Post-infarction ventricular septal defect: percutaneous or surgical management in the UK national registry.

AIMS: Post-infarction ventricular septal defect (PIVSD) is a mechanical complication of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) with a poor prognosis. Surgical repair is the mainstay of treatment, although percutaneous closure is increasingly undertaken. METHODS AND RESUTS: Patients treated with surgical or percutaneous repair of PIVSD (2010-2021) were identified at 16 UK centres. Case note review was undertaken. The primary outcome was long-term mortality. Patient groups were allocated based upon initial management (percutaneous or surgical). Three-hundred sixty-two patients received 416 procedures (131 percutaneous, 231 surgery). 16.1% of percutaneous patients subsequently had surgery. 7.8% of surgical patients subsequently had percutaneous treatment. Times from AMI to treatment were similar [percutaneous 9 (6-14) vs. surgical 9 (4-22) days, P = 0.18]. Surgical patients were more likely to have cardiogenic shock (62.8% vs. 51.9%, P = 0.044). Percutaneous patients were substantially older [72 (64-77) vs. 67 (61-73) years, P < 0.001] and more likely to be discussed in a heart team setting. There was no difference in long-term mortality between patients (61.1% vs. 53.7%, P = 0.17). In-hospital mortality was lower in the surgical group (55.0% vs. 44.2%, P = 0.048) with no difference in mortality after hospital discharge (P = 0.65). Cardiogenic shock [adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) 1.97 (95% confidence interval 1.37-2.84), P < 0.001), percutaneous approach [aHR 1.44 (1.01-2.05), P = 0.042], and number of vessels with coronary artery disease [aHR 1.22 (1.01-1.47), P = 0.043] were independently associated with long-term mortality. CONCLUSION: Surgical and percutaneous repair are viable options for management of PIVSD. There was no difference in post-discharge long-term mortality between patients, although in-hospital mortality was lower for surgery.

Double-blind, placebo-controlled evaluation of biorest liposomal alendronate in diabetic patients undergoing PCI: The BLADE-PCI trial.

BACKGROUND: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is an important predictor of neointimal hyperplasia (NIH) and adverse clinical outcomes after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). LABR-312, a novel intravenous formulation of liposomal alendronate, has been shown in animal models to decrease NIH at vascular injury sites and around stent struts. The aim of the Biorest Liposomal Alendronate Administration for Diabetic Patients Undergoing Drug-Eluting Stent Percutaneous Coronary Intervention trial was to assess the safety, effectiveness, and dose response of LABR-312 administered intravenously at the time of PCI withDES in reducing NIH as measured by optical coherence tomography postprocedure in patients with DM. METHODS: Patients with DM were randomized to a bolus infusion of LABR-312 vs placebo at the time of PCI. Dose escalation of LABR-312 in the study arm was given: 0.01 mg, 0.03 mg, and 0.08 mg. The primary endpoint was the in-stent %NIH volume at 9 months as measured by optical coherence tomography. RESULTS: From September 2016 to December 2017, 271 patients with DM undergoing PCI were enrolled; 136 patients were randomized to LABR-312 infusion and 135 patients were randomized to placebo. At 9-month follow-up, no difference was seen in the primary endpoint of %NIH between LABR-312 and placebo (13.3% ± 9.2 vs 14.6% ± 8.5, P = .35). No differences were present with the varying LABR-312 doses. Clinical outcomes at 9 months were similar between groups. CONCLUSIONS: Among patients with DM undergoing PCI with drug-eluting stents, a bolus of LABR-312 injected systematically at the time of intervention did not result in a lower rate in-stent %NIH volume at 9-month follow-up.

Primary percutaneous coronary intervention in nonagenarians: is it worthwhile?

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have demonstrated the feasibility of primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) in carefully selected nonagenarians. Although current guidelines recommend immediate revascularization in patients with ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) it remains unclear whether PPCI reduces mortality in nonagenarians. The objective of this study is to compare mortality in nonagenarians presenting via the PPCI pathway who undergo coronary intervention, versus those who are managed medically. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 111 consecutive nonagenarians who presented to our tertiary center via the PPCI pathway between July 2013 and December 2018 with myocardial infarction were included. Clinical and angiographic details were collected alongside data on all-cause mortality. The final diagnosis was STEMI in 98 (88.3%) and NSTEMI in 13 (11.7%). PPCI was performed in 42 (37.8%), while 69 (62.2%) were medically managed. A significant number of the medically managed cohort had atrial fibrillation (23.2% vs 2.4% p = 0.003) and presented with a completed infarct (43.5% vs 4.8% p = 0.001). Other baseline and clinical variables were well matched in both groups. There was a trend towards increased 30-day mortality in the medically managed group (40.6% vs 23.8% p = 0.07). Kaplan Meier survival analysis demonstrated a significant difference in survival by 3 years (48.1% vs 21.7% p = 0.01). This was the case even when those with completed infarcts were excluded (44.3% vs 14.6%, p = 0.01). CONCLUSION: In this series of selected nonagenarians presenting with acute myocardial infarction, those undergoing PPCI appeared to have a lower mortality compared to those managed medically.

Radial versus femoral vascular access in ST-elevation myocardial infarction: Are the results of femoral operators unfairly represented in observational research?

BACKGROUND: Recent randomized controlled trials comparing femoral and radial access in primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) have shown conflicting results regarding the incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and major bleeding. METHODS: Using data from the HEAT-PPCI trial, we compared the primary efficacy (all-cause mortality, stroke, new myocardial infarction or unplanned repeat revascularization) and safety (major bleeding BARC 3-5) outcomes at 28 days, by final access site used (radial or femoral) and by default operator type. We then assessed outcomes in femoral cases performed by both operator types. RESULTS: Radial access (RA) was associated with fewer MACE (91/1472 = 6.2% vs. 36/332 = 10.8% P = .003) and major bleeding events (38/1472 = 2.6% vs 22/332 = 6.6% P = .001) when compared to femoral access (FA). When analyzing outcomes by default operator type, there was a similar incidence of MACE (111/1575 = 7% vs 16/229 = 7% P = .97) and major bleeding events (49/1575 = 3.1% vs 11/229 = 4.8% P = .18). In cases where FA was performed by default radial operators, there was a higher rate of MACE (22/122 = 18% vs 14/210 = 6.7% P = .003) and major bleeding events (11/122 = 9% vs 11/210 = 5.2% P < .001), potentially explained by a higher risk profile in these cases. CONCLUSION: Default femoral operators achieved comparable outcomes when compared to default radial operators. The less favorable outcomes observed in FA cases may result from its selective use by radial operators in high risk cases.

Patterns of solid particle embolization during transcatheter aortic valve implantation and correlation with aortic valve calcification.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate solid embolization during transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) and correlate this with aortic valve calcification. BACKGROUND: There is a known stroke risk with TAVI, thought partly to be due to dislodgement of native aortic valve particles during implantation. However, to date there is little evidence that aortic valve calcification actually impacts embolic risk. METHODS: Transcranial Doppler (TCD) was performed on consecutive suitable patients undergoing TAVI, using hardware and software enabling differentiation between solid and gaseous emboli. Data was analyzed by time points during the TAVI procedure. These results were correlated with aortic valve calcification. RESULTS: TCD was successfully performed on 63 patients. The median number of solid emboli was 76.0. The most common time point for solid embolization was during valve positioning. Forty-five of these patients had an appropriate CT scan which could be analyzed for an Agatston calcium score. The mean scores in the aortic valve and aortic root were 3382.4 and 754.9. There were significant correlations between the total number of solid emboli and valve calcium score (P = 0.033) and solid emboli during valve positioning and valve calcium score (P = 0.035). There was no relationship between gaseous emboli and valve calcium score. CONCLUSIONS: TAVI is associated with significant solid particle embolization, with the most common time point being during valve positioning. Solid embolization correlates with aortic valve calcium score, suggesting that valve calcification is a factor in embolic risk. This should be taken into consideration along with other clinical factors when assessing embolic risk.

Percutaneous Device Closure of Paravalvular Leak: Combined Experience From the United Kingdom and Ireland.

BACKGROUND: Paravalvular leak (PVL) occurs in 5% to 17% of patients following surgical valve replacement. Percutaneous device closure represents an alternative to repeat surgery. METHODS: All UK and Ireland centers undertaking percutaneous PVL closure submitted data to the UK PVL Registry. Data were analyzed for association with death and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) at follow-up. RESULTS: Three hundred eight PVL closure procedures were attempted in 259 patients in 20 centers (2004-2015). Patient age was 67±13 years; 28% were female. The main indications for closure were heart failure (80%) and hemolysis (16%). Devices were successfully implanted in 91% of patients, via radial (7%), femoral arterial (52%), femoral venous (33%), and apical (7%) approaches. Nineteen percent of patients required repeat procedures. The target valve was mitral (44%), aortic (48%), both (2%), pulmonic (0.4%), or transcatheter aortic valve replacement (5%). Preprocedural leak was severe (61%), moderate (34%), or mild (5.7%) and was multiple in 37%. PVL improved postprocedure (P<0.001) and was none (33.3%), mild (41.4%), moderate (18.6%), or severe (6.7%) at last follow-up. Mean New York Heart Association class improved from 2.7±0.8 preprocedure to 1.6±0.8 (P<0.001) after a median follow-up of 110 (7-452) days. Hospital mortality was 2.9% (elective), 6.8% (in-hospital urgent), and 50% (emergency) (P<0.001). MACE during follow-up included death (16%), valve surgery (6%), late device embolization (0.4%), and new hemolysis requiring transfusion (1.6%). Mitral PVL was associated with higher MACE (hazard ratio [HR], 1.83; P=0.011). Factors independently associated with death were the degree of persisting leak (HR, 2.87; P=0.037), New York Heart Association class (HR, 2.00; P=0.015) at follow-up and baseline creatinine (HR, 8.19; P=0.001). The only factor independently associated with MACE was the degree of persisting leak at follow-up (HR, 3.01; P=0.002). CONCLUSION: Percutaneous closure of PVL is an effective procedure that improves PVL severity and symptoms. Severity of persisting leak at follow-up is independently associated with both MACE and death. Percutaneous closure should be considered as an alternative to repeat surgery.

Balloon-Expandable Transcatheter Aortic Valves Can Be Successfully and Safely Implanted Transfemorally Without Balloon Valvuloplasty.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the necessity for balloon aortic valvuloplasty (BAV) during transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) when using balloon-expandable valves. BACKGROUND: BAV is a usual part of TAVI procedures, prior to valve implantation. However, the benefits and necessity of this are unknown and recent evidence in self-expanding valves suggests it may not be necessary. METHODS: Retrospective single-center study of 154 patients undergoing first-time, transfemoral TAVI for native aortic valve stenosis, with (N = 76), and without (N = 78), BAV as part of the procedure. Data collected included demographic, procedural, and outcome data. RESULTS: BAV did not alter VARC-2 defined procedural success or early safety compared to not performing a BAV, including mortality, degree of aortic regurgitation, or need for post-TAVI balloon dilatation, although there was a strong trend to reduced stroke when not performing a BAV. There was a significantly reduced procedural time (P = 0.01) and fluoroscopic time (P < 0.001) without performing a BAV. There were no differences in cerebral embolization (solid, gaseous, or total emboli) noted between the 2 groups, as measured on transcranial doppler (TCD). CONCLUSIONS: TAVI can be effectively and safely performed without a BAV and this results in reduced procedural and fluoroscopic times, although embolization to the brain is not reduced. There is a trend toward reduced stroke risk. (J Interven Cardiol 2016;29:319-324).

Post-procedural arterial hypertension: implications for clinical outcome after transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE STUDY: Persistent arterial hypertension (HT) has been associated with increased morbidity and mortality after surgical aortic valve replacement (AVR). The impact of increased blood pressure (BP) after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has not yet been fully elucidated. METHODS: The mean systolic and diastolic BP after TAVI were calculated from the last 10 non-invasive recordings performed before discharge in 176 patients. The primary end-point was symptomatic improvement after 6-12 months according to BP control at the time of discharge. RESULTS: In patients with controlled BP (<140/90 mmHg), the symptomatic response after TAVI was significantly better compared to patients with uncontrolled BP (> or =140/90 mmHg), as reflected by NYHA functional class (+1.4 +/- 0.8 versus +0.8 +/- 1.0, p = 0.002) and six-minute walk test (6-MWT) distance improvement (+100 +/- 71 m versus +30 +/- 64 m, p < 0.001) at 6-12 months' follow up. A 10 mmHg decrease in systolic BP was associated with an 18 m increase in 6-MWT distance (p = 0.001). In addition, reverse left ventricular (LV) remodeling was significantly impaired in uncontrolled BP individuals, as reflected by regression of LV mass (-15 +/- 61 g versus -37 +/- 54 g, p = 0.041) and relative wall thickness (-0.02 +/- 0.09 versus -0.07 +/- 0.1, p = 0.01). Cumulative all-cause and cardiovascular mortality were significantly lower in patients with controlled BP compared to those with uncontrolled BP (6.5% versus 16%, p = 0.04; cardiovascular 3.7% versus 11.6%, p = 0.035). CONCLUSION: Uncontrolled HT after TAVI may contribute to diminished symptomatic improvement.

Giant single left coronary artery with right ventricular fistula diagnosed in early childhood.

We present an unusual case of an 18-month-old boy, who presented with dyspnea and recurrent respiratory tract infections. Echocardiography and subsequent angiography were suggestive of a fistula from a coronary artery to the right ventricle. Finally, only on table could the actual diagnosis of a single left coronary artery with right ventricular fistula be made. Surgical treatment was successfully performed with off-pump ligation and the patient was well with no residual fistula on echocardiogram when seen at 3 month follow-up.

Closure of Long-Tunnel PFOs With the Coherex Flatstent EF - A Tailored Approach.

AIMS: Despite rapid progress in device technologies for patent foramen ovale (PFO) closure over the past decade, long-tunnel anatomies still constitute a challenge. The present study investigated the performance of a novel in-tunnel device (Flatstent EF; Coherex Medical) in long-tunnel PFOs. METHODS AND RESULTS: Three different umbrella devices (n = 61) and the Coherex Flatstent (n = 27) were used for PFO closure. The Flatstent was the preferred device in long-tunnel anatomies. Seven patients with long PFO tunnels underwent "detunnelization" by stepwise inflation of a low-pressure balloon followed by implantation of an umbrella device. Complete occlusion or trivial residual shunting ("clinical" occlusion) was achieved in 93% of the Flatstent and 92% of the umbrella device procedures (P=.92). Device performance in long-tunnel anatomies was in favor of the Flatstent (n = 24) compared with conventional occluders (n = 7), with "clinical" occlusion of 96% vs 86% (P=.24) and procedure time of 44 ± 16 minutes vs 59 ± 21 minutes (P=.04). Furthermore, postprocedural arrhythmias were significantly less frequent after Flatstent implantations (0.0% vs 9.1%; P=.03). CONCLUSION: In long-tunnel PFOs, the Flatstent device was quicker to deploy, was at least as equally efficacious as umbrella devices, and reduced the incidence of symptomatic arrhythmias following PFO closure.

Implementation of NICE Clinical Guideline 95 for assessment of stable chest pain in a rapid access chest pain clinic reduces the mean number of investigations and cost per patient.

OBJECTIVE: In 2010, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) in the UK published Clinical Guideline 95 (CG95) advocating risk stratification of patients using 'CADScore' to guide appropriate cardiac investigations for chest pain of recent onset. Implementation of the guideline in the University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust was evaluated to see if it led to a reduction in the average cost of the diagnostic journey per patient and fewer investigations per patient in order to confirm a diagnosis. METHODS: This was a single centre study at a Tertiary Centre in Central London. The investigative journey for each patient presenting to the Rapid Access Chest Pain Clinic (RACPC) at University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust was recorded. Retrospective analysis on this data was performed. RESULTS: Data for 4968 patients presenting to the RACPC from 2004 to 2012 was analysed and a size-matched cohort of 1503 patients preimplementation and postimplementation of the guidelines was compared. The mean cost of investigations postimplementation was £291.83 as compared to £319.54 preimplementation of the guidelines despite higher costs associated with some of the recommended initial investigations. The mean number of tests per patient postguidelines was 0.78 compared to 0.97 for preguidelines. An approximate twofold increase in patients not requiring tests was seen post-CG95 implementation (245 pre-CG95 vs 476 post-CG95). CONCLUSIONS: The implementation of the NICE guidelines in our trust has reduced the average cost of the investigative journey and the number of investigations required per patient.

Safety and performance of a novel embolic deflection device in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement: results from the DEFLECT I study.

AIMS: This study aimed to evaluate the safety and performance of the TriGuard™ Embolic Deflection Device (EDD), a nitinol mesh filter positioned in the aortic arch across all three major cerebral artery take-offs to deflect emboli away from the cerebral circulation, in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). METHODS AND RESULTS: The prospective, multicentre DEFLECT I study (NCT01448421) enrolled 37 consecutive subjects undergoing TAVR with the TriGuard EDD. Subjects underwent clinical and cognitive follow-up to 30 days; cerebral diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW-MRI) was performed pre-procedure and at 4±2 days post procedure. The device performed as intended with successful cerebral coverage in 80% (28/35) of cases. The primary safety endpoint (in-hospital EDD device- or EDD procedure-related cardiovascular mortality, major stroke disability, life-threatening bleeding, distal embolisation, major vascular complications, or need for acute cardiac surgery) occurred in 8.1% of subjects (VARC-defined two life-threatening bleeds and one vascular complication). The presence of new cerebral ischaemic lesions on post-procedure DW-MRI (n=28) was similar to historical controls (82% vs. 76%, p=NS). However, an exploratory analysis found that per-patient total lesion volume was 34% lower than reported historical data (0.2 vs. 0.3 cm3), and 89% lower in patients with complete (n=17) versus incomplete (n=10) cerebral vessel coverage (0.05 vs. 0.45 cm3, p=0.016). CONCLUSIONS: Use of the first-generation TriGuard EDD during TAVR is safe, and device performance was successful in 80% of cases during the highest embolic-risk portions of the TAVR procedure. The potential of the TriGuard EDD to reduce total cerebral ischaemic burden merits further randomised investigation.

Ruptured sinus of valsalva: unexpected finding in a patient diagnosed with ventricular septal defect with aortic regurgitation.

Ruptured sinus of Valsalva aneurysm is an uncommon condition which has a good prognosis if surgically corrected. However, sometimes making the diagnosis on echocardiography and even cardiac catheterization can be difficult. We describe a case which was diagnosed as ventricular septal defect with aortic regurgitation but, on the table, was found to be a ruptured sinus of Valsalva aneurysm.

Snake venom for acute myocardial infarction: natural serendipity or an obstruction to treatment?

A 55-year-old man developed an acute myocardial infarction and was bitten by a snake with haemotoxic venom prior to any treatment being given. We discuss our treatment of myocardial infarction in a patient who had been unintentionally anticoagulated.