Dyspnea Declare Yourself! Decoding Doppler.

AN APPRECIATION of the utility of echocardiographic Doppler spectral profile analysis in diagnosing cardiac pathology and guiding surgical intervention more than justifies an investment in obtaining proficiency in these skills. Given the relatively low incidence of significant complications associated with transesophageal echocardiographic examination, the facile use of both spectral and color Doppler principles to diagnose unusual pathology is essential. Doppler modalities are used to characterize blood flow, pressure gradients, chamber dimensions, and other anatomic and physiological parameters. The authors present a case in which several Doppler principles were used to evaluate and diagnose the etiology of dyspnea and a high aortic valve gradient.

Andexanet Alfa for Urgent Reversal of Apixaban Before Aortic Surgery Requiring Cardiopulmonary Bypass: A Case Report.

Andexanet alfa is a recombinant factor Xa decoy molecule capable of reversing direct and indirect factor Xa-inhibiting anticoagulants. We present an adult patient on apixaban for nonvalvular atrial fibrillation who required urgent reoperative aortic surgery for an aortic root pseudoaneurysm. Apixaban was reversed with andexanet alfa. A second dose of andexanet alfa was required before surgical incision for persistently elevated antifactor Xa levels. Intraoperative management required use of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). No major adverse cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, hemorrhagic, or thromboembolic events were observed.