Prevalence, mortality, cost, and disparities in transcatheter mitral valve repair and replacement in cancer patients: Artificial intelligence and propensity score national 5-year analysis of 7495 procedures.

INTRODUCTION: We conducted the first comprehensive evaluation of the therapeutic value and safety profile of transcatheter mitral edge-to-edge repair (TEER) and transcatheter mitral valve replacement (TMVR) in individuals concurrently afflicted with cancer. METHODS: Utilizing the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) dataset, we analyzed all adult hospitalizations between 2016 and 2020 (n = 148,755,036). The inclusion criteria for this retrospectively analyzed prospective cohort study were all adult hospitalizations (age 18 years and older). Regression and machine learning analyses in addition to model optimization were conducted using ML-PSr (Machine Learning-augmented Propensity Score adjusted multivariable regression) and BAyesian Machine learning-augmented Propensity Score (BAM-PS) multivariable regression. RESULTS: Of all adult hospitalizations, there were 5790 (0.004%) TMVRs and 1705 (0.001%) TEERs. Of the total TMVRs, 160 (2.76%) were done in active cancer. Of the total TEERs, 30 (1.76%) were done in active cancer. After the comparable rates of TEER/TMVR in active cancer in 2016, the prevalence of TEER/TMVR was significantly less in active cancer from 2017 to 2020 (2.61% versus 7.28% p < 0.001). From 2017 to 2020, active cancer significantly decreased the odds of receiving TEER or TMVR (OR 0.28, 95%CI 0.13-0.68, p = 0.008). In patients with active cancer who underwent TMVR/TEER, there were no significant differences in socio-economic disparities, mortality or total hospitalization costs. CONCLUSION: The presence of malignancy does not contribute to increased mortality, length of stay or procedural costs in TMVR or TEER. Whereas the prevalence of TMVR has increased in patients with active cancer, the utilization of TEER in the context of active cancer is declining despite a growing patient population.

Management of respiratory failure in immune checkpoint inhibitors-induced overlap syndrome: a case series and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Checkpoint inhibitor-induced overlap syndrome ([OS] myocarditis, and myositis with or without myasthenia gravis) is rare but life-threatening. CASES PRESENTATION: Here we present a case series of four cancer patients that developed OS. High troponinemia raised the concern for myocarditis in all the cases. However, the predominant clinical feature differed among the cases. Two patients showed marked myocarditis with a shorter hospital stay. The other two patients had a prolonged ICU stay due to severe neuromuscular involvement secondary to myositis and myasthenia gravis. Treatment was based on steroids, plasmapheresis, intravenous immunoglobulin, and immunosuppressive biological agents. CONCLUSION: The management of respiratory failure is challenging, particularly in those patients with predominant MG. Along with intensive clinical monitoring, bedside respiratory mechanics can guide the decision-making process of selecting a respiratory support method, the timing of elective intubation and extubation.

Percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with cancer using bare metal stents compared to drug-eluting stents.

Background: Management of coronary artery disease (CAD) is unique and challenging in cancer patients. However, little is known about the outcomes of using BMS or DES in these patients. This study aimed to compare the outcomes of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in cancer patients who were treated with bare metal stents (BMS) vs. drug-eluting stents (DES). Methods: We identified cancer patients who underwent PCI using BMS or DES between 2013 and 2020. Outcomes of interest were overall survival (OS) and the number of revascularizations. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate the survival probability. Multivariate Cox regression models were utilized to compare OS between BMS and DES. Results: We included 346 cancer patients who underwent PCI with a median follow-up of 34.1 months (95% CI, 28.4-38.7). Among these, 42 patients were treated with BMS (12.1%) and 304 with DES (87.9%). Age and gender were similar between the BMS and DES groups (p = 0.09 and 0.93, respectively). DES use was more frequent in the white race, while black patients had more BMS (p = 0.03). The use of DES was more common in patients with NSTEMI (p = 0.03). The median survival was 46 months (95% CI, 34-66). There was no significant difference in the number of revascularizations between the BMS and DES groups (p = 0.43). There was no significant difference in OS between the BMS and DES groups in multivariate analysis (p = 0.26). In addition, independent predictors for worse survival included age > 65 years, BMI ≤ 25 g/m2, hemoglobin level ≤ 12 g/dL, and initial presentation with NSTEMI. Conclusions: In our study, several revascularizations and survival were similar between cancer patients with CAD treated with BMS and DES. This finding suggests that DES use is not associated with an increased risk for stent thrombosis, and as cancer survival improves, there may be a more significant role for DES.

Trigger related outcomes of takotsubo syndrome in a cancer population.

Background: Takotsubo syndrome (TTS) occurs more frequently in cancer patients than in the general population, but the effect of specific TTS triggers on outcomes in cancer patients is not well studied. Objectives: The study sought to determine whether triggering event (chemotherapy, immune-modulators vs. procedural or emotional stress) modifies outcomes in a cancer patient population with TTS. Methods: All cancer patients presenting with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) between December 2008 and December 2020 at our institution were enrolled in the catheterization laboratory registry. Demographic and clinical data of the identified patients with TTS were retrospective collected and further classified according to the TTS trigger. The groups were compared with regards to major adverse cardiac events, overall survival and recovery of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and global longitudinal strain (GLS) after TTS presentation. Results: Eighty one of the 373 cancer patients who presented with ACS met the Mayo criteria for TTS. The triggering event was determined to be "cancer specific triggers" (use of chemotherapy in 23, immunomodulators use in 7, and radiation in 4), and "traditional triggers" (medical triggers 22, and procedural 18 and emotional stress in 7). Of the 81 patients, 47 died, all from cancer-related causes (no cardiovascular mortality). Median survival was 11.9 months. Immunomodulator (IM) related TTS and radiation related TTS were associated with higher mortality during the follow-up. Patients with medical triggers showed the least recovery in LVEF and GLS while patients with emotional and chemotherapy triggers, showed the most improvement in LVEF and GLS, respectively. Conclusion: Cancer patients presenting with ACS picture have a high prevalence of TTS due to presence of traditional and cancer specific triggers. Survival and improvement in left ventricular systolic function seem to be related to the initial trigger for TTS.

Primary Endovascular Treatment of Late-Onset Type 3 Endovascular Aortic Repair Rupture Using The Endurant II Stent Graft and Rapid Response Protocol.

The objective of this article is to describe a patient with hemorrhagic shock due to type 3 postendovascular aortic repair rupture successfully treated with the endurant II stent graft via a primary endovascular approach with a rapid response protocol. A 65-year-old male patient who underwent endovascular aortic repair 3 years ago was admitted to the emergency department with severe abdominal pain and hemorrhagic shock. The patient was rapidly taken to the angiography laboratory, and aortography demonstrated distal aortic graft rupture and extravasation of contrast media. The repair was performed successfully with 3 stent-grafts by paying attention to rupture localization and renal artery ostia. The hemodynamics of the patient improved very quickly, and the patient was discharged after 5 days. Emergency primary stent grafting using a rapid response protocol could be a crucial alternative to open surgery for late endoleaks, which are complicated with hemorrhagic shock.

Fractional Flow Reserve Cardio-Oncology Effects on Inpatient Mortality, Length of Stay, and Cost Based on Malignancy Type: Machine Learning Supported Nationally Representative Case-Control Study of 30 Million Hospitalizations.

Background and Objectives: There are no nationally representative studies of mortality and cost effectiveness for fractional flow reserve (FFR) guided percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) in patients with cancer. Our study aims to show how this patient population may benefit from FFR-guided PCI. Materials and Methods: Propensity score matched analysis and backward propagation neural network machine learning supported multivariable regression was performed for inpatient mortality in this case-control study of the 2016 National Inpatient Sample (NIS). Regression results were adjusted for age, race, income, geographic region, metastases, mortality risk, and the likelihood of undergoing FFR versus non-FFR PCI. All analyses were adjusted for the complex survey design to produce nationally representative estimates. Results: Of the 30,195,722 hospitalized patients meeting criteria, 3.37% of the PCIs performed included FFR. In propensity score adjusted multivariable regression, FFR versus non-FFR PCI significantly reduced inpatient mortality (OR 0.47, 95%CI 0.35−0.63; p < 0.001) and length of stay (LOS) (in days; beta −0.23, 95%CI −0.37−−0.09; p = 0.001) while increasing cost (in USD; beta $5708.63, 95%CI, 3042.70−8374.57; p < 0.001), without significantly increasing complications overall. FFR versus non-FFR PCI did not specifically change cancer patients' inpatient mortality, LOS, or cost. However, FFR versus non-FFR PCI significantly increased inpatient mortality for Hodgkin's lymphoma (OR 52.48, 95%CI 7.16−384.53; p < 0.001) and rectal cancer (OR 24.38, 95%CI 2.24−265.73; p = 0.009). Conclusions: FFR-guided PCI may be safely utilized in patients with cancer as it does not significantly increase inpatient mortality, complications, and LOS. These findings support the need for an increased utilization of FFR-guided PCI and further studies to evaluate its long-term impact.

Reclassification of Treatment Strategy with Fractional Flow Reserve in Cancer Patients with Coronary Artery Disease.

Background and Objectives: Cancer and coronary artery disease (CAD) often coexist. Compared to quantitative coronary angiography (QCA), fractional flow reserve (FFR) has emerged as a more reliable method of identifying significant coronary stenoses. We aimed to assess the specific management, safety and outcomes of FFR-guided percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in cancer patients with stable CAD. Materials and Methods: FFR was used to assess cancer patients that underwent coronary angiography for stable CAD between September 2008 and May 2016, and were found to have ≥50% stenosis by QCA. Patients with lesions with an FFR > 0.75 received medical therapy alone, while those with FFR ≤ 0.75 were revascularized. Procedure-related complications, all-cause mortality, nonfatal myocardial infarction, or urgent revascularizations were analyzed. Results: Fifty-seven patients with stable CAD underwent FFR on 57 lesions. Out of 31 patients with ≥70% stenosis as measured by QCA, 14 (45.1%) had an FFR ≥ 0.75 and lesions were reclassified as moderate and did not receive PCI nor DAPT. Out of 26 patients with <70% stenosis as measured by QCA, 6 (23%) had an FFR < 0.75 and were reclassified as severe and were treated with PCI and associated DAPT. No periprocedural complications, urgent revascularization, acute coronary syndromes, or cardiovascular deaths were noted. There was a 22.8% mortality at 1 year, all cancer related. Patients who received a stent by FFR assessment showed a significant association with decreased risk of all-cause death (HR: 0.37, 95% CI 0.15−0.90, p = 0.03). Conclusions: Further studies are needed to define the optimal therapeutic approach for cancer patients with CAD. Using an FFR cut-off point of 0.75 to guide PCI translates into fewer interventions and can facilitate cancer care. There was an overall reduction in mortality in patients that received a stent, suggesting increased resilience to cancer therapy and progression.

Bioprosthetic valve monitoring in patients with carcinoid heart disease.

Background: Carcinoid heart disease (CnHD) is a frequent cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with neuroendocrine tumors and carcinoid syndrome. Although valve replacement surgery appears to decrease all-cause mortality in patients with advanced CnHD, few studies have investigated the outcomes of patients after valve replacement. Methods: We conducted a multi-institution retrospective registry of patients who received both tricuspid and pulmonic bioprosthetic valve (TV/PV) replacements for advanced CnHD from November 2005 to March 2021. Patients were followed post-operatively with echocardiographic studies every 3 months. Carcinoid valvular heart disease scores were used to monitor valve degeneration. Neuroendocrine tumor treatment, their administration times, and associations with echocardiographic findings were recorded. Results: Of 87 patients with CnHD, 22 patients underwent simultaneous surgical TV and PV replacement. In 6 patients (27.3%), increased PV Vmax was the first echocardiographic manifestation of valve degeneration in the setting of occult neurohormonal release. Post-operative telotristat ethyl and peptide receptor radionuclide therapy appeared to stabilize PV Vmax. The PV Vmax showed consistent elevation in the entire patient population when compared to baseline, while bioprosthetic TV echocardiographic parameters were relatively unchanged throughout. Post-operative warfarin therapy did not affect the rate of PV degeneration, and no major bleeding was recorded during or after post-operative anticoagulation therapy. Conclusion: Bioprosthetic valve degeneration is common in CnHD. Monitoring with echocardiographic studies every 3 months, focusing on PV velocities, could identify patients with occult disease that very likely promotes valve degeneration. Novel neuroendocrine tumor therapies may have a beneficial impact on valve degeneration.

Interventional Strategies in Cancer-induced Cardiovascular Disease.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To highlight the range of illnesses and procedures that the interventional onco-cardiologists face in their daily practice, along with the recent additions to anti-cancer therapies and their related cardiotoxicity. RECENT FINDINGS: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) are not devoid of cardiotoxicity as thought earlier and lead to an increased incidence of myocarditis. Transcatheter valve replacement has been shown to be a safer alternative to surgical replacement in cancer patients. Interventional onco-cardiology is a novel field that addresses cardiovascular diseases in the setting of cancer. Traditionally excluding cancer patients from clinical trials has led to a dearth of information needed to tackle cardiac conditions like Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, malignant pericardial effusions, and radiation-induced vascular diseases encountered either exclusively or predominantly in this high-risk population. This review discusses the various treatment options available in the interventional armamentarium with a particular focus on ICI-myocarditis and transcatheter aortic valve replacement in cancer patients.

Coronary Stent Healing in Cancer Patients-An Optical Coherence Tomography Perspective.

Objective: This study assessed stent healing patterns and cardiovascular outcomes by optical coherence tomography (OCT) in cancer patients after drug-eluting stent (DES) placement. Background: Cancer treatment, owing to its cytotoxic and antiproliferative effects, could delay stent healing and increase stent thrombosis risk, especially when dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) is discontinued early for oncological treatment. OCT can assess stent endothelialization and other healing parameters, which may provide clinical guidance in these challenging scenarios. Methods: This single-center retrospective study enrolled all cancer patients who underwent OCT for assessment of vascular healing patterns after prior DES placement from November 2009 to November 2018. Primary study endpoints were stent healing parameters, including stent coverage, apposition, degree of expansion, neointimal hyperplasia heterogeneity, in-stent restenosis, stent thrombosis, and overall survival (OS). Results: A total of 67 patients were included in this study. Mean time between DES placement and OCT evaluation was 154 ± 82 days. Stent healing matched published values for DES in non-cancer patients (P ≥ 0.063). At 1 year, the OS was 86% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 78-96%) with 0% incidence of acute coronary syndrome. Advanced cancers and active chemotherapies were associated with inferior OS (P = 0.024, hazard ratio [HR]: 3.50, 95% CI: 1.18-10.42 and P = 0.026, HR: 2.65, 95% CI: 1.13-6.22, respectively), while stent healing parameters were unassociated with OS. Forty-one patients (61%) had DAPT duration ≤6 months. Conclusions: Stent healing of contemporary DES appears similar in cancer and non-cancer patients. Cardiovascular risk of cancer patients after DES placement can be managed to facilitate timely cancer therapies, as the underlying malignancy and active chemotherapy ultimately determine survival.

Prognostic Factors and Overall Survival After Pericardiocentesis in Patients With Cancer and Thrombocytopenia.

Background: Pericardiocentesis is an important diagnostic and therapeutic tool for cancer-associated pericardial effusion. Limited safety and outcomes data exists regarding the management of malignancy-related pericardial effusion in patients with thrombocytopenia. Objectives: Our study aimed to analyze prognostic factors and overall survival (OS) after pericardiocentesis in thrombocytopenic cancer patients. Methods and Results: A retrospective review of 136 thrombocytopenic cancer patients who underwent primary percutaneous pericardiocentesis was performed. Degree of thrombocytopenia was classified by platelet count recorded on day of pericardiocentesis: 75-149 × 103 cells/µL (41%); 50-74 × 103 cells/µL (10%); 25-49 × 103 cells/µL (24%); <25 × 103 cells/µL (25%). Median OS was 2.6 months and median follow-up was 37.4 months. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed significant OS differences among thrombocytopenia severity groups (p = 0.023), and worse OS with platelets <100 vs. ≥100 × 103 cells/µL (p = 0.031). By univariate analysis, thrombocytopenia severity was associated with increased risk of death (HR 0.993; 95% CI 0.989-0.997; p = 0.002). Poor prognostic factors for OS were advanced cancer, malignant effusion, elevated international normalized ratio (INR), quantity of platelet transfusions, and platelet transfusion resistance. However, thrombocytopenia severity became insignificant for OS (p = 0.802), after adjusting for advanced cancer and INR. Conclusions: For patients with malignancy-related large pericardial effusion and thrombocytopenia, pericardiocentesis is a feasible intervention and should be considered due to low complication rates. There is no absolute contraindication to pericardiocentesis in case of hemodynamic instability, even with severe thrombocytopenia.

The role of cardio-protective agents in cardio-preservation in breast cancer patients receiving Anthracyclines ± Trastuzumab: a Meta-analysis of clinical studies.

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer patients often receive cardiotoxic drugs such as anthracyclines (ANT) and Trastuzumab. Numerous trials have tested angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEi), angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB), and beta-blockers (BB) as monotherapy or in combination to reprogram cardiac function dynamics in these patients, but no clear conclusions have been reached thus far, due to evident heterogeneity in the design of clinical studies. METHODS: This PRISMA-guided systematic review and meta-analysis assessed a pooled effect estimate of the potential benefit/harm of ACEi/ARB/BB in breast cancer patients treated with ANT ±â€¯Trastuzumab. The protocol was registered on the PROSPERO database. Electronic databases (PubMed, Cochrane Central, Scopus, Web of Science) were searched from inception until February 2019. RESULTS: Twenty-two prospective studies comprising of 2,302 participants were included in the meta-analysis. The 16 studies testing the protective effects of ACEi/ARB/BB after immediate completion of chemotherapy showed a significant lower difference in the mean change of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) in patiens receiving cardio-protective drugs as compared to controls, with a standardized mean difference [SMD = -2.36 (95% CI: -3.23 to -1.49), p < 0.00001] favoring the protective role of these drugs. LVEF was evaluated after 6 months after completion of chemotherapy in 3 studies, where ACEi/ARB/BB persistently showed cardio-protective effects as compared to controls [SMD = -6.54 (95% CI: -10.74 to -2.34), p = 0.002]. After 1 year from completion of chemotherapy, ACEi/ARB/BB preserved beneficial effects on LVEF vs control [SMD = -5.37 (95% CI: -9.31 to -1.43), p = 0.008]. The effect of ACEi/ARB/BB on end-systolic volume (ESV) and end-diastolic volume (EDV) were evaluated immediately after chemotherapy completion and after 1 year. No significant protective effect was apparent. On the other hand, end-diastolic diameter (EDD) was significantly spared in the ACEi/ARB/BB group vs control after chemotherapy completion [SMD = -1.11 (95% CI: -1.88 to -0.35), p = 0.004]. Heart failure as a clinical endpoint was assessed in 11 trials. The incidence of heart failure was significantly lower in the ACEi/ARB/BB group as compared to control [Odds ratio = 0.12 (95% CI: 0.03 to 0.45), p = 0.002]. CONCLUSION: ACEi/ARB/BB may act as cardioprotective agents in breast cancer patients who undergo ANT ±â€¯Trastuzumab. More studies are required to better assess the magnitude of the cardiotoxicity hazards of ANT ±â€¯Trastuzumab, with more precise assessment of the effect of ACEi/ARB/BB on cardio-protection.

Acute coronary syndromes in cancer patients.

: Cardiovascular disease and cancer are responsible for the majority of deaths in the Western world. These two entities share common risk factors and their intersection will be more and more frequent in future due to general population aging and long-term cancer control. Clinical presentation, management and outcome of acute coronary syndromes (ACS) in cancer patients could differ from noncancer ones. Cancer patients were frequently excluded from clinical trials and so the paucity of data further complicates the scenario. The management of ACS in cancer patients represents a unique setting in which the risk/benefit ratio of invasive treatment should be carefully evaluated. This review focused on the available evidence of all aspects of ACS in cancer patients providing a guide to a multidisciplinary approach.

Immunomodulatory treatment of immune checkpoint inhibitor-induced myocarditis: Pathway toward precision-based therapy.

Immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI)-induced myocarditis carries a poor prognosis and is not fully understood. Similar to lymphocytic myocarditis and acute cellular rejection in heart transplant, ICI-induced myocarditis requires immune suppressive strategies. We aimed to describe ICI-induced myocarditis by presenting findings of comprehensive cardiovascular evaluations and outcomes of patients following a therapeutic approach similar to autoimmune disorders or allograft transplant rejection, and to discuss the molecular basis of the benefits of immune modulation and statins in ICI-myocarditis. Three patients with ICI-induced myocarditis (2 with positive biopsies and 1 based on cardiac magnetic resonance imaging with negative biopsy) underwent a complete cardiovascular workup, including cardiac catheterization with endomyocardial biopsy. Treatment was with intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIG) and statins in all cases, with additional colchicine (2 cases) or hydroxychloroquine (1 case). Immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated varied subsets of T cells involved in the inflammatory response. Therapy with IVIG and statins led to symptom resolution and cardiac function normalization at 1-month follow-up in all patients. Cancer therapy was resumed in all patients. One patient expired 10 months after the myocarditis episode due to advanced malignancy; two patients were alive, free of heart failure symptoms and cancer progression, at 1-year follow-up, and 1 patient was rechallenged with ICI. We suggest that treatment with IVIG and statins may allow for a prompt resumption of anti-cancer therapy (including ICI) and improve outcomes.

Management strategies and clinical outcomes of acute myocardial infarction in leukaemia patients: Nationwide insights from United States hospitalisations.

BACKGROUND: Patients with leukaemia are at increased risk of cardiovascular events. There are limited outcomes data for patients with a history of leukaemia who present with an acute myocardial infarction (AMI). METHODS: We queried the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (2004-2014) for patients with a primary discharge diagnosis of AMI, and a concomitant diagnosis of leukaemia, and further stratified according to the subtype of leukaemia. Multivariable logistic regression was conducted to identify the association between leukaemia and major acute cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE; composite of mortality, stroke and cardiac complications) and bleeding. RESULTS: Out of 6 750 878 AMI admissions, a total of 21 694 patients had a leukaemia diagnosis. The leukaemia group experienced higher rates of MACCE (11.8% vs 7.8%), mortality (10.3% vs 5.8%) and bleeding (5.6% vs 5.3%). Following adjustments, leukaemia was independently associated with increased odds of MACCE (OR 1.26 [1.20, 1.31]) and mortality (OR 1.43 [1.37, 1.50]) without an increased risk of bleeding (OR 0.86 [0.81, 0.92]). Acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) was associated with approximately threefold risk of MACCE (OR 2.81 [2.51, 3.13]) and a fourfold risk of mortality (OR 3.75 [3.34, 4.22]). Patients with leukaemia were less likely to undergo coronary angiography (CA) (48.5% vs 64.5%) and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) (28.2% vs 42.9%) compared with those without leukaemia. CONCLUSION: Patients with leukaemia, especially those with AML, are associated with poor clinical outcomes after AMI, and are less likely to receive CA and PCI compared with those without leukaemia. A multi-disciplinary approach between cardiologists and haematology oncologists may improve the outcomes of patients with leukaemia after AMI.

Percutaneous coronary intervention and in-hospital outcomes in patients with leukemia: a nationwide analysis.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the association between current leukemia diagnosis and in-hospital clinical outcomes in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in the United States. BACKGROUND: Leukemia is the most common hematological malignancy and is associated with an increased risk of thrombotic and bleeding complications in patients undergoing PCI. There are limited data around clinical outcomes of leukemia patients undergoing PCI. METHODS: We used the National Inpatient Sample to investigate the outcomes of leukemia patients undergoing PCI between 2004 and 2014. Patients were then subdivided into diagnoses of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) or chronic myeloid leukemia and acute lymphoid leukemia or chronic lymphoid leukemia (CLL). Multiple logistic regressions were used to study the association of a leukemia diagnosis with in-hospital outcomes: mortality, bleeding, vascular and cardiac complications, and stroke. RESULTS: There were 6,561,445 records of patients who underwent PCI during the study time, of which 15,789 patients had a diagnosis of leukemia. The most common leukemia subtype was CLL accounting for 75% of the cohort (n = 10,800). After multivariable adjustment, a leukemia diagnosis was associated with significantly increased odds of in-hospital mortality (odds ratio [OR]: 1.41; 95% confidence interval [CI]: [1.11-1.79]) and bleeding (OR: 1.87; 95% CI: [1.56-2.09]), whereas patients with AML had a fivefold increase of in-hospital mortality (OR: 5.38; 95% CI: [2.94-9.76]). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with current diagnosis of leukemia are at increased risk of procedure-related complications following PCI. A multidisciplinary approach is needed among interventional cardiologists, oncologists, and hematologists to minimize procedural complications and improve outcomes in this high-risk cohort.

Coronary Artery Dose-Volume Parameters Predict Risk of Calcification After Radiation Therapy.

BACKGROUND: Radiation exposure increases the risk of coronary artery disease (CAD). We explored the association of CAD with coronary artery dose-volume parameters in patients treated with 3D-planned radiation therapy (RT). METHODS: Patients who received thoracic RT and were evaluated by cardiac computed tomography ≥ 1 year later were included. Demographic data and cardiac risk factors were retrospectively collected. Dosimetric data (mean heart dose, dmax, dmean, V50 - V5) were collected for the whole heart and for each coronary artery. A coronary artery calcium (CAC) Agatston score was calculated on a per-coronary basis and as a total score. Multivariable generalized linear mixed models were generated. The predicted probabilities were used for receiver operating characteristic analyses. RESULTS: Twenty patients with a median age of 53 years at the time of RT were included. Nine patients (45%) had ≥ 3/6 conventional cardiac risk factors. Patients received RT for breast cancer (10, 50%), lung cancer (6, 30%), or lymphoma/myeloma (4, 20%) with a median dose of 60 Gy. CAC scans were performed a median of 32 months after RT. CAC score was significantly associated with radiation dose and presence of diabetes. In a multivariable model adjusted for diabetes, segmental coronary artery dosimetric parameters (dmax, dmean, V50, V40 V30, V20, V10, and V5) were significantly associated with CAC score > 0. V50 had the highest area under the ROC curve (0.89, 95% confidence interval, 0.80-0.97). CONCLUSIONS: Coronary artery radiation exposure is strongly correlated with subsequent segmental CAC score. Coronary calcification may occur soon after RT and in individuals with conventional cardiac risk factors.

Multimodality imaging in carcinoid heart disease.

Neuroendocrine neoplasms arise from the gastrointestinal tract and can lead to carcinoid syndrome. Carcinoid heart disease affects more than half of these patients and is the initial presentation of carcinoid syndrome in up to 20 % of patients. Carcinoid heart disease typically leads to valve dysfunction, but in rare instances, carcinoid tumours can also metastasise to the endocardium and myocardium. Cardiovascular imaging plays an integral role in the diagnosis and prognosis of carcinoid heart disease. The use of multimodality imaging techniques including echocardiography, cardiac MRI, cardiovascular CT and positron emission tomography have allowed for a more comprehensive assessment of carcinoid heart disease. In this review, we discuss the features of carcinoid heart disease observed on multimodality imaging, indications for obtaining imaging studies and their role in carcinoid heart disease management.

Applications of Cardiac Computed Tomography in the Cardio-Oncology Population.

OPINION STATEMENT: The increased risk for cardiovascular events in aging cancer survivors and those undergoing certain chemotherapeutic treatments has raised concern for more rigorous screening and surveillance methods above that of the general population. At this time, there are limited guidelines for how to best manage this vulnerable cohort. Questions regarding timing of screening, choice of imaging modality and risk reduction strategies-especially in those patients with known atherosclerotic disease-remain to be elucidated. Over a decade of case series, retrospective studies and clinical trials have shed light on the evolving role of cardiac computed tomography (CT) in this population, of which there is a relative paucity of data regarding its potential utility in the specific cardio-oncology population. Focusing on ability of cardiac CT to evaluate multiple cardiac and vascular structures, provide diagnostic and prognostic information, as well as assist interventional and surgical colleagues in surgical/percutaneous valve replacement and revascularization strategies is the premise for this review.

Percutaneous coronary intervention in cancer patients: a report of the prevalence and outcomes in the United States.

AIMS: This study aims to examine the temporal trends and outcomes in patients who undergo percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with a previous or current diagnosis of cancer, according to cancer type and the presence of metastases. METHODS AND RESULTS: Individuals undergoing PCI between 2004 and 2014 in the Nationwide Inpatient Sample were included in the study. Multivariable analyses were used to determine the association between cancer diagnosis and in-hospital mortality and complications. 6 571 034 PCI procedures were included and current and previous cancer rates were 1.8% and 5.8%, respectively. Both rates increased over time and the four most common cancers were prostate, breast, colon, and lung cancer. Patients with a current lung cancer had greater in-hospital mortality (odds ratio (OR) 2.81, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 2.37-3.34) and any in-hospital complication (OR 1.21, 95% CI 1.10-1.36), while current colon cancer was associated with any complication (OR 2.17, 95% CI 1.90-2.48) and bleeding (OR 3.65, 95% CI 3.07-4.35) but not mortality (OR 1.39, 95% CI 0.99-1.95). A current diagnosis of breast was not significantly associated with either in-hospital mortality or any of the complications studied and prostate cancer was only associated with increased risk of bleeding (OR 1.41, 95% CI 1.20-1.65). A historical diagnosis of lung cancer was independently associated with an increased OR of in-hospital mortality (OR 1.65, 95% CI 1.32-2.05). CONCLUSIONS: Cancer among patients receiving PCI is common and the prognostic impact of cancer is specific both for the type of cancer, presence of metastases and whether the diagnosis is historical or current. Treatment of patients with a cancer diagnosis should be individualized and involve a close collaboration between cardiologists and oncologists.