Internal and emergency medicine
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Abstract
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The high cardiovascular risk burden in low- and middle-income countries is expected to lead to an explosive increase in chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, population data on CKD from these countries are scarce. Therefore, we assessed kidney health in Suriname. ⋯ Based on the participants from the random population sample in CKD stage G3 or G4, we estimate that 6750-10,750 pmp may develop kidney failure within the next 10 years. However, specialized kidney health workforce is currently very limited, and specific national or local policies for CKD management are lacking. Since the large majority of the general population has one or more risk factors for CKD including elevated blood pressure, urgent action is needed to strengthen kidney health care and prevent a catastrophic rise in need for RRT in the coming years.
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Observational Study
Red cell distribution width predicts mid-term prognosis in patients hospitalized with acute heart failure: the RDW in Acute Heart Failure (RE-AHF) study.
The aim of the study was to evaluate the prognostic role of red cell distribution width (RDW) in a broad population of patients hospitalized for acute heart failure (AHF). In a retrospective cohort observational study, 451 consecutive patients discharged for AHF were categorized in patients with low RDW (≤ 14.8%) and high RDW (> 14.8%). The rates of death from all causes or of hospital readmission for worsening heart failure and death were determined after a median follow-up of 18 months. ⋯ At follow-up, 200 patients (44%) had died and 247 (54%) had died or were readmitted for HF: in the cohort with low RDW, 70 patients (36.4%) had died, whereas in the cohort with high RDW, 165 patients (63.7%) had died: the unadjusted risk ratio of patients with high RDW was 2.03 (log-rank test: p < 0.0001). In a multivariate Cox regression model, the hazard ratio for death from any cause in the 'high RDW' cohort is 1.73 (95% confidence interval 1.2-2.48; p = 0.003); the RDW adds prognostic information beyond that provided by conventional predictors, including age; etiology of HF; anemia; hyponatremia; estimated glomerular filtration rate; NT-proBNP levels; Charlson comorbidity score, atrial fibrillation, functional status, therapy with renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitors, beta-blockers. RDW is a powerful marker of worse long-term outcomes in patients with AHF, and its prognostic value is maintained beyond that provided by other well-established risk factors or biomarkers.
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Meta Analysis
Clinical effects of acute kidney injury after transcatheter aortic valve implantation: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Several observational studies have shown that postoperative acute kidney injury (AKI) may significantly worsen the prognosis of a transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to evaluate the recent evidence on the impact of AKI on clinical outcomes following TAVI. A comprehensive search in PubMed, Embase and the Cochrane Library was performed for relevant studies by two independent investigators. ⋯ Postoperative AKI not only significantly increased the risk for short-term and long-term all-cause mortality (OR 6.25, 95% CI 5.72-6.83, P < 0.00001; OR 3.49, 95% CI 2.78-4.40, P < 0.00001, respectively), but also increased the risk for early myocardial infarction (OR 3.98, 95% CI 1.90-8.31, P = 0.0002), major and life-threatening bleeding (OR 1.51, 95% CI 1.12-2.03, P = 0.007; OR 2.35, 95% CI 1.80-3.06, P < 0.00001, respectively), major vascular complications (OR 1.69, 95% CI 1.30-2.18, P < 0.0001), need for blood transfusion (OR 2.15, 95% CI 1.89-2.46, P < 0.00001) renal replacement therapy (OR 22.36, 95% CI 11.88-42.12, P = 0.0002) and cerebrovascular accidents (OR 1.92, 95% CI 1.23-2.98, P = 0.004). Acute kidney injury following TAVI is associated with increased postoperative mortality and morbidity. Future efforts are required to determine whether early prevention of post-procedural AKI after TAVI impacts upon clinical outcomes.
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Multicenter Study Observational Study
Influence of frailty on anticoagulant prescription and clinical outcomes after 1-year follow-up in hospitalised older patients with atrial fibrillation.
Frailty is an important prognostic factor in older adults with cardiovascular diseases. We aim to describe the characteristics of elderly hospitalised frail patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) and to assess the influence of frailty, along with other functional and health status variables on anticoagulation prescription, 1-year all-cause mortality, and the incidence of ischemic and bleeding complications. An observational, prospective multicentre study was carried out on patients with NVAF over the age of 75, who were admitted to the Internal Medicine departments in Spain. ⋯ Among patients taking anticoagulants, the incidence of stroke and major bleeding is similar between frailty groups. In our study, frailty is related to worse global health status. It has no impact on antithrombotic prescription, nor is a predictor of AF complications, even though frail subjects have a higher mortality during hospitalisation and after 1-year follow-up.