Echocardiography Abnormal Findings and Laboratory Operations during the COVID-19 Pandemic at a High Volume Center in New York City.

(1) Background: This study sought to explore how the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic affected the echocardiography (TTE) laboratory operations at a high volume medical center in New York City. Changes in cardiac imaging study volume, turn-around time, and abnormal findings were analyzed and compared to a pre-pandemic period. (2) Methods: Volume of all cardiac imaging studies and TTE reports between 11 March 2020 to 5 May 2020 and the same calendar period in 2019 were retrospectively identified and compared. (3) Results: During the pandemic, our center experienced a 46.72% reduction in TTEs, 82.47% reduction in transesophageal echocardiograms, 83.16% reduction in stress echo, 70.32% reduction in nuclear tests, 46.25% reduction in calcium score, 73.91% reduction in coronary computed tomography angiography, and 87.23% reduction in cardiac magnetic resonance imaging. TTE findings were overall similar between 2020 and 2019 (all p ≥ 0.05), except for a significantly higher right ventricular systolic pressure in 2020 (39.8 ± 14.2 vs. 34.6 ± 11.2 mmHg, p = 0.012). (4) Conclusions: Despite encountering an influx of critically ill patients, our hospital center experienced a reduction in the number of cardiac imaging studies, which likely represents a change in both patient mindset and physician management approach.

Decisional regret in left ventricular assist device patient-caregiver dyads.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to investigate decisional regret among left ventricular assist device (LVAD) patients and their caregivers. METHODS: This study was a single center, cross-sectional survey of patients after LVAD implantation and their caregivers. Subjects were recruited at their outpatient heart failure appointments. Patients and caregivers at least three months from LVAD implantation completed a 5-item, validated decisional regret scale. Summative scores on a 0-100 point scale were determined for patient and caregivers (0 = no regret). Subgroup analysis included gender, LVAD indication (bridge to transplant (BTT) or destination therapy (DT)), time from LVAD implantation, and caregiver relationship. Dyad discordance was defined as a patient-caregiver difference of ≥2 points on any regret scale question. RESULTS: Fifty patients were approached for participation. Thirty-three LVAD patient-caregiver dyads were enrolled in the study (19 male, 14 female patients; 8 male, 25 female caregivers). Patients had a mean age of approximately 50 years. Caregivers had a mean age of approximately 54 years. Patients had a median regret score of 10 (Interquartile range (IQR): 0-30), while caregivers had a median regret score of 20 (IQR: 0-25). Median regret scores of female patients were significantly higher than that of male patients (27.5 vs 0, p = 0.0038). BTT patients had numerically lower regret than DT patients, but this was not statistically significant. Patients who had been implanted for greater than three years had the highest regret scores. Discordance in at least one domain of the regret scale was present in 19 out of 33 (57.6%) dyads. CONCLUSIONS: While decisional regret was reasonably low in this population, comparatively, there was significantly increased decisional regret among female patients and patients further from LVAD implantation. Differences between patients and caregivers were also observed. These findings highlight the need for robust support and continual attention to expectations before and after LVAD implantation.

Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and the Heart: JACC State-of-the-Art Review.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) are both manifestations of end-organ damage of the metabolic syndrome. Through multiple pathophysiological mechanisms, CVD and NAFLD are associated with each other. Systemic inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, hepatic insulin resistance, oxidative stress, and altered lipid metabolism are some of the mechanisms by which NAFLD increases the risk of CVD. Patients with NAFLD develop increased atherosclerosis, cardiomyopathy, and arrhythmia, which clinically result in cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Defining the mechanisms linking these 2 diseases offers the opportunity to further develop targeted therapies. The aim of this comprehensive review is to examine the association between CVD and NAFLD and discuss the overlapping management approaches.

Mechanisms underlying the J-curve for diastolic blood pressure: Subclinical myocardial injury and immune activation.

BACKGROUND: Low diastolic blood pressure (DBP) is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular events. In patients with coronary artery disease (CAD), limitations in coronary blood flow and immune activity are implicated mechanisms, but evidence is lacking. We investigated the association between DBP, biomarkers of myocardial injury, inflammation, immune activation and incident events in patients with CAD. METHODS: We studied 2448 adults (mean age 65 ±â€¯12 years, 68% male, median follow-up 4.5 years) with CAD. DBP was categorized into 10 mm Hg increments. Biomarkers of myocardial injury (high sensitivity cardiac troponin-I [hs-cTnI]) and immune activity/inflammation (soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor [suPAR]) were dichotomized at their median values. DBP 70-79 mm Hg was used as the referent group, and individuals were followed prospectively for adverse outcomes. RESULTS: After adjusting for demographic and clinical covariates, individuals with DBP < 60 mm Hg had increased odds of elevated levels of hs-cTnI (OR = 1.68; 95% CI = 1.07, 2.65) and suPAR (OR = 1.71; 95% CI = 1.10, 2.65) compared to the referent group. Additionally, DBP < 60 mm Hg was associated with increased adjusted risk of cardiovascular death or MI (HR = 2.04; 95% CI = 1.32, 3.16) and all-cause mortality (HR = 2.41; 95% CI = 1.69, 3.45). CONCLUSION: In patients with CAD, DBP < 60 mm Hg is associated with subclinical myocardial injury, immune/inflammatory dysregulation and incident events. Aggressive BP control may be harmful in these patients, and further investigation is warranted to determine appropriate BP targets in patients with CAD.

Young Athlete With Complex Aneurysmal Coronary Stenosis.

Kawasaki disease is an acute vasculitis that occurs predominantly in infants and children younger than 5 years old. If undiagnosed and untreated, the risk of developing coronary artery aneurysms increases to about 20%. In patients who present with angina and are found to have coronary artery aneurysm on imaging and angiography, Kawasaki disease should be considered as one of the leading diagnoses.

Comprehensive primary prevention of cardiovascular disease in women.

Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) remains the leading cause of mortality in women. Historically, medical research has focused on male patients, and subsequently, there has been decreased awareness of the burden of ASCVD in females until recent years. The biological differences between sexes and differences in societal expectations defined by gender roles contribute to gender differences in ASCVD risk factors. With these differing risk profiles, risk assessment, risk stratification, and primary preventive measures of ASCVD are different in women and men. In this review article, clinicians will understand the risk factors unique to women, such as preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, and those that disproportionately affect them such as autoimmune disorders. With these conditions in mind, the approach to ASCVD risk assessment and stratification in women will be discussed. Furthermore, the literature behind the effects of primary preventive measures in women, including lifestyle modifications, aspirin, statins, and anticoagulation, will be reviewed. The aim of this review article was to ultimately improve ASCVD primary prevention by reducing gender disparities through education of physicians.