Ultrasound-accelerated thrombolysis (USAT) versus standard catheter-directed thrombolysis (CDT) for treatment of pulmonary embolism: A retrospective analysis.

Ultrasound-accelerated thrombolysis (USAT) is advocated in pulmonary embolism (PE) based on the hypothesis that adjunctive ultrasound provides superior clinical efficacy compared to standard catheter-directed thrombolysis (CDT). This retrospective study was designed to compare outcomes between the two modalities. We analyzed patients with computed tomography-diagnosed PE at our institution treated with either USAT or standard CDT. Efficacy parameters assessed included invasive pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP; pre- and 24 hours post-treatment), non-invasive right-to-left ventricle (RV/LV) ratio (pre- and post-treatment), and general clinical outcomes (length-of-stay, significant bleeding, and mortality). We analyzed 98 cases (62 USAT and 36 CDT), in whom massive PE was diagnosed in 7%, intermediate/high risk in 81%, and intermediate/low risk in 12%. Overall, 92% had bilateral clot and 40% saddle embolus. At 24 hours, PASP decreased similarly in both groups (CDT Δ14.7 mmHg, USAT Δ10.8 mmHg; p = 0.14). Post-treatment, CDT showed similar improvement in the RV/LV ratio (CDT Δ0.58 vs USAT Δ0.45; p = 0.07), despite the baseline ratio being greater in the CDT group, indicating more severe RV strain (1.56 ± 0.36 vs 1.40 ± 0.29; p = 0.01). Intensive care unit and hospital length-of-stays were similar in both groups. A trend toward lesser significant bleeding rates in the CDT group (8.3% vs 12.9%, p = 0.74) as well as improved survival-to-discharge (97.2% vs 91.9%, p = 0.66) was observed. Compared to USAT, standard CDT achieves similar beneficial effects on hemodynamics, RV/LV ratios, and clinical outcomes. These observations suggest that salutary clinical results may be achieved without the need for very expensive devices.

Low-dose systemic thrombolytic therapy for treatment of submassive pulmonary embolism: Clinical efficacy but attendant hemorrhagic risks.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the present study is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of "low-dose" systemic thrombolytic therapy (TT) for treatment of patients with intermediate-high risk submassive pulmonary embolism (PE). BACKGROUND: TT is increasingly utilized in acute submassive PE. Strategies for TT include catheter-directed administration as well as traditional IV systemic therapy. Regardless of the route, most studies document the attendant significant bleeding complication rates expected from induction of a systemic lytic state. To mitigate bleeding, "low-dose" systemic TT (Alteplase 50 mg) has been advocated, based on recent studies which demonstrated clinical efficacy with elimination of any significant bleeding complications. METHODS: Over a 24-month period, our institutional PE Response Team treated 45 acute submassive PE patients with "Low Dose" IV Alteplase 50 mg. Clinical outcomes and bleeding complications were assessed. RESULTS: Overall clinical outcome was excellent, with 97.8% of patients surviving to discharge and a 30-day, all-cause mortality of 4.4%. Despite no patients having a HAS-BLED score > 2 (average score = 0.8 +/-), ISTH major and GUSTO moderate bleeding was observed in 11% (n = 5) of cases. CONCLUSIONS: The present observations document that low-dose systemic TT is associated with excellent clinical outcome for intermediate-high risk submassive PE, but with attendant risk for bleeding. These findings are consistent with the concept that induction of a therapeutic lytic state carries inextricable bleeding risk.

Pacemaker-induced tricuspid regurgitation is uncommon immediately post-implantation.

BACKGROUND: Prior studies report permanent pacemaker (PPM)-induced tricuspid regurgitation (TR) in up to one third of cases late post-implantation. We sought to assess the extent of immediate PPM-induced TR. METHODS: Forty patients undergoing PPM implant were prospectively enrolled. Patients with pre-existing moderate or severe TR or an RVSP >50 mmHg were excluded. Pre- and immediate post-implantation transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) analyzed TR grade according to established methods. 3D TTE was utilized to determine lead position in relation to tricuspid leaflets as well as lead mobility across the TV. RESULTS: Of 40 patients, four were excluded due to baseline moderate TR (n = 3) or RVSP >50 mmHg (n = 1). In the remaining cohort (n = 36), immediate post-implantation TTE showed no increase in TR grade in 30 patients (83%), whereas a one-grade increase from no/trace to mild occurred in six (17%) others. In no patient did immediate moderate or severe TR develop. Exclusive RV pacing was present in 47% of the patients; however, only two of the six patients with increased TR were paced. 3D TTE identified lead position in 92% of the cases-more than 50% of the cases showed RV lead distribution in the middle or post eroseptal commissure of the TV. Lead immobility was seen in only three of the six patients with increased TR. CONCLUSIONS: These findings show that significant PPM-induced TR is uncommon immediately post-implantation and, when it occurs, causes no greater than mild TR. RV pacing and lead mobility do not correlate with worsening of TR. 3D TTE is highly reliable at identifying lead position.

Effect of Statin Therapy on Mortality in Older Adults Hospitalized with Coronary Artery Disease: A Propensity-Adjusted Analysis.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the effect of statins on long-term mortality in older adults hospitalized with coronary artery disease (CAD). DESIGN: Retrospective analysis. SETTING: University teaching hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Individuals aged 80 and older (mean aged 85.2, 56% female) hospitalized from January 2006 to December 2010 with acute myocardial infarction (AMI), unstable angina pectoris, or chronic CAD and discharged alive (N = 1,262). Participants were divided into those who did (n = 913) and did not (n = 349) receive a discharge prescription for a statin. MEASUREMENTS: All-cause mortality over a median follow-up of 3.1 years. RESULTS: Participants treated with statins were more likely to be male, to have a primary diagnosis of AMI, to have traditional cardiovascular risk factors, and to receive other standard cardiovascular medications in addition to statins. In unadjusted analysis, statin therapy was associated with lower mortality (hazard ratio (HR) = 0.83, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.71-0.96). After adjustment for baseline differences between groups and propensity for receiving statin therapy, the effect of statins on mortality was no longer significant (HR = 0.88, 95% CI = 0.74-1.05). The association between statins and mortality was similar in participants aged 80 to 84 and those aged 85 and older. CONCLUSION: In this cohort of older adults hospitalized with CAD, statin therapy had no significant effect on long-term survival after adjustment for between-group differences. These findings, although preliminary, call into question the benefit of statin therapy for secondary prevention in a real-world population of adults aged 80 and older and underscore the need for shared decision-making when prescribing statins in this age group.