The Effect of Aortic Angulation on Clinical Outcomes of Patients Undergoing Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to assess the impact of aortic angulation (AA) on periprocedural and in-hospital complications as well as mortality of patients undergoing Evolut™ R valve implantation. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted on 264 patients who underwent transfemoral-approach transcatheter aortic valve replacement with self-expandable valve at our hospital between August 2015 and August 2022. These patients underwent multislice computer tomography scans to evaluate AA. Transcatheter aortic valve replacement endpoints, device success, and clinical events were assessed according to the definitions provided by the Valve Academic Research Consortium-3. Cumulative events included paravalvular leak, permanent pacemaker implantation, new-onset stroke, and in-hospital mortality. Patients were divided into two groups, AA ≤ 48° and AA > 48°, based on the mean AA measurement (48.3±8.8) on multislice computer tomography. RESULTS: Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to identify predictors of cumulative events, utilizing variables with a P-value < 0.2 obtained from univariable logistic regression analysis, including AA, age, hypertension, chronic renal failure, and heart failure. AA (odds ratio [OR]: 1.73, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.89-3.38, P=0.104), age (OR: 1.04, 95% CI: 0.99-1.10, P=0.099), hypertension (OR: 1.66, 95% CI: 0.82-3.33, P=0.155), chronic renal failure (OR: 1.82, 95% CI: 0.92-3.61, P=0.084), and heart failure (OR: 0.57, 95% CI: 0.27-1.21, P=0.145) were not found to be significantly associated with cumulative events in the multivariable logistic regression analysis. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that increased AA does not have a significant impact on intraprocedural and periprocedural complications of patients with new generation self-expandable valves implanted.

The effect of body mass index on complications in cardiac implantable electronic device surgery.

BACKGROUND: Cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) procedures are prone to complications. In our study, we investigated the effect of body mass index (BMI) on CIED-related complications. METHODS: 1676 patients who had undergone CIED surgery (de novo implantation, system upgrade, generator change, pocket revision or lead replacement) at two heart centers in Turkey and met the study criteria were included in our study. For analysis of primary and secondary endpoints, patients were classified as non-obese (BMI < 25 kg/m2 ), overweight (25 ≤ BMI < 30 kg/m2 ), and obese (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2 ). The primary endpoint was accepted as cumulative events, including the composite of clinically significant hematoma (CSH), pericardial effusion or tamponade, pneumothorax, and infection related to the device system. Secondary outcomes included each component of cumulative events. RESULTS: The rate of cumulative events, defined as primary outcome, was higher in the obese patient group, and we found a significant difference between the groups (3.0%, 4.3%, 8.9%, p = .001). CSH and pneumothorax rates were significantly higher in the obese patient group (0.3%, 0.9%, 1.9%, p = .04; 1.0%, 1.4%, 3.3%, p = .04, respectively). According to our multivariate model analysis; gender (OR:1.882, 95%CI:1.156-3.064, p = .01), hypertension (OR:4.768, 95%CI:2.470-9.204, p < .001), BMI (OR:1.069, 95%CI:1.012-1.129, p = .01) were independent predictors of cumulative events rates. CONCLUSIONS: Periprocedural complications associated with CIED (especially hematoma and pneumothorax) are more common in the group with high BMI.

The Effect of Aortic Angulation on Clinical Outcomes of Patients Undergoing Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement

ABSTRACT Introduction: The aim of this study was to assess the impact of aortic angulation (AA) on periprocedural and in-hospital complications as well as mortality of patients undergoing Evolut™ R valve implantation. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on 264 patients who underwent transfemoral-approach transcatheter aortic valve replacement with self-expandable valve at our hospital between August 2015 and August 2022. These patients underwent multislice computer tomography scans to evaluate AA. Transcatheter aortic valve replacement endpoints, device success, and clinical events were assessed according to the definitions provided by the Valve Academic Research Consortium-3. Cumulative events included paravalvular leak, permanent pacemaker implantation, new-onset stroke, and in-hospital mortality. Patients were divided into two groups, AA ≤ 48° and AA > 48°, based on the mean AA measurement (48.3±8.8) on multislice computer tomography. Results: Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to identify predictors of cumulative events, utilizing variables with a P-value < 0.2 obtained from univariable logistic regression analysis, including AA, age, hypertension, chronic renal failure, and heart failure. AA (odds ratio [OR]: 1.73, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.89-3.38, P=0.104), age (OR: 1.04, 95% CI: 0.99-1.10, P=0.099), hypertension (OR: 1.66, 95% CI: 0.82-3.33, P=0.155), chronic renal failure (OR: 1.82, 95% CI: 0.92-3.61, P=0.084), and heart failure (OR: 0.57, 95% CI: 0.27-1.21, P=0.145) were not found to be significantly associated with cumulative events in the multivariable logistic regression analysis. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that increased AA does not have a significant impact on intraprocedural and periprocedural complications of patients with new generation self-expandable valves implanted.

Comparison of pain levels of traditional radial, distal radial, and transfemoral coronary catheterization.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study was to compare the traditional radial artery, distal radial artery, and transfemoral artery, which are vascular access sites for coronary angiography, in terms of pain level using the visual analog scale. METHODS: Between April 2021 and May 2022, consecutive patients from three centers were included in our study. A total of 540 patients, 180 from each of the traditional radial artery, distal radial artery , and transfemoral artery groups, were included. The visual analog scale was applied to the patients as soon as they were taken to bed. RESULTS: When the visual analog scale was compared between the groups, it was found to be significantly different (transfemoral artery: 2.7±1.6, traditional radial artery: 3.9±1.9, and distal radial artery: 4.9±2.1, respectively, p<0.001). When the patients were classified as mild, moderate, and severe based on the visual analog scale score, a significant difference was found between the groups in terms of body mass index, process time, access time, and number of punctures (p<0.001). Based on the receiver operating characteristic analysis, body mass index>29.8 kg/m2 predicted severe pain with 72.5% sensitivity and 73.2% specificity [(area under the curve: 0.770, 95%CI: 0.724-0.815, p<0.0001)]. CONCLUSION: In our study, we found that the femoral approach caused less access site pain and a high body mass index predicts severe pain.

Evaluation of Frontal QRS-T Angle in Patients with Coronary Artery Ectasia

Abstract Background: Coronary artery ectasia (CAE) is defined by focal enlargement of the coronary artery exceeding 1.5 times the adjacent normal segment. CAE can often cause arrhythmias, heart failure, sudden death, and myocardial ischemia. Ischemia due to microvascular dysfunction may be responsible for the ventricular heterogeneity in CAE. Objectives: The aim of our study was to evaluate the frontal QRS-T angle in patients with CAE. Methods: Our study included 55 patients with CAE and 50 individuals in the control group. Demographic characteristics and electrocardiographic parameters were compared between the two groups. Categorical variables were compared using the chi-square test. Continuous variables were compared using unpaired Student's t-test. P values < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. The frontal QRS-T angle was calculated from 12-lead electrocardiograms (ECGs) using the automatic report from the electrocardiography machine. Results: The average age of patients with CAE was 63.2 ± 3.4 years, with 18 women among them. The control group had an average age of 61.1 ± 3.2 years, with 28 women included. There was no significant difference in demographic parameters between the two groups. Compared to the control group, patients with CAE had significantly wider frontal QRS-T angle (p < 0.001), as well as longer QTmax duration, p = 0.002; Tp-Te interval, p = 0.02; and QT dispersion (QTd), p = 0.04. Conclusion: The frontal QRS-T angle can be calculated easily and time-efficiently using surface electrocardiography. In this study, we showed for the first time that the frontal QRS-T angle was significantly increased in patients with CAE.

Evaluation of Hematological Parameters After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement.

Although transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is safe and effective, mortality and bleeding events post procedure are important. The present study investigated the changes in hematologic parameters to evaluate whether they predict mortality or major bleeding. We enrolled 248 consecutive patients (44.8% male; mean age 79.0 ± 6.4 years) undergoing TAVR. In addition to demographic and clinical examination, blood parameters were recorded before TAVR, at discharge, 1 month and 1 year. Hemoglobin levels before TAVR 12.1 ± 1.8 g/dL, 10.8 ± 1.7 g/dL at discharge, 11.7 ± 1.7 g/dL at first month, 11.8 ± 1.4 g/dL at first year (Hemoglobin values compared with pre-TAVR, P < .001, P = .019, P = .047, respectively). Mean platelet volume (MPV) before TAVR 8.72 ± 1.71 fL, 8.16 ± 1.46 fL at discharge, 8.09 ± 1.44 fL at first month, 7.94 ± 1.18 fL at first year (MPV values compared with pre-TAVR, P < .001, P < .001, P < .001, respectively). Other hematologic parameters were also evaluated. Hemoglobin, platelet count, MPV, and red cell distribution width before the procedure, at discharge, and at the first year did not predict mortality and major bleeding in receiver operating characteristic analysis. After multivariate Cox regression analysis, hematologic parameters were not independent predictors of in-hospital mortality, major bleeding, and death at 1 year after TAVR.

The effect of coronary slow flow on ventricular repolarization parameters.

INTRODUCTION: Ischemia due to microvascular dysfunction may be responsible for the heterogeneity of ventricular repolarization in coronary slow flow. To our knowledge, there is no study in which QT interval, Tp-Te interval, index of cardiac-electrophysiological balance (iCEB), and frontal QRS-T angle were evaluated together in patients with CSF. In this study, we examined for the first time the relationship between all these myocardial repolarization parameters and CSF. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study group included 178 patients (99 female, mean age: 50.6 ± 8.6 years) with isolated CSF without stenotic lesions and with angiographically proven normal coronary arteries. The control group included 120 patients (71 female, mean age: 49.3 ± 9.4 years) with normal coronary angiography. QRS duration, QT interval, QTc interval, Tp-Te interval, Tp-Te/QT, Tp- Te/QTc, iCEB score, and frontal QRS-T angle were calculated from 12­lead ECGs. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in demographic parameters between the two groups. Compared with the control group, patients with CSF had significantly longer QTmax duration, QT dispersion, Tp-Te interval, and higher iCEB score, wider frontal QRS-T angle. CONCLUSION: In our study, we found that many of the ventricular repolarization parameters were adversely affected in patients with CSF. Impaired parameters may be associated with the risk of malignant ventricular arrhythmias.

Comparison of pain levels of traditional radial, distal radial, and transfemoral coronary catheterization

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study was to compare the traditional radial artery, distal radial artery, and transfemoral artery, which are vascular access sites for coronary angiography, in terms of pain level using the visual analog scale. METHODS: Between April 2021 and May 2022, consecutive patients from three centers were included in our study. A total of 540 patients, 180 from each of the traditional radial artery, distal radial artery , and transfemoral artery groups, were included. The visual analog scale was applied to the patients as soon as they were taken to bed. RESULTS: When the visual analog scale was compared between the groups, it was found to be significantly different (transfemoral artery: 2.7±1.6, traditional radial artery: 3.9±1.9, and distal radial artery: 4.9±2.1, respectively, p<0.001). When the patients were classified as mild, moderate, and severe based on the visual analog scale score, a significant difference was found between the groups in terms of body mass index, process time, access time, and number of punctures (p<0.001). Based on the receiver operating characteristic analysis, body mass index>29.8 kg/m2 predicted severe pain with 72.5% sensitivity and 73.2% specificity [(area under the curve: 0.770, 95%CI: 0.724-0.815, p<0.0001)]. CONCLUSION: In our study, we found that the femoral approach caused less access site pain and a high body mass index predicts severe pain.

The effect of prior COVID-19 infection on coronary microvascular dysfunction.

BACKGROUND: Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction Frame Count (TFC) is an index that provides a quantitative evaluation of coronary microvascular dysfunction. In this study, we aimed to examine the effect of COVID-19 infection on TFC in patients admitted with chest pain and dyspnoea after COVID-19 disease and had abnormal findings in myocardial perfusion scintigraphy. METHODS: For this single-center retrospective study, patients with and without a history of COVID-19 who were underwent coronary angiography for abnormal findings in myocardial perfusion scintigraphy between January 1, 2021 and June 30, 2021 were analysed. Patients were divided into two groups as patients with COVID-19 history and those without. After exclusion criteria, patients with adequate angiographic monitoring and data were included in the study. RESULTS: A total of 210 patients, 48 with a history of COVID-19, were included in the study. The mean age was ±55 10 years, and 122 (58%) patients were women. In patients with a history of COVID-19, TFC was significantly higher in the LAD (p < 0.001) and LCx (p < 0.001) arteries and RCA TFC (p = 0.223) was similar in both groups. In the linear mix model, male gender (ß = 2.38, 95% CI = 1.26-3.51, p < 0.001) and history of COVID-19 (ß = 1.51, 95% CI = 0.49-2.53, p = 0.004) were significantly associated with TFC. CONCLUSION: TFC may be elevated due to coronary microvascular dysfunction in patients with a history of COVID-19.

The effect of empagliflozin on P wave peak time and other P wave parameters in patients with diabetes mellitus.

BACKGROUND: Empagliflozin is a selective SGLT2 inhibitor and provides a significant reduction in hospitalizations in heart failure patients and a reduction in combined cardiovascular deaths regardless of diabetes. The mechanisms of favorable effects remain unclear. Improvement in left ventricular diastolic function and a decrease in filling pressure are any mechanisms of positive effects. These effects may show themselves with some changes on the electrocardiography (ECG). So, we aimed to evaluate the effect of empagliflozin on P wave parameters in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients without HF. METHOD: Fifty-three patients were included in the study. The electrocardiographic and echocardiographic evaluations were examined at the baseline and end of the third month for all patients. RESULTS: The median age of all patients was 55 (45-64 IQR). After treatment, LA volume (p <.001) and diameter (p = .001) in both the parasternal long-axis (p = .001) and the apical four-chamber view decreased. E/e' and systolic pulmonary arterial pressure were significantly decreased after treatment. P wave duration max,min, PWDmin, and PWdis were significantly shorter after treatment. The P wave peak time (PWPT) in lead Dii and V1 were significantly shorter after treatment. CONCLUSION: We found shortening of PWPT, PWdis, and PWD as reflections of improvements in left atrial volume and LV diastolic function on ECG after empagliflozin treatment.

The effect of chronic DOAC treatment on clinical outcomes of hospitalized patients with COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: Recent findings indicate that thrombosis is one of the underlying pathophysiology and complication of COVID-19 infection. Therefore, the prognosis of the disease may be more favourable in people who were under oral anticoagulant treatment before the COVID-19 diagnosis. This study aims to evaluate the effects of chronic DOAC use on ICU admission and mortality in hospitalized patients due to COVID-19 infection. METHOD: Between 1 September and 30 November 2020, 2760 patients hospitalized in our hospital due to COVID-19 were screened. A total of 1710 patients who met the inclusion criteria were included in the study. The patients were divided into two groups as those who use DOAC due to any cardiovascular disease before the COVID-19 infection and those who do not. RESULTS: Seventy-nine patients were enrolled in the DOAC group and 1631 patients in the non-DOAC group. Median age of all study patient was 62 (52-71 IQR) and 860 (50.5%) of them were female. The need for intensive care, in-hospital stay, and mechanical ventilation were observed at higher rates in the DOAC group. Mortality was observed in 23 patients (29%) in the DOAC group, and it was statistically higher in the DOAC group (P = .002). In the multivariable analysis, age (OR: 1.047, CI: 1.02-1.06, P < .001), male gender (OR: 1.8, CI: 1.3-2.7, P = .02), lymphocyte count (OR: 0.45, CI: 0.30-0.69, P < .001), procalcitonin (OR: 1.12, CI: 1.02-1.23, P = .015), SaO2 (OR: 0.8, CI: 0.77-0.82, P < .001) and creatinine (OR: 2.59, CI: 1.3-5.1, P = .006) were found to be associated with in-hospital mortality. DOAC treatment was not found to be associated with lower in-hospital mortality in multivariable analysis (OR:1.17, CI: 0.20-6.60, P = .850). CONCLUSION: Our study showed that the use of DOAC prior to hospitalization had no protective effect on in-hospital mortality and intensive care need in hospitalized COVID-19 patients.