Erythropoietin therapy after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest:A systematic review and meta-analysis

AIM To assess safety and efficacy of early erythropoietin(Epo) administration in patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest(OHCA).METHODS A systematic literature search was performed using PubM ed,MEDLINE,EMBASE,EBSCO,CINAHL,Web of Science and Cochrane databases,of all studies published from the inception through October 10,2016.Inclusion criteria included:(1) Adult humans with OHCA and successful sustained return of spontaneous circulation;and(2) studies including mortality/brain death,acute thrombotic events as their end points.Primary efficacyoutcome was "brain death or Cerebral Performance Category(CPC) score of 5".Secondary outcomes were "CPC score 1,and 2-4","overall thrombotic events" and "acute coronary stent thrombosis".RESULTS We analyzed a total of 606 participants(n = 276 received Epo and n = 330 with standard of care alone) who experienced OHCA enrolled in 3 clinical trials.No significant difference was observed between the Epo and no Epo group in brain death or CPC score 5(OR = 0.77;95%CI:0.42-1.39),CPC score 1(OR = 1.16,95%CI:0.82-1.64),and CPC score 2-4(OR = 0.77,95%CI:0.44-1.36).Epo group was associated with increased thrombotic complications(OR = 2.41,95%CI:1.26-4.62) and acute coronary stent thrombosis(OR = 8.16,95%CI:1.39-47.99).No publication bias was observed.CONCLUSION Our study demonstrates no improvement in neurological outcomes and increased incidence of thrombotic events and acute coronary stent thrombosis in OHCA patients who were treated with Epo in addition to standard therapy.

Physician-level variation in the diagnosis of myocardial infarction and the use of angiography among veterans with elevated troponin

Background:Cardiac troponin assays have improved the ability to detect myocardial damage.However,ascertaining whether troponin elevation is due to myocardial infarction(MI) or secondary to another process can be challenging.Our aim is to evaluate provider-level variation in the diagnosis of MI and the use of invasive coronary angiography(ICA) among patients with undifferentiated elevations in cardiac troponin.Methods:We analyzed data from all patients with elevated troponin levels in a single Veterans Affairs(VA) Medical Center between 2006 and 2007.One of several cardiologists prospectively evaluated each patient's presentation and course of care.We compared the frequency of MI diagnosis and ICA use between physicians using univariate odds ratios(OR).Results:Among 761 patients,34.0% were diagnosed with MI and 25.9% underwent ICA.The unadjusted rates of MI(23.9% to 56.7%,P=0.02) and ICA(17.3% to 73.3%,P<0.001) differed between physicians.Comparing the patient cohorts for each physician,baseline characteristics were similar except for chest pain.In multivariate regression,factors associated with the use of cardiac ICA included an abnormal electrocardiograph(ECG)(OR=1.89,P=0.014),level of troponin(OR=1.71,P=0.004),chest pain(OR=8.60,P<0.001),and care by non-VA physicians(OR=4.45,P=0.006).One physician had a lower ICA use(OR=0.56,P=0.017).In multivariate regression of MI,no physician-level variation was observed.Conclusion:Among patients with elevated troponin,the likelihood of being diagnosed with MI and undergoing ICA is dependent on their clinical presentation.After adjustment,physician-level variation in care was observed for the use of ICA,but not for the diagnosis of MI.

Coronary Artery Chronic Total Occlusion

Coronary artery chronic total occlusion(CTO)is defi ned as an occluded coronary artery segment without anterograde fl ow for at least three months.It can be classified as a“true”or“functional”CTO based on flow characteristics.In“true”CTO,there is no anterograde flow.In“functional”CTO,there is minimal anterograde flow through the occluded segment of the coronary artery.CTO is a common fi nding during coronary angiography and its prevalence may vary depending on the reported literature.Among patients without previous coronary artery bypass grafting(CABG),CTO is found in about 20–30% of the patients.CTO may develop insidiously over a period of time and involve a complex interplay between intracellular and extracellular factors,smooth muscle and foam cells,calcifi cation,and neovascularization.There is a growing body of evidence to support that CTO revascularization may improve clinical outcome when compared to medical management.Both the European and American cardiovascular societies support CTO revascularization with a class 2a recommendation(level of evidence B).Historically,due to low procedural success rate,apparent ineffi cient resource utilization,potential increase in complication rates and uncertain clinical benefi ts,only about 10–20%of patients with CTO are treated with percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI).Recent advances using novel and innovative techniques with dedicated equipment have signifi cantly improved the procedural success rate for CTO PCI to about 90%in the hands of experienced operators.With increasing interest in CTO PCI coupled with increased educational effort,CTO PCI likely will become more accessible to patients in need of CTO revascularization.Ongoing advancement in innovative techniques and equipment will continue to improve procedural success rates and reduce procedural complication rate for CTO PCI.Furthermore,there are a number of prospective clinical trials on the horizon which should help defi ne the clinical benefi ts and limitations of CTO PCI in the near future.