Heart : official journal of the British Cardiac Society
-
The Fontan circulation is associated with an increased risk of thromboembolic events (TEs). As many as 25% of these thrombotic events result in fatality. More subtle adverse effects on the pulmonary circulation from embolic thrombi may further impair adequate functioning of the circuit. Despite these well-documented phenomena, the most optimal approaches to thromboprophylaxis are still not clearly defined. ⋯ This study shows a significantly lower incidence of TE after Fontan procedure if either aspirin or warfarin is used. This meta-analysis suggests no significant difference in incidence of early or late TE in patients receiving aspirin compared with warfarin.
-
Review Meta Analysis
Non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants and major bleeding-related fatality in patients with atrial fibrillation and venous thromboembolism: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) are efficacious and safe antithrombotic drugs but the non-availability of an antidote for potential fatal haemorrhagic events is clinically perceived as a strong limitation. We aimed at evaluating the risk of haemorrhage-related fatalities associated with NOACs in patients requiring long-term anticoagulation. ⋯ These data suggest that NOACs decrease the risk of fatality cases related to major bleeding events, particularly in AF patients. These results support the safety profile of NOACs even without having a widely available drug-specific antidote.
-
Current guidelines recommend culprit-only revascularisation (COR) in haemodynamically stable patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and multivessel (MV) disease. Contrarily, growing body of evidence available from recent randomised controlled trials (RCTs) demonstrates improved outcomes with complete MV-percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). ⋯ In STEMI and MV disease, complete MV-PCI as compared with non-complete strategy reduces MACE by 41%, driven by a 52% reduction in recurrent MI and 49% reduction in repeat revascularisation.
-
Review Meta Analysis
Meta-analysis of secure randomised controlled trials of β-blockade to prevent perioperative death in non-cardiac surgery.
Current European and American guidelines recommend the perioperative initiation of a course of β-blockers in those at risk of cardiac events undergoing high- or intermediate-risk surgery or vascular surgery. The Dutch Echocardiographic Cardiac Risk Evaluation Applying Stress Echocardiography (DECREASE) family of trials, the bedrock of evidence for this, are no longer secure. We therefore conducted a meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials of β-blockade on perioperative mortality, non-fatal myocardial infarction, stroke and hypotension in non-cardiac surgery using the secure data. ⋯ Guideline bodies should retract their recommendations based on fictitious data without further delay. This should not be blocked by dispute over allocation of blame. The well-conducted trials indicate a statistically significant 27% increase in mortality from the initiation of perioperative β-blockade that guidelines currently recommend. Any remaining enthusiasts might best channel their energy into a further randomised trial which should be designed carefully and conducted honestly.
-
Review Meta Analysis
Atrial fibrillation and thromboembolism in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: systematic review.
HCM is commonly associated with AF. Current guidelines for AF management omit detailed advice for HCM because of a lack of clinical prediction tools that estimate the risk of developing AF and an absence of adequately powered treatment studies. ⋯ AF is common in HCM and associated with high thromboembolic risk. LA dimension and age are independently associated with AF but the literature is insufficient to create robust clinical tools to predict AF or thromboembolism. Most data suggest that AF patients should be anticoagulated.