Hemodynamic Support Using Percutaneous Transfemoral Impella 5.0 and Impella RP for Refractory Cardiogenic Shock.

Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) resulting in cardiogenic shock continues to be a substantial source of morbidity and mortality despite advances in recognition and treatment. Prior to the advent of percutaneous and more durable left ventricular support devices, prompt revascularization with the addition of vasopressors and inotropes were the standard of care in the management of this critical population. Recent published studies have shown that in addition to prompt revascularization, unloading of the left ventricle with the placement of the Impella percutaneous axillary flow pump can lead to improvement in mortality. Parameters such as the cardiac power output (CPO) and pulmonary artery pulsatility index (PAPi), obtained through pulmonary artery catheterization, can help ascertain the productivity of right and left ventricular function. Utilization of these parameters can provide the information necessary to escalate support to the right ventricle with the insertion of an Impella RP or the left ventricle with the insertion of larger devices, which provide more forward flow. Herein, we present a case of AMI complicated by cardiogenic shock resulting in biventricular failure treated with the percutaneous insertion of an Impella RP and Impella 5.0 utilizing invasive markers of left and right ventricular function to guide the management and escalation of care.

Emergency Valve-in-Valve Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation for the Treatment of Acute Stentless Bioprosthetic Aortic Insufficiency and Cardiogenic Shock.

Bioprosthetic aortic valve degeneration may present as acute, severe aortic regurgitation and cardiogenic shock. Such patients may be unsuitable for emergency valve replacement surgery due to excessive risk of operative mortality but could be treatable with transfemoral valve-in-valve transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). There is a paucity of data regarding the feasibility of valve-in-valve TAVI in patients presenting with cardiogenic shock due to acute aortic insufficiency from stentless bioprosthetic valve degeneration. We present one such case, highlighting the unique aspects of valve-in-valve TAVI for this challenging patient subset.

Contemporary Outcomes of Endovascular Intervention for Critical Limb Ischemia.

Critical limb ischemia (CLI) remains a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with peripheral arterial disease. Optimal treatment strategies for CLI remain controversial. The only randomized trial comparing surgical with endovascular revascularization suggests no significant difference in limb salvage between open surgical bypass and angioplasty. Although novel endovascular strategies are now available, their efficacies remain largely untested in a randomized fashion. This review provides an overview of the data surrounding contemporary outcomes of endovascular therapy with an emphasis on current knowledge gaps.