Comparison of In-Hospital Outcomes between Early and Late Catheter-Directed Thrombolysis in Acute Pulmonary Embolism: A Retrospective Observational Study.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate whether early initiation of catheter-directed thrombolysis (CDT) in patients presenting with acute pulmonary embolism is associated with improved in-hospital outcomes. A retrospective cohort was extracted from the 2016-2019 National Inpatient Sample database, consisting of 21,730 weighted admissions undergoing CDT acute PE. From the time of admission, the sample was divided into early (<48 h) and late interventions (>48 h). Outcomes were measured using regression analysis and propensity score matching. No significant differences in mortality, cardiac arrest, cardiogenic shock, or intracranial hemorrhage (p > 0.05) were found between the early and late CDT groups. Late CDT patients had a higher likelihood of receiving systemic thrombolysis (3.21 [2.18-4.74], p < 0.01), blood transfusion (1.84 [1.41-2.40], p < 0.01), intubation (1.33 [1.05-1.70], p = 0.02), discharge disposition to care facilities (1.32 [1.14-1.53], p < 0.01). and having acute kidney injury (1.42 [1.25-1.61], p < 0.01). Predictors of late intervention were older age, female sex, non-white ethnicity, non-teaching hospital admission, hospitals with higher bed sizes, and weekend admission (p < 0.01). This study represents a comprehensive evaluation of outcomes associated with the time interval for initiating CDT, revealing reduced morbidity with early intervention. Additionally, it identifies predictors associated with delayed CDT initiation. The broader ramifications of these findings, particularly in relation to hospital resource utilization and health disparities, warrant further exploration.

Differential Mortality Among Heart Failure Patients Across Different COVID-19 Surges in New York City.

ABSTRACT: Learning from the healthcare system's response to the COVID-19 pandemic is essential to better prepare for potential future crises. We sought to assess mortality rates for patients admitted for acute decompensated heart failure (HF) and to analyze which factors demonstrated a statistically significant correlation with this primary endpoint. We performed a retrospective analysis of patients hospitalized with a primary diagnosis of acute decompensated HF within the New York City Health and Hospitals 11-hospital system across the different COVID surge periods. Mortality information was collected in 4,405 participants (mean [SD] age 70.54 [14.44] years, 1885 [42.87%] female).The highest mortality existed in the first surge (9.02%), then improved to near prepandemic levels (3.65%) in the second (3.91%) and third surges (5.94%, p < 0.0001). In-hospital mortality inversely correlated with receipt of a COVID-19 vaccination, but had no correlation with left ventricular ejection fraction or the number of vaccination doses. Mortality for acute decompensated HF patients improved after the first surge, suggesting that hospitals adequately adapted to provide quality care. As future infectious outbreaks may occur, emergency preparedness must ensure that adequate focus and resources remain for other clinical entities, such as HF, to ensure optimal care is delivered across all areas of illness.

Utilization of the remote monitoring of cardiac implantable electronic devices in a diverse demographic cohort: Insights from a single-center observation.

BACKGROUND: Despite its clinical benefits, patient compliance to remote monitoring (RM) of cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) varies and remains under-studied in diverse populations. OBJECTIVE: We sought to evaluate RM compliance, clinical outcomes, and identify demographic and socioeconomic factors affecting RM in a diverse urban population in New York. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study included patients enrolled in CIED RM at Montefiore Medical Center between December 2017 and May 2022. RM compliance was defined as the percentage of days compliant to RM transmission divided by the total prescribed days of RM. Patients were censored when they were lost to follow-up or at the time of death. The cohorts were categorized into low (≤30%), intermediate (31-69%), and high (≥70%) RM compliance groups. Statistical analyses were conducted accordingly. RESULTS: Among 853 patients, median RM compliance was 55%. Age inversely affected compliance (p < .001), and high compliance was associated with guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT) usage and implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD)/cardiac resynchronization defibrillator (CRTD) devices. The low-compliance group had a higher mortality rate and fewer regular clinic visits (p < .001) than high-compliance group. Socioeconomic factors did not significantly impact compliance, while Asians showed higher compliance compared with Whites (OR 3.67; 95% CI 1.08-12.43; p = .04). Technical issues were the main reason for non-compliance. CONCLUSION: We observed suboptimal compliance to RM, which occurred most frequently in older patients. Clinic visit compliance, optimal medical therapy, and lower mortality were associated with higher compliance, whereas insufficient understanding of RM usage was the chief barrier to compliance.

Perioperative outcomes of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: An insight from the National Readmission Database.

BACKGROUND: Data regarding hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM) patients undergoing noncardiac surgery is lacking. We sought to examine the perioperative outcomes of HOCM patients undergoing noncardiac surgery using a national database. METHODS: We used the National readmission database from 2016 to 2019. We identified HOCM, heart undergoing noncardiac surgery using ICD 10 codes. We examined hospital outcomes as well as 90 days readmission outcomes. RESULTS: We identified 16,098 HOCM patients and 21,895,699 non-HOCM patients undergoing noncardiac surgery. The HOCM group had more comorbidities at baseline. After adjustment for major clinical predictors, the HOCM group experienced more in-hospital death, odds ratio (OR) 1.33 (1.216-1.47), P < 0.001, acute myocardial infarction (AMI), OR 1.18 (1.077-1.292), P < 0.001, acute heart failure odds ratio OR 1.3 to (1.220-1.431), P < 0.001, 90 days readmission OR 1.237 (1.069-1.432), P < 0.01, cardiogenic shock OR 2.094 (1.855-2.363), P < 0.001. Cardiac arrhythmia was the most common cause of readmission, out of the arrhythmias atrial fibrillation was the most prevalent. Acute heart failure was the most common complication of readmission. There was no difference in major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), and AMI between both groups and readmission. CONCLUSION: HOCM patients undergoing noncardiac surgery may be at increased risk of in-hospital and readmission events. Acute heart failure was the most common complication during index admission, while cardiac arrhythmias were the most common complication during readmission. More research is needed to address this patient population further.

Epidemiologic and Clinical Characteristics of Marantic Endocarditis: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of 416 Reports.

Nonbacterial thrombotic endocarditis (NBTE) is a distinctive condition marked by the presence of aseptic fibrin depositions on cardiac valves due to hypercoagulability and endocardial damage. There is a scarcity of large cohort studies clarifying factors associated with morbidity and mortality of this condition. A systematic literature review was performed utilizing the PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, and Web-of-Science databases to retrieve case reports and series documenting cases of NBTE from inception until September-2022. A descriptive analysis of basic characteristics was carried out, followed by multivariate regression analysis to identify risk factors associated with morbidity and mortality. A total of 416 case reports and series were identified, of which 450 patients were extracted. The female-to-male ratio was around 2:1 with an overall sample median age of 48 (interquartile range [IQR]:34-61). Stroke-like symptoms were the most common presentation and embolic phenomena occurred in 70% of cases, the majority of which were due to stroke. Cancer was associated with higher embolic complications (aOR:6.38, 95% CI = 3.75-10.83, p < 0.01) in comparison to other NBTE etiologies, while age, sex, and vegetation size were not (p > 0.05). All-cause in-hospital mortality was 36%, with cancer etiology being associated with higher mortality: 56% (aOR:3.64, 95% CI = 1.57-8.43, p < 0.01) in comparison to other NBTE etiologies:19%. A significant decrease in NBTE mortality was seen in recent years in comparison to admissions that occurred during the 20th century (aOR:0.07, 95% CI = 0.04-0.15, p < 0.01). While there has been an observed improvement in overall in-hospital mortality rates for patients admitted with NBTE in recent years, it is important to note that cases associated with a cancer etiology are still linked to high morbidity and mortality during hospitalization.

Comparison of in-hospital outcomes and complications of leadless pacemaker and traditional transvenous pacemaker implantation.

AIMS: Since their introduction in 1958, traditional cardiac pacemakers have undergone considerable upgrades over the years, but they continue to have a complication rate of ∼3.8%-12.4%. There are no randomized controlled trials comparing outcomes of leadless pacemakers (LPM) with single-chamber transvenous pacemakers (TV-VVI). The aim is to assess the differences in the procedural complications and in-hospital outcomes between LPM and TV-VVI implants. METHODS AND RESULTS: We queried the national inpatient database from 2016 to 2019 to include adult patients undergoing LPM and TV-VVI. Admissions for leadless and single-lead transvenous pacemakers were identified by their appropriate ICD-10 codes. Complications were identified using ICD-10 codes that mostly represent initial encounter. The difference in outcomes was assessed using multivariable logistic regression and 1:1 propensity score matching between the two cohorts. Thirty-five thousand four hundred thirty expanded samples of admissions were retrieved of which 27 650 (78%) underwent TV-VVI with a mean age 81.3 ± 9.4 years and 7780 (22%) underwent LPM with a mean age of 77.1 ± 12.1 years. The LPM group had a higher likelihood of in-hospital mortality [adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 1.63, 95% CI (1.29-2.05), P < 0.001], vascular complications [aOR: 7.54, 95% CI (3.21-17.68), P < 0.001], venous thromboembolism [aOR: 3.67, 95% CI (2.68-5.02), P < 0.001], cardiac complications [aOR: 1.79, 95% CI (1.59-2.03), P < 0.001], device thrombus formation [aOR: 5.03, 95% CI (2.55-9.92), P < 0.001], and need for a blood transfusion [aOR: 1.54, 95% CI (1.14-2.07), P < 0.005]. The TV-VVI group had higher likelihood of in-hospital pulmonary complications [aOR:0.68, 95% CI (0.54-0.87), P < 0.002] and had a need for device revisions [aOR:0.42, 95% CI (0.23-0.76), P < 0.004]. CONCLUSION: There is a higher likelihood of all-cause in-hospital mortality and complications following LPM implantation in comparison to TV-VVI. This could be related to higher co-morbidities in the LPM group. Clinical trials aimed to accurately compare these two groups should be undertaken.

A Case of Type V Hyperlipoproteinemia Resistant to Insulin Treatment.

Type V hyperlipoproteinemia or multifactorial chylomicronemia syndrome is a rare lipid disorder triggered mainly by uncontrolled diabetes, obesity, poor diet, or particular medications. It is associated with an increased risk of acute pancreatitis and accelerated coronary artery disease which may manifest in younger age groups. We present a case of a 42-year-old male who presented to the emergency department (ED) complaining of a non-healing hand injury. Upon laboratory workup, the patient was found to have an elevated total cholesterol (TC) of 1129 mg/dL, very low levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and triglycerides (TG) > 4000 mg/dL with an inability to calculate low-density lipoprotein (LDL). Lipoprotein electrophoresis revealed an actual TG level of > 7000 mg/dL, increased chylomicrons, normal B and pre-B-lipoproteins, and increased L-lipoproteins with an elevated Apolipoprotein B. Despite these derangements, the patient did not exhibit any abdominal complaints, demonstrating a normal lipase level. The physical exam was indicative of bilateral arcus senilis and obesity. Insulin drip was initiated along with intravenous (IV) hydration and it required 12 days to bring triglycerides down to less than 1000 mg/dL. The total cholesterol was also seen to be down trending to around 500 mg/dL and the HDL improved to 22 mg/dL. We present this case as a unique presentation of asymptomatic chylomicronemia resistant to insulin treatment with an elevated ApoB but with no evidence of pancreatitis or coronary artery disease.

Comparison of in-hospital outcomes and complications of left atrial appendage closure with the Watchman device between males and females.

AIMS: Left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) with WATCHMAN device is being used for patients with atrial fibrillation (AFB) and, as an off-label use, atrial flutter (AFL) who can't comply with long-term anticoagulation. We aim to study the differences in outcomes between sexes in patients undergoing Watchman device implantation. METHODOLOGY: The National Inpatient Sample was queried between 2016 and 2019 using ICD-10 clinical modification codes I48x for AFB and AFL. Patients who underwent LAAO were identified using the procedural code 02L73DK. Comorbidities and complications were identified using ICD procedure and diagnosis codes. Differences in primary outcomes were analyzed using multivariable regression and propensity score matching. RESULTS: 38 105 admissions were identified, of which 16 795 (44%) were females (76 ± 7.6 years) and 21 310 (56%) were males (75 ± 8 years). Females were more likely to have cardiac (frequencies: 5.8% vs 3.75%, aOR: 1.5 [1.35-1.68], p1 day inpatient (1.79 [1.67-1.93], P < 0.01) and be discharged to a facility (1.54 [1.33-1.80], P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Females are more likely to develop cardiac, renal, bleeding, pulmonary and TEE-related complications following LAAO procedure, while concurrently showing higher mortality, length of stay and discharge to facilities.

Feasibility of three-dimensional artificial intelligence algorithm integration with intracardiac echocardiography for left atrial imaging during atrial fibrillation catheter ablation.

AIMS: Intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) is a useful but operator-dependent tool for left atrial (LA) anatomical rendering during atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation. The CARTOSOUND FAM Module, a new deep learning (DL) imaging algorithm, has the potential to overcome this limitation. This study aims to evaluate feasibility of the algorithm compared to cardiac computed tomography (CT) in patients undergoing AF ablation. METHODS AND RESULTS: In 28 patients undergoing AF ablation, baseline patient information was recorded, and three-dimensional (3D) shells of LA body and anatomical structures [LA appendage/left superior pulmonary vein/left inferior pulmonary vein/right superior pulmonary vein/right inferior pulmonary vein (RIPV)] were reconstructed using the DL algorithm. The selected ultrasound frames were gated to end-expiration and max LA volume. Ostial diameters of these structures and carina-to-carina distance between left and right pulmonary veins were measured and compared with CT measurements. Anatomical accuracy of the DL algorithm was evaluated by three independent electrophysiologists using a three-anchor scale for LA anatomical structures and a five-anchor scale for LA body. Ablation-related characteristics were summarized. The algorithm generated 3D reconstruction of LA anatomies, and two-dimensional contours overlaid on ultrasound input frames. Average calculation time for LA reconstruction was 65 s. Mean ostial diameters and carina-to-carina distance were all comparable to CT without statistical significance. Ostial diameters and carina-to-carina distance also showed moderate to high correlation (r = 0.52-0.75) except for RIPV (r = 0.20). Qualitative ratings showed good agreement without between-rater differences. Average procedure time was 143.7 ± 43.7 min, with average radiofrequency time 31.6 ± 10.2 min. All patients achieved ablation success, and no immediate complications were observed. CONCLUSION: DL algorithm integration with ICE demonstrated considerable accuracy compared to CT and qualitative physician assessment. The feasibility of ICE with this algorithm can potentially further streamline AF ablation workflow.

Assessment of the Utilization of Validated Diagnostic Predictive Tools and D-Dimer in the Evaluation of Pulmonary Embolism: A Single-Center Retrospective Cohort Study from a Public Hospital in New York City.

INTRODUCTION: A significant increase in the use of computed tomography with pulmonary angiography (CTPA) for the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism (PE) has been observed in the past twenty years. We aimed to investigate whether the validated diagnostic predictive tools and D-dimers were adequately utilized in a large public hospital in New York City. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of patients who underwent CTPA for the specific indication of ruling out PE over a period of one year. Two independent reviewers, blinded to each other and to the CTPA and D-dimer results, estimated the clinical probability (CP) of PE using Well's score, the YEARS algorithm, and the revised Geneva score. Patients were classified based on the presence or absence of PE in the CTPA. RESULTS: A total of 917 patients were included in the analysis (median age: 57 years, female: 59%). The clinical probability of PE was considered low by both independent reviewers in 563 (61.4%), 487 (55%), and 184 (20.1%) patients based on Well's score, the YEARS algorithm, and the revised Geneva score, respectively. D-dimer testing was conducted in less than half of the patients who were deemed to have low CP for PE by both independent reviewers. Using a D-dimer cut-off of <500 ng/mL or the age-adjusted cut-off in patients with a low CP of PE would have missed only a small number of mainly subsegmental PE. All three tools, when combined with D-dimer < 500 ng/mL or 95%. CONCLUSION: All three validated diagnostic predictive tools were found to have significant diagnostic value in ruling out PE when combined with a D-dimer cut-off of <500 ng/mL or the age-adjusted cut-off. Excessive use of CTPA was likely secondary to suboptimal use of diagnostic predictive tools.

Outcomes of Non-ST-Segment Myocardial Infarction During Chronic Heart Failure and End-Stage Renal Disease.

Non-ST-segment myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) occurs frequently in a growing population of patients with chronic heart failure (HF) and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) but outcomes with invasive management approaches are unknown. We sought to determine in-hospital outcomes with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in comparison with medical management only. The National Inpatient Sample was used to capture hospitalizations in the United States from 2006 to 2019. Admissions for NSTEMI in patients with chronic HF and ESRD were identified by International Classification of Diseases codes. The cohort was divided into those that received PCI or medical management only. In-hospital outcomes were compared by multivariable logistic regression and propensity matching. In 27,433 hospitalizations, 8,004 patients (29%) underwent PCI, and 19,429 (71%) were managed with medications only. PCI was associated with lower adjusted odds of death during hospitalization (adjusted odds ratio 0.59, 95% confidence interval 0.52 to 0.66, p <0.01). This association remained consistent after propensity matching (adjusted odds ratio 0.56, 95% confidence interval 0.49 to 0.64, p <0.01) and was apparent across all subtypes of HF. Patients with PCI had greater duration (5, 3, to 9 vs, 5, 3 to 8 days, p <0.01) and cost of hospitalization ($107,942, 70,230 to $173,182 vs, $44,156, 24,409 to $80,810, p <0.01). In conclusion, patients with HF and ESRD admitted for NSTEMI experienced lower in-hospital mortality with PCI in comparison with medical therapy only. Invasive percutaneous revascularization may be reasonable for appropriately selected patients with HF and ESRD but randomized controlled trials are needed to determine its safety and efficacy in this high-risk population.

A rare case of concurrent mitral and aortic valve aneurysms in the setting of infective endocarditis.

Key Clinical Message: Mitral valve aneurysm is a rare imaging finding most caused by infective endocarditis. The concurrent presence of an aortic valve aneurysm is unique and foretells a severe presentation that would require valve replacement during the same admission. Abstract: A 42-year-old male patient presented with intermittent fever, night sweats, and weight loss for 2 months. TEE showed a rare finding of concurrent mitral and aortic valve aneurysms, and blood cultures grew streptococcus mutans. His infective endocarditis was successfully treated with antibiotics and placement of mechanical mitral and aortic valves.

Meta-Analysis and Clinical Features of Perioperative Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy in Noncardiac Surgery.

Perioperative takotsubo cardiomyopathy (pTCM) is an increasing condition defined as cardiomyopathy in the setting of emotional and physiologic stressors imposed by surgery. We aimed to classify and understand the presentation, management, and prognosis of noncardiac surgery pTCM in published cases. As such, a review of previous studies using the PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, and Web of Science databases was conducted to obtain case reports and series reporting noncardiac pTCM from inception to September 2022, and a crude analysis was conducted to classify the clinical features. Of the 1,002 studies, 96 met our inclusion criteria, of which 101 cases were extracted and included in the final systematic review. A total of 29.7% of cases occurred during general surgery and 20.8% during transplant procedures. The median age at presentation was 55 years, with a 42 to 65 interquartile range. The prevalence of hypertension and mood disorders were 22.8% and 9.9%, respectively. Before the procedures, physiologic stressors occurred more commonly than emotional stressors (20.8% and 11%, respectively). Objective findings, including ST-T-wave changes, new arrhythmias, and hypotension, were the most common initial presenting symptoms. Most cases occurred during emergence from surgery or on the first postoperative day. Mechanical circulatory support was required in 15.8% of the cases, and the all-cause in-hospital mortality was 6.9%. The ejection fraction and symptoms improved within a median of 2 weeks after diagnosis (interquartile range 1 to 6). In conclusion, the risk factors, triggers, and outcomes of pTCM appear to differ from those of classic nonperioperative TCM presentations. Future studies will help shed light on this more frequently diagnosed condition complicating some noncardiac surgical cases.

Atrial Speckle Tracking Echocardiography for Detecting Atrial Fibrillation in Cryptogenic Stroke: A Meta-Analysis.

Cryptogenic stroke (CS) accounts for approximately 25% of ischemic stroke cases, with atrial fibrillation (AF) accounting for 30% of CS cases. We investigated the utility of left atrial (LA) speckle-tracking echocardiography in identifying patients at high risk of AF after CS and potentially guiding patients who will benefit from long-term rhythm monitoring devices. Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, and EMBASE were searched for relevant studies. We included studies that examined patients with new CS without a history of AF and further examined LA strain parameters (peak and/or reservoir strain). Continuous data were pooled as a mean difference (MD) comparing patients who developed AF vs no AF.  We used the inverse variance method with the DerSimonian-Laird estimator for tau2 and Hartung-Knapp adjustment for random effect analysis. I2 was used to assess heterogeneity. Thirteen observational studies met our criteria and included 3031 patients with new CS. Of those, 420 patients developed AF on follow-up, and 2611 patients did not develop AF. The AF group vs. no AF had significantly reduced LA reservoir strain (LARS) [MD: -8.61; 95% CI: -10.76, -6.47, I2 = 85%, p < 0.01] at presentation. LARS is significantly lower in patients who developed AF after CS. More studies are needed to validate this data.

Incidence, predictors and outcomes of new onset systolic heart failure following orthotopic liver transplant: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: New onset Systolic heart failure (SHF), characterized by new onset left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction with a reduction in ejection fraction (EF) of <40%, is a common cause of morbidity and mortality among Orthotopic liver transplant (OLT) recipients. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the prevalence, the pre-transplant predictors, and the prognostic impact of SHF post-OLT. METHODS: We conducted a systematic review of the literature using electronic databases MEDLINE, Web of Science, and Embase for studies reporting acute systolic heart failure post-liver transplant from inception to August 2021. RESULT: Of 2604 studies, 13 met the inclusion criteria and were included in the final systematic review. The incidence of new-onset SHF post OLT ranged from 1.2% to 14%. Race, sex, or body mass index did not significantly impact the post-OLT SHF incidence. Alcoholic liver cirrhosis, pre-transplant systolic or diastolic dysfunction, troponin, brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), blood urea nitrogen (BUN) elevation, and hyponatremia were noted to be significantly associated with the development of SHF post-OLT. The significance of MELD score in the development of post-OLT SHF is controversial. Pre-transplant beta-blocker and post-transplant tacrolimus use were associated with a lower risk of developing SHF. The average 1-year mortality rate in patients with SHF post-OLT ranged from 0.00% to 35.2%. CONCLUSION: Despite low incidence, SHF post-OLT can lead to higher mortality. Further studies are required to fully understand the underlying mechanism and risk factors.

The correlation between smart device usage & sleep quality among UAE residents.

BACKGROUND: The usage of smart-devices has increased considerably both globally and specifically in Middle Eastern countries. Recently, it has been shown that 65% of United Arab Emirates (UAE) residents lack proper sleep. Several health aspects of the relationship between over usage of smart-devices and poor sleep quality have not been thoroughly investigated. This study aims to determine the correlation between smart-device overuse and sleep quality among UAE residents. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional, self-administered questionnaire-based study. Our sample comprised 494 participants, from the three major cities in the UAE. Statistical and regression analyses were conducted using SPSS. RESULTS: Overall, 47.5% of the population were considered heavy users of smart-devices, of which 81% were poor sleepers. Furthermore, the physical proximity of the smart-device at night affected sleep quality; as the distance decreased, the sleep quality worsened, reaching a value of 86.8%. It was also found that 74.5% of the participants used their smart-device at bedtime. CONCLUSION: Poor sleep is strongly correlated with smart-device overuse. Specifically, poor sleepers were five times more likely to be overusers. The intensity and duration of smart-device usage during the whole day impacted sleep quality more drastically than just before bedtime usage. With the increasing dependence and inappropriate use of smart-devices, future studies are needed to further understand the short and long term impact of this trend on the health and wellbeing of younger individuals as well as the whole community.