Mortality in primary angioplasty patients starting antiplatelet therapy with prehospital prasugrel or clopidogrel: a 1-year follow-up from the European MULTIPRAC Registry.

Aim: MULTIPRAC was designed to provide insights into the use and outcomes associated with prehospital initiation of antiplatelet therapy with either prasugrel or clopidogrel in the context of primary percutaneous coronary intervention. After a previous report on efficacy and safety outcomes during hospitalization, we report here the 1-year follow-up data, including cardiovascular (CV) mortality.

Methods And Results: MULTIPRAC is a multinational, prospective registry of patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) from 25 hospitals in nine countries, all of which had an established practice of prehospital start of dual antiplatelet therapy in place.

A high-throughput analysis of the IDH1(R132H) protein expression in pituitary adenomas.

Purpose: Inactivating mutations of isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) 1 and 2, mitochondrial enzymes participating in the Krebs tricarboxylic acid cycle play a role in the tumorigenesis of gliomas and also less frequently in acute myeloid leukemia and other malignancies. Inhibitors of mutant IDH1 and IDH2 may potentially be effective in the treatment of the IDH mutation driven tumors. Mutations in the succinate dehydrogenase, the other enzyme complex participating in the Krebs cycle and electron transfer of oxidative phosphorylation occur in the paragangliomas, gastrointestinal stromal tumors, and occasionally in the pituitary adenomas.

Nasogastric feeding tubes from a neonatal department yield high concentrations of potentially pathogenic bacteria- even 1 d after insertion.

Background: Preterm infants are vulnerable to pathogens and at risk of developing necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) or sepsis. Nasogastric feeding tubes (NG-tubes) might contaminate feeds given through them due to biofilm formation. We wanted to determine if there is a rationale in replacing NG-tubes more often to reduce contamination.

Physical activity increases survival after heart valve surgery.

Objectives: Increased physical activity predicts survival and reduces risk of readmission in patients with coronary heart disease. However, few data show how physical activity is associated with survival and readmission after heart valve surgery. Objective were to assess the association between physical activity levels 6-12 months after heart valve surgery and (1) survival, (2) hospital readmission 18-24 months after surgery and (3) participation in exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation.

Postoperative Treatment of Pain after Hip Fracture in Elderly Patients with Dementia.

Background/aims: Prior studies have shown that patients with dementia are at risk of receiving insufficient treatment for pain after a hip fracture. We therefore hypothesized that elderly hip fracture patients with dementia received less postoperative pain treatment than those without dementia.

Method: All patients (age ≥65 years) who had been operated on for a hip fracture in the Copenhagen University Hospital region in 2009 were included.

Aliskiren, Enalapril, or Aliskiren and Enalapril in Heart Failure.

Background: Among patients with chronic heart failure, angiotensin-converting-enzyme (ACE) inhibitors reduce mortality and hospitalization, but the role of a renin inhibitor in such patients is unknown. We compared the ACE inhibitor enalapril with the renin inhibitor aliskiren (to test superiority or at least noninferiority) and with the combination of the two treatments (to test superiority) in patients with heart failure and a reduced ejection fraction.

Methods: After a single-blind run-in period, we assigned patients, in a double-blind fashion, to one of three groups: 2336 patients were assigned to receive enalapril at a dose of 5 or 10 mg twice daily, 2340 to receive aliskiren at a dose of 300 mg once daily, and 2340 to receive both treatments (combination therapy).

Serious renal and urological complications in fast-track primary total hip and knee arthroplasty; a detailed observational cohort study.

Background: Overall medical complications have been reduced after fast-track total hip (THA) and knee arthroplasty (TKA), but data on specific renal and urological (RU) complications are limited.

Methods: To describe the incidence and consequences of serious RU complications resulting in length of stay > 4 days or 30-day readmissions after fast-track THA and TKA, we conducted a detailed observational study based upon prospectively collected pre-operative data and a complete 30-day follow-up on complications and re-admissions in a unselected cohort of 8,804 consecutive fast-track THAs and TKAs. Our main outcomes were incidence, types and consequences of RU complications.

Late diagnosis of odontogenic sinusitis with near-fatal outcome - a case report.

Subdural empyema is a rare but potentially life-threatening complication to sinusitis. Awareness of infection and early diagnosis is of the essence when dealing with a putatively immunosuppressed patient. Furthermore, patients at increased risk of infections due to immunosuppression need to be fully informed of risks associated with their treatment.

Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and subsequent risk of solid cancer--A nationwide cohort study.

Women with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) have higher levels of antiangiogenic growth factors during pregnancy than women with normotensive pregnancies. Since angiogenesis is necessary for solid cancer growth and spread, we hypothesized that women with a history of HDP might have a reduced risk of solid cancers (cancers other than lymphomas, hematologic cancers and nonmelanoma skin cancers) later in life. In a register-based cohort study of 1.

Chronic non-cancer pain and the epidemic prescription of opioids in the Danish population: trends from 2000 to 2013.

Background: Chronic pain has serious consequences for individuals and society. In addition, opioid prescription for chronic non-cancer pain (CNCP) has become more frequent. This study aims to examine the trends regarding the prevalence of CNCP, dispensed opioids, and concurrent use of benzodiazepine (BZD)/BZD-related drugs in the Danish population.

Lixisenatide in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes and Acute Coronary Syndrome.

Background: Cardiovascular morbidity and mortality are higher among patients with type 2 diabetes, particularly those with concomitant cardiovascular diseases, than in most other populations. We assessed the effects of lixisenatide, a glucagon-like peptide 1-receptor agonist, on cardiovascular outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes who had had a recent acute coronary event.

Methods: We randomly assigned patients with type 2 diabetes who had had a myocardial infarction or who had been hospitalized for unstable angina within the previous 180 days to receive lixisenatide or placebo in addition to locally determined standards of care.

Standard first-line chemotherapy with or without nintedanib for advanced ovarian cancer (AGO-OVAR 12): a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 3 trial.

Background: Angiogenesis is a target in the treatment of ovarian cancer. Nintedanib, an oral triple angiokinase inhibitor of VEGF receptor, platelet-derived growth factor receptor, and fibroblast growth factor receptor, has shown activity in phase 2 trials in this setting. We investigated the combination of nintedanib with standard carboplatin and paclitaxel chemotherapy in patients with newly diagnosed advanced ovarian cancer.

The Aliskiren Trial to Minimize OutcomeS in Patients with HEart failure trial (ATMOSPHERE): revised statistical analysis plan and baseline characteristics.

Aims And Methods: To: (i) describe the baseline characteristics of patients in ATMOSPHERE and the changes in the planned analysis of ATMOSPHERE resulting from the mandated discontinuation of study treatment in patients with diabetes; (ii) compare the baseline characteristics of patients in ATMOSPHERE with those in the Prospective comparison of Angiotensin Receptor neprilysin inhibitors with Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors to Determine Impact on Global Mortality and morbidity in Heart Failure trial (PARADIGM-HF); and (iii) compare the characteristics of patients with and without diabetes at baseline in ATMOSPHERE.

Results: A total of 7063 patients were randomized into ATMOSPHERE April 2009-April 2014 at 755 sites in 43 countries. Their average age was 63 years and 78% were men.

Self-rating level of perceived exertion for guiding exercise intensity during a 12-week cardiac rehabilitation programme and the influence of heart rate reducing medication.

Objectives: To investigate whether self-rating level of perceived exertion can adequately guide exercise intensity during a 12-week cardiac rehabilitation programme.

Design: Linear regression analysis using rehabilitation data from two randomised controlled trials.

Methods: Patients undergoing radiofrequency ablation for atrial fibrillation or following heart valve surgery and participating in exercise-based rehabilitation were included.

Long-term outcomes for women versus men with unstable angina/non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction managed medically without revascularization: insights from the TaRgeted platelet Inhibition to cLarify the Optimal strateGy to medicallY manage Acute Coronary Syndromes trial.

Background: Women with acute coronary syndromes (ACS) are less likely to undergo invasive revascularization than men, but sex-specific differences in long-term outcomes and platelet reactivity among medically managed ACS patients remain uncertain. We examined sex-specific differences in long-term ischemic and bleeding outcomes and platelet reactivity for medically managed ACS patients randomized to prasugrel versus clopidogrel plus aspirin.

Methods: Data from 9,326 patients enrolled in TRILOGY ACS were analyzed to determine differences in long-term ischemic and bleeding outcomes between women (n = 3,650 [39%]) and men (n = 5,676 [61%]) randomized to prasugrel 10 mg/d (5 mg/d for patients ≥75 years and/or <60 kg) versus clopidogrel 75 mg/d.

Optimal Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy Pacing Rate in Non-Ischemic Heart Failure Patients: A Randomized Crossover Pilot Trial.

Background: The optimal pacing rate during cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is unknown. Therefore, we investigated the impact of changing basal pacing frequencies on autonomic nerve function, cardiopulmonary exercise capacity and self-perceived quality of life (QoL).

Methods: Twelve CRT patients with non-ischemic heart failure (NYHA class II-III) were enrolled in a randomized, double-blind, crossover trial, in which the basal pacing rate was set at DDD-60 and DDD-80 for 3 months (DDD-R for 2 patients).

Biochemical Markers of Physical Exercise on Mild Cognitive Impairment and Dementia: Systematic Review and Perspectives.

Background: The cognitive effects of physical exercise in patients with dementia disorders or mild cognitive impairment have been examined in various studies; however the biochemical effects of exercise from intervention studies are largely unknown. The objective of this systematic review is to investigate the published results on biomarkers in physical exercise intervention studies in patients with MCI or dementia.

Methods: The PubMed database was searched for studies from 1976 to February 2015.

Incomplete reporting of enhanced recovery elements and its impact on achieving quality improvement.

Background: Enhanced recovery (ER) protocols are used widely in surgical practice. As protocols are multidisciplinary with multiple components, it is difficult to compare and contrast reports. The present study examined compliance and transferability to clinical practice among ER publications related to colorectal surgery.

Sympathetic blocks for visceral cancer pain management: A systematic review and EAPC recommendations.

The neurolytic blocks of sympathetic pathways, including celiac plexus block (CPB) and superior hypogastric plexus block (SHPB) , have been used for years. The aim of this review was to assess the evidence to support the performance of sympathetic blocks in cancer patients with abdominal visceral pain. Only comparison studies were included.