In this large observational cohort with extended follow-up, normalization of TT levels after TRT was associated with a significant reduction in all-cause mortality, MI, and stroke.

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Objective Aim of the study was to examine the effects of the vitamin D (Vit-D) treatment and non-treatment on Vit-D-deficient patients without a prior history of myocardial infarction (MI). Materials and Methods This is an retrospective, observational, nested case-control study of patients (N=20,025) with low 25-hydroxyvitamin D [(25-OH)D] levels (<20 ng/ml) who received care at the Veterans Health Administration from 1999-2018. Patients were divided into three groups: Group A (untreated, levels ≤20 ng/ml), Group B (treated, levels 21-29 ng/ml), and Group C (treated, levels ≥30 ng/ml). The risk of MI and all-cause-mortality were compared utilizing propensity score-weighted cox-proportional hazard models. Results Among the cohort of 20,025 patients, the risk of MI was significantly lower in Group C, compared to Group B [hazard ratio (HR) 0.65, 95% CI; 0.49-0.85, P=.002] and Group A (HR 0.73, 95% CI; 0.55-0.96), P=.02). There was no difference in the risk of MI between Group B and Group A (HR 1.14, 95% CI; 0.91-1.42, P=.24]. Compared to Group A, both Group B (HR 0.59, 95% CI; 0.54-0.63, P<.001] and Group C (HR 0.61, 95% CI; 0.56-0.67, P<.001] had significantly lower all-cause-mortality. There was no difference in all-cause-mortality between Group B and Group C (HR 0.99, 95% CI; 0.89-1.09, P=.78). Conclusions In patients with Vit-D-deficiency and no prior history of MI, treatment to the (25-OH)D level of >20 ng/ml and >30 ng/ml was associated with a significantly lower risk of all-cause-mortality. The lower risk of MI was observed only in individuals maintaining the (25-OH)D levels ≥30 ng/ml.

BackgroundAtrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac dysrhythmia associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Several small studies have reported that low serum total testosterone (TT) levels were associated with a higher incidence of AF. In contrast, it is also reported that anabolic steroid use is associated with an increase in the risk of AF. To date, no study has explored the effect of testosterone normalization on new incidence of AF after testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) in patients with low testosterone.Methods and ResultsUsing data from the Veterans Administrations Corporate Data Warehouse, we identified a national cohort of 76 639 veterans with low TT levels and divided them into 3 groups. Group 1 had TRT resulting in normalization of TT levels (normalized TRT), group 2 had TRT without normalization of TT levels (nonnormalized TRT), and group 3 did not receive TRT (no TRT). Propensity score–weighted stabilized inverse probability of treatment weighting Cox proportional hazard methods were used for analysis of the data from these groups to determine the association between post‐TRT levels of TT and the incidence of AF. Group 1 (40 856 patients, median age 66 years) had significantly lower risk of AF than group 2 (23 939 patients, median age 65 years; hazard ratio 0.90, 95% CI 0.81–0.99, P=0.0255) and group 3 (11 853 patients, median age 67 years; hazard ratio 0.79, 95% CI 0.70–0.89, P=0.0001). There was no statistical difference between groups 2 and 3 (hazard ratio 0.89, 95% CI 0.78– 1.0009, P=0.0675) in incidence of AF.ConclusionsThese novel results suggest that normalization of TT levels after TRT is associated with a significant decrease in the incidence of AF.

ObjectiveProlonged QT interval predisposes to ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death. However, the association between QT interval and mortality by the level of pre-existing kidney function has not been investigated.MethodsWe followed 6565 participants from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey III for a median of 13.3 years. Sample divided according to corrected QT (QTc) interval was as follows: normal (QTc <450 ms for men and <460 ms for women) or prolonged. It was further categorised as follows: (1) no chronic kidney disease (CKD), that is, albumin to creatinine ratio (ACR) <30 mg/g and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) > 60 mL/min/1.73 m2; (2) CKD by eGFR only (eGFR <60 mL/min/1.73 m2, ACR <30 mg/g); (3) CKD by ACR only (ACR >30 mg/g, eGFR >60 mL/min/1.73 m2) and (4) CKD by both. Cox proportional hazards models were used.ResultsCKD group had prolonged QTc than those without CKD (20.5%vs12.9%, p<0.0001). Both prolonged QTc and CKD are independently associated with increased risk of mortality. When combined, risk of mortality is higher in those with CKD by eGFR with prolonged QTc than normal QTc (HR 2.6 (1.7–3.9) and 3.1 (1.7–5.4) vs 1.4 (1.1–1.7) and 1.7 (1.3–2.1) for all-cause and CV mortality). There is no significant difference in risk in those with CKD by ACR when QTc is prolonged. There is significant improvement in risk prediction for all-cause and CV mortality when QTc is added to CKD beyond established CV risk factors (net reclassification index p<0.00001).ConclusionA screening ECG in those with CKD may help in finer risk stratification and may be considered.

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The role of routine selective angiography of the internal mammary artery prior to myocardial revascularization is controversial. We report a patient with coronary artery disease and peripheral vascular disease in whom the left internal mammary artery supplied blood flow to the left external iliac artery via a collateral network. Thus, selective angiography of the internal mammary artery did play a major role in the proper management of this patient who required coronary bypass surgery. A major potential postoperative complication of left lower extremity ischemia may have been prevented.