Radial haemostasis is facilitated with a potassium ferrate haemostatic patch: the Statseal with TR Band assessment trial (STAT).

AIMS: Haemostasis is a limiting factor for discharge after uncomplicated transradial procedures. The purpose of this study was to determine whether a potassium ferrate haemostatic patch (PFHP) could serve as an adjunct to the air-bladder TR Band (TRB) to facilitate implementation of a rapid deflation protocol. METHODS AND RESULTS: This was a prospective multicentre randomised controlled trial comparing radial haemostatic protocols. Deflation of the TRB was attempted at 40 minutes with PFHP and at 120 minutes without the PFHP. The primary outcome was time to full deflation of the TRB with haemostasis. At four US sites, 180 patients were enrolled after receiving a minimum of 5,000 units of unfractionated heparin or bivalirudin. Interventions comprised 30% of procedures. Successful TRB deflation occurred at 43±14 minutes with PFHP and 160±43 minutes without PFHP (p<0.001). Minor haematomas occurred in nine (10.3%) of the TRB patients and 16 (17.2%) of the PFHP patients (p=0.20). Radial artery occlusion occurred in 2% of patients in the PFHP group (p=NS). Outpatients randomised to PFHP were discharged 51±83.5 minutes earlier than control. CONCLUSIONS: The PFHP haemostatic patch facilitated early deflation of the TRB with a non-significant increase in forearm haematomas. Use of the PFHP may improve patient throughput and allow earlier discharge following transradial procedures.

Recurrent heart failure with preserved ejection fraction associated with carfilzomib administration for multiple myeloma.

Carfilzomib, an epoxyketone proteasome inhibitor, has demonstrated improved progression-free survival in patients when used with standard treatment (lenalidomide and dexamethasone) in patients with relapsed multiple myeloma (MM). However, there are reports of adverse cardiac events with carfilzomib manifested by dyspnea and heart failure. A patient is presented who had recurrent, clinically mild cardiotoxicity, as manifested by recurrent heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, with ongoing maintenance carfilzomib in a patient with resistant MM is presented.

Giant cell myocarditis masquerading as orbital myositis with a rapid, fulminant course necessitating mechanical support and heart transplantation.

Giant cell myocarditis (GCM), a rapidly progressive inflammation of the myocardium, is associated with fulminant heart failure, refractory ventricular arrhythmias, and conduction system abnormalities. Few case reports have noted orbital myositis as the initial clinical presentation. Our case demonstrates a unique presentation of GCM with only ocular symptoms, which unlike prior studies, rapidly progressed to heart failure, tachyarrhythmias, and conduction disease. Our case necessitated quick recognition and treatment with mechanical support making this the first known case of GCM with successful placement of biventricular assist devices and ultimately with heart transplantation.

Changes in myocardial deformation after transcatheter and surgical aortic valve replacement.

Speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) has emerged as a novel angle-independent modality in assessing myocardial velocity, deformation, and strain. Its role in assessing change before and after aortic valve replacement in patients with aortic stenosis (AS) has recently generated interest. This review summarizes the practical utility and clinical implications of myocardial deformation by STE after surgical or transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). Overall, atrial strain and ventricular strain as measured by STE improve after surgical and transcatheter aortic intervention in short- and long-term follow-up with evidence of a more pronounced acute improvement in patients who undergo TAVR. STE assessment of strain, particularly global longitudinal strain, can detect subtle changes in myocardial systolic function prior to conventional variables such as left ventricular ejection fraction and is clinically useful in predicting mortality and symptom development in patients with AS. This underscores the emerging role of STE in monitoring post-procedural improvements in cardiac function as well as the potential value in guiding optimal timing of AS intervention.

Echocardiography and Alternative Cardiac Imaging Strategies for Long-Term Cardiotoxicity Surveillance of Cancer Survivors Treated with Chemotherapy and/or Radiation Exposure.

Cardiotoxicity from chemotherapy is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in cancer survivors. Cardiotoxic effects include left ventricular systolic dysfunction, coronary artery disease, hypertension, bradycardia, arrhythmias, pericardial disease, valvular disease, and radiation-induced restrictive cardiomyopathy. Noninvasive cardiac imaging has been at the forefront of detecting cardiotoxicity in patients receiving chemotherapeutic agents known to adversely affect cardiac structure and function. Regimens for cardiotoxicity surveillance prior to and during chemotherapy administration have been proposed; however, optimal screening for and treatment of long-term cancer survivors have yet to be clarified. This review focuses on the most common imaging modalities for assessing cardiac dysfunction along with newer imaging technologies, and reviews suggested long-term surveillance strategies in cancer survivors following chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

A new approach to inotropic therapy in the treatment of heart failure: cardiac myosin activators in treatment of HF.

Systolic heart failure remains a leading cause of death and disability, and available pharmacologic treatments for heart failure are limited in both safety and effectiveness. Existing drugs focus on diverse mechanisms related to the pathophysiology of heart failure, yet none directly target the central feature of systolic heart failure, decreased cardiac contractility. Cardiac myosin activators, specifically omecamtiv mecarbil (formerly CK-1827452), directly activate the enzymatic pathway within the cardiac myocyte leading to ventricular contraction. This unique inotropic agent has been shown in preclinical and clinical studies to be effective in improving cardiac contractility by increasing systolic ejection time without the unwanted effects of the currently available indirect inotropic drugs. Cardiac myosin activators show great promise and may prove to be a safer and more effective therapeutic approach for the treatment of systolic heart failure.

A new potential approach to inotropic therapy in the treatment of heart failure: urocortin.

Urocortins (UCNs), peptides that belong to the corticotrophin-releasing hormone family, represent a novel group of inotropic agents that have a multifaceted effect on the body with significant effects on the cardiovascular, hemodynamic, neurohormonal, and renal systems. UCNs can potentially improve the overall picture of heart failure by targeting not only the cardiovascular and hemodynamic systems like many current inotropic agents but also other systemic tissues that contribute significantly to the mortality and morbidity of heart failure. The 3 types of UCNs (1, 2, and 3) have been shown in preclinical studies to be effective in improving cardiovascular, neurohormonal, and renal function. UCN 2 has been shown in clinical studies to induce significant cardiovascular benefit with limited systemic effects. UCNs, specifically UCNs 2 and 3, show great potential as additional treatment in the management of systolic heart failure.