Point-by-point versus multisite electrode mapping in VT ablation: does freedom from VT recurrences depend on mapping catheter? An observational study.

PURPOSE: This study was conducted with the purpose of determining whether or not the potential technical advantages of multi-electrode mapping catheters in catheter ablation (CA) of ventricular tachycardia (VT) result in any relevant clinical benefit for VT patients. METHODS: A single-center VT study, having taken place from 2012 to 2014 using a standard 3.5-mm catheter (Thermocool SF® group 1) and from 2014 to 2016 using a 1-mm multi-electrode-mapping catheter (PentaRay® group 2), was conducted. The endpoint was the complete elimination of late potentials (LPs), local abnormal ventricular activities (LAVA), and VT non-inducibility. Follow-up consisted of device interrogation to monitor for VT recurrence. RESULTS: Out of 74 VT patients aged 64.5 ± 12.0 years (66 male [89.2%], 56 with ICM [75.7%], and 18 with NICM [24.3%)]), 48 patients (64.9%) were investigated in group 1 and 26 (35.1%) in group 2. Using the multi-point acquisition approach, a tendency to require less mapping time (group 1 65.2 ± 37.6 min, group 2 55.6 ± 34.4 min, p ns) was determined. During 12-month follow-up, 57 patients had freedom from VT recurrences (79.2%). The result was insignificant between the groups (38 patients (79.2%) in group 1 and 19 patients (73.1%) in group 2). CONCLUSIONS: In a single-center observational study, both conventional and high-density mapping approaches in VT patients are comparable in terms of procedure duration and outcome. Mapping time when using a multi-electrode catheter seems to have the tendency of being shorter. We should be encouraged to recruit more patients comparing the benefit of different catheter types.

Pulmonary vein potential mapping in atrial fibrillation with high density and standard spiral (lasso) catheters: A comparative study.

BACKGROUND: The dominant single-shot procedure for Pulmonary Vein Isolation (PVI) is the Cryoballoon Ablation (CBA) technique using a spiral catheter (Achieve™, AC) for mapping and monitoring purposes. We hypothesized that Basket Catheters, such as the High Density Mesh Mapper (HDMM), with its high-density mapping properties, could detect Pulmonary Vein Potentials (PVPs) that the octapolar AC would not be able to identify. METHODS: Twenty-four patients (average age 61.8±10 years) with either paroxysmal or persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) (Paroxysmal AF or Persistent AF) were enrolled in the study. While the patients were in sinus rhythm, all pulmonary veins (PVs) were prospectively mapped both prior and subsequent to CBA with a 32-pole HDMM and an 8-pole AC. PVPs were recorded using both catheters, and their location was allocated to one of four PV quadrants. Then, the quadrant findings of the mapping catheters were compared. RESULTS: Mapping using the HDMM allowed for more precise identification of PVPs both before and after CBA compared to AC mapping. We identified an average of 83.6±4.8 PVPs in all four PVs (this means 20.9±10.5 PVPs /per single PV per patient [HDMM], 14.5±1.3 PVPs/in all four PVs and 3.6±2.7 PVPs /per single PV per patient [AC]) before ablation, thereby leading to a significant difference in the identification of PVPs per PV quadrant. Of 384 PV quadrants/24 patients analyzed, the HDMM identified PVPs in 279 and AC in only 192 quadrants (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: High-density mapping with a Basket Catheter, such as the HDMM, detects PVPs that remain undetected when using the standard AC catheter in CBA procedures.

Effect of patient's age on the profitability of inpatient cardiac catheterization: a contribution margin analysis of frequently performed procedures over a 5-year period.

BACKGROUND: Due to a continuing age shift in the German society hospital providers are concerned about the additional costs associated with the treatment of elderly patients. It is not clear if cardiac catheterization in aged patients leads to higher resource utilization and if DRG-revenues do compensate for this factor. METHODS: Procedure-related and administrative data of all patients who underwent cardiac catheterization at a tertiary heart center between 2007 and 2011 were collected and analyzed. Then a profitability analysis was performed by comparing the case related variable costs with the Diagnosis-related group (DRG) per case revenues. A particular emphasis was placed on a comparative analysis of identical clusters of procedures. RESULTS: The most frequently performed catheterization procedure (n = 1800) was associated with significantly higher material expenditure in very old patients (178 ± 48 €) than in old (171 ± 28; p = 0.001) and young patients (172 ± 39; p = 0.046). Furthermore, radiation time and the length of hospital stay were increased in very old patients (3.5 ± 3.8 min and 6.2 ± 4.8 days) compared to old (2.7 ± 2.8 min and 4.6 ± 3.8 days; p < 0.001) and young patients (2.5 ± 2.5 min and 4.5 ± 3.9 days; p < 0.001). Due to higher DRG revenues very old patients achieved higher absolute contribution margins (2065 ± 1033 €) than old (1804 ± 1902 €; p < 0.001) and young patients (1771 ± 902 €; p < 0.001). However, the contribution margins per day were significantly smaller (440 ± 226 €) than those in old (488 ± 234 €; p = 0.001) and young patients (484 ± 206 €; p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Catheterization of very old patients is related to lower contribution margins per day despite higher material and time expenditures. Since efforts to reduce the length of hospital stay of these patients are limited, this may result in a competitive disadvantage of hospitals which are more affected by the demographic change.

High-Density Mapping in Ventricular Tachycardia Ablation: A PentaRay® Study.

BACKGROUND: High-density mapping of ventricular tachycardia (VT) with PentaRay® (Biosense-Webster) provides high resolution with discrimination of local abnormal electrograms and slow conducting channels. We evaluate the feasibility of PentaRay® to characterize the anatomical substrate and assume an influence of the outcome despite limitations. METHODS: Over a 24-month period, 26 endocardial and four epicardial maps were obtained of 26 VT patients (18 ischemic cardiomyopathy (ICM, 69.2%) and 8 non-ischemic cardiomyopathy (NICM, 30.8%), age 65 ± 9 years). Catheter ablation (CA) was performed with the aim of transecting the isthmus. The endpoint was non-inducibility of any VT. Manual review of the maps was performed and focused on evaluating scarring, bipolar electrograms, and procedure times. RESULTS: In 55.6 ± 34.4 min, 1,085.9 ± 726.2 points were created. The mean ablation time was 50.8 ± 30.1 min. The endpoint was achieved in 12 patients (46.2%). The mean dense scar area and the mean patchy scar area were 49.4 ± 51.8 cm2 (range 0 - 190 cm2) and 14.7 ± 14.9 cm2 (range 0 - 110 cm2), respectively. Analyzing the learning curve, we found a tendency in decreasing procedure times. During the course of follow-up treatment averaging a 14-month period, device interrogation showed that 17 patients (65.4%) had remained free of any arrhythmia recurrence. CONCLUSION: The high-density maps with PentaRay® were safely created in a short period of time. Our manual review of the maps reveals limitations of current annotation criteria; nevertheless, medium-term outcomes were encouraging. Further prospective studies are required to validate our findings in a larger cohort of patients.

Is it time to rebalance the case mix? A portfolio analysis of direct catheterization laboratory costs over a 5-year period.

BACKGROUND: Cardiac catheterization laboratories (CLL) have continued to function as profit centers for hospitals. Due to a high percentage of material and labor costs, they are natural targets for process improvement. Our study applied a contribution margin (CBM) concept to evaluate costs and cost dynamics over a 5-year period. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed all procedures performed at a tertiary heart center between 2007 and 2011. Total variable costs, including labor time, material, and maintenance-expenses, were allocated at a global as well as a procedural level. CBM and CBM ratios were calculated by integration of individual DRG revenues. RESULTS: Annual case volume increased from 1288 to 1545. In parallel, overall profitability improved as indicated by a 2% increase in CBM ratio and a higher CBM generated per hour of CLL working time (4325 vs. 5892 €, p < 0.001). Coronary angiography generated higher average CBMs per hour than coronary or electrophysiological interventions (5831 vs. 3458 vs. 1495 €; p < 0.001). The latter are characterized by relatively high per case material expenditures. On a procedural level, DRG-specific trends as a steady improvement of examination time or an increase in material costs were detectable. CONCLUSIONS: The CBM concept allows a comprehensive analysis of CLL costs and cost dynamics. From a health service providers view, its range of application includes global profitability analysis, portfolio evaluation, and a detailed cost analysis of specific service lines. From a healthcare payers perspective, it may help to monitor hospital activities and to provide a solid data basis in cases where inappropriate developments are suspected. The calculation principle is simple which may increase user acceptance and thus the motivation of team members.

Impact of Cryoballoon Ablation in Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy-related Heart Failure due to Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation. A Comparative Case Series.

BACKGROUND: Atrial fibrillation (AF) represents a turning point in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). Pulmonary Vein Isolation (PVI) with Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation (RFCA) is accepted to be successful in restoring sinus rhythm (SR) in HCM patients. The efficacy of cryoballoon (CB) therapy in HCM patients has not been studied so far. METHODS: 166 patients with AF underwent PVI with CB technology in our single center between 1/2012 and 12/2015. To evaluate the efficacy of the CB therapy in HCM patients, we compared their clinical outcome with those in "Non-HCM" AF patients in a 3 and 6 months follow-up. RESULTS: Out of 166 AF patients (65.7% paroxysmal AF, PAF), 4 patients had HCM and PAF (young males < 50 years). During the blanking period, 26 patients (15.8%) suffered from AF recurrence (11.0% PAF), including all HCM patients. The 6 months follow up of "Non-HCM" AF patients showed acceptable results (80% stable SR), whereas the HCM patients remained AF. IN CONCLUSION: Even if the CB provides advantages, the single device cannot be recommended in HCM patients because of early AF recurrences. Anyway, because of the specific hemodynamic changes in HCM patients with AF, ablation should be sought in an early state of its occurrence, then, however, preferably with RFCA.

ECG-Guided Surveillance Technique in Cryoballoon Ablation for Paroxysmal and Persistent Atrial Fibrillation: A Strategy to Prevent From Phrenic Nerve Palsy.

AIMS: Phrenic nerve palsy (PNP) is still a cause for concern in Cryoballoon ablation (CBA) procedures. New surveillance techniques, such as invasive registration of the compound motor action potential (CMAP), have been thought to prevent the occurrence of PNP. The present study investigates the impact of CMAP surveillance via an alternative and non-invasive ECG-conduction technique during CBA. METHODS: PVI with CBA was performed in 166 patients suffering from AF. Diaphragmal contraction was monitored by abdominal hands-on observation in Observation Group I; Observation Group II was treated using additional ECG-conduction, as a means of modified CMAP surveillance method. During the ablation of the right superior and inferior pulmonary veins, the upper extremities lead I was newly adjusted between the inferior sternum and the right chest, thereby recording the maximum CMAP. The CMAP in the above-mentioned ECG leads was continuously observed in a semi-quantitative manner. RESULTS: PNP was observed in 10 (6%) patients in total. In Observation Group I, 6 out of 61 (9.8%) demonstrated PNP. In Observation Group II a significant decrease of PNP could be demonstrated (p <0,001) and occurred in 4 out of 105 patients (3.8%). While three patients from Observation Group I left the EP lap with an ongoing PNP, none of the patients in Observation Group II had persistent PNP outside of the EP lab. CONCLUSION: The present study demonstrates that additional ECG-conduction, used as modified CMAP surveillance, is an easy, effective and helpful additional safety measure to prevent PNP in CBA.

Clinical and Subclinical Femoral Vascular Complications after Deployment of two Different Vascular Closure Devices or Manual Compression in the Setting of Coronary Intervention.

BACKGROUND: In the past two decades vascular closure devices (VCD) have been increasingly utilized as an alternative to manual compression after percutaneous femoral artery access. However, there is a lack of data confirming a significant reduction of vascular complication in a routine interventional setting. Systematic assessment of puncture sites with ultrasound was hardly performed. METHODS: 620 consecutive patients undergoing elective or urgent percutaneous coronary intervention were randomly allocated to either Angioseal (AS; n = 210), or Starclose (SC; n = 196) or manual compression (MC; n = 214). As an adjunct to clinical evaluation vascular ultrasonography was used to assess the safety of each hemostatic method in terms of major and minor vascular complications. The efficacy of VCDs was assessed by achievement of puncture site hemostasis. RESULTS: No major complications needing transfusion or vascular surgery were observed. Furthermore, the overall incidence of clinical and subclinical minor complications was similar among the three groups. There was no differences in the occurrence of pseudoaneurysmata (AS = 10; SC = 6; MC = 10), arteriovenous fistula (AS = 1; SC = 4; MC = 2) and large hematoma (AS = 11; SC = 10; MC = 14). The choice of access site treatment had no impact in the duration of hospital stay (AS = 6.7; SC = 7.4; MS = 6.4 days). CONCLUSIONS: In the setting of routine coronary intervention AS and SC provide a similar efficacy and safety as manual compression. Subclinical vascular injuries are rare and not related to VCD use.

Transradial versus transfemoral approach in coronary angiography: a matched pair analysis of cath lab equipment costs.

INTRODUCTION: There is an ongoing struggle to understand the potential economic benefits that radial access may offer. Cost savings are thought to primarily occur after the procedure. The aim of our study was to analyze cath lab expenses resulting from transradial (TRA) and transfemoral approaches (TFA). METHODS: A total of n = 1890 matched pairs of patients were analyzed. A traditional Judkins catheter strategy was pursued for coronary angiography. Three large databases were merged to collect and compare procedural data as material, medication costs and fluoroscopy time. RESULTS: Compared to TFA diagnostic catheterization from TRA was associated with significantly lower procedural costs (€181.0 versus €167.5; p<0.001). Extra costs in TFA were primarily produced by frequent use of vascular closure devices (VCDs) in 86% of patients. However, the potential saving amount related to VCD use was only partly realized due to the higher number of extra catheters (0.53 ± 0.9 versus 0.23 ± 0.6; p<0.001) and hydrophilic guidewires (0.088 ± 0.3 versus 0.014 ± 0.1; p<0.001) used in TRA. Weak correlations were observed between the total number of cases and fluoroscopy time (r = -0.13; p<0.001) as well as material costs (r = 0.31; p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Significant cost savings can be realized by TRA at the procedural level even when adhering to a conventional Judkins catheter strategy. Hydrophilic guidewires and additional catheters are the main cost drivers in TRA. In contrast to fluoroscopy time material costs steadily increase during the early stage of the TRA learning curve.

Determinants of right ventricular muscle mass in idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy: impact of left ventricular muscle mass and pulmonary hypertension.

INTRODUCTION: Although chronic pulmonary hypertension and right ventricular (RV) function carry important functional and prognostic implications in idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (IDC), little information on RV muscle mass (RVMM) and its determinants has been published. METHODS: Our study comprised thirty-five consecutive patients with IDC, left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction<40% and NYHA class≥2. Hemodynamic data and parameters on LV and RV geometry were derived from right heart catheterisation and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging. RESULTS: RVMM was normalized to body size using a common linear, body surface area based approach (RVMMI) and by an allometric index (RVMM-AI) incorporating adjustment for age, height and weight. Stepwise multiple regression analysis revealed that pulmonary artery pressure and left ventricular muscle mass were independent predictors of RVMM-AI. The interventricular mass ratio of RV and LV mass (IVRM) was closely related to RVMM (r=0.79, p<0.001) and total muscle mass (r=0.39, p<0.02). However, there was no significant relationship between LVMM and IVMR (r=0.17, p=0.32). CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that an increase in RV mass in IDC may be explained by two mechanisms: First, as a consequence of the myopathic process itself resulting in a balanced hypertrophy of both ventricles. Second, due to the chamber specific burden of pulmonary artery pressure rise, resulting in unbalanced RV hypertrophy.

Pulmonary vein isolation in 2012: is it necessary to perform a time consuming electrophysical mapping or should we focus on rapid and safe therapies? A retrospective analysis of different ablation tools.

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary Vein Isolation (PVI) is evolving as an established treatment option in atrial fibrillation (AF). Different fluoroscopy-guided ablation devices exist either on the basis of expandable circumferential and mesh designs with mapping and ablation of pulmonary vein potentials, or of a balloon technology, a "single shot" device with a purely anatomical approach. Systematic comparisons between procedure duration (PD), fluoroscopy time (FT) and clinical outcome in using different ablation tools are lacking in the literature. METHODS: In a single center retrospective analysis, 119 PVI procedures were performed between August 2008 and March 2011 in paroxysmal AF (PAF, 59.7%) and persistent AF (persAF, 40.3%) patients with mean age of 59.4±10.3 years and history of AF since 8.1±9.7 months. The PVI procedures were evaluated by comparing PD and FT using I) the High Density Mesh Mapper (HDMM), II) the High Density Mesh Ablator (HDMA), and III) the Arctic Front® Cryoballoon. The primary endpoints were FT and PD, the secondary endpoint was procedural safety and efficacy in short- and longterm follow-up. RESULTS: The procedures performed for 119 patients (63.0 % male) included 42 PVIs with the HDMM (35.3 %), 47 with the HDMA (39.5 %) and 30 with the cryoballoon (25.2 %). Comparing the 30 first procedures in groups of 10 in the HDMM and HDMA group, PD and FT fell in the HDMM group (PD from 257.5 to 220.9 min and FT from 80.5 to 67.3 min, both p < 0.05) as well as in the HDMA group (PD from 182.9 to 147.2 min and FT from 41.02 to 29.1 min, both p < 0.05). In the cryoballoon group, there was a steep learning curve with a steady state after the first 10 procedures (PD and FT decreased significantly from 189.5 to 138.1 min and 36.9 to 27.3 min, p values 0.005 and 0.05 respectively). With respect to recurrence of AF in a 24 months follow up, the HDMM and cryoballoon group showed comparable results with ~72% of patients free of arrhythmias. None of the patients died due to severe complications, or suffered a hemodynamic relevant pericardial effusion and/or stroke. Impairment of the phrenic nerve was observed in three patients. CONCLUSION: Use of the cryoballoon technology was associated with a steep learning curve and a reduced PD and FT; the long-term outcome was similar compared with the HDMM group. The efficacy and safety of the devices but also PD and FT should be respected as the strongest indicators of the quality of ablation. Further studies with long time follow-ups will show if the time for correct mapping of the PV potentials is a price we should be willing to pay or if we should adopt a "wait-and-see" attitude referring the AF recurrence.

Segment-orientated analysis of two-dimensional strain and strain rate as assessed by velocity vector imaging in patients with acute myocardial infarction.

AIMS: Strain rate imaging techniques have been proposed for the detection of ischemic or viable myocardium in coronary artery disease, which is still a challenge in clinical cardiology. This retrospective comparative study analyzed regional left ventricular function and scaring with two-dimensional strain (2DS) in the first 4 to 10 days after acute anterior myocardial infarction (AMI). METHODS AND RESULTS: The study population consisted of 32 AMI patients with an LAD occlusion and successful reperfusion. The assessment of peak systolic 2DS and peak systolic strain rate (SR) was performed segment-oriented with the angle-independent speckle tracking algorithm Velocity Vector Imaging (VVI). The infarcted, adjacent and non-infarcted segments were revealed by late enhancement MRI (LE-MRI), which was used as reference for the comparison with 2DS. The infarcted segments showed a significant decrease of tissue velocities, 2DS and SR in comparison to the non-affected segments. CONCLUSION: 2DS and SR as assessed by VVI seem to be a suitable approach for echocardiographic quantification of global and regional myocardial function as well as a promising tool for multimodal risk stratification after anterior AMI.

New-onset versus chronic atrial fibrillation in acute myocardial infarction: differences in short- and long-term follow-up.

AIMS: Atrial fibrillation (AF) occurs commonly in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and has been established as a marker of adverse prognosis. There are only few clinical trials that investigate differences between new-onset and chronic AF in AMI. We hypothesize that chronic AF is associated with an increased rate of adverse short- and long-term outcomes. METHODS AND RESULTS: In a single center study, over a period of 28 months, 375 consecutive patients with AMI were included [337 patients without AF (89.9%) and 38 with AF (10.1%)]. As much as 16 patients had new-onset AF (42.1%) and 22 had chronic AF (57.9%). Patients with severe coronary artery disease develop AF more often in AMI, and the existence of AF was associated with a poor prognosis. Compared to patients with new-onset AF, chronic AF was more frequently associated with advanced age (75 vs. 70 years, p not significant), reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (44.8 vs. 54.0%, p < 0.05) and NSTEMI (63.6 vs. 36.4%, p < 0.05). Only chronic AF resulted in increased in-hospital death (18.2 vs. 0.0%; p < 0.005) at the 2-year follow-up, 14 patients with AF died (63.6%), predominantly due to cardiovascular reasons. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that patients with chronic AF had a higher incidence of in-hospital death than those with new-onset AF or without. Chronic AF includes a group of older and sicker patients than their counterparts with new-onset AF. Understanding these findings may ultimately lead to better care of patients with this arrhythmia to prevent the development of the underlying atrial substrate in chronic AF patients and to improve their otherwise worse prognosis.

Systolic and early diastolic left ventricular velocities assessed by tissue Doppler imaging in 100 top-level handball players.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Echocardiographic tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) has been proposed for the differentiation of physiologic left ventricular hypertrophy and pathologic left ventricular hypertrophy in athletes. In addition, cutoff values for systolic (S'<9 cm/s) and early diastolic (E'<9 cm/s) myocardial velocities had been defined. The aim of our study was the analysis of the morphologic cardiac changes by standard echocardiography, and the myocardial velocities S' and E' by TDI in top-level handball players with respect to the predefined cutoff values. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Pulsed-wave TDI of the systolic and early diastolic velocities was performed at the lateral and septal mitral annulus (MA) in the four-chamber view in 100 athletes (100 Caucasian men; professional handball players of the first German handball league and the German national team; mean age 25.8+/-4.8 years). RESULTS: Global and regional left ventricular systolic function was normal in all athletes. They showed an eccentric hypertrophy of the left ventricle (LV), which was characterized by an increased mass of the LV (287.3+/-58.4 g), and an increased end diastolic diameter of the LV (LVEDD: 58+/-5.9 mm), but no echomorphologic signs of pathologic hypertrophy or hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. TDI showed a systolic velocity S' of the MA of 9.3+/-1.5 cm/s at the septal and 10.5+/-2.1 at the lateral MA. Ten of the 100 athletes showed a S'<9 cm/s at both sides of the MA. TDI showed an early diastolic velocity E' of the MA of 13.2+/-2.8 cm/s at the septal and of 16.6+/-3.4 cm/s at the lateral MA. None of the 100 athletes showed reduced systolic or early diastolic velocities below the proposed cutoff values (S' and E'<9 cm/s) at any sides of the MA. CONCLUSION: Our study provides further insights into systolic and diastolic function as assessed by TDI in top-level handball players. Owing to the large cohort of individuals, our findings might be helpful as reference values for the echocardiographic assessment of handball players, who are performing a moderate static and high dynamic sport.

Comparison of right ventricular functional response to exercise in hypertrophic versus idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy.

Although the biventricular nature of the disease has been confirmed by morphologic studies, information on right ventricular (RV) function in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HC) is lacking. The aim of the study was to hemodynamically characterize RV performance in HC versus idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (IDC) during exercise. The hemodynamic data of 63 patients with HC who underwent hemodynamic exercise testing with thermodilution-derived assessment of RV ejection fraction were analyzed. The results were compared to a healthy control group (n = 20) and to patients with IDC (n = 86). The baseline RV ejection fraction was increased in the patients with HC compared to those with IDC (39 +/- 10% vs 33 +/- 12%; p = 0.002), but did not differ compared to controls (42 +/- 7% vs 39 +/- 10%; p = NS). An increase in end-diastolic volume from rest to exercise contributed to stroke volume augmentation in those with HC (121 +/- 38 vs 136 +/- 55 ml/m(2); p = 0.01) and control subjects (116 +/- 34 vs 138 +/- 31 ml/m(2); p = 0.002) but not in those with IDC (117 +/- 47 vs 120 +/- 52 ml/m(2); p = NS). At peak exercise the RV ejection fraction in those with HC was reduced compared to that in the controls (45 +/- 11% vs 59% +/- 9%; p <0.001), but it was increased compared to that in those with IDC (45 +/- 11% vs 35% +/- 11%; p <0.001). In conclusion, the extent of the pulmonary pressure increase was more pronounced in those with HC than in those with IDC, but the degree of functional impairment of the right ventricle was less severe, probably owing to its ability to recruit preload and contractile reserve with exercise.

Primary malignant pericardial mesothelioma - a rare cause of pericardial effusion and consecutive constrictive pericarditis: a case report.

INTRODUCTION: Primary malignant pericardial mesothelioma is a very rare pericardial tumor of unknown etiology. CASE PRESENTATION: A 61-year-old Caucasian woman was admitted to our hospital complaining of exertional dyspnea due to a large pericardial effusion. Intrapericardial fluid volume declined after repeated pericardiocentesis, but the patient progressively developed a hemodynamically relevant pericardial constriction. Pericardiectomy revealed a pericardial mesothelioma. Subsequently, four cycles of chemotherapy (dosage according to recently published trials) were administered. The patient remained asymptomatic, and there was no recurrence of the tumor after three years. CONCLUSION: Pericardial mesothelioma should be considered and managed appropriately in non-responders to pericardiocentesis, and in patients who develop constrictive pericarditis late in their clinical course.

Contrast medium induced nephropathy in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention for acute coronary syndrome: differences in STEMI and NSTEMI.

UNLABELLED: The aim of this study was to assess the incidence, clinical predictors, and outcome of patients developing contrast medium induced nephropathy (CIN) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for acute coronary syndrome (ACS). BACKGROUND: CIN is associated with significant higher morbidity and mortality after coronary intervention. Recently it was shown, that patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention for acute myocardial infarction have a significant higher risk of developing CIN. Non-ST-elevating myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) patients (pts) might be at an even higher risk developing CIN than patients with ST-elevating myocardial infarction (STEMI), because of presenting older and more often with diabetes. METHODS: In 392 consecutive ACS patients developing myocardial infarction and therefore undergoing emergent coronary angiography between October 2004 and March 2007, we measured serum creatinine concentration (Cr) at baseline and each day of the following 3 days. Contrast medium induced nephropathy was defined as an increase in Cr > 0.5 mg/dl. ACS was defined according to the guidelines of the German Society of Cardiology. RESULTS: Overall, 392 pts were included: 203 (51.8%) with STEMI and 189 (48.2%) with NSTEMI. Patients with STEMI developed more often a cardiogenic shock (18 vs. 6%; P < 0.001) whereas patients with NSTEMI were older (67 vs. 61 years; P < 0.001) and presenting with a higher co-morbidity. Forty-five (11.5%) pts developed CIN; 22 (10.8%) in the STEMI group and 23(12.2%) in the NSTEMI group (P = 0.75). Patients developing CIN presented a more complicated clinical course and a significantly longer hospital stay (14 vs. 10 days; P < 0.001). The mortality rate was also significantly higher (16 vs. 6%; P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: This prospective study showed no differences in the incidence of developing CIN in patients undergoing PCI for STEMI or NSTEMI, but the predisposing factors, however, differed significantly. Although STEMI patients needed significantly more contrast medium for revascularisation, they did not develop CIN more often. CIN was associated with higher in-hospital complication rate and mortality. Thus, better preventive strategies according to the different predisposing factors leading to CIN are needed to reduce morbidity and mortality, especially in high risk patients.

Hemostatic risk factors in patients with coronary artery disease and type 2 diabetes - a two year follow-up of 243 patients.

BACKGROUND: Thrombosis is regarded to be a key factor in the development of acute coronary syndromes in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). We hypothesize, that hemostatic and rheological risk factors may be of major relevance for the incidence and the risk stratification of these patients. METHODS: In 243 patients with coronary artery disease and stable angina pectoris parameters of metabolism, hemostasis, blood rheology and endogenous fibrinolysis were assessed. Patients were prospectively followed for 2 years in respect to elective revascularizations and acute coronary syndromes. RESULTS: During follow-up 88 patients presented with cardiac events, 22 of those were admitted to the hospital because of acute events, 5 Patients were excluded due to non- cardiac death. Patients with clinical events were found to be more frequently diabetic and presented with a more progressed coronary atherosclerosis. Even though patients with diabetes mellitus demonstrated a comparable level of multivessel disease (71% vs. 70%) the rate of elective revascularization was higher (41% vs. 28%, p < 0.05). The results were also unfavorable for the incidence of acute cardiovascular events (18% vs. 8%, p < 0.01). In comparison to non-diabetic patients diabetics demonstrated significantly elevated levels of fibrinogen (352 +/- 76 vs. 312 +/- 64 mg/dl, p < 0.01), plasma viscosity (1.38 +/- 0.23 vs. 1.31 +/- 0.16 mPas, p < 0.01), red blood cell aggregation (13.2 +/- 2.5 vs. 12.1 +/- 3.1 E, p < 0.05) and plasmin-activator-inhibitor (6.11 +/- 3.4 vs. 4.7 +/- 2.7 U/l, p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Pathological alterations of fibrinogen, blood rheology and plasminogen-activator-inhibitor as indicators of a procoagulant state are of major relevance for the short-term incidence of cardiac events, especially in patients with diabetes mellitus type 2, and may be used to stratify patients to specific therapies.

Relevance of hemostatic risk factors on coronary morphology in patients with diabetes mellitus type 2.

OBJECTIVE: The influence hemostatitc parameters on the morphological extent and severity of coronary artery disease were studied in patients with and without DM type 2. BACKGROUND: It is known that patients with diabetes (DM) have abnormal metabolic and hemostatic parameters METHODS: Of 150 consecutive patients with angiographically proven coronary artery disease 29 presented with DM. Additionally to parameters of lipid-metabolism fibrinogen, tissue-plasminogenactivator (t-PA), plasminogen-activator-inhibitor (PAI), plasmin-a-antiplasmin (PAP), prothrombin-fragment 1+2 (F1+2), thrombin-antithrombin (TAT), von-willebrand-factor (vWF), platelet factor 4 (PF4), glykomembranproteine 140 (GMP140) and the rheologic parameters plasma viscosity and red blood cell aggregation were evaluated. The extent and severity of CAD was evaluated according to the criteria of the American Heart Association. RESULTS: Patients with DM presented with a higher number of conventional risk factors as compared to non-diabetic patients. Additionally there were significant differences for F1+2, red blood cell aggregation and PAI. Diabetic patients showed a more severe extent of coronary arteriosclerosis, which also could be found more distally. A significant relationship between blood-glucose, thrombocyte-activation (vWF), endogenous fibrinolysis (PAI) and the severity of CAD and a more distal location of stenoses could be found (r = 0.6, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Patients with coronary artery disease and DM type 2 showed marked alterations of metabolic, hemostatic, fibrinolytic and rheologic parameters, which can produce a prothrombogenic state. A direct association of thrombogenic factors on coronary morphology could be shown. This can be the pathophysiologic mechanism of more severe and distal pronounced coronary atherosclerosis in these patients.