Electrocardiographic signs of acute right ventricular hypertrophy in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia: A clinical case series.

This paper reports 6 cases of patients affected by coronavirus disease 2019 bilateral pneumonia with associated acute respiratory distress associated and signs of acute right ventricular hypertrophy on electrocardiography despite the absence of acute pulmonary embolism or signs of severe pulmonary hypertension on transthoracic echocardiography. These cases suggest a possible connection between acute elevated right ventricular afterload and acute respiratory distress in patients affected by SARS-CoV-2.

Vaccine-carditis study: Spanish multicenter registry of inflammatory heart disease after COVID-19 vaccination.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 have been a major scientific and medical achievement in the control of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, very infrequent cases of inflammatory heart disease have been described as adverse events, leading to uncertainty in the scientific community and in the general population. METHODS: The Vaccine-Carditis Registry has included all cases of myocarditis and pericarditis diagnosed within 30 days after COVID-19 vaccination since August 1, 2021 in 29 centers throughout the Spanish territory. The definitions of myocarditis (probable or confirmed) and pericarditis followed the consensus of the Centers for Disease Control and the Clinical Practice Guidelines of the European Society of Cardiology. A comprehensive analysis of clinical characteristics and 3-month evolution is presented. RESULTS: From August 1, 2021, to March 10, 2022, 139 cases of myocarditis or pericarditis were recorded (81.3% male, median age 28 years). Most cases were detected in the 1st week after administration of an mRNA vaccine, the majority after the second dose. The most common presentation was mixed inflammatory disease (myocarditis and pericarditis). 11% had left ventricular systolic dysfunction, 4% had right ventricular systolic dysfunction, and 21% had pericardial effusion. In cardiac magnetic resonance studies, left ventricular inferolateral involvement was the most frequent pattern (58%). More than 90% of cases had a benign clinical course. After a 3-month follow-up, the incidence of adverse events was 12.78% (1.44% mortality). CONCLUSIONS: In our setting, inflammatory heart disease after vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 predominantly affects young men in the 1st week after the second dose of RNA-m vaccine and presents a favorable clinical course in most cases.

Clinical impact of remote heart failure management using the multiparameter ICD HeartLogic alert.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: The multiparametric implantable cardioverter-defibrillator HeartLogic index has proven to be a sensitive and timely predictor of impending heart failure (HF) decompensation. We evaluated the impact of a standardized follow-up protocol implemented by nursing staff and based on remote management of alerts. METHODS: The algorithm was activated in HF patients at 19 Spanish centers. Transmitted data were analyzed remotely, and patients were contacted by telephone if alerts were issued. Clinical actions were implemented remotely or through outpatient visits. The primary endpoint consisted of HF hospitalizations or death. Secondary endpoints were HF outpatient visits. We compared the 12-month periods before and after the adoption of the protocol. RESULTS: We analyzed 392 patients (aged 69±10 years, 76% male, 50% ischemic cardiomyopathy) with implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (20%) or cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillators (80%). The primary endpoint occurred 151 times in 86 (22%) patients during the 12 months before the adoption of the protocol, and 69 times in 45 (11%) patients (P<.001) during the 12 months after its adoption. The mean number of hospitalizations per patient was 0.39±0.89 pre- and 0.18±0.57 postadoption (P<.001). There were 185 outpatient visits for HF in 96 (24%) patients before adoption and 64 in 48 (12%) patients after adoption (P<.001). The mean number of visits per patient was 0.47±1.11 pre- and 0.16±0.51 postadoption (P<.001). CONCLUSIONS: A standardized follow-up protocol based on remote management of HeartLogic alerts enabled effective remote management of HF patients. After its adoption, we observed a significant reduction in HF hospitalizations and outpatient visits.

Remote heart failure management using the HeartLogic algorithm. RE-HEART registry.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: HeartLogic is a multiparametric algorithm incorporated into implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICD). The associated alerts predict impending heart failure (HF) decompensations. Our objective was to analyze the association between alerts and clinical events and to describe the implementation of a protocol for remote management in a multicenter registry. METHODS: We evaluated study phase 1 (the investigators were blinded to the alert state) and phases 2 and 3 (after HeartLogic activation, managed as per local practice and with a standardized protocol, respectively). RESULTS: We included 288 patients from 15 centers. In phase 1, the median observation period was 10 months and there were 73 alerts (0.72 alerts/patient-y), with 8 hospitalizations and 2 emergency room admissions for HF (0.10 events/patient-y). There were no HF hospitalizations outside the alert period. In the active phases, the median follow-up was 16 (95%CI, 15-22) months and there were 277 alerts (0.89 alerts/patient-y); 33 were associated with HF hospitalizations or HF death (n=6), 46 with minor decompensations, and 78 with other events. The unexplained alert rate was 0.39 alerts/patient-y. Outside the alert state, there was only 1 HF hospitalization and 1 minor HF decompensation. Most alerts (82% in phase 2 and 81% in phase 3; P=.861) were remotely managed. The median NT-proBNP value was higher within than outside the alert state (7378 vs 1210 pg/mL; P <.001). CONCLUSIONS: The HeartLogic index was frequently associated with HF-related events and other clinically relevant situations, with a low rate of unexplained events. A standardized protocol allowed alerts to be safely and remotely detected and appropriate action to be taken on them.

Long-term and clinical profile of heart failure with recovered ejection fraction in a non-tertiary hospital. / Características y evolución de la insuficiencia cardiaca con función sistólica recuperada en un hospital no terciario.

INTRODUCTION: Heart failure (HF) with recovered ejection fraction (EF) is emerging as a different HF subtype. There is little information about his clinical profile in hospitals that are not a reference. METHODS: We analysed characteristics and prognosis in patients with recovered HF followed prospectively in the HF Unit of a non-tertiary hospital. RESULTS: A total of 431 patients with HF with reduced EF were followed (median 50 months, 79.3% males, mean age 70.3±12.2years). Of the patients, 26.9% (N 116) recovered EF, mainly in the first year of follow-up (76.7%). Compared with patients that did not recovered EF in the follow-up, they were younger, rate of ischemic origin of cardiomyopathy was less frequent and presented less comorbidity. Mortality was lower in patients with recovered HF (survival median of 85.2±2.1 vs. 74.2±1.9 months [log-rank χ2 11.5, P=0.001], hazard ratio 0.37, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.21-0.67, P=0.002). Aetiology of deaths was not mainly secondary to HF. Younger age of 68 years (odds ratio [OR] 0-98, 95% CI: 0.96-0,99; P=0.025), ischemic origin (OR 1.12, 95% CI: 1.01-1.21; P=0.003) and use of aldosterone antagonists (OR 1.89, 95% CI: 1.09-3.26; P=0.023) were the variables independently associated to normalisation of EF. CONCLUSION: HF with recovered EF is a frequent phenomenon. It has a more favourable clinical course, prognosis and basal characteristics than HF with persistent reduced EF. Further studies are needed to identify natural history and optimal medications for HF-recovered patients.

Permanent third-degree atrioventricular block as clinical presentation of an intracardiac bronchogenic cyst.

Bronchogenic cysts are the most common primary cysts in the mediastinum. However, intracardiac bronchogenic cysts are uncommon. The present case represents a unique situation, in which an intracardiac bronchogenic cyst at the region of the atrioventricular node presented as permanent complete atrioventricular block (AVB) and was associated with the presence of an ostium secundum atrial septal defect.

Loss of continuous biventricular pacing in cardiac resynchronization therapy patients: incidence, causes, and outcomes.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: In recent years, implantation of cardiac resynchronization therapy devices has significantly increased. The benefits of this therapy are directly related to the maintenance of continuous biventricular pacing. This study analyzed the incidence, causes, and outcomes of loss of continuous biventricular pacing, and the approach adopted. METHODS: We analyzed the clinical and follow-up data of a series of consecutive patients from a single center who underwent implantation of a cardiac resynchronization therapy device. RESULTS: The study included 136 patients. During a mean follow-up of 33.4 months, loss of continuous biventricular pacing occurred in 45 patients (33%). The most common causes included atrial tachyarrhythmias (21.3%), lead macrodislodgement (18%), and loss of left ventricular capture (13.1%). In most patients (88.5%), loss of continuous biventricular pacing was transient and correctable, and occurred earlier in the follow-up when the cause was lead macrodislodgement, oversensing, or extracardiac stimulation. There were no significant differences in mortality between patients with and without loss of continuous biventricular pacing (P=.88). CONCLUSIONS: Despite technical advances in cardiac resynchronization therapy, loss of continuous biventricular pacing is common; however, this loss can usually be corrected. In most patients, continuous biventricular pacing can be ensured by close monitoring and follow-up and a proactive approach.