Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and prognosis in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention for acute coronary syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to characterize Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS)-associated inflammation by investigating correlates of the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), a surrogate marker of inflammation, and its relation to 1-year mortality in a cohort of patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for ACS at a single institution. METHODS: We performed a single-institution, retrospective, observational study of all-comer ACS patients who underwent PCI and were discharged home before the COVID-19 pandemic between September 23, 2011 and July 31, 2017 for who outcomes data were available. RESULTS: NLRhigh group tended to be older, white patients, less likely to smoke, more likely to have a history of heart failure and cardiac arrest, higher creatinine values, lower LVEF, and higher CK-MB (a surrogate for infarct size). Linear regression model demonstrated a strong correlation between increasing NLR and white race (B = 1.103, p = 0.001, hemoglobin (B = -0.30, p < 0.001), peak CK-MB (B = 0.004, p = 0.02), LVEF (B = -0.048, p < 0.001), and serum creatinine (B = 0.47, p = 0.03). There were a total of 87 deaths at one year. NLR > 3.4 was associated with worse one-year survival post-PCI (91.4 % vs. 95.4 %, log-rank p < 0.004), which was confirmed on multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION: Our data confirm the independent prognostic significance of inflammation to mortality after ACS and may provide some insight into the putative benefits of inflammation modulation.

Descending Aortic Distensibility and Cardiovascular Outcomes: A Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study.

Background: Aortic distensibility (AD) is an important determinant of cardiovascular (CV) morbidity and mortality. There is scant data on the association between AD measured within the descending thoracic aorta and CV outcomes. Objective: We evaluated the association of AD at the descending thoracic aorta (AD desc) with the primary outcome of all-cause mortality, myocardial infarction (MI), stroke or coronary revascularization in patients referred for a cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) study. Methods: 928 consecutive patients [(mean age 60 ± 17; 33% with prior cardiovascular disease (CVD))] were evaluated. AD desc was measured at the cross-section of the descending thoracic aorta in the 4-chamber view (via steady-state free precession [SSFP] cine sequences) and was grouped into quintiles (with the 1st quintile corresponding to the least AD, i.e., the stiffest aorta). Cox proportional-hazards regression analysis were performed for the primary outcome. Results: A total of 315 patients (34%) experienced the primary outcome during a median (25% IQR, 75% IQR) follow-up of 5.0 (0.56, 9.3) years. A decreased AD was significantly associated with hypertension, diabetes, renal disease, and dyslipidemia (p <0.0001). A primary outcome occurred in 43% of patients with AD desc ≤ median compared to 25% with AD desc > median, p <0.0001, and in 44% of patients with AD desc in the 1st quintile compared to 31% with AD desc in the other quintiles (p = 0.0004). Event free survival was incrementally reduced amongst quintiles (p <0.0001). However, AD desc ≤ median was not an independent predictor of the primary endpoint after multivariable adjustment in the overall population [adjusted HR 1.09 (95% CI:0.82-1.45), p = 0.518] or in the subgroup analysis of patients with or without prior CVD. Conclusion: In this real-world cohort of 928 patients referred for CMR, AD desc is not an independent predictor of CV outcomes.

Analysis of clinical risk models vs. clinician's assessment for prediction of coronary artery disease among predominantly female population.

INTRODUCTION: Multiple risk models are used to predict the presence of obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD) in patients with chest pain. We aimed to compare the performance of these models to an experienced cardiologist's assessment utilizing coronary angiography (CA) as a reference. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We prospectively enrolled patients without known CAD referred for elective CA. We assessed pretest probability of CAD using the following risk models: Diamond-Forrester (original and updated), Duke Clinical score, ACC/AHA, CAD consortium (basic and clinical) and PROMISE minimal risk tool. All patients completed self-administrative Rose angina questionnaire. Independently, an experienced cardiologist assessed the patients to provide a binary prediction of obstructive CAD prior to CA. Obstructive CAD was defined as >80% stenosis in epicardial coronary arteries by visual assessment, or fractional flow reserve <0.80 in intermediate lesions (30-80%). RESULTS: A total of 150 patients were recruited (100 women, 50 men). Mean age was 58 (32-78) years. Obstructive CAD was found in 31 patients (21%). The area under the curve (AUC) for all the clinical risk prediction models (except the Duke Clinical Score, AUC 0.73, P = 0.07) was significantly lower compared with the clinician's assessment (AUC 0.51-0.65 vs. 0.81, respectively, P < 0.01). The clinician's assessment had sensitivity comparable to the Duke Clinical score, which was higher than all other clinical models. There was no difference in prediction performance on the basis of sex in this predominantly female population. DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION: In stable patients with chest pain and suspected CAD, current clinical risk models which are universally based upon the characteristics of the chest pain, show suboptimal performance in predicting obstructive CAD. These findings have important clinical implications, as current appropriateness criteria for recommending CA are on the basis of these risk models.

OUTpatient intravenous LASix Trial in reducing hospitalization for acute decompensated heart failure (OUTLAST).

BACKGROUND: Hospitalization for acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) remains a major source of morbidity and mortality. The current study aimed to investigate the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of outpatient furosemide intravenous (IV) infusion following hospitalization for ADHF. METHODS: In a single center, prospective, randomized, double-blind study, 100 patients were randomized to receive standard of care (Group 1), IV placebo infusion (Group 2), or IV furosemide infusion (Group 3) over 3h, biweekly for a one-month period following ADHF hospitalization. Patients in Groups 2/3 also received a comprehensive HF-care protocol including bi-weekly clinic visits for dose-adjusted IV-diuretics, medication adjustment and education. Echocardiography, quality of life and depression questionnaires were performed at baseline and 30-day follow-up. The primary outcome was 30-day re-hospitalization for ADHF. RESULTS: Overall, a total of 94 patients were included in the study (mean age 64 years, 56% males, 69% African American). There were a total of 14 (15%) hospitalizations for ADHF at 30 days, 6 (17.1%) in Group 1, 7 (22.6%) in Group 2, and 1 (3.7%) in Group 3 (overall p = 0.11; p = 0.037 comparing Groups 2 and 3). Patients receiving IV furosemide infusion experienced significantly greater urine output and weight loss compared to those receiving placebo without any significant increase creatinine and no significant between group differences in echocardiography parameters, KCCQ or depression scores. CONCLUSION: The use of a standardized protocol of outpatient IV furosemide infusion for a one-month period following hospitalization for ADHF was found to be safe and efficacious in reducing 30-day re-hospitalization.

The Incidence and Natural Progression of New-Onset Postoperative Atrial Fibrillation.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to characterize the natural progression and recurrence of new-onset postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) during an intermediate-term follow-up post cardiac surgery by using continuous event monitoring. BACKGROUND: New-onset POAF is a common complication after cardiac surgery and is associated with an increased risk for stroke and all-cause mortality. Long-term data on new POAF recurrence and anticoagulation remain sparse. METHODS: This is a single-center, prospective observational study evaluating 42 patients undergoing cardiac surgery and diagnosed during indexed admission with new-onset, transient, POAF between May 2015 and December 2019. Before discharge, all patients received implantable loop recorders for continuous monitoring. Study outcomes were the presence and timing of atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence (first, second, and more than 2 AF recurrences), all-cause mortality, and cerebrovascular accidents. A "per-month interval" analysis of proportion of patients with any AF recurrence was assessed and reported per period of follow-up time. Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to calculate the time to first AF recurrence and report the first AF recurrence rates. RESULTS: Forty-two patients (mean age 67.6 ± 9.6 years, 74% male, mean CHADS2-VASc 3.5 ± 1.5) were evaluated during a mean follow-up of 1.7 ± 1.2 years. AF recurrence after discharge occurred in 30 patients (71%) and of those, 59% had AF episodes equal to or longer than 5 minutes (median AF duration at 1 month was 32 minutes [interquartile range 5.5-106], whereas median AF duration beyond 1 month was 15 minutes [interquartile range 6.3-49]). Twenty-four (80%) of the 30 patients had their first AF recurrence within the first month. During months 1 to 12 follow-up, 76% of patients had any AF recurrences (10% had their first AF recurrence, 43% had their second AF recurrence, and 23% had more than 2 AF recurrences). Beyond 1 year of follow-up, 30% of patients had any AF recurrences (10% had their first AF recurrence, 7% had their second AF recurrence, and 13% had more than 2 AF recurrences). Using Kaplan-Meier analysis, the median time to first AF recurrence was 0.83 months (95% CI: 0.37 to 6) and the detection of first AF recurrence rate at 1, 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months was 57.1%, 59.5%, 64.3%, 64.3%, 67.3%, and 73.2%, respectively. During follow-up, there was 1 death ([-] AF recurrence) and 2 cerebrovascular accidents ([+] AF recurrence). CONCLUSIONS: In this study of continuous monitoring with implantable loop recorders, the recurrence of AF in patients who develop transient POAF is common in the first month postoperatively. Of the patients who developed postoperative AF, 76% had any recurrence in months 1 to 12, and 30% had any recurrence beyond 1-year follow-up. Current guidelines recommend anticoagulation for POAF for 30 days. The results of this study warrant further investigation into continued monitoring and longer-term anticoagulation in this population within the context of our findings that AF duration was <30 minutes beyond 1 month.

A Novel Risk Score to Predict One-Year Mortality in Patients Undergoing Complex High-Risk Indicated Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (CHIP-PCI).

OBJECTIVE: To identify patients undergoing complex, high-risk indicated percutaneous coronary intervention (CHIP-PCI) and compare their outcomes with non-CHIP patients. We created a CHIP score to risk stratify these patients. BACKGROUND: Risk stratification of PCI patients remains difficult because most scoring systems reflect hemodynamic instability and predict early mortality. METHODS: CHIP-PCI was defined as any of the following: age >80 years; ejection fraction <30%; dialysis; prior bypass surgery; treatment of left main trunk; chronic total occlusion; or >2 lesions in >1 coronary artery. The primary endpoint was 1-year all-cause mortality. Logistic regression identified independent predictors of 1-year mortality and the odds ratios (ORs) for those predictors were used to create a CHIP score. Patients were then classified as low, intermediate, and high risk. RESULTS: Among 4478 patients, a total of 1730 (38.6%) were CHIP. There were 85 deaths (2.2%) at 1 year (4.1% in CHIP patients and 1.0% in non-CHIP patients; P<.001). CHIP-PCI was an independent predictor of mortality (OR, 2.57; 955 confidence interval, 1.52-4.32; P<.001). Four CHIP criteria were independent predictors of mortality: age >80 years (3 points); dialysis (6 points); ejection fraction <30% (2 points); and number of lesions treated >2 (2 points). Accordingly, there were 2752 low-risk (score of 0), 889 intermediate-risk (score of 2-3), and 267 high-risk patients (score of 4-13). The 1-year mortality rates among these 3 groups were 1.24%, 2.47%, and 10.86%, respectively (P<.001). CONCLUSION: Compared with non-CHIP, CHIP-PCI is associated with increased risk of 1-year mortality, which is particularly evident among those fulfilling >1 CHIP criterion.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on interventional cardiology fellowship training in the New York metropolitan area: A perspective from the United States epicenter.

BACKGROUND: The healthcare burden posed by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in the New York Metropolitan area has necessitated the postponement of elective procedures resulting in a marked reduction in cardiac catheterization laboratory (CCL) volumes with a potential to impact interventional cardiology (IC) fellowship training. METHODS: We conducted a web-based survey sent electronically to 21 Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education accredited IC fellowship program directors (PDs) and their respective fellows. RESULTS: Fourteen programs (67%) responded to the survey and all acknowledged a significant decrease in CCL procedural volumes. More than half of the PDs reported part of their CCL being converted to inpatient units and IC fellows being redeployed to COVID-19 related duties. More than two-thirds of PDs believed that the COVID-19 pandemic would have a moderate (57%) or severe (14%) adverse impact on IC fellowship training, and 21% of the PDs expected their current fellows' average percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) volume to be below 250. Of 25 IC fellow respondents, 95% expressed concern that the pandemic would have a moderate (72%) or severe (24%) adverse impact on their fellowship training, and nearly one-fourth of fellows reported performing fewer than 250 PCIs as of March 1st. Finally, roughly one-third of PDs and IC fellows felt that there should be consideration of an extension of fellowship training or a period of early career mentorship after fellowship. CONCLUSIONS: The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a significant reduction in CCL procedural volumes that is impacting IC fellowship training in the NY metropolitan area. These results should inform professional societies and accreditation bodies to offer tailored opportunities for remediation of affected trainees.

Ticagrelor vs Clopidogrel in Patients With Acute Coronary Syndromes Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: Insights From a Single Institution Registry.

Dual-antiplatelet therapy is recommended for all patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS), regardless of performance of revascularization. Ticagrelor (T) was shown to be superior to clopidogrel (C) in a large, randomized clinical trial, but data from real-world practice are lacking. We identified ACS patients from our institutional registry who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention and received one of the two drugs at hospital discharge based on physician preference. Among 1439 patients, there were 774 patients (53.8%) in the C group and 665 patients (46.2%) in the T group. T and C patients were similar except for a higher incidence of ST-elevation myocardial infarction (MI) and lower frequency of prior MI in the T group (P<.05 for both). The primary endpoint - 1-year all-cause death - occurred in 58 C patients and 48 T patients (6.9% vs 7.9%, respectively; P=.42). Sixty percent of these deaths (n = 62; 31 C and 31 T) were considered cardiovascular in nature based on chart review. By multivariable logistic regression model, only dialysis (hazard ratio [HR], 2.64; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.50-4.64; P=.01), age (HR, 1.83; 95% CI, 1.49-2.24 per 10 years; P<.001), and prior heart failure (HR, 1.78; 95% CI, 1.12-2.82; P=.02) were independent predictors of 1-year death. Treatment with T was not a predictor of death (HR, 1.21; 95% CI, 0.81-1.82; P=.35) or cardiovascular death (HR, 1.18; 95% CI, 0.72-1.94; P=.52). Landmark analysis from day 10 showed similar results (HR, 1.13; 95% CI, 0.71-1.84; P=.59). Thus, we conclude that C and T have similar rates of 1-year all-cause mortality, which is predominantly affected by age, end-stage renal disease, and pre-existing heart failure.

Identifying the Infarct-Related Artery in Patients With Non-ST-Segment-Elevation Myocardial Infarction.

BACKGROUND: Determining the infarct-related artery (IRA) in non-ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction (MI) can be challenging. Delayed-enhancement cardiac magnetic resonance (DE-CMR) can accurately identify small MIs. The purpose of this study was to determine whether DE-CMR improves the ability to identify the IRA in patients with non-ST-segment-elevation MI. METHODS AND RESULTS: In this 3-center, prospective study, we enrolled 114 patients presenting with their first MI. Patients underwent DE-CMR followed by coronary angiography. The interventional cardiologist was blinded to the DE-CMR results. Later, coronary angiography and DE-CMR images were reviewed independently and blindly for identification of the IRA. The pattern of DE-CMR hyperenhancement was also used to determine whether there was a nonischemic pathogenesis for myocardial necrosis. The IRA was not identifiable by coronary angiography in 37% of patients (n=42). In these, the IRA or a new noncoronary artery disease diagnosis was identified by DE-CMR in 60% and 19% of patients, respectively. Even in patients with an IRA determined by coronary angiography, a different IRA or a noncoronary artery disease diagnosis was identified by DE-CMR in 14% and 13%, respectively. Overall, DE-CMR led to a new IRA diagnosis in 31%, a diagnosis of nonischemic pathogenesis in 15%, or either in 46% (95% CI, 37%-55%) of patients. Of 55 patients undergoing revascularization, 27% had revascularization solely to nonculprit coronary artery territories as determined by DE-CMR. CONCLUSIONS: Identification of the IRA by coronary angiography can be challenging in patients with non-ST-segment-elevation MI. In nearly half, DE-CMR may lead to a new IRA diagnosis or elucidate a nonischemic pathogenesis. Revascularization solely of coronary arteries that are believed to be nonculprit arteries by DE-CMR is not uncommon.

A case of esophagogastroduodenoscopy induced Takotsubo cardiomyopathy with complete heart block.

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TC) describes a reversible left ventricular dysfunction characterized by apical ballooning and basal hyperkinesis, commonly triggered by emotional or physical distress. TC associated with an esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) has rarely been reported. We report a case of TC with complete heart block (CHB) in a patient receiving an EGD, who had no underlying cardiac disease, had previously tolerated both local and general anesthesia, and who had previously undergone similar endoscopic procedures without complications. The concurrence of both TC and CHB is unique in this case pertaining to a patient with no significant risk factors. The incidence, mechanism and prognosis of TC-associated arrhythmias are also reviewed.

Systemic involvement in ACS: Using CMR imaging to compare the aortic wall in patients with and without acute coronary syndrome.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Previous studies have demonstrated that in acute coronary syndrome (ACS), plaque destabilization and vessel inflammation, represented by vessel edema, often occur simultaneously in multiple coronaries, as well as extend to the cerebrovascular system. Our aim was to determine whether the inflammatory vascular processes occurring within the coronaries during ACS extend simultaneously to the descending aorta. METHODS: We prospectively enrolled 111 patients (56 ACS patients and 55 non-ACS patients with known coronary artery disease) to undergo cardiac magnetic resonance of the thoracic aortic wall at presentation and at three-month follow-up. The primary outcome was change in aortic wall area (AWA) and maximal aortic wall thickness (AWT) from baseline to three-month follow-up. Secondary outcomes were baseline and follow-up differences in AWA and AWT, and changes in C-reactive protein (CRP). RESULTS: There was a significant reduction in mean AWA (p = 0.01) and AWT (p = 0.01) between index and follow up scans in ACS group, with no significant changes in non ACS group (both p>0.1) and no difference between ACS and non-ACS groups (p = 0.22). There was no significant difference in AWA and AWT at baseline (p>0.36) and follow-up (p>0.2) between groups. There was a significant reduction in CRP in both groups (p<0.01), with higher reduction in ACS patients (p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: There was a reduction in aortic wall size, aortic wall area, and aortic wall thickness in patients presenting with ACS, and no change in non-ACS patients. There were no interval between-group differences in these measurements. We observed a reduction in C-reactive protein in both groups, with higher reduction noted in ACS patients.

The SYNTAX II Score Predicts Mortality at 4 Years in Patients Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

BACKGROUND: Short-term outcome after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) has improved dramatically, but the association between clinical or angiographic characteristics and long-term outcome remains less well described. The SYNTAX (Synergy Between PCI With TAXUS and Cardiac Surgery) II score has been designed to overcome the limitations of the purely angiographic SYNTAX I score by including clinical parameters and comorbidities. It has not been tested extensively in "real-world" PCI patients, outside of randomized clinical studies. METHODS AND RESULTS: We identified unique patients undergoing PCI between January 1, 2011 and January 24, 2013 and followed for at least 60 days. We calculated the SYNTAX I and II scores for each patient and collected data at longest follow-up available for vital status, recurrent PCI, systolic heart failure, stroke, or Q-wave myocardial infarction. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to assess independent predictors of mortality. There were 831 patients followed for a mean of 4 years. The average age was 66 ± 10 years. Nearly 40% were women and 50% had diabetes mellitus. The mean follow-up interval was 4 years, during which 42 patients died (Kaplan-Meier rate, 4.3% [IQR, 3.0-6.2%]). The PCI-SYNTAX II score was significantly higher in patients who died than in survivors (43 ± 12 vs 32 ± 12, respectively; P<.001). The SYNTAX II score was the only variable associated with death at a mean follow-up of 4 years (hazard ratio per 1 point, 1.05 [95% confidence interval, 1.03-1.08]; P<.001). CONCLUSION: The SYNTAX II score, incorporating angiographic and clinical parameters, is a useful tool for risk stratification and prediction of 4-year mortality in "real-world" patients.

Prevalence and Prognostic Significance of Left Ventricular Noncompaction in Patients Referred for Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

BACKGROUND: Presence of prominent left ventricular trabeculation satisfying criteria for left ventricular noncompaction (LVNC) on routine cardiac magnetic resonance examination is frequently encountered; however, the clinical and prognostic significance of these findings remain elusive. This registry aimed to assess LVNC prevalence by 4 current criteria and to prospectively evaluate an association between diagnosis of LVNC by these criteria and adverse events. METHODS AND RESULTS: There were 700 patients referred for cardiac magnetic resonance: 42% were women, median age was 70 years (range, 45-71 years), mean left ventricular ejection fraction was 51% (±17%), and 32% had late gadolinium enhancement on cardiac magnetic resonance. The cohort underwent diagnostic assessment for LVNC by 4 separate imaging criteria-referenced by their authors as Petersen, Stacey, Jacquier, and Captur, with LVNC prevalence of 39%, 23%, 25% and 3%, respectively. Primary clinical outcome was combined end point of time to death, ischemic stroke, ventricular tachycardia/ventricular fibrillation, and heart failure hospitalization. Secondary clinical outcomes were (1) all-cause mortality and (2) time to the first occurrence of any of the following events: cardiac death, ischemic stroke, ventricular tachycardia/ventricular fibrillation, or heart failure hospitalization. During a median follow-up of 7 years, there were no statistically significant differences in assessed outcomes noted between patients with and without LVNC irrespective of the applied criteria. CONCLUSIONS: Current criteria for the diagnosis of LVNC leads to highly variable disease prevalence in patients referred for cardiac magnetic resonance. The diagnosis of LVNC, by any current criteria, was not associated with adverse clinical events on nearly 7 years of follow-up. Limited conclusions can be made for Captur criteria due to low observed prevalence.

Review and Analysis of Publication Trends over Three Decades in Three High Impact Medicine Journals.

CONTEXT: Over the past three decades, industry sponsored research expanded in the United States. Financial incentives can lead to potential conflicts of interest (COI) resulting in underreporting of negative study results. OBJECTIVE: We hypothesized that over the three decades, there would be an increase in: a) reporting of conflict of interest and source of funding; b) percentage of randomized control trials c) number of patients per study and d) industry funding. DATA SOURCES AND STUDY SELECTION: Original articles published in three calendar years (1988, 1998, and 2008) in The Lancet, New England Journal of Medicine and Journal of American Medical Association were collected. DATA EXTRACTION: Studies were reviewed and investigational design categorized as prospective and retrospective clinical trials. Prospective trials were categorized into randomized or non-randomized and single-center or multi-center trials. Retrospective trials were categorized as registries, meta-analyses and other studies, mostly comprising of case reports or series. Study outcomes were categorized as positive or negative depending on whether the pre-specified hypothesis was met. Financial disclosures were researched for financial relationships and profit status, and accordingly categorized as government, non-profit or industry sponsored. Studies were assessed for reporting COI. RESULTS: 1,671 original articles were included in this analysis. Total number of published studies decreased by 17% from 1988 to 2008. Over 20 year period, the proportion of prospective randomized trials increased from 22 to 46% (p < 0.0001); whereas the proportion of prospective non-randomized trials decreased from 59% to 27% (p < 0.001). There was an increase in the percentage of prospective randomized multi-center trials from 11% to 41% (p < 0.001). Conversely, there was a reduction in non-randomized single-center trials from 47% to 10% (p < 0.001). Proportion of government funded studies remained constant, whereas industry funded studies more than doubled (17% to 40%; p < 0.0001). The number of studies with negative results more than doubled (10% to 22%; p<0.0001). While lack of funding disclosure decreased from 35% to 7%, COI reporting increased from 2% to 84% (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Improved reporting of COI, clarity in financial sponsorship, increased publication of negative results in the setting of larger and better designed clinical trials represents a positive step forward in the scientific publications, despite the higher percentage of industry funded studies.

Right ventricular failure predicted from right bundle branch block: cardiac magnetic resonance imaging validation.

BACKGROUND: Right ventricular (RV) failure has proven to be independently associated with adverse outcomes. Electrocardiographic parameters assessing RV function are largely unknown, making echocardiography the first line for RV function assessment. It is however, limited by geometrical assumptions and is inferior to cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMRI) which is widely regarded as the most accurate tool for assessing RV function. METHODS: We seek to determine the correlation of ECG parameters of right bundle branch block (RBBB) with RV ejection fraction (EF) and RV dimensions using the CMRI. QRS duration, R amplitude and R' duration were obtained from precordial lead V1; S duration and amplitude were obtained from lead I and AVL. RV systolic dysfunction was defined as RV EF <40%. RV systolic dysfunction group (mean EF of 24±10%) were compared with normal RV systolic function group which acted as control (mean EF of 48±8%). CMRI and ECG parameters were compared between the two groups. Rank correlations and scatter diagrams between individual CMRI parameters and ECG parameters were done using medcalc for windows, version 12.5. Sensitivity, specificity and area under the curve (AUC) were calculated. RESULTS: RV systolic dysfunction group was found to have larger RV end systolic volumes (90±42 vs. 59±40 mL, P=0.02). ECG evaluation of RV dysfunction group revealed longer R' duration (103±22 vs. 84±18 msec, P=0.005) as compared to the control group. The specificity of R' duration >100 msec to detect RV systolic dysfunction was found to be 93%. R' duration was found to have an inverse correlation with RV EF (r=-0.49, P=0.007). CONCLUSIONS: Larger RV end systolic volumes seen with RV dysfunction can affect the latter part of right bundle branch leading to prolonged R' duration. We here found prolonged R' duration in lead V1 to have a highly specific inverse correlation to RV systolic function. ECG can be used as an inexpensive tool for RV function assessment and should be used alongside echocardiography to evaluate RV dysfunction when CMRI is not available.

Do pulmonary function tests improve risk stratification before cardiothoracic surgery?

OBJECTIVE: To assess the added value of pulmonary function tests (PFTs) and different classifications of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) to the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) risk model using a clinical definition of lung disease for predicting outcomes after cardiothoracic (CT) surgery. METHODS: We evaluated consecutive patients who underwent nonemergency cardiac surgery and underwent PFTs before CT surgery. We used the STS risk model 2.73 to estimate the postoperative risk for respiratory failure (RF; defined as the need for mechanical ventilation for ≥72 hours, or reintubation), prolonged postoperative stay (PPLS; defined as >14 days), and 30-day all-cause mortality. We plotted the receiver operating characteristics curve for STS score for each adverse event, and compared the resulting area under the curve (AUC) with the AUC after adding PFT parameters and COPD classifications. RESULTS: Of the 1412 patients with a calculated STS score, 751 underwent PFTs. The AUC of the STS score was 0.65 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.55-0.74) for RF, 0.67 (95% CI, 0.6-0.74) for prolonged postoperative length of stay (PPLS), and 0.74 (95% CI, 0.6-0.87) for death. None of the PFT parameters or COPD classifications added to the predictive ability of STS for RF, PPLS, or 30-day mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Adding individual PFT parameters or different COPD classifications to STS score calculated using clinically based classification of lung disease did not improve model discrimination. Thus, routine preoperative PFTS may have limited clinical utility in patients undergoing CT surgery when the STS score is readily available.

Reduced Right Ventricular Function Predicts Long-Term Cardiac Re-Hospitalization after Cardiac Surgery.

BACKGROUND: The significance of right ventricular ejection fraction (RVEF), independent of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), following isolated coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and valve procedures remains unknown. The aim of this study is to examine the significance of abnormal RVEF by cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR), independent of LVEF in predicting outcomes of patients undergoing isolated CABG and valve surgery. METHODS: From 2007 to 2009, 109 consecutive patients (mean age, 66 years; 38% female) were referred for pre-operative CMR. Abnormal RVEF and LVEF were considered <35% and <45%, respectively. Elective primary procedures include CABG (56%) and valve (44%). Thirty-day outcomes were perioperative complications, length of stay, cardiac re-hospitalizations and early mortaility; long-term (> 30 days) outcomes included, cardiac re-hospitalization, worsening congestive heart failure and mortality. Mean clinical follow up was 14 months. FINDINGS: Forty-eight patients had reduced RVEF (mean 25%) and 61 patients had normal RVEF (mean 50%) (p<0.001). Fifty-four patients had reduced LVEF (mean 30%) and 55 patients had normal LVEF (mean 59%) (p<0.001). Patients with reduced RVEF had a higher incidence of long-term cardiac re-hospitalization vs. patients with normal RVEF (31% vs.13%, p<0.05). Abnormal RVEF was a predictor for long-term cardiac re-hospitalization (HR 3.01 [CI 1.5-7.9], p<0.03). Reduced LVEF did not influence long-term cardiac re-hospitalization. CONCLUSION: Abnormal RVEF is a stronger predictor for long-term cardiac re-hospitalization than abnormal LVEF in patients undergoing isolated CABG and valve procedures.