Transcatheter Edge-to-Edge Repair in Patients With End-Stage Renal Disease on Dialysis: A USRDS Registry Study.

Transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER) of the mitral valve has become standard of care for the treatment of high-risk patients with severe mitral regurgitation. Patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD) on hemodialysis were either excluded or severely underrepresented in all seminal trials proving the safety and efficacy of TEER. There have been few studies that evaluated the effectiveness or complications of TEER in ESRD patients. Using the United States Renal Data System (USRDS), we identified all ESRD patients who underwent TEER from October 2015 to December 31, 2019. Major comorbidities were recorded and Kaplan-Meier curves were generated for survival and freedom from hospitalization or death. The study population included 965 patients, of which 576 (59.7%) were male. The median age at the time of TEER was 72.5 (IQR: 64.4-79.1) years. There were 130 (13.2%) patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), 110 (11.2%) with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) and 745 (74.6%) with an indeterminate ejection fraction. During follow-up, strokes occurred in 61 (6.3%) patients, infective endocarditis in 42 (4.4%) patients, mitral stenosis in 13 (1.3%) and valve embolism in less than 11 patients. One-year survival was 56.9%, and 2-year survival was 33.9%. In patients with ESRD undergoing TEER, only a preserved ejection fraction (HR: 0.70, 95% CI: 0.50-0.99, P = 0.041) was a significant predictor of survival in a cox proportional hazards model. Despite favorable in-hospital outcomes one-year mortality rates surpass those reported in broader patient cohorts. The increased incidence of infective endocarditis and mitral stenosis is likely related to increased risk intrinsic to those with ESRD.

Drug-Induced Parkinsonism: Too Many Cooks in the Kitchen.

Drug-induced parkinsonism (DIP) is a condition characterized by the development of parkinsonian symptoms as a result of medication use. It is often misdiagnosed and can be challenging to differentiate from Parkinson's disease (PD). In this case presentation, we describe the clinical course of a 64-year-old male who presented with parkinsonian symptoms while using atypical antipsychotics, which was originally misdiagnosed as PD. The case highlights the importance of recognizing the potential iatrogenic effects of medications with antidopaminergic properties, such as antipsychotics and antiepileptic drugs, which are common culprits in causing DIP. We discuss DIP management, long-term impacts, and differentiating DIP from PD through clinical findings and imaging, emphasizing the utility of the (123)I-ioflupane single-photon emission computerized tomography (SPECT) scan in aiding diagnosis. This case serves as a reminder to healthcare providers to remain vigilant in monitoring patients for adverse effects, polypharmacy, and harmful medication interactions.

Aortic Valve Replacement in Patients With ESRD and Heart Failure With Reduced Ejection Fraction.

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has become the standard of care for the treatment of all patients with calcific aortic stenosis. Patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) on hemodialysis were excluded from participation in many of the seminal trials proving the safety and efficacy of TAVR. The outcomes of TAVR in the ESRD population from a national registry showed significantly higher in-hospital and 1-year mortality compared with patients not on hemodialysis. Comparisons of outcomes for surgical versus transcatheter interventions in patients with ESRD and heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) are limited. Using the United States Renal Data System, we identified all ESRD patients with aortic stenosis and HFrEF who underwent TAVR, surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR), or those with HFrEF and aortic stenosis initiated on dialysis after the year 2012 to compare survival. Propensity score matching was performed, and groups were compared using Kaplan-Meier curves. The study population consisted of 7,660 patients, of which 5,064 (66.1%) were male. The median age at initiation of dialysis was 73 years (interquartile range: 65 to 80). There were 1,108 (14.5%) who underwent TAVR and 695 (9.1%) who underwent SAVR. After matching, patients who underwent TAVR had increased survival relative to those who were medically managed. In-hospital outcomes favored TAVR with less mortality and fewer complications when compared with SAVR. TAVR had improved mortality relative to SAVR in the early period, but survival curves crossed at approximately 9 months and SAVR had better mortality in the long-term. TAVR is a safe and effective procedure and is associated with improved mortality when compared with medical management. In conclusion, TAVR and SAVR are both viable options for patients with ESRD and HF with TAVR having better short-term outcomes and SAVR better long-term outcomes.