II, we identified 3386 patients with various cardiovascular diagnoses or cardiac interventions during 2010-2012 using the DNPR. Patient medical charts served as the gold standard for diagnosis confirmation and were adjudicated by physicians. We found a high PPV (≥90%) for the majority of the patients while the PPV was somewhat lower for myocarditis, heart failure, and recurrent events. 
In study III, we analyzed 205,719 patients with incident heart failure during 1995-2014. A history of depression was associated with 15%-20% increased mortality rate in patients with LVEF ≤35% and when defining depression based on a combination of 
redeemed antidepressant prescription and hospital-based diagnoses, but not when depression was ascertained based solely on diagnoses. 
In study IV, we included 324,418 heart failure patients and a general population comparison cohort comprising 1,622,079 individuals matched for age and sex during 1980-2012. The heart failure cohort had a 21% increased rate of all-cause dementia, mainly driven by increased hazards of vascular dementia and other dementia, whereas heart failure was not associated with Alzheimer's disease. 
In study V, we identified and followed 289,353 patients with heart failure and 1,446,765 individuals from the general population matched for age, sex, and calendar year. Heart failure patients had a five-fold elevated rate of ischemic stroke, two-fold increased rate of ICH, and a four-fold increased rate of SAH within 30 days. These associations receded towards the null but persisted over 30 years. 
In conclusion, the DNPR contains data on several cardiovascular diagnoses and cardiac interventions recorded with high PPVs. Our data also suggest that a history of depression is an adverse prognostic factor for death in patients with heart failure and low LVEF. Finally, heart failure emerged as a risk factor for all-cause dementia as well as for both ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke.

Risk of cancer in patients with epistaxis and haemoptysis

This corrects the article DOI: 10.1038/bjc.2017.85.

Risk of Dementia in Adults With Congenital Heart Disease: Population-Based Cohort Study

BACKGROUND

More children with congenital heart disease (CHD) are surviving to adulthood, and CHD is associated with risk factors for dementia. We compared the risk of dementia in CHD adults to that of the general population.

METHODS

In this cohort study, we used medical registries and a medical record review covering all Danish hospitals to identify adults with CHD diagnosed between 1963 and 2012. These individuals with CHD were followed from January 1, 1981, 30 years of age, or date of first CHD registration (index date for matched members of the general population cohort) until hospital diagnosis of dementia, death, emigration, or end of study (December 31, 2012). For each individual with CHD, we identified 10 members of the general population utilizing the Danish Civil Registration System matched on sex and birth year. We computed cumulative incidences and hazard ratios (HRs) of dementia, adjusting for sex and birth year.

RESULTS

The cumulative incidence of dementia was 4% by 80 years of age in 10 632 adults with CHD (46% male). The overall HR comparing adults with CHD with the general population cohort was 1.6 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.3-2.0). The HR among individuals with CHD without extracardiac defects was 1.4 (95% CI, 1.1-1.8). Adults with mild-to-moderate CHD had an HR of 1.5 (95% CI, 1.1-2.0), whereas the HR was 2.0 (95% CI, 1.2-3.3) for severe CHD, including univentricular hearts. The HR for early onset dementia (<65 years of age) was 2.6 (95% CI, 1.8-3.8), whereas the late-onset HR was 1.3 (95% CI, 1.0-1.8).

CONCLUSIONS

CHD was associated with an increased risk of dementia compared with the general population, in particular for early onset dementia. Further understanding of dementia risk in the population with CHD is a potential target for future investigation.

Effects of hyperoxia on myocardial injury following cardioversion-A randomized clinical trial

Oxygen has long been assumed beneficial for all ill and injured patients. However, hyperoxia may be harmful and aggravate myocardial injury such as that caused by myocardial infarction. We aimed to investigate if hyperoxia increases myocardial injury following direct current cardioversion compared with room air.

METHODS

Patients undergoing elective biphasic cardioversion for atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter were randomized to receive room air or oxygen (10-15 L/min) during the procedure. The primary endpoint was the difference in high-sensitive Troponin I (hs-cTnI) and -T (hs-cTnT) measured 2 hours before and 4 hours after cardioversion. Secondary endpoints were differences in Copeptin and NT-pro-BNP.

RESULTS

A total of 65 patients were randomized to high-flow oxygen (male: 71%, mean age 66.9 years) and 59 patients to room air (male: 80%, mean age 65.5 years). There was no difference in hs-cTnI between patients treated with oxygen compared to patients treated with room air (P=.09) and no significant difference for hs-cTnT, ratio 1.08 (95% CI: 0.99-1.18) (P=.09). Median hs-cTnI difference before and after cardioversion was 0.1 (interquartile range (IQR): -0.5 to 0.5) ng/L for the high-flow oxygen group and -0.3 (IQR: -1.1 to 0.4) ng/L for the room air group. There was no difference in Copeptin between patients treated with oxygen compared to room air (ratio 1.06 (95% CI: 0.89-1.27) (P=.51) or NT-pro-BNP (difference-6.0 ng/L (95% CI: -78.5 to 66.6) P=.87).

CONCLUSION

Direct current cardioversion of atrial fibrillation/flutter with and without high-flow oxygen supplement was not associated with myocardial injury evaluated by high sensitive myocardial biomarkers.

Migraine and risk of cardiovascular diseases: Danish population based matched cohort study

OBJECTIVE

To examine the risks of myocardial infarction, stroke (ischaemic and haemorrhagic), peripheral artery disease, venous thromboembolism, atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter, and heart failure in patients with migraine and in a general population comparison cohort.

DESIGN

Nationwide, population based cohort study.

SETTING

All Danish hospitals and hospital outpatient clinics from 1995 to 2013.

PARTICIPANTS

51 032 patients with migraine and 510 320 people from the general population matched on age, sex, and calendar year.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Comorbidity adjusted hazard ratios of cardiovascular outcomes based on Cox regression analysis.

RESULTS

Higher absolute risks were observed among patients with incident migraine than in the general population across most outcomes and follow-up periods. After 19 years of follow-up, the cumulative incidences per 1000 people for the migraine cohort compared with the general population were 25 v 17 for myocardial infarction, 45 v 25 for ischaemic stroke, 11 v 6 for haemorrhagic stroke, 13 v 11 for peripheral artery disease, 27 v 18 for venous thromboembolism, 47 v 34 for atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter, and 19 v 18 for heart failure. Correspondingly, migraine was positively associated with myocardial infarction (adjusted hazard ratio 1.49, 95% confidence interval 1.36 to 1.64), ischaemic stroke (2.26, 2.11 to 2.41), and haemorrhagic stroke (1.94, 1.68 to 2.23), as well as venous thromboembolism (1.59, 1.45 to 1.74) and atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter (1.25, 1.16 to 1.36). No meaningful association was found with peripheral artery disease (adjusted hazard ratio 1.12, 0.96 to 1.30) or heart failure (1.04, 0.93 to 1.16). The associations, particularly for stroke outcomes, were stronger during the short term (0-1 years) after diagnosis than the long term (up to 19 years), in patients with aura than in those without aura, and in women than in men. In a subcohort of patients, the associations persisted after additional multivariable adjustment for body mass index and smoking.

CONCLUSIONS

Migraine was associated with increased risks of myocardial infarction, ischaemic stroke, haemorrhagic stroke, venous thromboembolism, and atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter. Migraine may be an important risk factor for most cardiovascular diseases.

Positive predictive values of ICD-10 codes to identify incident acute pancreatitis and incident primary malignancy in the Scandinavian national patient registries among women with postmenopausal osteoporosis

Background

Validation of definitions used to identify conditions of interest is imperative to epidemiologic studies based on routinely collected data. The objective of the study was thus to estimate positive predictive values (PPVs) of International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision (ICD-10) codes to identify cases of incident acute pancreatitis leading to hospitalization and incident primary malignancy in the Scandinavian (Denmark, Norway, and Sweden) national patient registries in women with postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMO).

Methods

This validation study included postmenopausal (defined as 55 years or older) women with osteoporosis, identified between 2005–2014. Potential cases were sampled based on ICD-10 codes from the three national patient registries. Cases were adjudicated by physicians, using medical record review as gold standard. PPVs with corresponding 95% CIs were computed.

Results

Medical records of 286 of 325 (retrieval rate 88%) women with PMO were available for adjudication. Acute pancreatitis leading to hospitalization had a PPV of 87.6% (95% CI: 80.8%–90.2%). Incident primary malignancy had a PPV of 88.1% (95% CI: 81.3%–92.7%). The PPVs did not vary substantially across the three countries.

Conclusion

ICD-10 codes to identify acute pancreatitis leading to hospitalization, and incident primary malignancy in the Scandinavian national patient registries had high PPVs among women with PMO. This allows identification of cases of acute pancreatitis and incident primary malignancy with reasonable validity and to use these as outcomes in comparative analyses.

Thromboembolic and bleeding complications during oral anticoagulation therapy in cancer patients with atrial fibrillation: a Danish nationwide population-based cohort study

Coexisting cancer in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) has been associated with thromboembolism and bleeding. We used Danish population‐based medical databases to conduct a population‐based cohort study that included all AF patients who redeemed a prescription for vitamin K antagonists (VKA) or non‐VKA oral anticoagulant (NOAC) between July 2004 and December 2013. We characterized these patients according to the presence (N = 11,855) or absence (N = 56,264) of a cancer diagnosis before redemption of their oral anticoagulant prescription, and then examined their 1‐year risk of thromboembolic or bleeding complications or death. We next used Cox regression to compare the hazard ratios for complications among VKA‐ or NOAC‐treated AF patients with versus without a cancer diagnosis, after adjusting for sex, age, and CHA₂DS₂VASc score. One‐year risks of thromboembolic complications in AF patients who redeemed a VKA prescription were similar in those with (6.5%) and without (5.8%) cancer [hazard ratio (HR) 1.0 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.93, 1.1)]. This also was found for bleeding complications (5.4% vs. 4.3%, HR 1.1 [95% CI: 1.0, 1.2]). For AF patients with cancer who redeemed a NOAC prescription, risks were also similar for thromboembolic complications (4.9% of cancer patients vs. 5.1% of noncancer patients, HR 0.80 [95% CI: 0.61, 1.1]), and for bleeding complications (4.4% vs. 3.1%, HR 1.2 [95% CI: 0.92, 1.7]). The absolute risks of thromboembolic or bleeding complications were nearly the same in patients with and without cancer who redeemed prescription for VKAs or NOACs.