Kwan S. Lee

Meta-analysis of revascularization versus medical therapy for atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis.

The aim of the study was to compare the efficacy of revascularization versus medical therapy in patients with atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis (ARAS). ARAS is the most common cause of secondary hypertension and is associated with several complications, such as renal failure, coronary artery disease, cardiac destabilization, and stroke. Medical therapy is the cornerstone for management of ARAS; however, numerous trials have compared medical therapy with revascularization in the form of percutaneous renal artery angioplasty (PTRA) or percutaneous renal artery angioplasty with stent placement (PTRAS). Medline (PubMed and Ovid SP), Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Clinical Trials (CENTRAL), and Cochrane Database of Systematic Review (CDSR) were searched till present (November 2013) to identify clinical trials where medical therapy was compared with revascularization (PTRA or PTRAS). We performed a meta-analysis using a random effects model. The heterogeneity was assessed using I2 values. The initial database search identified 540 studies and 7 randomized controlled trials, and 2,139 patients were included in the final analysis. Angioplasty with or without stenting was not superior to medical therapy with respect to any outcome. The incidence of nonfatal myocardial infarction was 6.74% in both the stenting and medical therapy group (odds ratio=0.998, 95% confidence interval 0.698 to 1.427, p=0.992), and incidence of renal events in stenting population was found to be 19.58% versus 20.53% in medical therapy (odds ratio=0.945, 95% confidence interval 0.755 to 1.182, p=0.620). In conclusion, PTRA or PTRAS does not improve outcomes compared with medical therapy in patients with ARAS. Future studies should investigate to identify patient subgroups that may benefit from such an intervention.

Benefit of statin pretreatment in prevention of contrast-induced nephropathy in different adult patient population: systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective Previous studies have suggested that statin pretreatment prevents contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN). However, single randomised trials are limited in their number of patients. This meta-analysis aims to assess the role of statin use in CIN prevention, as well as to determine patient subgroups that will benefit from statin pre-treatment. Methodology We searched PubMed, EMBASE, Web of science and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials databases for randomised controlled trials (RCT) comparing statin pretreatment versus placebo for preventing CIN. Our main outcome was the risk of CIN within 1–5 days after contrast administration. Results Data analysed from nine randomised studies with a total of 5143 patients, where 2559 received statins and 2584 received placebo, showed that statin pretreatment was associated with significant reduction in risk of CIN (MH-RR=0.47, 95% CI 0.34 to 0.64, Z=4.49, p<0.00001). This beneficial effect of statin was also seen in patients with baseline renal impairment (MH-RR=0.46, 95% CI 0.29 to 0.72, p=0.0008) and also those who were cotreated with NAC (MH-RR=0.46, 95% CI 0.25 to 0.83, p=0.01). Conclusions Statin pretreatment leads to significant reduction in CIN, and should be strongly considered in all patients who are planned for diagnostic and interventional procedures involving contrast-media administration.

Temporal Trends in Strut-Level Optical Coherence Tomography Evaluation of Coronary Stent Coverage: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

We sought to pool data from all studies with reported strut‐level data in human subjects evaluated by optical coherence tomography (OCT) surveillance and to compare the aggregate data of stent strut coverage on a longitudinal temporal timeline from initial implantation for different coronary stent subtypes.

Fungal Endocarditis: Update on Diagnosis and Management

Fungal endocarditis is an extremely debilitating disease associated with high morbidity and mortality. Candida spp. are the most common isolated organisms in fungal endocarditis. It is most prevalent in patients who are immunosuppressed and intravenous drug users. Most patients present with constitutional symptoms, which are indistinguishable from bacterial endocarditis, hence a high index of suspicion is required for pursuing diagnosis. Diagnosis of fungal endocarditis can be very challenging: most of the time, blood cultures are negative or take a long time to yield growth. Fungal endocarditis mandates an aggressive treatment strategy. A medical and surgical combined approach is the cornerstone of therapy.

Temporal Trends in Strut-Level Optical Coherence Tomography Evaluation of Coronary Stent Coverage: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Temporal trends in strut-level optical coherence tomography evaluation of coronary stent coverage: A systematic review and meta-analysis Temporal Trends in Stent Strut Coverage by OCT Lee et al.

We sought to pool data from all studies with reported strut‐level data in human subjects evaluated by optical coherence tomography (OCT) surveillance and to compare the aggregate data of stent strut coverage on a longitudinal temporal timeline from initial implantation for different coronary stent subtypes.

Comparison of tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion with fractional area change for the evaluation of right ventricular systolic function: a meta-analysis

Background Accurate determination of right ventricular ejection fraction (RVEF) is challenging because of the unique geometry of the right ventricle. Tricuspidannular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) and fractional area change (FAC) are commonly used echocardiographic quantitative estimates of RV function. Cardiac MRI (CMRI) has emerged as the gold standard for assessment of RVEF. We sought to summarise the available data on correlation of TAPSE and FAC with CMRI-derived RVEF and to compare their accuracy. Methods We searched PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, CINAHL, ClinicalTrials.gov and the Cochrane Library databases for studies that assessed the correlation of TAPSE or FAC with CMRI-derived RVEF. Data from each study selected were pooled and analysed to compare the correlation coefficient of TAPSE and FAC with CMRI-derived RVEF. Subgroup analysis was performed on patients with pulmonary hypertension. Results Analysis of data from 17 studies with a total of 1280 patients revealed that FAC had a higher correlation with CMRI-derived RVEF compared with TAPSE (0.56vs0.40, P=0.018). In patients with pulmonary hypertension, there was no statistical difference in the mean correlation coefficient of FAC and TAPSE to CMR (0.57vs0.46, P=0.16). Conclusions FAC provides a more accurate estimate of RV systolic function (RVSF) compared with TAPSE. Adoption of FAC as a routine tool for the assessment of RVSF should be considered, especially since it is also an independent predictor of morbidity and mortality. Further studies will be needed to compare other methods of echocardiographic measurement of RV function.

Comparison of regadenoson and nitroprusside to adenosine for measurement of fractional flow reserve: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND FFR is useful in defining the physiological significance of intermediate coronary stenosis and requires induction of maximal hyperemia and measurement of pressure proximal and distal to the stenosis. Hyperemia normally is induced by either IV or IC adenosine, a medication associated with short-term side effects. IV regadenoson and IC nitroprusside have been suggested as viable alternatives. This meta-analysis aims to identify all studies comparing use of intravenous (IV) regadenoson or intracoronary (IC) nitroprusside with IV adenosine to determine differences related to the agent utilized for assessment of fractional flow reserve (FFR). METHODS We searched PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, SCOPUS, ClinicalTrials.gov and the Cochrane Library databases for studies comparing IV regadenoson or IC nitroprusside to IV adenosine for FFR assessment. The main outcome was difference in mean FFR measurement. The main secondary outcomes were composite side-effect profile and reclassification of lesions. RESULTS Seven studies were included in the analysis, with a total of 375 patients. Compared to IV adenosine, there was no difference in the mean FFR derived from IV regadenoson (p=1.0) or IC nitroprusside (p=0.48). IV regadenoson was associated with 53% lower risk of pooled side effects compared to IV adenosine (p=0.05). IC nitroprusside was associated with 97% lower risk of pooled side effects compared to IV adenosine (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS IV regadenoson and IC nitroprusside produce similar pressure-derived FFR measurements compared to IV adenosine and have a favorable side effect profile. Both can be considered as alternative agents to IV adenosine for FFR measurement. Further clinical validation is warranted.

Pulmonary Hypertension Secondary to Partial Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Return in an Elderly

Background. Partial anomalous pulmonary venous return (PAPVR) is an uncommon congenital abnormality, which may present in the adult population. It is often associated with sinus venosus defect (SVD). The diagnosis and therapy for this condition may be challenging. Case Presentation. We describe a case of an elderly woman who presented with NYHA Class IV dyspnea and was suspected to have symptomatic pulmonary hypertension. She was later found to have anomalous right upper pulmonary vein return to the superior vena cava and associated SVD with bidirectional shunting. Therapeutic options were discussed and medical management alone with aggressive diuresis and sildenafil was adopted. Follow-up visits revealed success in the planned medical therapy. Conclusions. PAPVR is a rare congenital condition that may present during late adulthood. The initial predominant left-to-right shunting associated with this anomaly may go undetected for years with the gradual development of pulmonary hypertension and right heart failure due to right heart volume overload. Awareness of the condition is important, as therapy is time-sensitive with early detection potentially leading to surgical therapy as a viable option.

Endovascular Stenting of Suture Line Supravalvular Pulmonic Stenosis After Orthotopic Heart Transplantation Using Rapid Pacing Stabilization

A 61-year-old woman, 6 months after orthotopic heart transplantation (OHT), presented with gradual-onset class III dyspnea and fatigue for 4 months. Her transplantation procedure was significant for right ventricular sternal adhesions after left ventricular assist device placement and significant

Crowd-Sourcing Syncope Diagnosis: Mobile Smartphone ECG Apps.

A 76-year-old gentleman with a history of hypertension, on low-dose lisinopril, had a witnessed syncopal episode. He fainted from a standing position with no prodrome. He was unresponsive for 15 seconds without epileptiform activity or loss of sphincter control. He quickly regained consciousness with mild disorientation, without additional symptoms or focal deficits. A cardiologist at the event had just purchased the AliveCor (San Francisco, Calif.) smartphone portable electrocardiogram (ECG) device and quickly applied it. It showed a single limb lead (II) with sinus tachycardia, complete heart block, and a narrow escape rhythm of 54 beats per minute (Figure). En route to the hospital, the relevant team members on call were identified via the Amion app (Amion, Newton, Mass.), and the tracing was e-mailed from the AliveCor app. At the Emergency Department, the ECG had normalized and all investigations were normal, including an echocardiogram. He underwent dual-chamber pacemaker placement with no further issues. Syncope is one of the most common presentations to the Emergency Department. Underlying diagnoses can range from benign to life threatening. Often, the application of expensive diagnostic tests is fruitless and leads to protracted attempts at outpatient diagnosis. During this period, limitations to patients’ activity are often recommended, with potential occupational implications. A 12-lead ECG and telemetry monitoring is standard of care. Obtaining an ECG when the patient is symptomatic is critical, as the presence of an arrhythmia usually suggests causality and quickly