Anurag Bajaj

Efficacy of noninvasive ventilation after planned extubation: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

The objective our meta-analysis is to update the evidence on the efficacy of noninvasive ventilation (NIV) compared with conventional oxygen therapy after planned extubation. We did a systematic literature review of database, including Pubmed, EMBASE, and Cochrane. We included randomized controlled trials comparing NIV with conventional oxygen therapy after planned extubation in medical intensive care unit (ICU) in our analysis. The results of our meta-analysis is consistent with the results of previous reviews and show that NIV decreased reintubation rate significantly as compared to conventional oxygen therapy in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and patients at high risk for extubation failure; COPD (RR, 0.33; 95% CI, 0.16-0.69; I2 = 0), high risk (RR, 0.47; 95% CI, 0.32-0.70; I2 = 0). However, in a mixed medical ICU population, there was no statistical difference of reintubation rate between the two groups (RR, 0.66; 95% CI, 0.25-1.73; I2 = 68%). Our study suggests that use of NIV after planned extubation significantly decreases the reintubation rate in COPD patients and patients at high risk for extubation failure, confirming the findings of previous reviews. There is no difference in the reintubation rate between the two groups in the mixed medical ICU population.

Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors with or without thienopyridine pretreatment improve outcomes after primary percutaneous coronary intervention in high-risk patients with ST elevation myocardial infarction--a meta-regression of randomized controlled trials.

Recent studies have casted a doubt on usefulness of routine glycoprotein IIb/IIIA inhibitors (GPI) in patients, pretreated with aspirin and clopidogrel, undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).

Diagnostic accuracy of sensitive or high-sensitive troponin on presentation for myocardial infarction: a meta-analysis and systematic review

Background Recently, high-sensitive troponin (hsTrop) assays consistent with professional societies’ recommendations became available. We aimed to summarize the evidence on the diagnostic accuracy of hsTrop on presentation. Methods We searched electronic databases for studies evaluating the diagnostic accuracy of hsTrop in suspected acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients. Random effect meta-analyses and meta-regression were performed. Primary and secondary analyses were restricted to studies using conventional Trop and hsTrop in the reference standard, respectively. Results Fifteen studies with a total of 8,628 patients met the inclusion criteria for the primary analysis. hsTrop T (Hoffman-La Roche Ltd) and hsTrop I (Siemens) had sensitivities of 0.89 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.86–0.91) and 0.90 (95% CI: 0.87–0.92) and specificities of 0.79 (95% CI: 0.77–0.80) and 0.89 (95% CI: 0.87–0.90), respectively. There was no statistically significant difference in the area under the curve between hsTrop (95% CI: 0.920) and conventional Trop (95% CI: 0.929) at the 99th percentile (P=0.62). hsTrop at the level of detection had a sensitivity of 0.97 (95% CI: 0.96–0.98) and a specificity of 0.41 (95% CI: 0.40–0.42). The studies using a cut-off at coefficient of variance <10% as opposed to the 99th percentile for the conventional assay used for diagnosis reported higher diagnostic accuracy (relative diagnostic odds ratio =2.13, P=0.02). Five studies were included in the secondary analysis; hsTrop T (Hoffman-La Roche Ltd) had a sensitivity of 0.91 (95% CI: 0.89–0.93) and a specificity of 0.67 (95% CI: 0.63–0.70). There was significant heterogeneity among the studies. Conclusion hsTrop have excellent diagnostic accuracy for myocardial infarction on presentation, but may not outperform conventional Trop assays. The variation among the studies can be explained, in part, by the cut-off used for conventional Trop assays.

New orally active anticoagulants in critical care and anesthesia practice: the good, the bad and the ugly.

With the adoption of dabigatran, rivaroxaban, and apixaban into clinical practice, a new era has arrived in the practice of oral anticoagulants. Venous thromboembolism (VTE) has traditionally been underdiagnosed and under treated in Asia. With increasing longevity, the diagnosis and the need for management of atrial fibrillation (AF) and VTE is likely to increase significantly. The new orally active anticoagulants (NOACs) have reasonably filled the lacunae that clinicians traditionally faced when treating patients with vitamin K antagonist (VKA). Unlike VKA, NOACs do not need frequent monitoring. Therefore, more patients are likely to get therapeutic effects of anticoagulation and thus reduce morbidity and mortality associated with VTE and AF. However, the clinicians need to be circumspect and exercise caution in use of these medications. In particular (in geriatric population), the clinicians should look out for drug-drug interactions and underlying renal insufficiency. This would ensure therapeutic efficacy and minimize bleeding complications. Here, it is important to note that the antidote for NOACs is not available and is a major concern if emergency surgical procedure is required in their presence.

Safety and feasibility of PCI in patients undergoing TAVR: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract We aimed to evaluate the safety and feasibility of PCI (percutaneous coronary intervention) for coronary artery disease (CAD) in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) by performing a meta‐analysis. A systemic search of the database was performed. Studies were included comparing TAVR versus TAVR with PCI for significant CAD in patients undergoing TAVR for severe aortic stenosis. The primary outcome was 30 day mortality and secondary outcomes were myocardial infarction, stroke, life threatening bleeding, major access site vascular complications and renal failure. There were no significant differences in 30 day and six months‐one year mortality between TAVR and TAVR with PCI group. There were also no significant differences in myocardial infarction, stroke, and life threatening bleeding and major access site vascular complications between the two groups. PCI in addition to TAVR in patients with concomitant severe aortic stenosis and CAD is safe and feasible and does not increase procedural risk.

Acute Complications of Myocardial Infarction in the Current Era: Diagnosis and Management

Coronary heart disease is a major cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. The incidence of mechanical complications of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) has gone down to less than 1% since the advent of percutaneous coronary intervention, but although mortality resulting from AMI has gone down in recent years, the burden remains high. Mechanical complications of AMI include cardiogenic shock, free wall rupture, ventricular septal rupture, acute mitral regurgitation, and right ventricular infarction. Detailed knowledge of the complications and their risk factors can help clinicians in making an early diagnosis. Prompt diagnosis with appropriate medical therapy and timely surgical intervention are necessary for favorable outcomes.

Statin Use Mitigate the Benefit of Omega-3 Fatty Acids Supplementation-A Meta-Regression of Randomized Trials.

During last 2 decades, multiple studies have evaluated omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (&ohgr;-3 PUFA) supplementation for cardiovascular prevention. The benefit found in previous studies was not demonstrated in more contemporary trials. We aimed to investigate effect of study characteristics, particularly concomitant statin therapy on results of randomized controlled trials. We systematically searched electronic databases for randomized controlled trials evaluating &ohgr;-3 PUFA supplementation and reporting clinical outcomes. A meta-analysis was performed using a random effect model, followed by a meta-regression of dose, docosahexaenoic acid/eicosapentaenoic acid (DHA/EPA) ratio, and duration of treatment and use of lipid-lowering/statin therapy in control group. Twenty-three studies with 77,776 patients (38,910 PUFA; 38,866 controls) were included. PUFA had no effect on total mortality [risk ratio (RR) = 0.96; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.92–1.01] and myocardial infarction (RR = 0.87; 95% CI, 0.73–1.02), but marginally reduced cardiovascular mortality (RR = 0.93; 95% CI, 0.87–0.98). Lower control group statin use (b = 0.222, P = 0.027) and higher DHA/EPA (b = −0.105, P = 0.033) ratio was associated with higher reduction in total mortality. Duration and dose had no effect. None of the variables except duration had significant effect on reduction in cardiovascular mortality by PUFA supplementation. There was evidence of publication bias. Statin use may mitigate, and higher DHA/EPA ratio is associated with the beneficial effect of PUFA supplementation.

Clinical conundrums in management of sepsis in the elderly

Abstract In 2012, surviving sepsis campaign came out with updated international guidelines for management of severe sepsis and septic shock. Paradoxically, there are no specific guidelines for management of sepsis in the elderly, although the elderly are more predisposed to sepsis, and morbidity and mortality related to sepsis. Sepsis in the elderly is, more often than not, complicated by clinical conundrums such as congestive heart failure (CHF), atrial fibrillation (AF), chronic kidney disease (CKD), acute kidney injury (AKI), delirium, dementia, ambulatory dysfunction, polypharmacy, malglycemia, nutritional deficiencies, and antibiotic resistance. Also, with recurrent admissions to the hospital and widespread use of antibiotics, the elderly are more susceptible to Clostridium difficile colitis.

Challenging aspects of and solutions to diagnosis, prevention, and management of hypoglycemia in critically ill geriatric patients

There is a worldwide pandemic of diabetes. Also there is a gradual and steady increase in the elderly population. Often clinicians are faced with managing dysglycemia in the elderly with underlying sepsis and multiple comorbidities. This predisposes the elderly to potentially increased chances of hypoglycemia in inpatient settings. This article reviews the altered renal physiology and its effects in the management of dysglycemia in the elderly population. It also emphasizes the role of renal insufficiency and sepsis as the main etiological factors for hypoglycemia in both diabetics and nondiabetics in the inpatient settings.

Impact of previous cardiac surgery on patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation: A meta-analysis.

The objective of our meta-analysis is to evaluate the impact of previous cardiac surgery in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). We did a systemic search of databases, including Pubmed, EMBASE and Cochrane to identify relevant studies. We included studies comparing clinical outcomes in patients undergoing TAVI, with and without previous cardiac surgery. The 30 days as well as 1 year mortality was not significantly different between the two groups: 30 days (RR, 0.95; 95% CI, 0.82-1.09, I(2) = 0%), 1 year (RR, 0.94; 95% CI, 0.86-1.02, I(2) = 0%). The risk of acute myocardial infarction was significantly higher in patients with previous cardiac surgery and the risk of major vascular complications was lower in patients with previous cardiac surgery. Our meta-analysis suggests that the presence of previous cardiac surgery does not impair outcomes after TAVI, making this subset of patients particularly applicable for this evolving approach.