Search

Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) includes bilateral orchiectomy or long-acting gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists/antagonists. It remains controversial with respect to ADT associated cardiovascular outcomes. Hereby, we compared the risk of major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCEs) in patients with prostate cancer receiving either surgical castration or GnRH therapies.Using the Taiwan Cancer Registry and Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database, we identified 8,413 patients receiving GnRH therapies compared with 694 receiving surgical castration from 2008 to 2017. The median followup duration was 3 years.The crude incidences of 3-year mortality and MACCEs were 19.90% vs 26.51% and 8.23% vs 8.65% in patients receiving GnRH therapies or surgical castration, respectively. After adjusting for age, cancer stage and comorbidities, despite no significant differences in MACCEs between groups there was a slight increase in the incidence of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in patients receiving surgical castration compared with those receiving GnRH therapies. The mortality adjusted hazard ratios of MACCEs and AMI among patients receiving surgical castration were 1.11- and 1.8-fold higher than those receiving GnRH therapies. Notably, in subgroup analysis regarding cancer stage, patients with cancer stage IV showed the most significantly increasing risk of AMI in those receiving surgical castration compared with GnRH therapies.Collectively, we indicated an increased risk of AMI in patients with prostate cancer, especially in patients receiving surgical castration rather than those receiving GnRH therapies. Our findings highlight concerns regarding the cardiac safety of surgical castration compared with GnRH therapies.

How renal function influences post-acute myocardial infarction (AMI) cardiac remodeling and outcomes remains unclear. This study evaluated the impact of levels of renal impairment on drug therapy, echocardiographic parameters, and outcomes in patients with AMI undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). A total of 611 patients diagnosed with AMI underwent successful PCI, and two echocardiographic examinations were performed within 1 year after AMI. Patients were categorized according to Group 1: severely impaired estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR)

Rapid loss of blood volume causes ischemic injury to myocardial cells and impairs cardiac function. Subsequent reperfusion, although necessary to revitalize stunned tissues, can induce production of reactive oxygen species and inflammation, causing further tissue damages and weakening cardiac function. Ibudilast, a Toll-like receptor-4 (TLR4) antagonist and an inhibitor of phosphodiesterase-4, possesses antioxidative and anti-inflammatory capacities. In this study, we aim to examine the protective efficacy of ibudilast against hemorrhagic shock and reperfusion (HSR)-induced myocardial injury and cardiac dysfunction.Studies were conducted on male Sprague-Dawley rats in 3 groups: sham-operated, HSR with, and HSR without pretreatment of ibudilast. Hemorrhagic shock was induced by withdrawing blood from the femoral artery until the mean aortic pressure dropped to around 40 mm Hg; reperfusion was conducted by replenishing blood after 120 minutes of hemorrhagic shock, and the observation continued for another 240 minutes. The left ventricular (LV) contractility, diastolic suction capacity, and ventricular stiffness were evaluated using simultaneous LV pressure, and volume was recorded during a temporary inferior vena cava constriction at the end of reperfusion. Ibudilast (10 mg/kg) was administered intraperitoneally 3 days and 20 minutes prior to HSR. Serum creatine kinase myocardial band (CK-MB) was examined at the end of both HSR, and serum CK-MB, myocardial TLR4 protein expression, and malondialdehyde (MDA) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α levels at the end of reperfusion.HSR induced an increase in serum CK-MB. Subsequent reperfusion further increased serum CK-MB, upregulated myocardial TLR4 protein expression, and increased tissue levels MDA and TNF-α vs the sham (P .05). HSR reduced LV contractility, prolonged LV relaxation time, and increased LV diastolic stiffness. Ibudilast pretreatment attenuated HSR-induced TLR4 protein expression, reduced myocardial MDA and TNF-α levels, and protected against cardiac dysfunction.Ibudilast pretreatment reduced myocardial TLR4 expression, decreased MDA and TNF-α levels, and protected against HSR-induced decrease in LV contractility, prolonged LV relaxation time, and increased diastolic stiffness.

BACKGROUND: Despite the increasing prevalence of therapies utilizing immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), the associated cardiovascular complications have been poorly reported. Given the fatality of ICI-related complications, especially myocarditis, optimal risk stratification to predict major adverse cardio- and cerebrovascular events (MACCEs) in patients receiving ICIs is mandatory. METHODS: We collected clinical data from patients receiving ICIs, and the primary outcomes were MACCEs, including myocarditis, heart failure, and ischemic stroke. Other systemic immune responses relating to ICIs were also recorded. The median follow-up duration was 3 years. RESULTS: Among 580 patients, the incidence of MACCEs was 3.9%. Older patients, male patients, and patients with lung cancer, liver cirrhosis, or diabetes had higher risks of MACCEs. There was no significant difference between the use of PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors or CTLA inhibitors in terms of developing cardiovascular toxicities. The development of ICI-related MACCEs was associated with worse survival. Notably, after re-review by specialists, three patients eventually diagnosed with ICI-related myocarditis had not previously been identified. Only one was treated with pulse steroids, and none survived. The most common concomitant extracardiac immune-related adverse events were myositis/dermatitis, endocrine toxicity and hepatitis. CONCLUSIONS: Collectively, ICIs may lead to severe cardiovascular toxicities and require more attention. Early identification, proper diagnosis, and prompt treatment are pivotal for improving survival.

In an overcrowded emergency department (ED), trauma surgeons and emergency physicians need an accurate prognostic predictor for critical decision-making involving patients with severe trauma. We aimed to develope a machine learning-based early prognostic model based on admission features and initial ED management. We only recruited patients with severe trauma (defined as an injury severity score >15) as the study cohort and excluded children (defined as patients 7 days of admission). The extreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost) machine learning model provided mortality prediction with higher accuracy (94.0%), higher sensitivity (98.0%), moderate specificity (54.8%), higher positive predict value (PPV) (95.4%), and moderate negative predictive value (NPV) (74.2%). We developed a machine learning-based prognostic model that showed high accuracy, high sensitivity, and high PPV for predicting the mortality of patients with severe trauma.

BACKGROUND: It is crucial to identify the pivotal factors for transferring patients with major trauma. We aim to delineate the clinical features and required aids of severe trauma patients and identify the differences between those who were admitted directly to a trauma center and those transferred from other hospitals. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed all hospitalized trauma patients discharged from the ward in Chi-Mei Medical Center from January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2018. Of 5,846 patients, we identified 1,061 patients with Injury Severity Score >15, of which 92 patients were transferred from two branch hospitals (branch group), 172 patients were transferred from other hospitals (other group), and 797 patients were admitted directly through the emergency department (control group). We compared the clinical variables between control and the other two groups. RESULTS: The branch group included a high proportion of pediatric patients (control: 1.8%, other: 2.3%, and branch: 6.5%). The branch group demonstrated higher requirements for life-saving interventions and arterial embolization (branch vs. control, life-saving interventions: 26.1% vs. 17.6%, p = 0.046; arterial embolization: 9.8% vs. 3.5%, p = 0.004). However, no statistically significant differences were observed between the control group and other group in terms of requirements of life-saving interventions. The prognoses were similar between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Our trauma center can provide pediatric trauma care and timely life-saving interventions to help severe trauma patients transferred from other hospitals. The branch hospitals benefit mostly from the aid. Better network connection and information sharing between hospitals might play crucial roles in the management of transferred severe trauma patients.

ObjectiveVaricose veins (VVs) are common and although considered benign may cause morbidity. However, the association between VV severity and cardiovascular and mortality risks remains unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the factors associated with overall mortality in patients with VV.MethodsA total of 4644 patients with newly diagnosed VV between 1999 and 2013 were identified from Taiwan’s National Health Insurance Database. VV severity was classified from grade 1 to 3 according to the presentation of ulcers or inflammation. Moreover, 9497, 2541 and 5722 age-matched, sex-matched and chronic cardiovascular risk factor-matched controls, as assessed based on propensity score, were separately selected for three grading VV groups. Enrolled patients were analysed using conditional Cox proportional hazards regression analysis to estimate risk of mortality and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) in the VV and control groups.ResultsMost patients with VV were free from systemic disease. However, compared with matched controls, patients with VV showed a 1.37 times increased risk of mortality (95% CI 1.19 to 1.57; pConclusionsThis nationwide cohort study demonstrated that patients with VV are at a risk of cardiovascular events and mortality. Our findings suggest that presence of VV warrants close attention in terms of prognosis and treatment.

Supplemental material, sj-pdf-2-pul-10.1177_2045894020943858 for Right ventricular reserve post mitral valve repair is associated with heart failure hospitalization by Wei-Ting Chang, Nan-Chun Wu, Jhih-Yuan Shih, Chih-Hsin Hsu, Zhih-Cherng Chen and Bor-Chih Cheng in Pulmonary Circulation

Purpose:The incidence of geriatric trauma is increasing due to the growing elderly population. Healthcare providers require a global perspective to differentiate critical factors that might alter patients’ prognosis.Methods: We retrospectively reviewed all adult patients admitted to a trauma center during a 4-year period. We identified 655 adult trauma patients aged from 18 to 64 (nongeriatric group) and 273 trauma patients ≥65 years (geriatric group). Clinical data were collected and compared between the two groups. Results:The geriatric group had a higher incidence of trauma and higher Injury Severity Scores than did the nongeriatric group. Fewer geriatric patients underwent surgical treatment (all patients: geriatric vs. nongeriatric: 65.9% vs. 70.7%; patients with severe trauma: geriatric vs. nongeriatric: 27.6% vs. 44.5%). Regarding prognosis, the geriatric group exhibited higher mortality rate and less need for long-term care (geriatric vs. nongeriatric: mortality: 5.5% vs. 1.8%; long-term care: 2.2% vs. 5.0%). Conclusion:We observed that geriatric patients had higher trauma incidence and higher trauma mortality rate. Aging is a definite predictor of poor outcomes for trauma patients. Limited physiological reserves and preference for less aggressive treatment might be the main reasons for poor outcomes in elderly individuals.

OBJECTIVES Robotic mitral valve replacement (MVR) emerged in the late 1990s as an alternative approach to conventional sternotomy. With the increased use of bioprosthetic valves worldwide and strong patient desire for minimally invasive procedures, the safety and feasibility of robotic MVRs with bioprosthetic valves require investigation. METHODS Between January 2013 and May 2017, 52 consecutive patients underwent robotic MVRs using the da Vinci Si surgical system (Intuitive Surgical Inc., Sunnyvale, CA, USA). Their mean age was 55.1 ± 13.8 years, and mean EuroSCORE II was 2.25% ± 1.25%. Among the enrolled patients, 32 (61.5%) patients presented with preoperative atrial fibrillation, 6 (11.5%) patients had experienced embolic stroke and 5 (9.6%) patients had undergone previous cardiac surgery. The operations were performed using cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) under an arrested heart status. RESULTS Five porcine valves and 47 bovine valves were implanted. A total of 38 (73.1%) patients received concomitant cardiac procedures, including 26 Cox-maze IV procedures, 12 tricuspid valve repairs and 5 atrial septal defect repairs. The mean aortic cross-clamp and CPB times were 141.3 ± 34.3 min and 217.1 ± 42.0 min, respectively. There was no operative mortality. During the mean follow-up of 29 ± 15 months, no prosthesis degeneration was noted. The average left atrial dimension exhibited a significant decrease from 51.4 ± 11.5 mm to 42.6 ± 10.1 mm. CONCLUSIONS Robotic MVR with bioprosthetic valves is safe, feasible and reproducible. Mid-term results are encouraging. Both aortic cross-clamp and CPB times can be improved with experience.

Transcatheter heart valve-in-valve implantation in failed surgical bioprosthetic valves has shown promising outcomes, prompting the stepwise expansion of their applications in different clinical scenarios. Recently, there is increased interest in valve-in-valve techniques for the treatment of patients with complex congenital heart disease. Herein, we report a case of successful transapical transcatheter atrioventricular valve-in-valve implantation in a patient with Fontan circulation and dextrocardia. The patient was previously treated with total cavopulmonary connection and atrioventricular valve replacement with recurrent prosthesis dysfunction.

OBJECTIVE Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac complication of thyrotoxicosis and is strongly implicated in thromboembolic events. However, the incidence of stroke in thyrotoxic AF remains unclear. Herein, we aimed to investigate the risks of mortality and ischaemic stroke between patients with thyrotoxic AF and nonthyrotoxic AF. DESIGNS AND METHODS From Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database, 1868 patients with the concomitant diagnoses of AF and thyrotoxicosis identified between 2001 and 2010 were compared to 7472 patients with nonthyrotoxic AF using propensity score matching for age, sex and comorbidities. RESULTS There was no significant difference in either CHA2 DS2 -VASc score or anticoagulant usage between the groups. Alternatively, the thyrotoxic group contained more β-blocker/digoxin users, whereas the nonthyrotoxic group contained more statin users. Patients with thyrotoxic AF exhibited lower risks of all-cause mortality (HR: 0.66, CI: 0.59-0.73, P

In Taiwan, legal migrant workers and almost all citizens are covered under the National Health Insurance program. Work-related injuries and various traumatic events constitute 2 major reasons for seeking medical care among migrant workers. Therefore, we conducted this retrospective study to delineate the clinical features of migrant workers with trauma and determine differences in trauma management between migrant workers and citizens under the current medical care and insurance system. We retrospectively reviewed the data of all patients with trauma who were discharged from adult wards between January 1, 2015 and December 31, 2016. We identified 5854 citizens and 110 migrant workers during the chart review. Data related to the prehospital period, emergency department, hospital course, and prognosis were collected and compared between migrant workers and citizens. More than half of the traumatic events among migrant workers occurred at factory, farm, or mine locations (migrant workers vs all citizens: 57.3% vs 11.5%), whereas most traumatic events among citizens occurred at street and home or dormitory locations (street: migrant workers vs all citizens: 17.3% vs 52.5%; home or dormitory: migrant workers vs all citizens: 0.9% vs 14.3%). Compared with citizens, migrant workers had lower scores in injury severity scores and new injury severity scores, but higher scores in revised trauma score and trauma and injury severity scores. The hospital course and prognosis were similar between migrant workers and citizens. Compared with citizens, migrant workers had a higher incidence of work-related injury and sustained less severe injuries. Under the coverage of the current health care and insurance system in Taiwan, migrant workers with trauma and work-related injuries receive comparable medical care and prognoses to citizens.

The need for anticoagulation treatment following bioprosthetic aortic valve replacement remains controversial. We investigated the associations of warfarin treatment with the risks of major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events, including mortality, bleeding incidents, and reoperation requirement after bioprosthetic aortic valve replacement surgery.We identified 1086 patients who received first bioprosthetic aortic valve replacement between 2001 and 2010 using Taiwan's National Health Insurance Database. Patients were excluded for prior use of warfarin, warfarin use for3 months, dual valve procedures, prior valve surgeries, or concomitant surgeries. Enrolled patients were divided into 2 groups according to whether they were warfarin-naïve or received warfarin for3 months postsurgery. After propensity score matching, 282 patients not receiving warfarin were matched to 282 patients receiving warfarin for3 months. Patients were followed-up for minimum 36 months.Patients receiving warfarin were younger and showed less frequent kidney disease than those who did not use warfarin. The warfarin group demonstrated a gross decrease in major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events. Patients receiving warfarin for30 days were at an even lower risk for major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events than those treated for ≥30 days. No significant difference in bleeding or reoperation risk was observed between warfarin users and warfarin nonusers. Similar findings remained after propensity-score matching but the benefit of short-term warfarin use diminished in a younger population.Short-term use of postoperative warfarin (especially30 days) following bioprosthetic aortic valve replacement may be associated with a reduction in MACCE compared with nonuse.

Background Positive-pressure mechanical ventilation is essential in assisting patients with respiratory failure in the intensive care unit and facilitating oxygenation in the operating room. However, it was also recognized as a primary factor leading to hospital-acquired pulmonary dysfunction, in which pulmonary oxidative stress and lung inflammation had been known to play important roles. Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD) is an important antioxidant, and possesses anti-inflammatory capacity. In this study, we aimed to study the efficacy of Cu/Zn SOD, administered intravenously during high tidal volume (HTV) ventilation, to prevent impairment of lung function. Methods Thirty-eight male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 3 groups: 5 h ventilation with (A) low tidal volume (LTV; 8 mL/kg; n = 10), (B) high tidal volume (HTV; 18 mL/kg; n = 14), or (C) HTV and intravenous treatment of Cu/Zn SOD at a dose of 1000 U/kg/h (HTV + SOD; n = 14). Lung function was evaluated both at baseline and after 5-h ventilation. Lung injury was assessed by histological examination, lung water and protein contents in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). Pulmonary oxidative stress was examined by concentrations of methylguanidine (MG) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in BALF, and antioxidative activity by protein expression of glutathione peroxidase-1 (GPx-1) in the lung. Severity of lung inflammation was evaluated by white blood cell and differential count in BALF, and protein expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), and mRNA expression of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) in the lung. We also examined protein expression of surfactant protein (SP)-A and D and we measured hourly changes in serum nitric oxide (NO) level. Results Five hours of LTV ventilation did not induce a major change in lung function, whereas 5 h of HTV ventilation induced apparent combined restrictive and obstructive lung disorder, together with increased pulmonary oxidative stress, decreased anti-oxidative activity and increased lung inflammation (P

With use of electron-assisted chemical vapor deposition technology, nanocrystalline diamond films were deposited on SiC ceramics substrates at various gas pressure ( 0.5 ~ 2 kPa ). Effect of the gas pressure on optical properties of the nanocrystalline diamond films was studied. Raman scattering spectra were measured. Photoluminescence spectra were investigated in the range of 420 ~ 680 nm. Spectroscopic ellipsometry were analyzed from the near IR to the UV region ( 1.5 ~ 5.0 eV ). Results show that, when the gas pressure increased from 0.5 to 2 kPa, Raman scattering intensity of diamond increase and D/G ratio decrease; when the gas pressure was 0.5kPa and 2kPa, there is not any PL peak, however, there is a stronger PL peak at 485 nm when the gas pressure was 1kPa; extinctive coefficient k for the nanocrystalline diamond films deposited at 1kPa increase obviously with increase of photo energy.

With electron assisted chemical vapour deposition technology, some nanocrystalline diamond films have been deposited, which precipitate polycyclic aromatic clusters in the film matrix. Optical properties of the films have been characterized. The results of characteristics show that Raman and photoluminescence spectrum of the films conform to identity of pyrene except for diamond peaks; photoluminescence emission spectrum of the films show stronger emission peaks at 385nm and 470nm. Our results show that purer polycyclic aromatic clusters of four fused sixfold ring, which are the same as pyrene in structure, can form in the nanocrystalline diamond film matrix by bombarding the films with electrons.

RATIONALE Purulent pericarditis is a rare and usually fatal disease. Immunodeficiency state and preexisting pericardial effusion can predispose patients to infections. However, we are not aware of similar cases in patients with adult-onset Still's disease (AOSD). In addition, it is seldom caused by Salmonella bacteria. PATIENT CONCERNS We report a 30-year-old woman with dyspnea on exertion and epigastric fullness. She was newly diagnosed with AOSD 4 months previously and medicated with prednisolone. DIAGNOSES Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) and computed tomography revealed a thickened pericardium with loculations in the pericardial space, consistent with purulent constrictive pericarditis. Subsequent cultures of blood and pericardial fluid yielded S enteritidis. INTERVENTIONS She underwent subtotal pericardiectomy through a limited median sternotomy, and antibiotic therapy (ceftriaxone) for 1 month. OUTCOMES The New York Heart Association functional classification downgraded from class III to class I. There was no recurrence during the 1-year follow-up. LESSONS This case presents an opportunity to highlight the importance of considering purulent pericarditis in patients previously diagnosed with AOSD. High clinical suspicion, early diagnosis, and prompt management can result in a better outcome in purulent pericarditis.

The nanocrystalline SrTiO 3 thin films have been successfully deposited by a radio frequency magnetron sputtering. The perovskite phase was obtained for the SrTiO 3 deposited on Pt/Ti/SiO 2 /Si substrates at 500°C. The peak intensity of XRD increases with increasing thickness of the SrTiO 3 films. The morphology of the SrTiO 3 thin films deposited at 500°C is composed of granular crystallites with a size of about 45.0 nm for a thickness of 450.0 nm. The films thickness of 150.0 and 450.0 nm had the leakage current density (mid 10 −6 –10 −9 A/cm 2 )–voltage (5 V) characteristic which is suitable for a dielectric films of dynamic random access memory capacitor.

Nanocrystalline SrTiO3 thin films have been successfully deposited by radio frequency (RF) magnetron sputtering. The perovskite phase was obtained for the SrTiO3 thin films deposited on Pt/Ti/SiO2/Si substrates at 500°C. The SrTiO3 thin films deposited at 500°C were composed of granular crystallites with a size of approximately 35 nm and a thickness of 150 nm. The crystallite size increases with increasing film thickness. The dielectric constant of SrTiO3 thin films decreases with decreasing film thickness by changing the temperature, frequency and bias voltage.