Cardiac implantable electronic device implantation and device-related infection.

AIMS: Cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIED) are important tools for managing arrhythmias, improving hemodynamics, and preventing sudden cardiac death. Device-related infections (DRI) remain a significant complication of CIED and are associated with major adverse outcomes. We aimed to assess the trend in CIED implantations, and the burden and morbidity associated with DRI. METHODS AND RESULTS: The 2011-2018 National Inpatient Sample database was searched for admissions for CIED implantation and DRI. A total of 1 604 173 admissions for CIED implantations and 71 007 (4.4%) admissions for DRI were reported. There was no significant change in annual admission rates for DRI (3.96-4.59%, P value for trend = 0.98). Those with DRI were more likely to be male (69.3 vs. 57%, P < 0.001) and have a Charlson comorbidity index score ≥3 (46.6 vs. 36.8%, P < 0.001). The prevalence of congestive heart failure (CHF) increased in those admitted with DRI over the observation period. Pulmonary embolism, deep vein thrombosis, and post-procedural hematoma were the most common complications in those with DRI (4.1, 3.6, and 2.90%, respectively). Annual in-hospital mortality for those with DRI ranged from 3.9 to 5.8% (mean 4.4%, P value for trend = 0.07). Multivariate analysis identified CHF [odds ratio (OR) = 1.67; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.35-2.07], end-stage renal disease (OR = 1.90; 95% CI = 1.46-2.48), coagulopathy (OR = 2.94; 95% CI = 2.40-3.61), and malnutrition (OR = 2.50; 95% CI = 1.99-3.15) as the predictors of in-hospital mortality for patients admitted with DRI. CONCLUSION: Device-related infection is relatively common and continues to be associated with high morbidity and mortality. The prevalence of DRI has not changed significantly despite technical and technological advances in cardiac devices and their implantation.

Long-term low-dose cabergoline usage: Another association with cardiac valvulopathy.

A 60-year-old patient, professor of physics, presented in 1999 with sudden-onset vitiligo associated with hyperprolactinemia and a prolactinoma. Fearful of potential surgical complications at the peak of his career, the patient declined surgery and opted for medical management with bromocriptine. The decreasing effectiveness of bromocriptine after 5 years required a switch to cabergoline. After a 15-year-course of cabergoline therapy with a cumulative dose of 572 mg, echocardiographic monitoring demonstrated aortic and mitral valve thickening and regurgitation. An additional 3 years of cabergoline treatment (cumulative dose: 649 mg) resulted in worsening valve thickening and regurgitation. It is well-recognized that such valvular changes may occur with high-dose cabergoline treatment. We report a case of mitral and aortic vavulopathy in a patient who was treated with long-term (18 years) low-dosage (.5-1 mg weekly) cabergoline. cabergoline, echocardiography, valvulopathy.

Colonic diverticular disease in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease: is there really an association? A nationwide analysis.

PURPOSE: Colonic diverticulosis, diverticulitis, and diverticular bleeding are reportedly more common in patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD). Other studies have questioned this association. The objectives of our study are to clarify this association using a larger patient population and to identify risk factors in general to develop diverticular disease. METHODS: The Nationwide Inpatient Sample weighted discharges from 2003 to 2011 were used to assess for the prevalence of diverticular disease in the population with ADPKD compared with the general population without ADPKD. A multivariable direct logistic regression model was constructed to determine independent predictors of diverticular disease in the general population. RESULTS: The prevalence of diverticulosis, diverticulitis, and diverticular bleeding were considerably increased in patients with ADPKD compared with the general population without ADPKD. The prevalence of colonic surgery was less in ADPKD patients with diverticulitis. In patients with kidney transplant, the prevalence of diverticulitis was increased in the ADPKD group, but colonic surgery was not significantly different between both groups. The prevalence of diverticular bleeding was slightly elevated in patients with ADPKD, but colonic surgery was significantly increased in patients with ADPKD. NSAID use, hypertension, constipation, and ADPKD had increased odds ratios for diverticular disease during multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION: There is an increased prevalence of colonic diverticular disease in the population with ADPKD.

Electrophysiologic characteristics of ventricular arrhythmias arising from the aortic mitral continuity-potential role of the conduction system.

INTRODUCTION: Catheter ablation of ventricular arrhythmia (VA) at the fibrous aortic mitral continuity (AMC) has been described, yet the nature of the arrhythmogenic substrate remains unknown. METHODS: Procedural records of 528 consecutive patients undergoing ablation of VA at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, were reviewed. The electrocardiographic and electrophysiologic characteristics of patients with successful ablation at the AMC were analyzed to characterize the underlying arrhythmogenic substrate. RESULTS: Of the 21 patients (mean age 53.2 ± 13.4 years, 47.6% male) who underwent ablation of VA at the AMC with acute success, prepotentials (PPs) were found at the ablation sites preceding the ventricular electrogram (VEGM) during arrhythmias in 13 (61.9%) patients and during sinus rhythm in 7 (53.8%) patients. VAs with PPs were associated with a significantly higher burden of premature ventricular complexes (PVCs; 26.1 ± 10.9% vs. 14.9 ± 10.1%, P = 0.03), shorter VEGM to QRS intervals (9.0 ± 28.5 milliseconds vs. 33.1 ± 8.8 milliseconds, P = 0.03), lower pace map scores (8.7 ± 1.6 vs. 11.4 ± 0.8, P = 0.001), and a trend toward shorter V-H intervals during VA (32.1 ± 38.6 milliseconds vs. 76.3 ± 11.1 milliseconds, P = 0.06) as compared to those without PP. A strong and positive correlation was found between V-H interval and QRS duration during arrhythmia in those with PPs (B = 2.11, R(2) = 0.97, t = 13.7, P < 0.001) but not in those without PPs. CONCLUSION: Local EGM characteristics and relative activation time of the His bundle suggest the possibility of conduction tissue as the origin for VA arising from the fibrous AMC. Specific identification and targeting of PPs when ablating VAs at this location may improve procedural success.

Ischemia-induced Brugada phenocopy.

A 65-year-old man with history of schizoaffective disorder was admitted with a suspicion for syncope. ECG changes consistent with type-1 Brugada pattern were noted on admission. A personal history of angina was reported but a family history of sudden cardiac death or ICD implantation was denied. A fixed perfusion defect and hypokinesis of the distal infero-lateral wall were reported on a pharmacological stress test prompting a coronary angiography. A stent was deployed across a 95% stenosis of the dominant mid right coronary artery with satisfactory results. Resolution of the Brugada type pattern was noted on ECGs repeated after the stenting.

Geriatric experience following cardiac arrest at six interventional cardiology centers in the United States 2006-2011: interplay of age, do-not-resuscitate order, and outcomes.

OBJECTIVES: It is not known if aggressive postresuscitation care, including therapeutic hypothermia and percutaneous coronary intervention, benefits cardiac arrest survivors more than 75 years old. We compared treatments and outcomes of patients at six regional percutaneous coronary intervention centers in the United States to determine if aggressive care of elderly patients was warranted. DESIGN: Retrospective evaluation of registry data. SETTING: Six interventional cardiology centers in the United States. PATIENTS: Six hundred and twenty-five unresponsive cardiac arrest survivors aged 18-75 were compared with 129 similar patients aged more than 75. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Cardiac arrest survivors aged more than 75 had more comorbidities (3.0 ± 1.6 vs 2.0 ± 1.6, p < 0.001), but were matched to younger patients in initial heart rhythm, witnessed arrests, bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and total ischemic time. Patients aged more than 75 frequently underwent therapeutic hypothermia (97.7%), urgent coronary angiography (44.2%), and urgent percutaneous coronary intervention (24%). They had more sustained hyperglycemia (70.5% vs 59%, p = 0.015), less postcooling fever (25.2% vs 35.2%, p = 0.03), were more likely to have do-not-resuscitate orders (65.9% vs 48.2%, p < 0.001), and undergo withdrawal of life support (61.2% vs 47.5%, p = 0.005). Good functional outcome at 6 months (Cerebral Performance Category 1-2) was seen in 27.9% elderly versus 40.4% younger patients overall (p = 0.01) and in 44% versus 55% (p = 0.13) of patients with an initial shockable rhythm. Of 35 survivors more than 75 years old, 33 (94.8%) were classified as Cerebral Performance Category 1 or 2 at (mean) 6.5-month follow-up. In multivariable logistic regression modeling, age more than 75 was significantly associated with outcome only when the presence of a do-not-resuscitate order was excluded from the model. CONCLUSIONS: Elderly patients were more likely to have do-not-resuscitate orders and to undergo withdrawal of life support. Age was independently associated with outcome only when correction for do-not-resuscitate status was excluded, and functional outcomes of elderly survivors were similar to younger patients. Exclusion of patients more than 75 years old from aggressive care is not warranted on the basis of age alone.

Distinguishing ventricular arrhythmia originating from the right coronary cusp, peripulmonic valve area, and the right ventricular outflow tract: utility of lead I.

INTRODUCTION: Outflow tract ventricular arrhythmia (OTVA) can be complicated to target for ablation when originating from either the periaortic or pulmonary valve (PV) region. Both sites may present with a small R wave in lead V1. However, the utility of lead I in distinguishing these arrhythmia locations is unknown. METHODS AND RESULTS: Thirty-six consecutive patients (mean age 41 ± 14 years, 13 male) underwent catheter ablation for OTVA. OTVA origin was determined from intracardiac electrogram tracings and electroanatomic maps. Observers blinded to results measured QRS waveform amplitude and duration from standard 12-lead ECG tracings. Measurements with highest diagnostic performance were modeled into an algorithm. Sites of successful ablation were anterior right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT; n = 6), posterior RVOT (n = 4), PV (n = 18), and right coronary cusp (RCC; n = 8). Highest performing surface ECG discriminators were from lead I to V1 vectors: RCC, lead I R wave ≥ 1.5 mV, and V1 R wave ≥2.0 mV (sensitivity 87%, specificity 93%); PV, V1 R wave > 0 mV, and lead I R/(R+S) ≤ 0.75 (sensitivity 78%, specificity 72%); anterior RVOT, V1 R wave = 0 mV, and lead I R/(R+S) <0.4 (sensitivity 67%, specificity 97%); posterior RVOT, V1 R wave > 0 mV, and lead I R/(R+S) > 0.75 (sensitivity 75%, specificity 84%). Sequential algorithmic application of these criteria resulted in an overall accuracy of 72% in predicting site of OTVA origin. CONCLUSIONS: A relatively large R wave in lead I is seen with RCC origin but not PV origin. A sequential algorithm has limited but potentially significant value beyond assessment of lead I in approaching OTVA.

Volitional pursed lips breathing in patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease improves exercise capacity.

Pursed lips breathing (PLB) is used by a proportion of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) to alleviate dyspnea. It is also commonly used in pulmonary rehabilitation. Data to support its use in patients who do not spontaneously adopt PLB are limited. We performed this study to assess the acute effects of PLB on exercise capacity in nonspontaneously PLB patients with stable COPD. We performed a randomized crossover study comparing 6-min walk test (6MWT) at baseline without PLB with 6WMT using volitional PLB. Spirometry, maximal inspiratory and expiratory mouth pressures, and diaphragmatic excursion during tidal and vital capacity breathing using B-mode ultrasonography were measured at baseline and after 10 min of PLB. A Visual Analog Scale (VAS) assessed subjective breathlessness at rest, after 6MWT and after 6MWT with PLB. p ≤ 0.01 was considered significant. Mean ± SD age of patients was 53.1 ± 7.4 years. Forced expiratory volume in 1 second was 1.1 ± 0.4 L/min (38.4 ± 13.2% predicted). Compared with spontaneous breathing, all but one patient with PLB showed a significant increment in 6MW distance (+34.9 ± 26.4 m; p = 0.002). There was a significant reduction in respiratory rate post 6MWT with PLB compared with spontaneous breathing (-4.4 ± 2.8 per minute; p = 0.003). There was no difference in VAS scores. There was a significant correlation between improvement in 6MWT distance and increase in diaphragmatic excursion during forced breathing. The improvement was greater in patients who had poorer baseline exercise performance. PLB has an acute benefit on exercise capacity. Sustained PLB or short bursts of PLB may improve exercise capacity in stable COPD.

Congenital Porto-Azygous Shunt (Abernethy Malformation Type II) in an Elderly Patient: A Too-Often-Forgotten Occult Abnormality.

Congenital extrahepatic portosystemic shunts (CEPS) cause portal blood to circumvent the liver and its metabolism, allowing normally detoxified ammonia to accumulate in the systemic circulation. Hyperammonemia in the elderly often manifests clinically as toxic encephalopathy. We present a case of recurrent altered mental status in a 70-year-old patient that eluded diagnosis over several years. Hyperammonemia was the sole abnormality detected upon a thorough liver function evaluation prompted by the patient's history of remote liver disease. Enhanced computed tomography revealed an extrahepatic porto-azygous shunt arising from a hypoplastic portal vein. This case illustrates that, albeit rare, CEPS may express themselves for the first time in the elderly, a patient population that is frequently afflicted by many more common causes of altered mental status. CEPS should be considered in the differential diagnosis of inexplicable hyperammonemia in this age group.

Anti-3-Hydroxy-3-Methylglutaryl Coenzyme A Reductase (Anti-HMG CoA) Myopathy With Cardiac Involvement: Presentation, Diagnosis, and Management.

Immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy (IMNM) is categorized into three groups: anti-3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase (HMGCR) IMNM, anti-signal recognition particle (SRP) IMNM, and seronegative IMNM. Cardiac involvement has been reported in a significant segment of patients with IMNM of the anti-SRP type. Emerging evidence now suggests that cardiac involvement is also implicated in the anti-HMGCR subgroup. In this report, we present a case of anti-HMGCR IMNM with cardiac involvement demonstrated by elevated troponin levels, a low ejection fraction of 40%, and regional wall motion abnormalities in the inferior, inferolateral, anteroseptal, inferoseptal, and anterolateral myocardial walls, as visualized on echocardiography. These findings markedly improved after treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) and prednisone. This case and other recent reports highlight the need for a cardiac workup in patients diagnosed with anti-HMGCR IMNM.

Differential Diagnosis of Multiple Systemic Aneurysms.

Atherosclerosis and systemic hypertension are the most common pathogeneses of solitary acquired arterial aneurysms. The rare occurrence of multiple synchronous or metachronous arterial aneurysms requires considering alternative underlying causes. We present the unusual case of a male patient who sequentially developed multiple co-existing arterial aneurysms between the ages of 51 and 59. The sites of involvement included high-pressure systemic arteries and low-pressure pulmonary arteries. We discuss the broad differential diagnosis that includes heritable and non-inheritable etiologies. A keen clinical awareness of this broader array of arterial aneurysms is essential for accurate early diagnosis and proper management.

Acquired Portosystemic Shunts in Cirrhosis and Portal Vein Thrombosis: A Case Report.

Acquired portosystemic shunts (PSS) are abnormal blood vessels that develop between the portal vein and systemic circulation as a result of portal hypertension. Recurrent hyperammonemic encephalopathy in our 62-year-old patient with cirrhosis and chronic portal vein thrombosis led to the discovery of an extremely rare and functioning portosystemic shunt (PSS). The PSS connected the inferior mesenteric and left renal veins. Such shunts are considered pathological structures and may require surgical intervention. The large PSS reported herein likely provided decompression of the portal hypertension. The concurrence of portal vein thrombosis clearly precluded any consideration of surgery. Therapeutic management in each instance of these shunts requires a full understanding of their origination, location, and physiologic implications.

Gastrointestinal histopathology of acute colchicine toxicity after lower dose treatment of pericarditis: A case report.

Colchicine is an anti-inflammatory alkaloid drug with anti-microtubule activity. Colchicine toxicity is a serious and potentially fatal complication associated with hallmark histopathological features most conspicuous in proliferative tissues such as the gastrointestinal tract. These features have only been reported in patients treated with high doses. We report a patient who experienced acute colchicine toxicity with gastrointestinal histologic changes after treatment with the lowest dose of colchicine. Knowledge of drug-drug interactions and the organs involved in colchicine metabolism is imperative when using colchicine, even when administered at its lowest dose.

Fall Risk Assessment in Geriatric-Psychiatric Inpatients to Lower Events (FRAGILE).

The objectives of this retrospective case-control study were to identify risk factors of falls in geriatric-psychiatric inpatients and develop a screening tool to accurately predict falls. The study sample consisted of 225 geriatric-psychiatric inpatients at a Midwestern referral facility. The sample included 136 inpatients who fell and a random stratified sample of 89 inpatients who did not fall. Data collected included age, gender, activities of daily living, and nursing parameters such as bathing assistance, bed height, use of bed rails, one-on-one observation, fall warning system, Conley Scale fall risk assessment, medical diagnosis, and medications. History of falls, impaired judgment, impaired gait, dizziness, delusions, delirium, chronic use of sedative or antipsychotic agents, and anticholinergic urinary bladder medications significantly increased fall risk. Alzheimer's disease, acute use of sedative or anti-psychotic agents, and depression reduced fall risk. A falls risk tool, Fall Risk Assessment in Geriatric-psychiatric Inpatients to Lower Events (FRAGILE), was developed for assessment and risk stratification with new diagnoses or medications.

Pathogenesis and therapy of arteriovenous malformations: A case report and narrative review.

Arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) are abnormal communications between arteries and veins that lack intervening capillary beds. They have been described in almost every organ in the body, emerging sporadically or as part of well-described syndromes. Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) is a rare, progressive, and lifelong disease characterized by AVMs and recurrent hemorrhaging. In the last 2 decades, significant advances have been made in understanding the pathogenesis of this condition. The accumulation of knowledge has led to a natural evolution of therapy, from open surgery to endovascular procedures, and now to a role for medications in certain AVMs. Here, we review a case of HHT and describe the most up-to-date clinical practice, including diagnosis of HHT, subtypes of HHT, and medical therapy.

Loperamide-Induced Cardiac Events: Case Reports and Review.

Reports of cardiac arrhythmia secondary to loperamide toxicity have become increasingly common in the literature. We present two patients in their mid-20s, each having overdosed on loperamide and subsequently manifesting life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias not otherwise explained by known pathology. An analysis of the limited research available indicates that loperamide's capacity to block ion channels may be responsible for these events. A better mechanistic understanding of loperamide's effects can help inform clinical management of patients with these life-threatening symptoms as at this time no set guidelines for management have yet been established.

Frog sign and AV nodal reentrant tachycardia: A case report.

Supraventricular tachycardia is one the most frequent cardiac arrhythmias seen in patients, with AVNRT being the most common subtype. Two subgroups of AVNRT have been reported, that of typical and atypical. "Frog Sign," long considered a classic physical exam sign, albeit rare, is associated with typical AVNRT. We present a case of a patient who presented with frog sign and ultimately was determined to have AVNRT. Knowledge of "frog" sign aids clinical diagnosis and correct treatment.

Native valve emphysematous enterococcal endocarditis: expanding the differential diagnosis.

INTRODUCTION: Emphysematous endocarditis is caused by the gas-forming organisms Citrobacter koseri, Escherichia coli, Clostridium species, and Finegoldia magna. We report the first case of emphysematous endocarditis caused by Enterococcus faecalis. CASE REPORT: An 82-year-old man presented with fever and rapidly progressive shortness of breath. He was found to be in atrial fibrillation with rapid ventricular rates. Two-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography demonstrated severe mitral regurgitation. Subsequent two- and three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiogram revealed a large, highly mobile vegetation on the atrial surface of the anterior mitral leaflet with aneurysmal destruction of the lateral scallop requiring mitral valve replacement. Sequencing of the vegetation revealed Enterococcus faecalis, an anaerobic gram-positive coccus that, in rare cases, produces gas using a heme-dependent catalase. Histopathological analysis of the infected valve suggested interstitial gas accumulation, leading to the diagnosis of emphysematous endocarditis. CONCLUSIONS: E. faecalis-associated emphysematous endocarditis should be included in the differential diagnosis of valvular vegetation in patients with a rapidly progressing clinical course. When possible, histopathological analysis should be used alongside other imaging techniques to confirm the diagnosis of emphysematous endocarditis. This case also highlights the importance of collecting blood cultures prior to initiating antibiotic treatment.

Left Bundle Branch Area Pacing for Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy: Results From the International LBBAP Collaborative Study Group.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility and outcomes of left bundle branch area pacing (LBBAP) in patients eligible for cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) in an international, multicenter, collaborative study. BACKGROUND: CRT using biventricular pacing is effective in patients with heart failure and left bundle branch block (LBBB). LBBAP has been reported as an alternative option for CRT. METHODS: LBBAP was attempted in patients with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) <50% and indications for CRT or pacing. Procedural outcomes, left bundle branch capture, New York Heart Association functional class, heart failure hospitalization, echocardiographic data, and lead complications were recorded. Clinical (no heart failure hospitalization and improvement in New York Heart Association functional class) and echocardiographic responses (≥5% improvement in LVEF) were assessed. RESULTS: LBBAP was attempted in 325 patients, and CRT was successfully achieved in 277 (85%) (mean age 71 ± 12 years, 35% women, ischemic cardiomyopathy in 44%). QRS configuration at baseline was LBBB in 39% and non-LBBB in 46%. Procedure and fluoroscopy duration were 105 ± 54 and 19 ± 15 min, respectively. LBBAP threshold and R-wave amplitudes were 0.6 ± 0.3 V at 0.5 ms and 10.6 ± 6 mV at implantation and remained stable during mean follow-up of 6 ± 5 months. LBBAP resulted in significant QRS narrowing from 152 ± 32 to 137 ± 22 ms (p < 0.01). LVEF improved from 33 ± 10% to 44 ± 11% (p < 0.01). Clinical and echocardiographic responses were observed in 72% and 73% of patients, respectively. Baseline LBBB (odds ratio: 3.96; 95% confidence interval: 1.64 to 9.26; p < 0.01) and left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (odds ratio: 0.62; 95% confidence interval: 0.49 to 0.79; p < 0.01) were independent predictors of echocardiographic response. CONCLUSIONS: LBBAP is feasible and safe and provides an alternative option for CRT. LBBAP provides remarkably low and stable pacing thresholds and was associated with improved clinical and echocardiographic outcomes.