Eligibility and Potential Benefit of Transcatheter Edge-to-Edge Repair in a Contemporary Cohort With Heart Failure: Evidence From a Large Integrated Health Care Delivery System.

Background: The eligibility and potential benefit of transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER) in addition to guideline-directed medical therapy to treat moderate-severe or severe secondary mitral regurgitation (MR) has not been reported in a contemporary heart failure (HF) population. Methods: Eligibility for TEER based on Food and Drug Administration (FDA) labeling: (1) HF symptoms, (2) moderate-severe or severe MR, (3) left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) 20% to 50%, (4) left ventricular end-systolic dimension 7.0 cm, and (5) receiving GDMT (blocker + angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor/angiotensin receptor blocker). The proportion (%) of patients eligible for TEER. The hypothetical number needed to treat to prevent or postpone adverse outcomes was estimated using relative risk reductions from published hazard ratios in the registration trial and the observed event rates. Results: We identified 50,841 adults with HF and known LVEF. After applying FDA criteria, 2461 patients (4.8%) were considered eligible for transcatheter mitral valve replacement (FDA+), with the vast majority of patients excluded (FDA-) based on a lack of clinically significant MR (N = 47,279). FDA+ patients had higher natriuretic peptide levels and were more likely to have a prior HF hospitalization compared to FDA- patients. Although FDA+ patients had a more dilated left ventricle and lower LVEF, median (25th-75th) left ventricular end-systolic dimension (cm) was low at 4.4 (3.7-5.1) and only 30.8% had severely reduced LVEF. FDA+ patients were at higher risk of HF-related morbidity and mortality. The estimated number needed to treat to potentially prevent or postpone all-cause hospitalization was 4.4, 8.8 for HF hospitalization, and 5.3 for all-cause death at 24 months in FDA+ patients. Conclusions: There is a low prevalence of TEER eligibility based on FDA criteria primarily due to absence of moderate-severe or severe MR. FDA+ patients are a high acuity population and may potentially derive a robust clinical benefit from TEER based on pivotal studies. Additional research is necessary to validate the scope of eligibility and comparative effectiveness of TEER in real-world populations.

Echocardiographic Outcomes With Transcatheter Edge-to-Edge Repair for Degenerative Mitral Regurgitation in Prohibitive Surgical Risk Patients.

BACKGROUND: The CLASP IID randomized trial (Edwards PASCAL TrAnScatheter Valve RePair System Pivotal Clinical Trial) demonstrated the safety and effectiveness of the PASCAL system for mitral transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (M-TEER) in patients at prohibitive surgical risk with significant symptomatic degenerative mitral regurgitation (DMR). OBJECTIVES: This study describes the echocardiographic methods and outcomes from the CLASP IID trial and analyzes baseline variables associated with residual mitral regurgitation (MR) ≤1+. METHODS: An independent echocardiographic core laboratory assessed echocardiographic parameters based on American Society of Echocardiography guidelines focusing on MR mechanism, severity, and feasibility of M-TEER. Factors associated with residual MR ≤1+ were identified using logistic regression. RESULTS: In 180 randomized patients, baseline echocardiographic parameters were well matched between the PASCAL (n = 117) and MitraClip (n = 63) groups, with flail leaflets present in 79.2% of patients. Baseline MR was 4+ in 76.4% and 3+ in 23.6% of patients. All patients achieved MR ≤2+ at discharge. The proportion of patients with MR ≤1+ was similar in both groups at discharge but diverged at 6 months, favoring PASCAL (83.7% vs 71.2%). Overall, patients with a smaller flail gap were significantly more likely to achieve MR ≤1+ at discharge (adjusted OR: 0.70; 95% CI: 0.50-0.99). Patients treated with PASCAL and those with a smaller flail gap were significantly more likely to sustain MR ≤1+ to 6 months (adjusted OR: 2.72 and 0.76; 95% CI: 1.08-6.89 and 0.60-0.98, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The study used DMR-specific echocardiographic methodology for M-TEER reflecting current guidelines and advances in 3-dimensional echocardiography. Treatment with PASCAL and a smaller flail gap were significant factors in sustaining MR ≤1+ to 6 months. Results demonstrate that MR ≤1+ is an achievable benchmark for successful M-TEER. (Edwards PASCAL TrAnScatheter Valve RePair System Pivotal Clinical Trial [CLASP IID]; NCT03706833).

Physician assessment of aortic stenosis severity, quantitative parameters, and long-term outcomes: Results from the KP-VALVE project.

BACKGROUND: Contemporary outcomes for aortic stenosis (AS) and the association between physician-assessed AS severity and quantitative parameters is poorly understood. We aimed to evaluate AS natural history, compare outcomes for physicians' AS assessment vs. quantitative parameters, and identify AS parameters with the most explanatory power. METHODS: We ascertained physician-assessed AS severity, echocardiographic parameters, and clinical data for 546,769 patients from 2008-2018, examined multivariable associations of physician-assessed AS severity and number of quantitative severe AS parameters with death, cardiovascular hospitalization, and aortic valve replacement, and estimated the relative contribution of different quantitative AS parameters on outcomes. RESULTS: Among 49,604 AS patients (mean [SD] age 77 [11] years), 17.6% had moderate, 3.6% moderate-severe, and 9.4% severe AS. During median 3.7 [IQR 1.7-6.8] years, physician-assessed AS severity strongly correlated with outcomes, with moderate AS patients tracking closest to mild AS, and moderate-to-severe AS patients more comparable to severe AS. Although the number of quantitative severe AS parameters strongly predicted outcomes (adjusted HR [95% CI] for death 1.40 [1.34-1.46], 1.70 [1.56-1.85], and 1.78 [1.63-1.94] for 1, 2, and 3 parameters, respectively), aortic valve area <1.0 cm2 was the most frequent severe AS parameter, explained the largest relative contribution (67%), and was common in patients classified as moderate (21%) or moderate-severe (56%) AS. CONCLUSIONS: Physician-assessed AS severity predicts outcomes, with cumulative effects for each severe AS parameter. Moderate AS includes a wide spectrum of patients, with discordant AVA <1.0 cm2 being both common and predictive. Better identification of non-classical severe AS phenotypes may improve outcomes.

Incidence, Predictors, and Outcomes Associated With Worsening Renal Function in Patients With Heart Failure and Secondary Mitral Regurgitation: The COAPT Trial.

Background The incidence and implications of worsening renal function (WRF) after mitral valve transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER) in patients with heart failure (HF) are unknown. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the proportion of patients with HF and secondary mitral regurgitation who develop persistent WRF within 30 days following TEER, and whether this development portends a worse prognosis. Methods and Results In the COAPT (Cardiovascular Outcomes Assessment of the MitraClip Percutaneous Therapy for Heart Failure Patients With Functional Mitral Regurgitation) trial, 614 patients with HF and severe secondary mitral regurgitation were randomized to TEER with the MitraClip plus guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT) versus GDMT alone. WRF was defined as serum creatinine increase ≥1.5× or ≥0.3 mg/dL from baseline persisting to day 30 or requiring renal replacement therapy. All-cause death and HF hospitalization rates between 30 days and 2 years were compared in patients with and without WRF. WRF at 30 days was present in 11.3% of patients (9.7% in the TEER plus GDMT group and 13.1% in the GDMT alone group; P=0.23). WRF was associated with all-cause death (hazard ratio [HR], 1.98 [95% CI, 1.3-3.03]; P=0.001) but not HF hospitalization (HR, 1.47 [ 95% CI, 0.97-2.24]; P=0.07) between 30 days and 2 years. Compared with GDMT alone, TEER reduced both death and HF hospitalization consistently in patients with and without WRF (Pinteraction=0.53 and 0.57, respectively). Conclusions Among patients with HF and severe secondary mitral regurgitation, the incidence of WRF at 30 days was not increased after TEER compared with GDMT alone. WRF was associated with greater 2-year mortality but did not attenuate the treatment benefits of TEER in reducing death and HF hospitalization compared with GDMT alone. Registration URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT01626079.

Association between serum albumin and outcomes in heart failure and secondary mitral regurgitation: the COAPT trial.

AIMS: Low serum albumin levels are associated with poor prognosis in numerous chronic disease states but the relationship between albumin and outcomes in patients with heart failure (HF) and secondary mitral regurgitation (SMR) has not been described. METHODS AND RESULTS: The randomized COAPT trial evaluated the safety and effectiveness of transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER) with the MitraClipTM plus guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT) versus GDMT alone in patients with symptomatic HF and moderate-to-severe or severe SMR. Baseline serum albumin levels were measured at enrolment. Among 614 patients enrolled in COAPT, 559 (91.0%) had available baseline serum albumin levels (median 4.0 g/dl, interquartile range 3.7-4.2 g/dl). Patients with albumin <4.0 g/dl compared with ≥4.0 g/dl were older and more likely to have ischaemic cardiomyopathy and a hospitalization within the year prior to enrolment. After multivariable adjustment, patients with albumin <4.0 g/dl had higher 4-year rates of all-cause death (63.7% vs. 47.6%; adjusted hazard ratio 1.34, 95% confidence interval 1.02-1.74; p = 0.032), but there were no significant differences in HF hospitalizations (HFH) or all-cause hospitalizations according to baseline serum albumin level. The relative effectiveness of TEER plus GDMT versus GDMT alone was consistent in patients with low and high albumin levels (pinteraction  = 0.19 and 0.35 for death and HFH, respectively). CONCLUSION: Low baseline serum albumin levels were independently associated with reduced 4-year survival in patients with HF and severe SMR enrolled in the COAPT trial, but not with HFH. Patients treated with TEER derived similarly robust reductions in both death and HFH regardless of baseline albumin level.

Challenges encountered in conducting donor-based research: Lessons learned from the Donor Heart Study.

Solid organ transplantation continues to be constrained by a lack of suitable donor organs. Advances in donor management and evaluation are needed to address this shortage, but the performance of research studies in deceased donors is fraught with challenges. Here we discuss several of the major obstacles we faced in the conduct of the Donor Heart Study-a prospective, multi-site, observational study of donor management, evaluation, and acceptance for heart transplantation. These included recruitment and engagement of participating organ procurement organizations, ambiguities related to study oversight, obtaining authorization for donor research, logistical challenges encountered during donor management, sustaining study momentum, and challenges related to study data management. By highlighting these obstacles encountered, as well as the solutions implemented, we hope to stimulate further discussion and actions that will facilitate the design and execution of future donor research studies.

Torsade de pointes: A nested case-control study in an integrated healthcare delivery system.

BACKGROUND: TdP is a form of polymorphic ventricular tachycardia which develops in the setting of a prolonged QT interval. There are limited data describing risk factors, treatment, and outcomes of this potentially fatal arrhythmia. OBJECTIVE: Our goals were as follows: (1) to validate cases presenting with Torsade de Pointes (TdP), (2) to identify modifiable risk factors, and (3) to describe the management strategies used for TdP and its prognosis in a real-world healthcare setting. METHODS: Case-control study (with 2:1 matching on age, sex, and race/ethnicity) nested within the Genetic Epidemiology Research on Aging (GERA) cohort. Follow-up of the cohort for case ascertainment was between January 01, 2005 and December 31, 2018. RESULTS: A total of 56 cases of TdP were confirmed (incidence rate = 3.6 per 100,000 persons/years). The average (SD) age of the TdP cases was 74 (13) years, 55 percent were female, and 16 percent were non-white. The independent predictors of TdP were potassium concentration <3.6 mEq/L (OR = 10.6), prior history of atrial fibrillation/flutter (OR = 6.2), QTc >480 ms (OR = 4.4) and prior history of coronary artery disease (OR = 2.6). Exposure to furosemide and amiodarone was significantly greater in cases than in controls. The most common treatment for TdP was IV magnesium (78.6%) and IV potassium repletion (73.2%). The in-hospital and 1-year mortality rates for TdP cases were 10.7% and 25.0% percent, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: These findings may inform quantitative multivariate risk indices for the prediction of TdP and could guide practitioners on which patients may qualify for continuous ECG monitoring and/or electrolyte replacement therapy.

QT Interval Dynamics and Cardiovascular Outcomes: A Cohort Study in an Integrated Health Care Delivery System.

Background Long QT has been associated with ventricular dysrhythmias, cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality, and sudden cardiac death. However, no studies to date have investigated the dynamics of within-person QT change over time in relation to risk of incident CVD and all-cause mortality in a real-world setting. Methods and Results A cohort study among members of an integrated health care delivery system in Northern California including 61 455 people (mean age, 62 years; 60% women, 42% non-White) with 3 or more ECGs (baseline in 2005-2009; mean±SD follow-up time, 7.6±2.6 years). In fully adjusted models, tertile 3 versus tertile 1 of average QT corrected (using the Fridericia correction) was associated with cardiac arrest (hazard ratio [HR], 1.66), heart failure (HR, 1.62), ventricular dysrhythmias (HR, 1.56), all CVD (HR, 1.31), ischemic heart disease (HR, 1.28), total stroke (HR, 1.18), and all-cause mortality (HR, 1.24). Tertile 3 versus tertile 2 of the QT corrected linear slope was associated with cardiac arrest (HR, 1.22), ventricular dysrhythmias (HR, 1.12), and all-cause mortality (HR, 1.09). Tertile 3 versus tertile 1 of the QT corrected root mean squared error was associated with ventricular dysrhythmias (HR, 1.34), heart failure (HR, 1.28), all-cause mortality (HR, 1.20), all CVD (HR, 1.14), total stroke (HR, 1.08), and ischemic heart disease (HR, 1.07). Conclusions Our results demonstrate improved predictive ability for CVD outcomes using longitudinal information from serial ECGs. Long-term average QT corrected was more strongly associated with CVD outcomes than the linear slope or the root mean squared error. This new evidence is clinically relevant because ECGs are frequently used, noninvasive, and inexpensive.

Genome-wide association study of intracranial aneurysms identifies 17 risk loci and genetic overlap with clinical risk factors.

Rupture of an intracranial aneurysm leads to subarachnoid hemorrhage, a severe type of stroke. To discover new risk loci and the genetic architecture of intracranial aneurysms, we performed a cross-ancestry, genome-wide association study in 10,754 cases and 306,882 controls of European and East Asian ancestry. We discovered 17 risk loci, 11 of which are new. We reveal a polygenic architecture and explain over half of the disease heritability. We show a high genetic correlation between ruptured and unruptured intracranial aneurysms. We also find a suggestive role for endothelial cells by using gene mapping and heritability enrichment. Drug-target enrichment shows pleiotropy between intracranial aneurysms and antiepileptic and sex hormone drugs, providing insights into intracranial aneurysm pathophysiology. Finally, genetic risks for smoking and high blood pressure, the two main clinical risk factors, play important roles in intracranial aneurysm risk, and drive most of the genetic correlation between intracranial aneurysms and other cerebrovascular traits.

Association of Azithromycin Use With Cardiovascular Mortality.

Importance: Azithromycin is one of the most commonly prescribed antibiotics in the US. It has been associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular death in some observational studies. Objective: To estimate the relative and absolute risks of cardiovascular and sudden cardiac death after an outpatient azithromycin prescription compared with amoxicillin, an antibiotic not known to increase cardiovascular events. Design, Setting, and Participants: This retrospective cohort study included 2 large, diverse, community-based integrated care delivery systems with comprehensive capture of encounters and prescriptions from January 1, 1998, to December 31, 2014. The cohort included patients aged 30 to 74 years who had at least 12 months of health-plan enrollment prior to antibiotic exposure. The exclusion criteria were absence of prescription benefits, prescription for more than 1 type of study antibiotic within 10 days, hospitalization or nursing home residence, and serious medical conditions. Risk of cardiovascular death associated with azithromycin vs amoxicillin exposure was calculated after controlling for confounding factors using a propensity score. Data were analyzed from December 1, 2016, to March 30, 2020. Exposures: Outpatient prescription of azithromycin or amoxicillin. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcomes were cardiovascular death and sudden cardiac death. An a priori subgroup analysis quantified the effects of azithromycin exposure among patients with increased baseline cardiovascular risk. The secondary outcomes were noncardiovascular death and all-cause mortality. Results: The study included 7 824 681 antibiotic exposures, including 1 736 976 azithromycin exposures (22.2%) and 6 087 705 amoxicillin exposures (77.8%), among 2 929 008 unique individuals (mean [SD] age, 50.7 [12.3] years; 1 810 127 [61.8%] women). Azithromycin was associated with a significantly increased hazard of cardiovascular death (hazard ratio [HR], 1.82; 95% CI, 1.23-2.67) but not sudden cardiac death (HR, 1.59; 95% CI, 0.90-2.81) within 5 days of exposure. No increases in risk were found 6 to 10 days after exposure. Similar results were observed in patients within the top decile of cardiovascular risk (HR, 1.71; 95% CI, 1.06-2.76). Azithromycin was also associated with an increased risk of noncardiovascular death (HR, 2.17; 95% CI, 1.44-3.26) and all-cause mortality (HR, 2.00; 95% CI, 1.51-2.63) within 5 days of exposure. Conclusions and Relevance: These findings suggest that outpatient azithromycin use was associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular death and noncardiovascular death. Causality cannot be established, particularly for noncardiovascular death, owing to the likelihood of residual confounding.

Cardiac valvular abnormalities associated with use and cumulative exposure of cabergoline for hyperprolactinemia: the CATCH study.

BACKGROUND: Whether lower dose cabergoline therapy for hyperprolactinemia increases risk of valvular dysfunction remains controversial. We examined valvular abnormalities among asymptomatic adults with hyperprolactinemia treated with dopamine agonists. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted among adults receiving cabergoline or bromocriptine for > 12 months for hyperprolactinemia and had no cardiac-related symptoms. Cardiac valve morphology and function were assessed from transthoracic echocardiograms at the study visit (except for two participants) with evaluation performed blinded to type and duration of dopamine agonist received. RESULTS: Among 174 participants (mean age 49 ± 13 years, 63% women) without known structural heart disease before starting therapy, 62 received only cabergoline, 63 received only bromocriptine, and 49 received both. Median cabergoline use was 2.8 years in cabergoline only users and 3.2 years for those exposed to both cabergoline and bromocriptine; median bromocriptine use was 5.5 years in bromocriptine only users and 1.1 years for those exposed to both cabergoline and bromocriptine. Compared with bromocriptine only users (17.5%), regurgitation of ≥1 valve was more common for cabergoline only (37.1%, P = 0.02) but not for combined exposure (26.5%, P = 0.26). Compared with bromocriptine only exposure (1.6%), regurgitation of ≥2 valves was more common for cabergoline only (11.3%, P = 0.03) and combined exposure (12.2%, P = 0.04). Cabergoline only users had higher age-sex-adjusted odds for ≥1 valve with grade 2+ regurgitation compared to bromocriptine only users (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 3.2, 95% confidence interval [CI]:1.3-7.5, P = 0.008), but the association for combined exposure to cabergoline and bromocriptine was not significant (aOR 1.7, 95%CI:0.7-4.3, P = 0.26). Compared to bromocriptine only, age-sex-adjusted odds of ≥2 valves with grade 2+ regurgitation were higher for both cabergoline only (aOR 8.4, 95% CI:1.0-72.2, P = 0.05) and combined exposure (aOR 8.8, 95% CI:1.0-75.8, P = 0.05). Cumulative cabergoline exposure > 115 mg was associated with a higher age-sex adjusted odds of ≥2 valves with grade 2+ regurgitation (aOR 9.6, 95%CI:1.1-81.3, P = 0.04) compared to bromocriptine only. CONCLUSIONS: Among community-based adults treated for hyperprolactinemia, cabergoline use and greater cumulative cabergoline exposure were associated with a higher prevalence of primarily mild valvular regurgitation compared with bromocriptine. Research is needed to clarify which patients treated with dopamine agonists may benefit from echocardiographic screening and surveillance.

Incidence rates of cardiovascular outcomes in a community-based population of cancer patients.

BACKGROUND: There are limited data on the incidence of cardiovascular disease among cancer patients in the pre-tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) era. Such data are important in order to contextualize the incidence of various cardiovascular outcomes among cancer patients enrolled in clinical trials of new agents and for postmarketing surveillance. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted using data from the Kaiser Permanente Northern California (KPNC) population of cancer patients. The inclusion criterion was a KPNC Cancer Registry diagnosis of any of several selected solid and hematologic tumors between 1997 and 2009 not treated with a TKI. Endpoints were identified using ICD-9 codes and included acute coronary syndrome, heart failure, stroke, cardiac arrest, hypertension, venous thromboembolism, all-cause mortality, and cardiovascular mortality. Event rates were calculated according to type of cancer and number of cardiovascular risk factors. RESULTS: The study included almost 165 000 individuals with a broad variety of tumor types. The parent cohort was 54% female and 35% were ≥70 years old. Cardiovascular risk factors such as diabetes mellitus (14% of patients with solid tumors, 15% of patients with liquid tumors), dyslipidemia (33%, 31%), hypertension (50%, 49%), and smoking (35%, 32%) were common. The most frequent adverse outcomes were incident hypertension (26.8-61.0 cases per 1000 person-years, depending on the type of cancer), heart failure (9.4-78.7), and acute coronary syndrome (2.6-48.1). These event rates are high compared to what has been reported in prior KPNC cohort studies of patients without cancer. The rates of acute coronary syndrome, heart failure, and ischemic stroke increased with increasing numbers of cardiovascular risk factors. CONCLUSIONS: In a population of patients with cancer not exposed to TKIs, cardiovascular risk factors and outcomes are very common, regardless of cancer type. These data can inform the evaluation of potential excess cardiovascular risks from new interventions.

Echocardiographic Outcomes After Transcatheter Leaflet Approximation in Patients With Secondary Mitral Regurgitation: The COAPT Trial.

BACKGROUND: In the COAPT (Cardiovascular Outcomes Assessment of the MitraClip Percutaneous Therapy for Heart Failure Patients with Functional Mitral Regurgitation) trial among patients with heart failure (HF) and moderate-to-severe (3+) or severe (4+) secondary mitral regurgitation, patients treated with transcatheter mitral valve repair (TMVr) through leaflet approximation had reduced rates of HF hospitalization and mortality compared with guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT) alone. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to describe the echocardiographic patient qualification process for the COAPT trial, baseline echocardiographic characteristics, changes over time, and the interaction between treatment group and echocardiographic parameters on clinical outcomes. METHODS: A novel echocardiographic algorithm was implemented for grading mitral regurgitation severity during the screening process. Standardized echocardiograms were obtained at baseline and during regular follow-up intervals through 2 years, and were analyzed by a core laboratory. RESULTS: A total of 614 patients were randomized to TMVr plus maximally tolerated GDMT or GDMT alone. Mean baseline left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction was 31.3 ± 9.3%, LV end-diastolic volume was 192.7 ± 71 ml, and effective regurgitant orifice area was 0.41 ± 0.15 cm2. The beneficial effect of TMVr compared with GDMT alone was consistent in all echocardiographic subgroups, independent of the severity of LV dysfunction, LV dilatation, pulmonary hypertension, severity of tricuspid regurgitation, or individual mitral regurgitation characteristics. The LV ejection fraction decreased and the LV volumes progressively increased in both groups during follow-up, although less after TMVr (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: HF patients in the COAPT trial with 3+ or 4+ secondary mitral regurgitation, selected using strict echocardiographic criteria, benefitted from TMVr with reduced 2-year rates of death and HF hospitalization. Strict application of these echocardiographic criteria should enable the COAPT results to be translated to clinical practice. (Cardiovascular Outcomes Assessment of the MitraClip Percutaneous Therapy for Heart Failure Patients With Functional Mitral Regurgitation [The COAPT Trial] [COAPT]; NCT01626079).

Assessing the Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia Algorithms in a Community-Based Patient Population.

INTRODUCTION: Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) is a rare, genetic, and underdiagnosed disease that causes vascular malformations throughout the body. Two specific combinations of International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision-Clinical Modification diagnosis codes, the "HHT Algorithms" (HHTAs), were developed previously from a derivation cohort to help identify undiagnosed HHT cases. OBJECTIVES: To test these 2 algorithms, and a third, newly designed HHTA, in an independent population with available clinical records and thus identify people who might have undiagnosed HHT. METHODS: The HHTAs were applied to the patient population of Kaiser Permanente Northern California. The HHTAs produced 3 groups (A, B, and C) using different combinations of diagnosis codes reflecting clinical manifestations of HHT. First, the number of Kaiser Permanente Northern California patients with each code was determined by database programming. Next, detailed chart review was performed, and patients with a Curaçao score of 2 or higher were considered to have possible HHT. RESULTS: Of 3,065,210 records queried, 163 patients met HHTA criteria. After chart review, the study identified 113 patients with possible undiagnosed HHT (Group A: n = 3, Group B: n = 3, Group C: n = 107). CONCLUSION: Employing the HHTAs in this community-based population resulted in a modest yield of patients with possible HHT. Further research is required to assess the utility of the HHTAs in identifying patients with actual HHT.

Assessment of Heart Transplant Waitlist Time and Pre- and Post-transplant Failure: A Mixed Methods Approach.

BACKGROUND: Over the past two decades, there have been increasingly long waiting times for heart transplantation. We studied the relationship between heart transplant waiting time and transplant failure (removal from the waitlist, pretransplant death, or death or graft failure within 1 year) to determine the risk that conservative donor heart acceptance practices confer in terms of increasing the risk of failure among patients awaiting transplantation. METHODS: We studied a cohort of 28,283 adults registered on the United Network for Organ Sharing heart transplant waiting list between 2000 and 2010. We used Kaplan-Meier methods with inverse probability censoring weights to examine the risk of transplant failure accumulated over time spent on the waiting list (pretransplant). In addition, we used transplant candidate blood type as an instrumental variable to assess the risk of transplant failure associated with increased wait time. RESULTS: Our results show that those who wait longer for a transplant have greater odds of transplant failure. While on the waitlist, the greatest risk of failure is during the first 60 days. Doubling the amount of time on the waiting list was associated with a 10% (1.01, 1.20) increase in the odds of failure within 1 year after transplantation. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest a relationship between time spent on the waiting list and transplant failure, thereby supporting research aimed at defining adequate donor heart quality and acceptance standards for heart transplantation.

Genome-wide association study of sporadic brain arteriovenous malformations.

BACKGROUND: The pathogenesis of sporadic brain arteriovenous malformations (BAVMs) remains unknown, but studies suggest a genetic component. We estimated the heritability of sporadic BAVM and performed a genome-wide association study (GWAS) to investigate association of common single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with risk of sporadic BAVM in the international, multicentre Genetics of Arteriovenous Malformation (GEN-AVM) consortium. METHODS: The Caucasian discovery cohort included 515 BAVM cases and 1191 controls genotyped using Affymetrix genome-wide SNP arrays. Genotype data were imputed to 1000 Genomes Project data, and well-imputed SNPs (>0.01 minor allele frequency) were analysed for association with BAVM. 57 top BAVM-associated SNPs (51 SNPs with p<10(-05) or p<10(-04) in candidate pathway genes, and 6 candidate BAVM SNPs) were tested in a replication cohort including 608 BAVM cases and 744 controls. RESULTS: The estimated heritability of BAVM was 17.6% (SE 8.9%, age and sex-adjusted p=0.015). None of the SNPs were significantly associated with BAVM in the replication cohort after correction for multiple testing. 6 SNPs had a nominal p<0.1 in the replication cohort and map to introns in EGFEM1P, SP4 and CDKAL1 or near JAG1 and BNC2. Of the 6 candidate SNPs, 2 in ACVRL1 and MMP3 had a nominal p<0.05 in the replication cohort. CONCLUSIONS: We performed the first GWAS of sporadic BAVM in the largest BAVM cohort assembled to date. No GWAS SNPs were replicated, suggesting that common SNPs do not contribute strongly to BAVM susceptibility. However, heritability estimates suggest a modest but significant genetic contribution.

Nonutilization of Statins in a Community-based Population with a History of Coronary Revascularization.

PURPOSE: Statin therapy has been reported to reduce the incidence of vascular events in patients with atherosclerosis, but adherence to statins may be suboptimal. The aims of this study were to quantify the rate of statin use among individuals with a history of coronary revascularization in a large, integrated health care system and to determine which demographic characteristics and clinical factors are associated with statin use. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study using database programming and chart review. The study included adult members of Kaiser Permanente Northern California with a history of coronary revascularization. The study outcome was off-statin status, defined as a ≥1-year gap between filled prescriptions. The predictor variables included age, race, body mass index, dyslipidemia, liver disease, kidney disease, and history of statin allergy. Multivariable logistic regression was used to quantify the associations between the predictor variables and statin status. A chart review of a randomly selected subset was performed to identify reasons why individuals were not taking statins. FINDINGS: The study population included 17,869 Kaiser Permanente Northern California members, of which 18.3% had off-statin status. The following variables were associated with off-statin status: statin allergy (odds ratio [OR] = 2.18; 95% CI, 1.89-2.52), end-stage renal disease (OR = 1.55; 95% CI, 1.26-1.91), liver disease (OR = 1.44; 95% CI, 1.08-1.93), African-American race (OR = 1.55 vs white; 95% CI, 1.32-1.81), and Latino race (OR = 1.18; 95% CI, 1.05-1.33). The chart review found that off-statin status typically reflects patient (79%) rather than provider (21%) preference. IMPLICATIONS: A significant minority of patients with a history of coronary revascularization are not taking statins. Off-statin status is associated with kidney disease, liver disease, African-American race, and Latino race. At an individual level, off-statin status was usually driven by patient preference, due to minor or undefined reasons. These findings may be useful in guiding strategies to increase statin use in individuals with atherosclerosis.

Permanent Pacemaker Implantation Early After Cardiac Surgery: A Descriptive Study of Pacemaker Utility After One Year of Follow-Up.

BACKGROUND: Complete heart block (CHB) is a common complication of cardiac surgery, which may resolve spontaneously. The optimal number of days to wait for resolution of CHB prior to proceeding with a permanent pacemaker (PPM) and the long-term utility of PPMs placed in this setting remain uncertain. METHODS AND RESULTS: This was a retrospective cohort study, which included members of Kaiser Permanente Northern California who had cardiac surgery, a PPM placed within 30 days after surgery, and one year of follow-up time. Chart review was performed to determine the frequency of ventricular pacing at each PPM interrogation visit up to one year after surgery. A PPM was categorized as underutilized at the time of an interrogation if none of the following were present: underlying rhythm <40 bpm, persistent CHB, or >1% ventricular pacing. The study included 247 patients with a mean time from cardiac surgery to PPM of 6.5 days. In 33 cases (13%), underutilized status was confirmed. The time from surgery to PPM implant was significantly higher in the underutilized group (8.1 ± 4.2 days vs. 6.2 ± 4.2 days, p = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: The majority of PPMs placed early after cardiac surgery are not underutilized. In this retrospective, observational study, longer delay from surgery to PPM implantation was not associated with a greater likelihood that the PPM would be utilized long term. A prospective study is required to determine optimal timing of PPM implantation in this setting.

Comparing Anxiety and Depression in Patients With Takotsubo Stress Cardiomyopathy to Those With Acute Coronary Syndrome.

PURPOSE: To determine whether anxiety or depression is associated with takotsubo stress cardiomyopathy (TSCM). METHODS: A retrospective case-control study was conducted among 73 TSCM cases and 111 acute coronary syndrome (ACS) controls matched for age, sex, and cardiac catheterization date. The study was conducted between May 1, 2009, and February 28, 2010. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale was completed by all participants after hospital discharge. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale was used to assess psychological distress with measurement of anxiety and depression scores. The presence of a stressful emotional or physical trigger before the TSCM presentation was determined. Univariate testing was performed to quantify the associations between anxiety and depression and TSCM trigger status. Multivariable logistic regression was used to quantify the independent associations between anxiety and depression and TSCM status after controlling for relevant covariates. RESULTS: The mean anxiety score was 6.7 ± 4.7 for TSCM cases versus 5.4 ± 3.4 for ACS controls (P = .06). The mean depression score was 4.3 ± 3.7 for TSCM cases versus 4.0 ± 3.1 for controls (P = .61). Anxiety was particularly associated with TSCM status with an emotional trigger (P = .05). After multivariable adjustment, anxiety (OR = 1.13; 95% CI, 1.01-1.26; P = .03) was associated with TSCM status but depression was not (OR = 0.94; 95% CI, 0.83-1.05; P = .29). CONCLUSIONS: In comparison with a control group with ACS, patients who presented with TSCM have higher levels of anxiety but not depression.