Long-term morbidity and mortality in patients diagnosed with an insulinoma

Objective: Insulinomas are rare functional pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours. As previous data on the long-term prognosis of insulinoma patients are scarce, we studied the morbidity and mortality in the Finnish insulinoma cohort. Design: Retrospective cohort study Methods: Incidence of endocrine, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal and psychiatric disorders, and cancers was compared in all the patients diagnosed with an insulinoma in Finland during 1980–2010 (n=79, including two patients with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 syndrome), vs. 316 matched controls, using the Mantel-Haenszel method. Overall survival was analysed with Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analyses. Results: The median length of follow-up was 10.7 years for the patients and 12.2 years for the controls. The long-term incidence of atrial fibrillation [rate ratio, RR 2.07 (95% CI 1.02–4.22)], intestinal obstruction [18.65 (2.09–166.86)], and possibly breast [4.46 (1.29–15.39)] and kidney cancers (RR not applicable) was increased among insulinoma patients vs. controls, p<0.05 for all comparisons. Endocrine disorders and pancreatic diseases were more frequent in the patients during the first year after insulinoma diagnosis, but not later on. The survival of patients with a non-metastatic insulinoma (n=70) was similar to that of controls, but for patients with distant metastases (n=9), the survival was significantly impaired (median 3.4 years). Conclusions: The long-term prognosis of patients with a non-metastatic insulinoma is similar to the general population, except for an increased incidence of atrial fibrillation, intestinal obstruction, and possibly breast and kidney cancers. These results need to be confirmed in future studies. Metastatic insulinomas entail a markedly decreased survival.

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Impact of malignancy on outcomes in European patients with atrial fibrillation: a report from the ESC-EHRA EURObservational Research Programme in Atrial Fibrillation General Long-Term Registry

European Heart Journal ◽

10.1093/eurheartj/ehab724.2862 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 42 (Supplement_1) ◽

Author(s):

V L Malavasi ◽

M Vitolo ◽

M Proietti ◽

L Fauchier ◽

F Marin ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Atrial Fibrillation ◽

Regression Analysis ◽

Lower Risk ◽

Cox Regression ◽

Cumulative Risk ◽

Research Programme ◽

Cox Regression Analysis ◽

Kaplan Meier ◽

Prior Malignancy

Abstract Background Management of patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and malignancy is a clinical challenge given the paucity of evidence supporting the appropriate clinical management. Purpose To evaluate the outcomes of patients with active or prior malignancy in a large contemporary cohort of European AF patients. Methods We analyzed patients enrolled in the ESC-EHRA EORP-AF General Long-Term Registry. We stratified the population into three categories (i) No Malignancy (NoM) (ii) Prior Malignancy (PriorM) and (iii) Active Malignancy (ActM). The primary outcome for this analysis was all-cause death among the three groups. The association between anticoagulant treatment, all-cause death and haemorrhagic events was also evaluated. Results Among the original 11 096 AF patients enrolled, 10 383 were included in this analysis (median age 71 years (interquartile range [IQR] 63–77, males 59.7%). Of these, 9 597 (92.4%) were NoM patients, 577 (5.6%) PriorM and 209 (2%) ActM. Patients with malignancy (prior or active) had a higher median age, median CHA2DS2-VASc and HAS-BLED scores, compared to patients without malignancy (p<0.001). Lack of anticoagulation (AC) prescription occurred more commonly in ActM (21.5%) as compared with the other groups (PriorM 10.1% vs NoM 12.8%, p<0.001). In case of AC treatment, patients with ActM were treated more frequently with heparins (ActM 8.1% vs PriorM 2.4% vs NoM 2%, p<0.001). After a median follow-up of 730 days [IQR 692–749], 982 (9.5%) patients died. Among all deaths, the proportion of cardiovascular death was different according to the three groups (40.0% in NoM, 26.0% in PrioM and 22.2% in ActM, p=0.002). For all cause-death, Kaplan-Meier analysis showed a progressively higher cumulative risk in the PriorM and ActM groups compared to NoM patients (Figure 1). On multivariable Cox regression analysis, adjusted for CHA2DS2-VASc score, use of AC, type of AF and chronic kidney disease, ActM group was independently associated with a higher risk for all cause death (hazard ratio [HR] 2.90, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.23–3.76) while PriorM group was not. Among PriorM and NoM patients, multivariable adjusted Cox regression analysis found that the use of any AC was independently associated with a lower risk for all-cause death (HR 0.36, 95% CI 0.19–0.66; HR 0.66, 95% CI 0.54–0.81). No significant association between AC and all-cause death was found for ActM patients. Conclusions In a large contemporary cohort of European AF patients, active malignancy was found to be independently associated with all-cause death. Use of any AC was associated with a lower risk for all-cause death in patients with no malignancies and with prior malignancies, but with no significant association amongst patients with active malignancies. FUNDunding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: Other. Main funding source(s): Since the start of EORP, the following companies have supported the programme: Abbott Vascular Int. (2011–2021), Amgen Cardiovascular (2009–2018), AstraZeneca (2014–2021), Bayer (2009–2018), Boehringer Ingelheim (2009–2019), Boston Scientific (2009–2012), The Bristol Myers Squibb and Pfizer Alliance (2011–2016), The Alliance Daiichi Sankyo Europe GmbH and Eli Lilly and Company (2011–2017), Edwards (2016–2019), Gedeon Richter Plc. (2014–2017), Menarini Int. Op. (2009–2012), MSD-Merck & Co. (2011–2014), Novartis Pharma AG (2014–2020), ResMed (2014–2016), Sanofi (2009–2011), SERVIER (2010–2021), and Vifor (2019–2022). Figure 1. Kaplan-Meier for all-cause death

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Atrial Fibrillation Is Associated with Increased Mortality in Patients Presenting with Ventricular Tachyarrhythmias

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-019-49325-4 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Michael Behnes ◽

Jonas Rusnak ◽

Gabriel Taton ◽

Tobias Schupp ◽

Linda Reiser ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Atrial Fibrillation ◽

Cox Regression ◽

Ventricular Tachyarrhythmia ◽

Prognostic Impact ◽

Ventricular Tachyarrhythmias ◽

Lv Dysfunction ◽

Kaplan Meier ◽

All Cause Mortality

Abstract Heterogenous data about the prognostic impact of atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients with ventricular tachyarrhythmias exist. Therefore, this study evaluates this impact of AF in patients presenting with ventricular tachyarrhythmias. 1,993 consecutive patients presenting with ventricular tachyarrhythmias (i.e. ventricular tachycardia and fibrillation (VT, VF)) on admission at one institution were included (from 2002 until 2016). All medical data of index and follow-up hospitalizations were collected during the complete follow-up period for each patient. Statistics comprised univariable Kaplan-Meier and multivariable Cox regression analyses in the unmatched consecutive cohort and after propensity-score matching for harmonization. The primary prognostic endpoint was long-term all-cause mortality at 2.5 years. AF was present in 31% of patients presenting with index ventricular tachyarrhythmias on admission (70% paroxysmal, 9% persistent, 21% permanent). VT was more common (67% versus 59%; p = 0.001) than VF (33% versus 41%; p = 0.001) in AF compared to non-AF patients. Long-term all-cause mortality at 2.5 years occurred more often in AF compared to non-AF patients (mortality rates 40% versus 24%, log rank p = 0.001; HR = 1.825; 95% CI 1.548–2.153; p = 0.001), which may be attributed to higher rates of all-cause mortality at 30 days, in-hospital mortality and mortality after discharge (p < 0.05) (secondary endpoints). Mortality differences were observed irrespective of index ventricular tachyarrhythmia (VT or VF), LV dysfunction or presence of an ICD. In conclusion, this study identifies AF as an independent predictor of death in patients presenting consecutively with ventricular tachyarrhythmias.

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THE PROGNOSTIC SIGNIFICANCE OF CD3+, CD68+, CD20+ INTERSTITIAL CELLS IN PATIENTS WITH KIDNEY ALLOGRAFT GLOMERULITIS

Nephrology (Saint-Petersburg) ◽

10.24884/1561-6274-2018-22-6-47-55 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 22 (6) ◽

pp. 47-55

Author(s):

V. A. Dobronravov ◽

A. O. Mukhametdinova ◽

M. S. Khrabrova ◽

A. Nabokow ◽

H. -J. Gröne ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Proportional Hazards ◽

Cox Regression ◽

Prognostic Significance ◽

Cox Proportional Hazards ◽

Cox Regression Analysis ◽

Kaplan Meier ◽

Long Term Prognosis ◽

The Impact ◽

The Relationship

THE OBJECTIVEof the study was to assess the impact of the count of interstitial CD3+, CD68+ and CD20+ cells on long-term prognosis of renal allograft (RA).PATIENTS AND METHODS.86 RA recipients with biopsy-proven according to the Banff 2013- 2017 criteria glomerulitis were enrolled in this retrospective study. The patients were subdivided into the following groups: 1) isolated glomerulitis with negative donor-specific antibodies (DSA) at the biopsy (n=53); 2) glomerulitis with positive DSA (n=22); 3) glomerulitis with undetermined DSA (n=11). Quantitative assay of interstitial positive cells was performed after immunohistochemical staining for CD68+, CD3+, CD20+. The Kaplan-Meier method and Cox proportional hazards regression model were used for the analysis of the relationship between interstitial CD3+, CD68+, CD20+ cells and risk of RA loss.RESULTS.CD68+ and CD3+ cells prevailed in interstitium in RA glomerulitis. CD20+ infiltrates were found in 60% of cases. CD20+ cells tended to form infiltrates, in 9 cases these infiltrates reached large sizes (≥ 50 CD20+ lymphocytes) and formed nodular structures. There was no difference in the count of interstitial CD3+ and CD68+ cells and in the presence of CD20+ infiltrates between DSA subgroups. Interstitial CD68+ ≥ 5 cells per field of view (FOV) (x400) and CD3+ ≥ 8 cells per FOV (x400), as well as the presence of large CD20+ infiltrates were associated with a lower RA survival (plog-rank < 0,05). Interstitial CD68+ (≥ 5 cells/FOV), CD3 + (≥ 8 cells/FOV) and the presence of large CD20+ interstitial infiltrates were independently associated with the risk of RA loss in the multivariable Cox regression analysis adjusted for DSA, cold and warm ischemia time (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION. Grade of interstitial infiltration by CD68+, CD3+ and CD20+ cells in RA glomerulitis could be independent predictor of RA loss.

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Comparing right- and left sided injection-drug related infective endocarditis

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-020-80869-y ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Allan Clarelin ◽

Magnus Rasmussen ◽

Lars Olaison ◽

Sigurdur Ragnarsson

Keyword(s):

Infective Endocarditis ◽

Cox Regression ◽

Background Characteristics ◽

Term Survival ◽

Kaplan Meier ◽

Long Term Prognosis ◽

The Right ◽

Stage Renal Disease ◽

End Stage

AbstractThe aim of the study was to compare background characteristics, microbiology and outcome of patients with right-sided and left-sided intravenous drug use (IDU) associated infective endocarditis (IE). A nationwide retrospective study using the Swedish Registry on Infective Endocarditis between 2008 and 2019 was conducted. A total of 586 people with IDU-IE were identified and divided into left-sided (n = 204) and right-sided (n = 382) IE. Descriptive statistics, Cox-regression and Kaplan–Meier survival estimates were used. The mean age of patients in the left-sided group was 46 years compared to 35 years in the right-sided group, p < 0.001. Left-sided IE had a higher proportion of females. Staphylococcus aureus was the causative pathogen in 48% of cases in the left-sided group compared to 88% in the right-sided group. Unadjusted and adjusted long-term survival was better in right-sided IE compared to left-sided IE. Independent predictors of long-term mortality were increasing age, end-stage renal disease, nosocomial infection, brain emboli and left-sided IE. Left-sided IE was common in people with IDU but the proportion of females with left-sided IE was low. S. aureus was twice as common in right-sided IE compared to left-sided IE, and the long-term prognosis of right sided IDU-associated IE was better compared to left-sided IE despite the fact that few were operated.

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Coronary artery aneurysms: outcomes following medical, percutaneous interventional and surgical management

Open Heart ◽

10.1136/openhrt-2020-001440 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 (1) ◽

pp. e001440

Author(s):

Shameer Khubber ◽

Rajdeep Chana ◽

Chandramohan Meenakshisundaram ◽

Kamal Dhaliwal ◽

Mohomed Gad ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Coronary Artery ◽

Surgical Management ◽

Medical Management ◽

Cox Regression ◽

Artery Bypass ◽

Management Strategies ◽

Coronary Artery Aneurysms ◽

Kaplan Meier

BackgroundCoronary artery aneurysms (CAAs) are increasingly diagnosed on coronary angiography; however, controversies persist regarding their optimal management. In the present study, we analysed the long-term outcomes of patients with CAAs following three different management strategies.MethodsWe performed a retrospective review of patient records with documented CAA diagnosis between 2000 and 2005. Patients were divided into three groups: medical management versus percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) versus coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). We analysed the rate of major cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCEs) over a period of 10 years.ResultsWe identified 458 patients with CAAs (mean age 78±10.5 years, 74.5% men) who received medical therapy (N=230) or underwent PCI (N=52) or CABG (N=176). The incidence of CAAs was 0.7% of the total catheterisation reports. The left anterior descending was the most common coronary artery involved (38%). The median follow-up time was 62 months. The total number of MACCE during follow-up was 155 (33.8%); 91 (39.6%) in the medical management group vs 46 (26.1%) in the CABG group vs 18 (34.6%) in the PCI group (p=0.02). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that CABG was associated with better MACCE-free survival (p log-rank=0.03) than medical management. These results were confirmed on univariate Cox regression, but not multivariate regression (OR 0.773 (0.526 to 1.136); p=0.19). Both Kaplan-Meier survival and regression analyses showed that dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) and anticoagulation were not associated with significant improvement in MACCE rates.ConclusionOur analysis showed similar long-term MACCE risks in patients with CAA undergoing medical, percutaneous and surgical management. Further, DAPT and anticoagulation were not associated with significant benefits in terms of MACCE rates. These results should be interpreted with caution considering the small size and potential for selection bias and should be confirmed in large, randomised trials.

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Atrial fibrillation associated with increased risk of venous thromboembolism

Thrombosis and Haemostasis ◽

10.1160/th14-05-0405 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 113 (01) ◽

pp. 185-192 ◽

Cited By ~ 23

Author(s):

Chun-Cheng Wang ◽

Cheng-Li Lin ◽

Guei-Jane Wang ◽

Chiz-Tzung Chang ◽

Fung-Chang Sung ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Atrial Fibrillation ◽

Venous Thromboembolism ◽

Incidence Rates ◽

Vein Thrombosis ◽

Kaplan Meier ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Long Term Follow Up ◽

Deep Vein

SummaryWhether atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with an increased risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) remains controversial. From Longitudinal Health Insurance Database 2000 (LHID2000), we identified 11,458 patients newly diagnosed with AF. The comparison group comprised 45,637 patients without AF. Both cohorts were followed up to measure the incidence of deep-vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE). Univariable and multivariable competing-risks regression model and Kaplan-Meier analyses with the use of Aelon-Johansen estimator were used to measure the differences of cumulative incidences of DVT and PE, respectively. The overall incidence rates (per 1,000 person-years) of DVT and PE between the AF group and non-AF groups were 2.69 vs 1.12 (crude hazard ratio [HR] = 1.92; 95 % confidence interval [CI] = 1.54-2.39), 1.55 vs 0.46 (crude HR = 2.68; 95 % CI = 1.97-3.64), respectively. The baseline demographics indicated that the members of the AF group demonstrated a significantly older age and higher proportions of comorbidities than non-AF group. After adjusting for age, sex, and comorbidities, the risks of DVT and PE remained significantly elevated in the AF group compared with the non-AF group (adjusted HR = 1.74; 95 %CI = 1.36-2.24, adjusted HR = 2.18; 95 %CI = 1.51-3.15, respectively). The Kaplan-Meier curve with the use of Aelon-Johansen estimator indicated that the cumulative incidences of DVT and PE were both more significantly elevated in the AF group than in the non-AF group after a long-term follow-up period (p<0.01). In conclusion, the presence of AF is associated with increased risk of VTE after a long-term follow-up period.

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Infarct Topography and Detection of Atrial Fibrillation in Cryptogenic Stroke: Results from CRYSTAL AF

Cerebrovascular Diseases ◽

10.1159/000437018 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 40 (1-2) ◽

pp. 91-96 ◽

Cited By ~ 35

Author(s):

Richard A. Bernstein ◽

Vincenzo Di Lazzaro ◽

Marilyn M. Rymer ◽

Rod S. Passman ◽

Johannes Brachmann ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Atrial Fibrillation ◽

Cox Regression ◽

Brain Infarction ◽

Cryptogenic Stroke ◽

Monitoring Methods ◽

Brain Images ◽

Kaplan Meier ◽

Imaging Characteristics ◽

Hazard Ratios ◽

Routine Monitoring

Background: Insertable cardiac monitors (ICM) have been shown to detect atrial fibrillation (AF) at a higher rate than routine monitoring methods in patients with cryptogenic stroke (CS). However, it is unknown whether there are topographic patterns of brain infarction in patients with CS that are particularly associated with underlying AF. If such patterns exist, these could be used to help decide whether or not CS patients would benefit from long-term monitoring with an ICM. Methods: In this retrospective analysis, a neuro-radiologist blinded to clinical details reviewed brain images from 212 patients with CS who were enrolled in the ICM arm of the CRYptogenic STroke And underLying AF (CRYSTAL AF) trial. Kaplan-Meier estimates were used to describe rates of AF detection at 12 months in patients with and without pre-specified imaging characteristics. Hazard ratios (HRs), 95% confidence intervals (CIs), and p values were calculated using Cox regression. Results: We did not find any pattern of acute brain infarction that was significantly associated with AF detection after CS. However, the presence of chronic brain infarctions (15.8 vs. 7.0%, HR 2.84, 95% CI 1.13-7.15, p = 0.02) or leukoaraiosis (18.2 vs. 7.9%, HR 2.94, 95% CI 1.28-6.71, p < 0.01) was associated with AF detection. There was a borderline significant association of AF detection with the presence of chronic territorial (defined as within the territory of a first or second degree branch of the circle of Willis) infarcts (20.9 vs. 10.0%, HR 2.37, 95% CI 0.98-5.72, p = 0.05). Conclusions: We found no evidence for an association between brain infarction pattern and AF detection using an ICM in patients with CS, although patients with coexisting chronic, as well as acute, brain infarcts had a higher rate of AF detection. Acute brain infarction topography does not reliably predict or exclude detection of underlying AF in patients with CS and should not be used to select patients for ICM after cryptogenic stroke.

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Long-term risk of major cardiovascular events after cavotricuspid isthmus ablation: when and in whom to discontinue oral anticoagulation?

EP Europace ◽

10.1093/europace/euab116.305 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 23 (Supplement_3) ◽

Author(s):

TE Graca Rodrigues ◽

J Brito ◽

P Silverio-Antonio ◽

P Couto Pereira ◽

B Valente Silva ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cox Regression ◽

Cavotricuspid Isthmus ◽

Funding Sources ◽

Major Cardiovascular Events ◽

Kaplan Meier ◽

Group I ◽

Typical Atrial Flutter ◽

Clinical Records ◽

Patient At Risk

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Introduction Cavotricuspid isthmus ablation (CTA) is the 1st line therapy to accomplish rhythm control in typical atrial flutter (AFL). Several studies have shown that AFL is frequently associated with AF, which may be silent, posing the patient at risk of systemic embolism. Nowadays, there are no formal recommendations for OAC after CTA in patients with isolated AFL. Aim To determine the risk of MACE after CTA and compare: 1) the presence of concomitant AF, 2) concomitantly performing PVI and 3) persistence on OAC. Methods Single-center retrospective study of pts submitted to CTA between 2015 and 2019, comprising 3 groups: I – pts with lone AFL; II – patients with AFL and prior AF submitted to CTA only; and III – patients with AFL and prior AF submitted to PVI and CTA. Clinical records were analyzed to determine the occurrence of MACE - death (of CV or unknown cause), stroke, clinically relevant bleed or hospitalization due to HF or arrhythmic events. Long-term OAC was defined as its persistence over 18 months after CTA. Kaplan Meier survival curves were used to estimate the risk of events and the groups were compared using uni- and multivariate Cox regression analyses. Results A total of 476 pts (66 ± 12 years, 80% males) underwent CTA: group I – 284 pts (60%), II – 109 pts (23%) and III – 83 pts (17%). Baseline characteristics were similar between groups, except for age with group I pts being older (68 ± 12, 67 ± 11, 61 ± 11, p < 0.03). The mean baseline CHA2DS2VASc was 2.3 ± 1.5 and the median post-CTA follow-up was 2.8 year. The 1-, 3- and 5-years MACE risk was 7%, 21% and 32%, respectively and did not differ significantly between groups. OAC was suspended on the long-term in 105 pts (23%), at a mean of 241 days post-CTA. Suspension of OAC was significantly associated with lower MACE risk (HR: 0.26, 95%CI 0.12-0.56, p = 0.001). This effect was independent of the age and CHA2DS2VASc. The prognostic benefit of OAC suspension was driven by the group I and was not verified in patients with concomitant AF. In group I, withdraw of OAC (56 pts - 27%) was associated with a 70% relative risk reduction in the 5-year MACE risk (16% vs 43%, HR: 0.30, 95%CI 0.13-0.69, p = 0.005). In group I, OAC was suspended in patient who were younger (65 ± 11 vs. 69 ± 12, p = 0.002), had lower CHA2DS2VASc (1.9 ± 1.6 vs. 2.7 ± 1.4, p < 0.001) and less often had cerebral vascular disease (1% vs. 8%, p = 0.036), HF (14% vs. 38%, p = 0.001), ischemic cardiomyopathy (9% vs. 19%, p = 0.04) and HTN(61% vs. 75%, p = 0.019). Conclusions In pts with AFL submitted to CTA, the long-term risk of MACE is frighteningly high, even in the ones without prior documentation of concomitant AF. Pts with prior AF presenting at the electrophysiological procedure in typical AFL and submitted just to CTA were not significantly harmed, from a prognostic perspective. In pts with lone AFL submitted to successful CTA, it may be reasonable to suspend OAC within 18 months provided that the concomitant AF is carefully excluded. Abstract Figure.

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684 Cardiac troponins and adverse outcomes in European patients with atrial fibrillation: a report from the ESC-EHRA EORP atrial fibrillation general long-term registry

European Heart Journal Supplements ◽

10.1093/eurheartj/suab127.052 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 23 (Supplement_G) ◽

Author(s):

Marrco Vitolo ◽

Vincenzo Livio Malavasi ◽

Marco Proietti ◽

Igor Diemberger ◽

Laurent Fauchier ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Atrial Fibrillation ◽

Regression Analysis ◽

Cox Regression ◽

Adverse Outcomes ◽

Cox Regression Analysis ◽

Coronary Syndrome ◽

Increased Risk ◽

History Of ◽

Cardiac Troponins

Abstract Aims Cardiac troponins (cTn) have been reported to be predictors for adverse outcomes in atrial fibrillation (AF), patients, but their actual use is still unclear. To assess the factors associated with cTn testing in routine clinical practice and to evaluate the association of elevated levels of cTn with adverse outcomes in a large contemporary cohort of European AF patients. Methods and results Patients enrolled in the ESC-EHRA EORP-AF General Long-Term Registry were stratified into three groups according to cTn levels as (i) cTn not tested, (ii) cTn in range (≤99th percentile), and (iii) cTn elevated (>99th percentile). The composite outcome of any thromboembolism/any acute coronary syndrome (ACS)/cardiovascular (CV) death, defined as major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and all-cause death were the main endpoints. 10 445 (94.1%) AF patients were included in this analysis [median age 71 years, interquartile range (IQR): 63–77; males 59.7%]. cTn were tested in 2834 (27.1%). Overall, cTn was elevated in 904 (8.7%) and in-range in 1930 (18.5%) patients. Patients in whom cTn was tested tended to be younger (P < 0.001) and more frequently presenting with first detected AF and atypical AF-related symptoms (i.e. chest pain, dyspnoea, or syncope) (P < 0.001). On multivariable logistic regression analysis, female sex, in-hospital enrollment, first-detected AF, CV risk factors, history of coronary artery disease (CAD), and atypical AF symptoms were independently associated with cTn testing. After a median follow-up of 730 days (IQR: 692–749), 957 (9.7%) composite endpoints occurred while all-cause death was 9.5%. Kaplan–Meier analysis showed a higher cumulative risk for both outcomes in patients with elevated cTn levels (Figure) (Log Rank tests, P < 0.001). On adjusted Cox regression analysis, elevated levels of cTn were independently associated with a higher risk for MACE [hazard ratio (HR): 1.74, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.40–2.16] and all-cause death (HR 1.45, 95% CI: 1.21–1.74). Elevated levels of cTn were independently associated with a higher occurrence of MACE, all-cause death, any ACS, CV death and hospital readmission even after the exclusion of patients with history of CAD, diagnosis of ACS at discharge, those who underwent coronary revascularization during the admission and/or who were treated with oral anticoagulants plus antiplatelet therapy. Conclusions Elevated cTn levels were independently associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality and adverse CV events, even after exclusion of CAD patients. Clinical factors that might enhance the need to rule out CAD were associated with cTn testing.

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Are Prolonged Ventricular Pauses in Atrial Fibrillation a Marker of Poor Prognosis?

Cardiology ◽

10.1159/000520183 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Dorte Marie Stavnem ◽

Rakin Hadad ◽

Bjørn Strøier Larsen ◽

Olav Wendelboe Nielsen ◽

Mark Aplin Frederiksen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Atrial Fibrillation ◽

Poor Prognosis ◽

Pacemaker Implantation ◽

Real Life ◽

Increased Risk ◽

All Cause Mortality ◽

Long Term Prognosis ◽

Rate Limiting

Background: In patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), the long-term prognosis of long electrocardiographic pauses in the ventricular action is not well-studied. Methods: Consecutive Holter recordings in patients with AF (n=200) between 2009-2011 were evaluated, focusing on pauses of at least 2.5 s. Outcomes of interest were all-cause mortality and pacemaker implantation. Results: Forty-three patients (21.5%) had pauses with a mean of 3.2 s and SD of 0.9 s. After a median follow-up of 99 months (ranging 89-111), 47% (20/43) of the patients with, and 45% (70/157) without pauses were deceased. Pauses of ≥ 2.5 s did not constitute a risk of increased mortality: HR = 0.75; (95% CI: 0.34 - 1.66); p = 0.48. Neither did pauses of ≥ 3.0 s: HR = 0.43; (95% CI: 0.06 - 3.20); p = 0.41. Sixteen percent of patients with pauses underwent pacemaker implantation during follow-up. Only pauses in patients referred to Holter due to syncope and/or dizzy spells were associated with an increased risk of pacemaker treatment: HR = 4.7 (95% CI: 1.4-15.9), p = 0.014, adjusted for age, sex and rate-limiting medication. Conclusion: In patients with AF, prolonged electrocardiographic pauses of ≥ 2.5 s or ≥ 3.0 s are not a marker for increased mortality in this real-life clinical study.

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