Left-sided infective endocarditis in persons who inject drugs.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to describe left-sided infective endocarditis (LSIE) in persons who inject drugs (PWID) and compare that group to PWID with non-LSIE and to non-PWID with LSIE. METHODS: Retrospective single-center study of adult IE patients from 2011 to 2018. RESULTS: Of the 333 patients in our cohort, 54 were PWID with LSIE, 75 were PWID with non-LSIE, and 204 were non-PWID with LSIE. When comparing LSIE vs non-LSIE in PWID, the LSIE group was older (median age 35 vs 28.5, p < 0.01), had fewer S. aureus infections (59% vs 92%, p < 0.01), was more likely to have cardiac surgery (31% vs 13%, p < 0.01), and had a higher 10-week mortality (22% vs 5%, p < 0.01). When comparing PWID with LSIE to non-PWID with LSIE, the PWID group were younger (median age 35 vs 46, p < 0.01); had more frequent multi-valve involvement (33% vs 19%, p = 0.04), Staphylococcus aureus infections (54% vs 27%, p < 0.01), and previous IE (24% vs 8%, p < 0.01); and experienced more strokes (54% vs 31%, p < 0.01). Ten-week mortality was similar for LSIE in both PWID and non-PWID (24% vs 20%, p = 0.47). CONCLUSIONS: LSIE in PWID is not uncommon. Compared to non-LSIE in PWID, valve surgery is more common and mortality is higher. For reasons that are unclear, stroke is more frequent in LSIE in PWID than in non-PWID with LSIE but mortality is no different.

The Effect of Preexisting Anticoagulation on Cerebrovascular Events in Left-Sided Infective Endocarditis.

BACKGROUND: Stroke is a frequent complication of infective endocarditis, especially infection involving left-sided valves. Management of anticoagulation in left-sided infective endocarditis is controversial as it is unclear whether anticoagulation impacts stroke and bleeding risk in patients with this condition. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of anticoagulation on stroke occurrence and bleeding complications in patients with left-sided infective endocarditis. METHODS: Patients admitted to a tertiary academic hospital with left-sided infective endocarditis between December 2011 and April 2018 were identified. Patients were stratified based on receipt of therapeutic anticoagulation prior to admission. The primary outcome measure was the rate of radiographically confirmed stroke at 10 weeks. RESULTS: Two-hundred and fifty-eight consecutive patients with left-sided infective endocarditis were identified. Patients receiving anticoagulation (n = 50) were older (median age 63 vs 52; P = .02), were more likely to have a history of atrial fibrillation (22% vs 8.2%; P < .01), more often had prosthetic valves (38% vs 13.9%; P < .01), and had a lower incidence of mitral valve involvement (40% vs 62%; P < .01), compared with patients not receiving anticoagulation. There was no significant difference in the rate of stroke, cerebrovascular hemorrhage, or mortality at 10 weeks between the two cohorts. CONCLUSIONS: Preexisting anticoagulation did not appear to have an effect on stroke, cerebrovascular hemorrhage, or mortality in patients with left-sided infective endocarditis at 10 weeks. Continuation of anticoagulation in patients with a definitive preexisting indication should be considered in patients with left-sided infective endocarditis in the absence of other contraindications.

Association of asymptomatic peripheral arterial disease with vascular events in patients with stroke or transient ischemic attack.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Patients with stroke and patients with transient ischemic attack (TIA) are at high risk for vascular events and may not exhibit the signs and symptoms of peripheral arterial disease (PAD). We investigated if asymptomatic PAD detected by ankle brachial index <0.9 is independently associated with recurrent vascular events in patients with stroke or TIA. METHODS: In this prospective longitudinal hospital-based cohort study, asymptomatic PAD was detected by ankle brachial index measurement in consecutive patients with stroke and patients with TIA. They were assessed for stroke risk factors, ankle brachial index measurement, and laboratory parameters known to be associated with stroke risk. These patients were followed for composite vascular events, including stroke, TIA, myocardial infarction, and vascular death. RESULTS: In a 1-year period, 102 patients were evaluated, of whom 26% had asymptomatic PAD. All patients were followed for a median period of 2.1 years from the index stroke/TIA (range, 1.0 to 2.7 years) for vascular events. Kaplan-Meier curve showed fewer patients with asymptomatic PAD remained free of composite vascular events (48% compared with 84% in the no-PAD group; log rank, P=0.0001). Asymptomatic PAD was significantly associated with composite vascular events before (hazard ratio, 4.2; 95% CI, 1.9 to 9.3; P=0.0003) and after adjustment for confounders (hazard ratio, from Model 1, 2.8; 95% CI, 1.1 to 7.2; P=0.03 and Model 2, 3.4; 95% CI, 1.4 to 8.2, P=0.006). Asymptomatic PAD was also significantly associated with stroke before (hazard ratio, 6.5; 95% CI, 2.1 to 19.9; P=0.001) and after adjustment for confounders (hazard ratio from Model 1, 4.8; 95% CI, 1.5 to 15.3; P=0.009 and Model 2, 5.2; 95% CI, 1.5 to 17.6; P=0.008). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with stroke or TIA, asymptomatic PAD is independently associated with recurrent vascular events and stroke.

Updated meta-analysis of closure of patent foramen ovale versus medical therapy after cryptogenic stroke.

BACKGROUND: Among patients with cryptogenic stroke, PFO closure has remained controversial. We hypothesized that with the cumulative number of subjects in randomized controlled trials (RCTs), there is now sufficient power to ascertain whether PFO closure in patients with cryptogenic stroke improves the risk of stroke. METHODS: We performed an updated meta-analysis by including newer RCTs that examined the benefit of PFO closure compared with medical therapy for improvement in risk of stroke. We utilized random effects models to compute the association and performed subgroup analyses by medical therapy, shunt size and presence/absence of atrial septal aneurysm. RESULTS: Overall, 6 RCTS were included with 1839 patients that underwent PFO closure and 1671 patients that received medical therapy and were followed for a period of 2-6 years. The incidence of recurrent stroke was 1.52% among PFO closure group and 3.94% among medical therapy group. There was decreased risk of stroke in PFO closure group (OR 0.34, 95% CI 0.15-0.79, p = 0.012). Patients with larger shunt size derived more benefit from PFO closure than smaller or moderate sized shunts. There was no difference in outcomes by presence or absence of atrial septal aneurysm or type of medical therapy used i.e. antiplatelet therapy only vs. antiplatelet + anticoagulant therapy. CONCLUSION: This meta-analysis of 6 RCTs demonstrated benefits of PFO closure for secondary prevention of stroke among patients with cryptogenic stroke and small increase in risk of new onset atrial fibrillation.

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma agonists for the Prevention of Adverse events following percutaneous coronary Revascularization--results of the PPAR study.

BACKGROUND: Patients with metabolic syndrome are at increased risk for cardiovascular complications. We sought to determine whether peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma agonists had any beneficial effect on patients with metabolic syndrome undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). METHODS: A total of 200 patients with metabolic syndrome undergoing PCI were randomized to rosiglitazone or placebo and followed for 1 year. Carotid intima-medial thickness (CIMT), inflammatory markers, lipid levels, brain natriuretic peptide, and clinical events were measured at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in CIMT between the 2 groups. There was no difference in the 12-month composite end point of death, myocardial infarction (MI), stroke, or any recurrent ischemia (31.4% vs 30.2%, P = .99). The rate of death, MI, or stroke at 12 months was numerically lower in the rosiglitazone group (11.9% vs 6.4%, P = .19). There was a trend toward a greater decrease over time in high-sensitivity C-reactive protein values compared with baseline in the group randomized to rosiglitazone versus placebo both at 6 months (-35.4% vs -15.8%, P = .059) and 12 months (-40.0% vs -20.9%, P = .089) and higher change in high-density lipoprotein (+15.5% vs +4.1%, P = .05) and lower triglycerides (-13.9% vs +14.9%, P = .004) in the rosiglitazone arm. There was a trend toward less new onset diabetes in the rosiglitazone group (0% vs 3.3%, P = .081) and no episodes of symptomatic hypoglycemia. There was no excess of new onset of clinical heart failure in the rosiglitazone group, nor was there a significant change in brain natriuretic peptide levels. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with metabolic syndrome presenting for PCI are at increased risk for subsequent cardiovascular events. Rosiglitazone for 12 months did not appear to affect CIMT in this population, although it did have beneficial effects on high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, high-density lipoprotein, and triglycerides. Further study of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor agonism in patients with metabolic syndrome undergoing PCI may be warranted.

A simple prediction rule for significant renal artery stenosis in patients undergoing cardiac catheterization.

BACKGROUND: Renal artery stenosis (RAS) is a potentially reversible cause of hypertension and renal insufficiency and is associated with poor prognosis. METHODS: We aimed to identify simple predictors of significant RAS among patients undergoing coronary angiography. Prospective data were collected on 843 consecutive patients who underwent cardiac catheterization and abdominal aortography. Stenoses > or = 75% were considered significant. Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess the relationship between baseline characteristics and coronary anatomy with significant RAS. A simple risk score was derived from the model. RESULTS: The prevalence of RAS > or = 75% was 11.7%. Independent predictors of significant RAS were older age, higher creatinine levels, peripheral vascular disease, number of cardiovascular drugs, hypertension, female sex, and 3-vessel coronary artery disease or previous coronary artery bypass graft. The concordance index of the model was 0.802. These variables were used to develop a simple predictive score of significant RAS for patients undergoing cardiac catheterization. The prevalence of RAS increased stepwise with increasing score values: 0.6% for a score < or = 5, 1.5% for 6 to 7, 6.1% for 8 to 9, 12.2% for 10 to 11, 18.7% for 12 to 14, 35.7% for 15 to 17, and 62.1% for > or = 18 (P < .001). Approximately one third of the patients had a score > or = 11, which yielded a sensitivity of 76% and a specificity of 71%. CONCLUSIONS: Renal artery stenosis is a relatively common finding among patients referred for coronary angiography. A simple score can predict the presence of significant RAS among patients referred for cardiac catheterization.

Prevalence of symptomatic diastolic heart failure in patients hospitalized with cerebral or peripheral vascular disease.

The authors sought to determine the prevalence of diastolic heart failure (DHF) in patients hospitalized with their first stroke, transient ischemic attack, or new onset of peripheral vascular disease. A total of 216 prospective consecutive stroke, transient ischemic attack, and peripheral vascular disease patients (vascular group) were identified at their first noncardiac presentation to a hospital and compared with 164 age-matched control patients (nonvascular group). DHF was clinically defined as the presence of left ventricular ejection fraction>or=45% on echocardiography. DHF occurred in 40% and 73% of vascular and control patients, respectively, with symptomatic heart failure. Overall, it was found in 12% of vascular (10% of stroke/transient ischemic attack, 16% of peripheral vascular disease) and 11% of control patients. Advancing age and female gender were independently associated with the presence of DHF in vascular patients (p<0.05). DHF is found in a similar percentage of vascular and nonvascular patients. Symptomatic DHF is less common than systolic heart failure among vascular disease patients with heart failure. In contrast, symptomatic DHF is found in three times as many age-matched control heart failure patients without clinical vascular disease.

A prospective randomized clinical trial of the use of fluoroscopy in obtaining femoral arterial access.

BACKGROUND: There is no consensus on the utility of fluoroscopy in obtaining common femoral artery (CFA) access. METHODS: Patients weighing < 136.4 kg (300 lbs) with palpable femoral pulses undergoing coronary angiography were randomized to arterial access with or without the use of fluoroscopy (using the center of the femoral head as the optimal site to enter the artery). RESULTS: 208 patients were enrolled with 110 randomized to the palpation group and 98 were randomized to the palpation +fluoroscopy group. Mean age (+/- SD) was 60 +/- 11 years, 61% were male, 35% had diabetes, and 40% had a body mass index (BMI) > 30 kg/m(2). Clinical characteristics and procedural factors were similar among the two groups with the exception that fewer needle passes were required and access was achieved faster in the palpation group. Arterial puncture over the femoral head occurred in 91% of the palpation group versus 95% of the palpation + fluoroscopy group (p = 0.27). Successful CFA puncture occurred in 85% of the palpation group versus 90% of the palpation + fluoroscopy group (p = 0.49). Cannulation of the external iliac artery occurred in 1 patient in each group, whereas arterial puncture distal to the CFA bifurcation occurred in 16 (15%) of the palpation group and in 9 (9%) of the palpation + fluoroscopy group (p = 0.33). CONCLUSION: In this single-center, randomized trial, the use of fluoroscopy did not increase the probability of arterial puncture over the femoral head or the rate of successful CFA cannulation.

Rescue angioplasty after failed intra-arterial thrombolysis in acute middle cerebral artery stroke: a case report.

Intra-arterial thrombolysis is increasingly being used in the treatment of acute ischemic stroke with a failure rate of recanalization as high as 66%. We describe a case of acute ischemic stroke secondary to occlusion of the middle cerebral artery that failed intra-arterial thrombolytic therapy but responded to rescue balloon angioplasty.

A comparison of balloon-mounted and self-expanding stents in the carotid arteries: immediate and long-term results of more than 500 patients.

PURPOSE: To compare the rates of neurological complications and restenosis for balloon-mounted (BM) versus self-expanding (SE) stents deployed in the extracranial carotid arteries. METHODS: Among 513 patients (312 men; mean age 71.3 years, range 27-91) who underwent carotid artery stent placement, 496 received 520 stents. The patients were followed with periodic duplex ultrasound examinations; angiography was performed whenever the duplex scan identified a >50% stenosis or symptoms warranted investigation. Periprocedural data on complications were analyzed on an intention-to-treat basis, while intermediate-term neurological complications were compared in stented patients. RESULTS: In the periprocedural period, there were 19 (3.7%) transient ischemic attacks, 10 (1.9%) minor strokes, 6 (1.2%) major strokes, and 8 (1.6%) deaths among the 513 patients. Five (1.0%) of the deaths were related to neurological complications (3.9% all stroke/neurological death rate). Among the 496 patients receiving 247 (48%) BM stents and 273 (52%) SE stents in 518 arteries, the all stroke/neurological death rates were 3.6% and 4.0%, respectively (p>0.05). During a mean follow-up of 20.6 months (range to 5.6 years), the 3-year freedom from all fatal and ipsilateral nonfatal strokes excluding the 30-day periprocedural period was 95.0% for BM stents and 95.2% for SE devices. Vessel patency (>50%) at 3 years was 92.0% in the population: 96.3% for BM stents and 83.7% for SE stents (p=0.0422). CONCLUSIONS: The rate of neurological complications following carotid stenting has been relatively low overall, and no differences were found relative to the type of stent deployed. Vessel patency was excellent at 3 years, with slightly better patency in BM stents, but because of their vulnerability to compression, they will not replace SE stents.

Evaluation of glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors in carotid angioplasty and stenting.

PURPOSE: To review the immediate neurological and bleeding complications associated with the use of glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa inhibitors in patients undergoing extracranial carotid artery stent placement. METHODS: A retrospective review was performed of 550 patients (321 men; mean age 71.1 years, range 28-91) who underwent carotid artery angioplasty and stent placement. Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors were given prophylactically along with heparin to 216 patients, whose outcomes were compared to a control group of 334 patients who received intravenous heparin alone. Primary endpoints were the immediate and 30-day neurological complications, including transient ischemic attacks (TIAs), minor and major strokes, and neurologically-related deaths. The secondary endpoint was any abnormal bleeding. RESULTS: The all stroke/neurological death rate in 216 patients treated with heparin and GP IIb/IIIa inhibitors was 6.0% (13 events) compared 2.4% (8 events) in the 334 patients in the heparin-only control group (p=0.0430). Two of the 4 neurologically-related deaths in the GP IIb/IIIa inhibitor group resulted from intracranial hemorrhages; there were no intracranial hemorrhages in the heparin-only group. There was 1 episode of extracranial bleeding in the GP IIb/IIIa inhibitor group treated with embolization. The incidences of significant puncture-site bleeding requiring transfusion were similar in the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Neurological complications following percutaneous carotid artery interventions have been relatively few. The neurological sequelae in carotid stent patients receiving glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors were more numerous and consequential, which suggests that the use of GP IIb/IIIa inhibitors in carotid stenting should be discouraged.

Abdominal aortic aneurysm size regression after endovascular repair is endograft dependent.

OBJECTIVE: This study was performed to determine whether abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) regression is different with various endografts after endovascular repair. METHODS: A four-center retrospective review of size change after endovascular AAA repair was performed. Consecutive patients with at least 1-year follow-up and available imaging studies were included. Three hundred ninety patients received either the Ancure, AneuRx, Excluder, or Talent endograft. AAA size and endoleak status were recorded from computed tomography (CT) scans at the initial postoperative follow-up visit and at 1 and 2 years thereafter. AAA size was defined as the minor axis of the infrarenal aorta on the largest axial section on the two-dimensional CT scan. A change in AAA size of 0.5 cm or greater from baseline was considered clinically significant. The effect of initial size, endoleak, and type of endograft on AAA regression was analyzed. RESULTS: Mean baseline size was significantly greater with Talent endografts and smaller with Excluder endografts. Clinically significant regression in AAA size occurred in nearly three fourths of patients with Ancure and Talent endografts at 2 years. Regression in AAA size was less frequent with the AneuRx (46%) and Excluder (44%) devices. Initial size, endoleak, and endograft type were significant predictors of regression at multivariate analysis at 1 year. However, by 2 years only endograft type was still an independent predictor of AAA shrinkage. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term morphologic changes after endovascular aneurysm repair depend on endograft type.