In the Literature: HM-Related Research You Need to Know

The Hospitalist. 2011 February;2011(02):

February 1, 2011 | The Hospitalist

Jill Goldenberg, MD ; Alan Briones, MD ; Chad Craig, MD ; Ramiro Jervis, MD, FHM ; Brian Markoff, MD, FHM ; Andrew Dunn, MD, FACP, FHM ; Division OF

Statins did not show a significant reduction in postprocedural MI (P=0.40) or all-cause mortality (P=0.15) in coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG). However, statins did reduce post-CABG atrial fibrillation (P<0.0001).

The 21 studies used a variety of drugs and doses. However, the PCI studies favored atorvastatin 40 mg; more than half the CABG studies used atorvastatin 20 mg; and 91% of the noncardiac surgical studies used fluvastatin 80 mg. Dedicated trials are needed to demonstrate optimal statin agent, dose, and timing of therapy.

Bottom line: Preprocedural statin therapy reduces postprocedural MI after both PCI and noncardiac procedures but not after CABG.

Citation: Winchester DE, Wen X, Xie L, Bavry AA. Evidence of pre-procedural statin therapy: a meta-analysis of randomized trials. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2010;56(19); 1099-1109.

Subclinical Hypothyroidism Increases the Risk of Coronary Heart Disease and Mortality

Clinical question: What are the risks of coronary heart disease (CHD) and mortality among adults with subclinical hypothyroidism?

Background: Subclinical hypo-thyroidism is defined as an elevated serum thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) level with a normal T4 concentration. Controversy exists regarding the treatment of subclinical hypothyroidism. Because of the association with hyperlipidemia and atherosclerosis, treatment of subclinical hypothyroidism is thought to be beneficial. Previous data from large prospective cohort studies regarding this association are conflicting.

Study design: Study-level meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies.

Setting: Eleven prospective cohorts in the U.S., Europe, Australia, Brazil, and Japan from 1972 to 2007.

Synopsis: Among 55,287 adults, 3,450 (6.2%) had subclinical hypothyroidism and 51,837 were euthyroid. Using Cox proportional hazard models, the association of subclinical hypothyroidism with CHD and mortality were determined for each cohort.

The risk of CHD events and CHD mortality increased with higher TSH concentrations.

In age- and sex-adjusted analyses, the hazard ratio (HR) for CHD events were as follows: HR=1.0 (TSH=4.5-6.9 mIU/L); HR=1.17 (TSH=7-9.9 mIU/L), and HR=1.89 (TSH=10-19.9 mIU/L). Similarly, HRs for CHD mortality showed an increasing trend: 1.09, 1.42, and 1.58, respectively.

Although the association is clearly established here, randomized controlled trials are needed to address whether thyroxine replacement can prevent CHD and the TSH threshold that will provide the most clinical benefit.

Bottom line: Subclinical hypo-thyroidism is associated with an increased risk for CHD events and mortality, primarily in patients with TSH concentrations of 10 mIU/L or higher.

Citation: Rodondi N, den Elzen WP, Bauer DC, et al. Subclinical hypothyroidism and the risk of coronary heart disease and mortality. JAMA. 2010;304(12): 1365-1374.

Clinical Shorts

RETRIEVAL USUALLY NOT PLANNED FOR PATIENTS WITH RETRIEVABLE IVC FILTERS

Retrospective cohort study of 240 patients with retrievable IVC filters found a documented plan to attempt retrieval in only 30%, and that 21% of patients without a plan had no contraindication to retrieval.

Citation: Mission JF, Kerlan RK Jr., Tan JH, Fang MC. Rates and predictors of plans for inferior vena cava filter retrieval in hospitalized patients. J Gen Intern Med. 2010;25(4):321-325.

GLUCOSAMINE WAS INEFFECTIVE FOR CHRONIC LOW BACK PAIN DUE TO OSTEOARTHRITIS

Randomized trial of 250 patients with chronic back pain due to lumbar osteoarthritis found that oral glucosamine 1,500 mg did not improve pain scores at six months or one year compared with placebo.

Citation: Wilkens P, Scheel IB, Grundnes O, Hellum C, Storheim K. Effect of glucosamine on pain-related disability in patients with chronic low back pain and degenerative lumbar osteoarthritis: a randomized controlled trial. JAMA. 2010;304(1):45-52.

Reduction in Hematoma Growth after Acute Intracerebral Hemorrhage Associated with Lower Blood Pressure

Clinical question: Does intensive systolic blood pressure (SBP) <140 mmHg within one hour reduce hematoma growth after acute intracerebral bleeding?