Abstract Background The incidence and prognostic impact of late bleeding complications after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) are unknown. Objectives The aim of this study was to ...identify the incidence, predictors, and prognostic impact of major late bleeding complications (MLBCs) (≥30 days) after TAVR. Methods Clinical and echocardiographic outcomes of patients who underwent TAVR within the randomized cohorts and continued access registries in the PARTNER (Placement of Aortic Transcatheter Valves) trial were analyzed after stratifying by the occurrence of MLBCs. Predictors of MLBCs and their association with 30-day to 1-year mortality were assessed. Results Among 2,401 patients who underwent TAVR and survived to 30 days, MLBCs occurred in 142 (5.9%) at a median time of 132 days (interquartile range: 71 to 230 days) after the index procedure. Gastrointestinal complications (n = 58 40.8%), neurological complications (n = 22 15.5%), and traumatic falls (n = 11 7.8%) were identified as the most frequent types of MLBCs. Independent predictors of MLBCs were the presence of low hemoglobin at baseline, atrial fibrillation or flutter at baseline or 30 days, the presence of moderate or severe paravalvular leak at 30 days, and greater left ventricular mass at 30 days. MLBCs were identified as a strong independent predictor of mortality between 30 days and 1 year (adjusted hazard ratio: 3.91; 95% confidence interval: 2.67 to 5.71; p < 0.001). Conclusions MLBCs after TAVR were frequent and associated with increased mortality. Better individualized and risk-adjusted antithrombotic therapy after TAVR is urgently needed in this high-risk population. (THE PARTNER TRIAL: Placement of AoRTic TraNscathetER Valve Trial; NCT00530894 )
Abstract Objectives The aim of the study was to investigate the influence of the extent of computed tomography (CT)–based area and perimeter oversizing on the incidence and severity of paravalvular ...aortic regurgitation (PAR) for the Edwards SAPIEN 3 (Edwards Lifesciences, Irvine, California) device, using CT data and echocardiographic outcome data of the PARTNER II (Placement of AoRTic TraNscathetER Valves Trial II) SAPIEN 3 intermediate-risk cohort. Background Transcatheter heart valve (THV) sizing algorithms are device specific, requiring refinements for new valve designs. Methods A total of 835 intermediate-risk patients with severe, symptomatic aortic stenosis enrolled in a multicenter, nonrandomized registry at 57 sites in the United States and Canada with available systolic CT data and echocardiographic follow-up were included in this analysis. THV size selection was primarily CT guided based on annular area. Area-based and perimeter-based oversizing was calculated using systolic annular CT dimensions and nominal dimensions of the implanted THV size. PAR was assessed at 30 days according to a 5-class scheme. Results Mean oversizing by area was 7.7 ± 9.4% and mean oversizing by perimeter was 1.7 ± 4.4%. An inverse proportional relationship between degree of oversizing and frequency and severity of PAR was observed for both area and perimeter oversizing. Perimeter and area oversizing confer similar predictive capacity in regard to the occurrence of PAR after THV implantation (area under the curve: 0.78 95% confidence interval: 0.70 to 0.85 vs. area under the curve: 0.78 95% confidence interval: 0.72 to 0.85; p < 0.0001). No aortic root ruptures were observed. Conclusions For the SAPIEN 3 THV, the frequency and extent of PAR is inversely related to the degree of oversizing with acceptable rates of PAR being achieved at lower degrees of oversizing. Perimeter and area oversizing confer similar predictive capacity in regard to the occurrence of PAR after implantation of the SAPIEN 3 THV. Therefore, the SAPIEN 3 THV may offer the opportunity to reduce the risk of annular rupture associated with more significant degrees of oversizing in borderline annular anatomy. (The PARTNER II Trial: Placement of AoRTic TraNscathetER Valves PARTNER II; NCT01314313 )
The association between anemia at admission and adverse outcomes in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) has been incompletely studied. Anemia was defined as serum hemoglobin <12 g/dl in women ...or <13 g/dl in men in 2 large trials of patients with ACS. We plotted hazard functions for major bleeding at 30 days and all-cause mortality, myocardial infarction, and stent thrombosis at 1 year according to baseline hemoglobin. Among 16,318 patients, 3070 (18.8%) had anemia at baseline. All-cause death at 1 year (2.9% vs 1.5%), major bleeding (7.6% vs 3.6%, p <0.001), and transfusions (6.7% vs 1.5%, p <0.001) were more common in patients with baseline anemia. Spline transformations of the hazard for adverse events as a function of hemoglobin level on admission showed that adverse outcomes increased in a nonlinear fashion with lower levels of baseline hemoglobin; the lowest rates were observed at a level of ∼14 g/dl. Baseline hemoglobin and anemia were independent predictors of major bleeding and death. In conclusion, in patients with ACS, baseline hemoglobin carries important independent prognostic information and demonstrates a nonlinear association with major bleeding and mortality.
This open-label, prospective, single-arm, phase II study combined erlotinib with radiation therapy (XRT) and temozolomide to treat glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) and gliosarcoma. The objectives were ...to determine efficacy of this treatment as measured by survival and to explore the relationship between molecular markers and treatment response.
Sixty-five eligible adults with newly diagnosed GBM or gliosarcoma were enrolled. We intended to treat patients not currently treated with enzyme-inducing antiepileptic drugs (EIAEDs) with 100 mg/d of erlotinib during XRT and 150 mg/d after XRT. Patients receiving EIAEDs were to receive 200 mg/d of erlotinib during XRT and 300 mg/d after XRT. After XRT, the erlotinib dose was escalated until patients developed tolerable grade 2 rash or until the maximum allowed dose was reached. All patients received temozolomide during and after XRT. Molecular markers of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), EGFRvIII, phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN), and methylation status of the promotor region of the MGMT gene were analyzed from tumor tissue. Survival was compared with outcomes from two historical phase II trials.
Median survival was 19.3 months in the current study and 14.1 months in the combined historical control studies, with a hazard ratio for survival (treated/control) of 0.64 (95% CI, 0.45 to 0.91). Treatment was well tolerated. There was a strong positive correlation between MGMT promotor methylation and survival, as well as an association between MGMT promotor-methylated tumors and PTEN positivity shown by immunohistochemistry with improved survival.
Patients treated with the combination of erlotinib and temozolomide during and following radiotherapy had better survival than historical controls. Additional studies are warranted.
Although preoperative renal dysfunction (RD) is associated with increased mortality and morbidity after surgical aortic valve replacement, its impact on clinical outcomes after transcatheter aortic ...valve replacement (TAVR) is less defined.
TAVR patients in the PARTNER (Placement of Aortic Transcatheter Valves) trial with a calculable glomerular filtration rate (GFR) using the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease equation were included. Patients were divided into three groups: GFR >60 mL/min (none/mild RD), GFR 31 to 60 mL/min (moderate RD), and GFR ≤30 mL/min (severe RD). Operative characteristics and clinical outcomes were analyzed. Cox regression models were used to determine multivariable predictors of 1-year all-cause mortality.
A total of 2,531 inoperable or high surgical risk patients from the PARTNER trial and continued access registries had a calculable GFR level: 767 (30%) had normal renal function or mild RD, 1,473 (58%) had moderate RD, and 291 (12%) presented with severe RD. The mean Society of Thoracic Surgeons Predicted Risk of Mortality for the cohort was 11.5%, and it was highest in those with severe RD (13.8%). Patients with severe RD were more often women with a higher prevalence of diabetes. Patients with severe RD had the highest incidence of 30-day and 1-year all-cause mortality and rehospitalization. The 30-day rate of death from any cause was 10.7% in the severe RD group versus 6.0% in the moderate and mild RD groups (p = 0.01). The 1-year rate of death from any cause was 34.4% in the severe RD group versus 21.5% in the moderate RD and 20.8% in the none/mild RD groups (adjusted hazard ratio HR 2.24, p < 0.0001 for severe versus none/mild; adjusted HR 1.14, p = 0.24 for severe versus moderate). Other significant predictors of 1-year all-cause mortality included lower body mass index, frailty, the transapical approach, a lower ejection fraction, oxygen-dependent chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, liver disease, and male sex.
Preoperative severe RD is a significant predictor for 1-year mortality in TAVR patients. Careful risk stratification by the heart team is required in patients with severe preprocedural RD.
Background The use of Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) has increased greatly to treat basal cell and cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas (keratinocyte carcinoma KC), and consensus-based Appropriate Use ...Criteria (AUC) were developed to identify tumors for which MMS is appropriate. Objective We sought to compare recurrence rates after different treatments in tumors judged appropriate for MMS. Methods We used data from an observational prospective cohort study and retrospectively categorized consecutive tumors as appropriate for MMS according to the AUC. Among appropriate tumors, we used survival analyses to compare 5-year recurrence rates after treatments. Results Among tumors appropriate for MMS (N = 1483), adjusted 5-year recurrence rates were 2.9% (range, 1.4-4.3%) after MMS, 5.5% (range, 3.1-7.9%) after excision, 4.0% (range, 0.6-7.2%) after destruction, and 5.9% (range, 1.5-10.2%) after other treatments. In tumors treated only with MMS or excision (the most similar subgroups), the adjusted hazard ratio of 5-year recurrence after MMS was 0.6 (95% confidence interval, 0.3-1.0; P = .06). Limitations This study is limited by its uncertain generalizability, lack of randomization, and unmeasured characteristics. Conclusion The AUC identified tumors for which recurrence would be less common after MMS than after excision, but the absolute difference in recurrence rates was small.
Thin-cap fibroatheromas (TCFAs) are considered precursors for plaque rupture and subsequent acute coronary events. We investigated intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) and near-infrared spectroscopy ...(NIRS) characteristics of lesions that were histopathologic TCFAs. IVUS, NIRS, and histopathology were performed in 271 atherosclerotic lesions from 107 fresh coronary arteries from 54 patients at necropsy. The plaque burden and remodeling index calculated by IVUS and maximum lipid core burden index within any 4-mm segment (maxLCBI4mm ) calculated by NIRS were compared among each plaque type based on histopathologic classifications but focusing on TCFA. Lesions classified as TCFAs had the largest plaque burden, the highest remodeling index, and the greatest maxLCBI4mm . Plaque burden ≥69% (90% sensitivity, 75% specificity, and area under the curve 0.87); remodeling index ≥1.07 (80% sensitivity, 79% specificity, and area under the curve 0.84); and maxLCBI4mm ≥323 (80% sensitivity, 85% specificity, and area under the curve 0.84) predicted a histopathologic TCFA. In conclusion, a large plaque burden and a high remodeling index assessed by IVUS and lipid-rich plaque determined by the NIRS maxLCBI4mm are useful predictive markers of TCFA.
The pharmacokinetics (PKs) of sodium oxybate (SXB) was evaluated in a subset of participants from a study of SXB treatment in children (aged 7–11 years; n = 11) and adolescents (aged 12–17 years; ...n = 18) with narcolepsy with cataplexy. PK evaluation was conducted over 2 nights during the period when participants received a stable nightly SXB dose. The SXB dose on night 1 was half of night 2 and was administered in two equally divided doses: dose 1 was administered > 2 hours after the evening meal, and dose 2 was administered ≥ 4 hours after dose 1. Noncompartmental PK analysis demonstrated higher plasma concentrations post‐dose 2 vs. post‐dose 1, higher than dose‐proportional increases in area under the concentration‐time curve from 0 to 4 hours (AUC0–4h) after dose 1, indicating nonlinear clearance, and better correlation between exposure and mg/kg than exposure and gram dose. To confirm the noncompartmental findings, identify factors affecting SXB PK, and compare with prior results in adults, a population PK (PopPK) model was established combining PK data from the current study with prior data from adults (132 healthy volunteers and 13 with narcolepsy). A two‐compartment PopPK model with first‐order absorption and nonlinear clearance from the central compartment described the data well. PopPK identified weight as the main intrinsic factor and food as the main extrinsic factor affecting SXB PK, and predicts similar PK profiles on a mg/kg basis across ages. These results, along with previously reported efficacy and safety outcomes, support weight‐based SXB dose initiation in pediatric patients.
Background
The impact of acute stent malapposition (ASM) on long‐term clinical outcomes in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention is still controversial. We sought to evaluate ...predictors and long‐term clinical outcomes of ASM.
Methods and Results
ADAPT‐DES (Assessment of Dual Antiplatelet Therapy With Drug‐Eluting Stents) was a prospective multicenter study of 8663 patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention using drug‐eluting stents. In a prespecified intravascular ultrasound–guided substudy, 2072 patients with 2446 culprit lesions had post–percutaneous coronary intervention intravascular ultrasound and were classified according to the presence or absence of ASM. After intravascular ultrasound–guided percutaneous coronary intervention, the overall prevalence of ASM after successful drug‐eluting stents implantation was 14.4% per patient and 12.6% per lesion. Compared to lesions without ASM, lesions with ASM had larger in‐stent lumen areas, larger stent areas, and larger in‐stent vessel areas. A larger mean plaque area along with more attenuated plaque was observed in lesions with ASM versus lesions without ASM. Lesions with ASM had greater proximal and distal reference lumen areas and more distal, but not proximal, reference calcium compared to lesions without ASM. At 2‐year follow‐up, there was no significant difference in the incidence of cardiac death; myocardial infarction; early, late, or very late stent thrombosis; or clinically driven target lesion revascularization in patients with ASM versus those without ASM. Furthermore, ASM was not an independent predictor of 2‐year major adverse cardiac events or target lesion revascularization even when forced into the multivariate model.
Conclusions
In patients treated with intravascular ultrasound–guided drug‐eluting stents implantation, ASM was not associated with adverse clinical events during long‐term follow‐up including, but not limited to, stent thrombosis.
Clinical Trial Registration
URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT00638794.