Cruzlake7625

Introduction Data on the early and late outcome following transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) and surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) in obese patients are limited. We investigated whether TAVI may be superior to SAVR in obese patients. Material and methods Obese patients (body mass index ≥ 30 kg/m2) who underwent either SAVR or TAVI were identified from the nationwide OBSERVANT registry, and their in-hospital and long-term outcomes were analysed. Propensity score matching was employed to identify two cohorts with similar baseline characteristics. Results The propensity score matching provided 142 pairs balanced in terms of baseline risk factors. In-hospital and 30-day mortality did not differ between SAVR and TAVI obese patients (4.6% vs. 3.3%, p = 0.56, and 5.2% vs. 3.2%, p = 0.41, respectively). Obese SAVR patients experienced a higher rate of renal failure (12.4% vs. 3.6%, p = 0.0105) and blood transfusion requirement (60.3% vs. 25.7%, p less then 0.0001) in comparison with TAVI patients. A higher rate of permanent pacemaker implantation (14.4% vs. 3.6%, p = 0.0018), and major vascular injuries (7.4% vs. 0%, p = 0.0044) occurred in the TAVI group. Five-year survival was higher in the SAVR group compared to the TAVI patient cohort (p = 0.0046), with survival estimates at 1, 3 and 5 years of 88.0%, 80.3%, 71.8% for patients undergoing SAVR, and 85.2%, 69.0%, 52.8% for those subjected to TAVI procedures. Conclusions In obese patients, both SAVR and TAVI are valid treatment options, although in the long term SAVR exhibited higher survival rates.Introduction Survival after heart transplantation (HTX) is extended due to continuous improvement of medical care, allowing enough time for coronary artery vasculopathy to develop. Data on the clinical outcome of cardiac transplantation patients after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) are still not extensively explored. The aim of our study was to assess whether heart transplantation itself compromises the outcome in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention and to assess survival rates as well as major cardiovascular complications in heart transplant recipients who had undergone PCI. Material and methods Thirty-three heart transplant recipients who had undergone PCI in the years 2005 to 2015 in a single center were matched by age, sex and main risk factors of arteriosclerosis with 33 controls without heart transplant history. Mean age of patients was 54.6 ±11.4 years in the HTX group and 58.8 ±10.8 years in controls. Median time from heart transplant to PCI was 13 years (4.4-22 years). Case and control groups did not differ in terms of standard risk factors of coronary artery disease, apart from chronic kidney disease, which was present in 70% of patients after heart transplantation, and dyslipidemia, which was present in 91% of control subjects. Results Patients after HTX had worse survival compared to controls (p = 0.04). When adjusted for comorbidities in the Cox regression model, there was no significant difference in survival between cardiac transplant recipients and the control group (HR = 1.06; 95% CI 0.10-11.24). Chronic renal disease was a significant predictor of all-cause mortality (HR = 29.9; 95% CI 2.3-393). Considering other endpoints, HTX patients had considerably higher incidence of severe bleeding compared to the control group (27% vs. 3%, p less then 0.05). Conclusions There was no significant difference in myocardial infarction rate, revascularization or hospitalization rates.Introduction Gender-related differences in the treatment of patients with non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) have been reported in many previous studies despite the fact that an equal approach is recommended in all current guidelines. The aim of the study was to investigate whether gender-related discrepancies in the management of NSTEMI patients have changed. Material and methods Between 2012 and 2014 a total of 66,667 patients (38.3% of whom were women) with the final diagnosis of NSTEMI were included into the retrospective analysis of the Polish Registry of Acute Coronary Syndromes (PL-ACS). Differences in clinical profile, treatment, and outcomes were analysed. Results Women were older than men and more often had comorbidities. They were less likely to undergo coronary angiography (88.4% vs. PP121 92.1%, p less then 0.05) as well as percutaneous coronary intervention (59.6% vs. 71.9%, p less then 0.05). In the general population women had also significantly worse in-hospital prognosis as well as in 12-month follow-up. After the age adjustment the outcomes in women were at least as good as in men. In multivariate analysis females had the same risk as men in-hospital RR = 1.02 (95% CI 0.97-1.08, p = 0.45) and lower in 12-month observation RR = 0.94 (95% CI 0.92-0.97, p less then 0.0001). Conclusions In comparison with previous reports on NSTEMI patients, gender-related disparities in the treatment and outcomes were radically reduced. Unadjusted mortality rates were still higher in women as a consequence of their older age. After the age adjustment, mortality ratios were similar in both genders. The long-term prognosis seems to be even better in women.Introduction The aim of this study is to estimate how much of the recent decrease in mortality among patients with myocardial infarction with ST-segment elevation (STEMI) can be attributed to improved treatment strategies, and how much it is related to changes in baseline clinical characteristics, and to compare these findings for men and women. Material and methods This was a retrospective analysis of 32,790 patients with STEMI from the Polish Registry of Acute Coronary Syndromes PL-ACS hospitalised in 2005 and 2011. Changes in treatment strategies including pharmacotherapy were analysed. Observed in-hospital and 12-month mortality rates were compared with the outcomes in the groups matched on the propensity scores. Results There was a substantial improvement in STEMI patient management between 2005 and 2011 in Poland. It included greater use of percutaneous coronary interventions and other guideline-based adjunctive therapies, and it was associated with a significant decline in in-hospital mortality. Relative 12-month mortality reduction rates were less pronounced and more related to changes in patients' clinical characteristics. Higher mortality risk reductions were observed in women and were driven by relatively more positive changes in their baseline risk profiles when compared to men. Conclusions The progress in the treatment strategies has helped to achieve better survival rates in STEMI patients. However, the ongoing changes in clinical characteristics of patients also played an important role, especially in women. Clinicians should focus on modifiable risk factors and post-discharge management to possibly prolong the positive aspects of in-hospital efforts.Introduction Implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICD) have a strong position in the prevention of sudden death. Nowadays, the most commonly used high-energy cardiac devices are transvenous ICDs. A new technology of totally subcutaneous ICDs (S-ICD) was invented and recently introduced into clinical practice in order to reduce lead-related complications of conventional ICDs. The aim of this paper is to present early experience with this new technology implemented in a few centres in Poland. Material and methods Medical records of patients who had S-ICD-related interventions in Poland were retrospectively analysed. Results During the first year of S-ICD introduction into the Polish health system 18 patients underwent surgery connected with S-ICDs. Majority of them (17 patients) were implanted de novo. In one patient surgical revision of a device implanted abroad was performed. Most of patients (78%) had S-ICDs implanted for secondary prevention. Inability of transvenous system implantation due to venous access obstruction or high risk of infection related with transvenous leads accounted for 83% of indications for S-ICD. Only in three patients were S-ICDs implanted due to young age and active mode of life. The implantations of S-ICDs were performed without important early or late complications. During follow-up one patient had episodes of ventricular arrhythmia successfully terminated with high-energy shocks. One patient died due to progression of heart failure. Conclusions S-ICD implantation procedure has been successfully and safely introduced in Polish clinical routine. Nevertheless, despite clear indications in recent ESC guidelines, this therapy is not directly reimbursed in Poland and needs individual application for refund.Introduction Preoperative biliary drainage has been widely used to treat patients with malignant biliary obstruction. However, it is still unclear which method is more effective internal drainage or external drainage. Thus, we carried out a meta-analysis to compare the safety and efficacy of the two drainage methods in treatment of malignant biliary obstruction in terms of preoperative and postoperative complications. Material and methods We conducted a literature search of Medline, EMBASE, PubMed, Ovid journals and the Cochrane Library, and compared internal drainage and external drainage in malignant biliary obstruction patients. The pre- and postoperative complications, stent dysfunction rate and mortality were analyzed. Results Ten published studies (n = 1464 patients) were included in this meta-analysis. We found that patients with malignant biliary obstruction who received external drainage showed reductions in the preoperative cholangitis rate (OR = 0.33, 95% CI 0.24-0.44, p less then 0.00001), the incidence of stent dysfunction (OR = 0.41, 95% CI 0.30-0.57, p less then 0.00001), and total morbidity (OR = 0.34, 95% CI 0.23-0.50, p less then 0.00001) compared with patients who received internal drainage. Conclusions The current meta-analysis indicates that external drainage is better than internal drainage for malignant biliary obstruction in terms of the preoperative cholangitis rate, the incidence of stent dysfunction and total morbidity, etc. However, the findings need to be confirmed by randomized controlled trials.Introduction This meta-analysis was performed to confirm the relationship of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and vitamin D. Material and methods PubMed and CNKI databases were searched for relevant articles. Standard mean difference (SMD) along with 95% CI was used to compare vitamin D level between women with GDM and healthy subjects. The correlation coefficient between the vitamin D and homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR) was analyzed. Results The vitamin D level of GDM subjects was much lower than healthy subjects (SMD = -0.71, 95% CI -0.91, -0.50). Vitamin D deficiency was associated with high risk of GDM (OR = 1.15, 95% CI 1.07-1.23). Vitamin D was negatively correlated with HOMA-IR (r = -0.62, 95% CI -0.85, -0.39). The analysis showed no publication bias (Egger's p = 0.197; Begg's p = 0.786). Conclusions Vitamin D is closely associated with the onset of GDM.Introduction Drug-induced QT prolongation is associated with higher cardiovascular mortality. Material and methods We conducted a protocol-based comprehensive review of antidepressant-induced QT prolongation in people with mental disorders. Results Based on findings from 47 published randomized controlled trials (RCTs), 3 unpublished RCTs, 14 observational studies, 662 case reports of torsades de pointes, and 168 cases of QT prolongation, we conclude that all antidepressants should be used only with licensed doses, and that all patients receiving antidepressants require monitoring of QT prolongation and clinical symptoms of cardiac arrhythmias. Large observational studies suggest increased mortality associated with all antidepressants (RR = 1.62, 95% CI 1.60-1.63, number of adults 1,716,552), high doses of tricyclic antidepressants (OR = 2.11, 85% CI 1.10-4.22), selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (OR = 2.78, 95% CI 1.24-6.24), venlafaxine (OR = 3.73, 95% CI 1.33-10.45, number of adults 4,040), and nortriptyline (OR = 4.