Heart : official journal of the British Cardiac Society
-
Anthracycline chemotherapy causes dose-related cardiomyocyte injury and death leading to left ventricular dysfunction. Clinical heart failure may ensue in up to 5% of high-risk patients. Improved cancer survival together with better awareness of the late effects of cardiotoxicity has led to growing recognition of the need for surveillance of anthracycline-treated cancer survivors with early intervention to treat or prevent heart failure. ⋯ Liposomal encapsulation reduces anthracycline cardiotoxicity. Dexrazoxane administration with anthracycline interferes with binding to topoisomerase 2β and reduces both cardiotoxicity and subsequent heart failure in high-risk patients. Angiotensin inhibition and β-blockade are also protective and appear to prevent the development of left ventricular dysfunction when given prior or during chemotherapy in patients exhibiting early signs of cardiotoxicity.
-
Meta Analysis
Implantable cardiac defibrillator and mortality in non-ischaemic cardiomyopathy: an updated meta-analysis.
The benefit of implantable cardiac defibrillator (ICD) in symptomatic patients with systolic dysfunction and non-ischaemic cardiomyopathy remains controversial. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the effect of ICD in patients with non-ischaemic cardiomyopathy on (1) all-cause mortality, (2) cardiovascular mortality and (3) sudden cardiac death. ⋯ Primary prevention ICD therapy reduces all-cause and cardiovascular mortality and sudden cardiac death in patients with non-ischaemic cardiomyopathy.
-
Although clinically significant valve thrombosis after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is rare, the incidence of subclinical leaflet thrombosis has been reported to be up to about 10%-15%. It is mostly found 1-3 months after procedure in any type of transcatheter heart valve. Leaflet thrombosis is detected by high-resolution CT in the form of limited valve opening/closure and hypoattenuated leaflet thickening. ⋯ A vitamin K antagonist is also helpful to resolve leaflet thrombosis. Several studies are ongoing to determine the effect of new oral anticoagulants (NOACs) in preventing major cardiovascular events. They will also provide useful information on whether NOACs prevent leaflet thrombosis.
-
Review Meta Analysis
Long-term and short-term outcomes of using bilateral internal mammary artery grafting versus left internal mammary artery grafting: a meta-analysis.
A substantial body of evidence demonstrates that myocardial revascularisation using bilateral internal mammary arteries (BIMA) improves long-term survival compared with single/left internal mammary artery (LIMA) grafting. To date, limited analyses have been made regarding other short-term and long-term outcomes in BIMA strategy. ⋯ BIMA grafting is associated with enhanced overall long-term outcomes compared with LIMA grafting. While the BIMA cohort demonstrates an increased incidence of DSWI, the survival benefits and other morbidity advantages outweigh this short-term risk.
-
Review Meta Analysis
Contemporary natural history of bicuspid aortic valve disease: a systematic review.
We performed a systematic review of the current state of the literature regarding the natural history and outcomes of bicuspid aortic valve (BAV). PubMed and the reference lists of the included articles were searched for relevant studies reporting on longitudinal follow-up of BAV cohorts (mean follow-up ≥2 years). Studies limited to patients undergoing surgical interventions were excluded. 13 studies (11 502 patients with 2-16 years of follow-up) met the inclusion criteria. ⋯ Aortic dissection or rupture was rare, occurring in 38 patients (0.4%, 27/6446 in native BAV and 11/2232 in post). With current aggressive surveillance and prophylactic surgical interventions, survival in three out of four studies was similar to that of a matched general population. In this systematic review, valvular dysfunction warranting surgical intervention in patients with BAV were common, aortic dissection was rare and, with the current management approach, survival was similar to that of the general population.