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[Effect of combined beta-blocker and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor treatment on 1-year survival after acute myocardial infarction: findings of the PRIAMHO-II registry].

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Clinical trials have shown that combining beta-blockers and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors has an additive effect in reducing mortality in patients with left ventricular dysfunction following acute myocardial infarction. Whether this additive effect also occurs in unselected post-myocardial infarction patients is unknown. METHODS: In total, 5397 patients who were discharged from hospital after suffering an acute myocardial infarction were followed for 1 year. The primary endpoint was all-cause mortality. The effects of the medications on 1-year survival were analyzed using a Cox regression model, which included propensity scores for beta-blocker and ACE inhibitor use to take account of any potential imbalance in drug prescription rates. RESULTS: At hospital discharge, 55.9% of patients were receiving beta-blockers and 45.1%, ACE inhibitors. The 1-year mortality rate was 5.5%. Overall, combination of the two medications significantly reduced the 1-year mortality rate (hazard ratio [HR]=0.51; 95% confidence interval [IC], 0.32-0.82); P<.005) to a greater extent than ACE inhibitors alone (HR=0.78; 95% CI, 0.54-1.12; P=.2) or beta-blockers alone (HR=0.67; 95% CI, 0.43-1.05; P=.08). The same trend was also observed in low-risk patients without acute heart failure who had an ejection fraction > or =40%. CONCLUSIONS: In unselected post-myocardial infarction patients, combined prescription of beta-blockers and ACE inhibitors had an additive effect on the 1-year survival rate.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗

Drug therapy persistence and stroke recurrence.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of persistence of use of warfarin sodium, aspirin, or clopidogrel bisulfate on stroke recurrence in a Medicaid high-risk, largely female, African American population. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective non-concurrent cohort, longitudinal data analysis of medical and pharmacy claims of stroke patients from Medicaid managed care organizations between January 1, 2001, and December 31, 2003. METHODS: Cox proportional hazards models were used to predict the likelihood of avoiding a recurrence as a function of persistence of use of the initial medication (warfarin, aspirin, or clopidogrel) after stroke, adjusting for age, race, sex, hypertension and other comorbidities, and the pharmacotherapies prescribed. We used propensity scores to adjust for confounding by indication. RESULTS: Among 925 stroke patients (64.6% female, 75.1% > or =50 years, and 57.8% African American), hypertension and heart disease were the most prevalent comorbidities (66.1% and 65.1%, respectively); most initial strokes were nonhemorrhagic. Persistence of use of warfarin, aspirin, or clopidogrel after stroke increased the likelihood of avoiding a recurrence (hazard ratio [HR], 1.57; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.22-2.01). Having a hemorrhagic stroke initially (HR, 0.37; 95% CI, 0.18-0.74) or having heart disease (HR, 0.82; 95% CI, 0.67-1.01), hypertension (HR, 0.63; 95% CI, 0.51-0.79), or diabetes mellitus (HR, 0.74; 95% CI, 0.60-0.91) after an initial stroke significantly decreased the likelihood of avoiding a recurrence. Patient's age, race, sex, and urban residence did not significantly predict the likelihood of avoiding a recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: Persistence of use of the initial stroke preventive medication after stroke is effective in avoiding a recurrence. Hemorrhagic stroke, heart disease, hypertension, and diabetes increase the likelihood of a recurrence.

Adult↗

The effectiveness of a care coordination home telehealth program for veterans with diabetes mellitus: a 2-year follow-up.

OBJECTIVES: To assess healthcare use among veterans with diabetes mellitus (DM) enrolled in a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Care Coordination Home Telehealth (CCHT) program during 24 months and to contrast this utilization with the service use of a comparison group of veterans with DM not enrolled in the program. STUDY DESIGN: Two-year, retrospective, concurrent matched cohort study design. METHODS: The VA CCHT program included older veterans with type 2 DM at high risk for multiple VA inpatient and outpatient visits. Healthcare utilization (hospitalizations, length of stay, and outpatient visits by type) was assessed at baseline and at 24 months after intervention for the treatment (n = 400) and comparison (n = 400) groups. Propensity scores were used to improve the balance between the treatment and comparison groups. A difference-in-differences approach was used to control for selection bias and for intervening time factors. RESULTS: Two years after enrollment, the treatment group exhibited a statistically significant reduction in the likelihood of all-cause and DM-related hospitalizations. In a subgroup analysis in which we controlled for patients' baseline glycosylated hemoglobin levels, the treatment group had a lower likelihood of having any care coordinator-initiated primary care clinic visits (in which the care coordinator initiated referral to primary care based on health information received from patients' CCHT technology). CONCLUSION: After controlling for selection bias and for intervening time factors, the VA CCHT program reduced avoidable healthcare services for DM (such as hospitalizations) and reduced care coordinator-initiated primary care clinic visits.

Aged↗

Comparison of utilization and cost among contract adult day health care, VA adult day health care, and customary care.

The contract ADHC evaluation compared the utilization and costs of patients assigned to contract ADHC with patients assigned to VA-ADHC care or customary care in the VA-ADHC evaluation. The ADHC costs per patient day were lower on average in the contract sites than in the VA-ADHC sites, although they were similar to the costs at 2 of the 4 VA-ADHCs. The contract site patients received significantly more days of ADHC care, offsetting their lower cost per day. Contract site patients had significantly fewer VA clinic visits and VA nursing home admissions than did patients in the VA-ADHC or customary care groups. Patients at the contract sites also had significantly fewer days of nursing home care than did the customary care group patients. Propensity scores based on intake characteristics were used to adjust for initial differences between the patients in the 2 evaluations. After adjustments, the total cost of care for contract ADHC patients was found to be significantly higher than the cost for customary care patients, but no significant difference was found between contract ADHC patients and VA-ADHC patients.

Adult↗

[Is the pulmonary artery catheter discredited because of ignorance?].

Recently in an observational study the use of a pulmonary artery catheter in critically ill patients was associated with an increase in both mortality and utilization of resources when compared with case-matched control patients. The authors corrected for selection bias by using a propensity score. The publication of this article elicited a flood of commentary in both medical journals and the lay press. Critical assessment of this study and other studies about pulmonary artery catheterization in our opinion supports the view that it is probably not the use of the catheter itself, but physicians' insufficient knowledge of right heart catheterization and the specific treatment resulting from its use that is at fault.

Cardiac Catheterization↗

In-hospital mortality in patients with acute decompensated heart failure requiring intravenous vasoactive medications: an analysis from the Acute Decompensated Heart Failure National Registry (ADHERE).

OBJECTIVES: We sought to compare the in-hospital mortality of patients with acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) who were receiving parenteral treatment with one of four intravenous vasoactive medications. BACKGROUND: There are limited data regarding the effects of the choice of intravenous vasoactive medication on in-hospital mortality in patients hospitalized with ADHF. METHODS: This was a retrospective analysis of observational patient data from the Acute Decompensated Heart Failure National Registry (ADHERE), a multicenter registry designed to prospectively collect data on each episode of hospitalization for ADHF and its clinical outcomes. Data from the first 65,180 patient episodes (October 2001 to July 2003) were included in this analysis. Cases in which patients received nitroglycerin, nesiritide, milrinone, or dobutamine were identified and reviewed (n = 15,230). Risk factor and propensity score-adjusted odds ratios (ORs) for in-hospital mortality were calculated. RESULTS: Patients who received intravenous nitroglycerin or nesiritide had lower in-hospital mortality than those treated with dobutamine or milrinone. The risk factor and propensity score-adjusted ORs for nitroglycerin were 0.69 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.53 to 0.89, p < or = 0.005) and 0.46 (94% CI 0.37 to 0.57, p < or = 0.005) compared with milrinone and dobutamine, respectively. The corresponding values for nesiritide compared with milrinone and dobutamine were 0.59 (95% CI 0.48 to 0.73, p < or = 0.005) and 0.47 (95% CI 0.39 to 0.56, p < or = 0.005), respectively. The adjusted OR for nesiritide compared with nitroglycerin was 0.94 (95% CI 0.77 to 1.16, p = 0.58). CONCLUSIONS: Therapy with either a natriuretic peptide or vasodilator was associated with significantly lower in-hospital mortality than positive inotropic therapy in patients hospitalized with ADHF. The risk of in-hospital mortality was similar for nesiritide and nitroglycerin.

Acute Disease↗

Diabetic patients with prior specialist care have better glycaemic control than those with prior primary care.

OBJECTIVE: To compare glycaemic control, as reflected in the A1c level, of diabetic patients with primary care vs. with specialist care. METHODS: The study used administrative data from eastern Ontario, Canada, and a database containing the results of all A1c tests from this region between 1 September 1999 and 1 September 2000. To avoid referral bias, diabetic patients with an index specialist visit were selected and separated into those with exclusively primary care previously (n = 974) and those with prior specialist care (n = 3533). We compared A1c levels measured within 30 days of the index visit and hence attributable to the prior care. To control for confounding between the groups, both multiple linear regression and propensity score-based matching were used. RESULTS: After controlling for confounders, patients with prior specialist care had significantly lower A1c levels (P < 0.0001). Other predictors of lower A1c included older age, shorter diabetes duration, rural residence and higher neighbourhood income. In propensity score-matched cohorts, the A1c level was 8.3 +/- 2.0% with prior primary care vs. 7.9 +/- 1.6% with prior specialist care (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Specialist care prior to the index visit was associated with a lower A1c level than prior primary care. This difference would result in reductions in diabetes complications for patients with ongoing specialist care.

Aged↗

Long-term survival probability in men with clinically localized prostate cancer: a case-control, propensity modeling study stratified by race, age, treatment and comorbidities.

PURPOSE: We used a propensity risk scoring approach to model long-term survival for men with clinically localized prostate cancer. We developed comprehensive lookup tables for estimating survival probability stratified by patient age, race, readily available clinical variables, comorbidities and treatment type. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively identified a cohort of 1611 men with clinically localized prostate cancer (patients) and 4538 age, race and comorbidity matched controls. Based on demographic and clinical variables propensity risk scoring was used to develop smoothed survival prediction models for patients and controls. Based on these models tables were created to provide 10-year overall survival estimates. The tables are stratified by patient age, race, comorbidity, prostate specific antigen, cancer grade, and treatment type when applicable. RESULTS: Mean patient age was 67.0 years and median baseline prostate specific antigen was 8.5 ng/ml. Of the patients 68% had biopsy cancer grade 2, 39% were black, 29% received conservative treatment, 43% underwent radical prostatectomy and 27% were treated with radiation therapy. Crude and cancer specific 10-year survival rates were 67% and 93%, respectively. Validation C-index values were 0.63 for the cancer specific model and 0.69 for the overall survival model. CONCLUSIONS: These lookup tables provide physicians and patients with realistic estimates of 10-year survival and allow them to compare the impact of cancer vs noncancer factors on patient mortality.

Adult↗

Modeling household fertility decisions: a nonlinear simultaneous probit model.

"This article proposes new methods for modeling household fertility decisions....Specifically, we model the trivariate distribution of wife's stated desire for additional children, husband's stated desire for additional children, and subsequent fertility. In the model, the stated desire of the husband (wife) is viewed as an indicator of the husband's (wife's) latent disposition toward subsequent fertility. The husband's (wife's) disposition is allowed to depend on the wife's (husband's) disposition. The two dispositions are then combined to generate the couple's propensity for subsequent fertility. We show how such models can be estimated and tested and how the parameters can be used to assess the relative influence of each partner on the propensity." The model is tested using U.S. data from the Princeton Fertility Study for the 1950s and 1960s. The results indicate that "both husband's disposition score and wife's disposition score affect the propensity score, and, under some additional assumptions, that husbands and wives have equal relative influence on the propensity."

Americas↗

Understanding randomized controlled trial generalizability through an embedded molecular diagnostics trial.

BACKGROUND: Issues with randomized controlled trial generalizability are well described, but whether these issues result from differences in patient treatment across contexts remains unknown. We studied treatment of patients with high-risk prostate cancer after radical prostatectomy inside and outside a randomized controlled trial evaluating the impact of a genomic classifier on post-radical prostatectomy treatment decision making (Genomics in Michigan Impacting Observation of Radiation [G-MINOR]; ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT02783950). METHODS: G-MINOR enrolled 338 patients; propensity score-matched eligible but unenrolled patient cohorts (pretrial and trial contemporary) from the Michigan Urological Surgery Improvement Collaborative (MUSIC), in which the trial was embedded, were compared for rates and time to secondary treatment (adjuvant or salvage therapy) after prostatectomy. RESULTS: Among 338 patients in the G-MINOR cohort, 69 (31 adjuvant, 38 salvage) received secondary treatment compared with 266 (183 adjuvant, 83 salvage) and 104 (60 adjuvant, 44 salvage) in the 1014 contemporary and 338 pretrial-matched MUSIC cohorts. Time to secondary treatment was much shorter in the MUSIC cohort across all comparisons. For example, matching G-MINOR to synchronous MUSIC patients demonstrated 84% vs 74% estimated 2-year treatment-free survival for trial and real-world patients, respectively (P&#x2009;<&#x2009;.001). CONCLUSIONS: Controlling for key clinicopathologic factors, patients in the G-MINOR randomized controlled trial and MUSIC cohorts were treated differently, even after stratifying by genomic risk. These findings suggest that challenges in randomized controlled trial generalizability extend beyond the representativeness of trial participants. Differences in management may also explain why divergent patient outcomes are observed in randomized controlled trials vs real-world settings.

Aged↗

Sensitivity of secondary structure propensities to sequence differences between alpha- and gamma-synuclein: implications for fibrillation.

The synucleins are a family of intrinsically disordered proteins involved in various human diseases. alpha-Synuclein has been extensively characterized due to its role in Parkinson's disease where it forms intracellular aggregates, while gamma-synuclein is overexpressed in a majority of late-stage breast cancers. Despite fairly strong sequence similarity between the amyloid-forming regions of alpha- and gamma-synuclein, gamma-synuclein has only a weak propensity to form amyloid fibrils. We hypothesize that the different fibrillation tendencies of alpha- and gamma-synuclein may be related to differences in structural propensities. Here we have measured chemical shifts for gamma-synuclein and compared them to previously published shifts for alpha-synuclein. In order to facilitate direct comparison, we have implemented a simple new technique for re-referencing chemical shifts that we have found to be highly effective for both disordered and folded proteins. In addition, we have developed a new method that combines different chemical shifts into a single residue-specific secondary structure propensity (SSP) score. We observe significant differences between alpha- and gamma-synuclein secondary structure propensities. Most interestingly, gamma-synuclein has an increased alpha-helical propensity in the amyloid-forming region that is critical for alpha-synuclein fibrillation, suggesting that increased structural stability in this region may protect against gamma-synuclein aggregation. This comparison of residue-specific secondary structure propensities between intrinsically disordered homologs highlights the sensitivity of transient structure to sequence changes, which we suggest may have been exploited as an evolutionary mechanism for fast modulation of protein structure and, hence, function.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Reduced disability at five years with early treatment of inflammatory polyarthritis: results from a large observational cohort, using propensity models to adjust for disease severity.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of treatment with disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) and/or steroids on 5-year disability outcome in patients with inflammatory polyarthritis. METHODS: Three hundred eighty-four patients registered by the Norfolk Arthritis Register (a primary care-based observational cohort) were followed up for 5 years. Treatment details and Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) scores were recorded annually. Logistic regression was used to model differences in baseline factors associated with the start of DMARDs and/or steroids within 12 months of baseline. Based on this model, each subject was given a probability of starting treatment ("propensity score"). A second model compared the odds of disability (HAQ score > or =1.00) in treated and untreated patients, adjusting for differences in disease severity using the propensity score. RESULTS: Unadjusted analysis suggested that patients who received treatment had an increased odds of a worse outcome compared with those who did not receive treatment. When adjusted for differences in disease severity, using the propensity score, early treatment (within 6 months of symptom onset) was associated with a similar odds of disability at 5 years compared with those not treated (odds ratio 0.71; 95% confidence interval 0.34, 1.44). In contrast, starting treatment later (> or =6 months) was associated with a 2-fold increased odds of having a HAQ score > or =1.00 at 5 years. CONCLUSION: The propensity score was a useful method of adjusting for "confounding by indication" in observational studies. Furthermore, this study showed that early treatment with DMARDs/steroids (within 6 months of symptom onset) reduced the odds of disability 5 years later to a level comparable with that of patients judged clinically as not requiring treatment.

Adult↗

Rhythmicity and response to A.M. and P.M. CRH challenge in elderly subjects.

Cortisol and ACTH exhibit circadian rhythmicity, peaking in the early morning. These peaks are associated with increased activity and alertness. We sought to determine whether self-reported daily rhythms predict outcome of a.m. and p.m. CRH challenge in elderly subjects. We surveyed 96 elderly subjects to determine daily rhythms in activity levels, mood, alertness, and performance. Seven healthy subjects were given a cumulative activity score reflecting propensity toward morningness or eveningness. Subjects underwent CRH challenge testing during the morning and evening hours of different days. Baseline plasma ACTH and cortisol concentrations were higher in the morning than in the evening and lower values were associated with lower activity scores (i.e., greater morningness). No trends were apparent between activity score and net hormone response or percent change in hormone concentration.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗

Antidepressants and the risk of suicide, attempted suicide, and overall mortality in a nationwide cohort.

BACKGROUND: It is unknown if antidepressant treatment is associated with either increased or decreased risk of suicide. OBJECTIVE: To estimate the risk of suicide, attempted suicide, and overall mortality during antidepressant treatments in a real-life setting with high statistical power. DESIGN AND SETTING: A cohort study in which all subjects without psychosis, hospitalized because of a suicide attempt from January 1, 1997, to December 31, 2003, in Finland, were followed up through a nationwide computerized database. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 15 390 patients with a mean follow-up of 3.4 years. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The propensity score-adjusted relative risks (RRs) during monotherapy with the most frequently used antidepressants compared with no antidepressant treatment. RESULTS: In the entire cohort, fluoxetine use was associated with the lowest risk (RR, 0.52; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.30-0.93), and venlafaxine hydrochloride use with the highest risk (RR, 1.61; 95% CI, 1.01-2.57), of suicide. A substantially lower mortality was observed during selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor use (RR, 0.59; 95% CI, 0.49-0.71; P<.001), and this was attributable to a decrease in cardiovascular- and cerebrovascular-related deaths (RR, 0.42; 95% CI, 0.24-0.71; P=.001). Among subjects who had ever used any antidepressant, the current use of medication was associated with a markedly increased risk of attempted suicide (39%, P<.001), but also with a markedly decreased risk of completed suicide (-32%, P=.002) and mortality (-49%, P<.001), when compared with no current use of medication. The results for subjects aged 10 to 19 years were basically the same as those in the total population, except for an increased risk of death with paroxetine hydrochloride use (RR, 5.44; 95% CI, 2.15-13.70; P<.001). CONCLUSIONS: Among suicidal subjects who had ever used antidepressants, the current use of any antidepressant was associated with a markedly increased risk of attempted suicide and, at the same time, with a markedly decreased risk of completed suicide and death. Lower mortality was attributable to a decrease in cardiovascular- and cerebrovascular-related deaths during selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor use.

Adolescent↗

Mortality benefit of immediate revascularization of acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction in patients with contraindications to thrombolytic therapy: a propensity analysis.

CONTEXT: There are no definitive recommendations for the management of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in patients with ST-segment elevation who have contraindications to thrombolytic therapy. It is not clear whether, and the extent to which, immediate mechanical reperfusion (IMR) reduces in-hospital mortality in this population. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether IMR (defined as percutaneous coronary intervention or coronary artery bypass graft surgery) is associated with a mortality benefit in patients with acute ST-segment elevation AMI who are eligible for IMR but have contraindications to thrombolytic therapy. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PATIENTS: From June 1994 to January 2003, the National Registry of Myocardial Infarction 2, 3, and 4 enrolled 1 799 704 patients with AMI. A total of 19 917 patients with acute ST-segment elevation were eligible for IMR but had thrombolytic contraindications after excluding patients who were transferred in from or out to other facilities, patients who received intracoronary thrombolytics, and those who received no medications within 24 hours of arrival. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: In-hospital mortality. RESULTS: Of the 19 917 patients, 4705 patients (23.6%) received IMR and 5173 patients (25.9%) died. In-hospital mortality rates in the IMR and non-IMR treated groups in the unadjusted analysis were 11.1%, representing 521 of 4705 patients, and 30.6%, representing 4652 of 15 212 patients, respectively, for a risk reduction of 63.7% (odds ratio [OR], 0.28; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.26-0.31). In a further analysis using a propensity matching score to reduce the effects of bias, 3905 patients who received IMR remained at lower risk for in-hospital mortality than 3905 matched patients (10.9% vs 20.1%, respectively, for a risk reduction of 45.8%; OR, 0.48; 95% CI, 0.43-0.55). Following a second logistic model applied to the matched groups to adjust for residual differences, a significant treatment effect persisted (OR, 0.64; 95% CI, 0.56-0.75). CONCLUSIONS: In this population, IMR was associated with a reduced risk of in-hospital mortality after appropriate adjustments. Of those we studied who were eligible for IMR, 15 212 patients (76.4%) did not receive it. These results suggest that using IMR in patients with acute ST-segment elevation AMI and contraindications to thrombolytics should be strongly considered.

Aged↗

Analysis of incomplete longitudinal binary data using multiple imputation.

We propose a propensity score-based multiple imputation (MI) method to tackle incomplete missing data resulting from drop-outs and/or intermittent skipped visits in longitudinal clinical trials with binary responses. The estimation and inferential properties of the proposed method are contrasted via simulation with those of the commonly used complete-case (CC) and generalized estimating equations (GEE) methods. Three key results are noted. First, if data are missing completely at random, MI can be notably more efficient than the CC and GEE methods. Second, with small samples, GEE often fails due to 'convergence problems', but MI is free of that problem. Finally, if the data are missing at random, while the CC and GEE methods yield results with moderate to large bias, MI generally yields results with negligible bias. A numerical example with real data is provided for illustration.

Clinical Trials as Topic↗

Sutureless versus renorrhaphy in robot-assisted off-clamp partial nephrectomy: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The necessity of routine parenchymal renorrhaphy during off-clamp robot-assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN) remains uncertain. This study aimed to compare perioperative, functional, safety, and oncological outcomes between sutureless and conventional renorrhaphy. METHODS: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis following PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Comparative studies evaluating sutureless versus conventional renorrhaphy during purely off-clamp RAPN were included. Trifecta achievement was the primary outcome. Random-effects models were used for pooled analyses, with subgroup analysis according to study design. RESULTS: Four studies involving 787 patients, including one randomized controlled trial (RCT) and three propensity score-matched (PSM) studies, were included. The overall pooled estimate showed no statistically significant difference in Trifecta achievement (RR 1.17, 95% CI 0.97-1.41), with substantial heterogeneity (I&#xb2; = 86.5%). The PSM studies favored the sutureless approach (RR 1.26, 95% CI 1.05-1.52), whereas the RCT yielded an RR of 0.97 (95% CI 0.92-1.04) and met the prespecified noninferiority criterion without demonstrating superiority. The sutureless approach was associated with a smaller perioperative eGFR decline (MD&#x2009;-&#x2009;3.89, 95% CI&#x2009;-&#x2009;6.16 to -&#x2009;1.62), while no significant difference was observed in eGFR at 3 months. No statistically significant differences were identified in major complications, blood transfusion, or positive surgical margins; urinary and vascular complications were sparsely reported. CONCLUSIONS: In selected patients undergoing purely off-clamp RAPN, randomized evidence supports the noninferiority of a strategy that omits routine parenchymal renorrhaphy while permitting clinically necessary selective repair, but does not demonstrate superiority. Favorable estimates from PSM studies remain vulnerable to intraoperative treatment-selection bias. Current evidence is insufficient to determine whether omission of renorrhaphy affects urinary complications, long-term renal function, or oncological outcomes. REGISTRATION: This systematic review was registered prospectively in PROSPERO (CRD420261435995).

Humans↗

Do coronary bypass graft flows differ between on-pump and off-pump operations?

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to compare hemodynamic factors in coronary bypass grafts on-pump and off-pump. METHODS: Two propensity score-matched groups of 89 patients each including 408 dual beam Doppler flow measurements were compared. The study included only patent and single terminolateral bypass grafts. RESULTS: Flow was 64.9 +/- 37.3 mL/min in the on-pump group versus 58.6 +/- 35.0 mL/min in the off-pump group (p = 0.063); velocity was 23.8 +/- 10.5 versus 20.5 +/- 10.4 cm/s (p = 0.004); resistance measured as mm Hg/(mL/min(-1)) was 1.50 +/- 1.09 versus 1.76 +/- 1.14 (p = 0.020); pulsatility index was 1.98 +/- 1.52 versus 2.44 +/- 1.62 (p = 0.004). The hematocrit was 23.5 +/- 3.8% in the on-pump and 32.9 +/- 4.1% in the off-pump groups (p < 0 0.001). Multivariate analysis showed that hematocrit was the most significant factor influencing flow (p < 0.001) and velocity (p < 0.001), along with resistance (p = 0.004) and pulsatility index (p < 0.001). In a subset of 50 hemodynamic measurements made on left internal thoracic arteries implanted onto left anterior descending arteries and matched for hematocrit, there were no differences between on-pump and off-pump groups regarding flow, velocity, resistance, or pulsatility index. CONCLUSIONS: Off-pump compared with on-pump bypass surgery is associated with lower velocity and higher resistance in the grafts, mainly caused by changes in hematocrit and viscosity related to hemodilution.

Aged↗