Rationale The utility of patent foramen ovale (PFO) closure for secondary prevention in patients with prior cryptogenic stroke is uncertain despite multiple randomized trials completed to date. Aims The Gore REDUCE Clinical Study (REDUCE) aims to establish superiority of patent foramen ovale closure in conjunction with antiplatelet therapy over antiplatelet therapy alone in reducing the risk of recurrent clinical ischemic stroke or new silent brain infarct in patients who have had a cryptogenic stroke. Methods and design This controlled, open-label trial randomized 664 subjects with cryptogenic stroke at 63 multinational sites in a 2:1 ratio to either antiplatelet therapy plus patent foramen ovale closure (with GORE® HELEX® Septal Occluder or GORE® CARDIOFORM Septal Occluder) or antiplatelet therapy alone. Subjects will be prospectively followed for up to five years. Neuroimaging is required for all subjects at baseline and at two years or study exit. Study outcomes The two co-primary endpoints for the study are freedom from recurrent clinical ischemic stroke through at least 24 months post-randomization and incidence of new brain infarct (defined as clinical ischemic stroke or silent brain infarct) through 24 months. The primary analyses are an unadjusted log-rank test and a binomial test of subject-based proportions, respectively, both on the intent-to-treat population, with adjustment for testing multiplicity. Discussion The REDUCE trial aims to target a patient population with truly cryptogenic strokes. Medical therapy is limited to antiplatelet agents in both arms thereby reducing confounding. The trial should determine whether patent foramen ovale closure with the Gore septal occluders is safe and more effective than medical therapy alone for the prevention of recurrent clinical ischemic stroke or new silent brain infarct; the neuroimaging data will provide an opportunity to further support the proof of concept. The main results are anticipated in 2017. Registration Clinical trial registration-URL: http://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT00738894
This study examines factors associated with, and clinical effects of, wire frame fractures (WFF) of the GORE HELEX Septal Occluder (HELEX).Investigator-reported data from every HELEX implanted in the United States between 4/2000 and 4/2005 were reviewed. Clinical and procedural data from patients who experienced WFF were compared with data from patients who did not. The echocardiographic and fluoroscopic images for HELEX with WFF were reviewed for predictors of WFF and alterations in HELEX function.With 90% of subjects followed for >12 months, 19/298 (6.4%) HELEX implanted were found to have WFF. Thirty WFFs were observed, with multiple WFFs occurring in 8/19 HELEX. Univariate predictors of WFF were large device size (P = 0.0003) and balloon defect size (P = 0.001); however, large device size (P = 0.0003) was the only significant predictor of WFF by multivariate analysis. WFF of the 30-mm and 35-mm HELEX accounted for 84% (16/19) of all WFFs. Review of HELEX images with WFF revealed all WFF occurred along the circumferential wire, except one (straight portion of locking loop). Seventeen of 29 (59%) circumferential WFFs were on the right disk. Residual defect status remained clinically insignificant (6/19) or became completely occluded (13/19) during follow-up. There were no clinical sequelae due to WFF; however, secondary to right atrial disk mobility, the HELEX with locking loop WFF was percutaneously removed 6 weeks after implantation.WFF occurred in 6.4% of HELEX and were most common in large devices. With the exception of one device removed for theoretical risks, no clinical sequelae were related to WFF. WFF did not alter the function of the HELEX.
Summary. Cytogenetic abnormalities of chromosome 13 (CA 13) and those detected by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH 13) have both been associated with poor prognosis in multiple myeloma (MM) patients. The prognostic implications of CA, FISH 13 and other standard laboratory parameters were examined in the first 231 patients enrolled in Total Therapy II, an intensive cytotoxic chemotherapy programme with tandem autotransplants. Three‐year projections of event‐free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS) were 71% and 77% respectively. CA 13 was detected in 14% and significantly correlated with FISH 13 (present in 51%), tumour burden, proliferative activity and lactic dehydrogenase (LDH). Both EFS and OS were significantly shorter in patients with CA 13, FISH 13, LDH ≥ 190 U/l, β2 microglobulin ≥ 4 mg/l and C reactive protein ≥ 4·0 mg/l; other CA was an additional risk factor for OS. Two‐thirds of CA 13 patients were identified by FISH 13 and plasma‐cell‐labelling index (PCLI) ≥ 0·4%; however, PCLI failed to identify additional risk groups in FISH subsets. Although present in considerably fewer patients, CA 13 imparted more rapid relapse (61% at 3 years) and death (43% at 3 years) than FISH 13 (38% and 35%; P = 0·02 and 0·1 respectively) and should be part of the initial work‐up of patients with MM.
Continuous infusion 5-fluorouracil (CI5-FU) has been utilized concurrently with radiotherapy to improve tumor control. In this pilot trial, cisplatin, CI5FU, and radiotherapy were utilized for the treatment of locoregional esophageal carcinoma. It was postulated that the combination would be well tolerated and associated with high response rate and survival duration.Thirty-two eligible patients with locoregional squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma of the esophagus received a regimen consisting of the following: radiotherapy, 50 Gray (Gy) (30 Gy anteroposterior/posteroanterior regional with 20 Gy AP/LPO/RPO boost) over 5 weeks, with CI5-FU 250 mg/m2/d for the duration of radiotherapy and cisplatin 25 mg/m2/day on Days 1-3 during Weeks 1 and 4 of the radiotherapy cycle. Upon completion of radiotherapy, two additional course, of cisplatin 75 mg/m2 on Days 1 and 29 and CI5-FU 300 mg/m2/day on Days 1-21 and 29-50 were delivered. Following imaging and endoscopic reassessment, patients with no evidence of disease received more chemotherapy. Surgery was suggested only for patients with residual local disease.Complete response was demonstrated in 44% of patients, clinically in 12 patients, and during surgery in 2 others. The median survival was 20 months, and the 1-year survival rate was 59%. Toxicity was severe, comprised of esophagitis, infection, and gastrointestinal complications. Dose delays and reductions occurred in the majority of patients. Four early deaths were noted.The regimen that was the focus of this trial has been active in the treatment of esophageal carcinoma. However, compared with existing regimens, its complexity and toxicity preclude its future use without modifications.
We investigate methods for identifying groups of patients with different prognosis. Our focus is on procedures that yield interpretable descriptions for groups of patients and corresponding regions of the predictor space. These strategies include tree-based methods and techniques which construct a single prognostic group through ‘peeling’ or refining of a larger group patients. The peeling methods are relatively new and are developed in detail. Simulations and examples for describing groups of patients with poor outcomes using data from a clinical trial for patients with multiple myeloma are presented.
