Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “PROGNOSIS”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 1,351 records · Page 75Linked to original sources

Clinical nature and prognosis of locally recurrent rectal cancer after total mesorectal excision with or without preoperative radiotherapy.

PURPOSE: To document the clinical nature and prognosis of locally recurrent rectal cancer after total mesorectal excision (TME) with or without 5 x 5 Gy preoperative radiotherapy (PRT) and to identify patient-, disease-, and treatment-related factors associated with differences in prognosis after local recurrence. PATIENTS AND METHODS: For 96 Dutch patients with a local recurrence who participated in a multicenter randomized clinical trial, data on treatments and follow-up were gathered from surgeons and radiation and medical oncologists. Twenty-three patients (24%) had previously been treated with PRT plus TME, and 73 patients (76%) had been treated with TME alone. Eighty-one patients (84%) were followed until death; median follow-up time of the alive patients after local recurrence was 21 months (range, 5 to 48 months). RESULTS: Survival after local recurrence in the PRT + TME group was significantly shorter than in the TME group (median survival, 6.1 v 15.9 months; hazard ratio for death, 2.1; P =.008). Patients with a local recurrence in the PRT + TME group had distant metastases more often (74% v 40%; P =.004), underwent surgical resection of local recurrence less often (17% v 35%; P =.11), and received radiotherapy for local recurrence at a total dose >/= 45 Gy less often (4% v 42%; P =.001) than patients without PRT. In a multivariate analysis, the difference in survival after local recurrence between randomization groups was no longer statistically significant (hazard ratio for death of PRT, 1.53; P =.16). CONCLUSION: The clinical nature and prognosis of patients with locally recurrent rectal cancer has changed since the introduction of PRT. The majority of patients who present with a local recurrence after previous PRT have simultaneous distant metastases, and median survival has decreased to 6 months.

Colectomy↗

Early predicted time to normalization of tumor markers predicts outcome in poor-prognosis nonseminomatous germ cell tumors.

PURPOSE: The prognostic relevance of the rate of decline of serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) during the first 3 weeks of chemotherapy for nonseminomatous germ cell tumors (NSGCT) was studied in the context of the International Germ Cell Cancer Collaborative Group (IGCCCG) classification. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Data from 653 patients prospectively recruited in clinical trials were studied. Tumor markers were obtained before chemotherapy and 3 weeks later. Decline rates were calculated using a logarithmic formula and expressed as a predicted time to normalization (TTN). A favorable TTN was defined when both AFP and HCG had a favorable decline rate, including cases with normal values. RESULTS: The median follow-up was 50 months (range, 2 to 151 months). Tumor decline rate expressed as a predicted TTN was associated with both progression-free survival (PFS; P <.0001) and overall survival (OS; P <.0001). The 4-year PFS rates were 64% and 38% in patients from the poor-prognosis group who had a favorable and an unfavorable TTN, respectively. The 4-year OS rates were 83% and 58%, respectively. This effect was independent from the initial tumor marker values, the primary tumor site, and the presence of nonpulmonary visceral metastases: tumor marker decline rate remained a strong predictor for both PFS (hazard ratio = 2.5; P =.01) and OS (hazard ratio = 4.6; P =.002) in patients from the IGCCCG poor-prognosis group in multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION: Early predicted time to tumor marker normalization is an independent prognostic factor in patients with poor-prognosis NSGCT and may be a useful tool in the therapeutic management of these patients.

Biomarkers, Tumor↗

Systematic review of microsatellite instability and colorectal cancer prognosis.

PURPOSE: A number of studies have investigated the relationship between microsatellite instability (MSI) and colorectal cancer (CRC) prognosis. Although many have reported a better survival with MSI, estimates of the hazard ratio (HR) among studies differ. To derive a more precise estimate of the prognostic significance of MSI, we have reviewed and pooled data from published studies. METHODS: Studies stratifying survival in CRC patients by MSI status were eligible for analysis. The principal outcome measure was the HR. Data from eligible studies were pooled using standard techniques. RESULTS: Thirty-two eligible studies reported survival in a total of 7,642 cases, including 1,277 with MSI. There was no evidence of publication bias. The combined HR estimate for overall survival associated with MSI was 0.65 (95% CI, 0.59 to 0.71; heterogeneity P = .16; I(2) = 20%). This benefit was maintained restricting analyses to clinical trial patients (HR = 0.69; 95% CI, 0.56 to 0.85) and patients with locally advanced CRC (HR = 0.67; 95% CI, 0.58 to 0.78). In patients treated with adjuvant fluorouracil (FU) CRCs with MSI had a better prognosis (HR = 0.72; 95% CI, 0.61 to 0.84). However, while data are limited, tumors with MSI derived no benefit from adjuvant FU (HR = 1.24; 95% CI, 0.72 to 2.14). CONCLUSION: CRCs with MSI have a significantly better prognosis compared to those with intact mismatch repair. Additional studies are needed to further define the benefit of adjuvant chemotherapy in locally advanced tumors with MSI.

Colorectal Neoplasms↗

Prognosis and management of patients with node-negative invasive breast carcinoma that is 1 cm or smaller in size (stage 1; T1a,bN0M0): a review of the literature.

PURPOSE: Mammographic screening has led to an increase in the number of small, node-negative breast cancers being diagnosed. Node-negative breast cancers that are < or = 1 cm are stage T1a,bN0M0. Controversy surrounds the prognosis of these patients with locoregional therapy only and the need for adjuvant systemic therapy. METHODS: We performed a comprehensive review of the literature describing outcome and prognostic factors in stage T1a,bN0M0 breast cancer. We also reviewed current guidelines for systemic therapy in these patients. RESULTS: Early studies reported 10-year relapse-free survival (RFS) rates higher than 90% without adjuvant systemic therapy, but some more recent data suggest inferior outcomes. High tumor grade is the most consistent factor associated with poor prognosis. Other adverse prognostic factors are younger age, lymphovascular invasion (LVI), high Ki-67, and larger tumors within the T1a,b subgroup. Patients with high-grade tumors and/or LVI may have 10-year RFS rates of less than 75% in the absence of systemic therapy. The prognostic significance of hormone receptor status is unclear. Current guidelines for the systemic management of early-stage breast cancer differ when applied to stage T1a,bN0M0, reflecting the controversial nature of the issue. CONCLUSION: Adjuvant systemic therapy is advisable for most patients with stage T1a,bN0M0 breast cancer who have grade 3 tumors and/or LVI. Other T1a,bN0M0 cases should be considered for systemic therapy based on clinicopathologic factors with known prognostic significance and assessment of the risk-benefit ratio. More reliable tools are needed to assess the prognosis of patients with stage T1a,bN0M0 breast cancer and their potential to benefit from specific therapeutic agents.

Breast Neoplasms↗

Communicating with realism and hope: incurable cancer patients' views on the disclosure of prognosis.

PURPOSE: To identify preferences for the process of prognostic discussion among patients with incurable metastatic cancer and variables associated with those preferences. PATIENTS AND METHODS: One hundred twenty-six (58%) of 218 patients invited onto the study participated. Eligible patients were the consecutive metastatic cancer patients of 30 oncologists, who were diagnosed within 6 weeks to 6 months before recruitment, over 18 years of age, and without known mental illness. Patients completed a postal survey measuring patient preferences for the manner of delivery of prognostic information, including how doctors might instill hope. RESULTS: Ninety-eight percent of patients wanted their doctor to be realistic, provide an opportunity to ask questions, and acknowledge them as an individual when discussing prognosis. Doctor behaviors rated the most hope giving included offering the most up to date treatment (90%), appearing to know all there is to know about the patient's cancer (87%), and saying that pain will be controlled (87%). The majority of patients indicated that the doctor appearing to be nervous or uncomfortable (91%), giving the prognosis to the family first (87%), or using euphemisms (82%) would not facilitate hope. Factor analysis revealed six general styles and three hope factors; the most strongly endorsed styles were realism and individualized care and the expert/positive/collaborative approach. A range of demographic, psychological, and disease factors were associated with preferred general and hope-giving styles, including anxiety, information-seeking behavior, expected survival, and age. CONCLUSION: The majority of patients preferred a realistic and individualized approach from the cancer specialist and detailed information when discussing prognosis.

Adult↗

Clinical and biological features in the prognosis of adrenocortical cancer: poor outcome of cortisol-secreting tumors in a series of 202 consecutive patients.

CONTEXT: Adrenocortical carcinomas (ACC) are rare tumors with a poor prognosis. Few reports concerning large and homogeneous series are available. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to determine the clinical characteristics and outcome of ACC and to identify prognostic factors. DESIGN AND SETTING: This study is a descriptive and multivariate analysis of a cohort from a single endocrinology center. PATIENTS: A total of 202 consecutive patients with ACC were studied. RESULTS: The sex ratio (female to male) was 2.7. Mean age at diagnosis was 44 +/- 16 yr (range, 11-88 yr). We found that 154 patients (76%) had hypersecreting tumors [mostly cortisol and androgens (47%), cortisol alone (27%), or androgens alone (6%)] and 43 patients (21%) had metastases at diagnosis. At initial staging or during follow-up, 85 patients (42%) had liver metastases, 79 patients (39%) had lung metastases, and 20 patients had bone metastases (10%). The survival rate was 37% at 5 yr. Multivariate analysis identified the following independent prognostic factors associated with shorter survival: older age at diagnosis [hazard ratio (HR), 1.03; P < 0.0001], initial MacFarlane extension stages 3 (HR, 4.42; P = 0.005) and 4 (HR, 7.93; P < 0.0001), and cortisol hypersecretion (HR, 3.90; P < 0.0001). Treatment with 1,1-dichlorodiphenildichloroethane (o,p'DDD) in the 3 months after surgery increased the survival rate of patients with cortisol-secreting tumors (HR, 0.40; P = 0.04). CONCLUSION: This study highlights the better prognosis of ACC diagnosed at a noninvasive local stage, the particularly poor prognosis of patients with cortisol-secreting tumors, and the beneficial effect of o,p'DDD therapy in this subgroup of patients.

Adrenal Cortex Neoplasms↗

Acute stroke: prognosis and a prediction of the effect of medical treatment on outcome and health care utilization. The Copenhagen Stroke Study.

Medical treatment of acute stroke with tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) was recently approved in the United States, and neuroprotective agents are being developed. Should all patients with stroke, regardless of severity, receive such treatment? In the Copenhagen Stroke Study we studied the prognosis of stroke in 1,351 unselected patients from a well-defined catchment area treated in a community-based stroke unit from the time of acute admission to death or the end of rehabilitation. Outcome measures were mortality, discharge rates to the patients' own home or to a nursing home, length of hospital stay, and neurological and functional outcomes. Prognosis was stratified according to initial stroke severity measured by the Scandinavian Neurological Stroke Scale (SSS) on admission. We estimated the effect of medical treatment on prognosis and health care utilization by assuming a medically induced decrease in initial stroke severity by 5 and 10 points in the initial SSS score. This mild and moderate decrease in initial stroke severity corresponded to an overall improvement in outcome and an overall cost reduction through shorter hospital stays. This was also true in patients with both mild and moderate stroke. However, in patients with severe stroke, survival increases expenses because of an increased discharge rate to a nursing home and an increase in the cost of acute care and rehabilitation. Future medical stroke trials should therefore focus on the effect and cost of treatment, especially in patients with severe stroke, and search for factors predictive of good clinical outcome in this group.

Activities of Daily Living↗

Benign prognosis of never-symptomatic carotid occlusion.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prognosis of asymptomatic carotid artery occlusion. BACKGROUND: As opposed to symptomatic carotid occlusion, little information is available on the prognosis of asymptomatic carotid occlusion. METHOD: Thirty never-symptomatic and 81 symptomatic patients with carotid occlusion underwent baseline assessment of 15 risk factors together with PET measurements of oxygen extraction fraction (OEF). Every 6-month telephone contact recorded interval medical treatment and subsequent stroke occurrence during an average follow-up of 32 months. Patients, treating physicians, and an end point adjudicator were blinded to PET results. RESULTS: Ischemic stroke occurred in 1 of 30 of never-symptomatic patients (3.3%) and 15 of 81 of symptomatic patients (18.5%; p = 0.03). No strokes in the carotid territory distal to the occluded vessel occurred in the never-symptomatic patients. Multivariate analysis of baseline risk factors for all 111 patients revealed that age, plasma fibrinogen level, and PET findings of high OEF distal to the occluded carotid artery were the only independent predictors of subsequent stroke (p < 0.05). Previous ipsilateral hemispheric or retinal symptoms was not a significant predictive variable. The lower risk of stroke in never-symptomatic patients was associated with a lower incidence of high OEF (4 of 30) as opposed to symptomatic patients (39 of 81; p = 0.002), but there was no significant difference in age or fibrinogen level. CONCLUSIONS: Never-symptomatic carotid occlusion carries a very low risk of subsequent ischemic stroke. This benign prognosis is associated with a low incidence of cerebral hemodynamic compromise in these patients. These data support further the importance of hemodynamic factors in the pathogenesis of ischemic stroke in patients with carotid occlusion.

Aged↗

Increased expression of valosin-containing protein (p97) is associated with lymph node metastasis and prognosis of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Valosin-containing protein (VCP, also known as p97) exhibits antiapoptotic function and metastasis by activation of nuclear factor kappa-B signaling pathway. Our previous study showed that VCP expression level correlated with prognosis of hepatocellular and gastric carcinoma. In the present study, association of VCP expression with lymph node metastasis and prognosis of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) was examined. METHODS: VCP expression in 83 patients (46 males and 37 females) of ages ranging from 43 to 80 (median, 66) years who had undergone curative surgery for primary PDAC was analyzed by immunohistochemistry, in which staining intensity in tumor cells was categorized as weaker or equal to (low expression) or stronger (high expression) than that in noncancerous ductal tissue. RESULTS: Thirty-two tumors (38.6%) and 51 tumors (61.4%) were classified as low-VCP-expressing and high-VCP-expressing tumors, respectively. VCP expression correlated significantly with lymph node metastasis (P <.01) but not with various clinicopathologic factors, including age, gender, and histologic differentiation. Multivariate analysis revealed VCP expression as an independent prognosticator for both disease-free and overall survival, along with histologic differentiation, T stage of pathologic tumor-node-metastasis (pTNM) classification, and lymph node metastasis. Furthermore, VCP expression was a prognosticator for disease-free and overall survival in each relatively early stage (I or II) and advanced stage (III) group of pTNM classification. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate the potential usefulness of VCP expression as a marker of metastasis and overall prognosis of PDAC.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗

National survey of fulminant myocarditis in Japan: therapeutic guidelines and long-term prognosis of using percutaneous cardiopulmonary support for fulminant myocarditis (special report from a scientific committee).

Although fulminant myocarditis is known as a fatal disease, patients have been able to recover and return to normal life with the help of mechanical cardiopulmonary support. However, therapeutic guidelines for using percutaneous cardiopulmonary support (PCPS) for fulminant myocarditis have not been established, and the clinical course and long-term prognosis of such patients are still controversial issues. The present national survey considered the current situation of patients as the basis for proposing therapeutic guidelines. Thirty of 52 patients (57.7%) survived and returned to social life. Important factors concerning the prognosis were the severity and grade of cardiac and renal dysfunction, the adjusted support flow rate to enable recovery from circulatory failure, and prevention of circulatory disturbances of the legs and multiple organ failure directly associated with PCPS. With regard to the long-term prognosis of patients treated with PCPS, the readmission rate was 10%, the exacerbation rate was 3.3%, and mortality was 10% during the average follow-up period of 962 days. Optimal management of the mechanical cardiopulmonary support and curative treatment for the myocarditis further improve the outcome of this disease.

Blood Gas Analysis↗

Lesion severity and hypercholesterolemia determine long-term prognosis of vasospastic angina treated with calcium channel antagonists.

Although patients with medically treated vasospastic angina have a good outcome, few data exist regarding the role of underlying lesion severity associated with or without hyperlipidemia in the prognosis. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to assess the relationship between the long-term outcome of vasospastic angina and the factors influencing its prognosis. A total of 256 patients (219 men, 37 women; mean age, 54.1+/-9.2) who had coronary spasm with or without underlying lesions and were being treated with calcium channel antagonists were enrolled and followed for 13.6+/-3.7 years. Cardiac events consisted of cardiac death and ischemic events, which included acute myocardial infarction and unstable angina. Cox analysis selected coronary artery stenosis (CAS, >/=50%) and risk factors such as age, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), sex and smoking. There were 19 cases of cardiac death (7.4%) and 58 of ischemic events (22.7%) during the follow-up period. The presence of significant CAS was an independent predictor of event-free survival (hazard ratio (HR) =2.84, 95% confidence interval (CI) =1.79-4.52, p<0.0001). In 193 patients without significant CAS, there were 10 cases of cardiac death (5.2%, p<0.05) and 34 of ischemic events (17.6%, p<0.01). In that group, high LDL-C was the independent predictor of event-free survival (HR = 3.89, 95% CI = 1.20-12.6, p=0.02). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis revealed significantly lower event-free survival in patients with than in those without lesions (p<0.0001 by log-rank test). These results demonstrate that the most important factor for long-term prognosis of vasospastic angina treated with calcium channel antagonists is significant CAS. High LDL-C, which might alter the underlying coronary endothelial function and/or accelerate atherosclerotic lesions, could also contribute to the occurrence of cardiac events, particularly in patients without significant CAS.

Angina Pectoris↗

Prediction of prognosis in the UM-X7.1 hamster model of congestive heart failure using the Tei index.

BACKGROUND: Cardiac function is difficult to evaluate in small animal models of heart disease. The Doppler Tei index is a simple and non-invasive measure that can express global cardiac function even in small animal models of congestive heart failure. However, its ability to predict prognosis has not been evaluated. METHODS AND RESULTS: We tested the hypothesis that cardiac functional indices, such as the Tei index, can predict the prognosis of hamsters with cardiac dysfunction. The Tei index, defined as the sum of the isovolume contraction and relaxation time divided by ejection time, and the percent fractional shortening of the left ventricle was measured in 48 anesthetized male hamsters (19.7+/-0.4 weeks old) with cardiac dysfunction (UM-X7.1), using Doppler and 2-dimensional echocardiography. The hamsters were separated into 2 groups based on the median Tei index (0.50) and % fractional shortening (FS) (21%). Kaplan-Meier analysis determined the survival rates of the groups. Both the Tei index and %FS enabled significant distinction of better and poorer survival (p < 0.01), and the survival curves were less overlapped when the animals were separated according to the Tei index. CONCLUSION: The Tei index can predict prognosis in a small animal model of heart failure.

Animals↗

Medium-term prognosis of young Japanese adults having acute myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND: Data on the medium- and long-term prognosis of young Japanese patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) are still lacking. METHODS AND RESULTS: In the present study, 1,458 AMI patients were enrolled in the AMI-Kyoto Multi-Center Risk Study between January 2000 and December 2003. Of these, clinical characteristics and medium-term prognosis were retrospectively compared in 21 young patients < 40 years (young group), and 190 non-young patients 60-70 years old (non-young group) who could be followed after hospital discharge. The young group was all male and had higher prevalence of current smoking and greater body mass index, but previous myocardial infarction (MI) and hypertension were more prevalent in the non-young group. The young group had a higher prevalence of single-vessel disease and a lesser incidence of left circumflex coronary artery as the culprit lesion. The acquisition rates of Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction 3 flow after primary percutaneous coronary intervention did not differ between the 2 groups, but the data of maximal creatine kinase was significantly higher in the young group. During the follow-up period (average 2.42 years for young, 2.37 years for non-young), survival and event-free survival rates and incidence of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) did not differ between the 2 groups. The predictor of MACE during follow-up period was the presence of multivessel disease in the young group, whereas the presence of multivessel disease, history of previous MI and longer hospitalization were the predictors of MACE in the non-young group. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the medium-term prognosis in young AMI patients is comparable to that of non-young AMI patients in Japan.

Adult↗

Reverse perfusion-metabolism mismatch predicts good prognosis in patients undergoing cardiac resynchronization therapy: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) improves glucose metabolism in the septum of patients with heart failure, so in the present study the predictive value of combined fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)-positron emission tomography (PET) and metoxy-isobutyl isonitrile (MIBI)-single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) for the prognosis of patients undergoing CRT was investigated. METHODS AND RESULTS: Fourteen patients (70.3+/-8.2 years) who underwent FDG-PET and MIBI-SPECT before implantation of a biventricular pacemaker were enrolled. The total number of matches, mismatches, reverse mismatches, summed difference score (SDS: sum total of FDG - MIBI scores) and SDS per segment (%SDS) in each of 5 areas of myocardium (septum, anterior, lateral, inferior area, apex) was calculated and compared between the survival groups (all survival: survival group; survival without ischemic heart disease (IHD): non-IHD survival group) and non-survival group. Both the number of reverse mismatch segments and the %SDS in the septum in the non-IHD survival group were significantly greater than in the non-survival group (3.2+/-1.6 vs 0.5+/-0.6, p<0.05; 0.62+/-0.61 vs -0.11+/-0.19, p<0.05). The receiver-operating characteristics curves for prognosis showed that the area under the curve for the number of reverse mismatch segments in the septum (0.93; confidence interval 0.61-0.98) was significantly greater. CONCLUSION: A reverse mismatch pattern in the septum can predict a good prognosis for patients treated with CRT.

Aged↗

Non-invasive assessment of left ventricular function and prognosis in acute myocardial infarction--clinical significance of B-B' step of the mitral valve in M-mode echocardiography.

On 37 patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI), M-mode echocardiography was performed sequentially from the onset of the disease for more than 20 days in order to study the significance of a B-B' step of the anterior mitral valve in AMI. The following results were obtained: 1) A B-B' step was observed in 60% of the patients studied, and the incidence was higher in antero-septal than postero-inferior infarction. 2) A B-B' step was especially noticed in the patients who had left ventricular failure. 3) The prognosis of the patients with a B-B' step was worse than that of the patients without it. A B-B' step, which either persisted for longer than 10 days of developed into a more definite form with the course of time, was a sign of an unfavorable prognosis. 4) The patients with a B-B' step had higher mean pulmonary arterial pressure than the patients without it. These results suggest that serial observations of the B-B' step in patients with AMI were a useful means to evaluate the left ventricular function and to determine prognosis in this disorder.

Adult↗

Multivariate analysis using a linear discriminant function for predicting the prognosis of congestive heart failure.

Some of cases of congestive heart failure (CHF) are intractable or refractory and respond poorly to conventional treatment. We have examined factors which may influence the clinical course and prognosis. The subjects were 114 hospitalized patients with CHF. Of these, 77 had a good response to treatment and were classified as the curative group (Group C) while the remaining 37 who were difficult to treat, including those with poor prognosis, were designated the refractory group (Group R). Of the various clinical background factors including the findings of laboratory and other examinations, the following 8 variables made a significant contribution to differentiation between the 2 groups: 1) heart rate (X1), 2) hemoglobin content (X2), 3) serum K (X3), 4) serum total protein (X4), 5) A/G (X5), 6) BUN (X6), 7) grade of hepatomegaly (X7), and 8) number of previous CHF episodes (X8). The linear discriminant function represented by the following equation using these 8 variables showed an excellent result in differentiating the 2 groups. Y = - 9.64 - 0.0686X1 + 0.345X2 + 1.351X3 + 1.513X4 + + 1.988X5 - 0.0876X6 - 0.792X7 - 0.737X8. When Y value is over 0, Group C is judged. When Y value is under 0, group R is judged. We concluded that the discriminant equation covering these 8 factors is a useful means of predicting the prognosis in CHF and the response to treatment.

Adult↗

Long-term prognosis of patients with congestive heart failure.

Factors determining prognosis in 100 patients with recent onset of congestive heart failure (CHF) were evaluated. The 1 year, 3 year, 5 year, and 10 year survival rates in the entire CHF group were 78.5%, 59.8%, 50.4% and 14.7%, respectively. No correlations between age, sex, heart rate and cardiothoracic ratio, and the cumulative survival rate were found. The prognosis of patients with CHF due to underlying coronary artery disease or primary cardiomyopathy was poor compared with that of patients with other types of heart disease. Patients whose NYHA classification was class III or VI had a significantly lower survival rate than those in class II. Patients with lower left ventricular stroke work and consecutive ventricular premature depolarization also had a significantly lower survival rate. These results suggest that functional status, underlying heart disease, left ventricular stroke work, and the presence of ventricular tachycardia provide important information regarding the long-term prognosis in patients with congestive heart failure.

Adolescent↗

Long-term prognosis of acute aortic dissection with medical treatment: a survey of 263 unoperated patients.

Between 1973 and 1998, 263 patients with acute aortic dissection were medically treated only. They were divided into 4 groups: Stanford type A and B with open false lumen (open) or with early thrombosed false lumen (thrombosed). An event was defined as death by dissection or re-dissection. Gender, age, maximum diameter of dissected aorta and presence of shock at onset were examined as risk factors. In the open false lumen group, the presence of shock was associated with the event. During the chronic period, the diameter of the aorta was associated with prognosis in open type B dissection. The rate of event was higher in the open type A and B groups than in the thrombosed type A and B groups; however, there was no difference in the event-free rate between types A and B in patients surviving the acute period. The prognosis of medically treated dissecting aorta was not poor in patients with type B or with early thrombosed false lumen. The presence of shock at onset with open false lumen and the diameter of the aorta (> or =40 mm) in type B were significantly correlated with a poor prognosis.

Aged↗