Performance and outcomes of the SAPIEN 3 Ultra RESILIA transcatheter heart valve in the OCEAN-TAVI registry.

BACKGROUND: Data on the performance of the latest-generation SAPIEN 3 Ultra RESILIA (S3UR) valve in patients who undergo transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) are scarce. AIMS: We aimed to assess the clinical outcomes, including valve performance, of the S3UR. METHODS: Registry data of 618 consecutive patients with S3UR and of a historical pooled cohort of 8,750 patients who had a SAPIEN 3 (S3) valve and underwent TAVR were collected. The clinical outcomes and haemodynamics, including patient-prosthesis mismatch (PPM), were compared between the 2 groups and in a propensity-matched cohort. RESULTS: The incidence of in-hospital death, vascular complications, and new pacemaker implantation was similar between the S3UR and the S3 groups (allp>0.05). However, both groups showed significant differences in the degrees of paravalvular leakage (PVL) (none-trivial: 87.0% vs 78.5%, mild: 12.5% vs 20.5%, ≥moderate: 0.5% vs 1.1%; p<0.001) and the incidence of PPM (none: 94.3% vs 85.1%, moderate: 5.2% vs 12.8%, severe: 0.5% vs 2.0%; p<0.001). The prevalence of a mean pressure gradient ≥20 mmHg was significantly lower in the S3UR group (1.6% vs 6.2%; p<0.001). Better haemodynamics were observed with the smaller 20 mm and 23 mm S3UR valves. The results were consistent in a matched cohort of patients with S3UR and with S3 (n=618 patients/group). CONCLUSIONS: The S3UR has equivalent procedural complications to the S3 but with lower rates of PVL and significantly better valve performance. The better valve performance of the S3UR, particularly in smaller valve sizes, overcomes the remaining issue of balloon-expandable valves after TAVR.

Prolonged PR intervals are associated with epicardial adipose tissue and recurrence after catheter ablation in persistent atrial fibrillation.

Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) has been reported to promote myocardial fibrosis and to affect intracardiac conduction. The PR interval reflects the conduction from the atria to the Purkinje fibers and may be associated with the EAT volume, especially in persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) patients. We aimed to investigate the relationship between the EAT and PR interval in patients with persistent AF. We enrolled 268 persistent AF patients who underwent catheter ablation (CA) and divided the patients into two groups: the normal PR interval group (PR interval less than 200 ms: Group N) and long PR interval group (PR interval 200 ms or more: Group L). We then analyzed the association between the total EAT volume around the heart and PR interval and calculated the ratio of the duration of the P wave (PWD) to the PR interval (PWD/PR interval). Moreover, we investigated whether a long PR interval was associated with the outcomes after ablation. The total EAT volume was significantly larger in Group L than Group N (Group N: 131.4 ± 51.8 ml vs. Group L: 151.3 ± 63.3 ml, p = 0.039). A positive correlation was also observed between the PWD/PR interval and EAT volume in Group L (r = 0.345, p = 0.039). A multivariate analysis also revealed that a long PR interval was independently associated with AF recurrence after CA (hazard ratio [HR] 2.071, p = 0.032). The total EAT volume was associated with a long PR interval, and a long PR interval was a significant risk factor for recurrence after ablation in persistent AF patients.

Impact of Lipoprotein (a) on Long-Term Outcomes in Patients With Acute Myocardial Infarction.

BACKGROUND: Lipoprotein (a) (Lp(a)) is a complex circulating lipoprotein, and there is increasing evidence it is a risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). This study aimed to investigate the influence of Lp(a) serum levels on long-term outcomes after acute myocardial infarction (AMI).Methods and Results: Between January 2015 and January 2018, we enrolled 262 patients with AMI who underwent coronary angiography within 24 h of the onset of chest pain and had available Lp(a) data enabling subdivision into 2 groups: high Lp(a) (≥32 mg/dL: n=76) and low Lp(a) (<32 mg/dL: n=186). The primary endpoint was major adverse cardiac events (MACE), which was defined as a composite of cardiac death, nonfatal MI, and readmission for heart failure. Multivariate Cox regression analysis was performed to identify the predictors of MACE. The incidence of MACE was significantly higher in the high Lp(a) group than in the low Lp(a) group (32.8% vs. 19.6%, P=0.004). Multivariate analysis showed that Lp(a) ≥32 mg/dL was an independent predictor of MACE (hazard ratio 2.84, 95% confidence interval 1.25-6.60, P=0.013). CONCLUSIONS: High Lp(a) levels were associated with worse long-term outcomes after AMI, so Lp(a) may be useful for risk assessment.

Left Stellate Ganglion Blockade for Refractory Ventricular Arrhythmias With Aconitine Poisoning: A Case Report.

Aconitine poisoning causes refractory ventricular arrhythmias (VAs). In a 20-year-old man, VAs of unknown etiology did not respond to drugs and electrical defibrillation. However, left stellate ganglion blockade (SGB) dramatically decreased arrhythmias without complications. At a later date, we found that refractory VAs were caused by aconitine poisoning. Left SGB is effective for treating refractory VAs with aconitine poisoning and can be easily performed with few complications for VAs of unknown etiology even if patients are receiving anticoagulant therapy. Also, left SGB can be performed to diagnose refractory VAs.

Low-molecular-weight dextran-induced anaphylactic shock immediately after intracoronary imaging.

Dextran has been frequently used during intracoronary imaging, such as in optical coherence tomography, optical frequent domain imaging, and coronary angioscopy. We report a case of dextran-induced anaphylaxis in a 70-year-old male with chronic coronary disease. Upon admission, we performed coronary angiography and coronary angioscopy on the patient. After the intracoronary imaging, the patient's blood pressure suddenly fell to 50 mmHg and a rash appeared on his chest. The patient was diagnosed as having dextran-induced anaphylactic shock. Epinephrine was administered repeatedly, and his blood pressure gradually recovered after administering a total of 6 mg epinephrine. There was no recurrence of the anaphylactic shock, and the patient was discharged 12 days later. The incidence of dextran-induced anaphylactic reactions is extremely low; however, they can be fatal. The possibility of anaphylactic shock induced by dextran should be kept in mind by all cardiovascular interventionalists performing intracoronary imaging. Learning objective: Dextran has been frequently used during intracoronary imaging. We report on a case of dextran-induced anaphylaxis in a 70-year-old male with chronic coronary disease. While the incidence of dextran-induced anaphylactic reactions is extremely low, it can lead to fatal events. The possibility of anaphylactic shock induced by dextran should be kept in mind by all cardiovascular interventionalists while performing intracoronary imaging.

Comparison between cryoballoon and hot balloon ablation in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.

PURPOSE: Pulmonary vein (PV) isolation using balloon ablation was developed as a technique for patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF). While most studies examined cryoballoon ablation (CBA), there have also been many reports on hot balloon ablation (HBA). We aimed to evaluate the clinical characteristics and outcomes between HBA and CBA. METHODS: In a total of 103 consecutive patients with PAF who underwent catheter ablation, 60 propensity score-matched (30 CBA and 30 HBA) patients were enrolled. The procedural differences and clinical outcomes between the two groups were analyzed. RESULTS: The requirement for additional touch-up ablation was more frequent in the left superior pulmonary vein (LSP) in the HBA group than in the CBA group. Pre-procedural computed tomography (CT) images showed that a thicker left pulmonary vein ridge and larger cross-sectional area of the LSPV were significantly associated with residual PV potentials after HBA. However, post-procedural CT images showed that PV stenosis (> 25%) was higher in the HBA group (33%) than in the CBA group (0%). PV stenosis after HBA was observed most frequently in the right superior PV (50%). The atrial fibrillation/atrial tachycardia-free survival rate during follow-up (365 ± 102 days) was similar between the two groups (CBA vs. HBA, 83% vs. 90%). CONCLUSIONS: Although both balloon modalities can relieve atrial arrhythmia after the procedure, careful attention is required during HBA procedures, especially for the right superior PV, to avoid PV stenosis.

New Minimally Invasive and Tailor-Made Strategy for Cryoballoon Ablation in Patients With Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation.

BACKGROUND: The optimal dosage for cryoballoon ablation (CBA) of atrial fibrillation (AF) is still unknown. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the clinical implications of a reduction in the freezing duration to <180 seconds during CBA guided by the time to the target temperature. METHODS: This study enrolled 325 consecutive paroxysmal AF patients who underwent CBA. It was a retrospective observational study in a single centre. It compared 164 patients who underwent a tailor-made CBA procedure (group T) with 161 who had a standard CBA procedure (group S). In group T, the freezing duration was reduced to 150 seconds when the temperature reached ≤ -40 °C within 40 seconds. Furthermore, it was reduced to 120 seconds when it reached ≤ -50 °C within 60 seconds. In the other patients, the freezing duration was 180 seconds, except for excessive freezing of ≤ -60 °C and/or emergent situations while monitoring the oesophageal temperature, and for phrenic nerve injury, as in group S. RESULTS: In group T, 89 patients (83%) underwent CBA with a reduction in the freezing duration. The total freezing time for each pulmonary vein was significantly shorter in group T than group S, and the total procedure time in group T decreased by an average of 4 minutes compared with group S. The rate of requiring additional radio frequency ablation following the CBA was significantly lower in group T than group S. The AF-free survival rate during the follow-up period (median, 366 days) was similar between the two groups. CONCLUSION: The safety and efficacy of the new CBA strategy were non-inferior to the standard procedure.

Cluster Randomized Trial of Duration of Cooling in Targeted Temperature Management After Resuscitation for Cardiac Arrest.

Background: The 2020 American Heart Association Guidelines for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care recommend that comatose patients with return of spontaneous circulation after cardiac arrest have targeted temperature management (TTM). However, the duration of TTM remains to be elucidated. Methods and Results: We conducted a cluster randomized trial in 10 hospitals to compare 12-24 vs. 36 h of cooling in patients with cardiac arrest who received TTM. The primary outcome was the incidence, within 1 month, of complications including bleeding requiring transfusion, infection, arrhythmias, decreasing blood pressure, shivering, convulsions, and major adverse cardiovascular events. Secondary outcomes were mortality and favorable neurological outcome (Cerebral Performance Categories 1-2) at 3 months. Random-effects models with clustered effects were used to calculate risk ratios (RR). Data of 185 patients were analyzed (12- to 24-h group, n=100 in 5 hospitals; 36-h group, n=85 in 5 hospitals). The incidence of complications within 1 month did not differ between the 2 groups (40% vs. 34%; RR 1.04, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.67-1.61, P=0.860). Favorable neurological outcomes at 3 months were comparable between the 2 groups (64% vs. 62%; RR 0.91, 95% CI 0.72-1.14, P=0.387). Conclusions: TTM at 34℃ for 12-24 h did not significantly reduce the incidence of complications. This study did not show superiority of TTM at 34℃ for 12-24 h for neurologic outcomes.

Association between rewarming duration and neurological outcome in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients receiving therapeutic hypothermia.

AIM: The European Resuscitation Council guidelines recommend a slow rate of rewarming of 0.25 °C/h-0.5 °C/h for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) patients receiving therapeutic hypothermia (TH). Conversely, a very slow rewarming of 1 °C/day is generally applied in Japan. The rewarming duration ranged from less than 24 h up to more than 50 h. No randomized control trials have examined the optimal rewarming speed for TH in OHCA patients. Therefore, we examined the association between the rewarming duration and neurological outcomes in OHCA patients who received TH. METHODS: This study was a secondary analysis of the Japanese Population-based Utstein-style study with defibrillation and basic/advanced Life Support Education and implementation-Hypothermia (J-PULSE-HYPO) study registry, a multicenter prospective cohort study. Patients suffering from OHCA who received TH (target temperature, 34 °C) after the return of spontaneous circulation from 2005 to 2011 in 14 hospitals throughout Japan were enrolled. The rewarming duration was defined as the time from the beginning of rewarming at a target temperature of 34 °C until reaching 36 °C. The primary outcome was an unfavorable neurological outcome at hospital discharge, i.e., a cerebral performance category of 3-5. RESULTS: The J-PULSE-HYPO study enrolled 452 OHCA patients. Of these, 328 were analyzed; 79.9% survived to hospital discharge, of which 56.4% had a favorable neurological outcome. Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that the rewarming duration was independently associated with unfavorable neurological outcomes [odds ratio (per 5 h), 0.89; 95% confidence interval, 0.79-0.99; p =  0.032]. CONCLUSION: A longer rewarming duration was significantly associated with and was an independent predictor of favorable neurological outcomes in OHCA patients who received TH.

Primary pericardial abscess caused by Staphylococcus aureus infection without a predisposing condition.

A 75-year-old man presented to the hospital with a low-grade fever and worsening dyspnea. Transthoracic echocardiogram and contrast-enhanced computed tomography revealed a 20 × 20 mm lesion adjacent to the left ventricle with pericardial effusion. We suspected pericardial abscess, but no bacteria were detected even after 6 consecutive blood cultures. Ultimately, we drained 500 mL serosanguinous fluid from the pericardial effusion on the 4th hospital day; a subsequent culture grew methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus. Although we performed percutaneous and surgical drainage and intravenous administration of antibiotics, he developed constrictive pericarditis, and died due to multi-organ failure on the 21st hospital day. On histological examination, neutrophil infiltration was noted in the thickened pericardium and the myocardium. To our knowledge, a purulent pericarditis complicated pericardial abscess can occur without bacteremia, and early diagnosis and aggressive management are necessary for a good prognosis. .

Pulmonary vein volume predicts the outcome of radiofrequency catheter ablation of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.

PURPOSE: Catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF) is an effective therapy for selected groups of patients. We evaluated whether quantification of left atrium (LA) or pulmonary vein (PV) by using multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) may predict the success rate of PV isolation procedure. METHODS: We included 118 patients younger than 65 years with symptomatic AF (73 paroxysmal, PAF; 45 non-paroxysmal, non-PAF). All patients underwent 256-slice MDCT prior to circumferential PV isolation to evaluate anatomy, volume and dimensions of LA and PV. RESULTS: After a mean follow-up of 14 months, complete success was achieved in 50 patients (68.5%) of PAF and in 26 patients (57.8%) of non-PAF. In the PAF group, total PV volume was found to be an independent predictor of AF recurrence, whereas LA volume was not. Logistic regression analysis showed that the probability of AF recurrence was higher in patients with total PV volume greater than 12.0 cm3/BSA (m2) (AUC 0.682, 95%CI 0.541-0.822). In the non-PAF group, no independent risk factor of LA or PV size was observed for the postoperative recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: The PV volume quantification may predict the success of AF ablation in PAF patients.

The Impact of Heart Rate Response During 48-Hour Rewarming Phase of Therapeutic Hypothermia on Neurologic Outcomes in Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest Patients.

OBJECTIVES: Bradycardia during therapeutic hypothermia has been reported to be a predictor of favorable neurologic outcomes in out-of-hospital cardiac arrests. However, bradycardia occurrence rate may be influenced by the target body temperature. During therapeutic hypothermia, as part of the normal physiologic response, heart rate decreases in the cooling phase and increases during the rewarming phase. We hypothesized that increased heart rate during the rewarming phase is another predictor of favorable neurologic outcomes. To address this hypothesis, the study aimed to examine the association between heart rate response during the rewarming phase and neurologic outcomes in patients having return of spontaneous circulation after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. DESIGN: A secondary analysis of the Japanese Population-based Utstein style study with defibrillation and basic/advanced Life Support Education and implementation-Hypothermia registry, which was a multicenter prospective cohort study. SETTING: Fourteen hospitals throughout Japan. PATIENTS: Patients suffering from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest who received therapeutic hypothermia after the return of spontaneous circulation from 2005 to 2011. INTERVENTION: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: This study enrolled 452 out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients, of which 354 were analyzed, and 80.2% survived to hospital discharge, of which 57.3% had a good neurologic outcome. Heart rate response was calculated using heart rate data recorded during therapeutic hypothermia in the abovementioned registry. Heart rate response in the rewarming phase (heart rate response-rewarming) was calculated as follows: (heart rate [post rewarming]-heart rate [pre rewarming])/heart rate (pre rewarming) × 100. The primary outcome was an unfavorable neurologic outcome at hospital discharge, that is, a Cerebral Performance Category of 3-5. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the association between heart rate response-rewarming and unfavorable neurologic outcomes. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that heart rate response-rewarming was independently associated with unfavorable outcomes (odds ratio [per 10% change], 0.86; 95% CI, 0.78-0.96; p = 0.004). CONCLUSIONS: Increased heart rate in the approximately 48-hour rewarming phase during therapeutic hypothermia was significantly associated with and was an independent predictor of favorable neurologic outcomes during out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.

Real-life experience of a stent-less revascularization strategy using a combination of excimer laser and drug-coated balloon for patients with acute coronary syndrome.

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to test a novel stent-less revascularization strategy using a combination of excimer laser coronary angioplasty (ELCA) and drug-coated balloon (DCB) for patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). BACKGROUND: Percutaneous coronary intervention with drug eluting stents is a standard invasive treatment for ACS. Some unsolved issues however remain, such as stent thrombosis and bleeding risks associated with dual antiplatelet therapy. METHODS: Consecutive ACS patients were planned to receive either a DCB application following ELCA without a stent implantation or conventional revascularization with a coronary stent. The endpoints were (i) major cardiac adverse events (MACEs), defined as the composite of cardiac death, myocardial infarctions, and target lesion revascularization; (ii) target vessel revascularization (TVR); and (iii) angiographic outcome. RESULTS: Since a greater than expected number of patients allocated to the stent-less treatment arm eventually received a bailout stenting, the following 3 as-treated groups were compared; DCB with ELCA group (N = 60), Stent with ELCA group (N = 23), and Stent without ELCA group (N = 85). During a mean follow-up period of 420 ± 137 days, and with angiographic 6- and 12-month-follow-up rates of 96.7%, 87%, and 81.2%, and 50%, 65.2%, and 45.9%, respectively, the MACE rate did not differ across the groups (10%, 4.3%, and 3.5%; P = 0.22) while an incidence of TVR was more common (15%, 0, and 4.7%; P = 0.02) and the diameter stenosis at 6-months of follow-up was greater (25.7 ± 18.2, 14.9 ± 13.1 and 16.2 ± 15.4%; P = 0.002) in the DCB with ELCA group. CONCLUSIONS: The stent-less revascularization strategy with DCB and ELCA was associated with a higher occurrence of restenosis in ACS patients.

Comparison of radial, brachial, and femoral accesses using hemostatic devices for percutaneous coronary intervention.

Some studies have suggested that radial access (RA) for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) reduces vascular complications and bleeding compared to femoral access (FA). The purpose of this study was to investigate the routine use of hemostatic devices and bleeding complications among RA, brachial access (BA), and FA. Between January 2015 and December 2015, 298 patients treated for PCI with RA were compared with 158 patients using BA and 206 patients using FA. The radial sheath was routinely removed with ADAPTY, the brachial sheath with BLEED SAFE, and the femoral sheath with Perclose ProGlide. In-hospital bleeding complications were investigated. Cardiogenic shock was most frequent in patients in the femoral group (RA 1.3%, BA 2.5%, FA 9.2%, p < 0.0001). The rate of major bleeding was highest in the femoral group (RA 1.0%, BA 2.5%, FA 5.3%, p = 0.01). Blood transfusion rates were highest in the femoral group (RA 0.7%, BA 1.3%, FA 4.4%, p = 0.01). Retroperitoneal bleeding was observed in 1.9% of patients in the femoral group. Patients in the brachial group had large hematomas (RA 0.7%, BA 4.4%, FA 1.5%, p = 0.01). Pseudoaneurysm formation needing intervention occurred most frequently in the brachial group (RA 0%, BA 1.3%, FA 0%, p = 0.04). In conclusion, compared to the brachial and femoral approaches, the radial approach appears to be the safest technique to avoid local vascular bleeding complications. The brachial approach has the highest risk of large hematoma and pseudoaneurysm formation among the three groups.

Genotype distribution and allele frequencies of the genes associated with body composition and locomotion traits in Myanmar native horses.

Myanmar native horses are small horses used mainly for drafting carts or carriages in rural areas and packing loads in mountainy areas. In the present study, we investigated genotype distributions and allele frequencies of the LCORL/NCAPG, MSTN and DMRT3 genes, which are associated with body composition and locomotion traits of horses, in seven local populations of Myanmar native horses. The genotyping result of LCORL/NCAPG showed that allele frequencies of C allele associated with higher withers height ranged from 0.08 to 0.27, and 0.13 in average. For MSTN, allele frequencies of C allele associated with higher proportion of Type 2B muscular fiber ranged from 0.05 to 0.23, and 0.09 in average. For DMRT3, allele frequencies of A allele associated with ambling gait ranged from 0 to 0.04, and 0.01 in average. The presences of the minor alleles of these genes at low frequencies suggest a possibility that these horse populations have not been under strong selection pressure for particular locomotion traits and body composition. Our findings of the presence of these minor alleles in Southeast Asian native horses are also informative for considering the origins of these minor alleles associated with body composition and locomotion traits in horse populations.