Arrhythmic risk profile in mitral valve prolapse: A systematic review and metanalysis of 1715 patients.

INTRODUCTION: Mitral valve prolapse (MVP) is a common clinical condition in the general population. A subgroup of patients with MVP may experience ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death ("arrhythmic mitral valve prolapse" [AMVP]) but how to stratify arrhythmic risk is still unclear. Our meta-analysis aims to identify predictive factors for arrhythmic risk in patients with MVP. METHODS: We systematically searched Medline, Cochrane, Journals@Ovid, Scopus electronic databases for studies published up to December 28, 2022 and comparing AMVP and nonarrhythmic mitral valve prolapse (NAMVP) for what concerns history, electrocardiographic, echocardiographic and cardiac magnetic resonance features. The effect size was estimated using a random-effect model as odds ratio (OR) and mean difference (MD). RESULTS: A total of 10 studies enrolling 1715 patients were included. Late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) (OR: 16.67; p = .005), T-wave inversion (TWI) (OR: 2.63; p < .0001), bileaflet MVP (OR: 1.92; p < .0001) and mitral anulus disjunction (MAD) (OR: 2.60; p < .0001) were more represented among patients with AMVP than in NAMVP. Patients with AMVP were shown to have longer anterior mitral leaflet (AML) (MD: 2.63 mm; p < .0001), posterior mitral leaflet (MD: 2.96 mm; p < .0001), thicker AML (MD: 0.49 mm; p < .0001), longer MAD length (MD: 1.24 mm; p < .0001) and higher amount of LGE (MD: 1.41%; p < .0001) than NAMVP. AMVP showed increased mechanical dispersion (MD: 8.04 ms; 95% confidence interval: 5.13-10.96; p < .0001) compared with NAMVP. CONCLUSIONS: Our meta-analysis proved that LGE, TWI, bileaflet MVP, and MAD are predictive factors for arrhythmic risk in MVP patients.

Veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation supported transcatheter aortic valve implantation in a high-risk COVID-19 patient: a comprehensive case report.

Background: The sudden onset of heart failure in high-risk transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) candidates poses significant challenges, necessitating meticulous planning and consideration of mechanical circulatory support options. Nevertheless, existing data on the efficacy and safety of mechanical circulatory support in this context are limited, along with criteria for patient selection. Case summary: An 87-year-old patient, with severe low-flow low-gradient aortic stenosis, presented with acute heart failure and concurrent COVID-19 pneumonia. Despite initial conservative management, her clinical condition deteriorated, requiring inotropic support. The decision was made to perform a rescue TAVI procedure with veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support. The patient underwent successful TAVI while managing complications, including cardiac arrest, with haemodynamic support from veno-arterial ECMO. Post-procedure, the patient showed improved cardiac function and was discharged in stable condition. Discussion: This case underscores the significance of strategic patient selection, proactive haemodynamic management, and the judicious use of veno-arterial ECMO in high-risk TAVI, particularly in complex scenarios involving acute heart failure and respiratory insufficiency, exacerbated by COVID-19. It highlights the challenges and critical decision points in TAVI planning, emphasizing the need for further research and standardized guidelines to refine indications for prophylactic mechanical circulatory support in TAVI procedures.

Novel Challenges and Therapeutic Options for Pulmonary Embolism and Deep Vein Thrombosis.

Acute pulmonary embolism (PE), often resulting from deep vein thrombosis (DVT), is the third most frequent cause of cardiovascular death and is associated with increasing incidence, causing considerable morbidity and mortality. This review aims to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and outcomes of treatment options in the management of acute PE and DVT, encompassing both established and emerging technologies, such as catheter-directed thrombolysis, aspiration thrombectomy, and other endovascular techniques. A comprehensive literature review was conducted, assessing clinical studies, trials, and case reports that detail the use of percutaneous interventions for PE and DVT and analyzing the advantages and disadvantages of each percutaneous system. Several percutaneous treatments have shown promising results, especially in cases where rapid thrombus resolution is critical, such as in high- and intermediate-high-risk patients. The incidence of major complications, such as bleeding, remains a consideration, though it is generally manageable with proper patient selection and technique. It is fundamentally important to tailor the specific treatment strategy to the clinical and anatomical characteristics of each patient. Percutaneous treatments for acute PE and DVT represent valuable options in the therapeutic arsenal, offering enhanced outcomes in appropriately selected patients. Ongoing advancements in technology and technique, along with comprehensive clinical trials, are essential to further define the role and optimize the use of these interventions.

MI2AMI-CS: A meta-analysis comparing Impella and IABP outcomes in Acute Myocardial Infarction-related Cardiogenic Shock.

BACKGROUND: Cardiogenic Shock (CS) complicating acute myocardial infarction (AMI) poses a significant mortality risk, suggesting the opportunity to implement effective mechanical circulatory support strategies. The comparative efficacy of Intra-Aortic Balloon Pump (IABP) and Impella in managing CS-AMI remains a subject of investigation. OBJECTIVE: This meta-analysis aims to evaluate the comparative effectiveness of Impella and IABP in managing CS-AMI, exploring mortality and adverse events. METHODS: A systematic search of major databases from inception to November 2023 identified eight studies, comprising 10,628 patients, comparing Impella and IABP in CS-AMI. Retrospective studies (preferably Propensity-matched) and Randomized Clinical Trials (RCTs) were included. RESULTS: Impella use exhibited significantly higher mortality (57% vs. 46%; OR: 1.44, 95% CI: 1.29-1.60; p < 0.001) and major bleeding (30% vs 15%; OR: 2.93, 95% CI: 1.67-5.13; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In unselected CS-AMI patients, Impella usage is associated with significantly higher mortality and major bleeding.

Ranolazine Unveiled: Rediscovering an Old Solution in a New Light.

Ranolazine is an anti-anginal medication that has demonstrated antiarrhythmic properties by inhibiting both late sodium and potassium currents. Studies have shown promising results for ranolazine in treating both atrial fibrillation and ventricular arrhythmias, particularly when used in combination with other medications. This review explores ranolazine's mechanisms of action and its potential role in cardiac arrhythmias treatment in light of previous clinical studies.

Chest Pain and the Dynamic Evolution of Spontaneous Coronary Artery Hematoma.

Spontaneous coronary intramural hematoma (SCIH) is a rare but underdiagnosed condition, with dynamic evolution. We present a patient with acute chest pain and normal coronary angiogram undergoing work-up for myocardial infarction with nonobstructive coronary arteries. Cardiac magnetic resonance revealed an ischemic pattern, and subsequent angiography revealed coronary occlusion by SCIH. (Level of Difficulty: Intermediate.).

External validity of the PRECISE-DAPT score in patients undergoing PCI: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

AIMS: To summarize the totality of evidence validating the Predicting Bleeding Complications in Patients Undergoing Stent Implantation and Subsequent Dual Antiplatelet Therapy (PRECISE-DAPT) score, ascertaining its aggregate discrimination and validation power in multiple population subsets. METHODS AND RESULTS: We searched electronic databases from 2017 (PRECISE-DAPT proposal) up to March 2023 for studies that reported the occurrence of out-of-hospital bleedings according to the PRECISE-DAPT score in patients receiving DAPT following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Pooled odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) were used as summary statistics and were calculated using a random-effects model. Primary and secondary endpoints were the occurrence of any and major bleeding, respectively. A total of 21 studies and 67 283 patients were included; 24.7% of patients (N = 16 603) were at high bleeding risk (PRECISE-DAPT score ≥25), and when compared to those at low bleeding risk, they experienced a significantly higher rate of any out-of-hospital bleeding (OR: 2.71; 95% CI: 2.24-3.29; P-value <0.001) and major bleedings (OR: 3.51; 95% CI: 2.71-4.55; P-value <0.001). Pooling data on c-stat whenever available, the PRECISE-DAPT score showed a moderate discriminative power in predicting major bleeding events at 1 year (pooled c-stat: 0.71; 95% CI: 0.64-0.77). CONCLUSION: This systematic review and meta-analysis confirms the external validity of the PRECISE-DAPT score in predicting out-of-hospital bleeding outcomes in patients on DAPT following PCI. The moderate discriminative ability highlights the need for future improved risk prediction tools in the field.