Percutaneous transaxillary approach for peripheral endovascular interventions.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the safety and feasibility of percutaneous transaxillary (TAx) access for peripheral endovascular interventions. BACKGROUND: The common femoral artery (CFA) is the most commonly used access site for peripheral endovascular interventions. However, its use might be precluded in multiple circumstances. The axillary artery is comparable in size to the CFA and is less affected by atherosclerosis. Data regarding its percutaneous use in peripheral endovascular interventions are scarce. METHODS: Consecutive patients who underwent percutaneous TAx peripheral endovascular interventions were identified. Demographic and periprocedural data were extracted. Axillary artery access was obtained percutaneously with the arm abducted. A destination sheath was advanced to the relevant vessel. Endovascular interventions were performed using standard devices and techniques. Vascular closure devices were utilized to achieve hemostasis. Primary endpoints included procedural technical success, access-related complications, and major adverse events (MAEs). Secondary endpoints included cannulation time, total procedure time, fluoroscopy time, and length of stay (LOS). RESULTS: Percutaneous TAx access was successfully utilized to perform 41 procedures in 29 patients, lacking a suitable conventional access. Three quarters of target vessels were infrainguinal. The lesions of 61% were classified as TransAtlantic Inter-Society Consensus (TASC) C or D. Access-related complications occurred in two procedures (5%). No MAEs occurred. Median cannulation time was 12 min, procedure time 135 min, fluoroscopy time 20 min, and LOS 1 day. CONCLUSIONS: When no suitable access exists for lower extremity catheter-based interventions, percutaneous TAx approach is a feasible and safe alternative. As such facility with this approach is a valuable asset for interventionalists.

Implications of Misclassification of Type 2 Myocardial Infarction on Clinical Outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Patients with type 2 myocardial infarction (MI) are often classified under the diagnosis of non-ST-segment-elevation MI (NSTEMI) despite the significant differences in clinical characteristics, management, and outcomes between type 2 MI and type 1 NSTEMI. This may have significant implications that can lead to inaccurate assessment of quality measures by MI quality review programs. METHODS: A single-center retrospective study of 1224 patients discharged with the diagnosis of type 1 NSTEMI between January 2015 and September 2017. Based on the third universal definition of MI, we stratified patients into type 2 MI or type 1 NSTEMI. Patient's characteristics, comorbidities, medications prescribed during hospitalization and at discharge, readmissions within 30 days after discharge, and diagnostic and therapeutic interventions data was collected. The primary goal of this study was to identify how often type 2 MI patients were misclassified as type 1 NSTEMI, we also assessed the differences in treatment and outcomes between type 2 MI and type 1 NSTEMI. RESULTS: 1224 patients assigned the ICD-9 and ICD-10 codes of type 1 NSTEMI at discharge were evaluated for study inclusion. After application of the inclusion criteria, 945 patients were included in the final analysis. Of these 945 patients, 281 (29.7%) patients were classified as type 2 MI and 664 (70.3%) patients were classified as type 1 NSTEMI. Patients with type 2 MI were older, more likely to have systolic heart failure, had lower peak troponin levels, were less likely to receive aspirin, P2Y12 inhibitors and statin at discharge, and had longer length of stay. Compared with type 1 NSTEMI patients, those with type 2 MI had higher all cause 30-day mortality (13.5% versus 2.9%, P < 0.0001) (RR: 4.65; 95% CI, 2.85-9.65). After adjusting for patient demographics, comorbidities, and medications, patients with type 2 MI were still more likely to die within 30 days after discharge (RR: 2.89; 95% CI, 1.58-7.46). In addition, patients with type 2 MI were more likely to be readmitted within 30 days after discharge than patients with type 1 NSTEMI (17.7% versus 13.9%, P < 0.01) (RR: 1.27; 95% CI, 1.08-2.5). CONCLUSIONS: Close to one third of patients given the diagnosis of type 1 NSTEMI at discharge at our institution were type 2 MI patients. Patients with type 2 MI are managed differently from type 1 NSTEMI patients and have higher 30-day mortality and readmission rate. Misclassification of type 2 MI as type 1 NSTEMI can have a significant impact on hospitals MI clinical performance and quality measures.

Post-Close Technique for Arteriotomy Hemostasis After Impella Removal.

Utilization of large-bore sheaths has increased dramatically with the advancement of hemodynamic support devices. The pre-close technique is widely used to achieve hemostasis after device removal. However, this technique might fail or be deferred in certain situations, such as planned extended hemodynamic support or emergencies. Perclose employment in arteriotomies larger than 8 Fr might not be successful, as the device foot does not catch the vessel's anterior wall. We describe a simple "postclose" technique for large arteriotomies (13-14 Fr) after removal of Impella 2.5 or CP systems (Abiomed) from the common femoral artery, using two Perclose devices.

Counterintuitively Crossing a Critically Stenosed Aortic Valve is a Diastolic Phenomenon.

Crossing of a critically stenosed aortic valve is a pivotal step during diagnostic cardiac catheterization to measure the transvalvular gradient, especially in patients with discordant clinical and echocardiographic findings and also during transcatheter aortic valve replacement procedures. However, there are no data in the literature indicating whether aortic valve crossing typically occurs during systole or diastole. We hypothesize that aortic valve crossing is a diastolic phenomenon and describe our technique for crossing critically stenosed aortic valves.

Amiodarone induced myxedema coma: Two case reports and literature review.

Amiodarone is a benzofuran derivative that contains 37% iodine by weight and is structurally similar to the thyroid hormones. Amiodarone has a complex effect on the thyroid gland, ranging from abnormalities of thyroid function tests to overt thyroid dysfunction, with either thyrotoxicosis or hypothyroidism. Myxedema coma secondary to amiodarone use has been rarely reported in the literature. Our two case reports are an add on to the literature, and illustrate that amiodarone is an important cause of thyroid dysfunction including hypothyroidism and myxedema coma. Hence, healthcare providers should have a high index of suspicion for these conditions while treating patients who are taking amiodarone therapy as early recognition and management are essential to optimize outcomes.

Suggested Bony Landmarks for Safe Axillary Artery Access.

OBJECTIVE: To identify a fluoroscopic bony landmark for safe percutaneous axillary artery cannulation. BACKGROUND: No bony landmarks exist to guide safe percutaneous axillary artery cannulation, which is an important alternate access site for catheter-based procedures in selected patients. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 51 consecutive percutaneous axillary artery sheath angiograms and attempted to correlate a fixed bony landmark to the proximal end of the third part of the artery. Proximal to this site, no cords of the brachial plexus traverse the anterior aspect of the vessel. Moreover, this site is proximal to the subscapular branch of the axillary artery, the first branch of its third part, and a sentinel component of the scapular anastomosis responsible for collateral blood flow to the arm. RESULTS: With the arm abducted at 135°, the subscapular artery originated at, or distal to, the inferior border of the glenoid cavity, as seen on fluoroscopy in the anterior-posterior projection, in all patients. The origin was within 5 mm distal to the inferior border of the glenoid cavity in 17 patients (46%), 5-10 mm in 13 patients (35%), and between 10 mm and 20 mm in 7 patients (19%). CONCLUSIONS: With the arm abducted, the origin of the subscapular artery correlates well with the inferior-most aspect of the glenoid cavity of the scapula under fluoroscopy. Axillary artery cannulation medial to this bony landmark typically lands the sheath in the second part or proximal end of the third part of the artery, thereby theoretically sparing injury to the brachial plexus and the subscapular artery.

Jetstream atherectomy and balloon angioplasty with distal embolic protection for Angio-Seal related vascular access complications.

Arteriotomy closure devices (ACDs) are routinely used for vascular closure during invasive cardiovascular procedures. They decrease time to hemostasis as well as length of stay. Major complications such as arterial ischemia and occlusion can be encountered in a minority of patients. We are describing a series of 3 patients with access site closure using Angio-Seal after coronary angiography who developed intermittent claudication within 2-3 weeks of follow-up. Access site thrombosis/stenosis in the CFA was found in all the three cases. They were successfully revascularized using Jetstream atherectomy with embolic protection filter followed by balloon angioplasty. This technique can treat extensive thrombus burden as well as extract the collagen and foot plate of Angio-Seal through atherectomy with cutting blades and thrombectomy via rheolytic macerating aspiration port. All cases had excellent angiographic and clinical results.

Value of neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio as a predictor of mortality in patients undergoing aortic valve replacement.

BACKGROUND: Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) has been studied as a measure of inflammation and as a prognosticating factor in various medical conditions including neoplastic, inflammatory and cardiovascular. The prognostic role of NLR in predicting mortality in patients with aortic stenosis undergoing surgical aortic valve replacement (AVR) has not been studied. The aim of our study is to explore the utility of NLR as a predictor of both, short and long-term mortality, in patients undergoing surgical AVR. METHODS: Consecutive patients with aortic stenosis admitted for AVR to our institution were evaluated for study inclusion. Of the 335 patients admitted from January 2007 to September 2011, 234 met study inclusion criteria. Patients were divided into two groups depending on their initial preoperative NLR level with a cutoff value of 3. Three-year vital status was accessed with electronic medical records and Social Security Death Index. Survival analysis, stratified by NLR, was used to evaluate the predictive value of preoperative NLR levels. RESULTS: Patients with NLR ≥3, when compared to those with NLR <3, had a significantly higher short-term (9.40% vs. 0, P=0.0006), 6-month (19.54% vs. 0.95%, P<0.0001), and 3-year mortality (27.35% vs. 3.78%, P<0.0001). After adjustment for baseline characteristics, co-morbidities, symptomatology, echocardiographic findings, and blood tests, NLR level remained a significant independent predictor of 3-year mortality; Hazard ratios (HRs) increased by a factor of 1.18 (1.05-1.33, P=0.0068) and patients with a NLR ≥3 had 4.77 fold increase in 3-year mortality (1.48-15.32, P=0.0090). CONCLUSIONS: NLR is an independent predictor of short-term and long-term mortality in patients with aortic stenosis undergoing AVR surgery, especially those with NLR ≥3. We strongly suggest the use of NLR as a tool to risk stratify patients with aortic stenosis undergoing AVR surgery.

Amiodarone-induced loculated pleural effusion without pulmonary parenchymal involvement: A case report and literature review.

Amiodarone is an extremely effective antiarrhythmic drug that is known to cause many adverse effects such as pulmonary, thyroid, and liver toxicities. Of these, pulmonary toxicity is most serious. Pulmonary toxicity can present as interstitial pneumonitis, organizing pneumonia, pulmonary nodules and masses, and very rarely pleural effusions. We present a case of a 73-year-old male who presented with progressive exertional dyspnea, nonproductive cough, generalized fatigue, and weakness. He was found to have multiorgan toxicity secondary to long-term treatment with high doses of amiodarone. This case illustrates that amiodarone may cause toxicity involving multiple organs simultaneously in patients receiving long-term therapy and represents the first reported case of amiodarone-induced loculated pleural effusion without associated lung parenchymal involvement.

Cardiac troponin and outcome in decompensated heart failure with preserved ejection fraction.

BACKGROUND: Cardiac troponin (cTn) has been established as an effective prognostic marker in acute heart failure (HF) with predominantly reduced ejection fraction. However, it's prognostic value in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is unclear. The aim of this study is to describe the prognostic role of troponin I in patients hospitalized for HFpEF decompensation. METHODS: We included 363 consecutive patients admitted for HFpEF decompensation that was not associated with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Patients with troponin level elevation (troponin I level ≥0.04 ng/mL) were compared to patients with normal troponin level. The primary outcome was short-, intermediate-, and long-term all-cause mortality. The secondary outcomes were differences in B-type natriuretic peptide level (BNP), length of stay, and readmission rates between the two groups. RESULTS: Nearly half of the patients in the Cohort had troponin level elevation. Troponin level elevation was significantly associated with higher 30-day (4.8% vs. 0.6%, P=0.014), 1-year (12.2% vs. 4.6%, P=0.009), and 2-year mortality (13.8% vs. 5.1%, P=0.005) when compared to a normal troponin level. Troponin level elevation was an independent predictor of mortality after adjusting for clinical and laboratory risk factors seen in HFpEF decompensation. Additionally, BNP level >287 pg/mL, age, and history of atrial fibrillation were identified as statistically significant predictors of mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Troponin level elevation, in hospitalized patients with HFpEF decompensation, was associated with higher short-, intermediate-, and long-term mortality.

Percutaneous Transaxillary Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement.

The axillary artery is an alternative, large-caliber vessel that can be utilized in the presence of hostile aortoiliac segments. It can accommodate sheaths up to 18 Fr and is infrequently affected by atherosclerosis.

Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome associated with left horizontal gaze palsy.

Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is characterized by rapid onset of symptoms including headache, seizures, altered consciousness, and visual disturbance, as well as radiologic findings of focal reversible vasogenic edema. Multiple visual disturbances have been described in PRES, such as hemianopia, visual neglect, auras, visual hallucinations, and cortical blindness. However, horizontal gaze palsy has not been previously reported. We report a 72-year-old female who presented with blurred vision, severe headache, lethargy, and later developed seizures. She was found to have left horizontal gaze palsy with intact vestibulo-ocular reflex. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed severe edema throughout the subcortical white matter, and signal in the posterior parietal and occipital lobes. She was diagnosed with PRES associated with supranuclear gaze palsy.

Impact of Coronary Artery Disease on Postoperative Outcomes in Patients Undergoing Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR): Is Preoperative Coronary Revascularization Necessary?

BACKGROUND: There remains much controversy on impact of preoperative coronary artery disease (CAD) and necessity of preoperative coronary revascularization on postoperative outcomes in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). METHODS: Data were collected retrospectively for 364 consecutive patients undergoing TAVR at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, New Jersey, from May 15, 2012 to September 17, 2015. Preoperative CAD burden was calculated by three different measures of CAD: SYNTAX score, Duke Myocardial Jeopardy score (DMJS), and number of diseased coronary arteries. A composite endpoint of allcause mortality, major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular event, and postoperative revascularization procedures was used as the primary endpoint in the survival analysis. Association of measures of CAD to composite endpoint were evaluated by multivariate Cox regression model for the first measure and log-rank test for the last two measures, respectively. Kaplan-Meier survival curves were derived by all three CAD measures. Thirty-day and 1-year composite endpoint rates were compared among strata defined by tertiles of SYNTAX score, DMJS, and number of diseased coronary vessels. RESULTS: A subset of 238 patients who met all inclusion criteria were eligible for final analysis. There was no significant association between the composite endpoint and SYNTAX score (hazard ratio, 0.77; 95% confidence interval, 0.47-1.23; P=.27); CAD by DMJS (P=.24), or number of diseased coronary arteries (P=.60). Independent predictors of poor postoperative outcomes included male gender, STS score, and frailty. There was no statistically significant association between preoperative CAD measures and 30-day or 1-year composite endpoint rates. CONCLUSION: In patients with asymptomatic CAD undergoing TAVR for severe symptomatic aortic stenosis, preoperative coronary revascularization may not be necessary.

Euglycemic Diabetic Ketoacidosis, a Misleading Presentation of Diabetic Ketoacidosis.

CONTEXT: Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is one of the most serious complications of diabetes. It is characterized by a triad of increased total body ketone concentration, metabolic acidosis, and uncontrolled hyperglycemia. Hyperglycemia is a key diagnostic criterion of DKA; however, in some rare cases, normal glucose levels can be present. CASE REPORTS: We describe two patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM1); one who presented with a Bartholin's gland abscess and the other with acute pancreatitis. Both patients had maintained adequate hydration and continued to take their insulin without sufficient carbohydrate intake in the previous days prior to presentation. Despite their normal serum glucose levels upon presentation, they were found to have ketonemia and acidosis consistent with DKA. If only the serum glucose level was taken into consideration, while ignoring the rest of their biochemical profiles and failing to obtain ketone levels, the diagnoses would have been missed. CONCLUSION: Euglycemic DKA is usually seen in otherwise healthy patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus who have decreased carbohydrate intake in the presence of adequate hydration and a degree of insulin intake. Recognition of this entity by the emergency provider is crucial when patients with DM1 present with a picture of DKA, regardless of their blood sugar.

Left ventricular aneurysm and ventricular tachycardia as initial presentation of cardiac sarcoidosis.

CONTEXT: Cardiac sarcoidosis (CS) is a rare, potentially fatal disease. It has a wide range of clinical presentations that range from asymptomatic electrocardiogram changes to sudden cardiac death. Ventricular aneurysms and ventricular tachycardia are seen late in the disease, and are rarely the presenting manifestation of the disease. Diagnosis of CS is challenging and often missed or delayed. CASE REPORT: We report a 35-year-old patient who presented with sustained ventricular tachycardia and ST-elevation on electrocardiogram. Cardiac catheterization showed normal coronaries and left ventricular aneurysm. Subsequent 2D-echocardiography showed an infiltrative disease pattern. Cardiac MRI was done and showed late gadolinium enhancement in the septum, apex and lateral wall. The patient was diagnosed with cardiac sarcoidosis and treated with immune suppression and antiarrhythmic agent. In addition underwent AICD implantation. CONCLUSION: Our case highlights the importance of suspecting cardiac sarcoidosis in young patients presenting with electrocardiogram changes, and present an atypical presentation of this disease.

Acute Eosinophilic Myocarditis and Hyper IgE in HIV Infection: A Case Report.

CONTEXT: Eosinophilic myocarditis is a rare cause of myocarditis. It is manifested histopathologically by diffuse or focal myocardial inflammation with eosinophilic infiltration, often in association with peripheral blood eosinophilia. Patients infected with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), especially those with lower CD4 counts, can occasionally have hyperimmunoglobulinemia E (Hyper IgE) and eosinophilia. CASE REPORT: We report a case of a 29-year-old patient with Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) who had a persistent elevation of eosinophil counts and elevated IgE levels for a year prior to admission. He was presented to our emergency department with chest pain and laboratory tests revealed peripheral blood eosinophilia and elevated troponins. Coronary angiogram showed nonobstructive coronary artery disease. He then underwent cardiac magnetic resonance imaging which was consistent with an infiltrative myocarditis. After being put on steroid therapy, his peripheral eosinophilia resolved and his cardiac symptoms improved. CONCLUSION: Our case highlights that eosinophilia and Hyper IgE in HIV patients has the potential to contribute to end-organ damage.

Losartan-induced Ischemic Hepatocellular Hepatotoxicity: A Case Report and Literature Review.

With the increasing use of various medications and supplements nowadays, the incidence of abnormal liver function tests and frank hepatic injury is has been increasing. Medications are now considered one of the most common causes of acute hepatic failure in the United States. Losartan was the first angiotensin 1 (AT1) receptor blocker approved by FDA for the treatment of arterial hypertension. It is a well-tolerated medication with few significant adverse effects. However, losartan-related hepatotoxicity has been reported rarely. We report a case of acute hepatic injury in an adult patient treated with losartan as a monotherapy for arterial hypertension.

Ogilvie's Syndrome following Cardioversion for Atrial Fibrillation.

Acute colonic pseudoobstruction, also known as Ogilvie's syndrome, is characterized by distension of the colon in the absence of a mechanical obstruction as evident by abdominal radiography. This syndrome is usually treated conservatively; however, medical or surgical therapies can be employed in refractory cases. Ogilvie's syndrome has been reported following cardiac events, such as myocardial infarction, heart failure, and cardiac bypass surgeries. We report the first case of Ogilvie's syndrome following synchronized electric cardioversion for atrial fibrillation.