Transcatheter aortic valve thrombosis: Data from a French multicenter cohort analysis.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effectiveness of anticoagulant therapies in patients with clinical transcatheter heart valve (THV) thrombosis, to describe complications, and to assess their risk profile was the objectives. BACKGROUND: Little research has been conducted on clinical THV thrombosis. METHODS: Patients with clinical THV thrombosis were identified based on greater than 50% increased transvalvular gradient on transthoracic echocardiogram confirmed by 4-dimensional computed tomography, transesophageal echocardiogram, or regression with anticoagulant therapy. A cohort free from thrombosis for more than 1,100 days postprocedure was used for comparison. RESULTS: Fifty-four patients with clinical THV thrombosis were identified. Most subjects (98.1%) received anticoagulant therapy which was effective (≥50% reduction in transvalvular gradient or return to postprocedure value) in 96%. The rate of serious hemodynamic or embolic complications in the thrombosis population was 31.5%. A multivariate analysis of subjects with and without thrombosis indicated a significantly increased risk of thrombosis from preexisting thrombocytopenia (odds ratio [OR] 9.96), absence of predilatation (OR = 5.67), renal insufficiency (OR = 4.84), and >10 mmHg mean transvalvular gradient postprocedure (OR = 3.36). No recurrence of thrombosis was identified during on average 685 days follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: These data, from one of the largest cohorts with clinical THV thrombosis confirm anticoagulants appear effective. The rate of serious associated complications was high. The findings underline the importance of recognizing risk factors for thrombosis.

OCT and CMR for the Diagnosis of Patients Presenting With MINOCA and Suspected Epicardial Causes.

OBJECTIVES: Among all patients presenting with myocardial infarction with nonobstructive coronary arteries (MINOCA), epicardial causes may be suspected when there is a correlation between electrocardiogram (ECG) changes and regional wall motion abnormalities (WMAs). We evaluated the diagnostic yield of intravascular optical coherence tomography (OCT) and cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) in this specific setting. BACKGROUND: OCT is able to identify different morphologic features of coronary plaques that are well known causes of MINOCA. Furthermore, CMR has become the gold standard for detection of myocardial infarction in the setting of MINOCA. METHODS: In a prospective 2-center study, consecutive patients with MINOCA including ECG features of ischemia associated with corresponding WMAs underwent OCT and CMR. RESULTS: Forty patients (mean age: 50 ± 11 years, 62.5% male, 32.5% with ST-segment elevation) were enrolled. Coronary arteries were normal on coronary angiography in 10 patients (25%); 18 patients (45%) presented minimal lumen irregularities, whereas the remaining 12 patients (30%) showed mild to moderate (≥30% but <50%) coronary lesions. Plaque rupture, eruptive calcific nodule, plaque erosion, lone thrombus, and spontaneous coronary artery dissection were found in 14 (35%), 1 (2.5%), 12 (30%), 3 (7.5%), and 2 (5%) patients, respectively. Acute myocardial infarction was evident at CMR in 31 of 40 patients (77.5%). Twenty-three patients (57.5%) had a substrate and/or diagnosis supported by both techniques with an evident relationship between the findings obtained by the 2 techniques. By coupling OCT with CMR, a substrate and/or diagnosis was found in 100% of cases. CONCLUSIONS: OCT coupled with CMR can provide a clear substrate and/or diagnosis in the vast majority of patients presenting with MINOCA including ECG features of ischemia associated with corresponding WMAs.

Incidence, delays, and outcomes of STEMI during COVID-19 outbreak: Analysis from the France PCI registry.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak on incidence, delays, and outcomes of ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) in France. Methods: We analyzed all patients undergoing PPCI <24 hours STEMI included in the prospective France PCI registry. The 2 groups were compared on mean monthly number of patients, delays in the pathway care, and in-hospital major adverse cardiac events (MACE: death, stent thrombosis, myocardial infarction, unplanned coronary revascularization, stroke, and major bleeding). Results: From January 15, 2019 to April 14, 2020, 2064 STEMI patients undergoing PPCI were included: 1942 in the prelockdown group and 122 in the lockdown group. Only 2 cases in the lockdown group were positive for COVID-19. A significant drop (12%) in mean number of STEMI/month was observed in the lockdown group compared with prelockdown (139 vs 122, P < 0.04). A significant increase in "symptom onset to first medical contact" delay was found for patients who presented directly to the emergency department (ED) (238 minutes vs 450 minutes; P = 0.04). There were higher rates of in-hospital MACE (7.7% vs 12.3%; P = 0.06) and mortality (4.9% vs 8.2%; P = 0.11) in the lockdown group but the differences were not significant. Conclusion: According to the multicenter France PCI registry, the COVID-19 outbreak in France was associated with a significant decline in STEMI undergoing PPCI and longer transfer time for patients who presented directly to the ED. Mortality rates doubled, but the difference was not statistically significant.

An unusual cause of myocardial ischemia: Compression of a left internal mammary artery grafting to the left anterior descending artery by a pacemaker lead.

An 83-year-old patient, with prior history of coronary artery disease treated by coronary-artery bypass graft with left internal mammary artery (LIMA) to the left anterior descending artery (2001) and angioplasty of the right coronary artery (2012) and prior pacemaker through left subclavian vein (2014), was referred to coronary angiography for an anterior silent ischemia. It found no evolving lesion on the native coronary artery network (compared with 2012 review) but revealed an external compression of the LIMA bridge by the pacemaker lead. Conservative treatment was chosen rather than explantation and reimplantation of stimulus material or LIMA angioplasty. .

Comparison of two antiplatelet therapy strategies in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

Dual antiplatelet therapy is commonly used in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI), but the optimal antiplatelet regimen is uncertain and remains to be determined. The objective of this study was to compare 2 strategies of antiplatelet therapy in patients undergoing TAVI. A strategy using monoantiplatelet therapy (group A, n = 164) was prospectively compared with a strategy using dual antiplatelet therapy (group B, n = 128) in 292 consecutive patients undergoing TAVI. The primary end point was a combination of mortality, major stroke, life-threatening bleeding (LTB), myocardial infarction, and major vascular complications at 30 days. All adverse events were adjudicated according to the Valve Academic Research Consortium. The primary end point occurred in 22 patients (13.4%) in the group A and in 30 patients (23.4%) in the group B (hazard ratio 0.51, 95% confidence interval 0.28 to 0.94, p = 0.026). LTB (3.7% vs 12.5%, p = 0.005) and major bleedings (2.4% vs 13.3%, p <0.0001) occurred less frequently in the group A, whereas the incidence of stroke (1.2% vs 4.7%, p = 0.14) and myocardial infarction (1.2% vs 0.8%, p = 1.0) was not significantly different between the 2 groups. The benefit of a strategy using mono versus dual antiplatelet therapy persisted after multivariate adjustment and propensity score analysis (hazard ratio 0.53, 95% confidence interval 0.28 to 0.95, p = 0.033). In conclusion, a strategy using mono versus dual antiplatelet therapy in patients undergoing TAVI reduces LTB and major bleedings without increasing the risk of stroke and myocardial infarction. The results of our study question the justification of dual antiplatelet therapy and require confirmation in a randomized trial.

Hakki's formula for measurement of aortic valve area by magnetic resonance imaging.

Hakki's formula (simplified Gorlin formula) can be used during cardiac catheterization to calculate the stenosed cardiac valve areas and can also be adapted to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to measure the stenosed cardiac valve areas. We evaluated the reliability of this approach to determine the severity of aortic stenosis compared to the continuity equation using transthoracic echocardiography and planimetry using MRI. We included all eligible symptomatic patients with known aortic stenosis referred to our department during a 1-year period. The aortic valve area (AVA) was estimated using Hakki's formula (MRI), planimetry (MRI), and the continuity equation (transthoracic echocardiography). The agreement among the measurement methods was analyzed using the Bland-Altman method. A total of 63 patients were included (mean age 72 +/- 10 years, 35 men [56%]). The mean AVA was 0.70 +/- 0.21 cm(2) using the continuity equation (transthoracic echocardiography), 0.67 +/- 0.18 cm(2) using planimetry (MRI), and 0.64 +/- 0.21 cm(2) using Hakki's formula (MRI). The mean difference was 0.03 cm(2) (95% limits of agreement -0.32 to 0.25) between planimetry and the continuity equation, 0.05 cm(2) (95% limits of agreement -0.40 to 0.29) between Hakki's formula and the continuity equation, 0.02 cm(2) (95% limits of agreement -0.20 to 0.25) between Hakki's formula and planimetry. The inter- and intraobserver reproducibility using Hakki's formula was excellent. In conclusion, measurement of the AVA using Hakki's formula yielded similar results to those obtained using planimetry and slightly different ones from those obtained using the continuity equation. However, Hakki's formula has the advantage of being easy to use, fast, and reproducible and can be used regardless of the status of the valve (in contrast to planimetry).

Impact of purely internal thoracic artery T-graft technique on the mode and quality of surgical myocardial revascularization evaluated by early postoperative coronary angiography.

BACKGROUND: The use of the internal thoracic artery for coronary artery bypass has improved the results of such surgery. However, bypass using only the internal thoracic arteries sometimes requires a T-graft. This purely internal thoracic artery T-graft technique has progressively become part of our surgical protocol for coronary artery bypass surgery. AIMS: The aim of the study was to analyse the impact of this surgical technique on the degree and quality of coronary revascularization using early postoperative angiography. METHODS: Between January 2004 and December 2006, 148 patients underwent coronary artery bypass surgery exclusively using both internal thoracic arteries in a T-graft configuration. Systematic postoperative angiography was offered to all 148 patients; it was accepted by 108 patients and refused by 40 patients. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups. In-patient mortality was 2.02% (n=3) for the whole population studied, and 1.49% (n=2) for the 134 patients who received only coronary artery bypass grafts. The revascularization rate was 89% and 3.46 coronary anastomoses were constructed per patient (range 2-6). Angiography was performed on 108 right internal thoracic artery to left internal thoracic artery anastomoses, 374 anastomoses of internal thoracic arteries to coronary arteries and 382 inter-anastomosis segments: 98% of the anastomoses and segments were patent. CONCLUSION: The exclusive recourse to the purely internal thoracic artery T-graft technique meant that it has been possible to dispense with other types of graft while achieving complete and effective revascularization of the coronary artery.

Fatal diffuse thrombotic microangiopathy after a bite by the "Fer-de-Lance" pit viper (Bothrops lanceolatus) of Martinique.

In Martinique, a man bitten two days earlier by a pit viper (Bothrops lanceolatus) was hospitalized with impaired consciousness and tetraplegia. Investigations confirmed cerebral and myocardial infarctions. Resolving thrombocytopenia was associated with virtually normal blood prothrombin time/activated partial thromboplastin time but increasing hyperfibrinogenemia. Despite specific antivenom treatment, he developed fatal left ventricular failure six days after the bite. At autopsy, multiple cerebral, myocardial and mesenteric infarctions were found. Rupture of mitral chordae tendinae was the likely cause of death. Histopathologic examination showed multi-focal thrombotic microangiopathy with intimal-medial dissection by thrombi extending from foci of endothelial damage in small cerebral, myocardial, pulmonary, mesenteric, and interlobular renal arteries and arterioles. These findings were the causes of infarctions. There was intense angiogenesis in organizing cerebral infarcts. Immunohistochemical analysis showed platelet aggregates and endothelial cells within microthrombi. Viperidae venoms contain vascular endothelial toxins, notably metalloproteinase hemorrhagins, but von Willebrand factor activators or vascular endothelial growth factor-type factors are more likely to have been implicated in this case.