Biventricular Takotsubo syndrome complicated with cardiogenic shock and ventricular septal rupture: a case report.

Background: Takotsubo syndrome (TTS) mimics acute coronary syndromes but can lead to serious cardiac complications, emphasizing the need for improved understanding and management. Case summary: We describe a TTS case presented with cardiogenic shock due to ventricular septal rupture (VSR). Successful treatment involved mechanical circulatory support followed by VSR surgical closure. Discussion: Ventricular septal rupture is the rarest and deadliest complication associated with TTS. Prompt recognition and a multidisciplinary approach are crucial to achieve the best possible outcome.

Exercise Oscillatory Ventilation Improves Heart Failure Prognostic Scores.

BACKGROUND: Several heart failure (HF) prognostic risk scores are available to guide the ideal time for listing candidates for a heart transplant (HTx). The detection of exercise oscillatory ventilation (EOV) during cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) is associated with advanced HF and a worse prognosis, and yet it is not accounted for in these risk scores. Therefore, this study aimed to assess whether EOV further adds prognostic value to HF scores. METHODS: A single-centre retrospective cohort study was undertaken of consecutive HF patients with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) who underwent CPET from 1996 to 2018. The Heart Failure Survival Score (HFSS), Seattle Heart Failure Model (SHFM), Meta-analysis Global Group In Chronic Heart Failure (MAGGIC), and Metabolic Exercise Cardiac Kidney Index (MECKI) were calculated. The added value of EOV on top of those scores was assessed using a Cox proportional hazard model. The added discriminative power was also assessed by receiver operating characteristic curve comparison. RESULTS: A total of 390 HF patients with a median age of 58 (IQR 50-65) years were investigated, of whom 78% were male and 54% had ischaemic heart disease. The median peak oxygen consumption was 15.7 mL/kg/min (IQR 12.8-20.1). Exercise oscillatory ventilation was detected in 153 (39.2%) patients. Over a median follow-up of 2 years, 61 patients died (49 due to a cardiovascular reason) and 54 had a HTx. Exercise oscillatory ventilation independently predicted the composite outcome of all-cause death and HTx. Furthermore, the presence of this ventilatory pattern significantly improved the prognostic performance of both HFSS and MAGGIC scores. CONCLUSION: Exercise oscillatory ventilation was often found in a cohort of HF patients with reduced LVEF who underwent CPET. It was found that EOV added further prognostic value to contemporary HF scores, suggesting that this easily obtained parameter should be included in future modified HF scores.

Extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation for refractory out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials.

INTRODUCTION: Extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR) is currently recommended as a rescue therapy for selected patients in refractory out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). However, there is conflicting evidence regarding its effect on survival and neurological outcomes. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials (RCTs) to evaluate whether ECPR is superior to standard CPR in refractory OHCA. METHODS: We performed a systematic search of electronic databases (PubMed, CENTRAL, and Scopus) until March 2023. Studies were eligible if they a) were RCTs, and b) compared ECPR vs. standard CPR for OHCA. Outcomes were defined as survival with a favorable neurological status (cerebral performance category 1 or 2) at both the shortest follow-up and at 6 months, and in-hospital mortality. Meta-analyses using a random-effects model were undertaken. RESULTS: Three RCTs, with a total of four hundred and eighteen patients, were included. Compared with standard CPR, ECPR was associated with a non-statistically significant higher rate of survival with a favorable neurological outcome at the shortest follow-up (26.4% vs. 17.2%; RR 1.47 [95% CI 0.91-2.40], P = 0.12) and at 6 months (28.3% vs. 18.6%; RR 1.48 [95% CI 0.88-2.49], P = 0.14). The mean absolute rate of in-hospital mortality was not significantly lower in the ECPR group (RR 0.89 [95% CI 0.74-1.07], P = 0.23). CONCLUSION: ECPR was not associated with a significant improvement in survival with favorable neurologic outcomes in refractory OHCA patients. Nevertheless, these results constitute the rationale for a well-conducted, large-scale RCT, aiming to clarify the effectiveness of ECPR compared to standard CPR.

Coronary sinus Reducer device for the treatment of refractory angina: A multicenter initial experience.

INTRODUCTION: The coronary sinus Reducer (CSR) device has emerged as a complementary therapy in patients with severe angina refractory to optimal medical therapy and not amenable to revascularization. Our aim was to assess the safety and efficacy of the CSR in a real-world setting. METHODS: Twenty-six patients with refractory angina (RA) and evidence of myocardial ischemia attributable to the left coronary artery considered unsuitable for revascularization were treated with the CSR at two centers between May 2017 and July 2019. Safety endpoints were procedural success and complications. Efficacy endpoints, assessed at six-month follow-up, were reduction in CCS class, improvement in quality of life (QoL) assessed using the short version of the Seattle Angina Questionnaire (SAQ-7), and reduction in antianginal therapy. RESULTS: Twenty-three patients had end-stage coronary artery disease without revascularization targets and three had microvascular disease without epicardial stenosis. Procedural success was achieved in 23 patients, with two device/procedure-related complications and one anatomically-related failure to deliver the device. A total of 24 patients had the device implanted and entered the efficacy analysis. Eighteen patients (75.0%) had a reduction of at least one CCS class, 41.7% had a reduction of at least two classes, and 16.7% became asymptomatic, with a mean reduction in CCS class of 1.3±0.2 (p=0.001) at six-month follow-up. All SAQ-7 domains improved, notably physical limitation (p=0.001), angina frequency (p=0.005) and QoL (p=0.006). There was a mean reduction in anti-ischemic drugs from 3.4±1.1 to 2.9±1.2 (p=0.010). CONCLUSION: In this real-world, multicenter experience, implantation of the CSR was associated with improvement in angina and QoL in patients with RA.

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection: A review for clinical and interventional cardiologists.

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is an increasingly recognized cause of acute coronary syndrome, especially among young to middle-aged women with few traditional cardiovascular risk factors and low pretest probability for atherosclerotic coronary artery disease. Diagnosis by invasive coronary angiography is the gold standard and conservative therapy is generally recommended, with percutaneous or surgical revascularization being reserved for cases of clinical instability, high-risk anatomy or as bailout. Unlike atherothrombotic coronary artery disease, strong evidence on optimal medical therapy is scarce, posing unique challenges in cases of pregnancy-associated SCAD. The follow-up strategy is also of major importance, as recurrent SCAD is not infrequent, lifestyle changes and pharmacological therapy should be planned for the long term, and SCAD-associated conditions need to be addressed. This review aims to provide a practical management approach to SCAD patients for both clinical and interventional cardiologists.

Clinical outcomes in heart failure with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction and good functional capacity: The illusion of stability.

BACKGROUND: Heart failure (HF) remains a prevalent syndrome with significant morbidity and mortality. Optimal drug and device therapies are crucial to reduce the risk of death or HF admission. Yet, less symptomatic patients with good functional capacity are often perceived as having a low risk of adverse events and their attending physicians may suffer from prescription inertia or refrain from performing therapy optimization. Maximum or peak oxygen consumption (pVO2) assessed during cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) is often used as a prognosis indicator and surrogate marker for functional capacity. Our goal was to assess clinical outcomes in a seemingly low risk HF population in Weber class A (pVO2>20 mL/kg/min) with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). METHODS: Single-center retrospective observational study enrolling consecutive HF patients with LVEF<40% (HFrEF) performing CPET between 2003 and 2018. Those with pVO2 >20 mL/kg/min were included. The primary endpoint was a composite of all-cause death or HF hospitalizations at two years after CPET. We also assessed the rates of N-terminal pro b-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) elevations at baseline. RESULTS: Seventy-two patients were included (mean age of 53±10 years; 86% male; 90% NYHA I-II; median LVEF 32%; median pVO2 24 mL/kg/min). At baseline, 93% had an NT-proBNP level >125 pg/mL (median NT-proBNP 388 [201-684] pg/mL). Overall, seven patients (10%) met the primary endpoint: three died (4%) and five (7%) had at least one HF admission. Among those who died, only one patient had an HF admission during follow up. CONCLUSION: In a clinically stable HFrEF population with good functional capacity, persistent neurohormonal activation was present in the majority, and one in ten patients died or had a HF admission at two years' follow-up. These findings support the urgent need to motivate clinicians to pursue optimal drug uptitration even in less symptomatic patients.

Severe hypoxemia in a patient with right ventricular myocardial infarction and SARS-CoV-2 infection.

BACKGROUND: Refractory hypoxemia after right ventricular myocardial infarction and concomitant SARS-CoV-2 infection represents an uncommon, yet particularly challenging clinical scenario. We report a challenging diagnostic case of refractory hypoxemia due to right-to-left shunt highlighting contemporary challenges and pitfalls in acute cardiovascular care associated with the current COVID-19 pandemic. CASE PRESENTATION: A 52-year-old patient admitted for inferior acute myocardial infarction developed rapidly worsening hypoxemia shortly after primary percutaneous coronary intervention. RT-PCR screening for SARS-CoV-2 was positive, even though the patient had no prior symptoms. A computed tomography pulmonary angiogram excluded pulmonary embolism and showed only mild interstitial pulmonary involvement of the virus. Transthoracic echocardiogram showed severe right ventricular dysfunction and significant right-to-left shunt at the atrial level after agitated saline injection. Progressive improvement of right ventricular function allowed weaning from supplementary oxygen support. Patient was latter discharged with marked symptomatic improvement. CONCLUSION: Refractory hypoxemia after RV myocardial infarction should be carefully addressed, even in the setting of other more common and tempting diagnoses. After exclusion of usual etiologies, right-to-left shunting at the atrial level should always be suspected, as this may avoid unnecessary and sometimes harmful interventions.

Surgical versus transcatheter aortic valve replacement in low-risk patients: A long-term propensity score-matched analysis.

BACKGROUND: Recent studies suggest the use of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) as an alternative to surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) in lower risk populations, but real-world data are scarce. METHODS: Single-center retrospective study of patients undergoing SAVR (between June 2009 and July 2016, n = 682 patients) or TAVI (between June 2009 and July 2017, n = 400 patients). Low surgical risk was defined as EuroSCORE II (ES II) < 4% for single noncoronary artery bypass graft procedure. TAVI patients were propensity score-matched in a 1:1 ratio with SAVR patients, paired by age, New York Heart Association class, diabetes mellitus, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, atrial fibrillation, creatinine clearance, and left ventricular ejection fraction < 50%. RESULTS: A total of 158 patients (79 SAVR and 79 TAVI) were matched (mean age 79 ± 6 years, 79 men). TAVI patients had a higher incidence of permanent pacemaker implantation (0% vs. 19%, p < 0.001) and more than mild paravalvular leak (4% vs. 18%, p = 0.009), but comparable rates of stroke, major or life-threatening bleeding, emergent cardiac surgery, new-onset atrial fibrillation, and need for renal replacement therapy. Hospital length-of-stay and 30-day mortality were similar. At a median follow-up of 4.5 years (IQR 3.0-6.9), treatment strategy did not influence all-cause mortality (HR 1.19, 95% CI 0.77-1.83, log rank p = 0.43) nor rehospitalization (crude subdistribution HR 1.56, 95% CI 0.71-3.41, p = 0.26). ES II remained the only independent predictor of long-term all-cause mortality (adjusted HR 1.40, 95% CI 1.04-1.90, p = 0.029). CONCLUSION: In this low surgical risk severe aortic stenosis population, we observed similar rates of 30-day and long-term all-cause mortality, despite higher rates of permanent pacemaker implantation and more than mild paravalvular leak in TAVI patients. The results of this small study suggest that both procedures are safe and effective in the short-term, while the Heart Team remains essential to assess both options on the long-term.

Medication adherence to direct anticoagulants in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation - A real world analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) changed the landscape of atrial fibrillation (AF) treatment, but also brought with them new challenges in terms of accessibility and compliance. The purpose of this study was to assess adherence to DOACs, and its determinants in a population of AF patients. METHODS: Single-center retrospective study including all patients with non-valvular AF treated with a DOAC from the outpatient general cardiology list at a tertiary center, whose first DOAC prescription was between 1 April 2016 and August 2018. The number of pharmacy refills from the day of first prescription to 31 August 2018 was counted (by means of an electronic prescription platform). Medication refill adherence (MRA) was calculated by dividing the total days' supply by the number of days under therapy. Non-compliance was defined as MRA <90%. RESULTS: A total of 264 patients (120 men, mean age 74 ±â€¯12 years) met the inclusion criteria. The median CHA2DS2VASC score was 3 (interquartile range (IQR) 2-5) and the median HAS-BLED was 1 (IQR 1-2). Rivaroxaban, apixaban, dabigatran and edoxaban were prescribed in 45%, 41%, 24% and 13% of patients, respectively. During the study 51 patients (19%) used at least two DOACs .Patients took DOACs for a median period of 439 days (IQR 269-638), during which the included population adhered to therapy 90% of the time (IQR 75-100%). Half of the patients (51%) were classified as non-compliant; therapy duration (adjusted odds ratio 1.06 per month, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.03-1.08, p<0.001), DOACs twice daily (adjusted OR 1.73, 95%CI 1.08-2.75, p=0.022), and higher out-of-pocket costs (adjusted OR 2.13, 95%CI 1.28-3.45, p=0.003) were independent predictors of non-compliance. CONCLUSION: Half of the patients (51%) were classified as non-compliant (medication refill adherence <90%). Therapy duration, DOACs twice daily and higher out out-of-pocket costs were independent predictors of non-compliance, which could be targets to improve patient adherence.

Non-pharmacological treatment of refractory angina: The coronary sinus reducer, the new kid on the block.

Refractory angina is defined as persistent angina (≥3 months) despite optimal medical and interventional therapies. It is increasing in frequency, due to the success of current medical and interventional therapies in improving the prognosis of coronary artery disease. Long-term mortality is similar to that of patients with asymptomatic stable disease, but it affects patients' quality of life, and has a significant impact on health care resources. Several therapeutic targets have been investigated, most with disappointing results. Many of the techniques have been abandoned because of lack of efficacy, safety issues, or economic and logistic limitations to wider applicability. The primary focus of this review is the coronary sinus Reducer, supporting evidence for which, although scarce, is promising regarding safety and efficacy in improving anginal symptoms and quality of life. It is also accessible to virtually all interventional cardiology departments.

Major clinical impact of patent foramen ovale after HeartMate3 implantation: periprocedural diagnosis and its pitfalls.

We report a clinically significant right-to-left intracardiac shunt through a patent foramen ovale, diagnosed during investigations for hypoxemia and left ventricular dilation on the late postoperative period of a HeartMate3 implantation. We discuss diagnostic pitfalls and haemodynamic influences in this scenario, as well as the possibility of successful percutaneous treatment.

Non-pharmacological treatment of refractory angina: The coronary sinus reducer, the new kid on the block. / Tratamento não farmacológico da angina refratária. Dispositivo de redução do seio coronário, uma nova alternativa terapêutica.

Refractory angina is defined as persistent angina (≥3 months) despite optimal medical and interventional therapies. It is increasing in frequency, due to the success of current medical and interventional therapies in improving the prognosis of coronary artery disease. Long-term mortality is similar to that of patients with asymptomatic stable disease, but it affects patients' quality of life, and has a significant impact on health care resources. Several therapeutic targets have been investigated, most with disappointing results. Many of the techniques have been abandoned because of lack of efficacy, safety issues, or economic and logistic limitations to wider applicability. The primary focus of this review is the coronary sinus Reducer, supporting evidence for which, although scarce, is promising regarding safety and efficacy in improving anginal symptoms and quality of life. It is also accessible to virtually all interventional cardiology departments.

Online webinar training to analyse complex atrial fibrillation maps: A randomized trial.

BACKGROUND: Specific tools have been recently developed to map atrial fibrillation (AF) and help guide ablation. However, when used in clinical practice, panoramic AF maps generated from multipolar intracardiac electrograms have yielded conflicting results between centers, likely due to their complexity and steep learning curve, thus limiting the proper assessment of its clinical impact. OBJECTIVES: The main purpose of this trial was to assess the impact of online training on the identification of AF driver sites where ablation terminated persistent AF, through a standardized training program. Extending this concept to mobile health was defined as a secondary objective. METHODS: An online database of panoramic AF movies was generated from a multicenter registry of patients in whom targeted ablation terminated non-paroxysmal AF, using a freely available method (Kuklik et al-method A) and a commercial one (RhythmView-method B). Cardiology Fellows naive to AF mapping were enrolled and randomized to training vs no training (control). All participants evaluated an initial set of movies to identify sites of AF termination. Participants randomized to training evaluated a second set of movies in which they received feedback on their answers. Both groups re-evaluated the initial set to assess the impact of training. This concept was then migrated to a smartphone application (App). RESULTS: 12 individuals (median age of 30 years (IQR 28-32), 6 females) read 480 AF maps. Baseline identification of AF termination sites by ablation was poor (40%±12% vs 42%±11%, P = 0.78), but similar for both mapping methods (P = 0.68). Training improved accuracy for both methods A (P = 0.001) and B (p = 0.012); whereas controls showed no change in accuracy (P = NS). The Smartphone App accessed AF maps from multiple systems on the cloud to recreate this training environment. CONCLUSION: Digital online training improved interpretation of panoramic AF maps in previously inexperienced clinicians. Combining online clinical data, smartphone apps and other digital resources provides a powerful, scalable approach for training in novel techniques in electrophysiology.

Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting Versus Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in Patients With Non-ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction and Left Main or Multivessel Coronary Disease.

Current recommendations on the optimal revascularization strategy in Non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) with left main (LM) or multivessel coronary disease (MVD) are based upon randomized clinical trials conducted in stable coronary artery disease. In a real-world contemporary observational registry, we compared the long-term outcome of NSTEMI patients with LM/MVD (n = 1,104) submitted to coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), or optimized medical therapy (OMT). The primary end point was 5-year all-cause mortality. Results were assessed in the entire population (CABG 289, PCI 399, and OMT 416) and in a propensity score-matched cohort of CABG (n = 159) and PCI (n = 159). Crude 5-year mortality rates in CABG and PCI were 25.3% versus 29.6%, respectively (unadjusted hazard ratio [HR] 1.2; 95% confidence intervals [CI] 0.9 to 1.6; p = 0.212); OMT, however, was associated with a twofold higher risk of mortality when compared with any revascularization strategy (unadjusted HR 2.0; 95% CI 1.7 to 2.5; p < 0.001). After propensity score-matching and multivariate analysis, there was a trend toward a higher incidence of the primary end point in patients who underwent PCI versus CABG (31% vs 21%; adjusted HR 1.52; 95% CI 0.93 to 2.50; p = 0.094). This was a consistent finding over subgroups deemed clinically relevant, such as in patients with LM or proximal left anterior descending disease, SYNergy between percutaneous coronary intervention with TAXus ≥23 and left ventricle ejection fraction <40%. In conclusion, in a real-world cohort of NSTEMI patients with LM/MVD, those selected for OMT had a dire outcome. Although adjusted 5-year mortality was statistically similar between revascularization strategies, there was a trend favoring CABG, which might be the preferred option in LM, proximal LAD, SYNergy between percutaneous coronary intervention with TAXus ≥23, and left ventricle ejection fraction <40% subgroups.