Dyspnea After an Acute Intermediate-Risk Pulmonary Embolism: A Case-Based Approach to Evaluation and Treatment.

Exercise intolerance after acute pulmonary embolism may be caused by residual pulmonary vascular obstruction, which presents as chronic thromboembolic pulmonary disease with or without pulmonary hypertension. We present a case highlighting a systematic approach to evaluating functional limitations due to residual pulmonary vascular obstruction, emphasizing the utility of cardiopulmonary exercise testing.

Novel Computed Tomography Angiography Parameter Is Associated with Low Cardiac Index in Patients with Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension: A Retrospective Analysis.

Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) is a complication of incomplete resolution of acute pulmonary embolism. We hypothesize changes in CT Hounsfield Unit gradient (HU-Δ) created by the dispersion of IV contrast through the downstream blood pool correlate with cardiac index (CI). We sought to compare HU-Δ with invasively obtained CI. METHODS: We completed a retrospective analysis of CTEPH patients in which individuals with low CI (<2.2-L/min/m2) were identified. Both absolute and fractional HU-Δ were derived from pulmonary CTA by subtracting the HU value of the left atrium (LA) and left ventricle (LV) from the main pulmonary artery (MPA) (absolute) and expressing them as a percentage of MPA-HU (fractional) on static axial images. These were compared between low and normal CI. RESULTS: Of the 237 patients, 50.2% were female, 53.2% were White, 36.7% were Black. Hemodynamics were mean pulmonary artery (PA) pressure = 45.4 ± 11.2-mmHg, pulmonary vascular resistance = 9.2 ± 4.4-WU, CI = 2.05 ± 0.48-L/min/m2. There was a higher mean MPA-HU = 391.1 ± 113.6 than LA-HU = 251.6 ± 81. In patients with low CI, the HU-Δ was higher, HU-ΔMPA-LA was 148.9 ± 78.4 vs. 124.5 ± 77.2 (p = 0.02), and HU-ΔMPA-LV was 170.7 ± 87 vs. 140 ± 82 (p = 0.009). A HU-ΔMPA-LA = 118 had a sensitivity of 75.6% and specificity of 77% to detect low CI, AUC 0.61, p = 0.003. A HU-ΔPA-LV = 156 had a sensitivity of 77% and specificity of 53% to detect low CI, AUC = 0.62, p = 0.001. A fractional reduction HU-ΔMPA-LA of 35% had a sensitivity and specificity of 79% and 53%, respectively, to detect low CI (AUC 0.65, p < 0.001). A fractional reduction of the HU-ΔMPA-LV of 40% had a sensitivity and specificity of 80% and 55%, respectively, to detect low CI (AUC 0.65, p < 0.001). HU Δ were highly reproducible (Kappa = 0.9, p < 0.001, 95% CI 0.86-0.95). CONCLUSIONS: High HU Δ between MPA-LA and MPA-LV were associated with low CI in patients with CTEPH.

Outflow Graft Tamponade: An Underrecognized Cause of Obstruction.

BACKGROUND: Left ventricular assist device (LVAD) outflow graft obstruction can result in severe clinical deterioration. Underlying mechanisms may vary depending on the location. Outflow graft tamponade due to external compression can be under recognized. Management of this complication varies across institutions and a uniform approach has yet to be elucidated. OBJECTIVES: Report a single center experience with outflow graft tamponade in patients with LVAD with the purpose of developing an optimal algorithm for the diagnosis and treatment of LVAD-related outflow graft tamponade. METHODS AND RESULTS: Retrospective chart review between July 2011 and July 2020. A total of 351 LVADs were implanted at our center, with outflow graft tamponade identified in 26 patients with LVAD. Fourteen (53.8%) had HeartMate II™, 8 (30.8%) had HeartMate3™ and 4 (15.4%) had HeartWare™. Individuals presented with heart failure symptoms, an audible precordial murmur and LVAD alarms after a median duration of 862 days of support (IQR 327 - 1455). Of the 26 patients, 15 (57.7%) underwent mini thoracotomy with outflow graft relief, 4 had percutaneous balloon dilatation and stenting, 2 were bridged directly to transplant and 1 had a pump exchange. No intervention was made on the remaining due to mild symptoms (n = 4). CONCLUSIONS: Conclusions: Outflow graft tamponade is a form outflow graft obstruction with a variable presentation that can result in significant hemodynamic compromise. It is amenable to both surgical and percutaneous interventions that restore LVAD function.

Pelvic Vein Obstruction in Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension: A Novel Association.

Background: Pelvic venous obstruction (PVO), defined as greater than 50% stenosis or occlusion of pelvic veins, is a known risk factor for deep vein thrombosis (DVT). DVT is a known risk factor for chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH), but the prevalence of PVO in CTEPH is unknown. Methods: This cross-sectional study at Temple University's tertiary referral center for Pulmonary Hypertension, Right Heart Failure, and CTEPH sought to identify the presence of PVO in patients with CTEPH who underwent cardiac catheterization, pulmonary angiography, and venography. Results: A total of 193 CTEPH patients were referred for pulmonary angiography, and among these, 148 underwent venography. PVO was identified in 65 (44%) patients. Lower extremity (LE) DVT was associated with PVO (p = 0.004). The severity of pulmonary hypertension was similar with and without PVO (mean pulmonary artery pressure 43.0 ± 10.3 mm Hg vs. 43.8 ± 12.4 mm Hg, p = 0.70), as was the need for pulmonary thromboendarterectomy (69.2% vs. 61.4%, p = 0.32). Conclusions: Pelvic vein obstruction is common and a novel clinical association in patients with CTEPH, particularly in patients with a history of LE DVT. PVO and its role in CTEPH warrants further study, including the potential role of revascularization to mitigate further risk.

An Overview of Arrhythmias in Pregnancy.

Cardiovascular disease significantly jeopardizes pregnancies in the United States, impacting 1% to 4% of pregnancies annually. Among complications, cardiac arrhythmias are prevalent, posing concerns for maternal and fetal health. The incidence of arrhythmias during pregnancy is rising, partly due to advances in congenital heart surgery and a growing population of women with structural heart disease. While most arrhythmias are benign, the increasing prevalence of more serious arrhythmias warrants a proactive approach. Guidance and reassurance suffice in many cases, but persistent symptoms require cautious use of antiarrhythmic drugs or other therapies for a safe outcome. Managing more serious arrhythmias requires a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach involving specialists, including maternal-fetal medicine physicians, cardiologists, electrophysiologists, and anesthesiologists.

Determinants of pulmonary hypertension in patients with end-stage kidney disease and arteriovenous access.

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary Hypertension (PH) is a sequela of arteriovenous (AV) fistulas (AVF) or AV grafts (AVG) in patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) due to the creation of shunt physiology and increased pulmonary blood flow. PH has been consistently associated with increased mortality but there is a paucity of data regarding management. RESEARCH QUESTION: The objective of this study was to identify risk factors and outcomes in patients who develop PH after AVF or AVG creation for hemodialysis access. METHODS: Using the United States Renal Data System, we identified all patients over age 18 initiated on dialysis from 2012-2019 who did not receive renal transplant. We identified a) the predictors of PH in patients with ESKD on hemodialysis; b) the independent mortality risk associated with development of PH. RESULTS: We identified 478,896 patients initiated on dialysis from 2012-2019 of whom 27,787 (5.8 %) had a diagnosis of PH. The median age was 65 (IQR: 55-74) years and 59.1 % were male. Reduced ejection fraction, any congestive heart failure, obstructive sleep apnea, and female sex were the strongest predictors of PH diagnosis. Both AVG and AVF were also associated with an increased rate of PH diagnosis compared to catheter-based dialysis (p < 0.001). PH portended a poor prognosis and was associated with significantly increased mortality (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with AVF or AVG should be screened using echocardiography prior to creation and monitored with serial echocardiography for the development of PH, and if present, considered for revision of the AVA. This is also the first study to identify that AVG are a risk factor for PH in dialysis patients.

Diagnostic Evaluation of Pulmonary Hypertension: A Comprehensive Approach for Primary Care Physicians.

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a disorder involving a heterogeneous group of medical conditions encompassing several cardiopulmonary illnesses. Implementing new diagnostic criteria for PH in conjunction with multimodality diagnostic tools is crucial for accurate and early recognition of this life-threatening form of right heart failure. This should streamline early referrals to accredited PH centers, with a goal to rapidly institute targeted therapy in order to optimize prognosis.

Trends in cardiovascular complications of pregnancy: A nationwide inpatient sample analysis.

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of pregnancy-related mortality in the United States. Physiologic stress of pregnancy can induce several hemodynamic changes that contribute to an increased risk of cardiac complications in the peripartum period. There are ongoing efforts to improve cardiovascular mortality in pregnant patients. Understanding trends in cardiovascular complications during pregnancy may provide insight into improving care for high-risk pregnancies. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed data from the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) Database and identified all inpatient hospitalizations for pregnancy and delivery. We then analyzed trends in the rates of cardiac complications in the pregnant patient. RESULTS: There are concerning increases in trends of cardiac complications and comorbidities in pregnant people including: acute coronary syndrome, spontaneous coronary artery dissection, cardiogenic shock, pulmonary hypertension, chronic congestive heart failure, heart transplant, aortic syndromes, stroke, and pulmonary embolism. While the rates of STEMI have decreased, the incidence of peripartum cardiomyopathy has remained stable. CONCLUSION: There are concerning increases in certain cardiac complications during pregnancy. This is likely due to increasing age at the time of pregnancy and associated comorbidities.

Addressing Barriers for Women with Advanced Heart Failure.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Describe disparities in diagnosis and management between men and women with advanced heart failure (HF). Our goal is to identify barriers and suggest solutions. RECENT FINDINGS: Women with advanced HF are less likely to undergo diagnostic testing and procedures (i.e., revascularization, implantable cardioverter defibrillators, cardiac resynchronization therapy, mechanical circulatory support, and orthotopic heart transplantation). Disparities related to gender create less favorable outcomes for women with advanced HF. The issues arise from access to care, paucity of knowledge, enrollment in clinical trials, and eligibility for advanced therapies. In this review, we propose a call to action to level the playing field in order to improve survival in women with advanced HF.

Natriuretic peptide biomarkers in the imminent development of preeclampsia.

Preeclampsia is the most common cause of morbidity and mortality in pregnancy, the incidence being significantly higher in low-income countries with reduced access to health care. Women with preeclampsia are at a higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease with a poorer long-term outcome. Early recognition and treatment are key to improving short- and long-term outcomes. Approximately 3%-5% of pregnant women will develop preeclampsia, with potentially fatal outcomes. Despite ongoing research, the exact pathophysiologic mechanism behind its development remains unclear. In this brief report, we describe the potential role of natriuretic peptides as biomarkers in the imminent development of preeclampsia. In a retrospective manner, we analyzed changes in the left ventricular ejection fraction and left atrial volume and increases in natriuretic peptide in correlation with the development of preeclampsia. We found that three out of four patients developed a significant increase in natriuretic peptide, which correlated with the development of preeclampsia and/or peripartum cardiomyopathy. Significant increases in natriuretic peptides around the time of delivery might be a marker for the imminent development of preeclampsia. Close monitoring of natriuretic peptide levels in the peripartum period could give important insight into the imminent development of preeclampsia in high-risk patients. Close follow-up in specialized cardio-obstetric clinics is highly recommended.

Refined Balloon Pulmonary Angioplasty in Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension: Initial Results of U.S. Regional Program.

Objectives: We sought to evaluate the efficacy and safety of refined balloon pulmonary angioplasty (BPA) in the treatment of patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH). Background: BPA is rapidly evolving therapeutic option for patients with nonsurgical CTEPH. There are few US studies that have reported on the outcomes of this novel therapeutic option. Methods: This is a retrospective study of CTEPH patients that underwent BPA at Temple University Hospital. The primary efficacy endpoint was the change in pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) after BPA as compared to baseline and the primary safety endpoint was the rate of hemoptysis within 24 hours. Secondary endpoints included death, WHO functional class, and 6-minute walk distance (6MWD). We used logistic regression to evaluate factors associated with a hemodynamic and functional response. Results: A total of 211 BPA sessions were performed on 77 patients (average 2.7 ± 1.7 sessions/patient). After BPA the mean PVR improved by 26% (P<0.001) while the mean 6MWD improved by 71.7 meters (P <0.001) and WHO functional class improved by one functional class (P <0.001). Ten sessions (4.7%) were complicated by hemoptysis. The independent factors associated with a improved functional and hemodynamic response included the pre-procedural use of riociguat, reduce baseline PA compliance and > 3 BPA sessions per patient. Conclusion: This single center study from the US showed that BPA with refined techniques in patients with CTEPH was safe and was associated with significant improvements in pulmonary hemodynamics and functional capacity.

Association of chronic kidney dysfunction and preeclampsia: insights of the Nationwide Inpatient Sample.

BACKGROUND: Preeclampsia occurs in 3% to 5% of pregnancies and can lead to potentially fatal outcomes for parent and child. Disparities in socioeconomic status, medical access, racial or ethnic, and regional background within the United States result in a very heterogenic population. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to assess the regional differences in the severity of chronic kidney disease in pregnant patients as well as the risk of preeclampsia in a contemporary cohort within the United States. STUDY DESIGN: Pregnant patients were identified within the National Inpatient Sample database between 2015 and 2019. Patients were stratified by diagnosis of end-stage kidney disease or chronic kidney disease. The primary endpoint of this study was to determine the incidence of mild preeclampsia, severe preeclampsia, and eclampsia in hospitalized pregnant patients with kidney dysfunction compared with controls. Secondary endpoints were to determine regional, racial or ethnic, and socioeconomic differences within the United States. RESULTS: A total of 16,343,563 pregnant patients were identified from 2015 to 2019. Presence of chronic kidney disease increased risk of mild and severe preeclampsia independent of the stage of chronic kidney disease (odds ratio >2 each). There was a markedly difference in prevalence of chronic kidney disease in regard to geographic location within the United States, with patients in the Northeast having predominantly milder stages of chronic kidney disease and patients in the South and West having more progressive kidney disease. There was a significant difference in chronic kidney disease distribution in relation to racial/ethnic background within the United States. Black and Latinx patients were at increased risk of eclampsia and death. There was no significant difference regarding chronic kidney disease and socioeconomic background. However, a larger proportion of patients with very low income had advanced stages of chronic kidney disease. CONCLUSION: Our data add to the previous findings that patients with chronic kidney disease are at increased risk of developing preeclampsia even in the modern era of medical management, independent of the cause of chronic kidney disease. Racial or ethnic and geographic differences in chronic kidney disease prevalence exist. A multidisciplinary team approach to follow-up with pregnant patients with chronic kidney disease could decrease maternal and neonatal mortality.

Epidemiology, Mechanisms, and Management of Atrial Fibrillation in Cardiac Amyloidosis.

Cardiac amyloidosis (CA) is a restrictive disease that results from intramyocardial amyloid deposition due to immunoglobulin light chain or transthyretin proteins. Up to two-third of CA patients have atrial fibrillation (AF) due to electromechanical, autonomic, and hemodynamic disturbances. AF in CA carries particularly increased risk of thromboembolism, prompting anticoagulation therapy irrespective of CHA2DS2VASc score. However, CA is also associated with enhanced bleeding risk that warrants thorough assessment of bleeding profile before initiation of anticoagulation. Management of AF in CA is challenging because these patients poorly tolerate rate control agents, while cardiomyopathy precludes most antiarrhythmic agents, leaving amiodarone as the preferred antiarrhythmic drug. The effectiveness of direct current cardioversion in restoring sinus rhythm in CA is comparable with that in the general population, although intraprocedural complication rates could be higher. Transesophageal echocardiogram should be performed prior to direct current cardioversion, given high incidence of intracardiac thrombus in these patients. Finally, the data on catheter ablation is limited.