Acute Heart Failure: Diagnostic-Therapeutic Pathways and Preventive Strategies-A Real-World Clinician's Guide.

Acute heart failure (AHF) is the most frequent cause of unplanned hospital admission in patients of >65 years of age and it is associated with significantly increased morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs. Different AHF classification criteria have been proposed, mainly reflecting the clinical heterogeneity of the syndrome. Regardless of the underlying mechanism, peripheral and/or pulmonary congestion is present in the vast majority of cases. Furthermore, a marked reduction in cardiac output with peripheral hypoperfusion may occur in most severe cases. Diagnosis is made on the basis of signs and symptoms, laboratory, and non-invasive tests. After exclusion of reversible causes, AHF therapeutic interventions mainly consist of intravenous (IV) diuretics and/or vasodilators, tailored according to the initial hemodynamic status with the addition of inotropes/vasopressors and mechanical circulatory support if needed. The aim of this review is to discuss current concepts on the diagnosis and management of AHF in order to guide daily clinical practice and to underline the unmet needs. Preventive strategies are also discussed.

Predictors and associated clinical outcomes of low cardiac output syndrome following cardiac surgery: insights from the LEVO-CTS trial.

AIMS: High-risk cardiac surgery is commonly complicated by low cardiac output syndrome (LCOS), which is associated with high mortality. There are limited data derived from multi-centre studies with adjudicated endpoints describing factors associated with LCOS and its downstream clinical outcomes. METHODS AND RESULTS: The Levosimendan in Patients with Left Ventricular Systolic Dysfunction Undergoing Cardiac Surgery Requiring Cardiopulmonary Bypass (LEVO-CTS) trial evaluated prophylactic levosimendan vs. placebo in patients with a reduced ejection fraction undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and/or valve surgery. We conducted a pre-specified analysis on LCOS, which was characterized by a four-part definition. We constructed a multivariable logistical regression model to evaluate risk factors associated with LCOS and performed Cox proportional hazards modelling to determine the association of LCOS with 90-day mortality. A total of 186 (22%) of 849 patients in the LEVO-CTS trial developed LCOS. The factors most associated with a higher adjusted risk of LCOS were pre-operative ejection fraction [odds ratio (OR) 1.26; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.08-1.46 per 5% decrease] and age (OR 1.13; 95% CI: 1.04-1.24 per 5-year increase), whereas isolated CABG surgery (OR 0.44, 95% CI: 0.31-0.64) and levosimendan use (OR 0.65; 95% CI: 0.46-0.92) were associated with a lower risk of LCOS. Patients with LCOS had worse outcomes, including renal replacement therapy at 30-day (10 vs. 1%) and 90-day mortality (16 vs. 3%, adjusted hazard ratio of 5.04, 95% CI: 2.66-9.55). CONCLUSION: Low cardiac output syndrome is associated with a high risk of post-operative mortality in high-risk cardiac surgery.

Evaluating Statin Tolerability in Historically Intolerant Patients After Correcting for Subclinical Hypothyroidism and Vitamin D Insufficiency.

INTRODUCTION: Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) is the major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Statins provide primary and secondary ASCVD prevention. Intolerance due to statin-associated myalgias reduces long-term adherence, thus muting potential benefits. AIM: Our analysis sought to determine whether transition from a lipophilic statin to a water-soluble statin, or correction of subclinical hypothyroidism and/or vitamin D insufficiency/deficiency (metabolic abnormalities), improved statin tolerance. METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of the data from patients referred to our lipid clinic because of statin intolerance. Patients intolerant to a lipophilic statin were switched to a water-soluble statin. Patients having vitamin D insufficiency/deficiency or subclinical hypothyroidism were re-challenged with a water-soluble statin (or lipophilic statin with minimal systemic exposure) after correction of the metabolic abnormality. RESULTS: 169 patients were statin intolerant. 86% (n = 145) were white and 48% (n = 81) were male. 82 of these patients had one or both metabolic abnormalities. The remaining patients (n = 87) had no metabolic abnormality, however, were unable to tolerate a lipophilic statin. 72% (n = 73) of eligible patients (n = 101), defined as those with a corrected metabolic abnormality or without a metabolic abnormality on a lipophilic statin, were able to tolerate a water-soluble statin or lipophilic statin with minimal systemic exposure. In addition, 75% (n = 127) of this total cohort met their LDL-C goal. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that either correction of subclinical hypothyroidism and/or vitamin D insufficiency/deficiency or transition from a lipophilic statin to water-soluble statin (or lipophilic statin with minimal systemic exposure) improves statin tolerance.

Prophylactic levosimendan in patients with low ejection fraction undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting: A pooled analysis of two multicentre randomised controlled trials.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the effect of preoperative levosimendan on mortality at day 90 in patients with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≤ 40%, and to investigate a possible differential effect between patients undergoing isolated coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) versus CABG combined with valve replacement surgery. DESIGN: Pooled analysis of two multicentre randomised controlled trials (RCT) investigating prophylactic levosimendan versus placebo prior to CABG surgery on mortality at day 90 in patients with LVEF ≤ 40%. A meta-analysis of all RCT investigating the same issue was also conducted. RESULTS: A cohort of 1084 patients (809 isolated CABG, and 275 combined surgery) resulted from the merging of LEVO-CTS and LICORN databases. Seventy-two patients were dead at day 90. The mortality at day 90 was not different between levosimendan and placebo (Hazard Ratio (HR): 0.73, 95% CI: 0.41-1.28, p = 0.27). However, there was a significant interaction between the type of surgery and the study drug (p = 0.004). We observed a decrease in mortality at day 90 in the isolated CABG subgroup (HR: 0.39, 95% CI: 0.19-0.82, p = 0.013), but not in the combined surgery subgroup (HR: 1.73, 95% CI: 0.77-3.92, p = 0.19). The meta-analysis of 6 RCT involving 1441 patients confirmed the differential effect on mortality at day 30 between the 2 subgroups. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative levosimendan did not reduce mortality in a mixed surgical population with LV dysfunction. However, the subgroup of patients undergoing isolated CABG had a reduction in mortality at day 90, whereas there was no significant effect in combined surgery patients. This finding requires confirmation with a specific prospective trial.

Preoperative Assessment and Management of Cardiovascular Risk in Patients Undergoing Non-Cardiac Surgery: Implementing a Systematic Stepwise Approach during the COVID-19 Pandemic Era.

Major adverse cardiac events, defined as death or myocardial infarction, are common causes of perioperative mortality and major morbidity in patients undergoing non-cardiac surgery. Reduction of perioperative cardiovascular risk in relation to non-cardiac surgery requires a stepwise patient evaluation that integrates clinical risk factors, functional status and the estimated stress of the planned surgical procedure. Major guidelines on preoperative cardiovascular risk assessment recommend to establish, firstly, the risk of surgery per se (low, moderate, high) and the related timing (elective vs. urgent/emergent), evaluate the presence of unstable cardiac conditions or a recent coronary revascularization (percutaneous coronary intervention or coronary artery bypass grafting), assess the functional capacity of the patient (usually expressed in metabolic equivalents), determine the value of non-invasive and/or invasive cardiovascular testing and then combine these data in estimating perioperative risk for major cardiac adverse events using validated scores (Revised Cardiac Risk Index (RCRI) or National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP)). This stepwise approach has the potential to guide clinicians in determining which patients could benefit from cardiovascular therapy and/or coronary artery revascularization before non-cardiac surgery towards decreasing the incidence of perioperative morbidity and mortality. Finally, it should be highlighted that there is a need to implement specific strategies in the 2019 Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic to minimize the risk of transmission of COVID-19 infection during the preoperative risk assessment process.

Clinical and cardiac magnetic resonance findings in post-COVID patients referred for suspected myocarditis.

OBJECTIVES: We assessed possible myocardial involvement in previously cardiac healthy post-COVID patients referred for persisting symptoms with suspected myocarditis. BACKGROUND: Prior studies suggested myocardial inflammation in patients with coronavirus-induced disease 2019 (COVID-19). However, the prevalence of cardiac involvement among COVID patients varied between 1.4 and 78%. METHODS: A total of 56 post-COVID patients without previous heart diseases were included consecutively into this study. All patients had positive antibody titers against SARS-CoV-2. Patients were referred for persistent symptoms such as chest pain/discomfort, shortness of breath, or intolerance to activity. All patients underwent standardized cardiac assessment including electrocardiogram (ECG), cardiac biomarkers, echocardiography, and cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR). RESULTS: 56 Patients (46 ± 12 years, 54% females) presented 71 ± 66 days after their COVID-19 disease. In most patients, the course of COVID-19 was mild, with hospital treatment being necessary in five (9%). At presentation, patients most often reported persistent fatigue (75%), chest pain (71%), and shortness of breath (66%). Acute myocarditis was confirmed by T1/T2-weighed CMR and elevated NTpro-BNP levels in a single patient (2%). Left ventricular ejection fraction was 56% in this patient. Additional eight patients (14%) showed suspicious CMR findings, including myocardial edema without fibrosis (n = 3), or non-ischemic myocardial injury suggesting previous inflammation (n = 5). However, myocarditis could ultimately not be confirmed according to 2018 Lake Louise criteria; ECG, echo and lab findings were inconspicuous in all eight patients. CONCLUSIONS: Among 56 post-COVID patients with persistent thoracic complaints final diagnosis of myocarditis could be confirmed in a single patient using CMR.

Cardiogenic Shock Complicating Acute Myocardial Infarction Treated With Percutaneous Coronary Intervention Supported by Impella: Implications of Advanced Age and Refractory Shock on Outcomes.

With percutaneous left ventricular mechanical circulatory support devices becoming increasingly available for patients with cardiogenic shock due to acute myocardial infarction and the lack of a clear mortality benefit to date, identifying optimal candidates for this technology is crucial. We studied the effectiveness of Impella Cardiac Pow (Abiomed, Danvers, MA) in various stages of cardiogenic shock and elderly cohorts. DESIGN: Retrospective review. SETTING: Data were collected for patients at a single community hospital between January 1, 2018, and December 31, 2019. SUBJECTS: Thirty-one consecutive adult patients with cardiogenic shock due to acute myocardial infarction who received Impella Cardiac Pow support. Shock stages were defined by the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Intervention (Stages A-E). INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The primary outcome was in-hospital death across Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Intervention cardiogenic shock stages and in patients greater than or equal to 80 and less than 80 years old. Secondary outcomes were Valve Academic Research Consortium-2 vascular and bleeding complications, stroke, and renal failure requiring dialysis. The median age of the study population was 64 years, with seven patients (23%) being greater than or equal to 80 years old. No patients were in Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Intervention Stage A, whereas there were seven in B, eight in C, six in D, and 10 (32%) in E. Overall in-hospital mortality occurred in 61% of patients. All 10 patients in Stage E died before hospital discharge. Mortality occurred in 54% of patients (13/24) age less than 80 years compared with 86% of those 80 years or older (6/7). A total of 38.7% of patients (12/31) and 32.3% of patients (10/31) experienced Valve Academic Research Consortium-2 bleeding and vascular events, which were evenly distributed across Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Intervention cardiogenic shock Stages. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, patients with shock in extremis and those 80 years old and older may have a prohibitively high mortality despite Impella use. These findings merit further prospective investigation in a larger number of patients to evaluate the effectiveness of Impella (and other left ventricular mechanical circulatory devices) and the inherent resource utilization in advanced cardiogenic shock and the elderly.

Clinical features and outcomes in patients with cardiogenic shock complicating acute myocardial infarction: early vs recent experience with impella.

OBJECTIVES: To compare clinical features and outcomes in patients with acute myocardial infarction complicated by cardiogenic shock (AMICS) treated in the early experience with Impella percutaneous ventricular assist device and patients treated recently. BACKGROUND: Since pre-market approval (PMA) of Impella device as treatment for AMICS, use of the device has grown considerably. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 649 AMICS patients treated with perioperative Impella, with 291 patients treated from 2008 to 2014 comprising the early experience cohort and 358 patients treated from 2017 to 2019 comprising the recent experience cohort. The primary end point was risk adjusted in-hospital mortality. RESULTS: Mean age and gender distribution of patients was similar in the two cohorts. The recent cohort had more invasive hemodynamic monitoring (64% vs 46%; P < .001) and less use of an intra-aortic balloon pump prior to Impella (15% vs 41%; P < .001). Recently treated patients were significantly more likely to receive Impella support prior to PCI (58% vs 44%; P = .005). In-hospital mortality was lower in the recent cohort (48% vs 56%; P = .043). This difference was however no longer significant after risk adjustment (adjusted OR 0.89, 95% CI 0.59-1.34, P = .59). Rates of acute kidney injury, major bleeding, and vascular complications requiring surgery were also significantly lower in the recent cohort. CONCLUSIONS: Use of Impella for AMICS during recent years is associated with lower unadjusted in-hospital mortality, which may reflect better patient selection, earlier device implantation, and improved management algorithms. In-depth understanding of these factors may inform the development of future treatment protocols.

Differences in Baseline Characteristics and Outcomes in Young Caucasians and African Americans with Acute Myocardial Infarction.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in young patients is increasing. While race-related differences in clinical characteristics and outcomes for older AMI patients have been well-studied, such differences in young patients are unknown. METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of charts of Caucasian and African American (AA) patients <50 years of age, presenting with AMI between 2010 and 2017 in an urban, community hospital in Detroit, Michigan. RESULTS: A total of 271 patients were identified with 156 being AAs (57.5%). Mean age was 43 years which was similar in both groups. AAs with AMI were 2.2 times more likely to be women and to have a history of diabetes and 1.2 times more likely to have BMI >30 kg/m2. History of coronary artery disease (1.8-fold) and hypertension (1.5-fold) were also more common in AAs. Overall presenting features were similar, other than that AAs presented more often with non-ST-elevation MI and tended to present less often with cardiac arrest. No differences were observed in the angiographic findings or in-hospital outcomes in the two groups, with the exception of lower need of mechanical support in AAs. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, our data provide important, not previously described information on race-related differences in history, presentation, clinical and angiographic features and outcomes in AAs compared with Caucasians younger than 50 with AMI. These findings may have implications for tailoring specific preventive strategies to decrease the incidence of AMI and its associated adverse events in both racial groups.

Association between levosimendan, postoperative AKI, and mortality in cardiac surgery: Insights from the LEVO-CTS trial.

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to evaluate the association between levosimendan treatment and acute kidney injury (AKI) as well as assess the clinical sequelae of AKI in cardiac surgery patients with depressed left ventricular function (ejection fraction <35%). METHODS: Patients in the LEVO-CTS trial undergoing on-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), valve, or CABG/valve surgery were stratified by occurrence and severity of postoperative AKI using the AKIN classification. The association between levosimendan infusion and AKI was modeled using multivariable regression. RESULTS: Among 854 LEVO-CTS patients, 231 (27.0%) experienced postoperative AKI, including 182 (21.3%) with stage 1, 35 (4.1%) with stage 2, and 14 (1.6%) with stage 3 AKI. The rate of AKI was similar between patients receiving levosimendan or placebo. The odds of 30-day mortality significantly increased by AKI stage compared to those without AKI (stage 1: adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 2.0, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.8-4.9; stage 2: aOR 9.1, 95% CI 3.2-25.7; stage 3: aOR 12.4, 95% CI 3.0-50.4). No association was observed between levosimendan, AKI stage, and odds of 30-day mortality (interaction P = .69). Factors independently associated with AKI included increasing age, body mass index, diabetes, and increasing baseline systolic blood pressure. Increasing baseline eGFR and aldosterone antagonist use were associated with a lower risk of AKI. CONCLUSIONS: Postoperative AKI is common among high-risk patients undergoing cardiac surgery and associated with significantly increased risk of 30-day death or dialysis. Levosimendan was not associated with the risk of AKI.

Treatment of heavily calcified coronary artery stenosis using 3.5 mm peripheral intravascular lithotripsy balloon: case series.

BACKGROUND: Prevalence of coronary artery calcification is high among patients with advanced age, chronic kidney disease, and diabetes. Percutaneous coronary intervention of heavily calcified coronary artery remains a significant challenge for interventional cardiologists. Although there are several modalities available in treating calcified coronary arteries, lesion preparation of certain heavily calcified vessels remains inadequate prior to stent deployment and/or often associated with worse periprocedural adverse outcomes. CASE SUMMARY: We report feasibility and safety of 3.5 mm peripheral intravascular lithotripsy (IVL) for the treatment of severely calcified coronary stenosis in two patients after orbital atherectomy failed to debulk calcified plaque to enable stent deployment. DISCUSSION: Intravascular lithotripsy has recently emerged as a therapeutic option in treating calcified peripheral artery disease. However, coronary IVL is currently available only in a few centres in the USA. Studies are ongoing in the safety and efficacy of this technology in treating coronaries.

Association of Operator and Hospital Experience With Procedural Success Rates and Outcomes in Patients Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Interventions for Chronic Total Occlusions: Insights From the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Cardiovascular Consortium.

BACKGROUND: An inverse relationship has been described between procedural success and outcomes of all major cardiovascular procedures. However, this relationship has not been studied for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) of chronic total occlusion (CTO). METHODS: We analyzed the data on patients enrolled in Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Cardiovascular Consortium registry in Michigan (January 1, 2010 to March 31, 2018) to evaluate the association of operator and hospital experience with procedural success and outcomes of patients undergoing CTO-PCI. CTO-PCI was defined as intervention of a 100% occluded coronary artery presumed to be ≥3 months old. RESULTS: Among 210 172 patients enrolled in the registry, 7389 (3.5%) CTO-PCIs were attempted with a success rate of 53%. CTO-PCI success increased with operator experience (45% and 65% in the lowest and highest experience tertiles) and was the highest for highly experienced operators at higher experience centers and the lowest for inexperienced operators at low experience hospitals. Multivariable logistic regression models (with spline transformed prior operator and institutional experience) demonstrated a positive relationship between prior operator and site experience and procedural success rates (likelihood ratio test=141.12, df=15, P<0.001) but no relationship between operator and site experience and major adverse cardiac event (likelihood ratio test=19.12, df=15, P=0.208). CONCLUSIONS: Operator and hospital CTO-PCI experiences were directly related to procedural success but were not related to major adverse cardiac event among patients undergoing CTO-PCIs. Inexperienced operators at high experience centers had significantly higher success but not major adverse cardiac event rates compared with inexperienced operators at low experience centers. These data suggested that CTO-PCI safety and success could potentially be improved by selective referral of these procedures to experienced operators working at highly experienced centers.

Imaging Cardiovascular Emergencies: Real World Clinical Cases.

Cardiovascular emergencies represent life-threatening conditions requiring a high index of clinical suspicion. In an emergency scenario, a simple stepwise biomarker/imaging diagnostic algorithm may help prompt diagnosis and timely treatment along with related improved outcomes. This article describes several clinical cases of cardiovascular emergencies, such as coronary stent thrombosis-restenosis, takotsubo syndrome, acute myocarditis, massive pulmonary embolism, type A acute aortic dissection, cardiac tamponade, and endocarditis.

Percutaneous Coronary Intervention for Chronic Total Occlusion-The Michigan Experience: Insights From the BMC2 Registry.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to describe the performance and outcomes of chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in Michigan. BACKGROUND: CTO PCI has been associated with reduction in angina, but previous registry analyses showed a higher rate of major adverse cardiac events with this procedure. METHODS: To study uptake and outcomes of CTO PCI in Michigan, patients enrolled in the BMC2 (Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Cardiovascular Consortium) registry (2010 to 2017) were evaluated. CTO PCI was defined as intervention in a 100% occluded coronary artery ≥3 months old. RESULTS: Among 210,172 patients enrolled in the registry, 7,389 CTO PCIs (3.5%) were attempted, with 4,614 (58.3%) achieving post-procedural TIMI (Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction) flow grade 3. The proportion of PCIs performed on CTOs increased over the study period (from 2.67% in 2010 to 4.48% in 2017). Thirty of 47 hospitals performed >50 CTO interventions in 2017. Pre-procedural angina class ≤2 was present in one-quarter, and functional assessment for ischemia was performed in 46.6% of patients. Major complications occurred in 245 patients (3.3%) and included death (1.4%), post-procedural stroke (0.4%), cardiac tamponade (0.5%), and urgent coronary artery bypass graft surgery (1.3%). Procedural success improved modestly from 44.5% in 2010 to 54.9% in 2017 (p for trend < 0.001). Rates of in-hospital mortality (p for trend = 0.247) and major adverse cardiac event (p for trend = 0.859) for CTO PCI remained unchanged over the study period. CONCLUSIONS: The rate of CTO PCI in Michigan increased over the study period. Although the success rate of CTO PCI has increased modestly in contemporary practice, it remained far below the >80% reported by select high-volume CTO operators. The rate of periprocedural major adverse cardiac events or death remained unchanged over time. These data suggest room for improvement in the selection and functional assessment of CTO lesions before subjecting patients to the increased procedural risk associated with CTO PCI.

Levosimendan in patients with reduced left ventricular function undergoing isolated coronary or valve surgery.

OBJECTIVE: In the Levosimendan in Patients with Left Ventricular Systolic Dysfunction Undergoing Cardiac Surgery Requiring Cardiopulmonary Bypass (LEVO-CTS) trial, no differences in clinical outcomes were observed between levosimendan and placebo in a broad population of patients undergoing cardiac surgery. In previous studies, the benefits of levosimendan were most clearly evident in patients undergoing isolated coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery. In a prespecified analysis of LEVO-CTS, we compared treatment-related outcomes and costs across types of cardiac surgical procedures. METHODS: Overall, 563 (66.4%) patients underwent isolated CABG, 97 (11.4%) isolated valve, and 188 (22.2%) combined CABG/valve surgery. Outcomes included the co-primary 4-component composite (30-day mortality, 30-day renal replacement, 5-day myocardial infarction, or 5-day mechanical circulatory support), the 2-component composite (30-day mortality or 5-day mechanical circulatory support), 90-day mortality, low cardiac output syndrome (LCOS), and 30-day medical costs. RESULTS: The 4- and 2-component outcomes were not significantly different with levosimendan and placebo in patients undergoing CABG (15.2% vs 19.3% and 7.8% vs 10.4%), valve (49.0% vs 33.3% and 22.4% vs 2.1%), or combined procedures (39.6% vs 35.9% and 24.0% vs 19.6%). Ninety-day mortality was lower with levosimendan in isolated CABG (2.1% vs 7.9%; hazard ratio [HR], 0.26; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.11-0.64), but not significantly different in valve (8.3% vs 2.0%; HR, 4.10; 95% CI, 0.46-36.72) or combined procedures (10.4% vs 7.6%; HR, 1.39; 95% CI, 0.53-3.64; interaction P = .011). LCOS (12.0% vs 22.1%; odds ratio, 0.48; 95% CI, 0.30-0.76; interaction P = .118) was significantly lower in levosimendan-treated patients undergoing isolated CABG. Excluding study drug costs, median and mean 30-day costs were $53,707 and $65,852 for levosimendan and $54,636 and $67,122 for placebo, with a 30-day mean difference (levosimendan - placebo) of -$1270 (bootstrap 95% CI, -$8722 to $6165). CONCLUSIONS: Levosimendan was associated with lower 90-day mortality and LCOS in patients undergoing isolated CABG, but not in those undergoing isolated valve or combined CABG/valve procedures.

Comparison of nationwide trends in 30-day readmission rates after carotid artery stenting and carotid endarterectomy.

OBJECTIVE: Carotid revascularization procedures, carotid artery stenting (CAS) and carotid endarterectomy (CEA), are among the most common vascular interventions performed in the United States, with significant resource utilization. Whereas multiple studies have reported outcomes after these procedures, data regarding 30-day readmission rates after these interventions remain scant. METHODS: The U.S. Nationwide Readmission Database (2010-2014) was queried to identify all patients ≥18 years who were readmitted within 30 days after a hospital discharge for CEA or CAS. RESULTS: Among 476,260 patients included, 13.5% underwent CAS and 86.5% underwent CEA. The combined 30-day readmission rate for all carotid revascularization procedures was 9.2% (10.6% after CAS and 9.0% after CEA). After 1:3 propensity matching, CAS was associated with higher risk of readmission compared with CEA (10.4% vs 9.4%). Neurologic complications and cardiac conditions were the two most common causes of readmission after both CAS (29.7% and 23.7%, respectively) and CEA (28.2% and 21.7%, respectively). The 30-day readmission rates were higher in CAS patients across all age groups as well as in those with a low or high baseline burden of comorbidities. CONCLUSIONS: In this large nationwide study, CAS was associated with higher 30-day readmission rates compared with CEA irrespective of age or baseline burden of comorbidities. Neurologic or cardiac adverse events were responsible for >50% of readmissions after CAS and CEA.

Age-Related Differences in the Noninvasive Evaluation for Possible Coronary Artery Disease: Insights From the Prospective Multicenter Imaging Study for Evaluation of Chest Pain (PROMISE) Trial.

Importance: Although cardiovascular (CV) disease represents the leading cause of morbidity and mortality that increases with age, the best noninvasive test to identify older patients at risk for CV events remains unknown. Objective: To determine whether the prognostic utility of anatomic vs functional testing varies based on patient age. Design, Setting, and Participants: Prespecified analysis of the Prospective Multicenter Imaging Study for Evaluation of Chest Pain (PROMISE) study, which used a pragmatic comparative effectiveness design. Participants were enrolled from 193 sites across North America and comprised outpatients without known coronary artery disease (CAD) but with symptoms suggestive of CAD. Data were analyzed between October 2018 and April 2019. Interventions: Randomization to noninvasive testing with coronary computed tomographic angiography or functional testing. Main Outcomes and Measures: The composite of CV death/myocardial infarction (MI) over a median follow-up of 25 months. Results: Among 10 003 PROMISE patients, we included the 8966 who received the noninvasive test to which they were randomized and had interpretable results; 6378 (71.1%) were younger than 65 years, 2062 (23.0%) were between ages 65 and 74 years, and 526 (5.9%) were 75 years and older. More than half of participants were women (4720 of 8966 [52.6%]). Only a minority of patients were of nonwhite race/ethnicity, a proportion that was lower among the older age groups (1071 of 6378 [16.8%] for <65 years; 258 of 2062 [12.5%] for age 65-74 years; 41 of 526 [7.8%] for ≥75 years). Compared with patients younger than 65 years, older patients were more likely to have a positive test result (age 65-74 years: odds ratio, 1.65; 95% CI, 1.42-1.91; age ≥75 years: odds ratio, 2.32; 95% CI, 1.83-2.95), regardless of noninvasive test completed. A positive functional test result was not associated with CV death/MI in patients younger than 65 years (hazard ratio [HR], 1.09; 95% CI, 0.43-2.82) but it was among older patients (age 65-74 years: HR, 3.18; 95% CI, 1.44-7.01; age ≥75 years: HR, 6.55; 95% CI, 1.46-29.35). Conversely, a positive anatomic test result was associated with CV death/MI among patients younger than 65 years (HR, 3.04; 95% CI, 1.46-6.34) but not among older patients (age, 65-74 years: HR, 0.67; 95% CI, 0.15-2.94; age ≥75 years: HR, 1.07; 95% CI, 0.22-5.34; P for interaction = .01). An elevated coronary artery calcium score was predictive of events in patients younger than 65 years (HR, 2.73; 95% CI, 1.31-5.69) but not for older patients (age 65-74 years: HR, 0.44; 95% CI, 0.14-1.42; age ≥75 years: HR, 1.31; 95% CI, 0.25-6.88). Conclusions and Relevance: Older patients with stable symptoms suggestive of CAD are more likely to have a positive noninvasive test result and more coronary artery calcium. However, only a positive functional test result was associated with risk of CV death/MI. Age-specific approaches to noninvasive evaluation of CAD should be further examined. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01174550.