Coronary revascularization for acute myocardial infarction in the HIV population.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze trends in management and outcomes of patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for an acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in the United States. BACKGROUND: Infection with HIV is an independent risk factor for accelerated atherosclerosis associated with higher rates of AMI. Current trends and outcomes of HIV-infected individuals presenting with AMI in the United States remain unknown. METHODS: Using the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project National Inpatient Sample database we identified HIV-infected individuals who underwent PCI for an AMI from 2002 to 2013. Multivariable logistic regression and propensity-score matching were performed to analyze outcomes. RESULTS: We identified a total of 59 194 patients of which 7841 underwent PCI during index hospitalization (13.3%). Most patients were men (71%), ≥50 years of age (82%), and white (74%). ST-elevation myocardial infarction was present in 21% of cases. Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) was 5.67 ± 0.4. Predictors of post-procedural complications included female sex, black race, higher CCI, and placement of a bare metal stent, whereas predictors of mortality included occurrence of a complication, ST-elevation myocardial infarction, age ≥70 years, and higher CCI. Conversely, placement of a drug-eluting stent was associated with a reduced risk of complications and mortality. After propensity-score matching, HIV-infected individuals were less likely to undergo PCI and receive a drug-eluting stent, while having longer length of stay, higher hospitalization costs, and higher in-hospital mortality when compared to non-infected individuals. CONCLUSION: Significant disparities continue to affect HIV-infected individuals undergoing PCI for AMI in the United States.

Hepatocellular carcinoma to the right ventricle.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the sixth most prevalent cancer in the world, but metastatic disease to the heart is rare. We present a case of a 63-year-old man with history of hepatitis C and cirrhosis, which had progressed to HCC. The patient had undergone two prior liver transplantations. He presented to the hospital complaining of worsening lower extremity edema. His exam was also pertinent for jugular venous distension, a 3/6 crescendo-decrescendo murmur, and hepatosplenomegaly. A transthoracic echocardiogram showed a large irregular lobulated mass in the apex of the right ventricle with a mobile pedunculated component. An MRI of the heart revealed a 4.4 × 3.4 × 4.0 cm mass within the right ventricular apex, which was subsequently biopsied and found to be moderately differentiated HCC with myocardial fragments. The patient opted out of any further therapy, or intervention, and was enrolled in hospice care.

The transaortic approach for transcatheter aortic valve replacement: initial clinical experience in the United States.

OBJECTIVES: This study sought to investigate the technical feasibility and safety of the transaortic (TAO) transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) approach in patients not eligible for transfemoral (TF) access by using a device commercially available in the United States. BACKGROUND: A large proportion of candidates for TAVR have inadequate iliofemoral vessels for TF access. The transapical route (TAP) is the current alternative but is associated with less favorable outcomes. Other access options need to be explored. METHODS: Forty-four consecutive patients with inoperable, severe aortic stenosis underwent TAO TAVR in our institution. Procedural and 30-day clinical outcomes data were compared with data from 76 consecutive patients who underwent TAP TAVR at our site. Technical learning curves were assessed by comparing outcomes of the first 20 cases with the subsequent patients who underwent each procedure. RESULTS: The TAO and TAP TAVR groups were similar in terms of device success according to Valve Academic Research Consortium criteria (89% vs. 84%; p = 0.59) and rates of the 30-day combined safety endpoint of all-cause mortality, myocardial infarction, major stroke, disabling bleeding, severe acute kidney injury, and valve reintervention (20% vs. 33%; p = 0.21). The TAO approach, compared with TAP TAVR, was associated with lower combined bleeding and vascular event rate (27% vs. 46%; p = 0.05), shorter median intensive care unit length of stay (3 vs. 6 days; p = 0.01), and a favorable learning curve. CONCLUSIONS: TAVR via the TAO approach is technically feasible, seems to be associated with favorable outcomes, and expands the current alternative options for access sites in patients with inoperable aortic stenosis who are ineligible for TF TAVR.