Reseau de Cardiologie de Franche Comte

Bio: Reseau de Cardiologie de Franche Comte is an academic researcher. The author has contributed to research in topics: Framingham Risk Score & Risk assessment. The author has an hindex of 1, co-authored 1 publications receiving 51 citations.

Anemia for risk assessment of patients with acute coronary syndromes.

Abstract: In patients admitted with acute coronary syndromes, those with anemia are at higher risk. However, current risk score systems do not take into account the presence of anemia. The impact of anemia on mortality was studied, and its incremental predictive value was evaluated. Demographic, clinical, and biologic characteristics at admission, as well as treatments and mortality, were recorded for 1,410 consecutive patients with acute coronary syndromes. The incremental value of adding anemia information to risk score evaluation was determined using changes in the appropriateness of Cox models when anemia was added. Anemia was detected in 381 patients (27%). They were older, had more co-morbidities, had higher Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events (GRACE) risk scores, received fewer guideline-recommended treatments, and, as a result, had 4-fold higher mortality. When included in a prediction model based on the GRACE risk score, anemia remained an independent predictor of mortality. The addition of anemia improved both the discriminatory capacity and calibration of the models. According to the GRACE risk score, the population was divided into 4 groups of different risk levels of

Anemia in Older Persons

Abstract: Anemia in older persons is commonly overlooked despite mounting evidence that low hemoglobin levels are a significant marker of physiologic decline. Using the World Health Organization definition of anemia (hemoglobin level less than 13 g per dL [130 g per L] in men and less than 12 g per dL [120 g per L] in women), more than 10 percent of persons older than 65 years are anemic. The prevalence increases with age, approaching 50 percent in chronically ill patients living in nursing homes. There is increasing evidence that even mild anemia is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Anemia warrants evaluation in all older persons, except those at the end of life or who decline interventions. About one third of persons have anemia secondary to a nutritional deficiency, one third have anemia caused by chronic inflammation or chronic kidney disease, and one third have unexplained anemia. Nutritional anemia is effectively treated with vitamin or iron replacement. Iron deficiency anemia often is caused by gastrointestinal bleeding and requires further investigation in most patients. Anemia of chronic inflammation or chronic kidney disease may respond to treatment of the underlying disease and selective use of erythropoiesis-stimulating agents. The treatment of unexplained anemia is difficult, and there is little evidence that treatment decreases morbidity and mortality, or improves quality of life. Occasionally, anemia may be caused by less common but potentially treatable conditions, such as autoimmune hemolytic anemia, malignancy, or myelodysplastic syndrome.

Use of reclassification for assessment of improved prediction: an empirical evaluation

Abstract: BACKGROUND An increasing number of studies evaluate the ability of predictors to change risk stratification and alter medical decisions, i.e. reclassification performance. We examined the reported design and analysis of recent studies of reclassification and the robustness of their claims for improved reclassification. METHODS Two independent investigators searched PubMed and citations to the article that introduced the currently most popular reclassification metric (net reclassification index, NRI) to identify studies performing reclassification analysis (January 2006-January 2010). We focused on articles that included any analyses comparing the performance of a baseline predictive model vs the baseline model plus some additional predictor for a prospectively assessed outcome. We recorded information on the baseline model used, outcomes assessed, choice of risk thresholds and features of reclassification analyses. RESULTS Of 58 baseline models used in 51 eligible papers, only 14 (24%) were previously described, used as described and had same outcomes as originally intended. Calibration was examined in 53% of the studies. Sixteen studies (31%) provided a reference for the choice of risk thresholds and only six used the previously proposed categories or justified the use of alternative thresholds. Only 14 studies (27%) stated that the chosen risk thresholds had different therapeutic intervention implications. NRI was calculated in 38 studies and was smaller in studies with adequately referenced or justified risk thresholds vs others (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS Reclassification studies would benefit from more rigorous methodological standards; otherwise claims for improved reclassification may remain spurious.

Anemia and acute coronary syndrome: current perspectives.

Abstract: Reference hemoglobin (Hb) values for the definition of anemia are still largely based on the 1968 WHO Scientific Group report, which established a cutoff value of <13 g/dL for adult men and <12 g/dL for adult nonpregnant women. Subsequent studies identified different normal values according to race and age. Estimated prevalence of anemia on admission in the setting of an acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is between 10% and 43% of the patients depending upon the specific population under investigation. Furthermore, up to 57% of ACS patients may develop hospital-acquired anemia (HAA). Both anemia on admission and HAA are associated with worse short- and long-term mortality, even if different mechanisms contribute to their prognostic impact. Baseline anemia can usually be traced back to preexisting disease that should be specifically investigated and corrected whenever possible. HAA is associated with clinical characteristics, medical therapy and interventional procedures, all eliciting cardiovascular adaptive response that can potentially worsen myocardial ischemia. The intrinsic fragility of anemic patients may limit aggressive medical and interventional therapy due to an increased risk of bleeding, and could independently contribute to worse outcome. However, primary angioplasty for ST elevation ACS should not be delayed because of preexisting (and often not diagnosed) anemia; delaying revascularization to allow fast-track anemia diagnosis is usually feasible and justified in non-ST-elevation ACS. Besides identification and treatment of the underlying causes of anemia, the only readily available means to reverse anemia is red blood cell transfusion. The adequate transfusion threshold is still being debated, although solid evidence suggests reserving red blood cell transfusions for patients with Hb level <8 g/dL and considering it in selected cases with Hb levels of between 8 and 10 g/dL. No evidence supports the use of iron supplements and erythropoiesis-stimulating agents in the setting of ACS.