Characteristics and Outcomes of Early vs Late Initiation of Mechanical Circulatory Support in Non-Acute Myocardial Infarction related Cardiogenic Shock: An Analysis of the National Inpatient Sample Database.

Cardiogenic shock (CS) is significant cause of mortality. The use of mechanical circulatory support (MCS) in patients with non-acute myocardial infarction (Non-AMI) CS is lacking. We inquired data regarding the trends and outcomes early vs late initiation of MCS in non-AMI CS. We investigated National Inpatient Sample database between October 2015-December 2018, identifying hospitalizations with CS, either complicated by AMI or Non-AMI. Patients were divided into 2 cohorts, early initiation of MCS (<48 hours) and late initiation of MCS (>48 hours). The primary analysis included death within first 24 hours. A secondary analysis was adjusted after excluding patients who died in first 24 hours. A total of 85,318 patients with non-AMI-related CS with MCS placement were identified. Among this cohort, 54.6% (n=46,579) underwent early initiation of MCS within 48 hours, and 45.4% (n=38,739) underwent late initiation of MCS after 48 hours. In primary analysis, early MCS initiation was associated with more in-hospital mortality in primary outcome of all-cause hospital mortality (35.72% vs 27.63%, P<0.0001, OR 1.44, 95% CI: 1.40-1.49, P<0.0001), however, adjusted secondary analysis showed a statistically significant decrease in all-cause hospital mortality (23.63% vs 27.63%, P<0.0001, OR 0.80, 95% CI: 0.78-0.83, P<0.0001). In non-AMI-related CS and based on survival to 24 hours after admission, early initiation of MCS had statistically significant decrease in all-cause hospital mortality, with less incidence of vascular and renal complications, and shorter hospital stay. Late initiation of MCS was associated with a higher incidence of advanced therapies, including LVAD and transplant.

Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection Case Series: Clinical Presentation, Angiographic Imaging, Management, and Outcomes.

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is a rare but more frequently recognized cause of acute coronary syndrome. Due to the low incidence rate of this condition, there are no consensus guidelines to treat this clinical entity. Most of the information on the clinical presentation and management of SCAD originates from case reports and series; however, there has not been yet a prospective randomized study to guide treatment of SCAD. It is mostly seen in women and particularly those of younger ages. Most cases have an underlying etiology although the underlying pathophysiology is not fully understood. Patients might present in various ways including chest pain, ST- elevation acute coronary syndrome, ventricular arrhythmia, and sudden cardiac death. Although conservative management is mostly recommended with better outcomes, revascularization should be considered in certain circumstances. In this article, we describe a case series of five patients with SCAD. Additionally, this article reviews clinical presentation, incidence, diagnostic modalities, management and risk of recurrences in patients diagnosed with SCAD.

Predicting the Severity and Outcome of Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension of the Newborn Using New Echocardiography Parameters.

To examine echocardiographic parameters correlation with clinical severity indices, Alveolar- arterial gradient (A-a gradient), oxygenation index and clinical outcomes in newborns with persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN). Retrospective cohort study of 67 subjects, >35 weeks' gestation with the diagnosis of PPHN admitted to the University of Kentucky neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) between September 2014 and December 2016. High left ventricular end-systolic eccentricity index (EIs) correlates with the overall clinical severity of PPHN as it is associated with higher A-a gradient and oxygenation index (P = 0.0003 and P < 0.0001, respectively). Elevated EIs was also predictive for the use of inhaled nitric oxide and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (P = 0.0004 and P < 0.0001, respectively). EIs value of >1.38 provides cutoff value as an objective marker for the need for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. EIs can be used to assess clinical severity and outcomes and should be reported routinely. Further studies are warranted to confirm these results.

Percutaneous Repair of Mitral Regurgitation: A Comprehensive Review of Literature.

Mitral regurgitation is the most common valvular disease in the US and the second most common worldwide. Left untreated, it can lead to the development of heart failure, giving rise to increased mortality rates. Mitral valve intervention is usually indicated in severe mitral regurgitation at the onset of symptoms, even if the function of the left ventricle is preserved. A surgical approach is generally favored according to current guidelines, with excellent clinical outcomes. However, the emergence of novel data from contemporary trials indicates that percutaneous, catheter-based approach may have similar improvements in mortality outcomes while maintaining a superior safety profile when compared to the surgical approach. Here, we discuss transcatheter mitral valve repair as a treatment option for mitral regurgitation and summarize the major clinical trials which were recently conducted on transcatheter repair.

Determining the Safety of Radiofrequency Ablation in Cardiovascular Implantable Electronic Devices.

Radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) is an effective treatment for arrhythmias. The effects of RFCA on cardiovascular implantable electronic devices (CIED) function have varied. We aim to study the effect of RFCA on device parameters and clinical outcomes in patients with CIED. We conducted a single-center retrospective cohort study between 2011 and 2018. Generator and lead parameters were compared pre- and post-ablation using paired sample t-test. The median follow-up interval for documentation of procedure-related complications and clinical outcomes was 8 weeks. We identified 119 eligible patients; whose mean age was 64.5 ± 11.91 years and 22 (18.4%) were females. Types of CIED include single-chamber implantable cardioverter defibrillators (8.93%), dual-chamber implantable cardioverter defibrillators (41.96%), and either dual-chamber or biventricular pacemakers (44.54%). Arrhythmias for which patients underwent RFCA include atrial fibrillation/atrial tachycardia (15.22%), atrial flutter (38.14%), atrioventricular node reentrant tachycardia (13.56%), and premature ventricular complex or ventricular tachycardia (20.34%). No statistically significant difference was observed in pre- and post-ablation: (1) atrial sensing thresholds, pacing thresholds, lead impedance; (2) right ventricle sensing and pacing thresholds; and (3) left ventricle pacing threshold and impedance. A decrease in right ventricle impedance after ablation (549.77 ± 173 ohm vs 507.40 ± 129.0 ohm, P-value <0.004) was observed. Zero complications or deaths were observed. In this single-center study, RFCA did not significantly impact CIED function and was not associated with short-term complications. However longer follow-up is required to confirm these findings.

Coronary Artery Disease and Aspirin Intolerance: Background and Insights on Current Management.

Aspirin is one of the most widely used medications across the global healthcare system and is the foundation in treating ischemic heart disease, as well as secondary prevention for ischemic and valvular heart disease. Challenges arise in treating patients with cardiovascular disease who have concomitant aspirin intolerance. Through an extensive review of the literature, we provide a comprehensive background on the pharmacology of aspirin, the mechanisms behind aspirin intolerance, the importance of aspirin in cardiovascular disease, and the management of aspirin intolerance in both acute coronary syndrome and stable coronary artery disease. Our review includes a multidisciplinary approach from the internist, allergist/immunologist, and cardiologist when evaluating this important patient population.

Use of Coronary Intravascular Lithotripsy: A Comprehensive Review of Literature.

Severe coronary artery calcification (CAC) is associated with high rate of procedural complications. The current techniques that facilitate percutaneous coronary interventions in moderate to severe CAC have significant risk of complications, including periprocedural myocardial infarction , dissection, perforation and transient atrioventricular block. Coronary Intravascular lithotripsy (IVL) is a novel technology for the treatment of moderate to severe calcified lesions. IVL uses sonic pressure waves to break down the calcium deposits with no to minimal impact on the blood vessel tissues, which makes IVL a safe option with high procedural success and minimal complications. Here, we discuss coronary IVL as a treatment option for CAC and summarize the major clinical trials performed evaluating the safety and outcome of IVL.

Phenotypic and Molecular Screening of Nasal S. aureus from Adult Hospitalized Patients for Methicillin- and Vancomycin-resistance.

INTRODUCTION: Nasal carriers of Staphylococcus aureus are common and play an important role in the transmission of infections. The aim of this study is a phenotypic and molecular investigation of nasal methicillin- and vancomycin-resistant S. aureus in hospitalized patients. METHODS: 202 nasal swabs were collected from patients at Prince Hamzah Hospital, Jordan, through 2016-2017. Swabs were processed according to standard microbiological procedures to isolate Staphylococci. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed using disk diffusion, E-test, microdilution and Vitek 2. Methicillin resistance was confirmed by testing for the mecA gene, while vancomycin resistance was screened by testing for the vanA and vanB genes. RESULTS: The mean age of participants was 50.17±18.18 years and 59.4% were females. Nasal Staphylococci was isolated in 64/202 (31.7%), S. aureus was isolated from 33 samples (16.3%), MRSA was isolated from 13 samples (6.4%) and constitutive Macrolide-lincosamidestreptogramin B (MLSB) was isolated from 12 samples (5.9%). All MRSA isolates harbored the mecA gene. All isolates were sensitive to vancomycin using E-test and the microdilution test and were negative for the vanA and vanB genes. The highest resistance rate was observed for benzylpenicillin (>90%), while the lowest resistance rate was for tobramycin (<5%) among all isolates. Nasal Staphylococci, S. aureus and MRSA colonization significantly correlate with increased number of family members and previous hospitalization (P<0.05), while nasal S. aureus significantly correlates with a history of skin infection (P=0.003). CONCLUSION: Nasal colonization by mecA-mediated MRSA is common among hospitalized patients, while vanA- and vanB-mediated vancomycin resistance was not detected in any nasal isolates.