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OBJECTIVE: Current cardiac risk assessments such as EuroSCORE II and the STS-Score do not take liver dysfunction into account. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and post-operative morbidity risk factors following cardiac surgery of patients with chronic viral hepatitis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study group consisted of 105 patients with documented chronic viral hepatitis who were subject to elective cardiac surgery from 2001 to 2012. Subjects were evaluated for pre-operative liver dysfunction according to the MELD score. RESULTS: The average MELD score of the study group was 10.00 ± 6.00. The average EuroSCORE ii of the study group was 2.07% ± 1.62%. The primary post-operative complication was cardiac complications (n=57, 54.3%). Analysis showed significant differences in meld score, bilirubin and smoking. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the variables entering into the model included such risk factors with a significant or near significant (p < 0.2) influence on hospital morbidity and consisted in valve vs. coronary artery disease, valve/cad, aortic valve replacement vs. Coronary artery bypass graft, and bilirubin (mg/dl). CONCLUSIONS: it is vital that liver dysfunction is added to the risk models which are currently utilized to predict the post-operative morbidity of cardiac surgery patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Retinal microvascular anomalies have been identified in patients with cardiovascular conditions such as arterial hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and carotid artery disease. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis (PROSPERO registration number CRD42024506589) to explore the potential of retinal vasculature as a biomarker for diagnosis and monitoring of patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) through optical coherence tomography (OCT) and optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA)., Methods: We systematically examined original articles in the Pubmed, Embase, and Web of Science databases from their inception up to November 2023, comparing retinal microvascular features between patients with CAD and control groups. Studies were included if they reported sample mean with standard deviation or median with range and/or interquartile range (which were computed into mean and standard deviation). Review Manager 5.4 (The Cochrane Collaboration, 2020) software was used to calculate the pooled effect size with weighted mean difference and 95% confidence intervals (CI) by random-effects inverse variance method., Results: Eleven studies meeting the inclusion criteria were incorporated into the meta-analysis. The findings indicated a significant decrease in the retinal nerve fiber layer (WMD -3.11 [-6.06, -0.16]), subfoveal choroid (WMD -58.79 [-64.65, -52.93]), and overall retinal thickness (WMD -4.61 [-7.05, -2.17]) among patients with CAD compared to controls ( p < 0.05). Furthermore, vascular macular density was notably lower in CAD patients, particularly in the superficial capillary plexus (foveal vessel density WMD -2.19 [-3.02, -1.135], p < 0.0001). Additionally, the foveal avascular zone area was statistically larger in CAD patients compared to the control group (WMD 52.73 [8.79, 96.67], p = 0.02). Heterogeneity was significant (I 2 > 50%) for most features except for subfoveal choroid thickness, retina thickness, and superficial foveal vessel density., Conclusion: The current meta-analysis suggests that retinal vascularization could function as a noninvasive biomarker, providing additional insights beyond standard routine examinations for assessing dysfunction in coronary arteries.

Objectives: Postoperative complications are an important problem that all surgeons face. Among all possible complications, local and systemic infections are one of the most prevalent postprocedural adverse events. It is difficult to assess whether or not a patient will develop a surgical site infection (SSI), but there are certain basic investigations that can suggest the probability of such an event. We also investigated some clinically assessable signs to help us better predict the occurrence of SSIs. Every bit of information brings us closer to an ideal where we can bring postoperative complications to a minimum. Close examination and attention to detail is crucial in the prediction and prevention of SSIs. Methods: A multicenter, retrospective and prospective observational study was carried out between 01.01.2019 â?" 01.09.2021. All adult patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD) who had disabling intermittent claudication or rest pain, were included in this study. We excluded minor or vascular surgery emergencies (ruptured aneurysms, acute ischemia or vascular trauma). We followed the postoperative complications as well as their management with an emphasis on surgical site infections (SSIs). Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curves were used to determine key values of statistical relevance by calculating the Area Under the Curve (AUC). Multivariate analysis was used to assess the statistical relevance of our data. Results: The study evaluates 128 patients diagnosed with PAD, aged between 47 and 97, with a mean age of 71.26 Ã+- 10.8 years. There were significantly more male than female patients 71.09% vs. 28.91% (p 0.01). All patients were treated using hybrid vascular techniques. All complication rates were recorded but we focused on SSIs, which was the most prevalent complication (25%). C-Reactive Protein with values higher than 5 mg/dl, was confirmed as a positive predictive factor for postoperative surgical site infections (AUC = 0.80). Another positive predictive factor for SSIs is hyperglycemia. Glycemic values higher than 140mg/dl are more frequently associated with postoperative infections (p = 0.02), a predictability curve of statistical significance was also obtained (AUC = 0.71). Postoperative SSIs were more prevalent in patients with preoperative distal trophic lesions (p 0.01). The presence of other complications such as edema and lymphoceles were also linked to SSIs (p 0.01). Nevertheless, patients who underwent surgery over negative wound pressure therapy (NWPT) for infection management had significantly shorter hospital stays (p 0.01). Conclusions: There are multiple clinical or paraclinical predictors of SSIs. The coexistence of several such factors can carry an additional risk of developing a SSI and should be evaluated and controlled separately in the preoperative phase as much as possible. Admission to a diabetes center and regulation of glycemic values prior to elective vascular surgery, for patients who can be surgically postponed is an effective method of preventing infections. Surgical management remains the most reliable form of treatment of SSIs, being the most efficient therapy and offering immediate results, while simultaneously shortening hospital stays., (Celsius.)

The management of patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD) is integrative and multidisciplinary, in which cardiac rehabilitation (CR) plays a prognostic role in terms of functional status, quality of life, and long-term impact on morbidity and mortality. We conducted a prospective cohort study on 97 patients with PAD admitted to a single tertiary referral center. Based on a prognostic index developed to stratify long-term mortality risk in PAD patients, we divided the cohort into two groups: low and low-intermediate risk group (45 cases) and high-intermediate and high risk group (52 cases). We analyzed demographics, clinical parameters, and paraclinical parameters in the two groups, as well as factors associated with cardiological reassessment prior to the established deadline of 6 months. Obesity (p = 0.048), renal dysfunction (p < 0.001), dyslipidemia (p < 0.001), tobacco use (p = 0.048), and diabetes mellitus (p < 0.001) are comorbidities with long-term prognostic value. Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (p = 0.002), triglycerides (p = 0.032), fasting glucose (p = 0.011), peak oxygen uptake (p = 0.005), pain-free walking distance (p = 0.011), maximum walking time (p < 0.001), and maximum walking distance (p = 0.002) influence the outcome of PAD patients by being factors associated with clinical improvement at the 6-month follow-up. PAD patients benefit from enrollment in CR programs, improvement of clinical signs, lipid and carbohydrate profile, and weight loss and maintenance of blood pressure profile within normal limits, as well as increased exercise capacity being therapeutic targets.

Background and Objectives: Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) plays an essential role in peripheral artery disease (PAD), leading to improved functional status, increased quality of life, and reduced arterial stiffness. We aimed to assess factors associated with clinical improvement 6 months after enrolment in a rehabilitation program at an academic medical center in north-eastern Europe. Materials and Methods: We conducted a prospective cohort study on 97 patients with PAD admitted to a single tertiary referral center. At the 6-months follow-up, 75 patients (77.3%) showed improved clinical status. We analyzed demographics and clinical and paraclinical parameters in order to explore factors associated with a favorable outcome. Results: Hypertension (p = 0.002), diabetes mellitus (p = 0.002), dyslipidemia (p = 0.045), and obesity (p = 0.564) were associated with no clinical improvement. Smoking cessation (p < 0.001), changing sedentary lifestyle (p = 0.032), and improvement of lipid and carbohydrate profile as well as functional status parameters and ambulatory arterial stiffness index (p = 0.008) were factors associated with clinical improvement at the 6-months follow-up. Conclusions: PAD patients require an integrative, multidisciplinary management to maintain functional status and increase quality of life. Improving carbohydrate and lipid profile, adopting a healthy lifestyle, quitting smoking and increasing exercise capacity are predictors for clinical improvement 6 months after enrolment in a CR program.

Background: The influence of the early COVID-19 pandemic on non-COVID-19 emergencies is uncertain. We conducted a systematic review and a meta-analysis to evaluate the impact of the first months of the COVID-19 pandemic on the presentation, management, and prognosis of patients presenting with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Methods: We searched the PubMed, Scopus, and Embase databases from January to August 2020. A meta-analysis of studies comparing the profile, STEMI severity at presentation, reperfusion delay, and in-hospital mortality for patients presenting before and during the early COVID-19 pandemic was conducted. Fifteen cross-sectional observational studies including 20,528 STEMI patients from the pre-COVID period and 2190 patients diagnosed and treated during the first months of the COVID-19 pandemic met the inclusion criteria. Results: Patients presenting with STEMI during the pandemic were younger and had a higher comorbidity burden. The time interval between symptoms and first medical contact increased from 93.22 ± 137.37 min to 142 ± 281.60 min (p < 0.001). Door-to-balloon time did not differ significantly between the two periods (p = 0.293). The pooled odds ratio (OR) for low left ventricular ejection fraction at presentation during the pandemic was 2.24 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.54−3.26) and for a presentation delay >24 h was 2.9 (95% CI 1.54−5.45) relative to before the pandemic. In-hospital mortality did not increase significantly during the outbreak (p = 0.97). Conclusion: During the first months of the COVID-19 pandemic, patients presenting with STEMI were addressed later in the course of the disease with more severe left ventricular impairment. In-hospital emergency circuits and care functioned properly with no increase in door-to-balloon time and early mortality.

Conventional percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs) frequently cause severe complications in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. Low-to-zero contrast intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) guided PCIs are promising alternatives in the CKD setting. We aim to systematically review up-to-date literature that have reported data and outcomes of low-to-zero contrast PCIs performed in CKD patients. We searched Embase, PubMed, and Cochrane databases for full-text articles that reported original data regarding efficacy and/or safety outcomes of IVUS-guided PCIs in patients with CKD. The quality of non-randomized trials included was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale. Six papers were included in the present systematic review: One non-randomized trial, two case series, and three case reports. Given the literature reported so far, contrast-free and IVUS-guided PCI procedures in patients with CKD appear to be safe (both in cardiac and renal outcomes) with a comparable efficacy to the conventional procedure, even in complex atherosclerotic lesions. No patient included in the mentioned studies showed renal function deterioration and did not need renal replacement therapy after the zero-contrast IVUS-guided percutaneous procedures. From a cardiovascular point of view, this technique proved to be safe in terms of cardiovascular outcomes. The undesirable consequences of conventional PCI in the CKD population might soon be effectively hampered by safer low-to-zero contrast IVUS-guided PCI procedures after a mandatory and rigorous evidence-based validation in long-awaited randomized controlled trials.

(1) Background: Tricuspid regurgitation (TR) is the most frequent valvulopathy in heart transplant recipients (HTX). We aimed to assess the influence of prophylactic donor heart tricuspid annuloplasty (TA) in orthotopic HTX (HTX-A), comparing the outcomes with those of HTX patients. (2) Methods: Electronic databases of PubMed, EMBASE, and SCOPUS were searched. The endpoints were as follows: the overall rate of postprocedural TR (immediate, one week, six months, and one year after the procedure), postoperative complications (permanent pacemaker implantation rate, bleeding), redo surgery for TR, and mortality. (3) Results: This meta-analysis included seven studies. Immediate postprocedural, one-week, six-month and one-year tricuspid insufficiency rates were significantly lower in the HTX-A group. There was no difference in permanent pacemaker implantation rate between the groups. The incidence of postoperative bleeding was similar in both arms. The rate of redo surgery for severe TR was reported only by two authors. In both publications, the total number of events was higher in the HTX cohort, meanwhile pooled effect analysis showed no difference among the intervention and control groups. Mortality at one year was similar in both arms. (4) Conclusion: Our study showed that donor heart TA reduces TR incidence in the first year after orthotopic heart transplantation without increasing the surgical complexity. This is a potentially important issue, given the demand for heart transplants and the need to optimize outcomes when this resource is scarce.

Dual antiplatelet therapy (DAT) is recommended for all patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), as it significantly reduces the ischemic risk at the cost of increasing the incidence of bleeding events. Several clinical predictive models were developed to better stratify the bleeding risk associated with DAT. This systematic review aims to perform a literature survey of both standard and emerging bleeding risk scores and report their performance on predicting hemorrhagic events, especially in the era of second-generation drug-eluting stents and more potent P2Y12 inhibitors. We searched PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Cochrane databases for full-text studies that developed or validated bleeding risk scores in adult patients undergoing PCI with subsequent DAT. The risk of bias for each study was assessed using the prediction model risk of bias assessment tool (PROBAST). Eighteen studies were included in the present systematic review. Bleeding risk scores showed a modest to good discriminatory power with c-statistic ranging from 0.49 (95% CI, 0.45-0.53) to 0.82 (95% CI, 0.80-0.85). Clinical models that predict in-hospital bleeding events had a relatively good predictive performance, with c-statistic ranging from 0.70 (95% CI, 0.67-0.72) to 0.80 (95% CI, 0.73-0.87), depending on the risk scores and major hemorrhagic event definition used. The knowledge and utilization of the current bleeding risk scores in appropriate clinical contexts could improve the prediction of bleeding events.

Cardiovascular events are among the most common causes of late death in the transplant recipient (Tx) population. Moreover, major cardiac surgical procedures are more challenging and risky due to immunosuppression and the potential impact on the transplanted organ's functional capacity. We aimed to assess open cardiac surgery safety in abdominal solid organ transplant recipients, comparing the postoperative outcomes with those of nontransplant (N-Tx) patients. Electronic databases of PubMed, EMBASE, and SCOPUS were searched. The endpoints were: overall rate of infectious complications (wound infection, septicemia, pneumonia), cardiovascular and renal events (stroke, cardiac tamponade, acute kidney failure), 30-days, 5-years, and 10-years mortality post-cardiac surgery interventions in patients with and without prior solid organ transplantation. This meta-analysis included five studies. Higher rates of wound infection (Tx vs. N-Tx: OR: 2.03, 95% CI: 1.54 to 2.67, I2 = 0%), septicemia (OR: 3.91, 95% CI: 1.40 to 10.92, I2 = 0%), cardiac tamponade (OR: 1.83, 95% CI: 1.28 to 2.62, I2 = 0%) and kidney failure (OR: 1.70, 95 %CI: 1.44 to 2.02, I2 = 89%) in transplant recipients were reported. No significant differences in pneumonia occurrence (OR: 0.95, 95% CI: 0.71 to 1.27, I2 = 0%) stroke (OR: 0.89, 95% CI: 0.54 to 1.48, I2 = 78%) and 30-day mortality (OR: 1.92, 95% CI: 0.97 to 3.80, I2 = 0%) were observed. Surprisingly, 5-years (OR: 3.74, 95% CI: 2.54 to 5.49, I2 = 0%) and 10-years mortality rates were significantly lower in the N-Tx group (OR: 3.32, 95% CI: 2.35 to 4.69, I2 = 0%). Our study reveals that open cardiac surgery in transplant recipients is associated with worse postoperative outcomes and higher long-term mortality rates., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest., (© 2020 Bacusca et al. Published by IMR Press.)