Interventional device tracking under MRI via alternating current controlled inhomogeneities.

PURPOSE: To introduce alternating current-controlled, conductive ink-printed marker that could be implemented with both custom and commercial interventional devices for device tracking under MRI using gradient echo, balanced SSFP, and turbo spin-echo sequences. METHODS: Tracking markers were designed as solenoid coils and printed on heat shrink tubes using conductive ink. These markers were then placed on three MR-compatible test samples that are typically challenging to visualize during MRI scans. MRI visibility of markers was tested by applying alternating and direct current to the markers, and the effects of applied current parameters (amplitude, frequency) on marker artifacts were tested for three sequences (gradient echo, turbo spin echo, and balanced SSFP) in a gel phantom, using 0.55T and 1.5T MRI scanners. Furthermore, an MR-compatible current supply circuit was designed, and the performance of the current-controlled markers was tested in one postmortem animal experiment using the current supply circuit. RESULTS: Direction and parameters of the applied current were determined to provide the highest conspicuity for all three sequences. Marker artifact size was controlled by adjusting the current amplitude, successfully. Visibility of a custom-designed, 20-gauge nitinol needle was increased in both in vitro and postmortem animal experiments using the current supply circuit. CONCLUSION: Current-controlled conductive ink-printed markers can be placed on custom or commercial MR-compatible interventional tools and can provide an easy and effective solution to device tracking under MRI for three sequences by adjusting the applied current parameters with respect to pulse sequence parameters using the current supply circuit.

Feasibility and outcomes from using a commitment device and text message reminders to increase adherence to time-restricted eating: A randomized trial.

BACKGROUND: Obesity is strongly associated with cardiovascular disease, particularly through its effects on blood pressure. Though maintaining a negative caloric balance leads to weight loss, many patients struggle to adhere to low calorie diets over the long term. Time-restricted eating, a subtype of intermittent fasting (IF), may be an easier dietary pattern for patients to initiate and maintain. We tested the feasibility of a bidirectional texting strategy to help patients with obesity and hypertension initiate and maintain time-restricted eating, and whether a commitment device, a pledge to behave in a certain way in the future while making nonadherence costlier, would increase adherence beyond bidirectional texting. METHODS: Patients with obesity and hypertension seen in cardiology clinics were provided education on time-restricted eating and randomized to a commitment device versus attention control. Attention control consisted of daily bidirectional text messages asking whether patients adhered to IF and weekly text messages asking participants to send their weight and blood pressure. The commitment device involved the same text messages as attention control, plus a commitment contract, setting of implementation intentions with respect to details of time-restricted eating, and involvement of a support partner who received weekly updates on the participant's adherence to time-restricted eating. The intervention lasted 12 weeks, followed by a 6-week follow-up period. The primary outcome was days per week adherent to time-restricted eating over the 18-week study period, measured by daily self-report. We also compared change from baseline weight and blood pressure between randomized groups. RESULTS: A total of 37 patients were randomized and started the study-20 to attention control and 17 to the commitment device. Mean age was 60 years old, and mean BMI was 38.4 kg/m2. Over the 18-week study period, the mean ± standard deviation (SD) number of days per week adherent to time-restricted eating was 4.7 ± 1.9 in the control arm and 5.4 ± 1.7 in the intervention arm (P = .23). Mean systolic blood pressure declined from 135 to 128 mm Hg among all participants (P = .006) with no difference between groups in change from baseline blood pressure (P = .74). Weight decreased from 229 to 223 pounds among all participants (P = .25) with no significant difference between groups in change from baseline weight (P = .84). CONCLUSIONS: A bidirectional texting strategy was feasible for helping patients with obesity and hypertension initiate and adhere to time-restricted eating. Adding a commitment device to bidirectional texting did not increase adherence to time-restricted eating compared with attention control, nor were there significant between group changes in blood pressure or weight, but these comparisons were underpowered. A larger randomized trial of the effect of this scalable intervention, compared with usual care, on blood pressure and weight among patients with obesity and hypertension is warranted. CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION: clinicaltrials.gov; unique identifier: NCT04836312.

Extended-Duration Betrixaban Reduces the Risk of Stroke Versus Standard-Dose Enoxaparin Among Hospitalized Medically Ill Patients: An APEX Trial Substudy (Acute Medically Ill Venous Thromboembolism Prevention With Extended Duration Betrixaban).

BACKGROUND: Stroke is a morbid and potentially mortal complication among patients hospitalized with acute medical illness. The potential of extended-duration thromboprophylaxis with the factor Xa inhibitor betrixaban to reduce the risk of stroke compared with standard-dose enoxaparin in this population was assessed in this retrospective APEX trial substudy (Acute Medically Ill Venous Thromboembolism Prevention With Extended Duration Betrixaban). METHODS: Hospitalized acutely medically ill subjects (n=7513) were randomized in a double-dummy double-blind fashion to either extended-duration oral betrixaban (80 mg once daily for 35-42 days) or standard-dose subcutaneous enoxaparin (40 mg once daily for 10±4 days) for venous thromboprophylaxis. Stroke events were adjudicated by an independent, blinded event adjudication committee. RESULTS: The mean age of study participants was 76 years; 45% were male; 13% had had a stroke; and 45% had congestive heart failure. There were fewer all-cause strokes (0.54% versus 0.97%; relative risk [RR]=0.56; 95% confidence interval, 0.32-0.96; P=0.032; adjusted RR=0.43%; number needed to treat=233) and ischemic strokes (0.48% versus 0.91%; RR=0.53; 95% confidence interval, 0.30-0.94; P=0.026; adjusted RR=0.43%; number needed to treat=233) among patients treated with betrixaban versus enoxaparin through 77 days of follow-up. Among high-risk subjects, those with congestive heart failure or ischemic stroke as their index event, betrixaban reduced the risk of all-cause stroke (0.72% versus 1.48%; RR=0.49; 95% confidence interval, 0.26-0.90; P=0.019; adjusted RR=0.76%; number needed to treat=132) and ischemic stroke (0.63% versus 1.38%; RR=0.45; 95% confidence interval, 0.24-0.87; P=0.014; adjusted RR=0.75%; number needed to treat=134) compared with enoxaparin. CONCLUSIONS: Among hospitalized medically ill patients, extended-duration betrixaban significantly reduced all-cause stroke and ischemic stroke through 77 days of follow-up CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT01583218.

The safety and efficacy of full- versus reduced-dose betrixaban in the Acute Medically Ill VTE (Venous Thromboembolism) Prevention With Extended-Duration Betrixaban (APEX) trial.

BACKGROUND: The APEX trial assessed the safety and efficacy of extended-duration thromboprophylaxis using betrixaban versus standard dosing of enoxaparin among hospitalized, acutely ill medical patients. The 80-mg betrixaban dose was halved to 40 mg among subjects with severe renal insufficiency and those receiving a concomitant strong P-glycoprotein inhibitor. METHODS: This analysis assessed the pharmacokinetics, efficacy, and safety of full- (80 mg) and reduced-dose (40 mg) betrixaban relative to enoxaparin in the APEX trial. RESULTS: The median concentration of betrixaban among subjects administered the 80-mg dose was higher than that of the 40-mg dose (19 ng/mL vs 11 ng/mL, P<.001). In the primary analysis cohort 1 (d-dimer ≥2× upper limit of normal), the primary efficacy outcome (asymptomatic proximal deep vein thrombosis, symptomatic proximal or distal deep vein thrombosis, symptomatic nonfatal pulmonary embolism, or venous thromboembolism-related death) was significantly reduced among subjects treated with 80 mg of extended-duration betrixaban versus enoxaparin (6.27% [95/1516] vs 8.39% [130/1549], relative risk reduction=0.26 [0.04-0.42], P=.023), and similarly in the entire primary efficacy outcome population (4.87% [122/2506] vs 7.06% [181/2562], relative risk reduction=0.30 [0.13-0.44], P=.001). There was no difference in the primary outcome for subjects treated with 40 mg betrixaban vs enoxaparin across cohorts. In addition, there was no excess of major bleeding associated with either betrixaban dose compared with enoxaparin. CONCLUSIONS: The 80-mg betrixaban dose achieves higher plasma concentrations than the 40-mg dose and, in contrast to the 40-mg dose, is associated with improved efficacy across all cohorts relative to standard-dose enoxaparin without an excess risk of major bleeding in the management of medically ill subjects.

EMBRACE STEMI study: a Phase 2a trial to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of intravenous MTP-131 on reperfusion injury in patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention.

AIMS: Among patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), reperfusion injury contributes to additional myocardial damage. MTP-131 is a cell-permeable peptide that preserves the integrity of cardiolipin, enhances mitochondrial energetics, and improves myocyte survival during reperfusion. METHODS AND RESULTS: EMBRACE STEMI is a multicentre, randomized, double-blind Phase 2a trial that evaluated the efficacy and safety of MTP-131 vs. placebo infused at a rate of 0.05 mg/kg/h for 1 h among first-time anterior STEMI subjects undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for a proximal or mid left anterior descending (LAD) artery occlusion. Administration of MTP-131 was not associated with a significant reduction in the primary endpoint, infarct size by creatine kinase-myocardial band (CK-MB) area under the curve (AUC) over 72 h (5785 ± 426 ng h/mL in placebo vs. 5570 ± 486 ng h/mL in MTP-131; ITALIC! P = NS). MTP-131 was not associated with an improvement in pre-specified magnetic resonance imaging, angiographic, electrocardiographic, or clinical outcomes. CONCLUSION: Among subjects with first-time anterior STEMI due to a proximal or mid LAD lesion who undergo successful PCI, administration of MTP-131 was safe and well tolerated. Treatment with MTP-131 was not associated with a decrease in myocardial infarct size as assessed by AUC0-72 of CK-MB.

Renal function decline in recipients and donors of kidney grafts: role of aortic stiffness.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Renal function decreases over time as a result of reduction in the number of functioning nephrons with age. In recipients and donors of kidney grafts, renal function decline may be linked differently to various parameters, namely arterial stiffness. METHODS: We conducted a prospective cohort study including 101 recipients of kidney grafts and their donors aiming at determining the factors correlated to the renal function decline over time. Aortic stiffness was evaluated by the non-invasive measurement of aortic pulse wave velocity. The glomerular filtration rate was estimated using the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) equation and the annualized change was determined. RESULTS: Decline in renal function was estimated at 1-year post-transplantation and annually thereafter (median follow-up 8 years, range 3.6-18.3), as the mean of the annualized decrease in the glomerular filtration rate. In recipients, filtration rate decreased by 4.8 ± 19.7 ml/min/1.73 m(2) the first post-transplant year and at a yearly rate of 2.2 ± 3.8 ml/min/1.73 m(2) thereafter. The first-year decline was related to smoking and acute rejection. Later decline was significantly associated with donor age and aortic stiffness. In living donors, renal function decline after the first year corresponded to 0.7 ml/min/1.73 m(2), was significantly lower than that of recipients (p < 0.001), and was determined by donor age at nephrectomy. CONCLUSION: Recipients of kidney grafts show a glomerular filtration rate decline over time that is significantly associated with donor age and aortic stiffness after the first post-transplant year, while donors demonstrate a lower decline that is mostly determined by age at nephrectomy.

D-Dimer elevation and adverse outcomes.

D-Dimer is a biomarker of fibrin formation and degradation. While a D-dimer within normal limits is used to rule out the diagnosis of deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism among patients with a low clinical probability of venous thromboembolism (VTE), the prognostic association of an elevated D-dimer with adverse outcomes has received far less emphasis. An elevated D-dimer is independently associated with an increased risk for incident VTE, recurrent VTE, and mortality. An elevated D-dimer is an independent correlate of increased mortality and subsequent VTE across a broad variety of disease states. Therefore, medically ill subjects in whom the D-dimer is elevated constitute a high risk subgroup in which the prospective evaluation of the efficacy and safety of antithrombotic therapy is warranted.

Ventricular Intramyocardial Navigation for Tachycardia Ablation Guided by Electrograms (VINTAGE): Deep Ablation in Inaccessible Targets.

BACKGROUND: Deep intramural ventricular tachycardia substrate targets are difficult to access, map, and ablate from endocardial and epicardial surfaces, resulting in high recurrence rates. OBJECTIVES: In this study, the authors introduce a novel approach called ventricular intramyocardial navigation for tachycardia ablation guided by electrograms (VINTAGE) to access and ablate anatomically challenging ventricular tachycardia from within the myocardium. METHODS: Guidewire/microcatheter combinations were navigated deep throughout the extravascular myocardium, accessed directly from the right ventricle cavity, in Yorkshire swine (6 naive, 1 infarcted). Devices were steered to various intramyocardial targets including the left ventricle summit, guided by fluoroscopy, unipolar electrograms, and/or electroanatomic mapping. Radiofrequency ablations were performed to characterize ablation parameters and reproducibility. Intramyocardial saline irrigation began 1 minute before ablation and continued throughout. Lesions were analyzed on cardiac magnetic resonance and necropsy. RESULTS: VINTAGE was feasible in all animals within naive and infarcted myocardium. Forty-three lesions were created, using various guidewires and power settings. Forty-one (95%) lesions were detected on cardiac magnetic resonance and 38 (88%) on necropsy; all undetected lesions resulted from intentionally subtherapeutic ablation energy (10 W). Larger-diameter guidewires yielded larger size lesions. Lesion volumes on necropsy were significantly larger at 20 W than 10 W (178 mm3 [Q1-Q3: 104-382 mm3] vs 49 mm3 [Q1-Q3: 35-93 mm3]; P = 0.02). Higher power (30 W) did not create larger lesions. Median impedance dropped with preablation irrigation by 12 Ω (Q1-Q3: 8-17 Ω), followed by a further 15-Ω (Q1-Q3: 11-19 Ω) drop during ablation. Intramyocardial navigation, ablation, and irrigation were not associated with any complications. CONCLUSIONS: VINTAGE was safe and effective at creating intramural ablation lesions in targets traditionally considered inaccessible from the endocardium and epicardium, both naive and infarcted. Intramyocardial guidewire irrigation and ablation at 20 W creates reproducibly large intramural lesions.

TABERNACL: Temporary Hemodynamic Stabilization In Vivo.

BACKGROUND: Acute aortic regurgitation is life-threatening with few nonsurgical options for immediate stabilization. We propose Trans-Aortic Balloon to Ease Regurgitation Applying Counter-Pulsation (TABERNACL), a simple, on-table temporary valve using commercially available equipment to temporize acute severe aortic regurgitation. METHODS: We hypothesize that an appropriately sized commercial balloon dilatation catheter-straddling the aortic annulus and connected to a counterpulsation console-can serve as a temporizing valve to restore hemodynamic stability in acute aortic regurgitation. We performed benchtop testing of valvuloplasty, angioplasty, and sizing balloons as counterpulsation balloons. TABERNACL was assessed in vivo in a porcine model of acute aortic regurgitation (n=8). We also tested a static undersized, continuously inflated transvalvular balloon as a spacer intended physically to obstruct the regurgitant orifice. RESULTS: Benchtop testing identified that Tyshak II and PTS sizing (NuMed Braun) balloon catheters performed adequately as temporary valves (ie, complete inflation and deflation with each cycle) and resisted fatigue, in contrast to others. When TABERNACL was used in the acute severe regurgitation animals, there was immediate hemodynamic improvement, with a significant 35% increase in diastolic aortic pressure by 16 mm Hg ([95% CI, 7-25] P=0.0056), 34% reduction in left ventricular end-diastolic pressure by -7 mm Hg ([95% CI, -10 to -5] P=0.0006), improvement in the aortic diastolic index by 0.28 ([95% CI, 0.18-0.39] P=0.0009), and reversal of electrocardiographic myocardial ischemia. As an alternative, static balloon inflation across the aortic valve stabilized regurgitation hemodynamics at the expense of a new aortic gradient and caused excessive ectopy from balloon movement in the left ventricular outflow tract. CONCLUSIONS: TABERNACL improves hemodynamics and reduces coronary ischemia by electrocardiography in animals with acute severe aortic regurgitation. TABERNACL valves obstruct the diastolic regurgitant orifice without systolic obstruction. This may prove a lifesaving bridge to definitive valve replacement therapy.

Transcatheter Myotomy to Reduce Left Ventricular Outflow Obstruction.

BACKGROUND: Left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) obstruction is a source of morbidity in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and a life-threatening complication of transcatheter mitral valve replacement (TMVR) and transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). Available surgical and transcatheter approaches are limited by high surgical risk, unsuitable septal perforators, and heart block requiring permanent pacemakers. OBJECTIVES: The authors report the initial experience of a novel transcatheter electrosurgical procedure developed to mimic surgical myotomy. METHODS: We used septal scoring along midline endocardium (SESAME) to treat patients, on a compassionate basis, with symptomatic LVOT obstruction or to create space to facilitate TMVR or TAVR. RESULTS: In this single-center retrospective study between 2021 and 2023, 76 patients underwent SESAME. In total, 11 (14%) had classic HCM, and the remainder underwent SESAME to facilitate TMVR or TAVR. All had technically successful SESAME myocardial laceration. Measures to predict post-TMVR LVOT significantly improved (neo-LVOT 42 mm2 [Q1-Q3: 7-117 mm2] to 170 mm2 [Q1-Q3: 95-265 mm2]; P < 0.001; skirt-neo-LVOT 169 mm2 [Q1-Q3: 153-193 mm2] to 214 mm2 [Q1-Q3: 180-262 mm2]; P < 0.001). Among patients with HCM, SESAME significantly decreased invasive LVOT gradients (resting: 54 mm Hg [Q1-Q3: 40-70 mm Hg] to 29 mm Hg [Q1-Q3: 12-36 mm Hg]; P = 0.023; provoked 146 mm Hg [Q1-Q3: 100-180 mm Hg] to 85 mm Hg [Q1-Q3: 40-120 mm Hg]; P = 0.076). A total of 74 (97.4%) survived the procedure. Five experienced 3 of 76 (3.9%) iatrogenic ventricular septal defects that did not require repair and 3 of 76 (3.9%) ventricular free wall perforations. Neither occurred in patients treated for HCM. Permanent pacemakers were required in 4 of 76 (5.3%), including 2 after concomitant TAVR. Lacerations were stable and did not propagate after SESAME (remaining septum: 5.9 ± 3.3 mm to 6.1 ± 3.2 mm; P = 0.8). CONCLUSIONS: With further experience, SESAME may benefit patients requiring septal reduction therapy for obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy as well as those with LVOT obstruction after heart valve replacement, and/or can help facilitate transcatheter valve implantation.

Is there a need for "triple therapy"? Role of anticoagulation with dual antiplatelet therapy in acute coronary syndromes (ATLAS Study & TRAP Study).

In the past two decades there has been a succession of advances in the development of anticoagulant and antiplatelet therapies to be used in the treatment of ACS. Despite optimal dual antiplatelet therapy, nearly 10-12 % of patients still face a risk of death or myocardial infarction one year following PCI. This large residual risk provides the impetus for the development of more effective strategies. Dual pathway regimens that combine antiplatelets (aspirin and a thienopyridine), along with an anticoagulant such as rivaroxaban may prove to be a therapeutic option in patients with ACS.

Enrollment of Older Patients, Women, and Racial and Ethnic Minority Individuals in Valvular Heart Disease Clinical Trials: A Systematic Review.

Importance: Inadequate representation of older patients, women, and racial minority individuals in cardiovascular clinical trials limits both the generalizability of trial findings and inclusivity in access to novel therapies and therapeutic strategies. Objective: To report on temporal trends in the representation of older patients, women, and racial and ethnic minority individuals in clinical trials studying treatments for valvular heart disease. Evidence Review: All published clinical trials enrolling more than 100 adults with any valvular heart disease published between 2005 and 2020 were included after searches with PubMed and ClinicalTrials.gov. Data on age, sex, race, and ethnicity reported in the included studies were collected. Trials were assigned to 4 time periods based on the publication date, and temporal trends were analyzed in the representation of older patients, women, and racial and ethnic minority individuals. Findings: A total of 139 clinical trials with 51 527 participants were identified. Of these trials, 103 (74%) investigated aortic valve disease and the remainder mitral valve disease. Overall, 63 trials (45.3%) enrolled patients only in Europe, 24 (17.3%) only in North America, and 19 (13.7%) in multiple geographical regions. The weighted mean (SD) age of enrolled patients was 68.4 (11.4) years, increasing nonsignificantly from 61.9 (5.9) years in 2005-2008 to 72.8 (9.6) years in 2017-2020 (P = .09 for trend). The overall proportion of women enrolled in valvular heart disease trials was 41.1%, with no significant changes over time. Data on race and ethnicity of trial participants were reported in 13 trials (9.4%), in which trial-level representation of American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian, Black/African American, Hispanic, and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander patients ranged from 0.27% to 43.9%. There were no significant temporal trends noted in the enrollment of racial and ethnic minority populations. The representation of women in clinical trials was positively associated with enrollment rates of older patients and underrepresented racial and ethnic groups. Conclusions and Relevance: This review found that over the past 2 decades, women and racial and ethnic minority individuals have remained underrepresented in North American valvular heart disease clinical trials. Further work is needed to improve the reporting of race and ethnicity data and address barriers to trial enrollment for older patients, women, and racial and ethnic minority individuals.

EDEN (Electrocardiographic Radial Depth Navigation): A Novel Approach to Navigate Inside Heart Muscle.

BACKGROUND: Intramyocardial guidewire navigation is a novel technique that allows free transcatheter movement within ventricular muscle. Guidewire radial depth, between endocardial and epicardial surfaces, is ambiguous by x-ray and echocardiography. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to develop a simple tool, EDEN (Electrocardiographic Radial Depth Navigation), to indicate radial depth during intramyocardial guidewire navigation. Combined with routine imaging, EDEN facilitates a new family of intramyocardial catheter procedures to slice, reshape, pace, and ablate the heart. METHODS: We mapped intramyocardial electrograms of left and right ventricular walls and septum during open- and closed-chest swine procedures (N = 53), including MIRTH (Myocardial Intramural Remodeling by Transvenous Tether) ventriculoplasty. We identified radial depth-dependent features on unipolar electrograms. We developed a machine learning-based classifier to indicate categorical position, and modeled the findings in silico to test understanding of the physiology. RESULTS: EDEN signatures distinguished 5 depth zones throughout left and right ventricular free walls and interventricular septum. Relative ST-segment elevation magnitude best discriminated position and was maximum (40.1 ± 6.5 mV) in the midmyocardium. Subendocardial positions exhibited dominant Q waves with lower-amplitude ST segments (16.8 ± 5.8 mV), whereas subepicardial positions exhibited dominant R waves with lower-amplitude ST segments (15.7 ± 4.8 mV). EDEN was unaffected by pacing-induced left bundle branch block. ST-segment elevation declined over minutes and reappeared after submillimeter guidewire manipulation. Modeling recapitulated EDEN features. The machine learning-based classifier was 97% accurate. EDEN successfully guided MIRTH ventriculoplasty. CONCLUSIONS: EDEN provides a simple and reproducible real-time reflection of categorical guidewire-tip radial depth during intramyocardial guidewire navigation. Used in tandem with x-ray, EDEN enables novel, transcatheter, intramyocardial therapies such as MIRTH, SESAME (Septal Surfing Along Midline Endocardium), and cerclage ventriculoplasty.

Racial, Ethnic, and Socioeconomic Inequities in Access to Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion.

Background Inequitable access to high-technology therapeutics may perpetuate inequities in care. We examined the characteristics of US hospitals that did and did not establish left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) programs, the patient populations those hospitals served, and the associations between zip code-level racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic composition and rates of LAAO among Medicare beneficiaries living within large metropolitan areas with LAAO programs. Methods and Results We conducted cross-sectional analyses of Medicare fee-for-service claims for beneficiaries aged 66 years or older between 2016 and 2019. We identified hospitals establishing LAAO programs during the study period. We used generalized linear mixed models to measure the association between zip code-level racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic composition and age-adjusted rates of LAAO in the most populous 25 metropolitan areas with LAAO sites. During the study period, 507 candidate hospitals started LAAO programs, and 745 candidate hospitals did not. Most new LAAO programs opened in metropolitan areas (97.4%). Compared with non-LAAO centers, LAAO centers treated patients with higher median household incomes (difference of $913 [95% CI, $197-$1629], P=0.01). Zip code-level rates of LAAO procedures per 100 000 Medicare beneficiaries in large metropolitan areas were 0.34% (95% CI, 0.33%-0.35%) lower for each $1000 zip code-level decrease in median household income. After adjustment for socioeconomic markers, age, and clinical comorbidities, LAAO rates were lower in zip codes with higher proportions of Black or Hispanic patients. Conclusions Growth in LAAO programs in the United States had been concentrated in metropolitan areas. LAAO centers treated wealthier patient populations in hospitals without LAAO programs. Within major metropolitan areas with LAAO programs, zip codes with higher proportions of Black and Hispanic patients and more patients experiencing socioeconomic disadvantage had lower age-adjusted rates of LAAO. Thus, geographic proximity alone may not ensure equitable access to LAAO. Unequal access to LAAO may reflect disparities in referral patterns, rates of diagnosis, and preferences for using novel therapies experienced by racial and ethnic minority groups and patients experiencing socioeconomic disadvantage.

Bleeding risk by intensity of anticoagulation in critically ill patients with COVID-19: A retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Studies report hypercoagulability in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), leading many institutions to escalate anticoagulation intensity for thrombosis prophylaxis. OBJECTIVE: To determine the bleeding risk with various intensities of anticoagulation in critically ill patients with COVID-19 compared with other respiratory viral illnesses (ORVI). PATIENTS/METHODS: This retrospective cohort study compared the incidence of major bleeding in patients admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU) within a single health system with COVID-19 versus ORVI. In the COVID-19 cohort, we assessed the effect of anticoagulation intensity received on ICU admission on bleeding risk. We performed a secondary analysis with anticoagulation intensity as a time-varying covariate to reflect dose changes after ICU admission. RESULTS: Four hundred and forty-three and 387 patients were included in the COVID-19 and ORVI cohorts, respectively. The hazard ratio of major bleeding for the COVID-19 cohort relative to the ORVI cohort was 1.26 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.86-1.86). In COVID-19 patients, an inverse-probability treatment weighted model found therapeutic-intensity anticoagulation on ICU admission had an adjusted hazard ratio of bleeding of 1.55 (95% CI: 0.88-2.73) compared with standard prophylactic-intensity anticoagulation. However, when anticoagulation was assessed as a time-varying covariate and adjusted for other risk factors for bleeding, the adjusted hazard ratio for bleeding on therapeutic-intensity anticoagulation compared with standard thromboprophylaxis was 2.59 (95% CI: 1.20-5.57). CONCLUSIONS: Critically ill patients with COVID-19 had a similar bleeding risk as ORVI patients. When accounting for changes in anticoagulation that occurred in COVID-19 patients, therapeutic-intensity anticoagulation was associated with a greater risk of major bleeding compared with standard thromboprophylaxis.

Effect of Mitral Valve Gradient After MitraClip on Outcomes in Secondary Mitral Regurgitation: Results From the COAPT Trial.

OBJECTIVES: The authors sought to evaluate the association between mean mitral valve gradient (MVG) and clinical outcomes among patients who underwent MitraClip treatment for secondary mitral regurgitation (SMR) in the COAPT (Cardiovascular Outcomes Assessment of the MitraClip Percutaneous Therapy for Heart Failure Patients with Functional Mitral Regurgitation) trial. BACKGROUND: In the COAPT trial, patients with heart failure (HF) and severe SMR who remained symptomatic despite guideline-directed medical therapy had marked 2-year reductions in mortality and HF hospitalizations after treatment with MitraClip. METHODS: MitraClip-treated patients were divided into quartiles (Q) based on discharge echocardiographic MVG (n = 250). Endpoints including all-cause mortality, HF hospitalization, and health status measures at 2 years were compared between quartiles. RESULTS: Mean MVG after MitraClip was 2.1 ± 0.4 mm Hg, 3.0 ± 0.2 mm Hg, 4.2 ± 0.5 mm Hg, and 7.2 ± 2.0 mm Hg in Q1 (n = 63), Q2 (n = 61), Q3 (n = 62), and Q4 (n = 64), respectively. There was no difference across quartiles in the 2-year composite endpoint of all-cause mortality or HF hospitalization (43.2%, 49.2%, 40.6%, and 40.9%, respectively; p = 0.80), nor in improvements in New York Heart Association functional class, Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire score, or 6-min walk time. Results were similar after adjustment for baseline clinical and echocardiographic characteristics, post-procedure MR grade, and number of clips (all-cause mortality or HF hospitalization Q4 [44.6%] vs. Q1 to Q3 [40.3%]; adjusted hazard ratio: 1.23, 95% confidence interval: 0.60 to 2.51; p = 0.57). CONCLUSIONS: Among HF patients with severe SMR, higher MVGs on discharge did not adversely affect clinical outcomes following MitraClip. These findings suggest that in select patients with HF and SMR otherwise meeting the COAPT inclusion criteria, the benefits of MR reduction may outweigh the effects of mild-to-moderate mitral stenosis after MitraClip.

Recurrent Left Pleural Effusion Following Left Atrial Appendage Closure With the Watchman Device.

A 75-year-old woman with recent left atrial appendage closure with the Watchman device (Boston Scientific, Natick, Massachusetts) presented with recurrent left pleural effusion. The constellation of chest pain, pericardial effusion, and exudative pleural effusion were suggestive of an inflammatory process precipitated by microperforation of the fixation anchors during the Watchman placement. (Level of Difficulty: Intermediate.).

Association of D-dimer Levels with Clinical Event Rates and the Efficacy of Betrixaban versus Enoxaparin in the APEX Trial.

Background Elevated D-dimer concentrations are associated with an increased risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE). However, they may also provide prognostic value. The present analysis sought to study the association of D-dimer levels with VTE event rates and the efficacy of betrixaban versus enoxaparin in the APEX trial. Methods Hospitalized acutely medically ill subjects ( n = 7,513) were randomized in a double-dummy double-blind fashion to either extended-duration oral betrixaban (80 mg once daily for 35-42 days) or standard dose subcutaneous enoxaparin (40 mg once daily for 10 ± 4 days) for venous thromboprophylaxis. D-dimer was assessed using a central core laboratory measurement. Results For every 0.25 µg/mL increase in D-dimer concentration, there was a 2% increase in the relative risk of experiencing the primary efficacy endpoint (asymptomatic deep vein thrombosis [DVT], symptomatic DVT, nonfatal pulmonary embolism, or VTE-related death) in both the betrixaban ( p < 0.001) and enoxaparin ( p < 0.001) treatment arms. Among D-dimer-positive (≥ 2 × upper limit of normal; corresponding to ≥ 1.00 µg/mL) subjects, extended-duration betrixaban reduced the risk of experiencing the primary efficacy outcome (5.4% [ n = 124] vs. 7.6% [ n = 170]; odds ratio = 0.69; 95% confidence interval: 0.55-0.88; absolute risk reduction = 2.2%, number needed to treat = 46, p = 0.003). There was no interaction between D-dimer and the treatment effect ( p int = 0.53). Conclusion Extended-duration betrixaban was superior to standard-duration enoxaparin, irrespective of D-dimer level at baseline. To prevent one VTE event, 46 D-dimer-positive patients would need to be treated with betrixaban.