Cost-Effectiveness of Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery Versus Medicine in Ischemic Cardiomyopathy: The STICH Randomized Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND: The STICH Randomized Clinical Trial (Surgical Treatment for Ischemic Heart Failure) demonstrated that coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) reduced all-cause mortality rates out to 10 years compared with medical therapy alone (MED) in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy and reduced left ventricular function (ejection fraction ≤35%). We examined the economic implications of these results. METHODS: We used a decision-analytic patient-level simulation model to estimate the lifetime costs and benefits of CABG and MED using patient-level resource use and clinical data collected in the STICH trial. Patient-level costs were calculated by applying externally derived US cost weights to resource use counts during trial follow-up. A 3% discount rate was applied to both future costs and benefits. The primary outcome was the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio assessed from the US health care sector perspective. RESULTS: For the CABG arm, we estimated 6.53 quality-adjusted life-years (95% CI, 5.70-7.53) and a lifetime cost of $140 059 (95% CI, $106 401 to $180 992). For the MED arm, the corresponding estimates were 5.52 (95% CI, 5.06-6.09) quality-adjusted life-years and $74 894 lifetime cost (95% CI, $58 372 to $93 541). The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio for CABG compared with MED was $63 989 per quality-adjusted life-year gained. At a societal willingness-to-pay threshold of $100 000 per quality-adjusted life-year gained, CABG was found to be economically favorable compared with MED in 87% of microsimulations. CONCLUSIONS: In the STICH trial, in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy and reduced left ventricular function, CABG was economically attractive relative to MED at current benchmarks for value in the United States. REGISTRATION: URL: https://www. CLINICALTRIALS: gov; Unique identifier: NCT00023595.

The Evolving Paradigm of Revascularization in Ischemic Cardiomyopathy: from Recovery of Systolic Function to Protection Against Future Ischemic Events.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: We aim to reevaluate how the assessment of myocardial viability can guide optimal treatment strategies for patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy (ICM) based on a more contemporary understanding of the mechanism of benefit of revascularization. RECENT FINDINGS: The assessment of viability in left ventricular (LV) segments with diminished contraction has been proposed as key to predict the benefit of revascularization and, therefore, as a requisite for the selection of patients to undergo this form of treatment. However, data from prospective trials have diverged from earlier retrospective studies. Traditional binary viability assessment may oversimplify ICM's complexity and the nuances of revascularization benefits. A conceptual shift from the traditional paradigm centered on the assessment of viability as a dichotomous variable to a more comprehensive approach encompassing a thorough understanding of ICM's complex pathophysiology and the salutary effect of revascularization in the prevention of myocardial infarction and ventricular arrhythmias is required.

Myocardial Viability and Long-Term Outcomes in Ischemic Cardiomyopathy.

BACKGROUND: The role of assessment of myocardial viability in identifying patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy who might benefit from surgical revascularization remains controversial. Furthermore, although improvement in left ventricular function is one of the goals of revascularization, its relationship to subsequent outcomes is unclear. METHODS: Among 601 patients who had coronary artery disease that was amenable to coronary-artery bypass grafting (CABG) and who had a left ventricular ejection fraction of 35% or lower, we prospectively assessed myocardial viability using single-photon-emission computed tomography, dobutamine echocardiography, or both. Patients were randomly assigned to undergo CABG and receive medical therapy or to receive medical therapy alone. Left ventricular ejection fraction was measured at baseline and after 4 months of follow-up in 318 patients. The primary end point was death from any cause. The median duration of follow-up was 10.4 years. RESULTS: CABG plus medical therapy was associated with a lower incidence of death from any cause than medical therapy alone (182 deaths among 298 patients in the CABG group vs. 209 deaths among 303 patients in the medical-therapy group; adjusted hazard ratio, 0.73; 95% confidence interval, 0.60 to 0.90). However, no significant interaction was observed between the presence or absence of myocardial viability and the beneficial effect of CABG plus medical therapy over medical therapy alone (P = 0.34 for interaction). An increase in left ventricular ejection fraction was observed only among patients with myocardial viability, irrespective of treatment assignment. There was no association between changes in left ventricular ejection fraction and subsequent death. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study do not support the concept that myocardial viability is associated with a long-term benefit of CABG in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy. The presence of viable myocardium was associated with improvement in left ventricular systolic function, irrespective of treatment, but such improvement was not related to long-term survival. (Funded by the National Institutes of Health; STICH ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00023595.).

Rate, causes, and predictors of 90-day readmissions and the association with index hospitalization coronary revascularization following non-ST elevation myocardial infarction in the United States.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the causes and predictors of readmission after NSTEMI. BACKGROUND: Studies on readmissions following non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) are limited. We investigated the rate and causes for readmission and the impact of coronary revascularization on 90-day readmissions following a hospitalization for NSTEMI in a large, nationally representative United States database. METHODS: We queried the National Readmission Database for the year 2016 using appropriate ICD-10-CM/PCS codes to identify all adult admissions for NSTEMI. We determined the 90-day readmissions for major adverse cardiac events (MACE). All-cause readmission was a secondary endpoint. The association between coronary revascularization and the likelihood of readmission was analyzed using multivariate Cox regression analysis. RESULTS: A total of 296,965 adult discharges following an admission for NSTEMI were included in this study. The rate of readmissions for MACE was 5.2% (n = 15,637) and for any cause was 18.0% (n = 53,316). 38% of MACE readmissions and 40% of all-cause readmissions occurred between 30- and 90-days following the index hospitalization. During index hospitalization, 51.0% underwent coronary revascularization (40.8% with PCI and 10.2% with CABG). This was independently predictive of a lower risk of 90-day readmission for MACE (adjusted HR 0.59, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.56-0.63, p < .001) and for any cause (adjusted HR 0.65, 95% CI 0.63-0.67, p < .001). In-hospital mortality for MACE readmissions was significantly higher compared to that of index hospitalization (3.8% vs. 2.6%, p < .001). CONCLUSION: Readmissions following NSTEMI carry higher mortality than the index hospitalization. Coronary revascularization for NSTEMI is associated with a lower readmission rate at 90 days.

Impact of weight on the efficacy and safety of direct-acting oral anticoagulants in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation: a meta-analysis.

AIMS: This study sought to determine the impact of weight and body mass index (BMI) on the safety and efficacy of direct-acting oral anticoagulants (DOACs) compared with warfarin in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation. METHODS AND RESULTS: A systematic literature search was employed in PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane clinical trials with no language or date restrictions. Randomized trials or their substudies were assessed for relevant outcome data for efficacy that included stroke or systemic embolization (SSE), and safety including major bleeding and all-cause mortality. Binary outcome data and odds ratios from the relevant articles were used to calculate the pooled relative risk. For SSE, the data from the four Phase III trials showed that DOACs are better or similarly effective with low BMI 0.73 (0.56-0.97), normal BMI 0.72 (0.58-0.91), overweight 0.87 (0.76-0.99), and obese 0.87 (0.76-1.00). The risk of major bleeding was also better or similar with DOACs in all BMI subgroups with low BMI 0.62 (0.37-1.05), normal BMI 0.72 (0.58-0.90), overweight 0.83 (0.71-0.96), and obese 0.91 (0.81-1.03). There was no impact on mortality in all the subgroups. In a meta-regression analysis, the effect size advantage of DOACs compared with warfarin in terms of safety and efficacy gradually attenuated with increasing weight. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that a weight-based dosage adjustment may be necessary to achieve optimal benefits of DOACs for thromboembolic prevention in these patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation. Further dedicated trials are needed to confirm these findings. PROSPERO 2019 CRD42019140693. Available from: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php? ID=CRD42019140693.

Coronary-Artery Bypass Surgery in Patients with Ischemic Cardiomyopathy.

BACKGROUND: The survival benefit of a strategy of coronary-artery bypass grafting (CABG) added to guideline-directed medical therapy, as compared with medical therapy alone, in patients with coronary artery disease, heart failure, and severe left ventricular systolic dysfunction remains unclear. METHODS: From July 2002 to May 2007, a total of 1212 patients with an ejection fraction of 35% or less and coronary artery disease amenable to CABG were randomly assigned to undergo CABG plus medical therapy (CABG group, 610 patients) or medical therapy alone (medical-therapy group, 602 patients). The primary outcome was death from any cause. Major secondary outcomes included death from cardiovascular causes and death from any cause or hospitalization for cardiovascular causes. The median duration of follow-up, including the current extended-follow-up study, was 9.8 years. RESULTS: A primary outcome event occurred in 359 patients (58.9%) in the CABG group and in 398 patients (66.1%) in the medical-therapy group (hazard ratio with CABG vs. medical therapy, 0.84; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.73 to 0.97; P=0.02 by log-rank test). A total of 247 patients (40.5%) in the CABG group and 297 patients (49.3%) in the medical-therapy group died from cardiovascular causes (hazard ratio, 0.79; 95% CI, 0.66 to 0.93; P=0.006 by log-rank test). Death from any cause or hospitalization for cardiovascular causes occurred in 467 patients (76.6%) in the CABG group and in 524 patients (87.0%) in the medical-therapy group (hazard ratio, 0.72; 95% CI, 0.64 to 0.82; P<0.001 by log-rank test). CONCLUSIONS: In a cohort of patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy, the rates of death from any cause, death from cardiovascular causes, and death from any cause or hospitalization for cardiovascular causes were significantly lower over 10 years among patients who underwent CABG in addition to receiving medical therapy than among those who received medical therapy alone. (Funded by the National Institutes of Health; STICH [and STICHES] ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00023595.).

The association between blood pressure and long-term outcomes of patients with ischaemic cardiomyopathy with and without surgical revascularization: an analysis of the STICH trial.

Aims: Hypertension (HTN) is a well-known contributor to cardiovascular disease, including heart failure (HF) and coronary artery disease, and is the leading risk factor for premature death world-wide. A J- or U-shaped relationship has been suggested between blood pressure (BP) and clinical outcomes in different studies. However, there is little information about the significance of BP on the outcomes of patients with coronary artery disease and left ventricular dysfunction. This study aimed to determine the relationship between BP and mortality outcomes in patients with ischaemic cardiomyopathy. Methods and results: The influence of BP during a median follow-up of 9.8 years was studied in a total of 1212 patients with ejection fraction ≤35% and coronary disease amenable to coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) who were randomized to CABG or medical therapy alone (MED) in the STICH (Surgical Treatment for Ischaemic Heart Failure) trial. Landmark analyses were performed starting at 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 years after randomization, in which previous systolic BP values were averaged and related to subsequent mortality through the end of follow-up with a median of 9.8 years. Neither a previous history of HTN nor baseline BP had any significant influence on long-term mortality outcomes, nor did they have a significant interaction with MED or CABG treatment. The landmark analyses showed a progressive U-shaped relationship that became strongest at 5 years (χ2 and P-values: 7.08, P = 0.069; 8.72, P = 0.033; 9.86; P = 0.020; 8.31, P = 0.040; 14.52, P = 0.002; at 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5-year landmark analyses, respectively). The relationship between diastolic BP (DBP) and outcomes was similar. The most favourable outcomes were observed in the SBP range 120-130, and DBP 75-85 mmHg, whereas lower and higher BP were associated with worse outcomes. There were no differences in BP-lowering medications between groups. Conclusion: A strong U-shaped relationship between BP and mortality outcomes was evident in ischaemic HF patients. The results imply that the optimal SBP might be in the range 120-130 mmHg after intervention, and possibly be subject to pharmacologic action regarding high BP. Further, low BP was a marker of poor outcomes that might require other interactions and treatment strategies. Clinical Trial Registration: URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT00023595.

Ten-Year Outcomes After Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting According to Age in Patients With Heart Failure and Left Ventricular Systolic Dysfunction: An Analysis of the Extended Follow-Up of the STICH Trial (Surgical Treatment for Ischemic Heart Failure).

BACKGROUND: Advancing age is associated with a greater prevalence of coronary artery disease in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction and with a higher risk of complications after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Whether the efficacy of CABG compared with medical therapy (MED) in patients with heart failure caused by ischemic cardiomyopathy is the same in patients of different ages is unknown. METHODS: A total of 1212 patients (median follow-up, 9.8 years) with ejection fraction ≤35% and coronary disease amenable to CABG were randomized to CABG or MED in the STICH trial (Surgical Treatment for Ischemic Heart Failure). RESULTS: Mean age at trial entry was 60 years; 12% were women; 36% were nonwhite; and the baseline ejection fraction was 28%. For the present analyses, patients were categorized by age quartiles: quartile 1, ≤54 years; quartile, 2 >54 and ≤60 years; quartile 3, >60 and ≤67 years; and quartile 4, >67 years. Older versus younger patients had more comorbidities. All-cause mortality was higher in older compared with younger patients assigned to MED (79% versus 60% for quartiles 4 and 1, respectively; log-rank P=0.005) and CABG (68% versus 48% for quartiles 4 and 1, respectively; log-rank P<0.001). In contrast, cardiovascular mortality was not statistically significantly different across the spectrum of age in the MED group (53% versus 49% for quartiles 4 and 1, respectively; log-rank P=0.388) or CABG group (39% versus 35% for quartiles 4 and 1, respectively; log-rank P=0.103). Cardiovascular deaths accounted for a greater proportion of deaths in the youngest versus oldest quartile (79% versus 62%). The effect of CABG versus MED on all-cause mortality tended to diminish with increasing age (Pinteraction=0.062), whereas the benefit of CABG on cardiovascular mortality was consistent over all ages (Pinteraction=0.307). There was a greater reduction in all-cause mortality or cardiovascular hospitalization with CABG versus MED in younger compared with older patients (Pinteraction=0.004). In the CABG group, cardiopulmonary bypass time or days in intensive care did not differ for older versus younger patients. CONCLUSIONS: CABG added to MED has a more substantial benefit on all-cause mortality and the combination of all-cause mortality and cardiovascular hospitalization in younger compared with older patients. CABG added to MED has a consistent beneficial effect on cardiovascular mortality regardless of age. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT00023595.

Prosthetic Aortic Valve Endocarditis Without Evidence of Vegetation.

Despite significant technological advances, the diagnosis of infective endocarditis (IE) remains a major challenge, and the condition continues to be associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Valvular vegetations have long been the diagnostic and pathologic hallmarks of IE. However, IE can be diagnosed even in the absence of vegetations using the modified Duke criteria. Vegetation-negative endocarditis is rare, and to the present authors' knowledge no cases of septic emboli in the absence of valvular vegetations have been reported. Herein is reported a case of prosthetic aortic valve endocarditis associated with both clinical and radiologic evidence of septic emboli, but in the absence of vegetations on both repeated transesophageal echocardiography and pathologic evaluation. This case highlights the importance of maintaining a high clinical suspicion and a low threshold for the surgical replacement of a possibly infected valve, in patients that meet other clinical criteria for IE, even in the absence of detectable valvular vegetations.

Surgical Revascularization in Older Adults with Ischemic Cardiomyopathy.

With the totality of data supporting coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) for mortality benefit, symptomatic angina, and quality of life improvement, CABG should be a class I indication for patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy and severe left ventricular dysfunction. As the population ages and more patients are referred for CABG, a careful risk-benefit assessment should be an important part of the consideration regarding revascularization strategies. A heart team approach is critical to arrive at the best decision for each patient. Age, alone, should not be a contraindication because there are data to support a reduction in cardiovascular mortality with CABG in older patients.

Regional variation in the incidence and outcomes of in-hospital cardiac arrest in the United States.

BACKGROUND: Regional variation in the incidence and outcomes of in-hospital cardiac arrest (IHCA) is not well studied and may have important health and policy implications. METHODS AND RESULTS: We used the 2003 to 2011 Nationwide Inpatient Sample databases to identify patients≥18 years of age who underwent cardiopulmonary resuscitation (International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Edition, Clinical Modification procedure codes 99.60 and 99.63) for IHCA. Regional differences in IHCA incidence, survival to hospital discharge, and resource use (total hospital cost and discharge disposition among survivors) were analyzed. Of 838,465 patients with IHCA, 162,270 (19.4%) were in the Northeast, 159,581 (19.0%) were in the Midwest, 316,201 (37.7%) were in the South, and 200,413 (23.9%) were in the West. Overall IHCA incidence in the United States was 2.85 per 1000 hospital admissions. IHCA incidence was lowest in the Midwest and highest in the West (2.33 and 3.73 per 1000 hospital admissions, respectively). Compared with the Northeast, risk-adjusted survival to discharge was significantly higher in the Midwest (odds ratio, 1.33; 95% confidence interval, 1.31-1.36), South (odds ratio, 1.21; 95% confidence interval, 1.19-1.23), and West (odds ratio, 1.25; 95% confidence interval, 1.23-1.27). IHCA survival increased significantly from 2003 to 2011 in the United States and in all regions (all Ptrend<0.001). Total hospital cost was highest in the West, whereas discharge to skilled nursing facility and use of home health care among survivors was highest in the Northeast. CONCLUSIONS: We observed significant regional variation in IHCA incidence, survival, and resource use in the United States. This variation was explained only partially by differences in patient and hospital characteristics. Further studies are needed to identify other potential factors responsible for these regional differences to improve outcomes after IHCA.

Myocardial viability and survival in ischemic left ventricular dysfunction.

BACKGROUND: The assessment of myocardial viability has been used to identify patients with coronary artery disease and left ventricular dysfunction in whom coronary-artery bypass grafting (CABG) will provide a survival benefit. However, the efficacy of this approach is uncertain. METHODS: In a substudy of patients with coronary artery disease and left ventricular dysfunction who were enrolled in a randomized trial of medical therapy with or without CABG, we used single-photon-emission computed tomography (SPECT), dobutamine echocardiography, or both to assess myocardial viability on the basis of prespecified thresholds. RESULTS: Among the 1212 patients enrolled in the randomized trial, 601 underwent assessment of myocardial viability. Of these patients, we randomly assigned 298 to receive medical therapy plus CABG and 303 to receive medical therapy alone. A total of 178 of 487 patients with viable myocardium (37%) and 58 of 114 patients without viable myocardium (51%) died (hazard ratio for death among patients with viable myocardium, 0.64; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.48 to 0.86; P=0.003). However, after adjustment for other baseline variables, this association with mortality was not significant (P=0.21). There was no significant interaction between viability status and treatment assignment with respect to mortality (P=0.53). CONCLUSIONS: The presence of viable myocardium was associated with a greater likelihood of survival in patients with coronary artery disease and left ventricular dysfunction, but this relationship was not significant after adjustment for other baseline variables. The assessment of myocardial viability did not identify patients with a differential survival benefit from CABG, as compared with medical therapy alone. (Funded by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute; STICH ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00023595.).

Peripheral venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in combination with intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation in patients with cardiovascular compromise.

OBJECTIVES: Patients with profound cardiovascular compromise have poor prognosis despite inotropic and intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) support. Peripheral venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (V-A ECMO) offers these patients temporary support as a bridge to various options including the 'bridge to recovery'. METHODS: We studied the outcomes of 135 patients who underwent peripheral V-A ECMO and concomitant IABP implantation in our hospital from 2007 to 2012 for various clinical indications. The ECMO circuit consisted of a centrifugal pump and an oxygenator. RESULTS: V-A ECMO was implanted in the cardiac catheterization laboratory in 51 patients (37.8%), at the bedside in 5 (3.7%) and in the operating room in 79 (58.5%). Mean duration of support was 8.5 ± 7.1 days. Median length of stay was 28 days (interquartile range 14-62). Complications included bleeding at the access site in 14.1%, stroke in 11.1% and vascular complications requiring intervention in 16.3%. Overall inhospital survival was 57.8% with outcomes including heart transplantation (3%), implantable left ventricular assist device (8.1% as bridge to transplantation and 6.7% as destination therapy), surgery (7.4%) and myocardial recovery (40.7%). Prior IABP use and axillary cannulation were independent predictors of reduced inhospital mortality, stroke or vascular injury. CONCLUSIONS: Peripheral V-A ECMO with IABP is an effective therapy for patients with severely compromised cardiovascular function. It offers reasonable survival and a spectrum of definitive options from 'bridge to recovery' to heart transplantation for the management of this critically ill population.

Global burden of cardiovascular disease attributable to smoking, 1990-2019: an analysis of the 2019 Global Burden of Disease Study.

AIMS: This study aims to investigate the trends in the global cardiovascular disease (CVD) burden attributable to smoking from 1990 to 2019. METHODS AND RESULTS: Global Burden of Disease Study 2019 was used to analyse the burden of CVD attributable to smoking (i.e. ischaemic heart disease, peripheral artery disease, stroke, atrial fibrillation and flutter, and aortic aneurysm). Age-standardized mortality rates (ASMRs) per 100 000 and age-standardized disability-adjusted life year rates (ASDRs) per 100 000, as well as an estimated annual percentage change (EAPC) in ASMR and ASDR, were determined by age, sex, year, socio-demographic index (SDI), regions, and countries or territories. The global ASMR of smoking-attributed CVD decreased from 57.16/100 000 [95% uncertainty interval (UI) 54.46-59.97] in 1990 to 33.03/100 000 (95% UI 30.43-35.51) in 2019 [EAPC -0.42 (95% UI -0.47 to -0.38)]. Similarly, the ASDR of smoking-attributed CVD decreased between 1990 and 2019. All CVD subcategories showed a decline in death burden between 1990 and 2019. The burden of smoking-attributed CVD was higher in men than in women. Significant geographic and regional variations existed such that Eastern Europe had the highest ASMR and Andean Latin America had the lowest ASMR in 2019. In 2019, the ASMR of smoking-attributed CVD was lowest in high SDI regions. CONCLUSION: Smoking-attributed CVD morbidity and mortality are declining globally, but significant variation persists, indicating a need for targeted interventions to reduce smoking-related CVD burden.

The burden of cardiovascular disease (CVD) attributed to smoking declined worldwide between 1990 and 2019. The burden of smoking-attributed CVD was higher in men than in women in 2019. There were significant variations between different countries and regions such that Eastern Europe had the highest death rate and Andean Latin America had the lowest death rate in 2019. Also, countries with high socio-economic status had lower death rates from smoking-attributed CVD. This highlights the need for targeted interventions to reduce the burden of smoking-attributed CVD. The overall age-adjusted deaths from CVD attributed to smoking declined from 57.16/100 000 in 1990 to 33.03/100 000 in 2019.In 2019, ischaemic heart disease was the leading cause of smoking-attributed CVD deaths.

Nationwide Analysis of Cardiac Arrest Outcomes During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic had a significant impact on the chain of survival following cardiac arrest. However, large population-based reports of COVID-19 in patients hospitalized after cardiac arrest are limited. The National Inpatient Sample database was queried for cardiac arrest admissions during 2020 in the United States. Propensity score matching was used to match patients with and without concurrent COVID-19 according to age, race, sex, and comorbidities. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify predictors of mortality. A weighted total of 267,845 hospitalizations for cardiac arrest were identified, among which 44,105 patients (16.5%) had a concomitant diagnosis of COVID-19. After propensity matching, cardiac arrest patients with concomitant COVID-19 had higher rate of acute kidney injury requiring dialysis (64.9% vs 54.8%) mechanical ventilation >24 hours (53.6% vs 44.6%) and sepsis (59.4% vs 40.4%) compared to cardiac arrest patients without COVID-19. In contrast, cardiac arrest patients with COVID-19 had lower rates of cardiogenic shock (3.2% vs 5.4%, P < 0.001), ventricular tachycardia (9.6% vs 11.7%, P < 0.001), and ventricular fibrillation (6.7% vs 10.8%, P < 0.001), and a lower utilization of cardiac procedures. In-hospital mortality was higher in patients with COVID-19 (86.9% vs 65.5%, P < 0.001) and, on multivariate analysis, a diagnosis of COVID-19 was an independent predictor of mortality. Among patients hospitalized following a cardiac arrest during 2020, concomitant COVID-19 infection was associated with significantly worse outcomes characterized by an increased risk of sepsis, pulmonary and renal dysfunction, and death.

The Challenge of Pregnancy in Women With Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a genetic disease that frequently presents at a young age. Pregnancy represents a state of high physiological stress to the cardiovascular system. Thus, pregnant women with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy face the potential for higher morbidity and, therefore, their management may become a significant challenge when complications develop. Physiologic changes that occur during pregnancy, that is, decreased vascular resistance, increased blood volume, and increased heart rate can lead to worsening heart failure in women with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. In addition, pregnant women with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy are at higher risk for arrhythmias. The hemodynamic effects of atrial fibrillation and ventricular tachycardia are significant and can be dangerous for the mother and the fetus. In addition, they can lead to heart failure exacerbation. Atrial fibrillation is of particular interest in this population subgroup. Pregnancy is a hypercoagulable state and atrial fibrillation is an arrhythmia associated with significant thromboembolic complications. Patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy that develop atrial fibrillation are especially at a higher risk of thrombosis. Anticoagulation is recommended regardless of CHA2DS2-VASc score. Anticoagulation during pregnancy is challenging not only because of the teratogenic effects of some drugs and the lack of evidence for some others, but also the differences in the plasma concentration of many anticoagulants. Overall, the potential for high morbidity in pregnant women with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is not negligible. Major cardiac events such as arrhythmias and heart failure are common. However, early recognition and treatment of these complications can lead to full-term pregnancy and successful delivery.

Role of MicroRNA in Heart Transplant.

The need for noninvasive biomarkers for diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic purposes is increasingly being recognized in the field of heart transplantation. MicroRNAs are a class of novel biomarkers that control gene expression and influence cellular functions, including differentiation, proliferation, and functional regulation of the immune system. They can be detected in the serum, plasma, and urine and may serve as early noninvasive biomarkers for various disease processes. Despite significant advances in heart transplantation, challenges remain in the short and long term with early graft injury and dysfunction, both cellular and antibody-mediated rejection, infections of varying types and severity, and cardiac allograft vasculopathy, which require an interventional approach for diagnosis and management. In this article, we review the current knowledge on the role of microRNAs in heart transplantation and its related complications and discuss their potential impact in future strategies to manage heart transplantation.