Muhammad Usman Khan

Meta-Analysis of Anti-Thrombotic Therapy in Atrial Fibrillation after Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

Current clinical practice prefers oral anticoagulation (OAC) plus dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) in atrial fibrillation (AF) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). We conducted a meta-analysis to test the hypothesis that the superiority of OAC plus DAPT is mainly endorsed by observational studies (OSs); conversely, randomized clinical trials (RCTs) have suggested that OAC plus a single antiplatelet (SAP) agent is a safer and equally effective approach. Nine studies (4 RCTs and 5 OSs) were selected using MEDLINE, EMBASE, and CENTRAL (Inception, October 31, 2017). In analysis of RCTs, OAC plus SAP was safer in terms of major bleeding compared with OAC plus DAPT (relative risk [RR] 0.70, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.60 to 0.81, p <0.001). Conversely, analysis of OSs showed comparable risk of major bleeding among both groups (RR 0.92, 95% CI 0.65 to 1.29, pu2009=u20090.61). For major adverse cardiovascular events, RCTs restricted analysis (RR 0.93, 95% CI 0.68 to 1.27, pu2009=u20090.64) and analysis of OSs (RR 1.43, 95% CI 0.84 to 2.42, pu2009=u20090.19) showed similar outcomes between both strategies. Both regimens had a similar risk of myocardial infarction (MI) in RCTs restricted analysis (RR 1.18, 95% CI 0.89 to 1.56, pu2009=u20090.24); however, analysis of OSs showed 76% higher risk of MI with OAC plus SAP. In conclusion, in patients with AF after PCI, RCTs recommend OAC plus SAP for better safety and equal efficacy compared with OAC plus DAPT. These findings oppose the results of OSs that showed similar safety and reduced risk of MI with OAC plus DAPT.

Implantable cardioverter defibrillator in nonischemic cardiomyopathy: A systematic review and meta-analysis

The evidence to support implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) in subjects with nonischemic cardiomyopathy (NICM) for primary prevention of sudden cardiac death (SCD) is not robust. This meta‐analysis intends to assess the impact of routine ICD implantation for primary prevention of mortality due to SCD in NICM based on all the published randomized clinical trials (RCTs). Six RCTs were selected using PubMed/Medline, EMBASE, and CENTRAL from inception to December 2016. Outcomes were calculated as random‐effects relative risk (RR) and risk difference (RD) with 95% confidence interval (CI). Patients were randomized to ICD arm and control arm (usual care, medical treatment, and anti‐arrhythmic drugs). ICD significantly reduced all‐cause mortality in NICM patients (RR, 0.74, 95% CI, 0.56‐0.97, P = .03, I2 = 40). Mortality benefit was achieved due to a significant reduction in sudden cardiac death (SCD) (RR, 0.47, 95% CI, 0.30‐0.73, P < .001, I2 = 0). There were no statistical differences between two groups with regard to risk of noncardiac mortality, non‐SCD, cardiac arrest, cardiac transplant, sustained ventricular tachycardia (VT), and VT requiring medical treatment. Our results support efficacy of ICDs at reducing all‐cause mortality due to a reduction in SCD.

Percutaneous Coronary Intervention Versus Surgery in Left Main Stenosis–A Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review of Randomised Controlled Trials

OBJECTIVEnTo investigate the safety and efficacy of percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) versus coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery for left main coronary artery (LMCA) disease.nnnMETHODSnSix randomised controlled trials (RCTs) were reviewed by searching PubMed/Medline, Embase and the Cochrane Library. Estimates were pooled according to random effects model. Binary outcomes were reported as risk ratio (RR) and continuous outcomes were reported as mean difference (MD) with 95% confidence interval (CI).nnnRESULTSn3794 patients were randomised into PCI and CABG arms. Mean age of the total population was 64.7 years, 74.4% were male and mean Logistic EURO score (LES) was 2.9. When compared with CABG, patients treated with PCI had reduced risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) at 30 days: (RR: 0.55; 95% CI, 0.41-0.75; p<0.001; I2=0) but similar risk at 1year (RR: 1.15; 95% CI, 0.92-1.45; p=0.22; I2=0). Five years MACE rates favoured CABG (RR: 1.32; 95% CI, 1.13-1.53; p<0.001; I2=0) driven by a higher rate of target vessel revascularisation (TVR) (RR: 1.71; 95%CI, 1.38-2.12; p<0.001; I2=0) and myocardial infarction (MI) (RR: 1.97; 95%CI, 1.28-3.04; p<0.001; I2=22). Percutaneous coronary intervention was comparatively a safer procedure with lower rates of periprocedural adverse events including MI, stroke, bleeding events and need for blood transfusions.nnnCONCLUSIONnPercutaneous coronary intervention reduced MACE at 30days with comparable MACE at 1year. However, CABG was a more effective modality when considering mid- to long-term outcomes. PCI is a safer procedure with regards to periprocedural adverse events.

Efficacy and Safety of Mechanical versus Manual Compression in Cardiac Arrest - A Bayesian Network Meta-Analysis.

AIMnTo compare relative efficacy and safety of mechanical compression devices (AutoPulse and LUCAS) with manual compression in patients with cardiac arrest undergoing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).nnnMETHODSnFor this Bayesian network meta-analysis, seven randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were selected using PubMed/Medline, EMBASE, and CENTRAL (Inception- 31 October 2017). For all the outcomes, median estimate of odds ratio (OR) from the posterior distribution with corresponding 95% credible interval (Cr I) was calculated. Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) modeling was used to estimate the relative ranking probability of each intervention based on surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA).nnnRESULTSnIn analysis of 12, 908 patients with cardiac arrest [AutoPulse (2, 608 patients); LUCAS (3, 308 patients) and manual compression (6, 992 patients)], manual compression improved survival at 30 days or hospital discharge (OR, 1.40, 95% Cr I, 1.09-1.94), and neurological recovery (OR, 1.51, 95% Cr I, 1.06-2.39) compared to AutoPulse. There were no differences between LUCAS and AutoPulse with regards to survival to hospital admission, neurological recovery or return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC). Manual compression reduced the risk of pneumothorax (OR, 0.56, 95% Cr I, 0.33-0.97); while, both manual compression (OR, 0.15, 95% Cr I, 0.01-0.73) and LUCAS (OR, 0.07, 95% Cr I, 0.00-0.43) reduced the risk of hematoma formation compared to AutoPulse. Probability analysis ranked manual compression as the most effective treatment for improving survival at 30 days or hospital discharge (SUCRA, 84%).nnnCONCLUSIONSnManual compression is more effective than AutoPulse and comparable to LUCAS in improving survival at 30 days or hospital discharge and neurological recovery. Manual compression had lesser risk of pneumothorax or hematoma formation compared to AutoPulse.

A Bayesian network meta-analysis of preventive strategies for contrast induced nephropathy after cardiac catheterization

BACKGROUNDnThe optimal preventive strategy for contrast induced acute kidney injury (CIAKI) in patients undergoing cardiac catheterization remains uncertain.nnnOBJECTIVEnWe conducted Bayesian network meta-analysis (NMA) to compare different preventive strategies for CIAKI in these cohorts.nnnMETHODSnForty-nine randomized controlled trials were extracted using MEDLINE, EMBASE and CENTRAL data bases (inception-1st December 2017). We calculated median of the odds ratio (OR) with the corresponding 95% credible interval (CrI). The ranking probability of each treatment was based on SUCRA (surface under the cumulative ranking curve).nnnRESULTSnIn NMA of 28,063 patients [normal saline (NS: 9716 patients), sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3: 4484 patients), statin (2542 patients), N-acetylcysteine (NAC: 3006 patients), NACu202f+u202fNaHCO3 (774 patients), NSu202f+u202fNAC (3807 patients), NSu202f+u202fNaHCO3 (135 patients) and placebo (3599 patients)], statins reduced the relative risk of CIAKI compared with NS (OR: 0.50; 95% CrI, 0.25-0.99), and placebo (OR: 0.44; 95% CrI, 0.24-0.83). Subgroup analyses showed that in patients receiving low osmolar contrast, statins reduced the relative risk of CIAKI by 58% versus NS, and 51% versus placebo. There were no significant differences across all the treatments in terms of risk of hemodialysis or all-cause mortality. Statins had the highest probability for reducing the risk of CIAKI (SUCRA, 0.86), risk of hemodialysis (SUCRA, 0.88) and all-cause mortality (SUCRA, 0.81).nnnCONCLUSIONnStatins were the superior preventive strategy for reducing the risk of CIAKI compared with NS alone and placebo.

Atypical presentation of central pontine myelinolysis in hyperglycemia

Central pontine myelinolysis (CPM) usually occurs with rapid correction of severe chronic hyponatremia. Despite the pronounced fluctuations in serum osmolality, CPM is rarely seen in diabetics. This is a case report of CPM associated with hyperglycemia. A 45-year-old non-smoking and non-alcoholic African American male with past medical history of type 2 diabetes, hypertension, stage V chronic kidney disease and hypothyroidism presented with a two-week history of intermittent episodes of gait imbalance, slurred speech and inappropriate laughter. Physical examination including complete neurological assessment and fundoscopic examination were unremarkable. Laboratory evaluation was significant for serum sodium: 140u2009mmol/L, potassium: 3.9u2009mmol/L, serum glucose: 178u2009mg/dL and serum osmolality: 317u2009mosmol/kg. His ambulatory blood sugars fluctuated between 100 and 600u2009mg/dL in the six weeks prior to presentation, without any significant or rapid changes in his corrected serum sodium or other electrolyte levels. MRI brain demonstrated a symmetric lesion in the central pons with increased signal intensity on T2- and diffusion-weighted images. After neurological consultation and MRI confirmation, the patient was diagnosed with CPM secondary to hyperosmolar hyperglycemia. Eight-week follow-up with neurology was notable for near-complete resolution of symptoms. This case report highlights the importance of adequate blood glucose control in diabetics. Physicians should be aware of complications like CPM, which can present atypically in diabetics and is only diagnosed in the presence of a high index of clinical suspicion. Learning points: Despite the pronounced fluctuations in serum osmolality, central pontine myelinolysis (CPM) is rarely seen in diabetics. This case report of CPM associated with hyperglycemia highlights the importance of adequate blood glucose control in diabetics. Physicians should be aware of complications like CPM in diabetics. CPM can present atypically in diabetics and is only diagnosed in the presence of a high index of clinical suspicion.