Transcatheter heart valve selection in patients with low ejection fraction and aortic stenosis.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare outcomes of transcatheter heart valve (THV) choice in patients with left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction. BACKGROUND: The management congestive heart failure with combined LV systolic dysfunction and severe aortic stenosis (AS) is challenging, yet transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has emerged as a suitable treatment option in such patients. Head-to-head comparisons among the balloon-expandable (BEV) and self-expandable (SEV) THV remain limited in this subgroup of patients. METHODS: In this retrospective study, we included patients with severe AS with LV systolic dysfunction (LVEF ≤40%) who underwent TAVR at four high volume centers. Two thousand and twenty-eight consecutive patients were analyzed, of which 335 patients met inclusion criteria. One hundred fourty-six patients (43%) received a SEV, and 189 patients (57%) received a BEV. RESULTS: Baseline characteristics were similar except for a higher proportion of females in the SEV group. The primary composite endpoint of in-hospital mortality, moderate or greater paravalvular (PVL), stroke, conversion to open surgery, aortic valve reintervention, and/or need for permanent pacemaker (PPM) was no different among THV choice. There was more PVL in the SEV group, but higher transaortic gradients in the BEV group. Clinical outcomes and quality of life measures were similar up to 1 year follow-up. CONCLUSION: The choice of THV in patients with severe AS and systolic dysfunction must be weighed on a case-by-case basis.

Aortic Arch Thrombus and Pulmonary Embolism in a COVID-19 Patient.

BACKGROUND: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is associated with endothelial inflammation and a hypercoagulable state resulting in both venous and arterial thromboembolic complications. We present a case of COVID-19-associated aortic thrombus in an otherwise healthy patient. CASE REPORT: A 53-year-old woman with no past medical history presented with a 10-day history of dyspnea, fever, and cough. Her pulse oximetry on room air was 84%. She tested positive for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection, and chest radiography revealed moderate patchy bilateral airspace opacities. Serology markers for cytokine storm were significantly elevated, with a serum D-dimer level of 8180 ng/mL (normal < 230 ng/mL). Computed tomography of the chest with i.v. contrast was positive for bilateral ground-glass opacities, scattered filling defects within the bilateral segmental and subsegmental pulmonary arteries, and a large thrombus was present at the aortic arch. The patient was admitted to the intensive care unit and successfully treated with unfractionated heparin, alteplase 50 mg, and argatroban 2 µg/kg/min. WHY SHOULD AN EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN BE AWARE OF THIS?: Mural aortic thrombus is a rare but serious cause of distal embolism and is typically discovered during an evaluation of cryptogenic arterial embolization to the viscera or extremities. Patients with suspected hypercoagulable states, such as that encountered with COVID-19, should be screened for thromboembolism, and when identified, aggressively anticoagulated.

Bradyarrhythmias in patients with COVID-19: Marker of poor prognosis?

BACKGROUND: Despite descriptions of various cardiovascular manifestations in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), there is a paucity of reports of new onset bradyarrhythmias, and the clinical implications of these events are unknown. METHODS: Seven patients presented with or developed severe bradyarrhythmias requiring pacing support during the course of their COVID-19 illness over a 6-week period of peak COVID-19 incidence. A retrospective review of their presentations and clinical course was performed. RESULTS: Symptomatic high-degree heart block was present on initial presentation in three of seven patients (43%), and four patients developed sinus arrest or paroxysmal high-degree atrioventricular block. No patients in this series demonstrated left ventricular systolic dysfunction or acute cardiac injury, whereas all patients had elevated inflammatory markers. In some patients, bradyarrhythmias occurred prior to the onset of respiratory symptoms. Death from complications of COVID-19 infection occurred in 57% (4/7) patients during the initial hospitalization and in 71% (5/7) patients within 3 months of presentation. CONCLUSIONS: Despite management of bradycardia with temporary (3/7) or permanent leadless pacemakers (4/7), there was a high rate of short-term morbidity and death due to complications of COVID-19. The association between new-onset bradyarrhythmias and poor outcomes may influence management strategies for acutely ill patients with COVID-19.

The impact of sex, body mass index and chronic kidney disease on outcomes following percutaneous coronary intervention.

OBJECTIVE: This study sought to evaluate 1) the relationship between body mass index (BMI), chronic kidney disease (CKD) and bleeding complications in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI); and 2) whether CKD modified the effect of BMI on major bleeding and major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE). BACKGROUND: The interaction of CKD, sex and BMI in patients undergoing PCI is unclear. METHODS: Between 2010 and 2018, a total of 31,116 patients underwent PCI at six New York metropolitan area hospitals. Bleeding complications were classified by the Bleeding Academic Research Consortium (BARC). Major bleeding was defined as BARC≥3. MACCE was the composite of in-hospital death; myocardial infarction; cerebrovascular events and major bleeding complications. Interaction on multiplicative scales was assessed adjusting for other factors. A three-way multiplicative interaction between BMI, CKD and sex were considered and evaluated for both endpoints of primary interest (BARC≥3 and MACCE). RESULTS: Patients with BARC≥3 bleeding were older (p < 0.0001) and more likely female (p < 0.0001). A 3-way interaction existed between sex, BMI, and CKD on BARC≥3 (p = 0.02). Specifically, the effect of CKD status on odds of BARC≥3 depended on BMI group among males, whereas BMI did modify the relationship between CKD and BARC≥3 among females; after stratification by sex, a significant interaction between BMI and CKD was present in females (p = 0.03) but not in males (p = 0.43). Among females without CKD, normal BMI patients had the greatest odds of BARC≥3 compared to obese or overweight females. Contrasted to females without CKD, among females with CKD there was no significant increased odds of BARC≥3 in normal BMI patients compared to obese or overweight females. However, overweight females with CKD had a significantly increased odds of BARC≥3 compared to obese females with CKD. Furthermore, obese females with CKD had significantly greater BARC≥3 odds compared to obese females without CKD. Similarly, overweight females with CKD had an increased odds of BARC≥3 compared to overweight females without CKD. No significant interactions were found for the odds of MACCE. CONCLUSION: In patients undergoing PCI, there was evidence of a significant and complex 3-way interaction between BMI, CKD and sex for major bleeding events. The predicted probability of major bleeding was greater for females than for male patients, and for both sexes, greater among those with CKD, but BMI group influences these probabilities. Obese females with kidney disease had the lowest incidence of bleeding complications when compared with overweight or normal weight female patients undergoing PCI. This interaction was not seen in the male group or for MACCE. Furthermore, age, cardiogenic shock, STEMI and use of IABP/Impella were each independently associated with odds of major bleeding (among both males and females) and MACCE.

Successful Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in a Patient With Absent Right Coronary Artery Ostium: A Case Report and Literature Review.

Coronary artery anomalies present unique interventional challenges, particularly when associated with significant coronary artery disease. This case report contributes to the limited literature on congenital coronary artery anomalies, emphasizing the need for tailored approaches to optimize patient care. We present a case of a 70-year-old male with refractory angina and a rare congenital coronary anomaly characterized by the absence of the right coronary artery ostium, necessitating reliance on the left coronary system for myocardial perfusion. Cardiac catheterization revealed mid-left anterior descending artery stenosis, prompting percutaneous coronary intervention. Despite the anatomical complexities encountered, the procedure was successfully performed. This case underscores the importance of meticulous diagnostic evaluation, advanced imaging techniques, and a multidisciplinary approach to managing patients with rare coronary anomalies. This report also emphasizes the unique diagnostic and therapeutic considerations by providing a comprehensive literature review and identifying areas for further research to advance treatment strategies and improve outcomes.

The utility and impact of outpatient telemetry monitoring in post-transcatheter aortic valve replacement patients.

BACKGROUND: Conduction disturbances are a common complication of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). Mobile Cardiac Telemetry (MCT) allows for continuous monitoring with near "real time" alerts and has allowed for timely detection of conduction abnormalities and pacemaker placement in small trials. A standardized, systematic approach utilizing MCT devices post TAVR has not been widely implemented, leading to variation in use across hospital systems. OBJECTIVES: Our aim was to evaluate the utility of a standardized, systematic approach utilizing routine MCT to facilitate safe and earlier discharge by identifying conduction disturbances requiring permanent pacemaker (PPM) placement. We also sought to assess the occurrence of actionable arrhythmias in post-TAVR patients. METHODS: Using guidance from the JACC Scientific Expert Panel, a protocol was implemented starting in December 2019 to guide PPM placement post-TAVR across our health system. All patients who underwent TAVR from December 2019 to June 2021 across four hospitals within Northwell Health, who did not receive or have a pre-existing PPM received an MCT device at discharge and were monitored for 30 days. Clinical and follow-up data were collected and compared to pre initiative patients. RESULTS: During the initiative 693 patients were monitored with MCT upon discharge, 21 of whom required PPM placement. Eight of these patients had no conduction abnormality on initial or discharge ECG. 59 (8.6 %) patients were found to have new atrial fibrillation or flutter via MCT monitoring. There were no adverse events in the initiative group. Prior to the initiative, 1281 patients underwent TAVR over a one-year period. The initiative group had significantly shorter length of stay than pre-initiative patients (2.5 ± 4.5 vs 3.0 ± 3.8 days, p < 0.001) and lower overall PPM placement rate within 30 days post-TAVR (16 % vs 20.5 %, P = 0.0125). CONCLUSIONS: In our study, implementation of a standardized, systematic approach utilizing MCT in post-TAVR patients was safe and allowed for timely detection of conduction abnormalities requiring pacemaker placement. This strategy also detected new atrial fibrillation and flutter. Reduction in post TAVR pacemaker rate and length of stay were also noted although this effect is multifactorial.

Percutaneous coronary intervention with Impella support with and without intra-aortic balloon in cardiogenic shock patients.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the clinical characteristics and in-hospital bleeding complications and major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) associated with the use of Impella alone or the combination of an intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) with Impella in cardiogenic shock (CS) patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). METHODS: All CS patients who underwent PCI and were treated with an Impella mechanical circulatory support (MCS) device were identified. Patients were divided into two groups: having MCS support with Impella alone or with both, IABP and Impella simultaneously (dual MCS group). Bleeding complications were classified by a modified Bleeding Academic Research Consortium (BARC) classification. Major bleeding was defined as BARC≥3 bleeding. MACCE was the composite of in-hospital death, myocardial infarction, cerebrovascular events and major bleeding complications. RESULTS: Between 2010 and 2018 a total of 101 patients were treated at six tertiary care New York hospitals with either Impella (n = 61) or dual MCS with Impella and IABP (n = 40). Clinical characteristics were similar for both groups. Dual MCS patients presented more often with a STEMI (77.5 % vs. 45.9 %, p = 0.002) and had left main coronary artery intervention (20.3 % vs. 8.6 %, p = 0.03). Major bleeding complications (69.4 % vs. 74.1 %, p = 0.62) and MACCE rates (80.6 % vs. 79.3 %, p = 0.88) were very high but similar in both groups, however access site bleeding complications were lower in patients treated with dual MCS. In-hospital mortality was 29.5 % for the Impella group and 25.0 % for the dual MCS group (p = 062). Access site bleeding complications were lower in in patients treated with dual MCS (5.0 % vs. 24.6 %, p = 0.01). CONCLUSION: In CS patients undergoing PCI with either the Impella device alone or with Impella and IABP, major bleeding complications and MACCE rates were high but not significantly different between the two groups. In hospital mortality was relatively low in both MCS groups despite the high-risk characteristics of these patients. Future studies should assess the risks and benefits of the simultaneous use of these two MCS in CS patients undergoing PCI.

Short- and Mid-Term Outcomes of Complex and High-Risk Versus Standard Percutaneous Coronary Interventions in Patients Undergoing Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of coronary artery disease (CAD) in patients undergoing TAVR varies and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. We evaluated the outcomes of complex and high-risk percutaneous coronary interventions (CHIP-PCIs) and TAVR compared with standard PCI and TAVR. Between January 2014 and March 2021, a total of 276 consecutive patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS) who underwent TAVR and PCI at 3 centers within Northwell Health were retrospectively reviewed. CHIP-PCI was defined as PCI with one of the following: left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) <30%; left main coronary artery (LMCA)/chronic total occlusion (CTO) intervention; atherectomy; or need for left ventricular (LV) support. One hundred twenty- seven patients (46%) had CHIP-PCI prior to TAVR and 149 patients (54%) had standard PCI. Thirteen percent of CHIP-PCI and 22% of standard PCI cases were done concomitantly with TAVR. CHIP-PCI criteria were met for low EF (19%), LMCA (25%), CTO (3%), LV support (20%), and atherectomy (50%). The types of valves used were similarly divided (49% balloon expandable vs 51% self expanding. Major adverse cardiac or cerebrovascular event (MACCE) rate for CHIP-PCI/TAVR was 4.9% at 30 days vs 1.3% for standard PCI/TAVR (P=.09), driven by in-hospital stroke. At 1 year, the rates of MACCE for CHIP-PCI/TAVR remained higher than for standard PCI/TAVR, but was not statistically significant (8.7% vs 4%; P=.06), driven by revascularization. We found no differences between major and/or minor vascular complications. New York Heart Association classification at 1 month was similar (I/II 93% vs 95%; P=.87). Our study suggests that CHIP-PCI can be safely performed in patients with complex CAD and concomitant severe AS.

The role of triglycerides in cardiovascular risk.

Triglycerides' role in coronary heart disease (CHD) risk assessment has long been debated. Although meta-analyses have suggested that triglycerides are an independent risk factor for CHD, a consensus has emerged that triglycerides more appropriately represent a biomarker of CHD risk rather than an independent risk factor. Ongoing studies will determine whether triglyceride lowering confers additional CHD benefit beyond that attained via low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol reduction. The American Diabetes Association presently recommends lowering elevated triglycerides as a secondary therapeutic target after LDL cholesterol, whereas other organizations, such as the National Cholesterol Education Program, recommend non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol as the second priority after attaining the LDL cholesterol goal. However, reducing very high triglycerides (ie, > 500 mg/dL) remains a sufficiently high priority in affected individuals.