Impact of Red Blood Cell Transfusion on Subsequent Cardiovascular Events in Patients with Acute Heart Failure and Anemia.

Red blood cell (RBC) transfusion therapy is often performed in patients with acute heart failure (AHF) and anemia; however, its impact on subsequent cardiovascular events is unclear. We examined whether RBC transfusion influences major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) after discharge in patients with AHF and anemia.We classified patients with AHF and anemia (nadir hemoglobin level < 10 g/dL) according to whether they received RBC transfusion during hospitalization. The endpoint was MACE (composite of all-cause death, non-fatal acute coronary syndrome/stroke, or heart failure readmission) 180 days after discharge. For survival analysis, we used propensity score matching analysis with the log-rank test. As sensitivity analysis, we performed inverse probability weighting analysis and multivariable Cox regression analysis.Among 448 patients with AHF and anemia (median age, 81 years; male, 55%), 155 received RBC transfusion and 293 did not. The transfused patients had worse clinical features than the non-transfused patients, with lower levels of nadir hemoglobin and serum albumin and a lower estimated glomerular filtration rate. In the propensity-matched cohort of 87 pairs, there was no significant difference in the MACE-free survival rate between the 2 groups (transfused, 73.8% vs. non-transfused, 65.3%; P = 0.317). This result was consistent in the inverse probability weighting analysis (transfused, 76.0% vs. non-transfused, 68.7%; P = 0.512), and RBC transfusion was not significantly associated with post-discharge MACE in the multivariable Cox regression analysis (adjusted hazard ratio: 1.468, 95% confidence interval: 0.976-2.207; P = 0.065).In conclusion, this study suggests that RBC transfusions for anemia may not improve clinical outcomes in patients with AHF.

Comparison of Percutaneous Coronary Intervention Procedures and Outcomes for Recent and Acute ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction.

Although the primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is an established treatment for acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), relevant guidelines do not recommend it for recent-STEMI cases with a totally occluded infarcted related artery (IRA). However, PCI is allowed in Japan for recent-STEMI cases, but little is known regarding its outcomes. We aimed to examine the details and outcomes of PCI procedures in recent-STEMI cases with a totally occluded IRA and compared the findings with those in acute-STEMI cases.Among the 903 consecutive patients admitted with acute coronary syndrome, 250 were treated with PCI for type I STEMI with a totally occluded IRA. According to the time between symptom onset and diagnosis, patients were divided into the recent-STEMI (n = 32) and acute-STEMI (n = 218) groups. The background, procedure details, and short-term outcomes were analyzed. No significant differences between the groups were noted regarding patient demographics, acute myocardial infarction severity, or IRA distribution. Although the stent number and type were similar, significant differences were observed among PCI procedures, including the number of guidewires used, rate of microcatheter or double-lumen catheter use, and application rate of thrombus aspiration. The thrombolysis rate in the myocardial infarction flow 3-grade post-PCI did not differ significantly between the groups. Both groups had a low frequency of procedure-related complications. The in-hospital mortality rates were 0% and 4.6% in the recent-STEMI and acute-STEMI groups, respectively (P > 0.05).Although recent-STEMI cases required complicated PCI techniques, their safety, success rate, and in-hospital mortality were comparable to those of acute-STEMI cases.

Effect of Empagliflozin Versus Placebo on Body Fluid Balance in Patients With Acute Myocardial Infarction and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: Subgroup Analysis of the EMBODY Trial.

BACKGROUND: The development of heart failure is associated with fluid balance, including that of extracellular water (ECW) and intracellular water (ICW). This study determined whether sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors affect fluid balance and improve heart failure in patients after acute myocardial infarction. METHODS AND RESULTS: EMBODY was a prospective, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial of Japanese patients with acute myocardial infarction and type 2 diabetes. Overall, 55 patients who underwent bioelectrical impedance analysis were randomized to receive once daily 10 mg empagliflozin or placebo 2 weeks after acute myocardial infarction onset. We investigated the time course of body fluid balance measured using the bioelectrical impedance analysis device, InBody. The primary end points were changes in body fluid balance from weeks 0 to 24. Changes between baseline and week 24 in the empagliflozin and placebo groups were -0.21 L (P = .127) and +0.40 L (P = .001) in ECW (P = .001) and -0.23 L (P = .264) and +0.74 L (P < .001) in ICW (P < .001), respectively. In a stratified analysis, the rise in ECW and ICW was significantly attenuated in the empagliflozin group in contrast to the placebo group in participants with a body mass index of 25 or higher but not in those with a body mass index of less than 25. CONCLUSIONS: Early sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor administration may attenuate changes in ECW and ICW.

Clinical features and long-term prognosis of patients with congestive heart failure taking tolvaptan: a comparison of patients with preserved and reduced left ventricular ejection fraction.

Few studies have investigated the clinical benefit of the long-term use of tolvaptan (TLV) for heart failure (HF). This study evaluated the long-term prognosis of patients administered TLV for > 1 year among patients who had HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) and those who had HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). Overall, 591 consecutive patients were admitted to our hospital and administered TLV for HF between 2011 and 2018. We retrospectively enrolled 147 patients who were administered TLV for > 1 year. We divided them into the HFpEF group (n = 77, 52.4%) and the HFrEF group (n = 70; 47.6%). Their clinical backgrounds and long-term prognosis were examined. Compared with the patients in the HFrEF group, the patients in the HFpEF group were significantly older and included more women. Moreover, the HFpEF group showed significantly lower all-cause mortality (38.6% vs. 24.7%; log-rank, P = 0.014) and cardiovascular mortality during the average 2.7-year follow-up. Univariate analysis revealed that all-cause mortality was correlated with male sex, HFpEF, and changes in serum creatinine levels from baseline. Multivariate analysis revealed that HFpEF was an independent influencing factor for all-cause mortality (hazard ratio, 0.44; 95% confidence interval, 0.23-0.86; P = 0.017). Long-term administration of TLV may be more beneficial for HFpEF than for HFrEF.

Relationship Between Procedural Right Bundle Branch Block and 1-Year Outcome After Alcohol Septal Ablation for Hypertrophic Obstructive Cardiomyopathy　- A Retrospective Study.

BACKGROUND: Alcohol septal ablation (ASA) is a treatment option in patients with drug-refractory symptomatic hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM). In many patients, right bundle branch block (RBBB) develops during ASA because septal branches supply the right bundle branch. However, the clinical significance of procedural RBBB is uncertain.Methods and Results:We retrospectively reviewed 184 consecutive patients with HOCM who underwent ASA. We excluded 40 patients with pre-existing RBBB (n=10), prior pacemaker implantation (n=15), mid-ventricular obstruction type (n=10), and those lost to follow-up (n=5), leaving 144 patients for analysis. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to the development (n=95) or not (n=49) of procedural RBBB. ASA conferred significant decreases in the left ventricular pressure gradient (LVPG) in both the RBBB and no-RBBB group (from 74±48 to 27±27 mmHg [P<0.001] and from 75±45 to 31±33 mmHg [P<0.001], respectively). None of the RBBB patients developed further conduction system disturbances. The percentage reduction in LVPG at 1 year after the procedure was significantly greater in the RBBB than no-RBBB group (66±24% vs. 49±45%; P=0.035). Procedural RBBB was not associated with pacemaker implantation after ASA, but was associated with reduction in repeat ASA (odds ratio 0.34; 95% confidence interval 0.13-0.92; P=0.045). CONCLUSIONS: Although RBBB frequently occurs during the ASA procedure, it does not adversely affect clinical outcomes.

Effects of empagliflozin versus placebo on cardiac sympathetic activity in acute myocardial infarction patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: the EMBODY trial.

BACKGROUND: Protection from lethal ventricular arrhythmias leading to sudden cardiac death (SCD) is a crucial challenge after acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Cardiac sympathetic and parasympathetic activity can be noninvasively assessed using heart rate variability (HRV) and heart rate turbulence (HRT). The EMBODY trial was designed to determine whether the Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor improves cardiac nerve activity. METHODS: This prospective, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial included patients with AMI and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in Japan; 105 patients were randomized (1:1) to receive once-daily 10-mg empagliflozin or placebo. The primary endpoints were changes in HRV, e.g., the standard deviation of all 5-min mean normal RR intervals (SDANN) and the low-frequency-to-high-frequency (LF/HF) ratio from baseline to 24 weeks. Secondary endpoints were changes in other sudden cardiac death (SCD) surrogate markers such as HRT. RESULTS: Overall, 96 patients were included (46, empagliflozin group; 50, placebo group). The changes in SDANN were + 11.6 and + 9.1 ms in the empagliflozin (P = 0.02) and placebo groups (P = 0.06), respectively. Change in LF/HF ratio was - 0.57 and - 0.17 in the empagliflozin (P = 0.01) and placebo groups (P = 0.43), respectively. Significant improvement was noted in HRT only in the empagliflozin group (P = 0.01). Whereas intergroup comparison on HRV and HRT showed no significant difference between the empagliflozin and placebo groups. Compared with the placebo group, the empagliflozin group showed significant decreases in body weight, systolic blood pressure, and uric acid. In the empagliflozin group, no adverse events were observed. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first randomized clinical data to evaluate the effect of empagliflozin on cardiac sympathetic and parasympathetic activity in patients with T2DM and AMI. Early SGLT2 inhibitor administration in AMI patients with T2DM might be effective in improving cardiac nerve activity without any adverse events. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The EMBODY trial was registered by the UMIN in November 2017 (ID: 000030158). UMIN000030158; https://upload.umin.ac.jp/cgi-open-bin/ctr_e/ctr_view.cgi?recptno=R000034442 .

Percutaneous transluminal septal myocardial ablation for hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy through non-left anterior descending septal perforators.

Percutaneous transluminal septal myocardial ablation (PTSMA) has become a significant treatment for symptomatic patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM) despite maximal medical therapy. The target septal arteries usually arise from the left anterior descending artery (LAD). However, when septal perforators do not originate from the LAD, non-LAD septal perforators should be included as candidate-target septal branches that feed the hypertrophic septal myocardium, causing left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) obstruction. Data pertaining to the procedure remain limited. We aimed to investigate PTSMA through the non-LAD septal perforators in patients with HOCM. In this case series review, we evaluated the baseline characteristics, echocardiographic features, and angiographic features, as well as symptoms and pressure gradient before and after PTSMA through the non-LAD septal perforators. Among 202 consecutive patients who underwent PTSMA for HOCM with LVOT obstruction, 21 had non-LAD septal branches that fed the hypertrophic septal myocardium and received alcohol ablation. Non-LAD septal perforators could be used as an alternative route for PTSMA in patients who experienced ineffective ablation of the septal branch that arises from the LAD. This unique procedure may improve response rates and overall outcomes of patients with HOCM.

Bisoprolol transdermal patch for perioperative care of non-cardiac surgery in patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy.

BACKGROUND: Non-cardiac surgery for hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM) is considered to require meticulous perioperative care. ß-blockers are considered the first-line drugs for patients with HOCM, and they play a key role in preventing cardiovascular complications in perioperative care. The bisoprolol transdermal patch has recently become available in Japan, and it is useful for patients who are unable to take oral medication during perioperative care. The aim of this case series was to assess the hemodynamic features of patients with HOCM who used the bisoprolol transdermal patch during perioperative care for non-cardiac surgery. METHODS: Between August 2016 and August 2018, we retrospectively analyzed 10 consecutive cases of HOCM with the patients using the bisoprolol transdermal patch during perioperative care. Hemodynamic and echocardiographic features were evaluated before and after patients were switched from oral bisoprolol to transdermal patch therapy or started transdermal patch therapy as a new ß-blocker medication. In addition, cardiovascular complications (all-cause death, cardiac death, heart failure, ventricular tachycardia, and ventricular fibrillation) during the perioperative period were evaluated. RESULTS: There was no significant change in the patients' heart rate, blood pressure, ejection fraction, and pressure gradient in the left ventricle after switching from oral bisoprolol to the transdermal patch therapy. On the other hand, patients who started using the bisoprolol transdermal patch as a new ß-blocker medication tended to have a decreased heart rate and pressure gradient thereafter, but there was no significant difference in blood pressure or ejection fraction. No cardiovascular complications occurred during the perioperative period. CONCLUSIONS: We described the utilization of the bisoprolol transdermal patch during perioperative care for non-cardiac surgery in patients with HOCM. We determined that the hemodynamic features of these patients did not change significantly after switching to patch therapy. Further, initiation of the bisoprolol transdermal patch as a new ß-blocker medication sufficiently tended to decrease the pressure gradient. This unique approach can be an alternate treatment option for HOCM. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The registry was registered in the University Hospital Medical Information Network Clinical Trials Registry (UMIN000036703). The date of registration was 10/5/2019 and it was "Retrospectively registered".

Repeated Administrations of Cardiac Progenitor Cells Are Markedly More Effective Than a Single Administration: A New Paradigm in Cell Therapy.

RATIONALE: The effects of c-kit(POS) cardiac progenitor cells (CPCs, and adult cell therapy in general) on left ventricular (LV) function have been regarded as modest or inconsistent. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether 3 CPC infusions have greater efficacy than 1 infusion. METHODS AND RESULTS: Rats with a 30-day-old myocardial infarction received 1 or 3 CPC infusions into the LV cavity, 35 days apart. Compared with vehicle-treated rats, the single-dose group exhibited improved LV function after the first infusion (consisting of CPCs) but not after the second and third (vehicle). In contrast, in the multiple-dose group, regional and global LV function improved by a similar degree after each CPC infusion, resulting in greater cumulative effects. For example, the total increase in LV ejection fraction was approximately triple in the multiple-dose group versus the single-dose group (P<0.01). The multiple-dose group also exhibited more viable tissue and less scar, less collagen in the risk and noninfarcted regions, and greater myocyte density in the risk region. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first demonstration that repeated CPC administrations are markedly more effective than a single administration. The concept that the full effects of CPCs require repeated doses has significant implications for both preclinical and clinical studies; it suggests that the benefits of cell therapy may be underestimated or even overlooked if they are measured after a single dose, and that repeated administrations are necessary to evaluate the effectiveness of a cell product properly. In addition, we describe a new method that enables studies of repeated cell administrations in rodents.

Effect of the stop-flow technique on cardiac retention of c-kit positive human cardiac stem cells after intracoronary infusion in a porcine model of chronic ischemic cardiomyopathy.

It is commonly thought that the optimal method for intracoronary administration of cells is to stop coronary flow during cell infusion, in order to prolong cell/vascular wall contact, enhance adhesion, and promote extravasation of cells into the interstitial space. However, occlusion of a coronary artery with a balloon involves serious risks of vascular damage and/or dissection, particularly in non-stented segments such as those commonly found in patients with heart failure. It remains unknown whether the use of the stop-flow technique results in improved donor cell retention. Acute myocardial infarction was produced in 14 pigs. One to two months later, pigs received 10 million indium-111 oxyquinoline (oxine)-labeled c-kit(pos) human cardiac stem cells (hCSCs) via intracoronary infusion with (n = 7) or without (n = 7) balloon inflation. Pigs received cyclosporine to prevent acute graft rejection. Animals were euthanized 24 h later and hearts harvested for radioactivity measurements. With the stop-flow technique, the retention of hCSCs at 24 h was 5.41 ± 0.80 % of the injected dose (n = 7), compared with 4.87 ± 0.62 % without coronary occlusion (n = 7), (P = 0.60). When cells are delivered intracoronarily in a clinically relevant porcine model of chronic ischemic cardiomyopathy, the use of the stop-flow technique does not result in greater myocardial cell retention at 24 h compared with non-occlusive infusion. These results have practical implications for the design of cell therapy trials. Our observations suggest that the increased risk of complications secondary to coronary manipulation and occlusion is not warranted.

Fractional excretion of urea nitrogen can identify true worsening renal function in patients with heart failure.

AIMS: Fractional excretion of urea nitrogen (FEUN), used to differentiate the cause of acute kidney injury, has emerged as a useful fluid index in patients with heart failure (HF). We hypothesized that FEUN could be useful in identifying worsening renal function (WRF) associated with poor outcomes in patients with acute HF (AHF). METHODS AND RESULTS: Overall, 1103 patients with AHF (median age, 78 years; male proportion, 60%) were categorized into six groups according to the presence of WRF and FEUN values (low, ≤32.1%; medium, >32.1% and ≤38.0%; and high, >38.0%) at discharge. WRF was defined as an increase of ≥0.3 mg/dL in the serum creatinine level from admission to discharge. FEUN was calculated by the following formula: (urinary urea × serum creatinine) × 100/(serum urea × urinary creatinine). The cut-off values for low, medium, and high FEUN were based on a previous study. The primary outcome of this study was HF readmission after hospital discharge. During the 1 year follow-up, 170 HF readmissions occurred. Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed significantly higher HF readmission rates in patients with WRF than in those without WRF (log-rank test, P < 0.001). Additionally, among patients with WRF, HF readmission rates were lowest in those with medium FEUN values, followed by those with low FEUN values and those with high FEUN values. On multivariable analysis, the presence of WRF with low or high FEUN values was independently associated with increased HF readmission, as compared with the absence of WRF with medium FEUN values. Notably, no association was noted between WRF with medium FEUN values and HF readmission. CONCLUSIONS: The prognostic impact of WRF was significantly mediated by the FEUN values and was associated with worse outcomes only when the FEUN values were either low or high. Our study suggests that FEUN can identify prognostically relevant WRF in patients with AHF.

Predictive Factors for Decreasing Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction and Progression to the Dilated Phase of Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy.

Patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) may progress to the dilated phase (DHCM). This study aimed to identify the predictive factors for DHCM progression, including left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (LVEF < 50%) or decreased LV contraction (LVEF < 60%). The study included 291 patients enrolled in our hospital's HCM registry who were grouped based on their poststudy LVEF (LVEF of ≥60%, 50-59%, and <50%). Predictive factors of an LVEF of <50% or <60% were determined. Further, the effects of percutaneous transluminal septal myocardial ablation (PTSMA) on long-term systolic LV function and DHCM development were investigated. LVEF was ≥60%, 50-59%, and <50% in 239, 33, and 19 patients, respectively, during the follow-up period (mean: 64.9 months). Multivariate analyses indicated baseline atrial fibrillation (AF), nonsustained ventricular tachycardia (NSVT), and left ventricular diameter at end-systole (LVDs) as significant predictors of DHCM. Using a scoring method based on AF, NSVT, and LVDs, patients with 2 and 3 points had a significantly higher risk of developing DHCM. PTSMA in 78 HCM patients demonstrated no significant effect on long-term LVEF changes or DHCM development. We concluded that AF, NSVT, and LVDs are significant predictors of DHCM development. However, a validation study with a larger population is required.

Angioscopic findings 1 year after percutaneous coronary intervention for chronic total occlusion.

BACKGROUND: Chronic total occlusion (CTO) is a high-risk factor for stent thrombosis, but little is known about the difference in neointimal healing between CTO and non-CTO lesions regarding implanted stents. We investigated factors affecting neointimal healing after stent implantation for CTO and non-CTO lesions using angioscopy. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated 106 stents in 85 consecutive patients between March 2016 and July 2020. Their average age was 68 ±â€¯11 years, and participants (73 male and 12 female) underwent follow-up angiography and angioscopy 1 year after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The stents (n = 106) were divided into three groups according to the lesion status at the previous PCI: CTO (n = 17), acute coronary syndrome (ACS) (n = 35), and stable coronary artery disease without CTO or non-CTO (n = 54). RESULTS: The neointimal stent coverage grade was significantly lower in the CTO and ACS groups than in the non-CTO group (0.4 ±â€¯0.5, 0.9 ±â€¯0.8, and 1.4 ±â€¯0.8, respectively, p < 0.001). Thrombi were significantly more frequent in CTO and ACS than in non-CTO (71 %, 51 %, and 15 %, respectively, p < 0.001). The yellow grade in CTO was comparable to that in ACS but significantly higher in CTO than in non-CTO (CTO vs. ACS vs. non-CTO 1.5 ±â€¯0.7, 1.4 ±â€¯0.6, and 0.9 ±â€¯0.7, respectively, p = 0.007). CONCLUSIONS: Delayed healing occurs in stents implanted for CTO lesions. Longer dual-antithrombotic therapy may be beneficial.

Utility of fractional excretion of urea nitrogen in heart failure patients with chronic kidney disease.

AIMS: Maintenance of euvolaemia with diuretics is critical in heart failure (HF) patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD); however, it is challenging because no reliable marker of volume status exists. Fractional excretion of urea nitrogen (FEUN) is a useful index of volume status in patients with renal failure. We aimed to examine whether FEUN is a surrogate marker of volume status for risk stratification in HF patients with CKD. METHODS AND RESULTS: We examined 516 HF patients with CKD (defined as discharge estimated glomerular filtration rate < 60 mL/min/1.73 m2 ) whose FEUN was measured at discharge (median age, 80 years; 58% male). The patients were divided into four groups according to quartile FEUN value at discharge: low-FEUN, FEUN ≤ 32.1; medium-FEUN, 32.1 < FEUN ≤ 38.0; high-FEUN, 38.0 < FEUN ≤ 43.7; and extremely-high-FEUN, FEUN > 43.7. FEUN was calculated by the following formula: (urinary urea × serum creatinine) × 100/(serum urea × urinary creatinine). During the 3 year follow-up, 131 HF readmissions occurred. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that the HF readmission rate was significantly lower in the medium-FEUN group than in the other three groups (log-rank test, P = 0.029). Multivariate Cox regression analysis identified the low-FEUN, high-FEUN, and extremely-high-FEUN values as independent factors associated with post-discharge HF readmission. In the analysis of 130 patients who underwent right heart catheterization during hospitalization, a significant correlation between FEUN value and right atrial pressure was observed (R = 0.243, P = 0.005). Multivariate linear regression analysis revealed that FEUN value at discharge decreased in a dose-dependent manner with loop diuretics. CONCLUSIONS: In HF patients with CKD, FEUN is a potential marker of volume status for risk stratification of post-discharge HF readmission. Low FEUN value (FEUN ≤ 32.1) may represent intravascular dehydration, whereas high FEUN value (FEUN > 38.0) may represent residual congestion; both of them were independent risk factors for HF readmission. FEUN may be useful to determine euvolaemia and guide fluid management in HF patients with CKD.

Massive pulmonary embolism requiring extracorporeal life support treated with catheter-based interventions.

When pulmonary embolism (PE) develops, circulatory collapse and hypoxia are caused at the same time. The rapid and proper use of extracorporeal life support (ECLS) can improve the mortality rate of patients with collapsed massive PE. No study has examined the influence of treatment that involved adding catheter based-intervention to ECLS with massive collapsed PE. Thirty-five patients with massive PE were examined, and 10 of these patients were placed on ECLS. Eight of the 10 patients placed on ECLS for massive PE were female, and the median age was 61 years. Seven patients had in-hospital onset PE and 3 patients out-of-hospital onset PE. Their underlying conditions were a cerebral infarction (3 patients), coronary artery disease (5 patients), collagen disease (one patient), postoperative state (3 patients), and lung disease (2 patients). Pulmonary angiographic findings showed that a filling defect or complete occlusion was observed in all 10 patients in the proximal lobular arteries, 6 of which had large thrombi stretching to the main pulmonary arteries. All patients underwent thrombolysis. Percutaneous catheter embolus fragmentation and/or thrombectomy were undertaken in 7 patients. All patients required red blood cell transfusion for cannulation site bleeding. The mean duration of ECLS bypass was 48 ± 44 hours. The 30 day mortality rate was 30%. The current study clarified the characteristics of patients with massive PE requiring ECLS. These patients have extensive pulmonary thromboemboli, thus, the aggressive use of catheter-based intervention appears to have beneficial effects for massive PE requiring ECLS.

Disruption of atherosclerotic neointima seven years after bare metal stent deployment.

A 58-year-old male with a history of prior myocardial infarction, hypertension, and dyslipidemia was admitted due to deteriorating exertional angina. A bare metal stent (Multilink plus™, GUIDANT Corporation, Santa Clara, CA, USA) had been implanted into the proximal left anterior descending artery because of ST-elevation myocardial infarction 7 years earlier. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) showed a disruption of the atherosclerotic neointima overlying the stent. Intravascular imaging studies and pathological studies have shown that neointima within a bare-metal stent often transform into atherosclerotic tissue during an extended period of time. In the current report, OCT demonstrated that a disruption of the atherosclerotic neointima has the potential to cause the development of unstable clinical features. OCT examinations therefore help to understand the pathogenesis of acute coronary syndrome after stent implantation.

Cardiogenic cerebral embolism due to sinus arrest associated with coronary intervention for the right coronary artery: A case report.

Percutaneous coronary artery intervention (PCI) carries the risk of occlusion of the sinus node branch (SNB) which can lead to sinus arrest (SA). Generally, PCI-related SA recovers spontaneously, with a favorable clinical course. Herein, we describe a case of SNB occlusion after PCI for the right coronary artery which resulted in SA, subsequent left atrial appendage thrombus, and cardiogenic cerebral embolism (CE). Ultimately, the patient died due to cardiogenic CE. We report on the mechanism of intracardiac thrombus formation and discuss CE prevention strategies after PCI. Based on our experience, the possibility of adverse events due to PCI-induced SA must be considered, although PCI-induced SA is generally expected to resolve. .

Adjunctive Catheter-Directed Thrombolysis during Primary PCI for ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction with High Thrombus Burden.

BACKGROUND: High coronary thrombus burden has been associated with unfavorable outcomes in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), the optimal management of which has not yet been established. METHODS: We assessed the adjunctive catheter-directed thrombolysis (CDT) during primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with STEMI and high thrombus burden. CDT was defined as intracoronary infusion of tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA; monteplase). RESULTS: Among the 1849 consecutive patients with STEMI, 263 had high thrombus burden. Moreover, 41 patients received t-PA (CDT group), whereas 222 did not receive it (non-CDT group). No significant differences in bleeding complications and in-hospital and long-term mortalities were observed (9.8% vs. 7.2%, p = 0.53; 7.3% vs. 2.3%, p = 0.11; and 12.6% vs. 17.5%, p = 0.84, CDT vs. non-CDT). In patients who underwent antecedent aspiration thrombectomy during PCI (75.6% CDT group and 87.4% non-CDT group), thrombolysis in myocardial infarction grade 2 or 3 flow rate after thrombectomy was significantly lower in the CDT group than in the non-CDT group (32.2% vs. 61.0%, p < 0.01). However, the final rates improved without significant difference (90.3% vs. 97.4%, p = 0.14). CONCLUSIONS: Adjunctive CDT appears to be tolerated and feasible for high thrombus burden. Particularly, it may be an option in cases with failed aspiration thrombectomy.

Feasibility and safety of CT-aided pericardiocentesis from a subxiphoid anterior approach by using fluoroscopy in patients with chronic pericardial effusions.

BACKGROUND: Pericardiocentesis is an essential procedure for the diagnosis and treatment of pericardial effusions. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and safety of a subxiphoid anterior approach using fluoroscopy aided by a sagittal axis chest computed tomography (CT) view in comparison with an ultrasound-guided apical approach in patients with chronic pericardial effusion. METHODS: Among 72 consecutive patients (68.8 ± 14.4 years old, 52 males) with hemodynamically stable chronic pericardial effusions, a total of 85 procedures were retrospectively analyzed. We divided them into two groups according to the site of the approach for the pericardiocentesis. RESULTS: A subxiphoid anterior approach (n = 53) was performed guided by fluoroscopy. The sagittal axis view of the chest CT was constructed to determine the puncture angle and direction for the subxiphoid anterior approach. An apical approach (n = 32) was performed by ultrasound guidance. The success rates of the anterior and apical approaches were 98.1% and 93.8%, respectively. There were two cases with cardiac perforations in the apical approach group, while no cases developed perforations in the subxiphoid anterior approach group. CONCLUSION: The subxiphoid anterior approach for pericardiocentesis was feasible and safe for managing chronic pericardial effusions. A reconstruction of the sagittal axis view of the chest CT imaging was helpful to identify the direction and depth to access the pericardial space from the subxiphoid puncture site before the pericardiocentesis using the lateral fluoroscopic view.