Academic cardiac electrophysiologists' perspectives on sleep apnea care.

PURPOSE: Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is an important, modifiable risk factor in the pathophysiology of arrhythmias including atrial fibrillation (AF). The purpose of the study was to evaluate cardiac electrophysiologists' (EPs) perception of OSAS. METHODS: We designed a 27-item online Likert scale-based survey instrument entailing several domains: (1) relevance of OSAS in EP practice, (2) OSAS screening and diagnosis, (3) perception on treatments for OSAS, (4) opinion on the OSAS care model. The survey was distributed to 89 academic EP programs in the USA and Canada. While the survey instrument questions refer to the term sleep apnea (SA), our discussion of the diagnosis, management, and research on the sleep disorder is more accurately described with the term OSAS. RESULTS: A total of 105 cardiac electrophysiologists from 49 institutions responded over a 9-month period. The majority of respondents agreed that sleep apnea (SA) is a major concern in their practice (94%). However, 42% reported insufficient education on SA during training. Many (58%) agreed that they would be comfortable managing SA themselves with proper training and education and 66% agreed cardiac electrophysiologists should become more involved in management. Half of EPs (53%) were not satisfied with the sleep specialist referral process. Additionally, a majority (86%) agreed that trained advanced practice providers should be able to assess and manage SA. Time constraints, lack of knowledge, and the referral process are identified as major barriers to EPs becoming more involved in SA care. CONCLUSIONS: We found that OSAS is widely recognized as a major concern for EP. However, incorporation of OSAS care in training and routine practice lags. Barriers to increased involvement include time constraints and education. This study can serve as an impetus for innovation in the cardiology OSAS care model.

Evaluation of a novel mechanical compression device for hematoma prevention and wound cosmesis after CIED implantation.

BACKGROUND: An important complication of cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIED) implantation is the development of hematoma and device infection. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to evaluate a novel mechanical compression device for hematoma prevention and cosmetic outcomes following CIED implantation. METHODS: An open, prospective, randomized, single-center clinical trial was performed in patients undergoing CIED implantation. Patients were randomized to receive a novel mechanical compression device (PressRite, PR) or to receive the standard of care post device implantation. Skin pliability was measured with a calibrated durometer; the surgical site was evaluated using the Manchester Scar Scale (MSS) by a blinded plastic surgeon and the Patient and Observer Scar Scale (POSAS). Performance of PR was assessed through pressure measurements, standardized scar scales and tolerability. RESULTS: From the total of 114 patients evaluated for enrollment, 105 patients were eligible for analysis. Fifty-one patients were randomized to management group (PR) and 54 to the control group. No patients required early removal or experienced adverse effects from PR application. There were 11 hematomas (14.8% vs. 5.9% in the control and PR group respectively, p = NS). The control group had higher post procedure durometer readings in the surgical site when compared with the PR group (7.50 ± 3.45 vs. 5.37 ± 2.78; p = < .01). There were lower MSS scores in the PR group after 2 weeks (p = .03). CONCLUSION: We have demonstrated the safety of PR application and removal. In addition, PR appears to improve postoperative skin pliability, which could facilitate wound healing.

A systemic congestive index (systemic pulse pressure to central venous pressure ratio) predicts adverse outcomes in patients undergoing valvular heart surgery.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Invasive hemodynamics may provide a more nuanced assessment of cardiac function and risk phenotyping in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. The systemic pulse pressure (SPP) to central venous pressure (CVP) ratio represents an integrated index of right and left ventricular function and thus may demonstrate an association with valvular heart surgery outcomes. This study hypothesized that a low SPP/CVP ratio would be associated with mortality in valvular surgery patients. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study examined adult valvular surgery patients with preoperative right heart catheterization from 2007 through 2016 at a single tertiary medical center (n = 215). Associations between the SPP/CVP ratio and mortality were investigated with univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: Among 215 patients (age 69.7 ± 12.4 years; 55.8% male), 61 died (28.4%) over a median follow-up of 5.9 years. A SPP/CVP ratio <7.6 was associated with increased mortality (relative risk 1.70, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.08-2.67, p = .019) and increased length of stay (11.56 ± 13.73 days vs. 7.93 ± 4.92 days, p = .016). It remained an independent predictor of mortality (adjusted odds ratio 3.99, 95% CI 1.47-11.45, p = .008) after adjusting for CVP, mean pulmonary artery pressure, aortic stenosis, tricuspid regurgitation, smoking status, diabetes mellitus, dialysis, and cross-clamp time. CONCLUSIONS: A low SPP/CVP ratio was associated with worse outcomes in patients undergoing valvular heart surgery. This metric has potential utility in preoperative risk stratification to guide patient selection, prognosis, and surgical outcomes.

Early Versus Delayed Pacemaker for Heart Block After Valve Surgery: A Cost-Effectiveness Analysis.

BACKGROUND: A significant percentage of patients who acutely develop high-grade atrioventricular block after valve surgery will ultimately recover, yet the ability to predict recovery is limited. The purpose of this analysis was to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of two different management strategies for the timing of permanent pacemaker implantation for new heart block after valve surgery. METHODS: A cost-effectiveness model was developed using costs and probabilities of short- and long-term complications of pacemaker placement, short-term atrioventricular node recovery, intensive care unit stays, and long-term follow-up. We aggregated the total expected cost and utility of each option over a 20-y period. Quality-adjusted survival with a pacemaker was estimated from the literature and institutional patient-reported outcomes. Primary decision analysis was based on an expected recovery rate of 36.7% at 12 d with timing of pacemaker implantation: early placement (5 d) versus watchful waiting for 12 d. RESULTS: A strategy of watchful waiting was more costly ($171,798 ± $45,695 versus $165,436 ± $52,923; P < 0.0001) but had a higher utility (9.05 ± 1.36 versus 8.55 ± 1.33 quality-adjusted life years; P < 0.0001) than an early pacemaker implantation strategy. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of watchful waiting was $12,724 per quality-adjusted life year. The results are sensitive to differences in quality-adjusted survival and rates of recovery of atrioventricular node function. CONCLUSIONS: Watchful waiting for pacemaker insertion is a cost-effective management strategy compared with early placement for acute atrioventricular block after valve surgery. Although this is cost-effective from a population perspective, clinical risk scores predicting recovery will aid in personalized decision-making.

MAGGIC, STS, and EuroSCORE II Risk Score Comparison After Aortic and Mitral Valve Surgery.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the Meta-Analysis Global Group in Chronic Heart Failure (MAGGIC) risk score with the established Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) and EuroSCORE II risk prediction models regarding mortality discrimination after aortic and mitral valve surgery. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: Single tertiary academic medical center. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 259 patients who underwent open aortic valve replacement or open mitral valve repair/replacement from 2009-2014. INTERVENTIONS: Retrospective chart review. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: MAGGIC, STS, and EuroSCORE II risk scores for each patient were studied using binary logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic analysis for the primary endpoint of one-year mortality and secondary endpoint of 30-day mortality. One-year mortality C-statistics were similar across risk scores (STS 0.709, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.578-0.841; MAGGIC 0.673, 95% CI 0.547-0.799; EuroSCORE II 0.642, 95% CI 0.521-0.762; p = 0.56 between STS and MAGGIC; p = 0.20 between STS and EuroSCORE II; and p = 0.69 between MAGGIC and EuroSCORE II). Thirty-day mortality C-statistics also were similar between STS (0.797, 95% CI 0.655-0.939; p < 0.0001 v null hypothesis), MAGGIC (0.721, 95% CI 0.581-0.860; p = 0.33 v STS), and EuroSCORE II (0.688, 95% CI 0.557-0.818; p = 0.06 v STS; p = 0.68 v MAGGIC). CONCLUSIONS: The MAGGIC risk score performs similarly to STS and EuroSCORE II risk models in mortality discrimination after aortic and mitral valve surgery, albeit in a small sample size. This finding has important implications in establishing MAGGIC as a viable prognostic model in this population subset, with fewer variables and ease of use representing key advantages over STS and EuroSCORE II.

Right ventricular scar-related ventricular tachycardia in nonischemic cardiomyopathy: Electrophysiological characteristics, mapping, and ablation of underlying heart disease.

BACKGROUND: Right ventricular (RV)-scar related ventricular tachycardia (VT) is often due to arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy/dysplasia (ARVC/D) or cardiac sarcoidosis (CS), but some patients whose clinical course has not been described do not fulfill diagnostic criteria for these diseases. We sought to characterize the electrophysiologic substrate and catheter ablation outcomes of such patients, termed RV cardiomyopathy of unknown source (RCUS). METHODS AND RESULTS: Data of 100 consecutive patients who presented with RV cardiomyopathy and/or RV-related VT for ablation were reviewed (51 ARVC/D, 22 CS; 27 RCUS). Compared to ARVC/D, RCUS patients were older (P = 0.001), less commonly had RV dilatation (P = 0.001) or dysfunction (P = 0.01) and fragmented QRS, parietal block, and T-wave inversion. Compared to CS, R-CUS patients had less severe LV dysfunction. Extent and distribution of endocardial/epicardial scar and inducible VTs in RCUS patients were comparable with ARVC/D and CS patients. At a median follow-up of 23 months, RCUS patients had more favorable VT-free survival (RCUS 71%, ARVC/D 60%, CS 41%, P = 0.03) and survival free of death or cardiac transplant (RCUS 92%, ARVC/D 92%, CS 62%, P = 0.01). No RCUS patients developed new criteria for ARVC/D or CS in follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Up to one-third of patients with RV scar-related VT are not classifiable as ARVC/D or CS. These patients had a somewhat better prognosis than ARVC/D or sarcoid and did not develop evidence of these diseases during the initial 2 years of follow-up. The extent to which this population comprises mild ARVC/D, CS, or other diseases is not clear.

Beyond the Storm: Comparison of Clinical Factors, Arrhythmogenic Substrate, and Catheter Ablation Outcomes in Structural Heart Disease Patients With versus Those Without a History of Ventricular Tachycardia Storm.

AIMS: Catheter ablation can be lifesaving in ventricular tachycardia (VT) storm, but the underlying substrate in patients with storm is not well characterized. We sought to compare the clinical factors, substrate, and outcomes differences in patients with sustained monomorphic VT who present for catheter ablation with VT storm versus those with a nonstorm presentation. METHODS: Consecutive ischemic (ICM; n = 554) or nonischemic cardiomyopathy patients (NICM; n = 369) with a storm versus nonstorm presentation were studied (ICM storm 186; NICM storm 101). RESULTS: In ICM, storm compared with nonstorm patients had significantly lower left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (EF), greater number of antiarrhythmic drug (AAD) failures, slower VTs, greater number of scarred LV segments, higher incidence of anterior, septal, and apical endocardial LV scar (all P < 0.05). However, outcomes in follow-up were similar (12-month ventricular arrhythmia [VA]-free survival: 51% vs. 52%, P = 0.6; survival free of death/transplant 75% vs. 87%, P = 0.7). In addition to the above differences, NICM storm patients were also older; however, the extent and distribution of scar was similar except for a higher incidence of lateral endocardial scar in storm patients (P = 0.05). VA-free survival (36% vs. 47%, P = 0.004) and survival free of death/transplant, however, were worse in NICM storm than nonstorm patients (72% vs. 88%, P = 0.001). NICM storm patients had worse VA-free survival than ICM storm patients. CONCLUSION: There are differences in clinical factors and scar patterns in patients undergoing VT ablation who present with VT storm versus those with a nonstorm presentation. Clinical outcomes are worse in NICM storm patients.

Left Ventricular Assist Devices Impact Hospital Resource Utilization Without Affecting Patient Mortality in Gastrointestinal Bleeding.

BACKGROUND: Left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) are being utilized for management of end-stage heart failure and require systemic anticoagulation. Gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB) is one of the most common adverse events following LVAD implantation. AIM: To investigate the impact of continuous-flow (CF) LVAD implants on outcomes of patients admitted with GIB. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study utilizing the Nationwide Inpatient Sample in the CF-LVAD era from 2010 to 2012. All adult admissions with a primary diagnosis of GIB were included. Among hospitalizations with GIB, patients with (cases) and without (controls) CF-LVAD implants were compared using univariate and multivariate analyses. The main outcome measurements were in-hospital mortality, length of stay, and hospitalization costs. RESULTS: Among 1,002,299 hospitalizations for GIB, 1112 (0.11%) patients had CF-LVADs. Bleeding angiodysplasia accounted for a majority of GIB in CF-LVAD patients (35.4% of 1112). Multivariate analysis adjusting for demographic, hospital and etiological differences, site of GIB, and patient comorbidities revealed that CF-LVADs were not adversely associated with mortality in GIB (OR 0.53, 95% CI 0.07-4.15). However, CF-LVADs independently accounted for prolonged hospitalization (3.5 days, 95% CI 2.6-4.6) and higher hospital charges ($37,032, 95% CI $7991-$66,074). CONCLUSIONS: In patients admitted with GIB, CF-LVAD implantation accounts for higher healthcare utilization, but is not adversely associated with mortality despite therapeutic anticoagulation, increased comorbidities, and comparatively delayed endoscopy. These findings are relevant as CF-LVADs are the dominant type of LVAD and are associated with increased risk of GIB compared to their predecessors.

The Impact of Inappropriate Implantable Cardiac Defibrillator Shocks on Cardiovascular Morbidity and Mortality.

BACKGROUND: The impact of inappropriate implantable cardiac defibrillator (ICD) shocks on cardiac outcomes is controversial. Shocks due to lead noise are unique in that they are not an outcome of worsening rhythm status. In this study, we compared the outcome of patients with and without inappropriate shocks who underwent Sprint Fidelis lead (Medtronic Inc., Minneapolis, MN, USA) extraction. METHODS: We retrospectively identified 147 patients who underwent Sprint Fidelis lead extraction in our institution between May 2007 and August 2012. The patients were separated into those with (Group 1) and without (Group 2) inappropriate shocks due to lead noise. Pertinent data were obtained from chart review. RESULTS: There were 57 and 90 patients in Groups 1 and 2, respectively. The mean ± standard deviation number of inappropriate shocks in Group 1 was 16 ± 22. There was no difference in the baseline demographics, risk factors, and cardiac history between the groups. There were no extraction-related deaths and there was no difference in the rate of periprocedural complications between the groups. The mean total hospital length of stay (LOS) was longer for Group 1 versus 2; however, the mean postprocedure LOS was the same between the groups. During follow-up, there was no difference in the cardiac readmission rate over a 1-year period (four vs seven patients in Group 1 vs 2, respectively; P = 0.8). Long-term follow-up revealed similar mortality rates in both groups. (18 patients in Group 1, and 21 patients in Group 2; P = 0.8). CONCLUSIONS: Inappropriate shocks due to lead noise do not seem to predispose to a worse clinical outcome after ICD lead extraction.

Pulmonary hypertension in hypertensive patients: association with diastolic dysfunction and increased pulmonary vascular resistance.

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary hypertension (PH) in patients with systemic hypertension and preserved ejection fraction (PEF) has been described. However, the pathophysiology and consequences are not entirely clear. We sought to distinguish the clinical and anatomic features among hypertensive patients with or without coexistent PH. METHODS: Echocardiograms and records of hypertensive patients with left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy and PEF from January 2009 to January 2011 were reviewed. We identified 174 patients, including 36 with PH (calculated pulmonary artery systolic pressure [PASP] ≥ 35 mmHg), and 138 with normal pulmonary pressures. RESULTS: Hypertensive patients with PH were older (76 ± 13 vs. 65 ± 13 years, P < 0.0001), more often female (91, 70%), had lower estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) (63 ± 44 vs. 88 ± 48 mL/min, P = 0.002), and higher pro-BNP levels (3141 ± 4253 vs. 1219 ± 1900 pg/mL, P = 0.003). PH patients also had larger left atrial areas (23.7 ± 3.8 vs. 20.8 ± 4.6 cm(2) , P = 0.002), evidence of diastolic dysfunction (i.e., septal E/e' 17.6 ± 8.6 vs. 12.7 ± 4.4, P = 0.0005), and higher calculated peripheral vascular resistance (PVR) (2.3 ± 1.1 vs. 1.6 ± 0.4, P < 0.0001). Both PVR and septal E/e' showed strong linear correlation with PASP (P < 0.0001 and P < 0.0001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Hypertension in elderly patients is frequently complicated by LV diastolic dysfunction and secondary PH. These hypertensive patients tended to have reduced renal function and higher pro-BNP. Because of the known morbidity and mortality associated with PH, these observations have potentially important implications for target medical therapy.

Mortality Outcomes in Patients With Cardiac Implantable Electronic Devices Before and After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement.

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) carries a risk of high-grade AV block requiring cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) implantation, which has been associated with a higher mortality rate. However, the outcomes of TAVR in patients with preexisting CIEDs are not well understood. We conducted a retrospective analysis of consecutive patients who underwent TAVR from December 2014 to December 2019 at our institution. Patients were categorized into 3 groups: preexisting CIED pre-TAVR (group 1), CIED implanted within 30 days after TAVR (group 2), and no CIED implanted (group 3). Cox proportional hazard was conducted to determine the primary end point of all-cause mortality. A total of 366 patients were included, of whom 93 (25.4%), 51 (13.9%), and 222 (60.7%) comprised group 1, 2, and 3, respectively. The median follow-up time was 2.3 years. The all-cause mortality rate was higher in group 1 than group 2 (hazard ratio [HR] 2.60, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.09 to 6.18, p = 0.03) and group 3 (HR 1.96, 95% CI 1.24 to 3.08, p = 0.004). On the multivariate analysis, there was no statistically significant difference in mortality among the groups (group 1 vs group 2: HR 1.95, 95% CI 0.70 to 5.44, p = 0.20 and group 1 vs group 3: HR 1.27, 95% CI 0.66 to 2.43, p = 0.47). Preoperative hemoglobin ≤12 g/100 ml was an independent predictor of all-cause mortality (HR 1.75, 95% CI 1.10 to 2.80, p = 0.02). Group 1 had a higher 1 year congestive heart failure readmission rate (29%) than group 2 (17.6%) and group 3 (8.1%; p <0.0001). In conclusion, there was no difference in the adjusted long-term survival based on the CIED grouping. However, patients with preexisting CIEDs had higher all-cause mortality and 1-year congestive heart failure readmission rates owing to their higher co-morbidity burden, irrespective of their Society of Thoracic Surgeons score. This can be taken into account for preoperative risk stratification.

Racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic disparities in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest within the United States: Now is the time for change.

This review highlights the current evidence on racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic disparities in cardiac arrest outcomes within the United States. Several studies demonstrate that patients from Black, Hispanic, or lower socioeconomic status backgrounds suffer the most from disparities at multiple levels of the resuscitation pathway, including in the provision of bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation, defibrillator usage, and postresuscitation therapies. These gaps in care may altogether lead to lower survival rates and worse neurological outcomes for these patients. A multisystem, culturally sensitive approach to improving cardiac arrest outcomes is suggested in this article.

Toward a Quasi-dynamic Pulsed Field Electroporation Numerical Model for Cardiac Ablation: Predicting Tissue Conductance Changes and Ablation Lesion Patterns.

Pulsed field ablation (PFA) has the potential to evolve into an efficient alternative to traditional RF ablation for atrial fibrillation treatment. However, achieving irreversible tissue electroporation is critical to suppressing arrhythmic pathways, raising the need for accurate lesion characterization. To understand the physics behind the tissue response PFA, we propose a quasi-dynamic model that quantifies tissue conductance at end-electroporation and identifies regions that have undergone fully irreversible electroporation (IRE). The model uses several parameters and numerically solves the electrical field diffusion into the tissue by iteratively updating the tissue conductance until equilibrium at end-electroporation. The model yields a steady-state tissue conductance map used to identify the irreversible lesion. We conducted numerical experiments mimicking a lasso catheter featuring nine 3-mm electrodes spaced circumferentially at 3.75 mm and fired sequentially using a 1500 V and 3000 V pulse amplitude. The IRE lesion region has a surface area and volume of 780 mm2 and 1411 mm3, respectively, at 1500 V, and 1178 mm2 and 2760 mm3, respectively, at 3000 V. Lesion discontinuity was observed at 5.0 mm depth with 1500 V, and 7.2 mm depth with 3000 V. This quasi-dynamic model yields tissue conductance maps, predicts irreversible lesion and lesion penumbra at end-electroporation, and confirms larger lesions with higher pulse amplitudes.

Meta-Analysis of New-Onset Atrial Fibrillation Versus No History of Atrial Fibrillation in Patients With Noncardiac Critical Care Illness.

The incidence of new-onset secondary atrial fibrillation (NOSAF) is as high as 44% in noncardiac critical illness. A systematic review and meta-analysis were performed to evaluate the impact of NOSAF, compared with history of prior atrial fibrillation (AF) and no history of AF in noncardiac critically ill patients. Patients undergoing cardiothoracic surgery were excluded. NOSAF incidence, intensive care unit (ICU)/hospital length of stay (LOS), and mortality outcomes were analyzed. Of 2,360 studies reviewed, 19 studies met inclusion criteria (n = 306,805 patients). NOSAF compared with no history of AF was associated with increased in-hospital mortality (risk ratio [RR] 2.06, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.76 to 2.41, p <0.001), longer ICU LOS (standardized difference in means [SMD] 0.66, 95% CI 0.41 to 0.91, p <0.001), longer hospital LOS (SMD 0.31, 95% CI 0.07 to 0.56, p = 0.001) and increased risk of long-term (>1 year) mortality (RR 1.76, 95% CI 1.29 to 2.40, p <0.001). NOSAF compared with previous AF was also associated with higher in-hospital mortality (RR 1.29, 95% CI 1.12 to 1.49, p <0.001), longer ICU LOS (SMD 0.37, 95% CI 0.03 to 0.70, p = 0.03) but no difference in-hospital LOS (SMD -0.18, 95% CI -0.66 to 0.31, p = 0.47). In conclusion, NOSAF, in the setting of noncardiac critical illness is associated with increased in-hospital mortality compared with no history of AF and previous AF. NOSAF (vs no history of AF) is also associated with increased long-term mortality.

Utility of Ischemia Testing Prior to Ablation for Sustained Monomorphic Ventricular Tachycardia.

The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between ischemia testing prior to ablation for sustained monomorphic ventricular tachycardia (VT) (SMVT) and post-ablation mortality and VT recurrence. As SMVT is generally caused by myocardial scar and not active ischemia, the utility of ischemia testing prior to SMVT ablation is unclear. Patients who underwent ablation for SMVT at 2 tertiary care centers between January 2016 and July 2018 were included in a retrospective study. A Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was performed, stratifying patients by pre-ablation ischemia testing for the endpoints of mortality and VT recurrence. A Cox multivariable regression analysis was performed to identify predictors of post-ablation VT recurrence. A total of 163 patients were included, with 46 (28%) patients undergoing ischemia testing prior to ablation. Only 5 of the 46 patients (11%) received revascularization pre-ablation. After a median follow-up period of 625 days (interquartile range, 292-982 days) following ablation, 97 of 163 patients (60%) had VT recurrence, and 32 patients (20%) had died. There was no difference in mortality or VT recurrence between patients who did or did not experience ischemia testing or revascularization. In the multivariable regression analysis, predictors of VT recurrence were the number of anti-arrhythmics failed, non-ischemic cardiomyopathy, sex, and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging pre-ablation. Neither ischemia testing nor revascularization was a significant predictor of VT recurrence in univariable or multivariable regression analysis. In conclusion, ischemia testing is frequently ordered prior to SMVT ablation but infrequently leads to revascularization and is not associated with post-ablation outcomes. The findings support adopting an individualized approach rather than performing routine ischemia testing.

Association of dementia with in-hospital outcomes in primary heart failure and acute myocardial infarction hospitalizations.

BACKGROUND: Dementia and cardiovascular diseases contribute to a significant disability and healthcare utilization in the elderly. OBJECTIVE: The in-hospital treatment patterns and outcomes of heart failure (HF) and acute myocardial infarction (AMI) are not well-studied in this population. METHODS: We used the National Inpatient Sample database to identify AMI and HF hospitalizations in adults ≥65 years between 2016 and 2018. RESULTS: A total of 2,466,369 HF hospitalizations (277,900 with dementia [11.3%]) and 1,094,155 AMI hospitalizations (100,365 with dementia [9.2%]) were identified. Patients with dementia were older (mean age 83.8 vs 78.6 years for HF, and 83.0 vs 75.8 years for AMI) with female predominance (59.0% for HF and 56.0% for AMI) than those without dementia. In adjusted analysis, patients with dementia had higher in-hospital mortality (HF 4.7% vs 3.1%, aOR 1.33 [1.27-1.39] and AMI 9.9% vs 5.9%, aOR 1.23 [1.17-1.30]), p < 0.001) and lower mechanical circulatory support utilization. Patients with AMI and dementia were less likely to receive revascularization (including percutaneous coronary intervention, coronary artery bypass grafting, and thrombolysis), vasopressors, and invasive mechanical ventilation. They had a longer mean length of stay (LOS) (5.5 vs 5.3 days for HF and 5.1 vs 4.8 days for AMI, p < 0.001 for both), a lower inflation-adjusted cost of care for AMI ($15,486 vs $23,215, p < 0.001), and higher rates of transfer to rehabilitation facilities. CONCLUSION: Patients with dementia admitted for HF or AMI had higher in-hospital mortality, a longer LOS, and were less likely to receive aggressive revascularization interventions after AMI.

Beyond cardioversion, ablation and pharmacotherapies: Risk factors, lifestyle change and behavioral counseling strategies in the prevention and treatment of atrial fibrillation.

IMPORTANCE: It has been suggested that atrial fibrillation (AF) is the new cardiovascular disease epidemic of the 21st century. Clinical cardiology has largely focused on AF treatment and associated stroke prevention rather than preventing AF itself. To reduce the global consequences and associated costs of AF, it is critical to now embrace prevention as a priority. Proactively addressing the risk factors for AF and the underlying unhealthy lifestyle habits that contribute to them, using research-based counseling approaches, represents a complementary and adjunctive alternative in combatting this disease burden. OBSERVATIONS: Encouraging and sustaining patient involvement to reduce AF incidence and improve outcomes begins with screening to identify risk factors, unhealthy lifestyle habits, and characteristics associated with failed attempts at favorably modifying these causalities. Modulators of and common barriers to achieving risk reduction and lifestyle change include self-efficacy, social support, age, sex, marital and socioeconomic status, education, employment, and psychosocial factors such as depression, isolation, anxiety and chronic life stress. Focused behavioral counseling approaches, including assessing the patient's readiness to change, motivational interviewing and using the 5 A's (assess, advise, agree, assist, arrange), along with employing initial downscaled goals to overcome inertia, are proven methodologies to overcome these common barriers to favorably modifying risk factors and unhealthy lifestyle habits. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: To complement and enhance the current armamentarium for the medical management of cardiac arrhythmias, there is an urgent need to proactively address the causative factors triggering new-onset, recurrent and persistent AF. Beyond the counseling skills of highly trained professionals (eg, psychiatrists, psychologists), this narrative review highlights the need for and potential impact on lifestyle modification that non-behavioral scientists, including internal medicine, cardiology, and allied health professionals, can have on the patients they serve.

The Influence of Obesity on the Association of Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Atrial Fibrillation.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The association between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and atrial fibrillation (AF) has been closely studied. However, obesity is a powerful confounder in the causal relationship between OSA and cardiovascular disease. The contribution of obesity in the relationship between OSA and AF remains unclear. METHODS: We recruited 457 consecutive patients equally with and without AF who underwent clinically indicated diagnostic polysomnography at a single academic sleep center. Multivariable logistic regression adjusting for age, sex, hypertension, and heart failure was performed to study the independent association between OSA and AF stratified by obesity. RESULTS: A total of 457 patients (male: 56.2%, mean age 63.1 ± 13.3 years) was included. OSA prevalence was similar between those with and without AF (52.6% vs. 47.4%, respectively; p = 0.24). In multivariable analysis, no association was found between AF and OSA regardless of obesity status. When severe OSA (vs. non-severe OSA) was modeled as a dependent variable, AF was associated with a higher likelihood of severe OSA in non-obese patients [odds ratio (OR): 2.29, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.23-4.35, p = 0.01], but not in obese patients (OR: 0.95, 95% CI: 0.48-1.90, p = 0.89). CONCLUSION: The association of OSA with AF was present only in the non-obese and was limited to severe OSA patients. In contrast, no association was found in obese patients. The association between OSA and AF is partly dependent on the body habitus.