Shared Genetic Predisposition in Peripartum and Dilated Cardiomyopathies.

Background Peripartum cardiomyopathy shares some clinical features with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy, a disorder caused by mutations in more than 40 genes, including TTN, which encodes the sarcomere protein titin. Methods In 172 women with peripartum cardiomyopathy, we sequenced 43 genes with variants that have been associated with dilated cardiomyopathy. We compared the prevalence of different variant types (nonsense, frameshift, and splicing) in these women with the prevalence of such variants in persons with dilated cardiomyopathy and with population controls. Results We identified 26 distinct, rare truncating variants in eight genes among women with peripartum cardiomyopathy. The prevalence of truncating variants (26 in 172 [15%]) was significantly higher than that in a reference population of 60,706 persons (4.7%, P=1.3×10(-7)) but was similar to that in a cohort of patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (55 of 332 patients [17%], P=0.81). Two thirds of identified truncating variants were in TTN, as seen in 10% of the patients and in 1.4% of the reference population (P=2.7×10(-10)); almost all TTN variants were located in the titin A-band. Seven of the TTN truncating variants were previously reported in patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy. In a clinically well-characterized cohort of 83 women with peripartum cardiomyopathy, the presence of TTN truncating variants was significantly correlated with a lower ejection fraction at 1-year follow-up (P=0.005). Conclusions The distribution of truncating variants in a large series of women with peripartum cardiomyopathy was remarkably similar to that found in patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy. TTN truncating variants were the most prevalent genetic predisposition in each disorder.

Late breaking trials of 2016 in coronary artery disease: Commentary covering SCAI, ACC, TCT, EuroPCR, ESC, and AHA.

The SCAI Publications Committee and Emerging Leadership Mentorship (ELM) Fellows concisely summarize and provide context on the most important coronary trials presented at large international meetings in 2016, including SCAI, ACC, TCT, EuroPCR, ESC, and AHA. The intent is to allow quick assimilation of trial results into interventional practice, and enable busy interventional cardiologists to stay up to date. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Low-Dose Alteplase Infusion for the Treatment of Mechanical Aortic Valve Thrombosis: A Spotlight on the Importance of Medication Adherence.

A rare, yet serious, complication of mechanical heart valves is symptomatic obstructive prosthetic valve thrombosis. The risk of valve thrombosis is magnified in patients who are nonadherent to prescribed anticoagulation. In this case report, we describe a 48-year-old male patient with a history of mechanical aortic valve replacement surgery, who stopped taking prescribed warfarin therapy 2 years before presentation and subsequently developed acute decompensated heart failure secondary to valvular dysfunction. Low-dose alteplase therapy was administered successfully with no bleeding complications and a complete return of valvular function.

Radial Hemostasis Is Facilitated With a Potassium Ferrate Hemostatic Patch: The STAT2 Trial.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this trial was to test whether the potassium ferrate hemostatic patch (PFHP) as an adjunct to the TR Band (TRB) facilitated an early deflation protocol. BACKGROUND: Shorter TRB compression times may reduce the rate of radial artery occlusion (RAO) and reduce observation time after transradial access. METHODS: A total of 443 patients were randomized to the TRB or PFHP + TRB, with complete TRB deflation attempted 60 minutes postprocedure. The primary outcome was the time to successful full deflation of the TRB without bleeding, with secondary outcomes of time to discharge and complications including hematoma, RAO, or bleeding requiring intervention beyond TRB reinflation. RESULTS: Time to complete TRB deflation was 66 ± 14 minutes with the PFHP vs 113 ± 56 minutes for the TRB alone (P < 0.001). Minor rebleeding requiring TRB reinflation was much more frequent without the PFHP (0% vs 67.7%; P < 0.001) with 2.3 ± 1.3 additional reinflation and deflation attempts needed for hemostasis. Hematomas developed in 4.0% of the PFHP group and 6.8% of the TRB group (P = 0.20). RAO was rare (<1%), although 41% of patients received <5,000 U heparin. Among percutaneous coronary intervention patients, time to TRB deflation (68 ± 15 minutes vs 138 ± 62 minutes; P < 0.001) and composite complications (10.0% vs 24.2%; P = 0.04) were reduced with the PFHP. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with the TRB alone, the PFHP facilitated early 60-minute TRB deflation following transradial catheterization, with a numeric reduction in vascular complications. RAO occurs rarely with early deflation regardless of heparin dose. (Comparing TR Band to StatSeal in Conjunction With TR Band II [StatSeal II]; NCT04046952).

Evaluation of the clinical relevance of baseline left ventricular ejection fraction as a predictor of recovery or persistence of severe dysfunction in women in the United States with peripartum cardiomyopathy.

BACKGROUND: Baseline left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) has been shown to be associated with likelihood of recovery in patients with peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM). The clinical relevance of this association for individual patients is unclear. METHODS AND RESULTS: We analyzed baseline parameters of LVEF in 187 PPCM patients with ≥6 months follow-up data in an attempt to detect the value of baseline LVEF as a predictor of early recovery or persistence of severe LV dysfunction. Recovery of LV function (LVEF ≥50%) at 6 months after diagnosis was found in 115 patients (61%). Multivariate analysis identified baseline LVEF >30% as a significant predictor for recovery (odds ratio 5.2, 95% confidence interval 1.96-7.70; P > .0001). Recovery of LV function was 6.4-fold higher in women with baseline LVEF ≥ 30% (group III) and 3.9-fold higher in women with LVEF 20%-29% (group II) compared with those with LVEF 10%-19% (group I). Failure to achieve full recovery was seen in 63% of group I patients, 32% of group II (P = .03), and 21% of group III (P = .02 vs group I). Failure to achieve LVEF ≥30% was seen in 30% of group I patients and 13% of group II (P = .09). CONCLUSIONS: Early recovery in patients with PPCM is significantly related to the degree of myocardial insult at time of diagnosis. Baseline LVEF however, has a limited sensitivity for prediction of failure to improve in individual patients and can not be used as an indication for premature use of aggressive therapy including devices or cardiac transplantation.

Optimizing Transradial Access: Radiation, Contrast, Access Site Crossover, and Ergonomics.

This article summarizes the data comparing radiation exposure and contrast use between transradial and transfemoral cardiac catheterizations. It also reviews the important features that may predict access site failure and crossover. In addition, it reviews the concept of ergonomics in the catheterization laboratory and how clinicians can improve the transradial approach.

Randomized Trial of Radial Hemostasis Using Focused vs Balloon Compression Devices.

BACKGROUND: Radial artery hemostasis devices differ in compression mechanisms, which may influence time to hemostasis and hand perfusion. METHODS: Subjects (n = 52) undergoing transradial diagnostic coronary catheterization or percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) were randomized 1:1 to either focused compression (VasoStat; Forge Medical) or balloon compression device (TR Band; Terumo Medical) for radial artery hemostasis. Time to complete hemostasis enabling device removal was measured in each subject. Hand perfusion was quantitated using the perfusion index (PI) with oximetry (1) before; (2) during device use; (3) during device use with ulnar artery compression; and (4) following device removal. RESULTS: Focused compression resulted in a significantly shorter time to complete hemostasis vs balloon compression (208 min [IQR, 115-320 min] vs 242 min [IQR, 120-439 min], respectively; P=.04). This difference was greatest among the subset undergoing PCI, where the VasoStat resulted in a 43-minute reduction until complete hemostasis (P=.04). Baseline PI was similar between the focused and balloon compression groups (4.9 vs 3.9, respectively; P=.09). Focused compression resulted in a similar reduction in median PI from baseline to during device use compared with balloon compression (-27% vs -18%, respectively; P=.26). Both devices decreased PI over 50% from baseline during simultaneous ulnar artery compression (P<.01), and increased PI over 50% from baseline following device removal (P=.02). No radial artery occlusion occurred, and rates of device manipulation and access-site bleeds were low in both groups. CONCLUSION: Complete hemostasis was achieved earlier with the VasoStat focused compression device compared with the TR Band balloon compression device. Both devices transiently reduced hand perfusion, particularly during ulnar compression, which increased from baseline following device removal. Larger trials comparing these radial hemostasis devices and outcomes are warranted.

Transradial PCI and Same Day Discharge.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The evolution of cardiac catheterization has led to the development of well-refined, more effective, and safer devices that allow cardiovascular interventionalists to deliver high-quality percutaneous interventions (PCI). Transradial PCI (TRI) has gained more popularity in the USA over the past 10 years, and as experience and volume of TRI grow, studies adopting same day radial PCI protocols have emerged and are showing promising results. We sought to review the current literature on TRI and same day discharge (SDD). RECENT FINDINGS: This literature review was performed to evaluate the studies that were published over the last 17 years regarding TRI and SDD. A literature search using PubMed, Cochran database, Google Scholar, and Embase was performed for studies evaluating TRI and SDD from January 1, 2000, to August 1, 2017. Observational studies, randomized clinical trials, meta-analyses, and consensus statements were included in our review. We used the following terms in our search: "same day," "same day discharge," "outpatient," and "ambulatory radial PCI." Articles with data pertinent to the subject matter were included. We did not limit our searches to specific journals. The available literature supports SDD for selected radial PCI patients. The advancement in PCI devices and pharmacology has enhanced the safety of post-PCI disposition leading to the evolution from traditional overnight stays to the development of same day discharge programs. We conclude that outpatient TRI for appropriately selected patients will be the standard of care in the future. This will lead to increased patient satisfaction, improved hospital throughput, and reduced hospital costs, without increased procedural complications.

An Update on Radial Artery Access and Best Practices for Transradial Coronary Angiography and Intervention in Acute Coronary Syndrome: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association.

Transradial artery access for percutaneous coronary intervention is associated with lower bleeding and vascular complications than transfemoral artery access, especially in patients with acute coronary syndromes. A growing body of evidence supports adoption of transradial artery access to improve acute coronary syndrome-related outcomes, to improve healthcare quality, and to reduce cost. The purpose of this scientific statement is to propose and support a "radial-first" strategy in the United States for patients with acute coronary syndromes. This document also provides an update to previously published statements on transradial artery access technique and best practices, particularly as they relate to the management of patients with acute coronary syndromes.

Cardiac epithelioid hemangioendothelioma with 8-year follow-up.

An incidentally discovered right atrial mass excised from the heart of a 51-year-old woman was found on pathological examination to be an epithelioid hemangioendothelioma. No further therapy was undertaken, and the patient has remained free of recurrence for 8 years. To our knowledge, this is the first report on the behavior of this distinctive vascular neoplasm occurring as an isolated cardiac tumor.

Mortality, Length of Stay, and Cost Implications of Procedural Bleeding After Percutaneous Interventions Using Large-Bore Catheters.

Importance: Bleeding complications after percutaneous transcatheter interventions that used large-bore catheters are frequent and associated with high mortality and morbidity. Objective: To describe the incidence of bleeding complications among patients undergoing contemporary endovascular interventions involving large-bore catheters and its association with in-hospital mortality, length of stay, and health care cost. Design, Setting, and Participants: This retrospective cohort study analyzed all 17 672 patients from the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project's National Inpatient Sample database who were recorded as having undergone a transcatheter aortic valve replacement (n = 3223), an endovascular aneurysm repair (n = 12 633), or a percutaneous left ventricular assist device implant (n = 1816) between January 1, 2012, and December 31, 2013. Bleeding complication was defined as any transfusion, any hemorrhage or hematoma, or the need for percutaneous or surgical intervention to control the bleeding event. Health care costs were determined by multiplying the total charge for each visit by the cost to charge ratios reported for each hospital code in the database. Data were collected from the database on April 29, 2016. Main Outcomes and Measures: Adjusted association between bleeding complications and mortality was determined by multivariable logistic regression. Length of stay and total health care costs were compared using multivariable linear regression between patients who did and patients who did not have bleeding complications. Results: Bleeding complications occurred in 3128 patients (17.7%) (1984 men and 1144 women, with a mean [SD] age of 75.6 [11.9] years). Bleeding was associated with higher mortality (adjusted odds ratio, 2.70; 95% CI, 2.27-3.22; P < .001) and longer hospital stay (adjusted multiplicative difference, 2.14; 95% CI, 2.06-2.16; P < .001). Median (interquartile range) total health care costs were $48 663 ($32 620-$71 547) for patients with bleeding complications compared with $29 968 ($21 924-$43 287) for patients without a bleeding complication (adjusted multiplicative difference, 1.55; 95% CI, 1.52-1.59; P < .001). Conclusions and Relevance: Periprocedural bleeding was common among patients who underwent transcatheter intervention using large-bore catheters and was associated with a statistically significant increase in mortality, length of stay, and cost.

Athletic ergogenic aids.

Claims championing exotic substances that produce healing or ergogenic powers have been around for centuries. The competitive, peer-pressured environment enveloping today's athletes and adolescence makes these groups particularly susceptible to the uproar surrounding the current ergogenic aid market. Presently, it seems that rumor and anecdotal information overwhelms the available scientific data. While there is evidence that some touted ergogenic aids do indeed enhance performance, there are many unanswered questions about product safety, efficacy, and long-term consequences. A working knowledge of specific ergogenic aids is essential for the treating physician in order to best advise patients and athletes as to the possible benefits and risks of any substance they may be using.

An update on treatments and outcomes in peripartum cardiomyopathy.

Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is a well-established complication of pregnancy. Criteria include heart failure that presents with reduced left ventricular function, signs and symptoms of heart failure either late in pregnancy or early in the postpartum period. The incidence varies widely depending geography and ethnicity. The pathophysiology of PPCM is still an area of active investigation, but includes immune and inflammatory mechanisms, which are the subject of several investigations. Therapies for chronic heart failure from PPCM are similar to those patients with nonischemic cardiomyopathy from different etiologies, however novel therapies may include bromocriptine, pentoxifylline or other potential therapies influencing the immune system. The need for implantable defibrillators, left ventricular assist devices and cardiac transplant in women with PPCM is rare, and prognosis is better than other forms of nonischemic cardiomyopathy. Despite this, further information about the epidemiology, prognosis and potential therapies are required to better manage and diagnose PPCM in women with signs and symptoms of heart failure.

Predictors of left ventricular recovery in a cohort of peripartum cardiomyopathy patients recruited via the internet.

BACKGROUND: Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is the onset of acute heart failure without demonstrable cause during the last month of pregnancy or within five months after delivery. The purpose of this study was to create a prospective registry of PPCM patients with the assistance of the internet and identify clinical factors predictive of ejection fraction (EF) recovery. METHODS: Patients with PPCM were identified by novel web-based methods. Subjects were categorized as recovered (EF>50) or nonrecovered (EF<50) and compared on the basis of demographic and clinical variables. RESULTS: Fifty-five subjects met criteria for inclusion. There was a statistically significant association between diagnosis during third trimester and persistent systolic dysfunction (25% vs. 4.7%, p=0.03). Gestational hypertension and breastfeeding were significantly associated with EF recovery (48.8% vs. 16.7%, p=0.046, and 39.5% vs. 8.3%, p=0.04, respectively). EF normalization occurred in all patients with EF(1) ≥ 35%. CONCLUSIONS: Presence of gHTN, EF ≥ 35% at diagnosis, breastfeeding, and postpartum diagnosis were all significantly associated with recovery of systolic function. Internet recruitment may be a valuable tool for studying PPCM.