Cardiovascular Outcomes of Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease in Octogenarian Population.

Limited data are available regarding in-hospital outcomes of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) in the octogenarian population with chronic kidney disease (CKD). We sought to study the cardiovascular outcomes of TAVI in CKD hospitalization with different stages at the national cohort registry. We used the National Inpatient Sample database to compare TAVI CKD low-grade (LG) (stage I to IIIa, b) versus TAVI CKD high-grade (HG) (stage IV to V) in octogenarians. Outcomes such as inpatient mortality, cardiogenic shock, new permanent pacemaker implantation, acute kidney injury), sudden cardiac arrest, mechanical circulatory support, major bleeding, transfusion, and resource utilization were compared between the 2 cohorts. A total of 74,766 octogenarian patients (TAVI CKD-HG n = 12,220; TAVI CKD-LG n = 62,545) were included in our study. On matched analysis, TAVI CKD-HG had higher odds of in-hospital mortality (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 2.18, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.0-2.5, p <0.0001), cardiogenic shock (aOR 1.22, 95% CI 1.07 to 1.39, p = 0.0019), permanent pacemaker implantation (aOR 1.14, 95% CI 1.06 to 1.23, p = 0.0006), acute kidney injury (aOR 1.19, 95% CI 1.13 to 1.27, p <0.0001), sudden cardiac arrest (aOR 1.32, 95% CI 1.09 to 1.61, p = 0.004), major bleeding (aOR 1.1, 95% CI 1.006 to 1.22, p <0.0368) and higher rates of blood transfusion (aOR 1.62, 95% CI 1.5 to 1.75, p <0.0001) when compared with the TAVI CKD-LG cohort. However, there was no statistically significant difference in the odds of cerebrovascular accident and mechanical circulatory support use between the 2 groups.

Transition of care in CHD: a single-centre experience: an enigma remains.

Transition of care refers to the continuity of health care during the movement from one healthcare setting to another as care needs change during a chronic illness. We sought to describe social, demographic, and clinical factors related to successful transition in a tertiary urban care facility in patients with CHD. Patients were identified utilising the electronic medical record. Inclusion criteria were patients with CHDs aged ≥15 years seen in the paediatric cardiology clinic between 2013 and 2014. Deceased patients were excluded. Clinical and demographic variables were collected. Patient charts were reviewed in 2015-2021 to determine if included patients were a) still in paediatric cardiology care, b) transitioned to adult cardiology/adult CHD, or were c) lost to follow-up. A total of 322 patients, 53% male (N:172), 46% female (N:149) were included. Majority had moderately complex lesions (N:132, 41%). Most patients had public insurance (N:172, 53%), followed by private insurance (N:67, 21%), while 15% of patients (N:47) were uninsured. Only 49% (N = 159) had successful transition, while 22% (N = 70) continued in care with paediatric cardiology, and 29% (N = 93) were lost to follow-up. Severity of CHD (p = 0.0002), having healthcare insurance (p < .0001), presence of a defibrillator (p = 0.0028), and frequency of paediatric cardiology visits (p = 0.0005) were significantly associated with successful transition. Most patients lost to follow-up (N:42,62%) were either uninsured or had public insurance. Lack of successful transition is multifactorial, and further efforts are needed to improve the process in patients with CHD.

Outcomes and survival of patients undergoing percutaneous vegetectomy for right heart endocarditis.

Backgrounds: AngioVac is used for the percutaneous removal of vegetations and for debulking of large vegetations in patients who are not surgical candidates.This study aims to identify the demographics, echocardiographic features, indications, improvement of the tricuspid valve regurgitation, and survival outcomes of patients who have undergone AngioVac vegetectomy reported in the literature. Methods: A systematic review was performed to identify articles reporting suction thromectomy or vegetation removal using the AngioVac system for RSIE (right sided infective endocarditis). Survival on discharge was our primary outcome. Additionally, we evaluated indications for suction thrombectomy and TR improvement. Categorical variables were expressed as percentages and ratios. Results: A total of 49 studies were identified. The most common risk factor was intravenous drug abuse seen in 45% (20/49) and cardiovascular implantable electronic device (CIED) in 45% (20/49). Circulatory shock was seen in 35% of patients. The causative organism was gram positive cocci (86%). Moderate to severe TR was present in 74% of cases with documented echocardiograms. Indications for AngioVac were poor surgical candidacy (81%) or to reduce septic emboli risk (19%). Survival at discharge was 93%. TR improvement was reported only in 16% cases and remained unchanged/worsened in 84%. Conclusion: AngioVac procedure is an alternative treatment for critically ill patients who cannot undergo surgery. To understand the survival, safety and candidacy of patients undergoing this procedure, further randomized control studies and literature reviews are needed. The improvement or worsening of tricuspid regurgitation in patients with TR valve involvement is another factor to be investigated.

Outcomes of Prediabetes Compared with Normoglycaemia and Diabetes Mellitus in Patients Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Background: Patients with prediabetes are at increased risk of coronary artery disease (CAD). However, the association between prediabetes and adverse clinical outcomes following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is inconsistent, in contrast to outcomes in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM). Thus, this meta-analysis evaluated the impact of dysglycaemia on PCI outcomes. Methods: The PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, and ClinicalTrials.gov databases were systematically reviewed from inception of databases until June 2022. In 17 studies, outcomes of PCI in patients with prediabetes were compared with patients who were normoglycaemic, and patients with DM. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality at the longest follow-up. Results: Included were 12 prospective and five retrospective studies, with 11,868, 14,894 and 13,536 patients undergoing PCI in the prediabetes, normoglycaemic and DM groups, respectively. Normoglycaemic patients had a statistically lower risk of all-cause mortality, (risk ratio [RR] 0.66, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.52-0.84), myocardial infarction (MI; RR 0.76, 95% CI 0.61-0.95) and cardiac mortality (RR 0.58, 95% CI 0.39-0.87) compared with prediabetic patients undergoing PCI at the longest follow-up. Patients with prediabetes had a lower risk of all-cause mortality (RR=0.72 [95% CI 0.53-0.97]) and cardiac mortality (RR =0.47 [95% CI 0.23-0.93]) compared with patients with DM who underwent PCI. Conclusion: Among patients who underwent PCI for CAD, the risk of all-cause and cardiac mortality, major adverse cardiovascular events and MI in prediabetic patients was higher compared with normoglycaemic patients but lower compared with patients with DM.

Delayed Onset Atrioventricular Block After Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement: A Rare Entity.

Surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) is the mainstay treatment for aortic valve diseases in patients with low surgical risk. Trans aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has also grown over the past few years, although limited durability data is available. Atrioventricular conduction abnormalities (AVCA) are known complications in the immediate period post-TAVR and SAVR. There are no case reports regarding the development of the delayed onset AVCA years after SAVR. In this case report, we present a male patient who developed a complete heart block six years after SAVR, following which he got the permanent pacemaker implantation (PPMI).

Bicuspid Aortic Valves: an Up-to-Date Review on Genetics, Natural History, and Management.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) is the most common congenital cardiac abnormality. It has a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations including aortic regurgitation (AR), aortic stenosis, and an associated aortopathy with a small but increased risk of aortic dissection. This review describes current knowledge of BAV, from anatomy and genetics to a discussion of multifaceted strategies utilized in the management of this unique patient population. This review will also highlight critical knowledge gaps in areas of basic and clinical research to enhance further understanding of this clinical entity. RECENT FINDINGS: The current knowledge regarding pathophysiologic mechanisms, screening, and surveillance guidelines for BAV and the associated aortopathy is discussed. We also discuss current management techniques for aortic valve repair versus replacement, indications for aortic surgery (root or ascending aorta), and the emergence of the Ross procedure as a viable management option not only in children, but also in adolescents and adults. The varied clinical phenotype of the BAV, resulting in its specific complex hemodynamic interactions, renders it an entity which is separate and distinct from the tricuspid aortic valve pathologies. While various aortic histopathologic and protein alterations in BAV patients have been described, it remains unclear if these changes are causal or the result of hemodynamic alterations imposed by sheer stress on the intrinsically dysfunctional BAV. Medical management for patients with BAV with AS, AI, or dilated aortic roots/ascending aortas remains challenging and needs further investigation. More than 50% of patients with BAV will undergo AVR during their lifetime, and more than 25% of patients with BAV undergo aortic surgery performed for dilation of the aortic root or ascending aorta, often concurrently with AVR. The search for the ultimate genetic or epigenetic cause of the different bicuspid phenotypes will ultimately be facilitated by the next-generation sequencing tools that allow for study of large populations at low cost. Improvements in diagnostic and stratification criteria to accurately risk assess BAV patients are critical to this process.

Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Dysplasia (ARVD) With Protein Plakophilin-2 Mutation.

Arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia (ARVD) is a heart muscle disease that predominantly affects the right ventricle; however, biventricular involvement is increasingly being recognized. Fibrofatty tissue replacement is a central feature of ARVD. The majority of the identified genes, including protein plakophilin-2 (PKP-2), involved in cell-to-cell adhesion, can be seen in most genetic cases. Clinically, affected individuals present with palpitations, syncope, or sudden death due to ventricular arrhythmias, such as ventricular tachycardia (VT) or fibrillation, with symptomatic heart failure usually only in later stages. In this study, we present a male patient with ARVD who underwent a genetic test that revealed ARVD with PKP-2 mutation after multiple admissions for heart failure and arrhythmias. He ultimately underwent orthotopic heart transplantation (OHT). Early detection is important for further management, risk stratification, and reduced hospitalization in patients with ARVD.

Catastrophic Events of Cardiac Sarcoidosis: A Case Report.

Cardiac sarcoidosis (CS) can be silent in most patients with extrapulmonary sarcoidosis. Atrioventricular (AV) block is the most common clinical presentation, but it can also present as fatal ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death. Endomyocardial biopsy is the gold standard; however, it is not sensitive since CS can involve the myocardium in a patchy distribution. Our case depicts a female who presented with syncope; however, her hospital course was complicated by multiple cardiac arrests. Her initial laboratory tests, including an autoimmune workup, were unremarkable. Cardiac magnetic resonance and fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) imaging revealed intramyocardial delayed enhancement of the basal anteroseptal (non-ischemic distribution) and patchy foci of increased uptake in the anteroseptal and inferior myocardial region, respectively. The patient was started on intravenous methylprednisolone, and her condition slowly improved. Post-discharge, the patient followed in the outpatient clinic with a repeat FDG-PET scan revealing resolution of myocardial FDG uptake. She also underwent bronchoscopy with lymph node biopsy showing granulomas and endobronchial biopsy confirming pulmonary sarcoidosis.

Aortic Thrombosis and Ischemic Stroke With Hemorrhagic Conversion in a Patient With Remote COVID-19 Infection: A Treatment Dilemma.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is primarily known to affect the lungs; however, several studies indicate that it can be a multisystem disease. There is documentation detailing different sequelae of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Patients affected with this virus have been seen to develop a hypercoagulable state leading to systemic thrombosis in some cases or embolism leading to catastrophic outcomes in others. Data regarding anticoagulation in these patients is limited. Further research needs to be carried out for management and prophylaxis for patients with COVID-19 at risk of aortic thrombosis.  We present a case of a middle-aged man with multiple comorbidities and remote COVID-19 infection who came to the emergency room with signs and symptoms worrisome for a cerebrovascular accident (CVA). Brain imaging revealed multiple cortical infarcts suggestive of a cardioembolic etiology. During his hospitalization, he underwent a transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) that showed a 1x1 cm mobile thrombus in the distal descending aorta. Laboratory workup was negative for any hypercoagulable condition; it was thought that this patient might have a hypercoagulable state post-COVID-19 infection. After a thorough risk vs. benefit discussion, patient was started on apixaban. He remains alive and is doing well in a recent follow-up in our clinic.

Recurrent Cryptogenic Stroke in a Patient With Left Atrial Septal Pouch.

The incomplete fusion of the septum primum and septum secundum results in the formation of the left atrial septal pouch (LASP). The clinical significance of this entity is a matter of controversy; however, it may act as a nidus for thrombus formation. We report a case of a 57-year-old male who was brought to the hospital by his girlfriend due to his bizarre behavior and confusion for one day. The initial workup for his altered mental status did not yield a diagnosis. The patient was admitted for further workup, which included an MRI of the brain that showed numerous very small-sized foci of restricted diffusion involving bilateral cerebral and cerebellar hemispheres consistent with thromboembolic infarct. The patient did not receive a tissue plasminogen activator (TPA) as he was out of the window for TPA. Transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) with bubble study did not show patent foramen ovale (PFO) or atrial septal defect (ASD). ECG and telemetry showed normal sinus rhythm and no atrial fibrillation. A transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) was obtained to find the source of the thromboembolic stroke. TEE discovered a 22 x 8-mm cystic structure in the interatrial septum consistent with a LASP. We hypothesize that the LASP may be a risk factor for cryptogenic stroke. Further research is needed to determine the prevalence of atrial septal pouch (ASP) in the general population, its clinical significance, and guidelines for treatment implications.

Myocardial Infarction With Non-obstructive Coronary Arteries: An Updated Overview of Pathophysiology, Diagnosis, and Management.

Myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary arteries (MINOCA) refers to acute myocardial infarction with normal or near-normal coronary arteries. The MINOCA is a heterogeneous group of conditions, and possible etiologies are coronary artery spasm, spontaneous coronary artery dissection, coronary thromboembolism, coronary plaque disruption, coronary microvascular dysfunction, supply and demand mismatch. It is more common in young adults, with women having a higher chance of getting MINOCA than men. Considering MINOCA as a clinically dynamic working diagnostic that needs further investigation rather than a "true" diagnosis is proposed. Optical coherence tomography (OCT), intravenous ultrasound (IVUS), cardiac MRI may be required to stratify the underlying mechanism. Due to the lack of evidence-based literature and prospective randomized controlled studies, therapeutic management is limited. Consequently, the strategy is patient-specific. The prognosis of MINOCA patients remains unclear and depends upon the underlying etiology. This article aims to review the literature about various aspects of MINOCA, including pathophysiology, diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment.

Bradycardia, Renal Failure, Atrioventricular-Nodal Blockade, Shock, and Hyperkalemia Syndrome: A Case Report.

Bradycardia, renal failure, atrioventricular (AV) blockade, shock, and hyperkalemia (BRASH) syndrome is an uncommon and relatively new entity that results from synergy between AV nodal blockade and renal failure leading to a vicious cycle of hypotension, profound bradycardia, and hyperkalemia. Classically, this syndrome is seen in a patient taking AV nodal blocking agents and underlying renal insufficiency. We are presenting a case of a 76-year-old female with a medical history of essential hypertension and non-insulin-dependent type 2 diabetes mellitus presented to the emergency room with a chief complaint of dizziness and generalized weakness. The patient was taking metoprolol tartrate 200 mg twice a day, amlodipine 10 mg once daily, clonidine 0.1 mg twice daily, enalapril 20 mg twice daily, and Metformin 750 mg twice daily. On presentation, the patient had symptomatic bradycardia resistant to atropine with heart rate in 30s and hypotension resistant to volume expansion. The laboratory results showed that the patient also had acute kidney injury and severe resistant hyperkalemia. The whole presentation raised the suspicion of BRASH syndrome. The patient was started on peripheral dopamine infusion for bradycardia and symptomatic hypotension. Nephrology was consulted, and the patient was started on urgent dialysis for resistant hyperkalemia. The patient was admitted to the cardiovascular intensive care unit, and all antihypertensive medication, including beta-blockers, were stopped. The patient clinically improved on the next day, the dopamine infusion was stopped, and the patient remained vitally stable. The patient was eventually discharged home with cardiology and nephrology follow-up. The purpose of this case report is to help with the early diagnosis of this under-recognized and new clinical condition and to discuss the pathophysiology and management.

Successful Debulking of Tricuspid Valve Vegetation Using Suction Filtration and Veno-Venous Bypass.

Tricuspid valve endocarditis with recurrent septic pulmonary emboli is an indication for surgery. In this report, we present a case of right-sided infective endocarditis (RSIE) in a female patient with a history of intravenous drug use (IVDU). The patient was admitted with multiple chief complaints of fatigue, chills, fever, cough, chest pain, and shortness of breath. She was found to have a large 1.8 cm (W) x 2.4 cm (L) mobile tricuspid valve vegetation on transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE). Despite being on appropriate antibiotics, the patient failed to improve clinically. Cardiothoracic surgery (CTS) evaluated the patient for surgical management of infective endocarditis (IE) given the size of vegetation, persistent bacteremia, and clinical deterioration. However, the risk/benefit ratio for open-heart surgery was high, given the history of active IVDU and hemodynamic instability. The patient underwent percutaneous extraction of the vegetation using suction filtration and veno-venous bypass and her condition significantly improved clinically afterward. We discuss the importance of suction filtration and veno-venous bypass in managing tricuspid valve endocarditis as an alternative in patients who are not ideal candidates for surgery and the need for more evidence regarding its effectiveness compared to surgery.

Sudden Cardiac Arrest in an Adult with Anomalous Origin of the Left Coronary Artery from the Pulmonary Artery (ALCAPA): Case Report.

INTRODUCTION: Anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery (ALCAPA) is a rare coronary artery anomaly that carries 90% mortality in the first year of life when left untreated. The diagnosis of ALCAPA is rare in adulthood, and it includes a broad spectrum of clinical manifestations, including sudden cardiac death (SCD). CASE REPORT: We report a rare case of resuscitated sudden cardiac arrest in a 55-year-old female, who was diagnosed with ALCAPA and underwent successful surgical correction and implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) implantation for secondary prevention. DISCUSSION: ALCAPA diagnosis is not confined to childhood, and it represents a rare cause of life-threatening arrhythmias and SCD in the adult population. Surgical correction is recommended, regardless of age, presence of symptoms or inducible myocardial ischemia. Multimodality imaging is crucial for diagnosis, management planning and follow up. Assessment of the risk of recurrent ventricular arrhythmias, despite full revascularization, should be performed in all adults with ALCAPA. Myocardial scar detected via late gadolinium enhancement represents a potential irreversible substrate for ventricular arrhythmias, and it provides additional information to evaluate indication of an ICD for secondary prevention.