Shared Care for Patients with a Left Ventricular Assist Device: A Scoping Review.

AIMS: Left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) are increasingly implanted in patients with advanced heart failure. Currently, LVAD care is predominantly concentrated at specialized tertiary care hospitals. The increasing workload and logistical burden for implanting centers poses significant challenges to access to care for individual patients in remote areas. An emerging approach to LVAD patient management is the use of a shared care model (SCM), which allows implanting centers to collaborate with local non-implanting hospitals. This scoping review explores and synthesizes the current scientific evidence on the use of an SCM in LVAD care management. METHODS: Eligible studies were identified in EMBASE, Pubmed MEDLINE, Web of Science, Cochrane, and Google Scholar. The PRISMA-ScR method was used to systematically synthesize findings. RESULTS: Of the 950 records screened, five articles met the inclusion criteria. Four review articles focused on the proposed benefits and challenges of using an SCM. Main benefits included improved patient satisfaction and continuity of care. Important challenges were initial education of non-implanting center staff and maintaining competency. One prospective study showed that absence of LVAD-specific care was associated with impaired survival and higher rates of pump thrombosis and LVAD-related infections. CONCLUSIONS: The use of an SCM is a promising approach in the long-term management of LVAD patients. However, sufficient evidence about the impact of an SCM on patients and the healthcare system is currently lacking. Standardized protocols based on prospective studies are needed to develop safe and effective shared care for LVAD patients.

Impact of symptom duration and mechanical circulatory support on prognosis in cardiogenic shock complicating acute myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND: Mortality rates in patients with cardiogenic shock complicating acute myocardial infarction (AMICS) remain high despite advancements in AMI care. Our study aimed to investigate the impact of prehospital symptom duration on the prognosis of AMICS patients and those receiving mechanical circulatory support (MCS). METHODS AND RESULTS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study with data registered in the Netherlands Heart Registration. A total of 1,363 patients with AMICS who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention between 2017 and 2021 were included. Patients presenting after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest were excluded. Most patients were male (68%), with a median age of 69 years (IQR 61-77), predominantly presenting with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (86%). The overall 30-day mortality was 32%. Longer prehospital symptom duration was associated with a higher 30-day mortality with the following rates: < 3 h, 26%; 3-6 h, 29%; 6-24 h, 36%; ≥ 24 h, 46%; p < 0.001. In a subpopulation of AMICS patients with MCS (n = 332, 24%), symptom duration of > 24 h was associated with significantly higher mortality compared to symptom duration of < 24 h (59% vs 45%, p = 0.029). Multivariate analysis identified > 24 h symptom duration, age and in-hospital cardiac arrest as predictors of 30-day mortality in MCS patients. CONCLUSION: Prolonged prehospital symptom duration was associated with significantly increased 30-day mortality in patients presenting with AMICS. In AMICS patients treated with MCS, a symptom duration of > 24 h was an independent predictor of poor survival. These results emphasise the critical role of early recognition and intervention in the prognosis of AMICS patients.

Health-related quality of life one year after refractory cardiac arrest treated with conventional or extracorporeal CPR; a secondary analysis of the INCEPTION-trial.

Background: Prospective, trial-based data comparing health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients surviving out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) through extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR) or conventional CPR (CCPR) are scarce. We aimed to determine HRQoL during 1-year after refractory OHCA in patients treated with ECPR and CCPR. Methods: We present a secondary analysis of the multicenter INCEPTION-trial, which studied the effectiveness of ECPR versus CCPR in patients with refractory OHCA. HRQoL was prospectively assessed using the EQ-5D-5L questionnaire. Poor HRQoL was pragmatically defined as an EQ-5D-5L health utility index (HUI) > 1 SD below the age-adjusted norm. We used mixed linear models to assess the difference in HRQoL over time and univariable analyses to assess factors potentially associated with poor HRQoL. Results: A total of 134 patients were enrolled, and hospital survival was 20% (27 patients). EQ-5D-5L data were available for 25 patients (5 ECPR and 20 CCPR). One year after OHCA, the estimated mean HUI was 0.73 (0.05) in all patients, 0.84 (0.12) in ECPR survivors, and 0.71 (0.05) in CCPR survivors (p-value 0.31). Eight (32%) survivors had a poor HRQoL. HRQoL was good in 17 (68%) patients, with 100% in ECPR survivors versus 60% in CCPR survivors (p-value 0.14). Conclusion: One year after refractory OHCA, 68% of the survivors had a good HRQoL. We found no statistically significant difference in HRQoL one year after OHCA in patients treated with ECPR compared to CCPR. However, numerical differences may be clinically relevant in favor of ECPR.

A randomised trial of selective intracoronary hypothermia during primary PCI.

BACKGROUND: While experimental data suggest that selective intracoronary hypothermia decreases infarct size, studies in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) are lacking. AIMS: We investigated the efficacy of selective intracoronary hypothermia during primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) to decrease infarct size in patients with STEMI. METHODS: In this multicentre randomised controlled trial, 200 patients with large anterior wall STEMI were randomised 1:1 to selective intracoronary hypothermia during primary PCI or primary PCI alone. Using an over-the-wire balloon catheter for infusion of cold saline and a pressure-temperature wire to monitor the intracoronary temperature, the anterior myocardium distal to the occlusion was selectively cooled to 30-33°C for 7-10 minutes before reperfusion (occlusion phase), immediately followed by 10 minutes of cooling after reperfusion (reperfusion phase). The primary endpoint was infarct size as a percentage of left ventricular mass on cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging after 3 months. RESULTS: Selective intracoronary hypothermia was performed in 94/100 patients randomised to cooling. Distal coronary temperature decreased by 6°C within 43 seconds (interquartile range [IQR] 18-113). The median duration of the occlusion phase and reperfusion phase were 8.2 minutes (IQR 7.2-9.0) and 9.1 minutes (IQR 8.2-10.0), respectively. The infarct size at 3 months was 23.1±12.5% in the selective intracoronary hypothermia group and 21.6±12.2% in the primary PCI alone group (p=0.43). The left ventricular ejection fraction at 3 months in each group were 49.1±10.2% and 50.1±10.4%, respectively (p=0.53). CONCLUSIONS: Selective intracoronary hypothermia during primary PCI in patients with anterior wall STEMI was feasible and safe but did not decrease infarct size compared with standard primary PCI. (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03447834).

Anticoagulation for post-operative atrial fibrillation after isolated coronary artery bypass grafting: a meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: This study aimed to evaluate clinical outcomes in patients developing post-operative atrial fibrillation (POAF) after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and characterize variations in oral anticoagulation (OAC) use, benefits, and complications. METHODS: A systematic search identified studies on new-onset POAF after CABG and OAC initiation. Outcomes included risks of thromboembolic events, bleeding, and mortality. Furthermore, a meta-analysis was conducted on these outcomes, stratified by the use or non-use of OAC. RESULTS: The identified studies were all non-randomized. Among 1 698 307 CABG patients, POAF incidence ranged from 7.9% to 37.6%. Of all POAF patients, 15.5% received OAC. Within 30 days, thromboembolic events occurred at rates of 1.0% (POAF: 0.3%; non-POAF: 0.8%) with 2.0% mortality (POAF: 1.0%; non-POAF: 0.5%). Bleeding rates were 1.1% for POAF patients and 2.7% for non-POAF patients. Over a median of 4.6 years, POAF patients had 1.73 thromboembolic events, 3.39 mortality, and 2.00 bleeding events per 100 person-years; non-POAF patients had 1.14, 2.19, and 1.60, respectively. No significant differences in thromboembolic risks [effect size -0.11 (-0.36 to 0.13)] and mortality [effect size -0.07 (-0.21 to 0.07)] were observed between OAC users and non-users. However, OAC use was associated with higher bleeding risk [effect size 0.32 (0.06-0.58)]. CONCLUSIONS: In multiple timeframes following CABG, the incidence of complications in patients who develop POAF is low. The use of OAC in patients with POAF after CABG is associated with increased bleeding risk.

Favorable resuscitation characteristics in patients undergoing extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation: A secondary analysis of the INCEPTION-trial.

Introduction: Extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR) is increasingly used as a supportive treatment for refractory out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). Still, there is a paucity of data evaluating favorable and unfavorable prognostic characteristics in patients considered for ECPR. Methods: We performed a previously unplanned post-hoc analysis of the multicenter randomized controlled INCEPTION-trial. The study group consisted of patients receiving ECPR, irrespective of initial group randomization. The patients were divided into favorable survivors (cerebral performance category [CPC] 1-2) and unfavorable or non-survivors (CPC 3-5). Results: In the initial INCEPTION-trial, 134 patients were randomized. ECPR treatment was started in 46 (66%) of 70 patients in the ECPR treatment arm and 3 (4%) of 74 patients in the conventional treatment arm. No statistically significant differences in baseline characteristics, medical history, or causes of arrest were observed between survivors (n = 5) and non-survivors (n = 44). More patients in the surviving group had a shockable rhythm at the time of cannulation (60% vs. 14%, p = 0.037), underwent more defibrillation attempts (13 vs. 6, p = 0.002), and received higher dosages of amiodarone (450 mg vs 375 mg, p = 0.047) despite similar durations of resuscitation maneuvers. Furthermore, non-survivors more frequently had post-ECPR implantation adverse events. Conclusion: The persistence of ventricular arrhythmia is a favorable prognostic factor in patients with refractory OHCA undergoing an ECPR-based treatment. Future studies are warranted to confirm this finding and to establish additional prognostic factors.Clinical trial Registration:clinicaltrials.gov registration number NCT03101787.

Cost-effectiveness of extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation vs. conventional cardiopulmonary resuscitation in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: a pre-planned, trial-based economic evaluation.

AIMS: When out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) becomes refractory, extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR) is a potential option to restore circulation and improve the patient's outcome. However, ECPR requires specific materials and highly skilled personnel, and it is unclear whether increased survival and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) justify these costs. METHODS AND RESULTS: This cost-effectiveness study was part of the INCEPTION study, a multi-centre, pragmatic randomized trial comparing hospital-based ECPR to conventional CPR (CCPR) in patients with refractory OHCA in 10 cardiosurgical centres in the Netherlands. We analysed healthcare costs in the first year and measured HRQOL using the EQ-5D-5L at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months. Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs), cost-effectiveness planes, and acceptability curves were calculated. Sensitivity analyses were performed for per-protocol and as-treated subgroups as well as imputed productivity loss in deceased patients. In total, 132 patients were enrolled: 62 in the CCPR and 70 in the ECPR group. The difference in mean costs after 1 year was €5109 (95% confidence interval -7264 to 15 764). Mean quality-adjusted life year (QALY) after 1 year was 0.15 in the ECPR group and 0.11 in the CCPR group, resulting in an ICER of €121 643 per additional QALY gained. The acceptability curve shows that at a willingness-to-pay threshold of €80.000, the probability of ECPR being cost-effective compared with CCPR is 36%. Sensitivity analysis showed increasing ICER in the per-protocol and as-treated groups and lower probabilities of acceptance. CONCLUSION: Hospital-based ECPR in refractory OHCA has a low probability of being cost-effective in a trial-based economic evaluation.

A national multi centre pre-hospital ECPR stepped wedge study; design and rationale of the ON-SCENE study.

BACKGROUND: The likelihood of return of spontaneous circulation with conventional advanced life support is known to have an exponential decline and therefore neurological outcome after 20 min in patients with a cardiac arrest is poor. Initiation of venoarterial ExtraCorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) during resuscitation might improve outcomes if used in time and in a selected patient category. However, previous studies have failed to significantly reduce the time from cardiac arrest to ECMO flow to less than 60 min. We hypothesize that the initiation of Extracorporeal Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (ECPR) by a Helicopter Emergency Medical Services System (HEMS) will reduce the low flow time and improve outcomes in refractory Out of Hospital Cardiac Arrest (OHCA) patients. METHODS: The ON-SCENE study will use a non-randomised stepped wedge design to implement ECPR in patients with witnessed OHCA between the ages of 18-50 years old, with an initial presentation of shockable rhythm or pulseless electrical activity with a high suspicion of pulmonary embolism, lasting more than 20, but less than 45 min. Patients will be treated by the ambulance crew and HEMS with prehospital ECPR capabilities and will be compared with treatment by ambulance crew and HEMS without prehospital ECPR capabilities. The primary outcome measure will be survival at hospital discharge. The secondary outcome measure will be good neurological outcome defined as a cerebral performance categories scale score of 1 or 2 at 6 and 12 months. DISCUSSION: The ON-SCENE study focuses on initiating ECPR at the scene of OHCA using HEMS. The current in-hospital ECPR for OHCA obstacles encompassing low survival rates in refractory arrests, extended low-flow durations during transportation, and the critical time sensitivity of initiating ECPR, which could potentially be addressed through the implementation of the HEMS system. When successful, implementing on-scene ECPR could significantly enhance survival rates and minimize neurological impairment. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltyrials.gov under NCT04620070, registration date 3 November 2020.

Prehospital risk assessment and direct transfer to a percutaneous coronary intervention centre in suspected acute coronary syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: Prehospital risk stratification and triage are currently not performed in patients suspected of non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS). This may lead to prolonged time to revascularisation, increased duration of hospital admission and higher healthcare costs. The preHEART score (prehospital history, ECG, age, risk factors and point-of-care troponin score) can be used by emergency medical services (EMS) personnel for prehospital risk stratification and triage decisions in patients with NSTE-ACS. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the effect of prehospital risk stratification and direct transfer to a percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) centre, based on the preHEART score, on time to final invasive diagnostics or culprit revascularisation. METHODS: Prospective, multicentre, two-cohort study in patients with suspected NSTE-ACS. The first cohort is observational (standard care), while the second (interventional) cohort includes patients who are stratified for direct transfer to either a PCI or a non-PCI centre based on their preHEART score. Risk stratification and triage are performed by EMS personnel. The primary endpoint of the study is time from first medical contact until final invasive diagnostics or revascularisation. Secondary endpoints are time from first medical contact until intracoronary angiography (ICA), duration of hospital admission, number of invasive diagnostics, number of inter-hospital transfers and major adverse cardiac events at 7 and 30 days. RESULTS: A total of 1069 patients were included. In the interventional cohort (n=577), time between final invasive diagnostics or revascularisation (42 (17-101) hours vs 20 (5-44) hours, p<0.001) and length of hospital admission (3 (2-5) days vs 2 (1-4) days, p=0.007) were shorter than in the observational cohort (n=492). In patients with NSTE-ACS in need for ICA or revascularisation, healthcare costs were reduced in the interventional cohort (€5599 (2978-9625) vs €4899 (2278-5947), p=0.02). CONCLUSION: Prehospital risk stratification and direct transfer to a PCI centre, based on the preHEART score, reduces time from first medical contact to final invasive diagnostics and revascularisation, reduces duration of hospital admission and decreases healthcare costs in patients with NSTE-ACS in need for ICA or revascularisation. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT05243485.

Impella and venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in cardiogenic shock complicating acute myocardial infarction.

AIMS: This study aimed to give contemporary insight into the use of Impella and venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) in acute myocardial infarction-related cardiogenic shock (AMICS) and into associated outcomes, adverse events, and resource demands. METHODS AND RESULTS: This nationwide observational cohort study describes all AMICS patients treated with Impella (ABIOMED, Danvers, MA, USA) and/or VA-ECMO in 2020-2021. Impella and/or VA-ECMO were used in 20% of all AMICS cases (n = 4088). Impella patients were older (34% vs. 13% >75 years, p < 0.001) and less frequently presented after an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (18% vs. 40%, p < 0.001). In-hospital mortality was lower in the Impella versus VA-ECMO cohort (61% vs. 67%, p = 0.001). Adverse events occurred less frequently in Impella-supported patients: acute haemorrhagic anaemia (36% vs. 68%, p < 0.001), cerebrovascular accidents (4% vs. 11%, p < 0.001), thromboembolisms of the extremities (5% vs. 8%, p < 0.001), systemic inflammatory response syndrome (21% vs. 25%, p = 0.004), acute kidney injury (44% vs. 53%, p < 0.001), and acute liver failure (7% vs. 12%, p < 0.001). Impella patients were discharged home directly more often (20% vs. 11%, p < 0.001) whereas VA-ECMO patients were more often discharged to another care facility (22% vs. 19%, p = 0.031). Impella patients had shorter hospital stays and lower hospital costs. CONCLUSION: This is the largest, most recent European cohort study describing outcomes, adverse events, and resource demands based on claims data in patients with Impella and/or VA-ECMO. Overall, adverse event rates and resource consumption were high. Given the current lack of beneficial evidence, our study reinforces the need for prospectively established, high-quality evidence to guide clinical decision-making.

Characteristics, Treatment Strategies and Outcome in Cardiogenic Shock Complicating Acute Myocardial Infarction: A Contemporary Dutch Cohort.

Cardiogenic shock (CS) complicating acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Our study aimed to gain insights into patient characteristics, outcomes and treatment strategies in CS patients. Patients with CS who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) between 2017 and 2021 were identified in a nationwide registry. Data on medical history, laboratory values, angiographic features and outcomes were retrospectively assessed. A total of 2328 patients with a mean age of 66 years and of whom 73% were male, were included. Mortality at 30 days was 39% for the entire cohort. Non-survivors presented with a lower mean blood pressure and increased heart rate, blood lactate and blood glucose levels (p-value for all <0.001). Also, an increased prevalence of diabetes, multivessel coronary artery disease and a prior coronary event were found. Of all patients, 24% received mechanical circulatory support, of which the majority was via intra-aortic balloon pumps (IABPs). Furthermore, 79% of patients were treated with at least one vasoactive agent, and multivessel PCI was performed in 28%. In conclusion, a large set of hemodynamic, biochemical and patient-related characteristics was identified to be associated with mortality. Interestingly, multivessel PCI and IABPs were frequently applied despite a lack of evidence.

Left ventricular assist device implantation and clinical outcomes in the Netherlands.

BACKGROUND: Left ventricular assist device (LVAD) therapy is an established treatment for advanced heart failure with reduced ejection fraction. We evaluated the characteristics and clinical outcomes of patients implanted with an LVAD in the Netherlands. METHODS: Patients implanted with an LVAD in the Netherlands between 2016 and 2020 were included in the analysis. Baseline characteristics entered into this registry, as well as clinical outcomes (death on device, heart transplantation) and major adverse events (device dysfunction, major bleeding, major infection and cerebrovascular event), were evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 430 patients were implanted with an LVAD; mean age was 55 ± 13 years and 27% were female. The initial device strategy was bridge to transplant (BTT) in 50%, destination therapy (DT) in 29% and bridge to decision (BTD) in the remaining 21%. After a follow-up of 17 months, 97 (23%) patients had died during active LVAD support. Survival was 83% at 1 year, 76% at 2 years and 54% at 5 years. Patients implanted with an LVAD as a BTT had better outcomes compared with DT at all time points (1 year 86% vs 72%, 2 years 83% vs 59% and 5 years 58% vs 33%). Major adverse events were frequently observed, most often major infection, major bleeding and cerebrovascular events (0.84, 0.33 and 0.09 per patient-year at risk, respectively) and were similar across device strategies. Patients supported with HeartMate 3 had a lower incidence of major adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term survival on durable LVAD support in the Netherlands is over 50% after 5 years. Major adverse events, especially infection and bleeding, are still frequently observed, but decreasing with the contemporary use of HeartMate 3 LVAD.

Early Extracorporeal CPR for Refractory Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest.

BACKGROUND: Extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) restores perfusion and oxygenation in a patient who does not have spontaneous circulation. The evidence with regard to the effect of extracorporeal CPR on survival with a favorable neurologic outcome in refractory out-of-hospital cardiac arrest is inconclusive. METHODS: In this multicenter, randomized, controlled trial conducted in the Netherlands, we assigned patients with an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest to receive extracorporeal CPR or conventional CPR (standard advanced cardiac life support). Eligible patients were between 18 and 70 years of age, had received bystander CPR, had an initial ventricular arrhythmia, and did not have a return of spontaneous circulation within 15 minutes after CPR had been initiated. The primary outcome was survival with a favorable neurologic outcome, defined as a Cerebral Performance Category score of 1 or 2 (range, 1 to 5, with higher scores indicating more severe disability) at 30 days. Analyses were performed on an intention-to-treat basis. RESULTS: Of the 160 patients who underwent randomization, 70 were assigned to receive extracorporeal CPR and 64 to receive conventional CPR; 26 patients who did not meet the inclusion criteria at hospital admission were excluded. At 30 days, 14 patients (20%) in the extracorporeal-CPR group were alive with a favorable neurologic outcome, as compared with 10 patients (16%) in the conventional-CPR group (odds ratio, 1.4; 95% confidence interval, 0.5 to 3.5; P = 0.52). The number of serious adverse events per patient was similar in the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with refractory out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, extracorporeal CPR and conventional CPR had similar effects on survival with a favorable neurologic outcome. (Funded by the Netherlands Organization for Health Research and Development and Maquet Cardiopulmonary [Getinge]; INCEPTION ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT03101787.).

Prehospital triage of patients with suspected non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome: Rationale and design of the TRIAGE-ACS study.

BACKGROUND: Patients with suspected non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS) are currently transported and admitted to the nearest emergency department (ED) for risk stratification, diagnostic workup and treatment. Although such patients with NSTE-ACS can benefit from direct transfer to a PCI center for early invasive treatment, no reliable prehospital triage tools are available. Recently, the PreHEART score has been validated in the PreHEART study for prehospital triage of patients with suspected NSTE-ACS. METHODS: The primary objective of the TRIAGE-ACS study, a prospective cohort study, is to determine whether prehospital triage using the PreHEART score can significantly reduce time from first medical contact to final diagnostics and revascularization in patients in need of coronary revascularization. The first cohort (control cohort; n = 500) is observatory and is used as a reference group for the second cohort. In the second cohort (interventional cohort; n = 500) patients are stratified in the ambulance for direct transfer to either a PCI or a non-PCI center, based on the PreHEART score. These two cohorts will be compared with each other. In total, 1000 patients will be included. Follow-up for endpoints will be performed by reviewing the medical record after 30 days, 1 year, and 2 years. CONCLUSION: The TRIAGE-ACS study is the first prospective study to investigate the impact of prehospital triage using the PreHEART score on time to final invasive diagnostics and treatment in patients with NSTE-ACS in need of revascularization by transferring high risk patients directly to a PCI center and patients at a low risk of having an NSTE-ACS to a non-PCI center. Such triage strategy could potentially result in optimization of regional care for all ACS patients.

Right ventricular hematoma: A rare but potentially fatal complication of percutaneous coronary artery intervention.

Right ventricular hematoma secondary to coronary artery perforation during the percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is a rare complication. Nevertheless, with the growth of complex PCIs, including chronic total occlusion procedures, this complication may increase in frequency. We describe three cases of subepicardial right ventricular hematoma after complex right coronary artery PCI with different outcomes. Two cases were successfully managed with medication only. One case was managed with medication and pericardial drainage, unfortunately with a fatal outcome. All cases emphasize the need for awareness concerning this complication, which warrants prompt diagnosis and adequate therapy.

Accuracy and Potential Benefit of Ultraselective Invasive Coronary Angiography Guided by Computed Tomographic Coronary Angiography.

OBJECTIVES: It is unknown whether computed tomographic coronary angiography (CTCA) can be used to perform ultraselective invasive coronary angiography (ICA) by only visualizing the abnormal coronary artery on CTCA and defer visualization of the normal contralateral coronary artery. This study assessed the accuracy of CTCA in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) on CTCA limited to either the left (LCA) or right coronary artery (RCA) in predicting a contralateral coronary artery without abnormalities on CTCA determined to be normal by ICA. METHODS: This retrospective analysis included patients with CAD limited to the LCA or RCA on CTCA. Primary endpoint was the accuracy of CTCA to predict a contralateral coronary artery without abnormalities on CTCA to be normal by ICA. Secondary endpoints were potential reductions in procedure time and radiation exposure if an ultraselective ICA approach would be used compared to standard ICA. RESULTS: In total, 202 patients were included. CTCA was correct in predicting a normal contralateral coronary artery in 201 of the 202 patients (99.5%). Deferring ICA of the normal contralateral coronary artery on CTCA resulted in a potential reduction in procedure time and dose area product of 4.22 ± 2.67 minutes (61 ± 16% reduction) and 1501 ± 1304 mGy•cm² (29 ± 13% reduction). CONCLUSIONS: In this retrospective study, CTCA was extremely accurate in predicting a normal contralateral coronary artery in patients with LCA- or RCA-limited CAD on CTCA. A potential CTCA-guided ultraselective ICA approach was feasible and would have led to a considerable decrease in procedure time and radiation exposure.

Optimal effectiveness of heart failure management - an umbrella review of meta-analyses examining the effectiveness of interventions to reduce (re)hospitalizations in heart failure.

Heart failure (HF) is a major health concern, which accounts for 1-2% of all hospital admissions. Nevertheless, there remains a knowledge gap concerning which interventions contribute to effective prevention of HF (re)hospitalization. Therefore, this umbrella review aims to systematically review meta-analyses that examined the effectiveness of interventions in reducing HF-related (re)hospitalization in HFrEF patients. An electronic literature search was performed in PubMed, Web of Science, PsycInfo, Cochrane Reviews, CINAHL, and Medline to identify eligible studies published in the English language in the past 10 years. Primarily, to synthesize the meta-analyzed data, a best-evidence synthesis was used in which meta-analyses were classified based on level of validity. Secondarily, all unique RCTS were extracted from the meta-analyses and examined. A total of 44 meta-analyses were included which encompassed 186 unique RCTs. Strong or moderate evidence suggested that catheter ablation, cardiac resynchronization therapy, cardiac rehabilitation, telemonitoring, and RAAS inhibitors could reduce (re)hospitalization. Additionally, limited evidence suggested that multidisciplinary clinic or self-management promotion programs, beta-blockers, statins, and mitral valve therapy could reduce HF hospitalization. No, or conflicting evidence was found for the effects of cell therapy or anticoagulation. This umbrella review highlights different levels of evidence regarding the effectiveness of several interventions in reducing HF-related (re)hospitalization in HFrEF patients. It could guide future guideline development in optimizing care pathways for heart failure patients.

Hypothermia for Cardioprotection in Patients with St-Elevation Myocardial Infarction: Do Not Give It the Cold Shoulder Yet!

The timely revascularization of an occluded coronary artery is the cornerstone of treatment in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). As essential as this treatment is, it can also cause additional damage to cardiomyocytes that were still viable before reperfusion, increasing infarct size. This has been termed "myocardial reperfusion injury". To date, there is still no effective treatment for myocardial reperfusion injury in patients with STEMI. While numerous attempts have been made to overcome this hurdle with various experimental therapies, the common denominator of these therapies is that, although they often work in the preclinical setting, they fail to demonstrate the same results in human trials. Hypothermia is an example of such a therapy. Although promising results were derived from experimental studies, multiple randomized controlled trials failed to do the same. This review includes a discussion of hypothermia as a potential treatment for myocardial reperfusion injury, including lessons learned from previous (negative) trials, advanced techniques and materials in current hypothermic treatment, and the possible future of hypothermia for cardioprotection in patients with STEMI.