Assessment of Individualized Mean Perfusion Pressure Targets for the Prevention of Cardiac Surgery-Associated Acute Kidney Injury-The PrevHemAKI Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Retrospective studies support that mean perfusion pressure (MPP) deficit in cardiac surgery patients is associated with a higher incidence of acute kidney injury (CS-AKI). The aim of our study was to apply an algorithm based on MPP in the postoperative period to determine whether management with an individualized target reduces the incidence of CS-AKI. METHODS: Randomized controlled trial of patients undergoing cardiac surgery with extracorporeal circulation. Adult patients submitted to valve replacement and/or bypass surgery with a high risk of CS-AKI evaluated by a Leicester score >30 were randomized to follow a target MPP of >75% of the calculated baseline or a standard hemodynamic management during the first postoperative 24 h. RESULTS: Ninety-eight patients with an eGFR of 54 mL/min were included. There were no differences in MAP and MPP in the first 24 h between the randomized groups, although a higher use of noradrenaline was found in the intervention arm (38.78 vs. 63.27, p = 0.026). The percentage of time with MPP < 75% of measured baseline was similar in both groups (10 vs. 12.7%, p = 0.811). MAP during surgery was higher in the intervention group (73 vs. 77 mmHg, p = 0.008). The global incidence of CS-AKI was 36.7%, being 38.6% in the intervention group and 34.6% in the control group (p = 0.40). There were no differences in extrarenal complications between groups as well. CONCLUSION: An individualized hemodynamic management based on MPP compared to standard treatment in cardiac surgery patients was safe but did not reduce the incidence of CS-AKI in our study.

Characterization of electrocardiographic findings in young students.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: The resting 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) has been used in the evaluation of young asymptomatic individuals to detect pre-existing heart disease, but systematic ECG use is controversial and there are no data on this population in our environment. We aimed to determine the prevalence and spectrum of electrocardiographic findings in a population of secondary school students. METHODS: We conducted an observational, cross-sectional study of resting ECG findings in all 13 to 14-year-old secondary school students in a region of the province of Gerona between 2009 and 2017. ECG findings were classified into 3 groups according to the modified criteria of Corrado et al.: normal ECG findings, ECG findings suggestive of adaptive changes, and pathologic findings. Students with pathologic ECG findings were referred to a tertiary hospital, and complementary tests were performed according to a pre-established protocol. RESULTS: A total of 1911 ECGs were obtained, with a participation rate of 79% of all high school students. In all, 1321 students (69%) had a normal ECG, 554 (29%) showed ECG findings suggestive of adaptive changes, and 36 (2%) had pathologic ECG findings. Among the group with pathologic findings, 5 (14%) had cardiovascular disease. The prevalence of heart disease in this group of asymptomatic secondary school students was 0.3%. CONCLUSIONS: One third of the students had ECG findings that were mostly suggestive of physiological adaptation. One seventh of the students with pathologic ECG findings had pre-existing heart disease, although the overall prevalence of pre-existing heart disease was low.

Impact of revascularization versus medical therapy alone for chronic total occlusion management in older patients.

BACKGROUND: Chronic total occlusions (CTOs) are present in more than one third of older patients with myocardial ischemia, but controversy remains about the best therapeutic approach. AIMS: To compare long-term survival after CTO revascularization (percutaneous coronary intervention [PCI] or coronary artery bypass graft [CABG]) versus medical treatment (MT) alone in patients aged 75 and older. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 1,252 consecutive patients with at least one CTO were identified from 2010 to 2014 in our center. Patients were stratified by age (<75 years vs. ≥75 years) in the present analysis. All-cause and cardiac mortality were assessed at a median follow-up of 3.5 years. In the older subgroup (26%), patients were more likely to be treated with MT alone (71% vs. 43% of younger patients; p < 0.001). Patients undergoing revascularization were younger and had higher left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and lower age, creatinine, ejection fraction (ACEF) score (age/LVEF +1 if creatinine >2.0 mg/dL), compared to the MT group (p < 0.05). As compared to MT, revascularization predicted lower rates of cardiac mortality and all-cause mortality in older patients, both in the subgroups treated with CABG (hazard ratio [HR] 0.35, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.17-0.71; HR 0.39, 95%CI 0.18-0.81) and PCI (HR 0.57, 95%CI 0.33-0.98; HR 0.59, 95%CI 0.28-1.2). No differences in mortality were observed according to type of revascularization procedure. CONCLUSIONS: Among patients aged at least 75 years with a CTO, revascularization (PCI or CABG) rather than MT alone may portend a better outcome in terms of all-cause and cardiac mortality.

Central extracorporeal membrane oxygenation as a bridge to decision in a patient with a ventricular septal rupture complicating a myocardial infarction / Análisis de las medidas de prevención secundaria introducidas en pacientes con historia de síndrome coronario agudo

Abstract In the era of primary percutaneous coronary intervention, mechanical complications after acute myocardial infarction are extremely rare, with an incidence of less than 0.5%. Rupture of the ventricular septum is the least frequent occurrence. Despite early surgical repair, mortality still remains high. Patients who are at high risk of perioperative death include those with cardiogenic shock and multiorgan dysfunction. In this group, a mechanical circulatory support such as an Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation circuit could be used as bridge to surgical repair is feasible or heart transplantation, as it provides hemodynamic stability and the potential to correct multiorgan dysfunction. We reported a case pf ECMO device implantation as a bridge to heart transplantation in a patient with post infarction ventricular septal rupture. Unfortunately, while on the waiting list for heart transplantation with maximum priority the patient had massive diffuse alveolar hemorrhage secondary to the anticoagulation required by the equipment and died.

Resumen En la era de la intervención coronaria percutánea primaria, las complicaciones mecánicas tras un infarto de miocardio agudo son extremadamente infrecuentes, con una incidencia de menos del 0,5%. La ruptura del septum ventricular es el caso menos frecuente. A pesar de la reparación quirúrgica, la mortalidad sigue siendo elevada. Los pacientes con alto riesgo de muerte perioperativa incluyen a aquellos con shock cardiógeno y síndrome de disfunción multiorgánica. En este grupo, podría utilizarse soporte circulatorio mecánico, tal como el circuito de oxigenación por membrana extracorpórea, como puente hacia la reparación quirúrgica o trasplante cardiaco, ya que aporta estabilidad dinámica y la posibilidad de corregir el síndrome de disfunción multiorgánica. Se reporta un caso de implantación de dispositivo de membrana extracorpórea, como puente al trasplante cardiaco, en un paciente con ruptura del septum ventricular tras infarto. Lamentablemente, a pesar de estar en lista de espera con prioridad máxima, sufrió una hemorragia alveolar difusa masiva, secundaria a la anticoagulación requerida por el equipo, y falleció.

Conservative management of aortic root rupture complicated with cardiac tamponade following transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

Aortic root rupture and cardiac tamponade during transcatheter aortic valve implantation is a frightening complication with high mortality rate. A conservative management of this complication could represent an initial strategy, especially in high-risk patients, to avoid emergent cardiac surgery. This conservative management includes: Immediate detection of pericardial effusion by echocardiography, a fast instauration of pericardial drainage, auto-transfusion and anticoagulation reversal. We describe two cases of patients who suffered this complication and were treated successfully with this initial approach.

Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest and stent thrombosis: Ticagrelor versus clopidogrel in patients with primary percutaneous coronary intervention under mild therapeutic hypothermia.

BACKGROUND: Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest (OHCA) and mild therapeutic hypothermia (MTH) have been linked to increased risk of Stent Thrombosis (ST) in comatose survivors who undergo percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). In this sense, there is no formal recommendation about which antiplatelet regimen should be used in patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS) after OHCA. AIMS: To compare the incidence of probable/definite ST and bleeding events between ticagrelor and clopidogrel, in patients with ACS under MTH after an OHCA. METHODS AND RESULTS: From January 2010 to August 2016, 144 patients underwent MTH after an OHCA. Overall, 114 had an ACS (79%) and 98 (67,3%) were treated with primary PCI and stent implantation. Among them, 61 (62,2%) were treated with clopidogrel, and 32 (32,6%) with ticagrelor. During hospitalization, the incidence of probable or definite ST was significantly higher in patients receiving clopidogrel compared to ticagrelor (11,4% vs. 0%; p: 0.04), and no significant differences in any (28,6% vs. 25%; p: 0.645) or major bleeding (BARC 3 or 5) (11,4% vs. 12,5%; p: 0.685) were found. Hospital mortality did not differ between groups (26,2% vs. 25%; p: 0.862). CONCLUSIONS: In this study, as compared to clopidogrel, ticagrelor was associated with a lower rate of ST, without differences in haemorrhagic events in patients with OHCA for an ACS under MTH. Similarly to other settings, ticagrelor might be a valid alternative to clopidogrel in these patients.

Puncture Versus Surgical Cutdown Complications of Transfemoral Aortic Valve Implantation (from the Spanish TAVI Registry).

Vascular complications in transcatheter aortic valve implantation using transfemoral approach are related to higher mortality. Complete percutaneous approach is currently the preferred technique for vascular access. However, some centers still perform surgical cutdown. Our purpose was to determine complications related to vascular access technique in the population of the Spanish TAVI National Registry. From January 2010 to July 2015, 3,046 patients were included in this Registry. Of them, 2,465 underwent transfemoral approach and were treated with either surgical cutdown and closure (cutdown group, n = 632) or percutaneous approach (puncture group, n = 1,833). Valve Academic Research Consortium-2 definitions were used to assess vascular and bleeding complications. Propensity matching resulted in 615 matched pairs. Overall, 30-day vascular complications were significantly higher in the puncture group (109 [18%] vs 42 [6.9%]; relative risk [RR] 2.60; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.85 to 3.64, p <0.001) due mostly by minor vascular events (89 [15%] vs 25 [4.1%], RR 3.56, 95% CI 2.32 to 5.47, p <0.001). Bleeding rates were lower in the puncture group (18 [3%] vs 40 [6.6%], RR 0.45, 95% CI 0.26 to 0.78, p = 0.003) mainly driven by major bleeding (9 [1.5%] vs 21 [3.4%], RR 0.43, 95% CI 0.20 to 0.93, p = 0.03). At a mean follow-up of 323 days, complication rates remained significantly different between groups (minor vascular complications 90 [15%] vs 31 [5.1%], hazard ratio 2.99, 95% CI 1.99 to 4.50, p <0.001 and major bleeding 10 [1.6%] vs 21 [3.4%], hazard ratio 0.47, 95% CI 0.22 to 1.0, p = 0.04, puncture versus cutdown group, respectively). In conclusion, percutaneous approach yielded higher rates of minor vascular complications but lower rates of major bleeding compared with the surgical cutdown, both at 30-day and at mid-term follow-up in our population.

Transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve replacement compared with surgical replacement in patients with severe aortic stenosis and comparable risk: cost-utility and its determinants.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate cost-effectiveness of transfemoral TAVR vs surgical replacement (SAVR) and its determinants in patients with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis and comparable risk. METHODS: Patients were prospectively recruited in 6 Spanish hospitals and followed up over one year. We estimated adjusted incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) (Euros per quality-adjusted life-year [QALY] gained) using a net-benefit approach and assessed the determinants of incremental net-benefit of TAVR vs SAVR. RESULTS: We analyzed data on 207 patients: 58, 87 and 62 in the Edwards SAPIEN (ES) TAVR, Medtronic-CoreValve (MC) TAVR and SAVR groups respectively. Average cost per patient of ES-TAVR was €8800 higher than SAVR and the gain in QALY was 0.036. The ICER was €148,525/QALY. The cost of MC-TAVR was €9729 higher than SAVR and the QALY difference was -0.011 (dominated). Results substantially changed in the following conditions: 1) in patients with high preoperative serum creatinine the ICERs were €18,302/QALY and €179,618/QALY for ES and MC-TAVR respectively; 2) a 30% reduction in the cost of TAVR devices decreased the ICER for ES-TAVR to €32,955/QALY; and 3) imputing hospitalization costs from other European countries leads to TAVR being dominant. CONCLUSIONS: In countries with relatively low health care costs TAVR is not likely to be cost-effective compared to SAVR in patients with intermediate risk for surgery, mainly because of the high cost of the valve compared to the cost of hospitalization. TAVR could be cost-effective in specific subgroups and in countries with higher hospitalization costs.

Infective endocarditis in patients with an implanted transcatheter aortic valve: Clinical characteristics and outcome of a new entity.

AIMS: This study reports one case and review the literature on TAVI-associated endocarditis (TAVIE), to describe its clinical picture and to perform an analysis on prognostic factors. METHODS AND RESULTS: A MEDLINE search from January 2002 to October 2014 revealed 31 cases of TAVIE, including 1 from our hospital. Median age was 81 years (IQR, 78-85), 53% of patients were males and the median age-adjusted Charlson score was 7 (IQR, 5-8). Heart failure was recorded in 42%, embolic events in 19%, and periannular complications in 45%. The most common causative agent was Enterococcus spp (36%). Ten patients (32%) underwent surgery and nine patients died (29%). The prognostic factors for 6-month mortality were heart failure (HR, 9.97 [3.7-24.5]; p = 0.001), periannular complications (HR, 11.82 [3.3-41.3]; p = 0.004), and nonenterococcal/streptococcal etiology (HR, 4.76 [2.1-11.1]; p = 0.03). In patients with heart failure who did not undergo surgery, mortality was 89% (8 out of 9); in those who did undergo surgery, mortality was 0% (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: TAVIE is an emerging entity with high mortality. Patients with heart failure who did not undergo surgery had a higher probability of dying. Surgical treatment provided better outcomes even in patients in whom surgery had previously been ruled out.