COVID-19 Infection Is Associated With Increased In-Hospital Mortality and Complications in Patients With Acute Heart Failure: Insight From National Inpatient Sample (2020).

Introduction: Patients with acute heart failure (AHF) exacerbation are susceptible to complications in the setting of COVID-19 infection. Data regarding the clinical outcomes of COVID-19 in patients admitted with AHF is limited. Methods: We used the national inpatient sample database by utilizing ICD-10 codes to identify all hospitalizations with a diagnosis of AHF in 2020. We classified the sample into AHF with COVID-19 infection versus those without COVID-19. Primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. Secondary outcomes were acute myocardial infarction, need for pressors, mechanical cardiac support, cardiogenic shock, and cardiac arrest. Also, we evaluated for acute pulmonary embolism (PE), bacterial pneumonia, need for a ventilator, and acute kidney injury (AKI). Results: We identified a total of 694,920 of AHF hospitalizations, 660,463 (95.04%) patients without COVID-19 and 34,457 (4.96%) with COVID-19 infection. For baseline comorbidities, diabetes mellitus, chronic heart failure, ESRD, and coagulopathy were significantly higher among AHF patients with COVID-19 (P < .01). While CAD, prior MI, percutaneous coronary intervention, and coronary artery bypass graft, atrial fibrillation, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and peripheral vascular disease were higher among those without COVID-19. After adjustment for baseline comorbidities, in-hospital mortality (aOR 5.08 [4.81 to 5.36]), septic shock (aOR 2.54 [2.40 to 2.70]), PE (aOR 1.75 [1.57 to 1.94]), and AKI (aOR 1.33 [1.30 to 1.37]) were significantly higher among AHF with COVID-19 patients. The mean length of stay (5 vs 7 days, P < .01) and costs of hospitalization ($42,143 vs $60,251, P < .01) were higher among AHF patients with COVID-19 infection. Conclusion: COVID-19 infection in patients with AHF is associated with significantly higher in-hospital mortality, need for mechanical ventilation, septic shock, and AKI along with higher resource utilization. Predictors for mortality in AHF patients during the COVID-19 pandemic, COVID-19 infection, patients with end-stage heart failure, and atrial fibrillation. Studies on the impact of vaccination against COVID-19 in AHF patients are needed.

Preventing driveline infection during left ventricular assist device support by the HeartMate 3: A survey-based study.

PURPOSE: Driveline infection (DLI) is a significant source of morbidity and mortality during left ventricular assist device (LVAD) support yet limited studies are available to describe the center-level prevalence, preventive practices, and their potential effectiveness. METHODS: We surveyed LVAD centers in the United States to determine program burden and preventive practices for DLI during HeartMate (HM) 3 support. An online, anonymous, question-based survey was sent to expert providers at implanting centers. Only a single respondent completed the survey for each center. As an exploratory analysis, we compared specific DLI preventive practices between centers with low (≤10%) and high (>10%) reported prevalence of DLI. RESULTS: Seventy-eight centers responded to the survey (response rate: 50%). Respondents were comprised of 37 (47%) heart failure cardiologists, 27 (35%) LVAD coordinators, and 14 (18%) cardiothoracic surgeons. The prevalence of DLI during HM3 was reported as ≤10% by 27 (35%), 11%-25% by 36 (46%), and >25% by 16 (19%) centers. Thirteen (17%) centers had a body mass index threshold for device placement, 29 (37%) utilized a counter incision, 66 (81%) placed an anchor stitch, and 69 (88%) used an external device to stabilize the DL. Proportionally, more centers with a low DLI prevalence used a wound vacuum 6 (22%) versus 3 (6%, p = 0.03) than those with high DLI. CONCLUSION: Variation exists in reported prevalence and practices of preventing and managing driveline infections across centers during HM3 support. Further studies are warranted to develop and assess the effectiveness of standardized preventive strategies.

Speckle tracking echocardiography can predict subclinical myocardial involvement in patients with sarcoidosis: A meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: This meta-analysis aims to evaluate the utility of speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) as a tool to evaluate for cardiac sarcoidosis (CS) early in its course. Electrocardiography and echocardiography have limited sensitivity in this role, while advanced imaging modalities such as cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) and 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) are limited by cost and availability. METHODS: We compiled English language articles that reported left ventricular global longitudinal strain (LVGLS) or global circumferential strain (GCS) in patients with confirmed extra-cardiac sarcoidosis versus healthy controls. Studies that exclusively included patients with probable or definite CS were excluded. Continuous data were pooled as a standard mean difference (SMD), comparing sarcoidosis group with healthy controls. A random-effect model was adopted in all analyses. Heterogeneity was assessed using Q and I2 statistics. RESULTS: Nine studies were included in our final analysis with an aggregate of 967 patients. LVGLS was significantly lower in the extra-cardiac sarcoidosis group as compared with controls, SMD -3.98, 95% confidence interval (CI): -5.32, -2.64, P < .001, also was significantly lower in patients who suffered major cardiac events (MCE), -3.89, 95% CI -6.14, -1.64, P < .001. GCS was significantly lower in the extra-cardiac sarcoidosis group as compared with controls, SMD: -3.33, 95% CI -4.71, -1.95, P < .001. CONCLUSION: LVGLS and GCS were significantly lower in extra-cardiac sarcoidosis patients despite not exhibiting any cardiac symptoms. LVGLS correlates with MCEs in CS. Further studies are required to investigate the role of STE in the early screening of CS.

Percutaneous Intervention of LVAD Outflow Graft Obstruction and Thrombosis.

Left ventricular assist devices serve as a salvage therapy for patients with advanced heart failure. Complications such as thrombosis and obstruction can lead to acute device malfunction, posing significant clinical risks. A multidisciplinary approach is crucial for management. Few cases in the literature have demonstrated the safety and efficacy of percutaneous intervention, which holds significant value due to its less invasive nature and minimal risk of morbidity, especially in high-risk surgical patients.

Trends and cardiovascular outcomes of Takotsubo syndrome with cardiogenic shock vs. mixed cardiogenic and septic shock: a nationwide propensity matched analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Takotsubo syndrome (TTS), also known as stress-induced cardiomyopathy, can be complicated by shock. The outcomes of patients with TTS complicated with cardiogenic shock (CS) versus mixed cardiogenic and septic shock (MS) is not known. METHODS: We queried Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) from 2009-2020 to compare TTS patients with CS and MS using International Classification of Disease, Ninth & Tenth Edition, Clinical Modification (ICD- 9 & 10-CM) coding. In-hospital outcomes were compared using one: one propensity score matched (PSM) analysis. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. RESULTS: Of 23,126 patients with TTS 17,132 (74%) had CS, and 6,269 (26%) had MS. The mean age was 67 years in CS and 66 years in MS, and majority of patients were female (n = 17,775, 77%). On adjusted multivariate analysis, MS patients had higher odds of in-hospital mortality (aOR 1.44, 95% CI 1.36-1.52), AKI (aOR 1.53, 95% CI 1.48-1.58), pressor requirement (aOR 1.37, 95% CI 1.25-1.50). However, had lower odds of MCS use (aOR 0.44, 95% CI 0.40-0.48) and cardiac arrest (aOR: 0.81, 95% CI 0.73-0.90) (p-value <0.0001). Mean LOS and inflation-adjusted hospital charges were higher in MS. CONCLUSION: MS in the setting of TTS have higher rates of in-hospital mortality, AKI, and pressor requirements.

A Case of McLeod's Syndrome Presenting with Severe Decompensated Heart Failure.

McLeod's syndrome (MLS) is an X-linked disorder caused by mutations in the XK gene with neurological manifestations as well as cardiomyopathy. This is a case of acute exacerbation of heart failure in a 44-year-old White male with a confirmed diagnosis of MLS, which was managed with guideline-directed medical therapy and placement of an implantable cardioverter defibrillator with recovery in ejection fraction.

Predictors of Mortality in Patients With Refractory Cardiac Arrest Supported With VA-ECMO: A Systematic Review and a Meta-Analysis.

Cardiac arrest (CA) is associated with high mortality rate, ranging between 75% and 93%. Given its significance, venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) has been used for end-organs perfusion and to maintain adequate oxygenation as a life-saving option in refractory CA. The predictors for the success of VA-ECMO in this setting have not been established yet. In this meta-analysis, we aim to identify the variables associated with increased mortality in patients with CA supported with VA-ECMO. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate mortality-predicting factors in patients with CA supported with VA-ECMO that were published between January 2000 and July 2022. To identify relevant articles, the MEDLINE (Pubmed, Ovid) and Cochrane Databases were queried with various combinations of our prespecified keywords, including VA-ECMO, CA, and mortality predictors. We performed a meta-analysis using a random-effects model to calculate the odds ratio (OR). We retrieved a total of 4476 records, out of which we included 10 observational studies in our study. A total of 931 patients were included in our study with the age range of 47-68 years, predominantly males (63.9%). The overall mortality was 69.4%. The predictors for mortality were age >65 (OR 4.61, 95% CI 1.63-13.03, P < 0.01), history of chronic kidney disease (OR 2.42, 95% CI 1.37-4.28, P < 0.01), cardiopulmonary resuscitation duration prior to ECMO > 40 minutes (OR 6.62 [95% CI 1.39, 9.02], P < 0.01), having an initial nonshockable rhythm (OR 2.62 [95% CI 1.85, 3.70], P < 0.01) and sequential organ failure assessment score >14 (OR 12.29, 95% CI 2.71-55.74, P <0.01). Regarding blood work, an increase in lactate by 5 mmol/L increased the odds of mortality by 121% (2 studies; OR 2.21 [95% CI 1.26, 3.86], P < 0.01; I2 = 0%) while the increase in lactate by 1 mmol/L increases odd of mortality by 15% (2 studies, OR 1.15 [95% CI 1.02, 1.31], P = 0.03, I = 0%), and an increase in creatinine by 1 mg/dL increased the odds of mortality by 225% (1 study; OR 3.25 [95% CI 1.22, 8.7], P = 0.02). Albumin was protective as for each 1 g/dL increase, the odds of mortality decreased by 68% (1 study; OR 0.32 [95% CI 0.14, 0.74], P < 0.01). Refractory CA requiring VA-ECMO has a high mortality. Predictors of mortality include age >65, history of chronic kidney disease, cardiopulmonary resuscitation duration prior to ECMO > 40 minutes, initial rhythm being non-shockable and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score >14.

Surgical Outcomes of Septal Myectomy With and Without Mitral Valve Surgeries in Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy: a National Propensity-Matched Analysis (2005 to 2020).

The management of concomitant mitral valve (MV) disease in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) remains controversial. The 2020 American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology HCM guidelines recommend that MV replacement (MVR) at the time of myectomy should not be performed for the sole purpose of relieving outflow obstruction. At the national level, limited data exist on the surgical outcomes of MV repair/replacement in patients with HCM who underwent septal myectomy (SM). Hospitalizations of patients with HCM who underwent SM between 2005 and 2020 were identified using International Classification of Diseases, Ninth and Tenth Revision codes (International Classification of Diseases, Ninth and Tenth Revision Clinical Modification/Procedure Coding System). The 3 comparison cohorts were SM alone, MV repair, and MVR with concomitant SM. After propensity matching, 2 cohorts, SM + MVR versus SM + MV repair, were studied for surgical outcomes. Demographic characteristics, baseline co-morbidities, procedural complications, inpatient mortality, length of stay, and cost of hospitalization were compared between the propensity-matched cohorts. A total of 16,797 SM procedures were identified from 2005 to 2020. Among them, 11,470 hospitalizations had SM alone (68.2%), SM + MVR was seen in 3,101 (18.4%), and SM + MV repair comprised 2,226 (13.2%). After propensity matching, the MVR and MV repair formed the matched cohorts of 1,857. There were no significant differences in the odds of cardiogenic shock (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 0.88, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.63 to 1.24, p = 0.49), mechanical circulatory support requirement (aOR 0.58, 95% CI 0.37 to 0.90, p = 0.015), stroke (aOR 1.27, 95% CI 0.81 to 1.99, p = 0.29), and major bleeding (aOR 0.52, 95% CI 0.34 to 0.79, p = 0.0026) between the comparison groups. MVR, compared with MV repair, was associated with a higher risk of procedural mortality (8.02% vs 3.18%, aOR 2.98, 95% CI 2.05 to 4.33, p <0.0001), complete heart block (16.36% vs 12.15%, aOR 1.76, 95% CI 1.44 to 2.12, p <0.0001), and the need for permanent pacemaker (16.39% vs 10.62%, aOR 1.83, 95% CI 1.41 to 2.38, p <0.0001). The total length of hospital stay and median hospitalization cost was higher in the MVR group. SM in HCM concomitant with MVR is associated with higher procedural mortality and in-hospital complication risk. These real-world data support the 2020 American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology guidelines that in patients who are candidates for surgical myectomy, MVR should not be performed as part of the operative strategy for relieving outflow obstruction in HCM.

Trends and Outcomes of Transcatheter Tricuspid Valve Repair and Surgical Tricuspid Valve Repair in Patients With Tricuspid Valve Regurgitation; A Population Based Study.

Data on clinical outcomes of transcatheter tricuspid valve repair (TTVR) compared with surgical tricuspid valve repair (STVR) in patients with tricuspid valve regurgitation (TVR) remains limited. Data from the national inpatient sample (2016-2020) and propensity-score matched (PSM) analysis was utilized to determine adjusted odds ratio (aOR) of inpatient mortality and major clinical outcomes of TTVR compated with STVR in patients with TVR. A total of 37,115 patients with TVR were included: 1830 (4.9%) and 35,285 (95.1%) underwent TTVR and STVR, respectively. After PSM, there was no statistically significant difference in baseline characteristics and medical comorbidities between both groups. Compared with STVR, TTVR was associated with lower inpatient mortality (aOR 0.43 [0.31-0.59], P < 0.01), cardiovascular complications (aOR 0.47 [0.3-0.45], P < 0.01), hemodynamic complications (aOR 0.47 [0.4-0.55], P < 0.01), infectious complications (aOR 0.44 [0.34-0.57], P < 0.01), renal complications (aOR 0.56 [0.45-0.64], P < 0.01), and need for blood transfusion. There was no statistically significant difference in odds of major bleeding events (aOR 0.92 [0.64-1.45], P 0.84). Also, TTVR was associated with less mean length of stay (7 days vs 15 days, P < 0.01) and less cost of hospitalization ($59,921 vs $89,618) compared with STVR. There was an increase in the utility of TTVR associated with a decrease in the utility of STVR from 2016 to 2020 (P < 0.01). Our study showed that compared with STVR, TTVR was associated with lower inpatient mortality and clinical events. Nevertheless, further studies are needed to investigate the difference in outcomes between both procedures.

Cardiac sarcoidosis masquerading as arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Cardiac sarcoidosis (CS) and arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) are rare causes of ventricular arrhythmias and are associated with sudden cardiac death. Differentiation between both is important for proper management. CASE SUMMARY: We present a 56-year-old man with sudden cardiac arrest and was diagnosed to have ARVC based on cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). He developed gradually worsening shortness of breath over the next 1 year. CS was unmasked after a cardiac positron emission tomography (PET). Patient was treated with methotrexate. A repeat cardiac PET scan showed improvement. DISCUSSION: The distinction between ARVC and CS is challenging. Both these entities have a patchy involvement and can have similar presentations. ARVC has a predominant right heart involvement. It is diagnosed with the help of an MRI, which shows regional right ventricular wall motion abnormality. These findings can have an overlap with CS. It is important to note that, even though sarcoidosis is a pathologic diagnosis, cardiac biopsy is rarely done owing to its patchy involvement. Cardiac PET scan has a high sensitivity and specificity to diagnose this entity. Once diagnosis is made, patients should be treated with immunosuppressants and should be closely followed. Repeat imaging should be considered at intervals to monitor disease progression. This case highlights the importance of multimodality imaging and tissue diagnosis to unmask the diagnosis of CS, a treatable infiltrative disorder which shares features with a potentially untreatable ARVC.

Patient monitoring across the spectrum of heart failure disease management 10 years after the CHAMPION trial.

Despite significant advances in drug-based and device-based therapies, heart failure remains a major and growing public health problem associated with substantial disability, frequent hospitalizations, and high economic costs. Keeping patients well and out of the hospital has become a major focus of heart failure disease management. Achieving and maintaining such stability in heart failure patients requires a holistic approach, which includes at least the management of the underlying heart disease, the management of comorbidities and the social and psychological aspects of the disease, and the management of haemodynamic/fluid status. In this regard, accurate assessment of elevated ventricular filling pressures or volume overload, that is, haemodynamic or pulmonary congestion, respectively, before the onset of worsening heart failure symptoms represents an important management strategy. Unfortunately, conventional methods for assessing congestion, such as physical examination and monitoring of symptoms and daily weights, are insensitive markers of worsening heart failure. Assessment tools that directly measure congestion, accurately and in absolute terms, provide more actionable information that enables the application of treatment algorithms designed to restore patient stability, in a variety of clinical settings. Two such assessment tools, implantable haemodynamic monitors and remote dielectric sensing (ReDS), meet the prerequisites for useful heart failure management tools, by providing accurate, absolute, and actionable measures of congestion, to guide patient management. This review focuses on the use of such technologies, across the spectrum of heart failure treatment settings. Clinical data are presented that support the broad use of pulmonary artery pressure-guided and/or ReDS-guided heart failure management in heart failure patients with reduced and preserved left ventricular ejection fraction.

Primary and Secondary Prevention Strategies for Gastrointestinal Bleeding in Patients with Left Ventricular Assist Device: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis.

Recurrent gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB) is a common complication following left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation. Our study aimed to estimate the comparative efficacy of different pharmacologic interventions for the prevention of GIB, through a network meta-analysis (NMA). A total of 13 observational studies comparing six strategies. Among those, 4 were for primary, and 9 were for secondary prevention of GIB. On NMA, thalidomide (Hazard ratio [HR]: 0.016, Credible interval [CrI]I: 0.00053-0.12), omega-3-fatty acid (HR:0.088, CrI: 0.026-0.77), octreotide (HR: 0.17, CrI: 0.0589-0.41) and danazol (HR:0.17, CrI: 0.059-0.41) reduced the risk of GIB. The use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin II receptor blocker (ACEi/ARB) and digoxin were not associated with any significant reduction. Based on NMA, combining indirect treatment comparisons, thalidomide, danazol, and octreotide treatments were associated with decreased risk of recurrent GIB. Additionally, Omega 3 fatty acids were associated with a lower risk of the primary episode of GIB in the LVAD patient population.

Minimally invasive biventricular mechanical circulatory support with Impella pumps as a bridge to heart transplantation: a first-in-the-world case report.

Cardiogenic shock from biventricular failure that requires acute mechanical circulatory support carries high 30 day mortality. Acute mechanical circulatory support can serve as bridge to orthotopic heart transplant (OHT) in selected patients. We report a patient with biventricular failure secondary to rapidly progressive cardiac sarcoidosis refractory to medical management who was bridged to OHT with Impella 5.0 and Impella RP-temporary left and right ventricular assist devices, respectively. This is the first successful bridge to transplantation using these devices in biventricular heart failure and cardiogenic shock. We discuss considerations for using this strategy over veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation or surgically implanted assist devices in patients with cardiogenic shock and biventricular failure as a bridge to OHT.

New Diagnostic and Therapeutic Strategies for Pulmonary Hypertension Associated with Left Heart Disease.

OPINION STATEMENT: Pulmonary hypertension associated with left heart disease (PH-LHD) is a challenging entity to both diagnose and treat. A lack of consensus definitions, poorly understood pathophysiology, and the dynamic nature of hemodynamic assessments make this disease entity both underrecognized and misdiagnosed frequently. Diagnosing PH-LHD is crucial, because it not only alters management, but also has a direct effect on morbidity and mortality and ultimately leads to worse outcomes in this patient population. Though medical management remains challenging in these patients, an appropriate diagnosis, with careful assessment of hemodynamic parameters, can allow for appropriate advanced medical therapies and for improved quality of life.

Adjunctive therapy and management of the transition of care in patients with heart failure.

Heart failure is a costly and difficult disease to treat. However, new metrics make it an imperative to keep these patients out of the hospital. Implementing and maintaining patients on successful treatment plans is difficult. A multitude of factors make transitioning care to the outpatient setting difficult. A careful and well-orchestrated team of cardiologists, general practitioners, nurses, and ancillary support staff can make an important difference to patient care. A strong body of literature supports the use of pharmacologic therapy, and evidence-based therapies can improve mortality and quality of life, and reduce hospital admissions. Adjunctive therapies can be equally important.