Tian-li Xia

Meta-Analysis of Relation Between Oral β-Blocker Therapy and Outcomes in Patients With Acute Myocardial Infarction Who Underwent Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

The aim of the present review was to investigate the association between the use of oral β-blockers and prognosis in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) treatment. A systematic literature search was conducted in Pubmed (from inception to September 27, 2014) and Embase (Ovid SP, from 1974 to September 29, 2014) to identify studies that compared the outcome of patients with AMI taking oral β-blockers with that of patients not taking after PCI. Systematic review and meta-analysis were performed with random-effects model or fixed-effects model. Ten observational studies with a total of 40,873 patients were included. Use of β-blockers was associated with a reduced risk of all-cause death (unadjusted relative risk 0.58, 95% confidential interval 0.48 to 0.71; adjusted hazard ratio 0.76, 95% confidential interval 0.62 to 0.94). The potential benefit of β-blockers in preventing all-cause death was not similar in all population but was restricted to those with reduced ejection fraction, with low use proportion of other secondary prevention drugs or with non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction. The association between the use of β-blockers and improved survival rate was significant in ≤1-year follow-up duration. Rates of cardiac death, myocardial infarction, and heart failure readmission in patients using β-blockers were not significantly different from those in patients without β-blocker therapy. In conclusion, there is lack of evidence to support routine use of β-blockers in all patients with AMI who underwent PCI. Further trials are urgently needed to address the issue.

The efficacy and safety of prehospital therapeutic hypothermia in patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND The benefit of therapeutic hypothermia (TH) to patients suffering out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) has been well established. However, the effect of prehospital cooling remains unclear. We aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of prehospital TH for OHCA patients by conducting a systematic review of randomised controlled trials (RCTs). METHODS The MEDLINE, EMbase and CENTRAL databases were searched for publications from inception to April 2015. RCTs that compared cooling with no cooling in a prehospital setting among adults with OHCA were eligible for inclusion. Random- and fixed-effect models were used depending on inter-study heterogeneity. RESULTS Eight trials that recruited 2379 participants met the inclusion criteria. Prehospital TH was significantly associated with a lower temperature at admission (mean difference (MD) -0.94; 95% confidence interval (CI) -1.06 to -0.82). However, survival upon admission (Risk ratio (RR) 1.01, 95%CI 0.98-1.04), survival at discharge (RR 1.02, 95%CI 0.91-1.14), in-hospital survival (RR 1.05, 95%CI 0.92-1.19) and good neurological function recovery (RR 1.06, 95% CI 0.91-1.23) did not differ between the TH-treated and non-treated groups. Prehospital cooling increased the incidence of recurrent arrest (RR 1.23, 95%CI 1.02-1.48) and decreased the PH at admission (MD -0.04, 95%CI -0.07 to -0.02). Pulmonary oedema did not differ between the arms (RR 1.02, 95%CI 0.67-1.57). None of the potentially controversial issues (cooling methods, time of inducing TH, the proportion of continuing cooling in hospital, actual prehospital infusion volume and primary cardiac rhythms) affected the efficacy. CONCLUSION Evidence does not support the administration of prehospital TH to patients with OHCA.

Gender Disparity in the Safety and Efficacy of Radial and Femoral Access for Coronary Intervention: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Our aim was to investigate the gender disparity in the safety and efficacy of transradial percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI; TRI) and transfemoral PCI (TFI) by a meta-analysis. MEDLINE, Embase, and CENTRAL were searched to identify studies on vascular access with sex-specific events available or studies on sex difference with the events reported by vascular access. Fifteen studies involving 3 921 848 participants were included. Transradial PCI significantly reduced the risk of bleeding complications in both sexes (TRI-versus-TFI odds ratio [OR]: 0.37 in females vs 0.47 in males) and major adverse cardiac events (MACE) in females (OR: 0.70, P < .001) but not in males (OR: 0.83, P = .15) compared to TFI. Transradial PCI diminished the sex difference in the incidence of bleeding complications (female-versus-male OR: 1.82 with TRI vs 2.39 with TFI; interaction P = .01) and MACE (female-versus-male OR: 1.21 with TRI vs 1.41 with TFI; interaction P = .003) compared to TFI. Females were associated with higher crossover rate in the TRI subgroup but not in the TFI subgroup (interaction P = .05). In conclusion, TRI may improve the safety and efficacy of outcomes in both sexes and be an effective means to cut down the gender difference in prognosis.

The Prognosis of Patients With Nonobstructive Coronary Artery Disease Versus Normal Arteries Determined by Invasive Coronary Angiography or Computed Tomography Coronary Angiography: A Systematic Review.

AbstractLimited data exist regarding the outcomes of patients with nonobstructive coronary artery disease (CAD) detected by computed tomography coronary angiography (CTCA) or invasive coronary angiography (ICA).Our aim was to compare the prognosis of patients with nonobstructive coronary artery plaques with that of patients with entirely normal arteries.The MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, and Embase databases were searched. Studies comparing the prognosis of individuals with nonobstructive CAD versus normal coronary arteries detected by CTCA or ICA were included. The primary outcome was major adverse cardiac events (MACE) including cardiac death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, hospitalization due to unstable angina or revascularization. A fixed effects model was chosen to pool the estimates of odds ratios (ORs).Forty-eight studies with 64,905 individuals met the inclusion criteria. Patients in the nonobstructive CAD arm had a significantly higher risk of MACE compared to their counterparts in the normal artery arm (pooled OR, 3.17, 95% confidence interval, 2.77–3.63). When excluding revascularization as an endpoint, hard cardiac composite outcomes were also more frequent among patients with nonobstructive CAD (pooled OR, 2.10; 95%CI, 1.79–2.45). All subgroups (age, sex, follow-up duration, different outcomes, diagnostic modality, and CAD risk factor) consistently showed a poorer prognosis with nonobstructive CAD than with normal arteries. When dividing the studies into a CTCA and ICA group for further analysis based on the indications for diagnostic tests, we also found nonobstructive CAD to be associated with a higher risk of MACE in both stable and acute chest pain.Patients with nonobstructive CAD had a poorer prognosis compared with their counterparts with normal arteries.

Admission Serum Calcium Levels Improve the GRACE Risk Score Prediction of Hospital Mortality in Patients With Acute Coronary Syndrome.

The Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events (GRACE) risk score has been extensively validated to predict risk during hospitalization in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Recently, serum calcium has been suggested as an independent predictor for in‐hospital mortality in patients with ST‐segment elevation myocardial infarction; however, the relationship between the 2 has not been evaluated.

Relation of premature atrial complexes with stroke and death: Systematic review and meta‐analysis

Frequent premature atrial complexes (PACs) are universal in the general population; however, their clinical significance is unclear. We hypothesize that frequent PACs are associated with increased risk of stroke and death. The PubMed (from 1966 to April 2017) and Embase (from 1974 to April 2017) databases were searched for longitudinal studies that reported the relation of PACs with incidence of stroke and death with various etiologies. Study quality was evaluated, and the relative risks (RR) of unfavorable outcomes in subjects with frequent PACs vs those without were calculated. Eleven studies with overall high quality were eligible according to inclusion criteria. The meta‐analysis demonstrated that frequent PACs were associated with an increased risk of stroke (unadjusted RR: 2.20, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.79‐2.70; adjusted RR: 1.41, 95% CI: 1.25‐1.60) and death from all causes (unadjusted RR: 2.17, 95% CI: 1.80‐2.63; adjusted RR: 1.26, 95% CI: 1.13‐1.41), cardiovascular diseases (unadjusted RR: 2.89, 95% CI: 2.20‐3.79; adjusted RR: 1.38, 95% CI: 1.24‐1.54), and coronary artery disease (unadjusted RR: 2.74, 95% CI: 1.64‐4.58; adjusted RR: 1.74, 95% CI: 1.27‐2.37). No significant publication bias was detected. The association was robust in sensitivity analysis, subgroup analysis, and pooled analysis of estimates adjusting for confounding factors. Frequent PACs are not benign phenomena; they are associated with higher risk of unfavorable outcomes. Further research on the optimal management of subjects with frequent PACs is urgently required.

The correlation between serum total bilirubin and outcomes in patients with different subtypes of coronary artery disease

BACKGROUNDS The relation between serum total bilirubin (TBi) and mortality in patients with established coronary artery disease (CAD) remains undefined. We try to investigate the role of the subtypes of CAD in the association. METHODS A total of 3013 patients with angiographically obstructive CAD were enrolled. A retrospective analysis was conducted. Patients were divided into 3 groups as follows: stable CAD (SCAD), unstable angina pectoris (UAP) and acute myocardial infarction (AMI). The predictive values of TBi for 30-day and long-term mortality were assessed using logistic and Cox regression, respectively. RESULTS Higher initial serum TBi levels were significantly associated with increased risk of short-term mortality (OR 2.35, 95% CI 1.15-4.77) in AMI group. However, the association was absent among patients with SCAD and UAP. Serum TBi was able to independently predict the long-term mortality in SCAD (HR 0.34, 95% CI 0.16-0.70) and UAP (HR 0.49, 95% CI 0.31-0.78) groups. However, there was no significant relation between TBi and long-term mortality in AMI groups. CONCLUSION The different subtypes of CAD affected the relation between serum TBi and clinical prognosis. Initial serum TBi was positively correlated with short-term mortality of AMI patients, and negatively correlated with long-term mortality in SCAD or UAP patients.

Relation between admission plasma fibrinogen levels and mortality in Chinese patients with coronary artery disease.

Fibrinogen (Fib) was considered to be a potential risk factor for the prognosis of patients with coronary artery disease (CAD), but there was lack of the evidence from Chinese contemporary population. 3020 consecutive patients with CAD confirmed by coronary angiography were enrolled and were grouped into 2 categories by the optimal Fib cut-off value (3.17 g/L) for all-cause mortality prediction. The end points were all-cause mortality and cardiac mortality. Cumulative survival curves showed that the risk of all-cause mortality was significantly higher in patients with Fib ≥3.17 g/L compared to those with Fib <3.17 g/L (mortality rate, 11.5% vs. 5.7%, p < 0.001); and cardiovascular mortality obtained results similar to those mentioned above (cardiac mortality rate, 5.9% vs. 3.6%, p = 0.002). Subgroup analysis showed that elevated Fib levels were predictive for the risk of all-cause mortality in the subgroups according to age, medical history, and diagnosis. COX multivariate regression analysis showed that plasma Fib levels remained independently associated with all-cause mortality after adjustment for multiple cardiovascular risk factors (all-cause mortality, HR 2.01, CI 1.51–2.68, p < 0.001). This study has found that Fib levels were independently associated with the mortality risk in Chinese CAD patients.

Influence of Renal Insufficiency on the Prescription of Evidence-Based Medicines in Patients With Coronary Artery Disease and Its Prognostic Significance: A Retrospective Cohort Study

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to discuss the present situation of discharge medications in coronary artery disease (CAD) patients with different levels of renal function and assess the potential impact of these medications on the prognosis of this patient population.A retrospective cohort study was conducted. From July 2008 to Jan 2012, consecutive patients with CAD confirmed by coronary angiography of West China Hospital were enrolled and were grouped into 3 estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) categories: ≥60, 30 to 60, and <30 mL/min/1.73 m2. The endpoints were all-cause mortality and cardiac mortality.There are 3002 patients according to the inclusion criteria and follow-up requirement. The mean follow-up time was 29.1 ± 12.5 months. CAD patients with worse renal function included more cardiovascular risk factors (advanced age, history of hypertension or diabetes, and diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction). The cumulative survival curves of the patients according to renal function showed that the eGFR <30 mL/min and 30 mL/min ⩽ eGFR <60 mL/min groups had a significantly higher risk of all-cause death and cardiovascular death than the group with an eGFR ≥60 mL/min. The prescription of evidence-based medicines (EBMs) at discharge (antiplatelet agents, beta-blockers, statins, and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors [ACEIs] or angiotensin-receptor blockers [ARBs]) was a factor in reducing the risk of all-cause death and cardiovascular death. However, EBMs prescribed at discharge revealed an obvious underuse in renal insufficiency (RI) patients. The results of Cox regression showed that irrespective of the eGFR level, greater use of EBMs resulted in a greater reduction in the risk of all-cause death and cardiovascular death.A higher percentage of patients with CAD and concomitant RI suffered from cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors, whereas a lower percentage of these patients used EBMs to prevent CVD events. Strict use of EBMs, including beta-blockers, statins, and ACEIs or ARBs, can lead to more clinical benefits, even for patients with CAD and concomitant RI. Thus, treatment of this patient population with EBMs should be stressed.

Renal insufficiency and mortality in coronary artery disease with reduced ejection fraction.

BACKGROUND Despite strong evidence linking decreased estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) to worse cardiovascular outcome, the impact of eGFR on mortality in coronary artery disease (CAD) patients with different left ventricular ejection fraction (EF) is not well defined. METHODS A retrospective cohort study. From Jul. 2008 to Jan. 2012, consecutive patients with CAD of West China Hospital were enrolled and were grouped into 3 eGFR categories: ≥90, 60-90, and <60mL/min/1.73m(2). Patients with EF≥50% or <50% were defined as preserved EF or reduced EF, respectively. The endpoints were all-cause mortality and cardiac mortality. RESULTS There are 2161 patients according to the inclusion criteria and follow-up requirement. The mean follow-up time was 30.97±11.70months. Cumulative survival curves showed that in patients with reduced EF, renal insufficiency significantly increases all-cause mortality and cardiovascular mortality in a graded fashion (mortality rate, moderate or severe vs. normal: 29.3% vs. 5.4%, p<0.001; cardiac mortality rate, moderate or severe vs. normal: 18.2% vs. 4.5%, p=0.001, respectively). Cox regression analysis showed that in CAD patients with reduced EF, moderate to severe renal insufficiency increased all-cause mortality by 6.10-fold (HR 6.10, 95% CI 2.50 to 14.87) and cardiac mortality by 4.10-fold (HR 4.10, 95% CI 1.51 to 11.13). Use of beta-blockers, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) or angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), and statins was associated with decreased risk of mortality, but the use was lower in renal insufficiency patients, especially in combination of reduced EF. CONCLUSION This study has found that the effect of renal function on prognosis in patients with CAD is closely related to cardiac function. In patients with reduced EF, renal insufficiency accompanies the higher risks of all-cause mortality and cardiovascular mortality. A higher number of treatments from beta-blocker, ACEIs or ARBs, and statin therapy were associated with decreased risk of mortality, even in the combination of renal insufficiency or declining cardiac function.