Exercise Therapy in the Management of Peripheral Arterial Disease.

The incidence and prevalence of peripheral artery disease (PAD) are increasing globally and have a marked economic burden in the United States. The American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology guidelines recommend exercise therapy as a Class 1A, but its utilization remains suboptimal. This state-of-the-art review aims to provide a comprehensive review of the most updated information available on PAD, along with its risk factors, management options, outcomes, economic burden, and the role of exercise therapy in managing PAD.

Frailty Predicts Adverse Outcomes in Older Patients Undergoing Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR): From the National Inpatient Sample.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to study the impact of frailty on the outcome of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) procedures. METHODS: The National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database was queried for all patients aged ≥65 years who underwent a TAVR procedure during the years 2016-2017. Frailty was measured using a previously validated Hospital Frailty Risk Score (HFRS) scoring system. The score is ICD-10 code based; thus, it can be calculated from an administrative database. Study outcomes were in-hospital all-cause mortality, peri-procedural complications, length of stay, and total cost. Outcomes were modeled using logistic regression for binary outcomes and generalized linear regression for continuous outcomes. RESULTS: There were 84,750 patients included in the study. These patients were divided into low-risk (61,050), intermediate-risk (22,955), and high-risk (744), based on average frailty index scores of 2, 7, and 16.8, respectively. On multivariable analysis, the HFRS correlated with increased odds for mortality with an adjusted odd ratio (a-OR) of 1.25 (95% CI: 1.22-1.29, p < 0.001), myocardial infarction [a-OR 1.10 (95% CI: 1.07-1.13, p < 0.001)], pericardiocentesis [a-OR 1.16 (95% CI: 1.12-1.20, p < 0.001)], pacemaker insertion [a-OR 1.06 (95% CI: 1.04-1.08, p < 0.001)], blood transfusion [a-OR 1.14 (95% CI: 1.11-1.16, p < 0.001)], vascular complications [a-OR 1.05 (95% CI: 1.00-1.09, p = 0.03)], longer length of stay [a-MR 1.10 (95% CI: 1.10-1.11, p < 0.001)] and higher cost [a-MR: 1.04 (95% CI: 1.03-1.04, p < 0.001)]. CONCLUSION: The HFRS can be utilized in the risk stratification of older patients undergoing TAVR.

IMPELLA VERSUS EXTRACORPOREAL MEMBRANE OXYGENATION IN CARDIOGENIC SHOCK: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW AND META-ANALYSIS.

ABSTRACT: Background: Cardiogenic shock (CS) carries high mortality. The roles of specific mechanical circulatory support (MCS) systems are unclear. We compared the clinical outcomes of Impella versus extracorporal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in patients with CS. Methods: This is a systematic review and meta-analysis that was conducted in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta Analyses guidelines. We searched PubMed, Cochrane Central Register, Embase, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and ClinicalTrials.gov (inception through May 10, 2022) for studies comparing the outcomes of Impella versus ECMO in CS. We used random-effects models to calculate risk ratios (RRs) with 95% confidence interval (CIs). End points included in-hospital, 30-day, and 12-month all-cause mortality, successful weaning from MCS, bridge to transplant, all reported bleeding, stroke, and acute kidney injury. Results: A total of 10 studies consisting of 1,827 CS patients treated with MCS were included in the analysis. The risk of in-hospital all-cause mortality was significantly lower with Impella compared with ECMO (RR, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.65-1.00; P = 0.05), whereas there was no statistically significant difference in 30-day (RR, 0.97, 95% CI, 0.82-1.16; P = 0.77) and 12-month mortality (RR, 0.90; 95% CI, 0.74-1.11; P = 0.32). There were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of successful weaning (RR, 0.97; 95% CI, 0.81-1.15; P = 0.70) and bridging to transplant (RR, 0.88; 95% CI, 0.58-1.35; P = 0.56). There was less risk of bleeding and stroke in the Impella group compared with the ECMO group. Conclusions: In patients with CS, the use of Impella is associated with lower rates of in-hospital mortality, bleeding, and stroke than ECMO. Future randomized studies with adequate sample sizes are needed to confirm these findings.

In-hospital outcomes of transapical versus surgical aortic valve replacement: from the U.S. national inpatient sample.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the outcomes of transapical transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TA-TAVR) and surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) using a large US population sample. METHODS: The U.S. National Inpatient Sample was queried for all patients who underwent TA-TAVR or SAVR during the years 2016-2017. The primary outcome was all-cause in-hospital mortality. Secondary outcomes were in-hospital stroke, pericardiocentesis, pacemaker insertion, mechanical ventilation, vascular complications, major bleeding, acute kidney injury, length of stay, and cost of hospitalization. Outcomes were modeled using multi-variable logistic regression for binary outcomes and generalized linear models for continuous outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 1560 TA-TAVR and 44,280 SAVR patients were included. Patients who underwent TA-TAVR were older and frailer. Compared to SAVR, TA-TAVR correlated with a higher mortality (4.5% vs. 2.7%, effect size (SMD) = 0.1) and higher periprocedural complications. Following multivariable analysis, both TA-TAVR and SAVR had a similar adjusted risk for in-hospital mortality. TA-TAVR correlated with lower odds of bleeding with (adjusted OR (aOR) = 0.26; 95% CI: 0.18-0.38;P < 0.001), and a shorter length of stay (adjusted mean ratio (aMR) = 0.77; 95% CI: 0.69-0.84; P < 0.001), but higher cost (aMR = 1.18; 95% CI: 1.10-1.28; P < 0.001). No significant differences in other study outcomes. In subgroup analysis, TA-TAVR in patients with chronic lung disease had higher odds for mortality (aOR = 3.11; 95%CI: 1.37-7.08; P = 0.007). CONCLUSION: The risk-adjusted analysis showed that TA-TAVR has no advantage over SAVR except for patients with chronic lung disease where TA-TAVR has higher mortality.

National Trends of Outcomes in Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) Through Transapical Versus Endovascular Approach: From the National Inpatient Sample (NIS).

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the trends in complication rates following transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) procedures according to the type of vascular approach (endovascular vs. transapical) in a large US population sample. METHODS: The National Inpatient Sample (NIS) was queried for all patients diagnosed with aortic stenosis who underwent a TAVR procedure in the United States during the years 2012-2016. Outcomes assessed were peri-procedural mortality, cardiac, and non-cardiac complications. Hospitalization outcomes were modeled using logistic regression for binary outcomes and generalized linear models for continuous outcomes. RESULTS: There were 97,320 endovascular-TAVR patients and 11,140 transapical-TAVR patients. The mean age was 80.8 years (standard error of the mean: ± 0.1). Most patients were males (53.7%) and Caucasian (87.1%). On multivariate analysis, after adjusting for age, gender, comorbidities, as well as hospital factors, patients with the transapical approach had a higher risk for mortality and adverse outcomes. Among the endovascular-TAVR group, national trends showed a diminishing incidence of procedural mortality (incidence rate ratio [IRR] 0.77; 95% CI: 0.72-0.84, p < 0.001), stroke (IRR 0.80; 95% CI: 0.73-0.87, p < 0.001), and all secondary outcomes, but no significant change in myocardial infarction. In contrast, most transapical-TAVR related procedural complications remained unchanged over time, except for a significant decrease in stroke, acute respiratory failure and need for pacemaker insertion. CONCLUSION: National trends show a steady increase in the number of endovascular-TAVR procedures with a concurrent decrease in procedural complications.

Etiology and Determinants of In-Hospital Survival in Patients Resuscitated After Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest in an Urban Medical Center.

Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is a leading cause of mortality globally. The goals of this study were to describe common causes of OHCA in an urban US medical center, identify predictive factors for survival, and to assess whether neurological status upon return of spontaneous circulation might be predictive of outcomes: 124 consecutive patients aged 18 years and older with OHCA admitted at Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center were studied. All patients resuscitated in the field with return of spontaneous circulation then transferred to the emergency department were included. The Glasgow Coma Score (GCS) was evaluated immediately on hospital arrival. In the total group, 34% (42 of 124) were discharged alive. In patients with coronary artery disease (CAD), 51% (20 of 39) were discharged alive versus 26% (22 of 85) of non-CAD patients (p <0.01). Initial GCS ≥ 9 was highly predictive of survival: 94% (34 of 36) of patients with GCS ≥ 9 survived versus 9% (8 of 88) with GCS ≤ 8 (p <0.0001). Defibrillation in the field was predictive of survival (chi-square = 7.81, p = 0.005). In the CAD group, all 16 patients with GCS ≥ 9 on presentation to the Emergency Department survived whereas all 13 with GCS ≤ 5 died (both p <0.0001). In the non-CAD group, 18 of 20 patients with GCS ≥ 9 survived, whereas only 2 of 52 with GCS ≤ 5 survived (both p <0.0001). Multivariate analysis by logistic regression showed that the strongest predictor of survival in the non-CAD subgroup was GCS (OR 0.27, CI 0.19 to 0.55, p <0.001). In conclusion, the etiology of the OHCA, immediate neurologic status, and defibrillation in the field (suggesting presenting arrhythmia) were predictive of survival. Immediate neurological recovery (GCS ≥ 9) regardless of etiology was a strong predictor of survival to discharge. Additional predictive factors depend on the etiology of the OHCA event. These data suggest that these straightforward factors can be helpful in predicting outcome in patients resuscitated after OHCA.

Collaborative Cardiac Care: A Comprehensive Heart Team Approach to Multiple Severe Vascular Conditions.

Left main artery coronary disease represents the highest risk lesion of ischemic heart disease. Revascularization can be accomplished by surgery or percutaneous interventions. This study highlights the case of a patient with severe multiple peripheral vascular conditions and complex coronary anatomy treated with percutaneous coronary intervention using mechanical circulatory support. (Level of Difficulty: Intermediate.).

Massive Hemorrhagic Pericardial Effusion With Cardiac Tamponade as Initial Manifestation of Mixed Connective Tissue Disease.

Mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD) is a distinct entity of connective tissue disorders characterized by overlapping clinical features of various autoimmune diseases along with the presence of antibodies to ribonucleoprotein (anti-RNP). The prevalence of cardiac involvement in MCTD varies from 13% to 65% and accounts for approximately 20% of MCTD related mortality. In this case, we describe an elderly female patient with multiple complaints without a clear etiology on presentation. Echocardiogram revealed severe rapidly accumulating pericardial effusion causing tamponade necessitating pericardial window. Laboratory investigations showed positive ribonucleoprotein antibodies. Biopsy of pericardial tissue revealed fibrinous pericarditis. While pericarditis is commonly associated with MCTD, pericardial tamponade on the other hand is rarely described. This case highlights a very rare complication of the disease. Early recognition, prompt treatment, and regular follow-up with serial echo are essential for treatment.

A History of Kawasaki Disease From Childhood and Coronary Artery Ectasia With Recurrent ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction: A Therapeutic Challenge.

Coronary artery ectasia (CAE) is an uncommon anomaly, usually found in 1.2-2% of patients undergoing coronary angiography, defined as a segment of the coronary artery that has a diameter of more than 1.5 times the normal adjacent segments. Atherosclerosis is considered as the cause of half of the CAE cases. We herein present a 65-year-old Asian male with past medical history of Kawasaki disease (KD) who developed recurrent episodes of inferior wall ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) despite treatment with dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT). Repeat coronary angiogram showed severely ectatic and tortuous coronary arteries more predominant on the right coronary artery (RCA) with diffuse thrombus in its mid segment. Given his unfavorable vascular anatomy, the condition was managed medically with the addition of warfarin to his DAPT with target international normalized ratio (INR) 2 - 3. This case highlights the association of CAE with a prior history of KD and its therapeutic challenge.