Asthma-related mortality in the United States, 1999 to 2015: A multiple causes of death analysis.

BACKGROUND: Asthma mortality based on the underlying cause of death (UCOD) underestimates disease burden. OBJECTIVE: To analyze asthma mortality in the United States from 1999 to 2015 and the pattern of reporting of asthma and its comorbidities in death certificates, using multiple cause of death (MCOD) records. METHODS: All 156,517 death certificates with any mention of asthma were analyzed for 1999 to 2015. Asthma was defined by International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision code J45 based on the UCOD or MCOD. Annual age-adjusted asthma death rates were computed according to age, sex, and race/ethnicity. The 6,304 MCOD coded status asthmaticus cases (J46) were also examined. RESULTS: From 1999 to 2015 a total of 59,067 deaths with a UCOD of asthma occurred; 37,832 deaths occurred in females and 21,235 in males (female-male ratio = 1.78). A total of 156,517 deaths with MCOD of asthma occurred; 101,371 deaths occurred in females and 55,146 in males (female-male ratio = 1.83). Hence, 37.7% of deaths with any mention of asthma had asthma as the UCOD (37.3% in females and 38.45% in males). Of these deaths, 41.7% occurred in non-Hispanic blacks and 36% in non-Hispanic whites. Between 1999 and 2015, age-adjusted MCOD death rates changed as follows: 38.1% in Hispanic white females, 34.1% in non-Hispanic black females, 15.1% in non-Hispanic white females, 28.5% in Hispanic white males, 21.3% in non-Hispanic black males, and 25.0% in non-Hispanic white males. Non-Hispanic black females and males had the highest MCOD and UCOD rates throughout the period. CONCLUSION: Among deaths with any mention of asthma, asthma was chosen as the UCOD most often in non-Hispanic black males and least often in non-Hispanic white females. Age-adjusted MCOD rates decreased most in non-Hispanic white males and least in non-Hispanic white females.

Radiation Exposure to the Interventional Echocardiographers and Sonographers: A Call to Action.

Interventional echocardiography is a rapidly growing field within the disciplines of cardiology and anesthesiology, with the rise of advanced transcatheter procedures making skilled imagers more important than ever. However, these procedures also involve frequent manipulation of the transesophageal echocardiography probe, which means interventional echocardiographers (IEs) are at risk of long-term occupational radiation exposure. Studies have shown that radiation exposure is linked to various health issues, including cancer, cataracts, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, endothelial dysfunction, vascular aging, and early atherosclerosis. While there is increasing awareness of the occupational radiation dose limits and the need for better shielding methods, the importance of radiation safety for the IE is still not sufficiently prioritized in most cardiac catheterization laboratories/hybrid operating rooms. This is partly due to a paucity of studies looking at long-term radiation exposure to the IE, as this field is newer than that of interventional cardiologists.

Echocardiographic Profiling Predicts Clinical Outcomes After Mitral Transcatheter Edge-to-Edge Repair.

BACKGROUND: Prior studies investigating the impact of residual mitral regurgitation (MR), tricuspid regurgitation (TR), and elevated predischarge transmitral mean pressure gradient (TMPG) on outcomes after mitral transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER) have assessed each parameter in isolation. We sought to examine the prognostic value of combining predischarge MR, TR, and TMPG to study long-term outcomes after TEER. METHODS AND RESULTS: We reviewed the records of 291 patients who underwent successful mitral TEER at our institution between March 2014 and June 2022. Using well-established outcomes-related cutoffs for predischarge MR (≥moderate), TR (≥moderate), and TMPG (≥5 mm Hg), 3 echo profiles were developed based on the number of risk factors present (optimal: 0 risk factors, mixed: 1 risk factor, poor: ≥2 risk factors). Discrimination of the profiles for predicting the primary composite end point of all-cause mortality and heart failure hospitalization at 2 years was examined using Cox regression. Overall, mean age was 76.7±10.6 years, 43.3% were women, and 53% had primary MR. Two-year event-free survival was 61%. Predischarge TR≥moderate, MR≥moderate, and TMPG≥5 mm Hg were risk factors associated with the primary end point. Compared with the optimal profile, there was an incremental risk in 2-year event-rate with each worsening profile (optimal as reference; mixed profile: hazard ratio (HR), 2.87 [95% CI, 1.71-5.17], P<0.001; poor profile: HR, 3.76 [95% CI, 1.84-6.53], P<0.001). Echocardiographic profile was statistically associated with the 2-year mortality end point (optimal as reference; mixed profile: HR, 3.55 [95% CI, 1.81-5.96], P<0.001; poor profile: HR, 3.39 [95% CI, 2.56-7.33], P=0.02). CONCLUSIONS: The echocardiographic profile integrating predischarge TR, MR, and TMPG presents a novel prognostic stratification tool for patients undergoing mitral TEER.

Impact of Left Atrial Pressure on Outcomes After Mitral Transcatheter Edge-to-Edge Repair.

BACKGROUND: Increased left atrial pressure (LAP) has been associated with adverse outcomes after mitral transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (M-TEER). We sought to evaluate outcomes based on differences in postprocedural LAP measured after the final clip deployment. METHODS: We included consecutive patients who underwent M-TEER at our institution between 2014 and 2022 with LAP monitoring. Patients were stratified into 3 groups according to tertiles of post-TEER mean LAP. Outcomes were assessed using Kaplan-Meier analysis and Cox proportional hazards models. RESULTS: We included 273 patients (mean age, 76.8±10.8 years; 42.5% women; 78.4% White). The mean post-TEER LAP was 8.7±1.7 mm Hg in tertile 1 (n=85), 14.4±1.6 mm Hg in tertile 2 (n=95), and 21.9±3.8 mm Hg in tertile 3 (n=93). In comparison with tertile 1, both tertiles 2 and 3 were associated with increased risk of all-cause mortality or heart failure hospitalization at 2 years (adjusted hazard ratio [adjHR], 2.27 [95% CI, 1.25-4.12] and adjHR, 3.00 [95% CI, 1.59-5.64], respectively). Among patients with primary mitral regurgitation, higher LAP was associated with increased risk of 2-year all-cause mortality or heart failure hospitalization (tertile 2 versus 1: adjHR, 3.00 [95% CI, 1.37-6.56]; tertile 3 versus 1: adjHR, 5.52 [95% CI, 2.04-14.95]). However, in patients with secondary mitral regurgitation, neither being in tertile 2 (adjHR, 1.53 [95% CI, 0.55-4.24]) nor tertile 3 (adjHR, 2.18 [95% CI, 0.82-5.77]) were associated with the composite outcome compared with tertile 1. Any degree of LAP reduction following M-TEER was associated with lower mortality or heart failure hospitalization compared with no LAP reduction (adjHR, 0.59 [95% CI, 0.39-0.88]). CONCLUSIONS: Elevated LAP after M-TEER was associated with increased 2-year risk of mortality or heart failure hospitalization. Exploration of reasons for elevated LAP after M-TEER and ways to lower it warrant further investigation.

Parachute Mitral Valve in an Adult.

Two-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography images for a 49-year-old female with a history of ventricular septal defect status post repair, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and hyperlipidemia whose evaluation of her lower extremity edema showed parachute mitral valve.

Atypical Left Ventricular False Chordae Tendineae.

An 81-year-old female patient with a history of severe secondary mitral regurgitation, hypertension, and paroxysmal atrial fibrillation was seen by the valve team to determine candidacy for transcatheter edge-to-edge repair of the mitral valve. Two-dimensional biplane imaging showed a transverse basal left ventricle false tendon attached to papillary muscles. The position was concerning for interference during deployment of the mitral clip.

Think Outside the Heart: An Unusual Cause of Large Hemopericardium.

Pericardial effusions secondary to tumors are commonly metastatic, originating primarily from the lung, breast, and lymphomas. Pericardial tamponade is a rare oncological emergency warranting early identification and treatment. We describe a 66-year-old male found to have a large bloody pericardial effusion causing tamponade physiology, and multimodality imaging was consistent with intrapericardial malignancy with no identifiable primary source. He was subsequently diagnosed with type B3 thymoma after mediastinal resection.

TAV-in-TAV in Failed Homograft: Redo TAVI in a Patient With 3 Previous Sternotomies.

A 59-year-old male patient with history of rheumatic heart disease with 3 previous surgical aortic valve replacements with the last one being homograft followed by transcatheter aortic valve implantation in failed homograft presented with severe aortic regurgitation and cardiogenic shock requiring urgent TAV-in-TAV-in homograft. (Level of Difficulty: Advanced.).

When Echocardiography Is Challenging in Localizing Bioprosthetic Aortic Regurgitation: Dye Don't Lie.

Transesophageal echocardiography is the main imaging modality for localizing and quantifying prosthetic aortic regurgitation. We describe a case of bioprosthetic aortic paravalvular leak (PVL) where transesophageal echocardiography was inadequate; aortic root angiography and computed tomography fusion were critical in diagnosing and guiding closure. Multimodality imaging can be pivotal in localizing PVL and guiding transcatheter PVL closure. (Level of Difficulty: Intermediate.).

Now You See Me Now You Don't: Subaortic Membrane Causing a Diagnostic Dilemma.

Subaortic stenosis secondary to subaortic membrane is the second most common form of left ventricular outflow tract obstruction. We present the case of a 70-year-old male patient who presented with a 6-week history of progressive signs of heart failure. Multimodality imaging was required to confirm the presence of a subaortic membrane. (Level of Difficulty: Beginner.).

Feasibility and Outcomes of Mitral Transcatheter Edge-To-Edge Repair in Patients With Variable Degrees of Mitral Annular Calcification.

Background The clinical significance of mitral annular calcification (MAC) in patients undergoing mitral transcatheter edge-to-edge repair is not well understood. There is limited evidence regarding the feasibility, durability of repair, and the prognostic value of MAC in this population. We sought to examine the prognostic value of MAC, its severity, and its impact on procedural success and durability of mitral transcatheter edge-to-edge repair. Methods and Results We reviewed the records of 280 patients with moderate-severe or severe mitral regurgitation who underwent mitral transcatheter edge-to-edge repair with MitraClip from March 2014 to March 2022. The primary end point was cumulative survival at 1 year. Independent factors associated with the primary end point were identified using multivariable Cox regression. Among 280 patients included in the final analysis, 249 had none/mild MAC, and 31 had moderate/severe MAC. Median follow-up was 23.1 months (interquartile range: 11.1-40.4). Procedural success was comparable in the MAC and non-MAC groups (92.6% versus 91.4%, P=0.79) with similar rates of residual mitral regurgitation ≤2 at 1 year (86.7% versus 93.2%, P=0.55). Moderate/severe MAC was associated with less improvement in New York Heart Association III/IV at 30 days when compared with none/mild MAC (45.8% versus 14.3%, P=0.001). The moderate/severe MAC group had lower cumulative 1-year survival (56.8% versus 80.0%, hazard ratio [HR], 1.98 [95% CI, 1.27-3.10], P=0.002). Moderate/severe MAC and Society of Thoracic Surgeons predicted risk of mortality for mitral valve repair were independently associated with the primary end point (HR, 2.20 [1.10-4.41], P=0.02; and HR, 1.014 [1.006-1.078], P=0.02, respectively). Conclusions Mitral TEER is a safe and feasible intervention in selected patients with significant MAC and associated with similar mitral regurgitation reduction at 1 year compared with patients with none/mild MAC. Patients with moderate/severe MAC had a high 1-year mortality and less improvement in their symptoms after TEER.

Left ventricular remodeling after mitral valve repair and papillary muscle approximation.

BACKGROUND: Mitral valve repair with papillary muscle approximation (MVr-PMA) for severe secondary mitral regurgitation (MR) decreases MR recurrence compared with MVr alone. This study assessed the effects of MVr-PMA on left ventricular (LV) remodeling and shape, systolic function and strain mechanics. METHODS: Forty-eight patients who underwent MVr-PMA for severe secondary MR and had follow-up echocardiograms available for review were identified. Student's t-test, linear regression modeling, and receiver-operating characteristic curves were used in the statistical analyses. RESULTS: Median follow-up time was 14.9 months. MVr-PMA was associated with significant LV reverse remodeling with a smaller LV end-diastolic diameter, Systolic Sphericity Index, and interpapillary muscle distance at follow-up. Nine patients (18.8%) experienced moderate recurrent MR. When compared to recurrent MR patients at follow-up, those with durable MVr-PMA had a greater LV ejection fraction (32.8 vs. 22.0%, P=0.03), a smaller end-diastolic diameter (59.6 vs. 67.3 mm, P=0.03), Systolic Sphericity Index (0.35 vs. 0.47, P=0.03), and end-systolic interpapillary muscle distance (16.3 vs. 21.1 mm, P=0.03). A durable MVr-PMA also resulted in stable global longitudinal strain when compared with pre-operative values, while the recurrent MR group experienced a further decline (no recurrent MR: -8.4 vs. -7.5%; recurrent MR: -8.2 vs. -5.4%; P<0.05). A pre-operative LV end-diastolic diameter ≥ 64 mm was a discriminative predictor of MR recurrence (sensitivity=100%, specificity=51%, AUC=0.756, P=0.02). CONCLUSIONS: A durable MVr-PMA confers improved LV geometry and function, and stable LV mechanics. The extent of baseline LV remodeling identifies patients at risk for recurrent MR.

Obesity and Pancreatic Cysts in African American Patients.

Objective Obesity is one of the risk factors for pancreatic cancer and a prognostic factor for acute-chronic pancreatitis. Aim To explore the relationship and association between obesity and pancreatic cysts over a 25-year period in African American patients. Methods We reviewed the medical records of 207 patients diagnosed with pancreatic cysts via radiology and pathology data from January 1988 to December 2012. A control group was selected from a separate group of healthy patients without a history of pancreatic disease. The patients were evaluated in five groups according to the last 20 years of diagnosis in five-year intervals. Results Most patients with pancreatic cyst (73%) were overweight (defined as a body mass index (BMI) ≥ 25), and 53% had a history of chronic pancreatitis compared to patients in the control group. There was a significant difference between the two groups; 79% of patients group were overweight (BMI ≥ 25) vs. 66% in control group (p = 0.02). The incidence of obese and overweight patients was significant (85%) during the 2008 to 2012 interval for the test group (p = 0.009). Conclusion Given the increasing proportion of obese pancreatic cyst patients in recent decades compared to the proportion noted in the 1990s, obesity plays a large role in the formation of pancreatic cysts.

Nonsurgical Management of a Giant Coronary Artery Aneurysm.

Coronary artery aneurysms (CAAs) are rare dilations of arterial segments. These aneurysms are mostly caused by atherosclerosis. Due to the rarity of this condition, there are no official guidelines for its management; therefore, management is mainly based on case reports. We present a patient with a giant CAA in the left anterior descending artery who was treated medically. At 12-month follow-up,  he was asymptomatic and had no complications.

Acute Pericarditis: Descriptive Study and Etiology Determination in a Predominantly African American Population.

INTRODUCTION ---Acute pericarditis is the most commonly encountered manifestation of pericardial disease (incidence: 0.2 percent to 0.5 percent in hospitalized patients). However, data regarding manifestations, workup, and the management of acute pericarditis in the African American population is lacking. This study aims to collect and analyze more clinical data related to acute pericarditis in this understudied population. METHODOLOGY We conducted a retrospective chart review of all patients managed for acute pericarditis at a university hospital serving a predominantly African American population. A total of 78 charts were reviewed during the period of study from January 2011 to July 2016. Out of these, nine charts were excluded due to poor data. We descriptively analyzed data regarding presenting symptoms, underlying etiologies, co-morbidities, investigation results, management strategies, and prognoses. RESULTS We found an equal number of males and females in our study population. The most common comorbid conditions were hypertension, chronic kidney disease, and diabetes mellitus (in order of incidence). The most common presentation of symptomatic pericarditis consisted of chest pain, dyspnea, tachycardia, and tachypnea. Electrocardiogram (EKG) findings included diffuse ST elevation (15 percent) and sinus tachycardia (41 percent). Leukocytosis was seen in 15 percent of the patients. The most common etiology noted in our patient population was idiopathic and was treated with NSAIDS. CONCLUSION As compared to other populations, the incidence of uremic pericarditis and pericarditis secondary to cardiac etiologies is slightly higher in the African American population; however, the clinical presentation, examination and laboratory findings, as well as investigations, are remarkably similar.