SARS-COV-2 infection presenting as ST-elevationmyocardial infarction.

We describe a patient presenting with chest discomfort, anterolateral ST elevation, and developing acute cardiogenic shock secondary to SARS-COV-2infection-patient zero presenting to our institution's cardiac catheterization laboratory. The emergent presentation with limited clinical information led to exposure of personnel. The diagnosis was complicated by two negative tests for SARS-COV-2, and high-clinical suspicion from the patient's occupational history led to additional testing in order to confirm the diagnosis.

Effects of sprint interval training on cardiorespiratory fitness while in a hyperbaric oxygen environment.

Objectives: Hyperbaric oxygen (HBO2) exposure may enhance cardiorespiratory fitness. Exercise training and HBO2 exposure stimulate mitochondrial biogenesis, increase capillary density, and induce adaptive antioxidant mechanisms. We hypothesized that an exercise regimen of sprint interval training (SIT) while breathing HBO2 would lead to a greater improvement in exercise performance compared to the same training breathing ambient air. Methods: Healthy long-term intermediate-altitude residents, ages 20-39 years, with normal spirometry and cardiorespiratory fitness were randomized to two groups: one performing six sessions of a SIT regimen over two weeks in a hyperbaric chamber (1.4 ATA [141.9 kPa], FiO2=1.0); the other performing under ambient pressure conditions (0.85 ATA [86.1 kPa], FiO2=0.21). Training effect was evaluated by comparing incremental cycle ergometry cardiopulmonary exercise testing before and after the training regimen. The primary outcome measure was peak oxygen consumption (V̇O2), while secondary outcomes included additional exercise parameters. The effect of study group on exercise parameters was assessed using two-factor repeated measures ANOVA. Results: Of 58 participants randomized, 49 completed the training program and all cardiopulmonary exercise tests (n=23 HBO2, n=26 ambient). Both groups experienced an increase in peak V̇O2: 8.1% HBO2 and 7.1% ambient; the differences were not significant (p=0.50). Secondary parameters of peak work rate and peak V̇E experienced a significantly higher change in the HBO2 group compared to the ambient group (p=0.05 and p=0.03, respectively). Conclusion: Cardiorespiratory fitness improved after a two-week SIT regimen, but improvement in peak V̇O2 was not significantly different between ambient and HBO2 groups.

Meta-Analysis and Trial Sequential Analysis Comparing Percutaneous Ventricular Assist Devices Versus Intra-Aortic Balloon Pump During High-Risk Percutaneous Coronary Intervention or Cardiogenic Shock.

The intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) and percutaneous ventricular assist devices (pVAD) are commonly used in different clinical scenarios. The goal of this study was to carry out a meta-analysis and Trial Sequential Analysis (TSA) comparing the IABP versus pVAD (TandemHeart and the Impella) during high-risk percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or cardiogenic shock (CS). Using PubMed, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and EMBASE we searched for randomized clinical trials (RCTs) and nonrandomized studies that compared pVAD versus IABP in patients who underwent high-risk PCI or with CS. We included 5 RCTs and 1 nonrandomized study comparing pVAD versus IABP. Based on the RCTs, we demonstrated no difference in short-term (6 months) (risk ratio [RR] 1.09, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.79 to 1.52; p = 0.59) or long-term (12 months) (RR 1.00, 95% CI 0.57 to 1.76; p = 1.00) all-cause mortality. The use of pVAD seemed associated with more adverse events (acute kidney injury, limb ischemia, infection, major bleeding, and vascular injury) compared with IABP (RR 1.65, 95% CI 1.14 to 2.39; p = 0.008) but this was not supported by TSA (random-effects RR 1.66, 95% CI 0.89 to 3.09; p = 0.11; TSA-adjusted CI 0.13 to 21.3). In conclusion there were no differences in short or long-term mortality when using IABP versus pVAD for high-risk PCI or CS. IABP showed superiority over pVAD in terms of risk of harm. However, further RCTs are needed to establish more conclusively the role of these modalities of mechanical circulatory support during high-risk PCI or CS.