Abstract
Aims
Our aim was to analyse whether using delayed enhancement cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (DE-CMR) to localize veno-atrial gaps in atrial fibrillation (AF) redo ablation procedures ...improves outcomes during follow-up.
Methods and results
We conducted a case–control study with 35 consecutive patients undergoing a DE-CMR-guided Repeat-pulmonary vein isolation (Re-PVI) procedure. Those with more extensive ablations (e.g. roof lines, box) were excluded. Patients were matched for age, sex, AF pattern, and left atrial dimension with 35 patients who had undergone a conventional Re-PVI procedure guided with a three dimensional (3D)-navigation system. Procedural characteristics were recorded, and patients were followed for 24 months in a specialized outpatient clinic. The primary endpoint was freedom from recurrent AF, atrial tachycardia, or flutter. The duration of CMR-guided procedures was shorter compared to the conventional group (161 ± 52 vs. 195 ± 72 min, respectively, P = 0.049), with no significant differences in fluoroscopy or total radiofrequency time. At the 2-year follow-up, more patients in the DE-CMR-guided group remained free from recurrences compared with the conventional group (70% vs. 39%, respectively, P = 0.007). In univariate Cox-regression analyses, AF pattern persistent AF, hazard ratio (HR) 2.66 (1.27–5.46), P = 0.006 and the use of DE-CMR HR 0.36 (0.17–0.79), P = 0.009 predicted recurrences during follow-up; both factors remained independent predictors in multivariate analyses.
Conclusion
The substrate characterization provided by DE-CMR facilitates the identification of anatomical veno-atrial gaps and associates with shorter procedures and better clinical outcomes in repeated AF ablation procedures.
Objective
To assess the arrhythmic safety profile of the adipose graft transposition procedure (AGTP) and its electrophysiological effects on post-myocardial infarction (MI) scar.
Background
...Myocardial repair is a promising treatment for patients with MI. The AGTP is a cardiac reparative therapy that reduces infarct size and improves cardiac function. The impact of AGTP on arrhythmogenesis has not been addressed.
Methods
MI was induced in 20 swine. Contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance (ce-MRI), electrophysiological study (EPS), and left-ventricular endocardial high-density mapping were performed 15 days post-MI. Animals were randomized 1:1 to AGTP or sham-surgery group and monitored with ECG-Holter. Repeat EPS, endocardial mapping, and ce-MRI were performed 30 days post-intervention. Myocardial SERCA2, Connexin-43 (Cx43), Ryanodine receptor-2 (RyR2), and cardiac troponin-I (cTnI) gene and protein expression were evaluated.
Results
The AGTP group showed a significant reduction of the total infarct scar, border zone and dense scar mass by ce-MRI (
p
= 0.04), and a decreased total scar and border zone area in bipolar voltage mapping (
p
< 0.001). AGTP treatment significantly reduced the area of very-slow conduction velocity (<0.2 m/s) (
p
= 0.002), the number of deceleration zones (
p
= 0.029), and the area of fractionated electrograms (
p
= 0.005). No differences were detected in number of induced or spontaneous ventricular arrhythmias at EPS and Holter-monitoring. SERCA2, Cx43, and RyR2 gene expression were decreased in the infarct core of AGTP-treated animals (
p
= 0.021,
p
= 0.018,
p
= 0.051, respectively).
Conclusion
AGTP is a safe reparative therapy in terms of arrhythmic risk and provides additional protective effect against adverse electrophysiological remodeling in ischemic heart disease.
Background
Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most frequent subtype of HIV-associated lymphoma. Since the introduction of combined antiretroviral therapy (cART), the prognosis of ...HIV-related DLBCL has substantially improved, resembling that of the general population. However, non-Hodgkin lymphoma still remains the first cause of AIDS-related deaths.
The International Prognostic Index (IPI) is the most widely used score for DLBCL and it has been validated in the rituximab era (R-IPI). However, it has limited accuracy to identify a very high-risk prognostic subset. Although IPI has been demonstrated to be useful for predicting prognosis in HIV-related DLBCL, new scores subsequently developed, such as National Cancer Comprehensive Network IPI (NCCN-IPI), GELTAMO-IPI and a new score, which includes data from peripheral blood count, have not been applied in the HIV setting. The aim of this study was to assess the prognostic significance of the new variables -beta2-microglobulin (β2M), lymphocyte/monocyte (L/M) ratio and red blood cell width (RDW)- and to validate the new scores in a series of homogeneously treated HIV-related DLBCL patients.
Methods
Retrospective multicentric study of patients with HIV infection diagnosed with DLBCL in 16 hospitals from GELTAMO group in Spain, from 1998 to 2020. All patients were treated with R-CHOP and cART +/- radiotherapy. The main clinical and biological variables were collected. Peripheral absolute neutrophil, lymphocyte and monocyte counts were studied, including L/M ratio and CD4 + lymphocyte count. Moreover, HIV load, serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), β2M and RDW were evaluated. Univariable and multivariable analysis were performed using the binary logistic regression model for complete response (CR) rate and Cox proportional-hazards regression model for overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). Survival curves were plotted by the Kaplan-Meier method and compared by the log-rank test. The discrimination power of IPI, aaIPI (age-adjusted IPI), R-IPI, NCCN-IPI, GELTAMO-IPI and the new score including L/M ratio (L Bento et al., Br J Haematol. 2020) was assessed by the C-index.
Results
One hundred and five patients were retrospectively analysed with a median follow up of 7.08 (0.36-25.21) years. The characteristics of the patients are summarized in Table 1. In the univariable analysis, performance status ≥2, extranodal sites ≥2, lymphocytopenia and low L/M ratio were associated with shorter OS and shorter PFS probabilities. Neutropenia was also associated with lower OS and advanced Ann Arbor stage was associated with lower PFS. On the other hand, monocytosis, low CD4 + lymphocyte count, positive HIV load and high values of serum LDH, RDW and β2M had no prognostic impact. By multivariable analysis, only L/M ratio <3 emerged as an unfavourable prognostic factor for OS and PFS, with harzard ratios (HR) (95%CI) of 2.515 (1.256;5.039) and 2.563 (1.314;5), respectively (Figure 1).
With the aim of validating the prognostic power of each score system, the patients were divided in two groups: patients corresponding with low or intermediate-low risk versus those with intermediate-high or high risk. R-IPI, NCCN-IPI and the new score including L/M ratio showed significant differences in two groups for CR rate, OS and PFS. IPI also significantly discriminated the groups for PFS. NCCN-IPI was the strongest score to discriminate OS with a C-index of 0.638, and the new score including L/M ratio was the best one for CR rate and PFS discrimination, with a C-index of 0.669 and 0.666 respectively.
Conclusions
Lymphocyte/monocyte ratio is a strong prognostic factor, which can be used in patients with DLBCL and HIV infection. NCCN-IPI and the new score including L/M ratio provided the best discriminative capacity to predict prognosis in patients with HIV-related DLBCL treated with R-CHOP and cART.
Supported in part by Gilead Sciences S.L., Spain (GLD19/00121); 2017 SGR288 (GRE) from CERCA Programme/Generalitat de Catalunya, and by funds from Josep Carreras International Foundation and “la Caixa” Foundation.
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Lopez-Guillermo: Roche, Gilead/Kite, Celgene, Novartis, Janssen, AbbVie, Spectrum: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding. Salar: Janssen: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Roche: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Celgene: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Gilead: Research Funding. de la Cruz Vicente: Takeda: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Roche: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Kyowa Kirin: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Janssen: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Eusapharma: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Beigene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Abbvie: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau. Ferrer Lores: Janssen: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Abrisqueta: Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria; Abbvie: Consultancy, Honoraria; Roche: Consultancy, Honoraria; BMS: Consultancy, Honoraria; AstraZeneca: Consultancy, Honoraria. Sancho: Roche, Janssen, Celgene-BMS, Gilead, Novartis, Takeda: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Roche, Janssen, Celgene-BMS, Gilead, Novartis, Incyte, Beigene: Speakers Bureau. Ribera: SHIRE: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; ARIAD: Consultancy, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; TAKEDA: Consultancy, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; NOVARTIS: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; AMGEN: Consultancy, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Pfizer: Consultancy, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau. Navarro: NOVARTIS, Roche: Honoraria; EUSA Pharma: Consultancy; GILEAD, EUSA Pharma: Research Funding.
Background: Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is a common surgical procedure for patients with advanced osteoarthritis. This study aimed to assess the effects of using versus not using a fast-track ...protocol, including a new mobilization device called Flexet. Methods: This is a retrospective comparative study. Two groups were formed with a total of 507 TKA patients. 283 were treated in 2010 with a standard program (S group) and 224 with a fast-track protocol (FT group) in 2016. The variables studied were active knee flexion and extension, length of stay, and time to autonomous gait. Results: Study groups were comparable. The mean time from surgery to autonomous gait was shorter for the FT group (4.43 hours, SD = 2.11) than for the S group (59.95 hours, SD = 16.59) (p < 0.001). Mean stay for the FT group was 2.36 nights (SD = 1.81) and 6.20 nights (SD = 1.52) for the S group (p < 0.001). Mean active flexion at hospital discharge was 89.33º (SD = 7.45) in the FT group versus 84.10º (SD = 9.01) in the S group. The mean active extension was: -5.37º (SD= 2.49) in the FT group versus -8.60º (SD = 3.98) in the S group, (p<0.001). Conclusion: Patients in the FT group showed more significant improvements (i.e., shorter length of stay, shorter time to autonomous gait, and larger active ROM in flexion and extension). However, the exact role of the Flexet device is still to be determined.
Abstract Background Cell-based therapies offer a promising approach to reducing the short-term mortality rate associated with heart failure after a myocardial infarction. The aim of the study was to ...analyze histological and functional effects of adipose tissue-derived stem cells (ADSCs) after myocardial infarction and compare 2 types of administration pathways. Methods and Results ADSCs from 28 pigs were labeled by transfection. Animals that survived myocardial infarction (n = 19) received: intracoronary culture media (n = 4); intracoronary ADSCs (n = 5); transendocardial culture media (n = 4); or transendocardial ADSCs (n = 6). At 3 weeks' follow-up, intracoronary and transendocardial administration of ADSCs resulted in similar rates of engrafted cells (0.85 0.19-1.97 versus 2 1-2 labeled cells/cm2 , respectively; P = NS) and some of those cells expressed smooth muscle cell markers. The intracoronary administration of ADSCs was more effective in increasing the number of small vessels than transendocardial administration (223 ± 40 versus 168 ± 35 vessels/mm2 ; P < .05). Ejection fraction was not modified by stem cell therapy. Conclusions This is the first study to compare intracoronary and transendocardial administration of autologous ADSCs in a porcine model of myocardial infarction. Both pathways of ADSCs delivery are feasible, producing a similar number of engrafted and differentiated cells, although intracoronary administration was more effective in increasing neovascularization.
Whether the severity and mortality of COVID-19 in patients with cancer have improved in terms of disease management and capacity is yet to be defined.
To test whether severity and mortality from ...COVID-19 among patients with cancer have improved during the course of the pandemic.
OnCovid is a European registry that collects data on consecutive patients with solid or hematologic cancer and COVID-19. This multicenter case series study included real-world data from 35 institutions across 6 countries (UK, Italy, Spain, France, Belgium, and Germany). This update included patients diagnosed between February 27, 2020, and February, 14, 2021. Inclusion criteria were confirmed diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection and a history of solid or hematologic cancer.
SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Deaths were differentiated at 14 days and 3 months as the 2 landmark end points. Patient characteristics and outcomes were compared by stratifying patients across 5 phases (February to March 2020, April to June 2020, July to September 2020, October to December 2020, and January to February 2021) and across 2 major outbreaks (February to June 2020 and July 2020 to February 2021).
At data cutoff, 2795 consecutive patients were included, with 2634 patients eligible for analysis (median IQR age, 68 18-77 years ; 52.8% men). Eligible patients demonstrated significant time-dependent improvement in 14-day case-fatality rate (CFR) with estimates of 29.8% (95% CI, 0.26-0.33) for February to March 2020; 20.3% (95% CI, 0.17-0.23) for April to June 2020; 12.5% (95% CI, 0.06-22.90) for July to September 2020; 17.2% (95% CI, 0.15-0.21) for October to December 2020; and 14.5% (95% CI, 0.09-0.21) for January to February 2021 (all P < .001) across the predefined phases. Compared with the second major outbreak, patients diagnosed in the first outbreak were more likely to be 65 years or older (974 of 1626 60.3% vs 564 of 1008 56.1%; P = .03), have at least 2 comorbidities (793 of 1626 48.8% vs 427 of 1008 42.4%; P = .001), and have advanced tumors (708 of 1626 46.4% vs 536 of 1008 56.1%; P < .001). Complications of COVID-19 were more likely to be seen (738 of 1626 45.4% vs 342 of 1008 33.9%; P < .001) and require hospitalization (969 of 1626 59.8% vs 418 of 1008 42.1%; P < .001) and anti-COVID-19 therapy (1004 of 1626 61.7% vs 501 of 1008 49.7%; P < .001) during the first major outbreak. The 14-day CFRs for the first and second major outbreaks were 25.6% (95% CI, 0.23-0.28) vs 16.2% (95% CI, 0.13-0.19; P < .001), respectively. After adjusting for country, sex, age, comorbidities, tumor stage and status, anti-COVID-19 and anticancer therapy, and COVID-19 complications, patients diagnosed in the first outbreak had an increased risk of death at 14 days (hazard ratio HR, 1.85; 95% CI, 1.47-2.32) and 3 months (HR, 1.28; 95% CI, 1.08-1.51) compared with those diagnosed in the second outbreak.
The findings of this registry-based study suggest that mortality in patients with cancer diagnosed with COVID-19 has improved in Europe; this improvement may be associated with earlier diagnosis, improved management, and dynamic changes in community transmission over time.
BACKGROUND:There is limited knowledge about the impact of anatomic gaps as assessed by delayed gadolinium enhancement cardiac magnetic resonance on atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence after first ...pulmonary vein (PV) isolation.
METHODS:Consecutive patients underwent delayed gadolinium enhancement cardiac magnetic resonance 3 months after radiofrequency circumferential PV isolation. Delayed gadolinium enhancement cardiac magnetic resonance images were assessed from 360 PV resulting in 2880 segments in the 2×8-segment model from 94 patients (52±11 years, 62% paroxysmal AF). Left atria were segmented using dedicated software. Anatomic gap was defined as discontinuation of the ablation line by ≥3 mm. Relative gap length was calculated as absolute gap length divided by the total length of the ablation line. AF recurrence was assessed after a mean follow-up duration of 15±10 months
RESULTS:Mean number of anatomic gaps was 5.4 per patient. Recurrence within the first year of ablation was observed in 21 patients with paroxysmal AF (36%) and 19 patients with persistent AF (53%). In the univariate analysis, CHA2DS2-VASc score, AF type, and relative gap length were predictive of recurrence. In the multivariate analysis, only relative gap length was significantly associated with recurrence (hazard ratio, 1.16 1.02–1.31 per each 10% of gap).
CONCLUSIONS:The total relative gap length but not the number of anatomic gaps in the PV ablation line as assessed by delayed gadolinium enhancement cardiac magnetic resonance was associated with AF recurrence 1 year after first PV isolation. An increase of 10% relative gap length increased the likelihood of AF recurrence by 16%.
Abstract only
1574
Background: Despite high contagiousness and rapid spread, SARS-Cov-2 has led to heterogeneous outcomes across affected nations. Within Europe, the United Kingdom is the most ...severely affected country, with a death toll in excess of 100.000 as of February 2021. We aimed to compare the national impact of Covid-19 on the risk of death in UK cancer patients versus those in continental Europe (EU). Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of the OnCovid study database, a European registry of cancer patients consecutively diagnosed with Covid-19 in 27 centres from February 27 to September 10, 2020. We analysed case fatality rates and risk of death at 30 days and 6 months stratified by region of origin (UK versus EU). We compared patient characteristics at baseline, oncological and Covid-19 specific therapy across cohorts and tested these in multivariable Cox regression models to identify predictors of adverse outcome in UK versus EU patients. Results: Compared to EU patients (n = 924), UK patients (n = 468) were characterised by higher case fatality rates (40.38% versus 26.5%, p < 0.0001), higher risk of death at 30 days (hazard ratio, HR 1.64 95%CI 1.36-1.99) and 6 months after Covid-19 diagnosis (47.64% versus 33.33%, p < 0.0001, HR 1.59 95%CI 1.33-1.88). UK patients were more often males, of older age and more co-morbid than EU counterparts (p < 0.01). Receipt of anti-cancer therapy was lower in UK versus EU patients (p < 0.001). Despite equal proportions of complicated Covid-19, rates of intensive care admission and use of mechanical ventilation, UK cancer patients were less likely to receive anti-Covid-19 therapies including corticosteroids, anti-virals and interleukin-6 antagonists (p < 0.0001). Multivariable analyses adjusted for imbalanced prognostic factors confirmed the UK cohort to be characterised by worse risk of death at 30 days and 6 months, independent of patient’s age, gender, tumour stage and status, number of co-morbidities, Covid-19 severity, receipt of anti-cancer and anti-Covid-19 therapy. Rates of permanent cessation of anti-cancer therapy post Covid-19 were similar in UK versus EU. Conclusions: UK cancer patients have been more severely impacted by the unfolding of the Covid-19 pandemic despite societal risk mitigation factors and rapid deferral of anti-cancer therapy. The increased frailty of UK cancer patients highlights high-risk groups that should be prioritised for anti-SARS-Cov-2 vaccination. Continued evaluation of long-term outcomes is warranted.
IntroductionThe benefits of palliative care rely on how healthcare professionals assess patients’ needs in the initial encounter/s; crucial to the design of a personalised therapeutic plan. However, ...there is currently no evidence-based guideline to perform this needs assessment. We aim to design and evaluate a proactive and systematic method for the needs assessment using quality guidelines for developing complex interventions. This will involve patients, their relatives and healthcare professionals in all phases of the study and its communication to offer clinical practice a reliable approach to address the palliative needs of patients.Methods and analysisTo design and assess the feasibility of an evidence-based, proactive and systematic Multidimensional needs Assessment in Palliative care (MAP) as a semistructured clinical interview guide for initial palliative care encounter/s in patients with advanced cancer. This is a two-phase multisite project conducted over 36 months between May 2019 and May 2022. Phase I includes a systematic review, discussions with stakeholders and Delphi consensus. The evidence gathered from phase I will be the basis for the initial versions of the MAP, then submitted to Delphi consensus to develop a preliminary guide of the MAP for the training of clinicians in the feasibility phase. Phase II is a mixed-methods multicenter feasibility study that will assess the MAP’s acceptability, participation, practicality, adaptation and implementation. A nested qualitative study will purposively sample a subset of participants to add preliminary clues about the benefits and barriers of the MAP. The evidence gathered from phase II will build a MAP user guide and educational programme for use in clinical practice.Ethics and disseminationEthical approval for this study has been granted by the university research ethics committee where the study will be carried out (approval reference MED-2018-10). Dissemination will be informed by the results obtained and communication will occur throughout.
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