Interventional Cardiology and Catheter-Based Interventions in Pregnancy.

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of maternal mortality worldwide and has been increasing in prevalence over the last several decades. Pregnancy is associated with significant hemodynamic changes that can overwhelm the maternal cardiovascular reserve, and may exacerbate previously asymptomatic cardiovascular disease. Complications associated with these may cause substantial harm to both the mother and the fetus, and the management of these conditions is often challenging. Numerous novel treatments and interventions have demonstrated the safety and efficacy of managing these conditions outside of pregnancy. However, there are little data regarding their use in the pregnant population. In this review, we describe the common cardiovascular diseases encountered during pregnancy and discuss their management strategies, with a particular focus on the role of percutaneous, catheter-based therapeutic interventions.

Firibastat: A Novel Brain Aminopeptidase Inhibitor - A New Era of Antihypertensive therapy.

Global incidence and prevalence of hypertension continues to increase and remains a significant challenge. The ever-increasing number of cases are due to comorbid conditions such as obesity and diabetes, as well as lifestyle indiscretions such as excessive salt intake. Hypertension, congestive heart failure, and kidney disease are all conditions resulting from abnormal Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone activation and adverse remodeling. Firibastat, a novel Brain Aminopeptidase inhibitor, may be able to help achieve blood pressure control in those with resistant hypertension. In this review article, we will discuss the biochemical pathway of firibastat and various trials assessing drug efficacy in animals and humans. This drug has the potential to curb the risk of uncontrolled hypertension and help improve long term cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.

Next-Day Discharge vs Early Discharge After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

With the growing utilization of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) as an alternative option to surgical valve replacement (SAVR) in patients considered to be suboptimal for surgery, there is a need to explore the possibility of next day discharge (NDD) and its potential outcomes. The aim of our study is to compare outcomes and complications following NDD vs the standard early discharge (ED) (less than 3 days). A comprehensive literature search was performed in PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane to identify relevant trials. Summary effects were calculated using a DerSimonian and Laird random effects model as odds ratio with 95% confidence intervals for all the clinical endpoints. Studies comparing same-day or next-day discharge vs discharge within the next three days were included in our analysis. 6 studies with 2,672 patients were identified. The risk of bleeding and vascular complications was significantly lower in patients with NDD compared to ED (OR 0.10, P < 0.00001 and OR 0.22, P = 0.002 respectively). The incidence of permanent pacemaker (PPM) implants was significantly lower in patients who had NDD compared to ED (OR 0.21, P = 0.0005). The incidence of 30 day mortality, stroke, AKI and readmission rates was not different between the two groups. NDD after TAVR allows for reduction in hospital stay and can mitigate hospital costs without an increased risk of complications. Our analysis shows that complication rate is comparable to ED, NDD is a reasonable option for certain patients with severe aortic stenosis who undergo TAVR. Further studies are needed to elucidate whether higher risk patients who would benefit from an extended inpatient monitoring post TAVR.

Predictors of permanent pacemaker insertion after TAVR: A systematic review and updated meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this analysis was to evaluate the predictors associated with increased risk of permanent pacemaker implantation (PPMI) following transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). BACKGROUND: While TAVR has evolved as the standard of care for patients with severe aortic stenosis, conduction abnormalities leading to the need for PPMI is one of the most common postprocedural complications. METHODS: A systematic literature search was performed to identify relevant trials from inception to May 2020. Summary effects were calculated using a DerSimonian and Laird random-effects model as odds ratio with 95% confidence intervals for all the clinical endpoints. RESULTS: Thirty-seven observational studies with 71 455 patients were identified. The incidence of PPMI following TAVR was 22%. Risk was greater in men and increased with age. Patients with diabetes mellitus, presence of right bundle branch block, baseline atrioventricular conduction block, and left anterior fascicular block were noted to be at higher risk. Other significant predictors include the presence of high calcium volume in the area below the left coronary cusp and noncoronary cusp, use of self-expandable valve over balloon-expandable valve, depth of implant, valve size/annulus size, predilatation balloon valvuloplasty, and postimplant balloon dilation. CONCLUSION: Fourteen factors were found to be associated with increased risk of PPMI after TAVR, suggesting early identification of high-risk populations and targeting modifiable risk factors may aid in reducing the need for this post TAVR PPMI.

Myopathy Associated With Statins and SGLT2 - A Review of Literature.

Drug-induced myopathy is a well-described clinical entity characterized by muscle damage leading to symptoms ranging from myalgias to rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney injury. Many pharmacotherapies are known to precipitate myopathic symptoms. Recent case reports suggest a potential relationship between the use of sodium/glucose cotransport 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors and onset of myopathy. The pathogenesis of this has yet to be elucidated. The relevance of this association is augmented by the recent popularity of SGLT2 inhibitors as well as the tendency for them to be prescribed alongside statins. This study reviewed the literature on the incidence and mechanism of drug-induced myopathy in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus who are taking SGLT2 inhibitors with and without the use of statins.

Lipid inclusions in cardiac myocytes - a rare case of cardiolipotoxicity.

The heart oxidizes fatty acids for its energy production. The physiological balance between fatty acid uptake and its oxidation prevents lipid accumulation in cardiac myocytes. However, accumulation of lipids due to various processes such as obesity, diabetes, heart failure, myocardial ischemia or infarction can result in damage to the heart tissue, also known as cardiolipotoxicity. We present a unique case of a 69-year-old gentleman with a history of heart failure and ventricular tachycardia. Endomyocardial biopsy to assess for restrictive cardiomyopathy/amyloid showed no evidence of amyloid, significant inflammation or fibrosis, but did show intracellular accumulation of significant amorphous material in most cardiac myocytes. We review the literature regarding the pathogenesis of cardiolipotoxicity, which has no definite cause or treatment yet identified.

A Rare Case of Bronchomediastinal Pulmonary Vein Fistula due to Fibrosing Mediastinitis.

Fibrosing mediastinitis (FM) is a rare condition with extensive proliferation of fibrous tissue in the mediastinum usually happens few years after Histoplasma infection. FM usually occurs years later after presentation of Histoplasma infection, and usually what makes patients seek medical attention are symptoms from compression and occlusion of vital mediastinal structures, such as the central airways, superior vena cava, pulmonary arteries, and veins. Rarely, heart, pericardium, coronaries, and aorta are involved. We report a case of 39-year-old-male who was admitted with fever and cough. The patient's condition worsened despite being on broad-spectrum antibiotics, with worsening encephalopathy and a new onset lower extremity weakness. Brain imaging showed multiple strokes suggestive of embolic event. CT chest/abdomen was suggestive of FM along with cavitary lung nodules and pneumomediastinum. Splenic and renal infarcts were also noted. Infective endocarditis was one of the top differential diagnosis due to multiple embolic infarcts, and hence a transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) was pursued. TEE showed a mass along with air bubbles entering the left atrium from the pulmonary vein. On re-evaluation of CT chest images, a fistula was seen extending from the mediastinum to the left main bronchus and the left upper pulmonary vein. This supported the diagnosis of FM with erosion of lymph node into the left main bronchus and left upper pulmonary artery, leading to fistula formation and subsequent systemic air embolization. The diagnosis of FM requires a multimodality approach, high clinical suspicion, and accurate history taking. Treatment mainly aims at managing the mechanical complications.

Coronary Artery Disease in Patients With Disorders of Bilirubin Excretion.

We aimed to determine the predictors of coronary artery disease (CAD) in patients with abnormal bilirubin excretion, that is, Gilbert syndrome, Crigler-Najjar syndrome, Dubin-Johnson syndrome, and Rotor syndrome. We analyzed data from the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP) of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Rockville, MD for the period 2009 to 2010. All patients ≥18 years of age with a primary diagnosis of "disorders of bilirubin excretion" [International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Edition, Clinical Modification (ICD-9CM) code 277.4] were included in the study. Primary outcome was to determine predictors of CAD in adult patients diagnosed with abnormal bilirubin excretion. We identified a total of 12,423 adult patients with bilirubin excretion disorder hospitalized during 2009-2010 (0.03% of all inpatient admissions). CAD was seen in 18% of patients, with a higher prevalence in men (21% in men vs. 13% in women, P < 0.0001). In multivariate logistic regression adjusted for demographic and traditional risk factors, hypertension [odds ratio (OR): 1.74; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.33-2.27, P < 0.001], hyperlipidemia (OR: 2.49; 95% CI, 1.95-3.18, P < 0.001), diabetes (OR: 1.46; 95% CI, 1.12-1.91, P = 0.01), and age (OR: 1.05; 95% CI, 1.04-1.06, P < 0.001) were found to be independent predictors of CAD in adult patients with abnormal bilirubin excretion. Female sex (OR: 0.49; 95% CI, 0.36-0.65, P < 0.001) demonstrated an inverse association in predicting CAD. There was increased prevalence of CAD in our patient population with increased prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors. Age, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia were found to be independent predictors of CAD.

Gastrointestinal Bleeding Secondary to Calciphylaxis.

BACKGROUND Calciphylaxis is associated with a high mortality that approaches 80%. The diagnosis is usually made when obvious skin lesions (painful violaceous mottling of the skin) are present. However, visceral involvement is rare. We present a case of calciphylaxis leading to lower gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding and rectal ulceration of the GI mucosa. CASE REPORT A 66-year-old woman with past medical history of diabetes mellitus, hypertension, end-stage renal disease (ESRD), recently diagnosed ovarian cancer, and on hemodialysis (HD) presented with painful black necrotic eschar on both legs. The radiograph of the legs demonstrated extensive calcification of the lower extremity arteries. The hospital course was complicated with lower GI bleeding. A CT scan of the abdomen revealed severe circumferential calcification of the abdominal aorta, celiac artery, and superior and inferior mesenteric arteries and their branches. Colonoscopy revealed severe rectal necrosis. She was deemed to be a poor surgical candidate due to comorbidities and presence of extensive vascular calcifications. Recurrent episodes of profuse GI bleeding were managed conservatively with blood transfusion as needed. Following her diagnosis of calciphylaxis, supplementation with vitamin D and calcium containing phosphate binders was stopped. She was started on daily hemodialysis with low calcium dialysate bath as well as intravenous sodium thiosulphate. The clinical condition of the patient deteriorated. The patient died secondary to multiorgan failure. CONCLUSIONS Calciphylaxis leading to intestinal ischemia/perforation should be considered in the differential diagnosis in ESRD on HD presenting with abdominal pain or GI bleeding.