Cardiogenic Shock Intravascular Cooling Trial (CHILL-SHOCK).

BACKGROUND: Cardiogenic shock (CS) is complicated by high mortality rates. Targeted temperature control (TTC) has been proposed as an adjunct therapy in CS. This study aims to examine the safety of TTC in patients presenting with CS. METHODS AND RESULTS: In this open-label, randomized controlled pilot trial, 20 patients with hemodynamic criteria for CS were assigned to standard of care plus TTC vs standard of care alone. The primary outcome was a composite safety outcome, including well-described complications of TTC. Secondary outcomes included mortality at 90 days, invasive hemodynamic and echocardiographic parameters, electrocardiographic measurements, and inotrope dosing. There were no significant differences in the composite analysis of prespecified safety outcomes (3 events in the TTC group vs 0 events in the control group; P = 0.24). Patients randomized to TTC demonstrated a statistically significant increase in cardiac index and cardiac power index compared to the control group at 48-96 hours after randomization (3.6 [3.1, 3.9] L/min/m2 vs 2.6 [2.5, 3.15] L/min/m2; P = 0.029 and 0.61 [0.55, 0.7] W/m2 vs 0.53 [0.435, 0.565] W/m2; P = 0.029, respectively). CONCLUSION: TTC may be a safe adjunct therapy for patients presenting with CS and may yield improvement in specific hemodynamic parameters.

Outcomes of Patients Transferred to Tertiary Care Centers for Treatment of Cardiogenic Shock: A Cardiogenic Shock Working Group Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Consensus recommendations for cardiogenic shock (CS) advise transfer of patients in need of advanced options beyond the capability of "spoke" centers to tertiary/"hub" centers with higher capabilities. However, outcomes associated with such transfers are largely unknown beyond those reported in individual health networks. OBJECTIVES: To analyze a contemporary, multicenter CS cohort with the aim of comparing characteristics and outcomes of patients between transfer (between spoke and hub centers) and nontransfer cohorts (those primarily admitted to a hub center) for both acute myocardial infarction (AMI-CS) and heart failure-related HF-CS. We also aim to identify clinical characteristics of the transfer cohort that are associated with in-hospital mortality. METHODS: The Cardiogenic Shock Working Group (CSWG) registry is a national, multicenter, prospective registry including high-volume (mostly hub) CS centers. Fifteen U.S. sites contributed data for this analysis from 2016-2020. RESULTS: Of 1890 consecutive CS patients enrolled into the CSWG registry, 1028 (54.4%) patients were transferred. Of these patients, 528 (58.1%) had heart failure-related CS (HF-CS), and 381 (41.9%) had CS related to acute myocardial infarction (AMI-CS). Upon arrival to the CSWG site, transfer patients were more likely to be in SCAI stages C and D, when compared to nontransfer patients. Transfer patients had higher mortality rates (37% vs 29%, < 0.001) than nontransfer patients; the differences were driven primarily by the HF-CS cohort. Logistic regression identified increasing age, mechanical ventilation, renal replacement therapy, and higher number of vasoactive drugs prior to or within 24 hours after CSWG site transfer as independent predictors of mortality among HF-CS patients. Conversely, pulmonary artery catheter use prior to transfer or within 24 hours of arrival was associated with decreased mortality rates. Among transfer AMI-CS patients, BMI > 28 kg/m2, worsening renal failure, lactate > 3 mg/dL, and increasing numbers of vasoactive drugs were associated with increased mortality rates. CONCLUSION: More than half of patients with CS managed at high-volume CS centers were transferred from another hospital. Although transfer patients had higher mortality rates than those who were admitted primarily to hub centers, the outcomes and their predictors varied significantly when classified by HF-CS vs AMI-CS.

Pulmonary Artery Catheter Use and Risk of In-hospital Death in Heart Failure Cardiogenic Shock.

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary artery catheters (PACs) are increasingly used to guide management decisions in cardiogenic shock (CS). The goal of this study was to determine if PAC use was associated with a lower risk of in-hospital mortality in CS owing to acute heart failure (HF-CS). METHODS AND RESULTS: This multicenter, retrospective, observational study included patients with CS hospitalized between 2019 and 2021 at 15 US hospitals participating in the Cardiogenic Shock Working Group registry. The primary end point was in-hospital mortality. Inverse probability of treatment-weighted logistic regression models were used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI), accounting for multiple variables at admission. The association between the timing of PAC placement and in-hospital death was also analyzed. A total of 1055 patients with HF-CS were included, of whom 834 (79%) received a PAC during their hospitalization. In-hospital mortality risk for the cohort was 24.7% (n = 261). PAC use was associated with lower adjusted in-hospital mortality risk (22.2% vs 29.8%, OR 0.68, 95% CI 0.50-0.94). Similar associations were found across SCAI stages of shock, both at admission and at maximum SCAI stage during hospitalization. Early PAC use (≤6 hours of admission) was observed in 220 PAC recipients (26%) and associated with a lower adjusted risk of in-hospital mortality compared with delayed (≥48 hours) or no PAC use (17.3% vs 27.7%, OR 0.54, 95% CI 0.37-0.81). CONCLUSIONS: This observational study supports PAC use, because it was associated with decreased in-hospital mortality in HF-CS, especially if performed within 6 hours of hospital admission. CONDENSED ABSTRACT: An observational study from the Cardiogenic Shock Working Group registry of 1055 patients with HF-CS showed that pulmonary artery catheter (PAC) use was associated with a lower adjusted in-hospital mortality risk (22.2% vs 29.8%, odds ratio 0.68, 95% confidence interval 0.50-0.94) compared with outcomes in patients managed without PAC. Early PAC use (≤6 hours of admission) was associated with a lower adjusted risk of in-hospital mortality compared with delayed (≥48 hours) or no PAC use (17.3% vs 27.7%, odds ratio 0.54, 95% confidence interval 0.37-0.81).

Selection of percutaneous mechanical circulatory support in cardiogenic shock: patient-specific considerations and insights from contemporary clinical data.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Cardiogenic shock remains a complex and variable disease process requiring early recognition and prompt, multidisciplinary treatment. Available data link usage of high-dose and/or multiple vasopressors in cardiogenic shock to increased mortality. This review proposes a structured approach to escalation of percutaneous mechanical circulatory support (pMCS) in cardiogenic shock, based on the hemodynamic and metabolic parameters highlighted in the revised SCAI Shock Classification, and supported by the available clinical data. RECENT FINDINGS: Intra-aortic balloon pumps (IABP) may improve hemodynamics in early cardiogenic shock (stage B) but offer little benefit in stage C-E shock where percutaneous ventricular assist devices (pVAD) improve cardiac power/index and may improve survival in certain subsets. In stage D-E shock, escalation from standalone pVADs to devices in combination is often appropriate. Left ventricular venting, with IABP or Impella, in conjunction with VA ECMO, appears to be beneficial. SUMMARY: Graded escalation of pMCS support should be considered in SCAI stage B shock patients onwards, with the choice of support allowable by local expertise, matched to the degree and anticipated trajectory of hemodynamic and metabolic compromise. Additional clinical data are required before timing, and escalation of pMCS initiation may be integrated into a single treatment algorithm.

Robotic Totally Endoscopic Coronary Bypass to the Left Anterior Descending Artery: Left Versus Right Internal Thoracic Artery Grafts.

INTRODUCTION: The left internal thoracic artery (LITA) is most commonly used to bypass the left anterior descending artery (LAD) given its well-established mortality benefit. In some cases, the grafting strategy necessitates placing the right internal thoracic artery (RITA) on the LAD. We compared outcomes in our robotic beating-heart totally endoscopic coronary bypass surgery (TECAB) population between patients receiving LITA versus RITA-LAD grafts. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed patients undergoing robotic TECAB with skeletonized ITA conduits over 9 y. Outcomes were compared between those receiving LITA (Group-1) versus RITA (Group-2) grafts to the LAD (with/without other grafts). End points were early angiographic patency (in patients undergoing hybrid revascularization) and mid-term mortality/major adverse cardiac/cerebrovascular events. A propensity matched subanalysis was performed comparing only patients who received bilateral ITA grafting in each group. RESULTS: Society of Thoracic Surgeons predicted mortality risk score was higher in Group-2. Group-1 patients had lower incidence of multivessel disease (75% versus 96%, P ≤ 0.001). Early overall graft patency (97% versus 96%, P = 0.718) and LAD graft patency (98% versus 95%, P = 0.372) were equivalent. At mean 42-mo follow-up (longest 8.5 y), Group-1 had lower all-cause mortality but no difference in cardiac mortality or repeat revascularization. In the propensity matched subanalysis, mid-term outcomes were equivalent. CONCLUSIONS: Grafting the LAD with the LITA or RITA during robotic beating-heart TECAB resulted in similar early outcomes and angiographic patency. RITA-LAD patients were more likely to have multivessel disease and higher Society of Thoracic Surgeons risk and had higher all-cause mortality at mid-term analysis but no difference in major adverse cardiac/cerebrovascular events, including cardiac mortality.

Safe and rapid radial hemostasis achieved using a novel topical hemostatic patch: Results of a first-in-human pilot study using hydrophobically modified polysaccharide-chitosan.

BACKGROUND: The transradial approach (TRA) for catheter interventions decreases vascular complications and bleeding versus transfemoral approach. Reducing time to hemostasis and preventing radial artery occlusion (RAO) following TRA are important and incompletely realized aspirations. OBJECTIVES: This first-in-human study sought to evaluate the efficacy of a novel, topically applied compound (hydrophobically modified polysaccharide-chitosan, hm-P) plus minimal required pneumatic compression, to achieve rapid radial arterial hemostasis in post-TRA procedures compared with de facto standards. MATERIALS AND METHODS: About 50 adult patients undergoing 6 French diagnostic TRA procedures were prospectively enrolled. At procedure completion, a topical hm-P impregnated patch was placed over the dermotomy and TR Band (TRB) compression was applied to the access site. This patch was used as part of a novel rapid deflation protocol with a primary outcome of time to hemostasis. Photographic and vascular ultrasound evaluation of the radial artery was performed to evaluate the procedural site. RESULTS: Time to hemostasis was 40.5 min (IQR: 38-50 min) with the majority of patients (n = 39, 78%) not requiring reinflation. Patients with bleeding requiring TRB reinflation were more likely to have low body weight and liver dysfunction, with absence of hypertension and LV dysfunction. The rate of RAO was 0% with predischarge radial artery patency documented in all patients using vascular ultrasound. One superficial hematoma was noted. No late bleeding events or cutaneous reactions were reported in the study follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Topical application of hm-P in conjunction with pneumatic compression was safe and resulted in rapid and predictable hemostasis at the arterial puncture site.

Surgical Correction of Spontaneous Outflow Graft Twisting of HeartMate 3 LVAD via a Subcostal Approach.

We present two cases of successful surgical correction of a HeartMate 3 left ventricular assist device (LVAD) outflow graft twisting through a subcostal approach. These twistings were diagnosed with computed tomography or pull-back pressure measurement. Technically, a subcostal approach allowed us to access directly the twisted outflow graft and the device connector in a less invasive fashion as compared with a re-sternotomy. Diagnostic modality and surgical tips that address graft twisting are presented within the discussion of these two case studies. The institutional review board of our institution approved this study and waived the requirement for informed consent.

A retrospective analysis of high sensitivity cardiac troponin-T ranges in non-myocardial infarction emergency department visits.

INTRODUCTION: Current evidence suggests that high sensitivity cardiac troponin-T (hs-cTnT) values differ based on sex, race, age, and kidney function. However, most studies examining the relationship of hs-cTnT and these individual factors are in healthy participants, leading to difficulty in interpreting hs-cTnT values in the Emergency Department (ED) setting. We seek to examine the relationship between hs-cTnT values and sex, race, age, and kidney function in a contemporary, urban academic setting. METHODS: ED visits from June 2018 through April 2019 with at least 1 hs-cTnT and no diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) at an academic medical center in the south side of Chicago were retrospectively analyzed. Median hs-cTnT values were stratified by sex (male or female), race (African American or Caucasian), age, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), and stage of chronic kidney disease. RESULTS: 9679 encounters, representing 7989 distinct patients, were included for analysis (age 58 ± 18 years, 59% female, 85% black). Males had significantly higher median hs-cTnT values than females (16 [8-34] vs. 9 [6-22] ng/L, p < 0.001), African Americans had a significantly lower median value than Caucasians (10 [6-24] vs. 15 [6-29] ng/L, p < 0.001), and those with atrial fibrillation (27 [16-48] vs. 9 [6-19] ng/L, p < 0.001) and heart failure (28 [14-48] vs. 8 [6-15] ng/L, p < 0.001) had higher median values than those without. Median hs-cTnT values increased significantly with increased age and decreased eGFR. All relationships continued to be significant even after multivariable regression of sex, age, race, eGFR, presence of atrial fibrillation, and presence of heart failure (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Analysis of hs-cTnT in non-AMI patients during ED encounters showed that males have higher values than females, African Americans have lower values than Caucasians, those with atrial fibrillation and heart failure have higher values than those without, and that older age and lower eGFR were associated with higher median values.

Safety and efficacy of catheter-directed therapy versus anticoagulation alone in a higher-risk acute pulmonary embolism population.

There is little data comparing safety and efficacy outcomes in patients with pulmonary embolism (PE) receiving catheter directed therapies (CDT) compared to a similar-risk cohort of PE patients receiving anticoagulation alone. 1094 patients with acute PE were studied. CDT and conservatively-managed patients were compared using propensity score matching to assess safety outcomes, which included bleeding and acute kidney injury at 2 and 7 days after PE diagnosis. Efficacy outcomes included change in vital signs over 72 h and in-hospital mortality. PE patients with RV strain who underwent CDT (n = 76) had more bleeding at 2 days (additional 1.04 g/dL loss, 95% CI - 1.48 to - 0.60, p < 0.001) and 7 days (additional 1.36 g/dL loss, 95% CI - 1.88 to - 0.84, p < 0.001) compared to those receiving anticoagulation alone (n = 303). There was a significant increase in creatinine at 2 days (additional 0.22 mg/dL elevation, 95% CI 0.02 to 0.42, p = 0.03), but not at 7 days (additional 0.12 mg/dL elevation, 95% CI - 0.11 to 0.35, p = 0.30). In-hospital mortality for patients receiving CDT versus anticoagulation alone was similar (OR 1.21, 95% CI 0.53 to 2.77; p = 0.65). In patients with baseline abnormal vital signs who received CDT versus anticoagulation alone, heart rate, respiratory rate and oxygen requirement improved significantly faster and to levels closer to normal (p ≤ 0.001). CDT was associated with a small but increased risk of bleeding, but no significant worsening of renal function. CDT may be associated with more rapid improvements in heart rate, respiratory rate, and oxygen requirement.

Two-year follow-up of bioresorbable vascular scaffolds in severe infra-popliteal arterial disease.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the safety, efficacy, and durability of the Absorb bioresorbable vascular scaffold in predominantly complex, infra-popliteal lesions for the management of chronic limb ischemia at two-year clinical follow-up. Bioresorbable vascular scaffold are biodegradable scaffolds that provide short-term vascular support before undergoing intravascular degradation. A recent trial reported excellent 36-month vessel patency rates in simple infrapopliteal arterial lesions treated with Absorb bioresorbable vascular scaffold. METHODS: This single-center, retrospective study evaluated the use of the Absorb bioresorbable vascular scaffold (everolimus impregnated poly-L-lactic scaffold) in patients with infra-popliteal peripheral arterial disease (PAD) with respect to safety (thrombosis and TIMI bleeding), technical success, and freedom from clinically driven target vessel failure at 24 months. RESULTS: 31 patients (51.6% male) with a median age of 67 years with predominantly advanced infra-popliteal disease were treated with 49 bioresorbable vascular scaffold in 41 vessels. The mean stenosis was 94% (80-100), with 49% of lesions being chronic thrombotic occlusions. No scaffold thrombosis or peri-procedural bleeding was observed. Procedural success was achieved in all patients; 93.5% of patients experienced freedom from clinically driven target vessel failure at 24 months, driven by one revascularization and one amputation. Primary patency was 96.7% at 12 months and 87.1% at 24 months. All patients were alive at 12 and 24 months. CONCLUSIONS: At 24 months, our study found that patients with predominantly advanced infra-popliteal PAD who were treated with Absorb bioresorbable vascular scaffold reported improved clinical status and a low and durable rate of clinically driven target vessel failure extending out to 24 months.

Performance of the right ventricular outflow tract/aortic diameter as a novel predictor of risk in patients with acute pulmonary embolism.

Right ventricular (RV) enlargement, determined via the ratio of the right to left ventricular diameters (RV/LV) by CT imaging is used to classify the severity of acute pulmonary embolism (PE) and impacts treatment decisions. The RV/LV ratio may be an unreliable marker of RV dysfunction, due in part to the complex RV geometry. This study compared the RV/LV ratio to a novel metric, the ratio of the right ventricular to aortic outflow tract diameters (RVOT/Ao) in patients with acute PE treated with catheter-directed therapies (CDT). RVOT/Ao and RV/LV ratios were measured on CT images from 103 patients who received CDT for acute submassive or massive PE and were compared to RV dysfunction severity determined by transthoracic echocardiography. Ratios and biomarkers on admission were assessed for correlation with invasively-measured hemodynamics [right atrial (RA) pressure, mean pulmonary artery (PA) pressure, cardiac output (CO)]. RVOT/Ao but not RV/LV ratios were increased in patients with moderate or severe RV dysfunction compared to those without RV dysfunction (p < 0.05). Neither ratio showed significant correlation with RA (r = 0.09 vs 0.055, p > 0.05), mean PA pressure (r = 0.167 vs 0.146, p > 0.05), or CO (r = 0.021 vs - 0.183, p > 0.05). proBNP correlated with mean PA pressure (r = 0.377, p < 0.05). The RVOT/Ao ratio may be better at assessing RV dysfunction than the RV/LV ratio in patients presenting with acute PE. Although currently accepted protocols rely on the RV/LV ratio in determining when CDT are of benefit, the RVOT/Ao ratio may be a more useful tool in identifying high risk patients.

Monocyte and macrophage subtypes as paired cell biomarkers for coronary artery disease.

NEW FINDINGS: What is the central question of this study? Are circulating monocyte markers correlated with their derived macrophage polarization patterns and coronary artery disease severity? What is the main finding and its importance? There was an inverse relationship between circulating CD16+ monocytes (high) and M2 macrophages (low) that marked coronary disease severity, and the differences in polarization of macrophages were seen despite a week of cell culture ex vivo. This study highlights the importance, and potential prognostic implications, of circulating monocyte and descendant macrophage phenotypes in coronary artery disease. ABSTRACT: Monocytes and macrophages are central to atherosclerosis, but how they combine to mark progression of human coronary artery disease (CAD) is unclear. We tested whether patients' monocyte subtypes paired with their derived macrophage profiles were correlated with extent of CAD. Peripheral blood was collected from 40 patients undergoing cardiac catheterization, and patients were categorized as having no significant CAD, single vessel disease or multivessel disease according to the number of affected coronary arteries. Mononuclear cells were measured for the monocyte markers CD14 and CD16 by flow cytometry, and separate monocytes were cultured into macrophages over 7 days and measured for the polarization markers CD86 and CD206. At baseline, patients with a greater CAD burden were older, with higher rates of statin, ß-blocker and antiplatelet drug use, whereas other characteristics were similar across the spectrum of coronary disease. CD16+ (both intermediate and non-classical) monocytes were elevated in patients with single vessel and multivessel disease compared with those without significant CAD (P < 0.05), whereas regulatory M2 macrophages (CD206+ ) were decreased in patients with single vessel and multivessel disease (P < 0.001). An inverse relationship between paired CD16+ monocytes and M2 macrophages marked CAD severity. On multivariable linear regression, CAD severity was associated, along with age and traditional cardiovascular risk factors, with CD16+ monocytes (directly) and M2 macrophages (inversely). Circulating monocytes may influence downstream polarization of lesional macrophages, and these measures of monocyte and macrophage subtypes hold potential as biomarkers in CAD.

Single arm retrospective study of bioresorbable vascular scaffolds to treat patients with severe infrapopliteal arterial disease.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the safety and efficacy of the Absorb bioresorbable vascular scaffold (BVS) in complex, infrapopliteal lesions for the management of chronic limb ischemia. BACKGROUND: The interventional management of infrapopliteal PAD remains challenging due to high restenosis rates with metallic drug-eluting stents and balloon angioplasty. Metallic stents are associated with impaired vessel vasomotor tone, remodeling, autoregulation, and long-term inflammation. BVSs are biodegradable scaffolds that provide short-term vascular support before degrading to allow restoration of vasomotor tone and endothelial function. A recent trial reported excellent 12-month vessel patency rates in simple infrapopliteal arterial lesions treated with Absorb BVS. METHODS: This single-center, retrospective study evaluated the use of the Absorb BVS (everolimus impregnated poly-L-lactic scaffold) in patients with infrapopliteal PAD with respect to safety (thrombosis and TIMI bleeding), technical success, and clinically driven target vessel failure (CD-TVF) at 12 months. RESULTS: Thirty-one patients (51.6% male) with a median age of 67 years with advanced infrapopliteal disease were treated with 49 BVS in 41 vessels. The mean stenosis was 94% (80-100), with 49% of lesions being CTOs. No scaffold thrombosis or periprocedural bleeding was observed. Procedural success was achieved in all patients. Freedom from CD-TVF was 95.1% at 12 months driven by one revascularization and one amputation. Primary patency was 96.7% at 12 months. All patients were alive at 12 months, and 96.8% of patients improved their Rutherford-Becker classification. CONCLUSIONS: At 12 months, our study found that patients with advanced infrapopliteal PAD who were treated with Absorb BVS reported improved clinical status and a low rate of CD-TVF.

Percutaneous Coronary Intervention Versus Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting in Treatment of Unprotected Left Main Stenosis.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This article reviews the latest data on unprotected left main (ULM) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) versus coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery, with a focus on the NOBLE and EXCEL trials. RECENT FINDINGS: In EXCEL trial, the primary endpoint at 3 years was 15.4% in the PCI group and 14.7% in the CABG group (p = 0.02 for non-inferiority of PCI versus CABG). In NOBLE, the primary endpoint at 5 years was 28% and 18% for PCI and CABG, respectively (HR 1.51, CI 1.13-2.0, which did not meet the criteria for non-inferiority of PCI to CABG; p for superiority of CABG was 0.0044). Higher repeat revascularization and non-procedural myocardial infarction were noted in PCI group but there was no difference in all-cause or cardiac mortality between the two groups. A heart team approach with appropriate patient selection, careful assessment of LM lesions, and meticulous procedural technique makes PCI a valid alternative to CABG for ULM stenosis.

Coronary microvascular dysfunction in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction.

There are multiple proposed mechanisms for the pathophysiology of heart failure (HF) with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). We hypothesized that coronary microvascular dysfunction is common in these patients. In a prospective, observational study, patients undergoing cardiac catheterization with HFpEF [left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction ≥ 50% and with clinical HF] were compared with similar patients without HFpEF. Patients with ≥50% stenosis were excluded, and coronary flow reserve (CFR) and the index of microvascular resistance (IMR) were measured after adenosine administration using a guidewire, with CFR ≤ 2 and IMR ≥ 23 being abnormal. Baseline characteristics and CFR and IMR were compared in 30 HFpEF patients and 14 control subjects. Compared with control subjects, HFpEF patients were older (65.4 ± 9.6 vs. 55.1 ± 3.1 yr, P < 0.01), had higher numbers of comorbidities (4.4 ± 1.5 vs. 2.6 ± 1.9, P = 0.002), had higher median B-type natriuretic peptide [161 (interquartile range: 75-511) pg/dl vs. 37 (interquartile range: 18.5-111) pg/dl, P < 0.01], and had higher LV end-diastolic pressure (17.8 ± 4.2 vs. 8.4 ± 4.2, P < 0.01). HFpEF patients had lower CFR (2.55 ± 1.60 vs. 3.84 ± 1.89, P = 0.024) and higher IMR (26.7 ± 10.3 vs. 19.7 ± 9.7 units, P = 0.037) than control subjects. Most (71.4%) control subjects had normal coronary physiology, whereas 36.7% of HFpEF patients had both abnormal CFR and IMR and another 36.7% had either abnormal CFR or IMR. In conclusion, this is the first study that has reported invasively determined CFR and IMR in HFpEF patients. We demonstrated the presence of four distinct coronary physiology groups in HFpEF patients. Investigation into the potential mechanisms for these findings is needed. NEW & NOTEWORTHY In this prospective observational study of patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), we found that patients with HFpEF had more abnormalities of coronary flow and resistance than asymptomatic control patients, indicating that coronary microvascular dysfunction may play a role in the HFpEF disease process.

Broken arrow: Successful retrieval of a dislodged coronary orbital atherectomy microtip.

A 68-year-old female with a history of coronary artery disease and prior bypass surgery presented for staged percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) to a calcified and angulated ostial left circumflex (LCX) artery lesion after PCI of the anastomosis of the left internal mammary artery - to left anterior descending artery. Orbital atherectomy of the LCX was performed at a speed of 80,000 RPM with multiple passes, and was complicated by device microtip dislodgement and entrapment within the vessel. After advancing a "buddy" wire beyond the microtip, a tapered microcatheter was advanced over the ViperWire and into the edge of the broken microtip and torqued into the microtip with forward pressure using the 0.014 in ViperWire tip as a "backstop." The guidewire, microcatheter, and microtip were then successfully removed as a unit and the intervention with stent placement was completed over the "buddy" wire. Scanning electron microscopy of the shaft revealed evidence of cyclic fatigue, indicating that the fracture occurred while spinning. The fracture when performing atherectomy in a model coronary artery with a radius of approximately 6 mm. This represents a first case of microtip dislodgement and entrapment during the use of a coronary orbital atherctomy device.short.

Electronic cardiac arrest triage score best predicts mortality after intervention in patients with massive and submassive pulmonary embolism.

OBJECTIVE: To determine if the cardiac arrest triage (CART) Score would better predict poor outcomes after pharmacomechanical therapy (PMT) for massive and submassive pulmonary embolism (PE) than traditional risk scores BACKGROUND: PMT for massive and submassive PE allows for clot lysis with minimal doses of fibrinolytics. Although PMT results in improved right ventricular function, and reduced pulmonary pressures and thrombus burden, predictors of poor outcome are not well-studied. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis of all patients who underwent PMT for massive or submassive PE at a single institution from 2010 to 2016. The CART score and electronic CART (eCART) score, derived previously as early warning scores for hospitalized patients, were compared to pulmonary embolism severity index (PESI) comparing the area under the receiver-operator characteristic curve (AUC) for predicting 30-day mortality. RESULTS: We studied 61 patients (56 ±17 years, 44.0% male, 29.5% massive PE, mean PESI 114.6 ± 42.7, mean CART 13.5 ± 1.39, mean eCART 108.5 ± 28.6). Thirty-day mortality was 24.6%. Treatments included rheolytic thrombectomy (32.7%), catheter-directed thrombolysis (50.8%), ultrasound-assisted thrombolysis (32.7%), and mechanical thrombectomy (4.9%). There were no differences in outcome based on technique. The eCART and CART scores had higher AUCs compared to PESI in predicting 30-day mortality (0.84 vs 0.72 vs 0.69, P = .010). We found troponin I and pro-BNP were higher in higher eCART tertiles, however AUCs were 0.51 and 0.63, respectively for 30-day mortality when used as stand-alone predictors. CONCLUSION: Compared to PESI score, CART and eCART scores better predict mortality in massive or submassive PE patients undergoing PMT.

What Is the Clinical Utility of Intravascular Ultrasound?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This article reviews the contemporary evidence base for use of coronary intravascular ultrasound (IVUS). RECENT FINDINGS: Recent studies have strongly associated IVUS guidance during percutaneous coronary angioplasty (PCI) with lower major adverse cardiac events (MACE), stent thrombosis, and in selected groups, mortality. The PROSPECT study found in acute coronary syndromes patients, IVUS-determined minimal luminal area ≤ 4.0 mm2 and the presence of thin-cap fibroatheromas were independent predictors of future MACE in non-culprit lesions. A sub-analysis of the ADAPT-DES trial demonstrated significant reductions in stent thrombosis, myocardial infarction, and composite MACE in patients with IVUS-guided PCI versus angiography alone. In patients with cardiac allograft vasculopathy, IVUS measurements of intimal thickening and attenuated-signal plaque are associated with increased mortality. IVUS has become a ubiquitous and versatile adjunct to conventional angiography. It is a powerful tool for identification and assessment of atherosclerotic disease, guidance of percutaneous coronary intervention, and detection of cardiac allograft vasculopathy.

3D echocardiographic analysis of aortic annulus for transcatheter aortic valve replacement using novel aortic valve quantification software: Comparison with computed tomography.

BACKGROUND: With the increasing use of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) in patients with aortic stenosis (AS), computed tomography (CT) remains the standard for annulus sizing. However, 3D transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) has been an alternative in patients with contraindications to CT. We sought to (1) test the feasibility, accuracy, and reproducibility of prototype 3DTEE analysis software (Philips) for aortic annular measurements and (2) compare the new approach to the existing echocardiographic techniques. METHODS: We prospectively studied 52 patients who underwent gated contrast CT, procedural 3DTEE, and TAVR. 3DTEE images were analyzed using novel semi-automated software designed for 3D measurements of the aortic root, which uses multiplanar reconstruction, similar to CT analysis. Aortic annulus measurements included area, perimeter, and diameter calculations from these measurements. The results were compared to CT-derived values. Additionally, 3D echocardiographic measurements (3D planimetry and mitral valve analysis software adapted for the aortic valve) were also compared to the CT reference values. RESULTS: 3DTEE image quality was sufficient in 90% of patients for aortic annulus measurements using the new software, which were in good agreement with CT (r-values: .89-.91) and small (<4%) inter-modality nonsignificant biases. Repeated measurements showed <10% measurements variability. The new 3D analysis was the more accurate and reproducible of the existing echocardiographic techniques. CONCLUSIONS: Novel semi-automated 3DTEE analysis software can accurately measure aortic annulus in patients with severe AS undergoing TAVR, in better agreement with CT than the existing methodology. Accordingly, intra-procedural TEE could potentially replace CT in patients where CT carries significant risk.

Predictors of survival following trans-catheter aortic valve closure for left ventricular assist device associated aortic insufficiency.

OBJECTIVE: This study sought to assess the long-term clinical benefits and predictors of survival of trans-catheter aortic valve closure in left ventricular assist device (LVAD) patients. BACKGROUND: LVADs have been shown to increase survival and quality of life in patients with end-stage heart failure. However, severe aortic insufficiency (AI) can develop in up to 50% of patients at 12 months resulting in significant morbidity and mortality. Trans-catheter treatment of LVAD associated AI has emerged as a potential alternative to surgical treatment. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis of all patients undergoing trans-catheter aortic valve closure using an Amplatzer Multi-Fenestrated Septal Occluder "Cribriform" device to assess potential clinical and procedural factors associated with survival. Student's t-tests were used to compare baseline patient demographics and procedural characteristics, as well as patient outcomes immediately post procedure and at 6 months. A P-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: A total of 10 patients (70% male, median age 59 years) were included. Technical success was accomplished in 100% of patients with a 6 month survival rate of 30% (3/10). Compared with survivors, non-survivors had a higher rate of pre-procedural clinical co-morbidities, an increased likelihood of right ventricular failure, and received larger occluder devices. CONCLUSIONS: Trans-catheter aortic valve closure successfully treats late severe AI in LVAD patients, however, the presence or development of right heart failure portends a worse prognosis. Further studies are needed to investigate the factors involved in the development of right ventricular failure, and potential treatment, in patients undergoing trans-catheter aortic valve closure.