Management of Unrepaired Tetralogy of Fallot in an 86-Year-Old Patient Undergoing Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement.

Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) is the most common cyanotic congenital heart defect, typically requiring early treatment in infancy. Untreated TOF is associated with poor survival, with most uncorrected patients not surviving beyond the third decade. Here, we present a unique case of an 86-year-old female with uncorrected TOF who underwent a transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) procedure due to severe aortic stenosis (AS). The patient's TOF was identified during infancy, and she was categorized as an acyanotic "pink baby." Notably, the first palliative surgery for TOF was performed in 1944, when the patient was seven years old. The patient never underwent corrective surgery for TOF and continued to lead a symptom-free life until she developed severe AS later in life. The TAVR procedure significantly improved her symptoms, illustrating the importance of considering alternative etiologies for symptoms in elderly patients with uncorrected TOF and AS. In addition, we underscore the anesthetic management during TAVR, specifically highlighting the challenges addressed, such as the utilization of general anesthesia with transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) and the placement of a pulmonary artery (PA) catheter.

Application of Aspiration-Assisted Percutaneous Venous Removal of Right Atrial Thrombus in a Critically Ill Patient: A Case Study and Clinical Management Overview.

We herein present a complex case of a 50-year-old female with catheter-related atrial thrombus (CRAT). This patient with end-stage renal disease on hemodialysis presented with angioedema leading to respiratory failure. She was subsequently intubated, and the pre-procedural course was complicated by a cardio-respiratory arrest, and anoxic brain injury. The patient's hemodialysis catheter placement in the superior vena cava (SVC) potentially correlated with the development of the right atrial thrombus. The patient was treated percutaneously as she presented with complex morbidities. The mass was successfully removed via aspiration-assisted percutaneous right heart bypass, a procedure that utilizes a vacuum system to remove thrombi. Post-procedure, the patient remained stable and continued supervised care.

High-Grade Atrioventricular Block Associated With Acute Influenza.

Influenza causes cardiac and pulmonary complications that can lead to death. Its effect on the conduction system, first described a century ago, has long been thought to be fairly benign. We report 2 cases of high-grade atrioventricular block associated with acute influenza infection. Both patients-a 50-year-old woman with no history of cardiac disease or conduction abnormalities and a 20-year-old man with a history of complex congenital heart disease and conduction abnormalities-received a permanent pacemaker. In the first case, pacemaker interrogation at 4 months revealed persistent atrioventricular block. In the second case, pacemaker interrogation at 3 months suggested resolution. Whether such influenza-associated changes are transient or permanent remains unknown. We recommend keeping a careful watch on influenza patients with cardiac rhythm abnormalities and monitoring them closely to see if the problem resolves.

Refractory Ventricular Tachycardia From Coronary Vasospasm During Pregnancy.

Background: Coronary vasospasm leading to variant angina is uncommon, and the condition is rare in pregnant patients. Many physiologic changes occur during pregnancy, but how these changes affect the spasticity of coronary arteries in patients predisposed to vasospasm is unknown. Vasospasm causing unstable arrhythmia from multiple foci can be difficult to treat. Case Report: A 22-year-old gravida 1 para 0 female at 17 weeks' gestation with twins presented with chest pain refractory to sublingual nitroglycerin, ST segment elevation on electrocardiogram, and subsequent ventricular tachycardia requiring a shock by her implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD). The patient had a history of coronary vasospasm with ventricular arrhythmia that required placement of the ICD 5 years prior. Because of refractory symptoms, she required prolonged admission in the intensive care unit with high-dose intravenous nitroglycerin, calcium channel blockers, benzodiazepines, beta blockers, chemical sympathectomy, and intubation and sedation. Despite these measures, the patient continued to have vasospasm and ventricular tachycardia, so cesarean delivery and tubal ligation were performed. After delivery, she was rapidly weaned from all invasive treatment modalities and was discharged on oral nitrates and calcium channel blockers. Conclusion: To our knowledge, this case is the first report of severe drug-refractory vasospastic angina triggered by pregnancy. The hormonal and nervous system changes that occur during pregnancy appear to be a trigger for vasospasm, further highlighted by the quick resolution of the patient's symptoms postdelivery. A multidisciplinary approach for treatment of both mother and baby was necessary. Our case provides a cautionary tale that patients with refractory vasospastic angina may want to pursue definitive contraception.

Selective Deletion of Heparan Sulfotransferase Enzyme, Ndst1, in Donor Endothelial and Myeloid Precursor Cells Significantly Decreases Acute Allograft Rejection.

Early damage to transplanted organs initiates excess inflammation that can cause ongoing injury, a leading cause for late graft loss. The endothelial glycocalyx modulates immune reactions and chemokine-mediated haptotaxis, potentially driving graft loss. In prior work, conditional deficiency of the glycocalyx-modifying enzyme N-deacetylase-N-sulfotransferase-1 (Ndst1f/f TekCre+) reduced aortic allograft inflammation. Here we investigated modification of heparan sulfate (HS) and chemokine interactions in whole-organ renal allografts. Conditional donor allograft Ndst1 deficiency (Ndst1-/-; C57Bl/6 background) was compared to systemic treatment with M-T7, a broad-spectrum chemokine-glycosaminoglycan (GAG) inhibitor. Early rejection was significantly reduced in Ndst1-/- kidneys engrafted into wildtype BALB/c mice (Ndst1+/+) and comparable to M-T7 treatment in C57Bl/6 allografts (P < 0.0081). M-T7 lost activity in Ndst1-/- allografts, while M-T7 point mutants with modified GAG-chemokine binding displayed a range of anti-rejection activity. CD3+ T cells (P < 0.0001), HS (P < 0.005) and CXC chemokine staining (P < 0.012), gene expression in NFκB and JAK/STAT pathways, and HS and CS disaccharide content were significantly altered with reduced rejection. Transplant of donor allografts with conditional Ndst1 deficiency exhibit significantly reduced acute rejection, comparable to systemic chemokine-GAG inhibition. Modified disaccharides in engrafted organs correlate with reduced rejection. Altered disaccharides in engrafted organs provide markers for rejection with potential to guide new therapeutic approaches in allograft rejection.

Percutaneous Ventricular Assist Devices: A Novel Approach in the Management of Patients With Acute Cardiogenic Shock.

BACKGROUND: Despite recent advances in the management of heart failure, cardiogenic shock remains a challenging and devastating condition with significant morbidity and mortality. METHODS: We review currently available percutaneous mechanical circulatory support (MCS) devices and address each device's characteristics, mechanism of action, specific clinical indications, and contraindications. RESULTS: Four types of percutaneous MCS devices are currently available: the intraaortic balloon pump (IABP), Impella devices, the TandemHeart, and extracorporal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). IABPs provide less hemodynamic support compared to the Impella, TandemHeart, and ECMO devices. However, because of its ease of placement and relatively small access catheter size, the IABP remains the most commonly used MCS device for the treatment of cardiogenic shock. When full cardiopulmonary support is needed, ECMO is the best option. CONCLUSION: Temporary MCS has emerged as a therapeutic option in the management of patients with acute cardiogenic shock. However, clinician familiarity with the indications, limitations, and benefits of individual MCS devices and enhanced patient comfort with the placement are paramount to improve patient outcomes.