The remedē System Pivotal Trial was a prospective, multi-center, randomized trial demonstrating transvenous phrenic nerve stimulation (TPNS) therapy is safe and effectively treats central sleep apnea ...(CSA) and improves sleep architecture and daytime sleepiness. Subsequently, the remedē System was approved by FDA in 2017. As a condition of approval, the Post Approval Study (PAS) collected clinical evidence regarding long-term safety and effectiveness in adults with moderate to severe CSA through five years post implant.
Patients remaining in the Pivotal Trial at the time of FDA approval were invited to enroll in the PAS and consented to undergo sleep studies (scored by a central laboratory), complete the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) questionnaire to assess daytime sleepiness, and safety assessment. All subjects (treatment and former control group) receiving active therapy were pooled; data from both trials were combined for analysis.
Fifty-three of the original 151 Pivotal Trial patients consented to participate in the PAS and 52 completed the 5-year visit. Following TPNS therapy, the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), central-apnea index (CAI), arousal index, oxygen desaturation index, and sleep architecture showed sustained improvements. Comparing 5 years to baseline, AHI and CAI decreased significantly (AHI baseline median 46 events/hour vs 17 at 5 years; CAI baseline median 23 events/hour vs 1 at 5 years), though residual hypopneas were present. In parallel, the arousal index, oxygen desaturation index and sleep architecture improved. The ESS improved by a statistically significant median reduction of 3 points at 5 years. Serious adverse events related to implant procedure, device or delivered therapy were reported by 14% of patients which include 16 (9%) patients who underwent a pulse generator reposition or lead revision (primarily in the first year). None of the events caused long-term harm. No unanticipated adverse device effects or related deaths occurred through 5 years.
Long-term TPNS safely improves CSA, sleep architecture and daytime sleepiness through 5 years post implant.
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01816776.
As Good as it Gets Pinney, Sean P.; Costanzo, Maria Rosa
Journal of the American College of Cardiology,
06/2024, Letnik:
83, Številka:
24
Journal Article
Early SGLT2 Inhibitors in Acute Heart Failure Costanzo, Maria Rosa; Januzzi, James L.
Journal of the American College of Cardiology,
04/2024, Letnik:
83, Številka:
14
Journal Article
Background Patients with recurring heart failure (HF) following cardiac resynchronization therapy fare poorly. Their management is undecided. We tested remote hemodynamic-guided pharmacotherapy. ...Methods and Results We evaluated cardiac resynchronization therapy subjects included in the CHAMPION (CardioMEMS Heart Sensor Allows Monitoring of Pressure to Improve Outcomes in New York Heart Association Class III Heart Failure Patients) trial, which randomized patients with persistent New York Heart Association Class III symptoms and ≥1 HF hospitalization in the previous 12 months to remotely managed pulmonary artery (PA) pressure-guided management (treatment) or usual HF care (control). Diuretics and/or vasodilators were adjusted conventionally in control and included remote PA pressure information in treatment. Annualized HF hospitalization rates, changes in PA pressures over time (analyzed by area under the curve), changes in medications, and quality of life (Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire scores) were assessed. Patients who had cardiac resynchronization therapy (n=190, median implant duration 755 days) at enrollment had poor hemodynamic function (cardiac index 2.00±0.59 L/min per m
), high comorbidity burden (67% had secondary pulmonary hypertension, 61% had estimated glomerular filtration rate <60 mL/min per 1.73 m
), and poor Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire scores (57±24). During 18 months randomized follow-up, HF hospitalizations were 30% lower in treatment (n=91, 62 events, 0.46 events/patient-year) versus control patients (n=99, 93 events, 0.68 events/patient-year) (hazard ratio, 0.70; 95% CI, 0.51-0.96;
=0.028). Treatment patients had more medication up-/down-titrations (847 versus 346 in control,
<0.001), mean PA pressure reduction (area under the curve -413.2±123.5 versus 60.1±88.0 in control,
=0.002), and quality of life improvement (Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire decreased -13.5±23 versus -4.9±24.8 in control,
=0.006). Conclusions Remote hemodynamic-guided adjustment of medical therapies decreased PA pressures and the burden of HF symptoms and hospitalizations in patients with recurring Class III HF and hospitalizations, beyond the effect of cardiac resynchronization therapy. Registration URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT00531661.
Abstract Background Compare outcomes of ultrafiltration (UF) versus standard intravenous (IV) diuretics by continuous infusion or bolus injection in volume overloaded heart failure (HF) patients. In ...the Ultrafiltration versus Intravenous Diuretics for Patients Hospitalized for Acute Decompensated heart Failure (UNLOAD) study, UF produced greater fluid reduction and fewer HF rehospitalizations than IV diuretics in 200 hospitalized HF patients. Outcomes may be due to greater fluid removal, but UF removes more sodium/unit volume than diuretics. Methods and Results Outcomes of 100 patients randomized to UF were compared with those of patients randomized to standard IV diuretic therapy with continuous infusion (32) or bolus injections (68). Choice of diuretic therapy was by the treating physician. Forty-eight hour weight loss (kg): 5.0 ± 3.1 UF, 3.6 ± 3.5 continuous infusion, and 2.9 ± 3.5 bolus diuretics ( P = .001 UF versus bolus diuretic; P > .05 for the other comparisons). Net fluid loss (L): 4.6 ± 2.6 UF, 3.9 ± 2.7 continuous infusion, and 3.1 ± 2.6 bolus diuretics ( P < .001 UF versus bolus diuretic; P > .05 for the other comparisons). At 90 days, rehospitalizations plus unscheduled visits for HF/patient (rehospitalization equivalents) were fewer in UF group (0.65 ± 1.36) than in continuous infusion (2.29 ± 3.23; P = .016 versus UF) and bolus diuretics (1.31 ± 1.87; P = .050 versus UF) groups. No serum creatinine differences occurred between groups up to 90 days. Conclusions Despite similar fluid loss with UF and continuous diuretic infusion, fewer HF rehospitalizations equivalents occurred only with UF. Removal of isotonic fluid by UF compared with hypotonic urine by diuretics more effectively reduces total body sodium in congested HF patients.
Abstract Background Daily measurements of left atrial pressure (LAP) may be useful for guiding adjustments in medical therapy that prevent clinical decompensation in patients with severe heart ...failure (HF). Study Design LAPTOP-HF is a prospective, multicenter, randomized, controlled clinical trial in ambulatory patients with advanced heart failure in which the safety and clinical effectiveness of a physician-directed patient self-management therapeutic strategy based on LAP measured twice daily by means of an implantable sensor will be compared with a control group receiving optimal medical therapy. The trial will enroll up to 730 patients with New York Heart Association functional class III symptoms and either a hospitalization for HF during the previous 12 months or an elevated B-type natriuretic peptide level, regardless of ejection fraction, at up to 75 investigational centers. Randomization to the treatment group or control group will be at a 1:1 ratio in 3 strata based on the ejection fraction (EF > or ≤35%) and the presence of a de novo CRT device indication. Summary LAPTOP-HF will provide essential information about the role of implantable LAP monitoring in conjunction with a new HF treatment paradigm across the spectrum of HF patients.
Spine is a frequent site of bone metastases, with a 8.5 months median survival time after diagnosis. In most cases treatment is only palliative. Several advanced techniques can ensure a better ...Quality of Life (QoL) and increase life expectancy. Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) uses alternating current to produce local heating and necrosis of the spinal lesion, preserving the healthy bone. RFA is supported by vertebral reinforcement through kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty in order to stabilize the fracture with polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) injection, restoring vertebral body height and reducing the weakness of healthy bone. The aim of this study is to demonstrate the efficacy and advantages of RFA plus vertebral reinforcement through PMMA vertebroplasty and fixation in patients affected by bone spinal metastases. We retrospectively analyzed 54 patients with thoraco-lumbar metastatic vertebral fractures admitted to our Unit between January 2014 and June 2020. Each patient underwent RFA followed by PMMA vertebroplasty and transpedicle fixation. We evaluated pain relief through the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) Score and PMMA vertebral filling based on the mean Saliou filling score. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to test pain relief with statistical significance for p<0.05. A total of 54 patients (median age 63,44 years; range 34-86 years), with a total of 63 infiltrated vertebrae, were treated with RFA, PMMA vertebroplasty and transpedicular screw fixation; average operative time was 60.4 min (range 51-72). The preoperative average VAS score decreased significantly from 7.81 to 2.50 (p < 0.05) after 12 months. Based on Saliou filling score, filling was satisfactory (12-18) in 20 vertebrae (31,7%), mediocre (6-11) in 33 vertebrae (52,4%), inadequate (0-5) in 10 vertebrae (15,9%). A consistent PMMA filling of vertebral bodies was successfully achieved with significant pain relief. Concomitant RFA, PMMA vertebroplasty and pedicle screw fixation represent a safe and effective technique for the management of spinal metastases, improving clinical outcome and pain control.
Donation After Circulatory Death Pinney, Sean P.; Costanzo, Maria Rosa
Journal of the American College of Cardiology,
10/2023, Letnik:
82, Številka:
15
Journal Article
In spinal surgery, 3D prothesis represents a useful instrument for spinal reconstruction after the removal of spinal tumors that require an "en bloc" resection. This represents a complex and ...demanding procedure, aiming to restore spinal length, alignment and weight-bearing capacity and to provide immediate stability. Thus, in this systematic review the authors searched the literature to investigate and discuss the advantages and limitations of using 3D-printed custom-made vertebral bodies in the treatment of spinal tumors. A systematic literature review was conducted following the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) statement, with no limits in terms of date of publication. The collected studies were exported to Mendeley. The articles were selected according to the following inclusion criteria: availability of full articles, full articles in English, studies regarding the implant of 3D custom-made prothesis after total or partial vertebral resection, studies regarding patients with a histologically confirmed diagnosis of primary spinal tumor or solitary bone metastasis; studies evaluating the implant of 3d custom-made prothesis in the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine. Nineteen published studies were included in this literature review, and include a total of 87 patients, 49 males (56.3%) and 38 females (43.7%). The main tumoral location and primary tumor diagnosis were evaluated. The 3D custom-made prothesis represents a feasible tool after tumor en-bloc resection in spinal reconstruction. This procedure is still evolving, and long-term follow-ups are mandatory to assess its safeness and usefulness.