Stroke Risk After Mitral Valve Interventions: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis.

Previous research indicates varying stroke rates after mitral valve (MV) interventions. This study aimed to compare post-procedural stroke risks following transcatheter and surgical MV interventions. Electronic databases were searched from inception to February 2024 for studies comparing stroke rates after mitral transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (mTEER), surgical MV repair/replacement, or guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT). Primary endpoints were all-time and early (<30 days) stroke. Secondary outcomes included new-onset atrial fibrillation and 1-year all-cause mortality. A frequentist network meta-analysis was employed to compare outcomes. The network meta-analysis included 18 studies (3 randomized clinical trials and 15 observational), with 51,703 patients. mTEER was associated with a decreased risk of all-time (odds ratio [OR] 0.61, 95% CI 0.41-0.89) and early stroke (OR 0.41, 95% CI 0.33-0.51) compared with surgery, and a similar risk of all-time (OR 1.54, 95% CI 0.76-3.12) and early stroke (OR 2.12, 95% CI 0.53-8.47) compared with GDMT. Conversely, surgery was associated with an increased risk of all-time (OR 2.55, 95% CI 1.17-5.57) and early stroke (OR 5.15, 95% CI 1.27-20.84) compared with GDMT. There were no statistically significant differences in the risk of new-onset atrial fibrillation (OR 0.38, 95% CI 0.11-1.31) and 1-year all-cause mortality (OR 1.43, 95% CI 0.91-2.24) between mTEER vs. surgery. In conclusion, mTEER was associated with a lower risk of stroke and similar risks of new-onset atrial fibrillation and 1-year mortality compared with surgical MV interventions. Further studies are needed to understand the mechanisms of stroke and to determine strategies to reduce stroke risk following MV interventions.

Transcatheter Tricuspid Interventions: Past, Present, and Future.

Tricuspid regurgitation (TR) etiologies include primary valve pathology or secondary (functional) regurgitation from increased hemodynamic pressure or volume on the right side of the heart. Patients with severe TR have a worse prognosis independent of all other variables. Surgical treatment for TR has mostly been limited to patients undergoing concomitant left-sided cardiac surgery. The results and durability of surgical repair or replacement are not well defined. For patients with significant and symptomatic TR, transcatheter techniques would be beneficial, but these techniques and devices have been slow to develop. Much of the delay is a result of neglect and challenges in defining the symptoms associated with TR. In addition, the anatomic and physiological aspects of the tricuspid valve apparatus present unique challenges. Several devices and techniques are in various phases of clinical investigation. This review highlights the current landscape of transcatheter tricuspid interventions and future opportunities. It is imminent that these therapies become commercially available and widely adopted to have a significant positive impact on millions of patients that have been neglected.

Ventricular Remodeling and Outcomes After Mitral Transcatheter Edge-to-Edge Repair in Heart Failure: The COAPT Trial.

BACKGROUND: The relationship between left ventricular (LV) remodeling and clinical outcomes after treatment of severe mitral regurgitation (MR) in heart failure (HF) has not been examined. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between LV reverse remodeling and subsequent outcomes and assess whether transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER) and residual MR are associated with LV remodeling in the COAPT (Cardiovascular Outcomes Assessment of the MitraClip Percutaneous Therapy for Heart Failure Patients With Functional Mitral Regurgitation) trial. METHODS: Patients with HF and severe MR who remained symptomatic on guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT) were randomized to TEER plus GDMT or GDMT alone. Baseline and 6-month core laboratory measurements of LV end-diastolic volume index and LV end-systolic volume index were examined. Change in LV volumes from baseline to 6 months and clinical outcomes from 6 months to 2 years were evaluated using multivariable regression. RESULTS: The analytical cohort comprised 348 patients (190 treated with TEER, 158 treated with GDMT alone). A decrease in LV end-diastolic volume index at 6 months was associated with reduced cardiovascular death between 6 months and 2 years (adjusted HR: 0.90 per 10 mL/m2 decrease; 95% CI: 0.81-1.00; P = 0.04), with consistent results in both treatment groups (Pinteraction = 0.26). Directionally similar but nonsignificant relationships were present for all-cause death and HF hospitalization and between reduced LV end-systolic volume index and all outcomes. Neither treatment group nor MR severity at 30 days was associated with LV remodeling at 6 or 12 months. The treatment benefits of TEER were not significant regardless of the degree of LV remodeling at 6 months. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with HF and severe MR, LV reverse remodeling at 6 months was associated with subsequently improved 2-year outcomes but was not affected by TEER or the extent of residual MR. (Cardiovascular Outcomes Assessment of the MitraClip Percutaneous Therapy for Heart Failure Patients With Functional Mitral Regurgitation [The COAPT Trial] and COAPT CAS [COAPT]; NCT01626079).

Impact of Mitral Regurgitation Etiology on Mitral Surgery After Transcatheter Edge-to-Edge Repair: From the CUTTING-EDGE Registry.

BACKGROUND: Although >150,000 mitral TEER procedures have been performed worldwide, the impact of MR etiology on MV surgery after TEER remains unknown. OBJECTIVES: The authors sought to compare outcomes of mitral valve (MV) surgery after failed transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER) stratified by mitral regurgitation (MR) etiology. METHODS: Data from the CUTTING-EDGE registry were retrospectively analyzed. Surgeries were stratified by MR etiology: primary (PMR) and secondary (SMR). MVARC (Mitral Valve Academic Research Consortium) outcomes at 30 days and 1 year were evaluated. Median follow-up was 9.1 months (IQR: 1.1-25.8 months) after surgery. RESULTS: From July 2009 to July 2020, 330 patients underwent MV surgery after TEER, of which 47% had PMR and 53.0% had SMR. Mean age was 73.8 ± 10.1 years, median STS risk at initial TEER was 4.0% (IQR: 2.2%-7.3%). Compared with PMR, SMR had a higher EuroSCORE, more comorbidities, lower LVEF pre-TEER and presurgery (all P < 0.05). SMR patients had more aborted TEER (25.7% vs 16.3%; P = 0.043), more surgery for mitral stenosis after TEER (19.4% vs 9.0%; P = 0.008), and fewer MV repairs (4.0% vs 11.0%; P = 0.019). Thirty-day mortality was numerically higher in SMR (20.4% vs 12.7%; P = 0.072), with an observed-to-expected ratio of 3.6 (95% CI: 1.9-5.3) overall, 2.6 (95% CI: 1.2-4.0) in PMR, and 4.6 (95% CI: 2.6-6.6) in SMR. SMR had significantly higher 1-year mortality (38.3% vs 23.2%; P = 0.019). On Kaplan-Meier analysis, the actuarial estimates of cumulative survival were significantly lower in SMR at 1 and 3 years. CONCLUSIONS: The risk of MV surgery after TEER is nontrivial, with higher mortality after surgery, especially in SMR patients. These findings provide valuable data for further research to improve these outcomes.

3-Year Outcomes After Transcatheter or Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement in Low-Risk Patients With Aortic Stenosis.

BACKGROUND: Randomized data comparing outcomes of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) with surgery in low-surgical risk patients at time points beyond 2 years is limited. This presents an unknown for physicians striving to educate patients as part of a shared decision-making process. OBJECTIVES: The authors evaluated 3-year clinical and echocardiographic outcomes from the Evolut Low Risk trial. METHODS: Low-risk patients were randomized to TAVR with a self-expanding, supra-annular valve or surgery. The primary endpoint of all-cause mortality or disabling stroke and several secondary endpoints were assessed at 3 years. RESULTS: There were 1,414 attempted implantations (730 TAVR; 684 surgery). Patients had a mean age of 74 years and 35% were women. At 3 years, the primary endpoint occurred in 7.4% of TAVR patients and 10.4% of surgery patients (HR: 0.70; 95% CI: 0.49-1.00; P = 0.051). The difference between treatment arms for all-cause mortality or disabling stroke remained broadly consistent over time: -1.8% at year 1; -2.0% at year 2; and -2.9% at year 3. The incidence of mild paravalvular regurgitation (20.3% TAVR vs 2.5% surgery) and pacemaker placement (23.2% TAVR vs 9.1% surgery; P < 0.001) were lower in the surgery group. Rates of moderate or greater paravalvular regurgitation for both groups were <1% and not significantly different. Patients who underwent TAVR had significantly improved valve hemodynamics (mean gradient 9.1 mm Hg TAVR vs 12.1 mm Hg surgery; P < 0.001) at 3 years. CONCLUSIONS: Within the Evolut Low Risk study, TAVR at 3 years showed durable benefits compared with surgery with respect to all-cause mortality or disabling stroke. (Medtronic Evolut Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement in Low Risk Patients; NCT02701283).

Novel Antegrade Approach to Transcatheter Aortic Valve Paravalvular Leak Closure.

Aortic paravalvular leak (PVL) is a known complication of TAVR. PVL closure using vascular occluder devices can be used, particularly in cases with annular calcification preventing adequate seal; however, delivery of equipment can be challenging in TAVR patients due to interaction with the valve stent. We describe a novel antegrade closure approach to treat transcatheter aortic PVL.

Infective endocarditis following transcatheter aortic valve replacement: Diagnostic yield of echocardiography and associated echo-Doppler findings.

BACKGROUND: Studies have suggested the diagnostic yield of echocardiography to be lower in prosthetic valve endocarditis (PVE) after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) than reported in surgically-implanted valves but data are limited. METHODS: We reviewed transthoracic (TTE) and transesophageal (TEE) echo-Doppler findings in 17 patients with PVE (13 definite and 4 possible cases according to modified Duke criteria) after TAVR at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN between 2007 and 2016. RESULTS: Median age was 81 years [56; 91] and 5 patients (29%) were female. Median Society of Thoracic Surgery predicted risk of mortality was 8.8%. PVE occurred 197 days [27; 923] after TAVR. Enterococcus faecalis was the most commonly encountered organism (29%). All patients had TEE performed at the time of PVE; TTE was performed in 11 patients. TEE was diagnostic for PVE in 47% of cases and TTE in 18%. TEE was diagnostic in 62% of patients if only definite PVE cases are included. Two patients showed prosthetic obstruction at the time of PVE; obstruction improved with antibiotic therapy in the surviving patient. CONCLUSION: Standard echocardiography techniques had limited diagnostic performance in patients with TAVR-related PVE. PVE can present as features of TAVR obstruction, thus PVE should also be considered in patients presenting with worsening prosthetic obstruction.

Transcatheter Versus Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement in Patients With Prior Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting: Trends in Utilization and Propensity-Matched Analysis of In-Hospital Outcomes.

BACKGROUND: A significant proportion of patients requiring aortic valve replacement (AVR) have undergone prior coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Reoperative heart surgery is associated with increased risk. Data on relative utilization and comparative outcomes of transcatheter (TAVR) versus surgical AVR (SAVR) in patients with prior CABG are limited. METHODS AND RESULTS: We queried the 2012 to 2014 National Inpatient Sample databases to identify isolated AVR hospitalizations in adults with prior CABG. In-hospital outcomes of TAVR versus SAVR were compared using propensity-matched analysis. Of 147 395 AVRs, 15 055 (10.2%) were in patients with prior CABG. The number of TAVRs in patients with prior CABG increased from 1615 in 2012 to 4400 in 2014, whereas the number of SAVRs decreased from 2285 to 1895 (Ptrend<0.001). There were 3880 records in each group in the matched cohort. Compared with SAVR, TAVR was associated with similar in-hospital mortality (2.3% versus 2.4%; P=0.71) but lower incidence of myocardial infarction (1.5% versus 3.4%; P<0.001), stroke (1.4% versus 2.7%; P<0.001), bleeding complications (10.6% versus 24.6%; P<0.001), and acute kidney injury (16.2% versus 19.3%; P<0.001). Requirement for prior permanent pacemaker was higher in the TAVR cohort, whereas the incidence of vascular complications and acute kidney injury requiring dialysis was similar in the 2 groups. Average length of stay was shorter in patients undergoing TAVR. CONCLUSIONS: TAVR is being increasingly used as the preferred modality of AVR in patients with prior CABG. Compared with SAVR, TAVR is associated with similar in-hospital mortality but lower rates of in-hospital complications in this important subset of patients.

Paravalvular Leak in Structural Heart Disease.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This review will summarize the growing importance of diagnosing and managing paravalvular leak associated with surgical and transcatheter valves. RECENT FINDINGS: The burden of paravalvular leak is increasing; however, advanced imaging techniques and high degree of clinical suspicion are required for diagnosis and management. The latest data from pivotal clinical trials in the field of transcatheter aortic valve replacement suggest that any paravalvular leak greater than mild was associated with worse clinical outcomes. Percutaneous techniques for paravalvular leak closure are now the preferred approach, and surgical repair is reserved for contraindications and unsuccessful procedures. Recent data from studies evaluating paravalvular leak closure outcomes report a greater than 90% success rate with a significant improvement in patient symptoms. Paravalvular leak is a growing problem in the structural heart disease arena. Percutaneous closure is successful in more than 90% of the procedures with a low complication rate.

Outcomes and Temporal Trends of Inpatient Percutaneous Coronary Intervention at Centers With and Without On-site Cardiac Surgery in the United States.

Importance: There are concerns whether percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) at centers without on-site cardiac surgery is safe outside of a tightly regulated research environment. Objective: To analyze the outcomes and temporal trends of inpatient PCI at centers without on-site cardiac surgery in an unselected and nationally representative population of the United States. Design, Setting, and Participants: A national inpatient sample (N = 6 912 232) was used to identify patients who underwent inpatient PCI in the United States from January 1, 2003, to December 31, 2012. Hospitals that performed 1 or more coronary artery bypass graft surgeries in a given calendar year were classified as centers with on-site cardiac surgery, and weighted sampling of all inpatient hospitalizations was performed. Data analysis was performed from February to May 2016. Exposures: Inpatient PCI. Main Outcomes and Measures: In-hospital mortality. Results: Of the 6 912 232 inpatient PCIs performed, 2 336 334 patients (33.8%) were women and 4 575 898 (66.2%) were men; their mean (SD) age was 64.5 (12.3) years. Of these PCIs, 396 741 (5.7%) were conducted at centers without on-site cardiac surgery. The rate of in-hospital mortality was significantly lower at centers with on-site cardiac surgery compared with centers without on-site cardiac surgery (1.4% vs 1.9%; unadjusted odds ratio [OR], 0.74; 95% CI, 0.72-0.75). After adjustment, there was no significant difference in in-hospital mortality between centers with and without on-site cardiac surgery (OR, 1.01; 95% CI, 0.98-1.03; P = .62) for acute coronary syndromes and elective procedures requiring inpatient hospitalization. In addition, there were no significant differences in the risk-adjusted, in-hospital mortality between the 2 groups in prespecified subgroups after adjusting for multiple comparisons, including ST-elevation myocardial infarction (OR, 0.99; 95% CI, 0.96-1.03; P = .65), non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome (OR, 0.99; 95% CI, 0.93-1.05; P = .66), and elective PCI (OR, 0.93; 95% CI, 0.84-1.03; P = .17). There was a significant increase in the proportion of PCIs at centers without on-site cardiac surgery within the study period (from 1.8% to 12.7%; P < .001 for trend by Cochrane-Armitage test) reflected across all the indications. Conclusions and Relevance: There was a 7-fold increase in the proportion of PCIs at centers without on-site cardiac surgery from 2003 to 2012 in the United States, with the adjusted in-hospital mortality after inpatient PCI being similar at centers with and without on-site cardiac surgery. These data provide evidence that PCI at centers without on-site cardiac surgery may be safe in the modern era.

Survey Reported Participation in Cardiac Rehabilitation and Survival After Mitral or Aortic Valve Surgery.

We sought to measure the impact of cardiac rehabilitation (CR) on mortality in patients with mitral or aortic heart valve surgery (HVS) and nonobstructive coronary artery disease. We surveyed all patients (or a close family member if the patient was deceased) who had HVS without coronary artery bypass in 2006 through 2010 at the Mayo Clinic to assess if they attended CR after their HVS. We performed a propensity-adjusted landmark analysis to test the association between CR attendance and long-term all-cause mortality conditional on surviving the first year after HVS. Survey response rate was 40% (573/1,420), with responders more likely to be older, have longer hospitalizations, and have more aortic valve disease. A total of 547 patients (59% aortic surgery, ejection fraction 64%) with valid survey responses and 1-year follow-up were included in the propensity analysis, of whom 296 (54%) attended CR. There were 100 deaths during a median follow-up of 5.8 years. For all patients, the propensity-adjusted model suggested no impact of CR on mortality (hazard ratio [HR] 1.03, 95% CI 0.66 to 1.62). When stratified by procedure, results suggested a potentially favorable, but nonsignificant, effect in patients with mitral valve surgery (HR 0.49, 95% CI 0.15 to 1.56), but not in patients with aortic valve surgery (HR 1.00, 95% CI 0.61 to 1.64.) In conclusion, we found no survival advantage for patients with normal preoperative ejection fraction who attended CR after surgical "correction" of their severe aortic or mitral valve disease.

Meta-Analysis of the Prognostic Impact of Stroke Volume, Gradient, and Ejection Fraction After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation.

The prognostic implications of several baseline preprocedural variables in patients with severe native valve aortic stenosis (AS) undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) are unclear. The goal of this study was to determine the impact of reduced stroke volume index (SVI), low gradient (LG), and reduced ejection fraction (EF) on all-cause mortality. We searched MEDLINE, CENTRAL, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Scopus through October 13, 2014. We evaluated the association between low SVI (<35 ml/m(2)), LG (<40 mm Hg), and low EF (<50% and <30%) on 1-year all-cause mortality. We pooled results across studies using the random-effects model. We included 16 studies at moderate risk of bias enrolling 7,673 patients with severe AS who underwent TAVI. Low EF was associated with increased 1-year mortality after TAVI compared to preserved EF (for EF <30%, hazard ratio [HR] 1.60, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.19 to 2.16, I(2) = 32%; and for EF <50%, HR 1.52, 95% CI 1.31 to 1.76, I(2) = 17%). LG was associated with increased mortality after TAVI compared to high mean gradient (≥40 mm Hg; HR 1.60, 95% CI 1.30 to 1.97, I(2) = 36%). Low SVI was associated with increased mortality after TAVI compared to normal SVI (HR 1.59, 95% CI 1.23 to 2.05, I(2) = 27%). In conclusion, low SVI, LG, and low EF are each associated with higher mortality after TAVI. These findings highlight the importance of including these variables into TAVI risk algorithms and will better inform shared decision-making before TAVI.

Familial spontaneous coronary artery dissection: evidence for genetic susceptibility.

IMPORTANCE: Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is a major cause of acute coronary syndrome in young women, especially among those without traditional cardiovascular risk factors. Prior efforts to study SCAD have been hampered by underrecognition and lack of registry-based studies. Risk factors and pathogenesis remain largely undefined, and inheritability has not been reported. OBSERVATIONS: Using novel research methods, patient champions, and social media, the Mayo Clinic SCAD Registry has been able to better characterize this condition, which was previously considered rare. Of 412 patient enrollees, we identified 5 familial cases of SCAD comprising affected mother-daughter, identical twin sister, sister, aunt-niece, and first-cousin pairs, implicating both recessive and dominant modes of inheritance. The mother-daughter pair also reported fatal myocardial infarction in 3 maternal relatives. None of the participants had other potential risk factors for SCAD, including connective tissue disorders or peripartum status. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: To our knowledge, this series is the first to identify a familial association in SCAD suggesting a genetic predisposition. Recognition of SCAD as a heritable disorder has implications for at-risk family members and furthers our understanding of the pathogenesis of this complex disease. Whole-exome sequencing provides a unique opportunity to identify the molecular underpinnings of SCAD susceptibility.

Cardiac rehabilitation is associated with reduced long-term mortality in patients undergoing combined heart valve and CABG surgery.

BACKGROUND: No reports have been published to date on the impact of cardiac rehabilitation (CR) on mortality in patients undergoing combined heart valve and coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery (V + CABG), a procedure that has increased significantly in frequency in recent years. METHODS: We identified consecutive patients who underwent V + CABG surgery in the Olmsted County from 1996 to 2007. Propensity scores were developed using more than 40 clinical, operative, and post-operative characteristics. The impact of CR on long-term mortality was assessed via landmark analysis and using propensity score regression adjustment and stratification techniques. RESULTS: A total of 201 patients were included in our study, in whom 86 deaths occurred over a mean follow up of 6.8 years. Forty-seven per cent of patients participated in CR, with a significant trend towards increased participation in recent years (p = 0.04). Conditional on 6-month survival and controlling for propensity factors as well as mortality risk factors, CR participation was associated with a significant reduction in mortality (propensity score adjustment: HR 0.48, p = 0.009; propensity score stratification: HR 0.48, p = 0.016). The absolute risk reduction over 10 years was 14.5% (number needed to treat = 7). Results did not differ significantly based on age, gender, emergent status, or history of heart failure or arrhythmias, but CR participation was more beneficial for patients who underwent a mitral valve procedure (HR 0.24, 95% CI 0.08-0.77). CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study reporting a significant survival benefit with CR participation in patients who have undergone combined V + CABG surgery. These findings provide evidence in support of recommendations for CR participation after V + CABG surgery.

Participation in cardiac rehabilitation and survival after coronary artery bypass graft surgery: a community-based study.

BACKGROUND: Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is recommended for all patients after coronary artery bypass surgery, yet little is known about the long-term mortality effects of CR in this population. METHODS AND RESULTS: We performed a community-based analysis on residents of Olmsted County, Minnesota, who underwent coronary artery bypass surgery between 1996 and 2007. We assessed the association between subsequent outpatient CR attendance and long-term survival. Propensity analysis was performed. Cox proportional hazards regression was then used to assess the association between CR attendance and all-cause mortality adjusted for the propensity to attend CR. We identified 846 eligible patients (age 66±11 years, 76% men, and 96% non-Hispanic whites) who survived at least 6 months after surgery, of whom 582 (69%) attended CR. During a mean (±SD) follow-up of 9.0±3.7 years, the 10-year all-cause Kaplan-Meier mortality rate was 28% (193 deaths). Adjusted for the propensity to attend CR, participation in CR was associated with a 10-year relative risk reduction in all-cause mortality of 46% (hazard ratio, 0.54; 95% confidence interval, 0.40-0.74; P<0.001) and a 10-year absolute risk reduction of 12.7% (number needed to treat=8). There was no evidence of a differential effect of CR on mortality with respect to age (≥65 versus <65 years), sex, diabetes, or prior myocardial infarction. CONCLUSIONS: CR attendance is associated with a significant reduction in 10-year all-cause mortality after coronary artery bypass surgery. Our results strongly support national standards that recommend CR for this patient group.

Short- and long-term impact of an inpatient quality improvement initiative: results of the CABG-GAP Practice Improvement Project.

PURPOSE: A significant percentage of patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery leave the hospital without appropriate preventive medications. Little is known about this prevention gap and its solutions. We studied the short- and long-term impacts of a quality improvement (QI) project aimed at reducing this prevention gap. METHODS: A sequential 3-phase QI project was performed in patients undergoing CABG surgery in Olmsted County, MN, from April 2001 to March 2002. In phase 1 (n = 213), cardiovascular surgery team members were given a pocket reminder card with preventive medication guidelines. In phase 2 (n = 182), monthly team feedback reports were added. In phase 3 (n = 199), a "refrigerator magnet" patient reminder card listing prescribed medications was added. A baseline comparison group (n = 305) was selected randomly from patients undergoing CABG surgery in 2000. Patient receipt of preventive medications and all-cause mortality were compared. RESULTS: Prescription of lipid-lowering medications (LLM) increased with each incremental QI tool as compared with baseline (P < .001). Nonsignificant trends were noted for aspirin, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, and ß-blockers. At 1 year, the use of LLM was similarly high in all groups and was associated with cardiac rehabilitation use. Short- and long-term mortality rates did not differ between study groups. CONCLUSIONS: Our inpatient QI tools resulted in early, high LLM use, but the treatment advantage of the interventions was erased by 1 year and no survival benefit was noted. Our study illustrates the importance of tracking long-term outcomes in QI projects and suggests that outpatient cardiac rehabilitation is associated with long-term use of LLM.