Subclinical leaflet thrombosis following transcatheter aortic valve replacement.

Since the inception of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), there have been significant reductions in complications due to improvements of transcatheter heart valve (THV) designs and technologies. Given expanding TAVR applications, reducing complications further and better understanding THV durability has become a focus within the structural heart space. Recently, dedicated cardiac computed tomographic angiography (CTA) performed at 1 month post-TAVR has identified subclinical leaflet thrombosis (SLT), with rates as high as 40%. From the SLT imaging hallmarks of hypoattenuated leaflet thickening (HALT) to hypoattenuation affecting motion (HAM), a postulated timeline of THV thrombosis advancing to clinical symptoms can be recognized. This review article focuses on leaflet thrombosis particularly following TAVR explaining the spectrum of this disease process, its diagnosis, current treatment options, and future directions in the field.

Gender Disparities after Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement with Newer Generation Transcatheter Heart Valves: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Previous studies have demonstrated gender disparities in mortality and vascular complications after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) with early generation transcatheter heart valves (THVs). It is unclear, however, whether gender-related differences persist with the newer generation THVs. We aim to assess gender disparities after TAVR with newer generation THVs. The MEDLINE and Embase databases were thoroughly searched from inception to April 2023 to identify studies that reported gender-specific outcomes after TAVR with newer generation THVs (Sapien 3, Corevalve Evolut R, and Evolut Pro). The outcomes of interest included 30-day mortality, 1-year mortality, and vascular complications. In total, 5 studies (4 databases) with a total of 47,933 patients (21,073 females and 26,860 males) were included. Ninety-six percent received TAVR via the transfemoral approach. The females had higher 30-day mortality rates (odds ratio (OR) = 1.53, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.31-1.79, p-value (p) < 0.001) and vascular complications (OR = 1.43, 95% CI 1.23-1.65, p < 0.001). However, one-year mortality was similar between the two groups (OR = 0.78, 95% CI 0.61-1.00, p = 0.28). The female gender continues to be associated with higher 30-day mortality rates and vascular complications after TAVR with newer generation transcatheter heart valves, while there was no difference in 1-year mortality between the genders. More data is needed to explore the causes and whether we can improve TAVR outcomes in females.

Gender difference in outcomes of patients undergoing MitraClip therapy: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER) of the mitral valve with MitraClip therapy is an emerging treatment in selected patients with severe mitral regurgitation. Identifying the patient with increased risk of poorer outcomes, including mortality, is crucial in these patients. Recent studies suggested conflicting data regarding the effects of gender on outcome in this patient population. We evaluate the impact of gender on the outcome of patients undergoing MitraClip therapy by systematic review and meta-analysis. METHODS: The authors comprehensively searched the databases of EMBASE and MEDLINE from inception to April 2021. Included studies were published cohorts reporting univariate or multivariate analysis of the effects of gender on in-hospital and overall mortality among patients undergoing MitraClip therapy. Data from each study were combined using the random-effects, generic inverse variance method of DerSimonioan and Laird. RESULTS: A total of nine studies were included in this meta-analysis, including 9062 patients. Male gender is associated with higher in-hospital mortality with pooled OR 1.81 (95% confidence interval 1.01-3.22, p-value 0.045) and overall mortality with pooled OR 1.19 (95% CI 1.06-1.33, p-value 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: According to our meta-analysis, the male gender increases the risk of in-hospital mortality up to 1.81 folds and overall mortality up to 1.19 folds.

Recurrent Multivalvular Staphylococcus Lugdunensis Endocarditis Causing Complete Heart Block after TAVR.

Prosthetic valve endocarditis after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (PVE after TAVR) is a feared complication most often observed during the early postprocedural period. We report a case of severe, multivalvular PVE after TAVR with complete heart block caused by an uncommon organism. A 78-year-old female with prior Streptococcus agalactiae mitral valve endocarditis treated with antibiotics presented one year later with severe, symptomatic aortic insufficiency. She subsequently underwent TAVR given high surgical risk. Six weeks post-TAVR, she presented with syncope, fever, and complete heart block. Transthoracic echocardiogram was not demonstrative of vegetation. Blood cultures were positive for Staphylococcus lugdunensis. Transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) demonstrated vegetations of the aortic, mitral, and tricuspid valves and aorto-mitral continuity. While awaiting surgery, the patient developed cardiac arrest; she was resuscitated and taken to surgery emergently. The patient underwent TAVR explantation, bovine pericardial tissue aortic and porcine bioprosthetic mitral valve replacements, and tricuspid valve repair. Additionally, left main coronary artery endarterectomy was performed due to presence of infectious vegetative material. Staphylococcus lugdunensis is an unusual but virulent organism that may damage both native and prosthetic valves. Early surgery is recommended for PVE after TAVR, especially in cases with perivalvular disease causing conduction abnormalities. Learning Objectives. TAVR has revolutionized the management of severe aortic stenosis and has even been successfully utilized in select cases of aortic regurgitation. Unfortunately, there are a number of associated complications that can be difficult to diagnose, such as prosthetic valve endocarditis (PVE). We emphasize maintaining a high clinical suspicion for PVE after TAVR in patients presenting with conduction abnormalities and highlight the importance of early surgical management in cases complicated by heart block, abscesses, or destructive penetrating lesions.

Admission hyperglycemia is associated with reperfusion failure in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Admission hyperglycemia (AH) is a common finding in patients with acute coronary syndrome and has been reported to be associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Prior studies suggest that AH could be associated with reperfusion failure. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to explore an association between AH and risk of reperfusion failure in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI). METHODS: Two investigators searched the databases of MEDLINE and EMBASE from inception to February 2021. Study eligibility was independently determined by two investigators and needed to demonstrate association of AH and rate of reperfusion failure, or sufficient raw data to calculate the effect size. Participants were classified into two groups corresponding to their level of admission hyperglycemia. Group 1 was defined as an AH of ≥120-150 mg/dl, and group 2 as ≥150-200 mg/dl. Data from each study were combined using the random-effects model, the generic inverse-variance method of Der Simonian and Laird. The heterogeneity of effect size was quantified using the I2 statistic. A sensitivity analysis was performed by omitting one study at a time. Publication bias was assessed using a funnel plot and the Egger's test. All data analyses were performed using STATA SE version 14.2. RESULTS: A total of ten studies from 2008 to 2019 met eligibility criteria and were included in the final analysis. We found that AH is associated with increased risk of reperfusion failure in both group 1 (pooled OR=1.78, 95% CI: 1.35-2.33, I2=63.2%, P<0.001) and group 2 (pooled OR=1.44, 95% CI: 1.14-1.82, I2=57.1%, P<0.001). Sensitivity analysis showed that none of the results were significantly altered after removing one study at a time. In subgroup analysis of non-diabetic patients, we found that AH is also associated with increased risk of reperfusion failure in both group 1 (pooled OR=1.81, 95% CI: 1.29-2.54, P<0.001) and group 2 (pooled OR=1.61, 95% CI: 1.17-2.21, P<0.001). We did not perform a funnel plot or Egger's test as the number of available outcomes was insufficient to reject the assumption of funnel plot asymmetry. CONCLUSIONS: Our systematic review and meta-analysis demonstrated that AH is associated with increased risk of reperfusion failure in STEMI patients undergoing pPCI, in the non-diabetic population.

Cardiac Tamponade Secondary to IVC Filter Retrieval.

Cardiac tamponade is a rare but potentially fatal complication of inferior vena cava filter retrieval. We discuss such a case to facilitate prompt recognition and prevention of this complication by medical providers. (Level of Difficulty: Beginner.).

Pre-Procedural Hyperglycemia Increases the Risk of Contrast-Induced Nephropathy in Patients Undergoing Coronary Angiography: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) frequently occurs following coronary angiography (CAG) and is associated with worse outcomes, including both short and long-term mortality. Previous studies reported an association between procedural hyperglycemia (PH) and CIN, with or without diabetes mellitus (DM). We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to explore the association of PH and CIN in patients undergoing CAG. METHODS: We searched the databases of MEDLINE and EMBASE from inception to January 2020. Included studies investigated CIN incidence in patients undergoing CAG. Data from each study were combined using the random-effects model. RESULTS: A total of eight studies were included in this meta-analysis. We found that PH was associated with an increased risk of CIN following CAG (pooled OR = 1.71, 95%CI:1.35-2.16, where PH was defined as ≥140 mg/dl; and pooled OR = 2.07, 95%CI:1.80-2.37, where PH was defined as ≥200 mg/dl). In subgroup analysis of non-diabetic patients and STEMI patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention, we found that PH was associated with an increased risk of CIN in both subgroups, where PH was defined as ≥140 mg/dl and ≥200mg/dl (p-value < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our meta-analysis demonstrated that PH significantly increases the risk of CIN following CAG, in both diabetic and non-diabetic populations. Further studies are needed to evaluate whether strict blood glucose control can reduce the incidence of CIN in this population.

Painless acute aortic dissection presenting as left lower extremity weakness and numbness.

Acute aortic dissection usually presents with a sudden, painful, tearing sensation in the chest or back. However, acute aortic dissection may also present atypically without pain and with solely neurological symptoms. We describe a case of painless acute aortic dissection which presented as acute left lower extremity weakness and numbness. These neurological symptoms are due to vascular occlusion causing peripheral ischaemic neuropathy. It is imperative to consider acute aortic dissection in the differential diagnosis of acute neurological syndromes.

Tension chylothorax: a rare life threatening entity after pneumonectomy.

Chylothorax is an accumulation of chyle in the pleural space due to disruption or blockage of the thoracic duct or its lymphatic tributaries. The thoracic duct carries chyle, which is defined as lymphatic fluid of intestinal origin, to the bloodstream. Chylothorax can occur due to traumatic or non-traumatic a etiologies. Chylothorax is a known complication of thoracic surgery and can occur after significant trauma. However, tension chylothorax is an extremely rare and life threatening complication after thoracic surgery. We describe a patient who developed tension chylothorax 2 weeks after a left pneumonectomy was performed. Early recognition and prompt treatment of this life threatening entity are essential.

Pulmonary artery sarcoma masquerading as saddle pulmonary embolism.

Pulmonary artery sarcoma is a highly malignant tumour. Therefore, making the diagnosis is very important. We describe a case which presented with dyspnea on exertion and was initially diagnosed as saddle pulmonary embolism per CT thorax with contrast. Despite adequate anticoagulation, symptoms still progressed. Follow-up CT thorax showed an extension of the presumed filling defect or clots into the left main pulmonary artery with new lung nodules. This prompted suspicion that this may not be a pulmonary embolism. Biopsy of the lung nodule revealed high grade soft tissue sarcoma with primary source from the pulmonary artery. Our case highlights that pulmonary artery sarcoma should always be included in the differential diagnosis of pulmonary embolism especially, if symptoms still progress while on adequate anticoagulation, or any pulmonary nodules develop on follow-up exam.

Prognostic value of normal stress echocardiography in obese patients.

BACKGROUND: Chest pain is a common problem in obese patients. Because of the body habitus, the results of noninvasive evaluation for CAD may be limited in this group. METHODS: We reviewed the records of 1446 consecutive patients who had undergone clinically indicated stress echocardiography (SE). We compared major adverse cardiac events (MACE; myocardial infarction, cardiac intervention, cardiac death, subsequent hospitalization for cardiac events, and emergency department visits) at 1 year in normal weight, overweight, and obese subjects with normal SE. RESULTS: Excluding patients with an abnormal and indeterminate SE and those who were lost to follow-up, a retrospective analysis of 704 patients was performed. There were 366 obese patients (BMI ≥ 30), 196 overweight patients (BMI 25-29.9), and 142 patients with normal BMI (18.5-24.9). There was no MACE in the groups at 1-year follow-up after a normal SE. CONCLUSIONS: In obese patients including those with multiple risk factors and symptoms concerning for cardiac ischemia, stress echocardiography is an effective and reliable noninvasive tool for identifying those with a low 1-year risk of cardiac events.

Relationships of mitral annular calcification to cardiovascular risk factors: the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA).

BACKGROUND: Mitral annular calcification (MAC) is a fibrous, degenerative calcification of the mitral valve. The relationship between MAC and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors is not well defined. Thus, we performed a cross-sectional study to determine which CVD risk factors are independently associated with MAC in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA). METHODS: MESA includes 6814 women and men ages 45-84 years old without apparent CVD in 4 ethnic groups (12% Chinese, 38% Caucasian, 22% Hispanic, and 28% African American). MAC was defined by presence of calcium in the mitral annulus by cardiac computed tomography at enrollment. Multivariable logistic regression was used to evaluate relationships between MAC and CVD risk factors. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of MAC was 9%. The prevalence of MAC was highest in Caucasians (12%), followed by Hispanics (10%), African Americans (7%) and was lowest in Chinese (5%). Characteristics associated with MAC included age (p<0.01), female gender (p<0.01), increased body mass index (BMI) (p=0.03), and former smoking status (p<0.008). The MAC group had a higher prevalence of hypertension, diabetes mellitus (DM), and family history of heart attack (all p<0.001). After adjusting for all variables, age, female gender, diabetes mellitus, and increased BMI remained strongly associated with MAC. CONCLUSIONS: Age, female gender, DM, and increased BMI were significantly associated with MAC. Prevalence of MAC was strongly associated with female gender and increasing age in all ethnicities.

Propionibacterium acnes: a rare cause of late prosthetic valve endocarditis and aortic root abscess.

Propionibacterium acnes is an anaerobic, non-spore forming, gram-positive bacillus, and is often part of the normal flora of human skin. It usually has relatively low virulence. However, it can rarely cause serious infections including infections of prosthetic valves, native valves, and annuloplasty rings. We describe a rare case of late prosthetic aortic valve endocarditis and aortic root abscess caused by P. acnes, an easily ignored pathogen.

Citalopram induced torsade de pointes, a rare life threatening side effect.

Acquired Long QT syndrome is a disorder caused by medications, electrolyte imbalances, and drug interactions. This syndrome is associated with an increased risk of a characteristic life-threatening cardiac arrhythmia, known as torsade de pointes (TdP). In the setting of Long QT syndrome (LQTS), selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) can precipitate TdP. We report the first case of LQTS and TdP induced by citalopram in the United States. After discontinuation of citalopram, the QT/QTc interval normalized after 3 days and resolved further episodes of TdP. Patients on citalopram should be monitored closely for QT/QTc interval to prevent torsade de pointes.

Integral role of cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging in the diagnostic workup of suspected takotsubo cardiomyopathy: Avoiding misdiagnosis.

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TC), or stress cardiomyopathy, is an increasingly recognized acute but reversible myopathic process affecting the ventricle. Although specific criteria have been published to diagnose this entity, traditionally, coronary angiography has been used to exclude coronary artery disease in this condition. We present a case initially suspected to be TC based on clinical and angiographic data. However, cardiovascular magnetic resonance with delayed enhancement imaging with gadolinium identified occult coronary artery disease and refuted the original diagnosis of TC. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance should be an integral part of the diagnostic workup of suspected Takotsubo cardiomyopathy. (Cardiol J 2007; 14: 592-594).