2022 ACC/AHA Guideline for the Diagnosis and Management of Aortic Disease: A Report of the American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology Joint Committee on Clinical Practice Guidelines.

AIM: The "2022 ACC/AHA Guideline for the Diagnosis and Management of Aortic Disease" provides recommendations to guide clinicians in the diagnosis, genetic evaluation and family screening, medical therapy, endovascular and surgical treatment, and long-term surveillance of patients with aortic disease across its multiple clinical presentation subsets (ie, asymptomatic, stable symptomatic, and acute aortic syndromes). METHODS: A comprehensive literature search was conducted from January 2021 to April 2021, encompassing studies, reviews, and other evidence conducted on human subjects that were published in English from PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, CINHL Complete, and other selected databases relevant to this guideline. Additional relevant studies, published through June 2022 during the guideline writing process, were also considered by the writing committee, where appropriate. Structure: Recommendations from previously published AHA/ACC guidelines on thoracic aortic disease, peripheral artery disease, and bicuspid aortic valve disease have been updated with new evidence to guide clinicians. In addition, new recommendations addressing comprehensive care for patients with aortic disease have been developed. There is added emphasis on the role of shared decision making, especially in the management of patients with aortic disease both before and during pregnancy. The is also an increased emphasis on the importance of institutional interventional volume and multidisciplinary aortic team expertise in the care of patients with aortic disease.

Aortic Cellular Diversity and Quantitative Genome-Wide Association Study Trait Prioritization Through Single-Nuclear RNA Sequencing of the Aneurysmal Human Aorta.

BACKGROUND: Mural cells in ascending aortic aneurysms undergo phenotypic changes that promote extracellular matrix destruction and structural weakening. To explore this biology, we analyzed the transcriptional features of thoracic aortic tissue. METHODS: Single-nuclear RNA sequencing was performed on 13 samples from human donors, 6 with thoracic aortic aneurysm, and 7 without aneurysm. Individual transcriptomes were then clustered based on transcriptional profiles. Clusters were used for between-disease differential gene expression analyses, subcluster analysis, and analyzed for intersection with genetic aortic trait data. RESULTS: We sequenced 71 689 nuclei from human thoracic aortas and identified 14 clusters, aligning with 11 cell types, predominantly vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) consistent with aortic histology. With unbiased methodology, we found 7 vascular smooth muscle cell and 6 fibroblast subclusters. Differentially expressed genes analysis revealed a vascular smooth muscle cell group accounting for the majority of differential gene expression. Fibroblast populations in aneurysm exhibit distinct behavior with almost complete disappearance of quiescent fibroblasts. Differentially expressed genes were used to prioritize genes at aortic diameter and distensibility genome-wide association study loci highlighting the genes JUN, LTBP4 (latent transforming growth factor beta-binding protein 1), and IL34 (interleukin 34) in fibroblasts, ENTPD1, PDLIM5 (PDZ and LIM domain 5), ACTN4 (alpha-actinin-4), and GLRX in vascular smooth muscle cells, as well as LRP1 in macrophage populations. CONCLUSIONS: Using nuclear RNA sequencing, we describe the cellular diversity of healthy and aneurysmal human ascending aorta. Sporadic aortic aneurysm is characterized by differential gene expression within known cellular classes rather than by the appearance of novel cellular forms. Single-nuclear RNA sequencing of aortic tissue can be used to prioritize genes at aortic trait loci.

Development of a Prediction Model for Ascending Aortic Diameter Among Asymptomatic Individuals.

Importance: Ascending thoracic aortic disease is an important cause of sudden death in the US, yet most aortic aneurysms are identified incidentally. Objective: To develop and validate a clinical score to estimate ascending aortic diameter. Design, Setting, and Participants: Using an ongoing magnetic resonance imaging substudy of the UK Biobank cohort study, which had enrolled participants from 2006 through 2010, score derivation was performed in 30 018 participants and internal validation in an additional 6681. External validation was performed in 1367 participants from the Framingham Heart Study (FHS) offspring cohort who had undergone computed tomography from 2002 through 2005, and in 50 768 individuals who had undergone transthoracic echocardiography in the Community Care Cohort Project, a retrospective hospital-based cohort of longitudinal primary care patients in the Mass General Brigham (MGB) network between 2001-2018. Exposures: Demographic and clinical variables (11 covariates that would not independently prompt thoracic imaging). Main Outcomes and Measures: Ascending aortic diameter was modeled with hierarchical group least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression. Correlation between estimated and measured diameter and performance for identifying diameter 4.0 cm or greater were assessed. Results: The 30 018-participant training cohort (52% women), were a median age of 65.1 years (IQR, 58.6-70.6 years). The mean (SD) ascending aortic diameter was 3.04 (0.31) cm for women and 3.32 (0.34) cm for men. A score to estimate ascending aortic diameter explained 28.2% of the variance in aortic diameter in the UK Biobank validation cohort (95% CI, 26.4%-30.0%), 30.8% in the FHS cohort (95% CI, 26.8%-34.9%), and 32.6% in the MGB cohort (95% CI, 31.9%-33.2%). For detecting individuals with an ascending aortic diameter of 4 cm or greater, the score had an area under the receiver operator characteristic curve of 0.770 (95% CI, 0.737-0.803) in the UK Biobank, 0.813 (95% CI, 0.772-0.854) in the FHS, and 0.766 (95% CI, 0.757-0.774) in the MGB cohorts, although the model significantly overestimated or underestimated aortic diameter in external validation. Using a fixed-score threshold of 3.537, 9.7 people in UK Biobank, 1.8 in the FHS, and 4.6 in the MGB cohorts would need imaging to confirm 1 individual with an ascending aortic diameter of 4 cm or greater. The sensitivity at that threshold was 8.9% in the UK Biobank, 11.3% in the FHS, and 18.8% in the MGB cohorts, with specificities of 98.1%, 99.2%, and 96.2%, respectively. Conclusions and Relevance: A prediction model based on common clinically available data was derived and validated to predict ascending aortic diameter. Further research is needed to optimize the prediction model and to determine whether its use is associated with improved outcomes.

Open innovation facilitates department-wide engagement in quality improvement: experience from the Massachusetts General Hospital.

BACKGROUND: Quality improvement (QI) initiatives commonly originate 'top-down' from senior leadership, as staff engagement is often sporadic. We describe our experience with a technology-enabled open innovation contest to encourage participation from multiple stakeholders in a Department of Surgery (DoS) to solicit ideas for QI. We aimed to stimulate engagement and to assist DoS leadership in prioritizing QI initiatives. METHODS: Observational study of a process improvement. The process had five phases: anonymous online submission of ideas by frontline staff; anonymous online crowd-voting to rank ideas on a scale whether the DoS should implement each idea (1 = No, 3 = Maybe, 5 = Yes); ideas with scores ≥ 95th percentile were invited to submit implementation plans; plans were reviewed by a multi-disciplinary panel to select a winning idea; an award ceremony celebrated the completion of the contest. RESULTS: 152 ideas were submitted from 95 staff (n = 850, 11.2%). All Divisions (n = 12) and all staff roles (n = 12) submitted ideas. The greatest number of ideas were submitted by faculty (27.6%), patient service coordinators (18.4%), and residents (17.8%). The most common QI category was access to care (20%). 195 staff (22.9%) cast 3559 votes. The mean score was 3.5 ± 0.5. 10 Ideas were objectively invited to submit implementation plans. One idea was awarded a grand prize of funding, project management, and leadership buy-in. CONCLUSION: A web-enabled open innovation contest was successful in engaging faculty, residents, and other critical role groups in QI. It also enabled the leadership to re-affirm a positive culture of inclusivity, maintain an open-door policy, and also democratically vet and prioritize solutions for quality improvement.

Design Implementation and Evaluation of a Mobile Continuous Blood Oxygen Saturation Monitoring System.

OBJECTIVE: In this study, we built a mobile continuous Blood Oxygen Saturation (SpO2) monitor, and for the first time, explored key design principles towards daily applications. METHODS: We firstly built a customized wearable computer that can sense two-channel photoplethysmogram (PPG) signals, and transmit the signals wirelessly to smartphone. Afterwards, we explored many SpO2 model building principles, focusing on linear/nonlinear models, different PPG parameter calculation methods, and different finger types. Moreover, we further compared PPG sensor placement principles by comparing different hand configurations and different finger configurations. Finally, a dataset collected from eleven human subjects was used to evaluate the mobile health monitor and explore all of the above design principles. RESULTS: The experimental results show that the root mean square error of the SpO2 estimation is only 1.8, indicating the effectiveness of the system. CONCLUSION: These results indicate the effectiveness of the customized mobile SpO2 monitor and the selected design principles. SIGNIFICANCE: This research is expected to facilitate the continuous SpO2 monitoring of patients with clinical indications.

Insights From the International Registry of Acute Aortic Dissection: A 20-Year Experience of Collaborative Clinical Research.

Acute aortic dissection (AAD) is a life-threatening condition associated with high morbidity and mortality rates, and it remains a challenge to diagnose and treat. The International Registry of Acute Aortic Dissection was established in 1996 with the mission to raise awareness of this condition and provide insights to guide diagnosis and treatment. Since then, >7300 cases have been included from >51 sites in 12 countries. Although presenting symptoms and physical findings have not changed significantly over this period, the use of computed tomography in the diagnosis has increased, and more patients are managed with interventional procedures: surgery in type A AAD and endovascular therapy in type B AAD; with these changes in care, there has been a significant decrease in overall in-hospital mortality in type A AAD but not in type B AAD. Herein, we summarized the key lessons learned from this international registry of patients with AAD over the past 20 years.

Hereditary Influence in Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm and Dissection.

Thoracic aortic aneurysm is a potentially life-threatening condition in that it places patients at risk for aortic dissection or rupture. However, our modern understanding of the pathogenesis of thoracic aortic aneurysm is quite limited. A genetic predisposition to thoracic aortic aneurysm has been established, and gene discovery in affected families has identified several major categories of gene alterations. The first involves mutations in genes encoding various components of the transforming growth factor beta (TGF-ß) signaling cascade (FBN1, TGFBR1, TGFBR2, TGFB2, TGFB3, SMAD2, SMAD3 and SKI), and these conditions are known collectively as the TGF-ß vasculopathies. The second set of genes encode components of the smooth muscle contractile apparatus (ACTA2, MYH11, MYLK, and PRKG1), a group called the smooth muscle contraction vasculopathies. Mechanistic hypotheses based on these discoveries have shaped rational therapies, some of which are under clinical evaluation. This review discusses published data on genes involved in thoracic aortic aneurysm and attempts to explain divergent hypotheses of aneurysm origin.

Recurrent Aortic Dissection: Observations From the International Registry of Aortic Dissection.

BACKGROUND: Improved medical care after initial aortic dissection (AD) has led to increased survivorship and a population of individuals at risk for further cardiovascular events, including recurrent AD. Reports describing recurrent ADs have been restricted to small numbers of patients from single institutions. We used the IRAD (International Registry of Acute Aortic Dissection) database to examine the clinical profiles and outcomes of patients with recurrent AD. METHODS: We identified 204 patients enrolled in IRAD with recurrent AD. For the primary analysis, patient characteristics, interventions, and outcomes were analyzed and compared with 3624 patients with initial AD. Iterative logistic modeling was performed to investigate variables associated with recurrent AD. Cox regression analyses were used to determine variables associated with 5-year survival. A subset of recurrent AD patients was analyzed for anatomic and demographic details of initial and recurrent ADs. RESULTS: Patients with recurrent AD were more likely to have Marfan syndrome (21.5% versus 3.1%; P<0.001) but not bicuspid aortic valve (3.6% versus 3.2%; P=0.77). Descending aortic dimensions were greater in patients with recurrent AD than in patients with initial AD independently of sentinel dissection type (type A: 4.3 cm [3.5-5.6 cm] versus 3.3 cm [2.9-3.7 cm], P<0.001; type B: 5.0 cm [3.9-6.0 cm] versus 4.0 cm [3.5-4.8 cm], P<0.001), and this observation was accentuated among patients with Marfan syndrome. In multivariate analysis, the diagnosis of Marfan syndrome independently predicted recurrent AD (hazard ratio, 8.6; 95% confidence interval, 5.8-12.8; P<0.001). Patients with recurrent AD who presented with proximal followed by distal AD were younger than patients who experienced distal followed by proximal dissection AD (42.1±16.1 versus 54.3±14.8 years; P=0.004). CONCLUSIONS: Among those suffering acute aortic dissection, 5% have a history of a prior aortic dissection. Recurrent AD is strongly associated with Marfan syndrome.

Surgery for Aortic Dilatation in Patients With Bicuspid Aortic Valves: A Statement of Clarification From the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Clinical Practice Guidelines.

Two guidelines from the American College of Cardiology (ACC), the American Heart Association (AHA), and collaborating societies address the risk of aortic dissection in patients with bicuspid aortic valves and severe aortic enlargement: the "2010 ACCF/AHA/AATS/ACR/ASA/SCA/SCAI/SIR/STS/SVM Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Patients With Thoracic Aortic Disease" (Circulation. 2010;121:e266-e369) and the "2014 AHA/ACC Guideline for the Management of Patients With Valvular Heart Disease" (Circulation. 2014;129:e521-e643). However, the 2 guidelines differ with regard to the recommended threshold of aortic root or ascending aortic dilatation that would justify surgical intervention in patients with bicuspid aortic valves. The ACC and AHA therefore convened a subcommittee representing members of the 2 guideline writing committees to review the evidence, reach consensus, and draft a statement of clarification for both guidelines. This statement of clarification uses the ACC/AHA revised structure for delineating the Class of Recommendation and Level of Evidence to provide recommendations that replace those contained in Section 9.2.2.1 of the thoracic aortic disease guideline and Section 5.1.3 of the valvular heart disease guideline.

Cervical artery dissection expands the cardiovascular phenotype in FBN1-related Weill-Marchesani syndrome.

Weill-Marchesani syndrome (WMS) is a rare form of acromelic dysplasia that is characterized by distinctive skeletal, ocular, and cardiovascular abnormalities. Previously described cardiac manifestations of WMS include aortic and pulmonary valve stenosis, mitral valve prolapse, mitral stenosis, and QTc prolongation. Autosomal dominant forms of WMS result from heterozygous pathogenic variants in FBN1, a gene with a well characterized role in the pathogenesis of thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA) in the context of Marfan syndrome. In contrast, only one patient has been reported with aortic disease in WMS. Although the risk of aortic dissection from preceding TAA remains the leading cause of morbidity for individuals with Marfan syndrome, rare reports of arterial dissection in the peripheral vasculature have been described. Peripheral artery dissection has not been previously reported in other FBN1-related diseases. We describe a three generation family with FBN1-related WMS whose cardiovascular manifestations include TAA and cervical artery dissection, thus expanding the cardiovascular phenotype of WMS. Further research is required to quantify these risks and establish appropriate recommendations for cardiovascular imaging, medical management, and prophylactic surgical intervention in individuals with FBN1--related acromelic dysplasia.

Risk of rupture or dissection in descending thoracic aortic aneurysm.

BACKGROUND: Current practice guidelines recommend surgical repair of large thoracic aortic aneurysms to prevent fatal aortic dissection or rupture, but limited natural history data exist to support clinical criteria for timely intervention. METHODS AND RESULTS: Of 3247 patients with thoracic aortic aneurysm registered in our institutional Thoracic Aortic Center Database, we identified and reviewed 257 nonsyndromic patients (age, 72.4±10.5 years; 143 female) with descending thoracic or thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm without a history of aortic dissection in whom surgical intervention was not undertaken. The primary end point was a composite of aortic dissection/rupture and sudden death. Baseline mean maximal aortic diameter was 52.4±10.8 mm, with 103 patients having diameters ≥55 mm. During a median follow-up of 25.1 months (quartiles 1-3, 8.3-56.4 months), definite and possible aortic events occurred in 19 (7.4%) and 31 (12.1%) patients, respectively. On multivariable analyses, maximal aortic diameter at baseline emerged as the only significant predictor of aortic events (hazard ratio=1.12; 95% confidence interval, 1.08-1.15). Estimated rates of definite aortic events within 1 year were 5.5%, 7.2%, and 9.3% for aortic diameters of 50, 55, and 60 mm, respectively. Receiver-operating characteristic curves for discriminating aortic events were higher for indexed aortic sizes referenced by body size (area under the curve=0.832-0.889) but not significantly different from absolute maximal aortic diameter (area under the curve=0.805). CONCLUSIONS: Aortic size was the principal factor related to aortic events in unrepaired descending thoracic or thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm. Although the risk of aortic events started to increase with a diameter >5.0 to 5.5 cm, it is uncertain whether repair of thoracic aortic aneurysms in this range leads to overall benefit, and the threshold for repair requires further evaluation.

Longer-term impact of cardiology e-consults.

AIMS: Cardiac e-consults may be an effective way to deliver value-oriented outpatient cardiology care in an accountable care organization. Initial results of cardiac e-consults have demonstrated high satisfaction among both patients and referring providers, no known adverse events, and low rates of diagnostic testing. Nevertheless, differences between e-consults and traditional consults, effects of e-consults on traditional consult volume, and whether patients seek traditional consults after e-consults are unknown. METHODS AND RESULTS: We established a cardiac e-consult program on January 13, 2014. We then conducted detailed medical record reviews of all patients with e-consults to detect any adverse clinical events and detect subsequent traditional visits to cardiologists. We also performed 2 comparisons. First, we compared age, gender, and referral reason for e-consults vs traditional consults. Second, we compared changes in volume of referrals to cardiology vs other medical specialties that did not have e-consults. From January 13 to December 31, 2014, 1,642 traditional referrals and 165 e-consults were requested. The proportion of e-consults of all evaluations requested over that period was 9.1%. Gender balance was similar among traditional consults and e-consults (44.8% male for e-consults vs 45.0% for traditional consults, P = .981). E-consult patients were younger than traditional consult patients (55.3 vs 60.4 years, P < .001). After the introduction of cardiac e-consults, the increase in traditional cardiac visit requests was less than the increase in traditional visit requests for control specialties (4.5% vs 10.1%, P < .001). For e-consults with at least 6 months of follow-up, 75.6% patients did not have any type of traditional cardiology visit during the follow-up period. CONCLUSION: E-consults are an effective and safe mechanism to enhance value in outpatient cardiology care, with low rates of bounceback to traditional consults. E-consults can account for nearly one-tenth of total outpatient consultation volume at 1 year within an accountable care organization and are associated with a reduction in traditional referrals to cardiologists.

Shock complicating type A acute aortic dissection: Clinical correlates, management, and outcomes.

AIMS: Shock is among the most dreaded and common complications of type A acute aortic dissection (TAAAD). However, clinical correlates, management, and short- and long-term outcomes of TAAAD patients presenting with shock in real-world clinical practice are not known. METHODS AND RESULTS: We evaluated 2,704 patients with TAAAD enrolled in the International Registry of Acute Aortic Dissection between January 1, 1996, and August 18, 2012. On admission, 407 (15.1%) TAAAD patients presented with shock. Most in-hospital complications (coma, myocardial or mesenteric ischemia or infarction, and cardiac tamponade) were more frequent in shock patients. In-hospital mortality was significantly higher in TAAAD patients with than without shock (30.2% vs 23.9%, P=.007), regardless of surgical or medical treatment. Most shock patients underwent surgical repair, with medically managed patients demonstrating older age and more complications at presentation. Estimates using Kaplan-Meier survival analysis indicated that most (89%) TAAAD patients with shock discharged alive from the hospital survived 5years, a rate similar to that of TAAAD patients without shock (82%, P=.609). CONCLUSIONS: Shock occurred in 1 of 7 TAAAD patients and was associated with higher rates of in-hospital adverse events and mortality. However, TAAAD survivors with or without shock showed similar long-term mortality. Successful early and aggressive management of shock in TAAAD patients has the potential for improving long-term survival in this patient population.

Predicting in-hospital mortality in acute type B aortic dissection: evidence from International Registry of Acute Aortic Dissection.

BACKGROUND: The outcome of patients with acute type B aortic dissection (ABAD) is strongly related to their clinical presentation. The purpose of this study was to investigate predictors for mortality among patients presenting with ABAD and to create a predictive model to estimate individual risk of in-hospital mortality using the International Registry of Acute Aortic Dissection (IRAD). METHODS AND RESULTS: All patients with ABAD enrolled in IRAD between 1996 and 2013 were included for analysis. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to investigate predictors of in-hospital mortality. Significant risk factors for in-hospital death were used to develop a prediction model. A total of 1034 patients with ABAD were included for analysis (673 men; mean age, 63.5±14.0 years), with an overall in-hospital mortality of 10.6%. In multivariable analysis, the following variables at admission were independently associated with increased in-hospital mortality: increasing age (odds ratio [OR], 1.03; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.00-1.06; P=0.044), hypotension/shock (OR, 6.43; 95% CI, 2.88-18.98; P=0.001), periaortic hematoma (OR, 3.06; 95% CI, 1.38-6.78; P=0.006), descending diameter ≥5.5 cm (OR, 6.04; 95% CI, 2.87-12.73; P<0.001), mesenteric ischemia (OR, 9.03; 95% CI, 3.49-23.38; P<0.001), acute renal failure (OR, 3.61; 95% CI, 1.68-7.75; P=0.001), and limb ischemia (OR, 3.02; 95% CI, 1.05-8.68; P=0.040). Based on these multivariable results, a reliable and simple bedside risk prediction tool was developed. CONCLUSIONS: We present a simple prediction model using variables that are independently associated with in-hospital mortality in patients with ABAD. Although it needs to be validated in an independent population, this model could be used to assist physicians in their choice of management and for informing patients and their families.

Diagnosis and Management of Thoracic Aortic Disease.

Thoracic aortic aneurysms are typically asymptomatic and discovered incidentally on an imaging study ordered for other indications. Small aneurysms are managed with antihypertensive therapy and surveillance imaging, using either echocardiography, computed tomographic angiography (CTA), or magnetic resonance angiography (MRA). Aneurysms are repaired when the risk of rupture or dissection exceeds the risk of repair; size thresholds for repair are determined by the underlying etiology of the aneurysm, with lower thresholds for those with genetic aortopathies. In contrast to the silent and asymptomatic nature of aneurysms, acute aortic syndromes-which include aortic dissection, intramural hematoma, and penetrating atherosclerotic ulcer-are usually associated with recognizable symptoms and signs. Acute aortic syndromes involving the ascending aorta are treated with emergent surgery, whereas those involving the descending aorta are now often treated with endovascular stent-grafting techniques. After acute aortic syndromes have been successfully treated, prognosis is favorable with close follow-up that includes optimal medical management and regular surveillance imaging.

Outcomes of patients presenting with acute type A aortic dissection in the setting of prior cardiac surgery: an analysis from the International Registry of Acute Aortic Dissection.

BACKGROUND: Prior cardiac surgery (PCS) can complicate the presentation and management of patients with type A acute aortic dissection (TAAAD). This report from the International Registry of Acute Aortic Dissection examines this hypothesis. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 352 of 2196 patients with TAAAD (16%) enrolled in the International Registry of Acute Aortic Dissection had cardiac surgery before dissection, including coronary artery bypass grafting (34%), aortic or mitral valve surgery (36%), aortic surgery (42%), and other cardiac surgery (16%). Those with PCS were older, had a higher frequency of diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and atherosclerosis, and presented later from symptom onset to hospital presentation and diagnosis (all P<0.05). In-hospital mortality was significantly higher for PCS patients (34% versus 23%; P<0.001). Five-year mortality was independently predicted by PCS (hazard ratio [HR], 2.04; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.05-3.95), age >70 years (HR, 2.65; 95% CI, 1.40-5.05), medical management (HR, 5.10; 95% CI, 2.43-10.71), distal communication (HR, 2.64; 95% CI, 1.35-5.14), and coma (HR, 9.50; 95% CI, 2.05-44.05). Among patients with PCS, in-hospital (43% medical versus 30% surgical; P=0.033) and intermediate-term mortality was higher in patients with medical versus surgical management. Propensity-matched analysis revealed significant increase in mortality with medical management, but not with PCS. CONCLUSIONS: PCS delays presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of TAAAD and is an important adverse risk factor for early and intermediate-term mortality. This effect may be because of increased medical management in this patient population.

Stroke and outcomes in patients with acute type A aortic dissection.

BACKGROUND: Stroke is a highly dreaded complication of type A acute aortic dissection (TAAAD). However, little data exist on its incidence and association with prognosis. METHODS AND RESULTS: We evaluated 2202 patients with TAAAD (mean age 62 ± 14 years, 1487 [67.5%] men) from the International Registry of Acute Aortic Dissection to determine the incidence and prognostic impact of stroke in TAAAD. Stroke was present at arrival in 132 (6.0%) patients with TAAAD. These patients were older (65 ± 12 versus 62 ± 15 years; P=0.002) and more likely to have hypertension (86% versus 71%; P=0.001) or atherosclerosis (29% versus 22%; P=0.04) than patients without stroke. Chest pain at arrival was less common in patients with stroke (70% versus 82%; P<0.001), and patients with stroke presented more often with syncope (44% versus 15%; P<0.001), shock (14% versus 7%; P=0.005), or pulse deficit (51% versus 29%; P ≤ 0.001). Arch vessel involvement was more frequent among patients with stroke (68% versus 37%; P<0.001). They had less surgical management (74% versus 85%; P<0.001). Hospital stay was significantly longer in patients with stroke (median 17.9 versus 13.3 days; P<0.001). In-hospital complications, such as hypotension, coma, and malperfusion syndromes, and in-hospital mortality (adjusted odds ratio, 1.62; 95% confidence interval, 0.99-2.65) were higher among patients with stroke. Among hospital survivors, follow-up mortality was similar between groups (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.15; 95% confidence interval, 0.46-2.89). CONCLUSIONS: Stroke occurred in >1 of 20 patients with TAAAD and was associated with increased in-hospital morbidity but not long-term mortality. Whether aggressive early invasive interventions will reduce negative outcomes remains to be evaluated in future studies.

Feasibility, Acceptability, and Preliminary Effectiveness of a Combined Digital Platform and Community Health Worker Intervention for Patients With Heart Failure: Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Heart failure (HF) is a burdensome condition and a leading cause of 30-day hospital readmissions in the United States. Clinical and social factors are key drivers of hospitalization. These 2 strategies, digital platforms and home-based social needs care, have shown preliminary effectiveness in improving adherence to clinical care plans and reducing acute care use in HF. Few studies, if any, have tested combining these 2 strategies in a single intervention. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to perform a pilot randomized controlled trial assessing the acceptability, feasibility, and preliminary effectiveness of a 30-day digitally-enabled community health worker (CHW) intervention in HF. METHODS: Adults hospitalized with a diagnosis of HF at an academic hospital were randomly assigned to receive digitally-enabled CHW care (intervention; digital platform +CHW) or CHW-enhanced usual care (control; CHW only) for 30 days after hospital discharge. Primary outcomes were feasibility (use of the platform) and acceptability (willingness to use the platform in the future). Secondary outcomes assessed preliminary effectiveness (30-day readmissions, emergency department visits, and missed clinic appointments). RESULTS: A total of 56 participants were randomized (control: n=31; intervention: n=25) and 47 participants (control: n=28; intervention: n=19) completed all trial activities. Intervention participants who completed trial activities wore the digital sensor on 78% of study days with mean use of 11.4 (SD 4.6) hours/day, completed symptom questionnaires on 75% of study days, used the blood pressure monitor 1.1 (SD 0.19) times/day, and used the digital weight scale 1 (SD 0.13) time/day. Of intervention participants, 100% responded very or somewhat true to the statement "If I have access to the [platform] moving forward, I will use it." Some (n=9, 47%) intervention participants indicated they required support to use the digital platform. A total of 19 (100%) intervention participants and 25 (89%) control participants had ≥5 CHW interactions during the 30-day study period. All intervention (n=19, 100%) and control (n=26, 93%) participants who completed trial activities indicated their CHW interactions were "very satisfying." In the full sample (N=56), fewer participants in the intervention group were readmitted 30 days after hospital discharge compared to the control group (n=3, 12% vs n=8, 26%; P=.12). Both arms had similar rates of missed clinic appointments and emergency department visits. CONCLUSIONS: This pilot trial of a digitally-enabled CHW intervention for HF demonstrated feasibility, acceptability, and a clinically relevant reduction in 30-day readmissions among participants who received the intervention. Additional investigation is needed in a larger trial to determine the effect of this intervention on HF home management and clinical outcomes. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov NCT05130008; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05130008. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): RR2-10.2196/55687.