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1.
Intravenous iron therapy improves the hypercapnic ventilatory response and sleep disordered breathing in chronic heart failure
Caravita S, Faini A, Vignati C, Pelucchi S, Salvioni E, Cattadori G, Baratto C, Torlasco C, Contini M, Villani A, et al
European journal of heart failure. 2022
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Intravenous iron therapy can improve symptoms in patients with heart failure, anemia and iron deficiency. The mechanisms underlying such an improvement might involve chemoreflex sensing and nocturnal breathing patterns. METHODS Patients with heart failure, reduced left ventricular ejection fraction, anemia (hemoglobin <13 g/dL in men; <12 g/dL in women) and iron deficiency (ferritin <100 or 100-299 mcg/L with transferrin saturation <20%) were 2:1 randomized to patients-tailored intravenous ferric carboxymaltose dose or placebo. Chemoreflex sensitivity cardiorespiratory sleep study, symptom assessment and cardiopulmonary exercise test were performed before and two weeks after the last treatment dose. RESULTS Fifty-eight patients (38 active arm / 20 placebo arm) completed the study. Intravenous iron was associated with less severe symptoms, higher hemoglobin (12.5±1.4 vs. 11.7±1.0mg/dl p<0.05) and improved hematinic parameters. Ferric carboxymaltose improved the central hypercapnic ventilatory response (-25.8%, p<0.05 vs. placebo), without changes in peripheral chemosensitivity. In particular, the central hypercapnic ventilatory responses passed from 4.6±6.5 to 2.9±2.9 L/min/mmHg after ferric carboxymaltose and from 4.4±4.6 to 4.6±3.9 L/min/mmHg after placebo (p(treatment*condition) =0.046). In patients presenting with sleep-related breathing disorder, apnea-hypopnea index was reduced with active treatment as compared to placebo (12±11 vs. 19±13 events/h, p<0.05). After ferric carboxymaltose, but not after placebo, both peak oxygen uptake (VO2) increased (Δ1.1±2.0 mL/Kg/min, p<0.05) and VO2/workload slope was steeper (Δ0.67±1.7 L/min/W, p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS Intravenous ferric carboxymaltose improves the hypercapnic ventilatory response and sleep-related breathing disorders in patients with heart failure, anemia and iron deficiency. These newly described findings, along with improved oxygen delivery to exercising muscles, likely contribute to the favorable effects of ferric carboxymaltose in anemic patients with heart failure. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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2.
Bleeding Episodes in Patients With Non-ST-Segment Elevation Acute Coronary Syndrome Undergoing Very Early Versus Standard Care Invasive Examination (from the Very EaRly vs Deferred Invasive Evaluation Using Computerised Tomography [VERDICT] Trial)
Sadjadieh G, Kelbæk H, Kofoed KF, Køber LV, Hansen PR, Torp-Pedersen C, Elming H, Gislason G, Høfsten DE, Engstrøm T, et al
The American journal of cardiology. 2022
Abstract
Bleeding is known to influence the prognosis in patients with acute coronary syndromes. In this predefined secondary outcome analysis of the Very EaRly vs Deferred Invasive evaluation using Computerized Tomography (VERDICT) trial, we investigated whether a very early invasive coronary angiography (ICA), compared with one performed within 48 to 72 hours (standard care), was associated with fewer serious bleedings. Furthermore, we tested the association between demographic data including GRACE score and serious bleedings as well as bleedings and mortality. In the 2,147 patients included in the main study, bleedings within 30 days of admission were assessed based on Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction and Bleeding Academic Research Consortium criteria. Differences were calculated by cumulative incidence methods and Grays test. Variables associated with bleeding and mortality were estimated by Cox proportional hazard models. Serious (Bleeding Academic Research Consortium 3abc) bleeding rates were low (15 [1.4%, standard] vs 12 [1.2%, early], p = 0.56). There were no fatal bleedings or serious bleedings before ICA in either group. By multivariate analysis, there was no difference in bleedings between the 2 groups. Female gender (hazard ratio [HR] 2.7, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.2 to 6.4; p = 0.02), anemia (HR 7.0, 95% CI 2.8 to 17.0; p <0.001), and increasing blood pressure (HR 1.3, 95% CI 1.1 to 1.5; p = 0.01) were individually associated with serious bleeding, whereas GRACE score >140 was not (HR 1.03, 95% CI 0.4 to 2.9; p = 0.96). In conclusion, serious bleedings were few, and there were none before ICA in either group. A very early invasive strategy did not reduce serious bleedings within 30 days, which was associated with female gender, increasing blood pressure, and anemia.
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Systematic review and meta-analysis of intravenous iron-carbohydrate complexes in HFrEF patients with iron deficiency
Sindone A, Doehner W, Comin-Colet J
ESC heart failure. 2022
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Editor's Choice
Abstract
Iron deficiency (ID) is a common co-morbidity in patients with heart failure (HF). The present meta-analysis evaluates the effect of intravenous (IV) iron-carbohydrate complex supplementation in patients with HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) and ID/iron deficiency anaemia (IDA). Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing IV iron-carbohydrate complexes with placebo/standard of care in patients with HFrEF with ID/IDA were identified using Embase (from 1957) and PubMed (from 1989) databases through 25 May 2021. Twelve RCTs including 2381 patients were included in this analysis. The majority (90.8%) of patients receiving IV iron-carbohydrate therapy were administered ferric carboxymaltose (FCM); 7.5% received iron sucrose and 1.6% received iron isomaltoside. IV iron-carbohydrate therapy significantly reduced hospitalization for worsening HF [0.53 (0.42-0.65); P < 0.0001] and first hospitalization for worsening HF or death [0.75 (0.59-0.95); P = 0.016], but did not significantly impact all-cause mortality, compared with control. IV iron-carbohydrate therapy significantly improved functional and exercise capacity compared with the control. There was no significant difference in outcome between IV iron-carbohydrate formulations when similar endpoints were measured. No significant difference in adverse events (AE) was observed between the treatment groups. IV iron-carbohydrate therapy resulted in improvements in a range of clinical outcomes and increased functional and exercise capacity, whereas AEs were not significantly different between IV iron-carbohydrate and placebo/standard of care arms. These findings align with the European Society of Cardiology's 2021 HF guidelines, which recommend the consideration of FCM in symptomatic patients with a left ventricular ejection fraction < 45% and ID.
PICO Summary
Population
Patients with heart failure (HF) with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) and iron deficiency, (12 randomised controlled trials, n= 2,381).
Intervention
Intravenous (IV) iron-carbohydrate complex supplementation.
Comparison
Placebo or standard of care.
Outcome
The majority (90.8%) of patients receiving IV iron-carbohydrate therapy were administered ferric carboxymaltose; 7.5% received iron sucrose and 1.6% received iron isomaltoside. IV iron-carbohydrate therapy significantly reduced hospitalization for worsening HF [0.53 (0.42-0.65)] and first hospitalization for worsening HF or death [0.75 (0.59-0.95)], but did not significantly impact all-cause mortality, compared with control. IV iron-carbohydrate therapy significantly improved functional and exercise capacity compared with the control. There was no significant difference in outcome between IV iron-carbohydrate formulations when similar endpoints were measured. No significant difference in adverse events (AE) was observed between the treatment groups. IV iron-carbohydrate therapy resulted in improvements in a range of clinical outcomes and increased functional and exercise capacity, whereas AEs were not significantly different between IV iron-carbohydrate and placebo/standard of care arms.
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Combined diffuse alveolar hemorrhage and venous thrombosis in a patient with granulomatosis with polyangiitis: Case report and systematic review of literature
Madan M, Iyer H, Tiwari P, Mohan A, Madan K, Hadda V, Mittal S, Guleria R
Lung India : official organ of Indian Chest Society. 2022;39(1):70-73
Abstract
Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis has associations with both thrombosis and diffuse alveolar hemorrhage (DAH). Management of patients having coexistence of both thrombotic and hemorrhagic manifestations is challenging. Thrombotic conditions require anticoagulation, which can theoretically increase the risk of bleeding and thereby worsen DAH. In this review, we highlight the management of a patient of granulomatosis with polyangiitis with DAH who developed deep vein thrombosis. A systematic review of the literature was also performed summarizing and discussing the issues pertaining to the management of such patients.
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Impact of restrictive red blood cell transfusion strategy on thrombosis-related events: A meta-analysis and systematic review
Maimaitiming M, Zhang C, Xie J, Zheng Z, Luo H, Ooi OC
Vox sanguinis. 2022
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Editor's Choice
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES There is an ongoing controversy regarding the risks of restrictive and liberal red blood cell (RBC) transfusion strategies. This meta-analysis assessed whether transfusion at a lower threshold was superior to transfusion at a higher threshold, with regard to thrombosis-related events, that is, whether these outcomes can benefit from a restrictive transfusion strategy is debated. MATERIALS AND METHODS We searched PubMed, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and Scopus from inception up to 31 July 2021. We included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in any clinical setting that evaluated the effects of restrictive versus liberal RBC transfusion in adults. We used random-effects models to calculate the risk ratios (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) based on pooled data. RESULTS Thirty RCTs involving 17,334 participants were included. The pooled RR for thromboembolic events was 0.65 (95% CI 0.44-0.94; p = 0.020; I(2) = 0.0%, very low-quality evidence), favouring the restrictive strategy. There were no significant differences in cerebrovascular accidents (RR = 0.83; 95% CI 0.64-1.09; p = 0.180; I(2) = 0.0%, very low-quality evidence) or myocardial infarction (RR = 1.05; 95% CI 0.87-1.26; p = 0.620; I(2) = 0.0%, low-quality evidence). Subgroup analyses showed that a restrictive (relative to liberal) strategy reduced (1) thromboembolic events in RCTs conducted in North America and (2) myocardial infarctions in the subgroup of RCTs where the restrictive transfusion threshold was 7 g/dl but not in the 8 g/dl subgroup (with a liberal transfusion threshold of 10 g/dl in both subgroups). CONCLUSIONS A restrictive (relative to liberal) transfusion strategy may be effective in reducing venous thrombosis but not arterial thrombosis.
PICO Summary
Population
Adult patients in any clinical setting (30 studies, n= 17,334).
Intervention
Restrictive red blood cell transfusion.
Comparison
Liberal red blood cell transfusion.
Outcome
The pooled risk ratio (RR) for thromboembolic events was 0.65 (very low-quality evidence), favouring the restrictive strategy. There were no significant differences in cerebrovascular accidents (RR= 0.83, very low-quality evidence) or myocardial infarction (RR= 1.05, low-quality evidence). Subgroup analyses showed that a restrictive (relative to liberal) strategy reduced thromboembolic events in trials conducted in North America, and myocardial infarctions in the subgroup of trials where the restrictive transfusion threshold was 7 g/dl but not in the 8 g/dl subgroup (with a liberal transfusion threshold of 10 g/dl in both subgroups).
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Recent Advancements in the Management of Anti-neutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody-Associated Vasculitis: A Systematic Review
Arzoun H, Srinivasan M, Thangaraj SR, Thomas SS, Yarema A, Lee B, Mohammed L
Cureus. 2022;14(2):e21814
Abstract
Anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis is a rare multisystem autoimmune condition that causes inflammation of small and medium-sized blood vessels and is more commonly seen in the geriatric population. ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) is typically characterized as necrotizing vasculitis and includes granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA), microscopic polyangiitis (MPA), and eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA). The mortality rate remains high, with especially cardiovascular disease, infections, and malignancies being the leading causes of death. Existing treatment options depend heavily on the use of glucocorticoids (GCs), often in combination with cyclophosphamide (CYC); however, as the multitude of adverse effects associated with these agents has increased, numerous studies are being conducted to reduce not only these harmful effects but also improve remission rates. Rituximab, avacopan, corticosteroids, including intravenous pulse methylprednisolone, plasma exchange, and immunological targeting are among the emerging treatments. The purpose of this review is to emphasize the pathogenesis and traditional treatment modalities and give insights into the recent advances in managing this disorder in an attempt to spare the adverse effects of conventional therapies while achieving better remission rates with combination therapies as well. The authors explored multiple databases, employing appropriate keywords, satisfying the quality appraisal, after which a total of 14 reports were included in this review. Upon overall analysis, it can be concluded that rituximab and CYC, when used in combination, provided a safer alternative to GCs while exhibiting equal, if not superior, effectiveness and results, thus, paving the way for additional in-depth research in a larger population of interest.
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Safety of Vitamin K in mechanical heart valve patients with supratherapeutic INR: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Sapapsap B, Srisawat C, Suthumpoung P, Luengrungkiat O, Leelakanok N, Saokaew S, Kanchanasurakit S
Medicine. 2022;101(36):e30388
Abstract
BACKGROUND Patients who had mechanical heart valves and an international normalized ratio (INR) of >5.0 should be managed by temporary cessation of vitamin K antagonist. This study aimed to investigate the safety of low-dose vitamin K1 in patients with mechanical heart valves who have supratherapeutic INR. METHODS CINAHL, Cochran Library, Clinical trial.gov, OpenGrey, PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Scopus were systematically searched from the inception up to October 2021 without language restriction. Studies comparing the safety of low-dose vitamin K1 treatment in patients with placebo or other anticoagulant reversal agents were included. We used a random-effect model for the meta-analysis. Publication bias was determined by a funnel plot with subsequent Begg's test and Egger's test. RESULTS From 7529 retrieved studies, 3 randomized control trials were included in the meta-analysis. Pooled data demonstrated that low-dose vitamin K was not associated with thromboembolism rate (risk ratio [RR] = 0.94; 95% CI: 0.19-4.55) major bleeding rate (RR = 0.58; 95% CI: 0.07-4.82), and minor bleeding rate (RR = 0.60; 95% CI: 0.07-5.09). Subgroup and sensitivity analysis demonstrated the nonsignificant effect of low-dose vitamin K on the risk of thromboembolism. Publication bias was not apparent, according to Begg's test and Egger's test (P = .090 and 0.134, respectively). CONCLUSION The current evidence does not support the role of low-dose vitamin K as a trigger of thromboembolism in supratherapeutic INR patients with mechanical heart valves. Nevertheless, more well-designed studies with larger sample sizes are required to justify this research question.
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The effects of plasma exchange in patients with ANCA-associated vasculitis: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis
Walsh M, Collister D, Zeng L, Merkel PA, Pusey CD, Guyatt G, Au Peh C, Szpirt W, Ito-Hara T, Jayne DRW
BMJ (Clinical research ed.). 2022;376:e064604
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Editor's Choice
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To assess the effects of plasma exchange on important outcomes in anti-neutrophil cytoplasm antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV). DESIGN Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA Randomised controlled trials investigating effects of plasma exchange in patients with AAV or pauci-immune rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis and at least 12 months' follow-up. INFORMATION SOURCES Prior systematic reviews, updated by searching Medline, Embase, and CENTRAL to July 2020. RISK OF BIAS Reviewers independently identified studies, extracted data, and assessed the risk of bias using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool. SYNTHESIS OF RESULTS Meta-analyses were conducted using random effects models to calculate risk ratios and 95% confidence intervals. Quality of evidence was summarised in accordance with GRADE methods. Outcomes were assessed after at least12 months of follow-up and included all-cause mortality, end stage kidney disease (ESKD), serious infections, disease relapse, serious adverse events, and quality of life. RESULTS Nine trials including 1060 participants met eligibility criteria. There were no important effects of plasma exchange on all-cause mortality (relative risk 0.90 (95% CI 0.64 to 1.27), moderate certainty). Data from seven trials including 999 participants that reported ESKD demonstrated that plasma exchange reduced the risk of ESKD at 12 months (relative risk 0.62 (0.39 to 0.98), moderate certainty) with no evidence of subgroup effects. Data from four trials including 908 participants showed that plasma exchange increased the risk of serious infections at 12 months (relative risk 1.27 (1.08 to 1.49), moderate certainty). The effects of plasma exchange on other outcomes were uncertain or considered unimportant to patients. LIMITATIONS OF EVIDENCE There is a relative sparsity of events, and treatment effect estimates are therefore imprecise. Subgroup effects at the participant level could not be evaluated. INTERPRETATION For the treatment of AAV, plasma exchange has no important effect on mortality, reduces the 12 month risk of ESKD, but increases the risk of serious infections. FUNDING No funding was received. REGISTRATION This is an update of a previously unregistered systematic review and meta-analysis published in 2014.
PICO Summary
Population
Patients with anti-neutrophil cytoplasm antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (9 studies, n= 1,060).
Intervention
Plasma exchange.
Comparison
No plasma exchange.
Outcome
There were no important effects of plasma exchange on all-cause mortality (relative risk 0.90, moderate certainty). Data from seven trials (n= 999) reporting end stage kidney disease (ESKD) demonstrated that plasma exchange reduced the risk of ESKD at 12 months (relative risk 0.62, moderate certainty) with no evidence of subgroup effects. Data from four trials (n= 908) showed that plasma exchange increased the risk of serious infections at 12 months (relative risk 1.27, moderate certainty). The effects of plasma exchange on other outcomes were uncertain or considered unimportant to patients.
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Health Status Improvement with Ferric Carboxymaltose in Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction and Iron Deficiency
Butler J, Khan MS, Friede T, Jankowska EA, Fabien V, Goehring UM, Dorigotti F, Metra M, Piña IL, Coats AJ, et al
European journal of heart failure. 2022
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Abstract
AIM: Intravenous ferric carboxymaltose (FCM) has been shown to improve overall quality of life in iron-deficient heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) patients at a trial population level. This FAIR-HF and CONFIRM-HF pooled analysis explored the likelihood of individual improvement or deterioration in Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ) domains with FCM vs placebo and evaluated the stability of this response over time. METHODS Changes vs baseline in KCCQ overall summary score (OSS), clinical summary score (CSS) and total symptom score (TSS) were assessed at weeks 12 and 24 in FCM and placebo groups . Mean between-group differences were estimated and individual responder analyses and analyses of response stability were performed. RESULTS Overall, 760 (FCM: 454) patients were studied. At week 12, the mean improvement in KCCQ OSS was 10.6 points with FCM vs 4.8 points with placebo (least-square mean difference [95% confidence interval (CI)]: 4.36 [2.14;6.59] points). A higher proportion of patients on FCM vs placebo experienced a KCCQ OSS improvement of ≥5 (58.3% vs 43.5%; odds ratio [95% CI]: 1.81 [1.30;2.51]), ≥10 (42.4% vs 29.3%; 1.73 [1.23;2.43]) or ≥15 (32.1% vs 22.6%; 1.46 [1.02;2.11]) points. Differences were similar at week 24 and for CSS and TSS domains. Of FCM patients with a ≥5-, ≥10- or ≥15-point improvement in KCCQ OSS at week 12, >75% sustained this improvement at week 24. CONCLUSION Treatment of iron-deficient HFrEF patients with intravenous FCM conveyed clinically relevant improvements in health status at an individual-patient level; benefits were sustained over time in most patients. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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10.
Comparison of multiple treatments in the management of transplant-related thrombotic microangiopathy: a network meta-analysis
Yang J, Xu X, Han S, Qi J, Li X, Pan T, Zhang R, Han Y
Annals of hematology. 2022
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Editor's Choice
Abstract
Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation-associated thrombotic microangiopathy (TA-TMA) is a fatal post-transplant complication. It has a high mortality rate and worse prognosis, but treatment strategies remain controversial. We screened 6 out of 3453 studies on the treatment of TA-TMA. These investigations compared 5 treatment strategies with a network meta-analysis approach. The final outcome was the proportion of patients who responded to these therapies. There were significant differences in response rates for each treatment. Achieving analysis through direct and indirect evidence in the rank probabilities shows that rTM (recombinant human soluble thrombomodulin) is most likely to be rank 1 (64.98%), Eculizumab intervention rank 2 (48.66%), ISM (immunosuppression manipulation) rank 3 (32.24%), TPE (therapeutic plasma exchange) intervention rank 4 (69.56%), and supportive care intervention rank 5 (70.20%). Eculizumab and ISM have significantly higher efficacy than supportive care (odds ratio (OR): 18.04, 18.21 respectively); and TPE having lower efficacy than all other TA-TMA therapies exception to supportive care. In our study, rTM and Eculizumab may be the best choice when treating TA-TMA.
PICO Summary
Population
Patients receiving treatment for transplantation-associated thrombotic microangiopathy (TA-TMA), (6 studies, n= 71).
Intervention
Therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE).
Comparison
Recombinant human soluble thrombomodulin (rTM). Eculizumab. Immunosuppression manipulation (ISM). Supportive care.
Outcome
There were significant differences in response rates for each treatment. Achieving analysis through direct and indirect evidence in the rank probabilities showed that rTM was most likely to be rank 1 (64.98%), Eculizumab intervention rank 2 (48.66%), ISM rank 3 (32.24%), intervention rank 4 (69.56%), and supportive care intervention rank 5 (70.20%). Eculizumab and ISM had significantly higher efficacy than supportive care (odds ratio (OR): 18.04, 18.21 respectively); and TPE had lower efficacy than all other TA-TMA therapies exception to supportive care.
