Contemporary trends of leadless pacemaker implantation in the United States.

INTRODUCTION: Leadless pacemakers (LPM) have established themselves as the important therapeutic modality in management of selected patients with symptomatic bradycardia. To determine real-world utilization and in-hospital outcomes of LPM implantation since its approval by the Food and Drug Administration in 2016. METHODS: For this retrospective cohort study, data were extracted from the National Inpatient Sample database from the years 2016-2020. The outcomes analyzed in our study included implantation trends of LPM over study years, mortality, major complications (defined as pericardial effusion requiring intervention, any vascular complication, or acute kidney injury), length of stay, and cost of hospitalization. Implantation trends of LPM were assessed using linear regression. Using years 2016-2017 as a reference, adjusted outcomes of mortality, major complications, prolonged length of stay (defined as >6 days), and increased hospitalization cost (defined as median cost >34 098$) were analyzed for subsequent years using a multivariable logistic regression model. RESULTS: There was a gradual increased trend of LPM implantation over our study years (3230 devices in years 2016-2017 to 11 815 devices in year 2020, p for trend <.01). The adjusted mortality improved significantly after LPM implantation in subsequent years compared to the reference years 2016-2017 (aOR for the year 2018: 0.61, 95% CI: 0.51-0.73; aOR for the year 2019: 0.49, 95% CI: 0.41-0.59; and aOR for the year 2020: 0.52, 95% CI: 0.44-0.62). No differences in adjusted rates of major complications were demonstrated over the subsequent years. The adjusted cost of hospitalization was higher for the years 2019 (aOR: 1.33, 95% CI: 1.22-1.46) and 2020 (aOR: 1.69, 95% CI: 1.55-1.84). CONCLUSION: The contemporary US practice has shown significantly increased implantation rates of LPM since its approval with reduced rates of inpatient mortality.

Unusual Fungal Endocarditis Causing Disseminated Infection After Renal Transplant.

Fungal endocarditis is a relatively uncommon disease; it mostly affects those with intracardiac devices and those with compromised immune systems. Scedosporium apiospermum (S. apiospermum), the asexual state of Pseudoallescheria boydii, has become increasingly reported as an opportunistic pathogen. These filamentous fungi present in soil, sewage, and polluted waters, and was previously recognized to cause human infection after their inhalation or traumatic subcutaneous implantation. In immunocompetent individuals, it usually causes localized diseases depending on the site of entry such as skin mycetoma. However, in immunocompromised hosts, the fungus species appear to disseminate and cause invasive infections, frequently reported to be life-threatening with poor response to antifungal medications. S. apiospermum invasive endocarditis remains a rare complication, mostly cited in immunocompetent hosts with prosthetic cardiac valves or other intracardiac devices and severely immunocompromised patients with hematologic neoplasia. Herein, we describe the case of a renal transplant patient on immunosuppressive medications who presented with S. apiospermum fungal septic infection that invaded the left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) causing endocarditis with disseminated infection and resulted in poor clinical outcome.

Coronary Artery and Pulmonary Artery Fistula: Rare Congenital Coronary Artery Fistula.

Coronary artery fistula is a rare condition that can be congenital or acquired. Most patients with these anomalies remain asymptomatic, but symptoms and complications may develop with increasing age. We discuss the clinical presentation, diagnostic work-up, and management options for this condition. (Level of Difficulty: Intermediate.).

The Artery of Percheron Infarction after Coronary Angiography.

Coronary angiography is the golden choice for coronary artery disease evaluation and management. However, as with any invasive procedures, there is a risk of complications. We are reporting a case of 69-year-old male with past medical history of cardiac bypass surgery, CHF, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia who was admitted to the hospital to evaluate his chest pain. He had treadmill stress test that showed ischemic induced exercise. Patient underwent coronary angiography that showed proximal complete occlusion of the RCA with a patent graft. At the end of the procedure, the patient did not wake up and remained minimally responsive. An urgent brain MRI was ordered and showed infarctions consistent with an artery of Percheron infarction. Later, patient has improved slowly and was discharged home. We briefly here discuss this rare complication including the risk factor, clinical presentation, and the management.

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy associated with hyperthyroidism treated with thyroidectomy.

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is an uncommon clinical entity, also called apical ballooning syndrome, characterized by transient systolic dysfunction of the apical and/or mid segments of the left ventricle. We report a case that highlights takotsubo syndrome in the setting of thyrotoxicosis that required thyroidectomy. The association of takotsubo syndrome and hyperthyroidism has been reported before. We found 13 previously reported cases of thyrotoxicosis-induced cardiomyopathy, most associated with Grave's disease and none treated with thyroidectomy. Awareness of this possible association is important in establishing the diagnosis and instituting proper management.