The BALTO Registry: Long-term results of percutaneous BALloon pericardioTomy in oncological patients.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to analyze the efficacy and safety of percutaneous balloon pericardiotomy (PBP) in oncological patients who present with a malignant pericardial effusion (MPE). BACKGROUND: The use of PBP as a treatment for MPE is not standardized due to the limited evidence. Furthermore, the performance of a second PBP for a recurrence after a first procedure is controversial. METHODS: The BALTO Registry (BALloon pericardioTomy in Oncological patients) is a prospective, single-center, observational registry that includes consecutive PBP performed for MPE from October 2007 to February 2022. Clinical and procedural, characteristics, as well as clinical outcome were analyzed. RESULTS: Seventy-six PBP were performed in 61 patients (65% female). Mean age was of 66.4 ± 11.2 years. In 15 cases, a second PBP procedure was performed due to recurrence despite the first PBP. The procedure could be performed effectively in all cases with only two serious complications. Ninety-five percent of cases were discharged alive from the hospital. During a median follow-up of 6.3 months (interquartile range [IQR], 0.9-10.8), MPE recurred in 24.5% cases although no recurrences were reported after the second procedure. No evidence of malignant pleural effusion developed on follow-up. The median overall survival time was 5.8 months (IQR, 0.8-10.2) and the time to recurrence after the first PBP was 2.4 months (IQR, 0.7-4.5). CONCLUSIONS: PBP is a safe and effective treatment for MPE. It could be considered an acceptable therapy in most MPE, even in those who recur after a first procedure.

Procedural and clinical impact of intravascular lithotripsy for the treatment of peri-stent calcification.

BACKGROUND: Use of intravascular lithotripsy (IVL) for treating peri-stent calcification is increasing. However, this indication remains 'off-label'. We aimed to investigate the efficacy and clinical outcomes of in-stent IVL. METHODS: Patients from five European centers who underwent in-stent IVL were included between 2019 and 2023. Demographic, clinical, procedural and follow-up data were collected from electronic hospital records. Angiographic and intracoronary imaging (ICI) data were analyzed in a centralized core-laboratory. RESULTS: Of 101 patients (71.2 ± 9.2 years), 56(55 %) received in-stent IVL for late stent failure (median 109 days post-PCI) due to calcific neoatherosclerosis or extra-stent calcification(late-IVL), while 45(45 %) underwent bail-out IVL due to stent infraexpasion (immediate-IVL). Both late-IVL and immediate-IVL significantly improved angiographic %diameter stenosis (73.7[59.6-89.8]% to 16.4 [10.4-26.9]%;p < 0.0001 and 28.6[22.5-43.3]% to 14.1[10.3-29.4]%;p < 0.0001, and minimum lumen area (MLA) (3.4 ± 1.2 to 8.6 ± 2.5 mm2;p < 0.002 and 5.4 ± 1.9 to 7.3 ± 1.9;p < 0.0001).Device(98 %) and procedural success(80 %) were high. MACE rates in-hospital (2 %), 30-days (3 %),6-months(5 %) and 1-year(7 %) were low and comparable in both groups. Acute diameter gain was lower in immediate-IVL (2.1 ± 0.7 mm vs. 0.5 ± 0.4 mm;p < 0.0001). This, however, was explained by significant differences in pre-IVL angiographic and ICI parameters (%diameter stenosis 73.7[59.6-89.8] vs. 28.6[22.5-43.3]%; p < 0.0001 and MLA (3.4 ± 1.2 vs 5.4 ± 1.9 mm2; p < 0.0001), whereas post-IVL percentage diameter stenosis (16.4(10.4-26.9) vs. 14.1(10.3-29.4);p = 0.914) and MLA (8.6 ± 2.5vs. 7.4 ± 1.9 mm2;p = 0.064) in late- and immediate-IVL were comparable. CONCLUSIONS: IVL in-stent due to peri-stent calcification is an effective strategy, both late and immediately after stent implantation. Overall, MACE rates at short- and mid-term were low and comparable in both groups, although clinical findings should be taken with caution.

Pseudo-aortic dissection after sudden cardiac death in coronary angiography a case report: Pearls and pitfalls in false aortic dissection artifacts.

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: Various artifacts mimicked aortic dissection, such as streak artifacts generated by high-attenuation material, high-contrast interfaces, cardiac motion, periaortic structures, aortic wall motion, and normal aortic sinuses, have been described in the literature. Most artifacts that simulate ascending aortic dissection occur frequently on conventional CT. Their position is predictable and is related to systolic aortic motion. However, so far, to the best of our knowledge, this is the first pseudo-aortic dissection reported during coronary angiography in cardiac arrest. CASE PRESENTATION: We report a case of a middle-aged man transferred to our hospital after an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. The coronary angiography revealed non-obstructive coronary arteries and an image of probable aortic dissection was observed. Given the persistent asystole despite a prolonged advance cardiopulmonary resuscitation and the possibility of aortic dissection, a prompt in-room heart team discussion was performed. It was decided to stop and withdraw potentially life-sustaining treatment due to futility. The necropsy study revealed the aorta with some mild atherosclerotic plaques but without either aneurysm or thrombosis. The coronary arteries were reported as with patency, but in the proximal left anterior descending artery (LAD), the intima layer presented a thickness that decreased 50 % of the luminal area without signs of complicated acute plaques. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: In this case, the systolic aortic motion theory cannot explain the false-aortic dissection image in the coronary angiography because the patient was under cardiac arrest. Studies with arterial and venous pressures devices recording in cardiac arrest, demonstrated an abnormal hemodynamic flow, suggesting that the hemodynamic flow might be backward during cardiopulmonary resuscitation Therefore, in the setting of this abnormal hemodynamic flow, the injection of contrast may have an abnormal distribution and flow in the aorta creating an image of pseudo-aortic dissection. CONCLUSION: Although the exact mechanism of this false-positive aortic dissection in cardiac arrest remains unknown, operators should be aware of this entity during coronary angiography in the setting of cardiac arrest with mechanical chest compressions to avoid diagnostic errors in clinical practice.

Calcium Signaling Pathway Is Involved in the Shedding of ACE2 Catalytic Ectodomain: New Insights for Clinical and Therapeutic Applications of ACE2 for COVID-19.

The angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is a type I integral membrane that exists in two forms: the first is a transmembrane protein; the second is a soluble catalytic ectodomain of ACE2. The catalytic ectodomain of ACE2 undergoes shedding by a disintegrin and metalloproteinase domain-containing protein 17 (ADAM17), in which calmodulin mediates the calcium signaling pathway that is involved in ACE2 release, resulting in a soluble catalytic ectodomain of ACE2 that can be measured as soluble ACE2 plasma activity. The shedding of the ACE2 catalytic ectodomain plays a role in cardiac remodeling and endothelial dysfunction and is a predictor of all-cause mortality, including cardiovascular mortality. Moreover, considerable evidence supports that the ACE2 catalytic ectodomain is an essential entry receptor for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. Additionally, endotoxins and the pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-1ß and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα) all enhanced soluble catalytic ectodomain ACE2 shedding from the airway epithelia, suggesting that the shedding of ACE2 may represent a mechanism by which viral entry and infection may be controlled such as some types of betacoronavirus. In this regard, ACE2 plays an important role in inflammation and thrombotic response, and its down-regulation may aggravate COVID-19 via the renin-angiotensin system, including by promoting pathological changes in lung injury. Soluble forms of ACE2 have recently been shown to inhibit SARS-CoV-2 infection. Furthermore, given that vitamin D enhanced the shedding of ACE2, some studies reported that vitamin D treatment is associated with prognosis improvement in COVID-19. This is an updated review on the evidence, clinical, and therapeutic applications of ACE2 for COVID-19.

Taquicardia ventricular polimórfica y miocardio no compactado, ¿una nueva variante genética? / Polymorphic ventricular tachycardia and non-compacted myocardium: A new genetic variant?

Resumen La taquicardia ventricular polimórfica catecolaminérgica es una enfermedad caracterizada por arritmias ventriculares desencadenadas por estrés o actividad física. Existen casos descritos de taquicardia ventricular polimórfica catecolaminérgica asociada a ventrículo izquierdo no compactado, en relación con mutaciones del gen RYR2 localizadas en el exón 3. Se expone el caso clínico de una paciente joven que debutó con clínica de síncopes recurrentes asociados a estrés físico o emocional. En el estudio posterior se descubrió taquicardia ventricular polimórfica catecolaminérgica, con áreas de miocardio no compactado y una nueva variante genética posiblemente asociada a la enfermedad.

Abstract Catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia is disease characterised by ventricular arrhythmias triggered by stress or physical activity. There are some cases of catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia described that are associated with non-compacted left ventricle in relation to mutations of the RYR2 gene located in exon 3. A case is presented of a young patient in whom the clinical signs started with recurrent syncope associated with physical or emotional stress. In the subsequent study, catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia was discovered, with areas of non-compacted myocardium and new genetic variant possibly associated with the disease.

Biomarcadores inflamatorios y extensión de aterosclerosis coronaria en pacientes con síndrome coronario agudo: Estudio observacional prospectivo en un hospital general universitario / Circulating markers of inflammation and severity of coronary atherosclerosis in acute coronary syndrome: Prospective observational study in a general university hospital

Resumen Objetivo: Encontrar una relación entre los niveles de proteína C reactiva (PCR) y fibrinógeno, y la extensión de la aterosclerosis en el síndrome coronario agudo. Métodos: Estudio observacional prospectivo, en el que se incluyeron 873 pacientes con síndrome coronario atendidos en un hospital entre 2016 y 2018. Se analizaron niveles de PCR y fibrinógeno, marcadores metabólicos y extensión de la aterosclerosis coronaria. Resultados: No se halló correlación positiva entre los niveles de PCR y fibrinógeno y los marcadores metabólicos, así como tampoco con enfermedad de uno, dos y tres vasos (p 0,829; p 0,810). Conclusiones: Los niveles sanguíneos de PCR y fibrinógeno se relacionan con la tasa de eventos cardiovasculares, pero no se ha podido demostrar que exista relación entre estos y la severidad de la aterosclerosis coronaria.

Abstract Objective: To determine whether there is a relationship between C - reactive protein and fibrinogen levels and the extent of atherosclerosis in acute coronary syndrome. Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted that include 873 patients with coronary syndrome treated in a hospital between the years 2016 and 2018. An analysis was made that included C - reactive protein and fibrinogen levels, metabolic markers, extent of coronary atherosclerosis. Results: No positive correlation was found between the C - reactive protein and fibrinogen levels and the metabolic markers, nor with one, two, or three vessel disease (P=.829; P=.810). Conclusions: Although blood C-Reactive Protein and fibrinogen levels are associated with the rate of cardiovascular events, this study was unable to demonstrate whether there is a relationship between these and the severity of the coronary atherosclerosis.

Infarto de miocardio tras la administración de adrenalina intragingival ¿Una nueva causa de infarto agudo de miocardio sin enfermedad coronaria aterosclerótica obstructiva? / Myocardial infarction after intra-gingival administration of adrenaline. A new cause of myocardial infarction without obstructive coronary atherosclerosis?

Resumen Es frecuente la relación entre la adrenalina administrada por vía intramuscular y el desarrollo de cardiopatía isquémica. La adrenalina potencia las hemostasias primaria y secundaria -puede producir trombosis intracoronaria- y causa vasoconstricción transitoria arteriolar. Se presenta un caso clínico de una paciente que acudió a urgencias por dolor torácico pocas horas después de una intervención dentaria. En el estudio posterior se descubrió un infarto de miocardio por trombosis intracoronaria de la descendente anterior distal.

Abstract There is a relationship between adrenaline administered intramuscularly and the development of ischaemic heart disease. Adrenaline promotes primary and secondary haemostasis, which can produce a coronary thrombosis and cause a transient arteriolar vasoconstriction. A case is presented of a patient who was seen in the Emergency Department with chest pain a few hours after dental treatment. In the subsequent work-up, it was discovered that she had a myocardial infarction due to a coronary thrombosis of the left anterior distal artery.

Coronary Artery Tenting After Bypass Grafting: A Key Issue During Percutaneous Coronary Intervention of a Chronic Total Occlusion.

This image series shows how bypass grafts may tent the vessel to which they are anastomosed, potentially changing the expected course of the native coronary vessel. This fact must be taken into account during CTO-PCI, and this case emphasizes the importance of careful analysis of coronary anatomy with several angiographic projections.

Efficacy and Safety of Loading Doses With P2Y12-Receptor Antagonists in Patients Without Dual Antiplatelet Therapy Undergoing Elective Coronary Intervention.

BACKGROUND: European Guidelines on Myocardial Revascularization recommend clopidogrel loading dose added to acetylsalicylic acid in elective percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs). However, there is few evidence supporting this recommendation and other P2Y12 inhibitors have not been tested in these patients. PURPOSE: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of different loading doses of clopidogrel and ticagrelor in patients without double antiplatelet therapy and stable coronary artery disease (SCAD) undergoing elective PCI. METHODS: Retrospective study of 147 consecutive patients with SCAD undergoing elective PCI. Loading P2Y12 inhibitor doses evaluated were: clopidogrel 600 mg, clopidogrel 300 mg, clopidogrel 150 mg, and ticagrelor 180 mg. We analyzed the occurrence of major adverse cardiovascular events and periprocedural myocardial infarction. RESULTS: One hundred twenty-five patients were treated with clopidogrel (16 with clopidogrel 150 mg, 7 with clopidogrel 300 mg, and 93 with clopidogrel 600 mg) and 21 with ticagrelor 180 mg at the catheterization laboratory. The ticagrelor group had a significantly lower postprocedural peak of troponin-I (0.7 ± 3.4 vs. 0.3 ± 0.7 ng/mL; P = 0.02). There were no differences between groups in terms of major bleeding and hemoglobin drop after PCI (0.6 ± 0.8 vs. 4 ± 0.6; P = 0.8). The median of follow-up was 17 months (interquartile range 9-32.7). At the end of follow-up, major adverse cardiovascular event rate was not different between groups. CONCLUSIONS: In patients without dual antiplatelet therapy undergoing elective PCI, the use of ticagrelor showed lower postprocedural myocardial injury without more bleeding complications.

No sólo a la cocaína teme el miocardio / Cocaine not only fears the myocardium

Resumen Los eventos cardiovasculares asociados al consumo de heroína son infrecuentes y se relacionan con la vía intravenosa. Se presenta un caso de un varón de 39 años, consumidor de heroína inhalada, que sufrió un infarto de miocardio evolucionado. El cateterismo coronario reflejó una oclusión subaguda de la arteria descendente anterior, que requirió implante de un stent farmacoactivo. Algunos estudios observacionales retrospectivos sugieren que el consumo de opiáceos por vía oral o inhalada incrementa el riesgo de enfermedad coronaria e infarto, de ahí la importancia de la prevención cardiovascular en este grupo de pacientes.

Abstract The cardiovascular events associated with heroin use are uncommon, and related to intravenous use. A case of a 39-year-old male is presented, a consumer of inhaled heroin, who suffered an evolving myocardial infarction. The coronary catheterisation showed a sub-acute occlusion of the anterior descending artery, which required a drug-eluting stent. Some retrospective observational studies suggest the consumption of opiates by the oral or inhaled route increases the risk of coronary disease and infarction, as well as the importance of cardiovascular prevention in this patient group.

Structural and functional alterations of the heart in Parkinson's disease.

Parkinson's disease (PD) patients have most frequently heart failure. The cause of this increased prevalence is not known. We designed a study to assess the cardiac function and cardiac structure in patients with PD compared to a control group. METHODS: Cross-sectional study with 50 PD patients and 50 healthy matched controls. We performed electro and echocardiograms to all patients and controls. The measurements were blind. In addition, we performed a neurological assessment. RESULTS: PD patients had higher left ventricular mass index (114.2 ± 38.4 vs. 94.1 ± 26.4 g/m2; P = 0.003) and higher left atrial volume (30.1 ± 7.9 vs. 26.7 ± 6.2 ml/m2; P = 0.01). PD was an independent risk factor for elevated left ventricular filling pressures (OR = 2.7, CI 95% 2.2-6.3; P = 0.004). Concentric remodeling and left ventricular hypertrophy were associated with more advanced Hoehn and Yahr stages. Moreover, patients with more dysautonomia symptoms showed more left ventricular hypertrophy. Finally, PD group had longer QT interval than control group regardless of the drugs. CONCLUSIONS: PD is significantly associated with increased concentric left ventricular hypertrophy and diastolic dysfunction. Advanced stages of PD are associated with a more severe cardiac affection. These findings can explain the increase of heart failure in PD patients. Cardiomyopathy could be a non-motor parkinsonian symptom.

Hybrid Approach for the Treatment of Superior Vena Cava Syndrome Induced by Pacemaker.

Pacemaker-induced superior vena cava syndrome (SVCS) is a rare but incapacitating adverse event that can occur years after implantation. Inasmuch as it is a rare disease, there is no consensus about its treatment. The most widely used option is balloon angioplasty and venous stent implantation, with preservation of the lead or previous extraction and subsequent reimplantation after the procedure, which is associated with new episodes of thrombosis. The epicardial implantation reduces the risk of thrombosis. We report a case of pacemaker-induced SVCS for which we used a hybrid approach for epicardial lead implantation and electrode extraction, balloon angioplasty, and stent implantation.

Single coronary artery presenting as acute myocardial infarction.

A single coronary artery is one of the most rarely seen coronary artery anomalies. In addition, the specific subtype (Lipton RII-A) that our patient presented is one of the least common, and its clinical presentation as myocardial infarction and cardiac arrest has not been described in the literature. The case shows that although it is essential to exclude a malignant interarterial course of the vessel, cardiac arrest is a possible clinical presentation produced by myocardial ischemia in the context of acute myocardial infarction and should be managed according to clinical practice guidelines.

Bioresorbable vascular scaffold to treat malignant in-stent restenosis in a patient with nickel allergy.

Nickel is the most frequent allergen in patients with allergic contact dermatitis and nickel allergy has been associated with recurrent in-stent restenosis. However, it is often misdiagnosed because of a low suspicion threshold. It should be discarded in patients with recurrent in-stent restenosis, especially if their medical history reveals prior contact dermatitis. It is also noteworthy and rarely specified that even newer generation stents that use novel metal alloys also contain low amounts of nickel. To avoid the implantation of new stents containing this metal, when percutaneous coronary intervention is indicated, drug eluting balloons or bioresorbable vascular scaffolds associated with small doses of steroids could provide good alternatives of treatment. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first description of this therapeutic alternative in such an exceedingly rare clinical scenario.

Effectiveness of the implementation of a simple radiation reduction protocol in the catheterization laboratory.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: A reduction in radiation doses at the catheterization laboratory, maintaining the quality of procedures is essential. Our objective was to analyze the results of a simple radiation reduction protocol at a high-volume interventional cardiology unit. METHODS: We analyzed 1160 consecutive procedures: 580 performed before the implementation of the protocol and 580 after it. The protocol consisted in: the reduction of the number of ventriculographies and aortographies, the optimization of the collimation and the geometry of the X ray tube-patient-receptor, the use of low dose-rate fluoroscopy and the reduction of the number of cine sequences using the software "last fluoroscopy hold". RESULTS: There were no significant differences in clinical baseline features or in the procedural characteristics with the exception of a higher percentage of radial approach (30.7% vs 69.6%; p<0.001) and of percutaneous coronary interventions of chronic total occlusions after the implementation of the protocol (2.1% vs 6.7%; p=0,001). Angiographic success was similar during both periods (98.3% vs 99.2%; p=0.2). There were no significant differences between both periods regarding the overall duration of the procedures (26.9 vs 29.6min; p=0.14), or the fluoroscopy time (13.3 vs 13.2min; p=0.8). We observed a reduction in the percentage of procedures with ventriculography (80.9% vs 7.1%; p<0.0001) or aortography (15.4% vs 4.4%; p<0.0001), the cine runs (21.8 vs 6.9; p<0.0001) and the dose-area product (165 vs 71 Gyxcm(2); p<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: With the implementation of a simple radiation reduction protocol, a 57% reduction of dose-area product was observed without a reduction in the quality or the complexity of procedures.