Is There an Association Between Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia (HIT) and Autoimmune Disease?

BACKGROUND: Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is a drug-induced, immunoglobulin G medicated autoimmune disorder associated with several negative clinical outcomes including increased morbidity, mortality, and increased medical costs. Previous studies have shown associations between comorbid autoimmune diseases, but there is little known about associations between HIT and autoimmunity. PURPOSE: To provide clinical data to suggest an association between HIT and autoimmunity. METHODS: Retrospective chart review of 59 cases with a diagnosis of HIT and 251 matched controls without a HIT diagnosis, comparing the prevalence of autoimmunity in each group. SETTING: A single, large upper Midwest health care system. RESULTS: Patients with a diagnosis of HIT were significantly more likely to have a comorbid autoimmune disease than those without a HIT diagnosis (55.9% vs 10.8%, P < 0.001). In disease-specific analyses, patients with a diagnosis of HIT were significantly more likely to have a diagnosis of antiphospholipid syndrome (15.3% vs 0.0%, P < 0.001), systemic lupus erythematous (8.5% vs 0.4%, P = 0.001), rheumatoid arthritis (5.1% vs 0.0%, P = 0.007), Hashimoto's thyroiditis (13.6% vs 3.6%, P = 0.006), or nonischemic cardiomyopathy (5.1% vs 0.0%, P = 0.007). Patients diagnosed with HIT were significantly older than controls (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: This novel study gives evidence to suggest an association between HIT and autoimmune disease and suggests a need for more research into the relationship between HIT and autoimmunity. These results could alter the anticoagulation management of venous thromboembolism and acute coronary syndrome in patients with a previously identified autoimmune disease.

Contemporary use of anticoagulation in the cardiac catheterization laboratory: a review.

Anticoagulation during percutaneous coronary interventions has a rich history that has been shaped by several key clinical trials. The correct choice of anticoagulation during interventions can maximize patient outcomes and ensure a safe procedure. However, in some specific situations, anticoagulation may not be required at all. In this review article, we review the significant clinical trials and current guidelines regarding the use of anticoagulation in the catheterization laboratory and discuss the unique pharmacological aspects of the most commonly used agents, with an emphasis on the specific pharmacokinetic parameters that dictate how these agents are used and monitored. Finally, we discussed the future directions in anticoagulation therapy in coronary artery disease. This review serves as a robust synopsis of the clinical data for practicing clinicians and fellows in training.

A Fibromuscular Dysplasia Clinical Tetrad of Coronary Artery Dissection, Cardiogenic Shock, Carotid Dissection, and Stroke.

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection is a serious and underreported clinical entity strongly associated with fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD). The female predominance of FMD may predispose many women to coronary artery dissection or other similar vascular pathologies. We present a case of a young woman who presented with a clinical tetrad of spontaneous coronary artery dissection, cardiogenic shock requiring extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, internal carotid dissections, and subacute cerebellar infarct secondary to underlying FMD. The patient's clinical course and vascular pathology are discussed. A review of the relevant literature of previously published similar cases, the incidence of spontaneous coronary artery dissection, and issues in the clinical management of spontaneous coronary artery dissection are also included.

Hemodynamic Profiles of Shock in Patients With COVID-19.

Patients with serious COVID infections develop shock frequently. To characterize the hemodynamic profile of this cohort, 156 patients with COVID pneumonia and shock requiring vasopressors had interpretable echocardiography with measurement of ejection fraction (EF) by Simpson's rule and stroke volume (SV) by Doppler. RV systolic pressure (RVSP) was estimated from the tricuspid regurgitation peak velocity. Patients were divided into groups with low or preserved EF (EFL or EFP, cutoff ≤45%), and low or normal cardiac index (CIL or CIN, cutoff ≤2.2 L/min/m2). Mean age was 67 ± 12.0, EF 59.5 ± 12.9, and CI 2.40 ± 0.86. A minority of patients had depressed EF (EFLCIL, n = 15, EFLCIN, n = 8); of those with preserved EF, less than half had low CI (EFPCIL, n = 55, EFPCIN, n = 73). Overall hospital mortality was 73%. Mortality was highest in the EFLCIL group (87%), but the difference between groups was not significant (p = 0.68 by ANOVA). High PEEP correlated with low CI in the EFPCIL group (r = 0.44, p = 0.04). In conclusion, this study reports the prevalence of shock characterized by EF and CI in patients with COVID-19. COVID-induced shock had a cardiogenic profile (EFLCIL) in 9.6% of patients, reflecting the impact of COVID-19 on myocardial function. Low CI despite preservation of EF and the correlation with PEEP suggests underfilling of the LV in this subset; these patients might benefit from additional volume. Hemodynamic assessment of COVID patients with shock with definition of subgroups may allow therapy to be tailored to the underlying causes of the hemodynamic abnormalities.

Renin-angiotensin system blockade after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) improves intermediate survival.

Introduction: Hypertension is common in patients with severe aortic stenosis undertaking transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). Renin-angiotensin system (RAS) blockade therapy with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) or angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) has recently been associated with improved outcomes after surgical aortic valve replacement and TAVR, but it is unknown if these findings apply to a more rural patient population. Methods: A retrospective cohort study of 169 patients with at least 1 year of post-TAVR follow-up at a single predominantly rural US center was performed to determine if RAS blockade after TAVR affects short- and long-term outcomes. Seventy-one patients were on an ACEI or ARB at the time of TAVR and at 1 year post-TAVR follow-up. Fisher's exact test was used for categorical data and t-test/ANOVA was used to determine the statistical significance of continuous variables. Results: In a well-matched cohort, RAS blockade therapy post-TAVR was associated with significantly improved overall survival at 2 years (95% vs. 79%, P = 0.042). RAS blockade was also associated with a trend towards decreased heart failure exacerbations in the first year after TAVR, which was statistically significant in the 30 days to 6 months timeframe after TAVR (8% vs. 21%, P = 0.032). Conclusion: In a rural patient population, RAS blockade after TAVR is associated with improved overall survival and a trend towards decreased heart failure exacerbations. This study builds upon previous studies and suggests that TAVR should be considered a compelling indication for these agents.

Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement After Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Is Associated With Increased Pacemaker Implantation but Not Reduced Overall Survival.

BACKGROUND: A history of coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) is a common compelling indication for transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). However, there is little data on how these patients compare to other TAVR patients. In this study, the short and long-term outcomes of these TAVR patients after CABG are defined. METHODS: A retrospective chart review case-control study of 337 consecutive patients who underwent a TAVR for severe aortic stenosis at Sanford Health in Fargo ND was performed to determine if a history of prior CABG was associated with worse outcomes after TAVR as compared to a TAVR cohort without a history of CABG. RESULTS: Despite higher predicted surgical risk, patients with a history of CABG had no significant difference overall survival at 1 month (98% vs. 93%, P = 0.112), 6 months (94% vs. 87%, P = 0.094), 1 year (85% vs. 77%, P = 0.206) or 2 years (70% vs. 57%, P = 0.135) post-TAVR. However, a history of CABG was associated with an increase in post-TAVR permanent pacemaker (PPM) implantation (15% vs. 6%, P = 0.015). CONCLUSIONS: This study gives evidence to suggest that patients with a history of prior CABG do not have any difference in overall survival as other TAVR patients, despite higher predicted surgical risk and differences in preprocedural comorbidities. Our study also confirms the safety of TAVR in this specific population in lower volume centers.

Clinical Arterial Peripheral Vascular Pathology Does Not Impact Short- or Long-Term Survival after Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement.

INTRODUCTION: The dramatic changes in vascular hemodynamics after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) are well noted. However, little postprocedural data exists on the outcomes in patients with clinical arterial peripheral vascular pathology [abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), carotid artery stenosis (CAS), and peripheral artery disease (PAD)] undergoing TAVR for severe aortic stenosis. SETTING: A single center healthcare system. METHODOLOGY: A retrospective chart review case-control study of 342 consecutive patients who underwent a TAVR for severe aortic stenosis at Sanford Health in Fargo; ND was performed to determine if preprocedural comorbid AAA, CAS, or PAD was associated with worse outcomes after TAVR. RESULTS: Patients with preprocedural comorbid AAA, CAS, or PAD had no significant difference overall survival at 1 month (94% versus 95% p =.812), 6 months (88% versus 89% p = .847), 1 year (74% versus 83%, p =.130), or 2 years (58% versus 63%, p =.611) after TAVR. Patients with clinical arterial peripheral vascular pathology also had no significant difference in preprocedural outcomes. CONCLUSION: This study gives evidence to suggest that patients with a comorbid clinical peripheral arterial pathology at the time of TAVR do not have a statistically significant increase in mortality out to 2 years after TAVR and no increase in procedural complications. These results affirm the safety and feasibility of TAVR in patients with AAA, CAS, and/or PAD.

An Itchy Lead: First Reported Case of Ventricular Pacemaker Lead Self-Extraction.

We present a particularly rare case and the first ever report of a ventricular self-extraction in a 98-year old female. Our patient had a past medical history significant for severe Alzheimer's dementia, paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, and sick sinus syndrome who was admitted in clinically stable condition following the unwitnessed self-extraction the ventricular lead of her dual chamber pacemaker. This case highlights the potential risks and other clinical challenges of pacemaker and ICD placement in elderly patients and in patients with cognitive impairment.

The development or worsening of hypertension after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) improves short-term and long-term patient outcomes.

OBJECTIVES: In patients with symptomatic aortic valve disease who are at intermediate to high risk for open surgical aortic valve replacement, transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) decreases overall mortality and improves quality of life. Hypertension (HTN) after TAVR has been associated with improved cardiac function and short-term survival but its effect on survival over 1 year is unclear. Our study aims to evaluate the effect of HTN following TAVR on short-term and long-term clinical and echocardiographic outcomes. METHODS: A retrospective chart review case-control study of 343 consecutive patients who underwent TAVR between August 2012 and November 2016 was performed to elucidate the relationship between HTN and post-TAVR outcomes. RESULTS: 193 patients who underwent TAVR (56.2%) developed or had a worsening of their HTN after TAVR. The development of post-TAVR HTN was associated with a significantly better overall survival at 1 year (89% vs 67%, p<0.001) and 2 years (72% vs 46%, p=0.002). Patients with increased blood pressure also had a significant lower in hospital cardiovascular mortality (1% vs 12%, p<0.001). However, the development or worsening of their HTN after TAVR was associated with an increase in heart failure (HF) exacerbations and diuretic use. CONCLUSIONS: The development or worsening of HTN after TAVR is associated with improved overall survival despite an increase in postprocedural HF exacerbations and antihypertensive medication utilisation. The outcomes of this study could be important in postoperative management of patients who underwent TAVR.