Implementation of a Multidimensional Strategy to Reduce Post-PCI Bleeding Risk.

BACKGROUND: The American College of Cardiology Reduce the Risk: PCI Bleed Campaign was a hospital-based quality improvement campaign designed to reduce post-percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) bleeding events. The aim of the campaign was to provide actionable evidence-based tools for participants to review, adapt, and adopt, depending upon hospital resources and engagement. METHODS: We used data from 8 757 737 procedures in the National Cardiovascular Data Registry between 2015 and 2021 to compare patient and hospital characteristics and bleeding outcomes among campaign participants (n=195 hospitals) and noncampaign participants (n=1384). Post-PCI bleeding risk was compared before and after campaign participation. Multivariable hierarchical logistic regression was used to determine the adjusted association between campaign participation and post-PCI bleeding events. Prespecified subgroups were examined. RESULTS: Campaign hospitals were more often higher volume teaching facilities located in urban or suburban locations. After adjustment, campaign participation was associated with a significant reduction in the rate of bleeding (bleeding: adjusted odds ratio, 0.61 [95% CI, 0.53-0.71]). Campaign hospitals had a greater decrease in bleeding events than noncampaign hospitals. In a subgroup analysis, the reduction in bleeding was noted in non-ST-segment-elevation acute coronary syndrome and ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction patients, but no significant reduction was seen in patients without acute coronary syndrome. CONCLUSIONS: Participation in the American College of Cardiology Reduce the Risk: PCI Bleed Campaign was associated with a significant reduction in post-PCI bleeding. Our results underscore that national quality improvement efforts can be associated with a significant impact on PCI outcomes.

Temporal trends and outcomes of patients with chronic limb-threatening ischemia with and without history of coronary artery disease: insights from the us national inpatient sample database.

BACKGROUND: The burden and prognostic significance of coronary artery disease (CAD) in adults with peripheral artery disease and chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI) is unknown. METHODS: Temporal trends in prevalence of significant CAD (history of myocardial infarction or coronary revascularizations) in hospitalizations for CLTI were determined using the 2000 to 2018 National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database. A multivariable regression analysis of outcomes was performed based on presence or absence of CAD. RESULTS: Among 13 575 099 hospitalizations for CLTI (41% female, 69% white, mean age 69 years), 23% had concomitant CAD, of which 11% underwent lower extremity arterial revascularization (43.6% endovascular and 56.4% surgical). The prevalence of concomitant CAD with CLTI increased from 15.3% in 2000 to 23.1% in 2018. Furthermore, the frequency of endovascular revascularization in adults with CAD and CLTI increased from 15.1% to 48.3%, while there was a decreasing trend of surgical revascularization, from 84.9% to 51.7%. After multivariate adjustments, CLTI with CAD was associated with increased risk of in-hospital mortality (OR, 1.40; 95% CI, 1.32-1.47; P less than .0001) and bleeding requiring transfusion (OR, 1.10; 95% CI, 1.06-1.12; P less than .0001) compared with patients with CLTI without CAD. As compared with surgical revascularization, endovascular revascularization was associated with lower risk of in-hospital mortality in both patients with CLTI with CAD (OR, 0.69; 95% CI, 0.63-0.76; P less than .001) and CLTI without CAD (OR, 0.71; 95% CI, 0.67-0.76; P less than .001). CONCLUSIONS: Prevalence of CAD has increased in adults presenting with CLTI and is associated with poor outcomes, warranting the need for effective interventions and secondary prevention in this high-risk population.

Insights Into Interaction Between Clip Device and the Mitral Valve Apparatus in the Human Heart.

Precise appreciation of the 3-dimensional relationship between the edge-to-edge clips and mitral valve apparatus remains clinically challenging. We demonstrate the images of clips observed in situ 4 years after implantation. Detailed observation from this case helps improve our understanding of 3-dimensional clinical cardiac anatomy related to transcatheter edge-to-edge mitral valve repair. (Level of Difficulty: Intermediate.).

Is Concomitant Mitral Stenosis Associated With Worse Outcomes in Patients Who Underwent TAVR? Insights from a National Database.

Concomitant mitral stenosis (MS) is present in 10% to 15% of all patients who underwent transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). Our aim is to assess outcomes of TAVR in patients with MS using a national database. The Nationwide Inpatient Sample database was used to identify patients who underwent TAVR from 2015 to 2020. We created 2 groups, patients with and those without MS. We then compared baseline characteristics, demographics, and in-hospital outcomes of the groups. Primary outcomes were in-hospital mortality, acute respiratory failure, and pacemaker placement. Secondary outcomes were length of stay and in-hospital costs. Our study indicates that patients with MS had greater incidence of acute respiratory failure (8.8% vs 4.89%, p = 0.001), complete heart block (13.54% vs 9.36%, p = 0.01), and permanent pacemaker placement (8.03% vs 6.03%, p = 0.05). In-hospital mortality was greater in the MS group; however, it was not statistically significant (1.32% vs 1.53%, p = 0.679).

Understanding Cardiac Anatomy and Imaging to Improve Safety of Procedures: The Right Ventricle.

Right ventricular perforation is a catastrophic complication of catheter-based intracardiac interventions. In this context, appreciation of 5 attachments of the right ventricle to the aortoventricular unit is essential to recognize extent of right ventricular free wall. We herein present progressive dissection and virtual and photographic endoscopic images of the hearts without distortion. Real dissection images show us how and where to avoid this complication by indicating the true muscular component of the ventricular septum. Both virtual and photographic endoscopic images, when combined with transillumination, beautifully shows the thin wall regions and trabeculations with unprecedented clarity. We believe recognition of these anatomical nuances can reduce the likelihood of right ventricular perforation.

Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery Implant Compatibility With Ultrahigh Field Magnetic Resonance Imaging (4.7 Tesla and 7 Tesla).

The use of 7 Tesla (T) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is expanding across medical specialties, particularly, clinical neurosciences and orthopedics. Investigational 7 T MRI has also been performed in cardiology. A limiting factor for expansion of the role of 7 T, irrespective of the body part being imaged, is the sparse testing of biomedical implant compatibility at field strengths >3 T. Implant compatibility can be tested following the American Society for Testing and Materials International guidelines. To assess the current state of cardiovascular implant safety at field strengths >3 T, a systematic search was performed using PubMed, Web of Science, and citation matching. Studies written in English that included at least 1 cardiovascular-related implant and at least 1 safety outcome (deflection angle, torque, or temperature change) were included. Data were extracted for the implant studied, implant composition, deflection angle, torque, and temperature change, and the American Society for Testing and Materials International standards were followed. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses reporting guidelines for scoping reviews were followed. A total of 9 studies were included. A total of 34 cardiovascular-related implants tested ex vivo at 7 T and 91 implants tested ex vivo at 4.7 T were included. The implants included vascular grafts and conduits, vascular access ports, peripheral and coronary stents, caval filters, and artificial valves. A total of 2 grafts, 1 vascular access port, 2 vena cava filters, and 5 stents were identified as incompatible with the 7 T MRI. All incompatible stents were 40 mm in length. Based on the safety outcomes reported, we identify several implants that may be compatible with >3 T MRI. This scoping review seeks to concisely summarize all the cardiovascular-related implants tested for ultrahigh field MRI compatibility to date.

SCAI/HRS Expert Consensus Statement on Transcatheter Left Atrial Appendage Closure.

Exclusion of the left atrial appendage to reduce thromboembolic risk related to atrial fibrillation was first performed surgically in 1949. Over the past 2 decades, the field of transcatheter endovascular left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) has rapidly expanded, with a myriad of devices approved or in clinical development. The number of LAAC procedures performed in the United States and worldwide has increased exponentially since the Food and Drug Administration approval of the WATCHMAN (Boston Scientific) device in 2015. The Society for Cardiovascular Angiography & Interventions (SCAI) has previously published statements in 2015 and 2016 providing societal overview of the technology and institutional and operator requirements for LAAC. Since then, results from several important clinical trials and registries have been published, technical expertise and clinical practice have matured over time, and the device and imaging technologies have evolved. Therefore, SCAI prioritized the development of an updated consensus statement to provide recommendations on contemporary, evidence-based best practices for transcatheter LAAC focusing on endovascular devices.

SCAI/HRS expert consensus statement on transcatheter left atrial appendage closure.

Exclusion of the left atrial appendage to reduce thromboembolic risk related to atrial fibrillation was first performed surgically in 1949. Over the past 2 decades, the field of transcatheter endovascular left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) has rapidly expanded, with a myriad of devices approved or in clinical development. The number of LAAC procedures performed in the United States and worldwide has increased exponentially since the Food and Drug Administration approval of the WATCHMAN (Boston Scientific) device in 2015. The Society for Cardiovascular Angiography & Interventions (SCAI) has previously published statements in 2015 and 2016 providing societal overview of the technology and institutional and operator requirements for LAAC. Since then, results from several important clinical trials and registries have been published, technical expertise and clinical practice have matured over time, and the device and imaging technologies have evolved. Therefore, SCAI prioritized the development of an updated consensus statement to provide recommendations on contemporary, evidence-based best practices for transcatheter LAAC focusing on endovascular devices.

Angiography versus FFR guided complete revascularization versus culprit-only revascularization for patients presenting with STEMI: Network meta-analysis.

This study aimed to compare the outcomes of different revascularization strategies among patients presenting with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and multivessel coronary artery disease (MVD) undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). MVD is present in about one-half of patients presenting with STEMI. Despite several randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing complete revascularization (CR) and culprit-only revascularization (COR), the optimal PCI strategy for STEMI patients with MVD remains unsettled. Moreover, it is unclear whether angiography-guided CR or fractional flow reserve (FFR)-guided CR is associated with better outcomes. PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane Library were searched for RCTs comparing CR strategies with COR strategy in patients with STEMI between January 1, 2000 and September 30, 2021 were identified. A frequentist network meta-analyses were performed for three PCI strategies: (1) COR; (2) angiography-guided CR; and (3) FFR-guided CR. Ten RCTs including 7979 patients were included. A strategy of angiography-guided CR or FFR-guided CR was associated with a significantly lower rate of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) and unplanned revascularization compared with COR. Although there were no statistical significant difference between angiography-guided CR and FFR-guided CR, P score analysis showed that angiography-guided CR was ranked as the best strategy for reducing MACE, all-cause mortality, cardiovascular death, recurrent myocardial infarction, and unplanned revascularization. In patients presenting with STEMI and MVD undergoing primary PCI, angiography-guided CR or FFR-guided CR improve outcomes compared with COR. Furthermore, the strategy of angiography-guided CR ranked as the best revascularization strategy in those patients.

Impact of Left Ventricular Systolic Function After Moderate-to-Severe Isolated Traumatic Brain Injury: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) can result in left ventricular dysfunction, which can lead to hypotension and secondary brain injuries. However, the association between left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD) and in-hospital mortality in patients with moderate-to-severe isolated TBI is controversial. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify the prevalence of LVSD and evaluate whether LVSD following moderate-to-severe isolated TBI increases the in-hospital mortality. We searched PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library database from January 1, 2010, through June 30, 2020. Meta-analysis was performed to determine the incidence of LVSD and related mortality in patients with moderate-to-severe isolated TBI. A systematic review identified 5 articles appropriate for meta-analysis. The total number of patients pooled was 256. LVSD was reported in 4 studies, of which the estimated incidence of patients with LVSD was 18.7% (95% confidence interval, 11.9-26.6). Five studies reported on in-hospital mortality, and the estimated in-hospital mortality was 14.1% (95% confidence interval, 5.3-25.6). Finally, 3 studies were eligible for analyzing the association of LVSD and in-hospital mortality. On meta-analysis, in-hospital mortality was significantly higher in patients with LVSD (risk ratio, 6.57; 95% confidence interval, 3.71-11.65; P < 0.001). In conclusion, LVSD after moderate-to-severe TBI is common and may be associated with worse in-hospital outcomes.

The Heart Brain Team and Patient-Centered Management of Ischemic Stroke.

The multifaceted connections between the heart and the brain have been extensively studied at the anatomy, pathophysiology, and clinical levels. Studies have suggested a vital role for both cardiologists and neurologists in the management of various cardiovascular and neurological disorders. However, a true heart-brain team-based approach remained confined to large, specialized centers. In this paper, we review the various intersection areas of cardiology and neurology with regard to ischemic stroke. We focus our discussion on the challenges and opportunity for a heart-team approach to stroke in the context of atrial fibrillation, carotid disease, and patent foramen ovale, and in the setting of strokes complicating transcatheter endovascular interventions.