Abstract The 2MACE score was specifically developed as a risk-stratification tool in atrial fibrillation (AF) to predict cardiovascular outcomes. We evaluated the predictive ability of the 2MACE score in the GLORIA-AF registry. All eligible patients from phase II/III of the prospective global GLORIA-AF registry were included. Major adverse cardiac events (MACEs) were defined as the composite outcome of stroke, myocardial infarction and cardiovascular death. Cox proportional hazards were used to examine the relationship between the 2MACE score and study outcomes. Predictive capability of the 2MACE score was investigated using receiver-operating characteristic curves. A total of 25,696 patients were included (mean age 71 years, female 44.9%). Over 3 years, 1583 MACEs were recorded. Patients who had MACE were older, with more cardiovascular risk factors and were less likely to be managed using a rhythm-control strategy. The median 2MACE score in the MACE and non-MACE groups were 2 (IQR 1–3) and 1 (IQR 0–2), respectively (p < 0.001). The 2MACE score was positively associated with an increase in the risk of MACE, with a score of ≥ 2 providing the best combination of sensitivity (69.6%) and specificity (51.6%), HR 2.47 (95% CI, 2.21–2.77). The 2MACE score had modest predictive performance for MACE in patients with AF (AUC 0.655 (95% CI, 0.641–0.669)). Our analysis in this prospective global registry demonstrates that the 2MACE score can adequately predict the risk of MACE (defined as myocardial infarction, CV death and stroke) in patients with AF. Clinical trial registration: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov . Unique identifiers: NCT01468701, NCT01671007 and NCT01937377
Abstract Aims Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) may influence management and prognosis of Atrial Fibrillation (AF), but this relationship has been scarcely explored in contemporary global cohorts. We aimed to investigate the association between AF and COPD, in relation to treatment patterns and major outcomes. Methods From the prospective, global GLORIA-AF Registry, we analysed factors associated with COPD diagnosis, as well as treatment patterns and risk of major outcomes in relation to COPD. Primary outcome was the composite of all-cause death and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs). Results 36,263 patients (mean age 70.1±10.5 years, 45.2% females) were included; 2,261 (6.2%) had COPD. Prevalence of COPD was lower in Asia, and higher in North America. Age, female sex, smoking, BMI, and cardiovascular comorbidities were associated with presence of COPD. COPD was associated with higher use of OAC (adjusted Odds Ratio [aOR] and 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 1.29 [1.13-1.47]), and higher OAC discontinuation (adjusted Hazard Ratio [aHR] and 95%CI: 1.12 [1.01-1.25]). COPD was associated with less use of beta-blocker (aOR [95%CI]: 0.79 [0.72-0.87]), amiodarone and propafenone, and higher use of digoxin and verapamil/diltiazem. Patients with COPD had higher hazard of primary composite outcome (aHR [95%CI]: 1.78 [1.58-2.00]); no interaction was observed regarding beta-blocker use. COPD was also associated with all-cause death (aHR [95%CI]: 2.01 [1.77-2.28]), MACEs (aHR [95%CI]: 1.41 [1.18-1.68]) and major bleeding (aHR [95%CI]: 1.48 [1.16-1.88]). Conclusions In AF patients, COPD was associated with differences in OAC treatment and use of drugs. AF/COPD patients had worse outcomes, including higher mortality, MACE and major bleeding.
Disk diffusion susceptibility tests for enterococci are frequently modified by adding 5% sheep blood (SB) to Mueller-Hinton agar; the performance standards from the National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards sanction this addition. Susceptibility testing of aminoglycoside antibiotics is not recommended for enterococci; in actual practice, however, some laboratories do include aminoglycoside antibiotics routinely, and others may test upon request or in selected situations. In examining 50 clinical isolates of enterococci, SB-enriched Mueller-Hinton agar frequently gave enlarged zone sizes that falsely indicated susceptibility (72% for gentamicin and tobramycin), with the average increase in zone size being 6.3 and 7.6 mm, respectively. Comparison agar dilution MICs demonstrated uniform resistance, with or without added SB. The effect was shown to be caused by heme in concentrations as low as 0.03 micrograms/ml, which, when combined with aminoglycoside antibiotics, caused a synergistic growth inhibition of the enterococci, resulting in larger aminoglycoside antibiotic zones. We postulate that the heme effect is related to a catalytic cleavage of intracellular H2O2 and resultant lipid peroxidation. No other organism or antimicrobial agent tested demonstrated a similar effect, although other investigators have shown a similar phenomenon with the broad-spectrum cephalosporins. Because enterococci grow well and give accurate susceptibility results on Mueller-Hinton agar without SB supplementation and because of the spectrum of definable problems with a number of antimicrobial agents, we recommend that enterococci routinely be tested without SB.
Laser balloon angioplasty (LBA) is a technique for improving the post angioplasty result by the radial diffusion of continuous wave Neodymium:YAG laser energy to the arterial wall during the final inflation of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA). Potential mechanisms of luminal improvement include sealing of dissections, reduction of arterial recoil, desiccation of thrombus, and reduction of thrombogenicity of tissues at the luminal surface. These effects are helpful in the management of failed PTCA as defined by the presence of a greater than 50% stenosis after conventional PTCA. Preliminary data suggest that LBA may be safe and effective for the treatment of abrupt closure, with a majority of patients successfully avoiding emergency coronary artery bypass surgery. Similarly, a cohort in which the residual post-PTCA luminal diameter was less than 50% of reference diameter (n=13) was subsequently treated with LBA and demonstrated uniform success in improving luminal diameter, with a mean increment of 0.9mm. Data on the long-term clinical outcome of this cohort is encouraging.
Abrupt coronary occlusion and long-term restenosis continue to be the major problems associated with percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA). Laser balloon angioplasty (LBA) is a technique designed to potentially alleviate these problems by sealing arterial dissections, smoothing the luminal surfaces, dehydrating thrombi, and reducing the elastic properties that tend to recoil the stretched artery to its original state. During LBA, laser energy is delivered circumferentially by a 100-microns optical fiber that terminates in a central diffusing tip within an angioplasty balloon. LBA is performed for 20 seconds during the final inflation of the angioplasty balloon. Achieved with decremental ramped laser dosimetry, Nd:YAG laser energy has been shown to be effective in welding experimental arterial dissections over a therapeutic temperature range of 95 degrees-120 degrees C. LBA treatment of rabbit iliac arteries has been superior to balloon angioplasty in inhibiting elastic recoil and causing acute and long-term luminal increment. LBA has also been effective for sealing acute dissections in atherosclerotic rabbit iliac arteries. Additionally, in a canine model, safety in the coronary circulation has been shown, that is, even at 1 month after LBA, angiography demonstrated a cast of the LBA balloon without luminal compromise. Since March 1988, more than 250 patients with symptomatic coronary artery disease have been treated with LBA with nearly uniform clinical success, including frequent reversal of abrupt closure. LBA seems to be a safe modality that may decrease the need for emergency operative procedures and late coronary revascularization after PTCA.
Abstract Dehiscence of portions of atheromatous plaques fractured during percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty may contribute to both abrupt reclosure and gradual restenosis. Laser balloon angioplasty has been shown to be effective in welding human plaque‐arterial wall separations in vitro by heating tissues with a Nd:YAG laser during balloon inflation. To define the potentially useful therapeutic range of tissue temperature required to achieve thermal welds, 220 1‐cm diameter discs of human postmortem atheromatous aortic tissue, the intimal plaque of which had been separated from the media, were exposed to 3–25 watts of Nd:YAG laser radiation delivered over a 12‐mm 2 nominal spot size for 20 seconds via a 400‐μm core optical fiber. As measured with a thermistor, adventitial temperature reflected the temperature at the plaque‐media junction to within 10°C. The degree of tissue temperature elevation was related to delivered energy, while effective tissue penetration increased to maximum depth of 3 mm at the highest power density. Strength of tissue welds was defined as the force required to shear opposing layers of welded segments. Adventitial tissue temperatures below 80°C were not associated with appreciable welds, while equilibrium temperatures between 95°C and 140°C were consistently associated with effective mean weld strengths, which increased linearly from 25 to 110 g, respectively. Temperatures greater than 150°C were associated with rapid tissue dehydration and charring. These data suggest that the therapeutic range of tissue temperature that provides effective thermal fusion of intima‐media separations is broad and that the depth and degree of thermal coagulation can be controlled by manipulation of laser energy delivery.
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