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.

Impact of cardiac troponin release and fluid resuscitation on outcomes of patients with sepsis.

BACKGROUND: Septic patients are predisposed to myocardial injury manifested as cardiac troponin release (TnR). Prognostic significance and management implications of TnR and its relationship to fluid resuscitation and outcomes in the intensive care unit (ICU) setting has not been fully elucidated. METHODS: A total of 24,778 patients with sepsis from eICU-CRD, MIMIC-III and MIMIC-IV databases were included in this retrospective study. In-hospital mortality and one-year survival were examined using multivariable regression analysis and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis with overlap weighting adjustment, as well as generalized additive models for fluid resuscitation. RESULTS: TnR on admission was associated with higher in-hospital mortality [adjusted odds ratios (OR) = 1.33; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.23-1.43; p < 0.001 in unweighted analysis and adjusted OR = 1.39; 95% CI = 1.29-1.50; P < 0.001 with overlap weighting]. One-year mortality was higher in patients with admission TnR (P = 0.002). A trend was noted for association between admission TnR and 1-year mortality [adjusted OR = 1.16; 95% CI = 0.99-1.37; P = 0.067 in unweighted analysis] while the association was statistically significant after overlap weighting (adjusted OR = 1.25; 95% CI = 1.06-1.47; P = 0.008). Patients with admission TnR were less likely to benefit from more liberal fluid resuscitation. Adequate fluid resuscitation (80 ml/kg in the first 24 h of ICU stay) was associated with lower in-hospital mortality in septic patients without TnR but not in those with admission TnR. CONCLUSIONS: Admission TnR is significantly associated with higher in-hospital mortality and 1-year mortality among septic patients. Adequate fluid resuscitation improves in-hospital mortality in septic patients without but not with admission TnR.

Myocardial Perfusion PET for the Detection and Reporting of Coronary Microvascular Dysfunction: A JACC: Cardiovascular Imaging Expert Panel Statement.

Angina pectoris and dyspnea in patients with normal or nonobstructive coronary vessels remains a diagnostic challenge. Invasive coronary angiography may identify up to 60% of patients with nonobstructive coronary artery disease (CAD), of whom nearly two-thirds may, in fact, have coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD) that may account for their symptoms. Positron emission tomography (PET) determined absolute quantitative myocardial blood flow (MBF) at rest and during hyperemic vasodilation with subsequent derivation of myocardial flow reserve (MFR) affords the noninvasive detection and delineation of CMD. Individualized or intensified medical therapies with nitrates, calcium-channel blockers, statins, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin II type 1-receptor blockers, beta-blockers, ivabradine, or ranolazine may improve symptoms, quality of life, and outcome in these patients. Standardized diagnosis and reporting criteria for ischemic symptoms caused by CMD are critical for optimized and individualized treatment decisions in such patients. In this respect, it was proposed by the cardiovascular council leadership of the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging to convene thoughtful leaders from around the world to serve as an independent expert panel to develop standardized diagnosis, nomenclature and nosology, and cardiac PET reporting criteria for CMD. This consensus document aims to provide an overview of the pathophysiology and clinical evidence of CMD, its invasive and noninvasive assessment, standardization of PET-determined MBFs and MFR into "classical" (predominantly related to hyperemic MBFs) and "endogen" (predominantly related to resting MBF) normal coronary microvascular function or CMD that may be critical for diagnosis of microvascular angina, subsequent patient care, and outcome of clinical CMD trials.

Premorbid echocardiography and risk of hospitalization in COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 has caused a global pandemic unprecedented in a century. Though primarily a respiratory illness, cardiovascular risk factors predict adverse outcomes. We aimed to investigate the role of baseline echocardiographic abnormalities in further refining risk in addition to clinical risk factors. METHODS: Adults with COVID-19 positive RT-PCR test across St Luke's University Health Network between March 1st 2020-October 31st 2020 were identified. Those with trans-thoracic echocardiography (TTE) within 15-180 days preceding COVID-19 positivity were selected, excluding severe valvular disease, acute cardiac event between TTE and COVID-19, or asymptomatic patients positive on screening. Demographic, clinical, and echocardiographic variables were manually extracted from patients' EHR and compared between groups stratified by disease severity. Logistic regression was used to identify independent predictors of hospitalization. RESULTS: 192 patients met inclusion criteria. 87 (45.3%) required hospitalization, 34 (17.7%) suffered severe disease (need for ICU care/mechanical ventilation/in-hospital death). Age, co-morbidities, and several echocardiographic abnormalities were more prevalent in those with moderate-severe disease than in mild disease, with notable exceptions of systolic/diastolic dysfunction. On multivariate analysis, age (OR 1.039, 95% CI 1.011-1.067), coronary artery disease (OR 4.184, 95% CI 1.451-12.063), COPD (OR 6.886, 95% CI 1.396-33.959) and left atrial diameter ≥ 4.0 cm (OR 2.379, 95% CI 1.031-5.493) predicted need for hospitalization. Model showed excellent discrimination (ROC AUC 0.809, 95% CI 0.746-0.873). CONCLUSIONS: Baseline left atrial enlargement is an independent risk factor for risk of hospitalization among patients with COVID-19. When available, baseline LA enlargement may identify patients for (1) closer outpatient follow up, and (2) counseling vaccine-hesitancy.

Marijuana Use and Stress Cardiomyopathy in the Young.

Background Increased accessibility, recreational use, and regional legalization of marijuana (cannabis) have been paralleled by widespread recognition of its serious cardiovascular complications (acute myocardial infarction, stroke, sudden death) particularly in the young. We aimed to examine trends in hospital admissions and outcomes of adults with stress cardiomyopathy (SC) in temporal relation to marijuana use. Methods and results A search of the 2003-2011 Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIIS) database identified 33,343 admissions for SC of which 210 (0.06%) were temporally related to marijuana use. Demographics, clinical characteristics, and outcomes of marijuana users (MU) and non-marijuana users (NMU) with SC were compared. MU were younger (44±14 vs. 66±13 years), more often male (36% vs. 8%), and had lower prevalence of hypertension (38% vs. 62%), diabetes (2.4% vs. 17.6%), and hyperlipidemia (16% vs. 52%) while more often suffered from depression (33% vs. 15%), psychosis (12% vs. 4%), anxiety disorder (28% vs. 16%), alcohol use disorder (13% vs. 3%), tobacco use (73% vs. 29%), and polysubstance abuse (11% vs. 0.3%) [all p<0.001]. In addition, MU more often suffered a cardiac arrest and required placement of a defibrillator while congestive heart failure was more frequent in NMU. Logistic regression analysis on the entire database (n=71,753,900), adjusted for known risk factors for SC, identified marijuana use as an independent predictor of SC (OR=1.83; 95% CI=1.57-2.12, p<0.0001). Among MU, older age (>48 years) was a strong predictor of any major adverse cardiac event (OR=7.8; 95% CI=2.88-21.13; p<0.0001). Conclusions Marijuana use is linked to SC in younger individuals and is associated with significant morbidity despite being younger in age and having a more favorable cardiac risk factor profile in affected individuals.

Prevalence and Significance of Patient Prosthesis Mismatch Following Edwards SAPIEN XT and SAPIEN 3 Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement.

Background Severe patient prosthesis mismatch (sPPM) after surgical aortic valve replacement is associated with worse outcomes. Limited data exists on the impact of sPPM on outcomes after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), especially regarding the newer generation valves. The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence, determinants, and outcomes of sPPM in patients undergoing TAVR with Edwards SAPIEN XT (ES XT) and Edwards SAPIEN 3 (ES3) valves (Edwards Lifesciences, Irvine, CA, USA). Methods We retrospectively reviewed 366 patients who underwent TAVR with ES XT (n = 114) or ES3 (n = 252) valves between July 2012 and June 2018. sPPM was defined as indexed effective orifice area (iEOA) <0.65 cm2/m2. Kaplan-Meier survival estimates were used to determine outcomes. Results Multivariate linear regression analysis was utilized to determine potential independent effects of PPM on outcomes. sPPM was present in 40 (11%) of the patients [8 (7%) ES XT and 32 (13%) ES3] and was associated with female sex, smaller left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) diameter and aortic valve annular area, absence of prior coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery, shorter height, higher body mass index, and smaller pre-TAVR valve area (all p < 0.05). Among those with ES3 valves, the incidence of sPPM was inversely proportional to the valve size (50%, 25%, 5% and 3% for 20-, 23-, 26- and 29-mm valve sizes, respectively; p < 0.001). At a mean follow-up period of 3.5 ± 1.5 years, there was no difference in all-cause mortality (22.5% vs. 25.6%, p = 0.89) or a composite endpoint of heart failure, arrhythmias, stroke, and myocardial infarction (30% vs. 34%, p = 0.24) in those with or without sPPM. Conclusion ES3 was associated with a higher incidence of sPPM, particularly with smaller valve sizes. However, the presence of sPPM as defined by iEOA was not an independent predictor of adverse outcomes in patients undergoing TAVR within an intermediate follow-up period.

Massive left ventricular thrombosis in pericardial decompression syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Pericardial decompression syndrome (PDS) is defined as paradoxical hemodynamic deterioration associated with left, right, or bi-ventricular dilation and systolic dysfunction following pericardiocentesis. It is uncommon yet under-recognized, underreported, and associated with significant morbidity and mortality. CASE REPORT: We report a unique case of PDS associated with left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction and massive apical thrombosis following surgical removal of 800 ml of pericardial fluid in a 72-year-old man with undiagnosed lung cancer. Treatment with anticoagulation and anti-remodeling medications resulted in complete resolution of the thrombus and recovery of LV function. CONCLUSIONS: PDS, although rare, can lead to significant morbidity and mortality. Left ventricular apical thrombosis could result from PDS in the setting of hypercoagulable state. Treatment of the underlying disease may lead to successful resolution of PDS and its complications.

Low Risk of Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy With Contemporary Management Strategies Implemented in Non-Referral Regional Community-Based Practices.

Major advances in diagnosis and treatment have emerged for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), largely in major tertiary referral centers dedicated to this disease. Whether these therapeutic benefits are confined to patients in such highly selected cohorts, or can be implemented effectively in independent regional or community-based populations is not generally appreciated. We assessed management and clinical outcomes in a non-referral HCM center (n = 214 patients) in Eastern Pennsylvania. Over a 6.0 ± 3.2-year follow-up, the HCM-related mortality rate was 0.1% per year attributed to a single disease-related death, in a 49-year-old man with end-stage heart failure, ineligible for heart transplant. Fifteen patients (7%) with prophylactically placed implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) experienced appropriate therapy terminating life-threatening ventricular tachyarrhythmias. In 23 other patients (11%; 5%/year), heart failure due to left ventricular outflow obstruction was reversed by surgical septal myectomy (n = 20) or percutaneous alcohol septal ablation (n = 3). This regional HCM cohort was similar to a comparison tertiary center referral population in terms of HCM-mortality: 0.1%/year vs 0.3%/year (p = 0.3) and ICD therapy (31% vs 16% of primary prevention implants), although more frequently with uncomplicated benign clinical course (62% vs 46%; p <0.01). In conclusion, effective contemporary HCM management strategies and outcomes in referral-based HCM centers can be successfully replicated in regional and/or non-referral settings. Therefore, HCM is now a highly treatable disease compatible with normal longevity when assessed in a variety of clinical venues not limited to tertiary centers.

Stress cardiomyopathy induced during dobutamine stress echocardiography.

BACKGROUND: Catecholamines play a central role in pathogenesis of stress cardiomyopathy (SC). We aimed to review the clinical characteristics, procedural details and outcomes of patients with SC during dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE). METHODS/RESULTS: A total of 20 adults [age 64±15 years, 80% women, 67% hypertension, 20% diabetes, 33% hypercholesterolemia, 19% chronic kidney disease, 13% known anxiety disorder] with SC during DSE were identified from local digital archives of our laboratory (n=3) or reports in English literature (n=17). Indication for DSE was suspected coronary artery disease (CAD) in all patients. Left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction was normal at baseline. SC developed at a blood pressure of 154±47/86±24 mmHg, heart rate of 130±17 bpm (88±10% predicted maximum) and peak rate-pressure product of 20559±3898 mmHg*bpm. ST segment elevation was seen in 65%. SC occurred at peak dobutamine infusion rate of 38±6 µg/kg/min in 85% and during recovery in 15%. Atropine [0.7±0.6 (0.25-2) mg] was given to 7 patients. LV ejection fraction dropped to 30±6% with apical (40%), apical and mid (45%) or basal and mid (10%) circumferential LV ballooning. One patient (5%) had a mixed pattern of wall motion abnormality. LV outflow tract obstruction developed in 15%. Major adverse cardiac events occurred in 7 (35%) and included death (n=1), congestive heart failure (n=2), hypotension (n=3) and atrial fibrillation with heart failure (n=1). At a mean follow up duration of 19±19 days, complete or partial recovery of LV wall motion abnormality was seen in 18 and 1 patient, respectively. CONCLUSION: SC uncommonly occurs during DSE. However, death and other adverse events (hypotension, heart failure and atrial fibrillation) may occur and require urgent attention. Once managed, complete recovery is expected in most patients.

Cannabis-induced basal-mid-left ventricular stress cardiomyopathy: A case report.

Cannabis, popularly known as marijuana, is a recreational drug derived from the plant Cannabis Sativa. It has been recognized as the most widely used mood-altering substance in the world and is falsely perceived as a safe substance by the public at large. This is mostly due to lack of awareness of its adverse effects as well as successful attempts for legalization of its use in many states. We present a unique case of a 56-year-old man who presented with neurological deficits concerning for stroke. Soon after presentation, he required endotracheal intubation for airway protection due to worsening mental status changes and pulmonary edema. Echocardiogram revealed severe hypokinesis of the basal and mid-left ventricular (LV) walls with hyperdynamic motion of the apex (reverse takotsubo). Coronary angiography revealed no obstructive disease. Urine toxicology screen was positive for Δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol. The patient then stated to have used excess marijuana before the symptom onset, while denying any recent emotional stressors. The findings were consistent with stress cardiomyopathy (SC) triggered by marijuana use. Myocardial infarction, stroke, and peripheral arteriopathy have been increasingly reported in younger individuals using marijuana. SC appears to be another unique complication of marijuana use triggered through its effects on the autonomic nervous and endocannabinoid systems.

Commissural fusion as etiology of bioprosthetic mitral stenosis in a patient with rheumatic heart disease.

We report commissural fusion as a unique morphologic etiology of early bioprosthetic mitral valve failure in a woman with a history of rheumatic mitral stenosis. She had undergone mitral valve replacement with a 25-mm Edwards Magna Ease bovine pericardial bioprosthesis 3 years earlier and presented with progressive dyspnea. Transesophageal echocardiography revealed severe bioprosthetic stenosis due to commissural fusion. She underwent percutaneous valve-in-valve implantation with a 26-mm Edwards Sapien 3 prosthesis. Marked symptomatic improvement was noted postprocedurally. We speculate that commissural fusion may be a unique pathologic feature of failing bioprosthetic valves in patients with prior rheumatic mitral valve disease.

Recent trends in hospital admissions and outcomes of cardiac Chagas disease in the United States.

BACKGROUND: Chagas disease (CD), caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, has been increasingly encountered as a cause of cardiovascular disease in the United States. We aimed to examine trends of hospital admissions and cardiovascular outcomes of cardiac CD (CCD). METHODS: Search of 2003-2011 Nationwide Inpatient Sample database identified 949 (age 57±16 years, 51% male, 72.5% Hispanic) admissions for CCD. RESULTS: A significant increase in the number of admissions for CCD was noted during the study period (OR=1.054; 95% CI=1.028-1.081; P< 0.0001); 72% were admitted to Southern and Western hospitals. Comorbidities included hypertension (40%), coronary artery disease (28%), hyperlipidemia (26%), tobacco use (12%), diabetes (9%), heart failure (5%) and obesity (2.2%). Cardiac abnormalities noted during hospitalization included atrial fibrillation (27%), ventricular tachycardia (23%), sinoatrial node dysfunction (5%), complete heart block (4%), valvular heart disease (6%)] and left ventricular aneurysms (5%). In-hospital mortality was 3.2%. Other major adverse events included cardiogenic shock in 54 (5.7%), cardiac arrest in 30 (3.2%), acute heart failure in 88 (9.3%), use of mechanical circulatory support in 29 (3.1%), and acute stroke in 34 (3.5%). Overall, 63% suffered at least one adverse event. Temporary (2%) and permanent (3.5%) pacemakers, implantable cardioverter defibrillators (10%), and cardiac transplant (2.1%) were needed for in-hospital management. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the remaining concerns about lack of awareness of CCD in the US, an increasing number of hospital admissions were reported from 2003-2011. Serious cardiovascular abnormalities were highly prevalent in these patients and were frequently associated with fatal and nonfatal complications.

Cardiac transplantation for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in the United States 2003-2011.

BACKGROUND: Cardiac transplant (CT) is the sole option in a minority of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HC) adults with refractory symptoms or end-stage disease. AIMS/METHODS: We aimed to examine the trends and hospital outcomes of CT in HC using 2003-2011 Nationwide Inpatient Sample database. RESULTS: HC comprised 1.1% of CT (151 of 14,277) performed during this time period (age 45±12 years, 67% male, 79% Caucasians). Number of HC CT increased from 2003 to 2011 (odds ratio=1.174; 95% confidence interval=1.102-1.252; P< 0.001). Comorbidities included congestive heart failure (76%), hypertension (23%), chronic kidney disease (23%), hyperlipidemia (19%), diabetes (13%), and coronary artery disease (10%). Acute in-hospital major adverse events occurred in 1 in 4 (23%) patient and 1 in 25 (3.8%) patients died perioperatively. Other major adverse events included allograft rejection or vasculopathy (23%), postoperative stroke or transient ischemic attack (3.5%), acute renal failure (43%), respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilation (13%), sepsis (10%) or need for blood transfusion (10%). Compared to 1990-2004 United Network of Organ Sharing registry data (n=303), patients in current cohort had more comorbid conditions [diabetes (13%-vs-0%); chronic obstructive lung disease (9%-vs-1%); P < 0.001 for both), were more likely to be male (66%-vs-48% P< 0.001), were less likely to be Caucasian (79%-vs-86%; P < 0.001) or smokers (3%-vs-17%; P < 0.001) and less often required perioperative circulatory support or hemodialysis (17%-vs-49%, P < 0.001 and 3.2%-vs-8.3%, P = 0.04, respectively). CONCLUSION: HC comprises a small proportion of patients undergoing CT. The annual number of CT in HC has increased in recent years at least in part due to inclusion of patients with more comorbid conditions. Transplant recipients in the current cohort, however, required less postoperative circulatory support or renal replacement therapy.

The Cardiorenal Axis: Myocardial Perfusion, Metabolism, and Innervation.

PURPOSE OF THE REVIEW: Cardiorenal syndrome (CRS), defined as concomitant heart and kidney disease, has been a focus of attention for nearly a decade. As more patients survive severe acute and chronic heart and kidney diseases, CRS has emerged as an "epidemic" of modern medicine. Significant advances have been made in unraveling the complex mechanisms that underlie CRS based on classification of the condition into five pathophysiologic subtypes. In types 1 and 2, acute or chronic heart disease results in renal dysfunction, while in types 3 and 4, acute or chronic kidney diseases are the inciting factors for heart disease. Type 5 CRS is defined as concomitant heart and kidney dysfunction as part of a systemic condition such as sepsis or autoimmune disease. RECENT FINDINGS: There are ongoing efforts to better define subtypes of CRS based on historical information, clinical manifestations, laboratory data (including biomarkers), and imaging characteristics. Systematic evaluation of CRS by advanced cardiac imaging, however, has been limited in scope and mostly focused on type 4 CRS. This is in part related to lack of clinical trials applying advanced cardiac imaging in the acute setting and exclusion of patients with significant renal disease from studies of such techniques in chronic HF. Advanced cardiac nuclear imaging is well poised for assessment of the pathophysiology of CRS by offering a myriad of molecular probes without the need for nephrotoxic contrast agents. In this review, we examine the current or potential future application of advanced cardiac imaging to evaluation of myocardial perfusion, metabolism, and innervation in patients with CRS.

Cardiovascular Complications of Marijuana and Related Substances: A Review.

The recreational use of cannabis has sharply increased in recent years in parallel with its legalization and decriminalization in several countries. Commonly, the traditional cannabis has been replaced by potent synthetic cannabinoids and cannabimimetics in various forms. Despite overwhelming public perception of the safety of these substances, an increasing number of serious cardiovascular adverse events have been reported in temporal relation to recreational cannabis use. These have included sudden cardiac death, vascular (coronary, cerebral and peripheral) events, arrhythmias and stress cardiomyopathy among others. Many of the victims of these events are relatively young men with few if any cardiovascular risk factors. However, there are reasons to believe that older individuals and those with risk factors for or established cardiovascular disease are at even higher danger of such events following exposure to cannabis. The pathophysiological basis of these events is not fully understood and likely encompasses a complex interaction between the active ingredients (particularly the major cannabinoid, Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol), and the endo-cannabinoid system, autonomic nervous system, as well as other receptor and non-receptor mediated pathways. Other complicating factors include opposing physiologic effects of other cannabinoids (predominantly cannabidiol), presence of regulatory proteins that act as metabolizing enzymes, binding molecules, or ligands, as well as functional polymorphisms of target receptors. Tolerance to the effects of cannabis may also develop on repeated exposures at least in part due to receptor downregulation or desensitization. Moreover, effects of cannabis may be enhanced or altered by concomitant use of other illicit drugs or medications used for treatment of established cardiovascular diseases. Regardless of these considerations, it is expected that the current cannabis epidemic would add significantly to the universal burden of cardiovascular diseases.

In-Hospital Outcomes of Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation in Patients With End-Stage Renal Disease on Dialysis from a Large National Database.

The outcomes of patients with end-stage renal disease on dialysis (chronic kidney disease stage 5 on dialysis [CKD 5D]) who undergo transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) are not well described due to the exclusion of this group in randomized trials. We analyzed the National Inpatient Sample database and compared clinical characteristics and in-hospital outcomes for patients with CKD 5D versus those without CKD 5D (nondialysis group) who underwent TAVI in 2011 to 2014 in the United States. The study population included 1,708 patients (4%) with CKD 5D and 40,481 patients (96%) without CKD 5D who underwent TAVI. Patients with CKD 5D were younger (75.3 ± 9.9 vs 81.4 ± 8.4 years, p <0.001), more likely to be men (62.8% vs 52%, p <0.001), and less likely to be Caucasian (73.6% vs 87.8%, p <0.001). Patients with CKD 5D were more likely to have congestive heart failure (16% vs 11.7%, p <0.001), diabetes with chronic complications (19% vs 5.4%, p <0.001), hypertension (86.5% vs 79.3%, p <0.001), and peripheral vascular disease (34.5% vs 29.4%, p <0.001), but were less likely to have atrial fibrillation (38.6% vs 44.8%, p <0.001) and chronic pulmonary disease (27.5% vs 33.6%, p <0.001). In-hospital mortality was significantly higher in the dialysis group (8.2% vs 4%; adjusted odds ratio 2.21, 95% confidence interval1.81 to 2.69, p <0.001) after adjusting for age, gender, co-morbidities, and hospital characteristics in a robust multivariate regression model. In conclusion, patients with CKD 5D who undergo TAVI have a higher in-hospital mortality than those without CKD 5D.

Posttraumatic stress disorder after myocardial infarction and coronary artery bypass grafting.

Post traumatic stress disorder is a psychiatric disease that is usually precipitated by life threatening stressors. Myocardial infarction, especially in the young can count as one such event. The development of post traumatic stress after a coronary event not only adversely effects psychiatric health, but leads to increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. There is increasing evidence that like major depression, post traumatic stress disorder is also a strong coronary risk factor. Early diagnosis and treatment of this disease in patients with acute manifestations of coronary artery disease can improve patient outcomes.

Pheochromocytoma and stress cardiomyopathy: Insight into pathogenesis.

AIM: To investigate the occurrence of cardiomyopathy (CMP) in a cohort of patients with histologically proven pheochromocytoma (pheo), and to determine if catecholamine excess was causative of the left ventricular (LV) dysfunction. METHODS: A retrospective chart review spanning years 1998 through 2014 was undertaken and patients with a diagnosis of pheo confirmed with histopathologic examination were included. Presenting electrocardiograms and cardiac imaging studies were reviewed. Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE), ventriculography or single positron emission computed tomography imaging was evaluated and if significant abnormalities [left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) or LV dysfunction] were noted in the pre operative period a follow up post-operative study was also analyzed. Multivariate analysis using logistic regression was used to investigate independent predictors for outcomes of interest, LV dysfunction and LVH. RESULTS: We identified 18 patients with diagnosis of pheo confirmed on pathology. Mean age was 54.3 ± 19.3 years and 11 (61.1%) patients were females. 50% of such patients had either resistant hypertension or labile blood pressures during hospitalization, which had raised suspicion for a pheo. Cardiac imaging studies were available for 12 (66.7%) patients at the time of inclusion into study and preceding the adrenalectomy. 7 (58.3%) patients with a TTE available for review had mild or more severe LVH while 3 (25%) patients had LV dysfunction of presumably acute onset. In a multivariate analysis, elevated catecholamine levels as assessed by urinary excretion of metabolites was not an independent predictor of development of LV systolic dysfunction or of presence of LVH on TTE. Two female patients with a preceding history of hypertension had marked LV hypertrophy and systolic anterior motion of the mitral valve. Prolongation of the QTc interval was noted in 5 (27.8%) patients but no acute arrhythmias were observed in any patient. CONCLUSION: This study adds to the growing body of literature on the predilection of patients with pheochromocytomas to develop non-ischemic CMP. Degree of catecholamine excess as measured by urinary secretion of metabolites did not predict the development of CMP but 2 of 3 patients developed CMP in the setting of significant acute physiologic stress. Our findings provide support to the proposed etiologic role of elevated catecholamines in TC and other stress induced forms of CMP, however, activation of a brain-neural-cardiac axis from acute stress and local release of catecholamines but not chronic catecholamine elevations are likely to be responsible in pheo related CMP.

Trends and outcomes of infective endocarditis in patients on dialysis.

Dialysis patients are at high risk for infective endocarditis (IE); however, no large contemporary data exist on this issue. We examined outcomes of 44 816 patients with IE on dialysis and 202 547 patients with IE not on dialysis from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample database from 2006 thorough 2011. Dialysis patients were younger (59 ± 15 years vs 62 ± 18 years) and more likely to be female (47% vs 40%) and African-American (47% vs 40%; all P < 0.001). Hospitalizations for IE in the dialysis group increased from 175 to 222 per 10 000 patients (P trend = 0.04). Staphylococcus aureus was the most common microorganism isolated in both dialysis (61%) and nondialysis (45%) groups. IE due to S aureus (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 1.79, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.73-1.84), non-aureus staphylococcus (aOR: 1.72, 95% CI: 1.64-1.80), and fungi (aOR: 1.4, 95% CI: 1.12-1.78) were more likely in the dialysis group, whereas infection due to gram-negative bacteria (aOR: 0.85, 95% CI: 0.81-0.89), streptococci (aOR: 0.38, 95% CI: 0.36-0.39), and enterococci (aOR: 0.78, 95% CI: 0.74-0.82) were less likely (all P < 0.001). Dialysis patients had higher in-hospital mortality (aOR: 2.13, 95% CI: 2.04-2.21), lower likelihood of valve-replacement surgery (aOR: 0.82, 95% CI: 0.76-0.86), and higher incidence of stroke (aOR: 1.08, 95% CI: 1.03-1.12; all P < 0.001). We demonstrate rising incidence of IE-related hospitalizations in dialysis patients, highlight significant differences in baseline comorbidities and microbiology of IE compared with the general population, and validate the association of long-term dialysis with worse in-hospital outcomes.

Predictors and prognostic significance of atrial fibrillation developed during dobutamine stress echocardiography: A propensity score-matched comparison.

AIMS: Atrial fibrillation (AF) uncommonly occurs during dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE). We aimed to characterize the predictors and long-term prognostic significance of AF during DSE. METHODS: The clinical, echocardiographic, and outcome data of patients in sinus rhythm who developed AF during DSE were reviewed and compared to a propensity score-matched group of controls. RESULTS: Atrial fibrillation developed in 73 (1% of 7026) patients (age 70±10 years, 58% men). Compared to 144 propensity score-matched controls without AF during DSE, those with AF were more likely to have had history of prior AF (23% vs 8%, P=.002), known coronary artery disease (CAD; 22% vs 10%, P=.037), enlarged left ventricle (LV; 27% vs 9%, P=.002), LV wall-motion abnormality (33% vs 12%, P<.0001), enlarged aortic root (22% vs 8%, P=.009), or dilated left atrium (52% vs 30%, P=.002). Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified prior history of AF (OR=3.7, 95% CI 1.5-9.0, P=.005), larger LV size (OR=3.1, 95% CI 1.3-7.3, P=.009), and lower LV ejection fraction (OR=-0.95, 95% CI -0.92 to -0.99, P=.02) as independent predictors of AF during DSE. At a mean follow-up period of 3.4 (0.5-7.3) years, those with AF during DSE were more likely to develop new coronary events (22% vs 10%, P=.0372), new-onset heart failure (19% vs 4%, P=.0003), or die from any cause (27% vs 6%, P<.0001). Kaplan-Meier curves demonstrated significantly lower event-free survival in patients compared to controls (P by log-rank test=.001) over the follow-up period. CONCLUSION: Dobutamine-induced AF occurs more commonly in those with prior history of AF and remodeled LV and is associated with unfavorable outcomes.