Relationships, Current Issues, Safety and Efficacy of Oral Anticoagulation in Cancer Patients with Atrial Fibrillation.

A relationship between malignancy and impaired hemostasis has been proven, and balancing clotting and bleeding risks can be challenging. Half of cancer patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) do not receive any oral anticoagulation (OAC). Using PubMed on the relationship between cancer and AF and their association with hemostasis, targeting studies comparing vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) and direct OAC (DOAC) strategies in AF cancer patients, three RCTs (>3000 patients) and eight observational studies (>250,000 patients) comparing different OACs were retrieved. The VKA prescribed was always warfarin. Dabigatran was the only DOAC not analyzed in the RCTs but the most used in non-randomized studies, whereas edoxaban-treated patients were the majority in the RCTs. Overall, the DOAC patients showed similar or lower rates of efficacy (thromboembolic) and safety (bleeding) outcomes compared to the VKA patients. DOACs are subject to fewer interactions with antineoplastic agents. DOACs may be preferable to VKAs as a thromboembolic prophylaxis in cancer patients with non-valvular AF.

Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Oral Anticoagulant Therapy in Atrial Fibrillation Cancer Patients.

(1) Introduction: Cancer and atrial fibrillation (AF) are increasingly coexisting medical challenges. These two conditions share an increased thrombotic and bleeding risk. Although optimal regimens of the most suitable anti-thrombotic therapy are now affirmed in the general population, cancer patients are still particularly understudied on the matter; (2) Aims And Methodology: This metanalysis (11 studies (incl. 266,865 patients)) aims at evaluating the ischemic-hemorrhagic risk profile of oncologic patients with AF treated with oral anticoagulants (vitamin K antagonists vs. direct oral anticoagulants); (3) Results: In the oncological population, DOACs confer a benefit in terms of the reduction in ischemic, hemorrhagic and venous thromboembolic events. However, ischemic prevention has a non-insignificant bleeding risk, lower than Warfarin but significant and higher than the non-oncological patients; (4) Conclusions: Anticoagulation with DOACs provides a higher safety profile with respect to VKAs in terms of stroke reduction and a relative bleeding reduction risk. Further studies are needed to better assess the optimal anticoagulation strategy in cancer patients with AF.

Immunomodulating Therapies in Acute Myocarditis and Recurrent/Acute Pericarditis.

The field of inflammatory disease of the heart or "cardio-immunology" is rapidly evolving due to the wider use of non-invasive diagnostic tools able to detect and monitor myocardial inflammation. In acute myocarditis, recent data on the use of immunomodulating therapies have been reported both in the setting of systemic autoimmune disorders and in the setting of isolated forms, especially in patients with specific histology (e.g., eosinophilic myocarditis) or with an arrhythmicburden. A role for immunosuppressive therapies has been also shown in severe cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), a condition that can be associated with cardiac injury and acute myocarditis. Furthermore, ongoing clinical trials are assessing the role of high dosage methylprednisolone in the context of acute myocarditis complicated by heart failure or fulminant presentation or the role of anakinra to treat patients with acute myocarditis excluding patients with hemodynamically unstable conditions. In addition, the explosion of immune-mediated therapies in oncology has introduced new pathophysiological entities, such as immune-checkpoint inhibitor-associated myocarditis and new basic research models to understand the interaction between the cardiac and immune systems. Here we provide a broad overview of evolving areas in cardio-immunology. We summarize the use of new imaging tools in combination with endomyocardial biopsy and laboratory parameters such as high sensitivity troponin to monitor the response to immunomodulating therapies based on recent evidence and clinical experience. Concerning pericarditis, the normal composition of pericardial fluid has been recently elucidated, allowing to assess the actual presence of inflammation; indeed, normal pericardial fluid is rich in nucleated cells, protein, albumin, LDH, at levels consistent with inflammatory exudates in other biological fluids. Importantly, recent findings showed how innate immunity plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of recurrent pericarditis with raised C-reactive protein, with inflammasome and IL-1 overproduction as drivers for systemic inflammatory response. In the era of tailored medicine, anti-IL-1 agents such as anakinra and rilonacept have been demonstrated highly effective in patients with recurrent pericarditis associated with an inflammatory phenotype.

Diagnosis and Management of Failed Surgical Tricuspid Valve Annuloplasty.

PURPOSE OF THE REVIEW: Annular-based strategies for treating tricuspid valve (TV) regurgitation do not always have satisfactory long-term outcomes. Management of failed TV annuloplasty can be challenging and requires a dedicated heart team approach. This review explores the treatment options available for failed TV annuloplasty. RECENT FINDINGS: Recent developments and novel percutaneous treatment options have emerged as promising alternatives for patients with failed TV annuloplasty. Leaflet-based interventions, valve-in-valve procedures, transcatheter tricuspid valves and new-generation trans-caval valves are all feasible options, which can assure good results whilst minimizing risks for the patient. Failure of tricuspid annuloplasty is not uncommon amongst patients treated with either a tricuspid ring or suture-based device. The complex anatomy, physiology and clinical risk profile should be carefully evaluated on an individual patient-by-patient basis in order to select the most appropriate clinical and percutaneous treatment strategy. Different transcatheter tricuspid valve repair or replacement techniques may provide an attractive alternative treatment option for managing this challenging patient cohort.

Endovascular Bariatric Surgery as Novel Minimally Invasive Technique for Weight Management in the Morbidly Obese: Review of the Literature.

Nowadays, obesity represents one of the most unresolved global pandemics, posing a critical health issue in developed countries. According to the World Health Organization, its prevalence has tripled since 1975, reaching a prevalence of 13% of the world population in 2016. Indeed, as obesity increases worldwide, novel strategies to fight this condition are of the utmost importance to reduce obese-related morbidity and overall mortality related to its complications. Early experimental and initial clinical data have suggested that endovascular bariatric surgery (EBS) may be a promising technique to reduce weight and hormonal imbalance in the obese population. Compared to open bariatric surgery and minimally invasive surgery (MIS), EBS is much less invasive, well tolerated, with a shorter recovery time, and is probably cost-saving. However, there are still several technical aspects to investigate before EBS can be routinely offered to all obese patients. Further prospective studies and eventually a randomized trial comparing open bariatric surgery vs. EBS are needed, powered for clinically relevant outcomes, and with adequate follow-up. Yet, EBS may already appear as an appealing alternative treatment for weight management and cardiovascular prevention in morbidly obese patients at high surgical risk.

Impact of clinical and subclinical coronary artery disease as assessed by coronary artery calcium in COVID-19.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The potential impact of coronary atherosclerosis, as detected by coronary artery calcium, on clinical outcomes in COVID-19 patients remains unsettled. We aimed to evaluate the prognostic impact of clinical and subclinical coronary artery disease (CAD), as assessed by coronary artery calcium score (CAC), in a large, unselected population of hospitalized COVID-19 patients undergoing non-gated chest computed tomography (CT) for clinical practice. METHODS: SARS-CoV 2 positive patients from the multicenter (16 Italian hospitals), retrospective observational SCORE COVID-19 (calcium score for COVID-19 Risk Evaluation) registry were stratified in three groups: (a) "clinical CAD" (prior revascularization history), (b) "subclinical CAD" (CAC >0), (c) "No CAD" (CAC = 0). Primary endpoint was in-hospital mortality and the secondary endpoint was a composite of myocardial infarction and cerebrovascular accident (MI/CVA). RESULTS: Amongst 1625 patients (male 67.2%, median age 69 [interquartile range 58-77] years), 31%, 57.8% and 11.1% had no, subclinical and clinical CAD, respectively. Increasing rates of in-hospital mortality (11.3% vs. 27.3% vs. 39.8%, p < 0.001) and MI/CVA events (2.3% vs. 3.8% vs. 11.9%, p < 0.001) were observed for patients with no CAD vs. subclinical CAD vs clinical CAD, respectively. The association with in-hospital mortality was independent of in-study outcome predictors (age, peripheral artery disease, active cancer, hemoglobin, C-reactive protein, LDH, aerated lung volume): subclinical CAD vs. No CAD: adjusted hazard ratio (adj-HR) 2.86 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.14-7.17, p=0.025); clinical CAD vs. No CAD: adj-HR 3.74 (95% CI 1.21-11.60, p=0.022). Among patients with subclinical CAD, increasing CAC burden was associated with higher rates of in-hospital mortality (20.5% vs. 27.9% vs. 38.7% for patients with CAC score thresholds≤100, 101-400 and > 400, respectively, p < 0.001). The adj-HR per 50 points increase in CAC score 1.007 (95%CI 1.001-1.013, p=0.016). Cardiovascular risk factors were not independent predictors of in-hospital mortality when CAD presence and extent were taken into account. CONCLUSIONS: The presence and extent of CAD are associated with in-hospital mortality and MI/CVA among hospitalized patients with COVID-19 disease and they appear to be a better prognostic gauge as compared to a clinical cardiovascular risk assessment.

Computed tomography analysis of coronary ostia location following valve-in-valve transcatheter aortic valve replacement with the ACURATE neo valve: Implications for coronary access.

BACKGROUND: Valve-in-valve transcatheter aortic valve replacement (ViV-TAVR) is an emerging alternative to re-do surgery. However, the challenge of coronary access (CA) following ViV-TAVR is a potential limitation as TAVR expands to younger lower-risk populations. OBJECTIVES: Using post-implantation computed tomography (CT) scans to evaluate the geometrical relationship between coronary ostia and valve frame in patients undergoing ViV-TAVR with the ACURATE neo valve. METHODS: Post-implant CT scans of 18 out of 20 consecutive patients treated with the ACURATE neo valve were analyzed. Coronary ostia location in relation to the highest plane (HP) (highest point of the ACURATE neo or surgical valve) was determined. Ostia located below the highest plan were further subclassified according to the gap available between the transcatheter heart valve frame and ostium (transcatheter-to-coronary [TTC] distance). The impact implantation depth has on these geometrical relationships was evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 21 out of 36 coronary ostia (58%) were located below the level of the HP with the left coronary artery (36%) more likely to be affected than the right (22%). Further sub-classification of these ostia revealed a large (>6 mm), moderate (4-6 mm), and small (<4 mm) TTC distance in 57% (12/21), 38% (8/21), and in 6% (1/18) of cases, respectively. At an implantation depth <4 mm compared to >4 mm, all ostia were located below the HP with no difference in post-procedural mean gradients (14.5 mmHg ± 4.7 vs. 12.6 mmHg ± 5.8; p = .5, 95%CI 3.8-7.5). CONCLUSIONS: CA following ACURATE neo implantation for ViV-TAVR could potentially be challenging in a significant proportion of patients and specific consideration should be given to the implantation depth.

Grade IV Liver Injury Following Mechanical Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation with Postoperative Three-dimensional Evaluation.

A 48-year-old female presented to the emergency department with chest pain and collapsed at the front desk. She was reanimated with mechanical chest compression, and after coronary angiography, a left anterior descending/diagonal bifurcation mini-crush stenting was performed. Few hours after the procedure, the patient showed severe hypotension. Abdominal ultrasound and computed tomography (CT) scan evidenced a massive subcapsular liver hematoma (Grade IV, American association for the surgery of trauma (AAST) liver injury scale) of the right lobe with extrahepatic blushing. Transhepatic embolization was attempted but without benefit, so the patient underwent emergency laparotomy for damage control surgery with perihepatic packing. After hemodynamic stabilization, right hepatectomy was performed with a favorable outcome and full recovery. The patient CT scan was retrospectively processed to obtain a virtual model visualizable through a head-mounted display. The virtual reconstruction could improve the comprehension of the injury and the liver surgical anatomy for educational purpose, and it could represent a new tool for preoperative planning.

Case report and systematic review of iatrogenic left atrial dissection in different cardiovascular specialties: A common treatment for an uncommon complication?

OBJECTIVES: Left atrial dissection (LatD) is a rare and heterogeneous condition affecting many cardiovascular areas. The present article, by the means of personal case report illustration and systemic review of different clinical management, is aimed to give to clinicians further knowledge on this controversial topic. BACKGROUND: LatD is an exceedingly rare but potentially fatal complication of cardiac surgery or catheter-based interventional procedures. Most of the cases are iatrogenic and its incidence is expected to grow due to an increase in the number of percutaneous coronary intervention and structural heart disease procedures. The management of this complication is controversial, and it may depend on related etiologies. METHODS: We have reported our single-case experience and review of the scientific literature, focusing on the decision-making process and the strategical approach by multimodality imaging techniques. RESULTS: Our case of LatD with initial hemodynamic instability was surgically treated. Conservative approach is often employed in literature despite the fact that conservative versus surgical approach is debatable, depending on clinical presentation, hemodynamic stability, multimodal imaging findings, and personal experience of the center. CONCLUSIONS: According to systematic literature review, a watchful-waiting strategy supported by multimodality imaging could be a safe and effective management in stable LatD.

Autologous blood reinfusion during iatrogenic acute hemorrhagic cardiac tamponade: Safety and feasibility in a cohort of 30 patients.

BACKGROUND: Iatrogenic hemorrhagic pericardial tamponade (IHPT) represents a life-threating condition requiring emergency pericardiocentesis. In this clinical context, reinfusion of pericardial blood can stabilize the patient and sustain hemodynamic conditions. AIMS AND METHODS: We reviewed all cases of IHPT occurred at our hospital over a 10 years span. In all patient autologous blood reinfusion through a femoral vein was performed. RESULTS: In our clinical experience of 30 consecutive patients with hemorrhagic cardiac tamponade, this technique was successful to limit blood transfusions, to prevent further clinical worsening and bridge patients with intractable bleeding, to cardiac surgery. No major adverse reactions were directly related to blood autotransfusion. CONCLUSION: In the complex clinical scenario of acute tamponade occurring during catheter-based cardiac procedures, autotransfusion of pericardial blood through a femoral vein is safe and effective. It can be a useful trick up the sleeve of the interventional cardiologist.

Trans-radial closure of coronary artery fistulae using Amplatzer vascular plug IV: A case series.

BACKGROUND: Trans-catheter closure of coronary artery fistulae (CAF) has become a successful alternative to cardiac surgery with excellent results and acceptable low rate of complications. Different techniques and devices are available to treat the extreme anatomical variability of CAF. AIM: We retrospectively describe our case series of five patients trans-radially treated using an Amplatzer vascular plug IV (AVP-IV) with telescoping catheter technique. RESULTS: Trans-radial closure of CAF using the "Child in Mother" technique with dedicated catheters to deliver the vascular plugs AVP-IV was successfully performed in all patients, in one case for a complex CAF, an hybrid step approach using coils and plugs was needed. CONCLUSIONS: Trans-radial closure of CAF using AVP-IV and a telescoping catheter appeared to be safe and feasible in our case series. A persistent closure of CAF was achieved in all patients at 2 year coronary angiography follow-up.

Bilateral Slender Transradial Aortic Balloon Valvuloplasty.

Percutaneous aortic balloon valvuloplasty as a bridge-to-decision strategy was performed in an 89-year-old woman with multiple comorbidities and cachexia. The patient did well; after 2 weeks, she was discharged home and referred for possible TAVR.

Coronary Artery Aneurysm After Bioresorbable Scaffold Implantation in a Woman With an Acute Coronary Syndrome.

We herein report the case of an ST-elevation myocardial infarction due to bioresorbable vascular scaffold (BRS) failure. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) revealed the exact mechanism of late BRS stent thrombosis due to an acquired coronary aneurysm related to BRS. A drug eluting OCT-guided stenting over a failed BRS in the context of an acute coronary syndrome, with the simultaneous presence of a BRS thrombosis and coronary artery aneurysm, proved to be effective.

Epicardial cardioverter-defibrillator implantation in a 4-month-old infant bridged to heart transplantation.

Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) is the gold standard therapy for the prevention of sudden cardiac death. Nevertheless, ICD placement in the paediatric population is still limited because of several technical difficulties. Several implantation techniques have been proposed but experience in infants with very low weight and less than 6 months is very limited. We herein describe a case of a minimally invasive ICD epicardial implantation in a 4-month-old infant weighing 5 kg. A diagnosis of arrhythmic cardiomyopathy with left ventricular non-compaction disease with ventricular tachycardia storms, QT prolongation and Wolff-Parkinson-White pattern was made. Antiarrhythmic drugs, radiofrequency ablation and sympathetic denervation were not effective. ICD implantation was successful allowing the infant to survive and bridging to heart transplantation.

Comprehensive evaluation of cardiac involvement in eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) with cardiac magnetic resonance.

BACKGROUND: Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) is a systemic necrotizing vasculitis characterized by hypereosinophilia. EGPA typically develops in three clinical phases, beginning with asthma, followed by tissue eosinophilia and finally systemic vasculitis. Cardiac involvement is the most important predictor of mortality; it occurs in approximately 15-60% of EGPA patients, a significant proportion of whom are asymptomatic and have normal electrocardiogram (ECG) and echocardiogram. Early detection and management of cardiac disease could positevely affect prognosis. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) has emerged as the gold standard cardiac imaging technique in the evaluation of cardiomyopathies, due to its ability to reliably assess anatomy, function, and tissue characterization. AIM: Purpose of this study was to assess the role of CMR in detecting cardiac disease in patients with EGPA in clinical remission. METHODS: A dedicated CMR protocol including functional analysis, and pre and post-contrast tissue characterization was performed in 11 patients with EGPA and the results were compared with 11 healthy subjects. RESULTS: EGPA patients had lower left ventricular ejection fraction compared to controls (56±19 vs 68.7±5.2, p value 0.02). Late gadolinium enhancement (LGE), representing replacement fibrosis, was positive in 9/11 (82%) patients, mainly with a non-ischemic pattern. In 3/11 (27%) patients a left ventricular thrombus was detected; in 3/11 (27%) patients myocardial edema was detected. CMR parameters of interstitial fibrosis were significantly more elevated in EGPA patients compared to controls. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with EGPA in clinical remission showed a high cardiovascular burden as demonstrated by lower EF, signs of active inflammation, presence of interstitial and replacement fibrosis and intraventricular thrombosis. Further studies on wider populations are warranted to better understand how these findings could impact on prognosis and eventually guide therapy.

Total pericardial agenesis mimicking arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia.

: We report the incidental finding of pericardial agenesis in a patient with electrocardiographic and echocardiographic abnormalities mimicking arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia. The anatomic findings were clearly depicted by cardiac magnetic resonance. The patient was asymptomatic and the clinical relevance of this finding would be raised in case a possible differential diagnosis of right heart overload should be necessary. Diagnosis may be easily suspected from the ECG and echocardiography; MRI will provide definite diagnosis.

Partial Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Return as Rare Cause of Right Ventricular Dilation: A Retrospective Analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Partial anomalous pulmonary venous return (PAPVR) is an uncommon cause of right ventricular dilation. It may be difficult to identify and often remains undiagnosed. METHODS: We reviewed the database of the Cardiac Magnetic Resonance (CMR) Laboratory of Niguarda Hospital, in order to identify the cases of PAPVR between 2008 and 2014. RESULTS: On a total number of 7832 CMR scans, we identified 24 patients with PAPVR (14 male, age 41 ± 18 y) corresponding to 0.31% of the total population. Only 30% of patients had been referred for known or suspected PAPVR, 33% of patients had been referred for suspected right ventricular arrhythmogenic dysplasia and 37% had been referred for other cardiac disease. PAPVR involved mainly the right pulmonary veins (18 patients, 75%) and in 62% of our cases was associated with an atrial septal defect. Eight patients underwent corrective surgery in our institution, which confirmed and successfully repaired the anomalies. CONCLUSIONS: PAPVR is a rare congenital cardiac pathology which should be suspected in case of unexplained right chambers enlargement. CMR imaging allows an accurate anatomic and functional definition of this pathology and associated abnormalities. Early correction has an excellent prognosis and prevents long term complications like pulmonary hypertension, right ventricular failure and atrial fibrillation.

Paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia as first manifestation of right atrial hemangioma during endovascular treatment of intracranial arteriovenous fistulas.

We report the description of a cardiac mass occupying almost the entire right atrium in a young man who developed paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia during endovascular treatment of intracranial arteriovenous fistulas. The mass was detected at echocardiographic examination, its tissue characteristics were defined with cardiac magnetic resonance and it was successfully surgically removed. The histopathological findings were consistent with a mixed type cavernous-capillary hemangioma of the heart. The intriguing co-existence of cardiac hemangioma and cerebral arteriovenous fistulas, to the best of our knowledge, has not been previously reported in English Literature.