Management of peri-device leak following left atrial appendage closure: A systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to examine the cumulative experience of peri-device leak (PDL) closure following left atrial appendage (LAA) closure. BACKGROUND: The management of PDL following LAA closure remains controversial. While PDL closure has been proposed, procedural features and clinical outcomes have not been well established. METHODS: A systematic review of all published cases of PDL closure with available anatomical, procedural, and clinical outcomes was performed. RESULTS: We identified 18 indexed publications and 110 cases between April 2013 and March 2020. 71 patients (mean age 72 ± 8 yrs), met study criteria and were included. PDL closure was most common in males, bilobar LAA morphology, and after Watchman procedures. The mean PDL size was 7.6 ± 5.8 mm (range 2-26 mm). Leaks were classified according to size: small (<5 mm; 45%), moderate (≥5-9 mm; 25%), and large (≥10 mm; 30%). Endovascular coils and endovascular plugs were used to close both small and moderate sized leaks, and second LAA closure devices were exclusively used for large PDLs. Successful PDL closure occurred in 90%, and was similar between PDL sizes and types of occluder used. Procedural complication rates were uncommon (2.8%). No strokes were reported following PDL closure at 6 months. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with PDL for whom discontinuation of OAC may be considered unsafe, percutaneous closure using a tailored approach with either endovascular coils, plugs, or second occluder represents a safe, and feasible alternative associated with favorable clinical outcomes.

Cardioform Septal Occluder for the Closure of a Peri-Device Leak After Initial Watchman Implantation.

Left atrial appendage occlusion has become a safe and effective alternative for stroke-risk reduction among patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (AF). Although complete closure is ideal, residual peri-device leaks (PDL) are not uncommon and have been associated with an increased residual risk of stroke. PDL closure has been proposed as an alternate strategy to allow for the safe discontinuation of oral anticoagulation. We describe the safety and feasibility of successful PDL closure using a non-fenestrated Cardioform (Gore Medical, Flagstaff, Arizona) septal occluder after initial Watchman (Boston Scientific, Marlborough, Massachusetts) implantation.

Cardiomiopatía hipertrófica: experiencia de 5 años / Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: 5 year experience

Resumen Introducción: La cardiomiopatía hipertrófica se define como el engrosamiento de la pared ventricular izquierda que no es explicado por condiciones anormales de la carga y que impone un riesgo de: arritmias, falla cardiaca y muerte súbita. Objetivo: identificar prevalencia, las características clínicas y el tratamiento de los pacientes con cardiomiopatía hipertrófica atendidos en nuestra institución. Materiales y métodos: Se extrajeron y analizaron los registros de pacientes con cardiomiopatías hipertróficas, definiendo las características generales y explorando las diferencias entre subgrupos, todos los contrastes estadísticos asumieron una confianza del 95%. Resultados: Se evaluaron 22 casos de la cardiomiopatía hipertrófica, el sexo femenino aportó el 40,9% del total de los casos, la edad promedio fue 54 años. El 77,27% presentaron insuficiencia mitral, el 63,64% reportaron dolor torácico, el 68,18% se encontraban en tratamiento inhibidor de renina y el 95,45% tenían betabloqueador, el grosor promedio del septum fue del 22,77 mm, la prevalencia de fibrilación auricular fue del 22,7% y la de enfermedad coronaria del 18%. Conclusiones: La prevalencia de la cardiomiopatía hipertrófica en el período 2009-2013 fue del 2,35%, relacionado principalmente con la insuficiencia mitral y tenían antecedente de dolor torácico, la prevalencia de la fibrilación auricular en pacientes con cardiomiopatía hipertrófica en el presente estudio fue del 22,7% y la de enfermedad coronaria del 18%.

Abstract Introduction: Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is defined as the thickening of the left ventricular wall that is not explained by abnormal loading conditions, imposing a risk for arrhythmias, heart failure and sudden death. We attempt to identify the prevalence, clinical features and treatment of patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy assisted within our institution. Material and methods: Records of patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy were pulled and analysed, defining general features and exploring differences among subgroups; all statistical contrasts assumed a confidence of 95%. Results: 22 cases of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy were assessed, 40.9% of whom were female, average age was 54. 77.27% showed mitral insufficiency, 63.4% reported chest pain, 68.18% were receiving renin inhibitor therapy and 95.45% were taking beta blockers. Average septum thickness was 22.77 mm, prevalence of atrial fibrillation was 22.7% and coronary disease 18%. Conclusion: Prevalence of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy during the 2009-2013 period was of 2.35%, mostly related to mitral insufficiency and previous history of chest pain; prevalence of atrial fibrillation in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in our study was of 22.7%,and 28% for coronary disease.

Análisis de supervivencia según la oportunidadde atención en la enfermedad coronaria / Survival analysis according to the opportunity to receive medical care in coronary diseases

Resumen Introducción: La oportunidad en la atención de los servicios de urgencias es una determinante de la calidad en la salud asociado con la mortalidad, se pretende definir la relación entre la supervivencia de los pacientes con la enfermedad coronaria en la unidad de cuidados coronarios con la oportunidad de atención en urgencias. Materiales y métodos: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo retrospectivo, se extrajeron los registros de la unidad de cuidado coronario, urgencias y los certificados de defunción de los pacientes con diagnóstico de la enfermedad coronaria, se identificaron las características generales de los pacientes y se exploró la diferencia en la supervivencia según la oportunidad de atención en las curvas de Kapplan-Meier por subgrupos, para un nivel de confianza del 95%. Resultados: Se presentaron 266 casos, 68,4% de sexo masculino, la media de edad fue de 68 años; mediana de oportunidad de atención en urgencias de 57 minutos, de tiempo de estancia en unidad de cuidado coronario 2 días, y de supervivencia 2 días; el análisis de supervivencia para el estado de egreso, mostró mayor supervivencia en pacientes atendidos en menos de 70 minutos. Conclusiones: Los tiempos de atención en urgencias de los pacientes con la enfermedad coronaria superiores a 70 minutos se asocian con la mayor mortalidad, se requieren mejorías en los registros para evaluar los factores asociados con las demoras en la atención.

Abstract Introduction: The opportunity to receive emergency medical assistance is decisive in the health quality associated to mortality. This study aims to define the relationship between survival of patients with coronary disease in the coronary care unit who had the opportunity to receive emergency medical care. Material and methods: A descriptive retrospective study was conducted, registers for the coronary care unit, emergency room and death certificates of patients diagnosed with coronary disease were collected, general characteristics of patients were identified and differences in survival according to the opportunity of accessing to healthcare in Kapplan-Meier curves for subgroups for a confidence level of 95% was explored. Results: 266 cases were presented, 68.4% were male, average age was 68; median opportunity to receive emergency care was 57 minutes, median stay at the coronary care unit was 2 days and 2 days for survival; survival analysis for the state of the admission showed higher survival in patients who were assisted in less than 70 minutes. Conclusions: Patients with coronary disease waiting over 70 minutes in the emergency room are associated to higher mortality. Improvements in the registers are required in order to assess factors associated to the delay in the access to medical care.