Predictors of Plasma Levels of Direct Oral Anticoagulants Among Patients with Atrial Fibrillation in Need of Elective Cardiac Procedures.

BACKGROUND: The withdrawal timing of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) among patients in need of elective invasive surgery is based on DOAC pharmacokinetics in order to perform the procedure out of the DOAC peak plasma concentration. We aimed to investigate the prevalence and predictors of plasma levels of DOACs out of trough range in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) in need of elective cardiac procedure. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated all consecutive AF patients on DOAC therapy in need of elective cardiac procedure, admitted to our division from January 2022 to March 2022. All patients underwent DOAC plasma dosing the morning of procedure day. They were categorized as in range, above range, and below range, according to the DOAC reference range at the downstream point. The timing of discontinuation of DOAC therapy was considered as appropriate or not, according to the current recommendations. The clinical predictors of out-of-range DOAC plasma levels have been evaluated. RESULTS: We included 90 consecutive AF patients (56.6% male, mean age 72.95 ± 10.12 years); 74 patients (82.22%) showed DOAC concentration out of the expected reference range. In half of them (n, 37), the DOAC plasma concentration was below the trough reference range. Of the study population, 17.7% received inappropriate DOAC dosages (10% overdosing, 7% underdosing), and 35.5% had incorrect timing of DOAC withdrawal (26% prolonged, 9.5% shortened). At multivariable analysis, inappropriate longer DOAC withdrawal period (OR 10.13; P ≤ 0.0001) and increased creatinine clearance (OR 1.01; P = 0.0095) were the independent predictors of plasma DOAC levels below the therapeutic trough range. In contrast, diabetes mellitus (OR 4.57; P = 0.001) was the only independent predictor of DOAC plasma level above the therapeutic trough range. CONCLUSION: Increased creatinine clearance and inappropriate longer drug withdrawal period are the only independent predictors of DOAC plasma levels below the reference range; in contrast, diabetes is significantly correlated with DOAC plasma levels above the reference.

Short-duration head-up tilt test potentiated with sublingual nitroglycerin in suspected vasovagal syncope: the fast Italian protocol.

BACKGROUND: The traditional nitroglycerin (NTG) head-up tilt test (HUTT) is time-consuming and the test duration is a barrier to widespread utilization in clinical practice. It was hypothesized that a short-duration protocol is not inferior to the traditional protocol regarding the positivity rate and has a similar distribution of hemodynamic response. METHODS AND RESULTS: Patients undergoing HUTT were randomized 1:1 to a 10 min passive phase plus a 10 min 0.3 mg NTG if the passive phase was negative (Fast) or to a 20 min passive phase plus a 15 min 0.3 mg NTG if the passive phase was negative (Traditional). A sample size of 277 patients for each group achieved 80% power to detect an expected difference of 0% with a non-inferiority margin of -10% using a one-sided t-test and assuming a significant level alpha of 0.025. A total of 554 consecutive patients (mean age 46.6 ± 19.3 years, 47.6% males) undergoing HUTT for suspected vasovagal syncope were randomly assigned to the Fast (n = 277) or Traditional (n = 277) protocol. A positive response was defined as the induction of syncope in presence of hypotension/bradycardia, and was observed in 167 (60.3%) patients with Fast and in 162 (58.5%) patients with the Traditional protocol. There was a trend of lesser vasodepressor response (14.8% Fast vs. 20.6% Traditional) which was significant during the passive phase (P = 0.01). CONCLUSION: The diagnostic value of the Fast HUTT protocol is similar to that of the Traditional protocol and therefore the Fast protocol can be used instead of the Traditional protocol.

Improvement of Global Longitudinal Strain and Myocardial Work in Type 2 Diabetes Patients on Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter 2 Inhibitors Therapy.

ABSTRACT: Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2-i) are a novel class of oral hypoglycemic agents currently used among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The effects of SGLT2-i inhibitors on cardiac structure and function are not fully understood. The aim of this study is to evaluate the echocardiographic changing among patients with well-controlled T2DM treated with SGLT2-i in real-world setting. Thirty-five well-controlled T2DM patients (65 ± 9 years, 43.7% male) with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and 35 age and sex-matched controls were included. T2DM patients underwent clinical and laboratory evaluation; 12-lead surface electrocardiogram; 2-dimensional color Doppler echocardiography at enrolment, before SGLT2-i administration, and at 6 months follow-up after an uninterrupted 10 mg once daily of empagliflozin (n: 21) or dapagliflozin (n: 14). Standard echocardiographic measurements, LV global longitudinal strain (LV-GLS), global wasted work, and global work efficiency were calculated. T2DM patients showed higher E\E' ratio (8.3 ± 2.5 vs. 6.3 ± 0.9; P < 0.0001 ) and lower LV-GLS (15.8 ± 8.1 vs. 22.1 ± 1.4%; P < 0.0001 ) and global myocardial work efficiency (91 ± 4 vs. 94 ± 3%; P: 0.0007 ) compared with age and sex-matched controls. At 6-month follow-up, T2DM patients showed a significant increase in LVEF (58.9 ± 3.2 vs. 62 ± 3.2; P < 0.0001 ), LV-GLS (16.2 ± 2.8 vs. 18.7 ± 2.4%; P = 0.003 ), and global work efficiency (90.3 ± 3.5 vs. 93.3 ± 3.2%; P = 0.0004 ) values; conversely, global wasted work values (161.2 ± 33.6 vs. 112.72 ± 37.3 mm Hg%; P < 0.0001 ) significantly decreased. Well-controlled T2DM patients with preserved LVEF who are treated with a SGLT2-i on top of the guidelines direct medical therapy showed a favorable cardiac remodeling, characterized by the improvement of LV-GLS and myocardial work efficiency.

Dual Pathway Inhibition with Rivaroxaban and Aspirin Reduces Inflammatory Biomarkers in Atherosclerosis.

ABSTRACT: Dual pathway inhibition (DPI) with low-dose rivaroxaban and aspirin in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and/or peripheral artery disease (PAD) reduces the occurrence of cardiovascular (CV) events; however, the underlying mechanisms explaining these latter CV benefits are not clearly understood. Our explorative observational study aimed to evaluate the effect of dual pathway inhibition on plasma inflammation and coagulation markers among real-world patients with CAD and/or PAD. We prospectively included all consecutive patients with an established diagnosis of CAD and/or PAD treated with aspirin 100 mg once daily (OD) and rivaroxaban 2.5 mg twice daily (TD). Clinical evaluation and laboratory analyses, including hemoglobin, renal function (creatinine, urea, and cystatin-C), coagulation markers (INR and aPTT), inflammation markers (IL-6, CRP, lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2, and copeptin), and growth differentiation factor-15 (GDF-15), were conducted at baseline, before starting treatment, and at 4 and 24 weeks after study drug administration. Fifty-four consecutive patients (mean age 66 ± 7 years; male 83%) who completed the 6-month follow-up were included. At 24-week follow-up, a statistically significant reduction in IL-6 serum levels [4.6 (3.5-6.5) vs. 3.4 (2.4-4.3) pg/mL ; P = 0.0001] and fibrinogen [336 (290-390) vs. 310 (275-364) mg/dL; P = 0.04] was shown; moreover, a significant increase in GDF-15 serum level [1309 (974-1961) vs. 1538 (1286-2913) pg/mL; P = 0.002] was observed. Hemoglobin, renal function, and cardiovascular homeostasis biomarkers remain stable over the time. The anti-Xa activity at both [0.005 (0-0.02) vs. 0.2 (0.1-0.34); P < 0.0001) significantly increased. The dual pathway inhibitions with low-dose rivaroxaban and aspirin in patients with CAD and/or PAD were associated with the reduction of inflammation biomarkers.

Remote monitoring of implantable cardiac monitors in patients with unexplained syncope: Predictors of false-positive alert episodes.

BACKGROUND: Remote monitoring is recommended for patients with implantable cardiac monitors (ICMs), but compared to other cardiac implantable devices, ICMs are less accurate and transmit a higher number of alerts. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the predictors of false-positive (FP) arrhythmic alerts in patients with unexplained syncope who were implanted with ICM and followed by an automatic remote monitoring system. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated all consecutive patients who received a long-sensing vector ICM for unexplained syncope between January 2019 to September 2021 at our Syncope Unit. The primary endpoint was the incidence of the first FP episode. The secondary endpoints included assessing the incidence of FP episodes for all types of algorhythms and indentifying the reasons for the misdetection of these episodes. RESULTS: Among 105 patients (44.8% males, median age 51 years), 51 (48.6%) transmitted at least one FP alert during a median follow-up of 301 days. The presence of pre-ventricular complexes (PVCs) on the resting electrocardiogram was the only clinical characteristic associated with an increased risk of FP alerts (adjusted Hazard ratio [HR] 5.76 [2.66-12.4], p = 0.010). The other significant device-related variables were a low-frequency filter at 0.05 Hz versus the default 0.5 Hz (adjusted HR 3.82 [1.38-10.5], p = 0.010) and the R-wave amplitude (adjusted HR 0.35 [0.13-0.99], p = 0.049). CONCLUSION: Patients who have PVCs are at higher risk of inappropriate ICM activations. To reduce the occurrence of FP alerts, it may be beneficial to target a large R-wave amplitude during device insertion and avoid programming a low-frequency filter at 0.05 Hz.

Clinical impact of oral anticoagulation among octogenarians with atrial fibrillation and anaemia.

Our study aimed to describe the efficacy and safety of oral anticoagulation (OAC) use in elderly patients (> or = 80 years-old) with atrial fibrillation (AF) and concomitant anaemia. Data for this study were sourced from AF Research Database (NCT03760874). AF patients aged ≥ 80 who received OAC treatment, both direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC) and vitamin K antagonist (VKA) were selected. Participants were categorized as anaemic and non-anaemic. The primary outcome was the occurrence of overall bleeding. The primary effectiveness outcome was the occurrence of thromboembolic events (a composite of ischemic stroke, transient ischemic attack and systemic embolism). The secondary safety and effectiveness outcomes were major, minor bleedings and mortality, respectively. A total of 958 patients were included in the study, 120 (12.5%) were anaemic; among them, 93 patients (76.6%) were treated with VKAs and 28 (23.3%) with DOAC. Kaplan-Meier curves for major bleedings showed significant differences between anemic- and non-anemic groups (log-rank p = 0.005). In multivariate analysis, among patients on OAC, anaemia was independently associated with major bleeding (HR 2.36; 95% IC 1.2-4.4; p = 0.006), intracranial hemorrhages (HR 3.81; 95% IC 1.35-10.7; p = 0.01) and minor bleedings (HR 2.40; 95%IC 1.1-5.2; p = 0.02); these associations were not confirmed in the DOACs subgroup. No difference in survival was shown between anaemic- and non-anaemic groups and among anaemic patients, between DOAC and VKAs subgroups. Anaemic octogenarians with AF on OAC therapy showed a significantly increased risk of major bleedings, in particular ICH, and mortality compared to non-anaemic.

The Novel Role of Noncoding RNAs in Modulating Platelet Function: Implications in Activation and Aggregation.

It is currently believed that plaque complication, with the consequent superimposed thrombosis, is a key factor in the clinical occurrence of acute coronary syndromes (ACSs). Platelets are major players in this process. Despite the considerable progress made by the new antithrombotic strategies (P2Y12 receptor inhibitors, new oral anticoagulants, thrombin direct inhibitors, etc.) in terms of a reduction in major cardiovascular events, a significant number of patients with previous ACSs treated with these drugs continue to experience events, indicating that the mechanisms of platelet remain largely unknown. In the last decade, our knowledge of platelet pathophysiology has improved. It has been reported that, in response to physiological and pathological stimuli, platelet activation is accompanied by de novo protein synthesis, through a rapid and particularly well-regulated translation of resident mRNAs of megakaryocytic derivation. Although the platelets are anucleate, they indeed contain an important fraction of mRNAs that can be quickly used for protein synthesis following their activation. A better understanding of the pathophysiology of platelet activation and the interaction with the main cellular components of the vascular wall will open up new perspectives in the treatment of the majority of thrombotic disorders, such as ACSs, stroke, and peripheral artery diseases before and after the acute event. In the present review, we will discuss the novel role of noncoding RNAs in modulating platelet function, highlighting the possible implications in activation and aggregation.

Gender Differences in Atrial Fibrillation: From the Thromboembolic Risk to the Anticoagulant Treatment Response.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac arrhythmia associated with an increased thromboembolic risk. The impact of the female sex as an independent risk factor for thromboembolic events in AF is still debated. Background and Objectives: The aim of this review is to evaluate the gender-related differences in cardioembolic risk and response to anticoagulants among AF patients. Materials and Methods: The PubMed database is used to review the reports about gender differences and thromboembolic risk in atrial fibrillation. Results: Non-vitamin K oral anticoagulants (NOACs) represent the gold standard for thromboembolic risk prevention in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF). Despite a similar rate of stroke and systemic embolism (SE) among men and women in NOACs or vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) treatment, the use of NOACs in AF women is associated with a lower risk of intracranial bleeding, major bleeding, and all-cause mortality than in men. Conclusions: The female sex can be defined as a stroke risk modifier rather than a stroke risk factor since it mainly increases the thromboembolic risk in the presence of other risk factors. Further studies about the efficacy and safety profile of NOACs according to sex are needed to support clinicians in performing the most appropriate and tailored anticoagulant therapy, either in male or female AF patients.

Echocardiographic probability of pulmonary hypertension: a validation study.

BACKGROUND: According to current guidelines, the diagnosis of pulmonary hypertension (PH) relies on echocardiographic probability followed by right heart catheterisation (RHC). How echocardiography predicts PH recently redefined by mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mPAP) >20 mmHg instead of ≥25 mmHg and pulmonary vascular disease defined by pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) ≥3 or >2 WU has not been established. METHODS: A total of 278 patients referred for PH underwent comprehensive echocardiography followed by RHC. 15 patients (5.4%) were excluded because of insufficient quality echocardiography. RESULTS: With PH defined by mPAP >20 mmHg, 23 patients had no PH, 146 had pre-capillary PH and 94 had post-capillary PH. At univariate analysis, maximum tricuspid regurgitation velocity (TRV) 2.9-3.4 m·s-1, left ventricle (LV) eccentricity index >1.1, right ventricle outflow tract acceleration time (RVOT-AT) <105 ms or notching, RV/LV basal diameter >1 and pulmonary artery diameter predicted PH, whereas inferior vena cava diameter and right atrial area did not. At multivariable analysis, only TRV ≥2.9 m·s-1 independently predicted PH. Additional independent prediction of PVR ≥3 WU was offered by LV eccentricity index >1.1, and RVOT-AT <105 ms and/or notching, but with no improvement of optimal combination of specificity and sensitivity or positive prediction. CONCLUSIONS: Echocardiography as recommended in current guidelines can be used to assess the probability of redefined PH in a referral centre. However, the added value of indirect signs is modest and sufficient quality echocardiographic signals may not be recovered in some patients.

Glycated ACE2 reduces anti-remodeling effects of renin-angiotensin system inhibition in human diabetic hearts.

BACKGROUND: High glycated-hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels correlated with an elevated risk of adverse cardiovascular outcomes despite renin-angiotensin system (RAS) inhibition in type-2 diabetic (T2DM) patients with reduced ejection fraction. Using the routine biopsies of non-T2DM heart transplanted (HTX) in T2DM recipients, we evaluated whether the diabetic milieu modulates glycosylated ACE2 (GlycACE2) levels in cardiomyocytes, known to be affected by non-enzymatic glycosylation, and the relationship with glycemic control. OBJECTIVES: We investigated the possible effects of GlycACE2 on the anti-remodeling pathways of the RAS inhibitors by evaluating the levels of Angiotensin (Ang) 1-9, Ang 1-7, and Mas receptor (MasR), Nuclear-factor of activated T-cells (NFAT), and fibrosis in human hearts. METHODS: We evaluated 197 first HTX recipients (107 non-T2DM, 90 T2DM). All patients were treated with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACE-I) or angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) at hospital discharge. Patients underwent clinical evaluation (metabolic status, echocardiography, coronary CT-angiography, and endomyocardial biopsies). Biopsies were used to evaluate ACE2, GlycACE2, Ang 1-9, Ang 1-7, MasR, NAFT, and fibrosis. RESULTS: GlycACE2 was higher in T2DM compared tonon-T2DM cardiomyocytes. Moreover, reduced expressions of Ang 1-9, Ang 1-7, and MasR were observed, suggesting impaired effects of RAS-inhibition in diabetic hearts. Accordingly, biopsies from T2DM recipients showed higher fibrosis than those from non-T2DM recipients. Notably, the expression of GlycACE2 in heart biopsies was strongly dependent on glycemic control, as reflected by the correlation between mean plasma HbA1c, evaluated quarterly during the 12-month follow-up, and GlycACE2 expression. CONCLUSION: Poor glycemic control, favoring GlycACE2, may attenuate the cardioprotective effects of RAS-inhibition. However, the achievement of tight glycemic control normalizes the anti-remodeling effects of RAS-inhibition. TRIAL REGISTRATION: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ NCT03546062.

Add-on Therapy With Sacubitril/Valsartan and Clinical Outcomes in CRT-D Nonresponder Patients.

ABSTRACT: No data on the add-on sacubitril/valsartan (S/V) therapy among cardiac resynchronization therapy with a defibrillator (CRT-D) nonresponder patients are currently available in literature. We conducted a prospective observational study including 190 CRT-D nonresponder patients with symptomatic heart failure with reduced ejection fraction despite the optimal medical therapy from at least 1 year. The primary endpoint was the rate of additional responders (left ventricular end-systolic volume reduction >15%) at 12 months from the introduction of S/V therapy. At the end of the 12 months follow-up, 37 patients (19.5%) were deemed as "additional responders" to the combination use of CRT + S/V therapy. The only clinical predictor of additional response was a lower left ventricular ejection fraction [OR 0.881 (0.815-0.953), P = 0.002] at baseline. At 12 months follow-up, there were significant improvements in heart failure (HF) symptoms and functional status [New York Heart Association 2 (2-3) vs. 1 (1-2), P < 0.001; physical activity duration/day: 10 (8-12) vs. 13 (10-18) hours, P < 0.001]. Compared with the 12 months preceding S/V introduction, there were significant reductions in the rate of HF rehospitalization (35.5% vs. 19.5%, P < 0.001), in atrial tachycardia/atrial fibrillation burden [6.0 (5.0-8.0) % vs. 0 (0-2.0) %, P < 0.001] and in the proportions of patients experiencing ventricular arrhythmias (21.6% vs. 6.3%; P < 0.001). Our results indicate that S/V add-on therapy in CRT-D nonresponder patients is associated with 19.5% of additional responders, a reduction in HF symptoms and rehospitalizations, AF burden, and ventricular arrhythmias.

Arrhythmic CArdiac DEath in MYotonic dystrophy type 1 patients (ACADEMY 1) study: the predictive role of programmed ventricular stimulation.

AIMS: Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) predisposes to the development of life-threatening arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death. Our study aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of programmed ventricular stimulation (PVS) in DM1 patients with conduction system disease. METHODS AND RESULTS: Arrhythmic CArdiac DEath in MYotonic dystrophy type 1 patients (ACADEMY 1) is a double-arm non-randomized interventional prospective study. Myotonic dystrophy type 1 patients with permanent cardiac pacing indication were eligible for the inclusion. The study population underwent to pacemaker (PM) or implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) implantation according to the inducibility of ventricular tachyarrhythmias at PVS. Primary endpoint of the study was a composite of appropriate ICD therapy and cardiac arrhythmic death. The secondary study endpoint was all-cause mortality. Seventy-two adult-onset DM1 patients (51 ± 12 years; 39 male) were enrolled in the study. A ventricular tachyarrhythmia was induced in 25 patients (34.7%) at PVS (PVS+) who underwent dual chambers ICD implantation. The remaining 47 patients (65.3%) without inducible ventricular tachyarrhythmia (PVS-) were treated with dual-chamber PM. During an average observation period of 44.7 ± 10.2 months, nine patients (12.5%) met the primary endpoint, four in the ICD group (16%) and five (10.6%) in the PM group. Thirteen patients died (18.5%), 2 in the ICD group (8%) and 11 in PM group (23.4%). The Kaplan-Meier analysis did not show a significantly different risk of both primary and secondary endpoint event rates between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: The inducibility of ventricular tachyarrhythmias has shown a limited value in the arrhythmic risk stratification among DM1 patients.

Chronic Oral Anticoagulation and Clinical Outcome in Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients.

PURPOSE: The clinical course of COVID-19 may be complicated by acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and thromboembolic events, which are associated with high risk of mortality. Although previous studies reported a lower rate of death in patients treated with heparin, the potential benefit of chronic oral anticoagulation therapy (OAT) remains unknown. We aimed to investigate the association between OAT with the risk of ARDS and mortality in hospitalized patients with COVID-19. METHODS: This is a multicenter retrospective Italian study including consecutive patients hospitalized for COVID-19 from March 1 to April 22, 2020, at six Italian hospitals. Patients were divided into two groups according to the chronic assumption of oral anticoagulants. RESULTS: Overall, 427 patients were included; 87 patients (19%) were in the OAT group. Of them, 54 patients (13%) were on treatment with non-vitamin k oral anticoagulants (NOACs) and 33 (8%) with vitamin-K antagonists (VKAs). OAT patients were older and had a higher rate of hypertension, diabetes, and coronary artery disease compared to No-OAT group. The rate of ARDS at admission (26% vs 28%, P=0.834), or developed during the hospitalization (9% vs 10%, P=0.915), was similar between study groups; in-hospital mortality (22% vs 26%, P=0.395) was also comparable. After balancing for potential confounders by using the propensity score matching technique, no differences were found in term of clinical outcome between OAT and No-OAT patients CONCLUSION: Oral anticoagulation therapy, either NOACs or VKAs, did not influence the risk of ARDS or death in patients hospitalized with COVID-19.

Prevalence and clinical predictors of inappropriate direct oral anticoagulant dosage in octagenarians with atrial fibrillation.

PURPOSE: Older age is associated with inappropriate dose prescription of direct oral anticoagulants. The aim of our study was to describe the prevalence and the clinical predictors of inappropriate DOACs dosage among octogenarians in real-world setting. METHODS: Data for this study were sourced from the multicenter prospectively maintained Atrial Fibrillation (AF) Research Database (NCT03760874). Of the AF patients aged ≥ 80 who received DOACs treatment, 253 patients were selected. Participants were categorized as appropriate dosage, overdosage, or underdosage. Underdosage and overdosage were, respectively, defined as administration of a lower or higher DOAC dose than recommended in the EHRA consensus. RESULTS: A total of 178 patients (71%) received appropriate DOACs dose and 75 patients (29%) inappropriate DOACs dose; among them, 19 patients (25.6%) were overdosed and 56 (74.4%) were underdosed. Subgroup analysis demonstrated that underdosage was independently associated with male gender [OR = 3.15 (95% IC; 1.45-6.83); p < 0.001], coronary artery disease [OR = 3.60 (95% IC 1.45-9.10); p < 0.001] and body mass index [OR = 1.27 (1.14-1.41); p < 0.001]. Overdosage was independently associated with diabetes mellitus [OR = 18 (3.36-96); p < 0.001], with age [OR = 0.76 (95% IC; 0.61-0.96; p = 0.045], BMI [OR = 0.77 (95% IC; 0.62-0.97; p = 0.043] and with previous bleedings [OR = 6.40 (0.7; 1.43-28); p = 0.039]. There wasn't significant difference in thromboembolic, major bleeding events and mortality among different subgroups. Underdosage group showed a significatively lower survival compared with appropriate dose group (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: In our analysis, nearly one-third of octogenarians with AF received an inappropriate dose of DOAC. Several clinical factors were associated with DOACs' overdosage (diabetes mellitus type II, previous bleeding) or underdosage (male gender, coronary artery disease, and higher body mass index). Octogenarians with inappropriate DOACs underdosage showed less survival.

Inappropriate shocks due to air entrapment in patients with subcutaneous implantable cardioverter-defibrillator: A meta-summary of case reports.

BACKGROUND: Air entrapment has been recently described as a cause of inappropriate shock (IAS) among patients who underwent subcutaneous implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (S-ICD) implantation. Data about this complication are lacking in the literature. METHODS: In this meta-summary 14 case reports describing IAS due to air entrapment were included. Patients' characteristics, S-ICD implant technique and air entrapment properties were collected. RESULTS: All patients experienced IAS within 4 days following S-ICD implant. The subcutaneous air was demonstrated by chest x-ray in 11 cases (73.3%). The sensing vector was reprogrammed in 11 cases (73.3%), and ICD was switched off in 2 cases (1.3%). CONCLUSIONS: IAS due to air entrapment is an early complication of S-ICD implant. No association was observed between the implant technique and air retention. Diagnosis is confirmed by chest x-ray and device interrogation. Management includes switching off the device or, preferably, changing the sensing vector.

Effects of colchicine on tissue factor in oxLDL-activated T-lymphocytes.

Several studies have shown that T-cells might be involved in pathophysiology of acute coronary syndromes (ACS). Tissue factor (TF) plays a key role in ACS. Many evidences have indicated that some statins reduce TF expression in several cell types. However, literature about rosuvastatin and TF and about statins effects on T-cells is still scanty. Colchicine is an anti-inflammatory drug recently proven to have beneficial effects in ACS via unknown mechanisms. This study investigates the effects of colchicine and rosuvastatin on TF expression in oxLDL-activated T-cells. T-cells, isolated from buffy coats of healthy volunteers, were stimulated with oxLDL (50 µg/dL). T-cells were pre-incubated with colchicine (10 µM) or rosuvastatin (5 µM) for 1 h and then stimulated with oxLDL (50 µg/mL). TF gene (RT-PCR), protein (western blot), surface expression (FACS) and procoagulant activity (FXa generation assay) were measured. NF-κB/IκB axis was examined by western blot analysis and translocation assay. Colchicine and rosuvastatin significantly reduced TF gene, and protein expression and procoagulant activity in oxLDL stimulated T-cells. This effect was associated with a significant reduction in TF surface expression as well as its procoagulant activity. These phenomena appear modulated by drug effects on the transcription factor NF-kB. Rosuvastatin and colchicine prevent TF expression in oxLDL-stimulated T-cells by modulating the NF-κB/IκB axis. Thus, we speculate that this might be another mechanism by which these drugs exert benefic cardiovascular effects.

Cardioinhibitory syncope with asystole during nitroglycerin potentiated head up tilt test: prevalence and clinical predictors.

AIMS: The aim of our study was to evaluate the prevalence and clinical predictors of cardioinhibitory (CI) responses with asystole at the nitroglycerin (NTG)-potentiated head-up tilt test (HUTT) in patients with a history of syncope admitted to a tertiary referral syncope unit. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated all consecutive patients who underwent NTG-potentiated HUTT for suspected reflex syncope at our institution from March 1 2017 to May 1 2020. The prevalence of HUTT-induced CI syncope was assessed. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to test the association of asystolic response to HUTT with a set of clinical covariates. RESULTS: We enrolled 1285 patients (45 ± 19.1 years; 49.6% male); 368 (28.6%) showed HUTT-induced CI response with asystole. A multivariate analysis revealed that the following factors were independently associated with HUTT-induced CI syncope: male sex (OR 1.48; ConInt 1.14-1.92; P = 0.003), smoking (OR 2.22; ConInt 1.56-3.115; P < 0.001), traumatic syncope (OR: 2.81; ConInt 1.79-4.42; P < 0.001), situational syncope (OR 0.45; ConInt 0.27-0.73; P = 0.002), and the use of diuretics (OR 9.94; ConInt 3.83-25.76; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The cardioinhibitory syncope with asystole induced by NTG-potentiated HUTT is more frequent than previously reported. The male gender, smoking habit, history of traumatic syncope, and use of diuretics were independent predictors of HUTT-induced CI responses. Conversely, the history of situational syncope seems to reduce this probability.

Is it possible that angioplasty does not improve the quality of life in patients with stable angina?

The scientific evidence in favour of percutaneous transcatheter coronary angioplasty (PTCA) in chronic ischaemic heart disease in terms of reduction of myocardial infarction and mortality is very scarce and controversial. However, for many years, the cardiology community has believed in the dogma that PTCA in chronic ischaemic heart disease could improve symptoms, especially when combined with effective medical therapy. A recent randomized controlled trial (ORBIT) has completely overturned this dogma, questioning much of what we have been taught about revascularization procedures in patients with stable coronary artery disease. In this article, the ORBITA study is discussed in depth, highlighting the lights and shadows of the study itself.

Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio predicts permanent pacemaker implantation in TAVR patients.

INTRODUCTION: In this prospective multicenter analysis, we aimed to investigate the predictive role of neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in permanent pacemaker implantation (PPI) in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred and seventy-nine consecutive patients without previous PPI underwent TAVR from February 2017 to September 2021. Patients were further divided based on presence (n = 48) and absence of conduction abnormalities (CAs) at hospital admission (n = 131). RESULTS: In patients with previous CAs, NLR values did not differ significantly between patients requiring PPI (n = 16, 33%) and those not requiring it. In contrast, in patients with no CAs at hospital admission, NLR values measured at admission and on TAVR day were significantly higher in patients requiring PPI (n = 17, 13%) (4.07 ± 3.22 vs. 3.01 ± 1.47, p = .025, and 10.81 ± 7.81 vs. 5.84 ± 3.78, p = .000, respectively). Multivariable analysis showed that NLR at TAVR day was an independent predictor of PPI in patients without CAs (OR 1.294; 95% CI 1.028-1.630; p = .028), but not in those with previous CAs. ROC curve analysis showed that the cut point was a NLR value of >7.25. Time to PPI was delayed till 21 days in patients without CAs. CONCLUSIONS: In this prospective study, higher NLR values on the day of TAVR day were associated with an increased PPI rate in patients undergoing TAVR with no previous CAs. It is advisable, being inflammation part of the process, to prolong the time of observation for all patients without CAs till at least 21 days not to miss any new CA necessitating PPI.