Background: Despite the publication of several randomized clinical trials comparing catheter ablation (CA) with medical therapy (MT) in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), the superiority of one strategy over another is still questioned by many. In this meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials, we compared the efficacy and safety of CA with MT for AF. Methods: We systematically searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, and other online sources for randomized controlled trials of AF patients that compared CA with MT. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality. Secondary outcomes included cardiovascular hospitalizations and recurrence of atrial arrhythmia. Subgroup analyses stratified by the presence of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction, type of AF, age, and sex were performed. Risk ratios (RRs) with 95% CIs were calculated using a random effects model, and Mantel-Haenszel method was used to pool RR. Results: Eighteen randomized controlled trials comprising 4464 patients (CA, n=2286; MT, n=2178) were included. CA resulted in a significant reduction in all-cause mortality (RR, 0.69; 95% CI, 0.54–0.88; P =0.003) that was driven by patients with AF and heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (RR, 0.52; 95% CI, 0.35–0.76; P =0.0009). CA resulted in significantly fewer cardiovascular hospitalizations (hazard ratio, 0.56; 95% CI, 0.39–0.81; P =0.002) and fewer recurrences of atrial arrhythmias (RR, 0.42; 95% CI, 0.33–0.53; P <0.00001). Subgroup analyses suggested that younger patients (age, <65 years) and men derived more benefit from CA compared with MT. Conclusions: CA is associated with all-cause mortality benefit, that is driven by patients with AF and heart failure with reduced ejection fraction. CA reduces cardiovascular hospitalizations and recurrences of atrial arrhythmia for patients with AF. Younger patients and men appear to derive more benefit from CA.
Acute renal artery embolism (RAE) is a rare condition associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The treatment strategy for RAE includes anticoagulation with or without thrombolysis or surgical or endovascular embolectomy. We describe here a case presentation of acute RAE secondary to atrial fibrillation treated successfully with Penumbra Indigo Aspiration System, a novel device in peripheral endovascular interventions. Our patient had ongoing symptoms and acute renal failure on presentation with contraindication to thrombolysis given hypertensive emergency. A 6F Penumbra Aspiration catheter was used to aspirate large amounts of thrombus from segmental renal arteries with restoration of flow. Patient's symptoms and renal function returned to baseline after intervention. Penumbra system is used routinely in cerebral endovascular intervention, yet here we describe its potential use in peripheral vascular interventions in addition to a literature review of all available evidence for the different treatment modalities of acute RAE.
Background: The columella is an underrepresented part of rhinoplasty. The objective of this study was to assess the outcome of columella correction following rhinoplasty and to assess any differences in the open and endonasal approach. Methods: This is a retrospective study involving 65 rhinoplasty patients, who were divided into 2 groups depending on whether they had an open or endonasal approach. Fifteen patients underwent the open procedure, and 50 patients underwent the endonasal approach. Patients who underwent endonasal rhinoplasty were compared with open rhinoplasty patients in terms of their final outcome, with a focus on the columellar correction. The classification by Rohrich and Liu and Gunter’s distance between the nasal axis and columella were used to assess the correction. Results: The overall incidence of columellar correction was 90% in the endonasal group (45 of 50 patients) and 67% in the open approach group (10 of 15 patients); a comparison shows a P value of 0.043 (<0.05). An estimated 49 of 50 patients (98%) from the endonasal group saw a reduction in the nasal axis–columella distance when compared with the open rhinoplasty group, who saw a reduction in 12 of 15 patients (80%); statistical analysis shows a P value of 0.036 (<0.05). The quantitative reduction in this distance in all patients when compared between the 2 groups had a P value of <0.001, suggesting a greater overall reduction using the endonasal approach. This may be related to differences in distribution of the deformities within the 2 groups. Conclusions: There is no standard way to correct the columella, but it is important to identify the deformity and the need to correct it. In our patients, we found comparable outcomes in achieving a satisfactory columella in the open and endonasal groups.
Introduction. Coupled with the increasing use of indwelling vascular catheters and prosthetic cardiac valves is an uptrend in sepsis secondary to fungemia. An insidious onset often shrouds the initial diagnosis, contributing to poor outcomes. Candida infective endocarditis (CIE) is a feared complication of candidemia, associated with high mortality rates. It requires prolonged hospital stays for medical and, often, surgical management. We report a case of a massive intracardiac Candida mass in an adult with native valve CIE. Case. A 51-year-old male on chronic total parenteral nutrition (TPN) because of bowel resection presented with fevers, night sweats, and unintentional weight loss. He was febrile and tachycardiac on admission, with a benign physical examination. Laboratory workup showed elevated inflammatory markers and an acute kidney injury. Extended blood cultures showed growth of Candida glabrata (C. glabrata) and Candida dubliniensis (C. dubliniensis). Transthoracic (TTE) and transesophageal echocardiography revealed a large mobile right atrial mass (4 cm × 6 cm × 2.5 cm), extending to the right ventricular outflow tract. Since he was a poor surgical candidate, management with micafungin was initiated and continued for 8 weeks. He responded well to the regimen with resolution of the fungal mass on follow-up TTE 3 months later. In anticipation of the future need for TPN, he continues on lifelong suppressive oral fluconazole. Conclusion. CIE may be an insidious complication of indwelling central venous catheters, necessitating a high index of suspicion. Conservative management, with antifungal therapy, can yield favorable outcomes in poor surgical candidates.
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