Blood-brain barrier penetration of non-replicating SARS-CoV-2 and S1 variants of concern induce neuroinflammation which is accentuated in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease.

COVID-19 and especially Long COVID are associated with severe CNS symptoms and may place persons at risk to develop long-term cognitive impairments. Here, we show that two non-infective models of SARS-CoV-2 can cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and induce neuroinflammation, a major mechanism underpinning CNS and cognitive impairments, even in the absence of productive infection. The viral models cross the BBB by the mechanism of adsorptive transcytosis with the sugar N-acetylglucosamine being key. The delta and omicron variants cross the BB B faster than the other variants of concern, with peripheral tissue uptake rates also differing for the variants. Neuroinflammation induced by icv injection of S1 protein was greatly enhanced in young and especially in aged SAMP8 mice, a model of Alzheimer's disease, whereas sex and obesity had little effect.

Transcatheter Mitral Valve Implantation In Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease.

There is a paucity of data regarding the outcomes of trans-septal transcatheter mitral valve implantation (TS-TMVI) in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). We queried the Nationwide Readmissions Database (2015 to 2018) for patients undergoing TS-TMVI. We identified patients with CKD (Stage III or higher). We conducted propensity score matching analysis to compare the outcomes in patients with CKD versus patients without CKD. The main outcomes were in-hospital mortality and 30-day nonelective readmissions. From 2015 to 2018, there were 2,017 admissions for patients receiving TS-TMVI, of whom 733 (36.34%) had CKD. In the CKD group, 76 (10.4%) required chronic dialysis. During the study years, the number of TS-TMVI procedures increased in patients with CKD (ptrend <0.001). Patients with CKD were older and less likely to be women. There was no difference in in-hospital mortality in those with versus without CKD in the matched cohorts (7.8% vs 7.3%; odds ratio 1.09; 95% confidence interval 0.64 to 1.80). Subgroup analysis showed no interaction between chronic dialysis status and in-hospital mortality after TS-TMVI. In the matched cohort, TS-TMVI in those with CKD was associated with higher rates of cardiogenic shock (12.3% vs 7.6%, p = 0.03), acute kidney injury (35.7% vs 16.7%, p <0.001), hemodialysis (5.4% vs 1.5%, p = 0.01) and longer median length of stay, (7 [12] vs 5 [8] days, p <0.001). Patients with CKD were more likely to have 30-day nonelective readmission (25.8% vs 16.5%, p = 0.01), driven by more readmissions for bleeding/anemia. In conclusion, TS-TMVI in patients with CKD is associated with increased risk for cardiogenic shock, worsening renal function requiring hemodialysis, without increased risk of mortality when compared with patients without CKD. Also, there was a higher length of stay and 30-day readmission rate in patients with CKD versus patients without CKD.

Management of ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction in High-Risk Settings.

Despite the widespread adoption of primary percutaneous intervention and modern antithrombotic therapy, ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) remains the leading cause of death in the United States and remains one of the most important causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Certain high-risk patients present a challenge for diagnosis and treatment. The widespread adoption of primary percutaneous intervention in addition to modern antithrombotic therapy has resulted in substantial improvement in the short- and long-term prognosis following STEMI. In this review, we aim to provide a brief analysis of the state-of-the-art treatment for patients presenting with STEMI, focusing on cardiogenic shock, current treatment and controversies, cardiac arrest, and diagnosis and treatment of mechanical complications, as well as multivessel and left main-related STEMI.

Multivessel Versus Culprit-Vessel Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in Patients With Non-ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction and Cardiogenic Shock.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to compare in-hospital outcomes and long-term mortality of multivessel versus culprit vessel-only percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI), multivessel disease (MVD) and cardiogenic shock. BACKGROUND: The clinical benefits of complete revascularization in patients with NSTEMI, MVD, and cardiogenic shock remain uncertain. METHODS: Among 25,324 patients included in the National Cardiovascular Data Registry CathPCI Registry from July 2009 to March 2018, the rates of in-hospital procedural outcomes were compared between those undergoing multivessel PCI and those undergoing culprit vessel-only PCI after 1:1 propensity score matching. Among patients aged ≥65 years matched to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services database, long-term mortality was compared using proportional hazards analysis. RESULTS: Multivessel PCI was performed in 9,791 patients (38.7%), which increased from 32.2% in 2010 to 44.2% in 2017 (p for trend <0.001). After 1:1 propensity matching (n = 7,864 in each group), those undergoing multivessel PCI had a 3.5% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.0% to 5.0%) lower absolute rate of in-hospital mortality (30.9% vs. 34.4%; p < 0.001; odds ratio [OR]: 0.85; 95% CI: 0.80 to 0.91), but a higher risk for bleeding (13.2% vs. 10.8%; p < 0.001; OR: 1.26; 95% CI: 1.15 to 1.40) and new requirement for dialysis (5.7% vs. 4.6%; p = 0.001; OR: 1.26; 95% CI: 1.10 to 1.46). Among those surviving to discharge, all-cause mortality was similar through 7 years (conditional hazard ratio: 0.95; 95% CI: 0.87 to 1.03; p = 0.20). CONCLUSIONS: Nearly 40% of patients with NSTEMI with MVD and cardiogenic shock underwent multivessel PCI, which was associated with lower in-hospital mortality but greater peri-procedural complications. Among those surviving to discharge, multivessel PCI did not confer additional long-term mortality benefit.

Age-specific trends and outcomes of hospitalizations with acute heart failure in the United States.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the age-specific temporal trends, in-hospital outcomes and readmissions for acute heart failure (HF). BACKGROUND: There is a paucity of data on the age-specific differences in the trends and outcomes of hospitalizations with acute HF. METHODS: The National Inpatients Sample database years 2002-2016 and the National Readmissions Database years 2013-2016 were used to identify primary hospitalizations for acute HF. We analyzed the age-specific temporal trends, in-hospital outcomes, and readmissions for acute HF. RESULTS: The annual rate of hospitalizations for acute HF declined from 456 per 100,000 people in 2002 to 356 per 100,000 people in 2016 (Ptrend < 0.001). The decline was observed among all age groups, except those aged 18-44 years. There was a decline in in-hospital mortality among all age groups, except for those aged 18-34 years. Compared with 18-34 years, adjusted in-hospital mortality was lower among 35-44 years (odds ratio 0.78, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.74-0.82) and 45-54 years (OR 0.87; 95% CI 0.83-0.91) but higher among 55-64 years (OR 1.60; 95% CI 1.54-1.67) and ≥ 75 year (OR 2.54; 95% CI 2.44-2.64). Compared with 18-34 years, 30-day HF-related readmissions were significantly lower in older age groups (>34 years). CONCLUSIONS: This nationwide contemporary analysis demonstrated a decline in the annual rates of hospitalizations with acute HF across all age categories except those aged 18-44 years. There was a reduction in rates of in-hospital mortality among middle-aged and older patients, but not in those aged 18-34. In-hospital mortality exhibited a dichotomous relationship with age. There was an inverse relationship between age and 30-days HF readmissions.

Outcomes of transcatheter versus surgical aortic valve replacement among solid organ transplant recipients.

BACKGROUND: There is a paucity of data regarding the outcomes of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) versus surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) among solid-organ transplant recipients. METHODS: Temporal trends in hospitalizations for aortic valve replacement among solid-organ transplant recipients were determined using the National Inpatient Sample database years 2012-2017. Propensity matching was conducted to compare admissions who underwent TAVR versus SAVR. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. RESULTS: The analysis included 1,730 hospitalizations for isolated AVR; 920 (53.2%) underwent TAVR and 810 (46.7%) underwent SAVR. TAVR was increasingly utilized for solid-organ transplant recipients (Ptrend = 0.01), while there was no change in the number of SAVR procedures (Ptrend = 0.20). The predictors of undergoing TAVR for solid-organ transplant recipients included older age, diabetes, and prior coronary artery bypass surgery, while TAVR was less likely utilized in small-sized hospitals. TAVR was associated with lower in-hospital mortality after matching (0.9 vs. 4.7%, odds ratio [OR] 0.19; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.11-0.35, p < .001) and after multivariable adjustment (OR 0.07; 95% CI 0.03-0.21, p < .001). TAVR was associated with lower rate of acute kidney injury, acute stroke, postoperative bleeding, blood transfusion, vascular complications, discharge to nursing facilities, and shorter median length of hospital stay. There was no difference between both groups in the use of mechanical circulatory support, hemodialysis, arrhythmias, or pacemaker insertion. CONCLUSION: This contemporary observational nationwide analysis showed that TAVR is increasingly performed among solid-organ transplant recipients. Compared with SAVR, TAVR was associated with lower in-hospital mortality, complications, and shorter length of stay.

Influence of Donor Transmitted and Rapidly Progressive Coronary Vascular Disease on Long-Term Outcomes After Heart Transplantation: A Contemporary Intravascular Ultrasound Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Donor-transmitted atherosclerosis (DTA) and rapidly progressive cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV) at 1 year are intravascular ultrasound (IVUS)-derived measures shown to predict adverse cardiovascular outcomes in the setting of early generation immunosuppressive agents. Given the paucity of data on the prognostic value of IVUS-derived measurements in the current era, we sought to explore their association with adverse outcomes after heart transplantation. METHODS AND RESULTS: This is a retrospective cohort analysis of patients who underwent heart transplantation at our center between January 2009 and June 2016 with baseline and 1-year IVUS. Five IVUS sections were prospectively analyzed for intimal thickness and lumen area. DTA was defined as maximum intimal thickness of 0.5 mm or greater at baseline, and rapidly progressive CAV as an increase in maximum intimal thickness by 0.5 mm or more at 1 year. Our primary analysis assessed the relationship of IVUS and other clinical data on a composite outcome: coronary intervention, CAV stage 2 or 3 (defined by the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation 2010 nomenclature), or cardiovascular death. Among 249 patients (mean age 51.0 ± 12.2 years and 74.3% male) included in the analysis, DTA was detected in 118 patients (51.4%). Over a median follow-up of 6.1 years (interquartile range 4.2-8.0 years), 45 patients met the primary end point (23 percutaneous coronary intervention, 11 CAV 2 or 3, and 11 cardiovascular deaths as first event). DTA and rapidly progressive CAV were not associated with the primary end point, all-cause mortality, or retransplantation. In an additional analysis including post-transplant events, incident rejection was strongly associated with poor outcomes, although cytomegalovirus infection was not. CONCLUSIONS: In this contemporary cohort, IVUS-derived DTA and rapidly progressive CAV were not associated with medium- to long-term adverse events after heart transplantation.

Racial Disparities in the Utilization and Outcomes of Transcatheter Mitral Valve Repair: Insights From a National Database.

BACKGROUND: There is paucity of data on racial disparities in the utilization and outcomes of transcatheter mitral valve repair (TMVR). METHODS: We queried the National inpatient Sample database (2012-2016) for TMVR hospitalizations among Caucasian and African American patients. We conducted a propensity score matching analysis to compare outcomes of Caucasians versus African Americans. The main study outcome was in-hospital mortality. RESULTS: Among 7940 TMVR procedures performed, 680 (8.6%) were performed in African Americans. TMVR was increasingly performed for both Caucasians and African Americans (Ptrend = 0.01), although the proportion of African Americans did not change significantly over time (Ptrend = 0.45). Compared to African Americans, Caucasians undergoing TMVR were significantly older (77.7 ± 10.8 vs. 67.2 ± 14.28, p < .001) and less likely to be women (45.3% vs.60.3%, p < .001). Caucasians undergoing TMVR had a higher in-hospital mortality compared with African Americans before matching (2.5% vs. 1.5%, odds ratio [OR] 1.75; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.17:2.63, p = .01) as well as after matching (4.7% vs. 1.6%, OR 3.10; 95% CI 1.61:5.97, p < .001). Caucasians had higher in-hospital cardiac arrest and pacemaker insertion and shorter median length of stay. There was no difference in the incidence of other in-hospital outcomes between Caucasians and African Americans. CONCLUSION: This nationwide observational analysis showed a steady increase in number of TMVRs among Caucasians and African Americans. TMVR was performed in a select cohort of African Americans who were significantly younger and more likely to be women compared with Caucasians. Caucasians undergoing TMVR had higher in-hospital mortality compared with African Americans. Further research is needed to explore the reasons behind the racial disparities in the utilization and outcomes of TMVR.

The Impact of Novel X-Ray Systems and X-Ray System Optimization on Patient Radiation Dose Administered During Cardiac Catheterization.

INTRODUCTION: The effect of x-ray system optimization on patient radiation dose has received limited study. METHODS: We analyzed patient radiation dose in 1786 cardiac catheterization procedures (diagnostic coronary angiography and/or percutaneous coronary intervention [PCI]) performed at a single tertiary-care center before and after x-ray system optimization. RESULTS: After optimization, cineangiography dose-area product (DAP) dose was lower in the overall group of patients who underwent diagnostic angiography and/or PCI (1347 µGy•m² [IQR, 645-2345 µGy•m²] vs 1658 µGy•m² [IQR, 640- 2757 µGy•m²]; P=.03), as well as in the diagnostic angiography group (1795 µGy•m² [IQR, 1140-2994 µGy•m²] vs 2356 µGy•m² [IQR, 311-3576 µGy•m²]; P<.01) and PCI group (2152 µGy•m² [IQR, 1338-3477 µGy•m²] vs 2562 µGy•m² [IQR, 1681-3859 µGy•m²]; P=.02). Cineangiography DAP per exposure was also lower in the overall group (143 µGy•m² [IQR, 91-212 µGy•m²] vs 164 µGy•m² [IQR, 106-233 µGy•m²] per exposure; P<.01) and in the diagnostic angiography group (158 µGy•m² [IQR, 102-225 µGy•m²] vs 184 µGy•m² [IQR, 125-271 µGy•m²] per exposure; P<.01). After optimization, cineangiography air kerma (AK) dose (319 mGy [IQR, 197-531 mGy] vs 421 mGy [IQR, 241-600 mGy]; P=.01) and cineangiography AK per exposure (20.7 mGy [IQR, 12.9-29.0 mGy] vs 23.6 mGy [IQR, 14.1-32.9 mGy] per exposure; P=.03) were also lower in the PCI group. There was no significant change in fluoroscopy AK dose after optimization (20.7 mGy [IQR, 12.7-30.1 mGy] vs 20.4 mGy [IQR, 12.8-31.3 mGy] per minute; P=.71) and fluoroscopy DAP dose (156 µGy•m² [IQR, 101-242 µGy•m²] vs 156 µGy•m² [IQR, 102-236 µGy•m²] per minute; P=.91). CONCLUSION: X-ray system optimization was associated with lower cineangiography DAP, but similar fluoroscopy radiation dose.

Clinical Characteristics and Outcomes of STEMI Patients With Cardiogenic Shock and Cardiac Arrest.

OBJECTIVES: This study sought to compare the clinical characteristics and long-term outcomes of patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) with and without cardiogenic shock (CS) or cardiac arrest (CA) before percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). BACKGROUND: Patients with STEMI complicated by CS or CA are underrepresented in STEMI registries. METHODS: Consecutive patients with STEMI or new left bundle branch block within 24 h of symptom onset were included in a regional STEMI program comprising a PCI center (Minneapolis Heart Institute at Abbott Northwestern Hospital), 11 hospitals <60 miles from PCI center (zone 1), and 19 hospitals 60 to 210 miles from PCI center (zone 2). No patients were excluded. Patients were stratified based on the presence (+) or absence (-) of CS or CA before PCI. Patients with CA were further classified based on initial rhythm. Primary outcomes were in-hospital and 5-year mortality. RESULTS: Between March 2003 and December 2014, 4,511 STEMI patients were included in the regional program, including 398 (9%) with CS and 499 (11%) with CA. Hospital mortality was: CS+ and CA+, 44%; CS+ and CA-, 23%; CS- and CA+, 19%; and CS- and CA-, 2% (p < 0.001). The 5-year survival probability for CS+ and CA+ patients was 0.69 (95% confidence interval: 0.61 to 0.76) and 0.89 (95% confidence interval: 0.84 to 0.93), respectively (p < 0.01). Compared with patients with shockable rhythms, CA patients with nonshockable rhythms had significantly lower odds of survival at hospital discharge and at 5 years (both p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The combination of CS and CA significantly increases short-term mortality in patients with STEMI. After 5 years of follow-up, CS patients remained at high risk of fatal events, whereas the prognosis of CA patients was determined by initial rhythm at presentation.

Comparative Outcomes of Transapical Versus Transfemoral Access for Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement in Diabetics.

INTRODUCTION: The outcomes of transfemoral (TF) compared with transapical (TA) access for transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) in diabetics are unknown. METHODS: We queried the NIS database (2011-2014) to identify diabetics who underwent TAVR. We performed a propensity matching analysis comparing TF-TAVR versus TA-TAVR. RESULTS: The analysis included 14.555 diabetics who underwent TAVR. After matching, in-hospital mortality was not different between TF-TAVR and TA-TAVR. (3.5 vs. 4.4%, p = 0.11). TF-TAVR was associated with lower rates of cardiogenic shock (2.7 vs. 4.7%, p = 0.02), use of mechanical circulatory support (2.0 vs. 2.9%, p = 0.03), acute renal failure (17.8 vs. 26.5%, p < 0.001), major bleeding (35.8 vs. 40.7%, p < 0.001) and respiratory complications (1.1 vs. 4.4%, p < 0.001) compared with TA-TAVR. However, TF-TAVR was associated with a higher rate of vascular complications (2.9 vs. 0.9%, p < 0.001), cardiac tamponade (0.5 vs. 0.0%, p < 0.001), complete heart block (10.8 vs. 7.7%, p < 0.001) and pacemaker insertion (11.8 vs. 8.3%, p < 0.001). There was no difference between both groups in acute stroke (1.8 vs. 2.2%, p = 0.39), hemodialysis (2.0 vs. 2.2%, p = 0.71), and ventricular arrhythmias (4.9 vs. 4.2%, p = 0.19). Notably, TF-TAVR was associated with higher mortality, acute stroke, AKI, hemodialysis, PCI, and respiratory complications in complicated diabetics compared with non-complicated diabetics. CONCLUSIONS: This observational analysis showed no difference in-hospital mortality between TF-TAVR and TA-TAVR among diabetic patients. Studies exploring the optimal access for TAVR among diabetics are recommended.

Effect on 30-Day Readmissions after Early Versus Delayed Discharge after Uncomplicated Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (from the Nationwide Readmissions Database).

Early discharge after transcatheter aortic valve implantation has been shown to be safe in single-center studies and trials, but outcomes in broader clinical practice are unknown. Using the National Readmission Databases (1/2014 to 9/2015), we compared 30-day readmission rates between early (<3 days) and late (≥3 days) discharges after uncomplicated endovascular TAVR in a propensity-matched cohort. We examined factors associated with failure of early discharge by testing for interactions of patient factors with discharge strategy. Among 4,955 hospitalizations for uncomplicated TAVR, 1,857 (37%) were discharged early with substantial site-level variability (range 0% to 87%; median odds ratio 3.69). In the propensity matched cohort (n = 3,346), there were similar rates of 30-day readmission by discharge strategy (early vs late: 10.3% vs 10.6%; stratified log-rank p = 0.555). There was a statistically significant interaction between discharge strategy and number of chronic conditions (p = 0.007), where readmission rates were lower in patients discharged early in those with 0 to 4 chronic conditions, but not in those with 5 to 10 or >10. In conclusion, in a large "real-world" cohort, early discharge after uncomplicated TAVR was not associated with a higher rate of 30-day rehospitalization, yet there was significant variability across US hospitals. No patient characteristics were associated with increased risk of readmission with early discharge.

Losartan for Preventing Aortic Root Dilatation in Patients with Marfan Syndrome: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Trials.

INTRODUCTION: The role of losartan in preventing aortic root dilatation in Marfan syndrome has been evaluated in many clinical trials; however, the results are conflicting. METHODS: We performed a computerized search of MEDLINE, EMBASE and COCHRANE databases through February 2019 for randomized clinical trials evaluating the effect of losartan in patients with Marfan syndrome. The main outcome was the change in the aortic root diameter in the losartan versus control groups. RESULTS: Our final analysis included seven randomized trials with a total of 1352 patients and average weighted follow-up of 37.8 months. Change in aortic root diameter was significantly smaller with losartan compared with control [weighted means: 0.44 vs. 0.58 mm, mean difference (MD) = -0.13; 95% CI -0.24 to -0.02; p = 0.02]. Subgroup analysis according to the control group showed no significant subgroup interaction when comparing losartan with beta-blockers versus with standard therapy (pinteraction= 0.27). The composite outcome of aortic surgery, dissection or mortality did not differ between the losartan and control groups (risk ratio = 1.03; 95% CI 0.72-1.49, p = 0.86). CONCLUSION: In this meta-analysis including seven randomized trials, the use of losartan was associated with a significantly smaller change in aortic root diameter in patients with Marfan syndrome.

Temporal Trends and Outcomes of Transcatheter Versus Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement for Bicuspid Aortic Valve Stenosis.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to assess the temporal trends of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) in patients with bicuspid aortic stenosis (AS), and to compare the outcomes between TAVR and surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) in this population. BACKGROUND: Randomized trials comparing TAVR to SAVR in AS with bicuspid valve are lacking. METHODS: The study queried the National Inpatient Sample database (years 2012 to 2016) to identify hospitalizations for bicuspid AS who underwent isolated aortic valve replacement. A propensity-matched analysis was used to compare outcomes of hospitalizations for TAVR versus SAVR for bicuspid AS and TAVR for bicuspid AS versus tricuspid AS. RESULTS: The analysis included 31,895 hospitalizations with bicuspid AS, of whom 1,055 (3.3%) underwent TAVR. TAVR was increasingly utilized during the study period for bicuspid AS (ptrend = 0.002). After matching, TAVR and SAVR had similar in-hospital mortality (3.1% vs. 3.1%; odds ratio: 1.00; 95% confidence interval: 0.60 to 1.67). There was no difference between TAVR and SAVR in the rates of cardiac arrest, cardiogenic shock, acute kidney injury, hemopericardium, cardiac tamponade, or acute stroke. TAVR was associated with lower rates of acute myocardial infarction, post-operative bleeding, vascular complications, and discharge to nursing facility as well as a shorter length of hospital stay. On the contrary, TAVR was associated with a higher incidence of complete heart block and permanent pacemaker insertion. TAVR for bicuspid AS was associated with similar in-hospital mortality compared with tricuspid AS. CONCLUSIONS: This nationwide analysis showed similar in-hospital mortality for TAVR and SAVR in patients with bicuspid AS. TAVR for bicuspid AS was also associated with similar in-hospital mortality compared with tricuspid AS. Further studies are needed to evaluate long-term outcomes of TAVR for bicuspid AS.

Temporal Trends and Outcomes of Mechanical Complications in Patients With Acute Myocardial Infarction.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to examine the temporal trends and outcomes of mechanical complications after myocardial infarction in the contemporary era. BACKGROUND: Data regarding temporal trends and outcomes of mechanical complications after ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) are limited in the contemporary era. METHODS: The National Inpatient Sample database (2003 to September 2015) was queried to identify all STEMI and NSTEMI hospitalizations. Temporal trends and outcomes of mechanical complications after STEMI and NSTEMI, including papillary muscle rupture, ventricular septal defect, and free wall rupture, were described. RESULTS: The analysis included 3,951,861 STEMI and 5,114,270 NSTEMI hospitalizations. Mechanical complications occurred in 10,726 of STEMI hospitalizations (0.27%) and 3,041 of NSTEMI hospitalizations (0.06%), with no changes in trends (p = 0.13 and p = 0.83, respectively). The rates of in-hospital mortality in patients with mechanical complications were 42.4% after STEMI and 18.0% after NSTEMI, with no significant trend changes (p = 0.62 and p = 0.12, respectively). After multivariate adjustment, patients who had mechanical complications after myocardial infarction had higher in-hospital mortality, cardiogenic shock, acute kidney injury, hemodialysis, and respiratory complications compared with those without mechanical complications. Predictors of lower mortality in patients with mechanical complications who developed cardiogenic shock included surgical repair in the STEMI and NSTEMI cohorts and percutaneous coronary intervention in the STEMI cohort. CONCLUSIONS: Contemporary data from a large national database show that the rates of mechanical complications are low in patients presenting with STEMI and NSTEMI. Post-myocardial infarction mechanical complications continue to be associated with high mortality rates, which did not improve during the study period.

Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation Versus Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis (from the Nationwide Inpatient Database).

Little is known on the outcomes of surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) versus transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We queried the Nationwide Inpatient Sample Database (2012 to 2016). We performed a propensity-score-matched analysis based on 25 clinical and hospital variables to compare patients with RA who underwent SAVR versus TAVI. Our primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. Our final analysis included 5,640 hospitalizations with RA who underwent isolated AVR; of whom, 2,465 (43.7%) underwent TAVI. There was an increasing trend in TAVI procedures during the study years (ptrend= 0.001). There was a trend toward reduced in-hospital mortality among TAVI compared with SAVR but did not reach statistical significance (0.8% vs 1.6%, odds ratio = 0.50; 95% confidence interval 0.23 to 1.06, p = 0.097). TAVI was associated with lower rates of postoperative bleeding (28.7% vs 43.9%, p <0.001), blood transfusion (12.3% vs 40.2%, p <0.001), acute kidney injury (9.8% vs 16.0%, p <0.001), cardiac tamponade (0.0% vs 1.6%, p <0.001), and discharges to skilled nursing facility (SNF) (20.1% vs 42.2%, p <0.001). However, TAVI was associated with a higher rate of complete heart block (14.3% vs 6.1%, p <0.001) and pacemaker implantations (14.8% vs 5.7%, p <0.001). There were no differences between both groups in cardiogenic shock, acute stroke, acute myocardial infarction, and vascular complications. In conclusion, real-word data showed no significant difference in in-hospital mortality between TAVI and SAVR in patients with RA. TAVI was associated with lower rates of acute kidney injury and bleeding complications at the expense of higher incidence of pacemaker implantations.