In vivo pulsed-field ablation in healthy vs. chronically infarcted ventricular myocardium: biophysical and histologic characterization

AIMS

Data on ventricular pulsed-field ablation (PFA) are sparse in the setting of chronic myocardial infarction (MI). The objective of this study was to compare the biophysical and histopathologic characteristics of PFA in healthy and MI swine ventricular myocardium.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Myocardial infarction swine (n = 8) underwent coronary balloon occlusion and survived for 30 days. We then performed endocardial unipolar, biphasic PFA of the MI border zone and a dense scar with electroanatomic mapping and using an irrigated contact force (CF)-sensing catheter with the CENTAURI System (Galaxy Medical). Lesion and biophysical characteristics were compared with three controls: MI swine undergoing thermal ablation, MI swine undergoing no ablation, and healthy swine undergoing similar PFA applications that included linear lesion sets. Tissues were systematically assessed by gross pathology utilizing 2,3,5-triphenyl-2H-tetrazolium chloride staining and histologically with haematoxylin and eosin and trichrome. Pulsed-field ablation in healthy myocardium generated well-demarcated ellipsoid lesions (7.2 ± 2.1 mm depth) with contraction band necrosis and myocytolysis. Pulsed-field ablation in MI demonstrated slightly smaller lesions (depth 5.3 ± 1.9 mm, P = 0.0002), and lesions infiltrated into the irregular scar border, resulting in contraction band necrosis and myocytolysis of surviving myocytes and extending to the epicardial border of the scar. Coagulative necrosis was present in 75% of thermal ablation controls but only in 16% of PFA lesions. Linear PFA resulted in contiguous linear lesions with no gaps in gross pathology. Neither CF nor local R-wave amplitude reduction correlated with lesion size.

CONCLUSION

Pulsed-field ablation of a heterogeneous chronic MI scar effectively ablates surviving myocytes within and beyond the scar, demonstrating promise for the clinical ablation of scar-mediated ventricular arrhythmias.

Association Between Breast Arterial Calcification on Mammography and Coronary Artery Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: Breast arterial calcification (BAC), which may be detected during screening mammography, is hypothesized to be a noninvasive imaging marker that may enhance cardiovascular risk assessment. Materials and Methods: In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we sought to assess the association between BAC and coronary artery disease (CAD) by conducting a meta-analysis. We conducted a literature search of PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane library, ClinicalTrials.gov, and conference proceedings, from inception through December 24, 2019. The outcome of interest was the presence of CAD in patients with BAC. This was reported as crude and adjusted odds ratio (OR). Results: A total of 18 studies comprising 33,494 women (mean age of 60.8 ± 3.7 years, 25% with diabetes, 57% with hypertension, and 21% with history of tobacco smoking) were included in the current meta-analysis. The prevalence of BAC among study participants was 10%. There was a statistically significant association between BAC and CAD (unadjusted OR 2.14; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.63-2.81, p < 0.001, I2 = 76.5%). Moreover, adjusted estimates were available from 10 studies and BAC was an independent predictor of CAD (OR 2.39; 95% CI 1.68-3.41, p < 0.001, I2 = 61.7%). In the meta-regression analysis, covariates included year of publication, age, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and history of tobacco smoking. None of these study covariates explained the heterogeneity across studies. Conclusions: BAC detected as part of screening mammography is a promising noninvasive imaging marker that may enhance CAD risk prediction in women. The clinical value of BAC for cardiovascular risk stratification merits further evaluation in large prospective studies.

Incidence and outcomes of cardiogenic shock among women with spontaneous coronary artery dissection

BACKGROUND

There is a paucity of data on cardiogenic shock (CS) incidence and outcomes among patients with spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD).

METHODS

Women admitted to the hospital for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) with and without SCAD were identified from the United States National Readmission Database from October 1, 2015 to December 31, 2018. We calculated the incidence of CS among women with AMI with and without SCAD and odds for developing CS after adjusting for baseline characteristics. In addition, we report the utilization of percutaneous coronary intervention, mechanical circulatory support, severe disability surrogates, and 30-day readmission rates.

RESULTS

A total of 664,292 patients admitted for AMI were eligible for analysis, including 6643 patients with SCAD and 657,649 without SCAD. Patients with SCAD were younger (57 years [interquartile range, IQR 48-68] vs. 71 years [IQR 60-81], p < 0.01) and had fewer comorbidities yet had a higher incidence of CS as compared to patients without SCAD (9% vs. 5%, p < 0.01) and remained at elevated risk after adjusting for baseline comorbidities (adjusted odds ratio 1.5 [95% confidence interval, CI 1.2-1.7]). Among patients who developed CS, those with SCAD had lower in-hospital mortality than non-SCAD (31% vs. 39%, p < 0.01), and were more likely to receive mechanical circulatory support.

CONCLUSIONS

In a nationally representative sample of women admitted for AMI, we found that patients with SCAD had a higher risk of developing CS and required more frequent use of mechanical circulatory support but were more likely to survive to discharge than women suffering AMI from causes other than SCAD.

Age stratified sex-related differences in incidence, management, and outcomes of cardiogenic shock

BACKGROUND

There is a lack of data on age-stratified sex differences in the incidence, treatment, and outcomes of cardiogenic shock (CS). We sought to study these differences from a contemporary database.

METHODS

Patients admitted with CS (2004-2018) were identified from the United States National Inpatient Sample. We compared CS (acute myocardial infarction-related cardiogenic shock [AMI-CS] and non-acute myocardial infarction-related cardiogenic shock [Non-AMI-CS]) incidence, management, and outcomes in males and females, stratified into four age groups (20-44, 45-64, 65-84, and ≥85 years of age). Propensity score matching (PSM) was used for adjustment.

RESULTS

A total of 1,506,281 weighted hospitalizations for CS were included (AMI-CS, 39%; Non-AMI-CS, 61%). Across all age groups, females had a lower incidence of CS compared with males. After PSM and among the AMI-CS cohort, higher mortality among females compared with males was observed in the age groups 45-64 (28.5% vs. 26.3%) and 65-84 years (39.3% vs. 37.9%) (p < 0.01, for all). Among the Non-AMI-CS cohort, higher mortality among females compared with males was observed in the age groups 20-44 (33.5% vs. 30.5%), 45-64 (35.1% vs. 31.9%), and 65-84 years (41.7% vs. 40.3%) (p < 0.01, for all). Similar age-dependent differences in the management of CS were also observed between females and males.

CONCLUSIONS

Females have a lower incidence of CS regardless of age. Significant disparities in the management and outcomes of CS were observed based on sex. However, these disparities varied by age and etiology of CS (AMI-CS vs. Non-AMI-CS) with pronounced disparity among females in the age range of 45-84 years.

In-Hospital Characteristics and 30-Day Readmissions for Acute Myocardial Infarction and Major Bleeding in Patients With Active Cancer

There are limited data on readmission with ischemic and major bleeding events in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) with active cancer. The purpose of our study was to evaluate in-hospital characteristics and 30-day readmission rates for recurrent AMI and major bleeding by cancer type in patients with AMI and active cancer. From 2016 through 2018, patients in the Nationwide Readmission Database admitted with AMI and underlying active colon, lung, breast, prostate, and hematological cancers were included. Thirty-day readmission for recurrent AMI and major bleeding were reported. Of 1,524,677 index hospitalizations for AMI, 35,790 patients (2.2%) had cancer (0.9% hematological; 0.5% lung; 0.4% prostate; 0.2% breast; and 0.1% colon). Compared with patients without cancer, patients with cancer were about 6 to 10 years older and had a higher proportion of atrial fibrillation, valvular heart disease, previous stroke, and a greater co-morbidity burden. Of all cancer types, only active breast cancer (adjusted odds ratios 1.82, 95% CI 1.11 to 2.98) was found to be significantly associated with elevated odds of readmission for major bleeding; no such association was observed for recurrent AMI. In conclusion, AMI in patients with breast cancer is associated with significantly greater odds of readmission for major bleeding within 30 days after discharge. Management of patients with concomitant AMI and cancer is challenging but should be based on a multidisciplinary approach and estimation of an individual patient's risk of major coronary thrombotic and bleeding events.

TAVR operator volumes, trends, and geographic variations amongst Medicare beneficiaries in the United States

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) operator procedural volumes, and describe temporal and geographic trends.

BACKGROUND

TAVR is the standard of care for most patients with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis. Despite an association between operator procedural volume and outcomes, nationwide TAVR operator volumes have been incompletely described.

METHODS

We queried the National Medicare Provider Utilization and Payment Database for transfemoral TAVRs from 2014 to 2018. Annual operator volume, state and regional volumes, and longitudinal trends were extracted and analyzed using descriptive statistics.

RESULTS

In 2018, the mean annual operator volume was 23.6 TAVRs. The highest 1% of operators by volume performed 7.6% of total TAVR procedures in the United States, while 35.7% of operators performed 10 or fewer TAVRs per year. From 2014 to 2018, there was a 53.9% annualized increase in TAVRs, and the mean annual volume per operator grew from 12.5 to 23.6. There was more than five-fold variability in the density of operators (range 0.35-1.79 operators per 100,000 population) and mean operator volume by state (range 14.2-52.4 TAVRs per operator).

CONCLUSIONS

In this nationally representative study of operators performing transfemoral TAVRs among Medicare patients, we found the mean annual volume of TAVR in 2018 to be 23.6 and has increased since 2014. There was considerable variability in operator density and procedural volumes, with a significant proportion of operators performing 10 or fewer TAVRs per year. Ambiguity remains in regard to the optimal balance of procedural requirements to sustain high efficacy outcomes and ensure critical access to TAVR therapies.

The cardiovascular outcomes of finerenone in patients with chronic kidney disease and type 2 diabetes: A meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials

Recently, a few randomized control trials (RCTs) suggested that finerenone has been shown to reduce cardiovascular events in patients with CKD and DM-2. We aimed to analyze the cardiovascular benefits of using finerenone in patients with CKD and DM-2. Electronic databases were systematically searched to identify only RCTs comparing finerenone versus placebo. Pooled risk ratios (RR) and their 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using random-effects models. Three RCTs were included, with a total of 13,847 patients. Compared with the placebo group, the use of finerenone was associated with significantly lower rates of cardiovascular events (RR: 0.88; 95% CI: 0.80, 0.96; p < 0.01), which was mainly driven by lower hospitalizations for heart failure (RR: 0.79; 95% CI: 0.66, 0.94; p = 0.01). However, there were no significant differences between groups in terms of cardiovascular death (RR: 0.88; 95% CI: 0.76, 1.02; p = 0.09), non-fatal myocardial infarction (RR: 0.91; 95% CI: 0.74, 1.12; p = 0.38), non-fatal stroke (RR: 0.99; 95% CI: 0.80, 1.22; p = 0.90).

Index Admission and Thirty-Day Readmission Outcomes of Patients With Cancer Presenting With STEMI

BACKGROUND

National-level data of cancer patients' readmissions after ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) are lacking.

OBJECTIVES

The primary aim of this study was to compare the rates and causes of 30-day readmissions in patients with and without cancer.

METHODS

Among patients admitted with STEMI in the United States National Readmission Database (NRD) from October 2015-December 2017, we identified patients with the diagnosis of active breast, colorectal, lung, or prostate cancer. The primary endpoint was the 30-day unplanned readmission rate. Secondary endpoints included in-hospital outcomes during the index admission and causes of readmissions. A propensity score model was used to compare the outcomes of patients with and without cancer.

RESULTS

A total of 385,522 patients were included in the analysis: 5956 with cancer and 379,566 without cancer. After propensity score matching, 23,880 patients were compared (Cancer = 5949, No Cancer = 17,931). Patients with cancer had higher 30-day readmission rates (19% vs. 14%, p < 0.01). The most common causes for readmission among patients with cancer were cardiac (31%), infectious (21%), oncologic (17%), respiratory (4%), stroke (4%), and renal (3%). During the first readmission, patients with cancer had higher adjusted rates of in-hospital mortality (15% vs. 7%; p < 0.01) and bleeding complications (31% vs. 21%; p < 0.01), compared to the non-cancer group. In addition, cancer (OR 1.5, 95% CI 1.2-1.6, p < 0.01) was an independent predictor for 30-day readmission.

CONCLUSIONS

About one in five cancer patients presenting with STEMI will be readmitted within 30 days. Cardiac causes predominated the reason for 30-day readmissions in patients with cancer.

Invasive Hemodynamic Monitoring in Cardiogenic Shock Is Associated With Lower In-Hospital Mortality

Background

There is increasing utilization of cardiogenic shock treatment algorithms. The cornerstone of these algorithms is the use of invasive hemodynamic monitoring (IHM). We sought to compare the in‐hospital outcomes in patients who received IHM versus no IHM in a real‐world contemporary database.

Methods and Results

Patients with cardiogenic shock admitted during October 1, 2015 to December 31, 2018, were identified from the National Inpatient Sample. Among this group, we compared the outcomes among patients who received IHM versus no IHM. The primary end point was in‐hospital mortality. Secondary end points included vascular complications, major bleeding, need for renal replacement therapy, length of stay, cost of hospitalization, and rate of utilization of left ventricular assist devices and heart transplantation. Propensity score matching was used for covariate adjustment. A total of 394 635 (IHM=62 565; no IHM=332 070) patients were included. After propensity score matching, 2 well‐matched groups were compared (IHM=62 220; no IHM=62 220). The IHM group had lower in‐hospital mortality (24.1% versus 30.6%, P<0.01), higher percentages of left ventricular assist devices (4.4% versus 1.3%, P<0.01) and heart transplantation (1.3% versus 0.7%, P<0.01) utilization, longer length of hospitalization and higher costs. There was no difference between the 2 groups in terms of vascular complications, major bleeding, and the need for renal replacement therapy.

Conclusions

Among patients with cardiogenic shock, the use of IHM is associated with a reduction in in‐hospital mortality and increased utilization of advanced heart failure therapies. Due to the observational nature of the current study, the results should be considered hypothesis‐generating, and future prospective studies confirming these findings are needed.

Fifteen-Year Trends in Incidence of Cardiogenic Shock Hospitalization and In-Hospital Mortality in the United States

Background There is a lack of contemporary data on cardiogenic shock (CS) in-hospital mortality trends. Methods and Results Patients with CS admitted January 1, 2004 to December 31, 2018, were identified from the US National Inpatient Sample. We reported the crude and adjusted trends of in-hospital mortality among the overall population and selected subgroups. Among a total of 563 949 644 hospitalizations during the period from January 1, 2004, to December 30, 2018, 1 254 358 (0.2%) were attributed to CS. There has been a steady increase in hospitalizations attributed to CS from 122 per 100 000 hospitalizations in 2004 to 408 per 100 000 hospitalizations in 2018 (P_trend<0.001). This was associated with a steady decline in the adjusted trends of in-hospital mortality during the study period in the overall population (from 49% in 2004 to 37% in 2018; P_trend<0.001), among patients with acute myocardial infarction CS (from 43% in 2004 to 34% in 2018; P_trend<0.001), and among patients with non-acute myocardial infarction CS (from 52% in 2004 to 37% in 2018; P_trend<0.001). Consistent trends of reduced mortality were seen among women, men, different racial/ethnic groups, different US regions, and different hospital sizes, regardless of the hospital teaching status. Conclusions Hospitalizations attributed to CS have tripled in the period from January 2004 to December 2018. However, there has been a slow decline in CS in-hospital mortality during the studied period. Further studies are necessary to determine if the recent adoption of treatment algorithms in treating patients with CS will further impact in-hospital mortality.

Imaging-guided cardiac resynchronization therapy: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

BACKGROUND

Among patients with heart failure and left ventricular (LV) dysfunction despite guideline directed medical therapy, cardiac resynchronization (CRT) is an effective technology to reverse LV remodeling. Given that a large portion of patients are non-responders, alternatives to traditional LV-lead placement have been explored. A promising alternative is image targeted placement of an LV-lead to latest mechanically activated segment without scar.

METHODS

Electronic database search for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that evaluated the imaging-guided LV-lead placement on clinical, echocardiographic, and functional outcomes. The primary outcome was a composite of mortality and heart failure hospitalization. The secondary outcomes included CRT responders, New York Heart Association (NYHA), 6-minute walk test, Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLHFQ), and ejection fraction (EF) changes.

RESULTS

Analysis included 4 RCTs of 691 patients with an average follow-up of 2 years (age 69.5 ± 10.3 years, 76% males, 54% ischemic cardiomyopathy, 81% with NYHA classes III/IV, and EF of 24.4% ± 8). The most common site for LV-lead paced segment was the anterolateral segment (45%) and at mid-LV (49%). Compared with the control, imaging-guided LV-lead placement was associated with a significant reduction of the primary outcome (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.60; 95% CI = 0.40-0.88; p = .01), higher CRT responders (odd ratio [OR] = 2.10; p < .01), more NYHA improvements by ≥1 (OR = 1.89; p = .01), increased 6MWT (mean difference [MD] = 25.78 feet; p < .01), and lower MLHFQ (MD = -4.04; p = .04), without significant differences in the LVEF (p = .08).

CONCLUSIONS

In patients undergoing CRT, imaging-guided LV-lead placement was associated with improved clinical, echocardiographic, and functional status.

Terlipressin effect on hepatorenal syndrome: Updated meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Background and Aim

Hepatorenal syndrome (HRS) is a fatal complication of liver cirrhosis with a limited pharmacological option. Terlipressin is a vasoconstrictor that is approved in many countries but not yet in the United States. This is a meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to review terlipressin effect on HRS and the safety profile.

Methods

We searched electronic databases for RCTs comparing terlipressin versus placebo in addition to albumin in patients with type 1 or 2 HRS. Primary outcome was HRS reversal. Secondary outcomes were change in serum creatinine (Cr), requirement for renal replacement therapy (RRT) at 30 days of randomization, and 90‐day survival. Risk ratios (RRs) and mean differences (MD) were calculated with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) using a random‐effects model.

Results

We identified eight RCTs with a total of 974 patients, and median follow up of 100 days. Mean age was 55 ± 10 years, 61% were males. Alcoholic liver disease represented 56%. Compared with placebo, terlipressin was associated with a significantly higher likelihood of HRS reversal (RR 2.08; 95% CI [1.51, 2.86], P < 0.001), significantly lower serum Cr (MD −0.64; 95% CI (−1.02, −0.27), P < 0.001], and a trend toward less RRT requirements (RR 0.61; 95% CI [0.36, 1.02], P = 0.06). There was no difference in survival at 90 days between groups (RR 1.09; 95% CI (0.84, 1.43), P = 0.52). Major adverse effects (AEs) were gastrointestinal cramps, discomfort, and respiratory distress.

Conclusion

In patients with liver cirrhosis complicated by HRS, terlipressin was associated with significant HRS reversal and decrease in serum Cr. No survival benefit was detected at 90 days.

Gender-based outcomes of coronary bifurcation stenting: A report from the National Readmission Database

BACKGROUND

There is a paucity of data focusing on women's outcomes after percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) for coronary bifurcation lesions (CBLs).

METHODS

Patients who received PCI for CBLs in the context of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) during the period of 01 October 2015- 31 December 2017, were identified from the United States National Readmission Database. The primary endpoint of this study was in-hospital major adverse events (MAEs). The secondary endpoints were in-hospital mortality, vascular complications, major bleeding, post-procedural bleeding, need for blood transfusion, severe disability surrogates (non-home discharge and need for mechanical ventilation), resources utilization surrogates (length of stay and cost of hospitalization), and 30-day readmission rate. A 1:1 propensity score matching was used to compare the outcomes between women and men.

RESULTS

A total of 25,050 (women = 7,480; men = 17,570) patients were included in the current analysis. After propensity score matching, women had higher in-hospital MAEs (7 vs 5.2%, p < .01), major bleeding (1.8 vs 0.8%, p < .01), post-procedural bleeding (6.1 vs 3.4%, p < .01), need for blood transfusion (6.4 vs 4.2%, p < .01), non-home discharges (10.2 vs 7.1%; p < .01), longer length of hospital stay (3 days [IQR 2-6] vs. 3 days [IQR 2-5], p < .01) and higher 30-day readmission rate compared to men (14.2 vs. 11.5%, p < .01).

CONCLUSIONS

Among all-comers who received PCI for CBLs in the context of ACS, women suffered higher MAEs and 30-day readmission rates compared to their men' counterparts. The higher MAEs in the women were mainly driven by higher postprocedural bleeding rates and the need for blood transfusion.

Familial hypercholesterolemia related admission for acute coronary syndrome in the United States: Incidence, predictors, and outcomes

BACKGROUND

Individuals with Familial Hypercholesterolemia (FH) are at high risk for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) events.

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the incidence, predictors, and outcomes of admissions for acute coronary syndromes (ACS) in this high-risk group.

METHODS

Utilizing the National Readmission Databases, we identified individuals with or without FH admitted to participating hospitals for ACS. The primary outcome was admission for recurrent ACS at 11 month follow-up.

RESULTS

There were a total of 1,697,513 ACS admissions from 10/2016 to 12/2017 (non-FH=1,696,979 and FH=534). Individuals with FH admitted for ACS were younger (median age 57 vs 69 y), had fewer comorbidities (hypertension 74.7% vs 79.6%; diabetes mellitus 30.5% vs 39.0%;p<0.01), were more likely to present with ST-elevation-myocardial infarction (32.8% vs 22.6%;p<0.01) and more likely to undergo multivessel percutaneous coronary intervention (11.4% vs 7.6%;p<0.01) than patients without FH. After propensity-score matching, FH patients more commonly experienced in-hospital VT arrest (11.8% vs 8.0%;p<0.01) and required more mechanical circulatory support (8.6% vs 3.3%; p<0.01). The 30-day readmission in those with FH was more frequently for cardiovascular disease (81.5% vs 46.5%; =p<0.01). At 11-month follow-up, FH patients were more likely to be readmitted with recurrent ACS compared to those without FH (hazard ratio=2.34; 95% confidence interval=1.30-4.23; p<0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Individuals with FH admitted for ACS are younger, have fewer comorbidities, and more frequently present with STEMIs compared to those without FH. FH patients were more likely to suffer in-hospital cardiac complications and have a higher incidence of recurrent ACS.

Extended duration of thromboprophylaxis for medically ill patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials

BACKGROUND

The benefit of extended-duration thromboprophylaxis in patients hospitalised for acute medical illness beyond hospital stay remains controversial.

AIMS

To perform a meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials (RCT) in order to examine the efficacy and safety of extended-duration anticoagulation for venous-thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis in this high-risk population.

METHODS

An electronic database search was conducted to include all RCT comparing between extended-duration versus short-duration prophylactic anticoagulation in medically ill patients. The primary efficacy outcome was the composite events of asymptomatic deep vein thrombosis (DVT), symptomatic VTE and death from VTE-related causes.

RESULTS

Five RCT were included totalling 40 124 patients, with a mean age of 71 years and 51% were male. In comparison to standard-duration therapy, extended-duration thromboprophylaxis was associated with a significant reduction in the primary efficacy outcome (risk ratio (RR) 0.75; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.67-0.85; P < 0.01), symptomatic VTE (RR 0.53; 95% CI 0.33-0.84; P < 0.01) and asymptomatic DVT (RR 0.81; 95% CI 0.71-0.94; P < 0.01). However, there were no significant differences between both groups with regard to VTE-related death (RR 0.81; 95% CI 0.60-1.10; P = 0.18) or all-cause death (RR 0.97; 95% CI 0.88-1.08; P = 0.64). In contrast, extended-duration thromboprophylaxis was associated with an increased risk of major bleeding (RR 2.04; 95% CI 1.42-2.91; P < 0.01) and non-major clinically relevant bleeding (RR 1.81; 95% CI 1.29-2.53; P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Among hospitalised medically ill patients, prolonging venous thromboprophylaxis was associated with a decreased risk of composite events of the primary efficacy outcome and increased risk of bleeding with no significant difference in VTE-related death.

Meta-analysis of catheter ablation in patients with post-infarct cardiomyopathy undergoing defibrillator implantation

BACKGROUND

Patients with post-infarct cardiomyopathy and ventricular arrhythmias (VT) necessitating implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICD) are at risk of recurrent shocks with increased morbidity.

METHODS

A comprehensive search of electronic databases for all randomized clinical trials that evaluated the role of catheter ablation as a preventive strategy at the time of secondary prevention ICD implantation was performed. We calculated hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) using random-effects model.

RESULTS

Four trials were identified with a total of 505 patients (average age 66.4 ± 9.0 years; 87.7% were male). Preventive ablation was associated with a significant reduction in appropriate device therapies (shocks and/or anti-tachycardia therapy) (HR = 0.62; 95% CI = 0.46-0.82; P < .01), sustained VT (HR = 0.74; 95% CI = 0.55-0.99; P = .04) compared to control. There were no differences in inappropriate device shocks (HR = 0.80; 95% CI = 0.38-1.71), all-cause death (HR = 0.93; 95% CI = 0.53-1.64), cardiac death (HR = 0.63; 95% CI = 0.29-1.36), arrhythmic death (HR = 0.26; 95% CI = 0.05-1.31), or cardiac hospitalization (HR = 0.79; 95% CI = 0.57-1.11) between strategies. Preventive ablation was associated with improved SF-36 physical component (mean difference = 2.81; 95% CI-0.53-5.10; P = .02), but not the mental component (mean difference = 1.30; 95% CI = -2.06-4.66).

CONCLUSION

Among patients with post-infarct cardiomyopathy and VT, preventive catheter ablation at the time of ICD implantation is associated with a significant reduction of appropriate ICD therapy and sustained VT, and improvement in the physical component of quality-of-life, but no reduction in mortality.

The state of renal sympathetic denervation for the management of patients with hypertension: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Sympathetic nervous system plays a central role in the development and persistence of essential hypertension. In recent years renal sympathetic denervation (RSD) has emerged as a promising option for the treatment of patients with hypertension.

METHODS

We conducted a literature search of PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane library and Clinicaltrials.gov from inception through April 20, 2020. Outcomes of interest were change in 24-hour ambulatory systolic (ASBP) or diastolic blood pressure (ADBP) and change in office systolic (OSBP) or diastolic blood pressure (ODBP). We pooled data from randomized controlled trials (RCTS) comparing RSD to sham procedures in the management of hypertension using the random effect model.

RESULTS

A total of 1,363 patients from eight studies were included in the current meta-analysis. The mean age of the included patients was 56 ± 2.6 years, 29% were women and the median duration of maximum follow up was 6-month (range 3-12 month). There was more reduction favoring RSD in ASBP (Weighted mean difference [WMD] -3.55; 95% CI -4.91 - -2.19, p < .001, I² = 0%), ADBP (WMD -1.87; 95% CI -3.07 - -0.66, p = .002, I² = 43%), OSBP (WMD -5.5; 95% CI -7.59 - -3.40, p < .001, I² = 7%) and ODBP (WMD -3.20; 95% CI -4.47 - -1.94, p < .001, I² = 14%).

CONCLUSION

The use of RSD for the management of hypertension resulted in effective reduction in the ambulatory and office blood pressure compared to sham procedure. Adequately powered RCTs of RSD are needed to confirm safety, reproducibility and assess the impact on clinical outcomes.