The impact of mechanical oesophageal deviation on posterior wall pulmonary vein reconnection.

AIMS: During atrial fibrillation ablation, oesophageal heating typically prompts reduction or termination of radiofrequency energy delivery. We previously demonstrated oesophageal temperature rises are associated with posterior left atrial pulmonary vein reconnection (PVR) during redo procedures. In this study, we assessed whether mechanical oesophageal deviation (MED) during an index procedure minimizes posterior wall PVRs during redo procedures. METHODS AND RESULTS: Patients in whom we performed a first-ever procedure followed by a clinically driven redo procedure were divided based on both the use of MED for oesophageal protection and the ablation catheter employed (force or non-force sensing) in the first procedure. The PVR sites were compared between MED using a force-sensing catheter (MEDForce), or no MED with a non-force (ControlNoForce) or force (ControlForce) sensing catheter. Despite similar clinical characteristics, the MEDForce redo procedure rate (9.2%, 26/282 patients) was significantly less than the ControlNoForce (17.2%, 126/734 patients; P = 0.002) and ControlForce (17.5%, 20/114 patients; P = 0.024) groups. During the redo procedure, the posterior PVR rate with MEDForce (2%, 1/50 PV pairs) was significantly less than with either ControlNoForce (17.7%, 44/249 PV pairs; P = 0.004) or ControlForce (22.5%, 9/40 PV pairs; P = 0.003), or aggregate Controls (18.3%, 53/289 PV pairs; P = 0.006). However, the anterior PVR rate with MEDForce (8%, 4/50 PV pairs) was not significantly different than Controls (aggregate Controls-3.5%, 10/289 PV pairs, P = 0.136; ControlNoForce-2.4%, 6/249 PV pairs, P = 0.067; ControlForce-10%, 4/40 PV pairs, P = 1.0). CONCLUSION: Oesophageal deviation improves the durability of the posterior wall ablation lesion set during AF ablation.

Cardiovascular Abnormalities in Carbon Monoxide Poisoning.

Acute carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning is the most common cause of poisoning and poisoning-related death in the United States. It manifests as broad spectrum of symptoms ranging from mild headache, nausea, and fatigue to dizziness, syncope, coma, seizures resulting in cardiovascular collapse, respiratory failure, and death. Cardiovascular complications of CO poisoning has been well reported and include myocardial stunning, left ventricular dysfunction, pulmonary edema, and arrhythmias. Acute myocardial ischemia has also been reported from increased thrombogenicity due to CO poisoning. Myocardial toxicity from CO exposure is associated with increased short-term and long-term mortality. Carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) levels do not correlate well with the clinical severity of CO poisoning. Supplemental oxygen remains the cornerstone of therapy for CO poisoning. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy increases CO elimination and has been used with wide variability in patients with evidence of neurological and myocardial injury from CO poisoning, but its benefit in limiting or reversing cardiac injury is unknown. We present a comprehensive review of literature on cardiovascular manifestations of CO poisoning and propose a diagnostic algorithm for managing patients with CO poisoning.

Right ventricular apical versus non-apical implantable cardioverter defibrillator lead: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: We aimed to study the effect of right ventricular implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) lead positioning on clinical outcomes in patients undergoing ICD placement. METHODS: A systematic literature search was performed using PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials to identify clinical trials comparing outcomes in patients with ICD leads in apical and non-apical positions. The primary outcome of our study was death at 1-year follow-up. Secondary outcomes studied were "death at 3years", "total number of shocks", "appropriate shocks", "inappropriate shocks" and "cut-to-suture time". RESULTS: We analyzed a total of 3731 patients (2852 in apical and 879 in non-apical ICD groups) enrolled in 4 clinical trials. No significant difference was observed between the apical and non-apical ICD groups in all-cause mortality at 1year (OR 0.88; 95% CI 0.51-1.49, p=0.63; I2=5.32%). Similarly, no differences were seen between the two groups in death at 3years (OR=0.76; 95% CI 0.56-1.04, p=0.08; I2=0%), total number of shocks (OR 0.99; 95% CI 0.81-1.22, p=0.95; I2=0%), appropriate shocks (OR 1.00; 95% CI 0.79-1.27, p=0.99; I2=0%), inappropriate shocks (OR 0.98; 95% CI 0.70-1.37, p=0.91; I2=0%) and cut-to-suture time (Standard mean difference=-0.03; 95% CI -0.20 to 0.14, p=0.73; I2=0%). No publication bias was seen. CONCLUSION: Non-apical RV ICD lead implantation is non-inferior to traditional RV apical position with no significant differences in mortality, total number of shocks, appropriate shocks, inappropriate shocks and procedural time.

Regional variation in the incidence and outcomes of in-hospital cardiac arrest in the United States.

BACKGROUND: Regional variation in the incidence and outcomes of in-hospital cardiac arrest (IHCA) is not well studied and may have important health and policy implications. METHODS AND RESULTS: We used the 2003 to 2011 Nationwide Inpatient Sample databases to identify patients≥18 years of age who underwent cardiopulmonary resuscitation (International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Edition, Clinical Modification procedure codes 99.60 and 99.63) for IHCA. Regional differences in IHCA incidence, survival to hospital discharge, and resource use (total hospital cost and discharge disposition among survivors) were analyzed. Of 838,465 patients with IHCA, 162,270 (19.4%) were in the Northeast, 159,581 (19.0%) were in the Midwest, 316,201 (37.7%) were in the South, and 200,413 (23.9%) were in the West. Overall IHCA incidence in the United States was 2.85 per 1000 hospital admissions. IHCA incidence was lowest in the Midwest and highest in the West (2.33 and 3.73 per 1000 hospital admissions, respectively). Compared with the Northeast, risk-adjusted survival to discharge was significantly higher in the Midwest (odds ratio, 1.33; 95% confidence interval, 1.31-1.36), South (odds ratio, 1.21; 95% confidence interval, 1.19-1.23), and West (odds ratio, 1.25; 95% confidence interval, 1.23-1.27). IHCA survival increased significantly from 2003 to 2011 in the United States and in all regions (all Ptrend<0.001). Total hospital cost was highest in the West, whereas discharge to skilled nursing facility and use of home health care among survivors was highest in the Northeast. CONCLUSIONS: We observed significant regional variation in IHCA incidence, survival, and resource use in the United States. This variation was explained only partially by differences in patient and hospital characteristics. Further studies are needed to identify other potential factors responsible for these regional differences to improve outcomes after IHCA.

Prosthetic Valve Thrombosis: Diagnosis and Management.

St. Jude mechanical prosthesis is the most commonly used prosthetic device with least valvular complications with excellent hemodynamics. However, prosthetic valve thrombosis is one of the serious complications, with rates between 0.03% and 0.13% per patient-year depending on the type of anticoagulation used and compliance to the therapy. Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) is the initial screening tool (class I) that would provide clues for the assessment of valvular hemodynamics. Fluoroscopy is an alternate imaging modality for the assessment of mechanical leaflet motion, especially in patients when prosthetic valves are difficult to image on TTE or transesophageal echocardiography. A complete fluoroscopic evaluation of a prosthetic valve includes assessment of valvular motion and structural integrity. Opening and closing angles can be measured fluoroscopically to determine whether a specific valve is functioning properly. We discuss a case of a 91-year-old man with thrombosis of bileaflet mechanical mitral prosthesis that was demonstrated on real-time fluoroscopy (not evident on TTE). An algorithmic approach to diagnosis and management of prosthetic heart valve thrombosis is outlined.

Syncope: Approaches to Diagnosis and Management.

Syncope is defined as a transient loss of consciousness due to cerebral hypoperfusion followed by spontaneous recovery. Common causes of syncope include vasovagal syncope, situational syncope, orthostatic hypotension, carotid sinus hypersensitivity, left- and right-sided obstructive cardiac lesions, and cardiac arrhythmias. History and physical examination often provide valuable clues about the underlying etiology of syncope. Admission decisions in the emergency department can be guided by various risk prediction scores. Evaluation of a patient with syncope involves a large battery of diagnostic tests that include a 12-lead electrocardiogram, Holter monitoring, echocardiogram, tilt table testing, ischemia evaluation, electrophysiologic studies, and other imaging tests. Despite the availability of these advanced diagnostic tests, a significant proportion of patients with syncope remain undiagnosed. Therapy should be tailored based on the underlying etiology of syncope.

The Conundrum of "Warfarin Hypersensitivity": Prolonged Partial Thromboplastin Time From Factor IX Propeptide Mutation.

Carboxylation of glutamic acid residues of vitamin K dependent clotting factors (II, VII, IX, and X) is essential to their biological functioning. Binding of these factors to γ-glutamyl carboxylase enzyme for carboxylation reaction is mediated by wild-type propeptide, a small sequence of amino acids that precede the actual polypeptide. Missense mutations at certain residue severely decrease the affinity of mutated propeptide for the enzyme. Such mutations are reported to occur at codon-10 of factor IX propeptide, a clinically silent metabolic event in normal conditions. However in the presence of warfarin, such mutations and resultant decrease affinity of factor IX propeptide for the enzyme that causes severe selective decrease in factor IX activity. This can potentially leads to life-threatening bleeding complications and known as one of the causes of warfarin hypersensitivity. It is imperative to recognize such cases early on to avoid additional warfarin therapy. Recurrent bleeding episodes, subtherapeutic to therapeutic range international normalized ratio values with relatively prolong partial thromboplastin time should raise the suspicion of underlying factor IX propeptide mutations.

Etiology of Syncope in Patients Hospitalized With Syncope and Predictors of Mortality and Readmission for Syncope at 17-Month Follow-Up: A Prospective Study.

We investigated the etiologies of syncope and risk factors for mortality and rehospitalization for syncope at 17-month follow-up in a prospective study of 242 consecutive patients, mean age 69 years, hospitalized for syncope. The etiologies of syncope included the following: vasovagal syncope in 49 patients (20%), volume depletion in 39 patients (16%), orthostatic hypotension in 13 patients (5%), primary cardiac arrhythmias in 25 patients (10.3%), structural cardiac disease in 6 patients (2%), and drug overdose in 5 patients (2%). The etiology of syncope could not be determined in 84 patients (35%). Of the 242 patients, 6 (2%) were rehospitalized for syncope and 12 (5%) died. Stepwise logistic regression analysis showed that the significant independent prognostic factors for rehospitalization for syncope were drug overdose [odds ratio (OR): 11.506; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.083-22.261]. Stepwise logistic regression analysis showed that significant independent prognostic factors for time to mortality were undetermined etiology of syncope (OR: 4.665; 95% CI: 1.002, 21.727), San Francisco Syncope Score (OR: 3.537; 95% CI: 1.472-8.496), hypertension (OR: 0.099; 95% CI: 0.019-0.504), and glomerular filtration rate (OR: 0.964; 95% CI: 0.937-0.993).

Sudden Cardiac Arrest in a Patient With Apical Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy: Case Report and a Brief Review of Literature.

Apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a phenotypic variant of nonobstructive HCM, in which hypertrophy of the myocardium predominantly involves the left ventricular apex. It is common in Japanese and other Asian populations but is rare in the United States. Apical HCM has a relatively benign prognosis in terms of cardiovascular mortality; however, morbid events such as ventricular aneurysms, apical thrombi, diastolic dysfunction, atrial fibrillation, and myocardial infarction are not uncommon. We report a case of an 18-year-old white man who presented to our hospital after an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. The patient had a witnessed collapse while playing basketball in the field. He was found to be pulseless and unresponsive by his coach, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation was immediately started. Upon arrival of emergency medical services, an automated external defibrillator advised shock and he was defibrillated thrice. Return of spontaneous circulation was achieved in 15 minutes. He was intubated for airway protection and was brought to the hospital. Therapeutic hypothermia was initiated. He demonstrated good neurological status after active rewarming. Subsequent cardiac magnetic resonance imaging was suggestive of apical HCM with right ventricular involvement. The patient underwent an implantable cardioverter defibrillator placement for secondary prevention and was subsequently discharged. In conclusion, apical HCM can rarely be associated with adverse cardiovascular events. The diagnosis may be missed on transthoracic 2-dimensional cardiac echocardiogram, and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging should be considered to exclude apical HCM in young patients who present after sudden cardiac arrest.

Gender Differences and Predictors of Mortality in Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy: Analysis from the National Inpatient Sample 2009-2010 Database.

OBJECTIVES: Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TC) is characterized by left-ventricle apical ballooning with elevated cardiac biomarkers and electrocardiographic changes similar to an acute coronary syndrome. We studied the prevalence, in-hospital mortality, and predictors of mortality in TC. METHODS: All patients ≥18 years of age diagnosed with TC were identified in the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) 2009-2010 database using the 9th revision of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) 429.83. Demographics, conventional risk factors (diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and tobacco abuse), acute critical illnesses like sepsis, acute cerebrovascular disease (cerebrovascular accident; CVA), acute respiratory insufficiency, and acute renal failure, and chronic conditions (anxiety, depression, and malignancy) were studied. RESULTS: The prevalence of TC was 0.02% (n = 7,510). The total in-hospital mortality rate was 2.4%, with a higher mortality in men (4.8%) than in women (2.1%). Sepsis (9 vs. 4.2%; p < 0.01) was more prevalent in men with an increased prevalence of other critical illness, although this was not statistically significant. Age (OR 1.05; 95% CI 1.01-1.09), malignancy (OR 3.38; 95% CI 1.35-8.41), acute renal failure (OR 5.4; 95% CI 2.2-13.7), acute CVA (OR 9.4; 95% CI 2.96-29.8), and acute respiratory failure (OR 11.1; 95% CI 3.9-31.1) predicted mortality in fully adjusted models. CONCLUSION: A higher mortality was seen in men, likely related to the increased prevalence of acute critical illnesses, ventricular arrhythmia, and sudden cardiac arrest. Acute CVA and respiratory failure were the strongest predictors of mortality. © 2015 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Prevalence and predictors of coronary artery disease in adults with Kawasaki disease.

BACKGROUND: Accelerated coronary atherosclerosis in patients with Kawasaki disease, in conjunction with coronary artery aneurysm and stenosis that characterise this disease, are potential risk factors for developing coronary artery disease in young adults. We aimed to determine the prevalence and predictors of coronary artery disease in adult patients with Kawasaki disease. METHODS: All patients aged 18-55 years of age diagnosed with Kawasaki disease were sampled from Nationwide Inpatient Sample database using International Classification of Diseases 9th revision (ICD 9 code 446.1) from 2009 to 2010. Demographics, prevalence of coronary artery disease, and other traditional risk factors in adult patients with Kawasaki disease were analysed using ICD 9 codes. RESULTS: The prevalence of Kawasaki disease among adults was 0.0005% (n=215) of all in-hospital admissions in United States. The mean age was 27.3 years with women (27.6 years) older than men (27.1 years). Traditional risk factors were hypertension (21%), hyperlipidaemia (15.6%), diabetes (11.5%), tobacco use (8.8%), and obesity (8.8%), with no significant difference between men and women. Coronary artery disease (32.4%), however, was more prevalent in men (44.7%) than in women (12.1%; p=0.03). In multivariate regression analysis, after adjusting for demographics and traditional risk factors, hypertension (OR=13.2, p=0.03) was an independent risk factor of coronary artery disease. CONCLUSION: There was increased preponderance of coronary artery disease in men with Kawasaki disease. On multivariate analysis, hypertension was found to be the only independent predictor of coronary artery disease in this population after adjusting for other risk factors.

Warfarin use and prevalence of coronary artery calcification assessed by multislice computed tomography.

Warfarin inhibits the synthesis and function of matrix Gla protein, a vitamin K-dependent protein, which is a potent inhibitor of tissue calcification. We had earlier reported the association of warfarin use with valvular calcification in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation. The aim of our present study was to investigate the association of warfarin use with the presence and severity of coronary artery calcification. A total of 233 patients underwent computed tomography scan (CT) at our institution for the assessment of coronary artery calcium score (CACS). Of 233 patients, the mean age was 63 years, 28 patients (12%) were treated with warfarin, and 205 patients (88%) were not on warfarin. Based on their total CACS, the patients were subsequently stratified into 59 with no coronary calcium (CACS = 0), 63 with low CACS (1-100), 49 with moderate CACS (101-400), 33 with severe CACS (410-1000), and 29 with very severe CACS (>1000). The χ test and Student t-test were used for the comparison of categorical and continuous variables, respectively, between warfarin users and nonusers. Using the variables age, gender, race, smoking, hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, glomerular filtration rate, calcium-phosphorus product, alkaline phosphatase, use of aspirin, beta blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers, and statins, stepwise logistic regression analysis did not show any association of coronary calcification with use of warfarin. In our study, warfarin use was not associated with a higher prevalence or severity of CACS assessed by coronary computed tomography.

Predictors of coronary artery disease in patients with Behçet's disease.

BACKGROUND: Behçet's disease (BD) is a multisystem vasculitis of unknown etiology. We aimed to determine the prevalence and predictors of coronary artery disease (CAD) in patients with BD. METHODS: All adult patients diagnosed with BD from the National Inpatient Sample database using the International Classification of Diseases 9th revision (ICD-9 code 136.1) during 2009-2010 were included in the analysis. We analyzed the demographics, traditional risk factors, prevalence, and predictors of CAD in patients with BD using ICD-9 codes. RESULTS: The prevalence of BD among adults was 0.006% (n = 2,540) of all in-hospital admissions in the USA. The mean age was 43.9 years, with women (45 years) being older than men (40 years) (p < 0.001). Traditional risk factors prevalent in our study were hypertension (35%), hyperlipidemia (17.4%), diabetes mellitus (13.8%), smoking (13.1%), and obesity (7.2%). The prevalence of CAD was 12.1%. Hypertension (OR = 2.20, p = 0.03) and hyperlipidemia (OR = 2.34, p = 0.02) were found to be independent predictors of CAD in a multimodel regression analysis. CONCLUSION: In patients with BD, traditional risk factors associated with CAD were similar to what is expected in the overall population. However, the young age of patients with CAD in this population suggests an accelerated course of atherosclerosis in BD.

Peripheral venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in combination with intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation in patients with cardiovascular compromise.

OBJECTIVES: Patients with profound cardiovascular compromise have poor prognosis despite inotropic and intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) support. Peripheral venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (V-A ECMO) offers these patients temporary support as a bridge to various options including the 'bridge to recovery'. METHODS: We studied the outcomes of 135 patients who underwent peripheral V-A ECMO and concomitant IABP implantation in our hospital from 2007 to 2012 for various clinical indications. The ECMO circuit consisted of a centrifugal pump and an oxygenator. RESULTS: V-A ECMO was implanted in the cardiac catheterization laboratory in 51 patients (37.8%), at the bedside in 5 (3.7%) and in the operating room in 79 (58.5%). Mean duration of support was 8.5 ± 7.1 days. Median length of stay was 28 days (interquartile range 14-62). Complications included bleeding at the access site in 14.1%, stroke in 11.1% and vascular complications requiring intervention in 16.3%. Overall inhospital survival was 57.8% with outcomes including heart transplantation (3%), implantable left ventricular assist device (8.1% as bridge to transplantation and 6.7% as destination therapy), surgery (7.4%) and myocardial recovery (40.7%). Prior IABP use and axillary cannulation were independent predictors of reduced inhospital mortality, stroke or vascular injury. CONCLUSIONS: Peripheral V-A ECMO with IABP is an effective therapy for patients with severely compromised cardiovascular function. It offers reasonable survival and a spectrum of definitive options from 'bridge to recovery' to heart transplantation for the management of this critically ill population.

Diagnosis and management of bone cement implantation syndrome: case report and brief review.

Bone cement implantation syndrome (BCIS) is a rare but potentially fatal intraoperative complication that occurs in patients undergoing cemented orthopedic surgeries. Lack of a robust definition of the syndrome due to rarity of the condition has probably contributed to under reporting of cases. We report a case of a 72-year-old woman hospitalized for an elective orthopedic procedure with a postoperative course complicated by BCIS requiring supportive care in the intensive care unit setting.

Protease-activated receptor-1 antagonists: focus on SCH 530348.

Currently available antiplatelet agents have shown improved short- and long-term clinical outcomes but are associated with increased bleeding risk, and the rates of recurrent ischemic events still remain high. Selective inhibition of protease-activated receptor-1 for thrombin represents a potential novel strategy to reduce ischemic events without increasing the risk of bleeding. Two protease-activated receptor-1 antagonists are currently being evaluated in clinical trials: SCH 530348 and E5555. Results of phase II trials have shown that SCH 530348, when added to standard antiplatelet therapy, was well tolerated and not associated with increased bleeding risk. Two large-scale phase III trials assessing the efficacy of SCH 530348 in addition to the standard of care are currently ongoing. This review provides an outline of the current status of understanding on platelet thrombin-receptor antagonist SCH 530348, focusing on its pharmacologic properties and clinical development.

Management of F/P+/- hypereosinophilic syndromes: case report and treatment review.

Eosinophilia in clinical practice can occur due to various pathologic processes. Causes of eosinophilia include idiopathic eosinophilia, reactive eosinophilia, idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES), chronic eosinophilic leukemia, and other hematopoietic neoplasms (myeloid, lymphatic, or mast cell). We present a case of a 22-year-old man with HES with remarkable clinical manifestations and treatment challenges.

Interstitial lung disease associated with azacitidine use: a case report.

Azacitidine is a pyrimidine nucleoside analog licensed for treatment of adult patients with myelodysplastic syndrome. Azacitidine acts as an inducer of cell differentiation by causing demethylation and re-expression of genes silenced by hypermethylation. We report a 56-year-old man with myelodysplastic syndrome who developed interstitial lung disease after azacitidine therapy. Open lung biopsy revealed a nonresolving organizing pneumonia pattern and bronchocentric granulomatous pattern suggestive of drug-induced lung injury. Treatment with steroids and discontinuation of azacitidine led to resolution of interstitial lung disease. The Naranjo adverse drug reaction probability scale score indicated that the association between azacitidine and interstitial lung disease was probable. Interstitial lung disease is a serious but uncommon side effect of this relatively safe drug. The mechanism underlying this is still unclear. The patient was subsequently treated with decitabine with no recurrence of interstitial lung disease.

Acute hypotensive transfusion reaction with concomitant use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors: a case report and review of the literature.

Hypotension can be a manifestation of transfusion reactions, including acute hemolysis, bacterial contamination, transfusion-related acute lung injury, and anaphylaxis. In addition to hypotension, these reactions usually present with other characteristic symptoms and signs. In rare cases, hypotension is the only manifestation of a transfusion reaction. This reaction, characterized by early and abrupt onset of hypotension that resolves quickly once the transfusion is stopped, is referred to as acute hypotensive transfusion reaction (AHTR). We report a case of AHTR observed in a patient on angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor therapy. The Naranjo adverse drug reaction probability scale score indicated that the association between angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor therapy and AHTR was probable. If a patient on angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor therapy develops AHTR, it is important to recognize the need to switch to another class of antihypertensive medication, at least while the patient continues to require transfusion.

Valsartan-induced angioedema in a patient on angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor for years: case report and literature review.

Angioedema is a rare but life-threatening adverse effect of administration of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) administration. It has been classically associated with ACEIs, although angioedema has also been reported with angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs). Angioedema is a deep swelling of tissues just below the skin and mucous membranes, characterized by non-pitting asymmetric swelling that is usually non-pruritic. ARBs may cause an increase in plasma angiotensin II levels, which may lead to a negative feedback inhibition of ACE activity, predisposing to angioedema development. We report a case of valsartan-induced angioedema that occurred in a patient who was on ACEIs for years, with no incidence of angioedema.