ALERT!
This site is not optimized for Internet Explorer 8 (or older).
Please upgrade to a newer version of Internet Explorer or use an alternate browser such as Chrome or Firefox.
Journal and News Scan
August 11, 2014
Submitted by: Ruben Osnabrugge
The authors of this study investigated the effect of myectomy on pulmonary hypertension in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). In a retrospective study of 306 HCM patients, they found that myectomy was associated with an evident reduction in right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP), both in patients with moderate/severe PH and in all patients with PH (RVSP>35mmHg). Their findings can help to guide therapeutic expectations and provide insight into pulmonary haemodynamics following obstruction relief.
August 11, 2014
Submitted by: Mark Ferguson
Data from 6 cohort studies were evaluated to assess the ongoing risk of mesothelioma more than 40 years after initial environmental exposure to asbestos. Among over 22,000 of those exposed, 707 cases of pleural mesothelioma were diagnosed. The rate and risk increased until 45 years after exposure, then the rate of increase tapered off somewhat.
August 11, 2014
Submitted by: Mark Ferguson
In an effort to identify clinical findings associated with deterioration and mortality after PE, the authors prospectively monitored 298 pts admitted through the ED with documented PE. 34% of pts experienced clinical deterioration, which was associated with hypotension, hypoxia, residual DVT, CAD, and right heart strain on echocardiogram. In contrast, 30-day mortality was associated with malignancy and CHF.
August 9, 2014
Submitted by: Mark Ferguson
This multiinstitutional randomized trial compared sublobar resection alone to sublobar resection with adjuvant brachytherapy in high risk patients with peripheral NSCLC <3cm. Time to and type of local recurrence were similar between the groups. Brachytherapy did not importantly improve local control in patients with potentially compromised margins. The 3-year suvival rate in both groups was 71%.
August 9, 2014
Submitted by: Mark Ferguson
This single-institution retrospective study used propensity score matching to compare long-term outcomes of anatomic segmentectomy vs lobectomy for early stage non-small cell lung cancer. A total of 312 pts were matched in each group. Locoregional and overall recurrence rates were similar between the groups. Freedom from recurrence (70% for segmentectomy vs 71% for lobectomy) at 5 years was similar. 5-year survival was also similar (54% vs 60%).
August 9, 2014
Submitted by: Mark Ferguson
This randomized trial involving 30 centers in France compared outcomes after induction chemoradiotherapy followed by resection to resection alone for stage I or II esophageal cancer. The R0 resection rate was similar between the groups. Postoperative mortality was higher in the induction therapy group (11.1% vs 3.4%). Long-term survival was similar between the groups.
August 8, 2014
Submitted by: Ruben Osnabrugge
In this study the cost-effectiveness of CABG vs. DES-PCI was analysed from a U.S. Healthcare perspective. Using 5-year cost and quality-of-life data from the SYNTAX trial and lifetime extrapolations, the authors found that CABG was an economically attractive treatment option for most patients with 3-VD or left main CAD disease.
August 7, 2014
Submitted by: Mark Ferguson
The authors developed and validated a survival predictive score for patients with malignant pleural effusion using 3 large international cohorts of patients. The LENT score is based on LDH level, ECOG performance status, neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio, and tumor type. Low risk patients had a median survival of 319 days, moderate risk group survival was 130 days, and median survival in the high risk group was 44 days. Among the high risk patients, mortality at 1 month was 35% and at 6 months was 97%. Use of this score may help in selecting appropriate interventions for this patient population.
August 6, 2014
Submitted by: J. Rafael Sadaba
Bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) stenosis has been regarded as a relative contraindication for transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). In this retrospective study of patients from 5 different centres undergoing TAVI for severe aortic stenosis, the authors compare outcomes between a group of 28 patients with BAV and a 1:3 matched group of 84 patients with tricuspid aortic valves (TAV). Uneven expansion of the bioprosthesis was commonly observed in the BAV group. However, this did not influence the overall procedural outcomes. There were no significant differences in 30-day mortality, one-year all-cause mortality, 30-day combined safety end points, and more than mild aortic regurgitation between the two groups. Based on this data, the authors suggest that selected patients with stenotic BAV, can be successfully treated with TAVI.
August 6, 2014
Submitted by: Mark Ferguson
This prospective trial from 14 ICUs in northern Europe evaluated the potential benefit of adding immune-modulating nutrients (IMHP) to standard enteral nutrition in reducing infectious complications in ventilated patients. The addition of IMHP did not alter the incidence of infectious complications, but was associated with much worse 6 month survival (35% vs 54%).