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Objectives We sought to determine the incidence and clinical characteristics of sudden cardiac death (SCD) in patients with HIV. Background As the HIV-infected population ages, cardiovascular disease prevalence and mortality are increasing; however, the incidence and features of SCD have not yet been described. Methods Records of 2860 consecutive patients in a public HIV clinic in San Francisco, CA between April 2000 and August 2009 were examined. Identification of deaths, causes of death, and clinical characteristics were obtained by search of the National Death Index and/or clinic records. SCDs were determined using published retrospective criteria: (1) ICD10 code for all cardiac causes of death and (2) circumstances of death meeting WHO criteria. Results Of 230 deaths over 3.7 median years’ follow-up, 30 (13%) met SCD criteria, 131 (57%) were due to AIDS, 25 (11%) other (natural) diseases, and 44 (19%) overdose/suicides/unknown. SCDs accounted for 86% (30/35) of all cardiac deaths. The mean SCD rate was 2.6 per 1,000 person-years (95%CI 1.8-3.8), 4.5-fold higher than expected. SCDs occurred in older patients than AIDS deaths (mean 49.0 vs. 44.9 years, p=0.02). Compared to AIDS and natural deaths combined, SCDs had higher prevalence of prior MI (17% vs. 1%, p<0.0005), cardiomyopathy (23% vs. 3%, p<0.0005), heart failure (30% vs. 9%, p=0.004), and arrhythmias (20% vs. 3%, p=0.003). Conclusions SCDs account for most cardiac and many non-AIDS natural deaths in HIV-infected patients. Further investigation is needed to ascertain underlying mechanisms, which may include inflammation, antiretroviral therapy interruption, and concomitant medications.

IMPORTANCE In a recent meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials, femoropopliteal artery revascularization with paclitaxel drug-coated devices was associated with increased long-term all-cause mortality compared with non-drug-coated devices. However, to our knowledge, these findings have not been replicated in other data sources and may be subject to confounding from missing data associated with patient withdrawal and loss to follow-up. OBJECTIVE To evaluate differences in all-cause mortality between patients who were treated with drug-coated devices vs non-drug-coated devices for femoropopliteal artery revascularization. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS This nationwide, multicenter retrospective cohort study included 16 560 Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services beneficiaries who were admitted for femoropopliteal artery revascularization from January 1, 2016, to December 31, 2016. All-cause mortality was analyzed through September 30, 2017.EXPOSURES Drug-coated devices (drug-eluting stent [DES] or drug-coated balloon [DCB]) compared with non-drug-coated devices (bare metal stent or uncoated percutaneous transluminal angioplasty balloon). MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURESThe primary outcome was all-cause mortality analyzed through the end of follow-up. RESULTSAmong 16 560 patients treated at 1883 hospitals, the mean (SD) age was 72.9 (11) years, 7734 (46.7%) were men, 12 232 (73.9%) were white, 8222 (49.7%) currently or had previously used tobacco, 9817 (59.3%) had diabetes, and 8450 (51.0%) had critical limb ischemia (CLI). Drug-coated devices were used in 5989 participants (36.2%). The median follow-up was 389 days (interquartile range, 277-508 days). Among all patients, treatment with drug-coated devices was associated with a lower cumulative incidence of all-cause mortality compared with treatment with non-drug-coated devices through 600 days postprocedure (32.5% vs 34.3%, respectively; log-rank P = .007). Similar survival trends were observed when treatment was stratified by using a DCB alone or DES with or without DCB. After multivariable adjustment, drug-coated devices were not associated with a difference in all-cause mortality compared with non-drug-coated devices (hazard ratio [HR], 0.97; 95% CI, 0.91-1.04; P = .43). These findings were consistent among those with CLI (HR, 0.93; 95% CI, 0.85-1.01; P = .09) or without CLI (HR, 0.94; 95% CI, 0.85-1.03; P = .20), and for those treated with DCB alone (HR, 0.94; 95% CI, 0.86-1.03; P = .17) or DES with or without DCB (HR, 0.97; 95% CI, 0.89-1.06; P = .48). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCEIn this large nationwide analysis of Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services beneficiaries, there was no evidence of increased all-cause mortality following femoropopliteal artery revascularization with drug-coated devices compared with non-drug-coated devices.

Background Decisions to proceed with surgical versus percutaneous revascularization for multivessel coronary artery disease are often based on subtle clinical information that may not be captured in contemporary registries. The present study sought to evaluate the association between surgical ineligibility documented in the medical record and long-term mortality among patients with unprotected left main or multivessel coronary artery disease undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Methods and Results All subjects undergoing non-emergent PCI for unprotected left main or multivessel coronary artery disease were identified at two academic medical centers from 2009 – 2012. Documentation of surgical ineligibility was assessed through review of the electronic medical record. Cox proportional hazard models adjusted for known mortality risk factors were created to assess long-term mortality in patients with and without documentation of surgical ineligibility. Among 1013 subjects with multivessel coronary artery disease, 218 (22 %) were deemed ineligible for coronary artery bypass graft surgery. The most common explicitly cited reasons for surgical ineligibility in the medical record were poor surgical targets (24 %), advanced age (16 %) and renal insufficiency (16 %). After adjustment for known risk factors, documentation of surgical ineligibility remained independently associated with an increased risk of in-hospital (OR: 6.26, 95% CI: 2.16 – 18.15, P<0.001) and long-term mortality (HR: 2.98, 95% CI: 1.88 – 4.72, P<0.001) after PCI. Conclusions Documented surgical ineligibility is common and associated with significantly increased long-term mortality among patients undergoing PCI with unprotected left main or multivessel coronary disease, even after adjustment for known risk factors for adverse events during percutaneous revascularization.

Objectives We sought to determine whether biomarkers ST2, GDF-15, NT-proBNP, and high-sensitivity Troponin I are elevated in HIV-infected patients and associated with cardiovascular dysfunction and all-cause mortality. Background HIV-infected individuals have high rates of cardiovascular disease. Markers of myocardial stress may identify at-risk patients and provide additional prognostic information. Methods Biomarkers and echocardiograms were assessed in 332 HIV-infected patients and 50 age- and gender-matched controls. Left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD) was defined as ejection fraction <50%, diastolic dysfunction (DD) as ≥stage 1, and pulmonary hypertension as PASP ≥35mmHg. Mortality data was obtained from the National Death Index. Results HIV patients were a median 49 years and 80% male. Compared with controls, HIV patients had higher percent estimates of all biomarkers except ST2 and interleukin-6. Among HIV patients, 45% had DD; only ST2 was associated with DD (RR 1.36, p=0.047). LVSD was rare in this cohort (5%). Pulmonary hypertension was present in 27% of HIV patients and associated with GDF-15 (RR 1.18, p=0.04), NT-proBNP (RR 1.18, p=0.007), and Cystatin C (RR 1.54, p=0.03). Thirty-eight deaths occurred among HIV subjects over a median 6.1 years. In adjusted analysis, all-cause mortality was independently predicted by ST2 (HR 2.04, p=0.010), GDF-15 (HR 1.42, p=0.0054), hsCRP (HR 1.25, p=0.023) and D-dimer (HR 1.49, p=0.029). Relationships were unchanged when analyses were restricted to virally-suppressed HIV-infected patients on antiretroviral therapy. Conclusions Among HIV-infected individuals, ST2 and GDF-15 are associated with both cardiovascular dysfunction and all-cause mortality and may be useful at identifying those at-risk for developing cardiovascular events and death.

ObjectiveTo determine if using a parachute prevents death or major traumatic injury when jumping from an aircraft.DesignRandomized controlled trial.SettingPrivate or commercial aircraft between September 2017 and August 2018.Participants92 aircraft passengers aged 18 and over were screened for participation. 23 agreed to be enrolled and were randomized.InterventionJumping from an aircraft (airplane or helicopter) with a parachute versus an empty backpack (unblinded).Main outcome measuresComposite of death or major traumatic injury (defined by an Injury Severity Score over 15) upon impact with the ground measured immediately after landing.ResultsParachute use did not significantly reduce death or major injury (0% for parachute v 0% for control; P>0.9). This finding was consistent across multiple subgroups. Compared with individuals screened but not enrolled, participants included in the study were on aircraft at significantly lower altitude (mean of 0.6 m for participants v mean of 9146 m for non-participants; P<0.001) and lower velocity (mean of 0 km/h v mean of 800 km/h; P<0.001).ConclusionsParachute use did not reduce death or major traumatic injury when jumping from aircraft in the first randomized evaluation of this intervention. However, the trial was only able to enroll participants on small stationary aircraft on the ground, suggesting cautious extrapolation to high altitude jumps. When beliefs regarding the effectiveness of an intervention exist in the community, randomized trials might selectively enroll individuals with a lower perceived likelihood of benefit, thus diminishing the applicability of the results to clinical practice.

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